OPEN MINGLE: Welcome to Thorne

[magicalarchaeologist]

WHO: OPEN to all Summoned in Thorne
WHAT: A party, info dump, and magic study session all rolled into one! Eat, drink, mingle -- make some friends!
WHEN: a couple days after the newest Summoned start appearing
WHERE: a ballroom in Castle Thorne

NOTES: This is an open mingle log where everyone can tag one another!

Rhy Maresh will have sent a written invitation to all Thornean newcomers within a couple of days of their arrival, inviting them to meet their fellow Summoned. Otherwise, there will be fliers posted in the dining area that anyone can see. If your character has CR with Rhy or Istredd (or Kell), you can assume they were told and got an in-person invite -- and you can even assume your character helped with setup if desired (decorations, helping set out food, etc.), since Rhy definitely needed the assistance. Up to you!

Istredd will also be hosting a group meditation to allow newcomers to access to the Horizon (and network). New Summoned who wish to learn how to step into the Horizon have an opportunity to have their connections to the Singularity activated. If preferred, they can also get one-on-one help from those who've been around for a bit. He will also discuss the magic in Abraxas and point them in the direction of teachers of magic, combat, or other things they may be interested in.


Banquet.

The large ballroom is bathed in warm, golden light from dozens of chandeliers above, reflecting off the gleaming inlaid floors and brass light fixtures along the walls. It is at once neatly sectioned, yet naturally open, allowing the length of the room to flow from one potential activity to another with ease.

In the center, a circular area has been left clear, and every half hour or so during the first half of the evening, two native Thornean (apprentice) mages come up to offer magic demonstrations -- mostly flashy elemental magic, adding sparks and atmosphere. If any of the Summoned who've been around longer wish to show off as well, they are welcome to do so.

Along the walls stand narrow refreshment tables, where one can serve oneself wine from large glass carafes. Hot tea is also available in a few flavors. (Though those who have been here a while may notice there are fewer carafes, and more expensive options for alcohol and refreshments are missing this time.) For those looking to eat, a large dining table has been set out toward the center of the room, with plates and utensils and large platters of food in the center -- nothing fancy, but perfectly serviceable, and arranged to look good even if the ingredients themselves aren't nearly as lavish as they have been in the past. Still, despite the impending war and tightened purse strings in the face of shortages, the kitchen has agreed to help welcome the newly Summoned as best as they can.

Both the handful of large tables and the smattering of small, taller tables for standing at are in full view of the demonstrations so the show can be enjoyed with food and drink, whatever your desire. Bright summer flowers garnish every table, freshening up the space.

Of course, there's plenty of space to stand and mingle, walk around, and see what everyone else is up to. In the back of the room, the folding screens offer a quieter area, for more private conversation and meditation as desired.

Magic Studies.

Behind the folding screens made of tall, carved wood in intricate patterns, there are a handful of low sofas and chaise lounges around a fireplace at the far side of the hall. This sectioned-off area has been enchanted to provide some insulation from the sound of the banquet beyond, and once you step inside, the quiet is like a gentle blanket settling over everyone who chooses to spend some time here.

This is the best place to ask questions in some semblance of privacy, to learn about your new home, and to receive guidance on entering the Horizon and using the so-called network of telepathic notes only the Summoned can send one another.

A mage named Istredd seems to be the one 'in charge' of this particular endeavor, but others who have been in Abraxas a while are likely also about, lending their assistance to those who are newly arrived and sharing thoughts on their experiences so far.

Just be careful -- even if the insulating enchantment is sturdy, there are still Thornean natives around, refilling refreshments outside and demonstrating their magic. You may want to be careful how candidly you discuss any displeasure toward Thorne or its crown, considering the Queen's notoriously explosive temper, and the rumors of the dungeons deep beneath the castle. It's hardly a secret, at this point: a conflict has been sparked, and the mood around the castle is a tense one, even amidst a celebration such as this.

(( ooc: Feel free to make your own top levels and tag around! This is meant to be an open mingle, with the above as mostly setting and flavor, so don't feel limited if you want your character to do their own magic demonstrations, for example, or even if your thread ends up moving outside the ballroom. Have fun!

