2025-06-18 - Flower Ball

Maggie arrives in all her pink-dyed hair, multiple piercings, and fully tattooed glory. Her silk gown evokes a pink rose in full, early morning dewy glory (that I'm not describing in all it's spammy terror, peep the desc if you want it), and her thorny stiletto heels leave her standing 5'6" for the night, accentuating the suggestion of her gown as to which floral beauty she is repping for the night. When she spots all the fairy lights strung about, she actually gives a faintly audible gasp at just how very, very pretty it all is. She's nothing if not an absolute sucker for the beauty of good art.

Thanking the gentlemen at the door for their greeting and holding of doors, Maggie slips inside on those impossible shoes of hers. She may not have the practiced grace of a model in them, but she does at least avoid a wobble or embarrassing herself. She takes her wins where she's able to find them. The first thing she does once inside is snag a fluted bit of stemware from a circulating tray. The next thing she does is find a quiet, calm spot from which she can be out of the way while she looks around, drinking in all of the elegant, black tie ball as the music softly plays.

Already tallish, the heels that Hayley is wearing have nudged her over into the territory of Tall, her head brushing just under the six foot mark now if a ruler was placed next to her. She's spared this, though, and the wiry gardener steps her way into the castle -- no one on her arm. Instead, there are vines of roses that seem to grow from her very skin, entwined in a soft, thornless webbing, reds and blacks and yellows all in full bloom, obscuring the actual skin of her arms, ending at the wrist.

As for her gown itself, it's difficult to tell where fabric ends and flora begins, leaves and vines interspersing with folded layers of cream satin, a sweetheart cut bodice with a train that trails a few inches on the ground behind her, leaving the occasional petal.

Hair updone in a crown braid, lilies in her hair, she walks quietly in with cautious looks around.

Hawthorne and Artemisia arrive arm in arm, the former in a deep forest green suit with shiny vegan leather lapels and a brightly coloured flower in his breast pocket. The latter, well, she makes a big of a statement thanks to Hawthorne's flower magic. It's less of a growth and more of an explosion of flowers that cover her puff-skirted mini dress in a rainbow of cut blooms that hangs and leaves a shadow at her thigh. Technically, it's too short for a proper ball. Admittedly, Artemisia doesn't care wearing.

A pair of stacked platform heels in a bright pink that give her another four inches of height and the higher possibility of tripping and falling on her ass, but makes the distance as she grins up at Hawthorne less. She's braided flower crowns for the both of them and his wraps around the braided bun that his hair has been pulled back into. "It feels a bit fairy tale," Artemisia says with a giggle.

Aisley stepped into the ballroom and paused just past the entrance. The space before her had been transformed into a dream—twinkling lights like stardust cascaded from above, and waiters walking around passing drinks that sparkled in the dim light. Her green eyes went wide with astonished excitement, and a radiant smile tugged at her lips.

Moments like this were rare for her. On nights when the world gathered in finery and fanfare, she was usually elsewhere—working, covered in paint, glue, or stickers, helping children live out dreams of their own. But not tonight. Tonight, she was here.

Her arm looped delicately through Angelo's, she leaned into him slightly as if sharing the wonder of it all. Her beige tulle gown floated softly around her legs, decorated with spring flowers that danced with each step. Matching blooms were tucked into her swept-back hair, framing her face like a living crown. The flowers—real ones—carried the faintest of fresh scent.

To Angelo, eyes gleaming. “It’s like a fairytale,” she whispered.

As Hawthorne and Arte enter, he keeps his arm secure in hers to help lessen the chance of tumble. Normally these types of events make him feel out of place, but a ballroom filled with flowers? He's in heaven!

"It does doesn't it?" he says with a bit of obvious awe, looking around the room and grinning. "They did great." Then, he's looking to Arte and taking in her outfit and overall vibe, "You look great. This is great." Great is the secret word of the day!

Looking to all the others who have arrived, he then looks to the dance floor before back to Arte, "Did you want a drink first? Or do you want to dance?" He'll try to dance though that skill isn't on the same level as his flower sculpting.

Trace and Enzo arrive together, making their way toward the castle. As they near the steps, Trace reaches out to take Enzo's hand in his, slipping his fingers through the other's to lace them together.

He is dressed in white, from his pressed trousers to his white shirt in soft fabric with a flowing tie. His jacket is white but as it descends, gives way to pale array of flora along its length. Both the shirt and the jacket have been tailored to make room for the enormous set of glossy black feathered wings that rise up from behind his shoulders, the garments bearing fastenings that allow them to be buttoned in place around the wings while allowing freedom of movement. His shoes are a blue that matches some of the colors in the jacket.

Once they've crossed the threshold and are out of the way of other guests entering, he leans in to steal a kiss from Enzo. "I feel like I brought my own prince to the ball, tonight." And he couldn't be happier about that.

Ravin is standing over near the band wearing a men's cut velvet suit top in a deep purple edged with silver, but instead of the usual pants to go with it, they have a sweeping ballgown-style skirt in a jewel-tone floral print on silk with embroidery and beading. On their head they wear a crown of flowers in deep purple and red with silver edging on the petals. They give a smile to those they know as each enters.

Angelo manages to turn it out tonight on Aisley's arm, and not dressed like a pirate either this time. He wears an oyster coloured silk suit with 3D wild tea roseson vines that come up from his pant and jacket cuffs. The wasp-like pixie wings are folded back and down, but have the same silver to pink tint to them with stained glass flowers worked into their design.

Wide-eyed with a grin he casts a look around the room and gestures a hand to Artemisia who had much to say of the same thing. "This seems to be the consensus. Looks almost as great as you do." Super high bar. His fingers lift to poke at the decor in passing. "This is so surreal. I love it. IF we're not eaten by a flytrap later we might even steal a dance on the roof."

