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

[noasark]

"In other words, not physically no," he answers, shrugging.

Adelai- and the fact that he's bothered joining really proves he's interested, even if it's in a stupid shoulder palanquin attached to a larger penguin- gives a firm nod.

Noa's nod is unnecessary. "I certainly am. Let's get to it, shall we?"

Hi- hoh!

[areasontohope]

"I wonder if that means that they expect us to be this good." It was definitely a goal to keep in mind if that was the case. Maybe the staff expected them to be this good to help with next year's Ball, should they still be here for some reason.

He nodded to Fluttershy's words. "It has to be a big deal if they put this much effort into it."

And as they walked over the bridge, they came to the place with the doors. Remembering what he was told by the King, he pulled the door open with a smile and held it for her to walk through.

"Ladies first."

[areasontohope]

"Well now that you put it that way, I wonder how many there are."

A moment passed before he had a thought.

"I suppose we can always look at the library."

[bearshermark]

"I'm all right," he assured, raising a self-conscious hand to smooth over his hair.

He offered his arm out to her in sudden memory of Hendrik's lessons. "..Did I thank you for inviting me here already?"

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

"I think so, but I don't remember now if you did or not!" she laughed. "I don't need more thanks, I'm just glad you like you had a good time." Even if it seemed a little tarnished there at the end for some reason she couldn't pinpoint. Isabel was still pretty sure it wasn't her fault, at least.

She took his arm with a grin. "I'm glad you came with me. I had fun too, you know."

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

"I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by that." It was a rueful expression that Dust earned from Isabel, then. He didn't seem to be the outgoing sort, and he was so mission-focused--talk about someone who didn't know how to lighten up!

But the fact that he was close enough to at least see some of the ball, even if he was practicing...well. He could hear the music, even if he wanted nothing else to do with it. It gave her hope.

"Well, there's always a next time, I guess. I probably should get back, but...hope you enjoy your snacks? I'll see you around, Dust."

[woo_oo]

Oh boy. She seized onto that idea - and his hands - right away.

"Do you want to study in the library together?"

[nomoremistergneissguy]

[He's entirely too game--and he could manage his sister in a twirl (any of them, really, Cliff is a sturdy young man)--Webby poses no challenge, though he doesn't do it so often he has to worry about getting her sick. It's just every few steps, he catches her carefully around the waist and twirls her through the air!]

There you go, good times, right? [There's another sight to be had, too--not just Tango and Ballet, but a flower-crowned Orisa and her 'date'--Cliff's familiar, Rounder, who's spinning around her feet with great care. Cliff can't help but chuckle at that.]

You know he asked her out to the dance? [He's a bit incredulous at that, but considering they seem to be having a great time, he can't argue.]

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

I asked someone here, but I suppose it doesn't matter if I wait for him inside or out--I'm sure he can find me either way.

[It wasn't as if Isabel and Eleven were meant to be glued together at the hip, anyway. He was supposed to have a good time, whatever that meant to him.]

I just...I wasn't thinking. I don't even know why I wanted to get a rise out of you back then. [But boy, Isabel did. In spades. Not that she hadn't deserved every bit of Kuja's ire, but it had bothered her. Even more than she let on now.]

I don't want to go on about it, but...I suppose I want you to know I'm sincere in my apology, at least.

[bearshermark]

He nodded and led them through one of the outlined doors to the outside proper.

"I'm glad." They certainly felt like words he'd said already, but it was difficult to be sure.

Much as he enjoyed the music indoors, it was nice to be outside where it was muted and only grew more distant with each step. He soon found himself unable to fill the silence however, and fumbled for something to say.

"I uh- I hope I didn't.. I mean, if you want to go back, I can just.."

[bearshermark]

"..It is. I've never seen magic like this in my world; I don't even know if it's even possible, so I'm glad I'm able to witness it here."

Eleven tore his eyes from the display to look Lea over and blinked. His suit was certainly brightly-colored, but Eleven smiled.

"I wonder how I missed you in that."

[bearshermark]

[He nods, shoulders easing as he's finally able to look away from the artifact- though his gaze will still dart down to it occasionally.]

..I'm sure you wouldn't, it's just that I.. [He glances to their hands a moment] I had powers of light, in my home world.

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

Isabel--who hadn't felt the need to fill the silence--turned a little and blinked at him.

"Are you okay? No, I'm fine, if I wanted to stay I could go back myself." Though she probably wouldn't. And the sound of a rustling in the bushes and a flash of copper eyes said that her familiar probably wasn't far away either, so she'd be fine whatever she decided.

"Eleven...is something wrong?" She tilted her head at him, truly concerned. She'd thought he'd had a good time, but something told her he wasn't entirely okay.

[bearshermark]

Her words offered some solace, though it was difficult to feel certain of anything. Hendrik even, felt responsible for Yggdrasil's fall.

Eleven shivered and stepped back from Yotsuyu's hold. "..I hope that's true. I think it's the pressure of it that's troubling me- that I don't know what to do, or how to save anyone."

His eyes flickered to Hendrik, then away. He breathed a sigh, fists curling. "I know I need to save Erdrea, I know everyone is counting on me- I'm not ever going to forget- but I can't, right now. I'm not even the Luminary here, I'm just.. Eleven."

