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

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.

It's very easy to compliment a beautiful woman, you know. I can happily do this.

[He grins as he watches the flare of that dress, following along a little closer than before so that he's pressed up firmly flush against her body, his hands on her hips as he stands behind her at the door, bending down to start pressing kisses to her neck while he speaks.]

I like this restaurant. [Another kiss.]Though, you will have to teach me about money. For me, seven dollars is a lot. [He nuzzles the brush of her warm neck, stroking his fingers over it as well.] I don't think it is anymore, though.

It's really not. It's a good deal.

[ But as soon as the door was open, Buffy turned in his arms and grabbed the lapels of his coat to pull him inside with a grin as she rose up to initiate a kiss. If he was going to tease her neck like that then he really needed to be prepared for the consequences.

She was tempted to kick off her heels but they weren't yet back in a position where height wasn't an issue. ]

This beautiful woman needs you to go back to you complimenting her without words, bandito.

[One day, he'll take her up on this offer, too, and make sure that he knows how to properly enjoy some good food here, without being ripped off (or eating too cheaply). His eyes light up once the door opens and Vasquez is more than happy to stop talking about cheap food.]

[He bends down to kiss her, wrapping his hands around her hips and squeezing as he lifts her a little into the air with the kiss, searching around them for the bedroom.]

Don't yell at me. [A thought.] Or hit me.

[With that, he bends down to haul her up into his arms, carrying her scooped up with ease, because he has no trouble at all with someone so small as her. With a delighted grin, Vasquez starts to pepper kisses along her neck again before walking her to the bedroom.]

Can I use some words, though?

Edited 2017-11-09 00:58 (UTC)

Why would I--

[ Buffy was cut off as he lifted her, and she definitely did not feel an urge to yell at him, or hit him. Instead she giggled and looped her arm around his neck to hold on. It wasn't his ability to hold her she was worried about, but more the many layers of dress getting in the way.

This time she did toe off her heels, letting them drop to the floor as they headed for the bedroom and she pushed her fingers up into his hair to play with the strands.

Finally she looked at him, twisting a little to kiss his lips before she gave a nod. ]

You can use some words, but you need to get me out of this dress first. I'm feeling like its about to become a hindrance.

[Vasquez pays no attention to the heels on the floor behind him, instead only caring about the kisses and the warmth of her body pressed to his. There's something in him that stirs the way it does when he's about to fight, like he's ready for this, and he's sure that she can feel his interest.]

Where is your bed? Let me put you there, then I will help.

[The interest in his eyes is clear about how very much he wants to get his hands on her and start to peel away that dress.]

[ Buffy motioned somewhere over her shoulder, he'd gotten the direction to her room pretty much spot on. She was certainly distracted by his interested and making a mess of his hair with her fingers running through it.

When she sensed they were close enough to the bed she managed to get herself free of his hold before he could throw her down. She wanted to stand for this part. To use the bed like a step-ladder as she pulled him into a hungry kiss and started to push the jacket back from his shoulders. ]

Have I told you that of all the clubs, in all the magical cities, I'm glad you walked into mine?

[ She was paraphrasing Casablanca and maybe he wouldn't get it, but still. It seemed appropriate. ]

[He gets the picture, at least enough of it. Hefting her up with ease (she really doesn't weigh much to him, at least, not with his height leveraging the ease of walking), he keeps going, even if she's intent on buckling his knees what with the touch to his hair, weakening him into soft sounds of pleasure.

Vasquez gives a noise of protest when he can't drape her across the bed, but standing and stripping him of his suit jacket is an okay trade.]

You make it sound like I only wandered into yours. I didn't only visit your club, you know, I just liked yours best.

[He thinks that ought to count for more, if anyone is keeping track.]

[ Somehow he managed to make it sound like they weren't just talking about the bar anymore. That maybe he'd just liked her best out of all the pretty girls.

It definitely counted for something.

The suit jacket fell to the ground and she leaned back in to kiss him deeply as nimble fingers made short work of his tie and the first few buttons of his shirt. ]

Either way, I'm a pretty lucky girl.

[Vasquez lets out a low, heated chuckle into the kiss, loosening the already-loose tie (he'd liked having it, but had kept taking it off to show off his neck), letting it drop behind him as he works to get his trousers undone. What's more important, though, is her dress.]

Where is the zipper? Show me, tell me.

[He needs to start peeling her out of this as soon as he can, or he might start to rip fabric and women never tend to deal well with this.]

[ Buffy couldn't stop grinning at his impatience. It matched her own, but they were clearly at odds over who should get undressed first. She pulled back to huff out a breath, bouncing on the bed a little as she lifted her arm to show him the zipper that ran along the side.

But her fingers were back to working the buttons on his shirt as she watched intently while each one popped open. Her cheeks were already flush with heat and honestly, if neither of them were wearing such nice clothes that may be needed at some other point - she would have happily ripped them. Or let him rip hers. It was taking everything in her not to tap her slayer strength and be the one to throw him down on the mattress. ]

cont'd

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT: A VERY NICE BALL.

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