December Event Log

[kaisoumods]

December Event Log
Dominant Element: Light
Waning Element: Shadow

Full Moon: December 25th - December 27th

※

The scattered snow of late November now becomes more consistent as December rolls in, coating Kaisou in a fine blanket of white snow for the holidays. The weather is cold, but nothing unbearable so long as you have proper winter gear. The nights are long this month, but that just means you have more time to enjoy the Spirit Vein's lightshow, which is glowing a cascade of golden and white from the Light element- with the occasional splash of other seasonal colors. Basically as the month goes on, the city will get to enjoy a picturesque holiday season.

The Holiday Season

♪- Happy Holiday

While the city is still recovering and rebuilding from the yokai attack in November, the residents of Kaisou don't let it hamper their holiday spirit. Holiday decorations are strung up even in the most damaged area, as if in defiance of the chaos wrecked on their city. The normal residents are still convinced it was an earthquake which caused the damage to Kaisou, and are delighted to see the city start to bounce back. Snow covers the ground, making Kaisou look like a winter wonderland. There is skating in Blue Fish Park, with rented skates for those who want a turn on the ice- the Terrible Geese are ready to trip you up or otherwise cause a nuisance as always. The Kitsune are still there too, deep in the park, ready to try and peddle valuables for knowledge- one SWEARS she knows the secret to untangling your Christmas lights in one movement for the low, low price of your deepest secret. This is a scam. This screams scam. Don't get scammed on the holidays.

The businesses around the city are going into overdrive, as they are wont to do this time of year. Businesses in Central Square and the Entertainment District, where the damage was worst are struggling the most, but they still join the city in peddling their wares. Stores are trying to sell items ready for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and the Solstice. Expect long lines and holiday music on an obnoxious loop as you try and buy your gifts and food ready for the holiday. Someone will absolutely be ready to get into a fight with you for that last Kugel or bunch of plantains. Undertown also provides plenty of gifts of a more...magical nature. You can find a bowl that self-mixes cranberries or kinaras or menorahs enchanted to keep their candles lit without dripping any wax.

Dotted around the city, a Christmas Market has sprung up- there are maps showing a trail that goes around the least damaged areas of the city. You can find wooden stalls all over- selling homemade crafts as perfect gifts for the season. These also include the enchanted sort you might find in Undertown, some of the peddlers there trying their luck aboveground to maximize profit. Do you want a snow globe enchanted to look like your actual home? Done! How about scarves and hats enchanted to always keep you warm? You got it! Small fairground attractions can also be found- carny stalls, a helter-skelter or a Ferris wheel if you want to have some fun while you shop. You can also find huts selling food and drink. Bratwurst is especially popular, with all sorts of fillings available, but you can also get hot pies, roast chestnuts and all manner of street food. You can also get hot chocolate, and those of drinking age can get mulled wine or hot cider to chase away the chill. There are also stalls offering lessons in gift wrapping or chocolate treat making. This might be the perfect place to get a gift for your secret Santa!

The Masquerade Ball

♪- Dancing on my Own

On the 16th of December the Palais Garnier opens its doors to a masquerade ball to celebrate the holidays. It's one of the few buildings in the Entertainment District which didn't get damaged in November- being on the outskirts of the District, and they are going all out to celebrate. Fliers have been posted around the city all month, inviting residents of Kaisou to a night of dancing, drinking and socializing. Entry is free, but formal wear and a mask are required to go inside. The grand building is gorgeously decorated for the season. Mistletoe can be found hung around in quieter corners, encouraging partygoers to enjoy a kiss if they so desire.

Food tables can be found dotted around, with all manner of fancy appetizers for people to snack on. For those with a less sophisticated palette, a sizeable chocolate fountain can be found nearby, with skewering sticks and various treats to dip into it. Please try to fight the intrusive thought of putting your head in it- other people have to eat it, too. A bar sells both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks of all kinds, and waiters wander the building with silver trays, happy to go fetch a drink order for you to save you from moving from whatever primo spot you've found for yourself.

Naturally, being a ball, there's a lot of space for dancing. The foyer is as stunning as the rest of the building- as a live orchestra plays music to dance to. It's largely fancy waltzes, but if you tip one of them enough, you might convince them to play an instrumental version of your favorite pop song. Though that may end up with some interesting results. Either way, the mood is perfect to sweep someone off their feet- so get to the dance floor and show off your moves. For those that want a breather from the throng of people, you can step outside into the beautifully lit grounds. There's still a chill in the air, and snow is on the ground, but it's a great place to take five before heading back inside for the celebration. Events like this don't come every day, so work up the coward to ask your dearest and dance the night away.

A Christmas Gacha

♪- I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

Regardless of if you celebrate the holiday season or not, you're surely going to end up with some gifts. Even if you do your best to embody the spirit of Ebenezer Scrooge, you'll find wrapped gifts with your name on them. These wrapped gifts will appear in your home, on your work commute, or any place you tend to frequent. If you open them, you will find any random assortment of gifts; some valuable, some useless, and some just confusing. This will happen to you three times throughout the months, and there's no clear indication where they come from. Perhaps it's the spirit vein itself trying to wish you a happy holiday.

[OOC Note: Players can redeem three free gacha pulls for the month of December! If you wish to get those gacha prizes, you can do over here.]

Deck the Halls with Hallmark

♪- Home for the Holidays

On the night of December 4th, Zodiac will send out another message.

ALERT: SPIRIT REALM GATE DETECTED IN THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.
Element Classification: Light
Danger Level: Low
Designation: Christmas Land of Untold Stories
Zodiac has detected a Spirit Gate in the Entertainment District. Based on our investigations, we believe this realm deals with the creation of holiday movies. We have received a formal request to assist them with their creative process. Please stop by the Zodiac offices for more information.

Should you visit the Zodiac office, which is also decked out in typical holiday office decorations, you can find the office buzzed with action. Between helping repair the town, investigating what happened last month, and the usual holiday activities - the Zodiac employees have their hands full. The Professor (fuzzy) is there, dressed up in a santa hat and scarf for the holiday season. He can't really tell you much about what to expect with the Spirit Realm, but he is happy to tell you historical facts about Christmas. He'll even talk about how in his old world, he knew St. Nick! Or rather... his bones. Really. It's just best not to ask.

Luckily there is someone there to help answer your questions. A young, and exhausted looking, intern will introduce themselves. They aren't part of Zodiac, but rather they're part of the production crew that manages the "CLAUS" spirit gate. You know all those low budget Christmas movies that seem to pop up every year on TV? Well as it turns out, many of those were actually created by using this very special realm. And since they've been behind schedule to due to various factors...they want your help to make their movie quota! It doesn't matter if you have no experience, they'll take anything they can get at this point. And don't worry, they promise to reward anyone who chooses to help out.

Should you agree to help, you'll be directed to head to the Entertainment District. Amongst all the damaged buildings, across the street from the Vogue, a brick and iron gate decked out in an absurd amount of Christmas decorations have sprung up where there used to be a dumpster. None of the normal people on the street have seemed to notice it, passing by it without a second glance. Looks like the gate is easy enough to access this month, as all one must do is walk through it.

Holiday Movie Maker Studio

♪- Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

When you step through the gate and into the realm, you are hit with the single most Christmas-y environment you can imagine. Perfectly white and fluffy snow falls in picturesque drifts, while every evergreen tree is dusted with just the right amount of snow. Your boots and coats stay perfectly dry despite all of the snow, and the faint scent of fresh gingerbread baking is on the wind. Welcome to the Christmas Land of Untold Stories or: CLAUS.

