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+---- Thread: [ME] blood and chocolate (/showthread.php?tid=10688)
blood and chocolate - Dantalion - 02-08-2025
It might be surprising, given his flamboyant nature, to learn that Danta is really quite good at keeping secrets and arranging surprises. (Then again, he does own a brothel and is a member of the prestigious "lost and found" guild at Torchline, so perhaps his discretion ought not to be so unexpected). Either way, it means that for the past half a season, he's been able to swan his way through the Dusklight and in and out of Astaroth's presence without giving away any of his plans, right up until this very evening.
Snow is falling steadily out in the Last Whisper, but things inside the Dusklight are heating up and then some; having added salts to the fireplaces to cause the flames to dance in shades of turquoise, blue and fuscia, they offset the decadent scarlet decor quite nicely (in Danta's not so humble opinion). The workers have been told to keep their business off the main floor that evening - though if any attendees wish to sample the establishment's very fine wares, they are welcome - and instead the tables are laden with food and drink, and a large, glittering banner has been attached to the bar, wishing one man in particular a very "HAPPY BIRTHDAY".
Not to worry though, Asta - Danta has informed everyone that you are in fact thirty-nine this year, just in case you feel self-conscious.
For his part, the Maverick is standing at the doorway to the brothel to welcome people inside, dressed in a fine black suit perfectly tailored to his slender frame, his blond hair swept out of his face in a sleek tail, his diamond horns glittering against the array of colours in the room. All they are really missing is the man of honour himself. But then he can't blame Asta for any tardiness, given that he doesn't actually know the party is happening.
RE: blood and chocolate - Isla - 02-08-2025
Having been cordially invited by the Maverick himself, of course Isla is not going to miss Asta's birthday party for the world. It's a good thing that King's End has a skyport these days, though, because it takes a not inconsiderable amount of planning to get her from the House of Midnight to the Dusklight, and that's without taking into account her wardrobe change. But with more than a few contacts, still, at the Infirmary, Isla is able to secure a place to stay and enough time to get presentable before she sets off towards the brothel.
Sweeping through the entrance right on time - and with a blush on her cheeks and a curl of guilt in her belly at the reminder of the last time she'd been here, and who isn't here with her right now - Isla exchanges a few brief words of greeting with Danta before heading further into the festivities. She hangs her coat on a rack and smooths out the fabric of the sleek, forest green dress she's donned, before setting her gift - a beautifully wrapped box containing a curated selection of the finest tea she's been able to procure from Torchline's merchant ships - down on a designated table.
Not spotting the birthday boy just yet, the Remedy takes the opportunity to get herself a drink from the bar in the meantime, smiling to hear the snippets of vibrant conversation from the wait staff.
RE: blood and chocolate - Kiada - 02-08-2025
Of course she wasn’t going to miss it – after having practically spent as much time lately around the butcher as she has the Maverick, Kiada dresses up nicely and ensures Fox is equally as well dressed – matching her and finalizing the way the his collar settles on his shoulders, ensuring its not warped or folded awkwardly, and arm in arm with Fox, the harpy steps into the Dusklight before the guest of honor arrives, swooping into the warmth of the building with ease. Flashing a smile and a wave to Isla, and murmur of greeting to Dantalion, she shrugs out of the coat and wiggles her arms a little to get warmth spreading through them, the dress she wears harboring a beautiful black and red intricate top, sleeveless, mermaid style with a few ruffles by her thighs, but otherwise curvy.
Not for anyone else but to drive Fox insane, which had become her favorite past time.
So much so that when their jackets are deposited and the gift on the table amongst the others, she links her arm with her fiance’s after snatching a chaste and playful kiss, murmuring a low hum of “[say]this’ll be fun. I think he hates surprises.[/say]” between the two of them as she heads over toward the bar to snatch a couple of drinks for the two of them.
RE: blood and chocolate - Fox - 02-08-2025
Fox, naturally, is right on Kiada's heels, helping her out of her coat and shrugging out of his own, which is of course when the rest of the world promptly melts away as he's reminded of how good she looks in her dress. Wearing a suit to match - dark but for the deep crimson tie as a splash of colour - he has to school his hands into his pockets rather than reaching for the harpy, lest they end up taking too much of an advantage of the location.
