[open mingle: the sunlight at midnight gala]

[badfeyth]

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.

    

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credit.

Comments

☆ QUESTIONS ☆

[badfeyth]

daan | fear & hunger

[limbical]

I. another mask, and another. [middle tier]

[For Daan's part in terms of his state of dress, he wears primarily dark colors with the slight pop of the red brooch arranged against the black ribbon he has tied under the collar of his shirt, and the red on the bottom of his polished shoes. The color holding meaning if one knows how to think of it, where to look, but otherwise it's innocuous. Just an innocent choice, surely.

Most unshockingly, he spends his time with a drink in hand, although he does pause occasionally to gaze out thoughtfully -- or, rather, it is with a distinct look of yearning when he catches sight of Vergilius.

Honestly, there's a part of him the already kind of regrets holding himself back, wanting to respect the man's wishes but also fervently missing even touching his hand, the comfortable sensation of his warmth. How absurd, he thinks faintly; how much he's spent his life alone, and now he can hardly stand it.]

Mm. [Daan shuts his eye and has a drink from his glass before he lets out a sigh.]


II. here you are again. [upper tier]

[Daan had meant it when he told Vergilius he'd feel safer having him at the party as well, but nonetheless fears and anxieties are irrational, relentless, and do continue to plague his mind. It's in part why he'd been more comfortable playing bartender at previous gatherings; a nice, solid counter between him and everyone else felt secure. Figures this is the first time in awhile he opted to be a partygoer instead, and it's starting to bite him in the ass. Though it is impossible and he logically knows that damned cat isn't here, there's still the sense of something watching him. He can practically hear his voice--

Let's face it, old friend. You never did feel like you quite fit in with those smiling crowds, did you? You always felt like an outsider. Like you were just a bystander, spectating what life looked like in the sun. Like using a mask, you hid the darkness...

An uneasy breath escapes him, and Daan rubs the bridge of his nose, suddenly feeling exhausted.

Oh, but that fooled no one. Everyone saw right through it. They knew your true alignment, and your past. And you liked it like that. You liked feeling different. And you know it, don't you? There was never a mask. It was all you, baby. The pointy ears, the fangs, the wide eyes, a dirty degenerate--

Abruptly, Daan turns on his heel, making his way out to the patio to escape the overwhelming crowd. The cold air hits him, enough to cool the sweat on his brow.

He reaches into his pocket, getting his cigarettes and flicking one out to lightly grasp between his teeth before he lights it. A slow drag, and he exhales steadily, unwinding his nerves.

Stupid, he chides himself. The cat isn't even here right now, and he's gone and let himself get haunted anyway with memories alone.]


III. wildcard!

[make your own prompt, or ask for one!]

II

[immortalpoet]

[Of course, he's noticing when Daan is gone. How could he not? He keeps track of him like a diligent bodyguard, so when Daan turns suddenly and leaves, Vergilius is not too far on his heels.]

[He watches him for a moment, before approaching quietly to his side. He also stares out at the city, before turning his red eyes to the doctor with a concerned turn of his mouth.]

...Are you alright?

alucard | castlevania

[reposing]

I. are you not entertained? [lower tier]

[Alucard has a strange mix of nostalgia and discomfort at the same time, he finds. It's been a long time since he's been in a location full to the brim with people, though admittedly he does know that most of them are not to be that concerned about. On one hand, he remembers the occasions that Dracula was beholden to for the sake of politics and dealing with his court, Alucard -- Adrian learning as a child how to behave, how to dance, how to interact.

But now he's been on his own in a way that feels like it's been too long. Too long, too many people dying or leaving or betraying, and Alucard not really truly belonging in whatever world exists. For mortals, for creatures of the night, for anything. Half of both, mastery of none. That, and he finds that he hasn't eaten in awhile, and he will need to change that soon. Sooner than later.

Alucard finds himself wishing he'd be more willing to imbibe, but he does not.

Instead, he approaches anyone on their lonesome by the dance floor, offering his hand out. He does not seem deterred much by whoever he addresses, regardless of who they are.]

Would you care to dance?


II. the dog prompt

[Under a mistletoe, there sits a fairly large wolf with a scar on his chest, tail thumping against the floor in irritation.

Are you trapped with the wolf? If so...

Now what?

Puppy kisses, maybe?]


III. kiss kiss

[There is, of course, also the variety with the man in question.

Perhaps in the midst of opting to move to another venue of the entire affair does Alucard find himself pausing, considering the mistletoe above. He frowns at the little plant, then turns his head with a slight huff of air.

Well. Here he is again, but this time in his normal form. Alucard folds his arms, put out.]


IV. wildcard

[choose your own adventure]

iii

[entwinedfate]

[ Oh, good, Argalia's being victimized by the desire to kiss someone.

It's such a strange desire, brief as it is. At least the man is familiar. A stranger would've gotten a different sort of reaction, more reservedly polite kind where he'd offer a playfully awkward laugh at their situation and perhaps an offer to make it quick.

But they've shared their woes and understood each other, fingernail deep, read one another just a bit. So Argalia reaches out to play with Alucard's ribbon and smiles a little cheekily. More like his own date than not. ]

I don't mind this sight of you either, Alucard; it's certainly different than the bottles strewn about. Irritated by a little plant?

Ethan Chandler | Penny Dreadful

[lupusintus]

I. winter kept us warm, covering earth in a forgetful snow [ outside ]

[ Rather than join the partygoers inside, Ethan has found himself lingering just outside and to the left of the Planetarium, dressed the part despite having little intention of actually setting foot inside. It's too soon to subject the people who had a run in with the wolf to his face, he thinks, but he has forced himself into attending with the sole purpose of keeping an eye on one Vanessa Ives. A man dressed up would be a little less conspicuous than a man decked out in something that could have been pulled from an old spaghetti western.

Occasionally he glances up, briefly snapped out of his thoughts by a passerby who spots him, to give them a sharp nod or polite smile before returning to his quiet patrol. Otherwise? He seems perfectly content to stand outside with the chilly winter air as his only company. The suit does well to hide the bulk of his still mending injuries but he's still sporting the evidence on his face and hands.

Idly, after some time passes, he eventually reaches into his pocket to pull out a finely crafted pocket watch and stare at its face once he flicks it open.

To Ethan from your Father is inscribed on the inside, for anyone nosy enough to approach. ]

II. and the days blur into one [ upper tier ]

[ After wading through the various levels of the party, he finally made his way up to one of the patios with a glass in tow, eager to cap off the night sooner rather than later. Even if people were polite about it, he felt an uncomfortable urge to look away every time someone looked in his direction, wondering if they were looking at him or looking for what lies beneath the surface. Silly, sentimental fool, he thinks, reminding himself that he outed himself of his own accord knowing not everyone would accept him.

Leaning against the railing, his back to the festivities, he carefully swirls around his drink and stares down at the ground below him. The cold is a welcome sensation, it reminds him of walking through the streets of London again and drags him down a nostalgic road temporarily.

With a sigh, he draws the glass to his lips and promptly empties it. ]

III. dancing underneath the skies [ lower tier ]

[ While other people might be looking at the dance floor in awe, Ethan looks torn between mild shock and disbelief. This is a man hailing from the 1890s, so the loud music and bright lights are something new entirely, as is the style of dancing some of the partygoers are partaking in. His repertoire holds one dance and one dance alone and that is the waltz Vanessa taught him, so he feels at a slight disadvantage on this front. However, while he might look perplexed, this soldier is taking intricate notes.

Not that he intends to put them into play yet, he is not about to walk onto a battlefield without knowing exactly what he's getting into.

Judging by the way he eventually cracks a small smile; the environment is not entirely unwelcome. ]

III. come feed the rain [ wildcard ]

[ Write up your own prompt or PM me for one. Want a kiss? Pucker up. ]

i

[entwinedfate]

[ Even if he hadn't responded to any of that, Ethan's face is known to him -- he did, after all, explain it thoroughly to the world. One of Argalia's dear friends back home is a wolflady, actually, so it doesn't bother him too much; going out of control isn't unusual either. Ease is his middle name as he approaches after a nod in his direction, the other clearly intending to brood in the cold whilst Argalia has other plans. ]

Surely if you're dressed this fine you ought to be enjoying yourself inside, my friend! Unless you consider the chill good company?

vergilius | limbus company

[immortalpoet]

1. party like its 1999 (all tiers)

[Any social gathering will have its stragglers, its wallflowers, its fishes out of water, and Vergilius is a man that seems to encompass all of those into one body. He's hard to miss, tall in his stature and stark in the bright white of his outfit (save for a cornflower blue handkerchief poking out of his coat pocket), but the fact of the matter is, he's not here to be the life of the party.]

[He keeps to the sides of the rooms he's in, occasionally sipping at a glass or eating an appetizer without much eagerness. Even with his glasses, however, the constant sullen glow of his eyes is still enough to take someone off guard, and he's fixing it every once in a while on everyone's favorite local one-eyed doctor from across the room. Not approaching yet, though, or at the very least, not making it that obvious he's keeping him in his orbit.]

[Regardless, he's hardly attempting to socialize, though when he's hearing the Ye Olde 2000s Favorites, he's making a face.]

What the hell kind of music is this...?

[He is TOO OLD for this SHIT.]

2. oh no! fashion failure! (upper tier)

[There is one (1) major problem with wearing all white. There is one problem that practically invites itself.]

[The man has actually dropped a piece of Korean barbecue on himself, leaving a nice little streak of a delicious barbecue stain.]

[He is closing his eyes in clear and utter exasperation.]

