12530/The Request

The Request
Date of Scene:	21 August 2022
Location:	Blake House
Synopsis:	When Mike was asked to wear Boots to Thomas's place, he had no idea what he'd be asked to do. Gabby is amused. And looks older
Cast of Characters:	Thomas Blake, Michael Hannigan, Gabby Kinney

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Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake sends a hurried text to Mike Hannigan: Need help. Come over. Wear boots. In contrast Thomas is wearing extra thick socks. He waits somewhat worriedly for the musician to show up. He doesn't usually do worried. What the heck is happening to him? This is a nonissue. Except women can make an issue out of anything. So can men. Of course he is beyond that.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Need help.
Come over.
Wear boots.

Mike blinks to the words displaying on the phone screen. It's an odd series of text messages to get. And considering the source, Mike has some concerns. And yet, here he is outside of the Blake residence wearing older black boots that have long since been retired from work-use and has now gone to casual use.

As he knocks on the door, Mike nurses a strong suspicion that the shoes will be downgraded once more. What would merit boots? Did a pipe backup? Did Rasputin have tummy issues overnight and he's going to get hit with a wall of smell when the door opens? Guess he'll see soon enough.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake opens the door wearing his usual sweat shorts and little else. Wait there are socks, the thick kind with rubber bumps on the soles. He looks around and yeets the musician in. Mike is not a small man but Thomas is Thomas. "Good you're here. We got to d this before Megan comes back from whatever she's doing.

Oddly several dresses are hanging around the living room -all about size Pixie.

"She wants me to take her... dancing, to a club. I never learned to dance. She tried to teach me but... she got stomped on. Will you please teach me to dance?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Not expecting the sudden pull in to the house, there's the slight utterance of surprise as the door closes behind.

"UR-"

Slam!

As Mike's feet comes in contact with the floor, the steps shuffle to regain balance. The musician spins to a stop, looking back to Thomas.

"Dancing?" Mike repeats, eyes glancing down to Thomas's chosen form of foot attire. Ooh. Grippy socks. "I- Uh-" He looks to Thomas's expression. "I'll try... She give an idea of what type of dance club you guys are going to?"

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake shrugs. "Probably one of the local joints. She said I just need a fast move and a slow move... then she tried to show me... then I nearly broke her foot. She was barefoot. Well I mean she was still wearing that... cat outfit I bought her, after you left." He starts replicating what little he learned.

No. Now he's dancing into Saturday Night Fever territory.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"A fast move, and a slow move." Mike repeats, giving pause at the description. "Exact words? Ok that's likely one of the vaguest requests I've heard. The near broken foot comment does cause for him to nod. "But that does explain the boots request..."

Mike grows silent as he watches Thomas do his best Travolta and tilts his head.

Oh God.

Mike shakes his head. "Okay. Um what I think we should do is rewind a bit. You're going dancing. You don't need to be center stage for it. Just need to make sure you and Pix have a good time, right?"

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake says, "I never danced for a good time. I god women to come off the dance floor promising them a good time. I never even went to my Senior Prom. The administration took a dim view of that whole thing with me and that student teacher... I had no idea she was even supposed to be a chaperone! Anyway I was banned. But go on, show me what to do." He waits, watching, holding his elbow and resting his chin in his hand.

"Maybe we should call Terry too. Nothing against you. We just may need more men on the job."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Eh, I was homeschooled by the time I was old enough for that shit so I never went to a Prom either." Mike allows, shaking his head, "But I think you might have the tools for some basic dancing already if you're willing to adapt your thought process a little. And as tempting as it might be to call Terry in on this. I have a feeling we'd end up- straying from the initial goal."

He considers the larger man for a moment. "Ok. The key thing is to focus on two things. What the music's doing, and what your partner is doing. Think of it as a one on one fist fight but where you're not actually throwing punches."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake says, "That is a definite possibility. I have not, let's say eaten out, since Pix and I hooked up. In fact so far we're... we have a lot of appetizers but no entrees yet. Anyway, like a fight without throwing punches." He stoops a little and gets his hands up. "I may be a little preoccupied."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike nods. "I'll give you a minute to work through whatever's playing in your head now."

And Mike indeed does wait the full minute. Sometimes when people are going through that level of analogy it's sometimes best to let them finish the thought quietly.