"Let's get a drink first before you've got me tripping over my feet," Artemisia teases Hawthorne. She will trip. It is inevitable. "We better not get eaten by a flytrap," she says with a smile towards Angelo. "I love your suit."

Aaron was off making sure some things with the waiters was going smoothly, tonight he is wearing a white suit, well more like eggshell colored. On his feet are black dress shoes, very nice slacks with a white dress shirt under a buttoned up jacked that comes up just slightly above the waistline. Hanging off his left shoulder is a cape that matches, in his breast pocked is a flower and all the ascents on his clothing are gold flowers. His black hair is partly pulled back at the sides into a thin braid and leaving the rest hanging lose. When he comes out to the main area, he smiles seeing so many have arrived. "Hello everyone, welcome to the first Flower Ball."

The beauty on display around the room is absolutely breath-taking, and Maggie just visually takes it all in. She's especially enjoying everyone's fashion choices and how each of them are interpreting the theme of the Gala. She doesn't recognize anyone she sees wandering through the room, so, for now, she's content to just wallflower, studying the fashion, the people, and the design choices. And when Aaron comes out to welcome everyone to the first of what (if they're lucky might be annual) Flower Ball, she offers a faint and polite bit of applause for his introduction.

Angelo gets a smile and nod in greeting from Hawthorne. He lofts a brow at the idea of being eaten by a fly trap, "I have always wondered what the inside of those must look like." Leave it to Hawthorne.

"Your suit is fantastical," he compliments Angelo before looking to Arte and nodding. "Drinks it is. If you want to stay and talk I don't mind getting us something. Angelo did you want anything too?" he offers. Aaron gets a nod now as well, "Thank you. It looks magical in here...even by Spellbounds standards."

Hayley turns her head when Aaron steps out, her attention diverted away from alcohol by formality, and she raises her hands to give a few probably-too-loud claps. Someone never received debutante training. Still, she listens, then she takes the time to sweep an approving gaze over everyone else's clothing of choice, before plucking up a glass of white by the stem, sipping on the liquid courage.

Aisley looks towards Artemesia and Hawthorne as they speak to Angelo, resting her other hand on top of her own arm linked around Angelos forearm to complete the circle. "Is there a specialty cocktail menu? I've heard some of these events have things like that..." glancing around the room and noting Trace and Enzo arriving, offering a friendly wave and smile.

Ravin blows a kiss to Aaron, watching him proudly for a moment before giving the musicians a little nod and turning to track down one of the waiters to claim a glass of something sparkling to drink. Drink claimed, they scan the room, looking for someone to go talk to, and spot Maggie trying to wallflower, then head in her direction.

Similarly to Trace, Enzo is dressed in white, though his outfit is completely white, void of color for the most part, despite this being a floral gathering. Dressed in a combination of both elegant tailoring and contemporary style, he dons a white crisp blazer with a slightly cropped silhouette and sharp, clean lines. It has a minimalist design with no visible buttons and a slightly open front, giving it a relaxed yet polished appearance. Beneath the blazer, he wears a collarless white shirt, buttoned to the top and a pair of slim-fitting, sharply creased trousers. Pristine white high-top sneakers, add just the right amount of irreverence to his image or whatever.

That's not to say that he isn't without a dash of color. There's a single red rose pinned to his blazer at the chest. Not all flowers need to be bright and bold in hue after all!

And anyway, he had Trace with him, his own grasp squeezing gently when he feel the other reach for his hand. Just as Trace steals that kiss, Enzo can only smile quietly, before letting out a gentle laugh, "And I've been blessed with my own angel."

There's quite a few familiar faces to be seen and that's when he notices Aisley waving their way. "I guess we should start to mingle." They were all friends after all! So with that, Trace might feel a slight tug as he leads the way in Aisley and Angelo's direction.

Angelo grins to Hawthorne and says "I will pass the compliment along to my brother. Thank you." Brightening a smile to Aisley he asks "You met Hawthorne? Hawthorne, this is Aisley, Story-Herald." This said with a tone of pride before a look of confusion. "I dunno about the cocktails. If they do We are absolutely going to go through them with the official rating system: flavour, kick, outfit compatibility." he counts off on his fingers. There's a system.

Looking over e notices Trace first because he's taller, and then Enzo. There's a small smile with a "Let's hope this goes alright." As they draw nearer a hand lifts in greeting, "You guys are styling what's up. "Aisley, Trace and Enzo; the ones from my phone."

A tall, fluted glass of something bubbly is in Maggie's right hand, and she lifts it to pink-painted lips for a sip of it as she's people-watching. But when she spots Ravin heading her way, her smile grows warm and bright. Her other hand lifts as she gives a bit of a wave. And once they're close enough to hear her that doesn't require her smoky contralto voice to yell about it, she offers over, "Billy Porter red carpet vibes turned into full bloom." The elegant top coat and ballgown skirt combo. "Absolutely exquisite."

Aaron smiles at everyone, "The waiters have drinks, just ask them they can get you what you need. There is also nonalcoholic for those who do not wish to partake in the other. There are finger foods and a small table with some things to eat if you so wish, please do enjoy the evening." he spots the kiss that is sent to him from Ravin and blows one back at them. Turning to look around spotting Artemisia and Hawthorne he heads in their direction to say hello.

Trace's smile skews a little crooked at Enzo's compliment and he's caught up in just enjoying being there with him for a moment before his attention is caught, both by Enzo's tug to his hand and Aisley's wave. He lifts his free hand in a wave and approaches she and Angelo with a smile.

"Hey," he says, "You guys look fantastic. Angelo. Aisley." He dips his head to her with a grin, "Nice to see you both."

He looks around at all the others in their finery -- Maggie and Hayley, Ravin and Aaron, Arte and Hawthorne, and says, "Everyone looks great. And the flowers smell good."

