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

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[open mingle: the sunlight at midnight gala]

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

THE VENUE

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

Not intended by Ghost (

badfeyth) and Kaveh (

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

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

UPPER TIER

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

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

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

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

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

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

VISUALS: AESTHETICS & ETC.

MIDDLE TIER

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

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

VISUALS: AESTHETICS & ETC.

LOWER TIER

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

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

VISUALS: AESTHETICS & ETC.

ENTERTAINMENT

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

Performers on deck include:

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

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

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

VISUALS: AESTHETICS & ETC.

LIVEBLOG

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

credit.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 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?

[ the sight of Kaveh with a task at hand is as familiar as the slow and moderately judgmental way he looks Reno up and down. it makes Reno grin even as he's already shaking his head in anticipation of whatever cutting comment Kaveh is about to make. ]

Hi, Kaveh. Darling, love of my life, you have gotta explain what my outfit has to do with your dancing.

[ Reno takes a sip of his drink and lifts his eyebrows expectantly. ]

I sure didn't. I got a coat around here somewhere, though. [ he waves a hand back toward the food stations where his coat is slung over a chair, probably. ] Aw, c'mon. What am I gonna get all fancy for?

[ 'darling, love of my life', reno says, and kaveh has to resist the urge to look over his shoulders to see precisely just who reno's addressing.

it's only because the tone's a flippant one that kaveh affords him a roll of his eyes back, an easy thing that comes with the shift of his boltcutters over his shoulders. as you do. it's not a gala without a little bit of a fight, or so kaveh's learned. ]

Obviously, [ kaveh says, with a hint of a grin, ] if you were better dressed, and had gotten yourself 'fancy', as you put it so eloquently - I'd already be dancing with you.

[ no, Reno knows better than to flirt seriously with Kaveh—it would never work, and he'd probably get throttled for his trouble. this knowledge is why the implication that Kaveh might dance with him willingly has his eyebrows climbing up his forehead in disbelief, although only for a moment before he laughs. ]

Ain't no way. [ he grins, not wanting to needle the man holding the boltcutters but also not totally able to stop himself being... well, himself. ] You can barely stand me, you wouldn't dance with me if I was the last guy in this place.

[ and alas, after eighteen years in the same suit (give or take), it's going to take longer than a couple of months for Reno to learn how to be best-dressed of the City prom. maybe his dalliance with Lestat will help him in that regard. check in again at this time next year. ]

This came out great, though. [ Reno gestures around the dance floor, indicating the kaleidescoping colors of it all. ] You should be real proud of yourself.

[ the gala's din shifts in waves. it ebbs and flows much in the way of an inlet sea. kaveh thinks - fontaine must've been like this. galas are far more common there. they have photographers at those, news coverage that sends pictures of their resplendent dresses and the ornate decorations all across teyvat for the world to see. in comparison, this gala is a small one, one born of a single heart. but kaveh is proud of it all that same, what that heart had achieved.

that heart hadn't been his. kaveh smiles. ]

It's Ghost, actually. She dreamt up this gala; I was just the pair of hands to put a few of the pieces together. If it hadn't been her desire to help the people of this city, or the things that she wanted to achieve along with it, this gala wouldn't have found its place in history.

[ then, kaveh looks. not for the first time, bewilderment sits. ] And you must be joking. When did I ever seem like I couldn't stand you? Some of your fashion choices, yes, but I figure you can't help that sort of thing, so that's like getting angry at the sun for being bright, or grass for growing a little crooked.

[ for a second there's real bewilderment on Reno's face too as he casts back through all his interactions with Kaveh, but it's quick to fade into something more like amusement. he shakes his head, grinning easy, and lifts his drink in a toast. ]

Well, well, that's a pleasant surprise. Never thought I'd be this happy to be wrong. [ he winks, teasing. ] I'm disappointed in myself for not dressin' fancier then, if it'd get me a dance with you.

[ although—

Reno glances around as if looking for someone, then looks back over at Kaveh, his eyebrows raised. ] Met your date earlier, by the way. He seems nice. [ Well. For A Given Definition Of Nice. ]

[ here, kaveh's expression morphs. there it is, that distaste. he looks out in a hunting prickle as if by doing so, he'll spot liquid mercury in motion and that ire-raising book that alhaitham is now never seen without. ]

Nice. [ kaveh sighs. ] Whatever he said to you, he's likely right, but he also likely said it in a way that's terribly unacceptable, and for that, I apologise.

