Connie and Nyra's Halloween Party - 29B (Nyra's Loft)
A burly security guard from Nachton Security sits behind a table at the top of the stairs. His table has signs announcing events planned at specific times as well as explanations of other events. The door prizes are described except for a closely guarded secret Grand Prize. Behind his table sits three pumpkins that can be won by putting your name into the bowl upon the table. These ceramic works of art are painted by the resident artist and are roughly the size of a volleyball. One depicts a graveyard with ghosts and zombies, another shows a spooky mansion complete with gargoyles and Gothic architecture, and the last has intricate dragons terrorizing knights in armor.
The door to 29B is obscured by a curtain made up of a multitude of thin strips of material. The torn and frayed edges are soft, most are braided together, making an illusion of a solid wall. Once through, the guest discovers they have entered a gypsy enclave.
Colorful lengths of fabric meet in the center of the ceiling and then spread out to the walls, giving the impression of the inside of a tent. Large pillows are scattered around the floor in conversation pieces, though there are two fabric draped couches for extra seating. There is an island covered in succulent dishes, edible arrangements of appetizers, fruit, vegetables and desserts. The attendant behind the island proffers water and sodas with your snack.
The bathroom is disguised by trees that almost reach the top of the glass brick wall. Atop the wall sit an array of colorful candles burning brightly.
There is a circle of cushions around a short table. Here you find the Pumpkin Painting contest in full swing. Each participant can paint their very own 5" diameter pumpkin with the array of items, from oils to watercolors with wide brushes to tiny. There are glitters, glue, googly eyes, pompoms and pipe cleaners in a wide assortment of colors. The small sign at the table reads: Door Prize #3 to the Winner of the Best Pumpkin Contest. Judging to be held at midnight.
The bronze sculpture in the middle of the table is labeled Door Prize #3. It is a dark piece, suitable for Halloween of a female figure floating upward as if her soul is rising to heaven, while beneath the figure is a broken skeleton. The piece is small for the artist, only twelve inches tall by eight inches long and five inches wide.
Another circle is a lovely gypsy woman applying Henna or paint upon any willing guests. Either to accent an outfit, help one that came uncostumed or to allow the guest to take home a fleeting reminder of their fun.
Nyra the host of 29B is standing near the circle of couches, greeting guests and chatting with friends. Her gypsy costume is so amazing it takes friends a moment to recognize her. Her head is covered by a bronze scarf which trails down her back. Her undershirt is a warm cream off the shoulder creation with long sleeves that are split open from the top of the shoulder to the wrist, but tied closed at the elbow. A deep burgundy waist cincher accents her curves and draws ones attention to the double skirts in honey underneath black. The tiara around her forehead jingles with gold coins, matching the bronze scarf similarly adorned around her waist. Her bare feet display burgundy toenails and gold bell anklets that jingle with her every step. Kohl makeup complete the effect, making her the perfect gypsy wench.
The loft is a spray of colors from bright yellow, warm gold, heady maroon, luscious burgundy, royal blue, emerald green and pitch black. The lighting is sufficient for each area to see clearly but dim for candles and the scattered brass lamps to look flickeringly atmospheric. The scent of sandalwood incense is noticeable but not overpowering.
Though Shay was covered from head to toe, her costume left little to the imagination as far as what was underneath the thin, clingy material. The fact that she was a little chilly, was VERY apparent.
While Mathias's costume was much more formidable...he looked very well protected, and ready for anything. When she first saw him she thought she was quite the lucky girl to be escorted by such a ... hunk...he was quite striking.
Now though, she was thinking something a little less 'protective' would have certainly have made for a more 'snuggly' Mathias. Yet she resigned herself to looking forward to 'snuggles' after the party.
She accepted his cloak with a kiss, and deep gratitude. Nothing in her closet was found to be acceptable to wear for warding off the night air. Yet she was sure his cloak had made her an elegant looking lioness.
"You are too kind with your flattery sir...it is you who looks such the delicious...hunk"
She laughed softly. Hunk just seemed inadequate in defining Mathias.
"And if the party is slow...we can always go back to the flat...and have our own, private costume soiree."
These words were delivered to Mathias privately, as she leaned close to him, as they walked.
Once they got beyond the guard, and reached the door, she took his hand, and walked through.
"Trick or Treat?"
She chortled in greeting.
As she waited for Serena's response, she watched as a knight escorted a lioness into the harem-tent-loft-apartment place.
"Yeah, great construction there, Stone. You'll be a writer some day, no doubt."
"Bah."
She watched as the lioness seemed to recover from the October chill outside; some of her feminine features were quite visible for a few moments, but Connie was able to keep her gaze equally divided between the two newcomers. She waved them over.