"Aaron, great job with all of this," he says to their host.

Ravin does a little spin to show off the swirl and flare of the skirt. "Thank you. I steal from the best and then modify for the situation, but he was definitely an inspiration for this outfit." They grin. "I love your dress as well. Honestly, everyone's stepped up their fashion game for the evening."

"Story Herald? That's quite the title!" Hawthorne grins and nods to Aisley, "It's nice to meet you." The talk about the cocktails has him nodding in agreement, "I think that's a great idea. Also helps to not need to be as decisive too."

Hawthorne will always take an opportunity to not be decisive. Looking to a nearby waiter he lifts his hand to try and get their attention for a drink. Oh no. Too slow. Wait there's another waiter! This time his attempt is successful and he looks at the drinks on the tray. Noooo. He still has to decide which one to drink first!

Iseul steps into the entryway, her steps pausing as soft brown eyes lift to take in the magnificence of her surroundings with a fractional widening, and a subtle gleam of genuine awe. She looks positively enchanted... and enchant*ing,* truth told, in the semi-sheer gown in soft cream and green that flows around her slender frame like a languid swirl of spring leaves carried on a feather-soft breeze. Her dark hair has been piled high atop her head in a twist that leaves a few shining tendrils free to caress her temples, the nape of her neck. Spotting some familiar faces, she smiles a degree more brightly as she spots Aaron and Ravin, lifting a hand in a wave before moving further into the spectacularly bedecked ballroom.

Another long drink of her wine as Hayley listens to the music, then starts to wander through the crowd. A few smiles here and there toward some employees she recognizes, and eventually, she joins a small circle, lingering on the edge and tossing a few comments in here and there, her fingers drumming against the bowl of her glass as her head turns toward the doorway a few times, chewing on her lip.

Aisley blushes a little at the introduction Angelo gives to his friends. It was quite the title to hold in front of a crew like this. "I think he is being too nice. I just come up with ideas and go with them." she explains to Hawthorne at his question.

Turning her head to see Enzo and Trace arrive, she knew them more by name than actually spending time with them. "You do, you both look amazing. It's also nice to finally spend some time with you both. I know my schedule can be all over the place, but Angelo has told me so much about you, and I feel like I know you already."

Trace gives attention to Arron as the host and her head moves quickly to look in that direction. "You did this!?" A beaming smile spreads over her face again, "Gorgeous! I will be using inspiration from tonight to make dreams."

"A pleasure to meet you," Artemisia says to Aisley with a smile, offering a hand after puling a flower from her gown. Her nail polish goes with the flower theme of her dress. Another flower is offered to Angelo and she giggles. "This dress is basically a walking party favor. Don't worry, I am wearing something underneath."

Milling about in the room is the somewhat sneaky Ash, who has arrived in a black tuxedo with tails and a silvery silk cummerbund, matching ascot, and a perfect white carnation displayed on his left lapel. He made an effort to be unobtrusive when arriving but the appearance of Iseul gets him to actually appear (on purpose) and do his best to get Iseul’s attention before doing an intentional impression of Leo DiCaprio in The Great Gatsby.

It’s that kind of toast with the knowing smile.

Once they meet up with the other couple, Enzo takes another look around to admire the decor and, of course, what everyone was wearing this evening. From his time at Spellbound, unlike his life outside of it, he's come to not expect to recognize many designer names on anyone, aside from people who he already knows, due to their own wealthy social circles, but he's found that those in the park make do. At first, it was due to costuming, obviously, but not magic has helped some out a lot. Is it cheating? One could ask him his opinion on that matter.

Back to Aisley and Angelo, he smiles broadly, "Yeah, you both look great. In fact, most everyone does." It makes you wonder who, in his mind, doesn't!

Though to what Aisley says about finally being able to spend time with them, that does bring out a laugh, "Yeah." And he's about to say something more, probably, as his lips part, but they shut soon after, leaving behind a smile either way. Though hearing that Angelo had spoken to her about them, his gaze shifts to the Pirate and he nods slowly, "Good things I hope." He already knows.

He doesn't let that comment linger either. Instead, he eyes one of the passing waitstaff and lifts a hand to hail them down before picking up a glass of champagne. The waiter is there in case anyone else wanted to snatch something to drink as well.

Ravin looks absolutely incredible, and Maggie has no issues to gush about it. "Seriously, you pulled it off and then some. I know it's Pride month, so everyone is out to slay, but. You fully ate, and left not a single crumb behind for the beggars." But when her own dress is complimented in return, she beams brightly. "Thanks. I found the sheathe under it at the Thrift Store, and a bunch of the petals out of old tutus there. But. I did most of the construction to it myself." In general, Maggie may not always be the world's best seamstress. But she's tattooed more than enough flowers in her lifetime to be able to perfectly arrange a petal, her artist's gaze for detail having served her well in her replicaiton of a summer's rose.

When Maggie catches an absolute stunner offering a wave their way, she points out Iseul to Ravin, "I think a spring ivy clad possibly friend of yours might be trying to get your attention." But, should the bump into one another again at some point in the night after Ravin's had a chance to make the rounds, she offers over, "I'm Maggie, by the way." And, when she catches sight of Hayley, she asks Ravin before they can go meet up with his other friends if wanted, "You don't happen to have the name for the blonde whose flowers actually seem to be real do you?" Because Hayley looks amazing, and the pair of them can wallflower together for a while.

"Thank you Trace, it's good to see everyone." he looks at everyone, "You all look amazing, you all are on fire." he grins. He is holding a glass in his hand when he spots Iseul, "If you please excuse me." he turns to head in her direction, "Look at you!" he beams, "That dress is gorgeous on you!" he moves to lean in to give her a soft hug and a kiss to the cheek in greetings. "I am so happy you could make it!"

