SeeD Graduation Ball; 2100-2400 SATURDAY (forward dated); [2F] Ballroom

[wrnpcs]

[Night has fallen on Balamb Garden; the halls of Garden 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 Ballroom cheerily decorated 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 Graduation Ball is now beginning. Your attendance is requested at [2F] Ballroom.

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

[After the announcement, the intercom falls silent. The faint sound of music can be heard from the second floor of the building. In the second floor ballroom, the Headmaster, Garden faculty, and even some of the instructors are present, so troublemakers are free to roam until 2400. Caterers roam, offering drinks and refreshments to the party goers; a stationary stand for punch and food is also offered. Unfamiliar people can be seen speaking with staff and amongst themselves - potential clients, perhaps?]

(Mod note: You may participate in the dance in comments to this post, or opt to make your own new post or log.

The dance is not mandatory (though it is strongly recommended that newly graduated SeeDs attend), so students that choose not to attend won't be punished.

Newly graduated SeeDs are required to wear their uniforms. Otherwise, the occasion is black tie. All inhabitants of Garden are welcome to the festivities.

Should players have any questions left unanswered, feel free to ping the mods via PM.)

Comments

[wrnpcs]

[It is usual for there to be prospective clients present at Garden's graduation balls, and tonight is no exception - in fact, there seems to be more than usual, given that Garden's administration have been making more concentrated efforts to attract new clients.

Very few, however, are joining in with the dancing, instead opting to socialise and discuss things both amongst themselves, with the staff, and with the SeeDs. Occasionally, snippets of conversation can be heard. "Expensive" seems to be the word of the day, with some even suggest they may take their business elsewhere unless someone can persuade them otherwise - it appears that Garden may have gained some cheaper competition.

They're willing to talk things over, however, should they find someone who catches their eye.]

ooc note: this is a general npc post - characters may approach potential clients if they wish, but please note that there's several present.

OTA

[marearcana]

[Twilight had important reasons to be here. Namely, she expected Rainbow had graduated, and she wanted to be there for her and share her happiness.

But while she's looking around for her friend, there's no reason she can't stop to chat with someone else...]

[elementofloyalty]

Check it out! Rainbow Dash, SeeD!

[Indeed, Rainbow's in her SeeD outfit tonight... which if nothing else shows that whoever made it had done their best to make one for a pony, and that best hadn't been quite as good as it could have been. Nevertheless, Rainbow wears it with pride as she drops down next to Twilight.]

OTA

[elementofloyalty]

[The ball has one pegasus flying around in cheerful delight, anyway; Rainbow Dash has donned a SeeD uniform and seems intent on showing it off.]

[rewritethis]

You keep zipping around like that and that thing's gonna fall right off.

[Some people in this room aren't quite as keen to make a display - this uniform was intended for someone bigger than Ed, and his insistence on pulling his coat on over it doesn't make him look much smarter. One or two of the people standing around near the punch stand shoot him disapproving looks as he brushes past.

Still, he's unmistakably smiling as he walks over with a couple of glasses in tow, wry though it may be.]

[elementofloyalty]

[Rainbow giggles as she flips upside-down to look him over.]

Not your style. This is sharp, but your usual look's better on you. Still voting for a ponytail though.

[rewritethis]

I'm telling you, there's no difference.

[He holds one of the glasses of punch up, about level with her nose.] Anyway, here. If you don't want it, it's going on the lady who stood on my foot a second ago just as soon as she walks over here.

[elementofloyalty]

They should promote me for saving Garden from you.

[She casually rights herself in a surprisingly graceful twist to accept the glass.]

[rewritethis]

[He laughs.] Too bad. She would've had it coming.

So are you gonna be doing that [he points upward and gestures in a circle a few times like he's imitating a propeller] all night? Even you have to get sick of that eventually.

[elementofloyalty]

Oh Ed, if you wanted a celebratory dance with me, all you had to do was ask!

[She's obviously joke, the way her eyes get all wide and shiny. Also the giggling that comes afterward.]

[rewritethis]

I'm still holding one of these, you know.

[His scowl, equally theatrical, lifts after a second - but now there's a litte unease tugging at the corner of his smile.]

No, but seriously, you got a minute later?

[elementofloyalty]

Sure, I'll find the time. I'm not gonna spend ALL night going --

[She makes a circular motion in the air with her hoof.]

[rewritethis]

Well, have fun while you are, I guess. Not much else to do in a place like this...

[He drains half of the glass in one gulp and exhales slowly - but despite his apparent nonchalance, he's eyeing one particular gaggle of potential clients on the other side of the ballroom the entire time.]

...so people would probably notice if I took a nap right now. Pain in the ass.

[elementofloyalty]

I think it'd be pretty obvious. Too bad you're not a pegasus, you could just dart out and grab a cloud.

[rewritethis]

[He downs the rest of the glass.] And I bet you're just dying to demonstrate, aren't you? But don't let me stop you bragging. I'll catch you later.

[With that, he starts to make his way back towards the food, waving once over his shoulder.]

[elementofloyalty]

[Still grinning happily, Rainbow Dash takes back to the air, flitting about the room and looking for other people to brag to about how awesome they were. Totally appropriate behavior!]

[rewritethis]

[It's an hour or two later when Ed breaks away from the thick of the crowd, but once he does he's a little easier to spot, standing by himself and looking from side to side uncertainly. There's less of a smile on his face than there was earlier. Nothing to do but get this out of the way, though.

Is she even still around? She should be...]

[elementofloyalty]

[Easy enough to spot, as with a friendly wave and a grin over her shoulder she steps out of a crowd, apparently bidding them a good evening.]

[rewritethis]

[Oh, there she is. He heads on over, a shade quickly for such a casual-looking walk.]

What was that? Making friends?

[elementofloyalty]

Yeah, I have those. You should try it sometime, it's fun.

[Again with the teasing. She looks up expectantly at him.]

So what's up?

[rewritethis]

[He's certainly not about to argue that point now. He smiles sheepishly.] You free now?

[No need to dampen the mood right away if she isn't, after all.]

[elementofloyalty]

Sure, I'm good!

[Or she might just have bumped him to the head of the queue.]

[rewritethis]

I just felt like going for a walk. Some fresh air, maybe. Don't know about you, but that band's giving me a headache.

[That's all he says before turning to head out of the ballroom, tight ponytail trailing behind him.]

[elementofloyalty]

It IS a bit stuffy in here. I could do with not being on display for a bit.

[Resisting the urge to swat that ponytail with a hoof just for fun, she falls into step beside him. After all this time, matching her four steps to his two just comes naturally.]

[rewritethis]

Yeah, I'm sure they could do with it too.

[He doesn't say much as they walk. It soon becomes apparent they're heading out onto the roof, into a cool, clouded-over night.]