Event Log: The Seven Days of Hadriel

[hadrielmods]

Who: All characters participating in the event!
What: The event log for the Seven Days of Hadriel event
Where: All over the city!
When: April 17th-April 23rd
Warnings: Delicious food, a week full of fun, and nothing terrible at all.

After everything that went down when the city split, the residents of Hadriel deserve a break - and the gods are trying to give them one. For a week, each god will be taking one day to throw an event of their choosing. Nothing is mandatory, nothing is designed to manipulate, so relax and have a good time!

On April 17th, Hope is holding a grand feast. The dried and canned food usually found in the shops is replaced with tables of freshly-made dishes, ready to be eaten. There are foods of all kinds here, familiar and very strange, and each different one is marked with its ingredients. There's bound to be something you'll like, so stuff your face, take a box or three of leftovers home, and gain a few pounds!

On April 18th, a racetrack appears near the moped lot, and Tranquility starts holding moped races! There will be quite a few different races held across the day, so stop by any time - drawn by the thrilling revving of moped motors, no doubt - and race your fast friends and your furious enemies for the grand prize: bragging rights.

On April 19th, Rage takes over the arena for that most brutal and vicious of fights, a pillow war. Anyone stopping by will find stacks of pillows of various shapes, sizes, and densities, all ready to be pick up and used to wallop the person next to you in the face. So work out some of that aggression!

On April 20th, Confusion sets up her hedge maze near the orchard. This twisty, confusing labyrinth can keep you occupied for quite awhile - though if you get too confused or lost, you can always tap out and be instantly transported back to the entrance! Do your best, though, and you might make it to the end - where two lucky winners get a magical compass prize, and the rest get, well, a less magical one. Your two lucky winners this time are Sans and Richie Gecko! Enjoy your prizes!

On April 21st, Love is ready to help all of you find a little more love in your lives. Stop by the Speakeasy (the owners of which are super stoked about this) to get the name of someone to go on a romantic (or platonic!) date with. Successful dates not guaranteed, but Love is not terrible at their job - the name you'll get will, at the very least, be someone you can get along with.

On April 22nd the library gets a little livelier with Delight's open mic! Stop by to show off your singing skills, display your master poetry craftsmanship, or tell a funny story. Got another talent you want to show off? Sure! Jugging flaming batons, messing up amateur magic tricks, sword-swallowing - everything's welcome!

And finally, on April 23rd, Sorrow will close the week with a formal masquerade. Masks are not required, but formalwear is, and can be found throughout the shops. Spend the evening listening to tasteful music, nibbling at refreshments, and maybe finally getting a dance with that guy, girl, or non-gendered being of your dreams. Dance the night away, assured that no one will be turning into a pumpkin, and wake up the next morning feeling relaxed and appreciated for all that you've done for the gods.

Attend all the events, none at all, or just a few! It's entirely up to you.

► This log covers April 17th-April 23rd.
► Feel free to make your own logs, as well
► Please tag headers of threads with content warnings where they apply
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!
► If you somehow manage to die during a completely non-dangerous week, please let us know here, and rethink your life choices.

Comments

emily kaldwin | ota

[honores]

april 17th

[ The feast is welcome, considering the recent lack of sustenance within their divided city (and her less-than-filling meals, in general, since her departure from Dunwall). In fact, this is an almost-starling sight in how much it reminds her of gatherings at the Tower, feasts thrown in one person or another's honor with Emily sitting at the head of the table. They had no shortage of food in Dunwall Tower, even as other parts of the city, and certainly the Isles, starved. She hasn't seen enough of Karnaca yet to know the extent of its people's suffering, but she knows firsthand that those in Hadriel have been lacking.

Unless now. The empress looks wide-eyed at the array, at things familiar and unfamiliar. Though her instincts push her to be cautious, to check for poison and other traps, the food is appealing enough to elicit embarrassing grumbles from her stomach. Emily allows herself a few small tastes, then more, indulging in a bigger way than she might have before once she determines it to be safe to eat.

It's only been less than two months since she lived the life of an empress, one that never was without meals like this, but it feels like ages ago. ]


april 20th

[ The maze is the most interesting event to come from this week of festivities. Its appeal is clear (a reward from the gods, perhaps even something that could aid in her return to the Isles) and she wastes no time in throwing herself into its depths.

The mazes proves to be... complex, to say the least. Emily is no stranger to riddles, puzzles, and the like, but Confusion's labyrinth is just what she's been looking for to keep her mind sharp. She moves around its corners, keeping a mental map as best she can of its paths, and occasionally passes others with a silent nod as she continues on.

She might have tried using the Outsider's abilities to rise to the top of the maze, but somehow, she thinks the gods might take that to be cheating. They obviously have near-complete control of this place, as far as she can tell, and she can't sabotage her chance of receiving some kind of way back home. Back to her mission. ]


april 23rd

[ The empress is not wearing a dress to Sorrow's masquerade. She is also not wearing a mask, however out of character that may be for the daughter of the 'masked assassin,' Corvo. Instead, Emily Kaldwin is all in black, gaze sweeping the rest of the party with practiced scrutiny. Emily has been to more parties like this one than most people and is finding it difficult to shake the usual disgust, the unease, of having to exchange pleasantries with people who might just as soon aim a knife for her back.

It's easy to tell that she's guarded, nearly suspicious, the way she sticks to the walls and looks around with a faint frown. It's been over a month and she's made no progress in returning to the Isles. More than that, her only familiar company is the Outsider, and she has... difficulty, to say the least, opening up to any others. With the coup having been so recent, it's hard to play nice with strangers, even after the split city chaos that ought to have brought them all together. A united front would be nice, she thinks, but she still isn't sure what to make of the other 'captives.' It would go against all that Corvo had taught her to trust them all without a second thought... ]

23rd

[surgent]

[ Where Emily chooses a dark garb, all sleek, the viper ready to strike should the need arise, the Outsider takes advantage of his ability to change his outerwear. It's never been something he's given much thought to before. He's worn the same outfit for centuries, no choice in the matter.

This time, though, this time he gets to choose what he wears. And, shall he die in it, perhaps the Void will find the change appealing and allow him to keep the soft silken dress shirt, the dark blue embroidery creating a tangle of vines that all stem from the back where a ship's wheel is delicately stitched.

He moves through the crowd with ease when he spots Emily, back against a wall, eyes all sharp. He keeps his feet on the ground, steps confident and easy, dark wisps and onyx trailing after him. The change in outfit does little to rid him of the scent of deep ocean and salt, of the tide and Dunwall, nor do his eyes take on any change—still as dark as the depths of the ocean deep.

As he closes in, he bows. It is a ball, after all, and she is an empress. ]

Do you believe Wyman would mind if I asked for you to dance with me tonight? [ He says it smoothly, though something about his gaze should tell her he knows something. Maybe something about a man whose heart lives and breathes adventure. ]

sans | ota, will match format

[skelebro]

april 17th

A sprinkling of magic into his own plate of entrees renders 'em edible to a monster like him, even if it takes a bit outta him to do so. Still, though. Feels nice to kick back and relax for once. Just don't look now, 'cause if you do? You'll get a glimpse of a skeleton surveying the assortment of delightful, varied foods on his plate before he reaches into his pocket and retrieves a bottle of ketchup to thoroughly slather 'em in the stuff.

Will you, innocent bystander, dare stand by and watch this act of culinary cruelty? Will you truly sit and let this stand? He didn't even taste the goods before he tainted them with his awful, awful ketchup.

Honestly, what a heathen.

april 18th

[Sans is probably cheating. C'mon, there's no way mopeds are supposed to - to float like that, or even go that fast. The nice thing, at least, is that he's just as liable to go the complete opposite direction of where he's headed, or straight up simply fall asleep at the wheel and possibly crash into another contestant in the meantime. Either way, Sans is having a ball with his lime green moped putt-putting about, even if he ain't likely to win.

That's fine, though. He ain't in it to win it. He's in it to get a gander at people's faces when a skeleton rides a moped about a foot or so off the ground and ends up on a roof instead of crossin' the finish line. 'Cause that, right there? That's worth more than any claim to fame.]

april 19th

Sans keeps to the wayside. Even for harmless pillow fights, it don't much do to take an unnecessary risk. It'd be just his luck if he made it through the city split, against all goddamn odds, only to get a pillow to the skull with enough force to reduce him to dusty powder. So he keeps outta the fray, instead choosing to run betting pools for other similar non-participants, or possibly chippin' in to supply someone with additional ammunition, should they require a pillow or two on the other side of the Colosseum.

He wishes you the best of luck, really. But what do you figure your odds are for being the last one standing, so to speak? Just, y'know - outta curiosity.

april 20th

[So, Confusion. Not his favorite god, as everyone's gotten to know full well. And a hedge maze technically ain't as much of a challenge to him as he initially figured; rather, he elects to pick his way through it, easy as you please, instead of hazarding to take shortcuts to circumvent the rules. Shortcuts might not shake out real well for anyone, either, seein' as he can't much see where it is he's going. So he moves at a leisurely meander, more like a guy who just kinda opted to stroll through to admire the scenery than anybody actively competing. His sense of direction ain't necessarily what you'd call the best out there, and he stops to take a snooze or two semi-frequently, but it turns out that Sans's brand of magic just happens to be rather like a cat's - he sorta ends up where he needs to be without much of an explanation as to why, simply excelling at poppin' up where and when he ain't wanted.

If you ain't too impatient to try and get through it, you're free to accompany him as he ponders forks in the road, twists and turns, and weaves his way about the thing.

A magic compass is a pretty great prize, after all.]

april 21st

You cannot date the skeleton. You do not want to date the skeleton. He smells of grease and broken dreams and dirty, dirty hot dog water. You can, however, park yourself at his table if you fancy getting an earful of horrible jokes while he swigs down a bottle of relish. Hey, don't worry - if you really wanna drink of what he's sippin', he's perfectly willing to share.

