[Midnight Hotel] July catch-alll

[gistful]

Characters: Anyone, everyone.
Date: Month of JULY, 2016.
Location: The Midnight Hotel.
Situation: Catch-all post! Feel free to use this post for anything that happens within the Midnight Hotel during the month, using the subject header to label specific rooms or for specific people. See also the OOC note at the bottom.
Warnings/Rating: Mark your threads if content warnings become applicable, please!

Though the attack on Anton and Jintou occurred outside of the Hotel, its effects can nevertheless be seen on the Hotel’s runnings during July. Jintou is absent, in the first place, though Anton keeps his room in the event he’s found.

For the last few days of June and the first couple days of July Anton is preoccupied with rebuilding the shops he damaged in his attempt to stop Jintou from being taken, and therefore a good deal of the Hotel’s daily running is in the hands of his staff and a handful of trusted ex-gang kedan.

Within the first few days of the month Anton’s health takes a nosedive. Though the chronic condition discovered by Raine and Tony wasn’t previously active, the poisoning attempt apparently changed that and for the rest of this month Anton is under enforced bed-rest—or if not bed-rest then an enforced holiday. For that reason, any and all offers to help out with maintenance, cleaning, cooking, accounting and other daily chores at the Hotel will be welcomed.

Provided, that is, that no one minds the Hotel proprietor hovering over their shoulders—when he isn’t being sat on by a giant wolf to make sure he doesn’t overtax himself.

Hotel rules are, obviously, still in effect.

[ooc: The Midnight Hotel’s status page is available here, with the rules at the top and ongoing status at the bottom. PLEASE POST TO THE STATUS PAGE IF YOUR CHARACTER WOULD LIKE A ROOM, JOB OR AREA IN THE GARAGE, OR ARE MOVING OUT. Anton will manufacture means of payment until Foreigners are able to properly offer recompense or choose to move out.]

Comments

[phoenixstrut]

The music was upbeat and quick and just as free as the angel seemed to be, even as she took one of his hands and spun. This time, she followed no routine, simply moving to the rhythm and drawing him along with her as she pulsed and flowed, laughing every time they bumped together, be it intentional or otherwise.

She beamed up at him as she struck a ridiculous pose for a few split seconds, before breaking from it at the drop of a beat and spinning to him again. "Having fun?"

[wolfstrike]

As she spun toward him, Yuri pulled her in and followed the rhythm of the music. All he had to do was look at the way she moved and the others around him and he was able to duplicate it. Dancing as if he had known these steps all along, which he hadn't. Cough. He was learning some new ones tonight.

"I am now," he admitted with a grin.

[phoenixstrut]

She continued to move, carefree and innocent, her Light flaring at the near silent compliment. "Good! Let's keep it that way," she winked, before spinning and dipping again. This was one of the best dances--if not the best- she'd had all night, and when the music finally slowed, she drew near again, still radiating energy and joy.

Funny, how she seemed to get closer and closer each time. It was certainly no secret to anyone in the room that she felt absolutely no shame in being close to Yuri. It didn't even cross her mind to give him space at the moment.

When the song changed to something a little less crazy upbeat, she glanced over her shoulder to check on Era--who now seemed to be enjoying the presence of some child she hadn't met-- before turning back to her partner. "You know, I didn't get any of that cake you made..."

You know. Except the icing, which she had conveniently forgotten about by this point.

[wolfstrike]

With a single noted laugh, Yuri continued to dance, even as the music slowed. Letting her get closer to him and not missing a beat.

"There might still be some left," he said with a shrug. And even if there wasn't, it's not like she hadn't had his cake before nor would there not be any other chances.

[phoenixstrut]

She laughed and twirled again, this time draping on arm over his shoulder as her other hand sought his, in a silly ballroom stance. "I doubt it, if it was anything like the last five you made."

[wolfstrike]

Oh, she wanted to do one of those fancy dances. Well okay, he would follow along. Which he did as he took her hand.

"Then I'll just have to make sure you get a piece of the next one."

[phoenixstrut]

She almost glowed brighter when he switched his hold and followed her footwork. "Hm, another first: I've never led before..." She teased lightheartedly, quieting a little now that they were closer. "You're pretty good for a guy who probably didn't cover this in romance school..."

She giggled outright at him though. Of course he'd make another cake... And she really did hope he's hold true to his word. "Mmmm, I'll be looking forward to that..." She spun, then came back and took his hand again, stepping lightly in a simple sweeping motion. "I definitely wouldn't mind more of that icing..." A pause, a slight hesitation as she worked up the confidence, and then, "You don't happen to deliver room service, do you?"

[wolfstrike]

Yuri just grinned, "First time for everything, right?" His steps still following after hers. "I'm just good at moving my feet, that's all. Swordsmanship and dancing isn't all that different." There was a lot of footwork involved after all.

Yuri easily caught her hand after she spun away and then came back to him. "Room service, huh? Sure, as long as I get a tip."

[phoenixstrut]

Well, that much made sense at least. She shrugged in acceptance, and continued to dance close, laughing brightly at his response to her tease. "Oh, I'm sure I could give you a few 'tips'."

Spinning away from him again, she let go, and took a few steps deeper into the crowd. "Tip one: let a woman lead once--be prepared to chase her all night.'

It might appear as though she was finished with their conversation, had it not been for the daring peek over her shoulder and the unmuted grin she flashed as she moved to disappear around the corner into the hall.

