[closed] a little party never killed nobody

[spellslots]

who: The IPRE + friends
what: A dinner party!
when: Novemeber 18
where: Chez IPRE
warnings: some mild drug use (alcohol + marijuana)

Party time, motherfuckers. After sending out invitations, the IPRE (mostly Taako, because he's the most extra of the group) spends a significant amount of the week preparing for the party, making sure they have all the food, decorations, and wine necessary to put on a good evening. The whole point of this is to be a distraction from a shitty month, and to get everyone together, since they have a range of friends who haven't all met each other. They've been talking about doing something like this for months, so it's nice to finally pull it all together.

Upon arrival (and despite Taako and Lup's involvement) the decorations are minimal. Couches have been transmuted from their regular fabric to rich velvets, there's a little glitz and feathers here and there, but they didn't want to go too hard on the theme. It was just a way to have a little fun with the evening. The bar cart, on the other hand, is definitely in line with Speakeasy, featuring a lot of gin and whiskey based drinks, though anyone with a preference for wine or beer won't be disappointed. The start of the evening is dedicated to introductions and mingling, probably helped by the alcohol, though there's also cheese and antipasto plates set out, just in case anyone was worried about not being fed at something hosted by two chefs. As a way to break the ice, and to get people talking and having fun before the evening really kicks off, the brick wall of the small living room has been set aside as the designated backdrop for a 'photo booth', which mostly consists of a few instant cameras, including one that takes what are essentially magical gifs, so long as the button is held down for 5 seconds. There are a few props that match the theme of the evening - fur stoles, feather headbands, felt hats, long strings of pearls - to make the photos a little more fun. Once everyone is seated in the dining room, it's time for dinner. The food brought out for the main meal is warm and rich without being too heavy, slow cooked meats and roasted vegetables can be mixed with salads and lighter sides to avoid anyone slipping into a food coma before dessert has even begun. Everything is set in the middle of the table, for people to serve themselves, so they can pick and choose what they want to try. Lup has made at least one incredibly spicy dish, so be careful.

While there's no rush to leave the table, eventually plates are cleared away (by magic, so none of the hosts have to stop chatting) and everyone is ushered into the larger of their living rooms, where the small coffee table has been replaced by a seemingly floating table that's large enough to accommodate all the desserts. There are various pies (pecan, pumpkin, cherry), apple & maple cake, chocolate tarts, brownies and trifle. There aren't quite as many options as there were on the dinner table, but it's near a thing, especially when the section of the table devoted to cream, ice cream and sauces is taken into consideration. Dessert is an extended affair, pies will stay warm and ice cream will stay frozen for as long as they remain on the table, so people can return and try more even as the rest of the night presses on. And although the food is, really, the main attraction of any kind of event that Taako is involved with, that doesn't mean there aren't things to do other than eating. Once the dining room table has been cleared, (plastic) champagne glasses are laid out in what might be a familiar formation to anyone who went to college, especially when a ping pong ball is added to the mix. It's beer pong! Except it's actually prosecco pong, because this is a classy joint, not some frat. Or at least, that's the excuse. There are a few other things to do, mostly in the more generic range of party games, including a deck of Cards Against Humanity that Taako discovered a couple weeks ago and had been delighted by. He's definitely going to wrangle people into a game of Never Have I Ever, maybe Truth Or Dare, and anything else he can think of that requires drinking alcohol and saying stupid shit. What better way is there to get to know people? As things wind down, the backdoors open up into the courtyard, where a fire is set up, cushions and blankets placed outside for people to curl up with. The fixings for s'mores are available for anyone who somehow still has room to eat more food, and there's mulled cider just in case the fire isn't enough to keep people warm. It's a nice way to wrap up the evening.

Comments

thor odinson

[worldsaway]

[For anyone else, Thor might have declined the invitation to go out tonight. After receiving his memories and changes from home, he's been in fairly low spirits. The invitation, however, comes from Taako. He's accompanying Bryn as a couple and he's already asked Sif to come. It takes a bit of effort to put on a happy face, but the more he pretends to be in a good mood, the more he manages to ease into one naturally.

Thor obviously hasn't dressed himself, but he wears the clothing well. People who know him in passing will note that his hair has been shorn and that he has a black patch on his right eye, both of these changes are fresh and require some adjusting.

Given that Thor hasn't been out in public much since acquiring these changes, he's still in an adjustment period. Occasionally he will reach for a serving of food and miss the bowl, he can't pour his own drink without spilling it next to the cup and often when he waves, he waves at the space next to his intended person. His frustration is clearly mounting, but he laughs it off and buries his pride when help is offered.

Thor doesn't play prosecco pong, he's too proud to play at such a disadvantage. Instead, he stands on the sidelines and barks encouragement or critiques. He's backseat pong playing. He's also on a heavy drinking streak when it comes to Never Have I Ever, when you've lived over a thousand years you start to cover all of your bases. It's starting to be a contest to find things he hasn't done. Thor quite enjoys Cards Against Humanity, but his expression is grave when he finally plays his instant victory card. If they're betting, he hopes to win a large sum for that one.

Thor can be persuaded into almost any game, but he quite often finds himself nestled by the fire. He doesn't so much mind if he's alone, but he gets a little lost staring into the flames.]

