queenofkur: (faw 001)
Ereshkigal ([personal profile] queenofkur) wrote in [community profile] synflux2024-12-14 04:38 pm

[Open] Christmas Party

WHO: Everyone!
WHAT: A Christmas Party is held for all the outsiders! Everyone in the game is invited, even if they don't know the party's organizers. It's meant to be a cute and fun mingle log for all to participate in.
WHERE: The Ruby Room event hall
WHEN: 25th December
WARNINGS: Kissing and mean elves
CREDITS: Ly wrote the first and fourth prompts, as well as influenced the fifth prompt. Mods gave their permission for the mistletoe and gift-giving effect. Code taken from [personal profile] lucavi



In the weeks leading to Christmas, each and every outsiders shall receive an invitation to a party organized by Ereshkigal and Elysium. Yes, even those who have been naughty and not very nice. After all, it is not too late for their wretched little hearts to grow three sizes! The invitation promises a good time filled with cheer, merriness and good food. It is recommended to come dressed in a festive yet comfy manner, but there are no strict dress code being enforced here.

As for where to go, veterans may find themselves familiar with the place: the Ruby Room, the event hall where Callisto held his gala back in September! But on the day this party is being held, the hall looks like a totally different place. It feels warm, yet the walls look as though they're made of ice. Looking up, it is like it's snowing, yet no actual snow can be seen hitting the ground. Decorations hang on every icy walls, tall Christmas trees reaching up to the ceiling. While the icy walls and snow are digital, the decorations are all real! Ishmael helped putting them all up, hopefully her arms don't hurt too much...

There are tables lined by the walls, a space to dance and at the feet of the largest Christmas Tree fake gifts can be found! Opening them will reveal a disappointment in the form of coal: how dare you ruin the decoration! But fear not, for real gifts may be on their way...

I/ Tis The Season Of Giving
The invitation comes with a suggestion: to bring gifts for your fellow outsiders. But this recommendation doesn't come solely from the party's hosts. Christmas is considered the season of giving for a reason, and LILITH, ever the champion of teambuilding, sees no excuse for Outsiders to shirk the seasonal spirit!

And so this year, the festivities come with a twist: a nudge from LILITH to embrace the season by buying or crafting gifts for their fellow Outsiders. Participation is encouraged—who wouldn't want to join in when it feels so uniquely rewarding to do so? The satisfaction of giving seems oddly amplified, almost as if the universe itself approves when the gift is delivered directly or placed under the communal tree.

However, opting out of the spirit of Christmas might come with its own peculiar consequences, such as their implant glitching or the subtle hum of disapproval in the air. Whether they choose to test the boundaries or not, the effect will only ever be mildly annoying at most and easily ignorable otherwise.

II/ Tis The Time To Party
But this is far from being the only way in which LILITH decided to participate for the festivities. Indeed, LILITH paid for a woman named Mariah Carey to be awakened from her cryosleep. And here she is now, putting up a private concert for the outsiders. Her classic All I Want For Christmas Is You is the star of the party, but she will sing multiple other songs throughout the event. She can also take requests from outsiders for particular songs they'd like to hear!

You can even ask her to sign autographs and pose for pictures, but she will not answer any question. Why, asking her something will cause her to put on her sunglasses and walk away.

So why not dance to the tune instead of pestering her? There is enough space in the center of the room for that, and the ambiance is perfect for festive and romantic dances! Of course, if you don't have the courage for that, you may be tempted by a glass of champagne or two. Or three. There are plenty of bottles and glasses lined up on the tables, along with Christmas chocolates and sweets. Legend says drinking a lot of it will make even the shiest of people into party animals!

III/ Tis The Chance To Kiss
Are you talking with a fellow outsiders? Or did you just accidentally cross path with someone even though you're desperately trying to avoid people? Too late! With no warning, mistletoe appears above your head! What would Christmas be without mistletoe? Sad, to be sure. What's even sadder are the people who try to avoid it because they think they're above such cute things. That's why this party's mistletoes are special. They are nowhere to be seen, until they appear right above you like by magic.

