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

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

When Quistis reached Irvine, she positioned herself in front of him, blue eyes cold and sharp as she gazed at his dropped head. This was no time for self-pity; he needed to explain himself, and then go apologize to the Queen for his unacceptable behavior.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Quistis began, throwing her hands up in the air. "What in Hyne's name possessed you to start a brawl in the middle of the Queen's birthday party?"

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

A question that had been running through his head. Jealousy? Fear? Hatred? He really didn't know. All that came out from his mouth when he looked up at her, sad face feeling completely guilty, was, "I lost my temper...I know what I did was wrong Quistis...something just came over me. If it is any consolation, no one got hurt." Side from Irvine of course, both pride and bruises.

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

Quistis shook her head, blond locks whipping against her cheeks at the movement. A hand rested on her hip as the other moved to jab its index finger hard against his chest, moving in time with every word she spoke.

"Any consolation? No, Irvine; it isn't any consolation. You need to head back in there and apologize to the Queen- no matter what we try to say to save your ass isn't going to make up for the apology she needs to hear from you."

She raised a hand to press against her temples now, her anger now causing a slight pinching sensation between her eyes. "I'm really disappointed in you, Irvine." Her tone was now dropped to reflect just how she felt, "We have a public image to uphold, in our own world or not. You can't afford to lose your temper."

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

He shook his head at Quistis's request and stated, "No, no, no. I can't there is no way in hell I could face those people, everyone in there now, I mean after I made a complete ass of myself...I...no, it just..." Truthfully, half of the problem was facing the people in that room again, the other half was if Selphie found out...or if she would never speak to him.

He shook his head again and stated, "Look I know we have a public image, and I know I can't fly off the handle like that, but I can't go and face those people, not after what I did."

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

Quistis wasn't going to take 'no' for an answer. Her steely gaze remained on the cowboy, arms crossing against her chest as her head tilted up ever so slightly, an air of superiority almost radiating off of her.

"Yeah, you made a complete ass of yourself, you should have thought about that before you threw that punch. But the only way to redeem yourself is to march right on back into that ballroom and make a public apology. Throw away your pride for once, Irvine- it's what got you into this mess in the first place."

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

He knew she was right, but for some reason his head kept tell him no. He shook his head and stated, "A public apology...I don't think that will happen. Tell Squall and...and Selphie I'm sorry." He turned for the exit again, hoping that he could sleep it off...or at least have more courage in the morning.

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

The clear dismissal of her orders struck something within Quistis, the final thread as her impatience wore thin. With that, a fist found itself wrapped around the back of his shirt, the other had moving into a swift upward slap at the back of his head.

"Kinneas," she resorted to formalities now, adopting her 'instructor' tone that she had not used for so long, "You will go back in there and apologize."

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

Irvine felt the slap upside his head, and heard the other command to apologize. Finally he turned around to her and replied, "I can't go back in there! I've made an ass out of myself, I ruined the party for a lot of a people, including you, I may have lost Selphie, and I don't think I can stand up in front of the Queen."

He really wasn't paying attention to what he was saying, he was just venting everything that was on his chest. He just shook his head and replied, "If I go in there now, I just know, I'm gonna make things worse for myself...and for the SeeD."

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

The mentioning of Selphie made Quistis loosen her grasp on his shirt, her face softening considerably. So this was what the entire thing was about... She sighed then, hands crossing over her chest once more.

"You know, Selphe might actually appreciate it a lot if you owned up to what you did and apologize. Actually, you know she would. Running away from the situation will only make it worse."

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

Selphie? Who mentioned Selphie? Did he mention her? Ah crap, he did! Irvine blinked, and scratched his head and replied, "Selphie? What makes you think this has anything to do with her, I just felt jealous of...no, not jealous...just angry at Balthier and the way...um..." He snapped his fingers quickly and replied, "Yea, I was angry at Balthier for hogging all the women..."

If you could hear closely enough, you can hear the sounds of Irvine digging deeper and deeper into a hole.

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

Quistis shook her head. She had always been the observant type, having much practice analyzing her students when she had been their instructor, and she knew that Irvine's womanizing ways were just a facade to hide his deep feelings for the brunette.

"Don't insult my intelligence, Irvine. I know you have eyes for none other than Selphie."

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

Irvine blinked before lowering his head and replied, "I should be more surprised, but if someone as arrogant as Balthier can see it, then why not you." There really was no point to argue with her and he explained, "She was happy with Balthier dancing...which kind of made me feel like I was...not needed." His emotion was solemn, before shaking his head and adding, "You're right, I need to apologize to the Queen and at least the guards, for wasting their time."

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

This was an uncomfortable position that Quistis was in- she knew that Irvine needed to hear some comforting words, but she was the least ideal person to give any relationship advice. Irregardless, she knew that the bond between Irvine and Selphie were strong, and she had an hunch that Selphie would return his feelings.

She reached out, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Selphie is a naturally sunny person, she's happy with anyone- but I can tell she's happiest with you."

[ladiesmanirvine.livejournal.com]

"That's the thing...she's happy with anyone...so why should she be around someone like me?" A quick sigh before he turned back to Quistis and said, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell her what I said...might come off wrong." With that he entered the room, this time with intent to apologize. It's time to ask for forgiveness.