It should be noted that if you would like to handwave your character's first experience to the Horizon, you can do so. It's a blanket permission from me / Istredd that he took your character there, helped them leave, and showed them how to go back in with their memory now.

This was written by Lena aka Rhy player! Contact me @ waftingcurtains with any questions otherwise just roll with it, friends. ))

Comments

Istredd | The Witcher | The High Priestess | OTA

[magicalarchaeologist]

Istredd finds that he is starting to build an immunity to the inherent exhaustion of public appearances, and while some grumpy isolationist part of him hates it, overall he knows it is for the best. He has made the choice not to stick his head in the sand/a stack of books and hide away from people. He's chosen to engage as a person in a position of leadership. It'll never come easily, but at least he is lasting longer in energy.

He spends all of the evening on his side of the screens since he always eats beforehand and he does have water nearby since all of this involves a great deal of talking. Istredd is a tall man at 6'3, wearing plain dark clothes and seemingly somber and calm. His unusually bright blue eyes are a stark contrast to his very dark hair and light brown skin, and his dark beard is newly trimmed. His smile is a little hesitant but more from being reserved than cold.

The area back here is very quiet and secluded, intentionally so since meditation is required to get used to the Horizon or learn how to use the network. It is a good place to ask questions and discuss magic. There are multiple tea set-ups since it's supposed to be soothing.

"How can I help you?" He may ask when someone approaches the quieter area, usually getting right to the point. Or "feel free to join us" if he's sitting down with others, some of them may already seem to be in a meditative state.


[ooc: As mentioned above, blanket permission for you to say Istredd helped your character go into the Horizon for the first time, guided them without their memory, and then taught them how to go back in so you can jump right into Horizon good times. Or reply if you'd like to actually play it out! Up to you.]

[weavered]

Entering the Horizon for the first time was unsettling - at least it was once she had left realizing that she forgot herself. It made her uneasy to return despite reassurances that she would remember who she was. Hornet approaches Istredd slowly, hesitating just a bit as she considers her words. Now was the time to ask her questions, at least she hopes that he would be amenable to her questions.

"I was told you could tell me more about the Singularity."

And of the magic of this world. Maybe magic in general. Her interest in knowledge was apparent at least despite her rather stoic appearance. She needed to learn all she could, but what would she do with this knowledge?

That was the next thing she needed to figure out.

robin buckley. — stranger things, the fool

[schlick]

(pre) party.

( if robin considers herself anything it is, without one shred of a doubt, a team player. when the subject of a party gets spread around the castle, no one has to ask her to help out. she goes looking for a job, and is thusly appointed (well, self-proclaimed) head of the decorations committee. one rickety ladder and a half dozen attempts at hyping herself up to climb it later, and robin is nervously pining cute ribbons in place with an artful eye, acting like she is Very Normal here, not new at all.

naturally it isn't very persuasive, but faking it until she makes it is about as close to confidence as she's getting right now. still, she's a little clumsy — one wayward move has her dropping her basket of ribbons to the floor, letting out a groan in defeat. )

Shit beans.

( she does reach over to grab them — belatedly remembering she's elevated thanks to the ladder, and only Just saving herself from becoming a robin pancake with a panicked grip on ladder. right. so.

turning her head, she looks to the nearest person, offering them a nervous wave, even though she doesn't seem to want to let go of the ladder anytime soon. )

Hey, do you mind? I'm gonna bust my shit if I go for that. ( thoughtfully, ) And I don't even think my parent's insurance works out here.

banquet.

( robin is very normal and totally fine, which is to say she's incredibly nervous about meeting people, and tending to take an uncomfortable position somewhere around the food table, stuffing her pockets with snacks almost unconsciously, and tucking few things into her cheeks as a likely excuse to avoid talking. at least she's here, she offers herself — that's a little bit of a victory. she won't be cowed away! she is present.

at least until the magic demonstrations start happening — then robin is very obviously entranced, expression amazed. whether you're the presenter or an observer, she'll lean over to say: ) So, like. Anyone can learn to do this, huh? Like, anyone anyone?

