[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

cassian andor | ota

[evasives]

[cassian spends the whole day leading up the party second guessing his choice to go. he reminds himself of the same logic he used on jyn to convince her to come with him, which mostly boils down to free food. he finds what he thinks is appropriate attire (sans hat) after furiously researching, because going in normal clothes is bound to make him stand out, which is the least of his desires. it's very strange to go to a social gathering without any ulterior motives, but that's part of being a person and not a spy he supposes. thanks for helping that along, taako.]

[he arrives with jyn as his definitely only platonic plus one, and he can't be blamed for spending a lot of time with her because when left to his own devices, cassian is not the most social of people. he's an easy conversationalist, but that's the nature of his work. he doesn't know anyone well except taako and jyn anyway, even if he's curious about taako's housemates given he's heard about them on and off from taako already. he sits beside jyn at dinner and inhales some of the spicy dish without issue, but he'll carry on conversation with anyone else around him. maybe even gesture at said spicy dish.] Try it, it's not so bad.

[there are almost too many desserts to choose from. his first trip he just takes some cake, but the second he scoops up two pieces of pie. he hovers for a moment near the table, like he's looking for someone.]

[he will need to be pulled forcibly into Never Ever Have I Ever, because that's not something he is even a little bit inclined to play with strangers, but he figure out cards against humanity with ease. that one's better, even if some of his choices tend to be along morbid lines. he tactfully avoids truth or dare, and should anyone yell it out to him in an attempt to lure him in, he'll just wave it off breezily with a half full drink in his hand.] I am not playing.

[out by the bonfire later, he sort of looks around at all the smores pieces in a loss, subtly peering around to see what everyone else is doing, before just grabbing some of the chocolate and two glasses of the warm cider instead of attempting to put one together. there was a lot of food today, and he'd rather just wind down before ducking out. carefully, he weaves through other minglers in the courtyard, finding an empty set of cushions and claiming both. he's spent a lot of the night with jyn, and is apparently waiting for her to come back from somewhere now. but he could probably use another blanket, so he sets the cider on the ground and reaches over to steal one from an empty nearby cushion. maybe it was yours, oops??]

[spellslots]

[Taako is doing the appropriate Good Host thing, which is trying to catch everyone within half an hour of their arrival (results have been mixed, he gets distracted easily), so it's early in the evening when he approaches Cassian with a grin and a sidecar. Both are for Cassian, too, the drink held out in offering.]

Look at you, my man, I wasn't sure if you'd get into it.

[Not that he's calling Cassian boring or anything, but...]

[evasives]

[he hesitates when offered the drink, for two reasons: drinking in general usually makes him wary, and so does accepting drinks at a party that he hasn't poured himself. but if he refuses, that defeats the whole POINT of coming out tonight, so he takes it with a nod of thanks. not being a spy, he can totally do it.]

I confess I did not know what a speakeasy was initially. [he pauses, that doesn't sound promising either. coming out tonight was absolutely also a challenge to himself.] I am probably still figuring out what parts I'm into, but you are an excellent chef.

[spellslots]

It's light on the cognac.

[The drink, he means, because he sees that moment of hesitation and figures it might be a case of not wanting to get drunk too early into the evening. Or just Cassian being Cassian, either or.]

But I am an excellent chef, thanks for noticing. Lup helped out with all the food, and she's not terrible at it either.

[evasives]

[he knows this one! cognac is alcohol! thanks quarantine bars.]

[cassian takes the tiniest of sips, just to test the taste and content of the drink.]

I have tried some of the recipes you've sent. [not even begrudgingly. it feels like he's got too much time on his hands sometimes, and cooking is a good way to pass it.] It is quite the set up you've created here.

[spellslots]

Wait till you try the real thing.

[He assumes Cassian managed to get at least one of the cupcakes that were made for Jyn, but even that's can't hold a candle to the entire spread they've put together tonight.

Taako's ego is pretty huge, when it comes to his cooking, but there's a reason for it.]

It's been a group effort. Speaking of - have you met the rest of the crew yet, cause I can do the boring introduction thing if you wanna?

[evasives]

[he was gratefully given one single cupcake after taako left. it was very rich! very good, but there was a lot happening. he assumes the food is going to have the same abundance of flavor.]

I have seen some of them around, presumably. You don't need to give me any kind of formal introductions, but I would not mind if you pointed them out.

[spellslots]

Lup's easy, just look for me but with tits.

[Classy, but not incorrect.]

Magnus's the big dude, killer sideburns, he was probably at the door? [Since Taako can't spot him right now.] You run outta shit to talk about just ask him about dogs or carpentry and he'll go on for hours. Lucretia is.... [there! He gives her a little wave that she returns.] You'll probably like Luce, she's the sensible one. Tell her about neat planets you've been to and she'll love you forever. Her girlfriend's from space, too. Beverly Crusher? I dunno if you've met.

[Have all the space people met, he doesn't know.]

[evasives]

[it's not very difficult to follow, however minimal the descriptions. cassian has worked with far less and figured out who he was looking for.]

No, I have not met her either. Even those of us from space are not always from the same galaxy. [jim clearly was not, he wouldn't be surprised if beverly was from a third universe.] Was it your idea to throw this party?

