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 was quite amused, but got up himself to do refills on tea and coffee to go with the pudding. "That did look rather interesting to try." And of course he was going to get his hands on the recipe to see about changing it up some to more suit their tastes if needed.

But he steered clear of getting in the other's way as he got the drinks prepared which included reheating water.

Drinks were good. Nida got out the pudding to serve them both a small amount of it.

"There is so many of these special foods that I'd never heard of. I don't know if my world has these 'figgys'."

"I'm told they're made from figs, which isn't something I'd ever heard of back home either." Ever the person who was careful to know what he put in his mouth. "I'm told that it also contains sweetmeats and dried fruits."

Oh no, they aren't called figgys? He's failed. Good thing his partner won't hold it against him.

"How are meats sweet?"

"Well according to what I've heard, it's simply sugared fruits or nuts." Ignis knew how to get information without sounding like that's what he was trying to.

"But I'm told meats themselves can be sweetened by adding brown sugar." Yes he'd spent some time around other people looking like he was reading. But actually he'd been listening to the others talk about cooking styles here and it had been rather interesting.

"Then why call it meats?" Nida asks, frowning. Oh dear, that's strange.

Wait, should they try meats with brown sugar? What would work there?

"Ooooh, Mezmerize flank with that would be so good," Nida muses, grinning to himself.

"It's a misnomer to be certain." He didn't like those much because he preferred clarity.

Green eyes slid over to Nida as he began speaking about adding brown sugar to meats. "IT would be quite an interesting texture and flavour. But they mentioned something about making candied bacon with that method of cooking."

To be certain indeed. Nida just smiled at the idea. But the idea of candied bacon makes Nida frown, his noise scrunching up.

"Oh god, candying greasy food would be horrid."

"Not to mention horridly unhealthy." Ignis replied with a nod. Sure eating cakes and things weren't always healthy either, but adding sugar to fat and frying just was a recipe for disaster. Noct might like it though considering how horrid his palate was.

"I mean yes, that too. But STILL!"

It's more the flavor that gets him shuddering.

"I think I'll pass on candied bacon. But if you made it, it would be god."

Ignis smiled. "While I appreciate the compliment, I don't believe I'll be making something so horribly lacking in proper nutrition." No sugar and bacon, it just wasn't in his plans.

Moving over to where Nida was, Ignis wrapped his arms around the man from behind. "And how is your pudding coming along there darling?" It had been on his mind to misbehave but he didn't.

Well, he has so far managed to scoop some of the stuff into a small bowl. The spoon is offered up over his shoulder to Ignis.

"Try?"

The advisor opens his mouth and takes the offered bite, moving back and releasing Nida so that he doesn't end up chewing in his lover's ear. After a few moments he nods and swallows it.

"It isn't bad for something I've never had before."

Noooo, come back. Ignis's arms around him were the definition of warmth and safety. Nida pouts at their departure, taking the spoon and getting some for himself.

"So things you have had before taste better than things you haven't? Does that mean I get tastier with age?"

Ignis smiled and lowered his head, staring hard at the ground. What he wanted to say was improper and wasn't sure how to recover to make it seem as if nothing was amiss.

If he'd been in advisor mode he could've said something smooth and played it all off. But he didn't have that armor on at the moment and hadn't been in that mode.

Maybe he should've been.

So he leaned back against the counter and placed his hands up on it, returning his gaze to the ground, speaking softly. "I'm not quite sure."

Those hands could be on him. Holding him. Making him feel safe. But they can't be joined in touch all the time. Still, seeing his lover there makes Nida smile, fond and soft.

"I suppose we've got time to figure that out. I hope you'll go on a journey of taste with me," he says before taking his bite of the pudding. It's...

It's okay. Not much more than that. But Ignis hadn't made it, so he's not impressed. Instead he licks his spoon clean and turns around as well, standing so they're shoulder to shoulder.

"And we've also got a chance to learn new tastes when it comes to food. If you teach me enough, maybe I can start to pull together some recipes from home, give you a taste of what I knew."

Green eyes lifted to Nida's face curiously. A journey of taste? That actually sounded fun. Of course by now Ignis is thinking on ways to improve this figgy pudding but he's quiet as Nida licks the spoon.

So when his beau got close enough, Ignis nodded with a small smile. "That all sounds wonderful. We can get started on this proposed culinary journey whenever you are ready."

"Well, I think we started with the figgy pudding. Tell me this wasn't a first step in the journey? A lackluster one compared to literally anything your hands touch, but still good."

He grins and pulls away from his lover.

"No. I know a better first step. Come here."

Ignis couldn't help but laugh a little. "I appreciate the compliments, but I do believe you're quite biased." Of that he was positive. "Not that I am complaining by any stretch of the imagination."

And when Nida stepped away, he wanted to reach for the man but had decided against it. So when he was invited to move, of course he moved to find out what was on his mate's mind.

Nida reaches out to catch Ignis's hand and pulls him back toward the tree. He stoops to pick up the second gift for Ignis and turns to offer it over.

It would be silly not to, after all. If they're talking about a culinary journey, the high quality knife block and kitchen knives was too important to pass up.

He took the hand and willingly went back over to the tree. His eyes didn't miss watching the other bend over but didn't act as if anything was amiss when he got the package handed to him.

There seemed to be a weight to it, so he reluctantly let go of Nida's hand and began unwrapping. And when he saw it, tears unexpectedly came to his eyes. He'd always had to purchase his own culinary arts utensils which had been more than fine.

But it was quite a different story when your other half thoughtfully made that gesture. Trying to cover it, the blonde head went down, speaking in a husky tone. "I suppose this means you're quite serious."

"I asked at the curio shop. He said he'd find me the best knives for you," Nida smiles at his boyfriend. But wait...

Were those tears? Oh no, he's worried. Did he do something wrong?

"Yeah, quite serious. I just... These aren't me saying you have to cook more. I still want to learn more. I just thought... you seem to enjoy cooking some, so I thought better tools, right? The right tools for any job makes it easier and more pleasurable. Or so I've always thought."

He didn't say anything, and instead just started at the knives. He couldn't say he really enjoyed cooking so much as took it seriously and knew how to do it well having learned on the road. Besides, he wouldn't trust it to anyone else at all.

So finally Ignis stood and wrapped his arms around Nida after letting the man finish speaking. "Thank you." It amazed him that the man in his arms had gone through so much trouble on his account and it was so very heartwarming.

If Nida knew the other didn't like cooking, he'd just feel guilty over the gift. Probably better not to let him know just yet. Maybe he could help Ignis find actual joy in it.

For now Nida laughs and hugs the other man right back.

"I figure if I'm living here, I should be contributing to here. And you've already taken care of getting other good things."

"But you are contributing." Ignis protested softly, not being willing to let go of the man in his arms as of yet. He wasn't quite sure how to explain yet how touched he was at this gesture. Sure it might be considered such a small gesture in reality but to him it meant the world.

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