[OPEN] Dance Party Ending...uh, Opening!!!

[favoritefearlesshero]

Who: Puss and YOU
What: Team Building party and everyone’s invited!
Where: Dining Hall
When: A little less than a week after the Branch event
Warnings/Notes: Magic candies and off the rails music

Pre-Party

The place is decked out to the nines. Yes, they are largely Christmas decorations, but they’re stretched to the fullest: Shining garlands of all colors wrap around pillars and poles. Twinkling lights are strung from nearly every surface. The tablecloths are all soft velvet and the chairs all have bundles of balloons tied to them.

(Anyone who walked by the room might have heard Puss arguing about the balloons. “Tacky,” he said. “This isn’t a prom or a birthday party,” he said. The elves insisted. Now there are balloons. The colors are tasteful, gold and dark purples like the invitations, but there are balloons.)

Puss is a considerate host, and has set up a little table at the entrance with things like earplugs and assorted first aid supplies. He already knows his fellow cats have sensitive ears, why not be prepared for everything.

It’s a good time to mingle before the party starts in earnest.

MC Puss Welcomes You

Puss’s baritone, shockingly powerful and unmic’d because Puss is just that good, rings out triumphantly through the room. He stands on a stool, spotlight on him, holding a tall mug of eggnog.

“New friends! Allies! Myths and legends! Welcome, one and all!”

He takes a swig of nog and continues.

“Ah! Now, for those who do not know me, I am the one and only Puss in Boots, righter of wrongs, avenger of justice, and your host for this evening!”

He bows, a deep contrite gesture of humility and grace. Behind him, a yeti rolls his eyes. Puss shoots him a look.

“Now tonight is about many things! It is the first step of our grand journey together! It is a beacon of light against the darkness that stands on our doorstep! It is a forging of a great alliance to protect the children of this world and our own! It’s a night of joy! A night of unity! The night we shape our destiny!”

He spreads his arms out wide, smiling broadly.

“Our destiny…”

From the side, another yeti tosses him a lute.

“...as heroes!”

Confetti cannons pop, as glitter and streamers pour down from the ceiling. So does the elf manning it, but he seems fine. Puss laughs, strums and starts on a song.

”Who are your favorite fearless heroes, who are your favorite fearless he-e-roes!”

…And when the ceremonies are done, the fiesta can begin.

Food!

The food and drink options are absolutely scrumptious but…those who are observant about such things may sense a tension in planning reflected in the options.

Among things like a taco bar, fried chicken, guacamole, a nacho cheese fountain, and every kind of salsa you could want, things like fruit cakes, gingerbread houses, sugar cookies, spiced chestnuts, candy canes, and an eggnog fountain placed confrontationally close to the cheese fountain abound as well. They’re placed with no real care, almost as if there were some unresolved argument about what constitutes “party food.”

Perhaps the elves weren’t the best helpers ever. At least there’s both spiked eggnog and non-alcoholic eggnog. Labeled even! Also the spiked one is surrounded by bottles of rum, just in case it’s not enough of a kick.

…On the edge of a table is a crystal bowl that looks somewhat…out of place. It’s filled with an assortment of simple sweets. Chocolates, hard candy, marshmallows, drops, anything you could think of. On the table is a note that reads:

"Mystery candies! These treats are not only sweet, they cause magical effects in those who eat them! What effects? You shall have to try them and find out~

Please do NOT mix these in with regular treats. Feeding them to someone without warning them in advance will not be tolerated. If there are any issues, seek out Loki”

Scribbled on it is a crude drawing of Loki and the words “this guy” and an arrow pointing to him.

Next to the bowl is a notebook and pen for recording what effects each candy has.

Music!

The Pole has everything. Every music. All of the music. The playlist for this party is years long, and the dancefloor can handle it all

But…it’s front loaded with high energy mariachi tunes, like it was put together by someone who knew exactly what they like and didn't care to branch out. The elf manning the magical DJ booth is under strict instructions to “not play anything stupid” but elves are easily distractible and really don’t know what “stupid music” would even be, so it’s not hard to get access yourself.

