The Winter Ball

[central_librarymods]

The Winter Ball

As the Library prepares for the turning of the seasons, another of its rooms opens to the patrons. It is different than the others with a wide, sweeping marble floor inlaid with patterns of holly and snowflakes that is uncluttered by books and shelves. Music drifts through the hall, hinting that the patrons should dance. Do not worry about the gently falling snow; none will slip upon the marble unless they wish to do so.

Tables are scattered well away from the dance floor to allow patrons to gather and talk in small, intimate groups. Along one wall is a table stacked high with holiday foods from dozens of different realities. Evergreens decorated with globes of colored lights and frost remind the patrons that not everything fades with winter's cold. Presents can be found beneath the decorated boughs. Everywhere is a reminder of holidays from worlds near and far, some grounded in reality and some that patrons thought only existed in imagination.

The Library welcomes each patron and wishes each to enjoy an evening of music and festivities. Happy Winter Holidays to all who have answered the Head Librarian's invitation!

Prompts

The Dance Floor

1. Filling Your Dance Card. Each patron will find a dance card in his or her possession. Each being is encouraged to fill the card by dancing with five different people. Those who do will find a surprise waiting for them beneath one of the evergreen. (See note below)

2. Dancing on Air. Sometimes it feels like a song will sweep you off your feet. During this musical number, that can be literally true. While in the midst of a dance, patrons might notice that they're feeling lighter than usual and their feet barely touch the floor. That's because they've started to float above the dance floor. It may be unsettling at first but once the song ends the patrons be earthbound again.

3. The SnowBALL. Someone forgot that this is a formal dance, not a playground. When a patron steps on a certain pattern of snowflakes on the floor, snowballs will begin to fly. Patrons shouldn't worry too much if they in the middle of the action. These are magic snowballs and will not ruin gowns and suits. They can even be lobbed at other patrons if someone is feeling mischievous.

Mingling

4. Eat, Drink, and be Merry! The food at the buffet looks tempting and this time there are not magical side effects (except what might happen in the reality that the food is from). Enjoy a few treats from another world. Enjoy a drink or two... just remember that someone most likely has spiked the punch and that could have exciting or disastrous results!

5. Don't be a Wallflower. People who stay too long in one spot will find small winter flowers and leaves growing around their feet. These are harmless, but encouraging patrons to mingle and move and socialize with each other; especially dance.

Winter is the Darkest Time of the Year

6. In the Dark of the Night. If a patron wanders too far away from the main group, he or she will notice that the candles don't seem as bright and the fairy lights seem to fade. The Library is dark, darker than normal. Nothing more illuminating than a candle, except where Patrons gather. Those who wander away might find themselves lost and need someone to rescue them from the shadows that linger beyond the ball.

7. Tick Tock. In one corner of the ballroom, patrons might notice an item that looks strangely out of place. The old grandfather clock is decorated with scenes of different winter holidays that seem to draw the eye... and the unwary patron. Get too close and the clock case will spring open and a boggart will appear. Those familiar with a certain wizarding world might know the right spell that will banish the spirit and find themselves able to cast it with ease. Those who don't may find themselves confronting their greatest fears.

8. The Mirror of Dreams... and Nightmares. Like the Mirror of Erised, the mirror will show a patron the most desperate desire of a person's heart. At first this may seem innocent but some will be unable to look away and later... The forces that inhabit the Library may take an interest in what patrons see and these visions might come back to haunt them later.

((Note: The dance card prompt will allow players to earn extra points for the event. If a patron tags with prompt 1 and has five patrons tag their entry and the player returns those tags, they will earn extra points. The Cat will be available for dances if someone adds an ooc not to their prompt. Special thanks to wanna_bash_heads mun for assisting the mod team with the prompts. This will also be included in the test drive to encourage new players into the Library.)

Comments

Amery Vallet | OTA

[amery]

1 - Dance Card

It had been a long time since he'd been to a ball like this, and he almost wished he had his dress uniform instead of his flight uniform. He still looked sharp, as it was; his flight uniform was comprised of a high-collared dark blue jacket with silver and brass buttons, and gold epaulettes, slim white trousers, and high black boots. He'd left his flight gloves in his room, instead fiddling with his white kid gloves, adjusting them and tugging on them.

His dance card was empty so far. Back in Volstov he'd never had trouble approaching anyone for a dance, but at home he'd had Rook or Jeannot to talk to, goad each other on into approaching a beautiful woman. But here, everyone was a stranger, and there was no Dragon Corps to impress. He cleared his throat, shifting from one foot to another, and tried to catch someone, anyone's, eye to see if they would be interested.

