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

[pun_king]

The worst thing about Halloween was trying to figure out what to be, especially when there were so many great costumes to choose from. But Graham decided that, ultimately, he had but one true path, and that was the path of true punnery.

Because, you see, he had found this great tunic, and, with the right cloak and boots and leggings, what else could he be than.....a Graham cracker??

Triumph, meanwhile, decided he wanted to be a pirate.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana had to take a long, deep inhale, pinching the bridge of her nose. Nobody tell her she was doing that, all right?

Friday radio boy, her old nemesis. Now come back with another devastating salvo. "Graham..." she started. And then realized she had no idea how to finish that sentence.

"...Go get something to eat."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[pun_king]

Now that was an order that Graham had absolutely no problem with following!

"Yes, ma'am!" he said, shoulders pulling up at attention as he saluted. His eyes were bright and eager and the smile big on his face as he spared no further second on hurrying toward the food.

He got about halfway there, though, before he remembered his manners,skidded to a stop, and then came hurrying back.

"Thank you for inviting me to your party!" he said in an excited flurry, almost entirely in one breath. "You have a very lovely home! Your costume looks amazing! I can't wait to try the food, it all looks very delicious! I'll let you know what I think! Okay! Happy Halloween! Talk to you soon, Miss Vess!"

And, with that, he went eager hurrying back to the food.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Well, fortunately, there was someone else here who thought Graham was great! She was also sighing at his costume, but he was getting a hug anyway. "Hey you," she said. "Glad you're here! It's kinda been just me, Kams, and Ellie for a bit. And Professor Vess stole Kams for like a good five minutes teaching her to curtsy right."

Rich people.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[pun_king]

Look, Graham's costume was brilliant, and the sooner people accepted tgat, the happier they'd be.

He was, of course, hugging Arden fiercely back.

"Hey," he said. "And did she really? That was nice of her! A good curtsey can be really hard to nail down!"

Once the hugging was complete, Graham could step back and get a good look at Arden's costume, too, and he had to smiled with pleased approval.

"I love this!" he said. "You look so fierce! Even more so than you usually are!"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Arden grinned at him. "Watch out, anything that comes within range of my two rubber swords," she said. "Actually, did you know?" There was no way he could, Arden. "I got this outfit for the trip to Daventry! But I was already bringing enough, so I left it home."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[pun_king]

"I did not know that!" Graham admitted, because how could he have? But he sounded absolutely delighted that he knew it now! "But that's great, that you got tge chance to wear it after all, even if not in Daventry! I actually just got this," he smoothed out his tunic and looked down at it fondly, "at the store. It's kind of amazing they even had something like this, don't you think?"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Wait, which store?" Arden asked. "The weird one in the woods? I mean, I'd be pretty surprised to have found it anywhere." She gave him a smile. "It's a good visual pun. You gotta show it to Steven sometime, he'll be sad to have missed it."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[noonedecidesmyfate]

"Sir Knight!"

Hugging was awkward in costume. That would not stop Belle.

"This is wonderful. I adore it."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[pun_king]

"Fair Lady Belle!" Graham greeted her back, not one to be stopped by awkward costumes when hugs were involved, either, and when it was over, he stepped back for a better look at her costume, too.

"Zounds," he said, "you look like you'd be just great for curling up with on a chilly autumn day!"

....and then he realized how that might have sounded out of context of her being a very lovely looking book and here came the awkward chuckle, the rubbing of the back of his neck, and so, so much blushing.

"Err...I mean...great costume. I see you've really taken quite the page out of excellence, if you don't spine me saying so!"

Puns! Puns will save the day!

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[noonedecidesmyfate]

Belle's cheeks flushed a little at that.

"And you look delicious, Sir Knight. Perhaps with chocolate and a marshmallow?"

She grinned at him, just a little wickedly. "I'd be pleased to curl up with you any time."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[pun_king]

Oh no! The puns were not saving the day! And the red that had claimed his ears and nose were now making very quick work of the rest of his face.

"....heh," he said. Eloquently. Then blinked, shook his head, and realized that maybe he should try words, actually.

"That does sound pretty nice," he admitted. "Especially since I know you're pretty full of all sorts of good stories..."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[noonedecidesmyfate]

Perhaps the puns had saved the night?

"We haven't shared a good story in some time," Belle pointed out. "Perhaps we could...read together?"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[pun_king]

"...tonight?" Graham asked, eyes gone a little wide again as he gulped down a little nervous hopefulness.

He hadn't thought about them saving the night, no.

You'd think by now, he might have, but...

Then he couldn't help grinning.

"I think that sounds really great, Belle. It's like we're already on the same..."

Wait for it.

"Page!"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[noonedecidesmyfate]

"Reading between the lines?" Belle suggested, fighting back a giggle.

"Unless you've other plans I was hoping to find a tale with a happy ending tonight..."