But that's not all! Those are special mistletoes that generate an energy field around their targets and will keep them trapped until they do what the mistletoe demands: kiss! The energy field takes the form of digital little snowflakes and hearts floating around the pair trapped under the mistletoe. How romantic, and it shields the trapped pair from indiscreet eyes (or does it)! Try as they might, outsiders will be unable to break free through any means other than kissing.

Of course, a kiss on the cheek is supposed to be more than enough... And the energy field is supposed to break if the two people under it display negative emotions... But alas! There is a glitch in the system and the energy field will not break until a kiss is given! And sometimes, a kiss on the cheek will just not be enough. Proper smooches may be required to fulfill the all-seeing mistletoe demands. What the mistletoe demands is up to the players' discretion.

Oh and don't think that just because you've been trapped once, it won't happen again. The mistletoe is still out there. It'll find you, that's what it does. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it will absolutely will not stop... ever, until you have smooched as many people as possible.

IV/ Tis The Moment To Eat
Tucked off to the side of the communal room, an impressive bronze cauldron quietly commands attention. Standing 60cm tall from the base to rim, it rests on bird talons, claws curling delicately around the cauldron's base. On each side is a different raised symbol, acting as the artist's "signature": a flame, a sun, and a star, all remarkably well made in contrast to two of the panels they lay on. Bright tinsel drapes across its surface, adding a cheerful, festive contrast to the dark, burnished metal.

No one tends to it, and no fire burns beneath, yet the cauldron radiates a steady warmth, sustained by the simple decorative runes encircling its surface.

The cauldron's contents are as hearty as they are nostalgic, a testament to the collective efforts of several Outsiders who answered the call to contribute to a community stew. Crafted with ingredients mostly procured during their recent adventure in Transylvania, the stew is a rich medley of real meats and vegetables, its savory aroma wafting through the room like an unspoken invitation. At the front, a small, ornate nozzle provides an effortless way to serve up portions, beckoning passersby to indulge.

Those who do might notice an almost imperceptible shift within themselves. A quiet surge of vitality, wounds knitting together faster than expected, or an unusual lightness in tired limbs—all thanks to a permanent enhancement infused into the cauldron itself. As unassuming as it sits, it offers more than just a meal; it gifts strength, warmth, and is a perhaps a subtle reminder of the Outsiders' shared bonds.

If any Kaiju parts have found their way into the mix… well, what the Outsiders don't know won't hurt them. Probably.

V/ Tis The Day To... S-Sit on Santa's Lap????
Ho ho ho! There is a Santa Claus photo booth! Outsiders are expected to come sit on Santa's lap, tell him what they want for Christmas and smile for the photo before leaving. But unfortunately... The actor playing Santa is sick and couldn't come! Thankfully, the actors playing the elves have an alternative: picking an outsider to play Santa! The photo is taken with a Polaroid, both Santa and the one sitting on his or her lap will get a copy immediately.


1. You're Santa Claus! The elves approached you and asked you to put on the suit, fake beard and hat. The costume is pretty cheap, but you don't have to put the costume on correctly. Just do your best and other outsiders will sit on your lap, telling you everything they want for Christmas before taking a photo with you! Are you going to be a happy, merry Santa? Or a grumpy Grinch who will make this the worst Christmas ever?

Of course, it is possible to say no, but the elves won't have any of it. First, they'll just ask nicely. Then they'll insist, going for the emotional route by saying how disappointed everyone will be if there is no one playing the role of Santa. The more you say no, the more into guilt tripping territory things go. And if you keep saying no even after such heartfelt pleas... Why, the elves will claim they know where you live! It would be so unfortunate if an accident happened to you in the near future. Or if your secret conversations were to be leaked for everyone to hear. Is this blackmail?!

After that, they're done playing nice. They'll kick you in the knees, force the Santa costume on you and drag you to Santa's throne. They're surprisingly strong for elves! Who knew Christmas could be so violent? Still, they won't have any qualms with you being a good or horrible Santa, so long as you have the coat on and listens to the people who come sitting on your lap. What extent the elves must go to is up to players' discretion.


2. What's that you're seeing? An outsider is dressed as Santa Claus? And the elves are forcing you to sit on this Santa's lap... They're gently pushing you his way, but they're numerous and surprisingly strong: no matter how you slice it, there is no escaping this.