All you have to do is name the song, or hum the song, or even have a vague recollection of the song and the booth will slot it in as the next one in the playlist. Of course, nobody would ever abuse that privilege…right?

Performance!

Of course, there’s also a space for attendees to perform themselves. When they do, the DJ booth pauses so everyone can hear it properly. If you’re amazed by the capacities of this magitech, you’re in good company; Puss looked at it like it was catnip the first time he saw it.

Karaoke is on offer of course, but it can accommodate anything: dancing, juggling, poetry readings, performance art, hamboning, an impromptu performance of Stomp, anything goes!

Wildcard!

Hey, if you want it, the yetis or Puss can probably make it happen! The best parties are the kind where anything can happen!

Comments

Branch

[branchifer]

DJ Battle Royale

[branchifer]

[Oh this music is a travesty. Like okay Puss wanted to do his little song at the beginning and it was a nice little jaunty tune about them being heroes. He won't begrudge him that, it's just like Poppy feeling inspired and improvising a cute song on her ukelele.]

[(Cute because everything she does is ridiculously cute at all times.)]

[But...the music after. Is...]

[Okay, it's good in its own way actually. Branch spent so long without music that he's come to appreciate it in all its forms. But there are different types of dancing you can do to different types of music and more conventional party dancing, as Branch knows it, isn't the most compatible with this kind of music. This feels like there's some kind of...traditional dancing? That goes with it? Or something?]

[So it is the worst for this kind of party. Branch runs away from the party for a solid half hour digging through the many many playlists he's already made due after basically nonstop listening to this world's music. (It is still absolutely freakish how this world has the same songs as home.) Some that were passed down over generations. Some that modern trolls made up that got popular. There are even a few, bizarrely, from his own boy band days, that he knows his older brothers composed; he was there.]

[But it is at least handy to have that cultural touchstone in common.]

[When he comes back he doesn't quite take over the DJ magic yet because the atmosphere isn't right. Like, okay, there's a semi-adequate amount of glitter by troll standards. But no foam cannons, no laser bug lights. Bingle, of all people, sees him poking at toys for what he's looking for, and after Branch initially backs away in alarm, he realizes the Elf is trying to make himself helpful.]

[He accepts the metaphorical apology cookie in the spirit it's meant and after a few pointed questions about toys Bingle has tested, he jingles happily over to point out what Branch is looking for it.]

[After silently setting a few things up on the periphery of the party, swinging himself up over people's heads around the edges, he's ready. Branch decides to forgo looking for any smoke machines because he doesn't know if any people with enhanced sense will find them unpleasant. Buuut he did find light projection toys, meant to project stars, auroras, and other designs. He installs them all high enough that they won't zap anyone right in the eyeballs, even at the average hulking height of the others. It'll just add a little shifting light decoration to the walls and ceiling.]

[Then he comes back to the party proper and whispers to the magic to play from his playlist.]

[The list starts strong with some Gaga and is pop and house heavy but also has some other genres. Some of the songs are remixes with stronger bass lines than the originals.]

[He cups his hands over his mouth and has to project very hard to be heard over the music.]

I brought better party music.

You're welcome!

[While he won't stop anyone from adding any genuine bops or jams to the list, he absolutely will try to bar people from changing the list if it's not great for party dancing. Everyone better bring some bops and bangers or he'll be a little music snob and try to change it back.]

[favoritefearlesshero]

[Puss is suddenly VERY aware of two things, one after the other.

The first is that there are LIGHTS lights many tiny little lights on the wall he wants to chase them all and catch them all LIGHTS.

But then when he snaps out of that thankfully short spell, he's aware that SOMEONE messed with his carefully curated playlist and COMPLETELY thrown off the timing and momentum of his expert flamenco.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out who did it: all Puss has to do is listen to the tiny voice and smell the smell. Puss doesn't really want to loom over Branch, that would be a serious party foul, so he settles for approaching until he's side-by-side with the troll. He's smiling and not in a smug cat way.]

Alright, I admit: If this- [He gestures to the lighting] -was your doing, it's pretty good. It took forever to make those Elves understand that cranberry-scented votive candles weren't adequate lighting for this kind of thing. Next time, I'll just enlist you from the start.

