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

[deathsmajesty]

"Ugh, angels," Liliana said, lip curling automatically. "What does that outfit have to do with high school?"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[single_man_tear]

"Standard outfit for a gym teacher," Dean explained as he tossed the ball in the air. "Or at least a standard gym teacher not on this island."

Gym teachers here probably wore robes or super hero outfits.

"Want me to get every guest to do laps around the house?" he offered

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[deathsmajesty]

"What is a gym teacher?" Liliana asked. "And, Abyss help me Dean, if that ball breaks anything tonight, the Underworld you visit will be quite literal."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[single_man_tear]

"Been there a couple of times, didn't take," Dean quipped, but did moved the ball under his arm and hugged it against his side. "Basically it's physical education. Pushups. Running. Sit ups. Playing basketball, baseball. That kind of stuff."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[deathsmajesty]

Of those things, Liliana knew 'running.'

"What?" Speak a civilized language, Dean!

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[single_man_tear]

"How long have you been in this reality?" Dean checked again.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[deathsmajesty]

"A year," Liliana said. "How often do I engage in physical activity?"

Wait, hold on.

"That requires clothing?"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[single_man_tear]

"Well, even with clothing, there's still plenty of opportunity for physical activity," Dean teased.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[deathsmajesty]

"I'll give you that point," Liliana said. "But go ahead Dean. Explain it to me. This basketball. Where am I going to learn about it, especially if I don't already know it exists?"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[single_man_tear]

Dean gave Liliana a long look. This was not the first time he'd run into an entity who had no idea what world was outside they had very little information about.

"You are literally a teacher at this school that teaches classes on this crap," Dean pointed out. "So if you're not taking advantage of that? That's on you. But if you want to step outside of your shop and your house a little more, I can show you."

Baseball season was over but there was always football. And Pro-wrestling.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[deathsmajesty]

"Who teaches this crap?" Liliana snapped. "Give me a name, a classroom number. Tell me, Dean, who is teaching basketball? Baseball? Physical education? So no, it's not on me! This! This is exactly what you do! You assume everybody magically knows exactly the same thing you do and when they don't, it's somehow their fault! Nobody can know what they don't know, you stubborn fuckwit. Show me where on the island these things are done! I'll get you a map and if you can point to where any of this is happening, I'll pay you. Get out of my house? Get out of my shop? I travel, Dean. I go places that aren't here and whatever parts of the country you're used to where everybody thinks like you do. Do you want me to name all the places I've been, just since summer?"

She was seething now, her eyes glowing purple. "You are a judgmental asshole and the worse thing is, you don't even realize it. I don't know something you think is basic, and it must be my fault, it must be because I don't go anywhere. I can't believe you've had multiple chances at life and you've still squandered them refusing to broaden your fucking horizons and understand that the things you know are highly contextualized."

She gave him one last baleful glare before spinning on her heel. "If you can think of that teacher, text me. Otherwise, I think we're done for tonight. Enjoy the party."