Ravin laughs delightedly in response to Maggie's gushing. When she reveals she made the dress herself, they look impressed. "Even better, then. And I'm Ravin." He turns to look and smiles warmly at the wave from Iseul. "That's Isuel, she's a new friend and a complete sweetheart." Then they look for who Maggie's asking about. "I don't think I've met her, yet, sorry. But that is also, certainly, an enchanting look. We should absolutely grab a dance later, if you dance. And I should probably go steal a dance with my boyfriend before either he or I get busy again."

Trace grins at Aisley and says, "I know, right? It's nice to finally meet you." He gives a grin to Arte and Hawthorne, having seen both of them a few times before at various events. When the waiter passes by, Trace acquires a glass of champagne for himself as well. One wing lightly extends to brush against Enzo's back.

Seeing Ash and Iseul and recognizing them from their venture through the portal, he lifts his glass in a little salute and offers them a warm smile. "Hey, fellow travelers."

Hayley, too, catches his attention and he offers her a smile when she's near enough, noticing her sort of hovering on the edge of things. "Hi, I'm Trace," he introduces himself. "And this is Enzo, Angelo, Aisley... and that's Artemisia and Hawthorne," she introduces them as well since they're nearby. "And over there is Ash and Iseul, if you haven't met them." He makes a little room in case she wants to come join them as well. "Aaron's our host and Ravin is in the purple. And.. I don't know who the woman with the pink hair is.." he realizes. But there, introductions, as best as he knows them!

When Hayley hears mention of 'blonde' and 'real flowers' somehow picking through the general noise of the crowd, her head perks up and her body twists at the waist, looking around to see if it was someone talking about her -- and when she catches Maggie and Ravin's gaze, and then Ravin starting to excuse himself, she does so from the small group she has found herself near and instead turns in the direction of pink dye.

"I don't even want to know how long it took that dress to get made, but my word, that thing is a delight on you," Hayley gushes as she approaches Maggie with a smile, her drawl out in full force as soon as she's speaking more than a word or two. "Even just tying up that ribbon on the back, did you do that by yourself or have three servants to help you?" she wonders with an easy smile, her hand coming out. "Hayley Birch," she introduces herself.

Hawthorne finally decides on two drinks, one for him and one for Arte! They are different drinks too so not only do they get to try options, but if one isn't a hit they can trade!

He watches Arte hand Aisley one of the flowers and grins at her enthusiasm. When she's done he offers her one of the drinks, "Here." Then, they're being introduced! "Nice to meet you, Hayley," he offers in response to her introduction too.

Iseul immediately welcomes the hug proffered by Aaron, returning it warmly and beaming up at him. "This place looks amazing. You look amazing. Let your gorgeous boyfriend know that extends to him, too, hmm?" she teases, glancing toward Ravin and noting that they're occupied with another ball-goer. "I won't keep you, because I know you're undoubtedly busy... and I'm actually not flying solo, for a change." Her eyes dance with barely-concealed happiness as she makes the admission, extending a single finger in a point toward Ash, identifying him to her friend. Once she's made her excuses and slipped away again, she hurries toward where she'd spotted Ash, actually cooing as she goes right in for an unhesitating, close, arms-round-the-neck hug. "You came.."

"Yes, yes!" Maggie has no issue with Ravin needing to make the rounds. "I absolutely dance, and I will find you later to take you up on it." Later, after Ravin has said their hellos, as well as after Maggie has met Hayley, because seriously, those flowers look real and Maggie needs to get a closer look. And it lands her directly into Hayley's path as Ravin goes to find Aaron for that dance. Her own accent is fairly neutral, bland in a way that simply says average middle of flyover territory somewhere in the generic midwest. Taking the hand that is offered by Hayley, Maggie introduces herself. "Margaret Andrews-McMasterson." And it's followed _immediately with the warning, "But if you call me anything other than Maggie about it, we can't be friends."

The ribbon up Maggie's back is connected via piercings through her skin rather than fabric, and her only excuse for them is to tell the blonde, "I'm the newest addition at Quill and Ink." The tattoo shop on the Boo'edwalk. As to her dress, though? "But I have nothing at all on your charms tonight. Your dress is amazing, and the way you made it actually bloom?" Maggie is clearly impressed. "Seriously. Absolute chef's kiss to it."

Enzo's been absent from a lot of park business for a while since certain events occurred, though as he was working in public relations for the park for a while now, he obviously recognizes those who were at the park since last year. The newer faces get a polite enough smile when they are introduced before he takes a deep drink from his champagne glass. He still feels the irritation of being in public relations and surrounded by all of these people, so that drink was probably very much needed.

Though that brush of Trace's wing at his back, at the very least, brings him some comfort.

It's the new faces that he'll study, however, looking over their attire and when new girl Hayley mentions that, perhaps, Maggie had servants to help with her dress making, Castillo's gaze looks Maggie's way now curiously. And then she brings up where she works and her profession which may have cleared things up for him. To Haley, however, he asks, ""And which department do you work in, Haley?"

"Ooh. Bubbles," Artemisia coos, grinning up at Hawthorne broadly as he delivers her a drink. "Hi!" She waves at Hayley as introductions go around, but her smile softens as she spots the brush of Trace's wing over Enzo's back. Cute. "And thank you." She takes a sip of her drink, directing that thanks towards Hawthorne. "Mine's rose flavored, what's yours?" She asks the tall man at her side.

Waiting for what Enzo was going to say was never going to come to pass. Aisley realized that when he moved on to comment about how he hoped that she had heard good things. In response to that? The little woman scrunched her nose and laughed it playfully off in kind, saying nothing in return. Turning her attention to Trace who she does answer, "Hopefully this won't be the last time and only be beginning of getting to know one another."