Shit.

3. kisstletoe more like miss-tletoe, loser! (wait) (all tiers)

[And to continue with the Grumpy Older Man Saga (TM) a certain someone is eyeing the festive decorations with a clearly unamused glance, though he IS keeping his distance from it. No getting him to kiss anyone, here (except. Well).). He's too cautious to get caught up into it.]

[He is muttering to himself, though there's something a little pained in his expression.]

...I swear if they decide to celebrate Christmas on top of this nonsense? Ugh.

[...]

[Yeah, no, he doesn't need Christmas involved in any of this.]

4. WILDCARD

[do you want a bastard older man in your life? here you go, prompt away!]

1, ur stuck with me per usual

[limbical]

[In the first glance that Daan has toward Vergilius from across the room, he notices the handkerchief and it makes him pause. What a sneaky bastard, he thinks to himself fondly; Daan definitely hadn't picked that as part of the ensemble, so he must have made the choice himself.

It makes him feel a warmth in his chest. It's a small gesture, but still thoughtful.

For all that he's trying not to be obvious, he is going to text him.]

Like the blue.

cyno | genshin impact

[cashewlater]

drinking and dancing;

[ generally speaking, galas are not cyno's favored venue.

he's attended them, of course. as a very public figure in sumeru, it's been his responsibility to show his face at a handful of public events, and a grand gala had been held in his honor when he ascended to general mahamatra, as well. while he's quite socially inept even at the best of times, he thinks, he's decent at making smalltalk if he needs to. besides, he needs to be here for kaveh, one of his very best friends. kaveh has worked tirelessly to see this thing to fruition, and cyno won't let him down.

so here he is, all dressed up in modern clothing and everything, in attendance with tighnari, but the two of them separate to mingle often enough. currently, cyno is nursing a drink and glancing over the food tables, plucking up a few samosas for his plate. he glances to the person beside him. ]

Have you heard about the Circus Gala? The outfits were in-tents.

[ thank you he's here all night. ]

missile toads;

[ cyno, of course, does not recognize the mistletoe for what it is. it's simply festive decoration, yes? so after a dance, as he's standing beneath a sprig of it, leaning in an archway watching the gala-goers dancing, he finds himself feeling suddenly very.. fond!

if you approach, he'll greet you with a warm smile. cyno doesn't smile very often, especially for people he does not know well, but he's in a good mood right now for some reason?? it must be the few drinks in his system. ]

Tired of dancing?

[ he asks, and takes another sip of wine. ]

wildcard;

[ feel free to tweak the above prompts, or come at me with anything! cyno can be found wandering about anywhere, sampling the food and wallflowering. ]

drinking and dancing

[immortalpoet]

I don't get it.

[Yes, please explain your pun to the grumpy older man who looks like he's half a ghost with how gray and offputting he looks.

altria | fate/grand order

[excaliburden]

a. obligatory party mingling

[Altria is, surprisingly enough, both present and dressed appropriately (though she is wearing her navy boots, even though they do not match). It's a fancier dress than she would have picked out on her own, even! Eat your heart out, Cnoc na Riabh.

But the fact that she gathered her courage up enough to show up does not mean she knows how to be present at a party. She hovers around the edges, seems to give herself a pep talk, drags in a deep breath, moves to step forward into the party properly, and then turns around to go back the other way again, cheeks red.

Aaaaaaa.]

b. is for biscuit golems

[Eventually, Altria manages to find her way to the food stations to Help Out. This is a Mistake.

It is a mistake that culminates in a very inhuman and rather monstrous roar, and then the cookies that Altria was very excited to present turn instead into... well, a Biscuit Golem.

Of course, she's not at her full magical power, so it's not much larger than a regular human, and it is made of cookie, so like--it's pretty fragile. You could probably eat some of it if you manage to get it to stop moving. It's delicious, surprisingly.

But also, it is probably showing up wherever is least convenient, peering over your shoulder while you dance with your date, or appearing as you're pouring yourself a drink, always with a vacantly smiling face.

Wherever it shows up, Altria is not far behind, running after it.]

Waaaaiiiit! I only used a little bit of magic this time, so I really thought it would work...!

c. mistletoe

[It's when meandering around the edges of the party, properly exhausted after the biscuit golem, that Altria spies her first mistletoe.

And, immediately and anxiously, she's turning to the first person she sees (probably you) to point it out.]

Ah, be careful. There seem to be poisonous plants being used for decoration.

[#clueless.



She may be standing under mistletoe right now, but she sure is not noticing.]

wildcard

[Feel free to hit me up with whatever! Or shoot me a PM and I'm happy to write up a particular starter.

ALSO feel free to utilize sir biscuit golem in any of your threads if you so desire, no Altria required. He is here for Shenanigans, please follow your hearts.]

a. where you goin chickadee.

[fauned]

( well hello there, little one. sorry for yet another faerie..

this one seems keen to reach, a curl of fingers around a retreating hand, gentle in even the way she tugs the girl back from running off with her face as red as her dress. )

Are you lost? That's the way out, silly goose. C'mon.

( another tug. towards the heart of the party. )

Don't you want to show off how pretty you are in your dress?

fearne calloway ♡ critical role

[fauned]

( for such a frivolous thing, she certainly carries the air of a woman who's been to the fey courts as a guest. she's left behind both serpentine staff and armor for the occasion, trading it for another dress and cape in her favored fabrics - airy and light, still, despite the unmistakable chill. a drop necklace settles on her sternum as well, hung on a thin silvered chain punctuated by a teardrop sapphire. even seafoam green hair is twisted into a purposefully disheveled bun, absent of her usual blooms save for a few scattered camellias in flushed pink.

on her waist, offcenter, pinned and nestled amidst lace leaves and flowers: a brooch. it will not take a particularly clever eye to find its match on another. )

---

 — i.

( in the venue proper, fearne is most certainly flittering about.

✦   maybe she's chatting (gossiping) with the man in blue. maybe they're betting on something about the other guests. it could be entirely unrelated, who knows. hard to tell given how soft their voices are. did you want to ask either one of them to dance? why not. they probably don't bite. it could be funny.
✦   in lestat's fashion lair, she's preening in front of a taller mirror, of course. did you need it? sorry. she's also not against asking for assistance with this and that, ensuring that her hair stays meticulously messy rather than an unruly one, or maybe somehow you wind up finding yourself with a fussy faun telling you to stop squirming as she fixes something on you?
✦   the mistletoe are endless and while she's spotted and found most of them when she first came in, she definitely forgot about them as the night went on. catching her under one wouldn't be entirely too hard. there might even be a time where she's just squinting up at one for some reason. come get a kiss? worry not, it likely won't be too untoward given that it is a public function.

and, of course, with a dazzling grin and a chirp. an offer, or maybe a coercion. it depends. the fey are flexible like that. )

Come dance with me.

---

 — ii.

( unsurprising to anyone who's spoken to her for more than a fleeting hello, she's wandered off again! for a breather away from all the hustle and bustle. this time, to the rest of the discovery center proper. while she's met with yet another impassable blockade to the upper levels, she's got plenty of ground to wander about still.

✦   if you're wandering about as well, she's perched herself within one of the exhibits of taxidermied fauna, wildshaped as a wolf with glittering eyes. given that she could never stay that still for long, her tail is probably wagging. just a little scare. she probably won't ruin your very nice outfit.
✦   on the other hand, she could just be asking if these are all creatures you've seen before.
✦   ....... the likelihood of her trying to pry open one of the exhibits to take what's inside is not 0.

she'll come back to the party eventually though. after confusing herself with one of the many hands on experiments.. )

---

 — notes.

for this particular shindig, she'll be hangin' with argalia (entwinedfate) usually, so it's entirely possible to encounter both at the same time for most of the prompts. just let us know either way, or we will simply make the decision for you (with permission ofc). most likely based on how funny it'd be. wildcards, as always, are hilarious. but if you want something personalized or wanna talk details, i'm over at ztxt, or you can just dm me!

i will take you both on.

[worldexecute]

( whether or not something like this is appropriate for the gala, this is how angela comes dressed—and it's probably good that she's in dark colors, because fearne is so brilliant in white and argalia is okay in blue and they're together and she isn't missing the matching brooches and when she squeezes her cup of soda at the sight of them it hilariously splatters all over her dress.



she leaves, briefly, to clean up. she returns only when she's sure she can be polite and civil and doesn't feel hurt at all that this is who fearne's going with instead of her.

she's fine. it's fine. she'll casually stroll over to them and give a small lift of her cloak, like a half-hearted curtsy. )

Hello. You two look nice. ( just an observation. very neutral. ) I told Fearne I'd save a dance for her, but I'd be a poor sport if I stole her away without engaging in a little conversation first.

( no. she wants to just leave. she is speaking to both of them but staring holes in argalia. if looks could kill—

she's fine. she's calm. she isn't offering anyone any smiles, just pointed politeness for the both of them. )

Lestat de Lioncourt | The Vampire Chronicles

[perfectdevil]

dance floor — you take the evening one on one

[ Ever dazzled by beauty, Lestat has become almost bewitched by the glittering lights and the soft sweep of colours that twinkle across the dance floor, pausing here and there to study the path of each reflection as it bounces from the stained-glass and sweeps the floor as if the light itself is one of the dancers meandering through the crowd. The faint diffused gleam feels warm to him, even though it couldn't possibly be, and memories of sunrise overwhelm him easily to the point where anyone standing too close might catch a glassiness to his eyes — something wet and faintly tinted red clinging to his pale eyelashes — before he blinks it away and resumes circling the dance floor.