If you choose to explore before heading to do your tasks, you'll find all sorts of magical sights that lay outside of the movie set area. Christmas elves are tidying up the area and tending to perfectly tame reindeer that roam around the forests. Snowflake fairies flutter about the pristine snowdrifts, happy to play in the snow with anyone who wants to take the time. And don't forget the gingerbread kids who are dashing through the snow on their way to their Grandmother's House. If you go with them, you'll be greeted by an bigger grandmotherly gingerbread creature who is happy to give you treats... including gingerbread, try not to dwell too long on those implications.

When it's time to go to work, you can follow the ice giants as they carry stage lights and other set equipment, lumbering towards a small town just down the path. As you approach the town's entrance (which is literally just called "Small Town, USA"), you'll get a chance to take in where the "real magic" happens. Turns out, they really weren't kidding that this is the place where all those holiday movies get made. Throughout the small town are various sets that you've seen in various films: the family-owned cafe shop, the cozy farmhouse, the Christmas castle, the ice skating rink -- all of it is here. And bustling around these sets are various stagehands, both human and supernatural creatures, trying to product multiple films at once: all of them Christmas films.

Soon as your presence is noticed, you'll be ushered off by some stagehands to meet with the producer. The producer is a bright and cheerful twenty-something Christmas elf who looks a bit out of her depth, with stagehands constantly approaching her with questions or issues. Despite all of that, she is determined to not only make the holiday movie quota, but make sure the movies this year are the best they've ever been! She's so thankful for your help, she really is, and as you all file in she hands out folders with lists of things they need help with. If you point out that you've never actually worked on a movie before, she will insist that it's perfectly fine, this realm's magic will help you out! She even says that if you work hard, she'll be able to get them in to meet a special celebrity if you know what she means.

With that, she sets off to take care of a dozen other fires. Best to roll up your sleeves and get to work. There's a lot to do.

Lights, Camera, Action

♪- All I Want for Christmas is You

If you're the acting type or you just happen to look like you'd fit some part, you'll be asked to help act out the movies. Or less ask and more the casting director, another bubbly Christmas elf, will excitedly point you out from a crowd and drag you over to where they need you, excitedly chattering your ear off how you perfectly match "her vision". Once you reach your destination (whatever set needs to be used for this movie), they'll hand a script and encourage you to look over it. Most of these scripts are stock Christmas scripts with the most generic lines ever, but maybe you'll get lucky(?) and get a script written by one of your fellow app users. Either way, it's time to look over the script you've been given! Only when you look at your script do you even find out what role you were given, though all of them are the typical kinds of characters you come across in Christmas movies. Maybe it's perfectly fitting, maybe it's so hilariously wrong that you can't help but laugh. Some will be expected to play as the main character, while other times you might just be an extra expected to clap or give a memorable face at the camera (remember, there's no small roles!).

No matter what role you're given, you have a comically short time to look over the script while sugarplum fairies put on your make up, fix up your hair, and give you proper wardrobe for the scene. As soon as your hair and make up are ready, the director of the film is calling you over to start filming. Next thing you know, you'll find yourself in front of stage lights and cameras- feeling woefully unprepared. Just when you feel like you're about to live out a version of that famous reoccurring nightmare, something magical happens as the director yells "Action!". Suddenly, no matter how little you looked at the scripts, the lines will just come to you. Not only that, but you will truly feel the role you were assigned to play. You will suddenly feel like the plucky protagonist that's returning to her hometown, or the diabolical antagonist that wants to cancel Christmas forever. This magic will even help your own acting skills... to an extent. At most, the acting buff will help you get through your scenes, but those without any acting talent will have either a wooden or an over-the-top performance- allowing folks with true acting talent to outshine them. It's only when the director yells "cut!" that the magic will fade and return you to your normal self. But you got a busy schedule today, so just film your scene and move on to the next one!

In between some scenes when you are given some downtime, you'll be approached by another Christmas elf that's all bundled up. This elf is an assistance and will take you to the actor's trailer for rest. The trailers sit out of view of the Small Town sets and are very fancy. There's an instant-hot-drinks machine that will churn out all the coffee, tea, or hot cocoa you could want at the perfect temperature with all flavors and toppings you could hope for. And food! Do you crave a highly specific soup your grandma made once when you were six? You can have it. Fresh from the oven pumpkin bread? You bet. Pizza? They have that too. And the sofas in these things? Perfect for a nap.

While you're resting and preparing for your next scene, you might be able to overhear the gossip from the stage crew. From the sound of it, many of the Christmas elves here are related to the ones who work at the North Pole, but were more interested in careers in the entertainment industry than working in the toy-making factories. This caused some generational strife with their parents who wanted them to continue the family business, but Santa Claus was happy to help them and created this realm so they could make dreams a reality. This "movie quota" they keep hammering about seems to be a standard they set for themselves. Each movie made and released on Earth powers this realm a little, and if they make enough of them, they can sustain the realm without relying on Santa's power -- proving to their parents they weren't wrong in their life choices.

Seems Christmas Elves and humans are alike in a lot of ways. Though, if you try to suggest maybe finding a life outside of Christmas, they will act like you just suggested something absolutely insane. Just like the North Pole elves, these guys are equally obsessed with Christmas. Oh well.

Backstage

♪- A Marshmallow World

If you don't get roped into acting, you may be asked to do tech. If you have super strength, you may be asked to help the frost giants with the hauling of the heaviest of equipment (frost giants need breaks too!). Otherwise, you might be directed to help with various tasks depending on what the stage crew becomes convinced you're good at. Help with the cameras, clean stage lights, put on the actor's make up, help pick out wardrobe, or just be a general assistant that makes sure everyone is well fed and hydrated. Whatever the task, they will keep you running on your feet as there is much to do.

Should you be enlisted however to help assemble sets, you will be given magical Christmas wands to assist you. Waving these wands will help you put up Christmas decorations wherever you wave it. That house needs Christmas lights? A wave of the wand will handle that. The mugs need to look more seasonal? Tap them with the wand and behold, they now look like holiday-themed mugs! You can even change a person's outfit to look like they've dressed up for Christmas... or just tie them up in tinsel if you rather cause chaos. Really, maybe this power shouldn't be trusted with some people.

Meanwhile if you have a creative writing streak? You may at times find yourself approached by a very anxious young girl in a white dress with a blue satin sash carrying a laptop covered in Christmas stickers. Before you can get in a "Merry Christmas", she'll explain that "--they're starting to run out of scripts and their usual writers have all gone on their seasonal break and if they don't get more scripts soon than the producer will be so very upset and--"

If you get her to calm down, she'll hand you either the laptop or a magical parchment scroll, and ask if you'd please write a few scripts. Not a lot, and there's even a template to follow if you want to do it quickly! Accept, and you'll be given near total creative freedom. Sure, you can follow the template provided if you want and churn out five or six near-identical movies and plots... or you can maybe provide this land with some long-needed variety in their movies. Just remember: happy stories!. Should your script meets the girl's approval (surprise, the bar is set low as long as its Christmas themed and a happy ending), you'll find your work being given to the actors to perform.

Finally, those with some true ambitions might get a chance to snag a director's seat. There's a lot of movies to make, and if someone shows enough confidence, the directors are happy to hand over the magic clapperboard and let you direct your own movie! You're now in full control of the actors and the direction of the film, so make this holiday movie your finest work! Or phone it in, whatever.

