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

[helical]

( oh!! it's so nice to hear rosie say something good about herself. alec's pretty happy about that. )

Doing something right two-fold, at that.

( so, as far as he's concerned, she's becoming an expert. mistakes along the way are normal, after all, but he understands the need to be perfect and getting everything right and how one little mistake can make you feel like a failure in everything else. )

[drehnifusbahi]

[He won't object either way - but then, he never objects to anything she wears or doesn't wear. It isn't his place to, for one. For two... he'd think she was beautiful no matter what (though the word itself hasn't passed his lips since he learned she dislikes it).

Those kisses are returned with interest, and his hands wander, sliding that fur coat off her shoulders and sweeping over them. One hand trails down, cupping her breast through the fabric of her dress and lingerie, while the other slid around to her back in search of her zipper.]

As wonderful as you look with this on, [he breathes, just before his teeth graze the curve of her neck (she won't be the only leaving marks, apparently)] I think I'd rather have it off you. [He disentangles himself long enough to get that coat off her all the way, then closes the distance again even as he reaches around to unzip her dress.]

[astralera]

Nor music... Though perhaps we could find some manner of Orchestrion here?

[ Dancing without music is fine and dandy, but dancing with music is even more enjoyable. It's easier to imagine herself doing chores around their apartment with music in the background. And the thought of Aymeric sweeping her off her feet and into a dance when the mood hit is one she can get behind. ]

I shall ask Mandy about it at a later date.

[bangitybang]

You would think so! [janus smiles at her because she's being turribly sweet.] But he didn't like how we looked very much. I think he wanted to be bigger and more muscular.

[thechairguy]

Well, you've been known to get distracted and forget things before. [ A pointed look towards his lego deathstar daemon. Although, there is no malice or holding it against Peter. It's just a clear statement of facts! It's quite possible that Peter could have forgotten the lightsabers!

He grins as he reaches for his lightsaber but then frowns when the other stops before he falls quickly into character, of course! ]

I've heard enough! [ And thus he snatches the lightsaber away. ]

[pillz]

Taller fucker on top, baby!

[whitedevilofthesea]

[ If it were possible for the younger woman's smile to widen, it would certainly do so. As she slowly pours the cocktail into his glass, she watches the little fireworks and the tiny lightning bolts flash colours across their hands. One of her tentacles reaches for a second small glass, and she pours her portion in turn. ]

[ She holds her glass out to him in a toast, and when she speaks again, it's with warmth and appreciation in every word. ] To my new friend, and this new experience!

[ And then down goes her drink! ... Well, some of it. She gets about a quarter through before she starts giggling, like she's being tickled. ] Ooh, it's like that feeling you get when you're excited about something! All tingles and flutters!

[pillz]

[ferid bathory. kavinsky would hate to be compared to somebody with a name like that, but since he hates everything, it wouldn't make much of a change. he smiles, wide, no teeth.] Sounds hot, [he says. which of course he would-- he's dubbed at least two of the men he's fucking as family members. it's an easy joke to hijack. one he did even with his biological mother, back when she was a part of his life.]

Nah. Actually, a lot of the drama ain't just the apocalypse. You gotta trust queers to get dumb shit out of the ass. Straight guys and women too. Nobody's fucking immune. Deep inside, everybody's a shitqueen. [he shrugs his shoulders, taking his drink back.] You turn him? Yuu, I mean.

[servomotor]

I don't think I could pull it off, but one of us could. I'm pretty sure all of Xistentia would agree.

[helical]

( alec opens his mouth, and he'd been close to saying that, actually, it's probably not needless and that, actually, attacking during a joyous occasion could be a good move so it's not too bad to have a few people keeping these things in mind.

but instead he closes his mouth and shakes his head. )

No, there's not. The point is to make us stop worrying about that for a little while.

[helical]

( more soft laughter, imagining that magnus must have decades and centuries of music he likes to share with him and excited by the prospect. )

You've already got several playlists going in your head, don't you?

( then he adds, to be clear: )

I'd love to hear what you recommend, though, really.

[creatio]

( Widening her own super innocently. )

I don't know what you mean.

[bangitybang]

Me too, me too, [says janus, in a silly, ditzy kind of voice, easily excused by alcohol and the ambience of the moment. it's nice, dancing with only the burden of intoxication garlanded all over one's limbs, and less with the weight of history. it's true. their heart is going fast. not labored, just quickened. like they'd get before the hunt, or when they see someone moving in a way that speaks to suspicion from their roof perches. janus is always a predator. whether in the worst or least terrible way depends on what you think about murder.

they want to ask about juno's scars. they want to inquire about the tall man in his memories, the one whose name he'd hidden by dint of raw will. they want to talk about how strange it is, that the one issue that symbolizes-- if in a somewhat reductive way— most of the things that janus struggles with in figuring out their sense of identity, is one that juno's hardly bothered by at all. yet he's a troubled soul. janus wants to know what bothers him.

they don't ask. not now, anyway. 'a lady never reveals her secrets.' it sounds like something juno would say, perhaps in jest.]

You know, apart from gender politics, I've been wondering about what else is different between our worlds and times. Technology, obviously. But say. Parties. And, [they are so stupid sometimes, they know, but it's only reckless in a harmless way,] kissing.

[pillz]

[another long pause. less calculated.]

Huuuh, [he says.] Okay. Sounds kind of hot. [it would, to him.] What do you like about him?

