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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

♪ the dis[a]ppearance of hatsune miku

[ While Kanade herself doesn't exactly trust going into another new place, not after the mess that was the mirrors. But at the same time, there might be something there, too.

And while the change of food is nice, it doesn't really bother her much, being Kanade "cup ramen eater" Yoisaki. In fact, this is just an upgrade, really, in more ways than one. Of course, it was difficult for Kanade to get into another outfit, as she absolutely thinks that her tracksuit is the most comfortable, so being in something else is honestly kind of... odd, really. She can be found in a white fox mask that's adorned with painted on carnations--the flower that her mother loved--and it doesn't even cover her whole face; only the top half of it from the bridge of her nose up. Her dress, on the other hand is a contrasting dark black color that allows her stick out like a sore thumb.

In any case, all of this is a bit overwhelming for someone like her, so small in comparison and someone who isn't a fan of crowds finds herself a bit lost and out of place. It doesn't help that that she winds up floating up and away when she's not thinking about grounding herself, too.

Someone might need to get her down. ]

♪ hi[b]ana

[ After a while, Kanade desperately needs that breath of fresh air.

And what does she see? Monsters. It makes Kanade freeze up in place.

She is now a statue.

It's fine.

She's just gonna walk slowly away... slinking off...peace..........hopefully she doesn't bump into someone or make any noise while leaving. That would be bad. ]

♪ [c]hururira chururira daddadda!

[ Back in the masquerade, when Kanade isn't floating away, she's listening carefully to the pieces, humming them to herself. They're all familiar songs to her: classical tunes that have been engrained in her since she was younger.

While she didn't bring her piano with her, she's already off in her own corner writing more music.

Because she of course she is. ]

♪ wil[d]card

[ u know the drill, come @ me for other things ]

( no need- the moment kanade gets a foot off the ground, mafuyu's hand is on her wrist and gently pulling her back down. there's no comment about it, not really- it's not kanade's fault. ... maybe the others might find it a little cute, even.

(does she mean niigo, or the other captives?)

it's only once she gets kanade a bit lower that she realizes... oh.

they match. )

... Kanade. Do you want me to stay with you so you don't float off?

...that might be for the best.

[ If she goes too high, she might end up getting sick. She's not used to being in the air, after all and she's frail as it is. ]

Sorry.

MINI EVENT - THE GRAND MASQUERADE

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♪ the dis[a]ppearance of hatsune miku (TAKE TWO, DONT DIE ON ME COMPUTER)

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