EVENT ❦ Black Tie & Tails

[uncagedbird]

WHO: Everyone's invited!
WHERE: At the nearest convention center.
WHEN: Saturday, April 22nd
WHAT: The Black Ties and Tails charity fundraiser, a.k.a. an excuse to dress like a prince or princess-- and your pets, too.
WARNINGS: None, but please PM me if this needs to change!

❦ Before the Event.
Saturday afternoon rolls around at the Recollé convention center. Some people have been here since the morning, putting up decorations and making sure everything is perfect. Maybe your character is part of the crew putting up last minute chandeliers and decorations, or maybe they've been working furiously to make sure all the food is aligned perfectly on the plates. Perhaps they're from the shelter and frantically setting up crates and walking the animals before the event starts.

There are certainly some things that need to be done before the doors open, after all.

If someone shows up early needing an outfit and some help, they'll be taken to a large side room that's been cordoned off by shades to give privacy. Racks upon racks of formal wear in every shape and size are found here, and the outfitters are happy to help. Need makeup? That's covered too: the beauty school has a few students eager to give partygoers the newest vogue looks-- for free!

No one is getting into the fundraiser proper unless they're a volunteer, though. And volunteers are expected to be working! Those chairs need to be placed at that table, and the streamers over here are falling down-- it seems like there's no end to the things that need doing.

❦ A Fantastic Soiree.
People start to line up an hour before the event begins. The bouncers check to make sure that everyone attending is dressed properly and has a donation (monetary or food) before letting people inside the building. There's some confusion at first over a woman's glamorous Nicki Minaj-tier outfit, but the proprietor herself smooths the misunderstanding and lets her in. Those with volunteer badges have the donation waived, though anyone with outfits falling short of the ideal are told to pick up a spare outfit in the fashion room.

Despite all odds, the double doors open at five o'clock sharp. The sight that greets those waiting is something out of a dream. The room is huge, as big as an airplane hangar but made much warmer by the netting full of twinkling lights above. Dozens of (fake) trees decorated with flowers line the path leading into the venue, and more lights besides. Lastly, there's a scarlet rug leading to the doors so that everyone can have that red carpet experience.


There are tables toward the front-- furnished with plates and silverware, silk flowers, and fake paw prints all over the cloth. More lights are spread throughout to give the room a golden glow. Each table has two menus highlighting what's available: one for people, and one for pets, if they decided to bring a cat or dog along! All the food has cute animal themes like cookies 'n' cream paws, kitty cat cupcakes, puppy love pie, purrfect pizzas, and the like. There are buffet tables nearby with snacks, drinks, and a multitude of punny desserts. There is, of course, one for furry friends as well. It's clearly marked but hey, if you're daring enough to eat gourmet wet dog food... no one's stopping you.

There is a small stage set up for musicians to play, including a fabulous grand piano. Whenever there isn't something live being played, a DJ in back sets up a cheerful classical playlist highlighting modern dance hits and... Dvorak? It's a little eclectic, sure, but it gets the job done. Near the stage is, of course, the dance floor: a careful arrangement of sturdy flooring and soft fairy lights. It would feel more romantic if the lights were down, but the lights are kept at a level that people can keep track of their limbs and their pets.

Clearly-marked cute signs point to a large adjacent room. This is where the shelter animals are kept in large enclosures, and they're all incredibly well-dressed. The sponsored animals are mainly cats and dogs, each with a little biography, a comfy bed, water, and food. The volunteers are instructed to walk the animals every hour or so, and of course the cats have litter boxes hidden in their crates. Volunteers are on standby for those who'd like to meet the faces here, or put in for an adoption! Patrons will be urged to visit the shelter on Sunday to finalize arrangements.

❦ Some Furry Fun.
At some point, the DJ calls for people to share a dance with their friends-- including dogs! To prove a point, he 'dances' with a very confused but eager chocolate Labrador on stage. Nothing quite like "You've Got A Pal In Me" to make people laugh and cry simultaneously. For those who are perhaps not as embarrassing, rumor spreads quickly: there's a pet loose!

Darting under tables, tripping servers, and knocking stuff over: that's what this pitbull pup is doing. He's growing into his paws, too, which doesn't help; he keeps failing at the turns and slamming into tables. There are heavy casualties to the drink station.

And then the pup lunges for the food table.

Will you watch? Will you apprehend the dog before he can run amok any longer? Or will you guard that seven-tiered chocolate cake with your life?

The nametag he's wearing marks him as one of the dogs available for adoption. If someone can get a hold of that leash, they might be able to wrangle him back into the side room.

❦ The End to an Evening.
After a couple hours, a final call for donations is sounded. Those who would like to donate even more to the Recollé Animal Shelter are encouraged to do so. The dance floor is cleared and people are urged to take their seats.

About a half hour later, it's announced that the fundraiser is a success-- they've raised over fifteen thousand dollars! Goodie bags are given to everyone present. While the black bag itself is fashionable for any gender, it's the inside that counts. Every guest gets the following:

- cruelty-free eyeshadow, eyeliner, and lip gloss
- coupons for 15 percent off the boutiques that outfitted people before the party
- a dog or cat beauty mask
- a paw-patterned clip on bow tie that works for pets as well as people
- and lastly, a cat or dog themed necklace in sterling silver.

When the clock chimes eight, it's officially over and everyone is encouraged to leave. Unless, of course, you're a volunteer... Most of the work will be done tomorrow but a few things must be done in the next hour. The animals need to be packed up and taken back to the shelter, and the food needs to be disposed of; the plates must be stacked, and the chairs arranged neatly along the wall.

At nine, regardless of how clean the place is, staff is officially dismissed. Go home! Get out of here! Hug your pets if you have them!

And thanks, of course, for supporting the Recollé Animal Shelter. ❦

[ooc: Go wild! here is the plot info if you need it. Feel free to handwave speaking to Ari for clothes help or volunteering. This is a stress free plot for anyone and everyone to dress up nice and pet the pets-- or bring their own as long as they're leashed. Let me know if there are any last minute questions via PM or fonfabre. Thank you!!!!]

