[closed] by all calculations, we're pretty sure...

[pocketspa]

Who: The residents of Horny House (imported house 5-1) and their esteemed invited guests (The Drakes, Alphys, Gren, Ephemera, and Cecily)
What: It's Candlenights! And considering how much the rest of the month has sucked, it's fuckin time.
Where: Horny House (imported house 5-1)
When: Backdated to December 25th
Warnings: Should be clean, other than some drinking and cursing.

The thing about Candlenights is that nobody actually knows what day it is. The nature of Candlenights is it's appearance- its not Candlenights, and then suddenly it just is. There's calculations you could do, sure, but that sounds like a lot of work, and the twins about figure that it's been roughly a year since they last did this. Plus, this month has sucked in an incredible way for them both, so you know what?

It's Candlenights now. Boom, just like that. Fuck you, Gods. It's Candlenights.

So when the guests arrive, the house is as decked as they're able to get it, under the circumstances. The front hall has shiny beads and a line of floating candles to and up the stairs, which guests can climb to find the party on the top floor. The living room has the familiar warm ambiance of the house itself; more candles floating around the room but giving off no heat. If someone takes the time to brush them, they might realize they're illusions, capable of producing at least light. Thankfully, a fire pit in the center of the room burns bright and strong, hitting some sort of invisible wall if it tries to flick outside the boundaries but providing warmth to the room at large. The kitchen holds plates of food, a large stew on the stove with meat from one of those large beasts simmering to taste. Additional hors d'oeuvre, mostly breads and fruits, lay in dishes for guests to partake. And for later, a large cake dusted in powdered sugar sits atop the mantle, waiting to be cut. A few bottles of wine, obviously hoarded since better times, sit on top of the bar to be distributed as one sees fit, as well as a large punch bowl filled with... something. It's alcoholic, but uh, maybe take it slow. Or don't, and get drunker than you've ever been. It's Barry Bluejeans' Ultra Punch (what if Punch...... but More) and it should be imbued with caution.

And finally, the thing Taako is most proud of, is a real bush sits in the corner surrounded by gifts. If one were to look closely or think about it critically, they might realize only Carlisle's gardens have bushes, and this one looks very similar to one of those. Don't think about it too hard! Just marvel at the bush! It's also been covered in illusory candles, so it isn't a fire hazard, but they're not above putting real candles on it. What do you think they are, safe? Please.

But for once, among the gloom from the last planet to this one, and the darkness in their lives, Candlenights brings warmth and good tidings for the year ahead. Time to get through the winter, folks, and maybe quite literally forget your problems for a while.

This is a mingle log! Post top levels, give gifts, get incredibly drunk on magic punch- anything goes. Happy Candlenights, everyone!

Comments

lup l ota

[restinglichface]

[By the end of the night, that bush is absolutely going to be lit on fire for realsie. As far as Lup's concerned, that's when the real fun is going to begin.

The woman's Candlenights traditions haven't changed too much from the previous year, Lup fluttering gracefully from the kitchen to the bush to their many guests in constant movement, always popping up into conversations and personal bubbles before folks even realize she's there. She can be found thrusting either hors d'oeuvre or clumsily wrapped gifts in people's faces with glee, delight and warmth radiating off of her in waves.

After the year they've had, especially the last few months in particular, this is just what she needs. The familiar warmth and comfort of her dearest friends and family. The people who make the pain worth it.

Even if it's wintery outside, Lup's dolled up in a bit of a revealing dress that sparkles with her every movement, long hair hanging loose around her shoulders in waves. She's matching her brother, of course, now back to looking nearly identical.

If anyone isn't paying attention, there's a good chance Lup will just toss a present right at their head if they don't come to collect fast enough.]

[barold]

[This year, Barry is a little faster on the ball than last time. No presents hitting the back of his head this year, no ma'am. He's prepared and on top of things!

