Flower Queen Drag Ball - 2526
The Flower Queen Drag Ball - 2526
The Contestants: Princess Iris, Princess Lilac, Princess Lily, Princess Orchid, Princess Red Hot Poker, Princess Rose
The Judges: Reilly Kelly, Aiden Nox, Danniella
The Host: Miss Goldie Clover
The Guests:
The Setting: The Helios Grand Ballroom - The Helios Grand Hotel - Persephone
Whimsical yet Elegant, Ethereal yet Regal...the Mad Hatter's tea party gone glam in the middle of the Secret Garden. Guests enter the ballroom under a grand silver and white garden arch with ivy and flowers wrapped around it and into a world that goes over the top and past the rainbow while bringing an outdoor dream location indoors. Sign up tables, weapon checks, all the typical entrance concerns are in place as all attendants are dressed up in white tuxes or Alice in Wonderlandish pinafores just in white and silver
A dream like setting with airy white linen and tulle, draped over tables, benches, chairs. Strings of pearls and tiny twinkling lights strung along, around or over columns and the small trees and silver trellis's that add to the garden like setting. Light purple, lavender shaded and at times scented ribbons and ties edge tablecloths or are tied around various chairs. Flower shaped candles float in glass bowls of water set on various surfaces. Centerpieces are elaborate arrangements of fresh-cut and silk flowers in white baskets studded with pearls.
All the silverware gleaming and held in mini terracotta pots or an almost pearlescent lavender glazed vases on the appropriate tables..fondue sticks like shiny stems. The china is made of a crystal like glass there are small tables with genuine silver tea service sets with attendents prepared to serve tea. Food is served in buffet like set-ups with a total of 9 tables in U shaped groups of 3, dishes arranged around unique fountains. - 1st U: Cheese Fondue Fountain with displayed tiers of fresh vegetables, vegetable nori rolls, different types of tiny sandwiches and punch bowls of soup. - 2nd U: Chocolate Fondue Fountain with tiers of fresh fruit, mini-pastries, flower shaped cookies, and flower themed mini-cakes with brightly colored frosting. - 3rd U: Wine, Beer, Champagne Fountains with glass pitchers of different flavored lemonades, cold teas, and sparkling drinks.
The focal point of the ballroom for now is the raised dais surrounded by flower strewn trellises creating a magnificent stage and cat-walk that can be seen from different angles from every one of the dining tables that surround it while still leaving room for dancing and mingling. A special table for the judges has the best vantage point. The chairs at each table are as diverse as the many flowers used as decorations through out the long hall...some benches, some normal dining chairs, and some comfortable arm-chairs.
Contents
Pre-Show
Flower Princesses are rounded up and escorted or shown where they should be as things get closer to starting...guests helped with finding treats and of course the front table accepting the donations or weapons and other such things with class and discression. At one point of the set up there is...from the backstage area and it almost carries over the lull of the music a higher pitched, familiar to some and irish accented cry of 'WHAT THE UNLADYLIKEBADWORD DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN'T FIND THEM! YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE?! YOU'RE A COMBOVER WITH AN IDIOT ATTACHED!' But that soon passes.
Fashionably late, they call it indeed. Bastien is at least tardy; it's up to personal taste to decide about the red suit he's wearing. After a breezy walk past coat and weapons check, and the requisite donation at the door, he's in and amidst the tulle and twinkling lights. Familiar faces - Kennedy, Verain - receive charismatic smiles. Curious strangers? Much the same, albeit with a less familiar glint to the eye. Speaking of familiar glints, upon spying Aiden smoking near a pedestal, his features smooth out and he moves with more purpose through the crowd like a shark in a shoal. Somewhere along the way he snags two champagne flutes from a cocktail waiter. He slips around a gaggle of burly men dressed as posies and presents the beverage to Aiden. "Bon soir."
Danniella runs as ladylike as possible to the empty judges table? hrmm. That's odd. She takes a seat and tries to catch her breath.
Amber notices the man with they dying-of-enui act and purses her lips, remembering a certain incident where her MULE aquired a distressing independence. She still hasn't got the the bottom of that. Her posture stiffens when she hears the irish cry waft outwards, possibly in sympathy, possibly in readiness of springing to a position to observe if things get livlier.
Backstage, can't you JUST imagine the looks shot at one particular irishman? Who said sabbotage had to stop at pinging brastraps and doctoring wigs. Queens fight dirty you know...
The poor attendant with the combover stumbles onto stage though, clearing his throat and trying to hide it but he does have 'I'm WITH STUPID' written across his forehead with something red, possibly lipstick. "L-Ladies and Gentlemen, um...before the night's events can proceed w-we would like to offer-" He looks behind him towards the backstage and then cringes before quickly continuing. "Offer two special people the chance to be judges for the night's festivities."
Donna nods to Mariette, answering, "Aye, I'll point 'em out... especially if I can figure 'em out for sure." She too scans the room, waiting for things to really get going. It gets harder to watch the antics of men in drag when they're all dragged backstage. Her eyebrows lift a bit as the man comes out to make that announcement about the judges, and she says to her companion, "seems they've got a bit of a snag there." She frowns lightly, but doesn't seem stirred to make any barely-ladylike runs to join Danniella on the judge's stand.
Bastien's less than timely appearance causes Aiden to drop his arm from the pedestal and shift into a more upright stance, reaching out to accept the champagne flute while flicking a glance towards the stage, "Gratsi. Can you believe all this? I'm not sure if I'm getting gayer or richer just by contact alone right now." He stands close enough to Bastien that his voice can be kept to a low purr, though he's hardly the epitome of cheap masculinity right now. He turns to look at the attendant, taking a sip of the champagne while cocking a brow. Without looking back at the brunette by his side, Aiden continues to speak, canting his head towards him slightly, "Did you come to cheer on your leonine amour?"
Oh no. The icy tendrils of 'this could be bad' start to creep their way up Reilly's spine. Puppy browns eye the attendant, then the door, then the stage where that voice was so shrill a moment ago... door, attendant. Fight or flight starts to kick in, adrenaline starts pumping. It's one thing to decide to act like a fool on ones own, totally another to be put in the position of being one against ones will. He's weighing the odds. Can he make it to the door? How totally hard will 'Miss Clover' kill him if he does. But it matters not, because before he can contemplate it any further, a little gnat buzzes around in front of his face and over his head and.. without thinking, he raises his hand to brush it away. A gesture that could easily be misconstrued as a hand waving enthusiastically to volunteer. He snaps that hand right back down to his side the second he realizes what he's doing, but is it a second too late?
Late is almost always fashionable, when one counts oneself amongst the fairfolk of House Daska. After a brief absence to see to refreshments, Kennedy's arm candy du jour returns, with a smooth stride and a pair of fluted glasses filled with sparkling rose champagne that he's managed to abscond with from some waitress' tray. Bastien, whose eye is caught ever so briefly, receives a full grin from the young Companion in passing-- though it is the Baroness Sinclair whose attention he gains with a hand slid fluidly along her shoulder, and a terminus to his journey in the seat he takes beside her. One of the glasses is handed to her, and something murmured softly as they await the start of what promises to be the judging.
