#I'm staying in a mountainy area with bad reception so i'll probably be less actuve for a few days-

[spotaus]

I really really like the vision that Ccino doesn't know *anything* about this party for a while. Like, he knows of it and helps to ready it, because he remembers the few from Nim's rule, but he has no clue WHY they're hosting a party. He knows Night isn't telling the whole truth when he says he wants to celebrate something, because Night wasn't ever a crowd/party person. But. He goes along because it seems harmless.

And then in the middle of planning he'll be checking in on decor and like. It's changed some accent colors from the initial wintery theme to colors he's a fan of. (Like, *little* accents. Deep green paired with a brown rather than lighter green, etc-) when he asks they say the King came by and asked to change some things. He'll check in on the kitchen and there's a lot more foods that he *knows* no one really likes aside from hinself, because he knows them from faint memories at the bakery. And only Night really knows any if that at this point, from sitting with him in the Kitchen or asking him little questions. At that point it clicks, and he knows Nightmare is doing something sweet. By the time he visits Sasha (? I hope that's her?) He's like 90% sure that Nightmare has done this whole thing for him, because Sasha is like fully prepared to deck him out, and outright says he won't be leaving until he feels confy and handsome (King's orders!) (And this moment with Sasha might throw him off a bit at first, he's not been around her that often except for sending the Knights her way when they're taken in, Knighted, etc. He gets his clothes from Lust, because it doesn't give him panic attacks. But! She's better, if not still a bit too eager (I like to think she's aware Ccino's not *actually* with Night, but now she's sure Nightmare's just not acting on a crush because he was always the nervous twin and- okay got off topic lmao-) and Ccino survived the interaction and gets a really nice, comfortable, and fancy fit.) He's like. Really sure he shouldn't have sonething that nice for just a ball. That's the point when he finally asks Nightmare (pretty close to the date) and Night tells him he should just be enjoying himself during this ball. Wear his mask, do what he likes, relax a bit!

Also, I think this is an open-border ball of sorts too, to disguise it even more. Nobles from other kingdoms (and tbh normal folks too) are known through history to arrive dressed in Masks (they do NOT understand the culture, it's been a while since they were allowed into the capital as outsiders) but Night decides the symbolism is kinda nice. No, these people do not know him, but they should be welcomed with open arms. He's inviting them, after all! I think after the 2nd or 3rd year, he makes it into the only masquerade event ever held in the kingdom. Because, while he respects the Masks more than any God, that tie of faith and loyalty, that tie of commitment and thanks, he also sees the joy of other people getting to wear their own masks. Cheaper, made of different fabrics and metals and thinner wood. Everyone seemed happy that first year (plus, it enabled Ccino to hide in the crowd abd not be singled out).

The wood used by the Mask Masker of the royals is special (maybeeee. Maybeeee it's even wood left from the old tree that's been. Rationed over generations to carve the masks?) so it will always be known on a technical level which Masks were a Royal gift. I just like the idea that Night breaks a lot of other traditions. Even when it bothers him to see so many people 'disrespecting' traditions. He's broken many more serious traditions in his own rule. This one? This one is harmless. He establishes that the king's gifted Masks will always be a show of power abd loyalty. But. If a friend wants to gift another friend a hand-made mask? If someone makes their own? Get them commissioned? No harm. Go for it. (Dream hates him for this when he finds out. They both hold Masks in high regard. They both adored that tradition. Giving out Masks to criminals was one thing, but allowing the *peasants*? Strangers? Absolutely not. When he finally faces Night and he's wearing his owl mask, it's obvious he's mad.)

Okay sorry, I side-tracked hard into mask lore lol. Masquerades in other kingdoms were always considered offensive to his own. But also. It's easiest to not draw attention to Ccino by allowing Masks of everyone. Ccino knows it's from Nightmare, that's all that really matters!

Killer is such a smart cookie! I love love love the visual that he was moving around the halls looking for Ccino (peaking into the Kitchen he jumpscared a bunch of maids doing some prep for the off-shift guards, including him since this was pre-knighting?) and he just couldn't seem to find Ccino! And then, of course, it clicks. That person dressed in the beautiful offwhite fit with that fluffy cat mask? That... makes sense. He'd seen the masking passing once, buy hadn't processed that to be the same one! He hurries back and shoots his shot!

