[D7 LE] Information Event: Night of the Dread Pageant RP thread

[Usagi Rei]

He'd heard the intro and not got it. He still didn't get it now.

"Oh OK Hare-amoko-samaaa! Oh you came in after me, I'm Stormclad Dragon of the Depths tonight!!!"

The disapproving mask bobbled . . . happily.

Rei cleared his throat. "No, it's... eh, close enough." Rei shrugged. He wasn't going to quibble over a difference that didn't involve calling him Rei-rei-daddy.

"The Stormclad Dragon of the Depths?" Rei considered that for a moment, and then smiled. "That's pretty cool, actually. Where'd you get the idea?"

[Asahina Hinata]

Rei cleared his throat. "No, it's... eh, close enough." Rei shrugged. He wasn't going to quibble over a difference that didn't involve calling him Rei-rei-daddy.

"The Stormclad Dragon of the Depths?" Rei considered that for a moment, and then smiled. "That's pretty cool, actually. Where'd you get the idea?"

"Oh Couturier-samaa came up with the costume for me and I remembered a book about Orochi from my school days that called them Stormclad Dragpns and it all just clicked."

The shock there was that he remembered something from his schooling more than him personifying a machine.

[Kuni Sumie]

Koyuki wasn't as direct, but she was nearby still. Having of course seen Sumie's entrance (I mean, who wouldn't have directed their attention toward that?) she was a little slack-jawed at it all. A situation which did not improve as the others filtered into the event following Sumie. Rei's entrance getting a groan from the poor socially battered woman that was this particular Kuni. Still, her ultimate goal remained steady and she definitely needed someone to help distract her from the thoughts that plagued the mind.

Sumie was perfect for that. They'd met before, almost certainly. Hard to be two active Kuni working out of the same institution and never meet. However whatever brief moments those were probably weren't long considering their almost certainly different attitudes toward the work they were doing. Still, a familiar painted face in a seat of people who were far above her own weight class in this place was a reassuring enough site.

Even if that entrance still had her gawping a bit, the anxiety suppressed giving an almost glower effect to her own expression that was easy enough to misread. She didn't approach right away, but she stared. Koyuki was never too ashamed to stare. Even while Sumi was joined by another.

Sumie and Koyuki most certainly have passed by each other at the embassy. The Kuni was always a source of strange requests, such as telling people to stay out of shower 5 or how she had constantly run out of rubbing alcohol. Very peculiar that glassware just seems to go missing around her and how she had been able to catch every heimen stealing food from the fridge but never bothered to stop them...

"Aha! You're entranced too, obviously!" She cackled more as she felt like she was getting a gathering of thralls based on her majestic and ancient presence. "Psh, not to worry mere mortals, I'm not after anyone's life essence tonight! Besides, I bet you don't even have the sort of emotional range that would grant me any sustenance and provide me with any advantage bonus dice! Lame!"

[Usagi Rei]

"Oh Couturier-samaa came up with the costume for me and I remembered a book about Orochi from my school days that called them Stormclad Dragpns and it all just clicked."

The shock there was that he remembered something from his schooling more than him personifying a machine.

"I see. Very interesting." Rei nodded. Then frowned. He wouldn't ask, he wouldn't ask, he wouldn't ask...

"Couturier-sama?" Rei asked. Damnit.

[Asahina Hinata]

"I see. Very interesting." Rei nodded. Then frowned. He wouldn't ask, he wouldn't ask, he wouldn't ask...

"Couturier-sama?" Rei asked. Damnit.

The unimpressed Orochi head nodded vigourously.

"Yes. Couturier-sama!!! Makes the best outfits possible. Even guesses what's going to be in fashion before anyone knows it will be!"

[Ide Yamako]

After his pompous appearance in his costume and having had enough chit chat for the evening with lowly functionaries and vices, Nishdia went to the bar for a quick drink. It was hard to do with a plague mask on, but here's to straws!

--
PM or Qoute plz

Yamako strolled, fashionably late but feeling quite on her game despite the dancing. Clearly, high heels needed a lot more training. She'd have to work hard on that. She headed to the bar for a celebratory drink, eyeing the person in a plague mask carefully. She bowed, keeping her ceramic mask in place with a solid stick attached to the side. "May I also have a straw, honorable sama?"

