oh, we dance in misery

[headandhand]

WHO: Open to all Dualizens!
WHAT: the Plague Memorial Masked Ball
WHERE: the Mayor's Mansion (central Dualis)
WHEN: the evening of November 16
WARNINGS: Visuals/discussion of disease and death in the setting. Anything else, please use appropriate warnings!

At 8 p.m. sharp, the lights inside and around the Mayor's Mansion turn up, and the doors are opened to the crowds that begin to trickle inside. All entrances are manned by Iterations, and all party-goers are scanned for both proper attire (formal and masked, mandatory) and weapons (absolutely forbidden) before being allowed entry.

Once inside, attendees are greeted to a spectacle of warmth and light and lavish decorations, all themed in white accented with gold and violet. Venture into the ballroom, and you'll see intricately carved ice sculptures in various representations of death, all laden with garlands of marigolds and violet chrysanthemums. At one end of the room, a rotating cast of musicians plays soft music in differing arrangements of strings and piano. Long tables at the other end of the ballroom are piled high with punch fountains and platters of delicious party foods, and a few bar stations serve beverages of the more adult variety to those of age.

Outside the main ballroom are seven smaller rooms, for more intimate conversations and quiet recovery from the main gala (or just skulking like a brooding weirdo, if that's your thing). Six of the rooms are decorated in monochrome blue, purple, green, orange, white, or violet, and the seventh room is pitch black with red accents.

Throughout the night, the mayor herself winds in and out of the crowds, shadowed by a pair of bodyguards. She is all smiles, greeting people with a friendly handshake and effusive words of thanks for attending the ball, but she never stays in one place long enough for a true conversation. This is a celebration of life and a remembrance of the dead, after all - not the time or place for talks of business or politics.

Enjoy yourselves tonight, everyone! And remember - death eventually comes for everyone.

Comments

Nida | FF8

[skyward_eyes]

Dancing’s Not a Crime

There was nothing like a party to make someone, well, relax probably isn’t the right term for it, but Nida likes to pretend it is. So, parties for relaxation, even if he moves with a bit more control and purpose. He had, after all, had SeeD uniform, and a matching black mask with intricate gold patterns, prepared for himself for the night and the festivities. He does mostly avoid the ice sculptures and the mayor’s entourage for that matter, and wanders around until he finds the dance floor. 



The best part of any party is the dancing. And Nida smiles in spite of himself and moves to the nearest unpartnered person. Time to trot out a line that is hopefully just as effective as last time he went to a ball, if less accurate. 



“If I say it’s my birthday, would you dance with me to celebrate?”


Because Nida? He’s never been able to resist a good ball.




Morbid Curiosity

Of course dancing can only last for so long. In Nida’s case that meant that he really needed to consider the advantages to being in a place like this. Which, in this case, is poking around. Glass of bubbly apple juice in hand he moves carefully through the main ball room, quietly shadowing the mayor and doing everything in his power to not give that away. Which, of course, means occasionally breaking off to duck into the variety of side rooms. It’s not until he comes into the black and red room that he stops. Stops and shudders, wrapping his arms around himself. It’s… not a good shade of red for him, and from his rapidly accelerating breath, definitely causing the start of a panic attack.



Isn’t that a fun way to live his life? Especially with him standing in the doorway, temporarily blocking it.

Dancing's Not a Crime

[etherealsage]

It's a wonder that Rinoa hasn't found her way onto the dancefloor yet. It's probably because she's not exactly well-versed in dancing in extravagant ensembles and gowns. At least, if she is, she's somehow magically forgotten. Nida catches her by surprise with his question where she's been watching everyone else, trying to formulate just how one needs to move in a ballgown. After a moment to compose herself, her head tips as she looks him over.

...That uniform still looks so good. She recognises it right away, but not exactly the eyes behind the mask. At least wouldn't if he didn't speak.

