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[open] a birthday celebration

WHO: lestat & all of you~
WHAT: lestat is hosting a party for a certain someone's birthday!
WHERE: a bistro in district 3
WHEN: october 4th
WARNINGS: N/A so far. will update as needed!

[ In the early morning hours of the 4th of October, a photograph of a handwritten notice goes up on the network. It’s in flowery but surprisingly legible script, as if he’s learnt to create letters purely by reading them and has jumbled together an amalgamation of different typefaces to make each letter he writes as interesting as possible. The details are as follows: ]

This is an invitation to any and all, to attend a soirée this evening, in celebration of my companion’s birthday.

I’ve attached a photograph of the location; a fashionable little bistro highly recommended to me by someone who clearly knows a thing or two about style. Festivities start at 6 o’clock this evening, though you are more than welcome to be fashionably late. We will go until sunrise. The dress code is: eye-catching.

There will be food, there will be wine, there will be merriment. Games, dancing, live music. Who amongst you could turn their nose up at a free bar and the chance to boogie? I know that technically this entire place is a free bar, what with the distinct lack of economy, but I’ve acquired the assistance of a bartender, just to tempt you…

And, failing all else, there’s the certainty of stunning conversation - and isn’t that something that we all can enjoy, even those of us who don’t groove with the party scene?

Be there, or be square.

xoxo

[ Some of you might remember him posting asking for help planning this little get together, and it’s going ahead with all of Lestat’s best intentions for a night to remember. Whether you know him or don’t (and haven’t been put off by his hip use of old slang he still thinks makes him sound cool) you’ll be welcomed to the festivities with open arms and a warm, sharp smile.

Come on down, don’t be shy. Have a little dance with the devil. ]

The Bar

[ Gleaming in hard wood painted a stunning chic black, the bar is the first thing to delight your eyes with upon entering the bistro. Bottles line the back wall, shining in the low amber lights, and so too the bottles lined up in front as your gracious bartender for the evening, Daan, sets up shop. Perhaps you have a drink in mind, or would like him to surprise you (with varying results), or maybe you’re here for the crowd gathered around and chatting amicably as they nurse their chosen poison.

Lestat himself has taken up prime position there, often with a rather steadfast arm around Louis, whose expression isn’t exactly dour but isn’t particularly placid, either. He gives off the very clear expression of someone who’s been tricked into coming here under false pretences. Probably because Lestat had been positively evasive of even mentioning the B word (birthday) all evening, even going as far as to ignore completely any mention of Louis discovering his plotting before tonight… though whether that be from embarrassment over failing to make his post private despite Armand’s very clear instructions, or simply down to his impish nature, isn’t clear.

What is clear, is that Lestat is having a lovely time in wonderful company, and is a veritable font of energy. He’s usually pretty upbeat, of course, but tonight there’s a particular vigour about him that is clearly different, though not in a strictly bad way. When he’s not hanging off Louis’ side or parading him around to introduce him to people he hasn't met yet, Lestat is leaning over the bar to watch Daan work, or perhaps butting into a nearby conversation or starting a fresh one up with someone looking a little too quiet. ]

The Stage & Dancefloor

[ Great care and attention has been made to stagger the assortment of tables in the room so that each one has a perfect view of the man-made stage and its attached square of space serving as a dance floor. It’s nothing more than a few flat platforms on which the players can stand along with a wall of lined up instruments and some speakers Lestat found at the music store in the mall, but it’s unmistakably the intended highlight of the evening's entertainment.

A dark blue electric guitar beside an acoustic one, a simple spruce violin, a small drum set, a standing keyboard and three microphones is his haul, and they are left available for anyone who'd like to jam. If Lestat sees you looking with the barest hint of interest, even if there is not a single musical bone in your body, if he will pull you over to try something out - what better way to learn than in a room full of people watching you? :)

Toward the middle of the evening, Lestat will take Louis' hands in his own and kiss them, and then kiss him, and leave to climb up onto the stage himself. He’s dressed in a burgundy corduroy jacket over a crisp black shirt; the collar undone to reveal a host of twisted chains at his throat, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and his wrists and fingers adorned with similar finery. Tight leather pants, and black boots with a red sole. His nails are painted black, and there’s a smudge of dark red around his eyes, which makes the pale silver-blue of them look almost eerie in the spotlight. (Well, he did say eye-catching was the dress code.)

