#most of the people on the server either have mixed to negative feelings about him

[flamedoesart]

Ya know I genuinely wonder if it’s gonna take c!Wilbur having a mental breakdown for everyone on the SMP to realize that he has a crap ton of issues and desperately needs people to support him.

#wilbur soot #dream smp #dsmp #mcyt #because honestly #most of the people on the server either have mixed to negative feelings about him #and dude no longer has the support that he did #aside from I guess tommy #but tommy has enough problems as it is #either way I just want to see wilbur get better #because it would offer a crapton of relief and catharsis

[silverthetheorist]

Wilbur returning as a writer is good (and why it will be an uphill battle)

I am back I guess. I disappeared for a while, which I tend to do. Anyways, my point today is explaining why Wilbur returning as the writer of the SMP is the best possible thing for the server. I’ve seen a lot of hate towards Wilbur and his writing, people say it was too focused on his own character and leaving everyone else out except for Tommy, to which I say.... Have you seen Season 2? They could have renamed the SMP the “Tommy, Techno, and no one else SMP”

Before showing proof to how Wilbur can improve the storyline let me talk about the Final Disk War Arc for a bit:

- It was very good!.... Until you start thinking about it for a little bit. When everyone showed up to say goodbye to Tommy and Tubbo and the Endgame moment were good, but then you remember half of those character either hate Tommy, barely interacted with him or have nothing to do with the plot of Season 2 (Because everyone who was not called Tommy, Techno and Dream were left out). So yeah, those moments are good on their own

- When Tommy starts listing all the horrible things Dream has done to everyone in the server and can’t think of any besides a joke about Quackity not wearing clothes... Even they know no one had any stake in the plot jesus

-Dream ending up in the prison was the perfect ending. Anyone else ending in that prison would not have made sense from a story perspective. Glad they dodged that narrative bullet. 

Really, the Final Disk War made me realise the biggest problem with season 2. The exile arc is very good... on its own. Doomsday was very g- hahahahaah... I’m kidding Doomsday is the only bad bad event on the SMP. And the Final Disk War is also very good. But when you put it all together.... it just doesn’t fit. This is a classic example of something being worse than the sum of its parts (Not sure if I am using that phrase correctly but you get the point... hopefully). Each arc on its own is fairly competent but how did Techno’s execution affect the rest of the arcs? How was the Final Disk War affected by prior arcs? It lacks cohesiveness and consistent themes.  

Now I have two more things to say before I give Wilbur his credit: 

- I’ve mentioned Eret, Fundy and Nicki a lot because I think they were great characters with a lot of potential. But, as we know, the story completely ignored them in favor of Dream, Techno and Tommy (Even Tubbo was sidelined for most of the Story). I am not insinuating anything, but something about one of the few LGBT CC of the server, one of the two women of the server and the only (I think) canonically trans characters being left out of the story they have been a part of since the beginning just... doesn’t feel right to me. 

- I LOVE Ranboo. You can see the passion and dedication he puts in his story and I love it. But, has he really done anything? Like... that affects the plot. He grieffed George’s house with Tommy but you can cut him out of it and nothing changes? Same with blowing up the community house, you can just say it was Dream and cut Ranboo’s character all together. If you can remove a character and the plot does not change then that is a bad character. And this is not Ranboo’s fault, you can tell how passionate he is and he is definitely the best actor of the SMP (Low bar there but whatever), but the Storyline says: No, your character cannot actually do anything. This also fits together with the Eret, Fundy and Nicki situation: A character giving his opinion and feeling over an event is not a character being involved in the plot. That is a reactionary character that never affects anything but is delegated to just reacting to the plot other characters move. Sad.

Now. How can Wilbur fix all of this? The evidence can be seen on his failed resurrection. He went directly to Eret to ask for help. That is the key to everything. 

Tommy is the main character. There is no changing that this far into the story. But by writing stories that involve other characters you include them. Big shocker there, I know. Season 2 was more character centric (Although not in a good way), the problem is that character centric stories cannot handle that many characters. Wilbur has said that he prefers geopolitical plots and why is that? A country has many people, not only one. if you built and open narrative, it allows for anyone who want to be included in the story to... well, be included. And a story being more geopolitical does not mean it is not character centric, but a character-centric story cannot be geopolitical. 

Why did I mention him asking Eret for help before Philza joining in? Because it is simple thing like that the way to go to include other characters. If you invite another CC into your lore event, then that CC can develop how his character interacts and grows from that event. You see this with Eret, he shows regret over the betray, he shows his love for Fundy and his respect for Wilbur. It really is not that hard to do, which makes everything season 2 has done way more infuriating. The ONE thing Wilbur decides in season 2 showed more skill that anything in season 1 (Kind of an exaggeration but you get the point). 

So to summarize, Wilbur will improve season 3 in two ways: Writing a bigger narrative that sustains more character and inviting said left-out characters to help out on events that they may not really have a lot of stake in. 

Why it will be an uphill battle you ask? Because they got rid of L’manberg. The geopolitical stuff is barely present anymore. And season 2 negative’s will still affect the future of the SMP forever just as the strength’s of season 1 impacted the mix reception season 2 had.

PS: English. Me make mistakes sometimes. Me sorry. Also sorry if I rambled a bit too much. Head full. 

PS2: The egg plot is cool and new and refreshing. But I cannot say it is very good until I see what the emotional core of the story is. It is still fairly new so I will give it the benefit of the doubt. 

PS3: Sorry if I was too negative again, but there are already so many people pointing out the good things about the SMP. This fandom forgets that they are allowed to not like things, and disagree with the CC. I see many post per day saying things like: If CC does this (Insert stupid idea) then we (Their viewers who they have to appease in some way or another) we CANNOT COMPLAIN EVER. Like, no. Have some critical thinking and point out bad when you see it, I know this fandom is capable of it but many suppress critical thinking in this fandom in favor of very weird hive-mind ideas. 

PS4: Dream’s song is not it. I am sorry. 

#dream smp #dream #georgenotfound #SapNap #tommyinnit #tubbo #eret #nihachu #fundy #wilbur #wilbur soot #technoblade #phliza #ranboo #awesamdude #badboyhalo #Skeppy #antfrost

[gaysimpsstuff]

Fatgum As a Dad

This was inspired by a conversation I had on a discord server, we all have daddy issues and want Fatgum to adopt us so here’s all the shit we collected.

There are some serious themes in here, mostly regarding the biological parents of the kid, but it’s vague as possible. If anyone wants me to add a trigger warning please let me know.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It all started when he was a kid, when he learned what an orphanage was. One of the kids in his class mentioned being from one, so when he got home he asked his parents about it. 

“Mom, what’s an orphanage?”

“Well, Taishiro, it’s where children that don’t have parents go. Then people can come and adopt the children. Why do you ask.”

“A kid at school said he’s from one, when d’you think he’s gonna get adopted?”

“He might, not all children get adopted. Some of them stay in the orphanage until they’re adults.”

“BUT THAT’S NOT FAIR!” he shouted. “EVERYONE DESERVES A HAPPY CHILDHOOD!”

“Well, honey, life’s not fair. And not everyone gets a happy life. It’s how most villains are made, actually. They were hurt more than everyone else and couldn’t handle it anymore. Not all villains are like that but many are. I think you should stay away from that kid, Taishiro. He might turn out a villain.”

But he didn’t stay away. And he made it his mission to become a pro hero so he could make a ton of money and help as many people as he could. He’d help even villains, keep them from doing something dangerous and inspire hope in them.

Then, he’d adopt any kid who needed a father. All the orphanages and foster programs would be empty. Homeless children off the street and in his house, being fed and clothed. He’d care for each and every one of them, not wanting a single person to feel like they didn’t belong. 

He finds most of his kids at pride parades. He walks around with a shirt that says ‘FREE DAD HUGS’ and a box full of candy. He remembered one of the kids walking up to him slowly.

“Um.. are you Fatgum?” 

“Yes I am!”

“Can I have a hug?”

“Yes you can, Kiddo!” he got down, and the kid put his arms on his stomach (Fatgum’s too big for anyone to fully hug, the dude’s taller than Allmight!) he wrapped his arms around the kid before he heard sniffles. He looked down and saw that the kid was crying.

“M-my parents never hug me like this!” they exclaimed. “They haven’t since I came out. They want to kick me out when I turn thirteen!” 

“Can I have their number? I’m going to... talk to them.”

He ended up taking the kid’s family to court, and since the parents were going to just kick the kid out anyways, they let Fatgum adopt them, but they kept nagging him about how he was ‘going to be raising a little demon.’

“Then call me Lucifer.” he spat right back. Now, that kid’s grown up, has pride flags all around their walls, and doesn’t ever doubt that they’re loved.

Fatgum probably bakes with his kids. Helping them up onto the counter to mix ingredients and play with the dough. If they mess something up or break a glass, it’s fine. He doesn’t yell at them or sigh and shake his head, he just kissed the kid on the forehead and helps them clean up the mess. 

The food always turns out amazing, and Fatgum always tells the kids that. All of his kids are now Gordon Ramsay level chefs and have probably met Gordon Ramsay. 

No matter what their body type is, Fatgum tells his kids their handsome/beautiful and are model worthy. If anyone comments of one of his kid’s body, whether it be negative or... ‘positive’ in a creepy way, you can expect that they’re getting slammed into the ground. No questions asked.

One of Fatgum’s kids is really good at make-up. Like, really good. So Fatgum did the only thing a rational father would do. 

Ask for a make-up job.

It didn’t end all that well...

“Hold still.. I gotta get the eyeliner on.”

“Gosh, Kiddo it’s making my eyes water.” 

“I know, just hold still... aaaand...... done! Now don’t touch it or it’ll smear!”

“Wow, that looks great! You’re really good at this!”

“Thanks, dad- you smeared it already didn’t you?”

“....Nope.”

Fatgum: I'm not gonna do it, it just seemed like a good option. 

Fatgum not even two seconds later after seeing a trans kid crying: now carrying said child on his shoulders while his spouse is chuckling in a corner after signing adoption papers I did it.

This man would get his kids almost anything they wanted. Especially kids with ADD/ADHD/Autism/Tourettes/Anxiety who need stim toys.

Kid: chewing on their nails.

Fatgum: here take this stim toy, and this one, you chew this one so that might help-

Kid ends up with more stim toys than they can count.

Fatgum: just doing his job 

The Daddy Issues Gang: Hi dad- oh shit wait- Hi- I- fuck- trauma ensues. crying

Fatgum: grabs the daddy issues gang we're going to the nearest courtroom say hello to your new father its me im the father ok lets go.

Kid: um, dad can I talk to you? 

 Fatgum, turning around quickly: yes? 

 Me: ‘he moved so quick, he's mad at me, I'm gonna get yelled at’ Sorry, sorry! 

Fatgum: uh, no. I'm getting you ice cream and a new stuffed animal no questions asked

He'd just know when something's wrong, and he’d be great at comforting.

His usual style of comfort is to let the kid sit on his stomach and tell him what’s wrong. His body is one giant pillow for his kids to lay on, he can fit at least eight of them if they cuddle in closely.

Once filmed a commercial dressed as the Cool-Aid man, and all of his kids were in the commercial.

Fatgum: Busts down wall  “OH YEAH!”

Director: “And CUT! Okay, try a little more aggressive-”

Fatgum, in tears: “I don’t wanna scare my kids.”

As stated before, if anyone makes his kids feel bad he’s punching them to the ground, but sometimes he’s not in a position where he can do that. Like if a Karen mom ever comes over.

"Linda stop bringing lemon squares if you're going to talk about my son that way because they're just as sour as your attitude."

Fatgum but he slaps the toxic members of your family and tells them to do better or he's taking you.

Then takes you anyway because you prefer him.

Fatgum with a sweater that says ‘mr dad guy on it’

Fatgum definitely watches ATLA, and quotes Uncle Iroh daily. When his kids are minding their own business they suddenly hear

“Leaves from the vine... falling so slow...” 

INAUDIBLE CHAOS AND PANIC

Fatgum agency cosplayed ATLA characters on Halloween.

Fatgum was Iroh.

Kirishima was Sokka.

Tamaki was either Momo or Appa.

Maybe get a couple others in on it too, Mirio could be Aang and if Kirishima convinces Todoroki to join for a while he’d totally be Zuko.

Fatgum lets his kids squish his face.

Fatgum used to work with a hero who was hard of hearing, so he learned sign language to help them, and he’s got the skill saved in case one of his kids might be deaf.

So one day, Kirishima invites Bakugou on patrol with him, and we all love that headcanon of Bakugou going deaf, so when he gets pissed at something, he starts insulting everyone around him in SL.

Fatgum notices and starts signing back to him.

YOU’RE ALL MOTHERFUCKERS AND I HATE YOU ALL!

Hey, now, let’s calm down and not call everyone motherfuckers.

FUCK YOU TOO

Bakugou...

Everyone thinks that they’re doing magic, because they’re making all these shapes with their hands and keep looking offended at each other.

Now, Fatgum tries his gosh darn hardest to keep up with the memes, so when his kids come home with good grades, he says “That’s so pog, Kiddo!”

All of his kids are embarrassed.

In the middle of a battle, he throws Kirishima at a villain and they both scream “YEET!” the villain afterwords forever lives in fear of the word ‘yeet’ because he thinks it’ll result in a human rock being thrown at his face.

Fatgum can’t text very well, because his fingers are just too damn big-

sonhsisntextsblooklikehthis'

Translation: so his texts look like this

you learn to understand his texts

Someone better get him a large tablet instead of a phone

If he gets married after he adopts the kids, there’s going to be a huge competition over who does the rings and who does the flowers etc.

If any of his kid’s ever bring home a romantic partner, you can bet your ass he’ll be all over them.

“What’s your average grade?”

“E-eighty percent sir!”

“And do you take sports?”

“No sir, I wish to be a biologist.”

“I see, I see...”

“DAD, YOU AREN”T INTERVIEWING MY PARTNER, ARE YOU? YOU SCARED OFF THE LAST THREE I DON’T WANNA DEAL WITH THAT AGAIN!”

“SORRY, KIDDO! I’LL LET THEM GO NOW! I’ve got my fucking eyes on you. Don’t screw this up.”

Hope y’all enjoy this, if y’all want I can write some headcanons for if Fatgum’s kid becomes a villain-

#fatgum #taishiro toyomitsu #fatgum bnha #fatgum mha #mha fatgum #bnha fatgum #dadgum #fatgum as a dad #fatgum is a dad #daddy issues gang

[liongoatsnake]

The post that brought this up is somewhat old now, I don't even remrmber which blog I saw it on (apologies if its not this one) but I suspect that the reason we're seeing much less gateway systems and systems that ascribe spiritual explanations to some or all of thier plurality isn't so much a natural shift but rather that everyone's fucking terrified of being fakeclaimed, harassed and torn to shreds by sysmeds. They've poisoned community discussions to a truly nauseating degree.

That is our general perspective as well.

We have been aware of the plural community for well over a decade and the rise of "syscourse" has really wreaked havoc across most parts of the general plural community and the more specific spaces within that broad umbrella.

Our multiple system is mixed-origin with a formal diagnosis from way back when.

Most of the spaces for those with trauma and/or suffer from severe dissociation seem plagued with various anxieties and are hardly the welcoming and mental supporting places many of those such spaces once were. Too many people there are seem either too anxious of being fakeclaimed or are anxious to finger-point at the next victim of the witch-hunt going on. Among other issues.

Many spaces for those who are many-in-one-body that isn't directly for those with trauma, dissociation, and/or diagnosed with DID/OSDD feel even more decimated.

You can't really find a space for talking about spiritual experiences like walk-ins, spirit possession, soul-spliting, thoughtform creation, and anything else. Where those spaces exist they are often regularly attacked by some favor of cringe-seeking trolls, or systems who subscribe to syscourse.

Spaces for discussing anything regarding anything neurological or psychological, but not directly related to the model of DID/OSDD, regarding being many-in-one-ness seem even worse off.

For these reasons our own multiple system anymore only interacts with other plurals within other community spaces rather than try to interact within the plural community directly. Even there though syscourse has spread.

The alterhuman community (otherkin, therian, etc communities) have also been negatively influenced by syscouse. Our own system was autobanned from a therian discord server (whose rules/founding statement no mention on rules regarding plurality) just this year because the founder/admin mistook us for an endogenic system. One of the largest therian groups on Amino has/was also overrun by syscourse which lead to many systems (regardless of their origins or diagnosis) being either outright banned or effectively pushed out. (Ourselves included.)

We've even seen syscourse starting to spread in parts of the pagan/occult community as well. Which is even more concerning because that directly negatively impacts those who are many-in-one due to spiritual reasons even more. (We almost feel like it is only a matter of time someone starts going after the religions that practice spirit possession directly at the rate things seem to be going.)

Sysourse is not pretty and it has done nothing but cause pain.

We said and felt as much for a long time.

- Sky Singer (he/him/his, red-tailed hawk)

#hoc answers asks #syscourse

[chill-course-criticism]

The Cult Indoctrination Tactics of Chillcourse

I feel the need to start this post off by stating that I do not think Chillcourse/Chillmeds is a cult. There is no evidence of it being an actual cult, nor would it be productive to do so. However, the server moderators do show some cult-like behaviors and do so enough that it is somewhat concerning.

Again, I am not trying to say that anyone is part of or have created a cult, more so just pointing out that the server as a whole does show many behaviors associated with cults. 

Everything behavior called cult-ish in any way is comparable to accounts from former cult members or psychologists. I am also only pointing out tactics that I have personally seen or ones that are proven.

This post focusses on the cult indoctrination steps that the Chillcourse moderators exhibit. More cult-like behaviors will be discussed in (a) later post(s).

I would also like to add that the server and its mods do not use or explicitly show all of the cult indoctrination steps. However, all of the commonly known steps will be listed to make it more clear how many tactics are used by server moderators.

All of the tactics listed below the cut are said to be used by cults by psychologists, as well as former cult members.

Step 1: Invitation to a Non-Threatening Event

Inviting someone to a non-threatening event is one of the behaviors that, on their own, do not mean anything sinister. It can be a friendly or professional gesture without other indoctrination tactics coming into play afterward. However, since there are a few more indoctrination tactics used alongside this one with the server mods, there is a reason to bring this up.

The invitation is often something like being invited to coffee or possibly dinner. It is seemingly the best way to get the possible recruit comfortable with the recruiter. Something this safe also makes it more likely that they will join the cult, seeing as they are not being shown the more concerning behavior off the bat, such as cutting off loved ones or cult rituals.

In regards to Chillcourse, this means the server link that was formerly in Dirk’s bio. Because everyone seems to be so friendly, someone who does not know the things that have happened in the server will likely see this as non-threatening and something fun and inviting. The link becomes even more inviting when you consider the number of anons that Dirk has gotten saying that they were anxious to join the server, where he replied that the server was friendly and that they have no reason to worry.

You could also somewhat consider the number of times that Dirk said that his followers could always reach out to him as another invitation. With the number of anons that he received that stated that they wanted to talk to him but were anxious about it, Dirk got to make that point a lot.

However, there is currently no proof that anyone who reaches out to Dirk via DMs is invited to the server in their conversation, meaning that it is likely less functional as a way to get people to join the server. While that does not mean that people who talk to him are not more likely to join the server, just that there is no proof, which means that this cannot fully be considered the invitation.

Whichever one of these you consider to be the main invitation, though it is primarily the former, this is very clearly similar to what many cults do to begin enticing new members- a simple invitation to something that, without context, is not harmful or scary.

Step 2: Love-Bombing

Love-Bombing is a tactic used by both cults and abusers as a way to get either recruits or targets of abuse to either join the cult or not leave the abuser or make the victim feel as though they owe. Like the first point, this is also another tactic that, on its own, can be completely innocent, as showing excessive amounts of affection can be how one displays emotion. However, when mixed with other cult-like or abusive tactics, love-bombing can be a red flag.

Love-Bombing, in regards to cults, is the tactic or showing a prospective recruit with love, gifts, and other forms of affection. The love-bombing often starts at the event from the first point. In regards to the server, this can often mean anons who express anxiety about joining the server. 

Love-Bombing is often one of the longest-running tactics and may only end when one starts showing a lack of faith, belief, loyalty, or whatever the cult wants. It may also end when the cult leader or leaders feels the need to maintain a higher level of control over a said member or members. There are also situations where love-bombing ends when one seems loyal to the cult and unlikely to leave.

In regards to the Chillcourse server, love-bombing comes in multiple forms. It often comes in regards to compliments on discourse posts, selfies, and artwork. However, it rarely seems to go far over the line of an acceptable amount of compliments or affection. The fact that most of the excessive praise, which can often be for minor things, mostly comes from moderators, rather than other members, seems to indicate at least some level of love-bombing within the server. 

Despite the more normal amount of compliments and the lack of gifts, this seems to be love-bombing rather than ordinary kindness. I say this because the compliments often stop when a member falls out of favor with the moderators. 

Compliments immediately drop of fand often turn into insults, even if said member is still in the server.

The sudden shift in treatment shows up in situations where Chillcourse critical blogs pop up and, even if the mods know that the blog runner is still in the server, said person ends up being insulted somewhat regularly. These insults can range from attacks on intelligence to challenging what people believe because of their stances on the server members to attacking the character of the blog runner. There are a few other types of insults that do come up, but these three are seemingly the most common.

The sudden switch in treatment for someone based on how the moderators feel about them makes it seem like all of the kindness and compliments are love-bombing and not wholly innocent.

Step 3: Dangling a Prize in Front of You

Dangling some form of a prize in front of a possible recruit is one of the big tactics that start to get people to begin to join the cult, rather than interact with members. It is at this point when the recruiter or other members bring up a prize or positive thing for the possible recruit to gain, so long as they join the cult. This prize can be something like enlightenment, getting rid of a decidedly negative (not always truly negative) trait, or even just a community.

Because I have not seen any proof of mods or server members directly holding a prize in front of people, this is going to be one of the somewhat more speculative sections. However, there have been a few things that I have seen that seem similar enough to justify it existing as more than just a listed step.

To an extent, the server is the prize. More specifically than that, the community that the server offers is the prize. Chillcourse is one of or the biggest transmed specific (and possibly even transmed safe) servers from Tumblr. Because of this, Chillcourse is the only way to find that kind of community. That community is the prize in this situation.

The reason I specified that the prize is the community gained through the server rather than the server as a whole is because the server could be seen more as the non-threatening event, with the link being the invitation. 

To get into a little more detail on how the community can be the prize. Along with my other point, the server is also one of the most well-known servers that do not allow tucutes, inclusionists, or the like. Because of that, it is one of the only places where transmed and exclusionist views are accepted, especially one that is accessible from Tumblr.

Because of this, it seems very enticing to transmeds and exclusionists on Tumblr, especially considering the number of blogs on Tumblr and servers advertised on Tumblr that are not safe for them at all. All of this makes it easy to get in new transmeds and exclusionists who are looking for a community where they will not be judged or harassed.

Step 4: Extracting an Agreement That You Want the Prize

Extracting an agreement that one wants the prize is another one of the first steps that are hard to come back from and plunge a recruit deeper into the cult. The tactic is traditionally the recruiter asking if the prospective member wants the prize. Because the said prize is enticing, this is often the easiest step.

This tactic is one of the ones that are not used by the server moderators. It is only included in this list to show the number of tactics they use in comparison to the ones that they do not.

Step 5: Shutting Down Dissent by Threatening to Withhold the Prize

Shutting down dissent by threatening to withhold the prize is a tactic used to keep cult members within the cult. This tactic comes into play when the cult leaders start to ask new members to begin going through with somewhat extreme tasks. These tasks may include rituals or cutting off family members. If one expresses concern about these tasks, leaders often say that failing to go through with them will keep the member from achieving the prize.

