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

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

"I hope this is so. However, I doubt that time will arrive soon." Mjrn shook her head with a wry smile, knowing that at the moment she was doing little more than playing at dress-up. She did not know or understand much of hume etiquette, especially when it came to royal functions. To attend and enjoy the spectacle was as much as she could hope for, but she had no illusions about her place in the world--at least, that it wasn't here. She envied Fran's ease and hoped that one day she could at least manage such composure, and the ability to adapt. "I am waiting for Reks. He asked me to join him."

[shatterhearted.livejournal.com]

At the mention of Reks, Fran cocked an eyebrow. "Could it be that you are fond of the Hume?" The question was asked with interest and not with disgust or hate. She, herself, was very much in love with Balthier. She understood more than most just what it was like to fall for a Hume and all the heartache it would one day bring.

"The boy is gentle and kind. He had best treat you right, dear sister."

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

If blushes could easily show on dusky skin, Mjrn's would have been apparent. As it was, the small self-conscious smile probably said all it needed to say. She nodded. "I have not known him overlong, but...I am." And she brightened at the assessment given of Reks. Such thoughts had already been her own, but Fran's opinion always mattered much to her and it would be no different with this topic. "I believe he shall."

[shatterhearted.livejournal.com]

Bond between Viera and Hume was still considered a rare thing. Fran hadn't been the first, and wouldn't be the last. And she truly hoped that Mjrn would find love if that is what her heart desired.

"Love is the most prized treasure of all; if you find it, grasp it with both hands and never let go."

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Mjrn nodded solemnly. "I am not certain I would name it such as yet, it seems too soon. Yet, I desire to learn if it will be my fate." She paused, questions in her mind. "...I had wanted to ask earlier; what is it that drew you to a Hume? Is it ever difficult, given that our previous way of life was so different?" She couldn't help but wonder if her origins and the perspectives those provided would be a hindrance. Even now, she knew little else. Fran, having spent much more time in the outside world, at least knew more of what to expect.

[shatterhearted.livejournal.com]

"What drew me to a Hume? A question with many answers, yet I am not sure which is truth and tale." Fran's ears gave a slight flick. "Humes are, for the most part, fickle creatures, yet they are alluring in their own way. It is only natural that with the path I took I would find myself in the company of Humes."

"What drew me to Balthier, however, I do not know. He is brash, arrogant and far too self-assured. Yet there is more to him than most see. I just wish I was not invisible to him." She shook her head slightly. "No matter. Our partnership is not one to look to for answers. Viera and Hume can live together just as well as any other. Only the difference in lifespan causes concern."

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

At Fran's comment about invisibility, Mjrn stared at her in surprise and sympathy. She was not certain what to say, however, and merely nodded as she mulled over Fran's insight. "I have seen a shadow of this; some of your hume companions that I met in Ivalice seem quite changed to me after one year's difference. It pains me to think on how much further they will be changed with the years. Yet...I cannot bring myself to regret the bonds formed."

As for bonds of another sort, Mjrn would just have to wait and see for herself. Fran's wisdom would only gain her so much.