You also might wanna check your seat before you sit down. Some weirdo's been putting whoopee cushions on everyone's chairs, regardless of which table they're situated at. What a jerk, right?

april 22nd

[Open mic night, huh? He used to do stand-up at Delight's old place, back when it, uh, existed. That is to say, he blatantly contested Fear's scary stories with bad jokes galore. Meaning it's time for a good old-fashioned encore. Crow ain't around to supply him with back-up this go around, but Sans can still sell a joke like nobody's business.

Mettaton's even in the city, givin' it all the nostalgia of when he used to do standup at the MTT Resort. Back when Mettaton actually liked him, or liked a version of him enough to host some terrible jokes as performance filler.

So when it's his turn to take to the stage, he does so with an exaggerated, languorous ease.]

I tell ya, everybody. That whole deal with the city? My sides are still splittin', am I right?

[You can expect jokes of a similar caliber for the rest of the performance.]

april 23rd

Sans did not come with formal wear. You ever seen a skeleton wear a suit? Nobody wants to see that, man. C'mon. He might'a sneaked on past while clad in something appropriately monochrome, like maybe a black poncho-like bit of apparel, but regardless of how he entered, it'll soon come to light that Sans ain't wearing anything one could particularly count as formal to the event proper.

He is clad in nothing less than a stained white t-shirt and a pair of sweatpants with the words NASTY written in block letters across the back.

What? The deal with Sorrow was not saying anything of the joke variety. He never said a damn thing about skippin' over the rules to pull a good old-fashioned visual gag.

april 19th

[canisminor]

Miriam is also keeping herself out of the fray for reasons, but that doesn't mean she isn't exploiting the situation for all it's worth. And currently taking 5-1 odds on her betting pool.

Hey, a girl's gotta stay entertained.

She whistles, watching the latest contestants do their damn best to kill each other with pillows.

"Damn, son. And I thought I was competitive. You seeing this, Sans?"

Regis Lucis Caelum | ota (will match any format)

[kingslight]

April 17th, The Feast
[To be frank, Regis doesn't know what to make of some of these elaborate dishes. Most of the food provided today wins his royal approval except for a few odd plates that certainly look more alien than they do edible. Nevertheless, Regis does find some enjoyment in eating some of his favorite dishes he has yet to enjoy in months. He scoops up a few meals here and there for the others; especially for Prompto since the lad is always so thin. Sometimes he wonders if the blond eats well enough. It's been years, but Regis remembers exactly how plump Prompto used to be. It's not his place to be concerned but Regis cannot help himself. Life without Noctis is a tad...unsettling but even that is quite the understatement.]

Finally these deities do something right.

[He mutters that to himself as he takes a sip of wine. It honestly feels good to get his lips wet with something possessing the slight zing of alcohol. It's almost as if all is right with the world and then some. While that couldn't be any further from the truth, at least Regis seems somewhat happy for once. Though, he certainly does look like an old buzzard lurking over the food like that. The king's penchant for black is a bit of an eyesore at this point. Surely there's other colors--oh, well.]


April 23rd, The Masquerade
[Who would've guessed that they would've survived such a perilous ordeal. The King of Light always held out hope that Hadriel, this unfortunate city and its unfortunate inhabitants; would overcome the hardships before them. However, now he finds himself a little perplexed by what the future may hold. Regis done his part to assist in aiding the "gods" alongside with countless others but he didn't quite expect these fickle deities to show any sign of gratitude. That's why he was honestly surprised he received such a handsome gift from them in the form of lovely attire that Ikaruga managed to score of him and this joyous masquerade.

While he's honestly wary of anything not black or gray, Regis decides to humor the exquisite tastes of his friend and don this golden brocade frock coat suit. It should go without saying that Regis isn't fond of light colors. Hell, any noble-blooded Lucian despises pastels. They wear black patriotically in homage to their patron saint, the Reaper. That is why this old crow religiously wears almost nothing but black. However, Regis does sometimes wears a hint of color in the form of muted purples and royal blues. It's just not often that he's seen in anything other than black.

Therefore, this will be a welcome surprise for anyone wondering if Regis is colorblind. Why else would he wear so much black? Seems like an logical thought even if incorrect.He matches his handsome golden attire with that of a white and gold mask that doesn't do much to conceal his identity.

Truth be told, he's not really hungry. The king lacks an appetite and that's because of various reasons. However, he does pick at a few things. A nibble there and a nibble here but he doesn't fix a plate of anything. He looks oddly pensive if anything, a handsome thoughtful figure with a somewhat grim expression. Whenever he's pondering about something, Regis' expression is often quite grim.]

Wildcard
( ooc: suggestions allowed if either prompt suits you!)

April 17th!

[einselective]

"You're setting the bar low if providing more than just enough to keep us all alive is 'doing something right'," is Marian's disdainful reply, even as she picks a couple slices of melon off one of the trays and sets them on her own plate. 'And they're not deities, they're parasites."

Despite taking advantage of the food, grateful isn't exactly the operative word here, clearly.

Dr. Lee Rosen / Some OTA + Some Closed

[drabsolutelynot]

April 17th [OTA]

[Despite his cheeks still bearing the hollowed appearance left over from the previous few weeks, and his eyes still seemingly more deep set than they should be, Rosen is still not some to stuff his face or gorge himself on food. Generally food ranks within the middle range of Rosen's priorities, partly because he is abnormally picky, and partly because his mind gets easily distracted away from his stomach. But still, he is cradling a few apples in his hands as his nimble fingers work at freeing a brioche bun from a basket. His particular picks might appear distinctly boring compared to most of the food that is readily available at the feast.

But again, the man is picky.]

April 21st - [Closed to Wade]

[Rosen is not exactly the most romantically inclined. Divorced for well over a decade now, and generally preoccupied with work and the pre-eminent Alpha war, finding love has not exactly been high on Rosen's 'to do' list back home, if it is on there at all. But here in the cave, Rosen has begun to be distinctly aware of his 'aloneness'. His existence as entirely singular and separate from anyone else. An empty, one bedroom apartment. No regular patients like he had at home, his surrogate children. Just him. Alone in his distinctly feeble, non-super powered or combat trained, older self.

So maybe that is why he's come to Love's event. Even if he feels entirely awkward about the whole scenario. And even if he is not counting on anything to actually happen. But at least he'll be an active player in his life for a moment.

He is handed a name, and when he doesn't recognize it, he shyly ventures further into the bar]

Sometime before the Ball - [Closed to Emily]

[Rosen's face nearly touches the glass of one of the store windows as he peers inside. There are rows upon rows of outfits and accessories, some more familiar to him than others, but all in their own way foreign to him as a man with a very limited wardrobe. Generally speaking Rosen is always very neatly dressed, but in the way a classics professor at an ivy league is well dressed. A pressed collared shirt, a well chosen blazer or cardigan. But he's not exactly "fashionable". And he's certainly not fashion-conscientious enough to know where to begin for a ball of all things. He's been to a few high profile fundraisers and charity balls, but mostly as ordered by the DoD or any given medical board, and always someone else had a hand in helping him put himself together.

After a few moments of staring, it would be very evident to any casual observer that he has no idea what he's doing, and to top it all off, he is utterly overwhelmed by the options.]

April 23rd - [OTA]

[Thanks to the wisdom and guidance of Emily, Rosen has managed to clean up like a pretty penny
for the ball. His beard is freshly trimmed, his hair is neatly brushed back, and he's beginning to look less skeletal now that he's back to eating regularly.

However, while Rosen may certainly look the part of a socialite, he still very much is not, and will most likely be found timidly skirting about the edge of the ball, hanging near the walls, and only on occasion will he brave the crowd, with an expression akin to that of a deer about to be struck by a chevrolet.

Lee will try to play it off, but it is still obvious. ]

April 23rd - [Closed to Will]

[After one of his brief attempts at socializing within the crowd, Rosen has sought refuge in an odd, quiet corner. His fingers fiddle awkwardly with one of the buttons on his waistcoat and he chews a bit on his lower lip. It is strange how much easier he finds crowds when it is a matter of him speaking in front of an audience for a lecture or a government hearing, but for a purely social occasion? He feels like a fish flung onto a riverbank who is trying to flop his way back to the current.

And not doing so well.]

let's fashion

[unfollowing]

[Emily absolutely knows the look of someone who is lost. She's been here for over a year, it's easy to tell. Rosen doesn't look lost as far as the city goes, but he looks lost as far as what's inside the shop. From wandering around herself today, she's willing to bet she knows what he's looking at, but just to be sure, she looks past him and through the window as she walks by, and--

Yep. This guy is looking at clothes like Sam looks at Matt when he talks football.]

The clothes don't bite, you know. [Wolfie does, but only if you provoke him -- but Wolfie's not with her right now. He's wandering around, doing wolf things.

And Emily is doing Emily things, aka making sure a random fellow cavedweller doesn't turn into a fashion disaster.] Looking for something for Sorrow's masquerade?

Marian Tenebris: Open

[einselective]

April 17th: Feast

Although not a fan of the gods in any way and definitely not trusting them in the least, everyone has to eat, and something other than the canned food is a welcome change of pace. So it's today that Marian can be found surveying the tables, thoughtfully looking at the ingredients list, perhaps with a small plate of fresh fruit and vegetable dishes in one hand. Not very much seems like it'll preserve well, but she can at least take advantage of this while it lasts.


April 23rd: Masquerade

The dress Marian found when pressed to wear something more formal is very modest but elegant... and yet, that elegance is completely offset by a number of things. There's Marian's poor posture for starters, her shoulders slumped, and the rather thick, utilitarian man's-sized smartwatch still on her left wrist. The biggest issue though, is the same dull grey box that she's always seen with still on her back, shoulder straps marring the line of the dress. She can't be bothered with a mask either; it's a nuisance and impairs visibility.

