[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]

Oh yeah, I did go out drinking like two days after I got it but that was a bad training run because man I almost didn't find my way home! Some dude showed me in the right direction after I messed with him a bit.

[She laughs and drags them both towards the dance floor so they could get their moves on.]

[scholiast]

You gotta be careful with this thing! We grew it for you specially.

(She's only teasing though: she's delighted to see Lup so happy back in a body again.) That poor man; you weren't too hard on him were you?

(Lucretia has to raise her voice a little now that they've got the music to contend with but that's cool. It is time to bust some sick moves.)

[umbrastaff]

Oh no, girl! This baby was made by Loki, it's just temporary.

[She moves one ghostly skeletal arm right out of her 'flesh' one.]

It's a little clunky and doesn't attach well. My real one has actual fingers now, though. Starting to grow ears, too.

[It's the weirdest subject while dancing.]

...and don't worry, he's fine!

[scholiast]

Really?

(Oh, true: if she stops for a moment and pulls Lup's arms out into the light of the dance floor by her wrists to examine them more closely, there is a noticeable disconnect between her lich and flesh self.)

Are you just possessing it? Is that difficult?

(She's holding everything together exceptionally well, so perhaps not. Lucretia is impressed.)

[umbrastaff]

[She's grinning, loving the way Lucretia gets all nerdy about it.]

Pretty much. It takes a little bit of concentration in the back of my mind, kinda like walking in very high heels.

[Lup laughs and puts her arm into the flesh again.]

It took me a little while to even stand at first. I learn quickly.

[scholiast]

Gotcha– I'm very familiar with the concept.

(She's being sarcastic but it's kind of ruined when Lup pulls her spectral form back into her flesh arms and Lucretia makes a noise that is both weirded out, and deeply curious.)

That looks so odd, you know that right?

[umbrastaff]

Uh, duh. It's weird as hell. Feels weird, too.

[She shakes her head.]

It's not real, but I can touch and taste again, and fuck if that isn't worth some weird disconnect.

[Lup reaches to pull Lucretia into a spin.]

[scholiast]

(She laughs, twirling and catching Lup's hands again as she comes back around.)

Yeah, I can imagine.

Just– once we get you back in your new, proper body promise me you'll stick to that one for a while?

[umbrastaff]

[ Lup laughs, and puts her free hand over her heart. ]

I solemnly swear I'm going to try my best to not die for at least a cycle.

[ Keyword here was 'try'. ]

[scholiast]

I will take it.

(It's the best she's going to get, probably.)

But– wait, are you even going back to the cycles? This is an empty promise.

[umbrastaff]

Whoops~

[She laughs again and shakes her head.]

For serious, though. I'm not gonna off myself for jokes.

[scholiast]

Nice try.

(She's laughing too though, not at all serious.)

Good to know. We all appreciate your cooperation, Lup.

[umbrastaff]

Enjoy this small gift.

[She bumps the side of her hip against Lucretia's, laughing as she enjoys this moment of just... being. Having laughs with her friends, a few drinks in her blood and good music.]

I wonder if they have violins here.

[scholiast]

(Lucretia's enjoying it too. The ghosts and memory sharing has been so awful, so it's good to just dance with Lup and forget about it for a bit.)

Probably not here at the party, but I'm sure in general there are violins, yes. You miss playing?

[umbrastaff]

You know me. I like keeping busy, and now when I can touch things, I want to keep at it. Flour Up only does orders so I have a lot of free time between that and sneaking into your place to read.

[She spins around, her hair coming loose a bit from her Lucretia-bun.]

So playing a little would be nice... and I think it would help ground me a bit, too. Sometimes my emotions are way too strong even for me, and I think it has to do with being in that staff for so long.

[scholiast]

Oh really!

(So that's why her books have been out of order on her shelves sometimes. Lucretia just figured it was Junior messing about; Lup's presence doesn't register on her wards.)

Well in that case, go for it! I'm sure you could ask around on the network for somebody who could point you in the right direction. I think something extra to focus on would probably help a lot, Lup.

[umbrastaff]

[Personal space is an issue she needs to work on, it seems. While Lup also uses the magic research center to get her nerd side sated, she prefers safer areas than risking a bunch of unknown magic users sensing she's undead.

She smiles a little softer when Lucretia affirms her choice of stabilization, and nods.]

Sounds like I should write you a song.

[scholiast]

Me?

(She blinks, bemused as she lifts her arm to let Lup twirl if she pleases.) Yeah, if you're– I mean, I'd like that a lot.

[umbrastaff]

[Of course she does. It's her favorite thing, twirling in a dance even when dressed as her favorite girl.]

It's a deal. I'll play you a song just for you, and I might even make it not about books.

[scholiast]

Oh, you should absolutely make it about books. So many words rhyme with 'books'. Like 'looks' for example. You can sing about how beautiful I am.

(Aw, this would be a great goof if only she could keep a straight face, but she's chuckling as Lup does a few good twirls, one after the other.)

[umbrastaff]

Writing something about how beautiful you are wouldn't be a challenge at all. That's like saying water is wet.

[She smiles and stops her twirl to pull Lucretia towards her for a dip.]

I'm sure every girl here can appreciate two sexy Lucretias.

[scholiast]

Stop– (her laughter pitches into a little shriek when Lup dips her, and she has to hold on a little more tightly so avoid falling on her butt.)

Maybe we can do an art exchange. You write me a song, and I'll paint you a big fancy portrait of you with, like, an eight-pack.

[umbrastaff]

[Thankfully Lup is smooth enough to not drop Lucretia, instead pulling her up again with a laugh.]

You got a deal! I wanna be ripped, so Magnus gets all huffy.

[scholiast]

I will make you extra ripped, don't worry.

(She's flushed in the face from laughing too much, and she pulls back from Lup, jerking a thumb over her shoulder.)

I'm going to get another drink. Want to come?

[umbrastaff]

That's my girl!

[She laughs as they start moving towards the bar, reaching to fix her hair a bit into the loosened bun.]

Which drinks have you not tried?