The Indigo League (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
indigo_league) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
victory_road2023-10-31 01:51 pm
indigo_league) wrote in victory_road2023-10-31 01:51 pm
Entry tags:
- !contest spectacular,
- !halloween,
- !mod post,
- allura (voltron),
- armin arlert (attack on titan),
- astarion ancunin (baldur’s gate 3),
- bo-katan kryze (the mandalorian),
- boober fraggle (fraggle rock),
- bruno bucciarati (jjba),
- carly nagisa (yugioh 5ds),
- cecil harvey (final fantasy 4),
- dimitri alexandre blaiddyd (fire emblem),
- eda clawthorne (the owl house),
- ember lumen (elemental),
- eri (my hero academia),
- fluttershy (equestria girls),
- gobo fraggle (fraggle rock),
- harry potter (harry potter),
- isabela madrigal (encanto),
- keith (voltron),
- leone abbacchio (jjba),
- livio (trigun maximum),
- louie duck (ducktales),
- luisa madrigal (encanto),
- luna lovegood (harry potter),
- mando (the mandalorian),
- min-gi park (infinity train),
- minfilia warde (ffxiv),
- radley (yugioh 5ds),
- riz gukgak (fantasy high),
- romelle (voltron),
- ryan akagi (infinity train),
- ryou bakura (yugioh dm),
- shadowmaru (brave police j-decker),
- vash the stampede (trigun stampede),
- vinegar doppio (jjba),
- yuzu hiiragi (yu-gi-oh! arc-v)
Halloween 2023
The last few hours before dusk sees you all arriving at a large, stately home just outside of Lavender Town.
Unlike previous years, where Halloween had you visiting dilapidated castles, this manor home is in perfect condition. Age hasn't crumbled the walls or worn away the dark roof, but rather it sits on the manor like a heavy, proud crown, a testament to the many long years it has stood here while everything around it changed but it stayed forever the same. Candlelight flickers in its many windows, while it casts a dark shadow against the slowly setting sun. The gravel crunches under your feet as you make it up the long drive and a cold wind chills you to your very bones, even through the layers of whatever costume you've chosen to wear.
Then the manor's large double doors fling up. Two long shadows stretch down across the driveway towards you, light spilling around two silhouettes standing in the opened door, beckoning, inviting. Soy doffs his hat, while Riegfried bows deep, his hare ears nearly brushing the ground.
"Welcome to our Halloween Feast."
Inside the Manor
Not all of the Manor is available for you to explore. In fact, it's really just the ground floor that has been decorated and made available for your use. And even then, what rooms are available to you depends on the time of evening.
Contest portion
Early in the evening, several large rooms on the left of the Manor are open to your character.
The largest of these rooms has a stage and chairs set up, clearly where the contest will be held. Soy can be found in this room, in case you need to discuss some things with him ahead of your performance like lighting cues or other things you might need.
In addition to this, a dressing and prop room have also been made available. Need some last-minute adjustments on your costume? Desperate to find one final prop to really make your performance shine? Why not peruse the items Riegfried and Soy have brought with them for you to use? This is also a good place to have a chat with some others -- perhaps you like to scope out the competition before the performances start, or you are a newbie looking for some advice. Either way, this is the best place to find it!
Haunted Ball
Once the contest has concluded, and night has well and truly fallen, characters will be able to enter the large room on the right of the Manor.
The Ball Room has been decked out in enough black lace and dark velvet to make any classical vampire quite jealous. The ceiling has been decorated with spider silk that sways ever so slightly, casting flicking shadows on the walls in the candlelight. And while there are some seats and benches along the edges of the room, most of it is left free for people to dance and mingle. On a small podium in the corner of the room, a band of ghouls and zombies (costumes, we hope!) plays the kind of spooky tunes that are still, somehow, upbeat enough to dance to.
As folks dance and make merry and the evening carries on, one might note a spectral shape gliding around the dance floor, observing, before finally nudging its ghostly nose against a hand here and there and suddenly the ballroom floor is a lot more crowded.
