chef_chocobro | 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

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!

"But they also sparkle quite gorgeously in the sunlight," Liliana pointed out. "Which, now it occurs to me you may never have seen. Which makes it that much more of an imperative that you try them on now, don't you think?"

If Wickham needed lessons in temptation, Lydia could pass along Liliana's card.

Wickham and Liliana should probably never meet, for Lydia's poor nerves.

Lord, her narrative sounded like her mother.

"You are quite right," Lydia said with a firm nod. "If you will excuse me, I must find a mirror, I fear."

But they could have such fun!

"Of course, darling," Liliana said, making little shooing motions with her hands. "I could hardly stand in the way of that."

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

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.