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: Food!

[cook_the_rude]

"It's even better than I thought it would be," Lecter continues, taking a second piece.

Re: Food!

[street_sparrow]

"Good. I'm sure they'd be pleased to hear it."

Re: Food!

[cook_the_rude]

"I don't think I should talk to Cosette, actually," Lecter says, quietly. "But you might confer my general impressed gratitude when you speak with her."

Re: Food!

[street_sparrow]

Gavroche eyes him.

"...I know there are things you shouldn't tell her, and so do you. But you can't make polite conversation?"

Re: Food!

[cook_the_rude]

"I think Jean Valjean is still strong enough to tear me into two parts with his bare hands," Dr. Lecter says, almost archly.

Re: Food!

[street_sparrow]

"Did he say he would for talking to her? Or if you hurt her?"

He knows which he finds easier to believe.

Re: Food!

[cook_the_rude]

"He did not," LEcter says. "Jean Valjean doesn't make that kind of threat. But he wants me away from Cosette more than anybody else in the entire multiverse."

Re: Food!

[street_sparrow]

"He doesn't want the slightest bit of harm to come to her", Gavroche agrees. "All right, I'll pass on your compliments."

Re: Food!

[cook_the_rude]

"I do respect that, you know," Dr. Lecter says. "Quite independent from the fact that Valjean has the strength to back up anything he says, even if he rarely chooses to do so."

Re: Food!

[street_sparrow]

He nods. "If his strength could save her from ever having to be unhappy at all, he wouldn't think twice."

Re: Food!

[cook_the_rude]

"If piranhas feasting on his flesh could save her from ever having to be unhappy again, he'd be happy to allow himself to be eaten alive," Dr. Lecter says. "Not factoring in how much she would miss him."

Pause.

"So, I will be good and stay away from her."

Re: Food!

[street_sparrow]

Gavroche smiles a little.

"And since it will make her happy to know people liked the food..."

Re: Food!

[cook_the_rude]

"I am collecting Valjean bonus points, so to speak," Lecter says, smiling.

Re: Food!

[street_sparrow]

"Not that you'd be doing it just for that, or anything."

Re: Food!

[cook_the_rude]

"No," Lecter says. "I'm just being careful. And a little facetious."

Re: Food!

[street_sparrow]

Gavroche chuckles. "Wouldn't expect anything less."

Re: Food!

[cook_the_rude]

"I'm me, after all," Dr. Lecter says. "So, what else should I try?"

Re: Food!

[street_sparrow]

"Everything you have the appetite for", Gavroche says cheerfully. "Everything human-compatible."

Re: Food!

[cook_the_rude]

"I am trying that," Dr. Lecter says, "but is there anything else you personally, as a former contemporary, can recommend?"

Re: Food!

[street_sparrow]

"Oh, it's been so long, but..." He points. "The beef stew's very good."

Re: Food!

[cook_the_rude]

"Is that like boeuf bourguignon?" Lecter asks.

Re: Food!

[street_sparrow]

"Something like it. There's only so many variations on beef stew."

Re: Food!

[cook_the_rude]

"I should cook you some Japanese nikujaga some day, then," Dr. Lecter says.

But he does get a small bowl of the stew.

Re: Food!

[street_sparrow]

"Any time you want. What's so different about nikujaga?"

Re: Food!

[cook_the_rude]

"It is Japanese autumn stew," Lecter says, "with common ingredients like beef, carrots, potatoes, onions and whatever vegetables you happen to have at hand, but with a uniquely Japanese taste."