Comfort and Joy

[simplestgift]

Who: Come one, come all! ...So long as you're appropriately dressed.
What: Luceti's second annual Christmas ball, old-world style.
When: December 1st, beginning around five in the afternoon and ending when the last person leaves.
Where: The Battle Dome.
Summary: Earth's eighteenth-century peeps are throwing one hell of a party. Again.
Rating: Well, considering no one is serving water? Probably PG-13 for alcohol consumption and the results thereof (there's coffee and hot chocolate!).

Upon stepping into the program at the Battle Dome, snow crunches beneath your feet. Great flakes of it drift silently from the dark sky above. And ahead...





The chill in the air is penetrated by the promise of warmth and light within the castle. As you approach, the music and festivities from inside reach your ears--tambourines and laughter and the clink of china dishes.

The doors open to a host of candles and a warm, old-world smell and feel. The scent of food and spices hangs in the air—mulled wine, wassail, evergreen boughs, fresh bread and roast meat--and you're only in the entryway.

Inside the dining room, cream brocades, simple but elegant, are draped over the walls. Traditional red rugs have been thrown over the floor. The single long feast table is impeccably dressed with light linen cloths and set with fine china and crystal.

The tables are lit with candles and chandeliers, giving the room a golden glow. On the tables, boughs of evergreen and holly surround the candles, and mistletoe has been hung discreetly here and there. In one corner, by a large and beautifully decorated fir tree (Buffy’s insistence), musicians are set up to play.

Things will begin with a grand dinner late in the afternoon, with a light supper (mostly consisting of cold meats, bread, and other lighter fare) at around nine o’clock. The selection of food on the tables is enormous. Most of it is meat-based and some of it is simply meat. Roast beef with mushrooms, goose in giblet gravy, herbed chicken, baked salmon, and a whole pig are among the choices. There is some hope for vegetarians, though, with spinach mixed with bread crumbs and cheese on small toasts, turnips (or rutabagas if you speak American), onions, carrots, parsnips, mashed potatoes, asparagus in breadcrumbs, and savory onion and wild mushroom pies. There is hot fresh bread and rolls with butter and heaps upon heaps of small mince pies filled with fruit, molasses, and yes, a little minced lamb. Moreover, there are fresh winter fruits like oranges and mikans and many different desserts, such as Christmas pudding, a rum chocolate dessert, and spotted dog with custard. Sit and help yourself.

Among the drinks throughout the evening are wassail, tea, hot chocolate (less sweet and much more intense than most modern characters would be used to, made with cinnamon, vanilla, and a hint of cayenne pepper), coffee, brandy, wine both mulled and plain, port, sherry, and gallons of rum punch. Even though the food is fantastic, the conversation is the point of the game, and who knows who they will wind up sitting beside. At the center of each table is placed a pineapple as a sign of welcome and wishes of prosperity.

In the ballroom, there is dancing light as the music itself, with Archie Kennedy and Elizabeth Swann teaching the steps of each dance before striking up the music and letting everyone go to town with it. They are poised and elegant but relaxed and seeming to glide as they demonstrate the motions with an effortlessness that comes with years of practice. They were both raised on these dances and this sort of social function and seem completely at home here. The dancing begins after dinner with the minuets and continues after a light supper with some informal English country dances. Anyone unused to dancing like this may find that it’s harder than it looks, but when one gets used to it, it feels very graceful, beautiful, and…fun! In fact, it's perfectly acceptable to goof off during these dances, as long as you're charming enough that people aren't irritated with you when you mess everyone up. The activity will only end when there are too few dancers left to continue, and will continue all night if possible. As dancers pass each other or move hand-in-hand, eye contact can be made, quiet words exchanged, subtle (or not) messages passed as they spin through the room, or perhaps the room spins while they remain still.

It might depend on how much they’ve had to drink.

Those who do not wish to dance have other activities to participate in. In one quiet room, card tables are set up with multiple decks of cards stacked up, and there is even a box or two of dominoes and a handful of dice. The tables themselves are round and made of polished rosewood or mahogany. This area is quietly away from the ballroom, probably as a mercy to the tone-deaf Horatio Hornblower who loves cards but can’t abide music. Here, discreet (or indiscreet) gambling is inevitable. There may be no money here, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to wager.

This being a castle, there are other rooms to explore. Up in the towers are bedrooms, nooks and crannies, and a large private library. Sneaking back to the kitchen between meals for a preview or stolen taste of supper to come is not out of the question, either.

Are you lingering in the dining room, drinking and talking loud and laughing with friends, or will you shyly sit and watch the dancing and games and hope to be invited in? Are you sitting quietly alone and listening to the music as your foot taps on its own, or are you unable to sit still and ready to dance all night if they’ll let you? Are you playing cards with a few new acquaintances, or are you hanging on someone’s arm and helping them cheat? Are you content to enjoy the presence of people, or are you exploring the castle with a special someone?