Considering that the server does not seem to be a legitimate cult, this segment is going to be another one of the less concrete ones. However, there are enough accounts from members, be they current or former, that show them feeling as though something similar to this was happening that this tactic does seem to be in use somewhat. 

Many members have stated that they felt as they might have their community taken away from them if they did the wrong thing. In this situation, the wrong thing could be something as simple as disagreeing with the mods on a non-server regulated issue or calling out ignorance.

There were also situations where members ended up getting kicked out of the server or treated poorly by the mods for disagreeing with them on something or even bringing up concerns.

Step 6: Establishment of Guilt

Establishing guilt among members is a crucial tactic to keep cult members under control. The tactic usually entails the leader saying that they have done a lot for the members and that the members will only be happy if they admit that they will always be in debt to the leader. Of course, this is not the only way that the tactic comes into play; it is just one of the most common.

Though the Chillcourse moderators have not said that the members are indebted to them, some of them, especially Dirk, do establish guilt in server members in a few other ways.

One of the primary ways this happened was in regards to Dirk's OCD and how the server organization was. There were times that the organization of channels was said to be something that triggered the OCD or anxiety of some members. 

Every time this would happen, Dirk would say that the channels were that way because of his OCD. Whether he meant for it to every time or not, this did spark guilt in at least a few server members. The guilting became worse when the complaint started to come from criticism blogs, which caused the following argument to end up being a blanket argument against everyone,  rather than just criticism blogs. 

Instead of just saying that the channels are the way that they are because of Dirk's OCD, he started to call anyone who brought up the channel organization ableist for not knowing or remembering that he has OCD.

There was also another way that Dirk specifically would establish guilt among server members. There were times when different people would criticize Dirk for many reasons. Whenever this happened, he would often go to the server and talk about everyone hating him, sometimes including former friends of him.

On its own, this would cause some server members to feel guilty for making Dirk feel bad about himself, even if they had done nothing wrong or he had done something that deserved some form of criticism.

There were also instances where this would also involve Dirk saying things that implied that he felt as though anyone who had even slight problems with him or actions that he did were awful people or responsible for his poor mental state in some way. This was accompanied by him saying that he was constantly being backstabbed by close friends, disregarding how close any of these people actually were to him and what they had done.

Step 7: Carrot and Stick

The carrot and stick tactic used by cults is one of the more simple ones and yet another tactic that might seem somewhat harmless when used on its own. Simply put, this tactic is the use of rewarding or praising what the cult sees as positive behavior and punishing what it sees as negative behavior.

In regards to Chillcourse, this comes in a few forms. One of the most common examples of this is mods and members showering other server members with praise when they make what the server as the whole finds to be a good discourse post or argument.

There are also times when members would disagree with the majority on an opinion that was not an opinion regulated by the server, which would cause many other members to dogpile them for it, during which none of the moderators would stop it and would even sometimes join in.

Combined with how quickly the moderators and some members will turn on the runners of criticism blogs, including ones whom they know have remained in the server.

Step 8: Control of Identity, Information, and Environment

The tactic of controlling the environment and identities of members, as well as restricting the flow of information is one of the main ways cults keep their members under their control.

In the case of Chillcourse, this tactic is a little harder to call out. The reason for this being that some of the control of information and environment could be a way to keep the server safe for transmeds, rather than to restrict members' knowledge of other points of view. However, there is still some evidence of moderators, primarily Dirk, using this tactic within the server.

One of the biggest instances of information and the environment being controlled is in the server rules, specifically the second rule. The rule in question used to read, "No tucutes, MOGAI, mspec(not including bi), neopronouns, inclusionists, so on. No conflicting identities like 'nb boy' 'he/him lesbian', etc. The full acronym is LGBT. Q word is a slur."

This means that any stances that are against the ones that the mod hold are not allowed. That rule causes the restriction of the flow of information, as well as the environment within the server.

Recently, the rule has changed, though not to something that does not restrict information somewhat. Since the change in rules, the new version reads, "We do not allow tucutes, pro-mogai, pro-mspec, inclusionists, or pro-neopronoun. People neutral on the topics are allowed as long as they are respectful."

The new version of the rule, though slightly looser when it comes to people who are not set on the same stances as the mods, it still does not allow anyone who does not have the same opinions as the mods.

There are more, often more minor, instances of the mods controlling the information within the server. However, the rule above is the most prominent example and the text that caused every other instance of this.

#mod jay #mod marsh #critisism #chillcourse #chill course #chill-course #anti chillcourse #anti-chill-course #anti chill course #anti chill-course #chillmeds #chill-meds #chill meds #anti chillmeds #anti chill meds #anti chill-meds #anti-chillmeds #anti-chill-meds #cult mention #cult tw #tw cult #abuse mention #abuse tw #tw abuse #cult #cults #abuse

[msblackriver]

I Worked With a Future Racist Cop at a Popular Asian Restaurant

When I worked at this popular Asian chain restaurant (y’all have heard of it). I witnessed the beginnings of a white racist cop. It actually was the most racist environment I've ever been in. During my 6 month stay there, I heard many racist remarks and unnecessary identifications of someone’s skin color. I did not for the most part say anything until one day I did. I admit I probably should have said something much sooner but I've always been non confrontational and for that reason I allowed them to make me uncomfortable every day. The vast majority of the server staff there was Asian, and the level of prejudice was beyond belief. Where waitresses would constantly complain when they got a “brotha sista” table, “brotha sista” was their way of saying ‘black’, they called white people simply “american”, see any problems here? The majority of the servers participated in these conversations.

Most days it was this type of prejudice I would witness, “why you give me all the brotha sista?” they would complain to the host. 3 of the 4 hosts were black or mixed, 2 of them were the sons of the GM who was Japanese, their mother was black. I was told that certain hosts worked with certain waitresses and gave them better tables which of course meant white people. The GM’s kids seemed used to hearing this stuff. I never saw them participate in it but it seemed they were good friends with one of the worst offenders, they were also teenagers.

The person I am today would not have waited nearly as long to say something, and probably would not have worked in a horrible environment like that for that long. But I also have to accept that was who I was. I was someone who didn’t speak up when I should have. I was at times triggered and highly uncomfortable but I was silent, by being silent they may have assumed that I was okay with it or that I wasn’t black? I somehow was not black to them I was “other”, this is part of the reason I had a fly on the wall experience I believe? My appearance to some is not ‘their’ definition of black, I am East African and some East Africans have this sort of response from people, as we generally don’t look African American. For many people if you don’t fit this mold then you aren’t black to them. This explains why it may of been said initially but my silence is what kept it going.

The sad truth too is that when you don’t say something people will just become more and more comfortable, and their offenses gradually become worse and worse; this is human behavior. This I guess is why one day they were able to have such a disgusting conversation within earshot of me.

The staff was mainly Asian and Hispanic, with a few Black, Indian, and White employees.

The reason they didn’t want the “brotha sista” was because they didn’t tip. There is some truth to this as I found out after working there but still… You gotta take the L sometimes as a waiter/waitress, also if you know that your restaurant is a popular spot for black people, I just don’t see what’s the point of complaining every time you get a black table. The Minneapolis was about 18% black at the time. Of the diners in the restaurant I would say about 30% were black, we knew this, accept it and move on.

One black woman asked for her ice cream before the food, and that really set off the top server, “Stupid black girl! she want her ice cweam befo’ da food.” Why did she have to point out her race? Entirely unnecessary and suggested that she thought black people as a whole were stupid. The same woman later on in a moment of understanding how what she said could be offensive said that they “didn’t want the black customers because they didn’t tip, if they tip it ok, Mexican don’t tip either, Asians don’t tip either but they cheap so cheap they don’t even go out to eat so we don’t worry about them, they don’t come here.” So there you have it, it was strictly about the money, but still not o.k. to profile your customers based on the color of their skin. There were a few, very few who did not participate in all this bullshit but the majority of them did.

In the beginning I thought I should call John Quinones so they could do an undercover expose for ABC. One day they really pushed it over the edge. The atmosphere was uncomfortable for me but made it very comfortable for the two white boys there. Now that racist shit was bad coming from the Asians but sounded even worse coming from the white boys, it may not be right but this is just how I felt. Again it was the daily “brother sista” talk, they moved in and adapted to the lingo “oh God” they would say disappointed “more brotha sista.”

That was pretty much what it was until one day I overheard the worst conversation I've ever heard. The 3 of them sat there discussing the previous day, it was the 2 white boys and an Asian woman (the top Server). Mathew’s father had come to the restaurant the night before and was seated with black people, he complained and asked to be moved because “they were so loud and stupid.” This was all said with a laugh and received laughter from the other 2. “Yeah my dad does not like black people”, again said with a laugh and everyone was just very amused. The restaurant was community style seating which meant you could be seated with another group of people if you had less than 8 in your party. The conversation continued and it took an even worse turn where Mathew says that his dad told him that he should be a cop and work in Texas, “there you can beat the shit out of black people and get away with it.” I could not believe what I was hearing, my blood was boiling now, a few minutes later I confronted him.

“What you were saying a few minutes ago is not cool.”

He looked caught off guard, his eyes were wide.

“Are you a racist?” not sure why I asked.

“Um no i’m not, my dad is.”

“Well whatever you believe you can talk about it at home or with your friends but you can’t talk about that shit here at work.”

“I’m really sorry, I’m not a racist my dad is.”

He apologized a few times, he was nervous, the asshole piece of shit felt bad for being called out. I sat at a table and vented, my Filipino coworker put 2 and 2 together and understood

“so when I work with you, you don’t like what I say about black people either.” She looked at me waiting for me to respond.

“Well” I said, “you shouldn’t talk bad about black people in front of black people”

“but honey why you mad you not black you half and half.” She felt what she said was o.k. because she assumed I was “half and half”, which is untrue. Her racist ass thought that a person that wasn’t full black would and should undoubtedly denounce their blackness completely. She felt guilty as she should, she was actually one of the better ones there (sad I know). I was clearly upset and it now made them uncomfortable, funny isn’t it how that works? whereas I was uncomfortable everyday. I looked over to my right gesturing towards some of our Hispanic co workers

“i’m not gonna talk bad about Mexicans in front of them.” She so quickly and eagerly wanted to correct me and make me the bad guy, “but see they don’t like that either, they not all Mexican some of them are Salvadorian.” She was telling me something I already knew, the fact though is that some of them were Mexican, and I just used that as an example. She was so desperate to make me wrong to make me the same as her because she thought the whole time that what she said was cool. The funny thing is I never even called her out, she called herself out. I was talking about the white boy and what he said, she basically turned herself in. Even if I mistakenly called a Salvadorian a Mexican that isn’t racist that’s just ignorant, that doesn’t mean there is necessarily hate behind that, she was gas lighting to save herself. Here I was upset and she is there accusing me making me more upset.

Unfortunately this type of racism and prejudice is very common, fortunately for many of them they will not be in positions that determine the fate of black people. Their racism will not go beyond an unwelcoming demeanor in the area of which they live and work. Not offering the same level of service and good citizenship to customers and co inhabitants of their city based on a persons perceived race. Speaking negatively of other races when they feel they are not around. For a few they will enter positions where they can cause more severe harm like ‘Mathew’ who was considering joining law enforcement. I wish I remembered his last name so it would be easier to look him up, but I pray he did not join the force.

#racism #cops #racistcop #twincities #minnesota #diningwhileblack

[ranier-layarte]

LONG Character Survey: Ranier Leveilleur

BASICS.

FULL NAME: Ranier Kyran Layarte Leveilleur

NICKNAME: Ran, Raven

AGE: 21-25 (depending on expac)

BIRTHDAY: 1st Sun of the 2nd astral moon

ETHNIC GROUP: Au ra (Xaela)

NATIONALITY: Eorzean – From Ul'dah

LANGUAGE(S): Eorzean,

SEXUAL ORIENTATION: No

ROMANTIC ORIENTATION: Isn't this the same as the above?

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Married

CLASS: Weapon Master

• Proficient in almost all martial weapons.

• Tends to carry multiple weapons at all times.

• Prefers Axes out of all the bladed weaponry

HOMETOWN / AREA: Ul'dah

CURRENT HOMETOWN/ AREA: Shirogane Mansion

PROFESSION(S): WoL, Scion, Machinist, Businessman, Crafter

PHYSICAL: Extremely fit, exercises daily. Muscular build

HAIR: Black/Dark Blue

EYES: Crimson

NOSE: Average, straight, roman-esque

FACE: Straight essentially a greek nose. (At least if I had to try and describe it)

LIPS: A bit on the thinner side, very lightly pink.

COMPLEXION: A mix of Fair and Medium?

BLEMISHES: None

SCARS: Scar on left thigh from stab wound, Scar on left midsection, and upper right thigh.

TATTOOS: WoL tattoo on the palm of his right hand. (Working on giving him another)

HEIGHT: 7'4

WEIGHT: 330 LBS/ 150kg

BUILD: Tall, Muscular, Fit,

FEATURES: None

ALLERGIES: None, at least not yet.

USUAL HAIRSTYLE: Long hair parted in the middle framing the face. Pulled into a ponytail and held with a silver bead big enough for the tail.

USUAL FACE LOOK: Around 40% expressionless, 30% Scowling, 20% Reflective, 10% happy.

USUAL CLOTHING: Higher end clothing generally a mix of casual with formal preferring long pants and a short sleeved shirt. Boots of some kind and armor of some kind at all times. Either under or over the clothes having a preference for the bulkier armors.

PSYCHOLOGY.

FEAR(S): Dying and thereby becoming unable to prevent future deaths and incidents. A fear of the unknown. (Which is part of why he tries to prepare for so many things)

ASPIRATION(S): Being able to amass enough wealth to live comfortably and to continue making the lives of the less fortunate easier. Helping create a better society for all.

POSITIVE TRAITS: Empathetic, Compassionate, Humanitarian, Perseverance, Fairness, Courageous, Loving, Self discipline, Reliable, Thoughtful, Patient

NEGATIVE TRAITS: Bossy, Jealous, Secretive, Grumpy, Harsh, Aloof, Stubborn, Cruel (Only to enemies but that doesn't really matter to people does it?) Arrogant (In some things though less now)

ZODIAC: Pisces

TEMPERAMENT: Mix of choleric and melancholic.

SOUL TYPE(S):  King, Warrior, Server (In that order)

ANIMALS: Raven, Bear

VICE HABIT(S): Training, Fixing machines, Drinking, Rubbing Chin, 

FAITH: The Twelve (Loosely)

GHOSTS?: I mean if you've seen them you can't deny them.

AFTERLIFE?: With everything we see there has to be right?

REINCARNATION?: Yes, it's clear there is.

ALIENS?: Yes.

POLITICAL ALIGNMENT: Leftist

ECONOMIC PREFERENCE: Prosperous, everyone has what they need. Along with the means to go beyond that if they are willing and able.

SOCIO POLITICAL POSITION: I think there’s enough to go on.

EDUCATION LEVEL: Higher end of the spectrum, attended sharlayan schooling for a few years of his life. (Around three) Was home taught and by other teachers. Extensive knowledge in numerous subjects such as Machinery, Technology, Gunsmithing, Gemology, Business. Holding the equivalent of a mixture of Graduate or Masters in the subjects.

FAMILY.

FATHER: Kyran Layarte

MOTHER: Sahar Layarte

SIBLINGS: Kyari Layarte

EXTENDED FAMILY:

NAME MEANING(S): Ranier (Rainier with out the first I Meaning Wise army apparently)Kyran (Beam of Light) Sahar (Early morning or Dawn) Kyari (???)

HISTORICAL CONNECTION?: My families connection to history? My connection? My father was one of the survivors of the hotgo tribe also. Does fighting in the Calamity among all the other events count?

FAVORITES.

BOOK: Whatever has his current interest, it can very.

MOVIE PLAY: Does this mean Movie or Play?

5 SONGS:

• “Shock me” Baroness

• “Up In The Air” Thirty Seconds To Mars

• “Rise” League of Legends, Glitch Mob, The Word Alive

• “Unbreakable” Of Mice and Men

• “Drown” Bring Me The Horizon

DEITY: Halone

HOLIDAY: Valentione's day

MONTH: March

SEASON: Fall

PLACE: Beside his wife or workshop.

WEATHER: Light rain

SOUND: The turning of pages, the sound of rain, metal moving against each other.

SCENT(S): Smoke, Metal, Old books, and sweat

TASTE(S):  Dulcet, Spicy,

FEEL(S): Rocks, Silk, Smooth metals,

ANIMAL(S): This was listed before.

NUMBER: 1? I don't know.

COLORS: Black, Blue, Red, Gold, Silver

EXTRA.

TALENTS: Metalworking, Singing, Sewing, Gem Cutting, Technology, Smithing, Machinery, Dexterous.

BAD AT: Getting rest even now, Not over exerting himself, Not overthinking potential scenarios that may never happen. Dealing with almost all animals, Even now sometimes talking about what bothers him too well, but he’s gotten much better over the years/expansions.

TURN ONS: Caring, Helpful, Courageous, Educated, Aggressive. Listening, Reliable, 

TURN OFFS: Selfishness, Boastful, Belligerent, Cruelty, Intolerant, Racism, Weak willed, Careless,

HOBBIES: Creating new things be it machines, armor, clothes, weapons, tools, etc. Working on the same as before. Reading, Exercising, Cooking. Shopping.

TROPES: Pragmatic Hero, Bad ass boast, Big Fancy House, Chekhov's Gun, Determinator, Don't You Dare Pity Me, Genius Bruiser, Heroic Build, It's All My Fault, No Challenge Equals No Satisfaction, Super toughness, Friend to All Children, The Chosen One, The Ace, Ain't Too Proud To Beg, Always Save The Girl, Berserk Button, Death glare, Excuse me while I multi task, Game face, Hypocrite, Lady and Knight, Not So Stoic, Not So Invincible After all, Red Eyes, Take Warning, Stern Teacher, Undying Loyalty, The Power of Love

AESTHETIC TAGS: Workshops, Tools, Kitchens, Weaponry, Guns, Armor, Fine Clothes, Rain, Feathers, Azure Skies, Romance.

VOICE CLAIM(S): Keith Silverstein, (Speaking voice) John Rzeznik (Singing) John Baizley (Singing)

FC INFO.

MAIN  FC(S): Free company? Azure Talons.

ALT FC(S): What?

OLDER FC(S): What?

YOUNGER  FC(S): What?

GENDERBENT FC(S): What the fuck?

MUN QUESTIONS.

Q1: IF YOU COULD WRITE YOUR CHARACTER YOUR WAY IN THEIR OWN MOVIE, WHAT WOULD IT BE CALLED, WHAT STYLE WOULD IT BE FILMED IN, AND WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?:

• I genuinely don’t know. Something with the grandeur of lord of the rings maybe? But with the ability to add comedy and romance in the proper way. I'm all for serious movies but I enjoy the ability to add a well executed joke or sweet moment. It also would probably not just be a single film. Taking the general events and using my fics as material would probably be fine.

I’d have to think about it a lot more than I will right now

As for the name, well, I don't really have many options. But, probably something with Final Fantasy XIV as the main title. Give it a JRPG title I suppose as a sub title. Sort of like Warriors Dissonance or Uncovered Stories.

Q2: WHAT WOULD THEIR SOUNDTRACK / SCORE SOUND LIKE?:

• Ambient, switching to full of energy, able to convey emotion. Again mentioning LOTR, the score by Howard shore is really great and able to accompany many scenes in such a fantastic manner. As for the other bits perhaps the addition of artist tracks such as from favorite bands and those songs that have meaning to him. Like the ones listed above. 

Q3: WHY DID YOU START WRITING THIS CHARACTER?:

• As a way to work on and show that, a character doesn't just have to be overly reliant on tropes and cliches. That those are good as part of them but not as defining traits of them. Along with breaking some of those. Like how all protagonists always have dead parents, what's up with that? I enjoy seeing characters that try to break their molds and be more than that.

Q4: WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THIS CHARACTER?:

• My general thing in any game where you can create your own character has always been. To make who you'd want to be in this universe. I did that and then worked on it and reworked things until I got what I have now. So also, yes, he was a self insert.

Q5: DESCRIBE THE BIGGEST THING YOU DISLIKE ABOUT YOUR MUSE:

• Hard one I suppose but. I'd say how he is capable of doing so much. Even though I work with it as it is a key part of him, it's still hard to make him feel right, feel human when he's got these clear incredible strengths. He's very proficient at so many things some would maybe say he's a mary sue type of character. I make an effort to work on how he became that way to offset it. So it's a lot of extra work than if I had him being a more archetypal hero of his type. I may dislike this the most but I also like it. Love hate relationship you know?

Q6: WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN COMMON WITH YOUR MUSE?:

• A good part of our attitudes and personality though on his end they are greater generally. Along with our want to be as best as we can at certain things. 

Q7: HOW DOES YOUR MUSE FEEL ABOUT YOU?:

• Honestly, and in my current state. He would probably be very upset with me and to just know me or the hand I have in his creation and self.

Q8: WHAT CHARACTERS DOES YOUR MUSE HAVE INTERESTING INTERACTIONS WITH?

• Alisaie Leveilleur – She is the main one being his main love interest, girlfriend, and wife later. Though overall he sees her as an equal and a partner, which is part of the reason their relationship grows as much as it does. Along with giving someone who he can trust in and rely on, and vice versa.

• Finn Hogveart - Who harasses Ranier often enough especially with his pet and regarding moogles.

• Alphinaud Leveilleur - and him sometimes get along strangely due to Ranier's relationship with his sister. For a long time he tried to spy on Ranier and make sure he was good for his sister even though he knew he was a good person.

•  Cid Garlond - Ranier sees him as a mentor of sorts, along with someone that he can bounce ideas off of and work with on projects leading to a solid relationship between the two. The two sometimes bicker regarding their work but it's always just them being passionate for the projects.

• Gerolt Blackthorn – Similar to cid in some ways. Ranier looks up to Gerolt and his ability to continue making such amazing creations. Wanting to learn more regarding the processes means Ranier visits him when possible, bringing some drinks for him when he does. Almost having a relationship like bros. Ranier also sometimes has gone to try and sway Rowena on his behalf to lower his debt.

There are more but I don’t want to make this too much longer.

Q9: WHAT GIVES YOU INSPIRATION TO WRITE YOUR MUSE?

• I do not control the write, also Alisaie.

Q10: HOW LONG DID THIS TAKE YOU TO COMPLETE?:

Uhhhh maybe an hour all together. Over the course of three hours.

==========

Tagged by: @amandafullmetal​ @lyllyan-weiss

Tagging: @heyafinney​ @anikisbox​ and anyone who wants to do it that sees this.

#Ranier Leveilleur #Ranier Layarte #I did the best I could with it with the time i put into it. #I'm not the best at these either Hopefully someone finds new things or interesting #things from it

[aliaoren]

birthday bash || all

Date: November 19, 2017 Location: The Stonefruit Inn, Bar & Lounge Summary: Grace and Alia throw a joint birthday party and invite the whole town.

@gracevilliers, @ianncardero, @ashcaplan, @itsmayaparker, @xxtuaharjunaxx, @scarlettxruby, @faye-andrews, @fanesavin, @freddiewatts, @ephrampettaline, @river-phillips

People were arriving, milling about in the lounge/bar of the Stonefruit. Iann knew most of them of course, and was happy to greet them while Freddie did bartending duties. Everything was pretty much arranged; Grace and Alia were remarkably undemanding clients, over all. So their first major event had, so far, gone off without a hitch. He gravitated towards Tuah, nudging his old man. "Look how good you look. I know I already told you that, but I figure I'll tell you again." Iann kissed Tuah's high cheekbone. What'd you think of my attic hm? Cozy, right? You should stay the night with me."

