xistentia | I see trouble on the way.

Entry tags:

I see trouble on the way.

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.

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Same. They get real handsy.

[ though it almost sounds a little fond as he looks at the glass and thumbs the bottom of it thoughtfully. ]

Well, you're doing pretty well. If you gotta start somewhere, might as well be in the deep end. [ nothing about it is weird to juno, in fact, it's definitely coming off that this sort of thing is the norm for him as he gives a nod to him, a smile coming easily onto his mouth, more easily than it would sober. less self-effacing, more honest. ] Not really familiar with whatever it is you two were dressing up as, but the whole thing looks great.

[ the fact that they haven't stepped on his feet yet feels like a miracle, and juno's wondering if janus is doing some kind of magical footwork to avoid his own clumsiness. drunkenness does not make juno any more decent of a dancer, but he definitely can sway and he can certainly hear the beat of the music.

the proximity helps a little too. warm. guiding. ]

Half of my job's guesswork, so I can relate just a little.

[ really, he does, but the slow swaying dance is something that takes up enough of juno's mind to render him a little dumb for it all right now. it's kind of nice actually, between the too-heavy thoughts trying to poke their fingers into his brain and the wash of too-sweet alcohol like a temporary coat of paint over his feelings. it's kind of nice, makes him feel like his edges are softer in a place like this where he isn't alone sitting in his office.

juno catches that smile on their mouth, softened between the lights above and between them and it feels almost dream like. that if juno reached out a little, he'd probably pass fingers straight through them. ]

It's going some kinda way right now.

[ juno presses his lips together. it's not an answer. ]

Fast, maybe. [ nonchalantly: ] Probably. [ definitely. he can feel it. ]

( it's true. alec would say the same, that their affection for magnus had made them put aside their differences. he's glad of it. vex is one of his very, very good friends. one of the people he's closest to, and to alec that has immense significance. )

Yeah, it did. Glad it did. ( he lifts his drink, grinning a bit crookedly. ) Way ahead of you.

You'll figure it out, ( he says, putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. he was glad to her she was thinking about it a lot, about what she wants, about what had happened. to him, that's a good sign. reflecting on what went wrong and on yourself could lead to a better understanding of what had happened and less mistakes moving forward.

but it's hard, looking so inwardly at yourself. that much he fully understands. )

You made it this far. You have two boyfriends. ( he may have zero interest in that sort of experience but he still makes a point of making it sound like an accomplishment here. good job rosie!!!! thats a lot of people and time and relationship to juggle! maybe it's not perfect, but what is? )

A music listening date? ( alec is into it. he loves it when magnus shows him things, a book, a work of art, a song. things he's liked over the years or have gained some personal significance to his husband. or just to see what he finds worthy of sharing with alec.

it tells a story, sometimes. other times alec learns something about magnus, and he loves every new fragment of information about him, whether it be an anecdote of his life or his thoughts on a certain art movement. )

Okay. Let's.

I'm meant to be diplomatic with them in order to improve those alliances, but after that... ( he trails off. he's angry about it. beyond words. he's sickened to think someone would use their relationships against them, and he's annoyed at himself for being so stunned by hearing of it. as if he didn't already know he wasn't assigned as head of the institute because he's with magnus. as if he didn't already know he owes his position to jace's heritage. as if he hadn't heard the inquisitor herself talk about downworlders like valentine did.

alec is not one to let his emotions jeopardize a mission with a greater goal. what the queen did is unforgivable to him, especially after she colluded with their enemy,
but he has a lot of work to do. ) I'll just be wary. That's all I can afford. ( for now. he has to prove himself and the shadowhunters of new york worthy of their trust. )

That's what I — ( he stops, correcting himself. magnus agrees they can hope for that in the future, and that until then they'll work together side by side, but it doesn't erase what happened from alec's heart. ) What we hope. That'll take time, too, but eventually... it might not be an issue at all.

( and he agrees with rafa. love has become important in a way he never allowed it to be before. )

I don't think you need to sacrifice love for duty. Not anymore.

( Excuse her, she's choking on her drink. )

No! ( Jeez ... )

It's a really weird story, okay? I mean, Maury kinds of weird. ( Huffing out a sigh, and then in a somewhat begrudging and embarrassed statement -. ) We thought we were related. We were lied to. After we fell for each other. So it was definitely kind of a mess.