[ a thoughtful beat. ] That makes me think. Did you think he disliked you too?

[ now that makes Reno laugh out loud. exactly what kind of man must this guy be for Kaveh to both be here as his date and look around for him with that expression of annoyance? ]

He said the drink was fine and wanted to know how many figs I had left, so... nothin' that struck me as especially unacceptable. No apology needed.

[ actually, Reno's interaction with Alhaitham was shockingly normal... probably because they mostly talked about figs and Kaveh, but still. also it's extremely hard to ruffle Reno's feathers to begin with.

the question is a funny one, if only because the whole interaction lasted like ten minutes, but Reno still considers it. ]

No? I think he was way more interested in you to bother feeling any type of way about me.

[ reno laughs. kaveh supposes that it really is a bit funny in the aftermath; it is, after all, one of the two usual responses to kaveh and alhaitham's general acquaintance, the other being bemusement - to which kaveh says that he actually feels both amusement and bemusement at the situation because if you were to ask him how this all began, he really wouldn't be able to tell you. it's a lot. it's too much, really, what it takes for two lives to be inexorably entangled in ways that leave them bereft when tweezed apart, and the intervening years has proven that that wasn't possible anyway.

still, kaveh shakes his head. 'interesting in you', reno says, and kaveh makes another face. ]

Ah, I see I was apologising for the wrong thing after all. Then, so you know, whatever he said about me was absolutely false, and he probably said it in a terribly rude way, so I'll apologise for that instead.

That does bring me to my second question, however. If he of all people couldn't make you think he disliked you, then what did I do to make it so?

You brought this guy as your date and all you're doin' is slandering him? [ to Reno this is deeply amusing behavior. ] All he said about you was that he was tryin' to force you to eat something in the midst of all your running around, and that he was for sure angling to get a dance outta you before the night was over.

[ if this were Heine he would be truly astonished by Alhaitham's lack of incisive commentary on Kaveh's general [gestures to him], but Reno doesn't know Alhaitham at all, so this doesn't strike him as out of the ordinary. ]

Do you usually fraternize with guys who can make somebody think they're disliked in the first and only one minute of meeting? [ curious... Kaveh must have a degradation kink or something. ] Just, you rag on me a lot. I didn't realize you were just pulling my pigtails.

[ ah, kaveh thinks. he looks. reno and his food stand; he hadn't had a chance to go and see what reno had been making, in the hustle and bustle of the gala. ghost had been in charge of the menu, and by the end of things and buried up to something like seventy shutters, kaveh had simply let that part of the gala go as he wrangled the rest. but figs and cheese. kaveh had that all night, and it had been delightful, each and every bite of it. that had been reno.

kaveh's smile soften around the edges. of course it does. ]

And do you usually make extra cheese and figs for people that you think disliked you? I was wondering where Alhaitham got those, and how there were so many of them. [ there's an apology in the way that kaveh dips his head, guilt and rue settling as one. ] I owe you an apology, it seems. I hadn't meant to make you think that I disliked you, and my tongue got away from me. Would you give me a chance to make it up to you?

[ Reno shrugs at that, spreading his free hand in an innocent what can you do? gesture. ]

Sure I would. Doesn't matter if you don't like me, I like you just fine. [ and that's reason enough to continue feeding him figs at Alhaitham's behest. frankly, Reno is so used to people responding to him with fear or hatred that in comparison, a mild distaste barely even registers. even if Kaveh were to dislike him he'd probably assume he deserved it. ] All he had to do was ask.

[ maybe there's something in there for Reno to chew on later, but for now he'll just put it on the list of things about this night that have given him things to chew on later. instead, he offers Kaveh a smile—more sincere than his usual flirty grin—and tilts his head slightly, considering. ]

I dunno if I'd say you owe me anything, but I ain't gonna say no if you wanna make it up.

[ all he had to do was ask, reno says, as if getting over that feeling of being disliked were just something to wave his hand for - and it would be gone, entirely so. kaveh looks. blase, kaveh thinks, or perhaps used to being disliked? perhaps that's a part of being a security consultant, or whatever it is that reno does, but it strikes kaveh as something quite lonely.

he smiles. ]

Well, for that, you have my gratitude for the opportunity. Do you happen to have something in mind for my attempt to patch things up, or would you like some time to think about it? For what it's worth, I owe you twice. Once for this, and once for the excellent appetisers that have kept me going all night.

