The 300th Annual Hearts Tiding Ball - RPLOG
Participants
Date
16/2/482
Log
It's a warm, pleasant evening. The sun has set, but the air is still pleasantly warm, and the castle is decorated with a multitude of heart-shaped decoarations, along with warmly glowing torches and magical lights. An almost cozy look. Guards are busy at work, helping beings find their way to the grand hall, and making sure no-one goes and wanders off too far into places they shouldn't...
Inside, there's already a bustle of beings, crowding on the floor, and gathering near various tables with drinks and hors d'oeuvres... When the royals throw a party, they throw a /party/.
Leighton was amongst the crow being guided in, her head turning every which way, though usually craned upwards, her mouth slightly agape, both from the angle and the sights. The squirrel was almost bumping into people, only paying marginal attention to where she was going. She was lifting her skirt ever so slightly, careful not to tread on it, or drag it on the floor.
Peter is clearly aiming to look far above his station and failing miserably. He's been tailored into a suit much too small, as tufts of his fluffy fur pour out at the ends of the sleeves and around his collar, the poor lad looking like he may burst out of his jacket with one false move. Despite that, it's at least more flattering than his usual mustard-stained fare. He waddles forth with confidence despite the silly look. The sight of Leighton's head amid a group of beaks catches his attentions and leads him to double his efforts of tampling on - a guard stifling a laugh at the sight. "Hey!" he hisses to her, like he's got a secret to tell.
A red and white bustled dress doesn't fit every occasion, but it fits this one, and more importantly it still fits the fennec wearing it. Cassidy runs her fingers along her ears, scratching and lightly jingling the hanging jewelry in the process as she eyes the food table. The worst part about being a noble at functions is that she had to restrain herself. A small snack is claimed, a bit less than she'd have liked, but she had to be dainty.
Formal events. They really aren't Aleera's specialty. This party might have dancing and drinking, sure, but it's not the kind that she's used to and certainly not the kind that she'd prefer.... No, it's all far too fancy for her... but there's still fun to be had. And besides, she has someone that she needs to meet here.... The siamese has actually bothered to dress up for once. She's wearing a dark purple waistcoat over her usual puffy tunic, allowing the frills of the collar to poke out over the collar of the coat, and it's accompanied by a similarly colored pair of dress pants. She's wearing her usual boots and belt too, but for once she doesn't even have any ordnance on her! She's gone all out, indeed.
She's currently simply lingering around where her and Lyas's meeting point was supposed to be -- likely someone near the edge of the crowd -- and idly nibbling on... some sort of snack she snagged from one of the tables along the way. Noble food is weird....
Lyas enters the castle after the main throng has passed. He looks contemplatively up the blocked-off staircases.. but takes no more than a couple, joking steps towards those areas the guards are standing prohibitively in front of. It's worth it to see their scowls, before he turns on his heel and follows the intended path to the grand hall.
The Cat would have gravitated straight towards all that free food - if he wasn't waiting for someone. He lingers by the doorway, inspecting the newcomers. He spots Leighton in the crowd, waving as he lounges back against one wide leaf of the door.
There she is! Lyas gets a glint in his eye as he catches sight of Aleera's back, her long cream hair a dead giveaway. The tabby slips through the crowd, clamping his hands down on Aleera's shoulders. "Evenin'," he murmurs to her, then spins her around to look at him. Now, she can see that the Cat has also made some efforts towards dressing up - he wears a clean white shirt, with a laced v-neck, and faun-coloured trousers. He's ditched his normal leather armlets, though of course he still has the cords for his necklaces - and what's more, he's wearing a brand-new Adaptable clan badge, prominently displayed on the front of his shirt.
Crowds, noise, and festivities: Three things that one wouldn't expect to find a certain small cat around. But Zalthar is one to suprise occasionally, and can be found having slipped in early, sitting on one of the chairs designed for the shorter folk.
