[Semi-Closed] Trails of Welcoming Party

[fiddlestick]

Who: Class VII, SSS and any friends they invited
When: Evening of October 1st
Where: Trails House!
What: Welcome to Aefenglom/Post-Dorchacht party!
Warnings: An obscene use of tacky decor. Also liquor.



Having the forewarning of the dream that some classmates were coming, the members of Class VII decided to hold a welcome party not just for their old friends, but invite the friends they've made in their time there. The days after their return from Dorchacht, they went straight into preparation work. Setting up their home for new occupants, preparing food, planning activities, and decorating.

On the evening of the 1st, after more emotional reunions were done earlier near the Coven, the party begins. Already from the entry hallway balloon decorations, you can tell this will be a party to remember. The living room too is full of balloon decorations which were put up more clumsily by decorators who spent so much time on the entry hallway they ran out of time. Above it all hangs a giant glitter banner with names hastily enchanted on, giving warm welcome to their old classmates.

Balloons aren't the only decorations. There's magicked bubbles, floating around the room with glitter within that forms the names of the people near them (though the spelling might be off). There's pirate octopus lanterns, random seasonal wall hangings, streamers, poppers, kazoos, party hats for people to wear and all sorts of other random (but also tacky) decorations. The entire first floor and courtyard are covered in these decorations.

A lot of thought was put into planning this party. Was it good thought? That's debatable, but they were thoughts.

I. The Food
What's a party but its selection of food? Despite the questionable decorations, the food table in the dining room is nothing to snuff at. There's a whole spread made of easy party foods: kebabs, mini sandwiches, chips and dip, wings, and vegetable platters. For those with a sweet tooth, there's a build your own crepes station with ice cream and fruit with handmade crepe shells. Towa, with the help of Shinji and Elliot, worked hard to make the food as delicious as possible.

Among Towa's dishes are a few brought by some thoughtful guests. These are a bit more varied in quality...from Ignis's made (and Prompto delivered) fine new recipes to Zack's more questionable fae jello cake that's enchanted to make you giggle if you're brave enough to eat it. Food wasn't asked of the guests, but they won't turn away anyone's kind donations.

Lastly, the drink table is well supplied with juices, ciders, and other cold drinks found in the city. For those looking for alcohol, there's some available - along with a sign written by Lloyd reminding folks not to drink if they're underage. Decide to ignore the sign? You'll need some help, as the alcohol bottles have been enchanted not to pour for anyone under 18. Next to the drink table, there's another table devoted entirely to freshly brewed coffees and teas.

II. The Games
Every party needs good entertainment, and there's plenty to be had. Spread out throughout the party, there's different activity stations. Some are more traditional party games- like pin the tail on the faun, pictionary, make balloon animals or other crafts, etc. There's a spot with decks of cards for card games in the living room, some traditional cards and some magicked to be Zemurian-based card games. Out in the courtyard, a few chess sets have been set up for anyone who fancies a logical game. In the music room, there's music playing on record for anyone who wishes to dance, and a keyboard for anyone who wants to play. Or...try your hand at the bagpipes in there. Why not.

Once it's dark enough outside, a corner of the yard becomes devoted to playing with sparklers and small fireworks. They're magically enchanted to be different colors and shapes. In the opposite corner, there's a bonfire set up with marshmallows to roast and plenty of chairs to sit and talk. Both areas have been stalked up with easy-to-use water spell scrolls - in case anything gets out of hand.

If you're looking just for some good conversation to get to know people? There's jars throughout the party with paper slips which have questions on them meant for conversation. Some are silly ("What superpower would you want?") while some are more thought-provoking ("What's your third favorite memory?") - though most of them are pretty light in levity.

III. Quiet Spots
While festitives are fun and all, everyone needs a little quiet once and awhile. The first floor and outside are devoted to party activities, but there's a couple rooms opened on the second floor that are nice and quiet. Enchantments have been put up to muffle sound from downstairs. Any valuables have been stashed away elsewhere, so you won't find anything worth taking.

Comments

[bad_crowmance]

I. Arrival

[ Never let it be said that Crow doesn't have a sense of humour. Whereas Jusis' reaction to the eyesearingly tacky decor might have been to try and leave immediately, Crow takes it all in for a long moment with a breathless sort of awe. It's got everything he never wanted-- balloons and glitter and kazoos, party hats and what are those lanterns supposed to be, and--

Eventually he speaks, wide-eyed but his uncharacteristically sincere. ]

This is seriously the most hideous party I've ever seen in my life.

[ And then he breaks out into a grin. ]

Awwww, and you did this just for us? You shouldn't have~!

[ Really. They shouldn't have. ]

II. Questionable Food.

[ Now, there's plenty of excellent food-- the kind of stuff you'd see at any decent party, so of course Towa had to be the one to bring them here. And in fact, Crow is nibbling on a delicious mini sandwich (his compliments to the chef) while staring at the...

...cake...?

(Are we sure that's a cake? Yes? If you say so...) ]

What's even in this thing?

