[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

[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.]

[diamondize]

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.]

[dancerefresher]

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.

[diamondize]

[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...

[dancerefresher]

[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.]

[diamondize]

[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?

[dancerefresher]

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!

[diamondize]

[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]

[dancerefresher]

[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.]

[diamondize]

[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?

[dancerefresher]

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...

[diamondize]

[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.