Comments

Naoto Shirogane | OTA

[truedetective]

[A Soiree]

[Naoto is here primarily to support the work the shelter does. She has something of a fond spot for animals; her grandparents had had several dogs and cats when she'd grown up in their care. One of them had been an old police dog who had been on the force with her father, though he'd died when Naoto had been young.

Part of her thinks about getting a dog of her very own. After all, her inheritance isn't inconsiderable, so she can afford it. And great detectives need a faithful hound, don't they? But it's only a pipe dream in the back of her mind.

And in the meantime, she's realizing why she doesn't socialize more. There are way too many people. So Naoto-- fairly smartly dressed in a suit and tie, actually-- is being something of a wallflower, hanging off to the side and nursing her drink.

Really, she's a prime target to bother.]

[Runaway Pup]

[The commotion caused by the runaway dog is impossible to miss, and Naoto happens to be sitting at a table between it and the food. She immediately realizes what it's going to do and slides to her feet, pushing the chair back.] Come on, boy-- good boy, it's time to stop playing, you--

[For being a puppy, this is a pretty big dog. Wow. He looks way bigger up close. And now he's jumping, and...

...it's a little humiliating, if you're Naoto, and being completely bowled over by a rambunctious pup. Oops.]

[Evening's End]

[The dog that bowled her over was safely brought back to the others, and she'd gone to check it out.

Naoto hadn't expected there to be a dog there who'd immediately taken a shining to her. And so she'd done something very uncharacteristic of her: She'd acted on impulse.

The result is that Naoto can be found outside, in her now-rumpled suit, holding the leash to a large shepherd mix with a cute bow tie.]

What am I going to do with you...?

a soiree

[complementing]

[Koromaru certainly thinks so! He's so excited to dress up in his old tuxedo and be surrounded by so much activity that he's been tugging on his leash for a good thirty minutes now, scouting the perimeter for people offering pets, and of course new doggy butts to sniff. This is probably the third circuit Minako's walked with him. And while she doesn't want to spoil his fun, she doesn't want to keep going without socializing either, so as Koromaru pauses at Naoto's feet, she offers a somewhat pleading smile.] He's going to move on in about twenty seconds whether you give him a pet or not, but I'd love it if we could chat, Shirogane-kun. Will you walk with me for a bit?

Evening's End

[true_noir]

Well, I should hope feed him and scratch him behind the ear. I imagine that he would like such a thing.

[Chloe walked up towards the rumpled gentleman of the hour and his now newly faithful pooch with a bit of a smile. She was sorely, sorely tempted to get a dog herself, and it was quite possible she might sneak back in and adopt one just before the festivities were entirely over. However, for the moment, she was just in the mood to converse.

Dressed in a simple black dress, she smiled at him and knelt, letting the dog sniff her hand.] I see that you've found a new friend, Naoto. Well, I have heard law enforcement do love their dogs, so it's good to get started early, yes?

Runaway Pup

[strawberrypunch]

[Ah.

He sees the whole thing, wincing as the young boy is playfully pounced on by the dog. It looked like they were keeping a pretty sharp eye on the animals when he dropped by to see them earlier... He has to wonder how this one managed to get loose entirely.

Not wanting to be a useless onlooker, he steps up to help. Can he possibly catch its leash to try and tug it back a bit?]

Are you alright?

Ari/Garnet | OTA

[uncagedbird]

[I. the ball]

[Ari is busy putting out last-minute fires. That seems to be her job lately, but it's one she does well and with enthusiasm. As a result, she's largely absent from public view while preparations are underway. She makes an appearance, finally, about half an hour into the fundraiser...

Fashionably late is not inaccurate in this case. She wears a procession of skirts in sage and silver. The embroidery is of green vines running along the topskirt and her detached sleeves, though the sweetheart neckline is very modern. Clear and green crystals set in silver adorn her exposed collarbone, matching the crystal flower comb resting in her gathered hair. The brightest thing is, of course, her smile.

She makes it a point to talk to just about anyone who isn't sitting placidly at a table, though don't worry: she'll chat them up, too.]

Thank you so much for coming. I hope you're enjoying yourself. Ah, did you have a chance to visit the animals? There's this ten year old cat and he's such a sweetheart...

[II. dancing heels]

[After having some food and settling down a bit, she decides she wants the complete opposite of that. It's not like her to simply stand by the sidelines. Her mother isn't hosting this party-- she is. So, while a particularly energetic band plays, she decides to roll with it.

Ari touches the dance floor with one foot, then another, and soon she's wiggling along with everyone else in some approximation of twirling to the beat. Her shoes slip on the dance floor at first, but she regains her balance quickly. Her long hair might smack someone in the face, though-- sorry in advance. She's not a terrible dancer, not in the slightest, but she is wearing about four different fluffy skirts. This is why slow dancing is a thing.]

[III. wildcard]
[Feel free to write up a prompt! I do not mind whatsoever.]

dancing heels

[complementing]

[Bet you weren't expecting to dance with a dog tonight, Ari! That's exactly what's going to happen right now, for no other reason than the fact that Koromaru is absolutely fascinated with her skirts. He comes prancing over with Minako on the other end of his leash, and once he's caught Ari's attention, dips into a play bow towards her. Minako curtsies just to go along with it, hiding a smile behind her hand.] I think he's asking if he can dance with you.

Iris Amicitia | OTA

[borntoolate]

[Iris has managed to convince her parents to make a sizable donation to the charity, and to let her attend the party in their stead. After all, donating to this sort of thing always looks good to others. And isn't it nice that Iris is finally taking on some social responsibilities?

Seriously though, she just wanted to come to the party. And pet some cats. And show off her new dress.]

Dance floor-

You look bored.

[Yes, she's talking to you. Because maybe you're a wallflower or maybe you're taking a break. It doesn't matter because she's only asking because she's bored. ]

Wanna dance?

