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

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

So much to be said, and yet Penelo just didn't have the heart to vocalize it. That you couldn't get the past back, that it couldn't be changed just like that, no matter much you wanted it or tried to make it happen. Stating the obvious would be unkind.

Then there was the matter of Larsa caressing her cheek. She hadn't blushed so much in such a long time, and suddenly she felt like the naive child she once was, awed by a sky pirate's gallantry over a handkerchief. Such an intimate and tender gesture and yet so much time had passed for her that while she remembered her past affections, she still couldn't quite figure out what she should do now.

"Days from... what?" She wasn't entirely sure what he was alluding to. Much of those days were still in something of a fog for her.

/ninja tag! [now with correct order. derp.]

[littleprotector.livejournal.com]

So there's this game called tag, and much to a lot of people's dismay, the kids at the party are playing it. They're running all about, being cute and having fun.

Marlene had been getting chased by Denzel, and she turned her head to look behind her shoulder when she collided right into the back of Penelo's legs. She stumbled slightly, then righted herself.

"Sorry about that!" She chimed before she darted off again.

Children. Everywhere!

[tinymakoaddict.livejournal.com]

Meanwhile, on the other side of the conversation, Shelke was being chased by the little black mage boy from earlier. She had initially considered simply turning invisible, but in a sense that removed a lot of the sport from it all. And really, the poor child had enough trouble catching up to her as it is.

Not that she would admit this was actually fun. There were so many things she never got to do as a child, so...now she was. Even if she was somewhat line-face the whole time.

She was half-turned to check on the progress of the little black mage, only to find out he was, in fact, only a couple feet behind her! She would've been impressive if the little guy hadn't managed to trip at just the wrong second, sending himself hurling towards her.

She reacted immediately, moving to catch him without too much effort...except the force if his tiny body hitting her tiny body sent the both of them stumbling backwards...and smack into poor Larsa from behind.

Meep!

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Hearing the news about the ring sent Penelo's eyes wide with surprise. She remembered talking about the possibility, but if there was a ring then he--

OOF!

The enthusiasm of the playing children sent the normally graceful dancer crashing into Larsa. Out of reflex, she reached out to catch herself and ended up with her arms flung around his neck and barely a quarter of an inch away from his face.

[tinymakoaddict.livejournal.com]

Shelke ended up on her rear on the floor with the black mage child in her lap, both of them looking a tad confused. After a moment to reaclimate, she carefully checked the little mage over for injuries and then lifted him back onto her feet, standing as well and brushing dirt off her dress.

"You are alright," she stated at the other child, only to realize that he was not looking at her, but at whatever was behind her. She turned, considering the pair of teenagers making out, sighed, and turned back to the mage. "It isn't polite to stare." A pause. "Also, I am now it."

Reminded of the game at large, the little mage took off, and after a moment, Shelke went chasing after him.

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

For a spare moment, Penelo melted against Larsa, reflexively returning his kiss with like intensity.

Then she remembered herself.

The dancer sucked in a startled breath, pulling away and trying to put some distance between the two of them. Why did I do that? More frustrated by her own reaction than Larsa's, she glanced off just in time to see retreating children. Not only had she given in to impulse without thinking, she'd put on a show for little ones?

Her cheeks blazed crimson, and she could not will herself to even look at Larsa, she was so ashamed of herself. They were just mending their friendship, what place did she have to complicate it?

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

"I could never detest you, Larsa." Just at the moment, she couldn't look at him. Penelo lapsed into silence, just watching their little audience vanish into the crowds and using that opportunity to calm down. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have. Forgive me."

Her sunny head dropped and her heart sank even further than it had earlier. That response implied things she couldn't offer or promise. And if Vaan saw...

[danceawaypain.livejournal.com]

Penelo found herself unable to breathe, or withdraw her hand, watching the ring slip onto her finger with no difficulty at all. No difficulty because it was made for her, or because somehow she felt detached from her own body, watching this unfold before her, as if trapped in a dream.

Yet there was something so final, so heartbreaking in what Larsa said, that she followed his back as he retreated into the crowds until finally he vanished from sight. Only then did she lift her hand, studying the band on her finger.

I can't.

Those were the only words that came to mind, although she remained uncertain whether it was regarding the gift or the giver. With haste, she slipped across the room to seek solace alone in a darkened alcove, to think and whisk away tears she didn't want to show.