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

Re: Meet and Greet

[freedom_is_grey]

"Serah Cosette, if I have that right?"

Serah translates a bit crookedly to 'Lady', for what that's worth. Ysalwen is not about to use Orlesian, so Free Marches terminology it is!

"I'm pleased I was able to make it, as well. As is Liranan."

Liranan yips cheerfully, tail wagging out a ferocious rhythm, only partially against Ysa's hip.

"Your guests are all enjoying themselves, it seems, which is quite a task. Well done."

Re: Meet and Greet

[lark_in_flight]

It's a funny, foreign-sounding not-quite-right title, but it's Milliways, so Cosette says gamely, "Close enough! It's Madame, you know, but that works too if you like."

"And, oh, your dog is all dressed up too! Paint, what a marvelous idea!" What a messy-sounding idea, honestly, but apparently it works for Liranan, and the result is charming, anyway. Mock-solemnly, she says to the mabari, "Merry Christmas to you too, monsieur." (Tu. He's a pet.)

"And oh, thank you! I can only claim a little credit, you know, Bar was wonderful. We couldn't have done half of this, we couldn't have done anything at all, without her. And the rest is Milliways. There are so many lovely people here, it was really our privilege to arrange a party for you all."

She means every bit of this, but she's also seventeen and basking in the joyful satisfaction of Doing Hosting Right, right down to polite demurrals of all the copious work she put in.

Re: Meet and Greet

[freedom_is_grey]

"On the off chance the tent catches on fire, Liranan will be well-prepared to withstand the blaze."

To rescue people, of course.

"Not that that's likely at all to occur, but -- old habits."

She grins, then.

"Milliways does have a great many interesting people. It's -- nice."

Re: Meet and Greet

[lark_in_flight]

It's not likely to occur, but all the same Cosette crosses herself reflexively at the suggestion.

"Oh, no, it's -- that would be horrible! But no, you see, Mme Bar suggested magic to prevent such a thing. All the candles here, that fire, all of it, it won't set a thing on fire. Only its own wood and wax, and the light, that's all. I tell you, I wish we had such a thing at home. Of course it's not so hard to avoid tragedy, it only takes a little care, but all the same it happens, and I wish it wouldn't."

Wait.

"But what does Li -- Liranan, is that right? -- what does he have to do with such a thing?"

Re: Meet and Greet

[freedom_is_grey]

"Oh! Um."

Ysalwen works very hard not to fidget at all.

"I'm glad Bar was able to provide the right sort of materials for you. As for Liranan -- he accompanies me in battle, and we've fought a few dragons in our time. The fire breath is -- well. He's knocked me out of it a time or two. So a tent fire is probably not much in comparison."

Re: Meet and Greet

[lark_in_flight]

Cosette is entirely wide-eyed.

"Dragons!"

Dragons!

What do you even say to that? It's absurd, and it's marvelous, and it's nearly impossible to square with the slight woman and stocky dog in front of her, living and breathing and not looking at all like (for example) Saint George.

"How--"

What--

No, she'll take things in stride, she won't make this awkward for either of them. (Too late, but she's trying; she gathers herself and her words.) "Well, he's certainly a valiant soul! What a good dog! Your pardon, mademoiselle, I had no idea. I knew you worked magic, I knew you were valiant, but I had no idea your land was so full of marvels."

Re: Meet and Greet

[freedom_is_grey]

"Beautiful and terrible ones, and often the two are mixed. It's -- "

She laughs, quick and bright.

"Sometimes it even surprises the terminally unflappable here, which -- I'm not sure I should be proud about, but there you are."

Liranan, meanwhile, wags his tail a little harder, panting cheerfully. He may also approach Cosette to see if she will scritch his ears. He is a good dog! She called him valiant!

Re: Meet and Greet

[lark_in_flight]

"You are a lovely lad," she tells him, "but I don't want to muss your paint, or ruin my gloves -- will I?" That's with a glance at Ysalwen.

Her gloves are, for the record, white lace. Because of course they are. Her dress is in deep green, and her golden-brown hair is in a more intricate topknot than usual above its side ringlets (thanks, Fantine!) with a small fake bird and a sprig of ivy nestled in it.

"I can't imagine anyone being so unflappable as to not be surprised any longer! The world contains so much. And then Milliways! Well, Milliways, what can one say? There's so very much."

She has thoughts about beauty and terror and marvels, but they're unformed ones, and uncertain, and she doesn't know what she wants to say about it enough to attempt saying it. Especially at a party, where she feels a hostess's duty is to be cheerful at everyone.

Re: Meet and Greet

[freedom_is_grey]

"You shouldn't. The paint is much like armor, it's -- not made to come off outside of certain situations."

So.

"Though don't feel obliged if you would rather not. Liranan will cope."

Dogfully.

"Do you have a favorite thing you've seen while you've been here? I'm curious."

Re: Meet and Greet

[lark_in_flight]

"Why, how useful! Yes, all right, mon brave, if you stay down on the ground like a well-behaved fellow." This last is, of course, to Liranan, as she starts to scratch him delicately behind the ears.

"What an interesting question." And a very pleasant one; she's contemplating it now, as she scratches, and all the options are lovely.

"Something I've seen, a marvelous sight, not something wonderful that's happened to me? I think I would have to say... either Lord Elrond, or those wonderful cameras and their videos."

Re: Meet and Greet

[freedom_is_grey]

Liranan is very polite, and even sits down so that he can reassure Cosette that he is not about to leap up.

(Though he does also lean his head into the scratches, because scratches!!)

"I suppose you could choose something wonderful that happened to you, as well, if you like."

Ysa grins after Cosette's answer, regardless.

"Elrond is something to see, indeed. Oh, is that what you're carrying? The little pink -- in your hand, there."

Re: Meet and Greet

[lark_in_flight]

"It is! Well, a camera -- I don't think it does the moving videos. Isn't it sweet? M. Joly, he's a dear friend of my husband's, a wonderful doctor, he gave it to us."

To Cosette, let's be real. But he didn't bring a separate present for Marius, and Cosette fully intends to keep going you try, you try! at her husband until he either starts enjoying it or decides he doesn't want to anymore, so officially it's to both of them.

"Would you like a photograph of yourself? Or this brave fellow?"

Re: Meet and Greet

[freedom_is_grey]

"Oh, Joly! He is quite a lovely man. We've spoken of inventions a time or two. He's sweet."

Very sweet. And smart!

"I would be obliged, if you wouldn't mind? Of he and I together, perhaps?"

Liranan yips cheerfully, tail wagging, as he also takes a moment to lick Ysalwen's hand with glee. Pictures!

Re: Meet and Greet

[lark_in_flight]

"Yes, of course!"

Cosette will be so delighted to oblige. This miraculous new toy is the best thing ever!

So: picture time!!

Cosette isn't really used to cameras, from either side. So she doesn't count to three, or say say cheese!, or anything like that. She just puts the camera to her eye -- realizes she needs to back up somewhat, and does so -- and then fumbles for the button. Ta-da!

It's going to be a little blurry, and the composition will leave something to be desired. But Cosette hands over the little slip of black paper with beaming pride, and comes around to the side so that she can watch the picture develop with them.

She's totally not tired of this yet.