middaeg | MASQUERADE: Noveur 7

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MASQUERADE: Noveur 7

WELCOME TO THE MASQUERADE

I. Arrival

The event starts early evening, Noveur 7, thanks to the help of several hands. They had worked for a couple of days prior to the start to get the large ballroom decorated to everyone's liking. The day of the event, earlier on, a few may have appeared to do some final touches. Those who had stayed behind to help with some last minute decorating, Louis had cleared out and advised to leave so that they could get ready for the masquerade.

a. Outside

When you approach, you will find that the outside of the building is a perfect location for a masquerade. There's a large ballroom, granted to them for use by the Coven. They had been kind enough to allow them to have the space and necessary supplies in order to throw such a party. And, it's clear that they took every advantage of the granted space and land around them.

There's a gorgeous, outdoor fountain, and lights underneath the water to give it a pleasant, warm glow through the water. If you watch it long enough, the lights seem to shift colors. There's gardens surrounding the building, as well. The gardens, like the fountain, have low, warm lighting around them so that the plant-life will be clear well into the late night.

There's benches outside as well, with a clear view of the fountain - so if someone needs to step outside or take a break from the indoor events, they can enjoy the fresh air and the warm, calming feeling from the fountain and gardens. This is a perfect place to escape when you want to relax away from the bustle of a party.

b. Inside

The entryway has open curtains, gold - and tied back with a burgundy rope. There to make everyone feel as though stepping inside, they are making an entrance of their own. Once you step inside, you'll notice the grand ballroom with high ceilings is fully decorated. It is clear that a lot of effort and time went into this, thanks to the help of many different people and several sets of hands. The colors that seem to be continually present are gold, reds, and purples. Though from time to time there may be splashes of other colors and personal touches from those who had helped in places - mostly in the form of masks hanging on the walls, or balloons scattered in places away from the main dance floor.

From the main ballroom entrance, straight ahead, is the main dance floor and to the right - refreshments. Near the refreshments, there are a several standing tables to set down a drink or stand around to socialize with friends or people you've just met. In addition to the standing tables, there's a couple of dining tables and chairs so that you can sit and eat, drink, or chat.

Inside the main ballroom there's a few gaming tables scattered around - including card games with some dealers around where you can gamble, and pool tables. Make a wager or play for fun, it's all up to you. Additionally, on the floor Kaito will be performing magic tricks to entertain individuals and small groups throughout the floor. You'll be able to catch him periodically through the night.

There are a few hallways leading to several rooms, and it all depends on what you're looking for, but no matter what it is, you can probably find it.

One of the rooms has the silent auction. Here, you can look at some of the things that are up for bidding. There's several interesting, enchanted items including: weapons, jewelry, books, instruments. They are protected, as well, so they can only go home with the winner.

Don't worry - there's signs posted everywhere so you will be able to find what you're looking for.

c. Enchanted Masks

You're welcome to have brought a mask that you had picked out for yourself, or - if you prefer, you can pick up an enchanted mask near the entrance of the party itself. These enchanted masks will conceal all distinguishing features, whether they are as simple as horns and scales, or as large as a set of wings. The only obvious features will be what a character is wearing, whether it is their attire, mask, or both.

You aren't obligated to wear them, of course, but they do provide the total anonymity that is often part of the excitement at a masquerade such as this. These effects are only present when one is wearing the mask. The moment the mask is off, any distinguishing features are immediately visible.

It's a perfect opportunity to have a little fun and engage with someone you may not have spoken with otherwise.

This enchantment will wear off the next day at sunrise, so you may keep the mask you pick out for yourself at the party.

d. Photobooth

Near the front of the ballroom there's a neat looking photobooth set up thanks to the work of both Omi and Prompto. There's props so you can take fun or silly pictures with your friends or date for the night. The backdrop for the photobooth is magical, of course. With a quick flip the background can be changed to one you desire whether it's a different color, an entirely new environment. The photobooth will be available through the night.

Additionally, you'll be able to find Omi on the floor catching candid photos of the attendees. Smile!

II. Refreshments

Away from the dance floor are several tables with matching, deep purple, table cloths. On top of the table are a variety of foods - some brought by the attendees, others brought in thanks to the aid of the coven. You can expect to find at least something that you'll absolutely love when exploring the options. There's everything there - from healthier options like fruits, vegetables, and dip - to less healthy options such as cupcakes, and truffles. Food on sticks, and easy finger foods seem to be a very popular options.

