Day 6: Tie

The base was all abuzz, aching for the dance just a few hours away. Well, they ached and they got ready: this was the event of the season, and you'd best look your best, for photos and that sort of thing. Z1 didn't focus too much on makeup or anything, though: she headed straight towards the hall, hoping she might be able to do something.

Unfortunately, it seemed all the tables had been moved to their proper places– they were covered in scarlet tablecloths– and there was some sort of embargo around the kitchen… So Z1 was left to bum around for a bit, before the event got started.

Walking past another women's restroom– there was like, what, one men's in the entire complex? Poor Commander– she thought she heard some grumbling. Not having anything better to do, she walked inside, to see a blonde woman in front of a mirror, forming some terrible tangle with her tie.

That was… "Cleveland?" Z1 asked, thinking she got the name right.

"Hey. You're Z1, right?"

"Yeah. You got your tie handled?" Cleveland responded with a sigh. "Yeah, it's a real pain," Z1 agreed.

"You figured it out?"

"Yeah. If I kept on letting Nimi do it for me, I'd choke to death."

Cleveland grinned. "Can you help a fellow big sister out?"

"I'm not exactly your sort of big sister," Z1 said, "Ah, can you lean down a bit? You're…"

"Right." Cleveland lowered herself down so Z1 could adjust the tie comfortably, and then she got to work. Up this way, through, around…

"This doesn't look like the one I was trying to tie…" Cleveland muttered.

"It ain't, unless you were goin' for an Ediety."

"A what?"

"An Ediety knot." Z1 pulled the tie up, her hands nearly brushing Cleveland's face. "It's unique. An unusual knot for an unusually awesome ship such as myself."

"And me?" Cleveland asked.

"For now. I expect you to learn some cool knot eventually. A Trinity, or something."

"I've never even heard of a trinity knot."

With a few final tugs, Z1 stepped back to admire her work. Cleveland looked at the mirror and grinned. It really was something– a funny sort of knot where the smaller end was on the front, looking like a sort of tie in miniature in front of the main one. "Thanks, Z1."

"No problem. Us tie-wearers gotta look out for each other!"

Cleveland adjusted the tie a bit so it sat comfortably. "Guess so. "

The new knot turned out to be a real hit. Denver and Montpelier both thought it was good– which, admittedly, wasn't saying a lot– but a lot of the other girls agreed. Words like dapper and dashing were thrown around, which was certainly flattering. (It would be nice to be beautiful in a girly way sometimes, but warm praise for how she pulled off a suit wasn't all bad.)

After a dance with each of her sisters and an extra on top of that for Monty, she meandered over to the refreshments. Lunch and juice and all sorts of decadent desserts… it was a welcome refuge from the dance floor. Well, it was for Cleve. It would make someone like Eagle break out in hives, probably.

She grabbed herself some sort of chocolatey looking French thing and kicked back to watch the dancing. Seattle looked like a million bucks, and Ark was wearing this brilliant dress… which was kind of a shame, because she looked so awesome in that suit she tried on. At the very least, California and Tennessee were her suited comrades.

Them and, of course, Z1, who ended up sitting next to Cleveland, her plate piled high with food. She gulped down some charcuterie before even starting to talk. "You enjoying yourself? I am."

"It's pretty good. I can't believe we got live music."

"Fritz would have done if even if she hadn't been asked. She's been itching for a concert for ages."

Cleveland smiled. "Thanks for doing my tie."

"No problem."

"Do… do you think you'd ever wear a dress, Z1?"

"Nope."

"Really?" Cleveland asked.

"Don't like 'em, simple as." She had finished off the meats and was going for the dessert now.

"That's it?"

"Why wouldn't it be? It's what I want to wear, and no stupid party is gonna stop me." Z1 turned to look at Cleveland… letting the American destroyer spot a dab of icing on her cheek. Not noticing such a thing, Z1 kept on talking. "Do you like your suit?"

"Yeah, it's nice enough."

"You look great," Z1 said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I figure you'd look good in a dress, too. Do whatever you want. I just like to think that you should take the bold choice."

She stood up, picking up her empty plate. "You should have fun with it. I know I am."

Z1 went to throw away her trash and then marched away, a smear of icing still on her face. She had a destination in mind: a gaggle of other Ironblood ships. Without so much as stopping, she went up to Peter Strasser– who loomed over Z1 by a couple of feet, at least– and started talking.

The carrier laughed, pulled out a handkerchief to catch that bit of icing, despite Z1's attempt to retreat, and then let herself be led onto the dancefloor. It really was a marvel to watch, Z1 confidently taking the lead despite not having the height to spin Strasser or any real chance at dipping her… but it seemed like Strasser was enjoying herself.

Cleveland finished up her drink and scanned the room, searching for someone who didn't have a partner… Or maybe Flasher, who was hiding away, looking far too intimidated to even dream of approaching the floor.

The big sister instincts were impossible to tamp down on. Not that Cleve would have wanted to.

This one also focuses a bit on the other themes, embarrassment and dessert?