With Kia slipping her arm into his own and leaving a sweet kiss against his lips, the hunter is more than happy to join her at the bar, his head ducking ever so slightly to better catch her murmurs words. Smiling to himself and glancing back around at the room, he can only shrug his shoulders. [say]"I'm not a fan of surprises either, but I think I'd make an exception if you'd gone through all this trouble,"[/say] he says softly.
RE: blood and chocolate - Flora - 02-08-2025
The moment Flora steps inside the Dusklight, she knows she’s made the right call with the dress.
Midnight blue, cut to perfection, draped over her curves in a way that makes it look almost painted onto her skin, it’s an exact replica of the gown Asta once had made for her. The one she’d sent back to him in shreds after they'd 'broken up'. But tonight is about celebrating the Butcher—and what better way to do that than arriving in a gift he’d once given her?
She looks good, and she knows she looks good, and judging by the way Jack’s eyes had flicked down the deep plunge of her neckline before offering his arm when they'd left the Ark, she’s not the only one who thinks so.
Tucked beneath one arm, Flora carries a carefully wrapped gift for the butcher: A ruby pocket boutonniere that she had commissioned sits carefully wrapped in silk. Deep ruby gems, polished to a fiery shine, set in a silver frame shaped like curling horns—his horns.
[say]"You know all those times I told you I was visiting my ghost friend in the Greatwood?"[/say] She turns her gaze up to Jack, lashes fluttering with saccharine innocence. [say]"I was actually helping Danta set up a double surprise party. Just for you."[/say] The best part is, it could be true, given the season and given that it was absolutely the sort of shit she'd pull.
RE: blood and chocolate - Everest - 02-08-2025
Normally Everest wasn't the sort of man to go out of his way to attend a party that he'd only been tangentially invited to, but after Vox had mentioned to him that Isla would surely be there, the aviator had offered to pilot the first skyship headed toward the Grounds in order to surprise her.
Letting someone take his coat, Everest adjusted the cuff of his jacket, making sure the deep indigo of his suit wasn't creasing and stepped inside. Danta had gone all out, as expected, and as he caught sight of the Maverick, Ever inclined his head in a silent greeting as he flashed the other man a polite smile.
And that was when he saw her.
Isla stood at the bar, a vision in deep forest green, her hair a cascade of gold in the firelight. There was a time that Ever would have thought the phrase she took my breath away was merely a flowery bit of exaggeration, but after finding himself sipping in a surprised breath, he might have been inclined to reconsider.
Crossing the room with the quiet confidence of a man with a handful of predators lingering in his bones, it wasn’t until he was close enough to catch the scent of her—something warm, something familiar—that he reached out, hands finding her waist, fitting perfectly as if they’d never left. He didn’t pull her into him so much as mould himself around her, his body a whisper of pressure against her back, his breath warm against the curve of her neck.
[say]"Gods how I've missed you."[/say] His lips brushed the place just below her ear, his voice low, meant only for her. I love you, was what he really meant, but it came out in the way his fingers flexed at her sides, the way he exhaled slowly like he’d been holding his breath since she left.
RE: blood and chocolate - Jack - 02-09-2025
[say]"Oh?"[/say] Jack drawls, stepping into the Dusklight with Flora's coat draped over his arm that so that she might make the perfect first impression. [say]"If that's true, Bassian will be heartbroken."[/say] Only a brief glance into the minds of all those around them proves Flora's lie, alas, Jack's gaze lingering momentarily on Dantalion - oh look, the man Flora had literally fucked - before he's going to hang up their jackets.
Enough time in the Doubletake's company and the usually rugged captain has been able to match himself to her attire without so much as a second glance. A crisp white shirt whose sleeves are rolled to the elbow sits in contrast to the dark indigo of his waistcoat and pants, and small winks of silver scatter through his black tie like embroidered starlight.
[say]"It looks like the guest of honour is fashionably late,"[/say] he notes as he returns to Flora's side, not having sensed the butcher nearby.
RE: blood and chocolate - Deimos - 02-09-2025
Given how chaotic things had gone in Halo this season, Deimos had no intentions of leaving the region for much of anything, save for scooping up void creatures or other political machinations. But he knew better than to ignore Dantalion’s origami frog invitation, or risk more wrath over something like a birthday party, but gods knew he wasn’t bringing the right emotions or celebratory efforts. Or the dread – hoping no one did anything foolish while he was gone.
