Myth!AU - In The Shadows

[sword_breaker]

[Second Part to the Myth AU!~]

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Midwinter Gala

[sword_breaker]

[Every year since the small beginnings of the city, the higher echelons of the mythical community would gather for a night of festivities and celebration for the Winter Solstice. Majority of the showing would be the more nocturnal based denizens due to the presence of the longest night of the year. It was a show of power as much as good tidings to each other. However that didn't mean that any one power controlled the floor so to speak.

Upon approaching the hall, any that requests entrance would need the proper invitation before allowed to proceed inside. Guards from various courts and organizations working together to provide a sound security for the event. That as well as some helpful detection devices from the mortal realm that have been magically enhanced to help with the peace of mind.

The decorations were in charming silvers and golds to accent the black and white tables and seats. A rather expansive bar on one end of the grand hall while on the opposite end, there was a spectacular dance floor. A rather large band having been assembled and almost on the cusp on being a full fledged orchestra. However there was breaks in between filled with rather tasteful choices from the past few years being played in the background. A buffet waiting perpendicular with the bar and dance floor, flaunting an extravagant array of food for all to enjoy during the course of the night.

The Unseelie were out to boast and play nice with the Seelie that braved dark but more so the cold. Wolves and vampires bringing along their best behavior as much as re-situating the various alliances that were crisscrossed along the city. Various species mixing about with not a single drop of bad blood to be seen. Listers being able to drop their guises if they wish under the protection of the sigils that bared the event from humans and any that seek to harm.

However much of the peace was kept under the watchful eye of the Order that had all but claimed the upper floor of the hall. A shimmering visage of the Order's dual scythes on the pristine wall to greet those that approached the separate bar and lounge that had been set up upstairs. Yor wanted to make certain that the hub had a good presence and desired for everyone to be able to rub elbows with other influential immortals as much as mortals. To build a better connection with the community he had said in the invitation each reaper got.

So relax and enjoy the night. Though for everyone's sake, hopefully no one causes a fuss. Celebrations like this on such a scale are few throughout the year.]

[notthatkindofkell]

So Mykelle has worn this dress before. It doesn't count if it was a glamour, right? Not that she cares what they think. She will dress to impress, and if she can get multiple uses out of this gown, she will. Besides, it's nice to come to a party and know she won't have to sneak in with her spears.

For now, she mingles with her sisters-in-arms. That will change, though, when the usual suspects get here. They can hardly begrudge her that, though.

[archivistonfire]

The problem with arriving in a disguise is that you aren't supposed to do anything that would give you away. Thankfully, Andrei has near-infinite disguises at his disposal. If nobody's paying attention, he could play different roles all night.

Also, if this one backfires, nobody will be able to find him.

The valkyrie contingent to the party has made no secret of their identity. Even if they had, Andrei would recognize Mykelle anywhere. His beautiful woman stands poised at the edge of the dance floor, dressed in the same incredible gown she wore in England. (He knows. He's seen pictures. No, it's not the same.)

A lesser man might have quailed at the sight of so many gorgeous, glaring women. Andrei marches right up to them.

[notthatkindofkell]

One of her sisters notices their visitor before Mykelle does. She sighs. For one night, she wanted to let her guard down. Which one of them is going to be whisked away now?

"Are you looking for something?" Efrideet asks.

"You should probably go look in the other direction," another sister says.

[archivistonfire]

Andrei forgets that this form shouldn't have a shy smile. Too late.

"I'm here to claim a dance from my Kell." He enunciates those last two words very clearly.

Xmas Tidings Galore

[upforanything]

[Well it's the time of the year where there's bounds of cold white coating the streets and buildings with more of the flurries falling from the skies almost every other day now as well as brilliant lights decking windows, street lights and everything in between to mark the holidays having arrived. More importantly there's just as much cheer strewn about a certain reaper's apartment along with a bar that he had lent his talents to. Both places would be hosting rather nice gatherings of close relations for the holidays.