In the moment of grabbing drinks, Aisley does take one off a passing tray, taking a drink from the champagne flute while more people are introduced, her eyes following after all the introductions and hoping she'll remember all the names by the end of the night. Lifting her hand and waving when her hand is mention in ways of introduction of who she is.

Any close look at Hayley's flowers reveals that they are, in fact, very much real and fresh, and not showing any signs of wilt at all despite the obvious need of them being attached to the dress in some way, shape or form. Maggie's enthusiasm has her laughing, and she notes happily, "Yes, Maggie, noted. I'm not going to call you anything else if that's what you go by, no worries," as she lifts the glass. She nods at the mention of Quill and Ink, a few things clicking in place at that, before smiling and looking down at the dress. "I have a lot of free time lately, and -- this felt like an occasion to go all-out," she admits. "But those shoes, Maggie!"

She smiles as the others acknowledge the introduction, and to Enzo, she responds, "I'm a groundskeeper, I mostly do, well, these," she admits, motioning to some of the bushes through one of the windows, "And help out in the botanical gardens. This is the big one, though," she admits.

Angelo tells Trace, "One, Aisley says I'm too nice which my sibs would say means I'm being suspicious, and two should catch Arte's show some night. They have so much fun over there I question my own musical talent." He doesn't seem upset by this at all, but rather optimistic. There's a side glance back to Aisley looking just all pleased withthe world. "You're the best and deserve a drink to match your dress."

As Trace does introductions he greets Hayley, "Welcome to the madness, Hayley. We are glad to have ya." Looking back to Enzo his head tilts letting the past roll off. "Why would I not? You look super. The wings are new Trace! Welcome to wing club, man."

Leaning back to Aisley he whispers with 0 subtlty, " I keep trying to get everyone together. I didn't expect to be successful." nor was any of it his doing. He reaches and takes a drink, cyan and sparkly with some white flowers floating in it, off the tray. "To excellent company."

Careful only to preserve his glass by holding it to one side, Ash hugs Iseul back and beams to her. “I did.” he agrees, stepping back post-contact to take her in once again and look appreciative while making a point to show it. “I love this dress. Something something about it on the floor or something. But you are absolutely lovely. I've been really bad and not hung out with anybody yet.”

That last was partly a confession but also an invitation to change it, as he shifts eyes toward Trace to grin.

When Enzo drops in alongside Trace to where Maggie and Hayley are chatting, Maggie's dark coal-hued gaze studies both versions of tall, dark, and dashing. She catches sight of Aisley and Angelo as well, and all the other people wandering near who seem to know one another. Only on the island for three months, most spent unpacking and acclimating to her new job? Maggie has no hope of remembering all of the names, and she may even forget a few of the faces once they've moved on to other occasions and become a bit less floral.

Maggie agrees with Hayley entirely though. "An actual real to life storybook ball?" Maggie sips at her bubbly and nods. "No better reason to go all out about anything that I can think of from the top of my head." Granted, even in those heels the top of her head isn't exactly the highest point in the room. When it comes out that Hayley works in groundskeeping, Maggie grins. Seems they both make a living by making life just a little more beautiful than it might have been before they had found it.

"To excellent company," Artemisia echoes Angelo with a lift of her glass. For each glass that is raised, sparkles erupt in the air as her eyes flicker pink with power.

"Yes. You're terrible. And awful. Somehow, though, I still kinda like you," Iseul teases Ash quietly, her fingertips ghosting a caress along the outermost contour of his ear before she steps back and withdraws her hands. Her gaze follows his to Trace, and recognition flickers in her eyes, leading to a warming of her smile as she wiggles her fingers in a greeting.

Trace nods to Aisley and says, "For sure," with a warm easy smile. He lifts his glass of champagne and takes a small sip before he smiles crookedly at Angelo. "Which show? The one over at the Boo'edwalk? That's where Arte plays, yeah?" He seems to remember that much. The mention of his wings gets a slight shift of them where they're folded against his back. He seems to be moving a little more comfortably with them, but it is clear that he's constantly checking to make sure he's not knocking anyone over, or anyone's glasses. "Yeah,.. guess the park heard us talking about them decided to manifest them after all." His smile is a little wry. He then lifts his glass. "To excellent company."

Ravin heads over to insist on a dance with Aaron once he's free. They sip their drink and watch the rest of the party while waiting for whatever issue has claimed Aaron's attention for the moment.

When Hayley explains her job there's an appreciative grin from Hawthorne, "Team Groundskeeping! Always glad to meet another and your work at the Botanical Gardens is fantastic." Not that he knows her work specifically, but said more in general.

There are a lot of people at the park and Hawthorne is still being introduced to the idea of socializing so he isn't surprised to find a member of the groundskeeping team he hasn't met yet.

All of the attire utilizing real flowers has Hawthorne looking to each outfit in inspiration. "Everyone has been so creative with their outfits. It's inspiring." At the toast he raises his glass to add to the effect Arte provides, taking a drink and looking to the glass with pleasant surprise, "Honeysuckle!"

It's now he's looking to one of Arte's flowers on her skirt though. "Hold still a quick second." His tone is calm, but focused and he hands her his glass so it must be serious. Moving to take the flower he lifts it, noticing it just a little less vibrant than the others. Seems the effect was wearing off sooner for this one. With a focused gaze the next instant has it's petals holding more color though and looking more refreshed.

"There we go. Here you can hang out up here for the rest of the evening." With that he takes it and tucks it into the front pocket of his suit. No flower left behind! A glance is given to Arte then, "You ready for that dance?" he offers his arm.

Sparklesparklesparkle.

Artemisia keeps them coming, at least until Hawthorne tells her to hold still. Like a child being looked over for measurements, she holds her arms out with a patient smile down at the larger man. "Have you resurrected it?" She takes another sip of her drink now that the crisis is averted, reaching to offer flowers to the rest in the circle of conversation. There is clearly some thought put to it as she hands Enzo a white rose and Trace a big, dark purple dahlia.

