- « INTRO ⇢ WINTERBALL.EXE » OVERFLOW

[poised]

Who: everyone, literally everyone
When: ooc: 04/25-04/26; ic: 12/26
Where: the Gardens
What: overflow of intro log + winter ball!
Rating/Warning: PG-13 | possibly nsfw (please let me know if you need this rating changed, or you are welcome to continue any naughty shenanigans in a private log)

//winterball.EXE Pimp My Party -- Royalty Style A few weeks prior to December 26th, an invitation went out to all whom already reside in Cerealia. In delicate, curling script, it read: You are cordially invited by Natalia L.K. Lanvaldear to a Winter Ball to be held on the Eve of December 26th in the Gardens. Dress in your best attire and enjoy a magical evening of dance and fine cuisine. What do you mean we should fuss about worlds being destroyed? Get into the holiday spirit, you scrooge! And in regards to the new-comers: whether you have been wandering Cerealia over the course of the past few days and managed to receive one of the later waves of invitations or have simply suddenly appeared in the gardens with nothing but the (hopefully…. appropriate….) clothes on your back, welcome. The gardens have been transformed through the work of slave labor condoned by royalty incredibly talented volunteers. A buffet line possibly a mile long, a sprawling dance floor with temporary wood placement to cover the grass, a lovely orchestra with scheduled interruptions of magic shows on the stage, and the entire thing lit gently with lights stretch the span of the main area of the garden. Not too far off, there are ponds and pathways that take you elsewhere into the foliage, but why would you go that way? The party’s right here! "Good evening, everyone!! Whether you are new to Tellus or old, I hope to find you in good spirits. Mind you, I do not intend to ignore the blunders of CERES nor the grave situation that new-comers have found themselves faced with. However I assure you that at this time, surrounded by these people, you are in good company. Please, dine and be merry - I believe some worlds celebrated a holiday yesterday! Get to know one another so we may strengthen our ties and stand firm against whatever this world may throw against us! Also try the salmon, it's absolutely divine. . . . How do I turn this off...? Should I just walk away?"

//SCENARIOS.EXE PHASE I [ xxxx ] Like any respectable ball, your entrance is announced as you walk right into the party! What do you mean you wanted to slip in unnoticed? That simply won’t do. Natalia managed to rope in someone – is that a Tellus native? – to do the honor of acknowledging your character as they make their debut to the ball. This guy is under strict orders to not miss a single soul. If your character doesn’t give him a name and title ahead of time, then he’ll just make something up. Think along the lines of Broseidon McSnootyname, Duke of Erectile Dysfunction-- What do you mean that’s not your name? PHASE II [ xxxx ] Absolutely no expense was spared when it came to making sure that the food here was the best that money could buy (or threats could extort). Guests can select from a menagerie of main dishes from all sorts of cultures, adorable desserts that look like woodland creatures alongside towering cakes, and even those fruity drinks with the little umbrellas on them. Pig out, you animals – but there’s also a wide selection of fine wine if your tastes and curiosities wander off in that direction…. What even is the drinking age in Tellus? Remember, folks, drink (ir)responsibly. PHASE III [ xxxx ] Well, it is a ball. If you’re interested in proper, classical styles of dance, there’s certainly an orchestra that’s dominating most of the night. One of their songs may or may not sound familiar. Spin around in your flurry of skirts and do the fairy tale thing if that’s what you came here for. Romance, or whatever. Waltz your heart out and don’t forget to point your toes! … that said, there’s also a separate sound system not too far, prepared in case the orchestra might want a break. It’s also not being watched too closely. Maybe put on something to liven up the dance floor? Or did someone ruin your fantasy by putting on something unbearably inappropriate? PHASE IV [ xxxx ] The gardens really are beautiful. Spread throughout the area and more toward the outskirts of the party, there are plenty of beautiful fountains with glittering, crystal clear water. In fact, it’s so clear that you can spot the occasional alien life form flitting through it amidst the lily pads and gently sweeping foliage. It’s so graceful, what beauty! Look at how it rises to the water and gently opens its mouth into a yawn and—tries to chomp anything within range right off with razor sharp teeth what the fuck, whatthefuck. It would appear that's not all, though. Whether you're ready to fight the creature or run screaming, you feel something slowly slide and curl around your arm or your ankle. Look on in horror as you turn your head and realize that it seems that the nearby tree has grown rather fond of you very quickly, to the extent that it will reach out and lovingly wrap its hentai tentacles around you.... Brings a whole 'nother meaning to 'tree hugger', doesn't it? BONUS [ whyo'clock ] Are you lost? Did you try to catch your breath away from the party and start to wander off despite all the cautioning not to? Or maybe you were trying to leave and took a wrong turn? Either way, you seem to have only found yourself deeper in the gardens now. Try not to breathe too deeply or… at all. If you can’t manage that though, it appears that you’ve stumbled upon the hallucinogenic plants of the garden. You start to see things that aren’t there – though whether you suddenly find yourself in a den of cougars lions or think that the person standing next to you is the biggest, cuddliest pile of adorable puppies in the world depends on the person. Hope you have a good trip, bruh. [ Remember to apply proper warnings on threads with trigger-y or inappropriate material and do let me know (through FAQ comment or PM preferably!) if your thread careens off into maiming or canoodling so I can lock the log. ]

//RUN.EXE Welcome to CEREALIA's latest intro post overflow! It's a bit early but just to make sure the transition for everyone over here was captcha-free. This one is player-run and all the basics have been laid out for you here. Absolutely feel free to come up with your own prompts and post new intros! For your convenience, I whole-heartedly welcome questions and inquiries being directed to my attention here and I'll answer them to the best of my ability! Have a ball! Enjoy!!

