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

[hasitsthorns]

[ She'll have to do herself up more, knowing it has this kind of effect. Or maybe it'd be nice to save it for more special occasions. Their anniversary, maybe? It occurs to her that that's growing rather close, actually... It hasn't felt like a year since they decided upon an actual relationship.

It actually didn't feel like they ever really decided so much as just... fell into it. But that's what made it so fun, so exciting. Just like this is, Vanyel whisking her away to some secluded spot so they could be alone.

They end up only having access to a storeroom, in the end. But it'll serve their purposes just fine, she thinks. Once the door closes, she's kissing him on his lips, his neck. It's possible she's leaving behind little red imprints of her lips on his skin, too, but the idea that he might wear them for the rest of the night and everyone will know what they'd gotten up to was kind of. Hot. It was really hot, actually. ]

[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.]

[hasitsthorns]

[ Just the little things, really, that make this work so well. He's so thoughtful of her, so content to let her have her small freedoms. Tiny as they might be, it definitely goes a long way in keeping Rose happy. And she is. Happy. A couple years ago, she might have said the exact opposite about her life. Things with Charlie were declining fast and she was trying to find a way out before it was too late.

It did end up being too late, unfortunately. Or maybe fortunately, honestly, because it led her to Eudio. To Vanyel. To nowhere else she'd rather be but with him. She gives a little shake of her shoulders to drop the fur coat and smiles at the hand that grabs onto her. It's a little harder to navigate everything in heels but they do certainly enhance the aesthetic in a way she can't deny. ]

That makes two of us, [ she agrees, sighing softly at those teeth pressing into skin, at the sound of the back of her dress being unzipped. It takes only a moment and another wiggle of her shoulders before it's rolling passed her hips and right off her. Underneath, is equally inky black and lacy lingerie with gaterbelts to hold up the hose she has on. It's

probably the sexiest thing she's ever worn. And she wasn't entirely thinking about that in case things went this way tonight... but it did definitely factor in to her costume choice. ]

[drehnifusbahi]

[Tiny things, perhaps, but why shouldn't he do them when they're so easily within his power? It obviously makes her happy, and that's... all he can really ask for. So long as she's happy (and safe, of course) then so is he.

It would be harder not to be, now, as her coat falls away and so does her dress shortly afterward. He can't take his eyes off that lingerie, anymore than he could off the whole outfit earlier.] Gods... [He breathes, damn near reverent as his hands trail down over lace-covered curves, following the dress's progress.] Look at you.

[He tugs her close and kisses her hungrily, unable to help himself. They've nothing remotely like this lingerie in his world, so he never knew until Eudio how utterly enticing it could be - and it's made all the moreso by Rose being the one to wear it.

Even when the kiss breaks he doesn't really pull back, lips still brushing hers as he murmurs] I hardly know where to start.

[hasitsthorns]

[ Oh. Rose is probably the last person deserving of worship but she can't deny she enjoys the way his gaze makes her feels. It's something longing, desperate, and all for her. While she often has a hard time believing she's anyone worth desiring, Vanyel certainly makes it easier in moments like this to think there might be something to that after all. ]

All for you, [ she purrs, which is. Half-true. It's not like she was planning on getting anywhere with Kaz anytime soon but Janus was here. Zeke, too. Plenty of people available for her interest... but she found her way back to Vanyel, as she often did.
It's easy to understand why with the passionate way he kisses her, how entranced he is by her. ]

So you can start anywhere you like. You know me, I'm not picky.

also it just occurred to me we should probably do a cw: nsfw

[drehnifusbahi]

[Perhaps unsurprisingly, he disagrees with that assessment. And, even less surprisingly, considers it his privilege and honor to demonstrate, at length, just how much he desires her.

Now, for example, his eyes darken.] Oh, I like the sound of that. [He practically purrs as he scoops her up and moves toward a crate that's conveniently just the right height for this to work. He sets her down as gently as he can manage it, even has he leans in to dust kisses along her neck and the tops of her breasts, hungry but being almost delicate about it.]

Should I tell you- [he pauses, nipping lightly at a particular spot then smoothing over it with his tongue] -what sort of things I've been thinking all night, every time I look at you?

