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

[joan_of_bark]

Pam had come here to see about the rest of the island. She should... probably go and do as much.

So she turned to the first person who caught her eye, and-- "Well, you've definitely matched our hosts' sense of drama," she greeted.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[mustbeawitch]

"Oh, well, thank you," Lydia said as she bobbed a small curtsey of greeting. "A happy accident, I assure you, Miss...?"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[joan_of_bark]

"It's a lovely gown. And it's doctor," Pam corrected smoothly. "Pamela Isley. I'm the new owner of Pick Your Poison."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[mustbeawitch]

"Dr. Isley!" Lydia realized. "Yes, I've read about you on the radio! I am Miss Lydia Bennet," she explained. "I do the 'broadcast' on Saturday mornings."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[joan_of_bark]

"I think I recognize your voice," Pam replied, managing something of a smile. "Seems like an intense job."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[mustbeawitch]

"Not particularly," Lydia assured her. "You simply show up and read the notes. The squirrels can be quite demanding, but they're still only squirrels." Perhaps if she started hexing them to show she meant business, but that seemed mean.

"Oh! You're the new management Mr. Blackwood mentioned!" Yes, way to put that together after she'd already told you so, Lydia. Very observant.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[joan_of_bark]

"Not by choice," Pam said. "Well. It was pushed on me. I did decide to stick around, for the time being. Sounds like you made a similar decision about the squirrels."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[mustbeawitch]

"It was easier than having them yanking my hair out every Saturday morning, no matter how much I warded the window," Lydia complained. "Rodents are so rude. I never knew before." Because of Kitty, of course.

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[joan_of_bark]

"Well, they're rodents," Pam felt she had to point out. "They're small and vulnerable, so they have to make up for it by knowing when to run and when to strike." A pause. "I just didn't think they'd have an instinct for radio broadcasts."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[mustbeawitch]

"That might be all the rum," Lydia mused. "They do seem to drink an awful lot of it, for such small creatures."

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[joan_of_bark]

"With tiny little livers," Pam said, raising an eyebrow. "Maybe they've mutated?"

Re: Arrive and Mingle

[mustbeawitch]

"I just assumed it was magic," Lydia admitted. But then, when you had a hammer everything looked like nails, and so forth.