chef_chocobro | The Far Less Creepy and Far From Abandoned Mansion in the Woods; Friday Afternoon/Evening [06/27].

Entry tags:

The Far Less Creepy and Far From Abandoned Mansion in the Woods; Friday Afternoon/Evening [06/27].

When the guests arrived, they would, of course, be instructed to find their way to the garden conservatory; the subtle decorations both inside the mansion and through the exterior gardens would guide most people to there, and, barring that, the steward was naturally on hand to provide and escort. There, they would find a scene that seemed almost a stark contrast to the dark and brooding decor of a necromancer, a place filled with light and life, with plants both decorative and functional, colorful and aromatic and useful, and, of course, no lack of the expected gothic or Victorian touches here and there. Somewhere, some cleverly situated water fixture babbled steadily along with the light, inobtrusive music that set the atmosphere: something elevated just slightly above casual, that slight touch of pretentiousness that was gentle in its demands for propriety and decorum and class. Comfortable chaises and chairs were arranged here and there sociably, a gathering a wrought-iron bistro tables and chairs as well, but the set-up seemed to suggest the kind of floating interactions of butterflies among flowers, drifting from one to the next with an airy regard.

And, of course, the spread of food was exceptional, lighter fair, but plenty of it, things that could be enjoyed while fluttering about with the other guests in one hand, while the other held a glass of fine wine or sparkling water garnished with fresh fruits or even a robust coffee or a floral cup of tea. Small sandwiches and crostini, bruschetta and other variations, but there were also empanadas with a chimichurri sauce, paella with scallops, pomegranate pork kebabs...

Spring rolls, summer rolls, smoked salmon cucumber rolls...

And of course, desserts, which would include alfajores dulce de leche, coffee truffles, fruit crostini, and key lime mini pies.

Needless to say, no one should be wanting for food. Just be careful not to fill up on treats too much if you plan to stay on later; there was still plenty of dancing to be had, once the party moved itself to the awaiting ballroom.

[[ ~~naturally, ocd incoming~~ ocd is up! Come and celebrate with us! ]]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

Lydia had just the thing for a garden party and wasn't about to turn down the opportunity to wear it.

And to celebrate Miss Vess and Professor Scientia's engagement, of course, yes, yes, felicitations and whatnot.

"Oh, Lydia!" Luma was approaching her with veritable hearts in her eyes. "I am absolutely in love with your dress!"

The soft colors, the flowing skirt, the little detail of the ruffle against the collarbones on the sleeves! Could she possibly be mistaken for Eleanor right now? Because she was sure she was turning positively green with envy right now!

"Miss Zarrin! Thank you," Lydia told her with a smile. "You look lovely as well! That's a very pretty color. How have you been? I see you in class, of course, but we haven't had the chance to talk. I hope you're settling in well?" Having her sister here must be such a help and comfort, Lydia thought.

Edited 2025-06-27 16:53 (UTC)

To one of them, perhaps. The other might have a strongly different opinion.

"I have been settling in, thank you," she said, the mood of the party having her beaming as brightly as she could while also being mindful of her teeth. This could all, of course, change on a dime at the first whiff of discord, but for now, she was just sort of entranced with the whole experience. "It's still a little strange sometime, being so different from what I'm used to, but I have been enjoying myself, and learning so many things, too! I could probably do without whatever that's supposed to be at the park on Wednesday, but Eleanor keeps insisting on dragging me to them.

"How about yourself?"

"Oh, yes, that business at the park is...well. I suppose it does keep Dean Skywalker occupied. I try to avoid it myself but sometimes I simply find myself in the wrong place at the wrong time, I suppose.

"And yes, I know what you mean about it still being strange. It certainly is to me, and I've been here a year and a half now! And as to how I am, I'm quite well, thank you. It's my birthday tomorrow, you know," she added, oh so casually.

Listen. If there was anyone on the island who could appreciate attending a party to show off first and care about the hosts second, it was Liliana.

"Hello Lydia, darling," Liliana said. "Ah, wonderful, you've arrived. Hold on just a moment, darling, won't you?" A mental summons to her steward and a minute later, Liliana was offering Lydia a small, wrapped box. "I believe it's your birthday soon? Here, a small gift from Ignis and I, in thanks for your efforts with Supper Club."

"Oh!" Lydia exclaimed as she took the box. "Thank you, Miss Vess! I didn't think anyone knew!" Or remembered, as she was vaguely sure she'd told a few people about her birthday last summer, but, well, that was last summer. Who could remember that long ago? "It's tomorrow, actually--I'll be twenty, you know--but there's some sort of rainbow festival tomorrow and all. Little old me couldn't possibly compete."

