isleofavalon | happy holidays { open }

happy holidays { open }

A HOLIDAY PARTY

I. Arrival

There were postings around town, and fliers going out around the end of November. The holiday party starts early evening, December 1, thanks to the help of several hands. They had worked for a couple of days prior to the start to get the large ballroom decorated to everyone's liking. He had rented out a large ballroom, and started decorating the day before, adding finishing touches early on the day of. Everyone was invited - and while there's no real dress code posted, everyone is invited to dress their best for the sake of the party.

When one approaches the building, there's a clear set of rules posted outside written in neat script:

There's only a few easy rules to ensure everyone enjoys their night:

One, no fighting - if you have to - please take it outside.
Two, no weapons on the premises.
Three, all children under the age of sixteen must leave before nine in the evening.

Welcome in. Grab a mask if you want - or don't - and join the party.

II. Welcome In

When walking through the entrance, the first thing that is easy to notice is how it is decorated. It has the colors of the holidays - red, green, blue, white. It’s mostly deeper shades with pops of brighter shades of the color. On the right of the entryway there is a table with a dark blue cloth over it. On top of it is a wide array of masks - different styles, shapes, sizes. Whatever their heart may desire, you can find here. Masks are, of course, optional! But who doesn’t love a great masquerade?

Above it is a sign that says Yours to Keep - so they may keep whatever masks they pick up.

Next to it is a large book with lined paper where people can drop a short message about the winter holiday they celebrate at home - their favorite part, how they celebrate, anything they'd like to share with other people! This will be picked up at the end of the party.

Not much further ahead is a dancefloor to the left - spacious as ever. To the right is catering - set up as an elaborate display of food and tables arranged so people can sit and eat. There’s food from a variety of places, including Golden Silence. They’ll find not only savory foods, but sweet desserts. In the back corner, not far from the food is a bartender, who is happily serving free drinks for anyone of drinking age.

Past the bar is a hallway with a couple of private rooms. These rooms are quiet - with none of the noise of the party being able to reach them. They're perfect for stepping away from the party for just a few moments of peace and quiet. In this rooms, there's decks of cards and a few simple board games. Each room can hold up to four people and can be locked from the inside.

Don't worry - there's signs posted everywhere so they'll will be able to find what they're looking for.

III. With So Much To Do

A. Dance the Night Away

The music at the party is provided by a variety of individuals. Various talents have been invited through the night, even! If no one is set to perform, there's a playlist set to play. The music goes on non-stop and the styles that will be played will vary. Most of the songs will be fairly upbeat through the night. Some of them are slower paced - so pick a partner and dance.

B. Mistletoe

Throughout the venue there's going to be mistletoe set up in a few spots throughout the building. The spots they're hanging are easy to identify. Most doorways have mistletoe hanging from them. There's also a few prime spots where there's some hanging - such as the corner not far from the bar. It's a perfect place to steal a kiss.

B. Charity Raffle

Near the food, there's a sign directing people to participate and purchase tickets for the charity raffle for a few prizes for people. There's donations (or things purchased) from a few businesses around Camelot. All funds raised from the Charity will go towards helping everyone who lost things during the events with Celliwig/Lestari. There's a variety of things: brunch for two, a date package, opportunities to learn a new skill, and other experiences. Several prizes will be raffled off, and people may purchase as many tickets as they want.

IV. Late at Night

After 9 in the evening, the entire feeling of the party changes. The lights get lower and glowsticks become available just off of the dance floor where they weren't earlier in the night. The music remains upbeat, though there's no performers for this part of the evening - only a playlist cycling through a variety of songs. This is a perfect time to grab a partner for a dance, or grab a drink. There's no real end of the night in sight, people are welcome to stay as long they'd like - even into the next morning if they should want.

Just be sure they're out by lunch the next day when clean-up starts.

Some quick ooc notes:

Anyone is free to assume their character participated in helping decorate.

Anyone who is a musician may get a short time slot to perform (15-30 minutes).

Feel free to have your character win anything from the raffle if you want - I'm not particular here!

Please mark anything NSFW as such in subject lines.

