[open] Happy Halloween~

[princessvegas]

Who: Julie Lawry + OPEN
When: October 31
Where: The Horizon
What: Julie's annual Halloween party! Costumes are mandatory.
Warnings: In headers


At the beginning of the month, everyone with an existing domain will find themselves in possession of an invitation, delivered under the cover of night by a horde of tiny creatures. No other information follows.

I | WAIT
On October 31st, the pink neon that normally illuminates the edges of Julie's club goes dark. The pink carpet and velvet ropes disappear. In fact, the entire immediate area appears to be cast into almost pitch black. By evening, the building has been engulfed in heavy vines and thick tree roots, climbing upward into an oppressively thick canopy of treetops. Lush tropical plants bloom along the walls, their vibrant colors a natural sign of warning. Large flying insects flit into them, only to find themselves entrapped, stuck in thick sap that holds them while the petals close and devour the bugs.

Next to the closed double doors is a sign, but otherwise no signs of modernity. The ordinarily smooth walls of the club now have carvings that appear ancient, hidden under the leaves and moss. Anyone who looks closely will see that the carvings depict savage battles and human sacrifices, vicious animals tearing the people limb from limb. Anyone who looks really closely might find some of the carvings to be a bit... familiar.

Primal screeching echoes in the darkness, furious and inhuman. There's the distinct sensation of predatory eyes peering from the trees, in the bushes. A distant clock rings nine times.

Suddenly, there's movement on the ground. A truly massive snake, easily fifty feet long and thick as a tree trunk, slithers next to the ankles of the waiting crowd, hissing. Its muscles flex and shift under scales so black they shimmer iridescent, and its eyes are eerie yellow. The doors swing open and it disappears inside. Music pours out into the crowd.


II | CREEP
Inside, the lobby is gone. Instead, there is only more dense jungle flora. A barely visible path, made of more carved stones covered in moss and leaves, winds between the plants. The starting stone simply says Watch your step. Land on one of the stones marked with a dusty jewel and pay the price -- rabid monkeys might swing toward the unlucky adventurer, or perhaps a vivid green tree snake will drop its tail down to try and coil around them, or maybe you'll just barely miss a blowdart to the cheek (it will never actually hit its targets, only sail harmlessly past and into the leaves).

When the travelers reach the huge stone "temple" doors, aggressive guards in masks and indeterminate tribal garb leap from the shadows. (Those familiar with Julie's live-in partiers might recognize their faces under the markings.) They'll holler and scream for a moment, but then the doors will open, revealing the "temple" inside.


III | PARTY
In the main entrance to the club, the darkness is broken by crude torches lining the walls and support beams. More eerie carvings, larger and more intricate, are placed throughout the space; several have large gemstones for eyes, shimmering in the spare light. Skulls and bones, both human and not, litter the edges of the room, with piles taller than the average man in the corners. The remainder of Julie's Horizon-dwelling club kids are all dressed as tribal warriors of indeterminate origin (she's not out to mock any specific cultures, but she figures that shit like "face paint" and "bones" and "feathers" are generic enough) -- they all seem to be having a ball playing their roles for the night.

The bar is now hewn from stone, matching the rest of the carvings. As always, Steven the bartender is serving drinks, dressed to match theme. Tables contain a variety of food, much of which appears to be meat roasted on sticks, but, unnervingly, there's a huge platter of skulls and what appear to be raw human hearts. Look closely and you might notice them still beating. An "altar" bears several bowls, all of which hold drugs; cocaine, different types of pills, and of course, large amounts of cannabis products.

The dance floor is lit from below in stark white, casting unsettling shadows in every direction. From above hangs a disco ball shaped like a skull, bouncing the lights around disconcertingly. Behind the dance floor is an elevated throne crafted of bones, and this is where Julie herself can be found.

Happy Halloween.

Comments

Julie - OPEN

[princessvegas]

I | Arrival
[ As everyone finds their way into the temple, the lights seem to direct attention to the opposite side of the dance floor. On an elevated dais, there is a large throne made of bones. Sitting regally atop is Julie, in full jungle goddess mode. Her skin is painted gold from head to toe, although her hair remains pink, tied in two tightly braided tails that fall on each side of her neck.

