I am Puss in Boots!! (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
favoritefearlesshero) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
nightlogs2023-09-05 03:38 pm
favoritefearlesshero) wrote in nightlogs2023-09-05 03:38 pm
Entry tags:
[OPEN] Dance Party Ending...uh, Opening!!!
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!
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!
miguel joins the battle
[ 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
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?
no subject
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.
no subject
Oh, agreed. I'll have to write up a thank you note. And then see what they can do with, say, a nice tuna steak.
[He says that like it's a bad thing.]
You wound me, sir. I spend as much time grooming loose fur as the next cat and besides: A seasoning of fur is the best thing about having a cat around!
no subject
I'm not sure where you got that impression.
[ But, there is a subtle little loosening of inner tension - a slackening in his (no doubt over-wound) shoulders, a release of the breath of his nose. Reminding himself that Puss was the host and he didn't have to be here if he didn't want to. ]
I... appreciate the invitation. Thank you.
[ small morsel of humbleness. ]
no subject
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?
no subject
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... ]
no subject
Nearly. It might be better on you.
[That is also a kind of joke sort of? because the blanket is big on her and he's enormous. but she says it quite gravely. She does not sparkling repartee, but it's probably a good sign that she doesn't think he's taken offense.
she watches him take a swallow from the cocktail that's made quite elaborate-looking by the glinting ice and rising carbonation, visibly sniffing. Nyara doesn't look quite as young as she had in New Jersey but her age is a little hard to read. She probably would be in for an ID check but not instant disqualification.]
Why is it called that?
no subject
[ he doesn't quite laugh at the banter, but the tension on his face slackens a little. Halfway between a lineface and a polite smile. Nyara seemed to be having a rougher adjustment compared to most of the other group, he was glad to see her make an attempt to be social.
The glass is turned idly in his hand, as if to gleam some hidden meaning to the word cocktail. Nothing revelationary comes to mind. ]
Let's not speculate on that too much. It just refers to a drink mixed with liquor. If you're planning on trying the rum or the eggnog, make sure to pair it with food.
[ after his.... encounter... with branch, he's come to realize that there is a very real chance other blissfully ignorant parties may knock themselves out with it and have a bad day. ]
And take a little at a time.
no subject
She's not comfortable here. The memories Need has been feeding her are helping, and Nyara is relatively confident that Miguel will keep an eye out for her if something happens, but this is still more noise and turbulence than she's happy with and she is absolutely planning when and how to slip away.]
Do not worry for me, I am more familiar with wine and brandy but I know how to not be sick from it. A little is well enough.
[probably not gonna be able to mooch off his glass, which to her seems dazzling with sparkles, between the ice and the carbonation. It stinks of citrus anyway. time to regard the options warily, sniffing the air.]
Why is yours glittering?
no subject
[ pause ]
Air bubbles. Soda mixed in with the rum.
[ And of course he is going to worry! His default state is worrying. But Nyara seemed to be aware of how to handle herself in this context, for the most part. Though it looked like her eyes were having trouble adjusting to the room. He turns to look at some of the other drinks on the table. ]
There is some of it over there, if you want to mix something. I would guess it'll be very sweet by your standards.
no subject
[she's never heard of that but she's curious now. give her a la croix or something]
Perhaps not so sweet. I can't taste sweetness very well. [there's an 'anymore' there, and a definite suggestion of resentment.] It is a kind of flat bland flavor, not repellent but not good, either.
[Nyara has paused in considering drink options because the meat from the taco bar does actually smell really enticing and some of it isn't mixed with anything obviously bad. Maybe it's okay - she's reaching for it with her bare hand about to grab a whole fistful-
Need winces and the girl freezes. Miguel doesn't get to hear the brief conversation that ensues but he likely feels the wince. Nyara... pouts! why are there so many extra steps if she just wants to try it!]
no subject
The sword, probably. Good catch, because he was very much considering just reaching out and catching her wrist before she contaminates everything.
Helpfully, Nyara gets handed a plate with eating utensils, and flatly adds: ]
You use the spoon to serve.
no subject
Need tells her privately:]
:My dear, it's because you're not an animal. You don't want people to see you as one. Here they won't hurt you for it, but you have to practice this sort of thing.:
[Resentment flashes across Nyara's expressive face, and then it's gone as she habitually conceals it; it's always safer to be pliant, to accept everything. Need feels a bit of that absolute rage she feels on the girl's behalf uncoil and carefully keeps it out of the way. She has to come across as perfectly calm, with a hint of good humor and the patience of the inanimate, as she shows Nyara how to operate a spoon without dumping its contents on the floor. It's a bit of a task to do for the first time, and with big swollen finger pads to compensate for.
But you know what, Miguel's here, Need can at least snip at someone and the thought about contamination is an excuse. Private channel, on!]
:She washes her hands, you know. Finally found a soap without too much scent.:
no subject
In case the sword didn't explain it properly, it's rude to just reach in with your hands because this food is meant to be shared. You have to be considerate of the other guests who won't know where your hands have been.
Not a pleasant line of thinking to go through as the other party.
[ he's... straightforward and firm about it, as always. But not unkind. ]