(open) hell is deep lord, but we're heading deeper

[thelittlemerman]

[With new lords come new excuses to party.]

[Some time on the 19th, the fae stage a takeover of the club fabric in Smithfield. Invitations are sent out to all the fae in London, touting the glorious coming out of the Lords of Rivers and Illusions, Seelie and Unseelie respectively. It's one of those times where fae of both courts just want an excuse to throw a party, and the invitation is all the notice said new lords get that they are going to be guests of honour.]

[It's a typical fae affair; the magic is heavy in all three rooms, one of which is decorated like a ballroom in Other Realm fashion. The food and drink served at the bar remains untouched by fae charms, but the fae presence itself seems to be intoxicating. Some of the activities happening in dark corners seem to be a little beyond what's regularly allowed at any reputable nightclub, but don't pay attention to that just enjoy the party.]

[If you manage to cause any trouble, a team of large fae is here to escort you out. You may have seen them faithfully guarding the door, sniffing out those who may want to cause harm to the high concentration of fae inside. Vampires can be let through if they have a fae companion with them, and otherwise all types of humans and supernatural alike are allowed in.]

[The party goes on for precisely 72 hours, and on the 22nd the party winds down and mysteriously disappears. The club is left a little cleaner than when it started, the staff left completely befuddled about what just occurred.] (x)

Comments

Finnick

[thelittlemerman]

ARRIVAL / CLOSED TO ANNIE

They've been out as a couple before, but never to something so drenched in fae magic. It makes Finnick nervous, and as they approach the entrance to fabric he grips her hand tightly, so wary of the supernatural presence barely contained inside the nightclub. He's already told her how embarrassed he is that they're doing this, that he had hoped for a quiet ascension to lordship and had never truly wanted it in the first place, but it would look strange for him not to show up at a party that is partly in his honour. So here he is, holding Annie's hand as he flashes a smile at the fae bouncers and walks inside.

He bows his head to her subtly once the door closes behind them, his expression sobering. "Don't touch anything they try to give you," he says. "If you want something to drink, let me give it to you. I wouldn't trust any substance passed around freely in here."

NINETEENTH / OTA

He's perfectly genial throughout the first night of the party. In fact, one could say he's in top form, meeting and greeting with everyone and saying his thank yous with a charming grin as different fae approach him with compliments or congratulations. This stuff isn't particularly hard once he gets into the swing of things, and once he makes sure that Annie is alright he seems perfectly comfortable in his role as honoured guest.

He's talking with a group of fae near the bar when he draws attention to himself in the best way one can: by calling for another round. It's partly a way to appeal to his fellow party-goers, but it also offers a reprieve from the endless socializing as everyone cheers and waits for their drinks to be served, chattering excitedly about how he's such a gracious host. In this moment of peace he takes a deep breath, and looks around at the party.

TWENTIETH / OTA

After the party has been going on for nearly twenty four hours, Finnick finds himself completely worn out. He even went home and had a full night's sleep, and upon returning he certainly felt refreshed, but the endless barrage high energy activities is finding him in need of a break.

It's still relatively early evening when he wanders outside, and he is a sight to see. He was dressed very well, but his clothes look like he's taken them off and hastily put them back on a number of times; to the point where it's a miracle they're not inside out. He's wearing a couple pieces of odd-looking jewellery that he doesn't remember the origins of, and there is almost definitely patches of glitter on any exposed skin - which there is not a small amount of, even considering that it's a relatively warm day for February.

He finds a patch of wall and leans against it with a sigh, pulling out his phone to alleviate the boredom and look like he's doing something for the time being.

TWENTY-FIRST / OTA

It is the third consecutive night of partying and Finnick is finally intoxicated. Up until this point he's been holding back, never being eager to lose control in any sense of the term. However, it only takes so much partying before you give in and decide that it might just be more fun with a little more fae wine.

Drunk, Finnick is quick to laugh and almost bubbly with how much energy he has. He's a touch more affectionate with everyone, but that may be to steady himself and stop the swaying. In any case, the young fae has clearly let loose a little more and he's having fun doing it.

WILDCARD

[If you'd like a situation that you don't see here, you can go for it! Finnick will be present most of the time, and you can pretty much assume that he's doing one of the three things above, but if you have something in mind and you're not sure just PM/PP me to talk it over!]

NINETEENTH

[whatmatters]

Ringer has been generally trying to get to know various fae as best she can in the given circumstances. The girl isn't really one for parties, but with her new friendship with Annie developing and the rumors she's been hearing about the conflict between the far and witches, she's somehow found herself here anyway. She's well dressed, elegant rather than showy, with no weapons other than a small can of mace in her purse.

