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

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

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!!!

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[He's not wrong. Lup looks about as unready for a party as possible, dressed in grey leggings and an oversized sweatshirt, long hair pulled back into a forgotten bun on top of her head. It's the complete opposite of the sparkling number she wore to the last big party she attended, but the whole mood of the house doesn't feel much like a party to her anyway.

It's just a little too soon, she thinks. Her heart isn't into any of this. She just wants to curl up on Barry's pillow and stop existing for awhile.

But instead, there's a party. And now there's a Drake.]

C'mon in, it's chill with me.

[Drake is literally the only person to ever ask permission to walk into a room in this house. This family just busts down doors constantly without permission.]

Yeah, well, I didn't get the memo there was any reason to party.

[ Drake sets the bottle he brought down and comes up behind Lup where she stands at the window, looping an arm around her sweatshirt-covered waist. Together they can look down at the party, smoke rising from the whatever-it-is what Taako's cooking. Which Drake has to admit smells amazing, even if he won't be able to taste it. No, he's not here for the promised food. He's here for Lup. ]

I feel like he had a reason, but now it's just to try and cheer you up. Not working, huh?

[It feels nice, to be held this way, to be able to lean back into Drake's solid form and just let him carry her weight. He doesn't feel like Barry, too tall and too built and not nearly warm enough, but it's the next best thing.]

Don't tell him.

[Not that Taako can't pick up on how his twin is feeling from across the whole damn jungle, but Lup's sensitive to this, to the thought of hurting her brother when he's trying so hard to help her. But of course it isn't working. Not yet.]

I know he's worked his ass off for this. [For her.] He deserves a nice night or whatever. I don't wanna take that away.

I won't, but he's gonna figure it out if you hide all day.

[ Drake goes quiet, just holding Lup, thinking. Of course it's not working yet, but maybe it could. For a little while, at least. ]

He did work really hard... but that shouldn't put more pressure on you. Ease in. He told everybody to bring you presents, you know. How about we hide out a little longer and have a drink, pick out something more festive for you to wear while you raid the gift table? Might be fun?

[ Lup has always loved putting on a fashion show. ]

Ugh, why are you always right?

[For real, Drake. It's dumb. Stop that and let her live a little.

But... the prospect he paints isn't such a bad deal, Lup getting to hide a little bit longer before facing the crowd, getting a chance to drink till she can't feel her toes and maybe open a sweet gift or two in the process.

(Naturally there's a part of her that feels guilty taking gifts right now at all, even if that's been a favorite pastime before. Like it's some kind of husband consolation prize, like she's going to get a nice blender in place of her partner of sixty-some years. Of course that isn't the intention there, but it's hard to shake.)

She's silent for a moment, looking outside where her brother is roasting their dinner, going all in on this whole party just so he doesn't have to face how this hurts him too. Lup sighs.]

Alright, I'll try. [It's the best she can give right now.]

If you agree with me then you get to be right, too.

[ He tilts his head against hers, just taking another minute before putting this plan in motion. It does feel a little like they're bribing her into enjoying the party but if Lup can get even a moment's happiness out of it... well. It could be good for everyone? It's not like Barry would want her to be miserable, anyway, right? ]

Okay. I'll grab the bottle, you grab some outfit options. Where's that top I got you for your birthday?

[Alright, well. She'll take that as some kind of a victory point then.]

Uh, probs in my room with Taako. [The other room where the twins keep all of their shit, not this room, the one she shared with Barry.]

You wanna go dig through my clothes an' pick something out for me?

You trust me to pick out an outfit? That's dangerous, Lup, you've seen how I dress.

[ He's trying to lighten the mood, but also what does he know about clothes? He lives in jeans, plaid button downs, and henleys. ]

Also I'm not a hundred percent sure I could tell your clothes apart from Taako's..... come help me. It'll be fun.

Bold of you to assume Taako an' I don't share clothes.

[What's hers is his and vice versa. Sure, they pretend to claim ownership over a particular top or a specific pair of heels, but really, it's just all collectively Theirs.

But it works, the woman untangling herself from his arms, already turning away from the window she'd been staring out of. Even if this body of hers doesn't need sleep anymore, she just looks exhausted.]

C'mon, I'll show you how it's done.

I don't spend enough time around your brother to notice I guess.

[ When Lup turns to face him she gets a smile, even if she looks so tired Drake wants to sympathy yawn. It's okay, maybe this will perk her up a little. Drake steps back and turns towards the door, where he leans down to scoop up the bottle he brought and pass it back to Lup. He promised her a drink, too. ]

Please, you know I love your fashion shows. Even if nothing sticks.

[ He gestures at himself, wearing the same thing as ever but adjusted for the heat by losing the overshirt: boots, jeans, and a tank top that hides nothing. About as simple as somebody can get. ]

[Even when everything feels so wrong, Drake smiling at her at least feels nice, makes something feel alive within the woman, like the world isn't quite as hopeless as she currently feels. And she knows that's the truth. She's (temporarily) lost Barry, but she still has her family and her friends, she has this place to fight for, even if there's a part of her that just wants to see it burn.

(But, she reminds herself, it isn't Hadriel she's fighting for. It's for the people here, and that's what makes all the difference.)

The bottle is sweet, Lup turning it in her hands to see the special label, the faintest of smiles tugging at the corner of her mouth. Even after the drink inside is all gone, she'll keep this in her room, another beautiful gift to add to her collection.

But for now, clothes.]

Just means you should hang out at our place more often. [Maybe more frequent guests will help combat how empty it feels now with so many of their family gone.]

