[For those of you in Splendor already, you'll probably have noticed the spooky decor the city has donned throughout the past week. With nothing else of of notice to be mentioned, it seemed like everything was just going to be a repeat of last year.

Then, as the clock struck 12:01AM on Halloween, all the Locals disappeared.

It may not have been obvious at first, they're fairly quiet folk anyway, but as the sun begins to set on Splendor, something is definitely odd in the city. There's a sort of electricity in the air, like the city itself is anticipating something. Finally, as the sun reaches the horizon, a notice appears on the notice board. Even if you're not in the metropolis district you'll be aware of it, as the notice will also transmit itself as text through the seals.

As is the city's rather irksome custom, the notice is somewhat cryptic, mentioning magic and atmosphere and the like. However, as the notice comes to a close, there is one very obvious, straightforward, and shocking line:

'The Music Box will return you tomorrow. Until then, please enjoy the Ball.'

And with that, the electricity in the air seems to reach a peak, and every current resident of Splendor will find themselves suddenly in the Metropolis District, in the immediate vicinity of the City Hall. The Hall is decked out as it was the year before, banners hanging up advertising the Halloween Ball, inviting everyone in.

However, someone (or rather, someones) very peculiar will also find themselves there, and the current residents of Splendor may be in for a very big surprise.]

[For those not in Splendor, you'll be going about your daily routine. Maybe you're having a dream, maybe you're at work, or maybe you're in the middle of a life or death struggle. Hey, maybe you're even dead - you know how Splendor works.

Whatever the situation, a flash of light suddenly appears, a Pegasus standing in front of you once the light clears. Without words, memories of the city you once knew flood back and you suddenly understand the situation - you're being given a chance to go back and relive those memories once last time. To say your goodbyes, to tie up loose ends, and to bring everything that you experienced to a satisfying end before returning home once again.

Should you choose to hop onto the horse's back, you will find yourself immediately in the Golden Entranceway, the Pegasus nowhere to be found. It will seem almost nostalgic, in a way, except this time you'll be surrounded by many others like you, and some rather festive decorations.

So, all of you new and old, welcome back to Splendor. Please enjoy the Ball.]

((All current and former players of Splendor are welcome in this post. Please see this post for a couple guidelines (direct questions there as well), and remember - you are free to bring in characters that were not in the game before, however are from canons of characters that were here before or that had CR in previous games with your characters. If you wish to make a post but your character's LJ is no longer a member of the main comm, drop off a comment in the post linked above as well.

Also, this post is here for people to mingle in. it is a group, general post for the ball, so don't feel obligated to make a new post for your character. just comment and let other people reply!

Most of all, enjoy yourselves <3 And if you're on aim, join us in splendorchat!))

[ Hi, Splendor. Today you get a rather unsure looking America broadcasting from his room as per usual. And also as per usual, there are scattered papers about with all sorts of doodles and notes on them. Unlike per usual, though, he seems to be dressed in a rather nice looking business suit with a bright blue tie. His hair is combed and he would like to think he's looking nice.

It's just like one of the meetings back home he used to carry the responsibility of handling.

However, today, he's not going to be ridiculous (okay, well, maybe not AS ridiculous, but.... ) he seems to be getting down to business.
... Or something to that nature.

Setting his communicator on a hard surface, he's sort of addressing you all much like the president would via the television. Hands almost folded by the tips of his fingers touching, he starts off sounding rather serious. ]

Fellow citizens of Splendor! Man, I really think we need to change the name here.
We are in the midst of a crisis. Yea, you heard me right! A lot of people seem to be vanishing lately. I.. I'm not sure who is here anymore. I'm not sure if anybody will be appearing in this city anytime soon, and I'm not sure who will be the next to go. I, well. In case it is me, or in case it is you, I want to wish you a farewell and it has been a major pleasure meeting you... just in case. Just in case!

W-With that depressing note aside, well.

