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

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Such a grand gesture couldn't possibly have escaped Ashe's attention and, realising who was addressing her, the princess offered the small smile as custom.

"Sir Heiral, a pleasant surprise. I was not aware you would be attending," she observed, a nod in polite greeting.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

"It seemed only right to show proper appreciation to the Regent on his daughter's birthday." He left unsaid that it was also a prime opportunity to meet with personages not recently seen in a neutral surrounding.

"A recent acquaintance of myself also had never attended such a ball, and I assured her that I would escort her in experiencing this event."

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Another nod to the knight, it seemed so many people felt such respect for the Regent and his family, and only rightfully so.

"I am yet to congratulate Eiko," Ashe noted with a glance across the bustling crowd, "on the basis that I have been unable to locate her. She is familiar with Rasler so perhaps, once we reunite, we shall have an opportunity..."

Attention back to Delita, a consideration crossed Ashe's mind. "Would the acquaintance be Agrias, by chance?"

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita had not realized that Ashe knew the lady from his own Ivalice. "I have not seen the Dame as of yet tonight. If she is here, I shall endeavor to meet with her for she is one from my own land. The acquaintance I speak of is Miss Gainsborough. I have hoped to ensure her enjoyment of the ball."

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

Of course, she and Agrias were only recently aware of one another, had endured some confusion over their 'Ivalices', 'Bunansas', and so on. Ashe quickly made the association that the Gainsborough in question was Aerith, the pleasant woman who had been so surprised to learn Ashe was a mother, being so young in age.

"A noble offer," stated the princess, offering another smile and glancing around the room. "I certainly bid you luck in finding her amidst the celebrants, that she might have that opportunity. Events such as this... you enjoy them yourself?"

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita instinctively looked out unto the dance floor for his companion for tonight her safety remained his concern. Noticing her head bobbing to the music, he resumed his attentions to the Lady Ashelia. "I have come to understand them as a necessary indulgence, yet seeing the ball through the eyes of one unaccustomed has been interesting."

Doubts still lingering upon the nature of their dual Ivalice, "As accustomed as you are to festivities, how does this compare to one in your native Ivalice?"

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

The question awoke images in Ashe's mind; of her people celebrating their freedom, of her wedding parade and the many grand parties prior, held by Dalmasca and Nabradia both.

"Our people may have endured much hardship nonetheless, they have always been first to celebrate any joyous occasion." Just, resilient, strong in the face of adversity but never losing the innate love and joy of life... That was Ashe's Dalmasca.

"The difference - here, I am not on display."

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

The discussions of the last few weeks have been weighing on Delita's mind. "'Tis strange, but I am becoming more convinced that we may hail from the same land."

He was also intrigued by the Lady's admission. "Do you miss the attention of your subjects M'Lady?"

[mademyresolve.livejournal.com]

What a curious way to phrase his question, the princess thought, head tilting a little.

"I miss their spirit, their ways and culture," she explained, "but the attention... being able to live as a citizen, to have privacy within my family rather than being constantly within the public eye, has its merits."

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

It seemed that the nobles of the regions naught his own, continued to confound his simple understanding of ruling.

"It must be odd to be so far away from familiar surroundings, yet I do understand the benefits of blending in with one's surroundings."