5 - Wallflower

He only noticed the flowers creeping around his boots when he tried to move his feet and met resistance. Frowning, he tried again, but was afraid to tear the plants. They didn't seem to be deadly, but they also didn't appear normal.

"Erm," he said uncertainly, "Has this happened to anyone else?"

4 - Eat, Drink

Thank lord there was food. He'd tugged off one of his gloves to eat, so he wouldn't get crumbs or other food on them as he chowed down on snacks. And helped himself to some punch. After his third glass, he realized it was spiked, but it was too late for him to care, so he helped himself to a fourth. On the plus side, a drunk or tipsy Amery was an Amery far less uptight.

"Excuse me," he said to whoever happened to be nearest to him at the moment, his somewhat heavy Volstovic accent, resembling a blend of Russian and French, almost heavy enough now to mangle his words a little, "Has anyone ever told you that you have beautiful eyes?"

[ooc: will match format!]

5

[directorofhydra]

"...I've been moving." He studies the plants, "You feeling all right partner? They're not poisonous are they?"

Ward has had a little to drink.

[amery]

Vaguely, Amery thought this man looked familiar, but he couldn't figure out why off the top of his head. Maybe he'd remember in time.

For now, he frowned down at the flowers curling around his ankles, looking as strangely natural as if they'd always been there. "Ah, I don't think so, no." But the leather of his boots was thick and sturdy, so he couldn't really say for certain.

"Moving prevents them from...appearing? I didn't want to mangle them."

[directorofhydra]

"They don't seem to be hurting anybody, but if you don't want to stand there all night..."

Ward shrugged. There's years taken off his face. He looks happy, pleased, thrilled even.

[amery]

Amery hummed softly while he considered that for a moment. "I didn't envision myself standing in this one spot all night, no," he admitted.

Stooping down, he tried to carefully untangle the flowers from around his boots. They were more stubborn than they appeared, and it took a considerable amount of tugging and wiggling his feet around until he managed to free himself, staggering and almost falling before he regained his balance.

[directorofhydra]

Ward moves forward to help, offering a hand before he shakes his head and smiles, "Ought to warn people about it. Come on over to the punch table with me and let's get you something to drink."

[amery]

"I'm quite alright, thank you." He didn't need any help, but he appreciated the thought.

Straightening his jacket a little, he tugged on his gloves and straightened up. "Punch would be lovely."

4

[alec_lightwood]

Alec was looking through a tray of sweets, a glass of the spiked punch in his hand when he heard the comment. Looking up from the tiny, frosted cakes he gave the being an amused look as he realized what he'd said. It was a comment he'd heard before, either from well meaning relatives despairing over Alec's life choices or from beings who were trying to seduce him. His eyes were a startling shade of blue that were made brighter by black hair and the black suit he wore.

Looking over the patron, he tried to remember if he'd seen him before. If he had, it'd been from a distance. "Was that an observation or were you coming on to me?" No one had ever accused Alec of being subtle verbally.

[amery]

Amery was not exactly what one could call smooth, which was proven almost as soon as Alec answered him. He hesitated for a moment, trying his best not to visibly appear like he was floundering for a proper reply. "A little of both, actually," he admitted.

[alec_lightwood]

Fighting back a smile, Alec took a sip of his punch, considering how to answer. There were a few people who might get jealous over someone flirting with him but they'd have to get used to that happening. "Thank you for the compliment but the come on..." When he paused, his smile took on the warmth of someone who was happily in love. "I'm in a relationship and they wouldn't be happy if I strayed."

[amery]

"Ah." Amery knew that sort of smile, and he found himself a little envious, though he said nothing about it. "Forgive me, then. I wouldn't do anything to break up a happy couple." Love was precious, and he would never try to wedge his way between two people where he didn't belong.

[alec_lightwood]

"There's nothing to apologize for." Not when Amery had been polite about it. Despite himself, Alec flushed slightly at the mention of 'couple'. Things were a little more complicated than that but he wasn't going to explain it to someone he just met unless he had to. "I don't think we've met. I'm Alec."

[amery]

"No, I don't think we have." And what a first impression he'd just made. If he was a little more sober he would have been horribly embarrassed instead of only slightly embarrassed. "My name is Amery Vallet; it's a pleasure to meet you."

Jace | 4 | This should be fun!

[wayfaring_stranger]

"At least once a day since forever." Jace answered smugly, helping himself to food, eating off the large trays and placing other items onto a plate.