Adoption room-

[The real draw to this party is all the cute furry friends in the next room. Iris is currently cooing at a precious little white cat.]

Aww~ Who's a pretty little kitty?

[Don't even judge her that's an important question. Inquiring minds need to know.]

adoption room

[complementing]

[The thing about parties and events is that no matter how carefully planned they are, something always ends up needing attention. And as one of the more experienced volunteers, Minako usually has to see to it even if she's given "the rest of the night off". So here she is in the adoption room carrying a large animal crate in, with her patient and tuxedoed puppy following after. Her smile says 'welcome to the adoption room', but her eyes say 'I am very ready to murder someone'. The typical high pitched cooing sounds of a person in front of a cute animal draw her attention, though, and she pauses to reply, using the moment to adjust her grip on the crate as well.] That's Melliana! She's a sweetheart, but if you decide to adopt her you'll have to be careful-- she has a habit of getting stuck in the tiniest of hidey holes for hours on end.

Tatsuma Hiyuu | OTA

[strawberrypunch]

[Soiree]

Having been dragged along by Souji, Tatsuma is... Immediately rejected at the door. Temporarily, at least; he needs to change into more appropriate clothing, and he complies.

Once he's in, he drifts towards the food, though he can't help but tug at the ears every so often. He's not used to wearing... Well, basically any of these clothes, and while he's reasonably relaxed, he doesn't look terribly comfortable in the getup. No, fancy get-togethers like this are clearly out of his usual scope.

[Pets!]

Eventually, he goes to check out the stars of the show, crouching down heedless of his fancy suit in front of the enclosures so he can get a better look.

And... Boy, he looks serious about this, staring down a rabbit currently turned to keep one eye on him. Truly, it's a gaze that could bore holes right through steel. Just what could he have noticed about this poor, ordinary rabbit...?

Slowly, his serious expression becomes a soft, satisfied smile. And, to anyone who happens to be nearby, he imparts this nugget of wisdom:

"This one... He's good."

...Tatsuma, what the hell?

[Wildcard!]

((Hit me with your best shot!))

Pets

[cutenessproximity]

A tall, stern-looking man in a nice suit and dog ears is helping mind the animals. One of the jobs he takes very seriously (though honestly, he takes everything seriously) is making sure that everyone who's interacting with the animals knows how the animals themselves should be treated: in particular, lots of people will act like rabbits are much more docile than they are, just because they're cute, so he's been keeping a close eye on them to ensure no one gets bitten.

He was about to ask this young man if he needed any help and try to encourage him to move along, but that declaration catches him off-guard, and his gaze softens. "...He is. ...If you're careful, you can pet him."

Sorey | OTA

[openhanded]

[I. let's get this shindig started!!!]

[Sorey's never been to something this formal so it's kind of an affair. He's very grateful that his mother taunt him how to iron. Though most people will probably be looking at Mikleo tonight, he doesn't want to embarrass his other half by looking sloppy, so he's dressed in a crisp off-white suit and bowtie. Look, no one banned paisley. Let him live. Adding to the animal theme, of course, is a pair of brown wolf ears that make him look like a puppy given human form. They look a bit odd against his gold ear cuff and studs. His history kids may be surprised to see multiple ear piercings on their straight-laced student teacher.

He ventures away from Mikleo to get food for the both of them. While he's eyeing some vanilla custard cups in the shape of rabbits, he realizes someone nearby is about to grab the last solid chocolate cat with ganache filling and white chocolate accents. The chocolate cat that someone else sent him to grab.]

Ah, w-wait! I know that's the last one, but do you think you could hand it over? Please? It's for a friend.

[He flashes a nervous grin. This is not the face of a liar.]

[II. puppy love]

[Sorey is just enjoying his evening, taking lots of pictures, petting dogs, sneaking ridiculously sappy glances at Mikleo when he thinks no one's looking. You know, the usual. But then the call goes out and it becomes clear that a pupper is after supper. His eyes narrow on the ungraceful pup darting to and fro, slamming into poor passersby and knocking over the ones who aren't careful.]

Is that...?

[Yep, the pup has just caught scent of the food. Off he goes. Sorey ditches his chair suddenly and gives chase, apologizing the whole way.]

Excuse me! Sorry! Dog on the loose!

[He weighs his options in a split second and decides to take a shortcut that involves jumping a lady's long dress train and sliding beneath a trellis. There is yelling. He's not sure from which direction but it doesn't matter. The dog is within his sights. Sorey leaps...

... only to land far short of the mark, face first into the floor. He doesn't move immediately, but this is partially owing to the fact that he just got a face full of someone's dinner plate. His face looks like a pie.

He wonders, distantly, if this is what it's like to roll a natural 1.]

[III. wildcard]
[As usual, feel free to make something up! He spends a lot of time avoiding the dance floor, preferring to coo over the pets instead.]

i

[complementing]

[Minako's hand hovers over the chocolate cat, looking up with a mischievous grin. Koromaru watches the exchange at her feet, and blinks with mild interest at the wolf ears Sorey's wearing.] Aren't I your friend?

[okitactless]

Soiree, throughout the party

[Those familiar with Yamato might be painfully aware that he pays very little attention to his appearance. It's only the fact that he lives with a fashion major that stops him from rolling out of bed and shuffling to class in his pajamas, honestly. So "Yasusada Yamato" and "Formal Wear" don't exactly seem to fit together in the same sentence.

But somehow, he isn't a walking disaster yet. He's actually bothered to dress nicely for this, and while there's not really any hope for his hair (which may as well be considered dressing up like a pomeranian tbh), he's at least got it in a different style. Whether he did this himself or with the help of a thousand fairy godmothers is anybody's guess, but here he is either way, wandering around with open interest on his face.

...There's a little cupcake frosting on his face too. Whoops.

Whether a kind soul tells him or not, he'll be found at the dance floor eventually, watching people with his head slightly tilted and a thoughtful expression on his face.]

