Post by Duke Gideon of Genlith on Dec 2, 2007 20:21:51 GMT -5
A faint light had shown through the enormous and magnificent windows lining most of the ballroom's ornate walls at the start of the feast and ball, though now there was a great black expanse, dotted with twinkling stars. The windows had presented an amazing view of the sunset, with bewitching streaks of various shades of gold, red, purple, and pink. Nature's innate beauty was something that never failed to dumbfound Gideon; the bright colors of spring, the vibrant life of summer, the astounding hues of the leaves in autumn, and the sparkling white of snow in winter. Not that Nature didn't have a wild side. But even harsh storms and winds, floods and pounding waves, fire and beasts all had a certain aura of power and regality; Nature's way of asserting authority.
In addition to the excellent view, the general splendour of the ballroom and its decorations was astonishing. Banners of gold and blue* - the Crown colors - hung from the ceiling, intricate ornaments of all colors dangling from them. Two of the four walls were lined with circular tables, richly embroidered tableclothes covering them. The cutlery, goblets, and plates were buffed and untarnished silver. The floor gleamed and shone, painstakingly cleaned and polished hours earlier by maids. The kitchen staff had outdone themselves with copious amounts of divinely cooked food presented on artfully arranged platters. Servants carried these trays, as well as ones full of various drinks, around the room, politely offering refreshments to the guests. Other attendants served heavier - but no less delightful - meals to those currently seated at the tables.
In each of the four corners was an illusionist mage, who each did their own routine which they had worked on for weeks. One had created some sort of light show, with colored balls of light and sparks of fire leaping here and there, dancing about the nobles. Another had fashioned ethereal people out of a mist-like substance and had his creations doing various things, such as waltzing, or juggling, or acrobatics. The third mage was entertaining a large group of nobles by randomly picking people, bringing them forward, and then changing their appearance according to the calls of the crowd. He seemed the most popular of all four. The last illusionist - also the most widely known - had a large basin of water, in the which he created moving images. He had three different stories that he showed in the pool, and was a great hit among the oldest and youngest generations.
Gideon, being an honoured and respected official, found himself almost at all moments surrouned by a group of nobles who wished to convey their best wishes, talk politics, inquire about his work, congratulate him on the birth of his new child, ask how his wife was doing (and why she wasn't there, for weren't there maids who could keep watch of the new babe?), and other various comments. Gideon did his best to be charming and genial to them all, and did not really mind speaking with most of them. The only really uncomfortable conversations were when they touched on his wife, Malin. The lies came easily to his lips - perhaps because wished they were the truth. Those who had queries about his spouse received the answer that she wasn't quite back to her usual strength and therefore did not have the energy to attend the ball. He doubted it would be well accepted if he told the group that his wife had refused to come with him.
Soon after a rather lengthy debate with the Baron of Aminar on the finer points of hunting with dogs, Gideon tracked down a servant and had his glass refilled. While it had been an enjoyable conversation, talking continuously for so long without stopping had dried out his throat and produced a noticeable - though not quite intense - thirst. Momentarily deprived of someone to talk to, Gideon made his way to one of the illusionists and watched for a time with interest. Before long, however, a voice spoke, words directed at him.
((*I'm not positive those are the Crown colors. Don't hesitate to tell me if they aren't!))
In addition to the excellent view, the general splendour of the ballroom and its decorations was astonishing. Banners of gold and blue* - the Crown colors - hung from the ceiling, intricate ornaments of all colors dangling from them. Two of the four walls were lined with circular tables, richly embroidered tableclothes covering them. The cutlery, goblets, and plates were buffed and untarnished silver. The floor gleamed and shone, painstakingly cleaned and polished hours earlier by maids. The kitchen staff had outdone themselves with copious amounts of divinely cooked food presented on artfully arranged platters. Servants carried these trays, as well as ones full of various drinks, around the room, politely offering refreshments to the guests. Other attendants served heavier - but no less delightful - meals to those currently seated at the tables.
In each of the four corners was an illusionist mage, who each did their own routine which they had worked on for weeks. One had created some sort of light show, with colored balls of light and sparks of fire leaping here and there, dancing about the nobles. Another had fashioned ethereal people out of a mist-like substance and had his creations doing various things, such as waltzing, or juggling, or acrobatics. The third mage was entertaining a large group of nobles by randomly picking people, bringing them forward, and then changing their appearance according to the calls of the crowd. He seemed the most popular of all four. The last illusionist - also the most widely known - had a large basin of water, in the which he created moving images. He had three different stories that he showed in the pool, and was a great hit among the oldest and youngest generations.
Gideon, being an honoured and respected official, found himself almost at all moments surrouned by a group of nobles who wished to convey their best wishes, talk politics, inquire about his work, congratulate him on the birth of his new child, ask how his wife was doing (and why she wasn't there, for weren't there maids who could keep watch of the new babe?), and other various comments. Gideon did his best to be charming and genial to them all, and did not really mind speaking with most of them. The only really uncomfortable conversations were when they touched on his wife, Malin. The lies came easily to his lips - perhaps because wished they were the truth. Those who had queries about his spouse received the answer that she wasn't quite back to her usual strength and therefore did not have the energy to attend the ball. He doubted it would be well accepted if he told the group that his wife had refused to come with him.
Soon after a rather lengthy debate with the Baron of Aminar on the finer points of hunting with dogs, Gideon tracked down a servant and had his glass refilled. While it had been an enjoyable conversation, talking continuously for so long without stopping had dried out his throat and produced a noticeable - though not quite intense - thirst. Momentarily deprived of someone to talk to, Gideon made his way to one of the illusionists and watched for a time with interest. Before long, however, a voice spoke, words directed at him.
((*I'm not positive those are the Crown colors. Don't hesitate to tell me if they aren't!))