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central_librarymods) wrote2016-01-19 07:18 pm
central_librarymods) wrote2016-01-19 07:18 pm
The Winter Ball
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.)
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"How about boyfriend first? Then partner once we see how things work out." There could still be problems. Alec loved Magnus and now Jace was another aspect of his life that had changed suddenly. He didn't want to make promises without being sure that he wasn't hurting someone else he loved. But Alec doubted that any of them would be hurt by the idea of boyfriends.
Taking Sebastian's hand, he grinned at his boyfriend. "How do you want to make it official?"
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But Alec was walking carefully, too. When he thought of the word partner he though of the alternative to boyfriend, not of something beyond boyfriend. Beyond boyfriend had never been a reality before and he wondered if it would ever.
"A kiss?" Here in public where everyone could see. Would that be too selfish? Wanting everyone to know? Wanting Alec to kiss him the way he thought he might want to but had been holding back?
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He knew that 'partner' might never be the right word but it could be possible. For years he'd thought he'd always be alone and now he had... Well, it was complicated but he was definitely not alone.
"Just a kiss?" he teased softly before reaching up with his free hand to cup the back of Sebastian's neck. He was probably being too forward but Sebastian knew that Alec would be careful of what was too much for his boyfriend. "Or a kiss now and we celebrate in other ways after the ball?"
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"Kiss and celebrate both sound good to me."
Forward was definitely okay with Sebastian. So much so he kissed Alec before Alec could kiss him and he wasn't being as shy about it. Maybe it was the atmosphere. Or the clothes. He wasn't sure what it was, but it felt good to be free to kiss Alec. A fingers in Alec's hair and pushing up onto his toes to get more pressure kind of kiss.
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"Sounds good to me too."
Alec expected to be the one that closed the distance for the kiss. Having Sebastian make that move caused his heart to stutter. He knew how shy Sebastian could be and how he worried about the two of them being obvious. But Sebastian was ignoring that, kissing him in the middle of a party where anyone could see.
Rubbing the back of Sebastian's neck he leaned down so that his boyfriend wouldn't have to stretch so far. Making a soft sound when fingers caught in his hair, he deepened the kiss, offering affection and a promise of what could happen later.
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He'd missed the infamous kiss between Alec and Magnus in front of the Clave, but he doubted Alec had tried to devour Magnus the way he appeared to be trying to devour Sebastian. Or was it the other way around?
Sebastian pulled Alec closer and returned the kiss with as much promise. He felt hot all over and as if he were falling, lost in the moment. Why he never allowed himself to do this before was suddenly beyond him. The sounds of the room fell away until it was just him and Alec.
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Which probably wasn't what Alec should be thinking since he liked having an audience.
This time he he wasn't kissing someone he loved with pre-battle desperation. He knew there'd be another chance to show Sebastian how much he cared. Even with the passion that shivered through him, Alec still was gentle, cupping Sebastian's cheek while needing to taste his boyfriend.
He kept the fingers of his other hand laced between Sebastian's, knowing that if he didn't, he'd do something that would cause the Cat to zap them for being inappropriate or critiquing both of their techniques. Other than that worry, everything else was forgotten. The crowd didn't matter. The things that had been part of his nightmares couldn't touch him anymore. Sebastian wanted to be with him.
Breaking the kiss, he panted softly and giving Sebastian a dazed grin. "An hour?"
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They had an hour, better to spend it doing something that wouldn't get them in trouble. If he was allowed to keep kissing Alec he may not be able to stop himself from doing other things.
"An hour?" Jace inquired, sitting on the table where his glass was, now empty. "Secret meeting?" He teased.
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Tipsy was probably the most effect it would have considering Alec's metabolism or the runes he could use if it was too strong. Warm and relaxed sounded like a wonderful way to start their celebration so that he didn't become nervous over what Sebastian might be thinking.
When Jace spoke, Alec pulled away, looking away from Sebastian to focus on his parabatai. The kiss hadn't made him blush but for some reason Jace knowing about their plans for later in the evening caused him to flush. "Not exactly. A celebration. Sebastian asked me to be his boyfriend."
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The comment about boyfriends definitely made him perk up. Alec said it so openly and he'd never experienced that before. It was wonderful.
"And he said yes." Not that it wasn't obvious.
Jace smiled, amused. "Someone has been drinking the punch." And then he looked at Alec with something closer to warm affection. "Definitely worthy of a celebration."
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"He's had at least two cups of punch so far. I think we need to cut him off or drink enough that we're all a little drunk." That probably wasn't the best suggestion but tonight he wouldn't be maudlin like he had the last time he'd gotten drunk. And this time he had Jace nearby to keep him in line instead Jace being off doing who knows what with Clary.
Returning that smile, he reached out to take Jace's hand, heart starting to race as he considered suggesting something that he probably shouldn't. "We could celebrate all of us being boyfriends. If Sebastian doesn't mind."
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Sebastian watched the way Alec and Jace touched hands, the way Jace slid his fingers against Alec's, and the way the held each other that way. So simple and so much more. It made him blush, but he didn't look away. It was an intimate moment and he wasn't an outsider to what was happening. The thought made him realize something.
He wasn't lucky. Yes. Alec was beautiful and he was a Shadowhunter and Sebastian was nothing special back home. But Alec had noticed him, had chosen him, and wanted him. He wasn't lucky. He was special somehow. Special to Alec at the very least. Alec had seen something in him he liked.
The way he saw something in Jace.
Although, Jace was beautiful himself. And a Shadowhunter. But he doubted that was the reason Alec was attracted to him. Alec didn't even care that much about beautiful clothes.
Sebastian smiled softly at Jace. He kissed Alec's cheek. "More punch?" He offered before moving closer to Jace. He considered kissing him on the cheek as a way to tell him he was okay with Alec's suggestion, but then he was kissing his lips instead, holding his face between his hands.
Jace squeezed Alec's hand, but didn't let go. He was pleasantly surprised by Sebastian's forwardness even if he knew it was a little bit liquid courage. Somehow the way he had seen Sebastian kiss Alec he suspected there was more to him than the shy quiet type he'd met briefly before.
And then Sebastian headed for the punch bowl, looking back at them both expectantly.
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