[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

[evasives]

[he is pretty sure the woman is lup, given how much she resembles taako. it's a safe guess! he's heard so much about her at this point from her brother, not even on purpose he's sure - just little tidbits taako dropped candidly about his sister.]

[cassian could probably play dumb about getting identity confirmation, but he doesn't need to. whatever conversation he starts doesn't need to have a purpose other than finally meeting the infamous sister. it's a reminder to himself. he catches her towards the end of dinner at last.]

And you must be the co-cook for all this food.

[umbrastaff]

[Considering they're identical twins, it's easy as pie for this guess. Only difference is the curves that she's rocking in her suit.

Seeing Cassian coming up to her, she smiles. Lup wasn't 100% sure of the names of Taako's friends, but she's sure he's been gossiping about her to them. This guy was cute, too, and she gives him a little salute as he correctly assumes her involvement in this.]

That's me! Did you try my chili?

[evasives]

[their clothing choices don't surprise him? at least taako's didn't, but lup's suit is very nice too. he'd feel underdressed if he wasn't comfortable enough in what he found thanks to the simplicity of it.]

[lup is, evidently, just as outgoing as her brother. that's his very first impression.]

I did. It was a good amount of spice, despite any proclamations otherwise. [he has been amusing himself all night watching people try it tbh.] I know your brother. He said you helped with it all.

[umbrastaff]

[She's halfway to getting all proud with his praise of her chilli, but then it crashes and burns (not really).]

Oh I helped, is it?

['Scuse her as she flips Taako off.]

We did this together, you know? He just likes taking the credit, like the dick he is.

[That insult should not have sounded that fond.

Either way, she looks back at Cassian with a smile.]

How did you get to know my brother?

[evasives]

[it is very much a sibling interaction. not that he has any of his own, but he's seen enough of them interact to recognize the righteously ticked off fondness.]

[he lets himself look amused at taako's expense.] At least he did not claim it all.

He was one of the first people I met when I arrived. We've kept in touch. [are they friends?? they're probably friends. cassian's just not used to that word.]

[umbrastaff]

He knows better than that, at least.

[Lup chuckles slightly and then looks a little curious as Cassian mentions how they met.]

Ah, the ol' newbie thing.

[That's not actually a thing.]

You seem like a good guy. Where are you from?

[evasives]

Not that new anymore. But he was very willing to answer my questions. [it's been three months now, which simultaneously feels like nothing and like a lot.]

[cassian? a good guy? sounds fake but ok.] Your brother likes to call me a space person. I don't think our planets are the same.

[umbrastaff]

PSA: half of it was most likely bullshit.

[It is Taako they're talking about, after all.]

You're from space, too? Do you know Beverly?

[evasives]

I do not doubt that. [is he being serious or taking the piss on taako?? probably a bit of both.]

Is assuming the existence of a space club a twin thing or a you-and-Taako thing? [he shakes his head, once.] I did not know her before today.