[OPEN, MINGLE] 'cause not all who wander are lookin' for the exit

[pocketspa]

Who: Taako, Lup, perhaps you-- invited or not?
What: Taako's been trying to think of a good way to have a party now that ice hell is over, and the disappearance of his sister's husband and his brother in law sounds like as good a time as any to start denying bad feelings and cheering up his goddamn twin.
Where: Around Horny House, aka Imported House 5-1
When: April 11th
Warnings: Alcohol, food, some stupidity most likely.

The night of the 10th, anyone who's friends Taako or Lup-- especially if you're friends with Lup-- will get a text from Taako. It reads:

hey
come over tomorrow at noon
i took down a totally massive animal and im having a barbecue
also bring a gift for lup
dont tell her dont ask questions dont care what it is just do it
your prize is a significant amount of roasted whateverthefuck that i have tested to be sure it will not kill you
also if you dont show up im going to come get you so see ya then

And sure enough, the next day, behind horny house is a large pit filled with rocks and... something or other spit roasted over it. Whatever it is happens to be very, very big, but you can probably see the smoke before you see the animal. Most of the tables in the house have been dragged out onto the lawn around it, covered in mismatched cups, containers of water and plates of fruit, and something lovingly labelled 'SPACE JUICE (CONTAINS ALCOHOL)' that is being served in a large punch bowl. It's bright blue and smells like lighter fluid, so it's pretty unlikely you needed to be warned that there's alcohol in it. One table simply has a sign that says 'PUT GIFTS HERE', which is pretty self explanatory. There also seems to be music coming from discernibly Somewhere, though it's completely unclear as to where-- seeing as the guy running it is magic, it might actually just be coming from the sun. None of that is especially important right now. What is important is this:

Everyone here is legally required to go care about Lup, or Taako's going to punch you in the head. And not even with magic- just with his little fists. So do it, punk.

OOC: This is a MINGLE LOG- please put up toplevels and tag around! While Taako had people he invited, it's pretty damn easy to see this going down, and if you play by the rules and say nice things to his very sad sister he won't kick you out. Have fun!!!

Comments

taako | ota

[pocketspa]

[Taako's been busy. Sure, he had intended on doing something like this as soon as everything from the lich fights from last month had calmed down- he especially owed it to Lup, considering the circumstances- but Barry's disappearance had thrown a wrench in a lot of things. Taako had been so, so sure he'd be back with the newbies; there was a difference in when people close to him, but who he could survive without, came and went. Not Barry. Not like this, not when Lup was still here.

(He can't imagine Lup leaving, and he won't even consider it as the hours tick by and Barry doesn't turn up. She wouldn't just leave. It doesn't work like that, and he'll hear no arguments.

So as day turned to night, Taako sighed, cracked his knuckles, and tromped out into the jungle.

Approximately 14 hours, 20 spell slots, and a power nap somewhere in there to regain half his uses, and the man has a party. Is it his ideal party? No. Is it gonna do it's job? Yes, if he can possibly help it. He's broken out his clothes from the desert planet over a year ago, outside in a breezy crop top and shorts, long hair tied up in a high ponytail to keep it off his neck. The wizard hat stays, though-- it's great shade-- as he turns the whatever-the-hell on the spit with a translucent hand.

He's kind of keeping an eye on the guests. Mostly, he's making sure they've gone to see Lup. So when he sees someone, he'll greet them with a little wave, and then bid them over towards him.]

Hey. Great. How you doing. You talked to Lup yet?

[ooc: Feel free to wildcard me or hit me up at cancerously for other plotting or prompts!!!]

wildcard!!

[restinglichface]

[Lup's in the room Barry and her shared while Taako sets up for the party, the woman completely unaware of anything happening outside of these four walls. She can hear some vague shuffling and muffled voices from around the house, but Lup's pointedly ignoring it all, flopped out on the bed in an oversized shirt, scrolling through her photo album on her phone.

