A new show on the block [Active]

[masterfulflames.livejournal.com]

Character(s): Hades and party goers! A handful of natives, and later a crapton of Neoshadows.
Content: After the Doctor gets back from his trip to the church.
Setting: Ceu de Mouraria
Time: Evening; Week 2
Warnings: None at the moment. Will probably be later |D

OOC note (UPDATED): Okay, so, Hades has made his official introduction. Anyone that still wants to join is stuck outside (I’d like to think I gave folk plenty of time to join if they really wanted); characters can try to find a way in, but any doors are sealed shut and darkness is sort of flowing from them. Outside the main doors is a pair of panicky natives. Poor Paixaoans. Or whatever we call them.

Anyone who is still inside, you can’t get out until Hades is satisfied just like people can’t get in. The ones who are more the ‘lighthearted’ and ‘good’ guys are obviously the ones getting more attention from the Heartless. Though if others join in to attack than hey, fair game. Unless you reek of darkness and more powerful than them *cough*Rozalin*cough* Neoshadows are more intelligent, after all. omg and they suck to fight, dammit CoM!

What can I say? Hades wanted a coliseum :| So I gave him one. :D;; Even if this isn’t quite the same. But ICly he has a goal in mind. *shrugs*

You can respond to Hades’ post, or start new comment chains. Whichever is… easiest.


Ceu de Mouraria seemed to be the perfect place to hold a party – at least, that was how Hades found it. All he really wanted was the space; the more guests, the better, eh? And by the sounds of things… he was attracting a decent turnout. He wondered how many of them really knew the event as a ‘trap’ and how many were just too damn naïve to keep up with the times. Either way, he didn’t mind too much, as long as they came.

Courtesy of the ever lovely and fascinating (oh, how she proved the easily changing allegiances people could have) Rosemary, secretary to Paixao’s former mayor, he enlisted more ‘help’ from the citizens that already worked at the opera house. They were the ones who stood outside, welcoming guests within – smiles and youthful faces as always – and moved around the inner parts of the venue offering drinks (alcoholic, of course) and small finger-food from a local café. Really, Hades might actually owe Rosemary a thanks or two.

And if asked about the drinks, whether or not they were poisonous, any of the citizens were willing to take a drink of one just to prove their safety. Hades wasn’t about to kill anyone, after all. He would play the ‘good’ host at least for now; let as many people in as possible, then make his grand appearance and let the real show begin.

He could hardly maintain his excitement.

Jazzy music filled the building, circling around and filtering out to welcome guests to the inside…

Comments

[keychainheart.livejournal.com]

Sora didn't take any chances: he walked in with his keyblade ready, fully expecting to be ambushed the moment he set foot inside. When he wasn't, he spent a moment gaping at what was, apparently, an actual party.

He still didn't trust the place, though, and so he looked from similar face to similar face, trying to find Hades. But the god couldn't have been here, because he would have stood out easily amongst the blonds.

Uneasily, Sora settled against a wall, watching the door, waiting for Hades.

[notabattery.livejournal.com]

Static wandered in, mask in place and looking around a little wary. The guy who had made the voice post hadn't sounded like the guy you wanted to trust. However, Static wanted to be on hand should things turn...sour.

He noticed one kid near his own age standing near the door with what looked like a giant key in hand. "Man you must be a great valet, you only have to keep track of one big key," Static said to him in a joking tone. He held a gloved hand up in greeting and smiled, aside from Sailor Jupiter he hadn't really met many people his own age.

[mistress-yuuko.livejournal.com]

Yuuko knew in one sense that this was a bad idea. However, sometimes things just had to happen that weren't pleasant. At least she'd be able to get a few drinks in before anything extraordinary happened and so she plopped down on a stool by the bar area.

She was wearing a billowing black skirt with a lacy hem that provided her with easy movement and sandals donned her feet, revealing toe nails painted red. She crossed her legs at the ankle and held up a black gloved hand so she could place a drink order. A small bag hung from a thin strap off her shoulder and was also black. Her top was a white shirt with ruffled sleeves and a square cut at the top to show off her cleavage. Her hair was loose from any sort of clip and hung down around her in long strands.

