Friday afternoon

[spectacularlyhighking]

[The feed opens to Eliot sipping a martini and shaking his head in astonishment]

I have to express my disgust and, having no one here to do that, I'm settling for broadcasting my thoughts like some pathetic YouTuber.

[He rolls his eyes with a sigh]

That little "meet-and-greet" was utterly pathetic. I mean, really, is that any way to welcome someone anywhere? Please. Allow me to show you amateurs how it's done. I will be hosting a soiree at the, and it pains me to say it, only bar in town. Everyone is invited, though those of you who aren't old enough to drink may prefer to sit this one out.

((ooc: Network responses are welcome. Party is going on over here))

Comments

[strangeandunusual]

[cue one pouty sixteen-year-old]

I just turned seventeen on Monday. I can't drink but that's got to count for something.

[especially since NO ONE DID ANYTHING]

[spectacularlyhighking]

[Well if isn't the gothic know-it-all. He smirks.]

Well, I don't see the harm in one birthday drink.

[strangeandunusual]

Wait, really? Nice. I've heard not all of them actually taste like they're stripping off the inside of your throat. Do you need me to bring anything? Like, food, or music or something? Plates and napkins? I've got plenty of those left over from the meeting.

[spectacularlyhighking]

Please. Only if one doesn't know how to make a drink well. I have the perfect cocktail in mind for you.

[Her offer makes him smile.]

No, no, thank you. You don't need to bring anything.

[He pauses for half a moment as his brain catches up to what she said.]

What meeting?

and that's three. thanks, El.

[strangeandunusual]

You - you do? Wow.

[he was like a human personality test for alcohol or something. Older People were so cool sometimes. then he mentioned the meeting, and she pulled her mind back on track, remembering that some seventeen-year-olds were capable of organizing mature meetings and shouldn't be spacing out over handsome boys who looked like they walked out of Manderley or the House of Usher. under no circumstances was she even speaking his name in Crowley's presence or she'd get teased mercilessly]

It was the night after you got here, actually ... I wanted to have everyone under one roof so we could talk about finding the Dreamfinder ... he's the Kingdom Spirit of Main Street, and I think part of the reason the people here are in such a mood is because he's been missing for a while.

[spectacularlyhighking]

[He nods.]

Yes, and it will be utterly apropos to the whole Gothic thing you've got going on. Trust me. You'll love it.

[If he was the type to go to such a meeting he might have felt a pang of guilt. But he wasn't. So he didn't.]

Oh is that why? Well, I suppose it's good that you're trying to find him, then.

[strangeandunusual]

We're not sure it's why, but it's looking like as good a reason as any. And my roommate said he took a lot of things from his apartment when he went ... somewhere. Rose saw lights in the jungle when she was flying over last full moon, so some peple are going to start there, but the rest of us are going to split up and look for him this weekend.

Your party has pretty good timing. We could use something to help us all be less worried going into it. As for the drink? Yeah, I trust you. Just ... don't make it too strong. I've tried a couple different things, but I have some friends who would probably freak out if they saw me actually drunk.

[spectacularlyhighking]

[He listens, his eyes never leaving her face. What? He's a really good listener, okay. He's actually paying attention... even if he doesn't know who the fuck her roommate or Rose are.]

Well I'm all too happy to oblige. There's nothing like a night of reckless abandon to relieve stress. And have no fear, I wouldn't dare put you in a state you didn't want to be in. There will be just enough alcohol to count.

[strangeandunusual]

You sound like you're speaking from experience. ... I know you said you're a magician, but ... did you use your magic to fight things? Like we do?

[she settled in on the couch with her mirror in a textbook teenager sprawl, but with an underlying hint of poise that just barely hinted at why she'd garnered her particular class assignment]

[spectacularlyhighking]

Unfortunately, yes. On more occasions than I care to remember.

[No, really. There were several battles he really really didn't want to remember. In that moment his eyes looked far older than the rest of him, battle worn and tired.]