"I just might," Tuah let his lips curled into a small smirk on his lips. "Perhaps we can retire to your attic once the party is over, hm?" He wrapped his arm around Iann's waist and pulled him closer, giving the man a playful kiss on the lips. "You look rather ravishing tonight. Well, more so than usual."

"Good it's settled," Iann said, snickering at the idea of being 'ravishing'. Only Tuah would think a thing like that, and Iann loved it. He looked around for the birthday gals, pitching an eyebrow. "Alia and Grace better not have ditched their own party to do some retiring of their own already...those two rabbits. Still in the honeymoon phase," Iann jibed, then looked at Tuah. "Are we still in the honeymoon phase thing?"

"I don't know, I'm always going to be wanting to have you. Does that count as a honeymoon phase?" Tuah asked, his smirk still painted on his lips. Tuah let his eyes roamed across the room, searching for the two celebrated birthday girls. "I think I can see Grace approaching, so they haven't left yet." He then looked at Iann, "You remember to order the cake, yes?"

Grace was used to being the center of attention and used to having extravagant parties. What she wasn't used to was actually being friends with the people who were there. Making her rounds of hellos, she spotted Iann and his partner. "I hope I'm not interrupting too much," she said with a knowing grin. She knew those looks. She and Alia looked at one another like that all the time. Grace leaned in to give each of them a half hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I hope there won't be any unwelcome guests tonight, hm?"

"I'm one-hundred percent almost sure this is Tuah and not a doppleganger," Iann grinned at Tuah, then made the slightly surprised 'oh' noise again when he got a kiss from Grace. He was going to have to get used to that sort of greeting with her, Iann supposed. Not that he minded; her hair smelled good. "Tuah was just being a worrywart and making sure if I remembered the cake. And of course I did, honey. You and Alia can let me know when you're ready for it; or if you're too busy having fun, then I've timed it for about two hours into the party. Unless the party's flagging in which case I'll haul it out earlier." Iann had no idea how long parties were supposed to run; he figured as long as everyone was still having fun, then it was fair game. "Oh! The party and free shit is your gifts, of course. So Happy Birthday, Gracie. Alia said you're...what? Turning 142 or something? You don't look a day over 100."

Grace chuckled, rolling her eyes. She was used to Iann and his humor by now. "A hundred and sixty four. But it's all the same after a while."

Alia loved a reason to celebrate - and her birthday was as good as any. Though she was used to going out to a bar with a small group of close friends, and not this large party at the Stonefruit Inn. Not that she was complaining; she enjoyed mixing and mingling, and it was made better by the fact that she knew most of the people here. She was trying to give tips to Freddie, who was behind the bar, but he was now shooing her off - actually, both he [i]and[/i] Ollie were shooing her off, and pouting slightly, she turned to find better entertainment elsewhere. It didn’t take long for her eyes to alight on Iann and Tuah, and Grace who was conversing with them. “Hello,” she beamed at the three of them, pulling Iann and Tuah into separate hugs before leaning in to press a kiss to Grace’s cheek - even if it hadn’t been more than an hour since she’d last spoken to her girlfriend. “What are you three gossiping about?”

"And I'm one hundred percent Iann isn't a doppelganger either," Tuah chimed in, receiving the kiss and hug from Grace. "Happy birthday to both you and Miss Oren," he said once he pulled away slightly, looking at both of them with a smile. "Iann was saying that how stunning your partner is looking tonight, which I agree wholeheartedly. And so are you, Miss Oren." He returned the other's hug with his own, beaming at the naga.

"Oh shit, yeah! You both look great. Goddamn I love a woman in a suit," Iann said, taking a step back to admire Alia's sleekness. "I keep telling the old man here to put on a tulle gown, but he insists he doesn't have the shoulders to pull it off." Iann pats Tuah's shoulders. "So beefy."

Grace melted comfortably into Alia's arms as she arrived, enjoying the fact her girlfriend was so tall that she could scoop her up in her arms easily if given the chance. Grace squeezed Alia's hand, draping her arm around her shoulder and placing her own arm around Alia's back. "She always looks lovely," she grinned, planting a kiss on Alia's jawline. She gave Tuah a long look, cocking her head. "I would say he has excellent shoulders."

Alia grinned at both Iann and Tuah, pleased at the compliment as she snaked her arm around Grace’s waist, allowing her girlfriend’s own complimentary words to wash over her. “Thank you. You both clean up quite well yourselves,” she told them, reaching forward to tug at Iann’s collar playfully. “What is a tulle gown?”

Tuah rolled his eyes at Iann's comment, and a slight chuckle escaped his lips at Grace's. "Yes, well. I'm hardly built to wear delicate things, I think. I'll most probably tear the dress in pieces." Tuah then directed his attention towards Alia's question, though his eyes was distracted at the playful tugging at Iann's collar. "Ah, to be honest, I have no idea. I'm not very well versed in these sort of things, really. A dress that shows off your shoulders, perhaps?"

"It's like one of those gowns that have all that big fluffy shit underneath the cloth, you know. Puffs it up, like a quinceañera - ahhhh, like a princess dress?" Iann motioned with his hands, puffing around his own hips to try and emulate tulle. He grinned at Tuah though, tugging Tuah's waist. "He's got excellent everything." Because Iann really did like showing Tuah off to everyone, even if Tuah did his best to be very modest about it, try not to draw attention to himself, etc. "Oh - I've made sure no one sings that birthday song. I mean, unless you all want people to sing you the birthday song."

Grace rolled her eyes with a laugh. She supposed these ridiculous men were her social circle now. "Tulle is the fabric. It's netting. And I'm still convinced most people wouldn't mind seeing Tuah's shoulders, torn fabric or not."

"Right?! Gracie, you feel me." Iann motioned at one of the servers, to bring over drinks - blood-cocktails for the vampires, and something special for the naga as well. "I concocted a special drink for you, Alia. It's got a kick of jackalope blood in it - you know what those are? They're mythical - bunny rabbits with antlers. I think you'll like it..." The drinks came around and Iann sorted it out for them. "The vamps get O-negative werewolf blood in their drink. And I'm having a bloody mary, ah ha!"

"But that would ruin the dress," Tuah tried to argue, unable to see why would he want to waste a perfectly good looking gown just to show off his everything, as Iann so eloquently put it. "Besides, I think both of you would be rather suited for such thing than myself, no?" Tuah took the offered drink. "Shall we make a toast before we drink?"

Alia shrugged. “It is okay. If Grace were to loan you a gown for the good of the people, I am sure she has plenty more.” She frowned slightly, glancing at her girlfriend. “Right?” And when drinks were brought over, she regarded hers curiously. “Jackalope?” she repeated. “I have not heard of it, but I cannot wait to try it. Let’s toast to… birthdays and no doppelgängers!”

"You could argue they're all Bloody Marys, Grace gave a shrug, her voice deadpan, although her humour was evident to anyone who knew her. "You managed to get Jackalope blood? That's very impressive." Grace took the drink with a little grin, still settled into Alia's arms contently. "I'm not toasting to any doppelgangers."

Iann's eyes gleamed suddenly as he tapped his glass, and he looked over at Alia for a moment. "Yeah, there was a whole swarm of jackalopes out at the springs...incredible..." Iann replied absently, then blinked at Tuah and Grace, his grin wide and winning. "You know there's...ah..." Iann took a gulp of his bloody mary. "There's that old birthday tradition that the birthday person in question gets a big ol' kiss from their well-wishers. You know - to wish them well for the next year to come and all that corny jazz. But on the other hand, what if it's not corny jazz? I'm a superstitious kind of guy, after all..."

Tuah "I've not heard of such tradition," Tuah narrowed his eyes at his kasih, his drink untouched in his hand. 'What are you trying to play here, kasih,' he wanted to ask, but dared not so not to cause any trouble with Grace.

Grace raised an eyebrow, positioning herself so she was in front of Alia with her arms draped around her shoulders. She took another sip of her drink and eyed Iann with a penetrating gaze. "If you're trying to kiss my girlfriend again, the next thing I drink will be you."

Iann boggled. "Again! I've never kissed her, or you for that matter, Grace. That scummy doppleganger and his wretched moustache did. And I'll bet he - it - wasn't even that good," Iann harrumphed, lifting his nose to emulate a pettish snootiness.

It seemed that everyone was quite familiar with jackalopes and their blood, and it only made Alia all the more eager to try it. “We are not toasting to the doppelgängers,” she told Grace with a sly grin, “we are toasting to the lack thereof.” At Iann’s mention of the birthday tradition, she raised both brows. “I have not heard of that.” To Grace, she added, “It is all right, Iann only wants to prove that his moustache is ten times better than the doppelganger’s.” She paused, raising her glass. “I do wish to thank you for this jackalope drink, Iann.” She leaned forward, slipping out of Grace’s embrace, and pressed a kiss to the very corner of Iann’s mouth before pulling back and doing the same to Tuah. To Tuah, Alia said, “Thank you for coming to the party.”

Grace snickered. "If I didn't know any better I might be starting to get the impression that Iann was some sort of wanna-be Lothario." She was trying to keep her sense of humor about this. Alia didn't seem to mind, after all. She loosened up as Alia let go of her, taking another swig of her drink before giving both Grace and Tuah a small peck on the lips. "Anything more and you couldn't handle it," she joked.

Alia tried to catch Iann’s eye as Grace planted a quick kiss on Tuah’s lips - as though to say I told you so! She took a sip of her drink, humming thoughtfully as the taste of the alcohol hit her first, slowly giving way to the richer tones of the jackalope blood underneath. “This is very nice, Iann. Do you have any left? I might want to purchase some for the The Fainting Goat…”

Grace gave her girlfriend a look, extending a hand to lightly touch her shoulder. "You know, darling, we've never gone hunting together before. It might be fun."

Tuah accepted the kiss from Grace. "I believe the so-called tradition said that the celebrated receives a kiss from the well-wishers, not the other way around. But I think this will suffice, no?" Tuah arched his brow at Iann, wondering how far his kasih was willing to push this shenanigans forward

Iann gave a melodramatic sigh, as if from Alia's kiss it was a signal that that was as far as it would go. "'Wanna-be' being the keyword there, Gracie," Iann said with a snort, accepting the delivered peck-kisses with a passivity. He smiled when Alia enjoyed the taste. "I can go get more, there are tonnes of them now out in the Newes..." But then Grace mentioned hunting -together! - and Iann's eyes lit up. "Hunting? For jackalopes?" Likely to Tuah's relief, Iann's interest had shifted quickly away from any possibility of further kisses, and towards the idea he had of Grace racing through the forest, Alia slithering along at her side. How cool would that be.

Maya had heard about the party from someone. They had said that the whole town was welcome and she was never one to turn down a party. She dressed in the best clothes she had. As she walked in though she couldn't help but notice how underdressed she was. She moved through the party quietly, going first to the bar to get a drink.

Alia had never considered going hunting with Grace - which was silly, considering how good her girlfriend was at it. Of course, Grace had previously used to hunt supernatural creatures… “Let’s go,” she told Grace, taking another sip of her drink and finishing the last of it. “I would like to see an expert at work. And I am sure Iann would too. —I am going to get us another round. Would anyone like something else?”

"I would love to," Iann gushed, gleeful that Alia was trying to include him. But he held himself back and (tried to) politely add, "Whenever you're ready to take on a third wheel. I think Tuah's hunting days are over." Iann pat Tuah's chest and shook his head when Alia asked if he needed a fresh drink.

Tuah seemed a little uncomfortable with the talk of hunting, preferring to keep this hunting business far behind him, and only when necessary. He was about to excuse himself from such activity, but the look on Iann's face made him second-guessing a little. "Well, I'll come with you if you allow us to go along, even if it's just to keep Iann from doing anything far too dangerous." He gave them a smile before shaking his head at the offer of another drink. "I prefer to observe than to actually hunt these creatures."

Alia excused herself and headed over to the bar, her mind still mulling over hunting with Grace (and Iann and Tuah—what fun it would be, to have them all along!). It was then she recognized, out of the corner of her eye, the woman who had come to The Fainting Goat the other day—“Maya?” she called out, cocking her head to the side.

Maya looked up surprised at the sound of her name. After a moment she recognized the bartender from The Fainting Goat who had helped her get a shift at a bakery. She smiled, "In the flesh. And Happy Birthday, this is quite the party."

Iann As Grace stepped away to greet some other guests (Iann realized he was boggarting the birthday ladies, after all) he watched the pair leave and then looked at Tuah. "I like having an observation buddy," he said, reaching up to hold Tuah's chin, look in the vampire's eyes. "As if I know how to hunt. I just want to watch them hunt, hm?" Did Tuah know that Grace was a Hunter once upon a time? Likely not. And it wasn't something Iann was going to mention to his fella right now. Instead he grinned mischievously. "You know if you did kiss Grace or Alia, it would be pretty hot. I'm just saying. Watching you kiss someone else would be...boy oh boy oh boy."

Grace continuied chatting to Iann and Tuah while Alia went to the bar. "I don't do much hunting any more either. I'm pampered. I get my blood from the bottle or from donors, but if there really are that many Jackalopes out there at the Springs, it might make a nice little trip.

Alia smiled at Maya. “Thank you for coming. I am not used to such… elaborate parties, if I am to be honest.” She laughed. “What are you having?”

Maya laughed. "Yeah, clearly neither am I," she replied in a self deprecating tone, referring to her outfit. It would bother her less the more everyone else had to drink. "Oh just rum and coke," she said, "Although if they made you like signature cocktails or something I'd be happy to switch to that."

Tuah arched his brow at the other's words. "You want to watch me make out with them? That's the term young people used these days, yes?" Tuah had done a little bit of research about Grace in his spare time, but he didn't feel the need to share with anyone about what he knew since he didn't see the point of it all. Besides, Iann did mention Grace had cut her ties with her hunter family, so he figured he shouldn't be too wary of her. Not to mention she's a surprisingly good company, too. “Well, I never pegged you to be a voyeur, Mr. Cardero.” Which was untrue, seeing that he did perform sybaritism for his kasih awhile back, when Iann was travelling overseas with Freddie. "If it's alright with you, Miss Villiers, then perhaps we can set up another double date for this? I'll make sure there will be no doppelganger this time."

Alia raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about? You look right at home.” She was a firm believer in the simple drinks - they were a classic for a reason, after all, and it was usually because you couldn’t go wrong with them. “Well, there is this drink with jackalope blood, but I do not think that would be to your tastes.” And when the bartender asked for her order, she ordered the drink that Iann had prepared for her. “So, when do you start at the bakery?”

Grace gave a nod, having completely missed the part about Tuah kissing her while she was away greeting the other guests. "That would be wonderful. Iann has my number." She looked around for Alia, finding her at the bar with someone she didn't know. "I should go and check on those drinks. Thank you again." She extended a hand to lightly rub Iann's shoulder then went to find Alia and Maya. "Hi. I don't believe we met. I'm Grace, Alia's partner."

Iann grinned at Tuah. "Tuah Arjuna, making out," he lightly teased, highly amused by the idea of blending someone so old fashioned with something so 1960's teenagers. He wasn't sure what Tuah suggested as a second double-date, but Iann would agree to anything at this point. He loved Tuah, he adored Alia and he was strangely fond of Grace Villiers. Iann nodde,d wathcing Grace move off to delicately place herself (verbally or otherwise) between Maya and Alia. "She's really possessive, isn't she? Or...over-protective? How would you describe it?"

Maya laughed, but didn't say anything. If one of the hosts didn't mind how she was dressed it would be alright. She had to agree with Alia's assessment that a drink with jackalope blood wasn't her style. The fact it was so normal to mention made her feel light. Despite her money problems Maya felt light these days. It had to be the weight of living in secret lifted off her shoulders. "Next week hopefully," she replied. When a blonde woman approached and introduced herself Maya turned and replied, "Hi, I'm Maya. Nice to meet you and this is an awesome shindig. Happy Birthday."

Grace smiled, ordering another drink from the bartender. "I can't take the credit. Mostly it was Iann who did the planning. He said it was his gift to us. He's very sweet." She ran a hand over Alia's forearm before gently taking her hand. "It's not officially my birthday until tomorrow, but thank you. These things are always better at the weekend." She stiffened instinctively as she caught the scene of someone's perfume. Ruby. Unless someone else happened to wear her brand. Grace would remember that smell anywhere. She had woken up with it clinging to her skin and to her pillows.

Tuah looked over where Grace was, watching interestedly as she planted herself between Alia and the newcomer. Maya, he believed her name was. "I think she's only overly possessive of Miss Oren whenever you're around, kasih. You are very friendly with her." Tuah looked at Iann with a slight smirk on his lips. "I would be too. In fact I am quite possessive of you whenever you decide to be overly friendly with just about anyone." He slithered his arm around Iann's waist and pulled him close. "I know you can't help it, but do try to behave, hm." He grazed his teeth against Iann's earlobe, couldn't help himself from having a taste of his kasih despite the fact that they were in the middle of a large crowd. "Now why don't we say hi to everybody else, hm."

Iann "Me! What'd I do. Nothing, I'm totally innocent," Iann laughed, knowing he was being wicked but he couldn't help it. He was stupidly delighted whenever Tuah reacted, finding it both endearing and exciting. "I'm /pretty/ sure Grace's last relationship was like...a century ago," Iann said airily. "Whereas you've been a player all you life. Go on then - " Iann nudged Tuah towards the other guests with a smack of his knuckles on Tuah's ass. "Go mingle. I'll join you in a sec, just have to go be party host dude for a second."

Alia smiled as Grace introduced herself, leaning into the other woman. “Maya is a baker,” she told Grace. And then to Maya, she added, “I will have to come by when you officially start. Perhaps we should have asked you to bake us a birthday cake!” She noticed the subtle shift in Grace’s demeanour, the way she stiffened against her, but didn’t think much of it as she reached over for the new drink Freddie was handing her.

Grace nodded, intrigued. "Well, maybe next year you can bake it for us. Iann took care of it this time, and he assured me he did actually remember."

"I am no such thing," Tuah pulled his lips into a pout at the accusation, though he didn't deny it per se. After planting a kiss on Iann's lips he made his way around the crowd, greeting those he knew before his eyes noticed Ruby among the crowd. "Ruby!" he greeted the other, a beaming smile on his lips as he hugged her.

"Well I don't have my own kitchen at the moment, so you probably would've gotten a very adventurous microwave cake, very avant garde," Maya replied with a smile. She noticed too the subtle shift in the other woman and had to worry for a moment it was about how she was dressed. But no one said anything so she just took another sip of her drink.

Grace was trying not to come across as rude. It wasn't Maya's fault the woman she had slept with during her fight with alia had just entered the room. "Well, maybe next year. I plan on holding onto this one for a very long time," Grace said with a smile, kissing Alia's cheek. "Is that Ruby over there?" she ventured, glancing across the room. "Do you know her, darling?"

Ruby almost hadn't come. But the text from Alia, asking her to come out and celebrate her birthday (and Grace's... odd, but not something Ruby worried over too much) was something Ruby couldn't turn down. She liked Alia. And she couldn't stay at home just because of whoever else might be at the Inn. So she'd gotten dressed in something nice and taken a cab to Stonefruit, letting the man at the door take her coat and purse. It was a beautiful place, but Ruby had little time to take it all in before a familiar voice called her name. "Tuah," she smiled, turning to greet her friend as he came up to her. "How are you?"

Alia grinned at the thought of a microwave cake. “That sounds like an adventure for another day. You could even start a new business selling microwave cakes.” She smiled at Grace’s remark, and at the mention of Ruby, brightened. “Of course I know Ruby! I invited her. Have you met Ruby, Maya?”

Maya just smiled and nodded. It all seemed a long way off to her at the moment. She wasn't entirely sure what she would be doing next week let alone next year. And starting a buisness seemed entirely out of her reach. She had noticed the subtle shift in Grace, but couldn't venture so much as a guess to its cause. "No, I haven't," she replied.

"I'm good. How about yourself, my dear?" Tuah took a good look at his friend, resting both his hands on Ruby's shoulders. "I'm glad you could make it. Perhaps the good atmosphere will do you good, hm?" He gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze. "Come, let's meet the ones we're celebrating. You've met Miss Oren and Miss Villiers before, I assume?" He wrapped her arm around her shoulder, keeping her close as he directed her towards where the birthday girls were.

"I'm alright," Ruby said, and meant it. "And I'm glad to be here." She was, and wrapped her arm around Tuah's waist as he led her towards the two women she /had/ met before. Separetely, of course. "I have," Ruby said as they approached. Though she had no idea the two were - or ever had been - involved. "Happy Birthday, Alia," she greeted as her friend came into view. "Happy Birthday, Grace." Ruby gave them both a warm smile, still under the circle of Tuah's arm.

Alia turned to Tuah and Ruby as they approached, moving forward to give Ruby a hug. “Ruby! Thank you. Did you just get here? Would you like a drink? Tuah, would you like a refill?” She paused, gesturing to Maya. “This is Maya, by the way. She bakes.”

Grace had slept with Ruby because she hadn't thought Alia was coming back. She hadn't heard from her girlfriend in days at that point, and their last interaction had been a fight. And there had been Ruby, beautiful, charming, sensual... She had smelled and tasted wonderful. And she had been excellent in bed. But Grace had a feeling that Alia wouldn't want to hear about those things. "Ruby," Grace greeted, trying to be normal but probably coming off a bit stiffer than she intended. "I'm glad you could make it. I had no idea you knew my girlfriend." She slipped a hand onto Alia's lap. "What a small world..."

Maya had the undeniable feeling that she'd ended up in the middle of something. It was a by-product of growing up in foster care. She took another sip of her drink. When introduced she gave a little wave, "That's me." She then took another sip deciding that whatever was going to happen there was no way she was tipsy enough for it.

Iann was glad for this sort of thing, he quickly realized. He was generally crud at huge social situations (inevitably making things awkward) so at least running the show meant he had a purpose outside of having to be charming and conversational. Gyah. He talked to the servers, making sure the bistro was still keeping up, the bar was still stocked, and the bathrooms were clean. He glanced over to where Grace and Alia were, and found their group had expanded as Tuah and Ruby(? Yes, that was Ruby) joined them. Eventually, Iann returned, slapping a hand on the back of Tuah's shoulder to announce his arrival. "So! Hey! Hey," Iann nodded at both Maya and Ruby. "So who wants a tour of the inn?"

Alia glanced at Grace, the stiffness in her tone and body language not going unnoticed (despite the hand that had found its way onto her thigh), though she had no explanation for it. Certainly, Ruby hadn’t tried to kiss her the way Iann had. “Ruby and I rescued a unicorn together,” she informed the other three.

Ruby returned the hug with enthusiasm. "You're welcome. You look beautiful. And yeah, I just got here. Tuah found me before I could make it in the door." She gave the vampire an affectionate squeeze. "I'll take one yeah, thanks. Somethin' strong." She gave a wave to the new face, Maya. "Nice to meet you."

Tuah let his hand dropped to his side when Alia reached out to hug Ruby. "Ah, I still have the drink from the drink Iann gave me." He only then took a sip of the concoction that Iann had prepared for them, tongue dragging across his lips to catch the remnant of the werewolves blood on his lips. "I've met Miss Parker before at my cafe, though it's only briefly." To Maya, he said, "settling well, I hope?" When Tuah felt Iann's touch on his shoulder he made some space for his kasih, wrapping his arm around Iann's waist.

Ash had seen the prep work going on for the party. He'd been staying in one of the suite's ever since Iann had rescued him from being attacked by a swarm of Jackalopes. He was glad their blood had gone to good use in the drinks behind the bar and ordered himself one moments after entering the room, catching the scents of all the other creatures in the room, but knowing at least one of them was a naga. "I heard something about someone's birthday?" he said, approaching the group with his usual loftiness. "I didn't have time to get a gift, but I can write you a cheque, if you like."

