[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

[scholiast]

Of course; all this time I've known you, you've seemed nothing but virtuous.

(Whose poker face will crack first?)

[dothelokimotion]

Mmm, indeed. I would never deal with giants. Or mermen. Or trolls.

[scholiast]

No, of course not.

(this is reverse psychology right)

And I imagine you also wouldn't tell any curious extra details about those deals either.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Sure it is. ]

Why would I? I tell enough to sweeten the pot, nothing more.

[scholiast]

Why? Because you delight in being boring?

[dothelokimotion]

Because you're very obviously trying to ply me into giving more.

[scholiast]

So I'm interested in what you have to say, sue me.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Dryly. ]

In terms of my sexual history?

[scholiast]

Wh- no, in terms of the deals you struck with giants and mermen.

... Wait.

(Was 'deals' an euphemism.)

[dothelokimotion]

[ Everything is a euphemism. Loki merely rests his chin on his hands, completely amused now and not bothering to hide it. ]

Well. I had those too.

[scholiast]

(She's in hell.)

Right.

Okay, I feel like I should confirm that I'm not after details of your sex life, I was just trying to razz you.

[dothelokimotion]

Really? I hadn't noticed.

[scholiast]

I'm sorry, but this is what you get for being friends with Taako.

(razzed, by lucretia)

[dothelokimotion]

[ Top notch. ]

And yet I can't find it in my heart to regret it.

[scholiast]

Oh, how sweet.

(She's smiling though.) I'm glad, that you're friends. (Even knowing the whole 'evil' thing, don't think she's forgotten that.)

[dothelokimotion]

[ His expression flickers before it settles on something impassive and quiet. ]

Are you.

[scholiast]

Yeah.

(Lucretia glances down at her glass of wine, gives it a thoughtful swirl.) Do you doubt that?

[dothelokimotion]

[ His grin is wry. ]

Which part?

[scholiast]

That I think it's nice that you're friends with Taako. Or– that you are friends with Taako?

[dothelokimotion]

[ It is not a rousing endorsement, but Loki has never gotten those so this one makes more sense. ]

It is appreciated.

[scholiast]

Thank goodness.

I will promptly change my mind if you corrupt him, though.

[dothelokimotion]

I think that ship has long sailed.

[scholiast]

Oh, darn. He was so pure, and noble-hearted before.

[dothelokimotion]

[ . . . Who says darn anymore . . . ]

I admire the fact that you said so with a straight face.

[scholiast]

(she does bub

Lucretia gives him a wink.)

Only just. You know, I want to tell you that I know things about him that might make your hair curl but I have a funny feeling you don't unsettle easily.