[ It's fascinatingly terrible-looking. Crow's not convinced it's even edible. ]

III. Games!!!!!

[ Absolutely no one who knows Crow at all will be surprised he's gravitated towards one of the activity stations with a deck of Blade cards. He's taken over one of the decks entirely, doing some fancy shuffling as he tries to entice someone nearby to play a game with him. He'll even play nice and offer no-stakes this time! ...No, it's not because he doesn't have any money, why do you ask?

A little later you'll find him outside with some sparklers, tracing patterns in the air-- he seems to be trying to move fast enough to leave a clear impression of an image, but it's not quite working out for him. (If you're paying enough attention, you might realize the things he's trying to draw are lewd.)

Once he's done with the fireworks, he settles down next to the bonfire and starts roasting one of the marshmallows. He doesn't look away from the bonfire, eyeballing the mallow to make sure it doesn't get burned as he murmurs to the person next to him. ]

It's pretty nice, huh...?

IV. A Little Peace and Quiet

[ At some point while most people are distracted, Crow slips away from the festivities and heads to one of the enchanted quiet areas upstairs. He looks around the area he's in, at the way the lights and shadows play off the walls, and sighs. ]

Home sweet home... for now, I guess.

[ It's a strange feeling. ]

Wildcard

[ Not feeling any of these prompts? Just hit me up at forwardrelentlessly or forwardrelentlessly#2402 @ plurk! ]

II

[hoboagogo]

[Shinjiro is rearranging things on the table as the guy points out the colourful wobbly disaster on the table, and he shakes his head with a small scoffing sound.]

No idea. Someone brought it with 'em, and I guess Towa felt bad for him and put it out.

[That is likely not an accurate summation of events, but it's the one Shinjiro's going to go with. Because while it looks geletin based, there are things floating around in it, and not all of those things look like they should be in gelatin. Were those jalapenos on top? Olives? Maybe grapes? It's impossible to tell, with the shifting colours and the faint wobbling. Any of that sounds absolutely awful with fruit flavoured jelly... and if it has another flavour, that's even weirder.

Another pause, and he glances to Crow.]

...I'll give you 500 cunes if you eat it.

Re: II

[bad_crowmance]

[ Crow smiles at that, shaking his head with amusement. ]

Yeah, that sounds like Towa alright... girl's too nice for her own good.

[ Regardless of how accurate the assessment is, it's likely enough that Crow's willing to accept it. The dubious cake is an affront to decent food everywhere or even semi-decent food-- not that he's trying to claim to be a food expert. It's just the singular most unappetizing thing he's seen outside of a kitchen with Millium in it.

That being said, he considers Shinjiro's offer seriously. ]

Make it a thousand and you've got a deal.

[ It's a negotiation-- hell, he'd do it for less but why not try for more? ]

[hoboagogo]

[He has to really think about that. 1000 isn't that much-- but then again, Shinjiro's pretty broke, what with his lack of motivation in finding a job or picking up quests or-- anything, really. How he has anything to work off is anyone's guess. Maybe allowance for grocery shopping from his housemates.

Regardless, he frowns at the haggling, brows furrowing as he looks back to the cake, deciding how much this is worth to him. Finally, he nods.]

If I get to pick the slice for you to finish. Something reasonable, of course.

[He won't make the guy eat the whole damn cake but he sure as hell won't give up a full 1000 for a single mouthful of the weird looking dessert, likely avoiding the ill-placed ingredients.]

That work for you?

[bad_crowmance]

[ Crow considers for a moment and then nods. ]

It's a deal!

[ It's reasonable, of course, if the guy's parting with his money for it. As long as he doesn't insist on making Crow eat the entire awful cake, he figures he'll probably be fine. ]

[hoboagogo]

[He nods, rummaging through a pocket for two of the solid coins that passed for currency here, setting them down on the food table between them. This is worth some food allowance. Especially if Fuuka keeps fighting giant fish and bringing them home fresh catches.]

Alright. Let's go then.

[THE PACT IS SEALED.


At least he doesn't carve Crow too large of a slice- just a few centimeters at the widest part around the edge, a neat slice to the center. But it definitely has all the layers, every unfortunate one, and hands it over on one of the plates with a fork. And man he looks amused.]

Won't lie, I've been waiting to see someone try this damn thing.

[bad_crowmance]

[ THE PACT IS SEALED.

Crow regards the cake with his own amusement, his fork hovering over the wobbling, terrifying monstrosity someone dared to call a cake. ]

Someone had to be brave enough, to be bold enough to give it the first try! Remember me fondly once I'm gone.

[ That's a hilariously inappropriate joke on so many levels and he definitely made sure Towa wasn't within earshot before he said it. ]

Aaaaaaand here! We! Goooo!

[ He takes a decent forkful of it and puts the cake into his mouth. He chews it and the face he's making probably makes the whole thing worth it-- it is not the most appealing thing he's ever put in his mouth. But nevertheless, he chews and swallows--

--at which point he starts giggling per the cake's enchantment. So it's good to know that's a whole separate issue. ]

Games!