And with the amount of Ultra Punch he's had already, he better be on top of things. No way he could catch a present in the air this year.]

Havin' a good time, punkin? [Barry sidles up next to his gorgeous wife, standing there sparkling and dripping with glitter, a stark contrast to Barry's goofy suit jacket and tie.] Y'hit it outta th'park this year too.

[It's with a completely innocent smile he rests his chin on her shoulder, looking up at her with the eyes of a man pretending not to be three cups deep in Ultra Punch.] So, beautiful. How's about a gift swap?

[restinglichface]

[Even with all of the punch running through him, Lup can always count on Barry to not confuse her and Taako, no matter how hard they're trying to pass off as one another. He's just too sharp after that first decade or two of mixing them up. Without a doubt, he knows the pair of them better than anyone else at this point.

But, y'know, that won't stop the twins from going all out later just to fuck with him. Happy Candlenights!]

It's good. Real good. If I close my eyes and drink enough, I can pretend the majority didn't vote us into snow hell for at least a little longer.

[No, the elves aren't bitter at all.

But her darling husband's chin is perched on her shoulder, the man looking positively trashed and happy in a way that tugs warmly at her heart, so she gives into that soft feeling, tipping her head into his affectionately.]

Considerin' how well that worked out for me last year, hell yeah. Gimme!

[murderpotato]

[Okay, so this is, like, the fantasy equivalent of Christmas or whatever. Gren's not exactly the religious type, but Yule was a big thing back in the day. And hospitality is a big thing, and Lup invited him, like formally, so.]

[It's all a thing.]

[But he's got a gift, like, y'know, you're supposed to, and he even went and tried to fix up his stupid-ass wardrobe so that he wouldn't be a complete embarrassment when he showed up. Lup's big on appearances or whatever, she'll probably be dressed to the fucking nines and so should everyone else? Including him?]

[God, the holidays are stressful.]

[So, here he is, Lup. Dressed up in a fancy-ass suit with a fancy-ass coat and a long package tucked up under his arm. He's here, in this noisy-ass house for this noisy-ass party, because you want his grumpy ass to be here.]

Jesus, Lup, I ain't even into tits and I don't know where the fuck I'm supposed to look on you.

[Could you get a dress that's more low cut? How does it even stay where it's supposed to? Is she using magic to make sure that she doesn't have a nip slip?]

[restinglichface]

[Hey now. That grumpy ass is one of her favorite people on this planet. Don't go shit talking about him in front of the elf.

Lup's just finished flinging a square-shaped present across the room at another one of her guests - their loud gasp of 'ow!' just leaves the woman's grin curling sharper - before she turns and catches Gren striding up to her. And for perhaps the first time in this whole friendship, she's absolutely doing a double take at the sight of him.]

Ho-ly shit! Look at you!

[For once in her life, Lup will brush off the compliments to her own gorgeousness for at least a second or two more so that she can give Gren's new look the attention it deserves, the elf quickly looking up and down his body, before she's circling him like a shark, making sure to check all of his angles. This is just such a rare sight, alright. She wants to preserve this in her memory forever.]

Fuckin' sharp, my guy! I'm diggin' this whole aesthetic on you. Almost makes up for the whole face situation you got goin' on. [Almost.] I'm impressed.

[But since he did kick down the door and mention her tits, Lup gives him a little twirl of her outfit, the way the skirt glitters almost too much when it floats around her legs.]

I'm more than just tits, y'know, as amazing as they are.

[knockthemdead]

[Lup tosses a present at his face at the same moment that Kravitz seemingly pulls one out of thin air from behind his back.

He doesn't have any hands free to catch and he panics and throws Lup's present at her as well, so that from a distance they look less like friends exchanging gifts, and more like a fantasy Benny Hill routine.]

