[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

[savewell]

Why — hello there! Oh, just look at you in your dapper little tie! My goodness, whatever are you doing here?

[Attending a gala, obviously, but setting the obvious aside for the moment: careful to keep her skirt in check, she crouches down so she's closer to the wolf's height, reaching automatically to take his extremely fuzzy face in her hands.]

I do wonder where you get off to, sometimes. But I suppose I oughtn't worry — you do always seem to find your way back to me, don't you?

[reposing]

[Dapper. The compliment and her hands in his fluffy white coat makes him absurdly joyful, and his tail wags hard, as he pants into her petting.

She seems delighted, as he hoped; but then, he does a wonderful job of twisting things up and telling himself that he does it for her, when really he knows it's a selfish thing. To receive affection with no question about it, as a beast.

But Alucard ain't gonna examine that too hard right now and leans his head into her hands.]

[savewell]

...It's a silly thing to say, you know, but — for all that this might not be much of a place for a wolf, I'm glad to have had the chance to see you.

[She pauses a beat, then hastily clarifies: ]

Oh, but you mustn't think that I'm not having a good time! I only meant that...well. Just that anytime you turn up, it makes things all the better for it.

[She pats him gently, letting her fingers run carefully over his ears.]

I wish I could introduce you to Alucard! I'm sure he'd like you very much, too. I'm not certain where he's gone and gotten off to at the moment, but I suppose I couldn't be so selfish as to keep him with me the whole of the evening, now could I?

[And at that, she ducks her head, chewing the corner of her lip as she smiles, a light flush rising in her cheeks.]

Oh — but I have a modern portrait of him! And of the both of us, would you like to see?

[reposing]

[It is a bit funny how much she seems to carry a conversation just fine, especially when it isn't readily apparent that he can understand. Though, he does of course, and he's pleased that Rosella is enjoying herself.

Good. Mission accomplished.

The mention of... well, himself, is kind of amusing but pangs a hint of guilt. He hadn't initially meant to keep a secret like this from her, but how he isn't certain how to go about revealing any of it to her. Where to begin when the ending is admitting to his heritage, after all?

For now, he tilts his head, letting out a little interested whine. sure he might as well see himself again rip]

[savewell]

Here, look and see. This one is rather funny, I must admit.

[So she says, digging into her purse — oh, would that her lovely dress came with pockets! — and producing a pair of Polaroid photos, both of which will be very familiar: one fairly standard one of Rosella and Alucard together at the photo backdrop, and the other an extremely close-up shot of something that's probably a fist.]

There — you can see him better in this one, but the other is rather charming when you know the story behind it. The device — I think they called it a "camera"? — made a horrible flash and frightened me terribly, and I think he struck at it for fear that it might hurt me.

[That is LITERALLY NOT AT ALL what happened and yet that is the story she's sticking with because obviously she wants her wolf buddy to think Alucard is cool and charming and noble.]

Rather gallant of him, don't you think?