Maya 's brow furrowed. A unicorn? Were those real? Part of her didn't want to ask, didn't want to get too involved in the conversation with people who clearly knew each other better. She was grateful therefore for Iann's interruption. "Depends," she said to him, "Will you look the other way when I try to steal your mini shampoos." She cracked a grin, "What did I say when? I meant if." To Tuah she smiled and nodded, "Yeah, pretty well. Alia helped me get a job at a bakery around the corner from her bar."

Ruby was a bit surprised that Alia was Grace's girlfriend. Not in a way that made her uncomfortable really. Grace being a grown woman and making it perfectly clear to Ruby on the night of their dalliance that she was all up for spending time with her. And Ruby didn't delve too deeply after that, only wanting the distraction herself. "Alia and I are acquanited, yes," she smiled at Grace. "She helped me out a while back. But it is a small world, you're right."

Grace wet her lips. "Saving unicorns, hm? Sometimes I think this one is right out of a story book." She gave Alia a stiff smile. "Ruby and I met. A few weeks back, wasn't it? At the karaoke bar."

Alia tried to catch Freddie’s attention - the poor fairy was quite busy - and placed an order for Ruby, something strong she thought the other woman would like. “You know, Tuah, I still have to come by to your cafe.” And talk about Iann’s birthday surprise, she did not say. She frowned slightly at the newcomer - recognizing him to be a naga instantly, which was exciting, but frowning at his offer to write a cheque. “No cheques necessary,” she told him, still intrigued by his nags-ness. Before she could greet him properly, however, Grace was pulling her back into conversation, and she frowned slightly, not sure how she should take the storybook remark in combination with Grace’s colder tone. “We have a karaoke bar in Soapberry? Were you singing?” She smiled, tone teasing as she wrapped an arm around Grace’s waist.

Grace chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Singing? No, my love. Have you ever heard me sing, even in the shower?" She sipped her drink, looking toward Ruby with a shrug. "Ruby was singing. She's very talented." In more ways than one

"I always thought mini shampoos were for taking," Iann replied and winked. "Just don't try to steal the mattress and we'll be good." Which was something Iann had tried at a hotel once - he needed furniture for his apartment in NYC, and a motel had everything he'd needed, so why not. But Iann was distracted by Ash's arrival, and he motioned to both Maya and Ash. He checked his phone and sent off a quick text. "You two can come with me if you like. I need help with something, hm?" He started heading towards one of the side doors, checking to see if either Maya or Ash followed.

"Yep," Ruby nodded. "Unicorns. Who woulda thought? And yeah. Open mic night," she said to Grace, noticing the subtle undertones of... something... in the vampire's voice. Well. It wasn't Ruby's business. She turned as Iann's voice clamored above all the rest, but didn't necessarily want to be the only one going on what would be a strange - and most likely awkward - tour with the man. But Maya spoke up, and Ruby grinned, the idea of mischief making her feel a bit lighter.

Ash could practically taste the drama in the air, and it was delicious. "I like to sing," he interjected. "And dance. And party." He extended a hand to the general group, but his eyes never left the naga. "Would any of you care to join me?" He lifted his eyes toward Iann. "I was just getting acquainted with these lovely ladies." He withdrew his hand, giving an eye roll. "Alright, alright. My darlings," he said in his charming Southern accent. "I'll be back momentarily." And with that, Ash followed Iann out of the room.

Maya laughed, "See now I have to try and steal a mattress. I don't make the rules," she replied as she followed Iann. She liked him and was glad that she had rescued him from his stuck upside down in a field while attempting to catch a mole-man debacle. Maya was also glad to have a reasonable excuse to slip away from whatever trouble was brewing.

Alia laughed at Grace’s remark. “No, but a girl can always dream.” She was tempted to join the newcomer - there was something about him… something about a fellow naga. It had been so long since she had met one of her own kind! But she turned back to Grace and Ruby. “I would love to hear you sing one day,” she told Ruby. “When is the next open mic night?” She nudged Grace gently. “Shall we go and watch Ruby sing?”

Ruby recognized the newcomer's southern accent, thick and drawling as it was. They weren't common up this way. Her, Ephram, and Faye being the only southerners she knew. But her attention was drawn again by Grace. "I sing well enough for karaoke," she said, sipping her drink that Alia handed her. "It's every Wednesday night," Ruby told Alia. "At 8. You should come. Both of you."

Iann Really wanted to tell Maya to try, just to see if she could, because it would be hilarious if she did. But he had to remind himself that the Inn wasn't just his; and in truth if it was, it would likely be out of business in two months. Freddie kept Iann's more spontaneous (read un-financial) ideas in line, thank god. Instead, he just grinned as he saw the naga and the witch following. "It's nothing exciting. Well, not for us anyway. But if you help with this then you'll be remembered as heros of this soiree." Taking them out to the back alley, there was a woman waiting with her white van back doors open, and a giant cake sitting there. Iann greeted her and paid, saying 'We'll take it from here." They got the cake onto a wheeling cart, and Iann flourished his hands. "It's their shared birthday cake! I need help getting it into the bar."

Grace couldn't think of anything worse than going on a date with her girlfriend to watch the person she'd slept with when they were fighting sing, but she nodded politely. She'd have to explain the situation to Alia later, in private. "I think that would be lovely," she said, hoping Iann, Maya and the strange newcomer would be back shortly and save her from this situation.

Maya followed Iann to a back alley, an odd place to start a tour, but to be fair he was sort of an odd guy. It became clear pretty quickly though that in fact they would be helping him with the cake. At the sight of the actual cake though Maya had to paused, "Uh dude, that's a wedding cake. Like full on read Corinthians 13, doing the conga with your weird uncle wedding cake"

Ash eyed the cake, rubbing his hands together. "Delicious! This is up for grabs once the bride and bride have their fill, yes?" He situated himself behind the cart, ready to wheel it in. "I thought this was a birthday party, not a reception. Do both of those come with the possibility of strippers?"

Iann stared at the cake. "It's a wedding cake?" He looked at the two brides in the cake topper. "This isn't just two ladies in nice white gowns?" Iann was pleased at Ash's enthusiasm to wheel the cake in. "Hey pal, if you want to do the stripping honours, then be my guest. I'll just switch the music, hm? Just make sure to strip with your tail on, because that would be glorious."

Alia was surprised it had taken so little to convince Grace to go back to the karaoke bar - then again, if it was someplace she had been before, perhaps she simply liked it and no convincing was necessary; it wasn’t somewhere she’d have expected for Grace to willingly go to, though. “Let’s do a toast!” she proclaimed, raising her glass to clink against Ruby’s and Grace’s. “To karaoke!”

"Okay, first thing yes its obviously a wedding cake. And second the whole cake stripper thing is the bachelorette party not the reception. I mean you would give grandma a heart attack," Maya replied. Honestly she would've been on board if it had obviously been a prank, but it seemed that Iann had done it unintentionally. Although it might still be funny.

Grace lifted her glass cautiously. "To open mic night," she corrected. "It's a little bit classier."

Ruby could only laugh and clink her glass with Alia's before taking a long... long... sip.

It was definitely a prank; but what was more fun than one prank? Two pranks. Maya seemed to believe that Iann was clueless, and Iann gleefully played it up. "Why stick to convention? If the stripper wants to come for the birthday party, then let him show up for the birthday party, Maya. Shake things up a bit, hm? Now c'mon. And remember: no one is singing Happy Birthday. You two wheel it in and I'll get everyone's attention." Although the cake was gigantic, it wouldn't take long for it to get everyone's attention.

Alia had been about to ask Ruby if she liked her drink, but she had to do a double-take as the cake - large, white cake, much larger than any birthday cake had any right to be - was wheeled in. “Is that a wedding cake?”

Maya only had to consider for a half a moment before deciding fuck it. Whatever happened it was probably going pretty funny. What she didn't find funny though was Ash clapping at her like she was a child or a dog. "Okay, clap at me again and your face is going in this cake," she replied. She did start pushing though. She also couldn't help but start humming Here Comes the Bride under her breath

Ruby turned around to look at the enormous cake being wheeled in, raising her eyebrows over the rim of her glass. "Looks like it..."

Ash cocked his head to the side with a smirk. "Yes ma'am, my apologies." He liked when people were assertive. It was amusing. As the cake entered the room, it garnered the attention of the guests, and the ladies whose honour this celebration was in, and they looked less then pleased. "Congratulations to the happy couple!" Ash called, leading the guests in a confused round of applause. "And I'm not clapping at you this time, sweetheart, calm down."

Iann looked between Ash and Maya, making a teasing "Awwww, looks like there's gonna be more than one wedding tonight..." comment to the two kids, before he headed in, holding doors open. Maya and Ash did their part magnificently - the moment the cake came in, everyone's eyes were on it. "Happy birthday, Alia! Happy unlife birthday, Grace!" Iann called out, clapping loudly enough that everyone at the party felt slowly obliged to clap as well, despite the obvious weddingness of the cake. Iann grinned at Alia though, and gave her a cheeky wink.

Grace buried her head in the crook of Alia's arm, exhaling. "Please tell me he didn't just do that," she groaned, peeking out to get a look at the cake. It looked delicious, but also definitely not like a birthday cake. "Iann Cardero is going to die very, very shortly," she whispered into her girlfriend's ear before smiling for their guests, as fake a smile as anyone could ask for, and clapping along with the joke. "Remind me never to ask you to supply me with any kind of cake ever again," she called in Iann's direction.

The whole room had turned to look at them, something which usually would've made Maya uncomfortable, but it was pretty obvious that they were focused on the cake. She joined in on the clapping. At Ash's comment though she rolled her eyes. Under her breath she replied, "Wait really? Are you sure because I'm pretty sure everything's about me."

Alia was at a loss for words, though luckily, Grace was there to distract her, and she laughed. “I cannot tell you that. I might kill him before you do,” she said sweetly, rolling her eyes in Iann’s direction as her friend winked at her. “Next time, we will ask Maya to bake the cake,” she said, loud enough so that the general crowd could hear it. “Are there even candles on this thing, Iann?”

Iann made an 'awww' noise as if Grace was saying super-sweet things about him, and he leaned in to give Grace a hug. "You know I couldn't resist. You two are too perfect, hm? Perfect together as well. Who would've known that moving to Soapberry would bring you here, Gracie?" Iann said, but he kept his tone only for Grace. He nodded about the candles, which had been pre-arranged by the bakery in advance. "Someone dim the lights!" Iann said, and once a server did, Iann made a little whistle tune, and the cake lit up almost like a Christmas tree. All magically, of course. As if Iann would just get a normal wedding cake. "You can each cut the cake."

Grace kissed Alia's shoulder, relieved. "That makes a change. You're usually the one holding me back from the killing." She was glad, at least, that this had distracted both her and Alia from Ruby for the time being. "He needed a cake this big because he needed to fit a hundred and ninety six candles on it, obviously," Grace commended with a mild sarcasm.

Ruby clapped along with everyone else, moving slowly off to the side so that the birthday girls could be the center of attention. The atmosphere was a happy one, and it made Ruby smile. She looked around as the lights dimmed, making a noise of approval as the cake llit up. Sometimes she really loved magic.

Maya had to laugh. All things considered it was sort of a sweet moment. She missed sweet moments. And it seemed that if she was still here in a year she would have a job. Although with a little convincing she could get up to hijinks too. For instance she'd baked a cake which had turned her best friend's first boy-girl party into basically a make out party. She would say that she wasn't proud of it, but it had made the mean girls stop harassing her best friend for being "lame."

Grace stood straighter, gesturing to them to cut the cake, and some of the wait-staff began handing it out. "I'll be right back," she whispered to Alia, kissing her girlfriend's cheek before slipping over to Ruby, finding her in the crowd. "I need you to know," she said under her breath, "I never would have slept with you if I knew you and Alia were friends. The last thing I need is for anything to be awkward."

Ash wasn't really concerned with anyone else's drama. Mostly, what he was concerned about was cake. He took a huge piece, beginning to feed it to himself while everyone else got their share. He gave Maya a small wink. "You're just lucky I didn't strip," he teased, before gracefully sauntering toward Alia. "Well well. We finally meet. I've heard a lot about you."

Ruby looked up as Grace came over. "I met her after that night, down at the docks. So we hadn't met yet, if that makes a difference." She took a sip of her drink, running the glass along her bottom lip, a strange expression crossing her face. "And that's the last thing I /want./ I'm not here to cause trouble, I promise." She looked across the crowd at Alia. "That's not the kinda person I am.”

Maya smirked. "Am I though?" she asked. So there was a little bit of a challenge in her voice, sue her. To be fair it wasn't really a party until someone started taking their clothes off. When he sauntered off though she let him go and instead got herself a piece of cake to do with her drink.

Grace nodded stiffly. "If I thought you were here to cause trouble, I'd have already asked you to leave. Alia and I are exclusive now, but we weren't at the time. I never lied to you."

Alia watched as the lights were dimmed, and the candles - all magically lit - brightened the room. “Obviously,” she murmured with a quiet laugh, leaning into Grace even as she made the first cut into the cake. When Grace excused herself, she only nodded, cutting a few slices to hand out before stealing one for herself, and leaving the rest of the slicing to the staff with a ‘thank you’. She blinked at the other naga, pleased to finally have a moment to meet him. “You have heard of me? Though the party, you mean.”

"That's fair," Ruby said. "And I don't make it my business to wreck relationships." Other than her own. "I don't go home with people who're lookin' to make someone jealous, or to start drama. I got enough. So... thank you. For bein' honest."

Grace continued sipping her drink. "Lies cause more trouble than anything else." She watched Alia across the room with an affectionate eye. "I'll talk to her later, when we're alone."

"They do," Ruby agreed. "Truth might hurt, but it's better than livin' with things that you risk blowin' up later."

Ash gave a little shrug, continuing to smile at her. "I heard there was another naga in town. The one at the Fainting Goat, right, that's you?" He grinned. "Excellent drinks there."

Alia circled the other naga before coming to a stop in front of him: the start of their elaborate greeting ceremony. “That is me,” she affirmed, smiling slightly at the compliment - something a bartender always loved to hear. “I am Alia. And you are?”

Ash circled the other naga in return. "I'm Ash. Of New Orleans." He cocked his head to the side. It had been a long time since he had done this. Naga were so few, or at least they seemed that way to him.

Fane was late. Not often was that the case but today it was and what could be done to help it? He'd been debating doing a no show as had Faye but ultimately the pair decided to say fuck it and go. Partially explaining their late arrival. Finding a parking spot outside Fane glanced up at the inn feeling a little uncertain but deciding that it would simply be best to plough ahead with what might turn out to be a wonderful or terrible decision. Pushing through the doors he wandered in the direction he heard some familiar voices coming from and stepped into the throng knowing Faye wouldn't be far behind him.

Alia regarded her fellow naga curiously, now starting to walk in a counter-clockwise direction around the man. It was difficult to take her eyes off him, so excited was she to have another naga in front of her. “I am of Tiberias, Israel. What brings you to Soapberry, Ash of New Orleans?” The question was pure curiosity and had nothing to do with formality. Her attention was so focused on Ash that she didn’t notice Fane arrive.

Maya looked up from her cake to see Fane walking into the party. She was reminded again how underdressed she was. When they made eye contact she waved at Fane with a half smile.

Faye came in a few beats behind Fane, having a dress malfunction that she'd thought she'd already fixed. He'd gone on ahead with her order of 'something straight, brown, and strong,' and a few minutes later she followed inside, knowing the way from her earlier visit with Iann.

Fane had his attention caught by a wave over by the bar, and it took a beat for him to recognise the individual. He paused glancing over at Faye to indicate where he was going before he neatly weaved through the crowds until he came up by her with a smile though he kept a wary eye out for Freddie. "Hey Maya."

Ash nodded, following the other naga's lead with the ritual. He couldn't do it properly without revealing his tail, and he would have to remove several items of clothing before that was possible, so this would have to do. "That explains the charming accent. I come looking for people of my own kind, nagas, but other supernaturals as well."

River had spent way too long trying to figure out what to wear to this party. She hadn't expected to be invited to something like...ever. She didn't exactly have party corlothes to spare. Once during her years looking for her siblings, she'd needed to go to a fancy event to gather information, but all she could afford was a secondhand suit from a thrift store. A suit made of tweed. It was itchy and very ugly, complete with a corduroy bow tie. As she walked into the party, feeling extremely underdressed and overdressed all at once, she noticed a few people she recognized besides Alia. She saw they were all engaged in conversation, though, so she stuck to the wall by the entrance.

Faye stopped to say hello to a few people before making her way towards where Fane was standing. "Hi, there," she said to the new face.

Ash spent a few minutes engaging in the lengthy greeting ritual with the other naga. Once that was done, he allowed himself to roam the party. Spotting the selkie from the bar wearing the ugliest outfit imaginable, he rushed to her side. "Oh, no, darling, we can't possibly let this do." He gestured for her to come with him. "Come along. I have plenty of clothes in my suite upstairs. I'm sorry, I can't let you walk around looking like this.

Maya took another sip of her drink. "Hi," she had to paused to remember, "Fane right?" She'd met a lot of new people in the last few weeks and occasionally had to take a moment to get them straight.

River was honestly relieved when Ash rushed to her side. Not only did she not have to inject herself into a conversation by her own volition, but he was going to get her out of this godawful suit. "Thank god," she sighed, starting to follow him. "This was all I had."

Ash shook his head. This poor girl. "Come, we'll make a star of you yet." He crept out of the party with her, rushing up to his suite, one of the nicest in the whole place, and throwing open the closet doors. "What do you need? Something to make you look attractive and butch? I have lots of lovely suits." He gave her a quick once over. "It may not fit perfectly, but we're similar size."

Fane shifted to prop his elbow on the bar nodding his head at the clarification of his name "that's me." He felt more than saw Faye's presence arrive nearby glancing in her direction his features softening a bit when he looked at her but his attention returned to Maya promptly. "So how's town treating you so far? Settling in I hope?"

River looked down at herself, holding her arms out at her sides and noting how the sleeves of her tweed suit hung past her fingertips if she let them lay naturally. How the hem of the slacks slumped heavily around her unpolished loafers. "I think anything's going to fit better than this thing." Without shame, she started to undress. She felt weirdly comfortable with Ash in that regard, not that she was getting naked or anything. She stripped down to her tank top and briefs. "Something simple I guess. You've got a better style than me anyway. You pick."

Ash gave a little shrug. "You're not wrong." He thumbed through the closet for something just right. He pulled out a white shirt. You couldn't go wrong with a classic like that. Next was the suit. He had a number of nice ones, but settled on something dark, black with a dash of red among the detailing, and finally, a red tie.

Maya nodded, "Yeah so far. Alia helped me get a job, so you know, things are looking up." Of course it would take some time for paychecks to start coming in which was going to be a problem for her. But that was hardly his problem.

Fane seemed pleased by her answer. "Good, I'm glad to hear that-- are you working with her or somewhere else in town?" He'd been to the Fainting Goat a few times but it wasn't a regular habitation of his, it might become one though.

River immediately started putting on items as Ash picked them out. So quickly, in fact, she wasn't really taking in how everything fit together. Not until it was all on and she caught a look at herself in the mirror. She look...really good. As a finishing touch, she took her mop of hair on her head and used the tie on her wrist to bring it into a ponytail. "Thanks Ash," she said, still staring at herself.

Ash admited his handiwork, helping River smooth out the edges and brushing back her hair. "There. Now aren't you stunning? Come, alcohol is waiting. It would be rude to keep it."

Maya "At a bakery around the corner," she replied, "They needed someone to cover an opening shift and the rest as they say is history."

River chuckled. "Alcohol might be waiting for you/i]..." Right. She was here for a party. Which meant she had to talk to people. And social. Oh man, there were the nerves again. As they walked down the stairs she felt butterflies trying to rip through her stomach. What if she looked stupid in this suit? What if everyone could tell she'd never be able to afford something like this and she looked like a huge imposter. She breathing picked up the pace as they got down to the main floor again. "I don't know if I can do this," she admitted to Ash.

Fane The bakery, "huh really?" But a smile did edge its way onto his lips "well fancy that, have you started yet? I feel like a congratulations is in order. What are you drinking tonight?"

Ash eyed her curiously. "You're not looking to get drunk again? Tsk tsk, I'm shocked. I have this lovely suite up here for you to crash in and everything." Selkies couldn't hold their liquor, and he'd tested that theory personally. He could practically feel her nerves. He could hardly imagine what it was like to not be so confident. He'd never been in that position. Confidence that bordered on arrogance had been bred into him. "You can. It's merely a party. The cake is excellent."

Maya shook her head, "Next week." She felt a little nervous, having not baked properly in awhile. But it was like riding a bicycle. Probably. "Plus apperently I've been hired to make next year's birthday cake after Iann got a wedding cake instead, so I have that to look forward to," she added with a gesture towards the monstrosity. She took another sip of her drink which was already almost empty. No one could really blame her for that though considering she'd been apart of an awkward conversation already this evening and didn't really know anyone involved. "Rum and coke," she replied.

River tried to take some deep breaths, but they were shaky and ragged. "I barely know anybody. And this suit...I look like a fraud." She paced in front of the doorway back into the party, wiping her sweaty palms on her new slacks.

Ash shook his head, tsking her again. "You look fabulous, and the sooner you start believing it, the sooner you will feel it."

River found herself finally able to take some deep breaths, her lungs thanking her by relaxing a bit. "Okay...." she breathed. "Okay." She faced the door to the party, tightening her tie a little. Just have to believe it. Easy, right? She pushed forward and once again she was in the large hall. This time though, it did feel different. She didn't feel like a frumpy schoolboy in a too-big suit. She felt...hot. Attractive. Ash had been right.

Ash clapped her on the shoulder, a little too enthusiastic, a little exaggerated, but well-meaning. He gave her a broad grin and plucked a piece of cake from the table at the head of the room. "Excellent, now eat this. Apparently they're not really married. It was a joke. But it's delicious just the same."

Faye leaned against the bar as well, listening idly to the conversations going on around her. Content, for now, to people watch. The young girl Fane was talking to seemed nice enough, and Faye could feel the hum of magic around her.

River eagerly took the cake from Ash's hand, digging in but being more careful than usual to not make a complete mess of herself. "The cake is pretty damn excellent," she confirmed to him. She surveyed the room. She spotted Maya across the way, locked in conversation. She wanted to go up and talk to her, but instead just shoved more cake in her mouth.

Grace had been talking to Ruby, mingling with the other guests, and all around trying not to look suspicious. She had only just noticed that Fane had arrived, alongside Faye. The smiliarities of their names would never fail to amuse her. She approached Faye first, given that the other woman was alone. "Hello darling," she greeted with a small smirk. "Long time since we spoke. How are you and Stefan doing?"

Fane brightened at the news, happy for Maya's success so far in managing to secure herself a job. "I'm sure you'll do splendidly, so what else have you gotten up to since I last saw you? You've clearly met Alia." He looked over at the cake in question having somehow missed it on his entrance and letting out a low whistle. "What the bloody fu--" but then hearing it was Iann's doing Fane ended up snorting "typical Iann..." he glanced over at Faye his next comment directed at her "do you think that was deliberate or he didn't know it was a birthday celebration?" Waving down the bartender to get a rum and coke for Maya "oh and this is Faye, my partner."

Grace arched a brow. Speaking of Stefan... "Oh, there you are," he said with a smile as Fane and Maya approached. "The cake was but a joke. Alia and I won't be getting married any time soon."

