[OPEN] Residential Halloween Party

[fanstheflames]

WHO: EVERYONE.
WHAT: Resident run Halloween Party, as well as after party!
WHERE: District 2 restaurant, and also around the city.
WHEN: October 22 to October 31
WARNINGS: To be warned in character threads!

FLIERS GO OUT with the announcement of the university's Halloween Party, and the final preparations for the resident Halloween Party are put into motion. Word is put out that they'll start their party on the exact day of the university's, and on that day, fliers are put around today with a location and time, and message.

THEY'RE TESTING YOU. STAY AT HOME.
IF YOU WANT TO TEST THEM BACK, COME TO OUR PARTY. SEE WHAT THEY DO.
STAYING BACK IS ALWAYS SAFER.
People will do what people will, and in this place, intentions matter most.

But it's just a little party, right? What's the worst that could happen?

... AT THE PARTY.

The Halloween Party takes place at a restaurant with an open courtyard, a high wall to give some privacy, but the sky above is clearly visible, every door opened wide. Precautions even taken, with cinder blocks by the courtyard's double doors leading in and out, with a blanket and pumpkin on top for decoration, of course.

Your typical Halloween decor covers every inch, inside and out, and even on the outer wall to make clear you've found the right place: fake cobwebs cover the walls, there are glowing orange lanterns strung from the ceiling, dotted every now and then by hanging bats (yes, these are also fake) and there are jack-o-lanterns making all sorts of weird and delightful faces at you on countertops and on top of some of the tables. There’s even a skeleton in one of the corners gesturing to the bar! He’s got a cool top hat! He also has a sign propped up against him that reads PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

There’s food! There’s drinks! There’s merriment!

It should be the most inoffensive Halloween Party, by all accounts. And for some--who intend to go to the university's event--it will be. But for those who intend to stay away....

1. COMPULSION. It starts out small: you think about what's happening at the university. Sure, you may wonder what's happening and about the other people there, that's normal, but sometimes, you find your mind drifting: why aren't you there? It would be good to go, wouldn't it? You're not even sure why you wouldn't want to go, and you may even find yourself abruptly bringing it up in the middle of another subject to the person you happen to be talking to. Hey, why don't we go to the university? Don't they have a party going?

But then, you may catch yourself, or need another person to snap you out of it. And then you might become more aware of how insistent the thought is becoming...and how you're talking about what's happening at the university, even while trying to watch out for it.

2. IN COSTUME. You've come in costume--what's a Halloween Party without one? From your zombie outfits to your vampires (um, rude? Call the local vampires), maids to cats, there's nothing too serious nor silly for Halloween. You could even just have something simple for the mood--a pair of ears on, or a pumpkin pin.

Whatever you're wearing, over time you start to feel...let's say in character with your outfit. Are you just feeling giddy from the drink? But small instances start to become more insistent: This isn't just a costume, this is who you are. And maybe a person or encounter can make you snap out of it...

But what will happen before then? And how long will you be your regular you?

3. TRICK OF THE EYE. It's reasonable to be worried. There's an expectation that the city will find some way to screw with this party, but is it just your anxiety making you see things out of the corner of your eyes, or is something playing tricks on you? These visual tricks can continue through the night, either staying as small scares to catch you off-guard, or...

...they can become more than tiny glimpses: where you start to see people, figures science-like in nature, faces that appear to be watching you. People who aren't there when you try to approach them, or are gone when you blink. Or are they there? Is it other residents staring at you? Though they might insist they don't have a clue what you're talking about--or accuse you of doing the same.

4. PARANOIA. Slowly but perhaps inevitably, you feel a prickling on the back of your neck. And you can’t shake the insistent feeling that something terrible will happen if you stay here. But where is that feeling coming from? Did Robby put something in your drink when he handed it to you? Is Tsuruno’s smile concealing something more sinister? Can your hosts really be trusted? They might be throwing you under the bus here. Or maybe they were working for the City all along…

In that case, maybe it’s best to distance yourself as quickly as possible?

