omne quod dulce est cito satiat

[heloise]

Who: EVERYONE!
When: Dec. 15
Where: Ballroom!
What: Borgia-Mills Saturnalia party, basically, that party!

The garlands and wreaths of leaves decorating the ballroom sure look similar. Almost Christmas trees. Pagan origins for an otherwise religious holiday. This occasion has no purpose, however, aside from merriment, freedom and lots and lots of eating!

The cooks Henry gathered are welcome to place their creations on a long table set to one side, while most of the ballroom is left clear for dancing of any form. Most of the sofas have been pushed against the walls as refuge for tired feet. The wine flows freely, with uncountable goblets here and there!

Oh, one more thing, beware the nutcrackers.

[ ooc; make your own threads, there are no rules except for go wild! ]

Comments

[bustered]

Maybe for their next dance she can be the teacher, and Zack the student. Truly, he's not overly familiar with social dancing like this, only having picked up the little that he knows from the Castle's prior ball. But the nice thing about it is that one doesn't have to be good at it to still gain enjoyment from it. And as a partner, Lucrezia is perfectly graceful, even if there is a stumble or two on each of their parts. It's more than made up for by the pleasure of shared company.

At the motion of her thumb, Zack squeezes her hand gently. The coy act just makes him smile; surely she has not gone without a single compliment all night! "I'll manage, I'm sure. The company makes it worth the struggle."

[heloise]

There goes Lucrezia stepping on Zack's foot and laughing it off, carrying on. She tries her best not to stare at her own feet as she finds the tempo. Even so, she takes a step back from him so he can twirl her, out of turn, because who cares about perfect choreography when the point of dancing is, simply put, to dance to your heart's desire!

She comes back to him with a giggle. "Oh? Which company might that be?"

[bustered]

Hey, in terms of foot-stepping, it's much better for her to step on his than the other way around! And this is probably the clumsiest waltz ever but who even cares, because is anyone else even dancing having this much fun? It's a joy to give a push to Lucrezia's waist, to twirl her away and tug her back -- to let her escape for that briefest moment, perhaps,and for her to willingly come back. There might be a metaphor in there, if Zack was so inclined to read it that deeply.

"Yours, of course." He leans in for the briefest moment of conspirators' murmuring. "Shouldn't a knight delight in time spent with his Queen?"

[heloise]

Lucrezia twirls away only to be chased, or to have someone tug her back, gather her again. She escapes only when she knows someone will follow and find her. It is not advised to read metaphors into real life happenings however, they much resemble tragedies more than comedies, and it would only bring you down.

She leans in as well, eye straying to any couples beside them in an impersonal gesture, to make sure they avert their curious eyes. "I thought knights take delight in the victory, the valor, the gold?"

[bustered]

For not being familiar with the dance, Lucrezia is an excellent partner. Grace is sure born or bred into her, perhaps refined with lessons in her youth. It's supposition of course, but Zack can't help but admire the way she moves -- and the way she smiles when she returns to his arms.

"Wouldn't that be a shallow existence, if it was all a man chose to pursue?" He'll lean away just a little -- propriety and all, and hearing is one of the senses enhanced in SOLDIERs; he doesn't have to be inappropriately close to Lucrezia to hear a murmur

[heloise]

Lucrezia knows many who would attribute the bad to her blood and whatever salvageable good to her Italian upbringing. Perhaps even an ape can learn to mimic humans. But perhaps everything is learned; dances, charm, cruelty. And no one is to blame.

"What would make a meaningful existence, Zack, companionship?" She takes the cue and steps away, placing her hand on his shoulder again. "Or some higher purpose. Destiny, so to speak?"

[bustered]

Perhaps then it is very fortunate that Zack knows little of Earth and its politics, and cares less than he knows. His opinions are formed on the behaviors of the people he meets in the Castle, not on the prejudices they may be subjected to at home. It's a fortunate thing, truly; there are many prejudices about SOLDIERs as well, and it is good to be free of them here.

"Honor." He smiles at her as they regain a proper dancing position, still moving to the music. "And dreams."

[heloise]

Perhaps that is one reason Paradisa is called so. Prejudices can be as much a prison as iron bars.

Lucrezia watches her white hand against his dark vest, turning her eyes slightly to the curve of his chin. She remembers these things, body parts, lines and shapes she could memorize in case. In case. "Tell me about your dreams. Are they happy ones, with laughing children and idyllic meadows?"

[bustered]

The iron bars are often preferable.

"I dreamed once to become a hero." Zack's shirt is open at the collar; Lucrezia would be able to see the movement of throat as he talks. That her attentions might stray toward looking for vulnerabilities doesn't occur to him. He is enjoying the simplicity of a dance with a beautiful woman -- and he does look down at her with a smile. "Doesn't that sound a silly thing, said now? The dream of a child, maybe."

[heloise]

Simpler, maybe.

Vulnerabilities show clearer in words, of course. She is searching for them on his person as much as she is gleaning them from what he says. A hero. "Do you mean to save someone from danger? Or to become an example for others?"

Lucrezia ventures a hand to his chin, barely resting there. "Everyone dreams of glory, do they not?"

[bustered]

"I think I did mean glory, once upon a time." He shakes his head slightly, just a minute suggestion of the motion. "But more important was the thought of protecting the people who couldn't protect themselves."

Zack turns lightly to her touch, head tipped slightly down and perhaps a moment away form catching her fingertips with a kiss. Hadn't he been so impudent before? He perhaps may again, because he can and because she lets him, and should not a Knight defer to a Queen? They have not tired of the game, after all.

"Do you dream of glory still, my Reina?"

[heloise]

Lucrezia tweaks the corner of her slips slightly in an almost smile, even as her glee shows in her eyes. She can hide many things but this is among the most difficult. A finger then to his lips as if to silence him though she would only venture a touch before pulling back.

Heroes are those who win in the end, she thinks, who can then write for the history books that the losers are the villains.

"Why must I dream for what I have in truth?"