She's not much of a mingler, despite Lee's advice. Instead she stays near the edge of the festivities, looking distinctly unimpressed for the most part, eyeballing some of the more outlandish residents with vague uncertainty. Every so often though, she heads into the edges of the Colloseum proper, taking advantage of this so-far guaranteed monster-free period to examine the place in closer detail.

[tongueamok]

Marian isn't the only one looking uncomfortable and unimpressed: her solitude at the edge of the Colosseum is interrupted as Carlisle makes his way over there, having left his date to dance with others (others far more capable of dancing, he reminds himself sorely). He straightens the tie that goes with his suit as he approaches, trying to find some way to occupy his hands from wringing together and his mind from focusing on how many people are there. While glad he found a suit that didn't have any white to go with it -- a challenge, given the choices of formal wear they were offered in the stores -- he also opted to go without a mask, as none of them fit under his glasses. He doesn't really see the point in them, as most people are still plenty recognizable even with the accessory obscuring a part of their face.

And thoughts like that are one of the many reasons why no one invites Carlisle to parties. He greets Marian with a polite nod, immediately following it up with a not-so-polite observation.

"Admittedly, you're one of the last people I expected to see here."

duck | open

[quacked]

17th

[ After going with barely any food for so long, especially when the city was split in half, seeing so many meals in one place is pretty amazing. Duck doesn't think he's seen so much food in his life - or at least not in several years. At first, he's cautious, even as his stomach growls, but after spotting several others eating without question, Duck decides it's not poisonous and digs in.

He spends all day at the storefront, sitting crossed legged under the table, munching on varied plates of foods he's familiar with, like fish and pasta and ice cream, and other dishes he's never heard of but decides he likes a lot.

He even sniffs at some of the wine, then takes a sip. Then spits it out, choking a little, because ew.

Or maybe you'll catch him a few hours later, when he's groaning a little and holding his belly. Maybe he shouldn't have had that fourth slice of cake. ]

19th

[ If it seems like someone isn't fully enjoying themselves or participating, even if they're not in the ring, Duck makes sure to help them get involved. Usually by a sneak attack in which he shouts, ] Sneak attack! [ And (if he can) he smacks them square in the face with a pillow.

Now you're having fun, right?

Later, in the evening once the pillow fights have subdued a little, Duck can be found gathering as many pillows as he can at once and dragging them toward the exit. Yes, he's stealing pillows. He needs them, okay. ]

20th

[ Mazes are harder than Duck thought they'd be; he started off heading around in different directions with no real plan and no tracking of paths he'd already taken. This turned out to be a mistake, as pure luck seems unlikely to help him right now. Left, right, right, left, right, right... has he been here before? He's sure he's been here before. Still, lost or not, Duck's determined not to give up. Hopefully he's not still here several hours later...

(He's probably here several hours later.) ]

23rd

[ Duck's found himself a pretty cool mask (to him at least) - simple and black, and kind of like a superhero's, which is awesome. He's also managed to find a suit well fitting enough for a skinny preteen. The fancy shirt and pants are enough to make him feel like Bruce Wayne, but he isn't quite sure what to do with the tie, since no one has ever taught him how to tie one, so it hangs loosely around his neck when he heads into the Colosseum.

He does try to tie it though. Did you know tying a tie like you're tying a shoelace is not the best way to do it? Well, Duck's beginning to realise as much. Help a kid out?

Once either someone has come to his rescue, or he simply gives up, Duck spends much of the evening at the refreshments table, though not eating quite as much as he was at the feast - he's learnt from his mistake, for now at least. He avoids the wine this time as well, though he does try some beer (nearly as gross as the wine). Otherwise he's sociable enough, and may even start a game of tag with any other kids nearby. ]

17th

[canisminor]

[Apparently she's not the only one who likes hanging out under tables.

Miriam pauses. Someone is in her spot. Her spot that she's stockpiled with chocolate and a big plate of still-bleeding meat for Barnaby. The dog whines. He wants his meat. It tastes like it's still breathing. ]

That's my plate, buddy.

kate | open

[dedikated]

april 17th | cooler than ice cream cart
( There's a palpable wave of relief that washes over Kate when the first signs of the gods doing something doesn't involve monsters, or emotional turmoil. The city looks better than it did a few days ago, but there's still work to be done. There's always work to be done, with all the rubble and the lack of, well, anything much.

(She has an idea for that, but that's for another time.)

The sight of familiar and unfamiliar foods, of things that are a major upgrade over the usual fare scavenged from abandoned stores, makes Kate stop, blink, and double check that she hasn't walked into the wrong place. But it's definitely Hadriel, in all its former glory, underground and not-quite-right as it is. She pushes her hair back over her shoulders and wanders the aisles of a store, eyeing desserts with disinterest and actual hot, fresh meals with the barely-contained excitement of someone whose meals mainly consist of subpar stirfry and soups.

If you don't catch her checking out everything, she'll be found wandering the streets with a takeaway box of fried rice and a spoon rather than chopsticks (sorry, dudes, she ain't that coordinated). )

What's the catch, you think?

( Judging by the soft curl of her lips and the lilt to her tone, it's meant to be a joke, or at the very least, she doesn't care that much about consequences right now. )

april 18th | we're melting the whole damn park
( Honestly, Kate's never really used the mopeds - apart from that one time she taught Henry how to ride them. But races? Those she can do. And maybe it's cheating, just a little, when she can easily outspeed one of these things without really trying, but hey, races are fun.

She can be found checking the mopeds, as if debating which is the best. ) We really need to use one of these to race?

( Try and convince her. Or ask her to try and outrun them. She might just go easy on you.

Probably not. But hey, if you feel like a footrace, or a race across the rooftops, that's good too. )

april 21st | carving our names in bark carving our names in hearts
( The rooftops have long been Kate's favourite haunt, not just in Hadriel, but back home too. Anyone who's been here long enough has probably grown accustomed to looking up and seeing her signature pink hair at the top of the clinic's building, or just somewhere in the city as she hops from one to another.

But today she's standing still, looking up at the cave's ceiling and taking in all the twinkling lights that Shadow, Alphys, Sans and herself put together. Fake stars, but the closest thing they've had to a real sky since Tranquility revived. Something that stops this place feeling so claustrophobic.

If you happen to find her near the Speakeasy's roof, she might just comment on this. )

What d'ya think?

( Or, later, she'll have jumped down and found herself a seat at the bar to drink. Come join her, if you're not into the Lovefest going on behind her. )

april 23rd | i live on the same old street i've been here for three whole weeks
( Some things in life are guaranteed. The seasons will change, tax season happens, the gods will do something. And Kate won't be caught wearing a dress.

This ball? Is no exception. She has, however, found a cute playsuit to wear instead. It's enough of a depature from a uniform of jeans, t-shirts and brightly coloured hoodies that it counts, right? Especially with a relatively smart pair of flats and her hair wrapped around her head in braids instead of in her usual buns or ponytails.

For the most part, you can find her chilling on the outskirts of the party, drinking something and possibly swaying to the beat of whatever's playing. )

april 23

[avephoenix]

[There's a pouting firebird at Kate's side -- a pouting firebird named Faith, who is wearing a dress with a cape that looks like fire. (Of course she is.)

She is pouting hard at Kate, even though she thinks Kate looks really cute in her outfit.]

There's still time, Kahteedid. Let's go find you a proper dress, yeh?

Maketh Tua | ota

[mismanagement]

April 21st

[All she wants is a damn drink. Something strong and pleasant tasting.

It takes Maketh a moment to realize that tonight isn't simply business as usual. That something strange is indeed happening around her.

If you're close enough, you might see the horror dawning on her face, along with a brilliant blush as realization comes and she makes a valiant effort at fleeing while looking like she's not making a break for it.]

April 23rd

[It would be a shame to waste the dress that Emily worked so hard to make. And secretly, Maketh once enjoyed this sort of thing. Putting on airs. Seeing what can be made beautiful when everyone really puts their minds to it.

Even she has to admit the gods have outdone themselves this time. Maketh watches everything with a faint smile, standing just out of the way - though with clear slight-lines in every direction. She's standing a bit off to the side, wearing a long purple dress. Her hair is down, though swept away from her face with a few strategic braids. (Emily's handiwork, again). And while she has neither jewelry nor a mask, she's comfortable with the dress. It fits her well and she's proud to wear it, sipping a glass of wine and watching the festivities.]

Wildcard

[Hit me!]

23rd. you wanna dance, etc.

[fulminatory]

I think you're breaking the rules.

[If Maketh turns to see the owner of the voice speaking to her from the side, she'll find one (1) Jason Todd dressed in a smart (if slightly rumpled) tux, complete with a domino mask in a deep shade of red around his eyes. If Jason does catch her eye, he'll point to that mask by means of explanation for what he's said. This is a masquerade ball, therefore masks are called for, and she isn't wearing one.

There's a hidden laugh in his words, a private joke, because when has he ever cared about following the rules. To Maketh, it may just sound like a gentle tease from a tall, masked stranger she probably hasn't seen around before.]

Miriam Day | ota

[canisminor]

April 17th

[So. Much. Food.

This is probably the best thing in the world, Miriam decides. Barnaby, already stuffing himself on a plate of drumsticks, is in greedy agreement.

Both of them are camped out under a table, surrounded by junk food (for Miriam) and various piles of meat (for Barnaby). Better keep a close eye on your plate or it might just disappear under the table.]

April 19th

[Most people see a pillow fight and think slumber parties. Maybe an accidental bruise or two.

Miriam is a tad more economical.

Currently she's got a card table and chair set up, along with a notebook and pen. Barnaby is sitting by her feet, tail wagging.]

Hey! Hey, you wanna make a bet?