Draped across her shoulders is another snake, this one a shimmering opalescent viper. Which is very real, actually, and entirely bonded to Julie. It will strike if you piss her off.

Despite the intensity of her costume, Julie is genuinely excited and happy to greet everyone, an odd dichotomy of her (sometimes overwhelming) bubbliness and her complete devotion to Halloween as a holiday. She heads eagerly into the crowd, all cheek kisses and hugs and warm welcomes. ]


II | Party
[ Julie is, as always, a consummate hostess. She moves through the room like she has a radar -- anyone who needs a drink is handed one, sometimes by her invisible third hand. Small plates of food are presented as soon as anyone begins to look uncomfortable or ill. Those who hover at the edges of the dance floor are found and breezily pulled onto it, drawn to dance with her whether they protest or not. She doesn't take no for an answer.

Anyone who seems unhappy, upset, or overwhelmed might be surreptitiously pulled into one of the small, secretive side rooms, where Julie will supply whatever is necessary to help. She's here to serve.

Sitting behind the bar with Steven, or occasionally carried by Julie as she roams, are four teacup-sized animals, three in costume; while her pocket kikimora requires no dressing up, the others -- a golden dragon, a black unicorn, and a tyrannosaurus rex -- are all dressed as tiny temple guards. ]


III | Done
[ As the party peters out and people make their way out, elements of the extensive decorations begin to slowly fade out of existence, back to the ordinary state of the club. The first parts to go turn back into the warehouse half of her domain, her loft becoming visible as it happens. Other pieces follow as Julie relaxes her hold on the Horizon's magic, allowing the space to revert.

Her partiers mill around, some still in costume. By morning, they will all be their regular selves again. Steven walks around and collects abandoned cups and plates.

Julie relaxes at the bar as this all takes place, drinking something neon orange and foaming. She looks a bit tired -- this level of continued manipulation is exhausting to maintain -- but otherwise satisfied, leaning back in her seat with her legs propped up on the bar, crossed at the ankles.

She doesn't make a point of pushing anyone out; she figures that the changes and lowered music should be enough. Besides, anyone who's still sober enough to want to keep partying can go do so in their own domain. But she's happy to speak with those who do remain, and will stay this way until everyone is gone, the doors all locking behind the final straggler so that she can release the magic entirely. ]

arrival

[nomnoms]

[ This time, Nanaue can read the original invitation all on his own!

The warning, however, is a little more difficult. He manages to pick out the words DO NO ATTACK.

(what actually helps is that his entire head is covered with a sheet, because he definitely tries to eat a monkey or two)

When he enters the temple proper all he can do is gawk. He doesn't recognize Julie behind her elaborate costume, and appears overwhelmed, his head turning back and forth beneath his sheet. ]

[princessvegas]

[ It's not exactly difficult to guess who might be under the sheet, given their height, shark-shaped head and exposed shark legs. Still, Julie's affection for Nanaue won't let her spoil his evening, even as she comes to relieve some of his stress.

Thankfully, the only way for Julie to truly hide her own identity is to remain completely silent. She approaches with a wide smile, and maybe the signature pink of her hair is enough of a clue for him, but if not, her distinct accent calls out to him. ]

Hey there, Scary Ghost! Happy Halloween!

[nomnoms]

[ It's true, he is able to identify Julie by the sound of her voice. Underneath his sheet he chortles in delight at her festive greeting, raising both arms high and saying in an unintentional near deadpan: ]

Boo!

[ But just to make sure he doesn't frighten her away, he lifts the sheet up so half his face is revealed. ]

It me! Heh heh heh... [ This isn't like the masquerade, he thinks, where everyone was supposed to hide who they really were beneath their masks. It's okay to let her know so that she's not too scared. He lowers the sheet again. ]

Fun party!

[princessvegas]

[ She gasps in response to his "Boo!", making her eyes big and round. Terrifying! The scariest!

But he lifts his sheet and she breaks back into a grin. Her snake, which has not so much as lifted its head to look Nanuae's way, curls around her neck and settles its head on her shoulder. It gives a lazy flick of its tongue in Nanaue's direction. ]

I'm glad you're havin' a good time. Have you ever celebrated Halloween before?

