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]

Fluttershy nodded, her body still swaying to the music. "I know..." Her blush darkened a bit. "Honestly, I...don't think I'd mind if something more did happen."

While she had never actively pursued a relationship before, she wasn't opposed to having one. And Yuki was really sweet, and had helped her out more than once.

[burningbrighter]

"So wait for the right moment and talk to him! It's so beautiful here. Perfect for getting you in the mood."

She smiled softly. "And I'll be right here cheering you from the back."

[shiningkindness]

Still blushing a bit, she nodded. "We'll see what happens."

Then she glanced at Sunset, her smile fading a bit. "What about you, though?"

[burningbrighter]

"What about me?"

Sunset's smile faded too, but she was determined not to let her mood bring her down for long.

"Honestly, I haven't really thought much about dating since Flash. You know how that ended. I know I'm a different person now, and you're the only one here who knows just how bad I was, but when someone loves you it's so easy to hurt them. I'd never try to, not anymore, but...I guess part of me is still scared."

Her steps slowed, and she squeezed Fluttershy.

"I'll be okay. I just need some more time."

[shiningkindness]

She was still frowning a bit, but returned the hug. With Sunset so close, though, she said, "I know...and it's okay if you don't find someone special like that. After all, no one has to be in a romantic relationship to be happy. But if you don't...I just hope it's because you decide that you don't want it, and not because you feel like you don't deserve it."

Then she gave Sunset an extra squeeze.

"Because you are different now...and you do deserve to be happy."

[burningbrighter]

"Fluttershy..."

Gosh, this was embarrassing. Sunset clung to her tightly.

"You're the best. I'm so lucky that you gave me another chance...all of you did, to be the best person I could be. I promise you I won't waste it."

She pulled back with a tiny smile, squeezing her hands. Ready to dance some more?

[shiningkindness]

As Sunset pulled away, Fluttershy gave her a smile.

"I know you won't."

With a gentle squeeze of Sunset's hands of her own, she then giggled softly and gently spun her, once again moving in time with the music.