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

[king_of_egypt]

[The sentiment was mutual, for although Atem still didn't know Eleven's whole life story he felt as if he knew enough to have a great fondness for him]

You'll have to introduce me to her sometime, unless I manage to bump into her myself. [Looking momentarily to the buffet table.] I'm glad that you're enjoying yourself. I... didn't want to say so before but you seemed a little nervous about the ball prior to tonight. [Or Atem had misread the visual and verbal clues of that conversation]

There was indeed a Ghost Dragon

[perfectenn]

The relative quiet of Kedrigan Hall had become something of a refuge to Tenn even before his investigation into the mysterious waterfall. He was thus dismayed when reports confirmed the spirit-dragon had fled into the caverns. It wasn’t enough to disrupt classes, perhaps, but Tenn found it a growing concern in light of his discovery.

His gold-trimmed black coat and pale hair remain ruffled from the dance, his posture betraying some fatigue as he raises a lantern to the raw stone beyond the classrooms. Everything looks fine… of course it does. His jaw tightens. It’s deeper in that he’s worried about.

A sound behind him makes his shoulders stiffen and he turns sharply, the lantern rattling. Ah, only another student. No, wait, that is odd. Tenn tries to dismiss his surprise with a tone of mild interest.

"Shouldn't you be at the Ball?"

[bearshermark]

Sure. [Isabel would probably like Atem, and Eleven thought she was pretty likable in turn]

I guess I was nervous. There was a lot of expectation and I'd never been to anything like this before. Hendrik made it sound like it would be all stiff formality, and I didn't want to embarrass Isabel. But it's turned out a lot better than I expected, so I'm glad for that.

[bearshermark]

[He doesn't have a strong opinion about his name, but it doesn't matter really. He's more interested in dancing, and laughs a bit]

If you think I won't embarrass you. But if it's just because I'm talking too much, you can say so.

[blue_ice]

Please. As if I'd ever be so undignified as to seek your attention so brazenly.

[ Kaiba that's literally all you do. ]

But maybe you're just not able to keep up with me...

[ He's being ridiculous. He shouldn't say these things. And yet...he recalls something he'd once said to the digital imitation of his friend and can't help but snicker to himself. ]

[blue_ice]

You're doing just fine.

[ Come on. Don't be bashful. What did he just say about confidence here? Kaiba reaches up to nudge Yugi's gaze back in his direction. ]

With how quickly you pick up everything else, you'll own the dance floor in an hour, and I'll be wondering just how you left me behind.

[ He snorts. ]

[burningbrighter]

"Nah, I'm still single. But that's okay! I'm not really ready to date again anyway. It just makes me happy to see all of you having fun!"

It's mostly true. Her smile's convincing enough.

"So you're gonna dance the night away with him, right?"

[king_of_egypt]

[Really Kaiba? Quirking up an eyebrow at that one]

What could I have been thinking.

[This would have actually been more sedate compared to Kaiba's usual antics]

That, has never been true. Weren't you the one always trying to keep up with me?

[Wasn't there a certain title you never managed to reclaim? Although.... there was one thing that Kaiba had beaten him to. Cough]

.... but this is all just lip service. If you really want to see who can keep up with who in this setting, why don't we let actions speak for themselves?

[king_of_egypt]

[Atem would look forward to meeting another one of Eleven's friends or girlfriend as the case may be]

Yes, there did seem to be. The entire school seemed to be preoccupied with the preparations for this one evening. [It wasn't Atem's first formal affair, but the first one on a more unofficial basis. It was a far different thing attending as just one of the crowd] I'm surprised but.. to an extent I let all the talk get to me as well. [He could admit it]

I think it will pay off though. Those dance lessons will surely come in handy here. [Nodding to that] Most people do seem to be enjoying themselves.

[bearshermark]

It has been fun.

[Eleven half-turns and smiles, then grins a bit and offers Atem a hand]

Dance with me? When we practiced, I could tell you had some training already- and I've gotten better after dancing with Isabel a few times.

[pawper]

[Munching philosophically on another cheese square, this one sandwiched between toasted wafers and thinly-sliced deli meat.]

Accepting things is good, sometimes. [Though often too curious by half, even Lys could sometimes sense when something was none of her business, and so she too tries to keep things vague. Shying away from driving at the heart of something she had no context for, the tender nerves folded just beneath the surface of casual conversation.] But it's also good to take your time doing it, I think, since no one else can do it for you.

[And that's all she'll say about it for now, as far as she'll press unless offered some kind of opening. Wiping crumbs from the corner of her mouth, Lys smiles brightly and nods.]

Mm! It's been a great party so far. Lots of good food. [Yes, Lys, we already figured out that's your favorite part.] Kinda wish it wasn't about dancing, though. I never really learned how.

[blue_ice]

Those are fighting words, Atem...

[ But he's not seriously upset. This is...familiar. Even enjoyable. He smirks and offers his hand. ]

I'd told someone once that a dance is like sparring. That must mean it's also like dueling. Shall we?

[sevenyearsasleep]

"Aw, not exactly, but I've been playing the ocarina since I was little." He pulled the smooth blue instrument from his jacket pocket, and held it out for inspection.

"And in Hyrule, there are certain songs that, when you play them on the Ocarina of Time, they have powers. Teleportation, change night into day, making it rain, moving objects through Time..." Link looked a little sheepish.

