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

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba smiles back and links their hands together. It still feels a little strange, being so open about it...but this is the perfect night to do it. As much as he resents the strangeness of this school, he has to admit that their event planning isn't the worst.

He walks with Yugi to a slightly quieter place, away from the food, and reaches to brush his shoulder. ]

Do you remember the horde of admirers I had to pull you out of to get you here? You look good, everyone knows it...and more importantly, they know that I'm with you.

[ The haughtiness that would normally accompany that comment is a joke, if anything, going by the gleam in his eye. ]

Shall we dance and really drive the point home?

[puzzlers]

[ he seems relieved when kaiba leads them to somewhere much quieter, even though it's only momentary. though he's happy to be spending time in his boyfriend's company, especially in this sort of environment, he can't help shake the feelings that have been simmering all week. ]

I remember. [ he looks aside and gives a laugh. ] Hard to forget something like that. [ gazing back at kaiba he smiles and, using their linked hands, he tugs him down for a brief kiss. ] I think that much is definitely obvious tonight, Kaiba, you're not pulling any punches, huh?

[ not that he's about to complain. it's cute and he's glad that kaiba isn't any kind of embarrassment or nervous about them. ] S- Sure, we could dance. [ he knows kaiba has more experience, but he'd been doing a little practicing, himself, so this should be fine. ]

[blue_ice]

With you? Never. You're my equal and it's perfect.

[ Okay, he might learn the social grace to occasionally pull a little punch, but he's content right now. His plans for later notwithstanding. Kaiba smiles into the kiss...it really is freeing, not caring who knows it. He doesn't have to care in this world.

All he cares about is getting this right. So he squeezes Yugi's hand and steps out, and...of course the tempo slows. Of course. He takes him into a polite hold at first, before drawing him a little closer...this was his boyfriend, not a client, so that was appropriate, right? ]

I've never done this for pleasure before. I think I finally see the appeal.

[puzzlers]

[ he smiles at that. his equal. he knows he's come along way, but there's something about hearing that, especially since he had always been in the pharaoh's shadow. sure, he had proved himself in the ceremonial duel and then one could even argue for afterward during that mess with diva, but after everything he had done he didn't mind the praise, although he always tried to be modest. ]

[ yugi is a little still when they reach the dance floor for an assortment of reasons, the newest being the newly slowed tempo of the song. wonderful. he keeps himself pressed relatively close to kaiba as they start to glide around the dance floor along with the rhythm. ]

I've never done this at all. [ he stifles a chuckle, face turning red, which prompts him to look aside. ]

[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. ]

[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.

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba mentally kicks himself. He definitely gets the sense that he's inadvertently ripped at an open wound. He clutches Yugi closer, shielding his face from onlookers. ]

Of course. It shouldn't be long.

[ It's an agonizing moment until the dance ends, and when the music stops he presses a fleeting kiss to the top of Yugi's head and clutches his hand. ]

We're leaving.

[ And he makes quick work of that, daring anyone to say a word with his pointed icy stare. Soon enough, they're out in the quiet, and he's leading them down the familiar path into town. ]

What's going on, Yugi?

[puzzlers]

[ he just doesn't want kaiba to continue to degrade himself for his benefit. that hurts him too, which is something he doesn't seem to realize. yugi frowns, already wishing the night would just end, because it seems like he spoiled relations with both his boyfriend and his other self. ]

[ when they finally get away from the crowd he's surprised that kaiba immediately cuts to the chase and confronts him. ] What do you mean?

[blue_ice]

I only meant that as a joke. I'm not the most intuitive about these things, but something's bothering you.

[ He sighs. ]

I won't force you to tell me, but my goal tonight was to make you happy, and if there's anything I can do...

[puzzlers]

We're both still learning... It'll be alright. I have faith in us.

[ he leans up and gives him a kiss. ]

I'm having a good time, Kaiba, and I enjoyed our dance and maybe we could... dance out here too. [ he takes his hands. ] This is plenty, Kaiba, really. Don't worry about me.

[blue_ice]

My natural state of being is worry, Yugi. But I'll gladly dance with you.

[ Because I love you. He's more certain than ever, but he knows this isn't the right moment to try again. He moves back into position, but this time he pulls Yugi almost flush against him. Not like anyone's out here to watch.

He sways to the whistling of the wind under the brilliant stars, leaning down to whisper in his ear. ]

I worry because you matter to me. More than I thought anyone ever would.

[puzzlers]

I'll have to help change that then. [ he's glad to the second shot at a dance, especially since he feels like he ruined it by saying something about what kaiba said and... he can't believe he's making such a mess of things. ] Thank you, Kaiba, I was really looking forward to this...

[ he, himself, presses closely, laying his head on kaiba's chest and shutting his eyes as they sway to the muted music coming from inside the great hall. ]

You matter to me too, Kaiba. [ he slows in their dancing and leans up again to give him a kiss. ] So much. I just want to see you happy...

