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

[totalwildcard]

"That's it?!" Harley... demanded. It was for sure a demand, this time.

Not a particularly impressed one, either.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[joan_of_bark]

"What else do you want me to say?" Pam asked, exasperated in her own right.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[totalwildcard]

"That you're sorry."

Felt obvious to Harley. And her bruised feelings.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[joan_of_bark]

"Fine," Pam said, feeling exhaustion sink in. "I'm sorry. Happy now?"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[totalwildcard]

"Yes," Harley said, mostly feeling the urge to cross her arms in front ofher chest, but, too awkward with the drink. (It was an awkward feeling driving the urge, too.) "Not enough people ever apologize to me."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[joan_of_bark]

"Good!" Pam said again.

Ugh. Now she wanted a--

"I'm going to go get a drink."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[totalwildcard]

'Good' that she was happy, or 'good' that not enough people said sorry? You'd think it would be clear, but Harley had just had a lot of vitriol thrown in her face supposedly in the name of being concerned about her(?), so...

"Right," she said. "Okay."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[joan_of_bark]

The former. Obviously.

Pam shook her head. The 'have a good party' was right there on her tongue, ready to go out, and--

"Do you want me to grab you anything?"

Still grumpy. A little flat. But still.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[totalwildcard]

Harley looked at her like that question made no sense. "I'm good, thanks, I can get my own."

She also planned to skedaddle to a whole different part of the room as soon as Pam's back was turned. That was definitely a factor.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[joan_of_bark]

Well, so much for that attempted olive branch. (It was probably for the best.)

"All right," Pam said. "Have a nice party."

And then she turned her back to go.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[totalwildcard]

And Harley darted away.

If anyone was watching, it was absolutely comical how she did it, holding on to her giant hat while trying to also guard her drink.

It would not prove to be her proudest moment of the evening, no.