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

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]

[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.]

[infatyuated]

[ mika is fortunately ( or unfortunately, depending on one's point of view ) very observant. he catches the hint of fang while the other boy speaks and feels his defenses immediately go up. he tenses, unsure how to approach this other vampire ( who isn't rafa; at least he knows rafa ) and is wary as a result. ]

They don't have anything like this in your world?

[ cautious, trying to get more information. ]

[hermajestyssword]

[Maybe Ion's learned a thing or two about subtlety and observation in the last year or so, or maybe he just doesn't notice Mika's reaction. Hard to tell.]

Not in the Empire, certainly. I wouldn't know about the Outer; I've only ever gone there on business.

[First as Her Majesty's envoy to the Vatican, then on a diplomatic visit to Albion. His travels with Father Nightroad might prove to be a different story, but only time will tell.]

[infatyuated]

The empire?

[ despite still being a bit tense, mika turns to look at the other boy, crimson eyes darting over his form. he's unsure what to make of what ion's talking about because there hasn't been an empire in eons. ]

[hermajestyssword]

[He doesn't look like much, at first glance: maybe 5' tall or so, slim to the point of looking almost delicate and as pretty as a girl. But he holds himself like a fighter, poised to spring the moment there's need, and he never quite stops watching the rest of the room, even as he looks back at Mika.

The question isn't even unexpected, but it's yet another reminder of how little the things he holds so dear matter in the grand scheme of things. So it's more than a little solemnly that he clarifies] The New Human Empire, where the bulk of Methu- [He stops, sighs a little] vampires in my world live.

[infatyuated]

[ a different world, different arrangements, though it's strange to think of a world where humans reign over vampires. mika notes that this will probably affect how ion approaches humans, not to mention anyone else. ]

Vampires and humans live together? And the humans aren't livestock?

[hermajestyssword]

[The name might be something of a misnomer, since humans don't actually reign there. But then, neither do the Methuselah, really.]

No. They're paid quite handsomely to donate blood, but to actually attack and feed from them would be a direct violation of Imperial command. They're under the Empress's protection, just as we are.

[There's a very particular tone that creeps into his voice when he mentions the Empress, something approaching reverence. Even after having met her Majesty as simply Seth, it's a habit he can't quite break.]

[infatyuated]

Empress... You're world is much different from mine.

[ tucking a chunk of blond curls behind a pointed ear, he frowns. first rafa and now this vampire. so many strange worlds all with one thing in common: monsters who feed on blood. ]

[hermajestyssword]

[He would object to that label, actually - not that the vermin of the outer aren't monsters who give all civilized Methuselah a bad name, of course. But he isn't one. His grandmother and the Duchess of Kiev and Baibals aren't either.]

It's much different from everyone's, or so I've found so far.

b, i'm sorry for him???

[jawsitivity]

[ It's rare that an opportunity for Sidon to be more the more knowledgable one in Xistentia presents itself. He hears the boy's question and thinks that he can help. Perhaps, uh. A little too enthusiastically? ]

Like this!

[ Which is promptly followed by a

demonstration? That sure is a giant fishman slamming back a drink.
It's the fireworks one and he gives a big toothy grin at the way it tingles. ]

See? It's easy!

lmao no worries.

[infatyuated]

[ staring at the strange monster/person/thing, he watches with horror as the drink is dumped down his gullet. mika shudders, glad it's not him, and then stares again. bewildered by this intrusion. ]

That's not what I meant. I literally can't drink these things because they'll make me sick.

[jawsitivity]

[ He's gotten so used to such a reaction this evening that it hardly bothers him. Not that it did much to begin with, honestly. Not much seems to get to Sidon. ]

Oh! [ he exclaims, suddenly understanding the man's predicament. ]

You have a special diet?

[infatyuated]

In a manner of speaking. [ a frown as he looks away. ] Can't you tell what I am?

[ then again, maybe this monster-person can't. maybe in his world there's no such thing as vampires. he really needs to get used to this alternate worlds thing. ]

[jawsitivity]

[ Uh. ]

I can tell that you're a very kind young man!