( like me?, she means.

alternatively, if you're of the younger (see: teen) persuasion, or look to be around that age, at a certain point in the night robin will duck in and say conspiratorially, ) I'll make a distraction. You get as much liquor as you can fit in your pants. Okay?

wildcard.

( anything else! hit me with anything, i am open. feel free to hmu on pm or at trashmouth for any plotting reasons. )

Banquet

[magicalarchaeologist]

(Istredd spends most of the night on his side of the room helping the others with the Horizon or answering questions, but he does come to watch the demonstration to see if they've added anything to their showcase. He has occasionally been one of the demonstrators himself, illusions are a specialty and it can be visually impressive, but he hasn't decided if he will after them or not. He has a responsibility to his side of the celebration.

He is quietly watching, raising an eyebrow at a new fire technique meant to wow, and then glances at the girl who speaks up. It turns out she is talking to the exact right person for that topic. She may have noticed him during the set-up preparing the quiet room for meditation.)

Yes, anyone. In Abraxas, every person can use magic, and when we were taken here, we were given the same natural ability.

𝔟𝔞𝔫𝔮𝔲𝔢𝔱

[stations]

( If you don't look at him too closely, if you kind of let your eyes bounce off of him — say, for example, you're distracted by a genius booze heist — it isn't hard to mistake Jack for younger than he is. He's unassuming, skinny, and at that weird age in his mid-twenties where boomers don't consider him an adult, but he'd look creepy hanging around high school parties or sports games. If he didn't look so damn tired, he could maybe pass as one of those slightly too old actors playing a high school student in a not-exactly-oscar-worthy TV show. Like a Teen Wolf, or something. It's not a huge shock he's the one she goes for.

The request in and of itself is kind of a surprise, and it leaves him blinking. It's in his nature to be customer service accommodating, to be polite and obliging, and so his first answer is a mild: )

Okay. ( Until he replays the request in his head and does a quick double-take. ) Wait- why?

( Does not compute. The booze is free. What even is happening right now?? )

pre-party;

[malicieux]

[ Lestat has no intention to help prepare for the party. It is, after all, a party to welcome all the new arrivals, so why deny the current residents the joy of doing a good deed? Besides, even when he has planned parties, he's always paid other people to do the laborious parts of it.

That doesn't stop him from wandering by the ballroom. It's less out of curiosity and more that his castle wanderings simply take him that way. He happens to peer inside in time to see the young girl nearly see herself off the ladder. He could have moved to her aid fast enough to catch her. Instead, he makes his way into the ballroom nonchalantly, already intending on picking up the ribbons before she even asks. ]

Perhaps they should find someone else better suited for the ladder.

banquet

[ordinar]

[Wilhelm wasn't sure if he would come tonight. He'd missed the last couple of these things, just because there was so much happening — inside his head, mostly, the sort of so much that shuts you away from everyone else. The thought of being on and meeting a bunch of new people all at once was exhausting.

It still is. But he attempts to be welcoming, if only because Rhy is one of the architects of this evening's festivities. So here he is, adopting the same strategy as Robin by lingering around the refreshment tables. Relief from his terminal awkwardness comes in the form of a familiar-ish face, leaning in close with a conspiratorial whisper. Floor girl, he remembers first. Her actual name hits a second later: Robin.]

You know nobody cares if we drink, right?

Wildcard! Roommate Shenanigans!

[widows_kiss]

[ Natasha hadn't had to share her room since the first few weeks after her arrival, and the girl she'd been sharing with hadn't stayed in this world long, so she's gotten used to the large room holding only herself. So returning from the baths in a dressing gown and towel-drying her hair, she pauses in the doorway with a hint of surprise to find the room inhabited by a face she hasn't seen before.

Which is impressive, she makes a habit of noticing all the faces around her. ]

Well, hello there. New arrival?

decorating committee!

[londonbound]

[ Well. Shit beans is a new one. (He's not going to ask what insurance, parents' or otherwise, has to do with anything.) ]

Here you are. It looks lovely, by the way.

