genessia | [You'll Be Caught In The Night - After Life Halloween Party]

[You'll Be Caught In The Night - After Life Halloween Party]

Who: Everyone
What: Halloween Party
Where: Nova City - After Life
When: 4 PM October 31st to who knows how early of November 1st
Warnings: B for boos and booze. Also Gale is there so that deserves a warning in itself. Is spooky.

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Welcome to After Life. The entrance of the Nova City nightclub has the additional illumination courtesy of a purple neon bat to welcome the party goers, which that little bat seems more inviting than the almost ominous fog coming out of the front doors. Just beyond the door are a variety of glowsticks, should one feel so inclined to equip themselves with them for the night. The varying colored glass tables are trimmed with fake cobwebs with little spider lights illuminating from beneath it while at each table's end has a jack-o'-lantern of different carvings with color changing LED lights inside. The club's colored strobe lighting reflects off of the club's crystalline walls to help lend to the atmosphere in an almost eerie manner, even adding additional color to the fog hovering over the floor.

As the party begins, Gale makes a special introduction to the ladies who helped make the party possible- Yang Xiao Long, Ayame Sasaki, Gwen Stacy and Mikaela Banes. He wouldn't let the party go on without the much deserved recognition for them.

Food and Refreshments

The bar area has a variety of different foods and snacks for people to enjoy. Brownies, cupcakes and truffles from local confectionaries and other, less sugary options like jalapeno poppers, mummy hot dogs, garlic bread snakes, deviled egg spiders, salsa and dipping sauces with bat chips, dragonfly sushi and spooky fruit monsters are laid throughout the table. At the far end of the table is a little animatronic black cat with glowing green eyes.

Looking for something a little heavier than just snacks to eat, in case you missed lunch? Available to you on another nearby table are shaped pasta with varying sauce options, monster burgers, four different bento boxes, and snake shaped calzones each labeled with different pizza toppings for the stuffing. Yes. A few have pineapple in them. Please do not start a war in Gale's club.

There are various labeled cauldrons of non-alcoholic drinks such as water, punch and soda are on the table while other available are drinks such as mixed soda and punch floats and milkshake shots are there. All of the glasses on the table all have googly eyes attached to them. Also on this table is Gale's Cubone, wearing a tiny vampire cape and patrolling around the cauldrons. Don't even think about trying something funny or trying to spike the drinks, because Cubone will smack the culprit's hand with his bone and start wailing to lure the host over. Just don't even do it unless you want thrown out.

Bar Area

Need a beverage of the alcoholic variety? You'll want to visit the local alchemist over here. Overhead of the bar where the drink glasses hang are little bat lights that occasionally flicker and the cobwebs are lined around the edges of the circular bar counter. A pumpkin with the carving of a butterfly sits on the counter top with a flickering purple light within it. Drinks from the bar will be served in beaker and vial glasses.

Dance Floor and Stage

That stage up there sure looks inviting, as if it's just waiting to have one of its musical guests come on stage and steal the show for a short time. In fact, it's very much encouraged to do just that. While the stage is without a DJ or other performer, a preset playlist of the club's usual music as well as a list of Halloween music will cycle through- just be ready for the Monster Mash to play several times during the night. A skeleton is set up near the speakers, and it seems to 'dance' in time with the music. Up above the stage is a web with an animatronic spider that comes down from its web occasionally with flickering red eyes.

If you look closely through the thin veil of fog on the floor, you may notice reflective decals of monstrous footprints leading to the dance floor, as if trying to hint and lead the guests out to get their dance on. But party goers beware, there may be an impromptu dance to Thriller at some point in the night, and your host may judge every single one of you if you don't get in on it.

VIP Room

The VIP Room is a little less rowdy than the main area of the club, and is meant for a more chill atmosphere compared to the rest of the party. The room has its own stage for anyone to take over separate of the main room, but beware, this stage may have its own different kind of horror: Karaoke.

The tables here also have cobweb and spider lights around them and the lights in the room are a little dimmer, to accommodate the rotating bulb that casts shadow creatures on the walls of the room. You may want to come here if you want to eat an actual meal in peace without all the buzz from the bar area.

Employee Lounge

VIP Room not calm enough? Asking Gale or another After Life employee will grant you access to the employee lounge so you can have a little rest on the couches. The only drinks readily available in here is water over on the counter. The noise from the main area is completely nullified in this room. The party goes on all night, don't be afraid to take a breather.

Guests under 16 will receive a small bag of candy for attending, while guests 16 and older will receive some drink coupons to use at any of the three Gale Force club locations.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[It's true that survival in Genessia is of a peculiar kind. It isn't just city life that needs to be face but demons and other strange events.

It helps that everyone starts on the same level; waking up with nothing but a box. It also helps that everyone is in the same situation and can empathize with each other. They all share something in common and that is that they're stuck here. It's a bond that is easily forged into something more.

Belle would disagree that his friendships weren't born of survival. In a way, they all were because people need each other to survive. Humans weren't meant to be alone.]

