riverviewlogs | [semi-closed mingle] kigu party!!!

who: The IPRE + cr + adjacent cr
what: exactly what it says on the tin: it's a kigu party lads
when: second weekend of march
where: Casa Del Taco
warnings: none atm! will update if necessary

[There's something strange about knowing he's been here an entire year. Twelve months ago Taako stepped out of the portal into this world and while it's tempting to be kind of morose about it (especially after the past month) he's trying to kick things into a slightly more positive gear. The party is his idea but the theme is Hana's, an idle suggestion about how fun it would be to get everyone into a kigu. The best part about the idea is that it requires minimal effort on Taako's party, because for all that he loves going all out for parties, sometimes it's nice to just throw something together. Especially when he's more interested in sorting out his relationship with Kravitz or hanging out with Barry, who he hasn't properly seen for over a decade. So it's a party but it's a laid back party, texts are sent out a week in advance and he spends any free time preparing for the night.

The house is left relatively undecorated aside from the addition of several oversized cushions and beanbags in the living rooms, but Taako also casts Magnificent Mansion to expand the space. He adds two home theatres, for movies, video games or karaoke, depending on who's in control of the room at the time. There are also extra bedrooms, in case anyone wants to crash for the night.

While the theme of the night - wear a goddamn kigu and look cute as fuck - isn't being enforced by Taako, it is being enforced by Hana, so anyone brave enough to get past the door without a kigu might have to spend the night avoiding a tiny meka pilot.

As expected for a party hosted by the twins, food plays a fairly big role, although like the rest of the evening they've gone for a more lowkey affair. Sliders, falafel, tamales, vegetable platters with dips, about five different kinds of fries (zucchini, polenta, kumera, potato, jicama) and mini pizzas; things that are easy to pop on a plate and eat without making a mess, but it's all fresh and delicious. The dessert and snack options are a little more impressive, between the flavoured popcorns and well kitted out waffle bar. There's candy and Taako's signature macarons, along with a veritable selection of wine, beer and punch, the latter both spiked and virgin.

Rather than do something as simple as baking cookies for everyone, Lup and Taako have a much more fun idea in mind. They've prepared separated batches of sugar cookie dough and laid out spices, flavours and additives; there's cinnamon, vanilla, choc chips, butterscotch, lemon juice, and mint, amongst pretty much any baking ingredient (here's some ideas for inspiration). Be careful not to mess up the wet/dry balance of the dough, although ruined cookies can be a bonding experience. Once they're baked (it doesn't take long), there's confectioner's sugar, butter, milk, water for whatever icing characters desire, as well as toppings such as sprinkles and crushed nuts.

There are a few things to keep people entertained throughout the evening. The sun room has been delegated as a mini day spa kind of space, with sheet masks, nail polish, lotions, and an assortment of hair care tools. There's nothing that's too complicated or that'll get too messy, but anyone who wants to get comfy and indulge in a little self-care is more than welcome to kick back and relax.

In those home theatres there are movies, games and karaoke songs from all different time periods and realities. Anything from Taako's media library is available, plus some extra video games that both Hana and Cisco supplied, from racing to PVP battles to VR. And a few very bad dating sims for shits and giggles. In the rest of the house, more traditional games are available, whether that’s board games like Clue and Twister, or party games like truth or dare and two truths and a lie. At one point someone breaks out a bag of marshmallows to play fluffy bunny. (There are so many of these things, make them up, I'm not your dad.)

Despite the general atmosphere in the rest of the Quarantine during Sampremi, the party is kept relatively tame, although some of the games might get a little risqué as the night goes on, it's not as if he can control what people do. So long as everyone's having fun, he's happy.]

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[ Loki smirks. He's hardly polite company by any means. ]

No wonder you're so eager to explore.

[ WELP, the affects of alcohol. That's what he's gonna blame.

And he's only getting redder by the second. Full octopus kigu. ]

Yeah well y'know... Great big world out there and all.

[ Lup pls save him pls. ]

What about you huh? Friend of the twins can't be boring. It's illegal.

[ This is very entertaining. Loki flicks his fingers idly. ]

Well, I am a God. I have existed for centuries. And I have been here for nearly a year by this place's reckoning.

[ Wait. ]

What like a God God? Like The Raven Queen?

[ Hang on. Hold the fuck up. ]

They can keep You here?!

[ The rest of them are fuuuuuuuuuuucked. ]

I'm not the only God here either.

[ Though beyond Thor and his other self, there aren't any others. As far as Loki knows. ]

[ He lets out a breath in that 'holy shit' kind of way out his bottom lip. ]

Fuck me dude, we really are stuck here.

[ Now is a good fucking time to just down the rest of the drink he's got in his hand. ]

[ Loki shrugs. Considering his home planet blew up, being stuck doesn't bother him as much as it does Thor. He's used to displacement. ]

Took you a while.

You've heard our story, right? I'm not used to being stuck anywhere. I mean, I guess I'm lucky Lup's here but--

[ That was so... fleeting. But he knew life continued on at least without him being there so that was something. ]

Anyway. S'why we got people like Taako, I guess. Distract us with ... these things.

[ He holds up the arm for more octopus arms to follow. ]

And that Fuck a Hot Dad Simulator.

[ Loki's eyes flash briefly at the idea of "people like Taako" merely here to "distract from reality" but it vanishes quickly. ]

No doubt you'll make the most of it.

[ Huh. Not sure what that look is for... Yikes. Should he just peace out on this social situation? ]

Uh yeah probably... Can't ignore a guy you live with.

[ So he just might go back to the movie unless Loki has something else to say as a way to just. Nerdily handle this situation. ]

[ That gets his attention. ]

You're living here?

[ And another swerve but he's down to clown. ]

Uh yeah. Totally. I'm Lup's boyfriend.

[ Wow did she not mention him or did he not introduce himself. He can't remember now....

Well he gets to talk about Lup now so he has a big bright smile. ]

Sixty years and counting.

[ Ah. That makes sense. Still. ]

But not married?

No. What with all the hopping around we never had the time. Then all the shit went down... We were settled, though. Where I'm from. I even bought a ring and was gonna ask her.

[ That sucks, he frowns. ]

Guess I could ask her here...

You should. Since you have time here, why not make the most of it?

[ He chuckles. ]

Y'know Taako told me that? I'd been in love with her for twenty years and never said anything 'cause I was too afraid? I mean.

[ He gestures at himself. ]

You've met Lup.

[ Need he say more. ]

Taako and I are very similar.

[ That's why they work so well. And have continued to do so. ]

When it comes to love, fear is always present.

Guess that's the price you pay for having something be important to you.

[ With a trace of gentleness. ]

Is it so heavy?

[ He pauses for a second as he thinks about Lup. About those ten years (barely a fifth of their time together) and how they felt like the worst eternity. And how it held so true for the rest of them. All of them. ]

It's the most heavy and satisfying weight you'll ever hold, don't ya think?

[ And that's his chance to share with the class but if he's anything like Taako like he says......... Barry suspects that might not happen. ]