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

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

"Are you waiting for someone?"

Garnet couldn't help her curiosity. There were so many people gathered in Lindblum's Grand Castle, in so many various fashions, that somehow among the blended gathering, very few managed to stand out any more than the others. Certainly this woman did not stand out for her taste in clothing, or even her height (for Garnet had discovered that, on average, Sky People were taller than native Gaians), but the way she looked around expectantly.

Folding her gloved hands on her much too large skirt, the young Queen bent her tiara-adorned head every-so-slightly, a questioning look and a vague smile.

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

Upon hearing the question, Quistis turned to face the owner of the voice, a brief look of surprise crossing her features-- she hadn't expected to be addressed by the Queen, of all people. Still a bit unsure of how to greet those of royalty, Quistis opted out of doing the traditional SeeD salute and instead bent her knees into a slight curtsy.

"Your Majesty, Good Evening." The blond began, giving the smaller female a slight smile. Quistis was slightly embarrassed by the Queen's question as she had hoped it wasn't obvious she was expecting someone; she nodded in confirmation though, a bit sheepish as she answered her. "I am-- I'm supposed to meet a friend for the ball."

"How are you doing this evening, Your Majesty?" Quistis inquired politely, hoping the slight topic change wasn't too apparent.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Garnet nodded in return -- the only greeting that was ever considered 'appropriate' from someone of her status (for a Queen is expected to bow to no one, and to do so would bring her under scrutiny). Still, she smiled warmly. She was beginning to realize, she had seen this girl before. At her own birthday, perhaps? ...Yes, she'd gone to have words with one of the Brawlers...

"You don't have to be so formal. Just 'Garnet' is fine. And I'm doing very well. Maybe a little nervous... ah, I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name?"

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

Quistis knew just how uncomfortable titles could be, especially having briefly adopted the position of 'Commander'-- though they still had yet to fully integrate Squall back into the position, there was no denying that Quistis felt some relief in giving the title back to its rightful owner. So she acknowledged Garnet's request with a slight inclination of her head. "If you insist, Garnet."

Realizing her impoliteness at not having introduced herself, Quistis gave the brunette an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, that was rude of me. I'm SeeD Quistis Trepe of Galbadia Garden. I believe we've briefly conversed before."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Garnet's face lit up with recognition then. "Ah, So you are Commander Trepe. It's nice to finally meet you properly."

She paused then, something a bit melancholy in her expression. "Vayne... spoke highly of SeeD. Though I must admit, I'm not certain exactly what it is your organization... does."

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

"It's a pleasure to meet you, as well." Quistis replied with a genuine smile. "And please, I insist that you call me Quistis. The title of 'Commander' will soon be returned to it's rightful owner, once Squall has fully recovered and we've explained the situation to him."

At the mentioning of Vayne, Quistis' expression sobered before she began to speak softly. "I'm sorry for your loss, Garnet." She wasn't sure how close the two had been, but with the way Garnet spoke about the late Emperor it was obvious they had been good friends. "I never had the chance to meet him, but Squall and the others held him in high regards."

Upon Garnet's latter comment, Quistis gave a small smile before she began a brief explanation. "SeeD is a mercenary force from our world. The main objective of SeeD is to eliminate any Sorceress threats, though we also do traditional mercenary work on the side."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

"Quistis, then." She always preferred first-name basis. Titles had their time and place, but they did tend to hamper a good conversation at times.

Discussing Vayne, however, made her face fall. It had been just shy of a month since his assassination -- memories of the day still haunted her when she thought about it too hard, and she didn't know when she would be completely finished mourning her friend.

But when Quistis explained SeeD's function, it got her attention again. "Mercenaries? Sorceress Threats?"

[herownhero.livejournal.com]

At Garnet's rather incredulous exclamations, Quistis couldn't help but smile slightly. "Indeed. As mercenaries, we're available for hire for jobs that range from simple monster extermination and body guarding to military support, and more specialized tasks if required." Assassinations were one of them, but Quistis knew better than to mention the subject due to its sensitive nature.

"And from your reaction, I take it that Gaia does not possess any Sorceresses. In our world, there are humans who possess magical powers granted by Hyne, much more powerful and dangerous than standard para-magic as junctions and Guardian Forces aren't required to channel spells. Because of the power they possess, they require careful monitoring in case they decide to abuse their abilities. Unfortunately, there have been two extremely destructive wars due to one Sorceress' desire for world domination, and another's quest to conquer time."

As she went on with her explanation, Quistis had easily slipped into her 'instructing' mode, her tone becoming increasingly professional with every word she spoke. Realizing she was now rambling and probably going far more in depth than Garnet was interested in, Quistis bowed her head in an apologetic manner. "Excuse my rather verbose explanation-- it's a habit I sometimes slip into."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Garnet merely shook her head. "No, you don't need to apologize. It's very interesting. It seems like so many of our worlds have so much in common, but I'm constantly amazed at the differences as well," she remarked. Trying to wrap her head around the concepts was a bit difficult. 'Sorceress' just sounded like a more-powerful-than-average mage, and the terms 'junction' and 'para-magic' made no sense to her at all.

Talk about Culture Shock. "It must be very strange for you and your comrades, being in this world."