The Forever-Creepy But Currently VERY Populated Mansion in the Woods, Friday Night

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana absolutely did not care about what was happening outside. Texas? Whatever. Dust? Who cared? Ghost town? Well...actually, that had been interesting until Liliana had verified that there were, in fact, no ghosts in the town. But after that, she gave no further thought to what was happening out of doors.

Because within them was their party.

The ballroom doors opened into a space that had been transformed for the evening into an elegant private casino. While there were no slot machines, various tables lined the room: blackjack, poker, roulette, craps, even the odd pool table - and, of course, a table dedicated to Pazaak (with an admittedly anemic deck; Liliana hadn't gotten out to Nar Shadaa yet). Above the room, a chandelier lit the room, magnified by the sconces along the walls. One entire wall was taken up by a large display labeled Exchange, where multiple prizes were on display. The price tags on everything were not in dollars but a weird currency called 'zibs' and 'zinos'. Apparently, no American cash would be accepted or exchanged tonight.

Following the carpet down the entry stairs and into the ballroom proper, each person who entered was greeted by a uniformed croupier and given five gold coins with "1 zino" embossed on one side and a weird triangle design on the other. "You will be able to break these down further at the tables," she murmured as she gestured them further inside where Ignis and Liliana, (for once not in purple but red) waited to greet them properly.

There was alcohol, there was food, there was appropriate background music, as well as plenty of room to dance.

Most importantly, however, the gaming tables were open!

Arrive and Mingle | Gambling and Prizes | High Rollers' Room | Refreshments | Dance Floor | OOC

Comments

Refreshments

[deathsmajesty]

The bar is the domain of the dazzling Summer Smith (with several non-Tino backup bartenders), and to either side of the bar are tables spread out with a variety of hors d'ouvres for all appetites and dietary restrictions.

Re: Refreshments

[somethingwithturquoise]

It shouldn't surprise anyone, really, who knew the hosts even a little bit who curated the menu of hors d'ouvres and snacks for the evening, especially in some of the...restraint put into the offerings. If left to her own devices, surely Liliana would have had half the room filled with options. But since Ignis did have a hand in it, the offerings were light and subtle and particular, all of them easy bites to enjoy whilst one's hands and attention were occupied with games and socialization.

This included chicken croquettes and garlic butter steak bites. Proscuitto-wrapped date bites stuffed with goat cheese and bacon and potato tarts. Avocado was making an appearance with both spicy tuna and smoked trout, while he was particularly pleased with the shakshuka deviled eggs and zucchini pesto roses. But there was also blistered peppers and vegan strudel bites and, of course, a chickpea bruschetta. And for the sweet tooth, baked pears and lemon blueberry brie bites and, Ignis' personal favorite, vegan mocha cheesecake bites.

And, yes, that was the restrained menu. Ahem.

By comparison, Summer's offerings behind the bar were fairly simple and straight-forward. Of course, there were fancy sodas and bottled waters and craft beers for the more sober and straight-forward set, but she had a modest list of cocktails and the handful of jello options available, all printed out neatly on a decorative little sign:

Cocktails
Poker Face
Lady Luck
Royal Flush
Blackjack

Jello
Vegas Bomb
Roll 'em Up
Strawberry Champagne

Enjoy your snacks, grab a drink from your lovely head bartender or one of her minions for tonight, and good luck out there!

Re: Refreshments

[stykera]

"You look wonderful," Stark said as he took a long, appreciative look at the suit. "Hi."

Kisses over the bar were the usual fare at Caritas but this was a different situation entirely so he held back for the moment.

"What does the bartender recommend this evening?"

Re: Refreshments

[somethingwithturquoise]

"Thanks, Stark," said Summer, taking a moment to preen a little at the compliment, shoulders nice and straight and face turned to her best angle while giving the lapels of her jacket a little tug. "You don't look so bad yourself. And bartender's choice tonight is probably going to be the Royal Flush with a Strawberry Champagne chaser. Shall I deal you in?"

LOOK SHE LOVED A THEME OKAY OF COURSE SHE WAS LEANING INTO IT.

Re: Refreshments

[stykera]

If Summer didn't lean in to the theme Stark might be tempted to go in search of magnets.

"Of course," he said with a grin. "Whatever you suggest."

He'd end up having more than that, of course, but he was happy to follow Summer's lead here.

"Enjoying yourself so far? Will you have time for a dance? Or several?"

Re: Refreshments

[somethingwithturquoise]

Summer smiled at that, and started to get Stark's drink mixed up for him as she answered. "I always love bartending at these things," she said. "It looks great on my Instagram, you know? And of course I'll have time for at least a dance. It's pretty much solid bottom line in my contracts now."

There were no contracts. But a break to hit the dance floor or maybe do some mingling on the otherside of the bar was essential if she was taking a job.

Re: Refreshments

[stykera]

What about a break to disappear into a dark corner for a few moments?

"I love dancing with you." Shocking revelation! "Thank you for making sure to make the time."

He really did appreciate it. He was also sure she knew that.

"For now, I'll take my drinks. Have you seen anyone interesting tonight?"

Re: Refreshments

[somethingwithturquoise]

That definitely fell under the 'mingling' umbrella.

And, conveniently, in a timely fashion, Summer had just finished her drink and handed it over to Stark, and followed it with a little Champagne jello shot.

"Interesting how?" she asked. "I mean, they're all pretty much mostly the same people we're used to seeing around town."

The pirate-y guy was new, though, right? There were also adorable baby lesbians! Liliana and Ignis weren't in purple and black! Gladio didn't have a shirt!

That last one wasn't anything new, no, but that was always interesting.

Point was, that felt just a touch too broad of an opening.

Re: Refreshments

[stykera]

Gladio's chest was always interesting, it's true.

"Sometimes there are new people but I suppose it's too early in the summer for that still," Stark said as he took his drink. "And there are still some who aren't very new I haven't managed to meet yet. Maybe just any very interesting outfits?"

He gave a little shrug and took a sip. "Oh, that's nice."