Samhain Ball Redux - Second Star to the Right

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Something flits through the skies of the Nexus, bobbing and swooping only to climb again, an ecstatic aerial dance. At last, mirth of the moment giving way to some other whim, the flying figure drifts groundward, turning and drifting like a falling leaf until his feet, clad in pointed-toed green suede moccasins alight. Forest green tights hug lean legs all the way up to a bright green tunic, belted with rich brown leather and a bright brass buckle. On his left hip hang a set of pan pipes; on his right, a black-handled knife. An impish grin curls his lips, his eyes sparkle with the promise of mischief, and a pert green cap sits atop his head, crowned by a lone red feather. Could this be the black-suited GQ cover model who makes himself ubiquitous in the better-traveled spaces of the Nexus? Could it be Schön?

It is. "People of the Nexus, friends, in the world from which I hail we stand on the cusp of a special day, a harvest-fest when the walls between worlds grow thin, when masks and costumes are worn to frighten away wicked spirits--or to invite them in on more congenial terms. Today we bid Summer adieu, and raise fire and song to meet the long night! Join me, for an evening to last a lifetime, and a farewell to a season well-loved." His hand rises, pointing to where two bright beacons blaze in the churn of the Nexus' heavens. "Second star to the right, and we'll keep on 'til morning!" Crowing with laughter, he soars for that distant point like an arrow, leaving a trail of sparkling, glittering motes of light for anyone interested to follow.

Perched on the border between the parklands and the residential district, the night sky is like a pillow of iridescent black velvet, on which have been scattered an embarrassment of diamonds. Like an enormous pumpkin, a harvest moon presides over the shimmering vista, orange and plump. The air is cool and crisp, punctuated by the crackling hiss of dry leaves in motion every time a breeze picks up.

At the center of it all sits a stately house of Gothic style, ivy-clad and waiting. A square tower stands vigil over the entryway, tall windows overlooking the flagstone drive looping around a fountain full of water as blue and bright as a tropical sea. In the fountain stands an island, and if one peers closely enough, one might imagine they see figures moving about--on the deck of the tiny ship anchored in a cove, or swimming and splashing in a lagoon, or even creeping through the wooded interior. Of the house, the windows of the wings seem dark, perhaps waiting, but the line of the roof is limned with some glow from beyond, and the faint throb of distant music promises that the evening holds more than surfaces. The door stands open, a silent invitation to every brave soul who passes by.

((Happy Halloween! Enjoy the festivities, threadhopping is encouraged, tag back whenever you have time, and don't worry about missing out--we'll still be here when you get back.)) YouTube Playlist Visualosity Entrance Ballroom Banquet Bonfire Dark Corners

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Banquet

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

The dining hall of the old mansion was built to feast royalty. Long tables run the length of the room, the thick tablecloths barely seen beneath the array of dark and decadent morsels. Dishes full of every delicacy crowd the tables, offering everything from sweet and (un)savory finger-foods to the most elaborate desserts. Situated between the doors into the dining hall, a sleek bar offers almost any drink desired and regular displays of flair and showmanship. Smaller tables arranged to accommodate groups of varying sizes fill the rest of the room, lit with candles and firelight and the occasional twinkling fairy light. Servants circulate to clear away dishes and clean up as needed.

One table stands apart from the rest, bearing covered dishes marked with small signs. Each sign warns of the specific LOL the candies beneath that cover will bestow. Passing waitstaff check the table regularly to see that the covers are always replaced, and the signs remain present and legible.

What is it about this guy and foil costumes?

[aw_hawkguy]

Clint has already followed his nose to the feast, and is loading up a plate. After last year's Ultron costume, it seems he's got a theme: a green terrycloth bathrobe with tinfoil mask and hand-wraps--he's Doctor Doom (casual Friday edition)! "Tremble, potato salad," he warns no one in particular, "for Doom is at hand!"

Well, he lives in Brooklyn, and hipsters are all about DIY...

[brave_heart_verity]

Getting a hug from Verity should not surprise Clint. The fact she's coming from above should give him pause. Arms wrap around his shoulders first, then her feet find the floor. Well, someplace near the floor, anyway. "Should I call you Uncle Doom, like Valeria?"

Hipster?! He also grew up in the rural Midwest before prefab costumes were a thing.

[aw_hawkguy]

Yeah, hugs-from-above are a bit of a surprise. "Wh-hey, Verity! How'd you get up there?" The idea of that name gets a laugh. "I dunno, that sounds like it would be a little weird from anyone but a kid. You look great tonight, though, I mean it."

