ateratmods: (Halcyn)
Aterat Mod Account ([personal profile] ateratmods) wrote in [community profile] aterat2022-12-14 01:43 pm

A Winter's Ball

Who; Everyone!
What; Christmas Festivities for all!
Where; The Grand Ballroom, Noble District
When; The Week of Midwinter (December 14th-20th)
Warnings; Positive emotional influence; if anything comes up in threads, please warn where appropriate



A Needed Respite

It's been some time since Halcyn has shown herself, let alone put together festivities for those gathered here from other worlds, but this winter, she's pulled out all the stops. While she's also looking forward to the Festival a kind new resident has requested her aid for, she couldn't very well let this festive season pass by without a Ball.

She's assured all those who may wish to attend have the finest clothing available to enjoy the evenings or provides them with a means to obtain finery from Aterat's premiere seamstress. The invitation arrives at their doorsteps, providing directions to the seamstress and a friendly reminder not to forget a complimenting mask. This is a masquerade ball, after all.

On the evenings of the ball, in the square outside the residential buildings, residents there will find a two-meter pylon, its central crystal pulsing like a beacon. Touching one of the hand targets at its top will immediately teleport you to the pylon's twin in the square outside the ballroom. While still present during the day, the crystal sits dull and inoperable during the day. There also exists a similar pylon outside the orphanage.

For those who live away from the community dwellings, each night, the cabs can be found looking for fares seeking to be taken to the noble district.

A Welcoming Gift

The entrance to the Grand Ballroom is covered is tiny bells, glittering lights, and wreathed in holly and evergreen branches. The foyer is equally decorated, its vaulted ceiling carrying easily the lilting music from the ballroom, and at the center of the foyer is a towering and opulently decorated yule tree, with presents gathered beneath it. Halcyn waits beside the tree to greet all attendees to the ball, to thank them, to welcome them, and to wish them a Merry Yuletide.

Everyone who attends will receive a gift, and she'll assure them while the item within the package they are given is not its true image, it is as close an approximation as she could manage to build from their memories. The packages are small, no larger than a foot square, and within is an item they would recognize from home that has a sentimental value to them. If it's a magical item, it will not possess the magic therein, and it is an item that is tied to a fond and caring memory of theirs. Holding it or wearing it (if applicable) or simply having it with them will fill them with a warm sense of whatever emotion is tied to the item. For example, if it is a ring that belonged to a loving parent, having or wearing the ring will make them feel loved and nurtured. The effect will last throughout the ball in an intense state, and after the ball in a more subdued state, but it will always possess that feeling in some regard.

A Serious Spread; feasting and dancing the nights away

The Ballroom beyond the foyer is dazzling in lights, more holly, and evergreen boughs, and enchanting music from the string quartet playing at the far end of the dance floor. Along one wall, near the stairs leading to the upper atriums and the balconies, is set a cornucopia of foods both familiar and alien. If it is a traditional Yuletide or Winter food from somewhere in the known or unknown worlds, it's available here, and nothing seems to run out.

For those old enough to drink, there is a fully stocked bar with refreshments (and non-alcoholic options for those who abstain), and there are also drink options on the food table as well if you want something lighter or less influential with your meal. Those who wish to dine in a semblance of privacy can ascend the stairs with their plates and have a seat at one of the white and gold decorated tables on the balcony overlooking the dance floor. The music here is muted but still present, affording better means of conversation.

From the vaulted ceiling over the dancefloor falls a light snowfall, reflecting all the glittering lights in the decorations, but never touching the floor, disappearing as though it never existed in the first place. Those who try to catch the falling snowflakes, or simply have them fall upon them, will feel a warmth spread through them and will find themselves immediately more relaxed and open to conversation, no matter the sort.

Those who join the dancing on the floor will find they know whatever dance they may begin participating in, as long as they let their feet do the moving and don't think about it too much. They'll also find they don't tire as easily as they normally would and could dance all night long. This impulse can be resisted, though, and someone might want to pull you away before things get out of hand.

Sky Painting; Outdoor Balconies

Those who truly want for solitude need look no further than the balconies off the upper floor. While they do open onto the outside, open-air fire pits along the balcony keep the area warm enough to be inviting. There are refreshments here as well, warm ciders, hot chocolates, and the like, and the sky above is a display all its own.

Every night until midnight, the sky over the Ballroom will be alight with Auroras, though they seem to only be viewable from the upper outdoor balcony of the Ballroom. Those approaching from outside will see only a night sky lit by stars.

Those who seek the refuge of the outdoor balcony will find themselves blanketed in an inner peace they may find foreign. So much so, in fact, that they may even notice its artificial, and if they step far enough away from the glowing fire pits, it fades at the same rate the warmth of the fire does from their limbs, also as though that inner peace were coming from within the flames.

Halcyn certainly wanted everyone to enjoy the evenings without care or concern, didn't she?
areasontohope: (All the smiling (r))

[personal profile] areasontohope 2022-12-21 05:36 am (UTC)(link)
Yuki turned and looked up at Lauri-Ell with a smile. The white looked really pretty on her, but he wasn't sure he should actually say anything.

