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

[heirtothearcane]

He does have Isidor to do that, but between Verity and his sister, he'll make a team to ensure he rarely has to deal with the outside world ever again...

"You can help me practice by getting me to dance," he explains as he kneels down and shoos away the chao. He tells them to watch closely so that they can dance with Verity when he's not around, an important task to be sure. "The fifteenth of March. When's yours?"

[brave_heart_verity]

True, he does have Isidor. Verity suspects they'll be working together a great deal to help V find a happy and healthy balance. Isidor has the decided advantage in knowing what the family will find acceptable, but Verity's got the free time to do these last-minute little things.

"I like this idea, and I'm going to hold you to that," she warns him with a smile. "October first. The Ides of March. We'll make sure all of yours are much happier. Your turn."

The chao are on the case! Friends can trust the chao with important things!

[heirtothearcane]

That gets a double take, he's not sure whether he should be concerned by that idea or not. Hopefully she'll forget and not ask him to dance too often. "Ah! I missed your birthday! You should have said."

He gives the chao a thumbs up and a wide smile. The latter being impossible to resist when faced with chao enthusiasm.

Then he makes sure the tails of his coat are in order and steps closer to take Verity's hand and waist once more. "Did you ever have a pet?" And then he brings them into the dance again, adding more thoughtfully, "Can animals lie?"

[brave_heart_verity]

It'll always be in private, just with her, maybe with some chao watching. They can work out how often later.

"It's okay, I don't worry about my birthday much." That doesn't mean he's getting out of being celebrated, though. He deserves it. "You've always been there when I really needed you. That's more important."

It's going to be extra adorable when the chao are mimicking his straightening of clothes, given they don't usually wear any. But he did say watching what he does is important...

"No, no pets. Dad didn't like them and after we moved to the apartment there wasn't really room. Some animals can lie. Apes, dolphins, the really intelligent ones. Dogs and cats can't lie really, not in my experience anyway. I'm guessing... all kinds of hunting dogs, for you, and a cat in the kitchen, and horses?" He is both fancy and English, and yes, these are wild assumptions, but they're halfway jokes. She wouldn't be surprised if it were true.

[heirtothearcane]

"So you wouldn't like it if next year I threw you a party with lots of dancing and even more cakes?" He doesn't know most things about being a best friend, but he is certain they're meant to make sure their friend has a good birthday.

"No. No, pets would have been a distraction. The family has horses, riding is pretty popular. I have a favourite, Duskin, but I haven't ridden for a few years now. He's probably very old. Still, he wasn't really a pet. Not mine, anyway."

[brave_heart_verity]

Next year? She's having a hard time thinking about next week. But the idea is appealing and gets a little smile from her. "Yes to dancing, but just one cake. And maybe not so much a party as us having dinner?" It'd be a lot more fun for him that way, which means it'd be more fun for her.

"I'm sorry. And I'm really tempted to get you a puppy." He needs more unadulterated love in his life. And puppies are adorable.

[heirtothearcane]

But this is about her birthday. It's not about him. Plus, it's hard to be worried about the distant future, he can panic about his promises later. When he realises what he's done at 2am some morning and can't sleep for fretting over it. "That doesn't seem fair. Other people will want to congratulate you too. Naugus, the chao... your friends."

Viatorus sighs and gives her a gentle look of very very mild disapproval. "You need to stop wanting to get me things just because I didn't have them. I'm pretty sure you'd be a better dog owner than I would. Maybe I should get you a puppy."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Yeah, but shouldn't I get what I want for my birthday?" Ah-ha. Hoist on his own petard. Or something like that, but less explodey. "Let's not worry about it until August at the earliest, okay? Who knows what we'll want by then." She might be up planning his birthday at a few too-early-o'clocks in the near future, but that's different. She won't be fretting, she'll be planning.

His attempt at looking disapproving is met with an innocent look. "I said tempted, I didn't say I was going to do it. I don't follow through with every idea I have. And thank you, but I don't need a puppy. I have the chao."

He may be getting a goldfish soon. Just because she has to be a little mischievous sometimes.

[heirtothearcane]

Viatorus peers at her as he thinks that through. She must have said that wrong, so he'll helpfully correct her, "What you'll want by then. But alright. We'll plan that later." Not that he won't mull about ideas. Terrible ideas, but ideas nonetheless.