She's not especially dressed up compared to the others in the party, but even she put some thought into how she looks today. A fitted black jacket with brass buttons down its front and on its cuffs, embroidered with gold thread along the hems and shoulders, while her trousers seem to have been re-tailored shorts, a bit baggier than most beings', but still quite respectable.
While Cassidy may be dainty, the fennec's wife is... well, at least she is graceful. The athletic jaguar, Natska Solacious, is wearing one of her favorite dresses tonight - an elegant silken one in deep blues and purples, accompanied by silver ribbons and accessories. She is also right at Cassidy's side as her wife visits the snack table, but she declines to get any for herself as she takes in the crowded ballroom.
Next to Leighton is another, an older Jaguar. Ambrose, smiling faintly as the squirrel looks out over the crowd, peering out over the group of crows that has managed to surround the two. There's a momentary glance towards Peter, a little gesture of his muzzle suggesting to the lad to come closer, though he makes sure they don't hold up the crowd too much... No use holding the queue up.
The crowd does steadily move forward, and soon enough, most beings are inside the large ballroom.
And then, mione steps out, holding an air-magic enchanted rod of metal. "Beings All. On behalf of Good King Good, I am delighted to declare the three-hundredth annual Hearts Tidings ball offically opened," his voices calls out, audible properly everywhere in the ballroom, and a little more exuberant than his usual, restrained self...
As his voice dies down, and the music starts to play, two -very- prominent beings make their way onto the dancefloor... The King and Queen themselves, traditionally opening by taking the first dance, as the music starts to play... A slow, rhythmic waltz...
Leighton is almost startled by the whisper from Peter, but smiles as she notices who it comes from. "Peter!" The squirrel giggles a little at the sight of the chipmunk. "Hi!" As she is offered food she politely nods at the staff...and tries taking the entire plate, perhaps having misunderstood something. Even then, she smiles at Peter. "How have you been?" She glances to Ambrose every now and then, clearly not wanting to get seperated in the crowd.
The usually dark furred Cassidy is, today, her original more natural colouration. She almost feels like a different person, but no, she's still the same short statured vixen as ever. "It feels like ages since we've been to a ball," She comments to Natska with a flick of her tail and a nibble. "The croissants are good. Highly recommended."
Aleera perks up when she feels those hands on her shoulders, and... really she already had a hunch about who it was. Not many people would dare to approach her in such a way, after all... but she does also look a bit less intimidating than usual, seeing as how she isn't a walking fire hazard right now. "Evenin' to you, too," she says right back, a grin on her muzzle, though she doesn't actually turn to look at him until he spins her around. She looks him over, her smile widening a bit -- especially after she spots that proudly displayed badge. "Y'know, you clean up pretty nicely," she teases, reaching out to take one of his hands. When the music starts up, she even adds, "I'd ask if you wanna dance, but I've got no idea how we're s'posed to dance at somethin' like this."
Peter jerks his head up and straightens his back into an upright posture at the sight of Ambrose - though he quickly slumps again, as the fabric of his outfit strains against the slight movement. A few crows are bumped aside as he makes his way up to the jaguar and the squirrel. "I been okay, I went and got some good clothes from my brother," he says, as an explanation of both his absence and his apparel. "Look- look! three hundred," he says, eyes lighting up at the sight of the King and Queen taking the first dance. He watches intently, bouncing excitedly on the toes of his scuffed leather shoes.
Natska puts a gentle hand on Cassidy's shoulder, giving it a squeeze. "I know," she replies, tone soft. "It's been... oof. Far too long. I'm almost not sure what to do with so many Beings around. And thank you, love, I will keep that in mind." She gives the shorter woman a warm, fond smile, then gives her attention to the dance floor as the royals move in.
Zalthar sits on her perch, watching the first dance of the night take place as she sips on a glass of wine. Distracted, she jumps down and starts to wander among the crowd, humming along to the music.
