aterat | A Winter's Ball

Entry tags:

A Winter's Ball

Who; Everyone!
What; The Ball promised by Halcyn!
Where; A newly (and quite abruptly) renovated ballroom in the Noble District
When; December 15th, evening
Warnings; None as of yet, though there is some mischief afoot for those looking for it

The morning of the 15th, the day of the Ball, opens with a letter under every door, reminding the residents that today is the day, that the Ball to celebrate and be merry is upon you. It also includes a small golden ticket that all attendees are asked to present at the doors to be allowed into the hall in the Noble District. It bids the attendees to enjoy themselves, forget their worries for a time, and is each personally signed by Halcyn.

Arrival | Under the Mistletoe;

The chill in the air at the change of seasons makes for a cold journey to the Noble district, though the streets are well-lit (an improvement in the otherwise dilapidated quarter in the first place) and at the end of the street indicated in the invitation letter, stands a beautifully restored building wreathed in white lights and adorned with wreaths and holly. All roads and citizen paths have lead to the ballroom today, and it is a beacon of civilization in the otherwise unused quarter. A guardsman is checking tickets at the door, and allowing admittance to the foyer of the ballroom.

The foyer is also decorated in trees adorned with shining lights. There are people flitting about with trays of champagne and people are greeting each other, gathering in groups and generally enjoying one another's company. Six archways lead further into the ballroom, and into what seems to be a seating area with round tables atop which glittering floral arrangements sit and to which servers bring meals for those who have a seat. At the top of each of the six arches hang six bundles of mistletoe.

Some are able to pass beneath the bundles with no issue, but others may find their way blocked by an unseen wall, unable to escape the arch until someone joins them, and a kiss is exchanged. It could be innocuous, even a cheek would suffice, but who's to know that without experimentation?

Try the Grey Stuff, It's Delicious

In the dining hall, meals are limited, but there are options for various palettes and even a vegetarian option. There is wine and champagne, and also non-alcoholic options of you're less inclined to partake. The music from the main ballroom, accessible through a set of ornate double doors, is muted here, providing a sense of ambiance but not overpowering the conversations that may occur at the tables scattered about the room.

The desert is the same for all who try it, though, and fluffy (is oddly colored) meringue that is simply to die for, but it seems to have some strange side effects. As the night progresses for those who've eaten the strange confectionary, they will begin to feel more and more happy and carefree, but also much more open. Those who are reserved about their feelings or their thoughts, even their histories, will feel less inclined to be so withdrawn. That couldn't possibly make anything awkward, could it?

Shall We Dance the Night Away?

The main even by far is the grand ballroom. A 15 piece orchestra sits atop a small stage to the north of the dance floor, their music varying between melancholic, haunting, warm, and uplifting, and the citizens are quite enjoying the time to let loose and dance the night away with their partners.

Spiral staircases lead to the balconies on the second floor overlooking the dance floor below, affording tired dancers chairs and refreshments with which to rest in order to return to the floor below. The music here, due to acoustics, is muted which affords a more intimate place to converse.

Even more intimate are the outdoor balconies accessed from either side of the second floor. Here, small sconces have been lit to afford a romantic glow to the area, but the light is dim enough to enjoy the glittering starlight above. The flames also give the area some warmth, warding away the chill in the night air and allow guests to enjoy the solitude of the area without freezing. The music out here is a pleasant background hum, making the setting even more romantic and ethereal.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"That didn't answer my question, Ignis," Nida counters, his voice soft as he looks up at his lover. "I don't want you to go if you don't want it. I don't think I could ever be tired of coming home and finding the touches of you there in my life. But I'm used to living in very tight proximity. Here, in the last two worlds, and even in my own life back home. Even in the Garden dorms having a SeeD single there was always people."

Nida didn't do alone well. When he needed it, he climbed up somewhere away from others. But that didn't mean Ignis was the same way.

"I'm asking if I'm being too clingy, love."

Ignis hadn't answered the question intentionally, afraid that he might show a little emotion. And this place wasn't the place for that at all. "And I'm used to being with Noct and the others all of the time, even sleeping in a four man tent with barely any room to lay down. There was no personal space, and no privacy on the road either with being in a car a lot of the time. But that's why I took to rising earlier than the others, simply to give myself a head start."

He shook his head and gave a worried sort of smile. "The last time I had any privacy before arriving here was in the Citadel. So to answer your question no, you're not being too clingy. I've become rather used to living with you."

Dinners and shopping and everything else gave him that bonding time. Ignis could live alone (though did a cat technically count?) but he needed someone to dote on and give to. And here with this conversation he'd been afraid he'd somehow ruined the good thing that he had.

He likes it. They both like it. Nida grins at that news. And was glad he had given Ignis his key. Granted they were going to need to find a better answer when the snow fell more. Even Nida wasn't reckless enough to climb an icy building.

"Well, maybe we should consider moving some more things to my place. Or your place. Whichever you prefer. Mine does have the advantage of occasionally hearing Caelan playing music next door."

Don't ever think he wants less of you, Ignis. Never.

