2024-12-27 - A New Rebellion

[TXT to Gabriel] Robin: hey have fun tonight. u can do this. You're dressed in the likeness of one of the most powerful leaders in galactic history. ezpz

Robin is still going between the back service halls that get to the kitchen and a little camp out in the corner of the projection room where he's got a lighting case being used as a desk and is out of the way that the people running the lighting boards don't find him a nuisance. It helps there's history and when they need a hand he's familiar enough with the equipment to help them out and occupy his little space in exchange for running snacks back up here from the kitchen.

The view behind the 2-way mirrors to see where the lights project down into the ballroom and other areas is like having a skybox seat. The far wall is banks of monitors that can see the other parts of the castle and the lighting situation to control with the music and effects. It's where the analog magic is created. while he doesn't get to go the vibe of being a techie again for a night suits him fine using his phone camera to loo around and enjoy people enjoying themselves occasionally taking a snap and working on a 3x5 little watercolour of them. He looks back at his phone with an amused expression sending a follow up text of encouragement.

[TXT to Gabriel] Robin: idk about the shrimpies but the tiny quiche things were really good. 8/10 would recommend.

[TXT to Robin] Gabriel: You're right, how could I forget? I'll bend the entire senate to my will.

[TXT to Robin] Gabriel: I'm en route with pocket quiche. Where are you?

Gabriel had been on the ballroom balcony for a good portion of the evening. There had even been dancing at one point (gasp). Then an excursion or two outside and to the salon until finally sneaking some quiche into a napkin and making use of their trouser pockets. Bless those tailors who know how to drape a pocket without ruining a strong silhouette.

But this is their first time in the castle so they have no idea where Robin could be hiding.

[TXT to Gabriel] Robin: Oh legit? The arch to the flappy doors on the left side of the room go through the arch, not the doors. I can come find you by those stairs. I've been up in the lighting booth.
[TXT to Gabriel] Robin: ps there's a lighting booth
[TXT to Gabriel] Robin: oh if you're not on the first floor the hallway before the salon I guess. whr r u?

It really only occurs to Robin by the time he hits enter on the second text that he was assuming Gabe was inside and downstairs and the party is absolutely hugemongeous. Thankfully he's part tunnelrat and can work around this.

Gabriel stares down at their phone as they work through the complicated math problem. If two trains leave the station at the same time...will they ever find the lighting booth? At least they didn't drink a lot? Oh wait...

They get there though. Eventually. Or at least to a set of swinging doors by an arch until they happen upon Robin.

"Hi," they greet him a bit breathlessly from all the adventuring.

Robin's about as far from dressed for the ball as one really gets in jeans faded from black to dark grey, and a black hoodie over an an Umbrella Academy t-shirt that's seem a few washes in the last decade. Phone in one hand to play geotag with he stops in some alarm. There's a hullo sign that evolves into gestures at all of Gabe. Unhelpfully there are no subtitles here, but the phone makes it into his back pocket on the second try blinking. Little festive letters follow as only two signs are made: And you were worried? 🎄

The tree is added for good measure there. His eyes pan the place briefly before warming a smile. He points to the other door beyond the bit that are the stairs that head up once more and then a sign that seems like 'food' which is maybe the upstairs kitchen area or access. Fingers comb through his hair before gesturing to the stairs and then the question of little fingers 'walking'up steps looking to Gabe curiously waiting to see if they are steps ok. Some aren't. There were a couple people that might have been wearing a whole Jo-Ann's worth of tulle earlier and a guy with a leg injury.

"What? This old thing?" Gabriel sweeps the cape-like jacket up and back and does a half-spin to billow it out dramatically. From what can be seen of their expression behind the half-mask, they're smirking playfully. "I know. I get in my head about things. But thank you." They're just going to take that as a compliment.

They look at the stairs, then back at Robin. "Sure." Under the tunic there's a nice pair of trousers and boots so they're all good for climbing steps. "Oh wait. Hold on." With a little dig into a pocket, they produce a cloth napkin with a mini quiche inside and offer it over. There's probably way fresher stuff in the kitchen but the point is that they kept their promise.

