MASKTOURN

Clove had wasted no time running back to her room and getting dressed up, for she loved a good party. That’s why she ran a bar, after all! She donned a sleek black robe that fell to her ankles, and a simple gold necklace that was somehow still too flashy for her taste. This time, her bird mask was on, covering her face, and she fiddled with a small silver ring in her hand. She didn’t dare put it on, but the weight in her palm was rather comforting. Even if the gala didn’t reflect a typical night at the Bloody Mary, she was thrilled nonetheless, finding herself mindlessly dancing along with the music. She closed her eyes and danced without a care in the world, hopefully not careening into any guests… @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman had made his way to the gala, fashionably late. He actually looked like he had cleaned up slightly. His usual stubble was freshly shaven, he seemed moisturized, and he was entirely free of any blood staining him at the moment! His hair was let down, an his twists sat at about tit level, but was longer in the back. He only wore a short skirt and most of the golden jewelry they had supplied. Even his drumsticks and the eye jar were currently missing, which was extremely odd for him. The mask sat on his face, which was he somewhat peeved hid his amazing eyes. He went through a lot of work to get them to look like that.. He stood at the entrance and looked around, trying to find someone worthwhile to talk to.. Casually, he approached the waltzing vampire, and gently grabbed her hand as she moved it up in the air in a certain move. "And who do I have the pleasure of encountering this fine evening?" Roman hummed, smiling at he held Clove's hand. @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

Clove’s eyes fluttered open in surprise the moment she felt someone’s hand clasp around hers. It was only then that she’d realized that she had been doing a dance meant for two people… She slowly lowered her hand as she followed along with the music, the masked stranger’s hand moving with hers as she spun him around, her free hand on his shoulder to keep him steady. “Clove,” the vampire replied with a serene smile. She was no stranger to casually dancing with bar patrons, and to her, this was no different. “And who do I have the pleasure with dancing with this evening? My, you’re bold!” she giggled. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman followed along with Clove's moves with grace. He giggled a bit as he got turned around, and as Clove placed her hand on his shoulder, he placed his on her waist. "Clove? I think that's a great name." Roman smiled. "And you can call me Romeo for tonight, your wish is my command~" @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

Clove continued to smile, but she quickly began to come to a realization… …This ‘Romeo’ was definitely flirting with her. “Ah! It’s lovely to meet you, Romeo,” she hummed, still continuing to dance. “You seemed rather eager to dance.” @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well, a lady like you should never dance alone." He said, continuing the dance as well. "But I enjoy a tango or two myself, I must admit." @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

Clove laughed, her fangs a bit more on display. “Well, I’m never truly alone, but it is nice to dance with someone once in a while, especially a possible friend.” she said cryptically between steps. “Do you dance a lot then? I mean, your steps do speak for themselves, but still, it’s impressive.” she hummed. “You seem to be in your element!” @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Possible friend.. Wait- As Roman saw her fangs his steps faltered for just a moment, before he caught back up. How many vampires were here..? And never truly alone? Possible eyeball jar situation maybe..? "Oh- I dance a lot. Usually it's nothing as formal as this.." Roman smiled. He moved his hand from Clove's waist to her lower back, and leaned her in to a slight dip, just enough to lean over her a bit. "And if you don't find it rude of me to ask, are you a vampire too?" Roman asked and smiled wider, showing off his small, blunt fangs. @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

Clove leaned back with him, eyeing Roman’s fangs with interest. They weren’t nearly as visible as hers, or as flashy as Leo’s, but it did raise a question: Just how many vampires were brought here? “Well, if you’re a bit more fast-paced, perhaps once this is over, you can stop by my bar, the Bloody Mary- drinks on me!” she hummed, deciding to extend the invite to the overly friendly vampire, hoping he’d not interpret it as flirting. He seemed nice, and well, Clove wanted to be nice right back… “If the fangs and the bar name haven’t given it away, yes, I too am a vampire, been that way for quite a while now!” @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Free drinks, hm? Well, I don't think I could decline that." Roman said and lifted Clove back up to her feet. "You're actually the second vampire I've met here, and I must say, you're much nicer." @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

“Second?” Clove echoed. “You’re actually the second vampire I’ve met as well! I must say, both of you have been lovely!” she smiled. “Say, you didn’t meet Valerie, did you?” She hoped this somewhat unpleasant vampire wasn’t her charming new friend from earlier. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Yeah, he figured she'd think he was a vampire too. He would go with it for now- she seemed to be in to it. "Valerie? No, I don't believe I've met anyone here by that name.." Roman hummed. "The fellow I met was named Leo Von Clarinet, or something along those lines. He took some of my blood and left me to faint on the streets." @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

