#EVENT: LATESUMMER NIGHT'S SOIREE

[isolaradiale]

(Ofiuco appearing at the party in her LG Smart Fridge costume, October 2023)

Evening begins to settle across the island, sweeping it up in a blanket of glittering darkness over time, accompanied only with the sound of a gentle silence. It's as if anticipation lingers in the air with the encroaching holidays, especially one meant for jovial fright, enticing one for mischief and fun once night fully unfolds. And just like that, the feeling beckons a change within the center of the island, with a large castle once more emerging atop its depths.

Those who've been here before recognize the elaborate walls from a masquerade of the past, the way its shadow looms beneath the moonlit skies, as well as the decorations which decorate it. Those who have yet to come will see something new, hearing whispers from locals and others as them alike, of its purpose and meaning, as well as the invitations that have now found themselves placed around the wards and branches for all to take as they so pleased. Needless to say, it was a night to remember, were one to go...

The Stars would like to welcome you to Spirale's very own Halloween Ball.

——————————————————————————————————

Hey there, everyone! You might remember that we put out an interest check for a possible dance for people to have fun with and, well, as per your votes, here it is! Above the hole of the island now stands an elaborate castle which those who were here for a Latesummer Night's Soiree would recognize this castle as the very same. The only difference with this is that NONE OF THE MYSTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE EVENT ARE PRESENT. As it stands now, it's just an ordinary castle where the party is being hosted for anyone to go to as they'd like.

The setting itself is still the same regarding the cellar or the roof, but none of the fun extras that involve the pixies or masks will be involved. Either way, we hope you have fun, as there will be plenty of music, food, drink, and other usual party activities to partake in!

And as for one lil reminder, this is NOT AN OFFICIAL EVENT, so it won't be counted toward your ranking as it's just something fun for people to use as a prompt. It will end on November 2nd at 11:59:59PM!

[ascarletflame]

@baddestdangerboy​

The angry, crabby child is flying through the hallways. Unsure of what to do with himself like this, Grimm may as well try and find someone he knows... right? But it’s not really how he wanted to start this party. He can’t even mingle and gossip or drink now!

A few moments of searching this accursed castle and he finds the perfect person to watch out for him until he can figure out how to get this spell off of him or it wears off. Badou!

Grimm darts forward like a beast, landing on Badou’s shoulder. In greeting, he starts chewing on his friend’s shirt, because of course he does.

[rexerrat]

@geometragic / s.c.

{ 👑 } MISTAKES WERE MADE, AND PLENTY AT that. Gangrel, in all his infinite - absence of - wisdom, and bearing a remarkable lack of alcohol-induced JUDGEMENT placed on top of that, chose to do the unthinkable, to risk it all in some unprecedented manner: he picked a random mask up off the floor and placed it over sharp, wily features. The change was instantaneous, washing over him in an INSTANT. Though, the newly crowned coward would not know of this change for quite some time. For after all, there's NOTHING at all to be afraid of. Until …

❝DON'T … DON'T HURT ME,❞ HE'S BLATHERING on - of course he is. In his clumsy state of being ( what a fool he was to MIX with alcohol! ) Gangrel all but tripped backwards over himself, spilling droplets of the drink he absolutely shouldn't be drinking onto a poor stranger — emphasis on stranger. A bleary look upwards with fluttering eyes, and like a punch to the gut, he is immediately SOBERED up. Gods, he's so tall … It is a force of habit that brings him side stepping away from the other. Back pressed against the stone walls, all but plastered against the ROUGH surface.

[sakyuu]

"Wait a moment. I have to apologize to you. We started off on the wrong foot, and I only made it worse.”

Alongside clothes that actually suited the occasion — and after after watching their effects on others — he’d tried out the mask given to him out of mild curiosity. Thanks to it backfiring on him spectacularly, the apology sounded sincere.

@grexsemxnkcy​

[heart3yed]

@ibaaraa / starter call.

💛 💜 ❤️ || by all regards, she should have been too INTELLIGENT for this. dabbling in foreign magics should have been an unthinkable thing, particularly at the behest of faefolk. once could mistake a newly arrived satori to be so FOOLISH, but not a seasoned citizen. they're far more intelligent than the fairies of gensokyo, she has warned and been warned herself. yet, she finds herself called to place one of those masks upon the bridge of her nose and let it take her. and perhaps, that was her FIRST mistake, to think that she could use such magic to her ADVANTAGE.

