( OPEN ) it's party season 🎉

[transmit]

WHO: Anyone and everyone.
WHAT: Rodion's (axethrows) belated birthday party.
WHERE: One of the larger karaoke bars around Neo Tokyo.
WHEN: December 1st.
WARNINGS: Alcohol… Please mark your own content accordingly!


On November 29th, Outsiders will receive the following text:

「 < FROM @ HOTTIE >

Hey there! You're officially invited to celebrate the lovely Miss Rodion's birthday. Whether you're a close friend or just looking for a reason to party, (I'm looking at you, recently cured vampire friends!) you're welcome to join in with her blessing — so long as you bring in the good vibes.

Alcohol and finger foods will be provided, but feel free to bring something extra along if you'd like! No one has ever said no to more options.

Join us on December 1st at Sakura Serenade, starting officially at 8 PM. The venue is ours for the night, and there's no need to RVSP! See you there. ✨ 」

Reiterating that characters do not need to know the birthday girl herself and that this is just a casual party mingle for all those interested.

As for arrangements that have been made for the party specifically, with party games listed in the comments:

01. VENUE
Fitting its title as the largest karaoke venue on the block, Sakura Serenade offers a spacious, vibrant setting perfect for large gatherings. Dazzling with customisable LED lighting and cutting-edge projection technology, they work in tandem to sync with music to create a dynamic and immersive atmosphere.

Seating is luxurious, with plush wraparound couches providing ample space for everyone to lounge comfortably. A central open floor invites guests to dance, while barstools and cocktail tables along the perimeter offer spots for mingling and conversation.

The song library is seemingly infinite, featuring tracks from every genre imaginable with subtitles in countless languages. Have a song that "doesn't exist"? No problem. Guests can upload their custom tracks directly via their implants, ensuring no melody is left unheard.

For those seeking a quieter retreat, Sakura Serenade also features smaller, private rooms equipped with their own karaoke machines, ideal for more intimate and reflective moments as the night winds down.

02. "CHAMPAGNE" TOWER
Upon entering the venue, guests are greeted by an impressive "champagne" tower, sparkling under the glow of ambient lighting. A neatly designed placard stands prominently at the base, declaring in bold letters: "Take one!", with a smaller, playful note beneath: "Or as many as you'd like."

What sets these glasses apart from the usual drinks served at the bar is their origin. The "champagne" is actually a special regain from Yuwon's (yuwon) world, perfect for guests who typically can't get intoxicated by regular alcohol or those with an uncanny tolerance. Have fun!

03. THE GREAT WALL OF POCKY
As per the birthday girl's request (well, not quite, but a certain someone has chosen to interpret it this way), nearly every flavour of Pocky imaginable has been gathered here today, all neatly arranged in rows and columns on a table at the side.

Yes, they're from the batch you're thinking about. Whether your character has caught on to their effects by now or prefers to believe they're from a fixed batch, that's entirely up to you to decide. But what better time to partake in a round of a Pocky game or two? The robot staff seem to support it as one of the host-sanctioned activities, and will even offer an explanation on how to play.

04. AFTERMATH
Guests have the freedom to decide how they'd like to end their evening, whether that means stretching out on the floor for a spontaneous slumber party or taking advantage of the venue's connections with nearby hotels. The options range from luxurious accommodations to more colourful establishments, catering to a variety of budgets.

The night is yours to enjoy, and the journey home can be as adventurous as the party itself! With all the seasonal decorations now beautifully illuminated, there's plenty to marvel at along the way.

( much thanks to abbie, bijou, and chrissy for ideas !! )

Comments

[yuwon]

[ he looks at the direction izou initially points in, then back to izou himself, as if to punctuate how far off he is. his expression completely flat, before he offers a small shrug. ]

Wow, you're learning. How did you know I was instigating? [ he says this as if he's really impressed. in reality, he might still just be messing with izou... it was easier than addressing any other hint of vulnerability he may have displayed in the weeks prior. ]

[hitokiller]

( shifting his weight as to get more comfortable on this particularly cushy sofa-- )

'Cus. You're always messing with me. Almost like...

( a contemplative sip. )

You get somethin' out of it.

[yuwon]

You're thinking too much.

[ he puts a hand on izou's, if just to stop him from taking another sip.

instead, pushing a plate of food towards him. (reality: he doesn't want to have to corral more than one drunk person here). ]

But, you might be onto something. [ ... ] So I can ask you anything?

[hitokiller]

O-Onh.

( distracted by the food... he's so easy right now, even if he shakes yuwon's hand off. )

Sure. Unless it's somethin' dumb.

[yuwon]

[ there's a pause, before: ]

From that time last year, has your feelings or goals changed?

[hitokiller]

That time...

( even right now, only one thing comes to mind. the first time they met.

his initial impression of yuwon had been something completely different. a man who needed to loosen up a bit, maybe, but now— )

Nah. It's about the same. Only, ... I got more aspirations now than I did back then. A man's got to dream big, and we've been here for a while. For who knows for how much longer.

( a noisy, throaty exhale. )

[yuwon]

More aspirations? Like what? I thought part of this game is getting the full truth.

[ is it...

maybe not, but he does sound confident like it was. ]

[hitokiller]

Like...

( and he lets the rest slip, a bit fuzzy in head at the moment. )

Maybe tryin' to stay here for good.

[yuwon]

[ oh...


... ] That's different than what I expected. [ a pause. ] Are you attached to this place, or...? [ the people in it? either way, yuwon can't judge when didn't consider earth his own home, either. ]

[hitokiller]

M... Maybe. What. That weird to you?

( it is weird, and stupid, and he really shouldn't be dancing with the idea at all.

but he is, dammit. he is musing on the one thing he really can't have, that goes against his whole reason for being here. )

Not like I have... much outside'a this, besides stickin' my neck on the line for humanity in much the same way. Hell. Outside of here I don't even got a real body. But here, I...

( he breathes heavy, getting riled up enough out of nowhere for his drink to slip out of his hand and go clattering to the floor. glass, shattering everywhere. )

[yuwon]

Not weird. Just different. [ all the more with the context of this not being his real body. izou's real body was probably in that timeline in which he saw a piece of his past. ... it was a little bleak to think about, and maybe because of this, he can can understand why he could come to this decision.

normally, yuwon would have been a bit dismissive but instead...

he watches as the glass shatters. he looks back up at izou and releases a sigh. he sweeps some of the glass aside with his boot, before he grabs another glass from across the table and hands it to him. water this time, as if a reminder to stop while he was ahead. ]

If you want to accomplish your other objective, it makes sense you'd need a land and body to do it in.

[ was he actually validating him?

... even yuwon feels weird doing it. ]