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

[ Claire smiles, expecting a hint of disappointment that doesn't actually make an appearance. She doesn't know Buffy - in that she hasn't met her - but Claire can agree on the 'everyone is beautiful' thought. ]

Yeah, I have to say, people around these parts are all pretty hot. A blessing and a curse, I guess.

You two a couple, then?

[ It's good to know boundaries. Claire finds that she'd be fine being Vasquez' friend. She can imagine he's not going to be extremely forthcoming with it, but Claire likes to know where she stands. ]

I don't know yet. Back where I come from, you sort of just sleep with the people you're interested in, unless a man is courting a woman to marry her, but I don't think that happens here.

[He likes her, though, and the soft smile on his lips reflects in the sparkle of his eyes, as well.]

How do you become a couple, now, in the future?

[ Claire lets out a thoughtful hum, brushing invisible lint off of his shoulder as she thinks on her answer. ]

In a general sense, it's actually still pretty similar. Although nowadays, people sleep together before they get married, most of the time. It's like - you'd date and-or sleep with someone, and if you like them well enough, you just keep on doing that. And usually, it becomes this exclusive thing, where you don't sleep with, or date anyone else.

[ She looks up at Vasquez, a soft smile on her face. ]

I think one of the things that's important in becoming a couple is communication. See what she wants to do, how serious she is about it, if at all. See what you want out of it, too, if you know. Relationships are about what the people involved make of them.

Don't get me wrong, I still slept with women before I was married.

[Men, too, sometimes, but then, given his life, it was sometimes actually safer to end up seducing another farm hand rather than get a shotgun in between his eyes because he decided to be stupid and seduce the daughter of the farmer or someone else important. Then again, he still wound up with a bounty in the end, so what did it matter?]

She invited me here? So maybe this is a start? We haven't fucked yet, though.

[He may not be very delicate about talking about this, which he should clean up, especially around a beautiful woman like Claire.]

Back home, I was wanted, on the run. And, before that, scared of being responsible for anyone but me. I want to be a decent man, but sometimes I worry, I'm not ready.

So you're married, back home?

[ She can't help but be curious - not so much in an interested way, but mainly because she likes his company, and his stories, and how incredibly different his life is to hers, or anyone she's ever known.

She doesn't wince at the language - she's not exactly that delicate. ]

Well, you could do that and still want to fuck other people, too. It's not a contract. But maybe she wants it to be, or you do, hence the communication part of it. But if you were married, I'm guessing you must know all about that.

[ Smiling up at him, she gives a tiny shrug of her shoulders. ]

To me, you've been nothing but a decent man. Here, you've been nothing but a decent man. Who cares about what you did back home? What matters is what you do, who you are, here and now.

No, I just did a lot of sleeping around.

[He got close to marriage, but never because he wanted it so much as it had been because he got caught, which is why he got away from some of the farmer's daughters and girls in town, for a while.]

Maybe this is what should be talked about, then. I should learn to do things in the future. Still, my problem isn't decent. I know that I could be good, but I don't know that I could be good and not scared. I always felt that I couldn't be responsible for anyone but me.

[He's still not sure about that.]

How do you change this part of you?

[ Claire honestly did not think that this evening, a fancy poncy ball of some sort to welcome new citizens, would lead to such a deep conversation. For a moment, she thinks on his question, her hand gently squeezing his where he holds it, the two of them still swaying to the music. ]

I don't think you can live your life without being scared. I think making the right decisions is scary. And it should be. It's harder to be good than it is to be bad.

[ Looking up, she puts on a soft smile, wishing it was something that was easy to change. ]

I guess you have to start small. Let someone in. Allow yourself to care, and worry, and feel responsible of some things. A part of their happiness. I think it's a natural thing, one that happens over time, slowly. You've just got to accept it.

Being responsible for something or someone, it means that you can be weak. It can be dangerous. I told a boy that his father was brave because he put his son above all else, I meant it.

[He's not sure that he can change so quickly, but it might be nice to have actual connections in the world again, instead of just always worrying that he's going to fuck it all up.]

Is that how you did it? Do you have someone here? I don't think I asked, which is rude of me.

It can be dangerous, yes, but it's also the most rewarding way to live your life. In my opinion.

[ She shrugs. ] I might be saying that because my whole life has been dedicated to helping and caring for others. It's my job, after all. But I think it's important.

[ She licks her lips, thinking of Matthew, happy with someone else, somewhere else in Cadelle. She thinks of others she's met since. ]

I've just always wanted to help others. It's why they call it a vocation, I guess. I want to be useful, to be able to make a difference. But no, I don't have someone in particular here. At least, not yet. I'm open to the possibility, though.

Before Rose Creek, my job was hiding to keep my life alive. Now, I think I have to find something new, but I'll find something. No bounty on my head means no more hiding, so that part is good.

[He gives her a fond smile, happy that he's able to talk about such things.]

Are you a nurse still here? Helping people? You know you've helped me very much, both with the clothes and now keeping my company. I think you're still being very good at your job.

[ Tilting her head up, she raises an eyebrow. ]

There must be skills you can put to good use here, right? Or something you want to do? You could always go to school, as well, if you wanted to learn a new trade. This place, sometimes, feels like endless possibilities.

[ Claire smiles, a bashful look on her face. ]

Yeah, I work at the hospital here. It's pretty quiet, though, and I'm not used to that. Back home, the hospital was hectic, especially since I worked for in emergencies. So I feel like there's more I could do here.

