[open] welcome to the masquerade

[implying]

Date & Time: Friday the 7th, 4pm to midnight.
Location: Palace of Versailles, France, 1772.
Characters: anyone! Even characters not yet accepted as of when this log goes up. 8)
Summary: It's just some fancy masquerade dance with spiked punch.
Warnings: here be pictures, slow connections beware.


Welcome to Versailles.

The decorations are arranged, the food is prepared and laid out, the music has been rehearsed, and... most people have their costumes and masks ready. At precisely 1600, the Transporter machine activates, and a full room of people and all of their decorations, food, musical instruments, and costumes are sent back to 1772. The Palace of Versailles is in the height of its splendor, the weather is perfect and cloudless, and the gardens are in full bloom for the spring.

➣ Explore the Palace

Holy shit look at this, you have the chance to get your grubby little fingers all over history before it even becomes properly history. Do you know how many famous butts sat in all these plush velvet chairs? Or are going to sit in these plush velvet chairs? And they were all probably just talking the hell out of French, too. Wow. Go invade some bedrooms, poke your head into the kitchens (but no more than that, or territorial cooking elves might take offense), just. Touch everything. Everything. Just know that where ever you are, there's no escaping that beautiful music your fellow Transports are inflicting on you, that shit's just echoing all over the place tonight.

➣ Admire the Gardens

Jeez look at this, these people just had way too much money. But you get to benefit from it! You can basically just get yourself lost for hours here, so try not to starve or anything. Meet all the statues, go streaking through the fountains (please don't, no one wants to see that), get lost and desperately burst through cute little trees in your increasingly frantic attempts to find the exit. There's all sorts of fun you can have!

Just don't wander too close to the edge of the grounds, or you'll encounter (run into?) the invisible forcefield set up to keep wandering guests from utterly ruining history. That's probably a good way to get yourself a bloody nose.

➣ Enjoy the Banquet

There's tables and tables of this finger-licking good finery here, and it's all for you. And can you believe how fancy it is? Oh my god, those sausages have adorable little spears through them. And those spoons gently cradling their cheesy goodness? Yeah. They're made of crackers. And don't even get me started on these desserts. This is amazing. You've never eaten this good. And naturally, each drink (some of which are spiked, you're welcome) has adorable little frozen flowers in the ice cubes. Who even comes up with this stuff? Elves, that's who.

[[ HEY LOOK: AN OVERFLOW LOG! You're not required to move your threads there, but you're welcome to, in case this entry is getting difficult to load for anyone! ]]

Comments

open

[healplz]

[ ho damn, the Prontera Castle has nothing on this place. If Ashraf ever makes it back to Rune-Midgard, he's going to have to suggest King Tristan upgrade his crib.

But in the meantime, he's feeling a little uncomfortable. The finery is utterly foreign to him, and he can't help but feel like he's behaving like an oaf with none of the proper manners. How embarrassing. He's at least found himself a dusky brown suit somewhere, though the mask had seemed somewhat silly and been left behind (regretting that now, as it makes him stand out), and he hovers near the food. Now and then picking at the delicacies or sipping at a drink at least gives him something to do with his hands... ]

[nonedible]

[Taicea's taken a break from exploring to grab some food. Because let me tell you, running around really makes a sylvari hungry. She stops at the table and just stares for a moment because there's so much food!]

Where will I ever begin? [She wonders aloud with a finger tapping her chin.]

[healplz]

[ He glances around quickly, to see if maybe she'd been speaking to a friend that he just hasn't noticed yet, but — nope, doesn't look like it. That seems to have been a free for all comment. So he smiles politely, gesturing toward a pile of elegantly shaped cookies. ]

I have found these to be a wonderful starting point.

[nonedible]

[Nope! She was very much talking to herself.

She stops pondering over the table to look up, because she's less than five feet in height, at him. Light purple eyes blink behind her mask before she glances down at the cookies.]

How strange. I've never seen food shaped in such a way. [She picks up one to give it a try and quickly decides she likes it.] Mmn! Very good. You have been the most excellent help, sir!

