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

Entry tags:

(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.

Threaded | Flat

"one particular new arrival"

[ Who ~~fired~~ ordered the first shot?

Reno, that's who.

Listen. He has priorities. And he saw to them already. He hasn't been able to contact his partner, his boss, or literally anyone else whose number he has in his phone that doesn't work, and he's already done his intel-gathering asking around. In situations where you've been separated from your crew, the best thing to do is pick a spot and wait. The inn is as good a one as any, considering that it seems to be the place where everyone who's anyone are shuffled to. And it just so happens that while he's there, waiting, there's a bar. And where there's a bar, there's people who'll come to drink. And where there's people, there's more information. And a much-needed distraction.

So yeah, Reno shoots the first shot. And then starts handing them out to everyone else, and now here they are. He's racking up a tab he might not ever be able to pay off, but if you're one of the more early-arrivers, don't worry about ordering: the redhead's gotchu. The moment you sit down at the bar, a tankard with, metaphorically, your name on it slides down your way, and there's Reno giving a two finger salute and a nod. Unless you talk to him first, he'll even leave you be to enjoy it for a minute. But not for long. After you've had that one, maybe another, that's when he slides over to start digging for dirt, cleverly disguised as small-talk (or maybe casual flirting). ]

So. You been in Aldrip long?

"somebody" knocking on doors

[ So maybe you managed to ignore the commotion until about midway into the night, when suddenly there's a rapidfire rapping on your door and a voice calling out, hey, come join the party! If you're quick to open the door, you might just manage to glimpse a glimpse of a red ponytail flicking around the corner, but the little shit responsible for disturbing the peace is a fast little shit, so there's no time to catch him before he's gone.

But, like, I mean, how many redheads are there in Aldrip anyways?

Down in the tavern, Reno's easy to spot. Flaming red hair, a barely-buttoned black suit, now loudly and animatedly engrossed in some gambling game at one of the back tables. He arrived here with a pack of smokes that he's been conservatively burning through all night, and he taps the ashes off into an empty tumbler glass while someone else at the table takes their turn rolling the dice.

Maybe you're here to wring his neck for bothering you. Or maybe you're genuinely here to join the game. Or maybe it's something else. Either way, Reno looks up as a newcomer approaches and gestures, cig between two fingers, at an empty seat next to him. ]

You want in? Put somethin' in the pot and grab a seat, we're just getting started!

"those still dancing on tables"

[ Alright, fine, so he's not dancing. Probably did some of that earlier, though. But he is standing up on a table, and there's a really good reason for that: it's because a fight's broken out (blame the two idiots with swords) and Reno, not one not to stick his nose in someone else's business, feels the need to commentate like a wrestling announcer. One guy gets his lights punched out and Reno lets out a sympathetic ohhh! into the empty bottle he's using as a "microphone," the table underneath him rocking from side to side as he shifts around on it so that he doesn't miss a moment of the brawl.

It's fine. He's a pretty lightweight guy. Not a lightweight when it comes to the alcohol, so much, but yeah, he's got a pretty good buzz going, too. ]

Man, this guy's unstoppable! Isn't anyone gonna give him a real fight? Anybody? Hey, what about—you? Yeah, you! You with the hair! You look like you know a thing or two about kickin' ass.

[ He probably doesn't actually think that. Or maybe he does. Who knows. At this point, he's just trying to keep the action going for his own entertainment. Either way, how can you say no to that encouraging grin? Never mind the dude he's trying to set you up to fight with who is fully knocking people out with a chair. That's not important. ]

C'mon, I hear there's a prize for the winner.

[ No there isn't. ]

(Or WILDCARD! Reno will be all over: inside and outside, dancing, eating, drinking, playing games, occasionally lurking suspiciously in the corner. He will talk to, attempt to wrangle gossip out of, and flirt with basically anybody. If you have an idea, hit me with it, no need to ask! And if you're a castmate he'd recognize, we can do something different, too.)

Edited 2023-04-22 04:17 (UTC)

i: early gathering

[Ven is still trying to wrap his head around being stuck here with no way home, but if there's one positive thing he can say, it's that he loves how the community comes together. It reminds him so much of home, how everyone shared their excess and no one horded their wealth. It was nice to see another group function in such a similar way.

Still, with this new influx, it seemed the shares weren't going as far as planned. He tried to be sneaky about using his magic, still trying not to draw too much attention to himself, and while he thinks no one is looking, he waves his hands over different fruits and vegetables, not only increasing the freshness and taste of what was already there, but summoning growth to multiply the produce into more for the continuing growing crowd.

If you didn't catch him in the act, then maybe he just flopped into a seat next to you, offering you the most gorgeous apple you've even seen while he takes a bite into a second one.]

ii: pick a card

[Pisswater beer apparently is no different anywhere. Ven's definitely got a more refined taste, preferring wines himself, but alcohol is alcohol and he isn't going to protest. He enjoys people watching, and it's amusing to him to watch these fake fortune tellers spilling lies.