Comments

Sousei

[allfortheclan]

[ From here!

Shirasu watches the Yamainu captain warily as he returns; as much as Sousei doesn't trust Shirasu, the feeling is mutual, even if he will grudgingly allow Sousei seems to have integrity. They're alone, and the slightest change in sword angle would be enough to do damage to more than just vines.

But as the bonds loosen and he begins to fall, Shirasu tucks his head and body as best he can to cushion himself from the impact. He climbs to his feet, untangling himself from the remaining vines. And with his pride already smarting, he swallows the rest down. ]

Thank you. [ Ugh. ]

[deontology]

[... He really didn't do it to make Shirasu swallow his pride, and quite honestly, he doesn't get any joy from that thanks either. It just makes them both miserable, and so--]

Don't thank me.

[Not for this, not for anything. And with that handled, he sheathes his sword, turning again on his heel.]

I'm finished here.

[allfortheclan]

[ Sigh. He'd actually really like to set the fines on fire, but an existing source isn't close enough and he doesn't like using the skill he has. So instead, he just kicks them out of his path and moves to retrieve his kunai. ]

How is your research going?

[deontology]

[He freezes.

Honestly? The answer is: not well. He's done the research, continues to, and he's learning so much from the people around, but...

It hasn't been as promising as he would like.

And then, without looking over his shoulder.]

That is still none of your concern.

[allfortheclan]

[ Pulls one blade out of a vine, and then moves for another which is sticking out of the... thing that had attacked from the water. ]

As much as you'd like to pretend otherwise, I think you know it is.

[ Wipes some slime from the creature off on a patch of grass. ]

[deontology]

[For a moment, there is silence, like wavering on the edge of a precipice, uncertain if there will be a fall or not. He doesn't move, he doesn't breathe, for that moment there is only silence.

And then Sousei draws in a slow breath, turns abruptly back to face Shirasu, and narrows his eyes, hands balled into fists, all angry energy.]

No, it is not. You think that because you wish it to be, it should be so? You're naive, selfish, and wrong.

[Sousei knows Shirasu still cares about Tenka. It's obvious in everything he does. But as far as he's concerned--]

I don't care what you think. I don't care how much you think you deserve a place in Tenka's life. This situation stems from your own blood-covered blade, and you did not stop there. You murdered Tenka's parents, you were willing to allow Chuutarou and Soramaru to be harmed or worse, and you have done nothing but cause harm.

[He stops a few small paces from Shirasu, but it's through sheer force of will; if not for that promise to Tenka, he would've already been trying to grab Shirasu's collar. But he keeps a hold of himself, words sharp, but calm.]

I am tired of your delusional insistence that you have a place here, with him.

You do not deserve one. Never for a moment believe that you do. And this situation is none of your concern.

[allfortheclan]

[ Shirasu sets his jaw, keeping his expression blank at Sousei's tirade. That part is easy. What's more difficult is keeping his hand from tightening on the hilt of his kunai when the other man gets close. ]

I've never denied what I've done, Yamainu. You don't find my reasons acceptable, and I really don't care.

[ With an effort, he puts his weapons away. ] But whatever place I have in Tenka's life was given by Tenka. I didn't ask for it. [ Tenka more or less insisted on it. And he knows the role is much, much more limited. He doesn't live with or even near the eldest Kumou brother. He knows now that Tenka's keeping things from him; their interactions are limited to weekly, most of the time.

It's less than what he wants, deep down. And well more than what he should have. ] I'm not blind enough to reject a gift a second time. [ Much to Sousei and his own twin's discomfort, it seems. ]

If your principles are going to keep you from using a tool at your disposal, then you are a fool.

[deontology]

[A fool? He's a fool for not using Shirasu as a tool at his disposal? That's nonsense, and it doesn't bother Sousei at all to hear that. Rather, his eyes narrow.]

You are asking for more right now. If you truly cannot see it, then you are delusional.

[And maybe Shirasu is delusional; Sousei doesn't know. You may have to be delusional to be able to think summoning the Orochi is a good idea. But even if he is delusion, Sousei is not letting it go.

He's tired of letting Shirasu pretend as if there's nothing wrong.]

Your insistence that you deserve to know about this situation is asking for it. Every time you go to Tenka, you are asking for more that you not only do not deserve, but that you should not have!

[Giving someone gifts, which Tenka did not ask for, is attempting to have more. Trying to ask about his medical issues, even if to help, is asking for more. And as far as Sousei's concerned, that's unacceptable.]

Content yourself with what Tenka has given you. [A scoff, dismissive.] It is already too much.