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]

Now that was unexpected. How could that be, when they'd taken to the skies so many times in the Strahl without complaint? Thinking on that, eyebrows raised, Ashe came to realise Penelo would never have voiced that fear. Their objective, Dalmasca's liberation, was greater than a fear, greater than them all as individuals. After that minute's thought and another glance toward Rasler, Ashe held Penelo's gaze steadily.

If I have learned anything of this world," she said, quiet and sure of herself, "It is one where dreams may be pursued, however impossible they once seemed. Do not be afraid to follow your own, else you may never find the happiness which comes with realising those dreams."

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

The hidden fear of flying was just another sign of what had come to be commonplace in Penelo's life, moving past personal preference and fear, for what had to be done. That's what kept her following Vaan all over the world on his adventures. She had to stay with him. And while she'd insist publicly that it was to keep him out of trouble, it was more because she depended on him. A lot of people did.

Not commenting on Ashe's surprised expression, Penelo returned her queen's steady gaze, taking comfort from the fact that she seemed so assured. "Thanks, Ashe. I'll be sure to remember that." She paused slightly, then added, as she looked away, "I just don't think that I can abandon Vaan to make them happen." Always and ever the responsible one.

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

A tilt of her head in interest and Ashe's mind recalled the cameraderie between the two would-be sky pirates along their travels together, how they had found themselves together more than often, as it had been with Balthier and Fran, and Basch and herself. In fact, the princess realised she hadn't taken much time to get to know Penelo at all, her heart and mind had been committed elsewhere.

"Vaan values you greatly, that I can see," Ashe noted, "But I do not believe he would see you unhappy, particularly if he were to suspect himself responsible. "...Following your ambitions does not mean you must abandon him altogether."

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Ashe was right. Vaan wouldn't like to learn that she had her reservations about playing the part of his partner. She loved spending time with him, seeing the excitement on his face when he found somewhere new to go or some novel treasure. With him, the world was a great span of wonderment just waiting to be discovered. She never in a million years would ever begrudge him that.

And maybe he wouldn't begrudge her what she wanted as well.

Penelo's answer came in the form of a small nod, followed by a smile. "I'll... talk to him." She felt incapable of shaking the feeling that she would be abandoning him if she gave up their joint adventuring, but perhaps it was fear of change that cause it.