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

[skyward_eyes]

“You would be surprised. One could be pure feline grace on the battle field, and clumsy on the dance floor,” Nida countered with a smile.

“That said, for him it was about motivation. He didn’t want invested in other people’s desires. But once they were something he wanted as well, or perhaps when he wanted to prove himself in the eyes of others, he was a master of anything he put the effort into.”

[heartofalion]

"Hmph." was Leon's reply as he folded his arms over his chest after taking another sip of his drink, pondering Nida's words. "Sounds like an interesting guy."

There were a few of those things that were mentioned that the gunblade wielder could relate to. And then of course all the talk of this otherworld stuff made his head swim. It did the same thing when he spoke to Cloud or Aerith.

[skyward_eyes]

“He was,” Nida said, though the look he shot Leon, and the curl of amusement on his lips were both just as quick as to say Leon probably was interesting as well.

“The Commander is a product of his world, though, and I have never had time to know him. To befriend him. Perhaps I can at least try with you? And I can understand calls for distance and leaving you in peace. I’ve known many people like that.”

He thinks.

[heartofalion]

He nodded, taking another sip of drink. Leon had no idea what the hell it was, but it reminded him of the impromptu party he found himself a part of when he first arrived. Had Aerith been making drinks again? Knowing her, well an alternate her, she was still the charmer.

And if she wanted to play bartender, he had absolute zero doubt she wouldn't be able to get her way.

The part where this man never had a chance to get to know this Squall guy, made Leon wonder why would he want to befriend him? Is this the whole different worlds and people timeline thing yet the same people all the same no matter what the timeline thing again?

Are these things that Cloud and Aerith wondered about him?

"It's fine..if you want to that is."

[skyward_eyes]

Nida could have sworn he could see the calculations running behind those eyes. Part of him wanted to laugh and say it wasn't that complicated. But he supposed it might well be.

So for now he holds out a hand to the other.

"Then a proper introduction?"

[heartofalion]

Truth was, people back home friended him but without saying so, unless of course one went by the name of Yuffie.

Leon is still somewhat puzzled, but he's going to go along with this friending ritual. So he nods and takes Nida's hand. This was weird because he already knew the man's name but wasn't sure what to say.

"You go first."

[skyward_eyes]

"Nida Shey Scientia, former mercenary, current guard, and definitely a guy that wishes he'd gone to space. It's a pleasure to meet you."

And he smiles as he says it.

[heartofalion]

Leon nodded. "Squall Leonhart, head of the Restoration Committee in Radiant Garden, and one who's been to space." He really didnt have a profession here so he couldn't give one.

"Nice to meet you."

[skyward_eyes]

Well, it was nice to hear that he was claiming his proper name, not that Nida was quite sure what to refer to the man by. But there's a flash if intrigue in him over hearing the other claim to be from a Garden, and then...

Open jealousy.

"Oh fucking hell. Come on! That's so unfair. Why do you get to go to space in MULTIPLE universes!?"

[heartofalion]

Leon wasn't really sure what this guy's deal was with space. But then he supposes this other version of him got the change to go to space too?

He shrugged. "It's not whatever you're thinking. I traveled in gummi ships and if you ever end up on my world I can teach you how to drive one. Of course you'll have to avoid huge rocks and all of that but you can learn pretty quick I'm sure."

It's no big deal to him.

"But why do you want to go to space so bad?"

[skyward_eyes]

He wants to go to space. It's his dream. And he'll never have that. But he can accept that.

"That sounds amazing. And why wouldn't I? It's beautiful!"

[heartofalion]

He had to laugh a little. This guy sure seemed like space was a dream or something.

"Somehow I'm picturing you laughing as you avoid rocks crashing into your ship."

[skyward_eyes]

It was a dream to him, and one he could never reach.

"I would. I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie," he admits with a smile.

[heartofalion]

The adrenaline comment had him laugh a little.

"Then you should get into the Arena."

[skyward_eyes]

The Arena? Nida shook his head.

"No, that's not likely for me. I've been too busy with my work and my home to get involved in more monster fighting or whatever."

[heartofalion]

Leon smirked and folded his arms over his chest.

"Then where do you plan to get that adrenaline going?"

[skyward_eyes]

"Oh, I free climb," he said with a smile. "If you see a building here, I basically have climbed it."

[heartofalion]

There was a slight smirk.

"So you scale buildings in your free time."

[skyward_eyes]

"Yep," he said with a grin. "It's a rush. We don't have mountains to scale here, so buildings work."

[heartofalion]

That just gave him a bunch of questions.

"So you scale anything just because you can?"

[skyward_eyes]

"Yeah."

A simple answer and still grinning.

"What, is it really all that weird in the grand scheme of things?"

[heartofalion]

Leon shrugged. "Whatever makes you happy. This place could use a lot more of that."

So could home even as it was being restored, but the principle still applied.

[skyward_eyes]

More of happiness? Oh, Nida was content with his amount of happiness.

"I hope you have a chance to find some here."

[heartofalion]

Leon looked at Nida and half shook his head with a laugh in his tone. He was sure that those words weren't correct, but he still made a general statement out of it.

"Don't curse anybody."

[skyward_eyes]

"Curse?" Nida asks, raising an eyebrow. "Why would you being happy be a curse?"

The guy deserves it.