why have a ballroom with no balls? [Elsa]

[Carmilla Karnstein]

If Carmilla was going to be staying in Tintagel until she grew weary of avoiding her mother, she was going to have to get a decent feel for the place. Much like the mall, or really any part of this abandoned town, it looked like a jungle, and she didn't appreciate that at all. Sure, as a cat she was able to strike at the overgrowth with her claws, or if she was feeling particularly dangerous, she could use her pyrokinesis to burn some parts of it away (buuuut that just seemed like a good way to get caught in the fire herself, and that would be bad for anyone, even a vampire), but that all seemed like a lot of work that she wasn't willing to do...but she also didn't want to just wait around by the dorms all the time until everyone got some work done.

Ugh, she was probably going to wind up having to help out around here, wasn't she? 

She growled under her breath as she glanced around the buildings she was standing near. Most of them looked about the same as most of this place; taken over by the will of nature, as everything was eventually. It probably was entirely pointless to try to fight against it, there would come a time when there'd be no one to tend to the gardens and the wildlife, where they'd find their way back to reigning supreme...but as it was, she was dealing with being bored now, and was trying to avoid having to do any actual cleaning now, so...oh, there was a building that actually looked halfway decent. She squinted, and caught a glimpse of its name...and then she gasped a little.

Oh, it had been a while since she set foot in a proper ballroom. 

Without a moment's thought, she raced inside, and she'd be nothing more than a blur to the average eye, and then she was standing at the center of the ballroom. Sure, it was far from the most magnificent place she had been. She had danced in Versailles, after all. Still, this was apparently a school meant for royalty of fairytale fame, so it was certainly above average when it came to university venues. She could perhaps even see her eighteen year old self waltzing here, laughing without a care in the world as her favorite song was played by the orchestra, perhaps purposefully getting her parents worked up by accepting the offer to waltz with some stranger. Even though most of her suitors didn't interest her in the slightest, it was worth it to be ever so slightly scandalous, though never as much as she craved. At the time she would have much rather have danced with one of the maids...

As she wandered the ballroom, tiptoeing across long lost memories, she didn't realize how her steps had grown more graceful, not until she caught herself spinning...she pressed her lips together and stopped the moment she realized. Oh this was stupid of her, getting caught up in nostalgia. She tugged on her leather jacket, stuffing her outstretched hands in her pockets as she glanced towards the exit, about to race out.

[Elsa]

It felt odd, almost like standing on the outside looking in. By this point, Elsa was so used to people walking in on her when she'd ventured off somewhere to do her own thing that it felt decidedly strange to actually witness the same happening to someone else. At least it let her know that it wasn't just her poor luck: it was a mixture of having an empty school and only so many people about. You'd think it would be easier to avoid people, but everyone just continually felt drawn toward one another.

The spinning caught her eye, made Elsa stare without realizing she was staring. The intricate lines, the smooth movement; someone had certainly taught this girl how to dance. It was as she stilled, however, looking toward the exit, that elsa realized that she had a striking look about her too.

"Forgive me," she offered, not feeling like she should hide. "I know how awkward it can be when someone walks in on your... alone time," she blushed slightly, raising a hand to tuck back hair that wasn't loose from its too tight braid. "You were here first, I can leave," she turned, ready to go and leave the other girl to her... imagining?

[Carmilla Karnstein]

She probably should have heard the other girl's heartbeat from across the room, but she had been so caught up in old memories of a girl that no longer existed...this was why she tried so hard to not bother with that sort of thing. What did the past matter? She couldn't even say that her human years had any bearing of who she was now, not after so many lifetimes apart from the friendless girl who was just ecstatic to be dancing. She couldn't imagine having such simple desires anymore...and reminiscing had put her off her guard.

For a solid minute, she studied her, which worked out just fine, as she was speaking, saving her from looking too creepy. The first thing she noticed was her nearly white hair. Was that a new trend or was her hair really that light? It was hard to tell sometimes. It wasn't often you could liken the hair of someone to snow, least of all for one who appeared so young. She was pretty, if a bit on the awkward side. Manners mattered to her, if her 'forgive me' and her offer to leave since she had been there first were any indication. She almost laughed. Oh if this girl only knew just how little she cared for propriety.

What was going to be a race out was now a stroll. Sure, she could have just let the girl walk away, but now she was curious, so she said, "No need. I was thinking of leaving myself. I'm not necessarily proud of all of that." She motioned towards where she had been standing...or dancing, rather. "So really, she's all yours. Dance your heart out, if you'd like. I'd hate to interrupt your alone time..." Unless you weren't opposed to it...

[Elsa]

"Whyever not?" asked Elsa, fighting the urge to tilt her head. She quirked a brow. "Are you that afraid of someone seeing you letting go?" As if Elsa were really one to say as much, given that even now she looked highstrung and put together. But that was part of her, and she was a lot freer now than she ever had been.

