synflux | ( open. ) masked gala

Entry tags:

( 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

[ His idea of things was admittedly simple, but he laughs, impressed as Silco lays out more of his scheme here. It’s perfectly fitting and what he’d expect, but there’s a lot that he can see under the surface here too. For one, it’s not so much the scheme itself that Tezcatlipoca narrows in on as that little statement about why he will. ]

Hm. So far, wouldn’t disagreement with your assessment, but also comes back to my repeated problem with our “employers”. If they wanted someone that could fight kaiju, they shouldn’t have picked you.

[ Even with what Kenos had provided him, Tezcatlipoca isn’t sure that he’d be up to the challenge of it, if not physically, certainly not in resolve. Silco, saving a world? They were making the wrong kind of bet there. But this is all perfectly factual to Tezcatlipoca, so he doesn’t apologize for it. If Silco is offended by it, then he’ll seek to prove him wrong, which is precisely what he wants. ]

But I dig the plan, even if they don’t. Hell, if that’s the kinda business you’re getting up to? I’ll make a request. You find any weed, send it my way. Would like to have some on hand for our stressed out fuckers.

[ He laughs, and nods to him. ]

Includes you, in fact. But I’ll owe ya a favor for it, if that sweetens the deal.

[ Well, he laughed, so he probably agreed. ] Yes, I agree. I'm a touch unsuited for it, aren't I?

[ He sipped at his drink. ]

Powers notwithstanding.

[ Hey, they both know how dogged he had been to end the world, and this one also didn't have anything that he saw as worthwhile. It didn't stop him from getting drug there in his plug suit, but it certainly didn't keep him from getting hit with acid rain, or from trying to avoid catching too much attention from the Kaiju.

Thankfully, it was rather easy to. He doesn't think it will be every time. ]

Just weed?

[ He asks, with a touch of incredulity. ]

Easy favor.

[ The “just” makes him laugh, and he gives Silco a (playful) kick to the leg. Annoying… ]

Yeah, just weed, asshole. My party boy days are over, I’ll have ya know. If I don’t have the luxury of tree provided immortality, can’t exactly put this body through the wringer and OD on stuff for the experience of it.

[ Which is surely no surprise to Silco. Even though Tezcatlipoca hadn’t been in Kenos that long before they’d found their new “assignment” here, he’d still barged into his office in Draumahol more than once to partake of the couch after overdoing it. Actually dying had only happened the once, but still. He’s markedly more responsible here. ]

But done deal, least when you come through.

Mm, well, a few hits of something else certainly isn't going to put an end to you, but I see the point.

[ He, too, now that he is not a shard bearer, is feeling it. He had not so often needed his injections, but now that they are here...

Well. His body does not show the effects of kenos, but his mind does. It is a habit that is mentally broken but not physically, and he feels it these days. ]

I've been keeping to the markets lately, don't be surprised if I swing by one night with your... special request then. It won't be difficult.

[ With all of the confidence of someone who likes black market dealings. ]

Well, if it's not difficult, you're getting a low tier favor in return.

[ He's teasing because Silco keeps mentioning it, mostly. There's definitely some requests he would refuse, but unlike a certain someone, he's not exactly interested in "equivalent" exchanges most of the time. For Tezcatlipoca, it's as simple as someone asking for his assistance, and he'll give it.

...Which, granted. It might come with some pain for it, but that's essentially normal. At least giving Tezcatlipoca an offering upfront would help dull whatever consequence he has in mind. ]

Haven't bothered looking into any of that, honestly. Hear about it some at the bar, but despite how I hung around Kowloon, criminal enterprise isn't exactly my thing. I'm neutral to it. So, appreciate your expertise.

Edited 2024-09-21 22:01 (UTC)

No? I thought it would have been your area of interest as well.

[ Honestly, it's a little surprising, given how hard he'd gone in Kowloon. He'd thought Tezca would be interested in such things, but well. Maybe it had been more the novelty of it than anything else.

Or maybe he just liked the danger. It could have been either or. ]

Well, isn't that what I'm here for? [ He spread his hands, a smile of irony on his face. He did not spill a drop of the drink with the motion. ] At least it is something I am good at.

It's an adjacent area. Crime's got plenty of conflict, so that makes me happy, but actual crimes are someone else's domain. You might think of it as splitting hairs, but that's how it works.

