headandhand: (mayor marcelina)
the head | the hand ([personal profile] headandhand) wrote in [community profile] dualislogs2019-11-16 05:12 pm

oh, we dance in misery

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.
skyward_eyes: Harry Shum Jr as Magnus Bane (Default)

[personal profile] skyward_eyes 2020-02-04 02:48 pm (UTC)(link)
He was supposed to be charming. Well, he tried very hard to be charming. Who knew how well that actually went. But there was just a lot of effort put into it. But for her, right now? It's genuine.

"Well then, I must away to entertain myself. Try and get that man of yours on the dance floor. But ask Seifer if you haven't already. He's a good dancer."
etherealsage: (pic#13484006)

[personal profile] etherealsage 2020-02-04 02:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sounds like I have quite a few dances to be handing out. Although I'm not sure it's a good idea to be asking either of those guys. I don't think either of them will be particularly in the mood." Something she can't really blame them for. They both have their different things they must work through. It's not like she hasn't noticed Squall has been trying to inconspicuously keep an eye on her. Maybe asking him to dance wouldn't be a completely terrible idea.

But if she goes to ask Seifer...

She can't imagine that'll turn out particularly well.
skyward_eyes: Harry Shum Jr as Magnus Bane (You've Got My Attention Now (Interested))

[personal profile] skyward_eyes 2020-02-08 12:10 am (UTC)(link)
Well, Nida disagrees, but he won't say that out loud. Not again. He doesn't want her to feel awkward. The song comes to a full close and he offers a deep bow.

"Choose what you will, Rinoa. But don't think that the beautiful gown you're in is going to stop you from having your fun. Never let the things around you keep you from your enjoyment."