Hipster influences might be rubbing off?

[brave_heart_verity]

"Happy thoughts." There is no sarcasm in her answer. Not this time. He can take a minute to take in the whole costume before she answers again. "Plus you're not old enough to be my uncle." A decided kindness, given how much older he is. "Thank you! I was worried the wings would seem a bit out of place, given, well... me."

No wonder Kate can't take him seriously.

[aw_hawkguy]

He gets it in a flash. "You're Tinkerbelle--and you got flying as part of your costume? That's fancy!" Honestly, costume dedication like that deserves some applause, and he gives it. "Yeah, I'm not that old yet--and it looks great on you. Like, fancy grown-up Tink."

Yes, that's obviously the problem.

[brave_heart_verity]

He's smarter than he looks. "Thank you! The flying is purely Schön's fault. Never dare that man to find something you think isn't to be had. Like pixie dust. Want some?"

So that's what's in the little pouch dangling at her hip. A hand hovers over it, but she doesn't reach in without permission. "You understand how it works, right? I know happy thoughts aren't particularly Doom-ish, but still."

What else could it be?

[aw_hawkguy]

He is right about way more stuff than people ever give him credit for. Boomerang arrow. "Never? Wouldn't that be the perfect way to get it, though?"

Behind the tinfoil mask, Clint gives a laugh and flashes a grin. "Sure, lay it on me. Doom demands pixie magic, for Doom has not had enough pixie stix to fly on his own yet!"

Plus one bard.

[kitty_of_light]

A catte is here, perusing the food.

His icons don't show it, but he is dressed in a Very Dapper Manner Indeed. A black suit - jacket with jutting red-lined lapels and quite long matching tails in the back, neatly and crisply-pressed pants, shiny shiny pointy-toed shoes, a white shirt and brilliant orange tie. Fangs can be noticed when he grins (and they're even real!), and his hair, dyed jet black, is swept up into a stiff and pompous bun at the back of his head. And oh, are those little fluttering bat wings on the back of his jacket?

Yes, C'taqa is a vampire. Cliche, but he pulls it off well.

He is very interested in the food, but...if anyone's observing him, he's avoiding the drinks. He looks very leery every time he even glances at them.

Vampire + Bard = too much Charisma, stop minmaxing! :P

[brave_heart_verity]

It's the wings that get her attention. Silly little fluttering things, very cute, but it could be better. They do not, after all, bear him out of gravity's clutches. Verity floats down to hover next to C'taqa, following one of those leery looks he gives the drinks before asking in a horribly, so bad it makes cliches cringe, 'vampire' accent, "Vhat, you don't drink vine?"

Heehee~

[kitty_of_light]

C'taqa startles a little, the fur on his ears and tail briefly standing up straight (as do the ears themselves), and turns to face Verity. He'll look very, very sheepish when he sees who it is.

"I - no. Not tonight, anyway." He looks apologetic. "I'm sure it's very good, though."

And since he hasn't seen her in a while... "Well met. You look well."

[brave_heart_verity]

Ver's eyebrows rise when he's so startled. Flying makes it so much easier to sneak up on people. She may have to add this to her repertoire permanently...

But she hadn't meant to startle C'taqa so badly. He gets an apologetic look. "Thanks. So do you. You look good with dark hair. Is there something else you'd rather drink? There's lots of things at the bar..."

[kitty_of_light]

"I'm sure it's delicious, but I'm really not thirsty." The smile C'taqa gives Verity is...very practiced. She might almost believe it's real! Almost.

(She may be able to sense he's fairly recently had a run-in with some not-so-nice things in his drinks.)

He'll run with the compliment instead, reaching up to pat at his hair. "You really like it? I was afraid it'd be too dark. I'm glad it looks good."

[brave_heart_verity]

If only she could. She'd worry less. But knowing he's so practiced and knowing it's not true, she only worries more. Unfortunately, knowing when something is true doesn't give her the ability to know what the truth is, so she can't be sure what the problem is.

"Yeah, it's striking. A good contrast." She gives him another smile, practiced and not entirely veiling her worry, before her voice drops to a more private volume. "Is something wrong?"

[slayers_desire]

There is a small commotion at one end of the table, where April and her three children arrive to fill their plates. April is dressed as Mortica Addams, complete with a long black wig covering her normal blonde locks. It seems to work quite well with her normal pale appearance.

Her three children are dressed to match the costume theme. The oldest, Jonathan, age 7, is dressed as Pugsley. Her daughter, Laura, age 5, is dressed as Wednesday, with a braided black wig covering her normal blonde hair. And her youngest, Wil, age 3, is dressed as Pubert. Her husband has joined yet, but April does not appear to be worried.