She tilted her head to look around the place, "A rather slow gathering. Hopefully things will pick up soon."

[humaniste.livejournal.com]

Death also knew this party wasn't the best of ideas. For one, it was headed by one of the three in City Hall, and both his own instincts and the words of others told him that they were less than trustworthy. This one spoke like CMOT Dibbler: far too quickly and far less than honestly. He was trying to sell something, and Death wanted to know what it was.

His one concession to the dress code was a white bow tie clipped to the neck of his robes where the hole for his hood began. He didn't like it, but he believed it was human custom to "dress up" for these sorts of functions. He could not blend in physically, but he might as well try to follow the social code.

He found himself near Yuuko, with whom he remembered conversing over the journals. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.

[11deadlypetals.livejournal.com]

Marluxia approached the entrance to the building at a rather slow pace. He was dressed nicely for the event, of course; after all, he was going to meet someone here. Of course, he couldn't look as though he were waiting--he wasn't supposed to know her. It was all happenstance, all a lucky coincidence.

He had to admit, whoever this group presumed themselves to be, they had an interesting way of making themselves known. He had to wonder if they were as subtle as they were showy.

Just what sort of trap did they have in store?

[mercurialectric.livejournal.com]

Larxene had arrived early but kept inconspicuous, watching people enter. She'd seen the keyblade master and that shopkeeper she'd heard talk of on the journals, but not much else yet. Of course it was a trap--maybe no one else would show? How boring.

Oh, but there was Marluxia. She flashed a quick, innocent-looking smile, but left it up to him to approach. After all, a gentleman should approach a lady.

[livingalegend.livejournal.com]

Lara strolled casually into the building, wearing a fashionable black dress that dipped low on her back and hid the injury on her shoulder and black heels that clicked against the floor. Her hair was up in an elegant bun as opposed to her usual ponytail or braid, and she actually wore make up; something she wasn't sure she liked, but was willing to deal with for the sake of gathering information. After all, who would suspect a nicely dressed, beautiful woman of being capable of feats that most grown men weren't?

The Englishwoman was certain that this was a trap, and so had bought a small black purse in the city to keep her pistols in, along with a few other supplies that she could fit inside. She had come alone, though she was expecting to see people she knew around here, and she wondered just how many were showing up. She sat down and ordered a glass of wine, content to watch the people filter into the building for the moment.

[itshowiroll.livejournal.com]

It was a party, and who was Sonic to turn down a party? Free food, a chance to make fun of Knuckles (because there was no way the echidna wasn't showing up, c'mon), and a way to be in on the action of the creepy-looking guy who'd called this whole thing tried anything. Wins all around.

The guy said it'd be pretty snazzy, so Sonic had stopped by a shop and picked up a black bowtie. Not his usual style, sure, but he had a feeling they wouldn't let him in if he didn't at least make an effort to dress up.

He'd gotten in just fine, and he wasn't surprised to see Lara had done the same. "Hey Lara!" He zoomed up next to her and grinned. "Lookin' good."

[knuckle-headed.livejournal.com]

Knuckles wasn't happy. As the Guardian of Angel Island, it was his duty to protect the Master Emerald (something which caused him to grit his teeth in anger; he didn't like being forced to stay away from his purpose in life) - and, lacking that, he'd protect something else. So far, he hadn't found much about the city that needed protecting, but he'd done it anyway, smashing Heartless wherever he found them, though he didn't know what they were.

And now he was here, with the bat-girl, dressed in a black bow tie and dress shoes that hurt his feet. He'd needed some time to get used to them so he wouldn't fall in case of a fight, but they would do. He'd grumbled about it the entire time, of course, but Rouge had managed to convince him that going undercover was needed. Stupid bat. He could smash the building in just as easily, if not more so.

The echidna sighed, not bothering to mask his irritation with the situation. Hopefully, Sonic wouldn't be here and he'd have less to deal with.

[brbstealing.livejournal.com]

No matter what happened at this social function, it was all worth it to see her rival looking so out of place in that get up. He couldn't have gone in his usual attire, especially when it wouldn't have gone with the black, elegant strapless dress she had found in one of the stores. This world wasn't their own, but she intended to keep up appearances when possible.