[ As the organizer and host, Rhy has tried to make himself available and helpful in general, but it's also a busy job -- working with the castle staff and the kitchens to procure whatever refreshments are available on a small budget, making sure the invitations are sent out, and all the while doing his best to make any new Summoned he meets feel welcome, he really hasn't had time to personally handle any of the decorations.

So he really appreciates coming in before the banquet to find things already being taken care of. They might've met briefly earlier, while he was running around, but now Rhy, actually has a few minutes to spare and properly chat. ]

Did you make the ribbons yourself?

Banquet

[blackeyedprince]

(She caught Kell's interest first in the incident with the ladder, but seeing her awe at the magic display finally kicks him into action.)

Anyone anyone.

(Kell delivers his reply with a smile, very unusual for him. But look, he appreciates people who are wowed by magic. He loves it himself. That's one of very few things that are able to break him out of his dark, brooding type character.)

Even if you didn't have magic back home, now you do.

Lenore | Castlevania | The Lovers

[beloyaltome]

Mingling
Lenore is always a social butterfly, and it's been so long since she's been able to enjoy a proper party where no one is trying to kill anyone else or eat anyone else. Flitting around in her new blue gown which she sweet-talked a mage into helping her make (so that she now has a grand total of two outfits, including the tunic she was given upon arrival, and her primary motivation at the moment is finding ways to improve this wardrobe), Lenore will approach absolutely anyone who doesn't seem actively hostile toward the prospect of conversation, and she offers a cheery "Good evening, my name is Lenore."

Refreshments
She's trying a little of everything at the refreshment tables, which might be surprising considering her strikingly long and sharp canine teeth which indicate she's a predator. And yet, here she is nibbling at berries and tartlets and drinking wine. "It's fun to try some new recipes. As fond as I am of our cook back home, he... well... he never did have a particularly varied repertoire."

Mingling

[a_better_man]

Mat's long given up hope of seeing a familiar face at one of these gatherings, but he comes all the same. Rhy and Istredd put effort into it, after all, and he does like to know who he's sharing the Summoned wing with. One of these days he and Anakin might end up with a third roommate, after all. Not to mention his own social calendar could be far fuller than it is.

But he's certainly approachable looking, decked out in a gold and green waistcoat over tunic and trousers, offering a grin and a friendly lifting of his glass to anyone who wanders into his line of sight.

He is nothing if not pleasant at a party.

"And good evening to you, Lady Lenore." Mat inclines his head in greeting. "I'm Mat. Long time resident of Castle Thorne by now!"

( refreshments )

[politicians]

I have found the selection rather illuminating.

[ he would not call elvish tastes limited. they have particular joys and are not likely to chase after the unknown. elrond differs in that sense, though he is not burdened by wanderlust to follow through. ]

mingling.

[londonbound]

She may have met him before this briefly, or perhaps only heard of him, with the opportunity to put a face to the name only coming up now. Whatever, the case Rhy nearly always seems approachable -- and here, he's actively playing host, walking around and making light conversation, recommending certain refreshments, asking after people's enjoyment of the evening or their impression of their rooms or the castle thus far.

Rhy is also nearly always impeccably dressed, and tonight is no exception. The gold thread woven into the cloth shimmers when he walks, giving off an effect almost like the flicker of tiny flames.

His smile is nothing but genuine warmth and welcoming when Lenore introduces herself. Rhy inclines his head, just barely, a gracious nod of acknowledgement.

"Thank you for joining us this evening, Lenore. I'm Rhy." He winks. "In case it wasn't clear by now."

galadriel | the rings of power | the hierophant | ota

[seaandsun]

banquet

[ There is much here that instantly calls Galadriel to thoughts of Númenor — chief among it all the large, open space bathed in golden light. There might be as many curious eyes on her here in Thorne as there were before, but not merely because she is unlike those who may have been glimpsed before — in Númenor, the difference had lain in the fact that none had seen an elf in an age or two. Here, she is distinguished as being a newly Summoned, and therefore of interest because of it.

As the event begins, she is careful to linger at the perimeter of the room where she can achieve the best view of the proceedings, demonstrations of magic included — she takes a glass of wine, and perhaps even helps herself to a bite of food or two in spite of not being very hungry. She can subsist for much longer than even a human can without it, but the thought of standing out because she is not partaking only occurs to her later on, driving her to the closest table of refreshments in the hope of remaining less conspicuous.