[healplz]

I'm glad to hear it. [ His smile grows a little wider, and he steps to another tray on the table. Cheesy spoon-shaped crackers sit before him. ]

It is somewhat overwhelming, I know. [ A taste of the crackers, and... yes, that will do. ] You might also try these, if you're still open to suggestions.

[nonedible]

There's so much to see and touch and taste and smell! It's very overwhelming. [Taicea peers at the crackers before taking one. She gives a sniff before eating it.] Mmmmm! Also very good! Everything is so amazing.

[After a moment she clears her throat and turns to Ashraf.] Apologies I haven't introduced myself. I'm Taicea.

[confiteri]

Ashraf? [ Kahlan also seems to think the masks are a little silly as she too is without one, her own outfit simply her white Confessor dress ─ it is the only thing she owns that seemed appropriate and she felt comfortable wearing.

R u okay bro? You look like an awkward turtle. ]

[healplz]

[ oh why hello there. His smile is fast and — yep, a little embarrassed. Shit she looks so good and he's just here in this lame suit, oh god this is the worst. ]

Hello, Kahlan. [ He'd been clutching at a cup like it was a life boat, but he sets it down to nod in an almost-bow of greeting. ] You look very nice tonight.

[confiteri]

[ Her own comes just as quickly, returning with greeting without pause. ]

As do you, you look quite handsome.

[healplz]

[ Dang, look how fast that smile can become self-depreciating. ]

Well, thank you— it is only something I found about the city, however, and nothing like your clothing, which seems much more suited to you.

[confiteri]

[ Stop that mister, no self-deprecation on her watch. ]

Mine? [ She laughs shortly, giving herself a short look over. ] It is nothing much, most of the other outfits I have seen are fare more... luxurious.

[healplz]

That much is true, but...

[ But they're gaudy, and hers is appealing in its simplicity? That the whiteness and purity reminds him of home, and basically everything he loves? He clears his throat. ]

But you look very nice. [ you already said that one, Ashraf. ]

[allsongs]

[hear that, Ashraf?

it's not exactly the same tone, but it's got some kind of familiar ring to it, right? someone singing that earnestly and all.

INVITING, IS IT NOT? it seems not far from the food, down some nearby hall.

A. INVESTIGATE
B. IGNORE THAT SHIT AND EAT MORE COCKTAIL WEENIES
C. JAZZ HANDS]

[healplz]

[ Cocktail weenies can wait, Ashraf has mysterious and familiar singing to investigate. And so he's off, drink in tow because he's forgotten to set it down, threading through crowds and hallways and searching for the singer he's mostly certain he'll recognize! ]

[allsongs]

[unless that's a pretty awesome drink like bathtub moonshine. but given the surroundings? prolly not.

so it's certain the echoes lead down that extravagant hall, with Ashraf heading one way and Simmaeri the other. she's grazing her fingers against gilded walls, swaying a little in her paces because if ever she's anything like drunk, it's immersed in the music of the new.

she is very pleased, and looks very pleased to continue her approach, having recognized that once sad and wearied healer. her song shifts a little to give him a greeting while she moves.]

[healplz]

[ And oh, there she is. The admirable lady with the beautiful voice. Ashraf slows before reaching her, not sure if he ought to behave as an acquaintance or an audience. He settles for the latter, because that's what you do when there's someone nearby singing. He stops to lean against the nearest pillar with an appreciative smile and, as it seems oddly appropriate considering the shift of her song, a nod of greeting. ]

[allsongs]

[there's a hum breaking the song, pleased to receive recognition. she walks past, circling around the pillar before even thinking of stopping, music still in her voice as she speaks.]

Ashraf Salib. You are good to be here, yes?

[sacrificar]

[You're not the only one who feels out of place, definitely not. For someone who was so used to fighting and a constant focus on survival, Halibel doesn't really know what to do with herself.

Well, at least she's here. That's gotta count for something.

She doesn't really need the food, as the mask makes it kind of impossible to enjoy, but Halibel takes a look regardless. Just to see what the humans today will be stuffing themselves with.

It's during her observation that she notices Ashraf, nodding at him.]