"Is that a pick-up line?" She laughs, a bit incredulous by his invitation. But she offers him a hand all the same. "Because it's not necessary. Although I guess you should probably bear with me. I have no idea how to move in this thing."

[skyward_eyes]

Oh, Rinoa. If he'd realized, he'd have used a different line. But he smiles and reaches out his hand to take hers, and then bows over it with quite a bit of poise and grace. He definitely got more than his fair share of dancing skill from Garden. unlike some people he knew.

"Now now, Rin, I wouldn't hit on my sister. And you're decidedly... female for my tastes. But, between you and me? As a secret? My birthday is New Year's Eve. So it's just a line for anyone else. Now come on, let me see if we can't get you out there as the prettiest belle at the ball."

[etherealsage]

She laughs, entirely unsurprised by anything he has to say. Or rather, perhaps it's at this point that she's kind of just put it all together and she feels comfortable in what she can deduce about him and his behaviours. It's good to see him smiling again. It's good to hear him sound... Well. She won't dare say it, but she suspects a fragile heart lies beneath the surface of any curve in his mouth. She lets him take her hand, decides that she'll play along, and she can't help but laugh.

"Oh, you just want everyone to look at us, hmm? I don't know about that." Rinoa shakes her head, "I look silly. You, on the hand, look absolutely marvellous. So if what you mean to say is you're using me to make yourself look good, welllllllll. I'll give you a pass for that one. I wouldn't let just anyone get away with that either. Only because you're my brother."

Her brother with a birthday on New Year's Eve, which she makes a point of filing away for later shenanigans.

[skyward_eyes]

Rinoa is quite perceptive. The fragilest heart of all right under the surface. Especially given this is a ball.

"Maybe I just want to get some handsome young man to look at me," Nida offers, and he does give the lightest tug as if to pull her to dance. "So yes, maybe using you to make myself look glorious. Peacocks and flashy feathers, you know? Help your big brother get a gentleman to sweep him off his feet?"

He knows Rinoa would have learned it sooner or later. And she'll probably make a deal out of it, which Nida won't care for. But hey, such is life.

[etherealsage]

"You say that like you need the help."

The features in her face soften as she eyes him. In spite of any hesitance she has about dancing lingers even as he tugs on her hand. Yet she follows after him all the same, proper posturing and all. It's not her first dance, after all.

"I think you're plenty handsome," she continues thoughtfully, though she makes certain not to stare too much. Partially because being dressed like a storybook princess is still a little embarrassing. Fun, but embarrassing. "So basically all we need to do is parade you around in a flashy manner, grab the attention of everyone else, and that'll get your name out there. Someone's bound to pick up on it. Then you can preen and show off your plumage, or whatever it is birds do when they're... picking mates."

...She can't help but be curious about bird mating rituals now, which is admittedly something she's never thought of before.

[skyward_eyes]

"Well, I haven't had the chance to win a man into my bed in a very long time, so yes, I need the help," Nida assures her.

She can do the math, she knows full well how long he's been without the man he'd involved himself with. And he's trying a new method to handling that.

And of course he's handsome. He chuckles low at that comment, reaching his free hand up to adjust his mask before wrapping his hands to their appropriate places. Then he starts them slowly in time to the music. Flawless from the word go. Someone was more invested in those classes at Garden.

"That sounds about right. I'll have to make a show of dancing with men as well, so that will help me. And I think it is showing off plumage for birds. Or singing. Or hunting. I heard one about bringing another bird a REALLY nice rock."

[etherealsage]

"Oh, I hope you don't think I can help with that," Rinoa begins to laugh. "I haven't even... uh." You know. You know. Just talking about it makes her flush right to the roots of her dark hair. And thankfully that's about the time he's taking her into her arms and whisking the princess-in-presentation off of proverbial feet.

Thank Hyne for the distraction.

"Plenty of guys here. You shouldn't have a problem there. I gotta ask, though—you're gonna serenade a guy, show off, and bring him a really cool-looking rock. Let me know if that works out, because if it does, I'm gonna try it." Not that she needs to. She really doesn't. So maybe she's teasing. Or maybe she's serious.