Mr. Combover Attendant looks a bit relieved, murmuring something about tiny irish psychopaths and white-jackets before smiling and pointing to Reilly. "Okay, please don't be shy...one more."
Enters the Graceful Southern Belle of the Verse, not clomping as Lilac had earlier, no Lilac went and changed shoes, for something more stylis for the style Lilac had chosen. Though Lilac perfered the boots and offers a smile, scratches chin, missed the goatee.
Quinn, dressed more butch than most of the men here, simply sits in the corner, sipping her scotch, and watching, her eyes alight with amusement. She fingers a silver chain around her neck, as her bright blue eyes scan the room.
Danniella starts swearing very unlady like under her breath as the attendant announces that they needed two VOLUNTEERS to be judges. She looks around the room breifly and grumbles angrily. She had worked hard earlier to get miss Clover relaxed and all of this is ruined now that the judges had FLAKED!
Since no one else seems to be interested, Aiden, in his usual lazy fashion, slips one pale, manicured hand into the air - the one holding his cigarette, no less.
Kennedy catches the glance for Bastien, raising a hand to do a single finger wave to accompany a smile. The same smile tracks over to Aiden and is afforded before she feels a hand trail across her shoulders and her head cants upwards. Eye's lid partially as if intoxicated just by the sight of Verain again, and her lips turn sly at the murmur in her ear. She settles back with the glass of bubbly, sitting rather close to the man as he takes his seat so she can respond quietly in kind. His eyes widen to almost comical proportions. Reilly looks to the left and behind himself and then to the right and then back to the attendant. Awww, man... Dude WAS pointing at him. Making for the exit now would be in incredibly poor taste.
"Douitashimashite," Bastien replies, a 'you're welcome' Aiden's thanks for champagne. "Gay. Rich. Both subscribe to the cult of fashion and spectacle, that's all that matters," Bastien replies, situating himself at an angle from Aiden with the pedestal a convenient leaning-post for his elbow. Nothing to see here, folks, just two lotharios with champane and a sotto voce conference going on, heads inclined towards one another. "There /is/ some delicious overlap going on," he admits, mumbling an afterword: "Venn diagram..." He sips his bubbly, blue eyes sweeping over the sea of made-up faces and onwards to Mr. Combover. He raises a brow, leans in towards Aiden and smirks. "Do you have an extra cig on you? I left mine...and I'm here for a lot of reasons," he adds, matter-of-fact. "Of course /that's/ a big one..." He watches Aiden's hand go up into the air, and seems to know immediately what he's done; he chuckles softly, approvingly.
Amber picks up a delightful little soupcon of taste resembling cream cheese topped with wasabi. Guess what? From her expression if might just *be* cream cheese topped with wasabi. Could also be the effort of not letting explosive laughter escape at Reilly's impression into service as a judge.
"Okay! Thank you, those two, right there...the two men...right then." CombOver holds up a piece of paper and reads "You'll be judging based on their presence, their ability to use their flower of choice in creative ways, their appearance and of course...how they impress you, the judge personally in whatever way...be it in their talent, or just how amusing they were etc. After each round, giving your opinion on each girl and how they did and at the /end/ it'll be the judges choosing which girl they think did the best over all...audience can influence things with cheers and such though." He pauses and then scurries off the stage.
Quinn notices Amber, and her eyes widen, slightly. She waits to catch the other woman's eye.
Eventually little Artemis presses her way into the room with a gasp for first air after a run. Her eyes look around a moment as if to survey who was closest to her befoer toward the chitter chatter that was going on on stage. The dateless woman moves just slightly enough to get a better view of what was going on once she had fully entered.
Mariette grins and then her eyes widen some at the outbursts from behind the scenes and all the commotion and general loudness of everything. Colorful. Loud. Busy. It's hard to keep up with all the activity but she goes look toward Mister Combover as he explains the /rules/ of the night and she grins at Donna, "Betcha know how ta whistle real loud..you'll haveta pick a girl to cheer on.."
Snaffling a few more treats from the selection on offer, and a fresh drink, Amber notices Quinn and gives a smile her way, lifting an equiring eyebrow and gesturing towards plate and glass and Quinn's table.
Quinn nods to Amber, in invitation, and sips her drink.
"Big being the primary wording, unfortunately," Aiden says languidly, glancing aside at Bastien and studying him for a few seconds before he says, simply, "No. If you want a cigarette, you can earn it like a good boy." He returns his attention to the stage, smoking his cigarette and leaning his back comfortably against part of the pedestal that doesn't have flowers wrapping around it. He brushes his hair away from his forehead once more, sweeping it back away from his eyebrow and crossing his ankles absentmindedly. He is the perfect picture of androgynous ennui, indolent against the pedestal while smoking his thin, spicy scented cigarette and sipping from the flute. It doesn't even look like he was listening to good Mr. Combover.
Reilly looks a little like a deer caught in the headlights. Man hasn't a clue how to judge a bunch of men wearing dresses. Hell, he even prefers pants on his women when he chooses to bed them instead of men! LESIGH! He makes his way to where he's supposed to be and mentally goes over a check list of things that might matter: Amount of ruffles, amount of schlong visible or not, makeup, not falling off the heels.
Round 1: Who's that Queen?
The lights go out leaving the very faint glow of the candles around the ballroom and a soft voice comes over the speakers, a hint of an irish lilt adding a purr to the otherwise careful enunciation. "Once upon a time, there was beautiful young woman with a traumatic and devastating past who met a young man and his kind family and they rescued her from the haunted castle that had been her home for her entire life. They called her Lilly, and she had a green thumb and a smile that could summon even rainbows to do her bidding. And though there were many things she didn't know, she never gave up hope...and that optimism caused that young man to see life in a completely different way."
A quiet pause for effect, just soft breathing and then the voice continues. "Then, like all fairy tales...an evil wizard plucked this optimistic bloom from the garden of life before her time...as he had plucked so many other blossoms from the garden of life. Unlike most fairy tales, no kiss or magic mirror can bring those people back but we can create happy endings for the spirits of these victims."
"A wise man once said 'Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.' And so I took something so tiny, and planted a seed of hope...and look where we are now. Some friends, some strangers but we've all come together to sow these seeds of hope wherever they may fall. Without the direct financial, emotional, and other such support of company sponsors, hotel owner, generous organizations and individuals...tonight's event wouldn't even be possible. So thank you all for all you've done. With the donations raised from this event, the first hope garden will be planted in memory of all the innocent and pretty spirits of those who have moved on."
"If enough money is raised to plant the first of hopefully many Hope Gardens in our diverse Universe, it will be a way for complete strangers to offer support to one another and come together to respect the many innocent victims of needless and excessive violence. This is an attempt to concentrate on what is positive by respecting the negative and appreciating the spirits of those who have moved on. This might seem like a lot of pacifism anti-violence spiel, but it isn't. There are some things you cannot help. This is a ball to raise money for the things and people we can help. Thank you for being a part of this."
