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

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

"We did! I'm glad you managed to reach Alexandria safely--and to finally meet you in person." Rydia flashed a smile, surprised but pleased. She had a feeling that meeting other people previously only encountered over the device would happen a lot tonight, but for now only focused on the one before her. "I hope I didn't come off as rude or intrusive--you just reminded me of someone who I suspect is doing the same thing."

[light-chosen.livejournal.com]

"The pleasure is mine, Lady Rydia of Mist." He smiled, and inclined in a slight bow again. It was much nicer meeting people in person, though the communicator was convenient it lacked the same social graces they would normally display.

"Not at all, I am simply unsuited to such social endeavors." So he hung out at the wall and hid.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

For a moment, Rydia wondered if it was a dragoon trait. Weren't there any who knew how to enjoy themselves at these events? If so, she had yet to meet one, but she remained unruffled at that. "It's not for everyone, true...but think of it as an opportunity to learn? There are many people here, from many worlds, and here's a chance to meet expand those horizons a bit."

But if he didn't want to, she couldn't make him. Even so, there was still something she wanted to know from him. "Does that mean you're unsuited to dancing as well? Something tells me that you at least know how."

[light-chosen.livejournal.com]

Well, there also weren't very many dragoons around to truly test for a behavioral habit. Ingus wasn't trying to be rude, he just wasn't very outgoing. He just nodded a little at her words, it was an opportunity, but being as he failed at conversation as much as he failed at looking friendly from a distance it wasn't likely to happen. He'd just ask Luneth and Refia what they learned later.

"How did you know...?" Oh wait, was that a hint? Maybe. "...Would you like to dance?" A dance wouldn't hurt, even if he was still dressed up in his armor.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Accustomed to those even less outgoing than Ingus, Rydia didn't take personal offense. At least he wasn't actively resisting her, unlike some other dragoon she could mention. But she pushed that thought out of her mind for now, nodding with a smile as Ingus was astute enough to realize her train of thought. "Yes, I would." And really, why not dance? It was something to do and didn't require extensive conversation if he wasn't up for it.

[light-chosen.livejournal.com]

Well, there was nothing wrong with dancing. Might be a little awkward in his armor, maybe he should have considered dressing appropriately... Oh well, too late now. Ingus pushed himself off the wall and offered Rydia his arm, he didn't really know the lady but a dance didn't have to be with anyone you closely knew. Not at a ball, anyway.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

Hardly. It was just a dance, not a lifetime commitment. Ingus seemed well-mannered and pleasant, and carried himself in such a way that Rydia guessed he had attended such functions before, even though he did not prefer them. That it also meant she could take a break from teaching someone how to dance and just enjoy the moment was another bonus. Any slowness due to armor getting in the way was a non-issue with her; she was used to dancing with armored partners by now. Taking his arm, she headed to the dance floor with a smile. The music had just begun moments ago, so there was nothing stopping them from beginning at their leisure.

[light-chosen.livejournal.com]

Indeed, Ingus had learned to dance while he lived at the castle. Being a knight meant some social adventures he wasn't always willing to participate in, unless Princess Sara asked, then he'd never try to refuse. The woman had a remarkable knack for getting him to do a lot of things.

He followed her onto the dance floor, and offered a small respectful bow before offering his hand to her to start.

[eidolon-soul.livejournal.com]

If Ingus had been resistant, Rydia wouldn't have persisted beyond some gentle nudging. She wasn't obnoxiously stubborn about such a thing with someone she didn't know well. That he agreed was enough for her and she turned to face him as they reached the dance floor, a curtsy offered before taking his hand and moving closer, ready to move along to the music.