Rouge stood at his side and surveyed the area. The host of the party was a bit of a mystery to her and it seemed as if he hadn't even arrived yet. Whatever was planned, she couldn't help but be curious. Maybe she would find a way to work it to her advantage. Until it happened, though...

A small smirk appeared on her lips as her eyes returned to watch the echidna and without moving her gaze, she grabbed a drink off of a passing waiter's tray and took a sip. "At least the music here is decent~"

[nun-with-guns.livejournal.com]

Rosette had had a tough time trying to figure out what to wear to the party. On one hand, it all but screamed "trap," and she wanted to be prepared. On the other hand...well, it was a party. How often did she get to go to one of these?

She'd compromised. A classy black dress and matching heels found in a shop were paired with a modest bolero top - a top that covered her holster and guns. Not the best setup ever, but she was armed if anything happened.

In the meantime, it didn't look like the guy who had issued the invitation was here yet, so there was no reason not to enjoy herself.

[rigsthegame.livejournal.com]

Hanekoma was wearing a slightly wrinkled dress shirt, suit jacket, and tie, which somehow managed to make him look roguish and not sloppy. He'd heard about this party and decided it was a good chance to meet some more of the people that inhabited this increasingly fascinating city.

He'd moved through the crowd for a while, feeling the wide range of Vibes and Souls that existed here. Suddenly, he detected an extremely bright Soul directly in front of him, one that may have been immature, and strained in many places, but still full of immense passion and the potential to do great things. The Vibe associated with it was like the singing of a choir.

Looking up, Hanekoma traced the Soul's emanations to a pretty young girl looking like she was enjoying herself. Deciding to be friendly, he wandered over and said, "Mind if I stand here? I'm afraid its been a while since I was at a get together like this one."

[breakingapath.livejournal.com]

Riku had debated about going to the party. It was so obvious that it was a trap that he almost didn't bother. Why set himself up for trouble?

Then he thought it over, and decided that if he had to pick a time to try and see how many old enemies were actually around, this was it. A trap, yeah--but a trap where other people would be. It'd be easier to handle anything that came along.

He had settled for simple clothing--nice black pants, dark blue shirt, and a black jacket. Decent dress shoes finished the ensemble. For lack of anything else to do with his hair, he left it loose. It was easy enough to slip in among a small party of citizens; once he had, he took to the nearest corner, warily looking for familiar faces.

[kotetsu-blade.livejournal.com]

Auron only had a vague idea why he was here. He disliked most social gatherings, and parties were no different, but there was something about this one in particular that ate away at him.

Perhaps the host.

Whoever this "lord of the dead" was, he knew Auron, which made him uncomfortable. Auron couldn't say exactly what this man knew, but it would be best to find out, even if it meant walking straight into a trap.

He had no intention of doing anything Hades asked.

The ex-guardian lingered near the wall, content to watch the others interact and see whether or not their host would arrive.

[a-spikyfriend.livejournal.com]

Naja slid in through the door, not looking much more fancied up than normal; to her, her outfit was styling enough. She merely made sure to clean herself up all prim and pretty. Perhaps here she could find some interesting things out - that was the plan, anyway. Her eyes scanned the crowd, keeping mental tabs on the way people looked, moved, acted. Always keeping an open mind about possible mercenaries, always on the job.

She took a glass from a passing tray, sipping it carefully as she moved through the growing crowd. No host, yet. But Naja could sense the trap so easily; she had to wonder if anyone here didn't. Well, if so, then they were fools, and she would have no use for them.

[terra-creation.livejournal.com]

Well, Zidane could say he really did need a party, even if it was hosted by one of the new evil trio that took over City Hall. He didn't much care, honestly. He wanted to see people, do some flirting, catch up with the news of the city, and outright enjoy the party until Hades reared his nasty head.

Zidane was about ready to put some energy into punching the guy's head. ... or anyone's, really. That deserved it, of course.

He stretched and made his way in, winking at a native at the door and looking for someone to entertain his interests.

[a-sinful-rose.livejournal.com]

Rozalin still had found no sign of Adell. She really had no idea what to do. She'd never been alone like this. She'd always had her servants or Adell by her side.

