A Night of Revelry (OPEN)

Sarah nodded, rubbing her eyes. "Y-Yeah... Where did Jazz and Claire get off to? More dancing? Another secluded spot?"

"Oh yeah. I thought the table looked empty." Ace politely scoured the plates for food, but decided against eating. He knew he'd be ill after this, and he didn't want a full stomach for it. "I can try to locate their souls." He offered.

Savannah looked like she'd just been smacked in the face. She reached a hand out, delicately rubbing her back as her mother used to do when she was young. "It's... It's okay, Beyril... It's just Akira and I... We're going to take care of you..."

Antonio shook his head. "They went home. Jazzie's kept me posted." He shrugged. "I'm going to pick her up after this, most likely. Don't want her walking alone this late."

Sarah nodded, though she gave Ace a nod of gratitude for his offer. "Would you be able to bring me home as well?"

Though her muscles were still tense and her body rigid, she calmed ever so slightly, still curled back in a ball on the pavement, one shoe missing, like a broken Cinderella, and still weeping softly.

Akira gave Savannah a nod, and hung up his phone, a silent gesture that help was on the way. He typed a message on his phone, not wanting to spook her in case she could still hear, My background checks turned up a past involved with gang activity in the city. She was a drug runner for a while. As far as I can tell, she didn't use, but she dealt. The gang leader for the one she was in has a bit of a reputation around here for a temper. Based off of that, and what I'm seeing here, I'd say this looks like a panic attack caused by something reminding her in some way of past abuse in the gang. The message read.

No longer interested in the conversation, Ace occupied himself by using his napkin and broken fork to make a miniature, awkward spear.

Antonio nodded, "No problem." He sat back, folding his arms behind his head. "So I have a meister now, by the way. Wanna have a match sometime?"

Savannah nodded as she read the message, her expression progressively darkening as she did so. Her eyes drifted back up to his face, anger very obvious in them. Without saying a thing, she mouthed two simple words to him: End him.

Sarah looked to Ace, then back to Antonio. "Only if my weapon would like to."

"Of course!" Ace cheered. He gleefully put an arm around Sarah, and smiled. "We'll take you on any day!"

Akira nodded darkly, messaging her back, It'll take some time. He's careful, and difficult to track, as well as always heavily guarded. He's also very likely a corrupted soul, so it would do well to end him regardless. But, it shall be done.

Antonio raised a brow, looking at them. "I'll talk to Lynne about it. Sarah, I'll text you when I know for certain." He tapped the screen of his phone, "She still hasn't texted me back letting me know if she's coming tonight..."

Savannah nodded, "Anata ga watashi no buki, uete iru?" (Are you hungry, my weapon?) Her expression was deadly, but she kept both a frown and a smile from her face, her eyes speaking volumes.

Sarah chuckled softly at that, nodding. "Yes, though whether or not we'll win... Is another matter."

"Hey, come on. You're a great fighter. Have some more confidence in yourself." He gave her shoulder a squeeze and stood up. "You up for another dance, Sarah?"

Sarah looked over to him, giving a short nod. "Yeah.. Let's go..."

"Wonderful." Ace quickly led her back to the floor. "I'm sure you do, but I may as well ask to be safe: can you tango?" He prayed to Lord Death that a fast song would miraculously start playing, and that he wouldn't have to make a music request, though he knew the odds were not in his favor. Do I even remember the tango? Why in the hell did I offer to dance again? I just want to go home!

Sarah looked kindly up at him, reaching a hand to tentatively cup his cheek. "Ace... You don't have to do this. We can leave, if you wish. Or rather, I'd be more than happy to walk you out of the ballroom. I'll not make you stay if you don't want to."

"Do you really want me to leave that badly?" His poor social skills caused a misinterpretation of Sarah's words. Ace didn't mind all too much if Sarah didn't want him there, though he still found himself somewhat hurt. He looked down, realizing, for once, how much taller he was than her. Standing at 6'3" made it hard to look down, and still avoid her gaze.

Sarah shook her head, smiling as gently and motherly as she could. "Ace, I want you to be comfortable. And I can tell that you're not. Social functions like this are...obviously not your forte. I want you to stay, but not if you're going to feel uncomfortable."

Once again, without thinking, Ace wrapped Sarah in his arms, glad that she understood what was happening to him. As quickly as he'd connected to her, he pulled away, catching his breath. "Please take me out of here."

She smiled, looping her arm through his and started to lead him through the crowd. She pulled out her phone, typing out a quick text to Antonio, 'Taking Ace outside, b back soon'. She hit send, then cast a glance over at him, smiling. "Ace, if you ever need someone to talk to, ask me. I'm here for you. As your meister and as your friend."

"Hold that thought, 'friend'." Ace found his way to a bush, fell to his knees, and began to let out the contents of his stomach on to the grass. The typical, angry growl returned to his voice, when he peered back at her. "Never take me to a dance again." His body throbbed and he longed for more physical attention that he knew he couldn't handle. It tore him slightly, and he stared up at the moon, exhausted. Its expression disturbed him. "You just love seeing people mess up."

Sarah followed his gaze, looping her arm back through his. "Me, or the moon?"

"The moon. That thing creeps me out way more than any kishin." Ace turned to face Sarah, no longer on the ground, and continued. "I guess ill see you tomorrow, in class."

Akira simply nodded, the sound of sirens coming quickly from in the distance. Beyril tensed again, breathing in sharply, the sirens sending another wave of panic and fear through her.

Antonio shrugged, letting the pair go, still waiting for a message from his own meister. He hadn't even gotten to dance with Jasmine, a fact that he would remind her of at a later date, and was overall not having nearly as much fun this time around as he had hoped.

Savannah returned her full attention to the girl, humming softly and trying to make her relax as she rubbed the girl's back. "Shhhh.... It's okay...."