"Well, enough of that!" The lights come back on but focusing on the stage, and Miss Clover's coat is removed and tossed off the stage with a dramatic flair. One hand goes to a hip as she stands in the middle of the stage, making use of a handless microphone. She tosses some hair and flashes a bright smile. "Tonight...we have quite the show for you. 6 flower princesses, competing to be the belle of the ball, the prize flower of the garden...but most importantly, the first ever Flower Queen. It takes talent, charisma and the balls to be different to be a true Queen."
She gives a dramatic sigh and idly fidgets with the clover charm at her throat. "You know the clover flower is beautiful and the clover itself in certain manifestations is supposed to be good luck...I haven't gotten the chance to rub against any of the ladies but maybe if one is pretty enough I /might/ decide to help her out." She winks and shakes her head getting back to the topic at hand."With or without my influences they will be judged on their presence, their ability to use their flower of choice in creative ways, their appearance and of course...how they impress the judges and the audience members tonight. There will be 4 rounds and after each the judges will give their critiques and at the end of the competition...the princess with the most judges votes will be crowned the Queen."
She glances behind her before looking back to the audience. "We have three judges for tonight...all wonderful people I'm sure - But we aren't really here for them are we? Are you ready to meet your flower princesses? We have Princess Iris, Princess Lilac, Princess Lily, Princess Orchid, Princess Red Hot Poker and Princess Rose. I could introduce them myself but I think everybody's ready to get things started...so I'll let them introduce themselves. Good luck ladies! And remember......though there might be many queens, there can only be one Queen of the Flowers!" She blows a kiss and saunters off the stage.
The slow, soft click of a pair of heels sounds as Iris shyly makes her way down the catwalk, pausing at the end to look out at everyone before introducing herself. "Hello, I'm Princess Iris and I-" she pauses, eyes closing for a moment, wether oout of fright or in an attempt to fight back tears. "I chose my flower in honor of loved ones lost who now rest benieth small gardens of them. Ees for them and all others who have been lost in senseless acts of violance that I am here tonight.." With that, the shy flower turns and makes her way back up the catwalk.
Princess Lilac, comes out wearing a nice very southern bellish hooped skirt with ruffles of a darker shade of blue. Her hair is done in a french Braid. She steps onto the catwalk and in the deep southern draw she begins to speak. "I am Princess Lilac, and I chose the lilac as my favorite flower because it reminded me of the freedom that I helped give Lilac years ago, and that its the flower of choice that I hope to see planted in the garden of Hope, that will give others a chance to remember why we are all present here tonight. Violence is not the answer, nor is taking the innocent lives of Children, women and even men. May this garden bring Hope and endurement to those that will visit it.
No heels for this one. Nope. Soft slippers that offer no sound as Lily makes her way out of the back and onto the catwalk. She moves with a grace and poise, a confidense that shows one of two things. She wears a dress on a regular basis. Or she's confident enough of herself that it doesn't bother her. She comes to a stop at the end of the catwalk, turquoise eyes shifting out over everyone here. She remains in silence, for a fair few moments before she speaks. Not in shyness, no, but more as though awaiting the crowd's full attention. "Good morrow to all of you," she starts, her voice soft, deep contralto. "I am Princess Lily." She pauses, to take a breath before continuing. "I chose the lily because, to me, it symbolizes peace and hope. It has been a flower favored by my family for generations. One that gives us hope that we'll have a future. Hope gardens are a symbol to the future." With that, Lily falls silent. She offers a small bow from the waist, and then turns and makes her way gracefully back up the catwalk and into the back.
It's for a good cause. That's what put Miss Orchid into this, is that it's for a good cause. And a cause she can relate to, which would be another part of why she's here. The soft-soled slippers being worn make hardly a noise, but the token accessory that she uses does make a bit of a sound. A light tick when the end of the cane touches the floor, doing so in correspondence to each step taken with her left leg. The main shaft of the cane is green, and there are little sideshoots from it that each hold a metal-crafted orchid, also enameled in colour. Miss Orchid makes her way out onto the catwalk, stopping there and lowering her violet gaze to those who are the audience, and the judges. "I'm Princess Orchid," she begins, pausing for a moment and shifting her weight slightly. "I chose my flower as a way of remembering someone lost to me, someone lost to an act of violence that can never be explained. The orchid was the flower that I used to give to her. It is for her and other victims, for the friends and the family left behind to pick up the pieces and go on, that I am here tonight. Violence is never a solution, but ever a problem. The gardens we will plant cannot solve the problem... they will at least inspire people to hope for brighter days," she says softly, a thoughtful cast to her voice. She tarries but a moment longer, then turns to make her way back down the catwalk and off the stage, carefully and still making use of the cane that she carries.
Stage right! Or something: Don't panic. That's the key here. Not panicking would be a really, really good thing right about now. Through the PA system, the retro tones of at the crowds for an instant or two, as the song starts to play out into the vocals. Breathing would be good. BREATHE! Right, got that. Please ignore the stage-fright going on over here... muster the heels, get the courage in the sticking place...
And from there, things become a tad easier. The sashay begins, hips swaying as she parades herself forward, eyes a little glazed at the audience and lips set in a crooked smile. Once around the catwalk and into center stage, she strikes a pose, hipshod to the audience, one hand set upon the aforementioned. Once she has everyone's attention, she uncurls the carriage whip from her hip, lets the thong unravel on the floor, a snakelike slither and with a flourish... <<CLACK!>> out above the heads of the crowd. A wink and the acute of hearing might be able to make out the nervously hysterical giggle that's /almost/ contained and she sashays offstage again with a coy wave over her shoulder. There are bonuses, y'see, to not having to /say/ anything! Oh hangonaminute. Pausing by the curtain's flanking shadows, she looks to the audience with a flutter of stupidly long lashes. "Princess Red-hot Poker, you bad, bad people. I chose this flower because of what it conjours up in the mind. I don't need to say more than I have, but... go peace, go entertainment of seeing us all in dresses! Go go power rangers!" Her voice is whiskey and smoke across a crowded room, deep for a woman but well! Go figure. "You all /know/ why you're here." And with that, a bob of her eyebrows and a flounce of her bum, she disappears again.
Mrs. Rose steps up onto the stage wearing a dress that's black on the bottom, and purple near the top. She's wearing heels, but they're not very thick -- which makes walking easier. "Good morning," she says with a big smile to everyone around. "My name is Mrs. Rose. I chose the flower rose, mainly because of her--" she points to a spiky-haired woman in the audience. Sure she's just trying to redirect the attention focused on her to the other woman -- but that doesn't make her words any less true. "Her name is Rose Babbage. She's the woman I share my life with -- the highs and the lows. She's the one I want beside me when I fall asleep, and she's the first thing I wanna see when I wake up. She's my life-partner, and I love her with all my heart." She does a little spin to show off the front and back of her outfit. "I support hope gardens, because I've seen too much violence. I've seen people I love shot, I've seen them get hit with grenade blasts, last month I even had to clean blood out of my house because of senseless violence. That's something I don't ever wanna have to do again."
