Movies (Sorta) In The Park, The Park, Monday Evening

[deathsmajesty]

By that evening, the power of phone calls (and an absurd amount of money), became fully evident. Scattered around the screen were a number of high-end, luxury beanbag chairs (two concepts you never would have put together, huh?) just waiting to be claimed. Some were normal beanbag chairs, some were huge, with plenty of room to share, sprawl, or even fully recline. There were some that offered a bit more support, including ottomans to rest your feet upon. She'd even included smaller ones in case people brought their pets or children or whatever. Obviously, each chair had its own pile of fluffy blankets for people to wrap around themselves, and there were portable braziers scattered about, with a variety of moddable b/c I'm already tired of grabbing links on mobile cozy beverages and snacks placed on the ledges surrounding then to keep them from warm.

Was it a little overkill, especially when it wasn't even below freezing yet? Yes. But when wasn't Liliana extravagant? Especially when it came to mitigating her own discomfort.

Which was why she was curled up in one of the larger beanbags (purple, obviously), already under several blankets, sipping on mulled cider and nibbling on mini apple crisp cheesecakes while waiting for the pageant to begin. From what she has gathered, this batch of National Costumes had gone all out.

But surely nothing could beat the lizard costume, right? Nothing.

[Open to everybody! You can mod a message from Liliana, or have your character wandering through the park, or heard about it from someone else, or however you wanna say your character heard about Petty Bitch Brigade meeting in the park!]

Comments

[chef_chocobro]

The usual Movies in the Park was not typically something Ignis would have much interest in, for obvious reasons, but this was very much an important exception.

Honestly, even if it wasn't for his own personal interest in the occassion and natural inclination toward being a Judgey McJudgeypants, anything important enough to Liliana that she'd put this much effort into making an extravaganza was more than worth his time, and he wouldn't want to be engaged in anything else.

[deathsmajesty]

He was also providing the Very Important Service^TM of keeping Liliana warm, whose worth was incalculable.

"I have heard that this year goes in many bizarre and inexplicable directions, my darling," she said, snuggling further into his arms. "We should create some sort of betting pool of how many times people say 'What?' or the equivalent."

[chef_chocobro]

It was a duty in which Ignis was honored to fulfill.

"Hm." The thoughtful hum came with a slight pull at the corner of his mouth. "A worthy gamble, indeed," he mused, "depending, that is, what the wager may be. What shall be the stakes?"

[mustbeawitch]

As if Lydia would have dreamed of missing an event specifically to gossip about and judge fashion, even if it was being held out of doors in the cold. It gave her an opportunity to show off her new cape. (Look, Adrian! It was a color!)

[deathsmajesty]

"Lydia, darling, what a fetching cape," Liliana called from where she was ensconced in blankets and beanbags and boyfriend. (Sorry for the momentary demotion, Ignis, but alliteration required it.)

"I'm glad you're here, darling. I hear these fashion crimes are more felonies."

[mostnonheinous]

"Oh wow! What are we watching?"

Billie was going to be so enthusiastic about all these outfits.

[deathsmajesty]

"The National Costumes portion of the Miss Universe pageant," Lilian informed her. "A glittering gala of sequins, feathers, and terrible sartorial decisions."

She could care less about the rest of it, but the National Costumes were amazing.

[mostnonheinous]

"Yeah? I love costumes! National or otherwise." She grabbed a beanbag chair. "Have I missed anything good?"

[hashtag_chocobro]

Hey, someone was definitely appreciating the smaller accouterments for pers or children or whatever!

With the new baby, Prompto really wanted to make sure that Noctra wasn't feeling a deficit of attention. So taking the time to take her out to see this felt like a good opportunity for thr both of them. Because, let's be real, both of them were going to love all these elaborate fashions and showmanship.

So they got some snacks and settled in for the show, and Prompto wondered what he was going to end up spending all of next week hearing about nothing else...

(The feathers. It was definitely going to be all the feathers)

(And maybe that fish...)

[deathsmajesty]

That fish was art. Next year's Halloween costume achieved.

"Hello Prompto, Noctra darlings," Liliana called, waving from her seat in Ignis' lap. She did not seem inclined to get up, no. "Oh, this is perfect for Noctra! Half the dresses look like arts and crafts projects put together by a toddler as it is!"

