wonder whose arms will hold you tight

[notahobby]

Who: EVERYONE'S INVITED
What: Maxxie's Super Amazing and Truly Spectacular New Year's Eve Party
When: Dec 31st - Jan 1st
Where: One of Vista City's most decadent night clubs, æther
Warnings: Mentions of alcohol, drugs, sex, all that good rock 'n roll stuff. If there's going to be anything else just throw it in the header or let me know and I'll add it!

The night club Maxxie rents out is in the heart of the downtown, sticking out like a sore thumb with its front entrance looking more like a museum than a club. There's a red carpet leading up the steps, with bodyguards littered about to keep the paparazzi and troublemakers at arm's length. No one with a recognizable face will be turned away from entering the club, and even through the giant, heavy doors there's a distinct baseline and a hint of flashing lights from the dance floor.

Said dance floor is the first step once you're inside. After an extravagant coat check and quick access to the downstairs bar, there's a wide open dance floor with the DJ on stage at the opposite end. There are bodyguards lining the walls, of course - after Naomi's stunt at the solstice party there's no losing them - but there's only one rule at this party: absolutely no one is to touch the mic except for the DJ and Maxxie. The music all night is a blend of genres, but every song is appropriate to dance to. Obviously there are some Flashstep songs thrown in for good measure, but rest assured that every band will probably hear their music in some form or another, whether it's the song itself or a remix to make it a bit more suitable for the mood of the party.

On the two upper levels there are balconies overlooking the dance floor, and it's a bit quieter up here due to some innovative architecture. One may actually be able to have a conversation in the comfortable lounge, and there's another bar here with a few more options for mixed drinks. It's a place to rest up, have a few drinks, and enjoy the music at a more reasonable volume before you head back out to the party. There's even waitstaff floating around making sure everyone has anything they want, and as always the bodyguards are hanging out at the edges of the space to make sure no one starts any trouble.

Finally, there's an entrance to an outdoor balcony on the top level, high enough up to get a nice view of downtown and still be sheltered from the nosy paparazzi down on the street. The temperature has dropped with the arrival of winter, but it's a calm, clear night in Vista city and the alcohol should be enough to keep you warm.

The bars are fully stocked with a few thousand dollars worth of alcohol to keep everyone properly buzzed, and there are a few dealers floating around upstairs ready to sell anything to anyone with a charming smile. The host himself will be bouncing around, enjoying himself as if it was all catered specifically to his idea of the perfect party (it was) and saying hi to anyone and everyone.

[OOC: This is party style! Throw up a toplevel and get tagging! You can get up to any shenanigans you want, but please keep in mind the bodyguards are plentiful and on high alert since the solstice party. Maxxie has, of course, tried and failed to get them to join in on the fun, but they don't seem too overbearing unless trouble starts brewing. The Countdown is here, but please continue making toplevels and threading pre- and post-countdown shenanigans!]

Comments

[blindfoldcode]

[Dance floor and floating around]

Kido doesn't do that great in crowds anymore. They stress her out and honestly she wasn't even going to come to this party until friends brought it up. So despite being at the party, Kido is dodging most of the party. She'll be watching people from the edges of crowds and leaning on the edge of the balcony to peer.

If she sees someone she knows, she's likely to slip into the crowd at least once or twice--Alternatively, if she sees someone wallflowering a little too much (she is a hypocrite of course), she's gonna approach with a grin. "Want to dance?" If she acts normal, everything will be okay, right?

[Outdoor balconies]

Every hour or so, she needs air. She needs to get out. She ducks the party, grabs a drink, and watches the city. Anyone who approaches her here is liable to scare her out of her skin. But she ducks her face into the red scarf she was given as a gift not too long ago and closes her eyes.

She keeps thinking about the words in that memory. That voice. It matches the voice she heard at the gala, and it makes her feel... safe.

[eyettentionplease]

[Momo has been careful here, as one can get when the last party they went to resulted in just... a lot of attempted murder. Like. So much. But she can here to see Kido and by god she is gonna.

So out on the balcony she goes, and sort of... quietly clears her throat from behind her. No need to surprise her too much, right?]

[blindfoldcode]

[Too late, she's startled. Kido closes her eyes and takes a deep breath, before turning to Momo. She drops the scarf with a small smile.]

Hey. Didn't expect you to come.

[eyettentionplease]

I could say the same thing to you. Inter-label parties don't exactly seem super smart right about now, but...

[blindfoldcode]

Neither does inter-label dating. Or friendships. I've never been a smart person.

[eyettentionplease]

Hey, I mean, you look at my grades, and...

[A moment of realization. FLASHBACK TO HER SCHOOL RECORD, WHICH WAS NOT REALLY CHANGED WHEN SHE WAS BRAINWASHED.]

Let's not talk about my grades. Uh... you're rubbing off on me! Or something.

[The smoothest.]