He’ll take the microphone, lift the electric guitar into his arms and begins to play, and to sing. It’s a cover arrangement, of course, as anyone who enjoys 70s rock music will be able to tell.. but he sings it well, with a practised and enchanting stage presence that is hard to look away from; snaking hips, spectacular crowd work. No, it’s not his vampiric thrall (probably), it’s just that Lestat really was born to perform and he knows it.

He also picks out another song to play a little later on, assuring the crowd very loudly that they must keep this song's existence a complete secret and then "accidentally" name-dropping Steve Tyler as the guy he was jamming with when the song was created. ]

Party Games

[ Lestat has assigned a little space toward the back of the room and has littered the tables with a handful of silly party games, packages of cards, even a small set of plastic chips for gambling (though what exactly the ante will be is entirely up to you). It looks very much like he’s raided the toy aisle in a supermarket which… isn’t untrue, but he’s done so with at least a little care and attention for what kind of party he’d like this to be. There’s no board games, put it that way.

Who Am I?: Take a sticky-note and ask someone to write the name of a famous figure on it, and stick it on your back. You must walk around and ask the other patrons of the party yes/no questions in order to figure out who you are.
Treasure Hunt: Take a paper from the table; on it you'll find a series of descriptions such as "Someone who's favourite colour is blue" or "Someone who has siblings", "someone who's broken someone's heart" etc. Talk to party goers until you find a person who matches each prompt. You may only use one person once. The winner gets a prize!

Bulla has graciously offered to host a round or two of games for all in attendance; the assortment will be varied and both she and Lestat will be no doubt open to any suggestions of things to play. If you aren’t the type to get involved in such things, it’s quite unfortunate because oh, it looks like this one needs a partner and here is Lestat without one! ]

The Veranda

[The way outside through the large glass doors at the back of the bistro is lit in an almost storybook manner, with lights pinned from the doorway to the exterior fence in loose criss-crosses. The furniture has been moved to accommodate a large table running down the centre of the floor, full to bursting with plates of food. It seems the intention here is similar to a “pot-luck” - a concept that has Lestat gleeful as a child over the absurdity of such a thing - only as this place has no real necessity for cooking and as Lestat has no idea what kind of food typically is seen at parties, the guidance is simply to go into the kitchen and take advantage of its seemingly unending capabilities in order to emerge with a bowl, plate or tray of whatever you deem appropriate for a party such as this.

Obviously, this has resulted in the table being full of an incredibly disorganised array of treats in all shapes and colour - which naturally has attracted Lesat into staring at it all like a magpie, asking questions of every meal that people pick at, questioning the flavour and the method of preparation, all the while twisting a glass bottle of some thick scarlet substance around and around in his hands. ]

--
[ happy birthday louis!!! feel free to mingle, thread-hop, eavesdrop, do whatever you'd like. go wild. it's a party!

lestat is down for anything, so if you want to assume your character has made a playlist, brought a game along, has suggested a party game and is bullying people into playing it, or even if you want to assume that lestat saw you in the street nearby and whisked you in to the bistro against your will, please go for it. literally anything goes, i am SO easy and so is lestat. :) ]

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[Now, what was Hu Tao doing here? She simply wanted to enjoy herself and have some fun, of course! Between trying to know the people of this strange new world and spending her time relaxing, she couldn't turn down the offer of being able to sing for the birthday boy!

That said, that didn't stop her from singing a little merry tune as onlookers give her a curious look.]

