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Post by The Storyteller on Nov 7, 2009 12:54:58 GMT -5
One of the best things about magic is free special effects.
The props and costumes for The Masque of the Red Death are mostly physical, but once the lights are down, it's hard to tell where high-school-level cardboard and paint ends and high-school-level (and a little of Smoke's) illusion magic begins. On a basic level, the scene is much easier to see and hear; but for the Hallowe'en play, and especially for the closing performance on Hallowe'en proper, the scene looks far more real.
It's closing in on the end of the first act; the plot and setting has been established and the Red Death will enter soon. Smoke has apparently taken some interesting liberties, setting the Prince's grand gala in a more blatantly supernatural setting, and the thing the nobles are partying to forget is not a disease, but a far more vague- and malevolent- threat.
As is Smoke's custom, the cast list has been reshuffled somewhat from the previous two nights: tonight, Rudeth gets to play the Prince, Aritha is the advisor, Professor Hawk is the dowager old duke, Hitomi and Natalie play the young noble couple, Himmel is the head of the musicians, and Ian is the jester. The part of the Red Death, unchanged the past three nights, is being played by Valerian.
((OOC: People in the play, check with me for your 'scripts'; you are of course allowed to add any fluff, flourishes, description, thoughts, etc. as you want to that. People in the audience can post freely.))
((This is the thread you are in if you are/want to be part of the MND dream sequence. Warnings will be given in CBox before each plot trigger. Have fun. :D))
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Post by Rudeth Volkova on Nov 7, 2009 13:21:50 GMT -5
Backstage, Rudy peered from behind the curtains, watching as the audience began to file back in from the intermission and the lights over the audience began to lower. The first act had gone off without a hitch, and since tonight was closing night, the performance had to be the grandest yet. It would be a night to remember.
Rudy shrinked back from the curtains, shuffling around through the props to make sure that he was ready. He could feel his stomach fluttering with nervousness and exhilaration. He would die on-stage, and he would die gloriously.
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Post by Veronique Poulain on Nov 7, 2009 13:33:02 GMT -5
Veronique peered over the railing, nestled comfortably high above the audience in one of the box seats. Had Smoke not been the professor in charge of it, she likely would not have bothered to come. But as it was, Smoke was one of the few friends she had -- and besides, the plays directed by Smoke typically turned out well, not that she would typically say so.
While she had not been able to make it to the first few nights of the play, it was closing night at last, and she could only trust that there was something unusual planned for the night. There usually was.
"Himmel," she hissed over her shoulder, "get me a drink." She turned to the empty seat and fumed. That idiot. Why couldn't Smoke find someone else for that part?
Well, she would just have to find Rivienne.
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Post by Himmel on Nov 7, 2009 15:50:13 GMT -5
Himmel shuddered his Vero senses were going off.
"Gott sei Dank, ist sie auf ihrem eigenen heute Abend." he muttered.
He was leaning against a wall facing the closed curtain. The costume was getting hot under the stage lights, he felt weird not wearing his clothes. He leaned his head back and sighed, he felt weird, or everything else did. He shot forward for a second and shuddered, but looking around there was nothing.
He shrugged. Great, I'm going crazy, looks like Vero has to find some one else to do her bidding.
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Post by Lhachlhass on Nov 7, 2009 16:07:20 GMT -5
Lhachlhass sat on the floor his back against the high backed chair. He smirked, she didn't know he was here she was very bad at this.
He sat waiting for his chance, making soundless shallow breaths, he felt odd tonight. Something VERY good was about to happen, he just knew it.
Lhachlhass had to quickly duck down as she turned and yelled for the blond one who wasn't there.
She was yelling for a drink and muttering about getting up, he couldn't have that. He searched around desperately and found an empty cup on the floor. He handed it up to her.