Lup, what in the-

[His sputtering is cut off by the present going 'DONK' against his head. Or maybe it's more like 'clink', or thud. To be determined when I know what Lup is gifting him.]

taako | ota

[pocketspa]

[Taako is, by and large, aggressively getting into the Candlenights spirit this year. Just because he's lived another one here, it's hard to ruminate on where he was last Candlenights and all the things he's lost. Magnus is gone. Merle is gone. It's cold and rough outside, and another year has gone by with them no closer to escaping this place.

But... there's reasons to stay. For the first time, they've opened their doors to include some of the people they've met in this place, people carefully selected to enjoy the company of their family for a very special night. It's weird in a way, but not something Taako is concentrating on.

What he is concentrating on is the glittery dress he and Lup both don. It glitters heavier than the actual pieces on it would seem to suggest, and his hair is loose down his shoulders. If someone isn't paying attention, they might mistake the twins for one another- a joke that will get funnier and funnier as the alcohol keeps flowing.

But he'll be everywhere, cuddling up to guests, sitting by the fire, and forcing people to eat all the stuff he absolutely slaved over, my goodness. Case in point, he's pulling his favorite party trick, sliding up to whoever's close with a tray of light pink cookies.]

Macarooooooon?

[restinglichface]

[Lup catches her twin after the party is already in mid-swing, all of their guests blissfully drunk and having a good time, the chill of the outside long forgotten with how warm and welcoming it is inside. She slides up to his side and throws a hand over his shoulders, their hips bumping, head tipping into his.

After the year they've had, this feels wonderful. It feels like going home again, something so right that she can't quite imagine how the next day is going to leave them feeling. But right now, all that matters are the family and friends here with them at this very moment.]

I'd say that's another party absolutely crushed. We're good at this.

[closerift]

All right? [ She'll accept one of the macaroons with a little, curious smile, but holds it between her fingers to talk before trying it. ]

What is Candlenights, by the way? Still not clear on that.

[ The invitation had been...very special, to say the least, and not particularly explanatory. ]

alphys | ota

[sciencelizard]

[So when she heard she was invited to a party, specifically Lup's party, she didn't really know what to think. On one hand, Lup has been the nicest person in the world to her, and she'd feel horribly guilty to turn down any kind of invite. On the other hand... it's a party. A social gathering. With people. Objectively, that's horrifying. And traveling across the city can be a burden when she needs to heat up a large coat to make the move. But after pawing it over in her brain about six million times, she does finally decide to turn up.

It's been ages since she wore it, but Alphys has exactly one nice dress, so she dons it and scurries over.

Mostly, she stays close to the food, picking at bits of fruit and eyeing the cake curiously as the night goes on. At some point she's adequately baffled by the Real Bush, and can be found nearby, gently caressing the leaves. And finally, she ends up at a chair by the fire... a glass of the Ultra Punch in hand.

Hey, that's one way to keep warm.]

[barold]

Y'should take it easy with that, Doc.

[Barry's words are only a tiny bit slurred at the edges, a hot pink flush over his cheeks and his nose. He's grinning, pointing at Alphys' cup of Ultra Punch. There's a similar cup in his own hand. Gotta sample his own goods, after all. Continually. All night.]

Hits ya like a hammer if ya ain't careful, that one.

[restinglichface]

[Considering Candlenights is an amalgamation of all the various holidays, is it any surprise that it's taken the best traditions from each one and just tossed them all together to create something even better?

Which is why it shouldn't be too surprising when Alphys wanders away from the buffet and just so happens to pass beneath a doorframe with a little sprig of mistletoe? The same doorframe Lup just so happens to be passing through at the same exact time?

What a coincidence.

The elf grabs for Alphys' shoulder before the lizard can step too far away from her, before she's gesturing upwards above them. Her dark cheeks just as flushed from too many drinks, a soft warmth that continues all the way up to the tips of her long ears. But Lup's grinning down at the other woman without embarrassment.]

I so did not plant that.

[She probably did.]

[closerift]

Dr. Alphys?