The musician studies the stance. He glances around, "Ok. just need some music..."

Walking over to the TV, he grabs the remote, flipping through until he gets to one playing actual music. The volume is not brought up to a glaringly loud volume level. Just enough to make the beat of the song apparent.

Mike walks back over. "Ok. So when you come across someone, do you spend any portion of it determining their basic cadence, their timing? Everyone's got a rhythm. With dancing, a lot of the rhythm comes from the music playing."

He walks back over, matching Thomas's stance. "Now, remember. No actual punches." Mike's 'fists' unfold, splaying out the fingers in a gentle relaxed manner. Unthreatening. "The starting position's going to be different." His posture grows less hunched. "But the awareness of your opponent. Your partner. Is still there. Nothing but you, them, and the rhythm that moves you."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake nods, frowning a little then puts his hand on Mike's right hip and grabs his left. He pauses for a moment and looks at the door.

"Sorry, this is the point where Gabby or Pixie or Zinda usually shows up." When that doesn't happen, he starts trying a box step.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As Thomas adjusts his position and goes a step further by coming in contact, Mike glances to the hand on the hip.

As Thomas looks towards the door the musician ends up looking that way as well. The apology draws Mike's attention back to Thomas. When the larger man glances down, Mike does as well, moving his foot in time to avoid a similar fate Megan must've suffered. The music does help at least. Not exactly ballroom music, but there is a tempo.

He adjusts his steps, letting Thomas do as much box stepping as he wants to attempt. "Ballroom dancing?" Mike asks, "I thought you said it was just clubbing."

There's a pause, "...You know what? Doesn't matter. I've had to learn this shit for a role once. But that time around I was leading..."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake looks a little confused. "Ballroom and clubbing are different? Is there like a song for this or a potion or an exoskeleton? Can yu do like the Music Master and hypnotize me? Ooooh!! Make yourself into Pixie. That'll help!"

Gabby Kinney has posed:
One of these days Thomas would have to learn to lock the damn door. Sure, he had the best security system of Rasputin, but for those who knew Rasputin? Not so secure.

A quick knock, the familiar rap of knuckles, announces Gabby before she just steps inside. She saw something through those curtains she was NOT going to miss for the life of her.

The door swings wide allowing her to step in with heels clicking on the floor adding a bit of height to her. That wasn't the most noticable thing though: It was her attire. Dressed in a bodysuit that was sheer in certain places, adorned with dazzling rhinestones, she sweeps in carrying a bag with her. Not a normal bag a big chunky over the shoulder sort that was buldging with clothing changes for later.

"Hi guys!" She greets cheerily while giving the dancing pair a really broad grin. "Bad time to pop in or...?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Yeah there's a difference." Mike answers, "One's having fun and the other is pretentious dickery best used for when rich people want to ask other rich people for money to fund their 'I care' project of the week. And no I'm not magicking you into dancing form or shapeshifting into looking like Pix no matter how nicely you ask. Now footwork."

Hearing the door open and the clacking of heels, Mike's eyes shift to glance briefly to the incoming person before looking back to the feet. "Try sliding instead of stomping." Mike instructs Thomas, focusing on the steps while answering Gabby's question. "Tom's wanting to surprise Pix with dancing that doesn't involve breaking her toes. Seems my toes were the most expendable so he contacted me."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake releases Mike. "This world makes no fucking sense anymore. I'm dancing with Mike. I'm dating a Fairy and... getting hungry. Now... Gabrielle is sexyyyy... oh shit. I almost forgot." He goes over to Gabby and picks her up in his grade A hugs.

"Stop dancing! It's Gabby's birthday. Your present is on order. Sorry, 30mm ammunition is had to come by." He gives her a kiss on the cheek. "I remeber what I said I was going to do with you when you turned legal but... I'm spoken for. But let me just say. Purrrrrrrrrrr." He puts his head n Gabby's shoulder.

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney just breaks into a laugh at the response and lack of response in kind. The bag she carries is dropped as soon as she sees Thomas coming up for a hug. Swept up into it she gives him a nice squeeze back with a grin. "Hey maybe I am too! ... I'm not but I could be," she admits just as quickly as it's said. Peering over his shoulder at Mike she can only offer a small shrug.

"Hey Mike. Got the steel toed on? Safety first," she points out knowing how well Thomas dances. I mean he did bring her to the Hellfire club once as a nice night out. Dancing was NOT a strong point.

