Fancy dress & Gambling (Pregame 1 LE Storage)

[Yori Hakamada]

"Mostly the food but it really isn't as bad as people think." She had been expecting the question to come at some point during the night. "It's worse than most places but far from what most people think. It's like having really really strict parents that you never grow away from. Unless you leave like me but I did that for experience not as an escape. I do look forward to going home at some point I'm just not sure I will live there forever, I'm starting to think I will end up on Solaris.

What about you, do you miss the Combine?" She offered to refill Yori's glass, with both hands as is proper.

Yori nods her head in thanks, few people appreciated proper etiquette.
"I think I understand, the Combine is not dissimilar. The Coordinator wants what is best for the Inner Sphere and sometimes that requires sacrifice. All victories inevitably come at a cost.

I hope you are able to return home one day and are not detained and interrogated as a possible foreign agent."

Neutrally
"I miss the sense of duty and purpose. When I was a part of the DCMS I was both highly motivated and highly ignorant, the perfect soldier. It did not matter that I was a woman or of only moderate birth, our reforms had allowed those such as myself to become mechwarriors if we possessed the skills. I devoted myself completely to the Combine's goals and I believed that the state cared about me as well."

A slight shrug, like she'd just heard her train was delayed five minutes.
"I was mistaken."

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"Oh."

Mei's mood grew sour.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I hope things change so that you feel comfortable returning. I am sure my return will be difficult given where I've been and what I've been doing. I too am from middling stock but I was lucky enough to grow up on a pleasure world so things were better than most places I have seen in or out of the Confed. It opened my eyes a lot so I'm sure there are things I still do not see. Our cultures are not so distant but to others it seems extremely foreign. Whatever they may say about our homes I just try remember that if their homes were so great why did they leave? It is tough everywhere, we must build peace for ourselves."

[Yori Hakamada]

"Oh."

Mei's mood grew sour.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I hope things change so that you feel comfortable returning. I am sure my return will be difficult given where I've been and what I've been doing. I too am from middling stock but I was lucky enough to grow up on a pleasure world so things were better than most places I have seen in or out of the Confed. It opened my eyes a lot so I'm sure there are things I still do not see. Our cultures are not so distant but to others it seems extremely foreign. Whatever they may say about our homes I just try remember that if their homes were so great why did they leave? It is tough everywhere, we must build peace for ourselves."

"Hmmm, it is possible. I have to kill someone to make it happen and that appears to be far off. Still, your concern is appreciated."

Yori slowly and horrifyingly reaches up an arm and awkwardly pats Mei on the shoulder.
"I believe you have a logical understand of cultural differences that is relatively close to my own. That is good."
Letting her hand drop.

"I will change the subject to something more jovial now. Would you like to list another personal interest? Alternatively, if you have gossip about other members of the Angels I will listen."

[Yoko Lee]

Yoko floated in, looking around as she did so.



She was dressed quite fancy in a long black dress with a rich sheen that showed off the pale skin of her mixed heritage. Despite being long it was quite fine cut, snug and revealing, something the zero g helped with actually so that things and bits stayed floating in place.

Yoko immediately went for a glass of wine as she continued to glance around, wondering what to do first.

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

"Hmmm, it is possible. I have to kill someone to make it happen and that appears to be far off. Still, your concern is appreciated."

Yori slowly and horrifyingly reaches up an arm and awkwardly pats Mei on the shoulder.
"I believe you have a logical understand of cultural differences that is relatively close to my own. That is good."
Letting her hand drop.

"I will change the subject to something more jovial now. Would you like to list another personal interest? Alternatively, if you have gossip about other members of the Angels I will listen."

"Oh, well I am so new here I have only just met you and few other's before that so I don't really have any gossip unless you are interested in hearing about Lt. Winter's comic collection or about my lance. You must know some good gossip about the people here though right?"

Yoko floated in, looking around as she did so.

She was dressed quite fancy in a long black dress with a rich sheen that showed off the pale skin of her mixed heritage. Despite being long it was quite fine cut, snug and revealing, something the zero g helped with actually so that things and bits stayed floating in place.