The shining lights reflect against his pale hair and paler skin to make him glow faintly as he wanders around with rhythmic, dance-like movements. He's wearing a suit of brushed silver that also reflects the dappled lights about the floor, with an equally flashy waistcoat beneath, and a corsage of white tulips pinned to his lapel. His shoes are shining and gold-tipped, his hair pulled back and tied with a black velvet bow, and he has removed every ring and piece of jewellery he normally wears except one on his left pointer finger and a pair of shining earrings dangling from his ears.

He's perfectly content to dance alone if Louis is suddenly taken up by his party responsibilities... but that's no fun, now, is it? He'll twirl along the floor for a while, until he spots a wallflower and takes his chance. ]

Don't be silly. You look wonderful, the night is young, and it's much easier to dance when everyone else is already doing it. Come, be on my arm and we'll slide in somewhere and pretend we've been there the whole time. You can tell me some gossip you've overheard, I love being nosy at parties.

[ Well, all the time, really. But still. ]

mingle — you're only livin' to have fun

[ Lestat stands amidst the crowd with an assortment of food in his grasp — a little mug of soup, a few figs, some little fruit candies, a fortune cookie in his breast pocket — but he isn't eating it and doesn't seem to have any intention to do so. He sniffs it every so often, but other than that it remains untouched. At some point he'll end up leaving it somewhere, offering it to a nearby attendee, or tossing it (though he does tuck the slip of paper from the cookie inside his jacket before he discards its shell). He performs a similar ritual with the coffee he takes out onto the patio, holding it close like they do in advertisements, as if it's enough to warm his deathly cold body through and protect him from the winter air outside. Lestat doesn't feel the cold with any discomfort, of course, but he does enjoy the feeling of warmth against his palms, and looks positively delighted with how it makes his fingers tingle as he moves across to the far railing to lean against it and look back on the crowds. ]

Oh quelle nuit... Quelle belle nuit. [ He looks aside to his nearest companion. ] Would you like some coffee to warm you up?

[ On the balcony, the music fades to a dull hum, and Lestat stands looking up at the sky with his back to the festivities. It's the least animated he's been all evening, still except for his hair which dances the night air, his awareness thoroughly taken away by his thoughts and this moment's reprieve. ]

Were you here, little doll, what a night it would be. A page from a storybook.

[ Inside, he's wandered under a few sprigs of that pesky mistletoe already but he hasn't really noticed the effects it encourages because... well, Lestat is almost always caught up by the urge to kiss those he sees around him. He finds beauty in the most unlikely of places, and to resist temptation is simply part of the cat-and-mouse of it all. If anything, he seems to be enjoying the way it feels, going so far as to stand beneath it on purpose. If you pass and feel the effect yourself, then he's a more than willing participant. ]

fashion lair — you're struck by lightning, you're in love

[ Behind the luxurious curtains cordoning off his little piece of Ghost's vision, Lestat stands with so much presence that he might as well be on stage; he's beautiful, he's intriguing, he's impossibly comforting to those who approach with outfit malfunctions, and should your eyes catch his for too long he might be very persuasive as he drags you in for a little sprucing. It could be anything from a little combing of your hair or a little colour added to your cheeks, to him suggesting a different shade of shirt, adding a glittering organza shawl to your dress, perhaps even a different dress entirely!! He says it all with a firmness that makes it clear how confident he is in his decisions and his sense of style, but with no amount of force. He won't wrestle clothes from you if you don't wish to change, but he will be a little confused as to why you wouldn't want to look your best. He also has a small display of corsages of various flower combinations that he's fashioned with his own two hands which he will offer out with the clear instruction that certain romantic traditions are timeless and that corsages are a particular favourite of his.

Waiting for you to emerge from behind his changing area, he keeps his arms politely folded behind his back, swaying ever so slightly to the music he can overhear from the stage — and when you emerge his delight is too bright to be anything other than genuine. ]

Astounding, look at yourself! [ He gestures to one of the standing mirrors. ] Such a sight, I can barely draw breath.

stage — it's not worth fighting, you're in love

[ At a point close to midnight, when things have really started to get into full swing, the music cuts out quite suddenly and without warning. The sound of talking seems cacophonous, but naturally all attention is drawn toward the stage where Lestat suddenly stands with microphone in hand and a wide grin on his face. He tap-taps the mic before speaking into it. ]

Bonsoir, mes amis. I apologise for the brief interruption, but I assure you it's for a good cause.

[ A moment or two of pause, letting the chatter die down a little more before he continues. ]

This Gala has come at a time when, in light of all the things we have been through, I think many of us need an excuse to cut loose and enjoy ourselves. We are in this strange situation together, and though it has not been easy, we have all made the best of it that we can. This evening has been a testament to that teamwork, and I couldn't have imagined a more perfect night if I tried.

Of course, none of this could have been possible without those of us who volunteered our services to help, and to Kaveh for his masterful craftsmanship, and of course to everyone in attendance… but I have to thank one person in particular whose idea started the ball rolling, and whose sacrifices of time and sleep and whose incredible eye for detail has made this evening the incandescent occasion it has been.

Ghost; thank you for putting your all into this, as you do with everything. You are a shining part of the community here, and I know my life has been all the better for having you in it. Your strength and your dedication inspire me, and so many others, and I believe I am not alone when I say that mere thanks doesn't feel like enough, but that I hope it at least suffices for now.

Join me, friends, if you will. Please put your drinks and your partners down for a moment long enough to join me in a round of applause - a celebration of our treasured Ghost, and in gratitude for an unforgettable night.

[ Clap-clap-clap. Out of the periphery comes Louis, holding Lestat's phone aloft — because yes, Lestat has been cross-posting this to the network — and looking only a little disgruntled at being utilised in this manner. He also has a ridiculously large bouquet of jasmine, lilies and roses in one of his arms, which he now passes to Lestat. ]

These are for you, ma rousse. I'll see you soon.

[ He offers them as if she's standing before him, then looks into the camera and blows it a kiss. There's just enough time to see Louis fondly rolling his eyes and giving Lestat a kiss on the cheek before the feed shuts off, and Lestat plugs in whatever he unplugged to bring the music back, before the two vampires descend the stage together. ]

balcony

[deathoftheauthor]

( Louis watches Lestat as he so often likes to do on occasions when Lestat's attention is focused somewhere other than him, admiring the slope of his shoulders and the tumble of his hair down his back and his effortlessly elegant posture as he gazes upward at the canopy of stars. Louis is in no great hurry to disturb the image by speaking to him; they've been in each other's orbits all night, and Louis really just wants to be near him, somewhere calming and quiet away from the crowds. And it is a rarity for him to catch Lestat before Lestat hears and notices him, so Louis fully intends to savor the moment.

But then he speaks, speaks to her as if he hopes she might actually hear him somewhere (or is that only Louis' own wishful thinking he's reading into Lestat's tone?) and his melodic voice is so wistful that it breaks Louis' heart.

The heels of Louis' shoes make soft sounds as he crosses the space toward Lestat. He stops at his side, setting a hand at his elbow and looking at him with a tender expression, tinged with a faint concern. )

Here you are. I've been searching for you.

( He presses closer to Lestat's side, as if that might fend off the chill of the evening. As if that matters to either of them. )

kromer | limbus company

[gripper]

( a. i know i know i know the situation's strange )

( Kromer and her platonic date make quite the scene stepping in... considering she is dressed well in her rich red dress, matching two-inch heels, and sparkling silver bangles—not to mention her usual key necklace and her hair, having grown out a little, in a small ponytail at the back—and her date is, well.............. not that.

They'll split up pretty quickly all things considered, but, well, now you know. They came together.

Kromer's mostly interested in holding a drink and looking busy, but she'll catch anyone's eye and give a tip of her cup as if to say wanna dance? None of this music is actually her thing, but like, whatever. When in the City, do as the Cityzens do or whatever. )

( b. it takes a little getting a little getting used to )

( When she isn't dancing, lounging, or trying to make Junpei look partially presentable and not entirely disappointing as a date... she will be collecting mistletoe, actually. This is mostly so she doesn't get caught beneath them unawares, rather than for the benefit or detriment of other people. Don't think she's doing a good thing. Don't think she's doing a bad thing either. This isn't about you, this is about her.

Ask her what she's up to and get caught beneath one as she's taking it down, or maybe she's spotted one just above you and stepped over to take it down... regardless, here is the government required mistletoe kiss prompt. Don't worry, she doesn't like kissing and she's more inclined to do it on the cheek or forehead if she has to. )

( c. wildcard )

( whatever whatever. give me anything here or hit me up coordination or by PM if there's anything in particular you want—I don't mind writing starters! additionally, for the first prompt, you can either get junpei, kromer, or them both. just specify! )

i've come for my dance

[coolerjunpei]

[According to one person (Junpei), Junpei looks just fine in his cool tee and his even cooler shoes. He's not even dressed like this because of some edgy guy "ugh prom" protest, this is just what he thinks looks decent. Despite his better judgment, he has absolutely tried to explain this to Kromer at least twice...

Anyway, they're already here at the thing, so it's too late to change him now. He's politely (read: overtly) staring Elsewhere instead of at her outfit, like a gentleman.]

Soooo... it's definitely a party. Fancier than I thought it'd be.

[he expected a high school gym]

yi sang | limbus company

[reflexio]

i. grown man can't dress himself

[ "Let's go for a walk!" said Hong Lu. "It'll be fun!" said Hong Lu. And because they were just going for a walk, he'd shown up at the Planetarium not dressed to the nines.

