The Valentine's Date Auction [OPEN]

[diamonds_forever]

WHO: Eveyone who signed up + the school in general
WHAT: this thing
WHERE: Right here, in the Institute
WHEN: Saturday evening, the 14th
WARNING(S): Given the nature of the event, I almost expect it, but remember the rules regarding that kind of thing. Take it off the log if it goes there.

⊗Never let it be said that Emma didn't know her stuff. Not content with the paltry and tired and cliche decorations Kurt and subjected the students to at previous events, she had completely taken over, using a combination of her wealth and mutant powers to create a sort of bohemian love palace for the students. Dance floor, tables, the finest foods. This was not a party the likes of which they had seen before... unless they were part of the older crowd, and had witnessed Emma at work before.

Was she good or was she good? On the stage, Emma stood proudly, taking each of the auctionable singles to the stage, one by one, and selling off just a fraction of their free time to the highest bidder. And the fact that it was all for charity left the whole situation comfortably guilt and obligation free.

Of course, as the host, she was more focused on the party and its guests as a whole than any particular individuals... Attempts at sneaking off probably would go unremarked upon. Probably.

[[ OOC: Each auction will receive its own top level, as well as a top level for general mingling. PLEASE CONSULT THE PLOTTING POST BEFORE BIDDING ]]

Comments

[kickstart_my_heart]

-Bridget hadn't expected his gloomy new roommate to show up, much less be dancing and catch him into a rather warm and intimate dance. He couldn't help smiling, though, thinking nothing more of it other than an assumption that the party environment brought Gilbert out of his shell. He didn't say much in response, other than a small giggle as he was twirled about. Though...-

For some reason, I'm surprised you know how to dance, mate.

[whatsatisfiesme]

[It is strange.

Gilbert's all but actively refused to occupy the same dorm room as Bridget since he arrived earlier in the week. Each time his roommate's set foot in the door, he's made himself scarce, only returning after it's grown late enough for him to fall right into bed. Any attempt to get more than a name out of him has won only a cold shoulder.

But now he doesn't seem to have any compunctions about sharing space. He sweeps Bridget close then sends him twirling at an arm's length until their fingertips barely touch.

When they draw back together, he's wearing an inscrutable, avid smile.]

Why would that surprise you?

[kickstart_my_heart]

Well, I don't want to offend, but you've struck me as a bit anti-social, is all. It's a pleasant surprise. I rather like dancing, myself. -Bridget had no trouble letting Gilbert lead, and moved as gracefully as one could. Plus he loved the way his skirt moved in the twirling. He felt very pretty...-

[whatsatisfiesme]

It's a new place for me. I don't know anyone else here -

[But he seems to find it easy enough to talk, now, as the music reaches a crescendo and he hooks an arm around Bridget's waist, keeping them close together as he sweeps him backwards.

Yes, he's definitely done this before...though not necessarily from this side of things. Still, it's just easier, him leading with the way Bridget is dressed. They fit the roles for the act better that way.

Which is good, because he wants every eye he can draw on them.]

Forgive me if I was rude.

[kickstart_my_heart]

Consider yourself forgiven... -And Bridget, always the entertainer, couldn't help but enjoy the crowd forming around them as well.- I suppose we got off on the wrong foot, before...

[whatsatisfiesme]

Merci.

[With so many onlookers, they deserve a show, don't they? So, as the song plays to a close, he spins Bridget once more, then draws him back towards him, dipping down to press a kiss along the top of his hand.

Nothing but a flourish, that. Obviously.]

For that and for the dance. I wasn't sure I could find a partner.

[kickstart_my_heart]

-Bridget blushed rather heavily at the gesture, having to take a moment to regain his composure.- Ah, w-well... It's no problem, right? Mum taught me how to dance like that...

[whatsatisfiesme]

[Excuse him while he titters at how pink Bridget's turned. Then he steps back, with one hand politely covering his smile while the music turns to something a little poppier.]

I see.

And you took your sense of style from her, as well?

[An honest question! But Gilbert, even when he's playing tame, isn't much for tiptoe-ing around delicate subjects.]

[kickstart_my_heart]

-Bridget gave a nervous laugh, rubbing at the back of his head a bit.- Erm... That's true, actually. She helped a lot, in that regard, really. It's a long story, though.