[hashtag_chocobro]

Honestly, her namesake would be so proud.

"Liliana, Igs," Prompto nodded, as Noctra crowed her greetings after him, clapping her hands excitedly already, "how's it going?"

The question was mostly for Liliana; Prompto could actually see a smile on Ignis's face without even having to squint to find it, so he had a pretty good idea what his answer would be.

"And yeah," he had a grin of his own, "that's kind of what I figured, too. Good way to get some creative juices flowing, huh, nugget?"

"COSTUMES!" Noctra cried out, throwing up her arms and then half-falling into Prompto as she put her arms around his neck. "Daddy said they're gonna be really cool."

And unless there was a mergency, she didn't even have to worry about a crying, wrinkly baby interrupting!

[sharp_man]

Did someone say cattiness party? Hannibal was absolutely here for it.

He had also brought popcorn for the viewing. More than one kind. Including one type specifically because there was purple involved.

He smiled and bowed as he presented them to Liliana. "What a lovely idea this is. I can't wait to see the outfits."

[deathsmajesty]

[This is one of those times when I really wish I could say 'roll me an insight check' XD]

"Oh, I'm sure they're going to be epic," Liliana said with a small laugh. "The internet has promised me quite a show." With a bright grin, Liliana reached for the containers of popcorn. "Oh, darling, these smell exquisi--" There was the briefest pause as she got to the container with lavender, barely enough to be noticeable. Unless, of course, you had extensively trained yourself to be aware of people's vulnerabilities, not that anyone here had done so, "--site," she finished, with an airy trill of a laugh. "Though possibly a little unfair, as it would be a shame to throw this at the screen."

[sharp_man]

[HDU, he is totally sincere!]

Of course not; everyone here was totally innocent of such things! Although that hadn't been quite the reception Hannibal had been going for.

"Feel free to throw it however you like," he said. "I certainly will be."

He was only a little disappointed that Denmark Lithuania wouldn't be represented.

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

This was...not really Jon's sort of thing, honestly. But he considered Liliana a friend, and wanted to support her party. And Issa always enjoyed some time in the park.

So here came Jon, with a cat and a mostly-neatly-wrapped present, because he hadn't given Liliana her birthday present yet.

[deathsmajesty]

"Jon, hello darling," Liliana said, giving him a little finger-waggle of a wave. "Come to be amazed by even more national costumes?"

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

Jon laughed a little as he tried in vain to sit on a beanbag in a dignified manner. "I'm not sure how they could be worse than the last ones, but I suppose there's always hope."

Issa, sensing a cat person, gave Liliana an aloof look as she sniffed at her.

[joan_of_bark]

Pam liked the park. She loved its flowers and its trees, and all the animals that made it home. She liked coming by here in the evening to enjoy herself, feel a part of nature, and--

"Oh, now what are we doing."

[deathsmajesty]

"Watching the Miss Universe pageant's National Costumes," Liliana called. "They're truly ridiculous."

[joan_of_bark]

"Oh, just what my mood needed," Pam retorted. "Another incredible waste of the Earth's resources."

Did she have to go set something on fire again?

[apologizeswithpie]

Gregorith had seen the costumes, but on his phone. They'd been impressive enough on a tiny screen, he looked forward to seeing them larger than life.

Now if he could just maneuver into this beanbag chair without spilling his cocoa or doughnuts.

[deathsmajesty]

"Oh, darling, hello!" Liliana said, totally not at all vague on his name or anything. "Here for the company or the costumes?"

[apologizeswithpie]

"A little of both." Mostly the costumes, but he'd also been feeling a bit guilty about holing up in his house so much. "Belated happy birthday by the way."

[even_bigger_teeth]

Luma had, as it turned out, learned about this from someone else who worked at Pixie Dust, but once she did hear of it, she was so curious, and insisted that Eleanor let her drag her to the park to check it out.

Oh, it was going to be an experience for them both, that was for sure!

[deathsmajesty]

"Luma! Eleanor! Hello darlings," Liliana said, giving both sisters a languid wave. "Find some seats and get comfortable. You really want to be sitting and ready when this thing starts; you might miss a detail of the costumes and we wouldn't want that."

Listen, Liliana had a bet to win.