...lots of wolf-whistles, and somebody whinnies like a horse at Red-Hot Poker, some tear up some but overall plenty of applause and clapping for different princesses even if it quiets down a bit to prepare for judges comments.
Judges Comments
Since Aiden seems to be first up, the blonde shifts to his feet absentmindedly and crosses his arm around his middle, leaving his flute behind. He does it because, not being particularly tall, it makes it easier for him to vocalize audibly, "While everyone loves a beauty pageant, I have to say that the only one who embraced the actual concept of the show was Princess Poker. The point of the event isn't to be the prettiest woman you can possibly be and extoll on how tearjerking an experience you have or preach on hope and good will towards all things fluffy and cute. It's to be a man in a dress and entertain people who spent money to see men cavorting in skirts." He takes the time to enjoy a drag on his cigarette, continuing in that same velvet purr of a voice, a drawl filled with a sense of laconic disinterest - a cat taking part because it'll get him food later, "I agree that they all managed to give good speeches and prance attractively, but I think only Poker recognized the actual point of the festivities."
Danniella smiles, "Princess Iris is cute, sweet. Princess Lilac has very good ideals but then again mostly all of the grils do. Princess Lily," She grins, "has the confidence of a true woman. Miss orchid shows us that anyone can be a princess and possible queen if you set your mind to it. Miss red hot Poker, Well I don't have the slightest idea on how to comment on that performance." She laughs and shakes her head, "Mrs. Rose is really very strange but reminds us that violence happens to good people even when they shouldn't. Well done all." She smiles and can't help but laugh.
By the time all of the contestants have made their way off the stage, Reilly is leaning back in his chair with his legs stretched out in front of himself and his hands resting on his stomach, fingers laced together. His cheeky, dimpled, toothy grin is gone to be replaced by a slightly less pleasant expression. One of his feet bounces up and down restlessly under the table and finally he straightens and sits more upright. He scrubs his hands down over his scruffy face and does his best to wipe his smile back into place. It falls short of being genuine and honest like it was before. He chews a bit on the corner of one thumb nail, his knee bounces under the table now. "Poker needed more bindin' and tuckin' or er' bits were just tae big for the job. Not sure if t'at be reason fer more points or less," he mumbles. His knee bounces almost wildly. He's looking more and more uncomfortable up there by the second. "All of them... deserve one hell of a pat on the back fer the guts it be takin' tae do t'is, but... Miss Rose, she be summin' up the reason we all be goin' on through it all. Why we go on day after day in the face of all of it and t'at be fer t'ose still livin'. 'ope be found in the livin', in the loved ones still around ye, not in the dead." A beat and he adds, "So, it really be dependin' on why ye t'ink we all be 'ere, entertainment only value, or the meanin' behind the garden we be fundin'."
Round 2: Waves of Change
There is a lot of tattoo and skin on display as the host, Miss Clover, makes her way back out to the sound of the applause for the princesses and the judges comments and all that. "Good job Princesses..." She brushes hair out of her face, one hand on her hip as she struts half-way down the cat-walk...fingers idly toying with the tie of her rainbow sarong and she can only giggle, twirling a bit and waggling fingers to a random person. "Welll now it is Round 2, and is it just me or am I feeling a bit of a breeze? We've met the ladies but how can you really know somebody until they've stripped down to the basics and bared their soul...I don't know how much soul will be on display, but there will be plenty of princess! Lets make our bared babes feel welcome!" She blows a kiss and turns to leave the stage with an extra sway of hips. Good thing she's well tucked or she'd be fu- Gold at the end of the rainbow indeed.
With more grace and a great deal less shy than before, though it is still there in some ways, Princess Iris makes her way down the catwalk, a cute pair of sandals and a relativly plain bathins suit, what stands out as she approaches the end of the catwalk more though would be the brilliantly designed and drawn henna stains of a Blood Iris surrounded by tribal markings. Her pose is more of a stretch than anything, arms going up behind her head for a moment before she does a turn and starts back, hips swaying a little with every step.
Princess Lilac is wearing a black one piece swim suit with a lilac floral design with a wrap around that gives the appearance of the lilac flowing with each step she takes. Wearing matching spike heels to give her legs that smooth shapely look with sunshades perched on her head as if she was stepping out to head for the nearest beach. She is lightly tanned, which adds contrast to the bathing suite she is wearing. Around her necks is lilacs woven into a lei . She walks with grace that took weeks of practice and walks with a sway as she walks across the stage to the catwalk, much more refine than earlier in the hoop skirt. But what southern bell would be complete without a parasol? The parasol too has lilacs on it in small print as she rests it against her left shoulder, offering the crowd a warm smile.
Once again, Lily makes her way out onto the stage. Bare foot, with painted toenails shown off, she move gracefully down the catwalk. Her large sunhat is tipped so as to be a little on the alluring side, and a lily adorns the right side of it. Her bright turquoise blue swimsuit sparkles with the outline of many lilies, the stomach and back bare between the top and bottom half with a finely woven mesh net that sparkles just like the rest of it. The bottom of the suit is a mini-skirt style affair, with a lily nestled on either hip. She twirls once, gracefully, at the end of the catwalk, and then saunters back the way she'd come. Her eyes sparkle, a smile adorns her lips. Yes, it appears she's enjoying herself greatly.
The audience is loving it! Some entertain themselves by squinting to see or try to point out if there are any snakes left on the mothereffin' shuttle, others are being reminded that these are dudes and protesting that they COULDN'T be...the HUGE princesses however are making a huge impression. Literally. These some big bit-nicewords.
Once again, Miss Orchid makes her way back out onto the stage, a smile gracing her features. This time, barefoot, and that means nearly quiet. Though there is that soft ticking of the cane that comes with the steps taken by her left leg. Stepping out and moving down the catwalk, she pauses at the end, then does a careful little turn. Through her movements, the sarong worn about the waist clings to his left leg. Without further ado, she makes her way back down the catwalk and off the stage again.
Cue: Quick offstage kerfuffle involving trying to get out of all that tightness in record time, but TADAAAAAA! Exeunt Orchid. Thereafter...
Miss Red-hot Poker errupts back onto the stage with both arms lifted up grandly to the ceiling, kisses thereafter given to the crowd from brightly painted lips, as she wriggles her way down the center walk-way, a pair of over-the-top sunglasses in one manicured hand. And just incase it had to be re-iterated, that there, is a HECK of a lot of leg! Oh thankyou, thankyou! There is a curtsey at the end of the display, all straight torsos and bent knees with ... how the HELL did she do that, anyway? Those legs never parted, that's for sure. TUCKING ISSUES, EH?!?! Everyone's a critic. In her hands, the prop-shop has gone to town in a half dozen red-hot poker flowers that are summarily cast toward the crowd of people in various directions -- At least one at Verain and Kennedy, another at Bastien and two at the judges. The rest can squabble over them, like brides at the bouquet toss! -- She gives a little wiggle of hips, a girlish laugh complete with a hand over her lips and the hat comes off in a low-swept flourish as she ... er... FIERCES her way back offstage. That... was REALLY a lot of leg. Just incase you missed it and all.
