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! 👍 )

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T-That's a new sensation, to be sure! Not at all what she'd expected from alcohol! Is that really supposed to make her braver? How can a drink so cold provoke such warmth inside? It's even weirder given how low her bodily temperature is at all times! Well no matter. There is no salvaging any of this through anything than the power of alcohol.

And down goes the second glass! Goodness... Now it's her head that's on fire! T-That was a bad idea. All to avoid this man ruining her day, and yet he's perhaps done just that without intending to! What to do, what to do...? ]

... L-Let's dance.

[ She speaks very abruptly and put the glass aside on a nearby table... Except there are no nearby tables and the glass just hits the ground and shatters. Is she getting drunk already?! She's not telling him who she is, he's just going to restart his bullying operation if she does and that's a big no-no. Some - dancing is the only viable solution.

(she is getting drunk already) ]

[ He’s at least pleased that she likes it in the way that any god is pleased with sharing something from their culture, but it’s short-lived because of how rapidly the situation changes. He can almost see how the liquor goes to her head, and he opens his mouth to say something, but her request/demand catches him off guard. ]

Dance? I, uh— Shit.

[ He tries to reach out for the glass quickly once he sees her trying to set it down midair, but he just misses it as it falls and crashes. He looks at it incredulously for a moment, since damn, he’s almost impressed by how she can’t hold her liquor. Plus, there’s a brief internal battle going on here. He was about to say that he doesn’t dance (at least, not in this European way), but now there’s a bunch of glass on the floor, and he knows he’s the one liable to get blamed… ]

Yeah, sure.

[ The latter ends up being the more annoying option to deal with, he decides. For his nice approach, taking her out onto the dancefloor isn’t so elegant. He boldly takes both of her hands and tugs her towards the dance floor, but as they get swept into the little crowd, his steps aren’t nearly as confident. ]

…You know how to do this? I, uh… don’t.

[ He... He doesn't know how to dance? Ereshkigal is not sure what to make of this new piece of information. How uncivilized. For all of his failings, that might just be the worst. She doesn't expect him to be prince charming, but when you attend a gala, there is a minimum of decency that ought to be respected. Open a book and look up how to dance!

Why did he even say it? Tezcatlipoca, acknowledging his ignorance about something? It's nice but it's like she's talking to another person altogether... Did someone cast a spell over him? Is he brainwashed or something? ]

Hmpf. I will show you.

[ Sure, he may be Tezcatlipoca. But she won't allow for him to get away from this. She abruptly attempts to take his left hand with her own, in an attempt to place it on the side of her hip. He may notice this assertive woman is also surprisingly strong! ]

Here... [Now she takes his other hand and intertwines her fingers with his—] And there! No matter what happens, you must hold firmly and not let go unless it's for a specific move, understood?

[ Though she doesn't expect him to do a move like that since he doesn't know how to dance to begin with. No matter. She places her free hand atop his shoulder and looks up at him. ]

It is typical for the man to lead the dance, but since you don't know how to do it I will lead for a round. Observe and imitate my steps.

[ His opinion on the matter? Irrelevant. She's here to have a good time and dance like in her favorite romantic novels, and he will not ruin this. Admittedly the alcohol she's ingested is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. ]

[ This is not what he was intending here. He’d wanted to give her some liquid courage to go dance with someone else, not him! He’s perfectly content to stay on the sidelines of the dancefloor and socialize, since that’s much more his speed. But her strong grip moving him into the proper dancing position clearly means otherwise. Setting a hand on her hip or intertwining their fingers doesn’t bother him, but even he feels a little foolish. ]

Yeah, yeah, I got you…

[ He grumbles out his agreement, but he at least seems to take it somewhat seriously. His attention drifts to their feet when he realizes that’s where the focus of the dance is more than anywhere else. He doesn’t have two left feet, at least, but it’s immediately clear that he wasn’t kidding. He has no familiarity at all, so every step is new. ]

Just… not how people danced where I’m from.

[ He feels like he should offer an explanation, if only to save his own pride. ]

This is all European style shit, so wasn’t interested.

[ Ereshkigal is surprisingly graceful with the way she dances. Would you believe it's her first time dancing with someone? It's the result of all those hours spent daydreaming and dancing, together with the power of alcohol!

