riverviewlogs | [OPEN] Halloween Haunt at The Apothecary

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[OPEN] Halloween Haunt at The Apothecary

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Dodger smirks lightly, and presses a kiss to the base of one of Shigeru's bunny ears.]

They're cute - the ears. Do you have a tail, too?

[He's sneaking a hand down to search for one - and whether or not he finds one, he's pinching Shigeru's ass while he's at it.]

[ These damn ears are so sensitive?! Shigeru's whole body gets goosebumps when Dodger's lips brush against the base of it and Shigeru will clap a hand over that spot, face completely red, as he shifts in his seat. He might let out a silent little gasp and move forward when Dodger goes and does that. But, sure enough, he does have a cute little rabbit tail to go with the ears. ]

Don't! Don't do that! [ He's not used to these sort of advances so he is just a flustered mess. Lord what is his life? He's trying really hard to type without messing up but it's not going well. ]

Ofcourse I have a tail. Don't alrabbits have them!? [ These potions were very true to being anatomically correct it seemed. Also please excuse his bad typing, this is all your fault Dodger! ]

Hey, I like the tail, it's cute.

[And he's just squishing the soft fur playfully before slipping his hand up to wrap around Shigeru's waist. God, he can't help how much fun it is to get Shigeru flustered like this, and he really can't help wanting to push his luck with it.

He lays his chin on the older man's shoulder, and flashes him a playful smile as his tone drops to a stage whisper.]

Speaking of tail... I haven't tested if the whole wolf deal gave me a red rocket, you wanna check it out with me?

[Dodger, stop. Cease. Desist.]

[ Bad Dodger, no! Every time he plays with his tail Shigeru just jumps a little. It's way too sensitive for him! He might put one of his hands on Dodger's before shying away. Shigeru's look is one of embarrassment, fluster and shock all rolled into one as he's asked that. He might push Dodger away a little and shake his head. ]

I don't! I...want it to be more special if it's with you.

[ He doesn't just want to have sex because Dodger has some weird curiosity from the side effects of a potion! He wants it to...have meaning he supposed. Not that there wasn't a lot of meaning between them both. ]

[Well.. that dampens his spirits a bit. It's one thing to make him flustered, another entirely to bring up things like being 'special'. With that he lowers his hand slightly to a more respectful spot, and his smirk turns into a somber frown.]

I'm just fucking around... loosen up, alright? [He presses a kiss to Shigeru's cheek.] You like fooling around with me, don't you?

Edited 2017-11-01 03:18 (UTC)

[ Ah! Oh no. He made things awkward didn't he!? He's sorry! His ears might droop slightly as he looks away. It's just...something like sex is rather rare for him to even partake in. It's honestly a struggle, to be honest, so that's why...he wants it to have some meaning. ]

I'm sorry! I didn't mean to...make things weird. [ But he does fiddle with his phone, face still remaining red, especially after that question. The last time they 'fooled around' Shigeru had liked it a lot. So he does nod, face clearly flushed as he raises a gloved to Dodger's cheek and kisses him lightly on the lips. He'll nod bashfully afterward. ]

I...I did like it last time. It felt good. [ Even if he...had to really scrub himself down afterwards. It was worth it, to him at least. ]

[Dodger's ears twitch, and his tail wags as he returns the kiss. At least Shigeru's affection is encouraging, although he still seems a little hesitant.]

We should go on another date sometime. Make this all feel more, uh... official, y'know?

[What the fuck is he talking about? He just wants to mess around like always.. he thinks. God, why does this all have to be so complicated?]

And listen, I don't mean to push you so much... you're just damn hard for me to resist.

[ Shigeru might give him a look of curiosity and something akin to...uncertainty. Prior to this, well, that conversation hadn't gone as well especially about the state of, well, them. ]

You...really want to date me? [ He looks, well, happy about that at least. But he also remembers their conversation and the dream...

But he does smile at that and laugh a little. ]

You're cute...when you say things like that.

[ Shigeru please?! But it is true, at least to him. Shigeru doesn't get to see Dodger blush or say things he really means a lot, so when he does...it's pretty genuine and cute. ]

Another date...sounds nice. [ He smiles shyly back at Dodger now. ]

I just don't want to risk.. losing you.

[He's really trying to pretend that dream never happened... but he shifts a bit under the thought until he's holding him in less of a flirtateous hold and more of a half-hug seeking comfort.]

It kills me thinking someone might snatch up your attention before I work up the nerve to act on how I feel about you, y'know?

[Well, that hits it a little too close to the truth. He really hates the idea of Genji getting any of Shigeru's affection.]

You won't lose me. I'm not going to just disappear you know?

[ But the change in the way Dodger holds him makes Shigeru's expression turn soft and caring. ]

How...do you feel about me? [ Shigeru will type and hold up his phone for Dodger to read. He had asked it before, hadn't he? But he...never really got an answer. ]

[Dodger hesitates a bit at the question, but he takes a few moments to think of a response.]

Isn't it obvious?

[That's a good answer, he thinks. It stops him from having to spill his guts.]

[ Ah, well, Shigeru does blush a little bit more at that. ]

It is...but hearing you say it- [ he shakes his head brings his phone back to his chest before Dodger can finish reading it.

Hearing him say it would be romantic, wouldn't it? But he won't force Dodger to do that if it's something he's uncomfortable with. He knows how hard it is for the other man to really...express himself when it comes to these things. ]

Did you want to do something now? Instead of staying maybe we could leave and go somewhere else?

[Well... it worries him reading that, thinking that he's about to be put on the spot. It's all he can do to hold back the sigh of relief when Shigeru loses his nerve and changes the topic.]

I'm fine here, for now... wouldn't wanna miss out on the spell-reverse shots when I'm done offering dogging sessions.

