« intro ⇢ winterball.exe »

[poised]

Who: everyone, literally everyone
When: ooc: 04/25-04/26; ic: 12/26
Where: the Gardens
What: 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! 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, I just attempted to set the scenery! 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!! OVERFLOW IS HERE Move over at your captcha-free leisure!

Comments

[bloomnobly]

[ can't she be both

thanks for putting it in terms a fellow Ye Olde can mostly understand tho, what a bro ]

"Destroyed"? Oh, how exciting. To think, I'll have to be pulling you out of a 21st century digital trash heap in a parallel universe. [ ....alright maybe not "mostly" ]

[sheathwife]

[ Amazing as always. Even though Horikawa is used to the sight, he still admires it each time. Mitsutada's elegant fighting skills... Even though it's forward and forceful, many of his moves are well-thought; such of a sword with sharp defensive talents.

As his kitchen companion finishes off the large plant, he keeps away his own sword as the job will be over in likely that next slash. For some reason, he flashbacks to a time they were cutting up vegetables together. The situation is different, but the vibe seems to be pretty familiar. ]

You can do it!

[ Since at this point, all Horikawa can contribute further is a cheer. ]

[souredsweet]

[She can but he sure isn't expecting that...

GIVING HER A LOOK.]

I'm afraid I don't understand, Saigyouji-san...?

[sheathwife]

Huh? Are you sure?

[ If he's standing by the table, surely there must be something that caught his attention... Horikawa is concerned now, wondering why he suddenly changed his mind. He doesn't look overall happy either, perhaps something happened to him? ]

[bloomnobly]

[ u never expect the saigyouji welcoming committee ]

No, see, you're jumping to the climax of the story without me! I can't dole out that sort of information without setting up exposition first, it will make absolutely no sense!

[ like everything else you say??? ]

[souredsweet]

[What does that even mean... Kaoru's just giving her a look that says "why".]

Then... if you would please set up the exposition? I would very much like to understand what you're speaking of.

[newtimes]

( Please don't mind him coming a little closer just because he really wants to brag about this, okay. Oh gosh oh gosh. )

He was a samurai! ( Which may or may not mean anything to her. ) But no one thought he was very important.

He was strong and wasn't afraid to fight if he had to but he was even better when ya got him talking! ( So, basically, negotiations. ) He could make anyone get along and convince old leaders to step down.

He might have carried me around but I was just there to get him outta trouble.

[bloomnobly]

The names Stiles Stilinski and Gundam Tanaka don't mean anything to you, do they?

[ almost as quickly as she started joking and talking nonsensically, she stops ]

[spes_phthisica]

[It's not that hard to tell that Mutsu is struggling to keep his emotions in check, and his smile softens a bit with compassion. It must be overwhelming, to hear a man he would think of as an enemy stand there and talk so respectfully about the master he used to love, huh? They used to be from the same time, and having any kind of connection at all to someone who is lost to you must surely hurt a little bit.

Still, he wouldn't dream of commenting upon it; that would just be disrespectful. Souji's poker face isn't exactly the best, but maybe the fact that he does Mutsu the courtesy of trying to pretend he hadn't noticed counts for something.

Now he smiles fondly, already a hint of natural protectiveness in his voice.] I'm glad to be remembered fondly by them, even if- [Even if he'd managed to retroactively break Kashuu's heart the moment he was called to life. Even if he's not sure yet how Yamato feels about a master who has slowly grown more and more feeble with time and boy is he in for a surprise there.] -things weren't always uncomplicated. Every master loves his swords, right? [That's a bit naive of Souji, but even after his conversation with Souza and realizing that some men saw swords more as trophies than what they really were, he still wants it to be true.

A pause, then:]

Since I will definitely be seeing Kashuu-san again, it's a good thing for us to get along, right?

[dragonseyes]

[Ah.

He should have expected the touch and perhaps he did but it's when Natalia's hand touches his hair that he realizes that there is no fur piece. There is one less protective layer between him and the world and for a second, Shin-Ah is troubled. But it's Natalia's smile and praise which wash the doubt away as quickly as it has come.

Natalia has faith in him. Nothing bad is going to happen, surely. Perhaps, for one evening, he can allow himself one less warded layer.

It's tiny, so small and frail that it might seem like a ghost, a trick of the mind but it's there, on Shin-Ah's lips.

A bashful smile.]

What next?

[bloomnobly]

Why, in the crowd with everyone else, of course. Is that an issue? [ skirts fluttering as she motions over her shoulder ]

[souredsweet]

[what the frickety frack this conversation is a rollercoaster. Kaoru's brow furrows, but it's clear the names don't register.]

Mm... Are they people from your world? I don't believe a Stiles Stilinski is here, but a Gundam Tanaka arrived recently.

[bloomnobly]

[ She's laughing inside. It's literally all obnoxious ghost laughter. ]

Mine, yours, everyone's. [ ... ] Tanaka-san, huh? I'll have to go seek him out later, then.

[newtimes]

It must've taken ya a long time to get everything together.

( Some times he would see Oryou working on an arrangement when things were particularly peaceful. He'd never really gotten it (and trust him, he even sat down and tried to figure it out) but he knew flower arranging as an art. And a time consuming one, at that. )

And ya said ya gave the host a big discount, right? Are ya friends with them? Or are they just a good customer?

[souredsweet]

[you stop that ghost fiend

Kaoru's lips purse briefly at that, though; it's a very minute movement, but one of the first expressions of displeasure that he's worn openly.]

