Event || The New Year

[melodiesmods]

Characters: Anyone!
Where: The Enterprise.
When: The Night from December 31st to January 1st.
Summary: A Ball aboard the Enterprise, for well-dressed (mostly) Heroes of Light and their friends who want to dance and (especially) eat for free.
Warning: Nothing.

While the passing from a year to another isn't as big of an event as the Starlight Celebration, it is no reason to pass up an ocasion to celebrate and have fun. There are fireworks in all major cities and various activities to enjoy. Noticeably, there are gatherings of people in Aqures Ixen and Trano Golsaucia in particular, if only to conclude what is one of the most celebrated week in the year, and wish to each other the best possible year to come-- Though most people are worried about what's to come soon. After all, the end might be nigh with the Calamity about to take over the planet...

To celebrate this, the Heroes of Light have all been invited to stay aboard the Enterprise for a particularly prestigious and animated Ball. Indeed, the Enterprise will from Aqures Ixen and go all the way to Mysidia at midnight-- This way, New Year is going to last even longer than normal thanks to the magic of timezones.

There are tables with foods for everyone to eat and of course, music for people to dance together if they so wish. There is also a consequent number of chairs lined up, for all those who refuse to dance or are too awkward to do so.

Comments

[confidentia]

[ For once, it was a movement that his body accepted without a word of protest, choked breaths or erratic beating of his heart taking over. Ace gladly welcomed that change, even if the warm pressure against his shoulder tempted him to similarly close his eyelids against his better judgment.

The blond settled for a subtle tilt of his head that almost had him lean into the touch, but remained somewhat cautious in studying their surroundings, just in case. Mindful of their proximity, he lowered his voice into a whisper. ]

You do let me get away with a lot of things, Tear.

[ He exhales softly, his following words sounding even more vague. ]

Not minding is one matter, but is it something you would want for yourself?

[cantante]

[ Maybe there was some validity to his first statement, if she stopped to consider it long enough. For now all she could do was furrow her brows together, perplexed by his words as she pulled back just slightly. The sentiment made her own voice soft, though their close proximity also kept it at that level for more than one reason. ]

Do you think so? You haven't done anything absolutely reprehensible, and you seem perfectly capable of handling yourself. [ ... Aside from keeping the secret about reading her file, but that went without saying. ]

I'll admit, I wouldn't have chosen weather conditions like that evening. Is that what you mean?

[ Meaning she might be completely missing the point of anything he just said. ]

[confidentia]

[ Yeah, that was not... really it, if he had to be completely fair, and being put in a position to explain caused him to reconsider asking the question altogether. Lips slightly pursed, he led them for a while in silence before replying with an apologetic smile. ]

... N-nevermind. I'm not entirely sure where I meant to go with that.

[ The price of letting yourself become too caught up in a moment, perhaps? ]

From the look of things, it might be for the better to refrain from planning ahead too much. Soon, they might once again require your services in the military, and that comes first.

[ Before any whims of his, that is. Serious smol soldier mode, right on time to remind her what a charmer she happened to be dancing with. ]

[cantante]

[ If Ace was hoping to brush away the topic so easily,

[ All Tear was continue looking at him patiently, still waiting for an explanation even a few seconds after he tried to brush it away. When it doesn't come she closes her eyes, accepting that this might not be the moment for it. Nevertheless... ]

You meant to go somewhere with that. [ With a quiet exhale, she lets go of the topic, focusing more on that reminder of her upcoming duties. As serious about them as she was, being around him like this would sometimes push them to the back of her mind. ]

For the most part, things have been quiet lately... It does worry me a little.

[confidentia]

[ Any other dancing partner would have probably made it their priority to cut the discomfort short with a reassuring remark, but Ace was Ace. It hadn't yet managed to strike him as inappropriate to discuss war while the circumstances screamed for something lighter in tone. ]

Yeah. We haven't really done the best job at securing our line of defense. Of course, [ Looking thoughtful, he glances to the side. ] everything might soon change once the Empire acknowledges the threat looming above their heads. It's difficult to determine what that could mean for us.

[ Giving her hand a gentle squeeze, he returned to face the melodist. ]

Well, focusing on the negative has never worked in anyone's favour. It's going to be fine. [ Ace smiled softly, stopping along with the slowly fading tune. ]

You're going to be fine, and I'll see to it.

[cantante]

[ Any other partner might have, but there was still something reassuring about Ace's understanding of the situation and the subtle reminder even if it wasn't exactly appropriate for the festive atmosphere, and she nods in agreement with his assessment.

But then rest of what he says catches her off-guard, eyes widening slightly as the instinctual need to assert her independence began to emerge. ] You don't have to do anything, I can—...

[ Then she stops, biting her lip softly as she looked down. The words of her companions echoed in her mind, chastising her for always trying to do things on her own. It was a difficult adjustment to make, even though she knew they had some validity.

And the boy in front of her was probably the last person she should be trying to push away, so she nods tentatively. ]

... Okay. But remember, it's both of us, it's everyone. We're all working together, so in turn I'll make sure you'll be all right.