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

[widows_kiss]

The first time she'd heard mention of a Christmas ball, Natasha had immediately started thinking up excuses to get herself out of it. Which was why she was still trying to figure out how she'd ended up here at all, tucked on Clint's arm in a gown of deep burgundy. It clings to her like a second skin and she is glad when the castle's interior is warm and welcoming once they step inside and she sheds her wrap.

Whoever decorated the place - or programmed the area? She's still a little unsure how that works - but either way they'd outdone themselves. She can't help but murmur in Clint's ear when they step inside, that she feels she just stepped into Hogwarts. Even if the gorgeous decor, the high windows, the sweeping ceilings remind her far more of home than she feels comfortable admitting.

Despite her reluctance in coming, Natasha ends up enjoying herself far more than she anticipated. The food is wonderful and she sneaks a few drinks in as well between bouts on the dance floor, where she shows a surprising knowledge of dances from several eras and an understated grace and skill, no matter who she partners with.

She spends a little time time in the gaming rooms, playing a few hands of cards, although doubtfully gambling anything unless she is very much enticed to do so.

At some point, late in the evening, she may vanish for a short while, seeking solace in the library with a glass of port to watch the snow fall outside, somewhere with relative privacy but where the music from the dance floor can still be faintly heard.

[universal_charm]

Solace, it seems, is need by more than one person tonight. As much as Kirk was enjoying himself, his mind kept turning over what was happening to Spock. What were they doing to him? Where they hurting him? He wanted to reach through the link and find out, but he didn't have that type of control yet, and frankly... well, he wasn't sure the proud Vulcan would appreciate it either. But it sucked, made him fidgety, so he got himself some alocholically warm to drink and made for a quiet part of the study to sit down a minute and just breathe and let himself worry.

He went into the library and blinked when he saw the gorgeous woman in the burgundy gown. "Oh, sorry, I thought I would be the only one in need of hiding."

[widows_kiss]

Natasha's head came up, a play at being surprised as green eyes fell on the unfamiliar man. She'd been absorbed in her own thoughts and memories, but she'd heard his footsteps approaching before she'd seen him. Still, she gave him an apologetic smile, her fingers clasped loosely around her own glass of wine.

"No, although there's not many before you. Hopefully it's not catching," she added wryly, her lips curving faintly as she stepped away from the window. "If you'd prefer the solace, I can go?"

[universal_charm]

"No, no. I would have to be really depressed to ask a pretty lady to leave," he chuckled, coming closer, but giving her a polite amount of space too. His gaze fell out the window and he sipped his own drink as he stood beside her. "It's been awhile since I've seen snow like this."

[widows_kiss]

Natasha gives him a smile, a flash of humor, ducking her head in admission at his laughter, remaining where she was as he approached. "Well, I'd hate to imply anything of the sort. You're welcome to join me. In truth, I was more taking a moment to catch my breath than anything." Even if it was in the metaphorical sense.

His comment drew her gaze back to the night and the faint snowfall she'd been watching outside. Her lips quirked, something complicated and tangled flitting briefly through green eyes as she took another sip of her wine.

"It's been a while since I've seen quite so much of it. It reminds me of where I grew up."

It was hard to tell if that was a good thing or bad. Natasha is not certain herself.

[universal_charm]

"And where was that, if that's not being to forward?" he asked her, trying to decided based on the way she talked, but that was really no help - no discernable accent. In fact, she might even seem to lack one. Which meant guessing would most likely lead to him getting slapped or some such, so yeah, he was going to ask.

[widows_kiss]

Her lips quirk faintly and she glances sideways at him for a moment.

"Russia. Although I never know if anyone here will recognize that or not, considering how we are plucked from so many times and places."

[complicatedliar]

[Loki decides he wants a dance from Natasha after Clint mentions her. She's rather fun in her own way, and he's drunk enough that he's not nearly as paranoid as he normally is. Though not nearly drunk enough for the alcohol to show as anything but a slight relaxation of his normally languid movements.

He approaches her in the ballroom, smiling broadly, just as a man who has had a lovely night thus far would.] Agent Romanoff. Care fora dance?

[widows_kiss]

Natasha resists the urge to blink at him, because this was among the last things she would have expected, especially with him grinning as he was. She arches an eyebrow, cautious but not hostile as she turns to face him, studying him intently for a moment, as if waiting for a punchline.

"I might. Do you know how to dance?"

There might be a hint of a bemused challenge there, because yes, she has seen him out on the floor a time or two and he still possesses the same otherworldly grace he had when she's encountered him before.

[complicatedliar]

Loki smiles sweetly. "Really, Agent Romanoff, would you have me believe your powers of observation are that weak?"

[widows_kiss]

Natasha returns his smile with a matching one of her own, laughing quietly. "I would have you believing a great many things, Loki, if it were as simple as that," she counters, dipping her head, a coy smile playing about her lips.

"In the meantime, I suppose a dance will do."

Even if it would no doubt raise a few eyebrows. She hoped Clint would behave himself.

[complicatedliar]

"And I, you," Loki says, smile going crooked. Only he's succeeded far more than she has.

He offers her his hand with an appropriately courtly bow.

[widows_kiss]

Her smile is enigmatic and cool, able to read into that crooked smile, but she doesn't comment on it, lets him think what he likes. Instead, she reaches out, lays her hand in his and dips into a perfectly courteous curtsy, all easy grace.

"After you, then."