[skyward_eyes]

Well, that just makes him so experienced, doesn't it? Not that he can help her. He isn't exactly suited to giving advice on anything. Rinoa's made for relationships. Nida's... done with those. And he can just dance, right? Dancing matters.

He hums under his breath with the pace of the music, and lets himself move. Move him, move her. Together they move. Hopefully he keeps her moving smoothly.

"I can't sing," Nida muses after he breaks away from the humming. "I don't know, you've got a guy. Maybe you should beat him to the punch and get a cool looking rock. Or give him one."

Dancing

[silentnarration]

Hello, fellow SeeD uniform wearer. Squall's face is a little red as he's gone through a glass of champagne a little too fast and is still holding a glass. If only because he's been grumpily pillar-flowering the entire ball, watching over Rinoa... and watching her dance and have a great time with everyone else.

He raises his eyebrows at Nida, hidden under his mask but still.

"It's not your birthday." He huffs, letting his shoulders drop a little. He's not mad at Nida. Just grumpy and mostly annoyed at himself.

[skyward_eyes]

Come on, Squall, don't pretend that the SeeD Uniform isn't one of the nicest things they've ever worn. He thinks he looks good. But the champagne is silly. Or maybe Nida thinks that because he can't trust himself with it.

Of course, Nida's had his bit of time to dance with Rinoa too, but now he's happy to have Squall's attention. But what really shocks him is the comment.

"Oh, you think it's not my birthday? I'm supposed to believe you're aware of my birthday?"

[silentnarration]

It's great, he guesses!!! It's just the easiest formal wear to fall on and he happened to come across it while walking around the city somehow. (He's not questioning how things from home conveniently show up anymore.) Nida is right about the champagne though.

He looks away at being called out.

"I know it's not today." Stubborn. "... I only know one dance." As if he hasn't already proven he's a damn fast learner.

[skyward_eyes]

"Good thing I know the same dance," Nida smiles. "And so many more. But I'll stick to that one. Lead, or follow?"

Oh yes, he's going to try and get Squall to actually dance with him. Because it's hilarious.

[silentnarration]

Squall blinks and tries to see if he can tell it's a joke. Nida actually wants to dance with him?

Wait, which role was he when he was dancing with Rinoa anyway?

"Lead?" That sounds about right.

[skyward_eyes]

Of course Nida is going to dance with him. He's going to try and figure out whether Squall really can perform in the way that Nida expects that he should be able to. They all took that class though.

"Alright then. Be careful. I like my feet not being trod on."

[silentnarration]

Squall didn't. He thought it was stupid. Sure showed himself when the graduation ball happened.

He rolls his eyes and grabs Nida's hand, pulling him towards the dance floor without another word. He'll do it perfect. Probably. The music is different but he tries to remember as he positions his hands correctly. A few more seconds to see where everyone else is at with the music and he steps, muscle memory working in tandem with recollection to recreate the dance.

[skyward_eyes]

Well, at least for Nida's sake, if things get back, he can probably get out of the way of terrible footing. But he chuckles as the music seems to line right up with the idea of letting Squall do this one dance.

At least Nida's very good at following.

"Remember, keep your eyes up on mine."

Dancing's Not A Crime

[blitzcheer]

The voice is familiar, but it’s really what the voice says that raises Tidus’s brow under the covering face mask he’s chosen for the ball, a shade of blue that matches the suit he wears, his sunset-yellow tie to match with his hair. His mouth opens first in something unspoken, then turns into a half-incredulous, half-humoured grin.

“I’d ask you if that works.” Tidus is not falling for that line, but he’s having fun with it anyway, completely amused. “Has it? Not that it’s bad, or anything.”

And it’s not as if Tidus has declined the original request, yet. But there's something about it that totally has Tidus tickled.