[Even as he asks, both his hands start to tingle with healing magic, one fondling her breast while the other dips lower, fingertips brushing over her clit through the lace.]

oh, right. that would be a good idea yes

[hasitsthorns]

[ There's a peep from Rose, followed by a hint of laughter as she's hoisted up and whisked up onto a crate. He doesn't stop kissing her all the while and she's grateful for it, fingers hooking into the fabric of his own costume and holding him tight to her. His warm breath tickles her skin; she gasps slightly at the nip of his teeth, humming contently as his tongue rolls over the spot almost gingerly. ]

I'd love to hear, [ she sighs, leaning back just a little to allow him easier access to her- Well, her everything. There's that familiar magic. She wonders if she'll ever find regular sex dull, eventually, with how often her spoils her with the wonderful sensation of it. Likely not. There's a lot more than just healing magic Rose enjoys about being with Vanyel, with others but- It certainly doesn't hurt things, his use of it. ] what's been on your mind.

[drehnifusbahi]

[He makes a wanting little sound against her skin, at the encouragement or her reaction or both, and his hands keep roaming.] I'm afraid I haven't been very kind to your date - I've been plotting how to get you away from him all night. Or, failing that...

[His hands settle on her thighs, spreading them a little so he can slip between them.] Finding excuses to get under the table you were sitting at, ruck your skirt up [cue his hands slowly creeping higher up her thighs, ducking up an imaginary skirt] and bury my head between your thighs.

[hasitsthorns]

[ At that, Rose laughs. She doesn't see it as being unkind, considering he wasn't really a 'date.' Much as she wanted it to be, well... She was pretty sure that he didn't feel near the same way as she did. Didn't have the same sort of interest. Which was fine, but she has to admit she's glad that her misplaced desire had somewhere to be transferred to. Not that she was using Vanyel as a replacement or fallback or anything of the sort but- She's sure that he, more than anyone, understands the idea of a sexual frustration and just need a little bit of release.

The ideas he lists off only serve to excite her. She almost wishes he would have now, honestly. Taken the risk of trying to go down on her beneath a table she'd been sitting at. Maybe someday, when she's got another date or- Just because. Do they really need a reason? ] How naughty, [ she laughs, it being cut off only so she can sigh at how good those hands of his feel, at how much more she wants him. ] But there's nothing stopping you now.

[drehnifusbahi]

True enough. [He all but purrs in agreement, stealing a quick kiss before sinking gracefully to his knees. His hands keep trailing up and down her thighs until he's settled down there, nails grazing ever-so-lightly in combination with the warm tingle of his magic. The scent of her fills his nose and a shiver of anticipation runs down his spine. He's always loved this, especially loves doing it for her, and the thrill of being in a semi-public place on top of that...

He's aroused enough already that the idea of just tearing her panties off her holds a definite appeal, but on the other hand... going back to the party afterward and knowing she was walking around without them might honestly drive him mad. The thought alone is enough to draw something between a sigh and a moan out of him even as he's just nudging her panties aside, and makes his mouth water enough that the sound of his tongue against her folds is absolutely obscene right from the start.]

[hasitsthorns]

[ That's a sight she could see a million times and never tire of. It's a sight does hope to see that many times in the future and more. Just like the feeling of his hot breath tickling the skin between her thighs, his eagerness to please her. They're all things that have never grown mundane and she's certain in this moment never will.

She wouldn't mind if he wanted to tear them off. Wouldn't mind, teasing him for the rest of the night with the knowledge that she wasn't wearing any. Hoisting her legs up just high enough somewhere that people might catch a glimpse of nothing but flesh underneath the fabric- For all that Rose says she isn't an exhibitionist, it does certainly seem to do a lot for her. Though that's in the context of teasing someone else and not being teased, which is. Different.

Either way, any thought of what could be is derailed soon as his tongue rolls against her lips below. The woman squeaks in delight immediately, squirming at the sensation. One of her hands reaches down to twine through his hair is it often does in these moments. A small way to tether him to his task. ]

[drehnifusbahi]

[The state he's in, he might tear them yet - he manages to not to for the moment, though. It helps that the heat and the scent of her catch his up utterly, and the fingers sliding through his hair ground him in the moment.

