[attr="class","illie"]

[attr="class","illie b"]

[attr="class","illie i”]she had, admittedly, probably chosen the wrong dress...

it's cold in slateport park. cold enough to see breath escape in little wisps of steam but seemingly not enough to snow yet. a black shawl hangs loosely off her arms, trailing as if a makeshift cape. a single crimson jewel glitters against her chest, tucked snug between skin and black ruffles.

and as she sweeps through the party, a familiar face sticks out among the rest.

she floats right by FERNANDO SILPH, head dipping slightly in acknowledgement. he's not the subject of her attention. no, not right now. there's only one person she wants to see right now and she's dolled up in precious red: Eris Halla.

"fancy seeing you here, princess," she coos softly, drawing up to the girl's side. she's mindful of distance, mindful of reiner and his protectiveness. is she still considered a stranger? to be determined.

lips painted bloody red spread to reveal kindness.

"are you having fun?"

winter ball 2021.
outfit

[attr="class","giada"]

[attr="class","giada b"]

[attr="class","giada i"]"paxton concordas ," she repeats, the name curling into a purr and escaping in a soft wisp of steam. her lips spread further and yep, she's up to no good. "cute name."

her attention shifts as CIAN MAHER draws her in, a usual happening. a yogurt covered pretzel is offered, stared down with a curious gaze, and she's letting out a light giggle.

"gonna feed me, love?" she drifts closer to his side as if pulled by his center of gravity. her hands wave about slightly, a little more eggnog sloshing slightly onto the ground in the process. "my hands are a little... busy."

another joins them, then, and her head is turning to regard @elliott with another smile.

she doesn't get the chance to pester the latest blonde, however. paxton draws her ever fleeting attention back in with a question. right, how do they all know cian?

she snickers, a memory rising. it's alcohol tinged, sure, but still fond and spicy all the same.

"i," a pause, a knowing glance sent in cian's direction, and then the smile shifts into something more coy. "don't think that first meeting is party material. how do you guys know each other? a classic case of cuties sticking together?"

winter ball.
hehehehe

Dancing Bears. Painted Wings. Things I almost remember. And a song, someone sings, once upon a December.

The graceful notes of a piano dance in the air amidst silver snowflakes, falling obliquely against lamplight and the flickering trimmings of surrounding pine trees. A wintry, but welcome, breeze carries the scent of vanilla bean musk and fresh sugar cookies to the pair that enter past the park's snow-capped black gates.

Remiel Calcifet and his date for the evening, luka chêne , follow the blanketed stone trail to a festive pavilion, his gloved white hand clasped gently with her own.

The gentleman had come dressed in a warm white cloak and suit, donning a black top hat adorned with mistletoe and holly to, essentially, 'top' it all off. A suit befitting of the occasion, the season, and his status. Though he was certain someone like Martín del Mar would quite enjoy seeing him in some UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER instead [x].

Regardless, the cloaked prince shifts his hues of cobalt to his companion with a pleasant smile, as Earl Grey the Sinistea butler leads them to the park pavilion's empty band stand. "You look exquisite tonight," He comments, taking the first step up onto the makeshift 'ballroom' waiting for them there. "... May I have this dance?"

Someone holds me safe and warm,
Horses prance through a silver storm,
Figures dancing gracefully across my memory.

He's familiar with this royal lullaby. He can hear the lyrics as clear as Earl Grey's delighted chime. The feeling it invokes is one of melancholic nostalgia. Though, tonight, he hopes Luka can change that. Clearing old memories with new ones, as it were.

---

⛄ wearing this + a festive top hat
🎶 once upon a december - emile pandolfi
🎁 advent calendar prompt: ugly christmas sweater [x]

WINTER BALL + luka chêne

☉

Looking around at the gathered crowd, Dom was glad he'd opted to wear something more formal. His first instinct had been to grab one of his ugly holiday sweaters. But he was quickly realizing this wasn't that kind of party. He would have felt so bad if he'd shown up looking like a schlub while Romeo was dressed to the nines. Even if he would have been really comfy.

He blushed at the compliment and shook his head, but didn't argue. He'd always been taught to accept kind words gratefully, even if he didn't particularly agree. He fidgeted with the hem of his blazer when Romeo asked if he was nervous.

"Is it that obvious? I never know how to act at these kinds of things." He let out a nervous laugh. "Plus the outfit is... well it's not my usual." He'd never really understood why people dressed in fancy clothes. They were always restrictive and either way too hot or way too cold. Plus they were so expensive. If he spilled some hot cocoa on his outfit he'd be out half a paycheck. He eyed Romeo's all-white with just a touch of horror in his eye.

"Snacks? Arceus, yes, please." He grinned, taking Romeo's hand and allowing himself to be led to snacks. This was a challenge. A test he could overcome. Don't ruin his outfit, dummy! "Thanks for the invite. I wouldn't have even known this was happening if you hadn't told me."

@romeo [break]outfit

☉

before he has a chance to feed @gia a pretzel, who else would cock-block him than his best friend? even without turning to meet @elliott's gaze, he sighs.

"you're late."

but chuckles after. it's always a good time when eli's around.

"i've known this one here since he was about this tall."

his hand lowers to his knee only to come up to nudge @elliott's shoulder after.

and how does he know @gia? well...

"that's a story for another time. hey, pax, you wanna go do shots with us?"

shots of eggnog! festive.

NOTES

- at the snacks table
- interacting with paxton concordas & giada morgan & @elliott
- suggesting to go do SHOTS

☉

Glittering evergreen garlands, festive poinsettias, and pokéball ornaments, hanging from against the edge of the band stand's dome-shaped ceiling, surround them. Hues of cobalt sparkle at her smile, and her hand parts from his briefly afterwards, leaving a sense of longing in its wake as she twirls towards the center of their dance floor.

luka chêne...

He'd seen her wave at FERNANDO SILPH and Martín del Mar earlier, offering them little more than a polite nod and a tip of his top hat himself. But to have her as company tonight, knowing she'd chosen him above any other, kept any feelings of resentment or competitiveness at bay. This Christmas, with all of its festive lights and sweet splendor, was theirs to enjoy.

It takes him a moment, of course, to recover from the awe of seeing her glide so gracefully forward. She was a prepossessing sight, charming in demeanor and beautiful in form. Tenderly, he takes her offered hand in his, seamlessly placing the other gently upon the back of her shoulder as they drift into a Viennese waltz:

1, 2, 3 - 1, 2, 3 - 1, 2, 3

Their chemistry on the dance floor proves to be as good as the chemistry off of it. The beauty of the Viennese waltz was that the two practiced exactly the same steps, dancing in a smooth circle, never losing sight of their body connection. Fostering a real feeling of exuberance and freedom and, perhaps, a little something more.

A reverse fleckerl, into a contra check and nat pivot, back into a natural turn.

"You're a natural at this, Luka," He comments with a debonair smile, the scent of crisp mint leaves, a dual blend of cedarwood notes, and vanilla bean light on his cologne. "You'd be a hit at any Galarian royal ball."

---

⛄ wearing this + a festive top hat
🎶 once upon a december - emile pandolfi
🎁 advent calendar prompt: holiday ornament [x]

WINTER BALL + luka chêne

☉