Yoko immediately went for a glass of wine as she continued to glance around, wondering what to do first.

(Japanese) Good evening Yoko, oh my god you look amazing tonight I want that dress. Here let me." She "poured" Yoko a glass by way of sticking a straw in a bottle and handed it to her, and floated around to invite her into the conversation.

[Alex Kovac]

Alex stood in the fancy tux worn at the dinner. Skipper at the side. "Permission to speak..." Alex chuckled. "Granted but you don't have to ask Noah. Just say what is on your mind." Noah sighed. "I am worried about Mikey... I don't think he can keep his dinner down." Alex sighed. "Hopefully he can last till the year is over... Just keep an eye on him and measure the intake of alcohol. We don't know what might happen." Alex placed the hands in the pockets. "Enjoy 0 G Skipper like sailing the sea." Alex waves and moved to the wall. "Roger that..."

//PM or quote if approached

[Aleksandr Korolov]

While Alek was away on some gentle merriment there was a playful scuffle and the giant man found himself floating rapidly toward the drink table and the ladies positioned near it.

The big man didn't have anyway to stop himself but did pitch low. At least If the ladies did not see him coming, a hard sight to miss, he would only hit their legs and send them spinning a little but with enough situational awareness they could be spared that fate and Alek would continue by Harmlessly.

Regardless of outcome he would throw out a "Apologies ladies!" Full of merriment

[Yori Hakamada]

Snip

Neutrally
"Only small amounts, I am bad at gossip as people usually stop talking to me after a few minutes. If you have some gossip about yourself I suppose that would count?"

Following Mei's gaze to regard Yoko
"Oh, there is someone with a sexy costume."

Snip

Now floating upside down
"Master Sergeant Korolov, happy new year."

[Yoko Lee]

Yoko blinked and answered in Japanese in turn, (日本語) "Thank you for the compliment... are there no glasses for the wine, Mei-Ling? I'm not sure I wore this dress to drink wine from a bottle, neh?"

Yoko didn't even look the man's way as she floated herself out of the way, seeming to realize he was heading tgere thanks to his unmistakable presence and movement.

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

Snip

"Yeah she's killing it tonight, maybe I need to go back to room and try something more daring." She made a cat claw motion at Yoko. "As for rumors about me? Well I don't know what would count as a rumor exa...."

Snip

Mei turned at the sound of Alek's voice but was too late to avoid him and she collided face first with his chest, practically falling into his embrace.

(muffled Chinese) OOF. Alek what are you..."
(English) "Alek what are you doing? I appreciate your enthusiasm but the dancefloor I over there."

[Aleksandr Korolov]

Now floating upside down
"Master Sergeant Korolov, happy new year."

"And to you as well LT!" He raised his bottle just as-

Mei turned at the sound of Alek's voice but was too late to avoid him and she collided face first with his chest, practically falling into his embrace.

(muffled Chinese) OOF. Alek what are you..."
(English) "Alek what are you doing? I appreciate your enthusiasm but the dancefloor I over there."

The collision with the small girl had been enough for him to get his bearings.

He laughed loud "Apologies Mei! It seems Hammer took exception to my teasing tonight and well, here we are!" He looped an arm around her protectively as he righted them and pushed her back towards the others

"Miss Lee I see you are graceful as ever and dressed to kill!" He said as he steadied himself and gently pushed off the wall.

[Yori Hakamada]

Snip

Yori blinks twice at the collision but otherwise her face remains neutral.
"A rumour would be something that could be true or untrue and that might make you appear more mysterious."
She says, unhelpfully to the pile of Mei and Alek

[Yoko Lee]

Yoko was unsure how Mei-Ling had missed the hulking man, but maybe she wasn't just as high strung as herself. As she looked at her friend tangled up with Alek before turning to Yori.

"Oh, were we exchanging rumors then?"

Her ears perked up but her tone was neutral as if nothing strange was happening.

