⇨ FOURTH WALL EVENT! (OPEN TO ALL)

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone and the 4th Wall Visitors!
When: Day 175
Where: Heartstone Manor
What: THE 4TH WALL BALL BEGINS! This is where unapped visitors can post and roleplay. Please read the rules and setting info below. For more information and visuals refs, read this. Questions can be asked over here.
Warnings: Individually marked! Could be a lot of things.

THE GRAND BALL↴ Heartstone Manor is a giant, spooky castle floating in the middle of a twilight filled void. It is the home of a Wyld Fae calling himself The Prince - and despite his name, he is a bestial creature crammed into a gentleman's clothing, completely obsessed with replicating the ideals of old timey human society, much like the 1800's. The Prince and his many servants all dress in a manner appropriate to to the 1500's - 1800's, and decorum and beauty are held sacred above all else. All the workers of the carnival are currently staying there, in the hope of enabling a successful diplomatic venture between the Ringmaster and the Prince. The Grand Ball is being thrown by the Prince to honour these guests, but his manner of doing this is going to come as a bit of a surprise. THE RULES↴ Powers are all partially nerfed for 4th Wallers. They can be used in small to moderate ways for the sake of RP and narrative flavour, but 4th Wallers shouldn’t generally be using any powers in a super disruptive manner. No using powers for fighting with NPCs (yet), causing general chaos, or otherwise making your character a burden to the Prince. If they try, they’ll find themselves unable to do so. Your character isn’t sure how they got here but they think they’re okay with it. Your character won’t remember how they were captured by the Prince at the start of the ball. They’re just kind of here and in formal wear, and something tells them it’s probably fine to just enjoy the ball. They are wrong. In-game characters won’t initially remember how they all ended up at the ball either thanks to a temporary amnesia effect, but they will be able to be concerned about the fact that other people (possibly people they know) have shown up, and the fact that those other people are probably the Prince’s captives. Weren’t they doing something else at the castle before this, though? It’s hard to remember. This is all very confusing. 4th Wall character who aren’t apping in were possibly never the real deal in the first place. There are a mixture of genuine captives and spooky replications created with magic – this is to provide some flexibility regarding 4th wall character’s states in game, as well to allow more than one of each character to be played. If there are multiple people playing the same character, then whichever one has an app accepted will have been the real one. No doubles of in game characters. (Taken list here.) No AUs, no CRAUs, and nothing else besides characters that have full source canons or are original characters/fandom OCs with no bearing on the canon plot. If you tag in with a character who breaks these rules we reserve the right to remove them. THE SETUP: 4TH WALLERS↴ With incredibly foggy memories of their recent past, your character will find themselves at a grand ballroom dance, filled with a mixture of normal humans and odd looking humanoids that have strange features like wings, horns, tails, fur, and the like. They have vague memories of being dressed for the occasion, but are not sure by who or why. Most disturbingly, they will find that, at first at least, they don’t really care about the details. It seems like a pleasant event, doesn’t it? Why not enjoy it. This effect is definitely some kind of mind control, so you can feel free to have your characters be a bit confused and conflicted about it. Ultimately, they have been charmed to participate in the dance, so they will feel like riding the wave is the best thing to do even if that wouldn’t normally be their cup of tea. If your character has resistances to some forms of mind control, they are still overruled in this circumstance. They may discover people they recognize (castmates) or even duplicates of themselves (somehow?), and these can all be treated as canonly occurring and played out as such. This event is canon for Lost Carnival, so it should be played seriously and respectfully – not that silly shenanigans aren’t also bound to happen. All characters are required to dress in formal attire appropriate to a period area – specifically anywhere from the 1500s to 1800s. The Prince prefers if people are heteronormative in their clothing choices, but if you want you can probably get away with your ladies wearing suits or men wearing dresses as long as they look presentable otherwise. THE SETUP: MANOR GUESTS↴ You find yourself at the Grand Ball without really remembering how you got here. The last few days are a foggy blur, and though you can remember some of the important stuff you were dealing with, it will feel less important right at the start. Of course, as the night goes on, memories of how the carnival reached this event will become more and more clear – as well as the inevitable worry and stress that comes with it. For most people, there will have absolutely no memory of anything that happened after the morning of Day 175. Did the boating trip ever happen? Possibly not. Even as the night progresses, they will still have no recollection of how most of Day 175 went, which is probably disturbing. The Mod has contacted those that are exceptions to this privately to tell them what they will remember. The people lost to the Manor’s security earlier in the week will be here too, but not as guests. In fact, all of them will be dressed in the black attire of a Heartstone Manor servant and will seem pretty okay with that fact. There are parts of them that look changed – and their dispositions are definitely one of them. How else could they possibly be working for the Prince now? Updates to the event situation will be posted down in this section below. People can react to these posts as the circumstances change, and may new top levels based on them. It is possible to try to sneak away from the ball, but Manor Security will be trying to hunt you down. There is no mandatory outcome planed to this event, so character decisions can and will have a major effect in where the plot goes from here. THE ACCOMODATIONS↴ MUSIC AND DANCING: There will be music playing the whole night, and most of it is so good you feel practically compelled to dance to it. It's possible to resist, but why would you want to do that, you party pooper? FOOD AND DRINK: There are circle tables set up with fine silverware, and upon sitting down you will soon have a waiter come back to ask for an order. You can request basically any European cusine and it will be made for you. You will also be given drinks, most of which are alcohol, no matter your age. Fae don't care about children. BALCONY STARGAZING: There are balconies that are connected to the ballroom in multiple locations that you can step out onto to get some fresh air. You'll see the courtyard of the Manor down below you, but everything beyond that is black, as if the castle is floating within a twilight void. (Because it is.) One small change is that there are stars out tonight, probably added to the sky for the occasion. ALL NIGHT LONG: The ball will go on far into the early morning. Or, at least, until everyone fucks it up.