More details about this part of the event can be found here
Outside the Manor
If you run out of interesting things to do inside (or you need some fresh air), why not visit the sprawling yard behind the Manor? It too has been decorated for the occasion -- carved pumpkins sit everywhere, candles burning merrily inside and on top of them. As night falls, a trained flock of zubat swoop low over the garden, adding that extra hint of spookiness to the air. Don't worry, they've been trained not to get caught in anyone's hair!
Food
The garden is clearly where Riegfried and Soy have put the less formal Halloween Activities, starting with a fair few food stalls. There is a stand where you can get drinks, offering things like tea and coffee, hot chocolate for the kids (or the young at heart) and mulled cider for the adults. No one shall go parched tonight!
Food is also available in various flavours, from various sorts of candy (cotton and otherwise) to more hearty snacks. No need to worry if your character isn't into all of this sweet stuff! There is piping hot soup and other common festival foods available as well for those seeking a break from all the sugar.
One stand in particular draws attention though, not for the food on offer --though those Candied Apples do look mighty tasty!-- but rather for the unusual pokemon that sits both proudly on the booth itself as well as the sign above the stand. Rumour has it that if you feed one of these Syrupy Apples to your Applin, you might just see something amazing!
Maze
A large corn maze has been grown towards the back of the sprawling yard. Riegfried and Soy have made sure to make it a little more exciting than your average maze though.
A small warp pad will transport you to the middle of the maze, from where you'll have to find your way out, guided only by lantern light (please remember to pick one of the lanterns before warping in!). And as if that isn't spooky enough, the maze has been stocked full of Pokemon ready to give you a little fright. Try not to run towards that dead end now!
Bonfire
Set a bit away from the food stalls, and very safely away from the maze, is a large bonfire. October nights, after all, can get quite cold, and it will be nice to warm yourself up next to the fire. And maybe put all manner of things on a stick and roast them above the fire.
At the bonfire, you'll also find Riegfried. You've only ever seen him in his role as a contest or prom host, but today he's here to show you he's got one more hidden talent. Yes, by the light of the bonfire, Riegfried will be telling ghost stories. Why not sit for a spell, drink some hot choco and listen to the frightening tale of man door hand hook car door.
(Of course, Riegfried cannot be there the whole night. He still has contest duties to attend to too, so whenever he is absent, why not try your hand at telling a spooky story yourself? Tell people what goes bump in the night back in your home world)
Contest submissions | Shiny draw | Witches' judgement | Greavard event info
Unlike previous years, where Halloween had you visiting dilapidated castles, this manor home is in perfect condition. Age hasn't crumbled the walls or worn away the dark roof, but rather it sits on the manor like a heavy, proud crown, a testament to the many long years it has stood here while everything around it changed but it stayed forever the same. Candlelight flickers in its many windows, while it casts a dark shadow against the slowly setting sun. The gravel crunches under your feet as you make it up the long drive and a cold wind chills you to your very bones, even through the layers of whatever costume you've chosen to wear.
Then the manor's large double doors fling up. Two long shadows stretch down across the driveway towards you, light spilling around two silhouettes standing in the opened door, beckoning, inviting. Soy doffs his hat, while Riegfried bows deep, his hare ears nearly brushing the ground.
Inside the Manor
Not all of the Manor is available for you to explore. In fact, it's really just the ground floor that has been decorated and made available for your use. And even then, what rooms are available to you depends on the time of evening.
Early in the evening, several large rooms on the left of the Manor are open to your character.
The largest of these rooms has a stage and chairs set up, clearly where the contest will be held. Soy can be found in this room, in case you need to discuss some things with him ahead of your performance like lighting cues or other things you might need.
In addition to this, a dressing and prop room have also been made available. Need some last-minute adjustments on your costume? Desperate to find one final prop to really make your performance shine? Why not peruse the items Riegfried and Soy have brought with them for you to use? This is also a good place to have a chat with some others -- perhaps you like to scope out the competition before the performances start, or you are a newbie looking for some advice. Either way, this is the best place to find it!
Haunted Ball
Once the contest has concluded, and night has well and truly fallen, characters will be able to enter the large room on the right of the Manor.