The tabby Cat smiles widely, tail brushing Aleera's leg affectionately. "'Clean up nice'? That's it? And I went and snuck out at five this morning to get this daft badge and surprise you." He lets Aleera take his hand, lifting hers for a kiss. "Had it booked a week ago. Thought I'd best not mention just when it was. Always I chance I'd have ended up leaving with their silverware instead of a badge." With that, he steps one foot past Aleera's, using his other to hook her legs out from under her. One arm around her waist, the other supporting her shoulders, he bends her back for an enthusiastic kiss. It's very public and some of the more refined citizens will doubtless harrumph about the display, but what does he care? "Don't think this'll stop us having fun though," he whispers to the other Cat, jerking his head down towards the clan badge. "Just need to get a bit creative about it. An' no more overnights in a goal cell!" He ruins the moment by dropping Aleera. She's only inches off the floor when he does, but still, how undignified!
Leighton giggles slightly. "I think...maybe the jacket looks better unbuttoned." She suggests to the chipmunk, perhaps trying to relieve the stress on his clothes a little. "Still! Glad to see you here." The squirrel's attention is caught by the king and queen, dancing. "Is that..." She mutters in a tone of disbelief. "Never figured I'd see them in person..." Her hand drifts to hold onto Ambrose's sleeve.
Lyas's apparent disappointment over her reaction simply makes Aleera laugh and grin that amused, toothy smile of hers, "What else do ya want me to say? That it's shiny 'n nice? It does look real good on you." Her tone is still teasing, of course, but once he finishes explaining the circumstances of getting that badge, she goes to speak... then pauses and glances around the... rather public place that they're currently in.... Whatever she was going t say, she leans in to whisper it to him instead. She moves in for a kiss after, but he beats her to the punch there, a surprised, "Ack!" coming from her as she's tipped back... only for her to lean into that kiss a moment later... and then be dropped on her bottom a moment after that. She pouts up at him, but then chuckles and hops up to her feet to pull the tabby into an... uncomfortably tight hug. "Aye, aye, no more a' the hardcore stuff. I'm sure we can find some new ways ta have some fun...."
Peter unbuttons his jacket in silence. The shirt beneath clings to him like a second skin, fur even poking out from between the buttons - but hey, at least it's perfectly white and kept clean, a feat for the young lad. "It's really them!" he mutters. His jacket bunches up a bit now that it's open.
Cassidy nods in agreement, before looking up at Natska. "Not sure what to do? Well, what else would we do at a party? We dance. After the royal pair, anyway. Dance, mingle. And eat, if you're me. Just a little though," she winks. "I have not danced in front of people in a long time. Hopefully I haven't lost my touch."
Slow and steady, the music moves, waxing and waning. One two three, one two three. And the king and queen move to the beat, in that same slow and steady rhythm. And slowly but surely, other beings start joining them. First, those of the high nobility who've found the time to come, together with their partners. By the looks of it, High Lady Solacious, a short fennec-fox herself, and High Lord Blackback, a bit more portly.
The food, all of it, really, is delicious. Most of it is locally sourced, to boot, the height of Sweetwater quisine, although there are a few dishes from Shralesta and beyond, as well.
Ambrose, for his part, makes sure to remind Leighton she's only supposed to take one item from the plate, before taking something himself, and gesturing towards a congregation of nobles. "If you need me, lass, y'can find me over there. There's some people I ought t'talk to."
Natska glances down at Cassidy to catch her look; she grins, then sticks her tongue out for just a brief moment. "That is what I meant. I know the routine by now - dance, snack a little, maybe mingle. There are just so many people here; I haven't dealt with a crowd like this in years." She looks back up at the dancing and caaaarefully sneaks a crossoint herself before rejoining Cassidy, standing at her shoulder and waiting for their turn to join the dancing. "... it is... what is the word though. Beautiful, to see all these Beings here together, even as... different as some are." She grins, glancing at the couple making a small scene off to the side. "I wonder if Sven was around to get invited. It seems like his thing."
Leighton seems a little discomforted by being left to her own devices by Ambrose. "You can't, I don't..." She sighs once he leaves, whispering to herself. "I don't know what to do..." Breathing in deeply, she smiles at Peter. "So...how's the career going? Doing well with the...guards? Militia?" She seems a little unsure. Glancing about, she seems to be looking for something to drink, her throat feeling dry.
