synflux | ( 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

Don’t worry, I’ll lead. It’s much easier to follow in my experience.

( Said with a grin before Aventurine takes a step forward, waiting for his partner to move that same leg backwards. It’s simple enough; he takes mercy on the young man’s floundering by not simply dragging him into a whirlwind dance. No, that was saved for Ratio – he can at least trust the other man to keep up. )

The game is simple: we dance, we talk, and by the end of it we both take a guess as to who the other is. No stakes, no wager. Simple enough?

Oh. Alright, that can work, I think.

[Still nervous, Dan Heng steps back with the other man, reacting quickly and in tandem, something that actually does come more naturally to him as an agility based fighter.

Which means his movements may be a bit more suited for combat than dance but...well. He does keep up. Learn by doing and all. He had been watching videos...]

Alright. I can- I can do that. [He agrees, too focused on not stepping on the man's feet to wonder if the grin is a good sign or not...

He does mentally wince at the game rules. So it's a social basis...alright. He can do this. Probably.

(If he were the Trailblazer, he would have been clued in by Aventurine's talk of wagers and risks. BUT since Dan Heng stayed on the train like a shut in for most of Penacony!! He doesn't know the man's speaking habits. Just what Orion told him in passing...)

He clears his throat. Talking. Small talk. OK. ]

What's your favorite. Erm...color?

[Great start Dan Heng.]

( Dancing, Aventurine would argue, is indeed a form of combat. Or Combat is a form of dancing -- whatever suits the other. An ebb and flow, and one that can be controlled and used as needed. )

Turquoise. ( Which, given the shifting colors of his dress, might come as a surprise. Yet he remembers enjoying the soft, blue colors of the stones the Avgin treasured. ) And yours?

[He would have a point there. Both activities go hand in hand, honestly. Except one could argue that dance is perhaps more cooperative... ]

It's a good color. Fond of it myself. [Alot of Dan Heng's more polite speech gets left on the wayside while he focuses on the dance moves, and moving to the beat, and working with his dance partner- well. He can't overthink his own answer either. ]

Red. [His suit is made up of many greens, so it's also a bit surprising on the surface perhaps. Red used to be...blood, death, and That Man hunting him...but. It's more now. It's the Express, it's Himeko's warm presence, it's Pom-Pom's fiery temper stemming from worry...it's home.] Greens just...make me stand out less, that's all.

( open. ) masked gala

asdfsdf ABSOLUTELY

Sorry Aventurine. Dan Heng has my social skills from dances I hated going to-

he's SO relatable

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