Do you think those creepy giant caterpillars would make good dance partners?

[??? WHO IS HE TALKING TO-- oh wait, it's you. Because obviously that's what you want to be thinking about at this moment, right?

You might also notice him at the end of the night, holding something with his brow furrowed. He's already got the dog necklace on, goodie bag on his arm, and when he lifts the object in his hands up to the light-- yep, that sure is the beauty mask. WHY DID HE OPEN IT ALREADY.]

What is this even for?

Animals

[Yamato doesn't mind socializing, but the main draw here is quite clearly the cute animals. You'll probably see him kneeling or laying down on the floor in front of each crate, happily making his way through and petting all of the dogs in the room. He's probably in your way... step over him, step on him, do something else, whatever works.

The alternative is noticing him squinting at the cat crates, with-- suspicion?? YAMS WHY.]

[true_noir]

[Someone recognized him from the message a while back and, when she saw him squinting into the cage like that, it turned on the 'imp switch' in her mind. Sneaking up in a black dress wasn't easy, but if he was paying attention to the cats the way he was, then she could probably pull it off.

When she got close enough, she leaned forward to say softly....] I hear they can read your mind.

[Chloe, no. Bad.]

Chloe - OTA

[true_noir]

The Event
Chloe was here as a guest instead of a volunteer. Her donation was nothing vast, under the circumstances, but she could afford 20 dollars, so it was a good excuse to dress up, to socialize and to take her mind off of things. Volunteering, after some of the business of the last few months, was a bit too much so she wanted to relax today. Dressed in a black dress with nice heels, she floated along the edges of the event, hunting for people that she knew to chat with.

She was clearly in a good mood this evening, though it was all at the surface level. She'd been having kind of a rough last week, and so everything was a bit of a sham, to make sure she didn't worry anyone. She was bound and determined to enjoy herself this evening, and that was what was going to happen. So, finding friends was the first order of business.

Adoption - (Towards the very end of the event)
Near the end of the evening, she found herself back at the adoption center. It was just past the end of the event and a few had not been snagged quite yet, leaving her to look at them with both a bit of sympathy and curiosity. One particular cat and a pug had her attention and, while she scratched at the back of the feline's ears, she murmured softly to herself. "You wouldn't judge me... well, unless I did not give you enough affection of course."

Should she? She hadn't decided, but the little black cat was adorable.

Yin | OTA

[longwei2go]

[ Yin surprised herself in showing up to this fancy-shmancy party as much anyone else. after all, who ever thought a girl with this much ink on her and that much metal in her could pull off a clean white dress? much less that she would wear (and look quite comfortable) in a pair of matching heels.

though "pulling off" is up for debate, since she also arrives to the front door carrying two heavy bags of dry dog food over her shoulder. after dumping that off in the side room for her entrance fee she makes a beeline for the food table, not caring if she still smells faintly of kibble or not.

1 ) then it's off to mingle with her favorite attendees — the poor neglected sods also up for adoption.

2 ) one might also want to carefully approach her and tell her that someone has stuck a post-it note in her massive untamed mane of hair that reads "FREE TO GOOD HOME" in sharpie.

3 ) or maybe you'll just find her sitting on the sidelines, watching the dance floor and the exits with a quizzical look on her face. like she's contemplating either joining people or bailing out.

4 ) finally, there's an attempt made at interfering with the puppy running loose. though, unlike others, Yin is not interested in apprehending the excitable little pet, but rather getting in the way of anyone chasing after them. there's going to be 6'3" of a woman who looks a cross between Marilyn Manson and Marilyn Monroe in their way now. what do?

wildcard ) perhaps the encounter is something else entirely. before, during, or after the party. she may not be around all night but make of it what you will — she'll roll with it, or roll out. ]

1+2

[cutenessproximity]

[While she's admiring the animals, the tall, stern volunteer keeping an eye on them stares at her hair silently for a long moment.]

You have something stuck in your hair. [Probably that bluntness is why he's in here with the animals.]

Hitori Togusa - OTA

[standalonehuman]

1: For Gentiana
Togusa never gets the chance to wear this thing. Topping it all off with a pair of brown puppy ears, to match the party's theme. He grins at his own pup, Daisuke, and spreads out his arms. "What do you think?"

The dog rolls over and puts his head back down in the pillow.

"Everybody's a critic..." Daisuke is a little too tired to come along, so it's just Togusa that shows up at Gentiana's place. His heart is soaring in his chest, simultaneously nervous and excited and a little silly, but it's a night with Gentiana, and it's for the best cause. This- might be a good night to talk to her about some things. But, he shakes his head. Let the night unfold how it will. Just concentrate on having a good time. So, all right. He steels his breath before he gently knocks on her door.

2: Later on in the evening

It's possible to get Togusa separated from his date, although very difficult. For anyone who has been doubting why Togusa has had this strange smile on his face for the last few months every time no one was looking, it's clear who the reason is, because his spirits are not dropping for anything tonight.

But he does take the time to mingle. He gave a generous donation (for a cop's pay), and wants to find any of the shelter workers that he can. Daisuke has been a pretty good success story for the shelter, and he's grateful for the care that they had given to a dog that wasn't in the best of health.

Gwendal von Voltaire | OTA

[cutenessproximity]

[A - Getting ready]

[Gwendal is here, of course. He debated on whether or not he should - in all probability, there are going to be people here who recognize him from other charity benefits, and will no doubt be surprised to learn that he's been volunteering at the shelter.

To his surprise, he's less worried about that than he used to be. With all the strangeness that's been going on, somehow maintaining his reputation and keeping his social lives separate seems less important than it once did.

He's dressed quite nicely (minus the sword, of course), and someone has talked him into wearing a headband with dark-brown furry dog ears on it. Right now, before the benefit actually starts, he's not wearing the jacket either, as he's been assigned the task of rearranging tables.

And speaking of which, you are standing right where this one needs to be.] Move, or I'll set this down on your foot.