[nomnoms]

[ The snake's movement catches his attention, he turns his massive head so that he can get a better look at it through one of lopsided eyeholes he cut for himself.

Halloween, has he celebrated before... ? ]

Uhhh.... no?

[ An uncertain answer. He's never been in a Halloween party, not that he remembers, but considering how infrequently (never) he was invited to parties of any kind, maybe this is not such a surprise. Maybe he worked outside of one once, though.

His hand lifts to his 'chin', poking it with one finger. ]

No pump-kin?

[ Spooky ghosts and pumpkins are Halloween. He doesn't want to judge Julie's decorations, but he's a little confused about the setup... ]

[princessvegas]

[ She is not surprised to find that he has little experience with the holiday. What was he going to trick or treat for back home, the children? And his head is hardly conducive to bobbing for apples.

With a smile, Julie holds her hands up and conjures a mid-sized pumpkin, carved. It is also not shocking that the theme is a bit more conceptual than he might be used to. ]

Here you go, honey. The party is just to be scary, I make it different every year. Last year, it was a giant haunted mansion. But back in Cadens, I did lots of pumpkins and skulls and stuff!

[ If he doesn't take the pumpkin, which she would entirely understand, she just sets it on the nearest table. Her bartender appears nearby and presents her with a lime green cocktail. There's one for Nanaue too, although he can leave it if he wants. ]

Did you go to their Eifstide celebration in the [ cult ] commune? Y'know, they raised the dead up a few years back.

[nomnoms]

[ Oh! He takes the pumpkin, chuckling to himself: heh heh heh it me. But okay, different Halloween party. He nods slow, even though he doesn't quite understand the current theme itself.

He shuffles the pumpkin to one hand and takes the cocktail eagerly. Instead of lifting his sheet this time he just throws his head back and dumps the contents through: using Horizon logic (magic?) this somehow works. The liquid strains through the fabric, leaving a green stain behind where his mouth is.

Tasty! ]

Raise dead? [ Hmm. He is aware of a kind of celebration happening, but it's one of those sad, not fun ones. Nanaue shakes his head. No dead raising. ]

Nero say no eat dead.

[ Because... he did try. ]

[princessvegas]

Yeah, two years ago. Zombies, all across Abraxas, tryin' to attack.

[ Julie slept through most of it, as the dead didn't reanimate until after she was done with her first party, which had drained her to exhaustion. She spent that first Halloween night in a closet, holding the door closed with her invisible hand. It was a lot.

For a moment, she seems to consider Nero's command. He isn't wrong, but Julie can definitely see exceptions to this rule. ]

He's right, most of the time. But if the dead start gettin' up and walkin' around, then yeah, you can eat 'em.

[ That sounds defined enough for Nanaue. ]

iii.

[gynvael]

[ It's tradition for him to show, so he does. He doesn't mind being here, but it wasn't the party he came for the first time, and it isn't now. He arrives a little later in the night, quietly ducking the jumps and frights she's set up. A monkey attaches itself to his leg with a shrill howl before he firmly extricates it and sets it back amongst the trees.

Tonight, he's brought something special: a small friend, courtesy of Himeka. Atop its head is a curiously modern bike helmet, though he removed the visor when the troll failed to stop bumping into the walls. Its appearance matches the leather jacket Julie gave him some time ago, embroidered with the snarling wolf—which he's wearing with the same furry ears and tail he's stuck on since the first year. At least change your bloody shirt was Jaskier's complaint, and, mm. He has. Sort of. He put something new over his shirt.

In any case, he promised Himeka he'd show Shaggles some new sights. As much as he doesn't think it matters one fuck (this creature is not real), he imagines it has something of Himeka's subconscious inside it. Besides. Julie might like the troll. She seems to enjoy small and peculiar entities in the Horizon.

He roams idly for most of the night, discovers newly decorated drinks, and fishes Shaggles out of a bowl of edible cannabis, which he'll...not consider the implications. When the lights turn low, he finds Julie by the bar, troll perched on his shoulder. It's decidedly less imposing than her serpent. ]

I'm beginning to think we should introduce them.