"I suppose we could do that." And the knot he'd felt forming in his stomach was starting to go away. Good. This was definitely more of an agreeable solution than gathering Ebony and leaving to back to his place this evening after the Ball.

"Mine has the advantage of privacy, so it depends on what we're doing." And it made him wonder if Caelan could hear them..he didn't want to think about that right now.

"Shall we take a break? Or are you hungry?"

"Whichever would please you more for now. Until we can maybe find a better arrangement?"

Yeah, he's looking ahead. He needs the hope potentially offered to him. But with the question Nida smiles and rests his head on Ignis's shoulder.

"Food sounds lovely. But also like I'd have to let you out of my arms."

"Having both would give us the freedom to choose whichever one we felt like." But then his ears caught the part about a better arrangement. "Are you suggesting we look for another place within the city? Something a little bigger perhaps?"

Ignis didn't mind that thought at all because it actually gave him a project to work towards. And that fit in with a certain topic or two that he'd like to broach to Nida when they got there. But a bigger place would be the best start of that. Both kind of hit him at once and of course they had to do with the future. But if he was going by what Nida was saying and the meaning behind the pendant, it worked together. However, one might still be a little easier than the other.

Being Nida's head rest snapped him quietly out of those future hopes and dreams because he was just so adorable and naturally far more so than the black chocobo chick Wiz had.

A small smile graced his features and he kissed the top of the dark hair. "Yes it would, since I don't believe there's anywhere to feed you privately."

It wouldn't be bad, would it? To look for something they could share and make their own? Nida longed for that. He'd never had that chance with another person. TO make his life with them. And now he spent so much more time with Ignis than he ever had with any other lover.

"If you're hungry, we can make our way back down to enjoy the food."

Ignis really liked the idea because it fit in with suture hopes and dreams regarding Nida. One he wasn't so sure how it would go over but it was a thought and not a deal breaker if the answer was no. It still had been a rather pleasant thought.

Looking at that man now he nodded. "I'm not particularly hungry myself. My thoughts had been more about being concerned about you."

So kind of him, to consider Nida's needs. He appreciates it quite a bit. But for now, he doesn't need it. Not so much. Not like the company of the man he cared for.

"You look good tonight love. Had I told you that?"

Ignis felt his face turn slightly red as he received the compliment which threw him off of worrying further about Nida eating. "No, but I appreciate it all the same thank you kindly." Red didn't really go with the black and white outfit he was wearing.

Red went very well with black and white. Nida could tell.

He hand reaches up, the back of his fingers stroking over Ignis's cheek. So pretty.

"Does it work for you? The idea of spending even more time with me?"

Green eyes automatically closed at the contact and there was a gentle smile on his face as he felt the tension release from his shoulders. But Nida's voice made him open them back up though the smile remained in place.

"Of course it does. I rather enjoy all of our time together."

"Good," Nida smiles. And he wants to spend it too. "I imagine sharing the space might help us cut down on food costs. Because we can cook more for two."

Four, with the pets.

"I don't see that we have a problem there darling. But the extra space would be welcome and we wouldn't have to go between two places." He smiled. "It would perhaps give you more room to move about in the kitchen so you can cook more things."

Move about in the kitchen for that. Nida chuckles. His desire to move in the kitchen has little to do with cooking.

"I'd rather just put in a book shelf to store the books I borrow."

"Well you can certainly do that." He leaned down to kiss Nida very briefly because of where they were and how many people would still be able to see them. "I suppose we'll have to take a trip about town. I can also ask the hunters and some of the people at the shops if they know of anyplace that might be open to have us look."

Who cared if people would be able to see it. But he smiles at the suggestion.

"If I had any skills, I'd suggest restoring one of the manses, but they aren't conveniently placed."

"That in itself would require quite a team." Gladio immediately came to mind but obviously the man wasn't here. "I can ask my sources and see what comes up."

It would be a treat just to see Nida's face at walking around and looking at the place, only to find out that it was indeed theirs. And that thought definitely gave him something to look forward to.

It would. So he knew it was not likely viable. Which was sad. He felt like he deserved a retirement home.

"You have sources? How lovely."

He smirked. "Just the hunters and the shopkeepers. But they should prove to be an invaluable source of information about local goings on." He reached for Nida's hand to kiss it. "I'm sure they'd be far more knowledgeable than us simply viewing places we think are ready to move into."

"True enough. I'll talk with the guards I suppose."

But who knew if the goes here would let them live somewhere beyond the dorms.

"Expanding our sources wouldn't hurt." Ignis observed quietly. It would at least be nice to get out and see, and ask around. It would allow them to gather information and make use of it.

"I'll check with the captain," Nida suggests. Maybe he'll know.

Was it silly to want this so soon? Perhaps not. There was only so long they could be together.

"He does seem like a decent fellow." Ignis observed. If the man really was he personally wasn't aware. But if Nida thought the man's opinion would help, the advisor would put his faith in his lover.

Nida had absolutely come to trust the captain. So hopefully he could find answers there. In the mean time he offered his arm to his lover.

"I suppose I'll have to return you to the party. I would hate to tire you out. Unless you're ready to leave?"

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