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

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Mjrn didn't have the additional shock of realizing that 'Lady Dagger' was really Queen Garnet, but she stared in wide-eyed silence, nonetheless. The young queen's attire was predictably magnificent, and if all eyes hadn't been fixated on Garnet, Mjrn would have berated herself for gawking.

As it was, the young Viera took in every detail. She made no attempt to move closer, mindful of security and certain that the queen would be dealing with people far more important than herself tonight. At least she had been able to enjoy her company at the fair, however, and Mjrn took comfort in that.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

There were many a multitude of people in many shapes and sizes (and species), but even among Gaia's diverse society, the Viera were a few, new, and rare. As such, it didn't make much time for Garnet's eyes to find the pair of tall ears that identified Mjrn. Catching her eye, Garnet smiled, and waved from a distance. A silent promise to make time for her sometime in the near future. That is,if she could just get that stuffed-shirted Duke of Treno to let her be.

And thus it was, an hour or more later, that she found Mjrn again, and made a point of moving in her direction.

"It's good to see you again. Are you enjoying yourself?" she proclaimed cheerfully. Garnet gave her a once over, and smiled approvingly. "That dress looks beautiful on you!"

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Mjrn startled a bit as Garnet met her gaze and waved, not thinking that the queen would take notice of her for some time tonight, if at all. The brief gesture touched her, though, and she shyly waved back. After that, the young Viera wandered around until the queen approached her once more.

She curtsied, mimicking what she had seen from other women and smiled warmly at the approval. That compliment made any discomfort worthwhile. "Thank you. Yours is quite magnificent. Even were you not the queen, I think all eyes would have noticed you." Oh right, that question. She nodded eagerly--despite her nervousness at being out of her element, she could not regret coming. "Oh, yes! This celebration is far grander than I could have imagined. Everywhere I look, there is a new wonder to behold."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

The young queen blushed ever so slightly at the compliment.

"Do you really think so? I feel as though I am wearing a wedding cake," she joked, even as she pinched the fabric of her skirts, and held them out as if for inspection. "A very uncomfortable wedding cake. May I make a suggestion; if anyone ever tries to get you to wear a corset, tell them no."

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Mjrn nodded, taking that advice seriously. "I shall refuse. Much of hume formal clothing seems restricting enough, from my perspective. I would not add to that undesired trait. But I suppose some sacrifice must be made for regal elegance." As much as she admired the queen's attire, she would not wish to emulate it. "Dress aside, I hope your birthday has been a pleasant one thus far?"

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

"It's been just lovely. Of course, there's the unavoidable... having to speak to ever stranger who comes to pay their respects..." she leaned in to whisper, "Of course, many of them only want to make a good impression on me. I don't think half of them mean a word of what they say."

Drawing back, she smiled, and lifted her voice back to the normal volume. "But it gives me a chance to see my friends. Well..." the smile faded, "The ones who are here, anyway. There's still so a few who have been missing since the flash of light in the sky."

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Mjrn nodded at Garnet's whisper, darting a sympathetic look her way. It had to be difficult, dealing with those who only saw her position and never herself. No wonder Lady Dagger had to emerge at times.

A nod of sympathy at mention of absent friends. "As one brought to this world, I can well imagine how they must feel, torn from all that is familiar. May their return be swift and secure." She paused. "I have enjoyed my return...but I wonder if perhaps I ought venture forth once more. That this continues without cause or solution found does not bode well."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Garnet pursed her lips together, and nodded slowly. "Yes... I heard about a battle that happened in Mysidia. That same mad-man who killed the moogles in Midgar."

Her hands wove together, Laid over the front of her skirts. She lowered her voice, making all attempts not to be overheard. "There's been no clues as to what might have caused all of this, and now with the threat against myself... I cannot leave my people at his mercy, but I can't help but think it may perhaps be safer if I left."

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Mjrn stared, worried for Garnet as she spoke of such things. That the queen might be forced to leave wasn't something she had thought of...yet, if Kefka persisted, what else could be done? "It must be a difficult decision. I hope he will be caught soon, so that you may not be forced to consider it further." She paused. "...if there is need to do so and you require aid, I would give it gladly."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Garnet smiled just a bit, moved by Mjrn's willingness to aid. They hadn't known each other for very long, but already she had begun to trust her as she would any of her allies.

"I very much appreciate the thought, and offer. But, perhaps we shouldn't think about it too much. Not now. Tonight is for celebrating, after all. There will be plenty of time for worries later, right?"

[dewdrop-pebbles.livejournal.com]

Mjrn was utterly serious about her offer, too, but she looked a little sheepish at the reminder and nodded. If there was a time when she could provide direct aid, she would, but the ball wasn't the place for that. "Yes, you are right. Your birthday ought be filled with far more pleasant thoughts."