Let The Spectacle Astound You

[tidesnpcs]

Characters: OPEN
Progress: Continuous
Summary: The party you've all been waiting for: the Grand Ball of Alexandria!
Location: Palace Alexandria
Date: June 21st, 1803
Warnings: TBA. Eventually, Violence

Comments

[empires_lapdog]

Having made the checks and even being asked to help in the guard work, Gabranth made his way into the palace and to the ballroom. His damaged helmet was currently strapped at his hip via a belt he'd bought and he leaned most of his weight on his weapon. The journey had exhausted him and his injuries weren't entirely gone but he was able to feign indifference, as usual.

The crowds parted to let him through and Gabranth set about trying to find one of the Solidors. Preferably Larsa, as he wished to see him in his older state in person, yet he had business with Vayne and had to speak with him.

His master had called and, as any obediant puppy should, he came running.

[dynast_king]

Not that Vayne had a problem with fetes in general, but sometimes he did find them wearying. Which is why after being formally announced at the door (to some surprised gasps and a flood of whispering involving the young queen whose birthday they were celebrating), he found himself merely working his way through the guests, pausing for irrelevant chit chat, in an attempt to continue building good will with others unfamiliar with him.

He did not care for being without his armies or imperial resources, but he would do as he must.

After some time, a familiar face appeared in a break in the crowd. Gabranth. Vayne found himself torn between wanting to beat the man until he confessed to whatever betrayal it seemed he had meted out in the future, and the very real necessity of keeping one of his judges nearby.

With the cool confidence that the eldest Solidor exuded, Vayne closed the distance between them and uttered but a single word.

"Gabranth."

[empires_lapdog]

It would've startled him if he had been an easily frightened man and Gabranth turned to look at Vayne, bowing his head slightly. "Lord Vayne." He knew quite well just how difficult this conversation could become and with what he knew that Vayne did not, yet, he was quite unsure of whether the whole truth would be a wise thing to give to his master.

Finding it damningly easy to slip straight into his role, Gabranth crossed his arms behind himself, looking his Lord squarely in the eye. Still, he remained quiet because you just did not talk out of turn with Vayne.

[dynast_king]

"I am pleased to see you so quickly returned to my side, Gabranth." It wasn't precisely a compliment, as Vayne was not wont to give them. In fact, it was little more than a warning and a call to heel. Whatever fabrications the judge magister spoke of in regards to a future which Vayne held no belief in, the truth remained that the armored one belonged with him, to do his bidding. Some might consider this a harsh and cruel way to think of others, but he saw it as the logical statement of fact.

In an attempts to appear fully at ease, Vayne locked his arms behind his back, adopting a less formal posture. "It has been troubling to find myself away from my responsibilities, and without adequate means to ensure Larsa's safety. Tell me, have you any of your nethicite on you?" He had but the one piece he had conveniently found at the Treno auction, but he was ever looking to expand his holdings. At one time, he thought it to be useless in these lands, but further consideration gave it new purpose. It was a means to forge alliances.

[xbalthierx]

Gazing around the hall filled with people, Balthier vaguely wondered who would come. There were certain people he hoped to see; Ashelia, Tifa, Penelo, Vaan... Basch, if he had been in this odd world. Thankfully, he had seen Selphie and anyone else he'd come to know would be a pleasant surprise.

In all honesty, he was hoping there would be some sort of big spectacle when the Queen arrived, so he could use the chance to explore but he was quite sure that it'd be more difficult than that.

Crossing a single arm over that golden vest, he sipped his glass of wine, just quietly enjoying the atmosphere.

[heartofheaven]

Tifa was walking over to pick up a glass of wine herself when she noticed Balthier.

"Oh! Balthier." She smiled. "I wondered if I'd see you here."

[xbalthierx]

Catching sight of the dark haired woman, a smile came to his face. Balthier emptied his glass of rather bitter wine and gave a slight bow to her.

"A pleasure as always, Tifa." He gave her the once over. "You are looking lovely this evening, though you always look delightful. How have you been?"

[heartofheaven]

"Thank you," she replied, choosing a glass. She had grown used enough to men staring at her not to show whether it bothered her. "Much better than when I last saw you. I didn't have to travel alone to Alexandria this time."

[light_chosen]

Being as Ingus didn't like to be separated from his friends he ended up shadowing them to the ball as well. Not that he had much inclination for participating, so he'd just find a wall somewhere out of the way to lean against and be overall a boring stiff.

No amount of badgering would have succeeded in getting him to dress in anything other than his usual armor. So he was, of course, wearing it even now, leaning against the wall and managing to look somewhat sullen.

He wanted to go home, they'd been away long enough.

