[open] a birthday celebration

[perfectdevil]

WHO: lestat & all of you~
WHAT: lestat is hosting a party for a certain someone's birthday!
WHERE: a bistro in district 3
WHEN: october 4th
WARNINGS: N/A so far. will update as needed!



[ In the early morning hours of the 4th of October, a photograph of a handwritten notice goes up on the network. It’s in flowery but surprisingly legible script, as if he’s learnt to create letters purely by reading them and has jumbled together an amalgamation of different typefaces to make each letter he writes as interesting as possible. The details are as follows: ]

This is an invitation to any and all, to attend a soirée this evening, in celebration of my companion’s birthday.

I’ve attached a photograph of the location; a fashionable little bistro highly recommended to me by someone who clearly knows a thing or two about style. Festivities start at 6 o’clock this evening, though you are more than welcome to be fashionably late. We will go until sunrise. The dress code is: eye-catching.

There will be food, there will be wine, there will be merriment. Games, dancing, live music. Who amongst you could turn their nose up at a free bar and the chance to boogie? I know that technically this entire place is a free bar, what with the distinct lack of economy, but I’ve acquired the assistance of a bartender, just to tempt you…

And, failing all else, there’s the certainty of stunning conversation - and isn’t that something that we all can enjoy, even those of us who don’t groove with the party scene?

Be there, or be square.


xoxo

[ Some of you might remember him posting asking for help planning this little get together, and it’s going ahead with all of Lestat’s best intentions for a night to remember. Whether you know him or don’t (and haven’t been put off by his hip use of old slang he still thinks makes him sound cool) you’ll be welcomed to the festivities with open arms and a warm, sharp smile.

Come on down, don’t be shy. Have a little dance with the devil. ]

The Bar

[ Gleaming in hard wood painted a stunning chic black, the bar is the first thing to delight your eyes with upon entering the bistro. Bottles line the back wall, shining in the low amber lights, and so too the bottles lined up in front as your gracious bartender for the evening, Daan, sets up shop. Perhaps you have a drink in mind, or would like him to surprise you (with varying results), or maybe you’re here for the crowd gathered around and chatting amicably as they nurse their chosen poison.

Lestat himself has taken up prime position there, often with a rather steadfast arm around Louis, whose expression isn’t exactly dour but isn’t particularly placid, either. He gives off the very clear expression of someone who’s been tricked into coming here under false pretences. Probably because Lestat had been positively evasive of even mentioning the B word (birthday) all evening, even going as far as to ignore completely any mention of Louis discovering his plotting before tonight… though whether that be from embarrassment over failing to make his post private despite Armand’s very clear instructions, or simply down to his impish nature, isn’t clear.

What is clear, is that Lestat is having a lovely time in wonderful company, and is a veritable font of energy. He’s usually pretty upbeat, of course, but tonight there’s a particular vigour about him that is clearly different, though not in a strictly bad way. When he’s not hanging off Louis’ side or parading him around to introduce him to people he hasn't met yet, Lestat is leaning over the bar to watch Daan work, or perhaps butting into a nearby conversation or starting a fresh one up with someone looking a little too quiet. ]

The Stage & Dancefloor

[ Great care and attention has been made to stagger the assortment of tables in the room so that each one has a perfect view of the man-made stage and its attached square of space serving as a dance floor. It’s nothing more than a few flat platforms on which the players can stand along with a wall of lined up instruments and some speakers Lestat found at the music store in the mall, but it’s unmistakably the intended highlight of the evening's entertainment.

A dark blue electric guitar beside an acoustic one, a simple spruce violin, a small drum set, a standing keyboard and three microphones is his haul, and they are left available for anyone who'd like to jam. If Lestat sees you looking with the barest hint of interest, even if there is not a single musical bone in your body, if he will pull you over to try something out - what better way to learn than in a room full of people watching you? :)

Toward the middle of the evening, Lestat will take Louis' hands in his own and kiss them, and then kiss him, and leave to climb up onto the stage himself. He’s dressed in a burgundy corduroy jacket over a crisp black shirt; the collar undone to reveal a host of twisted chains at his throat, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and his wrists and fingers adorned with similar finery. Tight leather pants, and black boots with a red sole. His nails are painted black, and there’s a smudge of dark red around his eyes, which makes the pale silver-blue of them look almost eerie in the spotlight. (Well, he did say eye-catching was the dress code.)