April 22nd

[Miriam doesn't really do fancy parties, but she likes being entertained and so is hanging out close by the stage, watching with rapt attention.

She's totally not stealing food from people. Your eyes are deceiving you.]

Wildcard

[Hit me!]

23rd

[surgent]

[ The pair beneath the table are voracious and the Outsider watches with a curious grin as greedy fingers pull food off the table. After a time, he lifts the tablecloth, his dark eyes, though often uncomfortable to gaze into for too long, hold some mirth. ]

Do I dare ask if there is room for one more?

Sharon da Silva | OTA

[unitas]

▍▍▍▍ I. April 17th | The Feast

[ Months of poor eating habits and habitual chaos leave Sharon pushing portions of various foods around on her plate, rarely ever bringing her fork to her mouth. It all looks delicious and smells delicious but it only makes her stomach roll.

Eventually, she leaves her barely touched plate on one of the tables and grabs a mug of some dark beer. It counts as food in her eyes.

To anyone nearby, she'll say: ] It's nice to see all the ingredients listed and none of them say human. [ Small talk. Help. What do? ]

▍▍▍▍ II. April 18th | Racetrack

[ Sharon has never gotten the appeal of 'racing'. In her eyes, it's boredsville, like watching a gerbil run its wheel. She cups her hands to her mouth and yells: ]

Someone crash!

▍▍▍▍ III. April 23rd | Masquerade

[ The dress she chooses is a deep burgundy, hanging past her knees, edged with lace and peppered with fabric petals. She matches her tights to it and then pairs them with dark flats. The outfit is a far cry from her normal fare of leggings and hoodies and boots. She even dares a touch of makeup but does little to hide the slowly fading bruising or scrapes of the disaster they just avoided.

When not hanging around Mello as if he were her security blanket, she awkwardly nibbles at the food and sips at some alcoholic beverage near one of the tables, watching people dancing and chat like it's something foreign. She's not sure what to do or how to act or what to say.

Honestly, she wonders if it might be better to call it an early night. ]

I'm starting to realize this... really isn't my scene. [ Everything she does basically reaffirms her statement, one foot bouncing to the quiet beat of the music just to relieve the nervous energy built up in her. Maybe someone should ask her to dance? ]

23rd.

[torrefied]

We don't have to stay.

[There are a lot of people here, a lot of eyes, and it feels to Mello like they're all staring at him, through him. Maybe, he thinks, he should've picked a different mask than the mostly-black-lace number he chose.]

You do look awfully nice, though.

[So does he, by the way, in layers and layers of black. Mello reaches to take her hand and give it a gentle, reassuring squeeze.]

But it's your call.

inquisitor trevelyan ; ota

[closerift]

april 17th

[ The last feast she remembers enjoying was the night they defeated Corypheus. The Inquisitor stares now at the enormous quantity of food, around at all the people who are indulging, and... admits a little smile, if only for the memory. ]

Is it naive to assume it's all safe to eat, for once? [ She breathes, fixated. Still, she doesn't eat any of the meats here, with the experience of transforming into a wendigo still raw after over a year, but she does seem to be in better, or less cynical, spirits than usual. Instead, she has more than her share of drinks, tastes the fruits and produce, the sweets and breads, ends up laughing and speaking with strangers in a way that she hasn't lately within Hadriel. ]

No party will ever be as well-managed as Josephine's. [ Cecily hums, sipping from a goblet, cheeks warm from all the imbibing. ] But, this is a nice way for the gods to try and appease us.

[ Maker knows that the Inquisitor is no fan of theirs... except for Delight, who had once done her an ill-timed favor.

Nearby, an enormous dog tries to steal bits and pieces off of others' plates. ]


april 23rd

[ Cecily is showing about as much skin as you'd expect. Maybe less.

The Inquisitor is not drunk tonight. She's wearing a mask, but it doesn't much conceal her identity, and - is there even a need for that? No, not particularly. This is Hadriel, not the Winter Palace, and no one is scheming to assassinate anyone else (as far as she knows). Also, she isn't being forced into the Inquisition's official (and awful) formal wear, instead opting for a dress.

It's nice to be able to make choices without having the results impact the entire world. ]

The last time I was invited to something like this, I scaled the garden trellis, eavesdropped constantly, and defeated the Grand Duchess in a battle to the death. [ Cecily looks fairly pleased, for not having a drink in her hand. ] Lovely evening.

23rd

[fadeling]

[It was like the Winter Palace and Cole still couldn't decide if that was a party he liked. He'd spent most of it sequestered in the library, watching. At least this time it was easier to tell which were the real faces.

This time he did much the same thing, hiding in various corners, invisible, watching. He hadn't changed how he dressed. Maybe he should have been in the same thing he wore to the Winter Palace. People could see him then when he didn't want them to. Now he didn't care quite so much.

Cecily, at least, was safe. He already knew what her real face was.]

She was hiding her face underneath another one. Maybe it's the same here too.

Will Graham | OTA ( will match format)

[feelslikeimspilling]

april 17 - Feast

[ Will had been curious about the feast ever since receiving an invitation to it. He was happy with the food of course, after the time he'd just spent having to survive by eating various cooked monster parts. Sure, he was thankful for Hannibal's culinary expertise and that none of the creatures he'd ate tasted too unusual. Still, he was a little bitter that he'd had to more or less beg a God for deer meat so that Winston could have fresh food and here he found a plate of venison?! The cheek.

Filling a plate, with a curious expression on his face and a rumble in his tummy. Will was a little untrusting of most of what he was sampling but there was no denying it tasted nice. Reaching an arm over the table, trying to pick up a rather peculiar looking fruit, that was when he almost bumped into you. ]

Excused me if you would. I'm trying to get that... Don't suppose you've seen any containers around?

[ Mumbling as he spoke, a little uncomfortable being around so many people at once. If he could, Will would take as much of the fresh meat back to his apartment, for his Dog, Winston of course! Can't pass up on a chance like this to fill the freezer with delicious doggy food! ]

april 19 - Pillow Fight

[ It had been a few days and Will had been in what he would consider to be considerably good health! His fever wasn't any higher than it normally soared and he'd not had a seizure in well over a week! Yup, Will was doing pretty good actually... Until of course today.

Will had spent the night before watching people race around on the mopeds for a while before trying to get an early night. He had never been a good sleeper but he was willing to give it a try anyways. Unfortunately for Will, tonight just happened to be the night his old Sleepwalking habit decided to rear its ugly head, causing Will to peel himself from his sweat-soaked sheets and wander the streets of Hadriel barefoot and almost naked.

There he was, in boxer shorts and a wet t-shirt, wandering right into the middle of what seemed to be a huge pillow fight, none the wiser. ]

april 20 - Maze

[ Will had no interest in actually finding the middle of the maze and claiming a prize, he simply saw it as a means of training Winston a little. Setting off with his dog and a pocket full of dried meats, Will set small scraps of it down in one corner of the maze, then lead his dog off in another direction.

The plan was to have Winston lead them back to the meat and be rewarded another treat, he hadn't taken into account that Winston would run off the first chance he got, leaving Will behind, lost and looking as hopeless as ever.

You could find him, trying to climb up the walls and look over the top for his dog. Ther was no point in tapping out as it would only bring him back to the start. Calling out from time to time, Will could be heard shouting his dog's name in the hopes the hound returned to him. ]

april 21 - Speakeasy

[ If anything, Will is more curious about the latest God more than anything. He wants to know why they hate him? He wants to know why they never bless him or bother to keep people in his life long enough to experience their blessing for long or at all. He's a bitter, nervous little man and despite already coming to the conclusion that Love themselves isn't going to have the time to talk with him, he's willing to show up and see what kind fo a sick joke they'll play on him today.

Really, he has no intention of actually showing up here to find a friend or someone to love (he's kind of almost doing that on his own, he just needs to take a leap of faith and make a better move!) Still, Will enters and waits to see who he's been paired up with. Knowing his luck, there will be an uneven number and he'll get left out. He's not expecting much, honestly. ]

april 23 - Masquerade

[ Originally, Will was going to sit this out. He had never really been one for socializing and dressing up just felt stuffy and unnatural to Will. He'd much rather put on a comfortable shirt and some chinos or cuddle up in a warm winter sweater. However, living with Hannibal meant Will didn't have much of a choice in the matter. His roommate had already picked out a fine 3 piece suit for Will to wear. His tie was knotted in such an intricate way that felt so unnecessary but Hannibal had insisted so Will went along with it.

Standing near a table by the wall, Will felt he was better suited to being a wallflower than actually attending the ball and mingling with guests. The music was nice and truth be told Will had missed listening to it since he'd been here. Turning his mask over in hand a few times, looking down at it and occasionally holding it up to his face, Will watched the other guests dance and enjoy themselves. A little part of him wished he could be so carefree and galavant too but it just wasn't who he was. The wine was splendid though and Will might very well have had more than his fill of it by the time the ball was almost over, possibly enught to losen him up for a dance if you should fancy one. ]

april 23rd - Masquerade

[rehashing]

[ It's interesting, to be meeting people in their best. (And some who didn't try at all.) But, Elena comes from a town where everyone knows one another. Outsiders are obvious even to the untrained eye. Dressing up meant seeing the same people she saw every day, just cleaned up. It's an entirely different situation seeing new people dressed up. And being the outsider.

She cleans up nice, her mask still on. From afar, it may seem sinister. A woman in a mask turning her head just so in Will's direction. There's something about him, something familiar that she can't place. When he brings his mask down, Elena places him. She recognizes that face.

She likes seeing people in person more than the network. It didn't seem reliable. Her and Caroline had gotten the one response. But, thanks to Cashmere, they wouldn't burn their food anymore. Unless they hit the wrong button. But, she'd drawn the x through it and everything! She figured the city was busy rebuilding and reacting to the split.

Either way, she approaches the man.

