( 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

[belli]

But a bed is readily available here. [ like who would go out of their way to find somewhere else to fuck when they've already chanced upon a perfectly private and useable room? ] Or would you rather people have their trysts within the hedges of this maze?

[ it's a rhetorical question, so don't feel free to respond. ]

I came here to find my mate. [ duh. ]

[uncourteous]

I would rather they not at all. While trysts are the nature of any gathering, I would much prefer them far from my own watch. [ then, there it is... the man's actual motivation. it's as sordid and unsavory as he had expected.

not only that, but— ] You will not find them here. Rather, do you not believe you are asking for the impossible? [ first of all, the word "mate" in and of itself practically begged for judgment. secondly, did such a person exist at the gala, or even amongst the outsiders? ]

[belli]

They would only enter your field of vision if you were actively seeking them out.

[ and that would be precisely on him. otherwise, what does it matter what people do within the privacy of these rooms? ]

Ha. Who are you to define the impossible? I may very well find them here.

[uncourteous]

I was not actively seeking you out, and yet here I am.

[ had he been too late, perhaps the man would already had been engaging in such acts.

he does scoff at his next statement, however. ] If what you look for in a mate is a genuine and lasting bond, then I stick to my stance. Despite how you look, are you actually more inexperienced with the world than you appear? [ love is temporary and as fleeting as the flowers in spring. was his own mother not a testament to that? regardless, his voice clearly shifts into a more mocking tone, not a shred of doubt on his features. rip callisto. ]

[belli]

I have been alive since the dawn of time, human. You are the one who is wet behind the ears.

[ he does not appreciate that derisive inflection in his tone. ]

My bond with my mate shall be genuine and everlasting. It shall be deeper and stronger than whatever inadequate notion of love you know.

[uncourteous]

Yet, it proves to say that you are still here. Completely alone, in fact.

[ it isn't like callisto to temper his words to begin with. this wasn't court, and even if it were, it's not like he's ever truly held his tongue. ] Regardless of your age, I am more of the type who believes in results. Feel free to disprove my words at any time. I am waiting. With uncharacteristic patience, even.

[belli]

[ what a fucking foul tongue.

surely, the human has not been taught a proper lesson on how to address an entity such as himself — or else he would not dare to speak so carelessly in front of him.

very well. aodh will graciously teach him once and for all. rather than waste breath responding to his disparaging remarks, he reaches out to clasp the back of that pompous head with a clawed hand, yanking the blond towards him while simultaneously dipping down to claim possession of his mouth. immediate and purposeful in his act, he draws his tongue forth with his own as he very quickly bites down onto the soft flesh, hard enough to draw forth some blood.

speak shit, get bit. ]

[uncourteous]

[ there's no hint of remorse that callisto shows, even at the clear offense of the other individual. but, what he considers a complete conversation at this point, clearly... wasn't actually one.

aodh closes the distance between them so quickly he barely has time to react. the individual's grip right behind the back of his head, his own mouth opening if just ready to retort is some sort of heated displeasure. instead, he feels a tongue against his own and just the metallic taste of his own blood filling his mouth. it's here he gives the man a firm punch to the chest, before he wrangles out his sword. ] ...! You—

[ the first thing is placing distance between them, and even then, he's having trouble talking while simultaneously swallowing down his own blood. ]

[belli]

[ releasing him with a lick of his lips, aodh looks between the man and his sword with a remorseless grin. ]

Do you intend to stab me with your blade, human? Try it.