[strangeandunusual]

Wow. ... I can see why the mirror picked you, then. But that must have been annoying. To have done it already so much, and then be told you have to do it again... no wonder you want a real party.

[spectacularlyhighking]

[He chuckles. She's quick.]

I guess once you start saving things you're never really done.

[strangeandunusual]

Well, since I'm a Princess here, I guess that means I'm pretty much screwed.

[she says it with a wry smile, though]

[spectacularlyhighking]

Completely and utterly.

[He matches that wry smile. Two can play at that game.]

[strangeandunusual]

Good thing I like -- [she stops herself just in time, and blushes] Okay, no, that would not have come out right.

[spectacularlyhighking]

[Eliot raises an eyebrow, giving her an amused smirk.]

Were you about to say you like being screwed?

[strangeandunusual]

[turning about ten shades of red and blushing]

Shut up!

[spectacularlyhighking]

[Sorry, kid, he's amused as hell. His smile widens just a little]

What? There's nothing to be ashamed of. Most people enjoy it, after all.

[strangeandunusual]

Well ... yeah but I ... well ... I've never even really had a relationship, let alone...!

[spectacularlyhighking]

Hmm. That's fair. Rather difficult to say whether or not one enjoys something when one has yet to experience it.

[Hey, he's not going to virgin-shame.]

[idiotic_bard]

"HORRAY! PARTY!"

[spectacularlyhighking]

[eyebrow raise] I'm unclear whether or not you're expecting a response to your revelry.

[idiotic_bard]

"I am unclear as to whether or not you're expecting a response to your unclarity."

[spectacularlyhighking]

Well played. [He smirks.] Eliot, and you are?

[idiotic_bard]

[He never got this much praise! He liked this place.] "I'm Elan!"

[spectacularlyhighking]

Are you new here, as well? Or have you been trapped here for some interminable time?

[idiotic_bard]

"Oh, I'm from a completely different storyline, actually."

[spectacularlyhighking]

Riiight. I'm just going to nod and pretend I understand what you're talking about.

[idiotic_bard]

"Oh! I do that too!" he said, happily. "All the time!"

[spectacularlyhighking]

That's not surprising at all, actually. What... do you do?

[idiotic_bard]

"Sing at things, mostly. And make jokes. Though lately I've been swinging at things while making jokes. So that's new."

[spectacularlyhighking]

Sing... at things?

[He regretted asking immediately.]

[idiotic_bard]

"Uh huh. Like monsters. And stupid ogres. Actually, I think ogres might be monsters.I haven't looked them up in the monster manual yet. Oh but I sang at the undead while we were fighting them. And my brother, mostly because he hates that I'm a bard rather than an actual leader or anything."

[spectacularlyhighking]

Ogres are generally considered monsters, yes. [He pauses, regarding the strange man.] Is this at all effective? Or do you just do this for fun?

[idiotic_bard]

"It gives Bardic Inspiration!" [he said, cheerfully.] "And with Nale it generally makes him so angry that he gets negatives to his checks."

[spectacularlyhighking]

I don't know what any of that means... and I'm not certain I care to.

[idiotic_bard]

[Have a long moment of stunned incredulity.]

"I.... understand something... that... you don't....?"

[This might just be a first!!!]

[spectacularlyhighking]

Well we are from different worlds so it stands to reason. I wouldn't expect you to understand what I mean when I say Popper Number 5, after all.

[idiotic_bard]

"Well yeah, but I don't understand most things that most people talk about. Even in my own world."

[spectacularlyhighking]

What do you understand?

[idiotic_bard]

[A beat. A pause for comedic drama. Then...]

"Bardic Inspiration."

[Because there was anyone who didn't see that coming?]

[spectacularlyhighking]

[.... he did. He's.... turning off his mirror and walking away from that.]

Thank you for the thread.

[idiotic_bard]

[Blink blink.] "Was it something I said....?"