GP - dreaming of a black christmas

[lcrpg_npc]

The repurposed railway arches that housed Beagle's bar and restaurant were decked in shades of black: black christmas trees glittering with sparkly and satiny black ornaments, black wreaths with perfectly tied bows, black garlands draping along the walls and bar, ribbons edging the long banquet benches in the restaurant dining room. A gentle snow seemed to fall from the ceiling, a specially designed lighting effect much more pleasant than the cold and wet that would've accompanied real snow. Christmas music played over hidden speakers, setting the mood without interfering with conversation.

The Kraken Black Christmas feast was a different spin on the holiday than you'd find most places, and yet, a christmas feast all the same. All the flavors of the season were there, both in the bar's specialty cocktails and in the feast itself, served banquet-style to those fortunate enough to get tickets - mulled wine, egg nog, roasts and stuffing and puddings, and so much more. Yet the food and drinks all shared the same theme as the decor, shades of black augmented with squid ink, charcoal, or black sesame seeds.

Guests had been encouraged to continue the theme with black festive attire, but it wasn't required, and spots of color could be found here and there along the table or mingling in the bar. There was one thing everyone could agree on, though. No matter how black the theme, the mood was anything but dark.

Comments

[show_me_something]

"Not the mountains you mean, but I spent some time backpacking in the Argentine in my younger days. In the middle of nowhere long enough, you can't be picky about what you eat." Backpacking was innocent enough, although even that could be surprising to someone who only saw Victoria as a posh older Englishwoman. What she'd actually been doing was still classified and a lot messier than the implication.

[show_me_something]

"I love the holidays. It's my favorite time of the year really. The food, the lights, the decorations. Finding just the right gifts for everyone on my list. The parties." Going away to tropical climes with Ivan when their schedules allowed.

[utterly_mysterious]

"What else are friends for," answered Angelique, and if she tried to cover her shyness at saying such a thing with a seemingly careless little twirl of her hand, she didn't think Sunny would call her out on it. 'Friends' -- actual friends -- were as new to Angelique as Faizel was to Sunny.

[utterly_mysterious]

Angelique knew a sensitive subject when she saw one. For Fin's sake -- and for his own if Angelique ever got her hands on him -- she sincerely hoped Will learned to behave himself. She touched Fin's arm lightly. "Don't let me keep you, if you were on your way out." And if you'd rather not be here where he is, she didn't add aloud.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Yeah, I should probably get going," he admitted, nodding a bit and polishing off his drink.

"I do hope to see you at the holiday," he said, leaning in to kiss her cheek again. "Though you're welcome to stop by anytime. ...Have a lovely evening, Angelique."

[0_0_7]

"There are a few parties, and Q and I will likely trim a tree, but work rarely allows for plans. I wouldn't mind spending the holiday somewhere warm, though...work or pleasure, either way," he replied casually.

[willysilver]

"Your laughter is a joy to hear, Curnen," he smiled. "I would like to think you are a precious gift delivered to me in my time of need. I could not be more grateful for you."

[wispofathing]

Curnen blushed and cast down her eyes, shrugging one shoulder awkwardly. "I had somebody when I was in trouble. Paying it forward, I guess."

[willysilver]

"It is much appreciated," Willy smiled, then he bent to her height to press a kiss to her hair.

[jageskro]

"Oh, hi!" Jag smiled at her. "I'm Jag." Which she probably knew already.

[hardertohide]

Dutch chuckled. "Don't like it much, anyway."

[miss_ives]

"Have you?" Vanessa inquired, picking up her glass to take a sip.

[jageskro]

"It's a bit late, innit?" Jag replied, watching her happily.

[hardertohide]

"That sounds more likely," Dutch shot back, the amused look on her face making the statement a tease rather than a jab.

[offthebeatenpath]

What will be, is. But Em wasn't going to dwell on what not fun kinds of trouble they could find. Not tonight.

"You may be right," her smile shifting to something more impish. "I think I've already found trouble."

[wispofathing]

That was as close to 'thank you' as any old-world fae was ever going to say, and Curnen squirmed to hear it before responding with a kiss on his cheek while he was in range.

[wispofathing]

Curnen's already wide eyes went huge. Not because she was surprised, but because, "Wow. I've only ever been home and here. Well. Unless you count Nashville, but other places in Tennessee shouldn't count."

[akatawitch]

Sunny's eyebrow went up. "I'd be worried, if I didn't also have friends I can't take anywhere nice."

[akatawitch]

"He went deer in headlights when I said he was cute," Sunny went on, not sure if she was amused or frustrated, or trying to be amused while she was frustrated. "Forgot how to talk in complete sentences when I upgraded that to sexy."

[willysilver]

"What would you like now?" he asked, his smile bright and wide. "Should we get drinks, or sample food? Or would you like to dance, little one?"

[jageskro]

Jag was about to answer her when his gaze was drawn to a familiar figure by the bar, and his smile dimmed, frown stealing over his features. "Um." He supposed that was its own sort of trouble. "Val's here."

[wispofathing]

"We'd look ridiculous," Curnen told him with a straight face. Then she grinned. "Clearly dancing."

[akatawitch]

Sunny's smile widened. "To drink it anyway because booze, or to skip it because it tastes like liquid rum cake?"

[akatawitch]

Sunny smiled back. "It's nice to meet you. When did you guys upgrade from roommates?"

[hardertohide]

"Oh, that's an easy one," Dutch assured her with a chuckle. "Drinking it anyway. Because booze." She raised her glass at the other woman and took a drink.