8158/Spooktacular Birthday

Spooktacular Birthday
Date of Scene:	31 October 2021
Location:	The Thrones Art Complex
Synopsis:	Las' birthday party is had and there are surprises!
Cast of Characters:	Asariel, John Constantine, Chas Chandler, Mairin Moran

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Asariel has posed:
It's Halloween!

That means that there is a lot going on tonight in the city. Little ghosts and goblins are out trick or treating, parents are trying to keep up with them and there is the party goers that are out in force in Brooklyn. One of those parties is being held at the Thrones, an art collective that is rather popular in the realms of the weird and the occult. There's all kinds of delightfully weird and eclectic that comes from the resident artist that calls the upper floors home.

The gallery has been opened to those with invites and some others have managed to sneak their way in. The atmosphere feels more like a night club this evening though given the blasting music and the packed dance floor in the middle of the main gallery. The party has been going for a few hours, but the night is fairly young still...for those who don't go to bed at ten in the evening at least!

There is also a station at the front of the gallery that is passing out candy for those that are still trick or treating. Which given it's Brooklyn there are still a lot of kids and parents out running around and getting into shenanigans.

John Constantine has posed:
    Why in the name of all that's Holy is John Constantine at this thing? Well, because his Best Mate and the Best Cabbie in Heaven and Hell and all the Realms between ... dropped a name.

    Really Chas? Did you think curiosity, or maybe concern, wouldn't get the better of John. It wasn't hard to figure out, just by the name, how to get a peek, a little lookie loo at the person behind the dropped name. How many Lasariel's are there in Gotham after all? Getting in the door wasn't difficult, just a matter of a scrap of paper or what not and an illusion to pass it off as a right and proper invitation. Once inside, however, man stands out like a sore thumb. At least his day to day street clothes make an unintentional attempt at looking like a famed, seemingly bumbling detective from days gone. Columbo - it fits, coulda been John if he was just a normal old detective.

    "What the bloody hell is *that*," he mumbles under his breath as he passes by some table or another with some weird artsy food on plates. Did it just move? He could have sworn it just moved? Is it staring at him? Are those *eyes*, didn't he banish a bigger version of that thing back to hell just last week.

    Moving ON! To the bar! All the while, eyes peeled for the guest of honor.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas came in costume with a plus one. He is a bear of a man and his costume today is all more apt to show it off. An authetic LITERAL bear skin is draped over his shoulders like a cloak, the forepaws attacked to a thick iron chain that serves as a clasp. A wide leather belt with an iron buckle holds up a pair of leather trousers tucked into a pair of heavy fur-lined boots. Across his chest is the strap of a shoulder shealth that holds an *obscenely* long and heavy greatsword (the weapon consiour would recognize the shape and build as a Zweihander.) He's barechested and a number of black fake runic tattoos peek from under the hair of his chest and along his arms arms making a strange mismatch against the Hermeic swilring designs of the other actual tattoos his sports on every given day.

    His plus one is a small brunette girl, maybe nine years old in age. She is also dressed like a viking, though her outfit resembles more "How to Train Your Dragon", than "Vikings" in authenticity. There is a golden braclet around her left wrist that seems strange given all the other metal on her is dull grey iron and her weapon, a battle axe sized for her is certainly polystyrene painted in grey and brown to look real rather than a genuine item.

    He wasn't expecting to see his friend, but the man did stick out for the discerning eye and caused Chas' eyebrows to climb into his hairline. He leans down to the small girl and points out the man. "Looks like Uncle John is becoming cultured..." he says to her and as her eyes follow the point they light up with surprise and glee.

Mairin Moran has posed:
    Mairin arrived closer to when the event started, and has simply been wandering around aimlessly ever since. Her parents got the invite, and insisted she go, as much as she protested it. It would do her good to get out, to meet people, to have fun, all the ususal reasons people give her. ANd for once she couldn't really argue. Jon and Nettie have been saying the same things. So she got dressed up and came.