So many wallflowers here. Maybe it came from their sunny disposition. ] I recognize you. [ She feels like she's reaching Stefan and Damon levels of borderline creeperdom, so she clarifies. ] From the phone. You broadcast that video advertising your pets. [ She looks back out to the others, the reality of the situation setting back in. It fell away every now and again. But, being reminded of him. ] You hear you're on another planet, you rationalize, but, then you see -- I'm sorry, I forgot their names. [ She's not one to speak ill of creatures she hasn't met, no matter not being familiar with them. Maybe he hadn't said them. ]

Nathan Drake | OTA

[nonscriptum]

April 17th

[Outside of the lack of familiar faces Nate has found that the food in his new home away from home leaves a lot to be desired, a little too reminiscent of early years he can barely remember, of harder times scrounging in the streets of foreign cities. Canned peaches are all well and good if you're desperate and too lazy to wait for take-out, but they shouldn't be the new normal. He'd almost prefer day-old bread from a Colombian dumpster - at least then you aren't being pumped full of preservatives.

But this? This smorgasbord of edible delights? This he can do, and does, because as a bottomless pit for foodstuffs Nate is never going to turn his nose up at table after table of platters, piled high with God-knows-what and who-even-cares.

Don't mind the adult man stacking arepas into a pyramid on his plate in sheer delight. Rest assured, it is both architecturally sound and incredibly delicious.]

April 20th

[If there is one thing in this world that Nate is incapable of resisting, it's the intellectual pull of a puzzle.

As soon as she shrubs started climbing into hedges (albeit unnaturally, with speed, but he's trying to accept that part at face value) he was already there, a spring in his step and an excited intensity bordering on childlike glee. It's a welcome distraction in this time of need, when Nate is fully aware that he's trapped and trying to forget how horrifyingly claustrophobic that makes him feel. Better to throw himself headlong into a labyrinth of thistles.

Running into him in the confines of the maze could prove either fruitful or annoying, because he has a knack for this sort of stuff but is also fiercely competitive, pausing every so often to mark corners and dead ends in the sketchbook he keeps tucked into his satchel.]

April 23rd

[Fancy shindigs aren't Nate's thing for a number of reasons, largely because they a.) involve getting dressed up in the finest of annoyingly-pressed clothes and b.) are comprised of veritable strangers. While he's certainly improved over the years, he's never been exceptionally good at small talk, preferring to defer to his more gregarious companions. There were times in his youth when his older brother would send someone over to the end of the bar and Nate got about halfway through an excited ramble on petroglyphs before the other party lost interest.

Understandably.

He is looking, as the kids say, "fresh to death," or as his wife might put it "yeah, not bad" coupled with an appreciative and wandering eye. It is likely that at some point in the evening he will have foregone the bow tie in favor of breathing room, but until then he cuts a half-decent figure at the punch bowl. Without a social life preserver to which he can cling Nate is having second thoughts about his experiment in extroversion.

(Ironically, this would feel a lot easier if he were robbing someone.)]

April 23rd

[knifecollecting]

[Jo's probably as lost as Nate is, but hiding it just as well.

With a full glass of punch she turns to head back towards the food. Except she doesn't make it far, tripping quickly as one of her shoes slips and she flings the drink into Nathan's chest.]

Shit! I'm sorry!

jack benjamin | ota

[benumbing]

april 17th:

[after all that they've been through, the past months and many months before it, a lot of people would just appreciate peace and festivities, especially when they start with a spread like this.

jack is still a suspicious bastard, but the feast has fancy little meatballs that aren't made from questionable meat. he takes a few at first, before giving in and picking up the whole plate of them. there's plenty of food for everyone, but he will share - even if you tease him for stuffing his face like a hamster.]

april 23rd:

[when was the last time he wore a suit? he carries himself like it was just yesterday, muscle memory from attending so many events like this in his old life. enough time has passed that the idea of the masquerade doesn't bore him. the company is definitely more promising too.]

Should we dance? [he stops at someone's side, watching the people who already are.] I promise I won't step on your toes. Believe it or not, I've done this before.

wildcard:

[racetrack, pillow fight, speakeasy. whatever strikes your fancy!]

apr 23

[64th]

Absolutely. [ she offers him her hand. ] And for the record, I'd trust you with far more than my toes.

[ She's found a heavily beaded dress that shimmers as it catches the light. it feels nice to be dressed up again. and for once all on her own doing. ] You look handsome. Like you could break a hundred hearts.

[ they fall easily into step together, and Cashmere's sure that between the two of them they've probably got the most years of dance lessons out of everyone in the cave. ] If it was like this all the time, I really think I could get used to it.

Prussia | open

[occupiesvitalregions]

[April 18]
[At first, Prussia was skeptical of what was going on. He didn't much trust the gods, and the last event left him even more distrustful. But these games appeal to his highly competitive side, and he can't just sit back when there's a chance to show off just how ~awesome~ he is.

He's already hopped on a moped and is revving the engine. He doesn't look too impressed with it, but any port in a storm will do. For now, though, he's feeling pretty friendly.]

C'mon, who's up? Maybe we'll be able to reach a terrifying, break-neck 30 miles an hour on these things. You scared or somethin'?


[April 19]
[This is a bad competition to throw him into, because Prussia's going to take it much more seriously. He's got a decent-sized bed pillow and won't hesitate to hit anyone standing still. He puts what feels like a little too much force into it, but it could actually be a lot worse.]

Weaklings! There's no way you're gonna take me down! Come at me!


[April 20]
[Doing this on his own is getting a bit tedious. But he's not lost, okay?! No matter how frustrated he looks...]

Have you been this way yet? I'm pretty sure it leads to a dead end. ... Right?


[April 21]
[Prussia is totally unaware of the mystery date scenario going on in the Speakeasy. He was just coming in for a beer, the spirit of competition putting him in a much better mood than he's been in a long time. Little does he know that as he enters, he's getting pushed towards someone else in the bar who he's been set up with. As what's happening slowly dawns on him, his face starts redden and he tries to carefully step backwards. He looks a little overwhelmed.]

W-Wait, what's going on? Two people can't just be set up like this--!

[He might need to be reminded that blind dates are a thing.]


[April 23]
["I'm not going to some stupid ball" thought Prussia, as he picked out his suit. After all, don't they have more important things to worry about after all the goofing off this week? He wondered this to himself as he stood back by the drinks alone. He tried very hard to convince himself that he didn't like these sorts of affairs as he fixed his tie and sipped his drink.

And coming stag is perfectly acceptable. Totally. Standing alone in the back is for awesome people! Haha...ha...

Well, at least he looks good. Maybe he'll attempt some awkward conversation to anyone coming by for a drink.]

Soooo. You think they made up for tearing the two in two with all this stuff this week?

april 20

[overarching]

[ Caroline's huffy and moments away from seeing how cumbersome it would be to tear through the maze's walls. She could, and she'd heal, but would it be worth the effort?

She hears a voice, most people she's crossed paths with not having said anything. Turning a corner, she immediately speaks with her first glimpse at the speaker. ] Yes, it is. They're all dead ends. I'm starting to think they lied about there being a prize. What more could you expect from Confusion? [ Her arms cross, sighing, annoyed. ]

Jill Valentine | OTA - will match format!

[survivethis]

April 17: Feast

Jill didn’t expect to be out on patrol and find the stores packed with so much food. At first she thought maybe she was dreaming, or perhaps the gods were fattening them up to cook them or something else crazy enough to happen in fairy tales. She thought the food might even be drugged. That kept her from indulging for awhile, but eventually the smell of the food broke down her barriers and then one final blow did her in.

“Are those macaroons?”

Okay, she had no will power. Not anymore. Jill gravitated straight toward a table full of delectable deserts and picked up one of the sweets. She was going to gain a few pounds by the time this was over.

April 23: Masquerade

Jill has been to some formal functions before. With her status in the BSAA, sometimes it was necessary to be cordial with politicians and the like. She never really felt like she fit in at such places, and even though she was here surrounded by others who were in the same situation as she was in this world, she still didn’t feel natural all dolled up.

Still, there was music, refreshments, and dancing. Given how things usually are, this felt sort of magical, and Jill liked seeing everyone so happy. She didn’t quite know what to do with herself as she wandered the ball dressed in a black gown that shimmered and a black mask with a similar style. Maybe she would be able to recognize a friend, which could be difficult. They all looked so different this evening. Even Jill had her hair down from its traditional ponytail and styled into soft blond waves.

“I think I could use a drink.”

23rd

[unitas]

Sharon felt out of place among the finely dressed and masked attendees, her own dress simple in comparison, no mask found on her lightly made up face. In most cases, her response would be snarky, Jill still a less than liked person, but she's too uncomfortable in the situation to bother.

"Or three."

Calanthe | 23rd | OTA

[pyralisit]

[They'd survived, at least, and maybe that was worth celebrating, but most of it was so ridiculous Cal avoided it. He was perfectly content to just do nothing, be lazy for a few days and try not to draw too much attention to himself. He wasn't going to risk ending the break. The peace was too nice. Somehow he doubted the other two appreciated him staying inside so often, but he tried not to care about that too much.

A party, though, he couldn't resist. Maybe it was just curiosity, but the thought was alluring. There had to be a catch, but it was impossible not to go and see what it would be.

His clothing was simple, but at least he could move in it. The mask he'd paired it with didn't do much to disguise him or impair his vision. He was still paranoid, even if he was smiling. He'd learned how to take care of himself, and a healthy unease was part of that.

Still, he couldn't deny that it was lovely.]

[amos_moses]

Oh, hello again. You're lookin' pretty lively.

[Amos appears through the crowd and grins brightly. Nice to see this one's not dead in a gutter and looking far less depressed. How excellent! Maybe this time he'll get a name.]

Elena Gilbert .. OTA

[rehashing]

got up on the wrong side of life today .. april 17th

[ It's still an adjustment.

