+ Bring a friend, we are going to have ourselves a time +

[vitaelamorte]

Who: EVERYONE EVER
Where: The Ballroom
When: Friday, March 28th - Monday, March 31st
Rating: PG-13
Summary: As an apology for all of the mess associated with the redecorating last week, the Red Queen has organized a party for everyone in Wonderland, and invited
The Story:

The ballroom's high, arching ceilings seem to reach up at least two stories above your head, despite the fact that there are definitely second and third story rooms above this spot. High, wide windows let in sunlight during the day; at night, chandeliers and wall sconces light up with so many candles, it's hard to believe the light isn't from an electric source.

In preparation for the incoming guests, the ballroom has been decorated in light, pastel colors. There are many streamers and balloons, and garlands made with fresh flowers that will not wither for the entire four-day duration of the party. Confetti floats through the air now and then, but upon closer inspection it is not paper, but flower petals. There is a long table set up towards the back with beautiful flower arrangements and more food and drink than anyone could imagine, including an abundance of cake, tea, and alcohol of various kinds.

There are smaller tables to the side if you would like to sit and talk or eat, but there is a great space open as well for mingling and dancing. Various kinds of music will be played throughout the weekend, though there does not seem to be any particular source - no stereo system or DJ booth to be seen.

But most importantly, the party will cater itself to what makes you, the guest, most comfortable. This is your night and you are guests of Wonderland. There's no need to worry or fear. The mansion will take care of you so long as you are in its walls.

(And perhaps, when the party is over, you won't want to leave at all.)


OOC: Hello and welcome! This post marks THE BEGINNING OF ENTRANCEWAY'S FOURTH WALL EVENT. Hooray! Before you continue, please take a look at the rules for this event. If you have any questions, feel free to make use of the FAQ thread in that post, even if you aren't a regular player here!

All posts made after this one are considered part of the fourth wall event (unless they have been marked otherwise!). You are free to use the mod journal's reading page to find posts to tag into, if that is easier for you. ♥

Also, either prose or [action brackets] in this log are perfectly fine.

Please feel free to advertise OOCly on plurk, and to all of our guests - welcome to entranceway and please enjoy your stay!

Comments

[eatsyourscience]

After a somewhat depressing, but still affectionate reunion with Yousuke, what Souji needs is to run into Crowley's Mirror. After the fight his own Mirror got into with him when they were sharing a body, that can't possibly be a pleasant encounter.

Of course, he would have avoided it if 1) he hadn't been drinking a bit, and 2) Crowley and his Mirror didn't look quite alike.

He has managed to locate some wine and is loitering in the hallway outside the ballroom, leaning back against the wall and quietly watching people go in and out. Every so often, he takes a drink from the glass at his side--he thinks that wine glasses probably aren't supposed to be filled to the brim, but it probably isn't bad luck or anything. The opposite, really, since it means he doesn't have to make a return trip too soon.

But the time for a return trip does come and so he gets up and heads back inside, which is when he runs into the Mirror, almost literally. He fumbles the glass and manages not to drop it, though he might have spilled the dregs from his glass on the Mirror.

"Oh. Hey. Sorry about that."

[notsovague]

The Mirror feels someone knock into him, not hard enough to make him stumble, but enough that some wine falls on his shoe. He turns and is about ready to literally tear the offender in half.

"Watch where you're--oh."

He stops short when he sees who it is. Souji. Oh, he remembers Souji. Souji and his Mirror were an utter joy the last time he was on this side. Fire in the library and near death...who could ask for anything better?

It takes all his strength to rein in his fury and force his face into a smile. He has to be Crowley now. He has to pretend to like this kid so he can break him properly this time.

"Bit drunk, are we? That's fine." He waves the spilled wine away.

[eatsyourscience]

"More careless than drunk." Souji offers a sheepish smile and a shrug, too fuzzy around the edges to tell the difference between the Mirror and the Real Crowley, but still sharp enough to converse, at least.

"I'm a little surprised you're here." In his experience, Crowley isn't exactly a social butterfly.

[notsovague]

"You might want to be careful." He smiles faintly. "You never know who you might run into around here."

And there are dangerous sorts around here.

"Ah, well. I figured I should at least see what was going on. Try to keep my Mirror from setting anything on fire this time." He gives a wry smile.

[eatsyourscience]

"That's probably a good idea." Souji tilts his head. "Aziraphale was pretty unhappy about the library..."

[notsovague]

"He was." The Mirror manages not to sound completely blissful at the idea. He even tacks on a convincing wince. "Though I've fire-proofed the library since then. Shouldn't be a problem, so long as the magic decides to stick."

