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

[shadowblends]

Ah, well, [he pauses, nose wrinkling, one hand raising to his chin.] It's part of my family's.

[Another twitch of the tail, both hands moving this time to motion over the entirety of his outfit.] Dancing was one of the things I was taught.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki's gaze is cool, even if his tone is fairly calm and conversational. ]

Do you miss them? Your family.

[shadowblends]

[Regardless of Loki's unruffled appearance, Nightcrawler can't help feeling like something is ... off. Not enough to question it, though.]

All of the time.

[dothelokimotion]

[ And here Loki takes a stab in the dark. ]

They do not resemble you, do they?

[shadowblends]

[Pretty good speculation there, Loki.]

Not at all.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki tilts his head, a curious light in his eyes. ]

A mutation then. I imagine there are more like yourself?

[shadowblends]

[That makes him wilt somewhat, head dipping, the end of his tail also drooping.]

There are other blue mutants, but neither of them look like me.

[dothelokimotion]

[ For a moment, Loki feels the temptation to escape. He didn't need to have this conversation. There is no link between him and this creature. Still, he answers. ]

There is a Realm, far beyond mortal eyes. Blue and with markings upon their faces, to signify their familial connection. You are not as odd as you may think. Though you are unique.

And being unique can be terrible and precious.

[shadowblends]

[His features twist in a mixture of emotions. First, it's disbelief, followed shortly after by an odd bit of irritation, then finally settling on confusion. Loki has never had a reason to lie to him, although they haven't known each other long enough for him to be sure about that.

Still, he doesn't understand why the other male would make up a thing like this-- something that he has no idea of, too.] You have seen this place with your own eyes? [Doubting in the most polite way he can manage.

Then, regarding Loki's second comment,] I like being unique, even if it means I get treated differently. Learning to take the compliments and insults in stride took a while, but I wouldn't change it.

[He just. won't mention his self-esteem issues right now.]

[dothelokimotion]

I have. It is known as Jotunheim. If you pick up the old legends of the Norsemen, it will be detailed there as well.

[ Loki will not say more on this. His ability to deal with heritage waxes and wanes. Some days, he feels he can confront it without a stain in his soul. Other days, he would prefer to peel his skin back and pretend it is not there. ]

Why not? Is it truly worthwhile?

[shadowblends]

As in the Norse Gods, then? Hm. [Sounds like something he'd be interested to read up on, actually.

Shoulders raising in a shrug, Nightcrawler peers left to right, subtly trying to avoid eye contact when it comes to this answer.]

At first, it didn't seem like it, [he admits, returning his attention to Loki now, lips curved up in a grin.] But the looks on some of their faces when they see they aren't getting under my skin? Priceless.

[dothelokimotion]

[ His smirk goes up a tick at that. That is such a Loki thing to do that he cannot help but appreciate its candor. While he has not quite settled in his skin, he has learned to use it to turn the tables. ]

They must try very hard.

[shadowblends]

[Loki, no-- don't encourage his rascally deeds! ... if that's something to avoid, he probably shouldn't be here talking to the God of mischief. At least he can use the "I had no idea!" excuse and not be lying.]

Some have, but my lack of reaction eventually dulls it down for them.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki will always encourage mischief. ]

A shame. I'm sure I could come up with a few scathing replies.

[shadowblends]

[Sigh. Of course he will.]

Is that so? Maybe you could tell them to me and I could use them. Or, if it happens at just the right time and we're together, you could say it.

[dothelokimotion]

By all means.

[ Loki's grin is full of teeth. ]

I'd hate for my skills to get rusty.

[shadowblends]

[Kurt's is the same, but his canines are most likely sharper, little points peeking over his bottom lip.]

It's settled, then. You and I will have to go out and see what sort of mischief we can stir up.

[dothelokimotion]

[ His ears perk slightly at mischief. It is not often he comes across people invested in his brand of chaos. ]

I imagine that can be tricky in a place like this.

[shadowblends]

[Well, to be fair, he isn't hardcore into it (yet), but a little prank here and there never hurt anyone.]

Mmn, I don't know. You could find yourself being pleasantly surprised at how easy it is sometimes.

[dothelokimotion]

Pleasantly surprised. Now that rarely happens.

[ Most surprises are terrible. Unless Loki causes them. ]

[shadowblends]

Sounds like you need to experience better surprises.

[Like, birthday parties or something.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ No one wants to know what birthday parties in Asgard were like. ]

Such as?

[shadowblends]

[Kurt might, one of these days.]

Uhm, [a pause, then--] Candy? Flowers? [Maybe not, but ... oh!] A new weapon you've been gifted.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki's eyes light up briefly in understanding over the last part. ]

I used to do that, long ago.

[shadowblends]

[Ah hah! Something that sincerely piques Loki's interest.]

So did I. Less weapons now, though.