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

[lark_in_flight]

"You know, I don't know. I haven't decided yet. I certainly can't bring them home! There's nothing at all like this, anyone who saw them would be amazed. I suppose I might hang them up, or make a little scrapbook of them."

Pressed flowers and polaroids!

Re: Meet and Greet

[i_am_your_host]

"Oh, a scrapbook is a splendid idea," he says encouragingly. "Mementos of your very own Christmas party at Milliways. I should think that will be very special for you and your husband to look back on."

Re: Meet and Greet

[lark_in_flight]

"Yes, I think so. I think perhaps I'll do that."

And then she can make it super pretty and decorated, and flip through it and bask in happy memories!

"But if anyone wants a picture of themselves, I'll happily give it to them too. Would you like either of these, monsieur? Or to take another -- what was it, a selfie?"

Re: Meet and Greet

[i_am_your_host]

"It sounds like a pleasant project to occupy your spare time," he suggests.

"And-- thank you, I suppose I would like a keepsake from this evening. I-- if I may be honest with you, Madame, I actually have not ventured out of my room here for a while after recovering from an injury, so-- finding your invitation at the Bar tonight was exactly what I needed to lift my spirits. And I thank you for that."

He smiles warmly, sincerely, with a little bow of his head.

"So I think another selfie is definitely in order-- taken by you, perhaps?"

Re: Meet and Greet

[lark_in_flight]

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry to hear of your injury!" she cries, in immediate warm sympathy. "How awful. I'm glad you're recovering, I hope you're quite well very soon. The doctors here are wonderful, you know. When my father was very ill, M. le docteur Joly worked wonders for him. But oh, I am glad you came, I'm so very glad if my party could be a comfort to anyone."

And she is, she is. She wanted to cheer people, give them a lovely evening, give them a little treat. Cosette always wants everyone to be well and happy.

"I don't think my selfie will be half as skillfully done as yours, but yes, certainly, let me try. Here, like this?" She holds the camera out at arm's length, with only a little trial and error to hold it so the button's handy.

With a teasing dimple, she mimics him: "Smile, monsieur! Three, two, one!"

Their heads will mostly be in frame.

Re: Meet and Greet

[i_am_your_host]

Oh, goodness, she really is the most precious thing. Emcee didn't think it was possible to be doubly charmed by her, but it happened.

"I do so appreciate your concern, Madame," he says with another gracious little dip of his head. "I am indeed feeling better thanks to the care I received here, but while the body has healed, there is still work to do on the soul--which, I think, has been already greatly improved by the prospects of an enjoyable evening, and of course, the pleasure of meeting you."

Ever the consummate flatterer!

As Cosette holds up the camera, Emcee positions himself beside her in much the same prudent way as before, uttering a bright chuckle at her instruction just when the shutter clicks.

"Oh, I'm sure that was a perfectly good shot!"

The photo fades into view, revealing Cosette's dimpled, teasing expression and about three quarters of Emcee's laughing face. The rest of the photo shows the fire just behind them, blazing away in a warm glow.

"Ah, you see, it is! You've captured the moment quite nicely. Thank you. I shall indeed look back at this and remember this night."

Re: Meet and Greet

[lark_in_flight]

"Oh, no, it's terrible!" she cries, but she's laughing aloud, entertained rather than distressed. "Your poor ear, your poor chin, entirely gone! What a butcher I am, oh dear."

If she tries again more or less the same thing will probably happen. It takes a certain amount of practice to get good at selfies without a screen.