[ From a short distance away, Cecily waves and offers a faint smile as she approaches. ]

I didn't know you were friends with these scoundrels. [ There's a fond laugh as she glances in the direction of one or both of the twins, if she can spot them. ] It's good to see you again.

[ After what she and DiMA have done to help with her missing arm, the least she can do is to be friendly. ]

Barry | OTA

[barold]

[Despite his own words of caution, Barry doesn't take it as slow with the punch as he preaches. Yes, their esteemed guests should absolutely take it half a cup at a time, space out each one with plenty of water and food, take appropriate breaks and inform them of any emergency contacts, but Barry? He knows how to handle his own ding dang punch.

Or, so he tells himself.

When the guests arrive, he's already in fairly bright spirits, nursing a generous cup of Ultra Punch with a dopey grin and an appropriately garish outfit paired with his eponymous jeans. He's feeling so jolly, in fact, that just about everyone crossing his path tonight gets a firm hug and a pat on the back, his usual introverted shyness dulled by Ultra Alcohol. It's only Candlenights once a year, right?

Throughout the night, Barry is either milling happily around their warm living room, engaging in friendly conversation, or nestled up in a blanket on the couch, smiling to himself, drinking the chill and the sorrows of the world away.]

[knockthemdead]

[Alcohol doesn't really affect Kravitz. Not in a conventional sense. He can feel what it's meant to be doing, the way it makes the blood in his fabricated body thrum, the buzz that distantly rests in the back of his head. If he really focuses, he can allow it to wash over himself, but people don't get drunk because they want to focus.

But this punch. Holy shit.

Krav is a giddy, giggly mess as he slides in next to Barry on the couch, tucking the blanket over his own legs although he doesn't need it.]

Hello there, Barry. Sweet Barry. Merry Barry, sweet Candlenights.

[Close enough.]

[hellosirs]

[ Angus squeaks as he's pulled into a hug and gets a face full of jaunty snowmen. He's apologized to Barry since returning, but the hug is just confirmation that they're back to being ok! ]

Thank you for giving me a heads-up about the punch, sir! I didn't want to repeat the headache from last year.

[pocketspa]

[See, Taako knows how to take a drink. This is not the first time he's been the taste tester for one of the horrible alcohol things the squad made up on the Starblaster, and despite his stature, he's doing pretty well. The thing is, Taako's not doing well because he's not drunk- on the contrary, he's so fucking blasted it'll be a surprise if he remembers any of this party at all. On the contrary, he's doing well because Taako has mastered the art of being drunk. He's teetering around on his heels, spinning a little because the centrifugal force is what's keeping him up, and somehow managing not to spill a bit of his drink or his ever-shrinking plate of cookies.

It helps that he conjured a Bigby's Hand earlier in the night to just keep his ass up. See, planning. This is why Taako will survive the drinks apocalypse Barry has unleashed on this fucking home.

Barry pulls him in for a hug and Taako just laughs back, giving him an affectionate kiss on the head just on instinct, leaving an imprint of his golden lipstick to match his dress- he's identical to Lup tonight, but seeing as Barry's about titty level right now, it should be pretty apparent which elf he's grabbing.]

Barry, you fuckin-- crushed it on this, this thing my man. We went small time last year, and, and for what? For fuck all that's right. It's-- we coulda been doing this from day one. We are making up for lost time, my dude.

Terrence Ephemera | ota

[requiemshark]

[ Ephemera went back and forth for a while about whether he'd show up. In the end he decided to go for it, dressed in jeans and a dark sweater that covers the new scar on his neck. Perhaps surprisingly, it fits him well enough and isn't covered in paint stains. Ephemera himself has selected a corner chair, surrounded by candles and a mug of something deeply alcoholic that he's been drinking far slower than usual.

Normally he'd be good and drunk by now. He's still sober and halfway in a somber mood, but present. ]

Like the candles.

[ He nods at the decorations. ]

's nice.

