citylogs | [open mingle: the sunlight at midnight gala]

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[open mingle: the sunlight at midnight gala]

WHO: Anyone attending the Sunlight at Midnight gala!
WHAT: KISS PEOPLE AND DANCE IDK
WHERE: The freshly-renovated Planetarium in District 4!
WHEN: Saturday, December 2
WARNINGS: None for the log itself; please warn responsibly in individual top-levels!

THE VENUE

Upon entry to the newly-renovated venue space that was once a planetarium, guests will quickly notice that the space has been transformed into a three-layered affair, ranging from the very well-lit upper level down to the more romantic ambiance of the dance floor and performance space, with a comfortable tier of seating and standing tables in the middle.

Not intended by Ghost (

badfeyth) and Kaveh (

fussiest), yet still mysteriously appearing at random places throughout the venue, are sprigs of magical kissing mistletoe!

The mistletoe will cause characters to at least pause underneath it, and will give them a mild compulsion to kiss whoever they're with, but the compulsion will not be unavoidable and characters can easily break free of the "hold" the mistletoe has on them. Even so, partygoers will quickly learn to be mindful of what's overhead — or not!

UPPER TIER

On the well-lit upper tier, guests will find plenty of generalized mingle room, including two patios with casual seating on either side of the space. Throughout the center are a variety of stations and attractions, as well as some helpful resources for the discerning partygoer.

For the fashionably un-forward, you may wish to visit (or find yourselves forcibly dragged into) Lestat's on-site fashion consulting lair, which boasts a small and curtained-off space where partygoers in need can receive last-minute fashion advice, do wardrobe finishing touches, and address any other aesthetic concerns under the discerning eye of LESTAT DE LIONCOURT (perfectdevil). This is also where a selection of basic cosmetics and beauty supplies can be found, in case of a need for an emergency touch-up, safety pin, or spot removal!

Continuing onward, guests will find four individual food stations, each with their own set of color-coded disposable dishware! Perhaps they'd like to take a sampling of:

• STATION #1 — TSURUNO (fanstheflames): Fried rice in the shape of Christmas trees, dumplings with carrot reindeer antlers and red pepper noses, and fortune cookies that tell you to go dance with somebody already!
• STATION #2 — ROLAND (gradenine): Hotpot with mild and spicy soup bases plus a variety of vegetables and meats, and KBBQ with chicken, pork, and beef cuts, plus sides!
• STATION #3 — RENO (astraphilia): Whipped goat cheese figs, brie and prosciutto stuffed dates, and sprouting cauliflower with brown butter and lemon — paired with a couple of simple cocktails (a negroni and a Bombay mule)!
• STATION #4 — WANDERER (featheradrift): Samosas, panipuri, Japanese-style sandwiches, and a lot of sweets and desserts like chocolate truffles, pâte de fruit, candied nuts, madeleines, and custards!

Champagne (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) is also circulating around the venue under the watchful eye of KANEKI (anthropophagite), and a small selection of coffee is available at a nearby station as well!

Finally, at the far end of the upper concourse, one can find a partitioned-off space for photo opportunities featuring a black-and-gold backdrop, an arch aglow with fairy lights, and a few idle props like chairs and small movable tables that partygoers can use to coordinate their souvenir photos. PROMPTO (burstmodes) will be around to do formal event photography, but there'll also be a Polaroid available so that people can take their own photos and develop them instantly!

VISUALS: AESTHETICS & ETC.

MIDDLE TIER

On the mid-tier halfway down the stairs that flank the venue on either side, partygoers will find a landing with an assortment of standing tables covered in black tablecloths and tied with gold bows, where guests can enjoy their refreshments, engage in conversation, and people-watch the goings-on taking place below them on the dance floor! To prevent any mischief or accidental spilling of food onto hapless dancers below, each landing is lined with a courtesy railing, and immediately below the railing is an arrangement of tasteful decor.

Between the two landings, guests can find the remnants of the planetarium seating — fold-down auditorium chairs with comfortable cushions arranged in gently circular rows, giving the people relaxing there a perfect view of the dance floor and the spectacle of lights taking place below it.

VISUALS: AESTHETICS & ETC.