He’ll take the microphone, lift the electric guitar into his arms and begins to play, and to sing. It’s a cover arrangement, of course, as anyone who enjoys 70s rock music will be able to tell.. but he sings it well, with a practised and enchanting stage presence that is hard to look away from; snaking hips, spectacular crowd work. No, it’s not his vampiric thrall (probably), it’s just that Lestat really was born to perform and he knows it.

He also picks out another song to play a little later on, assuring the crowd very loudly that they must keep this song's existence a complete secret and then "accidentally" name-dropping Steve Tyler as the guy he was jamming with when the song was created. ]

Party Games

[ Lestat has assigned a little space toward the back of the room and has littered the tables with a handful of silly party games, packages of cards, even a small set of plastic chips for gambling (though what exactly the ante will be is entirely up to you). It looks very much like he’s raided the toy aisle in a supermarket which… isn’t untrue, but he’s done so with at least a little care and attention for what kind of party he’d like this to be. There’s no board games, put it that way.

Who Am I?: Take a sticky-note and ask someone to write the name of a famous figure on it, and stick it on your back. You must walk around and ask the other patrons of the party yes/no questions in order to figure out who you are.
Treasure Hunt: Take a paper from the table; on it you'll find a series of descriptions such as "Someone who's favourite colour is blue" or "Someone who has siblings", "someone who's broken someone's heart" etc. Talk to party goers until you find a person who matches each prompt. You may only use one person once. The winner gets a prize!

Bulla has graciously offered to host a round or two of games for all in attendance; the assortment will be varied and both she and Lestat will be no doubt open to any suggestions of things to play. If you aren’t the type to get involved in such things, it’s quite unfortunate because oh, it looks like this one needs a partner and here is Lestat without one! ]

The Veranda

[The way outside through the large glass doors at the back of the bistro is lit in an almost storybook manner, with lights pinned from the doorway to the exterior fence in loose criss-crosses. The furniture has been moved to accommodate a large table running down the centre of the floor, full to bursting with plates of food. It seems the intention here is similar to a “pot-luck” - a concept that has Lestat gleeful as a child over the absurdity of such a thing - only as this place has no real necessity for cooking and as Lestat has no idea what kind of food typically is seen at parties, the guidance is simply to go into the kitchen and take advantage of its seemingly unending capabilities in order to emerge with a bowl, plate or tray of whatever you deem appropriate for a party such as this.

Obviously, this has resulted in the table being full of an incredibly disorganised array of treats in all shapes and colour - which naturally has attracted Lesat into staring at it all like a magpie, asking questions of every meal that people pick at, questioning the flavour and the method of preparation, all the while twisting a glass bottle of some thick scarlet substance around and around in his hands. ]

--
[ happy birthday louis!!! feel free to mingle, thread-hop, eavesdrop, do whatever you'd like. go wild. it's a party!

lestat is down for anything, so if you want to assume your character has made a playlist, brought a game along, has suggested a party game and is bullying people into playing it, or even if you want to assume that lestat saw you in the street nearby and whisked you in to the bistro against your will, please go for it. literally anything goes, i am SO easy and so is lestat. :) ]

Comments

[open] mingling etc

[100more]

[ Hob can be spotted enjoying the atmosphere of the party, usually with a drink in hand. Sometimes he takes a little something from the spread to nibble at, but he's mostly interested in watching all the activities going on. He may not be engaging in party games, but he does enjoy watching others play. And the performances during the evening catch his attention, too.

If approached, he offers a polite smile and a nod in greeting. ]

Good evening.

[perfectdevil]

[ Hob will feel a tap to his shoulder a few hours into the night, and should he turn he'll find a tall martini glass of something pale green with a sprinkling of chocolate curls on top being shoved in his direction. ]

Here, mon ami. I've seen you always with some drink or other in your hand, I want to know what you think of this one. The smell alone, it makes my eyes water.

[ It's a grasshopper. Lestat doesn't know if he'd like mint but his more-powerful-than-is-typical senses certainly don't. ]

[100more]

[ Hob is surprised when he turns to see the face of their host standing there and pushing a drink into his hand. ]

Oh. Thank you.

[ It feels less like a friendly offer and more like he was chosen as a taste tester, but he is attending the man's party, so... ]

Cheers.