That idiot was going to get such a yelling at when she found him. How dare he leave her alone like this in a strange city! Of course, deep down she was actually worried. Very worried, in fact. Adell had promised he'd protect her. He wouldn't just leave her on purpose like this. What had happened to him?

A party was really the last place the princess had wanted to be, but she'd seen the post on the journal thing and there seemed to be a fair amount of people attending. If there was a slim SLIM possibility she could find Adell here, it was worth trying, right? If nothing else she could speak to some of the people here and see if anyone had seen him.

Dressing up wasn't required as Rozalin was already decked out in her gown. Straightening her hair a bit was all that had really been required.

Still, she looked rather out of place, wandering about by herself and looking almost lost. It was more out of a loss for what to do than anything else. In fact, thoughts of leaving had begun to plant themselves. Perhaps thinking she'd find out anything about Adell here was a foolish notion, but what would she do instead? Rozalin had no answer.

[masterfulflames.livejournal.com]

Time to get the show on the row! He pulled aside several of the natives, gave them a tap on the cheek and told them to keep their chins up and everything would be all right. Everybody wants to live. He used it as an advantage, often. Come on, who really wanted to come into his domain, eh?

“Set the stage, why don’t you?” he leaned back from them with a grin, waving a hand through the air. “You know, lights, sound, all of that. Put on a little opener – just make sure it’s good, gotta give them something to look forward to.” He chuckled. “Oh, but I’m sure you know what you’re doing.”

He made them scatter, eying the gathering from behind the curtains. A fair group, all settling in and getting comfortable. Even if they came in to be on their guard, other people made others relaxed. The darkness curled through the backstage area, wrapping around crates of costuming, defeating the air, suffocating the light. “Just a little bit longer, my friends,” he whispered, eyes glowing in the shadows.

The stage opened to new, uplifting music, and Paixaoan dancers adorned in gold and silver spun about and smiled to the audience, but if anyone got a close look, they didn’t seem to be feeling their performance. But they made the show what they could, and Hades was satisfied enough and glided across the stage to the center, sending the dancers cowering back to the curtain edge. They looked around uncomfortably at one another, taking chance glances backstage.

“So good to have you all in my presence, that you’ve all decided to attend! I can’t tell you how positively thrilled I am.” He clasped his fingers together and smiled to the gathering, but Hades and smiles simply didn’t go together. He laughed. “Enjoying the food, the drinks? Each other? Good, good…” He wasn’t waiting for answers. He let them have their fun, now was time for his.

“Now, I’d like you all to settle down and get comfortable. You’ll be here for a while longer.” This was fact, one that was amplified by the darkness that slithered up the alleys. The natives jumped out of the way; glasses shattering to the ground. The main entry doors slammed closed and Hades spread his arms in welcoming from around the stage, the darkness from backstage slipping out around him like oil and revealing handfuls upon handfuls of Neoshadows that dove into aisles towards the people, seeking hearts, seeking light.

“Our star performers,” he hummed. To him it was entertainment, after all.

Hades folded his arms lazily, watched and grinned. He was looking for something, oh was he ever.

[keychainheart.livejournal.com]

"Hades!"

Sora broke from his position as soon as he saw the god, ignoring what he was saying entirely and paying no attention to the slamming doors, even though he had been right next to them, keyblade in hand. He would go right for the source.

And then the heartless showed up, and he realized he was surrounded by them. No matter, he'd work his way through. Swiping this way and that with talent borne from practice and necessity, he never let his eyes leave Hades for more than a few moments. He leapt off the ground and into the air after a moment, using the keyblade NiGHTS had given him to his advantage, but the Neoshadows still posed a threat, and his progress was slow.

[mercurialectric.livejournal.com]

Larxene observed the man onstage--aha, there was their host--with a detached sort of interest. Now things would be getting interesting, and judging by his entrance, Hades had a love of flair. She glanced once at Marluxia, but then her attention stole over to the slamming doors and heartless appearing in droves.

She doubted they would pay much attention to her, though. What use was a Nobody to a Heartless? And if they wouldn't attack her, she wouldn't attack them. Not yet.

