The song comes to an end ((open thread))

[slayers_desire]

For the general public, tonight the Caritas is closed.

For those who have a special invitation however -- there is a party to attend. And the bar is decked out with every single decoration in the world. There are helium balloons floating up by the roof, in all sorts of colors. And we mean all the colors. There are plaid balloons up there!

There are dozens of candles decorating each table. And these candles fire off little tiny explosions of fireworks every half hour.

There is a bubble machine and a fog machine by the dance floor, so people can mix it up and have fun. There is every kind of beverage (even the 'rich red' for vampires) at the bar.

And right now Lorne is on the stage, belting out a song to "Memory".

((here is the deal -- this is a mixed interaction thread. NPCs will interact with everyone who posts, but I encourage others to interact as well. There will be a point when a major plot point will occur, and hopefully I can bring everyone into a posting order))

Comments

[thepizzalord]

The last time Harry went to a party like this was in Bizarro Chicago, and this is way less weirdly tense. And has a distinct lack of psychic kittens playing with his bootlaces. He nods slightly in approval at the decor, and wanders over towards the punch bowl.

Jack Harkness is thoroughly enjoying himself the moment he arrives. He loves parties, and this one has a multitude of familiar faces to flirt with. This is a celebration he can absolutely get behind, and it's almost a vicarious experience for him, since apparently he's never going to have a "last party" for anything, himself.

Clark's always been a bit of a wallflower at this sort of event, but he's doing his best to mingle.

[vampire_village]

Shasta is here with Spike. While there is no sign of the peroxide-blonde at the moment -- there is no mistaking his wife. She is wearing a see-through black lace dress for the evening.

She notices Jack first. Even without seeing him for a while, she makes her way through the crowd to come up to him first.

"Hello handsome."

[nonvillainouscipher]

Cipher Nine is currently seated at one of the tables, just listening to Lorne sing for the time being. There's something bittersweet about the festivities tonight; he knows they're here to celebrate Lorne's life, but at the same time, the knowledge that Lorne isn't long for this world puts a slight damper on things for him. Nonetheless, he's doing his best not to let it get to him too much, at least for now.

Ed, meanwhile, is people-watching from a spot atop a different table, a can of Coke in hand, smiling a little at the various goings-on. While he, too, is aware this is a 'last party', he finds the experience far easier to cope with than a traditional funeral. The funerals he's attended have always been melancholy affairs, more about mourning a loss than celebrating a life well-lived. The former have always been emotionally draining; the latter, not so much. This is easier. Not by much, but easier.

[fractured_agent]

Jack smiles at her. "Hey there, beautiful. It's been a while." A lot longer, for him.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

"Mind if I join you?" Clark asks Cipher Nine.

[vampire_village]

"Too long." Shasta leans in to give him a kiss. On the lips.

"How have you been?"

[vampire_village]

Meanwhile, a young woman with bright red hair approached Ed. "Spot anyone interesting yet?"

[fractured_agent]

Jack returns the kiss with the same enthusiasm. "Not bad. How 'bout yourself and Mister Tall, Blond, and Handsome?"

[vampire_village]

"We are doing good."

"He is hiding in the library right now. Trying to find something... anything that can help Lorne." Shasta knows that it a fruitless search. But every person reacts different.

[nonvillainouscipher]

Cipher Nine smiles at Clark and nods, nudging the nearest empty chair away from the table a bit. "Not at all."

[fmalchemist160]

Ed flashes her a brief grin. "Hey Sophie. Pretty much everyone here is interesting to some degree. I'm mostly watching what everyone's getting up to."

[fractured_agent]

"He hasn't given up." Jack admires that to an extent, but he hopes Spike won't let anger or grief consume him if he fails.

[kalel_ofkrypton]

Clark takes the offered seat, and sets his drink down on the table. "How've you been? I haven't seen you in a while." Small talk is a bit strange right now, given the circumstances, but he figures maybe it's better than the alternative.

[vampire_village]

"No signs of trouble, I hope?"

[vampire_village]

"He is stubborn like that at times."

[fractured_agent]

"Gotta admire that in a guy," Jack says with a nod. "Things okay at home?"

[vampire_village]

"The village is peaceful. Mykal's twins are such a blessing. They are into everything."

[fractured_agent]

"Kids have a way of doing that. How old are they now?" He's lost track, but he's used to that. The older he gets, the quicker people seem to grow up and grow old.

[vampire_village]

"Three. Very dangerous age."

[fractured_agent]

"Say goodbye to peace and quiet, because it means they're up to something," Jack says with a grin.

[vampire_village]

"Luckily, they have a horde of guardians looking after them."

[fractured_agent]

"I think there's a twentieth century Earth saying about it taking a village to raise kids. You guys take it pretty literally."

[vampire_village]

"Our children are very unique. They need a village."

[fractured_agent]

"It's nice to see a place where people take responsibility for their neighbors," Jack agrees. He loves Earth, but sometimes their self-centeredness bothers him a little. Everyone wants to be labeled and segregated into little groups. Growing up in a backwater colony, he was raised with the idea that you should support those around you, and they'd support you in return, regardless of who you are or what you want.

[vampire_village]

"You should visit again." Shasta smiled softly. Her fingers playing with the collar of his shirt.