Santa Claus: The Return

♪- Carol of the Bells

After a long few days of work, the producer will be really happy about the results. It seems that thanks to the help of the Libra app users, the Christmas movie quota will be met for another year. Not only that, but they're really proud of the films they managed to produce this year! So much so that as a thank you, they want to introduce anyone who helped in the movie making process meet their beloved benefactor.

Sure enough, as soon as the producer hears that, you will hear an iconic "Ho ho ho!" as Santa Claus himself walks in, in all his glory. His appearance matches all the stories about him, from the white beard to the twinkling eyes. However instead of being some feeble old man, he carries himself with a genuine confidence that comes only from having the strength to back it up. Anyone who attempts to get a magical read on him will quickly find themselves being overwhelmed by his sheer power, making even Kaisou's homegrown gods seem weak in comparison.

When you speak to him, he recognizes you and speaks to you with a personal familiarity, like a grandparent that's been receiving letters about you. Those who don't celebrate Christmas will still be treated warmly, as the feelings of giving and wonder are pretty universal as far as he's concerned. He's kind and has a good sense of humor, thanking you for helping the inhabitants of this realm with their dream. In return for your hard work, he will grant you a enchanted present for you to give to someone you care about, as well as one of those magical Christmas wands to help you with your own Christmas decorating. Use them wisely.

Aftermath

The rest of the month passes rather peacefully. The holiday season is in full swing, and you're in no doubt very busy with your own holiday plans. Seems that you'll get to enjoy the holidays without worrying about some big external crisis (though your own homemade crises can always happen). Should you turn on the tv to one of the numerous cable channels playing Christmas movies, or turn on a streaming service that's been bloated with Christmas movies, you might catch one of the movies that you took part in! Boy... they sure are Christmas movies alright.

OOC Notes

The dominant element this month is Light! Anyone with an affinity to the light element will find themselves boosted throughout the month. This could mean a boost to their power, having more energy, feeling more inspired with creativity, having better luck on different attempts -- the boost can manifest in all sorts of different ways. By contrast, anyone with an affinity for Shadow will be experiencing the opposite. Perhaps their powers will be weaker, they have less energy, they're having a creative block or general worse luck - again it can manifest in all sorts of way and players are free to play with this mechanic as they'd like.

The original OOC plotting post for this event can be found here. Another Zodiac Post will be going up December 15th to serve as an intro post for new characters and allow characters to react to developments over the network.

Comments

Waver Velvet | fate/ servantswap au | ota

[fionnuisce]

[i; masquerade]

[Having made no secret of hating formal events, Waver showed up only slightly underdressed; a dark green vest and black shirt with silver tie, waist-length hair left untied and a simple mask of twisted silver wire resembling floral vines. Pushing the boundaries of the rules, but allowed on a technicality? Typical.]

[And although most of the night saw him drinking by the nearest snack table or taking up a seat off to the side (thankfully, carrying a cane meant not a lot of offers to dance), he did wander past the band with a troublemaking smirk and a stealthy exchange shortly before they changed to a particular song.]

[Hey, rich people deserve to be exposed to real culture too.]

[ii; lights camera action]

[You know who's perfect for the role of an overworked career-focused teacher coming back to a small town for the first time?]

[...Surely not Waver, who is in fact playing the role of Adorable Christmas Critter #3, perched in the background of several shots in the form of a small orange bird. Occasionally with an appropriately-sized Santa hat on. Why? Who knows, the machinations of Hallmark are an enigma.]

[Between takes he'll change back to his normal human form, and grudgingly admit:]

You know what, somehow it doesn't surprise me that these movies are powering something, given how damn many of them there always are.

[iii; wildcard]

[anything else!]

i (SOMEBODY had to do this okay)

[prunedworlds]

For her part, Ritsuka saw no reason not to take advantage of Zodiac's generosity and get something nice and as such had an appropriately fancy dress for the occasion. And an extremely mysterious-looking mask.

But in any case, she paused when she heard the change of music.

"Oh, I think I heard this on a commercial or something!"

... Sorry, Waver.

Masquerade for the reverse of Ritsuka tbh-

[standless]

[One may wonder, perhaps, how a literal bat manages to get into a masquerade. The answer is probably that someone claimed he's some sort of emotional support bat (it's how he gets into Operas after all), and went from there. Rich people have all sorts of pets these days. What's one more strange species?!

Or maybe they all just see a very fancy cockatiel. Or nothing at all.

Regardless, the mask-wearing bat garbed in white where possible seems utterly entranced. "Oh..! Oh I love it..! Is this a modern piece perchance? Do you know?" he eagerly asks, looking up to the other and quite honestly hoping very strongly he's talking to someone from the app. "I wonder if I can find a recording..."

I; because taking a third option is funny

[infezione]

[At some point, a good few minutes after a particular song has concluded, Waver might spot a distinctive rabbit mask hanging around the orchestra for a little while.

A few minutes after that, Fugo has made his way over to the snack table Waver's standing by now. By now, another song has started, a sly grin on Fugo's face as he quietly addresses Waver--]

Thanks for the idea.

i.

[twofoldfury]

[It wasn't that surprising to see Diarmuid not far from Waver (if anything Waver being around was the more surprising thing), but he caught a glance of that smirk when he wandered off to pass the band and the music changing very soon after.

While more formally dressed than his Master and more often than not keeping his mask on, a bit of a smirk of his own crossed Diarmuid's expression while Waver made his way away from the band.

Whether he recognized the song or not was a non issue, what he did recognize was a shitheel when he saw one.]

Did you plan for that or was it something you thought of on the fly?

Gravelord Nito | Dark Souls (OU) | ota

[end_singer]

I - Lights, Camera, Action

[Generally speaking, when one thinks of Christmas movies, one has a certain idea in mind of what they contain. While the specifics differ from person to person, it's an unusual individual that would think skeletons truly fit the picture.

And yet, somehow, Nito can be spotted in multiple movies. One is an obvious pull, since, well, if you're going to do yet another adaptation of A Christmas Carol, you need a Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come and you could certainly do worse in casting. The second is another adaptation of another novel that's had a movie before, though this time he's in a santa suit in several scenes in addition to the robe one generally expects of the Reaper.

He actually gives pretty solid performances on camera, but the second he's allowed to break between scenes, he's out from under the lights faster than anyone has likely ever observed him move to wedge himself into the least well-lit corner he can manage.]

Curious that I was cast as what I am twice, given the festive mood of the season. What is the phrase that the people of Kaisou use...? Something about nickels, I believe? Regardless, I think I shall not be doing this a third time.


II - Wildcard

[Y'all know what to do with this one.]

I

[infezione]

[Nito wedging himself into the corner only sort of goes noticed by Fugo, who's been sitting over here and typing away furiously at a script.]

You'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot but it's strange that it's happened twice?

[He glances over. Does a double take.

...

Shrugs and offers Nito one of the slices of pizza he'd gotten for himself. He's not sure if skeletons eat, but can't hurt to offer, right?]

I

[sardinelover]

Well, they do say write what you know. Perhaps there's a similar turn of phrase regarding acting?

[After all, he did get a role as a vampire. A Christmas-themed one, sure, but still.]

edward kenway | assassin's creed | ota

[jackdawvision]

EXT. LAND OF CHRISTMAS STORIES.

