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

An intervention...? What do you mean by that?

[ Midnight asks this rather distantly, looking at his fingertips as though they hold the answer to why he suddenly, temporarily lost his mind. He'd like to return the conversation to Netzach, or whatever pleasant nonsense he wanted Yesod to witness, but kissing someone he knew was devoted to someone else is... certainly is out of character for him. ]

I was referring to our first meeting, during Don Quixote's party. I meant it as a joke.

[ Since Midnight seems unusually troubled by whatever came over him. Yesod studies him closely for another moment, glancing at Midnight's fingers himself, before continuing. ]

...Will you be alright? What is the matter, exactly?

[ Knowing this place, its reach can affect anything — that would be explanation enough. ]

[ ... Midnight abruptly shakes himself, pushes away from the railing, and stands a little at a distance. ]

My apologies. I simply don't enjoy being compelled against my wishes.

[ His eyes scan the venue, trying to figure out if there was a specific cause for his sudden discourtesy, before he turns his attention back to Yesod. ]

... I do apologize again. I barely remember the first time we met, but I understand you mean no harm.

There is no need to apologize.

[ Midnight's odd behavior is cause for concern, however. Yesod begins to inspect the railing, the nearby decorations. It might be pointless — perhaps there is nothing visible to find and identify as the source of this particular compulsion. ]

As we've established that our captors have the means to control our actions to such an extent, it's possible that they saw an opportunity tonight as well.

[ But neither of them is still affected by it, he thinks. It isn't persistent, disorienting like the urge to attend the university Halloween party. He looks over his shoulder. ]

...You haven't answered my first question.

[ ... Wait, what was the first question? ]

Hm? The bit about the intervention, or my welfare? I don't have enough context for the former. The latter...

[ Midnight shrugs, still casting around for a possible culprit. He starts walking away, and the compulsion... Well, it's less. That's progress. ]

I'm alive, and that's what matters. Shall we find somewhere else to sit?

...My second question, then. The rest before it is irrelevant.

[ Examining their immediate surroundings has yielded nothing, and like Midnight, Yesod keeps up his efforts to look for something tangible to point to, if only because Midnight is evidently in need of it. He moves away from the railing, following Midnight in search of a less distressing location. ]

And I must disagree, as "I'm alive" seems insufficient in this instance.

[ Once they've placed more distance between themselves and their previous spot, Yesod turns to Midnight again, still wearing a frown. ]

Being alive is the basis of hope, my darling. It's always sufficient, at least to start.

[ But off they go! Midnight opts to find a table near the stairs, far from the view of the dance floor, and breaths out quietly. That was a bit unsettling. ]

As I said, I don't enjoy acting against my will. I'm not sure if that merits more explanation, love. I can't imagine much anyone enjoying doing what they wouldn't want.

[ It's difficult to think of alive as enough — the City, not this one, is filled with people who fit the definition of being alive, but that existence is insufficient. Hope was absent altogether for anyone existing in Lobotomy Corporation.

This may not be comparable, but it remains disquieting all the same, and uncomfortable to leave it at that. Standing beside Midnight's chosen table, Yesod doesn't take a seat yet. ]

...No. What would you prefer to do now, in that case?

Mm? Sit here for a bit, naturally, then go back down to dance. Have you danced yet?

[ And just like that, the moment of unease floats off of Midnight. He grins, relaxes, really focuses on Yesod. Why worry about the past? That happened, and now it is no longer happening. More reason to celebrate, and a party is just the place to do that.

(It is hard for some to internalize that Midnight is a real person. Midnight himself forgets that, sometimes.) ]

I have.

[ A surprising amount, in fact, considering that his plans had only been to take lessons in case Netzach would like to dance with him, whether just once or more than that, between spending time with others and catching up on sleep. But that is an abrupt change of subject and tone, and it does nothing to dispel Yesod's frown.

Being forced into something unwanted against one's will is very much a deeply unsettling experience. It clearly isn't anything as simple as finding the other party repulsive for some reason, either. There must be more to it, in ways that go beyond tonight's brief compulsion. ]

...Should I leave?

[ Midnight raises his eyebrows. Courtesy of Kaveh, his hair is pushed back and braided over his shoulder in a plait, so both brows are visible for tonight. ]

No. Why should you? I like you, darling. Stay.

