[open mingle] from my laboratory in the castle east

[gekkajuu]

Who: EVERYONE!
What: Diva's! Birthday! Masquerade!!
When: August 4
Where: the Nadril caves
Warning(s): This is a mingle, so please indicate if your starter isn't OTA. Also: please put any necessary warnings in your subject lines when things pop up!

Atsushi has been planning this for a while now, but needless to say, a certain dragon forced him to adapt his plans, and arguably not for the better. Still, he's determined to make this work! Diva told him she's never had a birthday party in all of her long life, and that is just not all right - so of course he promised her she'd have one this year.

He... should have maybe not said anything, and just done this in secret. Or at least he should have known better than to ask Diva what kind of party she wanted, because she sure had a lot of wishes... That's Diva for you, though. Besides, after more than 170 years without a birthday party, she deserves to say exactly what she wants!

Atsushi has spent more time than he probably should have, decorating a part of Nadril's cave system with fairy lights and anything else he could find. For being in a cave, the setting is very atmospheric! There's food, drinks, and recorded music - not all of it suited for a party, but there are instruments too, for the more talented guests.

A masquerade was Diva's first and foremost wish, and with everyone having limited means and fewer possessions here, masks have kindly been provided by your hosts at the entrance. Some are classy; some are a little unusual; some are -....... Well, you should probably be at the party in time, so all the good masks haven't been taken yet. How well have you disguised yourself? Did you bother to hide your identity at all?

A gift for the birthday vamp is appreciated, but your presence is the biggest gift. There's no better time than the present to forget the unresolved situation elsewhere on the planet, and have a little fun together!

Comments

Olivia | Fire Emblem : Awakening

[dancerefresher]

The performance

[This was her element. While she could and did direct people in hoe to dance, Olivia bloomed when she was performing. She wore a plain white mask but...she made it work for her.

When the music sounded right, Olivia started moving. Sometimes it was slow and moving, sometimes it was far more frisky. Whatever dance it was, she was expressive and graceful, clearly a professional.]

Socializing

[For all she was a performer, poised and graceful...she was a wall flower. She tended to stay by the wall, trying to keep out of the way. But she could get startled easily, leaving her to drop whatever was im her hands, jump, and squawk like a chicken.]

Wildcard

Anything goes!

socializing

[mollymocked]

[Unfortunately, Molly is so loud and broad that it's downright impossible to think for a second that he's not going to startle someone by existing. In the wake of his bright and cheerful "whatcha up to?" he was... not expecting such a reaction. He gives one look at the dropped plate and then back up to her, falling into a blithely casual version of the... exact same broadness. He can't tone this down.]

You know, I'm sure that wasn't nearly as good as it looked. This is probably a blessing in disguise.

general ota mingle!

[ofseraphim]

[ Did someone say party in a cave? If so, it’s hard to tell which grabbed Sorey first, or harder: the ‘party’ or the ‘cave’. (He’s a nerd, okay.) Plus, she’s never had a birthday party, and she’s how old?? Her age doesn’t come as quite as much of a shock as it surely does to some, given that this particular ray of sunshine given human form was raised around beings older than most civilizations. To him, in fact, she could be viewed as 170 years young, which makes her having gone without this sort of celebration even more of a shame.

But, no more! And since he doesn’t know the birthday girl from a hole in the wall, really, he’s come to contribute by offering his help. He’s a strappin’ young guy with plenty of bodily strength, so he could easily be that heavy lifter she requested, if no one’s stepped up yet! Heck -- he’ll even grab himself a busy cat mask in the meantime just to play along, wandering until he bumps into any sociable(ish) face. ]

Everything looks great! [ It really does: the food, the lighting, everything! But. ] But did anyone still need help with anything?

[ He doesn't want to feel like a freeloader who just wandered in unannounced, you see. ]

[gekkajuu]

[Hello, nerd! Have your fellow-nerd friend, also having a great time in spite of all the hard work he's done - and is still doing, to some degree. He wishes he could have done better for Diva, but really, he's just glad that he's been able to do anything at all. Not bad considering the circumstances.

Atsushi isn't that well-disguised, in spite of his mask... if only because he's absolutely transformed his limbs and grown himself a tail. (Look, Diva likes his animal features... and it's not exactly a lot of effort!]

Oh, you're a cat!

[Have some pointing with a giant white tiger paw, kind stranger. Furries of a feather... purr... together?? Something like that.]

