[ OPEN ] willkommen, bienvenue, welcome

[feintofhart]

Who: The Adults Of Aldrip
Where: A handy dandy bar!
What: Claude has collaborated with one of the local bar-owners to host a Chosen-only night for the adults of Aldrip to have a nice night away from the prying eyes of locals.
Warnings: Alcohol, drug-use, grown men making embarrassments of themselves, potential hand-holding.



Welcome one and all to a place where the Chosen are able to unbutton that top button, sit back, and relax, free of the badgering eyes of locals, and able to mingle amongst like minds! Your local Apothecarist, Claude von Riegan, came up with this idea with one of the local bar-owners as a good way to drum up business amidst the Chosen for a place for the Chosen and the Chosen alone to be able to shed some of that weight they've been carrying. Claude himself has made no secret of the fact that he's the one who put this shindig together, openly advertising it as something of his own creation, a community building effort for everyone to bond with one another in a context in which they're not forced to do so by threat of death or imprisonment.

For this evening, liquor has been put out for the Chosen to serve themselves, and runs freely enough that everyone will be able to drink their fill, though there's a table at the back of the room laden with all sorts of bar snacks to help fill people's bellies and soak up some of that liquor; flatbreads and fried delights, a generous selection of meats and cheeses, and confections enough to satisfy even the most demanding sweet tooth.

Along the south end of the bar there are a collection of booths, far enough away from the booming sound system to be able to chat quietly amongst themselves, if you're the more retiring sort and would just like to have a nice talk over a pint or two. In this area, you may also find a few hookahs at your disposal, filled with tobacco or hashish, courtesy of Claude himself -- though he hasn't shied away from cheekily including business cards at each table, advertising his place of business should you wish to purchase teas, salves, potions, and yes, all manner of smokable delights.

In the centre of the establishment, chairs and tables have been cleared away to make room for dancing, if you so please, with the sound system at the Chosen's disposal if they want to pump up the beats or put on a slow song to rock to and fro with a honey or two (or three?).

Lastly, there's a brand new karaoke machine that's been installed along the far east corner of the room, in case anyone would like to thoroughly embarrass themselves. What do you mean, you're a good singer? Then get out of here! You should know by now that that's not what the spirit of karaoke is about!

If there's anything else you would like added, dear player -- just write it in, and it's yours! Whatever can feasibly fit into a bar, you can assume it's present for all and sundry to enjoy.

Comments

rafal | fire emblem engage | ota

[nilhilistic]

( i. drinks with a dragon )

[ rafal has never cared for this. humans like to drink, he knows. it’s an activity they partake in often. pandreo and a few others from solm often set up a tent in the night, build up a large bonfire, toasting and drinking. solm prized their freedom and celebrated it on the desert sands. the other royals tend to make it more of an opulent gathering, with nobles and dukes.

this is a modern world. such barriers no longer exist. he scrunches up his nose at some of the drinks, but eventually he does ask. ]

Which one is the sweetest? I’ll have that one.

[ he has no interest in anything that’s not sweet. ]

( ii. the secret of strength )

[ none of the games truly appeal to him. he doesn’t understand the purpose of fun and enjoyment. to him, it feels like encouraging weakness to creep in, to dull your abilities.

and yet, he is also learning he’s not always right. and neither was his father. so he clears the table, propping up his elbow. ]

A test of strength. Let us wrestle.

[ there’s a gleam in his eyes that suggests he won’t go easy. he is, after all, a dragon. ]

( iii. dragons don’t dance )

[ when the dancing and singing begins, rafal inches closer and closer to the wall. this is certainly not the kind of activity he can picture himself enjoying at all. this is definitely left to humans and their ilk. he ducks his head, hoping not to be noticed. once spotted, he scowls, crossing his arms and looking petulant. ]

No. I will not make a fool of myself.

( iv. wildcard )

[ got a prompt in mind? dm this journal / hit me up @ timmtams ]

ii

[grappler]

[listen. you won't have to ask her twice for something like that.

she sits across from him, also propping up her elbow.]

Let's go, pretty boy.

heads/tails + random winner?

[nilhilistic]

[ rafal makes a face at "pretty boy" but he does not raise an objection. he grips her hand, leaning forward. ]

Very well. On your mark then.

you can do the coin flip, I pick tails!

[grappler]

[she leans forward as well, grinning as she grips his hand back.]

1... 2... 3....

[and with a GO she's going to be pushing his hand.]

heads! I linked the result :3

[nilhilistic]

[ for someone with noodle arms, it doesn't seem like rafal is strong. if anything, he looks rather weak.

and yet. his hand doesn't budge even when vi goes at it. ]

You are strong.

[grappler]

[she'd kind of seen that of him, but... honestly? she knows looks can deceive. especially with people and all their fucking abilities here, she never knows what they've got going on.

doesn't mean she won't stop trying to challenge them, though.

she grins at him. even though her arm is straining a bit, she's not going to show it. yet.]

'Course. Wouldn't have lived this long if I wasn't.

[nilhilistic]

[ he nods approvingly. she has excellent arm strength and even he feels the push. rafal makes a note to rectify that at some point. that's why he likes challenges. they push him forward. ]

What sort of life did you lead that required such power?

[grappler]

[she shrugs. her arm is starting to strain a bit more, and he's gaining more leverage.

damn he's fucking strong]

Living on the streets and having to fight you out of a bunch of situations will do that to a person.

