http://clevermsbennet.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] clevermsbennet.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] fandomhigh2009-06-18 11:05 am
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Practical Etiquette, Period 3, Class #6 - Thursday, June 18

Miss Bennet had handwavily notified her students to meet her in the Danger Shop, this week, and added that they might wish to wear something elegant, but not to concern themselves if they were unable to accomplish the latter. She herself had worn one of her favorite gowns, with a stylish hairpiece and opera-length gloves.

The Danger Shop looked identical to Miss Bennet's classroom, save the two ornate double doors off to one side, and a far more ordinary one to the rear.

"Welcome," Miss Bennet said, smiling at her students. "First, I should like to say that you have my apologies for my absence last week, though I am glad to know that I left you in quite capable hands. Secondly, I wish to inform you that, as last week is our last time together, I will be giving a final exam. Pray do not distress yourselves studying; it will not be the sort of examination which requires rote memorization. More a practical application of what we have learned so far.

"And now, we may progress to today's lesson. Today, we will be discussing etiquette as applies to more formal setting; that is to say, a dinner party." She clasped her hands in front of herself. "One arrives, and mingles with the other guests, making polite conversation. Nothing too serious, and nothing which may cause offense. When dinner is announced, guests follow into the dining area by order of precedence -- their social standing as regards one another. When you find yourself in doubt in such situations, it is wiser to err on the side of caution, and rank yourself slightly lower than your own estimations. It is better to be elevated by an attentive hostess than demoted.

"Always stand until your hostess sits. Soup is the first course; do take care not to begin on your own food until all have been served, and even then, it is wise to wait for one's hostess to begin. Converse with those seated near you. Do not shout over several individuals in order to have a loud conversation with someone on the opposite side of the table altogether. Do please remember that it is considered rude to snub the food with which you are presented; if it is not to your liking, make an effort to eat enough of it that your dislike will not be noticeable, lest the party think you are insulting your hostess. For silverware, there is a simple trick: start on the furthest utensil out, then move inward for each course."

Miss Bennet then straightened up, and walked purposefully to the door at the back of the room. "You all look quite lovely," she said, regardless of whether any of them had actually worn anything formal. "But we have several minutes before our dinner party is to start. So should any of you desire, you may sample the Danger Shop's wares." She opened the door, revealing a small storeroom filled with dresses and suits, with changing areas to the side. Her eyes were dancing. "Do please hurry, so our food does not turn cold."

(Wait for OCD up!)

Re: Sign In [ET-6]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-06-18 03:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Triela

Re: During the Lecture [ET-6]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-06-18 03:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Triela had interpreted Miss Bennet's instructions broadly and worn a tuxedo. It was elegant, after all, and she was far more comfortable in it than a dress.
glacial_queen: (Glam)

Re: Sign In [ET-6]

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2009-06-18 03:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Karla di Glacia

Re: Sign In [ET-6]

[identity profile] joan-notjane.livejournal.com 2009-06-18 03:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Joan Girardi
glacial_queen: (Glam)

Re: During the Lecture [ET-6]

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2009-06-18 03:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Karla blinked a few times. How...utterly convenient. She'd worn a gown for Ben and Lord Skywalker's practice today and so she was most certainly ready for a dinner party. At least, a Kaeleeran one. But, from everything Miss Bennet had said, that's what this one was sounding like.
Edited 2009-06-18 15:39 (UTC)
glacial_queen: (Fingers through Hair)

Re: The Antechamber [ET-6]

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2009-06-18 03:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Karla stood in the antechamber drinking some ginger ale out of a champagne flute, trying not to sigh. Just because she could do this in her sleep didn't mean she wanted to. Usually, in Kaeleer, there's be a few musicians playing, either a string quartet or a piantist or something. After her conversation with Leto the other day, Karla found herself wishing there was a piano to play.
glacial_queen: (Dimpling)

Re: The Procession [ET-6]

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2009-06-18 03:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Technically, according to Protocol, Karla knew exactly where she should be in order of precedence. But since Miss Bennet said to pair off however they liked--and the Darkness only knew whether Kaeleeran Protocol matched with this world's--Karla cheerfully hung back, letting several couple slip in before her.
glacial_queen: (Glam)

Re: Dinner [ET-6]

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2009-06-18 03:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Interesting. Karla hadn't actually spoken to any of the people closest to her that her mun could remember. She smiled at all of them, and tucked her napkin into her lap, trying to decide who looked most open to small talk.

"Kiss kiss," she said, by way of greeting.

Re: During the Lecture [ET-6]

[identity profile] joan-notjane.livejournal.com 2009-06-18 03:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Joan was wearing a simple black dress (http://img.actressarchives.com/ambert/ActressAmber_John_Shea_16066017.jpg).
glacial_queen: (Gentle)

Re: Speak to Miss Bennet [ET-6]

[personal profile] glacial_queen 2009-06-18 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"Lady Bennet," Karla said, giving her a precise curtsey, the one given to witches of Lighter-Jeweled witches of no determinate caste who were still in a position of authority. It wasn't particularly deep, but Karla did incline her neck. "It is an honor to attend your dinner party. May I compliment you on the fineness of your preparations?"

There. A compliment to the hostess that wasn't too personal.

Re: The Antechamber [ET-6]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-06-18 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Triela held a full flute of ginger ale which she hadn't sipped from at all. Better safe than sorry, and she didn't really want to ask anyone if there was alcohol in the glass.

She seemed oddly comfortable, but that might have been because all she had to do was stand there and watch people, and that was something she was very good at.

Re: Dinner [ET-6]

[identity profile] joan-notjane.livejournal.com 2009-06-18 03:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Joan took her seat and hoped that Worf would not be providing his own food. She recalled all too well the 'food' he served at the Multi-Cultural Fair.

Re: The Antechamber [ET-6]

[identity profile] joan-notjane.livejournal.com 2009-06-18 03:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Joan sipped her flute of ginger ale and looked around the room at her classmates. They did clean up nicely.

Re: Dinner [ET-6]

[identity profile] sorella-vecchia.livejournal.com 2009-06-18 03:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Triela had impeccable table manners. It was one of those odd points in her education that had been thoroughly covered by the Agency. She was also glad she wasn't sitting next to Leto. He still made her uncomfortable, and she still wasn't sure why, and that was still frustrating.

Re: Sign In [ET-6]

[identity profile] thismaskiwear.livejournal.com 2009-06-18 04:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Katina Choovanski (what? It works for her)

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