All Hallows Eve, the Night of All Souls.  An ancient holiday with its traditions stretching back to pagan Ireland.  The celebration of the harvest, the preparation for winter, and the remembrance of the dead.

And now, a time to kick up and party.  Whatever one wants to expound on Halloween's secret origins, it has inarguably become a night of rebellion, a break from society's common mores.  A much needed existential release valve of authorized acting-out.  It is a vacation for the soul.

It is also a cathartic release of fear and anxiety, a communion with all we dread.  By donning the masks of monsters and reveling in blood and horror we familiarize ourselves with that which we fear deepest in our hearts.  We become one with the darkness, and we know we cannot be harmed by that which we are one with.  Or at least we like to think, for one night.

When the sun goes down, the monsters come out to play...

The Palace Theatre is open as soon as the sun has dipped below the horizon, the sky a muted violet glow and the first stars peering out in the canopy of the sky, like the eyes of some long-sleeping cosmic giant beginning to groggily awaken.

The place has been done up for the evening's festivities.  She's shied away from black and orange crepe paper streamers, papier mache pumpkins, and cardboard skeletons.  Instead the theatre is draped in black and red velvet, the drapings found in the theatre's own voluminous storage.  Still, there are a few cotton cobwebs strung out in appropriate places.  The lighting has been dimmed to a sufficiently atmospheric quality, and in some places the normal lightbulbs have been replaced with those flickering bulbs that mimic candlelight.  In a few places, strobes and laser lights have been set-up for added effect.

The sound system has been set up so the music filters through almost every inch of the theatre, playing goth and industrial as well as suitably dark Classical music and a mix of holiday favorites.  Bauhaus, the Sisters of Mercy, and Siouxsie Sioux spin along with E Nomine, VNV Nation, and the Cruxshadows, mixing in with organ fugues and somber piano concertos, and seasonal fare such as "Monster Mash," "Thriller," and "Bad Moon Rising."  In the main theatre, the curtain has been lowered and a giant projector screen set up.  Throughout the night, horror movies are projected on the screen in eerie silence.  Everything from classic Universal monster flicks like "Frankenstein" and "Dracula" to Vincent Price kitsch and cheesy 1980s teen slashers.

Refreshments are available throughout the night, and there is plenty of space for dancing, congregating, lounging, or whatever else catches the particular partygoers' fancy.  

((Note:  this event is open to all Kindred.  See attention-marked notice in the News forum))  

--Last edited by Tara532 on 2008-11-02 01:00:22 --

Deirdre arrives well before the event officially starts, as soon as possible for her to wake and make it out to the theatre after sundown.  She's not too far off her usual old-school goth garb.  She wears a pair of tight leather pants and matching bustier-like tank.  A pair of giant gossamer black-and-purple butterfly wings are strapped to her back, studded in purple rhinestones.  Her hair is carefully teased up in an almost fan-like formation, streaked with purple.  Her lips are painted with a light purple gloss, and her eyeliner sweeps and curls up at the tips like the butterfly wings.  Small purple rhinestones stud around her eyes, and a purple leather choker finishes off the ensemble.

She oversees the very last of the preparations, and then waits nervously for the party to begin...

*She always did like parties and dressing up. She's been in costume more than she's worn regular clothes. All of her life has been one masquarade after another. Sometimes it is brilliant, sometimes not so. But tonight she can go all out, even more so than usual.

She arrives on foot, having no need for a car on a night like this. Anyway, she would not fit in any sort of automobile tonight due to the fact to what is on her back....

Clad in a flowy, white sheer dress with thin straps. The material is so fine you can almost make out the curves of her body underneith it. It ends at her ankles with the tail continuing nearly five feet behind her, the hem is not perfectly straight, rather it has been stitched in such a way that causes the material to look ripply. A pair of huge white angel wings rest on her shoulders, the tips resting just over the curves of her back-side. Across her shoulders and back of her arms streaks of vermillion have been spmeared to resemble blood, as if someone has tried to rip of her wings and left her bleeding. It zig-zags over the upper half of the back of her gown goreying up the perfectness of white.

There is a white wig on her head. The strands fall in gentle waves over her shoulders. Her face bares a white mask, similar to the one worn by the Phantom of the Opera, save hers is prettied with glitter, the upper half of her face is completely hidden excapt for small slits of her eyes. The only bit of colour is the blood red gloss on her lips. If you look down you will see that she is barefoot.

