(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

fai d flowright | trc

[fluorite]

i - early on;

[ Even while the offerings are meager, Fai is more than happy to partake in them, even nursing some of that not-so-great beer as he sits at one of the tables. Resting his chin in his hand, he smiles as he watches people filter in, content to watch everyone interact with one another for a little while. After all, it's important to get a feel for the dynamics between people in this town.

But he gets tired of that, and decides to wave his hand at the next person he sets his sights on. ]

Why don't you come join me? I've even got a drink with your name on it.

[ He certainly does, an untouched beer sitting right in front of him. He'd been planning on drinking it himself, but this is a sacrifice he's willing to make. ]

ii - just dance;

[ A couple of hours later and this little party has picked up significantly, so much so that there's now loud music and quite a bit of dancing. Always one to soak up atmospheres like this, Fai claps and cheers along to different songs, and even dances to a few.

He's gotten tired of dancing alone, though, so he figures he'll drag someone with him into the mix. So, he looks around the room at those on the periphery before picking his target and holding out his hand. ]

Dance with me?

iii - a long night;

[ Despite all of the beers he's had over the course of the night, Fai is perfectly fine. He's steady on his feet and his words aren't slurred. It seems like he's one of the few that has escaped a drunken fate.

Even so, he's a bit tired, much like everyone else. The crowds are dwindling and partiers are now starting to head up to bed. Fai figures he'll stick around and help out however he can, so whether someone is struggling to get up on their feet and get back to their room or if they've taken it upon themselves to clean up a bit of the mess in the tavern, Fai approaches. ]

Need some help?

dance

[schmooze]

[Interesting choice, Fai! Kaeya is happy to comply, stepping onto the dance floor and offering his upturned palm to him. M'wizard?]

How kind of you to ask! Tell me, what sort of dance would you like?

[fluorite]

Why don't I show you?

[ He grins, taking that hand as he grabs onto Kaeya's other hand to put it on his waist before his hand settles back on Kaeya's shoulder. Time to ballroom dance to this lively tavern music. ]

Do you know how to dance like this?

[schmooze]

[Curious... Fai clearly has some experience dancing. Kaeya wonders why that might be, tipping his head to one side quizzically, but he'll prod Fai for answers later.

Kaeya has learned a thing or two about ballroom dancing during his time spent in the Ragnvindr household, so he easily keeps step with Fai as they glide along... and try not to bump into anyone holding mugs of cheap, shitty beer.]

You tell me. I hope I live up to your expectations~

[fluorite]

[ Fai is careful with their steps at first, but he eventually lets Kaeya lead fully just so he can see if he's actually good or if he's simply skilled at following along. ]

You're not terrible. Maybe you've had some training?

dance!

[feintofhart]

[ Claude glances up at the unexpected sight, looking momentarily perplexed before his knit brows give way to a smile as he grasps Fai's hand. ]

I'm flattered! Usually I'm the one asking. [ That much is true, actually. He glances over, thinking about the rowdy dances of his childhood, all the way to the dancing favoured in the lofty halls of the Leicester manors. ] But you'll have to teach me how they do it here! I'm afraid I haven't gotten acclimatized yet.

[fluorite]

Oh, neither have I!

[ He grins, using Claude's hand as a stabilizer to give a little twirl before pulling him fully into the thick of it. ]

I figure we can just move however we like.

[ And right now that seems to be something halfway between ballroom dancing and what the crowd is doing around them as Fai keeps ahold of Claude's hand and leads them both around in jaunty steps. ]

[feintofhart]

Ooh, I don't know if anyone would like that. I've been told I'm something of a wild dancer. We may as well keep it civil for now -- that sort of thing is better outside, by a roaring fire, [ Claude says, giving Fai a little wink.

For all of his talk about being a wild dancer, it's immediately clear that Claude is more than used to dancing himself, taking to the ballroom style and leading them into the fray immediately, though he raises a brow in question at Fai, wondering if he would prefer his hand on his hip or on his shoulder. ]

My name is Claude, by the way. What's yours?

[fluorite]

[ He laughs lightly, the idea of a roaring fire accompanying a gathering like this sounding quite nice. Maybe he can make a suggestion for one next time around.

But for now, Fai takes note of that raised brow and simply moves Claude's hand right to his hip. They're already dancing, so there's no need to be overly polite. ]

Fai D. Flowright. Although, just Fai is fine.

[ And with how smoothly they're moving, he can't help but make a little remark: ]

You seem used to this.

early on

[crisantemo]

[ Lapis is definitely the sort to sit back and watch, content to watch people mill about in the slowly building crowd. It's nice to just be around people, so even this much is enough for her.

So it's a surprise when someone waves her over; golden eyes blinking owlishly at Fai for a second. And then another second, before she realizes that yes, he means her. Her hesitancy is more out of uncertainty than shyness, but she does soon gravitate towards him - casting a curious gaze at the drink ]

Hmm, are you sure? I could go get a drink for you too.

