amuze | MINI EVENT - THE GRAND MASQUERADE

↞NAVIGATION

strings Late in the day on 10/31 the thunderclouds above begin to disperse, clearing up to reveal a dark night sky. Two large, blood red moons hang high above in the sky, painting the land in an eerie, crimson glow. The mist creeps inward, rolling out to coat the park in a thin blanket of fog.

There's an energy in the air that hums in soft vibrato, prickling at the skin and setting fire to nerve endings.

Lanterns float along the pathways seemingly of their own accord, drifting about as they lead the way towards Cirque Illume. The tent flaps are thrown wide, revealing the interior held within. It's... Nothing like it used to be inside, and the grand ballroom held within seems far too large to possibly be held within the confines of canvas and trappings. It's also livelier than it's been in quite some time; all rides and stalls have been closed for the evening, and upon entering the ~~circus tent~~ ballroom, the reason why becomes rather apparent. Each and every Mask within the park has seemingly found its way inside. Visible strings are attached to limbs and bodies as they dance and twirl in perfect, lifelike imitation. Each movement is smooth and human, and those who aren't making use of the dancefloor are loitering about in various groups scattered about the venue.

The most striking detail of all, however, is that they are speaking to each other.

The words and verbiage are alien and unrecognizable, but shouts and laughter drift through the air beside whispers and admonitions. Behind a curtain near the back of the ballroom, an organ plays music that bleeds out into every crevice of the space, lending further life to the scene and allowing the dancers a list of songs to keep time with. Along the westernmost wall, a large banquet table has been set up, littered with gourmet foods and deserts of all kinds. The smell is inviting and mouthwatering, no doubt a welcome break from the endless amounts of carnival foods that have been sustaining the guests so far.

To the left of the banquet table, a Mask behind a bar serves drinks of equally high caliber. Alcoholic and nonalcoholic options are both present, with the caveat that the former is only available to those who are of age to drink.

Welcome to the Grand Masquerade!

wardrobe malfunction Of course, any who attempt to enter without proper attire are promptly shooed off the premises. Worry not, however, because it seems that KNICk-KNACK PADDY-WHACKZ has also been repurposed into something new for the evening. Gone are the racks of souvenirs and fish food, replaced by rows upon rows of formal attire and proper masquerade outfits. An entire wall has been covered with ornate masks of all shapes and sizes, while another offers jewelry and accessories of gemstones and glittering metals to accent any chosen ensemble.

Nothing appears to have a price tag, and there are no attendants in sight. It's safe to assume that everything is free for the taking.

stringless Those who decide to forgo the festivities have an entirely different battle on their hands.

The Hi-RiZe has not moved since curfew's end earlier in the morning, and the stillness has been noticed. Figures move about within the mist, crawling closer and darting about like living shadows, growing ever closer to the open. Gurgling screams and echoing snarls ring out in the crisp evening air. As time moves on, the noises get louder and more apparent, until finally a few shapes break free into the crimson light of the moons above.

(CW: Some disturbing monster imagery)The hulking creatures are massive, standing at about the size of a fully grown moose. Pale, translucent skin twists into the shape of thousands of hands that pull and claw across the grounds to move with frightening agility. They crawl about the park, chittering and screeching to communicate with one another as they seemingly hunt about in search of... Something. Nothing good.

It doesn't appear that they are capable of sight, seemingly relying on sound alone to get their bearings. The creatures purposefully seem to avoid the areas around the Cirque tent, instead sticking near the fringes of the mist where they can duck back into cover if injured too severely. Because they certainly can be killed, just not easily.

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[The amused smirk from before remains on his expression, and he shifts to set his drink down on the bar behind him.]

The conversation topics here tonight are nothing as dull as politics, fortunately. [There’s the smallest tilt of his head as he turns just slightly to focus on a pair of Masks nearby. He’s quiet for a moment as he merely… Listens, seemingly taking in the conversation before he’s leaning in closer to Mizuki. Conspiratorial whispers are only fun if no one overhears, after all.]

The one on the left is confiding in the other about a loss of some kind… A brother, or a father perhaps? I didn’t quite catch the relation, but apparently the body was found in the arcade, completely drained of blood.

[ Mizuki does make it easier as he leans in, excited to hear… anything, really, so long as it has something familiar he can grasp onto. Fancy parties are very out of place for a country bumpkin!

But he gives a tiny gasp with stars practically in his eyes afterwards. Not that death is something to be excited about or anything, but… ]

How mysterious! [ Can the Masks hear them? He hopes he is talking quietly enough, himself… ] Like a murder mystery?? That could be fun…!

[He’s quiet for another beat, obviously listening for more as the same Mask goes quiet, the other speaking up in that same untranslatable language. Whatever is said makes him gasp, fingers coming up to press against his lips in exaggerated surprise]

The other one… He says he saw it happen, but didn’t know who to go to. Sounds like… A crime of passion? A scorned lover…

[ Okay, you’ve got him hooked on this?? Gossip isn’t usually his speed, but murder and crimes of passion about ghost-y people are rad. ]

Oh, even better. I mean, terrible for them, but so exciting~. I’ve never gotten to psychoanalyze anyone who’s killed for love before…

[ And probably never will, but it’s fun to think about this stuff! ]

… It’s cool that you can understand them, though. Did it take you long to learn the language??

