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

[leovaldez]

[ Leo's a troublemaker. It's not so much that he always meant to be but there were a lot of things that were complicated about that and he just never had been able to fit in anywhere, too hyperactive and so he always ran away before people could just deem to get rid of him and abandon him. It was much easier to act like he's happy and doesn't care about any of that. ]

What?

[ Leo raised a brow as he looked over at Peter, not surprised to see the other and honestly he rather likes seeing him. He's become quite fond of the weirdo nerd who had a thing about spiders it seemed. ]

[miss_brilliant]

Blame me hanging around too many jackass men who did make those jokes knowing who she was way before I met you. It's kind of a reflex reaction. [since running into that thing pretending to be Camile and Aymeric's father, Amanda's caring a bit less about holding up that professional facade too much and holding back on swearing when it seems appropriate.]

She doesn't mind his attention not being solely focused on her when they're talking--she actually prefers it. She is a bit surprised by the question, but she just shrugs, looking at her still faintly glowing fingers] Why not? It could prove useful all things considered, and it would a lot of fun.

[linny]

[ God? Put the what in his-- what?! Link looked baffled for a second, then answered the question that he knew the answer to. ]

Hyrule. You're a god?

[ Because, yes, Link was taking him seriously. ]

[astralera]

Most things are more enjoyable when one doesn't worry what others think of them, are they not?

[ there are a lot of downsides to being inebriated though. like slower reflexes, which is a unnecessarily large risk to take for someone in her position back home. ]

[mordacita]

[ Rafa comes closer, smiling, eyes moving over Loki’s face. The Loki he knew in Eudio was a different man, and he feels he has much to learn where this one is concerned. He’d be lying if he said that didn’t interest him. ]

And you are so sure you know my tastes? There is no harm in dancing with me, then.

Just for one song?

[ He holds out his hand, expectant. ].

[mordacita]

[ Rafa can hear the way his heart rate rises, the way it escalates once they touch. That’s gratifying, to know he still has that effect even though...

No. There is no even though. This is not the Dick who knew him in Eudio. Rafa needs to keep reminding himself. It’s easy and tempting to forget. His hands slide around his back and find familiarity that hints at belonging, and he’s wistful that it’s not.

But then there’s that smile, and that laugh, and Dick voting for him, which is unexpected enough to make his eyes widen. He hadn’t thought he’d be comfortable enough with him for that. ]

Did you? Thank you. I did not expect to win. I do not think I have worn this much red in my life, ever. [ Even his hair is red tonight. ] You know, I am not sure a man dressed for lawkeeping should be dancing with a devil. I could be a bad influence. Lead you down a dark path.

[ Which sounds joking and somewhat flirty, though there’s a truth to it too. This is as innocent as Rafa has ever known Dick to be. Should he really be trying to change all of that? ]

[mordacita]

[ Rafa makes a face. Imagine being distracted by pumpkins, for a positive reason. How strange. ]

That is unfortunate. What is a Hylian? Should I assume you are not from Earth? That is not a name I have heard of at all.

[mordacita]

Too much! [ The nerve, Clary. ]

I am the one who should judge, here. PSL demographic, indeed. I would have liked to think you above such things.

[mordacita]

[ Rafa doesn’t look completely sure. He smiles, though. ]

I suppose that must be true. I was tempted to say yes many times, if only because I knew it would make him happy. But he does not like it, if that is the only reason why I do it.

Do you worry that...with you and Magnus, that it may change how you are together to have a child?

[ That’s what worries Rafa. He has trouble imagining how children would fit into their lives. He only knows that he saw it, and that the version of himself in the vision had been pleased by it. It’s not much to go off, though it’s a very great lot more than he had before. ]

[mordacita]

[ Well then. Could it be that Loki seeks genuine companionship? Or in the lack of it, then nothing at all. It’s at odds with everything Rafa thinks he knows about him. He’s slowly learning that what he knew must be forgotten, with the real truth relearned. It gives him cause to wonder whether the Loki he’d known had been a lie, or whether he truly has changed so much.

Either way, it’s curious. He nods acceptance. ]

There is some fun in that, surely. Fleeting fun.

But if you want more...if you want something more real. In my experience, these things happen when you expect them least. They are worth waiting for, I believe.

[bratpack]

[ Really, is it that much of a surprise Wyatt pointed at Nico? He’s probably had more fun with him in this city than with everyone else combined. Easily. So he closes the distance, until he can hook the finger he’s pointing with into Nico’s belt instead, and tug him closer. ]

See, now this is what I call a pirate. Nice costume. Nice phrasing. Do I lose marks if I say you can shiver my timbers?

[ He grins. He also slips his arms around Nico’s waist. ]

Later is a definite, FYI.

[bratpack]

[ Wyatt shakes his head. For one thing he doesn’t give up that easily; for another thing, he hates to see anyone looking left out. There are to be no wallflowers in his life. ]

Dude, it ain’t a dance competition. Come on. If we look stupid we’ll look stupid together, okay, and I promise we’ll still have fun.

[ He grins, lifting his eyebrows hopefully.

Please?

[bratpack]

[ So many people are so shy at this party. Shyness isn’t in Wyatt’s blood. He’s never understood it. He does, however, consider it his mission to banish any awkwardness from anyone else. He glances down at his feet, rocks back on his heels a little. ]

Nah, I think I’ll be fine. We firepeople gotta protect our feet, you know? We got that whole. Steel toecap thing going on.

[ Is that true? If that’s not true, it should be. ]

So you can’t hurt me. Come on. It’s just one dance.