Have any questions? Drop one in my question thread!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ The music is a bit too slow for his liking, so he avoids the dancefloor for most of the part. Though, the blonde is still able to find him, not that he's not recognizable himself and he dressed up enough to stand out. Crow is a little surprised by the way she starts tugging him towards the dancefloor. He likes that kind of assertiveness and how can he refuse that sparkling smile? He laughs as they step onto the dancefloor.]

Well, we're already here, right?

[He's glad this is around the time the lights have gone dimmer and the music is a little less formal, so there's a tempo for him to work with. He puts a hand at her waist and with his other hand, he holds her hand within his own. He's not really good at this type of dancing, but if they go slow it should be okay? Hopefully!]

So? Is the protector of the innocent taking a night off?

You recognized me?

[ It's the first thing Minako says in response to him - and though it sounds surprised for a moment, she then just starts brightly laughing, as if she doesn't really mind it. It's just a masquerade, after all, not like there's any huge consequences if someone finds out about who she really is.

He stands out enough himself, after all, with his hair and all. And otherwise the voice would have totally given it away. ]

Well, well, of course! I can't always work, you know? If I never get to play a little, then there's no way I'll be able to properly carry out my work! I will be too bored to pay attention!

[ Minako opens her mouth, as if to say more, but then she is definitely stepping on his toes mid-dance. It's an accident, though, since Minako is just.. not really good at this style of dancing either.. But she smiles apologetically right after. ]

Oops, sorry!

[ Will Crow's toes make it to the end of the party? Who knows. ]

Of course! How could I not recognize you?

[Since Crow doesn't know about Minako's secret identity, he interprets her question to mean remembering her from last time. It's been a while, so maybe he assumed he'd forgotten about her. Even with the mask, he could recognize Minako's voice and blonde locks from a mile away, but maybe in her world, he might've been duped.]

I'm glad you know all work, and no play is a bad thing. Wouldn't want you to get burnt out? You're clearly doing this for everyone's else sake and not your own!

[ Then he pauses as Minako steps on his toes. It hurts, but he can take the punishment, he's been beaten up much worse.]

It's only a little tap!

[More like a big tap, but Crow grins through it since she seems apologetic! His toes definitely won't survive, but he decides to try a different tactic, he pulls Minako away from him only to twirl her around.]

How about you dance the way you would on stage? I bet, there's not a step you would fumble! There are no dance steps for my type of music, so I'll just follow your lead! Think you can handle the pressure?

[They will be going against the music, but who cares!]

[ Thank god that Crow is so quick-thinking here. It might be the one thing that's saving his toes - even though it sure is making the girl look pretty confused when he's suddenly twirling her away like that. She didn't see it coming.

.. nor does she see coming what he says right after that. But instead of looking turned off by the idea, as some people might (like people with shame) Minako actually looks like she's considering it. ]

Well.. It's not like there's any rules about us having to stick to this music. [ Other than social norms, but it wouldn't be the first time Minako just kicked those out of the way when it suited her. ] Are you sure you could keep up with me though?

[ She isn't quite dancing differently yet, instead just standing there in anticipation.. But it sure does make her look like she's about to get ready and dance when he answers her. ]

[That's all Crow sings about! Breaking social norms, beating to your own drum, and doing what makes you happy, just in an edgier kind of way. As someone who cares very little about what other people think of him, except his fans, Crow is prepared to take on the challenge!]

No sweat! Give me your worse!

[ Well, he asked!

He braces himself in mid-step waiting for Minako to start dancing. He's not very familiar with idol dance steps, but if it's anything like what he's seen from Minako's performance or even the bands from his world, he feels good about being able to mimic the moves.]

[ The moment he agrees, Minako is ready for it as well. She might - deep down - be a little more self-conscious about this sort of stuff than he is, but she's going for it anyway. She doesn't want to back down when he's the one who brought up the idea..!

So she stops trying to imitate the weird formal dance everyone is dancing around here, and instead starts dancing in her own way. And - indeed - it's very much like the way she danced on stage during her Halloween performance, so Crow has the right idea to take that as an example. He should be able to follow it just fine.

Still, even as Minako is dancing, and giving it her all, her gaze is trained directly on Crow, rather than anything else. ]

I'm only going to look at you now..! [ Minako says, as she dances. ] I don't want to know what anyone else around us is thinking about it!

[ Because she might just be slightly worried.

Maybe.

