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

[woo_oo]

They are?

[This is fascinating!]

Is it because you're so tall?

[woo_oo]

Well, if it's another story he wants...

"Uncle Scrooge and his business rival, Flintheart Glomgold were playing against each other, and we all got teleported to another realm where if we didn't finish the course, we'd all be turned into stone."

[woo_oo]

I'm dressed to impress, so gimmie your best!

[She grabs him by the hand and SPRINTS to that dance floor-!]

[king_of_egypt]

Thank you, Kaiba. For showing me this surprising talent you possess.

[With their gratitude exchanged it looked as if they would soon part ways for the time being]

Oh? [Tilting his head to one side as his curiosity was piqued] Tomorrow then. [Nodding to that]

Please enjoy the rest of the evening.

[king_of_egypt]

[Panic seemed to flash through the girl's eyes, and Atem hoped she wasn't feeling too pressured into this. A dance was harmless, and if she'd consent to it, she would see as much. So again he was patient with her, and awaited her answer in silence as a variety of thoughts must have flashed through her mind.

He receives his answer first as a touch of her hand in his, that seems to make his own smile brighten that much more. Maybe he could show her that there was more to enjoy at a dance than the food, but afterwards maybe he would take her example in the reverse. It wasn't as if Atem had made much of an effort to experience all the evening had to offer either, and it would be easier to do so with a new, and pleasant companion]

Then shall we? [Letting her know that he was about to lead her to the dance floor a moment before he did so. Just as he promised, he would start slow, showing her the individual steps, before using them all in rhythm to repeat the pattern]

[king_of_egypt]

[There were a series of factors playing into their interaction that neither one of them really had any control over. Either way that wouldn't alleviate any guilt either one of them may have been feeling]

[Yugi's grip tightens again, and were he of a larger build or stature it might have been crushing, but Atem could handle it.] ... because it will have to be. I'll personally assure that it is, not just for me but for you as well. [He owes much to Yugi, and he doesn't want to do anything that might interfere with his happiness] .... [He's silent for a few moments longer] It's not more than I can bear. [Though he wanted to argue that he wasn't hurting at all, it would have been a blatant lie]

[It did take a lot, admitting that you thought a couple was right for each other when it meant further separating yourself. To have what you desire so close to you and not being able to do anything about it.] Think... nothing of it.. Yugi. I mean it.

[king_of_egypt]

[Atem stumbled forward as she yanked him with a force he didn't think the young duck capable of, but once he found his footing he hurried to keep up with her. It wasn't the most dignified entry to the dance floor.]

Noted!

[king_of_egypt]

That much was understandable. They all had to undergo an adjustment period to their new surroundings which varied from person to person. Atem hadn't managed to meet all of the earliest arrivals either. "That's the house that focuses on magic in terms of musical attributes isn't it?" Conversely, Atem simply didn't have a last name to offer. It was something that could confound archaeologists later when they tried to discern which pharaoh came in which order later. Especially since the king's list might omit a certain nameless pharaoh. But, no. In this instance Tenn omitting his last name didn't seem that peculiar. "It's nice to officially meet you Tenn."

That explains some of Tenn's interest in this section of the school. It makes Atem think maybe he was being a little overly cautious before. "Are you a singer?" If Tenn excelled at an instrument he didn't seem to have brought it with him on this excursion- as one wouldn't were practicing not their aim.

"I can think of one easy way.... were the channels of the river only large enough," Which undoubtedly they were not. Eyes scanning the other passageways Atem realizes what a arduous search this may be. The ghost dragon likely didn't have to concern itself with physical barriers or limitations. It could traverse this area much swifter than it's pursuers.

[king_of_egypt]

[He emitted a light laugh at that]

Well, that is true. Enjoyment is paramount to all else. Speaking for myself, I am in fact having fun. [Hoping that it was the same for her] Thank you again for the invitation.

[treno_nobleman]

[Well now he truly is baffled. What else could she explain about that song to him that wouldn't sound terrible? He had a feeling there was more to it than this or else she wouldn't have come to him looking like she felt so guilty about a few things. When they'd parted ways the last time, he had assumed that they would see each other again in the classroom and that would be that and he was content with it.]

[But this wasn't the act of a mere classmate or even a concerned lab partner. Kuja stared at Isabel a moment more, then fitted the rose to a pocket on his coat and offered her his arm, to escort her inside.]

You came dressed to enjoy the occasion as well, I see. Might I escort you inside?

[puzzlers]

[ ASDFGHJKL. it takes a lot to keep from tripping over himself as she drags him to the dance floor, but by some miracle he manages! he'll do his best to show her a good time. he knows a varied assortment of dances, so that should at least be fun!

[treno_nobleman]

[He sighed and pinned the letters to his chest, folding his arms over them to keep them from falling until he could get to a trash bin.]

Have your parents been brought here as well, then? You speak as though they are, but I thought you were Sundered.

[king_of_egypt]

That's true too. I'm sure they must have their own stories behind them and why they became traditions. [It was an interesting subject to say the least] As do I, now that you bring it up.

[It was at this point that Atem realized he might have gotten a little too used to battling with monsters in his own world...] Oh, no. That would be dreadful. [At least he didn't want any innocent people getting involved or injured in the process.]

We haven't even figured out why we were brought here in the first place...

[outofyourshadow]

There had been a time, not even that long ago, where she might have been embarrassed to be seen holding hands with Webby. But now...she didn't want to let go either.

[outofyourshadow]

"Well, I'm not much of a follower, but..."

She was definitely trying, letting him guide her in what to do as they moved to the music.

[outofyourshadow]

"Hopefully it's not too hard to figure out."

Though she hadn't been expecting a slow song. She hesitated for a brief moment before taking his hand and following his direction.

[outofyourshadow]

She shrugged. "I mean, that's part of it. But sometimes, people can be attracted to each other after getting to know them. Knowing more about someone might even make them more attractive."

Not that she really knew anything about that, and honestly, it was kind of weird to talk about. But Orisa was still learning things about people, so Lena didn't mind this time.

[outofyourshadow]

"I mean, not a lot. But I've been getting better."

Luckily the song that was currently playing was a bit more upbeat, which Lena had a bit more experience with.

...He didn't have to know that most of her dancing experience came from this evening.

[outofyourshadow]

"Actually, yeah. I didn't really expect to, but the night hasn't been so bad."

Dare she say, she was actually having...fun?

[shiningkindness]

To be honest, she wasn't entirely sure what to do either. She knew that some girls would walk holding onto their date's arm, but that was probably a bit too intimate. They were just friends here, after all.

So with a smile, she nodded and stepped over to cross the bridge with him towards the Great Hall.

[shiningkindness]

She giggled. "Maybe." She certainly wouldn't mind. "But let's see how their first date goes first."

[shiningkindness]

Her smile brightened a bit. "You too definitely deserve to be happy. I hope things continue to work out for you. If you either of you need anything, just let me know. I'd be happy to help."

[shiningkindness]

"I mean, I suppose...I'm still trying to get him to stop doing that, though. Even if he really likes wine, it's no excuse for stealing."

[shiningkindness]

As Sunset pulled away, Fluttershy gave her a smile.

"I know you won't."

With a gentle squeeze of Sunset's hands of her own, she then giggled softly and gently spun her, once again moving in time with the music.

[shiningkindness]

She nodded. "Oh yes, I'm having a wonderful time. It's nice seeing everyone having such a good time."

She could kind of understand now how Pinkie Pie felt when she was throwing a party, getting to see people having fun.