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

[shiningkindness]

Arrival - Closed to Yuki

Fluttershy couldn't help feeling a bit nervous as she waited for Yuki at the bridge leading to the Great Hall. Though she was sure he had asked her as a friend, the fact that he was her "date" still had her heart skipping a bit.

So she waited, all dressed up and her hair styled in a way that she hoped would be appropriate for a ball like this.

Arrival - Open

Fluttershy gasped as she stepped inside, even though it was almost hard to tell the difference between inside or out. With the illusion of the open space, with nothing but the glittering stars above and the scenery around them decorating the hall, the site was truly breathtaking.

"Oh wow..." she murmured, turning to try and take it all in with wide eyes. "I can see why the Twilight Ball is such a big event here."

Let the Revels Begin

There was so much good music, Fluttershy couldn't help dancing to most of the songs that were playing. Normally shy and reserved, she didn't seem to think of anyone watching as her body moved to the rhythm, enjoying losing herself to the music. And she was more than happy to dance with anyone who asked for a dance with her.

Even when she was taking a break, her head was bobbing or her toes were tapping along with the beat. And every once in a while, the whale that was out on the dance floor would swim over to her, and Fluttershy would giggle and spin as the whale swam around her, as if dancing with her, before the whale returned to the dolphin's side.

Food

With all the dancing, it was important to recharge sometimes. So Fluttershy could be found sometimes at the buffet table, nibbling here and there on the vegetarian-friendly options available.

...She'd also had some of the punch. Someone better make sure she doesn't have too much.

Wildcard

((OOC: If you have something else in mind, feel free! Or message me at usamichan13 to plot something!))

[areasontohope]

Dances like this didn't happen where Yuki was from, so he had some research to do. He'd looked up what kind of clothes would be appropriate for this type of event as well as learn some basic rules. This didn't cover the fact that he'd had to go speak to King Grokin Derfeur, the Ruler of Durast and ask for help with learning how to dance too. So he'd definitely done his homework in between classes.

So he got dressed and headed to the Ball, not sure why he felt nervous other than the fact that this was his first time doing anything like this. He also had a corsage for Fluttershy in a small see-through box which reminded him of her hair.

There were just so many people and Yuki tried to look for her. And in the end, he just started to look for her signature pink locks. Except for this time, they looked different, arranged as they were on her head.

He saw her looking around and the green dress made her look like a princess straight out of a fairy tale. And so for a moment, he had to take a breath. When he did get close enough, he politely stood a small respectful distance as he'd come up behind her.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting long."

[shiningkindness]

Seeing him approach from the corner of her eye, she looked over and managed a shy smile.

"O-Oh...no, I haven't been here too long."

[areasontohope]

"Well, that's good to hear." And Yuki really meant his words because keeping a lady waiting wasn't a good idea.

Looking down at the package in his hands, he presented it to Fluttershy, not sure if other ladies here were wearing such things, but he was going by the instructions he'd received.

"This is for you, I hope you like it."

[shiningkindness]

Her face lit up a bit as she took the corsage.

"Oh, it's lovely," she said softly. Looking up at him, she smiled. "Thank you."

[areasontohope]

He smiled and gave a nod. And this was the awkward part because he wasn't sure what to do now. Yuki arrived, Fluttershy was here, and now what did they do? Should he ask her for a dance right now? Should he wait? And then a plan came to mind.

"Have you had a chance to look around yet and see everything?"

revels

[blue_ice]

[Socializing was...something he could perform as an obligation relevant to his role, but it being something he actually almost wanted to pursue was new. In one of the lulls of quiet, he found himself drawn to Fluttershy dancing along...

...he'd been about to say something when a certain whale swirled around her. What a showoff. But it was...cute. ]

I should have known you'd be in the swing of things.

[ He watches Ballet go with a befuddled expression. When he speaks next, he doesn't elaborate, hoping the meaning will be clear enough. ]

...and thanks, for earlier.

[shiningkindness]

[Glancing up at the voice, she smiles, though is distracted a moment as Ballet circles around her.]

