//CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT?

[cannonades]

Who: Everyone! ... who glitches into this wonderful night, anyway.
When: OOC: 1/4 ; IC: 5/2
Where: Just your ordinary, adventurous ViViD level. Right? Of course.
What: You saw a flyer go out, a nice little promotion declaring that anyone who signed into ViViD today at a specific time would be awarded 500 credits. You thought that sounded nice, so you decided to log in for a quick game, thinking it would be no big deal. You absolutely did not get what you bargained for.
Rating/Warning: Let’s say PG for now. If this changes, please say so in the header of your thread and let Pip or Xan know so we can change the rating!

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//CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT?

You've seen the flyer. Or maybe you haven't. Whatever your reasons may be, you've decided to log onto ViViD today at around 6 PM. At first, all seems normal as the game loads, and you prepare to start on what should be an average adventure. Maybe you'll do a little fighting, or some exploring, or even a little platforming. Either way, there shouldn't be anything unusual about this. Right? You couldn't have been more wrong. The moment you log in, something goes strange. The game glitches around you, whatever world that started to load seizing up and freezing with static, warping with strange colors. And then a different setting loads smoothly like nothing ever happened. The first thing you notice is that it's sprawling and beautiful, if not a little ostentatious. Should your curiosity draw you from the courtyard you've arrived in through the great double doors, you'll arrive in... ... a ballroom. Welcome to prom.

