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

[And even then, it's just rude.]

[Smoker gives a small smirk.] Oh good to know that particular torture is universal. [By good he just means... well nevermind.]

[There's SO MUCH SNORTS OF DERISION about Namur and dancing and then somehow the pale marine gets even paler than the vampires.]

[And coughs, half choking.] Uh, yeah... no. I think I'd rather dance with Namur. [At least he doesn't give a fuck what Namur thinks of him. Mostly.] There's a few waltzes, slow dances, where the height doesn't matter. Taught some to my daughter last year when she was still here. Not sure if the Whitebeard knows it though. He might. Whitebeards' crew were nearly as varied in heights as the marines. Believe it or not, Namur's on the shorter end of his family. And all my bosses are a couple feet taller than me. My best friend Kuzan, too. [And mind you, Smoker at 6'8" is not short.]

I'm razher sure my shark vould take you up on zhe offer just for zhe hilarity of it or tell you to get lost.

[Actually, she wasn't sure how Namur would react to that and part of her wanted to find out.]

Besides, dancing vith Augustine iz fun. I definitely enjoy it~.

[By now everyone's probably seen her and Auggie on the dance floor and gotten the idea of just how close they were. Then again...That might just make her want to push Smoker into asking for one dance at least.]

....If Namur's on zhe shorter end of his family, I'm afraid to ask zhe height of zhe tallest. I already feel short next to him half zhe time und I vas one of zhe taller ones in my unit.

Pretty sure he'd bite my head off for even asking, and I'd thank him for sparing me the humiliation of following through with it.

[Oh Rip.]

Little Oars Jr. Not as big as his ancestor, nor the biggest my world has to offer. Sanjuan Wolf is the size of a battleship, about.... you've been to Nova, right? Seen the skyscrapers there? He's somewhere between 42 and 55 storeys to those buildings.

But I wouldn't bring up either with Namur. Little Oars Jr. was killed in the War of the Best against marines, and Sanjuan Wolf was part of Blackbeard's force that murdered Whitebeard.

My world has actual giants. People a hundred times my size. And likewise... people about this big. [Holds his fingers up only inches tall.] Most of the world is about head and shoulders shorter than me. At least. Even among fishmen, Namur and Jinbei are on the bigger side. But there are some fishmen and merfolk giants too, and some fishmen only the size of my fist.

Kuzan never could get used to this place being on the shorter side. Even with so much variety... we usually have everything built for people a lot bigger. Especially marine bases. We don't always have the facilities for giants, because they're so much rarer, but they're usually not going to force Kuzan to bend over double or crane his neck. When I was a kid, I just got used to running everywhere. Good for training.

[What Rip's hearing amazes her a little. Literal Giants? She was a little shocked and also very curious. She was also noting Smokers warning about asking about them. Namur's told her a fair bit about his family and his world but, there's still things she didn't know and wasn't about to ask unless he was volunteering.]

Zhe tallest person I knew back home vas zomevhere in zhe seven foot range. Zo, actual giants iz a little hard to believe. But, I haf learned zhat every vorld is very different.

[And the variety of people she keeps learning about is very interesting. She's actually fascinated by it.]

Zhe more I hear about your und Namur's vorld, zhe more I vish I could see it.

Hah.

I don't know if the world would fear you, or you'd fear it.

The Whitebeards aren't the norm for my world. And I'm not the norm for marines. Do you even know if you'd be a pirate or soldier?

I zuppose zhat vould depend on how I am introduced to your vorld. It could go eizher vay. Zhough...I haf a feeling anyone zhat crosses me vould learn to fear me.

[Rip would make sure of it.]

I vould say pirate if Marco und Namur vere vith me... but, even I cannot deny zhat at my core I'm a soldier vhen I am left on my own und to my own devices.

That fits in with the marines as well. [Snorts.] If you were born there, you'd probably be in Cipher Pol. The secret police separate from the marines, but work for the World Government as well.

Oh? Und vhy do you say zhat?

[She was curious to hear his thought process on why she'd be part of the secret police of his world.]

[Frowns.]

[Maybe he's said too much already. He keeps his dancing even, but he's clearly lost in thought on how to phrase it best.]

[Eyes closed, ear tips red:] They're a lot like you. What you spoke about before. When you had no choice. They're used by the government as a weapon, and discarded just as easily.

Sorry. [Eyes open on hers and genuinely gentility and concern in there.] I didn't mean it to be... [Ears flick.] Brutal.

[Her smile faded when he told her just what he meant and went quiet. Part of her knew he was right. That's probably exactly how she might have ended up in his world if left on her own.]

It's fine und you're probably right. Zhat's... not too far off from vat actually happened to me. Zo, it vould made sense to zhink I might haf been one of zhem.

EVENT- Genessia Masquerade

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