Event: Eiko's Birthday Ball

[tidesnpcs.livejournal.com]

Characters: OPEN to all party guests
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: A big party for a small girl. Yep, it's Eiko's birthday and she's having a ball.
Location: Lindblum Grand Castle
Date: March 21st, 1804
Warnings: N/A so far

Nobody could say that Regent Cid wasn't generous when it came to his adopted daughter, Eiko. In fact, some said that he was too indulgent. But on this, the evening of Eiko's tenth birthday, the citizens of Lindblum were ready and eager to celebrate. A free ball! Free drinks, free food, and a free pass into Lindblum Grand Castle. Many had failed to acquire tickets in time and were disappointed, but the lucky few piled eagerly into the castle.

Security was tight, and every single guest was checked by the guards before being allowed to enter. Once inside, they would find a wide and sumptuously decorated ballroom. A small group of musicians played slow and ambient music, while the party guests swayed across the floor dressed in all their finery. What could only be described as a flock of moogles flew or scurried around the room, offering glasses of champagne and various sweet treats. Regent Cid himself sat on a grand throne at the head of the room, nodding graciously at the guests who came to pay their respects. 

The ball was already in full swing, and the party would go on for a long while yet.

[ooc: Don't worry if you didn't comment to Regent Cid's earlier post requesting tickets. Handwaving is just fine if you want to hop in. It's party style - go tag and mingle! Thread jumping and ninja tagging is encouraged.]

[ooc: Eiko has made a very loud announcement about a celebrity couple's engagement. Feel free to overhear, react or congratulate.]

Comments

[tantalus-born.livejournal.com]

He dropped his hand into his lap after the shake, still grinning at her. "My bro Blank told me, actually. I saw you two dancing earlier. You looked like you were having a lot of fun."

His grin got a bit wider. "I know he was having fun, anyway. I think the words he used were 'She's very pretty and very smart.' Something like that, anyway."

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

"W-what?" Quickly into a shade of reds and corals, Aerith giggled softly once she realized what this was all about. This guy was acting as Blank's 'wing man', the guy who's normally at the party to make his best friend look good to the ladies. While she never considered herself to be the kind of gal anyone would really set their eyes upon, Aerith felt rather flattered to be apart of this little game.

"Oh, did he?" She replied with such a grand smile. "Then he should’ve said that to me while we danced. I never had so much fun!"

[tantalus-born.livejournal.com]

The girl smiling boosted Zidane's mission immensely, and he leaned forward a bit at the table, as if he were drawing her into his confidence. It was an old trick, but it worked almost all the time. His voice was a bit quieter too, the sort of voice used to convey secrets.

"Honestly, normally he would've. But he's been a bit out of sorts, you know?" He shook his head. "I'm kinda worried about him, honestly. He's usually better at all this than me, even!" To be fair, Zidane was getting married and didn't need to be good at it, but still.

"But I'm sure he wanted to say it to you. He was able to point you out to me in the crowd the moment I asked about you!" Imply a man was so interested he couldn't keep his eyes off you. Always a good trick.

*ninja*

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita noticed the Queen's future consort patronizing his companion for the evening. While he was willing to look the other way as she enjoyed herself, he had no desire to watch her be cornered by a taken man. Excusing himself from his current engagement, he approached the pair, garnering a glass of punch for the young lady.

"Master Tribal. I thank you for watching over my date this evening."

He focused his attention back upon his companion. Not wishing to embarrass her by bringing attention to her sore feet, "I could not help but notice as you excused yourself from the excitement. I thought perhaps some punch might be in order."

*lol!*

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

"Really?" Getting sucked in by the half-truths the monkey-tailed fellow was telling, Aerith cast her sights upon the crowd once more in search of Blank. Something told her that Blank wasn't exactly the kind of fellow to be shy, but then again; during their adventure to Matoya's cave the young man barely said a word. Maybe Blank was just as 'out of it' as Zidane claimed.

"Then maybe I should have a talk with him..." The love scene right now was rather complex for Aerith, especially since Zack was here again. She wasn't quite sure what to do with herself anymore. Maybe the flower girl needs to swear off men for a while.

