( 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

[photosympathies]

I did. A whole lot of them. ( Maybe it's the alcohol, maybe it's just Vash, but he offers a bashful grin as he tops Callisto up, taking a deep drink from his own after. ) I think that was mostly the bounty on my head, you know? People need money, and mine was a lot of money! ( And then, in a clumsy rush. ) Usually for a massive misunderstanding. I look like a guy.

( Evil twin brothers, who'd have them? )

But I'm all good here. And people are really nice. I haven't met anyone who isn't yet, and I try to get to know at least one new person per day. ( ... ) More today than usual, actually. Everyone here's pretty cool.

[uncourteous]

[ a bounty...? ]

A "massive misunderstanding."

[ he says, his gaze sharpening slightly. but, it seems to dissolve and disappear much like the alcohol in their glasses. perhaps, evidence that it wasn't very serious to begin with. ] You do realize how suspicious that sounds? [ "i look like a guy."

it definitely wouldn't have held up in court. if people relied on such flimsy words, they'd more likely to be executed. he can see vash's dilemma here. ]

While your enthusiasm is nothing short of impressive, you should do your best not to be stabbed in the back by someone you consider an ally. [ a healthy amount of doubt may not be good for the soul, but it was necessary at times. ]

[photosympathies]

( Sometimes your twin brother massacres people and then lets the blame fall on your shoulders, okay? He's aware! ) You're just gonna have to take my word for it, buddy. Though if you ever see a guy who looks like me only everything's paler and he's dressed all in white with the meanest look on his face, talking like he thinks soliloquy is hip? Hightail it out of there. He will not help you out of a maze.

( He doesn't think LILITH would be that stupid though. Or at least, he hopes. )

But I really don't think anyone's gonna be stabbing me in the back here. Why? Is that something you're worried about? Do you like, need a bodyguard?

[uncourteous]

[ damn... ]

Considering my past, you will have to forgive me for not choosing to believe the first thing I hear. [ yet, he already does seem to be moving past it with a wave of his hand. though, he does seem to zoom in on the fact of— ] And who is this mystery man to you? [ if they look alike, perhaps it was a familial bond. look, it's callisto's least favorite type of relationship. or so he'd proclaim, but he seems to just stare at vash. as if the answer would come to him, even without the man speaking up.

though, it all seems to fizzle out when he's asked a question in return.

a bodyguard. he almost laughs at that. just like that he places a hand back on vash. this time against his back as he smoothly gives it a firm pat. ] Do I appear like I cannot handle my own? [ weren't you scared of being beheaded like two minutes ago? ]

[photosympathies]

My brother.

( Easy. Maybe too easy. His expression doesn't even shift though a part of him feels sliced through any time he thinks of Millions Knives. Vash shrugs, good at emotional subterfuge, refocuses on Callisto as he lets his gaze sweep over him, semi-assessing. The patting is nice though, a lot of people do that to him now. He weirdly likes it. )

I don't know. You're probably capable, and LILITH does choose the more useful people to have around. But we have a lot of big people in here, and I don't mean the ones who're over seven foot. If you do need to help then I'm your guy. You seem like a nice person, Cedrick, I'd hate for you to get into trouble.

[uncourteous]

[ it's shocking how unsurprised he is.

except, unlike himself, he isn't sure where vash stands with his so-called brother. did they share a deep connection? were he the type to spare empathy and affection, regardless of what his "brother" does? callisto doesn't presume to understand their relationship. ] How interesting... Perhaps, we do have a little in common. [ very little, or so he seems to stress. ]

Callisto. [ he eventually corrects.

is he testing to see if vash will react to it, or if it a genuine slip of the tongue sparked from him having grown tired of the name "cedrick." ] Callisto Regulus, crown prince of the Eorka empire, and the host for this gala. If you are to act as my bodyguard moving forward, you should at least know my proper title. [ why is he assuming vash to this position...

100% just to give him a hard time. pleading eye emoji. ]

[photosympathies]

( Instead of looking shocked or surprised, instead of being frustrated by the trick, Vash only smiles warm and simple, a little less bright than his usual wide grins but no less sincere. )

Callisto. ( If he's supposed to stand on ceremony he clearly doesn't know how to, so instead he just pats the other man on the arm, friendly. ) That suits you better. You throw a good party. I like your computer plants. And I am absolutely your man. Just say the word and I'll guard you so good, your body will be fine!

( Yes. )

Wait, was this really a show of strength? Or do you have a normal reason?

[uncourteous]

[ the friendly pat does nothing more than get an almost pointed stare. while he could easily reach out to others, it isn't often that people desired to do the same. then again, his own touch was often more a threat than it were a genuine desire for companionship...

but, he doesn't seem to dwell on it. now more interested in how easygoing vash appeared to be about the trick. was he the sort who simply forgave that sort of dishonesty, or did that just mean it didn't mean a lot in the grand scheme of things? much to ponder on, really. though, his lips may have curved just the slightest at the idea of his name suiting him better. ] I would hope so considering it is my actual name. [ as for being a bodyguard... ] Yes, you do seem rather durable. Perhaps enough to even face several assassins.

[ thanks vash.

except, he's not really thinking much harder vash's life could be. you're welcome. though, at the question. ] Is everything in life not a show of strength? Even standing here today shows a certain level of resilience, I'd argue. Either way, does it really matter if you've enjoyed yourself?

[photosympathies]

( Durable makes him laugh, though not unkindly. He supposes with all of his clothes on he looks like a guy who doesn't get hit, and it's not like his new friend is going to see him naked any time soon. He is fairly sturdy anyway, better than the average person, so he reckons it counts. )

Several? ( A cheerful whistle. ) You know what, sure. If you're worried about that then all you need to do is give me a call. I'm typhoon on the network thing, and I'm pretty fast. Any time.

( Because, you know, the guy is clearly worried about it and Vash is a people pleaser at the best of times. He can hang out with him a bit more if it makes him feel safer. )

And I did! Have a good time, I mean. ( P A U S E. ) Ignore anything I have previously said about how it's too fancy here. It's great. Just fancy enough.

🎀

[uncourteous]

[ the fact that vash doesn't seem to shy away from the face of potential danger is probably telling in and of itself to the type of life he led. not unlike the words he's spoken thus far, and yet callisto isn't sure he has any more or less insight into him than when they first started. outside of the palace walls, he's never placed a lot of thought into the trivialities of others, but maybe his perception has shifted a bit since arriving in this place. regardless, he doesn't seem to mull over it for long. ]

Fast, is it? Then we can see just how fast you'll regret that offer.

[ he seems to smile at that, as if the thought of vash suffering for agreeing to protect a complete stranger was somehow amusing to him. though, it seems to flatten slightly as he quirks a brow at his last comment. ] And I suggest you keep having a good time. Have so much fun to a point where you grow sick of this place and only then could I consider it worth having planned. [ whatever is left in his glass, he passes it over to vash, before making his way to the next disturbance that catches his eye. but, not before he imparts a final: ]

Well, Mister Typhoon. I'll see you again.