If he didn't have a few drinks in him by that point, he probably wouldn't do something so crazy, but he gets his hands on a deck of cards, and starts playing around with card tricks. It's easy to get the right card when you're telepathic.

Only, alcohol blurs the mind, and...well, there's a lot of minds around him, therefore, a lot of voices bouncing around his head.

But he's got this! Yep.]

Is this your card?

[WILDCARD! Ven will be around for a good bit of the night, retiring before the real crazy starts, like the old man that he is. Hit me up at

crystallium if you wanna bounce around ideas! I also have a telepath opt in/out form if anyone interacting with him wants to fill this out!]

1 - Mild route

[You know. It's not that bad in the beginning. Not too loud, crowed with obnoxious people or anything.

This is no Jazz Jinn, that's for sure. But still. Akechi found himself almost enjoying from the atmosphere. Especially now that the band was playing. The whole set up kinda reminded him from those nights he'd spent at Kichijoji. Alone (at least for the most times) and free from the public eye. The only times when he could actually relax and breathe. There was... dare he say, soothing here.

Like usually the Ex-detective is sitting all alone in his own and reading a book he "salvaged" from the library. A thick and dusty book about the history of Aldrid. Looks pretty boring, probably. In front of him there's a tall drink that looks like orange juice of sorts. He's barely touched it though, because again. This is no Jazz Jinn, ugh.]

2 - The beginning of the end

[Like any sane person Akechi had eventually excused himself and went back to his room. The party had started to get off the hands in his opinion, which was a clear sign to call it a day.. Or so he would if someone didn't keep knocking down on his door and practically dragging him down. Oh, how he wished he'd have an access to his persona. Although, at the same time he did feel Loki's fondness for chaos and depravity in the back of his mind. With a familiar cackling ringing in his ears Akechi submits to the call of the siren and descents back to down to rejoin the celebration.

He doesn't waste much time to find himself a seat at one of the gambling tables. Not really an activity he'd normally be interested partaking but here? He might as well. He doesn't really have much to bet on -- outside of few gems and jewels he's managed grab from the abandoned mines. And oh well, information is also sort of a currency! There are a few locals who're interested in hearing stories of the different world. The attention of the some reminds him from his idol days which... brings a rather bittersweet taste to his mouth.

One that he's downing with a drink, this time not being too picky about it.

The positions on the table switches and spots open frequently. Akechi, however, manages to stay at the top for the most part! So there certainly is a room for a newcomer (you??) to take a seat and join in the fun.]

Hm? And what will you be bringing on the table?

3 - The Bad End

[It's already very late to the night and the party is far away from being done. Sure, some have given up and left the inn altogether and some were sleeping at their booths. Akechi however?

He's drunk.

Oh god he's drunk and it's somehow all Akira's fault. He's sure of it. It's shameful to admit but he doesn't even remember how things got to this point. Outside of the usual story of losing track of just what he was drinking.

Thankfully, he was nowhere near as drunk as some of the other patrons in the inn. But he could feel his face flushed, hands growing heavy and his thinking slowing down. The last part was alarming enough for Akechi, who dependent on his logical thinking, intuition and observation skills. It's baby's first time being drunk and he's definitely sure if he's enjoying it.

So, he's just sitting still. Awfully quiet and staring intensively at his half-empty glass with some of that bitter alcohol in it. He's breathing through his nose and just overall looking very focused as if he was trying to force the drunkenness out of him by with just sheer willpower!

Yeah. Good luck to him, amirite?]

WILDCARD - come up with your own scenario! I'm cool with tossing Akechi about to just any scenario! Dancing, people watching, bar fights? Bring it.

Edited 2023-04-22 03:39 (UTC)

[Now, Kotone definitely didn't plan this party, but she's thrilled to be here. It's good to see people having fun for once, especially in the aftermath of the food crisis, the forest, and the people who've gone missing. Wearing a short plaid skirt and a plain blouse, she's bouncing around from person to person, greeting those she knows, introducing herself to those she doesn't. She is absolutely in her element here!]

1. sweets delivery;

[After scouting the party briefly, Kotone disappears, only to return with food of her own. It's all fairly simple fare, mostly small sandwiches, cookies, and cupcakes she'd had prepared already. But she's happy to add to the spread, if only because it makes her feel less bad about grabbing something else to eat herself. She can be found either shifting things around on the table or on the bartop to make more room, humming cheerfully to herself, or preparing her own plate to eat. If someone makes the mistake of looking at her arranging too long, she turns with a smile and an apple cupcake.]

Hey, try this! I made it!

2. dancing queen;

[You know, she really should thank Dazai of all people; after they'd danced in the local bar to the music in her own headphones that no one but they could hear, dancing in a big crowd like this isn't embarrassing at all! She's laughing and doing her best to learn some of the local dances, sometimes kicking her feet and swinging her hands along with the locals, sometimes just letting her body move to the music however she wants. It's not like the music she'd used to listen to when she'd be at the club with Mutatsu, but it's still fun!

