Halloween Masquerade

[imaginist]

HALLOWEEN MASQUERADE

After more than a week of tight-lipped workers going in and out of the Rec Centre, Hall A finally opens its doors for the Halloween Masquerade. Everyone is permitted to attend as long as they're wearing a mask and following the dress code, and attendees all step into a lush shadowy space seemingly lit only by candlelight.

Black velvet-flocked damask wallpaper covers the walls, with heavy crimson silk draperies and candlelit wall sconces interspersed every few feet to bring a gothic warmth to the proceedings. (The Waldingers promise to restore everything back to normal later.) Gold-edged antique mirrors are hung at random, reflecting the unrecognizable faces and fantastical costumes. Candelabras and vases full of dark red roses adorn every table. As promised, there's food, an open bar, music and dancing. Enjoy yourselves.

PLAYLIST

MENU

SPECIALTY DRINKS

BLACK WIDOW MARTINI - Dark rum, dry vermouth and lime, rimmed with sugar and garnished with blackberries. An elegant choice.
EYEBALL SANGRIA - Red wine, brandy and pomegranate juice, with eyeballs made of lychee and frozen blueberries. Fun!
THE BLOOD BANK - A half-dozen plastic syringes filled with Bloody Mary, served on ice. Are you injecting these shots yourself, or will you share with a friend?
THE MINTY PAYNE - Sparkling rosé wine, blackcurrant liqueur and rose syrup, garnished with roses. Every time you order this, you must loudly wish Minty a happy birthday first.

FOOD

Silver trays of hors d'oeuvres are arranged on the buffet table, featuring a variety of tea sandwiches, canapés, crudités and desserts. Seasonally appropriate offerings include: pumpkin & brie crostini with candied nuts, ghostly apple blackberry hand pies, monstrous fried chicken sliders, and spider-webbed deviled eggs.

VOLUNTEERS

[Volunteer A] gets turned away at the door and is forced to rethink their entire costume, and also maybe their life. They're allowed back in the second time, even if they did nothing to change their outfit. Are the bouncers just rejecting people for fun?

[Volunteer B] thinks they see Director Riddle in a particularly scandalous getup, but it’s really [Volunteer C]. Too bad [Volunteer B] already told all their friends that their employer was definitely dressed as a [insert costume here].

Every time Linus Lowe looks into one of the party's many mirrors, they see a glowing entity lingering in the background—but no one's ever there.

The illusion emitter in [Volunteer E]'s mask starts malfunctioning, and they sidle up to [Volunteer F] without realizing that their identity is no longer obscured. Oops! Someone eventually comes by to give them a replacement mask, and an apology voucher for a free drink at the bar. (Wait, isn't it an open bar anyway?)

[Volunteer G] chugs their Eyeball Sangria too fast, and chokes on a lychee eyeball. Help! Luckily, [Volunteer H] steps in and performs the Heimlich maneuver to save them. Do they reveal their identity, or slip back into the party as an anonymous Good Samaritan?

Vidalia LaRoux accidentally knocks a candelabra off a table, right onto Maximilian Hart. Their clothing catches on fire, but only for about a minute. Turns out all those flames were illusions, and their clothes are totally unsinged. Whew!

[Volunteer K] swears that someone dressed up as a creepy Victorian child ghost keeps following them around the party. They point the semi-translucent ghost out to [Volunteer L], who says they don't see anyone. Wait, what? The ghost flees any attempt to approach them.

Okay, these illusions are excessive. Knowing that Enoch Waldinger's illusions disappear if you refuse to believe in them, Rufus Kearney concentrates hard on being a huge killjoy. For an instant, they see all of the illusions flicker out of existence, but the illusory costumes quickly reassert themselves once they're no longer concentrating.

[Volunteer N] and [Volunteer O] run into each other a record five times in the half hour they’re stuck in the hedge maze, like they’re old classmates at a grocery store. They decide to just embrace it, team up, and actually find their way out!

CLAIM A SPOT

LOCATIONS

➼ MASK DELIVERY ➼ ARRIVALS ➼ DANCE FLOOR ➼ OPEN BAR ➼ REFRESHMENTS ➼ BALCONY ➼ PARTY GAMES ➼ OUTSIDE ➼ END OF THE NIGHT ➼ OOC DISCUSSION

VIEW LOCATIONS

(CODE)

Comments

MASK DELIVERY

[imaginist]

On Saturday, every Enodia resident is sent a small gold box filled with black tissue paper. Inside is a plain white domino mask (made of a lightweight and comfortable faux leather material, which can be secured with ribbons), and a note that reads: "Put me on at 6 PM. If you don't want to be found out, leave before the clock strikes 12."

