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

[faizel]

"Exactly!" he smiled, so pleased to have someone so willing to chat about such things with. "One of my old professors is actually studying it himself. I wish you could meet him... Perhaps I could write him and we can visit some time. You could see my old school."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I know. I do, really, I understand, Sunny. ...And I hope you know I only get so frustrated because I worry you wont ever take those big leaps and risks yourself," Fin said quietly, reaching out and giving her arm a soft squeeze.

[0_0_7]

Venice only made him think of Vesper, and Rome made him think of Luccia. In fact, there were very few places that didn't have baggage.

"Vegas might be fun," he said. "I haven't been there in years."

[wispofathing]

"I'd love to," was Curnen's immediate and honest answer.

Though her mood changed when she bit her lip. Oh, what the hell. She didn't think she could ignore that she'd seen them talking and that it hadn't looked like a good conversation. "Is Fin okay, by the way?"

[akatawitch]

Sunny's shoulders wriggled in an awkward motion that wasn't quite a shrug. "I'm seeing somebody, kinda," she mumbled, not at all pouting.

[willysilver]

"He is drunk and going home," Willy replied, then touched her cheek. "And, I think, jealous of you."

[quartermaster_q]

"Really? Oh, um, alright. Was sort of joking about that one, James," he admitted.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"You are?" Fin asked, looking like he might sit back down.

[0_0_7]

"I'm teasing, Q. if we marry in America it will be somewhere grand. A warm beach, or perhaps New York. Vegas is for those willing to gamble on love."

[akatawitch]

Sunny couldn't help but try to imagine Faizel meeting anyone in her life. He and Orlu would get on really well, she was sure. Sugar Cream would like him. Sasha... well, Sasha was extremely geeky in his own ways, despite all his bluster and arrogance.

Chichi would probably eat him.

The offer was a sweet one and she shrugged shyly. "I'd like that, I think."

[akatawitch]

"Faizel," she said even quieter, ignoring her initial urge to be coy and drop hints instead of spitting it out (how stupid girly shit would that be?). And not looking at him.

[quartermaster_q]

"New York could be fun," Q admitted. "I suppose we've still got a little time to think on it."

[wispofathing]

Despite the gentleness of the touch, Curnen looked uncertain. "Did I do something wrong?"

[faizel]

"...Then I'll do it, I'll reach out to him. Perhaps we could even visit before the new year," Faizel offered, growing slightly bold.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Really?" Fin asked, looking a bit surprised. "Huh, I always assumed that he was gay. ...Or asexual, that felt like a possibility too. Well, that's brilliant, Sunny. Truly. ...The seeing him bit, obviously, not all that other twaddle I was spouting."

[0_0_7]

"Or we could go...anywhere, really. Anywhere at all. Put up a map and throw a dart," Bond said thoughtfully. "I'm sure there's some corners of this Earth I haven't been to."

[willysilver]

"Not now, nor have you ever," he assured her. "I brought you tonight but he was under the impression I would come with him. It was miscommunication. I thought you would enjoy the party and I am not always certain of how he feels about me and so I chose with my heart."

[akatawitch]

I don't think he knows what he is, even. Sunny went bright red and looked down at the floor. It was a comment made in innocence, but it hit a little close to her own real concerns. "He's a little odd, but he's sweet."

[wispofathing]

"Oh," she said softly. It seemed strange to think that she could have that effect, only... well. She knew Willy and Fin were in a precarious place, and she supposed that could make sense just based on that. She also knew it didn't have to make sense. Feelings just... were. "I ain't aiming to take his place." She paused, then, considering how that could be taken she added, "No offense."

[willysilver]

Willy laughed warm and long while draping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close.

"No offense taken, little bird. You are too much a sister to me to even consider such a thing , but I do adore you all the same."

[wispofathing]

Curnen on the other hand probably would consider such a thing, just she wasn't particularly bothered that it'd never happen. Even though in some ways, this was more complicated. She let Willy draw her close and settled against him easily like she had always been doing this.

"Am I?" she asked softly, thinking suddenly of her own sister an ocean away.

[willysilver]

"In truth you are better than any of my sisters. They have only power and beauty on their minds," he said.

[wispofathing]

Curnen looked down at her hands. "Oh. That kinda thing was never my lot anyway. That's Bliss." Though she wasn't speaking of the same sort of relationship at all. If anything, her tone conveyed a baby sister's blend of deep admiration and certainty of her own inferiority.

[willysilver]

"I would like to meet Bliss," Willy replied. "But until that day comes I shall enjoy your luminosity, Curnen Overbay. Now do not take my meaning wrong, you are quite beautiful...but my sisters are vain. Suspicious. Conniving. The palace intrigues of home never interested me. If you'd like to hear tales of them, though, I would have you talk to The Phouka who spent many years in service there."

[wispofathing]

Curnen nodded her understanding. She knew it was different, just...

"Truth be told, she'd prolly like to meet you, too." Like was a strong word, but Curnen knew that in some ways her sister would not be satisfied until she had reason to believe Willy didn't just see her as a momentary distraction to play with. Curnen couldn't even blame her for that fear exactly. Meeting him had been exactly the sort of thing Curnen had promised to avoid because of all the potential consequences, and yet here she was.