[ But he also says this knowing it's a bit above Silco's understanding, and he wears a shitty little grin to show it. It's just the kind of contradictions that show up when you talk to Tezcatlipoca too long, and he enjoys those deeply too.

Teasing Silco is just a small thing, though. He takes another drink with an appreciative noise as he gestures. ]

—So, hey, don't sell yourself short as a result. You're good at crimes and conflict.

There's a god of Crime?

[ Does he sound interested? There's something in his voice that definitely sounds interested in that.

Look, he already knows his world sucks, but hearing that someone has domain over criminals kind of makes him feel even more jealous of some of these other worlds. ]

You're too kind, Tezcatlipoca. Of course I'm good at both. As you said, they often work together. Especially where I am from. Conflict is our daily life, and crime... well. Became part of it.

Sure. There's gods for everything.

[ He laughs, because it feels so obvious to him that it hadn't occurred to him that it might not be the case for Silco. He'd just figured his world was a case where the gods weren't worshiped anymore, but the conception of them still existed, much like the modern day of his world. ]

Crime covers a lot, and we get more specific than that, but we have five of 'em that cover most of it. Ahuiateteoh. The five gods of excess and pleasure.

[ Which might not be how Silco personally thinks about it, but Tezcatlipoca's smile is wry. He won't get into it, since it's really not something he cares about personally, but the Aztecs were much more strict and conservative than Tezcatlipoca himself might give off. Silco wouldn't be welcome there, despite his "profession" having gods that would look out for him. ]

But don't go cheatin' on me. [ That part is teasing, since Silco couldn't in this world, but the elaboration is completely serious. ] You're my acolyte. No other's.

Oh don't worry.

[ He waved a hand. ]

Excess and pleasure doesn't quite describe my kind of work either. I'm not likely to leave you behind just for that.

[ A twitch of a smile, a spread of hands. ]

After all, I am sure they have plenty of people who would be vying for their attention. Meanwhile, I earned my place where it is.

[ And that was a point of pride for him, wasn't it? ]

Exactly. Ain't just anyone that earns the favor of Yaotzin, and you even got a good deal out of it, relatively speaking. Didn't even have to shoot ya like I did for Daybit.

[ "Yaotzin" might be a new term for Silco, but it's also an odd one because Tezcatlipoca says it like it's a name. And, well, it is, more or less. He's a god with many aspects and epithets, but when it came to Silco, there's no better title than "the venerable enemy", in his opinion.

But, anyways. He laughs and takes another drink. It's a healthy swig this time, so it seems like Tezcatlipoca is wanting to get drunk. ]

Not yet, anyways. Won't discount the possibility.

[ Man, Tezca, how many names do you even have? ]

You know, I'd prefer if you didn't shoot me. I've already learned to dodge bullets fairly well by now as it is, but the reflexes have been getting rusty.

[ Whether he means enforcer bullets or otherwise, well.

He ain't great at dodging Jinx's we know. (lol) ]

Who's Daybit, anyway?

[ Maybe he's in a good mood, at this party (probably not) but he asks with some measure of curiosity. He hasn't had the chance to learn as much about Tezca outside of Quetz, and maybe a part of him wants to learn more about this god he's the acolyte for.

He sipped at his drink slower, after he asked, much more level, and definitely not interested in getting drunk drunk. (He'll get a little drunk though.) ]

[ fun fact it's suspected there was one for every day of the year in fact ]

Unfortunately, ain't about your preferences. If I decide that you need a bullet, well, you have to accept your gift from god.

[ He snickers, so every impression is that he's joking, but Silco knows him enough that this couldn't exactly be guaranteed... And, honestly, Tezcatlipoca doesn't really know either. He's fickle and whimsical by nature, so he can't even predict his own behavior when it comes to things like this.

Plus, teasing is better than the other subject. He doesn't feel shy about Daybit in the slightest, since their partnership was business, and Silco would understand that. But the fact that it had been his Shard that Tezcatlipoca had chosen was a different matter. So, he shrugs as he answers. ]

Daybit's the guy that summoned me in the first place, so if his unlucky ass ever gets dragged here, you should thank him. He did all the hard work, and whether it's Yima or LILITH, they're just stealing his efforts so they can get me at a huge discount, cosmically speaking.

