DAY 729

In her invisible avatar form, Xenia surveys her empire and is pleased with what she sees. Or specifically, the particular part of her empire which she surveys is the Fiver's Lounge. The place had been closed off to the public for the night with a limitation of close friends of the dungeon only, with a promise of a public party later in the week to soothe any jealous egos. For tonight though, the establishment is transformed.

For one thing, Xenia had spent months experimenting with her ability to create light-generating magical crystals, and had finally put crystals, glass, and other magical tricks together in a form that turned the Lounge into a dance club that any cyberpunk Earth-based strip club would kill to produce. It would eventually be a permanent change to the Lounge's design, but tonight is the first time that Xenia is publicly showing it off to anyone, and nearly everyone is ooh-ing and aah-ing at the neon-like lights.

As for the strip show part of the Lounge, that had actually been toned down for the night. Scantily-clad bar bunnies do still fill the room, passing out drinks and snacks. The stages however have been claimed by their new cousins, the jester bunnies. Only a few parties had challenged Floor Ten so far, so they'd had precious few opportunities to perform, but as it turns out 'Rogue' class skills translate very easily into tricks like juggling, acrobatics, contortionist displays, and so on, especially when considering the lithe bodies of the Rabbit Champions. So it is that the party's guests have quite a few shows to enjoy while they mingle and drink, even for those who are less interested in the displays of dungeon monster skin.

The strippers would swap back in later in the evening, in any case.

After ensuring that the party is set up as she planned, Xenia next turns her attention to the guests. Beatrice would be heading out later in the week to meet back up with her group, but for now she had stuck around long enough to enjoy her friend's second birthday party. The Challenger's Association inspection team are all present, Ruckus included, as are the leading local members of the Church of Bounty. Additionally, looking somewhat awkward, Prince Thaddeus and his team are also present. They and Ruckus appear to have mutually agreed to keep some distance between each other, but at least it seems as if any hard feelings between them and the dungeon monsters have worn off after months of training together.

Even more awkwardly, the four youngsters of the Miserables are at the bar, getting drinks from an Emma wearing the guise of Alizz - an Alizz in a bunny costume, at that. Xenia hadn't brought them into her close confidence when it comes to her deepest secrets, but there's no denying that the party are effectively dungeon employees at this point and she didn't wish to leave them out of the big party. Like the jesters they'd only had a few opportunities to actually 'perform', but they'd managed to embarrass several high-tier Masters with their ridiculous luck, and Xenia has to admit - humiliating Challengers can be almost as rewarding as killing them.

Of course, with one party of Challengers invited, Xenia couldn't exactly ignore another group of favorites, and right next to the Miserables sit the Dungeon Fuckers. The newly-converted adherents of Kahlia had actually been spending quite a bit of time in the dungeon's shrine over the past few months, communing with their goddess. Perhaps more surprisingly, that communion had only involved fucking in the shrine twice. So far. For tonight however the holy warriors appear to be playing the role of bad influence, and are delighting in the chance to try and talk the younger Miserables into making a move on some of the bunnies.

Parker's wife Laeniel is present, with the triplets currently being cared for by a babysitter, and Bill of the Blue Hair is rocking out on one stage while BB provides backup with a drumset. Otherwise, the rest of the Lounge is currently filled with Xenia's small army of dungeon guardians. There's Parker himself, of course, but everyone else has also been dragged out of their holes with varying levels of encouragement needed.

Lollyp is 'helping out' the jester performances with mostly-harmless pyrotechnical displays, while a nervous-looking Deylia watches on to ensure that no one actually gets hurt. DEATH OF RABBITS is making a rare appearance of his own, and from the sound of it appears to be in the middle of some sort of philosophical debate with the Body Mage, Hylii - while Sable stands nearby to act as translator for the man's demonic speech. Taly and Yulia - in her succubus form - are tearing up the dance floor while a very appreciative Trush watches on, and the demonic pair of Sincere and Sebastion stand nearby with drinks in their hands. Opal Brightsky is deep in a conversation with Priestess Lilly Fullblossom about the latest news from the local church, although from the way the pale-skinned elf occasionally stops to blush furiously, it's clear that not all of Opal's comments are of the devout nature.

Even Dips and Tank have, for once, been convinced to come up to the Lounge and socialize, although they have been transferred to more modestly-sized suits of armor to avoid damaging furniture or toes. The pair...aren't really doing much of anything, simply standing near one end of the bar and observing everyone as they come and go, but they showed up and Xenia appreciates what she can get.

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That leaves just Xenia and Guy, standing somewhat out of the way so as to avoid the awkwardness caused by having mortals pass through their intangible bodies without realizing it. "God, this party crowd's getting bigger all the time, huh? It's gonna get really wild when we throw the public one in a couple days. And we've only been here for two years!?" Xenia shakes her head. "Honestly, if you asked I'd say it had been five. Though maybe the fact that I never sleep might be screwing with my sense of time...just a lil bit."

