cuddlecity | EVENT: A VERY NICE BALL.

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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

[ Buffy could easily take care of Vasquez if she thought he was going too far. Bandit, or not. Height difference, or not. But the way he kisses her and pins her against the pillar, well, she doesn't fight him off, but she does fight back.

She can do rough. She can do hungry. She can do a lot of things, but the ruffle of fabric and the way it gets between his hand and her thigh reminds her that they're not somewhere they can easily finish what's about to be started.

Of course she also wasn't going to stop it immediately either. She was pretty sure the citizens of Cadelle had seen worse. An arm shifted to slip under his, fingers now grabbing at the back of his jacket as she fought the urge to use the pillar for leverage and wrap herself around the cowboy. There was also the slight danger that she might put a dent in some of the furniture and construction if she didn't check her strength. ]

[This is more like it. Vasquez has been hungry for touch for a long time, but there's nothing like a devouring kiss to ease off some of that need, his fingers curling and wrinkling the dress fabric as he holds it, rocking his hips a little forward because while he's not intending to end up sprawled out on the floor, there are baser impulses in him that are hard to deny.

He doesn't mind at all his shirt and jacket being yanked, almost wishing that she would keep going, so if that's his thought, then he should say something.]

Don't worry about messing up my shirt. If you want to touch skin, I wouldn't mind.

[His words are low, teasing, a hoarse echo of his normal tones as he leans back in, both hands on her hips to hitch her up a little, half like he's tempting her to wrap her legs around him.]

[ Buffy struggled to catch her breath as the kiss broke long enough for him to speak. She was actually a huge fan of Vasquez giving into his needs. This was even better than the club the other night. Maybe because she really was in her right mind this time.

Her tongue ran over her lips as she smiled, but her eyes were dark as she looked at him, the blue all but gone as her pupils dilated. She grabbed at his shirt and jacket again, considering whether or not she wanted to follow through and touch his skin.

She did, however, wrap her legs around him despite the layers of her dress and the fact that moments ago she had made a decision not to. It brought her up higher, and she cupped his face between her hands as she kissed him again.

And then her mouth slid along his jaw, and up to his ear so that she could whisper and still be heard. ]

Maybe we should take this outside. If I touch skin again there might not be a guarantee I'll stop this time, bandito.

[This is definitely the kind of night that Vasquez didn't entirely plan for, but it's not like he can complain. His breath is short, but his eyes are alight with possibility as he drags her legs around him to hold on tighter, rocking his hips against the dress in a move that shows that he very much would prefer to be doing something else.]

Outside, then. Is outside really going to be better? I don't know about you, but I don't usually get off from people watching.

[Not lately, when he's paranoid about who those eyes might belong to. Not to mention, Faraday is around the city somewhere and the last thing he needs right now is that teasing coming from him, but outside is still better than having to stop. Especially when he's so close to having a very pressing problem in his pants.]

You could have fooled me considering what's happening right now, V. Maybe we can find a quiet corner in the maze?

[ Was that even possible? Buffy was quietly grateful that her dress seemed to envelop Vasquez as well, disguising the way his hips moved even if she could feel it all too well.

She swallowed, her mouth becoming dry even as she let slip a quiet laugh and rest her forehead against his while she tried to think and come up with a plan and honestly, patience really was never one of her virtues. ]

Or are you just ready to leave? I know you didn't want to talk to anyone but you didn't have to seduce me just to stop having conversations.

[ Not a complaint. Really not a complaint because she was quite happy being his Buffy-shaped buffer if this is what it meant. ]

I got caught up in the moment. You can't tell you didn't either.

[Maybe she doesn't have as much physical evidence going against her as he does, but he thinks that he can see the way that she's looking at him, the way she's reacting, and that means that he's not the only one who's being affected by this. Heart pounding, he tries to keep some composure, because he's generally better at this.]

Are you sure you don't want any more dances? We went to an awful lot of lessons, I want to make sure the lady gets what she wants.

[He's ready to go, but he wants to make sure that he teases her just a little, but also that she confirms that she wants this more than staying.]

Oh no, I did. I'm definitely having a moment. I'm not even going to pretend otherwise.

[ Buffy pressed another kiss to his lips, getting used to the feel of his beard. It was a different sensation. A rough tickle that left her tanned skin slightly red. She was pretty sure she was not going to come away from this without a new appreciation for facial hair.

