Champagne Flutes and Dinner Suits

[Theodosia Oakby]

June 16th, 1887
Theodosia's COB
@'Nathaniel Herondale' 
@'Emmeline Woodcroft'

She'd made it. Dosie had descended the stairs into the ballroom without making a fool of herself, and she'd even had a few dances now without tripping over her own feet. She still couldn't quite shake the feeling of every move she made being scrutinized, but a couple of flutes of champagne had eased that somewhat. No one had mentioned her mother, and her father was actually smiling, like he was proud of her. It was all she could have asked for.

Tensy was supposed to be here tonight, but Dosie had been so caught up in being the woman of the hour she hadn't gotten a chance to properly speak to her friend yet, and she felt a little bit guilty for it. Besides, she could use a break from smiling quite so much. Dosie stood on the tips of her toes, trying to seek out her friend in the crowd, but her petite stature wasn't doing her any favors; nor was her bustle and train. Dosie scrambled to regain her balance, but it was too late. She tipped backwards, her legs tangling in her skirts, and braced herself to hit the marble floor, wincing preemptively from both the impact and sheer embarrassment.

Outfit: gown but white, mask

  

[Nathaniel Herondale]

Coming Out Balls were certainly all the rage during that first month following school getting out. It meant that Riff spent a good deal of time picking through the invitations and trying to decide which ones he could attend and which ones he wouldn't make it to. The Oakby Masquerade had been one he'd sent an acceptance back on rather quickly, simply because of it being a masquerade. He quite enjoyed such events, being able to hide behind a mask made life a bit simpler should things not go smoothly with some. Though he hoped that wouldn't be the case.

Wearing a half mask made of an ornate porcelain, he'd meandered about enjoying the beverages and some company until after the the belle of the ball made her debut. He had stood by silently as he'd watched her descend but hadn't given much thought on requesting a dance from her right away. Surely there would be plenty of other gentlemen anxiously awaiting a dance of their own.

He hadn't actually been paying much attention when he managed to end up behind the young woman and certainly hadn't noticed her up on tip toes looking for whatever it was. Luckily for her, however, he had turned in her direction just in time to see her lose her balance and begin to tip vicariously backwards. He didn't think after that and simply acted.

Stepping forward, he quickly caught her before she managed to actually hit the ground, saving her from injury though it would yet to be seen if he managed to save her from any embarrassment. "Are you alright?" he was quick to ask once he'd managed to right her up on her own two feet.

  

[Theodosia Oakby]

Theodosia braced herself for an impact that never came. Opening one eye, she saw that a gentleman had come to her rescue! Blushing furiously, she righted herself and adjusted her mask, which was threatening to slide off her face.

"I think so," she replied, glancing up shyly at her hero. It was hard to tell much about him, what with the mask, but he was young and seemingly not too put off by her clumsiness, which was good enough for Dosie in that moment. "And you? I should hate to have injured my rescuer as well as my pride!"