But there is another man accompanying the family. And he has a very convincing Billy Idol costume on. He is helping her get plates prepared for herself and the children, since Wil seems to be cuddling tight to his mother right now.

I don't think it counts as a costume if he always looks like that :P

[brave_heart_verity]

The biggest part of the delay between when Verity spots them and getting over to them is her having to find someone to explain the reference to her. (She gets tired of not understanding and looking foolish in front of people she doesn't know well.) It's not a deep understanding, but 'spooky comedy family' and 'rock star from before I was born' is enough. Anyway, she figures the kids are going to have ideas when they see there's a Tinkerbell in town.

By the time Ver gets through the crowd to greet them she's hovering at a conversational height, but enough off the ground for anyone who looks to be able to tell she's not standing on terra firma any longer. "April! It's good to see you."

Okay, that was the easy part. What the fuck is she supposed to say to kids? She doesn't know what to do with kids. "These must be the children you're so proud of." That's something they'd like to hear, she thinks? She makes eye contact with all of them, if they're willing. "Jonathan, Laura, Wil. And..."

She looks up at Spike then and gives him her friendly little smile. "Grandpa?"

Billy Idol stole his look. He had changed, slightly since then

[slayers_desire]

The children do know the story of Peter Pan, so they are more excited about having a Tinkerbell here then the actual flying part of her costume. (Of course, they have seen their father fly many times, so that is perhaps why they are not totally amazed).

"She's so pretty!" Laura breaths in awe, totally breaking the 'Wednesday' character by showing her joy.

"Good to see you Verity." April gives a slight bow.

Spike laughs when she calls him grandpa. "It's Spike. Even to these little ones." His cockney accent is still pretty rich.

Still not a costume if you're raiding your own closet :P

[brave_heart_verity]

Sure, their dad can fly. But he doesn't have pixie dust!

Laura's comment catches Verity by surprise. She blushes quite brightly, that way redheads do. "Thank you." Her gaze flits to April and Spike, acknowledging that she heard them and also looking for help. Verity doesn't know what to do with kids and is extremely aware of her lack of skill in this arena. Then she lowers to the ground and crouches so she's closer to Laura's height. "You look very brave. D'you want to show your brothers how much fun it is to fly?"

[slayers_desire]

April gives a slight nod of acknowledgement, letting Verity know that she is doing just fine with the children.

Laura's eyes widen slightly at the offer. "Can I mommy?"

"Go ahead, Laura." April gives another slight nod. Laura reaches out her hand to Verity.

[brave_heart_verity]

The reassurance is appreciated.

Verity takes Laura's hand like it's the most fragile and precious thing in the world. Seeing as she's being trusted with someone else's child, it pretty much is. "Do you know how this works, Laura? You need to think happy thoughts."

Her free hand dips into the pouch at her hip to withdraw a pinch of sparkling, chiming glow that floats on its own breeze. Dancing across the distance between them, it leaps from Verity's fingertips to swirl and settle around Laura. A shimmering cloak of joy that might not be in character for Wednesday Addams, but seems fitting for a Kent.

sorry for extreme lateness *grovels*

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark Kent has never been the world's biggest fan of Halloween in general, but it's certainly gotten a lot easier since he started wearing a cape on a regular basis. Especially now that his kids are old enough to enjoy the holiday.

He's dressed to match the theme with the rest of the family, glad that at least while they're here, he doesn't have to worry about any sudden superhero emergencies. Quick costume changes are annoying enough without having to worry about Halloween-quality outfits.

He arrives a little bit after the rest of his family, and can't help but grin as he sees his father-in-law. "You went for the easy costume again this year, I see."

[slayers_desire]

"Wot can I say, got to go with the classics." Spike chuckled lightly.

"If you are looking for April and the kids... look up... way up." April and the children are flying around, having a fun game of tag.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Yeah, I saw that." Even if it's through some other means than pure biology, it makes him really proud to see his kids flying like they're meant to. And happy that April gets to share the experience with them. "Not a fan of it yourself?"

[slayers_desire]

"I believe the main goal was to think 'happy thoughts' in order to fly..." Spike shrugged his shoulders.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Actual pixie dust? Huh." And how weird is his life that learning this gets a mildly curious shrug out of him. He's seen far weirder by now, by a lot.

"Guess I'd better say hello," he says, and these days liftoff is easier than breathing as he rises up to join his wife and kids.