But just one little question for you...what have you done to my music?

[His voice drops lower and much more serious. That took hours to put together. Hours!]

Food - cw: mild insinuation of cannibalism, alcohol/drunkenness

[branchifer]

[Branch has been cautious about being near the food table anytime any of the big people are around. It just... makes him uncomfortable. But by the end of the night, he can be found near the eggnog fountain.]

[The alcoholic egg nog fountain.]

[Problem the first: he doesn't know what alcohol is. His people are known for indulging in absolutely insane sugar highs that would register as intoxication by human standards. But they don't have alcohol.]

[He just thought it tasted sort of sharp and weird - but interesting. Food back home never gets sharp and weird and puts fume up your nose. It's a little off-putting but a novel experience. Still, he'd only finished off the tiny tiny amount in his thimble and hadn't drunk anymore after that.]

[Problem the second: Alcohol proof in relation to body mass.]

[Yeah, it's a very good thing he's not even close to human so there's no tiny liver that's currently getting hit by a metaphorical semi truck.]

[He is, however, just lying there on the table next to the alcoholic egg nog fountain, next to one of the rum bottles, holding his now empty thimble over his head to look at the bottom of it. The last few drops already dripped on the little cardigan that was improvise for him because the Pole is so cold. When someone approaches, he starts chattering away, his words a bit slurred.]

Sssooo I think thiss drink is like mind..lettering. Mindleter - affects your mind. I def'nite'y feel something but m'still totally with it.

I have a mind like a - thing. One of those -

[He digs.]

The things. That I put all over. When I was freaaaking out. Those things.

[He goes quiet for a little bit then suddenly calls out, snapping a finger with the hand not holding the thimble.]

Trap! Mind like a trap.

[He looks at his thimble again.]

This is't affecting me burly at all.

[ninjavampire]

[ Oh, it is the imp, drunk off his mind. That's hilarious. ]

Opened one of the bottles, did you?

[ Another rum bottle is placed on the table with a dull thunk, from a troll's perspective. Miguel had made himself a basic little something to avoid drinking from the open-season eggnog fountain. It's citrusy! And bubbly from soda. ]

[poor_unlucky_girl]

[If there is food and things that taste sweet in general, you can trust Jennifer to be there. Brown has been tagging along as usual, but he's annoyed by the joviality of the humans at the moment, acting as Jennifer's braincell can be a thankless job at times, so he's curled in a ball watching over her from a distance.

Jennifer is not quite concerned at the little guy's behaviour, rather confused.]

Hello, little one!

[She thinks he might be a doll but speaking to inanimated object is a common occurrence for her. What a poor, mentally unstable, unlucky girl.]

Are you having fun?

[Arguing with how present he is might make him defensive, and given that he is drunk, that might make him clumsy enough to hurt himself accidentally, and that is not worth it. She takes a cup of eggnog for herself.]

Ooh, this tastes good!

miguel joins the battle

[ninjavampire]

Gen/Wildcard

[ Miguel has been to enough Alchemax® Coworker Events to perform the bare minimum of acceptable sociability. So, like promised, he arrives with a christmas sweater over his spider suit, and a pair of shades and earplugs (for flashing lights and loud music, respectively).

The shades don't really help in the Approachability Department, but maybe that's on purpose. Who wears sunglasses indoors?? ]

a. Food!!!

[ He is loading up on tacos, because even Miguel is not unhinged enough to reject free tacos with the typical meal theming on the Pole. A spiderman's gotta eat, and this one's jumbo-sized. Much to his surprise, it isn't bad? He is just confused when the archetypal ingredients starts getting interrupted with gingerbread houses. ]

Did the elves pick the desserts?

[ you, yes you, you're getting the question and side-eye. join him in his incredulity! or wonder what his apetite must be like to have packed in enough food to make the paper plate bend in his hand ]

b. (Make-Your-Own) Drinks

[ Eyebrows raised, the eggnog fountain gets (1) sniff from about three feet away before it is Rejected and passed over for an alternative. He is not engaging with the milk bowl that a troll or an elf could have dunked its head in. Instead, he is a little relieved to find the actual bottles sitting around. ]

Small praise, but at least the cat left the rum out.

