synflux | ( open. ) masked gala

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( open. ) masked gala

WHO: Any Outsider is more than welcome!
WHAT: The Royal Gala (citation needed)
WHERE: "Ruby Room," an event hall in Neo Tokyo.
WHEN: 10th day of September.
WARNINGS: Alcohol, potential suggestive topics, and will update as we go!

Throughout the week leading up to the event, every Outsider will have received an elaborate invitation in a wax-sealed envelope. Each letter will be relatively unique, but ultimately seems to carry the same contents:

Your presence has been summoned to the first annual royal gala, which will take place at the Ruby Room on the 10th day of September, the year 2078. Please come dressed appropriately, and do not forget a mask. While not required, depending on your dancing abilities, it is highly suggested.

- Callisto Regulus

CODED BY TESSISAMESS
Whether people attend out of a sense of obligation, out of suspicion in finding more about the event (and by extension, what it entails), or even simply as an excuse to dress up and raise ones spirits— all is welcome. While no theme is established, one could likely surmise from the envelopes that the colors of the venue will be predominately decorated in reds, black, and golds.

No matter where one looks, the entire hall has been intricately decorated. While the vast majority of the venue appears to mirror what one would see in a palace, including all the pillars and seemingly expensive items put on display, if one peer through their oculars, they will find it is designed much like ones room upgrades are: through technology. Though, a smaller percentage of some of the items appear delicately handmade, including the lace on the dining tables thanks to some assistance. It is as much the decadent scenery as one could envision, even if to some degree, it's fake. But, listen, they do technically have some sort of budget.

Additionally, as specified on the invitation, as soon as anyone walks through the doors of the venue, and have their names announced (per course of a royal celebration)— if they are wearing a mask, they will find that their identities are obscured from others. This includes their appearance and voice, which may appear blurry or slightly different to what it usually is. This is because the venue itself casts an affect on anyone wearing a mask, making them completely anonymous to one another. However, the illusion is quick to break if one just removes their mask!

Aside from the mystery of the masks, there will also be several other forms of entertainment available for the night:

1. DANCE
As with any gala, there will naturally be music and dancing throughout the night. Soft music will play throughout the venue and will include several tunes. If one doesn't know how to dance, perhaps they will have a partner who knows all the steps? If not, if they open their oculars, they will find several guides passive aggressively attached to a folder dropped to all Outsiders called "Educate yourselves" made by yours truly. They do, however, appear to be fairly good guide videos, even if they are made through AI, and may even utilize your own face? Oops.

2. GARDEN MAZE
There will be a section in another room of the venue that is labeled as being a maze. When one enters, they will find themselves surrounded by extremely tall shrubs, or what appears to be that. Instead, it is much like a virtual escape room. The point is to find the exit that will lead them back to the dance hall. However, it won't be so easy. Hopefully no one loses their partner for the night in here.

3. SECRET PASSAGEWAYS
If one explores the maze deeply, they will find that the main hall isn't the only place it leads to, instead they will discover that there are several hidden passageways that lead to secret rooms. Perhaps, it was made to provide some people some privacy. Privacy appropriate for such a demure and mindful event, that is.

4. FIREWORKS
At the end of night, there will also be a firework show. Considering that actual fireworks weren't permitted even during the festival period, it's reasonable to say there will be no real fireworks here. However, what guests will get is a VR firework show at the end of the night. Perhaps, not an entirely poor way to end it.

Perhaps, these events and how elaborate the venue is at least makes up the lack of food items. While there are food, they are kept rather simple. Maybe in light of recent events, it was decided they keep it within means. While the food may appear fancy or delicious, they will be made with what is similar to ration bars, but in varying flavors. To make up for it, the main dish, however will be a delicious mystery meat. No one knows where it comes from, or what it's made of.

There will also be several speeches throughout the night, and perhaps you may also feel inclined to make your own before a toast? Whichever the case, surely no one is here for Callisto's speeches, at least.