A tree beside the fireplace at home, decorated with twinkling lights and bundles of ornaments from different stories and more that Matthieu's supposed family and friends took joy in. Plenty of presents wrapped in color coordinated wrappings and ribbons to designate who would get what. A stretch of lights having been wrapped around the piano off to the corner. Bounds of light strewn garland having been wrapped about the stair's banister as well as the upper levels.

The Will O' Wisp featuring a much more colorful variety of decorative lights amongst the branches of the tree as well as along the support beams. Wreaths hung at the top while garland lined the bar at the encouragement of a certain bartender. A santa hat on a hook for the bartender to wear during his shifts if he so pleases. A menu having been propped up with some seasonal concoctions that had been proudly made into tradition along with a new addition or two.

...Some owner might have jokingly vexed the tree to sing the Happiest Christmas Tree sometimes as well as laugh sometimes to catch her patrons off guard as well as to garner a laugh out of them. Certainly helped that her decorator had decided to go with ornaments that couldn't shatter thankfully. Less likely to cause a mess.

However others had been avid in their own decorations as one of the reaper's mentees had gone with a rather lit up decorating of his balcony to match the decked out banisters inside. A mix of color and white to create a nice warmth and cheer for someone that hadn't the opportunity to be spoiled for Christmas before. The tree framed by the expansive windows that showed off the snow fall outside.

It was a rather wonderful time of the year really.]

Matt's Party

[archivistonfire]

It's Christmas! And it wouldn't be Christmas without Matthieu's Christmas party. Andrei loves the decorating, the presents, the food, the company--everything. He shows up early to the party to see if he can help. Matt isn't home, so he lets himself in via the cat door, reverts to human form, and carries in an armload of food and presents wrapped in brown paper.

When Matt comes home, he'll find a very excited little owl waiting for him within the boughs of the Chritmas tree.

[upforanything]

Returning from picking up last minute supplies, the reaper shrugs off the bit of snow that still clung to him before unwinding his scarf and shedding off his jacket to let them rest on their hooks. He hums a soft tune to himself and readies things in the kitchen...until he notices the additions on the counter. Certainly wasn't anything he made.

A quick peek and there's more presents under the tree. Ones that didn't quite fit with the others really.

Approaching the tree, he raises a brow and crosses his arms over his chest. A warm smirk flashed at the owl blinking at him. "Breaking and entering is usually Santa's thing, not yours."

[archivistonfire]

Andrei sqwaks at him and turns his feathers fluffy and red. He could be Santa, if he chose. See?

But he'll shift to his own form instead. He hops out of the tree, switching to his preferred human shape in a flurry of feathers. "Merry Christmas, Matthieu!"

[upforanything]

Sincerely Andrei was one of the most ridiculous people he's meet and that was no bad thing. It made him all the more interesting. That and reminds him to laugh more which he does softly.

"Merry Christmas to you too."

At the Wisp

[archivistonfire]

The hat is back!! Andrei shifts, giving himself more pointed elven ears, and plops the hat on his head. There. Now it will stay better. He's dressed for the season in a white button-up shirt with a sharp red vest to match his hat. He's foregoing the bells this year--apparently they irritated some of the patrons last year?--but he is ready to represent the season. When the tree starts singing, Andrei catches himself humming along.

The bar is stocked up with fresh egg nog, wassail, spiced cider (of the alcoholic and non-alcoholic variety) to be heated up as desired. He has experimented with a new Christmas slush this year, and a few fun holiday cocktails have been added to his repertoire.

This nerd is ready to celebrate!

HELLO THERE MATT U WANTED A GRUMPY LUCI RIGHT

[deepestdesires]

The concept of the holiday season itself had always been somewhat of a sore spot for Lucifer, but for Mattheiu's sake he was currently trying his best to behave himself. Religious holidays were the worst of the sort, a sort of metaphorical twisting of the stick already jabbed into his side, and he's never been more grateful for the support of the reaper.

