genessia | Castlevania Yule Ball

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Castlevania Yule Ball

Twas the eve of Christmas eve and all through Everglade, I can't rhyme so ends our gimmick in shame.

Who: Everyone
What: Yule Ball
Where: Castlevania
When: December 23-25

Christmas was usually a time for dour and quiet brooding. For the most part, the only observance allowed was Dracula taking his meal of some poor villager in the Chapel beneath a crucifix as a challenge to the son of God. This year, however, was different. The Castle itself had arranged its layout so that the cavernous ball room usually reserved for the dances of ghosts was readily accessible from the entrance hall, while the Chapel had been sealed off completely.

The halls were indeed decked with boughs of holly, and festive decorations could be found throughout the the castle. The only difference being that it was stripped of anything that could be remotely classified as having anything to do with Christian iconography. Instead, more pagan decorations had been used.

At sunset on the 23rd, a message would be sent out to all but a few of the devices inviting any who wished to attend the Castlevania Yule ball, a celebration and feast that the lord of the castle intended to carry over to the 25th itself so as to overshadow Christmas. After all, he may be festive this year, but he wasn't going to ditch the tradition of slighting the almighty.

[OOC: Starter prompts will follow shortly, but the whole of Castlevania will be open to the public (with minor exceptions) and the starter prompts are by no means the only threads. Explore, have fun, and do whatever! If there are any questions as to what can be done in the Castle, feel free to send me a PM.]

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The Ballroom for Castlevania was one of the largest areas of the castle. Usually a home for restless spirits caught in an endless and silent dance, now was lit, dusted, and made festive for all to enjoy. Music was being played from one corner of the cavernous room by a band of skeletal minstrels, their music magically amplified to fill the room without being too loud. Along the walls, light refreshments were made available, and maids wandered the perimeter with bottles of the finest wine and spirits, making sure that no cup went empty for long.

She was among spirits now, but something about this castle seemed very off compared to the softer, weaker ones that haunted the floating graveyards at her former home. For the moment, Noah ignored the fact that she was probably the most 'realized' spirit in the room, given her solid body.

Knowing that being blue and slimy was just not going to cut it in cold weather, Noah had figured out how to transform her thick mana into clothing, or more specifically, an evening gown (though this one is aqua blue and glowing). There are vague, bunny-like faces that trail at the bottom of the dress. She had wondered what a place like Castlevania would be like, and came to assess it, but the high amount of undead spirits and dark decor seemed disturbing.

...and yet, also fascinating.

"I thought the holiday called Halloween passed, and yet this place feels more like that than this... 'Christmas'. I wonder why..." Noah wasn't talking to anyone in particular, but she spoke loudly enough that anyone nearby might think she's talking to them.

Edited 2017-12-24 14:07 (UTC)

"The Castle has always been rather...gothic. It was one of the reasons that I preferred to live in a small cottage at the edge of the village," Lisa said with a smile. She was roaming the room, greeting anyone she came by.

She was still using a cane to get around, but she was mostly able to walk on her own.

"Welcome to the celebration. I am Lisa Tapes." She gave a polite curtsy and smiled. She was glad that the Castle was giving them a chance to celebrate. It had been ages since they had celebrated any holidays.

"The Cathlic church took many things from the pagan celebration of Yule as well as from other religions to create Christmas," she explained. "We choose to celebrate Yule as we have...issues with the Church."

Now there was someone interesting. Given the way she seemed to greet people, Noah suspected that this woman was someone of importance in the castle. Stranger still was the cane. She did not seem to be very old, but rather limped, as if sporting an injury. Weren't the healers supposed to be strong around here?

...maybe it was like Noah herself, where her injuries carried beyond the world she came from.

"...Noah," The rabbit girl said with a polite bow. "I (still) feel like I should be 'Erina', but in my current state I am no longer worthy of that name." She looked a little wistful at those words, and shook it off. "It's old history now. Is this Church you speak of around here? I've never encountered anything like it back where I came from."

[It was an idea she had in the back of her mind for a long time. And this seems like the most absolutely perfect opportunity to do so.

After the invite went out, she spent the day planning and plotting something that would undoubtedly get her into trouble.

She wanted to see Dracula for herself. See for herself and find out what truly makes him dangerous. She doesn't intend to fight or start things, she just wants to catch a glimpse of him. Nothing more, nothing less.

It was Christmas Eve, in tye evening when she arrived. Dressed in a black gown instead of her usual pink with her face obscured with a black veil. And one additional item she was wearing, the gold, ruby-encrusted circlet Soma got from Dracula. Perhaps as a means to see if Dracula will take notice. Being a Princess and thinking like one, she tries to consider where a man like Dracula might spend his time. Perhaps overseeing the banquet hall is a fine start?