( ooc note: the mask prompt was approved by mods and purchased with points, but feel free to have your character remove their mask if it's not their thing! i just wanted to add in a fun surprise in the log. also, you're free to assume whatever is typically in galas to be here, so don't feel locked into anything! the most important rule of all— have fun!!!

once again, your character is free to get an invite as everyone was invited! 👍 )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ contrary to laios, zagreus seems at ease for the most part? he's never been set up with a stranger before, but kabru seems to have a good judgement of character and marcille knows him (even if she did say he's a little tactless?), so zagreus doesn't see a reason to be too apprehensive about it. kabru told him that laios is a little shy, so he does his best to be friendly but not overbearing in an attempt to keep him comfortable.

he was trying to think of what to say first, but laios beats him to it. at the mention of three-headed dog, zagreus smiles brightly, nodding. ]

Yes, I do! His name is Cerberus and he's been with me my whole life. He was one of the few friends I had growing up, so he's very important to me.

Edited 2024-09-09 08:31 (UTC)

_{[ This isn’t so bad. Maybe Laios was nervous for no reason, but that doesn’t prevent him from reaching for a napkin and dabbing lightly on his forehead. Zagreus hasn’t shunned him yet, but Laios knows it’s because that haven’t actually talked much. The apprehension is still there, but the topic is a monster, now.

Intrigued, Laios leans in. ]}

Show me a picture of him. I need to see it.

_{[ damn.. ]}

What kind of dog is he? Or-or! Maybe he is several dogs, spliced together! Like a chimera!

_{[ HIS FAVORITE.. ]}

Oh. [ a picture?? bro he's from ancient greece... they don't have cameras. ] ... Um, would a drawing suffice?

[ anyway, he's reaching for his own napkin, flipping it over to sketch out a quick doodle of cerberus. it's a little crude, but he does his best, turning it around to show laios. ]

I'm not entirely sure what kind of breed he is, though I suppose his technical classification is an infernal beast? He has red fur and green eyes, and he's very large. Each of his heads has a different personality, but he's generally considered to be a single being.

_{[ ame im stupid he’s from 500 AD he also doesn’t have cameras… but maybe he learned about them here and doesn’t know what time period zag is from..

ANYWAY, he takes this napkin and OH BOY IS HE LOOKING AT IT, and kind of judging cause he’s technically a good artist and loves drawing monsters. ]}

His breed is probably something supernatural! Like a hellhound.

_{[ Laios, who has no idea where Zagreus is from or anything like that. ]}

I bet he harnesses a lot of magic. What does his bark sound like? Is it like a— ᵇᵃʳᵏ or is it more like a _WOOF?

_{[ why is he so good at barking.. he sounds just like a dog.. ]}

[ it's fine, laios can teach him about cameras too. please don't judge his (lack of) artistic ability too harshly okay he did his best. ]

Ah, yes! That sounds about right. His duty is to guard the gates to Hell, after all.

[ yeah, he's from the underworld, but don't worry about it. it's fine, because they're barking now. ]

Mm, I'd say it's more like — [ he clears his throat a little and then barks. sorry, kabru. it's... actually kind of convincing, if only because cerberus has been his friend for probably centuries at this point and he's had lots of practice. ]

Edited 2024-09-10 09:53 (UTC)

_{[ Hearing Zagreus also bark and be pretty good at it too (Laios would argue he's still better, but that's cause everyone in his village acknowledged his famous bark??? Or something.)
Laios actually laughs lightly, feeling a little more at ease even if he was burning up in this hot attire. ]}

Hey, that's pretty good! If you want, I can give you pointers to improve your bark.. though, I guess it depends on what kind of bark you're wanting. There's all kinds. An intruder alert bark, a greeting bark, a playful bark.. it depends on the breed too.

_{[ Laios takes an exhale, phew. ]}

Sorry. If I am being honest, I was really nervous about being set up with someone I didn't know. I also didn't have many friends growing up.. just my little sister, Falin.