Just a tad. ]

[ It is a little difficult to ignore the background music, but he tries to imagine that he's listening to Minako's song instead and that helps his movements. Though every now and then the formal music does creep in and trips him.

Luckily, he has enough energy to follow along with the blonde. It's not perfect, since he's not always able to predict the next step, but he quickly seems able to recover. If anything, it's a fun dance to do, so it keeps Crow interested and amused at the same time.

When Minako mentions that she will be keeping her eyes on him, Crow doesn't falter at all.]

Well, that's where I prefer your eyes to be anyway, only on me! I'd like to think I'm just too handsome for your eyes to wander! You'll humor me, right?

[ It doesn't matter what anyone else is doing anyway. He's fine if they just focus on each other. Just as Minako's blue eyes stay on him, Crow's gaze is also fixed on the blonde too.]

Plus, I have such a beautiful view in front of me too. It'll be hard to pay attention to anyone else.

[ C-Crow?!

It's not like this isn't exactly the sort of sappy stuff Minako says. Constantly. But it's always something else entirely to suddenly have it being reflected right back at her like this, making a blush appear on her face. No matter how many times Minako jokingly calls herself beautiful, she has way too many insecurities to truly believe in it..

So it's nice to hear it from someone else, even if it's in a semi-joking sort of situation like this.

It obviously flustered her for a moment there, but Minako recovers, not faltering in the steps of her dance. ]

Oh, come on! You can't just tell a girl that on the middle of the dancefloor! You'll make her trip up! [ She's smiling though - happily. Clearly she didn't mind hearing that in the slightest. ]

[ The redhead couldn't help but chuckle at her response. Well, he's not trying to trip her up, because he likes the way Minako dances. It's so peppy and exhilarating, it's hard to be in a bad mood whil carrying the steps out. So he doesn't want to see her mess up, especially being an artist himself, he knows how critical they can be on themselves. That's right, even a silly holiday party dance-off can be a missed opportunity!

Though, it is a boost of his ego to know it affects her enough for it to be a possible threat. There's a slightly mischievous glint to his eye now.]

Me? Trip you up? Naaah!

[He allows a pause, before throwing in.]

But I'll probably trip over my own feet just looking into your sparkling eyes! Or watching the way your hair whips around you like ribbons, so mesmerizing!

[He probably looks like a clown to anyone who happens to be nearby, but it's so worth it to see Minako get a little flustered.]

You're doing it on purpose now!

[ At least Minako is catching on to that part. Sure, she seems like a ditz most of the time, and.. she kind of really is a ditz. But there's definitely a sharper side to Minako hiding underneath it. A part of her that rears its head now, telling her that the combination of those words and the grin on Crow's face means that he's definitely not just giving these compliments out of the bottom of his heart and for no other reason..!

And yet it's still working. Minako's face is still pretty red, and she's furiously shaking it back and forth. ]

That's cheating. Cheating! [ She points at him - while dancing, yes, look at her trying to make it seem like a dance move - like she's accusing him of a much greater crime than complimenting her while dancing so he can trip her up. ]

Handsome boys aren't allowed to use their charm to mess with girls like that! I'll never forgive it!

[ (She's just being dramatic, really. Don't worry.) ]

[ Crow can't help but burst out laughing at Minako's very on-point accusations. Especially when she points at him in such a reprimanding way. Wow, he really feels that protector of the innocent aura now, it almost makes him feel a little guilty! Just a little!

He pretends to seem surprised by her claims, before breaking the act soon after.]

Cheating?!...Okay, maybe a tiny bit!

[Though it's hard to take her exclamations to heart especially with her face so red and seeing her so frazzled. It's cute!]

Aww, don't be like that! It's not like it's even working, since you're doing so well! I'm impressed! Guess that means I have to try even harder!

[Whenever Crow is faced with a challenger, he doesn't back down! If compliments don't get her flustered enough, then there are a few other methods he could try. Physical touch usually does the trick. He reaches out to take the hand that she uses to point at him and holds onto it as they dance. It's a little awkward, but he's not going for coordination, just to cause a stir.]

[ Crow is truly too smart, throwing absolutely every single resource he has into this.