[bearshermark]

The rustling drew his attention, head turning sharply, body stilling- and utterly destroying his attempt at calm.

Eleven breathed an agitated sigh and willed the rush of adrenaline to fade as he rubbed his face. He'd dropped their arms without realizing it and found he couldn't quite meet her eyes.

"I'm sorry," he said before anything, feeling like he might never stop apologizing- to her, to anyone. His fingers itched for something to fuss with and settled for curling them into his palm.

"I'm trying, but I think something might be wrong with me, after all. I just don't think I can do.. this."

[talkyourwayout]

"Oh! Wow, I didn't know, uh... I'm sorry, Jecht." The man may not seem bothered, but Louie still felt like an idiot. But how could have known that there were nonexistent people here, besides Lena?

Oh god, Lena.

"So you're just... Going to stay here forever? You don't think they'll be able to send you back home? Bring you back?"

[talkyourwayout]

Oh, gotcha. [Louie sighed, which was pretty much his reflex to the mention of "the research" by now. At least it hadn't been risky this month, though.] Oh man, you were asking Huey questions and stuff? You must've heard a lot.

[darkenedmoon]

She patted Eleven's shoulder, eyes flickering to Hendrik, briefly. Eleven didn't know how to save anyone? He wasn't the only one, she was certain. She was at least vaguely aware of what the knight wished. Whether she truly deserved it, or not.

"You are not the only one who does not know how to save people. I know the notable hero where I am from? The Warrior of Light? He could only do the best he could. Sometimes, that was enough." And there were times where it wasn't, and Yotsuyu was certain that he mourned when that was the case, as well. He'd certainly mourned Tsuyu right alongside the original Gosetsu.

"We discussed this once, you and I, did we not? You are Eleven. Not just Eleven. He is a very thoughtful young man--and capable, when he puts his mind to it! I know you do not think you are enough--but simply do what you can here. I pray that by the time you return to Erdrea, you will be the hero they need."

Yotsuyu knew there was enough pressure on Eleven without telling him that she believed he was perfectly capable of being a hero.

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

"Do what?" The sharp glance she turned--wasn't on Eleven, however. Isabel scowled at Chaos, who at least attempted to look chagrined for a moment, before sidling over to Eleven and headbutting him in the leg as an attempt at an apology. He didn't mean to frighten you, human!

"What is this?" Isabel was more confused than anything. "Dancing? Walking home?" She paused again as her thoughts churned. But it did come to her, eventually.

"Dating?" Yeah, that was probably it, especially with the way he looked like he was readying himself to be chewed out.

"Well...that's a shame, because I really like you, but if you're not ready, you can't do it. But you're not going to get out of being my friend, dammit, and I'm going to drag you away from that guardian of yours if I think HenHen's being too rough on you!"

[bearshermark]

Eleven colored and curled into himself a bit, eyes focused on the familiar at his leg. She really did like him, then.

"I-I'm sorry," he said again. "I do like you, it's just that there's things I need to.. But.. I am glad, that you still want to be friends."

[perfectenn]

Moving slower allows him to forgo the spotting, watching his student instead. "Yes. You memorize the steps in your mind, and then your body learns them through practice. It's like learning the gestures for spells. You thought about it at first, and now you do it without thinking."

The stumble doesn't surprise him this time. "You tried to hurry on that step. Don't rush. Once something is memorized, you can do it at any speed." With an encouraging smile, he adds, "And that's when it looks cool."

[talkyourwayout]

Louie is basically ready to give up, but he does like the idea of looking cool. Tenn definitely gets points for reading his audience well on this one, since the young duck is soon taking position once again.

"This is the last time I'm trying," he informs Tenn, before making the slow, deliberate twirls. When he finishes on his feet and not his rear, this time... He looks pleased, yes, but also shocked.

"Did I just do that right?"

[treno_nobleman]

[Califleur squirms a little, shifting closer to the man for the sake of it. She knows what is being said, and she's not getting pushy, but she's amping up the cute. She knows it, Kuja knows it. And he's not stopping her, because stopping her means that bothers him and he isn't bothered by her antics if they're not in his way.]

I see. Pardon the confusion. This world has ins and outs that I'm still learning, even after all this time. [He spares a glance at the man's.... familiar, but isn't too concerned with it.]

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

"Whoa, whoa, I'm a little sad, maybe, but I'm not mad!" Isabel said, lifting her hands. "You can't do it, something else is going on in your life. Eleven. I get it."

Maybe she'd never been there, but it wasn't as if her dad hadn't had problems in his time. Not to mention there were stories about her granddad before he met her grandmothers...

"Why wouldn't I? I can't say I really like you in one breath and then dump on you the next. You probably need friends, too--not that I can't see a guy as sweet as you not having or making them in droves."

She slung an arm around his shoulders again in half a hug, a move echoed by Chaos headbutting his shin again. "We're cool, okay? Maybe some other time for serious stuff. We can just hang out."

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

"I sure hope they don't! Even if I went back... there's nothing for me there but bad memories." Auron and Braska were long gone. His kid, the same position he was in. "This place is a lot better for me."