Dance Dance Reprobation

[magicademymods]

The Twilight Ball Arrival The Promenade has been transformed. Literally. With Modification. Ha ha. Cough. Crickets. Toad familiars eat the crickets. Circle of life. Animals bow before singing lions. You get the idea. Neither tree nor stone form the Promenade now. It is instead a long bridge over a shallow and brilliant pool, the gentle ripples of which catch the afternoon sun and scatter it into a million highlights that play over the Great Hall, the bridge, and those who walk down it. There is no formal receiving line, merely a gentle procession of people across the bridge at whatever speed feels comfortable, slowly making their way to the Great Hall. The Great Hall itself has been enchanted to be completely invisible while one is inside it, save for the outline of doors so people can actually find their way out through means other than smacking their noses into the invisible walls till they find a place with no resistance. Thus the twilight for which the ball is named will show all around the dancers, while they are protected from any errant breezes, faint hints of rain, or slime monsters that might otherwise threaten the festivity. Come in. Find your date and get comfortable. The fun is just beginning. Let the Revels Begin After Headmaster Birony welcomes everyone with a speech about she's going to get on her boat, go upriver, and kick that sonuvabitch Bison's ass so HORDT that the next Bison-wannabe is gonna feel it, the dance formally begins with a peppy number designed to get people out and moving. The orchestra here comprises some of the finest players available anywhere in the world, thanks to the whole Valhudor shtick and graduates of said house, and the music is infectious as it drifts through the slowly-darkening air. But as the dance progresses, they play something for everyone. Martial waltzes and slow dance ballroom numbers. Powerful tunes to lose yourself in, and gentle melodies that slip beneath conversation and encourage intimacy and closeness. Professors Trammel and King treat everyone to an exhibition of what an Earth resident might call 'swing dancing on amphetamines' and many students do call 'the closest I have ever come to death'. No pause for speeches, no announcements or interruptions -- just a steady stream of music, bringing dates and lovers together in dance, as the sun sets and casts the room into gentle and romantic twilight. Also a dolphin and a whale are swimming through the floor and they, too, are unmistakably dancing. If this is the weirdest thing you've seen all night, you need your eyes checked. "Food! One of the food tables has been discreetly slid against a wall, where it positively shudders under the weight of a massive buffet open to everyone. The food here tends towards the light, such as fish and vegetables, cucumber sandwiches and thin-sliced meats. Things that will give you energy without weighing you down, so you can keep dancing till the dawn comes. At one end of the table, an owl the size of a cupboard sits on a perch, serenely watching the varied drinks laid out for consumption. 'Spiking the punch' is so cliche that no one is going to pretend it won't happen or the students will behave on their honor, so here you get a chaperone. Even so, this whole area is a popular gathering spot for those between dances or partners, drawing steady attention throughout the night. Meanwhile, Elsewhere Shockingly, not everyone has found that loving feeling, asked out an attractive someone, and gone to the dance with romance on their minds. The rest of the campus, and of course Anastara itself, remain open as normal... and perhaps even less-minded than normal. The faculty, the familiars, the cleaning golems -- almost all attention is on the dance itself. If there's mischief to manage, now would be the perfect time... or just something else besides wallflowering and missing out. Wait, Wasn't There a Ghost Dragon and an Off-Brand Shoggoth? Professor King managed to find a way around the protoplasmic ooze's resistance to magic and splatted it (with no small amount of help from students and faculty!). The dragon disappeared into the caverns beneath the Magicademy. That certainly isn't ominous and won't inspire anyone to go down there, will it? Don't fall in the river down there. Please don't fall in the river.

Comments

[darkenedmoon]

Hendrik only earned himself something of a scathing look at that. He did not know? When so often he was right behind Eleven, whether Eleven wanted it or not? How could he not know?!

Well. That could be dealt with later, perhaps. For now, Eleven looked as if he'd run away if given the chance. So Yotsuyu was not about to allow him it.

