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

[heroicmonkey.livejournal.com]

Zidane's smile broadened at her quiet thank you and smile, feeling a bit better about their meeting. It was silly but for a moment there he had started to feel like she was out of his reach again. She really was on a different level, being the queen and everything. But just then he saw the Dagger he knew and it made him feel better. But he couldn't help wondering what she was thinking right now.

He gave her a quizzical look when she took his hand, but definitely didn't protest. He allowed her to lead him, trailing idly after her and squeezing her hand lightly in return. He realized at that moment just how much he had missed her. By the time they were far enough way his eyes had adjusted to the night so that he could see the faint outline of her face.

"Didn't want anyone to eavesdrop, huh?" He chuckled, attempting at humor but not quite succeeding. He scratched his head sheepishly. He knew they had to continue their conversation from earlier and it made him cringe inwardly. But the sooner they had it the less time it'd take to patch things up. Or so he hoped.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

"This isn't a public conversation," she replied softly. It was an agreement, yes, but somehow her response made things sound heavier.

And really, it was a heavy topic; it was something that had been weighing so heavily on her heart, she didn't think the ache would ever fade. Garnet loosened her grip, but did not completely release his hand, and she turned to face him fully. Her tiara caught in the moonlight, gold and rubies turning to silver and amethyst.

"You said some things before; when we were in the town square. I didn't understand any of it. Please... tell me again," she pleaded softly.

[heroicmonkey.livejournal.com]

He agreed with this too. There were too many ears in that place. Someone would've definitely heard them and that might have made it all worse. He was glad to keep a light hold on her hand, watching the pale light cast strange shadows across her lovely face.

Zidane sighed heavily at her request. "It sounds so stupid to say it now, but when I was thinking it..." He shook his head. "I... wanted to apologize. What I was saying back then, I as trying to tell you I was sorry for leaving. I just started feeling like I needed to wander for a while."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Garnet turned her hand gently, her gaze falling to where her fingers wove between his. Her shoulders sagged slightly, and she was silent for a moment, contemplating her hand and his; how they fit together.

"We've been over this before," she replied softly. And then, she smiled ironically, and shook her head. "I'd been keeping you in a cage."

[heroicmonkey.livejournal.com]

He hesitated. It was an accurate description, but at the same time it was wrong. "Yes and no. More like I feel like I'm just not good enough. There's a lot... of exceptions for someone in love with a queen. I guess I just wasn't ready for that."

Zidane tightened his grip on her hand. "But that doesn't change that I want to be with you."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

She tightened her jaw, pressing her lips tightly together. Her heart had transformed into a bird, flapping wildly in the cage of her chest. Eyes still averted, she returned his grip, and shut her eyes.

"Zidane... I can't go through this again."

Any man who has not the courage to ask for you, is not worthy of your hand.

Garnet -- Dagger -- pushed Vayne's words asside, but they couldn't be altogether silenced. As much as she hated to admit it, it had a point. Had she not done everything she was supposed to? Had she not waited for him to return, held him to his promise all those years ago at the base of the Iifa tree? Had she not been loyal, compassionate, as true as any woman should be towards the man she loves?

Alexandria was her responsibility. Her life was in the walls of that damned palace, and even though she had tasted the freedom of the skies, she was forever to be the songbird in a golden cage.

I want to be by your side.

"Do you know... how hard it was for me, to watch you walk out like that? To think you weren't going to come back?"

[heroicmonkey.livejournal.com]

No matter how many times he prepared himself for the worst, it still really hurt. He averted his gaze to the ground. But what had he been expecting? He really couldn't just be forgiven so easily. There was no way.

"I... understand. You don't trust me anymore, right? You're afraid I'll just do it again."

For that he couldn't blame her. He had disappeared the first time after their last battle together and she had waited. He had returned only to just leave again. How many times could he expect her to wait for him? Zidane gave her a serious look. Keeping his hold on her hand, he turned and knelt in front of her.

"I'd always come back to you, Dagger. Nothing could keep me away. I'm sorry. I know I can say it a thousand times and it won't change anything, but... it's all I can do. I'm sorry and I'd do anything if you'd just give me one more chance.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Dagger looked down at him. There were only a handful of times he'd ever knelt in front of her; she could count them all on one hand, and recall them with astounding clarity. She could feel her throat closing up, and she blinked back the burning sensation that she hoped wasn't tears.

"Zidane..." his name was barely a whisper.

She wanted, more than anything, to believe him. Take him back, forget the whole thing ever happened; forget the pain and loneliness that had threatened to swallow her, resigning herself to a future devoid of everything she'd come to treasure.

But that pain was still so fresh. As much as she wanted it to go away, the fear of it coming back was suffocating.

"Since that day you came back... all I've ever wanted was for you to stay with me. Maybe it's to much to ask of you... but it's what I need."

She paused, her eyes falling from him, to the ground. "Who I am is never going to change. It's not all of me... but I am always going to be the Queen of Alexandria. I have a responsibility to this land, to these people. We were... just kids, when we met. We have to grow up, sometime."

[heroicmonkey.livejournal.com]

Zidane lifted his head to look at her, his eyes meeting hers. The look on his face was gentle but his eyes were determined. He wasn't going to let himself lose Dagger just because he had been an idiot. No matter what it took somehow he'd earn her trust again.

