Twelfth Night Party, Pontmercy style!

[lark_in_flight]

You -- yes, you, whoever you are -- got an invitation to the party. All of Milliways is welcome!

If you choose to come, you'll find Bar directing you to a big round tent that went up this afternoon on the lawn outside the bar. Marius and Cosette and various friends spent a lot of time this morning ferrying decorations in, and the waitrats spent a lot of time in the afternoon ferrying food in, but the doors won't officially open until close to sunset.

But this isn't a cheap white plastic tent, oh no. It's warm and domed and made of thick fabric, something like a very large yurt. A bit of magic keeps out the drafts, making everything extra cozy.

There's a fire in the middle of the floor, with a low screen encircling it but also magic meaning that this fire puts of warmth but will not actually burn anything, even if you step right into it. The floor is wood -- great for dancing, if you feel like it! There's a piano over against the wall for anyone who wants to make some music.

Everywhere there are garlands of European evergreen branches and herbs, studded with bright dried fruit and sparkling ornaments. (Mistletoe might very well be among them, though the Pontmercies haven't thought to supply that as an intentional party game.) There are candles and lanterns everywhere, and a big chandelier. There are no electric lights at all -- it's all fire -- but a good number of them are magical, so that nothing's going to get set on fire or covered with smoke. The general intended impression is of genteel, welcoming festivity, in a very French and very early 19th century European way.

There are food and drinks galore. Come in and enjoy the party!

[OOC: Party-style post! Subthreads for various categories and activities, etc. Open from now until whenever!

Edit: As of Joly's arrival, Cosette now has a mini-polaroid camera. Fear, Milliways. Feel free to assume that she's popped up to take a candid picture of your character(s) at any point, as long as they're not doing or wearing anything scandalous! She will happily give the resulting picture to your character if they want; it probably won't be a very good picture, in terms of composition or focus, but it will be cheerfully enthusiastic.]

Comments

Drinks!

[lark_in_flight]

What's a Twelfth Night party without punch? Boring, that's what!

Marius and Cosette have, perhaps foolishly, asked Lesgle and Bahorel to make punch. They know their way around a boozy punchbowl! Which is why both kinds of punch are delicious, extremely strong, and occasionally (intentionally) on fire.

But there's also a Bar-produced bowl of non-alcoholic punch, labeled as such. It too is fruity and hot and delicious! (This one's not on fire.)

There's hot mulled wine, and bottles of regular unmulled wine, and juice and tea and coffee and water and eggnog (boozy and otherwise) and basically every sort of festive beverage you might want.

Re: Drinks!

[not_his_pa]

While William was in the stables, he noticed the preparations and once his work was over walked over. He kind of wishes that he had a nicer outfit and he might change after warming up. The punches look like something out of the best kind of book illustration and he pours himself a measured cup.

Re: Drinks!

[heartbeneathastone]

"Do help yourself," Marius says, because it seems like a hostly thing to say. But-- right, William has just-- helped himself.

Right.

(why is this so hard)

Re: Drinks!

[not_his_pa]

"Thank you, I'm sorry I'm not dressed up enough. I came from the stables and saw all the set up. I'm William Evans," He offers his hand and hopes its not too dirty, maybe he should bow or something.

Re: Drinks!

[clayforthedevil]

"William! How's the punch?" Bahorel answers his own question by taking a cup from the bowl that's clearly alcoholic but also not on fire, sips it, and makes a face. "--He's gone soft. Ah well." That's what we smuggle flasks into parties for!

"--Is it still holding winter in your America, or have the seasons slipped by since the last time I saw you?"

Re: Drinks!

[not_his_pa]

"Warmin' up and yes, its still winter at home and it always takes its time leavin'. How are you doin'?" Its strong enough for him.

Re: Drinks!

[clayforthedevil]

Wait, is the fire on that bowl of punch dying down? Bahorel pulls a flask out of his pocket and adds something to the punch that ensures it flares up again dramatically, and makes the air smell a bit like spiced apples.

Bahorel himself isn't quite as bright as the punch- he's still wearing something like half-mourning, with only flashes of color--but he is, apparently, on fire, thanks to a wreath of ivy that seems to be blazing merrily on his head, thanks to a few conversations with bored and technologically-inclined friends.

He's got an eye out for anyone he may want to talk to, and is quite sure that anyone who wants to find him will have no trouble.

Re: Drinks!

[tu_vas_triompher]

Feuilly is really not hanging out by the drinks. But he does come up for a drink, and stands long enough thinking about it to spot Bahorel. Who is on fire.

So he makes as if to thwack him on the head. "Eh, watch it, I'd better put you out!"

(He's in good spirits, but nowhere near as festive-looking as Bahorel. He'd put on his good black coat, the one he'd gotten from Bar soon after dying; he has a portfolio under one arm.)

Re: Drinks!