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

Mei was visibly flustered and had to share her embarrassment off by taking a long drink of wine.
"Oh it's alright Alek." She floated back, grabbing a table and anchoring herself to it. "Please try some of my fruitcake, both of you." She said turning towards Yoko

Snip

"I would say that sipping wine from the bottle though a straw is marginally more dignified than a sippy cup but it's your bottle to do with as you wish." She smiled.

Snip

Turning to look at Yori she said. "I never thought about starting a rumor about myself but this sounds like a fun little game. How about this, I hear that Mei-Ling is terrified of fresh broccoli and seeing it will make her faint. OK, who is next?"

[Yori Hakamada]

Yoko was unsure how Mei-Ling had missed the hulking man, but maybe she wasn't just as high strung as herself. As she looked at her friend tangled up with Alek before turning to Yori.

"Oh, were we exchanging rumors then?"

Her ears perked up but her tone was neutral as if nothing strange was happening.

"Something like that, I judged it a suitable pastime while we wait for the gambling to start. Do you have any good rumours you would like to share Officer Lee?"

Turning to look at Yori she said. "I never thought about starting a rumor about myself but this sounds like a fun little game. How about this, I hear that Mei-Ling is terrified of fresh broccoli and seeing it will make her faint. OK, who is next?"

Yori nods and writes down this rumour with due solemnity. Evidently it would be restated verbatim over the next few days to increasingly baffled company members.

"Let me think."
Yori goes completely still, staring blankly into space as she appears to devote 100% of her braintime to coming up with a believable rumour.

"I hear that Yori Hakamada is 5'6" "
Explaining to the others
"I am actually 5'4"."

[Gianna Rains]

The Rains sisters, both looking festive although Gianna was really the only one looking happy about it, come arm in arm down the halfway toward the party room - and discover a somewhat frozen-looking Cat Hayes there, close to but not really approaching the door.

Princess, helpful as always, starts to say, "Hey isn't that the sad--" before being loudly shushed by her big sister. Letting go of Princess while giving her a glare, Gianna steps close to Cat and tells her quietly, "It's scary, but you can do it. You look great. You're going to have fun. And I'm right here, if you need--" and Gianna pushes the smaller girl toward the door as it floats open briefly from someone else's entry. One hand pushing the small of Cat's back while her other catches the door to make sure it doesn't hit anyone, Gianna gently but firmly shoves Cat through the door.

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"Eh? I'm not really-" The small mech pilot tries to respond, but is gently pushed into the room before she can finish.

"Ah!" And then Catherine already finds herself floating inside the big party hall. Somewhat awkwardly posed, she freezes in mid air to avoid immediately spinning out of control. That was a well controlled push, just a bit on the gentle and slow side.

Santa Cat.jpg (125.65 KiB) Viewed 4798 times

Well, she is inside now, after entering a bit earlier and differently than she had expected. And also stuck. For the moment at least. It will take her a couple of moments to slowly float across the room and hit something to finally get her footing back.

"Umm hello ..." Catherine greets the people nearby and wonders if she should ask for help with her current predicament. But it is not all that long of a wait after all.

[Mei-Ling Zhou]

Snip

From her place in the crowd by the drinks table Mei lets out a too loud SQUEE of delight and bounces up and down as Cat enters the party.

[Yoko Lee]

Having resigned herself to a bottle,she listened curiously to the rumors, giving a small raise of an eyebrow to Yori before nodding at the explanation, "Well, I suppose all good rumors do have a grain of closeness or truth about them. So you have that down."

Following Mei-Ling's eyes, the edge of Yoko’s mouth turned up into a subtle smirk, "If you wanna go greet her, go right ahead Mei-Ling. We'll be here."

That apparently included Aleks for now, after he steadied himself, "Dressed to kill, hm? An odd turn of phrase Mister Korolov."

[Catherine Maia Hayes]

"Ah! Goo! Hello!"

Trying to avoid giving herself a bad spin, Catherine does not wave so much as wiggle slightly in the air to greet her fellow Mechwarrior.