Diva | Blood+ | OTA BIRTHDAY GIRL

[colorature]

SETTING THE STAGE

_{[Despite prior plans being usurped by the calamity that had wreaked havoc over Olympia and Wyver, Atsushi had been determined to give her a party regardless. Having sought out a fitting location, Diva had stumbled upon the warm cavern and had deemed it suitable enough, with a little tweaking of course. Thanks to the help she'd received the space had been turned into a scene from something out of a Shakespearean play, with fairy lights hung about and hardy wildflowers decorating points of interest. There are tables set up that sport food, both of the hot variety and also sweets to indulge in. There is meat, fish and hearty dishes, but the desserts are delicately crafted, especially her birthday cake that's not only tiered but glazed the color of bluebells. Off to the side there's another table with various drinks, both alcoholic and without, with a series of glasses up for grabs if anyone is feeling brave enough to mix themselves something. Some of the alcohol came from the local tavern and God only knows what some of the more foreign looking drinks may do if you consume them. Lastly there are instruments set aside for those who wish to play them, an old piano, a few guitars, and what seems to be a fiddle and flute of some sort. If Diva sees you eyeing them she may just encourage you to pick one up and play.]}

MASQUERADE - PAPER FACES ON PARADE

_{[While Diva may not be dressed to the nines, she's still sporting a rather nice dress and a matching mask as she wanders about the cave, looking to chat up whoever seems to be by their lonesome or zoning out into their own little world. As she flitters to and fro, her long black hair fanning out behind her as she does, it doesn't take her long to pick someone to approach. With little tact and zero regard for personal space, Diva grabs whichever hand of her target is closest to hers, giving her newfound victim a tug in her direction. What is it she could possibly want?]}

Hey, hey! Want to dance with me?

_{[Probably shouldn't say no to the birthday girl, especially when those sharp fangs of hers are so readily on display...]}

RECORD SCRATCH

_{[Sometimes Diva's excitement can get the best of her. Like now, for example, as she eyes the record player she'd managed to get her hands on, finding herself struggling to operate the machine. Beside the table it's set on there's a box of records of various music, some more familiar than others (there might be the Beatles or some ACDC in there if you look hard enough!), that she's rooted through to find the record she currently has in hand. Clearly she wants to put it on and play what's on it, but she doesn't really know what she's doing...and knowing her she'll break it if someone doesn't show her what to do. Maybe you should intervene before she does break it...]}

How does this thing even work?!

TO HAVE ONE'S CAKE AND EAT IT TOO

<sub>[Does Diva have cake all over her face? Absolutely. Sure, she may seem dignified if you see her from afar or if you've just watched her dance or perform, singing together with some of the other vocally gifted individuals, but right here? Right now? As she wolfs down a slice of cake and more or less gets blue icing all over her face...there's nothing dignified about it.

She can't help it though, she's always been a messy eater. At least it's cake smeared on her cheeks and lips and not blood this time?!]</sub>

It's so good! _{[If you're unfortunate enough to be beside her while she stuffs her face, she'll grab you a piece and push it your way.]} Try some! It's really tasty!

_{[Maybe you should...offer her a napkin...]}

WILDCARD

<sub>[It'll be hard not to interact with Diva at some point throughout the night. Whether you're performing a song for her, trying out one of the instruments or sampling some of the food, she'll be there, hovering around, eager to chat and even more eager to be entertained. She'll be in high spirits the entire night, laughing and dancing with anyone she can convince to be her partner. Perhaps you want to compliment her on her hauntingly beautiful voice, for the aria she would've sung earlier, or maybe you brought her a present and want to give it to her?

Either way, she'll probably bother you at some point throughout the night and it's best not to ignore her. She is the birthday girl, after all!]</sub>

cake

[hellzone]

[ Yoshiko's just staring. Because what. She thought Diva was more refined than this! Or at least, she gave off the impression of someone who had their shit together, not someone who ate cake like a toddler. Yoshiko's got a slice of cake herself, but she's eating it like an actual person does, with a fork and napkin, not shoving it in her face like a four year old.

Though wait a moment, why was Diva eating cake to begin with?! ]

I thought vampires just drank blood.

[ She's come around to the fact that Diva might actually be a vampire but it's moments like these when she thinks the girl's a fellow delusional teenager. ]

masquerade

[mollymocked]

[Diva caught Molly between doing precisely what she's doing, so it's a little bit of a moment of "same hat?" "same hat!" before Molly accepts being dragged towards the dance floor.]

Gladly. It's bad luck to deny the birthday girl anything.

always cake

[gekkajuu]

[Friendship is: transforming yourself into the furry of your lover's dreams for her birthday party. Wearing a mask to match only makes sense.]

Thank you, but - don't you want it?