[Edward manages to dodge the casting director's attentions, unwilling to put himself in front of the camera in a role he doesn't care for. He does not, however, manage to duck the girl with the laptop, and ends up with a magical parchment scroll, a template, and no idea how to actually write a movie script. It's like writing a play, right? You just put in stage directions and dialogue and try to come up with something moving.

So Edward hunkers down somewhere, and spends much of the day hard at work, scribbling out a new story. The template he'd gotten had been for a time-traveling knight, but he doesn't know shit about knights, so he'd simply...written what he'd known, and come up with a script about a pirate in the modern day, finding a new home and a few new friends in the future, with the mandatory Christmas theme serving as a backdrop.

The pirate's name? Mary Caroline Teach. Thatch would be amused, Edward figures, by the last name. He turns it in, thinking that's it for the story, and wanders off to get himself some hot chocolate.

When he comes back, they've already started filming it. Edward decides to just...hang around the set after that, and you'll know he's there because halfway through the scene, you can hear him say in an exasperated voice:]

Will you stop saying arrrr? I never wrote that in. No one said arrrr back then, I don't know why this keeps coming up like flotsam from a shipwreck.

[Oh, god, he's going to be one of those writers.]

MASQUERADE

[Edward turns up to the masquerade wearing this quite piratical outfit sans the hook, but sporting a fetching tricorner hat with a pair of large green feathers poking out of the back. The mask he wears can best be described as a domino mask, little more than a bare suggestion of a mask around his eyes, and he swaggers in with the kind of flair you'd expect from someone wearing that outfit.

The first thing he does is beeline for the musicians, passing them a few dollars and whispering something in their ears. Moments later, once they've finished their song, they strike up a new tune, and Edward gleefully takes the dance floor, catching the hand of whoever's willing to dance with him. Perhaps that's even you.]

Come on now—way hey and up she rises, way hey and up she rises, early in the morning! [Well, for someone who's so good at parkour, he's not quite so graceful at ballroom dancing. No one ever taught him how, he's mostly just making things up as he goes along, but he is clearly having a whole lot of fun.

Later, as the night winds down, Edward can be found at the bar, pouring himself some good wine. The mask's long gone and the hat's knocked askew, but now Edward looks more...somber. Tired. If you draw closer, you might even hear him singing softly to himself:]

...so fill to me the parting glass, good night and joy be with you all.

WILDCARD.

[Have an idea not covered by the above? Use this option or hit me up at mollymauktealeaf or on Discord at foggytealeafs, and we'll figure something out!]

dance floor

[sunforging]

That's whatcha do with a drunken sailor, early in the mor~ning!

[Catching Scintilla's clawed hand would result in less a dance and more the pair of them pulling each other along; she was both much stronger and much more excitable than she looked, when the party wasn't likely to develop into a mess of things for once.]

Yasuho Hirose - Normal AU - Nested Prompts! - OTA

[youwouldntdownloada]

RISE OF CHAOTIC CASHMERE & FLEECE FIREBRAND [CLOSED] - NOV 30

[youwouldntdownloada]

The evening that it happens, it's honestly quite peaceful. Flakes of soft, fluffy snow fall gently from above, and the building set aside for the purposes of the knitting event already glows- decorated in strings of themed Christmas Lights on the outside, strings of tinsel and paper snowflakes on the inside.

Yasuho holds the door open for her friend as they initially step inside. It's an almost cozy atmosphere, and watching the pokemon waddle about only adds to the image. Already she can spot some empty spots at a few tables, bins of yarn and fabric squares nearby.

She turns to Ritsuka, a smile on her face. "Anywhere you want to sit? The posting said we can hop right in, we just need to pick a table."

takame kesi | ffxiv oc | ota

[hoshikiri]

i. ame got his ass beat by the santa

[So, you’re walking down the street. Perhaps witnessed and met up with Santa to get your special someone a unique gift. Takame certainly did after helping with movies! But more than that there was something lingering in the back of his mind since last year. You all knew it was coming. He wished for a duel with Santa.

It went poorly. He knew it would. But he needed to see how long it would last.

And anyone passing by will see him like this. In a snowbank. With a big fluffy coat. And also there's a cookbook next to him. Maybe help him out? He’s wiggling and trying to pull himself free but he won’t say no to help.

Muffled:]

Ah, is someone there?

ii. walking through the spirit realm this eve (network)

Santa is marvelously strong!!!!!!

[Holy shit, Takame is using EXCLAMATION POINTS. But also oh fucking christ, why does he know that? Why does he sound so excited about it?]

iii. dress up time

[Takame certainly wasn’t opposed to gatherings like this. He rather liked being near a lot of people enjoying themselves even though he himself was not much of a talker unless engaged. Sometimes if asked he’d be more than willing to hit up the dance floor. Sometimes he may be caught with a warm smile on his face by the bar or snack ables. Usually the bar.

He certainly spared no effort to look nice, hair tied high in an ornate bun, fabulous dress donned with a relatively simple mask.

He has had quite the year, this one. Maybe there was a reason he lingered near the bar in moments of quiet.]

iv. something else

[[ its the something else for all your something else needs! I’m bonpuns everywhere for plottening. ]]

I !!!

[standless]

[Jonathan misses sparring. He misses it so badly. Yes, he can fight like this, but it isn't the same! THE GLORIOUS FISTICUFFS! HE DOESN'T HAVE THEM!

...In any case he's watching that fight, and it's a testament to his...stability? His stability, perhaps, that he is not ungracefully tossed off his snowbank when there is abruptly a grown man faceplanted into it.] Oh-

There certainly is, but I fear I'll not be of much use to you! [the bat calls through the snow.] I am not especially warm, nor good at digging.

Rose | FFXIV | OTA

[poisontippedcure]

[Masquerade]

[Rose shows up at the masquerade in an extremely detailed kimono, although there's certainly some modern flair to it. Surprising no one, no one at all, it's designed with a flower pattern and lace. Rose has opted not to wear a mask. There's all of three Miqo'te in Kaisou, and it's extremely obvious which one she is.]

[She'll spend the majority of her time at the dance around the bar. Any one who sees her will probably see her with a drink in her hand. It's been a long year, okay. She will take the time to seek her friends out, at least, and do the minimal amount of milling about.]

[While she doesn't drift towards the dance floor on her own, if someone she knows asks, she'll probably agree.]

[Deck Your (New) Halls]

[Rose understands this is the season of giving, and she knew this place was want to give out gifts to its residents.]

[But she wasn't expecting the gift to be a house? Much less a small, Victorian house. She's standing outside with all of her stuff neatly packed in boxes, but she can't stop staring at it.]

Perhaps this is karma?

[She did have a rather rough year, after all. Maybe she's asked you to help her move in, or perhaps she's invited you for tea afterwards. She doesn't drink tea much herself, but with somewhere quaint like this it feels like a shame not to at least host one tea party.]

[Meanwhile, anyone that she shows her room will notice that it has a distinctly eastern flair. The floor is completely covered by Tatami mats, and all of the furniture is low to the ground. How much did this cost? It's probably best not to think about it.]

[Don't step into her room wearing shoes, though, or she will kill you.]

[OTA!]

deck the halls with your house himbo fa-la-la-la-la [also OTA]

[soulreleaser]

Karma is a fantastic way to think about it!