Elsa looked back at the room, taking a few steps to enter it more properly. The place looked grander the more she entered, and it struck Elsa strongly, given how very different this looked from everything else around them. No plants, no vines, no complete crumbling, just a pristine ballroom. It almost made Elsa wonder if magic hadn't come into play, worked itself onto the room after they'd done the worst.

"It certainly does inspire imagination, doesn't it?" she asked, looking back to the stranger. She was certainly striking, wasn't she? Elsa was close enough now, able to see some more details. Odd, but the other girl's skin almost looked paler than Elsa's. She hadn't even really thought that possible. "I'm Elsa," she finally said, nodding toward the other girl. Might as well get the introductions out of the way.

[Carmilla Karnstein]

Carmilla bristled at the other girl's surprisingly apt question, finding herself silenced by it. She could imagine her feline form, with its fur sticking up as it bared its fangs...which was stupid. And overly defensive. She rolled her eyes, not sure if it was more at the question or at herself. "It's just not what I typically do," she answered. "Not unless there's someone to actually dance with."

She seemed just as enchanted, if not more so, than Carmilla herself had been, and she wasn't holding back in the slightest. Definitely younger than her, then. It pretty much took the goddamn Moon Landing to get Mattie to be enchanted by anything after a millennium of seeing the world. Humans were far easier to impress...that was part of why, she supposed, Maman liked to use someone with her experience to lure hapless young girls in. A pretty ballroom was enough to surprise them, let alone such well honed charms. Something about that level of innocence was enough to both increase and decrease her annoyance, somehow. Cynicism dictated that it was nothing special or admirable to be innocent, but...but an unguarded fraction of her heart found it charming.

"Carmilla." She thought of diminishing the place, just as she had attempted to do in her own mind before the memories took hold, but...well, she had seen her "letting go", hadn't she? So with a sigh she answered, "I suppose so. I can barely remember the last time I was in a proper ballroom, so I guess nostalgia was inevitable...stupid, but true."

[Elsa]

Elsa quirked a brow. "Is that an offer?" she had to ask, wondering. She hadn't heard of two women dancing together, at least not like that. It made her wonder if such a thing were even allowed. Then again, this place seemed to allow quite a few things. Who knew what counted here? She looked back around, considering.

Carmilla. The name drew her attention back, ice blue eyes looking to her. "I've been in a few," admitted Elsa. "Mostly the ones back home. I suppose part of my wonderment is just this place. It seems to encourage us to open up, despite so much of it being ironically closed off," she looked around again, taking it all in, soaking it up. She took a deep breath, and when she released it, a little puff of cold air curled out from between her lips.

[Carmilla Karnstein]

Strangely enough, Carmilla hadn't been intentionally flirting there, but if Elsa was taking the bait...well, despite being a little too apt in her innocent comments, Carmilla would have to be blind to not find her incredibly pretty. Why not play along? She might have been determined to never let herself love like she loved Elle again, but she wasn't living like a nun either. A broader smile curled on her lips and she quipped, "Depends. Are you accepting?"

When she mentioned ballrooms back at home, she was certain Elsa was probably either nobility or royalty. She hadn't been quite sure just because of how awkward she had seemed at first, but honestly that could just be a personality thing. She had met enough nobles and royals in her time to know that. She focused more on Elsa's claims that the school was allowing her to be more open...well, well, well, what could this pretty woman be hiding, she wondered...

...and then she noticed that she could see Elsa's breath, even though it wasn't unusually cold in here. Interesting...

"You might have a point." Really, how often did she reveal her true nature upon first meetings back at home, unless that person wasn't going to know anything ever again? Yet Gwen and Tristian still lived, partially because of her intervention. "Though that all depends on what sort of things you've been holding back on."

[Elsa]

Was she offering? Elsa flushed, the pink showing quite clearly along her pale skin. She tried to pull herself together. "It would be rather rude to turn down a beautiful, if mysterious lady's invitation," she added a slightly sly smile. "After all, someone as striking as you could very well cast some sort of mystical curse or the like. At the very least, I already know you'll be graceful."

Of course, despite her reserved expression, Elsa's heart was still thudding. She was just thankful that her excitement made her naturally cooler; it fought against what would likely have otherwise been quite a noticeable flush. It certainly didn't help that part of her kept insisting that it was wholly improper to have such conversation period, let alone with another female. At least she hadn't started launching into a song about sandwiches...

Elsa kept looking around, considering. "I've been holding back on too much,' she admitted, mostly to herself. She let out another breath, noting the curls of winter leaving.