[skyward_eyes]

"Oh, it works more than you think," Nida grins, offering his hand and bowing over it just a bit. "Is it working now? Please say yes. You look like you could move like a dream over the dance floor."

What, is he trying to get into Tidus's attention? Of course. Tonight is about forgetting his pain and his life. So if it means hitting on a guy that won't put up with it, he's down for that.

[blitzcheer]

There's that speechless open mouth again. It's been forever since someone's tried to make moves on him like this (do these count as moves? Is it just fun? It could just be fun), but even this is on its own level. It must be because it's a dance. It must be because the compliments aren't related to blitzball for once.

"Okay, now that's trying too hard," Tidus chides playfully, and he shouldn't think about offering a hand for it, but he does after a moment. "I'm actually bad at dancing, and this is just a friendly dance." Note the emphasis on friendly! "I came with a date. But I won't step on your feet if your hands don't lose their place either. Sound good?"

It's more joking than a real warning: Tidus doesn't think the guy will actually try anything. But he still offers a hand instead of taking the one already extended just in case the condition is a problem.

[skyward_eyes]

Oh, he hasn't even STARTED doing moves yet, Tidus. Give him any play back, and there will be more. So much more. Because he thinks maybe the guy will change his mind after the dance. But then the news that Tidus has a date. Oh well. Nida keeps his smile in place.

"Now who would ever dare say that I'd let my hands wander? Sir, I am a gentleman," he insists. "It sounds good. But if you're bad at dancing... I should lead."

[blitzcheer]

This is definitely on a level of goofy, but goofy might make it easier. Helps him relax a bit more, and Tidus nods at the suggestion.

"Okay." He turns his hand held out, thinking. "That means I'll have my hand on your shoulder."

It's a question without the lift at the end, because while he's saying he's bad, David i'm assuming covered him fairly well about this stuff. Doesn't mean he doesn't feel like he owns two left feet (if Tidus even knows the saying), but he isn't also going to be too transparent about this.

But please lead away, Nida. The night is young.

fair assumption

[skyward_eyes]

Exactly correct placement. Nida smirks and steps under the hand, his own curling around Tidus to rest on the small of his back.

"Keep your eyes on mine. Don't look at your feet. I'll avoid spinning you. So just move where my hands guide you. And trust that I appreciate my feet enough to not get stepped on."

He's guided clumsy people before. This shouldn't be a problem.

ty david

[blitzcheer]

Haha. "Okay, but I think I'd like to see you spin someone tonight. Sounds like a show."

Tidus has to admit to himself, the guy's at least fun. There's some noticeable tension when the hand goes to the small to his back, but it eases some, just as Tidus finds a ghost of comfort in the pattern of the dance that he recalls being taught. He keeps the count he learnt in the back of his head as the music follows its own tune, and it's not perfect (it's not dream-like), but there's no knocks to any feet yet, so there's that.

But keeping his eyes on Nida—that's the biggest trouble Tidus is having. The side of his mouth quirks and his gaze likes to slip away, but then it corrects itself, even if he looks around the space under Nida's eyes instead. It's not cheating though, is it? Maybe it's not so important, or their masks will mean that Nida won't notice.

(Something something masculinity.)

Re: ty david

[skyward_eyes]

"Oh, the spin isn't the show," Nida says, leaning in to whisper in his ear. "It's the dips."

Sure, he might now be aware that Tidus is dating someone, but that doesn't mean that Nida is going to be any less himself. Well, the him that sweeps anyone onto a dance-floor. Which means the him that is playful and definitely a bit more daring than he should be.

But then he's focusing on the music, on the dancing. Until he notices Tidus's eye difficulty. He smiles wide and warm and shakes his head.

"It's okay, you know, to not look right at my eyes. People say that to teach because the point is to not look down at your feet. Look at my chin or my hair or my ear. Imagine another face and look at that. Just keep your head up. When you look at your feet you're thinking too hard."

He has some pity for the guy.