Not that his companion was faring any better in the fashion department, but the other man had wandered off, leaving Yi Sang stranded among the rows and rows of suits. He's at least halfway there, given he'd shown up in a white button-down anyways, but that's because he always ran around wearing one of those.

He rifles through yet another rack of suit jackets, each one a different color. It's never occurred to him that suit jackets could come in colors other than black, gray, tan, or navy. Who on earth would walk around wearing a bright red or lime green blazer?

It's overwhelming for someone who's inclined to just put on the first article of clothing that he touches. Dear god, he thinks with the beginnings of a headache; he'll never make it to the lower floors. ]

ii. the way to the heart is through the stomach

[ There's a lot of food here that's unfamiliar to him. Yi Sang wanders past the food stations, pausing briefly to inspect all the options offered at each one. Should he take a little from each station? Select a single one so he can dedicate appropriate time to familiarizing himself with a specific person's culinary skills?

Or, he's been hovering nearby to observe what's on your plate, as though he were in the wilderness observing some deer to determine whether a specific mushroom or berries on a particular shrub are safe to eat.

Finally, he speaks, canting his head a bit to the side with a curious expression: ]

Is there anything in particular you might recommend...?

iii. kaleidoscope floor

[ Somehow, he does make it all the way to the lower tier. Instead of dancing, Yi Sang hovers at the edge of the dance floor observing the artificial lighting. His gaze flits from the floor to the to the spotlight, then to the disco ball, the stained glass light fixtures, before returning to the floor.

It takes another architect to know that whoever's designed this entire layout must be highly skilled. He has the passing thought to track down whoever assembled the light fixtures to ask whether he'd be granted permission to disassemble one for study, but... even he realizes that would probably be rude.

While it's true everyone nearby is dancing, it doesn't seem like he's realized that, given his current location, it's fair game to ask him for a dance. He's content to study, to observe, to avoid others finding out he has two left feet. ]

iv. wildcard

[ hmu if you'd like a specific starter! yi sang can be found wandering around anywhere since he's a bit of a people watcher. or maybe you want kissletoe as a treat. either way pm is ok or hit me with something!! ]

1

[fauned]

Did... you like, get rained on or something?

( she doesn't really know how else to explain why he wouldn't be in attire otherwise. it's not as if the event was a surprise, there'd been plenty of notices about it, so.. )

What were you wearing before? Is it around here somewhere?

Will Byers | Stranger Things

[willtheunwise]

a. dance floor

[ Will is only allowing himself a moment of wallflowering, just long enough to catch his breath and cool down before he finds Armand again.

His black velvet jacket is slung over his arm, the top couple of buttons on his dark green dress shirt unbuttoned as he tries to stop himself being abnormally warm without drawing attention to it.

He’ll offer a small nod and a smile to anyone who approaches or joins him in his momentary hiding place. He certainly won’t mind engaging in conversation if spoken to.

And if he knows you he’ll ask ] Are you having fun?

[ And he might even be convinced to join you for a dance if asked ]

b. patios

[ This isn’t Wills kind of scene at all, he’s managed a good few hours of being social and hanging out with Armand, even allowing himself to end up on the dance floor. But right now he’s excused himself from his dates company for long enough to grab some fresh air.

He can be found on one of the patios, leant against a wall, face still a little flushed from activity.

You might catch him smoking a cigarette, and yes he does have a light and will happily let you borrow it or even bum a smoke for yourself.

Or possibly holding a cup of coffee in both hands.

If you approach you’ll be greeted with a smile and a soft ] Hi.

c. kissletoe ( closed to existing CR )

[ The mistletoe is seemingly unavoidable and Will keeps forgetting to look up to keep an eye on potentially stepping underneath it.

He only realises it’s there when a certain fondness settles in his chest and even then it takes him a few moments to look up and smile wryly, pointing out the offending plant hanging above them.

He’s perfectly sober, not legally allowed to drink in most places in the world, let alone allowed at parties where the booze is usually handed out by people who can spot a teenager and not hand them any but the compulsion dulls the social anxiety years of bullying have instilled that really only dims around people he knows but never truly goes away.

So he leans, probably on tip-toe because he’s shorter than most of the people he knows, to plant a very innocent kiss on your cheek. ]

d. wildcard

( Nothing inspiring here? Want something else? Hit me! Or you can PM or grab me on Plurk unwisewizard )

closed to Armand

[willtheunwise]

[ Once Will has been suitably spruced up by Lestat, because goddamnit they only spoke about going a few days ago and it was nowhere near enough time for Will to figure out fashion and find something to wear on his own, he steps out of the comfortable hiding place the fashion lair provides and pulls out his phone to let his date know that he’s actually on the premises now. ]

I’m up on the balcony if you’re here and want to come find me. If not where are we meeting up?

[ And then he shoves the device back into his pocket and hopes it isn’t ruining the shape of his jacket because it’s not like he has a purse to carry the thing in but he’s gotten used to having it finally.

He’s trying incredibly hard to act nonchalant, like he’s not buzzing with feelings now he doesn’t have Lestat to offer a distraction from them. He should have just clarified if this is a date but knowing that Armand has someone waiting for him at home and that he has… a nebulous situation beyond his understanding of his own meant that Will didn’t quite have the guts. Still it’s nice that they’ve agreed to attend together and it’s nice to feel like there might be some interest without having to worry about coming out first.

He manages not to play with his sleeves too much, doesn’t end up tugging his clothes because he doesn’t want to undo all the hard work that went into making him presentable, instead opting for clasping his hands and twiddling his thumbs as he waits for either a reply or for Armand to show up. ]

Dorian Gray | Penny Dreadful

[playing_human]

I. I am a man of wealth and taste

[In his determination to fully shut off whatever emotions have been plaguing him lately and simply enjoy himself, Dorian has dressed to draw the eye. This means everything is normal. Totally normal. Fine. He's fine.

He's gotten a bit of any food he's never tried, but he seems particularly fascinated by the Korean barbecue and hot pot. He's never had the chance to eat food he got to cook himself immediately before it went on his plate, or cry from how spicy something is. It's all wonderfully diverting.]

II. the wicked, winding streets of my world

[Dorian can be found all over the party--lingering casually at one of the standing tables, chatting with people with a drink in his hand, casually passing beneath the mistletoe, and...well, studying dancers more than dancing himself. The form dancing takes in this world seems at once incredibly simple and deceptively difficult to master. The dancing he's used to tends to be plotted out, graceful, and predictable, not just improvised and confident wiggling. Entire conversations can be had in a minuet or waltz without a single word being spoken. This seems to be a matter of rolling dice and hoping one doesn't look like a fool.

So where dancing is concerned, he sits on the sidelines in one of the planetarium's chairs, relaxing and sipping champagne.]

III. inconsistent angel-things

[Every now and again, Dorian finds himself stepping outside and simply breathing until the roaring in his ears dies down. He can be found leaning against the side of the building, looking contemplatively into the night.]

IV. wildcard

[astraphilia]

[ the second time Dorian makes a reappearance at the hot pot table set up right next to his own, Reno makes a note of him; the third time he appears, Reno leans over his own table, bracing both hands on the flat surface of it, and says, ]

Well, now you're just hurtin' my feelings.

[ it's obvious by the gleam of amusement in his gaze and by the way he's struggling not to grin that he's not at all serious, but he's pretending to be, at least. it's about the pride of being a fellow cook(? person responsible for food, anyway) at this kind of event, or something like that. ]

DON QUIXOTE (and emil sinclair) | LIMBUS COMPANY

[icanfixer]

[ while don's gotten used to wearing outfits with skirts from time to time, the dress she wears today is different in that it bares her shoulders more, brings to attention the medium is premium chest she normally layers with other fabrics, though the sweep of its starry hem is at least familiar in its just below the knee-length. don's hair is pulled up slightly by a matching hair ribbon in the back, and a daring moon choker completes the fit.

when she moves past others, the gentle scent of gardenia follows her. as does the clop of her golden sneakers that might distract from the outfit itself.

for sinclair's part, he's rather dashing in the sequin suit they'd found to match in a somewhat starry way, and in contrast to her moon he's adorned with a pretty sun brooch that stands out against the navy color. while they may be arriving together, spending time together, and leaving together, the two will part ways rather easily to enjoy themselves as well!!! ]

i. single (?) and ready to mingle (?) - this one has both her and sinclair (halbird)

[ whether it be taking a break from the lights sights and sounds of the party, or perhaps sitting down to enjoy the variety of foods, both the young blonds are sat together in their matching wears to chat about this and that.

it's very reminiscent of the first party they went to actually, with a tentative-looking sinclair sat close at hand to a (MUCH MUCH MUCH) less nervous don, who is invigorated by the atmosphere. unlike then, though, there's no squinting or behind the hand talking; instead, don'll happily raise her own be it fork laden with food or not and wave to catch the attention of people she knows...

... and those she doesn't, too. don's a friendly girl. ]

Salutations, this fine evening!!! Come, come, sit! Let us converse with one another!!!

[ nevermind that sinclair DIDN'T AGREE TO SUDDEN CONVERSATIONS and his momentary panicked look says as much, but what can you do? he'll offer his own greeting if approached at least, though with less energy than his companion. ]

ii. dancing all night

[ sufficiently split from sinclair, who'll probably be wallflowering with a drink in hand, don quixote takes to the lowest level with the dance floor, enamored by the colored lights and odd music they play.

... yeah, she'll dance with him at some point, promise-- but for now, she's keen on asking and being asked to take a spin. for strangers: ]

Have thee tasted the dance floor as of yet? Let us be off!

