EVENT: A VERY NICE BALL.

[cuddlemods]

EVENT: A VERY NICE BALL.

Blink, and a week goes by; close your eyes, and the evening of the fifteenth comes to life, the cool glow of moonlight illuminating the quiet streets of the city. For once, it seems like the entire city's come to a standstill — many of the local businesses have closed early today, with signs advising they'll reopen first thing in the morning, and even the dependable, cheerful squawks of the street vendors have hushed for the time being. Hurried as this year's event may seem, the annual celebration is a city tradition that's not to be missed; bakers and booksellers alike know this all too well, and any lingering souls in their shops will be gently but firmly shooed to the exits by late afternoon. They've got to get all dolled up too, after all, and such finery takes time. Whether the Social Committee's video enticed you or you've been dragged by the metaphorical scuff tonight, the Samhain Ball hopes to offer you an evening of seasonally appropriate escapism. There's something for everyone tonight, from the comforting swells of smooth jazz and upbeat swing pouring out from the stage where a live band plays, to the mouth-watering smells and tastes of a gourmet plated meal served early in the evening, to even the simple beauty of the decorated ballroom itself. The first hour or so of the evening allows for guests to enter at their leisure through double doors at the north end of the ballroom, where all are greeted by the smiling faces of Flora and Cornelius in their matching cream pantsuits. Should you choose this main entrance, you and your companion — or companions, if you've brought more than one — will be announced in grand style, befitting the occasion. (Savvy — or sneaky — attendees may note the auxiliary entrance on the west side of the ballroom. Follow the garden path, and be mindful of the sprinklers. They do have a tendency to go off at the wrong moments.) Take a look around, and soak in the sights. The ornately carved ceiling of the ballroom has been obscured for the evening with tasteful black draping dotted with the gentle glow of strung lights. It lends a twilight quality to the evening, enhanced by the soft flicker of tea lights placed at the center of each table on the east side of the ballroom and the sconces hung on the wall throughout. Each table, too, features a soft cream tablecloth and a bounty of autumnal florals, perfectly arranged to match the golden chairs surrounding. There's plenty of seating for all, and no assignments — feel free to claim a table for you and yours, and free your hands of anything you may not wish to carry. The slow fade of music from the stage signals attention to a single woman illuminated by spotlight, whose silhouette should look familiar to anyone who's spent time in the city. With a small, tired smile, Mayor Drake welcomes you and yours to the city's annual Samhain Celebration Ball; her speech is short, but touches on the importance of the holiday, from the appreciation of the harvest to the welcoming of the new year, and reminds both natives and visitors alike to take time in the coming months to cherish their blessings — including this most immediate one, the promised Samhain feast. Once you've settled around a table, the ballroom welcomes you to chat with strangers and friends alike, encouraging conversation with soft instrumental music and the quiet, pleasant generosity of passing waiters carrying flutes of happily bubbling champagne. A little liquid courage never hurt anyone, after all. Dinner is an affair in itself, plated and served by hushed but skilled waiters whose capable hands whisk courses in and out with no more than a smile. No matter your dietary preferences or needs, there's an appetizer, entree, and everything in between available for you — simply raise a hand, and a member of the waitstaff will be at your side to assist in taking your order when you're ready. Linger as long as you like at the table; there's no rush to leave, but when you're ready, let the swells of the music from the stage entice you to the west side of the ballroom, where a dance floor's lit by the warm glow of so many twinkling lights overhead. The music itself goes on through the wee hours of the evening, so there's plenty of opportunities to fill your dance card with any number of partners. The songs themselves vary from gentle waltzes perfect for cheek-to-cheek swaying to faster rhythms suited for swing dancing's signature dips and twirls, and requests are always welcome if you've something particular in mind. There's even a microphone tucked to the side, just in case you feel the urge to croon with accompaniment to someone special as the night goes on. Of course, if you don't feel like dancing, or just need to rest your feet, there's plenty of entertainment tucked in the hall. In a small room just off the ballroom, you might find a collection of old-fashioned photobooth machines, ordered on accident and set here where they won't clash with the rest of the decor. They're operational, of course, and free of charge; feel free to take a few silly photos, but be sure to wait for them to print. There's the gardens, too, equally decorated with twinkling lights, though the effect is muted by the moonlight that trickles through the canopy overhead; the adjoining hedge maze and walking paths have often been a perfect site for quiet walks and romantic interludes in years past. While a perfect world might allow such a charmed evening to last forever, unfortunately all good things must come to an end, and as the late hour of the evening gives way to the promise of dawn, a familiar tune is played to signal the end of the event. As the lyrics go, you don't have to go home... but you can't stay here. Time to make your way to the exit, and see where else the night takes you. Whew, talk about words. Should you need a recap: be pretty, because this is a fancy event. Bring a friend or come stag, whatever you choose; eat, drink, dance (or don't) and be merry, for this is an event without any dramatic accidental consequences. Well, except the sprinklers... and maybe your own excessive consumption of champange, but that's up to you! And, though we say it every time, please don't forget that your mod team is here for you with answers to any questions you might have, whether related specifically to this event or the game in general. If you have any further questions specific to this event, we encourage you to ask away on our QUESTIONS COMMENT here in this post. If you have general questions, or prefer a more private venue, our GENERAL INBOX (and SCREENED INBOX) is always available for you. Enjoy your evening, cuddlers, but if you would, please — save the last dance for us?

