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! ]]

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Steve was, of course, impeccably attired, entirely the fault of his husband, and the blue in his eyes was definitely highlighted by the blue in the suit.

He glanced through the crowd for his hosts.

"Steve, darling, hello," Liliana said, gliding up to him. "That light blue is an excellent color on you. I'll have to congratulate Tony on his fine taste when we chat again," she added with a gentle tease.

Steve blushed at the compliment. "You and Tony were chatting, huh? But the island's still intact!"

"Of course it is!" Liliana protested. "We weren't going to do anything that would interfere with my party!"

A beat.

"I mean, we'd never do anything like that."

...Nailed it.

"Of course not," Steve agreed. "Try not to burn the place down before Thursday, too, all right? I don't agree to birthday parties that often."

"Oh, no, I am entirely sympathetic to Tony's plight," she assured him. "I've rescheduled all of my most destructive temper tantrums until next weekend at the earliest."

"That's very kind of you," Steve said with a grin. "Thank you very much."

"That's only because Tony won't let me give you your real present," she pouted. "Terrible of him, really."

You'd like it, too, Steve! So much!

"What would my real present be?" Steve asked.

"I'm not allowed to say," she said, pouting harder. And, you know. Very believably. "You'll have to ask your cruel husband."

"Am I going to be sorry when I ask?" Steve checked.

Liliana pretended to consider it for a moment. "You know, I don't think so!" She beamed at him brightly.

Steve beamed back. "Still not sure I believe you."

Steven gave a tentative wave. "Hello. Happy birthday in advance, if that's all right?"

Steve smiled. "Thank you. I don't want to take away anything from Liliana and Ignis' celebration, though. We still have a week and I don't love a big to-do."

That happened when literal fireworks happened every year, whether you asked for them or not.

"Understood," Steven said. "Sometimes people don't care to be wished it in advance either. I wanted to offer my apologies, though. Llewellyn and I would love to go to the party but we'll be off island all next week. Our anniversary, you see. Doing a bit of celebrating of our own."

"I didn't your anniversary was the Fourth of July," Steve said. "How fun! Where are you going?"

"June 30," Steven explained. "But we're going for the week, you see. Greece. Taking the time to make it a proper holiday."

"Oh, there's lots to see," Steve said. "Tony and I were there at the start of the summer but our trip got cut short when AIM found Tony's island and tried to kidnap the dog via helicopter."

Steve shrugged. "It didn't work because it's not a very good plan, but we're not going back until Tony upgrades the security."

"Is the dog all right now?" Steven asked. Because priorities. "No lingering trauma, I hope?"

Steve laughed. "I don't think Patriot even noticed," he admitted. "He was having too much fun in his dog pool."

Steven relaxed on the adorable doggie's behalf. "That's good. Can't imagine how you two felt. If someone tried hurting Raphael I don't know what I'd do."

Then, realizing Steve might not know who that was, "That's our cat."

"I threw pool furniture at the helicopter," Steve admitted with a smile. "It was pretty satisfying."

Steven couldn't help but be curious. "Did the furniture survive?"

Steve snorted. "No. It hit the helicopter and fell down the cliff."

Re: Arrive & Mingle - 06/27.

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