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

[electroburst]

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.

Comments

oh we love a good coldbrew

[chemex]

[They're-- something. They're a mask, he hides behind them, and he keeps meaning to find somewhere safe to put them so he doesn't lose or break them while he's stupid on alcohol, but he hasn't, yet.]

[After a moment he has the absolute lapse in judgment to remove them and hook them on Kaeya's boob window.] Hold onto those for me? [He grins, cat-like, and nods.] I'm a girly drinker, I like fruity stuff. But also, somebody definitely spiked the punch. [We are deciding there's spiked punch now, like every movie with a party in it with underage people, ever.]

[schmooze]

[Help, he's been here a day and already the girls are getting so much attention. It's not like Kaeya minds — would he dress this way if he did? — and he pats the frames, his wordless promise to keep them safe.]

Seems we have that in common. I like a good cocktail when I can get my hands on one.

[...But apparently a cocktail is a tall order in a place like this. Someone, please start a winery.]

Mm... Punch, you say? Would you mind escorting me to the punch bowl? Perhaps the criminal responsible left behind some clues.

[chemex]

[Thank you for protecting his entirely unneeded planos, Mr. Alberich. He'll ask for them back when he remembers you're who he entrusted them to.]

I hear of coffee martinis and I need one like I need air, but I haven't gotten to that point yet. [A wink, and he turns to loop his arm through Kaeya's. It's equal parts for his own balance and to play the role of truly escorting him.]

Oh, of course. And may I know the name of my escortee?

[schmooze]

[Kaeya is possibly the worst person to entrust these glasses to, so Akira better be fully prepared to ""fight"" with him over them later. Maybe he should wear them? Yeah, right over the eyepatch.

Also— goodness, this boy is friendly, isn't he? Charming, really. Kaeya hums, amused, but he doesn't shy from Akira's side. Gotta make sure he doesn't go tilting right into the floor, and just as importantly, that he doesn't take him down with him.]

Oh my... You're a proper gentleman, aren't you? [How many girls and boys have you left in tears, Akira?] Let's trade names, shall we? Kaeya Alberich, knight extraordinaire.

[chemex]

[Spec-ception. He likes it. But he'll implore they be returned, eventually. Something something please don't take off my mask something.]

[And of course he's friendly!! He's a protagonist, Kaeya, come on. He's honestly pretty fucking stupid when it comes to proper courtship or seeking relationships, but he sure is a flirt. Who knows how many people he's left in tears-- he's sincerely an oblivious dunderfuck.]

[He waves one hand.] I gotta be, I'm a Phantom Thief. Comes with the job description. [He tips forward into a little half-bow, gesturing forward to introduce himself.] Akira Kurusu. ...I've been called a lot of things and none of them are particularly title-worthy. [Akira you just called yourself a Phantom Thief, you enormous dingus.]

[schmooze]

[He'll be double masking it up until Akira comes to claim what is rightfully his, thanks. Besides, larping as a hipster might be fun for a change.]

A Phantom Thief...?

[Kaeya quirks a brow. At this point, he can't be certain whether this boy is jerking his gherkin or if he really is some manner of thief. Regardless, he's curious now.]

You're quite bold, you know, introducing yourself as a thief before a knight. Are you aware that I could have you arrested?

[chemex]

[He's Kaeya Alberich, and he liked dandelion wine before it was cool.]

[Akira chuckles softly, grinning so hard his eyes crease at the outer corners.] 's okay, I've been arrested before. It's only bad if they're really bad cops. [He leans closer, abruptly.] I don't think you're a bad cop, Mr. Alberich.

[schmooze]

[The original hipster pirate, yarr.

Ah, but... this boy really is something, isn't he? So forthright! Kaeya can't say he'd admit to having been arrested quite so swiftly himself, but he respects this boy's wrought-iron balls. Still, he can imagine he's the sort to get himself into trouble just as often as he finds his way out of it.