It isn't until the new round of drinks is announced that she actually recognizes someone. With light amusement at the cheers and an urge to roll her eyes at how easily drunken people are delighted, she makes her way over to near Finnick and leans against the counter beside him.

"Trying to get everyone drunk or trying to build your reputation?" She asks, probably joking, though it's hard to tell with Ringer.

[thelittlemerman]

Finnick narrows his eyes at her briefly as she approaches, despite the charming, welcoming grin on his face. The mystery of why she's here probably has a very simple answer, but it won't do to start interrogating here right off the bat. That wouldn't exactly be in line with the image of gracious host that he's trying to promote here. So he settles for letting out a laugh like she's told a joke.

"Can't it be both?" he asks wryly, giving a dismissive nod to another fae trying to get his attention. "And what about you," he says, "would you like a drink? They're all on the house."

[anniesgonemad]

Annie's long hair hangs down her back in her usual messy waves. She'd tried to curl it, but the result was mostly mess. One of these days, she knew she was going to have to give up on actually making it behave, because it just wasn't working. Her dress fell around her ankles, and by the end of the party, it would be ripped to her knees. As they enter the club, Annie places her free hand over Finnick's and gives him a look

"I know," she tells him, knowing he means well. Friendly reminders and their first public outing as a couple. He just wanted to protect her.

Standing on her tip-toes, she kisses him. "I won't. I promise. But only if you dance with me." A harmless sort of dare. She was the one that had really wanted to go to this party in the first place. Returning to solid ground, she began to walk with him down the stairs.

[thelittlemerman]

He laughs, almost a little embarrassed. Of course she knows not to take anything form the fae; he's only warned her about a million times about it. It's not that he doesn't trust fae in general, it's that he doesn't trust anyone, and the fae in particular have the power to ensnare Annie that regular humans don't. It's power that he's used and he knows how effective it can be.

"They'll have to pull us apart," he says as he walks down the stairs. He takes her to the ballroom, where the atmosphere is a little more calm. It's magically serene, in fact, and the music is slow so they can sway gently as he takes one of her hands and puts his other hand on the small of her back.

20th

[stauncherhearted]

The last time Nancy went to a party, she nearly found herself a midnight snack for a very angry nest of vampires. But this was a fae party, and that was bound to not end in a blood bath. An orgy, maybe, but not a blood bath.

Nancy was here because of course she was. Her life was too surrounded by fae to not be here, and she was under Eames' protection and it was only fitting to go and celebrate with her friend. So here she was, laughing, drinking, having a good time. But even she needs a break sometimes, and found herself outside, digging into her purse for a cigarette.

She rarely smoked, truth be told. She preferred her illegal magic drugs. But sometimes you just needed a cigarette. And this was one of them.

Coming to stand near a wall, she pulls one out and starts fishing for a lighter when she notices who she's near. "I know you," she says, before giving up with the lighter and just using her finger. A simple flame sparks to life and she uses it to light the tip of the cigarette. "You're the fae from Croydon."

[thelittlemerman]

Finnick regards the flame she produces with a bored sigh. Of course he recognizes her; he has a very good memory, but it doesn't register on his face for her to see right away.

"Among many," he says. "One of those lucky enough to get out alive as well." He looks up at the sky - it's an overcast night, but the air is clear and cool. It's an atmosphere of calm and a nice break from what was going on inside. When he looks back at Nancy he offers her a wry smile. "But yes, that was me. I see you made it through the purge as well."

WIIIIIIIIIIIIILDCARD

[falsify]

When Eames arrives, there's plenty of congratulations to be given. It's all for show really, no one who's here seems to actually care that much. Mostly they just care about partying. A couple thank him for the celebration, which he doesn't have the energy to correct them about it right now.

He smiles cordially at Finnick when he sees the Seelie, half assuming this is his doing. Finnick's never struck him as the type for this kind of thing, but admittedly he doesn't know the guy that well. Still, he manages a "congratulations," that sounds genuine and even a little happy when he's close enough.

[thelittlemerman]

"And you as well," Finnick says, smiling as though they're old friends. As if he hadn't introduced himself by starting an argument over Eames' deal with the witches. That was months ago after all, and Finnick feels much more comfortable dealing with Eames now, Unseelie though he may be.

"This isn't your doing is it?" he asks after a quick glance at the party around them. It's good-natured but if Eames is to blame he's going to harbour a small grudge for at least a couple weeks.

