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

[utterly_mysterious]

"It's remarkable how they all look the same but taste so wonderfully different, isn't it?" Angelique observed, holding up her own glass. "I confess, I'm slightly concerned about the state of my teeth currently. Surely this stuff must stain."

She touched Fin's arm lightly, welcoming him into her space, and turning them both back for the bar. "Were you really about to leave alone? Is everything quite all right?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Um, well... Yeah, yeah, um, strange night, that's all," Fin insisted quietly, shrugging one shoulder. "I was going to ask Will to attend with me, but, um, turns out he's here with a friend, and I just- I don't know, felt weird to stay."

[utterly_mysterious]

Angelique's brow crinkled in a frown. "Things still aren't settled properly with Will, I gather. Certainly not if he's still, well... carelessly hurting you. I'm sorry, sweetie, but he is."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I really don't think it was deliberate," Fin assured her, shaking his head. "We spoke, briefly. He actually offered to leave with me, but I didn't think that would be very fair to his friend."

[utterly_mysterious]

Angelique sniffed, delicately. "It isn't deliberate. That's why it's careless." She sighed, and reached up to touch Fin's cheek. No matter what she said, she knew Fin loved Will. There was something there that she couldn't really fathom. "Your heart deserves a kinder caretaker, if you want to know my opinion."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin smiled softly, leaning into the touch and covering her hand with his.

"You're very kind to say so," he assured her. "My heart will be alright though. Honest."

[utterly_mysterious]

Angelique took his hand over hers, and gave it a gentle squeeze. "As your friend, it's my prerogative to worry, but it's also my duty not to dwell. You're an adult and I know you can look after yourself." She smiled, willing to let the topic go. "So, enough of that. What are you doing for the holidays?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I'm having a party, actually," Fin admitted. "You can expect an invite," he added. "I do hope you'll come."

[utterly_mysterious]

Angelique's smile brightened at this prospect. "Of course I will! What sort of party are you considering? Do I have to wear a suit?" she laughed, with a quick wink.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"It's a very casual affair, usually, but I wont protest seeing you in your best frock," Fin smiled.

[utterly_mysterious]

That earned a small head-tilt and a softening of Angelique's smile. Of course she'd been teasing, but Fin's eternal and simple acceptance of her was still endearing. "I don't know how I'd choose my best, but it will be something very pretty and just slightly inappropriate for you," she promised.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Lucky me then," Fin grinned. "You'll get to meet Will finally," he added. "The whole family will be there. ...Well, immediate family. Will, myself, Winter, Phouka..."

He happy listed off names of those he loved and intended to invite, all while sipping his drink and seeming to light up at the thought of Christmas while he swept tonight's misery under the rug for a bit.

[utterly_mysterious]

Angelique sort of stopped listening after Fin said immediate family. Fin had been kind and generous, above and beyond anything she'd ever expected, but she'd never imagined he thought of her as family. Even her own family didn't consider her, Angelique, her true self, to be family. They barely knew who she was.

She was blinking rather rapidly, smiling, and touching a fingertip to the corner of her eye so her mascara wouldn't smudge. Then she wrapped her arms around Fin's neck and hugged him tightly without a word.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin looked startled for a moment, then smiled brightly as he embraced her in return.

He'd had no real family for so long, then he'd had Will and Winter and Phouka- Then Pippa had come crashing back into his life. He had Sunny, Rob, so many people in his life that he loved and considered his. Angelique was very much counted among them. Hell, even people who maybe weren't as keen to be sucked into the fae's life were his now, in his heart. He'd been lonely for so long, and he refused to be now- And he refused to let anyone else be.

[utterly_mysterious]

Angelique just held him as tight as she could for a long moment, hoping she could express in this silent way the feeling she didn't really have the words for.

When she felt like she could speak again, she released her grip and moved a half-step back, just enough that she could touch Fin's cheek and smile at him. "You're ridiculous and I adore you," Angelique told him firmly.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Oh, well, I'm pleased to be ridiculous in a way that can be adored," Fin laughed.

[utterly_mysterious]

"And I promise I'll be nice to Will, as well," Angelique told him, her tone warm. She didn't like the idea of forgiving him for what he'd done to Fin, but if Fin could do it, why should she keep her heart hard against him? "I do hope the two of you really make up, dearest."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin's smile faded, and he shrugged one shoulder. "I hope so too."

They'd both perish otherwise, and even if that weren't so- He honestly wasn't sure he knew how to exist in the fae world without Will at his side.

[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."