Whatever you do, have fun.

Comments

[relictusdeus]

[Isaac has not only decided to attend on a whim, but to abide by the dress code, appearing neat with his hair loosely bound back in a short ponytail, and in the most formal of attire he had in his possession. It was a spare he’d forged of the uniform worn while under Dracula’s service, near identical to the original but for the lack of winged crest emblazoned on the back.

Although he feels quite at home in the castle’s library and while exploring its darker, more secluded areas, the hellion does linger in the public eye every so often to enjoy a drink and smile gently and cooly to whomever so happens to look his way for longer than a beat. People-watching remains a curious little interest of his from his youth - except now, of course, he hasn't reason to hide nor anything to fear.

Peace and good will to all, from the very bottom of his heart.]

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh comes into the ball, still dressed in his normal attire. He sees it as both casual and formal. He's looking over the drinks, not sure what they are. A lot of them look like what they would serve in a bar. Was there no water or anything?]

[As he walks around, he spots Isaac and then finds himself doing a double-take. He hadn't expected to see the Forgemaster so...dressed up. Once Saleh recognizes him, though, he looks away uncomfortably, trying to mind his own business, but Isaac's watchful eye seems to burn into him.]

[relictusdeus]

[When the man glances aside, Isaac is suffused with a sense of roguish delight and satisfaction, the corners of his lips quirking into a smirk. Well. Perhaps this party would have its entertaining moments after all. Offering Saleh a little salute of his glass from across the room, he smiles thinly over the rim before drinking, eyes fixed.]

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh finally pours himself a drink, and then catches sight of Isaac's salute. He's mildly confused, but he returns the salute anyway and takes a drink. As soon as he swallows, he gives his glass an odd look. This was probably alcoholic...but perhaps one little glass couldn't hurt. Just as long as he doesn't overdo it...]

[relictusdeus]

[Isaac flicks a tongue across his lips appreciatively, the tang of the wine on them - and as his gesture is returned he tilts his head back slightly, his smile broadening just so.

Overdo it? If that should come to pass, he would very much love to bear witness to that very special moment. He is content to keep his distance, for now, and simply take stock of the guests present in the room. It would be a lie were he to claim that he was not anticipating a certain someone's arrival in the meantime... even if he felt it was unlikely that the man would show.

Just like old times.]

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh takes a few more sips of his drink, now getting used to the bitterness, and can drink with a straighter face. While he's wondering why Isaac is here, he doesn't feel the need to ask yet. He drinks faster now, until the glass is empty. But then his stomach feels nauseous; Saleh sets the glass down, holding his torso and swaying a little bit. Maybe he drank too fast?]

[relictusdeus]

[Isaac hadn’t anticipated a visible reaction and so soon. Chuckling under his breath, he sets aside his glass, deciding that he must capitalize on this opportunity.]

You seem ill… [He drawls as he makes his approach, and unhurriedly at that, reaching for a spare cup when he has arrived at the refreshments table. With no small measure of roguish delight, he carefully pours one of the stronger drinks available.]

Give it time. [He extends the cup Saleh’s way, all but pressing it gently into his hand.] The taste is most unpleasant but I assure you that you shall feel better. 'tis why it is kept at this table, after all.

[mountain_sage]

Hmm...?

[Saleh glances over as Isaac makes his approach. He takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly, as if to exhale the nausea itself.]

I'll...be fine...

[He takes the cup from Isaac's hand, reluctantly sniffing it. He waits another moment before taking a small sip, his face instantly souring at the taste.]

I...hadn't expected to see you here, Isaac. To what do we owe this honor?

[complicatedliar]

[Loki is still uncertain about Isaac on several levels, but none of that shows in his face as he approaches the man. Uncertainties or no, Isaac's got the potential to be a useful ally.

He has a glass of red wine in his hand.] Playing the wallflower tonight, Isaac?

[relictusdeus]

[His attention is focused somewhere in the middle distance.]

Playing? [He repeats with mild curiosity and amusement, unfamiliar with the expression of 'wallflower' - and after a long moment, his gaze slides from the crowd to Loki, offering him a thoughtful look through his eyelashes. Just a glance, and his vivid imagination is already at work.]

Can I not indulge in a most festive occasion without being accused of putting on pretenses? You wound me. [Flashing a sliver of a smile, he then drains the rest of his glass, a sense of warmth diffusing through his chest.] ...Mn. I take it you too have come for the simple luxuries of food, drink, and wallowing the merriment of your fellow man?

[complicatedliar]

Oh forgive me. I hadn't realized how shy and retiring you really are. I hope I haven't bruised your delicate petals overmuch. [He grins.]