Taking the invitation the man produced he took down both their names on his clipboard and dropped their entry into the door prize drawing bowl.
Gruffly he pointed to the curtained door. "B has food and games."
Pointing to the pirate flag next to A's open door he said. "A has booze and dancing. I believe both hostesses are in B righ now."
Nyra heard their door greeter welcoming more guests in his gruff manner. Hopefully he wouldn't scare anyone away! She hurried towards the curtain to welcome the newcomers.
"Excuse me you two, I need to go greet the next arrival." She said over her shoulder to Serena and Connie.
"Welcome to our humble party." The artist greeted the two new guests. Extending her hand to shake she continued to introduce herself. "Nyra McGurn, pleasure to meet you two and thank you for coming."
"You will have to forgive me now, but I am just dreadful with names so please mention them now so I can promptly forget them and ask you again later." She joked, hoping to put them at ease, though they both looked pretty comfortable. Walking them forward a bit she introduced them around.
"This is the dread pirate Connie Stone, hostess of 29A. And my friend Serena."
"Hello!" Shay greeted, taking Nyra's hand and smiling.
"Thank you for having us...I'm Shay, my gallant knight is Mathias...and your place looks just divine...very festive!"
Shay greeted the other two women next.
"Dread Pirate Connie...any relation to the Dread Pirate Roberts?"
Shay laughed...silly movie that it was, Shay had always liked 'A Princess Bride'...and found it very clever.
She held her hand to both new women, and again introduced herself and Mathias.
"Did you say there is a party in 29a, as well?"
"And it's not so much 'another' party as the other half of this one!" She laughed.
He had faded jeans, flannel shirt, a long black duster and hat from the times of the wild west that looked like a cross between a cowboy hat of today and a fedora. Well worn black leather boots and a belt with two holsters for a pair of colt peacemakers completed the look.
Poking his head through the fabric door he looked around at the party in progress, spotting Nyra in the middle with a pirate that looked familiar to him. Was she from Tacharan? or wait.. she's Nyra's girlfriend, you goof, you saw her at the art showing. Deciding he should look up more from his musing and writing at while in the Abbatoir and he wouldn't have these bouts of confusion, Jan walked inside.
Going up to greet Nyra, he pulled off his hat and put to his chest, giving her a little nod and another of the same to her pirate friend.
"Its good ta see ya again, Ma'am."
Jan put back on the hat and nodded to the others there with a smile.
"I hope I'm not late for this here party.
((OOC: I would have said shindig but Jan refused to say it.. Difficult man! He says that's some southerner word and not western at all. Hopefully he's not late! ))
Nyra was thrilled to see the young man from the gallery showing. He looked quite handsome in his wild west gear. Very authentically worn in all the right places. How amazing!
"Feel free to introduce yourself around. There are more people here than I can keep track of honestly. But first, have you met my Connie?" Putting her hand on her lover's shoulder she introduced the two.
"Jan, meet Connie Stone. Connie dear, meet Jan." She couldn't recall if they had met at the gallery opening or not, so it didn't hurt to introduce them. "Please make yourself at home. We have food over here along with some fun activities. But if you go next door to 29A there is dancing and the bar. Thank you so much for coming!"
Mathias waited till a natural break in the conversation before asking Nyra "Pardon me, but that sculpture is quite interesting. May I ask who the artist was?"
Jan turned Connie and gave her another nod.
"Its a pleasure to meet ya, Connie."
Hearing one of the others speak up asking about the statue Jan figured this was someone who hadn't been to the gallery but must know them from some place else.
"I'd imagine that would be Nyra's lovely work. I have a beautiful painting of her's on my wall at home right near my keyboard. I find it helps me think when I'm trying to compose."
He smiled in the direction of Nyra and her companion. The woodland scene reminded him of home and in his stark barely decorated apartment, Jan felt he could use a little bit of serenity.
"Oh, Nyra...you're an artist? That is stunning work. Have you a gallery, or do you do commission work? I've only recently moved into a new place, and have need of some artwork. I despise blank walls."
She grinned, and got excited at the prospect of having some original art on her walls.
"That is of course, provided you do sell your work...and I can afford it."
"Thank you Jan, I am so happy you enjoy the painting." The artist in her was so glad he found her work inspiring enough to put next to his creative space, let alone draw inspiration from it. She blinked rapidly to forestall any sniffles.
"Shay, let me introduce you to Mr. Bertrand Hirsch. He manages Ramsey's Gallery, here in Nachton, that is currently featuring my work. Of course you have a chance tonight to win the sculpture, one of the three painted ceramic pumpkins on the landing or the beautiful ship in a bottle all as door prizes."