Keen-eyed observers might notice that every now and then, when her skirt twirls higher, she has her pistol-like Evoker strapped to her upper thigh, normally hidden beneath the skirt. Listen, just in case, alright?

It's with a bright smile on her face that she offers a hand to anyone who makes the mistake of watching her too long. Anyone who looks like they're just embarrassed and not just Unwilling gets her grabbing their hand herself to drag them in.] C'mon! Live a little, have fun!

3. dark hour;

[Kotone hasn't stayed up past midnight in a long time. There's been no reason to do so here, after all! Through the night, she's been a whirlwind of energy, bouncing from one person to the next, having fun, generally inserting herself into everyone's business for at least a few minutes at a time, if not longer. But now that it's creeping into the small hours, she's taken a seat near the edge with a drink and a little plate of what snacks are left over. She looks... exhausted. More tired than even her amount of activity should suggest. But she's still sitting there with a smile on her face, her chin resting in her hand, watching the festivities. And the brawl. Normally she'd try to break it up, but... eh. Somebody else can take care of that this time.

Should anyone sit near her, she'll tilt her head toward them with a tired smile.] Did you have fun?

4. wildcard!

[Kotone will be Literally Everywhere during the party. Want to invite her for a game? Chat with her? Do karaoke with her? She won't want to fight with anyone, but she'll be game for just about everything else. Hit me up on discord or on plurk if there's anything specific you'd like to do with her!]

Edited 2023-04-22 11:33 (UTC)

a.

[Vi's not proud. she's going to be drinking pisswater beer to her heart's content, and scarfing up whatever food she can get her hands on for a while.

when she's done, she's going to find herself turning to the person beside her, head a little bit of a buzz.]

Are we sure we're supposed to be in jail or some shit? 'Cuz jail doesn't have this much beer.

b.

[or. when she gets super drunk, Vi gets super feisty. at least she's drinking water now, but she's still drunk enough to be annoying.

she looks unsteadily at anyone who's going to be looking at her, and she brings her fists up in a boxer's stance.]

What the fuck are you looking at, huh? Get the hell out of my face, or I'll make you.

01. Prettying Up the Inn

[At this point, it seems like Aerith never knows when to leave something well enough alone. It's possible if she wasn't living right in the area of the inn commotion, that these shenanigans might have simply gone past her notice for the most part. It's like another loud night in Wall Market, when she's stepping back to look at it.

Considering everything that's been going on, it's nice to see people having the opportunity to be happy. The situation isn't exactly favourable and yet, it could still be so much worse. Has she been saying that for the benefit of others, or for her own? Perhaps a collection of both.

On the fated eve of the inn's mingle to meet new faces and connect with old ones, it didn't take Aerith very long to volunteer herself as 'tavern wench,' or whatever the Aldrippers are calling it. There's bound to be plenty of people and they could use the help. So when she stops by a table and loudly plops down a mug of... whatever it might be, she's all grins.]

This one's yours, right? That's what they told me back at the bar.

[She's doing great at this.]

02. Let's Rally Together

[The last thing she should be doing is probably encouraging people to be more rambunctious, but one only lives once, right? Well, in her case, that might not necessarily be accurate. Or Ethlyn's. Or anyone else's who possibly passed on where they come from.

There's always exceptions!]

You're almost there! Keep it up! Did you hear if you finish it, they'll give you another on the house?

[She sure is very loudly cheering this on. Whether it's food or drink in question, she's happy to lend some annoyingly chipper encouragement. Or she's just encouraging bad behaviour.]

03. Where the Wildcards Grow

[Everything and anything else goes in here. PM or ping me on discord for stuffs and things.]

𝓲𝓷 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓰𝓲𝓷𝓷𝓲𝓷𝓰, 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓽𝓽𝔂 𝓫𝓮𝓮𝓻

[Kaeya isn't exactly a fan of cheap drink and cheese scraps, but who is he to complain? It's free, after all, and he's certainly getting what he's paying for. Kaeya can be found haunting the bar and yammering at anyone who will listen.]

What I wouldn't give for a Death After Noon. This beer is a touch too... [disgusting] ...watery for my taste.

𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓼𝓮 𝓵𝓲𝓹𝓼

[Enjoying the party? Kaeya is too, now that the gossip is freely flowing. If you're feeling particularly inebriated, stumbling around or otherwise in visibly good spirits, it won't be long before Kaeya is at your side. He's all smiles, bright and jovial and happy to steady you on your feet... or maybe you've bumped into him, stepping on a foot or spilling your drink.

Whatever the case, Kaeya doesn't miss a beat, securing this stranger by the elbow and pulling on an effortless, natural enough grin.]

Goodness, you nearly lost your footing! Believe me, you don't want to take a spill on a floor like this.

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?

i. new arrivals.

