genessia | EVENT- Genessia Masquerade

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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!))

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Rose pulls his head into her lap and hands him a banana, as she gently pets her fingers threading through his hair.

"Sorry. Not enjoying it as much as usual I see, yeah?"

Someone is relaxed in her lap as his hair is being treaded though and feels a banana put into his fingers he doesn't have to look to know what it is.

"I see you didn't forget what I told you."

There's an obvious of something sad and longing in his voice; as he fingers the banana slowly.

"I told you - I'm not the same anymore."

A deep inhale, "And I don't know when or if I'll get back to being able to be that party Doctor anymore."

He doesn't want to look at her because she'll only see how old and hard he is.

He does however, lean up slightly and gives a light peck on her cheek.

Edited 2018-11-14 01:08 (UTC)

"Of course not," her eyes soften on him completely and she kisses him back seriously. "I don't want you to be."

She kept gently petting his hair, a little worried. "I'd feel lost. Forgotten. S'how I felt a bit in our first date, yeah? I've got this friend, Satou, she's so much like me if I hadn't met her dimensional-traveling adopted son, I'd swear on everything she was me. Still have my doubts." More pets. "She's got empathy magic, so when she's at parties, she gets overtaken by everyone else's feelings, yeah?" ALL THE PETS. "I never thought of it like that before. I don't know what it is, but it does overwhelm me. Are you sorry I asked you to come? I'm still saving you a dance, you know. I promised~!" teasing voice.

Ten's finger squeeze the banana to the point of squishing the fruit inside; but he wants that spark back in him. So he doesn't feel so dead inside.

"But I do. At least enough to be able to enjoy this aspect of life."

That's a complex answer because it is hurting being here, being reminded on how that thing, that spark isn't there anymore. However, being here maybe - just maybe he could find that again.

An Eskimo kiss and small smirk.

"You don't enjoy life?" Okay, NOW she's worried, and still threading her fingers through his hair.

Ten is quiet for a moment and the mashed banana guts are still oozing between his fingers.

He enjoys being alive. But - it's lonely. Because he closed up. Because for some reason some idiot that was a better idea than finding another Rose, Martha, Jack or Donna to help heal someone.

But what would the point be in the end? Just the same thing. Over and over.

You could call living numb living but on a level it's not living. It's living with emotionally not living.

Which he knows isn't good for him.

However, it was a problem that was deprioritized till their drama was over. Which didn't help Ten not wanting to let go with having her here. Jack and Martha too.

Ten opens his eyes; and touches hand near her cheek. If Rose looks into those brown eyes; she'll probably see something very similar to when she first met Nine.

Then with his other hand; with the banana guts gently squeezes her hand.

Um no. She's good without mashed banana all over her hands, thanks.

But it's fine on her dress and hair apparently, since she throws herself in a glomping hug protectively over him.

"Idiot." She might be crying a little. But she loves him. And whether it'll work or not, she opens up her mind so he can psychically feel all of it pouring from her to him like sunshine. Or Niagara Falls.

Which is appreciated but too much at once. It's like a heavy rainfall during a drought. The ground can't absorb what is being given and thus floods. Though in this case; there's pain because Ten does have Rose, Martha and Jack here; which has made some cracks in the stone hearts he decided to come back with but she's pouring so much in that he can feel those cracks expanding and it's painful.

Which she may feel. Ten drops the banana peel and gasps for air like he's coughing on love.

"Rose. Please. Stop."

Well, Rose does stop, instantly like burning. She knew better than to be so overwhelming, why was she like this? Always like this?! She kissed his cheek, stammered an apology and fled. "Sorry, so sorry."

Ten sits up; "Rose. Wait."

Gives her a look of that isn't her fault and telling her to stop didn't mean - go.

"Come back? Please?"

What he can muster of feeling through his eyes; it's obvious he doesn't want her to go.

She doesn't want to. She wants to cry and run away, and can't even look at him, just miserably hanging her head.

"I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm like this. Everything all the way, isn't it? But I know better, I really do." She shuddered, shoulders trembling as she started crying, unable to return to him, but not fleeing either. "Same as with my Da', yeah? Always acting in the moment, even when it's--" her words choked off in a sob.

Ten slowly steps forward towards Rose and if Rose doesn't move will hold both her hands.

Then whispers; "It's okay. You just want to help. And that's so human of you to want to do so. That's what Rose Tyler does. She gives happiness to everyone that she cares about."

Moves his fingers slowly through hers;

"In doses. Okay? And hopefully - one day...I don't say that was painful."

There are flickers of sadness about this in those more stone filled eyes.