[fluorite]

Ah, well... this beer isn't exactly to my taste. So please, be my guest.

[ It's not the worst beer he's ever had, but it's certainly on the bottom tier. He sits back in his chair, crossing his legs as he stretches his arms. ]

Are you enjoying yourself?

[ He saw her people-watching as well, so he figures she at least wasn't bored. ]

[crisantemo]

[ Hmm, that makes it sound like the beer isn't that good, but...

Lapis moves to sit down all the same, reaching to cradle the mug in her hands. Not taking a sip yet, though. ]

Mm, I am. It's a lot more casual than parties I've been to before... It's nice.

[ There's no stuffiness, no people speaking to her in double-meanings, no watching for every little thing to see someone's true intentions. Here it's just people having fun. ]

What about you? [ Now she takes a sip of the beer. Then pauses. And very gently lowers the mug, her expression seeming even more stiff than before. ]

[fluorite]

[ There's practically a glint in his eyes as he watches her expression stiffen as she lowers the mug. Seems like she has similar thoughts about the beer, although she might be too polite to say it.

If it sounds like he has to stifle back a laugh too? Well, so be it. ]

I am. I haven't found the people I've been looking for, but it's hard to be down about that when there's so much liveliness around me.

i

[caregives]

[it's still kind of weird, being in such a crowd of strangers. it almost feels like when she'd crossed over into the human world for the first time...but then, she'd had her brother.

this time, she's alone.

the bar is lively already, and she's watching the crowd before she gets called over. it's almost a relief, since she hadn't been too sure where to go, and she goes to sit down next to Fai and smiles.]

I'm not sure I'm going to drink yet. You can have it, if you want.

[fluorite]

If you insist!

[ He pulls the mug of beer right in front of him, cradling it in both of his hands. ]

Should I order some water or juice for you instead?

[ Fai is about to hold up his hand to get someone's attention, waiting for her to give him the go ahead. ]

[caregives]

Water will be fine for now.

[she's not quite comfortable enough in drinking beer quite yet, even from strangers. magical as she is, if a drink had something in it, she'd still be affected.]

Are you new here as well, or are you one of the ones who've been here a few months?

[fluorite]

[ He holds up a hand, asking for a glass of water when he gets the attention of one of the bartenders. ]

I'm new. So I suppose you could say I'm still adjusting to all of this. It's quite an interesting place, don't you think?

early on

[theleadingman]

[While the beer itself has already been deemed questionable, this gathering has proven an excellent opportunity for a number of things— distraction and information gathering chief among them. He's in reasonably good spirits early on in the evening, and when the offer is made to him, he cannot help by smile.]

Well, far be it from me to turn down such a generous offer, even if the beer leaves something to be desired. It would be a shame to let it go to waste.

[He's in.]

[fluorite]

[ Fai laughs, motioning for him to sit down in the chair next to him. ]

I could do with better quality, but I suppose beer like this can work in a pinch! Even if it doesn't have strength to make up for the taste whatsoever.

[ His tolerance is already pretty high, so watered down beer like this just doesn't do much at all for him. ]

[theleadingman]

[The pirate's smile hitches to one side as he slides into the offered chair with ease, raising a brow as he props an arm against the bar.]

I suppose this was the best they could do on short notice, though given some of the town's recent troubles, I can't say I expected much better. I'd also prefer something much stronger, but we'll have to make due, hm?

[He takes hold of the mug, lifting it up to toast.]

Cheers.

[fluorite]

Cheers!

[ He grins, even lifting up a hand to mimic his own mug. ]

What are these recent troubles? I'm new here, if you didn't already know.

[ Fai's well aware that new people tend to stick out, especially in towns like this... even moreso when they're all staying in one place. ]

i

[nullificates]

(he's got his people here, but it's nicer to watch them from a distance sometimes. besides, the more left alone he is, the more he gets to drink, and the funnier the party becomes. at this point, he hasn't gone up to his room for his own bottles of poison, but truth be told, these glasses don't do much to a man who can drink all of it and walk in a straight line without much issues.

so, once he's waved, there's not much of an issue to join. he's social, and he smiles as he plops down next to this man he hasn't yet seen. must be a new one.)

Ah, is it twelve times stronger than the average beer circulating? Inquiring minds must know!

[fluorite]

[ That gets a light laugh from Fai, who shrugs as he slides the mug closer to the other man. ]

You'll have to try it to find out! It could be eight times weaker, or thirty times stronger!

[nullificates]

If it does nothing, I will say you owe me a drink at the bar yourself. Is it a deal?

(fine, fine, he'll drink this godforsaken beer with a phony smile. it's awful. it won't get him buzzed at all!)

[fluorite]

[ Fai is just walking right into a trap with that one. He doesn't mind though. ]

Sure, why not? What kind of drink are you in the mood for?