I always welcome tips from the expert.

[ laios is the de facto dog impersonator, there's no contest. zagreus can only imitate one dog, after all. but more importantly, it's nice hearing laios laugh and seeing the tension bleed a little from his frame. even if nothing else comes out of this, zagreus is happy to know he was able to put him at ease. ]

Don't apologize, I understand. I was, admittedly, also quite nervous. I don't usually have the opportunity to meet new people. But I'm glad you have your friends here, at least.

I don't have many friends here. Just Marcille, really. Oh, and Godzilla.. I think we're friends.

_{[ why is he completely ignoring KABRU.. KABRU IS LITERALLY RIGHT THERE.. ]}

And my sister.. she's not here either. We were actually on a very important quest together.

_{[ Though, you know what.. Laios bets someone like Zagreus who seems to like monsters would find Falin.. really, really cool. But he shouldn't say anything about it, because technically what they did wasn't a good thing. But he's trying, he is trying so hard not to say anything. In fact, he's even biting his lip.

A stranger shouldn't know about Falin, but the idea of Zagreus finding her really, really cool.. that delights Laios too much. Maybe Zagreus will think he's even cooler knowing he has a chimera for a sister. ]}

So the quest!

_{[ STOP. ]}

My sister, she actually got eaten by a Red Dragon! Which, I mean, that's a pretty cool way to go, am I right? But, when you're in a dungeon, you can be revived! As long as you're not digested! So!

_{[ He cannot stop running his mouth now. ]}

We traveled through the dungeon, since she had cast a spell to send us to surface before getting swallowed, and we had to hurry so the dragon didn't digest her. But guess what? We fought the Red Dragon, AND defeated it! It was really scary, I even lost my leg trying to slay it, but I slayed it! That's because Red Dragons, they have a weak spot under their chin, and I drove my sword into it.

The dragon was so big, but it passed, and me, Marcille, Senshi, Chilchuck.. we all cut it open, and guess what! Falin had already been reduced to bones, you know, after we had gotten all the organs out. Which, by the way, Red Dragon tastes delicious.. like nothing you have ever had before!

We spent a lot of time digging through the bones in the dragon's body, because it had eaten some Wargs too, so.. so.. we had to find my sister's bones and pick them out amongst the Warg bones. Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention.. it's cause Marcille knows black magic, and this was the only way to revive my sister!

Falin's bones.. they were so beautiful.

_{[ the fuck?? ]}

I just think bones are so neat.

After we had gotten all of her bones together, Marcille revived her with black magic, but we could only use the remaining dragon meat to serve as her body.. and.. her soul ended up bound to the dragon's soul because of that. She was fine for awhile, but then, her form changed under the Lunatic Magician's spell.. and guess what, Zagreus..

MY SISTER IS A CHIMERA NOW! But not just an ordinary one, no, she has both feathers AND scales. And she's ginormous!

_{[ why does he sound like this is a good thing.. ]}

We have got to change her back by eating the dragon parts of her body!

Edited 2024-09-11 17:57 (UTC)

[ there's so much to unpack from this.

however cool zagreus may have found falin is undermined by what laios reveals, his expression getting progressively more and more concerned. he's glad it sounds like falin is all right? for now? just part dragon with... feathers? marcille knowing black magic and being able to revive falin doesn't seem to faze him much, at least — nyx had the fates restore him when he was stillborn, so, you know, it's fine. but what really gets him is, ]

Wait, hold on, how does that work? If you eat the dragon parts of her body, wouldn't that cause her more pain?

[ has falin not suffered enough....... ]

And if she's as large as you say, wouldn't that take a lot of people to accomplish? Is... Is everyone all right with eating parts of her? Is she all right with that?

Edited 2024-09-11 19:39 (UTC)

[ Marcille barrels right in, catching one hand on the dinner table as she grabs Laios by the ear and tugs. ]

Just what are you telling Zagreus, huh?!