[B - Animal care 101]

[Dinnertime for the humans is dinnertime for kittens, too. They're on a regular schedule, and they start crying if not fed on time.

Of course, the moment Gwendal steps into their enclosure area with a dish, he is swarmed by mewling kittens all-too-willing to climb his legs to reach the food.]

Hey now, settle down. I can't put it down for you if I have to worry about stepping on you...

[C - The Banquet]

[Of course, the volunteers do get a little time to themselves to just enjoy the party, or at least to get some food. Gwendal is a bit of a wallflower, but at least he's in a pretty good mood tonight - you might run into him in the buffet line, or standing off to the side of the main floor with a plate, holding an adorable dessert and staring at it as if he's trying to decide whether it's too cute to eat.]

[Wildcard]

[Or make up something else!]

banquet

[complementing]

[Minako is just going to. Hover at his elbows in the buffet line, trying to peek around his broad stature for a look at what's available. She doesn't want to bother him but at the same time she really wants that last mini bunny bundt cake just out of reach...]

Dante | do i even need to specify y'all know i'm up for everybody ♥

[darkinferno]

i. castle convention center of dreams
[Dante doesn't really put himself in the public eye much. Sure, his parents are well-known in the music sphere, and he's seen his fair share of galas and balls and charity events, but now that he's on his own he doesn't really make it a point to go to any of them--he prefers to keep his work behind the scenes. But when your girlfriend is the brains behind the charity event, you can't exactly opt out!

(Besides, Ari had championed this idea. Of course he has to be there alongside her for support!)

So when Dante makes his appearance, he's dressed for the occasion in a sharp, well-fitted suit and a tie and pocket square to match Ari's dress (so replace the black with sage and the gold with silver!). Perhaps the most disarming part is that he's in full-on Socializing Mode, with a charming smile on his face and laughter in his eyes as he mingles and talks with some of the wealthier-looking guests--oh yes, he's picking his targets, chatting them up and suggesting that they meet some of the animals from the shelter, maybe consider making a donation beyond what they've already given tonight. After all, the animal shelter needs constant upkeep and purchases; they're always in need of more cat litter or food!

Maybe you're part of a group where Dante's working the patrons:

How are you doing tonight, Mrs. Kensington? It's wonderful to see you again. Have you seen the cats yet this evening? There's a tortoiseshell that I'm certain you'd adore... [or] Good evening, folks, I wanted to thank you so much for coming out tonight to show your support for the animal shelter...

Or perhaps you're someone he knows, or just someone that seems like they're less of a minefield to talk to. Whatever the case, he's stepping up to you, the smile on his face slipping back into his normal expression.]

Hey, do me a favor and act like you're talking to me for a second. That's Wilson Reichter over there and if he starts talking to you, he never stops.


ii. a symphony of sorcery
[The presence of the grand piano certainly didn't go unnoticed by Dante. He's not as great a piano player as his father is, but he's been well-trained, learning first at his grandmother's side and then really learning alongside his father as they'd played during sound checks on tour.

It's funny, he reflects as he takes a seat at the bench, flexing his fingertips over the keys. He and Vera had both commiserated over being volunteered to play at their own parents' charity events, and here he is, willingly taking to the keys for Ari's. Things really are different when it's something (or someone) you're passionate about, huh...

Dante starts off with an old favorite, before moving into something a bit more lyrical and then something for the ambiance. He won't take up too much time at the piano, but hey, enjoy the music!]


iii. [wildcard]
[Want him to take you for a spin around the dance floor (because surprise, yes, Dante knows how to dance!)? Help catch that wild pup before it causes too much trouble? Help you get the perfect selfie with all of the cats or figure out how to get animal fur out of fine fabrics? Hit me up! If you'd like a specific prompt and want me to write a starter, PM me or PP me at journeys!]

ii

[me_matey]

Play some Queen.

-May approached the piano leaning over it just to the side of the sound board, smacking her lips before taking a sip of her drink. Because hey, she didn't want to be there, at all, but she couldn't turn down free food. And even if it was just from the network, Dante was a familiar face.-

[burningblossoms]

A. Soiree

[Yukiko is here for a reason, and she's already arranged for an adoption. This event is just a formality, and an excuse to dress up a little bit. She's not exactly comfortable in all this but the dress is getting a trial run for prom and it's for a good cause.

Keeping to the edges of the party, and the food tables, she's got a dapper companion trundling along beside her. He's wearing a thin leash and sticking his nose into everything to give it a sniff. Shoes, unattended purses, exposed ankles, plates that are low to the ground...and Yukiko's probably not noticing unless it's pointed out.

Catch her there, or sitting down with her pupper and a pile of food. That's probably a safer bet if you want to avoid pugnose.]


An End

[And out Yukiko goes, walking her new dog out and wearing the widest possible smile. She's pretty blissfully unaware of her surroundings at the moment and may bump into you. Or, if she knows you? She'll come walking right up.]

So! Say hello to my new dog!

[notyourutopian]

Uh, Yukiko?

[Eleanor comment as she walked up next to her best friend, her expression clearly amused, watching the pug next to the other teen up on his hind-legs, stealing food from a plate someone had foolishly left on a chair.]

You might want to stop him?

[She nodded towards the dog. She was dressed in the suit she had for the cross-dressing competition, because honestly, she thought she looked pretty good in it! Grace the border collie, her own dog, was trailing after her, and as soon as Eleanor stopped, the old dog settled down onto her stomach to wait. And eye the little pug carefully.]

Noah Campbell | OTA

[redarm]

[ I. Soiree: Dining ]

[ Noah is completely out of his element tonight. He's never been to one of these fancy events before, and frankly, he's had no desire to go to one either. But when the person running it is your cousin that's giving you a place to sleep ...well, you don't have much of a choice.

