MASQUERADE: Noveur 7

[rightfoot]

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!

Comments

[velvetshot]

( Yazoo appreciates the finger-wiggle at the word "fun", if only because it's good to know that he isn't the only one who's sceptical about the whole thing. He also appreciates knowing that enough time has passed for him to remove his mask without being reprimanded; the Remnant reaches behind his head, pulling gently on the silk ribbon with one hand so that it can slip off into the palm of the other.

Hm. Better already. )

Why did you come outside?

( Setting the mask down on the edge of the fountain, Yazoo pulls a hand through the silver sheaf of his hair until it falls around his shoulders in the way he's used to. )

Are you bored as well?

( A beat, then: )

I only came here to look for my brothers.

[deadwenwalking]

[That's right. Yazoo had been looking for his brothers from the first message on the network. Surely if they were here they would have responded to him by now.]

Have you heard from them? There haven't been any new arrivals since we were brought here.

[None that he's aware of, anyway. From what he's heard, their arrival is generally precluded by some sort of dream-like event - like the one he'd experienced, though not always the same.]

I came out for some fresh air.

[It's too stuffy inside. Too many people. It doesn't help that he's been encouraged to have a few drinks over the course of the party. As a puppet it took a lot to affect him as far as intoxicants went. He's not used to the much lower tolerance of a human body. It concerns him, so he drank slowly, replaced his wine with water later on, and made his way outside.]

[velvetshot]

( Yazoo is quiet for a long moment, then: )

No. It seems they didn't come here with me after all.

( ... This is the first time he's let himself admit it aloud, and it hurts just as much as he thought it would. His gaze lowers to the ground in front of them as his hair slips forwards, briefly obscuring his face, but when he lifts his chin again his expression has smoothed into a fixed sort of calm. )

There's no reason for me to go back inside now that I know they aren't there.

( One shoulder lifts in a little shrug. )

Besides. I like the quiet.

[deadwenwalking]

[It's unfortunate, then, that he hasn't been able to find them. Being alone in a strange place like this has to be hard. Wen Ning has been fortunate enough to have had friends here already - and even being turned into a "monster" here doesn't seem like such a bad thing. When it's part of the norm and no one is judging you for it, why not enjoy having a pair of rabbit ears or peacock plumage? In the case of one of those people it's even a chance for them to be alive again.

The thought causes him a moment of melancholy.]

I... had a sister. Our parents were killed when w-we were young, so in terms of immediate family she's all I had. She looked out for me. But. She was killed several years ago.

[He turns his eyes upward, as though looking for some sign that whatever higher power that brought people here was listening.]

Death doesn't matter to this place. It could... it could bring her back. And now that I'm here I'm afraid I won't stop hoping for that, even if it turns her into something else.

[velvetshot]

( Yazoo looks at him closely, and for a few long heartbeats it's almost as though he's really seeing Wen Ning for the first time. The people of Aefenglom have been all too happy to give him their stories, to give him advice, to try to tell him how to live, but this man is somehow ... different, even when offering a tale to bridge a little of the gap between them. He seems softer than most, to be sure, in a way that Yazoo can't really understand, but the pain of losing a sibling is something is a relatable enough topic that it makes the Remnant feel ...

Calmer, somehow. It's strange, but not unwelcome. )

I hope it'll bring my brothers back too. And Mother.

( He holds Wen Ning's gaze, unblinking yet oddly earnest. )

I don't think it's wrong to hope to be with your family again, if it's proven to be possible.

[deadwenwalking]

[While it's true that it would be nice if this place brought all of his close family - those from the burial mounds and those that didn't make it that far - he knows when he's hoping for too much. Granny and Uncle Four, they wouldn't want it anyway. A-Yuan... it would be great to see Sizhui again, but he's still alive in their world. He can continue living his life without him.

His sister doesn't have that option. If he can be greedy, if he can just ask for one person... it would be no contest. Maybe he already cheated death once. Maybe they had more time together than they should be allowed, but she deserved more than what she was given.]

New people are brought in every so often. They seem to come in batches. I would check then. Every time. See if your family is among them.

[This could be bad advice. Perhaps he should be telling the man to move on with his life and not look for them. But what's wrong with having a little bit of hope?]

I killed a man. I didn't mean to, but I did. He's here now, so I know it can happen.

[velvetshot]

I will.

( That ... is actually very good to know. It's all very well to think it's possible, but if Wen Ning is speaking from personal experience in the matter then that's even more convincing. Unfortunately that he doesn't continue with that thread of thought, though, because now he simply has to ask: )

How does he feel about it?

( Yazoo tilts his head. )

I assume you've spoken to him now that you know he's here. Does he mind that you killed him?

( Is that a deeply personal and invasive question that's actually none of Yazoo's business? Probably, but then he isn't the best judge of what is and isn't acceptable when it comes to boundaries. He needs a little time to learn. )

[deadwenwalking]

[Fortunately for Yazoo, Wen Ning's tongue is loose enough right now that he's a little more willing to talk about matters he would normally keep to himself. He won't be spilling his deepest secrets any time soon, but this information here isn't exactly a secret.]

Of course he minds. He had a wife and son. His son was only a month old when it happened.

[They're both here now, but that's beside the point. Jin Long had to grow up without either of his parents and he'd played a huge part in that. Even if, technically speaking, it wasn't his fault - it will always feel like it was.]

He'll talk to me, but... He won't have much else to do with me. I don't blame him.