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ʀᴇɴᴏ ([personal profile] electroburst) wrote in [community profile] expiationlogs2023-04-21 12:41 pm

(OPEN MINGLE) Ain't no party like an Aldrip party

Who: The Chosen
Where: Aldrip inn
What: Open mingle log (with mod approval)!
Warnings: Nothing major anticipated, other than light (underaged) drinking and comic mischief, but PM me if any warn-worthy things happen and I can update this space.

Feel free to use this log as a completely open mingle for all characters new and old! There will be a few prompts below the cut, but you're free mess around with them or come up with your own ideas for toplevels, and tag around as you please.



Nestled in the heart of the quaint town of Aldrip, the inn, formally known as The Inn, has housed the Chosen of Expiation since their initial arrival. In spite of the occasional influx of new Chosen, they've dedicatedly provided rooms, food and drink, and basic amenities without buckling—even during the food shortages and other issues that have plagued the town. Of course, the Chosen have been no slouches themselves, repaying the hospitality with mercenary work, hunting and fishing, cooking, completing odd jobs, and much more to help bolster the economy. Even those, er, less magnanimous sorts have benefitted from this give-and-take, although there are those that prefer their living space to be a bit more solitary (or perhaps cave-ier) that might not have noticed as much.


In the days to follow, most won't be able to recount exactly how The Party started. The true story is that one particular new arrival, after having spent a day or two scouting the area out and, deciding it's chill enough, opted to do what he does best: be a public menace. What is known is that rounds of drinks start getting ordered and handed out, and soon platters of cheese, fresh bread, and other victuals make the rounds as well, appearing on tables that quickly begin filling with people. Somehow, someway, local musicians are pulled in to play and given a striking, energetic setlist to set the tone. The word gets out—party at the inn!

And boom: just like that, it's a party, and everyone's invited.


Early on, the offerings are relatively meager. The inn's food stores aren't completely bottomless after the shortages, to say the least, and there are a sight more Chosen (and local residents who also join in on the fun) than there is free food to toss at them. The drinks range from milk, water and juice to scuzzy, pisswater beer, which is a bit more plentiful. As the tavern portion of the inn fills with people, the music relatively ambient so that you can still hear the people at the table next to you talking, others bring their own food and drink, adding to the options on offer.

Others bring things like cards to play with, or dice and coins to gamble with, and set up spaces at tables toward the back. There's even an amateur fortune teller, heavy emphasis on amateur. Maybe you've got some party games of your own in mind, or you're a natural-born performer and want to hit the stage. Maybe you'd rather just grab a pint and lurk in the corner doing some people-watching. Or maybe you're just hungry and want to stuff a bunch of cheese in your pockets for later. Either way, there's something here for everyone.


As evening wears on, the peaceful inn party blossoms into a proper block bash. Even if you're not the partygoing sort, it'd be a little difficult to ignore the sheer ruckus going on downstairs while you attempt to read quietly in your room. The music, chatter and laughter carries on down the street, attracting even more people. By this point, it seems as if the food and drinks have multiplied, thanks mostly in part to others showing up with their own offerings, Chosen and local alike. It's getting rowdy in a few places—the music's louder and livelier, people are dancing and singing, and the gambling/party games' stakes seem to just keep climbing higher and higher. It's a good time all around. If you're not the quiet, loner type, anyway.

Thinking of sitting this one out? Think again: somebody starts going around to all the rooms and knocking on the doors, calling out to come join the fun. By the time you get to the door, though, whoever's up here disturbing the peace is gone, but maybe you can track them down by their voice at some point and wring their neck later.

In addition to the escalating merriment, all this imbibing also has the added benefit of loosening a few lips. Now's your chance to pick up the latest Aldrip gossip! You might even hear tell of a few pesky monsters that need slaying, so if you want to jump on that bounty before anyone else gets to it, you better act quickly. (But maybe don't run out into the woods in the middle of the night to fight monsters while inebriated... or do, nobody's stopping you.)


Late into the night, the festivities are still going, and they're... messy. Fortunately the drinks and provisions seem to have run to the bottom of the barrel, so those that've been partying hard for hours are getting cut off whether they like it or not. The band's getting tired, the tempo of the music fluctuating. Some people might like to go to bed sometime soon, so maybe now it's time for the voices of reason to tell those still dancing on top of the tables to get down. And why is there a chicken in here? ...And oh no, somebody tell those guys to take that swordfight outside!! Yeeaaahh, maybe it's about time to shut this production down.

Or maybe not. Let the good times roll until the sun comes up! That's up to you.
schmooze: (021)

[personal profile] schmooze 2023-05-10 06:29 pm (UTC)(link)
[Charming indeed... Maybe Kaeya is the one who needs to be careful here?