TWENTIETH

[baisant]

Jean-Claude is never one to turn down a good party, not even one amongst the fae. And thus when Stephen, one of Jean-Claude's fae employees, invites him along because his brother Gregory has refused to play as his plus one, he accepts. He has to stick rather close to Stephen through the course of the evenings, but with the young fae safely escorted onto the dance floor by a rather interested third party, Jean-Claude is free to wander.

And wander he does. Through the party, taking his time enjoying himself on his own for a while. Which is how he happens upon Finnick, as it is. "Aha," he says, recognizing the other at once. He may not be all that involved with the politics of the city, but he certainly keeps an eye on it. "The guest of honor, is it not?"

[thelittlemerman]

The alarm bells always go off when a vampire comes anywhere near him. He still knows the feeling, their magical signature, so well, but he's trained himself not to react. Instead, he smiles warmly and nods.

"One of them, at least," he says, over the hum of the party. "To what do we owe the pleasure of a guest from outside the courts?"

He doesn't pay attention to Islington politics. He hates all of them the same.

TWENTIETH

[knightscode]

Lancelot knows this is a bad idea, yet all the same he's rather good at bad ideas by now. He can feel the fae magic emanating from the place, and while it's generally a bad idea to go directly toward a place full of creatures who may have been involved in framing you for murder and/or in trying to bring about the downfall of two factions you are involved in --

Well, he's here regardless.

The sight of Finnick coming out is a curious one, and the sight of him resorting to playing on his phone more curious still. It seems oddly innocuous it the face of how dangerous they could be. In the face of the huge party meant to entertain it strikes him as odder still. He has a feeling he's seen Finnick before, but he cannot place him exactly no matter how hard he tries. Perhaps a distant memory, obscured? Perhaps everything about the fae just leaves him fuzzy in general.

"Is the party not as good as it sounds?" He prompts finally, taking a few cautious steps closer. He's not exactly dressed to party the way Finnick is, dark jeans and a black t-shirt and a long black coat. He's dressed for cooler London weather, and for trying to blend away rather than stand out.

[thelittlemerman]

Finnick looks up at the source of the voice and recognizes Lancelot immediately. The man looks different outside of Faery in that way that people do, but he has the same magic on him, and it's maybe a bit stronger now. Still, no recognition registers on his face as he gives Lancelot a quick glance and then looks back down at his phone.

"That all depends on how you feel about parties," he says, "and how long your stamina for them lasts."

EAMES | the whole damn event | OTA

[falsify]

[Eames is here somewhat under duress. He never wanted to draw attention to his lordship, but the desire for a big celebration outweighs respecting his unexpressed discomfort, so here he is.]

[He spends most of the first day in the makeshift ballroom. It's boring, but it's also sedate and calm. The perfect setting for pretending he's totally excited about all this even though he can't stand it. It's nice to share a gentle drink or dance with the unrealistically beautiful, (or the plain unrealistic, for those that don't care for glamours,) as it always is. Somewhere between the umpteenth lord or lady congratulating him, or just the realisation that he is so bored it beggars belief, Eames takes his leave of the room for something a little more exciting.]

[Remember how Eames wasn't into this? Yeah. It's amazing how copious amounts of alcohol (and maybe other substances who's to say) can change a man's outlook. There's nothing much to say about what he's doing for the last 48 hours of this party. At some point he's lost his shirt, he's enjoying some dances, he seems to always have a drink in his hand. It's a good time.]

[anniesgonemad]

Mr. Eames? [Annie's hair has fallen out of the attempted curls, her dress ripped so that no longer does it dip into a dark blue ombre, but rather remains a lovely sort of sea-green. She hasn't been drinking- there are too many people, too many bodies, and honestly it's overwhelming. It's a small miracle she's held together this long.

Where exactly Annie is in the great scheme of the winding club, she has no idea. She's looking for a friendly face, and is convinced she's found one in Eames'.] Have- have you seen Finnick? I lost him in the crowds!

[falsify]

[Well, he has no intentions of disillusioning Annie of his friendliness. It's kind of novel to have someone thing he's a nice person, it's been a while. Plus she's clever and Finnick's girlfriend or whatever. A useful sort to have thinking well of him.]

[So, he gives her a concerned look when she asks him about Finnick and gives the room a once over to see if he can see the man immediately with no luck, shaking his head to say as much.]

Where was the last place you saw him?

[stauncherhearted]

[It's Eames' fault she's here. Seriously. Nancy skipped the first night of the party in favor of working, but the next two nights she's there, and that's when she sees Eames.

