The Hogwarts Hocus Halloween Hextravaganza, Before Midnight.

[pumpkinpatchsir.livejournal.com]

((Okay, the party will be divided into two parts, one taking place before midnight, and one after the Halloween spell is starting to work. This is the first part, obviously. The other will be posted immediately afterwards but takes place roughly five hours later or so, in game time. Remember, this post is for partying only, and no people-turning-into-their-costumes crack!))

ASK NOT FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, IT TOLLS FOR THEE

Jack watched the words that were magically carved above the door to the Great Hall, in plain view of everyone entering it, and he smiled secretively. Everything was set. Tonight was going to be interesting. Who would have known magic could prove to be so useful? He made a mental note to investigate this even more for next year. Now that Sally was here, he'd be able to discuss it with her at great length. She always had such lovely ideas.

Since Jack was not exactly a beginner in the scaring people business he had carefully checked out the atmosphere of Hogwarts and gotten a distinct impression of what was considered frightening here. Outside the Great Hall the lights were out and shadows lurked in the corners. At irregular intervals (but always when one was least expecting it) the mad cackle of a deranged evil clown echoed through the Entrance Hall. Small cats black as midnight stroke around the walls, not speaking to anyone but constantly smiling evilly at anyone passing them, showing gleaming, pointed teeth. Also, because Jack never had it in him to resist the absolute classics, bats were hanging upside-down near the ceiling.

Inside the Great Hall, it was less dark and spooky, but still obviously Halloween. Cool white mist was trickling along the floor. Jack-o’-lanterns hovered in the air around an area cleared for dancing. Along one wall stood a large table with various Halloween treats: pumpkin pie, candy corn, toffee apples, hot cider, mini-cakes and a large bowl of punch.

The Halloween party could begin.

Comments

[every-daae.livejournal.com]

Christine arrived fully dressed as the Queen of the Ball (http://www.buycostumes.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=21427&PCatID=adultcostumes&ccatid=adulthorrorgothic). She attempted to pull the low-cut bodice of her dress up and when that attempt failed, she settled for holding her half-mask up to her face and pretending that she was in costume.

She scanned the room, hoping to spot someone she knew. She hadn't been to many parties, not even opera galas, now that she thought of it, and the sight of so many people in one room was still a bit unnerving. At least in th opera theaters the lights were off in the house and you couldn't see the audience.

[c-macaulay.livejournal.com]

Camilla, too, had not been sure she would see anyone she knew. She had not been sure she would come to the party at all, really, and had done so on a whim. The costume (http://www.lordoftherings.net/film/cast/ca_cblan.html) she wore had been easy enough to throw together from things the house elves found, and one of them helped her charm her ears to an elven appearance.

It was with some relief that she caught sight of Christine. "Your costume is lovely," she said, sincerely. "Have you been planning it long?"

[every-daae.livejournal.com]

Christine perked up at the sound of Camilla's voice. "Oh, Camilla! How lovely to see you again!" Christine twirled on her heel to show of the skirt. "I didn't. Monsieur Jack let me borrow it. It was quite kind of him, don't you think?"

She tilted her head to the side to look at Camilla's costume. "Forgive me, but what are you? Your dress is very pretty, but I'm afraid that I can't tell...."

[c-macaulay.livejournal.com]

Of course -- the books from which Camilla's costume was inspired would have postdated Christine (and the movies, in turn, postdated Camilla, so she had no clue that she resembled the actress completely). "I'm the queen of the elves," she explained, vaguely so as not to break the fourth wall so as not to confuse Christine. "See?" And, smiling, she drew aside the cascade of golden hair to better show the other woman her pointed ears.

[every-daae.livejournal.com]

Oh, elves! Christine knew about elves. Her father had told her hundreds of stories about fairies and elves, and the magical creatures that resided solely in the imagination, and, upon occasion, deserted glens in Normandy at midnight.

"How absolutely marvelous! Is that a wig or did you charm your hair to grow?"

[c-macaulay.livejournal.com]

Camilla gave the new hair an awkward pat. "Charmed it to grow, but it's just a cosmetic thing -- I think it'll go back to normal tomorrow? Like temporary hair dye, except ... magical." She winced. "I hope that doesn't mean it'll all fall out! I should have asked more questions."

[every-daae.livejournal.com]

"Well, it looks quite pretty in any case. I'm sure you could use the same charm to grow your hair back out if it all falls out."

Christine twirled one of the wig's riglets around her finger, quite glad she hadn't relied on a charm.

[c-macaulay.livejournal.com]

(( So tempted now to make poor Camilla's hair fall out tomorrow... ))

"I'm guessing you didn't use that charm," said Camilla dryly. Yes, she'd definitely ask more questions next time. She forced a smile. "Anyway, it looks the way it's supposed to look for the moment. Everything looks lovely tonight, really, in its own ... macabre? ... way," she added, gesturing vaguely about at the decorated Hall.

[every-daae.livejournal.com]

"No, I have a wig. I do hope you'll be alright?" Christine contemplated pulling the wig off for Camilla to see, but it had taken her hours to pin her hair up and pin the wig on securely. She brightened at the compliment to the decor.

"Isn't it lovely? Monsieur Jack- he's the skeleton over there-" Christine pointed vaguely in his direction "-set everything up. I helped put up crepe paper and things, but I was quite amazed at his imagination."