It's actually been really fun. The music has been really catchy.

[She giggles as Ballet swims off to rejoin Tango, but Seto's words has her looking at him again, this time with a gentler smile.]

You're welcome. I'm glad you were able to come after all.

[blue_ice]

I'm relieved.

[ He can't resist glancing across the room at Yugi, animatedly talking to another friend. Kaiba knows that this was the right choice.

Back to Fluttershy. Right, she'd said she had someone... ]

Has your partner been treating you well?

[shiningkindness]

[She follows his gaze, and smiles to herself when she sees Yugi. She'd wondered who he'd talked about earlier, but she decided to still not ask unless he brings it up again.

Instead, she answers his question with a nod.]

Oh yes. He's been very sweet. I'm glad I was able to come with him to the dance.

[blue_ice]

I'm glad. And...me too.

[ He sneaks another smile at Yugi. ]

You were right about him. He would've been willing to protect me, but I think we're both happier this way. You know Yugi, right?

food

[woo_oo]

"Hey, Fluttershy!"

Webby flounces on over, always happy to see a friend.

"Did you see Tango and Ballet dancing together? It was so cute!"

[shiningkindness]

Looking over, she smiled. "Hi, Webby! Yes, I did see them! It's so sweet, isn't it?" She giggled softly. "Tango's been coming by to visit since we last saw him, and he's even been hanging around more. I think he's really liked getting to spend more time with Ballet that's not fighting."

Even if they do still spar on occasion.

[woo_oo]

"Awwww!" Super romantic! Webby let a few giggles fly.

"Does that make you the mother-in-law?" She said with a little playful nudging.

[shiningkindness]

She laughed softly. "I'm not sure about that. But Tango has been helping me out too. It's kind of like I have another familiar."

[woo_oo]

That gave Webby pause, quirking an eyebrow.

"Can you have another familiar?"

food.

[puzzlers]

He's taking a break too, and though he's got no interested in the food he's been drinking punch like it's going out of style. He's nervous and he's hoping that someone has secretly managed to spike the punch in spite of the chaperone, because he needs to relax to some extent. He catches sight of Fluttershy and abandons his drink to greet her.

"Fluttershy, hey," He can't help but admire her choice in dress. "you look beautiful tonight. Have you been enjoying yourself?

[shiningkindness]

She blushed faintly at the compliment. "Th-Thank you," she replied softly. "You look really nice too."

She took a moment to sip at her own drink before answering again, "Yes, I've been having a wonderful time. How about you?"

[puzzlers]

Yugi smiles at her compliment, looking aside to flush a light color of pink. "Thank you."

"Me too. Did you, ah, did you come here with anybody?" He looked around, trying to figure out if somebody might have asked her to the dance and who it might be.

[shiningkindness]

She nods. "I did, yes. Do you know Yuki?" She points to a boy with grayish hair, talking with some other students. "Yuki actually helped me when someone I'd turned down was still trying to get me to go with him."

[puzzlers]

"I don't, but..." He trails off and turns to look at the boy she's pointing at with a smile. "A- And really? I guess they, ah, didn't take no for an answer? I'm sorry about that, but at least he was there to help. That was very nice of him."

Revels

[talkyourwayout]

Louie had headed over to Fluttershy shortly after seeing her familiar and her familiar’s... Date? This was, as far as he’d been aware, a new development.

“So... What happened there?” he asked as he approached Fluttershy during one of her breaks from dancing.

[shiningkindness]

Taking a sip of some punch, Fluttershy smiled as she watched Tango and Ballet. "Well, do you remember that day when Ballet's rival, Tango, came into town, and they were fighting?"

[talkyourwayout]

Louie sighed a bit. How could he forget that day? Ballet had practically mowed him down. "Yeah. I do. This seems like a big change from that, though."

[shiningkindness]

"Y-Yeah...I suppose all that time being rivals, they ended up developing a mutual respect for each other, which turned into something more. It's kind of like that thing in movies where two people who hate each other at first end up falling in love, because they are dating now."

However that worked for familiars.