[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.

    

LIVEBLOG

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

credit.

Comments

[reflexio]

He is free to explore the venue as he wishes.

[ After all, Yi Sang wouldn't want to keep Hong Lu from seeking out whatever interested him.

He wanders to a new rack, rifling through the jackets. None of these seem to be his size either, but perhaps there may yet be hope somewhere within this sea of blazers. His hands pause for a moment and he glances over at his current company. Should he have asked? ]

I... suppose I did not see reason to ask this particular person.

[ Call it blind faith or trust. Maybe he would fall prey to some wayward fae. Who's to say? ]

[fauned]

( a sentiment she can understand. fine, then. good to know, though. she'll keep that in mind. )

C'mere.

( she has a vest in her hand that looks about right, gesturing with now with great! urgency! so she can see how it fits on him. )

Does your date have a favorite color?

[reflexio]

[ Yi Sang lifts his head, glancing over at Fearne. She's found something? Thank goodness. He was starting to give up hope.

He retreats from his search to join Fearne at her side and inspects her find. Indeed, it looks to be about his size. Even if it's not the appropriate color, it will at least assist in narrowing down what fit or cut would best suit him. ]

A favorite color?

[ Well... that had been one of Don Quixote's questions she'd asked during their holiday sweater party, but it's difficult to discern whether Hong Lu's response was his actual favorite color, or whether it was the answer he'd thought of in that moment. And now that he's thinking about it, it's not as if Hong Lu's response was specific. ]

Perhaps... cream?

[ That had been the color of the cat paws on Don Quixote's sweater, the one that Hong Lu seemed to like. But Hong Lu had never specified he liked the cream in particular, only that he liked how its shade reminded him of what it would be like to put one's face in the fur of a cat, but only if the cat didn't run away.

Yi Sang frowns. ]

The... color of a cat. One that might enjoy being pet.

[ He's good at this. ]

[fauned]

( what an answer to the question. that's not very specific, is it? her expression must say as much, tugging the vest off of the hanger before she circles around to help him in it. )

Just about any of them would if you're lucky. For example, I can be a cat, and I enjoy being pet.

( #littledruidthings )

Most cats, before you ask. Even some of the bigger ones. So that's not really an answer?

[reflexio]

[ Wait. Really? Forget about finding a proper outfit. There are more pressing matters at hand. ]

...you can shapeshift?

[ Given the horns and the hooves, maybe he shouldn't have been so surprised to hear that Fearne has unusual abilities. ]

A sepia cat -- could you... shapeshift into a sepia cat?

[ And then she would look like the workshop cat, the one that had followed Dongrang home one day. ]

[fauned]

Mmm..........

( she wanted to dress him up like a little doll first, but, fine. why not. )

'kay!

( only.. she probably isn't quite imagining the same one he is, but here goes nothing anyway!

a spark of flame starts at the tips of her fingers, and it takes to her like a fallen autumn leaf, the flashfire dissipating just as quickly to reveal a siamese cat where she once stood. cream, but with darker fur at the tips. happy as a cat can be, she trots on over with a lazily swaying tail,

and meows. )

[reflexio]

[ Oh god. She's on -- she's on fire???

But then the flames are gone, thank the Wings, and there stands a Siamese cat. It's not quite what Yi Sang imagined, no, but it's certainly good enough.

He crouches down to the meowing cat and offers his hand to her. ]

Is this truly you, Fearne?

[ He has to confirm, okay. ]

[fauned]

( he crouches, she sits. it's clear she's just as comfortable in this skin as she is in any other, her tail curling around her very politely placed paws. even when he offers up a hand, all she does is bump the top of her head to it, her purr rumbly and contented.

who else could it be? )

[reflexio]

[ The cat gently headbutts his hand. It puts a small smile on Yi Sang's face. ]

Yes, of course... I suppose that was a rhetorical question, was it not?

[ His hand remains outstretched as Fearne sits in front of him. He raises his hand a bit, hovering in midair at the crook of her shoulder. ]

...may I...?

[ Please say yes. Please let him give all the scritches. ]

[fauned]

( was she not clear enough!!

well, in hopes of conveying what her otherwise lack of words cannot, she's going to go on ahead and rub her cheek against the outstretched hand, finally bringing both paws up to catch it to nuzzle right in. most people might have reservations about getting pet by their new friends but, she's never claimed to have shame. )

[reflexio]

[ It's been awhile since he's pet a cat. Yi Sang allows Fearne to take his hand between her paws, turning his hand so that his fingertips can reach her chin. He rubs his nails against it, gently, but just firm enough to go scritchscritch.

Most people might have reservations about petting their transformed friends, but right now, Fearne really is just a cat to him. ]

Incredible. You truly have become a cat...

[ He rubs at her cheek with his thumb, careful not to touch any of her whiskers. ]

[fauned]

( she chirrups as if in agreement, spoiled as one can be in the face of such attentive scritches. the thumb on her furred cheek makes her ear flick, pressing back against his hand whenever he so much as lets up even a little bit. she's at least somewhat careful with her claws, sharp as they are. drawing blood would only make him flinch, after all.

but yes! a cat! one of her few tricks up her flowing sleeve. all this for the small price of having this strange little creature in her usual form in their acquaintance. )

[reflexio]

[ He is wholeheartedly content to remain here like this. In fact, this might even be preferable compared to exploring the rest of the gala, and he's liable to continue giving Fearne all the scritches she'll allow. ]

Your fur is rather soft. ...I have missed seeing creatures like the one whose form you have taken.

[ The lack of fauna is one aspect of the City that he doesn't think he'll ever get used to. ]