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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[ Ereshkigal has been in the process of resting, laying down on a bed to recover her mental energy - when suddenly this man bursts into the room and starts talking. She sits up immediately in alarm, putting her mask back on, she can't allow for anyone to know she was resting because of mental fatigue! And he...

... He keeps talking.

And he talks, he talks, he talks. T-That's four questions in a row if she's counting right. Blinks blinks. That's too much extroverted energy for her tired mind to handle. ]

I-I believe you need to take a break and rest, sir.

Oh, shoot.

( He is absolutely only noticing the bed just this very second, giving Ereshkigal a sheepish look and a little grimace of embarassment. He absolutely did not mean to come barging in on a lady taking a nap, this is absolutely the worst. )

Sorry.

( In a whisper that is unfortunately still fairly loud. But then, immediately after. )

Are you okay? Was it the snacks? I have a peppermint in my pocket if you want one.

[ Goodness he's so hyperactive! His extrovertness level is on par wirth March's, except somehow he stuff more things in even less words! Her head is spinning just from hearing what he has to say. ]

H-Heh? [Blinks blinks.] I appreciate your concern, but I am perfectly fine.

[ Well she's a bit exhausted from her social interactions... And he's interacting with her... B-But it's absolutely fine! He looks like a nice person.

Also he's the second person mentioning the food... Does she really have such a horrible sense of taste? ]

Please slow down, alright?

( If he slows down even once he might die. )

Okay, that's good! ( Because he'd hate for someone to not have a good time at a party, you know? And then because she tells him to slow down he just ... breathes deeply, once, twice, giving her a thumbs up. ) I'm good, really.

( He's just ... excitable. And tipsy. )

You sure you don't want me to get you anything?

[ Oh good, he knows his breathing exercises! They're very important to getting things under control when panic overwhelms you. Now that she thinks about it, he did panic in a way, huh? Maybe that's the way his anxiety shows. ]

U-Unless you know of a way to replenish my social batteries instantly, no.

[ That would be nice. Unfortunately, not even a Holy Grail could achieve that sort of result for her. She doesn't want to talk about it, either. Maybe she should deflect. ]

D-Did you learn proper breathing exercises here?

( Immediately he looks sympathetic to her plight, face softening, and when he replies he does a much better job of trying to come across as quiet. )

Oh, no. I learnt back home. They're useful sometimes, if I'm panicking or I'm getting overwhelmed. My friend, Luida, she thought they'd be good for me anyway. I just forget about them a lot.

( A pause. )

Would water help? Something cool? Or if you need someone to walk you home then I'm absolutely your guy! Greatest home walker around.

[ She shakes her head and instead focuses on the breathing exercise. Mostly because she herself is in the process of panicking and she has the perfect excuse to do her exercise in front of someone without it being weird. ]

It's a habit to take. When you feel the panic is about to reach critical levels, put a hand on your stomach - it'll remind you of your breathing and trigger the reflex for the exercises. and inhale slowly through the nose.

[ She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. ]

Inhale slowly through the nose... Then exhale through the mouth...

[ She opens her eyes back- O-Oh, he's still here. That hadn't been an hallucination! ]

Y-You should do them, too.

( Something in Vash's gaze goes more focused, though his features soften a little. )

Yeah, I should, shouldn't I?

( He can recognise the anxiety in her a little better the more he comes into the room, moving just a bit closer. It's easy enough to mirror her, though he's never had to put his hand on his stomach for any of his breathing exercises. It works though, steadies him. He can imagine it being useful if he were really stressed - something he's going to have to remember down the line probably. Still, he's quiet as she works through her exercises, does them to so as not to put them off. Eventually he gives her a bright smile. )

This was really helpful, I appreciate it.

( Some of the giddy behaviour has worn off, making him more sedate. )

I'm Vash, by the way.

[ Wow, breathing exercises can cure being drunk too? That's a really good thing to know for her near-future. The difficulty probably lies in actually remembering to do it when you're drunk...

Regardless, she looks a tad more relaxed too now. She very lightly and politely applauds for him once the exercise down and replies with a nod. ]

Ereshkigal, Godde- [She pauses and shaks her head.] Nevermind that.

