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

but april ... *we did this* (no ragrets)

[shadowblends]

There is? [Kurt perks at the thought, one hand curling beneath his chin.] It'd be nice if we could get things we might want or miss.

That's like a parachute, isn't it?

[shadowblends]

Well, it was a gut choice. The colors look nice on you.

[His cheeks flush, but only for a brief moment and it's just the faintest hint of violet.]

Thank you. I had a bit of help from someone, though.

[shadowblends]

['Stoic' will do well to counteract all the effervescence Kurt carries, regardless of where he goes. He tips his head to the side, brow furrowed and nose wrinkled.]

Ach, how lucky! German is important to me. It's my first language, with English coming in second.

[shadowblends]

Ach!

[The exclamation leaves him before it can be muffled, broad ruby-red irises instantly locking onto the large fish-man he'd met some time back. His heart immediately jumps into his throat, making it almost impossible to breathe, let alone continue.

It's a good thing he doesn't have a microphone because the air that whooshes from his lungs would have been way more audible. Gosh, Sidon looks excited for him to keep going and while his nerves are frazzled, there's really no going back now.]

... you can't stop the things I do. [Pause for effect, flash 'em the fangs (even if he looks kind of anxious) and--] I ain't lyyy~in'!

[And because show-business is his thing — he's done it for years — he eventually begins to shimmy while he sings, deftly removing the scarf as the music progresses to use for visual aesthetic.]

most definitely ♥

[shadowblends]

[After averting his gaze from the scarf around his waist, Kurt focuses on the man before him, perking ever so slightly when he recognizes his voice.]

Thank you, [he answers, fangs bared in an almost too exuberant grin.] I wasn't sure about it at first, but it came together nicely.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Breathe. Loki hasn't dealt with his unfortunate revelation well (or . . . at all, if he had a modicum of honesty and self-awareness) so seeing someone else so . . . at ease with their skin while Loki thinks about removing his own on a regular basis is disconcerting. To say the least. He clears his throat. ]

What gave you the idea?

[ Small talk. Loki could do that while he recovers some semblance of calm. ]

[ two ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Well now. It wasn't just Stark. What a pity. No matter. Loki can handle any kind of surprise. He's always been firmly adaptable to any situation and this one is no different as he smirks, dressed in his Captain America costume. ]

A little bit of magic and potion-craft, I suspect. Not something they had in your time, I presume?

[shadowblends]

[See, Kurt is entirely oblivious to the fact that Loki might be perturbed by his blue and is possibly mistaking it for a costume. So, when he continues explaining how he came to be in this outfit, it doesn't occur to him that he should mention his skin-tone's all natural.]

While I was speaking to someone over the network, we got on the topic of customs. [A brief flicker from behind his shoulders-- the spade of his tail twitching with excitement.] This stemmed from it.

three;

[hasitsthorns]

[ Suddenly plopping down in front of the man is a cat. It miaows at him once, twice. Obviously, he feels neglected. He is not; he's been cooed at and fawned over so much tonight it's ridiculous. Rose had told Kaz the cat would love all the hubbub but even she had underestimated how much. She also underestimated how little he would cooperate. It's a good thing Kaz had the back-up plush cat for his costume.

But Steve hasn't paid the feline any mind yet. What's up with that? Miaow, miaow, mister. Here's a purr and a rub against your arm just to drive the message of love me already home. ]

Charlie, Charlie-!

[ Rose practically hisses, coming out of seemingly nowhere and reaching over Steve to grab the Somali. He gives a displeased, protesting meow as he's scooped up and licks at the woman's arms. ] Sorry about him, he's. A handful. Probably shouldn't have brought him, but- Costumes, y'know? I was going for authenticity.

hanako 'rosalina' nurumi 🌹 closed

[hasitsthorns]

(( Closed starters upon request! If you want to plot out something specific, hmu at puddingandpie or Pudding#5286 on Discord. ))

dick grayson;

[hasitsthorns]

[ He doesn't remember her.

Despite the fact that Rose is well aware that's always a possibility with converging worlds like these, people not remembering or face twins or whatever else, it still hits in such unexpected ways. She's mostly sad, at first. He's still the Dick that she knew. Far too cute and kind for his own good, especially to her. It makes her heart flutter in all the same ways whenever he smiles, too, even trying to remind herself she shouldn't put any expectations on him. He might look, walk, talk, and act the same but-

He's not.

Once she's done being sad, which is about one drink too many in despite telling herself she'd be a bit more careful after the fair, she's excited. He doesn't remember her. This means, like the way she used to at home, she can re-invent herself. This time, she won't be the shy, bumbling, and (hopefully) endearingly awkward girl. She'll be confident and charismatic and. Sexy, maybe? Can she actually pull of sexy? After another magical shot, she decides she can at least try. ]

Hey, dude, [ she says, pulling her hair down out of its bun. Things just Got Real. She smiles big and bright, gathering courage she didn't know she had to try and tug him onto the dance floor. ] Do you dance? [ She knows he does because she'd snuck into more than a few of his performances in Eudio as a secret admirer. ] You look like you do. I do, but-

[ As if on cue, her daemon Apollod cuts the music currently playing and a perhaps familiar thrum starts through the speakers instead. 3, 6, 9 - Damn, she fine... She can't even feel sorry for the people suddenly thrown off by the shift in music. Look, she feels like she has a bit of musical authority having been a DJ proper for the host not so long ago so. It's fine. They'll get over it. ]

I wanna' see you get low.

Re: b!!

[mordacita]

[ Rafa had worked up his courage before pulling Dick out to dance. The complications of the history they have, and don't have, make this harder than it should be. Harder than it would be with anyone else. But eventually, he takes his hand and draws him out there. The response makes him laugh. ]

Yes you are. Even if you do not know it. But do not worry, I will show you how.