[ While Claude can't say he's in a particularly merry mood, what with the recent kidnapping and presumed sentencing and all, he knows better than most that a party is the best way to meet new people, make friends, and ingratiate yourself to people you just might need to ask for a favour later. And considering the way he's found himself here, resourceless save for the clothes on his back and ignorant of the world at large? He knows he's going to need a favour later. Or two. Or ten.

Hopefully he'll be home before it comes to that, but his denial has slowly waned as the days have passed him by. All this means is that he's here and happy to mingle, quick to offer you a refill of your ale (though he's been nursing his single ale all evening), eager to take anyone up on hitting the dance floor. He may also spark a conversation with the ill-fated pick-up line of: ] Sooooo... you new here?

[ It's less scummy if he's also new here, right?

Or maybe you catch him listening in on a spirited conversation about a new bounty, at which point he'll raise his brows at you, interest piqued. ] You heard that too, right? I never had bounty hunter listed in my career goals, but life has a way of taking you by surprise.

ii. care for a wager?

[ When Claude's feet tire of dancing, he retreats to a table, gambling with one of the locals until he manages to successfully get them to wager their deck as well. With that done, he takes a seat himself, idly shuffling through the deck with a practiced hand.

When he spots someone, anyone looking at him, he looks up with a grin and gestures for you to take a seat. ]

Care for a wager? We'll have to keep it small. [ He winks. ] At least until I figure out if you're any good or not.

iii. take that rowdiness outdoors!

[ Once things start getting out of hand and Claude notices grumbling coming from the inn staff and its humble guests alike, he takes it upon himself to try to clear the place out. This is where he's staying for the time being, after all, and it doesn't do to have the whole place trashed, nor does he want to deal with their generous hosts deciding they've had quite enough of these rowdy newcomers to kick them out with nary hearth nor home.

He joins a group with a nimble leap on the table, linking arms with one in a convival sort of way. ] You're quite the dancer! But I think this stage is a little too small for you... how about we take this party outdoors, where there's plenty of room to kick those boots?

[ Others may see Claude shmoozing his way into leading the rowdiest bunch outdoors with a word of flattery or a promise of a drink another day. You could help -- or perhaps you catch him leaning against the door after ushering the worst of them out, tilting his head back and letting out a momentarily weary sigh. ]

Whew. The stamina of those guys. They didn't break too much, did they?

iv. wildcard.

[ I'm up for anything -- a little dance, a little drink, a little gossip, take your pick! Tag in with whatever you like. ]

I)

_{[ No matter what part of the world one goes to there was always one universal truth that Roche had followed since his younger days: inns and bars were the best sources of information, and with a cellphone that had no signal whatsoever it was also his only real option. The locals outside weren't entirely helpful, so that brought him inside to more or less brood at the bar with a tankard cradled in one hand and the same phone in the other. Every time he taps into a particular app he's met with the same error as before, and after the fifth or sixth check-in he sets it face down onto the counter with a low hum.

It's around that time that he either senses someone behind him, sees them step up to the bar to either order something themselves, or they're just passing by a little too close. Whichever the reason, Roche tilts his head and fixes them with a curious look. Compared to all of the others he's seen scattered around town and in the inn... Yeah, he's got a good feeling about this one. ]}

Excuse me? Yes, you — I don't suppose I could trouble you to answer a question or two, could I? You see, I haven't been able to get a straight answer out of the local population, and it's rather important.

II)

_{[ As the night progresses and the inn patrons get rowdier and rowdier, Roche finally starts to feel something of a buzz. One downside to SOLDIER is it takes quite a bit more alcohol than the average person to reach that point, and when said booze is fairly close to water in such large quantities it's... honestly more than a bit in those cases. Even so, he's in better spirits than he was some hours ago which depending on how you look at it is either a good thing or a very bad thing. The SOLDIER himself was off in a corner chatting it up with a few locals but then the pair had started to get heated about something, resulting in Roche cackling like a madman over it. For a second all eyes are on them with how loud and abrupt it was, but everyone seems all too content to go back to nursing their drinks, greasy inn food, and various games ranging from dice to arm wrestling.

Roche disappears from the conversation and it seems like it's going to be all quiet on the northern front until he suddenly reappears to tap someone on the shoulder. ]}

So sorry, but I'm in need of a horse. Preferably a fast one. These gentleman—

_{[ He gestures off to the pair he'd previously been speaking to, a couple of farm boys by the looks of it. ]}

—seem to believe that I can't keep up with them in the saddle, and given that my own beloved steed is nowhere to be found here I have to improvise a little.

_{[ Surely this won't end badly. Surely. ]}

III) WILDCARD

_{[ Y'ALL KNOW THE DRILL!! Roche can and will be around and if there's something in particular that you would like, please feel free to hit me with it! ]}

BUY THE BOY A DRINK.

