( 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

[immortalpoet]

[Hi. Hello. Here's a familiar red-eyed fellow just. Staring right over at this whole mess of a dog.]

Are you sure. You're asking for a lot.

[hitokiller]

A lotta... what. I can handle the truth.

[immortalpoet]

I could ask something deeply personal. You really sure?

[hitokiller]

( deeply personal...

izou's brow furrows, lips smacking as the humiliation he suffered previous rolls through his inebriated mindscape. )

I... I got nothin' to hide.

[immortalpoet]

[He takes a long sip of his drink. Okay.]

What are you compensating for?

[hitokiller]

C-Compensating?

( truthful. what... what is he compensating for?

izou turns the question over, not quite understanding it at the moment where he'd typically hurl a flurry of insults and deflect. here, he's overindulging after a long period of holding back, never a man unmoved by anything asked of him. )

Wh... Whaddya mean by that, exactly? So I can answer it right.

[immortalpoet]

You have a bravado that seems so exaggerated. Makes one wonder what it's all for.

[As matter-of-fact as anything, like he's just here to talk about the weather.]

[hitokiller]

( ah, the range of emotions that play across izou's face.

the sink of his brow, the open and closing of his mouth in an attempt to say something. his eye, frozen in a moment of awkward motion. )

I'm not--

( a hot, frustrated exhale through his nose, and then... almost sheepishly: )

You better not laugh. I just want... wanted, folks to notice me. No matter what that means. Without treatin' me, like... the dirt they walk on.

[immortalpoet]

...

[Is this a face that could laugh? He simply takes another sip, with barely a change of expression.]

Were you treated as such before?

[hitokiller]

( like he's unaware of what he just said, izou startles, his face going as pale as it can while painted with so much pink.

he opens his mouth. closes it. the drink on his tongue suddenly isn't enough, and so he takes an embarrassingly big swig of his glass before gasping out: )

H-... Hold it. That ain't how this game goes, is it? I already answered. So now it's your turn.

[immortalpoet]

[.....Okay he's going to smirk a bit. Bastard. But he won't push, merely giving a big old shrug over here.]

Sure. I'll be nice to you for your honesty. I'll choose truth.

[hitokiller]

( there's a genuine, audible sense of relief from izou. a shaky little exhale.

truth... the hell does he want to— )

Okay. The way you look at me sometimes... Can't say I like it. Either that's just the way yer face is, or...

( a thought he's had for a while bubbles to the surface of his drink. )

You don't think... don't think I'll last long, do you?

[immortalpoet]

[Now that makes him blink, a little...confused?]

In what way? Like you'll die soon, or something?

[hitokiller]

Exactly. "Ghost", you put it... where, yeah? I died once, maybe... a couple times, even? And I'm a ghost who haunted the streets of Tosa. But that dry, unamused look you get sometimes. It reminds me of...

( a pregnant pause, like he's thinking. )

Reminds me of stuff.

( projecting like usual. )

[immortalpoet]

Reminds you of stuff.

[He repeats, a little dryly.]

Tch. And what stuff may that be? I'll have to have some context before I can answer your question.

[hitokiller]

( this would normally feel like pulling teeth, but the izou of right now is a good deal more loose. more vulnerable, the deep ring of intoxication circling his vision. )

Reminds me of the guys I used to kill for. The way they...

( grit teeth. )

Whispered 'bout how I was dirty, or a dog, after I did all they wanted. Like they were better than me.

[immortalpoet]

[He's silent for a moment. Honestly, this just confirms his opinion of the man. Too embroiled in his own personal stew to realize just what really mattered, sometimes.]

I'll answer your question. No, I don't think you'll not live long or anything. But you're green. And with time...you will realize those thoughts you have about others, and how they think of you? Why. They're just dust in the wind.

[hitokiller]

( with time... )

So, just ignore it. Is this the sorta advice you give folks like Ish, under yer... tutelage or whatever? Contract? However it all works.

[immortalpoet]

Depends. I'm more of a guide to them, not some overarching mentor. This is just advice for you, Izou.

[If he likes it, or not.]

[hitokiller]

Guide.

( he scoffs lightly, downing the rest of his glass in one dramatic movement. )

Whaddaya usually do when someone goes off course, then?

[immortalpoet]

What does a shepherd do for sheep?

[A beat.]

Anyways. Truth or dare, Izou?

[hitokiller]

A... A shepwha?

( a drunken blink. straight over his head. whoosh. )

Dare.

[immortalpoet]

Never mind.

[HIS POETIC MIND!! LOST ON YOU!!!!!!]

[He has to think about it for a moment.]

Tell me something you like about me. Honestly.

[Is this co-opting a truth choice? He doesn't care.]

[hitokiller]

L... LIKE about you?

( and he's so loud. literally anyone can hear this.

there's a pregnant pause, izou squinting his eyes at vergilius, and then: )

If the reason you're pesterin' me tonight is 'cause, ... you got an eye for younger men, I gotta be honest. I already got someone.

1/2

[immortalpoet]

[FUCKING RECORD SCRATCH??????!?!??!?!?!!???]