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

[blackteriques]

[There always seemed to be an occasion to celebrate something in Luceti. Most of the time, Walter could not care less; he did not like parties in general, and only tolerated them if he found something to them that might be somewhat enjoyable.

In the case of this particular party, it was a reason to get out of the house. Winter was always a miserable time for Ferines, and spending so much time in the house to retain warmth was just ready to drive him up the walls. So when the entire household decided to attend, he found it better to go along than stay in the house that seemed all too cramped right now.

He spends a good deal of his time people-watching and hanging out in the ballroom, though he does spare some time to explore the castle before deciding to stick to the ballroom. It's in the ballroom where he can be seen with Sophie, who he occasionally lifts up when she wants to investigate decorations that are out of reach.

When the dancing in well underway, Sophie tugs at his sleeve emphatically in that way that she does when she has a question. Walter listens to her question in silence. Contemplates in silence. Battles reluctance in silence. Grumbles in silence.

Some party-goers may eventually see Walter humoring the little girl, letting her stand on his feet and clutch at his hands with her much smaller fingers while he--quite awkwardly--dances with her.]

[bubblywishes]

[Okay, while Norma's mostly been keeping to herself and only dancing with a scant few people - her mind on the holiday and what to give as gifts to her many friends and those she considers family - she does happen across the two Feriness and has to keep herself from being too obvious as she gawks. Even harder yet is the task of not bursting into a fit of laughter when she sees Walter, Mr. McGrumpypants himself, dancing with the little girl.

Covering her mouth with her hand, Norma scurries back into the crowd, has her cackling fit - while being stared at a bit, mind you - then returns to the scene armed with her journal. Oh, yes. Yes, she is getting this on camera even if it kills her. This is the ultimate blackmail material and she is not about to waste. it. Really cute blackmail material, and it does kind of make her smile to see Sophie looking so happy, but still blackmail material, ohoho~]

[blackteriques]

[Sophie smiles happily as she dances, murmuring Relares counting with Walter as they move in little more than a small square area. Walter's brows knit with concentration as he focuses on his task, aware that there are people around who may be looking on.

For the most part, he doesn't care. How could he, when he didn't care about what they were doing as long as they left them alone? Now, if they were to bother him in some way...

He doesn't notice Norma right away, keeping Sophie balanced on his feet and trying not to grow frustrated with his own stilted movements. The one thing she really wants to do with him, and he's awful at it. Ugh.]

[bubblywishes]

[Norma is just...going to continue what she's doing over here, though being a whole lot less subtle as time passes on. She's staring at Walter's clunky movements and finally loses her cool completely, howling like a wounded galf and doubling over while holding her stomach. Oh lord. Oh, sweet, merciful, holy lord...she can't take it. She can't take this anymore. It was too much for her poor, poor soul.]

Ahahahhahahahaa!

[Oh, she is going to get into so much trouble for this in a second or two, so much trouble, but it's well worth it. This is something she will commit to memory for years to come, fate permitting. And best of all, she got it all on camera. ♥]

[blackteriques]

[He tenses up pretty badly at the high-pitched and all-too-familiar shrieking laughter, and it's all he can do to catch Sophie when his stumbling causes her to fall off his feet. So it still looks kinda ridiculous when he turns to look in Norma's direction, seething.]

You. What do you think you're doing?

[bubblywishes]

[Oh darn, it ended. It ended and she got caught. Yet, Norma can't help but laugh harder at how angry he looks, wiping at the corners of her eyes when she's finished. Oh god, she will commit this to memory for the rest of her life if she can. Forever and ever will she remember this day.]

Me? Oh, I'm just enjoying the scenery.

[8D]

[blackteriques]

[It's something of a different kind of anger on Walter's face, as he's caught between great annoyance at her presence and embarrassment over ... well, he's not exactly sure what he should be embarrassed about at the moment, he's so greatly annoyed at the moment.

He continues to keep at hand at Sophie's back as the little girl finds her balance, his other hand free to point accusingly at the camera.]

That is not enjoying the scenery! Give it here!

[bubblywishes]

You mean thiiiis~?

[Norma sings, dangling her journal in her hands so that the pages rustle. She yanks it back quickly, just in case, and sticks out her tongue right at Walter and blows his a very sour, very mature (this is where Sophie gets it from, if you're wondering) raspberry. She's also all but dancing away from his reach, in case he charges at her like a bull. Norma's actually anticipating that, to be honest.]

Nope! [(troll)]

[blackteriques]

[It would take a mature person to ignore the open taunting and mocking singing from Norma. Very deliberately, Walter picks up Sophie and sets her to one side, only giving her a momentary glance before averting his eyes back to Norma.

Sometimes, he is not a very mature person at all.

And so he lunges at Norma, eyes narrowed and teeth gritting together. He's fast, but moving from a standstill doesn't help him in that regard.]

Brat!

[frost_jewel]

[Despite being a late arrival, she isn't nearly late enough to miss Walter dancing with Sophie. She thinks it incredibly sweet and touching of him to do something like that.

And at first opportunity, like when the song is over? She's going over to tell him so.]

Good evening, Walter.

