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

[lanselos_du_lac]

"The crisp air is refreshing," Lancelot says lightly as he takes his glass of champagne.

[timebethine]

"I've been restored to myself," Laertes reassures Susan as he takes a glass and sips. The bubbles tickle his nose; he wrinkles it as he swallows. "My thanks for the drink."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"He does have that way about him, doesn't he?" Susan asks Laertes, curling a hand around Lancelot's bare shoulder. It's chilled from the winter air, and she moves closer to share her warmth. "He's ever so restorative."

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I think that may be particular to only a select few."

[timebethine]

"And yet I must agree with her." He brings up a hand to curl on Lancelot's other shoulder--then remembers how cold his skin still is, and withdraws. "As bracing as the icy evening air, but a thousand times more welcome."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I don't know, my love. Perhaps you ought to offer your restorative services. You could establish our first health spa here."

[lanselos_du_lac]

He laughs, catching Laertes' hand. "I fear I would have a great deal of competition, given the gods and abilities among us. But I am happy to serve the two of thee whenever thou hast need of restoration."

[timebethine]

Laertes's flush at the offer has nothing to do with the room's warmth. Lancelot's hand is surprisingly warm in his own; it's as though the three of them have made some kind of conduit, Lancelot passing Susan's heat along the swift-flowing channels of their veins. Laertes darts a glance at Susan, curled against Lancelot's shoulder, and he swallows. Unnumbered jello shots settling like a leaden weight in his stomach.

Actually--"Susan, Lancelot," he says. "Has either one of thee tried the jello shots?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

It takes Susan a moment to slot the term in with the things she's tried here, and when she does, her eyes glow. "Is that what they're called? They're ever so clever, don't you think?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot shakes his head, bemused, "What are they?"

[timebethine]

"Come, try a glass." Laertes tugs Lancelot over to the jello shots table, gesturing grandly at the much-depleted bounty of shining, jiggling mayhem. "Liquor mixed with sweet gelatin; more to be eaten than drunk, although to be drunk is, I think, their aim."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Have you tried more than one, then?" Susan asks Laertes. She picks up the sort of green cube she'd tried before and offers it to Lancelot - it had been tasty enough. "I only had this sort. Have you got other recommendations?"

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot wrinkles his nose a little, though he is smiling. "What do they taste like?"

[timebethine]

"Mostly of sweetness and sourness; some trace hints of fruit, or a mummery of fruit. I enjoyed the red best," he says, and offers the little plastic shot glass.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Is it the same sort of red that Galahad likes?" Susan wonders, taking the glass.

[lanselos_du_lac]

"I also like that sort of red," Lancelot says, but his attention is absorbed in examining the green gelatin Susan has handed him. "And how does one ... consume it?"

[timebethine]

Innocently, "With the tongue."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"You shan't have any trouble with it," firmly.

[lanselos_du_lac]

He peers at it. "So I just..."

[timebethine]

Laertes is not touching this one. He polishes off his wine in a long sip.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Yes, precisely as you're imagining." She's straight-faced and solemn, but there's no way that the wickedness in her heart, in this moment, is hidden.

[lanselos_du_lac]

Lancelot narrows his eyes, ever so slightly, at Susan and says, "Well. An it is truly as simple as the two of thee would have it--"

Then he gives it a good long look, squeezes the little cup slightly as if to test its give, then tries to tip it back into his mouth and loosen it with his tongue.

[timebethine]

"How dost thou find it?" Laertes asks. Quite apart from the pleasure of watching him use his tongue, Laertes is intrigued to know how Lancelot will enjoy the rather singular texture of jello.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Naturally Susan prepares the occasional aspic for dinner. She's struggling with the urge to ask Laertes if Lancelot has got a clever tongue thing with him, too - but she really oughtn't ask so soon after Laertes had to take a moment. To still her own tongue, she tosses back the red gelatin and swallows it down.