Comments

The Gentleman With the Thistledown Hair | Johnathan Strange |4th Wall

[thistlegentleman]

He may not recognize the castle, but The Gentleman is nothing but perfectly poised as he steps out onto the floor. That decor! That music! It is gorgeous. In fact, maybe a little too gorgeous. His beautiful face turns sour, just for a moment.

Music and Dancing: He will be doing this. A lot. And he'll be trying to compel humans that catch his eye to join him. That might not work here, which will only increase his irritation at the master of the castle. Does the lord of this place really need all the pretty people?

Food and Drink: He won't be doing this, but he'll be snatching up people who linger around the tables or those who try to be wallflowers.

"Aha! I have crossed oceans of time to be with you! Come dance!"

Sorry, he's not great at 'no.'

Stargazing: He won't be doing much of this but he'll be happy to tell you just how much better his own home, Lost Hope is. (It's not better.) Also it might be fun to reenact the time he threw his enemies' children over the castle walls, right now. Defenestration is romantic, right?

food & drink!

[kingsroads]

Strange is post-canon. This is going to suck.

He had been hanging around one of the drink tables, idly drinking a glass of wine, when he spotted a face he honestly never thought he'd see again (and then Strange promptly choked on the wine, necessitating a small coughing fit while he tried to regain his dignity).

Well, well, well. What on earth was he going to do about this? No matter what, he can't sit here and stare like an idiot, so Strange takes a worryingly large drink of wine, bucks up his courage, and walks over towards the Gentleman, giving the fae a polite little nod in the process.

"I must say. I didn't expect to see you here, for...various reasons."

Carnival changes are a thing, and Strange certainly looks different than what the Gentleman's probably expecting. He has short claws on all fingers and goldfish scales dot his hands and neck. Most notably, his eyes are covered entirely in a mirrored coating, pupil and all.

dude I accidentally deleted an icon while trying to reply

[thistlegentleman]

"I feel a draft." The Gentleman stands, looking just off to Strange's left side. "Yes, there is a distinct wind in the air. Probably due to improper ventilation."

He's annoyed. This isn't how it works. Englishmen shouldn't be able to see him unless he wants them to. They shouldn't have the advantage of him, ever. But he can't look away forever. And those eyes...there's something about them. They're hypnotic. Gorgeous.

"Oh?" He forgets he was pretending not to notice Strange. "I would just as soon have not come to this dreary place, but duty calls." He's not sure what duty is but it seems to be an expression. He cocks his head, staring at himself in those eyes.