[ cmon. cmon!!!

and people she knows don't get that much of a difference, save for the hand eagerly grabbing theirs as she beams: ]

My friend, do thee fancy a dance? For I most certainly do!

[ so, you know, ask her! ]

iii. and, of course, all else

[ such as the mistletoe, or any other exploration, and even stepping out to the patio for some much needed air -- even a girl as explosively energetic as don quixote requires a moment to herself, though she may not seem like it.

write up a starter as you'd please, or i don't mind doing it for you!!! while they're primarily caught in the mingling above, both don and sinclair can be found pretty much anywhere in the venue if you'd like to chat with one or both of them. hit me up at sundrymunity if you need anything!!! ]

ii

[limbical]

[It's hard to not be charmed by Don Quixote in some fashion. Even prior to her aiding him in creating the ritual circle, he didn't mind her energy even if he could hardly meet it. But then, she'd been determined to help him complete the ritual, ensuring he could regrow his arm. Really, he owes both her and Kaveh quite a bit there.

So, he does offer a sincere smile back, even if it's not as bright as Don's.]

Hey, as long as I'm not stealing you away from anyone else.

Let's get to it, Don.

Loki | MCU

[abit_ofboth]

Middle Tier

Loki may have come here with Hob, and it is true that he doesn’t particularly care to spend his time with anyone else at the minute, but this is still a party and Loki does feel in his element. He also worries that he’s suffocating Hob a bit. He’s felt so much more protective since the attack, but he knows that he wouldn’t appreciate it if their positions were reversed so periodically throughout the night, they go their separate ways.

At this point in the night, Loki finds himself mingling on the second floor. Other than the dance floor (but only with a certain someone), it’s his favourite spot. He enjoys being able to watch others dancing as well as the social aspect of people just hanging out, having conversations. That was always a high point for Loki when he had to attend such events on Asgard. Though only if he managed to find a worthy conversationalist.

Sipping on a glass of champagne, he wanders around, soaking up the atmosphere and feeling generally content. If ever anyone was curious to talk to him, this would be the time.

Entertainment

While checking out the whole place, Loki finds himself stood at the edge of the dance floor near the instruments, looking up at the microphones. It wasn’t true, what he’d thought before about a good conversation being the best part of these things. No, the best part was putting on a bit of a performance.

With a grin, he hopes up on the stage, tapping the microphone to make sure it’s on. Without any preamble or introduction, Loki begins to sing.



Wildcard!

Bring it on!

For Hob.

[abit_ofboth]

Loki is not at all sure about Hob coming to the festivities after the injuries he sustained. Of course, prior to the night of the attack, when he’d heard rumblings of another citizen run party, he had been both intrigued and wary. In the end though, the idea of getting to dance with Hob again is much too enticing. Though really he’s not sure that any dancing will happen at all. Hob does seem to be doing better, but Loki does not wish to put him under any strain.

But Hob had insisted, and really, Loki was not about to say no. Even if they were only there a few minutes, it is a few minutes with Hob and Loki would take as much of that as he could. So the evening of the gala, Loki shows up at Hob’s apartment dressed to the nines and generally feeling good.

Wanderer | Genshin Impact

[featheradrift]

i. Food Station

[ The drifter is, for once, not dressed in his usual ascetic outfit, and his signature hat is also nowhere to be seen. As one of the cooks, he's opted to dress simply to minimize the chances of his outfit causing an accident. He's dressed in a simple white turtleneck shirt, black slacks and dress shoes, with a plain apron over the ensemble.

His duty, first and foremost, is to serve food at this extravagant gala, which is why he has gone all out on the selection of items on the menu. From samosas, to pita pockets, to sandwiches cut into bite-sized pieces, he's careful to make sure all the food is appropriate to be consumed on the move, and won't cause huge messes in the process.

And, somehow, despite his hatred for sweets, he's also found himself as the sweets guy of the four food stations, so along with the selection of savoury foods, he has far more sweets and desserts laid out for the attendees. He's even managed to get a commercial display fridge for the desserts that would melt in room temperature. Let it never be said that he does things half-assed, because he has his pride, even if he doesn't really care for the event itself.

Anyone who approaches his station will find the man constantly on the move, checking on the status of the food laid out, making sure items are replenished periodically, and working on baking and cooking new food. He won't speak unless spoken to first, content to keep to himself. ]

ii. The Beauty of Stained Glass

[ Now that he's got some time to enjoy the gala properly, he's opted to get closer to the one thing that has caught his eye in the venue: the stained glass light fixtures. He's also wearing the full ensemble of his outfit, now that he doesn't have to worry about ruining it with food. It's quite the dashing look. Not something he's used to, really. The last time he's worn anything so fancy was—a long time ago, and not what he should be thinking about right now. He stands close to the dance floor, but not close enough to be mistaken as someone interested in dancing. His focus is clearly on the light fixtures, as he stares with distant eyes.

The stained glass lights are nostalgic, with the ripple and swirl of colours it casts onto the dance floor, bright and beautiful, just like he remembers Sumeru City to be. Once upon a time, he saw the world in shadow and muted tones, his sight blinded by the anger he bore. Now, it's surprising how much he misses the colourful dyed sunlight of Sumeru's stained glass windows and its bright architecture. ]

Truly befitting the Light of Kshahrewar...

iii. Wallflower

[ He truly, really isn't a party type of person, which is why, closer to the end of the gala, the drifter can be found in the middle tier area, hiding himself against the wall by the standing tables, holding a cup of coffee. It's not tea, but it's bitter, and he'll take that.

He has his reasons for staying rather than leaving, but he'll give anyone who approaches him a irritated look, trying to ward off unwanted social interaction. The persistent ones will get the full brunt of his sour attitude. ]

What do you want?

iv. Wildcard

Got an idea? Hit me with it, or we can plot over at Tenkomi!

ii.

[fussiest]

Please don't call me that.

[ says kaveh. he is holding a tray of drinks in one hand. there are two types of coffee, and three types of champagne on it, and he's holding the cap of a tide pod pen in his teeth. the words come out more like a 'pleash don't call yee dat', which i carefully transcribed from having bitten a tic tac box, be proud of me sky. kaveh is also studiously attempting to use his tide pod pen proper to scrub out what looks to be a red stain on his sleeve.

he smile he offers around the cap is rueful. ]

Ghost | Original

[badfeyth]

[Anyway, here's Ghost, because it'd be pretty depressing if she'd spent the last however many weeks running around screaming trying to pull this whole affair together and then didn't actually show up for her own party, wouldn't it?

Those who've met her before prior to the gala couldn't be faulted for not quite recognizing her at first, tonight; far from her usual wardrobe staples of leather jacket, sturdy pants, and hiking boots, she's fully kitted out in glamorous dress and shoes to match. The fact that her hair is still strictly speaking in what one might technically call a ponytail was...probably a bargained-for concession that occurred somewhere along the way. But the thing is, even despite her own discomfort with the fact that the people who care about her seem to want her to participate in this event as opposed to just run it from the shadows...

Well. It's still really something, isn't it, to stand on the upper level and look out over everything as it all comes together and appreciate what all was accomplished. People will come here, and enjoy themselves, and remember this. And with any luck, if they ever see the lighting effects that are taking place on the dance floor again, in another setting or at a different venue, all they'll think of is this night, and all they'll assume is that it's a reminiscent souvenir of the fine time that person had here.

And that was really the whole point of all this, wasn't it?]


i. anything can be a fashion disaster with a can-do attitude • [upper level]

[So here's the thing about running around fixing problems in a full-length ballgown with a neckline Like That™ — there are certain activities that a full skirt and a neckline Like That™ are simply not suited for, like say. Bending over to pick something up. Scaling a railing in an attempt to knock down an errant piece of mistletoe from an inconvenient juncture. Crawling under a thing to make sure a hookup didn't accidentally get jiggled loose. Which is how Ghost ends up in Lestat's Fashion Lair, which is very clearly asking for trouble given the givens, but she's living life on the edge.

She's also riffling through the suit coats looking for one that isn't too ostentatious (good luck) and that doesn't altogether clash with the color of her dress (fingers crossed), like she's really going to sneak it out of here to have something to put around her shoulders for modesty's sake when she's hustling.

Will you be her accomplice? Will you rat her out? The choice is yours, and yours alone.]

ii. sleeping beauty problems require sleeping beauty solutions • [middle level]

[In the age old battle between Ten Thousand Cups of Coffee™ and the inevitable creep of exhaustion, it appears that exhaustion is beginning to make its move. At least, that's probably the explanation for why Ghost can be found curled up in one of the auditorium chairs, fast asleep, during one of the slower, softer playlist sets. It's...probably not comfortable, to say the least, but the pretzel-like position she's curled herself into hasn't seemed to faze her any; more likely than not she sat down for one whole minute thinking she'd rest her eyes and relax, and dropped off right to sleep the moment she let her guard down.

Unawares as she is, it's entirely possible that mistletoe has had the opportunity to grow down over her head. Be careful if you decide to go wake her up, or you just might get caught beneath it yourself!]

iii. so dance (dance) like it's the last (last) night of your life (life) • [lower level]

[It's inevitable, Ghost knows, that sooner or later she's going to wind up on this dance floor. It's only a matter of time. Sooner or later she'll run out of ways to dodge the unavoidable machinations of The People Who Really Just Want Her To Have A Good Time At Her Own Party For Fuck's Sake Ghost™, and when that happens, yes, she will dance. Be it a waltz, a sway, or something with a livelier beat, it's going to happen —

Although, when the Cha-Cha Hustle comes up on the playlist, that's one opportunity she finds she can't altogether refuse.]