[ It's just that. It's the way Midnight puts things away and moves on. Thinking about this can be saved for later. ]

[ Yesod's hair is too short for much to be done with it, but like Midnight's, his eyes are both visible tonight — and so is the full extent of his frowning. Chesed did his best to convince him to stop, but it happens too easily... His expression grows mildly puzzled now. ]

That continues to surprise me.

[ And he would have imagined that associating him with an upsetting incident might color future interactions. ]

...Have you danced with Netzach, at least?

It's not hard to earn my affections, love. Just take it as a given, if you like.

[ Midnight grin. ]

I was saving that for later. I was dancing with my date, then searched around for other faces. I'm very popular, you know.

[ ... Of course, he really would like Netzach's attention... But most people in their right mind do, don't they? He can wait his turn. There's plenty of socializing to do in the meantime. ]

[ Later... Both Midnight and Netzach have that to look forward to, then. It doesn't explain this other date — then again, perhaps it's another part of an unfathomable world. ]

Yes. Both you and Netzach are well-liked.

[ Yet Midnight isn't seizing the first opportunity to excuse himself from this conversation, despite what happened. More follows after a brief pause: ]

...I assumed that you and I would accompany Netzach tonight. That said, my approach may be too restrictive in your view.

We are. It's so nice... Well deserved.

[ He nods to himself with a deep satisfaction. He is so likeable, and Netzach has infinite charms. Midnight himself was taken in by Netzach so easily, after all, and the former Demon King's taste is immaculate. ]

Restrictive? In terms of... Hm.

[ Midnight lets his head tilt a bit... ]

I suppose if you'd like to call it that... I'd disagree, though. So long as you both understand that I only do what I wish, I'd say I don't particularly feel restricted at all.

[ He needs to fully articulate what he means — he has failed to do so, he suspects. Glancing away, he lets his gaze wander, but the view of much aside from the stairs is obscured. ]

...My wish is for Netzach to enjoy the evening. Ideally, if he were to look back on it, nothing would seem as though it was missing... and perhaps it will be enough to remember what he accomplished.

[ For a moment, Yesod revisits the memory of Netzach on the dance floor, bathed in light, softly aglow himself. Such things are new. ]

I wanted more moments that achieved the outcome I observed when Netzach accepted a toy creature that reminded me of him, at that fair. I wanted to see that expression again.

[ He shakes his head. ]

It's less rare now, and if he seems happy tonight, it isn't feigned. Even so, I'm certain that he would have preferred to share the evening with both of us at the same time.

Then it comes down to what I'd like for the evening, doesn't it?

[ Midnight hums, tilts his head. ]

I won't lie... I think I would have loved to have gone with Netzach. Ah, an image of a prince and his two knights... It's radiant, my darling. And I do admit I pre-empted what you wanted from your evening when I rationalized my decision...

But I did want to take Miss Johanna dancing. And regardless of how I feel about Netzach, it remains that he is the only one in your eyes. I may not understand how that feels, for there to be only one, but I'm not immune to jealousy. I shouldn't like for you to fret over Netzach in such a way.

[ Midnight nods. ]

Regardless of what any of us want, I think nights like this are necessary. What we're doing is rather undefined, amorphous in nature. Some boundaries, I think, serve well in making sure we all know that we play on the same field. That we are all the sort of people who think of these things, and worry for each other... Some indication of such respect must exist so we know that we can trust each other. Points of well deserved normality in the midst of such unusual circumstances should therefore be valued, even if they're technically unnecessary.

[ Midnight laughs. ]

Not that I'll be making skiving out of dates a habit, nor will I always demand my own freedom. But I do want to make it clear that I intend for you two to always have each other, even if my affections for Netzach are quite strong.

[ Jealousy... So these assumptions did influence Midnight's decision. Yesod's heart clenches with the thought; his posture stiffens. ]

...While I appreciate your gesture, I disagree that this is the best approach, if you were thinking of Netzach and me. If it comes at the cost of his happiness, what good is that? I have already told you that I do not want to confine him. And I know that I am not enough, on my own... No matter what I might endeavor to achieve, I must accept the facts.