While he's no stranger to festivities, for once he's rather sullen, hanging back and preferring to stay a bit more out of the limelight than he normally would. He could kiss Matthieu for having bourbon on hand, admittedly he would kiss the man regardless of that matter, because it gives him something to draw his focus on beyond the festivities and cheer.

He's there for Matthieu, even if his nerves are starting to fray.

PUT A BOW ON HIS HEAD AND STILL BE THE BEST GIFT GRUMPS AND ALL

[upforanything]

The reapers and a rather decent chunk of whatever family that they have managed to come upon aren't exactly ones that celebrate the religious aspect of the holidays. If anything, it's time to celebrate surviving another year and enjoying each other's company. However despite how engaged he is with the party goers, Matthieu isn't too distracted to notice how off put Lucifer was throughout the course of the night. It wasn't like him to be a wallflower but he respects him and simply acts as support when he can.

However when everything has been said and done with the party wrapped up, he's walking over to him with concern clear on his face. He cared for him and it was hard to not worry. So the reaper settles in beside him, winding his arms around him.

"I know you're not ok," he says. "But I've got you."

His chin rests on Lucifer's shoulder as he sticks close. He was all his without any excuse or chance of being pulled away.

[deepestdesires]

He wants to have something to say to that, some quip or witty jab that he can use to deflect from the situation and from the weight of everything in general, but for once his silver tongue fails him. Instead he forces himself to relax into Matthieu's arms, sighing quietly and throwing back the rest of his drink before abandoning his glass on the nearest countertop.

"It's funny, you'd think that there'd be a lot more noise from everyone upstairs. This orgy of consumerism is all supposedly in their name, isn't it?"

TENTHOUSAND YEARS LATE

[rocketsout]

[If he stops to think real hard, Liam can remember times before the winter holidays were so commercialized. The memories come in bits and pieces, pagan rituals and firelight revelry, but he's entirely certain that he's never spent enough time in one place to properly pay his respects.

It's different this year. Now there are lights and warmth and it's more than he'd ever thought he'd see. Just seeing the place lit up was enough to take his breath away, and there's a slight tightness in his chest that he's come to associate with the intense fondness he feels for his reaper.

Speaking of which, he's busy coming up behind the man and wrapping his arms around James' waist, burying his nose in the man's shoulder as he grins.]

Looks good.

[sword_breaker]

[He surveys over all of the work that had put in for the last few hours and approvingly nods as everything is satisfactory or at the very least as close to it as he was going to get. Besides there was plenty of other things to fuss over during the holidays other than if the lights were perfect. The tree warranted some more concern but overall it wasn't too shabby either.

However his attention is caught by the dullahan winding around him, earning a soft chuckle from the reaper in turn. He reaches up to card fingers through Liam's hair and flashes a smile back.]

Figured you deserve the whole light show. First Christmas together after all.

[rocketsout]

First of a lot.

[At least he certainly hopes, but he doesn't let his insecurities show; he'll stay with James as long as the reaper will allow, that he's certain of.

Turning his head, he presses a kiss to the reaper's arm, contentedly humming at the sheer novelty of being so close.]

Gonna have to teach me how things are done, that way I can help next time.

READY FOR SOME MOTORCYCLE ACTION???

[rocketsout]

All in all, if anyone had ever told Liam that he would eventually settle down and find a place to call his own (well, sort of) he would have been more apt to laugh and point out that such was entirely contrary to his nature. His entire purpose in his unlife was to roam, to haunt, to destroy, and the call of the open road was something he was powerless to resist.

And then James had found his way back into his life, and everything changed for the better.

No longer was he a vagabond roaming the open highways, instead he had a home. A home with the love of his life that he had been searching for for so long. It was everything that he could ever ask for, and seeing James' face at the end of a long day made all the years separated worth it. And things were good, for a while. But the hum of the wild still buzzed just under his skin, easily contained at first by sheer joy but as time progressed it was like an annoyance that just wouldn't go away. Something always tugging at the back of his mind, even in the quietest and most peaceful times.

