nysalogs | [open mingle] from my laboratory in the castle east

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[open mingle] from my laboratory in the castle east

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!

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[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?

[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.]

Celebrate... That they were born... [Diamond echoes it, looking surprised and then delighted] Wow, how interesting! I've never heard of such a thing! But it sounds like fun!

[The drink, though... Dia looks at it with a frown. They can't actually drink, but?? They raise the beer and let some slide into their mouth anyhow. Then they just kinda. Stay there. There's no swallowing or anything, the beer just held in their tightly closed mouth while they look vaguely confused.]

It is fun! It's supposed to be fun! It's a celebration!

[She beams at her companion, and...oh. Oh um. What is Diamond doing...?]

I-if you don't like it, you can just um...spit it back carefully into the cup? I won't tell.

[Diamond looks around a moment, looking slightly disappointed and dismayed. They're not entirely sure what they were expecting with taking the drink, but clearly it didn't work out like they hoped. They lean into the cup and open their mouth, the drink just sort of. Pouring back in.

Diamond leans up and wipes at their mouth, looking sheepish] I can't swallow anyhow, and I can't taste anything, but... I thought maybe something would happen anyhow...

[HOLDS THE CUP OUT] Do you want it instead? It's kind of a waste with me...

[Oh...oh...they just. Waterfalled that drink. Yeah that....that was kinda gross. But??? Thankfully??? Olivia has seen worse???]

Ah...no...no thank you? I've got my water.

[She holds up her cup. DON'T MAKE HER DRINK IT PLEASE.]

Maybe you'd like the bubbles? Maybe? That could be fun, right? I-if you don't want more, you can just...splash it out somewhere away from people?

[What she's saying is dear Naga don't you dare put that on that table Diamond. IT'S RUDE.]

[Diamond looks down at the cup with a sad frown] It just seems like such a waste of a drink... [Dia has no saliva or anything that might contaminate the drink to begin with, so how gross this is is lost on them, unfortunately.

They look around] Is it really okay to just pour it somewhere?

Yes but...no one will want to drink it.

[Blunt but true. She winces; she doesn't know that Dia has no saliva or anything in the mouth...hole...thing.

Olivia nods vigorously, making her ponytail bounce.]

W-we'll just have to do it somewhere that's out of the way!

[Diamond still doesn't look like they fully understand--why wouldn't anyone want to drink it now??--but if Olivia says so...

They sigh a little in something akin to defeat and nods] I suppose so, you'd probably know best. [Dia smiles, albeit sheepishly] Sorry to put you through so much trouble!

Would going outside a little to dump it be best...? [She gestures for Olivia to walk with them, assuming she's coming along on this little Adventure]

[They'll have to talk about this...but at least Diamond agrees! Whew.]

No, no...it's okay! Now you know!

But...ah, maybe it would be a good idea...

[She'll fall in step to walk with them. Though...she doesn't like the idea of going outside, it'll be fine. It's just a Small Adventure.]

[What could possibly go wrong. Diamond wanders out then to the exit, glancing around at the decorations and things as they go.] Diva really went all-out with this, didn't they...

Oh! Are you going to get cold? These temperatures can get dangerous for organics, can't they?

Oh yes...b-but I guess that's to be expected? Being a birthday long coming?

[Or something like that. She pauses though, and blinks over at Diamond.]

O-oh...um. You...have a good point...I'm not dressed for the cold...

[Diamond looks thoughtful before wandering over towards one of the walls draped with fabric for decoration. They looks left, then right, then promptly tears the fabric down.

They walk back over to Olivia, setting their drink aside briefly to throw the fabric around her shoulders like a cape and smiles]

There! This'll work, right? When we get back, I can replace it.

[Perhaps they were so taken by the atmosphere of Diva's masquerade party that they managed to miss the silver-haired mage's approach, but he's taken to enjoy sneaking up on people with quieted steps and even breathing. Henry watches them people watch until they muse aloud about the nature of the party, about the drink in their hand, before he speaks up.]

But didn't you serve yourself a drink? [It's an earnest question: not often does one meet somebody who looks at a drink and wonders what on earth to do with it.] Unless you're just not a fan of alcohol and grabbed it by mistake. If you hate it so much, just dump it out and try again. That's what I would do.

[Diamond yelps and jumps in surprise, fumbling a little with the glass. Nothing spills, thankfully, but they whirl around to face Henry with wide eyes.]

I- Um. [They shakes their head a little to clear it before they answer] I did, but... I can't actually drink anything. I thought maybe I'd be able to taste something, but I don't think I can really do that either.

[They frown at the drink again, disappointed]

[Before, Henry wasn't really looking at the radiance of their glimmering hair, but it becomes more evident under the changing light as they turn to face him that they have a very unique... luminescence. Like a crow, he's mesmerized by how it glitters, so it takes him a moment to compute what they're saying. He sort of sits there with a neutral smile instead until he snaps out of it.]

