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

[quote_gentle_unquote]

She reels him in for a kiss then, soft but not particularly sweet - it's more of a promise of later diversion. "You were having thoughts, weren't you?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot wraps both arms around her, kisses her nose. "How could I not? An thou couldst see the two of thee together..."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I should like to hear every last thought that went through your head," she tells him, smiling beatifically up at him. "Perhaps later tonight after we're home from the party."

[lanselos_du_lac]

He flushes still deeper, reaching up to brush her cheek, "Gladly, my love."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

She kisses him again, more deeply and with no less promise. It's a lengthy kiss, and she clings to him throughout. When she pulls away, she lifts her hand, as if to wipe a smudge of her lipstick from his mouth - and then she lowers her hand again, leaving it untouched. "I am so thoroughly in love with you," she tells him. "Go to Laertes. Signal me when you should like me to approach."

[lanselos_du_lac]

The smile he gives her is both bright and overcome. He (admittedly reluctantly) takes a step back and gives her one of those bows that's somehow meant to be a tease, his gaze staying on her the whole while.

"As I love thee," he says, as he straightens. "Enjoy thyself, but do keep watch."

Then he squeezes her hand and, after taking a breath and squaring his shoulders, he goes to meet Laertes on the balcony. He steps quietly out into the lightly falling snow, closing the door behind himself before he says gently, "Laertes, art thou well?"

[timebethine]

Laertes turns as the door opens, and smiles to his eyes at the sight of Lancelot. The cold air has helped clear his head, easing the frantic heat of want and returning him to the sober conclusion that he's reached a dozen times before: no fleeting pleasure is worth the risk of Susan's friendship. "I'm well," he says, and catches Lancelot's hand to kiss the back of it. "I fear the heat made me dizzy--but I'm better now."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Something in Lancelot is unconvinced, though he cannot say why. He squeezes Laertes' hand and draws him in a little, saying, "It is a touch overwhelming in there."

[timebethine]

"Especially when faced with such beauty as thine." Lancelot may only draw him in a little, but Laertes draws himself still further in, until their bodies are flush and he can nose at Lancelot's neck. "Such things as I imagined were not fit for a dance--nay, not even one of Dionysus's dances."

[lanselos_du_lac]

He runs a hand down Laertes' back, steady and still with a telltale warmth. He tips his head slightly. "No?"

[timebethine]

Laertes can't resist that offered neck; he brushes a light kiss there, breath warm on Lancelot's skin. "No. Perhaps for the evening after."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Letting out a little breath, he says, "I shall still be here tomorrow evening."

[timebethine]

"An Susan hasn't worn thee out--I saw the looks she gave thee."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot is so, so tempted to point out that he does not think those looks were only cast at him. But he's a little worried that may not come off as flirting -- this seems like it may be something that needs a real conversation. Laertes seemed flustered. It is not worth the risk.

So instead he says, smiling, "Oh, aye, I saw them too. But I assure thee I'll come to no harm."

[timebethine]

Then, withdrawing only far enough to suggest a willingness to break, Laertes asks, "Shall we in again?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I believe she wished to check in on thee," keeping his arm around Laertes' waist. "She asked that I signal her when she could rejoin us, an thou should wish it."

[timebethine]

Laertes has a sinking feeling that A Conversation is about to happen. "Ah--could we not go to her?" Perhaps it will be less fraught with others around them.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"Of course," Lancelot says. He has no intention of having A Conversation, as tonight does not seem like the night for it -- and he'd rather discuss it when they're alone together. "I think she only wishes to be certain thou'rt well."

[timebethine]

"I'm well," Laertes promises, and kisses the corner of Lancelot's mouth. "The cold has restored my vigor, and I have strength in me for another dance."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lowly, "Dost thou know: I love thee dearly."

[timebethine]

Laertes shivers; those words seem to echo in his bones, to sing silvery along his nerves, until all of him rings with the knowledge that he is loved. He meets Lancelot's eyes, his own dark in the dim winter light, and says, "As I love thee. As I will always love thee."

[lanselos_du_lac]

A smile, and a quick little kiss. "I know thee to be steadfast and stubborn."

[timebethine]

"Both virtue and vice bear the same stamp in me, then."

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot can't help but tug him a little closer. "I would have thee as thou art and no other way."

[timebethine]

Laughing, "Thou hast me--what wilt thou do with thy prize?"