[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

[limbical]

...

[For a moment, Daan has to look at Hong Lu, like really look at him. Take in the whole Hong Lu in his jean suit. His juit. This horrible ensemble. Where the fuck is Lestat to save him? Daan only has the one eye and he has to look at this shit. Awful.]

...Yes, Hong Lu. That's exactly what I'm thinking.

[delicious food that's name VERGILIUS ba dum tsh]

[yyds]

[ hong lu beams. ]

Really? Fufu, maybe I'm developing mind-reading abilities now? I've always wanted to know what people were thinking, especially when they're eating Gregor's cooking.

[ he happily sidles up to daan to join him, horrific juit and all, taking time to munch for a moment from the plate he'd gotten for himself. the shrimp really is quite good, even if they're a lot smaller than he's used to. perhaps they were baby shrimp? he thinks of the vector of daan's gaze. hm. ] What part of Vergilius is delicious, anyway? I don't think he's that edible.

[limbical]

I have no perspective on that. I've only heard about the guy.

[When Vergilius is mentioned, Daan grips his glass hard enough that it creaks, threatening to crack. Daan, as one might expect, screams internally at being Seen.]

Hm, was I looking at him? I wasn't really gazing at anything in particular.

[he said, like a liar]

[yyds]

[ daan grips that glass hard enough to crack it. hong lu looks on with curiosity. he's never seen a glass crack before from someone holding it! amazing, hong lu thinks. doctor daan really is remarkable; he can do everything. ]

I guess Vergilius isn't anything in particular, then. [ he agrees, with a sagely little nod. ] Did the two of you come together?

[limbical]

I didn't say that. [ugh, whatever, he doesn't need to come to Vergilius' defense]

I convinced him to attend. [Which is a truthful statement, at least.]

[yyds]

[ hong lu smiles. ]

Oh, that would explain it. I didn't think Vergilius would come by himself. He doesn't seem to be the type that likes parties. Do you, though?

[limbical]

I've been to several and I'm more used to them. A few people asked me to come, and I dragged him along.

[He doesn't say it, but he isn't a fan of parties himself, mostly. It's the association, not because of anything else here really bothering him. It helps to see people he cares for enjoy themselves, and he does feel safer with Vergilius not far from him, but--

He still thinks of the baron, the estate, and the cat. Even if that's behind him now.]

[yyds]

[ that makes sense, hong lu thinks. people with similar personalities often become friends. though hong lu has seen opposites get along surprisingly well. heathcliff and ishmael come to mind easily. it's that sort of thing. ]

You didn't say you liked them, though. So you're also doing something you don't particularly like.

[limbical]

[A curious thing, how Hong Lu is something of a mix of naivete while also being utterly observant. It's also extremely annoying when Daan isn't keen to talk about something.]

...They're fine if I'm bartending. But no, I don't usually like fancy gatherings like this.

[yyds]

[ hong lu's head tilts. the dark sable of his hair cascades like a waterfall... over his juit. ]

Then, why are you here, Doctor Daan?

[limbical]

This might be shocking... but I do have friends here who were keen to see me, as I was to see them. Especially since it seems like the majority of them are having a good time.

I can bear it for awhile if I get to encounter that.

[And, selfishly, it has occurred to Daan how much he would like to steal Vergilius away for a dance.

Not here, though. At home, away from other eyes. Just between the two of them.]

[yyds]

Ah. That makes sense. [ says hong lu, who considers this. he says, earnestly: ] I'm not shocked, though, that you have other friends. If you can make friends with Vergilius, couldn't you make friends with anyone?

Though your friends would also want to see you have a good time, too, I think.

dont worry i'll always make it gayer

[limbical]

[That's kind of endearing, honestly. Even if Daan has never felt like it was at all difficult to get along with Vergilius, not since they'd met. Sure, he was always a bit of a dick, but honestly Daan has always kind of liked it.]

That so? Then maybe it's more shocking for me to say that I don't have a single person back in my world. No friends or family. All I've got is right here. So I don't really mind being uncomfortable for a little while if it means I get to see them having a good time.

Besides, it's probably the best party I've been to. So that counts for something.

i believe in u friend... clenches ur hand

[yyds]

[ hong lu considers this. then, he smiles. ]

I feel the same way. [ in all the ways, really. hong lu didn't have anyone back home as well, not for the longest time. but the bus has been fun, and it's been fun here, as well. though eventually it will all crumble away, for a moment, hong lu experiences 'freedom'.

he says, ] They had parties back home as well, but they weren't nearly as interesting, or fun. Our elders would sit at the head of the table, and we would quietly watch a play, or an opera. Then, they would lecture me for hours on what I should or shouldn't do. In comparison, this gala is far better. It'd be nice if I could have something like this all the time.

[limbical]

[Somehow, it hadn't really occurred to him that Hong Lu would be able to relate at all. For Daan, there had been multiple layers to his anxieties. The baron, his guests, the cat -- but even a part of that, he can understand where Hong Lu is coming from. Being lectured on how to behave, when Hong Lu is such a free spirit.

And then there was Daan, who had no choice but to follow the baron's instructions strictly, having climbed his way out of the gutters into a new life. Each mistake ingrained, learned promptly to never do it again, but his fellow nobles knew what he was. They knew.]

No, you're right. Parties like this are much better. With the people you care about.

They should be more like this.

[maybe less juit though]

[yyds]

[ they should be more like this, huh... hong lu looks. he thinks, he'd like them to. whether they 'should' or not is not in his control. but hong lu wonders, what happens if he says so? what if he's disappointed in the aftermath?

but hong lu is never disappointed. after all, you can't be disappointed if you had no expectations to begin with. he says: ]

Hey, Daan, have you danced yet?