He was working on his fourth glass of punch and still had room for plenty more. Once he'd realized someone had added something nice to the boringly sweet liquid he'd finished the first three glasses before wandering over to the food. After everything that had happened to him he thought he had a right to a few drinks.

"It's a curse really. Blond, muscular, and beautiful golden eyes."

He popped some shrimp into his mouth and regarded the stranger thoughtfully.

"You know the punch is not really punch?"

[amery]

Amery made a thoughtful noise as he considered that reply. It reminded him a little of Rook, and he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing. "Sounds slightly like what I man I know back home would say, though he's a bit bell-cracked," Amery admitted.

"Yes, I figured that out somewhere along the line. It's quite good, though." And not at all like the cheap alcohol the men often brought into the Airman.

[wayfaring_stranger]

"A few might say I'm a bit bell-cracked." Jace smiled, finishing filling his plate and turning to the stranger. "It's very good. Takes the edge off having to dress up and play nice. I'm Jace."

He didn't offer his hand with the introduction because that was a Mundie tradition he had observed but never understood. Instead, he ate more shrimp.

[amery]

"Mmm. That can be hazardous to your health." Being a bit bell-cracked. But he wasn't going to start any lectures. "Bastion, doesn't it? Even though the company seems to be better here, and there aren't any foreign diplomats or ladies swooning for your attention." It got rather boring rather fast, if he was honest.

He was also relieved that Jace didn't try to shake his hand. "Amery Vallet. It's a pleasure to meet you."

1 (Female Goddess-Wolf ok? I have ideas, if it helps.)

[dog_of_the_sun]

Ammy was used to dances, and celebrations. She had not been to one like this however, and the experience was new. Nor did the flowers-growing around her when she stayed still bother her too much. They weren't manifestations of her divinity, but that did not mean they troubled her too much. Not when shaking her fur out helped to dislodge them.

At other times, the white-wolf moved gracefully through and around people, observing and scenting. The red-markings on her fur showed easily in the Library's atmosphere, as did the flicker of the solar disc flaring with the sun's corona that occasionally appeared above her back. Dark eyes wide, intelligent, more than a wolf, and a faint scent. Sniffing, then moving towards it.

Coming to a stop by the nervous gentleman. His clothing was unfamiliar, but quite striking. Even in his nerves, he held himself like a soldier though. Unlike anything Ammy had seen. A flicker of her tail, words appearing as if inked in the air before they faded. Japanese, then fading to a language he could understand. Would you like a partner, oh Soldier?

Yup! It's a-okay c:

[amery]

Amery had come to expect a lot of things during his time in the Library so far, but he still hadn't been quite prepared for a wolf like Amaterasu. She was fascinating even before she talked. He assumed it was her, at least, but it was still startling, and he had to look around to make sure someone else wasn't responsible for this.

"I beg your pardon?"

Re: Yup! It's a-okay c:

[dog_of_the_sun]

Well 'speaking', after a fashion. The wolf's throat was not designed for human speech, and Ammy was more than capable of making herself 'heard' via her actions or her celestial brush. There might have been a whuff-type of low laughter, her expression amused.

Her tail flicked to the side, and again the writing appeared. As if someone was taking a brush and ink to the air, painting Japanese characters before they faded into something understood by anyone.

You have no need of a pardon. I simply wanted to know if you would like a partner.

[amery]

Close enough for Amery. He was used to talking metal dragons, of all things. A talking wolf, though surprising and unexpected, was not the strangest thing he'd seen.

"You can dance?" he asked.

[dog_of_the_sun]

A nod, and then another slight canine chuckle.

I can. Although if you would prefer a more traditional partner, I will require some help from you.

[amery]

"No, no, it's quite alright." He wouldn't mind in the slightest, he just wasn't sure how it would work. "I've just never danced with a-" dog. He almost said dog, but caught himself at the last moment. "-wolf." Though he was curious about what she meant, a more traditional partner.

[dog_of_the_sun]

Amaterasu got once more to her feet, then bowed. Her upper body bending, paws spread and head going down. Formal and graceful and accepting. Perhaps after this first dance.

Waiting for him to escort her to the floor. There, Amaterasu moved in counterpart to him, following his lead as easily as any other partner might. Occasionally 'dancing' upon her hind-feet, balanced and twisting and turning, before returning to 4 legs.

Unconventional maybe, but as graceful as he might otherwise wish in his partner.

[amery]

He didn't know what he'd been expecting, as he led her to the dance floor. It was less awkward than he'd been expecting, and true, it wasn't the same as dancing with a human partner, but he found that he didn't mind very much. "Have you danced often?" he asked.