Comments

[recoined]

A couple of months, ( murmured out over a shrug. the exact amount of time, the number of days that have passed since kimberly had wound up as one of many attending an alternate universe's version of college move-in day, doesn't really matter. ) It seems like a lot longer.

( she's tempted to pull the other girl into a hug, but something stops her. maybe it's the fact that she's never had opportunity to see trini dressed up like this, all sleek and beautiful, in an actual dress. )

I'm really glad to see you, Trini.

[amarillos]

[it's trini's turn to state in shock at kim. her mouth falls open, eyes wide in confusion.] Months?

[they'd only just defeated rita and saved the city. it doesn't make sense that she's been here for months.

the unspoken how hangs between the two of them as trini looks kim up and down. in sleek dress and heels, kim looks a hell of a lot like what she imagines kim would've looked like at a dance during the height of her popularity. trini would like to reach over and tuck a few of those flyaways back behind kim's ears, but before her hands can betray her, she folds them primly over her lap.]

I'm glad to see you too. Not sure how this whole time thing works, but glad that of all the people I could've run into it was you.

[recoined]

Yeah, months, ( kimberly echoes, a hand reaching up to brush fingertips through the edges of her hair. ) It's kind of — I don't know. The city says time stops? At home, whenever you leave.

( if she closes her eyes, she can still smell the salty air that permeated through all of angel grove, feel the weight of the armor hanging over her skin, the slick copper taste of blood pooling in her mouth from their battle with rita and all her putties. it's been months, but she knows that coming home again will be like she never left. finding trini here feels a little like it, too.

she's been here for three months now, 90 days and change of getting close to people she never expected to meet in the first place. she's found friends — and more than friends, even — something she never would have thought possible. something that had seemed impossible in angel grove without the benefit of the cheerleading squad. or the rangers.

are we friends, or are we power rangers?

that had been the question, once upon a time around a flickering campfire, but kimberly couldn't help but feel that trini's presence here was an answer to that question. yes, to both. trini was both an integral part of the rangers and her friend. somebody whose presence felt right, in a way that kimberly couldn't quite explain. )

So... intimacy, huh? I didn't take you for much of a cuddler.

[amarillos]

Yeah. [she nods along in understanding.] They mentioned as much to me. I don't think I really believed though.

[though kim doesn't specifically mention it, she kind of figures that she and kim are thinking of the same thing, of home and their battle weary bodies. of the wrecked buildings and streets of angel grove.

trini's definitely also thinking of kim here without the rangers. she's sure that kim managed just fine, and is grateful that she's not the one who had to do this alone.

of course, kim has to ruin it by bringing up a reminder of girlfriend problems that she's had.]

Shut up. I'm going to rescue kittens until I can go home.

[recoined]

( she can't help but smirk a little at trini's defensive retort. not that kittens aren't cute and cuddly and well worth spending time with, but she's pretty sure there are better ways to spend time than by completely ignoring all of the other faces in the crowd. )

Don't worry, I'll cuddle with you. If you promise not to steal my blankets.

( and yes, she does mean cuddling. but if trini wants to assume she means something else... well, what she keeps to herself doesn't hurt anyone, right? )

[amarillos]

[there may be more effective and certainly more enjoyable ways to waste the days in cadelle, but trini's a prickly one.]

I'm not the blanket thief, princess.

[she chimes back. if she doesn't comment on the cuddling part of the equation it didn't really happen, right?]

[recoined]

Wow, rude.

( to be fair, while kimberly is in fact very fond of burrowing under the blankets, she does prefer good old fashioned body heat to the allure of a blanket cocoon. )

We'll see if I let you use my good blankets now, grumpy cat.

[amarillos]

Oh. You were planning on breaking out the good blankets for little ol' me? Consider me touched.

[she's two steps away from an eyeroll, kim. don't test her.]

You'll have to at least buy me dinner before I'll even consider cuddling. What kind of girl do you think I am?

[recoined]

( what kind of girl does kimberly think she is? don't ask her to answer that. that's a loaded question and a half. )

I'm just saying, if you can't find anybody to meet your impossible standards, I can clear my schedule for you every now and then. A little Chinese food takeout, some Netflix, the good blankets — I mean, it's a pretty decent offer.