aterat | A Winter's Ball

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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

Candles weren't what he expected. But he loves it. Right now, though, he has to laugh.

"They'll want attention. Is it fair, my dear, to neglect our little ones?"

"No and we've certainly tried to ignore them in the past." These words were said with a slightly exaggerated sigh and Ignis placed his hands on his hips as if they were anywhere around to gently scold. With Ebony he'd found that all he needed to do was raise his voice in the slightest increment and his cat would go running.

But then he smiled and walked over to Nida, placing his hands on either side of the man's face, placing a gentle kiss on those lips. "Happy birthday darling."

Ebony might be easily chided, but Julia was not. The damn girl was shameless. Like right now. She sta on the fridge, staring down to the stove. She knew where food came from. She wanted the food. Yes, she was good at hiding up there, harder to get her down with her feathers.

Happy birthday darling. It's words he doesn't know that he's heard before. He almost tears up.

"Thanks you, Ig. Thank you so much."

"Of course."

He gave the man a nice warm embrace for a moment, wanting to stay in this embrace all night, while knowing it wouldn't work for various reasons anyhow. "I'll get dinner on the table and you can open your gifts after that or after dessert."

Gently he pulled away from Nida and smiled. "I can also give you a rub down if you wish." Catering to his mate was every night, but especially for a birthday it was in order.

"After dessert sounds good. And then we can dan-"

Dance. That was what he was going to say. He loses the offering on the idea of the rub down. Damn that's hot.

"Food, gifts, dessert, dancing? And then if we have energy, we get the rub down," he offers.

Ignis smiled over his shoulder as he set dinner on the table. "All of that sounds like quite the full evening together and I will look forward to it." Of course he had to reserve energy for any festivities afterwards if any should happen. And if not, it was Nida's birthday so he called the shots.

He was simply there to fulfill his mate's every wish and desire that he could.

"Well, didn't we agree on a full evening, seeing the new year together?" Nida asks, tilting his head.

Once dinner is down he reaches out to catch Ignis's hand to kiss the back of it. Thanks.

"We most certainly did." Ignis agreed. This new year thing was kind of new and of course any time there had been a birthday in April, August or October among the lads, Ignis got tapped. Fortunately they never tried to make the advisor a cake because he would've killed whoever tried.

And that thought was shaken as Nida kissed the back of his hand which turned him a pretty crimson.

"Let's eat," Nida smiles, reaching for his lover, beckoning for the other man to join him. "I'm eager to share this with you. Like I share everything else."

"Of course." Ignis replied, getting everything ready to be served. And naturally he got Nida's plate ready first. If there was a protest, there would be a smooth reply of whose birthday it was.

It made him happy to wait on his beau and tonight especially was no exception. And really he wanted to turn into a small pile of giddy and pleased goo but nobody had time for that.

No complaints. Of course no complaints. He got it, it was his birthday. Everything else was silly. Tonight he thought maybe he would let himself be pampered. That he'd be happy to be pampered.

"Thank you, again. it's weird to let myself do his. To have something so light and nice."

"You've no need to thank me."

This was said in his smooth almost purring voice. Really he was happy to do this thing and make it as enjoyable as he possibly could. The rest was all details which of course he was more than happy to take care of. Secretly though Ignis was thoroughly pleased about taking care of Nida and the thank you.

"But what do you mean by light?"

Of course he wants to thank Ignis. The man doesn't get how big this was for him.

"It's not..."

Nida sighs, trying to frame the words.

"The last times, in the other worlds, my birthday fell around weighty moments. A strange door appearing in the village and leading to a ball. Creepy people that didn't exist mingling around those that did. The other place, we were being sorta hunted. So, it's light because the only thing today has to be is, well, today."

He set Nida's full plate down and had reached for his own when the other started explaining. There was a nod as the words came and of course Ignis' mind was busy trying to picture the events that he was hearing about.

It all made sense once the words came out. "Well you can rest up and relax today and this evening. You've dinner and dessert to have, gifts to unwrap and you put dancing on our to do list for the evening." The advisor then smiled though there was a predatory look to his eyes.

"And no harm will come to you because I'm around."

"Dancing with you is magic," Nida offers with a shrug. "Maybe I can coax Siren out, to sing for us."

Which of course might well be impossible. But he thinks the trying might be fun.

"The best part is, I get to pass it all with you, beloved."

"Do you think she'd come out for us?" Ignis asked curiously. He would love to see Siren though she would most certainly be awe inspiring and absolutely breathtaking.

And when he could get over to him, the advisor kissed his beau on the cheek. "That's quite the sweet sentiment darling."

"I think she will if she can. I just don't know if I can hold her without it being a proper summon.Guess we'll see."

The sweetest sentiment. Ignis made his heart like melted sugar, and he had to gush about it.

"Just don't overdo it. It's your birthday after all and you are getting older."

Ignis was of course just teasing because next up it would be his turn to get picked on and all of that.

"Wow, you're horrible," Nida laughs, shaking his head. Don't be silly. Please.

"I'm going to find out when your birthday is and make sure you feel this feeling that day."

"I haven't begun to be horrible to you." Ignis smirked. "But if you must know my birthday is February seventh." So there, now Nida would have plenty of time to come up with something of a plan.

"I must," Nida smiles, he's going to plan quite a lot not.

"So, you going to give me clues on what hte gifts are? I like mystery."

"You can think on conversations we've had if you prefer the mystery." That might give Nida an actual hint or he was half expecting the man to lean in and rip them open.

Presents just got all the luck.

Well that's an interesting idea. But he didn't want to tear into them, not when he can tease it out. As for Ignis's envy, as ever it was truly only lack of expressing a desire that kept him from finding it.

"Conversations we've had. We've had so many, beloved."

"That we have." Ignis agreed with a slight smile. "But it was more recent, within the past few weeks." He didn't want to say exactly when because that might be too much of a hint.

And of course he had to make sure that he didn't look at the one thing that might give it away as well.

How interesting. Nida smiles and reaches out for a present, looking at it carefully. That's... an idea. He touches the thing, stroking it briefly.

"I think I was wrong, that first night here in your space. I think I like being spoiled by you. It makes me feel..."

Alive.

"Loved."

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