While many of the options wouldn't even require a plate, there are some plates and utensils in shades of blue and gold available to use.

Next to the food there is a table featuring three punch bowls with three different flavors. One seems to be a fruit punch, one seems be purely berry flavored, and one - seems to be a bit of a surprise. It tastes a little bit different to everyone who tries it, but so far - there have been no complaints. Next to them, if you would prefer, there's pitchers of water.

Near the back corner, there's a bar with a bartender, there to serve those who would like a drink. Ask for a surprise, or your favorite drink, and you can have something mixed for you. Next to the bar, there are rows of the most popular bottles of alcohol. Though you won't be stopped if you take one, please tell the bartender so that they can keep their stock replenished for the other guests.

Drinks, of course, come free to those who are able to legally drink. Anyone underage will be met with a powerful enchantment that is acting as a method of preventing that from happening.

III. Dance

a. The Lock Box

Maybe you want to find a new dance partner. Maybe you want to find a new Bond. Maybe you just want to talk to someone new. The Lock Box is near the entrance of the ballroom. It's inaccessible thanks to both a lock and enchantment that are on it.

It's set up neatly on a table, with only it, paper, and a pen so that names can be written and added to the box. When you enter your name, another name will be produced from the box. It is clearly enchanted, of course. Once you're given a name, you and your new dance partner will be compelled to be near one another. This will last for about the length of a song - long enough to dance, or have a conversation.

Usually, only others who have put their names in the box will have their name drawn, but sometimes those who didn't put their name in the box will have their name drawn and will feel compelled to seek out someone who drew their name.

Sorry to those who didn't volunteer, magic isn't always the most predictable! Though you may get lucky and just find your next friend or Bond, so it's hard to get mad about it.

b. Song & Dance

Whether you picked your dance partner yourself, or were compelled to dance with your partner thanks to the Lock Box, the dance floor is ready for you. The music is enchanted, to provide a feeling of calm, relaxation, and joy. Characters will feel at ease, and even those who may not typically dance will want to get out on the dance floor.

Thanks to the talents of several Mirrorbound and collected records you'll have a variety of music all through the night. While much of it is upbeat, as it is encouraging individuals to dance. Whatever your mood, you will find a song that you'd love to dance to, as long as you want to dance.

IV. Gaming

Throughout the venue, there are a variety of gaming tables. There's poker tables with a dealer available so that you can play a game, place a bet - maybe you'll lose some cunes, maybe you'll win big. That's all up to how good you play the game. Note: Dealers (and the party host) are not responsible for any losses that occur when gambling. Play responsibly (or not).

There's also some pool tables available to those who wish to play. These table are open to anyone, and they are free to play. There's only a couple of tables available; however, they are scattered throughout the venue.

Set up near the bar are three long tables with only an array of cups and a printed set of rules for a game that some may recognize as none other than something very closely to beer pong. In place of the ping-pong balls there's a small, plastic coin that is used. Have fun drinking with friends while playing a game. What's not to love?

Are you looking to play a game in a quieter space? Down one of the hallways there's a couple of game rooms where you can not only find decks of cards and a pool table, but also a variety of popular party games such as charades. You'll also be able to find a room for those who want to settle in for a game of chess or checkers.

V. Late Night

The lights dim, just a bit more as it starts to turn into a late night, though there doesn't seem to be any sign that the party is ending. Small, glowing trinkets are brought out when the party seems like it should otherwise be dying down. These trinkets are - of course, to your taste, whether it's a bracelet, a ring, a necklace, or just simple something small that almost resembles a wand. This will glow up to a month, so you should like what you pick: whether it is for for you or is to act as a gift for someone of your choosing.

The music is meant now to entice you to go a little wilder than they may have been earlier in the evening. Most of the food has been replaced and only small, quick snacks have been brought out for those who were still wanting something a bit to eat. Alcohol is still readily available to each and every person who is able to legally drink, of course.

You're welcome to - quite literally - dance until the sun rises or until you just can't stay awake any longer.

Note: Please see the questions thread if you have any for me - don't be afraid to ask. Please assume all characters received fliers this year, and anyone who would have wanted to work would have had the opportunity to help setup. As there are a variety of performers through the night, I did not note any specific ones and will leave that up to the performers discretion.

