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

[nursetemple]

[ 'Handle' is a very loose term. Her evening with Thor has left Claire with plenty of questions, but at least one was answered - the one plenty of people have asked themselves in the past: what does Thor look like, naked?

But it's not really what Claire's after. Steve, on the other hand, is just this brand of good that makes Claire feel inadequate, even if she knows, full well, that it's not at all what he's trying to do. ]

Are you kidding? [ Se pauses, looking down at her feet for a second. ] Just. I've thought some truly awful things in the past, even though I swore an oath to protect and help everyone. I've wanted people to suffer. And I can't imagine you would have thought that, or wanted that.

[ She may be wrong. But it's so easy for her to put herself back to that day where Matthew asked her to help save Ranskahov, and how much she wanted to let him die.

She tucks some hair behind her ear, before taking a breath, and stepping into the photobooth, pushing the curtain open. ]

Sorry. Didn't mean to ruin the mood. There's only one seat in here, by the way.

[recruited]

[ She's probably right. Not many people can "handle" Thor. He sometimes wonder how Jane keeps up. Or kept up. Thor hasn't mentioned her much since being here. The last time they talked really or he heard him talk about her was during the party at the tower. He does wonder, but asking might be a little too awkward considering everything.

But she might not feel as inadequate if she knew Steve deep down. He's just as misguided as the rest of them. Following his own code and trying to do good. Even he messes up. Drags people through hell. ]

You don't know me that well. They fluffed up what I did during the war and propped me up to sell bonds, but war is hell. And when you're in hell you do things and you make decisions that will sit with you until you're old and grey. Same goes with any battle. I struggle just like everyone else. I have to remind myself every moment to never let myself go too far. To never lose that part. The fact that you think about those things isn't a bad thing, Claire. You're just like me. Like everyone else. You're human. Don't beat yourself up.

[ He smiles and gives a quick shake of his head. ]

It's okay. The mood is still alive.

[ Steve steps in first and takes a seat before patting his leg. ]

Guess we're gonna have to squeeze in.

[nursetemple]

[ His words resonate with her, within her. She doesn't say anything for a long time, just looking at him, taking it all in.

War is hell. The war Matt waged on the Kingpin was hell, and she was caught in the crossfire herself, having to make some decisions she hated to make, having to suffer the consequences of someone else's actions, having to fight for what she believed in.

Steve lived through that himself, but on a scale Claire couldn't even begin to imagine. So many lives at stakes, so many terrible choices to make. No wonder he's here, now. She would never dare ask what his wish was, though. ]

Well, all I can say is that I hope I get to know you better, then.

[ Speaking this way, he seems less self-righteous and uptight as the news made him seem, more human, as he said himself. And that? Is definitely making him even more attractive to her. She smiles before stepping closer, letting the curtain fall back behind her as she sits on his lap, wrapping an arm around his shoulders for balance. They're, suddenly, obviously, very close. ]

Hi.

[recruited]

[ If there's one thing Steve Rogers can do it's talk. Give a speech on the fly. But it helps that he tends to speak from the heart anyways. When everyone tells you no your whole life you get good at talking. You get good at using your words to fight for a spot. To find a place to belong. Mostly because you know that if you took a swing you might actually do more damage to yourself than the other person. But Steve knows how to talk. How to inspire.

It's true. His wish is big. Vast. Encompassing so many things that have gone wrong in his world. Bucky. Wanda. Pietro. The men and women he couldn't help. The ones that fell as collateral damage. You can't save everyone. But even Steve isn't willing to just sit and accept that. He never has. ]

I'm pretty much an open book.

[ There was a lot the exhibits and news clips got right and there was a lot they didn't. A lot they embellished to sell papers and sell stories. But he knows that one he gets to know someone they'll figure that part out.

Once she's seated in his lap Steve smiles and loops one arm around her lower back. They're close, but he's fine with it. ]

Hi there. You ready?

[nursetemple]

[ I'm pretty much an open book, he says, but Claire isn't so sure. There's so much to him, so many layers she'd like to peel off, just to see what lies underneath. She thinks he'd be willing to communicate, at least, unlike some other self-righteous, heroic men she knew.

She doesn't say anything, though, not for a moment. Just looks into his eyes, tries to reach unsaid things there, before she nods. ]

I'm ready.

[ She leans to press the button, shifting on his lap enough to be able to face the camera. It goes off one, twice, three times and then a fourth, final one, Claire making faces for the first three and turning to look at Steve for the fourth. Her palm itches with the desire to reach up and touch him, but she resists - nothing is telling her he'd want it. ]

Thank you, for keeping me company. Coming here alone feels like a bold choice, now.