All right, I like this one. Are you coming?

[DO YOU HAVE IT IN YOU TO CHA-CHA HUSTLE AT HER SIDE? DO YOU?]

iv. wildcard • [anywhere]

[Want to interact with Ghost somewhere else? Feel free to hit me up! Kisstletoe is very much an anywhere option, feel free to get caught with her underneath it somewhere other than the middle-level prompt! The more the merrier.]

wildcard in the thirst alcove >:)

[astraphilia]

[ now that Reno's finished up another tray of the prosciutto dates and has a sufficient number of plates of each of the items his station is supposed to be serving, he takes his half-drunk cocktail in hand and goes on what he thinks is a fairly well-deserved break. it's been a bustling evening, he thinks—seems like Kaveh and Ghost got what they were going for, in the form of a number of people here to eat and drink and dance and make merry, with light streaming in through the stained glass windows and the music piping in from somewhere above and people laughing and talking.

it's much more laid-back than the previous galas Reno has attended, if for the sole reason that he isn't on duty—there's no Rufus Shinra here for him to protect, no high society bigwigs he needs to keep eyes on in case any of them get any hilarious ideas. he's just here, contributing some, equally ready to make some merry of his own once his service to the cause is over.

—speaking of Ghost. Reno catches a glimpse of red hair from behind a pretentious-looking miniature tree and makes his way over to the little alcove she's sitting in, seemingly observing the goings-on out in front of her. it's only once he's fairly close that Reno realizes, with a jolt of real amusement, exactly what it is that this alcove was set up to observe: a perfectly aligned view of Thancred's ass as he moves around behind the booth, shaking cocktails like he was born to do it.

he takes a sip of his drink and grins, then leans forward a little from behind Ghost to whisper conspiratorially, ] Now that ain't a bad view at all, is it?

Thancred Waters | FFXIV

[onlythans]

i. shake it, shake, shake it, shake it like a polaroid picture • [upper level]

[Does spending most of one's young adult years loitering in taverns doing spy work being an unremarkable old bard really qualify a guy to be making cocktails at an event like this? Probably not, and yet here Thancred is anyway with his suit jacket off and his sleeves rolled up, putting out drinks at Food Station #3 while Reno is busy cooking. How did he get drafted into such a pursuit? He's emphatically not telling.

Of note: he is not making specific cocktails on request, but rather is simply putting out a volume of the two drinks selected to best pair with what Reno's serving — simple, three-ingredient refreshments featuring gin as the alcohol of choice. It's repetitive work, all things considered, and it doesn't take long before he's doing it deftly —

Just as it also doesn't take long before he starts to instinctively take stock of the weight and balance of the bottles, mixers, and glasses he's working with, and to grasp that with a couple of well-timed tosses, he can actually work even faster if he just, uhhh. Juggles them as he goes about his tasks. The man is out here inventing Eorzean flair bartending in his own spare time, look at him go.]

ii. got that sunshine in my pocket, got that good soul in my feet • [lower level]

[Once the food service starts to wind down, and his presence on the upper level is less necessary, Thancred can be found loitering around on the dance floor, taking the occasional turn when it seems there's an interested partner about. He is, regrettably, a good dancer — not so much classically trained in any style as just light on his feet and with a good sense of rhythm, and a knack for leading that makes him a good partner to pair with, even for someone without a whole lot of dancing experience.

Though he's mostly keeping to more upbeat, faster songs in taking people out onto the dance floor, one can certainly catch him for a slower song if you're feeling particularly bold!]

iii. we only fly when falling far from grace; hell take us, heaven can wait • [patio]

[As the night wears on, and the bell hour grows late, Thancred eventually opts to retreat to the patio at a time when it's looking reasonably uncrowded, eager to just kind of take a minute and linger over his own thoughts. From some concealed inner pocket of his coat, he retrieves a pack of cigarettes and a lighter that were probably taken from one of the city's many convenience stores; however, even though he goes so far as to light one up and put the pack and lighter away again, he doesn't seem altogether inclined to actually smoke it. If anything, he seems altogether content to hop up and sit on the patio railing with his legs dangling, watching the smoke curl up and dissipate into the chill of the late night air.

It's always been his nature to keep to the outskirts of functions like this, really. Loitering about outside, keeping an eye out for trouble and an ear open for any secrets that loose lips might let slip. It's where he was at the Bloody Banquet, all those years ago, back when —

Hm. Contemplating his own mortality isn't really what he feels like doing at a time like this. Such contemplations aren't likely to be very positive, after all, and thus far this has been a reasonably rewarding evening; 'twould be a shame to spoil it with brooding, wouldn't it.

So instead he just lingers, mostly unmindful of the chill, letting the breeze toy with the ends of his hair and letting his thoughts drift on idle notions of how fitting it all feels once again: the warmth and glow of the light yet visible from inside the venue, and he in his natural habitat in the penumbras of the shadows, keeping to the outskirts where he's always belonged.]

iv. wildcard • [anywhere]

[Want to interact with Thancred somewhere else than the above prompts? Feel free to hit me up! Kisstletoe is very much an anywhere option, feel free to get caught with him anywhere!]

falling far from grace;

[astraphilia]

[ after being forced to spend the better part of an evening watching Thancred throw bottles and mixers around like it's nothing—not to mention the fucking outfit and the little alcove where Reno had been treated to the most glorious view of Thancred's ass—it's a relief to finally come out into the coolness of the night. Reno thrives on chaos and loves the manic, pulsing energy of this kind of event, but even he's feeling a touch overheated by now. as he makes his way across the patio, he undoes the top few buttons of his shirt and rolls his sleeves up to the elbow, sighing at the relief of cold air on flushed skin. ]

Found you. [ Reno leans against the railing next to Thancred, his back facing out into the open air. it's a position that makes it much easier for him to look up at Thancred, shadowed though his face is by the angle of the light. ] Mind havin' some company?

[ Reno digs his own cigarettes out of the pocket of his slacks and taps it against his palm, but doesn't open it just yet—it's a fractional pause, followed by another glance up at Thancred. without asking, Reno is asking permission to stay; if Thancred would rather some peace and quiet, there's plenty of patio for Reno to occupy instead. ]

Reno | Final Fantasy VII

[astraphilia]

I REDISCOVERED MYSELF ON A FRIDAY NIGHT
⇢ at the food stations;

[ for the earlier part of the evening, at least, Reno is most easily found at his food station on the upper tier of the planetarium, serving mostly finger foods and with an assist from Thancred on the cocktails.

it should be evident to anyone who approaches that Reno's at ease like this, not so focused that he can't spare a grin and a greeting for anyone who comes up to the table. he's got the prosciutto dates and goat cheese figs and, for those who want to try something new and don't mind using a fork instead of their fingers, sprouting cauliflower with browned butter an garlic, and he's happy to talk shop with anyone interested in knowing the process.

alternately, when the ebb and flow of people eases up enough, he and Thancred alternate taking breaks from the station, which means Reno can also be found wandering the topmost tier and just observing. parties like this aren't exactly where he's most comfortable, but he's been to enough to be able to blend in, at least. catch him sipping one of the cocktails and leaning against the railing somewhere. ]

I WANT A BECOMING
⇢ on the patio;

[ once the food stations close up for the evening and Reno is set free unto the party, he spends a while making his rounds before heading to the outdoor patio to take a breather.

leaning up against the railing, he digs his smokes out of his pocket and lights one, then tips his head back to exhale into the night. it's cold out, but not the coldest he's ever felt, even though he's not even wearing a coat.

should anyone join him out on the patio, he'll offer them a grin and one of his cigarettes. ]

Takin' a break from the noise?

I AM A GUEST AMONG MY YESTERDAYS
⇢ near the dance floor;

[ the longer the night wears on, the slower the music gets, and once it's reached a slow enough tempo that Reno doesn't think he'd need lessons in how to dance to it, he makes his way down through the tiers to lean against something and watch the dance floor. it's nice to see people sharing their little romantic moments, swaying together to the subdued tempo of the latest song. ]

Kinda nice, ain't it? [ he gestures with his cocktail out toward the other partygoers. ] All romantic and shit.

[ ever the way with words, Reno. after a second he turns his attention to whoever's standing next to him, a curious eyebrow going up. ]

How come you're not dancing?

KISSLETOE / WILDCARD
⇢ wherever u want baby;

[ kissletoe is totally on the menu and he's definitely not going to object, so just go for it!

also, just a note that because Reno doesn't know how to style clothes that aren't his Turk uniform, he's mostly rocking something like this, only with a white vest and a red-accented chain between his lapels. please feel free to redress him if that's your thing. otherwise he's around anywhere so I'm happy to plot! hit me at maehwas for plotting or via PM! ]

i'm a guest among my yesterdays,

[fussiest]

[ kaveh and his mismatched boutonnière looks. he is also holding what looks to be a pair of boltcutters. the word 'love' has been lovingly engraved onto one handle, and 'patience' has been engraved onto another. kaveh's holding these boltcutters as if it were some kind of medieval weapon, hefted over his shoulder as he surveys the roof of the venue. he only looks down at reno's comment, and even then, it takes him a moment to really look.

you can see the moment it clicks for him. kaveh brightens. then, his expression does its usual elevator crawl down reno's countenance, and the wry twist of his lips suggests that he has thoughts about that. ]

Possibly because you're dressed the way you are. Hi, Reno. I don't suppose you lost your suit jacket or your boutonnière somewhere along the lines?

kaveh / genshin impact

[fussiest]

[ here's kaveh. here's kaveh and his mismatched boutonnière. watch kaveh run, because he's certainly running. half the gala is simply the tailend of kaveh's back window disappearing beneath a flurry of a red, backless jacket as he scurries up a ladder to stop the lights from strobing, or puts a mosaic back on the wall from where it had melted off from the heat of the heat lamps, or jamming a tide pod pen into your hands after an unfortunate spill of a drink. this is ghost's party, and by the archons kaveh is going to make sure it goes off with the least number of hitches to the least number of weird mechanical mishaps. ]

i.