[ Lestat hears her little song in passing, and when he turns to behold her he easily puts two and two together in figuring out that this must be the one he was talking with on the network - the one who likes Chinese opera and rap music. Such a strange combination perfectly befitting such a strange little thing, he thinks. She's perfectly charming, though, with a kind of energy to her that draws Lestat in, so he approaches her with a theatrical bow and a flourish of his hand offered out to take hers. ]

You arrived, as you said you would, and I'm so glad you did, chérie.

[ If she lets him, he'll politely kiss the back of her knuckles. ]

[As she continued to sing her merry little tune, she didn't expect to someone approaching her. Once she did so, she raised an eyebrow at the mysterious figure before her. At first, she didn't know what to say but she simply offered a giggle as he gently took her hand.]

Of course I did! I wouldn't want to break a promise after all! Besides, it would be rude to not come here when it's someone's birthday.

[Especially in a strange world like this but...]

I have to admit, I never seen a birthday party this big before.

[ As intended, he bows his head to press his lips to her hand before straightening and letting her go with all the charm of a gentleman dandy.. which is a little jarring considering he's dressed in the perfect garb of a gothic rock star right now, but.. as is his way. ]

You haven't?

[ He asks, his smile turning just a little bemused but his attention never leaving her for even an instant. ]

Ma chérie, this party is nothing compared to some of the ones I've been to. We filled mansions, castles, entire lower floors of large hotels and restaurants... My, my, if this is your first, I only wish there were some way to show you what you're missing.

[ It isn't that he's disappointed with her fascination, of course, it's quite the opposite; he wants to see more of it, in fact, to see her little face delight in the splendour he's seen. ]

[What an odd feeling at being treated as if she was a member of the high courts. But alas, she was a mere funeral director who only serves the people of Liyue. Either way, she kept on giggling.]

If this is rather tame for you, it makes me wonder just how much one celebrates major events back in your world. Especially when there are castles involved!

[Which...also makes her wonder a few things.]

I can't imagine how much it must cost as well.

[ Lestat spares a single desperate moment of longing for times long gone, when all celebrations were held in castles and everyone dressed extravagantly in order to talk the night away and dance and rub shoulders with those of similar or higher standing... The loss of those times had been enough to send him into the dirt for almost a century, though, so he briskly pulls himself out of those kinds of thoughts before he gets too deep. ]

Ah, a frugal one are you, mademoiselle? [ He asks, finally releasing her hand with a sly little smile. ] The cost was always ridiculous, the more you spent, the more people envied your party, the more people came to oogle, the more would come back the next time. It was the way the game was played.

[ He looks around then, at this party and all it's decorations and attendees. ]

Strange, really, to have not paid a penny for any of this.

Is that so? I'm afraid you are wrong, I'm not one to be frugal as I am curious what the expenses are! After all, I would need to know how much a family is willing to spend for a funeral.

[She said with a slight grin. As she gave a bit of a pause, she wondered what he might say about her occupation. Would he be scared or be in awe of it? Either way, she'll simply continue onwards!]

But I heard that almost everything here is free, right? That means you can be as extravagant as you want!

[ Lestat gives her a surprised raise of his eyebrows at that, such a strangely cryptic thing to say and yet so oddly familiar to him. Of course, he thinks of Claudia now, and how she'd never fail to notice subtle - or not so subtle - signs of wealth in those she hunted for, and how she wouldn't leave without securing the spoils for herself. It was necessary, of course, to create the illusion of a mugging concluding with murder, but it never hurt to have one more roll of cash to deposit, or a handsome piece of jewellery to wear. Somehow, he doubts the young woman before him is a bloodthirsty vampire, though. ]

A funeral? [ He asks, looking her up and down very briefly. ] Is that something you have a particular interest in?

[ She doesn't look like anyone in the business of funerals like he's ever seen - they're usually sombre and, well, men. But a morbid youngster interested in the pageantry of death doesn't sound too far fetched. ]

Of course, it is my occupation after all. I'm a funeral director! It would be wrong of me to not be interested in such a thing.

[As she leaned in closer to give a dramatic pause, the smirk on her face still remained. It wasn't as if her job was all that unique, she was curious to see how people would react to such a morbid career choice. Or at least, how odd it was to see such a perky young girl to the director of a funeral parlor.]