[ With some rum, soda, and limes from the taco bar, he can fix himself up an improvised Cuba Libre. And with a bit of ice - voila! A drink that can pair with the food a little better - even if the vibe of the party is a little confused overall. ]

Food

[favoritefearlesshero]

[From the floor, Puss lets out a beleaguered sigh. He hops up on the table. Yes, with his shoes on.]

The elves are...eager to help, but they only know what they know. Can hardly fault their commitment to the theme, but they drove the poor yetis crazy trying to figure out how to make figgy pudding from carnitas.

[He skewers a piece of chicken with his sword, flicking it into his paw.]

First time I've ever been on this side of the phrase "herding cats." Still, I think we pulled it off, no?

[ninjavampire]

[ Despite the comment and unhappy forever scowl, Miguel is going for bites of his acquired food. He has only finished up 1 taco of his loaded up plate of 5. He also retracted his suit up to his wrists, to avoid the mess getting onto the nanotech. ]

The salsa is very fresh. You should compliment them for that.

[ Miguel is not a complete ogre, he gives credit where credit is due. His face tenses up, however, when Puss saunters over with his boots next to the things he was just grabbing with his hands. ]

Watch it. You're going to get fur in what people are eating.

[changechild]

[Nyara finds she wants to either beg Miguel for some of his food or drink or swipe some when he's not looking. It's not rational and she knows it - for one, she can smell the onion and citrus perfectly well from here, for two, if she wants to chance stomach trouble she can just take something for herself and not use ingredients she know she shouldn't eat. It's just lying out. Probably no one will care and it's safe.

She's wearing a kind of poncho she made from a reindeer blanket. Of course, those aren't plain. She has put one earplug fully in and the other is half out because what if something happens and she doesn't hear it coming?? it's disorienting. She's also squinting a bit, pupils contracted to thin slits.]

...You put ice in your drink? Why?

[ninjavampire]

[ Miguel turns to her and acknowledges the garish reindeer blanket with a mildly puzzled expression through his shades. ]

I see we're wearing the same shirt.

[ Haha!! how awkward! is what he would have said if he were a Spiderman who jokes. As he is not, he moves on without further comment. He takes another sip of his slightly fancy rum & coke when he asks the question. ]

It's a cocktail. It is meant to be had with ice.

[ Is this girl even old enough to drink?? He's not going to ask for an ID or anything, but... ]

Stacia

[credit_not_blame]

Pre-Party Social Grooming

[credit_not_blame]

[Stacia hasn't had a real chance to dress up in absolutely ages, so she has embraced the opportunity. She's wearing a long sleeved velvet trapeze dress in a deep pink over black leggings and matching heeled booties, and she has silver tinsel woven through her crown braids. Her makeup is also in shades of pink and silver, even her black eyeliner glitters.

And now that she's ready, surely there are other people who would appreciate some assistance.

Though she is but little, she's bearing down on you like a freight train, box of accessories and makeup palettes in hand.]

Hi, do you need any help preparing for the party? I've got supplies!

[bestbrotherever]

[Loki turns and smiles]

I have my own preparations well in hand.

[As he says that, he passes his hand over his face, and boom, it's sporting a copy of her own makeup.]

[ninjavampire]

[ He flicks down his shades to address Stacia, the red nocturnal eyeshine catching a light here or there. ]

Why...? Does it look too ridiculous?

[ Between the Sunglasses and Reindeer Sweater over his spider suit, Miguel is kind of radiating the vibe of a Beachside Holiday Decoration. Kitschy, but he wasn't really swimming in options, given his entire Size and Shape. He's had to really dig to start amassing some collection of acceptable Regular Clothes.

At least the food options and decor matched in their confusion. ]

[composinghistory]

[Jaskier gasps in delight. She's so sparkly!

He looks at the items she's holding and realizes he has no idea what the fuck any of it is.]

I'm afraid I'm entirely unfamiliar with your particular preparations.