[and she's going to be pushing forward a bit more with her own strength...]

i

[everblooms]

[ The bar is hardly empty. A crowd of people have gathered here, a whole congregation just for a drink. It reminds Aerith of hot summers under the plate, neighbors pressing closer to a lemonade stand run by the kids from the orphanage. Spare gil for refreshing glass, the kind of heat that made your sweat stick to your body, sunlight pooling over the flowerbed in the church. In comparison, there's something a little gauche about the bar, but she smiles anyway. It may not be her that he speaks to, but it is Aerith who replies. ]

Honestly? Probably a Shirley Temple. It's lemon soda with cherry juice. Very sweet.

[ Tilting her head over to the stranger, Aerith laces her fingers together as she slips onto a stool, feet swinging back and forth as they hang. ] Not a drnker, are you? It's okay, me neither. I used to order hot tea at the bars when I went. Claude's was the best.

[nilhilistic]

[ something about her demeanor strikes him as familiar. maybe it's the scent of flowers that follow. the memory of a blue-haired dragon who would tend to the flowers and wish for peace. he wonders — no. rafal blinks it away. ]

I do not spend a great deal of time in human establishments.

Do they really serve hot tea in places like this?

[everblooms]

Human establishments...? [ Her parroting comes in tones of questioning, bemused confusion splashed across her features. She always gets the odd comments; is it because she listens, or something else that encourages him to speak honestly? Aerith supposes, too, it might be a part of his personality. ]

Yeah, some of these human establishments carry it, but won't put it on their menu. See, they're usually reserved for the entertainment. [ Giggling, she tilts her head. ] I'm sure you could charm your way into a cup, though.

[nilhilistic]

[ that prompts a dry, sharp laugh. charming is definitely not a word anyone has ever used to describe rafal. intimidating. terrifying. once voted most frightening ally in the army.

and yet, he still sees them in her. it would be something alear would say. ]

I highly doubt that. In fact, I'd say you would beat me in charm quite easily.

[everblooms]

[ Her perspective is not so harsh. She sees a handsome man before her, gentle features contrasted with a sharpness like the angled snip of a flower stem, or the harsh leaves around a bulb. With that view, she can only assume he's teasing her— which is fine by Aerith. ]

Oooh, that so? In that case, how about we make a bet? Whoever actually gets a cup of tea from the bartender wins.

[nilhilistic]

[ rafal perks a little. he's not one for bets or games, but he does enjoy challenges. having a competitive nature is part of being a fell dragon. his father encouraged nothing less. ]

And what happens when one wins?

[everblooms]

[ It's tempting to say "gloating rights" and nothing else. The problem rests in the way he perks up at her suggestion. Aerith fears that saying the prize is nothing but "gloating rights" would be like taking a toy from a puppy now... and as much as she enjoys picking on people, actually disappointing them sucks. ]

Uh... Well... What do you want?

[ She didn't think that far ahead. ]

iii.

[snowslip]

[ Rafal isn't the only one inching towards the wall. Marianne had come to the event wishing to support Claude in his community-building endeavors. As a noble she understands the importance of connections, her adoptive father has always emphasized as much, but social functions will never be her forte. She wrings her hand when scowled at and attempts to explain herself. ]

Um, I was hoping to sit this out, too.

[nilhilistic]

Oh?

[ he eyes her for a moment. ]

Aren't you a noble?

[snowslip]

I am, but I'm not used to dances like these.

[ She was tutored in prim and proper ballroom dance and hasn't gotten with the times. ]

[nilhilistic]

I suppose it is not like court.

[ that's fair. rafal is trained from his time living with lumera and alear. but neither of them favored the pomp and circumstance of ruling. ]

Still. Surely your friends are here?

[snowslip]

Yes, I came because I heard about it from Claude. Ethlyn's also a dear friend of mine, but I think we're both not used to this kind of gathering.

[ If she weren't wallflowering it up right now, she would probably find a place by her side. The bar isn't her usual haunt, but Claude looks in his element. From the other side of the room Marianne watches him surrounded by people, navigating the social scene effortlessly. She feels like a fish out of water in comparison. ]

What about you?

[ She turns to Rafal. She still finds his world puzzling, to be honest. ]

[nilhilistic]

I am a Fell Dragon. Dragons are worshipped, not invited to human gatherings.

[ that being said, he knows veyle enjoys them. going to pandreo's parties, helping people. alear too. nel is a little more distant, but she could be coaxed into this situation.

rafal is . . . he puts it aside. ]

I probably should not linger any longer than I have to.

i

[traumaticus]

[Richard is hardly someone one would call a social butterfly. Thorough his life he's always preferred to seclude away from others, take refuge in shadows and find comfort in solitude. But he's also very much aware that he can't have that luxury here as he found himself lacking the power, status and wealth he had back at home. In order to survive one needs to adapt and all that. So yeah, Richard makes it his business to visit these establishments every now and then, slowly building bonds and learning about the culture.

So, when he sees the fair haired man at the counter requesting something sweet it actually brings him some pride and satisfaction. Not only is there another fish out of water, so to speak, but that he also knows how to aid the man in his quest. ]

Try strawberry margarita.

[nilhilistic]

[ a strawberry margarita. rafal mouths those words for a moment, tasting them on his tongue before turning to the bartender and requesting it. he doubts it'll be sweet enough for his tastes, but it'll do for now.

he turns to richard, grateful. ]

Thank you for your suggestion. I do not know much about . . . drinks.

[traumaticus]

You're welcome, sir. The drink culture in this city is different to my own, as well.

[Medieval people might have chugged wine and ale down more than actual water. But that's still pretty much the limitations of alcohol in Richard's world.]

[nilhilistic]

[ a light scoff. ]

Drink culture, is it? People do come up with the strangest ideas.