[ But he won't forget other facts presented to him, every moment that reiterates Netzach's feelings, memories of Netzach making them clear with words and gestures alike. All of it is proof and reassurance enough.

Still, don't the flowers that Netzach chose to wear speak volumes as well? Both colors are part of that message. The fact that Netzach didn't ask for confirmation from either Midnight or Yesod — that the answer he gave Yesod came as naturally as so many others — conveys the same message. The natural conclusion, to Netzach, was the three of them attending the gala together. It would have been an easy wish to fulfill. It would have meant the certainty of knowing that his evening wouldn't feel incomplete.

Yesod shakes his head a second time. ]

However, jealousy is an inaccurate term. Rather, I can recognize that my feelings are nonsensical at times, yet that knowledge fails to silence them. For instance... I have spent time with Netzach tonight, but I would like to see him again soon. Such moments have become difficult to confront, in his absence. Truthfully, I believe that it would be far easier, if we were to eliminate these constant reminders of boundaries to coordinate dividing Netzach's time into portions, as if we should follow a schedule...

[ How much is too much to want? Those thoughts and reminders are like sandpaper scraping against his skin. It would be easier, Yesod thinks again, if the solution were as simple as opting for shared activities instead. ]

I trust Netzach, in any case, and I doubt that you would knowingly do anything to cause me pain, either. Have I acted oddly towards you recently?

[ ... Far be it for Midnight to assume, but is Yesod asking him to spend more time with them as a group? More spontaneously, without a rigorous schedule. Odd, considering how regimented Yesod tends to be. And Midnight isn't sure how he feels about that. He has boundaries for a reason. He's much more comfortable keeping a certain distance...

He leans his head against his hand, resting against the table, feeling himself float between inebriation and something closer to sobriety. He should answer the question. ]

No more and no less than usual, darling. I must say that I've difficulty judging what accounts for unusual behavior when it comes to you, though. You're quite an unusual man, or at least the sort of person I can't read all that easily.

[ His motivations are quite plain, fortunately, but his emotions... Midnight has always had a hard time reading emotions, and someone like Yesod simply isn't the expressive sort. It feels like he's guessing more often than not, and while the game can be fun, it's difficult to know where he stands with him. For example, Midnight's eyes did catch that stiffening, but doesn't connect it with meaning, with anything he said... Without an expression, or familiarity with Yesod's moods, Midnight simply has no clue what he's dealing with. ]

[ It's somewhat disheartening to hear that reply, after multiple attempts to lay out his innermost thoughts and untangle his emotions to acknowledge and describe them openly, whether positive or negative, irrational or not. The implication is that his behavior is perplexing to Midnight at all times. But then, even Netzach didn't perceive certain things until he finally spoke of them to confront them...

Yesod's expression is a frown once more, but he tries for another attempt. ]

...As an example, my behavior was unusual when we encountered each other in the greenhouse. I couldn't explain why I was upset. Presumably Netzach also found it puzzling and strange to witness, on occasion.

[ Netzach returning with that bite mark on his neck comes to mind — then, it had increasingly felt as though a door was about to slam shut, never to open again, if it was ever open at all, which should hardly have affected Yesod so profoundly. He is grateful that they subsequently addressed a number of topics directly that day, but he was taken aback by his initial reaction himself, the way his hands reflexively reached for Netzach while no words would come. ]

If you find me difficult to read, what has caused you to conclude that I view you as some sort of interloper? I should be mindful of that.

[ Objectively, there is no cause for jealousy. Netzach may have developed feelings for Midnight as a result of their unique interactions, and the two of them acted on the natural progression of their mutual attraction, logically free to do so. Netzach expressed what he concurrently felt for Yesod regardless, too, and welcomed the same, invited their exploration together, has continued to encourage it as they familiarize themselves with these new experiences.

There are countless gestures that reflect the extent of Netzach's feelings, from the offer of his time to the act of unbuttoning a shirt, which might seem mundane to most. Nothing more should be required. ]

Ah... Therein lies the problem, then. I couldn't rightly tell you were upset, you know.

[ Midnight laughs, rubs his face against his hand. ]

It's not at all a problem that needs solving on your part, I think... It's my job to ask after one's moods, or at least it used to be. I should be better at this...