5. HAUNTINGS. It’s a nice party, you’re enjoying yourself, maybe bobbing for apples, maybe making out with that cute vampire in the corner (contain yourself, Midnight). Or you could be a killjoy and you’re just waiting to see what will go wrong, in which case you might be able to duck the caramel apple that comes soaring at you. Or the plate. Or a chair? While you won’t be able to pick up on anything supernatural beyond a chills and the distinct feeling that Someone is watching you…

It’s a little hard to ignore when things keep getting tossed at you with increasing regularity with no real source behind it. And you may find yourself being tossed–

Right out of the party. Wow, maybe the university party has bouncers that are a little more polite.

... IN THE CITY.

The party has ended! The one at the university is, apparently, going strong for multiple days! But you’ve resisted! You decided to go along with this experimental idea and made it through thus far! But the horrors persist, don’t they?

And maybe they’re a little more stubborn than you are.

1. COMPULSION. You went to the party, or you never did--it doesn't matter. For some reason, you can’t get the thought of going to the university party out of your head. And maybe it’s light, at first. Just a passing thought. Or maybe you find yourself unconsciously heading in the direction of the university, or even start having it come up in conversation.

“Hey how are you” totally sounds like “Halloween party at the university”, right? Doesn’t this actually sound like a good idea, the more you think about it?

2. DISORIENTATION. Something feels… off. You only paused for a few seconds, so why has it been an hour? Despite your best efforts, your focus keeps slipping away in increasing intervals, and the more frequently this happens, the more time you feel like you’ve lost, even if that person you’re with helps you fill in the blanks. And if no one’s there to assist? Well, you felt like getting lost today, surely!

3. TRICKS. As the day drags on, you may find yourself turning on your heel at the sound of… a familiar voice or a bit of nostalgic conversation, the joyful sounds of a party. But no matter which direction you hear it from, when you turn around, there’s no one there.

It gets worse. You start to see things, flickering across your line of vision, suddenly there. But it’s nothing friendly or warmly nostalgic. They’re flashes of your worst fears, more and more insistent, and these will only increase in frequency the longer you hold off on going to the university party. Is it really worth being stubborn over? This could all be resolved so very quickly.

4. IN COSTUME. If you were at the party, you find it difficult or even undesirable to take off the costume. If you weren’t at the party, you’ll still find yourself dressing up to get into the Halloween spirit, which maybe you didn’t actually give a damn about before? Such is the magic of the holidays.

But it’s more than just a different outfit. You’re starting to acquire characteristics of that outfit. And maybe you can feel those fake vampire fangs digging into your lip with increasing sharpness. Wow, that face paint for your zombie costume is starting to look alarmingly legit! That growl that just came out of your throat might have been wolfish and convincing, but surely you’re not actually turning into a wolf–right?

Don’t worry, it’s not actually real. But you should really go check out the university! Haven’t you been through enough?

Comments

kim kitsuragi | disco elysium

[aceslow]

a. party.

[ When Kim arrives at the party, it's not in-costume. He's not in a merry mood, he will admit, and he doesn't see the point in dressing up at the best of times; it's a humiliating practice for most people, deeply unnecessary, and uncomfortable besides. No, he's here out of solidarity, to support their hosts' attempts to protest against the patterns they've all found themselves falling into. He is, at least, open enough to the party to spoon himself a hot cup of - non-alcoholic - apple cider and sit back, content enough to watch the younger, more spirited members of their community at least pretend to have a good time.

He looks around the place, a little impressed despite himself. ] They really went all-out on the decorations, didn't they? I would have thought just staying away from the university would have been good enough.

[ Despite his words, he doesn't sound as though he disapproves; rather, there's a quirk at the corner of his mouth. If people here want to make their own fun, he's all for it. Life here is difficult. They need to find joy where they can. ]

b. compulsions.

[ After the party, it becomes apparent that it's all gone to shit. He had set out on his way to walk home, but keeps on finding himself suddenly turning tail, setting off towards the university without his knowing it. He's stuck in that cycle for god knows how long, endlessly pacing the city block, hands shoved deep in his pockets as he tries to ignore the prickling along the nape of his neck, the way that he simply stands there at the crossroads, losing track of time until ten, twenty, thirty minutes have passed. Why can't he just go home? Eventually, he simply sits down cross-legged in the middle of the sidewalk, glaring out at the world before him. It's the only way he seems to be able to resist the urge to break out into a run towards the university. ]

What the hell is...