[princessvegas]

[ Julie has the ability to know as soon as Geralt sets foot through the door, but another part of the tradition is that she leaves him to find her at the end of the night. When she's toasted and tired and high off her own success, that's when she wants to see him. Like a flourishing touch on the evening.

What she was not accounting for is whatever this strange little ball of fur is. So even though she turns to greet him with a wide grin, her attention immediately veers off course as she fixates on... the thing. ]

I didn't know you got a puppy, baby! [ That's what it is, right? She can't think of any other creature it resembles so much as a very odd, shaggy little mutt.

But it is quite surprising to her that Geralt would tote it around. Her snake stretches its neck out with interest, its tongue curiously flicking the air around the thing as she first reaches to touch Geralt's face for a quick kiss before she extends a hand to the... animal. Dog. Thing. ]

It's so cute! Your lil' doppleganger.

[gynvael]

[ He leans in at the same time she does, his hand going up to her cheek. The spectacle is a part of the event, but Geralt prefers when the lights turn low, and he can hear her heartbeat instead of the pulsing music. ]

I'm told he's a troll. I thought you'd like him. [ The main reason he brought it along. That, and Shaggles is—unlike pets in the real world—perfectly capable of looking after himself.

The troll's mouth splits wide into a fang-filled grin. It appears hypnotized by her snake's movements, which may or may not be because it consumed a sweet it should not have earlier. Geralt puts the creature onto Julie's extended palm, his eyes roaming over her. ]

Royalty suits you. [ He may have little interest in the holiday itself, but he does like seeing what she shows up as. The ears atop his head twitch. Her bartender slides him a drink without asking what he wants, something he stopped questioning a while ago. He brushes one of her braids. ] Though what does that make me?

[princessvegas]

A troll? [ She takes the creature, holding it under both of its flappy little arms and looking down at it. It really is a precious little thing, isn't it? ] We'd never in a million years call this lil' guy a troll back home! [ A doll spawns on his shoulder where the little beast previous sat. Her smirk suggests that she is aware how horrifying its appearance is. ] This is what we called a troll. Or else somethin' closer to like, an ogre.

[ Her head tilts, trying to discern exactly what level of intelligence she is looking at. Does it understand what they're saying? Is it like a dog or cat, can it recognize certain words? Associate them with actions? Toddler level, is it toddler level? She's worried it's fully sentient and what she is doing is akin to holding Danny DeVito up by the armpits and talking about him right in front of him. ] He got a name? Where'd he even come from? I can't really picture you makin' him.

[ Julie likes to think she knows him extremely well by now. Animals, especially in the Horizon, are something he seems to tolerate more than actually want. But maybe it came from his subconscious and he simply hasn't bothered to unmake it.

The snake gets closer, unsure of whether this is prey or another predator to be wary of. This thing is so far outside of her understanding that even her snake doesn't know what to make of it. ]

Hm. [ There's a level of satisfaction in her thoughtful hum; she's pleased that she pulled this off and pleased that he's with her now. ] What do you wanna be?

[gynvael]

[ Geralt plucks the newly spawned, and frankly hideous-looking, troll off his shoulder by the tip of its pointed hair. One eyebrow lifts while Julie studies the...other troll. The ogres he's met aren't so brightly coloured. Just as ugly, though.

He puts the doll down on the counter. Supposedly, Shaggles has desires and can communicate, but it only seems to do so in Himeka's presence. Possibly, this is because Geralt doesn't really know what its language is meant to sound like, never mind understand it, and as a result, it simply doesn't talk when it's with him. It appears intelligent enough to take hold of a straw from someone's abandoned drink and sip. ]

Himeka tells me his name is Shaggles. [ Geralt does not often speak of the many stray acquaintances he's collected, but he's probably brought up Himeka now and again as one of the few remaining Summoned who shared the dungeons with him from the beginning. ] He slipped into a bread basket and refused to leave.

[ That's the short of it. Julie is right that he has little interest in animals beyond his horse, but when they do end up in his life, he winds up...looking after them. Against his better judgment.

He lets out a quiet laugh. ] Certainly not a knight. Unless you'd like a forbidden courtship.