Please place any warnings, including 18+ content, in the subject line! Thank you!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ah. That does make more sense than placing a call to someone in the middle of the game. Zixuan nods his understanding, though the frown persists as he looks down at the cards in his right hand, his left hand hovering over his remaining pile of coins, unsure whether to call or to give in like he saw the other player do.

"I see. And how does one know when their hand is a good one?"

If the game is anything like Er Qi Shi, then having the pair of fours is a good thing, but the fact that none of his other cards match makes him think perhaps the hand as a whole is not all that good.

"There are different combinations," Iramaat replies. "Pairs are good. Two pairs are better. Three and four of a kind. Then there's flushes, straights, full house..."

She hasn't explained what any of those are yet, but she's getting to it.

Slowly.

Okay, so it is somewhat like Er Qi Shi. Only... with more possible combinations, depending on whatever 'flushes,' ''straights,' and 'full houses' are.

If there's one thing Zixuan has going for him, it's that he has quite a good poker face. Though his eyes are squinted in slight confusion as he tries to pick up the rules turn by turn, nothing on his face gives away the contents of his hand in any way. After a moment, he nods, then finally moves to call.

And raise.

Oh. Interesting. Her smile gets a bit wider and she nods at him. She thinks she likes this mysterious masked man a little more.

"I'll call."

She shoves a few more chips forward. They'll have to go around again in a minute, but it seems like they're the ones who are the most into this particular round. She studies him, as if trying to decide something.

"I think I like your spirit."

The corner of Jin Zixuan's lips twitches upwards for a moment before his features smooth over like glass once more. He returns the woman's gaze, noting what he can see of her features, trying to gauge her intent in this moment. What does she plan to get out of this game? Money? Status? Simply the alleviation of boredom? There are many reasons why one might play a game of cards.

He acknowledges her words with a small nod. "We will see if it pays off."

"We will!"

That's the end of bets and Iramaat lays her cards out. Two pair.

"Not the best hand, I admit..."

Jin Zixuan's poker face breaks, and his mouth falls into a frown, as he lays his own cards on the table, face up. Just the pair of fours.

"Still better than mine, yes?"

"Alas, yes," Iramaat grins as she sweeps a pile of chips over. Lucky her! Also she was playing a beginner, but she won't mention that.

"Would you like to have a drink with me to celebrate?"

Look, she can be magnanimous in victory.

Very much playing a beginner. He makes a silent promise to himself to learn more about this game so he does not embarrass himself in such a way again.

But, until then...

"Why not? You've been a gracious enough winner."

"Wonderful!" She pops to her feet (er, hooves) and slides her arm through his to tug him to his feet.

"I believe the bar is over this way..."

She gestures and starts to lead him through the crowd. Not taking no for an answer, really.

He rises unsteadily on his own talon-like feet and digitigrade legs, allowing himself to be tugged in the direction of the bar. As she sweeps him away from the table he spares one last longing look for the half empty wine glass he had sat down there with, wishing he could have finished its contents before being stolen away. Ah, well. There will be more glasses of wine. They are on their way to the bar, after all.

"I never got your name," is all he says. He's not sure if that's a breach of conduct, at a masked event like this, but frankly he doesn't really care what is or isn't a breach of conduct at this point.

Look, why worry about wine when you can always get more? She certianly doesn't. She gives him a little pat on the arm as she steers him through the crowd, smiling at him beatifically, "Oh, that would ruin the surprise, wouldn't it? The mystery? But... well... I suppose I can tell you in a little while. Would that work for you?"

She doesn't much care either way, but she likes playing the mysterious stranger.

Any other night, and he would have insisted that she give him her name right then and there. But tonight... He's deep into his cups and so his requirements for social interactions are slipping somewhat. "In a little while... Yes, that would be acceptable."

He might as well just keep going with things as they are. Aside from losing that card game, it's worked out for him so far tonight.

"Excellent-!" Iramaat leans against him as they walk, snuggling right into his personal space and refusing to go anywhere until they're both settled at the bar. She leans forward and waves down a server to get them both fresh glasses of wine.

"I don't think I've seen you around before, though. Here or elsewhere. Are you a new arrival? Or have we just missed one another?"