Lyas returns Aleera's hug with just as much enthusiasm, then pulls away - grinning maniacally. "So, shall we put your steel-caps to the test on the dance floor, go an' bother some folk we know, or just grab ten plates a' food and sit underneath the table?" The last suggestion may be a joke, but if it's what Aleera wants, he'll do it!
The Cat scans the crowd, his finger roving to pinpoint those he sees. "There's Peter... he's a Freesword. Hah, an' he's making nice to Leighton at last." His eyes move to the squirrel's master. "I know that guy, too... Ambrose." He doesn't elaborate on how he knows the jeweller, just watches as he leaves behind a very awkward squirrel and chipmunk. Oh, there's chaos to be made there, and fortunately for Leighton, Aleera doesn't have her gun...
Peter snorts, shaking his head at Leighton. "I'm not a guard. Stuff with the militia's good. I got some money, too, from when I left town," he explains, planting his hands on his hips - it doesn't look quite as proud, though, with his odd posture. He looks like he's really straining to resist posing. "How's it going with mister Ambrose? He looks really important," the chipmunk notes, glancing over in the direction the jaguar went. "I think I might quit out of the militia though, soon, since I already done my years of service and I figure it'll be more money just to do mercenary stuff. I'm gonna miss my friends though." He lets out a sigh. He takes a moment to tiptoe along toward a plate of food, grabbing a few little snacks in a handful. He offers his handful of food to Leighton before he plucks one out for himself to eat. Some more polite company turn their nose up at the sight.
"Maybe," Cassidy says, leaning against the jaguar was she watches the other Solacious fennec. "Beautiful indeed. It's always nice to see so many come together in the name of love. One of the purest of feelings!" She'll wait, and pass the time til Natska has finished before she reaches out to take her by the hand, starting to try and tug her towards the floor. She would not be the first noble couple out, but she would not be denied a dance!
Aleera returns that smile with a toothy, enthusiastic one of her own. Seeing a look like that on her lover makes her confident that they'll yet find something fun to do at such a fancy, noble event, one way or another.... "I can dance, luv, but I'm used to dancin' on bar tables. I'd probably get us thrown outta 'ere," a short pause, "Er at least politely asked to leave, anyway. Whatever they do to get rid of people they don't want at things like this." She places a hand on her hip, surveying the crowd around them, "Might as well go bother some people 'en, eh?"
As the tabby goes over the various people in the crowd that he knows, the siamese follows along, although when he points out Leighton... one of the feline woman's hands ball into a fist. She quickly relaxes it again, though. "Oh. /Her/," is all she has to say about the squirrel, her tone unamused despite her smile. She does point out the fennec and jaguar pair taking to the dancefloor too, her tone perking right back up again as she adds, "Them two were in the tournament thing too, weren't they? I remember how sharp of a shot 'at fox was."
Leighton chuckles at the offered food, but does partake in it. "Ambrose is nice...still can't quite believe he took me in." The squirrel shakes her head, trying to not think too much about it. "Well...I hope you find safe work that pays decently. You're a good friend." Her eyes idly scan the crowd, and the squirrel blinks a little as she spots Lyas and Aleera. Gulping, she tries to bring a few people between her and then, trying to stay out of sight, before turning to Peter again. "Anyway...I've ogt housing, food and a job...all I ask for from life, really."
Natska gives Cassidy's hand a squeeze, finishes her crossoiant in a couple of quick bites, then brushes her fingers together to dislodge any crumbs as she follows Cassidy out to the dance floor. After a quick wipe at her muzzle with the back of her hand, Natska giggles and gives Cassidy a smile. "And you are the most beautiful of all, love." She slips an arm around Cassidy's waist and takes her hand as the two begin dancing, years spent together more than enough to compensate for the difference in height and stride.
