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.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I. another mask, and another. [middle tier]

[For Daan's part in terms of his state of dress, he wears primarily dark colors with the slight pop of the red brooch arranged against the black ribbon he has tied under the collar of his shirt, and the red on the bottom of his polished shoes. The color holding meaning if one knows how to think of it, where to look, but otherwise it's innocuous. Just an innocent choice, surely.

Most unshockingly, he spends his time with a drink in hand, although he does pause occasionally to gaze out thoughtfully -- or, rather, it is with a distinct look of yearning when he catches sight of Vergilius.

Honestly, there's a part of him the already kind of regrets holding himself back, wanting to respect the man's wishes but also fervently missing even touching his hand, the comfortable sensation of his warmth. How absurd, he thinks faintly; how much he's spent his life alone, and now he can hardly stand it.]

Mm. [Daan shuts his eye and has a drink from his glass before he lets out a sigh.]

II. here you are again. [upper tier]

[Daan had meant it when he told Vergilius he'd feel safer having him at the party as well, but nonetheless fears and anxieties are irrational, relentless, and do continue to plague his mind. It's in part why he'd been more comfortable playing bartender at previous gatherings; a nice, solid counter between him and everyone else felt secure. Figures this is the first time in awhile he opted to be a partygoer instead, and it's starting to bite him in the ass. Though it is impossible and he logically knows that damned cat isn't here, there's still the sense of something watching him. He can practically hear his voice--

Let's face it, old friend. You never did feel like you quite fit in with those smiling crowds, did you? You always felt like an outsider. Like you were just a bystander, spectating what life looked like in the sun. Like using a mask, you hid the darkness...

An uneasy breath escapes him, and Daan rubs the bridge of his nose, suddenly feeling exhausted.

Oh, but that fooled no one. Everyone saw right through it. They knew your true alignment, and your past. And you liked it like that. You liked feeling different. And you know it, don't you? There was never a mask. It was all you, baby. The pointy ears, the fangs, the wide eyes, a dirty degenerate--

Abruptly, Daan turns on his heel, making his way out to the patio to escape the overwhelming crowd. The cold air hits him, enough to cool the sweat on his brow.

He reaches into his pocket, getting his cigarettes and flicking one out to lightly grasp between his teeth before he lights it. A slow drag, and he exhales steadily, unwinding his nerves.

Stupid, he chides himself. The cat isn't even here right now, and he's gone and let himself get haunted anyway with memories alone.]

III. wildcard!

[make your own prompt, or ask for one!]

I. are you not entertained? [lower tier]

[Alucard has a strange mix of nostalgia and discomfort at the same time, he finds. It's been a long time since he's been in a location full to the brim with people, though admittedly he does know that most of them are not to be that concerned about. On one hand, he remembers the occasions that Dracula was beholden to for the sake of politics and dealing with his court, Alucard -- Adrian learning as a child how to behave, how to dance, how to interact.

But now he's been on his own in a way that feels like it's been too long. Too long, too many people dying or leaving or betraying, and Alucard not really truly belonging in whatever world exists. For mortals, for creatures of the night, for anything. Half of both, mastery of none. That, and he finds that he hasn't eaten in awhile, and he will need to change that soon. Sooner than later.

Alucard finds himself wishing he'd be more willing to imbibe, but he does not.

Instead, he approaches anyone on their lonesome by the dance floor, offering his hand out. He does not seem deterred much by whoever he addresses, regardless of who they are.]

Would you care to dance?

II. the dog prompt

[Under a mistletoe, there sits a fairly large wolf with a scar on his chest, tail thumping against the floor in irritation.

Are you trapped with the wolf? If so...

Now what?

Puppy kisses, maybe?]

III. kiss kiss

[There is, of course, also the variety with the man in question.

Perhaps in the midst of opting to move to another venue of the entire affair does Alucard find himself pausing, considering the mistletoe above. He frowns at the little plant, then turns his head with a slight huff of air.

Well. Here he is again, but this time in his normal form. Alucard folds his arms, put out.]