To be fair, I also get a bit handsy. [Something about the mood he's in is puffing him up with a little bit of bravery--that and the general calm demeanor of his conversational partner. It's never been easy for Arthur to just say what's on his mind, and probably never will be, but at least for tonight it's easier, and he's sort of enjoying it.

The compliment still makes him flush, but he manages to smile back, even if he can't resist the urge to brush a strand of blond hair out of his face.] We're characters from an American television show, The Munsters. I think it aired in the mid-sixties--it was kind of a parody of both classic monster movies and situation comedy like Leave It To Beaver. Lily is both a vampire and the nurturing mother archetype, while Marilyn serves as both the mundane counterpoint to the rest of them and the naive teenager girl--

[And right about then, he realizes he's rambling and cuts himself off, the flush deepening.]

Sorry. I tend to get a bit carried away when it comes to pop culture. Um, I'm actually not sure I recognize your costume either.

My name is Era, and I suggest that you use it. [ Her expression smooths out to something more neutral and difficult to read. ] Perhaps I am simply tired of people trying to judge and compare my world to theirs when there is no comparison. Hydaelyn is Hydaelyn, not any variation of 'Earth'.

And the Mothercrystal is most certainly sentient. She birthed my world and the ones parallel to it. For all intents and purposes she is my mother, so refer to her with respect.

[ ...Ew. A food waster. B( ]

Focus on breaking down Xistentia's reality then, and leave my world out of it. Perhaps you believe magic and science are synonyms but from my experiences they are not. There is an overlap, but they are not the same thing.

All right then! [ As soon as he's able, he's going to make it happen.

It sounds fun, no pun intended. And Magnus does indeed like to share with Alec. It's a good feeling, to be able to experience something with someone for the first time. Theirs or yours or both of yours together. ] A musical date, [ he affirms.

Possibly saying it just because he likes the sound of it. ] If it goes well, we might have to schedule more of these, hm?

[ So much music... so much. ]

[ He hums thoughtfully, and tilts his head up to watch Loki. His eyes narrow a little, like he's trying to see how a puzzle fits together. ]

I think you like to watch others. And not get involved, lest someone might notice you enjoying yourself. I want to see you smile. But a real one, not one painted for show. I can wait.

[ Rafa's nose wrinkles while he smiles. ]

Yes they do. Tricks, teasing, games? What are those if not mischief? Fun is fun. I like fun.

[ Rafa nods, thoughtful. Given his previous conversations with Mika, he has the idea that intimacy is quite foreign to him. As a general rule.

Rafa isn't like that anymore, but there had been a time when it was an alien thing to him. He'd been young then, and not yet a vampire, but he still feels the scars of that time now. He reaches to touch Mika's hand. ]

I understand. If I can help you, I will. If you will let me.

You may enjoy it more than you think. I know that I always did.

[ Rafa shrugs his shoulders. ]

You seem to do reasonably. You have friends, Nico.

Should Cassidy ever come here, I will introduce you to him. You'd like him, I am sure.

[ Rafa's head tilts, encouraging gentle hands in his hair. He loves that, and leans closer to nudge a little kiss against Nico's cheek in response. ]

I am a king, which makes this quite the scandal. I wonder what my court would think of me dancing with a pirate?

[ Wyatt shakes his head. He's not overly worried about it, though. They may look alike, but Alec Lightwood smells nothing like Hunter, and that'll always matter more to Wyatt. He shrugs. ]

First time for everything. I mean we're in actual space, in another dimension that may or may not be the inside of someone's iPhone. That is not the weirdest shit I've seen here.

[ They're probably not inside a phone. The computery language is all talk. Most likely.

Anyway. He lets one of his hands sneak in against the hair at the back of Juno's neck, and his fingers play idly through it. ]

So. A lady's cover, huh? You can tell her she can trust me. I'll keep her secrets. I'm a gentleman.

[ He says, while attempting to twirl them. ]

[ Wyatt stares at her for a second. He can't actually believe this is the explanation. The girl he'd been worried was competition already has two boyfriends?

There's a part of him, deep down, that surges with fresh irritation at that news. She had two already, but what, she just had to have Jaden too? Awesome, super awesome.

