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

[arturiarex]

"You have told me that I haven't been truly enjoying myself this evening," she responds drily, "Which... is not aggressive, but certainly rather aggravating. Nor have you spoke crudely to me, that is true. I simply like to think that I can judge when I am enjoying myself and when I am not."

She shakes her head and glances down at her hands in her laps and then up again, bright eyes meeting his.

"It was not my intent to challenge you to battle here. I... simply remember the words spoken to me by you - or... well, a part of you that place me as yours. It's hard to forget. So I apologize if I give offense, King of Heroes. You are not him - or will not be, I suppose."

Another pause, as if she's trying to choose her words carefully.

"...in point of fact I remember a dream where I saw your city as it was. And you as you were."

[gilgamess]

Sitting on the rim of the fountain, Gilgamesh folds his hands over his knees, turning to face Saber with equally bright eyes. There is a slight impishness to his expression as he listens to her speak. There is a trace of that familiar smugness, though perhaps it is somewhat softened by the darkness and the starlight.

Listening to Saber, his first and most natural thought is that their idea of enjoyment differs so vastly that what Saber calls enjoyment is, to the King of Heroes, merely something perfunctory. When Gilgamesh speaks of enjoyment, of pleasure, he refers to full-bodied joy -- euphoria, rapture, the glory of being born, and the pure thrill of living. Perhaps Saber has found that this masquerade is somewhat to her liking, but Gilgamesh would not alter his opinion that what she has described, a dance or two, a drink or two, is not of sufficient intensity for him to use the term joy. Their definitions are too vastly different.

And, ah -- he could easily make this point once again, and perhaps the King of Knights suspects that he is thinking precisely this, but for whatever reason, at the moment, Gilgamesh abstains. It might be that he knows that continuing this debate will merely lead in a circular path, with Saber insisting that contentment is all she desires. And perhaps Gilgamesh is still thinking that there is much of deeper pleasure which Saber has not yet tasted, and the only method by which she can understand the difference in their ideas is through a demonstration. Words alone shall not convince her.
It is merely getting the King of Knights to open that mind of hers which requires a certain finesse.

Truthfully, the words Saber goes on to say... Gilgamesh is perhaps not quite certain of his reaction to them. He senses that Saber's words are an olive branch, yet it seems that she still does not quite understand him. The King of Heroes laughs.

"Again, you speak as though I am different people."

It is not the first time -- but the vision she saw before certainly made an impression upon her. Gilgamesh seems ambivalent at being compared... to himself.

"I am the same being at all times, Saber. What seems a contradiction to a lesser being is no contradiction to the King. Rather, as the original arbiter of humanity, it is the King's prerogative to contradict himself: it as as I have told you before, my kingdom existed before the law code. Among kings, I am the first. Whatever I have decided, whether a law code or the merest whim, it becomes absolute the moment I decree it so."

He does not add, but Saber should intuitively understand... as Servants, of course, their natures do shift upon their summonings. That much is true. Were Arturia summoned as a Lancer, she would be different. Becoming a Berserker had cast away the sanity of her beloved knight. And there were two Cus in this world. Yet, for as much as Gilgamesh might shift as much as the others with his summoning, he is different in that his own sense of self remains absolute throughout every incarnation of his life. It is why, in the Fourth Holy Grail War, the King of Heroes alone had been able to resist the corrupting influence of the Holy Grail: even all of the world's evils could not tarnish the ego of the golden King.

But lest Saber continue to question this idea, lest it is difficult for her to understand, he adds,

"I, too, remember a dream. Ahaha... that of a young girl, pulling a sword from a stone, and a mage of dubious character, standing like a pale shadow behind her."

And her words, murmured into the air.

The King of Heroes does not ask. He shall not ask. He shall simply let Saber's mind fill in the remainder of this contemplation, now that he has put the seed into her mind:

Was that girl another one from the woman before him?

Could that girl have grown into another woman?

The woman in the dress, on the other side of the well, was she another Arturia? Does this Arturia, who sees Gilgamesh as halved, or more, ever mourn for that girl, or that life unlived?

"Hm... and in my own dreams," Gilgamesh continues, a bit more somberly, hoping to draw out this woman's contemplations, "I see also, sometimes, a black knight with a flaming red sword, and golden eyes."

Was that another woman?

Or the woman whose passions had all but overwhelmed him on the night of the Full Moon? Of course Saber would say she was not herself that night, but strictly speaking, was that true? She had spoken of taking responsibility, and the strength of her thighs and her desires had certainly felt much like the power of a king who strides upon horseback through all the lands of Britain. Could Arturia, with any degree of absolute certainty, claim that this was not her?

Gilgamesh's own conclusion, which he does not say, is obvious: they are not different women.

They are all one in the same.

Carefully, he unfolds his hands.

"Do you ever regret that you did not dance at Camelot, Saber?"

[arturiarex]

Saber regards Gilgamesh from her perch on the fountain, listening to the words flowing from his lips. She finds it difficult to properly judge him at times. She thinks she understands him. Sort of. She definitely thinks that she understands that at one point he was far more of a noble king than he was when she met her. Still arrogant, perhaps, but less grasping. Less willing to run roughshod over people. He's been something of that king here, she knows. They have a truce; have worked together. He still pursues her, in his own way, but she knows that he perhaps restrains himself.

Although she is still wary of being declared his.

"You are the same being and the same person... but your attitude seemed strikingly different. At least to me..."

She won't argue it. The subject of his dreams makes her a little more confused. She has to consider that. The first she knows well; the second not at all.

"That sounds like some nightmare version of me," she shrugs, "That I cannot help you with. I have never been a black knight in life or otherwise..."

Her fingers tap-tap-tap against the stonework.

"...I do not regret it," she replies after a moment of thought, "I regret that I failed in many regards. But I do not regret that I did not dance or spend more time in frivolity. I ruled as best as I could; perhaps I might change some things, but ultimately... no. That choice I do not regret."

Her brow furrows.

"Why do you ask?"