Maximilian stood inside the first level of his basement, going slowly through the different sections of the area as he did a mental checklist of everything he wanted on this floor. Paintings, murals, sketches... anything on a piece of canvas was to be put on this floor. The people that he had hired to move everything had done a suitable job, and as he finished his sweep, he was satisfied with how the area looked. One floor lower, all of his statues and sculptures, including the diamond statue of Napoleon Bonaparte on a horse, were placed and being showcased. He had security measures on all his floors, just to be safe. He didn't need someone walking off with something precious, either monetarily or emotionally.

He had the olympic size pool, sauna, whirlpool, and everything else water-related in the third basement level. He wasn't sure if people would even use the area, but since he had mentioned it in his flier, he wasn't taking any chances. He wanted this area to be perfect when the public walked into his doors. He had spruced up the garden and pond, which was now a lake, with fountains and other eye candy to make the common man feel entranced. For his first time even THINKING of hosting a huge event, much less actually going through with it, Maximilian was extremely nervous. After having spent that day with Kimi, Jane and Jami, he had become slightly more social, and what better way to show that than host a big party.

He had the first floor of his mansion filled with games, refreshments, movies, and other activities. The second floor and higher was off limits for the day, besides the observation tower, which would stay open for everyone to wander in and look around the area. He sighed softly as he looked at the time and thought if there was anything that he had left out. I've hired everyone I've needed for today. I've got a carnival, I've got games of all sorts, I've got food and drink, I've got my art gallery open... I think I have everything anyone can think of in this place today. That should please the masses, if nothing else. So Max began to relax, by telling the servants to open the gates and allow people in. If everything went as well as he hoped it would, today would be a fantastic and worthwhile day.

(OOC: And yes, I do mean just about EVERYTHING. So if there's anything you want to do that's not mentioned in my post, then be my guest and post it in your reply. I'll tell you if it's anything over the top. But I hardly think it will be. THIS SHOULD BE FUN!!! XD)

[ooc: hope you don't mind that i joined!]

Mason was lost. He was going out of his mind - not that he wasn't already - trying to retrace his steps so he could go where he wanted to go, where he was supposed to go. And Sprite, who was humming in his breast pocket, wasn't helping. Her light blue wings fluttered insanely against the flimsy fabric of his shirt and it almost felt like his heart was fluttering, not the little bright pink sprite. Mason clutched his chest and heaved a sigh. Sprite ceased her fluttering but a second later, after Mason's arm fell back to his side, Sprite acted up again. She was unmanageable at times, and this was a perfect example. Her could even feel her little fingers tickling his skin.

"Will you quit it, Sprite?" Mason scratched at his side, gasping as Sprite tickled him again. He was unusually ticklish today, as his sensitivity always increases right after he eats. He didn't know the reason why, but it just happened. A high-pitched chuckle escaped his lips and he frowned. "Seriously, Sprite. Or else I'll make you go away." That seemed to make Sprite stop and Mason's shoulders relaxed with relief.

"Would you really send me away?" The quiet voice, that often reminded Mason of someone who just inhaled helium, squeaked from his chest pocket. Mason felt the fluttering again and Sprite flew out of his pocket. "Would you really?" Sprite seemed to know the answer to her question. The smirk on her face wasn't pleasant to look at, and the gesture of crossed arms she currently held exuded confidence and mockery. Mason noticed.

"You seem to already know the answer to that, Sprite." He frowned, reached out, and shoved Sprite back into the pocket. "Just help me and find me way, please?" His frustration lashed out and a map appeared in his hands. Mason jumped at the sudden appearance of a map. Looking closer, it was one drawn by the late Tolkien. Great, Mason said to himself. Just what I need. A map of the Middle Kingdom. Mason frowned, and sent the map away.

Mason had an appointment with a contractor this afternoon. A family member had recently come in contact with him and wanted to build a house for him. Mason had said over the phone that he didn't need such a thing, but his aunt said it was only to make up for their lost time. So Mason called the contractor and they set up an appointment. He felt bad that he was making the man wait; he sounded so nice over the phone.

Mason took a careful look around him. His surroundings were completely unrecognizable. He'd never been here before. Behind him he heard a set of gates creak open. Curiosity piqued the illusionist and he turned around. Taking a few steps, his breath caught in his throat at the sight of the building behind the gates. A mini carnival was standing right in front of him and everything was so bright-colored and beautifully set up and Mason felt like--

"Sprite, do you see what I see?" Mason grabbed Sprite from his pocket and forced her to take a look at the feast his eyes were gobbling up. "It's not one of my illusions, is it?" Mason took a few more steps towards the opening of the gates and his face seemed to lighten from the previous tension scorching his face.

"How would I know, dufus? If it's an illusion you made, I'd see it too." Sprite scoffed and glared at Mason. She was extremely worried lately. Mason was becoming too confused, stuck between reality and fantasy. "But I guess it's real. For some reason I can't see you creating such an illusion. It's too happy for the likes of you." Mason ignored the sprite; he had already made up his mind - he was going to the carnival, and no one was going to stop him.