The worst part is, he wouldn't be able to turn it away. It's still kinder than a puppy. A puppy would guilt trip him into all sorts of things. Viatorus is, however, happier to know that she didn't feel the desire to get him a little fluffball too badly. "I don't think puppies are the kind of thing you need. You want them more than need them. What about cats? Do you like them too?"

[brave_heart_verity]

She'll allow the correction. She can explain about why she said what she did later when he's ready to hear it. "Right. Thank you."

A puppy would convince him to do all kinds of things that are good for him. She's still not seeing the problem with this. "Most people don't need a dog. You need something that will love you unconditionally and always be happy to see you and curl up with you at night. Aside from me, I mean." It's too easy to flirt with him. "I like cats. That would be more your speed, wouldn't it? And in keeping with the stereotype of the all-powerful magic man. I suppose you'll want them to be black?"

He should know what that gleam in her eyes means. If he doesn't explicitly ban the idea, he's getting kittens. Two, because they need company. But it means no goldfish.

[heirtothearcane]

He'll go a little bit red at the flirting, but only a bit, and then clear his throat some. "I-I like most animals, both cats and dogs." After a second, "I like ginger cats, they always look... bright? Friendly? Like you, I suppose. I'm more worried about whether an animal is friendly or not than what species they are, or what colour they are."

That gleam in her eye isn't something he's wizened up to yet, but it soon will be. Even faster if she does get him kittens.

[brave_heart_verity]

Let's be honest: who wouldn't love to wake up to a box of kittens on Christmas morning? He's only human. Nobody could resist that.

He doesn't need to worry about the blushing, much, what with that mask he's wearing. And given that now she's blushing too. (It's not so bad when it's give and take.) "Ah, you like redheads. Good to know." She grins up at him and gives his hand a little squeeze. It's just friendly teasing, V. Now it's his turn to tease her. Back and forth is how it works best. "Of course they'd be friendly toward you. You're all made of sweetness, plus you'd be the one feeding them."

[heirtothearcane]

Isidor might when she realises the extra responsibilities she'll have to account for and organise. Although half of Isidor's schooling has been in the art of seeing everything as a task to be completed, an issue to be corrected, so... she had to practice kitten resistance.

If it wasn't for the hand squeeze he would have protested at that, he had his mouth open to and everything. Instead, he closes it and learns. "The feeding would probably be the key factor with kittens. Besides, the only reason for my being made of sweetness is that you keep making me lovely cakes and treats."

http://media.giphy.com/media/9YfzAhIabwZS8/giphy.gif

[brave_heart_verity]

If Isidor sat down and did a proper cost-benefit analysis of cat ownership, even she would have to admit there are perks to the arrangement.

Good, good! Verity's quite pleased with his progress already, and even allows for a little giggle. Just a baby one. "Oh, so this is all my fault then?" She lifts an eyebrow and the look she gives him would be stern indeed if it weren't for that smile she can't quite conquer. "Well, if I'm to blame for everything, I might as well go for broke."

Did all his fancy dance lessons teach him how to twirl? Because he's getting twirled. Even if it means she's stretching rather precariously to reach over his head to do so.

V should watch that film, he'd be absolutely charmed

[heirtothearcane]

Like throwing them at undead Egyptian priests if she's stuck in a pinch...

He's about to say something when suddenly he's being twirled, much to his surprise. In his lessons only he has done the twirling and never quite like that. It throws him off balance and he has to give it all his attention to making sure he doesn't immediately step back out of the twirl to resolve his difficulty with it.

Once she's finished twirling him, he gives a small smile. "You do put me into a lot of new situations, don't you? Do you keep everyone else you know on their toes like this?"

They should watch it together. He can be charmed and she'll be vaguely confused.

[brave_heart_verity]

Cats were sacred in Egypt. So that's another plus in the pro-cats column.

She won't let him fall. Verity is stronger than she looks and has a good sense of balance. Even in heels. Once he's done with the twirl she pulls him comfortably close again and gives him an unrepentant smile. "Well, I have to, don't I? Otherwise, you'll all realize how boring and grumpy I really am." She says it like a joke.

"Anyway, you like it." He wouldn't put up with it otherwise.

Now I need to watch it again

[heirtothearcane]

Once he's safely in the normal dancing position he takes a moment to think. "Hm. Sort of like how I need to keep showing you fantastic, wonderful things or else you'll realise how dull and cowardly I really am." Two can play at the game of self-depreciating half jokes.

