The Samhain Ball - Come as You Aren't

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

A woman strides through the Nexus, garbed in royal finery of a distinctly Elizabethan style. In the crook of her arm, she carries an ebony scepter shod and capped in silver. There may be something familiar about her confident bearing, her angular features, her mismatched eyes. When she pauses to speak, the cadence of her words might spark recognition--is this Schön?!

"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 the wicked spirits--or to invite them in on more congenial terms. So on this day, I invite you, each and every one of you, to join me in a revel to bid farewell to Summer, and welcome with fire and song the coming dark! Join me, won't you?" Letting her gaze sweep the crowd, she raps the heel of her scepter once against something solid, vanishing in a flash and leaving a sparkling trail for the curious to follow.

A cool wind herds dry, crackling leaves through the gathering gloom. On the cusp between the parklands and the residential district, darkness and cloudy skies have been slowly coalescing for days around a stately house of Gothic style, ivy-encrusted and showing its age somewhat. A square tower stands vigil over the entryway, tall windows overlooking the flagstone drive looping around a fountain gone dry. The house’s angular wings stretch to either side, the windows dark save for occasional glints and gleams of colored lights bobbing within. A glow does creep over the line of the roof, however, and the faint throb of distant music hint at something happening behind the house. The door stands open, a silent invitation to every brave soul who passes by.

((Happy Halloween! Enjoy the festivities. All LOLs are optional. Threadhopping is encouraged. Backtagging is forever, so don’t worry about missing out: we’ll still be here when you get back from your more mundane ghosties and goblins.))

Playlist
Visualosity
The Entrance
The Ballroom
The Banquet
The Bonfire
The Corn Maze
Dark Corners
Costume Icon Requests
The Photo Booth

Comments

[gate_crasher]

"Thank you. Yours is, ah," he hesitates, thinking quickly for something complimentary, because by the Nine, Hawkskirt. "very interesting as well. Very cool, perhaps?"

O.o She's got an eye on him.

[brave_heart_verity]

Verichao is happy with this arrangement. She got to pounce something, now she's got upsies and a ride. And he's so tall! So much to climb! Yay!

Once her earring is fastened she sweeps a hand over her hair a little self-consciously. Nothing seems to be missing or out of place there, good. He can take her hand, yes, and she's not one to stop him kissing her. This act of his gets a raised eyebrow. Does this mean Helios is the gentlemanly one? "It's only temporary." The hairdo, the hair color, the dress, the hopes. All fleeting.

"You don't have to dance. It's fine." She'll dance with Groot. He's always happy to have another dance partner. "Plenty of other things to keep you busy. So long as you have fun."

Her gaze is turned dutifully to the cupcakes, which are certainly impressive. She knows how long that sort of thing takes. "They're cute. I'm going to regret telling you about Pinterest."

[bornstrong]

"Yes, I would. Thank you," she replies.

[gate_crasher]

Does Basheda recognize the robes of the Archmage of the Mages' Guild? Or has it been defunct for too long for such things to be familiar? In any event, Shade-Seeker offers the nervous dunmer a smile--this one is a friend of Jesse's, and Shade-Seeker knows of no wrongs the man has done, so he has the benefit of the doubt. "Greetings. I am called Shade-Seeker; Jesse has spoken well of you."

Re: Corn Maze

[westfallcorndog]

Sure, a person could go inside a corn maze, and you might suspect there's a certain amount of allure and entertainment in that... But Harrowheart's a farmboy at his roots and a redneck in his soul, and he gets his satisfaction standing (drunkenly swaying, more like) on the outside of the maze admiring the handiwork of a particularly skilled farmer or summoner.

"This is good corn," he mumbles aloud, one hand gently patting an ear of corn as if it were a well-behaved dog, the other pouring more beer into his mouth. The cape of his costume billows much more majestically than it probably ought to considering who it's being worn by.

He tips his head back and shouts to whoever might hear, "Hey! Whoever made – made this corn maze it's – it's good!"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"It's my pleasure." Schön smiles. "Tradition holds that on Samhain night, the border between the mortal realm and the realm of spirits grows thin. All manner of wondrous and fearsome creature one doesn't normally see are free to roam the night. Costumes are worn, for a number of reasons--some enjoy a harmless fright, and so go as the goblins and monsters who bedevil our dreams, some aspire to greater things and dress as heroes, gods, or beneficent creatures."

"Some simply like the challenge of a clever costume, and take the donning of a mask as a chance to shed their inhibitions. And, by custom, costumed children roam from house to house, begging for treats or playing tricks."

[nodamselnodistress]

"Thank you!" That... that might be a lady answering him. Kinda-sorta. "Come inside to properly enjoy it!"

Yes, get really drunk and risk your hands wandering off while you stumble through a corn maze while being pursued by a Minotaur. This is an excellent plan and Harrowheart really needs to get started on it.

[westfallcorndog]

Harrowheart blankly stares into space while a voice from the great beyond calls to him. He takes another swig of his drink and nods slowly. Well, if the universe suggests it in the dulcet tones of a lady it can't be a bad idea, right?

"Awright, here I come!" he hollers as he stumbles into the maze, a stupid smile on his face. This is gonna be great!