She tries to listen but his explanation is... It's so boring. Where is the mean Tezcatlipoca she hates so much?! He's annoying, devious and infuriating - but boring? That's not a word she'd associate with him! And he doesn't even look happy. Goodness, this needs to be fixed. He looks so sad, this could just ruin her entire evening if she allows for it to last any loner! ]

And let's not forget the most important thing— [She lets go of his shoulder and put her finger on the corner of his mouth, before dragging their linked hands to the other corner.] Smiiiiiiiiiile~!

[ She pulls on both sides to force his lips into smile... Only to explode laughing. ]

Teehehehehehehe~! You're so pretty like that!

[ Yeah, she's totally drunk. It's his life now. In all fairness it's not his fault if he looks hilarious with a stretched smile! ]

[ This will at least do wonders for keeping Ereshkigal anonymous, because while he might have wondered if that was her behind the mask, this is not something he’d expect. Like, surely a god can hold their liquor better, right?

…Right?

But it definitely gives a sight well worth the laugh, because he’s so bewildered at getting his face pulled at that he doesn’t stop her. Slash partially can’t, since her grip on his hand is tight??? His more feline fangs are on full display, and though it’s a little distorted because of how she’s pulling at his lips, he manages. ]

I’m smiling!

[ He shakes his head to get out of her grip, and it’s admittedly hard to not just scowl, but he forces a smile… It’s very obviously forced. But hoping to distract her, he moves a little more quickly. His steps still aren’t anywhere as close to practiced as hers, but he catches on quickly, especially when this one isn’t so complicated. ]

I gave ya too much confidence.

[ There’s a lightweight and then there’s this??? Help??? ]

[ She places her hand back on his shoulder and keep on dancing- With even more energy than before. Oh and is she... Singing? Eyes closed and happily humming to the tune of "someday my love will come." It's just getting better and better for him by the second. ]

Lalalalalala~ [She opens her eyes anew and looks at him.] Alright, now it is your turn.

[ But poor Tezcatlipoca won't dare dancing if there are too many people around, will he? So she clears her throat and speaks very very loudly. There isn't a single soul in the entire gala room who won't hear her! ]

EVERYONE! Please give us some spaaaace. [She giggles.] It's Tezcoo's first time dancing, he needs room to be comfy!

[ Tezcoo? It's definitely someone who knows him! Fortunately, it can hardly get worse—

... Oh, is she resting her head against his shoulder? Okay, it can probably get worst. ]

Ehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe~

[ Well hopefully he's learned how to slow dance well enough just from those few minutes spent observing her, because now there are many more eyes on them than before. ]

[ On one hand, he’d certainly accomplished his goal of getting her to relax and loosen up. She’d so obviously wanted to go dance that he’d come over to encourage her. But he’d also imagined that the shots would just help her get out of her own head a little. Not completely. She seems to be having fun, but… ]

Now, hold on—

[ At this moment, he’s actually regretting not playing along with the whole mask thing. He flinches in surprise as she suddenly yells, but becoming the center of attention this way is not what he wanted at all, dammit!! ]

Tezcoo? C’mon, why does everyone make weird fuckin’ nicknames. Tez. Tez, if you gotta shorten it!

[ She will not listen. Maybe she can’t. But he has to assert it all the same. Plus, it helps to refocus his attention on something else other than the fact that obligingly (even if it’s only to see what happens), people have indeed stepped out of the way. Ereshkigal and Tezcatlipoca are at the center of the ballroom now, and he feels all those eyes on him uncomfortably. Truly, the tables of anxiety have turned. He may not mind being the center of attention at times, but that’s when he’s confident. When he’s fumbling his way through the steps…

His movements are a bit stiff, but decently competent for having only just learned it, and without any teacher to speak of. But more importantly? His face is just a little bit flushed. Being the center of attention is fine with him, but only when he knows what he's doing. ]

I’m cuttin’ you off, by the way. You can’t handle your fuckin’ drinks.

[ His words would have probably hurt a normal person. Cutting you off because you're being a bit eccentric while drunk? That's harsh! And yet - somehow - all it accomplishes is making the woman smile even more brightly than before ]

Cutting me off?

