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

[dulcet_cellist]

"I've been caught several times. I think they're subtly trying to tell us we're wall flowers. It's kind of cute." Sebastian laughed a little. He felt really relaxed now when normally he'd be too shy to make puns about flowers. Was it a pun or a joke? he wasn't sure anymore.

"I'm Sebastian." He held out his hand. "Sebastian Carter Hokori-Anderson. But you may call me Sebastian."

[cannonwithagun]

Sara chuckled at the pun a bit. He was right though, considering this library seemed to have its own sense of humor for the moment.

"Sara." she said, taking his hand for a handshake with a smile. "Sara Sidle."

[dulcet_cellist]

"I'd ask if you're new here, but I'm not always this outgoing so I don't recognize most of the people here tonight." Sebastian smiled a little shyly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sara Sidle."

[cannonwithagun]

"Just Sara, please." She said. "Makes me feel like I'm back at work." And she was sure that was going to get worse when her promotion went through.

"And yes, I'm new here. Showed up a few days ago when I thought I was going in my local library... and showed up here."

[dulcet_cellist]

"Welcome to the Library." The smile he gave her was a bit brighter and less shy. It was always more comfortable to call someone by their first name if they allowed it. Last nights were always so formal and reminded him of his fathers work. "May I ask what type of work you do back home?"

[cannonwithagun]

"I work for the LVPD. I'm the head of the crime lab." Sure, she'd just received the promotion, but she was damn proud of it, and would at least mention it to people for now. Who knew if it was going to be a good thing or bad thing when she got home.

"How about you?"

[dulcet_cellist]

"You solve crimes." Sebastian smiled. He had always enjoyed science and biology classes and Sherlock Holmes had been one of his favorite series to read. Not that Sherlock Holmes was anything like the head of a crime lab. So much responsibility. He was impressed. "I'm a-I was a student. Juilliard in New York."

[cannonwithagun]

"That I do." She couldn't lie at this point, really. And, she was proud of that fact.

"Julliard? That's one of the arts schools, isn't it?"