[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

[restinglichface]

[Nearly two years ago, when she first arrived to Hadriel, the idea of ever opening up enough to these total strangers seemed laughable. But here she is, letting the full daunting weight of her emotions rest on these people she's known for just the smallest fraction of her lifetime. It shouldn't feel comfortable like this, it should terrify her completely.

But with Elena? It's always been so damn easy, hasn't it?

Their fingers curl together and Lup lets Elena carry her weight, quiet stretching out between them before she finds what to say.]

Can we just hide up here the whole time and play hooky? Think 'Ko will drag us out if I don't go willingly?

[storyseeker]

Sure. As long as you want. I can take Taako if he tries it.

[She can, too. Not with magic, but with the power of a great right hook. She's proved that once already.]

Might make you feel better to see some friendly faces eventually, though. But until then we can stay right here.

[As long as she needs.]

[restinglichface]

Why do you always have to be right?

[As much as she doesn't want to face the party downstairs, they both know it will help Lup to just not be alone.]

[storyseeker]

That's just how I roll.

[Elena won't make her get up. But when she does, she'll be with Lup all the way.]

[restinglichface]

Stay with me through it?

[Not just tonight, not just walking downstairs into the party, but the next few days, the next week, the next month, where she might need that shoulder to lean on.]

[storyseeker]

Lup, you didn't even need to ask.

[Every step of the way. That's what best friends do.]