There's suddenly restless energy that he doesn't know what to do with, and after a night of being completely unable to sleep, he knows that something has to be done. He's tried to fight it, tried so damn hard, but centuries upon centuries of instinct hardwired into him refused to just be pushed aside. And so he's in the living room when James comes home, pacing back and forth until he hears the man, "Ah! Welcome home."

He flashes a shakey smile, nerves all too present because this isn't a situation he's ever encountered before. "I uh, how were the cases today?"

[sword_breaker]

The night before had been...interesting. Usually the reaper was the more prone of the two to be getting up at weird hours or generally not having any rest thanks to nightmares that haunt him. Instead he had been woken up more than once by the dullahan beside him fretting and stirring constantly. Even more worrying was that the man was awake even before he was.

He’d been stuck with the gut feeling that something was wrong. Liam wasn’t getting sleep. That and generally seemed on edge, pacing picking up throughout the days and more. It was about time that James figured out what was up before his dullahan got any worse for the wear.

So he returns home with two hot ciders and some sweets that he knew Liam to fancy when he could. Keys dropped off at the front table before heading towards the living room. A brow quirking at the apparent nerves. “Glad to be home.”

“They were fine. Nothing special.” He steps in close and places down the goods. His concern coming out into the open when he glances Liam over. “Worried about you mostly.”

[rocketsout]

"Hey, uh, lemme get that, I got it," he makes a motion to the cups in James' hands, reaching out to relieve him of some of the burden. It's as much to be helpful as it is to get rid of some of the excess energy that's built up beneath his skin, but even as jittery as he is it doesn't stop him from leaning in to steal a gentle kiss.

When he pulls back it's with a sheepish grin, and he makes a slight motion with one cup as he tries to find his words. "Worried? You don't have to be worried, sorry that I'm worrying you."

He hasn't been hiding things as well as he'd hoped, he can infer, and there's a momentary spike of guilt that twists in his gut. He never wanted to make James worry. "Hey, uh."

The words trail off as he furrows his brows and tries to think of the best way to articulate what he's feeling, "do you, um, do you think you could get some time off work?"

[sword_breaker]

“Well one of these is yours and the other mine. You don’t have to worry about both. Or you could take them both I guess.” He feigns a smile at the man while he’s freed from juggling the drinks and treats.

Placing the bag down, James crosses his arms and only further drops into concern. The kiss was nice, always was, yet it had a different touch to it. Almost a strange buzz that leaves a strange urge to do something but he wasn’t sure what.

“Um. Probably yea.” He steps closer and places a steadying a hand on Liam’s arm. “Talk to me though. Is everything ok?”

Being a New Scandal at the Gala

[upforanything]

Every year since the small beginnings of the city, the higher echelons of the mythical community would gather for a night of festivities and celebration for the Winter Solstice. Majority of the showing would be the more nocturnal based denizens due to the presence of the longest night of the year. It was a show of power as much as good tidings to each other. However that didn't mean that any one power controlled the floor so to speak.

Upon approaching the hall, any that requests entrance would need the proper invitation before allowed to proceed inside. Guards from various courts and organizations working together to provide a sound security for the event.

The decorations were in charming silvers and golds to accent the black and white tables and seats. A rather expansive bar on one end of the grand hall while on the opposite end, there was a spectacular dance floor. A rather large band having been assembled and almost on the cusp on being a full fledged orchestra. A buffet waiting close to a wall, flaunting an extravagant array of food for all to enjoy during the course of the night.

The Unseelie were out to boast and play nice with the Seelie that braved dark but more so the cold. Wolves and vampires bringing along their best behavior as much as re-situating the various alliances that were crisscrossed along the city. Various species mixing about with not a single drop of bad blood to be seen. Listers being able to drop their guises if they wish under the protection of the sigils that bared the event from humans and any that seek to harm.

However much of the peace was kept under the watchful eye of the Order that had all but claimed the upper floor of the hall. A shimmering visage of the Order's dual scythes on the pristine wall to greet those that approached the separate bar and lounge that had been set up upstairs. Yor wanted to make certain that the hub had a good presence and desired for everyone to be able to rub elbows with other influential immortals as much as mortals. To build a better connection with the community he had said in the invitation each reaper got.