At least she has pictures, still has all of his stupid texts, voice messages when she needs to hear his voice. It just doesn't feel like enough.]

[braveoff]

[ Drake has just arrived, his hair still wet and slicked back from a shower. He's scanning for Lup on the outskirts of the crowd when Taako comes up to him, and cuts straight to the chase -- unsurprising. They aren't exactly friends, but as long as Taako's not sticking spoons up his nose they're on good terms. Drake actually knew Barry better... maybe he should fix that and get to know Taako too. ]

Not yet, I just got here. Where is she?

[ He's got a bottle in one hand as a present because this was extremely short notice and not everyone has magic, but it's something. Lup's favorite, actually, when they drink at his place, and the bottle is painted with her likeness as a 'label' so she can keep it after. It's cute. But he doesn't offer it to Taako because it's for Lup, and is still glancing around trying to spot her. He does have to admit it's an impressive party. ]

You really pulled out all the stops.

[stealyoursoul]

[Leo's shown up, looking as usual like he has no idea what to do at one of these events. It's okay by him. Last time, he'd had no idea what to do at the twins' birthday party, and that had turned out alright.]

Not yet. I will.

[Let's face it, they're probably the only two he can definitely tick off in the Friends column. He's not sure what he'd call Michael and Harlan considering all the complications that came from trying to kill someone to eat their soul and having their own monster try to kill you in return. Anyway, he needs some friendly faces after being drawn back here. It's been a lonely year.]

[glacius]

[Glacius, as Taako can probably surmise from what he knows about the ice alien, is not really one for parties. However, it is hard to deny such a direct request... especially when the elf's stone-walled insistence in regards to his sister suggests that there might be something more going on, and when conflict looms on the horizon. With new posts popping up on the network practically every day on the topic of the Null and how to deal with them, it seems best to enjoy whatever time they have been afforded together before they are thrust into the heart of this war once again.

So the ice alien is there, standing somewhat apart from the main crowd, observing the fire pit and the smoking beast with curiosity and the strange, pungent blue liquid with a wrinkled nose. When Taako comes around the alien flutters his gills and shrugs his shoulders as if attempting to dispel the awkwardness he feels from showing up.] Just... making my way over. I ah, I know you said not to ask questions but... well, this is quite the gathering, so I want to be sure that I do not somehow say the wrong thing when I talk to her. For all our conversations we still do not know each other very well, after all.

[He is nervous about overstepping his bounds, in other words, whether it's in conversation or in showing up at all. Still, it seems like the right thing to do, so he's going to do his damnedest. It just... might take him a second to work up it, is all.]

[storyseeker]

Hey, Taako. Yeah, of course.

[Her best friend is Elena's first priority right now, as she is Taako's, of course.]

It's great of you to put this together. Are you okay, though? Barry was your family, too.

[She's not expecting an honest, open answer, because vulnerability isn't his thing, and that's okay. He's still her friend, so she still has to ask. Also, they got grief-high together on edibles, and that confers a certain permanent intimacy.]

[hellosirs]

[ The thing is, Angus hadn't expected Barry to disappear for real. The others have vanished and returned so many times now that he'd just figured Barry would do the same, and Merle and Magnus's disappearances had been so long ago that he'd forgotten how much it hurt when they left permanently. Barry's absence has left a hole in the household, and Taako is spreading himself thin trying to cover it.

Angus pauses on his way to the stairs, holding a plateful of cookies, and raises an eyebrow at him when he's beckoned over.]

I was gonna go bring her some snacks. Are you ok though, Sir? I mean, you... you just magicked a whole party out of thin air in less than a day, have you had a chance to rest at all?

hello yes im on time

[knockthemdead]

[Kravitz doesn't know the first thing about organizing a party. He can't cook for shit.

But he's here, and he wants to help, right up until the point where he feels he's about to step on toes.