Perhaps she'd apologize later. Did she believe for a moment that it was the nothing he claimed? Not for a second. She'd heard enough, as it were, as she had approached the two. But there was no need to announce anything--more than either of them had already.

"My dear young man...Eleven." Ugh. She was trying not to sound patronizing, but to her own ears, did not well succeed. Reaching out to grasp his shoulders, she leaned in, as if to whisper a secret to him. The truth wasn't very far off.

"If you had died when your World Tree fell, make no mistake...you would recall it. You may ask me how I know this? I know--because I did perish, before I came here--and I recall every excruciating moment."

But she'd saved the last of her waning strength for her dear brother, the architect of her ruin, and he'd gotten the fate he so richly deserved. Even as she had.

"So if you do not have that certainty, in and of yourself--you did not die. Did someone question you about that?" As to whether or not he was really at fault for Yggdrasil--Yotsuyu would pick and choose her battles, and the first sally had been made, so she would see what that accomplished before she continued.

[stillnewatthis]

The statement was intended to be construed as such. [Pleased that she'd managed to communicate that effectively by implication rather than direct commentary, Orisa offers him her hand.] I have never had an opportunity like this before. It is entirely unanticipated. If you do not mind that I am adapting my programming in real-time, I would like to dance with you.

[stillnewatthis]

[Orisa is not without nuance to her understanding.]

Ultimately, the goal is to achieve maximum happiness, is it not?

[stillnewatthis]

Using what we have available, we adapt and improve!

[Orisa is surprisingly light on her feet, when she wishes to be; by alternating opposite front and back legs on each side, she bounds in place with a lot of movement but very little danger to others nearby. It also provides plenty of warning as she revolves with Eleven. All in all, she's quite graceful.]

[stillnewatthis]

Then we must alter that promptly.

[With their arrival on the dance floor, Orisa turns slowly enough that people can get out of her way. Few want to compete with someone her size and power for real estate, after all.]

[But she is surprisingly graceful as she faces him. Battle requires movements with precision as well as strength and speed.]

arrival

[woo_oo]

Hey, Lea!

[Webby bounces on over to him, full of glee and excitement.]

You're looking sharp! ... Am I using that correctly?

[puzzlers]

How about we have a chocolate fountain, so if somebody wants to make their food chocolate they can, but if they don't, well, they don't have to worry.

I love chocolate as much as the next person, but all chocolate might be a bit much. [ laughs. ]

[woo_oo]

"All hope seemed lost. It was if everything we did only made Tango angrier and angrier... until Fluttershy came up with a brilliant idea - spell of communication, so she could translate all the chirps and squeaks! I was ready to defend her, in case of trouble, but with one flawless work of the wand, she heard every word..."

A triumphant flourish, and big spin!

"... Turns out Tango wanted to ask Ballet to this dance."

[unswervingcompanion]

Hendrik closed his eyes as Yotsuyu spoke to Eleven. He couldn't hear what she was saying but whatever it was, he was grateful for her presence. And the knight made a mental note to make sure to thank her properly somehow.

But he basically waited while the two had been talking and moved off to give them both space in order to do so. Holding onto the railing as he looked out, the images of the Luminary dying hurt him. He'd come to care for his charge, but he couldn't say that they were friends because that wasn't in his oath. His oath had been to protect even at the cost of his own life. There wasn't any room for anything else in there.

The words that were spoken troubled him too. Why was Eleven so worked up about everything now? He'd never said a word back home about his abilities and Hendrik admired the other's determination and resilience. If the Tree falling was anyone's fault, it was his. He'd led Mordegon straight to the Tree while trying to apprehend Jasper.

Being the Luminary couldn't be easy and it was only now that the knight was giving thought as to what some of the issues were. But there was one thing he knew for sure, the boy had not died.

[unswervingcompanion]

Hendrik chuckled low just for a moment. "It is good to see that you have a friend that you believe in so strongly."

And really, he was happy that Webby had someone like that in her life.

[woo_oo]

"We could be friends too, if you want!" And she did want!