And true dat. We'll get you into somethin' more fashion forward someday.

[ There, see, she's perking up a little already. Drake lets her lead the way to the shared bedroom, laughing softly. ]

Good luck. You'll have to pick it out yourself, I have absolutely no sense of style.

[ Actually... ]

You know, I miiiiight have an occasion I could use your help with, including dressing up for. If you're up for a challenge sometime.

Like I couldn't see that myself.

[At least her replies have a little life in them, if nothing else.

If Drake's never had the pleasure of being in the twins shared bedroom, he's in for a treat. Just opening the door is like, a total mix of total wonderment and absolute headache. For one, they fought over who was getting top bunk in their bunk bed, so naturally they just decided to both take it. On opposite sides of the rooms, there are two floating bunks, suspended in midair with magic, rope ladders dangling off the side. (Mostly for the benefit of visitors, since the twins can just hover up there.)

And then there's just everything else. It looks like a dragon's den, just littered in shiny treasures. The closet is open and positively bursting with clothes, clothes that spill out onto everywhere else, piles of shoes and accessories, scarves draped from every which way. Every surface is just covered in things, some of it meaningless trash that just happened to catch their eyes, gems or shiny rocks or broken wrist watches that just slipped into their pockets. They have a collection of stolen goods mixed in with everything else, makeup tossed without care in between, important gifts stowed wherever there's space. It's just A Lot.

But the room feels like home to Lup, cozy and bright and full of the material things her and her brother love so much. It's been their safe space for so long, the one place Lup and Taako can curl up together in the same bed with and just comfort one another.

She leads Drake in with zero fanfare, nudging a red heel aside in her quest for her birthday top.]

Yeah, what's that?

[ Drake has never, in fact, been in the shared bedroom. When Lup leads him in he needs a moment to just look around and take it all in -- where did they even find half this shit? He can't imagine having so much stuff let alone keeping track of it, and honestly doesn't know where to start -- he's glad Lup bit at the idea of dress up because this is way too much for him to sort through to pick her an outfit.

But he is supposed to be helping, so. He picks his way over to the closet and starts flicking through the items on hangars for something party appropriate. It has the bonus of turning him away from her so she can't see his face, because this is sappy even for him. ]

You're going to make fun of me, but with how things have been... I'm ring shopping. Minus the actual shops.

[Sappy for sure, but isn't that just how Drake works?

And it's so sweet and adorably hopeful, of course it is if it's coming from this man, but maybe not the best time to bring it up. The mention makes Lup idly twist the ring on her finger, heart as heavy as it's ever been. It's just too soon to talk about marriage and marital bliss and other people's general happiness in this place. She just wants to wallow in her own sadness for awhile. Just wants to keep hating Hadriel for a little bit longer.

Drake hunts through clothes, but Lup perches on her shared dresser with Taako, feet nudging at a nearby pile of fabric, all sparkling and glittery, gaze downcast at the shimmer there.]

'Bout time. Whatcha need?

[ A few things in the closet jump at him and Drake pulls them out and turns back to Lup to see her just sitting there, twisting her own ring and looking miserable, and he realizes the mistake he made. Not the best topic, probably, when she's so upset about her husband. He isn't sure why he thought that might perk her up -- he's not great at this inspiring hope thing, but maybe he'll try that another day. Today's about Lup.

He makes his way back over to her, some clothing options in one hand, and reaches for Lup with the other. His hand settles gently on her arm. ]

Hey. Sorry, we don't have to talk about this now.

[Excuse you, Drake. Even when she's drowning, Lup's too damn stubborn for that.

She lets the touch rest against her arm, but she finally tears her gaze away from the floor to peer up at him, meeting Drake's gaze.]

Like that's ever worked before. Tell me.

[It's hard to show that excitement she'd feel for them right now, but give the woman a week or two. She'll get there. They mean so much to her, it's just a matter of time.]

[ Drake sighs at her, giving her arm a little squeeze. ]

Stubborn. Okay... obviously I need a ring, I can probably deal for that but I think it'd mean more if I had one made. And then I know it has to be low key, but it wouldn't hurt having some help picking out an outfit or practicing a meal. Mind if I cook for you to test things out?

[ The twins are way better cooks than him but he wants to do it himself, he just can't taste. ]

[The touch is nice, cool and familiar, a reminder that Lup is there. That she's still physically present, even if she feels like she's drifting.]

Yeeah, not a chance, Holloway. I'm playin' chef for the night, duh. Don't even try to argue. You'll def have your hands too full to stress over that. So hand it on over to chagirl. I'll make it as memorable as you both deserve.

[Also like, she knows what you both like, so it works out.]

[ That gets a surprised blink, then a soft laugh, and Drake pulls her in for an appreciative hug. She doesn't have to offer that. Especially not with her current situation. He turns his head enough to press a kiss to the side of her head gratefully. ]

Is it weird I'm not that stressed? Yet, anyway. I just want to get it right.

Nah, why should you feel stressed? Isn't really a stressful thing unless you're doing it wrong, y'know?

[C'mon, Drake, where's the stress in proposing? Lup just doesn't see it.]

Either way, I've got your back.

It just seems like a thing people get nervous about.

[ He's not the nervous type, of course, it's just the more common experience. He is glad Lup has his back, though, that she'll help out despite everything. Then he blinks at her. ]

Wait, what's a wrong way to do it?

[Now that manages to get a grin out of her, even if it's fleeting.]

I dunno, doing it in song? He'd probs hate that.

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

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