[Kuni Koyuki]

Sumie and Koyuki most certainly have passed by each other at the embassy. The Kuni was always a source of strange requests, such as telling people to stay out of shower 5 or how she had constantly run out of rubbing alcohol. Very peculiar that glassware just seems to go missing around her and how she had been able to catch every heimen stealing food from the fridge but never bothered to stop them...

"Aha! You're entranced too, obviously!" She cackled more as she felt like she was getting a gathering of thralls based on her majestic and ancient presence. "Psh, not to worry mere mortals, I'm not after anyone's life essence tonight! Besides, I bet you don't even have the sort of emotional range that would grant me any sustenance and provide me with any advantage bonus dice! Lame!"

She was certainly different than Hinata. A casual glance over her shoulder at the very obviously Hinata like personality coming out of the orochi that had previously been trying to stick a straw up its nose confirmed that almost certainly no matter what she'd have found. Turning back to Sumie though, it was cute in the same way. Young Kuni that she was, she would have smiled if she could have.

Yet, she learned extensively how to deal with these types from her conversation with the Crane boy already, and their many momentary interactions. Grimace, brace, and say whatever you were going to say anyway, "What?"

A quick glance to the Scorpion at her side, she gave the girl a measure as well.

[Yoritomo Seika]

"The Pilgrim Among the Posies has arrived!" The heralds announce a figure clad in a gauzy variation of a miko's robes, her dramatically made-up features peeking though the tendrils of a bright, feathery, mask evoking flowers and leaves. A wooden mendicant's ring-staff trimmed with more flowers completes the costume--and safeguards the Pilgrim's balance on the rather tall geta hidden beneath her skirts.

Despite those tall sandals, the Pilgrim glides gracefully through the twin dances of bodies and words... only the occasional mundane crack of chewing gum from behind her mask pierces the illusion of a humble flower spirit.

((Please quote or otherwise ping if engaging, elsewise I'll grab somebody to chat in the morning!))

[Usagi Rei]

The unimpressed Orochi head nodded vigourously.

"Yes. Couturier-sama!!! Makes the best outfits possible. Even guesses what's going to be in fashion before anyone knows it will be!"

Probably a nickname, then. "I see." Rei said, nodding. "I would be pleased to see his work sometime."

Then he frowned. Actually, Couturier-sama didn't really give a clue as to which pronoun to use. "Or... her work. Their work?" He asked.

[Kuni Sumie]

She was certainly different than Hinata. A casual glance over her shoulder at the very obviously Hinata like personality coming out of the orochi that had previously been trying to stick a straw up its nose confirmed that almost certainly no matter what she'd have found. Turning back to Sumie though, it was cute in the same way. Young Kuni that she was, she would have smiled if she could have.

Yet, she learned extensively how to deal with these types from her conversation with the Crane boy already, and their many momentary interactions. Grimace, brace, and say whatever you were going to say anyway, "What?"

A quick glance to the Scorpion at her side, she gave the girl a measure as well.

Whatever strange mirth that Sumie was basking in with her power fantasy of being her character evaporated with Koyuki's simple question. She let out a groan and rolled her eyes. "What? Hello! I'm the Lady Beatorisu Asuta of Clan Black Iron. Immortal predator of mortals! Matriarch of Machinations! Ruler of Gaswater Marsh! They gave me an introduction and everything earlier. Ugh! I swear I was going to shake that heimen if he didn't get my introductions right! I also have 10 points in Servants too. You just have to imagine them around me."

[Miya Nishida]

Yamako strolled, fashionably late but feeling quite on her game despite the dancing. Clearly, high heels needed a lot more training. She'd have to work hard on that. She headed to the bar for a celebratory drink, eyeing the person in a plague mask carefully. She bowed, keeping her ceramic mask in place with a solid stick attached to the side. "May I also have a straw, honorable sama?"

"But of course," replied a muffled voice from under the mask. And handed Yamako a straw. "What kind of message are you bringing me?" he asked, amused, alluding to her kenning.