Every day something else comes up, along with everything else Elena can't bring herself to ask about. It reminds her of Founders Day week back home. While the week proves to be a welcome distraction, Caroline convinces Elena that if the gods are throwing these events, then it's possible they'll be there.

Certain events are musts for Elena. Others are just to see's. The feast is a must. While Caroline has worked at perfecting her Hadriel cooking ability, perfection takes time, even for a Forbes. It doesn't help that she and Caroline haven't gotten out from under the awkwardness of the span of time that sits between them. And, Elena has never been one to send free food away. For Elena, free food had always ended up at her house courtesy of her various losses in life, her parents... but she still accepted it. It helped that neither she nor Jeremy cooked. And Jenna had ordering in down pat.

Elena always tried something at the local events, and today is no exception, choosing to try several somethings. When not studying ingredients she's never heard of, she watches others and sees what they gravitate to. She fills up one whole plate of things she thinks she wants, finding a place to sit. One thing she gets that looks like paté served at a Lockwood party doesn't taste like it and she sets the bitten into cracker aside, on a napkin. She's polite, says 'Excuse me," and waits patiently for everything. She chooses things she liked for her second pass, including one of the smaller deserts.

She doesn't drink at the event, but any coffee is welcomed with open arms. She's heard they're encouraged to take food home, but this is for Hadriel, so she doesn't attempt to bring any home. It's not like leftovers at a restaurant. Still, a bag provided for her ends up in her hand and she does spend some time contemplating taking something home. She ends up taking two good sandwiches, lunch for her (and for Caroline) tomorrow. ]

crash the car and I'm gonna be really late .. april 18th

[ Elena doesn't ride her and Caroline's moped to the moped race for fear of it being entry into the race. And she's really there mostly as a spectator. She asks around about Tranquility, if anybody has seen them. It turns out moped races aren't the most exciting of races, so a cup of something alcoholic ends up in her hands. Someone offers it, and considering money is never exchanged here, she accepts. She thinks party rules back home don't apply. That does get her thinking about whether someone in a cave like this, someone agreeable and Vitamin D deficient might do something to a woman, so she taps on the generous person's shoulder and declines the drink with an apology. She didn't eat lunch. It's a flimsy apology, but there's no need to up the rude quotient here.

Eventually, she acquires her own drink herself. That, she consumes while half watching the moped race.. ]

i'm in a fight with the world but I'm winning .. april 19th

[ Don't ask how it happened. Elena will lie. She stands in the ring, eying the pillows around her in various shapes. She has some, let's call it frustration to get out. She's not angry at Caroline. She doesn't blame her. But there are things they don't talk about, things she can't bring herself to speak about. Honestly, this event couldn't come at a more perfect time. Elena isn't vicious when it comes to her pillow prowess, but she doesn't intend to take no prisoners. If she's hit, she whirls around and sends a blow to the offender.

Something happens however. Frustration gives way to fun and by mid-way through the fight she's laughing, and ducking, and grabbing a different pillow when she can.

Before she knows it, the scrimmage is over and she stands there panting, a smile back on her face. ] That's it? [ She asks, as the players disperse. Following someone out. ] Can we go again?

i just wanna scream and lose control .. april 22nd

[ It could be the pillow fight, or it could be working together to complete the hedge maze (and winning a compass... sure, they'll need one in a cave without the north star), but Elena's in a good mood by the time open mic night comes around. She's encouraging Caroline. She's seen her live out her rock star fantasy, she's heard her sing. Caroline has to go and Elena will be there to support her best friend. Elena can't change what's between them, and they may never quite bridge that gap, but they have each other and that's what she decides to focus on as the week nears its' end.

Elena gets a table toward the front. She cheers for her best friend. "Go Caroline!" If asked, she'll proudly tell them that Caroline is one of her best friends. She claps for everyone and just takes a night to forget everything. It's the first night she's really gotten loose and it shows. Caroline doesn't stop the alcohol from flowing but one of the two of them have a much lower tolerance. At one point, Elena pulls Caroline up to dance during one of the sets. There's an idea for shots, and don't ask Elena whose idea it is. She stumbles into one or two people. One when she's telling Caroline something and she backs up. Oops. The other with two drinks in her hands. Double sorry!

At the bar, she'll smile at anybody who makes eye contact. The people in this cave deserve some friendliness. She'll even lift her glass in solidarity.

At a certain point, her alcohol turns to water (thanks, Care!) so at one point she perches herself at the bar. When she finishes a glass, she asks for a refill. Caroline refuses to let her BFF be hungover for the masquerade the next night. They stay late and leave together, friendship reaffirmed. ]

throw my hands up and let it go .. april 23rd

[ Elena arrives, arm in arm with Caroline. But, for tonight, her goal is to mingle. She keeps her mask on the majority of the night. She didn't participate in the last Masquerade she'd been invited to, so despite masks not being required, she chooses one. She does expect less death and pain in this one. Yes, this is the murder cave, but she hasn't witnessed a lot of murder. She's hoping to keep that going.

Caroline may have chosen the dress, but Elena accessorized and chose the mask.

If asked, Elena obliges in a dance, even with a handsome stranger should one ask. if a female asks, she obliges as well. The name of the game tonight is to mingle and to be friendly. To see who's who and maybe speak to any of the gods if they too show up. Like the moped race, she asks around if anybody's seen them. She's still not sure they are gods. She's familiar with a group of vampires that likened themselves to gods. Color a girl curious. Unlike the night before, Elena paces herself with her drinks. When a glass is in hand, it's champagne. But, she does drink water, and take in the hors d'erves.

She's not one who feels appreciated by the gods, she did just get here, but she finds herself more amenable to hearing them out. Then again, the Mikaelsons threw a ball fancier than this one, in fancier accommodations. So, Elena considers her guard always up.

At one point in the night, she takes a breather in the stands, adjusting her shoe strap before losing them altogether and holding them the rest of the night. They may look to die for, but she doesn't want to die in them. Thank you very much.

And thanks, gods.

Outside, Elena, barefoot, looks up at the "night sky," remembering stars, and comets, and everything left behind.]

april 22nd

[overarching]

[ The preceding days' festivities make for varying moods other than general distaste and confusion, but the lingering state of a chasm between herself and Elena is constant. Caroline tells herself it will close over time, that the divide will lessen, and that no matter what, whatever happens, this isn't something they can force. It needs to happen naturally.

Where they're at, the impact this eight years difference has (notably on Elena, but Caroline isn't immune to its effects either), is no fault of either of them. Of anyone? Should they blame a force that brought them there? The longer that Caroline's there, the more she sees of the gods, she's not entirely sure. She hates that lack of total awareness but it's part of life in a weird hellcave. Most important is how their lives there, together, different as they are (and alike, all the same), are. What happens with each day of being awake: every day is a new day. Different, and hopefully they grow with every rising of the, er, non-existent sun.

She knows she overly encourages, but Elena seems to warm up to the going out the longer the week goes on. Not that her mood reflected negativity, actually. It's Elena: she looks through situations via a different scope than most anyone else. Caroline included; she may be great at detail, at perfecting, at over obsessing to the point of dwelling on each minuscule factor, but Elena excels at letting the moments of life she's presented with wash over her and reacting as they come, in a way that looks effortless.

Looks. Isn't. Plus, carrying emotional baggage is never effortless.

Caroline sings. More than once. "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," not trying to hype it up to Cyndi Lauper's voice (who really could? how many people would even know whether or not she'd be trying to, though??) "Express Yourself" somewhere in the mix; thanks, Madonna. She smiles, grins through refrains when she spots Elena. Makes sure they're both enjoying themselves, even more so in a time where it seems like Elena's really letting loose. Not as much as she could (memories of certain parties can never be forgotten.)

Finishing her last song, something upbeat (who is there to a sing a love ballad or a somber melody to? why sully the mood?!) she goes over to where she sees Elena, perched as she is, with the glass of water she ensured the brunette had. Her head tilts, smile threatening on her lips. ] Could you even tell me what the last song I sang was, Elena? [ Insinuating how drunk you are, not being mean or that it was one a year from past what Elena could even know: Caroline isn't cruel. She's in fact, playful, eyeing the bar, lips pursing as she considers having another drink while Elena's stuck on water: at least she gladly took it, too! Some drunks, you just can't take 'em anywhere. ] I guess we could always dance again...if someone else gets up to sing. [ Or not, who needs music to dance?

This, it's a super fun night for Caroline. She wants them both to keep living it up! ]

[knifecollecting]

April 17th: Hope's feast
[Jo heads out for her usual daily search of the shops and-

Hell, that is a lot of food. She starts trying out things that seem familiar and then moving on to the things that are a little stranger. Some foods she avoids all together based on the ingredient list, but she's definitely taking advantage of this.

And for a smaller human she can eat a lot. If she hears someone get close she'll pick something up and hold it out to them.]

Here, try this, it's so good.

April 18th: Tranquility's races
[She uses the mopeds to get around the city a lot, so as soon as she realizes what the racetrack is for she's looking for an opponent.]

Hey, wanna race? We don't have to bet anything. [But if her opponent is up for a bet, she is definitely up for betting.]

April 23rd: Sorrow's masquerade
[Normally there's no way Jo would be caught at something like this. She didn't even go to her high school prom. And her idea of dressing up in the past few years had been to put on a stolen suit to pretend to be law enforcement. Hell, last time she'd worn a dress was to get past some demon bodyguards.

And yet here she was, in a black dress with matching black flats. There was no way she was doing heels, even for a fancy banquet. Even Amos wasn't able to talk her into heels, despite talking her into the dress.

She doesn't know how to dance formally so she'll stick close to the refreshment tables and take advantage of more free food.]

Good stuff, yeah?

April 18th

[outstandingbalance]

[One of Natasha's brows kicks up a little and she gives half a shrug, head tilted toward her raised shoulder.]