He swallows it. There's no point in those feelings. They're not going to go anywhere, and while it doesn't leave Wyatt with the best impression of Rosie, he at least won't haul her over the coals for it. Not now. ]

You're like Rafa, [ is all he says, his eyes sliding away. ] Or Hunter. I don't know how you guys do that, like how you...feel for more than one at once. I'd get it, if it was just sex.

[ He glances at her, appraising. He knows it's not just that with his family. He knows them. But with Rosie? In fairness, it might be that. ]

It's not, is it? With the two guys. You got real feelings for them, right?

[ Wyatt's grin is wicked, but the real reaction is in the gleam in his eyes. The idea of Nico tying him up and taking him makes him feel all kinds of things.

Luckily, his pants are a little looser than his friend's. He swallows, and pretends like there's not a flush rising over his chest and up his neck. ]

As yours, huh. Well maybe you should. I buried that treasure pretty deep.

[ He steps up closer, hands sliding around behind Nico's back.

And I'm definitely not doing what I'm told. Captain.

Nuh-uh, I'm from space. This stuff? It doesn't happen like that.

[ seriously, and he might look just a little more troubled by that, or he would if wyatt hadn't pretty much swept in with his sneaky little mitt at the base of juno's neck. it's a weakness, the kind he can't shrug off because really. it's been what, six months? a shadow of a touch to his nape doesn't get him weak-kneed, he's made of sterner stuff, but.

it's nice. ]

But I'll take your word for it. Now. As for that lady, you don't need me to be the go-between.

[ he'll let a twirl happen, if only because it somehow fits the dance just a little bit, makes the room churn into a blur of pleasant color and for half a second, juno doesn't have to say a single word, just has to spin and pull in again. it's like timing's on his side for once, and maybe it makes him feel a little cool. juno's nothing if not an active narrator. ]

You're talking to him.

[ and it's lucky that nico's are billowy because he's probably having a similar issue to what wyatt's experiencing. glancing around again, he tugs on the straps of wyatt's suspenders, pulling him closer as he tilts his head. ]

Guess I need to fetch the ropes and start digging. [ a pause as he lifts a hand, fingers twirling in the air as he draws in the shadows. ] Are you afraid of the dark?

Sounds like you need to experience better surprises.

[Like, birthday parties or something.]

( there it is. inevitable disappointment. dick hates himself a bit for putting that anxious look of turmoil on rafa's features -- maybe he should've just let a dance be a dance, and have that be the end of it. it's hard for him, letting go. being reasonable about things instead of barreling into them, guns blazing, heart on his sleeve. he likes rafa too. it's a problem he's trying to deal with.

but he can't just let rafa look -- like that. sad, defeated. heartbroken. dick's eyebrows twist together, somewhat at a loss, before he clasps a hand over rafa's worried fingers, shaking his head. )

Rafa, please no more apologies between us. It's not your fault. ( he shakes his head, a struggle for words evident on his downturned face. he excels at fucking most of everything up. ) I find you attractive, but it's -- it's not supposed to work out, for me, like that. And I'm not drunk enough to have this conversation yet, so.

( he props rafa's chin with the bend of his knuckle, just for a second before he makes his leave, headed towards the bar. )

[ Jace nods cheerfully while he drinks. Yes, he knows you just cleaned that. Yes, he's drinking from it anyway. Yes, he's definitely at least a little tipsy by now and has likely left empty shot glasses scattered around the place without a care. This is exactly what does help, though, since if he didn't make a mess, Alec wouldn't get any joy out of cleaning one up. ]

Better me than someone else. Here, you should have one.

[ And he fills a second, before offering it to Alec with an expectant look. ]

Go on. You're officially off duty, it's allowed.

[ Not that anyone has anything like official duty here, anyway. Jace leans back again. ]

You know I didn't know Magnus could do that with his powers. His runes look pretty solid, too.

[ ...You know, she wants to think that's hyperbole. Based on their exchange so far, however, she's not entirely convinced. ]

Lame. We'll have to fix that.

[ Loki's eyes narrow briefly before his expression flickers back to passive amusement. ]

That seems like an odd thing to be invested in. What good is a smile?

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I see trouble on the way.

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