    But costumes just don't suit her very well... so instead she's wearing a long green dress wth silver trim along the seams, black tights, long black gloves, and a saphire pendant that can be clearly seen against her chest. Her hair is done up, clasped with a silver clip with a large moth sitting atop it. It may just be the imagination, but the wings on that moth seem to move every once in a while. In one hand she clasps a small black handbag, while the other has what can only be described as a long metal wand, etched with celtic designs.

    Mairin spots John from across a room, and gives a wide smile. She knows the man well enough to know he's as much a stranger here as she is.

Asariel has posed:
The guests that are milling about are engrossed by the paintings and one of the statues that have been spotlighted in the corner of the room. Given the statue is of an angel with it's wings splayed open it's one of the more striking pieces that have been brought out for the night. A group has gathered around someone with a wild mane of white hair that is dressed as Mirana, the White Queen from Alice In Wonderland. Her crown of silver and blue catches the light as she speaks a bit animatedly at one of the men that seems to want a gallery tour of the rest of the place, "No, I'm not giving any private tours tonight. It's my birthday and that sounds like a lot of work. You have a good time and if you have any questions or feel like you need an escort out of the party just let Giovanni know." she states with a bright smile and then nods to the large Italian man that's being a shadow while the party goes on. Then she clasps her hands dramatically and turns towards where others were arriving.

There is one face that is familiar and stands far above the crowd. There is a little bounce in her step as she heads Chas' way, spying the guest of his as she gets closer and there is a smile, "Your costume is really cool." she gives a smile to the little girl. Then looks up to Chas, "That's a very fetching costume that you have as well." she tells him.

John Constantine has posed:
    It's the tug of that mismatched bracelet that turns John's attention Chas-ward, or that is to say little Geraldine-ward. Wizard, petty dabbler or not, can sense when his own magic's entered a room.

    There isn't much, not these days anyway, that actually brings light to the eyes of John Constantine and a warm and genuine smile to his lips - on that isn't half or crooked or forced. Actually there's probably only *one* thing that's guaranteed to do so.

    Geraldine. He drops down into a crouch and holds his arms open before he exclaims, "Sprout!" ... maybe a little too loudly? From his pocket, before the little girl makes it to him should she head his way, John pulls out a little pink, purple, yellow and green friendship bracelet, the sort little girls make from those kits and slips it on his wrist. Best to not be caught without actually wearing *that*, innit?

    It might be noted, as well, that John *always* answered the plastic telephone when a two year old Sprout brought it to him.

    His attention shifts past the little girl though and to the woman approaching. His hand slips into his pocket and closes around a zippo, leaving the other arm up in invitation to the little girl.

    <Your girl there's got a spot of magic about her, mate. Not calling you back or down, it's not that Big, just caution with the Bean Sprout about with the other stuff that's goin' on there, aye?> For Chas' ears only... or more his mind only. <I can take her home in a bit if you want... to listen to Renee gripe about it for days.>

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Geraldine blinks up at the woman and her eyes go wide in surprise. "Wow... you're super pretty!" the girl says to the white queen. "Daddy said you were pretty but not *super* pretty! I think you're even prettier than Mommy!"And then John's caught her attention and she runs over to jump into the Laughing Magician's arms hugging him tightly. "Hi, Uncle John! I'm a viking! Grrrr!" she says, giving him a war face that is more adorable than fearsome.

    Chas for his part is blushing furisously, the black warpaint making the red in his face all the more noticeabe. "Kids... right..." he says chuckling at Lasariel. "I... I hope you don't mind. She's in town with her mother and I decided to get her out of the hotel for the night. Halloween and all." He smiles. "I... I hope she didn't embrass you with... well..." It's likely that Chas is the more embarassed one at the moment. "This place is... amazing, really" he says looking at all the display pieces in show. "Oh... Happy Birthday!" he says removing a small silver-wrapped box with a white ribbon tied around it. "I... didn't really know what to get so.. I hope it's alright. It just sort of... spoke to me." He offers the box to the woman.