[ And now we're standing up from his seat, slamming a fist into his palm. He's not as formal sounding now, and w o w, he's loud. ]

I think we all should stick together! Close, close together! And by that, I'm talking, man, sharing the same dental floss kind of close, sleeping in the same bunk close, using the BUDDY SYSTEM close. Okay, dude. I have no idea if people are being sent home or experimented on by some alien mastermind, but I do know the buddy system WORKS. THIS WAY WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND FIGHT AGAINST THOSE SICK SON OF A BITCHES AND NUKE THEM IF WE HAVE TO.

[ ... ahem. Simmering down. ]

I think we ALL should congregate together. Wish for some sort of huge building to all live in.. closely!
Then, and maybe only then, we can find out about this place for those of us who get left behind and strive you survive!

Don't you all fight about wanting to stay close to me at all time. I have another buddy in my system for you ALL, dudes.

Aah, thank you. Get back to me with what you all think!

 [ /end feed. ]

[Russia had almost lost track of how long he'd been here in Splendor. Had it really been two months or had time simply messed with him? He wasn't sure but thinking about it never really turned up concrete answers. Nevertheless, Splendor was rather interesting, and Russia could usually find something going on if he looked around. But for some reason, today he was bored.

And everybody knows a bored Russia is not a good Russia to be around.

So that why if you happened to be out walking you might happen across a Russian guy settled down at a table, music sheets weighted down on the table and a balalaika in his arms. He's rather good, but it's obvious that he's playing just for fun. Some times he hums a little along side the music,  reveling in the feeling of home he gets from the traditional instrument. 

Eventually he gets to this song and soon is singing along in a rich baritone.

Russia's going to be playing his instrument and singing some songs So what do you do? Join in, tell him to shut up, ask what the heck he's speaking? The choice is yours!]

[It was inevitable that Saw would get bored and do something stupid dangerous for her own amusement. And her idea of entertainment is apparently having several giant flying glowing skulls attacking her at once.]

[At least this time she had the decency to stage the battle away from the castles in an empty field.]

[One of the skulls disintegrates as Saw stabs it through the jaw, but just as quickly, she is smashed into the ground by another. In the midst of it all, she grabs the skull by the eyesocket and is immediately dragged high up into the air as the others circle her. And then Saw decides it's the perfect time to stick her sword through the nasal cavity of the skull in order to pull out her seal and deliver a warning to the rest of the city.]

If you come to interfere, I will kill you. [not that the Locals would even give her a chance to.]

[The skull shatters as she yanks her sword back out- and she falls.]

[So this whole wish thing has of course left Hungary intrigued. Finally, the time had come where she just needed to try it. Her wish?

"I want to be someone's knight in shining armor today"

A reasonable wish, given the fairytale-esque scenery of Splendor. Somehow, the city took it literally enough to dress her up to look the part, though the sword at her hip is merely a sport fencing saber. And so, Hungary meanders about the city near the Wonderland district, looking for damsels in distress for her to rescue.]

[ Shouichi wasn't sure how to feel about being away from his safe bed and in a new weird land. The last memory before he woke up in this peculiar world was at home trying to sleep, calming himself with his headphones and music. At least his still had his music though, the cd player was in the large sweater pocket and the headphones sat on the top of his head, playing soft music to ease himself again, trying to drown his wild thoughts of the place that made him more nervous and anxious. ]

This is ... unfortunate.

[ his voice sounded thick, as if he was thirsty or trying to swallow something heavy. his anxiety perhaps. ]

So---! Uh, hi there! Whoever is listening... I had kind of a question I wanted to ask. Well, actually two questions but they're both related so that makes it one big question? In two parts... half a question and half another question. That makes it one. Right? --ah, but before that, I should probably say thanks to all those people that helped me out with finding my daughter! Gosh, that was a long while ago. I mean I would have said it sooner but taking care of a kid takes up a lot of time, y'know? I'm not doing it alone but there's only so much Bunny can do. Guy's like a kid himself afterall, heh...