"So far, I haven't been able to get it to work here. I tried all the warp songs, when I first arrived here."

[treno_nobleman]

[That laugh seems easy enough. He doesn't return it in his own amusement, though he very much is, but it's pleasant on the ears.]

Oh, no, not at all. If I wished not to hear you speak, you would find yourself in search of a new dance partner. I am merely interested in seeing what you can do.

[He lifts a hand slightly and steps back, releasing his other hand to step out to one side and nods, indicating Eleven to do the same. The movement doesn't match the music at all for its speed and it's apparent to anyone, but the boy is still learning, and Kuja doesn't mind appearances to show him.]

Elsewhere?

[treno_nobleman]

With the party still carrying on into the evening, but done with him for the night, Kuja has taken his presence beyond the Promenade and along the paths throughout the grounds to wherever his feet will lead him. He is tired, but not tired enough that he wants to return to his dorm, and the moonlight in this world really is lovely.

He likes the rays best through the branches of the trees tonight, so he has decided to wander paths that lead into the forest to soak in that atmosphere... and hears the voice just ahead. Though he wants not to intrude, Kuja isn't inclined to turn back either, so he follows the path along toward the pond until he comes to the clearing, eyes turned to the other and... whoever he might be talking to.

"Evening," he'll greet with a nod. He doesn't have to interrupt, but neither does he feel like eavesdropping. As much as one can out in the open like this. His clothing is dark, but it's not like they would miss his silver hair in all that moonlight.

[puzzlers]

I’m not too worried. [ he had been practicing, and he’s not as inexperienced as he’s likely to lead anybody to believe. one of his best friends loved dance, so he’s seen and been a part of several small dance routines - all for practice of course, but sometimes she needed a partner! ]

[ he looks back to kaiba at smiles. ] Kaiba... please don’t say things like that. I’m not leaving behind anybody. [ it would be the other way around if at all. he grows a bit stiff all of a sudden, but manages to get himself in check. ]

After this dance do you think we could ate outside. [ like outside outside.

[puzzlers]

[ he’s not going to say anything about it so at least there’s that. he doesn’t want to make things awkward here of all places, so if they decided to addresss anything at all it’d be done somewhere else - somewhere for just the two of them. ]

[ his response earns a smile and he’s glad his other self accepted. honestly he would have already thought atem would know what he’s doing. he always seemed to exude style and grace, unlike himself. he had practiced a bit here, but he’s definitely not as inexperienced as he might have lead anybody to believe. his friend was a dancer and he’s seen and practiced all sorts to help out in various situations. he’s no the best, noooo, not by a long shot, but he can hold his own. ]

[ yugi didn’t expect to lead either atem or kaiba, so he goes along with the dance and the rhythm easily. ] Are you having fun?

[puzzlers]

[ cute. ]

Why wouldn't that be allowed?

[bearshermark]

[After a beat of confusion, Eleven parts to mirror the movement. Conversation forgotten in the wake of worry because it doesn't match the music and he's not sure if there's something else he's meant to be doing instead]

Sorry, I.. I don't think Hendrik taught me this one.

[bearshermark]

Eleven leaned in to look at it. He'd never seen anything of its like before, but he found himself increasingly impressed by its apparently dormant magical capabilities.

"Trying to leave," he nodded. "I knew a spell that could transport me to different locations, but of course I realized my magoc was gone quickly. I didn't know even objects could be stripped of their magic on arriving here."

[treno_nobleman]

No? Ah, it's such a dazzling display. You must experience it once, even from the female perspective. The drama is on the lady in this step, so you'll be the center of attention. [And really, even for him, that's something he wants the boy to know. Eleven is certainly confident enough.]

Now, you step in, turn to me as you do. My hand will come to your back and I shall support you as I lower you backward.

[bearshermark]

[Eleven swallows, stomach fluttering. It sounds complicated. He tries to envision the movement before he performs it, stepping in..

He does so with a breath, turning toward his dance partner, then follows through Kuja's guiding tug a bit clumsily]

..I think I'll need to practice this one a bit, sorry.

[treno_nobleman]

[It's a little more advanced, as he promised, but not so advanced he doesn't think Eleven can get it. He knows the boy is unsure of himself, but Kuja isn't a cruel teacher in this art. He'll guide Eleven through it, but rather than leaning him back all the way and completing the dip, he lets the Sundered lean against his palm instead.]

And practice, we shall. Come. [He'll help the boy straighten and guide him by the hand to the same positions again to start out.] One step at at time this time.

[bearshermark]

[He nods, flashing a brief, grateful smile as they reset. Eleven takes another breath, and with more of a feel of how the move is meant to be performed, turns slowly inward toward his partner. It isn't perfect by any means, but he thinks in two more tries or so, he'd have the footwork down enough that he could perform it with some smoothness.]

..What comes after the leaning back part?

[treno_nobleman]

[The step is easy enough for his own role in it, just a simple shift of his weight and strength enough to hold his partner's weight for a few brief moments before lifting them again with even half the grace intended for such a display and continuing on. But this is muscle memory to him now. His focus is on Eleven and what the boy does with it, how he's doing with it.]

We hold for a breath or two, to give the audience the full effect and let them feel the wonder of the moment, then I lift you back up and we continue dancing, leaving the crowd wanting for more.