[wolfstrike]

Yuri's hand remained outstretched for a moment, his eyes blinking in surprise, when she let go. Her words hanging on the air. A chase, huh? His eyes shining with mischief as he watched her practically float through the crowd. Soon his feet were carrying him in pursuit after he caught that glance of hers.

Moving through the crowd of other party goes, he followed Dove, rounding the same corner and into the hall.

[phoenixstrut]

By the time he rounded the corner, the hall would be empty.

She, however, would be perched on the railing of the second floor, grinning down at him after having made a mad dash for the stairs. Not that he would be able to tell by looking at her. After making eye contact, she would casually stroll aimlessly down another hall...

[wolfstrike]

When he didn't see her at first, he looked around and then... up. How did she... oh right she does have wings and stuff. Or maybe she's just fast. Either way, he smirked a little when she grinned and then took off.

Heh, alright then, he can play this game. But if she thought she had an advantage by having the lead... well. He listened to her footsteps above him, telling Yuri which direction he was going. But he didn't follow directly after her. He took another route. He knew this hotel well enough by now to know how to get around.

[phoenixstrut]

She should have remembered that he'd know his way around better than she would.

Delighted that he was willing to play, she dashed lightly up the hall, rounding a corner before taking another hall. Everyone was busy with the party, thankfully, and she would be quick enough to dodge anyone coming out of their rooms.

[wolfstrike]

Yuri took another set of stairs and another hall, moving quietly as he got himself into position. Eventually he heard her steps, able to recognize how she stepped so lightly.

Once she got close enough, he rounded a corner just in time to cut her off.

[phoenixstrut]

She had turned to look over her shoulder just as a precaution, but gasped and half skidded to a halt when Yuri appeared out of nowhere in front of her. Sliding and scrambling to stop before she ran smack into him, she squealed as she changed direction, coming almost close enough for him to grab her if he were quick enough.

With a peal of girlish giggles, she took off again, beaming.

[wolfstrike]

But she wouldn't be going anywhere. In fact, he did grab her. Taking Dove by the wrist and pulling her back before she could go too far, and then pushing her against the wall. A triumphant smirk on his face as he pinned her there.

"So, what's tip number two?"

[phoenixstrut]

"Eeep!"

She fell back to him easily, light and spinning and all giggles as she thudded lightly against the wall in his cage. Her glow could have lit up the entire turtle.

Unable to stop giggling, her hands gripped his forearms to keep her balanced in her heady glee. She hadn't had this much fun in a long, long time, and for now, he'd have to settle for an inexplicably happy young woman, too full of joy to answer him.

[wolfstrike]

Yuri just continued to smirk and shook his head a little as Dove couldn't seem to stop her giggling.

"What's the matter, Feathers. Cat got your tongue?"

Where did that cat go anyway?

[phoenixstrut]

She turned her head up to him, positively radiant and undeniably amused. "F-Feathers...?" she giggled, tilting her head at him. "Really?"

Era was...somewhere, lost at the party. Probably with Duke, content and eating leftovers.

[wolfstrike]

"Yep, really."

She was the only person he knew that had them. But his remarks stopped there and he went quiet, suddenly transfixed by the radiant beauty in front of him.

[phoenixstrut]

She beamed up at him, the laughter clearing from her throat, but still very, very clear in her eyes. After a few somewhat sobering seconds of her eyes locked onto his, she dropped a hand from his forearm and instead looped one slender finger under his choker to gently tug him closer. "Tip number two: It's not polite to stare... without intent," she whispered breathlessly, before sealing her lips to his.

[wolfstrike]

As dark eyes locked onto lighter ones, for a moment, it was like electricity. It left him speechless as he just continued to stare dumbly. But as her finger tugged at his collar, he didn't put up a fight as she drew him in. His eyelids drooping as her lips touched his, and just like that it seemed to spark something inside him. His hand pressing her against the wall a bit roughly as Yuri suddenly took the reigns and deepened the kiss. His arm looping around her waist as his body came up against her.

[phoenixstrut]

The spark was contagious and seemed to electrify every nerve in her body, the sensation heightening as he shoved her flush against the wall and took the lead. She succumbed to him readily, her hand moving from his collar to the back of his head to balance herself, the other to his bicep as she eagerly returned his affections, swooning into him as she felt his arm go around back.

The flood of emotion was intense in the best way: Happiness: this was the most carefree she had witnessed him since they had met; her playful chase had him excited and almost boyish. The raw desire pulsed tangibly between them: he wanted her as badly as she wanted him. The possessiveness in his hold felt safe, completely devoid of any glimpse of any darkness he might hold... Something brighter, more innocent flickered within in, but she couldn't quite grasp it-- not when she was so caught up as she was.

Warmth radiated from her chest. This was good.

[wolfstrike]

Yuri would be lying if he said he hadn't been getting more comfortable here. The months he spent in this place had him settling and enjoying a more lazy pace of life than back home, but still with the occasional excitement here and there. He was less on edge than when he first got to Keeliai. While he missed his friends, he had made new ones and then some. So yes, he was more carefree today than he had been before. His emotions starting to creep up on him.

Which was evident as he continued to kiss her passionately. But just as suddenly as it had started, he pulled back. But there was still that glint in his eyes. And without a word, he scooped her up in his arms. Carrying the angel to somewhere more... private.

[phoenixstrut]

....she couldn't have resisted if she had tried.