[ She doesn't want to go into the usual cycle of people doubting her and/or being scared once they hear she's the goddess of death and queen of the underworld. She's done that mistake earlier on this day and while it went well, she doesn't wanna risk it again. ]

I'll send you my complete anti-anxiety routine once this is done. [Anxious people need help each other, because clearly he's also super anxious! Or is she just projecting?] It's very comprehensive, and better than violently pinching someone's cheeks to get better.

[ ... That last part may be just her. ]

( It's more than he's generally quite hyper, no alcohol required. But when someone else is in need of a quieter attitude he at least tries his very hardest to match that. So he is very clearly trying to tone himself down, keeping himself still as he smiles at Ereshkigal. )

Ereshkigal? That's a really nice name, fancy! And that's sweet of you, I wouldn't mind that at all actually. I've been doing pretty good at not having any breakdowns but you never know when it's going to hit, right? Gotta be prepared!

( A hum, and then carefully. ) Did something happen? You don't have to talk about it if you don't want, but I'm a pretty good listener if that would help.

[ Is-Is her own anxiety that obvious? (She's been giving advice against panic attacks and doing the exercises, of course it is.)

Guess she should be honest so he doesn't think something horrible happened to her. ]

No, I... I just am not accustomed to social gatherings.

[ It's so embarrassing. Defeated by such a simple thing as social interactions. ]

It is very difficult for me to maintain the necessary mental fortitude to face such an event, so I have been taking breaks regularly.

Oh, yeah. I get you.

( Not personally, his social battery is unflagging. But he's met enough people to know that sometimes it just happens like that. Especially when there's a ot of anxiety involved. At least now he knows to tone it down around her, keeping his voice a little quieter as he speaks. )

Regular breaks is a good idea. And hm, I knew someone once who said sour things helped? She had these sharp little candies that she kept in her pockets for the times she'd get real stressed. I think it's something to do with reminding you you're in your body, but I never forget that so I didn't really understand it. I could go and look for something similar for you though, if you want? I'm sure something around here must have a strong taste.

Candies...?

[ She can understand why his friend would do that. When your mind gets too overwhelmed by anxiety, you're really disconnected from reality. The candy may just be what brings her back to the real world - reminds her she is in her body out there as he said, and that the world exists beyond her mind. ]

This is a really good idea, I never thought of it. [She nods and smiles.] You need not do this for me, but I shall try tomorrow. I thank you for this advice.

You're welcome! We gotta look out for each other, right? And that includes sharing all the little home remedies we know about. You'll have to tell me if it works or not.

( Maybe he should start carrying some sour candies while he's on base. That would help people, wouldn't it? )

Also if you ever need company.

( It doesn't matter that he's a relative stranger, she might be in need. )

[ She nods and- W-Wait what, if she needs company? ]

Huh? [T-That's really nice, she's not sure how to take it! Even Hiyori hadn't been that forward, and she'd been super introverted when they first met!] I-I mean, yes of course.

[ Don't show the offer makes you anxious, Ereshkigal! Don't show that it makes you happy too because usually people hate you and avoid you! Try to look like it's just normal.

And lo: she smiles confidently. It's probably a bit weird, smiling like that just after they both had sort of panic attacks. It's not force at all, no no. Perish the thought. ]

L-Likewise, never hesitate to contact me! I'm always at the base or my workplace.

Oh! What do you do? I'm sort of in between a lot of odd jobs so I've been asking people that a lot. Trying to narrow down what I want to spend my time on, you know?

( Because he has a century of odd-jobs under his belt, but gainful solid employment? Not so much. And she still seems a little nervous, so if he keeps the conversation flowing and light maybe that would help her out. Even as he asks his smile stays even and encouraging, interested. )

I have a shortlist now. But there are so many jobs I've never even heard of here.

[ Oh no... H-He's trying to engage in more small talk. She thought it was over! She's used up all of her confidence and energy to give that confident smile thinking he would leave after, so what now?! Deep breathes? No, that would betray her anxiety rising.

He's so kind, she doesn't want to make him feel like he's doing something wrong, when he really isn't. ]

I-I work at a flower shop during the week and at the graveyard on weekends.

[ Is she shrinking? No? And yet it looks as though she's sinking into the bed, as if somehow the goddess is subconsciously trying to disappear. ]

Y-You should find something that you... That you like?

Tsurumaru's flower shop?

