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

What if she threw in pets and a daily compliment?

[brave_heart_verity]

There are some things Stratos will never win away from Felix. It's a whole new world. Multiverse, even.

"Oh, it's the clothes that would be the problem, is it?" Okay, sure, if it makes him feel better they can blame the clothes.

[sweetrolled]

Basheda takes the bottle in both hands gingerly, inspecting it for a few seconds before looking back at Jim. He isn't quite sure all of what the newcomer is saying, but listens politely anyhow.

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

[damn_yourself_early]

Loki beams, waving with his Starkphone (and snapping a picture of Verity in her costume). "Verity! Blond is new. I like it!"

[notalldead]

"Hawkeye? Ain't he here in the Nexus? How's he gonna feel yer runnin' around in his skirt and prolly wearin' it better than him?" He gives Jim a hearty pat on the back before stepping closer to Basheda again. Gotta give the shy elf some support here.

"Basheda here's been campin' out with my Rotten for a few months now. Real swell guy. Great cook. But shyer 'n sapphires. C'mon, Basheda, this here's Jim Kirk. Met this guy in the Nexus all bloody 'n concussed. Fella's been through hell 'n back and still cracks jokes with the best of 'em. Real stand-up guy."

[rekindledtitan]

"Got that right!" she agrees heartily, in case he needed confirmation. The Ghost shifts in surprise under the tiny sheet, looking up at Steve.

"A contest? For costumes?" That's a slightly nervous thought. It's enjoying the compliments of its friends, but it's not used to drawing lots of attention.

Blaze nods approvingly as he takes the candy. She's got plenty to get through. Hopefully someone will even take the little box of raisins lurking in there. "Good stories don't fade easily. They echo, if that makes sense. Even after parts have been forgotten. Where I'm from they tell stories that go back thousands of years. Long before your time."

Temptations, temptations... who is he to resist anyway?

[conjuredskies]

"Clothes. Lack of practice. Distracting company." He tips his glass a little in a one-sided shrug. "The odds are against me, but why let that get in the way?"

This is where his brother comes to remind him he's an Imperial soldier, right?

[brave_heart_verity]

"You'll never win with that kind of defeatist attitude," she points out, tilting her glass toward him for emphasis before she has another sip. "And when have I ever been a harsh judge of your talents?"

[i_amgroot]

Groot's gaze follows the bowl as it's set down, then returns to Nekomata. He seems to take the clapping as a good sign, joining in and offering a hearty (if caramel-muffled), "I am Groot!"

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Ms. Ronsam, so good of you to join us," comes a woman's voice, speaking in Schön's cadence, just beside her. While Amelia isn't likely to recognize the specific historical figure being emulated, the refinement of the finery might well imply her station, at least. "You look very well this evening."

[brave_heart_verity]

Nobody else calls her 'Ver' at any volume, Jim. When she turns it's with a ready smile, that grows when she sees Loki, and then... really... what the...

It would have been exactly the reaction they wanted from her if she'd been drinking anything.

"I don't know whether I should be more surprised you're wearing that, or that Clint hasn't burned it yet."

She's going to keep staring for a minute before she crouches down and opens her arms for a hug. "Hey there sweetheart. You're looking extra charming tonight."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Your highness," coos the lady who started it all, "you honor us indeed. Welcome, welcome."

[notalldead]

This is where Jesse's gonna zero in on. Forget the food, it's time for the drinks. Tis the season, people!

"Y'all look like you'd appreciate somethin' a bit more girly, huh," he asks of his grey-skinned, kitty companion. Then, turning to the barkeep, "Hey, uhh, gimme a neat Jack Daniels an' a Sex on the Beach."

Basheda can gather what he wants of that drink's name.

[rogueinladysclothing]

The cadence is familiar, and so are the general features of the face, but the fact Schön has physically become a woman is hard for Amelia to swallow right away. Her eyes widen and she manages a small bow before the reality of the situation sinks in. A small smile makes its way to her face when she fully faces him... her... damn this is going to be difficult.