IV. wildcard

[choose your own adventure]

Edited 2023-12-02 07:31 (UTC)

I. winter kept us warm, covering earth in a forgetful snow [ outside ]

[ Rather than join the partygoers inside, Ethan has found himself lingering just outside and to the left of the Planetarium, dressed the part despite having little intention of actually setting foot inside. It's too soon to subject the people who had a run in with the wolf to his face, he thinks, but he has forced himself into attending with the sole purpose of keeping an eye on one Vanessa Ives. A man dressed up would be a little less conspicuous than a man decked out in something that could have been pulled from an old spaghetti western.

Occasionally he glances up, briefly snapped out of his thoughts by a passerby who spots him, to give them a sharp nod or polite smile before returning to his quiet patrol. Otherwise? He seems perfectly content to stand outside with the chilly winter air as his only company. The suit does well to hide the bulk of his still mending injuries but he's still sporting the evidence on his face and hands.

Idly, after some time passes, he eventually reaches into his pocket to pull out a finely crafted pocket watch and stare at its face once he flicks it open.

To Ethan from your Father is inscribed on the inside, for anyone nosy enough to approach. ]

II. and the days blur into one [ upper tier ]

[ After wading through the various levels of the party, he finally made his way up to one of the patios with a glass in tow, eager to cap off the night sooner rather than later. Even if people were polite about it, he felt an uncomfortable urge to look away every time someone looked in his direction, wondering if they were looking at him or looking for what lies beneath the surface. Silly, sentimental fool, he thinks, reminding himself that he outed himself of his own accord knowing not everyone would accept him.

Leaning against the railing, his back to the festivities, he carefully swirls around his drink and stares down at the ground below him. The cold is a welcome sensation, it reminds him of walking through the streets of London again and drags him down a nostalgic road temporarily.

With a sigh, he draws the glass to his lips and promptly empties it. ]

III. dancing underneath the skies [ lower tier ]

[ While other people might be looking at the dance floor in awe, Ethan looks torn between mild shock and disbelief. This is a man hailing from the 1890s, so the loud music and bright lights are something new entirely, as is the style of dancing some of the partygoers are partaking in. His repertoire holds one dance and one dance alone and that is the waltz Vanessa taught him, so he feels at a slight disadvantage on this front. However, while he might look perplexed, this soldier is taking intricate notes.

Not that he intends to put them into play yet, he is not about to walk onto a battlefield without knowing exactly what he's getting into.

Judging by the way he eventually cracks a small smile; the environment is not entirely unwelcome. ]

III. come feed the rain [ wildcard ]

[ Write up your own prompt or PM me for one. Want a kiss? Pucker up. ]

Edited 2023-12-02 09:46 (UTC)

1. party like its 1999 (all tiers)

[Any social gathering will have its stragglers, its wallflowers, its fishes out of water, and Vergilius is a man that seems to encompass all of those into one body. He's hard to miss, tall in his stature and stark in the bright white of his outfit (save for a cornflower blue handkerchief poking out of his coat pocket), but the fact of the matter is, he's not here to be the life of the party.]

[He keeps to the sides of the rooms he's in, occasionally sipping at a glass or eating an appetizer without much eagerness. Even with his glasses, however, the constant sullen glow of his eyes is still enough to take someone off guard, and he's fixing it every once in a while on everyone's favorite local one-eyed doctor from across the room. Not approaching yet, though, or at the very least, not making it that obvious he's keeping him in his orbit.]

[Regardless, he's hardly attempting to socialize, though when he's hearing the Ye Olde 2000s Favorites, he's making a face.]

What the hell kind of music is this...?

[He is TOO OLD for this SHIT.]

2. oh no! fashion failure! (upper tier)

[There is one (1) major problem with wearing all white. There is one problem that practically invites itself.]

[The man has actually dropped a piece of Korean barbecue on himself, leaving a nice little streak of a delicious barbecue stain.]

[He is closing his eyes in clear and utter exasperation.]

Shit.

3. kisstletoe more like miss-tletoe, loser! (wait) (all tiers)

[And to continue with the Grumpy Older Man Saga (TM) a certain someone is eyeing the festive decorations with a clearly unamused glance, though he IS keeping his distance from it. No getting him to kiss anyone, here (except. Well).). He's too cautious to get caught up into it.]