❝koishi, i'm glad we're able to enjoy this TOGETHER,❞ she says, rather genuine despite the STRANGENESS of it all. conscious gaze lowers to her dormant third eye, and she wonders if koishi often did the same when she closed hers. eyes lift, to take instead the open ceiling, seemingly STRETCHING a mile high. she feels so small … even smaller than usual. ❝i … would you like to dance with me? i think i could use a DISTRACTION such as that.❞

[bulletrein]

THE HALLS FEEL BIG, EVEN FOR him. wandering, observing, taking in all the sights. he's a STRANGER to the environment, only having seen pictures of castles in books and from a distance within the intraspace. he'd not consider himself OVERWHELMED by it all, but it certainly isn't a sight one is used to --- it very nearly reminds him of that museum that opened a few months ago. it really isn't his kind of thing, but barret would much rather grin and bear a FANCY party for a free meal than to wander aimlessly without much thought. for as much as the high class lifestyle irritates him --- he hates being ALONE.

almost does he kick up an object during his walk, pausing, almost at the last second, to AVOID what would be, without a shadow of a doubt, certain doom. instead, the very tip of his boot just barely grazes against the object in question, feeling it rattle against his touch. brows crease together in the middle as he crouches down, fingers soft as they LIFT the mask off the ground … only for a small spider to come TUMBLING forth!

❝ah! what the HELL? you … okay?❞

@tarantucutie liked for a starter.

[rexerrat]

{ 👑 } THE SIGHT OF THE GODDESS AT first brings forth fear, but quickly does the rumbling of his tiny heart slow down. more curious than sadistic, gangrel could probably make a list of people who would rather kill a frog than BEFRIEND one ( and not even he is that cruel! ), much to his dismay. almost does he find himself struggling again at the telepathic communication, but this is, quite frankly, hardly the first time THAT has happened, either.

❝I'VE BEEN CURSED! CURSED, DAMN IT!❞ He tries to say, but words do not leave his maw, just angry croaking. Webbed feet raise to cover his large, bulbous eyes, tentatively relaying his words into thoughts. I … I stole from these fairies. Can't say it is the smartest decision I could make. Bah it was only a SINGLE spoon …

her plans for the evening had not included finding frogs, but she supposes this is yet another oddity that could be considered commonplace in a realm such as this. ❝ well, how has a creature such as yourself ended up here, ❞ she says, squatting to examine the amphibian.

of course, this is a frog, so she is not expecting any kind of answer. nor is she certain whether or not it can even understand what she is saying to it. humming in thought, she reaches out with her mind and touches that of the–

« you are no frog, are you? » sothis’ lips purse and she scoops the frog-not-frog up, lest it be trampled. « what has been done to you that you assume this form? »

you are just a little creechur, @rexerrat​

[spiderstaff]

@courageousguise​

“This isn’t your fight, Link” Kay says. She’s holding one unsuspecting partygoer up by the collar of their shirt after they had dared get in her way when she notices someone looking at her. Someone familiar... not that she plans to stop anytime soon, even for him.

“Stay out of it. I have no quarrel with you.”

[deniedcrown]

       “ okay, now i really am starting to get concerned about all the demons & undead here. especially with this party goin’ on. ”

[heart3yed]

💛 💜 ❤️ || she took to exploring the rooms as though the mere THOUGHT was second nature. satori did not care much for dancing, nor social graces, preferring instead to allow her feet to WANDER the premises. wandering gave her the excuse to rest her third eye or otherwise focus on a single entity in the entire castle. she did not intend to stop and chat, body language enough for her to notice that gelebor is NOT in the mood for merriment.

but, well, if he wishes to share his WOES, then who is she to deny them?

❝i'm just walking on by. i HARDLY even noticed you until you spoke up.❞ despite that INSISTENCE, she does not continue in her path, taking a seat just a few empty chairs away. sitting down rather unladylike, with hands clasped together between her knees. ❝what would you say is this ‘nothing good’ that you have to OFFER up?❞ a single brow raises as she tilts her head up. he certainly looks somewhat different now, and his mind ECHOES those sentiments, but she wants to hear it herself.

@heart3yed liked for a starter

( ☀ ) ─ There were few quiet places to such a grand soiree. Yet Gelebor had found one, tucked away behind a stack of chairs in a dead end of a hallway. In a place of dulled stillness, with only muffled cheers and chatter for company, away from the cacophony of noise and the delicious tune of thrumming heartbeats- A dry swallow, caught only by a scratch of teeth against tongue. The pause between memorised chants and muttering prayers lays longer than expected, and ears twitch to the tap, tap, tapping of approaching steps. Familiar, rosy locks peak by the corner, and his breath hitches to a hungry fever pitch, caught in his throat, and fought back only by the hopeful reminders that Auri-El had yet to look away from him. Surely.

