[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

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credit.

Comments

[reflexio]

[ Oh, it's Mr. Essayist. Looks like he's wearing a different hat today, trading away academia for a chef's hat.

"What are your preferences?" asks Wanderer, which doesn't actually narrow anything down. Yi Sang isn't a particularly picky eater, and he'll generally put anything edible into his mouth. ]

I have none in particular, but --

[ He points at the samosas. ]

What is inside these? Are they some form of dumpling...?

[featheradrift]

Meat, potatoes, onions and peas. They're similar to meat buns, but the outer shell is fried.

[If Yi Sang isn't picky, then he supposes he could recommend just about anything to the man and he'd be fine with it. ]

Why don't you just eat a bit of everything? You're spending way too much time thinking about what to eat.

[reflexio]

[ Oh. That sounds pretty tasty... ]

...in truth, I am unable to consume large amounts of food at once.

[ This man eats like a bird. He needs to employ strategy when it comes to selecting what he'd like to sample. Yi Sang points to the round pieces of food arranged next to the samosas. ]

What are these?

[ Is he going to make Wanderer explain every single dish at his food station? Maybe. ]

[featheradrift]

[ At least he has a good reason to be picky, he guesses. But it does mean he's going to have to spend even more time watching the man slowly figure out what he wants to eat, doesn't it?

And with the questions, it almost feels like he's dealing with a child, the way he wants everything explained to him. ]

Panipuri. It's similar to the samosa but made from wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. These ones don't have meat in them, and are made to be snack size.

Try them.

[ He then points at one of the balls and then points at the dish of green chutney next to it. Yi Sang should dip the panipuri into it. ]

[reflexio]

[ The haters hate that Yi Sang can experience childlike wonder.

He inspects the panipuri. They do appear sufficiently bite-sized and less filling than a samosa. If Wanderer will vouch for them, he'll trust his word.

Yi Sang finally takes one of the available paper plates, using the designated tongs to grab a single piece of panipuri. Obediently, he dips it gingerly into the chutney before placing it on his plate. Now that a piece is right in front of him, he can get a closer look at it.

Satisfied, he grasps it with two fingers and lifts it into his mouth. Chew, chew, swallow --

His eyes widen, glowing. Not only is Mr. Essayist an allegedly skilled academic, but he's also quite the impressive chef. ]

I see. So this is panipuri...

[featheradrift]

[ His lips turn up slightly at Yi Sang's expression of wonder. It's pleasing to see people enjoy his food, even if said person who seems like he'd be pleased by anything half-decent. ]

Enjoyed it, hm? Even if you have a small appetite, surely you can handle bite-sized morsels.

[ He gestures to some of the sandwiches on the table. They've all been cut down to bite-sized pieces and pierced with a toothpick to keep their integrity. Among the variety of sandiwches are some egg salad sandwiches and katsu sando. ]

man i'm HUNGRY

[reflexio]

[ This is true. Yi Sang's the sort who will put just about anything edible in his mouth. Still, it's always nice to enjoy something tasty.

His gaze follows Wanderer's hand, landing on the tiny egg salad sandwiches and then on the katsu sando. So many choices, so little stomach real estate... On the upside, these small portions are, in fact, ideal for him.

He takes one of each, again taking a moment to inspect the handiwork of the food. Instead of eating them though, he asks: ]

Each individual piece of food here -- were they crafted by your very own hands?

[ He can't cook for shit. This is all very impressive to him. ]

same tbh.....

[featheradrift]

[ It seems like every little thing is a novelty to the man, and he can't help but wonder what kind of life Yi Sang led before appearing here. ]

Of course they were. They wouldn't be on this table otherwise.

[ They're just sandwiches!! Anyone can make sandwiches!! ]

[reflexio]

[ "Anyone can make sandwiches!!" Unless???? ]

I see. That is most impressive.

[ He plucks one of the egg salad sandwiches off his plate, removes the toothpick, and pops the whole thing into his mouth. It's... also good, just like the panipuri?? Whoa. ]

In truth, I am not permitted to prepare food.

[ Though maybe he would if he did the bare minimum like making sure ingredients hadn't gone bad. All his attention to detail seems to go out the window as soon as he steps into a kitchen. ]

[featheradrift]

So you've tried before?

