estoria | //CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT?

Entry tags:

//CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT?

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!

//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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, you're partway there. [He chuckles softly and taps at his chin as he tries to find the right words.]

Proms are fancy social events that are usually held at... like, high schools. You know, for teenagers and stuff. It's a place where they can dress up, cut back and dance and stuff. Usually with, uh... you know... dates and all.

[...dates...]

[!!!]

O-oh. I see.

...are you still allowed to attend if you don't have a date? [Because, at that moment, Iris didn't.]

It's not a strict necessity, Iris. [He averts his eyes a little sheepishly.]

I... didn't really have a date at my own. [I don't want her to feel singled out. ...Except now I realize how singled out I feel.]

That's good--

[Though she quickly realized what she said and gave out a small gasp.]

Oh! Not...that you were alone. I just meant... [Her eyes averted shyly, though she glanced around the room once more, taking in the atmosphere as a whole.] ...that it's a good thing we can stay. This looks like so much fun.

[Phoenix gives a nervous laugh at that and waves a hand placatingly.]

It's okay, Iris. I think I have a good idea what you mean.

[He glances around as well and takes in the surroundings, feeling shadows of the past. Even if his own prom was uneventful, there's still some strong nostalgia there. ...And it feels even nice that he has Iris there with him.]

This is a good change of pace from the ViViD usual. You know, I can show you the ropes of a fun prom experience.

[To Iris, there was no nostalgia. Not regarding the prom itself.]

[The company, on the other hand...]

Would you? That would be wonderful!

I suppose you're the expert between the two of us, Feenie, so you'd know better what we're supposed to do right now.

Well, I think we can cross trying the punch off of the list! [Have another nervous laugh.]

Aside from that, there's not much in the way of prom activities. We can stand around talking, or... well, you know... [He glances towards the dance floor. Why does his throat suddenly feel so dry?] ...dance?

[She glanced down, and giggled softly in agreement. On top of the new wardrobe changes, the unusual drink hadn't tasted all that bad, either. She might consider going back later for some more sips.]

You're asking me to dance?

[She, too, looked to the dance floor. Slightly nervous, but only due to a lack of experience.]

I...might not be very good at it. The music here is very different from what I'm familiar with.

[Now that it's out there, his cheeks light up a little.]

W-well... Yeah, if you'd like to! [He shakes his head softly.] It's okay if it's different. I'm not the best dancer myself. But... I can help you with what I know.

[Well, in that case...]

I'd love to.

I trust you'll help keep me from making a complete fool of myself out there.

[Phoenix tries to laugh that off.]

Please... I'm pretty sure that's what you'll be doing for me. [I can't even picture Iris looking foolish.]

Well then... [He reaches for her hand, to guide her onto the dance floor.]

...Shall we?

We shall.

[She accepted his hand, and allowed him to lead her away. There weren't too many others at the moment, so they didn't have to fight for space. ~~And, with any luck, everyone else was too busy settling in themselves to notice them.~~ From there, Iris waited until they had found a good area before turning to face him. One hand was already clasping his, so she placed the free one gently on his bicep and looked up. Waiting for his cue.]

[So far, so good. Things were going pretty smoothly. But why does it feel like my heart is pounding even more loudly than the Judge's gavel?

He smiles lightly as he keeps one hand grasping hers, and he rests his other hand on her side. Phoenix felt a little nervous - being this close to her after all this time. But it still felt right, and nice.]

So... Um. [He grins turns a little sheepish.] Why don't we get started?

[And as a song starts playing, Phoenix starts to gently guide her through some basic steps.]

[If his heart was like a judge's gavel, then hers was like the rapid flutter of a butterfly's wings.]

[Her eyes lowered, but not out of aversion. Rather, she was focused on their feet. Watching his and trying to react accordingly. The gentle swaying was easy enough. His first few steps, she stumbled a little over hers. Not sure where to shift her weight and what direction the movement was meant to take them in.]

[After a few cycles, the repetition started to kick in and she was better able to predict. Her shoulders relaxed, and she even looked up at him with a proud smile.]

Am I doing alright?

[Not the most naturally-matched pair of heartbeats, but the flow of their movements compensated for that.

Phoenix found himself looking down as well, to watch as she learned the ropes. He also had an irrational fear of stepping on her feet accidentally, but luckily he managed to avoid such a thing.

As the lesson went on, and he felt a relaxation in her posture, Phoenix found himself paying less direct attention to her feet. She was doing well enough. Instead, he glanced towards her face as he lead her around, smiling proudly back at her.]

Of course. Iris, you're doing beautifully. You're like a natural. [Or as far as he could tell.]

Only because you're such a wonderful teacher.

[Granted, there...wasn't really all that much to it. But he was easy to follow, and she felt so unequivocally comfortable in his arms right then, it was almost impossible not to fall into step with one another.]

[He blushes lightly at that compliment.]

Or... or you're such a great student! [He keeps the flow going to the music. Once more it feels comfortable to have her so close.]

See? This isn't so bad at all. [It's probably the longest I've gone in any venture without some type of accident.]

[She'd missed this. So much.]

[No sickness clouding her senses. Or his. Which meant they were both free to be fully aware of what was happening, and the emotions welling within from the close contact. Very pleasant feelings.]

It's not.

I think...I understand why so many people seemed so excited about having a prom.

[It was true... Such warm and comfortable feelings repopulated his heart and his form. He had his moments of doubt earlier, but now that he has her so close, with one hand clasped onto hers as the music moves them smoothly along, he feels certain that this is all that he wants right now. It's a feeling of contentment that he thought he could not still feel at this age.]

You do, huh? [There's a hint of a chuckle, and his smile grows warmer.]

I'm glad to hear it. ...And now I know, the kind of thing I was missing out on. The full prom experience.

[He turns her and goes on jokingly.]

Where were you when I was in high school?

At the same place you found me again years later.

[If you wanted to get specific. She knew it had meant to be a rhetorical question, but it was difficult to resist when she actually knew the answer with all certainty.]

[High School meant from the age of...approximately 14 to 18. Give or take, accounting for birthdays. At 14, Dahlia had enlisted Iris' help in the incident with Terry Crews, only she'd chickened out at the last minute and had run back home to Eagle Mountain. Where she remained until she was 19 and volunteered to step in on behalf of her sister. Leading her to meet Feenie for the first time.]

But...I'm here now.

[For what that's worth.]

You are. And... and I'm happy for that. [He speaks gently, with a smile full of warmth.]

You know, Iris... It may have been a long time for me. But I keep realizing that I've missed you even more than I thought. I... I guess because I've been so glad to have you here with me.

[!!!]

[Though initially surprised, her expression quickly warmed into a fond smile.]

I'm glad. That you missed me that much. Even though I know that's selfish of me to say.

Selifish? It's not selfish. It's... okay to feel that way, Iris. [He certainly doesn't think any less of her... and the only thing he feels is flustered.] You have a right to it.

It's a little selfish.

[She spoke the words with a smile, though. As if finally able to accept the fact that there were some things in life she wanted just for herself...and that was okay. She didn't have to feel guilty for wanting to be happy.]

It feels...nice. To not be forgotten. To know... [She averted her eyes shly.] ...there...might still be a place for me in your life.

[No matter what that might be. Just so long as she could be a part of it]

We're all a little selfish sometimes. [He speaks softly as he leads her through a twirl, his own cheeks turning scarlet as he listens to her words.]

I- Iris. Just listen. There's always a place for you in my life, alright? It's not like... I ever wanted you to leave. If you're here, then- then that makes me happy!

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