There's a gesture back and forth between both of them with a vibe of commisseration before there's sins about in something, himself, and his head too. This is apparently a relatable feeling he can appreciate. Turning two steps up there's the 'hold on' causing him to look back and both eyes behind the bangs light up and there's an expression of a laugh and somewhere under the dim thudding of the ambient music from beyond there might be a wheeze of a laugh. reaching out he holds out his hands then making like he's brushing crumbs off himself before the hands and expression decline that idea which seems to be a 'I can take that so you don't ruin your outfit.'

Upstairs is decently quieter and there's a back hall that is going to be access for the interstitial floor and all the tech that runs through the main room of the building. Somewhere there's levers for all the items that hook to the ceiling beams, can lights that are discreetly hid, and sound booth. Right now he heads not far away offering a small tour of his former life as a techie and how the mechanical bits run for the ballroom.

He points to teh monitor room that assess and survey all the different areas of the room so the technician ( not him) can manage whatever programme and adjustments they need to. He's made a small table to watch through 1-way glass to the ballroom and the music is mutely visible. This time when he signs the annotations return 'The apex of big clubbing introvert edition. You can see most of the pace. people coming in here.'

There's one snag though and that's their drop in guest is wearing a light colour so to that extent he clips his coat, leather side down, over the nearest case by the makeshift table. There's a spiral bound 'folio' of blank index cards that have been getting sullied with graphite tonight.

"Well I got it for you so you better take it," Gabriel says with a sly smile at Robin's gestures, seemingly understanding the meaning behind them well enough. The bundled up napkin gets handed over, then they follow up after him. Blue eyes go wide at the behind the scenes of it all. "Woah, how do you know about this place?" Their gaze flicks back and forth from wires to can lights.

Robin's point has them looking at the monitor room with keen interest. "So this is how it all happens. Wild." The comment gets a soft laugh and a nod of agreement. "I feel that. I think I've reached my limit tonight too." For a split second they look surprised by Robin offering up his coat for them to sit on, then a wide grin stretches across their face. "Thanks. I emptied half a pound of scotch guard onto this but can't be too careful." They take a seat on the case once Robin's settle, leaning elbows over knees to look down at the entire view. "How very Phantom of the Opera of you."

The grin warms like *well yeah that's true but I didn't know( in nature accepting the tiny snacks. Setting them out he takes one and stuffs it immediately into his mouth whole because he doesn't need it to have a conversation here. There is a pause to appreciate they are super tasty and until now, no he didn't get one.

Robin signs, pauses, and then reaches over to pill the 'string' to turn his subtitles on; unnecessary but fun. *'Had I the budget I could have. I got all the scars, just can't play piano for shit.'* though he does make a dramatic 'cape' gesture bumping the crate the snacks are on. Both hands move to stabilize them from rolling off. too much drama there.

'You put in a lot of effort and it's so white. You sit on anything in here dust lines. Ruin.' chewing he thinks about the question and nods pointing around , 'Was tech for 7 months. Helped paint stuff, move things, do backdrops. Gallery is new. Memorial Day weekend. before that crawled all over- skinny, long reach.' he mimes shooting a basketball. Curious he asks listening, 'fun out there tho?'

Gabriel also grabs a mini quiche and stuffs it into their own mouth. They also didn't quite have the chance to eat as much as they wanted what with all the champagne floating about. Their eyes drift to the "string", then a soft smile appears on their face as they get ready for the subtitles to appear. When scar floats out, they lift a hand and point out to it. "What do you mean by that?" Maybe they haven't yet noticed.

The mention of tech makes a lot of sense and has them nodding deeply. "So you really do have like, a ton of talents don't you? That stuff isn't easy. I sure don't have the brain for it." The words catch their attention again and they lift their shoulders in a little shrug. "Eh. Two people asked me to dance at the same time and then I ran into a friend later. Could be worse? Definitely not as bad as I thought it'd be with me standing in a corner the whole night. How's it been up here?"

There's a pause when Gabriel asks and Robin looks them over trying to figure out if they've been focused on communication or being facetious. There's a hesitation but, evidently, trust sins out. He pulls his hair back from his face and there it's visible that half his ear, bit of his jaw and the side of his neck have an upset in the assumed configuration sporting old burn scars that also match part of the back of his right hand. There's a pause before he signs 'it was a long time ago.' There's a pause before both hands vaguely gesture at his right side before eating another tiny quiche.