[In case she couldn't tell by the doublet alone. He has been eyeing modern fashion with interest, but hasn't had the chance to do a Proper Clothes Montage(TM). Yet.]

Re: Pre-Party Social Grooming

[lowercase_el]

Ooh, I'm already purdy, but make me purdier.

[Kon grabs a nearby chair and swings it around, sitting on it backwards, facing her.]

We haven't had a chance to catch up yet what with like that tiny dude holding the place hostage and Tim getting kidnapped and beshrunkened and whatnot.

As you can see, I'm a little older and Chadlier than the last time we saw each other. S'been a while.

[He is indeed significantly Chadlier. Pretty much looking like how Clark first did when starting out, just less nerdy.]

Food!

[credit_not_blame]

[Stacia has to restrain herself from writing "TRAP" on the card in front of the mystery candies. It's really hard, though. But, to be fair, if anyone's going to actively eat a "mystery candy", it's best to find out now in the relative safety of the Pole.

Still, she's keeping an eye on the candy bowl, even as she all-but inhales a taco. Then she checks her lipstick.

And then she goes for another taco.]

'Cuse me, small girl coming through!

[Perhaps she will also snag some off the alco-nog while she's at it...]

Rowan

[rallieshearts]

Rowan can take christmas or leave it, but a party's a party, and they'll take any excuse to dress up. They've left the denim jacket behind, their usual layered shirts replaced by one black undershirt and a black, semi sheer and oversized over shirt that obscures the form of their slim figure, right down to their midthigh where their black shorts end. There's gold glitter on it (and on their cheeks), that counts for something, right? Paired with black, high heeled ankle boots, their legs look even longer than they already are, and their makeup highlights their soft features.

Music

Look, Rowan heard karaoke, they're basically contractually obliged to be there. And they've come armed with their weapons of choice: laptop in one hand and acquired ukulele in the other. It's already been appropriately glittered up, what with supplies being literally all over the place. Waiting for the perfect moment, they step up, let the lights go down around them, take a deep breath, and then, as the lights rise again, start with Don't Stop Me Now.

They're no legend, and their laptop can't replace a live band, but they have a stage presence that shines almost as much as the instrument in their hands. Practically glowing, they belt out the lyrics, inviting their fellow guardians to join in, either by singing along or by clapping or stomping their feet. It's not often that everything falls into place for a perfect performance, but it does in this moment for Rowan, and they ride that wave into a second perfect performance of Shut Up and Dance, before stepping away from the stage and allowing the music to fade back in.

Later they can be found at the DJ booth, sneaking songs into Branch's playlist. It's not a bad list at all, but it's seriously lacking in eurotrash. What kind of party doesn't have Dragostea Din Tei, Everytime We Touch or the Macarena? They're going to test the magic to see if it knows the dance moves alone or if they have to sing again (they'll very happily sing again, but listen to them mangle anything that isn't english, despite that belting performance earlier).

Dancing

They don't need to be buzzed to hit the dance floor, not with these types of jams. They have a fluid grace that's occasionally cut through by the awkwardness of someone who's not quite used to their body, like a teenager that's just gone through a growth spurt tripping over their own legs. Still flying from their performance earlier, they catch themselves each time, but anyone observant might pick up on it none the less.

But no one wants to dance alone. At the end of each song, they glance around. They'll ask anyone to dance, but in particular they're looking for anyone who looks like they might want to join but needs a push, or anyone who looks lonely. Swanning over, they give a warm, welcoming smile, that's reflected genuinely in their grey eyes. “Come dance with me?” A soft hand is offered out, ready to whisk their potential partner away should they take them up on their offer.

Food

Later again, and they have indeed partaken of the eggnog, or at least the rum. They've found the spiciest salsa on offer and are currently eating it with a spoon, while eyeing up the cheese fountain. They'll take or leave the sweets, especially when there's this much free food available that won't make them feel sick after a bite or two, but they're looking to soak up a bit of the booze before heading to bed. If anyone wanders towards the sweets while they're there, they can't help but lean over. “You're braver than I am, mate. Wouldn't touch those with a bargepole, not with that sort of non warning.”