So he's here, even wearing a nice tux, with a dog paw paw print facepainted onto the left side of his forehead. He didn't have a date, so instead he brought along Timcanpy, who alternates between riding on Noah's head and his shoulder. Like every other creature here, Tim is dressed up nice- with a little top hat taped to his head, and a bow on his tail. Oddly, any of the guests who isn't on Retrospec don't seem to notice anything odd about Timcanpy. If any of them even make a comment about him, it sounds like they think he's a bird.

During the meal, he's sitting at one of the tables. He reads over the menu, keeping it up like he's almost trying to use it to avoid conversation. At least until he can't help but exclaim. ]

What's a..."puppy love pie"?

[Sounds weird and possibly dirty ok.]

[ II. Soiree ANIMALS ]

[When he's not eating, Noah is spending as much time as he can around the animals because well- animals are better than people. In fact, he seems to be next to outright ignoring people as he crouches down at each dog cage, greeting them with the warmth and smile that no human ever seems to get unless he's on the clock.]

Why hello there! Aren't you a good boy? Yes you are!

[Timcanpy meanwhile keeps looking warily over at the cat enclosures. He has a bad feeling about this]

[ III. End ]

[Just when everything seems to be closing out for a relaxing and fun evening where the only bites came from animals and not Noah - you can hear him yelling!]

Oy! Give him back!

[Going over to investigate will reveal that he's yelling at one of the cats that's managed to get out of its cage and climb up high enough to be out of Noah's reach. In the cat's mouth is none other than Timcanpy, whose being held against his will as the cat has a hold of one of his wings in its mouth. He's trying to wiggle out for freedom, but he's not having much luck.

See? Tim knew he had a bad feeling about this]

[IV. Wildcard]

[Want to do something else with Noah? Make him socialize? Make him dance? I'm completely game for whatever!]

III

[notyourutopian]

[Eleanor was just getting ready to leave, Grace the Border Collie trailing alone behind her, when she heard that unhappy shout and turned to find a cat had kidnapped a...something?]

[What in the world was that?]

[Well, whatever it was, it seemed to be moving, really. And the cat was clearly out of reach of the owner and anyone nearby. Which wouldn't...technically...be out of reach for Eleanor.]

[Well shit.]

[After a few moments of soul searching, she sighed to herself and walked over. Okay. How to cover this up...]

Maybe you should lure it down with some food?

[She suggested to the distraught young man. He only needed to look away for a moment...]

Augustine Sauveterre | OTA

[megabond]

Before the Event

[Augustine is really busy for tonight. With the Black Tie and Tails coming up in a few hours, he is very busy at the venue setting up some the tables and dinnerware for the many guests coming for the event, not to mention checking on the pets to make sure they are healthy.

But despite his gratitude and determination on volunteering for the event, he is clearly exhausted from all of the work he did afterward. Right now, he is resting at one of the chairs at the back, which he is happy to talk to anyone during his break.]

Soiree

[Once the Black Tie and Tails went underway, Augustine is working not only as one of the greeters to many guests that come into the venue but also checks on the shelter animals from time to time. In fact, if you enter the party after enduring all those security checks, he might greet you with a simple smile.]

Hello. Welcome to the Black Tie and Tails. I hope you have a wonderful time.

[If you like, you can strike up a chat with him or if you want him to talk to him after his greeting duties, you can see checking on the dogs near the tables.]

Puppy Trouble

[Of course, anything can go wrong when it comes to these mischievous pups and the party is no exception.

Right now, as the runaway puppy keeps tripping on servers and tables, Augustine is one of the people trying to catch this pitbull pup. Sure, he has gotten used to chasing any runaway animals back then, but even he can't able to catch it alone.

Regardless, maybe you should help him out before he runs out of breath.]

WILDCARD

[You know the drill. Make something up for the event!]

[me_matey]

-And there he was, one of the main reasons May had been so hesitant to attend, despite most of her protests being seated in it just not being her scene. Despite all that, Yin had forced her to go, put her in a dress, and thus there she was, approaching Augustine with clearly more nerves than she'd ever had on their previous meetings.

She hadn't even told him she'd be there. She kind of hoped he assumed she wouldn't be and she could keep avoiding being seen. But Yin had, once again, pushed her out into his field of view. No avoiding it now...-

Uh... Hey. Fancy, uh... seeing you here? -Why wouldn't be there? What a stupid line.-

Émilie Écarlate | OTA

[scarlet_devil]

[A Soiree]

[ This was an event that Émilie had made certain not to miss, and besides, her younger sisters needed a chaperone and kept out of trouble. The woman had indeed come dressed for the occasion, with a few bat-themed accessories, wings and ears - yes, she finds them to be cute. As cute as the Papillon dog (named Tupai for trying to climb everything as a puppy) she had brought with her.

Not one to stand on the sidelines, Émilie will be happily mingling, maybe turning a few heads in the process, more than willing to stop a moment for a chat. Or, perhaps, meet her on the dance floor? ]

[true_noir]

[Meeting Emilie on the dance floor was something that a certain black clad sort wouldn't resist on a normal occasion. But, today, with her finally starting to get her feet slowly back and underneath her after the changes to her body? Chloe wanted to show off her newfound agility for her friend, and maybe try to take the lead in a dance or two.

So, as she saw the woman nearing the dance floor, she slipped up closer and smiled at her from just behind.] Want to try to intimidate a few of them, Emilie dear? I think I've picked up a few moves since we last danced.

[bold_in_deed]

A. Soiree

[Ilia can hardly believe she's here. These parties were a mainstay of her adolescence, and she hated every single one of them. But this one is for a good cause, and hey, free food.

It took some saving up and a lot of ramen noodle dinners, but she snagged this dress for the occasion. She brought a few cans of dog food for the admission, and once she's inside, she can mostly be found at the tables, trying all sorts of the absurdly adorable named dishes.]

These puns are killing me. Luckily the food makes up for the awfulness.

