victory_road | Willy's Wonderland... real?

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Willy's Wonderland... real?

Who: Everyone!
Where: Some event venue in Celadon somewhere
When: Dec 24th
What: It's a movie premiere! It's a Christmas party! It's a combination movie premiere and Christmas party?!
OOC Note: I'm still streaming the irl version of this movie on demand through like Jan 6, hit me up at

railerat sometime.

The movie premiere is hosted in Celadon.

It's hard to say exactly what made Dirk Strider decide his opera d'arte was a "Christmas movie." He's definitely released it on Christmas Day. That's a factual statement that one can make. It can be watched on Christmas. Maybe he considers it inappropriate to display such a genuine artistic effort outside the confines of a holiday about ironically unironic sentiment.

What matters, really, is that there is a party, and it is on Christmas eve, and it is not very Christmas-y at all... but it's a party, and it's free. Isn't that enough?

Hauntingly, the decor isn't UNlike the set of the main performance hall of Willie's Wonderland itself. The "stage" is occupied by the animatronics from the movie--some of which are puppetry or practical effect cosmetics, but most of which are actually fursuits. A half dozen or so pinball machines fill in spaces along the walls, and in front of the stage are rows of tables--though they are also raised higher than the cheap tables of the set. This is because they're not meant to seat a bunch of rowdy children. There's going to be food. After the movie. Assuming you came in time to watch the movie! Perhaps you skipped it. Dirk might not even notice, truthfully. For a man who put so much effort into throwing a premiere party, he looks a little like he overestimated his capacity to actually attend. Especially with all the interviews he's about to be obligated to.

And while Nicolas Cage himself is nowhere to be found (perhaps understandably, it is very close to the holidays... I mean, we're SURE that's the real Nicolas Cage, right?), most of the cast and crew are still around and have been invited. There's Emet (Tex Macadoo), Hythlodaeus (Willie Weasel), Carly Nagisa (Kammie Kecleon), an actual Watchog named Willie (Dirk's non-unicorn favoured pet) and probably more!

Probably, that is, because there are a couple other missing faces.

Luis Ludicolo's actor performed under a pseudonym, so his presence or absence is a hopefully-forgiven mystery. The actress of the young deuteragonist, however, 'went home' between filming her parts and the final production phase. Between the various mysteries of Nicolas Cage (assuming it was Nicolas Cage), the maintenance of confidential anonymity, and the loss of Akane Tendo, it's no wonder more attention is on Dirk than he was prepared for. But since that's your excuse to just show up, party, and bounce without going anywhere near him... his loss(?) is your... er. G... ain?

Anyway, after the aforementioned obligatory showing of the film in its entirety, there's food. Food that was largely planned by Jane Crocker, so it's reasonably safe to consume. The spread varies in presentation from fairly normal hors d'oeuvres to themed treats--like the massive party chain logo sheet cake exactly like the one in the movie, but altered with heavy "blood splattering" made of solid red sugar glaze. It's not totally un-festive though. One tacit acknowledgement of the holiday--or at least the weather--lies in the beverage selection. In addition to the traditional sodas and punches, there's an additional trio of options: eggnog, mulled cider, and spiced hot cocoa. What's missing is alcohol. Dirk's (in)famous intolerance of alcohol and social intoxication is absolute.

Sugar highs, however, are apparently very much on the menu.

There's a chocolate fountain, and a white chocolate fountain, and a caramel fountain because why the hell not. A lone Chatot keeps hopping between them, and no matter how often anyone shoos it away, it comes back. It also badmouths you if you try. Listen here, chocohussie--

Maybe just. Dip your strawberries and leave it alone.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[You're damn right Jane Crocker planned out this whole spread. Taking Dirk's ideas and the general atmosphere of "weird kid's arcade party place", it's surprising that the majority of the food is normal, but it is - and it's very tasty! Even the cake with the fake blood is really divine.

Frankly, it's not like any Christmas Jane has ever experienced here, but she is here. And it's...preferable to trying to have a normal holiday experience at her house, that's for sure.

