middaeg | 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

The comment about surprise limbs and what you've heard. That, and I know a new batch of people here arrived last month.

[ complete with an unnecessary tone of condescension!

because mostly he had likely meant for the comment to come across as a wee bit insulting; he recalls his offense at someone making that incorrect assumption of him. ]

Am I correct? In which case, it's difficult to tell whether you've been gifted as a Witch or burdened as a Monster.

[Bleh! The term 'Monster' still hasn't grown on her and it probably never will, and Lightning visibly cringes at hearing it.]

Yeah, I am.

[Not that there's any shame in admitting it, but there's still a note of defiance in her voice. It's not that she's ashamed, it's that she doesn't want to be here!]

I was told by the Coven that I'm supposed to be some kind of Witch, but when that mist rolled through, I grew a pair of antlers that were more an annoying gimmick than anything... so I don't even know anymore.

Mm. ... My Bonded—a Witch—also grew a small set of antlers during the mist. Those have since vanished.

[ an eyebrow quirks upward. ]

If they told you to be a Witch, then I would take their word for it. Even if they may be... difficult, to trust on occasion, I have yet to hear them lie of that.

[ what an awful, awful prank that would be, noting someone to be a witch, for them to find themselves without magic and with monster parts instead! dreadful. ]

Good to know this place doesn't discriminate.

[Not. What an awful night that was, and anyone who got stuck with a pair of antlers, or wings, or whatever else that didn't belong she feels sorry for. Including herself. Now's not the time for pity parties, though. Not at an actual party! Neither is it the time to discuss her feelings in great detail on the Coven, because boy, does she have Words to say about them!

Instead, she redirects the conversation back to what it was that brought them here in the first place.]

So, with a tail like that, what're you supposed to be anyway? I've met some cats and chimeras, but nothing like... [uh] you.

[ viren fixes lightning with a dry look at that. he's, err, definitely beginning to sense some differences as to how they approach new environments. ]

... Since you are new, I will give you a pass as to that question.

[ isn't he generous.

viren lifts a clawed hand, tugging down his collar (wow, scandalous). she will likely be able to glimpse his scales — golds, browns, blacks. his lip curls, and lets his hand, the top of it also slowly having scales encroaching near to his knuckles, fall away. but because that's not really super helpful as to an answer, he elaborates: ]

I'm "supposed to be" a Dragon. Perhaps not wildly evident, as the Dragons here are ... lacking, as to what I'm used to seeing, but that's my classification nonetheless.

[Wowee, thanks Viren, for your generosity! What is she going to do with all of this!? He gets a mirrored look in response, but it fades the moment he shows off the scales. The way they sprawl across the skin on his neck and his hands remind her of the way Fang's is layered with fur. She called herself a Turnskin, though – different from a Dragon, she assumes.

Lightning doesn't stare for too long at the scales, her eyes moving up to meet his once she's taken a look.]

Never seen one myself, so I wouldn't have known any better.

[Only in the stories, and even then, they're probably wildly different than what other worlds have seen.]

You're the first.

[congratulations!!!]

[ viren is blessed, truly. he doesn't have much comment to it, his gaze sliding to the side as mulls the thought over. ]

Dragons are common among the Mirrorbound.... I'm sure I won't be the last that you see.

[ after a moment, though, head tipping with curiosity - ]

Do you not have the creatures at all where you come from?

Not really, no.

[At least, not on Cocoon.

Her arms fold over her chest as she hears Fang's voice in her head all over again, reminding her that it's Gran Pulse, and that they're not the barbarians she grew up being told they were.]

Where I'm from, they built it to keep the Big Bad Monsters like that out. People are afraid of what they'll find.

[ he gives her an imploring look, eyebrows turning upward. his tone becomes more sympathetic. ]

And rightly so. Dragons are terribly powerful creatures — nearly everything about them is made for destruction. The average human would serve as nothing but their fodder.

[ mm. but it's fortunate, if lightning doesn't have to think much about the creatures. alas... ]

I've learned enough about other worlds, however, to understand there would likely be some other, catacylsmic force in place. ... Cable companies, homeowner associations, for instance...? [ someone has fucked with him and he hasn't figured that out yet. ]

[ .......

Lightning stares at him, trying to hide the disbelief that falls over her features. Cable companies and homeowner associations are not a foreign concept to Lightning, with how advanced a lot of Cocoon's technology is (in comparison to this world), so hearing them come out of Viren's mouth as "cataclysmic forces" is... well, she's trying her best not to smile.]

Sounds rough. What makes those things so... catastrophic?

( overflow! )

MASQUERADE: Noveur 8

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