[Carmilla Karnstein]

Carmilla couldn't quite suppress a chuckle that some would call wicked when she caught the slight shade of pink on Elsa's cheeks. Sure, there were definitely times she wasted her charms on a straight girl, but when she didn't, she usually made her mark. Her laugh only got louder when Elsa suggested she might cast a curse on her if she said no. "No, I wouldn't say that..." I'm a very different type of monster. Far more likely to lure you into a false sense of security before I get hungry... But no...no, she didn't really plan on that sort of thing. She rarely lost control with her bloodlust and intended to keep it that way, and despite what some other vampires felt, "snacking" wasn't all that appealing in any kind of relationship for her...well, unless the other girl was into that. But she wasn't going to think of that too much, not yet. She was far too old fashioned for that kind of thinking upon the first conversation.

"I'd like to think so. I've been doing this for a very long time." She offered her hand, smiling. Poor Elsa had no idea that she could hear how rapidly her heart was beating. This was a girl still firmly in the closet, perhaps even to herself, she'd bet her afterlife on it. That was likely what she meant when she said she was holding back too much. Although she supposed it could have been the reason for her breath looking straight out of a winter's day, despite them being indoors, and in the middle of autumn. Carmilla might have seen stranger, but she still had never seen something quite like this.

"And if you think you've been holding back too much, you can always decide not to...but you don't owe anyone your secrets." And hopefully that won't lose you anyone...like it did me... a tiny voice in her head whispered, one that she wanted to squish under her combat boots. She didn't owe anyone her secrets either, least of all regarding Elle, least of all upon a first meeting. Why did she have to cross her mind almost every time she met a new potential girlfriend? Still, she kept her smile on, and added, "Anyway, you in? I could even put on music if you like."

[Elsa]

An extended hand, stretched toward her with something like acceptance... maybe even something more? Elsa glanced up at Carmilla again, still not quite trusting. Was the other girl just luring her into some sort of trap? This felt almost too good to not be a trap, surely. Beautiful, mysterious people do not welcome you to dance with them without expecting something.

Elsa? Let it go

Her hand went up, loosening her braid slightly, at least letting it fall down across her back. "Yes, I think that would be great,' she said, flashing a smile. "Music would probably make it a bit easier, at least in making sure we're dancing to the same tune. I should warn you though," she held up her hand, waving it for a moment, and a few crystals of ice and snow spun in the air. "I make cold," she met Carmilla's gaze. "So my touch may be a bit chilly, as I didn't exactly bring gloves here with me."

And she wasn't sure she really wanted to put those on again.

[Carmilla Karnstein]

Her smirk became a grin as Elsa let her hair fall into a braid, quite literally letting it down...well, somewhat. She nodded in agreement as she suggested that music would be best. "I can definitely make that happen." She was about to reach for her phone, but then she noticed that her suspicions that Elsa was no ordinary girl were confirmed, as she appeared to conjure snowflakes with her bare hands. How forward she was in regards to her ability was almost more surprising than the ability itself; she wasn't used to people being so open about such things existing.

"Oh I wouldn't worry about that," she answered after a moment of processing. "I tend to run pretty cold myself." She thought for a moment. She thought it best to keep her vampirism quiet to most people despite knowing magic was an accepted fact in this school. Vampires were still considered monsters, after all, and she was pretty sure she didn't want Elsa to see her as such. But...share and share alike, and there was something exhilarating about being able to share some of her secrets without it raising suspicions. "Which is sort of ironic..." She opened up her hands, and two flames appeared in them, creating a strange sort of glow on her face that would have looked downright haunting in the dark.

She then closed her hands, revealing that they no longer burned. "We're not so different, clearly...give me a moment to pick a song?"

She pulled her phone and headphones out of her pocket, and searched her music library. There was quite a bit of angry rock music, some classic, some opera...no, she didn't think that would do...it was only when she caught a title that seemed fitting, one that she remembered to work just well enough for a sort of waltz, that she thought she had something. She glanced back up at Elsa, sticking one of the earphones in her ear and offering her the other. "If you still want to, of course."

[Elsa]

What was the other woman reaching for? That question waited while Elsa demonstrated her power, demonstrated and watched carefully. "Really? You've been rather warm to me," she replied, feeling another slight flush, though she beat it back as best she could, just watching. The sudden appearance of flames made her flinch slightly, but, well, she could create chill to match. Maybe they were somehow matched in that respect? It actually excited Elsa more than she cared to admit, and she found herself taking a step toward Carmilla, a moth drawn toward the flame.

"Ah, right," said Elsa, nodding and smoothing her dress. She looked around the ballroom, less actually looking or studying anything in particular and more making sure not to look at Carmilla. Part of her was almost tempted to go full "Anna" on the other girl. Fire to ice? Willingness to flirt with a near stranger? Some sort of desire to let go that was just repressed? Clearly they finished each others sandwiches.

