Abigail Widdowson (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
acrookedchild) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
undergrounds2015-07-01 07:21 am
acrookedchild) wrote in undergrounds2015-07-01 07:21 am
Stroke of Midnight [OPEN]
Miss Abigail Widdowson cordially invites you to Geap Manor on Wednesday, July 1st at 19:00.
Food, drinks, and music will be provided.
All are welcome, but individuals are to be aware that any hostilities during the evening's festivities will not be tolerated.
It is the first time in at least a generation that the doors of Geap Manor have been opened to the general population. Or, at least, as general as the supernatural community could be considered. Some invitiations were made personally, but most were formally sent to the higher ranking members of the various factions.
Dinner is announced precisely at 19:30. The small, intimate eating area for the family has been turned into a buffet room. The caterers Abigail hired have obviously been paid well to make sure there is something for everyone. Rich meat dishes, hearty vegetarian dishes, light fish dishes, plenty of accompaniments and finger food. There is also plenty of fairly fresh blood for vampires. For the others, there are wines, water, and tea available.
The grand dining room has had its large table removed, replaced, instead, by small tables that can comfortably hold four. They can, of course, be pushed together to allow for more room.
The ballroom is open to the guests, and the DJ has also been highly paid to make sure the music played is precisely to the hostess's tastes. There is plenty of modern music, good for dancing, as well as older classics. However, interspersed are classical pieces meant for waltzes and foxtrots and other such ballroom dances.
In the sitting room is a drink cart with wine, tea, water, and blood. Chairs and divans are available, as the room is a quiet place, a little away from the ballroom, so conversation can be had with ease. There is an unlit fireplace, and a portrait of Abigail a few years younger than she is now hangs above it.
Most of the rest of the house is locked. One can wander the hallways, but it may prove ultimately fruitless. One who simply walks up the stairways will find the walls of each lined with the Widdowson family portraits of every generation, starting with one of a ten-year-old Abby, her parents, and her six-year-old brother. As one takes in all the paintings, a pattern presents itself. Every Widdowson woman featured is pale, thin, and blonde.
The grounds are beautifully maintained and fenced in by wrought iron on top of stone. A very traditional look for such an imposing manor. On the path from the street to the house, there's little remarkable, save the knocker on the door. Behind the house, however, if one ventures away, one might get the keen sense of something from inside the house watching, waiting, and hungering. On the ground floor, the locked rooms are mostly unremarkable, save for the study at the back of the house. Linger too long near there, and one might hear a sound coming in a pattering set. It isn't a knock against the door, no. Instead, it is the sound of something hitting the wall. If someone were to force their way into the nursery on the second floor or the attic several stories up... Well. They likely won't be coming back to the party. Or to anything.
Wandering, of course, isn't a suggested enterprise. The old house doesn't like people poking around and trying to find its secrets.
(Everyone who has at least a familiarity with the supernatural is welcome, as the invitations were distributed widely. Mingle, make your own top comments, enjoy the food, etc!)
Food, drinks, and music will be provided.
All are welcome, but individuals are to be aware that any hostilities during the evening's festivities will not be tolerated.
It is the first time in at least a generation that the doors of Geap Manor have been opened to the general population. Or, at least, as general as the supernatural community could be considered. Some invitiations were made personally, but most were formally sent to the higher ranking members of the various factions.
Dinner is announced precisely at 19:30. The small, intimate eating area for the family has been turned into a buffet room. The caterers Abigail hired have obviously been paid well to make sure there is something for everyone. Rich meat dishes, hearty vegetarian dishes, light fish dishes, plenty of accompaniments and finger food. There is also plenty of fairly fresh blood for vampires. For the others, there are wines, water, and tea available.
The grand dining room has had its large table removed, replaced, instead, by small tables that can comfortably hold four. They can, of course, be pushed together to allow for more room.
The ballroom is open to the guests, and the DJ has also been highly paid to make sure the music played is precisely to the hostess's tastes. There is plenty of modern music, good for dancing, as well as older classics. However, interspersed are classical pieces meant for waltzes and foxtrots and other such ballroom dances.