[clayforthedevil]

"Ah, I am under attack!" Bahorel laughs and pulls him into a one armed hug for a moment. "--And that's as much of a fight as I'm likely to see at this party, I think." Only a little regret in that comment, and no surprise. He's been to Nice parties before. "How are you finding it?"

Re: Drinks!

[pro_patria_mortuus]

oh geez Bahorel your headdress got too close to a cand--

Yeah, no, wait. That is distinctly intentional amount of fire, and the very familiar look of Bahorel looking sartorially satisfied rather than distressed by his head being on fire.

This is, besides, a pun even Enjolras catches fast.

So when he comes over, it's a little bit for a drink (not of the flaming punch), but mostly in order to direct affectionately sardonic eyebrows at Bahorel.

Re: Drinks!

[clayforthedevil]

Bahorel grins. "Joly made it. In exchange for agreement to some harsh terms, alas, but you see, he's developing quite the sense of style."

Bahorel does have a cup of the flaming punch, topping the bowl back off with more alcohol. Good call on choice of drinks, Enjolras.

Re: Drinks!

[tire_moi_mes_bottes]

As soon as Lesgle sees Bahorel looking like he might be adjusting punch recipes, he sets about making another bowl--and he'll be hovering over this one to keep an eye on it.

Some people might accuse him of respectability; they might even be right; but he'd been really rather touched that the Pontmercys would trust him with this important task, and he'd come up with a recipe carefully calibrated to the occasion. It's even got lemon peel carved into little bird-wing shapes, just for Cosette!

...don't worry, his calibration-to-suit-a-Cosette-party is still much stronger than the Pontmercys ever envisioned.

Re: Drinks!

[lark_in_flight]

Cosette is going to come bustling up to him in a spare moment, when the flow of arrivals has died down somewhat.

"M. Lesgle! Oh, it looks lovely! It's really beautiful. Just the perfect festive touch, thank you ever so much."

Of course it's a pleasantry, but it's quite a genuine one. The punch is lovely -- the little lemon bird-wings! -- and she really does appreciate it, and what's a Christmas party without punch? A sadly lacking party, that's what.

Re: Drinks!

[tire_moi_mes_bottes]

Lesgle bows deeply to her, a wholly amiable caricature of Good Society. "I should thank you, Madame; nothing pleases an old soldier like a post of honor." And he really looks honored! "You will try a little cup, won't you?"

Re: Drinks!

[starrydome]

Elrond walks up to the table and looks over the options.

Such variety.

Such festive flames.

Re: Drinks!

[likeroaringlions]

Drinks? Right, well, that's where William will be! He's a little puzzled by the rest of the party--a little put off, really--but the invitation had popped up when he asked the Bar for something to drink, so--here he is.

It's not so bad, really. There's probably girls or something!

Re: Drinks!

[wings_of_a_swan]

Combeferre, dressed in his nicest clothes, arrives at the party carrying a large pitcher filled with a red liquid that seems to have green sparkles in it if you stare into it for long enough.

It is (1) extremely alcoholic; (2) made in his still, with Courfeyrac's gleeful assistance; and (3) magic. Combeferre has put a spell on it.

Conscientiously, he has stuck a label on the pitcher.

WARNING: CONTENTS ARE MAGIC. IF DRUNK, IT WILL NOT ONLY INTOXICATE, BUT WILL MAKE YOU GLOW AND SPARKLE.

Help yourselves, everyone!

Re: Drinks!

[clayforthedevil]

Inadvisably applied liquor! Hurrah!

"Very dramatic, Combeferre!--Did you two try it out first?" Bahorel asks, already filling a cup without waiting for an answer.

Re: Drinks!

[wings_of_a_swan]

"Oh, yes," Combeferre says. "Extensively. And we gave some to Enjolras."

Re: Drinks!

[not_the_second]

"Why, Mr Combeferre!" Mr Segundus says enthusiastically. "Have you created this yourself?"

His Christmas finery looks suspiciously exactly the same as what he usually wears, but he has tucked a little sprig of holly into his hatband, in deference to the season.

Re: Drinks!

[wings_of_a_swan]

"M. Segundus! It is very good to see you, and merry Christmas! --and yes, I did make this."

He can't help beaming as he says it.

Re: Drinks!

[i_am_your_host]

Emcee makes a rather quiet and demure beeline for the drinks table. After thoroughly browsing all the beverage choices available, flaming and otherwise (he is strongly drawn to the flaming), he spots the pitcher with the warning label.

He immediately makes an I NEED DIS face.

And gets an empty glass to fill.

Re: Drinks!

[wings_of_a_swan]

"Enjoy," says Combeferre, raising his own glass and getting ready to glitter.

Re: Drinks!

[merryeccentricities]

Well obviously Joly has to try it!

It's not bad...whatever sort of alcohol it is! And it feels sparkly, so now Joly knows what that feels like. He's willing to take his time on seeing if it works. Science demands patience! And maybe a second cup!

Re: Drinks!

[jonathanparagon]

Jonathan is at the drinks table, trying to make a choice from such a lot available.