_{[ Zagreus, concerned about the consent of Falin. What a gentleman.

And Laios is about to explain some more, but he's suddenly yoinked by the ear with a yelp. Of course, he avoids her question for now. ]}

M.. Marcille! I didn't think you were gonna actually make it!

_{[ to the gala... even if she helped him pick out clothing to wear.. ]}

[ the sudden appearance of marcille startles zagreus, so preoccupied as he was with the story of falin that he's all but forgotten about the gala. ]

Marcille! Please, it's fine! We were just having a nice chat, that's all!

I came to keep an eye on you two just in case. Clearly that was the right thing to do!

[ She lets Laios's ear go like snapping back a rubber band. She crosses her arms and leans in to murmur furiously between them both. ]

You were telling him about Falin, weren't you? And about me! What were you thinking?

_{[ And because Laios is too straight forward and honest: ]}

Yeah! I was! So what, Marcille? We aren't back home, there's no law here against black magic! I wasn't talking bad about you or Falin! In fact, I was talking about how amazing you both are!

_{[ sort of .. ]}

[ oh gods, how does he fix this. there's clearly a lot going on between them and zagreus isn't sure if he should be privy to this conversation?? it sounds like it's something they still need to talk out. ]

... Um, would you both like to go somewhere more private to discuss? Outside, maybe? Would that help?

That doesn't mean I want everyone around to know about it! That's private information! Why do you think I waited to tell all of you back in the dungeon?

[ Marcille can feel her voice rising, and finally her attention darts back to Zagreus. A little bit of guilt swims up her stomach, though she does feel justified in chiding Laios. She sighs, lowering her shoulders. ]

Sorry, Zagreus. I wasn't trying to eavesdrop. I just saw your face and... Anyway, I know we're not in our world anymore, but back where we come from, using black or ancient magic is taboo. Now that you know, could you keep it to yourself?

You know, Marcille.. you're making a bigger scene here than I was initially. Look at him. He doesn't care if you use black magic, and it's probably cause he thinks it's cool.

_{[ Then, to Zagreus: ]}

Right? I can answer any questions you may have about Falin too. Trust me, the plan that we have to eat her is going to work.

_{[ he sounds like a madman.. ]}

Of course, I won't tell anyone. And it is, indeed, very cool.

[ but also, very dangerous? that kind of magic isn't easy. to this day, zagreus is still not sure how exactly nyx and the fates were able to restore him, and given their nature, she's forbade him from speaking of it ever again. if nyx, a primordial goddess herself, had to go through such lengths, he can't imagine anyone else attempting it without it potentially going very wrong.

... falin must be very important to her, too. ]

I—... Well, I do have questions, but perhaps you can explain it to me in detail later. It's not that I'm uninterested, but I wouldn't want you to be interrupted by the other guests.

[ and also to avoid marcille from having an aneurysm. ]

_{[ tehe zag thinks its cool just like he hoped for ]}

[ Marcille is about to bite back at Laios about etiquette and what's right or wrong to share about someone else, but the comment about interrupting from Zagreus makes all of the fight slide right out of her. She purses her lips and lowers her shoulders, eyes narrow as she looks off to the side. She is interrupting, isn't she? ]

Well, I do trust Zagreus, at least... [ She sets a hand on her hip and points her finger as she addresses Laios. ] But Laios, don't mention me when you're talking about who resurrected Falin, okay? Or that I use ancient magic. Not without asking me first.

[ Her arm falls before she says to them both: ]

Sorry about barging in on your dinner. I'll leave now, so... I do hope the rest of your night goes well. See you later.

[ And unless she's stopped, she'll walk off! ]

Edited 2024-09-17 19:45 (UTC)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( open. ) masked gala

im here

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1/3 dunmeshi spoilers (tho it's just about falin..)

2/3

3/4 sorry

4/5 SORRY

DONE FR...

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