veilbreak | (no subject)

❤

After hours-- nay, days!-- of waiting, at last it's salsa night. La noche del ritmo (that’s “night of rhythm” for those who tragically refuse to brush up on their Spanish). Down on solid ground, it’s marked with wobbly turns, missed cues, and bold declarations of “I totally meant to do that.” But up in our little corner of the community hall on the Mnemosyne, it’s all warm lights, borrowed partners, and a playlist that refuses to let you stand still.

The humble chaos has been carefully unleashed by our fearless instructor EVA because she was clearly feeling optimistic! Come try a step (or three), spin someone new, and maybe leave with smoother moves than you came in with. Or at least a good story.

Salsa!

At its core, salsa is a conversation disguised as a dance: a gentle lead, a daring spin, a dramatic pause that says, “Yes, I absolutely meant to do that.” It’s rhythm with personality, flair with a wink, and just enough drama to keep things interesting.

How to Play: Grab a partner and get ready to roll some dice to see how well you take to the floor! For the sake of ease, we're going to say that there's four 'rounds' making up a song, but if you want to keep it going, go right ahead. Each dancer will roll 6d6 and match pairs with their partner.

🕺0 matches: This is a disaster. Someone got an elbow to a body part. Tears might be shed.
💃1 - 2 matches: A little stumble, a wee fumble. Maybe a little embarrassing, but you can brush it off.
🕺3-4 matches: You're finding the groove and looking good. Having a great time on the dance floor!
💃5-6 matches: Flawless chemistry. It's unbelievable. Your coworkers might think you're gettin nasty behind closed doors.

Bachata!

For those brave enough to learn two dances in one night, or who just want something slower, Eva's going to do a Bachata crash course. Slower than its flashier cousins, but no less dramatic, it trades whirlwind spins for close steps and a hip movement that politely insists on being noticed.

There’s a step-together-step, a tap with just a hint of flair, and a rhythm that feels suspiciously like a love song written at 2 a.m. Bachata isn’t about showing off—it’s about leaning in, finding the groove, and letting the music do most of the talking while you pretend you’re not completely swept up in it.

How to Play:Each dancer will roll 3d6, and count the amount of 3's and 6's rolled between the pair. 3 and 6 are the only ones that matter. Again, four ‘rounds’ make up a song.

💃 0 matches: Catastrophic! This is not going well. Maybe you need a new partner
🕺1-2 matches: Not too shabby! Not the smoothest it could be, but you're both feeling confident.
💃3-4 matches: Stunning. You have the room feeling flushed.
🕺5-6 matches: Is it hot in here? It's hot in here. We're all sweating just watching that spark catch.

For the Wallflowers!

Not everyone is meant to take to the floor, but that doesn't mean they have to be bored! Eva's brought a frankly alarming amount of playing cards for people to play the card game of their choice. She has instructions for Blackjack, War, and Trash on various tables. Bets are welcome, but please no strip anything, thank you.

And for those who prefer their thrills less competitive and more snack-shaped, there’s a spread of treats and drinks to keep spirits high. Something fizzy, something sweet, something questionably healthy but undeniably delicious—it’s all fair game. Refuel, refresh, and return to the action (or the spectating) as you see fit.

How to Play Blackjack (or 21):

The goal is to get the closest to 21 without going over.
- Roll 2d12 to simulate real cards (a 12 functions as an ace, so it can be a 1 or an 11 depending on the best outcome for your hand.
- Either 'stay' by ceasing rolling, or continue rolling 1d12 as many times as you like until you're at 21 or as close as possible.
- If you 'bust' or go over 21, you loose.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"She'd be really unprofessional if she set you on fire," Maryle offers, giving him the same once over as though checking for wounds. "You do appear to be in one piece too. Look at how well your relationship is healing."

"Let's not get too ahead of ourselves," he objects with a shake of his head. "It's dangerous for you to encourage me there. I might end up believing it."

Maryle scoffs quietly. "Fake it 'til you make it? Maybe you can fix everything by acting normal instead of like a huge weirdo. I know that's a struggle, but..."

"I'm not acting like a 'huge weirdo,'" Nishad objects once more, "I would argue that I never act like a 'weirdo.' And I do." A beat. "Try and fake it 'til I make it. I'm just aware that she's not buying it."

"Oh my god, you're always acting like a huge weirdo," Maryle laughs, and continues to not comment on his most recent (i.e. minutes earlier) weirdo behavior.

"She's not buying the sucking up is all."

"She might not be buying it, but she does love a compliment." A beat. "So do I, and yet..."

"Do you want me to find someone to compliment you?" Maryle clears her throat, as if preparing to yell out into the room.

He holds a hand up in objection to her teasing. "I'm still holding out for one of yours."

Maryle crosses her arms to project pretend annoyance at the halting of her plans.

"Nish, I gave you one like, last week I'm pretty sure. Do you really need another one?"

"I'm a wilting flower, Maryle," he reminds her with an (exaggerated) sigh. "One compliment a week barely keeps me alive."

"Oh my god, you're like the neediest boy I've ever met, and I've known some real doozies." Despite the hint of exasperation in Maryle's voice, there's no real edge to it. She isn't all that annoyed. She turns to look him over.

"You're looking tall today."

"Thank you." He, unfortunately, does look genuinely very pleased with the compliment despite how basic it is. "It helps that you're—" so short, but he decides against it mid-sentence. "—the perfect height to appreciate it."

Maryle laughs, shaking her head before looking back out to the dance floor. Nishad really is stupid.

"Diminutive," she corrects. "Is that really all it takes?"

"Tiny," he offers with a small smile. "I take what I can get with you, Maryle."

"Do you ever stop and take a look at your self-esteem and say 'What the fuck is going on there?' I could see that being helpful for you."

Maryle did, actually, come over here to be nice, but as usual she slips into.... this.

"You wouldn't like my answer to that," he admits, with a shrug of a shoulder. "Maybe we could dance instead?"

"Aw, you're learning." This actually almost sounds like another compliment, but Maryle's raised eyebrows and the look she gives following it probably undercuts that some.

"I'm not dancing."

"You know I know when you're not going to like what I say already, yes? I just can't—" He shrugs. "—not say things sometimes."

"You've been dancing."

"I've noticed." Though Maryle wonders if this is a case of not thinking enough before speaking or really being unable to help himself.

"Only with Dom."

"I know." There's a pause, though his gaze doesn't leave her. "You won't dance with anyone else?"

"Just Dom," Maryle says casually, knowing that this will bother Nishad but not doing it for that purpose.

"We used to dance sometimes in Laos. I can't be out there embarrassing myself with an unfamiliar partner."

"I think you'd be impressed with my dancing if you gave me a chance."

"I saw you dancing," Maryle replies with a skeptical look. But, she needs to try, just a little bit.

"I'll let you spin me once. Maybe twice if I don't feel like barfing afterwards."

"Dancing with my ex who was stiff as a board doesn't count," he counters with a shake of his head, but he does admittedly look pleased that she's allowing anything. He offers his hand to her. "C'mere."

"No, I think that totally counts."

Maryle looks at her Nishad's hand and makes the smallest face, which is probably not all that encouraging for him. It only has the smallest amount to do with him, though — touching anyone right now (Dom excluded) is decidedly unappealing.

She forces herself to take his hand with a roll of her eyes, though.

Nishad & Maryle.

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