[ the grin only widens, and Reno says, ]

Dance with me even though I didn't dress up enough for ya?

[ it's a small thing, he thinks. (he hopes—is dancing small? maybe it depends on who you ask?) it seems like an easy ask, but if it'll soothe Kaveh's feelings of owing him one over a misunderstanding that was Reno's to begin with, all the better.

besides, it's no hardship on Reno to get to spend five minutes dancing with a lovely man, although he certainly knows better than to flirt, at this point. ]

You really don't owe me for the appetizers, though. That was pretty literally my job tonight.

[ dance with me, reno says, and kaveh looks. he laughs. of course he does. ]

Yes, well, put it this way - it was my job to help a little with the planning of this gala, and people couldn't stop thanking me all night for it. If I need to live through that, then you need to live through me thanking you.

[ kaveh sets his boltcutters down. the words love and patience glint in resplendent, scintillating sparkles as they catch the light. he turns to reno, and, with a flourish, holds out his hand for him to take. the wink is entirely for dramatic effect. ] Which is to say - I acquiesce, even if you didn't dress up enough for me. May I have this dance, Reno?

Now that feels like not the same thing, [ Reno protests, but only mildly, because he already knows that arguing with Kaveh is an unwinnable prospect. (he doesn't yet know it's because Kaveh hones his argumentation skills against Alhaitham; that knowledge will probably come later.)

the wink is delightful, though, and Reno grins for it before he places his hand in Kaveh's with an equally dramatic flourish of his own. ] It would be my honor entirely.

[ he says this in Thancred's accent, because it's the fanciest one he knows, and then follows Kaveh out onto the dance floor. to be totally honest, Reno does not know how to dance—but the music is slow, and he's a pretty decent imitator, so he figures he's not that likely to make an utter fool out of himself. ]

What are you gonna do when this is over? [ he folds one hand into Kaveh's, wraps the other around his waist. they maintain a polite distance, of course—Reno saw the biceps on Kaveh's date, he's not gonna try any funny business. ] Sleep for four days and then start plannin' your next venture?

How you feel about it hardly changes the facts, though I can't believe I'm the one saying that. [ says kaveh, with a laugh. thancred's accent, he realises, the lilt of which is sheer, playful aplomb coming from reno. he takes reno's hand, shifting his fingers into his grip as he takes reno out onto the dance floor proper.

the room sways; the bodies sway with them, a flitting circle that kaveh finds a sliver of a gap to take them into so that they can find their place. he waits until reno's hands are settled before he pulls them into an easy one-two step, just a light sway of a thing while kaveh considers the question with another, bleaker laugh. ]

Oh, that is the question, isn't it? In truth, I can hardly think of anything else with this gala still on-going. It's a thought that has consumed me for the better part of a month and a half, and I suspect I'll need some time to remember how to think of anything else again. [ above, the chime of a silver bell, and the stained glass contraption turns its own crank, the filter of the lights through glass dancing across the floor as if a playful kaleidoscope. kaveh smiles. ] But I don't think I can avoid the sleep. At least three separate people have vowed to sit on me until I properly pass out in the aftermath. I'm taking thoughts, though - given that I don't have anything concrete lined up, I don't suppose you have anything you want built or designed for yourself?

Yeah, sounds about right. Though if one of 'em is Ghost you better tell her to keep that same energy for herself too.

[ these two, power couple of not taking good care of themselves and hyperfocusing on tasks to the exclusion of all else. it's a personality type Reno doesn't exactly sympathize with, but can at least handle, mostly because he's used to handling it at work.

with half his attention, Reno follows Kaveh's steps, reversing and imitating the way he dances at least passably enough so as not to step on his feet—that's really the most important thing, since if Reno stepped on Kaveh's toes as well as not wearing a boutonnière, he worries Kaveh will run him out of the gala entirely.

(okay, no he doesn't. but still!) ]

Nah, not unless you wanna try your hand at inventing a stun baton. [ Reno laughs. he can't imagine that's an area of expertise for Kaveh, as an architect. ] Although if you wanna give me interior decor tips as well as fashion tips I ain't gonna say no to that. Low-stakes for you.