"I like it mostly because it means I get to spend time with you, and you seem to like it."

I think that's a good idea.

[brave_heart_verity]

Wait, who said he could do that? She doesn't like him saying those kinds of things at all. "But you've got the advantage, because you'll be there, so everything's already pretty fantastic." Clearly, more flirting is the way to remedy the situation. That always makes things better.

"I like being with you. If that means magic and adventure, great, count me in. If that means a quiet tea party and then curling up together with books, I will be there with bells on. Well. Not actual bells, that wouldn't be very quiet."

[heirtothearcane]

"Verity, I don't mean to be rude, but you're starting to sound like those businessmen who think complimenting me gets them money somehow." Instead he panics and Isidor, the real money handler, becomes poised against them. It's also one of the reasons why he avoids functions and balls. He'd rather Verity remained as unlike that part of his life as possible.

"I like the sound of that second idea. Adventure doesn't seem like something I'd be very good at. Not in my corporeal form, anyway. It's not very thrilling though. Especially not for someone who's been on as many adventures as you."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Sorry." It's so much easier for her when people are straightforward like that. "I'm not trying to get anything from you, you know that right? I was trying to help you feel more confident before you go face your relatives." Her lip is between her teeth only because she's worried there's been a misunderstanding, not because her feelings are hurt. "It's not rude to tell me to knock it off if I'm bothering you. I'd rather you do."

It's all part of getting to know each other. They both have things to learn, and they won't always get things right the first time, but the important thing is that they want to learn and do better in the future. And she very much does. So much.

Still, it's reassuring she hasn't chased him off. "I'm not sure I've been on so many adventures, but... it's not really my idea of a great way to live. So, quiet evenings with books, and some music, and sometimes maybe we'll go out for a walk?"

[heirtothearcane]

It's hard for him to be straightforward, and is a small display of his being comfortable around Verity. Then as soon as he's been direct it's straight into apologetic explanations. "No, I know you're not looking for anything. I-I don't know what to do with all the flattery. If people aren't being sarcastic when they give me compliments, I'm used to them wanting something."

There's a moment where he has his thinky face firmly in place. "Think of me more like water - that's my element. I like to calm myself, ground myself, rather than bolster myself up in preparation for things. You don't need to do anything. You ground me naturally."

Viatorus smiles wide as he imagines it. "Yes, I think that sounds really nice."

https://youtu.be/wy9f4HFw7FI (She is secretly a romantic. Shh.)

[brave_heart_verity]

She can learn. Watch her amazing display of willpower at not overdoing it with the reassurances again. Instead, she focuses on listening to him. She's not entirely cured; she's giving his hand a little extra squeeze, but progress is good.

And then there he goes, flattering her. What is she to do with him? "Like water. Okay. Does that mean I'm the pebbles in the brook that make you laugh?" She squints up at him with a funny sort of expression. Poetry jokes are not her forte, but good gods does she ever want to try for him.

"Perfect." It really does sound perfect to her. And it's not much Isidor can complain about, which is a bonus.

V is not-so-secretly a romantic.

[heirtothearcane]

Funnily, he feels like he's not complimenting her enough, or at all. These are just facts he's reminding her about, after all, they're not real flattery. The metaphor makes him laugh, happily surprised and delighted. "Yes! I guess you are! The pretty ones that everyone wants to take home and keep in their garden."

And now he's making a mental note to ensure his apartment study in the Nexus has extra comfy reading seats.

He can teach her it's okay to be romantic and she can teach him it's okay to tell her what he needs.

[brave_heart_verity]

That's the exact argument she could have made one commentjust a minute ago. They both think better of each other than they think of themselves.

Success! She looks so proud of herself for getting him to laugh. "Mm, if I'm destined for your garden, I'd rather be a rose than a rock. You might remember to visit a rose."

A loveseat, at least, for all those cuddles she needs to teach him about. Otherwise she'll end up sitting at his feet like the dog he ought to have.

She might /want/ to be romantic when she sees how goofy he gets around romantic things

[heirtothearcane]

"If you were a rock then I'd be a brook and I'd be with you all the time," he points out, sticking to the metaphor. "But in reality, you're my best friend, so I will only be with you as much as you want me to be."

Well that's not happening.