Gathering: Masquerade Ball

[concierge]

A large sign placed prominently in the Nexus lobby reads:

The Nexus Hotel
proudly presents the
MARDI GRAS MASQUERADE BALL

Event Location
Nexus Dining Hall
8 PM - 2 AM

Masquerade dress recommended, but not required for all guests

The Dining Hall's central table and chairs had been removed to create a dance floor wide enough to accommodate fanciful masquerade costumes. On one end had been placed a long bar providing free drinks, and on the other a small chamber orchestra providing the music for dancing. The entire room was bedecked in gold bunting and twinkling candlelight, and masks were available for those guests who hadn't brought their own.

Comments

[silverandcold]

Elsa was very glad for the mask because it helped cover up the blush that was rising to her cheeks. Legolas looked similarly grand in some of Elsa's favorite colors and she couldn't help her smile, curtseying as wide as her skirt allowed.

"Overcome by what?" she asked, just a little shy and cautious. "You look like someone out of a fairy story. The handsome prince, maybe."

[of_mirkwood]

"Your beauty," Legolas said. He was still a little star-struck by it, honestly, and to be star-struck as an elf was something rare indeed.

"Will you honor me with a dance, Elsa?"

[silverandcold]

"Me?" Elsa asked. "I should be saying that about you." After all, he was the supernaturally handsome one. She, for all her gifts, was merely human.

"I'd love to dance with you."

[of_mirkwood]

"Then I am truly honored," he said, offering his hand to her. He knew that Elsa did not like to be touched but he hoped, in this, she would be amenable with sharing a dance with him for a short while.

"I am happy you said yes."

[silverandcold]

Elsa appreciated that he offered, but didn't touch her outright. It gave her a moment to gather herself before she laid a cool--but not frozen--hand in his. "I'm ashamed to say I'm not much of a dancer," she admitted. She'd learned the steps, but never gone out to balls or parties.

"What was it you said, if I can ask?"

[of_mirkwood]

"I called you a beautiful creature because you had enchanted me so," Legolas said. He was slightly embarrassed about this, that he would let his feelings show so openly to someone who may or may not be comfortable with such displays.

"I lost my head and it was the only thing that would come to my lips."

[silverandcold]

She laughed a little, both flattered and pleasantly shy at such praise. Even in her limited experience, she'd heard such things from sycophants at court before, but coming from Legolas she knew it was genuine.

"You've seen so much," Elsa said, thinking aloud. "And you see beauty in me too?"

[of_mirkwood]

"Seeing beauty many times doesn't diminish that which is in front of you," Legolas said gently.

"And what is in front of me is beautiful, Elsa, whether you think it so or not. I shall simply have to keep telling you until you believe me."

[silverandcold]

"No, I know..." Elsa said, looking away from him and hoping she still looked composed. "That kind of makes it more special. You've seen so many beautiful things and you think I'm one of them."

[of_mirkwood]

"I do," he agreed. "And I am very lucky that you endure my attention for hours at the time so that I get to bask in your beauty."

It was a little much, he thought, but he wanted Elsa to know that he thought her beautiful and a very close friend.

[silverandcold]

Elsa laughed and shook her head. "I'm not forced to endure anything. You've been wonderful company and I..."

She gripped his hand. "I feel braver for knowing you."

[of_mirkwood]

"Because you are brave, my lady," Legolas said, squeezing her hand lightly. "Would you honor me with a dance this evening?"

[silverandcold]

"As many as you like," Elsa promised. Just this once, she let it all go to her head, enjoying the bubbly feeling.

"Just don't let my sister catch us like this. She'll have thousands of questions for you."

[of_mirkwood]

"I am happy to reassure your sister that I mean nothing ill," Legolas said, lightly touching a hand to Elsa's waist as he led her in the first of what he hoped would be many dances.

"I simply want to enjoy an evening with a friend. Though, I would like to meet your sister."

[silverandcold]

Elsa smiled and nodded, letting herself be led to the dance floor. "To be fair, she's had bad luck with princes," Elsa said with a somber face. "I can't blame her for worrying about my suitors--or friends."

[of_mirkwood]

"Have you had many suitors, Elsa?"

It was a loaded question and Legolas felt he was dancing on the edge of a knife by asking it. He cared for Elsa, that much was certain, but he was unsure if she cared for him in the same way or if it would even be prudent to pursue such a relationship.

[silverandcold]

Elsa blushed at the question, wondering if the inquiry was friendly or as loaded as Anna had made it sound. "No, not really," she said at last. "I spent so much time pushing people away but...I'd like to change that."

[of_mirkwood]

Legolas arched a brow. "Had you anyone in mind, then? I'm sure a great many would vie for the hand of a lovely queen and your Arendelle sounds like a beautiful place to live. A suitor would be so lucky to win your hand."

[silverandcold]

"I hadn't thought about it, back in Arendelle," she admitted, hedging a little. It put butterflies in her stomach when Legolas asked her that kind of thing.

"And what about you? Surely you've got elf maids just waiting for you."

[of_mirkwood]

"No, I have no one. I had someone once but her heart wasn't truly mine," Legolas said, thinking of Tauriel. While he had harbored a great affection for her, Tauriel had only returned a warm friendship. It was clear to see that now with the past behind them.

"And, truthfully, I have not spent much time in Middle Earth of late. I find that I enjoy the company I find here in the Nexus more."

[silverandcold]

Elsa smiled faintly, shaking her head. "You? I can hardly believe it." She felt as if they were playing some kind of game, waiting for the other to say the truth but to shy to be the first.

[of_mirkwood]

"I have not found one I feel strongly enough toward to share that part of myself," Legolas said, sliding an arm around Elsa's waist.

"It has been a long time since my heart has been open to another, is all."

[silverandcold]

"I understand, in a way. I was the same with my sister, afraid to let her into my heart...And now..."

Elsa looked across the room, smiling at Anna. "I realize how much I've lost, not letting people in.