[ And then, out of the corner of his eye, what he's been seeing all evening -- not a member of the City, but someone else, taking notes, watching him. ]

What is that?

a

[fanstheflames]

[ Overhearing him, one of the party organizers comes trotting over in full-blown pirate captain regalia, complete with Unnecessarily Fancy Hat. ]

Where'd be the fun in that? Sure, it's an experiment, but it doesn't mean it can't still be a party with creative decorations, right?

[ She went so hard, she's proud of it. ]

[aceslow]

Fun hasn't exactly been my priority.

[ That much is apparent just by looking at him -- Kim's inflexible face seems fixed in stony stoicism, his voice, gentle though it may be, just as quiet and calm. He's too old for this anyway, far older than most of the people here, comfortably middle-aged. Still, there's a softness to his eyes when he looks at Tsuruno. ]

Which isn't to say it shouldn't be yours. Best to find the good where you can. This was a good idea, you know. I wouldn't have been able to think of it myself.

[fanstheflames]

Thanks!

[ He seems like a very... stern-looking man, but it's not hard at all to spot that his eyes are anything but. Stoic he might seem, but at the very least...

He's still here, isn't he? He'd chosen that. ]

Robby's the one who brought it up in the first place, but I thought it was worth trying. I don't know what'll come of it, but...

I want to believe we'll learn something from it, either way.

[aceslow]

Even if nothing happens at all, I'll consider it a success -- as should you. Nothing is a sight better than most things that happen in this place, and in any case, you're encouraging people not to run directly into the plans made for us.

[ It's the only way to start pushing at the boundaries, these days. He wishes he could have thought of it himself, but he doesn't have that sort of flexible thinking. Juveniles have always been better at thinking up small, harmless ways to rebel than adults have. Kim has spent too long as the authority itself to have considered it.

And if things do go south -- well, that's why he and many others are here. They'll work together, no matter what happens. ] You're Tsuruno, right? You must be... [ He hums in thought. ] Still in high school, back home. Right?

[fanstheflames]

Oh--yeah, that's right. On both counts!

[ She only looks faintly surprised. Even though she isn't sure who this is, not by name, she'd introduced herself multiple times on the network and at the meeting and between two kids named "Tsuruno" and "Robby", it's likely fairly obvious who she is. ]

I'm in my second year of high school.

Um--sorry, and you are...?

[aceslow]

[ Year two... that's gotta be, what, sixteen, seventeen years old? She looks younger. ] Shame you're here. Your biggest worry should be college, or the school dance... anyway. I suppose you made a school dance of your own.

[ He sticks out his hand for her to shake, not one to forgo courtesy on the basis of age. ]

My name is Kim Kitsuragi. [ Wryly: ] And I've been out of high school for about as long as your teacher over there. [ He nods over to Daniel, off talking to people on his own. She's already come up between the two of them, however briefly. ] Nice to properly meet you.

[fanstheflames]

You too, Kitsuragi-san!

[ Tsuruno brightens a little, taking his hand for a firm shake. She's got the grip of someone who... well, it's probably not the grip of your average teenage girl. Her hand's not that soft.

Funny, though, that even back home, her biggest worries were far from things like college. Probably not something she should say, so she doesn't. ]

Are you one of Sensei's friends, then?

[aceslow]

Friend is probably putting it too strongly. We only met each other last month or so.

[ Kim Kitsuragi isn't a man with many friends. He is a man with friendly acquaintances. But he does quite like Daniel, and is willing to spend time with him, which probably speaks for more than it ought to. He notices, too, the callouses on her hand, the strength in her grip.

Not altogether unusual for a teenager, where Kim is from, where youth are just as likely to be out on the streets or labouring in whatever jobs they can get just to make ends meet, but telling nonetheless. At odds, perhaps, with her chipper demeanor. A detail to file away for later. ]

But we know each other, yes. Is he teaching you -- ah, what was it... karate, I think? [ It sounds a little silly in his accent; despite his appearance and his name, it's deeply French. ] I assume sensei must be some sort of honorific.

a

[miyagimagic]

[ Make that two old men who decided to not put on costumes for a Halloween party.. But given Daniel's own reasons for not doing it, coupled with what he knows about Kim-- it's not surprising at all to see the other not in costume either.

It's also not too surprising to see him here. It seems like the sort of thing Kim would support, even if Daniel's own angle on beiong here has a little more to do with looking out for the kids than necessarily rebellion in itself.