At six o'clock on the dot, the mask transforms into an accessory that perfectly matches your outfit and tastes. (If the mask is turning into something that isn't a physical object, it only changes appearance once it's worn.) The party doesn't start for another hour. Do you do anything with your newfound anonymity?

MASK FORMS

[imaginist]

Fill out the form below to describe your mask and costume for us. (You can wait until after your anonymous prompt has received replies, if this would spoil your identity.) Please READ HERE for an explanation on how the mask illusions work.

<b>Name:</b> <b>What does your mask look like?</b> Usually looks like some sort of mask, but you're allowed to get creative with it. <b>What are you wearing?</b> Describe your character's outfit/costume BEFORE they put on the illusion mask. <b>How does it change once you put the mask on?</b> Describe illusion enhancements here, if any. <b>What do you think?</b> Does your character look in the mirror or at themselves? What's their reaction? <b>Anything else?:</b>

ARRIVALS

[imaginist]

The doors open at 7 PM sharp. Bouncers in masks and dark suits will only let you in if you're following the dress code (a masquerade mask, and wearing either a costume or cocktail attire), although you do spot a few people who get turned away anyway despite following the rules. The Waldingers apparently have strict standards for what qualifies as a "good" costume. (Everyone will be let in eventually, so long as they're making an effort.)

You may use this section as a vibe check. What's your overall mood for the party?

ARRIVALS: Alien Eureka

[rafflesian]

Eureka is a pinup alien babe with three eyes, three boobas, and a fun laser gun that lights up and makes sounds when they pull the trigger.

Their vibe is FUN and SEXY and to prove this, they beeline straight for the bar.

DANCE FLOOR

[imaginist]

An enormous bone chandelier hangs over the dance floor, illuminated with dozens of red candles that look like dripping blood as they melt. (No real candles were harmed in the making of this illusion.) The floor is painted with a black-and-white spiral that seems to rotate slowly under your feet. It's sort of dizzying—just don't look down.

The DJ (with bandages wrapping their head and body like a desiccated mummy) accepts requests only 25% of the time, according to some bizarre criteria they refuse to explain. Their own song choices are questionable, and only get moreso over the course of the evening.

A thoughtful witch

[imaginist]

A remarkably tall young woman in a black corset and dress is examining herself closely in a mirror. She turns slightly, looking at her silhouette with a measured expression, neither pleased nor displeased. When she catches your eye in the reflection, she quickly puts back on her pointed witch hat. She tries to hide her face the brim of the hat, but it's obvious she's embarrassed to be caught in a moment of vanity.

"It's weird, right?" she asks. "The illusions."

[open to multiple]

A lost astronaut

[imaginist]

An astronaut circles the dance floor, searching for someone or something from behind the black visor of their helmet. An illusion makes it look like their steps are bouncing in low gravity.

"Hey, who are you?" they ask, after bumping into you by accident. "Wait. Can't ask that."

[open to 2]

A shadowy figure

[imaginist]

A figure sweeps in, his face obscured in its entirety by a half-face mask of bone-white porcelain. The other half of his face appears to be perpetually shrouded by shadow, dark and opaque no matter how the light hits him. He wears a finely crafted tuxedo completed by a dramatic black cape that swishes dramatically no matter how slowly or quickly he walks. "Bring on the danse macabre," he says dramatically.

[open to 2]

A shining knight

[imaginist]

The illusion makes the suit of armor look so realistic, gleaming in the moody golden lighting. It makes the metallic clank every time the knight moves realistic too, but it's not enough to keep them from stepping on toes.

[open to multiple]

DANCE FLOOR: A Seasonally Inappropriate Costume Malfunction (OPEN)

[deepthot]

The change starts with a hum. A few seconds of faint squealing, like the distant sound of a CRT television being turned on. Then, a prickling, like a bug bite that starts on the bridge of the nose, fizzling outward to the far edges of the costume. Shifting colors, sharpening or rounding edges, splitting seams -- just a second, before turning to normal.

And, for just a second, a ghost appears. A gray thing, tall and formless and, maybe, surprised to be seen.

"Haha, oh shit," says a synthesized voice in the listener's ear. "This is so fuckin'--uh, wait--I mean--HELLO MORTAL, IT'S ME, SANTA CLAUS. HAVE YOU BEEN GOOD?"

