metaverses | ( open to all ) all the world's a stage

Who: Open to All
What: Party @ The Opherium
When: August
Where: Central City
Content Warnings: N/A

( i. here for your entertainment )

[ most people would see the strange arrivals as an imposition. and loki does to some degree. that being said, he’s more than willing to turn that problem into a business opportunity. show that he’s open and welcoming. throw in a little extra money to establish the theater as a prominent spot in this world. the doors are open, fees are reduced. and if you’re not interested in catching a play, you might want to stop by the steps where there are a few vendors selling cotton candy, ice-cream sandwiches and beer to passersby and there are a few street performers there to catch your attention, whether they’re juggling fire balls, doing magic tricks or simply playing a pianoforte on the steps of the opherium. ]

( ii. the curtain rises )

[ for this month, loki is running a bunch of shakespearean plays. hamlet, macbeth, the twelfth night . . . you name it, it’s probably running. during the intermissions, there’s an open bar for you to rub elbows with the other patrons, maybe discuss your favourite part of the play. enjoy the arts so to speak. if you catch the really late night shows, you might find that your favourite plays might . . . turn out a little differently. like the trees are real in macbeth. that the ghosts move through the audience, sending chills down your spine. but the experience is still worth it. or is it?

or perhaps, you might need some alone time after a show, wanting to catch the infamous view of the city from the opherium's balcony. the choice is yours. ]

( iii. something wicked this way comes )

[ the theater keeps up odd hours. its productions run late into the night. and sometimes, you might feel the urge to linger and explore. after all, it’s strange to hear that a god of mischief is running a theater these days. almost suspicious even! so you might be wandering the halls, ears and eyes peeled to hear anything that might be unusual.

and you might just get your wish. a ghostly murmur, the flicker of a shadow against the pane of glass, statues that seem to be unnerving with their gaze upon you . . . is there something really there or are you just imagining things? ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...real ones? Not really.

[He's been called a demon, before.]

I know too much. More than I ever want to know.

Not seeing them here... is a good sign.

...that indicates to you that this isn't Hell.

It could still be a trick.

Edited 2022-08-31 03:02 (UTC)

I doubt a near stranger's assurance is of much consequence.

But I am quite certain it isn't.

How can you be so sure that this is a true reality?

Because I believe that illusions have both limitations and purpose.

To what end would this entire reality exist to trick us? How could an intentional creation be as complex?

Speaking from experience? Some illusions can be just as real as any reality. They can drive you insane. They can make you do things you normally would find abhorrent. Push you to the brink.

This... isn't so intense. I mean, sure, it has some problems and dangers but...

[He shrugs.]

Like I said, it's not so bad. It could always be a lot worse. Real or not.

The illusions with that kind of power are the ones which originate within your own mind.

This is not... anything that I would have imagined.

Oh, outside influences can certainly be a factor.

So this is not the kind of place that you'd have a dream or a nightmare about?

An entirely different planet where people in costume proclaim themselves "superheroes" and I live in some place called Massachusetts?

No. I don't have dreams like that.

Then what do you dream of?

That's a bit personal, isn't it?

You don't have to answer.

Or answer truthfully.

[He gives a faint scoff.]

Do people lie about the content of their dreams? It's easier not to answer.

People lie about a great many things. For many reasons.

And yourself? Would you invent something, were I to ask you?

I would, depending on what I wanted the result to be.

It's the environment I work in, both here and at home. I'm known as the Master of Illusions! I can create the grandest and most convincing lies - both on stage and in real life.

To simply tell lies is one thing. I can show those lies to a captivated audience and they'll believe every moment of it.

You have powers like Loki's then?

In a way.

Mine just need more preparation. It's a type of magic, just not the same kind.

...is it something that you were born with? Or did you learn it?

I trained, taught myself a lot of it. Film-making. Special effects. I studied the best in the business then created my own, far more superior illusions.

[For once, he sounds more proud and not as awkward.]

[Sephiroth frowns faintly.]

Then you're speaking of practical effects, not true magic.

Yes, of course. I can't do actual magic.

[He replies as if that was somehow obvious in a world full of supernatural and superpowered beings.]

...well. I suppose it secured you a position here, at least.

[But it's less relevant to him personally, sorry.]

(no subject)

makeanentrance - 2022-09-07 05:19 (UTC) - Expand

unkindled_madness - 2022-09-08 19:18 (UTC) - Expand