And I like to agree! Ccino agrees to the dance (gods that's so funny. Tree's like 'whatever makes you happy man') and they do dance. And. I kinda like to imagine the longer they go on, the chatterbox in Killer comes back- and he tries to contain himself the first year because he's bad bad at flirting abd his trying to be subtle. But the next year when he catches Ccino on his own again and asks for another dance? Now with his mask and Knight title. He decides to play up the charade and attempt a compliment or two more. The third year, Ccino hasn't said a word outside of this to tell him off, nor does Night know he's been doing it, nor does it seem to bother Ccino, so he keeps rolling. (Killer thinks Ccino believes Killer doesn't recognize him. Ccino totally knows Killer knows but kinda wants to see his end-game because??? That first dance he seemed so eager, and he's never done anything so bold beyond the ball? It's kinda endearing?) And every year after he gets more and more invested. He looks forward to it, he's not subtle, and- !!!!! OH MY GODS.

When Killer and Ccino finally start courting, it's a solid few months before the winter ball. And they were so busy making sure everything would be safe and secure and perfect (because Reaper's coming to this one, and Killer's still recovering from his injuries, and Dream might still be in the dungeon? Not entirely sure when the cold season hits, but it's during *some* kind of chaos-) and. Well. When Killer and Ccino are both out on the ball floor, Ccino keeps expecting Killer to approach him. And eventually he does. And. Killer takes Ccino's hand and kisses it, and says he must bid farewell to his dance partner, because he's in courting and it'd be unfaithful to dance with another. And Ccino can't decide if he wants to smack Killer upside the skull or laugh. And he lands on Laughter, before Killer starts laughing too. And they dance anyways, but Killer had the perfect chance to get goofy and he took it 🙏

The other Knights catch on quick, to their little wordless agreement to not mention the ball or give in, and Dust decides to just let it be. Horror's kind and leaves it alone. Cross, his first time seeing them, almost dies of psychic damage (because he has no clue that's Ccino and he has no clue Killer could ballroom dance, and he asks Dust about it. And Dust does not help. Lmao.) Eventually Dust figures it out when Horror has mercy on him tho.

And. Nightmare using parties to honor and show his thanks to those he values is my favorite ever... he deserves the world. Maybe. Just maybe. He picked up that scheme as an idea from Dream. As kids Dream always talked about how he wanted more parties, with more people. For everything. For a new law passed, for a big sacrifice, he wished early on his crowning could be at a party. Ofc they were tiny, but Dream explained that if a lot of people showed, it meant that the party was showing that the subject of it was a big deal! (Dream swore he'd throw a party for Nightmare one day.) And so Nightmare uses that same idea a little bit. A way to show how much he cares, by rallying people to celebrate a person, even if the crowd isn't quite aware they're celebrating a person at all!

Okay I'm done lol. I love these buggers <3

Okay so i had a thought about New Age (what else is new)

And i was thinking. Ccino hasnt celebrated his birthday since he turned 7. Hell i wodner if he even knows his birthday.

You just know. Know! That after Nightmare's first adult birthday he frowns as he realises he doesnt know Ccino's bday.

And then he remembers they never celebrated it. So he goes to him and asks how he celebrates it.

Only to learn. No birthdays. At all.

So you just know Nightmare wants to throw him an enormous party. But knows he cant just do it because people may target him.

So he just. Decides to use the like winter season or something (it snowed so the thought sticks in my mind)

Nightmare never officially tells the reason for the party. Killer figures it out himself. (Mostly because he wanted to use the party as excuse to hang with ccino but he couldnt find ccino but he did see this beautifully dressed person with a cat mask. Killer is smart. Killer also totally asks masked ccino to dance with him. While acting as if he doesnt know it is ccino).

Just. Something good for Ccino!! The guy deserves it.

Ohh my goodness this is killing me this morning-

A winter-season party for Ccino in place of 'a birthday' sounds beautiful!!! I like the idea that his *actual* birthday was in that paperwork he eventually sent Killer to find, and when they learn, Night makes Ccino take that week off, but in the meantime (and even after!) they host a 'Winter Ball'!!!

Most folks assume that it's just a morale booster, similar to how Night makes the Knight ceremonies into parties too, they think maybe he's just a party person. But, like you said, Killer's too smart! He knows better!

Killer deciding to ask Ccino to dance leaves me giddy, haha! Ccino accepting (whether to humor him or because he honestly wouldn't mind a dance) and them just having a brief little moment of fun. Ccino getting to socialize with other people and enjoy himself without fear of getting himself or Night targeted! Ccino getting to relax and enjoy himself!! Raugh!!!!