I see. My father taught me to dance. It's nothing like this.

[She looks out over the dance floor. There are different types of dancing but none of it is like ballroom dancing.]

I wish I could show you that kind of dancing. [She turns back to him quickly.] Not that I mean I'd make you dance, just show you what it was like. Where I'm from. [Belle hadn't meant for that to sound so awkward.]

[ He didn't really know anything about ... old-fashioned dancing, as he'd like to think of it. Just what he saw in movies. So he picutred people in large ballgowns doing fancy turns with weird hand motions. He nodded. ]

Yeah, I bet.

[ Looks at her, a little surprised. Not at her offer of dancing - he kind of expected it. But at her flustered delivery. Usually Belle was so calm and put-together.

He shook his head, tried to be reassuring. ]

Don't worry 'bout it, I know you wouldn't mean to make do nothin I don't want.

I can't say I'm not curious. But I think the party would need to be a lot fancier, and. That probably ain't really my kinda thing.

[ ... but wasn't a party already not really Shinjiro's thing? ]

[Belle looks over at Shinjiro with a kind smile. She tries to remain calm but this party has been a culture shock, one she's yet to recover fully from.]

We don't need a party. My father taught me to dance and we'd move around the family room.

[She looks down at her hands which are playing with the hem of her red hood.]

I haven't ever been to a party like this and it's only the second party I've been to in my life. [There aren't a lot of parties in her small town and she'd only been at the beasts castle a night before arriving in Genessia.]

[ ... Going to her house to cook was one thing. But to dance?

He wasn't so sure. Shinjiro fiddled with a bag in his pocket, and awkwardly remained quiet on that subject.

However, he did look at Belle at the second statement. ]

... Anythin you want to do or see in particular?

[Belle is thinking of doing something in the park or a space with enough room and not a lot of people. At the same time, she will never push Shinjiro outside of what he was comfortable with. When he changes the direction of the conversation she follows without missing a step.]

I'm not sure. I tried one of the deserts but it's a little too sweet.

[Her head tilts thoughtfully to the side as she looks over the party.]

Have you heard of karaoke? I don't know it myself but someone mentioned that they have it here in the back room. I think I'd like to try that.

... Yeah. I think a lotta modern stuff, and especially Western style food like this, has a lot more sugar than you might be used to.

[ Talking about food and cooking was a nice, neutral topic he could spend time on all day. Once you got over his initial hesitation of admitting he was interested in that kind of thing, of course.

But then. Karaoke. Yeah. He's heard of that.

He's not sure if he'd rather - no, wait, he'd much rather dance.

He'd much rather get hit by a critical strike from a Shadow, really.

But ... every single person here seemed to be hinting that he was being some kind of antisocial creep by standing along the wall here. Which, to be fair, he kind of was, but.

Belle really deserved better friends.

He swallowed. ]

Uh.

Yeah.

... We could check that out.

[ And then maybe he'd use all of his drink tickets and end up being so hungover he'd forget about the incident forever. ]

[Belle looks up at Shinjiro with a warm smile.]

Yes, I've noticed that. I don't mind sweet but other flavors are nice too.

[It's very strange to see what people were used too and what they weren't. Sometimes Belle learned more than she intended when she encountered something new like this.

She waits for the idea of singing to sink it. She doesn't expect Shinjiro to want to sing but if he'll listen to her sing? Maybe that's better.]

Okay.

[Belle beams, happy that he had agreed.

He's a perfect friend.]

I believe it's this way. Through those doors there. There should be less people there also.

[ Shinjiro nodded, and hoped his frown kept his fervent wishing for some sort of random attack on the party from his face.

~~He'd fight the monsters off, and make sure everyone was protected, and nobody would have to get hurt. And the party would end early. And there would be no karaoke.~~

It was a ridiculous sort of fantasy to have, but it helped keep him going as he followed Belle to the VIP room. ]

... Or there'll just be more of 'em, in a smaller space.

[ He might not sound like a ray of sunshine, but grumpiness was kind of his trademark anyhow, right? ]

[Belle laughs softly.]

Or the same amount in a smaller space. We won't know until we get there.

[She pushes through the doorway to the VIP room. There is less people though they seem to be in small groups, crowded in the corners of the couches as they speak in hushed tones.]

This isn't so bad.

[She turns back to Shinjiro.] Do you want to sing something?

[ ... It was almost kind of nice, in here, relative to the rest of the party. Quieter. Less people bumping into each other. Easier to mainain your personal space. Unknowingly, he visibly relaxed a little.

Almost easy to forget what this space was for. He nodded. Not so bad, indeed.

... And then froze at the question. ]

No.

[ No, nope, nada, nyet, nah, nope, no, nope nope nope.

He then reconsidered the way he answered that. He could be a little less of a jerk about it, couldn't he? ]

... I mean.

Not like I can really sing, anyway.