Dancing

[millenyal_pink]

Elle has been staying on the edges of the party, watching more than participating. This is the first time the whole group's gotten together since they arrived here and she's very interested to see how the dynamics have developed.

She only just started "mingling" (well, less mingling and more moving through the group and catching parts of conversations) when Rowan gives their invitation.

This is the Garou she's yet to introduce herself to.

Elle grins and takes the offered hand.

And she's good at dancing! She starts out a little stiff due to discomfort, but once she's relaxed she moves with an uncanny grace. After a minute or so, she breaks the ice.

"Come here often?" friendly, casual, and more than a little cheesy. It's not a true come on, but the tone of it does skirt the line between joking and true flirtation.

[rallieshearts]

They’re not hard to spot, if you know there’s another Garou that looks like Kenzie around. Their features are surprising similar, even if they are a touch taller and hold themself completely differently.

It’s not often that they find themself dancing with someone more graceful than themself, but that makes them appreciate it even more. It makes them want to up their game, but for now they’ll settle for concentrating on not tripping over their own legs as they lead her into a playful dance. Her line makes them chuckle, tilting their head as they grin at her.

“I dunno, I’d be around more often if I knew there was people what can move like you around.” It’s more playful than flirting, but the compliment is genuine. “You should be showing off your moves more, not hanging around on the wall.”

Tim

[mostdangerousbird]

[ OOC - will put starters below. Let me know if you want something specific. ]

[mostdangerousbird]

Food

Tim's not dressed up, having found a supply of jeans and t-shirts, and not here. Or he is, as long as it takes to get through the food queue, creating an absolutely unholy plate of nachos using the fried chicken as the meat, and making a mugful of half coffee and half egg nog.

He would've dipped out already, but he's stopped to write an additional warning on the candy bowl warning:

I've been to another party with another Loki's magic candies. Don't ingest if you have concerns about truth-speaking, loss of inhibitions, and increased flirtatiousness, although the last one better not be in this bowl, Loki, there are elves present. ]

Closed to Dan

[composinghistory]

Jaskier has been flitting about the party, chatting, drinking, dancing, and appreciating all the strange, new music.

He's finished making the rounds with the people he's already met, and now it's time to make new friends! There's such a variety from people from all sorts of places beyond his imagination. He's eager to meet new people and learn about them.

Also, it's been over a week since he's found himself a lover and while he can go longer, he's not some desperate degenerate, he certainly wouldn't mind finding a partner for the night. To that end, he let Stacia put some of her magnificent eyeliner, pigment, and sparkles on his face. She did an excellent job. He's also unbuttoned his doublet to scandalously reveal the sinfully-thin linen shirt underneath. Let it be said, he is looking good.

He currently stands by the drink table, nursing a glass of eggnog and searching the crowd for someone who looks friendly and open to conversation. If they don't end up being interested, that's fine-- never let it be said that Jaskier turned down the opportunity to make a new friend.

[hallelujahjunction]

Someone once told Dan, when he was about twenty-three years old and falling-down drunk and hopped up on molly and covered in glitter, that when he got old enough to have a hangover that didn't go away with Advil and a cup of water, he'd grow out of partying. That person was an idiot. These days Dan enthusiastically opens himself up to the possibility of hangovers that last half a week if it means he can get his hedonism on. There are festivities, and since Bunny's on a mission, Dan's been telling everyone that when the rabbit's away, the mice will play.

"Stacia did that, didn't she?" Dan knows her handiwork, even though he did his makeup himself tonight. Plenty of stints moonlighting as a stripper has left him with a lot of confidence in prettying himself up, whether it's covering up scars and hickies or knowing just where to throw on a dash of body glitter to draw attention to his eyes and collarbone. He's put a dash of gold liner on and some mascara.

He hasn't met Jaskier yet, but the vibes are friendly, and that's the only invitation Dan ever needs to want to meet someone new. For someone who grew up isolated underground, Dan's found his adulthood to be marked by terminal extroversion. He would be drawn to Jaskier even if Jaskier weren't standing around looking quite appealing.

"How's your eggnog?"