He sighs against her at the touch, and his own hands shift in turn: one cupping her hip and the other drifting down between her thighs, trailing fingers tingling with magic over her clitoris. His head tilts, settling into a better angle for keeping it and his hand between her thighs before he really gets to work, thumb circling her clit and tongue delving deep.

Gods, he loves this; he could do it every day of the rest of their lives for hours on end and never get tired of it. Her taste and scent and the sounds she makes and the way she moves against his mouth are all far too addicting.]

[hasitsthorns]

[ Rose doesn't know about every day... Well, okay, actually that sounds pretty fucking great. Pun absolutely intended. Still, for as much as she enjoys being gone down on there's so many other ways that they could (and hopefully will) fill their days.

A flutter of eyelashes, breath coming in-between quiet, pleading sounds. It's hard to concentrate through her lustful haze but tightens her grip on his hair to hold him close. The thumb to her clit sends pleasurable tingles through her body, causing goosebumps to line her skin and needy noises to increase. ]

Vanyel, oh, [ she moans, hips rolling just slightly under the efforts of his tongue and thumb. ] Gods, that feels amazing.

[drehnifusbahi]

[There's plenty of other things he could quite happily spend the rest of their days doing to and for her, but this is an especial favorite and likely always will be.

A shiver runs through him as he makes a low, pleased noise against her in turn, her pleasure feeding into his own. It always does, but tonight especially, with her looking so lovely he could hardly bear not to touch her and his desire to comfort and distract her after the costume contest...

He's already hard as he applies just the littlest bit more pressure with his thumb, lets more magic flowing into that hand and licks into her all the more enthusiastically, lapping her up as if he's been starving for this.]

[hasitsthorns]

Right- [ '-there' is what she was trying to say. What he gets instead is a hitch of her breath, a tug of his hair twined between her fingers. Her hips don't so much as buck under his tongue as they do dance to best meet the warm, textured sensation. As always, the magic that flows from his fingertips only enhances the sensation.

Rose can feel it though, a winding up of the muscles in her body. Bracing against the wave of pleasure to come. She actually doesn't last as long as usual this time, maybe because she's excited. Maybe because being here in the backroom of the establishment reminds her a little bit of their time in Pandemonium back in Eudio and how incredible that was.

Whatever it is, she comes with a cry of ecstasy and shudder through her limbs. Tingles surge through her body even after the fact and the woman sighs in pure contentment. ]

[drehnifusbahi]

[He moans against her as she comes, muscles flexing against his tongue and her spend flooding his mouth.

His tongue and thumb gradually wind down, magic only slowly fading, letting her ride it out for as long as possible. Finally, once she's come down and he's licked up every drop he can, he pulls back and lets his hand fall away.

Climbing to his feet, he swipes a hand across his face to get rid of the excess before leaning down and kissing her hungrily, so hard against her it almost hurts.]

[hasitsthorns]

[ The high lasts for a good long while. Even when she's finally coming down, there's still a ting of euphoria in everything. She feels stupidly happy, grinning wide for him as soon as stands back into view. It takes him only a second to be close and Rose to have her arms wrapped round him again.

She can feel how hot and hard he is against her, how ready he is. One of her hands reaches down to encircle his cock gingerly. Her thumb touches the pre-come on his tip, enjoying the slick sensation against her finger. ]

You really want me bad, don't you? Tell me how bad. I won't let you have me until you do.

[ Just a little bit of teasing before it really gets good for him. ]

[drehnifusbahi]

[His hips buck automatically into that touch, and he muffles a groan into the curve of her neck.] Gods... [He breathes, voice thick with arousal. His teeth graze her skin before he lifts his head again, meeting her gaze with lust-darkened eyes.]

Badly enough to do anything you ask, if it means being allowed inside you.

[So, if she's so inclined, she could put those errant thoughts of teasing and denying him into action. Though, of course, there's no guarantee he'd last through that sort of treatment...

But for her, he'd be willing to try.]

[hasitsthorns]

[ What a beautiful buck, the movement so harsh and needy. It pleases Rose in ways even she can't quite fathom. The fact is though: she likes it. Loves it, even, the desperate groan that sounds from her touch alone. The desire in his tone, in his eyes. It's exhilarating to know that she can provide him with the relief he seeks... and she also has the ability to deny it should she wish. ]

Anything, [ emphasized with a casual stroke of his cock ] is a very big thing to promise. Are you sure?

[ This is way more fun than it has any right to be. How badly he wants it makes it that much more fun to hold it just out of reach. ]

[drehnifusbahi]

[He rocks up into her hand, another low, desperate sound escaping him. But despite how obviously he's aching for her, despite the fact that he could probably get loose and push forward if he really tried... he doesn't.]

Yes, [He groans.] Rose, please...

[Yes, instead of trying to take control, the proud dragon begs.]

[hasitsthorns]

[ He doesn't. Such a good boy, really. Despite knowing full well that he could herself, she also acknowledges the fact that he refrains. It's a remarkable show of restraint.

And then he begs. It's so beautiful, the need in his voice. It isn't a stretch to say how it does absolutely everything for her, metaphorical hearts in her eyes as she sighs almost dreamily. ] Well, you did say please... [ she finally relents, releasing her grip on his cock.

One of her legs hikes up to his side waist then, the other moving to part her legs wide and allow him the heat of her he so desperately seeks. ]

[drehnifusbahi]

[It's all the more remarkable considering his usual preference for domination. He rarely lets his partners have this degree of control over him - but in this as in all things, Rose is the exception to the rule.]

Thank you, milady, [he breathes, his head dropping to her shoulder as his hips snap forward. He sheathed himself inside her in one smooth movement, and his groan as he does is equal parts pleasure and relief.

After taking just a moment to adjust he starts moving, hips rocking fast and hard and only just managing to cling to any sort of rhythm by the skin of his teeth.]

[hasitsthorns]

[ And she loves it, how empowered it makes her feel. She also loves it because of how worked up it makes him as evidenced by that forceful thrust of his hips. Rose cries out herself as plunges entirely inside of her so swiftly, arms reaching out to circle around his neck and steady herself.

The sloppy rhythm to his hips is actually that much more rewarding in its own way, just- The desperation is incredible. Thank you, he'd said, like this was something he should be thankful for. ] Gods, yes, [ she says, suddenly caring far less if anyone can hear them. She might be a bit embarrassed if they can.

At least, after the fact. Right now? All she cares about is how each thrust sends shivers up her spine from pleasure and she makes noises of urgent encouragement for him to continue to go faster, even harder. ]

[drehnifusbahi]

[Maybe it's a religious thing, that thankfulness - because he is thankful. To her, for her permission and her endless enthusiasm and that he's the one who got to unlock it in her. To Dibella, for bringing them together in the first place, and there's no better prayer of gratitude he can offer Her than this:

His hands settle on her hips, holding them at that same angle as his thrusts go wilder with her encouragement. He fucks into her faster and harder, as requested, and the slick sound of their hips meeting might be loud enough by now that anyone who cares to listen in can hear it.

Or her cries might be enough to drown it out. Either way, he's all too eager to coax more of them out of her, nibbling his way up her neck again til his lips find her earlobe, nipping playfully then soothing over the bitten spot with his tongue.]

[hasitsthorns]

[ And if this is what's deemed most worthy in Dibella's eyes, well- He'll find absolutely no complaints from Rose. The opposite, in fact, as her breath comes in shuddering waves between keen noises of pleasure.

She's holding onto him tight, nails digging into his skin. He might have to heal the scratches that them sliding against the top of his back leaves, the crescent moon divets not deep enough to draw blood but certainly enough to sting just a hopefully pleasant amount.

The sound of their hips contacting, the purpose behind his thrusts- It's all so much, it's all so amazing. It always is. ] Please, [ she pleads and now she's the one who sounds so needy, tone dipped in desperation. She doesn't like the sound of it, necessarily, but she can't stop herself from uttering it all the same as he keeps it up. ]