[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

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. ]

let her live okay

[colorature]

_{[Look she's enjoying her cake okay don't fucking shame her. Only no, shame her. She needs to learn some table manners.]}

Huh?

_{[Just...give her a second as she swallows what she's got in her mouth, licking a few fingers clean only to plant the hand they belong to on her hip.]}

Yes, we do, but I eat food too!

[hellzone]

I can see that.

[ how to bring this up...Yoshiko looks over at Diva with a little frown. There's an awkward pause before she points out, ]

Y'know they've got napkins, right?

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.

[colorature]

_{[It's bad luck to deny Diva in general, if we're gonna be real here for a second. Luckily she's getting her way, as she finds her dance partner of choice is easily lead and willing enough. As soon as she saw Molly in the flesh she's found it hard not to be enraptured by him. He's just so interesting, as far as she's concerned, and the fact he's not human already has him scoring bonus brownie points with her in her eyes.]}

I suppose it would be, wouldn't it? I'm quite fond of getting my way.

_{[But who isn't?]}

[mollymocked]

So am I, and, to tell you the truth, I would've been distraught if I didn't get the opportunity to dance with the lady of the hour.

[He's actually completely foregone the mask- probably passed it off to someone like mardi gras beads- because he's the least inconspicuous person here, probably. If you don't notice the amount of purple and the horns, he's wearing that gaudy red coat that can probably be seen from space.

He's actually a pretty competent dancer, being as dexterous and nimble on his feet as he is.]

And, may I add, I am glad that people actually take the time to indulge in a little fun around here. There's a bloody dragon elsewhere, but we're alive and there's alcohol and... Some other things I'm really not paying attention to. It's nice.

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...]

[colorature]

<sub>[Atsushi, it's all over her face...of course she wants it. The fact she's sharing though means she's in a pretty good mood. Sure, she could have her cake all to herself but she'd rather watch Atsushi eat it.

Also she's enjoying the tiger theme and mask okay. It suits him (obviously) and she's pretty giddy about it.]</sub>

I want you to have some! Although you might have trouble holding a fork with your paws.

[gekkajuu]

[Having her cake and eating it seems totally like her thing, though? Besides, even if it's all over her face, that just proves how much she's enjoying it. And this is her first birthday party - she should definitely have more!]

That's a good point... [Looking down at his claws a little awkwardly. He could just transform them back, but he's in disguise here!] Could you give me a bite?

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. ]

[colorature]

Akechi?

_{[She recognizes him, but it's more by the sound of his voice and his scent that gives his identity away. His mask though has her reaching out with curious fingers, setting the record aside for a moment. It can wait.]}

Mm, yeah, I do...but ohh...your mask! It's wonderful!

[fabrications]

The one and only.

[ It hasn't occurred to Akechi that Diva might find his scent distinctive, so he just assumes it's due to his voice - until the shock of having someone reach for his face overrides the thought. Even that only lasts a moment, however, and he doesn't resist if Diva decides to remove it outright. ]

I wish I could take credit for it, but that was provided by the hosts. Still, it appealed to me more than any of the others that were provided.

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?

[colorature]

<sub>[She's cute, as far as Diva's concerned, with lovely beautiful long pink hair that leaves the vampire feeling a bit jealous. She has nice hands too. In fact, all of her is quite nice. What a pretty person to have at her birthday.

Pleased at her easy agreement, Diva wastes no time getting them both into position. She's only slightly shorter than Olivia, so the answer on who's to lead isn't immediately obvious.]</sub>

That depends on what sort of dance we ought to do!

[dancerefresher]

[She's a very lovely young woman, though she doesn't seem to be aware of it-or how she brightens up when she's enthused about something. She has a very nice...everything.

Including pose. She cocks her head to the side, listening to the music. It's lively, and it made her smile.]

Something fast! We can do something more...courtly, or formal in a slower song. How does that sound?

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.]

[colorature]

Oh...I do?

_{[Yeah, she literally has been so into eating the cake she didn't realize she got it all over her face. Good job, Diva. Don't mind her as she sticks her tongue out to lick at her lips, accomplishing nothing of value.]}

Did I get it?

[thedarkbond]

[Nope, that definitely didn't accomplish very much at all. Ren transfers his cake to one hand so he can make a motion of rubbing a bit at his own cheek with the other.]

No, there's still a little bit there, maybe try touching your face to find it...or licking it off your fingers before you do that. At least it's really bright and easy to find~

[There might be napkins somewhere, but nobody wants to eat leftover cake stuck to a napkin.]

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!)

ITS ALL GOOD <3

[colorature]

<sub>[It's more the intent rather than the words themselves that reach her, an understanding on a higher level that has Diva turning to face the wolf with red markings (and wings?!) that's seemingly coming her way. It's been some time that she's communicated in such a way - usually it's only with other Chiropterans and as their Queen that getting inside their heads is possible. This though is a pleasant surprise, and has her eagerly reaching out with her hands to beckon her closer.

She chooses to reply with her voice, chirping out the words excitedly.]</sub>

I've no fear of you! None at all.

[illuminating]

[That she speaks with her voice has Ammy missing on any cognizance it may be possible for her to comprehend her own original, ancient language. Her thoughts themselves aren’t really sent in effort to be understood, they happen simply because she’s a thinking-being. She’s rarely without response to things, it’s only that she has considerably more trouble getting her intentions and words out than people do. 

However her intention reaches her, she’s relieved for it, and in partial wonder of if she had heard thoughts, she trots up to her, eyes softened, head already aiming to settle between her palms.

Hello. You hear m—

A centimeter before fur touches skin, she halts, head raising higher as if drawing back, startled. This isn’t fear, but the unexpectedness of her not being human, of being something she hasn’t encountered before, and it passes quickly. Less than a second following this reaction, she’s stepping into her open hands, her cold nose intensely investigating palm, trailing to wrist and forearm; her tail alternates between a wag of greeting and being held still, horizontally aloft, the rest of this celestial wolf focused on the novelty of her.]

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.

[colorature]

<sub>[Lucky for him she's a living, breathing tuning fork and has no problem producing the note he needs. Unlike him she does have perfect pitch. It's just something she was born with.

She gives him the C he asks for, sustaining it for a moment before falling silent so he can tweak the strings as needed.]</sub>

[shikomizue]

[The note rings eerily between the cavern walls; her song has always been haunting, but the unsteady reverberation in the cave lends it an ethereal quality. It fades gradually, spreading down the passages the party doesn't occupy.

Maybe the creature hiding in the depths of the cave system would enjoy her voice.

In contrast, the guitar's sound echoes awkwardly, notes layering over each other creating a dissonance.

He'll settle for one at a time, harmonies left to any other musicians, or the birthday girl herself.

Tuning takes a few moments, but he reaches a satisfactory balance soon enough.] Any requests? [Not that they have the same song repertoire at all, but he'll wing it.]