[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

[justscribing]

Well, that would do it. [It's all the context Alhaitham needs, because the rest of it can fill itself with Kaveh as a person.] He's never going to trust you to take care of yourself now. How much stew has he foisted off on you these past few weeks?

[limbical]

I've stopped counting.

[just his icon fits the mood]

[justscribing]

[Well Alhaitham made up with Kaveh two weeks ago so if it's still going that's not his fault, it's not Stress Stew.

So Alhaitham's face and shoulders curl with amusement as a breathy chuckle escapes.] I don't suppose that happens to be your favorite food, too.

[Even if it was, it probably isn't now.]

[limbical]

Not even close. Not that his cooking isn't good, don't get me wrong.

He has some problems with how I eat. And I am trying to learn how to cook, but he's such a mother hen.

[justscribing]

It's because he thinks the quality of food you're eating is poor since you can't cook, right? Perhaps you can convince him to give you cooking lessons instead of deciding what you'll be eating for the day himself.

In fact, there's recipe books in the new media store.

[limbical]

He judges my sandwiches, in particular. [it's brutal and kaveh is WRONG his sandwiches are FINE!!] I did ask him to give me some recipes, so there's that, at least.

Hm. I should give the media store another look, in that case.

[justscribing]

It's been one of the more beneficial locations to have opened up in this place. [And he is not at all biased because he likes books.] Most of the books seem to be copied from our own worlds, but I've found plenty of useful educational material among the titles.

[limbical]

I did notice a couple from my world, actually. Nothing terrible, just a couple of fictional books. For once, not something that's attributed to personal trauma; how refreshing.

Though that also implies they must have medical textbooks. I might be able to make use of that as well.

[justscribing]

Were they books you've read before or just titles you're familiar with?

[limbical]

Books I've read before. It's not surprising; they were classics back home, and I was expected to know them.

[justscribing]

I see. I've been wondering if these were somehow acquired from our memories or chosen based on their relevance to us. If so, that would mean everything brought in is familiar to at least one person and if it isn't for the sake of digging into our reaction to them it could be a limitation of what whoever's responsible can access.

[limbical]

Hm. It's a decent theory. I have a pretty good memory, so bringing in books based off of that... I could see that.

Wouldn't be the first time they did something based off of what we felt and remembered. Also wouldn't be the first time I witnessed something like that.

[justscribing]

You mean something besides doppelgangers? [Which presumably would have been based off their feelings and memories to better imitate them.]

[limbical]

Oh, yes.

There's a god in my world that has some connection to dimensional space. A couple of them seemed to react to memories. One of them looked like the war trenches, for example.

[justscribing]

[War trenches is fairly vague as far as being a memory goes, unless it was the recognizable memory of someone who saw the space.

Alhaitham hums, considering.] Is the work of gods prolific in your world, or are you just a particular case?

[limbical]

Both, I would argue.

A lot of people in the world don't really believe in magic, exactly. Faith in their savior, maybe, mostly as a convenience. But beyond that, not much other than religion. The truth is much nastier.

As for me, I'm the unlucky man who was raised by parents who devoted their lives to an old god. So I've gotten a lot more insight than most people.

[justscribing]

So your gods are prevalent, but not visible. If your connection to the gods have given you insight... is that because it gives you access to their power?

[It could be knowledge, sure, but it seems like someone would necessarily have to devote to god to bear witness to them.]

[limbical]

Oh, no. Some of them are perfectly visible. Just not most of them.

And... that depends on the god. Each one has their own form of creating affinity with them. The stronger that bond, then you gain some abilities.

[justscribing]

I see. I don't know what Kaveh has explained to you about Visions, but I was curious about the similarity if human's access to magic is mostly tied to deities in your world as well. I haven't heard of many others where that's the case.

[Most seem to have no magic, or much more innate access to it. No reliance on gods.]

[limbical]

We haven't discussed that topic, no. [Daan shrugs. He's sure that the questions about his own deities had left for a dismal feeling, so going any further wasn't an option.]

Magic does seem not terribly popular around here, but I'm used to that, personally.

[justscribing]

Everyone's capabilities are being limited, some entirely. [Like Alhaitham's. Because I have not submitted my AC rewards yet.] Unless you haven't noticed your magic waning?

[limbical]

Oh, no. My magic is limited, like everyone's abilities. I can't heal as much and... [Absently, he scratches at his right arm.] Some spells require a greater cost now. More than I can afford to pay.

[justscribing]

[Alhaitham's gaze flickers to the gesture.]

A doctor who knows healing magic, huh. [Who would have guessed, right?] Was that a choice?

[limbical]

[Slowly, Daan's lips form into a flat line, and he looks at Alhaitham silently for a moment. It isn't his fault, and Daan recognizes that, but the glance he gives is icy nonetheless.]

No. It wasn't.

I'll spare you the gruesome details, but suffice it to say, my parents sought to involve me in their worship.

[justscribing]

[Alhaitham, used to more scathing looks on account of being the most annoying man in Sumeru, only returns Daan's look with his same blasé expression. It's a confirmation, really, that Daan took what he was pushed into but didn't seek the knowledge on his own.

It speaks of him to keep using it to help people when he's under no obligation to even disclose it.] I see.