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

[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.

[bearshermark]

Oh. [He blinks, and for a few moments concentrates on mirroring Kuja's movements.]

..I don't think it means anything, in my world. I haven't met anyone else with a numbered name in my travels yet. I'm sure my- my parents had their reasons, but I don't think even my grandfather knows.

[He gives as much of a shrug as he's able- manifesting more in a slight raise of his shoulders and tip of his head]

It's just a name, and it's mine.

[treno_nobleman]

[He nods, acutely aware of their movements, where each foot falls, where the weight shifts. Eleven may not have been a natural, but he certainly was no beginner.]

If it is a name you like, who can argue with you otherwise? Should that not be all that matters? [He realizes he is contradicting his earlier statements, but it's only to smooth over the ruffles. His misunderstanding and concerns, not the boy's.] Very good, following that exchange. Perhaps you'd like to try something a bit more advanced?

[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.

[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.]

[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.

[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.

[bearshermark]

Oh. That sounds.. [Like suddenly people are watching them. He finds a few wayward pairs of eyes doing so and colors a bit. He clears his throat and straightens, initiating a reset.]

I think I can do it properly this time.

[treno_nobleman]

[Amused, Kuja watches Eleven blush at the ones watching them. They've been watching for some time, but if Eleven isn't bothered by them, Kuja will pay them no mind. He has a lesson to teach.]

Good. Now. [Once they've reset again, Kuja steps away, moving at a learner's pace still, and waits for Eleven to do his part before lowering the boy back as it should be.]

[bearshermark]

[Eleven takes a moment to remind himself that no one's expects anything in particular from him, then turns into Kuja's hold and lets himself dip back.

He tips a triumphant grin up at his partner. His steps had barely faltered. When he's pulled back up, he's practically beaming]

We did it. [He laughs again- bright and almost giddy] Thank you for taking the time to teach me.

[treno_nobleman]

[Seeing the delight on the boy's face brings an unexpected note of satisfaction along with it. Oh, he had certainly made people happy in his time, in whatever business dealing or conversational means he had with them, but this? He would later liken it to what he had felt when he had teased Zidane a world ago for having two left feet, as he put it, in battle and had the thief snap at him for it.]

[Maybe it had been fleeting then, given the circumstances, but now it was there and gone because he wished it would be. This was no time for such thoughts. He told himself he had no need of them, but his smile remained there, genuine, and ever pleasant.]

Oh, no need to thank me. I am quite dismayed that you haven't fully enjoyed this art until now. Dance is a profound performance and requires a certain awareness of the mind, body, partner, and surroundings all at the very same time, much like battle. [He won't ask Eleven if he ever has fought. This is just his take on it.] Shall we continue?

[bearshermark]

Yes. [He's enthusiastic in taking Kuja's hand again, and emboldened by achieving something like proficiency with a new, more advanced step, moves with more confidence]

I'm from a small village in the mountains, so we never had anything like this before. This is my first time at a school and at a ball.. I'm learning a lot.