[ the neighbors must be assholes, however, to have earned Veldora Tempest within noise ordinance distance.

he's a cheerful presence, dutifully hauling boxes and moving furniture to the right, no the other right, bound and determined to repay the good turn that Lady Rose has bestowed upon him

(he'd been pleased to hear of her good fortune--acquiring a new domicile out of nowhere? truly fortune, serendipity, and all those other fun weighty, fatey words, and had presumed that their paths would diverge in the wake of such things, and yet here he was

still living with her

something stirred deep within his chest; a quiet, secret emotion that only a little slime had dared to reach for in those early days, and he looks on it with wistful fondness now)

but wistful fondness is quiet, and Veldora Tempest is not; he's rather at the top of his lungs in everything he does, regardless of who may be in earshot in the lesser Tri-State area. ]

Such kindness as dwells within you is often rewarded in due time! It's rarely simply the work of karma--one can likely trace a path through your good deeds and trial and tribulations and what have you. There's often work in the wake of good fortune.

[sardinelover]

Lights, Camera, Action!

[So the funny thing is that Val wasn't even trying to apply for a role in the films. At least, not initially. He was just passing through. However, a combination of his natural hamminess and the fact that he came dressed in his usual (vampiric) attire near the shooting of "T'was the Bite Before Christmas" made him a shoe-in for the role. At first he wasn't necessarily sold on the idea, but it didn't take much to convince him. So he played the role that the director said he was born to play: Count Claus! Admittedly the plot was a bit hard to follow, but he was really throwing himself into the role and having a blast. And apparently a lot of his coworkers were, too.

During one of the breaks, he'll most likely walk up to your character with a curious expression on his face.]

Excuse me, if I could have a moment of your time. Do you happen to know who this William Shatner fellow is? The director seems to think my acting style is similar to his.

[Alternatively, you're on the set of another Christmas movie that Val found himself in. Apparently he was able to score the studio another sponsor, this time with a local fishery in exchange for doing a commercial, so he's also going to be playing the role of Krampus. Though not in costume yet, Valvatorez is nevertheless reading over the script alongside many other actors.]

I see, so this Krampus fellow also punishes sinners... What a relatable character! I think I'm going to enjoy this role, hmhmhmh!

[Why yes, he is laughing evilly to himself while reading a script.]

The Masquerade Ball

[Valvatorez is already a sharp-dresser, but the Masquerade truly was an excuse to dress himself to the nines. His face was adorned with an all silver mask that looked like a bat spreading its wings. And when he first arrives (which is incredibly early) it's with several prinnies on either side of him. They're all dressed in pretty dresses or sharp tuxedos, looking surprisingly happy to be here. But all it takes is one grand gesture by Valvatorez to make it obvious they aren't just here to enjoy themselves.]

Alright, it's time for you guys to make good on your word. Don't disappoint me.

[The prinnies salute.]

Yessir, Lord Valvatorez, dood!

[And thus if you see any prinnies around the ball, that's why. They'll be helping around as best they can, whether it be cleaning up messes, making sure everyone's glasses and plates are filled, and even offering to dance with those who seem kind of lonely. Valvatorez himself seems to be everywhere during the party, chatting up others, dancing, and even making a song request. But the easiest times to catch him are when he's snacking on seafood, or taking a break from dancing.]

It's been a while since I've enjoyed a ball. Though the ones I've been to were never this relaxed.

[Though if this conversation starter doesn't work for you, feel free to come up with your own. As mentioned he'll be around and more than happy to dance.]

BALL !

[standless]

Oh, were they not?

[Look to the side. Now down a little. Maybe a little more down, in fact, depending on what poor Jonathan had to find to perch upon. He may have been fitted and masked up in white and feathers, but he's still...very small.

So small.

And apparently not about to let that get in his way of a good ball!] I have to say, it's been quite some time for myself as well! ...Though it was much harder to avoid attention back then...

[Things felt a bit awkward in his later years, and that was probably a certain would-be-vampire's fault. Boo, hiss.]

Zulius | Centaurworld | OTA

[bebest]

The Holiday Season

[Zulius is giving the spirit gate this month the widest berth he possibly can. Which isn't easy given the damn thing is right across the street from his building. He can be found outside, glowering at it. He's wearing a lot of layers because his Los Angelean ass will never be used to the cold and snow however long he lives here, with a riduclously festive horse rug to cover up the zebra half from the cold. He seems more interested in throwing shade at the gate, than commenting on his own fashion choices, however. ]

Ugh, look at them, with their stupid cameras and scripts and same-ass recycled stories. You know it's like, legit, all the same four stories, just told over and over again, right? They just change the names and make someone like- a dentist instead of a businesswoman. It's sooooooooo done. And predictable. I can't BElieve I have to deal with this tacky garbage right outside my own door. It's inSULTing is what it is.

[Or perhaps you'll find him in the Christmas market, shopping around, buying all sorts of gifts. If he knows you, he might cover up his shopping basket with a little finger wag and an ah ah ah, no peeking!. He's also enjoying all the food available, naturally. It's while he's watching someone walk past in an absolute affront to fashion that things get hinky, though. As he always would when he sees something that needs IMMEDIATE tea spilled, he'll grab you and point at the poor undesireable.]

Oh, my goose! Will you look at THAT? Did she dress herself in the dark or-

[You might have noticed it first, or maybe Zulius did, but time has definitely stopped around you. Completely and utterly. Not a single person moves, not a single snowflake falls, a kid's pretzel hangs in mid-air, partly dropped. It's like everything around you has had the pause button pressed. Is it your imagination, or can you hear faint, jazzy music on the wind? Zulius, at least, looks as confused as you probably feel. ]

Uhhhhhhhhhh, whaaaaaat is haaaaaappening?

The Masquerade Ball

[Naturally, if there's a party, Zulius is going to be there. He IS the party! Can anything really call itself a proper party if he doesn't grace it with his fabulous presence? He thinks not. He can be found in a flowing ballgown, cut to fit his centaur body. Given it's light element month, he's enjoying the extra boost of energy and making his dress, quite literally, light up and sparkle. He's even done up his mane to match- and despite someone's comments on the matter, he's playing by the rules and wearing a fabulous mask to go with it all. He figures if people don't know him already, then they don't deserve to know him. Regardless of if he knows you or not, he'll make a beeline for you at the party. ]

Look at you! You look GORGEous. Have you tried the chocolate fountain yet? It's to DIE for.

[It does without saying he'll be doing a lot of mingling and a lot of hanging around the food and drink. Honestly, it's only that he's got a nice dress on that he isn't just sticking his whole head in that chocolate fountain. You might even be caught by him to be dragged to the dancefloor. He will not take no for an answer. Despite being a quadruped, he is a professional dancer and is surprisingly graceful despite the extra appendages. Regardless of where you find him, he'll be here long, long into the night. ]

Wildcard:

[Want something else? Lemmie know]

Masquerade!!!

[poisontippedcure]

[Who’s that? It’s his favorite Miqo’te, of course.]

[Rose is similarly light, and she’s feeling the effects this month. Between the elemental boost and being able to dress to the nines, Rose is absolutely radiating in the way that only someone who is self-confident can.]

I’m aware. You clean up nicely yourself.

[She smiles as she raises her drink up at him. Always the alcohol.]

I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, I’ve been trying to embrace the Christmas spirit tonight.

Jun Nightroad | Tokyo Xanadu | OTA

[whiteshroud]

I. Cathedral Hill
[Unsurprisingly for a holy knight, this is a busy time of year for Jun. Between finals, POKEGO work and church obligations- he's always running around somewhere with something to do. Today, it was spending hours volunteering with the church. Helping wrap gifts for families in need, as well as helping out with the soup kitchen.

