026 ☺ Voice☺ Now put your hand up, if you wouldn't man up if there was a fight here

[moreincommon]

[This time Mark is feeling fit enough to post with video, and he assumes people are far less likely to be alarmed with the bruises now on his face than the swellings that used to be there. Still, he is not quite up to his old self and chooses voice again, if only because it's easier to pretend that way.]

Since there's still interest in learning dances and we could probably all use some levity right now, how does Sunday evening sound for everyone? If it's possible to reserve space in the gym I think that would be the best meeting place. If it isn't, we can probably take a classroom in the learning annex. My thoughts are that we'll start with some simple ballroom dances from 20th century Earth, but anything goes! Everyone's welcome to come.

[Private, Bush]
Welcome back! I'm sorry to greet you this way, but I had a note about your inmate.

[Private, Sylvanas]
We need to talk.

Comments

[outofclothes]

Not as stupid as your face.

No.

[indispensible]

. . . No.

Yes.

[outofclothes]

Yes.

No.

[indispensible]

[:|]

[outofclothes]

[Don't make that face at him. B|]

[strangehistorian]

I'd love to!

[ Spam]

[moreincommon]

[Mark hears her footfalls -- a sound he'd normally never be able to pick up -- when Sylvanas approaches. He turns to greet her, with a nod instead of a hearty hello this time. Neither of them are quite themselves yet.]

We've got a lot to go over. [He swipes his warden item, a small notebook with jotted details on her, in front of the CES doors.] Would you like to go in first, or should I? [Mark's never sure what Sylvanas would be most comfortable (or least uncomfortable) with, familiarity or novelty.]

Private

[moreincommon]

That's a relief to hear. Still, the boundaries she crossed to get it in the first place...

For the most part, I agree, but I'm concerned they might influence each other badly. They're both angry about being here to begin with, and I doubt they're calming each other down on that front.

[moreincommon]

I'm... sorry? What's wrong with dancing?

[moreincommon]

We'd be glad to have you! And if you're a beginner, don't worry. I think most people are, here.

[moreincommon]

I'd love to have you!

Private

[shakenandlimp]

You're right. But we mustn't keep'm from each other, they'll only conspire and be sullen.

I am not sure, at all, how to lead'm into more peaceful pursuits.

[ Spam]

[forsaken_queen]

[She doesn't give him a verbal answer, just unfolds her arms and pushes open the door to the CES. It's not about familiarity or novelty. It's about power. If it's an enviroment of her choosing, she has an advantage, she has some semblance of control. Mark has taken enough of her power away. She wouldn't let him choose their meeting ground.

The world they walk into is bright, cheery and a little bit fantastical. The trees have pink, purple, and golden leaves. The grass is green and lush with wildflowers rioting through it wherever they choose. And there is the strangest sense that somewhere, faint music is playing. This is just one of the reasons that the Eversong Forest was rather aptly named.]

[ Spam]

[moreincommon]

[That's fine; to him it was giving her a choice, and she made it. The consequences of it don't bother him at this point. In fact the location is actually quite stunning, and Mark feels a bit like he's just walked into a Disney musical. It cheers him up immensely.]

Is this where you lived?

Private

[moreincommon]

No, I agree. That would be the worst possible thing to do. If only they were more open to the idea of talking it out.

[ Spam]

[forsaken_queen]

This used to be my homeland. [It's a veiled answer. Not a no, but not quite a whole yes. Where she lived was to the south in what was now the Ghostlands.]

Re: Private

[shakenandlimp]

Well, they ain't.

I have thought about finding something to keep Jones busy but he will kick, I think.

[ Spam]

[moreincommon]

Well, it's beautiful! Wow, the woods where I grew up are nothing like this. [This forest is less likely to house wild boarmen, after all.] Is there a direction we should be going? [Letting her lead might be dangerous, but he doesn't intend to follow if she goes too far.]

Private

[moreincommon]

He sounds like he needs a lot of encouragement.

Re: Private

[shakenandlimp]

What he needs is- !

No. Pardon me. But he wants nothing to do with the barge, I can tell you that, and resents when he's told to.

Private

[moreincommon]

You can finish that sentence if you want! It sounds like we tapped into something there.

If you can find an activity that makes good use of his talents, he's more likely to stick with it. What is he good at?

Private

[shakenandlimp]

No, it is rude and it is not to be.

But... he is a sailing captain, like me. His skills are with the management of men, with wind, and tide, and seamanship and weather.

There's nothing for either of us here. We must make our own.

Private

[moreincommon]

Well, maybe those skills aren't very useful here but there has to be more than that. He's really not interested in anything else? Neither of you are?

[ Spam]

[forsaken_queen]

South and East. [She starts walking in that direction. They were somewhere in the vicinity of Fairbreeze Village. If they moved more east than south, they'd run right into the Dead Scar. But it would be a ways yet.]

You wanted to talk. I'm waiting.

Private

[shakenandlimp]

He is a musician, you'll have noticed. I think the whole ship must have.