She could wish she could, but she knew deep down that was rather silly of her.

"But you really shouldn't be giving me gifts at your party..." She wasn't making any effort to hand the box back, though.

Nonsense, darling. Shift your thinking around. You're not making the rainbow festival compete with you.

"You mentioned to Ignis at last week's Supper Club that your birthday was the day after our party," Liliana said, because she honestly never would have known otherwise. "And nonsense, darling, it's my party. Which means I get to do what I want."

Which was different from all those other times and reasons she did as she pleased, honest.

"And what I - well, we - wanted was to give you a gift."

Lydia very much doubted that Professor Scientia thought of her that much, but she wasn't about to say that. Who knew? Perhaps it was her father issues speaking.

"Oh, well, I thank you," Lydia said as she unwrapped the box. "That was very kind of you to--oh, Miss Vess! How lovely!"

And entirely too much, by the standards of propriety of Lydia's day, but you didn't see Lydia about to protest.

Liliana exemplified the phrase 'too much,' and now moreso with Ignis, so why shouldn't their gifts?

"Oh you're welcome, darling," Liliana said with a slight wave of her hand to indicate that Lydia should think nothing of it. "You've spent how long herding cats to make sure we have somewhere to meet every Thursday? A few--" 'few' "--diamonds are a fitting sign of appreciation."

Ignis? Not think of the person who gave him a reason to go out and be social every week? Over his favorite (non-Liliana) thing? Tch, hardly.

'Few.' Well. If Liliana was that rich, Lydia was hardly going to complain about benefitting. (See? Totally selfish and vain!)

"Well," Lydia said. "I thank you very much," and would be writing an actual thank you note to that effect, her mother didn't raise a total savage. "Do you suppose they would go with this dress...?" Lydia knew perfectly well you weren't supposed to wear diamonds in the daytime, but! Look at them!

"Darling, what don't diamonds go with?"

Wait, who made up the rule you couldn't wear diamonds in the daytime? No, no, it's okay, Liliana just wanted to talk. While she wore whatever she goddamned well pleased.

"I think having your face framed by a little more sparkle would be quite fetching, actually."

"I suppose you're right," Lydia agreed. "I was always taught they shouldn't be worn until evening--they sparkle so nicely in candlelight, don't you find? But it seems that rule has gone by the wayside over the years, and I should like to try these on." So pretty!

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

deathsmajesty - 2025-06-28 00:44 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

mustbeawitch - 2025-06-28 00:58 (UTC) - Expand

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

deathsmajesty - 2025-06-28 02:28 (UTC) - Expand

And if he knew that the presentation of such a lovely new dress was of the utmost precedence to Lydia, Ignis would offer his apologies for being a unable to appreciate it to its full capacity.

She would, instead, have to settle for his appreciation for her attendence.

"Miss Bennet," he greeted her warmly with his usual reverent nod, "welcome. And thank you so much for joining us this afternoon."

It really was a shame, Ignis, it was such a lovely dress.

"Professor Scientia," Lydia said with a curtsey. This dress was so good for it, all right, even if he couldn't see it. "Thank you ever so much for inviting me to share in your happiness, sir."

There was something in Lydia's choice of the word happiness that shifted Ignis' expression ever so slightly, that softening glow behind his now more frequent smiles, that was likely to be happening all day, well into the evening, and quite possibly trailing off through the entire weekend to follow. "The more, the merrier," he said, "to borrow a phrase, and it's been far too long since we've had the opportunity to entertain, besides. All the better to have such a momentous reason to do so."

"I do think those of you with the space to entertain have some responsibility to host the rest of us from time to time," Lydia teased, "or at least that was how it was in my time. What's the point of a ballroom if you're not having a ball in it?" Tony.

"You are very good at this," Rey greeted her.

A little jealous? Maybe.

"At what?" Lydia asked, confused. "Coming to parties? I must admit it's a pastime I'm rather fond of..."

"Fitting into the parties," Rey said. "You look terrific."

"You know me!" Lydia laughed. "I do so love a party! And thank you." She swished her skirts a bit. "It seemed like just the thing for this event."

Even though, honestly, most of Lydia's dresses could be worn to a modern garden party and fit in just fine.

"Have you been to this kind of party before?" Rey asked.

"Not quite," Lydia allowed. "I've heard of the upper classes having such parties, but in Hertfordshire our outdoor gatherings are more like picnics. It's quite fun, though, isn't it?"

"It is. I've never really considered that there are different kinds of fancy, but this is a new one." Which took getting used to! But it was fun.

"There are many types of fancy," Lydia informed her. "Why, at home, girls who are to be presented at court must wear the most ridiculous dresses you ever saw! You'd never wear it again anywhere else!"