[He is muttering to himself, though there's something a little pained in his expression.]

...I swear if they decide to celebrate Christmas on top of this nonsense? Ugh.

[...]

[Yeah, no, he doesn't need Christmas involved in any of this.]

4. WILDCARD

[do you want a bastard older man in your life? here you go, prompt away!]

drinking and dancing;

[ generally speaking, galas are not cyno's favored venue.

he's attended them, of course. as a very public figure in sumeru, it's been his responsibility to show his face at a handful of public events, and a grand gala had been held in his honor when he ascended to general mahamatra, as well. while he's quite socially inept even at the best of times, he thinks, he's decent at making smalltalk if he needs to. besides, he needs to be here for kaveh, one of his very best friends. kaveh has worked tirelessly to see this thing to fruition, and cyno won't let him down.

so here he is, all dressed up in modern clothing and everything, in attendance with tighnari, but the two of them separate to mingle often enough. currently, cyno is nursing a drink and glancing over the food tables, plucking up a few samosas for his plate. he glances to the person beside him. ]

Have you heard about the Circus Gala? The outfits were in-tents.

[ thank you he's here all night. ]

missile toads;

[ cyno, of course, does not recognize the mistletoe for what it is. it's simply festive decoration, yes? so after a dance, as he's standing beneath a sprig of it, leaning in an archway watching the gala-goers dancing, he finds himself feeling suddenly very.. fond!

if you approach, he'll greet you with a warm smile. cyno doesn't smile very often, especially for people he does not know well, but he's in a good mood right now for some reason?? it must be the few drinks in his system. ]

Tired of dancing?

[ he asks, and takes another sip of wine. ]

wildcard;

[ feel free to tweak the above prompts, or come at me with anything! cyno can be found wandering about anywhere, sampling the food and wallflowering. ]

[Of course, he's noticing when Daan is gone. How could he not? He keeps track of him like a diligent bodyguard, so when Daan turns suddenly and leaves, Vergilius is not too far on his heels.]

[He watches him for a moment, before approaching quietly to his side. He also stares out at the city, before turning his red eyes to the doctor with a concerned turn of his mouth.]

...Are you alright?

a. obligatory party mingling

[Altria is, surprisingly enough, both present and dressed appropriately (though she is wearing her navy boots, even though they do not match). It's a fancier dress than she would have picked out on her own, even! Eat your heart out, Cnoc na Riabh.

But the fact that she gathered her courage up enough to show up does not mean she knows how to be present at a party. She hovers around the edges, seems to give herself a pep talk, drags in a deep breath, moves to step forward into the party properly, and then turns around to go back the other way again, cheeks red.

Aaaaaaa.]

b. is for biscuit golems

[Eventually, Altria manages to find her way to the food stations to Help Out. This is a Mistake.

It is a mistake that culminates in a very inhuman and rather monstrous roar, and then the cookies that Altria was very excited to present turn instead into... well, a Biscuit Golem.

Of course, she's not at her full magical power, so it's not much larger than a regular human, and it is made of cookie, so like--it's pretty fragile. You could probably eat some of it if you manage to get it to stop moving. It's delicious, surprisingly.

But also, it is probably showing up wherever is least convenient, peering over your shoulder while you dance with your date, or appearing as you're pouring yourself a drink, always with a vacantly smiling face.

Wherever it shows up, Altria is not far behind, running after it.]

Waaaaiiiit! I only used a little bit of magic this time, so I really thought it would work...!

c. mistletoe

[It's when meandering around the edges of the party, properly exhausted after the biscuit golem, that Altria spies her first mistletoe.

And, immediately and anxiously, she's turning to the first person she sees (probably you) to point it out.]

Ah, be careful. There seem to be poisonous plants being used for decoration.

[#clueless.

She may be standing under mistletoe right now, but she sure is not noticing.]

wildcard

[Feel free to hit me up with whatever! Or shoot me a PM and I'm happy to write up a particular starter.

ALSO feel free to utilize sir biscuit golem in any of your threads if you so desire, no Altria required. He is here for Shenanigans, please follow your hearts.]