She lifted herself up just a little, still hanging onto him easily as she surveyed the crowd. Could they make their escape with him carrying her? Would he even be willing? Or was she honestly going to have to try and steady herself on her feet? ]

V, I think it's safe to say there's only one kind of dance I'm interested in right now. We'll have other chances. Something tells me this city loves a party.

[The groan that comes off his lips when she kisses him again speaks to how unfair he finds it when he thinks about the fact that they're still in public and he wants to do so much more. Grimacing, he eases back with all the willpower he has, even if he's holding onto her and not willing to let her back on the ground.]

I'm not even too fond of parties, honestly. Only reason I really came was for the good food. And, maybe, because someone beautiful invited me.

[ Buffy was right there with him as far as thinking it was unfair went. Why did they always have to be in public when things were starting to heat up? Although this was much, much better. Vasquez was just as willing as she was. She jerked her thumb in the direction of the exit and maybe had to bite back a smile as she thought about 'save a horse, ride a cowboy' now having extra meaning if he was about to carry her all the way out of here. ]

Well, this someone beautiful is telling you that in future, you are allowed to just straight up tell me that parties suck and to go stick it. Or at least convince me of the benefits of staying in. Because I'm pretty sure we're about to discover quite a few.

[He should put her down. That's his logic talking, but Vasquez is very good at shutting off the little voice in his brain that speaks to him with common sense, instead focusing on the beautiful woman in his arms and how he plans to carry her out of here. Moving away from the pillar, he smirks at a few other guests who happen to stare at them, challenging them to say anything.]

I like the food part of the parties. If we didn't come, I wouldn't have managed to have a good dinner, and also, see you in this dress. That's somehow worth it, yes?

[ Thank god for a lack of logic because Buffy can't help but enjoy this whole scenario. She even gave a cheery wave to some of the on-lookers. Seriously, they just wanted to be her. Not everyone got carried out by a cowboy. ]

Only because I got to see you in a suit and that was definitely worth it. I can't thank you enough for this mental image. Really, V. I appreciate the fact that you indulged me.

[ She gave him a kiss on the neck, careful not to obscure his vision with her hair or a kiss on the mouth. She just really needed to remind him that he was going to be shown plenty of gratitude when they were alone. ]

I do like to look flashy and good, this suit really helps with that.

[He's a little puffed up, because he knows he can be very handsome, and he likes being spiffy and good with looks. That he's shaved a little is also something new, because he didn't trust barbers before, and now he has the chance to do it for himself.

With the kiss to his neck, he shivers and lets out a soft, low curse, taking her outside where he finally sets her down on her feet, but only because he's not sure where she wants to go.]

Want to see me without the suit?

Does this mean you have even more new items in your wardrobe I get to look forward to seeing?

[ Not that she didn't have an appreciation for the cowboy look. She did. But she also knew the state of his favourite shirt. He needed new clothes.

Buffy held onto him for a moment as she got used to being back on her heels and then moved to take his hand as she slipped her fingers in between his and started to tug him towards the apartment buildings. ]

You know I do, V. My place okay, or yours? Speak now otherwise I really might consider pushing you back into a hedge.

I went shopping. I have plenty of things that are new and should be tried out.

[He grins at her, a hand on hers as he gets tugged along, not daring to let go of her because he's tipsy and aroused, and he wants what she's offering so very much.]

Yours. Yours will be nicer.

[He's not used to having a place of his own, so he's let it grow messy and unkempt. It's not the kind of place that he would ever bring a woman to, so hers is a better idea.]

Don't push me into the hedge, I paid a lot of money for this suit, it would not be very nice to tear it.

So we should make a lot more dates, then. That's what I'm hearing.

[ She grinned back as she shifted course just slightly so they were headed for the Alpha Building. She wasn't sure she could claim an apartment entirely free of mess, but at least the bedroom was clean.

The kitchen may have contained some botched cooking experiments and evidence of her mixology practice. ]

It was worth every cent, V. Maybe when you recover from this ball, you'll get a chance to wear it again.

[ But for now she had all kinds of plans that meant it ended up on the floor next to her bed. ]

If that's how you think I will show off my clothes, then yes. I could always just wear them all for you in the same night, trying new ones on again and again.

[It would definitely get through them quickly and give Buffy a quick show to show off his body, what he bought, and how it can flatter. Following, he slides his fingers through the fabric of her dress again at the hip, tugging slightly so that he can pull her back towards him when they're halfway there, so he can steal one more kiss.]