[ But eventually, he shakes his head and sighs. ]

I am quite used to not assuming that I am welcome, at least. I used to be a host, you know. An escort. The days where I would be met with angry lovers, husbands, wives... All accusing me of stealing affection from them. I do so dislike it, you know. It happened so much.

[ Midnight closes his eyes. ]

I found that several of them were quite right to come to me in ire... I myself spent much time ill-informed about my guests' marital statuses, their affairs, until I made conscious efforts to ask after them. To treat their relationships with the same care that I would treat my own. On the other hand, there were many cases where I knew I was taking a heart away from its lover... But only in the cases where that heart was suffering from a distinct loneliness. Housewives abandoned at home, girls hovering over their phones, wondering if they'd pushed their lover away.

[ Midnight closes his eyes, hums. ]

I'm no interloper... But I shouldn't like to give myself room to become one, if you understand me. The heart is fickle, it changes... and I, for one, shouldn't like to stand in the way of the wishes of another, no matter what sort of love might suit me. If your heart should change, or Netzach's, I should like the both of you to rest easy, knowing that although one stage of our relationship might change, my wish for your happiness never wavers. Netzach does not belong to me, and neither do you. I know better than that...

[ He recalls what Midnight previously shared of his work as an escort, the challenges to face at first. It isn't difficult to imagine that other challenges came later, as Midnight recounts now. Feelings are rather complex matters to navigate, and poor communication and misunderstandings and all sorts of other factors can turn them into a minefield.

Even this very conversation, like the others, isn't quite following the course that Yesod had intended to set. There are several points that need clarification from both sides, he decides. ]

Netzach does not belong to anyone, that is true. We simply count among the recipients of his love.

[ But he doesn't know what to make of Midnight mentioning him in the same breath as that acknowledgement. For now, he leaves it alone. ]

...When you speak of the heart as fickle, whose do you mean? Our hearts or your own? You're mistaken, if you believe that Netzach's is indistinguishable from whatever you have seen of other people in your line of work. As for mine... Do you expect me to treat you as some sort of rival after all?

[ Based on Midnight's past experiences, he surmises. ]

I can't comment on your former guests, beyond my opinion that they failed to behave responsibly themselves. With regard to any ire, let me clarify that I was not upset because of you, specifically, nor have I ever thought that you are stealing anything from me. There is nothing to which I am any more entitled than any other person. Back then, when you assumed that Netzach and I must be close, it was only a reminder of the conflict between what I wanted and what I had convinced myself was the correct course of action to pursue. What I wanted seemed out of reach, at any rate, and every reminder became upsetting because of my own inability to resolve the situation. Neither you nor Netzach could have known what I felt, without a clear admission on my part.

[ Once more, Yesod shakes his head. ]

I do not consider such things anyone else's responsibility.

[ ... It is strange to not take responsibility for someone else's emotions, at that. Midnight nods a bit, thinking. ]

Then I've been preparing for an outcome that you don't feel will come to pass, is that it? I've certainly been predicting your behavior using what I know of others, yes, but that's because I don't feel I know you well enough yet to understand your moods, your thoughts, the way you shield yourself from eyes that look at you too closely.

[ He leans on his elbow, his face on his hand. ]

I've met thousands and thousands of people in my life, you know. As much as they were all individuals, there are patterns, certain realities about the heart that I've come to accept. So while I can take you for your word, and I can try my best to believe in your resilience, the way you truly mean to reach out to me, the way you feel about Netzach... Do you understand that, regardless of how much I'd like to trust you, I might still have my doubts?

[ Midnight's quick to love, slow to trust. That's all. ]

[ He can't fault Midnight for these doubts, no matter how many times he attempts to explain himself. There are understandable reasons behind Midnight's thinking.

These are Yesod's thoughts, but he can't help the way the set of his shoulders tightens and his fingers curl into his sleeves, pressing into his upper arms. It's nonsensical, too, to feel as though Midnight has given him a shove. ]

...What exactly do you think would happen?

Mmm. You would change your mind, or Netzach would. Decide that you needed him for yourself, and the reverse.

[ Midnight shrugs, then puts his head to the table. Yesod's body language changed. Tension? Midnight can read that much, at least... What was it that he'd said? ]

Do you think I'd regard you poorly if that happened?

[open mingle: the sunlight at midnight gala]

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