⇨ 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

2B / Automata / Fourthwaller

[kuudroid]

Dance offers

[The fact that there are clearly those who are not human in this room doesn't seem to faze 2B in the slightest. For a combat oriented android, 2B seems far more willing to stay on the sidelines than dance. Though her attire is a little different than what she's used to the only thing that has really changed is the length of her dress. For anyone familiar with 9S, 2B is likely easily spotted as another android, due to the fact she wears the same combat visor over her eyes as he does.

Also, her own Pod, Pod 042 is hovering near to her as well. After a small bit of time has passed, he speaks up.]

"Proposal: Unit 2B should find a dance partner."

[Well. 2B isn't about to dismiss a recommendation from her support unit. Also it seems like a fairly good idea? She extends a hand to the nearest person like she's seen others do.]

Would you like to dance?

Food and Drink

[Technically Androids only need water to sustain themselves. They don't need anything else to continue their existence.

2B also has never seen an actual dish made of cooked fish before. These fish are those which she's never even seen. Never fished up. She's curious.

There's also another fish on the table, in a rather delectable looking dish.

It's a mackerel. She's having a blindfolded stare down with a mackerel dish.]

Choose Your Own Adventure

[hit 2B up with whatever sweet prompts you want, she probably wont say no to anything unless your name is 9S]

preemptive rip in pieces

[dressedtothe]

[9S had previously been dancing with Rita when he'd spotted 2B from across the room. Of course, he'd dropped everything... including his dance with Rita, who will undoubtedly be mad about that.

But he can't bring himself to care. Not when 2B is here. It's probably against etiquette rules, but 9S calls out to her.]

2B!

[He approaches her at a jog, slowing down once he draws near. Notably, his eyes aren't covered, and Pod 153 is nowhere to be seen.]

What're you doing here?

i cant believe 9S is already dead

[kuudroid]

9S. [There's a lot of fog going on in 2B's head, it feels like some of her circuits are fried, only without the damage needed to do it. She's both relieved and surprised to see the scanner unit here, but as always, 2B goes with the flow of things. Even though she doesn't have an actual answer.]

I'm not sure. [... How did she get here?] How did you get here?

[dressedtothe]

[Seeing 2B here... he should feel unsettled, but all he can feel is elation at the sight of her face.]

Um. Well, I came here with a bunch of other people.

[He brings a gloved hand to his chin, tapping his foot.]

...But I'm not sure how I got here, specifically.

[kuudroid]

[So he doesn't know how he arrived either.

If 2B thinks back on the last few things that happened... Well, perhaps this is the afterlife. An odd afterlife, but in a way, it makes sense for all sorts to be present in a place like this.

Still, there's a slight downward quirk of her lip. If this is the afterlife, then that means that 9S is...

Her hand balls for a short moment before she offers it to him. If they're dead, then she'll make the most of it.]

Would you care to dance?

[It's the least she can offer him for what she's done.]

[dressedtothe]

[This is all kind of troubling. Now that he's examining the thought of how exactly he got into this exact room -- or these clothes! -- it's hard not to keep thinking about it. But all that gets thrown out the window when 2B asks him to dance.

9S says eloquently--]

Er. Uh.

[Is this happening? Is this really happening? He'd come over to her with that intention, but... he didn't think he actually had a chance.

He straightens, before taking the offered hand, a smile on his face.]

Of course. I'd love to, 2B.

[kuudroid]

[There's a good amount of relief that washes over her when he says that he'd like to and takes her hand. He's still just as warm as she remembers, and her slight frown turns into an almost smile.

Even in death, she'll treasure this time between them.

She's only seen others dance, and it's not like she has experience herself, but she still has the grace of a combat android. Thankfully there won't be any toe stepping on her part as she leads the dance.

Mostly because she's not aware that normally the men lead.]

dance dance revolution

[whattaprick]

[ From a distance, seeing the pod and the familiar blindfold, Lambert had wondered why 9S had elected to wear a dress. An android thing, maybe? As soon as the woman moved, though, that mistake was quickly corrected. She didn't move like 9S. Still, the superficial similarity is enough to pique his curiosity to move closer, casually leaving his drink on the tray of some poor servant.

Only for her to beat him to the punch at the pod's prodding. He doesn't hesitate for a second before putting his hand in hers, minding his own heavy claws. ]

Don't mind if I do. [ He says, with exaggerated care. ] Does this mean you lead, or should I?

[ Given he's over six feet tall, her leading might look just a little bit hilarious, but Lambert's never been afraid of that. ]

[kuudroid]

[Thankfully 2B doesn't have any comment for Lambert's appearance because she's not a huge rude like 9S is.]

I'll let you make that decision. [Does 2B have any idea that Lambert is (actually) a human at this point in time? No. She's just letting her processors work as intended.]

[whattaprick]

Then I will.

[ It's a remarkably easy decision. With a flick of his tail, he pulls them out on the dance floor into a simple waltz, literally the only dance he knows that would fit in here. To be fair, he's pretty decent at the steps, deviating only very slightly as he steps around with her in his arms. Which makes one thing immediately apparent to him: ]

You're a lot heavier than you look.