Mrs. Rose shows up on stage wearing a purple and black sarong (mainly black, with purple rose-vines printed on it), with sunglasses that have dark purple lenses. Shoes are simple black leather sandals, showing off her black and purple painted toenails. She does a little catwalk turn, then smiles at the crowd. She's got nothing to say about this outfit, so she just silently walks off stage. And there's a bit of a sway in her hips as she does so. No, her beachwear isn't as exciting as her intro; she knows she'll really have to step it up in the talent competition if she wants to beat Poker.
...from backstage there is a soft irish high-pitched voice that declares shortly after poker's performance, "DON'T ARGUE WITH ME! I can't PUT IT IN A THONG IF IT WON'T GO DOWN!" Then the typical applause and wolf-whistles from the audience cover up the rest of the tirade before quieting down to wait for the judges.
Judges Comments
Aiden doesn't try to catch the flowers as much as he tries not to get hit in the face with one; he winds up with a couple in his lap. He glowers at them for a few seconds before sighing and picking them up so that he can idly twine them into his hair. It gives him something to do while watching the other, uh, ladies walk the stage. The sudden yelling gets a lift of eyebrows, but he just continues with what he's doing.
Danniella smiles as she catches the Red-hot poker, "Nicely done Iris. Love the Henna. Could have used a little more with the bathing suit. Lilac, very pretty. the parasol is a nice touch. Lily stunning, just stunning. Orchid, lovely. Red-hot poker, Very uh bright... I must say she is taking this pageant very well. She is haveing fun and looking pretty whille doing it. Rose, A little dissappointing I must say." She manages to keep her face straight at the outburst from backstage.
He continues to look uncomfortable and out of sorts up there behind the judges' table, even with the smile still plastered on his face. Reilly's leg still bounces under the table, he's still chewing the hell out of the corner of his fingernail and a familiar voice from back stage doesn't even get much more than a raised eyebrow. "Poker got the tuck down t'is time," he mumbles from behind the hand in front of his mouth in such a way that makes a person wonder if he's impressed or disappointed. "Still impressed wit' everyone 'avin' balls, or... well, lack of t'em in t'is case, enough tae go and do t'is,," he adds a little more audibly. Man really doesn't seem to be all that incredibly into this whole thing, not like he was in the beginning anyway. "Judgin' on show alone," which is really all this round was about. "I 'ave tae say t'at Poker be the one I be more likely t'an not tae want tae... poke."
Round 3: Glam it up?
Applause, woots, setting up for the next round to the behind the scenes soundtrack of: "NO! No more tape, I'll eat your escophgas with afternoon tea while sipping on your /bile/ if you come near me with that tape!" A muffled response. "What? I'm a What? An Irish bitch-well maybe, but I HAVE RIGHTS!" More silence and then insane girlish giggling more like a cackle...
That proceeds the lovely hostess before Miss Clover edges back onto stage taking her time to smooth down her mini-skirt and adjust something under there and then smooth out the skirt again...she exits the stage and comes back out with a bit of pep in her step, giggling and toying with a bright red apple. See, nothing happened! "Round 3, and now things are getting hot aren't they?" Apparently it is time for school. "I don't think we can pick a queen just /yet/. Class is in session, but who's about to get schooled?" She takes a seat at the very edge of the stage, that mini-skirt riding up dangerously but she crosses her legs. "Time to Glam it Up...Ham it Up, you decide. Will they sing, will they dance, will they jump out of the way of explosions? Drag is about impressions, but how much can our lovely ladies impress the judges tonight, here they are again...with their various talents." There's a purse of lips in an air kiss as she uncrosses her legs and hops off the stage, taking a bite of her apple and wandering into the audience.
Violin? The short young man from before who had been with Princess Iris is now at the back of the ball room, a violin under chin producing the music to which the flower will perform.
Her performance looks obvious as she comes on stage, stopping before her wrapped feet even touch the catwalk. With a sense of grace and finesse she's not shown yet in this pageant, she begins a display of slow, very intricate martial arts moves, each few bringing her a little closer to the edge of the catwalk with the fluid motion of some exotic dance. Sleek muscles carry each fluid movement, each slow and careful move flowing into the next, timed perfectly with the ever changing flow of the violent music and as she comes to the end of the catwalk. As she reaches the very edge, one foot plants silently and her last strike' very slowly crosses over open air, forcing her to hold the pose for several moments before her leg folds back and comes to the edge where the other is, taking a moment to bow and then she turns, standing and tosses her hair with a slight jerk of her head, revealing a second henna Blood Iris on her back, surrounded by the words Love', Peace' and Tranquility' in Russian on her back.**
Her performance looks obvious as she comes on stage, stopping before her wrapped feet even touch the catwalk. With a sense of grace and finesse she's not shown yet in this pageant, she begins a display of slow, very intricate martial arts moves, each few bringing her a little closer to the edge of the catwalk with the fluid motion of some exotic dance. Sleek muscles carry each fluid movement, each slow and careful move flowing into the next, timed perfectly with the ever changing flow of the violent music and as she comes to the end of the catwalk. As she reaches the very edge, one foot plants silently and her last strike' very slowly crosses over open air, forcing her to hold the pose for several moments before her leg folds back and comes to the edge where the other is, taking a moment to bow and then she turns, standing and tosses her hair with a slight jerk of her head, revealing a second henna Blood Iris on her back, surrounded by the words Love', Peace' and Tranquility' in Russian on her back.'
Having chosen a light lilac colored dress, one that is modest but yet sexy in its style the dress goes to her ankles with a split up the side , spiked heels to match, Princess Lilac walks across the stage, shes chosen a song for her piece and lilacs are spread across the floor where she will be standing. And with her southern draw she speaks to the crowd "My Piece which I am going to perform is called Lilacs are for Angels." Boy this is where the true test goes, lilac had done a lot of practicing to get the pitch just right for this so that the baritone doesnt slip out and she takes the mic and she looks to the crowd below the stage and begins to sing. Just one part where the baritone does slip but hopefully not noticed when the words are truly heard and how appropriate the song fit tonights event. " Pretty Lilacs , they are for angels , for their fragance freely give, purple bloosoms will bloom in heaven, in the valley beyond the hills where daddy lives.."
The talent portion... now that's a little bit.. more difficult to do. Before Lily makes her appearance, soft, low music starts to sound. At first, just the slow, deep beat of a drum. That is when Lily makes her way down the catwalk, moving with that lazy grace that big cats display. Her outfit is far more simple this time. Pale aqua, sleek, hugs the contours of her tall frame. At least, the top half does. The short, knee length skirt flows and flairs as she moves. Embroidery along the edges of the skirt flash in pale aqua, creamy white, and vibrant green with each movement. This time, she's not as silent when she moves, her hair braided up intricately, each one adorned with a tiny silver or aqua, making each step chime ever so softly. The music shifts just about the time she gets around the catwalk once and back to the stage. There, she pauses, poised, looking out at the crowd. Then the beat of the music changes, coming a little faster, and high, fluting music joins the drums. Something scottish, with a wind pipe of some sort, from the sounds of things. She starts to dance, movements controlled and graceful. The music shifts, again, adding a quick paced fiddle to it. Lily draws the swords at either side and begins a sword dance. Out onto the catwalk she moves, fighting some sort of invisible opponent. Toward the end of the catwalk, the music reaches a cresendo, and then ends, on a single, loud drum beat. As does Lily's dance, with her down on one knee, swords poised out behind and to her sides, head bowed. She remains like that for a few seconds, and then gracefully gets to her feet. She bows to the people of the crowd and sheathes the two swords in a fluid movement. Then she turns and makes her way back off the stage much as she'd come onto it.
