cuddlecity | EVENT: A VERY NICE BALL.

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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ His eyebrows went up a little as he considered the question. It had always been easy to predict how a party would go on Asgard. It had also been easy to predict for the most part how a party would go with his teammates.

Here, in this city? He was still adjusting to life in Cadelle and finally he just shrugged his large shoulders, his entire jacket shifting upwards with the motion and he had to readjust how it sat. ]

I'm not sure I had any. Gaelic celebrations are not my area of expertise. Has it lived up to yours?

( Gaelic? Okay. She's not heard them referred to as that before. A brief flicker of surprise passes over her face in the dim evening light, as though she wasn't expecting to be asked in return. )

Erm.

( What had she expected? She only agreed to go because she was asked and because of the whole energy for a wish thing. This month more than most has been a reminder of why she needs to just get through this and back home. )

Were fancier than I were expectin', but not bad.

( She's been to fancy shindigs before, but always at work. This has been the first real chance she's had to unwind at them. It's... odd. )

You been here long?

( Call it curiosity. Or just her being a nosy bugger. )

[ Most of Thor's knowledge was dated by his age. As far as he was still concerned, Samhain was a Gaelic celebration to mark the end of the harvest moon though it was clear times had changed and they were most definitely not in Ireland.

He watched her for a moment as she clearly thought about the question, before glancing away to not make it feel as though he was pressuring her for a response.

His own eyebrowns went up a little in surprise before he grinned and tugged at his shirt collar that was clearly missing the tie. ]

Yes, the dress code is going to take a little getting used to if this is what is expected of 'fancy'.

[ Even when Stark threw a party ties were not expected. ]

Not at all. A few weeks. It feels longer.

[ Thor's expression was wry, as he was still getting used to this slower pace of life. He didn't mind her curiousity at all, so long as she was ready to accept his in return. ]

And you?

( What can she say, it's been too many years of not being the centre of conversation. Of having someone else there to buffer the conversation. Even after months of Eudio and months of Cadelle, old habits die hard. Personal things don't come easy. Though, at least, the dress code isn't too strange. It's stranger, if anything, to be allowed to wear her hair out, rather than a wig of a more "typical" colour. )

... Couple of months, I think.

( August, September, October, yeah. That's about right. )

Beginnin' to forget what home looks like.

( A wry curl of the lips. Not really, but it feels that way after so long. )

[ Perhaps Thor has been around far too many people that enjoy being the centre of attention. Himself included. The Avengers were all large personalities. Stark was especially fond of monopolising a conversation. But there was no making friends, no finding connections without a little exchange of personal things. ]

The people here sound happy. Are you becoming home sick?

[ He knew the feeling well. He had not yet forgotten Asgard. ]

( Hm. That's a loaded question. Cadelle itself is a city that isn't too much unlike home, with better weather and a chance for a peaceful existence - and she doesn't know what to do with that part.

But, mostly- )

Wouldn't mind seein' people I know.

( She looks over at some of the landscaping, the faint outlines in the night. Why couldn't she have had the option to bring Marc here, alive and whole and safe, or have her friends present here, away from everything back home. )

I understand.

[ He had discovered Steve was here. And some of the other Avengers, but he had yet to see any of them. And there was no one here from Asgard. The people were harder to think about than the place. ]

You here alone, too?

( She's just guessing, if he says he understands. )

There are people here from work, but we have not spent much time here together since my arrival.

My family are all back on Asgard. And others I care about.

[ He does still understand even if he has a few friends scattered around the city. But they are busy with their new lives and Thor is trying to find his place. ]

( Asgard... the name doesn't ring any bells for her, but this place doesn't seem to be all that into just grabbing from one world. Who knows what this guy's world's like. So she's not gonna press that.

Instead, the question she asks is one that hits all too close to home for her, especially this month. )

They safe back there?

( Wow Kate could you lighten up please. )

Edited 2017-11-04 18:54 (UTC)

If the wish that the city grants is true, then yes. I hope so.

[ Thor heaved his large shoulders in a shrug. He really wasn't sure. To know his brother could still be on the throne was a troubling thought.

It also meant that the city didn't keep its word. ]

All we have is hope.

Anythin' like the last place-

( She really has to hold onto that, doesn't she? That Eudio managed to fulfil her wish, that Rosie and Will and everyone else she spoke to were right about that.

When she gets home, he'll be alive again. And she'll be able to protect him. )

Then aye.

[ Thor frowned as he looked at her and rubbed at his beard as he considered her words. ]

This has happened to you before?

( A nod. )

Few of us who were there. ( It makes sense to pick from a closing pool of a similar city, right? ) Place were gonna send everyone back but some people decided to come here.

( Herself included, in a moment of panic that came from realising that the wording in her original wish could be all too vague. )

Ah. Interesting.

[ Thor thought he had seen just about everything in his lifetime but this was new. He had never heard of such a thing across the nine realms. Then again, he had never heard of a killer robot or something like Vision either. ]

Perhaps that explains why some of you seem so comfortable here. Even if you are homesick.

( How many people can really say they've experienced being dragged into cities that want to fulfil their wishes? Kate still can't quite wrap her head around the fact that there's more than one of them, really. )

S'pose so.

( Is she comfortable here? She doesn't know, really. It's easy to exist here, to get by and play nice. But it's weird, being somewhere so peaceful and quiet now, after everything in her life. )

Still find it weird, personally.

EVENT: A VERY NICE BALL.

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