    As he speaks to her his mind is working it's own conversation with John taking note of the woman he calls Circuit amongs the crowd as well. <Noted. But I really don't think Las is the type to come after me or Geraldine. Thanks for the heads up. Let's have her stay a while at least. Also, incoming Circuit on your seven.>

Mairin Moran has posed:
    Mairin doesn't approuch John or Chas. She can see well enough that they are busy with something personal. She just walks along, looking at the art, and twirling her wand around by a cord that's looped around her wrist. Twirl, catch. Twirl, catch.

    Not to say she isn't curious about what's going on. Not to say she doesn't seriously think about sending her moth over to take a closer look. But she's supposed to be enjoying herself. So she focusses on enjoying herself as best she can.

Asariel has posed:
Las is caught off guard for a moment when Geraldine tells her that she's super pretty and there is a tinge of red that graces her pale cheeks, "Oh gosh, thank you. Your father is too kind." she states with a bright smile to Geraldine and she's about to address the young girl but she is called off by her uncle. This makes the white haired woman give a curious look to the bigger Viking, "This is a pleasant surprise." she admits. Then she reaches out to take the offered box from Chas, "Ooooh. You didn't have to get me anything, that's so sweet." she tells him with another smile. She opens it carefully and looks to the necklace inside, "It's perfect. It even has little wings. Thank you, Chas." she looks completely tickled by the present.

Meanwhile there is a bodyguard whose spidey senses have tingled and he's drifted closer to the growing group, but not intruding.

"This is your daughter and your brother?" she asks as she looks from Chas to John and Geraldine with a warm smile.

John Constantine has posed:
    Oh out of the mouths of babes... and almost Johns. Oh he has to bite his cheek so hard not to comment on Sprout's 'prettier than mommy' thing. It wouldn't due to say 'Well, that's because mummy is a wicked witch' in front of the kid, or Chas for that matter. Although a little of it *might* slip through that still slightly open connection between the two best mates.

    He scoops Geraldine up in his arms and stands. "I see that, so very scary!" he agrees enthusiastically and loudly. "What do you suppose that is?" he asks the girl while pointing to one of those fancy food things. "Seems a little like it should be on the bottom of a shoe, aye? Oh! Guess what! Last night a pretty vampire princess saved your Uncle John from a *skeleton king*!"

    Gertie? She's not the only one that got to hear regular tales of John's adventures, no, Geraldine has always gotten to hear her very own versions, all of them kid friendly with goofy, silly monsters and filled with Kings and Queens and Princes and Princesses and the happiest endings. It's probably the reason he gets those silly lounge pants from her all the time.

    "Maybe... I can tell you all about it tonight before bed. You remember how to do the Facetime thing on your phone?" ... not that John ever remembers without someone's help.

    His six? Oh! John glances around and finally spots Mairin.

    "Hey, Kitten!" he calls out after a moment's hesitation.

    <Kid is not wrong about prettier than mummy.> John quips over that mental link.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    "Ooh! Really! A real vampire princess! Wow!" Geraldine is, as usual, enraptured by John's tales. "I'd like that. Though, you might need to get Daddy's help with setting yours up, won't you?" she asks with a giggle. At the mention of 'Kitten' she looks around as if expecting to see a real kitty. But her expression of happiness isn't marred when it settles on Mairin.

    Chas smiles. "I'm glad you like it" he says. "Birthdays are important." He nods to Las' question. "Yeah. Previous marriage and brother in everything but blood." He gestures for her to move closer to the sitting man and his daughter, taking note of the bodyguard who undoubtedly shadows them. "Let me introduce you. John, Geraldine, this is Lasariel. Lasariel, John Constantine and Geraldine Chandler."

    <Be nice> he says through the mental link to his friend. <Both to Renee and to Lasariel, okay?> He hopes it's not too much of a request for the night.

Mairin Moran has posed:
    Mairin turns as John calls out to her, gives the man and the girl a wave, but the moment still seems too... family, for her to just walk up and insert herself into it. She does really notice Las for the first time though, and she stays turned around, watching things unfold with a small smile on her face as she clasps her bag in front of her, wand left hanging from her wrist.

