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

"Green is going to be our thing, isn't it?" Nida chuckles, looking fondly at the flowers. They were stunning. "We're going to have so much green."

"That we are." Ignis replied, moving to make himself some coffee though he kissed Nida on the cheek as he passed by. "But I must say, this is really rather all your fault."

He's teasing of course.

"You're the one with stunning green eyes," Nida dismisses.

He let out a laugh. "As if it's all my fault." But there was coffee to be made so he was working on that. "So are we resolved on a time for me to come back and pick you up tomorrow?"

If they wanted to play it by ear he was fine with that too. He really just curious if they needed to do anything in particular. And Ignis was going to be there as soon as the Curio shop opened.

"Let's make it afternoon. I have a morning set of rounds in the markets for work. Meet me there, say, one?"

There was a nod as Ignis finished getting the coffee brewing. "Agreed, and we can eat lunch while we're out if you're hungry by then." Just because they were shopping for gifts didn't absolve the advisor of making sure that his lover was taken care of, which naturally included keeping him fed.

"I'm really going to have to up my workouts, with how good you are at getting me to eat," he grins.

But he isn't going to say that's a bad thing. He likes being taken care of.

There was a sly smile. "Well I'm sure if we put our heads together we can come up with some mutually beneficial workouts."

He knows Nida isn't complaining and of course Ignis is trying to flirt here, but if he gets shot down he's okay with that.

Well that earns a look, and he grins. Oh yes. This was good.

"Oh is that so? Some cardio you think?"

"That would be a good place to begin." Ignis now moved back over to Nida and wrapped his arms around the man's waist. This was wonderful and he loved it, so he leaned forward to kiss the other briefly. "But of course feel free to have us work on more than simply that."

What a man. Nida laughs and pulls his lover closer.

"I do have to, you know, still be capable of kicking ass. SO it's going to be more."

But sharing some of it with his partner isn't a bad idea.

"Of course there is." Ignis smiled. "And you have to keep that lovely ass of yours in shape, speaking of." Hey he admired Nida's ass a lot, so might as well give a very well deserved compliment about it.

"Mayhaps sometime we'll even have to spar more together, and see how it goes."

"Oh you know you want it in shape," Nida grins, shaking his head. His boyfriend is just the best.

"I'd love to spar with you, beloved."

He was just starting to become comfortable with saying things like this, so being able to do so was a treat for him. He gave Nida a brief kiss and smiled before letting go so he could get his coffee.

"Well then it's settled. We'll make sure you work on that beautiful rump of yours and we'll spar as well."

"You want it nice and firm because you like sinking your teeth into it," Nida grins and shakes his head.

But he reaches for his coat and offers his hand.

"Roof? Dancing?"

Ignis' eyes smirked back over the rim of his coffee mug. "My teeth will be a start."

And once Nida reached for his coat, Ignis set it down with a nod. "Yes, dancing up there will be quite lovely."

Quickly he grabbed his coat and took Nida's hand in preparation to leave.

Oh really? Nida bursts out laughing. "You're horrible and I love it so much. Now come on."

Nida pulls on his overcoat and heads out of the room, heading for hte stairs.

Ignis heads out but not before grabbing his coffee cup. Heading up the stairs, he got up onto the roof and surveyed it. Yes there would be plenty of room up here for what was intended so he smiled as the coffee slid down his throat warming him up.

Nida didn't bother with the coffee. Instead, on the roof, he pulls his lover into his arms.

"Who leads?"

"I will." Ignis replied. "Besides you lead the night you fascinated me with your dancing skills."

That's fair. Nida steps up, and wraps his arms around Ignis's neck. He doesn't need something fancy. Just his lover.

"Lead on, my beloved."

With a nod, Ignis begins to move. While it had been nice to dance at the Ball and even show off at times, he much preferred it be just them whirling around like this.

"You're graceful, my dear. So graceful."

Now it feels more true than it had been before. Which was weird. They had done more artistic things in the past. But this was wonderful for what it was. Which was them, together.

"I'm rather glad you think so." Ignis replied with a smile. Really this was nice to be able to be up here alone. And of course he moved them around so that he could visualize what he needed to.

It was always nice to have plans and back up plans when he needed them.

Nida would be quite intrigued to know his lover was thinking. But Nida? He was just basking in the wonder of the interaction. He loves and pleasure over the dance.

"I could do this forever."

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject