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

[slothbabyproductions]

There was definitely one person who appreciated the outfit.

It was pretty apparent as she was just standing in front of Eleanor looking at her in wordless appreciation.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[what_big_teeth]

Forget laser-hands. Apparently, Eleanor's superpower was going to be just blushing a lot, because that's exactly what she was doing just now, although this time, there was definitely a warm thread of being mostly pleased and proud (there was still a horrible twisting of nervousness in her guts, too, though) to it as she sort of smiled back at Kamala.

"Hi."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[slothbabyproductions]

"Wow!"

Oh look! Kamala finally found words! And then there was just more looking at Eleanor's outfit and finally just another exclamation. "Amazing."

And then finally a "Hi!" as she leaned in to give Eleanor a quick kiss hello. "In case it wasn't obvious, your costume looks fantastic."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[what_big_teeth]

And when Kamala moved in for that quick kiss, Eleanor was going to take advantage of the closeness to wrap an arm around her waist in the hopes to keep her there, if only because she was feeling like she could use a little anchor to keep herself standing.

Mostly due to relief that the costume seemed a success, but also because these boots were honestly terrible to walk in.

And also because she just liked holding onto Kamala, too.

"I'm glad," she said, "that it gets the Seal of Approval from the expert. And yours...." She looked over at Kamala fondly. "Amazing. Obviously. Like you were meant to wear it or something."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[slothbabyproductions]

Kamala mouth opened to laugh but the flush on her cheeks just made her feel just a bit humbled in Eleanor's presence. Her own arms slipped around Eleanor's waist now as well because obviously she had to keep Eleanor upright.

It's a GF's moral obligation.

"I almost wore my own costume," Kamala admitted as she tilted her head back to look at Eleanor better through her mask. "But it felt like cheating."

And unfortunately it was at this point the orange mohawk fell off the top of her Captain Marvel helmet.

"Dang it!"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[what_big_teeth]

"Oh, no, your...thing!"

Eleanor didn't really know the word for mohawk. But she did try to make a move to catch it as it fell, but she wouldn't have been that dexterous even in normal shoes, let along her superhero boots, and so all her attempts managed to do was to make her wobbly and realize that if she didn't cling to Kamala with both hands now, she'd be falling just like that...helmet thing!

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[slothbabyproductions]

"It's okay!" Kamala said grabbing on to Eleanor and trying to keep her steady. "It's just a costume. I'll be amazed if half of it is still on me by the end of the night."

Please stay on your feet Eleanor. Much more important than a cheap plastic thing on Kamala's costume.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[what_big_teeth]

Well, if you wanted to help Eleanor to keep standing, Kamala, you could probably start by not phrasing it like that!

"Sorry!" Eleanor gushed out, trying not to think about that and focusing on steadying herself. "Instincts, I guess. I just saw it falling and just....reacted."

But she never was a quick or sharp as the others like that.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[slothbabyproductions]

Oblivious to any kind of reaction her phrasing might have caused, Kamala just held onto Eleanor until she was sure she wasn't going to stumble at all. "You don't have to apologize. It's not like you're from Canada," she teased. "But thank you for looking after my costume. Next time I'll make sure not to use the cheap stuff with my glue gun."