Still, hovering nearer to the largest table means that Galadriel can pick up on the occasional trace of conversation — and if such a thing turns to more sensitive topics not meant for wider hearing, she will comply with being escorted behind one of the privacy screens in order to continue the discussion away from eavesdroppers. ] Do they always welcome the arrivals in this way? [ It seems best to broach the subject with the closest person to her, as well as ascertain whether this is habit or a less recognized occasion. ]

magic training

[ The quiet hum of the party fades away to a deadened hush as Galadriel eventually makes her way to a more secluded area, and the reason for it becomes increasingly clear the longer she lingers within. There is an enchantment here, powerful enough to possibly even make it impossible for those outside to listen in — even if Galadriel herself is not a skilled wielder, she can feel the energies at work.

There seems to be at least one individual leading certain meditation efforts, but Galadriel hovers closer to the rear of the circle without participating — she's looking for guidance without necessarily asking for it outright, or perhaps glancing around and seeing what clues she can glean from the others sitting close to her in terms of how to proceed. ] It all must be done in secret, then, like this? [ Eventually, she won't be capable of disguising her curiosity, not enough to venture an inquiry about the clandestine nature of things. ]

wildcard

[ if you want a more specific prompt or to run into galadriel elsewhere during the mingle, feel free to hmu with alternate plotting ideas! you can ping me on plurk, discord, or PM with any questions.]

Magic Training!

[magicalarchaeologist]

[ Kell and Istredd make a good team on the magic side, neither of them particularly great with people but balancing out well. Istredd is coming back from a short breather, the amount of magic and focus that has to be used to keep this section going can be a lot. He is plain-clothed and quiet, more likely to be mistaken for a servant or a librarian (which he sometimes is) than anything else.

He hears her question as he comes back into the area, more comfortable here than he is in the banquet part, to be honest, even if it requires him to be more responsible. Istredd shakes his head, checking on the meditating people. All seems to be well. Going into the Horizon can be overwhelming. ]

No, it's not secret at all, magic is very common here. We separate it this way to give people a better ability to focus.

[ Istredd is currently the mind behind the magical side of this party, having taken over the duty from Kylo Ren months ago. It means in some ways the magical side is almost too defensively barriered, it's his instinct to protect, not that they really need it in here. But he can't actually control the sound in here for secrecy, it would be suspicious. ]

Going into the Horizon for the first time is complicated and also learning how to use our neural network isn't easy for everyone.

[ For some people, it apparently comes very naturally. He's just not one of those people. As a telepath, it probably should be easier, but it is not magic he has much control over. ]

Thorne knows what we're doing in here and everywhere. The Horizon is the only place they can't follow us.

[ Thus the possible basis of its appeal. ]

banquet

[ordinar]

[Wilhelm doesn't approach the evening with anywhere near the same level of strategy as Galadriel, but he does put some thought into it. For example, if he moves from table to table every once in a while, plucking a few snacks from each and offering a few quick comments to whomever has gathered there, he can create the illusion of being a social butterfly.

When the woman addresses him, he's mid-bite, trying some kind of hard cheese. Shielding his mouth with his hand, he finishes chewing before responding:]

Yeah, pretty much. At least, for as long as I've been here.

[Though the hosts have changed out since then. Summoned come and go, but the going is with much less fanfare.]

( banquet )

[politicians]

[ elrond finds himself slipping into elvish without realizing it, a lapse on his part but a welcome one as he was feeling oddly homesick, in a way even his horizon could not fully mute. ]

They did when I first arrived. It seems standard.

Magic Training

[widows_kiss]

[ Natasha isn't here for training personally at the moment - although she's quick to reassure anyone that Istredd is a talented teacher, should she need to. But there's still a lot to be learned in observing, magic or otherwise. She's nursing a glass of wine and perched on the arm of a nearby armchair and she glances up with a faint smile when she overhears the question from an unfamiliar woman nearby. ]

It's not exactly a secret. I think they do it more for the discretion of the student than any real need to hide anything. Easier to focus, without so many eyes on you. Especially if you're fumbling to figure it out for the first time. [ It had been her, not too long ago.