Wait where was I going with this... questions! Right! --no, half a question and half another question! Got it.

Does anyone here know if something happens in the next month? Y'know, October. Like, in general? Does anything usually happen?

And the other half is, if you could ask for anything, like some kinda gift, what would it be? Forget about that wishing thing we got here, that ruins the answer. ...and I know all that stuff about friendship and love and-- that's not really the answer I'm looking for. I mean it's a good answer, of course! But I wanna try to hear something else. Like, think of when you were a kid and you wanted stuff.

And if you never wanted stuff as a kid then... wait, huh? Does that ever happen? That sounds pretty sad actually. Uh, just make something up! Anything!

[Well then. Of all strange places to be spontaneously moved to, this is not the worst. The architecture of the City Hall is quite beautiful, though nothing like Austria has ever seen before.

He does pause to turn the seal he found in his pocket over in his hand, but promptly decides that there is nothing much to it.

Far too stubborn to explore his surroundings it's not at all that he's worried he'll never find his way back if he wanders off no never..., Austria is just going to stand outside the City Hall and demand request an explanation from every single person that passes him by. Someone in this place must have half a brain, after all.

His typical introduction goes something like this:] Good day, my name is Roderich Edelstein. I believe there has been quite a misunderstanding, and I must insist that I am returned to my home immediately. I have a number of things to attend to, and my people require my presence at all times. I trust you understand.

[The locals are all ignoring him, which only makes his frustration grow. He expects a straightforward, prompt answer that explains this situation.

Hurry up, he doesn't have all day. : | ]

[The video seeming to be looking around for a moment. The area around the owner of the video is decidedly vacant save for a few locals here and there. It's sunny and bright and sandy; most likely the Bungalows.]

It seems I've misplaced a few people, and there's talk of disappearances. I suppose I'm confused~

[The video jerks a bit and lands on Jade's face, looking somewhat quizzical and almost exasperated. Peony was here recently, and now he's gone. As was Luke and a few others Jade actually knew.

Behind him, the Bungalows apartments could be seen and he seems to be on the beach. ]

[ He should know by now the costs of making idle wishes, but Firo just wasn't paying enough attention. Splendor caught on to his mumbled wish for something from home and decided to grant it.

In the form of every single domino Isaac and Miria bought neatly lined up from the base of the mountain right to Splendor City Hall in the Metropolis District.

Firo can be found following the trail of dominoes, loking rather perplexed, mumbling to himself. ]

Is this from that wish?

[ A sigh ]

Of course it'd be somethin' like this. 

[So Belphegor has just arrived at his supposed home, and it doesn't look half bad, but where's the welcome ceremony?

He looks around, taking in the surroundings. He isn't uncomfortable and is relatively unfazed considering he has no idea how he got here (except that it's a pretty castle) - and would be making himself at home riiight about now, except he's looking for the other residents in the building because he's curious.]

Heeeeey----

[His voice echoes! This is automatically an excellent castle. He giggles--]

Ushishishi~~ it echoed again. Is anyone there? The prince has just arrived and is feeling awfully bored without a welcome party~

[So, BELIEVE IT OR NOT,  Gilbert isn't having a great time here in Splen. What with traumatic incidents around every corner, half of his friends gone missing, magical food that he can't even trust to eat anymore, and to top it all off-

Oz still wasn't here. A small portion of his comfort lay within the thought that Oz was with the stupid-rabbit, somewhere-

but even then.

His mood significantly soured since his arrival but luckily he's managed to last this long without barging in somewhere demanding he speak to whoever ran this place. At least not yet. His restraint was loosening, little by little. And today, in particular, it seemed to slip from his grasp.

Gil had just wished that if he couldn't go to Oz, then please let Oz be here, and after a short pause, waited.