Chuckling, Kaeya doesn't move when Akira leans into his space, simply grinning and propping a hand on his hip.]

Oh? Such confidence! What makes you so certain that I'm not one of the bad guys?

[chemex]

[He's not usually quite this bold, he's simply a drunk teenager. Balls are always wrought-iron, but he's not usually teabagging people with them like he's been tonight.]

[He echoes Kaeya's chuckle, and then stumbles slightly-- it might be on purpose, from the way he leans his shoulder into the other's.] Mmm, sixth sense? 's more bravado than confidence, though. You don't carry yourself like a bad guy.

[schmooze]

[Oh dear, this boy... He'll be keeping an eye on you, Akira. There's no telling what a wildcard like this will get up to if left to his own devices, so why not join in on the fun if the opportunity presents itself?

Amused, Kaeya chuckles and slings an arm around Akira's shoulders, pulling him in close enough to lilt in his ear.]

Be careful which bad guys you trust, little boy. You never know which one might betray you at the eleventh hour.

[And just like that, he lets Akira go with a dismissive chuckle. Nothing sketchy here!]

[chemex]

[So, so very many shenanigans. Kaeya and Akira being friends is dangerous for everyone, but especially for the both of them.]

[He startles, but allows the arm swung around him, and his grin grows slowly at Kaeya's words. When he releases him and chuckles, Akira's shoulders rise and fall in a shrug.] Already said I don't think you're a bad guy, but-- also been there, done that. [What's Up Danger plays faintly in the background.]

[schmooze]

[He has a jail cell with your name on it back home in Mond, little Akira. Fancy paying a visit one of these days? With amusement snaking out of him in the form of a laugh, Kaeya settles back with his hands propped on his hips.]

My my, you really do need a keeper, don't you? I suppose I'll take on the task myself, lest that devilish streak of yours get you into a situation you can't easily slip out of.

[chemex]

[Is it blue, dabadee dabadie?]

[He shrugs again, humming something like a laugh.] Maybe I do.

[schmooze]

[Unfortunate that he shares so much in common with this boy, but good company is vital to surviving in situations like these. If nothing else, Kaeya can bank on this boy keeping him amused, lest boredom kill him first.]

Keeping me in suspense, hm? You're a natural-born charmer. Now that I think about it, I may need to watch my back around you.

[chemex]

[Amusing is one thing he's pretty good at-- though he's definitely a fair amount more subdued when wearing the glasses currently clipped to Kaeya's boob window and not inebriated. He winks, anyway.]

I'll watch it for you, how's that. [He may have just said you have a nice ass in the most drunken roundabout way ever, Kaeya.]

1/2

[schmooze]

[schmooze]

[Did this boy just wink at him? Moreover, did he pay tribute to his very small but bizarrely high-poly ass...?

Akira has him laughing in no time, full-bodied and genuinely amused. The nerve! The Cheek!! He loves Akira already.]

What an amusing fellow! Do we have the alcohol to thank for your bold words, or does this sort of brazen confidence come naturally to you?

[chemex]

[Kaeya you're wearing leggings, who wouldn't look at your ass! He appreciates the laughter, grinning like a cat and swaying-- intentionally, from foot to foot. He can't sit still, you know.]

Little of both, I think.

[schmooze]

[All that sauntering and swaying is very intentional, isn't it? Kaeya realizes this and yet he finds it more enjoyable to play along and reach out to steady Akira by his shoulders, lest his scrawny ass pitch forward and fall face first in that dubious bowl of punch.]

Mm, I can see that. Brimming with confidence with no room left for shame... You're quite fortunate that you're easy on the eyes.

[He doesn't doubt that Akira's good looks have gotten him out of trouble at least once in the past.]

[chemex]

[He laughs, then-- a little more of a giggle, just shy enough to be charming, and brings one hand up to fidget with his curls.]

I have shame, it's just... somewhere else, right now. [In the pit of his stomach, under about four glasses of spiked punch.]

[schmooze]

[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]

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.]