Eh? Wait, why not? I've heard of a liquid-only diet, but definitely not one that excludes them. Not even a taste? C'mon, it's a party! Nobody would even blink if you indulged a LITTLE.

[Diamond laughs a little and waves their hand as if trying to dismiss the comments]

Oh no, it's not like that! I really can't drink! [They open their mouth wide and point. There's no opening in the back of their mouth that would indicate a throat. The inside of their mouth is the same color at their hair, nails, and eyes.]

See? But I'd been hoping maybe something could happen. [They shrug and smile sheepishly] But it might be best to just give this drink away to someone who can actually enjoy it.

[It's hard to suspend his disbelief to think that they're trying to get him to examine some part of their anatomy that would prevent them from drinking, but he does it. He's not disappointed. He laughs, unable to produce any other reaction other than that.]

Wowza! How aren't you dead?! That's a blockage to write to the scholars about, and maybe the morgue while we're at it.

[Their nails, their hair, even the back of their throat? What a strange-looking person, now that he really takes stock of them. More pressing, however, is their situation: hoping to drink, but being unable to... Henry hums.]

Well, hold on just a sec. How much do you wanna try it? I might be able to make that happen. I'm a sorcerer, after all, and what's a sorcerer who can't make dreams and nightmares alike come true?

[Diamond's eyebrows raise in surprise. They've seen and heard about magic and the like now from their time here, but they've rarely seen it in real action, and certainly not directed towards themselves.

There's no thought of 'will this hurt?' or what might go wrong--They're a solid hunk of rock, after all, it's not like they can really feel pain. And aside from that, if they're broken somehow they can always be put back together. So, really, the danger to themselves is pretty minimal, right?]

You could do that? I'd definitely be interested! What would you need for it? [Like a special...thing?? A hunk of diamond to channel his power??? They can just give him their whole hand.]

[IF ONLY HE KNEW THEY WERE LITERALLY DIAMOND... is there a spell he couldn't perform with a hunk of diamond? But he has no idea, and this dark mage is the resourceful sort who wouldn't ask too much of them when he's making the offer. Henry lets his gaze skirt over the room for something he could use to make this happen. Never mind figuring out why they can't drink, or what sort of being they are— Henry's got an idea.]

I dunno what the deal is with your anatomy, but it's much easier to try drinking if you're in a body that can drink, right? I've performed this trick plenty of times; I only need a few things for the exchange...

[On a dime, Henry heads for the table of masks and yanks a fistful of feathers from an ornate mask. He notices a mask covered with what appears to be crystal gems and snags it before heading back for Diamond's side.]

I've been told I feel kinda frail, if you're a klutz. So be gentle, got it? [??? What does he have in mind...? Henry pulls the crystals from the base of the mask, clearly intending to use them in his rite.] Oh. I'm Henry, by the way. And you are?

[Diamond watches him with growing curiosity, moving to a near-by table to put the drink down on just in case they need both their hands for... Whatever Henry is planning.

A lot of what he's saying doesn't quite make sense at first. Exchange? Being kind of frail? Why was he--] Oh! [Dia's eyes widen] You're going to become me? And vice versa? [THAT'S...WEIRD? But cool?? Dia's never really heard of such a thing--there's been...something of a similar situation before with the gems, but Shh Spoilers, and even then it's not really the same.]

Um, pleased to meet you, Henry. I'm Diamond. But, are you sure this will be a good idea...? [Or will even work??]

[They just switch heads, obviously. Although cracking off a human's head would get kinda... messy..............

They've caught on to his schemes: yes, he's planning on trading places with them, and that much would've been evident by now if not earlier. Henry gives them a resolute nod, reaching into his cloak for some more specific items in order to perform the rite.]

Sure it's a good idea! Trust me. I'm a HEX-pert at this, and anything my body can do, you'll be able to do, too! Then, BAM! You can drink, eat, heck, you could even use my magical potency if you'd like!

[Magical potency that always carries the risk of accidental misuse when in the wrong hands, but oh well!! At least drinking's far less difficult, unless they have a hard time figuring out how that function works to begin with... This sorcerer's not thinking about those details, though. Henry finishes his set-up and claps together his hands cheerily.]

Diamond's a suitable name for you, 'cause you're as dazzling as one. Anyway, are you up for a good ol' fashioned switch-a-roo, then?

But... If you can't access your magic in my body, how are we going to switch back?

[Not that they're not completely enthusiastic about this idea, but Dia has no idea how magic works. WHat if they're stuck forever??

They seem pleased enough by the compliment though, going so far as to...somehow...blush? over it. Don't ask how. SOme questions don't need to be answered]

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[open mingle] from my laboratory in the castle east

Diamond | houseki no kuni | OTA!

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