Faye: "Deliberate," Faye said without hesitation. She gave Maya a wave before turning around as she heard a familiar voice. "Grace," Faye greeted. "Happy Birthday. And it has been, hasn't it? Housewarming was it?" She gave the vampire a smile that was genuine but that held all the reminders of their last chat. "We're doin' well. I'm sorry we were late. We had... car trouble."

Maya "Just trying to stay out of trouble mostly," Maya replied with a shrug. She'd met a few people, but nothing really all that exciting. She'd helped Iann out of a mole man situation, but she suspected that was a typical Tuesday for Iann. "I think it was on purpose based on his shit eating grin after presenting it," she replied. Her statement was shortly confirmed by Grace who had come over to greet the two newcomers. She gave Faye a wave, but nothing more as the other woman seemed distracted by Grace. Instead she picked up the rum and coke with a thanks to Fane.

Fane: "Was it really though?" Fane questioned unable to help the slight slant of a grin that crossed his features looking at Grace. He stepped over quickly enough to buss her cheeks lightly oblivious to the other conversation going on between Faye and her. Though hearing Faye mention car trouble he arched a brow as he withdrew "no need to make excuses... Faye was a tad tied up with work, she couldn't get out of it..." Returning back to stand near Maya he looked at her curiously "is that to say trouble finds you then?"

Faye: "That's what happens when you put Iann in charge," Faye commented affectionately about her friend. She looked to the other woman - Alia - that she hadn't met yet. She was quite lovely, and seemed to be a favorite of everyone she was speaking with. "She's gorgeous," Faye said to Grace, though she had no doubt the vampire was aware.

River became acutely aware of how weird she looked standing by a cake table shoving it in her mouth alone, seeing as Ash had walked away to get a drink. She set her almost finished plate down and bit the bullet, walking up to Maya and those around her. "Hey," she spat out. "You look nice."

Grace kissed Fane's cheek in return. "Thank you. You've still got several more years on me," she replied with a smirk. "Yes, Iann was kind enough to loan us the room, help arrange all the drinks and all the food, but I suppose this was his payback," she said with a snicker. Gorgeous seemed like a huge understatement to use in reference to Alia, but Grace nodded in agreement. "She's very special. I wasn't expecting someone like her to walk into my life, but I'm glad she did. You might say she domesticated me."

Maya looked up a little surprised when Fane returned to talk to her. She'd assumed that he would be more interested in his partner and the host. As far as his question Maya let out something between a sigh and a laugh, "Yeah, you could say that." She was about to make a joke about it when someone spoke beside her. Turning to find River Maya smiled, "I think what you mean is that I'm wildly underdressed, but its sweet of you to say anyway." It was true too. Having not even owned a dress in two years she'd opted for black jeans, her only pair of shoes, her leather jacket which at this point was almost like armor to her, and the nicest shirt she owned which definitely had a hole in one of the armpits. "You, on the other hand," she replied, "Clean up nice."

Faye tipped an eyebrow at Fane - which he pointedly ignored - as he brushed off her excuses with one of his own, though a bit more towards the truth. She /had/ been tied up with work. But well... not the kind that came with red pens and comments in the margins. "Anyway..." she said with a touch of fondness as she turned back to Grace. "We never do, do we?" Her gaze drifted back towards her own partner. Faye wasn't the type of person who needed to be with her significant other for the entirety of an event like this. Fane was a social person, and she felt no qualms about being left to her own devices. She was a big girl. She could take care of herself. And entertain herself too, if needs be.

Ruby wandered off a bit as Grace moved to say hello to a few more guests. She didn't care to talk to Faye or Fane at the moment, so she found a nice, quiet corner and sat down, watching the party from afar for the moment.

River chuckled. "You look great," she reiterated. "You should see what I showed up in. I looked like I'd been dressed by a drunk history professor." Why was she admitting that? The whole point of putting on this suit was to forget the tweed ever happened. "This is my friend Ash's suit," she said, gesturing over to where he was standing. "But, you know, thanks." She blushed a little, rubbing her sweaty palms on the inside of her pockets in an attempt to keep them dry.

Maya grinned, "A drunk history teacher? Now that's a look I'd like to see." Her smile softened, remembering how nervous River had been the first time they had met and guessing that she was probably pretty nervous now. "Well, it looks like Ash didn't steer you wrong," she said.

Faye leaned both elbows back against the bar, looking around at all the people chatting quietly and at the very chic decor. It was beautiful, that much was true, but the atmosphere was a tad too... stuffy. But this wasn't her party. "You know what you need?" Faye said to Grace. "Tequila."

River smiled. "Yeah. He's got more style in his pinky than I have in my whole body," she said, bringing a hand up to rub the back of her neck. "So, uh, I know like almost nobody at this party. So I'm glad you're here."

Fane had temporarily wandered off to get a drink but lingered on the edge of the various conversations. Though Maya seemed taken in conversation with a face he couldn't place and Faye was... Well, Faye was mingling with his ex. So all in all people seemed more or less alright he supposed even if things felt a little slow for now. Eyeing the other figures it was hard to miss the one sat aside minding her own and after a slight debate he meandered over to sit down nearby. "You know, suddenly I'm getting flashes of that dancing film where Swayze declares you never leave a lady in the corner" he said by way of greeting, friendly and hoping to engage Ruby in conversation if he could.

Grace gave Faye a smile. She would have been lying if she had claimed not to like the other woman at first. She'd been fond of her from the moment she met her, but she had maintained a little jealous streak over her relationship with Fane. That was mostly gone now. "I couldn't agree more. Alcohol is always a good choice."

Maya it wasn't until it was too late that Maya realized she hadn't asked if Fane and River knew each other. She was new enough to town that she assumed everyone knew more people than her. When River mentioned not knowing anyone it finally occurred to her. "Oh well this," she turned to see Fane walking away, "That was Fane. Anyway just give it like three more rounds of shots and you'll have more friends than you know what to do with."

Faye had wanted to rip Grace's heart out and feed it to her when she'd learned of what had transpired between the woman and Fane. But since Fane was trying to be the better man about it, Faye decided she was too. She couldn't very well be angry - outwardly - over something that Fane was trying to put behind him. Though that didn't mean she was going to forget. Though she and Grace had come to an understanding awhile ago, and now at least they got on aggreably. So when Grace agreed, she ordered several shots and placed them in front of the woman. "Now, birthday girl first..."

Iann returned from somewhere, surprised to see new people, but at least most of them seemed to have cake in hand. Iann was determined to get rid of as much of the cake as possible tonight - after all, the damn thing was huge, and paid out of his pocket (Freddie refused to pitch in to such a random prank, but wished Iann well nevertheless). "Cake? Does everyone have cake? Do you want more cake?" Iann paused near Maya and a tidy-looking young woman in a snazzy suit standing with the witch. "Hello, who are you?" Not that Iann knew everyone in town, but...well he knew most people, anyway. And she was not someone Iann recognized.

Ruby wasn't feeling particularly inclined towards any emotion in general, content to sit and watch the crowd and be social (ish) instead of staying at home or working. She smiled around the rim of her glass as she watched the antics of some of the people floating around. It wasn't until he spoke that Ruby noticed Mr. Savin sitting down nearby. "Mmm," she said as she swallowed her drink. "I think you mean' nobody puts Baby in the corner.' Dirty Dancing."

Maya brightened when Iann appeared almost magically at her elbow, "Like Iann. This is River and this is Iann." She shook her head at his question, "And no I don't need more cake. It's hard to steal a mattress on a full stomach."

Iann looked at Maya, slightly worried. "Which room are you going to steal it from?" he asked, pulling out his cell phone. "And around what time? I'll have to make arrangements to get a new one delivered..." Iann poked at his phone for a moment, then looked up at River. "That's a nice name. River, like an otter."

River watched the man Maya gestured to walk away. "Fane. Okay." She made a mental note. If they ever met later she'd at least know his name. "I hope you mean everyone else is doing the shots. Selkies famously can't hold their liquor, apparently. Something I found out the hard way when I got to town." She smiled. Suddenly someone was talking to them, and thankfully Maya introduced her before she had to do it herself. "H-hi Ian," she stammered. "Oh, I'll take more cake. I'll always take more cake." When it came to food, it was one area where River was shameless. "Close," River chuckled. "More like a seal."

Maya laughed, "You don't really think I'm going to fall for that do you?" She was teasing, mostly. Even if she did steal it the theft would only be temporary. Pranks were their most fun when they were also mostly harmless aka not costing a new buisness hundreds of dollars. "Also yes shots for everyone including you because the only way to build up tolerance is to drink more."

River shook her head, smiling. "I uh...I don't think that's how it works," she said to Maya. But she'd be honest, if Maya put a shot in her hand, she probably wasn't going to refuse.

Fane perched not having sat deliberately too close in case it made her or anyone else uncomfortable. Fane was still very keenly aware of the fact of just who ran this hotel and in a slight way felt like he was intruding into a place he didn't very well belong. Suffice to say, it didn't put him in an overly jovial mood at least whilst he was still sober that was. Of course he'd known what he meant to say but it had been an effort to at least break the ice "that's the one, not sure whether I prefer that, Grease or Footloose though."

Iann grinned widely at River, eyes widening in delight as he forgot about his phone for a moment. "A selkie!! A nattily-dressed selkie to boot," Iann said, motioning to a server to get Rover a huge hunk of the cake. It was swiftly delivered to her hands. "Don't fret, River. We have drinks designed specifically for selkie constitutions, hm? Give it a try, see what you think?" In truth, Iann knew full well there was no chance in hell that a mattress that made its way outside of the inn, only to be returned for a laugh, would ever be allowed back into the room. That was just plain unhygienic and not the rep the inn wanted. It would be destroyed, and a new one would be purchased. So Iann just chewed at his lip. "Well the last thing I need is some guest showing up and we don't have a bed there. Just tell me when," he pleaded. "Then I can get a bed delivered in time."

Ruby: "Pfft, Dirty Dancing. Hands down. Kevin Bacon creeps me out and Grease was just..." She waved a hand, dismissing the movie entirely. "Don't even get me started on the second one with Michelle Pfeifer. Good Lord."

Maya smiled, "Its settled then." She turned to the bartender, "Shots all round." When Iann asked again about the mattress she shook her head and grew serious, "I'm not really going to steal a mattress Iann. They're huge and there are way to many witnesses. Your mattresses are safe from me." He seemed a little actually worried about it, so she let the idea go easily.

River was smiling so much she thought her cheeks would fall off. A huge chunk of cake? Drinks made for selkies? Had she died and gone to heaven? No, there'd be more mac and cheese here if she had. "Thanks Ian," she said, her mouth already full of the first bite of cake.

Iann "Shots all around! This one's a selkie," Iann noted to his bartender. Freddie had some art-business or something to take care of, but that was probably just an excuse to get out of bartending once the actual bartender arrived for his shift. Iann didn't mind though - Alia and Grace were technically people Iann knew better. So the bartender got the shots sorted - tequila for Maya and Iann, and something slightly green for River. "Erm...it might not taste good with cake," Iann warned River, and tapped on the bar. "Yum that up, and I'll pack you some before you leave, hm?" He looked at Maya, squinting at her. "I mean, I don't mind if you really want to steal it. If you need it and all. Just let me know when so I'll be prepared, kiddo."

Faye had done her set of shots along with Grace, the tequila burning a line down her throat in an old familiar fashion. More people were showing up, and Faye heard Iann's voice calling for shots. This might turn out to be a good party after all.

Grace always appreciated someone who bought her drinks. She could afford her own, of course, but it was the thought that counted, and she remained close to Faye, draping an arm around her shoulder. "Will any of these even work on me?" She questioned playfully, downing one after the other.

Fane hummed slightly but Ruby's dismissal over Grease made him tilt his head slightly. "Awh, Grease wasn't that bad... There are worse musicals out there. Carrie for example, was a shambles 'n' a half. At least the eighties gave us something worthwhile right? Besides the extreme shoulder pads 'n' waterbeds." Fane grew quiet taking a sip of his drink, glancing aside at her after a moment. Fane had noticed the fact that Ruby had been visiting the estate a fair bit, to hang out with Dani mostly but it was hard not to notice her being around so often. Plus, considering her husband owned the hotel he had to wonder why Ruby wasn't off with them. Despite everything he liked her, and it led to him wondering whether was wrong. "Is something up?" he eventually asked a touch tentatively unsure whether she'd want to talk about it or leave it be.

River easily smashed the rest of the cake in front of her, probably looking a little embarrassing as she did. The shot was placed in front of her just as she finished it, so to take Ian's warning, she swallowed a few times to clear her palate. Giving a wary glance back at Ian and Maya, she picked up the shot and held it out. "Cheers," she said, before downing it. It tasted pretty good, honestly. Fishy, but she loved it.

Maya grinned. This party was turning out to be pretty fun after all. She took her shot and was about to start at count-off when Iann told her that if she really wanted to steal a mattress he wouldn't mind. Just as long as she properly prepared him for it. The truth was she might soon need a mattress. But this was a party. She smiled, even though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I won't steal your mattress Iann. Scout's honor. Now, shots on three?" She licked her hand and applied salt before picking up her shot. After counting down she licked the salt, downed the shot and bit into the lime like an expert.

Faye stuck her hand over the last shot before Grace could drink it. With a swirl of her fingers, Faye set the liquid inside spinning until it turned a deep, smokey blue. "Now try..." she grinned, the spell one she'd learned while working at Morgana's all those years. Increased the potency of the alcohol for vampires and wolves. Faye wished she had some of the /actual/ drink that was a Morgana's specialty. It had gotten Fane drunk on their trip after only a glass or two.

Iann watched River closely as she took the shot. It was something he'd designed with Elena's help; and though Elena was a merm, Iann figured the taste palette of seafolk was a little similar. Her face didn't screw up in disgust, so Iann took that as a good thing. "What's it feel like, River?" he asked eagerly. "Do you feel anything? It's made from a special type of seaweed, fermented of course. You're the first selkie to try it." Mostly because other selkies were far too suspicious of some concoction made but a human. He still squinted at Maya but didn't say anything just yet. Instead he downed his shot, biting into the lime wedge. "I don't trust those Scouts. With their badges and campers pampers."

Ruby gave him a small smile. "The eighties wasn't too bad. I mean... it gave us Journey and Blondie and Star Wars." Ruby /had/ been out to see Dani a bit more often lately. But it was nothing she wanted to bring up with Fane. She didn't dislike the man, but she didn't know him either, other than the two times they'd met previously. So her personal life - though she appreciated the offer - was her business. "Hm? Oh... no. I'm fine. Just been feelin' a bit under the weather lately. Think I might be gettin' a cold or somethin'."

Fane dipped his head "ooh don't even get me started on Star Wars-- we'll be here for an age and a half and I'll probably bore you to death." He had figured Ruby wouldn't talk to him, but he'd just wanted to check up on her really considering she seemed a bit lonely over here. "Ah-- It is the season for stuff like that... But, since you're here-- Fancy coming to join in?" he nodded towards the bar where people were starting to get their buzz on.

River nodded enthusiastically. "It tastes hella good," she said, licking her lips. It was like she'd had a fish-infused smoothie with a hint of kick. "I feel...fine. Tiny buzz, but usually one shot's got the room spinning so it's definitely an improvement."

Maya "So another round?" she asked. If either of them said no she wouldn't push it. Turning to Iann she added, "Does it make a difference if its Girl Scouts and not Boy Scouts? Or that I stopped after the age of eight and that's before they really start indoctrinating you?"

Ruby: "Fan, are you?" she asked as he mentioned Star Wars. Internally, Ruby gave a sigh of relief that Mr. Savin didn't push. She really was trying to have a good time instead of just being a boring wallflower, so his suggestion to head back to the bar was - eventually - met with a nod. "Sure. Why not. My drinks gone anyway."

Grace eyed Faye with a smirk. She wondered how Alia was getting along, hoping she was having half as much fun as Grace was. The two of them didn't need to be glued to one another's sides, no matter how jealous or over protective Grace came across sometimes. "Oooh, I do love witches," Grace whispered with a smirk, leaning in a little closer to watch the magic at work, then she drank it, sighing as the pleasant sensation made its way through her body. "Mmm...magic."

Iann "No room-spinning! Let's just get your cheeks all pink, hm?" Iann flicked his fingers for a second round. He didn't really drink often anymore, after some...bad times in his late 20s with booze. But recently, Iann had been imbibing more, assuring himself he could totally handle it. It had been over ten years after all, what was the harm? Iann snapped his fingers and pointed at Maya. "Girl Scouts are great. But I refuse to say anymore because a childless dude my age saying something like 'girl scouts are great' is kind of fucking creepy, ha ha," Iann grinned, letting the shots in a line. "Allez-oop, ladies."

Faye: "We do have our uses," Faye said as she watched Grace down the now ten times more potent alcohol. She would never do such a spell for anyone but a vamp, and maybe a wolf, because it would probably give them alcohol poisoning. "Tastes like a dream, don't it?" Faye drawled.

Ephram sidled up next to Faye and Grace, wrapping an arm around his sister's waist and kissing the side of her head before asking, "What sorter magic-touched liquor are you feedin' folks now, Faye?" He grinned at Grace, holding out his hand. "Don't think we've met. I'm Ephram, good to meet you."

Grace smirked, wetting her lips with her tongue. "Plenty of uses." She lightly tapped a finger on the bar. "Is there more where that came from?" Before Faye could answer her question, a handsome blonde gentleman approached them. "I don't believe we have." She shook his hand. "Grace Villiers. And that magic liquor is going to keep me happy for many, many hours."

Faye was a bit surprised as Ephram came up beside her, and coughed a little on the liquor she'd just downed. "Mmm..." she coughed, "Hey you... and it's a spell made for vamps and wolves. Makes this-" she held up another tequila shot. "- ten times stronger."

Fane: "Am I?" he laughed slightly "oh lord you have no idea. C'mon, what are you drinking?" he waved for her to come along not liking the idea of leaving her sat alone on the sidelines whilst everyone else had fun. He wandered to the bar glancing at Iann, Maya and the new figure he didn't quite recognise. "Invented anything special for vamps?"

Maya laughed, "You make a good point." With the shots all lined up she counted down again before doing the salt-shot-lime sequence. It was a little messier this time. "You know," she said, relishing the burn in her throat, "Before I was born my dad used to brew magical beer. He stopped because apparently boiling beer next to your two year old seems like asking for a disaster."

Ephram rubbed his hand against Faye's back to soothe her cough and said, "Good thing I brought this, then, for the birthday darlin's." He plunked a mason jar full of a scarlet liquid down and said, "Now, I'd bet my left lung you ain't never had this before, since I'm the only 'un makes it. Blood moonshine." Ephram was practically bouncing on his toes, wanting Grace to try his new invention.

Iann was half leaning against the bar and he looked from Fane, to Ruby, then back to Fane. "Why re-invent the wheel? We serve blood here - have you ever tried a pixie blood cocktail? I've heard it's..." Iann grinned slowly. "Potent. Fun. Fantasical." He looked at Maya, exuding heat off his skin, due to the crowd and the alcohol. He blurted before recalling the context of Maya: "So why didn't your dad just pick up brewing again once you were old enough?"

Grace arched a brow. "Blood moonshine?" she repeated, eyes alight with curioisity. "Those are two of my favorite words." She couldn't say very much about the container it came in. It was rather crude, if she did say so herself, but that would be easily forgiven if the substance inside was as good as she anticipated. "I think I just made two new friends," she said with a grin, helping herself to the concoction, swallowing it hungrily.

Faye let out a soft 'ooohhhh' as Ephram plunked down the jar of what could only be moonshine, coughing once more as Ephram confirmed. She gave a slightly tickled laugh, mock whispering to Ephram, "You tryin' to get her drunker than a skunk?"

Maya paused. It wasn't something that she liked to talk about. And it was always complicated to talk about, how to reveal and how much to keep to herself as not to make anyone uncomfortable. Maya was so tired of secrets though, of pretending to be only half of herself. She took a long sip from her drink before replying with a faux easiness to her tone, "He died, which made it kind of difficult."

Ephram was more comfortable in the Stonefruit by virtue of it belonging to Freddie than he normally would be somewhere this fancy, and for that reason he wasn't in agony inside wondering if he was showing himself to be a backwoods rube. He watched Grace drink, pleased, and said to Faye, "Tipsy, not drunk! Party tipsy. Just enough to be fun."

River followed suit and downed her second shot as well. She was starting to feel it, and assumed this is how people usually felt after a second shot. Still not slurring their words and tripping over themselves, just feeling a nice, happy buzz in their head. She felt her cheeks starting to flush and she started to sweat a little, not being helped by the stuffy suit she was in. There were a lot more people at the bar, she was now noticing. A lot of voices. A lot of body heat. "Can I have some water, please? With ice?" she asked the bartender, who quickly handed it over. She gulped it down greedily, feeling it cool her from the center out. Much better. She'd been so wrapped up in slightly overheating that when she turned back to Maya, she realized the conversation had gotten slightly uncomfortable, only catching the tail end.

Ruby followed behind Fane, her glass hanging from her hand, but found herself in no immediate rush to push between the crowd to the bar. "Whiskey on the rocks," she told Fane. The crowd seemed to be having a good time. She saw Iann - looking at her - and she saw Grace standing with Faye and Ephram, both grinning, and a few others she didn't know. All in all it was a happy mood, and Ruby felt her own lighten.

Iann realized belatedly - right. He remembered when Maya used past tense before for her folks, and noted it then, but forgot completely now. "Well shit," Iann said abruptly. He reached over the bar, grabbing a regular tumbler and pouring three fingers of tequila into it. "There you go kid - on the house. The rest of it you had to pay for but you know. For the old man and all." Iann turned and looked at River, downing her iced water. "Do you want food? There's seafood. Shrimp! There's raw shrimp, you can have as much as you like."

Grace continued drinking the concoction, probably more of it than she should have, lowering the mason jar with a grin before handing it back to Ephram. "Oh, darling. Party tipsy sounds perfect. We're gonna have a hell of a time!"

Faye: "Well then that's even better. No fun bein' that drunk." Her arm found it's way around Ephram's waist, and she watched Grace drink down the red liquid with ease.

River reached to put a hand on Maya's shoulder, but took it away before anyone had noticed. When Ian offered her seafood, she nodded, a little too eager. "You're spoiling me, Ian."

Maya This was the part she always hated where everyone got really uncomfortable and didn't know what to say to the girl with dead parents. She hated this part. Shaking her head she said, "It's fine. It was a long time ago. But I am going to drink this shot because its free and its a party." While Iann and River discussed food she did the shot, relishing the burn in her throat.

Ephram smiled at Faye as Grace wandered off to attend to some of her other guests. It was clear from his eyes he'd pre-gamed it some, and he said, "I din't think you'd come. To Freddie's place."

Fane looked at Iann interest lighting his eyes at the proposed drink. "Pixie blood cocktail? Can't say I have actually." And he glanced to check he'd heard Ruby right using his body to ease a little space by the bar to let her in if she did want to join the crowd. When the bartender came around Fane ordered the drinks and glanced aside at the awkward atmosphere created by Iann's question though it seemed to be brushed over well enough. "Shots are a great solution to all things I've found," he remarked to Maya with a small grin.

Faye turned to lean against the bar, looking up at her brother. His eyes had that glassy sheen she recognized, having seen it in the mirror often enough. "Almost didn't," she admitted. "Then I figured, what the hell? Grace an' I are friends. Of a sort. An' I ain't lookin' to cause trouble."

