( 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

[queenofkur]

[ On the bright side: she does let go of his neck.

On the downside: her hand now closes upon his hand, with the surprising strength only a strange goddess like her could hold. ]

Ehehe, what a cute little nitwit. [And lo: she starts dragging him towards the dancing floor.] Dancing it is!

[ Look at how happy she is! How can Ratio say no to her? ]

[curingidiocy]

[ The strength is surprising from such a tiny woman, and it makes him further wonder if it might be Ereshkigal. He remembers that pinch from the dream memory share... But for now, it also means he has no choice but to go along with her. His muscles aren't for show, but they're no match for a goddess's A-Rank strength. ]

I-I did not agree to dance with you! I am warning you—I am a poor dancer!

[ He can and will say no!!! Someone help him please... ]

[queenofkur]

[ That's hopeless, doc. It's happening. Ere long they're in the middle of the dance floor. Finally she let's go of him, only to put a hand on his shoulder and intertwine their other hand.

She's looking at him expectantly. ]

It's never too late to learn, Rati-chan! [It's his name now.] Besides it'll make you a better dancer for your boyfriend!

[curingidiocy]

[ He futilely sends a message to Aventurine begging for help, but the only response he gets is a smarmy rejection and a 'Have fun darling~'. That traitor...! ]

Don't— [ Augh why is he bothering to correct a drunk individual. ] —he's already attempted to teach me! I do not need lessons from you.

[ Except Aventurine had him as the following partner, not the leading partner, so he actually... doesn't know what to do here. But he does remember what Aventurine did, so he will do his best to copy it. With some hesitation, he gets into the proper position of a leading partner, his free hand circling under her arm to be placed gingerly on her back.

The expression on his face makes it very clear that he is unsure and quite uncomfortable. Poor guy. ]

[queenofkur]

[ I-Is he putting himself in position to dance? The goddess is ecstatic! In fact she starts... Sparkling. Ratio has met a lot of people in this world, but has he met many who sparkle like in a comical movie whenever they're happy? ]

Yaaaaaaaaaay~!

[ She gets in position too! He doesn't need lessons? Well- ]

Then teach me, Doctor!

[curingidiocy]

[ This is definitely Ereshkigal. Aeons, how did she get like this? He knows alcohol lowers inhibitions, but this is ridiculous. It's not even like she's the same person anymore! ]

I—! I just told you, I'm a poor dancer! I do not know how to dance, much less teach someone else!

[ He could, if he tried. Teaching was one of the best ways to learn for oneself. But he doesn't. So he's doing what he can to worm himself out of this. ]

Why have you asked me to dance if you are incapable of dancing??

[queenofkur]

I am capable! I want to do what makes you the more comfortable!

[ She'd thought he'd feel more at ease teaching, but apparently she's totally wrong! No matter then, she takes the lead and starts dancing with him!

... And she starts singing, too. ]

Someday my love will coooome, someday we'll meet at laaaaaast~

[ Can he feel it? How long the night is about to be? ]

[curingidiocy]

[ She wouldn't have been wrong, if it had been Aventurine asking him. The lengths to which he's willing to go to please his lover is quite far. But for a goddess who has unwillingly dragged him into her shenanigans? Not so much.

He does his best to follow along, but Ereshkigal's movements are not what he's used to, and her singing doesn't not help. He groans quietly, and resigns himself to suffering for a few minutes. Since she's enjoying herself, he doesn't have the heart to interrupt her singing, and allows her to continue. ]

[queenofkur]

[ She dances. She sings. She is radiance, she is beauty and she's having the time of her life.

Has it been five minutes? Ten minutes? Half an hour? Time is a nebulous concept when you're having fun - or when you're the most embarrassed you've been in your entire life. ]

Are you having fun doctor?

[ Will he break her heart for the one time she's truly, genuinely, radiating happiness?

Or will he opt to preserve her happiness for a moment longer? ]

[curingidiocy]

[ It's actually nice to see her have fun without the weight of her anxieties crushing her. This is how vibrant she can be, and it's a little sad to know that this aspect of her comes out only when she's inebriated.

However, that isn't going to stop Ratio from being as blunt as he normally is. ]

No. Don't let that stop you from enjoying the night.

[ Sorry... ]

[queenofkur]

[ Why does he have to be so mean? There goes her hand, straight for his stupid face in a slap that has all of her A-Rank strength! He can avoid it thankfully enough, if he is quick enough. ]

Villain! [For once she's having fun, and he's just being his mean self!] Heartless! [That's another (avoidable) slap aimed at his other cheek.] Cruel!

[ With how loud she's talking, everyone's probably noticed them. She's not sorry. ]

You are a bad, horrible friend! Don't talk to me ever again, Ratichan!

[ With that said, she leaves him there and rushes to the maze. She'll have forgotten on the day after. Probably. ]