In the sitting room is a drink cart with wine, tea, water, and blood. Chairs and divans are available, as the room is a quiet place, a little away from the ballroom, so conversation can be had with ease. There is an unlit fireplace, and a portrait of Abigail a few years younger than she is now hangs above it.
Most of the rest of the house is locked. One can wander the hallways, but it may prove ultimately fruitless. One who simply walks up the stairways will find the walls of each lined with the Widdowson family portraits of every generation, starting with one of a ten-year-old Abby, her parents, and her six-year-old brother. As one takes in all the paintings, a pattern presents itself. Every Widdowson woman featured is pale, thin, and blonde.
The grounds are beautifully maintained and fenced in by wrought iron on top of stone. A very traditional look for such an imposing manor. On the path from the street to the house, there's little remarkable, save the knocker on the door. Behind the house, however, if one ventures away, one might get the keen sense of something from inside the house watching, waiting, and hungering. On the ground floor, the locked rooms are mostly unremarkable, save for the study at the back of the house. Linger too long near there, and one might hear a sound coming in a pattering set. It isn't a knock against the door, no. Instead, it is the sound of something hitting the wall. If someone were to force their way into the nursery on the second floor or the attic several stories up... Well. They likely won't be coming back to the party. Or to anything.
Wandering, of course, isn't a suggested enterprise. The old house doesn't like people poking around and trying to find its secrets.
(Everyone who has at least a familiarity with the supernatural is welcome, as the invitations were distributed widely. Mingle, make your own top comments, enjoy the food, etc!)
no subject
For the first half hour after the party has 'officially' started, Abigail remains in the front hall, greeting her guests and directing them to either the ballroom or the sitting room to wait for dinner to be served. When it is, her post is given over to a temporary steward to direct latecomers.
2) Dinner
Abby has no proper 'meal.' Instead, she tends to always have a glass of wine and a small plate of little pieces of food. She eats each at a different table to continue socialising and try to make sure each of her guests gets the attention they deserve for having come.
3) Announcement
After dinner, while people mingled and let their food settle, Abigail Widdowson -- dressed in a simple black gown, her blonde hair loose around her pale face -- ascended the main staircase and stood at the railing with a glass of wine in her hand.
"I want to thank you all for coming."
Her mild voice carried with all the weight of her family name behind it. This was what she was born for, to be a public figure. Even if it was absolutely terrifying.
"I invited you all here not only for a night of food, drink, and music but also to make an announcement."
She wanted to take a drink of her wine, wanted to steady herself, but that would betray too many nerves. Instead, she kept going.
"As of today, Enfield is home to a coven for Circle Midnight, one I am personally leading."
Abigail let out a breath she only half realised she'd been holding. It was said. There was no taking it back now. She'd settled on her course and announced it.
"As leader of this coven, I will make Enfield safe for my sisters. I do not intend to displace anyone from their homes or businesses. However, if harm comes to members of Circle Midnight in this district, I will respond. We have no intention to be anyone's enemy, but if they decide to make us one, we will not be pushed out."
It was as much of a threat as she felt was appropriate. She had no desire to remove members of Circle Daybreak from Enfield, but if they lashed out, they would get it returned. So, she raised her glass and forced a small smile.
"Again, thank you all for coming."
4) Sitting room
To say Abigail is nervous after her announcement is an understatement. She's less likely to approach people now, instead ghosting about the house from room to room. She draws no particular attention to herself in the sitting room, save taking the wingback chair that was always her father's favourite. Now isn't her time to be social and seek out conversation. Now, it's time for her to sit back and let others seek her out to express the opinions she's sure they have about her announcement.
5) Ballroom
Another place where she can't escape the words she's said, but Abby still tries to enjoy herself. She might be coaxed into some dancing for the club-like songs, but it will be far easier to ask her to dance during one of the classical songs that lends itself to proper ballroom dancing.