You're being silly. You just met her. You're just appreciating meeting someone new. That's all.

"Of course," she said, stepping a little closer. She took the offered thing, holding it in her hands. Elsa followed the cord to the phone, then traced it back up to Carmilla. "So... in the ear?" she asked, holding the bit close to her own. It didn't seem all that complicated, really.

[Carmilla Karnstein]

Carmilla almost laughed at the compliment. Her, warm? That wasn't something she heard every day, not even while flirting. She must've been better at this than she thought she was...did that mean she was tricking her? A phantom stab of guilt seemed to spread from the center of her gut, but...no. No, okay, it wasn't like she was luring Elsa to her death. Gods, why was she feeling so particularly haunted today?

You were paid a compliment, a play on words one at that, pull yourself together Karnstein. She focused on her face, noticing how she once again seemed to blush, how yes, she was charming her, and of course it was all in good fun, no harm was to be done to anyone. "Well thank you, I suppose I try a little harder when I'm around someone so charming..." And just like that, her easy smile returned, and broadened when she saw just how fascinated Elsa was by her fire. "I'm guessing that sort of thing is rare where you come from?" That was the face of a girl who just found some sort of kinship...Were you lonely in your own personal winter? she wondered. "It is in mine as well."

Elsa was flustered, further confirming what an appropriate song choice she had made. She would have to make sure her steps didn't get mixed with that heart of hers. She nodded when Elsa asked how to put on the headphones (she must have been from another time, much like Guinevere. She might have guessed from the dress), and then finally took her free hand after she started the song and put her phone back in her pocket, keeping a sharp eye on Elsa's response to the music. "I'm more than willing to change it if this doesn't suit you...I just find that I rather like using modern music for old dances. It offers a new spin on things."

[Elsa]

Another smile, and one that nearly made Elsa feel warm. She certainly flushed, her pale skin unable to hide the pink that crawled onto her. It didn't make Elsa retreat; almost the contrary. She nodded at the question. "I'm the only one with abilities where I'm from," she offered. "At least, that we've found."

The gap had closed, and Elsa was trying not to think about it, or that her heart was fluttering much like it had on her first dance. Then there had been dozens of nobles watching to see if the princess would be worthy of her role. What was so nerve-wracking about dancing with one person before an audience of no one? Put into that perspective, Elsa found herself relaxing slightly, which was probably for the best, given that music started coming from the strange device.

Despite herself, Elsa jumped slightly. As the music started, she smoothed herself some. "It's quite alright," she said, flashing a slightly apologetic smile. "I'm just not quite so used to this style of music," she listened, finding the beat. "Yes, this should work," she nodded, then extended her arms, resting them on Carmilla's, taking the proper position for a female in a waltz. She realized it, flushing again for a moment. "I'm afraid my experience with another female is rather lacking, so I hope I don't offend. I'm quite capable of leading, if you like. This just seemed more... fitting."

[Carmilla Karnstein]

"It runs in the family for me...otherwise I don't run into too many others myself," she answered. Nevermind the fact that none of her family members were blood related and all of their abilities were due to being vampires. Again, Elsa didn't need to know that on what was essentially a first date...well, depending on if Elsa knew that was what was happening, a predate, perhaps. "And well, you've found another now...this is a fortunate coincidence, isn't it?"

As she noted that, she felt the strangest urge to trace the path of the pink on Elsa's cheeks...perhaps it was the knowledge that this was her blood pumping harder, her inner predator slinking out from the forest, or perhaps it was just knowing how deeply she was affecting her. Clearly winter had been lonely for her indeed with such simple words and actions left her so pleasantly excited. Still...there was a task at hand, so instead, she lightly squeezed the hand she was holding, awaiting her response to the music. She almost laughed at how surprised she was. "I'm guessing the technology is also throwing you off?" She remembered that face from the numerous times she witnessed great change in the world. "I could hardly blame you for that...I'm glad the song works for you, though. I thought it fitting..."

She then used her free hand to cup Elsa's shoulder as the other girl positioned herself to be led in the dance...before Elsa once again appeared embarrassed. God, she really didn't get this very often, did she? She even admitted that she had never danced this way with another woman...less surprising, of course. But at the very least, she clearly knew what she was doing, not bound by whatever pearl clutching nonsense had been going on back when Carmilla was a young girl much like Elsa. "I don't mind at all, actually..."

With a mental count to four, she began to lead them in a waltz, unable to resist thinking, as she often did, how much fun it'd be to rub this sort of thing in the high society killjoys from her youth. Her in her leather pants, holding another woman so close in such a scandalous dance...it made her grin even more, just in time to add, "I'm simply glad to have such a lovely partner."