( open. ) masked gala

[uncourteous]

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! 👍 )

Comments

5

[immortalpoet]

[The look on Vergilius's face under this mask is still very evident even if partially covered]

[It's very much NOT THIS FUCKING GUY AGAIN. He's grumbling at the hand to his tie. Ugh.]

No. Especially not with you.

[uncourteous]

[ i'm in tears...

that moment when they reunite, and yet callisto can't make out vergilius' face under the mask. is this for the best? still, since it seems like the supposed mystery individual knows him so well, his lips do curve upwards in amusement. ]

Oh? Why the especially? Am I someone of that much importance to you?

[ with the tie neatly aligned, he does pull it just a touch tighter. ]

[immortalpoet]

You're like a cockroach under my boot.

[He's absolutely raising his hand to just try to...tug this man's hand away from his tie.]

So is that important?

[uncourteous]

You could not come up with a more affectionate nickname...? Your creativity could use some work. [ taking it in stride, per usual. as if the words said by the stranger wasn't nearly enough to touch his nerves. except, that may not be entirely true, only betrayed by the intensity of his gaze. ]

Does that answer your question? [ when his hand is tugged away, his eyes just focus on remaining transfixed on the eyes that hide behind the mask. ]

[immortalpoet]

We're not on TV like before. Dear. So no need to keep playing around.

[He does lower his hand, though, eyes shining a little brighter.]

...You decided to host this thing. Why?

[uncourteous]

[ ah,

it only takes but a second of reflection for him to piece the two things together. he supposed this intensity is quite the same, yet different. ] Dear? And you dare to say I am playing around? [ but, almost like being slightly sobered, the second question does give him pause. ]

Why? Suddenly interested in me and my proclivities?

[immortalpoet]

Yes. Of course I dare. Don't be surprised. And here I thought you knew me so well from first impressions.

[He grimaces now, rolling his shoulders back.]

I was just wondering what was the point.

[uncourteous]

Is that what you thought? Apparently not well enough.

[ as he couldn't even guess that he would ask such a question.

with that one single scowl, he somehow feels like he won. ]

Let me ask you, then. Let us say there is a party that you host and all of the land is privy to this fact. The party is a grand one and it lasts for several days. On the first day, there is an attempted murder. What would you do? Would you cancel the party?

[ what point indeed.... ]

[immortalpoet]

...?





[I'm so sorry, because this actually garners him a mildly blank look.]

Is it a party without an attempted murder? Let's be real. Unless the security is top-notch, if there are valuable targets, its going to happen whether you like it or not.

[uncourteous]

[ i'm in tears...

he does have to give a slight chuckle, though. not in a way of mockery as much as he genuinely does find it ironic for this man's idea of a party to be filled with murder. not exactly wrong, though, even by callisto's experience. ]

Every party? My, you have quite a different set of standards. Then I take that to mean, the party goes on?

[immortalpoet]

Of course. The ones in Nests splurge like no tomorrow on those things. In their view, why waste the money?

[Life goes on. Dead bodies pile outside the doors. It's fine.]

[uncourteous]

Then, I suppose this party is just like that.

[ in some ways.

though, it's less about money than... ]

Sometimes a party is just as much a testament of showing no weaknesses. [ of not allowing a single person to get a grasp of your vulnerabilities. of showing people how unaffected you are. there's a bit more to it than that and he doesn't deny that it also ends up being an excellent way to lift the spirits of the people. but callisto leaves it at that. ] Though, I did sincerely enjoy your answer.

[immortalpoet]

[Now that's interesting - his gaze grows brighter, though its no less cold, as if it means to peer into the man himself.]

What weakness are you trying to cover up, then? It begs the question.

[uncourteous]

[ not the two red eyes staring at each other... ]

Isn't that for you to find out? [ he does seem to smile at the idea though. though, not in a necessarily soft or sweet sort of way. ] Besides, wouldn't you say all men hold similar vulnerabilities?

[immortalpoet]

Do you really want me to find out? I could eat you up for breakfast. Not even that. A half-day snack.

[please



do not say things like this, verg, Please]

It depends on the vulnerability.

[uncourteous]

How voracious. Had I known you were this hungry, I would have purchased more food. Unfortunately for you, [ what did he call him again? ah, yes. the script said— ] kitten, I'm not on the menu.

[ patting him on the chest, right against the tie he just fixed up. ]

Does it? I consider most fairly similar.

[immortalpoet]

Of course I'm hungry. The food you ordered was slop for pigs.

[A little growl of a noise at the pat....please stop touching....]

Give me an example then.

[uncourteous]

Ah, is that would you preferred to be called? Mister Pig?

[ that can be arranged... :)

he does seem to drop his hand, though it's clearly not from warning as much as it's from whim. ]

Emotions, perhaps?

[immortalpoet]

Are you giving me your own name? No thanks. Vergilius is fine.

[....Emotions?]

[Now that makes him give the man an odd look.]

You think emotions in general are a problem?

[uncourteous]

Nonsense. What is a man without another title?

[ ... and some men are sir piglet and kitten. ]

Are they not? I would argue that most people aren't in a position to offer them freely. Do you not believe that a bleeding heart could easily be taken advantage of?

[immortalpoet]

A regular human being.

[He tilts his head.]

Ah. So you feel its emotions in the ways of kindness and selflessness that are the problem. In many ways...they are. The road is paved with good intentions. What about anger? What about sorrow?

[uncourteous]

Are you one? This is the first I've heard of it.

[ he almost reaches out to un-tilt his head. ]

Regardless of ones own will or expectations, if others perceive them as a weakness, it just as much paints a target on ones back, wouldn't you say? [ ... ] I find many are less likely to play with fire. As for sorrow... I can't say.

[immortalpoet]

Oh, I'm definitely not one. You are, though.

[PUTTING HASHTAG AVERAGE STICKER ON CALLISTO]

It could. The world does not benefit from kind acts whatsoever. [Which brings him to that prior point, and a question he's wanted to ask.] Why did you throw this party?

[uncourteous]

From a cockroach to a human. It looks like you like me a fair amount.

[ a sticker is better than nothing...

just like negative attention was better than none. ]

Did I not answer this? [ he seems to wave a hand absently. ] No matter what I say, you likely have your own theories. Why not just commit to spreading rumors like everyone else?

[immortalpoet]

Uh-huh. Sure. Maybe I should introduce you to a man I know who's part cockroach, see what you think.

[HUH?]

... [Yes, indeed, he did, didn't he? Vergilius pauses, then sighs.] I'm not the rumor spreading type. So feel satisfied on that.