Robin wobbles his hand in a maybe and considers the compliment remembering a 'thank you'. ' well I do what I'm told to do and just got practice being around people knowing how to do it so we can make whatever we need. Lived with a group a while that bought run down city block in Detroit. We made our own carnival. huge sell out Halloween funhouses and stuff every year. Mostly I paint but set up we did too. Not an actor.' He points to Gabe with a shake of his head working through that and coming up with 'find your niche. Take time to find you and what you connect with. Like the people. Never not dance.'

Robin holds up 2 fingers looking impressed. He makes a gesture of his fingers hanging down in a V swinging sideways back and forth. 'Dancing' there's another sign Gabe gets to know.

Gabriel looks back at Robin in genuine earnestness. There has, overall, always been something else to focus on, either hand gestures or full body charades or actual chalk scrawl floating in mid air. Their brows lift a tiny bit and they open their mouth as if to say they don't need to discuss it after all, but then Robin's moving his hair and Gabe's eyes float to the scars. They don't say anything, really, other than a look of soft empathy while their gaze lingers for a moment, then turns to the captions. "We don't have to talk about it if you'd rather not."

There's a bit of text to read through, so they drape one leg over the other and lean back on a braced hand that's clasping the edge of the crate as they pop another quiche in and chew. "Mm, still though. I could say you take orders well but we both know you need like an ounce of skill to make it work for real." They shoot a half-smile over at Robin. "Carnival sounds fun." There are a few more words there, all affirmations that get a small nod. "I'm working on it." Clearly. They are here after all.

The 2 fingers followed by the impressed look has Gabe smirking and adding, "It's the shoulder pads. I'm sure." But then they stare at Robin's fingers as he teaches them another sign. They glance off to the side for a moment, then slowly lean forward again to sit upright. One finger comes up. They point to Robin. Now that swinging V. Finally, a point to themself. Will you dance with me?

Robin watches with the same, and likely apprehension of 'how is the room about to judge me' with lips pressed and a half breath held. It's fine though and he diffuses any alarm with 'It is what it is. I was six so I grew up this way.'

Leaning into a move comfortable optimism he signs 'Was neat to make something from nothing from what we had. Make it cool. loved it but the housing was not nice like here. The heat works in apartments here. Have medical. Can't beat that.' There's a small smile, fond of the crappy but handmade situation that was 9 years for him. 'living on my terms was nice. If it sucks? Then I need to fix it. It's in our power to find a fix. I liked it.'

There's a smile that grows to a grin with the sign back 'nice!' there's a pause as Gabe practices and blinks not really expecting that but looking back curiously and grins and signs back, still with captions, 'I'm bad at it, but totally, yes. Sec, chewing.' He finishes and tries not to chuckle at that in mild embarrassment.

Gabriel finishes reading I was six so I grew up this way, then glances back at where Robin had lifted his hair. A small smile appears again, then they casually add-- "It's nice to meet you. Properly." Since it had been a part of him and Gabe managed not to notice.

"Heat can really make a difference," they agree with a huff of a laugh. "But it does sound like a very creatively formative time." Robin seems to have more optimism than they do though, and there's a quiet nod at finding a fix. It might not quite be as easy for them.

But now there's a grin, which gets one in return. "As long as you don't bump into any of the equipment it should be okay?" They stand up and sweep their cape-jacket out of the way, then hold up their hands with wiggly fingers to get Robin to come over. Maybe they're feeling marginally brave tonight (thanks champagne)? "I'll lead." Even though Robin is the taller of the two.

There's tension that leaves Robin's shoulders as they relax, but maybe Gabe can get that on a fundamental level? There's a snort of a laugh signing back 'I think my whole life is too much or too little heat' He can manage a small bit of humor on it a little nervously.

Robin looks at the equipment standing up and signs 'not wrong. I'm not that bad to knock out the lights or step on you. Don't know I ever done not club dancing. Something new for everyone today.' There's some excited nervousness in this and really no one else on this tech floor cares right now so long as no one unplugs anything at random right now. Gabe tried something new going to a fancy party and he can do this.

Standing he extends both arms as the music changes out so it's a good time. Normally he wouldn't be able to talk like this. Maybe the subtitles might work, but presently that's all less important seeming into trusting this decision.

Gabriel can sense that, and it brings them a sense of relief which quickly burbles into a shocked laugh. "Oh my god." It's a great joke. Kind of fucked up. But still great. Their blue eyes sparkle with amusement as a result.