There's some scuffling around behind stage first, and then some stage hands wheel out what looks like a bar on wheels. Strange, maybe, but... to each their own, right? The stage hands leave, quietly. From the wings of the stage steps Miss Orchid then, making her way over to the mobile bar. Once standing behind it, she opens the door and brings out a row of five glasses of different sizes. They get arranged from smallest to largest -- a tall shot glass, a regular glass, a highball glass, a martini glass, and a glass coffee cup. That door is then closed, and the other one opened. Taking out a cocktail shaker, she places it on the counter as well. Then comes out a variety of different alcohols. Music starts, Edwin Starr's "War, What is it Good For". Without her cane, Miss Orchid takes only a moment before she reaches out to claim one of the bottles. With a flair likely only seen in bars that offer such a service as a highlight to the drinks and dancing, Miss Orchid builds the smallest drink first. Then moves to the second, alcohol bottles twirling and spinning, liquid spilling from them to spill to the corresponding glasses. Until all five of the drinks have been created, the last getting a little spritz of whipped cream on top before she sets the can on the bar's counter. Then she steps back and gives a bow, the music ending. With the last strains of the song fading ever away, she limps, heavily favouring her left leg, as she makes her way from the stage.
Two rounds have sallied forth, where no round has gone before! This, darlings, is the TALENT round! One really ought to be prepared. Through the PA system, the sounds of another roxette song lift: 'The Look' and with the opening guitar solo and the drums rolling in, she steps forth. Here I am, people!
Miss red hot poker peeks around the curtains that hang as a partition, just her eyes and nose visible. Then though, a long leg emerges, complete with high-heeled slipper. As soon as the vocals start, she's strutting down the catwalk. "Walking like a man, hitting like a hammer she's a jouvenile scam, never was a quitter, tasted like a raindrop. She's got the look!" Through the halcion tones of old, singers long dead, she performs and performs as best she can, lipsynching for her LIFE!! Swirling, arching, twisting and pirhouetting, the entire display is meant for one purpose and one purpose only: To tantalize. Bedroom eyes gaze at faces and seem to see right inside the mind, promise dangerous things. Come-hither lips, intimate their skills to the audience with every slight smile and each moue they turn; it could be so very easy to forget that it's a man underneath all that glam.
Did she accomplish her goal? By the closure of the dance that ends with a forward splits on the stage, both hands lifted up in elegant balletic form, she's heaving her chest quite merrily. Only the judges can decide whether or not they just popped a gasket or not! Flourishing a grand bow with elegantly crossed legs, she stalks back offstage, leaving only glitter in her wake.
Mrs. Rose is wearing a purple plaid button-up with a denim skirt this time. The PA softly plays 'What We Need More Of Is Science' by MC Hawking. For her talent, all she needs is an A4 piece of purple tissue paper (it's 2526, we'd better be rid of that 8.5 x 11 nonsense by now). "Bernoulli's principle," she says in a tone that's just /so/ seductive, "Simply states that a fast-moving fluid has a lower pressure than a slow-moving fluid. That means I can lower air pressure by doing nothing more than blowing." She holds the paper just below her lips, and the page curls downward. But then, when she purses her lips oh-so-sweetly and blows, the paper starts to flatten out. "You see -- by lowering the pressure above the page, the air-pressure below it pushes it upward. Proof that science is beautiful." She pauses for just a beat. "I hope you all enjoyed Mrs. Rose's physics class!" She takes a bow, and girlishly waves her tissue paper at the audience before heading off-stage.
Judges Comments
Danniella applaudes, "Brava Iris, amazing. Lilac, beautiful, a little shakey but lovely. Lily spectacular. Orchid very unique I guess. Red-hot, I'm a bit warry of you and yet slightly intrigued. Rose, a little too much learning and not enough flair." She shrugs slightly.
Splits? OH MY GOD. That there move makes Reilly cringe a little and drop a hand to his lap and sort of squeezing his legs together in sympathy for his own bits should he ever find himself in that position. He waits until his voice isn't going to squeak sympathetically before he comments, "Not sure where swords and martial arts be 'avin' a place 'ere. Beautiful, I admit t'at, but deadly." A little counter the theme of the evening to him anyway. "Song was inspirin' and appropriate," he muses in regards to Orchid. "Wit' Rose, just need tae pretend t'at isnae a piece of paper she be blowin' on." A beat and he finishes up with, "I still t'ink I be most impressed by Poker in t'at round."
Aiden begins his own commentary with a drag on his waning cigarette, as seems to be his way, and he exhales smoke while speaking, "Lily, I have to say that you offered one of the more interesting performances. A great thanks to Orchid for managing what millions of overworked bartenders do on a busy Saturday evening." You could ice skate over his voice. He continues with a slight lowering of his lashes, continuing idly, "Mrs. Rose did an excellent job of teaching us all the proper way to blow, but I nearly fell asleep during her presentation, which seemed to rely largely on getting the audience to stare at her mouth. As for Poker, while the dancing was impressive enough, the song is about as camp as you can get - which may or may not be the point - and the 'seductive stare' was a bit much. All in all, though, a good performance."
Jaws have dropped, money was actually thrown on the stage while Red Poker was dancing for some reason...applause, woots, people asking Orchid for a sip...Rose getting cat-calls about 'teacher teacher' and the other dancers and performers getting similar reactions...applause at the singing and kicking and swording and everything all in all everybody seems to boo at judges comments they don't agree with, cheer at others, it is...just a fun evening.
Round 4: Once Upon A Time!
Lots of rushing, but it does takes some time and the princesses are given a bit more time for the next change. Miss Clover's a tad more sober when she comes onto the stage this time, moving along gracefully in her ball gown...hair adjusted appropriately and skirts having to be held up a bit as she makes her way to a certain place on the stage. There seems to be a place for each of the princesses on the stage as well, a small stand with a bouquet of their flowers of choice to tell them where to stand after they have walked the catwalk. Clover is however quiet as she clutches her bouquet to her chest and takes a deep breath, smiling softly.
"Round 4, we all came together to see a Queen get crowned, to give this fairy tale a happy ending and while we might not be finding a Prince to kiss, we can still look fabulous. To show you why they should be the Flower Queen and blow us all away with their beautiful ball gowns...yooooooour Flower Princesses."