Iann "Ahhh, you're just easy to spoil, River-the-selkie," Iann said, nodding his chin for someone to come over with shrimp cocktail. "I mean - c'mon. Who doesn't like shrimp? People allergic to shrimp, that's who." Iann helped himself to a couple as well and ate them down. When the pixie blood cocktail arrived for Fane, Iann motioned at him. "Go on, tell me what you think. Can't improve if we don't know what's wrong, hm? And you're all my guinea pigs tonight, so let me have it." Iann looked proudly at River, as if he'd created her. "River already gave her thumbs up to the selkie seaweed liquer."

Ephram wrinkled his nose, reaching past Faye to pick up one of the many filled shot glasses scattered along the bar. "Whassat mean? Friends of a sort? You two embroiled in a half-fight over somethang?" He threw back the booze, showing his teeth and then reaching for another. "Good shelf they got here," he said, somewhat impersonally considering he was married to one of the proprietors.

River knew what it was like to have everyone give that eye when you mentioned your dead parent. She'd gotten it a hell of a lot back in Kansas with her dead dad. And who knew now if her bio parents were alive or not. It was almost something she could roll of her back if she made herself not dwell on it, which was surprisingly easy. She gave Ian a thumbs up when he mentioned his seaweed drink, then turned to Maya. "So, anything new since my dog knocked you over?" she asked.

Faye smiled, watching the path of the glass from the bar to his downing it. "Not really. She tried to kill Fane about, oh... 150 years back? I took it a bit personal. We had one of those come to Jesus talks... meanin' I told her exactly what I'd do if she tried to hurt him again." Faye turned and took a shot of her own, grimacing a bit less than Ephram. "We've got an understandin'. And yeah-" she wiped a finger across her lip. "They do."

Maya was grateful that aside from comment from Fane the conversation hadn't dwelled on her. She rarely wanted to be the center of attention and on those rare occasions wanted it to be for something she had done, not something that had happened to her. "Got a job," Maya replied to River's question, "Helped Iann with a cake-based prank which is probably my favorite kind. What about you?"

Faye ordered another round. "Guess you got a pretty good collection at home though too, hm?" she said lightly, wondering what had prompted him to start drinking before coming down to the place his husband owned.

Fane took the drink fingers wrapping around the stem of the glass as well as picking up the tumbler of whiskey he'd ordered for Ruby. Passing it over to her he cheersed with his drink before taking a sip of the cocktail. The taste washed over his palette and he considered it before glancing to Iann with a smile appearing on his lips. "You know what? Not half bad Cardero."

Ephram snorted at Faye's explanation, saying, "That's the sorter relationship snafu we come up against when we live in a supernatural town, hey?" His gaze was roaming the crowd instead of focusing on Faye, though, alighting briefly on Ruby before moving on again. When she casually slipped in a reference to his home bar, Ephram looked down at her quickly. "A collection?" he repeated, trying to figure out what she was referring to -- his brain lately felt like it was on a tilt-a-whirl -- before inaccurately settling on, "Well, y'know, they both chose it. They chose to try but not really. So here's me doin' my best to keep shit together is all." Ephram reached for another shot, this one getting no reaction.

River smiled. "A job! Nice! Probably better than unloading at the docks, which is what I'm stuck with. Where at?" She picked at the shrimp in front of her, plopping on in her mouth and swallowing it whole. She always used to eat seafood like this, but now was aware of how seal-like it was. "Not much, actually. Same dead leads on my family." She hoped she hadn't made the conversation too heavy.

Iann "Hmmmmmmm," Iann stroked his chin. "Not half-bad, but not whole good, huh? C'mon Savin, get all blood-sommelier on me! I can take it." Iann abandoned the bottle of tequila with Maya, and the large glass, remembering that he shouldn't drink too much more. He didn't want to get (more) obnoxious, since he was the host-guy-whatever. Iann heard River mention 'leads on her family' and he tucked his chin against his shoulder, shamelessly eavesdropping on her conversation with Maya, out of curiousity.

Faye frowned. "Yeah. I s'pose it is." She took her own shot slowly, not noticing his eyes linger on his wife, who Faye didn't even realize was there. "Collection, yeah. As in liquor? Wine? All the above?" She turned her glass upside down on the bar, frowning a bit more. "Who chose what? Honey..." she almost reached to stop him from drinking anything else, but thought better of it. He was grown after all. "What's goin' on?"

Maya shrugged, "At a bakery, so I'm pretty excited." For the moment there wasn't much magical about the bakery she was going to work at, but with time and trust from her employer she hoped to change that. While River's way of eating shrimp was a little different than humans Maya didn't comment on it. Partially because the effects of three shots in a row were starting to take hold. "You know, I don't know if it'll help, but I might know of a few databases you could try. Worth a shot probably."

Fane clicked his tongue lightly a question coming to mind he'd never actually thought of asking before. "Well, I was just wondering whether fae had differing blood types amongst themselves? Not like different species of fae-- But say you got a group of pixies, say, would they all have the same sort of blood or are there different variations? Like human blood y'know? Since human blood tastes different depending on what group you're drinking... Can't say I've ever considered it before now." While he overheard the conversation going on nearby he did't know the other girl talking to Maya and though he kept mild tabs he didn't wish to interrupt.

Ephram shook his head, then moved so that he was leaning his hips against the bar like Faye was. Despite the lack of blood relation, they both had the same faintly guarded, faintly haunted look and unruly blond hair, and looked very much like siblings lined up there. Reaching behind Faye, Ephram picked up and downed another shot, then rumbled, "Ruby and Freddie couldn't git their shit together so I told em they should break up. I mean, it was fuckin' obvious by that point there was no fixin' things, but neither of em would come out and say it."

River cocked her head. "Databases? What do you mean?" She turned away from her plate of shrimp to give Maya her full attention. Her head was a little woozy when she turned, but she righted herself quickly. "All I know are their names, and I don't even know if that's what they're going by anymore."

Ruby took the drink from Fane with a nod of thanks, missing Ephram's eyes on her. He knew she was there, but Ruby didn't need someone holding her hand or keeping her company all night. She was more than happy to spend it by herself, just watching every one else.

Iann had two ears and he made use of them tonight, eavesdropping with one and listening to Fane's question with the other. "They do! We got this pixie blood from a northern clan. They're so small, so I'm pretty sure there isn't too much variation in taste or blood type there, hm? But - " Iann leaned in, raising a finger as he glanced around and then peered at Fane. "- apparently, if you harvest pixie blood when they're happy? It's like ambrosia. If you harvest when they're unhappy, it can be like a vampy poison. So you can't force them to donate....ahhh don't worry, this clan volunteered. But they're so fucking tiny, man. You have to like, harvest only like a quarter pint at a time or else they die." Iann motioned to Fane's drink and then winked at the vampire. "That shit is like fucking saffron."

Maya nodded, "Yeah some friends of mine growing up tried to find their bio parents. I'll send you the info tomorrow." She didn't miss Iann evesdropping next to her. Anyway it was a rather personal conversation to have at a party and Maya wasn't sure River wanted all these people to know. "By the way," Maya said gesturing to the two of them, "This is Fane and Ruby. And this is River." She cracked a grin, "What did I say, give it three rounds and you'll have more friends than you know what to do with."

Faye blinked up at Ephram. "You told 'em? Ain't that... ain't that somethin' two folks oughta figure out on their own? Not meanin' to pry or nothin', but... that ain't exactly fair to you is it? 'Less that's how y'all operate?" Faye took another shot of her own, feeling a little tipsy but not drunk. She didn't quite understand Ephram's relationship, but she'd always stayed out of it for the most part. But she could see it was hurting him. And sorry just didn't seem like the right thing to say. "Wanna go up on the roof and spit on strangers? Might make you feel better..." She tipped her head to his shoulder, looking more like a fifteen year old kid than a forty year old witch.

River nodded, about to speak again, but was cut off by Maya introducing her to other people, which made her acutely aware again of the fact that they were at a party and it wasn't just the two of them. She shot Maya an apologetic look and smiled at Fane and Ruby. "Hi!" she said, a little louder than she realized. "I'm River...wait, she already said that." She cleared her throat.

Fane: "Huh, makes sense. Though you've got different sorts of pixies too so I guess there's gotta be some difference there hm?" There was no helping his interest, Fane was always happy to learn something new and now that he was wondering on the matter he figured Iann was the best person to chat with regarding it than anyone. After all, if Iann didn't know or have some sort of clue then Fane doubted many other people would. "Whereabouts in the North?" Fane queried, but Iann mentioning the happy versus agitated donations was interesting "huh-- Wonder what causes the difference, some sort of magical substance or chemical?" However, his questions were paused as Maya spoke his name causing him to tilt his head to look at her and the other person with her who seemed overly chipper to introduce herself. Fane returned her smile though, offering his hand in greeting "hey there River, pleasure t'meet you darling."

Iann lacked the etiquette to know what was proper social-party talk and what was better broached at a later date. So the moment that Maya brought herself and River into the group where Fane and Ruby were, Iann leaned his back against the bar and stared curiously at River. He asked her directly,, "What happened to your family? Your pod? I heard you say you were looking for them."

Ephram snickered boozily at Faye's suggestion for a mood lifter, resting his cheek against her head as he spun and twisted his empty shot glass in his fingers. "It's how we operate," he agreed. "I'm head of the household. If shit ain't working, I'm the one whose responsibility it is to git it sorted out. Even if that means making a decision that neither of em wanted to make." He balanced the shot glass on the knuckles of his held-out flat hand, then bumped it up into the air and caught it before he fell, more a way to ease idleness than to show any sort of skill. I mean--" Ephram looked at Faye, turning a bit towards her, "--not that it's totally comparable, but din't you ever feel this way with Chris? Like you was the one sorter scramblin' to keep things goin' along a sensible, grown-up path?"

Maya It didn't take a genius to see that manners weren't exactly Iann's thing. When it came to her she didn't mind. Maya had never been big on manners herself. However River was a lot more nervous than she was. "Wooooooow," she said drawing out the vowel, "Just diving right into the deep end, old man."

Fane wasn't really surprised by Iann's behaviour nor his words when he came right on out with what he wanted to know off the bat. As Maya put it, he certainly didn't beat about the bushes and Fane merely took a sip unsure how this was going to play out.

Iann "Yyyeah, but that's different from humans. We don't have sub-species categories, but pixies do. Although you try telling a pixie that," Iann smirked at Fane. "Depending on the pixie, they'll fight you tooth and nail to disassociate themselves from certain species. So xenophobic, those little fuckers!" Iann liked how Fane asked where in the 'North', as if north was a proper noun. So respectful. All Iann could do was grin and say, "Point Roberts. That's just a little shithole town right on the border, nothing, er, too fancy or fantastical. Sometimes clans just chill in one place...maybe that's why they were able to carry on a blood-tapping tradition over generations of pixies. They're our best best for distribution."

Iann protested, making a motion at River. "She brought it up! River, you can tell me to fuck off if you want," he assured the selkie with a smile. "It wouldn't be the first or last time, ha!"

River shook Fane's hand, and when she pulled back, she was shot with Ian's question. Maya interjected, and River body lanuaged suddenly closed a bit. However, her buzz swimming in her head had different plans. "They got hunted. Scattered. Some are dead and I can't find some others. Mainly my folks." She tried to be a little quiet so only Iann and Maya could hear her, but didn't know how well she was pulling that off.

Faye hummed a bit as Ephram explained, though he turned down her offer of using strangers on the street as target practice. She watched, impressed with his trick that wasn't a trick. "A little. Well... okay, a lot, especially there at the end. He just sorta... checked out. Though if I'm honest it was like that with him from the moment we met. I was the grown up - which is sayin' somethin' - and he was..." Faye waved a hand. "Whatevver he was. Though Chris never cared much for how I felt 'bout things. That's what got wearin'. Just... bein' invisible. And then when I wasn't, it was like I was... a joke." She rubbed his arm soothingly. "You told either of 'em how you're feelin'?"

Maya let River say whatever she was comfortable with. It was her story to tell after all. Her eyes never left Iann though, watching to see if he was going to push the selkie farther than she wanted to go.

Iann Being surrounded by supernaturals with heightened hearing made River's quiet tone somewhat redundant, but there was ambient noise, and Fane was polite as hell so Iann doubted the vampire would eavesdrop as rudely as Iann had. "Well fuck, River..." Iann said, facing something of a conundrum. He was itching to know more, dig deeper into River's situation, just to see if there were any answers that lay at the end of the selkie's search. At the same time - dammit - he wasn't really in that business anymore, was he? "Scattered near Soapberry, you think? Is that why you came to town?" Iann glanced at Maya, but clearly the witch was familiar with River's current plight.

Ephram pressed his lips together and shook his head once, firmly. "That ain't an option," he said, turning and crossing his arms on the bar top. "Like I said, it ain't just the same as you and Chris -- Ruby and Freddie don't get on like they got no brain in their heads and they don't make me feel like a joke -- but the both of em don't /get/ how this works with folks you love. How it's wearing on everbody, not just them." Ephram kept on playing with the shot glass, his movements getting sharper and more rapid. "And it ain't like they're being inconsiderate, it's more like ... they git scared when there's disagreements. Wild scared. More'n they need to be."

Ruby smiled around the rim of her glass at River, standing on the periphery and listening to the ongoing conversation. Iann was loud as ever, and Ruby thought he might be a little drunk,but she didn't know him well enough to say. River's story, however, had her full attention, turning her stomach a bit at the thought. Ruby didn't like violence, or the talk of it, so she moved back off to her original seat in the corner, slowly draining her glass.

River shrugged. "Originally, yeah, but it's been 17 years. Who knows where they are." Ian sure was nosey. "Were you a detective in a past life or something?" She said with a small chuckle.

Fane "Well isn't that most fae generally?" he questioned, not to say all fairies were inclined to fight you for disagreeing with them but they all seemed very... set in their ways and resistant to change from what he'd experienced. Fane merely echoed Iann's term because he didn't exactly have any location to narrow 'North' down to. Even so, River's story soon took focus and Fane quietened as he listened occasionally sipping his drink as he stood there.

Maya relaxed a little when it seemed that River didn't mind answering. Since Iann had left the bottle with her she poured herself another shot. Sometimes at parties this big she got a little overwhelmed. It was hard to keep track of everything and if she couldn't keep track of everything she might not notice 'him' walking through the door. That was supposed to be impossible now, but her gut hadn't caught up with her brain. She downed the shot easily before turning back to track the conversation.

Faye chewed her lip a bit, listening intently as Ephram spoke. "Why ain't it though? If they're scared..." She turned and mirrored his position. "And you know they are... know /why/ they are... then why not just be honest? Takin' into account what you know about the both of 'em?" Faye didn't want or need Ephram to explain the more personal side of things, things that weren't hers to know. But she knew that not speaking up, holding things in, wasn't healthy. But she thought maybe she understood. At least his partners weren't idiots, and at least he felt wanted and respected. But still... "They know you're scared too?" she observed over the click of the shot glass on the table.

Iann "Isn't what most fae, generally?" Iann asked, not realizing what part of the conversation Fane was referencing. But he could see in Fane's expression that he had heard River's tale as well, and Iann gave Fane a little nudge, like a 'to be continued' assurance before he squinted at River. He was indeed nosey, and would ask questions so long as the other person was willing to answer. "Seventeen years! Oh damn - you are, like, 21 right River? Human-21," Iann clarified, since sometimes selkies counted age in different ways. "No, I think Fane's here more qualified as a detective than I am. He found the actual Jack the Ripper," Iann thumbed towards Fane. "The actual serial killer, can you believe it?! I'm just some guy..." Iann tapped a finger against the counter in thought. "What've you tried so far, River?"

Fane glanced down slightly as Iann promoted his past accolades to the group "I'd argue that dealing with one rogue vampire hardly qualifies me as a detective..." Fane would never claim that title, now or ever. "Plus that was a long time ago. But yes, Iann's some guy who just happens to be super nosy" the remark wasn't made to be unkind it was simply a truthful fact that everyone present knew or had come to realise already.

Ephram was starting to get the mutinous look on his face, though, that anybody who'd dealt with him for a period of time would recognize. Where he'd dug in his heels on some decision or habit and wasn't willing to adjust at all. "I'm honest, don't think I ain't honest. We all know how each other feel. Ain't nowhere else to go with it, really. Just..." Ephram straightened, stepping even closer to Faye, fixing her with an urgent stare. "I don't feel like I can tell nobody this because it ain't productive or even fair, but I feel so fuckin' /resentful/ of the both of em, lettin' shit get to this extent." He looked stricken immediately, guilt clouding his blue eyes.

River snorted a little at the question. "Yes, I'm 23. Don't worry." She started to feel a little weird. It seemed Iann was well meaning, but at the same time, she was slightly on edge now. It was always in the back of her mind that maybe who she was talking to was really trying to find the rest of her family before her so they could finish the job. "Not much, just asking around. Nobody knows anything so far. I'm more trying to get settled in town right now." She unbuttoned her suit jacket and started to run her red tie in her hands nervously.

Iann Wouldn't consider himself well-meaning...not exactly, anyway. So when he saw River start to pet her red tie like her life depended on it, he smiled, crookedly. Iann glanced over at Fane, then Maya, then reached over River to grab a couple more shrimp. "You're in the best town to amp up your search, kid," Iann said, allaying any further questions, for now. He neatly tucked the shrimp into his mouth and then talked around them, "Now show me how you did that whole...swallowing shrimp whole trick. I'm trying to improve my gag reflex."

Maya noticed River starting to fidget with her tie. She took that as a sign it was time to change subjects. It seemed though that Iann noticed too. Maya couldn't help but snort as he talked through a mouthful of shrimp. "Alright, that's my cue to leave and get some air because I want no part of you deepthroating shrimp."

Faye saw the look for what it was, and grew a bit more concerned as he stepped closer. "Hey, now. Don't," she said gently but with a firm undertone. "Nothin' you're feelin' is wrong, understand? Don't feel guilty for that..." Faye scooped her hand around his arm and tugged him towards the opposite end of the bar, unobtrusively, where there was more breathing room. "Honey... I can't imagine what it's like to love more than one person," she said. "It's hard enough lovin' one. But you got enough inside you to handle it. But Ephram... resentment can easily breed hatred. Trust me on this. I ain't sayin' it's wrong to feel it - god knows how hard makin' that decision must've been for you - but lettin' that feelin' eat at you, it's like... acid. It eats right down through everythin' that's good, everythin' that cares... everythin' that loves. And we end up like... hollows." She searched his eyes, full of guilt and something wild and scared of his own. "You ain't hollow, baby. They know you love 'em, right? And vice versa? So tell 'em, if it's what you feel's right. Take that weight off so you can all move forwards."

Maya laughed, "I don't mind how she eats. I just think watching you learn how to do its going to be gross." She poured herself another shot, "But fine I'll stay." The alcohol was starting to help with her anxiousness, letting her power down her brain for a little while.

Iann "It'll definitely be gross," Iann agreed, letting River try to teach him, with incredibly mixed results. He didn't actually try - he didn't want to choke and cause a rather stupid scene - it was mostly just for the dumb fun of pretending to try. Once River had to drift off, Iann looked over at Maya, then the tequila bottle. "You want more?"

Maya It wasn't as bad as she thought it was. Still the roomful of strangers was starting to get to her. Once River had wandered off and Iann offered her more tequila she shook her head, "No, I should probably get some air." She had started fidgeting with the rings on her fingers without even noticing. "Actually, you know what, hit me one more," she said, grabbing the salt shaker again

Ephram dragged his feet along the floor as he went with Faye, letting her big-sister him with an eagerness he couldn't hide. "I knoooow," he moaned petulantly when she spoke about resentment and its sticky path. "I know that. I hate feelin' it but it won't last, that I know for sure. So what good would it do to bring it up and upset em both when it's only a passing thing?" Ephram dragged a tray of canapes closer and started mindlessly munching them down so the fat could soak up the liquor he had poured into himself. "I mean yeah, honesty, I'm its number one fan, but then there's also knowin' when to bide your time." He got himself a glass of seltzer water as well, nursing it sadly and murmuring against the rim, "They's both so fragile right now. Even if I agreed that I should talk bout it with em, now wouldn't be the time."

Iann "Hold up, come with me," Iann said, grabbing the bottle of tequila and heading out of the bar. He smacked the elevator button. "It's not to a suite, don't worry," he reassured her first, motioning for her to get into the elevator first. "It's to my lair! Mwahahah... oh wait you're not in the elevator yet. Pretend you didn't hear that yet."

Maya followed Iann from the bar because what other choice did she have he had taken the liquor with him. It was a little suspicious that he ushered her into the elevator first. But his comment about going to his lair actually reassured her a little. No one announced their lair. "Okay if try to murder me I'm going to be really pissed," she replied, getting onto the elevator.

Iann "Punching power, remember?" Iann said, referencing their van ride back to Maya's hotel, after the mole-man incident. He took them to the bistro level, which was closed right now although the kitchen still seemed to be busy and awake. But Iann steered Maya out to the covered terrace. It was pouring rain outside, but Iann switched on the outdoor heaters, positioning Maya near one as he took a swig from the bottle of tequila before handing it over to the witch. He pointed. "The ocean's out there. You can...kind of see it." It was all black and misty right now, during the rain."

Faye: "You could be right," Faye agreed. "Best not to call up trouble where there ain't none. But long as you keep on knowin' it. Keep it right here-" She tapped his forehead with her finger. "Where you can't ever let it slip away, hm? Until it's /time/ to let it go." Faye knew Ephram was used to running that gamut of emotional distress from sucking depression to anxiety-induced fear and anger. And she'd never blame him for any of it. They all coped in their own way. She leaned against the bar, watching as he started eating. "Also true," she said of honesty. "So maybe there's a happy medium there? Not right now, while things're so... fragile," she said, using his own words back at him since she didn't know a better way to describe it. "But later, when they're stronger? You know it all best, which ain't me blowin' smoke up your rear; it's the truth." She reached up to press his hair out of his eyes where it was starting to become flyaway. "You can always come an' tell me about it, besides. Get it off your chest at least." She looked at him fondly, thinking he looked like a pouting twelve year old right then and wanting to hug him. "This too shall pass right," she murmured softly, still brushing at his hair.

Maya "Exactly," she replied with a half smile. Shortly they arrived not at a lair, but at what looked like a bistro. Although it might've been a very bizarrely designed liar, to be fair. Iann guided her out to the terrace where all she could hear was the sound of rain on the roof and the low hum of conversation. She took a deep breath. When offered she took the bottle from him, but instead of taking a swig her fingers played with the wrapper. After five shots in pretty short succession it was probably a better move. "Thanks," she said with a soft smile when Iann pointed out the ocean or at least it was probably the ocean she couldn't really see it at the moment.

Iann "De nada," Iann said, shoving his hands in his pockets and staring out towards the ocean for a few long moments. "Well kid - elevator's there where you came from. Don't steal the silverware and absolutely do not disturb the kitchen staff. They're already hideously overworked and underpaid as it is. Practically oompa loompas." Iann hummed under his breath for a moment and then nodded. "Come down whenever you're ready, hm?" he said, turning to leave.

Maya laughed softly, "You know that just makes me want to steal your silverware." She wouldn't though because it was nice of him to notice and nice of him to bring her here. "I'll be down in a bit. Try not to get into too much trouble old man," she said, glancing back at him, "I'll be down in a bit."

Iann paused. "I mean - I mean if you do, just tell me, alright?" Iann wouldn't stop her if she decided to steal, though. Why would he? He'd stolen silverware before. Now he was the guy with the silverware, it was weird. "So that I can replace what's missing, and the servers don't get yelled at by their boss. Don't let servers get yelled at, Maya, they're already overworked and underpaid, remember." Iann gave her a deadpan look, then headed into the kitchen to check on things there. He headed back down afterwards, enjoying his own spot of quiet while fully immersed in the din and noise of the party.