[princessvegas]

[ She peers into Shaggles's empty black eyes, still unclear as to how much it can understand, but then it decides it's drinking time, and she can't argue with that. Julie sets Shaggles on the counter next to the doll, with a glance toward Steven. Keep an eye on him is the implication, and Steven nods. ]

Well, that is how you meet pretty much all your friends. [ Her voice is light, teasing. ] Showin' up and refusin' to leave. You make it too easy.

[ Still grinning, she grabs his waistband and pulls him to her. ] I'm the queen of the goddamn jungle, I'll decide what's forbidden. [ Her neck cranes to look up at him, eyes dark. ] But I'm not much for knights, anyway. Too clean for my tastes.

[gynvael]

[ He makes a noise that says he wants to disagree but can't quite. Folk do just show up and refuse to leave, and Geralt never puts as much effort into pushing them out as his grumbling might indicate on the surface.

His smile levels into something softer. He cups her cheek and leans in to kiss her again, deeper, letting her pull him in close. The snake slithers nearby. After he gives her the little carved fox, he knows what he'll make next. ]

How does Your Majesty feel about wolves?

[ He does at least put a little effort into changing up the look of the wolf every year. He's even got claws and sharp teeth of his own now, though they're not yet out. ]

[princessvegas]

[ The snake, now creeping down the bar, pauses to look once more at Shaggles, then seems to give up on trying to understand; it instead curls in on itself, closes its eyes, and gently disintegrates into a handful of butterflies that flutter upward before dissolving.

Her hands slide up the front of his shirt, then lock behind his neck as she kisses him back. A deep, satisfied sigh escapes her when she opens her eyes again, keeping her arms around him. ]

Now a wolf, I might keep around for a good long while. [ She teasingly runs one finger on the edge of his "ear". ] Long as he minds his manners.

Nadine - Open

[nadine_he_loves]

Arriving

Okay, this is definitely different than the previous Halloween parties. Nadine never knows quite what to expect from Julie's parties. As she'd mentioned to Louis, she doesn't think she knows anyone more creative than Julie Lawry. The things she does with her domain are proof enough of that. It's always going to be spectacular, it's always going to be impressive.

Once again, she's managed to outdo herself. This amazing. And also intimidating. Her mind goes back to afternoon movies of her childhood, King Solomon's Mines and the like. Exciting but frightening at the same time. The same sort of feeling comes over her now. Possibly a bad year to wear heels. They can't even be seen under her dress.

Taking a deep breath, she shimmies her skirt up her legs so she can see her feet - and where she's putting them - and gingerly begins making her way along the path of stones.

Definitely a bad year to wear heels.

The Party

After the harrowing journey to the club itself, Nadine's just thankful to be on relatively trustworthy ground again. She's excited for tonight. Halloween's come to mean something to her, in her time in this world. She even picked her own costume tonight, the slinky and gothic black dress paired with red eyes and a pair of very real fangs. She'd had plenty of pointers from the real deal.

All of which will be put to use later. For now, she's enjoying the party. While staying away from the harder stuff, she'll often be found with a joint fitted into an elegant black and crystal cigarette holder. It's the little details. A lot of thought and effort went into her costume this year. Usually she just lets Julie pick it out for her. But this year's special.

Feeling boldened by both her outfit and the atmosphere - not to mention the cannabis - Nadine's more inclined to dance and chat and possibly even explore the complex decorations. It's a good night, and she feels good.

Why not live it up? That's what Halloween is for.

[cointosser]

Jaskier has absolutely no idea why the entrance to a party had to be just about the most terrifying thing he's had to travel through. At some point, between an entire snake dropping on him and almost tripping into what looked like a pit full of vines, he simply turns to his kestrel form and makes his way through the obstacles, skirting any wild screaming men and (EVEN FURTHER) snakes.

He'd like to go through this particular party without being eaten, thank you, and he is specifically spurred on by the promises Nadine has given him (mostly that it will be quite the surprise) in regards to her costume. He even promised not to peek.

