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

[slothbefouler.livejournal.com]

In Jack's timeline, Stephen had only recently married Diana, but not being very attached to the notion of monogamy himself, he felt no particular disapproval of Stephen taking up with a mistress. It was only natural - Diana was far away, and Sarah was a beautiful young woman; any man would do the same (or at least, Jack would). His raised eyebrows indicated his suspicion that something had gone amiss between Stephen and Sarah, though he knew better than to ask directly. No doubt Stephen would tell him in good time.

"Well, then, perhaps it is for want of someone to practice with," Jack replied. "I am sorely out of practice myself. I would like to try that Bach partita we played that one time - do you remember? It was very fine."

[estebanmd.livejournal.com]

For Stephen's purposes, he had just told Jack, and he likely would not say much further on the subject, if anything.

"I remember it well, that Bach partita," he said, and he did remember it. It warmed his heart to think of it. "Shall we try it again some evening soon, then? I imagine Aloysius can manage toasted cheese, or something approximating it."

[slothbefouler.livejournal.com]

"I would be glad of it, with or without toasted cheese," said Jack, pouring himself another glass of punch. (It was vilely sweet, but contained alcohol, and was no worse than the vinegary bilge occasionally served up as claret in the gunrooms of his various ships.) "I must tell you, Stephen, that though I have found good company here, I sorely miss the discourse of people from my own time." He was going to add that he missed the ocean, and Sophie and his children as well, but that probably went without saying.