The Ball Room has been decked out in enough black lace and dark velvet to make any classical vampire quite jealous. The ceiling has been decorated with spider silk that sways ever so slightly, casting flicking shadows on the walls in the candlelight. And while there are some seats and benches along the edges of the room, most of it is left free for people to dance and mingle. On a small podium in the corner of the room, a band of ghouls and zombies (costumes, we hope!) plays the kind of spooky tunes that are still, somehow, upbeat enough to dance to.
As folks dance and make merry and the evening carries on, one might note a spectral shape gliding around the dance floor, observing, before finally nudging its ghostly nose against a hand here and there and suddenly the ballroom floor is a lot more crowded.
More details about this part of the event can be found here
Outside the Manor
If you run out of interesting things to do inside (or you need some fresh air), why not visit the sprawling yard behind the Manor? It too has been decorated for the occasion -- carved pumpkins sit everywhere, candles burning merrily inside and on top of them. As night falls, a trained flock of zubat swoop low over the garden, adding that extra hint of spookiness to the air. Don't worry, they've been trained not to get caught in anyone's hair!
The garden is clearly where Riegfried and Soy have put the less formal Halloween Activities, starting with a fair few food stalls. There is a stand where you can get drinks, offering things like tea and coffee, hot chocolate for the kids (or the young at heart) and mulled cider for the adults. No one shall go parched tonight!
Food is also available in various flavours, from various sorts of candy (cotton and otherwise) to more hearty snacks. No need to worry if your character isn't into all of this sweet stuff! There is piping hot soup and other common festival foods available as well for those seeking a break from all the sugar.
One stand in particular draws attention though, not for the food on offer --though those Candied Apples do look mighty tasty!-- but rather for the unusual pokemon that sits both proudly on the booth itself as well as the sign above the stand. Rumour has it that if you feed one of these Syrupy Apples to your Applin, you might just see something amazing!
Maze
A large corn maze has been grown towards the back of the sprawling yard. Riegfried and Soy have made sure to make it a little more exciting than your average maze though.
A small warp pad will transport you to the middle of the maze, from where you'll have to find your way out, guided only by lantern light (please remember to pick one of the lanterns before warping in!). And as if that isn't spooky enough, the maze has been stocked full of Pokemon ready to give you a little fright. Try not to run towards that dead end now!
The pokemon in the maze are available for capture. In fact, Riegfried and Soy encourage you to make a new friend or two in their haunted maze.
Available Pokemon: Zubat, Gastly, Murkrow, Misdreavus, Shuppet, Duskull, Drifloon, Yamask, Galarian Yamask, Litwick, Phantump, Pumpkaboo, Sinistea, Impidimp, Greavard, Gimmighoul
Bonfire
Set a bit away from the food stalls, and very safely away from the maze, is a large bonfire. October nights, after all, can get quite cold, and it will be nice to warm yourself up next to the fire. And maybe put all manner of things on a stick and roast them above the fire.
At the bonfire, you'll also find Riegfried. You've only ever seen him in his role as a contest or prom host, but today he's here to show you he's got one more hidden talent. Yes, by the light of the bonfire, Riegfried will be telling ghost stories. Why not sit for a spell, drink some hot choco and listen to the frightening tale of man door hand hook car door.
(Of course, Riegfried cannot be there the whole night. He still has contest duties to attend to too, so whenever he is absent, why not try your hand at telling a spooky story yourself? Tell people what goes bump in the night back in your home world)
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[Because clearly that's meant to be funny. He even laughs a little, depreciating sort of laugh.]
I... yeah, okay. Just - go easy on me.
[He's exaggerating. Despite being built like a meat dorito, he's very light on his feet.]
1/2
2/2
Sebastion. Sweet, sweet Sebastion.
...Why did he think of Sebastion just now? It was nothing. Nothing he couldn't pack away and just go with the flow. He didn't understand what that was about. But it was nothing he wanted to get into right now, not with Shiro.]
I wouldn't think of doing anything else. All I want is some fun, and you should have some.
[He was just going to wrap his arm around his waist and take his head.
Oh, he's built like a. Big strong capable warrior. Astarion goes to lead.]
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[Have fun, enjoy himself, get out more. All of the above. All over again. But it's different, from someone who doesn't know any of the story. There isn't the underlying irritation he has to work to fight down.]