[Soshi Kazumi]

Kazumi arrived in a well tailored suit of faux leather with scales patterned into it and a silk shirt with a similar effect. A golden faced wreathed in gold serpents covered Kazumi's features.

The Scorpion drifted through the party laughing and conversing open to any and all opportunities the night of masquerade and mystery afforded them.

((please quote/pm if approached))

[Bayushi Senshuken]

snip

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The Bayushi looks around her and smirks. "I expected them to be well fed, but I assume that an ancient creature of your caliber doesn't sustain herself from mere servants."

She takes a step closer as if to whisper, but she uses her normal voice. "Harm the humans and you will feel the wrath of the entire society of mages, Lady Beatorisu Asuta of Clan Black Iron, immortal predator of mortals, Matriarch of Machinations, Ruler of Gaswater Marsh. I didn't spend all those xp on integrity for nothing." She points two fingers towards her own eyes and then towards the Kuni. "We are watching you."

[Bayushi Mineichi]

Facing away from Mineichi for a moment as they parted and he moved once more behind her in the intricate dance, Yakumo praised the fortunes for a mask partially concealing the current emotions on her face. Confusion was certainly one she felt, mostly because of the mix of other emotions.

"No," she murmured, turning her head in his direction to follow his voice, gliding to the side as part of the dance, and this time coming more controlled to turn him compared to last time. Still she was doing her best to keep him in her line of sight. "Right now, nowhere else I'd rather be than here." Violet eyes faced his head on this time as she reminded herself to not be easily intimidated by his presence.

Even if she had a hunch she should be scared.

Mineichi wasn't quite aware of Yakumo's distress, the constant movement and the fact that they both wore a mask making it hard for him to read her expressions. "And why not?" he quipped, stepping close once more, his body brushing against hers "The company should be pleasant, at least?" Blissfully unaware of her ghost, he would have little idea of just how confusing his presence was. "Besides, there are few places where one can experience something like this."

Little by little, the music died down, the dancers coming apart, only to form small groups as the nobles chatters among themselves, occasional giggles and laughter making it evident that the moods were high. Servants, dressed as cats and dogs, served colorful drinks from silver trays, each cocktail laced with mild dose of stimulants to allow the party-goers to feel everything that much more intensively. The peers drank, toasting their newfound friends, yet many were careful to not drink too much as they know just how dangerous lowered inhibitions could be. "Drink?" Mineichi asked, picking up two glasses from a tray that passed them, offering the pastel purple concoction to Yakumo.

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Raw Awareness / do we understand the princess? | 3k3 ⇒ 12 (TN: 15)

[Susumu Yakumo]

Mineichi wasn't quite aware of Yakumo's distress, the constant movement and the fact that they both wore a mask making it hard for him to read her expressions. "And why not?" he quipped, stepping close once more, his body brushing against hers "The company should be pleasant, at least?" Blissfully unaware of her ghost, he would have little idea of just how confusing his presence was. "Besides, there are few places where one can experience something like this."

Little by little, the music died down, the dancers coming apart, only to form small groups as the nobles chatters among themselves, occasional giggles and laughter making it evident that the moods were high. Servants, dressed as cats and dogs, served colorful drinks from silver trays, each cocktail laced with mild dose of stimulants to allow the party-goers to feel everything that much more intensively. The peers drank, toasting their newfound friends, yet many were careful to not drink too much as they know just how dangerous lowered inhibitions could be. "Drink?" Mineichi asked, picking up two glasses from a tray that passed them, offering the pastel purple concoction to Yakumo.

_______
Raw Awareness / do we understand the princess? | 3k3 ⇒ 12 (TN: 15)

"I don't think I have experienced anything coming close to this, anywhere else," she could say honestly. World of Dreams was by far unlike any other world she had had the chance to properly experience. The worlds of the Crane could be quite glamorous too, but not in the same way. "And the company is... unparalleled."

The offer of a drink... Yakumo was keeping her wits about her so far, and she felt like refusing a drink would maybe be suspicious or out-of-character for her. "Yes, thank you," she carefully accepted one of the glasses. "A toast, perhaps?"