/shakes fist in dw's general direction

[kingsroads]

He's also annoyed. This shouldn't be happening! He had already gotten past all this, he had saved Arabella, brought magic to England, et cetera et cetera and now here he was, talking to someone he'd really not rather talk to and he's expected to be polite to because he can't do anything. Honestly, why did the Gentleman have to ruin what was going to be such a lovely party!

"It is quite dreary, I'll admit. Still, the longer one stays in darkness, the more one grows used to it."

Said with a very pointed look and a very definite frown at the Gentleman. Though, the definite frown soon changed to a confused one as the Gentleman keeps looking at him. Why on Earth is he getting stared at like that?

[Poor Strange I am sorry.]

[thistlegentleman]

"I wouldn't know. I can see in darkness. Perfectly well, in fact."

Not only is he staring, he's gazing deep in Strange's eyes, at least until he can bear to pull himself away.

"Here by yourself, are you?" He hasn't kidnapped Arabella yet, the thought hasn't even crossed his mind so his tone is innocent. "Frowning will hardly entice ladies to dance with you, but at least you are not nearly so dreary and threadbare as English magicians are often wont to be."

canonpoints are forever the devil, I love it so much

[kingsroads]

Of course he can see in darkness, of course that's a thing, the fiend probably didn't even think about that spell in the first place! Strange is trying his hardest to keep his tone light and keep his tone proper, but it's obvious that he's clenching his fist, nails digging into his palm as he tries to keep the conversation level and try to hide most of his utter annoyance at this whole thing.

Thankfully, there's a question to distract him and a compliment to mollify him a bit. Though Strange is still trying his hardest to squash down that urge to do something rash and dumb yet satisfying, the fact that he's not dreary nor threadbare boosts his ego a little bit.

"As a matter of fact, I'm here with a company of others. We're in service to a different member of your race. Not the Prince, of course, he's the one hosting this event, but to a woman."

Why yes, he is purposefully being cagey on a few details, how could you guess.

[thistlegentleman]

Why is the man grabbing his own arm like that? Is it-? Yes of course. He's wracked with envy. Who wouldn't be? The feeling of being envied by a magician makes the Gentleman feel all is right with the world.

"Aha. Yes. She's lovely." He's not met her, but she must be. "Fascinating too, no doubt. Did she help you with your outfit for this evening?"

After a moment of thought: "I could teach you to see in the dark, if you wish. All the greatest magicians had tutors once."

Food and drink

[hippocarnival]

Yuya isn't wallflowering, exactly, but he has pulled himself away from the dancing and song at the wrong moment, and the calling out startles him. He jolts and looks around for whoever else the Gentleman is surely taking too... but he's all alone at this end of the table. That may be because whoever else was there scattered at the call, however.

He points to himself, confused. "Uh, I think you have the wrong person?" Who is this guy.

Re: Food and drink

[thistlegentleman]

He attempts to sweep Yuya off his feet and directly into a waltz.

"You are far too modest- your energy shines through even as you stand by. And your hair- it is of excellent color." He attempts to brush a strand between thumb and forefinger.

"You seem a paragon among Englishmen." He's a provincial fae: he believes the word Englishman means human.

"I do wonder why you were not dancing, though. Had your stepmother forbidden it?" Evil stepmothers are apparently things that happen, the Gentleman has heard stories. What's more he's a sucker for anyone he thinks is being oppressed.

"I too have had my struggles with wicked enemies."

[hippocarnival]

Yuya is dragged right into the waltz, stumbling--but he catches himself quickly to fall into step.

And that is so much flattery and so many questions so quickly. "I, uh--" he stumbles over his words at first, flustering as his hair is touched. "Thanks, but I'm actually Japanese. And I don't have a stepmom. I was just taking a break!"

Like he needs to defend not dancing, but apparently he's dancing again anyway. "Who are you?"

[thistlegentleman]

Graceful. He approves.

"Pleased to meet you, Japanese. I am me, myself. Master of the castle Lost Hope, tutor to magicians (alas that was long ago), and honored guest at today's ball."