//SCENARIOS.EXE

PHASE I [ 600 ] There are tables scattered around the periphery of the room, and a DJ, somewhat out of place in this beautiful setting, is stationed at the back, spinning out tunes to help you get settled into the start of the night. On the scattered tables are... punch bowls? They look tantalizing, and they come in quite a rainbow of colors. Should you be brave enough to take a sip, you'll find interesting things will happen. Drink the red punch, and you'll end up in rococo fashion. Drink the pale champagne-colored punch, and you'll find yourself sporting elegant regency attire. How about that cool blue punch? You'll step right into the roaring 20's. What about that dayglo orange punch over there? How about some far out 80's, man? That futuristic purple punch will suit you up in Tron style. And then there's one last punch bowl on a lonely table in the corner. No one can quite identify that color. Is that ... brown? Brave this punch bowl and you'll be, uh ... richly rewarded with modern-day fashions. Will you step up and test these refreshments, for science? Or will you be the first onto the dance floor, or to make an insane request of the DJ? Last but not least, certain Cerealians who glitch into the level may find they have a specific corsage attached that they cannot remove! If they stick around long enough, they'll find one other lucky soul with a matching corsage. This is your ViViD assigned date! No one is going to force you two to dance... but you might find that the longer you put off dancing, the tighter that corsage gets around your wrist, or the more it begins to prick your chest, depending on its location. Might want to rethink your position... Dates: Shijima Kurookano & Himeko Inaba Trucy Wright & Enomoto "Ene" Takane Adelina & Rock Lee Byakuya Togami & Lailah Archer & Touka Kirishima Sakuya Le Bel Shirogane & Maya Fey Leon Kuwata & Alisha Diphda PHASE II [ 730 ] So you're here. Whether out of curiosity or you've resigned yourself to the strange festivities, you're in. Maybe you've been wallflowering it up for a while, even with the cool kickin music playing. Whatever the case may be, the DJ announces themselves (DJ Slim Shaydee, not to be confused with that knock off from Earth). You're welcomed in an enthusiastic manner. Also hey, if you're near a table, see those cute placards? Yeah the ones in the center pieces mixed in with the bowl of candy and flowers. You'll notice they have a neatly typed out list— DJ Slim Shaydee says whoever fulfills the criteria on the list will be crowned Prom Royalty. Who doesn't want that??? Successfully complete a slow dance Do the cha cha slide OR do the electric slide without messing up the turn Make out in the rose garden out back Have a dramatic fight with a close friend and storm out (you may come back after) Comfort a crying friend in the bathroom If you're a minor, accidentally get drunk Successfully spike every punch bowl within a 20 minute time limit Confess romantic feelings to the object of your affections To truly kick it off or maybe give those ambitious types a head start, DJ Slim is gonna play you (yes all of you) a group dance! Hope you know the moves to the Cha Cha Slide. If not, don't worry, the song will tell you every step. Oh and one more thing — anyone who fulfills an item on the list will get a confetti surprise. What does this mean? It means a golden, multi-faceted little ball will spontaneously appear over your head out of nowhere soon after you fulfill a condition, hovering for a moment before it explodes into a shower of confetti. Enjoy! PHASE III [ 900 ] Whew. All these fast paced songs sure have you tired out, right? Maybe take a sip from the many punch bowls around the room if you haven't tested them out yet. Or try your hand at fulfilling another portion of that list from earlier—by spiking the punch. Better work fast though, the bowls themselves refresh fairly quickly once they sense contamination. See how many you can get in one go! Or if you're not a dirty prankster, see how many people you can catch spiking those dang bowls. While you're doing that, the DJ seems to want to wind down the energy in the room. That means, you guessed it: time for that coveted slow dance. As the first chords of the song play, the doors to the garden veranda and hedge maze open. How romantic. PHASE IV [ 1000 ] It's the end of the night, and maybe you've been trying your best to satisfy all those win conditions. Or maybe you haven't! Either way, it's clear from the mood in the air that the time is drawing near for the announcement of the Prom Royalty. The DJ brings the lights low, and spotlights hit his stand. He brings a mic to his mouth, and announces grimly that there will be no Prom Royalty. Apparently, no one satisfied enough of the win conditions! How can that be? Surely someone tried! Well, whatever happened, the DJ isn't happy, and the lights in the room will come back up. The DJ will mess with some of the equipment at his station, and all across the room, small panels will open up near the ceiling. Pouring out will come ... balloons? And not just any balloons - they're water balloons, and not only are they somehow floating, they're coming straight for you. How are they flying? We just don't know. If they come in contact with you, they'll frizz your perfect prom hair. Worse, if you apply even the mildest force to them, they'll immediately pop and drench you in freezing cold water, leaving you drenched. The ballroom quickly fills with these angry little balloons, threatening to flood the room completely if too many of them pop. Will you flee and save yourself? Try to save your friends? Try to reason with the DJ and stop the balloon menace? No matter what you do, you'd better work fast. The floor is already getting dangerously wet... BONUS [ hour ??? ] Remember that garden maze? From a certain point of the evening on, prom guests have been free to wander through as they please. They're beautiful, a rose maze by day that looks even more breathtaking at night with fairy lights glittering and winking in between all the flowers and leaves. Maybe you wandered out there to get away from the craziness in the party. Perhaps you want to be a true wallflower. But should you explore this maze with another at your side, you'll find it a pleasant enough trip, and if you manage to make it all the way to the center of the maze, you'll discover a secluded little gazebo that seems like it was placed there just for you. Go in alone, though, and the maze seems like a completely different place. The fairy lights will be dimmer, less pleasant. You'll hear a rustling too loud to just be the wind. What was that sound? Turn around, and nothing is there. Too late you'll realize that the maze itself is alive, and has been watching you this entire time. It doesn't like lone wanderers. Better run fast or find a way to get out of the plant's clutches before you really become veggie. However, if you get caught, you'll be trapped by the sentient vines that shoot out from the walls and bound to the side of the maze until another lone explorer finds you. At this point the vines will reach out and snap up that unlucky soul, too, wrapping you both up in a not-so-tender embrace. You'll both be stuck there until you can do whatever it is the maze wants that will convince it to set you free. What is that? Well, it does seem to be fond of lovers... and public displays of affection.

Comments

[a_meebo]

Phase II/III: Yeah, I wanna dance with somebody! With somebody who loves me!

[Mikleo's going to just chill over on the outskirts of the dance floor after arriving here with Sorey. He's also going to avoid those punch bowls. After the fish incident in his first ViViD level, he just doesn't trust the food and drinks in this damn game.

Besides, he looks dressy enough. Right?

Also, what the hell is a prom??? Mikleo gets it's a dance party, but it's definitely not...what he expects. Though, he's not exactly sure what he expected in the first place, other than not this. Someone get this guy to dance or talk to someone, Five Lords above.]