No. Clove’s eyes widened in shock the moment Roman mentioned Leo- even if the name was slightly off, no one else would do something like that. She was so in shock in fact, that she let go of the other vampire completely. “No, no, no…” she shook her head, using one of her hands to rub her temple. “…I’m sorry he did that to you, Romeo- are you alright?” she immediately looked him up and down for injuries. Her ‘vacation’ had just gotten a little less relaxing… @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

As Clove let go, Roman stepped in closer and held his hands around her waist to keep her steady. "Oh, I'm quite alright, Miss Clove." Roman nodded. The various scars around his body may lend evidence against that, as well as his general physique looking not unlike a skeleton and missing finger, but.. He wasn't showing any outward expressions of pain. "I'm much more worried about you, you just had quite a reaction.. Do you and this Sir Clarinet have history?" @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 | (edited)

Hopefully Leo hadn’t made any of those scars… Clove cringed the moment his name resurfaced in her thoughts. Oh, this was going to be a long night. “I’m glad you’re alright, Romeo,” she replied, meeting his eyes to give him a small smile. It sadly wouldn’t last. “Leo and I have a very long history, yes. We’ve been working together for over a century now- once business partners, once friends. I won’t bother you with all the boring details, I just… wasn’t expecting to see him here, that’s all! He’s truly… something, isn’t he?” She tried her best to smile once more. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"A century? Wow, he's quite the character to be working with for that long.. You must be a saint to tolerate him." Roman said and began to slowly twirl, still keeping his hands on Clove. "But I don't think tonight is the time to worry about him, sorry for bringing him up. Tonight should be for festivities!" @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

Clove continued to move with Roman, slowly relaxing with every step she took. “Oh, it’s alright, dear- you didn’t know. And I’d never want to burden you with any of my issues.” she nodded along at Roman’s last comment. “Oh, absolutely! I’ll drink to that!” she giggled. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It wouldn't be a burden, I'm here to serve you guests. It's the least I could do for you." Roman smiled. "I'm sure they have blood around here somewhere, I can smell goat's blood, but if you'd like some human blood.. I have a stash." @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

“Oh! Are you employed here?” Clove asked. She’d been under the impression that Roman had been raptured like her, but perhaps she’d thought wrong. “I… tend to stay away from human blood, so any other type would do.” @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

A vampire who didn't like human blood.. Strange. "Somewhat. I'm here as an escort." Roman said, hands still firmly on Clove. "And you stay away from human blood..? Well, I must say that's quite strange.. Animal blood just can't compare." @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

“An escort? For whom?” Clove raised an eyebrow, though Roman wouldn’t be able to see it. Darn mask! “Human blood… it’s really not the beeeest,” she drawled, shrugging slightly. “I suppose to each their own, though I understand that it’s odd!” @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'.. Is she sheltered or just dense?

' "For whom? Well, for beautiful ladies like yourself." He smiled and dipped her again, so that he was leaning over her, close enough that their masks were nearly touching. "And I shouldn't judge, you're free to indulge in whatever you'd like. I know there's goat blood here." @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

…This was closer than she expected to be. Clove was far too nice to simply shut down Roman’s advances, but she really needed to let him know she was only into women. Or that this was a platonic dance between two vampires. Perhaps existing with Leo for so long had altered her perception of what was and wasn’t flirting. As much as the two of them didn’t see eye-to-eye, they could agree that they were never romantically involved with eachother- Leo was only interested in men, after all. But maybe she could clear the air? “Me?” Clove held a hand to her heart. “I’m flattered, truly! Perhaps one day I’ll be as brave as you, Romeo! Oh, how I’d love to sweep a woman off her feet like this! You’ve been such a wonderful dance partner!” she beamed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

'Oh she's bisexual i didn't know that pride_bi_heart

' "Really? Well, I'm no lovely lady vampire, but you're free to do whatever you'd like with me." Roman returned the smile with the same enthusiasm. @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

Oh dear… “Oh! That’s very sweet,” Clove hummed- sounding the most dismissive a pushover possibly could. She had to choose her next words carefully. “Those are some rather bold words, Romeo! I… don’t want to sour your bight, but I just simply don’t think that would go well for you, though… at least with me…” @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, you could never sour my night, and honestly, the worse things go for me the better." He chuckled. His arms were beginning to tremble from the strain of holding Clove up, so he lifted her back to a standing position. The distance between them stayed just as close though. @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

@Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |

This was it! She was going to tell him! “Uhm, well-“ Clove was cut off as soon as she heard the announcement. Leo was for sure here. And she’d have to fight Valerie. “I-I need to go, it was so nice meeting you, Roman!” She wriggled out of Roman’s hold and took off. She needed time to process all this. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Roman listened to the announcements as well, and after every announcement, his grin only grew. Yeah, he wasn't fighting! Then, the very last call.. ... Against Ryu? Well.. "Oh wait miss- ah, I'll see you later!" Roman called out after her, and once she had fully left, turned toward Naiyta.. @Morgan | Clove 🦇 + Leo 🩸 |