With the mention of a dance, Artemisia is throwing back her drink with a smile. "Yes. Please. Be back."

Raising her own glass, grinning as the sparkles flit out, Hayley empties it and sets it on a tray -- and immediately grabs another off the tray, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, if I can't show off here a little, I'll never be able to," she claims, even though, well, there's probably a lot of places one can show off when beauty is their focus. She smiles at Hawthorne, asking, "Where do you tend to do your work, then, if you're doing it as well?" she wonders with a quick cant of her head, a single rose petal flitting to the ground when she does so.

"Is everyone here taken for the next dance?" she wonders curiously. Maybe not so subtly.

The easy way Ash reaches for Iseul’s hand with his free one to squeeze speaks to his comfort level with her, or at least with touching her.

Respectfully! It’s all very socially appropriate! Polite even.

“Want to help me make up for it?” he asks of Iseul, smiling but shifting eyes aside to Hayley briefly. Ash does not speak up but he leaves the question about whether he’s taken for a dance directed telepathically toward Iseul. He thinks it at her, and no he is not the least bit telepathic.

Enzo's brow arches at Angelo when he turns back to his old friend, "You are too nice. And if the sibs find that suspicious, then do they really know you?" Here, his brow furrows, "Which is weird, because, you know..." He gestures with his champagne glass hand. "But then again, I'm sure that we thought we knew each other better than we did. Who knows, maybe we do, and we just don't know who we are, ourselves." That's pretty deep, if it's even understandable at all. He then adds, "If that's the case, then yeah, you're sus."

At Haley's response, there's a slow nod. "Cool. Who knows, I might have need for a groundskeeper at some point after we've broken ground and done some building on Moonrise." He then looks between both Groundskeepers and murmurs, "I'll keep you both in mind either way."

Now Angelo's floating up into the air and toasting. "Sure, why not." He lifts his glass in unison with the others, "To excellent company." And with that, he downs the remainder of his champagne, jusdt as Artemsia hands him a white rose. "Huh, thanks, Arte." He then sets his emptied glass down somewhere to admire the thing, before glancing over at the black Dahlia which Trace is given, before seeking out the other's eyes. "That was nice of her, but unlike Angelo, supposedly, when Arte's nice, it's not sus."

Hawthorne follows Arte's lead and drains his drink too. A glance and nod is given to Hayley, "I more work with the trees and topiaries around the park." Not as grand or central as the Botanical Garden, but he seems proud of it. "We should talk plants sometime! It was nice to meet you!"

With that he's following Arte and looks to her as they get to the dance floor. A smile is offered and from there? He does his best to keep up. As well as even surprising Arte by leading for a few of the dances!

Aaron lets Iseul move to Ash watching them, they are just too cute together he knew from the first day of meeting them they look cute together. Looking over to Ravin and heads in their direction, one of the waiters stop him leaning in to whisper to each other he nods, "Yes, that's ok." he smiles then heads to Ravin, "Bae, have I told you how amazing you look tonight?" he leans in to give them a soft kiss, "Dance?" he asks them taking their hand in his own.

Iseul cards her fingers delicately between Ash's, curling inward to secure a cozy hold on his hand. Her gaze strays momentarily toward the drink he holds with the other, but as retrieving one for herself would require actually parting herself from him, that doesn't appear to be in the forefront of her thoughts at the moment. "Mm? I could introduce you around to some people, if you'd like, naekkeo, but I admit that I don't know everyone around here yet. In time," she adds, her eyes glimmering with equal parts sheepishness and determination, "But not yet."

Trace looks surprised when Artemisia offers him a flower but he takes it with a warm smile and says, "Thanks, Arte. That's beautiful." The big dahlia gets carefully affixed to his lapel where it blooms lush and dark against the white of his outfit. "Love it."

There's a glance over toward Enzo and his brows furrow just a little as he tries to follow what he says to Angelo, shaking his head slowly. "I think we're all young enough to still be figuring out and becoming who we are, ourselves. May we all age like fine wine, sus or otherwise," he laughs. The whole group of them are only in their 20s, after all.

Then he is gently tugging Enzo toward the dance floor. "Dance with me," he says, stealing Enzo's white rose and arranging it with the red one on his lapel so that they sit entwined together.

Ravin takes Aaron's hands with a soft smile, then returns the kiss. "Yes, but you're always welcome to say it again. You're looking dashing and yes, I insist on at least one dance. I'll even let you lead."

People are pairing off and moving to dance. And it is a flower ball, after all. So when no one else takes Hayley up on that question about who is and isn't spoken for on the dance floor, Maggie offers an upturned palm to the blonde in invitation. "If everyone else is going to miss out on their chances, Hayley, I'd be delighted to have the honor." Though, Maggie does warn, "But I hope you know how to lead, because I can follow one, but, I have no idea what I'm doing without one."

Whatever was being said, because even Aisley was having a hard time following what Enzo was trying to express to Angelo. Her main concern was looking at Angelo and how he was receiving this information. Her smile falters a little and she remain close to his side, unsure at this exact moment.

The toast is being made and she tries her best and pushes the smile back on her face. Giving Enzo and Trace a look at Enzo's final comment. Following the lead there, she tugs on Angelos' arm. "I'd like a dance, you promised we would." attempting to pull him away in the opposite direction.

Ash seems to notice Iseul’s glance at his glass and holds it such that she could take it if she wished. “I would like,” he says with a grin. “But I gave up on knowing everyone. Most of the time I’m sent after guests and you know. It takes up all my time. Except for the times we’re off exploring other worlds.”

