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

[treno_nobleman]

Arrival

[Balls were almost commonplace in his world, where people with far too much wealth went to flaunt themselves and show out in their finest clothing and taste the richest foods and the sweetest wines. While not a favorite pastime during his run with the upper echelons of society, it had been a place for him to put words into the right ears and sow the seeds of whatever it was he had intended.]

[In the academy, there is no doubt in him that this will not be a dance like the ones he remembers. He has little favor to gain from these students, less still to benefit him from it, and little hope that whatever he could gain would prove to help him get home, wherever that is. No, this is simply out of habit, something to get him out of the monotony of classes and research and do something different.]

[And he has had invitations. And he has rejected the ones he has received. But he will go nonetheless, in something of his own design, silver hair pulled back into a low and loose ponytail, hat left at home - really, it was too much after all - and damnable tail curling out from under the coat tails for all to see, though he worries less about it now than he had. After all, even if this proves to be a boring affair, it is aesthetically appealing, and that much, he can appreciate.]


Let the Revels Begin

[While he does love to dance, Kuja isn't one to dance alone, which might seem odd given his disposition for keeping others at arm's length, physically and emotionally. He'll be enjoying the music and the festivities, but unless there is a mutual interest in it, he'll be taking in the sights and engaging in small talk.]


Meanwhile, Elsewhere

[Once he's grown bored of the experience, he'll be retiring for the evening, though Kuja doesn't make a beeline for the dorms. No, he has his sights set on a night stroll to let the breeze wash off the boredomamusement? of the dance. Mischief isn't his thing, not in this place, not yet, but someone passing him by might find him amenable to company before he truly gets too tired to carry on.]

Revels

[bearshermark]

[Now there's a person that looks like they could use a partner. Eleven doesn't give the matter any further thought, and approaches the well-dressed man with an outstretched hand]

Would you like to dance?

[treno_nobleman]

[Small talk had been the highlight of his night after the newness of the beauty of the place wore off and he had taken to a few snacks to calm his hunger, but he stood idle by a pillar, enjoying the crowd and the atmosphere as much as he was able when the boy nears him with his offer.]

[And Kuja can't help a smile.]

How very bold of you. I don't usually dance with men, but such opportunities so rarely present themselves. Say I do accept your offer. Will you lead, or shall I?

Instantly assumes a square character is 6 ft+, assumes wrong for once

[bearshermark]

[He falters only momentarily, then eyes their height difference]

..The taller person should lead, right? But I don't mind, if you want to. I just thought you looked like maybe you wanted to join in, but I don't mean to overstep if that isn't the case.

Kuja's a tol one alright. not sure how tol yet, but I have thoughts

[treno_nobleman]

[One of his charms, he never has been a short Genome, and dancing roles do depend a good deal on height. At least, the way he has learned to dance, it has. But he's pleased to see the other relenting the lead.]

Oh, no need. I would love to dance. It is quite the performance, if one knows how. [He reaches for the hand offered and gently turns it over, assuming his proper role.] You came to me, so I assume you do know how, yes?

A+, El is around p average height

[bearshermark]

[Eleven nods, coloring only a bit as he shifts into place]

Yes, I- well, I only recently learned, but I've been getting the hang of it, I think. I hope that's all right.

best guess for Kuja is about 5'10"? 5'11"? maybe?

[treno_nobleman]

[There's an air of confidence about him as he leads the boy over to a little more space, on the fringes of the dance floor where they have less chance of an incident.]

You wouldn't be the first dance partner I've had who had two left feet. Allow me to lead and you'll do just fine.

[After showing the young man where his hands should go and making sure he's comfortable, Kuja starts them into a nice, slow waltz, letting his partner get a feel for the rhythm and the movement. It won't take long before it's quite clear that Kuja is good at this. One doesn't rise through the ranks of nobility as he has and not learn the fine art of certain ballroom festivities.]

Perfect. El's 5'7 at a guess

[bearshermark]

I'm not that bad. [He smiles, then hesitates] ..Or at least no one's told me so, anyway. Yotsuyu seemed sure I have some grace.

[But if grace is fluidity, then this man is a good league beyond him. Even so, he is proud every time he's lead into a smooth turn that doesnt trip him up]

My name is Eleven, by the way.

awwww a cute

[treno_nobleman]

[He knows that name. With a place as small as this, it doesn't surprise him that he hasn't heard them at least once by now., but he does know her, has met her once or twice in passing.]

I trust she does have an eye for this sort of thing. You're doing well, if you can move like this and keep up the conversation.

[They're working through beginner's moves, but Kuja is in no hurry to impress an audience. Right now, he's just having fun, not something he gets often anymore, and shared enjoyment is an even rarer thing.]

A number for a name? I hope it wasn't for lack of concern for you. My name is Kuja. A pleasure. [He nods his head in lieu of a bow, given their current activities.]

yes

[bearshermark]

[He brightens with a wry grin and steps with a bit more confidence]

I don't have ten siblings, if you're worried. It's good to meet you, Kuja.

