Open: In a shout of joy at the only shrine where you come benighted and leave benign

[vineleaves]

Dark has come and gone again, which means it’s time to party.

In some ways the party is very similar to last year’s - same large banquet room in the mansion, a similarly large abundance of food and drink, and the promise of a night full of letting loose for everyone in attendance. It’s far from a direct clone of the previous party though. For starters, Dionysus has had Claudius help him in all of the planning (sometimes a god’s blessings come in the form of enrichment for one’s enclosure). They’ve gotten several of the mansion’s residents to agree to play live music during the night, and Dionysus was able to find some, ah, more widely appreciated CDs to play during the breaks between performers.

The room has been decorated to the nines again, but where last year he had green vines draping on the walls diffusing the glow from the twinkling fairy lights, this year he has strung up swooping vines of silver, glittering almost like tinsel. The large food tables have an almost ridiculous amount of things to munch on; there should be something for everyone there.

It should go without saying that the beverage tables are well-stocked, considering the host.

The festivities are starting a little earlier this year than last, out of respect for those who may or may not have earlier bedtimes. Come dressed in your finest, it’s a yearly tradition now!




Just as there was last year, there is to be an ‘after party’. If your character is part of the standard Orgy Invite Crew, they will have received another invitation to that half of the evening as well. Just like last year, this part of the event is to be handwaved, for obvious reasons.

Comments

[futaille]

"Simply monologues. So far, at least."

[timebethine]

"Should thine ambitions grow, only let me know; I ought to learn better how to act a part, ere my performance in The Wizard of Oz."

[futaille]

"Oh, I'm certainly interested in expanding my repertoire."

[timebethine]

"Hast thou a part for me?"

[futaille]

A grin. "I am absolutely certain I can find one."

[timebethine]

"What manner of character is he?"

[futaille]

"Oh, let me think. Perhaps a skilled tradesman. A roofer or the like."

[timebethine]

"Oh? Someone to inspect thy thatch?"

[futaille]

"Clearly. It's been leaking and I haven't the slightest idea what to do."

[timebethine]

"That sounds serious--it may be a fault in thy ridge beam. Tell me, sir, is it a stout and hardy beam?"

[futaille]

"It's certainly been reliable for as long as I can remember!"

[timebethine]

"And how long hast thou noticed this leak?"

[futaille]

"Only fairly recently, as I recall, but I may have just been unobservant before."

[timebethine]

"Ah," says Laertes, with an admonishing click of his tongue. "I'll have to strip thee all the way down--thy roof, of course."

[futaille]

"Of course. You have to get to the root. Of the problem."

[timebethine]

"An there are roots in thy thatch, I fear the problem may be too grave for me alone."

[futaille]

He somehow manages to keep a straight face at that one. "I have confidence in your expertise."

[timebethine]

"And how wilt thou pay me for this service?"

[futaille]

"I have been somewhat concerned about that, I will admit. You come highly recommended, so your rates are surely commensurate."

[timebethine]

"Oh, they are," says Laertes. "Art thou not a man of means?" As though reading the answer in Grantaire's looks, "Art thou penniless?"

[futaille]

"Not completely. I have a few pennies, although admittedly very few. Surely there must be some sort of installment plan or another arrangement you would accept."

[timebethine]

Hooking his fingertips beneath Grantaire's chin, tilting his face up to meet Laertes's gaze, he says warmly, "I believe we can make another arrangement."

[futaille]

He licks his suddenly dry lips as he stares back at Laertes. "Oh, thank you, sir."

[timebethine]

Then Laertes flashes him a grin, and swoops in for a quick kiss. "Was that play enough to have caught his eye? Or must we play it again?"

[futaille]

He laughs. "I think that just counts as writing the play, the process for which he is not privy to."