[There’s a soft, quiet laugh as he leans back, picking his champagne flute back up from the bar and promptly downing the rest of its contents.]

Truthfully? I actually don’t know a word of what they’re saying. I made it up.

[He rolls his shoulders in a casual half shrug, idly spinning the glass about with his fingers.]

That’s part of the fun of the game though, I think. You’re only limited by your own imagination.

… Oh. [ Well, now he feels silly! He was so excited about potentially learning a new language, too… How cruel! He can't help but fluster a bit at his own gullibility. ] You're certainly very good at story telling, in that case. I'm a little jealous! I wish I could weave stories so captivating.

Also… what do you mean by "game"? [ He likes games!! He's real good at them, too. Maybe he should ask this person if they like Pac-Man— ]

[The smirk on his face isn’t unkind, and he rolls the stem of his champagne flute between his fingers a few more times before he sets it back down.]

Nonsense, Mizuki. There’s nothing to be jealous of, you have many qualities I also find equally admirable. Even so, thank you for the compliment.

[He gives a sort of grand, sweeping gesture towards the rest of the ballroom as a partial answer.] This game. “Court Intrigue,” as they say. For a single night, you can strip yourself of your faults and pretend to be whoever you wish to. Anyone can be anyone under these masks.

Oh, do you?? I wasn't aware that you knew who I was~! [ Not many people do. He's hardly ever seen, let alone do people know about him. How strange… ]

I see! So… a little bit like an RPG? In that case… who are you playing tonight?

Of course I know who you are! How could I not? [There’s not a lot of people who he doesn’t know around here, honestly.]

It’s exactly like that, yes. A limited run of an RPG where you choose your own paths and stories. [But that is an excellent question there, isn’t it? Mizuki earns a thoughtful pause as he turns to watch the dance floor again. The Masks are still spinning together, spiraling in endless steps, round and round…]

Mm, you can call me Helix. As for my role… That remains to be seen.

— Like an otome! [ Only, you know, sans the dateable characters (hahaunless—), so, like, not an otome at all. Dial it back a beat, Mizuki. ] Oh, it's nice to meet you, Helix! Do you not know what role you want yet, then? Or are you being mysterious~? That's always fun, though, I don't think I could ever pull off that character. I mean, I'm really good at keeping secrets and stuff like that, but I feel like I don't quiiiite have the personality down, I think??? They're either, like, super mean but secretly well intentioned or really broody, I think, and I'm not really good at either of those.

[ Is he still talking about the romanceable options in otomes? Yes. Yes he is. ]

If you need any help, though, I'm real good at following directions!

[Helix is quiet and attentive as Mizuki speaks, shifting a bit to settle in and get comfortable. He seems rather entertained by the exchange, politely waiting his turn to interject.]

Mm, I suppose I wouldn't mind playing the part of the mysterious otome romance option if it means you play the part of the protagonist. [uh oh.] If you have any suggestions for me, however, I'm all ears.

[ . . . ]

[ ????????????????

It's a good thing that they're all wearing masks right about now. Mizuki can't help but tug a little on his own to hide the sudden fluster. Oh, he's said something strange, hasn't he? He didn't mean to. It's his video game hyperfixation, send help. ]

Uh- ehe… [ He clears his throat. ] W-well, for these sorts of things, there's usually some silly tropes. Like… dancing with someone you hate out of politeness, but you try to step on their shoes the whole time. Or clumsy character who hasn't danced before is coerced to dancing with someone who knows all the dances. Or the host gives this big speech and suddenly things turn for the worse, like there's poison gas or something!!!

…

Not that I'm recommending we get poison gas, I'm just not used to these sorts of parties so I'm just kinda going off what I read in books and stuff.

[A chuckle is tucked away into the confines of gloved fingertips.] Poison gas certainly would put a damper on the festivities, wouldn't it? We should definitely table that one for now; we can circle back to revisit it if it turns out the party drags too much without a bit of playful murder between friends.

[He hooks a thumb beneath his chin, contemplative as he chews lightly on the leather-clad second knuckle of his index finger.]

How about the plot-hook where two individuals just so happen to be in the vicinity of each other when a third party stumbles upon them, mistaking an innocent exchange for a romantic rendezvous?

Ehehe~! [ That was definitely a joke, and Mizuki is not going to question it at all. His new friend is so funny??? Why wasn’t he around earlier! They could’ve been riding the rides together and such way sooner!! ]

Ohhh~! Okay!! Oh, but I don’t really see anyone having conversations besides…?? [ He gestures around to the Masks. ] Unless busting in on their conversations works just as well?

MINI EVENT - THE GRAND MASQUERADE

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