4 - Sitting Room
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4 please!
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Sylvia has come here with a small group of witches from her coven. Alexandrie is one of them and she's far more excitable about this event than she ought to be, oohing and aahing at the grand architecture and the fine food. Sylvia, on the other hand, is much less at ease though she doesn't show it. There's dark magic here, she's sure of it, and she doesn't only think that because she knows some of the history of Geap Manor.
Still, they are guests and she knows better than to pry too deeply into the house's nooks and crannies. They sit around a table and sample a variety of the dishes available, talking quietly among themselves.
B) BY THE FIREPLACE
It's just after Abigail's announcement and Sylvia is quietly fuming. Just when she thinks she's gotten rid of one rogue coven, another pops up like a bad smell that won't go away. The fact that Abigail has the audacity to announce this in public sends a very strong message, and it's one that Sylvia won't ignore.
She's standing alone by the fireplace in the sitting room with a glass of wine in hand, looking up at the portrait that hangs above it. She had met Abigail once before, should have read the signs. Now it's too late to stop this before it really begins, so she's going to have to think hard about how to approach the matter.
B
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B
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b.
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super late but B
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[There's no denying that Sirius is a little nervous about being here, especially in his human form, but at the same time he felt he owed it to Abby. After all, he had been mooching off her flat for a few days. It probably would have been worth it to mention that at some point but what could you do? What was life without a little risk after all?
He's managed to find some decent clothes for the event as well, though who can say how, and has made his way to the table in the back with a full plate of food.]
[Sitting Room]
[There was a time when Sirius would have happily been the life of the party, but it's hard when you're doing your best to not cause trouble. It occurs to him that the ballroom is probably a better place to hide in plain sight but he's not really interested in dancing.
Instead, he'll just be admiring the room, taking everything in.]
Dinner
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Sitting Room
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Dinner
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Sitting Room
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Dinner, I'm so sorry
It's fine, I laughed
oh good I was worried you'd be too Sirius about it
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late SITTING ROOM tag okay? :c
Absolutely okay
Thanks!
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Cooper arrives a few minutes after sunset, fashionably late and once again dressed in a suit that makes him feel uncomfortable. He'd prefer to be wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Alas, appearances must be preserved. The dinner's already been going on a few hours. He picks up a glass of blood and a small plate of hors d'oeuvres. He looks for any table that still has a free seat.
When he spots one, he slides next to you without asking permission. Taking a deep drink of the blood, he fixes his eyes on those sitting at the table. "So, has anything interesting happened?"
2. Ballroom
After getting his fill at the dinner, Cooper makes his way to the ballroom. Now this is what he calls music. He stays against the wall for a few minutes, scanning the crowd to see if there's anyone that he recognizes. He won't be content to stay on the sidelines for long, however. Before too much time has passed, he's out on the dance floor.
3. Stairways
Cooper finds a quiet moment eventually during the event to explore the old house a little. He admires the portraits as he walks, glancing at each one in turn. Eventually, something clicks into his head. He stops at the third generation, staring hard at the woman in the painting. Then he goes onto the next one. Then he retraces his steps to the second generation. Once he realizes what's going on, he mutters to himself.
"Well, that's not creepy at all."
He's not entirely sure what it means, if anything, but he stopped believing in coincidences in the supernatural world quite some time ago.
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3, if that's okay?
Perfect!
I just noticed my giant run-on sentence back there whoops 0n0
It's all good!
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Sitting room or pick your own
After the dinnertime announcement, he moved to the sitting room, where he took odd sips of wine while waiting for someone interesting he might approach. Of course, there were many different definitions of someone interesting.
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A free meal is not the only reason Elsa is happy to be here. Of course, being a perpetual student means being perpetually broke so any type of free food is a plus, but she didn't come merely for food. Elsa likes to mingle with the supernatural set, getting a bit of the lay of the land so to speak, catching up with people she hasn't seen for a while.
