[OPEN] Halloween Haunt at The Apothecary

[appetitive]

who: Magnus Bane (appetitive) & anyone who'd like to come!
what: Halloween & Samhain party featuring transformative potions
when: October 31st at dusk through November 2nd at dawn
where: The Apothecary (formerly known as The Quarantine Bar)
warnings: please tag threads individually as needed!

The Apothecary's Halloween Haunt

For the entirety of October, The Apothecary bar has been and will continue to be decorated in deep shades of purple and orange, not to mention a whole lot of black and an array of convincingly grim yet decidedly elegant decorations. The real party doesn't start until the sun sets on Halloween night, stretching past the witching hours and through the following day in celebration of the lesser-known Samhain. From dusk of October 31st to dawn on November 2nd, the bar is alive with magic largely thanks to the menu of six alcoholic potions whose effects are posted on menus around the bar. These menus will be placed in clear sight with moving images of each drink so that guests are fully aware of their magical properties—if someone hands you a mystery drink, you're encouraged (but not obliged) to find out what it'll do to you before partaking. Each potion lasts an average of three hours, or until an antidote is drunk. And though multiple potions can be "stacked" by drinking them without an antidote in-between, party-goers will be cautioned that some potions may mix to create strange results. Luckily, the host will be attending from dusk to dawn in order to sort out any dangerous effects.

While the drink menu is the main event, there will be plenty of other ways to find some ghoulish entertainment. Tables are laden with a variety of both sweet and savory appetizers which all paying customers are welcome to enjoy. Because of the length of the party, the kitchen will be serving a limited menu of main-course items during typical mealtimes throughout the days. And because no party would be complete without music, there will be a "live" skeleton band performing jazz, rock, and the occasional but obligatory Halloween song upon request—please use this power wisely and save your fellow party-goers from two hours of continuous Witchy Woman.

Given that this is a Halloween party, costumes are highly recommended and will be rewarded with a free drink upon arrival. If you come without a costume, bartenders will recommend trying the Monster Mash or Werewolves of London potions in order to get you more into the spirit of Halloween. Though the bar will be dotted with large couches, plush armchairs, and piles of floor pillows, dozing guests will be encouraged to go home and sleep between festivities. If you're unable to handle over thirty-six hours of continuous partying, go enjoy a nap and then return to the bar for another round later on!

◇MONSTER MASH FLAVOR flat, warm; spiced rum, cranberry juice, grenadine EFFECTS Forget your costume at home? Don't worry, because drinking this potion while result in a full-body change into a classic Halloween creature, with a twist: it's either the sexy version, or the scary one. Though the drinker will be partially recognizable beneath it, the change can be a costume of its own. Some common transformations include but are not limited to: vampires, werewolves, zombies, witches, demons, and Frankenstein's monster	◇THRILLER FLAVOR flat, chilled; whiskey, bitters, sugar, orange zest EFFECTS If you're craving a change, this is the drink for you. The potion will bring about a random shift in the color of the drinker's hair, eyes, or both. Differences can range anywhere from natural shades to neon hues, as well as a variety of patterns and multi-colored or mismatched options. And don't worry, any facial hair you may have won't be left out of the fun!
◇TIME WARP FLAVOR flat, chilled; light rum, creme de menthe, lemon juice EFFECTS For those party-goers looking for a whole new perspective on Halloween, this drink offers two unique experiences. When sharing with another guest, knock the glasses together and drink simultaneously for a body swap. Feeling really adventerous? Get multiple people to join in on the fun! If you're drinking alone, you'll find that your biological sex will change from male to female, or vice versa.	◇WEREWOLVES OF LONDON FLAVOR sparkling, chilled; vodka, chambord, sparkling limeade EFFECTS Get ready to howl at the moon, or maybe fly off towards it, after trying this drink. Shortly after imbibing, partakers will manifest any number of animal traits, though all from the same animal. Perhaps it's as simple as a pair of bird's wings, or a full set of cat ears, tail, and eyes. The potion will pick up on any animal-like traits you may have, so snakes and rats beware.
◇I PUT A SPELL ON YOU FLAVOR flat, chilled; gin, vermouth, creme de cassis EFFECTS This potion is for anyone who's ever wanted to live out their dreams of being a teenaged wizard at boarding school. Though it may take a few tries to get perfect certain tricks, drinkers will be able to perform low-level spells with their hands such as: levitation, creating colored sparks, turning items invisible, elemental manipulation, summoning or conjouring items, short-distance teleporation, and a number of other simple tricks. (Any violent abuse of these abilities will result in immediate and forceful administration of an antidote and expulsion from the bar.)	◇HIGHWAY TO HELL FLAVOR flat, warm; absinthe, sugar, heatless fire EFFECTS Though this drink doesn't contain a potion, does it really need to when you're drinking something that's still on fire? This shot of absinthe, though adorned with a multicolored and edible flame, will warm you through and have you breathing the same cool fire for as long as it takes the sugar cube to dissolve on your tongue.

