genessia | EVENT- Genessia Masquerade

Masquerade! Paper faces on parade
Masquerade! Hide your face so the world will never find you
Masquerade! Every face a different shade
Masquerade! Look around, there's another mask behind you

Welcome
Though the evening outside is chilly, there’s nothing but warmth and lively atmosphere inside. The room itself (the ballroom atop the self proclaimed ‘most romantic and luxurious’ Genessian getaway) is almost blinding, glittering with gold from floor to ceiling, save for the towering framed windows that provide a beautiful sight of the city below. Tables are scattered here and there around the perimeter should attendees wish to rest their feet, but the centerpiece of the evening seems to be the massive, sparkling chandelier casting its warm, golden glow over a rather extensive dance floor. One end of the room is reserved for the band, poised just near the hearth featuring a roaring fire, while the other showcases a grand staircase on which one may make their entrance, should they choose to explore the upper lofts that surround the room beforehand.

Early in the evening, once the room has begun to fill, a couple steps up to welcome everyone on behalf of Genessia’s Performing Arts Center and the cast of their most recent musical. While the event is free, and they are delighted to be able to share a magnificent evening of splendor with everyone, they do wish to make everyone aware that should they choose to donate tonight, be it through benevolent gift or through the auction or gambling tables, all proceeds will be donated to the Red House Foundation- more specifically, Genessia’s branch, located in the heart of the city herself.
The call to enjoy the masquerade is punctuated with a deep bow and the swell of the band picking up once more to lead everyone into a night of majestic merriment.

Photos
With numerous celebrities about and the event in full swing, it’s to no one’s surprise that there are photographers practically crawling the place. Fortunately for all, quite a few have been hired by the event planning team and will be snapping moments (both candid and posed) of everyone in attendance. There’s even a designated area with various props to play with and a lovely backdrop doused in gold. These photos can be downloaded from the network later, so take advantage of these professionals, should your heart desire! After all, did one really look their best if there’s no photo to prove it?

Dancing
While there’s certainly no pop star performing and the music is much more classically suited, one will hear a familiar tune more often than not, spun by the tuxedo clad musicians to suit a more modern crowd. It’s upbeat and energetic for the most part, but every so often, they're likely to switch the mood to something much smoother (dare they say, romantic?) to sway to. Instructors are scattered throughout the crowd, should those unfamiliar with the ballroom style wish to learn something new!

Food
A party without food is absurd, regardless of the occasion. Drink flows readily from the bar, and an impressive variation of hors d’oeuvre has been laid out in a brilliant spread on the long tables along the edges of the room. Partake as you will, and leave a donation to show your appreciation if you’re so inspired!

Costume Parade
What’s the point of a masquerade without an outfit promenade? Show off your inspired attire to all who will gaze upon you. The more flamboyant, the more attention your costume will draw, and the more in-character one seems, the more believable the evening will be- Embrace the masks and let loose! Tonight is the night to be whoever (or whatever) your heart desires.

Gambling/Auction
Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, there are multiple donated items on which to bid, ranging from weekend getaways to baskets of sweets to… rather peculiar fashion and odd home decor.
To the right of the auction display, there are multiple gaming tables with waiting croupier, ready to assist those with heavy wallets attempt to woo Lady Luck. The winnings (should there be any) can be kept or donated- the choice is yours.

Gardens
If one finds a need to escape the swirling of dance and swell of the music, the gardens below may serve you well. There’s a lovely courtyard, and just beyond the fountain, a garden maze, well lit for the season with the gentle glow of dazzling lights. Take a stroll alone, or hide away with a lover or confidant, or snag a seat for the fireworks- the choice is yours.

Fireworks
No grand gala ever ended without a burst of excitement to round out the evening. Toward the end of the evening, the sky will be lit with a brilliant display of silvers and golds, all timed perfectly with the band’s final performance. One can watch from the gardens or the rooftop, or, if in need of something more ~private~, the balconies throughout the hotel.

