[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

[umbrastaff]

[Costumes: Traditional D&D Wizard, Nicki (with Taako), Indiana Jones, and what seems like a closet-cosplay of Lucretia. That, or she just stole all her clothes.]

i. Thriller

[ The idea of potions making a monster costume for her was waved off since she was enjoying her own ideas, but the alcoholic options of little changes were definitely more Lup's style. Who wouldn't want to try neon green hair and yellow eyes for a while? It wasn't really a thing she couldn't do with any of her spells, but the randomness was the fun part.

She happily sips on her drink, curious to see what change it would give her. When her skin turns light blue, Lup is grinning like a madwoman, turning to the nearest person. ]

Does it suit me?

ii. Dance Dance Baby

[ She's happy on the dance floor, even if her temporary body isn't as agile as her real one. No matter the music, she's happy to find a rhythm to swing her hips to, swirling close to someone and smiling at them before flitting out on the dance floor again with a little 'come here' gesture.

If they don't get her point, she'll give them a little push with a mage hand, but only enough to give the shy ones some courage. Dancing was supposed to be fun, after all. ]

Come on, show me what you got!

iii. The Green Fairy

[ There were drinks on fire, so naturally Lup is all over those, playing with the flame and enjoying the taste of the sugar on her tongue mixed with the drink. She's probably a bit tipsy by the time she glances over to the person next to her and blows the cold flame towards them with a laugh. ]

This is amazing, isn't it? Have you tried some?

iv. Werewolves or Swearwolves

[ Mongoose.

She's not the slightest bit surprised - it would have been that or a phoenix, and it didn't seem like anyone turned to magical beasts. Lup swivels her tiny fuzzy ears a bit, amused as she explored the changes the delicious drink had given her. (She'd happily have more even without the magic, because damn.)

At least nothing had ripped for that tail, and it all came with a nice claw manicure. Now all she needed as a mirror to see her fashinating but strange mongoose eyes. ]

Did anyone turn into a snake?

[ Lup asks the nearest person, juuust to make sure she wasn't about to kick someone's ass. ]

iv.

[imperceptus]

[ Rin buffs his nails on his blazer, shrugging, his smile as sly as ever. He's not sporting a single animal feature--nor does he appear to be enjoying any of the other drinks' side effects. ]

No; I was just born that way.

[umbrastaff]

[Oooh, look at you! All fancy and colorful!]

Psh, I wouldn't call you a snake, Rinnie. I'd pin you like more of a cat.

[imperceptus]

Really?

[ Purring ... ]

How generous. Can't say I ever imagined you as a mongoose, though.

[umbrastaff]

Mongoose are really cool, okay?

[She smiles, baring little fangs.]

The very first world we visited had only animals, so me, Taako and Barry learned their language from a mongoose family. I adore the little guys, they take no shit.

[imperceptus]

[ He shakes his head. ]

Oh, nothing against them at all.

[ He makes a sweeping gesture with his hand, as if to imitate the trailing plumage of a bird's tail. ]

I just picture you as more of a phoenix, darling.

[umbrastaff]

[She fans herself with her hand.]

Goodness, it's like you can read my mind, Rinnie! I would have loved that. All flames and rebirth, it's so me~!

[Grinning, she lights a flame in her hand almost lazily.]

What about you? I would say... black swan? Slender and gorgeous, but can kick ass.

3

[scholiast]

No, I– what are you wearing?

(Is that stuff hers??? Lucretia is not drunk enough for this. She waves Lup's flame away from her with one hand, dismissive, and reaches out to pluck at the hem of her shirt.)

You know, I was wondering where this went–

[umbrastaff]

Can't you see I'm being my favorite gal?

[Her hair is already white-ish, so she just put it up in a bun.]

It's very practical to go lich any time you need to steal some clothes... I might even give it back!

[scholiast]

Seriously?

(She reaches over and gives one of Lup's ears a flick, grinning.)

You're ridiculous. Please give this back, I love this shirt!

[umbrastaff]

[Her ear wiggles slightly in return for that, and Lup laughs again.]

Maaaaybe. I mean, I had to grab something you wear often or nobody would see I was you!

[...to be fair, anyone but Magnus, Taako and Lucretia's friends might even get it.]

[scholiast]

You are incredible, Lup.

(To be fair, Lucretia can't judge at all; she isn't dressed up. She just looks nice.)

I think the whole idea is a bit obscure, though.

[umbrastaff]

Of course I am.