[ He doesn't seem like the type who would follow a recipe's instructions correctly. Sorry Yi Sang, but you haven't given him that kind of faith so far.

How is it that people can be so bad at making food? It's really not that hard. It's kind of baffling, really. ]

[reflexio]

[ He nods. ]

I have, though at that time I was told my judgment of ingredient quality is poor, and that the dishes I create could dissolve its recipient's teeth from the taste alone.

[ He grimaces a bit at this, actually. ]

[featheradrift]

[ That's... actually impressive. It's one thing to be terrible at cooking, but it's another to be so bad the food becomes a weapon of destruction. ]

Just apply that one-track mind of yours and treat food like any other research topic. It's not hard to figure out.

WHY IS THIS THE ONE THING HE'S IMPRESSED ABOUT

[reflexio]

[ Treating cooking like any other research topic? Yi Sang had never thought of it that way, but now that Mr. Essay Writer's brought it up -- yes, perhaps that's the proper approach. ]

I see. And thus, I should treat the culinary arts as one might approach a research project. But such a project requires a concrete methodology, and... that is where I find myself at a loss in a kitchen.

LISTEN, HE'S NEVER MET ANYONE THAT BAD AT COOKING

[featheradrift]

Go find a cookbook or something. Recipes are the equivalent of an experiment's procedures, aren't they? If you follow it exactly, there's no reason you'd fail.

[ Why does he even have to make this comparison for Yi Sang to understand? Ah, but then, this is why Nahida is so fond of analogies, isn't it? When filtered through a familiar lens, the unfamiliar becomes understandable. ]

[reflexio]

[ Wanderer is onto something. Recipes as a substitute for the step-by-step procedures of a controlled experiment, which meant variables involved in cooking could also be controlled. ]

A cookbook...

[ Hm. Perhaps the media store might have one of those.

He points at the panipuri. ]

Do you have access to the recipe for these...?

[featheradrift]

[ Will he finally get a cooking disciple that can follow instructions? looking at altria and her biscuit golem ]

I can send it to you after this.

[ If Yi Sang was seriously considering learning cooking, then there were plenty of easy recipes the drifter could give him to get him started. ]

Any other recipes you want to know?

[reflexio]

[ Yi Sang perks up as much as his tired demeanor allows. ]

That would be greatly appreciated.

[ He scans Wanderer's station of food with a careful eye, taking a moment to evaluate whether he would like the recipe of any other dish. Eventually, he points at the egg salad sandwiches. ]

I quite enjoyed these as well. I see they are composed of bread and egg, but surely there must be additional ingredients.

[featheradrift]

Mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper, with parsley as a garnish. It's a fairly simple recipe.

[ Yi Sang would be hard pressed to mess this up, even if he overcooked the eggs, so long as he taste tested the mix to make sure he wasn't over seasoning it. ]

[reflexio]

[ He commits each of those ingredients to memory. Bread, egg, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper, and parsley: seven components in sum. ]

I see. That is quite fortunate then.

[ There's a small pause, as though Yi Sang isn't sure whether this is the appropriate time and place for his next line of thought. Eventually, he decides to raise his comment anyways. Wanderer doesn't seem the sort to feel particularly distressed by unusual occurrences around the City. ]

It is an efficient recipe, which has become increasingly valuable as the City's supplies appear to be dwindling.

[featheradrift]

[ He's not, and this is a problem he's aware of already, so he doesn't show any strong reaction to the change of topic. ]

At least you have enough sense to worry about that. But you're right. We ought to think about rationing food soon.

[reflexio]

[ Ration food, until the City inevitably ceases to restock on its supplies at all. Ideally, it doesn't reach that point.

Yi Sang glances at a crowd milling about a nearby food station. Each face is graced with a smile. As supplies dwindle, such a sight will become increasingly rare. ]

I am not aware of who would be tasked with such arrangements.

[ As far as he can tell, there doesn't appear to be any sort of de facto leader within the City among its residents. ]

[featheradrift]

[ That's the difficult part. There's no one in charge of anything. It'll be difficult to organize large scale movements like rationing food. ]

First, we should check how much food is available in general. We may not need to engage in such measures yet, but it'll be good to know how much we're working with.

[ Only with numbers and good research will people be compelled to act. At least, if one can't put up a convincing emotional argument. And he's definitely not one for those kinds of arguments. ]