Although she's pretty sure there's some magic lessons they'd best keep secret, just to keep those running this place from getting more suspicious or paranoid. That seemed pretty rampant in the castle already. ]

banquet.

[londonbound]

[ She may have heard his name by now (would have at least received his written invitation), but it's not unusual that it takes a while for a face to be tied to it. Rhy's been running around preparing for this night since the new round of Summonings began; they seem to have some pattern to them, likely based on how often the mages can perform the spell, but despite his asking, Rhy hasn't been able to get the ear of anyone actually close enough to the Summoning to warn him. So every time, the first one or two trickle in, and then Rhy begins asking the castle staff for their assistance, whatever food and wine can be spared, and the like. They're used to it by now. It helps he's accumulated some goodwill over the year or so he's been around.

Still, Galadriel's question ends up striking him as slightly amusing. He laughs -- a low, warm and pleasant sound -- and raises his glass of wine in greeting and acknowledgement. ]

It is a bit much, isn't it?

[ It's actually a much more modest offering this time around, with all the supply issues lately. He doesn't mention that, though. ]

This part is something I came up with. But there used to be something in a smaller room, mostly meant to help the newly Summoned learn about magic and access the Horizon.

[ He nods toward the screens set up for that purpose on the other side of the hall. ]

I thought to expand a bit, add some flair and fun. At least, I hope it's fun!

Kol Mikaelson | The Vampire Diaries | The Hanged Man | Handwaved Meeting Options

[itchtokill]

I. ooc

NOTE

I'm working on freeing up space in my inbox before the next event, but feel free to comment here or hmu @ loyalwolf [/#3540] on plurk [/discord] to work out details the initial first meeting. Some options for introductions are below!

ii. handwaved meeting prompts

OTA

• Kol is good at parties and schmoozing and generally being a super nosy extroverted type. He wants to meet any/everyone, new and old. Feel free to assume he tried to be charming in their direction, introducing himself.

• He will let people know that he's got swordsmanship and archery lessons up for people who are interested.

• If you're into magic, Kol is definitely here for discussion and theories and such.

• If your character can sense a sort of "otherness" about him, I'm cool with that, but keep it vague! He hasn't let the vampire bit out of the bag yet~

Hornet | Hollow Knight | Strength

[weavered]

Banquet

magic demonstrations

Hornet shouldn't be so surprised there is a demonstration of sorts at the banquet hall. She's skeptical of all the magic, but learning more about it held no harm. She's grateful that she could just sit and watch, her legs swinging off the edge of a chair, watching with a careful eye. While she is certain that the native mages would not attack the Summoned, she was still wary of their skill.

She shifts on the chair, taking a moment to glance around the room at the other Summoned who have arrived. They were all sorts of shapes and sizes, much like the bugs of Hallownest, but unlike the bugs? She has no idea what these humans are capable of. What were they like? Perhaps she should have asked Hilda more about humans, but hindsight in all.

She swings her feet again, the bright display of elemental magic catching her gaze once more. It was flashy, that was for certain, and so far they had not turned their magic on others - which has her relaxing just a little bit.

"Do you think it is easy to learn?" Not necessarily a curious question, but one all the same. She glances toward the closest person to her, hoping they had an answer.

refreshment tables

She drags over a chair to the table with the drinks and climbs up onto it to get a better look at what was available. The downside to being short for once: she could not reach the table. It was a mild annoyance, but something she could learn to work with. Now her bigger concern: what were the refreshments and could she drink them?

Hornet pours herself something warm, that smells a bit like fruit into a clear container, drawing it close to her as she considers the liquid. It smelled nice, thankfully, and she inhales the scent once more, debating on actually drinking it. The food, as she's found so far, was safe to eat, so the strange, warm, colored water must be safe as well.

She sighs. Now she needed to figure out the best way to carry the glass and drag the chair over to where the food was so she may attempt to get something to eat. The logistics seemed a far greater effort than she'd like to give, but this place was built for... well humans, not for bugs like her.