For her part, she tries not to eat like a starving university kid. She tries just about everything except for the blood - hard pass on that. She turns to one of her tablemates, hoping that they might be a bit more bougie than her.
"Uh.. which wine would you recommend?"
B - Sitting Room
After Abigail's announcement, Elsa is sitting alone nursing a cup of tea that is rapidly growing cold in her hands. She's unsure how to take this. Granted, Elsa is not political. Her aims are mostly scientific - and personal. But the creation of a new coven could introduce chaos into their community.
She has no intent to fight anyone and hopes that it doesn't come to that. Maybe they will be able to strike some kind of peace so that everyone can just be who they are. Though Elsa is not fond of dark magic.
Elsa is pensive but open to being approached.
A
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Balem had shown up to the party dressed in a fine suit that was, for once, not a glamour, which meant his collar was visible. During the modern songs Balem stood back and mingled. Those dances were unfamiliar to him - and from the looks of things he'd like it to remain that way. The classical music, however, was more up his alley and if he found a suitable partner he'd be willing to lead one of those dances. Otherwise, he'd still be around to chat.
May as well get to know some of the more important people in the London community. He was going to be invading their space in a very public way soon, so it was only polite.
Grounds //
Balem much preferred the outdoors, especially after dark. Dinner had already concluded, and he needed some fresh air. He was unnaturally still when he wasn't moving, and when he was his movements were so fluid that they seemed almost ethereal as he walked about the grounds.
He seemed to be in an alright mood, for what it was worth. While he wouldn't call himself overly fond of any witches, the news of the Midnight coven had amused him enough, and he was glad to see those fond of dark magic taking some initiative.
grounds
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Once more, Nancy could be found with a glass in her hand. A liquid dinner was what she'd planned on tonight, nerves being what they were. She knew her name wasn't being mentioned. Neither was Kenzi's. But tonight was a big night. This would change everything. She'd never cared about politics. But now she was a founding member of a coven with two other women. It was... nerve-wracking.
Honestly, she wasn't even sure her stomach would be able to handle food.
Dancing
A good amount of liquor in her system and Nancy was once again on the dance floor. The music was ever-changing, and she loved the way it kept her on her toes and was- was that just a dubstep remix of Moonlight Sonata?
Sitting Room
Taking a breather, Nancy can be found in the sitting room, resting her feet as she perches on a chaise lounge. Once more, she's got a glass in her hand. Feel free to take a seat and have a chat.
sitting room
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Dinner
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Sitting Room
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Mab was not at all familiar with the modern music and she watched people dance to it with a look of puzzled bemusement for some time before a classical piece came on. Finally. She turned to the person next to her and tilted her head in the direction of the dance floor, lifting her hand expectantly. It may be in the look but it seemed as though she believed no was simply not an option. This person will dance with her because it is how things will be. As certain as the sun will rise again tomorrow.
2) Hallway
The Fae Lady moved up the staircase and began to study each portrait, taking note of family resemblances. Where was her young brother, she wondered to herself, mulling it over as her eyes drifted to another portrait. And where was this Fae Abigail Widdowson claimed to have raised her. Smart of him not to be caught in a portrait. Mab could feel something of him, this Unthank, but he was illusive. His power settled around the house like a second skin seamlessly becoming a part of it. She had seen the Sylvia woman finally, from a distance. During Abigail's announcement in fact. Now that had been entertaining, seeing the reaction on the woman's face. This girl who had seemed so frail and terrified when Mab initially met her, showed spirit and defiance that Mab found agreeable. And interesting.
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1 (ish)
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sitting room | ota
He's a peculiar fella. Greasy hair, old cigarette smoke sticking to his skin, a 7 'o clock shadow darkening his cheeks, and yet, Captain Homer Jackson is a sartorial success in his patterned dress shirt, vest and green suit jacket, as if he were plucked out from another time. And if that doesn't call attention to you, then it's the fact that Jackson's staring at your character-- watching them pass by as he plays that game of guess what he or she is. His face seems permanently fixed in a look that's somewhere between judgmental and skeptical.
