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.

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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."

It was quite fun to dance together and his ears picked up on the words spoken. "You can? Then you should be careful of what you say or wish for. As I believe the saying goes 'you just might get it.'

"Why Mister Scientia, I do think you're threatening me with a good time."

And Nida loved it. The idea that he could just have this man in his arms and not fear the rest of the world.

"I very well might be Mister Nomura." Ignis replied with a smile on his face. "One never knows what I could be plotting after all."

In this case, it was their future.

"I really wish I could see in your mind, beloved," Nida says with a smile. "I wish I knew what you were plotting. Because I would likely want to support it."

Ignis smiled and kissed Nida gently. And then he stepped away because it might be too much to hope for and he didn't want to get his lover angry or upset, because he'd been through far too much heartache.

So he sighed and wrapped his arms around himself. "I suppose we'll just have to wait and see."

The calm logical side of himself said he was crazy. He could go home, Nida could go home, and the Aspects could say he'd lost his mind. There had to be rules for this sort of thing and the Historium or the new Wizard's Tower would be places to start with the books and information located there he supposed. They needed more time, certain courtship rituals had to be performed and met or certain milestones had to be achieved.

And maybe they'd never get there.

But Ignis was one to defy his fate or that of others' such as Noct's. He even wanted to challenge Nida's future and bring the man back home with him. So he looked up at the stars, hoping they could somehow answer him. After all, didn't people look to them for guidance already and interpret signs and omens from them?

What? Where did the dancing go? It makes Nida sad. So... Well, he moves to slip behind Ignis and wraps his arms around the other man, his head settling on Ignis's shoulders.

"You're thinking too hard, beloved. You do that sometimes. Come out of your mind and be here with me."

He's surprised when Nida comes up behind him but he loves the arms being wrapped around him. It makes him smile softly and it turns into a slight laugh after the man spoke.

"Have I mentioned lately that I love you?" Ignis asked. This was just what he needed and hadn't realized he needed until it was done to him.

After a moment or two he gently unpried himself from those wonderful arms only to turn around and kiss Nida gently, placing his hands on either side of the man's handsome face.

"Even if you had, I'd beg you to do it again," Nida grins.

He almost sighed when the other man pulled away, only to have him relaxing into the warmth of the kiss in the face of the chill of the day.

Ignis smiled at that. And it wasn't until he had his arms wrapped around Nida that he lowered his voice. "I love you darling. Don't ever forget that."

It was wonderful to just stand here in the cold on top of the roof and be here this way. But he knew they couldn't be here long or they'd get cold. So he pulled back just enough to be able to look into Nida's eyes. "Would you like another dance?"

"All I ever want is to be in your arms. In whatever way that means. In this case, dancing," Nida smiles. "As much as I can."

Ignis couldn't help but to lean down and kiss Nida again because of the words he said. They were so sweet and romantic and they were everything that he himself would want to hear.

He wanted to tell Nida he loved him again but somehow that seemed redundant, even with the man having told him that he would beg to hear those words again. So after the kiss he gave his lover a fierce hug, his heart feeling so full of joy.

"Am I walking you home tonight, beloved? Or not?" Nida asks, holding him close and starting to sway from foot to foot."

Nida brought him back to the present and he shook his head, pulling back. "No, if you want me to go home this evening I will get my cat and go." They were on the roof of the red building but if those words meant that Nida wanted him to go home tonight he could definitely do that.

He smiled at the other's antics and thought about going to get his cat.

"Of course I don't want you to go. I want to sleep curled up in your arms, with Ebony and Julia using us as pillows, as always.

Why would he ever want to be out of his lover's company?

He laughed lightly. "Then that is what we will do." Ignis just wasn't sure sometimes and if he was overstaying his welcome, even though Nida had told him plainly he was wanted.

It just might take some time.

"So would you rather dance some more or head in because you've had enough for one day?"

"I think I'd rather warm up with a cup of tea on the couch, cuddled up together."

Would that be wrong? They both deserve that calm, warm comfort.

"Tea sounds like a wonderful idea. We can go and do that right now if you'd like." Ignis was all for it of course and Nida by his side? Sign him right the hell up.

So he held out his hand to his lover. "Then let's go and we can plan more on the tree we'll be getting if you'd like." He'd never decorated a tree before and was really looking forward to it.

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