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.]

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.

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!

[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."

[archivistonfire]

Okay, it's safe to hug Matthieu now. Andrei hops forward to embrace him.

"Is there anything I can help set up?"

[upforanything]

"You can start work on getting all of the food set out," he answers. The hug given in return with a soft laughter. "Figure that'd be a worthy task of your fine skills."

[archivistonfire]

"I do know how to set a table," he says. "All right. But no peeking at your presents." He lets Matthieu go and heads into the kitchen.

[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.

[notthatkindofkell]

Mykelle quirks her lips and thinks.

"Only one man alive calls me that," she says. "And if you aren't him, I'm going to set that counter back to one. You had better start running."

[archivistonfire]

There's no fire behind her words. Just a bit of teasing, if you know Kell well enough to look for it. Andrei offers her his hand.

"I'm not running away from you. Ever."

[notthatkindofkell]

That's her Andrei. As if she could have doubted it. Mykelle accepts his hand.

"Don't wait for me," she tells her sisters.

[archivistonfire]

Andrei doesn't kiss her hand, or bow over it, or anything. That's not what she would want. He waits until he knows she's ready, then walks toward the dance floor at her side.

[notthatkindofkell]

He knows her so well. She would let him lead, if he so desired, but that isn't Andrei's way. That's one of the things she loves about him.

"Isn't this going to blow your cover?" she teases.

[archivistonfire]

"I can always make a new one," he says. "Besides, the scariest thing that could happen here is someone asks me to make drinks."

The security is too good for that.

[notthatkindofkell]

"So you're saying you could be yourself right now, and nobody would know the difference?"

[archivistonfire]

He could. He just wouldn't be allowed to enter the costume contest. Not that he's allowed to anyway, but he was hoping not to get caught.

"I could," he says. "If you wanted me to."

[notthatkindofkell]

She squeezes his hand. "I know you like shifting," she says, "but I'd much rather show you off as yourself." He's much more comfortable in his own identity, she knows.

Or as an animal, but he's too well-trained to do that here.

[archivistonfire]

She has but to ask. Andrei slips into a smaller form, one a few inches shorter than his warrior woman, with his characteristically pointed ears and darker eyes and longer, shaggier hair. At least he styled it before he came. The gold in his vest and tie fades to delicate embroidery as the main colors darken to violet that matches her dress.

"Dance with me, my Kell?" he asks, smiling sheepishly.

[notthatkindofkell]

"Of course," she says, and they step onto the dance floor together.