Why would I be wearing the suit again, hmm? [The words are spoken against her lips, a definite tease to find out what plans she has in mind.]

I think you should do it to music and I'll sit there like I'm watching you model them on a runway.

[ She held up her free hand, stopping him before he even tried to ask what she was talking about or what half of the words were. She would explain later. Much later. Maybe show him videos while they were both naked.

She smiled into the kiss, his mouth swallowing a tiny moan of pleasure. They were getting closer to being able to do this without an audience and without worrying about clothing. ]

Hey, I'm just thinking out loud. You never know what's going to happen. I didn't know you were going to happen. [ Buffy's hand found it's way to the back of his neck, keeping him close so the kissing didn't have to end just yet. ]

[ He's about to ask, when the hand comes up, and he smiles ruefully because she apparently already knows him well enough to know when questions might have come up. He's glad that there's something else to focus on, too, because he'd much rather put his mouth all over her, inhaling the sharp and sweet smells of her as he wraps his arms around her again to bring her in close. ]

Was I not supposed to happen? Maybe I was supposed to come and get a drink at your bar, have you thought of this?

[ Buffy may have scrunched up her nose if he hadn't started to occupy her in other ways once more. She slipped her other arm around him and gave into the embrace that was happening in the middle of the street. ]

I don't usually like to consider Fate since we have some issues, but hey, if this was meant to happen then maybe it's not quite so bad.

I mean, maybe it was the right bar for me to go into. I don't think I would have found another bartender half as beautiful.

[He might have, but who knows? He's happy that it worked out, because right now, he's still eyeing that dress of hers with a hunger in his eyes that neither food nor drink will help to do anything about.]

Where is your place? Tell me it's near.

I think you're lying, but I will still take the compliment because I can. I'm just glad I knew to give you just the right food.

[ She rolled her eyes and laughed, showing him that she wasn't really too serious about his 'lie'. She knew there were some insanely beautiful people in the city. But hey, she still managed to lasso herself this particular cowboy.

A shiver ran up her spine as he gave her that look and she kissed him once more before pulling his arm around her waist as she started to guide him again. ]

Alpha building, and yes, it's close. Just a little longer.

I don't think that I'm lying half as much as you think.

[After all, the other bars he went to had other people tending; older women, men, and while Vasquez is never picky and has always found people attractive no matter their age (or their sex, if he's honest), at the same time, Buffy had still been the most radiant and beautiful of them.]

It also is easy to win my heart with food. I've been a very hungry man, since the bounty.

[He nearly tumbles after her when she steps away, making a face because she's not letting him kiss her. He knows he shouldn't be pursuing this in public, but it's been so long that his desperation is outweighing his common sense.]

Then I'll take the huge compliment. I can safely say I have never met anyone like you, V.

[ Buffy picked up her pace, mostly because his strides also meant that she needed to take twice as many steps. Another downside to the height difference but at least she was used to running in heels.

Then there was the fact that her own impatience was starting to get the better of her. The apartment building was well and truly close now and she really did need to force herself not to straight out sprint. ]

Still? I feel like you should get introduced to the concept of All You Can Eat. Do they even have a restaurant like that here? They should. You'd love it.

I've never met most people like the ones here, but you are the very top of the crop.

[His stride is an easy thing to maintain, as determined as he is (and as tall as he is), but he also still lets her go first because he likes the view. Of course, a part of him also wants so badly to show off because he knows his suit also flatters him.]

What's All You Can Eat? Besides something that sounds wonderful. I think maybe I have three months of eating to make up for, so that would be a good start.

And you can keep giving me all the compliments you like.

[ But Buffy waved a hand as she laughed. He really didn't need to, she was just teasing. As nice as the ego strokes were she was already won over. She gave a spin at one point, her dress flaring out as she blew a kiss back to him. Buffy pointed at her building and fished her keys from her clutch.

Soon there was going to be a flurry of clothing removed. Although she strongly suspected she was going to have to carefully lay Vasquez's suit on a chair. Maybe she should just watch him undress himself. ]

Ah, it's a type of restaurant. They make you pay like seven dollars and then you just keep going back to the buffet again and again as you do like they say - all you can eat. I really think you'd like it.

EVENT: A VERY NICE BALL.

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