snuggled up together like two birds of a feather would be ☆

[heaaarts]

[ Things are a little different this Christmas Eve. It's the first holiday season in years that many residents will be able to spend outdoors, and whatever drives the place has gone all out to make things festive. There are white lights and ruby garland strung up around lamp posts, red bows and wreathes adorning buildings. Even the trams are decorated, lit up on the outside and warm and cozy inside. There's a chill in the air, but for the most part it isn't too uncomfortable. Trees stripped bare of leaves by the change in seasons have had their leaves replaced by lights, and the occasional tree in the park bears large, shining baubles.

The ball this year is held in a new building, something that's popped up on the outskirts of the residential area overnight. (Of course, no one will be able to get inside until much later in the evening.) The park's a little smaller and crowded as a result, but not by much. It, like much of the outdoors, is covered in white. A light snow has been falling since early afternoon, resulting in a glistening bed of frost over the ground, the trees, and every rooftop. Much of it stretches out past the area, giving a wintery cover to most worlds. The fountains in Radiant Garden have frozen over into chaotic ice sculptures, and enough snow for a snowman (or snowmouse) can be found in Traverse Town, while the sound of carols comes from nowhere in particular in Disney Town. Hopefully no one tries to take the tram to Halloween Town for purposes of sneaking into Christmas Town. That world is barred off from entry no matter how hard anyone tries.

Somewhere around six in the evening, the doors to the ballroom open and remain so. Large wreathes decorated with red ribbon and crystal clear baubles hang on the doors. The building itself is decorated simply and tastefully, with red ribbons and streamers, dimmed lights and soft, instrumental music, perfect for the pristine dance floor. The ceiling, a true highlight of the room, is made of framed glass and gives a perfect, pristine view of the stars and snowfall outside. The tree this year is decorated with red, pale green, white, and more clear glass ornaments. Strangely enough, each is marked with a small tag. Just a simple old strip of paper, blank until someone gets close enough to see their name appear on one special ornament, in swirling red script. There are birds, hearts, stars... all kinds of simple, precious ornaments there to take. Maybe they mean something.

Like any good party in the DR, there's plenty of food. In the back room, separated from the ballroom by frosted glass walls, there are tables with glass tops and sheer white tablecloths, the largest of which is rectangular and has a placement of ham, roast birds, casseroles and vegetables, with nuts, popcorn, pretzels and cheeses further down. There are two smaller, round tables, one with drinks (non-alcoholic eggnog, ciders, and hot cocoa), and one with sweets like pudding, cookies, fudge, and sugared fruits. A group of much smaller, more cozy and personal tables are scattered in the corner near the food, with delicate placements decorated with classic red poinsettias. ]

{ ooc: LiveJournal mirror here. Happy Holidays, everyone! }

Comments

[dawnrise]

[Another year, another Christmas, another ball. It's becoming routine now, or at least tradition, and it's starting to become something Riku can at least relax at. Well, she relaxed last year, but she more or less trusts the place not to cause chaos deliberately, or to allow any real destruction.

She's chosen a red dress this year, a real evening gown type deal. It's stupidly girly and a choice she's regretting in the cold, but at least she's warming up near the Christmas tree.]

[f_iery]

[Wolf whistle coming from this guy. He's dressed up all snazzy as well, in a simple black tuxedo with a deep red vest and matching tie.]

Look who's in a dress. Color me surprised.

[dawnrise]

[Aw, they match. She side-eyes him for a moment, still facing the tree.]

I wore a dress last year. Picked that one out too and everything.

[f_iery]

Really? And I missed it? Damn.

[He walks over to stand beside her, turning to face the tree as well.]

You look nice. You should try wearing them more often.

[dawnrise]

[It had long sleeves. But her legs were visible! She wore dark black stockings with that, though. He gets a look from her, though.]

When? When I'm fighting Heartless or running through the woods with my dog?

[f_iery]

[He shrugs.]

Terra does it.

