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?
doubled_speed: (Default)

[personal profile] doubled_speed 2023-02-03 06:58 pm (UTC)(link)
More points need to be given to people who are clearly not ancient and still rock the snow white hair. Snow-bros.

"The legacy of your people?"
usestwohands: (pic#7159164)

[personal profile] usestwohands 2023-02-04 05:00 am (UTC)(link)
He's not used to being called handsome, or considered anything of the sort, really, and it doesn't even occur to him.

"The Drow are known at best as ruthless marauders, and at worst demon-worshipping masters of magic, as cold and lightless as the world we call home. I don't fault people for their perception, it's well-warranted, but I long ago forsook my people."
doubled_speed: (Default)

[personal profile] doubled_speed 2023-02-05 03:01 am (UTC)(link)
"So, basically what you're saying is that there's a stereotype of your people and you don't feel like it's fair? That sounds pretty common."

It's not a problem to break the whole mold. Most molds are stupid.
usestwohands: (pic#7159214)

[personal profile] usestwohands 2023-02-05 04:25 am (UTC)(link)
"No. It is fair, but I am not like them." It's far more complicated than simply misunderstanding a race. They assume he is like the rest, but he isn't.
doubled_speed: (Default)

[personal profile] doubled_speed 2023-02-06 01:04 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, grats on the 'not all' whatever culture you are. Just gotta ask, why do they choose to be like that?"

Because it's important to understand in his opinion.
usestwohands: (pic#7159169)

[personal profile] usestwohands 2023-02-12 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"That answer is murkier than you might believe. None truly know." He frowned, looking out over the frozen city below. "The Drow tell of a great betrayal by their surface brethren that drove them underground where they found their goddess and their savior, who showed them how evil their surface cousins were and taught them to rule the dark." He scoffed. "Propaganda."
doubled_speed: (Default)

[personal profile] doubled_speed 2023-02-13 09:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sounds a lot like it," he agreed with a nod. Because that was pretty standard propaganda.

"Even you aren't immune to propaganda. It's a joke back home, but it's true as well."
usestwohands: (pic#7159168)

[personal profile] usestwohands 2023-02-15 02:38 am (UTC)(link)
"I wasn't immune, but it...felt wrong. Knowing the truth now as I do, I know why."

He arched a delicate eyebrow, though. "A joke? How so?"
doubled_speed: (Default)

[personal profile] doubled_speed 2023-02-15 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
That sounds like a lot of tension to have to live through. Tommy would pity the guy if he wasn't clearly strong enough to handle it.

"The whole thing, it's called a meme. It's there to be a joke that also sorta pokes at society or common cultural knowledge or some shit."
usestwohands: (pic#7159135)

[personal profile] usestwohands 2023-02-16 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
He believed he understood what Tommy was getting at (he did not) and nodded.

"Irony."
doubled_speed: (Default)

[personal profile] doubled_speed 2023-02-16 04:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"Exactly! You get it!" he says with a grin.
usestwohands: (pic#7159200)

[personal profile] usestwohands 2023-02-21 01:45 am (UTC)(link)
"Somehow, I doubt that is true, but I thank you for saying so." He smiles, though, to spite himself.
doubled_speed: (Default)

[personal profile] doubled_speed 2023-02-21 05:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Tommy laughs and shakes his head. "Nah, I think you do. And that's nice."
usestwohands: (✘ So many lies and I see through them)

[personal profile] usestwohands 2023-02-28 12:40 am (UTC)(link)
He chuckles again, before nodding. "If you say so, my friend."
doubled_speed: (Default)

[personal profile] doubled_speed 2023-02-28 07:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"I do," Tommy said with a shrug and a smile.