“Do you chase foul thoughts where-ever they are, or do you happen upon them?” A little more curt than intended, fists clutched tight in his lap as he glances back down to dusty floored. “Forgive me, you may not want to stay here, for I have nothing good to give for now.”

[isolaradiale]

If any were paying attention to the sky that night, they might have noticed the bizarre phenomenon of some of the mists from beyond the island’s perimeter rolling in from the sky above. It obscured to moon and the stars, and converged upon the hole in Spirale’s center; absorbed into it, almost like the hole itself was an exhaust fan. It was a sight that only transpired for roughly ten minutes before a beam of bright light shone up from the hole’s depths, parting the mist in the sky above and freeing the light of the sky once more.

And once that light had cleared, there was no longer even a hole to gaze down into. Constructed upon it was a large, medieval castle, walls alight with torches and a magical glow that seemed to attract the pixies of Cotes. The front gates would open, beckoning anyone who wished to explore inside. Anyone that entered would be given a blank mask and would then by ushered by pixies into a big and beautiful ballroom at the castle’s center.

“You’re invited to the Fairy Queen’s soiree!” The pixies would cry, and among their ranks all manner of faefolk had gathered to make this event a success. But who was this mythical Fairy Queen? What was the point of this event, which would rage on for weeks? The tiny helpers would not provide answers “Wait until the end, and have fun!” is all they’d chime in chorus with each other.

SO WHY NOT TAKE A LOAD OFF AND ENJOY THE PARTY?

SO WHAT’S GOING ON?

A beautiful castle has appeared where the hole in the city’s center usually is. Various fairies and pixies are constantly present, throwing a two-week long party in the honor of their ‘Fairy Queen’ of undisclosed identity. Upon entering the castle, all guests will be chased down and given a blank mask to wear. Wearing one is optional, but enchanted with magic they can manipulate your character’s appearance:

Typically, these masks are designed to transform your character into their ideal self. Whether they wish to be taller, more beautiful, or even something more extreme like being someone else entirely. They cannot give your character any powers, but could alter their personality to whatever they consider “ideal”. So if your character is shy but would like to be bolder, wearing the mask might bring that out. 

Sometimes pixies will intentionally give out faulty masks that will have the opposite effect and will twist the ideals and enact the opposite. Going back to the earlier example, if someone wanted to be bolder they might become even shier than before. Using the masks this way is up to your own discretion, and we ask you do so tastefully.

It is possible to manipulate how the mask changes you by writing a description of your desired form within the back of the mask before putting it on, but the pixies are pretty hush about telling people this. 

Masks can also change your character’s clothing!

Once a mask is put on, it disappears to reveal the wearer’s face. It can be removed at any time by an intense desire to revert back to one’s true self.

The masks, and their effects, can be used anywhere in the city during the event duration. Even in SpiraleFES locations. 

As a reminder, the masks are completely optional and you do not have to have your character wear one, nor is it required for event participation.

The castle grounds are set up into three “layers”. The castle itself, the cellar below, and the sky above. Each area features different manners of party.

THE CASTLE

The ballroom is the main draw of the castle event, for this is where the soiree’s masquerade ball is held. However, characters are free to explore the castle’s many halls, courtyard gardens, and the four towers in the corners at their leisure. It’s essentially a traditional medieval fantasy castle, to give you an idea of what you might find. 

If you stick to dancing, the ballroom is grandiose and lit with a gigantic diamond chandelier above. The dance floor alone can accommodate roughly two-hundred people at once, and while the “masquerade” portion of the description comes from the unique, form-altering masks you get for free upon entrance, you can also purchase traditional masquerade masks from pixie vendors if you’d like to hide your face nonetheless.

Seating areas surround the ballroom, be they on the outskirts of the dancefloor itself or suspended above in overhanging booths. There’s plenty of place to sit and mingle, with no shortage of free food available to the guests in attendance.

If you attempt to steal anything from the castle you will be instantly turned into a frog for twenty-four hours thanks to an enchantment placed upon the building, so don’t get any wise ideas!

THE SKIES ABOVE

Ascend the grand foyer high enough, and you’ll walk right up to the top of the castle itself. Even here are little dancing lights and sparkles of color in the sky as the music from the ballroom continues to fill the air.

When you arrive, the pixies will grant you a temporary set of wings so you can dance on the clouds themselves! Your special wings will take whichever form best matches your mask (and if you aren’t wearing one, the wings will take the form most fitting to you as you are!) 

The size and look of them doesn’t quite matter, and even the smallest or daintiest wings will grant you flight. You can use your wings to dance across the sky of the city itself, and isn’t limited to the castle walls! But if you use them to cause trouble for the castle or crash the party, your wings will disappear, and you’ll have to take the float of shame down to the ground again.