It's the middle of the afternoon before he's finally excused. After that, he immediately heads to the nearest drink cart and grabs himself a hot coffee. He'll opt to sit beneath the Barbatos statue, holding onto the cup like it's something precious]

Ah...sweet caffeine...

[He'd never survive without you]

II. Holiday Shopping
[Of course, one cannot properly celebrate Christmas without getting gifts for people. Jun is getting some of it done after he wrapped up business with POKEGO, so he's still wearing the lab coat that he earned earlier this month. He can be found in either Undertown or the Christmas Market as he peruses through the goods. His hands are full of bags, and his Green rowlet is flying by his side, carrying one of his lighter bags in his talons like the good boy he is. ]

Okay, just a couple more stops and then we'll head home, I promise.

III. Masquerade
[Jun didn't want to go to the masquerade. He went to the one last year, and he did not have a good time. He also got cursed to be a werewolf which may or may not have been related.

But. He did want a free dress.

So in the end, he decides to go but only for the minimum amount he could. And being the cosplayer he is, of course he went all out even if he was only going to be there for ten minutes. He can be spotted sporting a white and blue dress with hair extensions to make his locks look longer. On his face, he's got an elegant white mask on to cover his features.

What's less elegant however? Is that fact he is definitely hovering near the food table, and taking any chance he thinks he can get away with to shove the portable desserts into his bag. All while glancing around to spot any extroverts in hopes of avoiding conversations before he can make a break for it.

What. They're good desserts.]

IV. Backstage
[Jun had zero interest in acting or being on camera, he has too much stage fright for that, but he did want a chance to meet Santa again. So he volunteered for what he knows he can do: script writing.

He can be found happily typing away on the laptop in the realm, humming to himself as he comes up with ideas. Finally, he finishes with a grin and passes the laptop over]

Finished! I'm pretty happy how it turned out!

[The result is well......Well it is Christmas themed, but it reads less like a hallmark movie and more like a medicore fanfiction - with magical girls saving christmas and finding true love and everything. He even made an alternate script that includes furries.

Just who is going to act out this movie??]

V. Wildcard
[Got another prompt for me? Hit me up!]

IV

[droptheious]

[Varian is not going in front of the camera either - that's not really his style. He's largely been helping out with lighting, though he's currently putting together what's supposed to be a snow machine but could also potentially open a portal to hell. Could go either way.

He peers over at Jun, pausing in his work. ]

Did you figure out how they beat the bad guy?

Pannacotta Fugo (Patrizio Fugo) | JoJo's Bizarre Adventure | one closed prompt; rest are OTA

[infezione]

Christmas Market
[Sometimes, in the event of having so many people to buy for, you lose a little steam on gift-shopping. Thankfully, the Christmas market perks Fugo right up. He can be found browsing the wares on offer (those enchanted scarves and hats, in particular, have his attention).

Alternatively, he can easily be found taking a break from wandering around, enjoying some of the food and drink available.]

Before the Masquerade - closed to Ash
[Pat is sure he's quite the sight, en route to the Palais Garnier, if anyone simply bothered to look up. Formal dress with a coat over it, turtle shell backpack, making his way to the building holding the masquerade on his Palisman.

Once he's arrived, he's quick to duck inside, leaving his Palisman with his coat and his bag. He's not quite donning his mask yet, though he does have it out as he waits for Ash to arrive.]

Masquerade
[It may or may not be a surprise to see Fugo here. Honestly, there's a part of him that's always dreamed of attending an event like this, but he figured he'd never get a chance. He's dressed for the occasion in a lovely dress and rabbit mask and... Okay, honestly, he's most likely to be parking himself right by the food table with the chocolate fountain, sipping on a Shirley Temple he got from the bar.

If anyone passes close by, he'll wave, whether he knows them or not. He'd say something, but he has his mouth full of chocolate-dipped strawberry at the moment.]

Backstage Magic
[So at some point, Fugo does in fact check out the Spirit Gate this month--might as well, right?

He does get sidetracked initially by way of exploring, but eventually he gets to-- holy shit, is it seriously just called "Small Town, USA"? Good lord.

It takes some doing to dodge the casting director once he's ready to get to work, but he does manage it eventually, only to run into the girl in white and blue. One brief feedback loop of anxiety later, he manages to get the girl to calm down and finds himself with the laptop for his troubles. Well, that's fine by him. He finds a place to settle in and get to work.]

God. The fact that they have a template for these kinds of movies is the least surprising thing I've learned... Let's shake things up a little bit, I think.

[It's fine as long as it's Christmas-themed and has a happy ending!]

Wildcard
[None of these prompts appealing? Hit me up and we can work something out!]

[switchaxe]

[Ash is a little bit late--the joys of having two dogs--but he texts Pat as soon as he arrives at that Palais so he knows where to meet up with his boyfriend. He makes a beeline right for the corner of the foyer Pat said he was waiting--

And just sort of has to take a moment before, softly and with much feeling:]

Fuck, I'm gay.

Ardyn | Final Fantasy XV | ota

[scourgingstars]

[i; masquerade]

[For once, Ardyn didn't seem to be lurking so much as he was looming, wandering around the party in a bright mask. Smiling in that ominous way of one who was either looking for trouble, or already had it in mind.]

Quite the lively little gathering, isn't it? [Said in some form of greeting, lingering near the bar with drink in hand.]

[ii; backstage]

I don't see the issue, it's essentially a Christmas movie-

[Which was clearly the wrong thing to say to a harrowed girl, who exploded into a distressed rapid-fire argument involving the words 'easter', 'stupid rabbits', and 'not our department'.]

...oh, you're no fun. [Sighing in the most put-upon fashion, Ardyn shrugged and waved his hand.] Fine, fine. Go bother someone else about your terrible holiday standards, and I'll see what I can do.

[Starting over from scriptwriting, then. A plucky go-getter from the big city and...hm, maybe an overworked lawyer. There was an idea.]

...well, I think I can certainly suggest the perfect actors.

[iii; wildcard]

[anything else! he'll be out and about around the city over the course of the month, unfortunately for everyone]

ii

[sg09r]

[A couple of hours later, someone else stomps up to Ardyn, script in hand.]

What the hell. [He is beginning to dig holes into the script, his fingers are clenched so tightly on it.] What did you tell the casting director about the leading role, Ardyn? Because she just shanghaied me onto this movie set.

Ritsuka Fujimaru | Fate/Grand Order | Open

[prunedworlds]

[I. Christmas Shopping]

Throughout the month, you might find Ritsuka out and about, looking at goods in stores, walking home with a package or two in hand, or perhaps sitting in a cafe browsing goods online. Whatever the case, there's clearly only one explanation: somone's doing a bit of Christmas gift shopping!

Of course, should you try to sneak a peek, she'll be quick to try to hide whatever it is from view.

"Hey, no fair peeking!"

Even if it's not your gift, it's still the principle of the thing!


[II. Advice Needed]

Sometime around the middle of the month, a short text post appears on the network:

What's the best way to do clothes if you're stuck with a tail now?

In other words, it would seem Kaisou is being Kaisou as usual. Help a girl out?


[III. A Christmas Ball]

Being the sociable sort that she is, there was no way Ritsuka was going to skip out on the masquerade. She's decked out in a fancy ballroom-style gown, along with a... rather over the top if definitely very mysterious mask. Look, when someone else is footing the bill you might as well go all-out, right?