Peter nods his head in agreement with Leighton, plucking a snack from his other hand to politely munch while serving as a plate as well. "Aw! I'm not much keen on safe work, I must admit," he laments, with a cheeky smirk. "I always wanted to be a knight, and I mean, you gotta be a pretty good knight if you want to retire in the nice way." He lowers his voice at that, glancing around to make sure there are no knights in earshot. The chipmunk follows the squirrel's gaze to Lyas and Aleera, doing a little shuffle-around to put himself between her and them as he notices her moving. "Oh, speakin' of asking stuff, I was wondering if you wanted to go out in the woods and blow up some stumps sometime. I have some extra gunpowder." He flutters his lashes after he delivers the very tempting proposal.
"From your secret admirer... -s," comes a voice, almost out of nowhere, as a polar bear presses no less than three roses into Lyas's paws... And then, quickly, vanishes into the crowd again, ready to deliver a rose to the next being. What an odd fellow.
Still, the music continues to play, and more and more beings start moving on the dance-floor, swaying to the music, and going in small circles around one-another... A group Cassidy and Natska would soon find themselves in the midst of. By now, the first waltz has ended, replaced by another, just a little faster.
One two three, one two three...
Peter, meanwhile, finds that there are no knights around him, and things are still relatively calm for the time being... Even if some beings do scowl at how much food he grabbed, earlier. It's not going anywhere, after all.
"We'll save the tabletop dancing for when we're ready to leave, then," Lyas assures Aleera. The Cat looks across at Natska and Cassidy, following Aleera's pointing finger. "Oh, you're right." He's not too interested in them, though. He's begun to edge towards Peter and Leighton. He wants to hear just what their exchange entails. And the sight of Leighton apparently trying to hide from him and Aleera just makes him grin wider. "Look at that, they don't want us around."
Before he can make a move towards the pair, however, he finds his hands full of roses. "Wait, what?" he mutters, appalled eyes following the polar bear. "That's not... what?" The Cat's expression is somewhere between amused and bemused. He turns his eyes to Aleera, crooking an eyebrow as he watches her response.
Leighton blinks a little at the offer "Blow up...some stumps?" She tilts her head a little, "I mean...sure, always happy to spend some time with a friend." She still seems a little confused, but is happy to agree at least. The squirrel seems to think a little. "W-well, if you want to be a knight, you'll need to rub elbows with the right people...right? Need to stay away from...rabble." She rubs her nape, seeming a little uncomfortable. "I'm sure you'll do great though! Knight in shining armor."
"Aww. Thank you," Cassidy replies, a colour creeping into her inner ears as she steps in sync with Natska. Indeed, though they were of different heights, this is far from the first time they've danced such, and the practice and time do much to dispel what might otherwise be an awkward pairing. She was doing her Graceful clan roots proud, certainly. Whatever the beat and tempo of the song, she would match it appropriately with a swaying of her festive skirts.
"Sounds like a plan. Want to go ahead and pick out a table? Maybe when closer to the center a' the room...," Aleera jokes, although... knowing her, she'd almost definitely be up for ending their night by making some ruckus that's going to bother people more important than her. She does, of course, realize that Lyas is slowly but steadily edging towards Leighton and Peter, and she goes right along with him... and thankfully the sound of a crowd moving is enough to mask the sound of her stomping feet. For once. "I'm guessin' you wanna show 'em just how much fun we are anyway, though?" she says, that wide grin of her own still on her muzzle.
But then someone comes up and hands the tabby those roses, and Aleera is... well... a mixture of emotions goes through her, really. Her smile fades to a look that's... almost a little annoyed, and her expression scrunches up in confusion. "I- who...?" She crosses her arms over her chest, her expression shifting to a pout as she surveys the ballroom. She can take people flirting with and making raunchy passes at her lover, sure, but something outright romantic? /That's/ when she starts to get a bit jealous.... "If I knew I coulda gotten a rose fer you, then I woulda done it too," she grumbles, her gaze coming to rest on her companion once more.
Natska is happy to lose herself to the dancing; the taller feline is light on her feet, and the couple's motions smoothly match to the time of the music and the sway of people around them. Any lingering anxiety about being in front of the crowd is washed away by the joy of the moment.
