A Winter's Ball

[ateratmods]

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?

Comments

[doubled_speed]

"Of course!" Tommy said with a grin. "Mostly club dancing, but this can't be hard."

[heartofalion]

Leon's eyes blinked a few times, mentally wondering if this kid was serious.

So he gestured with his head at the people on the floor. "That looks more formal than what I'd imagine people would dance to at a club."

[doubled_speed]

Yeah, it does, and Tommy rolls his eyes.

“This is so fucking stuffy, I know. It’s lame.”

[heartofalion]

Leon couldn't help but look at the people on the dance floor before returning his gaze to Tommy.

"It's probably a good idea to dance something like they are, right?"

[doubled_speed]

Tommy considers for a long moment.

"I mean, if you wanna fit in."

[heartofalion]

Leon ran this one through his mind.

"So you wanna go out there and just dance like you would at a club. If you wanna do that, might have to change the music first."

[doubled_speed]

Change the music, huh? Tommy considered that, then sighed.

"Billy's the magic one, he could manage it with a word. So I guess we're stuck with stuffy music."

[heartofalion]

Leon wondered what the sigh was for and couldn't resist the tiniest smile. "You know how to dance stuffy music then?"

Would the kid still be willing at that point?

[doubled_speed]

"I mean, I know how it works in theory!" Tommy says, and he sounds exhausted. "Doesn't mean I'm the best at it. Unlike the other kinds of dancing."

[heartofalion]

Leon smiled. "Then let's go out there and see what we can do if you're still interested in teaching me that is."

He really didn't personally want to do this. But the kid had guts and that impressed him.

[doubled_speed]

Oh see, now there's a challenge. and he definitely intends to win at this.

"This is going to be fun."

[heartofalion]

"Let's see what you got."

He shrugged and reluctantly went out onto the floor. Every step felt harder, but his curiosity got to him.

Leon didn't feel too bad, because the dance seemed simple and of course he'd been studying it although he'd never admit it.

[doubled_speed]

Wait, seriously? Tommy's definitely intrigued by this guy. Stuff is up here, and it's interesting.

"Uh, you're... taller than me. I think that means technically you 'lead'. But that's boring."

[heartofalion]

Tommy's definitely different and Leon shrugs because height doesn't really bother him at all because he's kind of used to being the tallest in the bunch back home.

"Whatever is fine. But we probably shouldn't just stand here."

[doubled_speed]

Yeah, standing is weird.

"Hold that thought for a half a moment."

There was a rush of wind when Tommy disappeared. He's just off really quick to check a book out in the library to get instruction on how this works. And sure enough, less than a minute later he's back, smiling.

"Okay, I'm ready. You chill with the whole hand on the lower back? It's supposed to be better for guiding and it's not me feeling you up."

[heartofalion]

Leon had no idea what was going on, but with the rush of air, he was almost breathless.

He'd received more than a few odd looks, but he steadfastly ignored them.

Blue gray eyes blinked as Tommy came back with a smile and nodded.

"It's fine."

[doubled_speed]

"Awesome," Tommy said, and then he stepped into the dance. Look, he learned from a book, but he's getting it going properly. "See, I'm amazing to get through this."

[heartofalion]

Leon knew some of the steps too since he'd been practically observing. Still he can't help but be slightly amused.

"You normally congratulate yourself on stuff like this?"

[doubled_speed]

"Well, it's very clear you're not going to be throwing compliments my way. So it's clear that it's going to be my duty here," he said with a smirk. Yeah, he's not ashamed of being his own cheerleader.

[heartofalion]

He was only capable of backhanded compliments, something Aerith termed as 'Leon compliments'.

"So is this a self cheer leading thing, or do you encourage other people too?"

[doubled_speed]

"I can encourage other people too, if I'm motivated to do it. Why, you going to motivate me to applaud your grace or something?"

Because he can flip that switch.

[heartofalion]

"Uh, no." Leon answered decisively. He didn't need praise or encouragement here, even if he did feel a little uncomfortable dressed up as fancy as he was.

He lifted his head up to see some couple dancing pretty damn close to where they were and Leon almost moved to avoid them.

[doubled_speed]

"Shame, because you are graceful," Tommy answered.

He to saw the nearby couple, and since he was leading, he didn't intend to let Leon take charge. He's stronger than he looks for his size, and so it isn't hard to pull Leon closer, to give them space from the couple.

"It's okay. I've got you."

[heartofalion]

He nodded. "You're not so bad yourself."

However, Leon had actually stopped a moment to just blink over at the couple, wondering why the hell they got so damn close. There was a spacious ballroom floor and here they'd almost been collided with.

But he turned back to Tommy and laughed a little. It was so weird to have someone say those types of words to him even if it was actually really nice to.

"Thanks."

[doubled_speed]

"When you can think in nanoseconds, it's pretty easy to make sure I move well," Tommy points out. "But yeah, keep thanking me. You know it's impressive what I do."

And he then starts grinning. Oh man, he's got an idea.

"I wanna spin you."