[treno_nobleman]

[There's some of that mutual pleasure. He works a little bit more movement into their dance, giving Eleven time to adjust as they go.]

Numbers have a sorry means as a naming convention in the world I come from, you see. [In fact, it hadn't been a naming convention at all, more of an afterthought. He tried not to think about it. This wasn't the same world.] Not very good talk in the middle of a dance, I'm afraid, but I do hope that's not the case in your world. If it is, let's not discuss it now. This event just won't tolerate it.

[nomoremistergneissguy]

So, is it everything you expected? Is it fancier back at home, for you? [The topic of conversation was similar to when last they'd met, but Cliff, dressed to the nines, had to ask. He was a tad surprised to find that it was, indeed, gaudier than the balls he'd been involved in at home. Then again, his mother had always had impeccable taste when it came to decor, and her own style of dress.

He was glad he got his fashion sense from her, really.]

My parents never put on anything this fancy, I've got to admit. The food seems similar, though.

[treno_nobleman]

[Kuja looked over at the other man, and though dressed appropriately as he was for the gathering, he looked just as bored as he could possibly have been there with a small plate of finger sandwiches in hand. All of that crowd watching, oh it was exhausting!]

It depends on where the event was being held. There were certain parties I was made to attend as a show of alliance, but they were far less entertaining than this and I frequently would take my leave early. This one... [Well, it was the first he had been to, at least.] I may yet stay another hour.

[nomoremistergneissguy]

[Cliff couldn't help but make a face, then. Alliance stuff. Ugh. ] That sounds about as dry as what I was asked to endure at home.

[Well, his was a little worse because he doubted that his companion was asked to shepherd young ladies around with the intent of getting them married off...but maybe he had been? Only one way to find out.]

So were these people you supported--did they ever attempt to arrange marriage for you to any of their daughters?

[treno_nobleman]

[Shared disdain was still shared anything, and Kuja had no qualms about complaining about the aristocracy. They were people as useful as they were useless. But he couldn't help but give a soft, amused sound.]

Some of them did. I declined them all, of course, as one might in such a situation. One even thought he could corner me with the proposition and tried to hold a business angle over my head when I said no. I've never seen a man turn so red so fast when I turned that back around on him.

[nomoremistergneissguy]

I believe it, they tried to do that to my parents with me, too. Most of my siblings have significant others. So I'm the 'lucky' one, because I'm single. [The finger quotes are practically tangible when Cliff speaks.]

Then again, I'm also lucky that neither of my parents will let anyone's parents get away with that. I'm not in a hurry for some albatross to be hung around my neck for a tidbit of temporal power.

[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.

[nomoremistergneissguy]

No, no. I mention them, but I'm not a native. They're still on my homeworld, there are just some things that translate here, I guess. [Cliff waves a dismissive hand at that.]

And they're just as annoying. Ugh. Well, at least Rounder appears to be enjoying himself. [Cliff's glad that his familiar had the opportunity. Rounder can be found dancing (if you can call it that) with the rather large Omnic, though he's very good at not getting beneath Orisa's feet, for a wonder.]

[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.]

Arrival

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

[Since their altercation, Isabel had given Kuja a wide berth. But it had eaten at her. Neither of her parents were like to approve of her behavior, and to tell the truth, she didn't, either. Even if her mother was likely to understand.

Her approach was ginger, nervous even, though the only thing she held in her hands was a rose; a single blossom, brilliant yellow petals tinged with crimson at the edges. A spectacular specimen, indeed. Isabel dropped him a pretty curtsey, then proffered the bloom to him. A peace offering, though he didn't know it.]

When last we met, my behavior was uncalled for. It didn't matter that my singing bothered you, I was not really sorry when it did. So...I'm sorry.

[She didn't really expect forgiveness, but she proffered the flower anyway.] This is for you.

[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.]

[hyperdrivemonalisa]

I had a lot of time to think. I'm not sure I'm ready to explain more about that song, but...if you really care to know, at some point, I will. Not tonight though.

[Because even if she isn't sure this is his type of thing, if there's any chance that Kuja will enjoy the night, Isabel doesn't want to risk ruining it by shoving her foot in her mouth again. Even though her blue slippers are pretty and match her dress, she's fairly sure the shoe leather won't taste good, even if the action isn't literal.]

I don't really want to start another fight, or ruin your night before it starts. This might just be a spectacle, but if you can eke any enjoyment out of it, I want you to.

[Damn it, usually she wasn't so bad with her words, but Isabel sure felt like she'd stumbled, fallen, and couldn't get up. Where was her Life Alert? Maybe she should just shut up while she was ahead...so she did, looking down and scooting a rock along the ground with the toe of her slipper.]

[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?

[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.

[treno_nobleman]

[He nodded, and let his hand back down by his side. If she was waiting for her chosen escort, he was keeping her up, but it had left an impression on him that she was willing to keep her person waiting for her to bring this to him.]

I understand. We won't speak of it again after this if you'd like not to. The slate is clean and we can start over again. No more irritating each other. [With that, he offered a smile and his own honesty, not that he had given her anything but, in his own brutally honest ways.]