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

[chef_chocobro]

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! ]]

Comments

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[imafuturist]

Tony had a wide selection of suits to pick from because, well, Tony. But he'd settled on a pink seersucker suit for the weather.

And it was close enough to red for him. Look, following a color scheme was just how life was sometimes!

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana understood that perfectly! It wasn't their fault that some colors just spoke to them in ways that defied understanding! And it had the completely random and unforeseen side effect of making them so immediately recognizable!

"Tony, darling, you must stop being so attractive. It's my party, everybody's attention is supposed to be on me."

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[imafuturist]

It was normal and reasonable! Exactly!

"I'm only a candle flame against your radiance," Tony assured her, holding out a hand for her to take.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[deathsmajesty]

"Weeeeell...I suppose it would be rude of me to argue with a guest..." Liliana said with a laugh. "And we both know I would never do something like that." She took the proffered hand, eyes sparkling. "Tony, darling, how are you?"

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[imafuturist]

"Abuzz with plans," Tony said brightly. "This is the first year in ages that Steve has allowed me to throw him a birthday party."

Which was simply cruel of him. Also self-defense.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[deathsmajesty]

"That's wonderful, darling," she said. "Well done! I got to throw Ignis a small party last year and I'm fairly certain that's the last one I'll get for years." Ugh, why didn't either of them appreciate being celebrated appropriately? And why did that mean that she and Tony had to suffer?

Because obviously that was the most important thing here.

"However did you convince him?" Was it something she could steal for herself?

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[imafuturist]

"I think he's humoring me, but I'll still take it," Tony admitted. "And he's seen how much I've missed parties."

Weirdo that he was for it.

"And I promised I wouldn't drag him into any galas in New York without permission."

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[deathsmajesty]

"Hmmm. I might need to work on getting established on Eos," Liliana said thoughtfully. She didn't have any parties she could threaten him with yet - or soothe by promising he could avoid - but that sounded like a viable strategy.

"Whyever did we let the winter and spring go by without a major party?"

because the real world, Liliana

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[imafuturist]

"Right? We've been slacking," he agreed. "But we're making up for it now."

In very quick succession. God help those radio squirrels.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[deathsmajesty]

Perhaps more booze was in order. Just as a kind of thank you. Or perhaps a 'sorry.'

"Who shall we get to host the party we have to have in a fortnight?" Liliana asked, easily sliding her arm into Tony's. "We had one last week, one this one, plus tomorrow's festival, now Steve's next week...the week after will feel positively depressing if we don't carry it forward."

Or restful, Liliana. It could also feel 'restful.'

"Maybe Don or Thor?"

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[imafuturist]

Tony rested his hand on hers like a gentleman. And someone who was incapable of not flirting.

"We could see if their amenable to it, but I am worried the heat will melt people before then." Summer in Baltimore was Satan's taint.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[chef_chocobro]

"Ah, Tony," Ignis greeted him with that warm smile that was coming to him with greater ease more and more these days, but especially at today's party. "Excellent. Always good to have you join us, of course. Do you suppose you'll be staying later, for dancing in the ballroom this evening?"

A question that surely had nothing to do with new chandeliers or any such nonsense, surely.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[imafuturist]

Friendly competing chandeliers were just in this season!

"Oh, of course," Tony replied with an answering grin. Then just had to tease, "Though if I can't get Steve to join me, I might have to ask you or your fiancée."

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[chef_chocobro]

There was a small bit of sheepishness in the soft laugh that pulled out of Ignis, wondering if that was supposed to be some sort of bait, but, in response, he could really only just give his hand an inviting gesture. "By all means," he said. "I would mark myself as quite the fool if I should expect to usurp all her time, and perhaps even a questionable host if I were to deny any one else that particular pleasure."

And, well, the two of them being on the dance floor together was a good way of ensuring they weren't sneaking off to Liliana's workroom instead.

"Do you do much dancing, Tony?"

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[imafuturist]

They definitely wouldn't sneak off to create some sort of scientific/magic horror to end the world! Much! Or they'd be caught pretty quickly.

"Oh, I had the whole boarding school, classic education. Dance and all," he replied. "But I don't dance much outside of managing to get Steve out on the floor with me."

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[heroic_jawline]

"Hi," Steve said, coming up behind him and kissing his cheek.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[imafuturist]

"Well, hello there, handsome," Tony said, tilting his face to allow the kiss more easily. "Don't you know, I'm a married man."

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[heroic_jawline]

"Then we should leave before your spouse gets here," Steve said.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[imafuturist]

"He's the dangerous sort," Tony said with a nod, hooking his arm around Steve's to lead him around like a proper gentleman. "Rides a motorcycle. Wears a leather jacket."

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[heroic_jawline]

"He sounds like fun," Steve said. "Maybe we should invite him along."

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[imafuturist]

"Love of my life, you know," Tony agreed. "I'll introduce you if I see him."

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[heroic_jawline]

"I'll keep my eyes out, too. What's he look like? Other than the leather and the motorcycle, of course."

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[imafuturist]

"Blonde, tall, handsome. Sort of like you, if I'm being honest," he teased.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[heroic_jawline]

"You have a type," Steve said with a laugh. "Would you like some snacks?"

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[imafuturist]

"Please. You grab snacks and I'll get the drinks?" Tony suggested.