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]

Thinking about it for a moment, she nodded. "Well, it certainly couldn't hurt. I do really like Tango, and so does Ballet, so if he can stay around, that'd be good for all of us."

[shiningkindness]

"Oh yes, we're friends. We met when we all first arrived, and we've helped each other out a few times. He's very nice."

Not many people could really say that about Seto, but Fluttershy certainly means it.

[shiningkindness]

She can only shrug to that. "Well, it helps that Tango and Ballet are...dating now?"

She wasn't entirely sure how courtship between familiars work. Do they date like people do?

"Though I really wish he'd stop stealing wine..."

[outofyourshadow]

With a laugh of her own, she straightened up a bit.

"As long as that includes food breaks."

But honestly, dancing with Webby all night didn't sound so bad.

[outofyourshadow]

With a grin, she nods. "Okay. But I'm here if you need me."

As they step out onto the dance floor, she shrugs a bit. "Wish I can promise the same thing, but uh...this is all still a bit new to me. So sorry in advance."

It also doesn't help that she's wearing boots.

[outofyourshadow]

She can't help raising an eyebrow. "Maybe...but I don't think we really know each other well enough for anything like that."

[outofyourshadow]

She gives him an almost expectant look. "So...wanna?"

Yes, that's how she's asking.

[outofyourshadow]

She met his hand with hers - it's a rule not to leave people hanging, after all.

"Yeah, no problem. This is a lot better than whatever we were doing before."

[bearshermark]

Eleven frowned. "..He shattered it, once he'd taken the Sword of Light. Like my power was nothing to him, even before he consumed Yggdrasil's heart."

He breathed a sigh and met Hendrik's eyes. "I only remember falling, then awaking in Noa. I don't know how it was that I survived."

[woo_oo]

"Maybe you'll wind up with a whole family of familiars!" They were magic animals, who said they couldn't breed?

[woo_oo]

"Oh, right, I totally forgot about the food! We better carb up!"

Holding onto Lena's hand, she raced to the food table - not even thinking of letting Lna go even once.

[darkenedmoon]

That had her furrowing her brow. Yotsuyu did not release Eleven--not unless he felt self-conscious and wanted to go, that, then, would be fine--but clearly things were still percolating through that clever and devious mind of hers.

"I know you are not certain of any of this, Eleven, but...things that are magical in nature thusly...have a chance of repairing themselves, given time. Though I only became a mage of any sort once I came here, mind. So I could be wrong."

He was one of the few people here she refused to lie to. There were those who were on a very short list, but there it was.

It might be hubris--she had that in spades, Yotsuyu knew, but there was something telling her that Eleven's power was not as absent as he thought it might be.

[noasark]

"Ah-" Oh!

Oh no! Of course it's how she's asking. And of course, since he actually thinks she's cool to hang around, he'd really rather not say 'no'.

That would be Rude.

"I... ...I suppose we could," he answers somewhat lamely, looking more alarmed than hesitant at least. "I wouldn't know what kinds of dances should be paired to this music though..." But if either of them can figure out Some way to start, he'll try his best to follow along.

"...Have you danced before?"

[treno_nobleman]

[If he was honest with himself, he had thought that Isabel was thoroughly done with him after their last conversation. It was just as well, since his own understanding of the encounter had framed her in his mind as a terrible person. When she approached him that evening, as he made his way to the promenade, and offered him an apology and a rose, it came as a surprise.]

[Kuja looked between Isabel and the flower twice each before reaching out a hand slowly to accept the gift.]

I must admit, I did not expect this. But you are very considerate, and I will accept your apology. [Automatic courtesy. He didn't know if their acquaintanceship had shifted with this or if this was something she was doing simply to clear the air for her own purposes.]

[unswervingcompanion]

Hendrik's jaw clenched when he mentioned Yggdrasil and lowered his head. "I led Mordegon to the Tree so if this is anyone's fault, it is mine." He had no way of knowing the monster had been 'wearing' the king as skin so to speak and had no idea that Jasper was as bad as he was. But all had pretty much been revealed there at the Tree. Even Hendrik had taken a hit from Mordegon disguised as the king from behind.

His eyes looked over the Luminary as his hands clenched into fists. "I was foolish and I could not save you so I was indeed relieved to see you reappear at the Last Bastion." Even if he couldn't say these same words back home, at least they were spoken now.

[areasontohope]

He couldn't help but stare at her for a few moments while trying to digest this information. Webby's freshly spoken words swirled around in his head for a few moments before he could come up with something to say.

"It..it's not?"

[areasontohope]

When Fluttershy gestured, his gaze followed and then he turned back to look at her. "Let's..get going then."

Should he hold out his hand? Would she think the wrong thing if he did? Touching others still wasn't something he was used to, so he moved aside to give her some room and smiled.

"Let's go see everything then."

[blue_ice]

Should you?

[ Kaiba smiles as he pulls back, straightening his coat. ]

I'll see you later. There's something I want to discuss with you tomorrow.

[ He's still smiling in his understated way. It's nothing too serious, don't worry. ]

[blue_ice]

"I did..."

Kaiba's a little unused to all this attention, but every time Yugi is mentioned he can't help but look over at him. No matter what's going on, he always seems to draw people in like a magnet.

"He's clearly the better half in this situation, and I won't dispute it. Never a dull moment."

But then he looks back at her. "I trust you're not bored?"

[burningbrighter]

"Mm. I think I'd want there to be a Harmonious constellation." Something bright and beautiful that reminds her of her friends.

"What name would you pick?"

[blue_ice]

And you use it well.

[ How are they going so fast? How is he keeping up, even? Sure, she's strong enough to pull him along easily, but...wow. ]

Your date had to be impressed.

[ If they weren't, they weren't worth it.]

[blue_ice]

Kaiba looked over at Louie for a good moment. There it was. Someone with a sensible perspective. He smiled appreciatively.

"Glad you've kept your head. But with all the chaos all around us, the best course is to master it ourselves to protect ourselves and our...companions."

[blue_ice]

I have. Yugi worked hard tonight. Between us, I'm the aristocratic snob, so to speak...but he did his part.

[ Kaiba was a fair dancer, twirling her at just the right times and keeping an easy rhythm going. ]

And you've done a fair job yourself, Isabel.

[ That was how to compliment a lady's formal wear, right? Right? Sorry, he doesn't usually do this. ]

[burningbrighter]

"Fluttershy..."

Gosh, this was embarrassing. Sunset clung to her tightly.

"You're the best. I'm so lucky that you gave me another chance...all of you did, to be the best person I could be. I promise you I won't waste it."

She pulled back with a tiny smile, squeezing her hands. Ready to dance some more?

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

Oh, I try, but I'm used to having a bit of help with my formal wardrobe. [She's aware he's probably struggling a bit, so Isabel takes it in stride. Besides, he's so serious, it kind of makes her laugh. Amused, not offended or offensive. But honestly, her dad or mom did help her with formal stuff. She could handle herself well in most other situations.]

Honestly, Seto, I've met worse snobs in my time. Some of the real old money types back home turned up their noses at me plenty of times, and I'm third generation at least! You seem fine to me. Besides, isn't the entire point of all this to entertain? I'd think enjoyment was paramount. And I sure am enjoying myself!