One-two-three, one-two-three...he's good at this as well.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya blinks rapidly before he bursts into laughter, probably too loud for the event, but--

"N-No," he takes a moment to compose himself, choking down the laugh to a more reasonable chuckle. "My nationality is Japanese, not English. But my name's Yuya."

He grins, amused. "It's nice to meet you, Master of Lost Hope."

That's kind of a mouthful.

[thistlegentleman]

He's a little taken back by this, not being sure what a nationality is, but he thinks back.

"Is that near Rome? Or is it Moorish?" The man favored him with his name though! The Gentleman beams. "Hello, Yuya. I can see that the master of this castle has excellent taste- in some matters."

He's shameless.

food & drink

[atouts]

Being one of the few people from that mess back in England who had the good luck to never encounter the Gentleman directly, when he finds him in his path asking him to dance, the immediate reaction is, well, to still step back. That wouldn't have changed. What it does mean, however, is that Childermass won't be as directly rude as he could be. Not yet, anyway.

He wasn't lingering, per se, but actually trying to get past the mass of dancers filling the ballroom by skirting around the edges. Technically being a guest here as well, he also has the misfortune of not looking like a servant for once in his life and that means not being completely ignorable. He's finding that the biggest annoyance of them all here right now.

"I am afraid I do not have the time for it, sir," he does his best to at least politely excuse himself over just brushing this random guy off without a word. "I am too busy tonight for any dancing at all."

Of course, now that he has excused himself, he's... going to move straight on to the actual trying to step around the Gentleman and carrying on his way part.

[thistlegentleman]

Childermas, he's never considered before. The man is sullen. But on closer inspection he's not unattractive. Perhaps he would make a good vengeance plotting buddy.

The Gentleman doesn't sweep Childermas up, but he nimbly steps with him. "Were you not the servant of that dreary magician? The drearier one, I think? It seems you have come up in the world. Has he died yet?"

[atouts]

If he ever cared for vengeance, he might, but for now, his barely-there politeness immediately collapses into wariness when the Gentleman mentions dreary magicians. He knows exactly who the drearier one is. They'll only go a few paces more before Childermass stops and turns to get a better look at him, frowning the whole while.

"No, not that I am aware of," Childermass answers. Not a lie, since if Mr. Strange survived wherever Hurtfew went, then chances are so did Mr. Norrell. "I do beg your pardon, but have we met before? As you seem to know who I am."

[thistlegentleman]

"Hm." He makes a dismissive noise.

"We may not have been introduced, but yes, I know of you by sight and reputation. You were always more able than the old man deserved, after all."

[atouts]

That could be a lot of people, then. It was no secret who Childermass worked for.

"You flatter me too much, sir," he replies, still careful, still trying to pick out some detail that might spark a name. If anything, he looks more likely to fit in here than in London— hm. Could that be it?

[thistlegentleman]

"Perhaps." He'll admit that with a casual wave of his hand.

"Compared to that magician or that conjuror with his yellowed curtain I suppose most people would seem more charming.

I have my own manor at Lost Hope, perhaps you've heard of it?"

[periphrasing]

Peridot is extremely short, which probably means she doesn't make for a great dance partner to begin with... but it also means she's pretty easy to accost.

"Nyeh--?!? Hey! Get your hands off me-- I was in the middle of something, you know!"

She's gonna do her best to break back away again, because this is like the third time tonight someone has grabbed her up for a dance and she's getting pretty sick of it.

[thistlegentleman]

Wow, rude. Unlike, say, grabbing someone to dance without their permission.

"Oh?" He cocks his head to one side. Maybe he won't dance with her. Maybe he never actually wanted to dance with her. Then again...sparkly.

"What were you doing?"

[periphrasing]

"Minding my own business. Which, coincidentally, IS WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING, TOO."

Definitely rude.

[thistlegentleman]

"But I AM MINDING YOUR BUSINESS!" Really, the nerve. He has his hands on his hips.

[periphrasing]

"What-- No! Don't mind my business, mind your OWN!" She's mimicking the same gesture without even thinking about it. "Just who do you think you are anyway!?"

[thistlegentleman]

"I am capable of doing both quite easily." His chin tilts up.

"I am the master of the castle of Lost Hope and an honored guest at this party. Who do you believe yourself to be?"