"And now the game really starts," she commented, sipping her drink as if nothing out of the ordinary was happening.

[11deadlypetals.livejournal.com]

Marluxia watched the dancer's presentation. It was a beautiful dance to be sure, something he could appreciate, though there was a hollowness to it all that made the performance less than stellar. But he hadn't come here for the dancers to begin with and so when their host finally made his appearance, Marluxia found himself paying much more rapt attention.

As the doors slammed closed, he turned to his companion curiously, seeming not to notice the mob of Heartless stampeding close by. "Should we jump into the fray and see if we can't give ourselves a better public image or would you rather wait and watch them panic for awhile?"

[livingalegend.livejournal.com]

Lara watched the dancers interestedly. They were skilled and graceful, but they didn't seem to have their hearts in it. Still, the show was enjoyable enough, and Lara set her drink aside and applauded politely. All the while, however, an ominous feeling began to rise within Lara; the fact that the performers were only being brought out now could only mean one thing; that their host was nearby and was preparing to make an entrance.

She wasn't disappointed. The man had to be Hades, their oh-so-generous host. Well, well; the Englishwoman hadn't expected him to quite look like that, but one could never tell what form the gods would take, according to mythology and her own personal experience. She gave herself a little nod and noted the broken glass with a frown; it would be difficult to fight in her shoes. Oh, well. All she had to do was stay on her toes and keep her weight off of her heels and she'd be fine. She withdrew her guns from her purse and calmly - but quickly - equipped herself with what she had brought, aiming at whatever of those strange shadows came her way. "I won't go down that easily," she said as she began to fight, not caring whether her dress was ruined in the process.

[terra-creation.livejournal.com]

Zidane stumbled to the side, drawing out his daggers with grit teeth and a swear. Well, he expected excitement, needed it even, so here it was. He sidled up towards the woman he had seen - a pretty sight for any eyes, if a bit rough around the edges. A challenge, maybe? Hmm.

"Now, a gentleman such as myself can't simple leave a beautiful woman all on her lonesome," he quipped, a lazy, charming grin crossing his face. He ducked around to her side, cutting into a Neoshadow. They seemed indifferent to him, but like hell it meant he wasn't going to get in on the action!

He whistled at the woman's guns... interesting indeed.

[humaniste.livejournal.com]

The dance was lackluster. Death was more interested in the performers after they finished - they looked scared. Something was going on behind the scenes - of course, given their host, that was to be expected.

The speech was, of course, completely evasive. He'd expected no less. The creatures rising from the floor, however, were certainly new. Death drew his sword (the weapon would be easier to control in a closed space) at the first signs of appearance...but they didn't attack him. Instead, they headed for the other guests - never the Paixaoans, he noticed.

Well.

He took a step forward and swung his sword, slicing one of the shadows - the Heartless - in two. They weren't after him, but that was no reason for him not to involve himself. There was a battle at hand. He would not sit out.

[kotetsu-blade.livejournal.com]

Auron paid no attention to the dancers. They were likely nothing more than a distraction. He continued staring out into the crowd, waiting for the inevitable, and as the god finally took center stage, Auron reflexively slipped into a more defensive position, eying the stage warily.

And then the creatures burst into the room, filling the aisles and charging everyone they came across. The boy beside him leaped into action with a strange weapon and the ex-guardian returned the nod before bringing his blade down on the bodies of some of the Heartless.

For now there was little else he could do but keep on the defensive. There were too many of them to do anything but.

[rigsthegame.livejournal.com]

Hanekoma had seen through the dance from the get go. It might have been a fair enough performance to the untrained eye, but to someone like Hanekoma who's art was a part of himself, it's hollowness was as obvious as if someone had hung a neon sign over them. This wasn't art, just the motions of puppets bound by the strings of fear.

Leaning back against the wall he watched with interest as their host came out, his honeyed tongue full of veiled threats. To be honest, Hanekoma had heard better, though he did find Hades interesting. It had been a long time since he was in the presence of a god, and the mournful angry vibe the god of the underworld gave off was almost deafening.

