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

[woo_oo]

"Oh!" On sheer instinct, she let go of Lena's hand in order to grab her arms and catch her.

A pause - and then she wound up giggling. Not out of mockery, but sheer enjoyment of the moment, affectionately pushing her forehead against Lena's.

"I think you're the first person to 'fall over me'!" She didn't quite get the phrasing, but she'd heard it around and assumed it was appropriate.

[outofyourshadow]

A bit surprised, Lena couldn't help laughing a bit herself at the position they were in, as she rested her forehead against Webby's in turn.

"Pretty sure the phrase is 'falling for you'," she said with another snicker. "But yeah, I fall for you every time, Webs."

It had meant to be an innocent comment, but the words suddenly had her thinking.

[woo_oo]

Not that Webby had any idea what the words really meant - she was still trying to adjust to sayings and slang, and as a result took most words for their literal meaning. Like right now.

"Don't you worry." She replied with a smile as pure as the starlight all around them. "Cause I'll be there to catch you every time."

She meant it, too. She'd fight to make it happen, not only because Lena deserved life and friendship and freedom but... because it was what Webby wanted. To spend every day with her, for the rest of their lives.

[outofyourshadow]

Lena was silent a moment as she met Webby's eyes. But that smile had her heart skipping a bit.

(Does she even actually have a heart? How was she made, honestly?)

But after a long moment, she managed a smile of her own. "Yeah...I know you will."

[woo_oo]

Webby gave off a little giggle before pulling her head back a bit.

"C'mon, let's keep going! I want to dance with you all night long!"

And forever and ever if she could. Wouldn't that be grand?

[outofyourshadow]

With a laugh of her own, she straightened up a bit.

"As long as that includes food breaks."

But honestly, dancing with Webby all night didn't sound so bad.

[woo_oo]

"Oh, right, I totally forgot about the food! We better carb up!"

Holding onto Lena's hand, she raced to the food table - not even thinking of letting Lna go even once.

[outofyourshadow]

There had been a time, not even that long ago, where she might have been embarrassed to be seen holding hands with Webby. But now...she didn't want to let go either.