She's here from the start, helping set up for the big premier, and watches the movie with a quiet sort of thoughtfulness. The afterparty has her checking on those who are in attendance, switching between eggnog and water throughout. Her Audino, Dinah, has a monopoly on that spiced hot cocoa, and is constantly trying to ply it onto anyone who crosses her path - look, it's good, it's good! You should drink it too! At least her trainer is much less pushy.

Though, if you do catch Jane on her own, maybe just outside taking in some fresh air? She seems fairly distracted. Penny for her Christmas thoughts?]

Maybe 'thoughtful' is not how most people would have expected this film to be received. But this is Dirk, so maybe it is. He knows himself in ways people--mortals, and possibly immortals--were not meant to know. He has seen, met, been as many of his selves and more as any infinite being could, judged and felt and remembered and experienced anew permutations and possibilities beyond the best and worst of himself until it all became a single flat pane of reflective glass.

He knows what he meant when he made this film, how he perceives it and receives it and intends it to be perceived and received. He expects, fully, to be understood. And to be misunderstood.

His attempt to catch Jane after the viewing, however, is stymied first by interviews--several of them, which he endures with practised stoicism and enthusiasm either feigned or concealed. That's fine, if exhausting. But then, as he finally gets within just a yard of his reality-shifted/reality-rejected best friend, he is intercepted by a giant pink marshmallow homunculus, pushing a mug of spiced cocoa at him like he doesn't already have a perfectly good cup of spiced cider.

"I don't like chocolate," he saying, deadpan, desperate for Jane to spot and save him. "I know, it was my idea to do a hot chocolate, but I don't like it. I do things for other people sometimes. No? I can't do anything for other people? Or-"

Jane.

Jane. Help.

[Dinah looks at him confused, then looks down at the mug. Shrugs, takes a sip. More for her then, honestly. Should a Pokemon be drinking that much hot cocoa in one night? Guess we're going to find out! (It's probably fine.)

But Jane does spot the little interaction and it puts a smile on her face - a small one, but an honest one. That's her girl.]

She's probably trying to share because she likes it. And...I should have expected her to. Anything that's spicy within reach ends up in her hands eventually. [A pause.] So that sure was a movie you made.

The movie is, decidedly, less aligned with Emet-Selch's tastes, but he isn't one to stifle another's creative inclinations, especially when such is fueled by genuine passion and dedication to personal expression. The culmination of Dirk's swath of interests funneled into one production—well, not all of his interests, but more than merely a few. Dirk has hardly ever been one to make himself vulnerable to those he has not deemed worthy of such trust, and putting forth this film—this labor of love—is one such act.

Who was he to deny such passion? No one, by his measure. So, he didn't. Enabled and encouraged him to put to life the story he so deeply felt inspiration for.

Playing a part is much different than watching it, truth be told, and while Emet-Selch by no small part added to the difficulties of making a film, he never once faltered in his role as Tex Macadoo. After all, he is an actor, a lover of the arts, and a patron to all things theatrical, and he would play his part to perfection—and he did. Though seeing it come together on the silver screen brings forth a subtle sense of delight. A touch of pride, not for himself, but for his young lover who had labored to produce this spectacle.

He looks less the part now, what without that ridiculous mustache and the Texan attire (not to mention the lack of that perfected Texan accent he spoke with in the movie), dressed in his Garlean Regalia, one might not even realize he was in the movie at all. That is, if not for the credit assigned to him. All the same, he seems fit to keep to himself while watching it, and even further while monitoring the guests at this little party of sorts. He is pointedly avoiding the fountains, seeing as he has little interest in tangling with that bird, nor getting any measure of chocolate (milk or white) nor caramel on his outfit.

Largely he is playing a more passive role in this, wanting more to observe the guests than to approach them, particularly if he recognizes any of them. One might assume bashfulness, but he would inform them quickly that they are mistaken. One might think modesty instead, and maybe that's a little closer to the ticket, but any who has met Emet-Selch (or Solus, depending on what name they were given) wouldn't likely believe that, either. Who knows what he's up to with this standoffish vibe he's giving.

As such, he is merely enjoying some eggnog off to the side, do you dare approach?

