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

[shiningkindness]

Blushing faintly as he tied it for her, she nodded. "O-Oh yes...thank you."

Then, as she readjusted the corsage slightly so it rested comfortably on her wrist, she gently fingered the soft petals.

"They really are quite lovely."

[shiningkindness]

Fluttershy couldn't help a soft giggle. "Oh, I'm sure I'm not the only person to have more than one familiar," she replied. "Even if it might be a rare occurrence. But with how long this place has existed, I doubt that it's never happened before."

[shiningkindness]

She smiles with a nod. "Well, I'm really happy for you guys. I'm so glad you two are comfortable enough now to show you're together around other people. I think it's very sweet."

[shiningkindness]

"Actually, Tango has been around a lot more. He'd left for a little while after that day when they worked it out, but he came back and has been hanging around ever since. He's even been helping me a bit, like Ballet does."

[shiningkindness]

Oh, I see. [Even so, she giggles.] Though I think some school dances also have different meanings for different things, depending on the school and the time of year. I wonder how school dances between other countries would be different.

I...kind of hope it's not a lot. There are a lot of things we have to worry about already, without adding monsters into it.

[shiningkindness]

She was still frowning a bit, but returned the hug. With Sunset so close, though, she said, "I know...and it's okay if you don't find someone special like that. After all, no one has to be in a romantic relationship to be happy. But if you don't...I just hope it's because you decide that you don't want it, and not because you feel like you don't deserve it."

Then she gave Sunset an extra squeeze.

"Because you are different now...and you do deserve to be happy."

[blue_ice]

Good. Then may I ask one more favor of you?

[ He leans forward to whisper to her. ]

His birthday's on June 4th. I'm definitely not a party planner, but I'm hoping to give him a quiet night with his...ah. Friends.

[shiningkindness]

[Her eyes widen a bit, and a smile breaks out across her face.]

Oh...! Okay. [She nods.] I'd love to attend whatever you're doing for him.

[woo_oo]

Absolutely! I'll put all my knowledge and hunger into it!

[She's s excited. And she just can't fight it.]

[woo_oo]

That's so cool! If you discover something brand new, you'll probably get to name it!

[woo_oo]

Great! Let's go!

[A perfect distraction from Sad Thoughts. She grabs his wrist and runs to the dance floor.]

[woo_oo]

Now it was Webby's turn to be completely thrown off. She blinked wildly, confused.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

I may have to delay this thread a little while waiting for Action results

[perfectenn]

"We haven't." Tenn confirms. Now that he thought of it, he'd seen the boy around for months now... one of the first arrivals? Everything was confusing then; he had not been able to meet everyone. "I am Tenn from Valhudor." And the first name basis is fine; if he's been increasingly leaving his family name off his introductions... well, surely no one notices this way.

Apparently unconcerned by the equipment, Tenn glances at him. "A few of the lab rooms have good acoustics." Says the Valhudor member with confidence. Yes, he knows that’s not what is being asked. But that is the main reason he comes down here; sometimes the Music Room is too crowded for his tastes.

Back to the matter at hand, he swings the light around, observing the branching off rooms and passages. "The river travels through these lower areas. I have not been to all the rooms it reaches." Echoing faintly, he can hear the rushing of water. "I've heard the water can be used to aid spells, and the Forges are not the only place it serves a purpose. Though, an underground river is difficult to track. And it's hard to say how many of the rumors have any truth to them."

[perfectenn]

Distraction? Tenn raises his eyebrows. A house should be far more than a mere diversion. The influence from his house is why he's been able to pick up Fantastics so quickly despite his non-magical origins. There is no substitute for being saturated in its culture every day. He knows Ka is held to much stricter guidelines (the students can’t pull off spells like Valhudor’s burst in song), but surely Makerion Keep holds many things of interest.

"I don't doubt the focus of the students summoning goblins and cherubs is misplaced." Tenn replies. Was that humor? Hard to say when his expression is deadpan. "But I think those accidents prove why the research is progressing slowly." And why he's putting off drawing those cursed circles as long as he can. See: the teleporting last month. "If you consider Ka’s expertise and culture to be a mere diversion, and the research teams’ effects unsatisfactory, do you have another source to look to?"

The last person duck he presented that question to couldn't give him an answer to that. He expects the same here.

[woo_oo]

Webby gave off a little giggle before pulling her head back a bit.

"C'mon, let's keep going! I want to dance with you all night long!"

And forever and ever if she could. Wouldn't that be grand?

[woo_oo]

"Still, I'd say it's something worth looking into." A bit of playful elbow nudging here. "Give it a try!"

[bearshermark]

Eleven breathes and tries to focus. He wasn't having such trouble before- he knows these steps, Tenn isn't dragging him into territory too advanced- but perhaps it's natural to feel stiff when his partner moves so fluidly. Or, it could simply be the fact that he's not focused because nerves have the better of him.

It's just a friendly spar.

With another breath, Eleven concentrates on dropping the tension holding his body captive and heeds Tenn's advice to close his eyes. It's difficult at first, eyes falling closed only for moments at a time, until he realizes that yes, it is easier to concentrate on the music and movements when he can't physically see his partner.

Slowly, Eleven's steps ease into the rhythm and follow Tenn's. It takes a touch longer to manage it without thought, but when they do, he allows his eyes to open again.

"Another dance," he bargains with a smile. "After this one, to make up for it."

[noasark]

They have the same face Spyro.

The Same Face-

Noa looks for a moment like he'd rather refuse more company, but after an internal debate that goes on for about ten seconds behind his eyes he simply nods. "Light, certainly- glyphs, not so much...so you'd be right there," he concedes. "I've also asked Adelai to provide us with a simple option for keeping our path."

The penguin among them gives a quiet croak, and holds a large ball of twine. If it worked for Theseus...

[noasark]

"There is good food at least," he notes, eyeing Lena almost cautiously when she asks that last question.

"....Not yet..."

He certainly...Can dance, if he has to, but...

[stillnewatthis]

[Orisa laughs, hand to where a mouth would be on a human head as her legs tromp a counterclockwise beat. Then she moves to catch up with Webby. Dancing it is!]

[stillnewatthis]

"I see. Are you certain? It may be true but he may also be hiding a fear of rejection beneath a veil of casualness."

Orisa wanted to be helpful! And didn't realize that suggesting such things wasn't really that!

[stillnewatthis]

[Though Orisa can't smile, her upper body wiggles slightly in evident delight at the compliment.]

I do possess the advantage of knowing the full range of motions of each joint and the precise tolerance of each servomotor.

[stillnewatthis]

It is less difficult for a war omnic. I am aware of my precise movements and fault tolerances. Adapting to the different partners has been interesting, but I have found that the intentions count far more than the precision. If we are having fun, I'm all good.

[pawper]

[Her eyes, wide and blue and stunned, drop from Atem's face to his hand, staring at it as though he had instead offered her a wiggling, singing trout. It'd be an honor? To dance? With her? That wasn't a phrase that anyone's ever said to her before. It just wasn't, and there were reasons for that, and maybe he was just being polite, and she should really—

Something, some feeling, small and frail but silver-bright, rises up. Lys reaches out and takes his hand. Squeezes it lightly before she can remember to stop herself.]

....I think I'm the one being honored, here. But, yeah. I'd like that.

[puzzlers]

Then there's no way we can fail.

Is there anything else you'd like to see?