The games were amazing, and the food was succulent. He was having the time of his life. Mason eyed a few men who looked as if they were servants. They were gathered around a man who Mason concluded was the owner of the land. Mason walked to the man in large strides and tapped him on the shoulders. His light blue eyes were lit with questions.

"Excuse me, but is this my illusion?" Mason had a tendency to make this his first question when meeting people. Females thought he was hitting on him, and males thought...well? The same thing. But he wasn't attracted to men, and he wasn't ready to be with any female yet. "The carnival is splendid," Mason declared. "I really wouldn't want this to suddenly disappear."

(OOC: No issue! I want as many to join as possible!)

The gathering was running rather smoothly, Max thought to himself as he moved about the estate. He had checked in on the ground floor of his chateau, making sure that the food was alright, and the games were suitable. He had then wandered to the lake, making sure everyone was enjoying the boats and other activities. Then he had stopped by the art shows, to listen to some of the opinions of his works, and all were just splendid!

Now he was in the carnival area, and some of his workers had come towards him. It seemed that some of the guests had asked about hot air balloons, and that some had said that the games were rigged! He had sure that all the games were fair previously, so all of those complaints were from unruly commoners upset about losing. Now for the hot balloons...

"Well then, go tell the people that hot air balloons will be available shortly. Once I'm done checking this area, I'll set those up. And about the rigging. I know for certain that none of these rides are fixed, so tell them so, and just ignore their incessant whining. They didn't have to even pay to get in, and they're complaining?! Ungrateful swine..." Max was slightly ruffled by the rudeness of some of the guests, but he had expected it in an odd sort of way. If you give people something nice, they are bound to complain about it some odd way.

While he stood there, making a mental checklist of everything, someone tapped on his shoulder. He had the urge to tell the person to bug off, and that he was busy, but he knew it would hurt his self-image amongst the townsfolk, so he smiled and turned around, about to introduce himself.

Before he even opened his lips, the boy asked one of the most peculiar questions he had ever heard. Is this my illusion? What the bloody hell is that supposed to mean? At least he didn't have the gall to tell him the carnival was bad. But then the statement he made about the carnival disappearing... How queer. The boy was slightly taller and heavier than him, with brown hair that was completely a wreck, and blue eyes. Though how someone could wear all black was beyond him...

Maximilian chuckled as he looked the boy over. He shook his head slowly as he spoke to him. "My dear sir, all of this," He made a sweeping motion over the entire area, "Is no illusion. I made all of this specifically for today. It is my grand showcase of my chateau! There is far more than just this carnival as well. So help yourself to all that abounds. After all, it's there for the taking!" Max began to walk away, to take a look at the other areas. But then he realized he never got the chap's name, so he turned back around quickly, holding out his hand.

"Oh dear me. I almost forgot to introduce myself! My name is Maximilian Poltak, and welcome to my chateau! What is your name, my good man?" Max was in an extremely pleasant mood this day, which was extremely rare. Hopefully this would persist for as long as possible.

Jane was having so much fun! She couldn’t believe the kind of things that Max had dreamed up for this party, and the kind of money that it took to hire all the people to keep it running! She enjoyed the people though, because it meant that she had plenty of people to show off her new bathing suit to. Okay it wasn’t new, not at all. It was a genuine article from 1948, yellow, with black polka dots. She kept singing the ‘itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka-dot bikini song over and over, and it never ceased to amuse her. With her floppy black hat and big black sunglasses, and black flip-flops, she commanded attention, as always. She’d been having a total blast flirting with the various men and women doing the various things they were hired to do. She’d even gotten separated from Kimi, and had hardly noticed for a while.

The pretty blonde girl with the mole on her upper lip….
The tall muscular black man that seemed to barely fit in his shirt…
The red-haired waiter that seemed terrified of her, but couldn’t leave her…

Oh how she loved this! She decided to tell Max that he needed to have a party every week. This was too great to only happen once, and it was better than something she could just dream up on her own. Max had thought of everything and it made her so incredibly happy. She was just on her way to go tell Max how absolutely brilliant she found this whole event, and had just reached him when she noticed he was talking to some strange boy she had never seen… no, scratch that.. she had seen him before, but only in passing. He was one of those many faces that she saw all the time but had never taken the time to introduce herself to.

Then she heard the magic word: illusion.

Another illusionist! This was simply fantastic! She’d never met another illusionist, so needless to say she was quite excited. “Illusion you say?” She bounded over to them, without much regard to the things that Max was saying. She heard him introduce himself and welcome the stranger to the party, but it was in a pretty formal way, and Jane didn’t feel this was the time for formalities. She was positively bouncing with excitement as she sprang upon the boy. “Do you create illusions? I create illusions! All of this is real, though, but how awesome is it that you make illusions too? I didn’t think I’d ever meet another illusionist, but here you are!” She giggled madly. “Oh wait, you have no idea who I am! I’m Jane,” she said, extending a hand for the boy.