[ He's no stranger to the liveliness of a tavern: at best, this is the sort of situation where he might tuck himself into the front of the bar, huddled at the corner to enjoy a few too many glasses of beer and enjoy, from a distance the atmosphere. After all, even for the short period of time that he'd been there, Tifa's bar had gotten all kinds of clientele, and the rowdiness depended on the night. More than once he'd wondered if he should volunteer to throw out the men who got a little too friendly, or the ones that hassled the pinball machine or broke the darts in drunken frustration. At worst, he thinks that this sort of night will turn into a loud, inebriated mess of blood and bodies: the sort of thing that, well, having a room a few floors above the tavern might not help getting a good night's sleep.

Still, in the interim, at least it doesn't seem too bad. There's just enough of a crowd to start that when he comes down from his room after washing up, he can easily slip through the people and tables to make it to the bartender: they're familiar with each other, after how long he's been staying at the inn, and he gets a large glass of ale without much fuss. Down the counter, there are plenty of people making conversation, laughing and teasing, and at the tables, there's food, and drink, and all sorts of groups enjoying their time. Awkward as always, he isn't quite sure where he fits in.

--which means, of course, as he leans into the end of the bar counter, nursing his drink, he startles once a strange green shot glass of something terrible is resolutely set in front of him by the bartender. From your friend down the bar, he says, with a lift of his brows; Cloud looks embarrassed, swallowing hard before he looks at the shot, then looks down the bar to--someone he recognizes? Or someone he doesn't know at all?

Either way, uncomfortable, he picks up both the shot and his beer glass, gently working his way down the path to meet his new liquor benefactor. ]

What's this for? [ As he sets down the beer--and then the shot--with a thud. ]

SHOOT YOUR SHOT--OR DART.

[ A few drinks in and Cloud can see where most of the ruckus is happening. There are card games spread out on tables, crowds of people huddled around them, erupting in laughter and anger and whoops of joy with each move; there's some gambling taking place, too, but he's not a tattletale, and does it even matter? He doesn't know the rules of this place, and if people want to throw their coin away, that's on them. A fortune teller sits at one end of the room, shrouded in mystery; he swallows down the last of his beer, licking his lips clean of the taste. The mako in his blood burns through things rather quickly, but: not quickly enough for how fast he's putting them back.

In the end, the game that gets his attention once he's got a refill is, in fact, the dart's board hung on the wall beyond two tables: no one seems to be playing it at the moment, and just drunk enough to feel rather confident in his skill, he sets his glass down on the nearby table, approaching the board so that he can pluck up the darts and hold them firmly in one hand. When he gets back to where the starting line is--at least, that's what he assumes the scuff of white on the wood at his feet is--he finds he's not alone. Eyes round and then narrowed, he tries to look cool and calm and ends up looking a little, well, intimidating. ]

You want to play? [ He holds his hand out, where there are six darts, three colored pink and three colored blue. ] Are you team sky or team flower?

[ Listen, it's the best he could come up with. He's trying to play it cool. ]

Either way, we should make a bet for who wins or loses.

LAST MAN STANDING.

[ The music rings in his ears: the band is in full swing now, joyous and happily playing along to another quick-paced tune; everyone at the party seems balanced and content, playing games or drinking or even, in some corners, engaging in things that he's decided to politely turn his gaze away from in embarrassment. From where he sits, tucked in at the end of one of the tables, the beer in his glass is starting to look like a little more than he has the stomach for. Maybe he's gone too far: he can't remember the last time he drank this much, or how long it took for it to all burn out of his body, but he might have just had one shot too many.

This means, of course, that he's somewhat pliable--at least more than usual.

Can he dance? Absolutely. Can he endure the whispered worries of the fortune teller? Absolutely. Can he buy you a drink? Of course he can. Whatever someone wants out of Cloud, whatever they're hoping to get him to do, or hoping to have him accompany them with, he'll agree with less reluctance than usual.

Hit him with anything. He'll make it to the end of this party if it's the last thing he does--but first, please drag him away from his little table of solitude. ]

1. Early night + later on

Emet-Selch had no interest in the party itself. However, when one finds oneself in new environs, the smart thing to do is to understand how things work. It doesn't hurt to do a little networking as well.

So you may be approached by a man who looks to be in his early thirties, smiling (or rather, smirking?) as he greets you. "Here for the festivities? 'Tis not much of one with such sparse sustenance."

With that said, he isn't...a natural party person. He doesn't like the prolonged noise, the inane chatter, the drunken tomfoolery... Some things don't change no matter how many years pass and that part of him assuredly hasn't. Emet-Selch eventually tires of pasting on a smile for people and tries to find a seat in the corner, away from the heart of the merriment. He has no book to read, alas, but he IS nursing a glass of water and staring morosely into its depths.

2. Late night

When it becomes all too much, he attempts to slip outside. Easier said than done of course - there seems to be a brawl developing and some local animals have slipped inside. They get underfoot as he works to extricate himself from the crowd, resulting in him accidentally stepping on a cat's tail. There's an ear-splitting YOWL before Emet-Selch finds himself assaulted by a ball of grey fur and claws.

"Get off me--!" he yells.

3. Wildcard

If you have another idea please feel free to send me a DM and we can work something out!

A.