Edited 2023-12-02 15:49 (UTC)

( for such a frivolous thing, she certainly carries the air of a woman who's been to the fey courts as a guest. she's left behind both serpentine staff and armor for the occasion, trading it for another dress and cape in her favored fabrics - airy and light, still, despite the unmistakable chill. a drop necklace settles on her sternum as well, hung on a thin silvered chain punctuated by a teardrop sapphire. even seafoam green hair is twisted into a purposefully disheveled bun, absent of her usual blooms save for a few scattered camellias in flushed pink.

on her waist, offcenter, pinned and nestled amidst lace leaves and flowers: a brooch. it will not take a particularly clever eye to find its match on another. )

— i.

( in the venue proper, fearne is most certainly flittering about.

✦   maybe she's chatting (gossiping) with the man in blue. maybe they're betting on something about the other guests. it could be entirely unrelated, who knows. hard to tell given how soft their voices are. did you want to ask either one of them to dance? why not. they probably don't bite. it could be funny.
✦   in lestat's fashion lair, she's preening in front of a taller mirror, of course. did you need it? sorry. she's also not against asking for assistance with this and that, ensuring that her hair stays meticulously messy rather than an unruly one, or maybe somehow you wind up finding yourself with a fussy faun telling you to stop squirming as she fixes something on you?
✦   the mistletoe are endless and while she's spotted and found most of them when she first came in, she definitely forgot about them as the night went on. catching her under one wouldn't be entirely too hard. there might even be a time where she's just squinting up at one for some reason. come get a kiss? worry not, it likely won't be too untoward given that it is a public function.

and, of course, with a dazzling grin and a chirp. an offer, or maybe a coercion. it depends. the fey are flexible like that. )

Come dance with me.

— ii.

( unsurprising to anyone who's spoken to her for more than a fleeting hello, she's wandered off again! for a breather away from all the hustle and bustle. this time, to the rest of the discovery center proper. while she's met with yet another impassable blockade to the upper levels, she's got plenty of ground to wander about still.

✦   if you're wandering about as well, she's perched herself within one of the exhibits of taxidermied fauna, wildshaped as a wolf with glittering eyes. given that she could never stay that still for long, her tail is probably wagging. just a little scare. she probably won't ruin your very nice outfit.
✦   on the other hand, she could just be asking if these are all creatures you've seen before.
✦   ....... the likelihood of her trying to pry open one of the exhibits to take what's inside is not 0.

she'll come back to the party eventually though. after confusing herself with one of the many hands on experiments.. )

— notes.

for this particular shindig, she'll be hangin' with argalia (entwinedfate) usually, so it's entirely possible to encounter both at the same time for most of the prompts. just let us know either way, or we will simply make the decision for you (with permission ofc). most likely based on how funny it'd be. wildcards, as always, are hilarious. but if you want something personalized or wanna talk details, i'm over at ztxt, or you can just dm me!

[Ah.

It would've been surprising, frankly, if Vergilius didn't notice. There's a pause as Daan takes another drag before he's slowly exhaling smoke into the night air.

For most people, he'd shrug it off. Say he was fine. Just needed to step out.

He doesn't do that to Vergilius.]

I will be. [Which is truthful.] Didn't mean to worry you.

Just... got caught up in my own head. [He frowns and looks out to the city from where they stand on the patio.] The last couple of gatherings here I've been to, I attended as a bartender mostly. It feels... I don't know, safer. I have my own little space, and all I have to worry about is making some drinks for people.

I haven't really been an attendee in awhile. Gives me too much time to think.

[In the first glance that Daan has toward Vergilius from across the room, he notices the handkerchief and it makes him pause. What a sneaky bastard, he thinks to himself fondly; Daan definitely hadn't picked that as part of the ensemble, so he must have made the choice himself.

It makes him feel a warmth in his chest. It's a small gesture, but still thoughtful.

For all that he's trying not to be obvious, he is going to text him.]

Like the blue.

( well hello there, little one. sorry for yet another faerie..

this one seems keen to reach, a curl of fingers around a retreating hand, gentle in even the way she tugs the girl back from running off with her face as red as her dress. )

Are you lost? That's the way out, silly goose. C'mon.