In either case, Akira has clearly had more than enough to drink. Settling beside him, Kaeya's hand slips down to the flat of Akira's back, guiding him away from the punch bowl.]


Do you need some fresh air, young man? It's awfully stuffy in here.

[Come talk to him outside. It's a little too frenetic in here to be openly shameless.]
chemex: (0045)

[personal profile] chemex 2023-05-10 06:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Yeah..., yeah, 's warm. [He idly follows Kaeya's arm to his back and then back, but doesn't seem bothered-- does he mean it's warm inside, or Kaeya's hand is warm? Hard to say.]
redlines: (pic#16422453)

[personal profile] redlines 2023-05-10 08:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Well, that's definitely a new one. The Sunshine earns a curious tilt of the head and after what feels like half an age of staring, of searching Reno's eyes for any hint of a lie. He always fancied himself to be a somewhat decent judge of character — maybe that's why he found himself so drawn to that mysterious SOLDIER running with that little group of troublemakers outside of the bond formed on the road. There was something different about him, just like how there was something different about this particular Turk. So what if Turks weren't to be trusted? It was always more fun to dance with danger. Life without taking a couple risks from time to time was so, so terribly boring.

It's just a matter of finding out how long he can stick his hand in the fire this time. ]


You'd be surprised at how flexible I can be, Red.

[ Part of him almost hesitates. It sits there on the tip of his tongue for a few moments while Roche thinks it over, his fingers drumming against the rim of the tankard in a nonsensical pattern. Finally he makes up his mind and leans back, hand going with him to settle around the rim of his own mug. ]

But my answer is gonna depend on yours, I believe. Do I have to worry about finding lead in the back of my skull? Or is this conversation.... how do they say, off the record?
laserguy: (not always a dick)

[personal profile] laserguy 2023-05-10 08:34 pm (UTC)(link)
[He keeps Kotone steady in his arms, joining in her laughter as his eyes crinkle in amusement. Scott's not quite sure how'd it go if he'd try to spin around, but honestly, he wouldn't mind making a little bit of a fool of himself for her. It's fun, and any worries he's had from earlier is gone from his mind.]

Next time, I'll ask you for a dance. And it won't be at the end. [He can't let her do all the work!!] But hey, if you wanna retire for the night, I won't be hurt. It is getting late and everything.
redlines: (pic#16420713)

[personal profile] redlines 2023-05-10 09:00 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Alright, yep. Yep, Roche makes his decision right here and now. This Turk? He likes him. Why didn't he talk to him sooner back at the building? Granted things might not've turned out the same there, at least it'd have been something. Better late than never though, right? Right. That laugh earns a snort right back and a crooked grin of his own, and then a louder one at that little Mako-freak comment.

Definitely should've started talking to him sooner. So what if that's a name he's heard slung around in his direction already? It's true, and it's still funny. ]


Then I don't have to worry when I tell you that I'm only with our current employer for the perks of my station. I could've stayed with PubSec's Mobile Unit, but I wanted something that I couldn't quite get with them.

[ He picks his phone back up and swipes the main screen open, and this time he pulls up a picture. The garages ought to be nearly identical all things considered, but that bike sure isn't an ordinary model. ]

If the company truly does fall prey to a horde of beasts and a meteor, I doubt I'll be hanging around. They'd have to decide whether or not to take me out with them or run away to save their own skins, and knowing how the brass think... I'm going to err on the side of caution and assume they'll choose the latter.

[ The phone stays in the center of the table while Roche withdraws again. Go ahead. Look. ]

So... I'd say I'm very flexible.
usarinpa: (skeptical)

[personal profile] usarinpa 2023-05-10 10:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Mizuki sees no reason to question it, so after hesitating for a bit longer, she's taking a bite. Maybe she really was hungry, because her expression seems to soften with satisfaction, and her face seems to brighten. ]

Should it say anything?

[ Maybe about whoever's responsible, keeping him away from his family. ]
redlines: (pic#16442732)

[personal profile] redlines 2023-05-10 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
You say desertion, I say self-preservation.

[ If every other SOLDIER wanted to throw their lives away by fighting a losing battle that's on them, not Roche. Sure, he still doesn't fully understand the reason behind the mass desertions that occurred a few years back but he gets it too. He just had no interest in getting involved in that particular mess when he wasn't even a Third (probably?) at the time. He had his at-the-time bike and he was content for a good while.

Though now he's been getting restless ever since running into someone but surely Roche can be excused for that. Will he ever go AWOL to chase after him? Will he hound the brass until they begrudgingly agree to let him off the proverbial leash to go? Only time will tell and that's even assuming he finds his way back "home" from this backwater town. Gongaga? Gone. ]


Who says I knelt down for anyone, hm? Aside from the color I behaved myself and went through the right channels to get the parts I've got on her. I simply took something that was standard issue and rather drab on the eyes and made it better.

