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

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."

"I rather thought you might come around." That had him smile a lot and he kissed the top of Nida's head briefly. Ignis himself wouldn't know what to do if he couldn't spoil the man so he was happy that was no longer an issue.

He waited to catch his lover's gaze and when he did there was another smile. "And loved is something you most certainly are."

Loved is something he most certainly is.

Suddenly the food matters less than the company. Nida's on his feet, reaching out for Ignis, to pull the man into his arms. Into his arms so Nida can bury his face in the man's shoulder. All the better to hide the tears with.

At first Ignis is slightly alarmed that Nida had gotten up, but he stood quickly and was rewarded with his mate coming into his arms. Green eyes then slid closed and he held onto the other.

Rewinding the conversation in his head, he realized his words must've hit some unknown mark. But there was only a small smile as the blonde held on. And try as he might, he could never quite figure out how to thank Nida for all of the things the man did for him.

Even if it was learning to open up his heart and not try so hard to hide things as he was so used to doing.

"I love you," he whispers, holding Ignis close, his voice wavering. "I love you so much that I'm scare of it, because if I lose you, I'll be in the littlest pieces. And yet you make every day feel so damn safe."

Ignis curled Nida into his embrace, even going so far as to place a hand on the back of the other's dark head. "I love you too darling." He then placed his face to the side of his lover's head and smiled at the wavering voice. And it absolutely hurt him that he couldn't promise that he'd always be here.

So he sighed and opened his eyes to the wall as if it could bear witness to the ferocity of his words as his embrace tightened slightly. "I'm going to find a way to bring you home with me."

Nida believes him. Believes that fire.

"I've been researching, in the Mage Tower. Trying to find a way to go home with you."

"I don't want to leave here without you." Ignis whispered. This man had become his entire world here. And he didn't hang on the thought but he'd be absolutely devastated if Nida was the one to leave first.

He only pulled back enough to look the other in the eyes. "Have you found anything helpful so far?" If they could do this, then Ignis could move forward with some other things. But this dilemma was holding a lot of that up.

"I don't want you to leave without me," Nida agreed, his voice a whisper against fabric. "I haven't found anything yet, but I will."

Definitely will. He will absolutely be with Ignis, he'll find a way to be at his lover's side.

"Then we'll keep searching until we find our answers. I know they're out there." Ignis replied, pulling Nida to him again. He hadn't meant for things to go this way. He'd actually planned on the man laughing and having dessert at this point or opening his gifts.

Not for the first time Ignis contemplated somehow contacting the Aspects. Maybe the sooner he did that and if he got answers, the sooner he could think of a solution to the fanciful name change dilemma.

Edited 2021-01-19 20:48 (UTC)

"I'll keep searching until I find an answer, Ignis. I swear it," Nida promises him, his voice soft even as his hands desperately gripped at Ignis's clothes. He's not giving up.

At last he lifts his head and his gaze, smiling at Ignis.

"I love you. Think I can convince you to sit in my lap while we eat? I'd love to feed you."

He didn't want to leave Nida behind and the thought of it knifed through his heart. But he wasn't going to bring that up at all. "We both will darling." This was his way of trying to reassure Nida that he would search too, the man certainly wasn't alone in this.

The other's smile though brought him out of those darker thoughts and he smiled. "I can certainly do that if you wish." It would be fun and besides, it was Nida's birthday so he would do whatever the man wanted.

Nida grins and sits again, gesturing for the other to join him.

"SO, what is our meal?"

Ignis smiled. "Well I couldn't quite decide which to make, either steak or try another run at that fish we made. So I made both." Because sometimes deciding was just too much of a pain in the ass really.

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