[Thankfully! Astarion's got the lead here. Shiro can relax about that. He's not uncoordinated, just... there are so many steps to dancing. So many. His free hand sort of hovers for a second, too. Where does he -? The shoulder?]
[That seems as good a place as any!]
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[He was one right? Perhaps. Astarion thought so, anyone who could handle the smallest pieces of his story and his person deserved quite a bit of his respect. Sincerely.
He allowed the shoulder touch. Poor Shiro seemed just a little lost, let him help a bit. Astarion realized they were really really close to each other, close enough to realize his frame was a lot of bit smaller than his. Obviously. But Shiro’s incoordination meant he could use his strength (what little there is compared to Shiro) to gently sway into a slow dance. The feet movements weren’t crazy, and they could focus on being calm. Astarion kept looking to his face to see how he was doing, it meant a lot to him if he was comfortable. But he wasn’t going to say that out loud in case Shiro needed to express anything.]
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[He laughs though. It's a joke. But it's also not - you've been befriended, Astarion.]
[And Shiro has a look of concentration on his face. Watching his feet like his life depends on it. Less because of complicated dance steps and more because he really does not want to literally step on toes here. That would ruin the moment. Dramatically.]
You're good at this.
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[Astarion can be truthful to Shiro. He knew he could. It rolled off his tongue so easily.]
You’re so anxious. Let us fix that, hm?
[Even now Shiro was steadfast trying to keep control over his every movement. Astarion thought he needed to be free. One of his hands found Shiro’s metal one. Gently, he grasped it. So Astarion, for a moment, had pulled Shiro in. Using whatever strength he had, he spun them both around. A little spin, not a super quick or forceful one. But hopefully one to make Shiro’s mental grip on his feet leave him and feel the freedom of the dance.]
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[Haha he's hilarious. He's so funny.]
[And gets cut off by his metal hand being taken. It's a surprise. People don't really do that, because Shiro tends to avoid it, except very rarely. This is one of those times. Frankly, that's all Astarion had to do, but then he goes the extra mile of spinning them both.]
[Wouldn't you know it? Shiro actually laughs again. Un-selfconsciously.]
Hey! [But still laughing.]
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[He couldn’t help but laugh a little with him. Shiro’s laugh was contagious. And he was happy to see him have some fun. What a real blast he was having. He didn’t have to pretend a thing.]
The little bit of fun was ready to burst out of you, finally good to see it.
[Another chuckle.]
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[That's not even remotely true. He's having fun, he has to admit it, a little. On the other hand, Astarion isn't doing anything except trying to dance. There's no angle here - no one pushing him to get back out there.]
[Just a dance.]
I'm weak to spinning, I guess.
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[Friendly teasing. The dance slows and the song changes, so he stopped. He allowed Shiro a moment of reprieve, letting him have the floor to what he wanted to do next.]
This MUST be a special night. And it's still young.
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[Once they stop, he's still grinning. Pushing his hand through his hair to adjust it.]
Halloween's supposed to be magic or... something. Maybe it's that.
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[The way Astarion wanted to toy with him a bit was...nice. There was so much sincere teasing that came out of him that it just felt comfortable. Like he was meant for this, somehow. Not that it needed to make sense completely. It didn't. Astarion didn't understand why he felt so comfortable like this with Shiro. It was going to stay that way, Astarion didn't feel like navigating anything complicated or new.
He just wanted to stay like this.]
I guess all I have to show for it are pointy ears.
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[Does that help? Maybe it helps.]
And hey, one of my closest friends has pointed ears. First Allura, and now I've met this new guy who's shaping up to be pretty great to be around.
[Two friends with pointy ears! Congrats, Astarion, you're in the circle now.]
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[Shiro hopefully didn't need to be reminded of how it could be better for him. Besides, Astarion was more of an Arcane Trickster, a flavor of Rogue. His magic was tricking locks and traps, being a natural deceiver.
Except for some reason with Shiro...he hadn't needed to pretend so much.
So when Shiro mentioned close friends, and this "new guy", all somewhat flirty charm disappeared. Instead, a bright expression with eyes that softened. Friend. A word that his emotional capacity still couldn't completely handle. But he loved that word, and he loved how it felt. Having a friend felt so great, he didn't even know it was possible for him. Until Tav. Now Shiro.]