As people filter in and out of the fairyland the ballroom has become, or take to the dance floor with their chosen partners, Iseul allows her world to shrink slightly, narrowing to include just Ash and herself. For now, at least. At his mention of the new worlds that lie beyond the portals, she tightens her fingers through his own faintly, her eyes flaring marginally brighter. She actually bounces, just a little, on the balls of her feet. "Wasn't that amazing, though? I so hope we get to go back... I've already got some dried fruit ready to go for the teensy wee deer we saw."

Aaron grins as they get out onto the dance floor, "You look amazing." he looks around seeing others coming out onto the dance floor, "I hope everyone is enjoying it so far." his cheeks flush a little looking down for a moment then looking back up to Ravin. "I guess it's a learning experience right." he steps in close to his boyfriend hand moving to rest on their hip and taking their hand. "You umm may want to lead." he whispers.

Hayley's hand reaches out to Maggie's, and at the question, she just shrugs. "I have absolutely no idea, so this is going to be an utterly delightful experience for both of us," she informs Maggie as she guides her onto the floor. Her hands are roughened from the kind of work she does, of course -- but Maggie's likely are as well, and soon, she's guiding her to take their positions. "... If I trip you, blame that guy," she says, pointing to someone random in the crowd.

Angelo arches one eyebrow at Enzo, a small grin forming, "I only started drinking and I'm still not sober enough for all that. But it's all good. I am glad you are here." He looks uncertain what it's about but entirely onboard with accepting it at face value.

Aisley squeezes his arm bringing all reality back to balance, and back to her as its axis. Leaning over he kisses her cheek and says "I did promise. Let's do this." The glass is upended as he drinks the bottom of the glass before taking her hand in his giving her a spin; the flowers on her dress seeming to hover for a moment before twirling with. He steps in whispering something to her, and then singing with her, and the song falling into a groove.

Ravin chuckles softly and tugs Aaron in close. "Well, if I'm leading, your free hand goes on my shoulder. We can also just sway in place like we're at an improbably fashionable middle-school dance. I leave it up to you." For the moment all their attention is on their boyfriend in their arms.

Maggie's hands are used to holding pencils and styluses, and more used to holding vibrating needles. Her calluses have calluses. But it doesn't stop her hand from slipping into Hayley's as the pair head for the dance floor. The heels are higher than she's used to. And she's not used to dancing without a partner who knows what it is they're supposed to be doing that can guide her through it. But. She and Hayley are the new kids, and nothing drives Maggie to perform than knowing there is an audience. She casts a wink to Hayley. "It's ok, Blondie. We've got this." And if they don't? They'll somehow figure it out.

Lifting her arm, keeping Haley's hand in hers, Maggie's hand lifts to Haley's upper back, her hand wrapping over the woman's shoulder blade in a gentle hold, just enough to anchor them into what former dates used to call 'the box' between a set of dancers before they would start to fling her around the floor every which way. Maggie isn't nearly that fancy, nor that strong. But she has at least managed to pick up enough pilfered tricks over the years that she's able to make Hayley look even better as she gives the blonde a twirl. And for now, neither of them fall over or twist any ankles in their pairs of those shoes either.

Following Angelo's lead, Aisley tips her glass of champagne back and finishes it before they move to the dance floor. The bubbles tickled her nose, and she let out a small giggle between the bubbles and the spin in the right direction. Her dress was made for spins and twirls, and it did not let her down. The dress moved as she was pulled back into Angelos' grasp, her own arms going up around his neck, leaning into him to hear what he had to whisper. Whatever he said, it had her smiling up at him and commenting quietly back before placing a kiss on his cheek. Thank goodness for heels!

“You cannot take the tiny deer home.” insists Ash mildly to Iseul, taking a sip of wine to help keep himself from ruining the admonishment by grinning. He stays alert to the other couples pairing off to dance, and it is perhaps that which inspires him to look for some appropriate place to set his glass. “Really, why do you have to be so adorable all the time? You’re totally a Disney Princess, you know…”

"They match your wings." Enzo brings up the obvious when he mentions the hue of the flower and Trace's difficult to ignore Dark Angel wings.

To what Trace says, though, in regards to figuring themselves out, Enzo can't help but look surprised, "You think so? I don't know, I'm pretty sure seventeen year old me is the exact same person as twenty-five year old me." Even as he says this, he has to wonder if that much is true. Would he have stood up to his father then too?

Now he's the one being coerced with a tug, and this time, towards the dance floor, where everyone else seems to be heading. Of course, he's going to oblige. If anything, Enzo's not going to pass up dancing, even if this this might not be his type of dancing. His pace slows to observe when Trace pins the white rose next to his red.

Once they hit the dance floor, his hands settle at Trace's side, moving in step with the music in a slow sway. "You really do look amazing tonight."

There's a gasp, followed by an expression of profound mock-indignation settling itself into place over Iseul's delicate features as she stares up at Ash, just stunned by the implication. Stunned! "Who said anything about 'taking'?" she asks him, her free hand fluttering up to lay against her own breast — not in an attempt to coax his attention to the low bodice of her gown, no, but to convey her absolute sincerity and unshakeable integrity. "I mean, if one of them just happened to decide, totally on their own, to follow me home... that's not really my fault, right?" Blink. Blinkblink.

Hayley's not even used to dancing, much less in heels -- but, in a few movements, and with a few glances at what other people are doing, they're at least managing the box (and letting their dresses do the dancing for them, let's be real). Each step is a click on the floor, and her train threatens to be dangerous a few times as it tries to swish between her legs or deposit a petal where she might slip on it. What she's doing is not the definition of grace, by any means, put into the role she's in. Well, she'll adapt, nonetheless.

"We got this," she replies right back to Maggie, smiling warmly at the nickname. "Just try to feel my movements, Pinky," she adds, and in the twirl, there's a bloom of petals around them, and then she instantly guides Maggie into a spin of her own as she lifts her hand. "Show off what you've got."

