I see trouble on the way.

[lacquers]

Characters: Everyone! Yes, you too!
Summary: Mandy's Masquerade hosts a fantastic Halloween party with a costume contest, some very special cocktails, and a few other surprises.
Date(s): Late in the month of October.
Warnings/Notes: Please mark any threads that need content warnings.

Mandy's is looking a bit festive this evening. Arrayed with spiderwebs, pumpkins, and other ghoulish decorations, the interior resembles a spooky haunted house. Spooky, not scary! Everyone's invited to stop by and celebrate All Hallow's Eve with spirited drinks, excellent company, and a lot of that Magnus flair.

You can loosen up on the dance floor to Monster Mash, Thriller, Dead Man's Party, or maybe something from this list. The spooky sky's the limit! Visit the bar for one of several special drinks you won't soon forget. You can also sample some tasty and holiday-appropriate baked goods, courtesy of the other Mr. Lightwood-Bane. Finally, stop by the table with the MAGIC 8 BALL to learn a little more about your fellow partygoers.

---

Potions.
drink list

Siren Song
If you're a little tone-deaf, don't fret. This drink will turn you into a master at serenading. It won't actually give you the ability to influence anyone via magical means, but maybe if your song choice is apt, you'll woo someone either way!

Firework!
A drink that comes with a portable fireworks show hovering over its surface. Drinking it will give you the sensation of ingesting liquid pop-rocks.

Blacklight
Does what it says on the tin and makes the drinker glow under a black light. It's also kind of sour.

Frankenstein's Monster
This drink is quite shocking. Not dangerously so, but when you drink it, you'll have the impression of getting a tingling little jolt of electricity down your spine. It's aliiiiive.

To Be or Not To Be (A Daemon)
Drink this and you will find you've been magically swapped with your daemon. It only lasts ten minutes, but hey! You'll get to see how the other half lives. A note: you won't inherit one another's abilities!

---

Who Wore It Best?
costume contest

Congratulations to our costume contest winners!

In first place for individual costumes...

Rafa wins for his devilish costume and he'll be awarded 2 potions: the first of which will up his luck stat, granting him good fortune in an endeavor (it says "Deal with the Devil" on the bottle) and the second will up his persuasion stat, helping him to be more successful in an argument (it says "The Devil's Advocate" on the bottle).

In second place for individual costumes...

Nico plunders the second place spot and will be given a treasure chest full of chocolates that are rum flavored. Careful, they pack a bit of a punch and when consumed, they'll make whoever eats them feel especially happy. No sad drunks here!

In third place for individual costumes...

Zeke and his amazingly sunny costume are in third and he wins a sunflower plant that will never cease to bloom and seems to have a bit of a glow about it. Plus, perpetual supply of sunflower seeds?

In first place for couples costumes...

Magnus and Alec came first for their portrayal of... each other... and they win a pair of seemingly mundane t-shirts that say "Bennet" and "Darcy" on them. What's that about?

In second place for couples costumes...

Vex and Kenzi delighted with their take on the Addams' family patriarch and matriarch and won second place. As a prize, Kenzi will be given a shampoo and conditioner set that seems pretty innocuous until you check out the writing on the bottles: 'Have YOU ever wanted hair like Cousin Itt? Are you ever in luck!' Just a small amount will make her locks lustrous and smooth. Vex will be given a very lifelike and animated hand in a box.

In third place for couples costumes...

Rose and Kaz were drop dead gorgeous in their mafia-inspired garb. As prizes, they will receive the following: for Rose, a pair of magical die that make music when thrown, and for Kaz, a set of playing cards that are intricately illustrated with astonishing art that seems to move. Watch out for the face cards, they get very opinionated about your playing. They both also receive a chip that can be relinquished to Magnus for a small magical favor.

Comments

[deathkid]

Good choice. Mine is the same. [ though he rarely, if ever, adds color. ]

[deathkid]

[ being called "spooky" used to bother nico, especially when he thought people avoided him as a result. now, he takes pride in it, smirking darkly as he responds. ]

I think they know not to mess with any party I'm attending. I am their king after all.

[deathkid]

[ gulping down some of his own, nico thrills in how it burns on the way down. he closes his eyes for a few seconds and just lets the magic of the drink do its work before looking down at rafa. ]

Greek is just as much my birth language as Italian. But I think I see your point. It's amazing how many people get turned on merely by hearing us speak.

[infatyuated]

I can see why, given... [ gestures at his own fangs. ] Can you even digest ice cream?

Vanyel Greyjoy | OTA

[drehnifusbahi]

A. Doin' the Monster Mash
[His own outfit wasn't chosen with the costume contest in mind, so he doesn't enter it. Instead, he focuses on simply socializing - and, since he as good as promised he would when he and Rose made up after the fair, he does it with an eye toward getting close to people, generating the intimacy this city seems to need as much as Eudio did, if not more.

So though he recognizes precisely zero of the songs, he throws himself into the dancing. He's a quick study, and light on his feet, so he at least manages to avoid stepping on any toes - or tripping himself or anyone in the vicinity.

And when someone catches his eye in between songs, or seems to be wallflowering, he'll approach with a smile and a] Care to dance?

B. Say, What's In This Drink?
[Social drinking being an even bigger part of Imperial culture than dancing, he spends a lot of time at the bar too. He remembers hearing about the famous "magic cocktails" at Pandemonium, though he rarely ventured to the club to try any himself. He's rectifying that now, though, sipping at a drink sparking with fireworks to start with then systematically working his way down the list.

When he takes his first sip of a Frankenstein's Monster, he jumps - then laughs at himself for doing so. Glancing at the person on the next barstool, he offers a sheepish smile and says] Cheers. Have you tried one of these yet?

C. Under Your Spell - closed, for hasitsthorns
[He's tried to keep his distance and not interfere with her date, and physically at least, he's managed. But he hasn't been able to keep his eyes off of her all night, and the more drinks he puts away the stronger the temptation becomes to cut in and smuggle her away to some dark corner. After the costume contest is finished, his resolve finally crumbles. After all, how could he stand by and just let her be unhappy?

So while her date is elsewhere, he slips his arms around her from behind and plants a kiss on her cheek.] If it were up to me [he murmurs, voice still thrumming with the effect of the Siren's Song he drank shortly before he came over] you would have won first prize. [Kiss, kiss, kiss, go his lips down the side of her neck as he talks.]

D. Wildcard
[Insert any/all other Halloween shenanigans of your choice here!]

mikaela (mika) hyakuya ▪ open

[infatyuated]

𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲 ➨

[ mika had been hesitant about going out in public, much less in costume. but after rafa had insisted with the added suggestion of taking a picture for his yuu-chan, mika has relented. he arrives a little late, dressed appropriately, and with his sword at his side. he still distrusts most of the people here, which has prompted him to bring it, but perhaps with some talking to, he can be persuaded to check it at the door.

he doesn't bother introducing himself to anyone. doesn't make his way to the drinks because he can't stomach them, but he does find a corner to lurk in, arms crossed over his chest as he watches the other party goers through cat-like, crimson eyes. ]

𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘆𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗵 ➨

[ at some point, mika will grow tired of being a wallflower and heads over to the drinks table in the unlikely event they have something he can actually drink. to his mixed feelings, there's nothing bloody and he frowns as he regards the menu. ]

How am I supposed to drink any of this?

𝗶 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗮 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂❜𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 ➨

[ maybe it's because of the blood he's been drinking ( a cloned version of his yuu-chan's, which always makes him feel warm inside ), or maybe it's just the party atmosphere, but after a while, mika begins to loosen up a bit. he's still sticking to watching other people dance, but at least he's tapping his foot along time with the music. it's not anything he's ever heard, but it's catchy. eventually, he turns his head towards the closest person, flashes a fang, and then asks: ]

Who's this singer? Is this common music where you're from?

𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴❜𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 ➨

[ want something else? hit me up at alkahestic ]

[hermajestyssword]

[He wasn't sure he wanted to come, but now that he's here it seems only prudent to try and get into the spirit of things. So, he picks up the ball and gives it a shake.

Oh.]

Are you sunrise, daylight, twilight, or night? Please share why you picked your time of day?

[pillz]

Eggplant, baby. Hey, nice top.

Ion Fortuna | OTA

[hermajestyssword]

I. Here For the Party
[The concept and traditions of Halloween didn't really survive Armageddon, and even if they had it's doubtful they'd have taken root in the Empire, among the Methuselah who don't believe in the concepts of souls or the afterlife to start with. So Ion wasn't inclined to come, at first - he's not in a celebratory mood to start with, less so when the celebration in question is of a holiday he's never even heard of.