But there is a danger. Little did he know, right underneath the flustered waters of Minako, there was a potential problem arising. A great white that would rear its ugly head when pushed too far - and apparently this is the moment where it happens. The moment he actually takes her hand to dance with her.

Her face is still red, since the blush won't fade that quickly, but something in her eyes changes, becoming a bit sharper. It's like there's a faint twinkle in them.

The realisation that if he can do this, she can too.

And do it better. ]

Are you sure you want to try harder?

[ WHY DOES HER VOICE SUDDENLY SOUND SO MUCH MORE DANGEROUS. By teenage girl standards, sure, but still.. ]

Do you think you're ready to handle that? [ Danger, Will Robinson!! ]

[Oh? Well, this is a little different. He's not expecting Minako to rise to the challenge, but she seems ready to give him a taste of his own medicine. Although he's not shaking in his boots, because Minako's being much too adorable to really be scared, but he's waiting in anticipation to see what she will do.

He smirks as the blonde warns him. He's positive that he can take anything she can throw at him. And so there's a glint to his own eye as he stares deep into Minako's determined blue ones.]

I'm ready for it! Give me your best shot!

[Of course, he's not backing down.]

Aww, honey!

[ Just look at that sweet, sweet smile on Minako's face.

Yet that dangerous glint in her eyes. ]

I can't believe you said you were ready! That's so sweet, exactly how I know my dearest! [ How Minako can say these things while not even twitching.. might be a small miracle. It's so sappy that it goes all the way around, straight into cringe territory.

Yet Minako smiles like it's totally natural. ]

I'm so happy to be dancing here together with my honey bunny..!

[ Huh?!

Crow did ask for her worse, but he's not sure what this is?! He's not scared, but he's a little put off by the sugary rot-your-teeth smile and the cutesy language. Is this supposed to throw him off?! Well, it's working, because the rock singer looks a bit stunned as if he's dancing with a totally different girl.]

D-dearest?! H-honey bunny?!

[Wow, this kind of gives him war flashbacks to one of his ex-girlfriends! Minako's act is so convincing that Crow buys into it. He's a simpleton and vain as hell after all.]

Isn't it a bit fast for pet names?! We're just getting to know each other! At least, let me ask you out on a date first, then you can call me whatever you want!

[Yeah, just going to blurt all of that out like an idiot.]

[ Bingo.

The moment she sees that look appear on his face, Minako knows that she's hit bullseye. Before he even says a single word or starts freaking out, she knows that she hit him exactly where she wanted to. She wasn't sure whether he was the kind of guy who can handle this or not, but..

It truly seems like he isn't, huh.

Minako's grip on his hands tightens, as if to say that she isn't going to let him go. He's trapped now. He started this competition with her, so now he has to suffer..! ]

Aww, what's wrong, my little bumblebee? [ It's all sweet. So sweet. It's weaponized sweetness - the kind that'll give you cavities, especially when Minako's smile is added to the entire thing. ] Is there something wrong with me being so nice to you?

[ She is enjoying herself way too much. ]

[ As much as Crow loves attention, this is the kind of attention he doesn't desire. It's not that he has an issue with being doted on like this, but it's a little...much! He likes when cute girls act cute, but this is just overboard!

So it takes some effort for Crow to wake from his perturbed stupor and pick up his jaw from the floor. It hits even more home when Minako tightens her grip on his hand as if to say, he's locked down. No! No! Nooooo! This little bumblebee is going to sting someone just to perish in order to escape this!]

Fine! FINE! I concede! You win this round! I'm waving the white flag of surrender! Just change back! Drop the act, I can't take it anymore!

[He hates to lose, but he can acknowledge when he's been bested!]

Haha.. Ahahahaha!

[ This is probably Minako's best version of an evil villain laugh. She even throws her head back a little as she laughs like that, like it's for extra effect..

Thank god she isn't an actual villain. She'd be way too powerful. But since she isn't, her grip on his hands relaxes again - though she smugly grins. ]

You should've known better, you know! You're dealing with the goddess of love and beauty herself here..! There's no one more powerful than me when it comes to this sort of thing!

[Crow just watches her laugh like a maniac. He shakes his head in disapproval, he can't help but chuckle. He did think that exaggeration is a bit cute too.

Though he admits, Minako is definitely too powerful. He'll have to be more prepared next time he challenges her again. What's the bane of a clingy girl? Indifference? Bad breath? Dad jokes?