[ And it's still missing, the realization drawing a frown out of him for a moment. ]

Though I might for the right piece. Gods know there's a lot of nonsense that goes on under the table in the AWD so I doubt it'd be impossible to cut the waiting line with methods like that.

[ Poor, poor Ottoman. ]
redlines: (pic#16353275)

[personal profile] redlines 2023-05-11 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
I behave myself when it benefits me. Better?

[ But no, Reno's right and he should say it. He watches him over the rim of his piss-water beer with a glimmer of giddiness in those eerie blues of his, even going as far as to wink until the Turk looks back down at the camera. Thankfully(?) there's nothing overly salacious to be seen. A shit-ton of shots from places he had no business being, stupid selfies with less-than-legal street racing in the background, other selfies where he's actively in the lineup, progress shots of the bike that don't really look like much of anything, some stray cat (looks like grandma, the fuckin' thing), and of course... Wall Market. Can't forget those nights, right? Obviously Roche couldn't either given the myriad pictures of himself with his arm slung around various people that look like they belong in a gang rather than in the company of a SOLDIER, and plenty of them even include too-friendly cheek and/or temple smooches.

There's hardly any with other SOLDIERs. ]


You'll never catch me in a First-class uniform if it helps, by the way. I'm sure the perks are nice and glamourous but I'll pass on anything that takes me off of the road. A few have tried to recommend me for Second but that's always before they know how much of a handful I am, and if they're persistent enough after the fact I've always turned it down.

[ A beat, and then Roche drops his gaze to a few gouge marks on the table. He picks at one for a few moments, then sets his mug down almost on top of it. ]

And between you and I? I have no real desire to spend days on end in a tank full of mako because of some ridiculous promotion. If you think it smells terrible as you are now...

[ One finger taps the side of his own nose. Hell on a SOLDIER's senses. ]

Why ruin a good thing when I can keep up with them the way I am now?
redlines: (pic#14021770)

[personal profile] redlines 2023-05-11 01:04 am (UTC)(link)
After hearing some of the nonsense I've heard come out of a First's mouth I'm a little inclined to believe you and that's with people calling me crazy for going two-hundred in a seventy.

[ Which all things considered was probably one of the least offensive things Roche has done in his Shinra-centric career. As soon as Reno turns the camera on him, he flashes a wink and an air-smooch just to milk it, then makes a vague tapping gesture. Hit the thing that looks like a little handheld camera with arrows in it. The good ol' front camera. ]

It beats the flips by a country mile, doesn't it? It's capable of everything they could do and more. They've been rolling out cheaper models to the public but these babies are top of the line. I put in for one the second I started seeing them around the building.

[ And he's broken at least a dozen since then but shhh. Shinra pays for it so who cares? ]

You've really never seen one before?
aintyourdad: (104)

[personal profile] aintyourdad 2023-05-11 01:29 am (UTC)(link)
You and Aerith should start a club.

[ And, preferably, leave him out of it. ]

I'm Joel.

[ He takes another, deep drink of his beer. ]
aintyourdad: (085)

[personal profile] aintyourdad 2023-05-11 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
Sure, but no one else is gonna.

[ He's not interested in talking about whether he will hurt the ones he loves. He's talking about other people. ]
fluorite: dnt (43)

[personal profile] fluorite 2023-05-11 01:38 am (UTC)(link)
Several months, huh...? I wonder how concerned we should be. Ever think they'll let us go home?
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586038)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-05-11 02:20 am (UTC)(link)
I doubt that it is. I was under the impression most of us don't have much money. Well, those of us who aren't native, I guess. Although from looking at how simple things are here, I feel like they might not have much money either. Or... maybe they really like living minimalistic?

[Either way, his answer to her question leaves her with a smile. He's got a point. They're not starving. Or facing starvation.]

It's good to hear that. Things certainly could have gone worse. Imagine if we had all starved. We definitely wouldn't be here now.
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586006)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-05-11 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
You're right!

[Whether others would interpret it as something akin to an insult or not, Aerith can only perceive it as factual.]

You could also just come with me, if you wanted. I know I've seen your face around, but I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Aerith.
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14585997)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-05-11 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
[Youthful glow.

Aerith does nothing to hide the way she preens at the praise. She's going to remember that should someone make a complaint about her demeanour. With a tilt of her head, her smile grows, evidently turned by his generous assessment of her person.]


