Winterfest Celebrations

[crowned_jewel]

Characters: All Invitees to Alexandria's Winterfest Celebration
Progress: in Progress
Summary: It's winterfest. Party Time!
Location: Alexandria
Date: December 21st

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[crowned_jewel]

On this particular evening, the queen had dressed herself in something fitting the winter months. Green velvet, trimmed in brown fur, long and loose, high-waisted, her dark hair swept back off her shoulders but falling down her back. On her face, a simple mask, white as the snow that was falling outside, and dotted with emeralds. She smiled at everyone she passed, knowing that some would know her immediately, and others, she could fool into believing she was any other guest. That is, if it weren't for the guards who seemed to always watch her from the shadows.

[xredthespianx]

Ah. An excuse to dress up in fancy masks - always a joy for Blank. And being a thespian meant he had quite a selection to hand. Of course, it was hard to truly hide his identity, a mass of deep scars made him easy to notice. Even so, it was a bit of fun. He had chosen a rather flamboyant mask adorned with feathers and jewels.

Blank approached Garnet and gave a bow. "Mi'lady, would you do me the honour of joining me in a dance?"

[crowned_jewel]

Garnet turned at the familiar voice, and favored Blank with a smile. Of course, she knew it was him, she could have been sure by his taste in garb alone. She glanced at his mask, and giggled a bit.

"I'd be delighted. But tell me, sir, did you have to pluck the chocobo yourself, to acquire those feathers?" it was a joke, but she couldn't help it, the plumage was notable.

[xredthespianx]

"Ah, my kind lady, I merely charmed the feathers from the fine beast." His lips quirked up into a smirk. Ah yes, the power of the mask. It meant he could be anyone and anything he wanted to be - even if he wasn't fooling anyone.

He took Garnet's hand in his and kissed her knuckles lightly, before nodding in the direction of the other dancers. "Shall we?"

[mademyresolve]

Since Dalmasca had no winter, the experience of Winterfest held great interest for Ashe, who observed all she could in order to grasp a better understanding. To do otherwise, in her opinion, would have been ignorant considering that a great deal of the attendees were not native Gaians - she, her husband and their little son were no exception.

A wrap of white fur lay draped about the princess' shoulders; beneath it a long, sheer gown of liquid gold, gathered up into a brooch tucked at the base of her embroidered bodice. Ashelia's hair fell freely save for one subtle pin, practical so that her locks wouldn't catch on the mask of white and gold, colours she tended to favour. Looking around, she found herself relying on her perception of posture and mannerisms to identify the women.

[lionwarhero]

Delita was a little unsure of who the woman in gold could be, but even he knew the mannerisms of a noble which drew his attention. He approached the woman from an off angle. If he had stood off to the side and studied the woman, he most likely would have deduced the identity of the Ivalician Queen.

He gave a bow, "'Tis a beautiful night for such a celebration."

[mademyresolve]

If the women were difficult to identify, then the men were even moreso, Ashelia turning to nod in polite greeting when addressed by the tall figure. She had since placed aside her wrap; a room full of celebrants quickly became rather warm.

Just perhaps she could place the voice, though the slight frown of uncertainty was hidden beneath her elaborate, feathered mask. She wanted to let the man continue, wanted to be certain before attempting a guess, Ashe wasn't one for making a fool of herself.

"It would appear Gaia herself means to ensure a respite."

[lionwarhero]

Delita was convinced the woman before him was noble, keeping his interest in tact. He was determined to spend more time with her.

"A respite that should be properly celebrated if you will allow this gentlemen to claim you for a dance."

[lastsummoner]

Despite being a Masquerade, there was little mistaking Eiko wandering through the party guests. Were it by dress alone, she could have been any number of noble children who had been dressed and made much of by an overly zealous mother. Her gown was suited for the season being white and blue with a snowflake pattern in the embroidery. It was not even her blue hair, pulled back with snowflake barrettes or her matching jewels that gave her away. It was the presence of her horn peeking out between her bangs and her moogle-shaped mask.

She'd heard the warnings that no one was supposed to recognize her until later in the evening, but that did nothing to deter the exuberant child from skipping around the ballroom to socialize with people she knew. Or at least thought she knew.

[praygenius]

Suddenly there was a white mage in the way. Porom stumbled back as a tiny summoner ran right into her but recovered quickly, crouching to address the child.

"You should be more careful, don't you think?"

There was no anger in her tone and she didn't seem to have recognized the girl as Eiko. She'd been told the summonners of this world possessed horns but she hadn't been told that the summonners of this world were quite so few in number. She saw no reason why some other child might not have a horn. She paused, trying to make sure that Eiko was not injured.

"Are you okay?"

