middaeg | MASQUERADE: Noveur 8

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MASQUERADE: Noveur 8

WELCOME TO THE MASQUERADE

I. Arrival

The event starts mid-evening, Noveur 8, 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 deep blue 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 large 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, deep blue, and dark purple. 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 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.

There some seating nearer to the walls without tables, as well, for those who maybe wish to take a moment to themselves or need a few seconds to relax. There's also some standing room for those who maybe are there more to socialize and enjoy the company of others, rather than dancing.

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 feature 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.

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.

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 drawn together. 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 softly 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 talent of both Elliot and Wataru on their violins, as well as people from within the city to provide the music.

There's a variety of music to play through the night. Most of the music is upbeat through the night, encouraging you to grab a partner and dance. Songs like waltzes are the most prominently played, as they're perfect for beginners and experienced dancers alike. And then, from there, there's some slower paced, romantic songs - though they are less frequent. Whenever those play, find someone you want to get close to and take a chance to dance and maybe even have a quiet conversation.

Whatever your mood, you will find a song that you'd love to dance to, as long as you want to dance.

IV. 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 hit me up if you have any questions; ICly: This takes place on the 8th. Putting this up early is to help ensure everyone has a chance to enjoy themselves! And, if your threads need any warnings of any sort, please add them as you go! ♥ Thank you all!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, you wouldn't much like Yharnam, I suspect. [Also, addiction is a hell of a thing, but that's less something she's going to touch upon. Besides, does it count if she doesn't particularly care for Scotch but she's drinking it anyway?]

And some people might just need the soothing effect, more than the taste.

Are you the sort that desires to be soothed, then? [ Said with an upward lilt in her tonw, a slight narrowing of her eyes and the tug of a smirk, naked in its flirtatious nature. ]

[And... there's a very delicate arch of her eyebrow beneath her mask, pushing the mask up a bit, and her forefinger taps a couple times against the glass, before it stills entirely in thought.

... Interesting.] You're rather cocksure, aren't you? Or exceptionally foolhardy. [She lifts the glass to her lips, and takes another sip, though there's a brief moment where it looks like she'll knock the whole thing back.

And then...] Soothing is not what I desire in any case. I'd rather it be obliterated entirely... but I'm finding that harder and harder to do.

I'm a warrior, mind, heart, and body. [ Scathach responded with a shrug, taking another sip. ]

I may not be able to provide oblivion but I like to think, with a wee bit of courage, I could manage to take your mind off things, all the same.

That does not answer that pondering very well. [She comes from a place where people don't tend to survive if they get overconfident or stupid, so both of those can be downsides. But she'll take it as a leaning toward "confident".]

Courage for you or for me? [She taps the glass again, and then... reaches forward with her free hand. Fast. Lightning-quick like Maria is known for, though she doesn't have the advantage of having "played dead" before hand. If it seems a bit threatening in its suddenness, that's because it is, but, as before, she's not interested in actually causing any harm.

It's not an invitation for anything - she's checking to make sure her assumption she's talking to a Monster is right.]

[ The hand was caught, just as quickly, by Scathach, her counter of the gesture firm but not exceeding a certain threshold that would make her grip on Maria's hand painful in any way, but still very much holding her there. What's more, her eyes never left Maria's, and that smile didn't fade any. The spark in her eyes, though... was hard to miss.

So was the wagging of the tail behind her. ]

I fear this isn't that sort of party, my lady. But I'd be happy to oblige you some other time.

[Well, well, well, a warrior indeed, if she's that quick on her feet. Maria's eyes trail to the tail, briefly, before back up to the other's eyes - she maintains eye contact just nicely. Nothing will back her down.] ... Hm. A Monster indeed, then.

[Not a trick of the enchantment or anything. Her hand remains firm, but gentle, until she starts to release her grip, and push the other woman's hand slowly away from her.]

Perhaps another night. [Perhaps never, given Maria's reaction to unfamiliar Monsters tends to hold where it's at.] Though I would not turn down more of this... Scotch, if you wish to share. [Even if it is by far not her drink of choice.]

As you like... [ Maria's reactions didn't give everything away, but Scathach's intuition was ever sharp, and she could tell there was something beyond the other woman's words, a lingering distrust of those like Scathach, those of the beasts. And yet she was willing to drink in peace with her, which suggested it was not merely Scathach's presence that perturbed.

Well. She could find out later what the truth of the matter was. She poured Maria more, and more for herself as well. ]

That's the proper spirit. What I value most in the company I keep is courage, after all.

Courage? I see. [That's... an interesting thing to value in someone. Maria's not really sure if she counts as courageous. Most things just don't scare her. Or at least, things that would scare normal people just fall off her back like water from a duck.

And yet, she can't really say she's courageous, for the way she ran away from what she did.

... Ah. She needs another sip of whiskey, so she takes it, letting it burn down her throat and burn out the memories. It does its job admirably; and feels a bit smoother than the first drink, as it goes down.] Have you been offering this to everyone here?

Anyone willing to try it. I'm not keen on forcing the matter on those who either abstain or know their limits.

You seem to be taking to it after that first grimace, yourself, my lady.

Sounds like a good idea. [Hey, she can't really argue much with wanting to respect boundaries. She knows she likes having hers respected - violently, if need be.]

It has been some time since I've tasted Scotch. It always tends to burn the worst going down the first time, I've found, and then after that... perhaps I get more used to it? Or the alcohol kicks in, so I notice it less.

[ That was one of the things that kept her and her disciple separate, still. She may have shared his penchant for flirtation, but she also wasn't nearly so tenacious. ]

I find if one savors the taste of it, the burn no longer matters much. But I've also been drinking it a long time, and developed a very distinct palate for it.

But moreover, I find it makes for an excellent tool in drawing folks together. So I aim to share it with those who interest me, more than anything.

I think I may, perhaps, stick with brandy, but I don't see quite the problem in letting my tongue get used to this. [Another sip, another... well, the corners of her eyes pinch a little, but really it's going down a bit smoother, now that she knows what to expect.]

Well, I know why I draw attention, but I suppose it all depends on what you find interesting.

I already gave you the whole bit about valuing courage, so I'll dress it down even more for you.

[ Scathach chuckled, taking another sip and leaning over the table, eyes drawing up slowly to Maria's face, that smirk once more playing at her lips. Her tone dropped here, softer, kept in such a way that she clearly only had intentions of Maria hearing her. ]

I find interest in those I'd like to fight, or I'd like to bed. And in a happy few cases, do both.

[ She wasn't as crude as her disciple was when it came to this sort of thing, but... the apple didn't fall that far from the tree, did it? ]

Ah, that's what you're really after. [Well, that and the flirting, but Maria figured there was something else. Especially since this one kept talking to her after she said what she did.

She takes a deep breath, and... releases it slowly. She is not in any mood to think about fighting right now, but she supposes it's not hard to get into one.] Well, I wouldn't turn down a request to spar. I only get the chance to fight when I get out of the city anymore, it seems like. [Especially with turnskins. She only has minor problems of aggression with them.] Unless you're one of the ones offended by my presence, in which case I suppose you're after more than just a short bout.

[[continued here]]

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MASQUERADE: Noveur 8

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