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

[flythesurface.livejournal.com]

[ooc; I thought this was gonna be on Friday... SWEET. Luneth'll mingle for a sec before running. He's decided to wear the one on the bird (http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg240/sumikins/FFIX%20Artbook/ffIX-artbook028.jpg).]

He still wasn't quite sure who this was all for. If this was a normal occurance, this town sure knew how to throw a party! Luneth was, of course, automatically drawn to any places that would be near food. He meandered toward a long buffet table covered in assorted cheeses and fresh fruits, and just munched away. He'd seen many familiar faces, but wasn't sure with whom to speak just yet. He could already tell who the limelight was really for, but he'd only seen her once, and mumbled pathetically.

He pulled the collar on the suit. It was a little tight; the seamstress had to rush things and he kept fidgeting during the measurements. He hoped Refia would show up. He wanted to see what she might wear. And he'd been practising Mjrn's name, so it would be even better if he saw her. He was grateful to the place like Alexandria, though. It was free food and mingling abound! Luneth's favourite.

He looked around for "willing participants" with a piece of celery hanging from his mouth while he absent-mindedly chewed and searched.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Mingling was exactly what Rydia had in mind, though at the moment she was a bit parched. Determined to ride herself of that dry throat, she weaved her way around the others attending as politely and gracefully as possible. And--ah, there it was. Her stride quickened as a guard continued to announce the entrances of the nobles.

A swirl of green silks of Cleyran (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/evilhippygoddess/ffIX-artbook034.jpg?t=1256021669) design and clinking gold jewelry, Rydia headed for the refreshments table, glancing over and then doing a double-take upon realizing that the boy in the suit was someone she knew. Even if she hadn't known him, Rydia wasn't shy about striking up a conversation, but she couldn't forget the boy who had arrived to Gaia in such dire circumstances. "Luneth! This is a welcome sight!"

[flythesurface.livejournal.com]

At his name and that voice, he was very surprised. Although they had separated for a bit, it seemed like forever because he had run to the end of the Mist Continent and back again. He honestly didn't think he'd see her again.

"Rydia!" he said ungracefully, his mouth full of food. He quickly munched and swallowed, then came in close for a hug. He would never, ever forget Rydia's kindness and ingenuity she'd had over that daunting accusation he'd gotten when he first arrive. Plus, she had been a summoner. And he only ever got to be that job a few times.

He looked her up and down, finding her dress most appropriate and dazzling, making her all the more pulcritudinous than he'd first met her in the grime and grit of Mist.

"You look amazing! How are you, Rydia? I see you did make it to Alexandria after all - it's good to see you!"

He forced himself to stop so she could at least have some time to answer.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Rydia laughed and hugged him in return, stepping back to look him over properly as well. "It's good to see you, too! And thank you--you're quite dapper, yourself."

She paused to pick up one of the available glasses of wine, taking a small sip. That eased her dry throat a little. "Oh, I've been in Alexandria for a while, with only a brief but eventful detour to spare. Did you attend the festival, as well?"

[flythesurface.livejournal.com]

Luneth posed for her, thinking the suit looked more like a sailor suit than anything. He was liking it save the tightness. He stuffed a tiny piece of cheese in his mouth and caught some more details around the ballroom. He wondered if Castle Sasune was as big as this one.

"I'm glad you made it safely. I went to the festival with Arc and Ingus! We met this nice lady named Mjrn there. Did you go to it? I'm sorry if I didn't see you..."

Now he tried to remember if Rydia had ever told him why she went to Alexandria in the first place. Wasn't it for some guy?, Luneth kept racking his brain.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Rydia shook her head at the apology, untroubled. "It's fine. I was there, actually, but it was difficult to spot anyone familiar in those crowds! I'm glad you didn't miss it, though."

She glanced around, frowning a little. "I'd be happy to introduce you to more friends of mine, though I seem to be having the same luck I did then. Perhaps later." She shrugged, that faint frown disappearing. After all, they had to be busy and she was enjoying her company anyway.

[flythesurface.livejournal.com]

It was good to hear that Rydia wasn't being trodden down with the aspect of being stuck here. She seemed shy to him, but he didn't know her past and couldn't assume anything. He made a secret vow to protect her if ever she was in trouble. It's the least he could do to repay what Rydia had done for him.

"Ohh. Well, if you ever find one, let me know! I'd love to meet them. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine!"

He mimicked Rydia and picked up a glass of wine. He began to nearly hork it, but the taste surprised him. The purple colour reminded him of the homemade grape juice Elder Topapa made Arc and Luneth back in Ur. He coughed and hacked and spit the rest out. He was certain to annoy any of the cleaners, as there was now some wine on the marble floor.

"Hehe, sorry Rydia."