Oh—Well. My name is Aerith, but I could probably answer to just about anything. 'Hey you,' or 'Girl in pink' or 'flower girl.' I guess if you just wanted to call me 'girl,' I'd answer to that as well.
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14586010)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-05-11 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
[It doesn't take Aerith long to pause when she and Mizuki are addressed. Maybe a proper member of waitstaff would actually do a bit more research, but Aerith is most certainly not... one of those. She doesn't even question it. Instead, she offers over the mug with a welcoming smile.]

Sorry about that! This isn't something I normally do. Here you are!

[But they seem rather understanding. At least, so far. Besides, if she really needed to, she could probably talk her way out of a problem or two. And if she couldn't, she imagines Mizuki could resolve things.]
inemeraldfaith: (pic#14585989)

[personal profile] inemeraldfaith 2023-05-11 02:21 am (UTC)(link)
Hm... I think it'd get pretty boring just standing on guard like that. Maybe a little expensive, too.

[Considering she's already got Cloud in her ear reminding her that she owes him, she can imagine hearing a repeat of that from Reno, as well. But she also imagines that Reno standing at attention, watching over a flowerbed would be a little intimidating. Who would be brave enough to traipse over flowers with him watching over them?

Probably no one, honestly.]


You'd be pretty good at that, though. I'll have to keep that in mind when it comes into being. But I could also teach you more about flowers if you wanted. All it takes is the desire to learn and I'm confident that I can teach anyone.

[If she can teach someone like Cloud, then surely she can teach anyone else who crosses paths with her.]
meiren: (33)

[personal profile] meiren 2023-05-11 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ Cluttered, confined space, full of (mostly) innocent bystanders. What can possibly go wrong? At least a few people seem to have cottoned on to the potential showdown and are backing away to the edges of the room. ]

As you like.

[ He shifts just a little, the slightest tensing of muscle in preparation. And then waits. Mostly to see if he can goad Reno into making the first move. He can be real patient, if it's in the goal of being extra annoying. ]
mercedis: (ɴɪɴᴇᴛʏꜰᴏᴜʀ)

[personal profile] mercedis 2023-05-11 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
[ It's curious--or maybe it's the liquor. He wants to tell himself it's the liquor; why else would he find himself so interested in the fact that Roche doesn't seem to have any nicknames between friends? Pathetically, it might be because he hopes that he's just as much of a loner as he is: like maybe the implication is he doesn't even have that many friends to be giving him nicknames. That might be the reasoning for himself, anyway. What would Tifa call him? Just Cloud, probably.

There's a soft snort, almost like a laugh, as he finds his gaze trained on that empty shot glass. Little beads of green liquid still drip down the side, not completely drained; he should have licked the inside of it, just to be sure to get it all. ]


Coming up with nicknames isn't my specialty. [ Still, he's not saying no, now is he? ] What do you remind me of? Mm...

[ A half of a shrug, trying to seem cool. ] ... Hairbrush.

[ It's hard to tell if he's being serious; his lips twitch a little, and his gaze jerks up to watch Roche's expression. ] No. Hairband? That's a little cuter.

[ The longer he goes along with this, the longer he doesn't have to give his real name: not that he thinks it matters much. Roche will find it out one way or another in this place. ]
mercedis: (ꜰɪᴠᴇ)

[personal profile] mercedis 2023-05-11 03:04 am (UTC)(link)
[ Well, it's fucking disgusting, but that's what he expects from Reno at this point: there's no real reason to control his expression, which contorts with a wrinkle of his nose and a gaping of his mouth, staring aghast at the beer that sloshes out of Reno's choking onto the table, back into the cup, onto his shirt, and then, of course, splattered onto his own arm that he has on the table between them. Immediately, like a disgusted kid, he wipes his arm off bodily on Reno's closest body part--that ends up being his shoulder, smearing his suit with the little flicker of backwash, rubbing and rubbing until he feels satisfied.

Forlornly, he looks at the glass. It's nearly empty, and what's left is probably mostly Reno's spit; with a long sigh, resigned, he looks back at the cigarette. ]


Shut up. [ Reno's laughing at him, he knows it--he hates it, but whatever. Too drunk to pull up the buster sword and cut him in half, so he decides he might as well follow instructions. With a wary eye at Reno, he puts the cigarette between his lips and takes in a deep breath--which, of course, comes out in a coughing rush of smoke.

Annoyed, he immediately flicks the cigarette away...and into the glass of Reno's spit-beer. ]


Ah. [ Is he smiling? He's definitely starting to smile, like he can't quite believe it. ] My bad.

[ He doesn't look like he thinks it's bad: he's pretty smug about it. ]

Get us another round. You're not drinking the rest of that.
aintyourdad: (028)

[personal profile] aintyourdad 2023-05-11 03:11 am (UTC)(link)
[ Joel snorts. ]

Either they're hiding the good stuff, or they're poor.

[ Because, again, the beer is crap. ]

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