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

Nida had been here nearly since the party had begun, dancing and spinning and cavorting with all who would take them.

"I suppose we could eat, but nothing would be as good as you would make for me."

"Flatterer." Ignis smirked. But he took Nida's hand. "If you're ready to go, then I'll make something for us to eat when we get home."

He'd only sit here and pick apart the recipes anyway and Ignis knew damn well that he would do that.

"Works for me," Nida smiles, kissing his boyfriend's cheek before tangling their fingers together. "Or, if you have someone you need to talk to, we can visit them first."

"No.." He looked over and saw Yuna talking to someone he didn't know and Namine was with who she knew, so he trusted the ladies would be off enjoying themselves for the evening.

"We can certainly leave now."

"Well then," Nida smiles, leaning in to rest his head against his lover's shoulder, "let's be off."

"Alright, but I daresay I like when you lean against me like that." And this is the part where Ignis didn't move because he really did like that Nida did that to him.

Well then, they can stay still for a moment while Nida uses his lover as a comfortable resting point.

"And I like your warmth."

Edited 2020-12-19 06:25 (UTC)

"I'll always keep you warm darling." Ignis promised, placing a kiss on Nida's head. He sighed and tried to relax while people seemed to just be floating past them having a grand old time.

And Ignis was having one too, just him and Nida.

It was nice, just to watch the room. TO see happy people and not be worried that something sinister was going on below the surface. And Nida smiles.

"This reminds me of the night I graduated to SeeD."

"Is it?" Ignis asked curiously. "And why is that?" Since Nida brought it up he wanted to hear more about the outfit itself, how it worked or how this Ball reminded his lover of home.

And he wished he could see it with him.

Nida nodded as he watched the people.

"Graduation was always for a small group, but when the time came around, a lot of our numbers were called back in for the celebration. There was a large ball thrown for the new members. And we danced, in a beautiful ball room, with a glass dome for part of the roof so we could see the sky."

A waltz. Nida started to hum it under his breath as he thought of that night.

"That sounds rather lovely." Ignis smiled. What he wouldn't give to be able to step back in time and meet the man and mayhaps dance with him. It would be fun to get to meet a younger version and see who he was. A glass dome simply sounded so wonderful and romantic.

Ignis wouldn't have been impressed by younger Nida. Not in the slightest.

"It was. The night was magical. Well, Squall did bump into me because he wasn't in a dancing mood, but it's not that shocking. He didn't really notice me much."

There was a smile. "Squall..the one you keep speaking about. What was it about him that made him so amazing to you?" Nida had said the man was good looking and all of that. But beyond looks, Ignis was curious what had caught Nida's eye about him.

Oh what a question. He bursts out laughing and shakes his head.

"Squall was a classmate of mine, who sorta grew up to live out a fate of saving the whole damn world. He ended up being my boss, and maybe one day, if I go home, he'll be my friend, far in the future. But basically, Squall, Commander Leonhart, is central to the world in a lot of ways. Plus, being my boss, he's sort of the embodiment of what I'm loyal to."

Squall was to Nida what Noctis was to Ignis. If Squall showed up here, in this place, Nida might defer to him some. Except, by being with Ignis, that bond was being laid aside some.

Granted, he'd long since given up on his youthful crush on the gunblader.

"I see." Ignis replied. He wasn't sour on the fact that Nida had a crush on this Squall gentleman, no. What he was unhappy about was the part about the talk of going home. But he bit it all back and smiled. "Well I hope he shows up here for you someday. It would be quite the honour to meet the man that stole your heart when you were younger."

Nida doesn't want to go home. But these places keep stealing his happiness. And he accepts this. But he sighs at the very idea of Squall's presence.

"No. I don't want him here. My world needs him," Nida dismisses. "He'll keep peace there."

No, he... his heart yearned more for Seifer. And he didn't know why.

"Alright." Ignis replied quietly. It was the same with the lads back home. He didn't want any of them here, and Gladio would probably just wait to get back..if a bit impatiently.

His head automatically turned at the sight of a blonde head and it was Namine with her lad. She looked really happy and Ignis turned his attention back to Nida. "Are you ready to go home or would you like to stay?"

"Home. I think I want to be jealous with your presence. And dance on the roof maybe, under the stars. And then get me out of this uniform coat. I hate wearing it."

But he wanted to wear it for others.

Ok that was a new one. "Jealous with my presence?" Really he hadn't danced much with others unlike Nida. But it had been fascinating to watch the man whirl others around and of course he'd been smiling the entire time which was pretty important.

The thought of dancing on the roof made him smile because reasons for the future. But for now he nodded. "Indeed, the roof should give us plenty of room to dance." And it would be the best test for that future plan.

Se he took Nida's hand and started walking. And after a moment, a smile appeared. "I love how romantic you are."

"You're beautiful tonight, and I don't want to share," Nida admits with a shrug. Maybe it makes him a bad person. And he doesn't care that he is. He knows Ignis won't hold it against him.

Test away, oh planner of the couple. In the end, though, Nida's left flushed at the suggestion.

"I'm not sure I am. I thought I was horrid at it. But there was... Oh Hyne I'm falling back on books again. The ones the woman I trained with in the first strange world leant me. There was this scene where one lead wanted to make his partner smile, to show he was serious. And they ended up dancing slowly in this gazebo while it snowed lightly around them. I thought it might be magical."

No Ignis won't hold it against him because he's far too busy being flattered and confused.

And that continued with the other now flushing. But the explanation made him smile and he nodded in agreement to it. "There's no gazebo up there unfortunately. And I'm not sure who to speak to in order to have one installed." That wasn't a bad idea now that Nida mentioned it though. And if they had a better season to get that done it would be a thing to do.

Speaking of serious things, Ignis remained quiet about it until they got home. But when he opened the door, Nida would see the green roses on the table.

Oh no, Nida's laughing at that comment. That's just so Ignis.

"Just because I read it in a book doesn't mean I need done. But perhaps we'll inquire when the weather is better."

But then there was the quiet, Nida walking the guy forward toward Nida's apartment. His smile continues while they're outside of his apartment. And then... Oh. He steps further in and moves to the impossible sigh.

"Ignis, my love... did you do this?"

"Inquiring would certainly be a start." Ignis agreed. And he wasn't offended at Nida laughing at him, in fact it was good to hear even if he was the cause. Keeping his lover happy even at his own expense was worth everything.

But once they got in and Nida rushed towards the roses he nodded at the question. "However, it wasn't possible to get you your gift to go along with it today. But I will be going out to get it tomorrow."

To see Nida's face light up, oh how beautiful it was.

A gift? Nida looks back at the other man in shock. He wasn't expecting a gift. This wasn't the gift?

"No one has ever gotten me flowers before," Nida whispers in awe. "How could there be more?"

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