Once again rather shyly, Princess Iris comes out onto the catwalk, the slow clicking of her 4 inch heels ending at the end of the strip. She should speak, to tell why she thinks she should be the flower queen, but those violet eyes simply scan the room slowly before her head turns, lowering a little as her eyes close. A thin smile graces her lips as she turns, revealing the same henna markings as in the prior segment, the blood iris surrounded by the russian lettering, spelling out the words Love, Peace and Tranquility. To her, that says more than anything she could have said, that image growing more distant as she moves to take her place on stage.
Wearing a very elegant strapless satin corset bodice and tulle skirt, heavily beaded/sequined bodice with cording design and diamond sprays. Princess Lilac carries a bouqet of lilacs with a satin ribbon tying the bouqet together. Pearls grace her neck and accents the gown she has chosen for this round. Her hair is done in a prom updo, hair style .She walks across the stage with a stride that says much for the balls that it took to do this but well worth the cause. She looks to the crowd as she winks to them as she comes out onto the catwalk and turns to walk back to the stage, the song lilacs for angels still stuck in her head that Lilac sang for the audience as she smiles to those who participated in tonights event and blows a kiss to the audience as she then turns to rejoin the others on the stage.
Regal and elegant is how Lily looks when she emerges from backstage for this last round. The short heels she wears click softly as she makes her way with grace and poise down the catwalk. As she moves, the nails of her hands can be seen, each one painted with a tiny, perfect lily in shades of creamy white and pale aqua, and the crystals spark and glitter with each movement. She pauses at the end of the catwalk, and looks out over the crowd. She doesn't speak, not to utter a single word. Instead, she looks over the crowd, a small, warm smile adoring her face, making her eyes sparkle. Then she turns, pirouette's in place, and walks gracefully back up the catwalk and over to the stage. She pauses there, and offers nods and smiles of recognition to those already here. Then, she takes her place.
Once more into the fray, or so the saying goes. Another change of clothes has passed and brought all of them one step closer to the crowning of a Queen. She steps out, without the cane that she'd started with, though at least the skirts of the gown are mostly able to hide the heaviness of the limp. Curls bob lightly with each step taken, hair brushing softly against the bare tops of her shoulders. Heels are, however, a challenge, and the heels of them click on the stage. She makes her way carefully to the catwalk and down it, reaching the end and pausing there briefly before doing a full circle turn so that all can get a look at the outfit in its entirety. It would seem that she feels no further need to say anything, having said a fair piece at the start of it all. And so, Miss Orchid turns to limp back down the catwalk and make her way off the stage entirely.
There is very little segue into this.
Miss Red-hot Poker simply walks out onto the stage, a vision in softly chinking chains and elegantly held poise. She looks as if she were heading to the prom, all dolled up. In her right hand, she grasps a fairy-wand scepter shaped like her token flower, heels of her boots crisp upon the flooring -- in the background plays the more techno version of 'Fever' -- First attempt at making some kind of pose whilst dancing to the tune with everything /below/ the hip, fails. GASP! She just scuffed her heel on the catwalk. But in true queen style, she recovers with a good deal of panache, executing a lifted-knee, twist-kick manoever with her head tossed back, that leaves her final position somewhere around the corner of the stage right. The good thing is, she's not had to /say/ a whole lot up until now. It takes agility to pull that off though, particularly in rocker boots. Eyelashes flutter and she executes a pert little smile.
Mrs. Rose steps out in her princess outfit, which is a long flowing purple dress. Atop her head is a wreath made from purple roses, and she's using both hands to cradle a bouquet of roses as if it were her baby. She addresses the audience one last time before the judging starts. "I entered this contest because I lost a bet," she says, giving the honest reason she's here. "At first, I just wanted to get this over with. But I actually had a lot of fun picking out dresses, going to slumber parties, and maybe even getting some latent gender issues out in the open. It's been a blast, and I've found myself actually /wanting/ the title of Flower Queen. I know my crew's gonna use this to torture me for years to come, but . . ." She smirks a little bit. "I just think everybody should get a chance to see the world from both sexes." She pulls roses from the bouquet one at a time and tosses them toward the judges, then throws the remainder of the bouquet to her spiky-haired life-partner.
The bouquet smacks said life-partner right in the chest, before falling to the floor. Epona quickly leans down to scoop them up again, a shit-eating grin on her face, as she mouths something (likely -terribly- inappropriate) to Mrs. Rose.
"Now...now ladies, this shall be a t-tough one." Clover comments softly as people applaud and call out 'team poke-her' and 'team rose' or 'team iris' or team...etc, all the other princesses have some supporters in the audience but they are waiting to hear the comments from the judges.
Judges Comments
Danniella smiles, "Iris heartrending. Tears almost came to my eyes. Lilac very beautiful. Lily elegant. Orchid very nice. Red-hot I must say a nice save with the kick but you loose a few points for failing in such a lovely dress in the first place. Rose, I'm stunned and have an urge to say I told you so." She grins and shakes her head, "In all seriousness very nice;y done by all the girls tonight. It is hard for me to choose just one."
Aiden is nowhere near as emotional, settling back down on the edge of the table as Rose finishes her own short speech, not bothering to try and catch the roses rather than once again fending them off. He glances aside and winds up adding them to the flowers he already has braided into his hair, licking his lips idly before he speaks again, "Frankly, I think everyone was mediocre at best, and if I hear another heartfelt speech, I think I'll be sick; nonetheless, I can appreciate the difficulty inherent in doing something like this and I commend the participants for their ability to overcome their more masculine natures in an attempt to provide for charity." He flicks ash into anything that might be a good recepticle, but is then forced to dash the cigarette altogether, sighing in the process. Nu. Mah cig.
This is where Reilly stands, places two fingers between his lips and lets out a LOUD ASS WHISTLE. It's ear splitting, really and truly it is. He follows it up with a round of rowdy applause. Pretty much sums up his feelings for the lot of them, but in the end there can be only one! ...and off with the rest of their heads! Wait, that's not right. He settles back into his chair and comments, "Strappin' balls for the cause, bet t'ey cannot wait tae be free again, no matter the fun of it."
Finals: The Queen is Crowned
Stands quietly as she listens to Danniella and looks to the others and Lilac would shake in her boots if she was wearing them. Perhaps it raised the money needed for the park, she hoped so. And would she do this again, affirmatively.
Red-hot Poker does not quite vibrate as the judges deliberate, but she really ought to; there's this running background of chainrustle going on, for sure.
Mrs. Rose didn't think she'd be this nervous about a drag show, but her palms are sweating and her knees are feeling weak. She does a good job at hiding it, though.
Drumroll... brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
Doesn't expect to win but a smile never left her face, but it was fun and it was for an Excellant cause, she stands as she was shown to, to keep the poise looking professional as one can for the moment and waits to hear.
As the votes are collected...there seems to be a hold up honestly. Clover talking with a few people before turning to the audience and taking a deep breath as she walks past each individual queen and gestures towards them and then waits to see the audience's screams or the level of their cheering. Then she seems to make a decision, turning to two helpers. Attractive attendants who carry two /very/ beautiful crowns...well one is a tiara but still, they carry the crowns on pillows as she herself holds a bouquet of lillies that change colors...obviously trophy like color changing ones. She clears her throat.