[worldsaway]

[Thor is a thousand year old alien, he's experienced many cultures and many different foods, but he's very accustomed to Norse styles of cooking. There's spice, but not particularly intense or powerful heat.

He's aware of his limitations in that regard, but he doesn't feel he can turn down an invitation when he turns it into a challenge.]

No?

[Thor reaches out to serve himself a portion, lifting his fork to give Cassian one more uncertain look before he digs his fork in and takes a bite. He chews it, it's fine, he nods and swallows and that's when it starts to burn.

He tries to control his expression, but his brows raise and he's clearing his throat, knocking gently at his chest with his fist before he reaches for a drink and gulps it down.]

That makes it worse. [He puts his drink down, away from him.] That's making it worse.

[evasives]

[he really should not be so amused when people are overwhelmed by the spices, but he can't help it. it's not like it doesn't burn going down cassian's throat, but his tolerance has always been very high.]

[he watches thor easily take the challenge with that same amusement, because everything about the way the broader man holds himself makes it all the more vaguely entertaining.]

Bread is better. [he'll even reach over and hand thor one of the nearby bread baskets.] Milk as well, if you have it.

[worldsaway]

[Thor raises a brow at the bread, since Cassian's advice has lead him astray already. He relents and takes a roll, biting into it with the table manners of a child.

When he swallows it down, he realises it does help considerably and he looks relieved. He regains some composure, then looks at Cassian with a wry smile.]

Not so bad after all.

[evasives]

[that's fair! he would be very suspicious too. he wasn't actually lying the first time, it really wasn't so bad to him, but he probably should have given a better warning.]

Water spreads the spice. Bread or milk neutralize it. [way to make it sound like a chemical war.] I would keep some on hand if you're going to keep eating the chili.

[worldsaway]

No, no. I think I've learned my lesson with that one. [Thor gives the chili a polite but pointed nudge away from him.]

Is it normal where you come from for food to be painful? [He's genuinely curious, he's never met Cassian before and he hates to assume everyone comes from Earth.]

[evasives]

Your loss. [is he joking?? maybe not, because takes the chili and scoops a little bit more on his place.]

It depends on the planet. Different places have different cuisines, of course. [even the differences between snowy planets could be crazy.]

[worldsaway]

Then you're a traveler in your universe? [Thor quirks a brow.] I've visited many planets, but I suppose I've always stuck to what I know I'll like- as far as food is concerned anyway.

[evasives]

Traveler is one way to put it. [spy reasons?? rebel reasons??? they don't feel appropriate for dinner party conversation, or maybe he just doesn't really wanna bring it up right now.]

I like to blend in with the locals. [that's putting it mildly.] Eating their food with ease helps.

[realists]

[ jyn slips out of the house not too long after cassian, finding him so immediately that it's with almost supernatural ease. she settles down next to him, snaking the blanket out of his arms as she leans back. ]

Have you heard of s'mores, before?

[ she doesn't think they're native to any of her conceivable home worlds, but maybe it simply went by another name. ]

[evasives]

[he stole it for her in the first place, he practically shoves it at her once she tries to take it.]

Not the word. The individual parts make sense, but I have never seen anyone combine it together before.

[he settles his own blanket neatly over his legs, more relaxed now that she's back.]

[realists]

[ what if jyn tucks her legs under his blanket and then puts her own blanket over herself, because that's what she does. double the blankets. ]

I want to try one.

[ not enough to get up and make one herself but maybe thor will stumble by and she can convince him to make one for her. ]

[evasives]

[what if he doesn't answer right away because they're in public and she just shoved her legs under his blanket, leg briefly brushing against his and that surprises him. he adjusts his blanket soon after like it's whatever, then holds out a piece of chocolate.]

We can always try to figure them out another time.

[yeah he knows she doesn't want to move yet.]

[realists]

Maybe if I tell Taako that Lup made me one that tasted better than his cupcakes, he'll make me one to prove me wrong.

[ she wonders if that kind of competition would work. taako is rightfully proud of his food (because damn son can you deliver leftovers later? thanks) so maybe he'd want to keep jyn thinking he is gr8 but also maybe he's not that competitive with his twin.

how the fuck does family work??? ]

[evasives]

It does seem like the exact challenge that would motivate him into a free cupcake.

[and jyn is all about that four letter word. f-r-e-e. even though they can afford to buy his cupcakes, which is a very weird thought.]

[cassian has had no real family of his own, but it doesn't mean he can't read into dynamics and figure out how to use them.]

They are both good cooks who seem to thrive off one-upping each other.

[realists]

[ to be fair, aside from the twin thing, the same could probably be said for jyn and cassian. at least on jyn's side of things. luckily, no one knows she's highly competitive yet. ]

I don't want to get up to test it.

[ so comfortable next to him. ]

[evasives]

[give it time. they'll be arguing about stupid shit soon enough.]

[but he doesn't want to get up either. it is nice and warm and comfortable here.]

It does not seem hard in concept. [he takes a bite of his chocolate.] And if we do it back at home for ourselves, no one will see if we get it wrong.