There's a great deal of interesting magic in the room, with the music perfectly coiling around the room. It was dark magic, but thus far doesn't feel malicious. She is keeping off the dance floor for the time being. But so far, no sign of him.

Perhaps she will keep herself open for a dance for now. She did come as a curious guest, after all.]

[Lisa was glad that they were celebrating Yule. It had been so long since she had seen things this festive.

The other big thing was that she was actually wearing one of the fancy ball gowns that she had been given her over the years. She never liked wearing them while she was helping sick and injured people, but for celebrations? She will dress up.

She mingled around for a bit before going to find her husband. They needed to begin the dancing.]

[Vlad wasn't hard to find. He stood a good head taller than most of the guests, after all, and was a stark dark spot against all the bright colors. That and he was looking for Lisa as well. He was still concerned for her, with the cane and all, but it had been four hundred years too many since he got to show off his bride.]

You look positively radiant tonight, Lisa.

The servants of Castlevania had been working overtime in the kitchens. The Banquet hall, now located a short walk from the ballroom, had tables large enough to fit a hundred around it, each positively filled to the brim with almost every kind of food imaginable. Salads, soups, puddings, and all variety of meats catering to all tastes, conventional and non. The foods were even aligned so as to make sure those that did not wish to partake in the more... unsavory of festive foods would not mistakenly take a bite of something they did not wish to.

The Doctor really can't help investigating--not only because he loves all manner of Christmas things except the chruch-y ones, but because he's already met Lisa and he's really meant to pay another visit or two, because let's be real, how could he not check out a magical castle that almost seems bigger on the inside.

All else being equal, not totally sure what he's getting into, he gravitates toward the snacks before the dance floor, investigating, scanning about with his screwdriver... and keeping an eye peeled for Lisa, or her husband, or both.

And there was a strange ripple, a maid with white hair simply appearing out of nowhere. A strange spacial distortion accompanied her as well as a strange sensation that might be somewhat familiar to the Doctor. The cold feeling of time's displacement. His screwdriver would confirm this if she were scanned. It was not overwhelming but it did cling to the woman. Even as she stood as if nothing were amiss.

She gave the doctor a bow and gestured to the table. "Hello sir. My name is Sakuya Izayoi. If there is anything not present that you would like say the word and I will have it prepared for you.

The Doctor paused, glancing up at that sensation, half-expecting... ...well, not an unfamiliar girl dressed as a maid, anyway, but he blinked his surprise away and smiled sort of whimsically.

"Blimey... well, hello Sakuya, I'm the Doctor, very fancy trick you've got, there, very clever, love to know how y'do that. Y'work here, then, I suppose, well, that or you're just very agreeable and like to dress up, not that I'm judging, if that's the case."

"A doctor...?" She arched an eyebrow slightly but didn't object. She quickly regained her composure. "Well, Doctor. It's not a trick. It is simply something I've always been able to do." Somewhat unhelpful explanation though she wouldn't be the strangest person in Genessia.

"And yes. I currently work here in the castle. I am the maid of Remilia Scarlet. Though she does not own this castle, she has made it her home. And so I serve it and its inhabitants as I would her mansion."

The Doctor brightens a little, giving his screwdriver a casual toss in the air, catching it absentmindedly.

"Ooh, really, charming girl, Remilia, had a chat with her the other day, one of the other days, hard to be sure which, they all sort of blend together when they're one at a time and in the right order."

His expression falters into something more exasperated as he goes on, then sighs and shakes his head, and chirps his screwdriver at Sakuya.

"Well, let that be a lesson, I s'pose. Still, quite a talent, some sort of temporal manipulation, obviously, very int'resting, you say you've always just done it?"

He's a little more focused and intrigued, again, with that question.

Sakuya doesn't bother commenting on the idea of days blending together. She got quite a bit of that from Remilia when she was bored despite the vampire being significantly younger than the doctor... Though Sakuya, being human, wouldn't really understand the difference a few centuries could make.

She held still for the scan, at least, Sakuya frowning a little at it but not commenting. "Ah... Figured it out so quickly, have you? Most assume I am teleporting. But you are correct. Time yields to me."

In an almost literal sense as the screwdriver would discover. Sakuya lacked anything remotely resembling the time vortex. It was more like she could reach through and seize time itself to either slow or accelerate it. Or even pull herself out of or back into time itself.

Additionally, she seemed quite capable of manipulating space. Her cuffs, apron, and ruffles all held pockets of space carrying a variety of objects. Mostly knives and cleaning supplies.

The screwdriver also brought up a few red flags. She was doing all of this without any sort of protection. How it had affected her psyche and perception of time was really anyone's guess...

"I have done it since I was a girl. I do not know how or why. Only that I was born with it. Though this power pales when held next to My Lady's abilities. Of course, those I cannot speak of. You understand."

Edited 2018-01-12 05:51 (UTC)

"Figured it out?"

