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?
unswervingcompanion: (Thoughtful)

[personal profile] unswervingcompanion 2023-01-05 05:43 am (UTC)(link)
That made sense to his ears. Then perhaps that's all this was, and nothing more even if it had rankled him to his core because he knew where he left this and it wasn't in this world.

"So it is a mere gift, given for a memory?"
unbreakable_king: Sendhil Ramamurthy in Heroes (Default)

[personal profile] unbreakable_king 2023-01-05 07:36 pm (UTC)(link)
"Perhaps," Rhy agreed, nodding as he considered the man. "And memories of those we love is useful."
unswervingcompanion: (Ponder)

[personal profile] unswervingcompanion 2023-01-09 07:07 am (UTC)(link)
The mention of the word love had him look back down at the fealty token. Did he love Jasper? Had Jasper loved him?

Was that the reason for the words at the end? The whole 'we will never be apart again?'

The knight blinked down at the golden pendant, pondering that for a moment more before he told himself that ignoring his companion was being rude.

"Surely that must be it." And that was said in a soft tone.
Edited 2023-01-09 07:07 (UTC)
unbreakable_king: Sendhil Ramamurthy in Heroes (Default)

[personal profile] unbreakable_king 2023-01-10 02:04 am (UTC)(link)
Sometimes it's as simple as the love between two friends, or people who care for each other. IT didn't have to be romantic. But Rhy was just glad that the man seemed happy with the conclusion he had reached.

"I'm glad it's a happy memory for you then."
Edited 2023-01-10 02:04 (UTC)
unswervingcompanion: (By your command)

[personal profile] unswervingcompanion 2023-01-14 05:46 am (UTC)(link)
Hendrik tightened his grip around the oath pendant and brought it up over his heart as the other man spoke. Something of a smile appeared on his face and he nodded.

"Indeed, it will be easier."
unbreakable_king: Sendhil Ramamurthy in Heroes (Default)

[personal profile] unbreakable_king 2023-01-14 07:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Be sure to carry it with you then," Rhy said with a smile. "Because those moments of happiness are precious."
unswervingcompanion: (By your command)

[personal profile] unswervingcompanion 2023-01-17 07:51 am (UTC)(link)
The knight nodded with a deep sigh.

"Since I now have it with me I will carry it."
unbreakable_king: Sendhil Ramamurthy in Heroes (Default)

[personal profile] unbreakable_king 2023-01-19 07:40 pm (UTC)(link)
That is a good plan. Rhy offered a warm smile to the man, because he understood.

"I would give quite a bit to have such a keepsake. Consider yourself lucky, my friend."
unswervingcompanion: (By your command)

[personal profile] unswervingcompanion 2023-01-22 06:59 am (UTC)(link)
The tall knight nodded. "Indeed, and I thank you for having me realize that I do hold such a treasure."

He'd been learning so many things like this since he'd arrived honestly.
unbreakable_king: Sendhil Ramamurthy in Heroes (Default)

[personal profile] unbreakable_king 2023-01-23 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
Rhy nodded and swept a respectful bow toward the man. Yes, he was happy to have given that.

"Good. I need to seek my husband now. Good evening."