[pisswater beer is fine for people with little good taste, and though Barty's been here to have some plenty of nights before, this one's different. Early on, he's surprisingly mellow, all seven feet of him and his neon-green hair perched on a bar stool about a third of the way down with a tankard that is never completely full and never fully empty]

So what's the deal, now? Is there some kinda holiday I don't know about?

[no idea if he's asking the bartender or the person next to him...or you...]

B

[honestly it doesn't take long to flip a switch from casually checking out the vibe to full on screaming. Please enjoy Bartolomeo without his feather-trimmed jacket, bare-chested and tattooed, literally screaming with laughter. At what? Who the hell knows. But he's about to flop his drunken self on whoever is next to him, regardless of whether they're capable of supporting his weight. Sorry not sorry]

C

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE CUTTIN' ME OFF?! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?

[he's been cut off earlier than others but lbr the reason we're out of good booze is partly this. This asshole right here. He's ready to literally throw punches, though the aim will be considerably off due to his level of drunk. Just be glad he's forgotten for the moment that he has a Devil Fruit power that would make a bar fight even more crazy.]

1 : can't a man enjoy his dinner in peace? (as early begins to bash)

[ What a pain.

Rather, becoming a pain. It's like this: Nanami Kento has a routine already. As much of one as he can, and maybe "already" isn't the right word, since he's been in Aldrip for roughly two months. About two months, and with the exception of the refrigeration crisis, on four evenings of seven, every week, he's had dinner in the tavern. Sometimes with company (Cloud, and after last month, Gojo), sometimes with a book. In part, it's a matter of compromise and control: he won't drink outside of the tavern. However tempting.

Tonight's one of those nights, and when word of a party spreads, it's spoken more outside the inn. Not that he's oblivious to his surroundings, even with his attention rooted in a book, but it takes the music kicking up for Nanami to narrow his eyes and take proper stock of the filling hall. At first, the volume isn't too bad, the gradual gathering agreeable enough. He might be just this side of a misanthrope — this side, because though he avoids people, it has nothing to do with disliking them — but he doesn't begrudge a good time.

So long as he's left out of it.

And he is, at first. Nanami hits his limit slow. First, when someone drops a tankard of piss beer in front of him, instead of the harder stuff he'd been drinking and again ordered. Second, as the party picks up, and keeps picking up, until a dizzy drunk dart's flung so far off course, it skims his ear. Until tables are getting shoved aside to make more room for dance, and he proves a little too inconspicious, because his table gets shoved while he's still sitting at it. Right into him.

So, maybe you threw the dart. Maybe you pushed the table. Maybe — after he stood and calmly, methodically piled up a plate with mostly bread from a tray that also held cheese, and started weaving through the crowd to the door, a little too obviously planning to walk right out with all that bread? — you passed him as he actually makes it to the door.

Or, maybe you crashed into him, whether too wild in dance or simply trying to navigate in the other direction. Sending that plate of bread crashing to the floor. And if that's what happened — Nanami Kento's about as far as one can get from an expressive guy, but you might just be able to discern a trace of forlorn aggravation as he looks at the lost bread. ]

Excuse me.

[ Yeah, whatever happened, that's his default, blank statement — though in the first two options, it might be particularly terse. ]

2 : would you leave your own house like this? (post-midnight mess)

[ However it happened, Nanami stayed. Because it soon became diffcult to get anything but piss beer, because he otherwise drinks pretty heavy and hard, and because a party of this nature isn't one he'll be tossing them back at, he's still only buzzed as the last barrel rolled out for the shindig gets to half-empty. While the Chosen and a number of Aldrip locals may still be spinning on tables or peeling off their last sock over a card game, Nanami's noticed the tavern staff get to necessary work.

Having spent as many evenings as he has here, while Nanami wouldn't call any of them friends, they've become familiar enough. He also wouldn't call it a sense of obligation, what gets him to his feet or to emerge from whatever corner he'd been leaning in. In fact, he'd decline to label it at all. There's no need to name it, the results are enough: he's gathering dishes, or wiping tables, or in the kitchen, scrubbing at the accumulation in the sink.

And if you happen to be sitting at a table nursing a last glass, or with a plate of some portion of something eaten on it, he's gesturing. ]

If you're finished, I'll take that.

3 : wildcard

[ ???????? this man does not party and work regularly eats me, too, but uhhhh $1,000,000 to anyone who actually gets him to dance or something godspeed ]

Edited (don't write tls at 3 am challenge) 2023-04-24 08:27 (UTC)

i. no cheesy jokes here

[It's a nice coincidence that Noel happened to be in tonight—he has a room at the inn sometimes, but he doesn't stay there often. Feels too big, too crowded. It's been kind of weird. But he was sold at the mention of food, and that's what he heads for first.

You'll be able to find him trying basically whatever food there is to offer, tasting it all—even the stuff that looks normal—with a trepidatious curiosity that doesn't totally fit some of the more common offerings. At some point, he even asks one of the locals about one or two of them...and pales at the little squishy yellow slices of whatever as he gets a thorough explanation.]