And when he approaches the other and hears what Kim is saying, a smile appears on Daniel's lips. Is he nervous about how this entire thing might turn out? Sure, but.. at least there's good company for now. It might help him forget about his worries for a few moments. ]

Those two don't do anything halfway. [ There's some pride in the words that Daniel couldn't hide, even if he'd try. ] This entire plan was wild enough by itself, wasn't it?

[aceslow]

[ It's not a surprise to see Daniel here as well; it's his ward responsible for this whole thing, after all, and he'd be remiss to miss it, or to not be here to keep an eye on things in case things go awry. Kim is half-expecting that they will, but they lose nothing by trying. ]

It was. Just like a couple of kids to think of it, too. If we can't speak with the people in charge, we can at least convey our dissatisfaction in a different way. I just hope it doesn't backfire on us.

[ He takes a sip of his drink -- a non-alcoholic, effervescent thing. ]

Is Tsuruno one of your students as well?

[miyagimagic]

Yeah.

[ See, it's not that Daniel doesn't think what Kim says before it is important. He does, but it's exactly the reason he's here, and why he's so worried about all of this, and he really doesn't want to think right now about how this could backfire, especially on the kids.

So he's doing the healthy thing of pushing that down to focus on something that's a little easier to talk about. Something that can actually keep the smile up on his face as he speaks up to the other, watching the girl in question from across the room. ]

Not from back home the way Robby is, though. She just asked me to teach her some stuff here, so I have been doing that.

[ See? Kid talk. Much safer. He'd apologize for bothering you with it, Kim, but it's better than getting all depressed and worried about whatever bad thing could happen, right. ]

Between you and me, I'm pretty sure she and Robby are dating, but they're at that age where admitting as much to their teacher is extremely embarrassing, so they haven't done that yet.

[aceslow]

[ Good of him, to take another student on here -- but after just a few conversations with the man, it's probably the least surprising thing he could say. The guy's passionate about protecting kids. There's something underneath all that, most likely. Or maybe he's just a good man. Not every act of charity comes with some awful reason behind it. Just most of them. ]

Dating, huh? [ He snorts. ] Trust teenagers to date, even in a place like this.

[ There's no real derision in it. Just age. Age and experience, and the knowledge of how messy break-ups can get -- especially teenaged ones. ]

Good for them. Better than hanging out with the likes of us all day, [ he points out, raising a brow at Daniel. ] At least they're past the age where you'd need to give them the talk. I don't know if any of you would come out of that unscathed.

[miyagimagic]

[ There's an easy agreement on Daniel's end about the whole dating thing, nodding his head right along to it. Yes, Daniel has sure seen how messy teenage relationships can get.. It's just one of those aspects of dealing with kids you're forced to get used to real quick.

On the other hand? He's just glad to see they're doing alright. That they're still finding little moments of happiness where they can, even in a place like this.

.. It's a thought he's drawn out of real quick with what Kim says next, making the man let out a short laugh before he shakes his head. ]

I've already done my time when it comes to that. [ Time for someone else to pick up the slack, if there are younger kids in this place who'd have to be told that.. ] My daughter-- Sam. She looked like she was dying pretty much the entire time.

[ So maybe he's not the most efficient when it comes to that. Sue him. ]

My other kid just told me to hurry it up so he could go back to playing his video games. [ Another shake!! Of his head!! ] I'm not sure if that's better or worse.

[ There's a very slight pause, but then Daniel seems to realise something, looking back at Kim. ]

Ah, sorry if I'm just boring you with these personal stories. [ H-Haha, talking about yourself, what's that? What's being used to that. Daniel wouldn't know. ]

[aceslow]

[ Kim shakes his head. ] No, not at all.

[ Between the two of them, Harry's the can-opener. Kim doesn't have Harry's remarkable social skills for it or, indeed, much in the way of social skills outside of what he needs to get by in polite society at all. Harry has a supra-natural knack for it, to ask the right questions, apply the right pressure, threaten and cajole, wheedle and charm, a force that sucks you in and makes you want to tell him what he wants to know. Kim would make for a poor police officer indeed if he didn't know his own weakness in that respect.

