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

[sumarusfinest]

He doesn't make a habit out of it because of how alcohol affects him. but so long as he is careful about what he drinks, there's no real concern. It would seem wrong to toast with the childrens' punch or cider. It's easier just to blanket state he doesn't drink. People don't ask as many questions then.

"To our first grand party together. And to a night of merriment and enjoyment."

[brave_heart_verity]

Of course she is. Verity shares with her friends. It's as much a part of her as his two faces are a part of him.

And that is an elegant side-step. She's not even mad. "That sounds... beautiful and confusing. Is there anything I can do to help?"

[brave_heart_verity]

That's fair. But girlfriends should have special detail-knowing privileges.

"I'll drink to that." And she does, just a sip. She's being careful tonight, with the chao in her care. "And... to relaxing. Just for a little while."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Who are they to deny their deepest natures? Mmm, tiny puff pastry full of pulled pork.

"You already are," Schön assures her. "But, please, understand if I seem, hm, miserly and waspish for the next few weeks? Being drunk on the milk of spiritual kindness can leave one with a nasty hangover of the soul."

[brave_heart_verity]

The reassurance isn't entirely reassuring. She's never much liked the thought of people in her head. But, well, it shouldn't be a surprise that Naugus found out one way or another.

Verity's not going to try to resist laughing at Jim's antics. She's tried long enough. He's worn her down.

"It's those cornfed Iowa genes of yours," she teases fondly. "You two have fun. I have chao to wrangle."

[juststeverogers]

"It's real nice of him." Or her, tonight Steve supposes. That's still settling in. One hell of a costume. He's going to lose his mind at the sight of all those treats. And he has Verity there to explain a LOL food to him, should he decide to go near the candy bowls.

"Oh! You should help me make him something then." He seems excited by the prospect. "If you can subtly find out what sort of fall things he likes, i'd be happy to make a painting for him. I'm nearly done with yours, too." He adds, just to be sure he updated her on it.

[brave_heart_verity]

Not quite so foolish as they sometimes appear?

She gives a slow nod. She's not sure she entirely understands, but the warning is appreciated. "I'll do my best. And I'll bring you treats and pet your hair, if it would help."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Would Verity feel better if it were simply a predictable worry, and not brain-spookin'? Either way, she gets a smile of farewell from Schön as a hand is extended toward Jim. "Why, Captain, I was beginning to worry you might not ask."

[sumarusfinest]

"I'm not allergic to it." He admits after a sip. He'll lift the flute to watch the bubbles in his drink. "But I get drunk rather easily, and...I'm not overly fond of how it affects me, either." It does taste rather good. he's glad he decided on champagne for his one small drink.

"So long as I'm careful, this is quite enjoyable." He grins her way. "To relaxing for a while." He can agree to that.

[smartass_captain]

"What, and leave a lady wanting for attention? Me? Perish the thought. Captain Kirk aims to please." And is also super grateful for all the formal dance lessons they're made to learn in Starfleet. Military ball dancing is so much more appropriate for these ladies than his club outings.

He's also surprisingly good at it.

"You want to lead or should I?" Let it not be said that Jim is anything but gentlemanly. "I know the steps both ways."

[rogueinladysclothing]

She's always had it in her, Jim - there's just not been a chance for it until now.

"Really? A risk taker like you, I would've assumed you would forgo the formalities of regular clothing to leave yourself... open to offering the nice view."

That grin she's giving Jim seems to be just as mischievous as his right now.

[rogueinladysclothing]

"A death knight?" That's a new one for her. Always something new to learn here in the Nexus. "What's that?"

She takes a moment to think before she answers his question. Time is such a weird thing in the Nexus that she isn't really sure how to count the number of days she's been here. "About two months, give or take a week. I was busy with a big job for at least half my time here, and then I've been recovering from it all for a little over a week." She gives him a sheepish smile. "Tonight's ball is the first time I've done something fun for myself in a while."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Well, but who is?

She chuckles softly at that. "The treats, certainly. I might feel a little too prickly for a while to properly appreciate petting."

[drehnifusbahi]

Jim -or more specifically his costume- gets an answering eyebrow raise, but no comment. (After Haelga of Riften and her Daedric boots and trout, he's not sure he can find anything truly shocking ever again.)

He glances in the direction indicated and hums thoughtfully. "For purposes of avoiding the worst dancers, or...?" Because there is that... walking tree in a plastic crown. And while it? he? certainly didn't seem hostile, he's large enough and heavy enough that dancing with him might be a risky proposition.

[brave_heart_verity]

"He can be very nice," she agrees. Schön's change isn't affecting Verity much, but she comes from a time and place full of gender fluidity. It's all so much whatever.

"I--I don't..." Oh. Oh, good, he doesn't expect her to try and paint or anything. "Fall things... the leaves. He told me he loves the colors of the leaves. And the harvests. The fruits and things." That would be a good way to trick him into accepting some food. "I'll bring you some for a model tomorrow, but you have to promise you'll eat it before it goes bad."

She's really going to have to work harder to find ways to get him to accept her help. It'll only be temporary, she has every reason to believe he'll either get home or get regular paying jobs. But isn't a patron supposed to keep an artist from actually starving?

The update is met with a smile and an approving hum. "I'm sure it'll be great."

[brave_heart_verity]

"It's not for everyone." And that's okay. Getting to hold his free hand is a good way to keep her own pace reasonable. "Just be careful with that. Champagne has a kick. We'll get you a mimosa or something for the next one."

And, speaking of ways to slow down the buzz... "Have you eaten?"

[bestdadinamestris]

"Sounds like something worth trying," Hughes chimes in as he pads along behind them. He'll go for one of the smaller bread bowls for trying the chili - no need to fill up on the first thing he eats after all! It gets a small hum of approval when he tries it, but the following sip of champagne gets an almost sour face.

"Not good with champagne, but excellent on its own. Might work better with some kind of brown ale, though." The nearest waiter is getting stopped now and asked to bring back said brown ale for him. Seems he's all about the impulse desires right now.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Gratitude for lessons in school? Perish the thought. Next, they'll start to seem useful.

"Why am I not surprised?" she remarks, lips quirking up in amusement. "Oh, lead on, Captain. I might always lead the next."

[brave_heart_verity]

...do you want me to answer that?

"Mm. Well, the offer stands." They'll see how long it takes for one of him or the other to want some pets. She's guessing it won't be all that long. How long until there is an admission of wanting...

"Everyone is very grateful for what you've given us tonight." She's quiet but serious about this.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Let's leave it to the philosophers.

Needing is one thing; admission's another. "Thank you."

"I am pleased so many are enjoying it," he replies. "I have something, a small token, for you in particular."

[brave_heart_verity]

Safer that way.

She knows all about that, so she'll just nod. No reason to argue about it tonight.

"For me?" What? Why? She's confused now. When did this turn into a gift-giving holiday? She is nowhere near done with his present!

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

It's the season of transformation. Sudden changes happen. Schön nods in answer to her question, then elaborates with a cryptic, "Wolfgang." Which, whatever it means, is not a lie.

[brave_heart_verity]

That's not elaborating, Schön, because it doesn't explain much.

"Wolfgang... like... someone's name?" Is this a guessing game?

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

What kind of present is if if there's nothing to unwrap? She nods.

[prototype_infiltraitor]

"Are you really so different from this 'Captain America?'"

This is unfortunately not very relevant to the pleasant-seeming Sneakybot, but he'll play along anyway.