ringleaders: (Default)
Lost Carnival Mods ([personal profile] ringleaders) wrote in [community profile] lostcarnival2017-10-13 06:00 pm

⇨ FOURTH WALL EVENT! (OPEN TO ALL)

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.
thistlegentleman: (finger to lips pensive)

[personal profile] thistlegentleman 2017-10-14 04:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"Across the ocean..." That reminds him of something else entirely.

"You are not, you were not enslaved by the English? Taken from home and family and rightful kingship, were you? They do have a habit of doing that."

Humans are creative. They burn brightly and The Gentleman's always envied that. They make a wonderful audience as well.

"But now you are here- yet still trapped. Caught between two gentlefolk, who treat you like a prize." It's not a question. He's mentally trying on stories, seeing which one Yuya fits in.
hippocarnival: (✮ 071 ✮)

[personal profile] hippocarnival 2017-10-14 04:28 pm (UTC)(link)
Yuya shakes his head emphatically. "No! I still live in Japan, I'm just with the carnival because--"

Because she could protect people important to him, but The Gentleman's next assertion catching him off guard and he looks at him, confused. "Caught between... you mean the Prince and Ringmaster?" He glances around the dance floor, as if he'll catch them there. "What do you mean, a prize? I just work for the carnival. I'm an acrobat."

And the Prince didn't have any attention on him as far as he knew. Yuya had done exactly what he was told, keeping his head down while they were in the castle.
thistlegentleman: (solemn)

[personal profile] thistlegentleman 2017-10-14 06:23 pm (UTC)(link)
The Gentleman gives him a look of intense pity and sorrow. Of course the master of the castle wants to kidnap him. That's just what the Gentleman would want.

"It's alright. You don't have to say anything. We'll just enjoy this dance, shall we?" He hums under his breath. "And you can tell me about Japan if you like."
hippocarnival: (✮ 070 ✮)

[personal profile] hippocarnival 2017-10-14 06:26 pm (UTC)(link)
O... kay. Yuya just looks thoroughly confused, but that's how this whole conversation has been so he just goes with it.

"Yeah, sure. You're from England, right?" He assumes, with all this talk about Englishmen. "What do you want to know?"
thistlegentleman: (smile art color)

[personal profile] thistlegentleman 2017-10-14 11:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well." He makes a grand sweep, attempting to dip Yuya. "Are people held in bondage in your Japan as they are in England? Oh, and tell me of the native songs and dances. There must be stories I've never heard from your land."
hippocarnival: (✮ 082 ✮)

[personal profile] hippocarnival 2017-10-14 11:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Dipping was not part of dance practice! In retrospect, that's probablt because Yuya was stressed and not particularly enthused to do more than the minimum steps yesterday. Was it yesterday...?

"You mean like... slavery?" He scrunches his nose. "No, that's illegal. It's probably illegal everywhere now?"

Except the fae realms, which are lawless and terrifying and he frowns deeply. "Um. I could tell you a story, I just--" he looks around the dancefloor again.
thistlegentleman: (solemn)

[personal profile] thistlegentleman 2017-10-15 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
"Exactly like. I do not know what is "legal" but men can still be snatched away from their homelands by the British." (This is completely unlike fairy kidnapping which is different and much, much better. He thinks.)

"I do not mean to press. Dance now and take your time by all means. Survey the room."
hippocarnival: (✮ 069 ✮)

[personal profile] hippocarnival 2017-10-15 01:50 am (UTC)(link)
"It's the law! If you break the law they're consequences." It is not that simple, Yuya knows it's not that simple, Yuya is not at all equipped to explain the legal system to a fairy.

"And it's just awful to do to someone..." his gaze drifts to the servants standing near the tables and he purses his lips. "It's really awful."

Maybe he'd have a better story if only he could focus, but his mind keeps pulling between the ball itself, and the Prince and his servants. And Reira.

"Um, did you know the Prince already?"
thistlegentleman: (smile art color)

[personal profile] thistlegentleman 2017-10-15 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
He's picturing "law" as some object that exacts terrible revenge if broken. Or maybe a kind of spell.

"True. Being removed from your homeland where you would rightfully be hailed as a king is a horrible fate." He may sound like he's talking about himself. Actually, he's talking about someone else.

"I did not. But I do enjoy balls, even ones as garishly overdone as this.'
hippocarnival: (✮ 008 ✮)

[personal profile] hippocarnival 2017-10-15 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
Well that's sure suspicious, but what can Yuya do about it? The Gentleman seems far more adapt to maneuver the Prince's silly rules than Yuya himself, anyway. He'll probably be fine.

"You should be careful, because it's a fae ball." But he'll still warn him. He knows what the fae are capable of.
thistlegentleman: (mischevious)

[personal profile] thistlegentleman 2017-10-15 03:54 pm (UTC)(link)
"It is, is it?" He doesn't miss a step.

"Do not be so concerned for me! I assure you that though my own were vastly superior I am capable of tolerating this one. Your concern speaks very well for you, though. Would you could accompany me to one of my own parties at Lost Hope."
hippocarnival: (✮ 001 ✮)

[personal profile] hippocarnival 2017-10-15 04:01 pm (UTC)(link)
The Gentleman seems very confident about where he is... but so did Strange, and Strange got messed up by a fae. The thought is enough to bring some more alertness back to him, as he realizes he should really keep an eye on his friends here. He doesn't want any of them hurt.

Ugh, more fancy parties. This one's enough to last him a lifetime. At least Yuya doesn't let his dread at the idea show on his face as he shakes his head with a smile.

"Sorry, but I can't. I have to go back with the carnival after this."
thistlegentleman: (dark wary)

[personal profile] thistlegentleman 2017-10-16 02:10 am (UTC)(link)
He takes another twirl easily, his face sad for a moment.

"Such a pity the carnival will not let you leave." Because that's the only possible reason Yuya wouldn't like to go to his ball.

"Perhaps I should have some words with the Lady in charge."
hippocarnival: (✮ 073 ✮)

[personal profile] hippocarnival 2017-10-16 02:56 am (UTC)(link)
Yuya raises a brow, not sure where the insistence is from. Why does he want Yuya to see one of his parties, to show off?

"It's a contract for a year, so I really need to finish it so I can go home." There's a pause as he considers that phrasing. "Uh--not that I'm in a rush! It was a trade, anyway. But maybe the carnival could perform for Lost Hope sometime?"
thistlegentleman: (art)

[personal profile] thistlegentleman 2017-10-17 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
At least he can understand contracts. "Of course," he says.

"Hm, yes, I would like to see this carnival! I believe this many people could fit. If not we could always stack the extras somewhere."
hippocarnival: (✮ 062 ✮)

[personal profile] hippocarnival 2017-10-17 04:16 am (UTC)(link)
"Not everyone here is from the carnival. There's... I dunno, twenty or thirty of us?"

Yuya has absolutely never counted how many people are in the carnival. Still, he smiles at the idea of performing somewhere, for someone. That's much more like what he'd want to do.

"I'll mention it to her--the carnival is her realm, so she can bring it wherever she wants! You don't have to worry about trying to fit us in, we won't have to intrude."