( another tug. towards the heart of the party. )

Don't you want to show off how pretty you are in your dress?

[ There's no mistaking the longing looks towards a certain part of the floors, truly, but Argalia doesn't approach him then. He's seen them before, after all. Heard the difference in speech when spoken in passing. The Color is curious of that now as well, and so he steps quietly behind Daan to alight a hand on his shoulder at one point, gentle and a bit sneaky in a friendly way: ]

Surely a man of your distinguish knows how to dance, Daan. Care for one?

[ It's not the Color he wants. It's not even the Color he's friendlier with. But Argalia's gaze seems expectant, or something that passes as halfway to hopeful. His own brooch glitters brilliantly on his chest. ]

My own date's run off as she's wont to do when she sees someone she knows, so I'm a little dry on good company at the moment.

[Oh, this is a............well. He wouldn't call it a friend. In fact, his first instinct is to simply punch the thing, far too used to the sight of monsters of all kinds in general but...]

[Oh, a young lady is running up.]

[Vergilius stares at her, than the golem, and back to her with narrowed, strangely vibrant red eyes.]

What is this thing.

I don't get it.

[Yes, please explain your pun to the grumpy older man who looks like he's half a ghost with how gray and offputting he looks.

[ Oh, good, Argalia's being victimized by the desire to kiss someone.

It's such a strange desire, brief as it is. At least the man is familiar. A stranger would've gotten a different sort of reaction, more reservedly polite kind where he'd offer a playfully awkward laugh at their situation and perhaps an offer to make it quick.

But they've shared their woes and understood each other, fingernail deep, read one another just a bit. So Argalia reaches out to play with Alucard's ribbon and smiles a little cheekily. More like his own date than not. ]

I don't mind this sight of you either, Alucard; it's certainly different than the bottles strewn about. Irritated by a little plant?

Hrm. Behind a counter, now in the thick of things...

[He can understand that. Daan has already shared his feelings about what it was like to be in that echelon, belonging and yet Not all at the same time. No wonder it's making him trip over his own thoughts.]

[He's silent for a brief moment.]

Taking a breather is good. And stuff like this...I'm sure it'll be better over time.

[His eyes flicker to the other across the room with the incoming text, and there's the briefest of smirks as he sends back another, sipping on his champagne.]

thought it was fitting. needed a bit of color

dance floor — you take the evening one on one

[ Ever dazzled by beauty, Lestat has become almost bewitched by the glittering lights and the soft sweep of colours that twinkle across the dance floor, pausing here and there to study the path of each reflection as it bounces from the stained-glass and sweeps the floor as if the light itself is one of the dancers meandering through the crowd. The faint diffused gleam feels warm to him, even though it couldn't possibly be, and memories of sunrise overwhelm him easily to the point where anyone standing too close might catch a glassiness to his eyes — something wet and faintly tinted red clinging to his pale eyelashes — before he blinks it away and resumes circling the dance floor.

The shining lights reflect against his pale hair and paler skin to make him glow faintly as he wanders around with rhythmic, dance-like movements. He's wearing a suit of brushed silver that also reflects the dappled lights about the floor, with an equally flashy waistcoat beneath, and a corsage of white tulips pinned to his lapel. His shoes are shining and gold-tipped, his hair pulled back and tied with a black velvet bow, and he has removed every ring and piece of jewellery he normally wears except one on his left pointer finger and a pair of shining earrings dangling from his ears.

He's perfectly content to dance alone if Louis is suddenly taken up by his party responsibilities... but that's no fun, now, is it? He'll twirl along the floor for a while, until he spots a wallflower and takes his chance. ]

Don't be silly. You look wonderful, the night is young, and it's much easier to dance when everyone else is already doing it. Come, be on my arm and we'll slide in somewhere and pretend we've been there the whole time. You can tell me some gossip you've overheard, I love being nosy at parties.