Just for bragging rights then?

rosie-dear;

[hasitsthorns]

april 17th;

[ While Rose is happy to mingle with everyone at the feast, she can't deny a certain bitterness in the pit of her stomach at all that's provided she can't partake in. She thinks to ask Hope if he's got anything made with soylent green because maybe it'd amuse her how he wouldn't get it. While it's a tempting idea, she refrains.

She'll pick up a plate then after a spell discard it discreetly somewhere. Either passing it off to someone else or setting it back down claiming not to be hungry or already full or whathaveyou. Unfortunately, it gets less subtle the more times it happens. She promises she isn't trying to offend the host by not eating what's offered but it's a conflict of interests with keeping up appearances. ]

april 19th;

To arms, allies! Strike with a vengeance! Leave none standing, take no prisoners, crush the opposition!

[ For all her dramatics, Rose isn't serious in the slightest. Well, she is serious about winning. Though she's grinning bright all the while.

She whaps anyone and everyone with a pillow so watch out. This blond is a blur of feathers and fun. ]

april 21st;
∟ (first come first serve prompt)

[ Love was one of the gods that Rose has been most excited for. Despite her own complicated feelings on the emotion, she's always been a proponent of people coming together and loving one another. Maybe she's a bit naive that way to think all some people need is love to improve their lives, but. That's what she feels is true.

So of course she'd participate in the speed dating. After her slip-up during Kissmas and getting a bit more romantic than anticipated, she'd try to reel it in and keep things strictly platonic. Still. Rose will do her best to make any date a good 'ol time. ]

Heyo! Looks like you and me are in this thing together.

april 23rd;
∟ (open to all)

[ The woman had searched long and hard for the perfect attire and by some miracle had acquired just that. Her hair is done up in a fancy braid, too, with Rosa Rugosas from the orchard decorating it. Nevermind that the sight made her cry buckets before the ball because all she could do was think of her mother.

Thankfully, she's composed by the time the dance roles around and. Well. She was hoping to be the picture of sophisticated grace. Instead she's an absolute nervous wreck pacing back and forth fast enough to make the people around her anxious. Is it hot in here? It feels hot in here. She drinks her umpteenth glass of water and sighs far too heavily once finished. ]

You can do this, [ she might be heard saying before her eyes find the host who is, oh god, he's surprisingly close and n o p e. She's just gonna' scurry behind the nearest inanimate object that will block her from view. Mostly. She's just... casually hanging out here. Totally. Nothing suspicious and or awkward about it at all. ]

∟ (closed to Sorrow)

[ Ignore all that above aforementioned awkwardness, Rose is completely confident as she strides up to Sorrow. (Actually, she totally stumbled because someone probably pushed her saying 'get it over with already!' or something to that effect.)

ANYWAY.

Once she's before him, she switches immediately into suave mode. Ahem!!! ]

May I have the honor of this dance?

[ He really needs to appreciate how hard it was for her to refrain from inserting an eyebrow waggle in there. It was so tempting. As it is though, she's one hundred percent cool and composed (on the outside, whilst screaming internally). ]

23rd

[murderpotato]

[The inanimate object that Rose happens to scurry behind is the same one that Gren's leaning against, drinking whiskey and looking, if possible, a little more sullen and broody than usual. He's wearing the right clothes to be broody in, anyway-- managed to get his gross 80's self dressed up for this shitty masquerade or whatever. He fit his lanky ass into a suit, black with a blue-gray shirt and no tie, mostly because he had no fucking clue how to do one up. He left the first few buttons of the shirt open instead, because he's physically incapable of wearing a shirt that completely covers his skinny chest.]

[And a mask. Because that's apparently part of all this shit. Whatever, it's not like he had to pay for any of this, so what does he care?]

[He doesn't look over at her when she hides. He's watching the milling masses of people instead, scanning it like he's looking for someone. He is. Where the fuck is Wade?]

You're a fuckin' embarrassment.

Richie Gecko | ota | will match format

[hornrims]

April 17

[Richie enjoys having something of a routine. Going into work nearly every day at the pawn shop helps to give him a sense of normalcy and structure.

Of course, on the days like this when there's something new and entirely unexpected amid his shelves, normalcy is thrown out the window. At least it's something useful this time. Without further hesitation he begins to pack the more perishable items to stored away in the freezer. If anyone wanted the extra food here they were going to have to act quick.]

April 20

at the start

[The event hasn't officially begun. Some participants are still rolling in and some are on the fringes just looking in. Richie, as is his custom, has arrived early to scope out the competition. If there's some sort of unusual or unique artifact, he's going to want it. As people make their preparations ahead of time he stands perfectly still, moving only to get a better look at the others soon to enter the maze. If you feel a pair of eyes staring at you unflinchingly, that would be Richie.]

during

[The bustle of the earlier festivities have long since quieted around Richie. Though he keeps his senses open he hears no movement and sees no rustling of the hedges. Just stillness in the form of tall, thick greenery. From here it all looks uniform, though Richie knows better. Uniformity doesn't seek to twist someone into knots.

Even the air is still, as no breeze filters through the foliage.Suddenly he feels a pull behind sternum, telling him to move forward. He closes his eyes, inviting the vision in if this is indeed the start of a premonition. A voice seems to filter through the leaves, as if shaking the stems with a nonexistent wind.

"Close" is all they whisper.

He intends to drift further into the voice until an abrupt sound of footsteps breaks his connection. Startled out of his trance, Richie turns to the direction of the sound.]

Who's there?

April 23

[The only thing that brought Richie to the formal and keeps him there is the occasion to wear a new suit. He has always enjoyed dressing well and does his best to do so even within the confines of Hadriel. But there is a difference between business dress and something more sleek, designated for a certain occasion. He wears a black two-button suit with a midnight blue shirt and navy tie. For the night he forgoes his glasses to wear a copper mask with a detailing that depicts a tearing from claws across the eyes. Peripheral and distance vision will be limited, but if it becomes too troublesome he has a contingency plan of his glasses tucked into his front pocket.

Once there he's not entirely sure what to do with himself other than place his back to a wall to limit what he can't see. When he branches out, it's to grab a drink, finding himself reaching for the same time as someone else. After their arms bump Richie says nothing, but immediately shifts to the side, clearly uncomfortable with physical contact.]

23rd!

[dedikated]

( Well, some people have never been into dressing up for the occasion. The pretty ball dresses just scream impractical and uncomfortable and are skipped over for something more relaxed, sans any mask. She can run in this, make her way back home far easier than Faith will in that caped gown.

She bumps into Richie when grabbing a drink while coming off the dancefloor, a crown of pink braids curling around her head. Some efforts have been made. It's far fancier than anything normally done here. But the week's done a lot to bring about some good spirit in her - from the events hosted by the gods to the project Shadow led - and Kate really doesn't mind letting go for once. Enjoying something like this as wholly as she can, for the first time really at something fancy without the buzzing background sensation of having to watch everyone for something suspicious. )

Got owt stronger?

( The wine's good but, you know. )

alphys | ota, will match format

[sciencelizard]

17th; feast

[Alphys is literally never one to turn down free food, even if it's human food and even if it involves being in a room with tons of strangers. She had eaten through all her saved rations and then some during the city split, and restocking means going with less, but not today. Today, she is going to eat everything. Find her with her plate piled high and absolutely no table manners. Sorry, Hadrielites. She'll talk with her mouth full constantly.]

22nd; open mic

[Admittedly, Alphys isn't really here for any kind of performance; none of her skills are marketable to the stage, and if she was in the spotlight she'd probably just melt, but a lot of her friends intend to be here tonight, so she is too. With a drink in hand a comfy seat nearer to the back, there's space at her table for more, if you'd like to join her in cheering on the night's events.]

23rd; formal

[It took a lot of convincing to get her here. Truthfully, Alphys really wanted to go- a masquerade, with gorgeous dresses, lovely dancing- sounds right out of a fairytale. The only problem with this is the kind of girls who get asked to these balls are... pretty, and coordinated, and don't have to deal with fitting a tail into a human-shaped dress. They're not her. They're better than her. She'd just bring everyone down.

But after a while of convincing to go and have fun, she's finally in, and not even in her normal polka-dotted dress. It's been insisted she get into something much cuter, and so... here she is! Trying to be confident! Mostly entirely wallflowering it and eating finger sandwiches to preoccupy herself from how out of place she feels. She's too short to dance with most humans, she probably looks weird, but... she's here. Trying to make it as magical as she wants it to be.

She'll probably stand on your feet if you try to dance with her, but she'd appreciate it anyway.]

23rd

[liveasmyself]

[Ray keeps to the outskirts of the party, eventually making her way over to the snacks. This is, at least, something to do while she watches everyone else enjoy themselves. She scans the dancers first, then the people closer... and the ones who don't look like people...

She realizes after a moment that she's been staring at the lizardlike person. She tries to put on a friendly smile--clearly that's not a monster if they're here, right?]

Have you ever been to something like this before?

april 21st - closed to shadow

[avephoenix]

[Of course Faith's going to go to the speakeasy to go on a date with -- what a good way to make new friends! Love knows what's up, she's got to say -- and of course she'd be happy with whatever name she gets -- a stranger is just a person you're not friends with yet!

She doesn't get a new person's name, but she does get the name of someone who means a great deal to her. He's not among the people at the bar, so Faith goes off in search of him, dashing around at half speed so she can cover the city quickly enough.]

Mr. Hedgehog? [She calls that every now and then, in case he's within earshot but out of sight.] Not gonna stand me up, are ya?

[overarching]

you don't mind, you smile . april 17th

[ Of the two that live in the three bedroom apartment, that feels more suitable to live in ever since Cashmere helped them out, it's Elena that finds the notice. Shows it to Caroline, who has a perfectly healthy obsession with determining how clean the place actually is. Maybe she's spending a lot of time that day inside because of that, so?