[lastsummoner]

Eiko blinked in surprise as she went crashing right into someone. Whoops! But at the sound of the voice, she bounced up and down, clapping her hands. "Second Porom, you came!" Because she still didn't believe she was the same Porom as the one she knew. Cids aplenty, sure. So why not two Poroms too?

"I'm fine! Are you okay? Are you having fun? Why is that funny thing on your face? Have you met my moogles?" Because all moogles were her moogles in her logic. "You should meet Dagger too."

[praygenius]

Second Porom. She kind of liked it. She was hardly conviced that she was the first Porom, afterall, she and her brother had been far from the first twins blessed with their names. She smiled behind the veil as she recognized the voice as Eiko's.

And then questions. She laughed and did her best to answer.

"I'm fine and I am having fun, it was most kind of her highness to throw such a wonderful celebration. My veil is a Mysidian tradition, it's worn more commonly by our black mages, though. I thought I would use it in place of a mask, since it serves much the same purpose. I've not met many moogles since my time in the Library, they seem to avoid Mysidia. I'm unsure why."

She tried to work out if that was all the questions. "Dagger? A friend of yours?"

[danceawaypain]

Amidst all the finery of the other guests, there would be one that would perhaps stick out from the rest. Even with the chill that the arrival of winter brought, Penelo insisted on wearing closer to Dalmascan garb than the local choices. Her selection befitted her choice of vocation, suited for dancing: a gold halter that exposed her lithe back and pink skirts edged in tiny gold beading. Her braids were swept up and clipped with glittering butterflies that glinted as the light hit them. As the dancer crossed the floor, she produced a faint jingling sound from the belled anklets she wore, chiming gilt medallions sewn to her scarf and the clinking bangles at her wrists.

It had been far too long since she'd seen many of her friends, including the queen, and she slipped up onto her tiptoes to attempt spying them out by clothing choices and posture alone.

[warkitoff]

"Aren't you going to be a little ...cold when you leave?" Bartz asked, stood to one side. He was probably the scruffiest-looking person at the celebration by far but he didn't seem to mind too much, happy just to be around so many people and celebrating with them.

[danceawaypain]

Penelo laughed and shook her head at the question. She recognized Bartz from voice alone although his mask was also something of a giveaway. "I brought a cloak with me for when I leave. I'll be glad to be going back to Figaro. I've missed the desert." Missed the warmth and the sand and the people. She didn't begrudge the need that drew her away from there, but there was that yearning for the familiar anyway. "How have you been, Bartz?"

[melodiesoflute]

Unlike Edward who chose to hide his thespian flair under folds of elaborate wool, Penny seemed quite carefree in her elegant silks and golds. She looked absolutely stunning tonight, like a dove amongst pheasants. Edward would be lying to himself if he stated he wasn't fond of Penelo's interesting choice of dress, but he was concerned regarding her well-being once the party ended. If need be, he'll offer his coat to her if she wishes for it.

"Penelo!" He greeted her with a smile. "Enjoying yourself, my dear?"

[animus_concisus]

Cid had never been one for celebrations, balls, galas, and the like. Though his status as a Brigadier General and the leader of the Cavalry had forced him to go to enough, it was never something he had particularly taken pleasure in. It was only on Rygdea's persistence (see: nagging) that he was even here to begin with, let alone in his current getup.

Yes, he understood it was a masquerade, but what did wearing something fancy and a mask do to hide who he was when his height gave him away in an instant? And yet there he was, having spent (...see: wasted) his money on a long-sleeved, powder blue tunic, dark grey slacks, black leather boots, and a grey cape to top it all off. Or rather, a small white mask to top it all off; it was a masquerade, after all.

Cid felt like a complete idiot, and only hoped he could make his way out as soon as possible. Then again, there was also that anonymous text message he had received... Hn.

[chaos_vessel]

It was easy to spot Raines through the crowd, and easy to tell who exactly he was, despite the mask. None of the natives, or even the Sky People, could rival Cid in height.

It was probably just as easy to tell Vincent apart from the other members of the crowd. He had worn all black, despite the holiday, and it made his pale skin and red eyes stand out from behind the mask. The mask, and the absence of his usual boots and claw, were the only concessions he had made for the party.

"Enjoying yourself?" he commented dryly as he joined Cid.

[animus_concisus]

Vincent lacked the height that he did, but he was easily recognizable regardless.

"Valentine," he greeted him. "And to answer your question... Somewhat. Galas and the like have never quite been my thing. And you?"

[chaos_vessel]

"There is no point in it. My time could be better spent." Vincent commented, crossing his arms and watching the crowd of people. There was a reason he avoided people, and coming to a celebration like this was not something he had wanted to do at all.

"Why are you at this one?"