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Post by ianharris on Nov 7, 2009 16:18:44 GMT -5
Ian hadn't really minded the continued interaction with other people. He hadn't minded the awkwardness of being at rehearsal with Natalie and Professor Hawk in the same room. He hadn't even minded the amounts of stage fright he had to get over. The bright lights, the loud noises, the long waiting... none of that really bothered Ian.
What did bother Ian was the costume. Ian had never dressed up before, not even on Halloween, and the jester's costume was turning out to be an extremely weird experience.
As Ian stood backstage, waiting for the play to begin, he leaned closer to Natalie, who was standing next to him, and muttered "I... er... I think the hat's... ah... a bit much..."
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Post by natalieburns on Nov 7, 2009 16:24:01 GMT -5
Theater was life. At least, that's how Natalie had always viewed it. She had been in many plays in her life, a lot of them plays at Dunehelden, and the experience had never lost it's appeal to her. Maybe it was the sense of being someone else in another world that made theater so appealing to Natalie, or maybe it was the sense of belonging with the cast. She didn't know, and she didn't care to know. All she cared about was the play at hand.
Ian had adjusted well to theater life, under Natalie's tutelage. She was quite proud of her accomplishment of turning Ian into something that passed for an actor. Natalie made a note to force Ian to try out for whatever was coming up next. But then again, she thought with a smile on her face, he likes it so much I may not need to.
When he spoke, she looked up and chuckled once again at the jester's hat Ian was wearing. "It looks fine." She said, trying not the laugh. "Stop worrying so much. Everything's going to go perfectly."
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Post by Veronique Poulain on Nov 7, 2009 16:35:00 GMT -5
The headmaster glanced down, blinking momentarily. Where in the world had that come from? Hadn't she thrown that cup away before the first act? Well, no matter. She grabbed the plastic cup and crushed it, tossing it over her shoulder.
Veronique stood at the balcony, huffing. "One of you incompetents, bring me a drink!" she demanded. There was no way Veronique was walking all the way down to the concessions and missing the first part of the second act. She dropped down into her seat, drumming her long nails against the railing. Damn Himmel.
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Vincent Hawk
Ireth
Sexy British Professor of Music
~ Sing like no one's listening ~
Posts: 722
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Post by Vincent Hawk on Nov 7, 2009 16:42:59 GMT -5
Vincent absently fingered the hilt of his sword, casting his gaze about him as he waited for the next act to begin. He had very much been looking forward to this performance; the excitement only rivalled that of the opening night. And as much as he had hoped for the role of the Red Death, he felt that Valérian suited the role perfectly. Besides, supporting roles were often just as fun.
Ian and Natalie were talking nearby; Vincent laughed quietly, watching the young couple from a foot or so away. He took a step closer to them and spoke up. "You both look fine. Natalie's right. We've survived the first act; it's all downhill from here."
He looked at the pair of them with quiet pride. Natalie had taught Ian well; he had come to quite enjoy the theater. Not to mention that Vincent could clearly see the signs of their relationship slowly blossoming. They were taking things slowly, which was obvious, but there was no hiding the affection between them. So far, things were going well for everyone.
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Post by Notos Aetai on Nov 7, 2009 16:45:09 GMT -5
Notos laughed this was his cue. He elbowed the guy sitting next to him hard in the ribcage and grabbed his drink. "I'll be taking this for the greater good." He said happily to the prone student as he jumped up into his chair and began cycling and building up wind around his feet.
After a few seconds he jumped up hitting a disk of air and being shot up further, he did this several more times until he landed on the railing of Veronique's balcony.
"Special delivery Vero." He said grinning widely.
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Post by Hitoshi Gilespi on Nov 7, 2009 16:49:58 GMT -5
Hitoshi shifted slightly in his seat, glancing for the watch that wasn't there. He still wasn't entirely sure where it was -- he had lost it weeks ago. They had taken seats near the front, mostly at his uncle's insistence that they sit near one another, in order to get a better view. While the magic effects were every bit as good as he had hoped, he couldn't say he was quite as excited as Tristan about Hitomi and Rudy's parts in the play. They'd been in plenty of others, after all.