Eames dancing shirtless with a drink in his hand.

She makes her way to him on the dance floor, sidling next to him to dance.]

Congratulations! [She calls over the music.] You look great, Lord of Illusions!

[Seriously, don't ever put a shirt back on ever again. It's forbidden.]

[falsify]

I do! [Should that have been 'thank you'? Oh well.]

[Were it near the start of things, he might be surprised to see Nancy here, but he's reached the point now where almost everything is great. So Eames grins at Nancy and he'll dance with her - unlike Some People, he's pretty good too, even if he looks like someone who'd dance like everyone's dad at a wedding.]

I wasn't expecting to see you here.

[specifiercity]

[Why is Arthur here? Well, Arthur got butt-dialed. Arthur has come to see what the big fuss is about, since he had heard about the party but had no reason to show up until he heard Eames partying it up and decided he wanted to see what that looks like.]

[Anyway here he is, having only had a couple beers at home and choosing not to take anything from the fae. He stands at the edge of the room scanning it for Eames - and then he sees the fae. Shirtless and dancing. Dear god.]

[falsify]

[For obvious reasons, it takes Eames a little while to notice Arthur. Far too busy having a good time to do things like 'looking around' or 'paying attention'. When he does spot Arthur, he squints at him for... Well, it's a while. Totally perplexed by his arrival.]

[Okay, better see what this is about. He walks over - confused, because this totally isn't Arthur's scene, but not displeased to see him.]

What are you doing here?

[baisant]

[Jean-Claude is a vampire and as such, doesn't exactly have an open-invitation to fae events. But that's never stopped him before, and when one of his workers asked him along as their plus one (probably in an attempt to suck up to him but he doesn't care at this point, he'll take it) of course he accepted. He's never been one to turn down a good party before, why start now.

He really shouldn't attend all of the days, but the first few wouldn't hurt. And so it is that he finds himself in the ballroom with the rest of the party. And the guests of honor themselves. Or at least one of them. Jean-Claude may not be involved in fae politics, but it's only smart to pay attention to who's who and doing what, and as such he knows exactly who Eames is. And so it is that he makes his way over to him and the fake smile that's plastered on the other man's face.]

You seem to be enjoying yourself... [There may or may not be some sarcasm there.]

[falsify]

[Well it was a fake smile. It's now a nose wrinkled in disgust that he makes zero attempt to hide. Eames turns to this "guest" with an arm folded over his chest, hand tucked in the crook of his other elbow as he swills his glass.]

Well, well. Can't say I expected an appearance from one of Islington's Earls. [The undercurrent of 'you're not welcome here' is strong in both his tone of voice and body language, but he expects it to be an undercurrent that is noted and then disregarded.] To what do I owe the pleasure?

Ringer | 19th & 20th | OTA

[whatmatters]

Ringer is mostly here to try to learn more about the fae and make alliances. What normal people might call networking or making friends. She's wearing a simple black cocktail dress, elegant and classy and looking a little out of place with the much more glamorous and ostentatious types around. It doesn't bother her so much as being around the drunk people does and she will do her best to avoid the intoxicated where she can.

She mostly avoids the ballroom and instead wanders around, navigating crowds and occasionally joining circles or being approached by strangers to chat for a bit. Sometimes she actually gets names and has a decent conversation, other times she has the delight of politely declining to dance. At least she's trying.


[Feel free to run into Ringer at any point in the first two days, though she won't be around beyond that.]

[anniesgonemad]

This club was a frickin' maze. Seriously. Hw many times Annie has wandered around, she's lost track of. Each time she thinks she recognizes a place, it's actually another room entirely. Still sober, she's using being lost as an excuse to do some quality people watching. The sorts of fae she's run into so far tend to look human. But here, some of them are notably not.

Out of the corner her eye, she spots Ringer, and immediately abandons her post to come over to her, reaching a hand out in greeting. "Ringer! You made it!" She smiles brightly. "I'm so glad!" She beams with pride as though this was her event. It's not, she had nothing to do with it, but this event is for Finnick and that alone practically makes her glow.

why hello again

[falsify]

Well, this isn't quite the setting he had in mind for a second meeting. Especially given how he'd avoided telling her what he was. Eames considers just ignoring her altogether, but it's a party half in his honour (nominally, at least) and Ringer struck him as the observant type.

Thankfully for his dignity, Eames is still sober and fully dressed at least.

He sees her reject a dance and sidles over to stand behind her, waiting until the rejected suitor walks away before he speaks. "Fancy seeing you here."