LOWER TIER

The lowest level of the venue, at the very bottom of the stairs, is the most dimly-lit of the three levels and is mostly comprised of the dance floor. Along the back wall and parts of the sides runs a slightly-raised platform stage upon which are arranged a piano, an electric guitar, a stereo system, and a few microphones for the convenience of any vocalists in the house. The stage is wide enough for one or two people to walk around comfortably, but generally is fairly modest to leave the majority of the room for the dance floor.

It's on the dance floor that the real "sunlight at midnight" theme takes its shape, as this is where the bulk of Kaveh's artificial lighting technology has been put into play. Along with standard party enhancements like a few spotlights and an overhead disco ball, the perimeter is also dotted with round arrays of stained glass with light fixtures behind them, causing panels of colored light to cast onto the hardwood of the dance floor. These arrays can also be rotated like kaleidoscopes, allowing for the patterns of light to change throughout the course of the evening — adding an element of renewable interest in the continuing aesthetic.

VISUALS: AESTHETICS & ETC.

ENTERTAINMENT

Throughout the course of the evening, music will be provided by a rotating set list of performers, interspersed with prearranged playlists courtesy of the new media store. Entertainers will be informed of their set lengths, obligations, and timeslots well in advance of the venue by Ghost, and any necessary instruments or microphone hookups will be ready and available at the time of the performance.

Performers on deck include:

• HYTHLODAEUS (nomoresharks) and EMET-SELCH (recreator): Jazz piano bops along with some ragtime arrangements.
• EDDIE (thefreak): A mix of slow rock ballads and hard rock dance numbers, on electric guitar!

In addition to the live performances, the venue will also be treated to some traditional mid-2000s party favorites such as:

• BLORBOLICIOUS, by Gurgi (feat. Bill.i.was)
• HIPS SOMETIMES LIE, by The Kira
• SANDSQUALL, by DaNice
• MAYBE GONNA GIVE YOU UP, by Rickard Dastley
• MAMBO NO. 4 AND A HALF, by Stu Vega
• THE CHA-CHA HUSTLE, by DJ FriendlyGhost
• VIRUS, by Boo Boo Dolls

VISUALS: AESTHETICS & ETC.

LIVEBLOG

Looking to add some network spam to your gala experience? Check out our dedicated IC NETWORK POST!

credit.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Oh? How interesting. He would have fought a god if he'd had the chance to. The drifter had thought he was just playing himself up but now he's genuinely curious to know how powerful the man is. ]

I don't suppose you'd be interested in measuring yourself against a lowly being like me?

[ Seriously, Wanderer, stop challenging people to fights!! ]

I didn't force him to wear them. That is what he choice himself. Therefore he can deal with the consequences of his choices.

[ Foot prison... ]

Well, I'm glad he did. There is a dance floor, after all, and I'll be quite honest about how I don't know what or how much of whatever it is people will spill onto the floor if given half a chance and a glass of wine. He's saving himself quite a bit of trouble by putting on shoes.

That, and you know that he's doing it for you.

[ Will isn’t entirely sure he can say the same about himself and his date but it makes sense. He asked to not stand out too much but he would never ask Armand to do the same, just because he needs to blend in fashionwise while taking tentative steps to quit hiding in… other areas. ]

I didn’t have a date, and then uh… My best friend got one and I spent most of the night sulking about it and trying to work out why I was so bothered.

[ Spoilers: the reason was jealousy and the confusion was because he hadn’t quite managed to twig that he liked a boy until everyone else started liking girls.

Will shrugs and smiles a little wry. If Lestat had figured him out just as everyone at home had figured him out he feels like maybe it’s safe to assume it’s okay to talk about with Louis. ]

Turns out the weird upset I was feeling was jealousy because I wanted to be his date instead of her. So this time is already way better.

[ And if he can deal with talking about Mike and isn’t crying then maybe he can answer the other question without acting too wounded either. It’s weird, he’d been so used to being independent enough that the smothering when he came back from the dead chafed but now it’s gone? It’s lonely. ]

I miss them, but I’m okay, I think. I’m trying to remember that I can ask for help if I need it even without them here.

[A floating urge comes up to grab the man by the throat and toss him out of his curtains onto his ass so he can stop laughing so obnoxiously. He tamps it down. First of all, he's not some violent thug. Second of all, would that really do anything? He'd probably laugh more.]

...The type of man to eat?

[He trips over the turn of phrase, a little confused - his eyes flit to the held-up shirt, white as before, with that little wet spot.]