[ He hesitates when he gets a whiff of the mint, then has a small sampling. The creaminess of the drink is licked from his top lip and he nods. ]

Not bad. If you like minty things. More of a dessert cocktail.

[perfectdevil]

[ Lestat watches; his vampire eyes take in the slow wave of the drink as Hob tips it to his mouth, he delights in the sparkle in his thoughts in reaction to the flavour, the body's natural reaction to swallow and the process of it down his throat. He also watches him lick his top lip, because, well. How couldn't he? ]

Ah, a 'dessert cocktail' you say. This is a thing, then? Having a cocktail like this, instead of a dessert item... [ He nods in understanding, an easy smile stretching his wide mouth. ] I was incredibly curious.

[ And then, to make things completely transparent: ]

I recognise you from the network. Thank you for coming. Do you know Louis?

[100more]

[ Hob can't help but smile as Lestat works out the purpose behind the drink. Guess that's not a usual thing where or when he comes from, but Hob has seen a great many things come into existance that wasn't there in previous years. New food and drink inventions are among the better things that changed with time, though he wouldn't necessarily say he's a fan of this sort of drink. ]

It's easy to get into trouble with a drink like this, since the flavor of the alcohol is masked. Before you know it, you've had one too many.

[ Naturally, Hob recognizes the man from the network, as well. How could he forget? ]

Yes, it's nice meet you in person. I'm Robert, but most people call me Hob.

[ As for Louis, he nods. ]

We met when we first arrived and spoke a few times. It's nice of you to throw this party for him.

[perfectdevil]

[ Lestat can believe that. There's been quite a few times he's drank from someone under the influence only to find their blood tasting like an assortment of fruits and floral notes that thoroughly mask the tang of iron he's so used to. Also, it's often those people specifically who Lestat finds it easiest to charm into letting him get close enough to bite them in the first place. ]

Hob? [ Lestat seems delighted with the name, or at the very least the sound of it, enough to have him saying it with an air of grandness when he repeats it. ] Enchanté, Monsieur Hob. [ He gestures to himself then, with the same amount of grace. ] Lestat de Lioncourt.

As for my kindness, you should know it's entirely unappreciated. Louis hates parties like this and rarely if ever celebrates his birthday, so I'm well and truly -- how do you say -- in the dog house?

[ He gives a little shrug, as if to say it is what it is but in all honesty he doesn't look that cut up about it. ]

[100more]

[ Hob can't help but smile at how lively the man is. So full of life and energy. It's a lot different from his friend, Louis. ]

I'm sure he's touched by the gesture.

[ Even if Lestat is in the dog house for it. ]

And you're an incredible host. I saw your performance on stage. You're very talented.

[perfectdevil]

Touched? I'm not so sure. Resigned to his fate is much more likely.

[ Lestat seems strangely delighted by it, though, as if he relishes in Louis' discomfort and... to a point, in a way, he kiiiind of does. But it's not as black and white as that. Few things are with them. He has, after all, caught the odd tender look from Louis that makes him think he might not be feeling his ire the entire night.

At the compliment, Lestat looks even more pleased, clearly flourishing under the praise. ]

Ah, merci. I am still rather new to crowd work from a stage, you know. But performing has always been a calling of mine, ever since I was young.

[ Says the man who looks no older than twenty.... and speaking of which, he can't resist poking the elephant in the room. He leans an elbow on the bar, body easy and casual though his eyes have the precise energy of a predator as they study his conversation partner. ]

So, what do you think up close, Monsieur Hob? Care to see my teeth again?

[100more]

[ Hob can only guess how old Lestat might be, but some people were just born for the stage. Perhaps he's been in the spotlight much of his life. It wouldn't surprise Hob if that were the case. ]

Then we're very fortunate to have you here. This place could use more of that.

[ Entertainment, in general, he means. As for the reminder of their last conversation, Hob laughs sheepishly, trying not to stare at the younger man's mouth. ]

I'm afraid I wouldn't know the difference between a man and a vampire even if one bit me.

[ Johanna, on the other hand, he thinks would be much more adept at figuring it out. And there's no hiding anything from Dream. ]

[keepgodwaiting]

And when's your birthday, then?

[ Johanna plops down in a seat next to Hob. Awful lot of wallflowers in this joint, and she doesn't exclude herself; her mood has been too odd to get her to mingle much. ]

Do you keep track?