But he has a different power of his own, albeit not one particularly helpful in most policework. He cannot make people talk, but there's something that encourages it. His expression, closed off as it is, is quietly kind, a gentleness to his small smile, rapt attention in eyes magnified by the thick lens of his glasses and in the near-permanent crease of his brow. It does not make people talk, but it reassures others that whatever they say, he will listen. ]

So you have a daughter and a son. [ Daniel must miss them terribly. Kim does not voice this thought aloud. Daniel is in no need of more reminders. ] They must both be in their teens now, yes? [ His eyes flit to the ring on Daniel's finger, then back to him. ] A handful, at that age, though I imagine having your wife around helps matters.

[miyagimagic]

[ There's a slight hum of confirmation when Kim assumes they are in their teens. Usually Daniel would have given a verbal answer, and something more elaborate than just a yes or no on top of it, but.. there's definitely something on his mind when it comes to this topic. While it might be hard to determine what exactly it is, it must be entirely obvious to someone as observant as Kim that Daniel has somehing in particular on his mind when it comes to this specific topic.

Yet Daniel - perhaps typically - doesn't say it right away. Hell, he doesn't want to say it at all.

But he thinks back on a talk he had in this place. With Tsuruno, ironically enough. The way the girl encouraged him to at least talk to a fellow adult about his problems, even if he didn't want to tell the kids about it. And while Daniel did promise her he'd do that, it feels like.. a lot to drop suddenly on someone's shoulders.

Even someone who has so far been as understanding as Kim.

Daniel swallows, and when he speaks, his voice is a little more quiet. Not a full on whisper, but this is definitely something he isn't intending on sharing with more people than just Kim here, apparently. ]

Actually, she-- she took the kids and left. A little while before I ended up here, I mean.

[aceslow]

[ Oh. Oh, shit. He walked right into that one, didn't he? A part of him had somehow painted some sort of idyllic life for Daniel despite himself; clearly married, he had thought Daniel a happy father and husband, content to watch over the various kids he's taken under his care, a nice, ordinary life for a nice, ordinary man, albeit one who has found himself wrapped up in affairs beyond his control.

He had turned his detective brain off in favour of a couple of nice conversations, hadn't he? As Kim thinks about it, more things slip into place. To be caught up in such violence puts a strain in any relationship - Kim has seen more break-ups during his tenure as an officer than he cares to consider; divorcees and bachelors, the lot of them - and consumed with his students, the dojo he runs when he's not labouring at his day job... how much time does that leave him, exactly? How deep do his workaholic tendencies run?

Those are just guesses, of course. Poor sod. Life isn't easy on any of them. ]

I'm sorry to hear that. [ Kim does not willingly engage in emotional conversations as a general rule, a rule that he has found himself breaking time and time again during his time here. He's only human, after all. Besides, if Daniel doesn't tell this to him, who the hell would he talk to about it? Robby? One of the dozen volunteers who look to him as the leader of the welcome diner? Kim doesn't think so.

A dire state of affairs, to have the kids taken away. But not the end of all things. Daniel is still wearing his ring, after all. ]

Was it... because of what you found yourself wrapped up in? [ He gestures at his face. ] The injuries you arrived with. That whole mess.

a-ish

[strongroots]

[ Robby has joined in with the costumes, going for a silly cowboy outfit to match the very serious mood of the night. He's a smile to everyone that shows up, if less energetic as his co-host, but he's doing his polite rounds to people that show up.

And he recognises a certain man when he sees if, even if Robby needs a second -- but only a second, given that he doesn't need to think hard about where he might've seen an older-looking man.

Ah, right. ]

Mister Kisseragi? [ There's no need for his approach to him to be a surprise; and regardless of if Kim sees Robby approach him or not, his smile to him is sheepish from the start. ] Sorry, uh, I dunno if I said that right. Nice to see you.

[aceslow]

Kitsuragi, [ Kim corrects him, but it doesn't appear that he's bothered by it; if he took offense every time his name was mispronounced, he doesn't think he'd ever stop being offended. ] And you're Robby. Nice to finally meet you. [ His eyes flick up to Robby's cowboy hat, then back to his face. ] Partner.

[ His voice is incredibly flat, but at least time it's pretty clear that he is, in fact, joking. ]

Well done putting this all together. Happy with how it's turned out?

