[Open] A Proper Party

[thorndergod]

WHO: The brothers Asgard and everyone else.
WHAT: Loki and Thor throw a party for everyone.
WHEN: Right after the quarantine is lifted.
WHERE: The Asgard Estate in Hightown.
NOTES: Loki gonna Loki, probably other things. Directly corresponds to this rookery post.

The new manor has come a far sight from where it had been, cleaned and updated significantly, but the aesthetics are still in keeping with Kirkwall standard...mostly. The exterior features a large iron scrollwork fence with matching gates, currently flung wide open, and a cheerful array of fresh floral decorations. Beyond the gates there are a number of hedges, bare but thick enough that once spring has properly taken over, they will likely be shaped into large living sculptures. There are a few torches scattered among the flora, but they lead toward the front of the manor.

The building's superstructure has not been overtly altered, but there are several exceedingly Tevene touches. The front doors, once made of hardwood, have been wholly replaced by a pair extremely detailed, solid, white marble doors. The fittings are all custom made, snake themed, and plated in gold.

The interior of the building is far more obviously Tevinter styled. The floors are the original wooden, polished to a mirror shine by the staff and bedecked in places by rugs with complex woven designs and thick piles. The foyer is well lit by a series of gold, wall-mounted sconces, and a large chandelier made of serault glass with a distinctly magical light-source in the center.

The staff, all elven in matching black uniforms, are waiting just inside the threshold and are ready to assist anyone who requires it. First and foremost they will offer to take any coats and curtsy with proper depth to anyone who passes by.

There is still some construction going on, deeper in the house, but it is up the grand staircase and beyond the realm of the party. Occasional hammer-falls resound from upstairs but they can only be heard if one is being very quiet.

Comments

[altusimperius]

He's determined to be bored, no matter how Beleth tries to engage him, and Bene sips disinterestedly at his wine with a little shrug when the elf scolds him.
"Nobles," he mutters, with a roll of his eyes, "soporati bootlickers, the lot. I hope their mutual affair is getting something out of this."
It's actually somewhat telling that he's talking to Beleth at all, especially with any level of candor.

[arlathvhen]

There's a petty, mean part of her that wants to push further. Oh, are you not enjoying yourself? We can leave right now. But she did something similar to Benedict once before, and still feels twinges of guilt about it. And that's not even getting into the fact that she doesn't want to leave, and if Benedict called her bluff, she'd had to deal with that mess.

Instead, she stares blandly at him, taking a sip of her own wine. "That may be true, but they're only trying to lick other soporati boots. Though I suppose they did attend a party thrown by an altus, so. Maybe they're just hoping that someone will start up a blood magic sacrifice. I wonder if they're more suspicious of you or me."

She glances at the couple again, and shrugs. "I suppose they must be. A pretty, young man paying attention to them? I'm not sure what he's getting out of it, though." He may be begrudging about it, but this is still a conversation, and by the Creators, she's going to get Benedict to have normal conversations with people.

[altusimperius]

Bene seems to consider the hypothetical, glancing between his wine and Beleth, then decides: "me, but only because you'd be the sacrifice." He takes an idle sip, eyes roving out over the room. "Though you'll get the attention for eating babies or whatever it is your bunch supposedly do. As if any of you were that interesting." It's almost a compliment.

[arlathvhen]

"What, you're going to sacrifice me while I eat babies? This is beginning to sound more like an Orlesian opera than a Hightown party. I suppose you're right, though. I would never be able to compete with excitement." She takes another sip of her wine, also considering. "I apologize for stealing attention away from what I'm sure would be an incredibly impressive display of magical sacrifice, however."

[altusimperius]

That's

actually kind of funny.

Benedict smirks in spite of himself, at how Beleth turned the jibe, and he glances down at her with uncertain appreciation. Well done, rabbit, well done.

"...it'd be a better party, if nothing else," he remarks, perhaps a touch more pleasantly.

[arlathvhen]

"I suppose you're right." This is a victory, albeit a small one. Getting him to enjoy talking to people like a normal person. Perhaps it's a good place to take a break, before she pushes too far and snaps him shut again. Besides, she has business to attend to.

"Since we're being deprived of such excitement, I suppose I'd better let you go make some of your own." She gives his arm a little pat, before turning, eyes scanning the area. "I trust you won't mind if I step away, I need to speak to someone about an order of orphan scarves." And she begins to head off. Time to go be a sneaky asshole.

"And try not to do any blood magic without me."

[altusimperius]

All right, at least she's passably funny.

Visibly surprised by his release, Benedict steps back when Beleth moves away from him, his eyebrows raised inquisitively. He looks down at his arm, then around; she's letting him free for the evening? That's more trust than anyone has shown him thus far.

And then, her parting remark. He smirks in response, and the expression is almost genuine. "No promises."