[ Well, all the time, really. But still. ]

mingle — you're only livin' to have fun

[ Lestat stands amidst the crowd with an assortment of food in his grasp — a little mug of soup, a few figs, some little fruit candies, a fortune cookie in his breast pocket — but he isn't eating it and doesn't seem to have any intention to do so. He sniffs it every so often, but other than that it remains untouched. At some point he'll end up leaving it somewhere, offering it to a nearby attendee, or tossing it (though he does tuck the slip of paper from the cookie inside his jacket before he discards its shell). He performs a similar ritual with the coffee he takes out onto the patio, holding it close like they do in advertisements, as if it's enough to warm his deathly cold body through and protect him from the winter air outside. Lestat doesn't feel the cold with any discomfort, of course, but he does enjoy the feeling of warmth against his palms, and looks positively delighted with how it makes his fingers tingle as he moves across to the far railing to lean against it and look back on the crowds. ]

Oh quelle nuit... Quelle belle nuit. [ He looks aside to his nearest companion. ] Would you like some coffee to warm you up?

[ On the balcony, the music fades to a dull hum, and Lestat stands looking up at the sky with his back to the festivities. It's the least animated he's been all evening, still except for his hair which dances the night air, his awareness thoroughly taken away by his thoughts and this moment's reprieve. ]

Were you here, little doll, what a night it would be. A page from a storybook.

[ Inside, he's wandered under a few sprigs of that pesky mistletoe already but he hasn't really noticed the effects it encourages because... well, Lestat is almost always caught up by the urge to kiss those he sees around him. He finds beauty in the most unlikely of places, and to resist temptation is simply part of the cat-and-mouse of it all. If anything, he seems to be enjoying the way it feels, going so far as to stand beneath it on purpose. If you pass and feel the effect yourself, then he's a more than willing participant. ]

fashion lair — you're struck by lightning, you're in love

[ Behind the luxurious curtains cordoning off his little piece of Ghost's vision, Lestat stands with so much presence that he might as well be on stage; he's beautiful, he's intriguing, he's impossibly comforting to those who approach with outfit malfunctions, and should your eyes catch his for too long he might be very persuasive as he drags you in for a little sprucing. It could be anything from a little combing of your hair or a little colour added to your cheeks, to him suggesting a different shade of shirt, adding a glittering organza shawl to your dress, perhaps even a different dress entirely!! He says it all with a firmness that makes it clear how confident he is in his decisions and his sense of style, but with no amount of force. He won't wrestle clothes from you if you don't wish to change, but he will be a little confused as to why you wouldn't want to look your best. He also has a small display of corsages of various flower combinations that he's fashioned with his own two hands which he will offer out with the clear instruction that certain romantic traditions are timeless and that corsages are a particular favourite of his.

Waiting for you to emerge from behind his changing area, he keeps his arms politely folded behind his back, swaying ever so slightly to the music he can overhear from the stage — and when you emerge his delight is too bright to be anything other than genuine. ]

Astounding, look at yourself! [ He gestures to one of the standing mirrors. ] Such a sight, I can barely draw breath.

stage — it's not worth fighting, you're in love

[ At a point close to midnight, when things have really started to get into full swing, the music cuts out quite suddenly and without warning. The sound of talking seems cacophonous, but naturally all attention is drawn toward the stage where Lestat suddenly stands with microphone in hand and a wide grin on his face. He tap-taps the mic before speaking into it. ]

Bonsoir, mes amis. I apologise for the brief interruption, but I assure you it's for a good cause.

[ A moment or two of pause, letting the chatter die down a little more before he continues. ]

This Gala has come at a time when, in light of all the things we have been through, I think many of us need an excuse to cut loose and enjoy ourselves. We are in this strange situation together, and though it has not been easy, we have all made the best of it that we can. This evening has been a testament to that teamwork, and I couldn't have imagined a more perfect night if I tried.

Of course, none of this could have been possible without those of us who volunteered our services to help, and to Kaveh for his masterful craftsmanship, and of course to everyone in attendance… but I have to thank one person in particular whose idea started the ball rolling, and whose sacrifices of time and sleep and whose incredible eye for detail has made this evening the incandescent occasion it has been.