He turned slightly in his seat, watching the entrances. He hoped Alex would hurry back from the restroom.
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Post by Veronique Poulain on Nov 7, 2009 16:53:19 GMT -5
Veronique gaped at the student on her balcony for a long moment, then furiously slung the cup off of the balcony, spilling ice and soda all over the professor standing beneath her box. She swiped at Notos, pushing him off of her balcony.
"I meant a different incompetent!" she snapped. There was no such thing as good help anymore. A few hundred years ago, there would be ten people leaping to her aid. Instead, she got that.
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Post by Sa'id Abdul-Rahman on Nov 7, 2009 17:07:30 GMT -5
Sa'id sat happily watching the play; he had to admit, the effects were impressive. They made him very curious what sort of magic was necessary to produce such things. It was nice being able to go to the theatre occasionally, as well, though he always felt sad that he couldn't invite Donna.
He was in the middle of reminiscing when he was suddenly very cold and wet.
Sa'id sighed. He could change clothes later; it was about to start.
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Valérian Mervielle-Dion
Kitty Kat
Hold me closer, tiny dancer~
'I am cute, wounded and unloved. Give me a hug and some hot chocolate.'
Posts: 191
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Post by Valérian Mervielle-Dion on Nov 7, 2009 22:31:15 GMT -5
Valérian took a deep slow breath. He'd done this two nights before, but he still had butterflies in his stomach. They'd learned that his skin made an amazing effect with the lighting. Artificial lighting didn't usually make him glow, but this light did. Just a very faint halo, but for this, it was perfect. He was in the costume he'd worn to the audition, including the two inch pumps. Five foot five was a bit more intimidating than five foot three, though he'd put men over six feet into a gibbering terror before. He waited for his cue, the mask in his hand.
It was uncomfortable so he only wore it when he was on stage. The cloak that draped over his shoulders somehow made him seem taller; Aritha was very good at what she did, that was for sure.
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Post by Notos Aetai on Nov 7, 2009 22:35:56 GMT -5
Notos clucked and shook his head jumping back up to the railing. "Well, well, well, no wonder you don't have a boyfriend. You're so angry, no no no. Try harder. Be more pleasant, and smile, and when a guy does something nice for you thank him politely.'
He beamed at her. "I got to tell you, I'm the only guy willing to deal with it, but boy am I willing to deal with." He winked at her.
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Nov 7, 2009 22:40:07 GMT -5
Alex sighed and walked up to the Headmaster from the entrance doors, his most adorable, pleasant, helpful expression on his face, and handed her something uncaffeinated.
"Is this acceptable, ma'am?"
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Post by Veronique Poulain on Nov 7, 2009 22:52:57 GMT -5
Veronique scowled, clutching the arms of her chair tightly. "Notos," she hissed, "if you don't get your worthless carcass out of my box--what?"
Veronique blinked, glancing back at the young man at the entrance of her box. "Is what?" she glanced at the drink. "Oh," she muttered. "Well, ah, yes. Thank you." She took the drink and glanced at it. Juice. Well, it was something, at least. She swirled the ice around in the cup for a moment, then grabbed Alex by the arm before he could leave.
"You, boy," she called. "You are Alex, are you not? You are dating Rivienne's nephew?" Without waiting for a reply, she continued, "My assistant is currently indisposed. Stay up here for a while in case I need something and you can watch from the box."
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Post by Notos Aetai on Nov 7, 2009 22:59:34 GMT -5
Notos looked hurt for a second. He hung his head and sighed. "I see, you like another guy. Damn." He snapped his fingers. "Very well, until we meet again."
He jumped off the balcony back to ground level. He looked around for a second and found his new targets. Smirking he ran at the two sitting next to each other at full speed and then jumping with the aid of his wind he landed sqaure in between Zephyros and Jason. Putting his arms around them he said very loudly. "Alright, no hanky-panky! Hand check ladies!"