[eidolon_soul]

Hm, a sullen man in armor staring at the ball as though if he did it long enough, he could make it go away. Rydia paused to look and was promptly reminded of Kain. Perhaps this man was his spiritual twin?

Unable to help herself, she wandered over. "Why such a solemn face this evening? Surely there must be something about it that you can enjoy."

[light_chosen]

If Ingus were to meet Kain long enough, he would undoubtedly argue that that were not possible. He did do a very good Kain impression when he wasn't trying, though.

Upon hearing the voice he glanced up, and offered a slight bow in greeting. "Ah, forgive me if I am bringing down the mood. I was simply thinking." A lot, about home. And wanting to be there.

[eidolon_soul]

"I hope nothing too dire. Who knows when a celebration like this will happen again?" Rydia shrugged, knowing that there was much weighing on her mind also; Edge's disappearance, the possibility of Kefka attacking at some point during the evening...yet she saw no reason for these things to affect her enjoyment of the ball. The thought that he might not enjoy it as much in general did not occur to her--he was there, wasn't he?

She paused. "Your voice is a little familiar. We haven't met, have we?" Oh, right, introductions. Just in case she was wrong. "I'm Rydia of Mist."

[dragoon_rising]

Kain still was only attending to keep an eye on things. He would not have come otherwise, and even had had vague thoughts on skipping the ball portion entirely. But the fight against Kefka still hung in his mind. Besides, it wouldn't be right to walk away when he'd committed himself to help guard. Thus, he was in his regular armor, not having had time or desire to bother wearing anything else. Most formal wear was useless for combat, anyway, and Kain wanted always to be prepared for battle.

He hung back from any areas that were too crowded, pacing every so often to get a new view of everything. Once he'd found a good enough position, he paused there and folded his arms... just waiting and watching.

[eidolon_soul]

Kain had done his part to fulfil Rydia's expectations. She had thought to find him clad in his usual armor and doing his part to support the wall while observing the area for any signs of danger. Moments after entering, she had caught sight of him doing just that.

Well, he couldn't escape socializing entirely. She approached him with a broad smile, clad in gear that didn't seem suitable for battle...yet, it was lighter than her usual attire and she had managed to fight well enough in that. "Thanks for being so easy to spot from a distance. I scarcely expended any effort to find you."

[dragoon_rising]

It was too late to get away or find some suitable excuse. Kain sighed. Although, he wasn't as annoyed as he perhaps could have been. Maybe not seeing any sight of the happy couple, or even Edge, had done him well. Not to mention threats of a more murderous and sadistic variety. He didn't move from where he stood, however, casting a bored glance to the people mingling.

"Are you enjoying your evening?" Kain returned his gaze to her, taking in how... different she looked, dressed thus. He hadn't attended the royal wedding back home, so he hadn't seen her dressed up in that manner. He had been to his share of royal events in general growing up, though, and saw nothing remotely exciting about that aspect of it. Even in another world, it was still the same basic idea. He had too many bad memories attached to the more recent ones, where Cecil got special recognition from the king, or where Cecil and Rosa shared one too many dances...

[eidolon_soul]

"More than you, but that doesn't seem to be much of a stretch. Could you possibly look any more bored?" Rydia shook her head, a small grin at the teasing. She knew he'd probably attended many events like this at Baron Castle, but that still seemed no excuse to become a social leper.

"...and no, Edge isn't nearby. In fact, I haven't seen him all day." There was a small frown but she forced it to vanish quickly enough. Kain ought to be reassured that he was free from such annoyance, not listen to her talk about how much that sudden absence stung.

I should not be tagging new threads at this hour, but...Golbez!

[eidolon_soul]

One person recognized him, though at least she wasn't ill at ease as a result. "Theodor!" Rydia made her way over as she called out, happy surprise on her features. She did her best to weave her way around the crowd toward him, though it took a little effort and some delicate timing. To Rydia it was well worth it, though.

She grinned upon reaching him, also clad in finery though seeming to be much more at ease in it. The fact that the attire was actually not too different from her usual probably helped. "I hadn't expected to see you here! This is a wonderful surprise."

[eidolon_soul]

Rydia nodded, still amazed that he was actually here but she refrained from saying so. There was no need to play it up like it was a sign of the apocalypse. "It was a last-minute decision for me, also. I almost didn't attend, but it seemed a better idea to see it for myself and then leave if it wasn't to my taste than never give it a chance."

She shrugged, then looked him over with a smile. "You're looking very handsome this evening. It suits you." There was a sympathetic look to go with that smile--she understood well that not everyone could be at ease within Alexandrian finery--one reason she had gone the Cleyran route, instead.