So he stirs things. Pilfers alcohol. Tidies up what little can be tidied, and although his magic doesn't generally lend itself to it, aids with decorating where he can. And, when Taako needs him to, when Kravitz can see it's too much, he fucks off. Gives him space. Party Planning Taako has a very high-key frenetic kind of energy to him, and Kravitz can't tell if that's normal, or just due to the strange dual nature of this party and the fact that all of it's key players are mourning.

Doesn't matter either way. Any Taako is his Taako.

Kravitz greets him with a cold kiss to his temple, and a reassuring hand clasped on his shoulder. He wonders if the Taako that holds tightly to him for support will return once the party is up and running.]

Not yet. Someone else is with her at the moment. Seemed best not to interrupt.

I would ask how you're holding up, but we both know that's complete buffoonery. So instead, I would like to tell you that you look beautiful, and the food smells great, and you've done a wonderful job.

lup l open

[restinglichface]

[This isn't what she wants at all.

Even with her brother's insistence for all guests to come over and crowd his twin, Lup doesn't particularly look very approachable today, the woman's expression a little stony even with her eyes puffy and red from crying, arms wrapped around her middle defensively, lips pressed into a tight line.

It's too soon, the pain of losing Barry still too raw. Wherever he is, no matter what happened during the whole planet shifting, she knows she'll see the man back home whenever they return. But Lup's been back before, twice now, she knows he won't remember anything about Hadriel. Won't know of the struggles they've made through over the last year and a half, the way their relationship strengthened and thrived in this place.

It feels like another part of her life's been ripped from her so unfairly. Why does she keep losing so much time? Why is Barry losing more memories with her even after they've saved the world and then some?

Still, she's here, barely participating, but present. The look that her brother had aimed at her at tugged at her heart, the fact he'd rounded all of this up for her so last minute, it's enough to keep her there. At least for a little bit. So Lup can be found wandering around inside of the house, hovering near the kitchen or standing near a window and peering outside at the new surroundings, for once not starting conversation on her own.]

[braveoff]

[ Drake was looking for Lup in the group gathered outside and it took Taako's help to find her, which is unusual... Lup is usually the life of the party, flitting everywhere and standing tall in the crowd. Not today. Drake isn't surprised that she's avoiding the festivities outside, just wishes they were actually cheering her up. He'll try his hand at it, coming inside with a bottle in one hand, a little bow tied around its neck.

He finds her upstairs at the window in her room and knocks softly against the door frame. ]

Guess who. [ He takes in her posture, her expression, her outfit, and softens his voice. ] Well somebody's not ready for a party. Can I come in?

[madamdirector]

[ Normally, Lucretia tries to keep away from the house next door, respecting Taako's space the way he'd asked her to. When Angus shows up on her doorstep with news of the party, though, she doesn't hesitate to accept immediately. It says something that Taako had sent Angus over to her, that he'd made a point of inviting her (even by proxy) despite all their history.

Lup needs her. It goes without saying that nothing stands in the way of that.

Despite the short notice, she's already got a present ready. It's something she'd been working on for a while, though she'd been putting in a lot more effort over the past week, stealing away to her small studio after Lup fell asleep or whenever she was distracted with someone or something else. It's a painting of Lup and Barry, the two of them curled in close, Barry gazing down adoringly at his wife while Lup grins happily back up at him.

The wrapping...could be better, but at least it's sufficiently covered to hide the picture, even if the shape is obvious. Lucretia leans it against the gift table, back behind where it won't get knocked over and ruined, and then goes to find Lup.

Even knowing what she's been going through, even having seen the worry and strain on her face the past week, it shocks her just how awful Lup looks. She looks like she hasn't slept since the newbies arrived without Barry in their midst, like she'd just stopped crying minutes ago. The usual vibrant, enthusiastic Lup is nowhere to be seen, leaving a pale, withdrawn imitation in her place.