Ephram belatedly realized he'd polished off the entire platter of appetizers and switched it for a new one, his appetite building. "The thing is," he said, more surely, "that I'm in a pretty good place right now, better'n either of them. I /know/ they both love me, I'm happy with my job, this--" he swept his hand to encompass the bar, "is the first time I had this much to drink in donkey years. And I don't intend to make it somethang I do on the regular." Ephram pensively licked crumbs of pastry from his fingertips, saying, "They changed me for the better. Made me more resilient and not so much easy to plunge back into the dark that I come from. So what's my holdin' my tongue on this one thing? It's all a give-and-take." A little bolstered by this out-loud analysis, Ephram smiled and turned his face into Faye's gentle brush, murmuring, "This did feel real good, though, talkin' with you bout things. I'm glad as hell we ain't in a fight no more."

Freddie watched the bar at a distance, safely ensconced at a table in the corner with Ollie, grateful that reinforcements had arrived and he was no longer expected to bartend. Not that he’d /minded/ exactly - for Alia, he'd been quite happy to make the effort - it was just that, as the night had worn on, the more mercurial aspects of his attention span, and his natural aversion to ‘work’, had started to tug at him, and Freddie had felt the need to drift. He just hadn’t drifted very far, was all. Taking a seat in the back of the lounge and watching the guests, idly toying with the idea of picking the pockets of the people he wasn’t immediately acquainted with (and maybe a few of the ones that he was), Freddie watched Ephram talking to Faye, not liking the look on his husband’s face and reasonably certain he could guess what had put it there. Watched Ruby as she chatted her way through the party, missing her and hoping to avoid her all at once; and watched Iann being Iann, and smiled. As parties went, he thought, in spite of his own little collection of reasons for feeling out of sorts, this one could certainly be worse. Stonefruit had done rather well for itself overall - even though that bloody wedding cake was an absolute eyesore.

Maya After a few minutes Maya felt calmer. The label of the tequila bottle was a little worse for wear, but she was feeling better. With a deep breath she got into the elevator and headed back down to the party. Not seeing anyone she recognized exactly for Iann she made her way towards him. "Don't you like own this place?" she asked

Iann Iann saw Freddie when he came back down, and looked at him for a long while, waiting for Freddie to catch his eye in return. Just a shift of expression - something to ask, 'everything good?' and waiting for Freddie's confirmation, before he nodded that he was doing well as well. The party was getting quieter though, especially now that the birthday ladies had taken their leave, up to one of the suites upstairs. He heard Maya's voice piping up at his side and he looked down at her. "I - what? No, I don't own this place, do I look like I could own anything but a '78 Westfalia? I just work here. The bosses trust me with everything because I'm trustworthy and shit."

Maya "Oh, nevermind then," Maya replied with a wave of her hand. She didn't remember where she thought she had heard he was a part owner. Maybe that wasn't what the person had said. To be fair she was a little drunk.

Iann "What, what? Nevermind what?" Iann said, suddenly needing to know.

Maya "I was just going to say that if you owned the place then your servers don't have to be underpaid," she replied with a shrug as she looked out over the party, "Working at a server in a hotel sucks. Doesn't need to suck more by not being paid enough."

Iann "Really?" Iann tilted his head and tapped his finger against his lip. "Tell me more, about this 'working' and 'not being paid enough'. I've never heard of such odd terms. They sound rather gauche to me."

Maya rolled her eyes, "Oh fuck off." She said it without any real malice in her voice. "Mr. All I Own is '78 Westfalia, you've worked before. Apperently you're trustworthy and shit."

Iann "Apparently? According to who? I'm not going to stand for that sort of slander, I have to set them straight. As for the bosses I work for, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do. They're the worst, they're terrible bosses, honestly. I wish I could quit, but..." Iann sighed and folded his hands in front of him. "Where else would I go? It's a small town."

Faye slid onto the stool next to him, reaching for one of the little appetizers herself, but nibbling on hers instead of sticking it in her mouth whole as Ephram did. She listened as he worked out the particulars, glad that he seemed to be righting himself a bit now that he'd eased some things off his chest. She propped her head on her hand, smiling at him softly. "You got a real good thing goin'," she agreed. "An' I see you... round town. Smilin' at folks, tippin' your hat. You look happy. Settled even. An' if they helped you find all that, then I love both of 'em for it, to the end o' my days. Even Freddie." The last was said in light humor, Faye's relationship with the fairy a bit like the equivalent of oil and water; they just didn't mix. And Faye understood. It didn't mean that she couldn't appreciate the man - prickly, brooding ass that he was - for making Ephram happy. For making him stronger. And yes, for keeping him alive. Ruby too. She pulled his head down so she could kiss his forehead. "Me too, darlin'. Me too..."

Maya "You said it like two seconds ago," she replied with a laugh. She couldn't decide if she was not drunk enough or too drunk for this kind of conversation. Deciding on not drunk enough she took another swig from the tequila bottle.

Iann "You're drunk! You better not be walking home, Maya." Since the party was dwindling and the staff were all starting to clean up now (Freddie very expertly and efficiently guiding them, and glamouring a lot of the mess into easily disposable things), Iann motioned. "C'mon, let me drive you home." He went out to the front lobby, fetching his van keys from a little safe, and he smiled at Maya. "For the record, kid - I am one of the owners. And all that stuff about overworked and underpaid was meant to be a joke."

Maya "Yeah and?" Maya asked. While she might never admit it she was grateful for the ride because otherwise she was going to have to walk. She smiled a little sleepily when Iann said he was one of the owners and that he didn't underpay his staff. "Good," she replied, "Just wanted to make sure." On the ride back to the motel Maya was quiet. Only when she got out did she smile and say, "Thanks, you're a good guy Iann. Sorry I threatened to steal your van. And a mattress. And your silverware."

#p: birthday bash #c: grace villiers #//i hope i managed to tag everyone! if not i'm deeply sorry

[gracevilliers]

Grace & Alia’s Birthday Party || Chatzy

People were arriving, milling about in the lounge/bar of the Stonefruit. Iann knew most of them of course, and was happy to greet them while Freddie did bartending duties. Everything was pretty much arranged; Grace and Alia were remarkably undemanding clients, over all. So their first major event had, so far, gone off without a hitch. He gravitated towards Tuah, nudging his old man. "Look how good you look. I know I already told you that, but I figure I'll tell you again." Iann kissed Tuah's high cheekbone. What'd you think of my attic hm? Cozy, right? You should stay the night with me."

"I just might," Tuah said, letting his lips curl into a small smirk. "Perhaps we can retire to your attic once the party is over, hm?" He wrapped his arm around Iann's waist and pulled him closer, giving the man a playful kiss on the lips. "You look rather ravishing tonight. Well, more so than usual."

"Good it's settled," Iann said, snickering at the idea of being 'ravishing'. Only Tuah would think a thing like that, and Iann loved it. He looked around for the birthday gals, pitching an eyebrow. "Alia and Grace better not have ditched their own party to do some retiring of their own already...those two rabbits. Still in the honeymoon phase," Iann jibed, then looked at Tuah. "Are we still in the honeymoon phase thing?"

"I don't know, I'm always going to be wanting to have you. Does that count as a honeymoon phase?" Tuah asked, his smirk still painted on his lips. Tuah let his eyes roamed across the room, searching for the two celebrated birthday girls. "I think I can see Grace approaching, so they haven't left yet." He then looked at Iann, "You remember to order the cake, yes?"

Grace was used to being the center of attention and used to having extravagant parties. What she wasn't used to was actually being friends with the people who were there. Making her rounds of hellos, she spotted Iann and his partner. "I hope I'm not interrupting too much," she said with a knowing grin. She knew those looks. She and Alia looked at one another like that all the time. Grace leaned in to give each of them a half hug and a kiss on the cheek. "I hope there won't be any unwelcome guests tonight, hm?"

"I'm one-hundred percent almost sure this is Tuah and not a doppleganger," Iann grinned at Tuah, then made the slightly surprised 'oh' noise again when he got a kiss from Grace. He was going to have to get used to that sort of greeting with her, Iann supposed. Not that he minded; her hair smelled good. "Tuah was just being a worrywart and making sure if I remembered the cake. And of course I did, honey. You and Alia can let me know when you're ready for it; or if you're too busy having fun, then I've timed it for about two hours into the party. Unless the party's flagging in which case I'll haul it out earlier." Iann had no idea how long parties were supposed to run; he figured as long as everyone was still having fun, then it was fair game. "Oh! The party and free shit is your gifts, of course. So Happy Birthday, Gracie. Alia said you're...what? Turning 142 or something? You don't look a day over 100."

Grace chuckled, rolling her eyes. She was used to Iann and his humor by now. "A hundred and sixty four. But it's all the same after a while."

Alia loved a reason to celebrate - and her birthday was as good as any. Though she was used to going out to a bar with a small group of close friends, and not this large party at the Stonefruit Inn. Not that she was complaining; she enjoyed mixing and mingling, and it was made better by the fact that she knew most of the people here. She was trying to give tips to Freddie, who was behind the bar, but he was now shooing her off - actually, both he and Ollie were shooing her off, and pouting slightly, she turned to find better entertainment elsewhere. It didn’t take long for her eyes to alight on Iann and Tuah, and Grace who was conversing with them. “Hello,” she beamed at the three of them, pulling Iann and Tuah into separate hugs before leaning in to press a kiss to Grace’s cheek - even if it hadn’t been more than an hour since she’d last spoken to her girlfriend. “What are you three gossiping about?”

"And I'm one hundred percent Iann isn't a doppelganger either," Tuah chimed in, receiving the kiss and hug from Grace. "Happy birthday to both you and Miss Oren," he said once he pulled away slightly, looking at both of them with a smile. "Iann was saying that how stunning your partner is looking tonight, which I agree wholeheartedly. And so are you, Miss Oren." He returned the other's hug with his own, beaming at the naga.

Oh shit, yeah! You both look great. Goddamn I love a woman in a suit," Iann said, taking a step back to admire Alia's sleekness. "I keep telling the old man here to put on a tulle gown, but he insists he doesn't have the shoulders to pull it off." Iann pats Tuah's shoulders. "So beefy."

Grace melted comfortably into Alia's arms as she arrived, enjoying the fact her girlfriend was so tall that she could scoop her up in her arms easily if given the chance. Grace squeezed Alia's hand, draping her arm around her shoulder and placing her own arm around Alia's back. "She always looks lovely," she grinned, planting a kiss on Alia's jawline. She gave Tuah a long look, cocking her head. "I would say he has excellent shoulders."

Alia grinned at both Iann and Tuah, pleased at the compliment as she snaked her arm around Grace’s waist, allowing her girlfriend’s own complimentary words to wash over her. “Thank you. You both clean up quite well yourselves,” she told them, reaching forward to tug at Iann’s collar playfully. “What is a tulle gown?”

Tuah rolled his eyes at Iann's comment, and a slight chuckle escaped his lips at Grace's. "Yes, well. I'm hardly built to wear delicate things, I think. I'll most probably tear the dress in pieces." Tuah then directed his attention towards Alia's question, though his eyes was distracted at the playful tugging at Iann's collar. "Ah, to be honest, I have no idea. I'm not very well versed in these sort of things, really. A dress that shows off your shoulders, perhaps?"

"It's like one of those gowns that have all that big fluffy shit underneath the cloth, you know. Puffs it up, like a quinceañera - ahhhh, like a princess dress?" Iann motioned with his hands, puffing around his own hips to try and emulate tulle. He grinned at Tuah though, tugging Tuah's waist. "He's got excellent everything." Because Iann really did like showing Tuah off to everyone, even if Tuah did his best to be very modest about it, try not to draw attention to himself, etc. "Oh - I've made sure no one sings that birthday song. I mean, unless you all want people to sing you the birthday song."

Grace rolled her eyes with a laugh. She supposed these ridiculous men were her social circle now. "Tulle is the fabric. It's netting. And I'm still convinced most people wouldn't mind seeing Tuah's shoulders, torn fabric or not."

"Right?! Gracie, you feel me." Iann motioned at one of the servers, to bring over drinks - blood-cocktails for the vampires, and something special for the naga as well. "I concocted a special drink for you, Alia. It's got a kick of jackalope blood in it - you know what those are? They're mythical - bunny rabbits with antlers. I think you'll like it..." The drinks came around and Iann sorted it out for them. "The vamps get O-negative werewolf blood in their drink. And I'm having a bloody mary, ah ha!"

“But that would ruin the dress," Tuah tried to argue, unable to see why would he want to waste a perfectly good looking gown just to show off his everything, as Iann so eloquently put it. "Besides, I think both of you would be rather suited for such thing than myself, no?" Tuah took the offered drink. "Shall we make a toast before we drink?"

Alia shrugged. “It is okay. If Grace were to loan you a gown for the good of the people, I am sure she has plenty more.” She frowned slightly, glancing at her girlfriend. “Right?” And when drinks were brought over, she regarded hers curiously. “Jackalope?” she repeated. “I have not heard of it, but I cannot wait to try it. Let’s toast to… birthdays and no doppelgängers!”

"You could argue they're all Bloody Marys, Grace gave a shrug, her voice deadpan, although her humour was evident to anyone who knew her. "You managed to get Jackalope blood? That's very impressive." Grace took the drink with a little grin, still settled into Alia's arms contently. "I'm not toasting to any doppelgangers."

Iann's eyes gleamed suddenly as he tapped his glass, and he looked over at Alia for a moment. "Yeah, there was a whole swarm of jackalopes out at the springs...incredible..." Iann replied absently, then blinked at Tuah and Grace, his grin wide and winning. "You know there's...ah..." Iann took a gulp of his bloody mary. "There's that old birthday tradition that the birthday person in question gets a big ol' kiss from their well-wishers. You know - to wish them well for the next year to come and all that corny jazz. But on the other hand, what if it's not corny jazz? I'm a superstitious kind of guy, after all..."

Tuah "I've not heard of such tradition," Tuah narrowed his eyes at his kasih, his drink untouched in his hand. 'What are you trying to play here, kasih,' he wanted to ask, but dared not so not to cause any trouble with Grace.

Grace raised an eyebrow, positioning herself so she was in front of Alia with her arms draped around her shoulders. She took another sip of her drink and eyed Iann with a penetrating gaze. "If you're trying to kiss my girlfriend again, the next thing I drink will be you."

Iann boggled. "Again! I've never kissed her, or you for that matter, Grace. That scummy doppleganger and his wretched moustache did. And I'll bet he - it - wasn't even that good," Iann harrumphed, lifting his nose to emulate a pettish snootiness.

It seemed that everyone was quite familiar with jackalopes and their blood, and it only made Alia all the more eager to try it. “We are not toasting to the doppelgängers,” she told Grace with a sly grin, “we are toasting to the lack thereof.” At Iann’s mention of the birthday tradition, she raised both brows. “I have not heard of that.” To Grace, she added, “It is all right, Iann only wants to prove that his moustache is ten times better than the doppelganger’s.” She paused, raising her glass. “I do wish to thank you for this jackalope drink, Iann.” She leaned forward, slipping out of Grace’s embrace, and pressed a kiss to the very corner of Iann’s mouth before pulling back and doing the same to Tuah. To Tuah, Alia said, “Thank you for coming to the party.”

Grace snickered. "If I didn't know any better I might be starting to get the impression that Iann was some sort of wanna-be Lothario." She was trying to keep her sense of humor about this. Alia didn't seem to mind, after all. She loosened up as Alia let go of her, taking another swig of her drink before giving both Grace and Tuah a small peck on the lips. "Anything more and you couldn't handle it," she joked.

Tuah accepted the kiss from Grace. "I believe the so-called tradition said that the celebrated receives a kiss from the well-wishers, not the other way around. But I think this will suffice, no?" Tuah arched his brow at Iann, wondering how far his kasih was willing to push this shenanigans forward

 Alia tried to catch Iann’s eye as Grace planted a quick kiss on Tuah’s lips - as though to say I told you so! She took a sip of her drink, humming thoughtfully as the taste of the alcohol hit her first, slowly giving way to the richer tones of the jackalope blood underneath. “This is very nice, Iann. Do you have any left? I might want to purchase some for the The Fainting Goat…”

Grace gave her girlfriend a look, extending a hand to lightly touch her shoulder. "You know, darling, we've never gone hunting together before. It might be fun."

Iann gave a melodramatic sigh, as if from Alia's kiss it was a signal that that was as far as it would go. "'Wanna-be' being the keyword there, Gracie," Iann said with a snort, accepting the delivered peck-kisses with a passivity. He smiled when Alia enjoyed the taste. "I can go get more, there are tonnes of them now out in the Newes..." But then Grace mentioned hunting -together! - and Iann's eyes lit up. "Hunting? For jackalopes?" Likely to Tuah's relief, Iann's interest had shifted quickly away from any possibility of further kisses, and towards the idea he had of Grace racing through the forest, Alia slithering along at her side. How cool would that be.

Maya had heard about the party from someone. They had said that the whole town was welcome and she was never one to turn down a party. She dressed in the best clothes she had. As she walked in though she couldn't help but notice how underdressed she was. She moved through the party quietly, going first to the bar to get a drink.

Alia had never considered going hunting with Grace - which was silly, considering how good her girlfriend was at it. Of course, Grace had previously used to hunt supernatural creatures… “Let’s go,” she told Grace, taking another sip of her drink and finishing the last of it. “I would like to see an expert at work. And I am sure Iann would too. —I am going to get us another round. Would anyone like something else?”

"I would love to," Iann gushed, gleeful that Alia was trying to include him. But he held himself back and (tried to) politely add, "Whenever you're ready to take on a third wheel. I think Tuah's hunting days are over." Iann pat Tuah's chest and shook his head when Alia asked if he needed a fresh drink.

Tuah seemed a little uncomfortable with the talk of hunting, preferring to keep this hunting business far behind him, and only when necessary. He was about to excuse himself from such activity, but the look on Iann's face made him second-guessing a little. "Well, I'll come with you if you allow us to go along, even if it's just to keep Iann from doing anything far too dangerous." He gave them a smile before shaking his head at the offer of another drink. "I prefer to observe than to actually hunt these creatures."

Alia excused herself and headed over to the bar, her mind still mulling over hunting with Grace (and Iann and Tuah—what fun it would be, to have them all along!). It was then she recognized, out of the corner of her eye, the woman who had come to The Fainting Goat the other day—“Maya?” she called out, cocking her head to the side.

Maya looked up surprised at the sound of her name. After a moment she recognized the bartender from The Fainting Goat who had helped her get a shift at a bakery. She smiled, "In the flesh. And Happy Birthday, this is quite the party."

As Grace stepped away to greet some other guests (Iann realized he was bogarting the birthday ladies, after all) he watched the pair leave and then looked at Tuah. "I like having an observation buddy," he said, reaching up to hold Tuah's chin, look in the vampire's eyes. "As if I know how to hunt. I just want to watch them hunt, hm?" Did Tuah know that Grace was a Hunter once upon a time? Likely not. And it wasn't something Iann was going to mention to his fella right now. Instead he grinned mischievously. "You know if you did kiss Grace or Alia, it would be pretty hot. I'm just saying. Watching you kiss someone else would be...boy oh boy oh boy."

Grace stepped away briefly to greet a few other people as they came in, but returned and continuied chatting to Iann and Tuah while Alia went to the bar. "Sorry about that. Trying to make sure I get to speak to everyone. It’s what being a hostess is all about, I suppose.” She said with a smirk and a shrug. She still loved being the center of attention, even now. “I don't do much hunting any more either. I'm pampered. I get my blood from the bottle or from donors, but if there really are that many Jackalopes out there at the Springs, it might make a nice little trip.

Alia smiled at Maya. “Thank you for coming. I am not used to such… elaborate parties, if I am to be honest.” She laughed. “What are you having?”

Maya laughed. "Yeah, clearly neither am I," she replied in a self deprecating tone, referring to her outfit. It would bother her less the more everyone else had to drink. "Oh just rum and coke," she said, "Although if they made you like signature cocktails or something I'd be happy to switch to that."

Tuah arched his brow at the other's words. "You want to watch me make out with them? That's the term young people used these days, yes?" Tuah had done a little bit of research about Grace in his spare time, but he didn't feel the need to share with anyone about what he knew since he didn't see the point of it all. Besides, Iann did mention Grace had cut her ties with her hunter family, so he figured he shouldn't be too wary of her. Not to mention she's a surprisingly good company, too. “Well, I never pegged you to be a voyeur, Mr. Cardero.” Which was untrue, seeing that he did perform sybaritism for his kasih awhile back, when Iann was travelling overseas with Freddie. "If it's alright with you, Miss Villiers, then perhaps we can set up another double date for this? I'll make sure there will be no doppelganger this time."

Alia raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about? You look right at home.” She was a firm believer in the simple drinks - they were a classic for a reason, after all, and it was usually because you couldn’t go wrong with them. “Well, there is this drink with jackalope blood, but I do not think that would be to your tastes.” And when the bartender asked for her order, she ordered the drink that Iann had prepared for her. “So, when do you start at the bakery?”

Grace gave a nod, having completely missed the part about Tuah kissing her while she was away greeting the other guests. "That would be wonderful. Iann has my number." She looked around for Alia, finding her at the bar with someone she didn't know. "I should go and check on those drinks. Thank you again." She extended a hand to lightly rub Iann's shoulder then went to find Alia and Maya. "Hi. I don't believe we met. I'm Grace, Alia's partner."

Iann grinned at Tuah. "Tuah Arjuna, making out," he lightly teased, highly amused by the idea of blending someone so old fashioned with something so 1960's teenagers. He wasn't sure what Tuah suggested as a second double-date, but Iann would agree to anything at this point. He loved Tuah, he adored Alia and he was strangely fond of Grace Villiers. Iann nodde,d wathcing Grace move off to delicately place herself (verbally or otherwise) between Maya and Alia. "She's really possessive, isn't she? Or...over-protective? How would you describe it?"

Maya laughed, but didn't say anything. If one of the hosts didn't mind how she was dressed it would be alright. She had to agree with Alia's assessment that a drink with jackalope blood wasn't her style. The fact it was so normal to mention made her feel light. Despite her money problems Maya felt light these days. It had to be the weight of living in secret lifted off her shoulders. "Next week hopefully," she replied. When a blonde woman approached and introduced herself Maya turned and replied, "Hi, I'm Maya. Nice to meet you and this is an awesome shindig. Happy Birthday."

Grace smiled, ordering another drink from the bartender. "I can't take the credit. Mostly it was Iann who did the planning. He said it was his gift to us. He's very sweet." She ran a hand over Alia's forearm before gently taking her hand. "It's not officially my birthday until tomorrow, but thank you. These things are always better at the weekend." She stiffened instinctively as she caught the scene of someone's perfume. Ruby. Unless someone else happened to wear her brand. Grace would remember that smell anywhere. She had woken up with it clinging to her skin and to her pillows.

Tuah looked over where Grace was, watching interestedly as she planted herself between Alia and the newcomer. Maya, he believed her name was. "I think she's only overly possessive of Miss Oren whenever you're around, kasih. You are very friendly with her." Tuah looked at Iann with a slight smirk on his lips. "I would be too. In fact I am quite possessive of you whenever you decide to be overly friendly with just about anyone." He slithered his arm around Iann's waist and pulled him close. "I know you can't help it, but do try to behave, hm." He grazed his teeth against Iann's earlobe, couldn't help himself from having a taste of his kasih despite the fact that they were in the middle of a large crowd. "Now why don't we say hi to everybody else, hm."