"It's okay, Thomas. Though..." An eyebrow raises curiously. "What's up with calling me Gabby now? You always call me Gabrielle."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As Tom releases Mike, the musician twirls away. But seeing Thomas break form to greet Gabby has him coming to a stop. Tom's complaint about dancing with him gets a blink. "Oh you're just mad I wouldn't make myself look like Pixie while doing it."

Dance lesson done with, Mike walks over to the TV remote and turns it off. He tosses the remote back onto the cushion he retrieved it from, walking back. "That's why I was looking at the footwork." He answers Gabby, "He didn't specify what we'd be doing when he told me to wear boots. I just figured I was going to end up cleaning up a mess."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake puts Gabby down in due time. "Gabrielle is a beautiful name. I used it when you were desperate to be treated as an adult or equal. You obviously are an adult now. You're a beautiful, strong, young woman. But if you like Gabrielle... I like it too." He mashes their foreheads. "So I know my bullshit isn't fooling you. I'm sorry... I've been busy with Pixie and this fucking god messing with her. So standard birthday fare... what would you like for your present?"

He acknowledges Mike, "Nothing wrong with it but it isn't the usual Sunday afternoon activity. And the boots, you will need them."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Gabby Kinney pffts a little bit at the response but she does grin as well in understanding to his explanation. She bumps her forehead to his in return still grinning over the entire issue. "Wedding cake," she suggests jokingly. "Always wondered what was so special about them. Seriously though, I have no idea. With everything going on, Pixie and otherwise, I didn't have time to plan anything this year. Just wanted to visit the people I care about."

With that she steps back, giving his shoulder a friendly wack with one hand. "Ooh maybe steak for dinner. Haven't had a good steak in awhile. What do you think, Mike?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike comes to a stop when he's close to the other two. Gabby's question gives a slight smile.

"I'm probably the worst person to ask for birthday wish suggestions." Mike admits, "But, a nice meal out that someone else is paying for does sound like a treat. Wade does keep standing reservations at Strait Lace if that's what you're leaning towards."

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake smiles, pretending to 'ow' at the thwap. "Yes and we can talk about what's happening with our resident fairy. She says there are all manner of things upsetting her. I'm trying to be consoling but... I suck at it. I can try to distract her but... we're taking things slow so I can't bring my 'A' game. Geeeeze... remember when you could pass for a 12 year old, Hermione? And we waltzed right by those AlcheMax morons?" He pops Gabby on the shoulder, then explains to Mik, "We were in a mall and they show up gunning for her and I pretended to be her dad, she pretended she was having a tantrum and I throw her over my shoulder." He does so suddenly. "C'mon Hermione, we're going home. I'll let your mom deal with your bullshit. -Good luck trying it with her now." He sets Gabby down. "Oh we can go to any spot in Aitch Eff Cee and get a seat. I got a connection."

Gabby Kinney has posed:
Given the situation was being replayed, when she's hoisted up onto his shoulder she gives her legs a little tempramental kick. "Daaaad this is so unfaaaair! Come oooon!" She whines in true childish voice. Of course coming from her now, dressed in this, looks entirely wrong in so many ways. When he sets her back down she has to slide her feet a little further apart to account for balancing on the heels.

"Yeah I've been there before. The food *is* great," she has to admit with a glance down to herself. "And I'd definitely fit in a bit more in this outfit than the old Prada dresses Julian liked to buy me. Though I'd probably fill those out a bit more these days, too," she reasons.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike nods, "Sometimes there isn't a right thing to say or do. The best thing in those situations is to just be available for her to vent to."

And then the topic changes leading Thomas to fling the sheer attired gabby over his shoulder leading to a display that was most likely unintentional in design.

The musician's head tilts to the sight. The dialogue is not helping.

Right. Steaks. Mike looks to Thomas, "Practice later?" He asks.

Thomas Blake has posed:
Thomas Blake looks Gabby up and down. "I think you'd fit in fine in that outfit. I'm underdressed. Give me a few minutes. You coming Mike?" He heads into the sleeping area and pulls a suit out of the wardrobe. "No catsuit for me. I'll show you the new costume another time. I mean there's still some crook calling himself Catman out there, did you hear?" Small smirk. He doesn't expect either to narc on him.