[ They won't know for sure until the party is over. How it turns out isn't based on how well it's attended, how much effort they've put into the decorations, how much people dance and party, but what happens to them in the aftermath. But they can keep things light for now. It is a party, after all, even if he's not dressed for it. ]

[strongroots]

[ Kitsuragi, he notes to himself, tries to remember that for the future (and it helps to hear again). He gives his own grin at the partner, flat as it might be- - eyes following where Mister Kitsuragi looked, and then a finger poking the underside of the hat's brim. ]

Dunno, yet. [ He's at least honest in that regard. ] 'Pends on what happens for the rest of the night for everyone. We don't know how many people stayed back and if it'll make a difference--or if something's gonna happen 'cause we did this.

[ There was the party itself, and then everything about what the party stood for, and Robby seems to be focusing on that for the answer. Even if he's gotten dressed up, and he's playing a good sport (as he should, as the host), he knows why he's here. ]

[aceslow]

[ Robby's quite business-minded about this whole thing. Kim can understand why; despite putting forth their best efforts to make this an enjoyable diversion, they came up with this whole affair for a reason, and a damn good one. It only makes sense that he's focused on their goal.

He wishes that he could offer the kid some sort of empty platitude he may otherwise be able to lean on. I'm sure it will all turn out, or just a few people being here would still count. The sort of thing that you'd tell a kid worried about his actual party being poorly attended, and not in defiance of some invisible, sadistic hand.

Instead, he just hums. ] That's true. There's no way of predicting what will happen. But, I think, if nothing else... we'll gain some new information from this. And in a place like this, information is our most valuable resource.

[ He glances around the space, recognizing quite a few of the guests. ]

Considering our general population size, it should be significant enough to count. I'd say there's fifteen, maybe twenty percent of the population here.

[ It's not too impressive to look at. But relative of their small community? It's substantial. ]

[strongroots]

[ It may be a low number, but Robby doesn't mind--for all the reasons a person can say they join forces under the circumstances, it also doesn't mean they're going to. He tips his head to Mister Kitsuragi's count, considering it himself. ]

Hope we figure out if keeping it off the network makes a difference. If it doesn't, I'm not gonna be shy about what I say on it. Being shy about what we say or share just makes it harder for the rest of us to keep up. [ ...though, even saying that, he's a furrowed brow as he thinks to ask: ] Are people still hiding info around the city? Did you hear about that?

[ Or was that a one time idea that never went anywhere....? ]

[aceslow]

I heard about it here and there, though I was never personally involved with it. To my knowledge, most of the people involved with it have since vanished. Alongside many others, I'll add -- no use in going down a conspiracy rabbit hole just yet.

[ Otherwise it would look as though their primary movers and shakers have been spirited away, wouldn't it? But Kim isn't willing to go quite that far yet. Not when other disappearances have been happening with just as great a frequency.

He doesn't know what to make of those disappearances yet, honestly. He's just praying that they've been returned home, where they belong. ]

I'm not certain it makes that big of a difference. We're clearly being surveilled no matter what we do. Precautions are never a bad idea, of course, but with the way crime and punishment works here... [ He shakes his head. ] We may not be able to see security cameras, but eyes are on us nonetheless.

[strongroots]

[ Truthfully, Robby doesn't remember much of the faces from the one meeting he did go to. Tried to keep a hold of what was said and shared most of all, though he knows about people disappearing over time, doesn't take any pointed belief about it, considering how often it does happen.

He misses the Dog. Sometimes, he even thinks that maybe it's still around, somewhere. It's a nice, useless thought. ]

We're being surveilled by the big guys, par'ner. [ Someone's been practising their cowboy accent, and Robby pokes the tip of his hat along with it. That's what you do, isn't it? ] Whaddya think our next course of action should be out there in the wild?

[ No. The tone--and crooked smile--never left. ]

[aceslow]

[ Robby is, Kim thinks, a little like his mentor -- cheesy, but so terribly earnest about it that he can't do much beyond fondly rolling his eyes. ]

Mm. I'd say we could give them a big 'fuck you', but we're already doing that, aren't we?

[ A small smile. It occurs to him that some may disapprove of him using such language in front of a teen, but he's not delusional. The kid's heard much worse. ]

Find a metal detector and look for cameras, maybe? I don't know if it's anything so mundane, but it's worth a shot.