But to know that everything is free here, it does make things rather interesting should I continue my services here. Although, I highly doubt that most people would be willing to talk about such things here as well.

[And especially with them being away from world? It would make things rather...tricky]

[ Lestat raises his eyebrows a touch higher again at her clarification. ]

Forgive me for saying so, mademoiselle, but you certainly don't look the type. I have quite considerable experience with funeral homes, you see, and I don't think I've ever seen anyone quite like you working there.

[ He leaves out the part where he was usually just looking for a coffin and would drain the funeral director of all their blood should it rouse suspicion. She doesn't need to hear that part. ]

As for your services, I'm not sure that there will be much interest even if people were willing to discuss it with you; apparently people cannot die here. Death simply takes you back to the train, like starting all over again. Even the coffins in the graveyard are without bodies to inhabit them.

It's fine, most people are rather surprised of my occupation given my personality! But that's okay, it just means that I can bring out the smiles in people in such a difficult time!

[That and she was someone who really loved her job despite the somber issue. But anyway, she waved her hand by her side before continuing on. Or rather, she would like to before the smile on her face disappears a little.]

I see. In other words, you can die many time here and yet, you keep on being revived. It seems that the people of this place have no concept of letting anyone here die in peace, do they?

[ He has to hand it to her, her light-hearted nature is rather addictive when you get down to it; he can just about imagine her soft voice and bright eyes bringing someone hope in their darkest hour, making it all seem a little easier despite their overwhelming grief.

That's why he feels such powerful disappointment when he sees her face turn serious. ]

Ah, yes, it's true. The curse of immortality is something we all share here, but surely it isn't such a bad thing. Dying in peace should be reserved for the old, isn't that right? Here, I haven't seen a single soul I would consider elderly. So at least none of us are having our youth snatched away.

I suppose so, you are only as old as you feel and I have seen plenty of people who still have some spirit in them despite their age.

[She said with a sigh as she could think of a couple in her mind. Despite their old age, she had to wonder if they would be better finding some peace in death. But she shook off that thought.]

I just worry that the longer they stay here, the more they might wish for it as some might not be able to adapt to immorality too well.

[That and it just seems to go against everything she knew. Why would the people here go against death itself?]

[ Lestat tilts his head, reasoning that her point is a very fair one to make. Of course, he has more experience in withstanding immortality than he'd like to admit just this second, and he knows full well that it's usually the ones thrust into it unawares that ended up graving the bliss of oblivion in the end.... but then he's living proof that there are some who resolutely buck that trend. ]

I think death is something on which your opinion can change depending on what other things are going on around you. The old woman who craves peaceful rest only wants it until the very last second.

[ A bit grim, but it's true. He shrugs. ]

Besides, the community here are very resourceful. I think if anyone wanted it badly enough, they'd find a way. But I don't think whoever is actually in control of this place will be very happy with it.

Then we'll just find to find out and see! From what I gathered, there are quite a few people who are very willing to understand the mystery behind this place!

[Because as painful as it was, in her opinion, to see people being immortal? She simply wants to help everyone here to find a way out of here. Despite having fun with the festivities and meeting new people, she can only wonder how people can last in this world.]

Myself included as I do want both of my friends to be back home. It'll give me something to do instead of sitting around in boredom!

[Dramatic pause...!!!]

...Which is the worst.

[ Lestat can't help but laugh at her incredibly dramatic pause. As someone with a flair for the dramatic himself, he finds himself oddly charmed by her manner in regards to this. Plus, it's nice to talk to someone clearly not so bothered by death. He wonders, idly, how she might feel about vampires if she believes they might exist. ]

I agree, there's nothing worse in this world than being bored.