Lucretia heads right over to her, hooking her arm through hers and steering her away from where she's staring blankly at the sink. ]

Wanna get so drunk we black out and humiliate ourselves in front of everyone here?

[bythehand]

[ Considering the whole guest-wrangling approach, assuming Finn didn't just wander by with Intent To Bother Some Elves and there was a party happening, was pretty Lup-centered, Finn does sort of consider it his attendance duty to actually, like.

See Lup and talk to her.

He doesn't have to be super familiar with her to pick up on the general vibe here. Or the lack of vibe. She's a person with a very particular energy, usually. There's a lot. That's the energy.

So when he does manage to get into her general vicinity, he settles in against this wall or whatever next to her, with a relatively safe amount of space between them. Like the normal amount of space that regular people would leave, which Finn had to actively remember to do, because he has a long-running habit of just popping right on into the personal bubble. Super casual.

After a long few seconds, he asks: ]

Is there anything I can do to help?

[ With what? Great question. Finn doesn't actually know. He just wants it on the table that if there were something he could do to help with it, he'd do that thing, he guesses.

Maybe he shouldn't have done his de-socializing cleanse after the predator and prey thing messed him up. He's clearly rusty. ]

[sciencelizard]

[Alphys has had her time to grieve for Barry. She's been here too long not to know what it means when someone leaves, not to hope for their return. Barry coming and going has been a nice surprise, and she's refrained from moving anything in his section of the Lab out of... some sort of ritual, perhaps. But the day comes and goes and his name doesn't reappear, she knows it's time. Just another person she has to hold. Another person who's name she needs to keep.

The party isn't her scene, but she wants to make an appearance, and doesn't expect to actually find Lup as she pokes through the house just trying to leave something nice for the other woman to find later. She's not as quiet as some people could be-- her tail and clawed bare feet on any kind of tile see to that-- but she'll approach, and reach up and take Lup's hand wordlessly.]

Hey, uhm. Hey. How it's, uh...

[Ugh, this is bad, she's so bad at words.]

T-Taking a break?

[stealyoursoul]

[Leo seems much quieter since the last time he was here and still just as uncomfortable with actual human interaction. There seems to be a certain weary air about him like the last time he got a good night's sleep was six or seven months ago. When he sees Lup, he immediately notices the difference between her air and the one surrounding her brother.

He leans against the wall next to her, hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans.]

So. Who died?

[Not really the best opener to a conversation, but with that look she's got on her face as she stares out at the window, it's his best guess. He's experienced far too much of it himself over the past few days before he came back.]

[glacius]

[It is a little later when Glacius finally makes his way over to Lup, despite Taako's insistence that everyone essentially dote on her this party. He'd had suspicions from the get-go that there might be more to this than the elves' usual thrill-chasing and ruckus-raising, and after spotting her off to the sidelines of the festivities that she would normally throw herself into, he's assuming he might be right. That stone-walled expression and puffy red eyes only confirm it.

Despite his misgivings that he might somehow say the wrong thing or just be a general bother when all she seems to want is to be left alone—a feeling he knows well, as it had been his go-to method of dealing with sadness prior to his partner–Glacius knows he should at least try to talk to her. So the ice alien comes up very slowly, giving her plenty of time to shoo him or move away form him should she not desire his presence—it is surprisingly subservient behavior for a creature as large and upright as he is—until he is standing next to her, should she allow it.] You know... not that I do not appreciate their efforts, but sometimes when I am feeling sad it is hard to be around people who are happy. Sometimes not being able to cheer up when everyone around me is in good spirits can just make me feel worse. At times like that, sometimes I just... need a little space.

[He has not been looking at Lup as he talked; speaking generally and talking about himself hopefully allows her to broach the subject at her own space. Still, it's clear there is a suggestion there, one he thinks might do her a little good if that drowning expression on her face is anything to go by.]

