[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]

You didn't! That's amazing– it shows.

(The mental image of Beverly dancing to jazz music is an extremely good one. Lucretia smiles, ducking her head to hide it on the pretense of looking closely at Beverly's feet.)

Show me again?

[dancingmd]

(She obliges happily, going step by step, first slow, then fast.)

Now you try!

[scholiast]

(Lucretia frowns, then slowly copies out the steps. It's not perfect, but it isn't terrible, either. She can do it slowly thrice through without mucking it up, so that's something at least.)

How's that?

[dancingmd]

Good, good!

(She's beaming, pleased to be able to share this with Lucretia.)

Try it a little faster this time!

[scholiast]

(She smiles too, encouraged by Beverly's enthusiasm.)

Okay- (she takes Beverly's hands though, because it feels easier to keep her balance while holding onto something as she repeats the steps faster. She only stumbles once!)

I think I got it!

[dancingmd]

(Beverly laughs happily.)

That was good! Shall we try it together?

[scholiast]

Yes?

(She's back to being uncertain again; she gives Beverly a sheepish look.) Can't we just slow dance, or something? I can actually do that.

[dancingmd]

Of course.

(Remarkably unconcerned about any gossiping from the other guests that might ensue, he catches Lucretia by the waist and moves her into the appropriate position. She starts to sway gently.)

But really, you shouldn't be so hard on yourself. You're doing much better than you're giving yourself credit for. And as long as you're having fun, that's the important part!

[scholiast]

(She gives Beverly's hand a grateful squeeze as they start to sway around in a slow circle. Lucretia could hardly care less about anybody watching them: as far as she's concerned, they are the only two people in the room right now.)

I am having fun, really. I'm just- (she puffs out her cheeks, and exhales sharply,) not used to being bad at something, as ridiculous as that sounds.

But we should keep practicing, I... I'd really like to be able to dance like that with you.

[dancingmd]

I would love nothing more... I haven't been comfortable dancing like this in a long time, but you've made me want to, again.

[scholiast]

I know the feeling. You make me want to write again.

Not– poetry, I mean, not Starblaster research writing.

[dancingmd]

[A warmth fills Beverly from head to toe and she can't wipe the happy smile off her face.]

Have you? Written any, I mean?

[scholiast]

Yes, but I'm a little bit rusty.

(She'd show Beverly if she asked to see, though, which is a clear testimony to how much she likes her.)

[dancingmd]

That's all right. I'd still like to see - when you're ready, of course.

[scholiast]

Oh, you can see if you want. I don't mind.

... Though I might give it a round of edits before I fork it over.

[dancingmd]

(She chuckles softly.)

I'm sure I'll love it either way.

[scholiast]

You have to say that, you're my girlfriend.

(But she's smiling anyway.)

[dancingmd]

Doesn't make it any less true. You're a brilliant writer - and I knew that before we started dating, mind you.

[scholiast]

True, true. I concede.

(She chuckles, and gives Beverly an affectionate kiss on her temple.)

Okay, I'm amending my original offer. I'll show you my poetry in exchange for dance lessons. I really do want to learn how to dance with you.

[dancingmd]

Sounds like a deal to me!

[scholiast]

Great! I will pencil you in.

[dancingmd]

Of course, I've already kind of started your lessons tonight, so it's only fair if I get to hear some poetry tonight too...

[scholiast]

(She laughs, nodding.)

I can't argue with that; I'll do a private reading for you.

[dancingmd]

A "private" reading, hmm?

[scholiast]

Of course. Your ears only.