B. Adoption Area

[It hadn't been her intention to interact much with the animals. Despite wanting to support the shelter, Ilia isn't too familiar with having a pet. Her parents hated the thought of having an animal in the house, and well, to Ilia, they just loathed the idea of their children having any sort of fun or joy. Why no, she's not bitter or anything...

However, she wanders over to where the animals are, just to take a look. After a few minutes, she's about to turn away, when a small "meow" catches her attention. She kneels down and comes face to face with a little kitten. It sticks its little paw out, and Ilia's heart grew three sizes melts.]

Oh no... Look, you don't want me taking you home. I'm an asshole, and my place is small. I probably couldn't even afford to take care of you.

[She doesn't sound convinced. Come over and help convince her, either way?]

C. Wildcard

[Hit me with your own scenario!]

[erythristic]

Don't look at the eyes, that's how they'll ensnare you.

[Grell says this calmly, watching this woman engaging in a difficult battle of will. it's one she fights with regularity, so she thinks she can offer some advice.]

Keep reminding yourself of how awful an owner you'd be, and say it's enough to pet them.

[she says this, and yet she's crouching in her dress, looking at a different cat who's blinking sleepily at them both.]

ardyn izunia | ota + a tiny closed prompt

[daemonized]

soiree.

[If Ardyn wasn’t here to support the shelter, he has a feeling that he’d not hear the end of it from his nephews. At least, that’s what he’ll tell everyone — the truth of the matter being that his arm was actually not as twisted as he’ll make it sound. Still, that’s a secret he’ll be keeping close to the heart, and unlikely to share with just anyone.

At any rate, he’s actually dressed nicely, quite unlike his usual hobo chic inclinations; nice dark slacks, cleanly pressed (white?!) dress shirt, paired with a black suit vest that adheres well to his form. Properly tailored clothing, how on earth is he managing? Well, he’s made a few compromises — the tie he had been wearing is already loosened around his neck, the top button of his dress shirt is undone, and the night’s barely started.

Feel free to run into him, commenting on the rare sight.]

soiree — for grell.

[He’s not come alone, nor does he intend to spend much of the night terribly far from Grell. Case in point, Ardyn will turn to her when the night goes into full swing, asking:]

Care for a dance? Or does something else catch your eye?

wildcard.

[Want something specific? Go for it!]

[erythristic]

And here I thought I'd have to be the one asking that particular question.

[which she would have at a point if he hadn't. the very least that could happen, after he asked her out to this and she accepted, would be a dance. it was practically an unspoken given, in her mind, but it's nice to be asked, all the same, and she leads the way to the floor.]

Something did catch my eye, but I wonder if you can guess what it is.

Rachel Hishimura | ota

[clear_eyes]

[A soiree]

[Rachel wasn't exactly used to big fancy parties. But she was here on the suggestion of other people, including her friends and her mother. It was something of another big step for her, but she was happy to come, especially considering it was for a good cause. She showed up in her outfit from Founder's Day: a white blouse, a blue skirt worn over black slacks, and a red scarf.

A fancy restaurant wasn't exactly the same as a fancy venue, but going to one had prepared Rachel somewhat in terms of what to expect. Nevertheless, she couldn't help but feel a little bit awestruck. The pet-themed decorations didn't seem to diminish that or seem tacky; Rachel thought they were cute.

But what gets Rachel in the end is the animals - in particularly the cats. At one point in the night, you can find her in the adjacent room, staring at them from afar, an adoring look in her eyes... and an allergy mask covering her face. Other times, she could be found back in the main area, enjoying the refreshments, or wistfully staring at the dance floor.]

[end to an evening]

[By the end of the evening, Rachel is more than a little bit exhausted. Somehow she's managed to avoid having an allergic reaction, which is in no small part due to some preparation and being careful that evening. She actually got to interact with some pets in the end, albeit in a limited capacity.

She smiles as she heads for the exit, wearing the cat necklace from the goodie bag. She looks at it admiringly, before she turns to the nearest person and offers a question in an attempt at socialization.]

Hey there! Did you have a good time tonight?

[strongestheart]

[If Rachel hadn't noticed Maya already at this thing, she WILL find the girl darting in the adjacent room to admire all of the shelter animals in their own party attire. At the very least, she's more focused on the animals than any condition Rachel might be in from afar.]

Oh my gosh I'm going to die, they're all so adorable...!

Alicia Clover | OTA!

[rosettareflected]

[A | arrival]
[Alicia had wanted to dress up for something for a while now, and this was a good excuse! She's in line shortly before five, in a surprisingly soft dress, a deep green with conservative lines, and modest heels that don't get in her way. She may not have dressed up much, but it's something, and it's been kind of a weird month, sue her. When she makes it inside the venue, she relaxes, pausing for a flute of white grape juice (consumed slowly with a self-deprecating smile) before looking around for anyone she knows. Or really just anyone looking like they need someone to talk to. She knows how to stand back, she just doesn't.]

[B | small steps]
[While it's been a while since she's had a chance to dress up, it's been even longer since she's danced, Zumba excluded. She'll gravitate toward the floor at least once during the night, mostly during slower songs. She doesn't have a partner with her, of course, but perhaps she can find one; if she can, she'll offer her hand with a small giggle and a smile. If she can't, well, watching is fun, too, and she can be found in the immediate vicinity moving slightly in time with the music.]

[C | wildcard | night's end]
[As time wears on, Alicia finds herself a seat at a table to take a break from things. With a small exception for a trip to the donation stand at last call, she stays there, people-watching and resting. Of course, nothing stops her from being dragged away somewhere - and to some extent, she expects it - but she can really only handle a maximum amount of party in a given span.

She doesn't immediately head home after the event, waiting outside for a little bit for one last chance to catch her friends, several of whom she knows were here tonight. It's kind of different from their usual affairs, so she figured it'd be good to check up on everyone and make sure they survived.]

B

[strongestheart]

[It is nice to have a chance to dress up! As Maya's own pink dress, similarly conservative (she'd had it for awhile, and it's more something she'd show up at in one of her parents business engagements) is a testament to. Still, she'd shown up on her own - with a donation check on behalf of her parents, who at least saw this as a worthy cause but were... busy. As it usually was.