[ He waves a hand, since he knows that part won't interest Silco. The magecraft of it all, that's not what he's into. Instead— ]

But I still tested his resolve when we met. Shot him in the gut to make sure he had the will to follow through on his plan of destroying our world for good. Obviously, he passed.

[ Call him mister 365 ]

Hm.

[ Is all the response Tezca can get to the "threat"/"joke", and honestly? Maybe this is a little bit why he likes Tezcatlipoca. For all that he was a god of conflict, he knows Tezca is fickle, and who does that remind him of? It's enough that he only lets the promise glance off of him, but there's a look in his eyes that says, very clearly, he doesn't mind the joke, at the very least.

Maybe he wouldn't mind the bullets. Really, he thinks, as long as he doesn't die, it would just serve to make him stronger, wouldn't it? ]

It sounds like I'd like him. [ He admitted. ] He did a lot of work to summon a god? To destroy the world?

[ Silco laughed, a slightly wheezy thing, echoing through his lungs. ] Sounds like my kind of person.

Haha.

[ It’s a different, short kind of laugh, but it’s a hard one to read because of the difference between Tezcatlipoca’s warm, pleased smile and the dryness of the laugh. There’s a glimmer of something sharp in his eyes, but for once… It’s not on Silco’s side, exactly. ]

Nah. He might even just kill you without sayin’ a word, once he got to know ya. Depends on if he thought it was worth it or not, and even I couldn’t tell you that.

[ He takes another drink and leans closer as if to emphasize the point that’s surely deeply confusing, considering Daybit’s apparent plans and his ability to wrangle a god like Tezcatlipoca. ]

He’s a profoundly good man. It’s why he’s my priest, and you’re my acolyte.

[ There’s a heavy weight in those words, almost like Tezcatlipoca is challenging Silco somehow, though the first part of it lies in the contradiction that’s obvious. The implicit question is exactly the sort that a god would give an acolyte to puzzle over… Though Silco isn’t exactly a man of faith and self-reflection.

So even though there’s a gleam in his eyes that’s almost predatory, it’s also gone quickly as Tezcatlipoca leans back again. His posture relaxes, and he gestures idly with his hand. ]

—Or, something like that. Viewpoints are profound, you know?

Both a good... and a bad man as titled figures.

[ It's the word he can use. What does an acolyte really mean? For Silco, he doesn't really know. He embodies conflict, and were he to be faced with certain death, he may have the name of a god on his lips in a last-ditch effort. However, he isn't particularly... reverent.

Then again, maybe that's what Daybit would be for. ]

God of conflict, hm?

[ He appreciates the irony. There had been people like that in Kenos. Amos had been a... resolute man, with his own internal morality, and he followed it to a T. Selfless in ways that Silco could never really think about. He doesn't know if Daybit is the same, but he can see the connection, nonetheless. He would have been something so different than who Silco would have been.

Then again, Silco had a template, didn't he? ]

Well, remind me to catch him in a good mood, if he ever arrives.

[ Though, the way Tezca speaks about him, that's probably a reason to avoid him. Not just because he's liable to kill him, but. Well. He suspects he knows which way Tezca would lean in favor. The twitch of his lips gives the thought away, too. ]

Edited 2024-09-26 06:47 (UTC)

[ Tezcatlipoca’s gaze stays sharp and predatory with a smile to match it. As Silco puzzles through it, it’s almost like Tezcatlipoca is watching the path of his thoughts. Or at least, that’s the impression. Truthfully, he doesn’t have anything more than a sharp intuition, at least in this form.

Though as such, that little twitch of Silco’s lips makes the god laugh and relax with the laugh too. He scoots closer and tosses his arm over Silco’s shoulder as he keeps his drink in the other hand. ]

Hey now, don’t give me that look! I can tell what you’re thinkin’, and I’m hurt, bossman.

[ He isn’t, of course. ]

You and Daybit wanna duke it out? Fine by me. I won’t interfere either way. That’s kinda the deal, yeah? Both of ya have the same task of seizing your fates all on your own. I’m just here to watch and cheer you on. And criticize you, when you deserve it.

