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

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 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.

[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.

[ Ephemera hums, bumping their heads together. It's easy to be around Lup, now. She's family. ] Yeah. Good booze, good people - you know me.

[ And he needed to get out. Not get stuck in his own head. ]

Good people? [She scoffs, bumping him back, a hand reaching up to affectionately brush the hair from his face.] You clearly don't spend enough time around us if you think we're good people, nice try.

[But she's already reaching down to take his hand, to lead the man a little closer to their magical holiday bush, where glittering presents lay wrapped around it.]

First things first, tell me how hot I am.

Shush. Let me have this.

[ It's said teasingly, though, and Ephemera lets Lup lead him. He trusts her. That never came easily to him, but he does. ]

Oh, shit. You're super hot. Supernova hot.

[ This time, his smile is a bit wider, a bit closer to normal. ]

Gonna burn up the sun, that's how hot you are.

[Funny how to Lup, it feels like she's known the man over a lifetime, not just a year and a handful of months. She never used to trust anyone, but with Ephemera, it just makes sense.

Lup peers over her shoulder and grins, toothy and wide, mischief glittering behind her gaze.]

Mm, good answer. [The elf will eat up that compliment, thank you.] The sun ain't got shit on me.

[Passing by the kitchen table, Lup pushes a cup of Barry's Ultra Punch into his hands before guiding the man straight to the candlelight bush. It's a pretty illusion, something safe for indoors without the chance of an out-of-control fire, but soft and warm and familiar feeling too. The elf releases Ephemera just to dip down and grab for a box under the tree, neatly wrapped with a few extra bows on it, and pushes it into his chest.]

From me.

Work it.

[ Ephemera takes the cup absently, bringing it up to taste and wow, okay. That's got a kick. And another time he'd probably be downing that like a shot, but things are a little different. He can't get drunk, that's one of the rules. Has to stay sharp.

A sip is okay. But that's it.

The box is unexpected. Ephemera blinks for a moment, staring down at it. A gift? ]

....I didn't get you anything.

[ He feels badly about that, all of a sudden. ]

[Trust her. No one works it harder than Lup.

Still, the elf grins at the response, beaming over her shoulder at her friend with the kind of sweet happiness that's been missing from everyone for some time. It's been months since she's felt so light and warm and joyful. Of course there are missing faces here that shouldn't be gone, but they'll be back soon enough. Lup has to believe that.

She just has to.]

Like I give a shit.

[Normally, she'd hassle and guilt anyone who didn't get her a gift, but Ephemera gets a free pass this time around. He's had enough on his mind. She's just glad he's there with her at all.]

Just open it, will ya?

[Beneath the wrapping, inside of the small box, is a pair of dog tags on a ball chain necklace that Lup scored from one of the shops earlier in the month. While originally blank, now both plates have been artfully scorched with two familiar names - Lup and Drake - so Ephemera can do something gay like keep them close to his heart or something.]

I'm getting there, don't rush me.

[ Ephemera sets his drink down, working at the wrapping paper. It's a small box that rattles when he moves it. And when he opens it --

Oh.

He smiles, suddenly. Doesn't bother hiding it. He hasn't worn dog tags in years. But these, yeah. ]

You're good people, Lup. You know that, right?

Only cuz I like you or somethin' stupid like that.

[That smile was exactly what she was going for. Lup can't exactly give Ephemera his boyfriend back, but she can give him something special and significant to hold onto until that day. Soon, they just have to keep saying to one another. Soon.]

Happy Candlenights, my guy. Now that you've been educated, I expect a proper gift next year.

[ He doesn't cry. That'd break the mood too much. But he smiles and reaches out to fluff her hair a little, playful. ]

Yeah, yeah. You'll get something awesome.

Damn right you will. C'mon, let's enjoy the party. [He doesn't need to cry for Lup to see how touched he is. It's good. It's more than enough.]

Later we can set the bush on fire for real.

Oh shit, really?

[ He brightens, only a little exaggerated. ]

I'm liking this holiday more and more.

Candlenights can not be beat. Better than all the other holidays combined.

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

Terrence Ephemera | ota

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