They have to do; what if the gods are actually at these events? Where better to learn information than from the horse's mouth itself?

It isn't until they approach the initial tables with food on them that she feels a surge of possibility over some of these events being, maybe, fun. The included list expressed a lineup that Caroline would be zealous for, but her first instinct was not glee. At home, on Earth, that's where she would've looked forward to some of the events.

She and Elena split off, to mingle accordingly, and Caroline keeps her eyes peeled for Hope. The god that Jo mentioned to her. Stopping near a table with trays that look like they could be hors d'oeuvres that slant toward sweet, she picks up something with berries and takes a bite. It's...surprisingly good, and she ponders if it really contains the sort of cheese its card claims it does. ] If there's a spread like this at the formal, knowing someone named Sorrow is throwing it shouldn't keep anyone from going. [ An awfully long statement to make at someone who she isn't directly speaking to, but there are lots of people there. Someone hopefully overhears? If not, she's trying to make eye contact with them.

Her mood noticeably brightens once it's confirmed that Hope is indeed there, and Caroline chats here and there, words slightly less sarcastic. A smile on her lips, fading when she reads some of the ingredients in several of the dishes that she doesn't try.

There's a moment where she notices the inclusion of formal wear being sold, too, and that she'll be browsing in the days ahead. Caroline takes her formals seriously, and she's relieved that they won't have to attend in whatever casual clothes most of them go around in: it wouldn't be a formal, then!

The suggestion of taking some of the food home is a pleasant enough one, and while she's certain that Elena is somewhere hearing that same offer, Caroline takes advantage. A plate of select items she knows (she quite confident of, she knows what dishes her friends like!) that Elena would be happy eating, hot foods, meat, something with potatoes, a grain (that she tried and it tasted like rice?) with vegetables, and a bag containing some fruit. Why not make use of that which is provided? Really, who else is going to eat all that food? ]

and say the world doesn't fit with you . april 18th

[ It's the first real day that Caroline dedicates to shopping. The options are endless, and she contemplates how much the gods know (they did this, made the displays manifest, no?) about everyones' individual worlds. She browses, feels the fabric of dresses that she loves the color of, keeping an eye out for options for both herself and Elena. She'll keep track, of course, wondering if she can pull her friend there more than once to get her to try the dresses on...

Caroline takes this masquerade that they all know is at the end of the week far more seriously than she would have before seeing the dresses. She loves a good party, and seeking out choices is engaging. Her mind soaks up the familiarity of the dresses, gowns, cursory glances at tuxedos and suits.

She moves to the grounds of the moped race purely to look for the resident god that's hosting this part. Spotting Elena is a part of her life there in the cave, but she doesn't approach her until and unless they make eye contact. After all, Elena's capable, and always has been.

With their yellow moped at home, Caroline simply takes in bits and pieces of the race, watching people more than the mopeds themselves. Thinking she heard a sound over the hum of the motors, she quickly turns at one point, bumping into someone. ] Oh! Sorry. [ Her nerves are lit up, with so many people standing around even with the state the city was in on the day she and Elena arrived; shouldn't people be way more nervous, alarmed, and freaked out, still? Caroline's anxious, even if there's not a reason to be, checking one too many times when there's no danger at all.

There's a very good chance she bumped into more than one person, too. That neurotic streak flaring up and working over her vampire reflexes. She's sorry? ]

i don't believe you, you're so serene . april 19th

[ She and Elena both know, and yet they don't say (why hurt each other?), that there's a divide they don't know how to conquer. Time, that'll do it. Or, the exact right catalyst. They're a Gilbert and a Forbes: they'll get through this.

Attending the pillow fight isn't done out of a desire to participate, and she's shocked when she sees Elena go in. Almost as surprising is when people around her are jeering and cheering, and while she doesn't want to go in there herself? She feels an urge to just go ahead and -- ] Whoohoo! Go ELENA! [ Yelled out, hands cupped around her mouth, after her friend successfully knocks a couple of people down a peg...with a pillow.

It's in good fun, right? ] Is Rage always this silly? [ She asks the person beside her. ]

careening through the universe, your axis on a tilt . april 20th

[ Worst. Part. Of the entire week. Caroline goes into the hedge maze, having nodded and given Elena a look to be careful. Quickly followed by a statement of how much she needs to stop doing that: Elena really can take care of herself, and she's not foolhardy. But Caroline goes in, no intention of cheating and trying to grasp brambles apart with her bare hands. Vampire healing, how it comes in handy all the time. No, but she is curious about this magical compass.

As the day drags on, her huffs turn more frequent. Under her breath, she grumbles 'this maze is stupid,' at least once. Stupid only because someone as smart as she is, and she is incredibly smart, isn't already at its end. She crosses paths with people several times, giving them wry, empathetic smiles.

It's when she comes to one too many dead ends that she frowns, and calls out into the offensive greenery. ] Seriously?! [ HUFF! Did she just stomp her foot and cross her arms? Yep. She's in a mood, okay? ]

you're guiltless and free . april 22nd

[ As she walks with Elena (they're besties and roomies, of course they go everywhere together) to the library, Caroline suggests that her friend could always get up there and read something she's written that she may have memorized. It's a passing suggestion, one to make the most of this open mic night, and she knows that Elena won't want to get up there and sing.

Even if the hobby of writing has taken a backseat, a hobby that she realizes meant more to Elena than she'd ever paid attention to as they were growing up; color younger Caroline self-absorbed. Even though that's the case, that doesn't mean there aren't some pieces Elena might have especially loved and remembers.

Right? She doesn't force it. Instead, once they're there, so much of the tension of late seems to slide off Caroline's shoulders. She notices that there's a brighter glimmer in Elena's smiles, in her eyes, as she cheers her on during the songs the blonde sings.

There's time for drinks between them, and Caroline definitely tries to corral strangers into doing shots with them too! Fun for everyone should go all around. Her songs of choices are upbeat, ones from home, late twentieth and twenty-first century Earth. She has a lovely voice too, soprano and well toned, pitched. In tune, in beat. With the songs she can pick, it looks like they can have a piece of home there, after all, right? Caroline realizes that the longer the night goes, this less barred Elena's attitude seems. It's not just because of the alcohol either, she doesn't think.

The drinking doesn't stop for her, stamina of a vampire and all, and she's attentive to Elena's degree of intoxication as the night goes on.

They two of them are there, together more often than not, out of any of the events of that week. They stay late, and it's with smiles that Caroline appreciates the laughter and mood of the evening. ]

i never been so alone, and I've never been so alive . april 23rd

[ Caroline does not drag Elena out for several shopping days. Instead, she manages to find a few all along the same couple of racks that she knows would all be simply perfect on her friend. They wrap up their shopping in a day, a true feat!

As they go into the formal arm in arm, she scans over the other goers of the party. She still can't get over Sorrow being the host of this one. The music is pleasant to her ears, and she (not so secretively) keeps an eye on Elena through the night. She's just, not sorry. Who wouldn't approach the excellently accessorized and dressed best friend of hers walking around?

Still, Caroline makes time for herself, for the rest of the people there. She asks others to dance, men in particular. Yet anyone who asks her for a dance receives a yes, and perhaps even a repeat if the initial one went well. She bases that well on the quality of conversation rather than their skill -- Caroline doesn't purposefully lead a guy around on purpose, but she certainly does encourage the right maneuvers and steps if they're unsure.

She goes through several glasses of champagne, eats a few of the refreshments, not taking her mask off throughout the night.

While dancing with someone, she does lose track of where Elena takes off to. Walking along the sidelines of the dance floor, she's obviously searching for someone as she goes, brows knit slightly, worry creeping up within her. She sighs at herself after half a minute, very softly and likely unheard: she needs to stop worrying so much about Elena. But it's so difficult not to, with how human she is. How human she wants to be. The search continues. ]

Dr. Hannibal Lecter | Open!

[tablewithoutpity]

April 17th - Feast

Hannibal had managed to keep himself and Will fed during the crisis, with a combination of their own food stores and careful, thorough rendering of the carcasses of monsters, some he caught himself and some caught by others. Still, he is a man who appreciates a feast, particularly after a famine, and also cherishes new culinary experiences. He is taking his time, reading the ingredients, eating small amounts, savoring the experience of new and familiar tastes alike. The things he finds particularly delicious he takes a bit more of, keeping it on his plate to share.

April 20th - Maze

Hannibal is rather charmed by the hedge maze. Labyrinths have an interesting and storied history, particularly within the study of the mind. He wanders into it and follows the pathways, taking great pleasure in the mental and physical exercise.

April 23rd - Masquerade

Hannibal is well dressed everyday, but tonight he's particularly impeccable in a charcoal-grey three-piece suit with a burgundy silk shirt and a black silk tie done in an eldredge knot. To complement his outfit he is also wearing a stag mask with golden antlers, matching Will's white stag with silver antlers. He moves through the crowd with ease and grace, asking a number of women for the pleasure of a dance.

17th

[feelslikeimspilling]

It was nice to see food around the City again and in ample supply too. Hannibal had made do with what they had and what monsters were available to hunt and kill, and Will was thankful that Hannibal knew enough to make anything taste great. But seeing such a spread before him, Will's mouth almost watered.

The last time the Gods left them all food, some (if not all of it) was poisoned, leaving the one who ate it to suffer a variety of random symptoms and effects. This, however, all seemed to be above board.

Of corse Hannibal would be here, standing by the table, taking his time and savoring the new and no doubt some familiar flavours on offer. Will wasn't ignorant, yet his palate was yet as sophisticated as Hannibal's

Moving in a little closer, Will picked up something meaty and succulent looking, held it up and gave a small sniff to it before looking to Hannibal with questions in his expression.

"What do you recommend? I'm not even sure what this is, or if I'm eating it right."