Hold on, wait—this cheese stuff is made from what?

[WHO EATS SOLID CURDLED MILK???]

ii. give it your best shot

[As the evening wears on, he clearly starts feeling more comfortable, if not more at home. He's been watching some of the dancing take place, content just trying to figure out how it all works. When someone approaches to invite him over, he's quick to shake his head.]

Oh—no, thanks, it's not my thing. [If pressed, he grudgingly adds,] ... I mean I don't know how.

[He could be cajoled into it with more persuasion, but if you're looking for a way to embarrass him a little less, he's also been eyeing the darts. Look, dancing looks...fine, but this sort of thing is way more up his alley. When invited to compete, he takes a look at the darts.]

Alright, I'm in. How does it work?

[The scoring. He knows how to throw things.]

[Also available in wildcard options! He's available for cleanup duty, and while he won't be starting any fights, he'll step in if it's needed. Or, if you'd like to work out a custom starter, wave me down on discord/plurk.]

Edited 2023-04-25 17:13 (UTC)

i. armed and dangerous

[The drinks may not be great, but Alphen still feels right at home in a place like this. Watching people get along and have fun…it's nice, right? It's not like he's intentionally being a wallflower, he's just enjoying the moment. He could be challenged to darts, invited to dance, or…maybe you'd like a more interesting game. He's just finished an arm wrestling match, and if you're watching, he'll offer a friendly smile and an open seat.]

What do you think? Ready for a match?

[He's just won the last one, but he doesn't look like he's taking it lightly.]

ii. ready steady

[Later in the night, things start getting a bit rowdy. Not that bar fights are unheard of anywhere you go, really, but if things start getting too heated, Alphen might step in. Otherwise, he's just enjoying the night, and grabbing another round of drinks from the bar.

Or rather, he was in the process of heading to the bar. Whether you were in a fight, or just an unfortunate bystander, if you find yourself plowing into him, he'll grab you by the shoulders before you faceplant into his armor. Because of course he's wearing armor.]

Steady now. Are you alright?

[Hey, no judgment. He's just worried.]

[Also open to wildcards with him. If he has enough to drink, you might find him dozing in a corner like a grandpa, or if you want a custom starter, give me a poke through the normal channels.]

i. Fun and games?

[The food and drink may not be great, but Seimei's enjoying the various gambling options and performances from the sidelines. He definitely manipulates a few bets to win at dice and sees through some hands, but using petty magic for minor benefits isn't really a bad thing, right? Or rather, it's only a problem if you get caught. And most of the locals at least aren't picking up on his abilities. So he wins a bit here and there, looking for trinkets that seem to hold some emotional value more than actual money--and people who are familiar with magic and that emotionally charged energy can probably tell what he's doing.

When he's not picking out things to collect, Seimei spends some time watching the fortune teller. After politely observing them go through several small sessions with people in various stages of drunkenness, he smiles in his place off to the side.]

Ahh, that looks like fun. I wonder if my fortune would be that interesting?

ii. Party gossip

[As the energy picks up and people share more talk of monsters and rumors, Seimei also catches more people doing reckless things. Dancing goes from dancing on tables to talk of dancing on the roof, and more people are ready to prove their skills while thoroughly inebriated. Maybe he notices a fellow Chosen taking up a drunken archery challenge or maybe he just bumps into someone, but either way, he likes the atmosphere.]

Excuse me, could I be of assistance? I don't mind helping.

[You know, for a trade. A stray needs company sometimes!]

iii. Night antics/late night chaos

[Okay, late into the night everyone has had a bit too much fun. Even Seimei thinks enough is enough. The place is a mess, and his instincts kick in--picking up garbage and cleaning abandoned dishes long forgotten. He can't help himself. The crowds bring in useful energy but also leave an uncomfortable feeling for someone who is used to cleansing rituals and careful placement for each object. He's definitely exasperated, but he smiles wryly and keeps that to himself. Come on, people!

During a break, he looks up at the sky, appreciating the vastness and clear view.]

I wonder what they think of us?

iv. Wilcard!

[Knock him over in a bar fight, notice his not-quite-human nature, catch him not remotely dancing, cheat with him at cards, whatever! I'm open to any interactions, and if you want to plot you can catch me at

teaandreveries.]

A. An Unexpected Arrival

[Sumi had definitely not been prepared to wander from her room down into a party. She stands there, wide-eyed and baffled. Her hair is down out of its customary ponytail, making her look a bit less open and not at all like her usual bright self. She stares around, opening and closing her mouth a couple of times before she looks to someone near-by]

Did I miss a memo? Who's even invited? [was she invited? Is she intruding?? She takes a step back, brow furrowed in unease.]

B. Just Dance

[Once she's gone back to her room to change and pull her hair up again, she's back at the party. With a deep breath she throws herself into it all, smiling brightly as she watches everyone having fun.

