[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

[perfectdevil]

[ Lestat’s face twists into one of shock when he hears Loki bring that possibility into the realm of their conversation. He hadn’t thought of it - what’s dead is dead, as far as he’s concerned… but isn’t Loki dead in the world he comes from? Aren’t there people here from different times? What if Claudia was someday brought here from the time she was most angry? What if she was brought back from the point of her death, still dressed in that little yellow dress Lestat still had tucked away somewhere in Rue Royale.

He doesn’t realise he’s been staring, horrified, at some spot on the table for some time, at which point it takes him a moment or two to let the other things Loki had said sink in to his mind. ]

Ah, I’m glad to hear it. I won’t be a bit offended if such a thing should come to pass. We can call it payback for the blow I dealt you.

[ A little smile. ]

As for seeing her here… I hope not. There were moments in which we were happy, but she led a miserable life, and she died hating me. I would hate to see this place torture her.

[abit_ofboth]

[The reaction he gets immediately makes Loki regret asking. On some level he must have know it was a question that could upset Lestat, but as per usual, he let his curiosity get the better of him and he blathered on without thinking. Sometimes he really didn’t know when to stop talking.]

I am sorry, I should not have asked such things.

[His voice is hushed and he reaches out to place a gentle hand over Lestat’s, though he half expects Lestat to pull away. Perhaps even walk away. Loki wouldn’t blame him if he did.

Loki breathes a sigh of relief when Lestat seems to come back to himself and he offers a bit of a weak smile in return.]

I hope not. Now, if I hit you for some unwarranted reason, then perhaps you should be offended. [It’s a weak joke, but he doesn’t really know what else to say.]

No, I cannot imagine seeing someone here you cared for back there is ever a good thing. [Loki was never close with many people, but he knows as much as he misses his brother, he would never want to see Thor here either.]

[perfectdevil]

[ The touch to his hand is reassuring – Lestat is such a physical man, and is still somewhat revelling in the fact that in this place, he assumes due to the subdued nature of his powers, even the painful chill of his skin is somewhat lessened to human touch; prolonged contact is no longer impossible, but rather something he can partake in, and it’s just as addictive as he thought it might be.

He can imagine Claudia is just the other side of this dance floor, charming some tender-hearted mortal into entertaining her with a little dancing before heartlessly feeding on them and skipping away to her next victim… Perhaps tossing her head, curls flying, to give Lestat a brilliant smile with her tiny fangs on show before doing so… That memory is enough. He doesn’t need to see it for real. ]

We should focus on what we already have here, not what could or might be down the line. The present is the most important thing to an immortal, don’t you agree?

[ And, speaking of… Lestat lifts Loki’s hand where it sits on his own, kissing his knuckles in a manner that’s polite, but grinning in a manner that certainly isn’t. ]

Anyway. You should find your lover before he starts to think you’re genuinely angry with him. Make him remember exactly who he prefers kissing, hm?

[abit_ofboth]

[Lestat’s skin might be cold, but that is hardly something that would bother Loki. In fact, even at full power, Loki would likely only find it comforting, especially if he could manage his own true form. But in the moment all he cares about is that his touch seems to help. ]

You are correct about that. I have not always felt I could do such a thing, mostly because I didn’t often want what I had been given in terms of things in my life. Always striving for different or more. For the first time, perhaps ever, I am happy. Though I do wish it didn’t all come with this place always bothering us.

[Loki’s breath catches slightly when he suddenly finds Lestat gently kissing his knuckles. Or perhaps it’s because of the look in the other man’s eyes, Loki can’t be sure. Either way, he suddenly remembers their first meeting quite distinctly before gently pulling his hand away. Lestat is attractive, but he has nothing on Hob in his mind.]

Thank you. You have helped me more tonight than I know how to express. I hope I gave you some comfort in return. I will be sure to let you know how it goes in staking my claim over my lover. [He grins at that, clearly joking about that. At least a little bit, before standing and taking his leave.]