[whatsatisfiesme]

You'll have to tell it to me sometime.

[But it's really not the right place for it, now. It's a bit loud for one thing, and the floor's getting crowd as the dancing turns more energetic.

Gilbert settles a hand on Bridget's forearm and tilts his head curiously.]

But - should I let you go and find another partner? I never asked if you were spoken for tonight. [His free hand flips his hair back out of his eyes.] If I was making anyone jealous, before...

[kickstart_my_heart]

O-oh, no no! I haven't got a... girlfriend or anything like that, ha ha... -He almost said 'boyfriend', and felt strange that was the first word to come to mind.-

[whatsatisfiesme]

Oh? Then it's fine if I keep you for a while longer?

[Drifting his hands for Bridget's hips now and edging in a half-step closer.

The wavery uncertainty coming off of him is mild compared to some of the emotions swirling around the ballroom -- but how can he pass up the chance to see the boy he's apparently stuck with here off his guard for the night? It ought to be telling, if nothing else.]

One more song?

[kickstart_my_heart]

Right, that... sounds good. -No doubt Gilbert could feel a primary emotion swelling above the others in Bridget's mind as he positioned himself for another dance.

It was attraction. Though not the sort Bridget was quite willing to be honest with himself over. But it was there, and it was... strong.-

[whatsatisfiesme]

[He just answers with a pleased hum and closes his eyes to fall more thoroughly in sync with the music. They've already switched over to some single off the new Dazzler album, but Gilbert has no problem moving from the dance lessons he received at Auguste's society parties to the ones he picked up from being snuck into French dance clubs.

Now it's less about fluid movement and grace and more about the beat and proximity. It's a good change, especially when the empathic pulse coming off Bridget was already so much like a heartbeat...]

Have you noticed? [He confides into Bridget's ear:] It feels like we're being stared at.

[Honestly, this is almost too easy. Still, this is the most attention he's drawn since arriving at the school, after a very unpleasant famine.]

[kickstart_my_heart]

-Bridget blushed, his ear on fire from that whisper.- It's fine, really... I am a performer, at heart. -And had no trouble playing the part of the flirty dance partner, moving in time with Gilbert. But gosh this was... definitely more than he had planned for. He was starting to feel a bit lost, but... not in a bad way.-

[whatsatisfiesme]

I think I could have guessed. You move like it, like you expect there to be eyes on you. Good dancers are like that.

[Close as the music gives him license to drift, and familiar as he's letting his conversation turn, Gilbert still makes sure to play the consummate gentleman. His hands, whenever they break free for some flourish or step, always return feather-light to Bridget's hips, and any other motion that could turn to fleeting contact on the dance-floor stops short at a hint, a suggestion, ghosting just short of actual touch.

It's not a long song, and there's no need to draw this out any further. When the music loops back into the final chrous, he sounds positively casual as he adds:]

And you're lovely enough for it.

[kickstart_my_heart]

-Once again, Gilbert completely caught him off guard with that remark. Now there was a word he never expected to hear in relation to himself. Cute? Yes, he loved being cute. Pretty? Alright, he could deal with that. But lovely? It felt too... girly. Which set up even more cognitive dissonance because of not only how he presented himself but also...

... But also how weirdly nice it felt to hear Gilbert call him that.-

I-... I dunno about 'lovely', mate, but... -Thanks? He had no idea what to say.-

[whatsatisfiesme]

Really? Perhaps it's just my English...?

[Though the quirk of his lips just then says he doesn't think so.

Oh, well. Bridget will have all the time he needs to sort out his feelings about that descriptor -- because the song's fading out and Gilbert wasn't kidding about only sticking around for the one. He takes his time about unwinding his arms from around his roommate's waist while the next number's beat cues up, but then he's drifting out to an arm's length.]

Until later? Thank you again for the dance.

[He reaches back to take Bridget's hand and give it a quick squeeze, and then he's disappearing off through the crowd, throwing only a brief, flirtatious look back behind him.]

[kickstart_my_heart]

R-right, later... -Bridget waved him off, all but stumbling back off the dance floor himself. It would take awhile for his pulse to calm down, but...

Did that really happen?-