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]

"Goddess, Ellie, you look so badass," Arden said, admiring her costume. "Did you buy that at the Spirit Halloween? Cause that looks so much better quality than that place usually has."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[what_big_teeth]

"Oh, look who's talking about badass," Eleanor said, with a pleased but shy smile back at Arden, already feeling the blush creeping up from her neck to her face, and she gave a nod to the accessories. "I don't even have weapons. But, no, I got most of it from Pixie Dust. The Spirit Halloween felt a little....overwhelming?"

And a little bit awkward. It was the werewolf masks just hanging off the wall that ultimately did her in and drove her back toward somewhere that didn't seem so set on the commodification of the very things that had plagued her family for generations.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Okay, that makes so much more sense," Arden said. "I'd offer you one of my swords, but, honestly, it would just bring the whole thing down. Tell everybody you've got laser-fists or something."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[what_big_teeth]

"I feel like Kamala's already got things covered with fist-related powers," Eleanor pointed out. "Maybe I could go with..."

She tried to think of a way to make her abilities sound like something viable for a superhero, but, unfortunately, they all felt more villain-coded than anything else.

"Laser eyes?" she tried, and, even more tentatively, "Or maybe some kind of mind control thing..."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Laser eyes is pretty cool," Arden said, just skipping over mind control. "Or electricity powers? Point and there's a suddenly an energy zap."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[what_big_teeth]

"I think something kind of water power would make more sense for me," Eleanor smiled a little, wondering if there was anything more to read into Arden not mentioning the mind control thing. Just generally not interested? Or avoiding it because...well, who could blame her? "But electricity does fit the colors in the outfit more, doesn't it? So I guess that'll be it. I've got lightning powers."

The grin grew slightly more.

"Zarrin the Zapper."