[areasontohope]

"She's..really that good?" And the day that Fluttershy had basically saved him from that plant flashed through the silver-haired mind. It was the day he was just going out for a walk and hadn't thought to pack his wand. He had no idea that the plants had suddenly come alive and were on the prowl.

Yuki had just tried to wrestle the thing because that's all he had to keep it from bothering Fluttershy, but she'd pulled out her wand and helped him out a lot.

So his head turned towards the swimming pair after Webby did her spin. He was certainly glad he didn't have to go through all of that to ask Fluttershy to this dance.

Turning back to Webby, he tried a smile. "At least their story seems to have a happy ending."

[woo_oo]

Absolutely! And we'll all get it, one way or another!

[bearshermark]

Eleven's eyes met Yotsuyu's, then closed, pained. An unsteady breath escaped him, jaw clenching against the tide of emotion closing up his throat. The woman before him was dead, with no recourse left for her. He couldn't save her, just as he couldn't save any of the lives that were surely lost when the World Tree fell.

His hand again went to the center of his chest, the heel of his palm pressing hard against the heart still beating there. But something else was missing.

"I.." He cleared his throat again, willing steadiness to a voice that could only strain through the dam of checked emotion. "There's someone that thinks everyone here has died, and I- before I came here, I know I was at least gravely injured. For Hendrik, time is different. But I lost it- the power everyone is depending on. And I don't know how to.."

He stopped the moment his voice broke, hands moving to cover his face and stifle shuddering breaths. "I- I just can't do it!"

[sevenyearsasleep]

"Of course!"

Being a social outcast for the first ten years of his life made him extremely eager to have all the friends he could make.

[darkenedmoon]

"Then perhaps he is a madman. How can he know the fate of all? I have heard naught of any godlings here." And it might just be hubris, but Yotsuyu did believe that she would have least heard of that. Assuming the priests had had nothing to say about it, as well. And while she did not entirely trust those at the Academy, why would they lie, when they were working so very hard to correct their mistake?

She had, however, caught wind of a lunatic, and she had a sneaking suspicion that Eleven had met him.

She tugged him closer and patted Eleven's back, soothingly. "Oh, Hendrik." Yotsuyu sighed softly at that. "Do you truly think that man has a lying bone in his body? I do not, and I certainly think I would know that, as well. I have told you I was hardly a good person in the past."

Really, it was only as she lay dying that she had regretted any of her actions. But she had not had choices, then. Choices that she had now. Eleven had choices here, too, though it was clear he could not see them. But pain and fear? Those things were easy to make one blind. Oh, Yotsuyu knew that only too well...she could not reproach him for things that she had felt herself.

"So do not. I cannot specifically say why I am here, but have we not touched on the fact that you might be here to gain a reprieve? No one is going to make you run back to your world and take up the mantle you are not ready to wear!" Yotsuyu gave Eleven's shoulders a gentle shake, aware now that he was panicking, at least a little.

Not that she could blame him, either. The thought of being such a savior might be daunting to anyone, and he was still a boy. Hendrik might batter Eleven about his ears with oaths and duty, but Yotsuyu was not given to such things.

"Yes. I can see how time might flow differently." After all, Alphinaud had come from a different time as well. She caught Eleven's gaze, yellow eyes serious. "Hendrik would not lie to you. He might bully you, because he thought it what you needed. But lie? No. If he says you survived, you must have. Time and care would have healed whatever wounds you had at Yggdrasil's fall. So there is that."

Her lips thinned a little, then. She was not convinced, after all, that Eleven had lost the power he had. After all, while there were any number of charming children about, there was something about him as well. It had drawn her in, when there were any number of others she could dismiss. She couldn't put her finger on it. But it was likely he wouldn't thank her for telling him such. Not now. Let her be the manipulative one--Yotsuyu always had been good at that, hadn't she? But it was for good, now, not selfish reasons. Still, the thought of it made her grit her teeth slightly.

