[ 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

[melnik]

[ So there's the man of the hour.

Miller had been keeping an eye peeled for Claude and yet he had still somehow managed to evade his notice. Of course he didn't expect the host of this shindig to be behind the bar making drinks! Still, the surprise (coupled with that cheeky little comment) brings a smile to his face and he swings around on the bar stool to face him, planting an elbow on the table. ]

If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were making a joke at my expense, Claude!

[ But this man from medieval times that rides on horseback with his bow surely doesn't know about Russian stereotypes, right? ]

Vodka is quite a staple where I am from. I am curious to know how you would prepare it.

[feintofhart]

Is it? You lot must have potatoes coming out of your ears! Back home, ale and mead are the drink of the people. The wheat might be better used for bread, but tell that to a camp full of soldiers after a long battle, and you'll get to hear all of the most colourful curse words good old Fodlan has to offer.

[ He grabs a bottle of vodka off the shelf, leaning down to scan his cheat sheet. ]

You don't strike me as a man who's much for sweets, so I'm going to say that mixing it with a chocolate liquer is right out. Let's go for this one.

[ A Collins -- vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, soda water. It's easy enough for him to whip together. ]

I was hoping to see you around here! Not a bad turn-out, if I say so myself. And long overdue. We need more events that aren't just the locals throwing their festivals.

[ Which is tosay, Chosen-only events. It's time to start building those bonds. ]

[melnik]

We did, once. [ The type of sun necessary to grow potatoes is mostly long gone to them, unfortunately... but all the more reason for him to enjoy it again now. ]

My people began fermenting and distilling mushrooms into vodka. The taste is not for beginners! [ He seems to find some humor in this, as well as the anecdote from Claude's home. ] You truly cannot stop people from enjoying their drink, no matter the circumstances, eh?

[ In any case, he's eager to see where this recipe goes and has no objection as he watches him begin to mix ingredients together. ]

That is a good sentiment. I agree with you. It would benefit us to cast aside judgments of each other... we have a common enemy. Fighting amongst ourselves only helps them.

[feintofhart]

The one thing men have in common across borders: a love of ladies and liquor, [ Claude says, winking at Miller. Never mind that Claude has no particular love of neither, a fact that does not endear him to the common man, and so he does not advertise it. He slides the drink across the bar for Miller to sample, grabbing a glass from underneath the bar and refreshing himself while he's at it, nothing more than some sparkling water with a twist of lime that looks enough like a vodka tonic if anyone is too concerned about the man of the hour not making merry as his many guests. ]

Now, don't get me wrong -- this is also a party for partying's sake. But... all things considered, I'd like to spend less time squabbling amongst ourselves and more time making an effort to squabble with the right people, in a far more orderly way. [ He leans his elbows on the bar as though having an utterly casual conversation. ] And what better way than sharing a drink? We'll need a united front if we're going to continue pushing at the boundaries in our own ways. You did see that whole business with that strange robot on the network, yes? The product of none other than Chosen cooperation, for better or for worse.

[ And Claude hopes to continue supporting these efforts, in what little ways he can. ]

[melnik]

Isn't that the truth?

[ The tendency for people to, despite everything, find these small ways to relish in their lives... it is a simplicity that Miller finds himself appreciating more in recent times than ever. Not because he is necessarily among them, but because it has become so rare to find ways to relate to others in ways that make them all see each other as human. Things are different here in Aldrip. He's still getting used to it, but at least some truths remain constant.

The statement does halfway apply to him, anyway. He accepts the drink with a raise of the glass in thanks before taking a sip. It goes down smooth, though a verbal judgment gets postponed by his interest in the conversation. ]

Precisely! [ Considering the attempt to keep the matter quiet, he will stay discrete, but the way he holds direct eye contact does seem to suggest he knows now that Claude knows. ] I am aware of the situation. In my opinion, we must accept that our efforts will come with risks... we simply need to make sure the risks are measured.

[ And in this case, he does believe it garnered some useful information and didn't cause the entire world to fall apart again in the process, so it's a win. ]

We all come from different walks of life. That gives us an advantage and we need to make use of it!

[ He offers his drink in the air again once he sees Claude has decided to join him. ]

Cheers to a united front!

[feintofhart]

Cheers!

[ He clinks their glasses together, then downs his own drink, smiling warmly at Miller. The way the man speaks is fascinating, familiar; some strange mix of a man who's used to leadership with the grounded humility of the men in Claude's army. Like one of the Captains, he decides, his eye on the prize, but without any of the pomp and circumstance of Claude and his ilk. Probably a healthhy amount of disdain for the mincing nobles too, like many of those men, which is not entirely uncalled for. ]

Personally, I'm glad to have people around me to cover for my own blind spots. Always a good idea underneath any circumstances, but underneath circumstances like these? It's especially important. I've been taught a thing or two, no mistake, but I still can't figure out this damn phone half the time.

[ He grins, self-effacing, but not entirely wrong. ]

But arranging a party? That, I can do with my eyes closed and my hands tied behind my back! And this is far more to my taste than the parties back home. There's a lot less choreographed dancing, for one, [ he says, holding his hands out and pantomiming a waltz. ]

We could make it a repeat occurrence, you know.

[ He personally believes that their captors are watching their every step. Even this one. Still, they can make an attempt at subterfuge, and regular gatherings such as this one not underneath the umbrella of yet another local festival isn't such a bad thing to evade too much notice. ]