[ However, Silco might have preferred that sharp glint in his eyes compared to the mischievous one that quickly fills them instead. For Daybit, Tezcatlipoca is fond of messing up his (already messy) hair, since it annoys him. He could do the same for Silco and he’d be just as annoyed… But he has a better idea. He leans in just a little further and kisses Silco’s scarred cheek before he withdraws with a grin. ]

But, hey, good news is that he’s a weird guy. So long as you stay lowkey, he’ll pretty much leave you alone. He’s not chatty like I am.

[ Silco doesn't realize what he's doing until he's too late, planting a kiss on the side of his face where the makeup rests over the fetid scarring on his cheek. His face scrunched up with annoyance and disgust, and he very quickly moved to slide out from Tezca's friendly loop around his shoulders.

That goes to show, let someone close, and they'll take an inch. (no) ]

Must you?

[ He snapped, his tone both annoyed and beleaguered, because it was Tezca who did it, and Silco had just talked about being his acolyte. He couldn't do that much about it, could he? His fingers slid into a pocket, and he pulled out a slim disc. ]

If you messed things up... [ He muttered, surly, opening it to take a look, even as he moved back to the subject at large: ]

Perhaps I'll take it upon myself to avoid him, if he ever shows. Thankfully, it sounds like as long as someone doesn't want a proper conflict... it won't happen.

[ Someone. Tezca. ]

[ Tezcatlipoca grins and snickers as Silco slides out of his grip, but it’s not a mean smile. If anything, he seems almost endeared by Silco’s sour reaction…]

Ha, maybe not must, but it’s fun. Your hair doesn’t seem fun to ruffle, so you get a kiss. That’s a blessing to some people, y’know?

[ He knew Silco wore the makeup, but obviously, he’d never seen him apply it. He’s actually a little surprised that Silco does fuss over it that much, but he doesn’t comment on it further. It’s nothing worth teasing about, since he finds it respectable. He also would if Silco chose to wear the scar more proudly.

Though there doesn’t seem to be danger of Tezcatlipoca bullying him further, since he relaxes and leans against the wall as he takes a drink. ]

Well, I’d be obliged to introduce ya. Beyond that? Up to you two. [ He shrugs ] He won’t get it, but technically speakin’, he owes you, somewhat. Part of why I wanted that apartment in Kowloon was to have a more neutral place to keep him secure.

[ He may not say it explicitly, but it's clear enough: that had been the Shard that Tezcatlipoca had received for his alliance with Zenith. ]

[ God of conflict indeed. ]

Hm. Too bad he'll likely not understand what that means now.

[ He did, though. The implication is there, and Silco does understand that, at least in part. One reason why he had kept Jinx in a myriad of locations was to keep her safe, and when keeping her on hand was obvious not safe, he'd moved to using his home, then the manor, and then... back to on hand. Nowhere had been safe in Kenos, and he so desperately fought the possibility that anyone even knew about her, let alone —

Well. Did it matter? His fingers twitched instinctively, but did not lower to his pocket, where he still kept it. It's almost routine now, isn't it? It isn't her, he knew that, but... That didn't mean that he had given up on it. ]

The things we did there, to protect the souls of people we cared about. I am sure the fact that...important [ precious ] souls were on us did little to keep us from fighting harder, but it certainly left them vulnerable.

[ He was starting to realize, free of everything that kept his head under water, that there were a lot of things that had been constructed to force him to fight harder. ]

[ Tezcatlipoca’s expression relaxes from his mischief, and as he listens to Silco, he hums out a brief noise and takes another sip. This one lingers a bit longer as his expression softens further to one that’s pensive, but why would be impossible to get a full grasp of.

…Protecting one soul above others was something he wasn’t supposed to do, after all. He could offer his favor, have people he liked, but plucking one out of the abyss and forgoing the rest? That’s against the “rules”, so to speak. But it wasn’t like there was some entity enforcing it. It was the universe itself, just like it did with his poor aim when it came to firearms. He fully expected that the debt he incurred by choosing Daybit would be paid one day, and he can only imagine it would be a harsh one. ]

Yeah. I’ll admit, I considered just turning down her offer and just doing it for the love of the game. Would have been less of a headache.