Be that as it may, she's happy to dance (she's...decent, if not great) or just chat with anyone she meets. And if she recognizes you and you were trying to wallflower... Well, she's coming over to say hi anyway.


[Wildcard]

Have another idea or want to plot something out? Feel free to just tag with whatever, or hit me up in PM either on Ritsuka's journal or Altocumulus on Discord.

UN: JOJO

[standless]

Oh!

I actually have quite a bit of advice on this one! There were a fair number of 'were' sorts at the academy who often had their tail running about, apparently it was rather good for balance...

I digress- perhaps we might pool resources? I'm rather at a loss for how to even begin at procuring a tailor here!

[....wait]

If it's not too rude, might I ask how you came upon a tail?

Jonathan Joestar | JJBA/Daybreak CRAU | Nested Settings with Bold Prompts! OTA + 1 Closed

[standless]

{LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION}

In the land of snow and cheer, even Jonathan isn't able to escape Typecasting- while much of his time in CLAUS is defined by flitting about and enjoying the scenery, when he's finally pulled in to actually help with the movies they pretty clearly took one look at his identity as 'a small bat' and decided what that meant.

Which is to say, he's here...to help the VILLAIN!

Except he's not doing a fantastic job of that. By design, of course- he's the hesitant villain side kick! Here with interjections of 'Oh...that doesn't seem so nice,' or 'Wonderful job sir! And, afterwards, we keep the hot chocolate, right?'

Or even 'You mean we're not doing this to give them a better present?'

Jonathan's doing a great job at his role, suffice to say.

So well, that after the last scene is called and everyone starts working for the next movie, a director approaches the little bat with a plan. That plan?

Spinoffs. Tiny little Christmas Bat? Perfect, the director insists. They can get So many movies out of that! They just need writers! And if anyone plans on writing for a bat focused spinoff, they've come to the right place!

Why was that on the mind in the first place? Who knows. It's Christmas (month)! The important thing is that he gets to act out the role of the protagonist this time, while anyone else on set is...well. Doing whatever their role is.

Later, equipped with Hot Chocolate, he'll take a nice relaxing break to sit with all those hardworking writers who just helped tucker him out one way or another. "Phew..." That sigh sounds more like a squeak. "...I'd never thought one could exhaust themselves so thoroughly simply pretending to be someone else..."

And he wasn't even pretending that hard. Typecasting, man.

{MASQUERADE | NETWORK + PARTY}

One cannot mention a masquerade and expect Jonathan to not attend! ...Though. Well. There's a bit of a hiccup on that.

Posting to the network, an interesting little query appears;

UN: JOJO

Hello! We've been granted quite the opportunity of course in a chance to attend this masquerade, but I require some assistance in getting outfitted!

You see, I fear that unfortunately I cannot simply enter any tailoring establishment and successfully obtain an outfit. In fact, I rather expect I will instead receive many attempted attacks from a broom, which I truthfully can do without.

Oh, but fortunately, being as small as I am, I imagine it shan't cost much at all! (Though I suppose Zodiac will be reimbursing the matter anyway? Hm.)

...Hmm, indeed.

Well somehow, he gets there; The Masquerade, dressed in silvery white, with a little feathery mask to boot!

Granted, he's a bat, so dancing isn't really happening...but maybe he's been invited to sit upon a shoulder? A hand, even? They can dance with him on a pair of hands, certainly!

There is also of course...that fountain...

Which he's looking at quite intensely. Chocolate...

...He mustn't enter the fountain. It's unhygenic. He mustn't enter the fountain. He mustn't. He mustn't.

He may need to be pulled away from the fountain.

{CLOSED | JOSUKE}

Jonathan has never been to Kanto- he's heard a little about it, what with his sort-of-great-grandson, and others on the Libra app, but he's never actually been.

Which is why, when Josuke brings forward the gift of such an outing, he's quite excited; even just for the chance to see another realm.

He could have probably flown there on his own at some point certainly, but it's the principle of the thing! You don't go on fun new adventures alone!

...In any case that's why he's all bundled up in the best way any bat can be, and excitedly perching himself on Josuke's shoulder.

"Oh, I can hardly contain myself," he can't help chuckle. "I'm excited to see what the cacti make of this later! Do you expect the weather will be much different through the gate?"

It seems like a fair question- will there be snow? No snow..? Hmm.

Christmas Market | Haku

[uppermoonthree]

Haku was walking around the Christmas market down in the Entertainment District trying to find something to mail back to his parents. Wow I didn’t realize how much damage had been done here, I guess being in the moment it looks at lot different than the after effect. Adrenaline is a real thing I suppose. Walking around he saw a ton of nicknacks and food to buy, unsure of what to send his parents. What do you get people you haven’t spoken to in forever, who you aren’t even sure would want anything from you?

Getting in line to buy a bratwurst to snack on while he was trying to make up his mind, since it’s never good to shop on an empty stomach. He bent down to move a piece of rubble that was in the path and he didn’t want anyone to hurt themselves on it, he cut himself. “Ouch, that fricken hurt!” Tossing the rod away he looked to see how bad the damage was but… it was gone? Just the blood remained but no actual cut? “What the fuck?” He whispered at his hand, looking around to see if anyone had seen it because that was NOT normal.

[honestyandpluck]

Lucy has definitely seen him cut himself. She's about to move closer when she sees that his hand is now—fine? Apparently? She still moves closer anyway, still worried for the kid, and as she approaches says, "Oh, pardon me, but are you quite all right? Only I saw you with that bit of rubble and I was wondering if you needed help."

Moxxie | Helluva Boss (AU) | OTA

[not_a_possum]

Masquerade
If there is an occasion where he can wear a Phantom of the Opera mask, then Moxxie will wear a Phantom of the Opera mask. And of course, masks are part of the dress code here, so how could he not? The rest of his outfit is his usual tailed suit with the little red bow tie. He can be found around the party snacking, dancing, or just standing to the side enjoying the orchestra. Honestly, he doesn't need to try and convince them to play anything else, the music they already planned for the evening is already exactly what he wants to listen to.

Backstage
A chance to direct? Yes please! Is this result going to be good? Ehhh...maybe? But honestly, how good are most of these movies? No one will notice. Moxxie, on the other hand, seems absolutely certain that he's creating a masterpiece. Was it a musical before? Doesn't matter, he's directing a musical now, and focusing on the choreography and making sure the actors get the notes right far more than he's focusing on the story, though he might have some notes about the performance as well. A lot of his direction when it comes to the actual performance isn't necessarily good, but he'll be stubbornly sticking by his decisions.

BACKSTAGE BACKSTAGE

[standless]

"Hello, Moxxie..!"

Whether the performance direction is lacking or not, let no one tell Jonathan he's not eager. The idea of being cast in a musical is one that nearly has him zipping ceiling to ceiling, without actually leaving his perch.

...

He just has a question. "...I was wondering if you might have tips for vocal protection given my unfortunate scale."

Tiny bat. Small voice. Teensy sound.

lapis de fiore | original | ota

[crisantemo]

i. Lights, Camera, Action

[ Lapis had only intended to be here as moral support and help out anywhere that isn't in front of the camera - but then the casting director is dragging her away, going on about how she would be "absolutely perfect for this one role, this was made for you" -

- As the cold-hearted antagonist that wants to get rid of Christmas. She's not upset, she knows she has resting bitchface, but really. She thought she was getting better about it..... Okay maybe she's a little upset. It doesn't help that her anxiety immediately spikes the moment she's in front of the camera - singing she can do, acting she cannot. She's stiff and awkward (but the villain has no emotions so it's whatever apparently), and saying half these lines makes her soul feel like it's cringing in on itself.

