witchesreign | homecoming dance!

[Balamb Garden has taken off around the Balamb coastline! The seaside and clear night sky can be seen through the windows and from the balconies. The halls are mostly deserted besides the stray student walking about, and even the usual faculty members are missing from their posts around the school. There's a certain festive energy through the air, the source coming from the happily decorated ballroom located on the second floor.

[At exactly 2100, as soon as the dinner rush ends, the Garden chime sounds and the intercom clicks on. The Headmaster speaks to the Garden.]

The Homecoming Dance is now beginning. Your attendance is requested at [2F] Ballroom.

I repeat, the Homecoming Dance is now beginning. Your attendance is requested at [2F] Ballroom. The ball will run until 2400. Students leaving the ball after curfew are to return to their dorms immediately.

The ball and its festivities tonight are being sponsored very generously by the Garden Festival Committee.

[After the announcement, the intercom falls silent. The faint sound of music can be heard from the second floor of the building.

[Within the ballroom, there is a stationary stand for punch and food, as well as roaming caterers offering drinks (grape juice) and canapes.]

Voting is now closed. There is a thread here for announcing and crowning the winners; on-lookers are free to react in the thread.

Attendance is entirely optional, so with most of the faculty at the dance, characters are free to roam the rest of the school! However, as Balamb Garden is flying around the Balamb coastline, they will not be able to leave (unless you can fly or really like heights and don't mind injuries...), and any characters left behind will be stranded for a few hours.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I like this. It's really fun and it's nice being really close to you.

[Yep, right out with it! And to be a bit more surprising, Tobias leans up a little, giving Espio a quick kiss.]

[WELP. Espio doesn't really have anything to say to that! His expression kind of says it, though - a pleased smile, cheeks tinged red... okay, we'll keep this up for the time being.

...and he totally just picked Toby up and twirled him a little.

[Uwah! Tobias laughs as he's twirled, though he's a bit heavier now. Eating well for a while certainly makes you a lot more healthy and filled out, no?]

Espio! [He's all gleeful giggles, holding on tight.]

[Espio didn't even really notice the weight, though Toby does look healthier. Even if he is still sporting that bruise.]

What?

[Back on the ground, now. Heh.]

I guess this isn't so bad. I guess next time I could be convinced to join in properly, instead of just on a break.

Don't know how people can do it for hours, though.

Maybe they really like it. Or maybe they just really like being with someone they love?

[He smiles brightly again, burying his face playfully in Espio's chest for a moment.]

If it was you, I could dance like this for hours.

[Cuuute. But... Espio only wishes he could say the same.]

I'd get bored with the scenery - I'd have to take you somewhere else! Maybe with a bit more privacy.

[Okay, so admittedly nobody's really paying them attention, but Espio feels just a little crowded with so many people around.]

I don't mind going! I'm sure Dad will understand and I can come back to support him when you go back to flying, right?

[No, he still hasn't figured out that was a whole ploy on your part. Innocent trust and all.]

We can head to the balcony. There's still some people around there, but it's a clear night...

And yeah, you can come back and cheer on Marco! But you do know I mostly only said that to make sure you were here for this, right? [He wanted to surprise him!]

No, I didn't!

[So surprised! But in a good way, and he smiles.]

I'm glad you got to come dance, though! Everything's fun with you.

...fun?

[Can't help but look a little awkward at that. Considering, you know, he's kind of been yelling at Toby since the day they met. The hand that was on Toby's waist moves to poke him lightly in the forehead. Vague amusement.]

What about the yelling?

...I remember that you don't really mean it, even if it... still hurts.

[He's a bit more solemn now.]

But... I'll try to get better! I promise!

...I'll try to hold myself back, but I honestly kind of just yell at everyone. I can't help it, it just comes out. If I'm being stupid, you can tell me... or just give me a while to cool down until we can talk about it properly.

I just wanna make sure you know I love you. Even if I yell at you over nothing, you're still important to me. I don't want to lose you again.

...Okay.

[And now that smile is brighter than ever. Sometimes you can say the right thing, Espio, and this is one of those times.]

I won't go away again. Promise.

You'd better keep it.

[If he looks doubtful, it's not because he doubts Toby. He's just fully aware that time compression is cruel.]

Come on. The balcony. I feel crowded with so many people around.

[For once, Tobias understands, and he just squeezes Espio's hand tightly. But balcony it is, and he follows cheerfully behind him.]

[Espio leans over the balustrade, staring out at the sea. ...flying the Garden around was definitely a good idea, he thinks, even if it's currently Nida doing the job.]

Can I ask something?

Why do you even bother with me?

Because I love you.

[It's said as if it's the most simple thing in the world.]

[Glances at. Toby still has that bruise...]

I'm loud, I get angry easily, my first thought in a real conflict is to go for violence, and when I stop thinking, that happens. I'm sorry. You were just... acting so strangely, like you were another person. To the point where it was like everything you aren't. Cold. And... just plain creepy.

I didn't know how to handle it, so I just did the only thing I really know how to do - I fought it.

[Indicates the eye.]

It wasn't your fault. I'm just that kind of person.

I think fighting's the only thing I really know how to do.

[He's quiet, listening intently for a bit.]

...So?

That's why I like you. You aren't afraid to fight people and you aren't afraid to yell at people. I don't do that because it feels wrong to do that, but it doesn't bother you, and it's kind of nice to be able to yell if you're thinking something, even if it's just angry.

[He rubs his eye a little.]

It's okay. I'm not mad you hit me. You did it because of that weird thing I was doing, right? It's okay.

I don't want to hurt people for no good reason, least of all you. Just because there was a reason doesn't mean it was a good one. It's not just because I hit you - it's because I always seem to be hurting you in one way or another.

[Sigh.]

This thing we've got here... it won't last if I keep going on the way I am. So...

From here, I'm going to make more of an effort. To try and be more open with you, and more positive! But you have to help, too! I need someone around who can help me chill out. I was going stir crazy around here.

Okay!

[He is all for personal growth, Espio! And he will gladly help you out any way he can.]

I'll spend more time with you! Maybe we can go look around in places, too.

[Genuinely happy smile, here, and he pulls Toby into a tight hug.]

That's all I need.

[He hugs back warmly. Espio. <3]

That's what I'm here for, right?

homecoming dance!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject