❪ mini-event ❫ THE OLYMPIA-WYVER HOLIDAY BALL

[natha]

A TIME OF CELEBRATION     Despite the biological attacks in both Wyver and Olympia, the morale in either kingdoms is hopeful. Both cities have been ramping up their winter celebrations this month, and though they both have customs and holidays specific to their people, the themes are the same: embrace the spirit of giving, celebrate friends and family, and express gratitude for all that Thesa has given you. As a gesture of goodwill and gratitude for the shocking display of cooperation between the two kingdoms, Empress Simwe and King Shanrian have agreed to host a joint luxurious Holiday Ball at the South Outpost. This is quite unusual, as the kingdoms tend to stick to themselves, and the large and lavish celebrations are typically reserved only for the noble classes. Throwing a party on this scale is no small feat, so if you can lend a hand, leaders of either kingdoms will look upon you favorably. Submit any AC eligible thread of participating in this month's holiday events for three (3) REP points to EITHER Olympia OR Wyver. THREADS MAY BE SUBMITTED HERE FOR WYVER OR HERE FOR OLYMPIA by JANUARY 6th 11:59 PM EST. ONE WEEK UNTIL MIDNIGHT     A party doesn't just put on itself, you know. There's resources to be gathered, lavish outfits to be made, food to be prepared... don't just stand around uselessly! In the days leading up to the ball, various vendors will approach you and ask for your assistance. Yes, they can and will offer you Silver, but embrace the spirit of selfless giving, won't you? COLLECT THE RHOCEA, THE COVETED HERB OF ICE — There is a special herb that grows deep within one particular cave just south of Murkwell Hollows. Appearing to be more of a bulbous vegetable than a herb, Rhocea cooked into a batch of hot chocolate will give the pot an irresistibly delicious and earthy taste. It is an absolute must for any Wyver winter gathering, and bringing even just one bulb will net you a hefty 200 silver. You manage to find the cave with some difficulty, but even finding one bulb requires you to wander deep, deep into the cave. The openings become less spacious. At times, you can barely crawl through. Just when you've managed to find the damn herb (or perhaps you've given up and want to go back), you hear an ominous rumble and a loud crash. A part of the cave you need to pass through has collapsed, and you're now trapped! You better hope there's a passerby who can help you out, or maybe your phone can get enough reception out here to frantically call someone for help... BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE     On the day of the gala, there are paths of magic-powered, candles that line up the ways from either Wyver and Olympia that can lead even the most directionally-challenged toward the South Outpost. The sun is low on the sky when nobles begin to arrive with the lavish carriages, winged stallions, and scaled beasts, all filtering into the the Grand Hall of the South Outpost. With warmth of the sun rapidly fleeting, the dark clouds begin to tower over the Outpost. It's thanks to the tireless efforts of both locals and refugees that the town is so done up. The once-barren outpost is now decorated with evergreens and crystalline lights. By the second half of hour sixteen, the buildings have all been lit in a dazzling display of blinking, colorful lights, making the Outpost lively again as the festivities begin. The Grand Hall looks completely different inside than it does outside. It's obvious that it's been decorated for the occasion. Once-wooden pillars are now lined with blue glass-like structures to imitate the look of ice. Exotic plants hang low from the ceiling, right various tables filled with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails - some familiar; others, not so. But hey, this isn't about the food, is it? The party is just getting started. There is live music, playing tunes native to both Wyver and Olympia. Don't just stand there! There is so plenty to do. Although the gala is hosted by both Wyver and Olympia, the differences between the factions are still apparent. While all of the decorations are lavish and impressive, it's obvious at a glance which areas of the Outpost were "claimed" by which faction; Olympia favors white and gold, Wyver, red and black. The natives have dressed up for the occasion, taking their customary fashion styles to the next level in order to show off: Olympians are dressed elegantly in fine, opulent fabrics, while Wyver citizens dress to impress more subtly, dressed in rich colors trimmed with fine furs that show off their body before their wealth. Everyone is having a great time on the surface, but at points the tension between factions can show through. This isn’t enough to spoil the evening, but judgmental glancing and thinly-veiled insults are not out of place between the groups, reminding everyone that this truce is temporary. A. SPARKLE AND SHINE — A beloved and unique custom from the Olympian side of the party is to ensure any gathering is as sparkly and cheerful as possible. The people are heavy into holiday glitter, and it's all in good fun. Even if you didn't bring your own, it's highly likely you'll be caught in a glitter shower just by chance. Most of the glitter is purely for decoration, but there are those who splurged on a little magic. 1. Red Glitter: Red glitter will fill you with the spirit of giving. You will feel compelled to give something to the next person you see. It may be a plate of dessert, some Silver, or your trusty weapon. You'll feel good about it at the time, of course, since gift-giving is a lovely part of the holidays. But, will you still feel the same tomorrow morning? 2. Green Glitter: The effects of green glitter can be very comical! Coming into contact with it will temporarily (about 10 minutes) transform your nice gala outfit into a Holiday-themed costume, even if it isn't a getup you're entirely comfortable with. 3. Gold Glitter There's no escaping this one. Gold glitter is expensive, but Olympia has saved for months to have enough to lightly dust on everyone. About two hours into the gala, gold glitter will sprinkle from the ceiling, giving everyone present the urge to dance. Regardless of how you feel about dancing, it'll be hard to resist impulse to grab the person nearest to you and dance! Or maybe you just prefer dancing alone and make a show of it. Whatever your style, there's a song and a dance for everyone. It's not a party in Olympia without it! B. HOLIDAY CHEER — It isn't only the city that's been done up in these tiny sprigs of green and red. They're spread all over the venue of the Gala, as well, sometimes even slightly out of sight. The person putting these up obviously had a field day, and it's (un)fortunate that you're a victim of their mischief. There are two types of these plants. 1. BERRIED: This type has smaller leaves and pale colored berries attached to them. They will those underneath to become more affectionate with one another. Maybe you'll suddenly want to hold the hand of the person next to you, or kiss them on the cheek? Either way, it's all in the spirit of things, right? 2. FLOWERED: The ones that have darker berries and tiny flowers sprouting out of them are a bit peskier. Those caught underneath this plant will feel compelled to kiss their partner. Some of the more stubborn victims will notice that they feel unfulfilled until they do. A simple peck won't suffice— that may be enough for the pale colored berries, but not for these. It isn't a proper gathering without food, drink, and snacks. There will be small candies offered in the traditional colors of Wyver and Olympia. You may or may not know them as candy canes. Most of them are simply a delicious sugary treat, but some have been created using a special Wyver recipe. Eat one of these special Wyver candy canes, and you will find yourself craving a certain something. You have, in short, either been inflicted with an impossible to ignore oral fixation, or oddly willingly to indulge in someone else's. We don't have to go into anymore detail here, do we? You get the picture. Please warn threads appropriately for adult content. C. TEAM REPRESENTATION — As you entered the festivities, Wyver and Olympian volunteers alike will have accosted you and demanded you pick out a pin; a small, elegant ribbon in either white/gold for Olympia or red/black for Wyver. They want you, dear refugee, on their team! What does this "team sport" everyone is talking about entail? Basically proving that you're better than the other side in any way possible: while Wyver is the kingdom more interested in intense competition, even the Olympians are getting into the competitive spirit tonight. When you see someone sporting a ribbon in the opposite color, you'll be encouraged to challenge them—to whatever you can think of! If you look around, you might see some people engaging in drinking contests, dance competitions, displays of power... and even sillier things like fastest cookie decoration. Toward the end of the party, many people gather to hear about an event these volunteers have cooked up - an almost capture the flag-like game, where (if you decide to play) you'll be trying to steal the pins right off the other team's outfits. The more pins you have when the game is over, the more enticing goodie bag you'll get! If you have no pins when it's over, not even your own, don't worry... your goodie bag just won't be as cool as everyone else's. A NIGHT TO END THE YEAR     At the end of the night, most of the guests wander outside into the gardens, or into the balconies. All eyes are up to the skies. As your gaze falls upon Thesa, the sacred moon that you know to be your home space station, where you woke. It doesn't seem that the planetside is the only place that is celebrating. Up on Thesa, light begin to spill from the pores of station and then completely enveloping it. Slowly, the light dance across the skies in a slow waltz. Even the music from inside the hall have stopped, all to listen to Thesa. The natives will not have heard her as they might claim, but Darma, in conjunction with of all her Natha peers, are whispering in the wind, in an indescribable tune that you can't make out the words to, but you understand. During the light show, you will feel their gratitude that you are keeping your promise to them. They will assure you that they will hold true to their promise in the year to come. FINAL OOC NOTE     An AC-eligible thread for THREE (3) REP POINTS FOR EITHER WYVER OR OLYMPIA may be submitted from this log. SUBMIT THE THREAD HERE FOR WYVER OR HERE FOR OLYMPIA by JANUARY 6th 11:59 PM EST. We will no longer be providing overflow posts. In an event where the post hits CAPTCHA, players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals or create their own catch-all post. These threads remain eligible for AC, AC Rewards, and REP. QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● lore ● map ● npcs taken ● atp/emp ● application ● rep/acp calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[meinwaifu]

Now, now, there's no need for a sour face! [It might be a small frown, but Mephisto is used to demons, where a little frown could be a big mood.]

[He tugs on zaShunina's arms to pull him out onto the dance floor, directing him to rest one hand on his shoulder and hold his other -- while Mephisto rests a hand on his hip.]

Let's start with a simple waltz... just keep your eyes down and follow my lead.

[--is what he says, but as he takes a step, zaShunina will feel himself taking a step with him whether be intends to move or not. It's not quite as strong as being controlled, but there's definitely some force pushing and pulling at his body to encourage him to move in the proper way.]

[An easy method of teaching, or simply a manner of guaranteeing his feet don't get stepped on? Probably both.]

[fractaljesus]

[Though he does as instructed, his frown doesn't vanish. In fact it deepens when he feels his body moving in ways he isn't telling it to. Perhaps it would bother him less if the movements were more precise, but they're off my just a millisecond or two per beat. Perfect by human standards, but just imprecise enough to throw the Anisotoron off. It actually breaks through his usual stoic expression to give way to something akin to indignant.]

I am capable of following the rhythm. [He protests, fighting against the invisible force moving his body in an attempt to achieve mathematical precision with his movements... which only results in getting thrown off the beat even further when he overcompensates.

RIP, Mephisto's toes.]

[meinwaifu]

[You know, maybe someone else would feel bad, seeing that look on his face and knowing he caused it. But for Mephisto, there can be no greater joy than seeing how he's managed to make the unflappable sentient polygon actually look disgruntled.]

Oh? Are you so sure? But what point is there in following the rhythm if you don't-- [SHORT GRUNT AS FOOT IS TRAMPLED] --know what direction to go?

[That said, he's still not giving up control yet! This probably looks weird from an outsider's perspective...]

[fractaljesus]

[It's frustrating to suddenly be out of full control of his own body. Like a child who's just had the controller of a video game taken away by another player. He doesn't like this resistance to his movements, this feeling of loss of control. It's an anxious, impotent feeling, and that combination of emotions is something he's never felt before.

Had he any impetuousness in him, he might step on Mephisto's foot on purpose, but instead he settles for glaring at him with all the indignity of someone who's never been--well, not quite angry, but something close to it--before and doesn't know how to deal with it.

But as quickly as it comes, his expression fades back into impassivity, and he calms (though there's still a tiny bit of frustration smoldering in the back of his mind). His movements relax, and he allows the forces guiding his limbs to move his body.]

You are correct--this is more efficient method of instruction. [He admits, and though he is still mechanical in his motions, he's no longer fighting.]

[meinwaifu]

[Now that's a good look for him. Mephisto finds he likes that look on his face far more than he should, the grin on his own face growing more by the minute. It's almost a shame to see him collect himself so quickly, wondering now just what about it pissed him off so much -- and what he could do to bring that face out again.]

Ah, isn't it? Though I can assure you it's not nearly as fun as the real thing -- so pay close attention, and I might just let you lead the next song.

[fractaljesus]

[Mephisto doesn't have to know that zaShunina's had to all but disable a quadrant of his mind to put up with this now--because if he didn't, he'd still be fighting to move at that mathematically precise pace. Feel, don't think. It's against his nature, and the only way he can even manage it is to suspend a number of his mental processes.

But Mephisto doesn't have to know that.

zaShunina stares down at their feet, allowing his body to memorize the movements. It's... harder to do this with his "voices" shut off than otherwise, and so he pays careful attention, his fingers absently tightening on Mephisto's shoulder and hand.]

[meinwaifu]

[He'd be downright flattered if he knew he was getting to him this much, but for now, he'll settle on considering that tighter grip something of a victory.]

[He keeps it up until the end of the song, throwing in the occasional little spin and dip. As the song ends, he grants him back control of his own body -- though if he's not careful, he might just stumble against him if he's not balancing himself right.]

[But before he can say much, Mephisto reaches out to tilt up his chin with a gloved hand.]

Well, well, what do you say? Shall we try it for real now? I'll be expecting you to keep your eyes up here.

[fractaljesus]

[And he does stumble just a little, because releasing control of his body to that degree had lured the alien into complacency. Suddenly having to support his own movements again when some of his processes are still disabled nearly sends him crashing into the considerably taller man.]

I understand. [He nods without even the slightest flinch despite the proximity. It's difficult to intimidate someone using that method when the one you're attempting to intimidate has no sense of personal space to begin with.

Though it had taken him off-guard when he'd returned control to his body, it took no time at all for his mental processes to reinitialize. He takes a half-step back, red eyes locked onto his partner's, and when the first notes of the next song start up, zaShunina copies the motions Mephisto had shown him. Only this time, he takes the lead, mirroring Mephisto's own movements rather than the ones he'd manipulated his body into playing out.]

[meinwaifu]

[Likewise, Mephisto easily falls into step, allowing zaShu to lead. It wasn't his preference of course, but he didn't mind it, finding it fun to mix things up a bit. Though he's surprised how easily he actually managed to learn... was it because of what he was? He might have not even needed to use his powers at all!]

[...not that he'll admit that, because it's much more fun seeing him get pissy about it.]

My, you're a natural at this! Shall I teach you more? I happen to be something of an expert on the dances of Assiah, you know!

[...he's not really lying. He had to have had weird, obsessive interests before anime existed, right? Clearly dance was just his early idol phase!]

[fractaljesus]

[It might look comical to an outside observer for a towering man like Mephisto to be led by the considerably shorter boy, but if it does, zaShunina isn't aware of it. Though he follows the steps of the dance perfectly, there is a distinctly inhuman quality to his movements--too perfect, too precise, with no extraneous motions. No flow. He's mechanical in his steps, stilted, like each movement is a mathematical formula to arrive at the next step at precisely the right time as efficiently as possible.]

I like dancing. [He concludes, and it's not just the glitter talking. It's a form of communication, bound by rules yet open to creativity.] I would like to be taught more. What other dances are you familiar with?

[meinwaifu]

Oh, you'd like to try something else then? Well, seeing as this is the slow waltz -- why not try a Viennese waltz?

[He's going to do the thing again, easily taking control of zaShu's body so that he could perform the next step. Unlike the slow waltz, this one required much more careful movements due to the increased speed, and he's not about to let him lead for this, even if the steps are roughly the same.]

[But at the very least, he'll relinquish control much sooner than he did before, but he still continues to take the lead role.]

[fractaljesus]

[He's more prepared for it this time, but there's still a half-second of a jolt when Mephisto takes control of his body again. At least he's not getting upset this time. He relaxes into it and allows himself to be led in the faster steps, flawlessly transitioning to his own footwork when the magic wears off.

Again, his steps are stiff and calculated, but he's still hitting all of his marks on time.

And yet, the more he dances, the more he appears to be getting... tired? That's certainly a sensation he's never experienced before.]

Something appears to be wrong with my body. [He frowns, but continues his steps regardless of the creeping fatigue making its way through his limbs.]

[meinwaifu]

What's this? Getting tired already?

[How surprising... just how did this body of his work? Was it a real human body? But the arm thing, hnn...]

If you've never danced before, you must be working out an entirely new set of muscles... shall we sit the next song out? I'd hate to wear you down just as we're getting started.

[fractaljesus]

Tired? [It's as if the idea hadn't even occurred to him before.

Tired. Yes, this did fit the profile of such a state. His pulse is elevated, his muscles sore with increased levels of lactic acid. He's never experienced this level of physical exertion before--his body isn't used to it.]

Yes, I believe I am tired. [Yet he sounds so self-satisfied with this conclusion, as if proud he's found the answer to a question that's been puzzling him.] I would like to rest, yes.

Your body is more accustomed to physical exertion than my own.

[meinwaifu]

In a manner of speaking... but are you telling me you haven't felt tired once since you've arrived here? And for that matter -- do you even need sleep?

[Cause man, he'd be kinda jealous of his lack of epic eyebags if that were the case.]

[But in the meantime, yes, let's get back to find a table or a nice archway to lean against... which may or may not have some mistletoe hanging overhead.]

[fractaljesus]

[zaShunina shakes his head to the negative, but his smile remains in place. He's enjoying this new experience of 'being tired.' But yes, here is a nice spot of wall, and look, there's even a convenient chair. zaShunina's going to help himself to that.

Whether there's mistletoe hanging above them or not, the anisotron pays no attention.]

This body has not had much exposure to physical activity. [In other words, he's out of shape.] In terms of information, it is fully human. However, for the sake of efficiency, it does not require the same upkeep as a standard human body. A number of functions such as eating, drinking and sleep, for example, are unnecessary, though I can perform these functions if I choose.

[meinwaifu]

[Excuse him while he gets terrible ideas about potential uses of a body like that--]

Fascinating! Just how did you acquire a body like that in the first place? [And don't mind Mephisto suddenly feeling inclined to intrude on the alien's personal space, tilting up his head to look at him -- almost as if inspecting him.]

[But really, this has far more to do with the berry mistletoe hanging overhead than anything else.]

[fractaljesus]

[He doesn't mind at all! It helps when neither party has much of a concept of personal space to begin with.]

I created this body using information scanned upon first contact with humanity. [When Shindo Kojiro first touched Kado, allowing the device to read his DNA.

zaShunina stares up at him unblinkingly, and though he finds it somewhat uncomfortable to crane his neck back that far, he endures it without complaint. ...And that's when his eyes are drawn past Mephisto's head to a sprig of green hanging from the archway above them.

Oh. Well, surely that's nothing important. It certainly has nothing to do with how warm Mephisto's fingers feel beneath his chin.]

Are you interested in it?

[And yet the innuendo was completely unintentional.]

[meinwaifu]

[ Continued here! ]