Edited 2021-12-29 23:39 (UTC)

It's a damn good thing Dirk has no idea what's going through Emet's head about this whole thing, or he'd have surely kicked him out of the premiere party--assuming, that is, he hadn't barred him from attending at all. It's not that he's completely unaware of the uncharacteristic level of sincerity written into the obvious gory camp of the not-really-horror he's gifted the world of Pokemon on this Christmas Eve. He is. In a lot of ways, this movie bears less resemblance to the unintended youthful soul-baring of Detective Pony and more to the 'cringe' freedom of Bro Strider's artistic expressions.

All things considered, he's frankly stunned he's gotten away with it. Surely, he'd thought, something or someone would have put a stop to this--or at least changed its trajectory--before this point.

But no, it's real. A fantasy so unrealistic his own imagination would have never let him play it out this far, made possible only by the criminal lack of oversight or regularity in this liminal space.

That, and Dave's apparent lack of interest in confronting him over it. '

All of which to say, there's a lot of weight being borne on his extremely fragile ego right now, and that's why when he finally materialises a foot to Emet's left, his greeting takes the form of... uh. Well.

"I'm actually amazed no one's tried to wrap your skirt in tinsel yet."

As if Dirk could truly keep him from attending. Emet has his ways of getting what he wants, or where he wants, regardless of the hurdle before him. Sure, perhaps he might have to wear his ditto as a mask, but that would be worth it. Perhaps he might share some of these thoughts later, when they are alone, and he doesn't have to worry about a public meltdown over it.

For now, he'll be glad to hold Dirk's company in this playful and deflective manner he's gifted him.

"Oh? Were you worried you would not be afforded the honors?"

He offers him a smile as he takes a sip from his eggnog. However, before Dirk can move a muscle to either respond or make a move, he holds up one gloved finger to request he wait a moment.

"Don't. Such games can be for later."

Is that meant to imply something, or is he meaning he will literally endure Dirk wrapping him up in tinsel? It's hard to tell.

Don't, he says, as though Dirk could magically produce rolls of tinsel from--well, okay. There are many scenarious in which that could be a realistic threat. Fetch modi, the inscrutable bounds of backspack space, cargo pants, just to name a few.

He is not wearing cargo pants, in his defence. And he left his backpack at home, ensuring a reasonable sense of security against sehanigans tonight, be they tinsel, fancy Santa, or firework derived.

Such logical breakdowns of innuendo are an affront to the art, though--a measure taken only in emergencies. Dirk sticks one hand in his own pocket, sipping at his cider with a neutral expression.

"Is that a promise?"

"Always, my dear." There might be the slightest hint of a purr to his words, but then he glances to the crowd that's none too far from them. Curious that Dirk would toe the line of flirting in such a public space--he must really be out of his element if he's seeking comforts that oft prove naught of the sort in the face of unwelcome spectators.

Well, he certainly does not wish to sour the moment by overtly pointing that out, nor by making him worry that there is anyone truly paying attention to their little exchange. So, instead he will continue the flow of conversation, through through a different channel.

"You truly outdid yourself, you know. While scarce were you alone in the process and creation of this film, you are indeed the pillar on which it stands. A worthy accomplishment of both pride and praise--regardless of whether or not it suits the audience's tastes."

His gentle gaze falls to Dirk, a smile that matches still adorning his features.

"But we cannot well assume that the layman will understand the innerworkings of an artist's mind. Such is the gamble, but one worth the effort, I believe."

Truly thoughtful praise and encouragement is a sure way to revive Dirk's self-cosciousness, bestowing as it does an immediate and devastating awareness of time and place. Dirk's groan is sincere in a way his outward appearance rarely is.

"Can't this wait? Please. Preferably until we're not in public." He hides his mouth behind his cup of cider, taking care not to drop his voice lest the effect be too noticeable--or worse, the effort of pleading with Emet be lost to the surrounding chatter.

"It's not that I don't appreciate the sentiment, but you're killing me right now."

Is this an all-but-unfiltered admission of what nerves Dirk has been concealing behind his brazen deadpan?

Yes. Yes, it is.

"What have you been telling the press?" He presses his jaw tightly, suppressing his exhaustion... and any potentially-telling emotion lurking behind it. "Not that, I hope."