I... [He's thrown off, like a drunkard clambering back to his feet. He tries his best to save face, hanging his head low with a little glower and vivid red eyes.] I don't typically wear it, no.

[Avoiding the answer, while simultaneously giving it.]

I think it is. I wouldn't know. Mostly? That's an interesting choice of word.

[If he notices her sheepishness, he doesn't comment on it, simply giving her a glance.]

Mm. [A definite pause.] I was asked to go. I suppose that answers your question.

[ Honestly, he shouldn't let Cyno get away with all of this. And yet, get away with all of this is exactly what he does.

What a nuisance. Tighnari spoils him by all of this. He rolls his eyes. Holds out his hand for the other. ]

One dance. That's it.

[ Jo makes a 😬 face of sympathy. ]

No fear, mate, I won't hold it against you. They're pretty magical plants. If it's something's idea of a joke, it knows its herbcraft.

Oh?

[ Reno's eyebrows lift a little, and he follows Louis' upward glance to see—ah. the sight of the mistletoe makes him laugh, and he shakes his head a little. despite having been caught by it once before already, Reno hadn't been expecting it here too. fool him twice, etc. ]

I didn't realize. [ which is as good as admitting that he'd want to kiss Louis anyway, but surely that can't come as a surprise by now. Reno is subtle like a brick to the face about his desires, after all. ] I hope it wasn't terrible.

[ his eyes are alight with warm amusement, though, because Reno can tell by the flush in Louis' cheeks and the slight warmth in his tone that even if the kiss wasn't given necessarily by choice, he isn't exactly upset about it, either. still, Reno uses his grip on Louis' waist and hand to guide them a few steps out from under the mistletoe—who knows how often the impulse returns? ]

[ it's the stun baton that's of more interest to Reno, too, if only because he's entirely used to living in an apartment devoid of any personal touches. his apartment back in Midgar had been nearly the same way, just a place where he kept his clothes and occasionally put his head on a pillow—not a home the way some people make their living spaces.

he tilts his head a little, considering how best to explain the e-mag rod he'd wielded as part of his Turk kit. ]

Yeah, it's a weapon—electro-magnetic. Mostly metal, about two feet long. Collapsible. Channels an electric current. [ it would be a tall order for Kaveh to fabricate something like it, Reno thinks—not as any kind of insult to his skills but just because it's such a complicated creation. still, if he needs something low-stakes and smaller in scale to focus on... ] I can draw it, if that'd help.

Regrettably my date for this evening has been deemed too young to drink [ The irony that Armand himself from a physical standpoint, falls into the same category, is not lost on him. That and the fact that most of his latter mortal life was devoted to the consumption of wine and excess - which probably explains a lot. ] so I have not had the pleasure.

[ He sighs a little dramatically wistful ] But I can accompany you to the temptations of an open tab if you like.

I think of it still, even now. It was never the vision that disturbed me.

[ Lestat holds Armand’s body close against his, as if proximity will make it easier for the elder vampire to know that what he says is the truth, to believe him without any of that stereotypical cynicism Armand is so well known for by now. ]

It was being somewhere else, away from what I knew to be true, on terms that weren’t my own. You know as well as Louis does, that I don’t react well to things out of my control.

[ Armand had seen how disturbed he’d been by Akasha’s words, and now he’d glimpsed into the time they’d spent together too, and with that context he must know that Lestat hadn’t feared the fantasy, he’d feared the loss of reality. But now? Could Lestat share that dream with Armand now?

Lestat brings one hand up, palm spread between Armand’s shoulder blades, encouraging his body closer still as his head leans down. Golden curls tumble over Armand’s auburn ones as Lestat whispers, so softly only a vampire could hear it: ]

Perfect.

[ A mirrored hall, candlelight, surrounded by the press of fragrant mortals. Armand taking up Lestat’s hand as he steps back, bows, lips to fine boned knuckles. Lestat shows Armand the vision he’d given to him, reflected back in perfect symmetry, only this time their dance isn’t crowded into a small space but given room to breathe. The mortals in the room turn to watch, and Louis smiles warmly from the sidelines as they go. No small corners for them, no tight and darkened alleys; they deserve the floor as much as anyone else, and this light is all for them. ]

[ Lestat laughs a bit, ] You just told me that you don’t think I could harm you, so I’m a little wary of your abilities in all honesty, monsieur.

