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

[bearshermark]

For all Eleven follows the telegraphed movement without trouble, after only a few steps, he can feel the difference: he's too stiff, too nervous, and nearly too slow. It's all he can do to keep from tripping them up.

He thinks if he hadn't already danced with Kuja, that he might be well and truly floundering here with Tenn. He also decides that being at eye level with his dance partner makes everything a touch more intimate, and he's only more self-conscious.

"S-sorry, I don't think I have the rhythm quite yet."

[perfectenn]

After so much time spent coordinating with professional dancers, it’s nostalgic… like training at an old studio again. His partner’s movements feel stiff, his steps uncertain, and his attention seems scattered... well, none of that is unusual for a beginner. But Eleven was far more relaxed before. How to get that back… hm.

"It’s because you’re not focused on the music." Tenn observes, patient. Even professionals lose the beat sometimes. "Focus on feeling and moving to the rhythm. That will give you the timing. Allow me to guide your steps. You don’t have to think about it. Ignore what the others are doing. Close your eyes if you need to."

[bearshermark]

Eleven breathes and tries to focus. He wasn't having such trouble before- he knows these steps, Tenn isn't dragging him into territory too advanced- but perhaps it's natural to feel stiff when his partner moves so fluidly. Or, it could simply be the fact that he's not focused because nerves have the better of him.

It's just a friendly spar.

With another breath, Eleven concentrates on dropping the tension holding his body captive and heeds Tenn's advice to close his eyes. It's difficult at first, eyes falling closed only for moments at a time, until he realizes that yes, it is easier to concentrate on the music and movements when he can't physically see his partner.

Slowly, Eleven's steps ease into the rhythm and follow Tenn's. It takes a touch longer to manage it without thought, but when they do, he allows his eyes to open again.

"Another dance," he bargains with a smile. "After this one, to make up for it."

[perfectenn]

A reassuring smile will be the last thing Eleven sees before taking his advice. Good... he knows this part is hard. Glancing around, Tenn continues to guide them and keep the dance flowing.

As tempting as those underarm turns and flourishes from the other dancers look, Tenn’s motions remain studiously simple and repetitive, always the same distance, same timing. He feels Eleven starting to move with him, gliding to the music with less prompting. Still leading, with his hands only now, Tenn allows himself to relax a little more. It's been a long time since he guided someone one-on-one... it's not a bad feeling. Different than dancing with other professionals… but rewarding in its' own right.

Meeting Eleven’s gaze again, Tenn doesn’t need much convincing to take up that offer. "Of course." He gives him a wink before inviting him into a turn. "The real fun starts here."