[Yes, by all means, encourage Diva's bad habits... Not that Atsushi's stomach isn't growling at the thought, but it's Diva's birthday, not his. Besides, he's wearing the mask and all...]

record scratch

[fabrications]

[ Well, Akechi had volunteered to help out with the record player over the network, and far be it from him to break a promise now. So when he sees Diva struggling with the record player, it only makes sense for him to step in and offer to help. ]

Need some assistance?

[ Hopefully she still recognizes him behind his (extremely clever) crow-themed masquerade mask. ]

PAPER FACES

[dancerefresher]

I-I'd love to!

[Olivia was far more plain-she had her dancers clothes and a plain white mask. But she turned, and made to offer to press her palm against Diva's, beaming nervously under her mask.

But first she took in a deep breath.]

Whose lead?

cake

[thedarkbond]

[While Ren recognises the birthday girl from the video enough to approach, he stops for a moment to watch the spectacle(?) of her shoving cake into her face at a rate of knots. It's hard to hide a little bit of amusement, though when she offers him a piece, his smile becomes more cheery and airheaded underneath his ornate demonic mask.]

It looks like it~ [As he takes the piece of cake, though, he taps his chin slightly.] But you've got a little bit on your face...it'd be sad if you didn't eat that too...

[Clearly the waste of good cake is the problem here and not the fact that Diva's face is covered in it.]

wildcard!

[illuminating]

[A perfectly good way to draw a mother of all life into your space is to have food aplenty (easily accessed), and happy commotion. People gathered and enjoying themselves is its own kind of warmth. She's been present for some minutes, wagging her tail at familiar faces, but not wanting to intrude on their conversations and dancing.

Diva has a way of drawing her attention avidly, not only because she's unfamiliar, and Ammy has a habit of rectifying this, but because she swirls around the party like some blue star. Anyone would be magnetized. However, she's also like a busy swallow, visiting and visiting her guests, and the white beast who's wandered into her party passes some time snacking off the table. Another, unavoidably, helpless habit.

Eventually, with some patience, she finds her in a quiet, unoccupied moment, and she goes to her with dropped ears in subconscious gentleness, raises her tail to wave it amicably, and thinks:

Please, look here, lovely girl. Please, don't be afraid.]


(honks!! i hope this is okay, lmk if you need me to change anything! 💕&, i couldn't remember where we landed on telepathy, but i can remove that if you don't want it, too!)

first option? wildcard? idk anyway heres wonderwall

[shikomizue]

[This guitar is out of tune.

Shamisen left on Thesa, Takasugi had stared at the instrument with a mix of disdain and exhaustion. His fingers felt clumsy when he'd played this thing, months and months ago. It hadn't served as a suitable accompaniment to Diva's song, dissonance between twang and ethereal too severe.

He'd intended to pass it by entirely, but Diva had caught him staring. Urged a song from him. Shifting his mask to the side of his head, Takasugi complied without a word. Just a little sigh-

She's the birthday girl, though even on a normal day she won't be told 'no'. That appetite of hers is a pain, but he can't help but enable indulgence.

Unfortunately, he hardly has perfect pitch, so he can't tune the thing without a bit of help. After a moment of fiddling with the keys, he looks up.] Give me a C.

Iskandar | Fate/ | OTA (General Mingle)

[conqueredhearts]

[Guess who is here to help with the heavy lifting AND hasn't bothered to disguise himself? Then again when you're nearly seven feet tall and have muscles that have muscles and flaming red hair and a booming voice? Yeah. There's no point in a disguise. So he's just here to help make sure things are where they should be and then is partaking in the food and drink.

At some point he'll make sure to sing an Ancient Greek piece from his day and age. It's certainly beautiful but very different than even the collection available. But wow does he have a lovely deep singing voice.

Really though, he's here to socialize. And to meet the birthday girl in person! Don't mind how big he is, he's super friendly. In fact, that definitely is him walking right on up to you with a giant grin on his face to say hello. Even if he has no idea who you are.

Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet. Don't you know?]

[mollymocked]

[There's no disguising Molly either and it's not easy to get something around his horns and jewelry but he found something simple. He's ostentatious enough and he's not really looking for anything too detailed because... This is his first real gathering. He'd rather people know who he is.

After Iskander's performance, Molly is nearby giving enthusiastic golf claps.] I consider myself to be pretty good at reading people, but I wouldn't have guessed you were a singer.

[thetaintedsorrow]

[Chuuya, being the bartender, is pretty much constantly busy mixing up drinks for all the guests, but he looks to be enjoying himself regardless. He’s wearing a simple mask and lacks his usual hat, but otherwise he’s dressed the same as always.

