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

[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."

[kree_soldieress]

Oh, it's lovely to hear they will. She smiles.

"I am glad that you can do so when you return!"

Truly she didn't understand many things humans did, like sarcasm.

[asthecroweflies]

And she actually thought he was serious. He blinked, his expression deadpan.

"You know, I'm pretty low on the human totem pole. Most of them don't even know I exist."

They aren't going to listen to me, even if I were to tell them, which I'm not. I wouldn't even know which 'them' to go to.

[kree_soldieress]

Why should high or low matter if one had a good idea? The Kree Imperium believed that one started at the station of their mother or father, but then had the chance to rise above it, or fall below it, on their own merit.

“You are not known to your authorities?”

[asthecroweflies]

"None that would be in charge of changes." He shook his head. "There are about 6 billion humans on Earth. I occasionally help the law enforcement of a local precinct catch bad guys."

[kree_soldieress]

“That is not so many people,” she counters.

But her smile is back, wide and pleased. He worked with authorities? They had this in common.

[asthecroweflies]

He blinked at her for a moment.

"You know what I like about you, pet? You know how to keep things in perspective."

[kree_soldieress]

Ah, that's good. Lauri-ell smiles widely.

"I am glad. Perspective is valuable."