- « 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

[journaler]

↩

[Leia's finally starting to hesitate and doubt herself, though what she sees doesn't change.]

It is. It is!

[She stares at her feet, and then starts to look around again, her heart beating fast. It's almost like a swamp now.]

[niceguypose]

L-Leia-san... Please calm down! This is all in your head! It is... an illusion!

[journaler]

But it can't be...

[Leia reaches down to run her hands through the water, and she gets dirt instead. She gasps, pulling her hand back when it transforms into something else entirely.]

[niceguypose]

[He leans over in concern.]

A-are you alright?

[journaler]

[The floor lights up in vibrant orange and red--lava. Her eyes widen, but... this is probably when she's doubting her sight the most. There's no way she could actually survive standing in lava, right?

She's played "the floor is lava" as a child, but this is...]

Sorry. I don't think I like this part of the garden anymore.

[niceguypose]

N-no? Ah... We can go to a different part! I can escort you if you'd like!

[He is now trying to go in the direction that Leia came from...]

[journaler]

... Yeah. Let's get back to the party.

[There's a sad attempt at a smile.]

[niceguypose]

Yes. Everything will be alright, Leia-san! I... I wanted to thank you for your performance, too!

[journaler]

That's right! [She perks up immediately, remembering.] You got so crowded I never got to come say hi.

You liked it, right?

[niceguypose]

I loved it!! [He places a hand over his heart.] Leia-san, I was touched, to the bottom of my heart! You all did so great! I can't believe that it was all for me...!

[journaler]

[Leia giggles. She can't help but glance back when she hears a faint, familiar laugh from behind to match hers. She spots a girl at the source, with flowing long white hair--someone important, someone who makes her stop.

The further they walk, though, the further away she seems, and even the lava below her starts to fade away into nothing.

...She looks forward again, placing a hand on Lee's shoulder.]

We all practiced really hard. Honestly, I'm relieved it went so well... though I never really had any doubts.

[Hindsight is 20/20, etc]

[niceguypose]

[Lee had looked around in concern when Leia seemed distracted by something. He was ready to try to see what he could do to help her, but then she seemed fine as they kept moving forward.

Once her hand was on his shoulder, he moved carefully, in case she needed support.]

Hard work! Ah... You truly knew what I appreciated most in a gift! Hard work and strong faith in one's abilities! And it all paid off so well, Leia-san!!

[journaler]

[She's laughing again. Now she feels bashful and embarrassed!]

Just don't forget to thank Rin! Remember, it was aaall her idea.

[niceguypose]

[Lee gives a chipper smile.]

Ah... Rin-san is such a kind friend! I will be sure to thank her as well when I find her! Don't you worry, Leia-san!

[journaler]

Of course I won't. I know you.

[He'll find her no matter what. She's definitely a lot more like herself.]

Anyway, I'm glad. That was my first time singing in front of anyone. I was way out of my element.

[niceguypose]

[He gives her a chipper smile.]

You were? Ah... But you sounded like a natural! [Lee you couldn't have clearly singled out her voice amongst the choir.] Have you sung in private in the past?

[journaler]

Nope!

[She laughs again at that. Deep inside, she knows he can't have possibly singled out her voice--but she'll take the compliment regardless.]

--Oh, wait. Sometimes I sing in the shower, if I'm in a really good mood.

[Totally counts.]

[niceguypose]

Ooohh, interesting! I have never tried that before, but I will be sure to sometime! I'm glad to be learning a lot about music!

[journaler]

You had music at home too, though, didn't you? Don't you have anything in particular that you like?

Like, maybe the really fast songs that get you all pumped up?

[niceguypose]

Ah... There is music at home, but truthfully, I have not listened to it very much. I realize now how much I have been missing out!!

In fact, that is how this all began. One of the wishes I asked for on the Secretive Santa was for great music to listen to. That choir you were in... that must be how Rin-san chose to grant this wish. I'm learning a lot!

[journaler]

Ohh, that makes sense! This orchestra is doing really well tonight, too... so I think you're just a winner all around.

[She nudges him teasingly with a wink.

It feels good--to know that she's not just seeing things. Rock Lee is really there.]

[niceguypose]

[Plot twist Lee isn't real, she's actually been talking to a stack of puppies the whole time]

Th-thank you! [He says, a little embarrassed.] I truly feel like a winner, Leia-san! Everyone has just been... so nice!!

[journaler]

It's true! Even some of the newbies who couldn't dress up...

[ Some of them have been getting into the spirit, at least. Some. ]

Did you get to dance with anyone, by the way?

[niceguypose]

[He nods.]

I've danced with a few people so far, Leia-san. It seems that my special dance training has definitely been paying off! What about you?

[journaler]

I've made it my personal mission to dance with as many people I can! But... I ran out of dance partners when the orchestra took their break, so... I wandered off.

[ Hence--hallucinogenic plants. ]