[He laughs a little bit, but the smile quickly falls off his face and he presses his forehead to Shigeru's cheek.]

You're perfect, Shigeru. I just wanna... sit here with you for a bit.

[ Shigeru gives him a warm smile back as he watches Dodger out of the corner of his eye. His rabbit ears will twitch and turn with the music as it gets louder or lower depending on the song. But Shigeru will otherwise sit with Dodger in silence for awhile. ]

Did you ever celebrate Halloween when you were little?

[ He never really did ask that before, did he? ]

I think...I would have if my world had such a thing. I could have gone outside and interacted with people with a costume and no one would think me strange for the day. That would've been nice when I think about it.

[The frown persists on his face, and he lets out a quiet sigh. It almost hurts hearing such an innocent question about his childhood... but he figures Shigeru doesn't deserve anything but honesty.]

I never got the chance. [He shifts a bit, properly molding himself against Shigeru's side.] I didn't understand trick-or-treating when I was little, I always got angry that kids my age were out begging for candy when people hit me or just ignored me when I asked for food. And before that, I was just scared of all the lights and costumes. My mom and I would just... find a quiet spot to wait it out. Sometimes I'd find candy in the garbage afterward, and that was... awesome. [He makes a hesitant noise before continuing.] After I met Benny... well, he figured Halloween was for babies. We worked on Halloween.

[ Oh. He frowns as he gives Dodger's hand a small squeeze. ]

I'm sorry. I didn't know...that's how it was for you.

[ He should have known better than to ask, really, but it was an innocent question that he hardly gave a single thought about. But a young and innocent person like Dodger at the time...didn't deserve that at all. ]

It doesn't matter. You don't need to feel sorry.

[Still, despite his words and the fact that he's now staring at the grain of the table with his ears and tail drooped, the comfort helps. He does feel better for sharing it.]

I hate this place, but hell.. it's been a long time since I celebrated holidays. After I lost Janet... there just wasn't a point anymore, y'know? [His tone shifts again, becoming even more somber and mournful.] She always... made her own costumes for Halloween. I bet she makes them for my daughter, too. I wish I... I wish I had a chance of seeing them trick-or-treating, that'd be... nice.

[He's silent for a few moments before giving Shigeru a crooked smile.]

You don't give a shit about any of this, right? Who cares about them, I've got you.

[ Shigeru will shake his head and then lightly touch Dodger's arm. ]

I do care. They're...important to you and if talking about them makes you feel better, then I don't mind.

[ He has a soft smile on his features before he looks away. ]

I want to...make you happy, just like they did. So I'll do whatever I can to do so, and if that means listening then I'll definitely do that. [ But there comes a pause before he types one more thing. ]

I never knew you had a daughter.

[For a moment, that rough facade fades. Under it Dodger is almost shocked by how much Shigeru cares about him, and he looks almost innocently bemused. There's a trace of a smile on his face as he nods slowly, reaching under his shirt collar and pulling out one of his necklaces. The heart-shaped locket, which he pops open to reveal a picture of a young girl, no more than five, with ruddy brown hair and pale blue eyes behind thick round glasses.]

Her name is Maddie. I never met her, but I uh... this locket came through the portal. It didn't take a genius to figure out who she was.

[It is rather obvious, especially after seeing Janet. Maddie has Dodger's nose, Janet's eyes, and her hair is the same tone as her father's. She's frowning at the camera, as if she'd rather avoid being looked at, and it gives her a bit of the somber appearance that Dodger is prone to.]

[ Shigeru will lean in to get a good look, his smile beaming as he looks to Dodger again. ]

She's very pretty, Dodger. You must be really proud. [ Well if he carries that locket around with him he had to be. He smiles just a little bit more before giving Dodger a curious glance. ]

Do...you think she has powers like you do?

I try not to think about it.

[He closes the locket and slips it back under his shirt, safely hidden away but close to his heart.]

If she started using fire powers... she'd scared the hell out of her mom. And her life would be a living nightmare. But it'd be... nice... thinking some day I might meet her and... help her figure things out.

[As if he has a chance of helping anyone.]

[ Shigeru will reach up...tentatively and place his hand over where the locket rests against Dodger's chest. ]

I hope that...one day you'll be able to meet her too.

[ He at least deserves that. No parent should through life without meeting their own child. ]

You think I'm a fuck-up, don't you. I mean, not for everything else, just... being twenty-five with a five-year-old.

[He takes a deep breath, and lets it out in a shaky laugh.]

It's stupid to even worry about that, right? I mean, I fucking torture people in my flat for kicks, why worry about how young I was when I got a broad pregnant, it was bound to happen...

[He's rambling... he feels like an idiot.]

[ Dodger please?! Shigeru will just lightly touch his cheek, turning Dodger's head a little so that he's actually looking at Shigeru, before shaking his head. ]

Stop. I don't think that all. Knowing what you've been through...what your life was like, I would never think that of you.

[ He knows that a lot of people would say that Dodger was one, that he had messed up his life and Janet's by being selfish and getting her pregnant when they could hardly afford rent and food for themselves. Or that he was crazy for torturing people and honestly...Shigeru has had thoughts on the matter before. But it never entailed Dodger being a fuck up. It's more like...he was extremely sad for the other man in all honesty. ]

[Dodger is silent as he reads the phone, and his tail twitches with the beginning of a wag. And then he cups Shigeru's face in his hands, and presses a warm kiss to his lips.]

Thanks. You're... I mean, I wouldn't figure anyone else would think like that.

[In little moments like this, Dodger could believe he loves Shigeru. Above all else he loves the attention from someone who doesn't think anything bad about him.]

[OPEN] Halloween Haunt at The Apothecary

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