One such reaper, decked out in black tie finery, had made certain to get more than one invite this year. One went off to the west coast with the address of his devilish partner. Though standing here now he was quite certain that said invitation was not going to garner much.

He stands with others of his branch, idly listening to one of the council prattle on with the other immortals about them. Yor watching him out of the corner of his eye to make sure Matthieu doesn’t wander far and forsake them for the louder obnoxious mess downstairs. Honestly he’s more inclined to fall asleep at this point with all the boring talk and haughtiness.

Someone please save him from this ridiculous affair...

[deepestdesires]

When the invitation first arrives in the mail, Lucifer is undoubtedly curious. It wasn't uncommon for his presence to be requested, and enjoyed, in many of the world's most prestigious parties but the slight thrum of paranatural lingering in the paper had been enough to perk his attention. Second, after he'd made time to sit down and read the actual content, he was delighted; this no doubt was from his darling reaper, and there's a certain thrill to know that the man wants to enjoy the night together. With clothes on, this time even.

In the name of being playful, he doesn't respond right away, planning to make his appearance somewhat secret to surprise Matthieu. When the time rolls around he's jetsetting across the country, making use of his time by getting ready while time ticks closer to the start. Oh, he's excited beyond words, and perhaps ready to cause a little mischief as well.

By the time the plane touches down, he's dressed impeccably; it wouldn't do to give anything less than his best. He can't keep himself from grinning on the drive over as well, and when he finally swings his rental car into the lot and tosses the keys to a rather surprised looking valet he's all but fit to burst with excitement.

The party itself is swanky, filled with so many people that for a split second it's almost dizzying but Lucifer isn't one to be put off by crowds. What does give him a slight cause for concern, however, is the fact that he isn't able to spot Mattheiu right away. The man had sent him the invitation, and it wasn't like him to stand anyone up, so something seems a bit off.

A quick chat with one of the wander staff later and he's headed in the right direction, upstairs and away from the general hubub of the main party. Private affairs? Certainly classy, what a thoughtful reaper he has.

There are already people there when he finally enters the room, but they don't concern him at all. What does is the wonderfully made up man that he manages to catch a glimpse of through the crowd. Slipping between bodies without much care for any interruptions he's causing, he manages to slide up behind the group of reapers as they stand watch. How dreadfully boring, that won't do at all. And so he winds one arm around Mattheiu's waist as he sidles up behind him, leaning in to whisper into his ear, "you didn't tell me how absolutely ravishing you look suited up, for shame."

[upforanything]

He swirls his drink, watching it glimmer in the light from whatever concoction a nymph had practically shoved into his hands. It was far more entertaining than listening to the possible reconfiguration of jurisdictions. That or the prattling on from the seelie and unseelie of winter and summer trying to outdo the other to get attention of the Order.

Slowly though Matthieu picks up on a shift in attitudes around him. There are glances about and muttering about who dared invite "him". A look over to Yor and he's being glared at with daggers so he has a guess but he doesn't want to assume. Further agitation in the room is added when it seems that whoever they found a problem with approached them. Nervous shifting around from the fae and others which makes his assumption even more heavy handed.

The arm around him forces him straighten up but the words get him relax. He reaches up to lace his fingers with Lucifer's, pressing back into him. "Figured seeing would do better justice than any words. Glad you made it."

[deepestdesires]

There's tension throughout the room, but Lucifer couldn't care less. Let them stare, let them be jealous even, he's not shy about letting the rest of the world know that this is his reaper. It doesn't matter that there are powerful denizens surrounding them, everyone else could stop existing as far as he was concerned. Tonight was about Mattheiu, and he's more than eager to show that.

Pressing a kiss to his reaper's temple, he squeezes the man's hand reassuringly, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

There's a bit of a hint of devilishness there, and for a moment he lets his gaze wander over to Yor as he grins toothily. "Come now though, I think your presence is required downstairs. Urgently."