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

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

With all the grace and dignity expected of her, Garnet slipped her hand modestly into the bend of his arm, and allowed him to lead her onto the floor. Not only did Garnet trust Vayne to be a complete gentleman, but a dance would allow her a reprieve from the onslaught of 'well-wishers'.

"I would very much like to meet anyone you wish to introduce to me. But between the two of us, I don't know how much 'shining' I can handle. This is a much larger crowd than I am used to hosting."

The next song was beginning, the sound of violins, cello's, and flute rising in volume. Garnet placed her hands appropriately, waiting to be lead.

[dynast-king.livejournal.com]

Once well engaged into the dance, Vayne used the opportunity to speak freely with Garnet. "You should have help, and not have to manage the masses alone." His voice dropped, to ensure that they would not be overheard, not even by the curious onlookers.

"I have heard the speculation, Garnet. While I harbor no idle hopes of presenting myself to you in such a light, they are correct in one regard. You need someone to share the burden of rule with you. You are a strong woman, and I have the utmost confidence in your abilities, but even the strongest is made stronger by being two. Forgive me if I speak too plainly, but I am concerned for you."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Garnet played her part, and she played it well. She had been the sovereign ruler of her country since the tender young age of sixteen. As Vayne spoke, the two of them moving flawlessly and easily to the music, emotions began to wage a war inside of her. She'd been keenly aware of the whispers, the rumors, the gossip. She was not immune to it's meaning, nor was she completely opposed to their thoughts.

Her expression fell into one of melancholy as she listened to Vayne's well-meaning words. While it was something of a relief to hear he had no hopes to court her (...didn't he? His wording was somewhat vague, and he seemed to be a master of speaking in double-meanings), the whole conversation did put a smaller damper on her spirits.

"You needn't apologize. I understand. It's not something I have not thought about myself. I had hoped to be wed some time ago..."

Thoughts of Eiko, and her parroting the murmurs of maids and her lady mother. Memories of her own mother, fan in hand, clucking on about finding a proper suitor that was worthy of her beautiful daughter. Before her father died. Before Kuja. Visions of Ashe, glowing, happy, that idle hand running over the swell of her belly.

Images of Zidane, impish grin, sparkling eyes. Her heart, skipping a beat.

Garnet's steps slowed. She glanced down, and then around the room, once again that searching look in her eyes, and once again, an effort unrewarded. Did he not come? He had said he would come...

[dynast-king.livejournal.com]

His dark head ducked just a fraction, with all the appearance of being chastised for speaking out of turn. "I presumed too much, forgive me, Garnet." The dampening of her spirits was unmistakable, both in tone and response. Nor could he miss the signs of her looking around the room, looking for someone.

Vayne removed his hand from holding Garnet's in the air, and laid it against her cheek to draw back her attention. "Something troubles you. Tell me?"

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

She startled ever so slightly, turning her attention back to Vayne. Over the past few months, Garnet had trained herself very well, not to go wandering in her thoughts while in the presence of others. Seeing Zidane again at the festivities a few days prior, had thrown all of her defense mechanisms into a whirl. She'd not been expecting to lose herself in thoughts of him, and likewise, she'd not been expecting those thoughts to be cut in on.

"I was just reminded, that I am expecting someone." Her shoulders sagged ever so slightly, as she took one more glance toward the door. "But I haven't seen him yet."

[dynast-king.livejournal.com]

Even for one not given to watching and analyzing the behaviors of others, Garnet was not difficult to interpret. The looking for someone missing, the distracted thoughts, the admission that she thought to be married a while ago, the general gossip among her people. All pieces of a puzzle that came together rapidly.

Without apology, Vayne looked at her, leaving his hand on her cheek. "My friend, any man who has not the courage to ask for you, is not worthy of your hand. You are far too exquisite to waste on one without the boldness to petition for you."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

The Queen's steps stopped completely then. The ballroom all but vanished, a blur of people moving around the two of them, lost in the middle of hundreds of swirling gown and feather hats in all the colors of the rainbow.

I want to be by your side, Dagger. More than anything! But sometimes I feel out of place or in the way... like I'm not good enough.

Garnet had spent days agonizing over those words. Hours spent locked in her room, trying to think of how she felt about it. About him. She loved him so much that it hurt, and when he'd walked out, it had ruined her. Even so, she knew, without a doubt, what she would say when he showed up.

But he hadn't shown up yet. Vayne was so close, knowingly or not, dangling these facts under her nose.

"I... I'm sorry," she said finally, drawing back just a little. "I think that I need some air."

[dynast-king.livejournal.com]

"Of course," Vayne replied, stoic as ever. He extended his arm to Garnet, to escort her out to the balcony, knowing full well that a number of armed guard would take note and also follow.

He issued not another word, leaving the queen to her ruminations.