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba smiles down at Yugi in his arms, feeling a surge of warmth flood his senses. This is right. He sighs into another kiss, grateful for the private moment. ]

'Happy' isn't a word associated with me. You changed that, Yugi.

[ He gently whirls Yugi around, moving back to a proper dance routine. At the right swell in the music, he dips Yugi with a little smirk. He looks incredible in this light. ]

Don't ever forget that.

[puzzlers]

[ as soon as he's dipped his face flushes and he's left gaping up at kaiba. he picks his jaw off the floor and gives him a shy smile. ] I don't think I'll soon forget. I'm glad I could help, Kaiba. You deserve to be happy. We... we all deserve to be happy. [ he gives him a smile, pressing closely as soon as he's able again. ]

[blue_ice]

[ He looks adorable. His heart swells with...oh, yes. He knows what that is. Kaiba gently pulls him up and hugs him close, suddenly struck by an idea. He takes a deep breath. ]

...Would you want to rent a room in town tonight?

[puzzlers]

... [ kaiba's invitation takes him by surprise, which is painfully evident on his face. he's quick to rein in his surprise though, his mind racing a million miles a minute. a- a room... in town? w- with kaiba. alone. ] Ah, [ he feels his face start to heat up, a hand flying to his cheek to try to hide it, but he probably only brings attention to it. ] K- Kaiba? You... you really want to do that?

[blue_ice]

[ Yugi's reaction is surprising. Cute, even. But he doesn't want to scare him off.

He lowers his head and whispers to him, suddenly a little shy himself. ]

I really enjoyed the night we accidentally spent in my dorm. I'd like to do that again, but the dorms are going to be unadulterated chaos when everyone finally staggers back at the crack of dawn. Some peace would be nice...nicer with you.

[puzzlers]

[ he swallows the nervous lump that seems to have formed in his throat, especially when kaiba gets him thinking of the night they spent together. it was... it was nice, and he certainly wouldn't mind doing it again. he chews on his lip before giving a nod. ] It would be nice... since, uh, yeah, everybody is going to be coming back at all hours of the night and morning...

Do you, uhm, know a place?

[blue_ice]

Mm. Out on the third ring. It should be a little quieter than here.

[ He gives Yugi another smile. ]

Is there anything you want to finish up here? Otherwise, we can just pack a bag each and get going.

[puzzlers]

I have, ah, one thing to take care of, so I’ll meet you back at your dorm? How does that sound?

[blue_ice]

Perfect. I'll see you soon.

[ He parts from Yugi with a brief kiss and begins the trek back to the dorm, where he pets and feeds his poor frustrated cat and packs his bag. It's quiet in here for once, which gives him the space he needs to decompress.

He changes into a more casual (but still put together) outfit in his trademark blue, stuffs some supplies in his endless coat pockets, and stops just outside the dorm, watching the moonlight through a window. For once, the school seems to be ordinary, almost innocent. He wouldn't mind it so much if it was always the case. ]

[puzzlers]

[ he has a couple of things to do, but then he's back at the dorm packing. it doesn't take long since it's just going to be for one night, but... he lingers alongside his bed for a couple of extra minutes. he's nervous. really nervous. and he's still feeling an assortment of strange feelings that he can't really place. he sighs, smushing his hand into his face as he slings his pack over his shoulder and heads to kaiba's dorm. ]

[ he almost forgets about the stupid math locks, but manages to solve them to enter. ] Kaiba?

[blue_ice]

Yugi!

[ He's not startled out of his daydream until he hears the lock click---oh, oops. He should've stepped outside the dormitory for this. He flashes Yugi an apologetic smile as he steps outside, bag slung over his shoulder. ]

I wasn't thinking. I should've waited outside. But I'm glad you made it. Shall we go?

[ His own thoughts had been slightly unsettled for a little bit there, but when he sees Yugi he feels excitement course through him. They're going to have a nice night. He smiles and leads the way off campus and downtown, reaching for his hand.

It's so nice just to be able to do that without worry. ]

[puzzlers]

It's alright. I didn't know if you were finished or, ah, if you needed any help, but it looks like you're good. [ he gives a laugh. ] Yeah, of course. [ he just had to pack, so why wouldn't he make it. ] Sure. So, you, uhm, scoped this place out or something? How did you hear about it? Or find it...

[ he follows alongside kaiba, looking up at him when kaiba takes his hand. it's definitely nice not to have to worry who knows, but he also doesn't want to flaunt their relationship and make anybody feel bad, so they'll have to find a balance. ]

[blue_ice]

I passed by on the way to one of my games. Some of the long-time players stay there when visiting from out of town.

[ It's a quiet, unassuming place in largely cool and neutral colors. He strides up confidently and requests the room, relieved when they don't seem to get too many stares from onlookers.

Soon enough, they're settling into a room at the end of the hall. It's not the fanciest room he's ever rented, but it's clean, not tacky, and gives them the one thing he wants tonight: peace.

He hangs his things with all the efficiency of a frequent traveler and sits on the bed. ]

There. No more interruptions. Now...are you tired yet, or did you want to stay up and talk? Play a game?