[storyseeker]

[Elena knows what it's like to lose. Knows what it's like to wonder when, or if, she'll see the person she loves again—recently, more than ever. It's not the same situation Lup is in now, but it doesn't have to be. It's enough.

There's nothing she can say to make this better. She wishes with all her heart that there was, but it is what it is, and Hadriel is what Hadriel is. It doesn't matter; Elena's going to be there for her friend as long s she can.

She doesn't speak at first. She just slips up beside Lup and slides an arm around her shoulders, holding on tighter than usual. It says what needs to be said, she's sure. I'm still here. I love you.]

[hellosirs]

[ There's a quiet knock at Lup's bedroom door. Angus is doing his best to straddle the line between giving Lup space, respecting her privacy, and making sure that she's... well, 'okay' is probably too much to hope for right now, but 'not spiraling into despair' at the very least. ]

Lup? I, um, I know you might not be in the mood for a big social thing at the moment, but I brought some snacks up if you're hungry. I can leave them outside the door, if you want.

kate galloway; ota; will match format

[dedikated]

( Space juice.

... Well, by the smell of it, it probably has fueled something in space at some point in time. Between that and the colour, Kate is violently reminded of too many afternoons spent in a nondescript park, buzzed out of her mind as a teenager.

Yeah, you know what? How about we avoid that for the moment and remain grateful that she had the presence of mind to bring more than one bottle of booze to this party. The first is neatly deposited at the gift table — the larger bottle, label in a language Kate doesn't understand at all, the liquid inside a fetching, firey shade of red — while the second (a much more basic, standard beer, or what passes for beer in this city) stays in her hand, opened against the edge of a table before she takes a swig.

It doesn't smell like it's been bought from some dodgy corner shop that never asked for ID, and that's fine by Kate.

She speaks to the woman of the hour and moves around, idly snacking on pieces of fruit between drinks, weaving in and out of people until the night (and therefore the alcohol) properly settles in. Anyone unfortunate enough to be around Kate after the booze seeps into her bloodstream will find themselves on the receiving end of one slightly ominous question: )

Want to have some fun?

[braveoff]

[ Drake is here for Lup -- a party's great and all, but he can't taste the food, isn't looking to get smashed, and doesn't have a dance partner at the moment. No, he's sitting on the outskirts of the party just people-watching, a glass in his hand that he's barely sipping from. Occasionally scanning the jungle around them, making sure that everybody's safe as is his way. And if his eyes linger on Lup to see if she needs a rescue or just a break from all this, well. He'd admit it. He's worried.

Kate's approach is a surprise, her words even more so. Part of him wants to ask if she's really talking to him, especially as he's avoided her after their most recent awkward encounter, but... sure, he'll bite. ]

Hey Kate. What did you have in mind?

HEWWO IM HERE TOO

[sciencelizard]

[Alphys is doing her best to encounter a little bit of this party on an actual party scale. She isn't very good at having Big Parties, and most of the ones around here are thrown by the Gods, which bring their own dangers about what they might be consuming. In the meantime, though, she'll stay by the side and watch people go until Kate addresses her and her head spines perk up at the words.]

What? Me? Like a-actually me?

[Alphys of course you, you know this woman.]

Oh uhm, I... what are you thinking?

[stealyoursoul]

[Leo eyes Kate dubiously when she comes up to him. She's close enough that he can smell she's been drinking. Hadn't she been doing the same thing the last time they met? It was over a year ago by his personal timeline, so he's a bit unsure, but it seems like she drinks a lot to him. That's doing no favor to her liver.

He eyes her up and down like he's looking for something before he answers.]

That depends.

[This will either be a very good idea or a monumentally stupid one.]

Lucretia | OTA

[madamdirector]

[ It's a party for Lup, of course, but it's a party for Barry, too, at least as far as Lucretia's concerned. Just because he's gone now isn't any reason not to talk about or remember him.