"It is really nice up here." he agreed. "It seemed like it was peaceful."
kree_soldieress: Lauri-Ell from Captain Marvel (Default)

[personal profile] kree_soldieress 2022-12-21 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
“Peaceful is a thing to revel in. It is not always a lasting thing, so should be valued while it can be valued.”

And appreciated for what it had been when it wasn’t.
areasontohope: (Good)

[personal profile] areasontohope 2022-12-27 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
He sighed softly, knowing she was right. All of this peace had its price in the past. Yuki had been here long enough to know what terrors this place could evoke, especially when it had concerned Jacob and Caelan.

Looking back up at everything, he nodded. "That makes it even more special I think."
kree_soldieress: Lauri-Ell from Captain Marvel (Kree Passport Agency)

[personal profile] kree_soldieress 2022-12-30 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Even more special. Lauri-Ell considers it before nodding. And smiling.

“I think it does. I have fought horrors here, and these peace moments make me happy.”
areasontohope: (All the smiling (r))

[personal profile] areasontohope 2022-12-31 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
Yuki nodded, and couldn't help but smile in return as he sighed. This place had put him through hell and others worse. That Yuki knew all too well.

Somehow fate had still been kind to him at least.

"Then that means we should probably enjoy what we have while it lasts."

Which was why he'd been training so hard.
kree_soldieress: Lauri-Ell from Captain Marvel (Default)

[personal profile] kree_soldieress 2022-12-31 11:54 am (UTC)(link)
"Very true," she says with a smile, nodding at the younger man. She didn't mind this peace. It was a relief.
areasontohope: (Content (r))

[personal profile] areasontohope 2023-01-01 12:38 am (UTC)(link)
Yuki sighed, letting his shoulders come down.

"Hopefully with planting in the Spring, we won't have too many issues."

And by that he meant terrible things happening.
kree_soldieress: Lauri-Ell from Captain Marvel (Default)

[personal profile] kree_soldieress 2023-01-02 06:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Ah yes, the planting.

"I have been helping make many tools for the farmers this winter. I hope the planting will have peace as well. The work would be wasted then."

And she cared less for the waste of her own time and more for the waste that would come afterward.
areasontohope: (Default)

[personal profile] areasontohope 2023-01-05 06:04 am (UTC)(link)
Yuki was surprised but delighted at the same time. "So you're making farming tools? If you have anything you can sell, I'm happy to purchase some for our planting in the Spring."

He didn't expect anything for free or free samples. Yuki learned that from Cloud and had been happy to learn it here.
kree_soldieress: Lauri-Ell from Captain Marvel (Default)

[personal profile] kree_soldieress 2023-01-05 08:00 pm (UTC)(link)
"I am," she says with a smile. "For the farmers, to help them plow more land, and sow more seeds. They are meant for large things, like chocobos. But I can make smaller tools for us as well."

Because she thought it would be nice to have her own tools, made from her.
areasontohope: (Completely sweet)

[personal profile] areasontohope 2023-01-09 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
Yuki smiled. "That would be helpful. And maybe other gardeners like Miss Aerith might buy some too. And I'm sure there's plenty of others that would appreciate the smaller hand tools."
kree_soldieress: Lauri-Ell from Captain Marvel (Default)

[personal profile] kree_soldieress 2023-01-09 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"Then I shall see if there are some smaller tools I can offer them."

It would not be a hard thing to do. And she was pleased with that.
areasontohope: (Content (r))

[personal profile] areasontohope 2023-01-14 05:25 am (UTC)(link)
[He smiled.]

Hard to believe, but now I can't wait for planting season.

[Even if it was still a ways off yet.]
kree_soldieress: Lauri-Ell from Captain Marvel (Default)

[personal profile] kree_soldieress 2023-01-14 07:21 am (UTC)(link)
Nor can I! It shall be exciting!
areasontohope: (Completely sweet)

[personal profile] areasontohope 2023-01-17 07:20 am (UTC)(link)
[All he could do was smile.]

When will you start making these items? I mean, there's no hurry or anything I'm just curious.

[Although he is technically asking for a reason.]
kree_soldieress: Lauri-Ell from Captain Marvel (Default)

[personal profile] kree_soldieress 2023-01-19 08:11 pm (UTC)(link)
I suppose I will need another two weeks to finish my current projects. And I shall have much of the winter to prepare things. Why?
areasontohope: (Content (r))

[personal profile] areasontohope 2023-01-22 06:24 am (UTC)(link)
[He shrugged lightly.]

I was just wondering if there was anything I could do to help.
kree_soldieress: Lauri-Ell from Captain Marvel (Default)

[personal profile] kree_soldieress 2023-01-22 11:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes! Do you think you could look for somewhere in the city where I can acquire leather? I will need to make good grips, but I will need supplies.
areasontohope: (Eyes focused ahead)

[personal profile] areasontohope 2023-01-24 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
[That had him thinking. Leather was from cows typically. He should know, a cow he knew wore leather back home. And after a moment he nodded.]

Yes, I've talked to one of the farmers and I think I can ask him.

[He's bought fertilizer from him before.]
kree_soldieress: Lauri-Ell from Captain Marvel (Kree Passport Agency)

[personal profile] kree_soldieress 2023-01-25 08:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Wonderful! That will be very helpful.