[ Action ] (open to all)

[anotherdid]

Who: Everyone is welcome, children and adults alike.
Where: First floor, ballroom.
When: 01/21, from about 9:00 PM on.
Rating: r;
Summary: Formal ball.












[The ballroom's vaulted ceilings are taller than is possible within the realms of reality, and towering, wide windows let in sunlight during the day; at night, chandeliers and wall sconces light up with so many candles, it's hard to believe the light isn't from an electric source.

There are lights strung up around the entrance to the ballroom, and music can be heard playing from within. At the door, Vanessa, with the assitance of the lovely William Whele, will be waiting to meet as many guests as they can. They'll hand each person a small silver box with one of these gifts inside; Wonderland's sense of humor is evident here.]



[Tables line every side of the ballroom, a carefully organized plate setting at each chair with little trays of cookies placed here and there.

One table, set center, is piled high with desserts, Ned's pies, hors d'oeuvres brought by Dr. Lecter, and all manner of food provided by Tohru, Seta, and the diner staff, as well as assistance from Calista, Rebekah, Evelyn, and Lydia. There are numerous drinks available, champagne (thanks to Kol), and liquor, beer, fruit punch, among other beverages, thanks to the closets.]

[Thank you cards will be slipped under the doors of Rebekah Mikaelson, Kol Mikaelson, Tohru Honda, Evelyn O'Connell, William Whele, Hannibal Lecter, Calista, Seta Souji, and Lydia Martin the following day as a way of Vanessa showing gratitude for all of their help.]

Comments

[widows_kiss]

[ Oh, he's definitely not getting away with not dancing tonight. Especially when he's here with Natasha, who knows just how to guide him out onto the dance floor and through the movements that it looks perfectly natural and he's a professional.

She'd dressed up for the evening and is practically glowing, enjoying the event. The most recent event with the Titans had been bad and the one before that with Jabberwocky had been worse, but there had been a few high points in there.

And made enjoying the times for celebrating all the more important, now.

She comes back to his side with a glass of champagne for herself and a sparkling water for him, knowing he's back to being careful with his control again after the brief interlude the most recent event had given him. Both of them. She smiles as she sidles up against his side, handing him the glass with a playful glance. ]

Here. The bubbles are the non-dangerous kind. I checked.

[hyperkinesia]

[ It had been a definite silver lining, despite it having been a particularly violent and dangerous event. But they made it through, and a lot better than the previous event at that, so now he won't feel bad that he thinks that was one of the best nights he's had in this place.

Or one of the best nights he's had, period.

He looks a little more at ease now too, more relaxed. Maybe other people can't tell as well, but observant as she is, it probably doesn't escape Natasha's notice. ]

Thanks. [ He accepts the glass with an amused smile, fixing the tie around his neck. Glancing down, he admitted. ] I feel so weird in these clothes.

[widows_kiss]

[ She smiles at that, reaching up to slide his hand away from fidgeting with his tie, a nervous tick she'd picked up on already through the course of the evening. ]

Well, you don't look weird. Trust me. You look amazing in these clothes. The day you step out in society like this back home I'll have my hands full fending off the female population of New York. And at least half the men.

[ It's said with just enough humor that it's impossible to tell how much she's teasing and how much she's absolutely not. But she glances up at him with a bright smile. His relaxation tonight - in truth, all week, since Wonderland had stripped all its residents of powers that weren't entirely natural - is not missed and it pleases her to see it. It's a warm rush of affection and more that she shares with him, a coy knowing in her green gaze as she meets his eyes. ]

[hyperkinesia]

[ She brings that nervous tick to his own attention when she pulls his hand away, and now he's going to spend the night trying to consciously keep himself from doing it. Which may just end up with random awkward half-gestures as he stops himself halfway to touching the tie. ]

Then I'll just not go out in these clothes. I would hate to keep your hands busy, after all.

[ His own tone with enough amusement, though also a hint of shyness. He's not at all used to this particular tone of teasing, admittedly, but he's in a really good mood, and despite the brief awkwardness he doesn't regret his choice of words. ]

[widows_kiss]

[ Oh, his choice of words has her grin turning wicked for a moment as she leans up and in to press a kiss to the line of his jaw, green eyes dancing with renewed humor. ]

I don't think that's going to work out quite the way you planned. My hands would probably end up being quite busy either way. Although I confess, getting you out of these clothes would be much more preferable, I agree.

[hyperkinesia]

I'm sure you've noticed I don't do a whole lot of planning when it comes to... you know.

[ Busy hands, or anything related to it, really. His smile a little bashful, he turns his face away from the larger part of the room where most people are, hiding the slight fluster spreading across his cheeks. ]

Stop that. I'm a little too old to be blushing like an idiot.

[widows_kiss]

You are never to old to start blushing like an idiot.

[ She's laughing now, but it's soft and fond and delighted as she watches him. She shifts so she's still perfectly in his line of sight, even when he tries to duck away. ]

Besides, you have a few years of blushing to catch up on. Among other things. I'm enjoying the fact that I can now make you blush. It's potentially my new favorite thing.

[hyperkinesia]

No. [ He points at her, though both his tone and expression are all too amused. ] You're not allowed to make this your new source of entertainment. No 'let's see how little it takes to get a blushing physicist'.

[ Then he pokes the tip of her nose lightly, before adding. ] Not in public, at least.

[widows_kiss]

[ She playfully nips at his fingertip in revenge for the poke. ]

But it's such a reliable source of entertainment, apparently. And does that mean I can do it as often as I like in private?

[ Because that is an important and dangerous addendum, Bruce. ]

[hyperkinesia]

[ Oh he knows it's dangerous. Which is why, before he actually answers the question, he starts by saying: ]

I'm going to regret this. [ He grins, doubting he will actually regret it when it comes down to it. ] But yes.