It isn't fair. They'd been apart for so long - her fault, admittedly - and she'd been so, so glad to finally see him again, to have his presence in her life. One of her oldest, closest friends.

And now he's gone again, just a few short months after they'd been reunited. Most of Lucretia's thoughts are with Lup, of couse - she's the one most affected, and Lucretia can't even start to imagine what she must be feeling right now. But inevitably Lucretia finds herself at loose ends, sitting alone at a table with a glass of Taako'd disturbingly blue "juice" sitting forgotten at her elbow. She'd brought her journal along like the nerd she is and now is doodling idly - doodling Barry, of course, small, quick sketches of him laughing or smiling hopefully or concentrating hard on something in his lab. ]

[braveoff]

[ Drake is definitely here for Lup. He and Barry hadn't always been on the best of terms (most notably the time he had to threaten the guy to get him to speak to his own wife again) but he'd been invested in their happiness and without Barry around all he knows is that his closest friend is in pain. He's not partaking in the party as much as some other people because of this -- not that he could taste the meat or get too drunk when he's also half on duty, watching the jungle for signs that the wildlife has taken interest in the party -- just wandering on the edge of the crowd keeping an eye on everything and everyone, watching to see if Lup needs to be dragged off for a break at any point. She seems to have warmed up a lot, though, so Drake's letting things be for the moment. Just people-watching right now.

He spots Lucretia with her notebook, recognizes her, remembers what Lup's told him about her... somehow he's never managed to meet the woman properly, and this is as good an opportunity as any. With a glass still in his hand he makes his way over and clears his throat softly so he doesn't startle her from her drawing, something that always gets his attention these days. Funny what shacking up with an artist will do to you, he never used to be so interested in it. ]

Lucretia, right? I'm Drake. Can I ask what you're working on?

Washington | OTA

[hardwearing]

[ Wash arrives to the party a little late, hand in hand with Kyna. In his other hand is a small bag, his "present" for Lup that he hopes will be well-accepted because fuck if he knew what she'd like. Maybe he'll get points for effort... he also doesn't know what's happened that this is a "pay attention to Lup" party and not a "welcome to the jungle" party now. But he's here anyway, and he'll try to be fun. However that turns out.

He lets go of Kyna's hand and peels off to set the bag down on what's clearly a gift table, and then to get them drinks because it's incredibly hot. He can be intercepted anywhere along the way, or afterwards when he goes to investigate the roasting creature, or later on when he's claimed a seat on the outskirts of the party because he's still not great at socializing and there aren't many people here he recognizes. Parties have a learning curve, alright? He's doing his best!! At least he didn't show up in his armor. ]

[restinglichface]

[It's only after Taako and Drake have coerced the woman out into the party that Lup finds Wash there, sans his impressive armor, looking more than a little awkward surrounded by much more extroverted partygoers. And even as miserable as Lup feels even attending this little party, he just makes too easy a target to ignore.]

Yeesh, you look about as happy to be here as I feel. Not much for parties, Wash?

[There's no bite to her statement, no thrumming energy in her every movement, no sharp retort already sitting on the tip of her tongue. This is the most muted he'd ever have seen the woman, but then again, there's just no hiding that hint of funeral vibes this whole party gives off. It's just hard to shake.]

Poe Dameron | OTA

[volitaunt]

[ The hardest part of this was finding a gift, when he only sort of knows Lup and likes getting people good presents.

(He's bad at presents. He has the fatal flaw of seeing something he thinks is cool and assuming someone else will like the same thing. Because it's cool.)

What he finds for Lup is more of a joke than a proper gift, a little plastic figurine of the Earth version of the grim reaper, tiny scythe and all. He places it carefully on the table and then turns to survey the yard, catching as many unfamiliar faces as familiar ones.

Maybe he'll just hang here for a few and check out the presents. ]

[storyseeker]

[Elena spots Poe about the time he's setting the gift on the table, and gives them—and him—a smile.]

That's cute. She'll like that.