deathsmajesty | Halloween Party, Creepy But Nowhere Near Abandoned Mansion, Tuesday Night

After basically being dared to do it by Tony Stark (and putting in six weeks of renovations, bless Hannibal for the contractor), Liliana, dressed as an empress, hair pulled back in a profusion of curls by her angelic headpiece, was ready to throw her first Fandom party. Sure, it was for a holiday she didn't really understand, but she'd heard enough about it to make due: there was supposed to be candy and people were supposed to be in costume. Done. Everything else was just the same as a regular party, right?

Granted, the last party she'd hosted had actually been for a bunch of vampires and that had been seventy years ago on a completely different plane, but bah, details. You had food to eat, music to dance to, dark corners to sneak off to, and either enough witty people or enough alcohol to keep the conversation flowing. Liliana was hoping that there would be plenty of the former showing up, but just in case, she'd made sure to stock plenty of the latter.

Though her newly refurbished ballroom was actually very light and airy, she had done her best to recreate some of the spookiest elements she'd seen in her travels. The dancefloor was covered in about a foot of heavy fog that swirled and eddied with every movement. While most of the chandeliers were shrouded in fabric and false webbing, she personally found the main chandelier was decorated in something she much more unnerving. Black and red candles flickered about the room held by ghostly hands, dripping skulls, and the occasional elegant standing candelabra. One of the few concessions to magic she'd used tonight was to have the candles lit with tongues of false fire, which provided light but no heat. And they glowed blues and greens and purples, which was a nice effect. Red roses were placed upside down in vases, while more questionable arrangements sat in decorative vases. Out of deference to her guests' ~~squeamishness~~ sensibilities, all creepy critters, skeletons, and dead bodies were all cunningly crafted fakes, not a single real bone or drop of blood in the place.

Other than, of course, what her guests brought in with them. And should they leave with fewer of either than they'd come in with, well, that was hardly her fault. Probably.

Arrive and Mingle / Photos / Dark Corners [NFB] / Refreshments / Dance / Gardens / OOC

[~~Please hold for~~ OCD up! Do the thing!]

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From:

pocketpretzels

“Of course, darling,” Watts said. “And we needn’t stay a minute longer than you should care to.”

From:

hasaknightjob

"Doing all right so far," Steven said. "Not too bad yet. I promise I will say if I need to leave. Or get some fresh air."

Apparently there was a garden area available for that very thing!

From:

pocketpretzels

“Good,” Watts said firmly. “Take care of yourself first and foremost, everything else is secondary.”

From:

hasaknightjob

Steven smiled at him. "Easier to do when you've a beau who will catch you if you need it. Don't know that I could have come on my own. Well, as much as I'm ever on my own."

Though considering Marc and parties it would've probably still been very much alone.

From:

pocketpretzels

“I wouldn’t have made you come on your own,” Watts said. However lukewarm his feelings on Liliana Vess, he cared about Steven above all.

From:

hasaknightjob

"I think I can manage work all right," Steven said, already thinking ahead. "That's sort of familiar ground."

From:

pocketpretzels

“If you’d care for an escort in either direction, I am happy to provide my services,” Watts told him.

From:

hasaknightjob

"I'd never say no to more time with you," Steven told him with a smile. "For any reason."

From:

pocketpretzels

“Nor I with you,” Watts said, beaming back at him. “That’s settled, then.”

From:

hasaknightjob

"You're sure you don't mind?" Steven asked. "No reason for you to get up early if you'd prefer not to."

From:

pocketpretzels

“I offered,” Watts pointed out. “I would not have done so if I truly minded. Your safety and comfort means far more to me than a little extra sleep.”

Edited Date: 2023-10-31 11:33 pm (UTC)

From:

hasaknightjob

Steven relaxed. Once again it was good that Llewellyn was fully honest, even about the details that made things difficult. "All right then. I trust you. And will greatly enjoy the company."

From:

pocketpretzels

"It is my pleasure to provide it," Watts assured him. "And if you would care for a walk home, just send me a missive via text shortly before you expect to be done for the day, and I shall meet you there."

From:

hasaknightjob

Steven smiled at him. "Am I meant to be able to resist the idea of walking home with you as well? Because I'm not certain I could."

From:

pocketpretzels

"Who am I to say, really?" Watts asked. "All I can tell you is it would give me great pleasure to be your escort."

From:

hasaknightjob

"Can I make a reservation for a walk home as well then?" Steven asked. He smiled. "Is there somewhere I sign for that?"

From:

pocketpretzels

"You may," Watts smiled at him. "In absence of a form to sign I will accept a kiss."

From:

hasaknightjob

"Luckily I've those on hand, since I've no forms," Steven said. He tilted his head up to give Llewellyn a kiss, keeping it light in respect of them being in a public setting.