Wouldn't you like to see something strange?

[lucetimods]

Who: Everybody!
What: The Halloween Ball is finally here.
When: Evening of October 31st. (Or earlier, for those who arrive pre-Ball to take advantage of the safety bubble.)
Where: In the village's main plaza.
Summary: After one of the most grueling weeks Luceti's ever known, it finally all comes to a head when a massive, spooky tent appears over the plaza. Once night falls, you never know what might happen...
Rating: Anywhere from PG to R for language or graphic descriptions, most likely.

It happens at midnight.

Without even a hint of a whisper, faster than you can even blink, the tent appears; a towering monstrosity of dirty, ripped canvas in stripes of black and red and white, swallowing the plaza whole. For most of the day it sits, silent and empty, with its great main flaps pulled open to show only inky blackness inside.

Step inside, however, and you'll see it's dimly lit with silver shafts of light that streak in through all those rips and tears. As foreboding as it appears, it's strangely peaceful inside.

Come 7:00 on the dot, that quiet, empty interior will instantaneously transform for the purposes of the evening. Even this sudden change, unlike many Luceti resident have undergone lately, is not as eerie as one might expect. Despite the gothic trappings, the blood punch fountain, there's something a little benign about it. Perhaps this is meant to be a reward for all that suffering you've been forced to endure for almost a week now.

Or maybe -- just maybe -- and who would ever think such a thing? -- it's not so benign after all.

(so, so sorry this is late, guys. have at it, comment-spam style! also, optional suggestion: put the time of day in your subject line title so we know if your character is showing up before or during the Ball itself.)

Comments

[meshninja.livejournal.com]

[Susumu isn't particularly interested in leaving the house for any reason (and the reason for that is fairly obvious (http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q158/LonaFEagle/Peacemaker%20Kurogane/14-15ayumulg.jpg)), but if the tent Ayumu had found really did offer relief, then they could all benefit from it. Okita in particular has been having a difficult time, so the Shinsengumi captain is the first he plans to "help" to the tent if he proves to be uncooperative. It's not the first time he'll have had to drag the other man off for his own safety, after all.]

akdfj;aja hopefully this is okay

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[He used to go out into the kitchen, but now even moving from his room is getting difficult. Everywhere he looks there is blood or limbs or hands grabbing at him and that horrible man who stole his face taunting him. Rather than go out and face him, Okita has shut himself away into his room, hoping to simply ride out the sounds of his friends screaming in pain and people whispering about things to come. He's locked the door to his room and is sitting hunched up in the corner, his hands pressed to his ears.]

[ayu_nee]

[Locked door? Really, Okita, did you think that was going to be of any use with two ninjas in the house? Especially not when they have cause to be concerned about him.

At any rate, between the two of them they drag Okita out of the house and back to the tent. Though she'd grimly forced herself not to react to anything she heard and saw on the way there, Ayumu relaxes just a fraction once inside again. She's certain there's something wrong with the situation, but better to face any potential danger with a clear head.]

it would probably help if I tracked this thread

[meshninja.livejournal.com]

[Ayumu is right, of course; the moment he steps through the tent flaps, Susumu notices the images that had been haunting him for the past few days conveniently fade away. It's a shame the tent hadn't shown up when the hallucinations had begun, but that would be asking for far too much.

As soon as it's confirmed, Susumu gives Okita a calm nudge, attempting to help him straighten up.]

Okita-san, have your hallucinations stopped?

same...here orz

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[It's...so weird seeing them in reverse positions. Not that Okita realized at first. It was hard enough just getting here without seeing or hearing anything. The fox mask had refused removal

But once inside the tent, he finds breathing easier, the sounds stop, and there's a nudge that helps him stand up a little straighter. His hands let go of his hair and he blinks, pulling the mask up and off very slowly.]

...where are we?

Re: same...here orz

[ayu_nee]

[Ayumu watches Okita closely as he straightens, offering him a small, slightly relieved smile as he pulls off the mask. That's good to see. She glances up at Susumu with a small nod in thanks for his help, then around at the rest of the tent.]

The plaza. Or it should be. This tent just... appeared, earlier.