Masquerade! Burning glances, turning heads
Masquerade! Stop and stare at the sea of smiles around you
Masquerade! Grinning yellows, spinning reds
Masquerade! Take your fill, let the spectacle astound you

((ooc: Questions? PM this journal or poke dovefire on Plurk! Have Fun!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I can recognize some of it," Lea said, glancing up at the man who addressed him. "But some of it... I'm really not sure. I'm debating whether I want to taste them and find out." There was something very familiar about this guy, he thought, but he couldn't place it just then.

"But anyway, if you're looking for something spicy, these meatballs are a good bet," he said, indicating a tray of sauce-coated meatball, each speared with a toothpick for easy eating. "I'm pretty sure the sauce is gochujang, and they're pretty spicy. And there's the firecracker shrimp too; those are really good, especially with a little cocktail sauce."

"Goch-wha?" okay shrimp he knows, not guaca-whatever. So he takes the shrimp and after a moment he laughs, "Ah, this isn't spicy! It's good though." He does reach over to grab a meatball and sort of stare at it.

"I have no idea what this is beside a soggy albondiga. Are you sure it's good?"

"Gochujang," Lea repeated with a bit of a smile. "It's a type of chili paste that's mixed with a few other ingredients to make sauces like this. And I'm sure they're good, since I've already tried a few." He popped one into his mouth to demonstrate before offering the tray to Hector.

He is still not going to attempt to say it, but he will try it. With a little shrug he plucks one off of Lea's plate and pops it into his mouth. It was sweet first off, and the meat was tender.

With a soft whistle, he swallows heavily, "Ah! Okay, that one was a little spicy!" But good, he grabs a few and places them on his own plate.

"What else have you tried?" He picked up what looked like a strange little empanada, but it was really pale. Hector was not really familiar with pot stickers but he held it out, "I will say this is not an empanada, right?"

"Nope," Lea said as he snagged a few, "though thanks for pointing them out. Those are called pot stickers; they're basically wonton wrappers stuffed with finely chopped pork and vegetables, then fried. They're not usually really spicy on their own, but... ah."

He took one of a number of individual-sized metal cups of sauce set out near the pot stickers. "But they're usually served with a spicy dipping sauce," he said. "That way, if you like things spicy, you can make them that way, but if you don't, you can just enjoy them as they are. They're pretty tasty either way." He dipped one in his cup of sauce then popped it in his mouth, clearly enjoying himself as he chewed.

When his mouth was free again, he pointed out a platter of elegant but somewhat odd looking hors d'oeuvres. "I tried these earlier," he said. "If you're looking to get a little bit more adventurous with your choice of food you might like them; they're squid, with Thai chilis and cilantro. Definitely spicy, but not something you see every day."

Pot...stickers? He doesn't have much of a reaction until Lea snags it, "Hey!" Alright...he grabs another one, glaring lightly (and pouting) as he stares at it. What had Imelda always asked? Try it without to see if it needs?

He shrugged and popped a plain one into his mouth. It was a strange bread, nothing like he'd expected. "It doesn't taste like bread." He picks up another, peering at the sauce before dipping into one of the sweet ones. The pot stickers were tasty and he's still munching as he eyes to hors d'oeuvres.

"Squid? how is that weird?" He lives only a few miles from the ocean, and squid tended to be seen as the poor man's food. "One of the Sister's where I grew up at knew how to make a great pozole with this stuff!"

Lea nodded. "Yeah," he said. "They're called that because when you cook them, they stick to the sides of the pot. That's why one side is a lot browner than the other."

He munched a second one contentedly as Hector tried one. "It's not really bread," he said. "Just a simple dough rolled out really thin and cut into what's called won-ton wrappers. They're used to make all kinds of little filled dumplings like this."

"Not so much weird, just uncommon in a lot of places," he said. "Though I guess some people could be turned off by the tentacles. I know it took me awhile to try it for the first time because of that."

Lea paused there for a moment, observing the other man. The longer he talked to this guy, the more familiar he seemed. "This might sound like a weird question, but have we met before?", he asked. "You just seem really familiar to me, but I can't quite put my finger on it."

EVENT- Genessia Masquerade

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