Bonus: Got me feeling like I'm fallin' in love! (Closed to Sorey)

[Well, Mikleo thought he'd go outside to get some fresh air. He can deal with any cold temperature, but the hotter temperatures tend to wear him out pretty fast. The woes of being a water seraph and not a fire seraph.

Unfortunately, he's going into the rose maze alone. The maze doesn't like this one bit, which the water seraph will soon find out. For now, he's suspicious of all the noises around him and how...less pleasant the fairy lights seem to be right now. By the time Mikleo decides to leave, it's too late. The vines lash out and ensnare him before he can even take out his staff. He struggles against them, but they're tight and unwilling to let him go.]

Oh, come on!

[Mikleo is so annoyed right now it's not even funny.]

Phase II bc there's not enough of you in my inbox

[zerotohiro]

[Mikleo. Buddy. Even Baymax is out on the dance floor so obviously everybody else should be. Okay maybe not seeing how Hiro's busy hanging out on the sidelines, too. He'd taken a chance in trying the champagne-colored punch (maybe hoping that it was champagne to put him out of his misery) and instead wound up in yet another outfit (tan pants and black knee-high boots included.)

But at least he knows enough people here that this isn't too awkward and so he approaches, flopping back against whatever wall space he can find before glancing up at Mikleo.]

Seraphs don't usually have these kind of parties, do they?

Never enough Ty in mine, either

[a_meebo]

[See, Hiro gets him. Dancing is obviously for losers. Obviously.

At his question, he tilts his head.]

Mm, not like this. Some seraphim might watch parties like this. In Elysia, if we got together for dancing and singing, then it usually wasn't this formal. Do humans from your world do this often?

[zerotohiro]

Usually not this formal either in our world. [He thinks, anyway.] I mean we have prom in high school and stuff and there're other dances and parties. And royalty tend to have big galas or whatever, too, but I've never been to one of those either. I think anybody can really hold a party like this if they wanted to so kinda depends on what you'd consider often.

[There's a sigh.] This wasn't really what I had in mind for my night though.

[a_meebo]

[Huh. Interesting. Still, he looks a little amused by Hiro's last statement.]

Seems like a good way to unwind. Although, I hardly know any of the songs they're playing. [And he's absolutely going to be extremely picky about who he'll let dance with him anyway.] I have to admit that the person playing the songs is...odd, but I think I'm overall okay with the atmosphere they're trying to go for.

[After his discussion with Sorey last night, Mikleo's really okay with something that'll let the both of them be distracted and have a little bit of cheer.]

phase iii. the first of two very interesting threads here

[unwaverings]

[ Unlike Mikleo, Sorey's taken a chance at the snacks here thanks to everyone else doing it and proving it's safe. And he might as well. He's never had an experience like this — he feels like some sort of royalty at a special party. Is this the kind of stuff Alisha attends? He's sure it has to be. And whether it was a conscious or subconscious decision to pick the blue punch, of all the punches, to drink, he's now sporting an attractive white suit instead of his normal attire. He looks pretty damn snazzy.

But really. This whole place is exciting (and a great distraction from his thoughts) and now that he's spent a sufficient amount of time twirling in circles to get a good look at the place and probably bumping into a couple people because he's so distracted, he's now heading over to Mikleo. He can't very well maximize his fun time here without his best friend, right? ]

Hey, Mikleo! Don't you wanna go out and have some fun?

jfc sorey.

[a_meebo]

[See, this is precisely why he's not drinking the punch. Because the moment he sets eyes on Sorey, he knows that he most likely would've ended up in something not quite as nice as what his friend's wearing. Stupid game's out to humiliate Mikleo.

Still, Mikleo raises an eyebrow at Sorey's question.]

Do you see me trying to waltz with someone I don't know? I'll pass, thanks. [He pauses for a second, though.] Nice suit. I'm surprised you clean up nicely.

what!!

[unwaverings]

[ —Wow. He pouts at that! ]

Hey, what's that supposed to mean? [ HMPH. He thinks he looks pretty good all the time. Not that he really pays much attention. But shhhh, it's still not nice to be mean, Mikleo.

Crossing his arms. ] That mean you don't wanna dance with me, either?

[ He was totally up for trying to dance with him. He wants to help him have fun, after all! ]

you know what!!!