[restinglichface]

[Present is all that Lup could ever ask from him considering how this month's played out.]

It was all me, natch. But I'm sure you coulda picked up on that one, my guy.

[Lup's there at his side in an instant, one hand wrapping around his arm, tucking herself next to him with practiced ease. Even if there's reason to grieve, she's beaming, bright and happy, freckled cheeks flushed with just a little too much drink.]

Thanks for poppin' in. Figured you wouldn't turn down free food an' drink.

ango | ota!

[hellosirs]

[ God, they really needed this Candlenights. The last few months in Hadriel have been rough, and Angus, who spent most of last week camped out in an empty apartment across town, is happy for the reminder that they're (relatively) safe, warm, and surrounded by loved ones here. They might be stuck for the time being, but at least they're stuck together.

He's decked out in a a strangely on-brand Candlenights sweater, and can be found all over the place: carefully setting up more illusory candles (his don't last as long as the twins, and tend to fade away after ten minutes or so), sitting by the fire with a big mug of hot chocolate - he'd been warned about the alcoholic punch in advance this year! - and... suspiciously investigating that Candlenights bush. Huh. ]

... I thought there wasn't much foliage around here?

[pocketspa]

[Hey you nerd it's fuckin m a c a r o n t i m e as evidenced by Taako's sudden, glittery arrival. He and Lup are matching tonight, but seeing as both of their chests are all the way out, it should be pretty apparent who's who. Still, that matters little when Taako ends up right next to him in said bush-examining with a big ol' grin on his face.]

Uhh, there isn't, but chaboy is just that good, Ango. C'mon, just enjoy it! I got one whole bush, and I know that's a super low bar to set, but it's there.

[restinglichface]

Since when has that ever stopped us before?

[Their last Candlenights had been a barren desert, hadn't it? Freezing snow tundra is just the next step up from that.]

Lookin' sharp there, kiddo. Did Barry help pick that out for you? It's pretty on brand.

kravitz | ota

[knockthemdead]

[Last Candlenights, Kravitz had felt almost like an intruder. An outsider. He had no idea how to act, what to gift people- he'd struggled with what to wear, for goodness sake.

This is not last year. This is his family now, and Krav is endlessly ecstatic at the fact. Even if they are awful, terrible, noisy folk.

He's glammed right up in a fancy black suit, dripping with deep purple and pink flower patterns. A matching pair of purple flowers dangle from his ears, and a manic grin is painted on his face. He's doing it right this year, you fucks.

If you've known Krav for some time now, he's most definitely got a present for you that he's likely pulling out of thin air and thrusting into your hands. Otherwise, he can be found downing the punch, and routinely stalking past the Candlenights bush, as if he's made it his solemn duty to ensure the thing doesn't actually get set on fire.]

[murderpotato]

[This dude sure is hanging around the fucking... Christmas Bush or whatever the hell it is that Taako and Lup set up in the corner. What, don't they have trees in Fantasy Ren Faire Land? Whatever, doesn't matter. It's a plant and it's going to be ashes by the time tomorrow rolls around, because Lup's a goddamn pyromaniac and both Gren and Taako are enablers.]

If you think that thing ain't gonna end up on fire by the end of the night, you're in for a fuckin' surprise, buddy.

[pocketspa]

[Beep beep it's time to be a homosexual, Kravitz. Taako is absolutely delighted that Kravitz seems so at home this year- he did all the requisite things to look absolutely in place in this family, which is show up for a small event completely overdressed and get loudly plastered. It's perfect. Taako doesn't wait for an invitation, like he never does, draping himself over his boyfriend's back as he takes another dogged round around that bush.]

It's a nice-ass bush, right? Who needs a rogue, I'm the best there is. Flip wizard to the max.

[He looks appropriately garish, in the glittering gold low cut dress, leaving bits of gold glitter on the back of Kravitz' suit. Just like a good boyfriend, you take some of him with you, whether you want to or not.]