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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Lucifer sighed loudly. "I suppose it'd be easier to belabor the point with a drink in my hand," he allowed.

"I bet it would be," Octavia agreed.

And offered him her arm.

Lucifer took it. "It may also distract me from the insane mixing and matching Duke has done this time," he added.

It was very pretty. It was just also mad.

"He's... wearing things with flowers on them," Octavia replied, slowly.

It was possible she'd already heard this complaint before.

It was equally possible that she had fully tuned it out.

"Two different types of flowers!"

Oh god, Lucifer, just stop.

"Whatever," he muttered. "At least you look gorgeous."

"We all look gorgeous," Octavia retorted as she began to lead him towards the drinks. Sure, she didn't actually tend to look at herself in that light, but she knew what the two of them liked. "I'd expect you of all people to be focusing on that."

"All right, you are both gorgeous," Lucifer allowed. "It's just that he's choosing to be gorgeous in such a deeply difficult way!"

Well, yes. That's why you loved him, Lucifer.

"At least it's not netting and fake fish?"

What, Octavia knew what the real issues were.

There was a long pause.

"Thank you," Lucifer said, "For putting all that back into perspective, darling. Yes, at least it's not netting and fake fish, thank-- well, me."

"And he looks great," Octavia said, because it bore repeating. While something else bore saying for the first time. (A little softer.) "And he's here."

That was not a given.

"And he's here," Lucifer agreed, softening further. "A miracle."

"Yeah," Octavia replied, barely more than a sigh. They'd come to a stop by the bar. She looked back towards where she could see Duke in all his floral finery.

She still felt like she'd paid a price.

Right now she felt like she would've gladly paid even more.

"I can't remember the last time he showed up for anything like this."

"It may well have been years," Lucifer said, leaning towards the bar to order himself a scotch. "It's... strange, to be suddenly reminded of what our lives used to be like, isn't it?"

Octavia made one of her vague humming noises. "If this was that," she said, "we'd be impressed I was here."

Lucifer blinked. Then he chuckled, taking his drink quickly. "True. You have grown quite a bit in this general direction."

Octavia, meanwhile, was yet to even give any thought to what she might want to order.

"Being able to withstand crowds?"

"Finding something to enjoy about being out at a party," Lucifer replied.

Octavia's lips curved. A little, just on one side, but still.

"And what am I enjoying now?"

"Dressing up. People watching," Lucifer said. He glanced past Octavia, back towards Duke. "...Duke-watching..."

"That last one's my favorite."

Even if she was proving pretty good on the other fronts, too.

Lucifer laughed softly. "It is nice watching him move about, especially when he's like this."

"He looks free," Octavia murmured. "Like this."

"I was going to say 'like himself again'," Lucifer murmured. "Which I suppose is the same thing."

Octavia nodded a little. "It's close enough," she said. "Closer to both of those things than he has been for..." Such a long time that there was no need to actually end that sentence, except with a tiny shrug.

She almost said something else, lips parting for it and then closing again when she thought better of it. She didn't want to bring the mood down.

"Yes."

Lucifer sighed. He reached for her hand, wanting to give her-- something. Reassurance? He wasn't sure she'd take that.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

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