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

revels

[blue_ice]

[ Kaiba can't help but be drawn to the sight of the pharaoh. He really did make it all his own, which was very impressive. For a moment, he had a flash of an image of the king in all his glory, surrounded by adoring subjects.

Here, he was..just one of them. And someone he could stand to make more of an effort with, as much as he hated to admit such things.

He stepped up beside his old friend, taking in the cape with a knowing smirk. ]

That isn't how formal attire works. But you've always been one to make the rules work for you, rather than the other way around.

[ Not that he's one to talk, given that he's picked a white and lavender suit with a billowing tail. ]

[king_of_egypt]

[There would have been no argument from Atem. Despite, who he was in his own time he was just an average student here. That in itself was a bit of an adjustment, but not an unpleasant one, just different. It was likely something Kaiba could relate to, to an extent. He went from a powerful businessman whom all the world seemed to know and respect to an unknown quantity. Leadership was something they both had experience with though they held slightly different approaches to it.

When Atem heard the familiar low tones of Kaiba's voice his eyes looked up to meet the others]

That depends entirely on who you ask [ Said with a smirk. Then after a moment he had a chance to take in the ensemble Kaiba was sporting] You didn't shy away from making your own fashion statement. [A pointed pause] Looks good.

[blue_ice]

[ Being just another face in the crowd had its upsides. He nods and flashes the barest hint of a smile, feeling oddly buoyed by the words.

It's hard to describe what he's feeling. It's largely positive tonight, but every time he sees Atem, the back of his mind stirs into a whirlwind----hope, fondness, regret, and determination. ]

Mm. Undoubtedly anyone you asked to dance would be falling all over themselves to accept. Saving your energy?

[king_of_egypt]

[True, also there's considerably less pressure to excel or responsibilities to weigh one down here. A person could reinvent themselves if they wanted to... or fall into old habits]

[Kaiba wasn't the only one having to sort through his feelings tonight.]

[That got a chuckle out of the pharaoh and a shake of the head] I don't know about that... [The flattery caught Atem off guard, and he wasn't entirely sure how to take it.] Trying to drop a subtle hint...? [Said a bit impishly, when he finally looked back up at his companion]

I would have thought you kept your dance card full. [There was no harm in some gentle teasing, surely.]

[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. ]

[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?

[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?

[king_of_egypt]

.. And just how do you intend on responding to them?

[Kaiba had never backed away from a challenge before, and he wasn't likely to now. Atem was not disappointed]

Sparring? Then I should be more mindful of where you place your feet. [Reaching out to take Kaiba's hand in his. Somehow he hadn't predicted that things would develop this way, but it was refreshing to see the usually more uptight boy this at ease] I would think it's a bit more like a tag duel- since a dance requires both participants to be more in-tune with the other, able to adapt and move accordingly.

Let's.

[blue_ice]

I did explain that to him, though not quite in those words.

[ He surprises himself with how easily he falls into step with Atem...though given their previous affinity as a tag team, maybe it's not so surprising. They're a whirlwind on the dance floor, of course. ]

Mm. You're good, but I'd expect nothing less.

[ A smile. ]

[king_of_egypt]

I can only imagine how you phrased it. [Part of him wanted to ask who Kaiba was speaking about but another part didn't think it was really any of his business.] Do you think your explanation helped?

[As per usual they manage to draw plenty of attention to themselves in the process. The overly dramatic swishing of their respective coats adding the process. Atem- actually is genuinely impressed with Kaiba's precision. He had never envisioned him in this sort of scenario before]

You always hold such high expectations, Kaiba. [A hint of a teasing edge to his words] You're not bad yourself.

[blue_ice]

I think so. He seems to be the life of the party tonight.

[ He spares a glance over at Eleven inviting yet another student to dance with him, and there's a hint of a smile on his face. ]

I only take on the best. You're in an exclusive club.

[ Atem is also in the even more exclusive club of people that Kaiba would ever allow to lead him. It's happened naturally, and for once he doesn't mind...and they're so in tune with each other that it hardly feels off. He seems to light up a little at the compliment. ]

Hah. I actually thought about this...once, after. What it would've been like to dance with you.