The Doctor gives his screwdriver a casual flick, peering at the side, then back at Sakuya--them smiles enigmatically.

"...'course you can't, 'though there's no need to be modest, and no, wouldn't exactly say 'figured out it,' sort of stands out a bit. ...well, to me, it does."

Just as casually, he folds the sonic closed again, gives it a little flip in the air, and stashes it back in his inner pocket, freeing his hands to clasp, then rub together as he thinks aloud, giving her a penetrating sort of look and a curious little smile. He really can't resist a puzzle.

"Very int'rested t'know how it feels from your point of view, though, doesn't seem like you cross through the Time Vortex, so, what, then? Pick a point in time and space, slip free of where and when you are, and anchor to your destination, I s'pose, like a teleport, or a slingshot. But how d'you sense where you're going?"

Sakuya shifted a little uncomfortably. "It is not modesty. It is a precaution. I have no great power where I come from. My humanity, my frailty, is my weakness. My greatest advantage comes when people are not aware of what exactly I am doing... Though, I suppose another with experience would take note. Please keep it to yourself."

The comment about perspective made her pause. "From my point of view?" And what was a time vortex? maybe it was best just to show him. She unfolded her hands and raised one. Spacetime itself was shivering as she drew an S shape in the air. It rippled outward; an otherworldly chill as cold as paranoia. It drained the color from anything it passed over. Albeit for a single moment. Her eyes had changed though. Summoning her ability had turned them bright red.

"I just sort of... Do it. Like second nature. I do not need to do anything special." She dropped her hand. "I will admit, I've never let go of time completely. In the infinity beyond time I would be remiss to lose my way home."

It didn't sound like she had ever time traveled. Merely stopped, quickened, or slowed time.

The Doctor raises his eyebrows, smiling to himself pensively as she answers--although that demonstration definitely gets his attention.

"..ohh.. blimey, int'resting.... not really separating from spacetime at all, are you, just sort of... stretching it, like a rubber band, right, of course, makes far more sense."

He flashes a smile at that.

"...have to disagree about the other bit, though. Not such a weakness, being human. Quite a big fan, actually, myself. Some of my best friends ever, humans. ...still, I understand. It'll be our little secret, cross my hearts."

Raising his hands, he makes an X gesture over both sides of his chest simultaneously.

"Stretching... Well, yes. That is exactly what I am doing. Though you are wrong in one regard. I am capable of distancing myself from time as I see fit. After all, stopping all of time just to clean the house is quite beyond me. It makes more sense to remove myself from a single moment. Wouldn't you agree?" Very interesting indeed.

She seemed to flicker slightly, her eyes becoming red again and that same chilling distortion occurred though the sensation was far more dramatic. "It's difficult to tell. Or rather, demonstrate."

At the comment about being human, however, she only laughed. "I certainly appreciate the encouragement, even if you are wrong. Where I am from humans are numerous but inherently weaker. Many creatures exist with the inherent strength to rip trees from the ground or outrun the wind. I'm sure you see the difficulty in contesting such feats as a human."

Edited 2018-01-28 09:11 (UTC)

"...remove yourself, or just accelerate time for yourself? You can't really interact with normal spacetime when you slip free of it. And, well, ripping up trees, sure, if you're impressed with that sort of thing."

The Doctor rolls his eyes a bit, as though he knows lots of things that can rip up trees and he's routinely disappointed by them.

"Indeed. Removing myself entirely." A pause, the maid blinking. "Ah... well, you're the first to know enough to point that out. Being outside of time does not mean that I've released it entirely. I need to be very careful. The world beyond it is..." She shivered involuntarily. "Well, unpleasant would be one way to describe it. Truthfully, I have never had the courage even to gaze into that abyss."

She did frown as he rolled his eyes. "Yes, well. I also do not live in a world of outstanding technical achievement. Superstition rather than science rules it. Hence my need to be clever and cunning enough to stand with or against creatures much more physically capable than I."

Edited 2018-02-11 09:24 (UTC)

"Ah, well, no, hard to tell where you might end up, like that... likely enough to fall out through a rift, or into the Void Between Worlds. ...best not."

The Doctor smiles wryly at that thought. The idea of cutting loose of time completely without something like the Time Vortex to provide some navigational reference... whew.

"Clever's brilliant, though. Million times better than power, power's for wimps."

Never mind that maybe seeming like a contradiction in terms, but he's obviously being... ...well, at least partly silly. He obviously means it as a compliment, too, albeit a sort of strange one.

"I'll take clever over powerful any day."

"Indeed. The weight of the place beyond time pressing against my back is enough of a deterrent. It's a wonder I was not stranded there when I was young and just learning."

Of course giving Sakuya some sort of shielding would allow her to do a great deal more with her time abilities.

