( 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

[transmit]

[ It should come as no surprise, given the trail of empty glasses Elysium has left in his wake and the cloying scent of alcohol woven into his clothes, to find him flushed and radiating the telltale warmth of indulgence. Yet, despite the clear signs of his revelry, he's remarkably steady on his feet, a testament either to practice or sheer force of will.

Eventually zeroing in on what will likely be just the first of several targets: ]

——You!

[ Exclaiming aloud with a jab of his finger, a fleeting warning before he strides forward with all the confidence of a man whose antics are partly fueled by liquid courage. With an attempt to throw an arm around your character's shoulders to pull them close in a gesture that's equal parts camaraderie and mischievous intent: ]

Truth or dare, my friend?

[followyourstar]

[They're not going to be able to escape this are they]

Um... Dare?

[transmit]

[ never!! ]

Shot for shot with me, new friend!

[ can


can dante even eat or drink. whether they're cloaked or their regular ol' clock self, Elysium would be keenly interested in this?? at least, it isn't a glass of the absurdly over-the-top webtoon alcohol served up right in front of them but a shot of fireball from the bar, Elysium is holding it out to them expectantly. ]

[followyourstar]

[They hold up a hand, cloaked face wearing a rather sheepish expression]

Sorry, gonna have to turn that one down. No mouth.

[Even if they look like they have one right now.]

[transmit]

[ Alright. He's just going to take the cup he'd proffered Dante and casually down it himself instead then, all while maintaining eye contact.

… ]





You aren't solar-powered, are you?

[followyourstar]

[They stare back, wondering what caused this staring contest all the while.]

What? Why would I be solar-powered?

[transmit]

… You aren't a robot, yet you can't eat, and you're not solar-powered either… You can't blame a guy for being a little curious, can you?

[ Hm… ]

Well, Whatever. Details! I dare you to give the most genuine compliment you can think of to Señor Vergilius.

[followyourstar]

I can't blame you, but I don't have an answer for you either. Just a quirk of how prosthetics work back home, I guess.

[It's probably for the best they don't know how it works anyway...]

A compliment, huh? That doesn't sound too bad. And really should thank him more... All right, once I get the chance I'll do it.

[transmit]

Really? You guys are more wholesome than I would've thought, aw. Now I gotta see this.

[ A dare sparked by pure curiosity about the company's internal dynamics… Flashing a mischievous smile, it isn't long before he breaks into a bright, carefree laugh.

Is it really Ishmael and Vergilius' fault that they feel the urge to wrangle him almost every time they try to talk to him? Not a chance. But if you ask Elysium, you can bet he'll spin it like it's entirely on them. ]

For someone who seems so keen on running a tight, tense ship, it's starting to look a whole lot like that's not exactly the case. Heheh. I'd ask what you have in mind, but… I guess I'll just have to wait and see since that would probably count as another truth in of itself. Bummer!

[ignoreher]

[ she's really finding the smell of alcohol on him to be concerning. just her though. at least malkuth's not letting him get an arm around her, whether he'd intended to or not, neatly ducking away... ]

Truth. You're the last person I'd want a dare from, Ely.

[ even if truth isn't gonna be any better ]

[transmit]

[ it really is just twice now, isn't it


his liver is Fine! though, there is a marked difference between the other night and this that he's clearly far less restrained. ]

So you say, but wasn't the exchange between Vergilius and Dante rather heartwarming?

[ head bonk, while forgoing his usual hypervigilance when it came to keeping distance. hehe. ]

[ignoreher]

[ The First Time Made An Impression.

... but this night's impression is a little better, and she's the one keeping off the alcohol in a stunning turn of events!!! like the campfire in reverse. the head bonk is received with a short sigh, her hand reaching up to brush briefly against his bangs like it's nothing.

...

maybe it isn't nothing, thinking back to the interaction between the two. malkuth chews on her lip and replies a little brighter than normal. ]

Absolutely adorable! I didn't know Vergilius could make that face at anyone else -- he usually reserves it for children, [ and her, ] so I guess they must be close. Well, they definitely are if Vergilius has been helping out so long...

[ she

should probably get used to that expression being thrown to someone else, shouldn't she... ]

[transmit]

[ he isn't so much looking at her as he is taking in everyone else, fondness written plainly across his features. eyes narrowing into pleased crescents as she plays with his bangs, his head settles gently atop hers as a contented sigh escapes his mouth. ]

Wouldn't it be nice if people could be this honest with each other more often? While we can, while we're able to. I couldn't help but wonder how they'd each react to that, given what I know about the environment the City fosters. But at their core, people would rather much be warm, wouldn't they?

[ he laughs, light, hand around her shoulder idly taking a strand of her hair to twirl around his finger. ]

Here's to hoping the next time won't be a consequence of another dare. I think I get your taste now—or at least one of them.

