Event | Masquerade Ball

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Characters: All
Date: The Evening of October 30th
Location: The Courtyard of Public Opinion
Situation: Valdis and 'Rue' have put together an All Hallows Eve Masquerade Ball.
Warnings/Rating: None

The day has finally arrived and the morning and afternoon are spent putting together what will be the scene of the Masquerade Ball at the Courtyard of Public Opinion. Kedan can be seen coming and going, carrying in decorations and lights and later on, various foods and desserts. Valdis, and Rue can occasionally be glimpsed directing people and moving things around, but anyone not a part of the setup will be ushered on and discouraged from lingering.

As night falls, the Courtyard will be brightly lit and ready for guests...

Comments

[oceantier]

A quick shake of the head, that near-smile not fading. "Not yet."

Her eyes didn't leave his, locked and asking -- perhaps even hopeful. Was he offering?

Very likely she would never have asked anyone herself, but in the moment it was clear that she'd absolutely been hoping someone would -- and perhaps was even particularly glad it might be him.

[purered]

"Then..." He bowed, his back straight and one massive hand extended to the gem. "If I may have the honour of a dance with you, Miss Lazuli?"

[oceantier]

"Yes." Her hand came to his without hesitation. Her fingers were light and delicate against his palm, resting like a butterfly against his.

The smile came in full then. "But 'Lapis.'"

[purered]

"Lapis," he repeated, his tone softer as his fingers folded gently over hers. He led the way out to the dance floor, mindful that his gait wasn't overly long. It was clear he was quite used to dancing with partners significantly shorter than he was - he was, after all, a foot and a half taller than most women on average, and he tended to tower over many men as well. "Is a waltz alright with you, or do you prefer a different style of dance?"

[oceantier]

He was so careful -- very, very gentle. Even though it wasn't treatment that she expected from him, it was a quiet pleasure that he tried -- or even that he wanted to. To be treated as though she were someone who should have care, who should be given any deference . . . that was a balm in itself. Without thinking her fingers tightened in his as the two of them paused on the floor.

A nod, and her opposite hand came up to his arm. She didn't have a hope of reaching his shoulder, no, but her fingers rested as high as they comfortably could without a second thought, as though she'd been used to much taller partners in life herself.

"It's fine; I like it." She forced herself to remain still, to wait for him to echo position, but the quiver of anticipation darted through her muscles like an electric current.

[purered]

Klaus gave a small nod. He wasn't particularly talented at faster or more modern dances, but when it came to waltzing he was quite graceful. ...Even if he was stooped quit a bit to avoid putting Lapis in an... awkward position.

He kept the steps simple at first, gauging Lapis's own abilities. But she seemed quite light on her feet, so he stepped it up a bit. At least to a point where he wouldn't wind up with a crick in his spine.

"You're quite good at this," he remarked.

[oceantier]

Lapis, for her turn, was loving the movement, and it was obvious -- especially as he picked up the pace, readjusted. She all but gleamed, feet gliding, skimming over the floor, practiced and absolutely light. Temporarily her eyes closed, lost in the music and the feel of the gauzy material of her skirts twisting and fluttering around her, content for a moment to invest in the feeling only and let his hands guide her.

Not for too long, though; her eyes came open again at his question, and suddenly she realized, looking up at him, how awkward he must be stooped over like that.

"At home . . ." Her expression flickered, then held. "Dancing is . . ." She groped for the word. "Requisite. We don't . . . know how to exist without it."

A pause. Then softer, as though she barely dared to say it aloud: "I love it."

She took him in again -- the stooped, uncomfortable line of his frame, the restrained hesitation of his movement, bit back a smile, and stole the lead from him, nudging the pace up another level. He would have to straighten to avoid losing his balance.

[purered]

"Then let us hope there are more occasions for it," Klaus mused, wheeling them between two other pairs of dancers.

And then she took the lead - Klaus was, at first, fairly surprised. He had to adjust a bit, though he was still bent forward enough that she wasn't eye-level with his navel.

"You're quite good at this," he remarked, the faintest hint of a smile crossing his face.