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

Oh no, a ninja! *ded*

[tantalus-born.livejournal.com]

"S-stand there with..." He blinked at her, and had a lovely moment of panic. "I, uh, of course I'll...." And then he was saved by the tiny bouncing princess, and for once didn't mind her intrusive, inquisitive nature.

"Hey Eiko," he said, half-turning to look down at her. "It's, uh..." He trialed off, glancing at Dagger.

Go Ninja, go ninja, go!

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Dagger nearly jumped out of her skin. She'd been so focused on the topic at hand, that Eiko had managed to catch her completely off guard. Her hand still clung to Zidane's, even though her attention switched to Eiko.

"We were just talking about..." a glance at Zidane.

Heeeeeeeeeeee!

[lastsummoner.livejournal.com]

"Well, what is it?" she demanded, plunking her hands on her hips, in her bossy fashion. "And don't try to cop out and tell me I'm too young."

[tantalus-born.livejournal.com]

Zidane considered Eiko quite intently for a moment, then turned to Dagger. "You know, that actually is a pretty good cop out. We could just tell her she's too young."

He says this in a perfectly normal voice, and is obviously just trying to tease Eiko.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Garnet swatted him in the arm, a mix of playful and irritated. "No, it's not!"

Although, she had to admit, they were now in a very peculiar situation; Try to avoid letting the young summoner find out what they'd been discussing... or, tell her before everyone else.

And they couldn't even talk about which was the better idea, with Eiko standing right there.

[lastsummoner.livejournal.com]

Glare! Eiko took the bait of the teasing. "That's not fair! It's my birthday, tell me!"

[tantalus-born.livejournal.com]

Zidane sighed, looking from Eiko to Dagger and back. "It is her birthday," he shook his head, frowning faintly, and then settled his gaze on Eiko.

"But we were hoping to keep something secret a little bit longer, Eiko."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

Garnet pursed her lips together. It was true, they were all gathered today, because it was Eiko's birthday -- it was her day, the celebration for the regent's daughter.

"Well... Maybe... we could tell her now?" she suggested. And then, she tried on a smile.

[lastsummoner.livejournal.com]

Time to try the cute factor. Eiko's hands clasped in front of her chin and she started bouncing up and down, chanting, "Tell me, tell me, tell me!" followed shortly after with the pleading, "I won't tell anyone, not a soul! Not even an eidolon or a moogle."

[tantalus-born.livejournal.com]

Zidane couldn't help but smile at Eiko's little performance. Yes, he knew she was doing this intentionally, and that she knew all the little tricks to get what she wanted, but that didn't make them any less effective.

"Well, see..." He paused, and gave Dagger's hand a squeeze. "You can tell her."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

"Well..." Dagger began, gaze shifting to Zidane for the briefest of moments. Her hand folded tightly in his, she returned his grip. This would be.. good practice. And besides, Eiko would be excited; she knew it without a doubt. She had been pushing and pushing for exactly this for far too long.

What seemed like hours later, she finally looked at Eiko and, with a nervous smile, began.

"Zidane and I... are getting married."

****BIG LOUD LOUD ANNOUNCEMENT IN HERE****

[lastsummoner.livejournal.com]

For about half a second, Eiko eyed Zidane to make sure they weren't pulling her leg and then remembered that they were thick like bricks and if they were owning up to it, they were serious! "YAY!!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, attracting the attention of the nearby crowd.

And if that shriek of delight hadn't been enough to draw the crowd's eyes, the birthday girl jumping from foot to foot singing with glee was certainly enough to accomplish the job. "They're getting maaaaaaaaaaaaaried!! They're getting maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaried!!"

[tantalus-born.livejournal.com]

.....

Zidane literally facepalmed in the face of their tiny friend's sudden glorious excitement, especially given that she just announced their 'secret' to what was probably the entire ball.

"Well...I guess it isn't a secret now," He said, letting his hand drop back to his side and given Dagger a resigned sort of smile.

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

And in that instant, Dagger wanted to crawl into a hole, and hide for a hundred years. For a few minutes, she'd really thought they'd be safe telling Eiko. Sure, she expected a little bit of excitement...

She had not expected Eiko to proclaim their grand secret at the top of her lungs, for half of Lindblum not to mention the rest of the world to hear. Suddenly, there were far too many sets of eyes on them, and Garnet had to resist the urge to pounce Eiko, cover her mouth, ANYTHING to get her to be quiet, to reverse the effect of her one, simple exclamation.

But when she opened her mouth to speak, nothing came out.

[lastsummoner.livejournal.com]

Eiko continued jumping from foot to foot and crowing. "THIS IS THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!!" she announced, just in case no one had figured out her opinion on the matter. When she finally quit bouncing, she gave them both big hugs, told them quite firmly, "I'm going to be in the wedding! Have it soon!" Then took off in Cid's direction. "I need to tell Father! Bye!"

[tantalus-born.livejournal.com]

Zidane managed to be completely silent until Eiko actually ran off, and then he reached up to scratch the back of his head. Around them, the whispers were already starting, the eyes on them, and he felt a sudden need to release Dagger's hand but couldn't bring himself to do so.

"So, uh," he turned to the Queen standing next to him and gave her a sheepish grin. "...What now?"

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

"I don't know," she replied, in a voice low enough for his ears only. Those butterflies in her belly had suddenly turned into lead weights. "I hadn't planned on anything like this."

Even though many eyes had been diverted to Eiko's retreating, bouncing form, there were still a handful watching her, watching him, whispering. If the looks and whispers that had abounded when in Vayne's company had been bad, these were worse. She had a feeling she would need to run Damage Control -- that meant talking to Cid, and then, addressing the crowd as soon as possible.

That is, if Eiko didn't get to everyone first. What a disaster!

[tantalus-born.livejournal.com]

"Well," he frowned as well, giving her hand a tighter squeeze and turning to face her, deliberately ignoring all the whispers and eyes. "Do you still want to make a real announcement? We should at least talk to your Uncle, but if you're uncomfortable..."

He shrugged and gave her that grin of his. "We could just skip away now..."

[crowned-jewel.livejournal.com]

She sighed quietly, her shoulders sagging under an invisible weight. While the idea of 'Skipping Away' was something she really shouldn't have been considering, there was a distinctly appealing side to it.

"Maybe, just a quick step outside, for some air," she countered.

[tantalus-born.livejournal.com]

"Hey, you're the Queen. Outside it is," keeping a grip on her hand, he turned to weave a path through the crowd towards one of the nearby balconies, ignoring the stares and whispers that they passed.