[ Which is a ridiculous notion. The first thing he'd ever known Dick Grayson as was a dancer. Rafa slides in close, hip against hip, and his hands slide down Dick's chest to his waist. He moves easily, in time with the music, but more importantly, in time with Dick's body. Looking up, he smiles. ]

You see? You can do it.

[ His hands move lower, resting on those hips. Rafa doesn't have a heartbeat to skip over itself, but if he did, it would be thundering now. He lifts his head, dark eyes on bright blue. ]

I am glad you came. I wondered if you would.

[helical]

( alec is definitely more used to functions meant to create connections and foster political influence. first rune celebrations are also occasional, but still rather austere. shadowhunters and parties don't mix, unless they're at a club to lure demons... and even then, they're entirely focused on work.

what alec has discovered he likes about this isn't the loud music, or the lights, or the drinking. )

It's nice to see people relax, I guess. ( he's fond of a lot of the people here, after all. they're family, in a sense, and this is a form of looking out after yourself and your own: taking a break, letting go for an evening. ) And I've learned it's good to have fun, once in a while.

[helical]

( alec is glad for that too. none of them have had time to really relax in a while, all of them having recently returned or arrived from their world not so long ago. it's a lot to take in, the return of memories, the events of their world.

it's nice to put that and the war that threatens their place here as well aside.

it, however, does not mean alec's going to do anything like that. sorry, clary. he scoffs,
shaking his head.)

Absolutely not. ( ur delusional!!! )

[helical]

( alec laughs, still finding himself in awe of how fond he is of magnus, how much this type of thing makes him love him all the more. )

Of course you were. ( he doesn't believe that 'a bit' in the least, but it's ok. he loves u for it. ) Kind of deserved.

[helical]

Is that where you're from?

[helical]

( sips at his drink. )

You mean the stuff I used to wear when we first met? ( alec likes the slight changes he's incorporated in his wardrobe in the year or so since. then again... ) We don't exactly have matching tastes. Maybe in colors.

( no offense, vex, but he wouldn't go to you for fashion advice. )

[helical]

Yeah. Especially people you care about. ( what is this feeling? link is... cute. ) There might be other people you know arriving. My brother's here now, too.

[helical]

Yeah. The more the better, right? ( i mean, logically, you would think more is better. or you could use that one wish to ask for more wishes like a smartass, which, honestly, alec might try if he was given one single one.

he grins crookedly, looks around as if people might be listening in, and leans in: )

Don't tell my superiors. I'm trying to undermine them.

3 blows a kiss at you

[monologue]

Uhhhh no thanks. I'm good.

[ really, he doesn't want to wear your costume. he's got a great costume all his own. it's called "his day job" and who knew it'd double perfectly for halloween. look, it's loud, there are bright lights, it might feel just a little bit like home, so juno's gonna do what he does at things like this: drink and not be made to wear a hamster onesie even if he has to fight shepard tooth and nail for the ability to Refuse.

hopefully it doesn't come to that. ]

Look, if you want to trade costumes I'll let you borrow my hat, but the only way you'll get me into that thing is if I'm a corpse.

b!

[monologue]

[ yeah. welp. juno is one of those people, the kind that are sitting on the edge of the crowd with a drink in his hand. he's perfectly find to watch, there's something in the bright lights that make him feel almost nostalgic a little, enough to keep the less than pleasant thoughts at bay, but not enough for him to glance down at the offered hand and then back at up at the guy who owns it.

cute. ]

Uh.

[ smooth. juno glances down at his unfinished drink and then back at wyatt before downing the rest of it and setting it aside. this dame doesn't dance. ]

Not really much of a dancer. I think you wanna leave tonight with your toes intact, pal.

[creatio]

Alec.

( Clary's doing her best to sound disapproving, but there's little she can do for her bright and blooming smile. ) Come on, you're letting down the team. Even Jace has danced with me.

( Technically, Jace would probably do anything Clary asked right now. But she's going to use that regardless. )

Besides, you want to live up to your full costume potential, right? Magnus would too. ( Would he? Who knows! )

[creatio]

( Ah, Magnus gets a grin for that. )

Something, something, disco era?

( Clary's still peering down at the magic ball, but instead of shaking it again she just takes another sip of her drink. )

I think I'll leave the one evaluating the past thing alone. For tonight, anyway. ( Eyes sparkling. ) I like your costume.

[creatio]

( She feels him arrive before he speaks, something about his newfound vampirism alerting the hunter in her to his presence. Clary's already smiling as he starts, an eyebrow arching closer to the flame of her hair the more he progresses. ) That's Jace. ( Her own lips twitch at Kavinsky's comment on her boyfriend's mouth, clearly trying to hold back a laugh. ) And it's definitely not too soon. We have history. A lot of history.

( Clary knows she'd fight for the right to have this kind of moment, something helpless and happy and ridiculously youthful about a party with dancing and drinking and matching costumes. She'd die for it.

Her gaze automatically searches him out, smile turning softer. She's lovesick. It's a solid diagnosis.

But!! She's not abandoning her friends, so Kavinsky gets her attention back again almost immediately. ) How are you? How's the whole creature of the night life treating you? Have you started a rock band yet?

[creatio]

Honestly, I'm going to have to find a way to run a candy store here. There are far too many people who've been deprived throughout their lives.

( Technically she knows it's mostly down to different universes and worlds, but whatever. She's still going to go for it. ) They're these little fizzy things that you put on your tongue and they fizzle and pop. They're awesome. But you're not supposed to put them in coke because apparently they'll explode. It was a rumour in high school.