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]

Upon hearing his familiar voice, Mjrn immediately turned and caught sight of Reks as he approached. Her eyes widened a little upon seeing him so extravagantly clad--quite a change, to be sure, but not an unwelcome one. A moment later she grew self-conscious, both at the staring and due to the hume-style gown that still felt rather odd to her.

That smile of his provoked one in return, shy though genuine. "Good evening, Reks. I have been searching for you, as well. It was worth the wait."

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

The nervousness Mjrn had been feeling was starting to fade, just hearing his voice. Reks was still himself with such elegant garb, just as she was yet the young viera barely out of the Wood. A long, hume-styled dress and suit didn't change any of that.

She shook her head. "There are many here, I cannot lay blame on you for not finding me immediately." No, not even with those ears.

"...would you like to dance? I am not skilled, but I can learn." Hopefully, her watching those dancers with Penelo earlier was enough to help her not trample on any feet.

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Mjrn shook her head at the apology, a sheepish expression to match his own. "I, too, mistook one sister for another tonight." Though in her defense, she had only been expecting to see one of them that evening.

"I am willing. And if it does not suit us, I will not insist on remaining. I am here with you; that is enough." She smiled and took his arm, ready to see if she could manage this hume manner of dancing.

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Mjrn herself had little experience with dancing and none relating to the sort that the humes exhibited all around them. Just watching them dance alongside Penelo didn't count, did it? She doubted so. Despite the fact that she as the one to suggest it, Mjrn felt her stomach knotting as a result of her nerves.

Trying to ignore that as best she was able, Mjrn focused as they faced each other and she was pulled into the dance. The beat was simple, and though her own movements were a bit stiff at first, it didn't take long before she began to adjust. Hopefully, such adjustment could be handled without stepping on his feet, and she focused most of her energy into ensuring that didn't happen.

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Reks wasn't the only one a bit distracted. Mjrn, too, was quite well aware of her proximity to him, especially as he drew her closer. At least adapting to the swifter tune took some concentration, which thankfully diverted the bulk of her concentration elsewhere. Nonetheless, she found herself realizing that she liked his hand where it was, and having him so close that she could feel his breath.

At the question, she nodded and revealed a smile that was slightly less self-conscious. "I believe so, due to your aid...and patience." She had counted the times his poor toes had been trampled, as well, and acknowledged it now with an apologetic look.

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

That was probably for the best, since Mjrn might have continued to apologize. As it was, she did her best to apologize by making up for it now. While such dancing was still far from second nature, she was adjusting enough to it not to need to think about how to move her feet at every moment. Rek's lead was quite sufficient.

She smiled a bit at mention of Vaan. "I suppose, though I am loathe to speak against one who has aided me so in the past." It wouldn't surprise her to learn that Vaan was not in attendance. The only arrival more shocking than his would have been Jote's. "Regardless of the origin, I appreciate it now."

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Ouch. Mjrn tried to hide that wince quickly, but probably quickly enough. She shook her head, though, not about to let him continue blaming himself. There was a small smile on her lips as she shook her head. "There is nothing to forgive. I know 'twas an accident. If you can overlook my foibles, how can I not do the same?"