[meshninja.livejournal.com]

[Ah, good, it looks like it's affecting even Okita. Susumu is able to relax a little, though it's not exactly noticeable. He dislikes parties; they're not a fitting place for a ninja. However, staying within the protective shield of the tent was ideal. He didn't like how it conveniently brought everyone to one place, though...]

We should be cautious. It could be a trap.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[The plaza. A tent. Okita nods and then looks around for a moment, then back to the entrance. There were still others of their group out there so even if this was a trap, it was the only way they'd be able to think clearly.]

...Even so, Hijikata-san and Nagakura-san should be retrieved.

[ayu_nee]

Very possibly.

[She agrees, but still didn't hesitate to bring people in. If it is a trap they can at least be aware of that and act accordingly.

Ayumu frowns and glances over at Susumu again.]

He's right.

[And she's not about to let Okita back out into that, not after the way he'd reacted before. Looks like it'll be up to them again.]

[meshninja.livejournal.com]

[Susumu ducks his head slightly in response. They can't leave their comrades on their own in this kind of situation.]

I can retrieve them.

[ahappylie.livejournal.com]

[He nods, smiling a little bit apologetically.]

Be quick. Remove Nagakura-san's weapons from him before you move him.

[ayu_nee]

[There are two left at the house and only one of Susumu; Ayumu is concerned for Okita, certainly, but he seems much improved. If anything does happen while they're gone he should be able to take care of himself, and hopefully they won't be gone long anyway.]

I'll help. Faster that way.

[meshninja.livejournal.com]

[Susumu pauses, glancing over at Okita for a moment.]

...Okita-san. I trust you won't leave this place while we're gone.

[And he probably won't, but... well. It's Okita, you have to make sure about these things. He nods to Ayumu, though, and heads out. While he's uncomfortable about making her experience those hallucinations again, arguing is a waste of time and the sooner they all return to the tent (Nagakura and Hijikata included), the better.]

[House 50] Oh, god I am so late...

[consultmybooks]

[Giles is sitting by the door, still more than a little dazed, but he looks up when he sees Susumu. He does not, however, recognize exactly who he's seeing]

Ayumu-san?

Have you seen what's happened to the plaza?

[House 50] lol so am I

[meshninja.livejournal.com]

[Susumu pauses in mid-step, unsure of what to make of this. Everyone in the household knew that he and Ayumu had switched outfits, against their will. This strange man, however, was someone he didn't recognize. Obviously a friend of Ayumu. Well, until instructed to do otherwise, rather than confuse the man, he puts on his best Sen!impression and responds. Because this is much better than confusing him, obviously.]

Mm, I have. It's quite festive.

Re: [House 50]

[consultmybooks]

Yes, "festive" is one word.

But if we're going back to festive after these last few days, I'm certainly not complaining.

[House 50]

[meshninja.livejournal.com]

[Oh, this isn't good. If he's settling in for a conversation, he's not sure how long he can keep up the disguise.]

Of course. One would have to be quite selfish to complain about this.

Re: [House 50]

[consultmybooks]

[Giles tries not to wince. "Selfish". Great. Had Okita told her what had happened last night?]

Granted, unknown tents springing up in the middle of the night are more than a little suspicious. In my opinion, at least.

[House 50]

[meshninja.livejournal.com]

[Ninjas know all, Giles. except not really]

We can enjoy ourselves while still being on our guard, I think. No reason to spoil everyone's fun by worrying too much.

Re: [House 50]

[consultmybooks]

No, I suppose not.

And I can't imagine they would summon up a tent that looks like it could fit the whole village if they didn't expect us to use it.

[House 50]

[meshninja.livejournal.com]

Certainly not. There must be some benefit to it being there, for them as well as for us.

Re: [House 50]

[consultmybooks]

Are you planning on investigating?

[House 50]

[meshninja.livejournal.com]

Perhaps after the evening meal.

Re: [House 50]

[consultmybooks]

Yes, I'll probably go later, as well. Can't be worse than anything else they've done this week.

...but I should know better than to say things like that.

[House 50]

[meshninja.livejournal.com]

It would probably be wise to reconsider the way you say things, yes. But perhaps we'll be alright.