[She says with a confident smile, and then grabs her book prop to stand in front of Lucretia as if to prove that her costume works. (It really doesn't.) The hair, the height and even the undertones of their dark skin are completely different, not to mention more obvious stuff like elf ears.]

Come on, I look just like you!

ii

[ohhmrburnsides]

[Magnus, in the glory of Thor's armor, follows Lup out onto the dance floor, but he does so... tentatively. He dances along with her, but there's a suspicious glare on his face all the while. Eventually, he does ask,]

You are Lup this time, right?

[umbrastaff]

[She was starting to get seriously concerned about Magnus' behavior as she pulls him off to dance with her - before he finally speaks.

...then she's laughing so much she has to lean to his chest.]

Oh man, did Taako mess with you, too? Don't worry, Maggie. This is the Lup original.

[ohhmrburnsides]

[Magnus laughs, relieved. He believes her well enough.]

Yeah, he sure did. I can't believe I fell for it.

[Now that he knows he can trust her, he lets loose and has some fun with his dancing. (His horrible, awful dancing.)]

Me “too”? Is he pranking everyone else around here? Hope he’s not tarnishing your good name.

[umbrastaff]

He's got my banging curves and he's milking it for all it's worth.

[The sad part is that he's better at mimicking her than she is with him.]

I'll get him back later. I'm planning on using peanuts in every meal for tomorrow.

[Lup twirls around, laughing before grabbing Magnus' hand so she could spin in against his side all cozy-like.]

How does peanutbutter-glazed chicken sound?

[ohhmrburnsides]

I'll eat literally any food you make, Lup, but that sounds especially good.

[As terrible a dancer as he is, he at least has some grace when twirling Lup on the dance floor, thanks to their years of awesome battlefield maneuvers. When the song comes to an end, he twirls her out one last time, then ends the song with a little bow. When he rises, he suggests,]

You wanna go to the bar and get fucked up?

[umbrastaff]

[She's grinning from ear to ear, happy to spend some party time with her sweet ruff boi and work on those moves.

As they stop the dance and he bows, she playfully curtsies before grabbing him by the hem of his shirt so she could 'drag' him along.]

Fuck yes, let's be craaaaazy!

iii

[judicia]

( Anders is probably one of the only losers here not imbibing in any of the drinks or potions. He's just been sipping on his punch and loitering around from one spot to another, taking in the festivities and chatting up anyone that isn't immediately annoyed by him. )

I haven't. ( He says, looking a little bit startled by the flames that come bursting out so suddenly from behind her lips. )

Do you always put things like that in your mouth?

[umbrastaff]

[Don't be so boring, Anders! Try the Werewolf one, relax as a kitty.

Lup looks amused as he mentions the drink's effect. It wasn't anything she couldn't do normally, but the flame not burning anyone was a huge plus.]

You'd be surprised at all the things I put in my mouth.

[Wink-wink.]

[judicia]

( That would be the dream, to be honest. Unfortunately, though, he doesn't partake much in drinking anymore, which is quite a shame for everyone. He was always a bit of a fun drunk. )

Oh, do tell. ( He laughs, so much that his eyes crinkle along the edges with amusement. ) Seriously, though, how does it taste? Is it hot?

[umbrastaff]

[ So boring, Anders. Shame on you and your soberness. (Not really.)

Lup grins and gives him a gesture with her drink before she takes another slow sip and blows out the shimmery smoke. ]

It actually tastes more like hot sugar and anise with a tad bit of bitterness and herbal flavors. Like the drink itself, only sweeter 'cause of the sugar cube.

[ She casts continual flame in her other hand to wander over her fingers, the more traditional red and burning kind. ]

It's good. You should try the blackberry reaper shots, they're virgin and pretty baller as well.

[judicia]

You know what? I think I will.

( Only because she says that they're "baller" — whatever that means. He waves down the bartender, his arms folded in front of him and leaning against the edge of the countertop. )

So you can do magic? I don't think I've ever seen you at Gramarye. ( It's too bad he doesn't remember meeting her there at the company's masquerade party. He remembers dancing with a girl at some point, he just doesn't remember that it was her because of the enchanted masks. )

[umbrastaff]

[She looks amused, tapping the sugar cube's spoon on her lower lip.]

I sure can, I'm a pretty amazing wizard! I've just done enough magical science for a while, but I visit now and then to get my read on when I feel like it. [Lup shrugs.] I make pastries with my brother instead. Flour Up Desserts.

[The masks were fun, but kind of got in the way of getting to know people in the end. This is an easier scene for that.]