[ She chuckles, pleased and embarrassed, all at the same time. ]

Well, I'm glad I've helped you, but that wasn't my job. That was just making a friend.

I have some ideas.

[ And he does, but he doesn't want to talk about them just yet in case they go wrong and he doesn't find success. The last thing he needs is to embarrassed by failure. ]

We'll see. If I manage, then maybe I will tell you all about it. And, hopefully, I will never need your attentions at the hospital. This place doesn't seem half as violent, which is good and bad.

[ Bad, only in that sometimes, he gets bored. ]

I'd rather if you didn't need to go to the hospital, either.

[ The song has changed, but they still dance, her dress sparkling under the low lights of the ballroom. She's having a lovely time. ]

Despite my boredom when I'm on a shift, I still can't think of the lack of violence as a bad thing. Why is it for you?

I've never been to a hospital before, I wouldn't even know what it would be like.

[He manages to not step on her toes too much, but he's also not exactly twirling her and stepping in the right places so much as swaying.]

Violence is exciting for me. It means a fight, which gets my blood pumping. Other things can do that too, but nothing like a fight.

You should come one of these days, I'll give you a tour.

[ Swaying is fine. Swaying is good. Swaying fits a lot of different songs, and prevents them from looking too silly, or actively dangerous to themselves, or the other dancers around them.

She digs a finger in his chest, the look on her face none too impressed. ]

You, and people like you, are exactly why there's such a culture of violence in the world. You can't help yourselves, because fighting and sex are the only things that make you feel truly alive. And then, you get yourselves killed.

You invite all the men you dance with back to the hospital to give them tours?

[He's only teasing and it's clear from the way he smirks at her, but still, he wouldn't mind knowing where it is. While he doesn't intend to get in many fights, he also doesn't think it would be bad to have someone on hand to patch him up if something goes wrong.

When he gets poked, he only gives her an innocent look in return, pretending he has no idea what she's saying.]

I'm a vaquero from the old Wild West. Trust me, though, I work very hard to keep myself alive, even when I take on suicide missions and get lucky. I'm here, yes? Heart beating, dancing like an alive man? So, how can I be bringing a culture?

[ She laughs in answer, shaking her head. ]

Only the ones I've already seen naked.

[ She looks as unimpressed as ever - all too used to his type. All guns blazing criminals were nothing new to her. ]

You're not bringing it, you're helping it. You're keeping it alive, because you don't know what to do with yourself without violence.

[ Her tone is not judging, because, after all - after Matt, she understands the urge. But she hates the thought of losing anyone, even less a new friend, to a life half-lived and gone too fast. She's seen it too often. ]

[He laughs wickedly at that, shoulders shaking with the amusement of her remark, giving her a pointed look and a nod, pleased with the fact that she's sharp and clever, even if she doesn't look too happy with him.]

Maybe, but I'm here, aren't I? I'm dressing in fancy clothes, dancing, not killing anyone. I didn't bring the culture here. I didn't have that culture, before.

[Before the bounty, before being on the run. Violence is something new to him, a fight that he seeks out to make himself feel better. It's not the life he's always had, though. Maybe his family has always had it, given his grandfather's place in the Toluca Battalion, but there were definitely times when he wasn't overly violent.]

No? Were you a nice man, living off the land, not bothering anyone?

[ The tone holds no judgment, just curiosity. It's not like she doesn't believe people can't change - she's seen it, often enough. She's seen it with men like Matthew Murdock. ]

It's just - a fact of life. Even in my days, violence is everywhere, and the main answer for way too many things. It's what people knows is effective. It's what makes them feel. I see it every day, back home.

[ It got her to make the wish she did, too. ]

I was a ranch hand who took jobs where he could and defended the land and himself with a gun. Close enough.

[ He doesn't think that he would seek it out, no matter how much it thrills and excites him, mainly because he knows what happens when men who look like him get in trouble. There's a bounty for his head because of it, so he doesn't want to think too much about this. ]

And here? It seems everyone is very soft and warm here.

[ She shakes her head, looking down for a moment, her dress swishing and sparkling between them. ]

I think that might be assuming a lot about people, here. Maybe a lot of us are just like you, trying to be better people here than they were back home. Trying to atone.

[ There's a lot to atone for, even for Claire. ]

I don't feel very soft.

[He scoffs at that, because he doesn't think that anyone here could meet the same issues that he had, in his past. Still, he also doesn't feel rude enough to tell her it's a silly idea, so he just nods and keeps dancing with her.]

I don't know, this is fairly soft. [He squeezes her hip a little with a smirk, knowing that he could get in trouble, but, well, the joke is obvious.]

[ She tips her head back as she laughs, just a brief moment of respite, the heaviness lifting off of he shoulders. Her heart feels jagged sometimes, but at least it doesn't show on her body. She's still grinning when she looks back at Vasquez, even when she shakes her head a bit. ]

How cute.

[ It's then she realizes how long they've been dancing - the couples around them have all changed, as well as the music, several times over. ]

Should I let you get back to your date?

I am very cute, it's a hazard.

[He does think that he should be getting back to Buffy, mainly because he owes her another dance, but he also wants to assure her that he's only being friendly, not making other kinds of special friends.]

It would probably be best, but I appreciate you letting me take you out for a dance. No one's feet are mangled, either, so I think we did well, yes?

And I appreciate you taking me for a dance just as much. [ She smiles, patting his arm. She'd kiss his cheek, but also doesn't want to make it look like she's looking for more - out of respect for him, and Buffy. ]

We did wonderfully. And I had a lovely time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

EVENT: A VERY NICE BALL.

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