[markofthebrave]

Katara is just making her way to the table which held drinks when she spots this elegantly dressed stranger. And what are parties but excuses to meet new people? "Hello!" She smiles brightly, "I'm Katara."

[widows_kiss]

Natasha turns at the unfamiliar voice, her gaze skimming the stranger intently a moment before a smile curves across her lips for the young woman. She dips her head at the enthusiastic greeting. "Hello, Katara. I am Natasha," she introduces herself, her posture open and relaxed, fingers holding a glass of wine.

"Are you enjoying the party?"

[markofthebrave]

Katara is not wearing a waterskin today. But one thing Natasha may note in that assessment is that a few accessories are not exactly period-appropriate: the bright blue stone on her choker, for example, or the glace bracelet wrapped around a lean muscled bicep that seems to be filled with water. Also? She's not wearing heels, but practical ballet flats under that dress, and her posture and fluid movements hint at a certain kind of training.

"Oh yes," she said, glancing around the castle for a moment. "No matter how many times I see it, I'm always amazed at the kinds of things this place can help make real. And it looks like there was a good turn out, and that's always nice to see. What about you?"

[widows_kiss]

"I'm still learning some of what it's capable of," Natasha admits with a rueful smile, letting her gaze travel fondly over the beautiful room and sweeping architecture. "I'm still relatively new here, and this is the first time I've seen anything like this. I've used some of the simulations for training, but this... someone's outdone themselves."

She let her glance wander back to Katara, her smile warm. "I take it they do this for other holidays and things as well?"

[markofthebrave]

"A lot of the people from Earth do," Katara said, shrugging one shoulder. In her three years in Luceti, she's noticed that seems to be the prevailing population, and certainly the ones who are the most vocal about their holidays. "And Haruhi and her brigade throw all sorts of parties. I think this one is because Christmas is an especially big deal in Archie and Horatio's world."

[widows_kiss]

None of those names are very familiar to her, but considering the amount of people here, that's not really surprising. Still, she nods, understanding.

"I don't know if they are from Earth or not, but yes, Christmas always seems one of the largest to celebrate." She cast the girl a curious look for a moment.

"You're not from Earth?"

[jamesbarnes]

Bucky isn't big on the group dances, though they're fun he's glad when the music changes and people settle into pairs or disperse. He's looking around for a familiar face he spotted in the thick of the crowd, stunning and graceful on the dance floor as she had been in their fight. When he finds her again he flashes her a grin.

"Hey. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you'd been doing that since you were born." He inclines his head and offers a hand, palm-up. "Got time for one more?"

[widows_kiss]

There's the faintest flicker of surprise when she turns and sees him approaching her through the crowd, his purpose clear. She has the briefest urge to slip out, to vanish, because she has to be careful with him, oh-so-careful, and she's never been any good at lying to James, not for long. He's always known her too well. And while she might not spin too many tales, she's not telling him the truth either, and that makes this difficult. Tenuous.

But her feet won't move and her body isn't listening to her, so she's still standing there when he saunters up with that charming grin and a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"You don't know any better," she points out coyly as she eyes his hand a moment, her gaze flicking between it, his face and back again before reaching out and sliding her fingers against his palm, accepting his invitation. "Hello, Mr. Barnes. I suppose I could squeeze you in on my dance card. If you think you can keep up?"

[jamesbarnes]

"I suppose that's true." He agrees easily. His gaze brightens a little when she accepts, and he leads her back out onto the dance floor with a chuckle at the comment. "If I've gotta earn that place on your dance card..."

His hand settles on her hip as the music slows, the other still closed around hers. "Do your worst, Ms. Romanoff."

[widows_kiss]

She shifts into step against him, her hand easily coming to rest in his, the other landing lightly at his shoulder as she gives him a crooked smile. The music slows, the melody familiar, and she lets him take the lead, her movements sure and graceful.

"I doubt my worst is anything you are a match for, Mr. Barnes. But we'll see how you do earning that place. This is something of a lost art in my time, I fear."

Her gaze is warm as she dances with him, and it feels natural, like second nature, and she has to fight off a sudden feel of fond nostalgia, because they've done this before. The dancing, the banter, the baiting. Before, mixed with a careful edge of flirtation, of attraction. She does her best to keep that in check now, but it's impossible to tell how successful she is.

"Are you enjoying the party?" she asks instead, settling on a safe topic.

[jamesbarnes]

"You think so, huh? Maybe I'll surprise you." He feels like he ought to be offended but he's not. He got a hint of what she could do in the bar, and that was all fun and games. "The more I hear about the future the sadder it sounds."

They fall into step on the dance floor as easily as they did at the bar. It's almost a surprise, but he chalks it up to Natasha's natural skill.

"It's not my usual kinda shindig but it's pretty impressive. You?"

[widows_kiss]

"Maybe you will." It's said with a demure smile and a warmth in her eyes as she meets his gaze. There's almost a hint of hesitation there, but she's quick to bury it, her smile genuine.

"The future's not all sad. It might not be quite what you expected it to be, but there are some things about it that are very enjoyable. Although I'll grant, time seems to move much faster than it used to. Sometimes I suspect the world itself has sped up."

Her smile deepens at his answer, mirth in the curve of her lips. "I'm not sure I have a usual sort of shindig, but they certainly outdid themselves with the details." Her gaze flicks upwards to take in the gorgeous room they were dancing in. "Impressive is a good word for it."