[a_meebo]

It means you exceeded my expectations. [Which...honestly are pretty high already.

Still! Mikleo is going to step closer to fuss with Sorey's new outfit, straightening it and such. It's totally not an excuse to try hiding the fact that he's blushing slightly at the question.]

Please. It's not like I was going to say no to you.

[Since a) they both need it to get their minds off things and b) he's...really been hoping that Sorey will ask. Not that Mikleo will admit it.]

bonus. AND NOW FOR THE SECOND VERY INTERESTING THREAD

[unwaverings]

[ Sorey separates from Mikleo for a while, letting him go out for his fresh air. But after he's gone for a little while longer than Sorey might expect, he grows a tad bit concerned. This is ViViD after all, and who knows what can happen here? Besides, he doesn't feel right leaving Mikleo alone so much here, considering what they've been through recently. He wants to be together with him some more.

So he heads out to the rose maze in search of him, and ... doesn't quite find him in a good situation. He was right to feel concern, it seems. His Mikleo senses must've been tingling.

But the moment he recognizes him trapped in those vines, he rushes towards him. ] Mikleo! What happened?!

[ But before he can even get close enough to him to attempt to pull the vines off him, he's getting caught up in them himself and pulled towards Mikleo anyway. A-At least he's not being pulled away from him? Still, he doesn't appreciate being bound by vines in the first place, so. ] Wh — h-hey! Let go!

SHRIEKS

[a_meebo]

[Sorey is absolutely right to be concerned. Mikleo wants to set these plants on fire right about now.

He's about to warn his friend to turn the hell around or at least that the maze is alive, but it's too late. The seraph sighs. Why this? He'd thought this place was safe enough, as he'd seen couples go inside without being harassed like this.]

That happened. [His tone is deadpan and may remind him of Edna.] I don't think the vines are going to let us go just by ordering them. Honestly, I didn't think the maze would be like this when I'd seen couples go through here unharmed.

[Couples...hm. That's getting the gears in his mind turning, especially since the plants practically have the both of them glued together and aren't letting go until something happens. Mikleo's just not quite sure what they want from the pair.]

SHRIEKS WITH U

[unwaverings]

[ Well ... Sorey's kind of too distracted by the vines to really pay attention to what any of this means. He hears Mikleo, sure, but is he thinking that much on what he's saying? Nope! Sorry, Meebo.

This is rather uncomfortable, though. Not only can he not move, but he's being shoved up against his best friend? W-Weird.

Grunting, as he tries to reach for his sword fruitlessly. ]

Gah, if I could just reach my sword — I could cut us free —

[ It may be a ceremonial sword, but it can at least cut through some vines. Unfortunately, however, the arm closest to it is glued to his side a la vine. So that's not really an option. But Mikleo can enjoy all his struggling againt him to try and reach the sword. ]

[a_meebo]

[He swears to Maotelus. If anything, Sorey's struggles are only making the situation worse. Mikleo's given up on it for the time being, especially since he hasn't been able to freeze the damn things with his magic, either.

The water seraph lightly kicks his friend's shin to get his attention.]

Sorey, that's not going to work. The vines probably want us to do something before they release us.

[Mikleo sighs and doesn't say anything for a beat. Then, he looks away, embarrassed. This place is dealing with couples. So. Maybe they have to do something only couples do. But therein lies the rub. While Mikleo has no doubts that what the both of them is mutual in every respect, he's...also fairly sure that it's something that maybe they should talk about. Perhaps especially now that they both have the time for such discussions.]

There's...something we should probably talk about. Since we're stuck until we can figure this out. [This shouldn't be so damn embarrassing, dear sweet Amenoch.] Inaba sent me a message yesterday. She mentioned that she had a discussion with you about our relationship?

[That's. A good opening. Right????]

Phase II

[onerous]

[She's avoided the punch bowls so far, so her shrine maiden robes in ViViD remain untouched. Not that it matters since she's clinging to the wall herself and it's hard to not notice Mikleo there. He stands out a little.]

Mikleo-san. [She remembers him, of course, and there's a measure of relief to her tone. Someone sane!!]

You got dragged into this too?

[a_meebo]

[He stands out like a sore thumb, honestly. Not even Mikleo can deny that. Good thing he's normally invisible, though, right?