[bratpack]

[ Wyatt’s got a pretty strong constitution for alcohol. He generally tries to compensate by drinking more than any reasonable human should, but he’s not quite there yet tonight. Rosie still makes him a little unsure.

Which might contribute to him trying harder. He thinks about it, then leans on the bar, his jacket draping open across his chest. ]

Hey baby, you set off the sprinklers? Cause you’re smokin’ tonight.

[ Actually: he has noticed her outfit. This is as hot as he’s ever seen Rosie. ]

[dothelokimotion]

I am not sure drinking is the best way to achieve that state of nonchalance.

[ At least, Loki doesn't think so. But that has more to do with his upbringing than any real personal stake. Otherwise, it suits him fine. Looser tongues means more information, more protection from any potential threats. ]

[dothelokimotion]

Well, then.

[ There's a dark twinkle in his eye. To any normal gaze, Loki looks ordinary. A bit eccentric, perhaps. He is not trying to pull all gazes to him (at least, not yet). But to the more discerning eye, it's clear that Loki is powerful and he choose not to display it overtly. ]

Thankfully, I have plenty of time.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki is tempted to turn him down just to see the expression on his face. But all the information here points to creating bonds, which meant having to give ground for later. And he's in the mood to indulge. Gracefully, Loki takes Rafa's hand. ]

It had better be an impressive song.

[monologue]

[ where shepard sips, juno is not so casual about it, downing a mouthful of the glass as she speaks, eye twitching just a hair at the mention of strip poker. he's not losing his clothes at some idiotic card game, mostly because he's a shitty gambler and partially because it strikes a not-so-pleasant chord within him. ]

Breaking arms sounds means you gotta pin me down long enough to snap 'em. That's not a challenge enough for you?

[ way better than the defeat of an arm wrestling match. which juno isn't so sure he'll come out on top of. shepard's got arms for days, like seriously, it's basically unfair to challenge him to an arm wrestling match because she totally knows she's going to win. totally knows it. the suggestion has him scowling just a little bit against the lights.

still.

it's a challenge. and stepping up to one is in juno's blood. fuck that. ]

Fine. [ more whiskey. we're doing this. ] You win, I wear your dumb onesie and if I win you [ a vague wave of the hand ] burn that thing.

[monologue]

[ it's less about being shy and more about not wanting to. aggressively so. but he's not gonna go around saying it. he glances down at wyatt's boots a second before looking back at the bar briefly. it's easy to go back, to sit down more on his own and just watch. ]

Sure.

[ but there's a faint smile there, something that has juno saying "fuck it." he'll dance! but he's not! gonna like it! more specifically, he's not going to let himself like it. ]

Fine. One dance. But just remember I warned you. Haven't done this in years.

[ the hand offered to him gets taken, fingers callused, knuckles scuffed and scarred, grip light (almost shy?) as he pulls forward. ]

tw homophobic language

[pillz]

[since his latest ~breakup~, kavinsky's libido has come and gone. he'd thought initially perhaps that vampirism had fixed it, but he proved to be more like himself than he'd wanted afterward. unhappy dreams, he replaced with ruminations. liquor and reckless driving and shooting guns, he'd replaced with blood and running in the dark, testing the limits of his power.

the incubus' power feels good. it feels like himself— the parts of himself that he's ever cared to acknowledge, anyway. mindless fun, power over people and nightmares and death itself. he likes the rush, he likes the crunch. he opens his eyes when zeke's hand closes on his ass, his tongue poking visibly through the wall of his own cheek, tasting what's left of the older man in his mouth. his stare is focused.] Yeah, [he says.] But if you wanna push me around and call me 'faggot' a couple times, that could be fun too.

[astralera]

Not the best, no. But acceptable in this sort of environment.

[ she isn't used to parties at all - her life has always been go go go nonstop, all eight days of Hydaelyn's weeks. this is the first true 'party' gathering she has ever been to in memory, and while the dancing has been fun she's still on the fence on whether she likes parties. ]

Do you dance, ser?

[ given his criticisms Era would be surprised if he didn't know how. ]

[dothelokimotion]

I do, though I imagine it would seem rather archaic here.

[ Certain manners were drilled into him as a child. While his own memories seem hazy, tainted by the lies of his father, he hasn't forgotten his lessons. ]

[pillz]

Yeah man. My family's Bulgarian. Was. Bulgarian. I guess right now my family's more like, oldschool Italian. Not the mob kind, just undead.

Why the fuck would you pick Latin, anyway? That sound fuckable too?

[pillz]

[lovesick! kavinsky's attention cuts back at her. then back again. he tennis matches twice in quick succession, sour displeasure darkening his brow. he opens his mouth to get into it, to criticize jace's weird hair and the womanish way he's standing with his butt poking out that way, but then she heads him off with

1. an adorable look of smitten infatuation, and
   
2. a question about his vampirism.

and if we know anything about kavinsky, it's that he likes talking about himself as much as he hates having to be vulnerable or honest about any of his personal experiences.] It's treating me pretty good. [didn't magically solve all his personal problems, shockingly, but he'd known that going in -- on some level. after all, he'd had the ability to dream himself whatever he wanted, even personal servants to do all his bidding. by now, he knows it's slower and shittier going than all that.] You're trying to throw me off the scent. Jace's scent. What's your history? How come it didn't happen earlier, if he's all that.

[servomotor]

[There's a long, drunk pause.]

Touché. Although you can't blame me for going there, I mean. Space cows? What's that all about? I'm explicitly inviting you to explain. Possibly illustrate with an anecdote.