He put the wine glass back nonchalantly, as if that hadn't even happened.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Rydia chuckled a bit, shaking her head. "It's all right. Wine can be an acquired taste, even when it isn't very strong." She leveled a glare in return to a couple of nobles staring disdainfully at the display, then turned around and ignored them.

"I'm sure one will be easy to spot--his name is Kain and he'll be wearing dragoon armor. And he'll probably be brooding in a corner somewhere, so I think he needs as many people greeting him as possible." Was she trying to be helpful? Yes, but there was some slight mischief in those eyes.

[flythesurface.livejournal.com]

He rubbed his head, and felt foolish for a moment for having not thought it was wine. He should have known — Cid carried something around like that. He didn't even noticed the contemptual nobles, but he would have thanked Rydia all the same.

When she mentioned Kain, though, he thought about it. He had seen Ingus brooding up against a wall in dragoon armour. He told him he was supposed to dress up, but Ingus wouldn't have any of it. Then he thought about it. Ingus's dragoon armour was usually blue with gold. But he swore he saw another in black armour. He thought it was just Ingus having changed jobs, but... A dragoon was a dragoon.

"Oh!! I've seen him! I ... barely even realised he was there. Hehe. You know that guy, Rydia?"

He turned round to try and spot him again, but the ballroom was pretty packed.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

"That's probably the impression he wanted to give, too." Rydia smirked and nodded. "I know him well enough. He's a companion from home and an excellent dragoon...but he doesn't seem to know when to stop being serious and just have a good time."

She didn't echo Luneth's glance around, certain she'd find him when it was time for that. "Actually, his reasons for being vigilant aren't without merit tonight." Her expression grew more serious. "I don't know if you heard that madman over the network, but he threatened Alexandria and its queen. Given what I saw in Mysidia, he has the power to make good on his threat."

[flythesurface.livejournal.com]

"Hehe, sounds like someone else I know."

Ingus and Kain might get on great, and smiled at the thought. But Luneth took the news of Mysidia deeply. He had known about Kefka, thought he was even half joking. But if what she said was a hint at its depth, then she was right; he would make good on such a threat.

"Oh no... I hadn't even heard about Mysidia. Is... Is that why everyone is so tense? I see some people have fear and doubt shadowing their expressions."

He had noticed it even at the door; the guards seemed really uptight to him.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Rydia nodded. "You're pretty perceptive. I'm sure there would be heightened security anyway, but the threat of hims arriving prompts even more measure for tonight."

She took another sip of the wine. "I wouldn't be surprised if you did hear about Mysidia at all tonight. Few of us were actually involved, but I bet you could see the fireworks from quite a distance. We were lucky...but don't let that spoil your evening. If he comes, we'll deal with him. If he doesn't, then there's no reason for letting his shadow spoil festivities anyway."

[flythesurface.livejournal.com]

The news was terribly grave. If it turned out that that crazy clown guy was going to show up, then... He might have to hold back on his plans to leave for the Outer Continent early.

"R-Rydia, I gotta go!"

He didn't want to leave the kindness and calm surroundings that Rydia created, but he needed to tell the other Warriors of Light.

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

The young Viera gazed around the hall, hoping to see the queen, but it was obviously not the time for her grand entrance. As it was, the swirl of grand attire all around her was enough to keep her attention occupied as she searched for familiar faces. She quickly averted her gaze from any stares directed her way, far too self-conscious what she was normally accustomed to under normal circumstances. Near the refreshment table, Mjrn perked up.

"Luneth....?" Mjrn approached, in a long shimmering gown (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y164/evilhippygoddess/hm4_1_19_1_big.jpg?t=1256021045) that she was still trying to get used to, given her slowed, careful movements. A small smile formed as she noted his attire. He seemed about as comfortable in it as she was in hers.

[smallmage.livejournal.com]

[Might have missed you, but let's give this a shot.]

It wasn't that she wasn't used to dealing with skirts - she was the only girl she knew at home that didn't wear the things on a regular basis, and even then half the jobs they'd been offered still stuck her in some sort of dress - but the wide skirts that came with her current outfit (http://s249.photobucket.com/albums/gg240/sumikins/FFIX%20Artbook/?action=view&current=ffIX-artbook037.jpg) made getting around a difficulty. She suddenly remembered why she'd been a summoner for so little time; it was impossible to move in that outfit! She'd managed to get her dress in blue, white, and gold, though, so at least she wasn't stuck with colors she hated.

When Luneth had moved toward the food, she'd headed off to see if she spotted anyone interesting; awhile later, she returned, looking slightly overwhelmed and searching for something to drink. A waiter handed her a glass of punch before she could say anything, though, earning a wide-eyed stare from her before he turned away. Having already had one unwelcome experience with alcohol, Refia took one very tiny sip to make sure it wasn't tainted, and then began to drink for real, regaining her composure.