Kara enters and takes a look around. Ever so slowly she spins in a full circle, drinking in the lights, the sights and the music blaring into her ears. No one is here yet and it is a brilliant feeling.

A million shards of artificial light shine apon her and shatter at her white painted toe nails. She closes her eyes and stops spinning.*

Rose will appear, dressed as a water sprite.  Green, in various colors, making her seem to be dressed in water.  water lillies adorn her hair, a green mask to add a hint of mystery.

Nicole arrives dressed all in black: a severe black suit, black snakeskin boots,  a wide brimmed black hat that seems to contain the mass of her unruly hair except for a few stray strands that hang down, even a black leather "bible" clutched in her hands.  The only other color is the white collar at her neck and the bone rattlesnake head that hangs from a leather thong around her neck.  Her appearance is of some travelling revival tent preacher.  The wild eyes just come natural.

*She saunters into the theater, grinning wide, she seems excited at the prospect of a party, maybe she won't be threatened, or pushed around tonight! Wouldn't that rock? She's dressed as..well..heh one of them HAD to do it, she is a classic vampire, her fangs are extended, lips painted black, eye makeup is dark grays and blacks, her cheeks are brushed lightly with black blush, giving her sunken in look. Her greenish hair is died black, she wears a tight, curve hugging, Morticia like dress, very low cut. She makes her way in, licking at her lips, most wouldn't recognize her like this, it makes her giggle*  

--Last edited by Teddy Simons on 2008-11-03 04:01:00 --

For the party, Reina has gone full blown-stereotype.
That's right, a cat-girl in a Japanese schoolgirl outfit. This makes her feline dentition look much less out of place, what with the fuzzy ears and tail she has put on.
Kawaii!

Deirdre waits nervously in the front lobby, watching as people arrive and greeting them.  She's never been the socialite, and this is completely out of her usual field of experience.  She only hopes that when more people arrive the party will carry itself, and she won't have to play hostess for much longer.


((Looks like this is a gals-only party, lol.  Any boys want to join us?))

*Lids flutter, her eyes fall upon those swiftly entering. For a moment she feels as if she should flee, as if she was caught hogging the place but that also adds some sort of excitement!

She moves to Dei and hovers near her* It is good to see you again, Dei *her tone is silky. Her hands rise, fluttering like sparrows near the girl though they are dropped quickly...never touching.* It looks as though there will be quite a few others here...*she looks over her shoulder at Reina as she enters, eying her animie-esque outfit. Suddenly she gets a strong urge to go to the girl but resists as her face suddenly clouds over in a look that can only be described as gloomy...as if on cue a drop of her blood falls onto the floor.*

Deirdre smiles as the immaculate Kara walks up to her.  "I'm hopin'," she says.  "'Tis still early...hopefully most o' the Kindred in th' city'll show up.  I've ne'er done anythin' quite like this afore.  I'm a wee bit nervous."  She looks around her at those entering.  The huge theatre feels desolate and empty with so few people so far.  She mentally crosses her fingers that this will go off without a hitch.  Hopefully.  

--Last edited by Tara532 on 2008-11-03 19:48:53 --

*Kara offers her old friend a butterfly smile* If you need help...in the apple bobbing or handing out appetizers let me know *her tone is playful or tries to be as she tries not to look at that Japanese inspired outfit.

Her tone suddenly drops* You do have alcohol...special vintage? Her hands flutter, fingers clasping together trying to stop her twitching fingers.*

"I arranged for...refreshments."  She looks around.  Christine had made the arrangements for that, and she wasn't quite sure how all that was sorted out.  She just took Christine's word that things would be ready in time for tonight.  As more or less the party's maitre'd, Deirdre is hoping the girl will be around.

Nicole's pointy-toed boots noisily clomp across the lobby.  Her strides are purposeful, her back ramrod straight and her dark eyes seem to peirce anything they come in contact with.  Without her hair to frame her face it seems drawn, the cheekbones higher, the chin just a bit longer.  In fact, it almost seems as if she isn't wearing her costume but that its wearing her. As if for this one night the dusty worn preachers outfit has possessed her.