Here for the dancing, nothing more nor less. The rest is incidental.

warning for Isaac's gutter-minded sense of humour

[relictusdeus]

Not quite as bruised am I as you may feel, should you have a mind to dance elsewhere.

[He drawls, before tilting back his glass.

It's mischievous delight, mostly, that has such shameless remarks sliding off his tongue without much thought. For the longest time, his sexuality has served as much as his weapon as his armour, and he has enjoyed the often unsettled reactions received. But in extending half-serious invitations, there is also an impulsive desire to escape the unexpected level of emotional complications with his steady bed-mate and re-experience, just briefly, the hollow bliss of not having to give a damn beyond having his needs met, and the sentiment being mutual.

A simpler time. Something freeing, even if it was unsatisfying on some deeper level. He preferred not to think very hard about it.

It had been easier when he hadn’t been struggling in his attempts to label his relationship with Zevran at every moment, forever questioning just how much trust he could place in him and instinctively fearing betrayal at every turn. To say nothing of what restlessness and confusion Hector’s appearance brought on. Zevran was merely a companion... wasn’t he?]

Noroc. [He tips his glass towards Loki's.]

[complicatedliar]

[Loki's eyebrow creeps up a degree. Really, that's a bit... flagrant, isn't it. And he's not certain if Isaac is hitting on him and has mistaken him for some kind of masochist - he certainly hopes not - or is warning him off of making any advances with overt threats. Such things have happened to him before, and it's not something he particularly wants to try again.]

Not my cup of tea, I'm afraid. [Said rather dryly.]

[Still, he raises his own glass in a similar toast.]

[relictusdeus]

Oh?

[He licks the tang of wine off his lips, a tinge curious.]

And what would that be?

[complicatedliar]

[Loki smirks.] Not something I share out of hand.

[But it sure as hell doesn't involve getting bruised. He's never been interested in that sort of bed game.]

[idealism]

[Now there's a familiar face. Abandoning the finger food, Tsuzuki made a beeline for him. He hadn't seen Isaac since their encounter, and for all intents and purposes he still believed he's a bit of a new feather and not the thief who took his door handles.]

Enjoying yourself?

[relictusdeus]

[Turning his head just so, he smiles faintly at this good Samaritan's greeting, although it doesn't reach his pale eyes.]

Indeed; thank you kindly. [He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, his gaze straying lower from Tsuzuki's face for a brief moment.] ...And yourself?

[idealism]

[His expression changes from open curiousity to a more guarded uncertainty. There's just something about the false smile and the look he got that reminds him of ...other people.]

[Maybe he's just imagining it. He grabs a glass.]

Good. I -- Oh wow, look at these drinks.

[relictusdeus]

[Isaac perceives that sudden shift in attention as an indication of awkwardness and chuckles lowly, wondering if the man suspected him of theft from their first encounter. Perhaps he did and was unsure how to broach the subject.

His grip tightens slightly around his glass, his fingernails, long and tapered, stretching the leather of his gloves.] ...Have a fondness for spirits, do you?

[tailasoldastime]

[While he has already fully intended to stick within a close vicinity from Belle, it still much surprised Beast to actually find one of the sole reasons for his protectiveness here at the Ball. Ohh, and he is very much not happy to see it. Continuing to keep an eye on where his partner is, he makes his not-so-subtle way straight over to Isaac, making his presence known as soon as he reaches him.]

You.

[relictusdeus]

Oh; it's you, is it~?

[He remarks in his irreverent drawl, smiling cooly under an intense stare and in the face of Beast's fury.]

...How nice. What do you in a place such as this, I wonder? I take it you have gotten yourself lost?

[tailasoldastime]

[He tries to ignore the drawl, but a deep-throated groan reveals his irritation. His voice lowers even more and comes out more coldly.]

You... you dared to do that to Belle!

[relictusdeus]

[His eyes narrow slightly, although his sliver of a smile lingers, unchanging. with an amused tilt of his head, he adds:]

And I seem to recall she dared to enter without my permitting it. [He answers lightly.] Impudent action is not without consequence; I do hope she learned something of keeping her inquisitive nature in check, lest a fate far worse than this is to befall her someday.

[tailasoldastime]

[Oh how he wishes he could wipe that disgusting smile off Isaac's face.]

That gave you no right to threaten her! She was being thoughtful! She cared about your well-being! And you... you tormented her!

[relictusdeus]

Right? [His lips twist into a sneering snarl.] And I do not recall it being yours to tell me what it is I should do. [Cocking his head, he presses a hand to his chest.] But thank you kindly for thinking of me.

[He takes a breath, and in a manner of seconds, he is as cooly pleasant as ever.]

I find you and I have very different ideas on what torment is.