[blackteriques]

[Walter is in the process of stretching after being over Sophie during the dance when he hears Mia's voice. He tenses and turns sharply, looking at her for a split-second before glancing at Sophie. The little girl has taken to holding onto the edge of his tunic, looking at Mia curiously. To her, it's strange to see other people talking to Walter.]

Hello, Mia. [Ah...] How are you?

[frost_jewel]

I'm all right, thank you. How are you? And I don't think we've been introduced. [That last one went to Sophie; Mia leans down a bit and extends a hand.] I'm Mia.

[blackteriques]

[Sophie continues looking curiously at Mia before reaching out to take her hand, still holding on to Walter's tunic with her other hand. Though she doesn't quite smile, she doesn't seem afraid.

Walter watches this scene warily, caught between feeling protective and feeling awkward.]

I've been well. This is Sophie.

[Sophie smiles just a little.]

[frost_jewel]

It's very nice to meet you, Sophie. [She shakes the little girl's hand and bows slightly.]

Have the two of you been able to dance?

[blackteriques]

[Walter makes a face but says nothing, somewhat self-conscious with the way the question is posed to get an answer from Sophie; he doesn't doubt that Mia had been around long enough to have seen something.

Sophie answers the question with a pleased expression. "One dance." She holds up one finger on the hand she had just used to shake Mia's hand with.]

Did you just arrive? [Walter asks, trying not to encourage the topic of dancing.]

[frost_jewel]

I hope you had fun. [She stands up again, smiling at Walter.] A few minutes ago. I know I'm quite late.

[blackteriques]

It's hard to be late unless you made plans. [Though he practically shrugs off what Mia is saying, Walter wonders if she had in fact had plans.

Sophie smiles a little more at Mia, but doesn't speak up again; she's instead intrigued to see Walter actually talking to someone.]

[blessingone]

[Fenimore was out poking her nose into the kitchen exploring at first, but she comes back to the edges of the ballroom before Walter finishes his dance and she bursts into a fit of giggles. Don't worry, Walter, she's not laughing at you, she's...okay, she's laughing at you. But she finds it endearing as much as she finds it hilarious.

They're concentrating too much for her to wave to them, so she waits until they're done that dance. ...And until she's gotten her laughter under control. Okay. Okay, she can do this.

She makes her way over to them, smiling.] Hello, Walter, Sophie. [She crouches down to about Sophie's level, but she looks between the both of them as she asks:] Are you having fun?

[...Okay, her smile may have a bit too much grin mixed into it.]

[blackteriques]

[...That smile on Fenimore's face is far too wide. Walter looks at her suspiciously as she approaches, crossing his arms now that they no longer busy keeping Sophie balanced. Sophie smiles back when she sees Fenimore, waving a little more enthusiastically than usual; she's all too pleased to share what she's been doing.

"We danced."

Walter frowns behind Sophie, his expressing defensive and challenging, as if saying, "Do you have a problem with that?"]

[blessingone]

Did you? [Oh dear, that's fake surprise in her voice. She already knew, didn't she?] Was he a good dancer?

[And she looks up at Walter and -- oh, she probably shouldn't poke fun any. But she's having trouble getting that smile under control, so she'll look back down at Sophie. The safer option here.]

[blackteriques]

[This is so not fair. Walter is practically glaring to keep from sulking, irritated because he recognizes that fake surprise and how Fenimore is intentionally focusing her attention on Sophie.

Sophie nods enthusiastically in response, oblivious to the way Walter is looking at Fenimore. "Uh huh! It was really fun."

Obviously, she gives him much higher praise than the awkward dancing really warranted.]

[blessingone]

[Even if Sophie is oblivious, Fenimore is not and she can't decide if she feels guilty about irritating him like this or just more amused.]

I'm glad to hear it. That was really nice of him. [She looks up to Walter again and does her best to look and sound sincere.] Really.

[And she is sincere, even if she is also amused. She actually thought "sweet" before "nice," but she figured the former might be a little much.]

[blackteriques]

[It takes a good deal of effort for Walter to keep his frown from shifting into a grimace, and he stares intensely at Fenimore for a moment before looking away, his hair covering his annoyed expression. He misses the way Sophie nods in agreement with Fenimore, but it's hard to miss the "Uh huh" she utters softly.

"Did you dance?" It seems like an innocent enough question from the little girl, but it's enough to make Walter glance over again. What has Fenimore been up to while he was entertaining Sophie?]

[blessingone]

[Oh, it looks like he doesn't want this to be known no matter how nice she thinks it is. ...Well, that's how it goes.

She turns her attention back to Sophie since Walter doesn't seem to want any attention on himself.] Nah. It's not really my thing. I had more fun watching people like you dancing than doing it myself.

[Also she hasn't bothered to learn how to.]

[blackteriques]

[Walter raises a brow (not that it's obvious that it's just one, with his hair covering the other side of his face) at Fenimore's answer, but sees no reason to say anything when it's obvious the conversation is between Sophie and Fenimore.

"You should." It's not quite insistent, but Sophie does latch onto Fenimore's sleeve.

Walter decides to get in on the conversation at this point, echoing the little girl.]

You should.