At last Ash finds a good table to put his glass down, then focuses on
Iseul again. “You can’t be resisted! I know because I tried! For like…two minutes. It’s impossible. You have…magical…”

Magically low bodice.

“…charm. You’re a…what’re the sexy water girls who sing you to…sirens. You’re a siren.” Yes, that’s it. He watched Wednesday and one of the characters was one.

Angelo smiles to Aisley as she responds something to him; the kiss to the cheek bringing an easier grin to his already good mood. He calls past Aisley's shoulder to Ash, "Yes she can! Everyone deserves a baby deer." Looking to Aisley he shakes his head turning her around one way and then back. "I don't know what that was about but if they're passing out tiny animals one should not be denied." It's spellbound, it is possible as it's happened with rabbits already.

Tugging her hand, the other around her waist he turns with her this time. "After this, we are totally flying over the castle."

Aaron moves his hand to rest it on Ravins shoulder, "I don't want to rock back and forth." he blushes licking his lips, he is just not great at slow dancing. Give him a song with a beat and he can dance to it, but this kind of music he is lost with. He looks to Ravin, watching them as he hands all control to them. "Can I lean my head against you?" he asks in a soft tone.

Hayley and Maggie may not be the best dancers out on the floor, but. Clearly they're having some of the best fun at it. As she's spun, Maggie laughs, clearly having the time of her life. Really. How many storybook fairy tale balls does one attend in their lifetime to dress up like an actual, living flower. Maggie isn't going to waste the opportunity. Clearly, though, she is not the one showing off. That blossoming of flowers is colorful, and fragrant, and full of all the magic the night - and Spellbound - has to offer.

Iseul would have to be completely dense not to pick up on the shift in Ash's focus. Or the momentary dip of his gaze. Dense, she is not, and the tiniest stirring of amusement at the corners of her mouth threatens the carefully schooled innocence of her expression. Angelo's voiced backup to her claim earns him a smile woven of pure sunshine, and she stretches out a hand toward him with her thumb and forefinger crossed in a distinct finger-heart, in thanks for the support. "A siren, hmm?" she echoes, turning her attention back to her date for the evening. "So if I were to go outside for a little fresh air, and start singing... would you come?"

Ravin gives Aaron another quick kiss. "Not strictly speaking perfect form, but I'll allow it." They move their hand to Aaron's back, guiding them into a simple step pattern. "Love you," they murmur softly.

Trace gives Angelo and Aisley a little smile as they move off to dance as well, catching her glance and returning it briefly before they step away. "I don't know about that," Trace says to Enzo as they make their way out onto the floor. "I think there have probably been a few little changes," he adds with a crooked smile.

Trace draws Enzo in once they are on the floor, moving in time with the music. He only glances around a couple of times to make sure that he's got enough room to move without bumping into anyone, and then his focus is entirely on the man in front of him. It may not be their preferred type of dancing, but they manage well enough.

"So do you," Trace says, smile softening at the compliment. He leans in close, close enough so that he can rest his temple against Enzo's but not totally squash the blooms between them. He can't seem to stop smiling.

“No!” insists Ash to Angelo, shaking his head with a look of mild terror. “It’ll never end. There will be tiny deer and then tiny bears and tiny lions and next thing you know it’s a whole tiny food chain. Madness. Tiny tiny madness.”

See? There are reasons!

But Iseul’s suggestion works her siren magic on him and he gazes into her eyes with a relaxed look of resigned satisfaction. “…yes ma’am.”

The laughter coming from Hayley is a melodic peal as she spins among the petals, spinning another flower in her hand. If they're being paid attention to, it's probably as much for being obnoxious at a formal event as anything else, but the blonde, at least, seems absolutely like she doesn't care a little as she tries to up the pace. "So you do ink?" she asks her dance partner. "What secrets do you have hiding that I can't see?"

Maggie may be willing to dance with abandon across a dance floor far fancier than anywhere she belongs on a day to day basis no matter how well she has cleaned up for the night. But she's not going to give a stranger a tattoo tour out amidst the other revelers. So when her dance partner is asking what might be beneath her dress in terms of ink, Maggie keeps it very light, and very much vague. "The same as what you can see, just more of it." Flowers, tarot cards, small pieces of beauty woven small piece by small piece into what over the years has formed a full collage of watercolor over most of Maggie's skin.

Iseul simply laughs, her delight at the newfound power that Ash is so good-natured about letting her flex gleaming in her deep brown eyes as she curls her fingers once more through his own, and tugs him toward the nearest exit... whether it's the main entrance, a terrace, or what have you. She probably has more on her mind than just getting some fresh air, from the way she's looking up at the man. OooOOoo.

There was a little bit of the conversation missed because of being distracted by the twirling and the being enveloped into a dance. Angelo's remark to Ash about ' yes she can!' draws an odd look from the woman, looking over her shoulder too over at Ash, trying to figure out what is being said. Ah! There i was! Tiny animals. A small laugh comes out, "Nothing wrong with tiny things. The best things come in tiny packages," says the small woman wearing 4 inch heels tonight.

The newly made promise from Angelo draws Aisley's attention back, a look of gleeful anticipation. Magical dances a flight over the castle. Yeah, tonight was for the books.

Aaron moves to press close and lean his head on Ravin as they start to dance, he is happy. Happier than he has felt in a long while, when Ravin leads them in the dance he smiles, "I love you." he says softly lifting his head up to watch Ravin as they dance along.

Hayley probably did not expect a full tattoo tour more than that brief summary, and she nods in curiosity. "Fun! My skin doesn't have any ink on it yet, but maybe it's something I should consider," she decides. "If you could pick anything for me with what little you know, what would it be? I know, I know -- don't worry, I'm not going to rush out and get it."