[ do you have a corsage or a boutonnière? no? well, you do now. the moment you step into the venue, kaveh is on you like a fly to flypaper. there's a smile on his face as he surveys you, that slow elevator crawl going from head to toe before he either lays into you about your fashion sense or compliments your dress - one of the two, kaveh never does anything by halves. but he's pushing into your hands a boutonnière all the same, the sweet-smelling flowers a complementary colour to your choice in wardrobe all the same.

he's also, well, fussing. ]

And Lestat has a fashion show in the corner there if you'd like to grab another jacket and try it on for size. Ah, am I forgetting anything? [ kaveh pauses for a moment, ] Oh, by the by, did you come alone, or did you come with someone?

ii.

[ at the heels of the biscuit golem, kaveh is crying. of course he is. someone somewhere handed him a martini and that was it, that was the end of things. kaveh, resplendent in white and gold, is sitting at the golem's feet. he appears to be clutching it. he's also moved to tears. ]

Mister Golem, please don't go... You are the only one who offers the stability of your stiff peaks to this swaying partying... Oh, everything truly is swaying. Or spinning. One of the two. You are the fulcrum of my world! I can't bear to see the cookie crumble.

[ he is so drunk. help. ]

iii.

[ this is the obligatory dance top level. this is, well, the obligatory dance top level with a twist. the twist: kaveh is already dancing with you. somewhere, somewhen along the lines, he'd come up and asked you for a dance, and you were too late to say no, and now you're stuck with a man gently tweezing your feet apart with his toes as he considers your newfound posture.

kaveh grins. he tips his head. ]

Chin up. [ the red of kaveh's eyes gleam. he pulls you close. ] Shall we make history?

iv.

[ anyway, it's been a night. kaveh looks. he is, in fact, looking at the ceiling of the venue. there's something very soothing about being bathed in the light of stained glass as you contemplate the weal and woes of life. fortunately, it's three in the morning, the gala has wound down, and so the sight of kaveh laying spread-eagle on the dance floor looking up at the contraption that he'd made into some kind of weird pseudo-deity isn't as obtrusive as it could've been.

he is tired, is the thing. a good kind of tired. a satisfied kind of tired. it has been a long time since kaveh has had the chance to be so. all these months running around in the city finishing project after project - they brought him the kind of joy and satisfaction that came from helping people and solving their problems. kaveh can hardly fault that. but it has been a very long time since kaveh has accomplished something for himself. the stained glass contraption sits on the top floor, carefully casting the light that kaveh has allowed it to cast through its shuttered slots. seventy shutters acting in tandem. the click of a timed mechanism, the knell of a bell from afar, and the mechanism shifts again. kaveh is now bathed in greens and golds, the stained glass fresco of a divine tree springing from the land shining itself down on the dance floor.

kaveh holds up his hand. he admires the light. he says, to the sole other person in the room, with a dreamy, dazed smile: ]

If the city takes this mechanism away from me, by the Archons, I will torch it.

[ he's exhausted. please don't listen to him. this has been a night of all time. ]

wildcard.

[ im sorry these are the only things i can come up with, but wildcard me, hit me up. let's ball! ]

ii

[justscribing]

[Kaveh is so drunk.

This is not necessarily an unexpected sight. He's surrounded by alcohol and the pressures of levity and his inability to fucking relax. Alhaitham realized at some point that he could no longer spot Kaveh in the crowd and expecting the worst (Kaveh being drunk) he closes his book before exiting his corner among the tables.

He finds him... really only slightly more pathetic than he thought.]

You always forget you're a lightweight. [Alhaitham leans over, offering his arm in front of Kaveh.] Come on. You're going to break that thing to pieces.

kaneki | tokyo ghoul

[anthropophagite]

Drinks

[ Kaneki is helping! He offered to handle the drinks, something he has done in the past since he was a barista, so this isn't a big issue. He does have a small corner to prepare the drinks and also coffee and is happily serving the others that come to him. His coffee is especially good, thanks to the fact that coffee is literally the only thing Kaneki can drink (apart from water. And blood).

Kaneki is no good at parties, but he can do this much, at least.

Whoever approaches will be greeted with a smile by the boy, always wearing his eyepatch even now ] Hello- what can I get you? [ he will chat a bit if anyone feels like having a break from the dancing and the partying. ]

Mistletoe, dancefloor and others

[ Once Kaneki has the chance, he decides to check out the party. Mostly, he just wanders around the place, exploring all the tiers.

While he doesn't dance, finding him on the dancefloor can certainly be a thing - he does stop by to check it, after all.

He also stops by to check the other food stalls, but Kaneki ends up not taking any food for himself- it's not the kind of food he can eat, after all - but he does have a cup of coffee since at least he feels like he is participating... well, sort of.

And finally, Kaneki can also be found under the mistletoes purely by accident. He doesn't notice the plant and he wouldn't know it does something anyway. So smooching is possible, or even something as simple as holding hands. ]

Wallflower

[ Ken really is not good at the party thing, unfortunantely. So it's no surprise he eventually becomes overwhelmed by everything and needs a moment to himself. Be it in a corner where he wouldn't be found, or in the patio outside, Kaneki eventually sits down with a cup of coffee in his hands and takes a deep breath. ]

I'm really not used to this...

[ he thinks about his best friend, Hide, who isn't here. he'd be really good at parties, Kaneki thinks. And he'd probably be a great crutch to lean on when he felt overwhelmed too. ]

Mistletoe

[localweirdo]

[Een if she wasn't invited to go, she still would have gone anyway. After all, she was sitting around not doing much and she would much rather try to befriend as many people as possible.

However, now that Kaveh invited her, she didn't have a choice but to go. With that, she started to giggle as she wandered around the area to see what kind of things there were. So far, it seems to be rather lively, and she was enjoying herself.

And yet, as she kept on venturing, she couldn't help but notice a rather strange plant on top. Tilting her head to the side, there were various people around her seemingly...giggling.]

...Excuse me, it seems that I am missing something. Is there a reason why this plant is here?

Midoriya Izuku | My Hero Academia

[fullgauntlet]

[🥦 a. on-site fashion consulting lair]

[Izuku came in a decent-looking suit and crumpled tie but with the way he ties his ties it's no surprise that he wanders closer to the fashion booth just to see what's going on. Izuku has never been able to tie a suit tie nicely in his life (they always come out folded wrong or puffy) so maybe he could get a few pointers on how to do it right?

He can be found in the booth dressed in a new suit but he's trying his hardest to get the tie around his neck to fold properly.]

It's supposed to go something like this...? Right?

[He could probably use a hand in getting it to look half decent. Not to mention if Izuku tries anything else on he looks strangely good in simple clean black and white. And not just his staple green. But he doesn't know that yet. He's bad at fashion.]

[🥦 b. station number one]

Everything looks so tasty...!

[Izuku is impressed with the spread at this food station. All the cute christmas rice, the dumplings, the fortune cookies! Everything makes Izuku's mouth water. He decides to pick a fortune cookie first and when he cracks it open it reveals to him that he should--]

Dance with someone? Ah, I’m not much of a dancer. I could try, though?

[Please ignore the fact that he was reduced to back up in his school music festival because he was just so bad.]

[🥦 c. middle tier]

[Eventually Izuku finds himself wandering towards the middle tier where all the platform tables and seating are. Izuku glances up at the ceiling and wonders if any of the planetarium light shows are going to be playing tonight. He thinks it would be an enjoyable thing to see. But the thought makes him feel a little melancholy about it all. It's nice to be in a place like this but he wonders what this time of year would have been like at home...

Luckily his thoughts don't have to plague him for that long. No more overthinking and worrying tonight. This is supposed to be fun, isn't it? Someone thinks so because the next thing he knows someone is shoving a champagne glass in his hands and he's scrambling to hold it so it doesn't drop!!]

W-Wait?! This is non-alcoholic, isn't it?!

[But the person is gone now... What does he do with it? Drink it?? He can't let it go to waste?? Plus- there might be some pesky mistletoe hanging about, also.]

[🥦 d. wildcard]

[got something else for izuku? feel free to wildcard me here!]

Mistletoe

[localweirdo]

[Meanwhile, here Hu Tao was, just minding her own business as she starting to venture around the area. So far, this had been quite the party. Between the vendors, food, and the people? This certainly had made things more interesting!

However, there was one thing she was curious about. As she stood under a certain plant, she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at it. She had never really seen something like this before so she wasn't sure what to make of it.

And yet, she found herself standing still and not sure what to do.]

Excuse me, do you know what this is? [She asked a person who also happened to be standing under it.]

nill | DOGS: BULLETS & CARNAGE

[culver]

i. still be lookin' my best [upper & middle tiers]

[After hearing about the prom, Nill had spent a little while going back and forth on whether or not she wanted to go. She's heard of proms, of course she has, but it's not something she ever thought she'd be able to attend--she's never even been to school. But eventually, her curiosity had gotten the better of her and she'd started looking for a dress, eventually choosing one that she thinks matches the theme well.