[Those things he silly things he calls pants are so totally dresses in denial. Or so Roxas thinks.]

[dawnrise]

Terra?

[She has yet to speak to one, as it goes.]

Wow, hi, I can has typing skills.

[f_iery]

Yeah, Terra. You know- tall, spiky brown hair, broody and bulky? He's got giant skirts for pants.

[He makes big hand movements to overly emphasize his words, pausing for a moment to stare at her a little bit in disbelief.]

Are you seriously telling me in all this time in the dressing room you've never met one?

y I has no notifs ):

[dawnrise]

[She shakes her head, looking amused. As if there's something ironic going on.]

I think this place is keeping me from seeing any of them. I met the one in my world when I was... I don't know. Six?

i have too much fun describing what my characters look like :(

[f1re0nthesun]

[Axel's actually bypassing the ham table to come say hello to Riku, since he's actually at the party this year. he feels a lot more comfortable about going to such things by now, and the decision was pretty much made for him when the fancy clothes he's wearing were laying out when he got up today. he's wearing this, but the fabric has a coppery sheen to the black, and instead of bandages the pants are tucked into extra-tall ninja sandals, and over it is a magnificent haori jacket in a shade of green that really goes well with his eyes. the fabric is, rather incongruously, flecked with tiny Christmas trees in a darker green. his hair's braided in a long plait down his back, and will probably be useful for smacking people in the face when he turns around quickly.]

Hey, Riku. Nice dress.

me too me too

[dawnrise]

[She's more important than ham? Wow. If she knew that she would feel really special. She looks away from the tree to Axel and smiles a little, but then she gets distracted by his outfit. She's seen plenty of different types of clothes from different worlds, so they don't strike her as odd or anything. It's just... weird to see Axel in such formal(?) clothes. Or anything like that, really.]

Hey, Axel.

\o/

[f1re0nthesun]

[well, he's going to tell her, so she can feel special. :D he actually seems pretty comfortable in these clothes, in a way that he isn't always in jeans and anything more complicated than a t-shirt.]

I could have just gone straight for the food, but I wanted to come see you first.

[dawnrise]

Wow. I feel really special.

[She's smirking, too, which would make it obvious that she was teasing even if it wasn't in her tone.]

[f1re0nthesun]

You should, I wouldn't do that for just anyone. And that ham looked mighty tempting from the doorway. I'm glad it's not near the full moon, so you can enjoy this stuff.

[no, he knows. <3]

[dawnrise]

I'd enjoy it even if it was near the full moon. It's just that no one else would get to.

[They could bond over ham forever.]

[f1re0nthesun]

Yeah. Man, I should swing by the store and grab a few hams or something right before the full moon sometime and come over so we can pig out together.

[hambonding is the best. \o/ also weh she looks so pretty and feminine, he wants to pick her up and twirl her. ;o; ]

[dawnrise]

...I'd be okay with that.

[She's being completely serious when she says that. Delicious ham omnomnom. Also she would possibly flail at twirling. Red probably wouldn't appreciate it either.]

[before]

Nice dress.

[He sounds like he actually means it! And he does, because she looks pretty amazing. He wants to ravish her right there on the spot, even. But he'll resist.]

[dawnrise]

[She tilts her head up, like she was expecting sarcasm but is pleasantly surprised.]

Thanks. Nice suit.

[before]

Thanks.

[To be honest he could have found a more fancier one! Well, fancy but still nice on him, anyway. His is pretty plain.]

[dawnrise]

[Plain can look good on some people. Red is one of those people.]

Getting used to Christmas at this point?

[before]

Unfortunately.

[He sounds so grumpy about that, but he doesn't really look it. He's tolerating the holiday, at least.]

[dawnrise]

It could be worse.

[She shrugs.]

It could be Valentine's Day.

[before]

Ugh, don't make me think about that supposed holiday.

[dawnrise]

Not good enough to be a holiday to you?

[If she sounds amused it's because she is.]