A Winter's Ball

[ateratmods]

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.

Comments

[asthecroweflies]

"It sounds like your people aren't nearly as similar to humans as you think, and maybe what works for you won't work for us. We're pretty big on our individuality."

[kree_soldieress]

"We have not had a chance on it for a long time. We have been at war."

Now that the war has ended, they could change.

[asthecroweflies]

He could have continued, pointed out that a people who'd been at war for so long and had only very recently been told to lay down their weapons didn't really have any ground to stand on when it came to saying how other people should live, but he didn't really see a point. Instead, he nodded. "Well, I'm happy for you."

He took a breath. Normally, he found it uncomfortable explaining to someone who didn't know him why people got overwhelming sometimes, but she was a massive blue woman from an alien planet. Somehow it made it easier. "Anyway, I came out here because touching people's uncomfortable sometimes and there are a lot of people in there." He nodded back toward the entranceway. "I'm psychic, and sometimes a person's aura shows me things about them when I touch them."

[kree_soldieress]

Oh! Lauri-Ell smiles.

"You are a telepath, but your gift only manifests through physical contact. That makes sense. Yes. The situation in there could lead to much uncomfortable and undesired exchanges," she agrees. Here at least, she understands some things. "It is wise for you to take the time and distance. Here, one moment."

She takes a step to put him out of even her arm's length.

"There. Reduced chances of accidental issues. Thank you for advising me. I shall ensure I respect your personal space better in the future."

This was something she understood, very well.

"I have a weapon that can show me people's pasts. It is not unlike seeing into their minds, their memories, in very specific ways. It is far more limited, but it makes me uncomfortable as well. I cannot fully understand, but I can empathize with your situation."

[asthecroweflies]

He frowned at her reaction, though it probably wasn't her intention to make him uncomfortable. In that, he was a bit of a contradiction. All his life he'd been treated like a freak by other people and like a sensitive burden by his father. It made him uncomfortable for people to take measures to put him at ease, that and every bit the freak people treated him as.

"I don't always see memories. Sometimes I see events, and not just from their perspective, but really, it's fine."

[kree_soldieress]

"That is intriguing. And must be difficult. I hope that you have not been too uncomfortable here."

If only that was so simple. She had to wonder if all of this was okay. How does he live with such a thing?

"How do you manage this?"

[asthecroweflies]

"I keep people at a distance, but sometimes I mean to do it. I'm an investigator, back home."

[kree_soldieress]

An investigator? Lauri-Ell smiles quickly.

"In ways, I serve as an investigator for my people. I find truth to crimes."

And she was saved by her sister when she filled the same role.

[asthecroweflies]

Jagger nodded, seeing how that weapon of hers could be used to do what he did with his bare hands. "I can see that."

[kree_soldieress]

The hammer she held was most definitely a good source of answers. She smiles and her hand grips it a bit tighter just from the delight over it.

"There are so few Accusers left. So I am trusted with the honor of finding answers and creating peace through application of proper understanding of the law."

A blessing. She does not have to be a soldier, but she can still protect others.

[asthecroweflies]

"So, nobody wants the job?" Because he's only gotten the impression it was some magical feature of that hammer.

[kree_soldieress]

"No," Lauri-Ell says. "The last ones abused their powers at times. It is about... finding someone worthy."

She pats the head of the hammer.

"She sings to me. I can resonate with her."

[asthecroweflies]

"A lot of law enforcement abuse their power. That's not surprising."

He gives the hammer a dubious glance.

"Sounds a lot more fun than mine."

[kree_soldieress]

Do they? Lauri-Ell wilts a little sadly at that news.

"Law Enforcement should not be that, I had hoped Kree were rare int hat."

Why can't the world be nice? Was it wrong for her to achieve that?

[asthecroweflies]

"It's just the nature of people, pet. There's a reason 'civility' and 'civilization' have the name root word. We created civilization to keep ourselves alive. Otherwise we'd just kill each other."

He scoffed ruefully. "And you can't tell me I'm wrong."

[kree_soldieress]

Yes, that makes sense, doesn't it? Her own people had been like that, lacking in proper civility for so long.

"I do not intend to try and tell you that. I just wish peace was more easily found and accepted."

[asthecroweflies]

"It goes against their nature." Call him fatalistic, but he knew how cruel people could be when they could get away with it. Half the time, consequence was all that kept things civil.

[kree_soldieress]

"Why?"

Philosophy wasn't something that she was necessarily prepared to discuss, but still the question came.

"Are humans really made to ware?"

[asthecroweflies]

"Made to? Maybe. All I know is it's how we answer just about everything."

[kree_soldieress]

That is sad. But she supposed it was true of her people as well.

"It is my hope that people could earn their freedom from violence as an answer. However I do not foresee that transition as easy for even my people."

[asthecroweflies]

Call him fatalistic, but it was true of most people.

"Maybe there isn't one. Maybe the true answer is violence."

[kree_soldieress]

No. Lauri-Ell shakes her head very quickly.

"No. I think the answer is building. I have seen many wonderful things made. I have learned to construct. I find myself more fulfilled through the act than war ever did. I think sentient species are meant to create things."

Just not, you know, war.

[asthecroweflies]

"There comes a point where you run out of land you own to build on, though, and what then?"

[kree_soldieress]

Oh, that one has an easy answer. Lauri-Ell smiles.

"We terraform another planet that isn't occupied!"

What? Kree and Skrull both do that.

[asthecroweflies]

He scoffed, shaking his head.

"Yeah, we'll get right on that."