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?
a-ish
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.
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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....? ]
no subject
[ 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.
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
Not like we haven't got time to spare, if you're that bored. [ Not that Robby thinks it's a waste, but it doesn't mean it can't be boring. Eliminating potential leads has to be boring sometimes, right? ]
But if they don't need cameras or networks to know what we're doing or care about it, us normal people are in a lot of trouble, don't you think? I'm not scaring off whatever's behind all this.
[ Neither does Robby think Mister Kitsuragi is, but that's kind of the sorry state of their normal human being situation. ]