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!))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He smiles at Li as she approaches, even as he can sense that this sort of thing is not the type of thing she enjoyed.]

Good evening, Li. I must say, your mask is quiet lovely.

[Li settled next to him with only a few feet of difference between them as she nodded. Personally, she hated wearing a mask.]

Thanks. You're..looking good too.

[She guessed? Li was still trying not to give into the urge to either murder a few people or dash out the nearest door.]

I'm still not sure why the hell Dove felt the need to drag me to place like this.

Mm, I do not know Ms. Dove well enough to say. Perhaps she thought you might enjoy the socializing -- it seems almost everyone in the city is here somewhere tonight.

[She frowned at that. If Dove was looking to have her socializing, she's in for a disappointment. More than half the guests here registered as food to her. Those who didn't? Either were potential threats or...People she already knew and were in the rare friend category for her.

There weren't many in that category right now.]

No wonder I feel fucking nervous. I'm not one for crowds. Especially ones made up of mostly prey.

That does make quite a lot of sense. I wouldn't recommend indulging here, however, given the amount of people about. It might turn into a stampede.

[She nodded slightly.]

I'd rather not be on the wrong end of a stampede.

[She glances up at him and then grumbles softly.]

Exactly what are they doing anyway? Dancing looks like they're courting each other.

[He laughs slightly at that.] In a way, I imagine some of them are. Dancing is mostly a way to socialize, I suppose, a way people meet and get to know each other outside of talking. Or just a way to blow off steam and enjoy the music being played. But I'm sure a good number are also couples using it for some time together.

[So.. it was what she thought it was, more or less.]

Lovely. Well, I'm not exactly in a position where courting's welcomed. There's no point if I'm like this.

[At least.. she didn't think so.]

Though, I guess the music's okay...I'm.. not exactly an expert on human things. Or what the hell I should be doing.

It doesn’t need to be courting. We have dances at the school, and most of the students dance with their friends. The staff dances with each other as well — I usually have a dance or two with my colleagues.

[She frowned a little and then glanced up at him and out at the dance floor.]

Friends dancing together.. Then I guess we could dance together at least so I can get an idea why humans like it so much.

[He chuckles.] If you like, I am more than happy to. Here-

[Albus shifts to hold his arm out to her, so they can grasp hands to star the dance.]

[She hesitated for a moment before taking his hand. To say Li felt a little awkward for a few moments but, was letting him take charge since Li had absolutely no idea what she was doing.]

[He grasps Li's hand warmly and put his other palm on her back, leading her out slowly but surely.]

It's not so hard if you go slow and take it easy. Just one step forward, one step back, rotating a little as you go.

[As he says it, he does just that, gently guiding Li to follow his steps in turn.]

[She was tense as he started to lead her into the steps. It should say something about her not attempting to kill him for touching her really.]

Alright...

[For a Mare that usually avoided human things and hated associating with mages before she met them, Li.. was slowly becoming less of a wild creature over time and more something else. She's still not sure how to feel about this.]

This.. isn't so hard.

[He does truly appreciate that she is not attempting to eat him.]

It isn't as long as you don't try to rush it or make it fancier than it needs to be. Though women, as I understand it, often have the harder job of it since they must do it backwards, and often in heels.

[Faint snort.]

Then it's a good thing I don't wear heels.

[He laughs, still leading the dance.]

Probably a smart decision. They've always seemed rather treacherous to me.

[She keeps following along and soon was becoming more relaxed as she got used to the movements he was leading them through. She hated to admit it, but.. it was kind of fun.]

I still don't understand why human women wear them. I mean, you're likely to break an ankle in those things if you shift your weight wrong from the looks of them.

Mm, I am really the wrong person to answer that question, truthfully. I think it has something to do with adding to their height and accentuating their leg muscles and silhouette, but I admittedly don't know much about it.

So.. they do it to attract mates.

[She frowned a little. Okay yeah, Albus was probably the last person to ask why but, it did make her wonder if there was more to it than that. She might be asking Dove more questions later.]

...I guess that makes a little sense. Birds pretty themselves up all the time. Though, it's usually the males that are ridiculously colored.

My kind just run together and go from there.

Sometimes. Sometimes they enjoy it for their own sakes, or prefer the way they appear in them, or they feel that they must. Many long-married women wear them, so it isn't solely for mating.

[Granted, he is still running his mouth on something he doesn't know too much about, but he does understand the desire to look stylish!]

That they are. Perhaps it would be more fair if both the men and women had to gussy themselves up. [Which he will, one day, as an old man headmaster in jewel-tone robes.]

Ah, and do you pick mates by how well they run with you, then?

[Even if he is running his mouth, Li's still trying to wrap her head around the strangeness of human behavior. It might say something that she's actually trying for once.

And if she ever caught Albus in those robes, she's make sure to tease him.]

Sometimes. It's a test of stamina. We run, we bite at each other. We fight a little..

[She smiled a little.]

But, when we're in the water...the way we move together can be very telling. It's fluid and graceful. When you find the right mate for the season, you're in-sync in the water. It's kind of like dancing I guess.

[He smiles a little in turn.]

I think I can understand that, a little. [Granted, his only real romance has been with Gellert -- but at the same time, he understands that feeling of being in sync.] Sometimes instinct can be a very powerful indicator, especially for such things -- or that's how I understand it, at least.

[She nods slightly. For all her intelligence and looking human, Li was still a Kelpie at her core, guided by her instincts. ]

Yeah, they are. When I was with the right stallion, he was irresistible. We moved together in and out of the water, mated often and spent as much time with each other as possible.

When both of your goals are the same...For us, creating a foal was our driving force and when the season ended, we'd part ways. I'd go back to the herd and they'd either rejoin with me or take off. At least, that's how it is with other Kelpies.

[She fell silent for a moment and kept in step with Albus.]

With domesticated horses...It's a little more feral. We entice, they mount.. we try to get as much as we can out of them before their owners realize their stallions are into something they shouldn't be and take off. It's definitely not like being with another Kelpie.

But, with the season on us, the end results the same. Either you're with foal or you aren't. Half the time I never saw the stallion again after the season was over. And with humans, I have no idea what it's like.

[She shrugs a little.]

I usually just entice them and then eat them. Maybe they get far enough to get my shirt off but, that's about it.

[Albus listens attentively as she talks, taking it all in as he continues to lead them in the dance. Though he does let out a small chuckle at the mention of humans.]

I suppose it doesn't make much sense to learn the mating habits of your next meal.

I suppose in a way, though, the ways of kelpies might be simpler than the ways of humans. It seems that kelpies all know exactly what the goal is of their relationships and what to expect of each other.

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