Now, due to a recent food scare thankstothatidiotBreak Gilbert has been kind of iffy about eating any of the local produce nearby, rather, ANY of the food available. So he's been pretty hungry...and he may or may not have been unconsciously waiting for something to eat. Anything.

and this place just so happened to actually grant his wish. Because before Gilbert realized what he had done-

he was staring down at a little Oz-shaped cookie. Like a ginger-bread Oz, with frosting and little gum-drop buttons. And before he could cave into his absolute frustration and horror-

another one fell down. And another. And another.

AND ANOTHER. Needless to say Gilbert was pummeled by several hundred smiling Oz cookies. Once they had stopped raining down on him, the kneeling, shaking, frustrated raven only had one thing to say:]


W-WHAT THE HELL KIND OF WISH IS THIS?!



[[FEEL FREE TO MUNCH ON AN OZ COOKIE. there's plenty to go around!!]]

The Prince prowls the streets, a soft smile gracing his lips. Though, if one was to stop and truly take him in, the slight twist of his features might be taken in a more sinister light. Or perhaps in the lack of any light, with the absence of the pale glow that often seems to shine around his features replaced by a shadowy tinge. His lithe steps are soundless on the stone, but that only serves to worsen the chains of stillness that bind all in his wake into silence. His poise is prideful, the disdainful restraint of his movements boasting of a right to claim the open sky on black wings if he so chose.

And he will have everything. Yes, he has no one anymore, and so nothing to hold him back from claiming all the loving hearts of this city for himself. He might even rule here; there was no need to venture anywhere else. After all, what does he have to fear from this place, as long as he is free from the burdens that threatened his heart? He is complete now, at last strong enough to stand outside of a story as that cygnet could not have done, and he can do anything he wants to stop the faint sting in his heart from growing worse. Such wonderful freedom... He has fought so hard for it, and all it took grasp it was that little push. His smile widens, and his bloodstain eyes catch the fleeting light to reveal their clear certainty.

Even those who have come to know him will question who he is for a moment, as the sight of him sets a shiver along the veins. But for some, his corrupted elegance offers something tempting, the costly protection of a darkness fouler than any natural night.

_{(OOC: He's pretty much just hovering around anywhere, as many places as possible but primarily Wonderland and the Golden District, so come stumble across him! Links to details can be found in this post.)}

[Barnaby's a mixture of many emotions. Torn and confused and upset, it's all summarized itself into a deep scowl etched on his face and movements fighting the urge to rush by being strained and controlled. He's trying his best to keep calm, but he is definitely not happy.

After realizing that he can't just leave through the way he came, he's decided to explore the Metropolis district a little. And by 'explore', he means walking into almost every building trying to figure out where he is and how to get out. Sure, his tight-fitting black bodysuit is a bit bothersome, running around this much, but he's ignoring it because he needs to suit up in his gear anyway.

It doesn't matter. He just doesn't need to be here. He's got shit to do! If Jake Martinez brought him here, Barnaby's going to make him pay for it.]

[ VIDEO ]

['Sup, Splendor. Do you recognize this face? It's okay if you don't -- she hasn't really been a social butterfly these past few weeks.

Or... uh, ever. But, still.

Regardless of social activity, there's a teenage girl on the seal, giving it a strange look.]

I have a question, Splendor.

[She does her best to feign indifference, but her eyebrows knit together just a little ask she asks:]

Do people, sometimes... leave this place?

[A pause, before she adds:] ... I am, of course, aware that nobody has discovered a way to willingly leave this place. But...

[She shifts uncomfortably. She should have thought more about this.]

... I am wondering if it's normal for people to suddenly be gone, without a trace. That's all.

[ ACTION ]

[The castle has felt so empty lately.

[Well... not that she knew anyone who lived there particularly well. But she'd become used to the sound of movement, however faint. Even back at the abbey, there was always at least a one or two people to keep her company (even if it was only the guards assigned to her that day).

[The sudden silence, when combined with the apparent disappearance of a certain important person, makes for a restless Seles.