[ A beat. ]

But then, I’m powerfully curious. As I said, unless you’re some kind of God, I doubt you’ll be too much a match for me. And then, even Gods are somewhat subdued here…

[ He’s definitely chewing off more than he can potentially swallow, but he’ll be sure to give it a good gnaw before his time is up. This is the same man who fought off seven wolves and lived when he was a malnourished teenager, after all. If there’s one thing he’s good at doing, it’s surviving. ]

Alright. Let’s do it. But I want there to be a prize. Those that are willing to settle for simple glory are wasting their time.

I’m tidy, you see. I don’t like to waste a drop.

[ Two can play at the game of avoiding an answer while giving it. Only Lestat has to wonder if his meaning will be caught. He doesn’t mind either way; on one hand he gets to play the game a little longer, and on the other he gets to see a mind comprehend a possibility it hadn’t considered before. Win-win for him.

He takes a cloth, pressing out as much of the water as he can, and while his hands are busy and his view unstimulated, he turns his gaze toward his sullen companion. Well, he looks at his chest more before he looks at his face, but, he’s trying. ]

I see, taking a risk, were you? Well, it certainly paid off. You looked quite dashing, stain aside. I’m sure, whatever the intention, the result was satisfying.

[Emet-Selch shoots her a look that all but screams "truly? and you expect me to believe that??" He'd rather not take his attention off the thing completely, however. Who knows what it might be capable of besides lurking about like an unwanted neighbor.]

Yet that doesn't explain why they're so large, nor why they've taken on the shape of a talos of all things.

[He scowls, but seems to walk himself back from any further shouting or causing an even bigger scene.]

How did this come about? What manner of spell did you use - or what were you thinking of in the moment these "biscuits" of yours took form?

Because it just doesn't feel right.

[She has no better explanations than that.]

It sort of feels like I need an adult, actually.

[... Oh! It does! And in a very exciting way!]

You mean--with a date? [gasppppp] That's so romantic...!

[It stands there, staring vacantly and dopily at him in return. That vacant, long, gingerbread man-esque smile......

Altria just goes red, though, ducking her head a bit and rubbing the back of her neck.]

Well... at first I was just making regular biscuits! But there are so many exciting and delicious ingredients here... so many types of sugars and sweets and things! I wanted to put all of the delicious things in the batter, but then it wasn't coming together properly...

[Because there was absolutely zero balance in the batter at that point.]

... Sooo... I helped it along a little bit with some... magecraft...?

You'll just have to find out then.

[ Now this is familiar. The grin on his face isn't entirely benign, though not because he has any ideas in mind. It's the sharp, almost feral grin of someone who's used to seeing violence. ]

A favour, any sort, big or small, so long as it's within our capabilities.

[ If you want to get really technical, Muriel is kinda disguised as a human, and that disguise is hard enough to maintain! Ethan has a point though; most people haven't been fooled by the whole 'human' thing, they've just been polite enough not to push the subject, since Muriel is such an atrocious liar. Sooner or later, someone is going to push.

They draw themself up straight, raising an eyebrow. ]

I appreciate your concern, but I don't plan on going to any gambling dens, so I don't think that will be a problem.

[ Her eyebrows go up at the first bit. Is Armand dating one of the under-eighteens? No, wait, under-twenty-ones? She supposes that there comes a time after you've turned two hundred or so where a seventeen-year-old and a thirty-four-year-old don't seem that different, especially if you look like a teenager yourself, so ... she hopes he's being careful with his date, is all. ]

If you'd like to enjoy a glass of bubbly with me, I'd be happy to oblige. [ She gives him a peck on the cheek and disentangles herself to start towards the bar, if he'll come with. ]

[ foot associations are legal yes!! ]

You're a shoe-in, for sure.

Cyrus, just before I was officially instated as the General Mahamatra. He knew there would be a gala in my honor, so he thought it best that I learn. At first it was difficult, but.. then he likened it to fighting, and I understood.

[ and cyno's fighting style is nothing if not a quick and fluid dance. ]

Well.. that may be true, but I still need to do my job quietly and efficiently. It's much easier for me, too, if people trust me.

[ a smile blooms across cyno's face, warm and gentle as he takes tighnari's hand and begins to lead him out toward the dance floor. weaving their fingers together, his free arm scoops tighnari in close. ]

Only one?

[ leaning in, he touches their brows together. ]

Then please, beautiful stranger, allow me to enchant you.

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[open mingle: the sunlight at midnight gala]

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