Yours- [He corrects, tone still polite] -and not mine, though I assume that there is a "me" present where you come from...? [At least Kaoru is somewhat used to this notion by now, having met a handful of others who remember him.] Just as the "me" who was present in Zelien is not myself, or anywhere else that such a person may have been.

[sheathwife]

Amazing...

[ It may be strange to Sousei's eyes, but it's definitely different through the eyes of a sword. Horikawa feels so humbled to witness such a magnificent relationship between a sword and its owner. It's been... a while, since he's seen such a thing personally. Literally hundreds of years.

He bows as respect, handing Sousei back his glass. It's for both trusting him and for showing him that display just now. ]

I should be thanking you.

[ How strange, right? But it'll make sense soon enough. ]

[bloomnobly]

No. It was just as much your world as it was mine.

[ a slight nod ]

A lack of memories don't make a person someone entirely different.

[hoasen]

[She waves her hand.] I had help, everyone in the shop tried their best. It was strangely fun, even though we were on a deadline.

[Had to finish everything by the day! And make sure nothing died either. Thankfully, they had Saya for that, where she ensured all the flowers were about as fresh as they can be. Too bad the poor girl is sick.]

Natalia? I would say after all of this, she is a friend now, yes. She was one of those who welcomed me here when I first arrived, a very fine girl.

[variform]

Sure, sure.

[As much of a "you're welcome" that the guy will get.

Then, just as naturally as it had lengthened, his hand reverts to normal. At least he was smart enough to choose it, though, rather than further up his arm. He just went out of his way to buy something to wear to this event - which certainly is far from his typical fashion choices - so tearing a huge hole in his sleeve definitely wouldn't do.

Naturally, though, that sort of remark has him looking quite pleased and curious.]

Really? [a laugh] I just got here maybe two or so days ago. It's been pretty neat so far, but I've yet to hear about any of its oddities. What kinds of things happen?

[spes_phthisica]

[The fact that you probably shouldn't draw your weapon in a ball room is completely lost on Souji; in fact, he pretty much forgets where he is altogether. Drawing breath in a shaky gasp and almost-but-not-quite choking on it, he doesn't hesitate for a moment before reaching out and running two fingers along the blunt edge of the sword. The touch is feather-light, barely even there, because it wouldn't do to leave finger marks on such beauty, and for a moment Souji is quite incapable of anything except awed silence.

Kashuu Kiyomitsu, as beautiful and untouched as the day Souji first held the blade in his hands, not so much as a trace of the break left behind. Suddenly it feels like only yesterday, proudly lifting the blade and testing its weight in his hand, feeling it become his hand, an extension of himself as a warrior. His hand traces the sword back to the hilt, curling around Kashuu's own hand as he holds it. In his mind, he can hear Kondou laughing fondly, saying that he can already tell that it's a great match; Hijikata snorting quietly, muttering something about how it figures that he'd get a sword that seems as contrary as he is.

He looks up at Kashuu, his eyes hectically bright as he nods, squeezing his hand hard.]

You are important. And if ever there should be a need to do so here, I- it would be an honor to fight by your side.

[variform]

[Let's see~]

A ten! [a beat] B~ut, the night's still young, so naturally there's still the possibility that I may find someone more entertaining. ♥

[souredsweet]

I'm afraid we'll have to disagree on that point, Saigyouji-san.

[And THERE IT IS, the shining perfect-polite demure little smile that fools like 99% of people upon first meeting him... Internally he may or may not be thinking of a CERTAIN SOMEONE who's a known amnesiac, who he may have some beef with...! Specifically regarding her memory loss...!! MAYBE.

Normally, it would be difficult to read any of that tense unhappiness in his well-practiced expression, but considering how much time Yuyuko's spent around him, she may recognize the edge in his smile, and the stiffness of his pleasantries. He moves on quickly, either way.]

Though I hope that you might be willing to tell me more of the world that you come from, regardless.

[newtimes]

( For the first question, Mutsu shakes his head no, )

Not all masters. b>( Like swords, the ones who carry them come in different flavors. Some are great owners that care greatly for their swords, others treat their swords poorly, and then there are plenty that fall in between. He isn't going to explicitly say that some owners were awful but... well. ) Some times its not the sword that's special but the guy that carried 'em.

( Look at Mutsunokami, an heirloom sword from a low class family. Or Kashuu who came from came from the slums.

Oh, but speaking of Kashuu, )

Ya found Kashuu-kun?

( How... did that go... )

[bloomnobly]

Oh, there you go again! Those passive-aggressive little smiles, how charming.

[ too bad she doesn't have one of her giant baggy sleeves to hide her mouth behind while making snide remarks, a true loss....

that said, she's extra careful to not fall down the same rabbit hole she did the first time they spoke. Being too chatty, giving him too much information about herself--no thanks, not again. ]

Ah? But I'd imagine Gensokyo's quite boring to you. Only one lone oni on the surface nowadays, anyway.

[newtimes]

Some people love a good challenge.

( It makes you feel accomplished! Alive! Like a college student doing their research paper the night before it's due. )

Natalia-san. ( Will he put two and two together and figure out the mystery behind Natalia Lavender who is rich and loved and has important skills and parties like a shogun on her birthday? ) I haven't met her ( or has he what is thread continuation ) but it's like she's greeting all of us now with this festival.

( And he nods sagely. )

I think I'd like to meet her too, if I can.