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

[ixis]

He noticed the garden was empty! It's only a matter of time before the tots find their favourite tailed jungle gym and begin the clambering. No escape.

"Though you and I may have a conversation regarding her one of these days. Not this day, but one of them. Pertaining especially to her being allowed to take on the debts of others, hm?"

Naugus keeps his tone brisk and conversational, seeking to not be outright confrontational about this. Perhaps the mage is just curious.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"You are welcome to speak your mind at any time," Schön replies, in the same brisk manner, "though I do appreciate the offer to leave matters of business aside for the festivities. Most gracious."

They're somewhere. Possibly napping after many exertions, adventures, and possibly a few treats that are not chao nuts, but then again they might be awake and roaming.

[ixis]

"Speaking my mind is one thing I do best! But let us preserve the peace and keep to the fun at hand. It will give you time to formulate a response, if nothing else."

He twirls his staff artfully before clacking the butt of it against the polished floor. "Your costume suits you shockingly well. You carry the look admirably."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"How generous of you," Schön replies, "on both points. I took some care in crafting this guise, and the response has been quite gratifying. By chance, are you gracing us with the courtly attire of your own realm?"

[ixis]

"I hope no one has questioned your chosen garb in more obnoxious ways that I will not deign to voice. What does it matter? You wear it with poise and that is that." The funny part is he'd be proper rankled if someone has been on Schön's case for the presumed event of crossdressing. Naugus could think of lots of mean things to say about the fellow, but that seems like such a cheap shot on a fundamental level. Crass.

"And yes! Though I cannot recall the last time I have had to dress so elaborately. Usually for court balls of this nature where I was required to make an appearance as a member of the royal staff. I wasn't much of a social butterfly, as I'm sure you can imagine."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Not at all, not at all. Reviews have been quite flattering, across the board." Schön had been expecting some barbs on the subject from the Mobian mage, given their earlier exchange on a related subject, but s/he is content to be pleasantly surprised, even if the cost is having been mistaken.

"No? Then I am doubly gratified that this evening was worth your attention."

[ixis]

Fetishes being broadcasted is one thing, choice of dress and gender expression, another! Naugus is old and weird, but he knows how to live and let live for the things that matter. Or don't matter. Depends on how you look at it.

"Verity was the one to draw it to my attention. I needed an excuse to get out and about, as it were." The mage has been scarce in the Nexus lately, hasn't he? He's barely made a proper appearance since the time with introducing the chao.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Something occupies your attention?" The tone is light and conversational, but there's a real curiosity behind it.

[ixis]

"Matters pertaining to the world I hail from. Trivial things, but still things that demand attention. Portal research and the like. Steps towards returning there, one way or another." He speaks jovially enough and smiles to hide the fact he hope very much that Schön doesn't have the lie detector stone on him at the present.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

Schön has no special means of detecting lies at the moment, save his own intuition and judgment. He doubts Naugus really considers finding a portal home to be a trivial matter, but the Mobian mage is presenting it as such so determinedly that the fae power broker hasn't the heart to challenge him on that point tonight. "Then I am grateful, and in no small part flattered, that you deemed this gathering worthy of your time."

[ixis]

"Good!" The smile is more natural on him now, and a natural Naugus smile means one that has a sharp and little edge of deviousness to it. "Glad that my grand nature is properly acknowledged in turn. It is good to be appreciated."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"Appreciation is a sweet nectar, indeed," Schön agrees. "I have endeavored to include some Mobian recipes on the menu, if the banquet is worth your notice. Perhaps something there can be a pleasant reminder of home."

[ixis]

And just like that, the boisterous mage is briefly bereft of words! His jaw works soundlessly for a moment before he discovers his voice again. He clears his throat before speaking.

"I-...! Er, ahem. That is kind of you. How did you discover such things? I would have thought anything pertaining to my world would be lost."

Oop, he kind of spilled more than he intended regarding the state of affairs with Mobius Prime.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

If Schön were the type to count coup, that would be a major point in his favor. (Naturally, he is very much the type to do so, and will savor this moment later.)

"Some of the libraries here are quite extensive. While their organization leaves, hm, much to be desired, one can occasionally find the odd relevant document." Don't be like that, Schön, you ran across a Mobian cookbook completely by accident while browsing the culinary stacks.

[ixis]

"Did it look...recently procured? Or a book that had been there for some time?" He's trying and failing to look only marginally curious. His tail has gotten slightly switchy, for one thing.

"Perhaps I will-...I'll go and check it out. Give it over to Verity to see what she can make of it. Taste of home and all that."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"It did not seem particularly aged," Schön muses, "but L-space is strange enough on its own that that is little indication. I believe the caterers still have it; you could take it home with you when you go, if you like." How uncharacteristically generous of him.

[ixis]

Naugus seems to come back to himself, suddenly remembering who he's relying on the kindness of. He clears his throat and straightens his shoulders, thumping his tail once onto the floor to get it to go back to being still.

"That won't be necessary. It would look bad for me to be in your debt, after all. OR rely on your kindness. Besides, it would be something easily retrieved once the portal finally stabilizes and the way home is open again."

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"No debt," Schön assures him, "no bargains. Tonight is too special to sully with such things."

S/he won't press beyond that point, though. If Naugus prefers the cautious path, so mote it be.

[ixis]

Naugus, to his credit, looks like he considers it for a moment. But then eventually shakes his head.

"It won't be necessary. But thank you all the same. Quite gracious of you."

He can never learn to just expect the best of people. Not ever.

[u_can_have_it_4_a_song]

"As you will. The repast, at least, I hope may bring some satisfaction."