DANCE FLOOR: Space Man & Alien Outlaw

[stophit]

Turns out, Sal left his phone back in his apartment (stupid) so unless he wants to trek all the way back home, he's back to regular blind guessing when it comes to finding friends in this crowd. Not the worst problem to have—everyone he's talked to so far has been chill—but there was one person in particular he wanted to see before the night ended.

He's mulling over his options when he spots a familiar figure moving through the crowd. "Hey!" A friendly hey this time, because he and the hot alien babe have gotta be bonded now after the hedge maze. "I need to ask you for another favor. You got your phone with you?"

OPEN BAR

[imaginist]

The bar is in the style of a Victorian mad scientist lab, with glass jars filled with mysterious specimens and sadistic iron surgical tools hung up on the wall. The bottles glow with an unearthly neon light, and exposed metal prongs shoot bolts of electricity every time a drink is served. (Don't worry, that's an illusion.) A limited number of stools with backrests are arranged around the bar, outfitted with dangling leather straps that could go over someone's torso/arms and legs. (This is for Frankenstein flavour. Please don't do something weird and horny at the bar… unless the bartender is into it.)

You can order from the normal bar selection, or ask for one of tonight's specialty cocktails.

A material boy

[imaginist]

Though he looks a bit more doll-like than planned, Ken is having a good time at the party until a concerned look suddenly crosses his plastic features. He glances around to see if anybody is watching, then subtly sneaks over to a corner. After one more look over his shoulder, he tugs at the elastic band of his shorts and glances down. The Ken Doll illusion isn't too real, right??

[open to 1]

A bug in the system

[imaginist]

Sitting on a barstool is a vaguely human figure, although thanks to their mask their appearance glitches and quivers like a 90s computer screen with a magnet held to it. The drink in their hand is immune to this illusory costume, oddly solid as their fingers twitch and warp around the glass.

[open to multiple]

A dashing bloodsucker

[imaginist]

A tuxedoed gentleman tilts his head back and squirts a Bloody Mary syringe into his mouth. When he notices you near, he gives a showy swish of his cape and grins, the candlelight glinting off his elongated, sharp canines.

[open to multiple]

OPEN BAR: Waldingers Compare Notes

[imaginist]

Enoch lets Crysta order drinks for him, which is a bad idea but honestly just practical, because his sister always talks him into drinking more than his wont. Rebelling against her on that point has only ever lead to him getting drunker by the end of the night.

In the meantime, he scrolls through his phone, reviewing his notes. "First. Excellent idea to position a table near the supply closet, and provide Coca-Cola in glass bottles on the refreshments table. I counted twenty-two minutes before Beulah Stump started spinning."

A sexy scientist

[imaginist]

Doctor Frankenstein—or maybe it's Doctor Frank n Furter, with those fishnets—looks right at home in the laboratory setting. He deposits a graduated cylinder on the bar and asks, "Can you fill this with gin?"

[open to multiple]

Close Encounters With Tom & Doc

[yinzpired]

A borderline comical amount of gold glittering silhouette and sci-fi whirring noises preclude Doc's eventual arrival on an open bar stool beside (one of several) Tom(s). When the illusory effect of her materialization finalizes and fades, leaving behind a decidedly alien-looking go-go girl, she's staring over her shoulder. Watching Spirit Moneypenny ask an echo of her form about the ethics of holographic technology before it blinks away, question unanswered.

Doc snorts, laughter escaping her in a rush as she turns. Her oversized helmet doesn't even wobble a little as she levels her gaze at the Tom sitting beside her. Unsure of who her barmate is, but unafraid to make a fool of herself, she says, "Huh. Bono, right?"

OPEN BAR(tender)++

[emulsify]

However unsettled, however unraveled he feels (very, after glimpsing his enhanced costume in the mirror), that twenty-four inches of counter separating Parson from every person who'll come his way this evening is a welcome anchor of predictability. It sets a script. Neat parameters for each interaction. Makes it easier not to worry about all the whos, whys, and what ifs.

So, he doesn't look as tightly wound as he feels each time he cracks the same joke for his chosen bit of the night: when asked to mix a specific drink, he replies, cheerfully dubious, "Don't know how to make that! I've only been alive three hours." This usually punctuated by an exaggerated gesture to his more stitched-together side. Then, "Explain it to me."

REFRESHMENTS

[imaginist]

Near the bar is a long buffet table covered with silver trays of fancy hors d'oeuvres, featuring a variety of tea sandwiches, canapés, crudités and desserts. Non-alcoholic drinks are also provided, along with a large punch bowl full of neon green juice that emits dry ice fumes.