There's nothing like a party to bring people together, she supposes, and with another deep breath she takes it upon herself to help bring people into the fold. After all, if she's being dragged in...]

Hello! Do you want to dance? Let's go, it'll be fun! Just standing around while everyone else dances is embarrassing, right? Come on!

[She might not take no for an answer]

C. A Much-Needed Rest

[Feeling exhausted in the best ways--chest heaving for breath, her limbs burning from moving the whole time, Sumi collapses into a chair.] That was so fun...!

[She laughs and sits up, stifling a yawn as she leans against the table and watches everyone. She keeps eyeing the direction of the food, starving, but not feeling like she has the energy to go up and get anything on her own yet.]

How's the food? [Is it good? She hopes it's good. She's so hungry.] My stomach is going to start eating itself soon, haha.

D. Clean Up

[Despite the fact that Sumi looks about ready to fall asleep on her feet, she shakes her head quickly and stands up straight, grabbing for a broom]

I'll help clean-up! No worries! [She rushes about to help collect plates and empty cups, trying to sweep up the larger messes that she can. Every once in a while though she wavers, leaning against the broom and wiping at her eyes before giving herself a little shake and getting back to it with a look of determination.]

E. Wildcard

[For anything else for the party! Sumi'll be around everywhere she can so have at it!]

01 - Not Her Forte

[Kisara has largely flitted around the whole gathering, trying to commit names and faces to memory. Who knows when she'll next be fighting at their side or perhaps relying on them to be at her back. She could also find a bunch of recruits for that little group that Zack's voiced interest in putting together. Aldrip could use a security force and it is not improbable that someone with Kisara's background would be an excellent fit for it.

Once a guard captain, evidently, always a guard captain.

That said, one of many roles that doesn't suit her is the act of making music. She's taken the time to listen to the varied performances, but when a local is trying to encourage her up, she's quick to turn them down.]

Oh, no, no, no. [Kisara protests with a sheepish laugh.] The only people I've ever sung to are children. Not that they ever told me I was bad, but it's just not the same kind of audience.

[Maybe. Probably. Imminently drunk people might not be so differnt from children.]

02 - The Bottom of a Pint

[The night dwindles on, and not for the first time, it feels like the hours slow to a standstill. She's sitting at a table by a window, an empty mug held in hand's gentle grasp. By this point, she's just holding it for the sensation. Especially so since it's empty.

She hasn't given herself much time to do nothing, she realises in the moments that she's allowed. Kisara's made it a point to excessively fill up her time since she's arrived and she didn't really start putting that together until about the time she made plans to go into Pessiria Forest. It feels like there's so much going on in her head, however, that even a moment to breathe doesn't feel like a moment to herself.

When she's brought a new mug of cold, frosty ale that really isn't her first choice of drink (though better than some things she's had), she doesn't waste much time getting into it. She's got seats available to her and perhaps that's what's brought you to her. She doesn't need to, but she scoots over and pats the empty space beside her.]

There's plenty of room for us both. You can join me, if you want. Tell me what you've been getting up to.

[She seems to be in a friendly mood.]

03 - Wildcard

[You know the drill. Everything else goes right in here!]

i. Starting off right

[Wen Kexing attends the mingle mostly out of curiosity. He doesn't necessarily like anyone, but he's also too curious to let it pass by without investigating. Sadly, the alcohol and food both seem less than exciting, and Wen Kexing takes this as a personal slight.]

What sour river water is this?

[He tosses a cupful of thin booze away--not actually looking at where it is flying.]

Is this a secret attempt to poison us? No one can drink these things!

ii. In the thick of it

[After thoroughly voicing his complaints about the weak drinks and some of the other questionable refreshments, Wen Kexing ends up in multiple conflicts. They aren't quite brawls, but only because Wen Kexing is having more fun antagonizing as many reckless drunks as he can rather than really fighting himself. From wrestling several angry partygoers at once to challenging them to marksmanship competitions using random objects as projectiles and targets, he's making all the mess he can and having a great time doing it.

When he finally does get scolded enough to calm down, he redirects that energy into watching people dance. Particularly any energetic or messy group attempts, which he cheers on as another form of competition. He has no idea what any of it is, but he's happy to bounce around or drag someone into showing him cool moves. Which may also ends up knocking things around.]

What? I thought this was for fun!

iii. Someone Has To

[Even though the drinks start out sad, Wen Kexing finds a way to fix it. He goes out and brings back some better drink of his own, purchased just for this party. He can be convinced to share either through flattery or by joining in on his antics, but that also means he's going to drag them into helping him go drunken hunting for some nocturnal prey. Night birds and fishing in the dark are good targets when everyone has had enough to drink. What could go wrong?]

Shh! You'll scare them away!

iv. wildcard

[He's very loud, although not especially sociable. Wen Kexing is likely to be getting into trouble, but I'm open for other interactions if you want to catch him casual drinking or trying other activities for himself.]

Threaded | Flat

reno / ff7

vincent conium | oc

Goro Akechi | p5r