[ignoreher]

[ ............... he really gets friendly when he's been drinking without worries holding him back, huh. her gaze lingers on vergilius for a moment, then glances aside at everyone else as she calms her quickened heart with platitudes like "this is just how he is" and "he's just mimicking what you do". she played with his hair, he played with hers.

it's nothing! it's absolutely nothing! but wouldn't it be easier if it could be something! a nice distraction, at least! ]

It's hard to be warm in a city that sucks it away every chance it gets, you know -- but that's exactly what I've been trying to push on them, that it shouldn't be and doesn't have to be that way... at least here.

[ at least here, where they're all afforded a little more freedom. malkuth'll drop her hand to hold elysium's, half experimental of his state and half so he'll stop playing with her hair. ]

And one day it'll be the same in the City. A long, long time from now. I just wish I could be there to see it. [ alas. she won't be. by her choice, or not. ] Glad you finally see the light though -- it's one of my favorite faces.

[transmit]

[ There's a split moment as his expression falters, gaze dimming under the weight of the conversation. Had it ever truly been about the alcohol? He holds his steady, easy smile, but there's a noticeable pause—a half beat before he finds the words to respond with. ]

… Right. When survival is the sole priority, everything else becomes a luxury. You can't blame people for the methods they've had to devise to protect themselves and those they care about. Given the choice, who would choose a purely solitary lifestyle?

[ For another brief second, his eyes close shut. ]

Your coworker's a tougher nut to crack, but I hope she gets there someday. I know it's easier said than done, healing scars that have accumulated over decades and that they'll always be a part of her, visible or not… but time is transient, too transient to just let it slip us by. There's never enough of it—nor should there ever be.

But you and me both, Malkuth. [ … to brighter futures they'll ostensibly be a part of but not for long enough to see, ] You and me both.

[ aaaand he's back! to his usual chipper self, batting her hand away to muss her hair up instead. sorry not sorry if she's decided to style it for today in particular. her style upgrade should fix her right up. probably. ]

Thanks for the truth, Ellie. [ mussing it!! even harder!! ] Your turn. ♪

[ignoreher]

[ oh, please. for real???

... well, he's no different than the rest of them. having his own method of survival, of not wanting a solitary life but forced to anyway. ]

You use it on the wrong things. I would've answered that anyway, Eli.

[ with a swat of her hand, half-hearted as it is... does malkuth ever style her hair? no, and she hasn't this time, so she simply runs her fingers through it idly to smooth it back down. ]

Truth or dare?

[transmit]

If you want to tell me about your deepest darkest secret, by all means. But that's not the kind of game this is to me.

[ shoving his hands into his pockets and taking half a step back, still close, still grinning from ear to ear. ]

Truth. This'll be the first time I've ever chosen the option, for the record. At least, here.

[ food for thought. ]

[penaltypoints]

[ Yesod is genuinely doing his utmost to "bring in the good vibes" to the best of his ability, refraining from frowning at anything that he witnesses, including everything that comes with the current setting, such as an excessive quantity of empty glasses. He chose to attend this gathering, after all. Nevertheless, he can't help but tense a little now, though he tucks away his thoughts, the memories of the previous time that the same game was a group activity.

Just as I want to get to know you better, I'm sure there are others that feel the same. Is there anything you enjoy? Or do I need to go through the hoops of truth or dare with you too?

There is no harm in playing it this time, he supposes. ]

...The latter. I'll fulfill the required objective.

[transmit]

[ oh, yesod. taking things so seriously again!!!! he can't help but laugh at the choice of vernacular, even giving him a playful noogie for it. ]

There'll be nothing to fulfill, my man. I dare you to let me put you into something more casual party appropriate. This has been some time coming, don't you think?

[penaltypoints]

[ Is this tasteful disarray... Yesod's hair is a mess now, and he would like to arrange all of himself back into place, but he resists the urge to do so. He did make his choice. ]

...Very well. Proceed as you please.

[transmit]

[ he's about to enter his eboy arc …

anyway, please hold as elysium's eyes light up with ocular usage, expression focused as he presumably scrolls through catalogues and catalogues of clothing. all things considered, he finishes up pretty quickly, brimming with self-satisfied energy. in and out, it takes several minutes at most, like he'd been planning this for some time.. ]

The stuff should arrive in about………… an hour!

[ if in current day we can get groceries delivered to our door within the hour, getting clothes delivered should be just as feasible… ]

Until then, how about we say it's your turn?

[penaltypoints]

[ The stuff... Ominous. The speed with which Elysium places his delivery request does suggest that this wasn't a spontaneous idea, but Yesod will wait patiently to discover what exactly he has agreed to. Before that, they have an hour of mingling with everyone, then. ]

What will you choose in the meantime?

[transmit]

[ why do you make it sound like he's going to go get changed then never be seen again… wow… ]

Obviously, dare!

[penaltypoints]

[ In an hour, the casually-dressed mingling begins... There is no turning back. For now, Yesod considers what would make a suitable challenge in return. ]

You mentioned that you would show me "the full package" to prove that you seem intimidating then.

[ Unless that would be too uncomfortable and out of place here, even as a brief demonstration? ]

[transmit]

[ oh my god ]

Are you sure you're ready for that, bro? Ready, ready? I say this for your sake, not mine.

[ no he


seems to be perfectly at home still, mischievous glint in his eye et al. ]