"Maybe it would be best if I found somewhere to sit first before dragging the chair over to the food." She says to herself. Or, she thinks, she could just ask for help. She's not had to ask for help in years, so this was slightly embarrassing.

Wildcard

[ooc: if you'd like to meet Hornet somewhere else, feel free to ping me on plurk, discord, or pm! I'm pretty open to doing other things.]

Magic

[a_better_man]

"Oh yeah, the sort of magic they do here is easy for anyone to learn. It's all the right words and all that, I've learned a little bit of it."

Mat answers without thinking, as he's watching as well. Not that he needs to, the magic Istredd teaches him is of a different kind. But still. He's learned a handful of Academic spells in his time here, mostly because it had been useful.

He glances over to continue speaking...and pauses a moment, unsure of exactly what he's looking at. A...very small person, certainly. Well. Considering he's met lizard people and a skeleton, this shouldn't be that much of a surprise.

And yet...

He clears his throat and recovers as best he can - he hasn't drank enough to be rude.

"Ah. Are you interested in magic, then?"

refreshments

[ushiri]

"I can move the chair for you, if you'd like."

Kahlil has been watching her from the other end of the drinks table. He'd been about to pour himself some tea, but he's stopped, and now steps toward her with his offer. He smiles, and one eyebrow raises slightly.

"Are you liking the food any better yet?"

She had been so cautious when they first met. Not like he can blame her. This world must seem more alien to her than anyone else he's met. And besides, there's more than enough reason to be cautious in Thorne.

But still, he's glad to see she's not starving herself.

lestat de lioncourt · interview with the vampire (amc) · judgement

[malicieux]

✣ i. refreshments;

---

[ The spread is generous. Lestat can spot good hospitality when he sees it, and while he's certain that some of this must be at least a little performative, he gets the distinct feeling that it's mostly genuine. It goes a little way toward alleviating some of his annoyance at the situation. Only a little.

Of course, generous and hospitable or not, the offerings are entirely lost on him. He could eat or drink with no consequence beyond how absolutely awful it tastes to him and having none of his hunger satiated. He'll save himself the misery. He does want to look like he's enjoying the banquet, though, or at least taking part. A party is still a party. He also doesn't underestimate the importance of getting to know people sooner rather than later.

So, putting on an easy and amicable smile, he fills a cup with wine that he artfully sips without actually drinking anything at all. ]

This is certainly an improvement from the situation I found myself in before my arrival here.

✣ ii. a little night music;

---

[ Lestat humours the demonstrations for a reasonable amount of time. He realizes it's perhaps a bit hypocritical of him to view the idea of magic as absurd. After all, he's a vampire, supernatural and otherworldly by nature, but it's not magic. Even after his unexplainable arrival here, he considers the displays to be nothing more than smoke and mirrors or well-practiced sleight of hand, and despite the knowledge he already has of mages existing here, the whole idea of it stirs up his cynicism.

Fortunately for his impending boredom, all reasonable ballrooms have one thing going for them: a piano. And seeing as every good party needs music, Lestat sees no problem in setting his cup on one of the taller tables and seating himself at the piano. The first plunks of the keys are a bit experimental as he checks to see how the instrument sounds. Delighted (and not all that surprised) to find the piano tuned, he begins to play pieces to best of his recollection - things like Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik or Bizet's Les Toreadors from Carmen - mixed with little improvisations that better fit the mood of the gathering.

He probably won't be able to play any requests from the majority of the guests. ]

✣ iii. wildcard;

---

Choose your own adventure! I'm fine with any conversation/scenario happening within the gravitational pull of the mingling.

Night Music

[a_better_man]

[Now here's a new arrival that Mat has already had the pleasure of meeting.

He approaches with a grin, dressed far more formally this evening in a green and gold brocade waistcoat over silk shirt and trousers. His hair is just as unkempt and his jaw just as unshaven. There's a glass of wine in his hand, and he waits for a pause in Lestat's playing before he speaks.]

I see you've found a piano! You are good.

[Much better than Mat himself, though not surprising. He's only had a few months with his long necked lute at best.]