[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

[astraphilia]

[ Reno returns the grin just as brilliantly, delighted by how obvious the lightbulb moment is. there are too many strong and silent types around this place, in his opinion—he's nice to meet someone who just seems excited about stuff. ]

Actually, I think I like your idea better. One word is easier but acronyms are more fun.

[ he glances around the place again as if confirming that there are, indeed, so many frilly dresses on the dance floor. so many nice suits, too, and of course Muriel wearing both at once, which is a look that might be odd on some but somehow suits them just fine. ]

It really seems like everybody's havin' a good time, [ he agrees. ] Maybe we really just needed a party where nothin' goes wrong.

[cupperty]

We could come up with more acronyms! I have a notepad and everything!

[ They really do! One is suddenly in their hand, even though their outfit doesn't seem to have pockets, or anywhere to carry stationary supplies.

If possible, Muriel somehow lights up even more at the thought of someone liking their idea. That enthusiasm dims slightly at the mention of anything going wrong, though; they can't forget that it's still a possibility. ]

... I've heard that things can go pretty horribly around here. I've missed the worst of it, I think, but I'm very glad that no evil mannequins have shown up, and that the walls haven't grown teeth or something.

[astraphilia]

Now where'd that come from... [ it's not the first time Reno's seen someone do something magical, but at least back home, magic is mostly elemental—ice and fire and thunder and all that. not so much the pulling of notebooks from unspecified pockets of the universe, although it is a very cool skill to have.

it's a lucky thing that they missed the worst of the things that have happened around this place. Reno missed some of it too, but what he caught was pretty brutal—not the kind of thing he'd wish on anyone else. ]

Whew, you and me both. If I never see a mannequin again it'll be too soon. [ he shudders, the gesture exaggerated to hide the very real shiver inside. ] If it got this late without anything goin' weird, that probably means we're safe, though.

—Oh, but keep an eye out for little green plants on the ceiling. [ Reno grins. ] If ya get stuck under one, ya might have to kiss somebody to get out.

[cupperty]

[ The next iteration of Final Fantasy will have a nerdy character who uses a spell called Stationaryga, just you wait! ]

What?!

[ Muriel immediately looks at the ceiling in stricken horror, like a cat who's just realized that they're trapped in a room full of rocking chairs. Angels as a whole aren't very big on physical affection, and the idea of someone mooshing their face against theirs does not appeal! ]

Was the building sabotaged?!

[astraphilia]

[ that's a much bigger reaction than Reno expected from the concept of mistletoe, and his brow furrows briefly as he looks up at the ceiling in tandem. there's nothing up there, fortunately—although the ceiling is also so high up there Reno's not even sure it would count if there were mistletoe stuck to it, being as far away as it is. ]

Sabotaged? [ bestie what ] Probably not how you're thinkin'. I bet it's just a little gift from the city, y'know, to make us get cuddly with each other or whatever.

[ he drags his gaze back down from the ceiling and over to Muriel again. ]

I hear you can get out from under 'em just by tryin' real hard, though. Like, you ain't gotta kiss unless you want to. [ he shrugs. ] I just like kissin' so I do it the old-fashioned way, but if that's not your thing it's not your thing.

[cupperty]

[ Just be glad nobody's told Muriel that mistletoe is poisonous, then they'd really think the building had been sabotaged! It takes Muriel a few seconds to quit scrutinizing the ceiling, but eventually they tear their eyes away and meet Reno's with a relieved grin. ]

... Oh, well that's alright then! As long as people have a choice about it. I haven't been here that long, but I was under the impression that the city isn't... very nice about 'gifts' most of the time.

[ They absolutely do the fingerquotes around 'gifts!' ]

But this whole thing was put together by people instead of the city, I suppose, so that makes a big difference!

[astraphilia]

[ sadly, this is also Reno's first time seeing mistletoe, which means he can't properly brief them on the specifics—all he knows is that if you stand under it, you end up wanting to kiss. ]

Yeah, "nice" ain't the word I'd use to describe this place. [ especially not after the horrorshow of October and then the... he doesn't even really know how to explain what happened in November.

funnily enough, Muriel's comment runs right parallel to Reno's own thoughts on the subject—that the city is considerably more gracious with the things its residents do, in comparison to its own events. he looks around again, taking it all in. ]

Yeah, y'know, I think you might be onto something there... Still just a hypothesis, though. We'd need more examples to be sure.

[cupperty]

I don't think I'd mind more examples, if they were all like this. This is...

[ Muriel turns back to the dancing crowds, a big smile on their face. Dancing isn't their thing - angels don't dance, with Aziraphale being the only exception - but everyone else is clearly having a blast with it. ]

... Everyone is having so much fun.

[ That last word is said with the careful enunciation of someone who isn't really familiar with the concept, and is trying the word on for size. ]