deathsmajesty | The Creepy And Now Holiday-Appropriate Mansion, Thursday Evening

Once again, the gate that blocked off the bottom end of Phoenix Way was opened, inviting everyone to the creepy (though much less abandoned) mansion. This time, however, instead of being guided around to the gardens, the lit path led them to the front door, where the a tall figure in a tattered robe and deep cowl gestured for them to step inside the door and get onto a...boat? Once people had climbed in settled themselves, the ferryman began to guide the ship down the River Styx. Or, okay, their long entrance hallway, with blue lights to either side of their boat to mimic water and bathing everyone in an eerie blue glow. (Yes, okay, the boat perhaps wheeled down the hallway rather than floated, but they had not refinished this house just to flood the hallway for verisimilitude. Even if Liliana had considered it for a few minutes.)

The double doors leading to the ballroom were opened, with thick fog rolling out of the doorway. And through that doorway, people could descend the stairs into the Underworld proper. Black and gold were the prevailing color, with deep red nods to a pomegranate motif. Gold coins and loose gemstones added to the decor, a nod to Hades' wealth - but even amidst all the dark opulence, touches of other colors could be seen: tucked away in various corners and small niches were flowering plants, a surprise kiss of springtime to be found in the least likely places. Rather than one large chandelier, they had several, creating areas of both light and shadow around the ballroom.

Welcome to the Underworld, dear friends.

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And now Kamala was fumbling trying to get her posture right and in doing so, somehow knocked the orange mohawk on the helmet slightly askew. "Sorry! Is that better?"

Liliana chuckled and reached out to fix the helmet. She assumed. That mohawk didn't look good at any angle.

"There are two kinds of curtsies," she said, then amended. "Three. There's the all-eyes-on-me curtsey, the deferential curtsy of respect, and the bob of a poor maid who's been run off her feet but still has to pretend she cares. We'll be ignoring that one. Which one would you like to learn first?"

Oh yeah, sorry Kamala. This was now a teachable moment. Professor Vess was here and ready.

And now there was a panic setting in. "Uhhh. The respect one?" she offered

"An important thing to note, darling," Liliana said with a wink. One might even say the Art of a Wink. "They can all be all-eyes-on-me curtsies if you know what you're doing. Now then. Left foot out, put your weight on it, and then place the ball of your right foot behind it. You can pull your right foot back a bit until you feel your stance becoming steadier, but try to keep it in line with your front foot."

The good thing about Kamala wearing pants? Liliana could correct her stance as needed.

"Now bend at the knee, arms straight by your side, and bow your head to me. The trick here is not how far down you can go. All that will do is off-balance you and possibly tip you over. No, you go slow. Count to three going down and then again as you're rising. Go."

Was this really happening? Kamala's facial expression was a mixture of regret and a forced smile as she tried to pull off the maneuver with mediocre results.

"Like this?"

Give the girl a little mercy, Liliana.

"You can keep practicing," Liliana said. Magnanimously. "Another time."

She laughed. "Be free. Whatever hold I have on you I release. Go find your friends, darling."

"Thank you for the lesson!" Kamala said as she took a few steps backward and fled like the most awkward teenager ever.

The Creepy And Now Holiday-Appropriate Mansion, Thursday Evening

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