[blindfoldcode]

If I was rubbing off on you [That... choice of words.] then you'd probably be a lot cooler.

floating around

[nandemonai]

[ever since the holiday party, Molly has been feeling quite unlike herself. she's been quiet, somewhat withdrawn, and not up for social gatherings. she used to be so pleasant in large groups, despite being a little shy. now she has very little patience for noise.

it's hard to say if this new behavior is just a result of growing pains, or because of what she saw at Naomi Rivers' party. either way, Molly's celebrating the end of the year huddled against a wall. she's debating getting a drink and heading to the upper levels when Kido approaches her]

Um... I don't dance... [not really. but dancing might at least make her stop sulking]

[blindfoldcode]

Neither do I, normally. [She shrugs.] There's a reason I hang in the back on stage. But it's a dance party.

[nandemonai]

[it is a dance party, and there's a lot of dancing going on. a lot of other things going on, too. Molly sighs, not really wanting to argue with Kido. she likes and respects Kido. and it might be worth it just to see Kido dance, herself]

I guess... [she twirls a lock of hair around her finger, considering. it kind of would be nice to let loose while everyone else is] Fine, as long as you're doing it, too.

[blindfoldcode]

[She takes Molly's free hand with a gentle tug.]

It's been hard lately, but it doesn't hurt to try to keep your spirits up.

[nandemonai]

[here it comes. Molly huffs lightly at Kido's statement, but freely follows her out to the dance floor]

I don't really see a reason to. Bad things keep happening.

[blindfoldcode]

[She tries for a smile.]

Yeah. They do. But we're still alive, for now. There's no point in being miserable.

... Drinks help.

balconies

[killerbeep]

"Hey, mind if I stand here?"

As it happens, B's taking a break at around the same time; he's standing a couple feet back when he speaks up, smiling brightly with his hands tucked into his pockets. He'd rather not sneak up on someone - especially after the fiasco at the last party he went to - but there's always the chance that his arrival may be a little sudden.

[blindfoldcode]

She bristles at first, especially at a stranger's voice. Then she lowers the scar from her face and turns to him.

"Sure, if you want. Not like I own the place." It's said in a friendly enough way to not shove him away.

[killerbeep]

"Hey, I couldn't've known that," he replies half-teasingly, as he heads over to lean on the railing next to her. "Never know who's gonna show up at one of these."

*scarf

[blindfoldcode]

"Nope, just a bassist." She shrugs and offers a slight smile. "It's crowded in there."

[killerbeep]

"Yeah, kind of an unavoidable side effect of stuff like this. Think it's part of how Maxxie measures the success of his parties, too." His voice is sympathetic, though; B may not have too much trouble with crowds, but he can see how others might.

[blindfoldcode]

"By size? I think at this point we should start measuring success in a low body count." She shakes her head. This is how she deals with stress.

[cleartranquil]

Now, Kido may be leaning on the balcony and giving off the 'I'm people watching leave me alone' vibe, but that has literally never stopped Yuffie Kisaragi. She sidles on up to Kido, leaning on the railing next to her and grinning a little madly.

Honestly, that grin is probably a little unsettling, but at least Yuffie isn't the most terrifying Carnie.

"So, according to the tabloids, you and I are totally better acquainted. "

[blindfoldcode]

No matter where they fall on the scale of 'terrifying,' Kido's made a habit of completely avoiding Carnies. Except for in the one case of trying to talk to Luci to protect herself and that didn't seem to go very well. Her immediate response is to jerk back, defensively.

"... I guess don't believe everything you read."

[cleartranquil]

Yuffie, in her ultimate cheer and sweetness, scoots closer.

"I mean you have definitely seen more of my place than most of my hook ups have, I'll give them that." Yuffie says, completely ignoring the fact that this is probably a very terrifying situation for Kido. There's a balcony, she's a Carnie and they have a sort of feud going on...honestly Yuffie should really think about these things, sometimes.

"I didn't even catch you in the process. That's pretty impressive, if you ask me."

[blindfoldcode]

On one hand, Kido's absolutely surprised Luci didn't tell everyone else that she's a monster. On the other hand, she clears her throat nervously, unable to explain otherwise.

"I got good at sneaking around." She looks away. "I don't have issues with anybody but Xanxus."

[cleartranquil]

"Everybody has issues with Xan." Yuffie says flippantly, gesturing vaguely as she talks. "Except us Carnies."

As if that's some kind of exclusive club, and not a group of people way too willing to deal with someone who is pretty high on the dick scale.

"I pride myself on being real good at catchin' stuff in the act. If I wasn't we'd be in way more trouble all the time." She shrugs and the look she's giving Kido is probably no less terrifying, but it's surprisingly friendly. "What can I say, I'm interested in how the heck ya managed."

[blindfoldcode]

She buries her face up to her nose in the scarf briefly, her eyes flashing red for just a second as she watches Yuffie. Definitely not less terrifying.

"I told you. I'm good at sneaking. You learn it when you have to steal as much as I did." She shrugs. It's better to talk about being homeless than you know. Being possessed.