Of course, by now, the polar-bear is already long-gone into the crowd, although the occasional 'From your secret admirer' can be heard, as more roses are dispensed... Sometimes to single beings, other times to beings who -clearly- already have a partner... Partners that aren't always oo pleased with the result...
... And then, he winds up in front of peter, offering two roses to the chipmunk. "Two secret admirers on Hearts' Tidings'. A lucky man!" come the words, before the polar-bear wanders off again, ready to find the next being to hand a rose to. A lonesome snake-lady, by the looks of things.
Well, that pout is something worth seeing. The Cat laughs for a good long while at Aleera's expression - hopefully he's able to stop before he gets smacked for it! "Sweetheart, no Being in their right mind'd give me roses," Lyas chuckles, stepping in to press another kiss on Aleera's lips. He doesn't need to say that, clearly, Aleera is not in her right mind. While he's pressed up against the other feline, he threads one of the roses into her hair. "That bear's either thicker than my tail fur, or he just out-tricked me..." He gazes into the crowd, tracking the polar bear's movements. "I've got him giving roses to folk." The Cat takes Aleera by the shoulders again, spinning her around to watch the polar bear's progress. From behind, he leans his chin over her shoulder, giving a slight purr. "It's a game, Firework. Roses roulette!" He waves a hand expansively, then begins to explain the rules. "Watch who he gives 'em to. You can bet on whether they'll just be confused, or if their partner'll try to claim it was from them, or if sommun's going to throw a jealous fit..." He drops a kiss into Aleera's hair. "Told you we'd still have fun. Stir up a bit of chaos..." Seems like having a clan badge can't change Lyas entirely. That wicked grin is there to stay!
Peter begs to differ regarding the food - it is going somewhere! In fact, it is going rapidly, right into his greedy gob. "I am rabble!" he says, around his mouthful of food. It seems like that suit won't stay perfectly clean for long. He leans in, as well, and turns to the side slightly to rub his elbow in a little circle around Leighton's, at her comment. "I comes from a long line of rabble that stretches back generations. Only thing I'm missing to be a knight is just a tabard and an armor-washing. And some money," he admits. He's unaware of the mischief that Lyas and Aleera may be planning behind him. He opens his mouth to speak to Leighton again, but finds himself interrupted by the press of two roses into his hand - the one that isn't full of food anyway. He beams brightly at it. "Wow! Two admirers? I'm some bachelor, huh? And one for you," he says, offering one of the roses toward the squirrel. "From your secret admirer." He winks.
Cassidy instinctively keeps her tail close as she spins and waltz around the floor with her jaguar partner, a habit developed to keep it from straying under any wayward steps from others on the floor. "Yes, we've still got it," she decides with a wink. "Just like all those many nights ago, when we danced under the stars in the yard."
Leighton blushes under that red fur of hers as she is handed the rose. "I...thank you." She rubs her nape a little. "W-well...I meant unsavory rabble. Not the common rabble like you...or I." She hastily adds the last part. "Heh...I'm sure your mother wouldn't be pleased to be thought of as rabble though...so neither are you." The squirrel shifts a little from foot to foot. "A-anyway...two admirers. Maybe some noble lady fancies you." She giggles at the prospect.
At first, Lyas laughing like that makes Aleera's pout deepen, but... after a moment starts to grin. Slowly, at first, but before long it's returned to its usual, toothy look... but she does still lean over to flick the tabby on the back of the head. She doesn't uncross her arms at all until he kisses her, though. Then her arms end up wrapped around his shoulders instead, and while his prior comment had definitely made her realize that he's up to something... she still can't help but hold him a bit more possessively throughout that smooch. "You've got him doin' that?" she murmurs, a curious expression still on her muzzle... right up until the point that he really explains things, anyways. Realization crosses her muzzle... followed by that familiar, toothy grin. "Now /that's/ devious, luv," she leans back against his chest a bit, idly resting her cheek against his, "Do you plan on doing anythin' other 'en just watching the chaos, 'en?"