"Thank you." Her head inclines in a nod before she drops into a deep, formal bow befitting a noble woman. Her knees bend and her feet shift underneath her, but her back stays straight. She descends until her knees are just above the floor before slowly rising again. "You look very regal this evening. And this ballroom is splendid."

[sweetrolled]

"A- A what and what?" Basheda's eyes widen at the names of the drinks that Jesse is ordering. Well, he hopes those are only names!

"And why something more, ah, girly? Are drinks traditionally gendered where you are from?" This cat has no idea.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

When Schön does a costume s/he goes all out, apparently. "Thank you. It only comes once a year, so we try to make it special."

[notalldead]

"Not really. People just call stuff that's sweet girly. Bitter stuff's manly. I dunno, I don't really care, drink is drink." Speaking of, the beverages have arrived! Jesse takes them both and hands over a tall drink that's all red and orange on ice. Nice fruit garnish on the rim too!

"Ooooone Sex on the Beach for the dunmer!"

[rogueinladysclothing]

"I think it's turned out splendidly." Her smile broadens for a moment before dissipating. "It seems a shame that no one is dancing, though. I see so many people here already - I would have thought they'd all be dancing by now." She motions to the empty dance floor to emphasize her point.

[onemorebounty]

*A woman in a distinctive costume steps up to the bar, nodding a greeting to Jesse before having a word with the bartender.*

Gavan brandy, no ice.

*The tumbler she's handed has about an inch of blue liquid in it, glowing faintly. She raises it in greeting to the Lone Ranger and the gray cat.*

Gentlebeings.

[sweetrolled]

"What a name... Who made it up?" He looks over the glass before taking a sip.

"Oh, it does taste good, though. I was a little worried it'd be salty, with a name like that." Seems the cat is satisfied with Jesse's selection! He has a few more sips.

Well, it's where somebody's sorta-brother shows up, anyway.

[aw_hawkguy]

A light touch comes at Verity's arm from a man wearing aluminum foil, along with a querying, "Verity? Is that you? If not, I'm really sorry."

[notalldead]

Jesse thankfully wasn't drinking yet by the time Basheda has his first taste and comments. He sputters and cackles. "Salty! Cuz of the name! Ohhh, holy sh-"

Oop, but there's a lady present now. No swearing allowed in front of women and children! "Shoot! Holy shoot. Did you hear this guy? I got him a Sex on the Beach and he thinks it's gonna be salty cuz of the name! Oh man!" He tilts his hat to the lady. He may be a little clueless when it comes to pop culture, but there are certain icons everyone in North America knows! "Lookin' nice tonight, Ms. Wonder Woman."

After raising his glass in turn, Jesse belts it back and thunks it on the counter, gesturing for another.

[bestdadinamestris]

Wait, what is this? Lt. Colonel Maes Hughes not in his trademark blue uniform?

GASP!

Hughes is going to take a moment and look around this entry way and give it a low whistle as he takes it all in. No, friends, he's not wearing a costume, but he looks rather dapper in his black suit and orange-red shirt. Hey, if a guy's not gonna dress up for Halloween, he's gonna not dress up for Halloween correctly.

He places his hands on his hips as he gives the place a second look. "Well ain't this a fancy sight. Never seen anything quite like it where I'm from."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"In some circles, it is customary for the host or guest of honor to open the floor with the first dance." Extending a hand, she asks, "would you care to join me?"

All he asks is that they don't gang up. Or chase him out of the party.

[conjuredskies]

"I hope never to find out," he answers Verity breezily, right before the shiniest man in the room appears at her side. Honestly, just for that the fellow deserves a grin. That and he's obviously a friend of a friend. One Verity's mentioned to him, perhaps.

...Seriously, did he find some incredibly thin metal and just wrap himself in it? What is that stuff?

[onemorebounty]

Looking good, yourself, Mr. Lone Ranger, Mr. Grey Cat.

*She smirks.*

Give him the benefit of the doubt--maybe he was thinking of seawater?