He knows better than his Real just how fickle Wonderland is--he was born here, after all. There's no way that little fire-proofing spell will last. He just hopes he's on this side to burn it all down again.

He smiles slowly as he remembers something.

"That spell you used that time--lovely little thing, that was."

The Mirror desperately wants to pay Souji back in kind; him and his Mirror.

[eatsyourscience]

It takes Souji a minute to remember what spell the Mirror's referring to. He winces, irritated at his Mirror still over using his powers that way, though under the circumstances, considering who his opponent was, he can't really blame him.

"Hama...it's a light spell. Or um...holy, I guess." He rubs the back of his neck. "Sorry again for that."

[notsovague]

"Oh, I'm over it." Not really. More like he's still thinking up ways to get back and both Soujis.

"Those spells of yours. Not the sort of thing just anyone could learn, I take it?"

Imagine if he could use that light spell...imagine if he could use it against his Real. Or Zirah. They'd never see it coming.

[eatsyourscience]

Souji shakes his head and is tempted to chew on the edge of his glass. He refrains for now.

"I don't think so. They come from the Persona...but the Persona is part of a person, so I guess if it's going to have a skill, it's inherent in the user."

[notsovague]

"What a shame." Seriously. If it's about inherent ability, then count the Mirror out--there's no way anything associated with light is inherent to him.

"Have I ever told you how...unfortunate it is, that your power seems to come from essentially lying about one's identity?"

It's a casual enough question. He's not sure whether his Real has brought this up before, or pointed out the irony of drawing power from false masks.

[eatsyourscience]

Souji tilts his head, blinking in a mix of surprise and bemusement.

"How is it lying?"

[notsovague]

"A Persona is a mask you wear. Like a demon putting on a person-suit to be something we're not. And yet you draw power from that--from a lie."

He smirks just slightly, curious to see what Souji thinks of that.

"I find that very interesting."

[eatsyourscience]

Souji is starting to get the feeling that this isn't the regular Crowley, but he doesn't have any particular evidence to point to to justify that feeling.

"All of those masks are still part of me." Even if some of them were contradictory to each other. "All of them are me."

[notsovague]

The Mirror gives him the most condescending smile he can muster. "And what does that make you? Who are you?"

[eatsyourscience]

Souji winces. It's the tiniest thing, a brief tensing of the skin around his eyes, but he isn't able to stifle it like he could if his head were clearer.

"...There is no permanent me. It changes all the time. But it's the same for everyone. Even you."

[notsovague]

He scoffs. "That's ridiculous. No one healthy can change that fast. There always must be some core facets that remain the same. If there truly is no permanent you, then how can anyone say they truly know you, or even want to be around you?"

[eatsyourscience]

"...You're Crowley's Mirror, aren't you?" Souji feels a bit slow saying that out loud, especially so late in the conversation.

[notsovague]

"So what if I am? I've been in his head. I know how he thinks." He taps the side of his head.

[eatsyourscience]

"You're crueler than him."

Souji doesn't think that will mean anything to the Mirror. He lets out a breath and looks away, toward the exit, wondering if it's worth it to put forth the effort to continue this conversation or if he should just get out of there.

[notsovague]

"Oh, thank you." He presses his hand to his chest and practically beams. "I'm so glad to hear you say it. But it's not really a contest. He's pathetic, or haven't you noticed? Barely a demon at all."

He grins slowly, tracking Souji's glance toward the exit. "Thinking of running? Go on, then."

[eatsyourscience]

How annoying. Souji usually doesn't give in to that kind of baiting, even when he's completely sober, but it still gets on his nerves. He doesn't look back at the Mirror right away as he thinks.

"...Why didn't do something to me when I spilled wine on you?" Sure, the Mirror had tried--and for awhile succeeded--at convincing him he was the Real Crowley, but that seems pretty small scale for a guy who seems rather proud of being evil. "Maybe you're afraid of someone retaliating."

[notsovague]

"I'm not here to kill anyone. Not this time." He grins cruelly. "I only have one life, unlike you filthy Reals. When I make my move--oh, you'll know. It'll be perfect. And none of you will ever see it coming."

He just needs to make sure the queens and Zirah don't get in the way. It's too bad he's not very good at planning.

[eatsyourscience]

"It would only take me one spell to stop you."

[notsovague]

"And you'll need time enough for it. Do you expect me to give that to you?"

[eatsyourscience]

"I'm not the only one with that power. Can you stop all of us at once?"