Then, Badou had gotten hurt and Nill had been ready to scrap her plans to attend in favor of watching over him. But as his insistence, she'd (reluctantly) agreed to still go, as long as someone was there with him while she was there. Though she's nervous to go by herself, the knowledge that some people she already knows will be there as well helps convince her she'll be alright. And if anything happens, she can just go right back to the apartment. It's no big deal. That's what she tells herself in the days leading up to the prom, and eventually, she comes to believe it.

Vanessa does her hair up in the fanciest style it's ever been, and throughout the night, she can't help but reach back and hover her hand over the back of her head, just to make sure the intricate twists are still in place. On the upper floor of the event center, her attention is focused on the food stations. Most of the food available isn't anything she's ever tried before, and she spends her time watching others go and pick up a plate before sidling over, wings sticking straight out behind her, to pick one up for herself. She'll do her best to eat standing up, at least until she figures out the middle tier has tables where she can sit down. She'll scope out an empty table, and cautiously park herself there to nibble at whatever food she has and watch people pass by with wide eyes. As the evening goes on, she'll start to feel more comfortable, and won't shy away from anyone who happens to want to share a table with her.]

ii. i stay on the beat, you can count on me [lower tier]

[The lowest tier of the center is what really draws Nill's interest as the evening progresses. The changing lights are so beautiful, unlike anything she's ever seen, and even before anyone starts dancing, she's fixated on watching the kaleidoscope lights swivel back and forth across the polished floor. Between the lights and the decorations, it's a little overwhelming, so she'll be playing the perfect wallflower, staying out of the path of the lights but intently watching anyone who takes to the dance floor. Even when the dance is scripted, a la The Cha-Cha Hustle, she won't join in, apparently content and fascinated to just watch others move along to the beat. But she might be spotted kind of swaying in time with the beat, though convincing her to actually dance will be very difficult.]

iii. i ain't missin' no steps [wildcard]

[i'm down for anything! please feel free to pm me or ping me on plurk at watchet for anything specific.]

obvi not here

[kampfgeist]

[ THAT'S HIS BABY GO GET EM ANGEL ]

Hythlodaeus | Final Fantasy XIV

[nomoresharks]

A. SEE THE SIGHTS

[When he isn't helping with the entertainment, Hythlodaeus can most frequently be found fluttering from decoration to decoration, taking in every inch of the organizer's handiwork with a pleased smile, perhaps even picturing himself in his younger, school days amongst all the glitz and glam (from what he's gathered, this sort of event is usually for those on the cusp of graduation, after all).

But mostly he finds himself drawn to the lowest floor, taking in the dancing colors of the dance floor and lingering near the stained glass, staring up at it, entranced, drink in hand.]

Remarkable... 'Tis hard to believe all this was put together so quickly.


B. CULTURE SHOCK

[The music is something of a mixed bag, Hythlodaeus thinks. He's not opposed to many of the songs being played by a fellow city-dweller on that odd, lute-like instrument, but he can't help but cringe whenever the stage is empty and certain party songs are left to play on their own.

A few of them have a good beat and are fun enough to sway to, true, but only some, and he can only imagine what thoughts Emet-Selch must have about the all.

Still, it's not so bad, he supposes. And everyone still appears to be enjoying themselves.]

Are these sorts of songs... popular where you are from?


C. NEATH DARK WATERS SWEET MISTLETOE

[The first time Hythlodaeus is caught beneath the mistletoe, it isn't by surprise. No, the plant manages to catch his keen eye almost immediately, and the moment it does, he draws closer in order to examine it all the better. He recognizes it, of course: a parasitic plant frequently found clinging to trees. Why it's being used for decoration on the other hand... Well. He'll learn that soon enough.

Any subsequent dalliances beneath the mistletoe are entirely by accident. While he does his best to keep an eye out for the mischievous little plant, it seems to have a penchant (for creeping up on both him and others despite its presumably immobile nature.]


D. WILDCARD

[Got any particular ideas you'd like to play out? Feel free to go ahead and run with them! Alternatively, hit me up at shadetoshade to plan things! (or just to add me)]


X. A CHANGE OF CLOTHES -- All around, bonus condition

[While Hythlodaeus had arrived in rather normal looking fare to begin with, sometime during the night, he slips away to change into something altogether different. And horrible.

Nothing seems to go together, not even if one were to squint--from the chains and straps of his far-too-baggy pants to the deep, v-necked t-shirt, to the pair of crocs with too many decorations pinned to it to count. His mask, at the least, has been left out of the mess, tucked away with his original change of clothes to be spared the horror and indignation of being associated with this little dare.

But if you want to catch him in this ensemble, you might want to do so quickly, before Hythlodaeus's sense of shame catches up to him (or Emet-Selch spots him) and he's back to wearing his proper attire: black slacks and loafers, a white dress shirt, a waistcoat decorated in bright blues and purples, and (of course), a black tie.]

X. The dare has been completed.

[featheradrift]

[ The Wanderer has been keeping an eye out for Hythlodaeus all night. Initially, he had been disappointed to see the man walk in with a standard outfit and had opted not to approach the other on the off-chance that the dare had been forgotten, but when he later spies the change of outfit, he grins wickedly. Now he could show off the fruits of his work.

The drifter himself wouldn't be caught dead in a terrible outfit, however, so he's wearing a fine outfit as he approaches Hythlodaeus. ]

I'm impressed. That is truly hideous.

Brook | I'm the Grim Reaper

[reaperrabbit]

A. I Go Through Your iPad, Looking for Something I Used to Have (ALL OVER the place)

[You know what? Though he came here secretly intending to play security for Onni and Nikolai, Brook's actually having a pretty good time.

Like (most of) the other attendees, he's dressed to the nines, though he may have had to pick his suit and dress shirt out of the youth departments at the mall. Either he chose to lean into the "midnight" aspect of the theme, or he's lazy and uncreative; whatever the driving impulse, it steered him to a selection of neat, sleek blacks for jacket, slacks, shirt, and belt. He's even deigned to wear shoes. They're black and classy, too. His signature magenta serves only as an accent color: a pocket square, a flash of sock when he moves, the boutonnière Kaveh forced on him.

He looks good. Brook thinks he does, anyway, judging by the number of selfies he's taking. And his record of the night doesn't stop there. Anywhere there's literally anything of interest--be it the food, the gorgeous stained glass displays, other attendees, a giant, ambulatory cookie, or sundry other novelties--he's stopping to snap a pic with his phone. A small plate's worth of chocolate truffles set against an otherwise empty table. The kaleidoscope of color on the dance floor. Someone he knows dancing or drinking with someone he doesn't. Brook documents all of it, looking almost... like he's having fun.

Catch him taking a picture of you, or standing off to the side muttering to himself as he captions a photo. Oh, no, is he posting that? Probably! =;3]

B. All Your Friends Are Verified (PHOTO STATION; closed to close/positive CR)

[His steps slow as he passes the photo opportunity station. It's not Prompto or the glitzy backdrop that give him pause, but the Polaroid camera set aside for their use. Brook picks it up, a distant, kind of nostalgic expression crossing his features.

Then he lifts his head and looks around.]

Hey. Uh...

[His eyes drop back down to the camera. He fidgets idly with the strap.]

...Do you want to take a picture together?

C. Just a Downtown Socialite, Ship I Pass on Summer Nights (LOWER TIER)

i.
[Closer to the end of the party, once midnight (the time, not the vampire) has passed and taken some of Brook's usual, nightly-ramping tension with it, he can be found on the lowest floor of the venue, lingering on the outskirts. His phone's in his pocket, for now. Maybe it's the lighting down here, but he looks softer than usual as he watches the dancers do their thing.

It's not about the dancing, really. He doesn't know what it is that feels so mellow and satisfying, seeing all these strangers--mostly strangers--enjoy themselves tonight. He didn't have anything to do with planning this, he has no investment in the event's success. It's just... nice.

One could easily mistake his gaze for a wallflower's wistful longing. Even if he isn't suffering some kind of dance FOMO, who knows how he might respond to an invitation, if asked the right way?]

ii.
[Or witness him turning to leave the edge of the dance floor, noticing his shoelaces have come loose, and kneeling to deal with them.

And then remaining there, shoestrings in hand, frozen in place.

He doesn't know how to tie shoelaces.]

D. Shadow That I Can't Define (WILDCARD)

((Got something else you want to do with Mr. Reaper Rabbit? Hit me up by PM or on Plurk at asherdashery! Regarding the magic missile mistletoe, Brook will be resisting both its compulsion and anyone else's attempts to kiss him, so I didn't include a prompt for it. But if you want to play out Brook semi-gently pushing your character's face away from his face, I'm open to it, haha.

As always, his permissions/opt-out post is here.))

A

[coolerjunpei]

[Junpei did not come dressed to the nines. This was intentional, although more because he's a child who feels like an idiot in stuffy formalwear than anything else. Like, was he supposed to get someone to tie his tie for him? Embarrassing. So this is the best he could do...

He's been getting it on all sides for his silly choice of outfit tonight, but he's taking it in stride and also he's had a few drinks, so when he catches Brook snapping pics in his periphery, he assumes -- it's because of the goof-ass tuxedo shirt, isn't it.

Well!]

Hey! Hang on, let me do you one better than that. Ready? Here—

[And he does... some kind of a stupid Cool Pose... featuring stomping his foot, so that the shoe lights up. Get it while it's hot, bud.]