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

Thanks. I won't let the guild down! Erza felt a bit odd, communicating telepathically like this, though she supposes that it must be how Warren feels a lot of the time. At least the two lovebirds are far enough away that they can't see any of the other player's cards - she wouldn't want to have an unfair advantage in this test of skill and luck!

"I call," Erza pushes forward her chips, smiling a little as she hears Mavis's voice over the din. The other player, for a moment or two, drops all pretense of being calm as his eyes widen and he tenses up - even Erza, or someone like Natsu who likely hadn't played poker before, would have noticed that he wasn't prepared for that. Mumbling, the man folds, and Erza collects her winnings before heading over to Mavis and Zeref's table to see how things were going.

He should have known Mavis had telepathy, too. She could create illusions convincing enough to fool him, after all. Telepathy is a step backward from that. He almost apologized to Erza. Having two other people in your head at once was a good way to get a headache.

Of course, Mavis interrupted that thought process with her declaration of victory. "Hold on, Mavis. You haven't seen my cards, yet."

When Erza approached, he paused, refraining from setting his own cards down. A sly expression spreads across Zeref's face. When he finally did set his own cards down, Mavis' hand was indeed better... but not by much. "The game's still not over."

Well Mavis was more used to use telepathy with her guildmates during battles but, after all, it was sort of a battle too.

Well done, Erza. Then she returned her attention to her own table as Zeref talked out loud. She raised a thin eyebrow. "I don't need to see your cards."

She smiled at Erza, confidently, then looked back at Zeref just in time to see him set his cards down. Yeah, just as she'd thought. She picks up her chips with a defying look on her face. "Bring it on, then, your Majesty." The mask couldn't quite hide her cheeky grin.

Now that she's done with her poker game, Erza works her way over to the table where Mavis and Zeref are still playing. Given how long it's just been the two of them, they've drawn a bit of a crowd - many are curious about who's going to win, and there are even a few side bets about the outcome.

Erza works her way to a spot where she can still see the game, but she can't see either player's cards; she'd hate to help either Mavis or Zeref win, even inadvertently through her reactions. She always found it best to have someone to test your skills and push you to your limits, whether it's as a rival or in romance, and she'd hate to interfere with that here.

Despite their relationship - or maybe even because of it - Zeref and Mavis played games of skill against one another all the time. Chess, Lejenca, and now, poker. On a much grander scale, Zeref considered the entire Ishgal-Alvarez War to be exactly that. With how powerful Alvarez had grown, there simply weren't any more challenges left for his 'simulation game.' Ishgal didn't have the numbers for a protracted war, and everyone on the continent knew it. Their only hope for victory laid with their guilds, including Mavis' strategies. Even if, hypothetically, Alvarez were to win (and Zeref didn't go through with Neo-Eclipse), it would have only been a matter of time before many in Alvarez started saber-rattling for another war, this time in Giltena. But it just wouldn't have been the same. Sure, it was home to Magia Dragon, and he'd heard the rumors about them, but only God Serena and possibly Irene would have cared about that. Zeref didn't, and apparently, Acnologia never bothered to confirm them, either. But they weren't Fairy Tail. Historical significance aside, they were boring.

Zeref placed the small blind bet on the table. Mavis had more chips than him, now, but Zeref still wasn't in danger of losing yet, so long as he played cautiously. As the dealer dealt the cards, Zeref glanced at his own cards, keeping his own pokerface up. Mavis was getting cocky. He knew she wouldn't slip up that easily, and he wasn't going to take chances. He sits, silently, waiting for Mavis to bet.

Since she's sitting next to him, Mavis pays the big blind. She looks very smug right now. But then again, knowing Mavis, it could be part of her strategy. She glances at Zeref and smiles, holding her cards close to her chest. Then, her eyes briefly turn to look at Erza, but she doesn't say a world, not out loud, that is.

You're already done playing?

Erza nods, seemingly in response to nothing, before realizing that wouldn't come across through telepathy. Yes - none of the other players could withstand my fighting spirit for long! The way she sees it, poker, like combat, is another form of competition.

Good luck to both of you. She was confident that, regardless of who won, the money would be put to good use, and while she was obviously biased towards Mavis, she figured it wouldn't be as fun for either of them if the winner was decided purely by a string of bad luck as opposed to superior strategy and predictions.

Zeref didn't respond telepathically. His featureless eyes stared at Mavis, trying to read her. She'd had that smug look on her face the entire time; on anybody else, it would have been a tell. Mavis had had the exact same expression on her face the entire time, even during the few hands where she lost. He'd never heard the story of how she and Yuriy first met; if he had, it would have made a lot of sense.

"I bet five hundred." More than half of a paycheck for him at Scribes and Scripts, but given that he and Mavis had cleaned everyone else out at the table, it was still relatively small compared to his winnings. He pushed the chips towards the center of the table, and waited for Mavis to either call, or fold.

Or raise.

"Your five hundred. Plus another two hundred." She pushed the chips towards the center of the table and waited for the other players' reaction, her expression never changing for a second.

Thank you, she answered Erza when she was done with her turn.

Edited 2018-11-15 14:24 (UTC)

Erza's definitely going to keep a close eye on both of them - she feels like there's a lot that she could learn from this poker game, and she's going to try and see if she can pick up on any subtle cues about how the game's going. Both Mavis and Zeref were quite collected, so she'd really have to test her observation skills to find any kind of tells.

((OoC: Feel free to continue without me; I'll keep an eye on this and jump back in once Erza has something to say (well, think) or it's done.))

"Call." Zeref pushed two one hundred-bill chips into the pot. It could go either way with Mavis; she could be bluffing, or not. But he wasn't about to back down; no, the game was getting way too good for that. Even if it was going on for nearly forty-five minutes, now, unheard of for a party like this.

He readied himself to flip over his two cards.

EVENT- Genessia Masquerade

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