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

[smallmage.livejournal.com]

It wasn't that Refia was shy - far from it - but situations like these were fairly over her head. She was a small-town blacksmith's daughter; sure, she'd saved the world with the boys and could haggle with the best of them, but a large number of unfamiliar people, a lot of whom were clearly wealthy, influential, or noble, music and lights and everything, and the more timid side of nature was coming out. Luneth had dived for the food and she'd left Ingus behind to try and be social, but she just kept losing her way in the room until she finally had to escape from the crowd and partially hide behind a swath of drape. Right at that moment, though she looked the part in a nice dress (http://s249.photobucket.com/albums/gg240/sumikins/FFIX%20Artbook/?action=view&current=ffIX-artbook037.jpg) in her signature blue, white, and gold and the girly part of her really wanted to be there, 85% of her wanted to be at the forge banging on some project or other. It was hard work, but she understood it, like she didn't understand this.

She would take some time to compose herself and get her nerve back before venturing forth once more. Maybe five minutes, or ten. Not long - hopefully.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Not having a date made it far easier for Rydia to mingle at her leisure, able to greet this person or that without neglecting the person at her side. Even so, at some point she decided to stop being a social butterfly for a few moments and pause by the refreshment table once more. It was more crowded than when she had spoken with Luneth, as nobles continued to be announced and others filtering in after being checked.

Something caught her eye when she passed--and then paused. Was that someone behind a drape? For a moment, the summoner couldn't help but wonder if there was some risque behavior involved, but she saw only one pair of feet. "...are you all right?"

[smallmage.livejournal.com]

No risque behavior from this one - she didn't have anyone to be risque with, though there were probably a couple of "gentlemen" here who would like to cause some risque behavior. Refia peeked around the curtain and sighed in relief when she recognized the person standing there. "Rydia, it's you! Yes, I'm fine, just... It's all a little much."

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Glancing up from the feet, Rydia smiled upon recognizing the girl. While she didn't quite share Refia's sentiment, that didn't mean she was immune to understanding and she nodded sympathetically. "I can see how it would be. Crowds and expectations such as this are enough to overwhelm anyone. Are you here alone?" She had been Luneth and Ingus already, but wasn't certain if Refia had brought along or was waiting for a date, which might explain some nervousness.

[smallmage.livejournal.com]

What date? She'd barely been here long enough to get chocobos, much less meet any boys. Rydia was one of the few people she knew outside of the Warriors of Light. "No, the others are here-" and "the others" would forever be the other three "-but I think Luneth got distracted by the food tables, and Ingus is being even more unsociable than ever. He wouldn't even take off his armor!"

At least she'd gotten him to polish it. With any luck, people would think he was just an extra guard hired for the party, and thus leave the faceless minion alone. Of course, when had Ingus' luck ever been in?

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Rydia chuckled at mention of Ingus. "I did see Luneth by the food tables, and Ingus was doing a very good impression of my brooding dragoon friend, Kain. I got him to dance with me, but I think he's back to holding up the wall, now."

She looked over Refia and smiled. "That's a pretty dress." It appeared relatively comfortable, too, which was something she never thought she'd say about Alexandrian formal wear.

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Escaping the crowd for a moment was what Mjrn had in mind also. She had slowly adjusted to the bustle of crowds thanks to her time in Alexandria and Rabanastre, but there were times when they still overwhelmed her. Surrounded by finery all around, clad in unfamiliar clothing and thrust into an entirely unfamiliar situation, it was no wonder that this was one of those overwhelming times.

She glanced around uncertainly, realizing that she ought head to the entrance. If Reks was to arrive soon, then that is where they stood the best chance of finding each other. She moved to do so, only to catch a glimpse of familiar bright hair. "...Refia?"

[smallmage.livejournal.com]

Hearing her name caused the young smith to look up in surprise; the voice was slightly familiar, and unusual enough that she was able to place it relatively quickly - Mjrn, the viera they'd met at the Festival. "Oh! Oh, it's you! I'm sorry, did I take your spot?" If she'd claimed someone else's hiding spot as hers, she'd move. Or maybe they could hide together.

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Mjrn shook her head. "No, you did not." She looked as thought hiding wasn't a detestable idea, and maybe if she had thought of it earlier...but no, she still had to find her date at some point. Hiding would be inefficient. She paused, uncertain whether or not to ask, but concern overrode reserve. "You are uncomfortable, as well?"

[smallmage.livejournal.com]

And Refia blushed lightly, glancing down as well. "Just a little. There are... so many people here who know what to do, and I don't." The small town girl was afraid of making a complete social blunder at a place where she still didn't know all the rules.

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

At that, Mjrn nodded readily. "Yes, that is precisely what I feel. It has not been overlong since I left my homeland and traveled among humes. Their ways are still new to me. This...ball is filled with rules I do not understand. It is overwhelming."

...SORRY REFIA XD i couldn't resist!

[dragoon-rising.livejournal.com]

Kain was still doing everything possible to avoid socialization. There were a couple of people whose company he hadn't minded, but these large gatherings were overall not anything he enjoyed. He had had the experience of this sort of thing before, back in Baron, which was all the more reason to loathe it. Still watchful and on guard, he wandered away from where he'd been standing to again check around for signs of an oncoming attack.

After looking around for a few moments, something caught his eye. Was that... someone hiding behind the drape? They weren't doing a good job with concealment, but it was suspicious nonetheless. Assuming they were there for a sinister purpose, Kain strode over and yanked the curtain aside. He drew and leveled his spear on her. "Who are you and what is your purpose here?"