"And it's not all your fault either. I - I made some decisions I'm not so proud of either."

"Mmn!"

She slowly returned to her previous seat, letting him either keep holding her hands or move back to her lap.

"You're too hard on yourself though, yeah?"

Ten continues to hold her hands as he thinks about Donna, Time Lord Victorious and holding that gun. He knows in his hearts, Mars wouldn't have turned out as it did had someone had someone there by his side and he wouldn't have picked up that either.

"No. I'm not."

Edited 2018-12-04 23:26 (UTC)

A sigh.

"Yeah, you are." Rose gently nudged his shoulder with her head. "You think I'm supposed to believe that watching your older selves torture yourself is somehow different from this face who lost more in a shorter time period?" A snort. And Rose disentangled her hands and moved to cup his cheeks on either side of the mask. "You are. You always have been. Since the first day I met you. Tell me, you were actually thinking how stupid I was blunderin' in down there and not that you were blamin' yerself for not realizin' someone else might come in, and that an electrician died and all the rest." A snort, and Rose shook her head. "Because I won't believe you. Even when I almost fell in the void, who's choice was it to come back no matter how much you and everyone else told me not to? Mine," she growled a little ferally, but took his hand gently and kissed the knuckles. "And still, I know how much you blamed yourself. You're way too hard on yourself. I told you when I thought that the dalek was going to kill me. It's not your fault." Both hands went back to his face and her thumbs smoothed over his earlobes. "You're worse at listening than I am!" a tongue loll teasing grin.

She gently laced her fingers behind his head and pulled him forward, foreheads resting together. "Start giving us all more credit, Doctor. And yourself less responsibility. It's not your job to be God. Sometimes humans and aliens, and all of us, do things and you can't stop that. Just do your best. Your best, and take pride and joy in that, instead of focusing on the times it's not enough. It's not your fault. Life is about more than loss. It's why you have to make the brightest moments shine even more and treasure them while you can, yeah?"

Edited 2018-12-04 23:38 (UTC)

A gentle hand squeeze; "That's the thing. I didn't do my best. And I forgot that life is more than just loss."

"You can't change your personal history," she leaned up and kissed his cheek, "But you can do better. Starting now. Starting right here. Learn from what you did wrong and do better now. Everyone makes mistakes, Fluffy. You're older and do bigger good things, so your mistakes are bigger too. But remember me and the paradox with my Da'? Nearly destroyed everything, didn't I? But the worst of it was losing you. I thought you were gone forever. So long as you exist, somewhere, somehow, even in places like this, you can still do better. I must have messed up a thousand times when I was dimension cannon-ing and trying to find you. Human, like you said." She snuggled his side hard and clung furiously. "So do better. Doing your best doesn't mean you have to be perfect or choose right every time. It means overall. You do what you can, when you can, as much as you can. And sometimes that means you fall. A lot. But you get back up."

A deep breath and she sighed and pushed him up out of the chair. "So get back up. Go out there. Be you. Have fun. Learn to laugh again. And when you fall, it's okay, I'll still be here to help you get back up, yeah?" She tried to mirror Peter Tyler's Vitex selling pose. "You can trust me on that."

Yeah, yeah. He knows. The two big problems are allowing for himself to forgive himself and tired of getting back up and sort of interrupts her monologue.

"Rose.... I'm tired of getting back up. That's all I was doing when we were fighting. It just doesn't seem to end. I feel trapped in a cycle. That anything I do isn't right."

Then looks at her when she says she'll be there and there's a small glimmer of hope in those eyes and gives a gentle hand squeeze.

Tough, Rose wanted to tell him, but she refrained with a wry grin.

"Sometimes it takes over a thousand tries to get the right one, Doctor. You only ever see the times I succeed. I've fallen more than you, believe it or not. I've flailed my arms and screamed myself hoarse at your back. I've done things over and over, watched the end of the world, and gone mad trying to figure out the one thing to do different to get it right this time."

She squeezed his hand back but gave him a gentle shove. "Try something different. Don't just get back up, but do it and try something different. The worst thing you can do is nothing. Or worse still, give up. And I'll never let you. So long as I'm around, you're stuck with it. No matter how much you want to, I just can't. I won't let you give up. Not ever. It's not in me. So you might as well make the best of it, because if you fight me on it, we'll just be fighting. I'll never change on it. That's what makes me Rose Tyler, not just human, yeah?"

It was why she cursed him and Jack without even meaning to. And yet... she'd do it all again. And she knew it. She was pretty sure they knew it too.

Garden

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Dancing

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