"You need not do it now. You need not do it for months--how are we to know how long we will be here? Hendrik is who he is, he must remind you. It is part of who he is." All duty and sworn oaths and honor. Sometimes, it was a wonder that she could tolerate the man at all. "It is a painful and bitter cup that has been given unto you, I know, but I think the spark is still within you. Quiescent, not lost. But you do need reprieve, and if I can shelter and comfort you, I shall do my best for you. Always."

[unswervingcompanion]

Hearing that someone thought everyone here was dead concerned the knight deeply. It bothered him to his very core that he would've failed in his duty if his charge had fallen. For the life of him, he wished he knew how to comfort the Luminary but thankfully Yotsuyu was already taking care of that. So when he heard the boy say that he couldn't do it, it felt like his own knightly heart broke into a thousand pieces. Someone here had shaken Eleven to his core and this made him growl softly and clench his hands into fists. Someone was going to pay for this, he just had to find out who was responsible.

Slowly he walked over to Yotsuyu and his charge and listened to when she spoke. He wasn't comfortable with being called a bully, he was merely trying to get the Luminary to be tougher and stronger, better able to take care of himself so that Hendrik could back off like the other wanted him to. To do so would never sit well with him, but if his presence caused more pain than it helped, he just wanted to make sure Eleven could stand on his own and take care of himself. The boy hadn't really shown that capability ranging from bullies to assassins.

Hendrik was cheered a little to hear of Yotsuyu's faith in him and he nodded to the painful and bitter cup comment. Moving over to the Luminary now, Hendrik kneeled though he didn't lower his head and did not attempt to touch his charge.

"If my presence causes you more pain than anything, then I shall take my leave of your side. I am only trying to keep you safe, that is my sworn duty. But whoever has rattled you to your bones to have you question your own existence shall pay a heavy price. That I vow."

[talkyourwayout]

Louie couldn't help the snort of amusement that came as Webby explained her reasoning behind the dress. It was good to hear that she was still the same friend he knew.

"Makes sense," he agreed, smiling. "So, before you go all supernova-" A pause there, he glanced at Webby to wordlessly check if he was using the right word. "-do you want to go inside?"

[woo_oo]

"Yeah, come on!" She grabbed his wrist, and it was clearly taking every ounce of willpower not to run inside. Instead, she forced herself to walk like a normal person.

"I bet it's all pretty and cool inside!"

[talkyourwayout]

There are a few reasons for Louie to ask about it, honestly. He's genuinely curious, as he considers Yugi a friend and Kaiba a valuable ally - but on that note, it's also just good business to at least act interested in things important to a potential business partner. Besides, maybe he'll gain some insight on his crush on Webby.

Speaking of...

"That's cute. Yeah, I came with Webs, but can we get back to the ancient shadow magic thing for a second?" he sounded casual as he asked, keeping up his guard, but the words had given him a start. "Sounds like something we have in common. What's that like in your world?"

[talkyourwayout]

He chuckled. "Cool. I'm Louie Duck, by the way - I don't think we've met."

[talkyourwayout]

"Tenn," Louie repeated - well, he'd heard names here that were just as strange. He paused a moment; he hadn't considered exactly what would be best to learn. But it was Louie, so he eventually decided on what looked easiest.

"Um, well... How about those spins?"

[talkyourwayout]

Louie nodded, keeping up the pace. "Sure, and hopefully there's some good stuff to eat, too!"

He'd been impressed, so far, with the kind of food here. Some of it looked weird, but it was almost always tasty.

[woo_oo]

Inside did not disappoint, as far as Webby was concerned. The invisible walls allowed them to be really be among the stars and sky, and she wound up unknowingly squeezing Louie's hand in delight.

"Wow," she breathed, her smile getting bigger, "It's so beautiful!"

[talkyourwayout]

It was ridiculously cliche, but as Webby voiced her appreciation for the view, Louie's eyes were on their clasped hands.

"It is, isn't it?"

He quickly averted his gaze, looking around to take in as much as he could. "You wanna, uh... I mean, we could dance. If you want."