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

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

While it was only to be expected from Balthier, his treatment of her brought a gentle smile to her face. Mention of the fall, however, caused her eyes to lower for a different reason. Ashe still blamed herself, despite Rasler's reassurances. A moment and she recovered, pushing the guilt aside. "Everything appears to be fine... I ensured rest enough to attend this particular evening."

Perhaps the presence of friends was equally as healing as rest. "You did well, to avoid being recognised by the guards at the entrance."

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

"What says I actually used that entrance?" The twinkle in his eye and his cat-that-got-the-cream smirk were more than enough to state he hadn't. It was quite a good thing he was keeping his voice low enough.

Then, he bowed slightly, yet again, and looked up to her face. "Perhaps a dance, Ashelia? It would be my truest honour to dance with a woman such as yourself, and of your beauty."

lol! :3

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Now, Ashe should have known better than to expect complete upholding of the rules from a sky pirate, especially one so flamboyant as the one before her. "I believe I could fulfil that honour," she consented, turning her head in the direction of the table as though looking for someone. That someone was the Nabradian Prince, awaiting her there, across the ballroom. She met his eyes, bestowing a soft, effortless smile upon her husband. Surely that smile revealed the incredible depth of her feelings for him, before she turned back to Balthier. After the dance, Ashe would have to introduce them.

"Well, shall we?"

And this is where Balthier feels just a little less like the Leading Man. O:

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

A soft smile came at her words, then he noticed her glance away, and said smile grew. "Well, if it isn't your husband. Perhaps you will introduce us, after the dance, of course." He shot a smile to the prince, even going so far as to give a little wave to him, and then he was leading Ashe out onto the dance floor, gently resting his hand against her back, the other holding her own so carefully. In fact, the way he held her was almost as if she was made of glass.

"You really do have that glow they say women with child achieve, Ashelia." A polite compliment, but of course he meant it. He rarely said things like that and didn't mean it. Although, his compliment was not the only polite thing. He wasn't spinning her around the floor as much as he would have were she in a different state. He was indeed being very cautious of her baby. He didn't want to cause her any physical stress. Actually, he was dancing rather slowly with her, thankful that the music playing was the right tempo for such a dance.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

To Ashe, it was clear that Balthier was deliberately being careful with her, but because of her condition, not simply because of her status. The higher the baby continued to lift and grow, the more breathless she would feel, so she was grateful for her friend's caution and slow movements. Despite the additional weight of the bump, Ashe still managed to dance quite gracefully.

"I would gladly introduce you," she nodded, knowing that Rasler was always keen to meet those who had aided her in reclaiming Dalmasca. But... glowing? Surely, that was a cliche. "If I have achieved such," she smiled, one elegant eyebrow arching, "I was not aware. I must warn you, however, there is the possibility I may tread on your toes, since I am able to see my own no longer."

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I think it will be quite alright if you step on my toes. I shan't hold it against you for very long." He smiled fondly at her, because really, he was very fond of Ashe. He'd confided in her when he hadn't in anyone else, excluding Fran, and felt a very deep bond to Ashelia. In truth, she was one of the few people he would admit to trusting.

The dance wasn't exceedingly long, especially as Balthier didn't wish to wear the woman out. Once he'd had his fill of dancing with her, at least for now, he twirled her a final time then bowed to kiss the back of her hand again. "Perhaps now we should converse with your Lord Husband?" Offering his arm to Ashe, he smiled, waiting for her to take it before leading her to her husband.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

And take the pirate's arm she did, happy to indulge that request, not feeling tired or strained in the slightest. However, Ashe's feet did niggle a little as she was led by Balthier through the bustling crowd, to the place where her husband awaited her return.

Even in the early days of their courtship, Rasler had always been slightly reluctant to attend formal occasions, probably a result of being forced to meet and greet since childhood. Just as she had been. Balthier's arm released, then, Ashe took her place at the prince's side, and his arm in turn. "Rasler," she smiled, hoping to keep introductions quite informal, "I'd like you to meet Balthier, whose aid was invaluable in restoring Dalmasca."

[xbalthierx.livejournal.com]

Resting a hand over his heart, Balthier gave his semi-bow of politeness, nodding his head but once. "Indeed, it is rather an honour to meet you, Your Majesty." He gave Ashe a gentle smile, crossing his arms once the formalities were mostly out of the way. "Ah, I suppose a thank you is well received, yet I do wonder if the good Princess has actually bestowed upon you the reason as to why I walked at her side."

Balthier gave a slight, dry chuckle. "It was not to restore peace."

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Seeing the confusion apparent across Rasler's brow, Ashe chose to elaborate herself. "No, not for peace," she almost chastised, though there was a hint of amusement laced in those words and a glimmer in her eyes which revealed she didn't hold Balthier's initial motives against him. "More for the chance of reward from the royal treasury, once we had succeeded. However, he is yet to receive such."