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

[empires-lapdog.livejournal.com]

Having noted the discussion between the Solidor brothers and the man Vayne had named as Squall, Noah strode over, his head held high as usual, a sense of honour radiating from him despite him being a Judge. He was, after all, his brother's twin. They were very alike in many, many ways. Almost as many as they were different. Making his way up to stand at the sides of both Larsa and Vayne, he bowed his head graciously.

"My Lords? 'Tis a matter in which I should be involved, is it not? I am afraid I overheard much of the exchange as I approached."

[dynast-king.livejournal.com]

The boy's stubborn streak had grown proportionally with his height it seemed. Resiting the strong desire to sigh outright at his brother's obstinacy, Vayne instead chose to face him directly, placing a hand on the younger's shoulder.

"Larsa, this is no insult to your age, nor your abilities. Nor is it a slight to Gabranth. There is a madman on the loose, and you are the only family left to me. I beg of you to consider this, a succor to a doting brother, if nothing else."

While keeping Gabranth nearby served double purpose, the emperor's words rang with sincerity and truth. He had done much to keep Larsa safe and untainted, and he would not see such efforts be in vain now. If there was any shred of humanity in the man, it bore out in affection for his brother.

[tempest-lion.livejournal.com]

At this point of time, Squall kept silent, not wanting to get between the discussion between the two brothers. This was something that the two of them needs to hammer out, and interference from him would just be over officious. So instead of saying anything, he turned his attention to Gabranth, studying the new armour-clad arrival silently.

[empires-lapdog.livejournal.com]

Noah fell silent as well, simply listening to the brothers verbally duke it out. It was not his business or place to get involved. Still, he did wonder just what it was Vayne wished of him. That couldn't be good. He'd sooner remain at Lord Larsa's side and watch over the young Emperor without words of dastardly deeds from Lord Vayne. As he noticed the scarred commander watching him, he looked the small man up and down before giving a slight grunt of dissaproval. This mere child had been protecting Larsa? Had Vayne lost his sense?

[livelyangel.livejournal.com]

Rinoa spotted the group and walked up to join Squall.

"Hey, guys. Have you sorted out the contract yet?"

She looked around, her smile fading a little. The atmosphere was heavy and serious. Had they been arguing?

[dynast-king.livejournal.com]

Rinoa's arrival received a polite, and formal bow from Vayne. Yet Larsa answered for them both with his own greeting and subsequent plea to let the matter drop.

Realizing that yet again the matter must entirely be negotiated with Larsa first before the others, he finally acquiesced with a single nod. "You are correct, my dear brother. Perhaps the negotiations would best be served outside of the current festivities. I would not give Garnet offense by using her party as a business meeting. And there are indeed more pleasant ways in which to spend our precious time together."

He turned his attention to the mercenary whose care Larsa was still under. "Shall we then agree to meet to discuss this, two days hence?" That gave him ample time to reason with Larsa and decide how best to muzzle Gabranth.

Let's pretend she's already danced with Squall

[livelyangel.livejournal.com]

"We're gonna decide later?" Rinoa asked, looking at Squall. It seemed as though the issue was more complicated than any of them had anticipated. But she'd welcome the chance to get back to partying.

"Well, in that case.... There's one cute guy here I still haven't danced with. Larsa?"

Rinoa held out her hand to him, grinning.