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 so many people had commented upon Larsa's apparent physical change, Ashe realised, upon seeing the young emperor stand before her, she hadn't been entirely prepared for it. Widening eyes were a clear giveaway of that. Larsa was almost the same age as she. A Solidor without question, there were similarities with Vayne, but they didn't run any deeper than appearance.

Once over the initial shock, Ashe lowered her head in the appropriate greeting, but the change was so startling, to her. "Forgive my reaction," she asked, studying his face, "It is good to see you again. Rasler will be returning presently."

A concern forced its way to the forefront of her thoughts; Vayne was here, she'd seen both he and Gabranth, together with Rinoa and her friends. "Larsa, the guardians in your brother's employ - I believe them under order to keep you away from me. You know that I harbour no ill intent toward you, don't you?"

[empires-lapdog.livejournal.com]

Striding over, having spotted them conversing, Gabranth's armoured form was just as intimidating without the helmet. Perhaps moreso, as the very unimpressed expression he wore was quite frightening. Especially to a lot of party goers as they parted like the Red Sea for him.

Bowing rather graciously, he gave a snide look to Ashelia before looking to Larsa. "My Lord. Your brother has requested you remain apart from the Lady Ashe. 'Twould cause him dire stress should he see you conversing so openly."

And with that, his hand was between Larsa's shoulder blades, an imposing weight as he gave him the 'I'm serious here' look.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Gabranth... the sight of the man brought mixed feelings to surface within the Dalmascan princess. Seeing his face made her miss Basch, yet her once-protector would never bear the same expression of wickedness as his brother. This was her father's murderer. Still, she remained quite unreactive on the outside, allowing Larsa to call off his guard dog.

"If you had not noticed," she began, eyes narrowing then, "I am hardly in a position to bring your Lord to any harm."

[empires-lapdog.livejournal.com]

"'Twas not that I thought you could, Lady Ashe. Regardless of your condition, I am quite sure you would not harm Lord Larsa." He looked the woman over without even a hint of criticism. In fact, he was rather like his brother in this current moment. "'Tis but orders from Lord Vayne, and I am powerless to disobey."

Indeed, Noah knew just how dangerous it could be to betray Vayne. He knew that all too well. "Lord Larsa, I would humbly ask of you to make any rendezvous with the Lady Ashe not as public." There was a slight spark of mischief in his gaze, as he had indeed aided Larsa quite a few times in his childhood to escape the clutches of Vayne and the Senate to continue his work for peace. More or less, Gabranth was a double agent, playing the brothers off each other.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Not as public? Ashe's eyes widened once more, studying Gabranth as he not only addressed her without the snide contempt or provocation of the past, but actually suggested she and Larsa meet without Vayne's knowledge - against his orders. Could it be that Gabranth was distrustful of Vayne, after the older Solidor had turned his blade against his brother aboard the Bahamut?

Attention back to Larsa, Ashe could only agree, mirroring his nod and smile. "When we may speak freely."