[Belle feels her smile widen as Shinjiro begins to relax. She'd been worried about him and it seems like it'd been a good idea to lead him in here.]

I'll sing first.

[She doesn't seem phased by his answer.]

I only know a few songs. I'm not sure how to choose. Would they let me sing my own song?

[Belle is much more comfortable singing something she knows without necessarily having background music than she is singing songs that she doesn't know.]

[ Really, the reason they worked as friends, despite their different personalities, was the fact Belle was patient with Shinjiro's prickliness, and in turn Shinjiro humored her cheerfulness.

He nodded at her offer to sing, feeling relief again.

Then, he frowned, thoughtful. ]

I dunno.

Usually, I think they just let you sing to whatever music they've got. That's kinda the whole idea.

But, maybe it's different here.

[ Shrugs ]

I wouldn't worry 'bout not knowin the songs, though. That's why they've got that thing, scrollin the lyrics. Most people know the music less well than they think, so you'll see a lotta people mumblin on stage if they can't read it fast enough.

Okay.

[Belle smiles, gathers her courage and steps up to the karaoke stand. A flicker of confusion crosses her features before she manages to select a song. There is a moment of silence as she steps up to the mic. Then the songs begins.

Her voice is sweet and lovely. When she's finished the song she returns back to Shinjiro's side.]

How did I do? I'm not sure if I did it right.

[ He wouldn't have thought she'd have any talent for it - sure, Belle was his friend, but more people enjoyed singing karaoke than they were decent. But her voice was very pretty, and even if Shinjiro didn't usually care for this type of music? She did a lovely job.

Shinjiro gave her a small smile. ]

I think you did just fine. Take a look 'round - everyone looks pretty happy.

But. Guess the important thing is - didja have fun?

[Belle takes a quick glance around the room. It looks like everyone is having a good time. That's a plus.]

I'm glad. I had fun.

[She nods her head shyly.]

I sing a lot when I'm working but I'm usually by myself.

Good.

[ He shrugs: ]

I'm really not. Uh. The musical type.

Some of my friends used to do that, though. One of them wears headphones all the time - he hummed a bit to himself a lot, if he didn't think nobody was there.

That sounds lovely.

[Bell has no idea what headphones are but she assumes it has to do with music and she'll log that word away so she can look it up later.]

Do you like singing when you're alone or … not at all?

[She won't make him sing but she is curious.]

[ The obvious then occurs to Shinjiro. She probably has no idea what he's talking about. ]

... Um. Right.

You'd have a small machine, like the size of this phone, or smaller. Or, guess you can put music on these fancy phones we're givin here. They've got 'nough space.

Then, you plug the headphones into 'em. They go over your head to sit on your ears, or they're smaller and hook 'round or actually fit into your ear. Tiny little speakers, so only you can hear th' music.

[ Shinjiro shrugs. ]

Not really. Sometimes, if you get one of those songs, that ain't gonna leave your head, I hum it a bit. Can't help that, right?

But actual singin? I can never really remember the words, anyway.

[Belle listens to his explanation with eager interest. She hadn't expected him to explain it to her but she's happy to listen. It sounds amazing. Maybe she should see about buying something that will let her listen to music like that.

She'll have to ask for more help before she spends her money.]

I like to make up the words.

[Belle admits with a small smile.]

I think I could use a break. I'm going to sit here for a bit. I don't want you to feel as if you have to keep me company but you're welcome to join me.

[ His mouth twitches, like he almost smiles. ]

You're a lot more creative than I am.

[ Shinjiro looks around him. Aside from the people who couldn't actually sing, sitting in here wasn't so bad. Less crowded. Friendly face to talk to. He shrugged, and nodded. ]

Sure. I don't mind.

Nice to sit down for a while, anyway.

I don't know about that.

[Belle smiles softly as she finds a seat on one of the couches. She's a little relieved to sit down.]

Thank you.

I'm feeling a bit tired.

[She really isn't used to these types of parties.]

[ Shinjiro shrugs. Maybe he could be creative in the kitchen, but that was different than being able to come up with words to a tune on the fly.

He looked at Belle, only slightly concerned. It was possible that she was kind of like him, at this kind of place, and just didn't like crowds - found them draining. ]

... Yeah, I know what you mean.

You only gotta stay s'long as you want, y'know.

I know.

[She looks over at Shinjiro with a bashful smile.]

Thank you. You are very sweet.

I might leave soon. The party is a little much.

[ Once again, he gave a very small shrug, only feeling a little embarrassed.

He was only telling the truth, after all.

He looked around, thinking. ]

I might stay a little longer.

[ Belle wasn't the only one who hinted at dragging him to the party, after all. ]

Lotta people here, havin fun. It's not s'bad, watchin 'em have a good time.

[Belle smiles.]

Yes. please. I hope you have a lovely time.

I'm going to sit for a bit before I head out.

[She wants to relax. It's a long walk home.]

[You'll Be Caught In The Night - After Life Halloween Party]

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