"Ah, I suppose so. Brilliance is subjective though. Cleverness and cunning are not." She gave him a wiry smile. "What one may call brilliant another may call reckless or foolish. Even if the intended result was achieved... But yes. Power is meaningless if one cannot gain an opportunity to exercise it on an opponent."

This coming from a time-stopping serial killer.

"Whot- oh, no, no, brilliant, you know, molto bene, fantastic, very good, 'course, reckless and foolish aren't so bad, either, been called worse, anyway."

The Doctor gets a funny, almost whimsical sort of look, at that thought.

"And, oh, the times I've seen power go to someone's head, well, nearly as often as I've met anyone powerful, really. It can be handy, power, but just between you and me, I've found it to be quite overrated."

"I see. Well someone with intelligence can often seem mad or foolish to others. La vie est drôle, no?" The french sounded very natural on her tongue.

Sakuya smirked at the comment about power though, glancing quickly to one side though it was impossible to tell who she had actually looked at. "Perhaps. Though power can hardly be called such without the wisdom to use it. Perhaps you will find someone like that one day, Doctor. Though I feel I need not preach the value of care and patience to one such as yourself."

"...ha, well, I don't know, depends on what you call wisdom."

The Doctor smirks, himself, although there's something a touch bittersweet in his eyes, behind that smile. He's not about to comment on his own issues with patience, so he'll just take it casually as a compliment, regardless of how well it does or doesn't fit.

"I've seen power you could scarcely imagine--I can scarcely imagine, and I'm the one who'd seen it--used for some of the stupidest causes. You want to hear about power without wisdom, I'll tell you about the Daleks, someday."

And here she was. One Lisa Tapes. She entered the hall, a smile on her face as she greeted the guests and waved off a few of the more annoying servants in the hall.

She made her way to one of the tables and picked up a glass of wine. She was thirsty from the dancing that she just finished. Taking her drink, she began to look over the food that had been set out. Choices, choices.

She spotted the Doctor and smiled at him.

"Good evening and welcome back, Doctor. It is good to see you."

The Doctor was in the middle of exploring some confections while surreptitiously studying one of the more monstrous servants. Interestingly, he doesn't seem to be judging, so much as curious. As soon as she gets his attention, though, he seems to forget all about the servant, turning to face her and grinning as he approaches.

"Ah, Lisa!"

He leans to air-kiss beside either cheek.

"Ohh, likewise! Merry-" He cut himself off, pausing to glance around, and smiling either mischievously or sheepishly or a bit of both. "...Yuletide, I s'pose."

Obviously he was thinking "Christmas," but it would be awkward if someone there, either among the serving staff or the guests, was the sort to catch on fire at the mention of biblical things, or something.

"How've you been? You're looking a good bit livelier, I'm pleased to say."

Away from the hustle and bustle of the ballroom and banquet hall, the courtyard had been opened to visitors as well. Small bonfires dotted the area, not too bright, yet large enough to make sure the winter air did not encroach too much on the fire's warmth. The sky was cloudless, and a sea of stars were visible from the castle's grounds - day or night - making for quite the romantic spot for the weary to recharge.

Of course, merrymaking was all well and good, but the lord of the castle also knew that there were those that would require a bit more entertainment. Never let it be said that Dracula was an inconsiderate host. The arena had been moved from its underground cavern, and brought up to the surface, suspended over the lake which Castlevania looked out over. There would be all kinds of battles for spectators to watch, pitting the monstrous minions of mayhem against one another, or the guests themselves could step into the ring and test their mettle. Regardless, there would be skeletal vendors to take bets and provide refreshments.

[Qubine hadn't even bothered to attend the Christmas ball that Mercy had thrown, for he knew that the building would be too small for him to fit into, and there wasn't much he could do just sitting outside.]

[But for some reason, this Castlevania ball piqued his curiosity. First because it was located in Everglade, one of his least-frequently visited cities. As he flew towards Castlevania, he was somewhat surprised at how sizable it was. Large enough for him to fit into, even. He explored the different ball area, the ball room and the dining area. He wasn't into dancing, and while the food was plentiful, he feared he'd devour all the meat within seconds.]

[And then he came to the arena. Now that was something that piqued his interest. Especially when he found that he can join the fray. Battling with all manner of beasts; that would give him a taste of home. And so Qubine steps into the arena, wearing the
ugly Christmas shirt that some anonymous donor had left him. Other than the shirt, he wore his usual attire, red warrior face mask, gold gauntlets, boots, and tail cuffs. But the dragon didn't draw attention to his shirt with his words.]

…Mind if I test my mettle?

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Castlevania Yule Ball

Ball Room

Re: Ball Room

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Re: Ball Room

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Banquet Hall

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I'm sorry I was sick for like 5 days ; ;

Ahaha no worries I'm digging out from under Mount Tags, myself...

I need to do the same...

here we go again @.@

You can do it! Fight!

I'll try! x.x

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Courtyard

Arena

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