[ Nailed it. ]

[pillz]

Bitch, we got blood drinks here too you know, [kavinsky says, turning to look at mika. their first encounter on the internet hadn't gone incredibly well— if you ask anyone besides kavinsky himself. in his opinion, it'd gone fine. mika is probably still searching for his person with the confusing foreign name, and in the meantime

in the meantime, kavinsky's going to rib him about how gay that is, and probably help him acquire some blood. generously, he pushes his own cocktail over. it's mostly synthetic red, but there's a dash of magic too, a vampire version of the blacklight. sourer than the typical taste of blood.] Check it. How's it hanging, sweetheart? Still longing for puberty and that 'Yuu' guy?

[infatyuated]

[ eyeing the drink with a bit of skepticism, he's unsure if his body would withstand it or not. he can sense the magic coming off it and hopes it doesn't affect him as he slowly reaches out for it and picks it up.

that's when he looks up at kavinsky, noting the teeth that glint in the lights of the party. so this is another vampire, but he's a strange one. his manner of speaking reminds him of the guy he spoke to briefly ( the american ) and figures this must be him. not what he'd usually take for a vampire, especially with all those tattoos, but this world has proven to be so different from his own that anything seems possible. ]

Do you always spout weird stuff?

[ he speaks english well enough, having visited the states for missions before, but it's clear he has a japanese accent, not used to speaking with someone in english. ]

taking our TDM IC, hope that's ok !! (tw gross joke abt self-harm/depression/grief)

[pillz]

Why the fuck are people always asking me that? [kavinsky's whole face suffuses with laughter. bright, brilliant, shit-eating laughter. he shakes his head, then sits his chin down on his tattooed fists, watching the other boy, seeing if he'll take a sip or not. it's a good drink. and strong enough to affect a vampire, which, as far as kavinsky's concerned, is a huge get.] I remember you from the fucking Internet, man. In gay love with some Japanese kid who ain't here.

How's that going for you? The whole 'tragically hung up on Yuu, but-not-you-thing,' [he clarifies, even though he's pr e t ty sure by now mikaela knows what he means. the more excuse to say things that might be inadvertently construed as an insult. he enjoys that.] Not criticizing, man. I been there. I think half the fucking city's been there. You ask around, you're gonna find 'most everybody has their own dark fucking poem about Yuu cut into the inside of their arm with a fucking razorblade. It's some shit.

fine by me!

[infatyuated]

[ eyeing both the drink and kavinsky with mild annoyance, he finally takes a sip to see if he can even drink it. it may be that he'll regret it later, but for now, he is a little thirsty. but finding the flavor sour like explained, he scrunches his nose and pushes it back towards the other boy. ]

We're not in love. He's the only family I have. [ but he doesn't argue about being hung up on yuu. this is familiar territory. he's used to the teasing from ferid bathory. his expression is mildly pinched but he lets the inane talk wash over him like water off a duck's back. ]

So everyone here has lost someone, is what you're getting at. I already figured as much, given our worlds are supposed to be ending and we're here to save them.

[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.

[infatyuated]

[ kavinsky should hate to be compared to ferid, period. that particular vampire is cruel as he is sadistic, with a perchance for causing chaos for chaos' sake. he slaughtered mika and yuu's adopted family all because he could.

but ferid isn't on mika's mind at the moment. no, it's the question kavinsky asks him that has mika baring his fangs and snarling. ]

No. I'd never turn him. Make him like me? A monster? Never.

[pillz]

[wow strong reaction. kavinsky leans away slightly. if you ask him, going vampire was one of the best things that'd ever happened to him-- but it's not actually much of a stretch to imagine otherwise.]

That right? [he asks.] So it was some other schmuck you hate the shit out of now. You gonna go home and take care of them for Yuu. [murder plans. what vampires do best.]

[infatyuated]

If I have to, yes. I'd do anything to protect him.

[ he says it as if this is an obvious thing. yuu is precious to him, and though he has some measure of respect for his sire, krul tepes, and knows why she wants to reunite both him and yuu, if it came down to choosing, he'd choose yuu every time. ]

[pillz]

I dunno, man. If you killed my sire, I'd be pretty fucked off actually.

You sure Yuu didn't want it?

[rafa taught his babies to be grateful for their gifts, you see.]

[infatyuated]

Is your sire here?

[ there's only two other vampires that mika is aware of and if it's rafa, he's not about to harm him. rafa has been a help to him and though mika loathes his own kind, rafa is different. better, in a way. ]

Yuu-chan hates vampires. One killed our entire family. He doesn't want to be a vampire ever.