"It's not that hard. I think. We'll see. Maybe I'll end up twirling you into the scaffolding, who knows?" On their part ironically, they do not seem nervous. After all, they did manage some dancing tonight and seem rather confident they won't lead Robin astray.

And the good news about dancing is that no one expects talking. It's usually just a bonus. They step forward and slide a hand around Robin's waist to plant it gently atop the middle of his back. Their opposing hand takes Robin's and holds it gently aloft. There's nowhere to hide now and Gabe just smirks at Robin right before starting up a slow sway. The limited room makes it a box waltz but at least they can manage that easily. Middle school, eat your heart out.

Robin doesn't try to sign anything and lets his open hand rest on Gabe's shoulder. When they mention twirling his hand lifts to make a spinny circle that spirals off. The odds of Gabe spinning him that sat that he takes off like a helicopter on the Spellbound Isles is non-zero but still likely close to zero.

The music, while not super loud, is muffled but able to be heard as well as it might be on the balcony, and a little better than the salon. It's a pretty good spot for a storage corner. He can do the middle school box step and while it is delightfully weird it's not awkward swaying and trying not to step, kick, trip over, or unplug anything.

He lets Gabe lead having no real ideas what to do but slowly warming up to following along wit this lack of a plan improvising as much as one does swaying in a small space, but now in the personal space of someone else. At least the smile reaches his eyes and the expression across his face suggest almost having something to say but electing to leave his hands where they are instead and the illusory letters in a box for now.

The only box right now is the one they are both dancing around in.

It's a one-two-three, one-two-three, one-two-three that's quite manageable to follow and translates well to about 99% of music. Gabriel seems confident enough in this to lead Robin around without having to constantly look down at their feet. They also seem comfortable with the quiet moment between them, easily slipping into it without seeming awkward at all. There's a good chance they're generally used to silence as the introspective observer type.

So around they go, with Gabriel looking at Robin with a half-grin full of amusement.

The world didn't break, things didn't get weird, judgement did not enter the room to put shame on anyone for having exceedingly average skills, and while very different, not awkward. Chilling out to the whole vibe of it Robin's shoulders dip into the music as they sway back and forth to the dulled melody.

While there's not a conversation there is a smile that might be half a laugh, a little embarrassed but less self-conscious than earlier and committed to having fun with this. There's a small nod of encouragement that yes, it is fun, and he is having a good time with this.

"Time to twirl." Gabriel scrunches up their nose in muted laughter as they lift Robin's hand up, up, up. Okay so the height thing isn't helping here but they are fully expecting Robin to duck under their linked arms.

Try to do it without unplugging the entire event, Robin!

Robin goes up on his toes a bit to deliberately make it a challenge for a moment; at 6'1 he's going to have a bit of fun with this. He figures out which direction to go in, bending like a leaf, so he doesn't wind up as a human pretzel. The practice helps though. There's a small curtsey of 'ta da'. The hand held given a small squeeze. There's a small bump of the knee into the case that wobbles, but not terribly so as all the tiny quiches stay on the napkin and make no attempt to leap to freedom.

Oh god, toes. Gabriel lets out an undignified squawk as they struggle with Robin's moment of fun. "Nice," comes the flat delivery bubbling with amusement. But they manage. And no one gets tossed down into the ballroom. The ta da has them smirking and doing a little curtsy of their own, then a smile tugs at one corner of their mouth at the hand squeeze. They squeeze right back, then let go.

"There. Now you've had a proper ball experience." Gabe signs thank you and dance to make thank you for the dance.

Robin preens a bit at making Gabe work for that in the smallest way possible, but very passive as far as jokes go really. He signs back not great at these parts of the conversation but seeming all rather pleased there. <<Thank you for dance.>> He adds though 'Been a while dancing and not cleaning at the same time. Was not on my bingo card today. Means a lot. Next time if Id' known I'd have made space look nicer. Can work on that.'

Gabe lifts their gaze to the words once they appear, nodding knowingly at the been a while. "Me too. Tonight has been full of surprises, honestly." But as for making the space look nicer, that just gets a small shake of their head. "It's fine. That's the thing about being spontaneous, it makes everything around it somehow better?" It's also the lighting booth. Not much to be done for other people's spaces when you suddenly feel like dancing in them. They glance over to the ball swirling below them in all its extravagant glory. "I should...head back down. Thanks for letting me crash your party."

