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.

[deathsmajesty]

Oh, but the place he'd find most interesting was definitely amongst the places he shouldn't go. Liliana left her workroom locked, warded, and trapped, and he was far too mortal to handle the last one well.

Fortunately for him, Liliana's mood was such that her first response to his expression was amusement, not offense. "Oh darling," she said, absolutely laughing, "upset it's not all poisonous plants and blackened bones?"

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[x_wondrous_x]

There was a good chance that he was too mortal to handle the last one at all.

His expression expressed his disappointment that much harder now, with that laugh and a wrinkle of his nose. "It's positively perky," he stated. "Relentlessly refreshing. Even....dare I say it?...bordering on normal."

His chin tilted back, suspiciously eying the nearest fern as if not knowing what to do with himself among such...traditional trappings.

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

[deathsmajesty]

Oh, darling, she'd disappointed so many people whose opinions she cared about more than yours, about things that were far more damning than flowers.

"Darling, I assure you, that while these gardens may be traditional, they're hardly normal. They're actually quite extraordinary," Liliana said, still smirking. "But I will save my speeches about how if you don't like it, you simply don't understand it. That's such a common and pedestrian reaction, no?"