Or perhaps you catch Jackson as he approaches the drink cart in the center of the room. He's reaching over to take a glass of whiskey from the tray, but the tips of his fingers pause against the rim of a blood-filled cup. A beat. Jackson appears to be considering something, before not-so-absentmindedly, tipping the glass over.
What? He's petty and petulant, and really, vampires? Who invited them? They were like flies; always another one of them, wherever you looked. Hopefully, none of them will look at him and recognize that wanted face.
Pulling a cigarette from his back pocket, Jackson lights it with a spell-- and for that moment, he admits that it feels good to be free to cast magic. He takes a long drag, not expect anyone to address him.
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If you asked her, Kenzi would say she only showed up so she could dress up. And really, who wouldn't believe her? She's dressed up plenty. However, it was all - in her mind - a clever ruse. She wasn't quite ready to be out of the broom closet. Even if this was a party for just that. Abigail said that she and Nancy didn't have to go public if they didn't want to. Kenzi would hold her to that.
2. Dinner
Kenzi is enjoying herself. As much as she can be. The people she's sat next to are impossible not to listen to as they talk and she might be caught sniggering into her champagne at something they've (or you) said. Decorum is not her friend.
3. Ballroom
Kenzi isn't dancing. Not unless she's asked and only if her partner has some skill, of course. She can say without any shred of shame that she is a marvelous dancer and to pair off with anyone for these less synth'y songs who can't do more than a two step wouldn't be fun. Or fair. The club songs however, got her rolling her hips and laughing with delight.
She might be drunk.
4. Grounds
This house is wrong.
That might be the champagne, wine, cocktails and vodka infused tea talking, but Kenzi can't shake the fact that she can feel in her bones that something is wrong with this place. She bites her tongue to keep herself from chanting protection spells and crosses her arms against her chest to stop from rubbing the talismans she has that are disguised as bracelets and rings. She's gone to the gardens behind the house and is absolutely refusing to turn around and look at the windows on the second and third floors because she can feel someone - something? - watching her.
It's nighttime...but she could swear she hears the faint sound of bees droning around flowers. And jasmine. For some reason she smells jasmine.
Two totally innocuous things are adding up to be entirely too creepy.
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4 Grounds
she doesn't actually have her sword - but details
But everyone brings swords to dinner parties
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1 (I hope this is okay :>)
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Ringer selects a fairly conservative meal, with a modest amount of fish, vegetable, and a couple samples of the other food. As if her appetite wasn't already suffering enough at the mere idea of being in a place so overwhelmed with the supernatural, she comes to the source of blood for the vampires. It's only her manners that prevent her from throwing her plate away entirely as she frowns at the 'food' in disgust, oblivious to others that might be watching until one cuts directly in front of her.
2 BALLROOM
Dancing tends to be one of two things in Ringer's experience: archaic or overly sexualized. That's not to say she's against it. As a young teenager, she took lessons on many of the classical dances as an excuse to avoid being home any more than necessary. They came easy to her now, unlike the gyrating and twerking of the modern age. Still, she wasn't one to reach out much and instead enjoyed the spectacle, standing along the wall and watching the various couples twirl about the floor. It made for a beautiful scene.
3 STAIRWAYS
Where there's a will, there's a way. That's Ringer's philosophy as she makes her way up the stairs, admiring the portraits. The pictures tell a great deal about not only the master of the house, but of the eras in general and the type of people she might normally associate with. People that aren't Ringer. The girl surprised herself by accepting the invitation, generally being against parties. If not for the wealth of information the party provides - who's who, what they eat, what they do - she wouldn't have come at all. But that doesn't mean she can't be social.
When she catches sight of the new arrival in the large and mostly empty hall, she glances their way. "I don't understand the desire to be immortalized in paintings. Or photos."
1
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( If none of these prompts suit you, just PM me to work something out or wing it! )
D
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D
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a.
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F
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B. (finally)
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