By the time he's made it inside, he is no longer Jaskier anymore. It appears that Moglad seemingly has made his way to the party, but beelines straight for Nadine when he senses her -- with his pom glowing a bright blue, a small bard coat wrapped around his small, furry shoulders, and a (smaller) version of Jaskier's lute on his back.

A man gets a bit more used to transforming himself completely after the magic he's delved in. And this is a very funny joke.

The bard-moogle, fluttering in the air on his bat wings, gives Nadine a great sweeping bow, taking her hand in both of his small paws to bring up to kiss.] You look utterly beautiful tonight. Kupo. Splendidly dangerous. Jaskier will be so surprised, kupo!

[Obviously he already is. And in moogle form, he has absolutely no hesitation in taking all of her in... especially when he's so much smaller than her for a change.]

[nadine_he_loves]

What in the world....

At first perplexed, Nadine blinks. This is not what she'd expected, and it takes her a moment to realize. If nothing else, she is certainly caught off guard. That is some impressive dedication to the spirit of Halloween costumes.

"Jaskier's not the only one...."

She laughs in surprised delight, baring her very real for the moment fangs. Her transformation may not be as spectacular as his, but she's still proud of it. It's not the sort of thing she usually does, even in the Horizon.

"But I hope he's more than just surprised." All this was, in a sense, for him.

[cointosser]

He laughs in return, stumbling back mid-flight as he carts through the air, as if shocked by the appearance of her fangs. There's a puff of smoke, and Jaskier appears in the moogle's place, wearing a fuzzy white costume, and a pom, glowing blue, springing up from the center of his head. There's tiny -- working -- bat wings on his back, and his nails have turned into claws.

It's certainly not as sexy as his satyr costume, but he wanted Nadine to have that privilege tonight. Exclusively.

"I'm bewildered. Astounded. Flabbergasted, even." He smiles brightly, leaning in to kiss her -- to get a real taste of those fangs. They're hardly creatures unknown to him, being on the Continent too. And, you know, half of Alucard. But for Nadine... ooh. It suits her so well. "A vampire you may be, but only a beacon of life do I see."

[nadine_he_loves]

"Clearly, you're moved to poetry."

But she's grinning like a teenager when he pulls back from the kiss, fangs and all. Jaskier's costume may not be the sexiest, but it's cute. And there's something endearing about him going as his little Horizon friend.

"I'm glad you like it. Apparently I'm killing it, I got lessons from the real thing."

Nadine's voice drops as she leans in, close to his ear so he can hear her over the music and sounds of the party.

"All kinds of lessons."

In case he had any doubt that this costume was sticking around after the party.

[cointosser]

He would argue he is always onto poetry, but. Moglad is certainly not near as talented as himself. Nor any moogle he's learned about, apparently.

"You are absolutely killing it. And you did all of this?" Not with surprise, but genuine excitement. The fangs, the pallour, the dress and her hair... there's even a faint coolness to her touch that he swears is truly there.

He pauses a moment later -- "Wait, lessons? From "the real thing"?"

Jaskier swallows. Heavy. "Oh." It's almost a squeak.

"So... you've had your fun at the party already... yes?" So what if he only just got here?

[nadine_he_loves]

"Mmm-hmm. To both. Yes, I did it all myself this year, and yes, I talked to a vampire about it first." Probably not the sort of vampire Jaskier is familiar with, but...from everything Nadine was told, the sort of vampire he'd very much like to go home with. As much as it's his fantasy, she's looking forward to it, too. It had been described very sensually.

She laughs again.

"Wow, not even a lap to be seen together first?" But there's an affectionate tone to her teasing. They both know she's not much of a party person, and tends to slip off early either way.

"We can head out whenever you want. I...prepped my domain."

[cointosser]

To be fair, his only company to be considered a vampire is Alucard, and Alucard -- bless him -- could not have possibly anything helpful to say in how to be a vampire and very sexy. He sort of gets away with it by being naturally good-looking.

He laughs back, and there's a faint pink to his cheeks. It's absolutely excitement.

"I think I can manage that, but not if you tell me any details on what you've done to your domain." He knows he isn't that strong, because Nadine has... particular ideas, and they are often very, very good ones. "You're making me feel very underdressed, and I think if I am to feel underdressed, I may as well be undressed."