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Nov 7, 2009 23:05:21 GMT -5
Zeph looked at his brother with a disconcerted expression. "Notos, I'm watching the play and you just sat on my wrist which still hurts so if you DON'T mind..."
He jerked his arm free of Notos and rubbed his wrist. Looking around his brother, he looked at Jason and grinned, hooking a thumb at his brother. "You see what I have to live with?"
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Nov 7, 2009 23:11:08 GMT -5
Jason yelped as someone came flying at them out of nowhere, landing on the armrest between him and Zeph. He clenched his teeth to keep from howling in pain as his wrist was effectively pinned under Zeph's, and the body of whoever this crazy person was. The sharp corner of the armrest was digging into his skin.
He glanced over at Zeph when he realized he was being spoken to. "Owwwch... yeah, I see." He grimaced in pain, trying to get his arm free.
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Post by Lhachlhass on Nov 7, 2009 23:17:52 GMT -5
Lhachlhass opened his eyes.
And he looked around, where had he been? Where in the world had he been? He had odd memories. He closed his eyes and plunged into thought. Human thoughts, and feelings, and memories that weren't quiet his. He saw an image himself but it was all wrong, he was tiny. Weird skin color.. and human? That was wrong.. and then the memories connected and made sense the seal.. yes so that was it.
Her voice brought him out of his thought.
Who..
Then he remembered.
Lhachlhass opened his eyes and smiled.
He looked down at gray white hands, he was himself again, and she would be the first to know. How appropriate. The disbeliever would believe as he hunted her down.
He stood up drawing to his full height for the first time in a long time. Pulling a flute out of his belt he blew three notes.
Summoning.
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Post by Alex Meriweather on Nov 7, 2009 23:21:30 GMT -5
Alex managed to keep the majority of surprised and fear off his face as he was sat down next to Veronique.
"Yes, ma'am," he mumbled.
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Korlian
Kitty Kat
Academy Freshman: Bound Fae
Close your eyes and surrender to your darkest dreams... Only then can you belong to me...
Posts: 942
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Post by Korlian on Nov 7, 2009 23:26:13 GMT -5
Korlian was in a room that didn't feel right, clothes that were too small... Tearing them off, he covered himself with illusion and left the small odd room. It didn't take him long to find some suitable clothing... nothing compared to what he was used to, but better than the pathetic threads he'd been wearing.
Power... he'd missed this. The memories were odd, distant... his lip curled in pleasure. He was himself again, as he should have been. Though that damn scar was back on his cheek. The image of the form he'd held came to his mind, and he disguised himself within one heartbeat and the next.
Three notes sang to him and he slipped quickly to them, opening the door silently and slipping close to his brother. He glanced at the strange woman and put her out of his mind. She wasn't worth his time... there was a reason, and he was going to find out what it was. As he stood in front of Lhachlhass, his pipes pressed against his chest and caught his attention. Long white fingers held them still as he looked at the Unseelie Fae before him, stormy grey eyes meeting burning orange.
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Post by Veronique Poulain on Nov 7, 2009 23:33:02 GMT -5
Veronique jumped to her feet at the sound of the flute, her hand braced on the back of the chair. There was someone here.
"Korlian." Veronique narrowed her eyes at him. There was something very peculiar about him, though she couldn't quite place it. He was different. "What are you doing in my box?" she asked coldly.
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Post by Lhachlhass on Nov 7, 2009 23:44:56 GMT -5
Lhachlhass sneered, in a quick motion he reached out and grabbed a handful of Veronique's hair pulling her close to him and the sharp dagger he had out.
He sniffed at her. "What in the hell are you" He asked putting audible disgust in the word 'you' "That you should talk to a mighty Fae Prince in such an unseemly manner?" He growled at her shaking her by the locks he held. Bring her closer and closer to the knife.
Lhachlhass let out a low worrying laugh. "I remember you, how I was treated. There WILL be retribution bitch. By the end of the night I will wear your fangs around my neck and your blood up my arms."
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