At least she absolutely nails the musical number, as horribly corny as it is. But between takes she's looking at her script with a frown, deflating more and more by the second. ]

Maybe if I try hard enough I can just melt into the shadows. [ She's eyeing a dark corner enough that it certainly seems like she's going to try. ]

ii. The Masquerade

[ Parties like this - big, fancy and formal - were something she recalls from her past life. She also recalls never enjoying them; they were so painfully lonely, despite all the people. But now she has a chance to enjoy herself with people she cares about.

Her dress and mask which were designed by Prince thank u so much is a much different style than what she usually wears, all black and dramatic with a crow mask to go with it. But she is more than pleased with the results, and she will absolutely show it off to anyone who mentions it. But an introvert is still an introvert, so she's mostly content making the most of the food and drink on offer - if anyone wants her on the dancefloor, they may have to drag her out there.

Her wine glass never seems to empty entirely, nor does she ever look tipsy in the slightest, and she may be attempting to eat her body weight in chocolate covered strawberries at the fountain. But look. It's been a rough year and she can regret this all later when the sugar crash happens and she has to sleep it off in the minivan home. ]

iii. Closed To Jinwoo

[ Of course it would make sense to dance with her date, despite her initial misgivings. And she does want to dance with Jinwoo, of course she does, but a thought comes creeping up as she clings to his hand. ]

I, ah... [ Her words trail off, eyes glancing to the side; all tell-tale signs of her feeling nervous. She did dance before, but that was a lifetime ago and between that and just... never getting the chance again, there was the lingering worry of stepping on his feet. Especially since she's in heels. And just messing up in general.

Which is why she eventually admits, with some reluctance: ]

I don't really know how to dance.

iv. Wildcard

[ If you wanna do something else, feel free to send it my way! ]

i

[honestyandpluck]

[For someone who’s good at hosting a radio show, Lucy’s deeply uncomfortable at the prospect of going in front of the camera. It just isn’t something she’s used to doing, and movies are—incredibly public, far more wide-ranging than a little late-night talk show in one city. None of that stopped the casting director from dragging her into the role of the sweet ingenue trying to save Christmas, though, and now she’s dropping like a very heavy stone onto the chair next to Lapis with a tired sigh.

She’s going home after this. If, of course, she can dodge the casting director.]

Could I trouble you to take me with you, if you mean to retreat into the shadows? I’m rather exhausted by this role.

Blade | Honkai: Star Rail | Paranormal AU | ota!

[unreachableside]

[I. masquerade]
[Dressed in a fashionable but not very Blade outfit is... well, Blade. It's some kind of long tunic with a Chinese cut, and he's wearing a gold half-mask to match that's in the motif of a phoenix. Despite his long hair being drawn up around gorgeous crimson flower hairpins and done in elaborate braids, he feels less confident than he looks. His ears sport several of his usual gold rings and chains, with one red ribbon making a statement.

One can find him lingering by the beverages holding onto a wineglass like it's a lifeline, or else leaning against the wall and watching Dan Heng shimmer through the crowd like a man gazing longingly at the moon. He is, perhaps, more obvious than he thinks.]

[II. lights, camera, action]
[Blade is... not sure how he got here, exactly, but he's dressed in a big red cable knit sweater thrown on hastily over ripped black jeans. Despite trying to make him into a Hallmark movie love interest, he's still very... goth. One of his triangle-shaped ears is holding up a santa hat.]

You have got to be kidding me, [he grumbles as he stares at the script.] I'm not playing house for this. [He bats away one of the assistants who comes over to give him a ribbon with a bell, who deftly dodges him and hangs it off his tail instead.] Put me on lights, or something—

[The scene is supposed to have him catching a tripping protagonist inside the coffee shop. But is Blade really the kind of guy who would catch someone falling in front of him? There are also several extras, a barista, and a best friend character who watch all this go down.

Or maybe Blade has been caught up in a zany script of someone else's creation, and now he's playing the family dog. Either one is likely.]

[III. wildcard!]
[Choose your own adventure!]

I

[jackdawvision]

[The fun thing about being invited to parties like this is that people are paying a lot more attention to the dance floor than to, say, a pirate at the buffet table systematically stealing as many little hors d’ouvres as he can stuff into Bob, who has today deigned to cooperate and not in fact unleash a wild animal on this unsuspecting crowd.

It’s pretty impressive. Edward’s only been there five minutes and half of two plates have mysteriously disappeared.

Then he spots Blade holding onto his wineglass like a lifeline, walks right up to him holding two deviled eggs, and holds one of them out.]

D’you want one? They’re delicious, might pair well with the wine here.

Vash the Stampede - Trigun: Maximum- ota

[doubledollar]

1. __// - Test with two left feet |ota.|

[ swimming? a terrifying concept. but ice skating? ice skating, he thinks very much, he can absolutely do. he's usually really good on his feet! being able to dodge and weave and dance around like a fool to achieve just about any sort of physical gymnastic he needs to!

guess what doesn't make fancy footwork easy?

ice skates.

approaching him while he's in the skating area gets you one of your two choices of interactions with the poor man:

One, he's standing stock still in the middle of the ice, straight-legged, hands in the pockets of his oversized coat--looking so very confident because-- ]

If I don't move, I'm pretty sure I'll just eventually drift back to the edge and I'll be safe. Like I didn't even manage to get stuck at all.

[ --or, you'll arrive just in time to see him pulling off his best attempt at a slide towards the edge--only for him to go spinning out of control--and then whump. landing straight back down on the ice. Maybe be in there in time to catch him--or laugh at him when he inevitably eats shit.

Ice is slippery. Who knew? ]

2. __// - Come along and dance with me |ota.|

[ in dire contrast, when both feet are solidly on ground that ISN'T trying to escape out from underneath him or cause him to go careening into an icy hell; it turns out Vash is actually a pretty good dancer. Catch him in a plaid suit that is his signature bright red, with a matching gold and red mask.

If you want a dance, he'll definitely go for it--and even show you how it's done--he's great at it! (truth be told, he has no idea what he's doing but he knows how to mimic what he sees and puts all his energy into it.)

If not on the dance floor, he can definitely be found at the chocolate fountain, eating way too many chocolate -covered strawberries. He might need an intervention. ]

3. __// - Do you wanna build a-- |closed to kni|

You don't have to worry about strength, you just gotta' put all your creativity behind it! I'll help you roll up the body--you just gotta' decide how it should be decorated!

[ Vash and Kni, dressed in their new warm clothes that a certain good friend (Jun) supplied for them are making good on the snow in the park--it's snowman time. Vash is attempting to get a good snowball going so they can roll out a good old fashioned three-tier snowman, but...

a boy from space and a boy from a desert aren't exactly experts on how this 'snow' thing works. ]

I brought a carrot from the garden from his nose, but that's a little plain.... maybe...

1

[droptheious]

[Varian is bundled up against the cold, enjoying a skat himself when he comes across Vash on the skating rink- standing in the middle like a baby deer, not sure where to go next. He skates over, trying his best not to look as amused as he actually is. ]

Uhhhhhh you doing okay there, Bud? You know it doesn't...actually work that way, right?