Waving Bertrand over, she met him half way, hoping Shay followed because tonight the artist did not wish to get trapped for an hour talking shop. "Bertrand, this is Shay. Shay, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Mr. Bertrand Hirsch. I am sure he has business cards in his handsome coat pockets."
"Good evening my dear Shay! It is my great honor to meet you." He held out his hand to bestow a kiss upon hers. "Our artist is much too modest. Her work is fabulous. Paintings and sculptures of sunrises, sunsets, moonscapes and figure study. Its fantastic work. You should come down to the gallery someday soon so I can show you what I have available."
He produced a business card in his other hand, like a magician. Carefully keeping a card up your sleeve impressed many a potential customer.
Shay's eyes glittered in amusement when she was introduced to Bertrand. She was thrilled to have met an artist, and really looking forward to seeing more of her work...possibly in her own home.
But Bertrand was so friendly and accommodating, she had to smile at his enthusiasm. He apparently had the perfect personality for promoting Nyra's work, as if she hadn't been interested before, Shay would have been after meeting Mr. Hirsch.
Taking his card, Shay wondered if Mathias had pockets in his trousers, and if he'd mind holding onto it for her. There was certainly no where in her outfit she could tuck it, unobtrusively.
"And I will certainly make a point of visiting your gallery within the week. I'm serious when I say I am in the market for one or two paintings."
She turned to Mathias.
"Maybe I can convince Mathias here to join me...and help me choose. Mathias - Mr. Bertrand Hirsch."
She was aware Mathias was going to be looking for a loft, and might want some pieces himself.
Connie was very glad Nyra would be attaining more business... but really, this was planned as a party and while networking never really stops, she wanted people to have fun!
"You are right Connie,and I apologize for being a horrible guest." He grinned,letting the gathered crowd know he was just joking. "If you don't mind I am going to rectify that by sweeping the lovely Shay off her feet." With that,Mathias held out his hand to lead Shay to the other loft and some dancing.
As they made their way to the other apartment, Shay held up the card for Mathias.
"Might you have somewhere to tuck this for now...and then I will retrieve it later...you might even try and 'hide' it somewhere, and I'll 'hunt' for it."
Waving the card in front of him, Shay grinned up at Mathias, before turning away slightly, to afford him time to slip the card somewhere.
As they entered the apartment next door, Shay was again delighted at the decorations, even though they were much different than those of Nyra's. She didn't spend too much time dwelling on them though...wanting to be in Mathias's arms much more.
"I'm so glad you brought me here. Each aspect of you I see, in a different setting, or with different people, only makes me want to be with you more...and get to know you better."
And my but that sounded strange. For Shay knew Mathias better now, in the short time they'd been together, than many of the people back home, who she'd known for years. Though she hadn't slept with any of them either.
(ooc - Shay and Mathias out to other party thread)
((OOC: It was a sad ooc out.. but an ooc out none the less ))
'At least this costume is just wipe and go, no muss no fuss. And that's good, considering I will end up with pumpkin decor on me, I just know it!'
Setting herself up and starting in on her pumpkin as a way to kill time, she looked up a few minutes later from being completely engrossed to find everyone had wandered away.
'Smooth move Rena.. the party left.' Chuckling a little, she looked down at her pumpkin and sighed. It was painted all white and had become a crazed and faintly demonic looking creation with silver glitter swirled with black in a almost hypnotic spiral for eyes, a snarling gaping mouth with huge fangs dripping blood and a bright red puff for a clown's nose. With a 'eh whatever' shrug, she signed it and set it down.
After standing and looking around a bit she decided to head across the way and see what had drawn everyone away.
((OOC : out to other thread..))
Upon entering the next door flat, Shay saw no signs of Nyra or Connie.
There were people milling around the food tables, but Shay wasn't hungry. In fact, aside from being a bit cold, she felt as content as the cat in the cream. Keeping his hand, Shay led Mathias into a doorway, a bit away from the others, and amidst some shadows. She then turned towards him, putting her arms around his neck.
"But at least I don't feel quite so conspicuous doing this, over here."
And she kissed him the way she'd been wanting to for half the night.
She still wasn't able to really cuddle against him with the metal acting as a good barrier, but their lips were not blocked by anything other than propriety.
"I'm sorry Mathias...normally I'm really quite a party goer. I'm not sure what's come over me tonight, but I just keep thinking of being elsewhere...just the two of us. Am I so horrid? Are you going to become bored with me, if I want too keep you, and what we have, to ourselves a bit longer?"