Tsuruno "all fired up" Yui (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
fanstheflames) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
citylogs2023-10-20 08:45 am
fanstheflames) wrote in citylogs2023-10-20 08:45 am
[OPEN] Residential Halloween Party
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!
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....
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.
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.
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?
“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?
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
[ 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...?
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
I don't really think there's a time limit on how long it takes someone to be a friend? But yeah, it's what I'd call a teacher back home! I had some karate lessons a while ago, but it's been nice to start it up again while I'm here, especially since... it's this place.
[ Which could be construed as it being potentially dangerous or, in Tsuruno's case, a place that dampens her abilities, but she's still for the most part acting like a normal teenager here. ]
I feel a lot better, taking it from him!
no subject
It's a fine thing to learn self-defense while you're here, yes. I have half a mind to ask him to teach me a thing or two as well.
[ Not that Kim doesn't know self-defense of his own, but his is far less regimented and in all likelihood, far dirtier. He's not above hitting below the belt, as it were. ]
Did you have a part time job or something back home?
no subject
Community service?
[ Well, it's not a lie. ]
Nothing I got paid for, but keeping the restaurant in business was the most important part! And I don't think Sensei would mind teaching you a little bit, if you wanted.
no subject
[ Spoken as someone without a college education, though that's neither here nor there. ]
What sort of community service? Unless you count helping your family as community service in its own right, of course.
no subject
[ she waggles her hands a bit, demonstratively. ]
The community service is pretty diverse! I helped find someone's dog, I fixed a bunch of businesses after we had a big storm sweep through, I helped out at a factory for a while carrying things for the workers, I piggybacked a grandma to her son's house, I--
[ She can keep going. ]
no subject
[ He sounds both exasperated and fond at the memory. How many things did they get wrapped up during the murder investigation? Helping a failed business find out how it happened, investigating hauntings of the commercial district, assisting the punks in setting up their own dance club, hunting down cryptids on behalf of a few old quacks, finding a new stuffed bird for the hostel owner...
She and Harry would probably get along. Not that he's keen to introduce a child to the man. ]
Is that community service, or is that just being a busybody? No wonder you set this whole thing up. There are fewer old women to hep across the street here.
[ ...though she must be pretty strong if she piggybacked a grandmother across town. ]
no subject
But she tilts her head, studying Kim with an air of thoughtfulness that cuts through at least some of the enthusiasm but still keeps that brightness in her eyes. ]
Honestly, I can't tell if you're judging me or not. Or maybe trying to figure me out?
no subject
[ She took that very maturely, didn't she? It's a little amusing. ]
The person I was comparing you to is my partner. I would be in a difficult spot if I disliked him. [ A small smile. ] Likewise, I'm sure you could compare me to all sorts of meddling adults in your life.
[ Anything but a gym teacher, and he'll take it. ]
no subject
I don't really have a lot of meddling adults in my life.
[ A pause. ]
I think I've run into them more here than anywhere else, actually.
no subject
[ People Kim's age are too. The sweet spot seems to be a bunch of people in their twenties and thirties, which makes sense if this is an experiment; those are the ages people usually bother inspecting, after all.
Still... her absolute sincerity is at least a little telling about where she comes from. ]
I suppose running a restaurant keeps your parents pretty busy. I'll admit I'm not sure what's normal on that front. It's not like I'm a parent myself.