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

[disasterstraight]

[ The conversation is going surprisingly well. Jin Zixuan supposes it is because they are staying away from any talk of home or their relationship to each other there. As long as they keep their words confined to the subject of Geardagas affairs, neither of them is dead, and neither of them is a killer. ]

Yes, I can see how both of those would be helpful in a battle. My own preference would be towards the latter, of course.

[deadwenwalking]

I'll keep you informed on my progress.

[Sometimes Wen Ning forgets that Jin Zixuan also practiced archery. So much of what he knows about the man is tied up in the fact that he killed him that other little details tend to get forgotten.

Wei Ying is an archer also. He should have no shortage of volunteers willing to test out his enchantments. Hopefully he won't embarrass himself in front of them.]

[disasterstraight]

[ Jin Zixuan would argue that he's a better archer than Wei Wuxian, if asked. Hell, he would argue that even if you didn't ask him. Any chance he sees to compare himself to his horrible brother in law and come out on top, he will take. ]

Please do.

[ They're interrupted briefly as some excited partygoers push through them to get to the entrance across the courtyard. Eyeing them with no small amount of judgement in his eyes, Jin Zixuan heaves a sigh and finally turns back to his conversation with Wen Ning. ]

Well then. I don't suppose you've had occasion to go to many parties like this before.

[deadwenwalking]

[Wen Ning shakes his head.]

No. Never.

[Wen Ruohan didn't host many parties. That was more of something Wen Chao would do, and he wouldn't invite them. The Dafan Mountain branch of the clan couldn't afford to host anything this spectacular, though he vastly preferred their smaller, more light-hearted get-togethers. When he could attend, which he rarely could prior to their exile.]

I didn't even think to put together something nice to wear. I didn't expect it. [He'll need to rectify that for the future.]

[disasterstraight]

No, you evidently did not. [ Because he looks a mess. Jin Zixuan would not be caught dead wearing robes like that on even a day to day basis, let alone to such a grand event.

He harumphs slightly, crossing his arms. ]

I could give you the name of the tailor I've been working with. The fashions of this world are not to our tastes, but he has been quite accommodating in fashioning new robes for me.

[deadwenwalking]

[Wen Ning actually doesn't mind the fashion of this world. Getting new clothes has simply always been a low priority for him. With his clan they'd always had similar robes provided for them. Later on he just hadn't had the money. The idea of going out and shopping for clothing because he can has barely crossed his mind since his arrival. He's had so much else to focus on.]

Oh! Thank you.

[It would be incredibly rude to turn down an offer like this, even if he doesn't know what he'd do at a proper tailor's. It makes sense that there would be those here who specialized in making clothing for monsters. As he's a witch it should be simple.]

I'm not used to having any money to spend on things outside of... basic necessities. It's been a while.

[disasterstraight]

Mm. Yes, I suppose it has been, for you.

[ Has Wen Ning ever had any expendable income to speak of? Jin Zixuan didn't follow the goings on and inner politics of the Wen clan all too closely, but they certainly weren't as wealthy as his own Jin sect. And he was under the impression Wen Ning as he used to be was only tolerated because of his sister's position as physician. ]

[deadwenwalking]

[Sometimes his sister gave him some money! But typically no, he was to stay safe and out of trouble, which meant not much going out to do shopping with what allowance they were given by their "loving" guardian. Too much leeway and he could run off, which meant he couldn't be used as a bargaining chip against his sibling.]

Maybe... maybe you could help me find something acceptable.

[Wen Ning feels odd saying that, but Jin Zixuan does think very little of his fashion choices so he might as well ask. It's not exactly common ground, but he has a feeling the man is more at ease when given the chance to show off.]

[disasterstraight]

...Maybe.

[ The way he says it hopefully conveys that he has absolutely no intention of ever following through on that "maybe." Wen Ning may be insistent on forging some kind of friendly relationship between them, but Jin Zixuan wants no part of it, if he can help it. He's only putting up with this conversation to avoid making a scene in public. Yes, he does think Wen Ning's fashion choices are atrocious, but the last thing he wants is to involve himself any more than he has to in the Ghost General's life. There's much talk about owing, about whether Jin Zixuan is owed the full truth of what will happen in their world after his death. In that vein, he does not think that Wen Ning is owed his companionship. He never would have received it when they were both young, innocent men. He's even less likely to receive it now that Jin Zixuan knows he is the man who will kill him.

That said, it is almost hard to believe. In all his interactions with Wen Ning so far, the man has been shy, polite, kind. The farthest thing from a threat. Jin Zixuan struggles to reconcile the man he is faced with here and now with the vicious Ghost General that scared citizens told stories of back home. ]

[deadwenwalking]

[A maybe isn't a no! Of course, the tone says that it very much is a no, but since Jin Zixuan had held off on straight up turning him down then that says something. Maybe they won't go shopping together any time soon, and he's alright with that. The conversation they're having right now is already pushing some boundaries.

It's an acceptable rejection. The small smile Wen Ning gives the man in return hopefully conveys that he understands. He won't push him any further on the subject. Though... he will likely bring up similar offers in the future. Maybe at some point the other man might accept.

Maybe.

He shouldn't, he knows. All he should even hope for is that at some point the man truly understands that he's sorry.]

Well. I hope you enjoy yourself here, Young Master Jin.

[And he offers the man another polite bow. If he sticks around any longer he's bound to truly wear out what tenuous welcome he's been given.]

[disasterstraight]

[ That's probably for the best. Better for Wen Ning not to push his luck and force any kind of relationship to happen while Jin Zixuan is still resistant.

He returns Wen Ning's bow with a slow nod of his head, lips pressed tight into a line. ]

Thank you. You as well.