If you don’t want to walk up all those stairs, there’s an elevator to the castle roof.

THE CELLAR

Though its existence is a little hush-hush, there’s one more part to the castle. Those who have a keen eye can open up a secret passage by pressing on an out-of-place stone, and descend the stairs to the castle’s underground. Despite what the imagery suggests, it’s taken on more of an underground tavern than anything truly spooky, and torches provide pleasant ambient light in the chambers.

Aside from games like darts, cards, axe throwing and billiards, there’s a group of pixies who will tell your muse’s fortune! Whether you get a simple fortune or a cryptic one is entirely up to the pixies, however...

Rumor has it that there’s a paintball arena somewhere down here, for some reason.

[ascarletflame]

@heclingmuzik​

Grimm, colored in scarlet, watches Ismael in the ballroom—she doesn’t yet notice him. He silently strides up behind her and gently takes her hand, glancing affectionately. It feels as though it’s been a while since they were able to have a good conversation... has it?

In his zeal to protect her from harm, he realizes he’s not seen her much in a while.

“My dear. Are you enjoying yourself? You are well, yes?”

...Has she spoken to Nero, he wonders? Grimm isn’t sure what happened after he’d fled the scene. Surely he’d escaped, with so many worrying for him. Not that such an extravagant backdrop is the place for such a discussion...

[rexerrat]

@psychiatriae / s.c.

{ 👑 } OUT OF ALL THE SITUATIONS FOR him to land in, he expected not to be caught filching silverware. There's a forlorn stare upwards at the now massively tall figure of his beloved, thankful that NABOR chose to be looking AWAY in the exact moment that he enacted his misdeeds. If Gangrel was lucky, Nabor would not find out the reason as to why he's croaking mournfully on the table, the sheen of his skin as red as the hair which once rested upon his brow. Round eyes blink reproachfully, before he jumps towards Nabor's chest. Well, if I am going to be stuck in this form for a whole day, I might as well ENJOY it.

[palevessel]

This is a strange gathering, full of unfamiliar creatures who do not at all seem part of the royal court. But the air about the castle has a comforting familiarity, like the halls the vessel has walked much of its life.

(The mask offered at the door has reverted it to prime form: pristine, undamaged, gleaming. The way it was supposed to be. As if nothing had ever happened.)

Among the crowds, the Hollow Knight recognizes one bug. A higher being, though in diminished form; a friend of Father’s.

Nightmare’s flame. You yet walk this waking realm?

@ascarletflame​

[heart3yed]

@geometragic / starter call.

💛 💜 ❤️ || satori does not much like the social LIMELIGHT, or at the very least, she didn't. she was born to stand at the sidelines, a wallflower of DELICATE proportions. made to observe and watch and keep a close eye on her surroundings - an ENLIGHTENED eye. social gatherings are meant for observation at her most passive, and great political engagement at her least. satori needed not to be any more than a shadow on the wall during this soiree, and a shadow on the wall, she so CHOOSES to be.

being a shadow on the wall certainly has PERKS of its own, for she can observe her surroundings in stark silence, take in the festivities without truly PARTICIPATING in them. a calm gaze turned to nervous energy at the sight of something that could only be considered as breaking the silence. to herself, satori ponders the RAMIFICATIONS of butting in or staying silent, two weighted options that come at a head — only for the cause of the problem to all but STORM in her direction.

oh … oh dear.

❝sir ...❞ she inches out slowly, hands FOLDED before her bosom. for such a small girl, satori is unafraid. ❝i know of some place quiet if you want to COOL your head.❞ peeking over his shoulder, she can tell that the folks arguing with him will NOT be satisfied so easily. ❝unless you WANT to keep picking fights...❞

[bulletrein]

HE'S TAKEN TO EXPLORING HIS SURROUNDINGS with a keen stance. not truly trusting himself not to make a muck out of the situation, he's kept his hands OFF the strange, mind altering masks the fairies have provided. he's heard ENOUGH of their kind to assume the worst, with whatever few encounters he's had on the island been utterly DISASTROUS in nature. knowing my luck, one of those things will make me a coward or a weakling.

rumours of a low-key location not unlike a bar do catch his attention, however. a striking location compared to the rest of the cold, medieval castle, where even the island's citizens seem to be SWALLOWED by the fanciful displays. his footsteps travel downwards into the depths, searching in silence for some hidden nook and cranny. shinra knew how to hide things, but that never stopped barret and avalanche from finding them. this here castle isn't any DIFFERENT. he takes in someone who doesn't seem all too happy about being here either - ❝know where the cellar is?❞

@kabufuki liked for a starter.