[ He can't be sure if he'd rather be in his own world or this one, though; certainly it's easier to kill in his own world, but Lestat finds it so much easier to be wrapped up in Louis here, like it's a vacation from his usual haunted line of thinking. He hastily brushes such thoughts aside. It's like she said, there are people working on it and if they find a way, they'll find a way. Until then, it would be a better use of their time to have fun. ]

.. Tell me, do you know what a vampire is?

[With those words, she had to raise an eyebrow or two. That wasn't what she was expecting to hear but that certainly made her curious. Tilting her head to the side, she gave a small hum before placing her hand on her chin.]

Yes, it is an immortal being that is supposed to be dead. And yet, they are still among the living. I have experienced one myself.

[Pause]

....Why do you ask?

You have, is that so? Do you mean here, or back in the world you come from?

[ He'll answer her question in a minute - for right now he's too interested in this surprise revelation. ]

Back home where I am from. At first, I thought about burying her as I thought that she was a zombie that should be dead.

[Pause]

Of course, I do see the errors of my ways as I realize she wasn't an evil spirit.

[ Lestat thinks to chuckle at such a revelation, but the idea really does make him want to laugh, so he lets it out loudly rather than holding back. ]

Well, I hope you won't try to bury me, Mademoiselle. I am blessed with the same dark gift, you see. Though I still have a pulse, and I still walk and talk and think, in all other ways I am dead.

[ He won't mention the specifics of his particular brand of being undead just yet - the part about feeding on humans - because she hadn't mentioned it in her description, and bringing it up so casually might be a little staggering all at once. ]

[Well. That wasn't something she was expecting to hear. And yet, as she leaned in closer to get a better look? He didn't seem like someone who was supposed to be dead. But then again, neither did QiQi.]

Then all I can say is that I hope you aren't cursed. It seems rather painful to keep on living forever...

[Or at least, in her mind, it seems like it. To know that everyone around you is dying and yet, one keeps on living? It seems like a sad way to live ones life.]

Edited 2023-10-21 18:09 (UTC)

Oh, I'm sure that I am. But only in the same way that humans are cursed to eventually die and the world cursed to lose their spark forever.

[ Lestat shrugs. He very much understands that part of the human condition is to die, that putting all talent and effort into one set of years before their completion is how it is supposed to be... and yet the threat of death has taken so many greats from him that he can't quite see the same romanticism in it as someone as romantic as he is should. ]

Though, I've found some ways over the years to make it sufficiently less painful.

And care to tell me how? If I am not mistaken, it seems that you must have lived for quite sometime based on how you're describing things.

[Because in her mind, she couldn't imagine being able to live forever. Not only was it against nature itself, it would lead to boredom! And in her mind, being bored is the worst thing that could ever happen!]

I'm afraid that if I were to live forever, there could be only so many things I could learn. And eventually, there would be nothing left for me to do.

[ God she's so right. Boredom is an absolute chore, Lestat would entirely agree with her there. ]

Company is a good start. Fellow immortals or particularly fascinating human beings, anyone interesting enough to help pass the time. I spent sixty-something years with my fledgling and it felt like a matter of weeks. What they say about time flying when you're having fun really has some merit when you have as much time at your disposal as I do.

[ A small pause, a moment to consider. ]

I'm over two hundred years old, so I have seen the turn of many a decade and have seen many of the advances mortals have made to make their lives more meaningful. I revel in that, the wonders they can create. There's nothing more fascinating than a human, to me, and luckily in the world I am from, I am in no short supply of them wherever I turn.

[Meanwhile, Hu Tao raised an eyebrow or two. While hearing about someone who lived that long wasn't anything new, it was a little different when compared to a vampire.]

Is that so? While you aren't the first immortal being I met, you are probably the first one who is willing to interact with humans so willingly. Especially when you seem to be always spending time with them.

[She said with a giggle.]

But I'm glad to hear that you enjoy us mortals. I would think that there are those who might be wary of us given how 'young' we are and lack a lot of insight to certain things.

[Not that Xiao (or Zhongli) would ever think that way but that was because she knew them. As for everyone else? She wasn't too sure.]

[open] a birthday celebration

Hu Tao | Genshin Impact | ota

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