"O-oh, Delita!" A little shocked but happy to see him again, Aerith beamed at him brightly. "Yes, some punch would be nice. I'm a little tired from all the dancing." Delita is such a gentleman!

[tantalus-born.livejournal.com]

Zidane was perfect at hiding his irritation at the sudden intrusion to his web of mostly-true things, he gave the arriving man a big friendly smile. "Well, she did seem a bit lonely, so..." A shrug, and then a pause. "Have we met? Well, I guess it doesn't matter." If he had met the man he couldn't recall...then again, there were a number of people who 'knew' him that he didn't recall meeting because of that missing year.

"Anyway," he turned back to Aerith, gloved hand reaching out to snag her Skyphone from where it sat on the table in front of her. A few quick seconds of button pressing and he placed it back where it had been. "I saved Blank's number on there. You really should give him a call!" He grinned once more as he hoped from his seat, offering Delita a nod and a wave. "Nice to meet you both."

And then he turned to slip back into the crowd.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita couldn't begin to see what the Queen saw in the tail clad man, but if he expected him to grovel simply because Garnet held him in high esteem he would be disappointed. He remembered Blank from their previous meeting when the man had unsuccessfully attempted to relieve him of his coin. He thought Blank to be harmless, but his curiosity was aroused.

"Aerith, I did not realize that you were acquainted with Zidane and Blank," he asked innocently enough.

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

Somewhat confused by the exchange that took place between the two men, Aerith stared down at her sky phone with a look of mild curiosity. "Well..." She began with a slightly hesitant tone. "I don't really know either of them well, but Blank did help me and my friends a few weeks back when we traveled across continent." Remembering the events that transpired within Matoya's cave, a frown appeared upon her face.

"We really didn't get the answers we wanted, but it was better than nothing." Despite how disappointing that conference with the old witch was, Aerith supposed there was some good that came from it.

"The Cycle of Chaos can never be broken." She muttered under her breath as she took up her sky phone. "I really hope the old woman is wrong about that."

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

While he was extremely interested in her final comments, he did not wish to end ball on a note of disdain. "Perhaps, we could speak of your journey on day other than this.

In hopes that she not dwell upon the negative, he quickly answered to her previous comments. "I have already met your friend Blank. He seemed a nice enough person, once we came to an understanding.

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

Eventually this conversation would have to be had between them, but for now Aerith wanted to bask in the glow of the chandeliers towering high above their heads. Reaching for Delita’s hand, the girl rose from her chair. “Blank is a really nice fellow, but his friend is a little too much of a goof.” She commented with a gentle chuckle. Leading the knight with her towards the dance floor, Aerith wanted to have one last dance with Delita before the night was over.

“I hope you have a little bit of energy left!” The girl said with such a cheery tone.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita held back any further comments on the monkey boy. It would have served nothing, but to raise awareness of his distaste for the boy. Sometime soon, he would need to determine his position on the subject, but he had other plans for this evening.

While he had intended to show his date a good time, he had not anticipated that he would enjoy the evening as well. He blissfully allowed the flower girl to pull him back upon the dance floor. "I would enjoy partaking of another dance with you this evening." As they approached the dance floor, it was the first time in a while that his thoughts were not focused upon his sister.

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

Giggling the entire time they made their way through the crowd, Aerith made it her mission to win a smile from Delita. He always looked so tense, almost as if he was waiting for a war to break out no matter where he went. The knight was a bundle of nerves, and Aerith sensed this about Delita. This is why she went out of her way tonight to ensure her 'date' would enjoy himself.

"Good! I would have been crushed if you said 'No'." She replied with a laugh as the two of them began to glide along the marble floors. Aerith was getting used to waltzing, all thanks to Blank's quick lessons from earlier. While her feet may have ached just a little, the flower girl was doing quite well in this dance with her favorite knight.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita could feel the strain upon Aerith's feet. He wished for her to experience no pain from the dance so he proceeded to give her extra support, keeping her feet light on the floor. He would gladly have carried during the waltz if he didn't believe that would have offended the little flower girl. He began to forget himself for a bit, causing the corners of his mouth to raise into a grin. "I can but hope you have enjoyed yourself this evening," he spoke as they glided across the dance floor.