Pomp and Circumstance

[Osu]

- OOC thread -

It had been a good season for Mossflower country. Following an early and abnormally harsh winter, Spring now meandered to a pleasant close. It left behind a forest filled with trees a deeper and darker shade of green than they had been in years; meadows and grasslands dotted with bright, healthy wild flowers; saplings springing strong; birds filling the air with their happy songs; and animals abroad living easy lives, taking a hard-earned rest after the previous season's struggles.

Even the coast about Salamandastron had experienced a great measure of growth during the latest spring season. The mountain, normally a rocky, brooding monolith, now sported countless areas of green all around its surface, mostly vegetable gardens and wide pockets of wildflowers blown across from Mossflower. The coastal dunes surrounding the Mountain were broken by an over abundance of dune grasses and sagebrush, even sporting blooms of heather, verbena, and evening primrose. Farther from the Mountain, groves strove to claim more land, and swamps sprouted enough growth, blossoms, and grass to make anybeast living nearby a little nervous.

It had been a beautifully productive season. The days were mild and sunny, and the nights were warm and clear. Thus is was decided the end of Spring would be the perfect time to hold a ball.

Salamandastron's Annual Regimental Ball and Banquet was known as an indisputably auspicious occasion, a much lauded event that only occurred once every four seasons, typically during springtime. For one night only, certain hares of the redoubtable Long Patrol were granted the option to attend the extravaganza, one of the most formal affairs practiced in the Mountain. Those who went were required to dress in their absolute best wardrobe, with full medals and honors on display, including an option of ultraformal gowns for female attendees.

Though each ball contained its own pleasant unique disposition, a general theme of events could be found on at one. The night typically kicked off at sunset with a speech from the Badger Lord, Commanding Patrol Officer, or both, followed by a toast to fallen comrades and wars past. Then the hares usually found themselves drinking flighty, pretty-colored drinks in small glasses, many gossiping and preening whilst food was prepared. The banquet that followed was usually one of two things: an open buffet table, with smaller tables and chairs set around; or served to each hare individually. Regardless of how the food arrived, all attendees were expected to know and practice proper formal dining table etiquette.

At any point following the opening speeches the dance floor would be opened up, and a live orchestra of Salamandastron's finest musicians would play waltzes, foxtrots, quicksteps, and any variation of old country dances or sets of dance partners interacting across the floor. Sometimes an official banquet artist would be present to paint portraits of any attendees that wished for one. The ball would continue thus through any number of supper courses, followed by any number of dessert courses, and finally draw to a conclusion with just dancing and socializing in general, sometimes peppered with speeches and toasts. It did not end officially until sunrise, during which end-of-the-gala prizes were sometimes given to those who were still present (often jokingly referred to as survivors.)

This spring's ball was looking to be no less promising. With perfect weather, no vermin threats in almost an entire season, and enough food than even the larders of Salamandastron were rapidly nearing bursting at the seams, nearly every hare on the Mountain was looking forward to it, even the youngest, who could only hope to hear stories of the revelry on the following day.

Initially, the plan had been to hold the ball outdoors, on the beach -- and indeed, colored lanterns, tables, and a plethora of decorations had been set up along the beach for just such a reason -- but the banquet planning committee eventually decided to keep the entire affair indoors. Outdoor decorations were left up for those who wished for a bit of star-studded fresh air during the gala.

Owing to the large number of hares expected to attend this season, the Mountain's ballrooms were passed over in favor of the Great Hall for the ball's location. The great hall was slightly smaller than the widely-used mess hall, but much larger than any rarely-used ballroom; it also included unfettered access to the kitchens, which was clearly the most important factor. Though the hall sat a little lower in the Mountain than any other eligible area, most hares agreed it was a good place to have a celebration. Any who thought otherwise had their opinions on the matter sorely tested when they arrived the night of the celebration.

The hall had been decorated beautifully. The farthest end was occupied entirely by the regimental band and orchestra, and next to that was a raised podium on which Lord Hedgewood and the most senior officers already occupied. On the other side of the orchestra lay the banquet table, and that was enough to bring tears of joy to any hare's eye. It almost went from wall-to-wall in length, draped in elegant white table-skirts emblazoned with the emblem of the Long Patrol every few feet. On the other side of the room was a smaller, but no less resplendent table offering every drink Salamandastron had to offer: greensap milk, mountain beer, damson wine, cordials, fresh water from the wells beneath the Mountain, even a barrel of Redwall Abbey's famed October Ale; and all other manner of beverages, some common to the Long Patrol, others completely new. The dance floor took up the majority of the room dead-center, and tables and chairs filled in the remaining spaces.

The hall was lit entirely by candles, most notably three dignified chandeliers hanging from gilded ropes of silver from one end of the rounded ceiling to the other. Ornate candelabras were set along both banquet tables, and singular, but no less lovely, candles adorned each table along with tiny, intricate vases of wild mountain flowers. Torches lined the walls on all sides, flickering in a slight breeze brought in by mountain ventilation. Decorations draped across the walls displayed the emblem of the Long Patrol, the flag of Salamandastron, the flags of every Patrol unit, and tapestries depicting the greatest acts of the Long patrol heroes of old. Overall, the effect was both handsome and luxurious, indicating both the revelry of the occasion and implying an underlying seriousness to the entire business as well.

As the last of the attending hares arrived and started up light chatter with their neighbors, the doors to the chamber were shut, effectively announcing the unofficial start to the party. Talk began to die down as all of the hares turned toward the raised dias, where the commanding forces of the Long Patrol stood ready to open the ball. When a complete hush took over the assembly, more than one hare was given to think this night was going to be absolutely perfect.

And the ball was finally about to begin.