"I can accept that. I... did a lot of thinking back then and just now, before I came to the ball. I thought about how uncomfortable I was at first when the Boss brought me to Tantalus. But now everyone there is like my family. It took time but I got use to it. So... I can get use to your life as a queen, too. I know I can. It's because I want to be with you no matter what."

He just wished he had come to that conclusion earlier. Dagger wasn't asking him to be someone he wasn't. All she really wanted was for him to stay with her. That should be the easiest thing in the world since he wanted nothing more than to stay by her side.

After a pause Zidane added, "You don't have to give me any answers right now if... you don't want. I just wanted you to know all that. And that I'm done doubting."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Her heart threatened to leap out of her chest; it was all she could do to choke it back down.

I'm done doubting.

"...Do you mean that? Really?"

[heroicmonkey.livejournal.com]

Zidane grinned that ever boyish and handsome grin of his. "Of course. I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

For a moment, Dagger was still. She felt the burning in her eyes again, with equally hot trails running down her cheeks. What happened next was quite nearly a blur; there was the collapse of her gown as she dropped to her knees, and half a second later, she'd thrown herself at him with the force of a charging behemoth, arms flung around his neck.

[heroicmonkey.livejournal.com]

He hadn't been expecting that, so he lost his balance and fell on his behind at the force of her hug. But he laughed lightly and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close and feeling completely content. It'd been too long since he had gotten to hold her and he stroked her hair lightly.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Dagger didn't care that they were practically lying on the ground. She didn't even care that her reckless actions had made her hoops hold her skirt up like a tent behind her. She didn't even care that her Tiara was falling off, and she'd likely messed up her makeup with those fleeting tears. For that instant, none of it mattered -- not the party going on inside, nor politics and social status. There would be time for all of that soon enough, and eventually they would have to gather themselves up, shuffle inside, and she would have to act the part again.

For the moment, she merely enjoyed the feel of his hand against her hair, and the familiar smell of his skin. The past agonizing months dissolved away like a bad dream.

She wondered, when it was she'd started to rely on him so much.

[heroicmonkey.livejournal.com]

Zidane was certainly just content to hold her, stroking her hair absently. He had missed her a lot, perhaps more than he realized. Getting to hold her again and feeling her cry against his chest made him realize that. It also made him feel even worse for leaving. But no, that could be put behind them now. He wouldn't leave. He wouldn't.

"Don't cry, Dagger," He told her gently. "It's okay."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

"Jerk. I'll cry all I want," she murmured into his collar.

Dagger shifted in his arms, mentally cursing her cumbersome dress; her corset was digging into her hips, her petticoats were making it impossible to truly get close to him, and her shoes... well, one of them had fallen off already. Disappointed, and frustrated, she drew back, trying to flatten her skirts, and wiping at her eyes. She looked as though she were sitting in a giant cupcake, but at least the edge of her skirt was on the ground now. The tears had stopped, as if in defiance of her previous statement. And then, she smiled at him.

"I've missed you. A lot," she whispered.

sorrrrrrry for the delay. holiday craziness and all that. -_-

[heroicmonkey.livejournal.com]

Zidane laughed lightly at that statement. "Yeah, okay... that's fair."

He held her for as long as she let him and when she withdrew he let her go, smiling fondly at the mess she had made of her face and fine clothing. He imagined that her clothing was probably even more uncomfortable than his. Zidane returned her smile.

"Yeah. I've missed you, too. It feels like it's been forever. But now we can make up for lost time, huh?"

it happens. I'm heading into my own, soon...

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Dagger just stared at him in contented silence, and finally, nodded slowly. She wanted so much to simply fall against him again, spend the rest of the night lost in the garden, resting in his arms and staring up at the sky. Unfortunately, of all the nights, she knew this was one on which she could be allowed such a thing. Her smile fading slowly, she pulled her legs underneath herself.

"It will have to wait until tomorrow, though... tonight, the rest of the world demands my attention." Tomorrow. Tomorrow, we will start again. "Help me stand, please?" she asked, holding out a hand.

s-sob such a busy time of year

[heroicmonkey.livejournal.com]

He laughed lightly at that and nodded. "Tomorrow, then. I'll definitely be here."

Zidane stood, stretched lazily, and then took her hand. He pulled her easily to her, but also into an embrace again. Honestly, he didn't entirely want to give her up to the "rest of the world".

;_;

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Such a fluid motion; from the ground, to her feet, and then forward, off her feet again, and into his arms. Her heart leaped; for half a second she was falling, and then he was there, solid, warm, strong arms around her, and she relaxed. Her lost shoe lay forgotten, like some wayward shadow of a fairytale. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around him, holding on as tightly as she was able. Dagger would have been happy just to run away, ignore the party. Surely, they wouldn't notice if she slipped away for the evening, right?

...Of course they would. She was the Center of Attention that evening.

"...You promise you'll come back tomorrow?"

[heroicmonkey.livejournal.com]

He held her close, enjoying it more knowing that he'd have to inevitably part with her soon. He'd have to get use to sharing her with her kingdom. But he could. He would for the sake of staying together.

He winked at her. "I promise. Cross my heart, hope to die, eat a thousand needles if I lie."