( Vash isn't quite sure it's his specifically, but it feels right to connect the dots. ) That's so neat! I visited once, I really enjoyed it inside. We don't have flowers where I come from so everything was just - ( There are no words, so instead he just lets out a very big breath. ) - lively? You know? But you must be real busy with both.

( He talks too much, he knows this. But sometimes distraction helps him? So he's going for it. )

I'm trying. I'm thinking ... well, I'd like to work with kids. My buddy Yato said I could be a teacher's aide maybe. So I'm looking into it. We'll see where it takes me.

[ Ah... He knows Tsururu, Yato and he likes flowers too? That helps her hold on to what little confidence she has left! ]

Yes! He's the one who encouraged me to work there when I was still hesitating... [And she doesn't regret her decision one bit.] I understand what you mean. There are no flowers where I come from either. But I hope my experience here will help me fill my underworld with flowers when I return.

[ Hopefully. Maybe he could learn too...! Then he'd get flowers home as well. ]

Yato gives good counsel. [Sometimes.] If you like working with kids, that sounds like a good path to follow.

[ After Kindergarten Cop, the unexpected sequel, Kindergarten Stampede?! ]

Oh! That's a real good plan.

( He hasn't been thinking about his return at all, mostly because if he thinks about it too hard he'll have a nervous breakdown and there's nowhere to run off to. So, swallowing all that down and pasting a nice cheerful façade on top. ) I'm real glad to meet someone else who gets it though. The first time I saw the ocean here I could have cried. And I've seen grass back home, but it's mostly preserved inside of the ships, it's not just ... on the side of the road, you know? So it's really nice to be able to just go look at flowers or pat the side of a tree. I feel really lucky.

( Earnest about it. )

Maybe one day we could go walk around the gardens together? ( Anxiety buddies. ) It always calms me down!

[ Wow, his world must be in a terrible state, seeing how he describes things. It's to be expected from the Underworld, but for the world humans inhabit to also be like that? That's... sad. That's not how things should be. She tries not to look too sad though! She knows if it was her, she wouldn't want people to look at her with sadness in their eyes... ]

Yes... Though this situation is terrible, it feels like a vacation to me. Hopefully we will manage to bring this world to its salvation.

[ Though it's going to suck so hard once she'll be back home... She doesn't really want to think about it either.

A walk though...? H-he's really so much more social than she is! But after everything they've said, she feels a tad more comfortable, so she won't say no. He's a good person - and friend with some of the people she respects the most here. ]

O-Of course! [She stands back up and picks her mask, putting it back on.] Even if they're all illusory, those gardens are really beautiful.

( Ah. If this is a vacation to her then Vash is firmly putting her on the list of people to check up on. She was already mostly there because of the anxiety, now she's solidly on it. It's steadily growing but she seems nice. )

I like to at least tell myself that even though they're fake here they must be real somewhere, right? The idea has to have come from someplace. And who knows! Maybe we'll get to go somewhere with a proper garden soon. Though I absolutely will lie down in the grass if we do.

( Photosynthesise. )

[ She can't help but laugh. The way he speaks is so genuine and what he just said... It is kind of funny, is it? It's probably her first real laugh in a while. She often smiles and laughs of course, but most of the time they're fake so people don't see what's hiding under her figurative mask.

And besides: ]

I... I think I may do that too. [She nods.] Let's remind each other if we ever visit such a garden.

Yeah!

( Brightly, because he just really likes making friends, and she has a nice laugh. ) That'd be real fun actually. Especially if we're both not used to it, we can appreciate it together.

( And he's curious about her, about her world. But she doesn't seem like the kind of person he should immediately start prying with, her anxiety aside. A more gentler approach ( or as gentle as Vash the Stampede can, really ). ) Man, okay. I should really find my buddy. He's new and I don't want to leave him alone too long. But can I help you get anywhere first? Or fetch you anything?

[ She nods and ah- ]

I'll be fine, I'm going to take my time going back to the gala.

[ Besides it means she can pull herself together while she's on her lonesome - recharging your social batteries is harder when you're talking to someone, somehow. But she doesn't regret it. Meeting new people - good ones especially - is always a good thing. ]

Thank you again and please take care, alright?

(no subject)

photosympathies - 2024-09-25 13:56 (UTC) - Expand

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( open. ) masked gala

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