Even if he concedes to defeat on their dance battle of wits, he still intends to flirt with her.]

The goddess of love and beauty, huh? Well, shame on me for incurring your wrath! I'll be sure to behave myself for the rest of the night, but I can't promise anything!

[He smoothly winks at her. He takes control of the hand she has entwined within his own and twirls her around. Though this time, Crow pulls her into a dip, wrapping his other arm around her waist. He grins at her.]

Will you forgive me?

[The goddess is certainly powerful but can see deny the charm of the crimson angel of the apocalypse? We shall see!]

[ Hey, Crow has got a lot of natural charm. Natural charm that easily works on Minako - though perhaps a little bit less so, just in this moment. Because she saw him whining a moment, saw him just completely melting under the assault of her cutesy pet names.

And that makes the charm a little less powerful now. Less powerful in the sense that it doesn't hit Minako right in the heart, but it's still enough to make her smile all the same.

And to answer easily, without even having to think about it. ]

Always.

[ Especially when Crow has seemed like an incredibly nice person so far. ]

But you better never forget I'm watching you! [ READY TO FIRE OFF THE MY SWEET LITTLE BUMBLEBEES AGAIN!

Her smile is almost teasing as she glances up at him in the dip. But at the same time it's trusting. She doesn't even look worried, like she absolutely trusts him to hold her up, rather than drop her to the floor like a sack of potatoes. ]

[He's never going to live that down, huh? It's fine, he rather her see the real him versus a false pretense. So, yes, one of his weaknesses is girls who excessively use obnoxiously cute pet names.

He can see Minako's trust in him as he holds her, and he appreciates it since they haven't known each other long. He wouldn't drop her, because that would be even more embarrassing than surrendering to her cutesy talk. Her automatic answer of forgiveness makes him smirk.]

You're right I should count my stars for your mercy this time! And to be blessed with the watchful eyes of the love goddess that makes me super lucky, right?

[That's totally not what she meant, but he's going to flip it around into a positive, he doesn't want to think about the damage Minako could do. For a moment, he's just content staring down at her face. He slowly brings her back up to a standing position, but he keeps his eyes fixated on her pretty face.]

I feel so fortunate, I think she's gonna produce a miracle for me right now! Some act of divine intervention! I wonder what that could be?

[ Just on cue, he happens to look up and what does he see?! Mistletoe!]

See? I told you I was favored!

]Crow is so corny!]

[ Minako glances up - with a rather surprised look on her face. She thought she had scoped out the location of every single piece of mistletoe in this entire place.. But then again, it's not exactly like she was paying much attention to where she was going while they were dancing.

So it seems like they managed to make their way right under one anyway, while she wasn't paying attention.

At least it's not necessarily a bad kind of surprise. In fact, Minako is outright just laughing happily by the time her gaze returns towards the guy. ]

Wow, did you do this on purpose? I didn't know you were the type to lure girls into traps!

[ Yes, clearly. Obviously it's a trap when Minako was loudly standing under one only a few momentsa ago.. ]

What? Why would I do this on purpose?!

[ I mean...he did know there was one on the dancefloor, but he didn't think he'll find himself underneath one. Although he's not disappointed with the results, still he takes her accusations to heart!]

I'm not the type! And don't say it so loud, people might get the wrong idea!

[What is he going to do with this girl? Though he can't say he dislikes it. It's been a fun hour with Minako at his side, even if she's been giving him a run for his money!]

Well, we don't have to! It's just tradition! It is kind of silly to kiss someone because you're both underneath a twig.

[Who was the genius who thought of that? He needs to meet them!]

[ Oh no.

Poor Crow. What has he done?

Because there's a twinkle in Minako's eye the moment he says 'don't say it so loud.' And Crow might see the first signs of this having been the wrong option. The first sign is Minako sucking in a breath. The second is her opening her mouth wide.

And then she speaks up. Loudly. ]

Hey everyone! Did you know that Crow--

[ She's purposefully speaking slowly though. She's giving him a chance to stop her! After all, Minako is messing around and only messing around - she doesn't seriously want to ruin his reputation over a joke.

But seeing him freak out is kind of funny. ]

happy holidays { open }

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