Really? He's a lucky fellow.
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[Given their past conversations and all. Frankly, it's just nice to see the other man having fun.]
[Another laugh, with Shiro stepping slightly off the dance floor as couples start slow dancing all over the floor. Probably best to talk when they're not in the way of other people, right? He likes the light in Astarion's expression - it's a good look on him. Actually happy. It's a good look on a lot of people.]
He could probably do better. But - I'm happy to have him around. I think this world is going to be really good for him.
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[His eyes could turn into marshmallows, soft and actually sweet.]
You’re so stupid.
[He wasn’t actually insulting him, seeing as his expression could hardly change.]
If he has a friend like you, he couldn’t do any better. I’d hammer that into your skull.
You have no idea how much those sentiments mean.
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Hah, well. I clearly don't, no. But... thank you. I appreciate the sentiment.
[Even if he doesn't see how that could be true... Hooray for self-worth issues.]
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[Even Tav, who he tried to use before he started feeling guilty about it. Shiro just came, and he had no reason to use him for anything other than company. That was so novel and new.
Shiro truly had no clue still about the life he led, even if he knew the basics.
They were still in the party, but Astarion suddenly felt light years away. Even walking away from the dancing crowds, he felt like he was in another universe. This had happened too many times around Shiro to like, but it just happened.
His mind went to a worse place. Cazador would have used Astarion to potentially have doomed men like Shiro. Never again, he wanted nothing in this world to take Shiro away...and that scared him all over.]
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[From just the little bit he's heard about the other man's life, it means a lot. Frankly, Shiro doesn't know why that would be, either. It's not the first time it's happened. He just tries to be kind. Maybe that's enough?]
[He looks away for a second, to wave to someone else he knows, and when he looks back... oh. Uh oh. It doesn't look like his friend is on this planet for a second here. He shifts his weight forward a bit, more to one side than approaching from the front - he'd like to reach a hand out, but holds back. Just in case.]
Hey. [There's a lull in the music. He can speak quietly.] Astarion - hey. You - need to get some air? I think I could use some.
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Why doesn’t all of his posturing just stay still? This was now the third time in which he insisted on being weird and not himself. Or at least, the self he found so easy to use for hundreds of years. Why does he just insist on exploding his feelings in front of this man?
Was he really this damaged? After everything?
Was he really this screwed up? Astarion pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to find the shiny coat of paint to hide his scarred person. Didn’t work.]
As much as I love this little party, that sounds nice.
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[Not yet, not while the party is still going on.]
[There's still no judgment here. Not from Shiro. Not when he's been there too. When his mind has wandered off to places he really... really does not want to revisit. You don't get to control when it happens. But what he does think, is that maybe he should ask Armin where his therapy cat came from. Luna's been invaluable here. Maybe... his new friend would benefit too.]
Anyone asks, I'm the one with the issue here. [He grins, as he says it.] Me and my wallflower self.
[Once they're both ready, he'll lead the way. Out of the party and to the bonfire, which, as expected, isn't even remotely crowded. Maybe one or two people, but the majority of the benches are open.]
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There was a time when even looking at stars was a luxury, or camping in the woods. He was away and doing something for himself without anyone taking it away. At least not, he didn’t mind sharing it.]
But I found you, didn’t I?
[…and thank the gods]
Mhm, not that spending time in the quiet isn’t nice.
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[He smiles, slightly, and moves to sit on one of the empty benches - away from the few other people out and enjoying the bonfire. Not that there's many, with the party in full swing. Still, he figures the more privacy the better right now.]
[It's a little chilly out, even with the fire roaring. More than expected. He might have to go find a jacket or a blanket, in a bit.]
Yeah... yeah, it is. I think we're far enough out we can even see a couple stars.
[Like Ursaring Major and Minor. Or Ponytasus, the winged horse.]
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[He settled down on that bench and felt the chilly air wash away his doubts, he wasn't cold yet, the fire made some odd comfort mentally.]
The constellations here I have noticed are different from mine. I suppose that's to be expected but I admit I've taken this privilege to, well, "study" them.
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