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

[ They hadn't spent the entire evening together. He knows they talked to others. He wasn't going to bring up that it couldn't have entirely been him. But he appreciates the compliment. It's sweet. ]

Then we'll stay here.

[ His hand holds her hip. ]

You can stay with me as long as you like, Claire.

[A small smile at that, her nose brushing against his cheek before she lifts her head to look at him.]

I can't ever recall you wanting me to do anything but.

[ She's right. He does tend to be a bit of a sucker when it comes to her. He likes having her by his side. He's a very lonely pirate even on his very good days. Having her close at hand brings him great comfort. ]

Are you poking fun at me for liking you around me?

No. I'm just surprised you haven't gotten sick of me yet. [She is poking fun, really. It's evident in the way she smiles at him.]

By my shaky, questionable math, we've known one another for at least a few years. Even if it's been broken up in places. So, I've at least known you for a couple, now.

How could I ever get tired of you? A couple of years? Couple of months? Couple of weeks? I'd never get tired of you.

[ His hand lifts from her hip to cup the side of her face. His thumb strokes her cheek as he smiles. ]

Never would I tire of the sight of you. The sound of your face. The feel of your skin.

[ He swallows hard and smiles sheepishly. ]

Was that too much for you to hear?

[She doesn't tell him she's known him almost as long as she's known Jamie.]

No. [After him more or less admitting he loves her, this isn't too much. If she was going to run for the hills it would have been then.]

Don't be afraid of me, Killian.

I'm not afraid of you.

[ Maybe a little bit. Afraid of the day when she gets her wish or Jamie Fraser comes to Cadelle. It's hard to think of, but it could happen. It would make her so bloody happy though and he knows that. More than anything in the world. ]

Perhaps afraid of what I could say. It's difficult to say.

Well, then don't worry about scaring me. I know you. I don't think... at this point, there's anything you can say that will scare me.

[Everything is evident enough in his eyes when he looks at her.]

I told you I didn't want you to be quiet. That goes for always.

Nothing eh?

[ He doesn't plan to test that theory. It wouldn't be wise. There could be something she didn't account for. Either way. Sill he appreciates that she wants to hear more from him. That she doesn't get frightened right now. ]

I'll be sure to talk plenty for you then.

[What she says doesn't always align to the reality, but the intent is there. She doesn't want to be afraid. She doesn't want to worry him.]

You'll stay with me tonight?

[After any sofa shenanigans. She assumed, of course, that they might go to one of their places and do their usual bed sharing.]

There's nowhere else I'd ever want to be, Claire.

[ He lets out a shaky breath. Being close to her always makes his heart race, but being close while she's in this dress makes it incredibly difficult. Killian swallows hard and looks her up and down. ]

I'll stay with you whenever you'd like.

[It's probably no coincidence she chose a dress that displays her neck and shoulders. It's for him--even if she had a moment and now has it covered with her jacket.]

I'm sure there are plenty of places you'd rather be. What about your ship, hmm?

I haven't been on my ship in quite some time.

[ He doesn't need it to survive. He knows that now. Being here in her company is much better than his ship or anything really. He likes her more. ]

Still though I prefer being with you. By you. With your arms around me.

[ He smiles. ]

Especially when you have such a lovely dress on.

[She doesn't smile, but she does rest her cheek against his shoulder and keeps her arms around him.

She wishes she could be more for him. Do more. Give him this same level of adoration and affection back.]

[ There it is. She doesn't smile and her lack of words. She's guilty. He knew he'd say something. Do something. It hurts. But it's not her fault. It's not on her to do anything for him. She's his best friend. ]

I'm sorry. I said something eh?

Shh. No. It's not you. [It's her. Always her. Caught up in the past, just like Frank said. Just like Mrs. Graham warned her. She takes a deep breath, breathing him in. Reminding herself that if this was truly so cruel of her, that he'd know. He doesn't want to be hurt again.]

Did you have your fill of the ball?

[ It's a little bit him. He shouldn't have been so forward. He knows that despite what she says he needs to be careful of what he says to her. It's not on her. She feels how she feels. ]

Aye. Never of you though.

Then let's go to my place. [Where the couch is. She kisses his shoulder, through his shirt.]

Do you want to walk?

[ It's more like a breathy question. He doesn't want to just use magic automatically. He's trying to limit it. The less magic the better. It keeps his voices quieter when he's not giving into the darkness. ]

You decide. [When it's more convenient than anything, she doesn't mind the magic. But she leaves that in his hands.]

[ He desperately would love to cut down on the time, but he decides to make this simpler. A man walking a woman home. ]

Let's walk. We should untangle a bit.

Edited 2017-10-22 22:10 (UTC)

[That does make her smile, and he'll see it when she pulls away--but her hand takes his, just like before.]

Get us out of this bloody maze.

[ Thankfully they hadn't come too bloody far into the maze to start. It's not difficult for them to navigate their way from its depths. Especially after only taking two turns. ]

We're lucky we didnt race through it.

EVENT: A VERY NICE BALL.

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