[Asahina Hinata]

Probably a nickname, then. "I see." Rei said, nodding. "I would be pleased to see his work sometime."

Then he frowned. Actually, Couturier-sama didn't really give a clue as to which pronoun to use. "Or... her work. Their work?" He asked.

"Oh, I say his work. Even though Manual-san is very non committal in describing Couturier-samaaa! I think he looks like a he!"

He twirled the flowing 'Storm' parts behind him.

"This is so good and Couturier-samaaa also made that long dress I wore at the last costume party!"

[Bayushi Mineichi]

"I don't think I have experienced anything coming close to this, anywhere else," she could say honestly. World of Dreams was by far unlike any other world she had had the chance to properly experience. The worlds of the Crane could be quite glamorous too, but not in the same way. "And the company is... unparalleled."

The offer of a drink... Yakumo was keeping her wits about her so far, and she felt like refusing a drink would maybe be suspicious or out-of-character for her. "Yes, thank you," she carefully accepted one of the glasses. "A toast, perhaps?"

"Hmm. What should we toast for?" Mineichi mused, tilting his head to the side. "For dreams? For Lord Moon? For health?" he offered, curious to hear what Yakumo thought on the matter. "Or something else?"

"One would have expected that the Imperial houses might have something like this. Where did they drag you?" he as asked, bringing the straw of his drink to his lips. "I am under the impression that you went through quite a tour. An uncouth Yasuki might have referred to her regime as 'milking', but Mineichi had enough tact to avoid that particular word, all things considered, even if his gaze dropped for a moment before he regained his composure, the usually nonchalant magistrate distracted for a moment.

[Ide Yamako]

Yamako strolled, fashionably late but feeling quite on her game despite the dancing. Clearly, high heels needed a lot more training. She'd have to work hard on that. She headed to the bar for a celebratory drink, eyeing the person in a plague mask carefully. She bowed, keeping her ceramic mask in place with a solid stick attached to the side. "May I also have a straw, honorable sama?"

"But of course," replied a muffled voice from under the mask. And handed Yamako a straw. "What kind of message are you bringing me?" he asked, amused, alluding to her kenning.

“Thank you.” She inserted the straw into her drink and took a grateful sip under her mask. “Oh, clearly of life. After all, you helped me gain this critical nectar of life. A butterfly can only be grateful.”

[Kuni Sumie]

The Bayushi looks around her and smirks. "I expected them to be well fed, but I assume that an ancient creature of your caliber doesn't sustain herself from mere servants."

She takes a step closer as if to whisper, but she uses her normal voice. "Harm the humans and you will feel the wrath of the entire society of mages, Lady Beatorisu Asuta of Clan Black Iron, immortal predator of mortals, Matriarch of Machinations, Ruler of Gaswater Marsh. I didn't spend all those xp on integrity for nothing." She points two fingers towards her own eyes and then towards the Kuni. "We are watching you."

"But, of course!" She declared loudly regarding her invisible servants that were totally around because they were on her character sheet. Her hand gestured around her at nobody in particular. "They're just mere thralls who are lucky that I've allowed to live! They are forever thankful to serve me or else I shall take my tithe directly from their families!"

Lady Asuta narrowed her eyes and let out a threatening hiss at the other woman as she took a step back from her. Of course, she had worn fangs for her part. "Hissssss!...You have no domain over me, mage! You were an absolute fool to reveal yourself to me. However, it has been a while since I've had a challenger! This will only make your essence even more delicious when I feast on it!"

[Usagi Rei]

"Oh, I say his work. Even though Manual-san is very non committal in describing Couturier-samaaa! I think he looks like a he!"

He twirled the flowing 'Storm' parts behind him.

"This is so good and Couturier-samaaa also made that long dress I wore at the last costume party!"

"Manual-san..?" Rei was beginning to piece everything together. Well, more or less.

He tilted his head regarding Hinata curiously. "Tell me, uh, Stormclad-san. Why is it Manual-san and Couturier-sama? How did you determine their rank?" Rei's lips curled up at the corners, amused by this line of conversation.