[kuudroid]

[9S keeps step with him fluidly enough. It may be her first time dancing, but she's observed others enough to know which steps are appropriate where.]

My weight is 149 kilograms.

[Which is combat unit standard. But also 2B is hardly insulted by the comment to her weight. How thankful for Lambert.]

[whattaprick]

[ Like fuck Lambert knows how much 149 kilograms is, he probably comes from a time that never even invented kilograms. He considers asking if she can give that in a different measure, then shrugs. It's probably not important anyway. ]

Just don't step on my toes. [ That doesn't seem to be in danger of happening, for the most part, so he'll conversationally go on-- ]

It's a little odd, isn't it? Wearing a combat visor to a party.

shows up two weeks later w/ starbux also i just realized i wrote 9S instead of 2B up there SWEATS

[kuudroid]

It's part of my uniform.

[Also unlike 9S, she doesn't carry a messenger bag so she has no where to put it if she takes it off!]

I will be sure to not step on your toes. [Thankfully Lambert has nothing to worry about. 2B is very confident in her steps.]

dance time!

[kingsroads]

You've a pod and a blindfold? Let me guess: you know 9S.

[ Strange...still hasn't entirely wrapped his head around the whole android thing. Oh, he knows 9S is an android and he isn't human, but he doesn't know the full extent of the androids and the whole android system they've got. ]

But yes, I would love to dance. Shall Pod be recording this?

[ 9S's Pod can record things, logically 2B's should as well, right? ]

[kuudroid]

[Well. That's not the sort of answer she was expecting, but 2B doesn't back down all the same.]

Yes, I know 9S. [She answers his first question, swiftly moving onto the other.] Would you like Pod 042 to record? [She's not a scanner unit, but it's not as if she can't tell her pod to begin recording if that's what this human wants.]

[kingsroads]

I would, [ Strange responds, with a nod. ] After all, humanity might want to learn how people danced in this time!

[ Granted, 'this time' is a pandimensional party in a fae realm attended by people from all across time and space, but the Prince obviously has an aesthetic going on. It's still slightly a time even if isn't set in a specific time. ]

[kuudroid]

[Unfortunately, just like the prince, 2B has no idea that she shouldn't be leading the dance. Which means she will be, if Strange doesn't take the innitiative to do so.]

I'm not a scanner unit. [It's not her job to take down informational data like 9S. Still, 2B commands Pod 042 all the same.] Pod 042 begin recording of the dance.

"Beginning recording."

[kingsroads]

[ Strange pauses before taking the initiative which means that nope, 2B is dragging him on the floor and leading him into a dance. Well alright, he can work with this. He's still a fairly good dancer when following, even though he's used to leading. So he lets 2B drag him around the dance floor as Strange makes idle conversation. ]

If you aren't a scanner unit, then what are you?

[ Strange is apparently making rude conversation. ]

[kuudroid]

[Thankfully for Strange there will be no stepped on feet. 2B is extremely graceful and fluid in her movements, even if she does make the occasional mistake from time to time. It's not like units like her dance to begin with.]

A combat unit.

[It's not a lie.]

Dance til u drooooppp

[periphrasing]

2B will have to pardon Peridot's staring. The little gem is having some trouble reconciling the fact that someone so... aesthetically pleasing... also shares some key similarities in appearance with 9S. Which has her understandably wary, because 9S was very clear in his dislike of individuals of her sort of origin.

She stares at the offered hand, sweat beading on temples. A shaky clawed hand of her own starts to extend... but then she withdraws it abruptly and curls it into a fist, which she holds close to her chest. "I... Uh..." Peridot swallows nervously, and creaks out a question: "Who... are you?"

[kuudroid]

It's probably a good thing that 2B has significantly more chill than 9S on any given day of the week, because the fact that Peridot is significantly not human doesn't escape her notice. It doesn't really matter at this point anyway.

"YoRHa Unit 2, type B. 2B for short." Since it seems like the person in front of her is nervous, she drops her hand to the side, hopefully making it clear that this person doesn't have to dance if she doesn't want to.

[periphrasing]

"Yorha," she repeats thoughtfully, tail twitching. "Then my initial assessment was correct: you must be from the same universe as 9S."

Not a comforting realization. If anything, Peridot looks even more guarded. She keeps frowning at 2B, sideyeing her not with hostility, but definitely with a fair amount of caution.

"Do you know him?"

(How many times have you heard THAT question tonight, toobs.)

[kuudroid]

9S. What have you done?

"You're correct. 9S is my assigned partner. You've met him as well, then?" 2B is as relaxed as she'll ever be, considering that there's a magic enchantment keeping her sufficiently subdued on top of her normal restrained behaviour.

[periphrasing]

His partner? Crud.

"...Yeah, I've met him. I'm supposed to be his boss at the carnival." She lets out a heavy, disappointed sigh, sags her shoulders, and waves 2B off. "Let me save you the trouble: I'm an 'alien', so you're probably not going to want to dance with me. So there. You can go ahead and be disgusted now."

[kuudroid]

... "That makes sense." But 2B isn't being outright hostile? "Are you hostile to humans?" It's an honest question, and 2B can understand why 9S would be put off by having an alien life form be his boss, but if this alien isn't hostile, there's not much point in being hostile back.