Still, he arrived and made appearances, giving nods to those he knew and recognized – intending to make a beeline for the back corner, much as he’d done for Ru’s engagement, to sulk and brood on his own. He was likely salvaged from ruminate for too long his own, spotting Kiada and Fox in the crowd – granting a small wave and putting on a slight smile, and still trying to find a way to disappear into the background.
RE: blood and chocolate - Charlie - 02-09-2025
Charlie sweeps into the Dusklight like a vision of living flame. Her tight-fitting red ballgown clings to every curve of her petite frame, the fabric shimmering in the ambient light as if it were spun from the colour of pure desire itself. The dress almost precisely matches her bold red lips and glistening ruby horns, which catch every glint of the turquoise, blue, and fuchsia flames dancing in the salt-enhanced fireplaces.
Amid the riot of scarlet decor and ambient light, Charlie’s blue eyes alight with pure delight as she takes in every meticulous detail of the celebration. Her heart flutters with unfettered glee, and, as she spots Dantalion, the priestess glides across the room toward him, flinging her arms wide to tug him into a hug. [say]"Danta, this looks absolutely incredible!"[/say] She gushes, her eyes shining with genuine adoration as she takes in the transformed surroundings. [say]"Gods, I can't wait to see Asta's face when he sees all of this!"[/say] Her words tumble out in a cascade of sincere praise that's as flirtatious as it is overbright with approval.
RE: blood and chocolate - Astaroth - 02-09-2025
It is his birthday. A day that the butcher would just as soon forget than be reminded that he’s turning forty this year (give or take a few centuries, of course). In the grand scheme of things, though, the butcher realizes he’s only ever made it this far simply because he’d become Ancient when he did. If he hadn’t been found, well, the butcher would’ve perished long ago.
But he had been found, and while the times had changed, one thing remained the same. He never celebrated his birthday. In fact, it had only slipped out during one of the times he’d balanced between who he’s become and who he’d used to be – drawling like teenager who really doesn’t want to partake in growing old, that Danta had learned of his birthday.
And as such, he should have assumed that the Maverick would go over the top. He doesn’t realize it yet, though, the day having been rather mundane – drifting from their room early in the morning, making the typical rounds, pausing momentarily before the tea shop to decide whether or not he should treat himself or not simply because it was his birthday…
But he doesn’t. Instead, the butcher finishes the rounds, drawing back and away from the snow despite being quite bundled up to fight it off, only to round back at the Dusklight and what looks like a relatively slow day – if the outside and not so revolving doors have anything to say about it. That’s all to say that he isn’t expecting it in the slightest, such that when he opens the door and drifts in, he’s already taking the deep plum scarf off of his neck, horned head angled down to slip it off and drape it over his healing arm where his sharp, bladed cane already waits within that hand. The rest of him is dressed accordingly, the dark drench coat removed to reveal a beautiful waistcoat adorned with silver trinkets, a dark red with silver thread throughout it to give it a bit of shine, but also to match the new earrings Danta had so thoughtfully gotten for him previously.
It’s then that he realizes it’s suspiciously quiet, and as he lifts his head and runs a gloved hand through his dark hair to brush it back out of his face, he notices the banner first – and a variety of very familiar faces all sprinkled throughout a beautiful Dusklight, with dancing lights of varying hues of fire throughout the fireplaces and the beautiful spread of food and drinks laid out, that he really can’t be all that upset.
“[say]What is all this?[/say]” He asks, playing the fool with his too sharp grin, the crease of mischief in the dark honey of his eyes – because he knows, certainly, that Danta has thrown him a party – though why he isn’t sure. He certainly didn't ask for it. But, it isn’t often that the butcher manages to get surprised, and he’s momentarily at a loss for words as he takes more of it in, drifting further and subconsciously toward Danta before he can get swarmed by the party goers.
RE: blood and chocolate - Dantalion - 02-10-2025
[say]"Surprise!"[/say] Danta chimes as the birthday boy finally arrives in all of his regalia; Asta's impeccable dress sense certainly works in his favour on occasions like this, and the Maverick reaches to take his scarf and coat from him to hang it up. Around them, the rest of the assorted partygoers burst into some variation of greeting or wellwishes, and Danta gestures for Astaroth to go and enjoy himself.
He gets the butcher's attention all to himself whenever he likes, after all - it only seems fair to share him with the rest of his birthday party for the time being. And there's much to see; Danta had greeted Kiada and her fiance with a charming kiss to the back of her hand and had offered Flora a salacious wink when he'd thought her beau wasn't looking (the little it matters, not that he's aware).