As she approaches the hostess and one of the other guests that she recognizes as a fellow clan member she smiles like a shady used car salesman.  She bows slightly with a tip of her wide brimmed hat. "Evenin' ladies," she says in a southern drawl much lower than her normal voice.  "I couldn't help but ova-heah your conversation and i daresay that the night is still young.  I 'Spect that this den of iniquity will fill with all manner of sinners and blasphemer's before long.  I do appreciate your hospitality and am looking forward to tonights festivities."

As a matter of fact, Christine is there, in an old west saloon girl outfit.  she's behind a table that has glasses, and someone else there to pour the 'proper' vintages.

There is also a table of 'regular' refreshements.  

*Refreshments mean she will have her belly full tonight... delightful. For that Deirdre gets a smile from Kara* Good...*she utters. Her attention broken by Melissa. She curtsies to her fellow clan-mate respectfully, recalling her from the court held at the Elysium not to long ago.* Aren't we all sinners in some way or another? *Long, ice-pale fingers release the hems of her flowy dress, a light tilt of her head to Melissa.* Without sinners there would be no sins to try to save us from, would there?

Deirdre smirks at Nicole and her rather...unusual...costume.  She doesn't know the woman too well -- they'd only just met at the Elysium meeting -- but based on her initial impressions she wouldn't have suspected the woman of donning preacher's garb.  She's not sure if it's just a playful jab at religion, or if there's supposed to be some serious message behind the outfit.

"Evenin'," she smiles back, reaching up and nervously pinching the tip of one of the thin, stiff spikes of hair, as if she's still not sure its done right.  "Ye're lookin'...interestin'."

Tommy Jones will show up with Vittorio Orlando. Vittorio has a costumed girl on each arm and Tommy staggers ahead to be their annoying arrival announcing asshole.

The four have quite clearly done a little pre-gaming. But at least Tommy is sort of in costume. He has a mutation of his porno-jacket on. This one a long trenchcoat with red fur and what looks like graffiti sprayed on it. His face is painted into a skull, with big black eyes and a large grinning mouth.

His jerky gait will take him to Kara and Dei, where he will proceed to obnoxiously drape an arm over each of their shoulders.

'Hey ladies you gotta meet Orlando, hes slicker than grease and twice as hot.'

Vittorio walks in with the two girls arm in arm.  The blond dressed as an angel and her black haired companion a devil.  Both costumes are suitably skimpy and bare a nice serving of cleavage and legs.  The girls are a little spaced out and keep sniffling and rubbing their noses as they peer about the place.  Vittorio himself is dressed to the nines in an antiquated tuxedo with red accents and a black cape lined in red silk.  A large bolero hat with red plume tops his head and the right half of his face is covered with the Phantom of the Opera half mask.  Though certainly the Phantom never grinned as winningly or as liberally as Vittorio does.

"Good evening, ladies," Vittorio says in a deep and sonorous tone as he walks up to Kara, Nicole, and Deirdre.

*Kara's eyes shift swiftly to her dealer, and for him draping his druggy arm over her he gets a dirty look as if saying if you crush my wings I will staple you to the wall.* Come out to play, Tommy J? I thought you just holed up in the corners of those dingy clubs like some rat. *The taunting between her and Tommy is eternal, there is some love/hate thing going on...she loves his drugs and hates that horrible jacket.*

I did not think that you could look any more garish than usual. *She says, noticing the porno-jacket. Subtly she wriggles, or tries to, from under his arm, yet the wings make it impossible for her to move away unless she manualy removes his arm from around her shoulder, so she just huffs and hopes he'll get the hint.

Sky-blues move over to Vittorio, she notices the mask, so very similar to her own, smiles and curtsies at him.* I do not think we have had the pleasure, signore Orlando.

*She notices that they are all high, and the girls have had their noses full of powder. In her garter a teeny tiny package of the coke she still had from Gand's begins to burn...then does her own nose, it is a phantom sensation that comes now and again....for she doesn't really need the stuff.*  

--Last edited by UltimateZen on 2008-11-04 19:31:27 --

As Rose arrives, in her water sprite costume, she notes the arrival of others as well.  Nothing like having partiers who...already been partying, now is there.

She'll make her way in, then greet her hostess, when she's not so encumbered, before putting on her mask, and seeing who is there.