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

#exposed

[perro]

Guess so, ( he says with a smile still lingering at the corners of his mouth. voices low, heads tilted inwards, there's enough privacy between them for rene to remain candid, to not slip into his natural habit of bravado. it would feel far too out of place here, with a live band echoing a dreamily slow melody throughout the hall and hushed conversations taking place all around them so as not to interrupt one another, or maybe to savor their own moments.

a moment or two later, rene adds: ) If this is s'posed to be your belated quinceañera, this city did one hell of a job.

( and then he lifts their hands, draws his other away from her to give her a little spin, grin kinda spreading as she returns to him and his hand settles against the back of her dress once more. the two of them are pretty good at this thing — not that he'd expected anything but.

rene's hesitation about this whole thing, the tension, slowly begins to melt away in favor of their light conversation, the ease with which they dance together. there's just something about isabelle — about the way she smiles so genuinely at him and how the two of them can slip into comfortable conversation without question — that sets him at ease, metaphorical hackles lowered. )

[distractly]

( she supposes she can't really disagree—while this is the last place she'd of imagined herself, still at times wondering if it'd been the right decision ( solely depending on whether or not promised wishes were truly upheld ) —it's moments like this that make it seem as if she's just where she needs to be. that she hadn't neglected the institute, the watchful eyes of her mother and the equally somber present of her father. she wasn't here for herself, but it's the stolen bits of time like right here with him that keep her going.

it's the champagne, those she's met within cadelle that have managed to slip past her guard, the dreamlike scatter of lights strung above, the way he guides and follows her without so much of a thought—it's a mindless sort of bliss, slipping past the confines of contentment that raise a laugh from the girl as she's twirled, coming back into him with the hum of it still full in her chest, radiating against his front now flush again with hers. )

It's not terrible.

( she lolls on the word playfully, a scrunch of features as if to dress up such faux approval. it was beautiful, the entire ball, really. collections of a dream every young woman stitched together at night. and there's something that softens her, at the thought, glancing down between them as she chews at the inner of her cheek, lost in the whirr of her mind. forearm slips comfortably to rest along his shoulder, fingertips at the nape of his neck with a slowly drawn breath, lashes finally fluttering back up to his. ) I wasn't sure if I'd see you tonight.

( a hint of that grin returns, only now it's hushed with a tenderness that always seems to find them, leaving paths paralleled once more. ) You clean up much better than expected.

[perro]

You don't gotta sound so surprised, ( rene counters through a peal of laughter, the upturned corners of his mouth a pretty solid indicator of how truly offended he is at the notion that he, rene ramirez, would show up to one of these things looking anything less than spectacular. (and, well, he has oliver to thank, but there's no way in hell anyone's gotta actually do that.)

he follows the beat of the music with ease, sways with gentle steps as each pair of dancers seems to glide around the dance floor without colliding, even with the very real threat of trailing ballgowns and pointed high heels to contend with. luckily, rene's a pro from too many dysfunctional family functions when he was growing up — anniversary parties and the aforementioned quinceañeras, 'cause him and laura were a little too preoccupied to try going to their senior prom.

a few beats in the song, a few steps later, and he adds, ) Don't think I gotta tell you how gorgeous you look tonight, hermosa. ( his reaction to seeing her, the way he looks at her even still, probably says enough.

rene's never been one to hold his tongue, though, always speaks his mind. there's no telling when the very weak dam of restraint he's got going on just might burst. )