He’s just mixing up an interestingly colored cocktail when the largest man he’s ever seen approaches him...

And since Chuuya can never be subtle he’s just gotta point one thing out.]

Holy shit you’re huge!

[And Chuuya is only 5’3...]

[thedarkbond]

[Ren is another one who masquerade isn't terribly effective for, considering his long red hair, though his mask is more ornate than actually trying to hide anything, black and red with small horns and fake gems affixed to it.

He doesn't seem perturbed at all by being approached by a huge stranger, and just waves a hand cheerfully as if they totally already know each other and this is a normal interaction.]

Hello~ [His tone is as cheerful as his manner, if somewhat airheaded.] I heard you singing earlier, it sounded really nice...but have you danced yet? I know some people get weird about dancing with people bigger than them...

[It seems like he's legitimately concerned Iskandar might have missed out on that angle of the party.]

Chuuya Nakahara | Bungou Stray Dogs | OTA

[thetaintedsorrow]

[As the bartender (okay there’s not really a bar but just pretend) for the party Chuuya can be found mixing up cocktails and pouring drinks pretty much constantly, which means he won’t be walking around to mingle much. However if you approach him he’ll gladly chat, and maybe even make a special drink just for you! He’s missing his hat and has donned a simple mask, but is otherwise dressed much the same as ever.

Come say hi! Maybe, if you’re lucky, you can even drag him away from the bar to dance! Or just to hang out, really. Anything goes.]

[dancerefresher]

[Normally she'd be avoiding the bar but...she knew the hair. And the fact that he had done that floating thing in the snow...

Olivia hurried over, swallowing and clasping her hands to her chest.]

I-I think we met out on the trip here? You-I think you saved me?

[Oh. Right.]

I mean to say-hi! Hello. Um.

[thedarkbond]

We've got to stop meeting like this~

[Chuuya isn't the only one with a somewhat demonic-looking style going on tonight, though Ren's mask is a slightly more ornate version. Let it not be said that he turns down the chance to be fancy when it arises. He kind of ruins it with his usual cheery and slightly vapid tone, though, and the cutesy wave of a hand.]

Though I don't know if the drinks will be as interesting tonight as they were last time... [Unless they managed to get access to the same sorts of things that the Frosty Tap uses.]

Ren Suzugamori | Cardfight!! Vanguard | OTA

[thedarkbond]

[A: Now you're cooking with...wait what]

[Ren's exchange for coming to a party for someone he doesn't actually know short of the post she made about it was helping to cook for it. It's something he's pretty used to, cooking good food for a large number of people, and the food he puts out is quite good by anyone's standards, as well as being warm and hearty considering the climate.

If anyone comes over to watch his process, though, it's. Well. He just threw a whole fish, some onions still with skin on, and unpeeled whole potatoes into a pot. Without water or oil or any kind of...anything to cook it in, really. And he seems completely oblivious to the discrepancy, merely giving a vague, cheerful wave to anyone he sees watching him.]

Do you want me to make you something? [It's...fine...]

--

[B: Masquerade]

[Not knowing the host aside, Ren can generally get behind the idea of a masquerade party in a cool spooky cave, and has picked a mask accordingly, black and red with delicate framing despite the overall demonic, horned look to it. Despite that look, he's...mostly hanging around either the sweets part of the food table or the bar, a somewhat absent look on his face as he tries various sweets or sips his way through what might be the same drink between watching the other guests. As with Nadril's bars, he did largely come to meet some more people and get some more information about this world.

It's hard to resist the opportunity to see how people react to being put on the spot, though, so occasionally, Ren will turn his attention from the bar or sweets when someone joins him, a thoughtful and almost pensive look on his face that's definitely very serious and important.]

Do you like to dance...?

Masquerade

[dancerefresher]

Oh-oh yes! I do like to dance.

[And here Olivia had been drifting around the cave, looking for places to hide, being a wallflower. But...even if she was a wallflower, the idea of dancing made her perk right up, and even offer a tentative smile.]

D-do you like to...?

[He might have just been making conversation!]

Diamond | houseki no kuni | OTA!

[diamondize]

[Look, Diamond has no idea what's going on, but they're having a great time anyhow. They've definitely been around to help with some heavy lifting and decorating as needed. They don't wear a mask because...honestly, what's the point? One look at Dia's hair will give them away.

Their hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows catch any bits of light and sends rainbows scattering around the various surfaces, and they walk around with a sort of pleased, if uncomprehending, smile on their face.]