"6 princesses...came here today. Some were sassy, some were sweet...some brought tears to our eyes and others had to excuse themselves before /they/ started competing with Princess Red-hot Poker...but the judges have come to a decision." She walks up to Iris and hands her a color changing lily. "Never give up hope...thank you. You are the biggest goddamn woman I have ever seen, and you made it work." And offers a hug. Even if she only comes up to the Princess's...navel or something. Next, she's walking up to Lilac and handing her a color changing lily. "Never give up hope...thank you." Hug is offered. Then she approaches Lily with a color changing flower and looks between her and Orchid. "Princess Lily...for me, you were such a beautiful representation of such a close friend...thank you, never give up hope." They both get color changing flowers. "And you princess Orchid...were an inspiration to us all. Thank you, never give up hope."
It comes down...between two last princesses. Princess Red-Hot Poker and...Princess Rose! Miss Clover however...has to get a box. She really can't look at the Red-Hot one though, not directly. The attendants find her a box so she can place it between the two and reach for the tiara. She changes what she has to, to quietly set it on Rose's head before turning to place the larger crown on Red-Hot's head with a sheepish smile as she turns in an attempt to give the runner up (Rose) a kiss on the cheek and then just kinda turns to stare at the bigger one. "...U-Um...this year. 2526...I give you the official Flower Queen Runner up, Princess Rose and...the first ever...FLOWER QUEEN, QUEEN RED-HOT-POKER!" YAY, flower petal confetti...special music, blushing Clover still unsure if she should hug or touch...the poker, shifting weight from one foot to the other on her box.
Quinn applauds, cheering loudly. "Woo!"
Epona thrusts a fist into the air, before letting out something of a shrill whistle, before breaking into heavy clapping. "Nicely done!" she happily cries out.
Danniella applauds for Red-hot poker as she stands up happily. She snags a flute of champegne from a passing attendant and pours the glass over aidans head. "Wanted to co that the whole garroma contest." She grins and walks away from the table.
McManus has been here all along, watching the whole thing and secretly wishing he had had the guts to take part. Which he hadn't. Naturally. But he still claps for the winner. Whoever it is.
Lilac reaches to take them god aweful spikes off and tosses them aside. "At last."
Mrs. Rose grins as she's given the tiara. She waves at the audience, and discreetly discreetly makes her way off the stage and tightly hugs Epona, giving her a long kiss on the lips. "I'm pretty." She gestures toward the tiara. "And I've got proof." As the flowers are all handed out, Lily smiles and nods, graciously accepting hers. She smiles and walks over to Red Hot Poker, offering a hand. "Congratulations," she murmurs. "You deserve this, you were great." She smiles again and turns to offer the smiles and nods to the other contestants before turning and heading back off stage.
Epona sort of dances towards Mrs. Rose, hugging back with just as much force as she laughs, and leans into that kiss. "Damn straight. A thosuand times over. You kicked -ass-, babe," she proudly murmurs, as she steals another, somewhat briefer kiss. "So what now? You wanna go out for ice cream and whiskey, show off your trophy?" she grins.
Lilac was glad to get out of those shoes and wasn't gonna wear any for the rest of the night. "How much was raised for the park?" What, who, where, when, huh?! Me?! No! Me?! Yes, you you great dolt. Princess... no... /QUEEN/ poker, splays one hand against her breast and does the VERY best America's next top model swoon-not-swoon on the spot, jaw hanging open and eyes widening to the knee-buckling OMGIWON! stance that every good drag-queen crosses their eyes and flees from like as if it were plague incarnate. "Oh thankyou, thankyou!" Curtsey, squeak, flutterhand, curtsey, squeak-again, fan face! It's entirely put on, but perhaps not the fainting. She beams at the crowd, winking at one and all. Then though, she's scurrying forward like Morticia Adams in her tight A-line ankle-binder, to hug each and EVERY one of her drag queen competators. "Oh darlings, you were all amazing!" in the high voice and then it drops down several decibles and he has to straighten himself up, altogether masculine of a sudden. Londinium over-toned with Beaumonde brogue. "Thankyou to miss Clover, for hosting this! Aubrey Everseon, get up on this stage and curtsey! And for god's sake, announce the collections for tonight!"
Once again, cue that ear splitting whistle. Reilly follows the whistle up with, "Unbind the boys! Before t'ey stick t'at way!" ...but then he's rising to his feet and at first opportunity he's making his way to Ms. Clover. He hangs back until all the 'festivities' are at a lull, but at first opening he informs the host... hostess... hostly person, "I need tae load the Dochas up fer 'era, t'en I be goin' tae get the Tahm from 'ome and fly 'er out t'ere. I be needin' ye tae get the Dochas out t'ere as soon as possible tomorrow." Just a beat, just long enough to make sure his request is understood. "T'ere be some sort of 'arvest festival 'appenin' out t'ere soon in the Valley and Winnie be right in the middle if it. I t'ink t'ere is goin' tae be trouble. I'll explain later, aye?" Another beat and he grins and offers, "Good job 'ere, lad. I'm proud of ye."
Aiden has a glass of champagne poured over his head for no obvious reason, blinking twice as it soaks into his hair and the flowers he has there, as well as the thin fabric of his turtleneck. He turns his head and reaches out as if to try and grab Danniella's arm, but apparently gives up halfway, shifting to his feet and running his hand over his forehead before the champagne trickles into his eyes, "I'm so glad I came for this." He doesn't seem overly perturbed by the events at hand, though he now looks rather wet, just sliding his hands into his pockets and walking calmly towards the edge of the stage where Bastien stands, presumably to wait for one of the flowers.
Mrs. Rose happily returns Poker's hug, before nodding at Epona. "Y'know what, I wouldn't mind going out to celebrate. Just . . . wanna hear if the new queen has a speech, first."
Lilac hopes that Leutrim and Eugene didn't hear about how their captain did this, but then again, he didn't care and he pads barefooted across the floor. He'd go change into his blue jeans shortly. "Congrats two you two." To the winner and runner up. "
Epona smiles, and nods, as she carefully pulls Mrs. Rose into a...'spooner' hug, so to speak, and sets her chin on his shoulder. "Sounds fair 'nuff, dork," she grins, watching Red Hot with a curious sort of grin. "Y'all were pretty damned good," she remarks after a moment.
Ms.Clover is a bit overwhelmed herself, lashes fluttering and she gets down off of her box to move out of the way and then she has to turn allll her attention to listen closely to Reilly, blushing /hard/ at the 'good job' at the end but taking in everything that is being said, licking her lips and giving a tiny nod. "Thank you Reilly..." She murmurs before she has to turn back to the stage and then offer the plaque to the queen. "Congratulations." And then she turns to announce to the audience as a whole..."Thanks to you all...we have raised 15660 credits tonight, thank you all! Oh goodness." She seems shocked herself, sway...sway...THUD.
...what do you call a fallen clover on a stage? Over-the-hell-whelmed.