"In terms of progression, even an outsider might agree with that assessment - er, the timespan portion of it, I mean." The screen bobs up and down. "You've grown far more than the typical dungeon could in two years, and I wouldn't be surprised if you've outpaced some at five years or more."

"The crazy part is to think that I'm already working on challenges that can handle Supremes. I mean...it doesn't get much tougher than that, right? Makes me wonder what I'm gonna spend the next couple centuries working on."

"Well, there's no need to get ahead of ourselves. The occasional Supreme is one thing, but a team of them could potentially shake mountains. Not to mention raids - you did get a rather early introduction to them with Prince Thaddeus's intrusion, but they're not yet a regular occurrence for us, nor are we particularly equipped for them at the moment."

Xenia takes a deep, psychosomatic breath. "Yeah, that's true. And the Miserables are a good example of how Challengers don't just want to challenge the same floors over and over. Plus, we're going to just keep getting busier...suppose it wouldn't hurt to have another floor or ten. Eventually, anyways. Anyhow, time to say hello to the mortals, eh?"

The guide tilts affirmatively. "Your avatar time should last until past the midnight hour if you start it now, yes. Enjoy your mingling!"

"Plan on it!" With that said Xenia's form turns monochrome and solid, and a number of her non-guardian guests turn with a bit of surprise towards the 'new arrival'. Having caught their attention, Xenia grants them all a wide smile and a wave.

"Evening, fuckers! Er, wait, talking to all of you, not just to the D-F's over there. Glad you could all make it to my second birthday, woo! It's been a pretty wild year, but I'm looking forward to enjoying my terrible twos! So enjoy the drinks, the snacks, and the shows, cause it's with your help that all this has been possible! Now, Emma, pour me a round, cause momma's material and she's thirsty!"

There's a bit of applause and some cheering at the brief statement, but it's Alizz who's the first to approach Xenia at the bar. Despite the drink in her own hand, the administrator has a formal tone in her voice when she greets the dungeon master.

"Hail to the master of Worthy Dungeon. I have to thank you again for inviting us to these events. It's not often that we get to directly see a dungeon receiving its new abilities - the Domain likely knows quite a bit more than we do, but the Challenger's Association isn't on nearly such good terms with any dungeons."

Xenia gives the drider a nod as she accepts a mug from the enchanted mirror. The costume-wearing Alizz does give the real one a cheeky wink as she does so, but the woman seems firmly set on ignoring Emma's presence. "No problem, glad to have you. As far as I see it, we're working for the same thing, yeah? Challenge the Challengers, make them strong, and most important of all, keep me safe and uncracked. I'm not gonna spill all my secrets, especially not to everyone here right now, but I don't mind keeping a cordial relationship and all that shit."

Alizz nods in response, but her smile is thin-lipped. "I appreciate that, especially now. The reports I've been getting the past few months are...concerning."

The reincarnator groans. "Ugh, what now? I've hardly even done anything, besides open up Floor Ten! Wait, you're not gonna tell me gambling in dungeons is illegal or something, right? I'm already following your rules about not getting 'fed' by all the people using the inn!"

The drider quickly shakes her head. "Oh, no, my apologies. The reports I'm referring to aren't about you. It's about many of the other dungeons in the kingdom. For some reason lately they've been getting...more aggressive, lets call it. One or two of the previously borderline ones are even being reviewed for potentially requiring a core-cracking team. It...happens from time to time, but it's strange for so many to shift their behavior at once like this."

"Hrmm, weird. Well, that's something to worry about tomorrow. Tonight is a motherfuckin' party, so get that serious look off your face, yeah? Live it up - you know, I could make another rabbit costume in your size, if you wanna try something wild." Xenia grins at the look on Alizz's face. "Or maybe I could pull that Grizza in here tonight and make one for him? He's in the inn tonight, and I know he's still got that ragged-ass set of ears I made him ages ago. I could make him something so much better now, and I bet you'd appreciate it, too."

"Grizza? The leader of the Rough Gems?" Alizz's brow furrows. "I - don't know what you mean. The man's young enough to be my son!"

"Old enough to run his own Challenger party, and you know I can see everything in here." Xenia taps her temple with one finger. "I've noticed the looks you give him when you spot him in the inn. Though I don't think he notices, to be honest. But hey, it's a party night, so you're allowed a bad decision or two."

"As if I don't get enough of this from Lollyp and Kelsey! I'm fine, although I appreciate the...offer. He...does look rather charming when he wears those ears of yours. Which is rarely, I understand."

"Well maybe if he knew he was being 'appreciated', he'd wear em more often, eh?" The reincarnator chuckles and turns away from the bar. "But enough joshing, enjoy the party - I know I'm gonna!"

"Indeed. Oh, and by the way - happy birthday, Xenia."

"Thanks, just glad to still be here..."

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