Let The Spectacle Astound You

[tidesnpcs.livejournal.com]

Characters: OPEN
Progress: Continuous
Summary: The party you've all been waiting for: the Grand Ball of Alexandria!
Location: Palace Alexandria
Date: June 21st, 1803
Warnings: TBA. Eventually, Violence.

For weeks, the palace had been abuzz with activity; even more so than usual. On top of the usual hustle and bustle of daily life, there were the extensive preparations to be done for the festival, and this, the grand finale. The palace's largest ballroom had been decorated from floor to ceiling, wall to wall. Long elaborate draperies of silk and chiffon in white and cream, the stairs lined in a rich, crimson carpeting. Gold and silver everywhere, framing the large windows and the door opening out to the courtyard. A warm summer evening, with the roses in full bloom. Flowers adorned every table, column, and doorway. It wasn't just the ballroom that had been decorated, however; the entire palace was decked in regalia, the staff having obviously anticipated the crowd to be much larger than usual.

All around the palace, inside and out, the guard was on high alert. Every guest was greeted, checked, and in the case of the higher-ranked, announced to the company at large. The sun had not quite set, and already the ballroom was half full; nobles and low-born alike, natives and foreigners, all dressed in their best. The guest of honor had yet to make her appearance, but no one seemed to be fussed by the fact.

But the night was young, and there was bound to plenty of seeing and being seen before the night was over.

[[ooc: Here we go, everyone! Party style still applies. Tag in, tag each other, mingle, HAVE FUN!... while you can. Thread jumping and ninja tagging is encouraged. ^.^]]

Update: A fist fight broke out on page two. Feel free to ninja in to spectate, generally comment or gasp, or just read it and have a laugh. Appropriate authority figures... Squall, Steiner, etc may need to step in.

Comments

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Rydia wandered around the ballroom, seeming perfectly at ease and peering around with interest at everything and anyone that passed by. It was all fascinating to her, though she had attended a few such functions before. This was a new world, after all, with people from many others besides her own. When would she have such a chance to encounter such a variety again?

The man nearby caught her attention, and curiosity. She wandered over with a warm smile. "Are you waiting for friends or simply enjoying the atmosphere?"

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita looked to the lady whose attention he had attracted. It seemed this new world was rife with diverse creatures. After seeing the strange ears and now green hair of this world's inhabitants, he wasn't sure anything could surprise him now.

"'Tis the atmosphere I presume for I do not have many friends here. Might I ask the same of yourself?"

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

The green hair hardly belonged to anyone of this world, but Rydia's status as one of the Sky People was perhaps less apparent in her Cleyran garb. After all, there were a few attending with similar fashion sentiments to her own.

She tilted her head at the question, long earrings swaying. "Both, actually. I was hoping to see some familiar faces, but the absence is just an opportunity to befriend others. I'm Rydia of Mist."

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

"'Tis the pleasure of Sir Delita Heiral to make your acquaintance Rydia of Mist"

She had mentioned familiar faces. He could only wonder if she new real people or the nobility.

"Have you always lived here to have such a multitude of acquaintances."

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Rydia chuckled and shook her head. "Oh, no. I've been here only a few months. I'm a Sky Person. I've been fortunate that some friends from home had arrived, but I hope to see others that I've meet only over the device--and to make new acquaintances as well. This is a grand opportunity for that, isn't it?"

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

"I find myself also as a Sky Person, but none of my friends have arrived."

He knew he must lament to these Gains and Sky People that he was alone, but secretly he knew that their arrival to jeopardize any plans he may pursue upon this land.

"While I miss the camaraderie of my friend, 'Tis a blessing that I have made many new acquaintances since I've arrived."

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

He earned a sympathetic look at Rydia upon hearing that he had arrived alone. As much as Rydia was certain she could have managed without her homeworld friends, it would have been that much more difficult. And lonely. "I'm glad to hear this. No one should have to be torn from their world, but to do so without friends must be harsh. At least there are many opportunities to befriend people here. Are you to remain in Alexandria afterward?"

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

"It would be selfish of myself, to desire their hardship to ease mine own. Rather I shall except the hand that fate hath dealt myself and enjoy the new company."

She had brought up an interesting question though. He must quickly decide his next move. Perhaps this Rydia of Mist could provide guidance to the answer of this question.

"I must confess to you that I have not thought much beyond this festival as to the location of my future residence."

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

"Well, there's something to be said for living in the moment...but some people prefer to have more roots and that's understandable, too." Rydia shook her head as a passing waiter wandered by and offered them wine. "Alexandria is certainly nice enough, as far as kingdoms go...but did you that madman over the network? He named Alexandria as his next target, and from what I've seen of his power, he could be a real threat. Whether that's incentive to go or stay is up to you."

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

This Rydia had insight and intelligence in her that he hadn't seen since Agrias. If she was rattle by this so called mad man, then he deduced that the danger must be great.

He really had no desire to risk his life in protection of this kingdom. It would be easy to turn away and survive to pick up the peaces, but if he was to make headway with the masses, it might be a prudent thing for him to consider.

"I must confess that I arrived here too late to fully grasp the gravity of the situation. If he is as powerful as you contend, perhaps I should lend my sword to this kingdom."

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Rydia nodded gravely. "He's probably more powerful, to be honest. I'm sure I didn't see the full extent of his power, not if what I've been told about him is true." Her frown faded into a smile. "I'm sure they would appreciate that offer. Many of their own have vanished as we arrive and have yet to return."