Robin considers Gabe's words very carefully and puts some thought into the meaning behind them. Maybe it's a bit spontaneous but Robin tries to catch Gabe's hand before the leave, bringing his other up in a 'wait' position. His weight shifts from one foot to the other and back drawing Gabe's hand up and then holding it palms up in his lighting it up.

It's a lot of concentration but a purple and mint green iridescent snowflake about the size of a US Nickle falls into Gabe's hand, then another that's more mauve, a pale orange, blue and so on. It feels cold and only slightly damp. There is that look of some optimism and delight discovering this one for the first time himself. Looking up there's a swirl of night sky across this portion of the ceiling like a hole above with more little glittery flakes coming down that disappear before they touch anything mundanely physical.

Gabriel halts mid step when Robin catches their hand, turns a curious look his way. Their eyes drop to whatever's happening with their hands. Are they glowing? Is this magic? Blue eyes widen. "What..." and then snowflake. Colorful, iridescent snowflake out of nowhere. "Oh." Delight washes over their features as more fall and in different colors. "Robin, holy shit."

Then they look up, because of course one has to, and see a pocket of night sky right there in the rafters with all that rainbow snow trailing down. "I think," they murmur, voice low and full of awe, "this is the best thing I've seen here yet." A smile stretches across their face, then they look back at Robin and sign thank you like forty times in a row.

Robin's excited about this too as if not expecting that to work. It did though; it worked well and for a good purpose. His hand reaches out the stop the thank-you's and give that hand a squeeze too. There's a decline of the gratuity and points a finger into Gabe's shoulder lightly.

The signing follows in short form with free hand, *xc'Best thing? idk- you look amazing. The outfit came out very bad ass.' the comment in earnest and flattery really but he doesn't shy away from sending it just because neither one of them know how to accept a compliment or what to do with the damn thing. 'ty for making the even better for me. Now I feel like I didn't miss out on a thing. You don't work tomorrow do you? It's a curious question that waits for an answer.

A soft laugh filters out when Robin stops Gabriel's excessing thank-you-ing. They seem to get it.

And perhaps on account of however much champagne happened today, their usual bashfulness towards compliments is nowhere in sight. They smile, fully, brightly at Robin and give the cape-jacket a little confident swirl. "It did, didn't it? Thank you." Maybe it's also the ego boost from said earlier dancer offers.

"I have an afternoon shift but it's only a couple hours."

Robin shakes his head as Gabe gets openly effusive and enjoying the hell out of it with a wide grin. He signs back tilting his head from one side to the other and back, not really deciding but deciding to ask. There's signs that involve 'you' and also food and what might be before or maybe after and possible gang signs thrown in for flare.

Finally the letters show up now made like little bunched up snowflakes. 'I'm going to guess you'll want to sleep in but if not txt me and we'll get you right side up. Some coffee, breakfast. If not after shift grab food and decompress, or whenever. While I'd love to say we'll just stay awake for 2 days neither of us is 22. Don't be exhausted because me.'

There's a chuckle but his hand turns over leaving the offer there open.

There are a lot of signs to sift through and Gabriel may have been able to parse them together until the gang signs throw them completely off. "You wanna fight me?" There's a clever twist to their smile, clearly they know THAT'S not what's going on here.

After a moment of reading, they nod. Demure. Coy. "I like food." Then crack a wider smile. "I'll text you. Enjoy the quiche." And with a dramatic swoop of their cape (because they have to) they walk back out the way they came, hopefully not taking a wrong turn somewhere and ending up on another island via the underground tunnels.

Robin shakes his head 'no' sagely to the fight. He signs back 'hell no. You have x-wings.' this gets a snicker from him. There's a roll of hiss eyes skyward. He invited the shenanigans didn't he? Yes, yes he did. He watches the show and gives their Senator a salute watching the show of leaving. Fingers go through his hair.

From the light booth there's a comment that's murmured from Jason the tech there. TO Jason in the sound booth there's a middle finger and a mute chuckle. He signs back. 'no quiche for you Jay. You get your own.' He takes another and pops it back in his mouth marveling at how a small act of thoughtfulness makes them taste better. It's a good ball. His hand reaches up and brushes the light snow out of his hair, but lets it come down for a while.