You are now expected to say what it is you want for Christmas before smiling for the picture! It may seem like it's embarrassing right now, but please consider the one playing the role of Santa is probably even more embarrassed.
blastedass: by cytes @ dw (gift ~ Don't Take) (💥 Only gonna say this shit once!)

1. TIME TO PARTY. (two was tempting)

[personal profile] blastedass 2024-12-18 09:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[How Denji talked Katsuki into coming to the party is anyone's guess. Likely pulled some boyfriend tricks; famous ones include asking with puppy eyes, potential guilt tripping when thinking about his sad face if he doesn't show, promising it wouldn't be too long, and other things. Somehow they worked and now Katsuki's here, dressed in a nice semi-formal getup. He stays near the back, sampling some of the stew and snacks. Trying his best to ignore Denji dressed up in Dollar Store santa outfits.

He barely gets a sausage to the lips before an arm loops around his neck.]
Wha-?! Oy! Stop yanking me!

[Katsuki recognizes Yuji almost immediately, so the protesting and fighting isn't nearly what it could have been. Ultimately finding himself on the dance floor with his best friend, a bit red in the face and grumbling.] Dammit, Yuji, what'd you drag me out here for?

[Duh.]
eyescar: (pic#16897172)

two is ALWAYS tempting

[personal profile] eyescar 2024-12-20 09:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Yuji's laughing as he tugs at Katsuki, dragging him around because he knows he can get away with it.

The party has been fun, has been novel and exciting, and it's helping Yuji deal with some of the intense feelings that have been rolling through him since October. Recovery has been hard, but he a fighter through and through, no way to hide it. He can keep himself together, and he can keep fighting, because it's the right thing to do.

It helps that he has people beside him that love him, and that's enough. ]


A dance, obviously!
blastedass: by bokunoicons @ tumblr (💥 Just. Got out. Of the shower!)

cheek to cheek

[personal profile] blastedass 2024-12-21 12:50 am (UTC)(link)
[Who said he can get away with this, dammit?! As Katsuki growls and lets him get away with it. Despite himself, seeing Yuji smiling and happy for the first time in a long ass while makes his chest feel lighter. He hates seeing his best friend burdened with pain and misery, knows he's been suffering the past several weeks, and has tried his damnest to be there for the sorcerer whenever he needs it. Yet never once has he thought Yuji would fall under the pressure. He's strong, one of the strongest people Katsuki knows, and he trusts in that strength implicitly.]

Haa?! I don't dance! [Yes he does. But not often.]
eyescar: (pic#15159006)

[personal profile] eyescar 2024-12-21 01:40 pm (UTC)(link)
You're dancing right now!

[ Yuji knows that if Katsuki didn't really want to do it then he would simply shout and snarl and walk away, so the fact that they're continuing is sign enough for him. Maybe he gets to push the limits of his friend's patience more than others, but it's not as if he's taking advantage of it or anything: he's trying to make it so they can both have fun. They've both earned that, haven't they? ]
blastedass: by blastedass @ dreamwidth (💥 Casual blue~)

[personal profile] blastedass 2024-12-21 03:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Urusei!

[Yuji's spot on, dammit. As the music switches to something more rhythmic, Katsuki finds a tempo that works for him, one hand catch the sorcerer's and the other arm around his waist in a quick shift to duo swing. If he's gonna dance with someone, he'll alternate between moving with them separately and together. Not a slow dance, but somewhere between that and a tango element.]

Did you get trapped in that damn mistletoe yet?
eyescar: (pic#16224289)

[personal profile] eyescar 2024-12-21 08:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah, but it was with Raidou, so I don't think it counts.

[ It's fine to just have a little shuffle, a little dance, to twist together and enjoy the moment, to let the music take over them. It's comfortable that way, and he beams as they settle into the motion as a pair. ]

It was just a little embarrassing to be in front of everyone.
blastedass: by blastedass @ dreamwidth (💥 Moving forward.)

[personal profile] blastedass 2024-12-21 09:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Lucky.

[If Yuji was around earlier, he probably saw that belljar-shaped dome flashing bright and hot as Katsuki tried detonating his way out of the trap alongside Yato. Alas, it was bullshit. At least it's gone now and Yato's not someone he dislikes...

He smirks a little at the comment.]


Everyone knows you two are dating.