But it's attend the party or stay alone in his empty apartment - and Ion is not well-suited to quiet, solitary pursuits. So he attends, not particularly dressed up by his own standards because he doesn't quite understand the point of doing so. But he's got enough jewelry and embroidery to look dressed up, so he doesn't stand out too much.

He looks briefly over the food and drink on offer, but doesn't take any just yet. Instead, he settles into a corner with good lines of sight and just watches the proceedings. Not knowing these people or understanding these customs, he's loathe to wade in and potentially make himself look foolish.]

II. Free My Soul
[But eventually he does begin to unbend a little. Accepts a drink offered by a smiling stranger, lets his foot start tapping in time with the rhythm. It's still an exceedingly strange party full of strangers, but... maybe it's not so bad, really?

He takes a sip of the drink - which turns out be a Frankenstein's Monster.] Oh! [He can't help but yelp, back going ramrod straight as the little shock rolls down his spine.] My apologies. [He murmurs when he realizes he's inadvertently jumped right into someone's path, and hurriedly backs out of it again.]

III. Wildcard
[Insert your own starter here or hit me up on plurk/via PMs to plot something else!]

[hermajestyssword]

[The closest person happens to be another blond-haired, red(dish)-eyed boy, who blinks and sits up a little straighter at that flash of fang (which is almost an accomplishment considering his posture was already ramrod straight) before answering.]

No, I've never heard anything like it before. [And though he doesn't go out of his way to show them, Mika might catch a glimpse of Ion's fangs in turn as he talks.]

[hermajestyssword]

[You are very tall, sir! Especially compared to Ion, who's only a hair over five feet, himself. He has better manners than to sit there and stare, of course, but it takes him a moment or two to master his surprise.]

I lost one dear friend, but gained another. And... [His gaze drops to his own folded hands and a light blush dusts his cheeks] I like to think I did a great deal of growing up, thanks to her influence.

[hermajestyssword]

A family crest?

[Guesses a small blond boy, fanged but otherwise entirely human-looking. And because that's a potentially sensitive question, he offers]

It would be a unicorn rampant and the wheel of fortune, for me.

[astralera]

Yes.

[ had she not been wearing very high heels (a choice she will regret the longer the night wears on) she would not have been near eye level with the boy, so she doesn't consider him small in the least. perhaps petite in build, though it just serves to remind her of Alphinaud more than anything.

regardless, the coincidence of the boy's answer steals a laugh from her. ]

A unicorn bust atop vines, all in crimson.

[astralera]

It is the most versatile choice.

[drehnifusbahi]

Wealth I can acquire for myself easily enough, [says the hakama-clad man with the tiny dragon daemon wrapped around his shoulders like a stole] so I suppose it would have to be love by default.

[drehnifusbahi]

If it is, I'd have to cheat as well.

[astralera]

[ she is trying so very hard not to stare rudely at the man, since she isn't fond of stares herself. but it's quite difficult since he's so unique to any other fish-like race she's encountered before. like some kind of very tall Elezen-Roe-Sahagin hybrid.

with some effort she manages to shove her curiosity aside and actually answer the question: ]

I found a family for myself.

[linny]

I didn't know that because I don't know what an avocado is, but I'd love to try one. I love making cakes!

[linny]

Endura or Swift?

[ as if it makes a difference...? Link, what. ]

[linny]

[ Rosie, pls look at the confused look on this precious boy's face, you completely lost him. ]

[linny]

[ A very brief pout crossed his lips, as if Rafa had just insulted him but it was quick to disappear and he tried to hold his chin up. ]

I did not overly spice it.

[linny]

[ Without hesitation he began to shake it again. ]

Who would you choose to be marooned on a desert island with?

[linny]

There is a plant made of eggs?

[linny]

A baby plant made of eggs?

[ will wonders never cease...

Top? He glanced down at his clothing and a faint pink blush began to rise on his cheeks when he realized that was a compliment. ]

Thanks, or sarqso as the Gerudo would say it.

[vexy]

[ He laughed and gave a playful bite to Nico's jaw. ]

I don't need to mess up these trousers just yet. Maybe later. Have you thought of asking Vin of pulling out a dream-thief curse for the whole Rafa-can't-bite-holy-things-thing?