The party has all the hallmarks of the things she enjoys, but it's a bit lonely at first until she starts scanning for people she knows, eventually locking in on Alicia. (Like a guided missile, it would seem, at this point) She skitters to a bit of a halt at the insinuation of the offered hand, looking around to make sure there was no one else Alicia could be indicating.]

[covenantal]

[ a soiree ]

[ For one reason or another, Yu walks into this party seeming almost like ... a different person. Something about the way he's smiling. Or maybe that he's just smiling, a lot, and projecting a confidence that his close friends and confidants may realize is normally unlike him. He seems very at home in the setting of a fancy dress party, wearing a fitted tux (with requisite black cat tail, of course) that looks like it was made for him. (Which it was. Thank the twins' parents.) All in all, he seems, well ... maybe you might mistake him for Souji, with this natural outgoing demeanor that might almost seem like swagger taken just a step further. His silver eyes are on display, not hidden behind sunglasses as he took to doing at the start of the month. He's at home in his skin, not bothered by being so visible, so public.

Maybe he's just in an unusually good mood? Something's up with that.

Anyway, he'll spend some time mingling, saying hi to anyone he knows and introducing himself to anyone he doesn't if they seem like they need a conversational partner. But while he's comfortable with this particular song and dance, it seems almost like fate eventually draws him over to the pet food table. Like, he's definitely eying that stuff intently. Come join him, and he'll ask you, with deadpan seriousness: ]

Looks pretty good, don't you think? Maybe I should try it.

[ end of the evening ]

[ Is he... wearing lip gloss? Yes. Yes he is. He's also swapped his real tie for the clip-on bow tie and put on the necklace. He got a dog-themed one, which is a mild disappointment, but he can live with it.

He's messing with the eye shadow, prodding at it in a semi-curious way. ]

How do you put this on?

[ Anyway, later you can find him with all of the above plus eye shadow doing his part to help clean up. He didn't do much to set up the event itself, but he does volunteer at the shelter, so he feels like he should help, especially after that pet rampage from earlier.

Though, with his hands full of a soiled table cloth, he won't see you in his path. If you don't see him first, you two will have a minor collision, with Yu piping up from behind the cloth, trying to peek around it: ]

Sorry, sorry! Are you alright?

A soiree

[redarm]

[Noah for one, certainly noticed this boost of confidence in Yu. It was surprising to see compared to the quieter kid that he's gotten used to. It doesn't help either that it stands out in stark contrast to Noah's own lack of confidence at being here. At first he was wondering if he mixed him up for Souji- but no way right? Souji had the old man hair now, so that's how you tell them apart...

Still, it's weird enough that Noah in his very discreet way, decides to get this answered when Yu asks about the food]

Who are you?

[tokencanadian]

A great party
[Victoria was here for one very important reason, and for one very important reason. The first reason was simply for the sake of the animals. She'd always been an animal person, sharing a fondness with her parents, and who wouldn't want to do some good for puppies and kitties?

The second reason? ...Vera had agreed to their date here. With the heiress finding the time, and Victoria finally managing to drag herself from the depths of her finals week, there was no way she'd miss out on it now. She'd even finally put last months gift to use.

They had come together, though keeping separate at the entrance for appearance sake. They would meet up soon. But for now, Vic was free to take in the atmosphere - and what an atmosphere it was!

In the meantime, she would stay to the side of the dancefloor, watching the crowd mingle - humans and pets alike - to the light beat. For a moment, she felt something she couldn't understand.]

A good dog
[Why yes, she did find the spaces where the stars of the show are being kept. and yes, she is over by the enclosure with all the puppies; big and little dogs alike dressed to the nines, and quite a few of them showing interest in the redhead who's expression is nothing short of awe.

But she's just here to look. Yes. Look, and nothing more then that.]

[heiroglyphs]

[Not long into the night, Vera approaches in a long white dress and a large smile on her face. She's already made her rounds, shaken hands, made appearances, and now it's time for some fun.]

Having fun? [She offers her her hand, hoping to lead the taller girl to the dance floor.]

[katsudonfatale]

[ For anyone who knows him from the dance studio or just in everyday life, Yuuri might be hard to recognize at first. He is wearing a fancy, black tuxedo with a black puppy tail peeking out from under the jacket, and black leather gloves that match his shoes (if one pays close attention to the gloves, you might notice there's a subtle paw print motif). In addition, his hair is neatly slicked back, which is definitely a look most people might be seeing for the first time. ]

[ soiree ]

[ Yuuri does not have a pet of his own, but he came here with Viktor, which means Makkachin also came too; and from the way the poodle and him get along, it would be easy to assume the dog is his. Over the course of the night one might spot Yuuri lovingly feeding Makkachin different things from the pet menu, "dancing" with him every now and then, and also walking around the place so Makkachin can meet new friends.

Viktor is probably in the vicinity being a doting dog parent too. ]


[ just looking, really ]

[ Yuuri has absolutely zero plans of adopting tonight, but that doesn't mean he won't drop by the room where the sponsored animals are to coo and aww at them in their cute little outfits. Yuuri volunteers at the shelter now and then, so he's familiar with a bunch of the dogs here. ]


[ wildcard ]

[ Choose your own adventure! ]

soiree? or at some point, idk!

[viktorymaker]

[ Viktor, wearing a fine tuxedo with gold cufflinks with paw print engraved on them, is taking a metaphorical backseat, and having the time of his life (perhaps not metaphorically). Few things are better than to see Makkachin and Yuuri happy. He is a man of simple pleasures.

After a particularly long dance between them, Viktor applauds to show his appreciation, then stops to take two drinks from a tray; one for Yuuri, one for himself. ]

Amazing! [ He hands Yuuri his drink, then pets Makkachin with his free hand. ] You're getting better at dancing with others, Makkachin~.