OOC

[juststeverogers]

((You are my hero))

[smartass_captain]

"There you go. Why not ask the host to help you select your costume?" Jim gives her a pat on the shoulder and one final wink of encouragement.

"I'll be out in the ballroom when you're finished." Is this faux Hawkeye promising her a dance? Probably!

[sumarusfinest]

Katsuya does not know what he has started, and is thankfully at least two worlds away from Mustang's revenge when he gets sick of hearing about it. Also immune to fire, which is probably a blessing.

"Not unheard of. My country tends toward more Eastern traditions, but it is a common Western event even in my world."

[bornstrong]

Iphigenia smiles.

"That sounds like fun. And this party is full of people in costumes?"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Indeed. Although I realize that, given the general milieu of the Nexus, it's difficult to tell a costumed crowd from a casual one. But I like to think that the experience of wearing a costume is special for each. Some of the clothiers of the Nexus have been generous enough to offer their wares in the name of costuming, if you'd care to don your own," the regal woman offers, "or you could outshine us all with your unoccluded presence."

[bornstrong]

Annnnnd another blush appears on her cheeks.

"All right, I will!" He makes her smile, and she's hoping it is a promise of a dance.

[bornstrong]

"I want to try a costume on," she says, giggling a little. "I think I should participate fully in this event."

[juststeverogers]

"Then who all is left to ask?" Steve doesn't know how to dance, and this is the first time he's ever held a lady's hand. But somehow it's easier knowing that he's doing it to help her out.

"I'll go with you to find them."

[rogueinladysclothing]

"I've really only shared one other challenge before, so I'm unsure. But this dance is making me think you're right." Please no leeches - her world hasn't gotten there yet and, without knowing it, she'd prefer it stay that way.

[rogueinladysclothing]

Don't worry, Steve, you're in good company - this is the first time she's held the hand of a man who wasn't family before (because "hand holding" while dancing doesn't count). That hand is going to get a bit clammy, though, at his question, which goes along with her suddenly pale face.

"Someone I shouldn't see yet and someone..." She sighs softly. "Someone who will likely ignore my existence. I don't know if I can face either of them." She sure as hell knows she shouldn't face Viatorus yet - Verity might would get pretty angry if she did.

[smartass_captain]

"Had a run in with someone I know earlier." Jim confesses as he twirls Verity around him. Jim knows how to dance at a ball or a club, this hillbilly was trained in Starfleet etiquette.

"Left me feeling super bitter. Thinking about things I can't do, stuff that can't be helped." And a masterful dip. "Don't make it sound like I'll settle for anyone. What kinda girl do you think I am?" A pretty sad and lonely one, today. It's going to get worse when he finds out about what their other brother's been up to.

[bestdadinamestris]

Come on, Roy wouldn't set him on--

...okay, yeah, it's definitely a good thing Katsuya is immune to fire. Not that it's going to stop the Flame Alchemist from trying, of course.

"What's the difference? There are different traditions based on the country a person is from in my world, but in the end, many things are very similar."

[sumarusfinest]

"A-actually..." Katsuya flushes a deep enough red that he blends in with his sunglasses. He is Helios, Verity. He's just trying to keep up with the odd Victorian gentleman butler in chaps? That Helios is. "I...sort of asked a friend to give me some dancing lessons."

Ulala helped him with the costume, too. There is no way Katsuya could manage something this impressive.

"I.if you want to, that is. I didn't want to embarrass you."

I see what you did up there

[juststeverogers]

"I'm sure Mister Schon has taken necessary precautions." Little does Steve know that Robot-Steve is the kind of precaution Schon needs to take care of. Where is the good cop to this duo? He'd know what to do.

"It's practical." The smaller man chuckles. "Cold and I don't get along well, so it helps me be able to enjoy myself. And it's fun? But I'm not used to being so social."

I just like to imagine Verity lifts her hands and unleashes a stream of flying chao here

[conjuredskies]

Felix shifts his glass to his other hand so he can shake Clint's hand; bowing properly would be all kinds of awkward right now.

"Felix Caelus. It's a pleasure." And... oh, somebody's showing off. He lifts his eyebrows at Jim, but he's grinning. Now he knows how the Forsworn design party outfits.

"Me? I'm whatever the lady needs me to be. But I'm, er, choosing my tricks carefully tonight." ...After the last time he showed off at a party. Which was also the last time he got to go to a real party. But that's a story in itself and he's pretty sure it won't repeat. "And you are?"

https://youtu.be/IyVPyKrx0Xo

[brave_heart_verity]

So this is why women like a man in uniform so much. They get taught how to dance. It's a good life lesson. And since she trusts him, she can relax enough to enjoy the twirls and dips and not ruin things. She can even listen while they dance. "I was just teasing, dear, I know your tastes are discerning."

She's going to sneak a hug into the dance. He just can't escape those. "You have friends here. So many friends. You don't even know them all yet." Now it's his turn to get twirled. Fair's fair.

They are both going to have so many words for Clint. After he puts his hearing aids back in. And probably before.

[brave_heart_verity]

"I would like to." She wouldn't have mentioned how much she loves dancing if she didn't want to dance with him. When they're not at a big fancy party, she's going to have to talk to him about picking up on these things. "You won't embarrass me. And it's okay if you're not comfortable dancing in public. You can watch me dance with my brothers and a giant tree if you'd rather."