The Creepy And Now Holiday-Appropriate Mansion, Thursday Evening

[deathsmajesty]

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.

Comments

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Maybe later?" she suggested. "When we're back at Midnight?"

She didn't know why she was flushed, it was literally untying her vambrace, but there had been something, maybe about what Cal said or how he said it...well. It made her flush. And forget his ridiculous mustache for a few seconds while she wasn't looking at it.

Ugh. Things were supposed to be less blushy now that they were being honest, right?

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[moreofaponchoguy]

Things would be less blushy if Cal was keeping all the thoughts he'd had in his head. He had to admit, making Arden blush felt weirdly nice, like something he wasn't supposed to do, but if she was enjoying it, was it really that bad?

"Yeah, when we're back at the manor," he said. "We've got some dancing to do first, and something about candy? That seemed like the best perk of this holiday."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

No, no, Cal should definitely keep sharing his thoughts. In detail. Maybe not right here? But like. In general.

"You wanna dance with me?" Arden asked. "And--wait, did that just come above candy?" She was tempted to tease him about this surely being a sign of true love, but that definitely felt a little fraught now. "Though, I am going to remember that the best perk of the holiday was the candy and not this."

She pulled her swords out and did one of the maneuvers that Professor Amicitia had drilled into them last semester and--wow, you know what? That felt pretty cool. She hoped it looked cool, too.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[moreofaponchoguy]

Her swordwork definitely looked cool, and Cal was just going to bask in her beauty for a moment. "Of course I want to dance with you. I have to practice for this weekend." Cal paused for a moment, looking nervous. "Are we--I assumed we were going to the Homecoming dance, but I just realized I never asked. Were you planning on going to the dance? We don't have to, or you can go with someone else if you want."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

On the one hand, part of her really wanted to chide Cal because of course she wanted to with him. But on the other hand, a much bigger part of her loved that he still wanted to ask. Wasn't just taking it for granted that they would or wouldn't.

They really ought to talk some more and figure out where they were beyond 'more-than-friends-who-really-liked kissing.'

"I'd love to go to Homecoming with you," she said, giving him a warm smile and then an even warmer kiss. "You're the one I want to go with." Sure, maybe they'd all end up going in a big clump of friends or whatever, but still. She wanted to go with Cal as her date.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[moreofaponchoguy]

The kissing was definitely encouragement that he was on the right track, and Cal kissed Arden back happily. "Oh good, because I want to go with you too," he said. "Partly because I don't want to go by myself and look weird, but I also want to do things with you all the time. As much as you want, I mean."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"All the time," she agreed. "I mean, that was true before, too. That's why we're...kissing, right?" She still wasn't sure what to call it. "Everything we were before and now more."

And then she grinned and reached for his hand. "Let's get you some candy so you can have the energy to keep up with me on the dancefloor."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[moreofaponchoguy]

The noise Cal made at the mention of candy was probably a little embarrassing, but if anyone would understand his inner child getting its moment, it would be Arden.

"You know just what to say to me," he said, taking her hand.