Oh. Four, then. [ kaveh revises, then laughs. ] Though I'll pass on your message. If she hears it from multiple sources, perhaps one of them will inspire her to do something about it.

[ interior decorating tips, however, and fashion tips. both, kaveh thinks, are things that perhaps he can provide. it was daan who said it, wasn't it, that there are people who are keen to customise their own spaces within a city like this. it's a feeling that resonates with kaveh well. but in truth, kaveh thinks, it's the stun baton that seems like something he can apply his expertise to.

he asks, ] Tell me more, however, of this stun baton. I can make a passable attempt with fashion and interior decoration, and you'll be certain to hear my opinions on it regardless, but it's the former that seems like it'll be of most help to you. From its name, there's a current that passes through it, correct? Is it a manner of weapon?

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

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

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

[ electro-magnetic, reno says. if it channels an electric current, kaveh thinks, then it must be something that you can use to hit someone and have them be incapacitated for it. two feet long, but collapsible, which means it isn't drawn like a sword, but more like some of the segmented weapons kaveh had seen in liyue when he had gone there on exchange all those years ago, the kind that you can conceal on your person and draw out as needed. reno did mention he was a part of a security force; perhaps the weapon was non-lethal in nature?

kaveh considers this. ]

I'd appreciate a diagram; whatever it is sounds like might be complicated. If I understand the nature of it - it's supposed to administer a shock if applied to a person, correct? The weapon must have a high enough voltage output to stun those that it comes in contact with, but also insulated in such a way that it doesn't stun you in the process. This world has done a great job in excising anything obviously dangerous from their shelves, but I can think of a few things that could get a charge up that high - the flash of the hand-held kameras here, for example, since they have some awfully powerful capacitor chargers for what they do.

[ hm. ] I'll have to play around with a few prototypes and see. My main concern is making it light enough to be portable. How heavy would you say it was?

[ almost all correct, except that the weapon was most definitely lethal in nature. ]

Sure thing. [ the diagram, that is. Reno listens to the rest of it, considering. this isn't how he expected they'd be spending their time dancing, but it's actually turning out to be pretty fun for him too. ] Yep, exactly. Handle's rubber, metal's zappy.

[ one of the first things impressed upon him in training was to never let the metal end of the baton touch any part of his bare skin. Reno learned that lesson well, ingrained it into his soul, and then eventually started ignoring it once he understood it well enough. ]

It's not heavy, but it's a little heavier than you'd expect from lookin' at it, I guess. I could wield it one-handed but I'm also... [ he shrugs. ] Trained for that. Most people'd probably use two.

[ metal's zappy, reno says. illustrative, kaveh thinks, but apparently only a little heavier than you'd expect from looking at it. it has him looking at reno carefully, the slow elevator crawl of his gaze this time less a gauge on the current crimes being committed on fashion, and more so the purported muscle mass that reno must be hiding beneath the line of his dress shirt.

well, kaveh thinks. there's only one way to find out. he tips his head back to where reno's table and kaveh's bolt cutters still sit. ]

I am sorry to interrupt this lovely dance of ours, but I'm suddenly struck with curiosity. Would you like to arm-wrestle me?

[ by this point they were barely dancing anyway, so Reno has no qualms about laughing and stepping back to make a gesture that ushers Kaveh off the dance floor and back toward the table currently holding his bolt cutters. ]

Oh, absolutely. After you.

[ he winks, but follows Kaveh out of the press of bodies and back out to the cooler and slightly quieter edges of the fray. an arm-wrestle is certainly not something one does in polite company, Reno is sure, and suddenly he's glad he didn't dress up extra fancy for this thing. it would only have gotten in the way. ]

[ reno winks. the gesture is a playful one. kaveh grins in turn, leading them from the dance floor to the outer edges where the tables are. he takes a seat with his back to the wall, gesturing for reno to sit not so much across from him as a single chair over, just enough so that they can catch their elbows on the edge of the circular table.

it's been some time, kaveh thinks, since he's done any kind of tests of strength. he rolls up sleeves, pushing back the silken line of his blouse so he can plant his elbow onto the table proper. workman scars line his arm where lumber has scraped past skin, or a blade has cut in deep during a scuffle. ]

We used to as young men play like this all the time, especially in the Kshahrewar against our craftsmen peers, but it's been some time since I've had the impetus. Do you know the rules?

[open mingle: the sunlight at midnight gala]

i'm a guest among my yesterdays,

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