[king_of_egypt]

[Following Kaiba's gaze Atem's eyes landed on Eleven and he issued a smile himself. Eleven had seemed nervous before the ball but he was making the most of it now]

Somehow, knowing you, I don't doubt it.

[In a way it speaks volumes about the connection the two of them share. It isn't easy for someone like Kaiba to let others into his life, and it's even more rare for him to relinquish control. The significance isn't lost on the pharaoh. The admission that follows catches Atem off guard but not to the extent that it interferes with his footing.]

Makes one wonder what other sort of fantasies you might have entertained.

[Perhaps that implication had gone a little too far, especially considering that Kaiba was already spoken for himself. Remaining on ones best behavior was difficult at times, especially given the unique circumstances of the evening]

[blue_ice]

[ That question sends another shock up his spine and he nearly misses his step. He couldn't possibly be fully truthful, not with what had transpired...but maybe giving a little would be enough. ]

Ah. Do you recall the AI recreation of myself I used to duel against?

After you left us, I realized my greatest challenge was never myself, but you, and so my work began. It was almost perfect...but I knew deep down that his responses and his plays were from my memories and not truly you. I was so desperate to find you that I thought I could force Yugi to turn back...

[ He pressed his lips into a thin line. ]

But despite all that, when I was working on the AI, I realized how much I didn't know about you. Your preferences, not Yugi's. Not even your birthday.

[king_of_egypt]

[Taking note of the near misstep, a smirk drew up one corner of his lips. Atem wasn't expecting Kaiba to attempt answering the question at all so he listens attentively studying the other's features.] Yes.... [Said almost hesitantly as Atem tried to guess where this conversation was leading] [So he tried to recreate his image in this AI but found the process difficult and incomplete. Imitation is the highest form of flattery, isn't it? So needless to say he's torn on how he should feel about this. On the one hand it's nice hearing it reiterated that he left an impression, on the other... he feels guilty for everything he put Kaiba through. That his departure led to what might be considered an unhealthy obsession. Once Yugi is brought up in the conversation Atem looks aside briefly finding something else in the room to focus on.] You knew about as much as I did for the better portion of the duration I spent in your time. [Finally looking back] It wasn't until the end when I remembered such details. Besides, Yugi has good taste... [Totally referring to Kaiba. The dance had gone on for a while now, as they spoke and he was suddenly feeling as if he should find a way to part. This was getting too personal. He felt like he owed it to Yugi to make sure this was as far as anything proceeded]

[blue_ice]

Mm. Then I want to help you find it, Atem.

[ His face colors a little. Surely Atem's referring to the leather collars and such, but...he can't help but imagine. No. Wishful thinking.

The song ends and he steps back and bows. Something he'd normally never do, especially not for Atem...but there's something deep inside him coming out under the stars tonight. ]

Thank you, Atem. You're one of the best partners I've had all night, but that's no surprise.

[king_of_egypt]

That's kind of you, Kaiba.

[ in that instance, he definitely wasn't. Atem could have saved the brunette the trouble of pondering the true meaning but he didn't. Drawing direct attention to it would be akin to a confession, which he wasn't at liberty to give to anyone right now. The leather collars weren't that bad either. He would wear such a thing again since he couldn't exactly see wearing the pectoral jewelry of the past in a more modern time and he was used to having something around his neck]

[Atem is surprised by the gesture, and warmed by it]

Shouldn't I be saying the same thing?

[blue_ice]

Should you?

[ Kaiba smiles as he pulls back, straightening his coat. ]

I'll see you later. There's something I want to discuss with you tomorrow.

[ He's still smiling in his understated way. It's nothing too serious, don't worry. ]

[king_of_egypt]

Thank you, Kaiba. For showing me this surprising talent you possess.

[With their gratitude exchanged it looked as if they would soon part ways for the time being]

Oh? [Tilting his head to one side as his curiosity was piqued] Tomorrow then. [Nodding to that]

Please enjoy the rest of the evening.