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

[what_big_teeth]

"Thank you," Eleanor said, and the fact that it was coming from Liliana, a woman who had already seen her at her most vulnerable, a woman who seemed to exude confidence in herself as naturally as breathing, made her fight that urge to just sort of shrink back into her shoulders even more. In fact, she pushed herself to do the opposite, pulling those shoulders back and lifting her chin and giving as best a smile as she could muster. "That's part of the point of Halloween, isn't it? Being a little of something you're normally not? So I figured it was a good choice, plus, my girlfriend's a superhero, and I think she'll like it, too."

....she maybe hadn't meant to add that last part, it just came out of her, and she quickly rushed forward to cover it with something else.

"And I love yours! You look so beautiful! I mean, there's no surprise there, you always do, but this is really gorgeous. And the boat thing was a really neat touch. It really made the whole place feel transformed."

Granted, she'd only been here the once and it was in a state of extreme distress, but still!

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[deathsmajesty]

"Why thank you darling," Liliana preened. "We decided if we were going to do the theme justice, we needed to get creative."

Anybody could do a theme. You needed to commit. Like real rollerskating rinks in your ballroom, or people ferried down the Styx.

"Your girlfriend is--ah! You're dating Kamala then, I presume?" she smiled, amused. "Competent, but easy to fluster. Very sweet."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[what_big_teeth]

"Yeah," Eleanor confirmed, with a wistful smile as a dopey, fond grin spread onto her face, which started to grow hot and vaguely mottled green from her blushing, and good job, Liliana. Now you had the gawkish half-werewolf teen who eats people swooning. "That's Kamala, alright. Isn't she great? I think she's probably the sweetest and nicest person I've ever met."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[deathsmajesty]

"I enjoyed watching her keeping Jeremy in line," Liliana said, amused. "And she wore an excellent dress at my last party."

And now Liliana had taught her to curtsy.

"She clearly makes you happy, darling. That's important."