    After all, how often is she going to see John actually smiling? It almost makes her wish she had a camera.

Asariel has posed:
"The caterer kind of went overboard. Next year I'm ordering cake, cake and more cake." Las muses as Geraldine and John try to figure out what some of the food is exactly. She didn't know really. She gives a smile to Geraldine and John, "Ahhh, the famous John Constantine." she looks to the man in the tan trench coat. "It's nice to meet you both. And hopefully she has room for a lot of candy to go home with her." she grins as she moves closer. She didn't want to crowd anyone.

When they call out to another Las gives a look up with bright eyes and gives a wave to Mairin, "You can join us if you like!" she offers with a smile. Then she looks up to Chas, "How have things been? I apologize that we didn't get out to coffee again. Our programs got green lit here and we got a tidal wave of people wanting more information." she tells him.

John Constantine has posed:
    "Yes, love, a *real* vampire princess. She had *diamonds* for fangs and everything. But she was nice. She sang a *beautiful* song that distracted the Skeleton King so Uncle John could sneak up and Bop him on the head, like the Good Fairy does to Little Bunny Foo-Foo."

    That *can't* be John Constantine.

    Faded denim blues drift to Lasariel, the smile says in place, but it changes just a touch. He doesn't have much in the way of family and he tends to be a little overprotective of what he does have. He keeps the pleasant in his voice when he offers, "It's a pleasure," but there's a weighing in his gaze, a sort of sizing up.

    Chas may be convinced that Lasariel poses no threat, but John may not be entirely so. It's just in his nature, truly, to not be so trusting. But outside that thin, almost not there, air of suspicion, he's *trying*. And that little bit of that might easily be seen for what it is... best mates since awkward and acne, they look out for one another, even in regards to romantic interests, possibly MORE SO in regards to romantic interests.

    He his quick, a little too quick to add, "It's just John, please..." but that definitely just seems to be more a personal hangup than anything else.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas offers a shrug in response to Las' apology. "It's fine. I figured you were busy so I didn't push, I'm happy I got to meet you tonight" he says.

    At the mention of candy Geraldine flashes her father a smile. "Can I?" she asks.

    The big man smiles and nods. "It's Halloween so... of course" he replied, smiling even wider at Geraldine's elated cheer in response. He'll take an earful from Renee later if necessary for it. Kids deserve a number of days and Halloween is one of them.

    Spotting Mairin off to one side he gestures for the woman to join their little collective. "Christ Mairin, you don't have to be a stranger just because my kid is here. She should meet you, too."

Mairin Moran has posed:
    Well it doesn't seem as though she's going to be able to sneak away now. So Mairin walks up, more to Lasariel than to John or Chas.

    "Good evening, John. Chas." She turns to Lasariel and reaches out the hand with the wand dangling from it. "I'm Dr. Mairin Moran, it's a pleasure to meet you. And you as well," she adds with a wave of her hand once it's offer of a handshake has been either accepted or declined.

    And with that wave, the moth atop her hair flutters off to go dance around the girl, glowing periodically like a firefly.

Asariel has posed:
Las gives a nod to John, "You're more than welcome here, John." she tells him with a softer smile. "My mother had a note about you in one of her journals. Said you were an accomplished exorcist if the rumor mill was correct." she states. "Though I think that talk might be for another night when things are less crowded." she offers.

She gives a look to Chas after he gives Geraldine permission to grab candy, "I could take her over unless you want to or John can." she states. Then she looks to Mairin, her pale hand reaching to take the offered one, "Doctor Moran, it's nice to meet you. I have briefly met your parents and they are delightful." she smiles to that. The moth though catches her attention and she grins, "Now that is fun." she muses.

John Constantine has posed:
    Mairin gets a strained smile and a 'yup here we are' raise of his eyebrows, eyes a little wide. It's sort of an unspoken thing from one workaholic to another... like 'this is so much fun, innit?'

    "Accomplished, aye, summat like'at," is the reply, smile still in place, but suspicion or maybe curiosity up a notch. Journals with his name in them. Mental note: Look into Chas' new lady friend's mum.