[clickclickbang]

[Look, Prompto's been eying that weird other game since he realized it wasn't something he recognized, so he's easy prey for Crow.]

So what is this game, anyway?

Re: Games!

[bad_crowmance]

[ "Easy prey" is one of Crow's favourite qualities in a stranger.

He looks over when he hears the voice and smiles, his hands never stopping with the shuffling tricks as he speaks. ]

It's called Blade-- well. Blade II technically. Anyway, it's a really popular card game back home. I can teach you if you'd like.

[clickclickbang]

There's no bluffing, is there? Because I am really bad at bluffing.

[bad_crowmance]

Bluffing's not a really big part of the game. It's really a combination of skill and luck. The point is to end up with the higher score-- a tie means you both start over.

[clickclickbang]

Oh, good, two other things I don't have a lot of.

[But he'll take seat.]

So, how do you play?

[bad_crowmance]

Alright, so the numbered cards are pretty much face value-- you've got card values one through seven.

[ He starts laying out each of the cards face-up to show them off. ]

The number one card-- [ He points to it. ] --does have a special ability I'll get to in a moment. The specialty cards are where the strategy comes in-- you've got "Bolt," "Mirror," "Blast," and "Force." You with me so far?

III

[overworker]

[It's not the first she's seen of him-- but she's certainly been keeping herself busy. Unfortunately it makes getting involved in the festivities themselves a bit harder, but she's happy enough just being here.

She's in the middle of cleaning up some trash when she see's the lovely sparkle of Crow's "artwork".]

Having fun?

[She's onto your bullshit Crow.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ Towa absolutely knows what Crow's doing-- whether she noticed the patterns or just knows him that well he couldn't say (maybe it's even both), but she definitely knows. ]

You know you can clean up after the party, right?

[ Look, he's just saying. But he addresses her question next. ]

And yeah I'm having fun. Whose idea was the decor?

[overworker]

[Funny you say that Crow, because there is something of a reason for her proactive cleaning efforts.]

I have plans with someone later, so every little bit helps.

[Take that how you will!!]

Eheh... if I had to guess, it was probably Fie. Elliot probably didn't have the strength to stop her and Rean was probably weighed down with all the bags.

[bad_crowmance]

[ Crow grins and he absolutely cannot help but tease. ]

Oooooooh, do you have a date? Well it's about time someone snapped you up!

[ Not that Angelica hadn't been trying, but well. It's Gelica, after all. ]

Honestly, the decorations are hideous but that just makes it kinda charming in its own way. My compliments to Fie.

[overworker]

[...it really is good to have Crow back.]

That's for me to know and you to butt out.

[She really should have taken Elliot up on that soundproofing spell.]

It was a lot of work-- but that just goes to show how excited everyone was. It may not be pretty, but it's definitely a labor of love.

[bad_crowmance]

What, not even a little hint for your dear old friend?

[ C'mon Towa, spill! ]

And yeah, I don't doubt that much.

[ For all his tone is flippant, he does mean it-- they wouldn't have gone to this much effort if they didn't care. ]

IV

[activatingcombatmode]

[Zack (yeah the guy who brought the weird ass giggle-cake) happens to be passing through in search of the bathroom or something when he nearly bumps into a guy in the upper stairway. He's a tall chimera with black wings and matching horns so just watch the... wingspan.]

Whoops, sorry. Excuse me-

[He stops for a second though, giving the other a good look.]

Hey, are you one of Elliot's buds from home too?

[There sure is a lot of them popping up lately. He's happy for Elliot.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ Ah yes, the giggle cake: Crow knows it well now, a little too well. One bite was enough to turn him off for it (because somehow its dubious appearance hadn't).

That being said, he turns his head slightly when he hears the sudden voice. ]

Yeah, that's me! Friendly and freshly arrived. The name's Crow Armbrust, nice to meet you.

[activatingcombatmode]

[Nothing wrong with a little bit of enchanted fae food every now and then! Zack thought it would be a hit! Or at least some of the guests would get some enjoyment out of it. Zack tries his best, honestly.]

Good to meet you too, Crow. I'm Zack. Elliot and I showed up here in Aefenglom around the same time so it's nice to see a bunch of his friends showing up. How are you managing?

[Since, yes, this place can be overwhelming.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ An important-- well, "important"-- note here is that the only person Crow has warned about the cake is the one who saw him eat it. Everyone else can find out on their own. It's hilarious and ultimately harmless. ]

Nice to meet you too. Honestly, it hasn't been too bad so far. A lot to taken in, but I've got my friends and that helps.

[activatingcombatmode]

[Let everyone enjoy the bizarre jello-cake at their own peril.]

Yeah, you guys are lucky as hell. I'd be happy to see some of my own friends show up here too.

[What he wouldn't do to see Aerith, Cissnei and even that ass Tseng.]

[bad_crowmance]

Well, you never know right? Maybe they'll show up some day.

[ After all, Crow showed up and there were some pretty heavy odds there. ]