Ghost; thank you for putting your all into this, as you do with everything. You are a shining part of the community here, and I know my life has been all the better for having you in it. Your strength and your dedication inspire me, and so many others, and I believe I am not alone when I say that mere thanks doesn't feel like enough, but that I hope it at least suffices for now.

Join me, friends, if you will. Please put your drinks and your partners down for a moment long enough to join me in a round of applause - a celebration of our treasured Ghost, and in gratitude for an unforgettable night.

[ Clap-clap-clap. Out of the periphery comes Louis, holding Lestat's phone aloft — because yes, Lestat has been cross-posting this to the network — and looking only a little disgruntled at being utilised in this manner. He also has a ridiculously large bouquet of jasmine, lilies and roses in one of his arms, which he now passes to Lestat. ]

These are for you, ma rousse. I'll see you soon.

[ He offers them as if she's standing before him, then looks into the camera and blows it a kiss. There's just enough time to see Louis fondly rolling his eyes and giving Lestat a kiss on the cheek before the feed shuts off, and Lestat plugs in whatever he unplugged to bring the music back, before the two vampires descend the stage together. ]

Edited 2023-12-02 17:40 (UTC)

[ Even if he hadn't responded to any of that, Ethan's face is known to him -- he did, after all, explain it thoroughly to the world. One of Argalia's dear friends back home is a wolflady, actually, so it doesn't bother him too much; going out of control isn't unusual either. Ease is his middle name as he approaches after a nod in his direction, the other clearly intending to brood in the cold whilst Argalia has other plans. ]

Surely if you're dressed this fine you ought to be enjoying yourself inside, my friend! Unless you consider the chill good company?

[So. There's a wolf here. A big actual-ass wolf at her SAINTLY GALA. And here is Ghost, in some respects feeling just as out of place as the actual-ass wolf at her SAINTLY GALA: he in his fur and paws and scar, she in her nice dress™ and hairstyle and shoes.

When she comes over, she's not paying attention to the mistletoe overhead, because she's made it a habit of keeping her gaze a little more downward than usual on account of the long drape of her skirt, making sure she doesn't step on it by mistake or have some other fashion disaster. It's also because she's watching the wolf in question, for...obvious reasons.

She draws close, carefully crouches down, and shows him a pre-tied bow tie, a length of ribbon, and a safety pin, all clearly stolen from Lestat's fashion lair.]

There are no wild animals here, so I'm assuming I'm not wrong in that you're a guest. I figured you might want to look like one.

[Honestly, it's not hard to sneak up in the midst of a party and Daan being easily distracted in the midst of his Gay Yearning, so he jerks slightly when he feels the hand on his shoulder. This was always a possibility, but it's still here in his face and now he gets to deal with it.

But Daan is no stranger in playing nice to people he's wary of. So the smile he forms is a polite one, even if it does not reach his eye.]

You're in luck. I'd consider myself decent at dancing. I can lead or follow.

Yeah. Not like a counter would stop all of the things that could be but it did feel safe anyway.

[There's a pause, and he sighs.]

Maybe. But... I did mean it that I feel better with you here. Well, especially right now, of course.

[A brief glance and he catches that expression. It's good. It settles in warmly into his chest, still glad he can accomplish that even over text.]

Good color.

Seriously though, I'm touched.

Argalia.

[The ribbon touch doesn't bother him, but Alucard's expression does soften a bit. From one of irritation to now something closer to being humbled. (And quietly, he feels that he realizes so naturally that Argalia is beautiful, he'd already known that before, but it feels important now)

But most importantly--]

I feel I should apologize for how we met. ...Though it was obvious, I was not... at my best then.

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[open mingle: the sunlight at midnight gala]

☆ QUESTIONS ☆

daan | fear & hunger

alucard | castlevania

Ethan Chandler | Penny Dreadful

vergilius | limbus company

cyno | genshin impact

II

altria | fate/grand order

fearne calloway ♡ critical role

no subject

1, ur stuck with me per usual

a. where you goin chickadee.

iii teehee

b

drinking and dancing

iii

no subject

hell yeah

Lestat de Lioncourt | The Vampire Chronicles

i

ii. because apparently NONE of my characters are cowards

omfg

no subject

no subject

no subject