Edited 2022-01-04 22:40 (UTC)

As to be expected, Dirk's bravado crumbles at the smallest sign of genuine praise, and this was hardly small at all. It's quaint, really, when you postures in such a way that one might think his heart as stoney as the expression he wields. Yet, any who knew him, and truly at that, would know otherwise.

Indeed, Emet certainly does. However, that he would crumble this quickly says much and more of his mental state, and how anxious he must be in this situation. Again, little surprise, but surely he knew that this would be the natural course and consequence of this project made public, yes?

"Of course not," he responds softly, as if being considerate of Dirk's current state of embarrassment. Keeping his voice low and inaudible to anyone who isn't in his immediate proximity.

"I would nary share that which might leave you displeased. Besides, if they wish to know such sensitive matters, it will not be me who shares it. However, you will simply have to forgive me on the praise--little can I restrain myself when there is such cause for it. Even less do I want to."

In truth, praise doesn't ordinarily come easy from Emet. Ordinarily people want it a little too badly from him. However, while there's no doubt Dirk enjoys and on some level wants Emet's praise, he is not so brazen about it, nor overtly needy. This certainly makes the endeavor a far more attractive one, and thus does he pursue it with delight.

While Emet may find Dirk's sensitivity self-evident, one wonders if he would find it nearly as rewarding if just anyone could leave Dirk mortified and muttering.

Luckily for Emet's personal amusement, most people are quicker to find that Dirk's stony front holds perfectly in the face of negative feedback. Which is usually where they give up on him. If they don't, they find that praise is equally ineffective on him, though that indifference ranges from dismissiveness to impassivity to chilling arrogance. It's a rare person whose words really reach Dirk.

Someone like Emet.

It's not like the high profile life is new to Dirk. Rumble In Da Pumpkin Patch was a pretty nonstop media circus, three rings and a tent and a ringmaster whose true orchestrations were never revealed to the public, nor even to the star performer.

Which didn't stop Dirk and Jake from being absolutely harangued by the press, but that too was by design. The opinions of the media mattered, but the way they mattered was easily manipulated, and with the right touches, served their purpose. He'd like to believe that was Emet's angle, but he knows better.

"Yeah. That's fine," he replies stiffly, resigning himself for the moment to the blurry line where credit for his own work ends and Emet's bias begins.

"Just try to be chill about it, okay? That's all I'm asking here. I'm a hot enough topic as Champion and filmmaker now."

Doppio isn't shocked to see Emet-Selch here, on the whole. Seeing him on the big screen was a surprise, yes (albeit one easily lost in the middle of... everything else that happened in that movie), but given his role, of course he would be at the afterparty as well. And really, when Doppio tallies up everything he knows, it adds up.

Not that he knows that much, but what he does know paints a picture. This is the masquerade guy. This is also a member of Team Rocket. It isn't difficult to imagine he played an important role in the making of that heist, although Doppio has no way of confirming it. He's also the Rotom guy. What that plays into, Doppio can't say for sure, but it's clear that Emet is a skilled combatant - and, from what he's gathered, one with a decent reputation to boot. He has his fingers in a lot of pies, and yet Doppio knows very little about him. His presence is a constant, but there doesn't seem to be much that can be traced back to him aside from what he has decided to share.

There are still many unknowns, but it's already possible to draw one clear conclusion: Emet-Selch could be a valuable ally, or an opponent to be mindful of.

Dirk only asked Doppio not to steal. He didn't tell him not to work.

This is as good of a chance as he's gonna get to gather more information.

"Um, excuse me!" Doppio's approach has a certain level of Polite Distance to it. He doesn't know how much Emet knows about him in turn, after all... but he's sure he must have seen him on the Rocket line more than once. "You're one of the actors, right?"

Ah, yes. Doppio.

He is aware of him, not only because of their affiliation with Team Rocket, but because his young paramour has told him some insightful information about the man. Him and his "other", to put it simply. Of course Emet-Selch himself has not had the pleasure of meeting this other aspect of the pink-haired man approaching him, but perhaps in time he might.

It'd be rather interesting, he thinks. Exciting, even. However, as it seems, that will not be the event for the evening. A shame, really.