[scholiast]

(Lucretia, who is giving prosecco pong a go with mostly disastrous results, is trying very hard to deal with not being immediately good at something. This is proving difficult thanks to the people watching her miss the little champagne glasses over and over (she suspects Taako has tipped a few out of perfect trajectory with mage hand, but she hasn't quite caught him at it yet). Thor is right behind and shouting advice at her, which isn't helpful, and when the ball hits one of the glasses and simply bounces back toward her, she catches it on the full.

Beer pong rules dictate a trick shot (they're playing with the same rules, right?); turning, she tosses the ball to Thor with a raised eyebrow and thinly veiled irritation.)

Could I be so bold as to call you in for a guest shot? You seem to know your way about this better than I do.

[worldsaway]

[Just like any good, backseat driver, Thor looks surprised when Lucretia calls on him to help. He's visibly sheepish, because he knows damn well he was being obnoxious.

Thor reaches to try catch the ball when Lucretia throws it toward him, but it passes through his hands and gently bounces off his forehead instead.]

I admit I've been..somewhat critical of your moves so far, but I hope you'll trust me when I tell you that this is your worst move yet.

[scholiast]

You can't do any worse than I'm currently doing.

(She has sunk one measly shot and she's still nursing the glass because at this rate, it will be the only glass she will get to have. Which is a shame, because prosecco is a guilty pleasure of sorts. She stoops to catch the ping pong ball and simply holds it out to him this time.)

Want to borrow my glasses?

[worldsaway]

[Thor takes the ball with a reluctant nod, it's hard not to rise to challenges when you're Thor.

He furrows his brows as he studies her glasses, then shrugs.]

I don't know if that's going to give me my depth perception back, but I'll try anything once.

[He holds out a hand for them.]

[scholiast]

(oh god it was a joke

But she dutifully plucks them off and hands them over anyway.)

The other secret is to wait until Taako's not paying attention; I'm fairly certain he's running interference.

[worldsaway]

[Thor takes them gently, putting them on his face despite knowing he'll get nothing out of this.]

Do you think this look will be enough to distract him or should I take off my shirt as well?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki discreetly nudges the cup without a word as he grabs himself another drink. ]

[worldsaway]

We don't know that the table wasn't enjoying that. [Gruffly.] Father made it look easy.

[dothelokimotion]

Father — [ And it's so strange to hear that in his own voice but Loki doesn't linger on it. ] — had decades of practice to get used to it.

[ And Frigga, but Loki isn't foolish enough to mention that ]

[worldsaway]

It's still hard to imagine him being hit on the forehead with a ping pong ball.

[Thor considers.] I suppose if it did happen, nobody would have lived to tell the tale.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki snorts lightly, twirling his glass with his fingers. ]

Death for seeing the highest patriarch in an unseemly fashion. That sounds true to form.

[worldsaway]

Maybe not death, maybe banishment. [Ya gotta laugh..]

Taako told me a secret about you, you know.

[tutee]

[ Bill doesn't know Thor, so she isn't surprised by his change in appearance, merely reacting with some frustration when he keeps giving her unsolicited advice on her prosecco pong game. ]

I'm from a university town, mate, alright? I think I know how to play.

[worldsaway]

I don't know what sort of town that is, but it obviously hasn't helped much.

[Thor taunts, but he smiles and gives her a thumbs up with both hands.]

It's fine. I'm building your character so you can unleash your full potential.

[tutee]

Oh. [ Bill rolls her eyes. ] Is that what you're doing?

[ She goes back to playing, not doing very well but not doing awfully either. ]

[worldsaway]

[Now that he's been scolded, Thor reels it in somewhat, but it doesn't stop him from audibly wincing whenever she makes a risky move.]

[tutee]

[ His wincing noises just make her choke and miss! Eventually, she slams her palm down on the table. ]

D'you want to play? Maybe you should play.

[worldsaway]

I'm fine here. [Thor only semi-flinches when she slams her hand down, okay.]

I'm at a great disadvantage right now.

[umbrastaff]

So.

[Lup slings an arm around his back like they're old friends and that she totally had not threatened to murder him a while ago.]

Did you try the casserole or do I have to force feed you the best shit you've had in your life?

[worldsaway]

[Thor doesn't question it, though he's been wary about approaching her himself. If she's not in the murder-zone, then Thor is happy to act like nothing ever happened.

He raises a brow at her, then the array of food in front of him, then back to her.]

Which one is the casserole?

[umbrastaff]

[This is kind of her way to apologize right now.]

That one... s'butternut squash and root veggies. Melts in your mouth, and I had to battle the market vendor for the squash.

[worldsaway]

Then I won't let your victory be in vain.

[Thor says with a quirk of his brow. He extends his hand for the serving spoon, his movements are slow and careful because he's determined to serve this for himself without help.

He manages, with minimal spilling.]

Should I prepare myself before I try it?

[umbrastaff]

[She doesn't reach to help him, because they've all lost body parts on the Starblaster and it could be sensitive the first time.]

Oh, don't worry. This isn't the hot dish. This is the fucking gourmet one, my dude.

[Not a lie, even - Lup has perfected it out of pure spite of the vendor, because that's how she rolls.]

[worldsaway]

Fair, but if it's so good that I cry then there's no coming back from that. [Thor has wasted enough time talking and not enough time eating. He takes a bite, and immediately makes an extremely obscene noise when he swallows.]

Well worth the fight.