Everyone looks so cute! [They stand by the food, a glass of some alcohol in their hand but... They don't look like they really know what to do with it. So it's just kinda...there. They appear to be watching anyone who eats or drinks anything with a strangely intense interest though.]

I can't say I really understand what this party is all about, but...Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves... [She looks at the drink for a long moment and then sighs to themselves] Now what do I do with this?

[dancerefresher]

[Olivia squeaks when addressed, slopping some of her water on herself. But...well, maybe they weren't used to parties? Maybe they'd never been to one!]

I-it's a birthday party-you celebrate the fact that the person was born and is with us.

[It's really quite nice! Though...ah. The drink.]

You-you're supposed to...to sip it. Have you ever tried beer before?

[She thinks it's beer. It might not be. SHRUG.]

solomon / ota

[semblant]

[While Solomon isn't playing host this time, given his ties to Diva, he's making a halfhearted attempt at providing some form of modship here. Serving squares of cake, ordering refills on his tab, passing out additional masquerade masks -- it's the little things he's tending to. Think of him like a Walmart greeter or that annoying chick from the World View kiosk at the ritzy mall. Just don't expect him to linger in one spot for very long without reason. Maybe you're choking, maybe you've head a rumbling from within the depths of the cave, or maybe you have some questions about procreation?

A slight attempt to match Diva was made, though overall he has very little interest in the masquerade itself. Superficial intrigue isn't much of a seductress. He's happier by the makeshift bar, occasionally busy with rearranging the gifts (as if to feign more). His own contribution, a small rectangular box wrapped in paper more suited for a wedding, weighs somewhere in the middle of the humble pile. Within, a necklace; a string of silver bearing heart-shaped tanzanite (or the closest thing to it), framed by diamond (or the closest thing to that). No big deal.

Maybe that's actually why he's sticking to the boon table.

Overall, he's an accessible component, if not slightly aloof. Please show him your parlor tricks and/or gross things.]

[colorature]

<sub>[There's only so much hovering in the background and being a Wallflower that Diva'll allow her Chevalier to do, and it's after devouring a rather large slice of cake (and getting the icing on her face) that she decides Solomon has done enough standing around and ought to get his blood circulating.

There's been a smile on her lips for most of the evening and that doesn't seem to change as she bounds over toward where Solomon is standing near the small pile of gifts. She's been making eyes at him here and there, always managing to become distracted before making a move. Not now, though.]</sub>

I know I said it earlier Solomon, but you look quite handsome in navy for a change.

<sub>[It's not often she sees him wearing something other than white. Part of her thinks she ought to snap a picture of him later for Reign, if only to sate the other vampire's curiosity lest he not show up.

Peeking around at the gifts it isn't hard to figure out which one is from him. She's been around him long enough she'd be able to pick out his aesthetic in wrapping paper and ribbon any day. Even so, she feigns ignorance, cocking her head to the side, pointing at the gifts inquisitively. She'd look a lot more charming if it wasn't for the cake on her cheeks and by the corners of her lips...maybe you ought to help wipe it off.]</sub>

Which one's from you?

Phoenix Wright | OTA

[objectionattorney]

[Really, Phoenix wasn't completely sure how it was he had ended up here. He had caught word of a party over the network, ended up in an accidental conversation with the birthday girl, found out vampires were a real thing that actually existed here (like dragons... and magic... and griffons...), and then somehow got invited along to come and have some fun. Well, it wasn't like he had much to do these days anyway. He was mostly going about his days exploring Nadril's bar-life and doing what he could to help the orbiters out of sheer guilt of his involvement in the whole 'Ysverai about the destroy the world' thing.

So perhaps it was good that he was out and about having some fun on his own volition?

Regardless, he was surprised to discover that he had found himself in the middle of a masquerade. Awkwardly holding a small gift-box in his arms as he sported a blue frock coat with a large red bow and a fairly pointed blue mask that matched the style of his own absurdly pointed hair.

He seemed to be preoccupied though. Not truly investing himself in many of the activities, but instead seeming transfixed upon the large grand piano that sat along with the rest of the instruments.]

Huh... I wonder...

[colorature]

_{[Well Phoenix's getup certainly does stand out...but it isn't his outfit that catches Diva's attention, it's the way he looks at the piano that's been set up that has her curious. It doesn't take her long to meander past the other guests and come to where he's standing, not caring whether or not her sudden hovering is too close for comfort or not. Sorry Phoenix, she doesn't really understand personal boundaries.]}

You wonder? About what?

_{[That'll get him a small, fanged grin.]}

Can you play?