"Indeed I am. How very shrewd of you." He sounds rather sarcastic, but honestly that's just how he sounds. Whether he is being genuine or not is rather hard to tell in any case, but perhaps there is something honest about it given that he looks rather different than he did in that movie.

His zigzag-like eyebrows raise curiously as he regards the other man, gazing down at him through his thick lashes.

"Is there aught you require, or are you merely attempting to meet with the talent behind the production?"

Edited 2022-01-04 10:56 (UTC)

He honestly can't tell how genuine Emet is being, and he's not sure if that's because Emet's acting talents extend beyond the silver screen, or because he just doesn't know enough about him yet. Just one more thing to figure out right now, he guesses.

"I'm really impressed! I thought I recognised you, but you sounded so... American that I wasn't sure at first!"

For what it's worth, Doppio's words are genuine, regardless of the intent behind them. Tex Macadoo sounded like a 100% genuine cowboy type of guy.

[All the way until he arrives, Doppio is genuinely unsure of what he's been invited to.

Dirk's request not to steal anything, while probably well-intentioned, doesn't help much. Doppio wasn't aware he'd be going in uniform - oh, he's not? Well then, why the hell would he steal anything?... Is there anything all that valuable to steal? No, come on, he was just asking! Since it's such a big deal, apparently! Okay, it's just a party and not work, he gets it already!

Anyway, even after he's watched the movie, not all of his questions have been answered. Is this a Christmas party and a Premiere party rolled up into one, then? Was that supposed to be a Christmas movie? Was that the guy from 8mm???

He's also concerned about the Chatot in the chocolate fountain. Like, he's pretty sure regular birds shouldn't do that, but he's not sure if bird Pokémon are any different?

Doppio only approaches the Chatot after many others have tried and failed to dissuade it, but apparently Chatot has had enough, because it immediately calls Doppio a decidedly not PG-13 name. It's also flapping its wings threateningly...

You might want to step in to help, or just wait until Doppio is pondering leaving. Not very festive, is he?]

Dirk is genuinely pleased to see Doppio there. He wasn't entirely sure what to expect, sending an invitation to quite literally every offworlder in the Rocket HQ. Not least because he'd been doing his best to distance himself from them as a collective, and had been since the incident with the mole.

In that vein, Doppio and Diavolo are the only two he really trusts. He knows what they want, and why. If they betray him, he knows why. And maybe he kinds of 'gets' them in a way he doesn't 'get,' say, Steven. But their pop cultural education is so sorely lacking that the mere act of their watching his movie becomes a form of art in itself. And he is dying to know what they thought of it.

Unfortunately, he's tied up in the press, and doesn't get a chance to escape that until Doppio's almost ready to bail. At which point Dirk Strider manifests behind him with all the forewarning of--well, there is no forewarning. He's just there.

"There you are. So, what'd you think?"

Doppio very nearly chokes on a crab puff when Dirk seems to simply materialize behind him. Christ. Let him just, uh, shove the remains back into his mouth with a finger before he turns around.

"Oh, hey. Uh..."

For a moment, Doppio hopes Dirk is asking about the food and not the movie, because he definitely has more of an answer for the former than the latter. He does not cling to his hopes for long.

"It was... really creative!"

It took him Some Time to figure out whether there were people in the suits, or whether they were robots, and/or how the Satanic ritual factored into it.

Carly is enjoying the event. Carly is enjoying the event a lot! Maybe because of how much Jolyne is confused. And for that matter, upset about the costumes on display. These aren't sexy at all! (Carly's amusement knows no bounds- especially when matters are compounded by the lack of alcohol)

So Carly spends a good amount of the party after the movie wandering, drinking eggnog, looking at the games...

...Looking at....

The Chatot...

"...Heyyyyy...Dirk?" she asks, once she finally finds the guy again. "...Is that your Chatot?"

...

"...is that healthy?"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Willy's Wonderland... real?

Jane Crocker | OTA

Re: Jane Crocker | OTA

giant pink marshmallow homunculus...........

Emet-Selch | OTA

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How do I not have an icon for this

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Vinegar Doppio | OTA

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Tags this like it's just a lot LISTEN I HAVE NO ENERGY FOR A TOP LEVEL