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

[gadaboutdetective]

Dancing is always wonderful, at least with the right partner. Llewellyn liked to think he had the perfect partner, though he was a bit biased at this point, perhaps. He smiled at the suggestion, “Mingling. That is something I think I know how to do, though my success at it is a bit spotty, depending on the person.” He responded with a light grin.

[unbreakable_king]

"Then let me teach you," Rhy says with a smile. "As a Prince it was always my duty to be wonderfully charming. Frustrating as it was of course."

Sometimes he just wanted his parents to stop having people around so they could pay attention to him.

[gadaboutdetective]

The offer gets another small hum, pleased and light. “I am always happy to learn something from you, my love.” He responded, though his brow raised lightly at the mention of frustrating. “Though I admit, I think that is part of my problem. People can be frustrating at times and being… charming?” He wasn’t sure that he was charming in general, but perhaps friendly was enough. “Is a bit hard with them.”

Llewellyn would point out that seemed reasonable to wish for a break from having people around all the time. The idea of always having to be charming seemed exhausting to begin with. Let alone with people who you were expected to be polite to regardless of their behavior for the sake of your position. As a prince, he was sure Rhy could get quite exhausted by it.

[unbreakable_king]

“If you would rather not mingle, if that would feel like too much, I could just teach you dancing now.”

Because Rhy does so love dancing and all of the trappings of balls.

[gadaboutdetective]

Llewellyn hummed thoughtfully at the suggestion, “I think should you wish to stop to talk to someone and mingle as we make our way in that direction, you should absolutely feel free to, my love. If I learn something along the way, then that’s mm… something to pleased with. But a refresh on dancing in a space larger than our study does sound fun.” He responded as a compromise, something between the two options that seemed like it would give his husband a chance to enjoy both activities.

And if he failed at mingling, there were refreshments he could retrieve for Rhy in between.

[unbreakable_king]

Well then. Rhy smiles and guides his husband toward the dance floor.

"I do so love you in my arms, my dear. And having it here is a good idea too, so much space."

[gadaboutdetective]

And Llewellyn is happy to let Rhy lead towards the dance floor, a little more confident than he had been when they first met. The practice with his husband had done a lot to improve his ability, even if he could still be a bit clumsy at times. “And I love to be in your arms, though I admit the space is quite nice, as cozy as our study has been. No need to worry about bumping into furniture here.”

[unbreakable_king]

"No furniture, only people. And I'm graceful enough to guide us away from them," he says, taking his husband into his arms and starting them into the music.

"Back home, we dance for so many things. To celebrate important days, to show our strength, to build up our people."

[gadaboutdetective]

“That you are, my love.” He responded with a small smile at the comment, following Rhy’s lead as the man began to move as the next song began. Careful of his steps but far more confident in them than he used to be. Llewellyn wasn’t sure he’d ever match his husband’s grace… But he hoped to keep up with it, at least.

“All good reasons to dance, I would say. It sounds mm… quite lovely, really.” He added thoughtfully at his husband’s explanation. The detective could see Rhy in the setting rather easily, even without now being taken into consideration.

[unbreakable_king]

"Mostly, though, it's about the joy of the movement itself," he says with a laugh. "I wish there were more dances."

Because dances were just the best to have.

[gadaboutdetective]

“It is a shame there aren’t more, I must say.” He commented thoughtfully, smiling as he let Rhy guide them around the floor. Confident that the other would lead them comfortably and gracefully among the other dancers. “But perhaps with time, there being a place for it and all.” Llewellyn rather hoped so. Some annual gatherings, perhaps. Something lively and entertaining for those who enjoyed it, and Llewellyn certainly liked to enjoy it with Rhy.

[unbreakable_king]

A place for that? How interesting to consider. "Some form of place where people can dance regularly?"

How interesting. That would be fun.

[gadaboutdetective]

“This ballroom has been here for quite some time, from what I understand. It’s just that no one really uses it overly much. Someone who’s been here longer than us mentioned there was another ball quite some time ago.” He responded with a glance at the surrounding space while they danced. It seemed a shame that such a nice location only saw the occasional use.

[unbreakable_king]

Was there? Oh dear, and they had missed it? What a shame.

"Well, I suppose balls aren't really something needed for the lives we are living. We are happy how we are, right?"

[gadaboutdetective]

“I know you enjoy them, though. So while they’re not needed, they are nice.” He responded with a smile, “So if there do happen to be others… I hope we can enjoy them together.”

The question does get a small tilt of the detective’s head, “I know I am, my love.” He responded with a quiet, sincere tone. Llewellyn knew he hadn’t been in the best headspace for a while after he returned to Aterat… But he had been working on things. Being here with Rhy, it was the happiest he could remember being of anywhere he’d been before. That said, he continued because Rhy’s answer was as important as his own. “Are you?”

[unbreakable_king]

"I'm overjoyed with your return, with your love, with you," Rhy answered. Because he needs his lover. Without Llewellyn he'd been listless and lost. He was healing though.

[gadaboutdetective]

The answer gets a softer smile, and a slight distraction in his steps. It warmed him, though, to have that confirmation and agreement. “And for your love and care I feel so very lucky, and glad to have the chance to return it again now that I’m back…” Rhy deserved that, deserved to be loved and cared for in return and Llewellyn wanted to make sure the other was as happy as he was.

“And I look forward to what we may enjoy together in the coming year together here.” He added thoughtfully, knowing it was nearing that point in the year in this place again.

[unbreakable_king]

"Another year," he says in soft tones. And delight. So much delight.

"You, my dear, are the blessings of my next year."

[gadaboutdetective]

Llewellyn smiles with a delight of his own to hear it. He would never get used to or tire of being told such things. He feels so very lucky for his husband now, more than ever. “And you’re mine, my love. I’ve never looked forward to the future so much as I do since I’ve been by your side.” He added with a gentle hum, minding his feet for a moment as they passed another couple dancing.

[unbreakable_king]

Oh. Llewellyn smiles, his hand coming up to stroke the man's cheek. Yes, this is good. Very good.

"You make the future hopeful."

[gadaboutdetective]

Llewellyn enjoyed the gentle affection, leaning into it lightly. “Do I…? I’m glad that I can for you.” He murmured back, feeling rather like it was Rhy who was the one to make the future more bright and hopeful for him. That his husband could think that of him was a wonderful thing, words to treasure and keep in mind.

[unbreakable_king]

"I hope I can for you as well," he says with a wide grin. That's all he wants. "To give you happiness and acceptance and love."

[gadaboutdetective]

“And you do, my love. You always do.” He responded, both soft and reassuring. Rhy had always made him feel those things and more over the years. It was something he felt so very lucky and grateful for. Even on days where concerns and worry crept in, Rhy never seemed to fail to put those to rest.

[unbreakable_king]

"Wonderful to hear," he says, smiling. "And glad that you're happy for it."

Because Llewellyn deserved to be happy again. He had come back so sad.

[gadaboutdetective]

He had, and the detective knew he hadn’t quite been himself in that time. Still… He was starting to get back to where he’d been before, desperately wanted to put that behind him and focus on his husband and what they had together here. Smiling softly, he risked a small kiss but managed to keep his steps properly. “Let us enjoy this dance, and perhaps we can take a little stroll around the refreshments between dances, hm? An mm… Pleasant way to spend the evening.”