[servomotor]

Seeing Hydaelyn as a variation of Earth isn't my problem. Believing magic and science are 'synonyms' isn't my problem. It's your problem with me, [Tony tells her, brightly.] Era. As far as I'm concerned, Earth could be a variation of Hydaelyn. Or both of our worlds a variation of some raw template that's the basis for many discrete realities in the multiverse. Or there's no template, only a spectrum.

Either way, it's pretty obvious you don't have an interest in jack outside your own sphere of understanding. [He doesn't look irritated, and nor is he particularly hard to read. He is vastly accustomed to people being disapproving, offended, or defensive— whether at a congressional hearing or in a party between universes.] 'Reveling in our differences' is a cute story. In real life, you sound as sick of them as you are of anything besides your homeworld and your preference of magic. Fun conversation. I always have ten minutes for an incurious pie-eater.

Good luck with all that, Era. [He offers her a blithe, gauntleted hand to shake.]

[rootaccess]

[ Patting the floor around her, Darlene eventually finds the bottle of water she'd been nursing and takes a swig from it, trying to rinse the vomit flavor out of her mouth -- and maybe more importantly, rehydrate herself. ]

They're bullshit anyway. Smoke and mirrors, sleight of hand. "Magic" [ She lifts both her hands to make quick air quotes. ]

Portaling places sounds like it's a hell of a lot more convenient than taking the train places. [ Darlene gives a quick snort of laughter, taking another drink from her bottle of water. ] Probably a hell of a lot more reliable, too, right?

[rootaccess]

[ Darlene just continues to watch Tony curiously -- guys in robot suits aren't really commonplace back where she comes from and a drunken Darlene is quite awestruck by it all. ]

Tony Stark isn't nearly as ironically obvious as Iron Man. [ She bites back a laugh, downing the rest of her water and tossing the empty bottle into the trashcan nearby -- or rather, at the trashcan, as she misses and the bottle goes bouncing loudly across the room. ]

Darlene's schtick is the destruction of modern capitalism. [ She eyes the robot hand extended to her for a moment before taking it and pulling herself to her feet. ] And the largest redistribution of wealth in the history of American.

[ She grins, wide and wry ] I'm a leader of the revolution.

[ptrprkr]

It's kind of a tricky science. Weather patterns aren't the easiest thing to predict.

[ Meteorology is still a science, after all, he's not going to discredit it. ]

Only 4%? That seems like you're really selling us short. What are the others, then?

[linny]

[ His eyes widened with surprise. Rafa was right, that was an alarming bit of news but it immediately made Link wonder how one survived on only blood? He supposed it made more sense than an all-rock diet... ]

That explains much. It hasn't been an issue finding food here, has it? If you need any help...

[ He could what? Find blood? Link loved to help people, he supposed he's done stranger tasks. ]

[linny]

[ While Link looked slightly startled by the increased attention to his body, he held still and didn't shy away- as if he was very used to this type of examination.

The real surprise came from the sudden recoil, which sent his new-found friend on his butt while Link looked completely confused. ]

Bubble?

[ 'Personal bubbles' are really not a thing when you're the Hero of Hyrule. ]

Are you okay?

[linny]

[ For some reason, that reply made a slight grin twitch on Link's lips. This person saying that they're special to themselves was an odd sort of charming.

Funny, they got Link's name but didn't introduce themselves. ]

What's your name?

[astralera]

[ Era shrugs. She has had more important people than mere intoxicated strangers think little of her, and though condescending tones and assumptions irritate her (and she's aware this is somewhat hypocritical, as she has made assumptions of her own) this man's opinions of her really don't matter at all.

So long as he is not insulting the Mothercrystal or her home she has nothing to add, for she's quite certain that this man won't see her world as anything more than something else to pick apart. Perhaps if she had any interest in visiting any one of the various versions of 'Earth' she had heard of she might think differently - even similarly to this man - but as it is the way she views worlds is certainly not the same.

She spares a glance for the gauntleted hand but does not take it. While whatever he's wearing is clearly capable of being delicate Era does not trust it. Instead she inclines her head politely. ]

If you find a tall man named Aymeric you would likely have more luck with whatever it is you wish to know. As a politician he likely has more applicable knowledge.

And ten minutes is fair enough to give to a condescending food-waster.

[ Her tone is not hostile but simply... polite. For the sake of being polite. It's obvious she doesn't think very highly of him, dismissing him as she would a pompous Ishgardian noble. ]

[ptrprkr]

I'm only supposed to use my super special spider skills [ At which point he attempts to imitate Leo's voice.... Very Poorly. ] for good, not evil.

[ And, you know, making himself look cool in front of a girl at a party. ]

You can always go back inside, Valdez. [ Peter's tone is somewhat sing-songy and just as teasing as Leo's had been.

And when he finds them a nice patch of grass to sit on, he does exactly that, motioning Leo to sit with him. ] Or, you can help me test the effects of alcohol on spider and demigod physiology.

[lacquers]

[ Magnus smiles and shrugs a little, a clear maybe. ] I might indeed. There are, after all, so many genres and eras to think of!

[ They have a regular smorgasbord of options, as far as he's concerned. ]

I think I'll look into getting my hands on some more music here. I don't think it should be too hard, given all the other artifacts of Earth we've run into.

[ Thusfar, the biggest portion of these discoveries have been familiar alcohol labels, but...

Nonetheless. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Clicking his tongue, Loki parries with his next words. ]

What would be more surprising is your ability to tell them apart. What if it passes you by?