He settles in beside her, leaning on the bar perhaps a bit more than he would have if he wasn't already so drunk. Keeping his balance is a bit harder on legs he isn't fully used to yet.

"I arrived in the summer," he supplies. "Alongside my wife and son." So not entirely a new arrival, but no, he doesn't think he's ever met this woman before. There are so many Mirrorbound, and Jin Zixuan hasn't exactly made an effort to get himself out there.

"Oh, well, that sounds rather convenient... although probably a shock to all your friends back home, I imagine..." She gives him an appraising look.

"How has your family adjusted?"

He hiccups, slightly, choking on a breath at her idle suggestion. A shock to the people back home? Given the fact that he was brought here hours before his death, perhaps not as much of a shock.

"That is the odd thing. There are many people here from my home, and all of us seem to have come from different points in time. Some as far afield as fifteen or more years." Like how his son, who should be a few months old from his perspective, was here as a teenager.

He sighs, wishing that the bartender would hurry up with that drink.

"We are making do. My wife was lucky enough to be a witch, and so we bonded straight away. She also bonded with her brother, who lives with us. My son... is having a harder time finding a bond partner."

The longer Jin Ling goes without a bond, the closer he gets to going feral. It is Jin Zixuan's largest worry.

Oh, dear, is he too far into his cups? No matter, another round of wine will do them both good and rather soon their order arrives. She lifts her glass as she listens and arches a brow.

"Oh, so a bit more confusing... I see. Your son is from the future. Your wife... from your own time? Or also from the future? That seems to make it rather complicated. Isn't that a little hard, dealing with someone who knows all about you and yet you don't know a damn thing about them?"

"My wife is from around my time, yes." He taps his talonlike fingers on the surface of the bar, fidgeting nervously. This is a sensitive topic of conversation, but she asked, and he's not about to lie about it, even by omission.

"My son actually does not know myself or my wife very well. We, ah... died, when he was very young."

"Oh, that must be awkward," Iramaat replies and takes a sip of her wine, "...although on the other hand, at least he gets to meet you properly? I suppose it evens out."

She's being a bit blasé about the whole thing, isn't she?

"How are you adjusting?"

"Yes, we are thankful for that much, at least."

Yes, it's blasé, but Jin Zixuan would prefer to blow the whole thing over as not a big deal, than to dwell on the tragedy of it all with a stranger.

At her question, he shrugs one winged shoulder. "Well enough as one can, I suppose. ...When turning into a bird."

Though, that's quite enough about him, for his tastes. He looks over to her and counters, "How have you found your experience here? Was it hard for you to adjust?"

"Ah... a little," Iramaat allows with a frown, "...things changed a great deal for me. I lost some of my sense of self. I've been trying to get myself back into... an equilibrium. It's not always easy, but... so far, so good."

Jin Zixuan nods, looking down and away as he listens.

"Yes. I believe I know something of what you mean." Coming to terms with this new form, this place, this life, as the only thing he has to look forward to from now on... It wasn't an easy thing to accept. He has drawn strength from his family-- his caring wife, his need to look after his son, trying to draw inspiration from his half brother's determination to forge a new existence in this world. If he hadn't had that, he isn't sure he would be where he is today.

"So far, so good is a good way of looking at it all."

"It isn't without its struggles, of course, but... I don't know. I feel like I'm managing, even if there are days where I just want to lie in bed and weep, you know?"

She flicks a hand dismissively, "...how are you adjusting to the physical changes, though? Those can be a bit troublesome."

Hm. Yes, better to change the subject than dwell on the topic of lying in bed and weeping. Jin Zixuan can't quite relate-- he's filled with more impotent rage than outright despair-- but he would rather not touch that line of thinking if he can avoid it.

He straightens somewhat, frowning. "The physical changes are annoying enough. I had to learn how to adjust my grip when wielding the weapons I am used to. And I still haven't quite gotten used to this new method of flying." He would much rather just hop on top of his sword and take off the way he used to. Flapping his arms is much more tiring.

"It is the... hm... the psychological changes that are perhaps the most annoying. My transformation has come with the undeniable instinct to build a nest."

He'd resisted the idea of calling it a nest for as long as he could, but in the end that, too, is undeniable.

MASQUERADE: Noveur 7

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ARGH, I'm sorry, DW ate this notification.

No worries, it happens to the best of us

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