[ Holy Kûr! Has Christmas come early? Not only she's having a fantastic time, but he's going to stop bothering her?! That calls for a celebration! ]

[ Without warning, Ereshkigal sends him spinning— She throws out the hand of hers that's holding him with all of her A-rank strength, only to let go of him. The strength she's put into that should be enough to cause him to spin for at least a few seconds.

But he needs not fear! Before he can stop himself from spinning (or collapse on the floor), she slides right back next to him to catch him back! ]

That's wonderful~!

[ Who knew announcing someone you're cutting them off could make them so ecstatic? Wait, is the woman sparkling— ]

[ And lo!

She throws Tezcatlipoca upward, sending him flying high above her! Her mask is sent flying at the same time too. He is right about one thing: she cannot handle her drinks. But she would most definitely not do that to a normal person, she's only doing that because he's a god who can take it! ]

[ But once more, he needs not fear! Her arm, wide open, catches him just as he's about to crash on the ground. And there she leans, nearly as if she was about to kiss him— But she won't. No thank you, kisses are reserved for her love! But he can see up close just who exactly he is dealing with.

Unmasked, sparkling, smiling more brightly than ever: Ereshkigal, the Goddess of Death. ]

But please wait till tomorrow, teeheeheehee~!!

[ The mask lands back perfectly on her face, her features once more blurred by the gala's spell. ]

[ …Why does she look so happy about him denying her more alcohol? He looks confused at her excitement, because they’re having quite the miscommunication here. Alas, poor Ereshkigal, you will never be free of this annoying god. ]

[ However. She will absolutely be free of him for the rest of the night, because this was a mistake. It was so much of a mistake, and he’s not someone that admits his own mistakes!! She’s strong as hell, so the spin almost sends him tumbling because of just how much he is not expecting it. Thankfully, he’s not wearing his sunglasses today, otherwise they’d go flying.

He’s just as quick to catch her in return and hold onto her arms tightly with some of that divine strength of his own. It’s not even a matter of being fair, he’s just getting so manhandled that he’s getting annoyed. ]

Stop fuckin’ thr—

[ Throwing him? Like she did just now? ]

[ help ]

[ But, truly.

His reaction isn’t exactly unlike a cat’s as he comes back down to the ground, since he honestly has no way to break his fall here short of her body. Tezcatlipoca isn’t exactly a god of the sky, and he doesn’t like becoming part of it against his will, thank you very much! So, it’s half her catching him, half Tezcatlipoca very deliberately clawing onto her. ]

You? How the fuck are you that bad with alcohol?!

[ He’s baffled, but also kind of pissed off? Dealing with an overly drunk human (or close enough) was one thing, but a goddess? He’s actually irritated.

…And embarrassed.

So, he’s quick to start to peel himself out of her grip with an angry snarl. ]

Yeah, enjoy your fuckin’ surprise tomorrow.

[ It’s a hangover. That’s what he assumes, anyways. He’ll be even more annoyed if she doesn’t even get that. ]

[ His reaction is soooooo perfect! How pissed off he is— Irritated, embarrassed, baffled. So many wonderful emotions! She's going to keep this memory close to her heart for all eternity and every time she will have an altercation with him, she'll remember this. ]

EVERYONE!

[ She lets go of him, but he needs not fear for the goddess has one last gift for him: everyone's attention. ]

Tezcoo Tlipoo is looking for a new dance partner! [That's him.] Make sure he has a good time, teehehehehehehehe!

[ She wishes him a good end of gala. ]

[ Truly hilariously, this is definitely the most pissed off he’s been in general here, much less at her. The continued butchering of his name and the indignity get him to visibly bristle like he’s going to pick a more violent fight. It’s not like he’d consider the alcohol an excuse.

…And he probably would, if not for the knowledge that the implant would step in and stop him from making significant progress. He’s already mortified and getting a dose of his “shock collar” on top of it would make it even worse.

So, annoyingly. He’ll have to be satisfied with hoping her first (?) experience drinking also comes with its horrible aftermath. ]

I’m not.

[ He doesn’t shout it, but if anyone approaches him even in jest, he gives them a look like he’s going to tear them limb from limb, and he leaves the dance floor. It’s a tactical retreat, okay. Enjoy your party, Ereshkigal! He’s going to go get lost in the maze now! ]

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