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

[betterthanaplan]

"Oh yeah?"

The smile went a little wicked as he thought about why she might be suggesting that.

"Yeah, that sounds good. Lucifer will be happy we're using it, for sure."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[okteiviakom]

But did he know how much brighter all the pretty things on him looked when he smiled like that?

Because Octavia did.

She nodded. It was a precise, slow movement. "Maybe bring your crown, too."

It was an idle suggestion. Surely it had nothing at all to do with all the attention she'd just been giving it atop his head, or the thoughts she'd been thinking.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[betterthanaplan]

"At this rate? You might have to force me to take it off," Duke said, only partially joking. "I'm glad you like it."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[okteiviakom]

This nod was even smaller.

"It's pretty," she said, her gaze flicking up to it again. "Noble."

And back to his eyes.

"I like that on you."

And something about that felt like it might be a path. To something. Some things.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[betterthanaplan]

"I like it on me, too," Duke admitted. He reached up, his own fingers stopping just short of brushing the crown. "This whole look, but also, like . . . the Persephone thing. It feels like it . . . fits."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[okteiviakom]

Something in Octavia's expression softened instantly. Not like a spell had been broken but like... another took its place.

"Yeah," she said. "It does."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[betterthanaplan]

“I’ve got my seasons a bit backwards,” Duke said wryly, dropping his hand from his head to drape over her shoulder. “But we’ll make it work.”

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[okteiviakom]

Octavia's hand curled around his arm, for another point of contact.

"Yeah we will," she agreed. Her voice dropped lower, still soft. "Persephone has too much sway not to."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[betterthanaplan]

"I only really know the general details," Duke admitted. "You'll have to tell me her whole story sometime."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[okteiviakom]

"Sometime," Octavia promised. "But right now... we should do something else."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[betterthanaplan]

"We should," Duke agreed. "Anything in particular you had in mind?"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[okteiviakom]

Octavia glanced back over her shoulder, at something in particular.

"The dance floor."

A rare treat, from her.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[betterthanaplan]

"I was hoping you'd say that," Duke said. He removed his arm from her shoulders so he could offer it as an escort. "Let's do it."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[okteiviakom]

Octavia took his arm, thus completing the circle of the three of them doing that over the course of the evening.

And then she let him whisk her away to the dance floor, and wherever he wanted, after.