Having kept his greeting to Isla more respectful given how many times she's taken to stitching the butcher back together, that goes out of the window all over again with the arrival of Everest, Deimos and Charlie and the Maverick is almost buzzing with delight as he steps away to address the little priestess.
[say]"I am very glad you think so. What'd you think? Have his brain cells all seized up?"[/say]
RE: blood and chocolate - Charlie - 02-13-2025
Before Asta can reply, Charlie shouts out, [say]"SURPRISE!"[/say] as well, in a voice that rings out bright and clear, cutting through the soft murmur of the party. She laughs merrily at Danta's knowing smile as she dashes away, her form flickering like a flame in the air as she employs her dart! ability. In an instant, she reappears right before Asta's face, suspended as if defying gravity. With a graceful sweep of her arms, she flings herself into a warm, fleeting kiss on his cheek—a kiss that, despite the intensity of her red-painted lips, leaves no trace behind.
[say]"Happy birthday, darling!"[/say] she purrs softly, her voice a blend of playful mischief and genuine affection. Her blue eyes sparkle with delight as she steps back, giving Asta space to savour (or hide from) the unexpected spotlight.
RE: blood and chocolate - Flora - 02-13-2025
The moment Flora catches sight of Asta, her smirk deepens, her aqua eyes gleaming with something sharp and knowing as she watches the realization dawn across his face. It’s rare to catch the butcher off guard, and for that alone, she finds herself delighting in it—especially knowing exactly who orchestrated this little surprise.
But before she steps away to greet him, her gaze flicks up to Jack, and though he’s already heard every thought that’s tumbled through her mind at the sight of him, she still leans in, lips brushing against the shell of his ear as she whispers, sultry and teasing, [say]"Gods, you look good."[/say]
However as she pulls away, a flicker of something else lingers in her thoughts—because aside from Koa, every single person Flora has ever fucked is in this room. Wonderful. Not that she feels any guilt about it (gods, no), but it does have her considering what, exactly, Jack might be picking up on when she approaches Danta and Asta. Maybe that’s why she lets the next words slip, her voice low and teasing as her fingers graze lightly over the back of his hand before pulling away. [say]"We could always stay the night. Give me a chance to show you what I was practicing with Danta, "[/say] she suggests. The memory of her encounter with the Maverick is a warm, wicked thing that curls around her like the flickering firelight, though the heat of it memory has everything to do with what might come of it with Jack.
Barely resisting the urge to grin, the queen finally turns her attention to the birthday boy after tipping a sly wink in Danta's direction. [say]"Asta!"[/say] Flora beams, stepping forward and spreading her arms in invitation. Whether he accepts the hug or not is up to him, but it doesn’t stop her from pressing the carefully wrapped gift into his hands, her head tilting in smug satisfaction. [say]"Happy birthday, old man,"[/say] she teases, flashing him a wide smile. Within, Asta will find a ruby pocket boutonniere that she had made just for him. Deep ruby gems, polished to a fiery shine, set in a silver frame shaped like curling horns—his horns.
RE: blood and chocolate - Isla - 02-13-2025
And oh, what a surprise Everest is.
Having just taken a grateful sip of her wine, Isla all but freezes at the sudden hands at her waist and the body melting into her own. The feel of the aviator alone is enough for her to guess who it is, let alone the smell of him and the sound of his voice rumbling near her ear. One might think there would be screaming or pulling away or, at the very least, a stiffening in Isla's posture, but whilst the Remedy might be a very logical person, she's still someone who has been kept apart from the man she loves for weeks now.
[say]"I've missed you too,"[/say] she whispers, lowering her glass and leaning back into Ever's arms, already beaming as she turns her head to press a warm kiss against his cheek. Of course there's trepidation - was he here on Dahlia's behalf? did he know what she and Sunjata had planned? is the void going to infect these proceedings? - but overriding it is the flush of love and affection that comes with his familiar touch and the security of knowing he's nearby.
Before Isla can say much more, the guest of honour arrives and the Remedy turns, spying Astaroth entering the Dusklight. Raising her wine in a toast, he seems inundated with people already, so it's with a call of, [say]"Happy Birthday!"[/say] that she turns back to the man draped around here. [say]"When did you fly in?"[/say] she asks in a low voice.