[That guy. She hasn't seen him at all since he made that broadcast what feels like forever ago. And she never even said anything to him then... She thought she would have more time...

[Ugh. She needs to do something. Anything. Just sitting around and thinking is enough to make her crazy.

[A walk may take her mind off... things, she figures. And what's the point of all this newfound freedom if she doesn't even take advantage of it?

[So she walks.

[One can find her wandering around the Golden District, or perhaps just outside the Dark Forest on it's border.

[She's not going to enter the forest, of course. It looks foreboding. Even if it would provide her the solitude she craves, she's no fool.]

[This was apparently not a good time to arrive at some strange foreign land with a daughter that you're not on the best terms with. Kotetsu barely manages to figure out this probably isn't where he and Kaede should be before she tries to get some confusing details cleared up with him. Something about him not being a bad guy but being stupid in letting certain things happen and where's Barnaby? (Wait, why is she even asking about him? No hello? Daddy what's going on I'm scared pick me up and hold me because you're so brave and strong?) None of which clears things up at all.

And when talking didn't work, she ran away. Awesome.

This is what brings anyone around the Metropolis District the rather sad and pathetic sight of a frantic older man calling out a girl's name.]

So do all French gardens have their own cities or is it just this one?

Either way, I must admit that I am impressed with how realistic it is. In fact, I'm even willing to wager that this crazy-looking device actually works. Unfortunately, as much as I would love to admire the handiwork a little more, I'm afraid that I'm going to have to take a rain check on this little tour. It would be terribly inconsiderate to invite a lot of people to a party and then not show up; not to mention the papers would probably have a field day if the lost Romanov daughter was found only to get lost again.

Anyway, if anyone that is not a creepy, disembodied voice can hear me, d'you think you could lend me a hand?

[So, Leoben is doing marginally better since the mongoose incident, and he's been doing a lot of thinking as he wanders around Splendor. One of those thoughts has been about how he hasn't heard the hybrid's voice in a long time, and that has been his source of guidance for a very long time. Perhaps now he is ready to hear her voice once again, and perhaps start rediscovering his role.

So he makes a wish.]
( Cut for imageCollapse )


[ooc: http://en.battlestarwiki.org/wiki/Hybrid This is what he was wishing for.]

Greetings!

[ The camera seems to be focused very closely to the face of this high school senior- she clears her throat as she moves the camera back, bringing a hand up as if she were to straighten a pair of glasses.
... Not that she's actually wearing any glasses. ]

I am Hana Adachi, former student council president of Mon Shiro High School. I'm not really sure about where I am but it doesn't seem like a bad sort of place. I can see other people on this thing so there must be someone that can see me, right? I think so! So, to all of you who can see me, until I get back home I hope that we can all become friends!

[ She makes a quick, sincere bow and smiles before the feed clicks off. ]

[When Francis comes to, he’s in a similar position as he was before arriving to Splendor, seated at a sidewalk café. There’s a large cup of coffee, black with sugar, on the table with him. He’s clutching an erotic novel opened to page 213 which is conveniently his page. The signs that something is horribly awry simply are not there. Not to any passerby.

The man on the side of the street is experiencing himself a dilemma of surprising proportions.

This place smelled strangely like milk and honey, though he was chalking it up to this being a mere dream. It also failed to resemble the bustling streets of Paris. Or London. New York… It was completely and utterly foreign to him and that was the worrying aspect.

He supposed that the place seemed nice. A dream come true.]

I have got to stop reading mystery novels before I sleep… [Did I say erotic novel? I meant erotic mystery novel—one of Francis’ favorites.

Still, when he spoke and the shimmer of reality, of plush sheets and a nice dark room didn’t push at his awareness he frowned and dog-eared the novel, putting it on the table. He then proceeded to pinch himself.

Nothing happened.

He did it again. Harder.