Several round tables with seating are located nearby, if you want to rest your feet while eating or chatting. Each table features a black tablecloth, vases stuffed with roses, and a frankly excessive number of candles. (The flames aren't real. No fire hazard here!)

A hot commodity

[imaginist]

A ball of fire zips through the partygoers, a white-hot tail trailing behind them. They come to a stop by the refreshments table with an explosion of crackling flames that emit no heat and clip right through the plates of hors d'oeuvres.

"Ooh, crostini and bruschetta," the comet says and starts piling up canapés.

[open to multiple]

BALCONY

[imaginist]

Up a short flight of stairs is a second-storey walkway that overlooks the entire party, perfect for people-watching. Tied-back velvet curtains are arranged around the balcony railing, if you need to coyly slide out of sight from any observers. Along the wall are several red velvet two-person benches, separated from each other by large spiderweb-covered shrubs or mask-wearing marble statues for a little privacy.

A polite vampire

[imaginist]

An elegant vampire in period finery observes the party without participating, a large white wolf draped across their feet. Although they look aloof, when someone approaches looking for a place to sit, they gesture toward the empty seat next to them, offering it up.

"Don't worry. I only bite a little."

[open to multiple]

PARTY GAMES

[imaginist]

Join in on a round of fully anonymous Seven Mystery Minutes in Heaven, or start your own games.

MYSTERY MINUTES IN HEAVEN

[imaginist]

A Scooby-Doo Daphne with the exact same door-locking powers as Beulah Stump has commandeered a storage closet for a game of Mystery Minutes in Hell Heaven. Spin a beer bottle on a table and get locked in the closet with a mystery partner for seven minutes—or however long before Daphne remembers to let you out again. It could be up to 30 minutes; she's had a lot of bloody mary shots.

HOW IT WORKS:

1. Reply with your character's name and the next ordered number in the subject line of the comment. In the body of your comment, please indicate how many times you'd like for people to land on your character's number. (If someone has enough partners, just skip them and roll again!)
2. When you want a closet partner, either RNG a number based on however many people have posted, or choose whoever you'd like to scene with. No rules! As a bonus, roll 1–30 to determine how many minutes you'll be trapped in the closet with the person and put that in your comment.
3. You are under no obligation to kiss in the closet! Your characters can always have a nice/awkward chat instead.

OUTSIDE

[imaginist]

Need a break from the party? It's almost quiet outside. Almost. Melting candles illuminate a path towards the back of the building, where a real, actual hedge maze has sprung up out of nowhere. (All thanks to Dr. Sweetapple.) You can also use this section for anywhere in the Station that isn't at the party. Your illusion masks will still work, as long as you're wearing them...

CHALLENGE THE HEDGE MAZE

[imaginist]

Trick or treat! A sign at the entrance of the maze informs you that two $1000 prizes are on offer tonight: the first for navigating the maze with the fastest time, and the second for collecting the most candy in one run. (Candy buckets are provided at the entrance, and you're told that candy-depositing machines are scattered throughout the maze.) You can challenge the maze alone or in a group. A hastily added note at the bottom of the sign warns you to not enter the maze if you have a serious heart condition.*

Post the form below to get your maze results:

<b>Challenger(s):</b> <b>Goal:</b> Going fast, collecting candy, or neither? <b>Competitiveness:</b> 1–10. Are you trying to win, or are you just taking a stroll? <b>Courage:</b> 1–10. How easy are you to scare? <b>Strategy:</b> What's your approach? Do you have any powers that could help you here? (Teleportation powers are not valid, sorry.) <b>Anything else?:</b> *The scares will all be very silly, I promise.

END OF THE NIGHT

[imaginist]

The echoing toll of a grandfather clock announces midnight, and everyone's illusion masks cease functioning. Waldinger & Waldinger thank everyone for attending their party (and providing valuable test data!), and request that you deposit your mask in one of the bins by the exits as you leave, so they can complete their study. (Although no one will actually stop you if you smuggle your mask out as a souvenir.)

OOC 🎭 DISCUSSION

[imaginist]

You can still submit anonymous encounters HERE. I'll continue to post them to the party until Sunday night at least.

Keep in mind that the masquerade takes place on Saturday, but I'm posting it early so we get some extra time to plot. And maybe just extra time to read all of my shit. As you can see, I got... very carried away lol.

OOC 🎭 SPECIAL THANKS

[imaginist]

A special thank you to Lyss and Jenny, who did so much to shape this event, and also to Kasey and Tiff, whose help was essential. Thank you also to everyone who submitted songs to the Halloween Masquerade playlist!!