◇DON'T FEAR THE REAPER

FLAVOR
sparkling, chilled; blackberry syrup, cola
EFFECTS
These shots are free of alcohol and provide an antidote to every other drink on the menu. One splash of this delightfully chilled and refreshing drink will reserve all transformative effects as well as void all magical abilities. And though it is non-alcoholic, it does not provide any sobering qualities.

Comments

[spellslots]

I'm not bored - [He's not! But even if he was, he does have the manners not to mention that sort of thing to the host] - I can just appreciate a little mayhem every now and then, you know?

[The deer is very cute though; Taako draws a lazy circle over his shoulder that causes a mongoose to appear, perched and ready to go. There's a few seconds of nonverbal communication between Taako and the mongoose, before it goes bounding off to play with the deer, if the deer will allow it.]

[appetitive]

Whatever you say, crumpet. Next time you'd like a display of pyrotechnics, just ask. [Magnus has no delusions about a party that lasts so long being able to go without the occasional lull. It was why he'd set up plenty of places to relax, or get up to some private mischief if the right mood struck. In the end, he figures anyone who gets bored is just lacking the creativity to occupy themselves.

Cat eyes watching the spell unfold, from the creation of the little beast to the way it sprang into action, Magnus hummed with appreciation for the magic. It feels unfamiliar, though he was getting used to that considering how many different worlds had different magical sources and practices.] Shit, is that a mongoose? I'd make him a more suitable friend, but they tend to fight anything under the sun, don't they?

[spellslots]

[That crumpet earns a little laugh, he's so used to dishing out the nicknames that it's a surprising to get one in return, not that he's complaining.]

It's mongoose shaped. [It's not, strictly speaking, a mongoose, which might be why it's willing to playful chase the flaming deer around the bar.] And they're not that bad, they'll only fuck you up if they feel threatened.

[appetitive]

[Magnus smiles when he takes the nickname in stride. It's a habit, but he's been known to break it on a few occasions when it really bothered someone; luckily, he hasn't had many complaints from anyone with opinions he cares about.

Chuckling at that, he wills his own spell to shift into something that suits his personality a little more than a deer. The antlers shrink as it shakes its fiery head, and the body bulks out while the legs shorten slightly until it's panther-shaped and burning a deep violet flame.] Something you identify with, or just a personal favorite?

[spellslots]

[Mildly:] Show off.

[Taako could alter the mongoose, just to make a point, but it would require recasting the spell and it's not really worth the effort when he isn't too bothered by Magnus gently one-upping him. His ego can handle it.]

After our uh, home planet got fucked up, the first place we landed was just totally animals, right? Like - they had their own language and social structures and rulers, and the mongoose were the only ones that weren't scared of us. It kinda stuck with me, I guess, even when I couldn't remember. Plus they've get these acetylcholine receptors that make 'em impervious to venom, and that's kinda neat.

[He has some Issues regarding poison.]

[appetitive]

[Grinning, he winks at Taako.] Only for those whom I aim to impress.

[He goes quiet when Taako starts talking about his past, something that Magnus is bad enough at discussing himself to take it seriously when other people bring it up. He doesn't want to emphasize the loss, not when Taako keeps talking past it, but he feels it requires a comforting gesture; his enchanted panther walks over towards Taako's hand and curls up against it, flame only mildly warm to the touch.]

I suppose that makes sense. Something so fearless would be the most welcoming to strangers. [Lifting an eyebrow, he can't help asking.] This is the part where I try to subtly ask if you're a space explorer.

[spellslots]

[It's a sweet gesture, a little unnecessary (Taako has no attachment to his home world, because Lup is his home), but still sweet, and he idly scratches the panther behind its ears.]

Kind of a yes, kind of a no. Technically I'm a member of the Institute of Planar Research and Exploration, we travelled between realities, but you know, the end result was pretty much the same. Different worlds, different planets.

[appetitive]

[He watches the exchange between man and spell, feeling it through his attachment to the enchanted flame and how it responds to the physical touch as well as Taako's own magic. It's always surprising to feel another being's energy, especially now that he's opened to literal new worlds of unknown power.

Leaning in closer, he conjures up a tall stool for himself to sit on while they chat.] So when you found your way here, I doubt it was much of a shock. [Unlike for some other people, poor things, who stumbled through the portal and half lost their minds.] Did you travel using magic?

[spellslots]

Oh, uh... I'd forgotten. About the institute and the travel and all that shit.

[And Lup, but that's a little too rough to get into when they're having fun at a party.]

But kinda on the magic thing? We used a bond engine, it's a combo of arcana and science, our CSO could explain it better but I was just there to do cool magic, not run the ship.