Arcturus Black (![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} arcturusfirst) wrote in ![[info]](https://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} spinningcompass,@ 2022-03-02 14:26:00 |
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What: An Extraordinary Garden Party
Where: Arcturus' house
When: Wednesday afternoon
Arcturus Black's apartment, such as it was, was in a deserted and run-down looking section of Wheel 2. He had chosen it as a boy, anxious and wanting to hide, and although he couldn't say he would make the same selection today, a relocation would be far more trouble than it was worth. When guests arrived, the door opened automatically for them, revealing the pocket dimension created for him by Zatanna Zatara. A bright blue sky, rolling fields, and there on a hilltop, a magical house. Those sensitive to it might notice that they passed through two further magical barriers in order to reach the house, but once they got there, Arcturus and Sirius were there to welcome them.
The house itself was a grand, old-fashioned one, although relatively small. Notable is the complete absence of any modern technology, as it all runs on magic. The interior is lit by candles, and little floating balls of magical light. Guests are free to explore the house, as all dangerous magical items have been shut away. Highlights include the drawing room with an impressive fireplace, and the library. This has one section for Siri's desk and his books, and another for Arcturus' growing collection of material from the station bookshop, all of it related to magic in some way. Other oddities include the kitchen, which is mostly composed of storage cupboards and a very old-fashioned stove, with no visible appliances beyond a large stovetop kettle. Anyone who visited the house when the younger Arcturus was living there will notice that it is now far less bare and empty-looking, as it has been lavishly furnished. With such care taken, it's notable that there are no paintings or photographs on the walls – though were anyone to take a sneaky look in the bedrooms, they might see the tiny moving tintype photographs of Arcturus' family on display.
Guests are welcome to spend time indoors, and drinks and entertainments will be available there, but the main attraction is of course the garden. Tables and chairs have been set out with pretty white tablecloths and parasols, and there is tea (kept magically hot) for everyone, along with fresh scones and cakes, with a variety of toppings. As it is an Extraordinary Party, out-of-season and unconventional, everyone is invited to serve themselves, and take as much as they like. After the afternoon tea, drinks and snacks (large fruit platters, more little cakes and pies) will be available at little tables dotted around the garden – including plenty of alcoholic drinks for those who would like them. Everything is nicely decorated, with fresh flowers for every table.
It wouldn't be a party at Arcturus' house without a gaming table, and those who don't wish to gamble can play divination games instead. There's another table where people can try out 'magical' crafts. These have been adapted so that you don't necessarily need magic to use them, but if you've ever wanted to try to write a secret note with disappearing ink, use a quill, sculpt remotely with clay that reshapes itself according to your hand gestures, or sew or embroider with colour-changing thread, now is your chance. There's also a wizarding chess set here.
Guests can take a walk around the garden and admire the trees and plants, and also the 'menagerie' – Arcturus has transfigured a selection of inanimate objects into animals for the duration. Some are very lifelike, but the animals he has only encountered a handful of times in his own life (like the giraffes!) look the part but act in a more mechanistic way. They're more impressive to watch from a distance, which is just as well, because all the large animals are on the fields beyond the garden so that they don't disturb the party. There are no predatory or scary animals.
Later Siri will put on a demonstration – it's mostly very simple magic, and things he has learnt from Katarin's classes, but Arcturus is clearly extremely proud of his accomplishments and wanted to allow him to show them off. The grand finale is when Siri transfigures a large stone goose statue into a very much alive goose. If anyone else wants to take a turn at entertaining the group (child or adult) they'll be welcome to, but there's no pressure or expectation, since Siri had lots of time to prepare!
Siri will also help out with carpet rides! Arcturus' magic carpet has been thoroughly cleaned and restored, no more bloodstains, and he and Sirius will take anyone who wants to up on a flight around the grounds. Siri's rides will be very sedate and careful, while Arcturus can either do that or provide some very speedy stunt flying, depending on his passengers' preferences. It's a big carpet and will comfortably hold up to about ten people, although fewer is better for a fast flight.
As the sun goes down, the garden will be lit by dozens of magical lights, some which are large and bright inside elaborate lanterns, and other, tiny ones which hover like fireflies. Guests can go home whenever they like, but anyone who wants to stay late will probably end up indoors for drinks and chat.