Nope, still nothing. Around him the sun shined and people milled around, seeming to be quite pleased with their place in this bizarre city. Francis was admittedly even more confused than before and on top of that his arm throbbed smartly from all of his attempts to wake himself up.]

What…in the world is going on?!

[He’s looking around him. He is, for better lack of the word, lost. It’s a rather unnerving thing for Francis to experience and he’s getting more anxious in that thick head of his.]

[ It's been the season of new-arrivals, and Duke remembered what Yuri had said something about different times that people could be pulled from. The purple archer had been from before Zaude surfaced, the blonde knights from after, but that wasn't really what Duke was thinking about.

He was thinking about what if someone could be pulled from before that. Before he had encountered the Child of the Full Moon and Yuri in Deidon Hold, before he had left humans alone.

So very, very late at night, very, very quietly over the seal... ]

.... Elucifur? [ Faintly hopeful, because Duke knows that it would be very, very ... miraculous for his friend to appear. ]

[ Of course, immediately after, Duke seems to realize how very stupid that was of him, as the sounds from his seal are movement, and some sleepy noises from those bunwigle monsters he'd wished up, then the shutting of a door and silence but for crunching snow. ]


(( OOC: for the action, Duke is wandering around, outside, at night, around the Alpine district. If anyone wants to find him, he's not wearing gloves or the gold and black part of his coat.))

[While we're at it with the new arrivals, here's yet another. Wandering the city streets not too far from city hall is a young-looking woman with long, wavy brown hair, clad in a plain but nice black dress and black boots. She looks a bit confused and disoriented, but overall more curious than anything else as her eyes scan the metropolis, taking in her surroundings. She's meandering about casually, slowly exploring the city.]

This is so strange. Last I recall I was definitely nowhere near a city like this. I'd been out on a hike in the wilderness!

[The rest of the details of where she'd been before and where she was now and how she'd arrived were blurry. She could recall a music box lodged inside a hollow tree, and going to examine it, but after that everything was jumbled up in her memory. She continues to walk around, seeking for clues as to her location.]


...It's a bit embarrassing, really. I think I'd know about a city like this...


[As a nation, the major cities in most other countries are well known to her. That she doesn't even know what country she's in right now is frustrating to her, as of course it hasn't dawned on her that she isn't in the world she's used to. As it is she's eager to solve this mystery, and also curious about this city. It seems very interesting to her.]

[So hey Splendor, if you hadn't already gotten enough new arrivals there seems to be another one staring blankly out at the city from...well, he's not quite sure where he is really. Its a rather lavish hall, one that he's pretty sure doesn't just pop out of the ground and go unnoticed. In fact, Russia's not quite certain of how he got here at all. Last he knew he was at a world meeting, going over various boring topics and debunking America's giant robot idea again. He's still got a few papers in one hand, his seal in the other, and is clothed in a rather nice suit, but for the moment he just looks like every other confused newcomer.

It takes him a little while to stop staring around at his new surroundings but eventually he shrugs and focuses on the strange object in his hand. Fumbling with it for a moment turns it on and look! You now have a Russia on your seal!]

Ah, Privjet? Is this thing on?

[Watch out Splendor, there is a new guy wandering around in Metropolis District... wearing nothing but his trousers. Gray is not amused - Mystogun must have messed up that reversed Anima thing, because otherwise he would be back in Earthland, right?

Furthermore, everyone else seems to have vanished... that's not good, not good at all.

At least he seems to have been left with some sort of strange, magical communication device... let's see...]

Oi... Lucy, Erza, Natsu, Happy? Wendy, Gajeel? Where the hell are you guys?

[He grimaces annoyed, honestly after that total mess in Edolas he had really hoped to return home to the guild again - especially considering that the S class nominations would come up in a few weeks.

It's strange though... unlike Edolas, there seems to be magic in the air around here, strong and vibrant. Frowning he reaches up to scratch his head as he keeps wandering around in Metropolis District.]

What is this place?

[...He also may or may not have... lost his trousers somewhere along the way.]