Sighing Hanekoma finished his coffee as the Heartless spilled out from behind Hades. To be honest, the Heartless worried him even less than the god. Darkness was as much a part of the cosmos as light, and Hanekoma accepted that, although it saddened him to see all the potential of a person lost in a seething pit of raw desire.

He could probably wipe the entire lot out by himself, but that would be breaking the rules, and Hanekoma was already past thin ice on that regard. He wouldn't put it past his bosses to be watching right now. Still, he had to admit this show was a heck of a lot more exciting than the one proceeding it. Watching the swordsman take down the shadows, now that was art.

Still, Hanekoma couldn't help notice a Neo Shadow moving to attack the man from behind. He probably sensed it coming, but just in case, Hanekoma easily lobbed a refilled mug under hand, where it soared through the air and splashed on the creature, searing it against all logic.

The Heartless flailed and thrashed under the coffee, and Hanekoma gave up a silent prayer for the soul. Then, grinning up at Auron he said, "Always hate to waste good coffee, but sometimes one has to make sacrifices!"

Of course, the next second he had to casually tilt his head, letting the Heartless attacking him from behind sail past easily.

[a-spikyfriend.livejournal.com]

Naja scoffed at Hades' appearance; a flashy show she could appreciate some, but the doors slamming closed nearby and the darkness curling though the air made her annoyance flair. Sure, as the Heartless made their way into the audience, she began to get a good look at some of the guests' potential, but when the Heartless started to come near her, then she had a problem.

She slammed down Morgenstern into one, casting a Banish spell on it and giving a satisfied grin as it shrank away into the floor. If she could beat down the ones that came for her, she could continue to focus on everyone else.

But the shadowy creature wasn't down for the count, she realized, as it shot out from the floor again and knocked her into a wall. She dropped her glass, blinking and scowling darkly. "You're kiddin' me!" she snapped, crouching down into a fighting stance.

Now things were serious.

[nun-with-guns.livejournal.com]

Rosette was discovering something very quickly: guns were terrible for close quarters fighting, especially when enemies moved this quickly and she didn't want to hit anybody else. She'd had to settle for very close range shots.

Like the one she took at the Heartless that had knocked the cat woman into the wall. The Heartless disintegrated, but it wasn't long before another took its place. She took a shot at it, then another at one that was closing in on her for the attack. "These things are a pain."

[itshowiroll.livejournal.com]

The dance was boring. Sonic had just been waiting for thing to actually get interesting around here.

When the creatures popped up, he couldn't say he was disappionted - just the opposite, actually. He'd gotten his wish and the guy in charge had shown up. Now he just had to get to the guy and-

Getting to the guy was proving to be the tough part. He was fast enough, sure, but it wasn't a straight shot - he had to either dodge or take down the creatures that got in his way, and they were everywhere, and he couldn't well run by someone who was getting attacked. After getting stopped for what had to be the tenth time, he shook his head in frustration and tapped into his power ring, setting himself up for a spin dash. Either way, he was determined to get to the front where the flaming guy was.

[knuckle-headed.livejournal.com]

Knuckles hadn't even bothered to pay attention to the dancers. He knew there was something else going on here, and he wasn't about to let his guard down. He grinned when the shadow beings showed up and immediately dove into the fight, all sharp knuckles and strong fists. It looked as if this party wouldn't be a complete waste after all.

When he saw Sonic, he followed him, already having an idea as to what the hedgehog was doing. "Hey, Sonic," he called. "Don't hog all the action for yourself." He couldn't care less about the Heartless unless they attacked him - which some of them were, from time to time - and what he really wanted was for Hades' face to meet his fist.

[a-sinful-rose.livejournal.com]

Rozalin didn't think twice about reaching for her gun when the true reason for the party was revealed. It had been nothing more than a trap, it seemed. It didn't really surprise the demon princess. There had been something funny about it. Perhaps that's why, even more so, she'd half thought Adell might show up here.

But he wasn't here, and now she would have to fight alone. That was something she was not used to in the least. However, she quickly noticed the shadowed creatures didn't seem half as interested in her as everyone else. Why she couldn't imagine. What was any different about her from everyone else?

It didn't really matter, it was just something to take advantage of, concentrating on shooting any that passed by her with various kinds of shots from her gun. She was having little trouble with them at least.