    "I think I need a little whistle wetter, mate," he informs his friend. "Want somethin'?" That's sort of directed at everyone. Mostly at Chas, but... he won't say no if anyone else makes a request.

    The little light of his life now distracted by promises of candy and tummy aches, it's John that starts to put some distance. His little shield between the world and his own social awkwardness gone... he needs a little space.

    First he heads off to find something to *drink*. He's really really really wanting a smoke. It's obvious to anyone that knows him well enough because of the way he's been fiddling with that zippo in his pocket, clickety-clacking the lid open and shut over and over again.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Geraldine slides off John's lap and twirls as she watches the moth flutter around in its glowing dance about her. "Daddy look!" she says in excitement as she turns.

    "I see it pumpkin" Chas says and gives Mairin a smile. "Circuit really is something else, a lot of the time. Er... Dr. Moran," he says, "Sorry. Habits."

    As John moves off. "I'll take a beer if you're offering, mate" he says to the departing mage.

    As Geraldine holds out a hand and the moth flutters onto her fingers she looks up. "Daddy makes the coolest friends. Uncle John fights monsters. Auntie Moran" for Mairin has been delegated as an auntie now, "can make her clippies move and..." She looks at Lasariel. "Are you an angel?" she asks. "I mean, your really pretty and Daddy said your draw and make angel statues... and it only makes sense that an angel would know what other angels look like."

    Chas flushes again. "Sorry..." he says softly to Lasariel at the kid's ludicrous question.

Mairin Moran has posed:
    Marin returns John's smile, the unspoken communication confirmed and acknowledged, but her focus is on Geraldine now as her moth dances around her. The sight of the girls happiness draws out a genuinely wide smile even as she thanks their host. "Thank you, Miss Weiss. I'll tell them you said so." That's what she's supposed to say, isn't it? She's never quite sure.

    Then Geraldine is calling her 'auntie' and she's blinking in surprise. "I... I don't think I'm..." She looks to Chas for support.

Asariel has posed:
Las gives a soft nod of her head to John as he departs, she could understand not wanting to be in a crowd. "We've got an open bar so you can get whatever you like." she tells them. She does quiet to listen to other things but her sapphire gaze goes to Geraldine at her question and there's a chuckle, "No, dear heart I am no angel...or if I am it is news to me." she chuckles. "It is a high compliment though." she tells her with a warm smile. "Well, we can go find candy and goodie bags together if you all like?" she offers to the others.

Mairin's comment gets a smile, "Thank you, that's appreciated Doctor." she states. "How are you doing though? I hope it's not as stuffy an event as others might be." she offers.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas smiles to Mairin. "You're part of the group, you're as much family as the next person. It's your choice really, you want to be Auntie or Big Sis Mairin?" he chuckles.

    At Lasariel's suggestion Geraldine lights up again. "Oh, please, please, please!" she asks, tugging on her father's arm with insistence.

    "Okay, okay!" he says to the bouncing girl. "Looks like we are decided, lead the way by all means, Miss--er, Las." He catches himself remembering their earlier conversation and her insistence on the more familial names.

Mairin Moran has posed:
    "You're welcome..." Mairin says aside to Lasariel before actually turning to look back at her again. "Hmm? Oh... No. I mean, I wouldn't really know how it compares to other events, I don't really come to many. But the artwork is lovely."

    She laughs to Chas as she waves her hand again, calling the moth-bot back to it's resting place atop her head. "I'll take Auntie. I like that." She looks down at Geraldine fondly. "Thank you."

Asariel has posed:
Las gives a smile to Chas, "I can do that." she tells him. Then she's giving a soft smile to Mairin, "Well, you'll have to get out more. We have a rotating gallery that we do events for if you ever want to stop by." she offers. Then she's leading them to the other side of the room and towards the table that holds the candy bags for trick or treaters and the gifts for attending, "Alright kiddo, we've arrived at the best part of the party. The candy table." she muses to Geraldine.

Chas and Company were going to have a sugar filled child to deal with!