The seraph turns at his name and smiles at Yuri. He remembers her, and boy is he going to appreciate someone sane right about now.]

Hello, Yuri. [At her question, Mikleo sighs a little.] Yeah. Sorey and I came here to see about getting some training in. Although, I don't think he minds that it's a party instead.

[onerous]

It figures the offer was a little too good to be true. [She tilts her head and looks out at the people, eyeing a few moving around whose crazy new clothes catch her eye.]

I guess you could consider this some kind of training? [She tries to be optimistic and shrugs apologetically] Do you not like parties?

[ceded]

Mikleo!

[ Moooooooom why are you hiding out over heeeeeere

Unlike certain other sourpusses (Hiro), Xion seems pretty happy to be here. She's having a lot of fun! Especially now that she's taken off her god awful shoes. She's still wearing this, she's just going barefoot and seems much happier for it.

Hence why she's all sunshine as she trots up to her friend. ]

What are you doing over here? You should come dance! Have you ever danced before? It's so much fun!

[ Says the girl who never danced before tonight. She's a little flushed in the face, obviously from said dancing. ]

[a_meebo]

[Because your mom is a shy baby in these situations.

He turns at Xion's voice and smiles at her warmly. Mikleo's always happy to see her, especially when she's having fun.]

Hello, Xion.

[Her excitement and sunshine is more than enough to melt the grump from him, at least. Mikleo looks a little embarrassed.]

Mostly informally with the other villagers of Elysia, but I know some ballroom dances, too. Even then, I didn't dance much.

[The most wallflower of the wallflowers.]

[ceded]

[ Unabashed, and grinning, Xion will reach out to take one of his hands in a gentle attempt to draw him away from the wall. ]

I've never danced at all before tonight. It's hard, and I don't think I'm very good at it, but... I'm having a lot of fun. Are you sure you don't want to come?

because i'm horrible sorry not really

[dereban]

[ While parties aren't exactly Inaba's aesthetic, she's sick and tired of just being a wallflower and being upset about things, because while, yes, she is upset, that doesn't mean that she can stay that way... which is why when she spots the face of a very familiar seraph, she can't help but grin.

This is her chance to troll, live an in person. He can't avoid being embarrassed today, no way.

Of course she's wearing a three piece suit because of course she is and besides, it only made things easier for the corsage on her chest to almost kill her, but she's over it for the most part. ]

So, Mikleo, you did bring your boyfriend with you to the prom, right?

jfdsklahkfeja

[a_meebo]

[Mikleo knows she's trouble the minute she walks over.

He plays it cautiously.]

Sorey's here, yes. We came into the ViViD level together, although I didn't expect it to be a dance party.

do you regret everything yet

[dereban]

[ Mikleo, you should be glad that the appropriate song isn't playing when she walks on over, because that... would have been pretty funny, actually. ]

Yeah, I didn't either. I saw the flyers and was a little suspicious, so I decided to investigate. I've never been to a prom before myself since they're not really things in Japan. Did you know that during parties like this, when they start playing a slow song, you have to grab a partner? And it has to be someone you really like. [ What a shit. ]

slips in late with starbucks.

[patrimony]

[ Alisha's already tried some of the punch. As a result, she's found herself in her own gown. She can't say it suits her, but she doesn't dislike it at all, either.

When she spots Mikleo, she quickens her pace, approaching him. ] Lord Mikleo! [ When she stops, she looks around, a more confused expression spreading on her face. ] Is Sorey not with you?

[ She had thought that Sorey and Mikleo would come here together. ]

I'm even later with Krispy Kreme?

[a_meebo]

[On hearing his name, Mikleo turns to face Alisha and gives her a smile.]

Hello, Alisha.

[He glances over at the punch table, amused, before looking back at her.]

He went to check out the food and drinks. I thought I'd wait here until he was done. Um...that's...a nice dress. Did you come prepared for this?

[patrimony]

[ A shake of her head. The way he had stated that draws a blush to her cheek.

Before he goes to try anything, she should warn him! ]

N... No. In fact, the drinks are to blame for this. While they're harmless, it seems that there's something in each of those bowls that change ones attire.