[ He’d told Matt about this, actually. He hadn’t really meant to, and he kicked himself for it the next day, since it was sloppy of him to spill out his worries to a mortal. Liquor loosens even his tongue, given enough of it, though. He looks down at his glass, swirls it, then takes a bigger drink with a laugh.

…Fuck it, he decides. He’s probably already in trouble on the cosmic level for it, so why not double down? It’s not like Silco values his words the way Matt does. ]

My position’s one that’s pretty damn neutral. More than you might think. So, pickin’ that Shard? That’s going to come back to bite me one day. Don’t take this as some kinda law of the universe or anything, since it’s pretty much just me. But I feel like you’ll get what I mean, miserable bastard that you are. [ (fond) ] The more I care about something, the worse it turns out.

[ But of all the people in the universe? Silco hadn't really expected something like that out of Tezca's mouth. He understood the sentiment, because even if it wasn't a law to the universe, it was a law for some people, and he knew it because it was him too. ]

I don't think it's just you.

[ Miserable bastard that he is, for real. After all, how many times had he clung tighter to something he did value, and how many times had it gone poorly? He'd lost his world, his daughter, and she was dying in his arms — despite what he'd learned recently, it still felt similar. He had no doubts that were he to... pick something, even someone to be particularly close, it would go the same way. That was just the law of the universe.

Maybe just for miserable bastards like him, and gods like Tezca, but... Every time it seemed that he had what he wanted, it was taken away. Kenos had solidified that for him, because every time, it seemed like it would always just be yanked away at the last second. ]

Is it your godhood that guarantees that? Or is it just because you're as much a miserable bastard as I am?

[ He sipped at his glass, but that ever-open eye, he kept it trained on Tezca, waiting for the answer. ]

Ha, no way. You’re got way more misery than I do, bossman. Can’t compete with ya there.

[ He teases, but it’s also completely true. Even with his pessimism, it doesn’t compare to Silco’s at all. He has a far larger and more positive perspective on humanity as a whole, for one. He swirls the drink in his glass as he looks at it. ]

Part of my duties as a god, yeah. Call it enforced neutrality, more or less. When you got a certain insight into the universe, you can’t express too much favor. There’s balance to the world, and a god’s power is a big influence on tilting the scales.

[ That’s the explanation, but Tezcatlipoca laughs as he takes a drink. It’s still abstract, he’s sure, but he has a good example of how it practically works. It’s just one that also seems like a joke. ]

Still, don’t get why it has to be so harsh. [ Untrue—He does, but he’s joking here. ] Havin’ it be as strict as applying to guns has gotta be overkill. Wouldn’t be that bad to let bullets hit what I am at.

Hm. Especially for a god of conflict. Do you think Set's shots are as bad?

[ He doesn't really get it. Not quite. Why shots? People, or even...positions, he guess he gets. It has a reason at the very least that Silco can put together. Why bad things happened without a gods interference, right? Though he loathed it, and didn't want to accept it that much, mostly because half of the reason he hated gods was because he hated the idea of an all-powerful being seeing and ignoring everything that happened in his world.

Mind, he wouldn't want it anyway, but when he'd been a boy, absolution would have saved him a lot of misery. Maybe, it would have led him to a different path, but Silco doesn't entertain that. That's a little too close to self-reflection, and we know how he is about that. ]

Is it the same with arrows? Or swords? Axes?

Why bullets?

It’s because I like guns. That’s it. Anything I favor too much is subject to the rule, but at least with guns it ain’t so bad as others, so I stick with ‘em anyways. Call it stubbornness.

[ He huffs out a little laugh, because before he even says it, he knows how it’ll sound. His tone is a sarcastic and joking, since how he puts it is a little pathetic, he knows. Largely, he doesn’t actually care like a human would, but every once in a while, he does resent it, and he’s feeling relaxed enough from the liquor to say it. ]

It’s written into who I am. More love I give, the more people turn their backs on me. That kinda shit.

[ He takes another drink, a big one, then shrugs. He doesn’t actually seem depressed about it like most would, but how could he be? It’s part of who he is in the same way that Silco’s heart is part of him. There’s nothing to lament. ]

Gotta remember, gods aren’t people. It’s our job to be more like forces of nature that oversee the world. So considering my importance, attachments aren’t a good idea. Gotta be neutral in all things.

( open. ) masked gala

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