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

[twicefrozen]

"Oh, he's harmless," Anna assures her, waving that off. "For one, I think he's totally engaged to someone else so...not an issue. Really. He's just a nice guy. Maybe he's here and I can introduce you guys? That would be great."

[silverandcold]

"I know, but I still worry," Elsa says. "I don't want you getting hurt again. Not after that...Hans."

It's like she can't think of a good enough insult. Just Hans.

[twicefrozen]

Anna makes a face. "Um, no, he's not like Hans. He has absolutely no interest in me like that and he's...look, Elsa, I know I'm not the best judge of character, or anything, but he's a good guy. He's not like Hans. Not at all."

[silverandcold]

Elsa nods and reaches out to take Anna's hand. She's not going to push her sister away again, or mistrust her, but she can still worry.

"Good. I'm glad." Then, since she's been getting teased without end since Anna got here, Elsa can't help asking, slyly, "But what about your reindeer prince?"

[twicefrozen]

"Oh, it's not like that either," Anna says, frowning a little. "And it's not like that between me and Kristoff. I don't know where you even get these ideas."

Anna knows perfectly well but Kristoff is...something new and a little touchy.

[silverandcold]

"From you, where else?" Elsa replies, smiling just a little.

"He is an odd one. I didn't think you liked them...grumpy."

[twicefrozen]

"Well, you're grumpy," Anna points out. "And I like you. Let's just say I learned it at a young age."

Anna spins around a little, letting her skirt whorl out in a flash of color. "Come on, Elsa, let's go dance! You know you want to."

[silverandcold]

"Am not!" Elsa protests, even though she's laughing. She makes a gentle shoving gesture Anna's way but doesn't actually lay hands on her. Just in case.

Then she takes a deep breath and takes Anna's hands.

[twicefrozen]

Elsa's hands are a little cool but otherwise, feel just like normal. Anna squeezes them, happy for the contact, and leads her out onto the dance floor.

"I've wanted to dance with you for so long, Elsa. So, so long."

[silverandcold]

"I owe you a lot of things," Elsa says. She remembers so many of the activities that Anna had proposed from behind the door. "Snowmen and bike rides. I'm sorry it took so long."