[100more]

[ Having a familiar face around does help. With the amount of people who keep arriving, it always feels like Hob is constantly introducing himself. He doesn't mind it so much, but it kind of feels like he's living in a loop, sometimes. ]

I don't keep track. Never did, actually. The precise day is a mystery to me.

[ But that doesn't bother Hob. ]

What about you? Should I start planning your party now?

[keepgodwaiting]

Fucking hell. No, if we're still here in May, do me a favor and hit me over the head so I can pass the month in peace.

[ She has a bad feeling they're going to still be here in May. ]

So, what, do you just make something up when you have to put it on forms?

[100more]

[ Hob has a terrible feeling they just might be here in May, too. ]

Yeah, pretty much. Then I have to change it when I need a new identity, so I guess it's fine not being attached to it.

[keepgodwaiting]

[ Johanna snorts, delighted. ]

I'm coming to you next time I need to do a bit of credit card fraud. I bet you're brilliant at it.

[100more]

I'll have you know the money I spend is my own.

[ He does have a job... and hundreds of years of investments to live off of. The job is just so he doesn't get bored. ]

Anyway, how do you know our hosts?

[keepgodwaiting]

[ Aw, man, Hob! She thought you could hang! ]

Sure, but you must still know how to fake an identity.

I met Louis back in the early days. [ She scans the crowd, trying to spot him. ] Trying to get out of the borders of the City and getting looped back around. We've talked a few times.

[ And also one time she helped him find someplace to enter a vampiric coma. She gives Hob a curious look. ] What about you?

[100more]

I'm sure you know plenty about how to fake one, yourself.

[ Hob can't believe she's never done something like that before in her line of work. ]

It was a lot like that. I met Louis when we arrived. We spoke a little and dug up a grave together. [ Sure, the last part doesn't seem to fit with the rest. ] We wanted to see if there were any signs of people here at all, but there wasn't. Not even in the marked graves.

[playing_human]

[Whether Hob catches it or not depends entirely on how quick he is, but at some point, when he's put his drink down and isn't paying attention, someone walks by. Without breaking stride, the stranger suddenly has Hob's drink in his hand. If Hob doesn't catch him in the act, he may catch him a moment later, chatting with one Miss Constantine while drinking Hob's drink.]

[100more]

[ Hob had only put his drink down for a moment so he could check his device. When he puts it back in his pocket and reaches for his drink, he finds it missing. Well, that's odd. Not the oddest thing that's happened, but still odd.

He doesn't think much of it until he spots his drink in the hand of another while going to fetch himself another beverage. Did that guy accidentally take his drink? How could he confuse it for his own? So, he took it? Why? Seeing the stranger chatting with Johanna leads him to believe some mischief might be to blame.

It's not until Dorian has stepped away from Johanna again that Hob speaks to him, sounding amused. ]

Care for another? This one is still half full.

[playing_human]

[Welp. He's been caught, fair and square, but the gentleman is being a good sport about it. He tips his head with a smile.]

Allow me to refill it for you. I'm afraid you were an innocent bystander in some wicked mischief between two dastardly villains.

[100more]

[ Hob sees no real harm being done. The drinks are free, after all, so it didn't cost him anything to get another. ]

I'd appreciate that.

[ He'll allow the stranger to make up for it, if he'd like. ]

Two villians? I thought one was enough.

[ The 'one' being Johanna, judging by the tip of Hob's cup. ]

[playing_human]

I exchanged dares with a lady. [Dorian re-orders Hob's drink and leans against the bar to wait.] You must understand, we were at a party at the time. But if this ends in making two friends instead of only one, I cannot say I am sorry for it.

[He extends a hand.] My name is Dorian Gray.

[100more]

[ Hob awaits his drink and smiles, accepting the offered hand. No hard feelings at all, it would seem. Not over a harmless prank. ]

Nice to meet you, Dorian. I'm Robert, but most people call me Hob. I'd be careful exchanging dares with that one, though.

[ Again, he tips his head in Johanna's direction. ]

She's pretty daring.

[playing_human]

[Dorian's eyebrows lift.]

You know her?

[100more]

We've spoken several times, and we come from the same world. We also have a mutual friend.

[ Though he and Johanna probably seem pretty different from each other. ]