"Me! What'd I do. Nothing, I'm totally innocent," Iann laughed, knowing he was being wicked but he couldn't help it. He was stupidly delighted whenever Tuah reacted, finding it both endearing and exciting. "I'm /pretty/ sure Grace's last relationship was like...a century ago," Iann said airily. "Whereas you've been a player all you life. Go on then - " Iann nudged Tuah towards the other guests with a smack of his knuckles on Tuah's ass. "Go mingle. I'll join you in a sec, just have to go be party host dude for a second."

Alia smiled as Grace introduced herself, leaning into the other woman. “Maya is a baker,” she told Grace. And then to Maya, she added, “I will have to come by when you officially start. Perhaps we should have asked you to bake us a birthday cake!” She noticed the subtle shift in Grace’s demeanour, the way she stiffened against her, but didn’t think much of it as she reached over for the new drink Freddie was handing her.

Grace nodded, intrigued. "Well, maybe next year you can bake it for us. Iann took care of it this time, and he assured me he did actually remember."

"I am no such thing," Tuah pulled his lips into a pout at the accusation, though he didn't deny it per se. After planting a kiss on Iann's lips he made his way around the crowd, greeting those he knew before his eyes noticed Ruby among the crowd. "Ruby!" he greeted the other, a beaming smile on his lips as he hugged her.

"Well I don't have my own kitchen at the moment, so you probably would've gotten a very adventurous microwave cake, very avant garde," she replied with a smile. Maya noticed too the subtle shift in the other woman and had to worry for a moment it was about how she was dressed. But no one said anything so she just took another sip of her drink.

Grace was trying not to come across as rude. It wasn't Maya's fault the woman she had slept with during her fight with alia had just entered the room. "Well, maybe next year. I plan on holding onto this one for a very long time," Grace said with a smile, kissing Alia's cheek. "Is that Ruby over there?" she ventured, glancing across the room. "Do you know her, darling?"

Ruby almost hadn't come. But the text from Alia, asking her to come out and celebrate her birthday (and Grace's... odd, but not something Ruby worried over too much) was something Ruby couldn't turn down. She liked Alia. And she couldn't stay at home just because of whoever else might be at the Inn. So she'd gotten dressed in something nice and taken a cab to Stonefruit, letting the man at the door take her coat and purse. It was a beautiful place, but Ruby had little time to take it all in before a familiar voice called her name. "Tuah," she smiled, turning to greet her friend as he came up to her. "How are you?"

Alia grinned at the thought of a microwave cake. “That sounds like an adventure for another day. You could even start a new business selling microwave cakes.” She smiled at Grace’s remark, and at the mention of Ruby, brightened. “Of course I know Ruby! I invited her. Have you met Ruby, Maya?”

Maya just smiled and nodded. It all seemed a long way off to her at the moment. She wasn't entirely sure what she would be doing next week let alone next year. And starting a buisness seemed entirely out of her reach. She had noticed the subtle shift in Grace, but couldn't venture so much as a guess to its cause. "No, I haven't," she replied.

"I'm good. How about yourself, my dear?" Tuah took a good look at his friend, resting both his hands on Ruby's shoulders. "I'm glad you could make it. Perhaps the good atmosphere will do you good, hm?" He gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze. "Come, let's meet the ones we're celebrating. You've met Miss Oren and Miss Villiers before, I assume?" He wrapped her arm around her shoulder, keeping her close as he directed her towards where the birthday girls were.

"I'm alright," Ruby said, and meant it. "And I'm glad to be here." She was, and wrapped her arm around Tuah's waist as he led her towards the two women she had met before. Separetely, of course. "I have," Ruby said as they approached. Though she had no idea the two were - or ever had been - involved. "Happy Birthday, Alia," she greeted as her friend came into view. "Happy Birthday, Grace." Ruby gave them both a warm smile, still under the circle of Tuah's arm.

Alia turned to Tuah and Ruby as they approached, moving forward to give Ruby a hug. “Ruby! Thank you. Did you just get here? Would you like a drink? Tuah, would you like a refill?” She paused, gesturing to Maya. “This is Maya, by the way. She bakes.”

Grace had slept with Ruby because she hadn't thought Alia was coming back. She hadn't heard from her girlfriend in days at that point, and their last interaction had been a fight. And there had been Ruby, beautiful, charming, sensual... She had smelled and tasted wonderful. And she had been excellent in bed. But Grace had a feeling that Alia wouldn't want to hear about those things. "Ruby," Grace greeted, trying to be normal but probably coming off a bit stiffer than she intended. "I'm glad you could make it. I had no idea you knew my girlfriend." She slipped a hand onto Alia's lap. "What a small world..."

Maya had the undeniable feeling that she'd ended up in the middle of something. It was a by-product of growing up in foster care. She took another sip of her drink. When introduced she gave a little wave, "That's me." She then took another sip deciding that whatever was going to happen there was no way she was tipsy enough for it.

Iann was glad for this sort of thing, he quickly realized. He was generally crud at huge social situations (inevitably making things awkward) so at least running the show meant he had a purpose outside of having to be charming and conversational. Gyah. He talked to the servers, making sure the bistro was still keeping up, the bar was still stocked, and the bathrooms were clean. He glanced over to where Grace and Alia were, and found their group had expanded as Tuah and Ruby(? Yes, that was Ruby) joined them. Eventually, Iann returned, slapping a hand on the back of Tuah's shoulder to announce his arrival. "So! Hey! Hey," Iann nodded at both Maya and Ruby. "So who wants a tour of the inn?"

Alia glanced at Grace, the stiffness in her tone and body language not going unnoticed (despite the hand that had found its way onto her thigh), though she had no explanation for it. Certainly, Ruby hadn’t tried to kiss her the way Iann had. “Ruby and I rescued a unicorn together,” she informed the other three. At Iann's request, she grinned. "Freddie already gave me a tour the other day. It really is very beautiful."

Tuah let his hand dropped to his side when Alia reached out to hug Ruby. "Ah, I still have the drink from the drink Iann gave me." He only then took a sip of the concoction that Iann had prepared for them, tongue dragging across his lips to catch the remnant of the werewolves blood on his lips. "I've met Miss Parker before at my cafe, though it's only briefly." To Maya, he said, "settling well, I hope?" When Tuah felt Iann's touch on his shoulder he made some space for his kasih, wrapping his arm around Iann's waist.

Ash had seen the prep work going on for the party. He'd been staying in one of the suite's ever since Iann had rescued him from being attacked by a swarm of Jackalopes. He was glad their blood had gone to good use in the drinks behind the bar and ordered himself one moments after entering the room, catching the scents of all the other creatures in the room, but knowing at least one of them was a naga. "I heard something about someone's birthday?" he said, approaching the group with his usual loftiness. "I didn't have time to get a gift, but I can write you a cheque, if you like."

Maya's brow furrowed. A unicorn? Were those real? Part of her didn't want to ask, didn't want to get too involved in the conversation with people who clearly knew each other better. She was grateful therefore for Iann's interruption. "Depends," she said to him, "Will you look the other way when I try to steal your mini shampoos." She cracked a grin, "What did I say when? I meant if." To Tuah she smiled and nodded, "Yeah, pretty well. Alia helped me get a job at a bakery around the corner from her bar."

Ruby was a bit surprised that Alia was Grace's girlfriend. Not in a way that made her uncomfortable really. Grace being a grown woman and making it perfectly clear to Ruby on the night of their dalliance that she was all up for spending time with her. And Ruby didn't delve too deeply after that, only wanting the distraction herself. "Alia and I are acquanited, yes," she smiled at Grace. "She helped me out a while back. But it is a small world, you're right."

Grace wet her lips. "Saving unicorns, hm? Sometimes I think this one is right out of a story book." She gave Alia a stiff smile. "Ruby and I met. A few weeks back, wasn't it? At the karaoke bar."

Alia tried to catch Freddie’s attention - the poor fairy was quite busy - and placed an order for Ruby, something strong she thought the other woman would like. “You know, Tuah, I still have to come by to your cafe.” And talk about Iann’s birthday surprise, she did not say. She frowned slightly at the newcomer - recognizing him to be a naga instantly, which was exciting, but frowning at his offer to write a cheque. “No cheques necessary,” she told him, still intrigued by his naga-ness. Before she could greet him properly, however, Grace was pulling her back into conversation, and she frowned slightly, not sure how she should take the storybook remark in combination with Grace’s colder tone. “We have a karaoke bar in Soapberry? Were you singing?” She smiled, tone teasing as she wrapped an arm around Grace’s waist.

"I always thought mini shampoos were for taking," Iann replied and winked. "Just don't try to steal the mattress and we'll be good." Which was something Iann had tried at a hotel once - he needed furniture for his apartment in NYC, and a motel had everything he'd needed, so why not. But Iann was distracted by Ash's arrival, and he motioned to both Maya and Ash. He checked his phone and sent off a quick text. "You two can come with me if you like. I need help with something, hm?" He started heading towards one of the side doors, checking to see if either Maya or Ash followed.

"Yep," Ruby nodded. "Unicorns. Who woulda thought? And yeah. Open mic night," she said to Grace, noticing the subtle undertones of... something... in the vampire's voice. Well. It wasn't Ruby's business. She turned as Iann's voice clamored above all the rest, but didn't necessarily want to be the only one going on what would be a strange - and most likely awkward - tour with the man. But Maya spoke up, and Ruby grinned, the idea of mischief making her feel a bit lighter.

Ash could practically taste the drama in the air, and it was delicious. "I like to sing," he interjected. "And dance. And party." He extended a hand to the general group, but his eyes never left the naga. "Would any of you care to join me?" He lifted his eyes toward Iann. "I was just getting acquainted with these lovely ladies." He withdrew his hand, giving an eye roll. "Alright, alright. My darlings," he said in his charming Southern accent. "I'll be back momentarily." And with that, Ash followed Iann out of the room.

Maya laughed, "See now I have to try and steal a mattress. I don't make the rules," she replied as she followed Iann. She liked him and was glad that she had rescued him from his stuck upside down in a field while attempting to catch a mole-man debacle. Maya was also glad to have a reasonable excuse to slip away from whatever trouble was brewing.

Alia laughed at Grace’s remark. “No, but a girl can always dream.” She was tempted to join the newcomer - there was something about him… something about a fellow naga. It had been so long since she had met one of her own kind! But she turned back to Grace and Ruby. “I would love to hear you sing one day,” she told Ruby. “When is the next open mic night?” She nudged Grace gently. “Shall we go and watch Ruby sing?”

Ruby recognized the newcomer's southern accent, thick and drawling as it was. They weren't common up this way. Her, Ephram, and Faye being the only southerners she knew. But her attention was drawn again by Grace. "I sing well enough for karaoke," she said, sipping her drink that Alia handed her.

“It's every Wednesday night," Ruby told Alia. "At 8. You should come. Both of you."

Iann Really wanted to tell Maya to try, just to see if she could, because it would be hilarious if she did. But he had to remind himself that the Inn wasn't just his; and in truth if it was, it would likely be out of business in two months. Freddie kept Iann's more spontaneous (read un-financial) ideas in line, thank god. Instead, he just grinned as he saw the naga and the witch following. "It's nothing exciting. Well, not for us anyway. But if you help with this then you'll be remembered as heros of this soiree." Taking them out to the back alley, there was a woman waiting with her white van back doors open, and a giant cake sitting there. Iann greeted her and paid, saying 'We'll take it from here." They got the cake onto a wheeling cart, and Iann flourished his hands. "It's their shared birthday cake! I need help getting it into the bar."

Grace couldn't think of anything worse than going on a date with her girlfriend to watch the person she'd slept with when they were fighting sing, but she nodded politely. She'd have to explain the situation to Alia later, in private. "I think that would be lovely," she said, hoping Iann, Maya and the strange newcomer would be back shortly and save her from this situation.

Maya followed Iann to a back alley, an odd place to start a tour, but to be fair he was sort of an odd guy. It became clear pretty quickly though that in fact they would be helping him with the cake. At the sight of the actual cake though Maya had to paused, "Uh dude, that's a wedding cake. Like full on read Corinthians 13, doing the conga with your weird uncle wedding cake"

Ash eyed the cake, rubbing his hands together. "Delicious! This is up for grabs once the bride and bride have their fill, yes?" He situated himself behind the cart, ready to wheel it in. "I thought this was a birthday party, not a reception. Do both of those come with the possibility of strippers?"

Alia was surprised it had taken so little to convince Grace to go back to the karaoke bar - then again, if it was someplace she had been before, perhaps she simply liked it and no convincing was necessary; it wasn’t somewhere she’d have expected for Grace to willingly go to, though. “Let’s do a toast!” she proclaimed, raising her glass to clink against Ruby’s and Grace’s. “To karaoke!”

Iann stared at the cake. "It's a wedding cake?" He looked at the two brides in the cake topper. "This isn't just two ladies in nice white gowns?" Iann was pleased at Ash's enthusiasm to wheel the cake in. "Hey pal, if you want to do the stripping honours, then be my guest. I'll just switch the music, hm? Just make sure to strip with your tail on, because that would be glorious."

"Okay, first thing yes its obviously a wedding cake. And second the whole cake stripper thing is the bachelorette party not the reception. I mean you would give grandma a heart attack," Maya replied. Honestly she would've been on board if it had obviously been a prank, but it seemed that Iann had done it unintentionally. Although it might still be funny.

Grace lifted her glass cautiously. "To open mic night," she corrected. "It's a little bit classier."

Ruby could only laugh and clink her glass with Alia's before taking a long... long... sip.

It was definitely a prank; but what was more fun than one prank? Two pranks. Maya seemed to believe that Iann was clueless, and Iann gleefully played it up. "Why stick to convention? If the stripper wants to come for the birthday party, then let him show up for the birthday party, Maya. Shake things up a bit, hm? Now c'mon. And remember: no one is singing Happy Birthday. You two wheel it in and I'll get everyone's attention." Although the cake was gigantic, it wouldn't take long for it to get everyone's attention.

Alia had been about to ask Ruby if she liked her drink, but she had to do a double-take as the cake - large, white cake, much larger than any birthday cake had any right to be - was wheeled in. “Is that a wedding cake?”

Maya only had to consider for a half a moment before deciding fuck it. Whatever happened it was probably going pretty funny. What she didn't find funny though was Ash clapping at her like she was a child or a dog. "Okay, clap at me again and your face is going in this cake," she replied. She did start pushing though. She also couldn't help but start humming Here Comes the Bride under her breath.

Ruby turned around to look at the enormous cake being wheeled in, raising her eyebrows over the rim of her glass. "Looks like it..."

Ash cocked his head to the side with a smirk. "Yes ma'am, my apologies." He liked when people were assertive. It was amusing. As the cake entered the room, it garnered the attention of the guests, and the ladies whose honour this celebration was in, and they looked less then pleased. "Congratulations to the happy couple!" Ash called, leading the guests in a confused round of applause. "And I'm not clapping at you this time, sweetheart, calm down."

Iann looked between Ash and Maya, making a teasing "Awwww, looks like there's gonna be more than one wedding tonight..." comment to the two kids, before he headed in, holding doors open. Maya and Ash did their part magnificently - the moment the cake came in, everyone's eyes were on it. "Happy birthday, Alia! Happy unlife birthday, Grace!" Iann called out, clapping loudly enough that everyone at the party felt slowly obliged to clap as well, despite the obvious weddingness of the cake. Iann grinned at Alia though, and gave her a cheeky wink.

Grace buried her head in the crook of Alia's arm, exhaling. "Please tell me he didn't just do that," she groaned, peeking out to get a look at the cake. It looked delicious, but also definitely not like a birthday cake. "Iann Cardero is going to die very, very shortly," she whispered into her girlfriend's ear before smiling for their guests, as fake a smile as anyone could ask for, and clapping along with the joke. "Remind me never to ask you to supply me with any kind of cake ever again," she called in Iann's direction.

Maya The whole room had turned to look at them, something which usually would've made Maya uncomfortable, but it was pretty obvious that they were focused on the cake. She joined in on the clapping. At Ash's comment though she rolled her eyes. Under her breath she replied, "Wait really? Are you sure because I'm pretty sure everything's about me."

Alia was at a loss for words, though luckily, Grace was there to distract her, and she laughed. “I cannot tell you that. I might kill him before you do,” she said sweetly, rolling her eyes in Iann’s direction as her friend winked at her. “Next time, we will ask Maya to bake the cake,” she said, loud enough so that the general crowd could hear it. “Are there even candles on this thing, Iann?”

Iann made an 'awww' noise as if Grace was saying super-sweet things about him, and he leaned in to give Grace a hug. "You know I couldn't resist. You two are too perfect, hm? Perfect together as well. Who would've known that moving to Soapberry would bring you here, Gracie?" Iann said, but he kept his tone only for Grace. He nodded about the candles, which had been pre-arranged by the bakery in advance. "Someone dim the lights!" Iann said, and once a server did, Iann made a little whistle tune, and the cake lit up almost like a Christmas tree. All magically, of course. As if Iann would just get a normal wedding cake. "You can each cut the cake."

Grace kissed Alia's shoulder, relieved. "That makes a change. You're usually the one holding me back from the killing." She was glad, at least, that this had distracted both her and Alia from Ruby for the time being. "He needed a cake this big because he needed to fit a hundred and ninety six candles on it, obviously," Grace commended with a mild sarcasm.

Ruby clapped along with everyone else, moving slowly off to the side so that the birthday girls could be the center of attention. The atmosphere was a happy one, and it made Ruby smile. She looked around as the lights dimmed, making a noise of approval as the cake llit up. Sometimes she really loved magic.

Maya had to laugh. All things considered it was sort of a sweet moment. She missed sweet moments. And it seemed that if she was still here in a year she would have a job. Although with a little convincing she could get up to hijinks too. For instance she'd baked a cake which had turned her best friend's first boy-girl party into basically a make out party. She would say that she wasn't proud of it, but it had made the mean girls stop harassing her best friend for being "lame."

Grace stood straighter, gesturing to them to cut the cake, and some of the wait-staff began handing it out. "I'll be right back," she whispered to Alia, kissing her girlfriend's cheek before slipping over to Ruby, finding her in the crowd. "I need you to know," she said under her breath, "I never would have slept with you if I knew you and Alia were friends. The last thing I need is for anything to be awkward."

Ash wasn't really concerned with anyone else's drama. Mostly, what he was concerned about was cake. He took a huge piece, beginning to feed it to himself while everyone else got their share. He gave Maya a small wink. "You're just lucky I didn't strip," he teased, before gracefully sauntering toward Alia. "Well well. We finally meet. I've heard a lot about you."

Ruby looked up as Grace came over. "I met her after that night, down at the docks. So we hadn't met yet, if that makes a difference." She took a sip of her drink, running the glass along her bottom lip, a strange expression crossing her face. "And that's the last thing I /want./ I'm not here to cause trouble, I promise." She looked across the crowd at Alia. "That's not the kinda person I am."

Maya smirked. "Am I though?" she asked. So there was a little bit of a challenge in her voice, sue her. To be fair it wasn't really a party until someone started taking their clothes off. When he sauntered off though she let him go and instead got herself a piece of cake to do with her drink.

Grace nodded stiffly. "If I thought you were here to cause trouble, I'd have already asked you to leave. Alia and I are exclusive now, but we weren't at the time. I never lied to you."

Alia watched as the lights were dimmed, and the candles - all magically lit - brightened the room. “Obviously,” she murmured with a quiet laugh, leaning into Grace even as she made the first cut into the cake. When Grace excused herself, she only nodded, cutting a few slices to hand out before stealing one for herself, and leaving the rest of the slicing to the staff with a ‘thank you’. She blinked at the other naga, pleased to finally have a moment to meet him. “You have heard of me? Though the party, you mean.”

"That's fair," Ruby said. "And I don't make it my business to wreck relationships." Other than her own. "I don't go home with people who're lookin' to make someone jealous, or to start drama. I got enough. So... thank you. For bein' honest."

Grace continued sipping her drink. "Lies cause more trouble than anything else." She watched Alia across the room with an affectionate eye. "I'll talk to her later, when we're alone."

Ash gave a little shrug, continuing to smile at her. "I heard there was another naga in town. The one at the Fainting Goat, right, that's you?" He grinned. "Excellent drinks there."

 Alia circled the other naga before coming to a stop in front of him: the start of their elaborate greeting ceremony. “That is me,” she affirmed, smiling slightly at the compliment - something a bartender always loved to hear. “I am Alia. And you are?”

Ash circled the other naga in return. "I'm Ash. Of New Orleans." He cocked his head to the side. It had been a long time since he had done this. Naga were so few, or at least they seemed that way to him.

Fane was late. Not often was that the case but today it was and what could be done to help it? He'd been debating doing a no show as had Faye but ultimately the pair decided to say fuck it and go. Partially explaining their late arrival. Finding a parking spot outside Fane glanced up at the inn feeling a little uncertain but deciding that it would simply be best to plough ahead with what might turn out to be a wonderful or terrible decision. Pushing through the doors he wandered in the direction he heard some familiar voices coming from and stepped into the throng knowing Faye wouldn't be far behind him.

Ash: brb

Maya: yelp the first person thought they were supposed to be here at 12:30 when apparently another person will also be here #yolo

Alia: whoops

Fane: [ lmao I misunderstood the 15+ minute remark i'm an idiot XD ]

Fane: [ I thought you meant the party hahaha ]

Maya: no worries! haha

Faye: good lord Fane just leave her in the car why don't you XD ))

Alia regarded her fellow naga curiously, now starting to walk in a counter-clockwise direction around the man. It was difficult to take her eyes off him, so excited was she to have another naga in front of her. “I am of Tiberias, Israel. What brings you to Soapberry, Ash of New Orleans?” The question was pure curiosity and had nothing to do with formality. Her attention was so focused on Ash that she didn’t notice Fane arrive.

Maya looked up from her cake to see Fane walking into the party. She was reminded again how underdressed she was. When they made eye contact she waved at Fane with a half smile.

Faye came in a few beats behind Fane, having a dress malfunction that she'd thought she'd already fixed. He'd gone on ahead with her order of 'something straight, brown, and strong,' and a few minutes later she followed inside, knowing the way from her earlier visit with Iann.

Fane had his attention caught by a wave over by the bar, and it took a beat for him to recognise the individual. He paused glancing over at Faye to indicate where he was going before he neatly weaved through the crowds until he came up by her with a smile though he kept a wary eye out for Freddie. "Hey Maya."

Ash nodded, following the other naga's lead with the ritual. He couldn't do it properly without revealing his tail, and he would have to remove several items of clothing before that was possible, so this would have to do. "That explains the charming accent. I come looking for people of my own kind, nagas, but other supernaturals as well."

River had spent way too long trying to figure out what to wear to this party. She hadn't expected to be invited to something like...ever. She didn't exactly have party corlothes to spare. Once during her years looking for her siblings, she'd needed to go to a fancy event to gather information, but all she could afford was a secondhand suit from a thrift store. A suit made of tweed. It was itchy and very ugly, complete with a corduroy bow tie. As she walked into the party, feeling extremely underdressed and overdressed all at once, she noticed a few people she recognized besides Alia. She saw they were all engaged in conversation, though, so she stuck to the wall by the entrance.

Faye stopped to say hello to a few people before making her way towards where Fane was standing. "Hi, there," she said to the new face.

Ash spent a few minutes engaging in the lengthy greeting ritual with the other naga. Once that was done, he allowed himself to roam the party. Spotting the selkie from the bar wearing the ugliest outfit imaginable, he rushed to her side. "Oh, no, darling, we can't possibly let this do." He gestured for her to come with him. "Come along. I have plenty of clothes in my suite upstairs. I'm sorry, I can't let you walk around looking like this.”

Maya took another sip of her drink. "Hi," she had to paused to remember, "Fane right?" She'd met a lot of new people in the last few weeks and occasionally had to take a moment to get them straight.

River was honestly relieved when Ash rushed to her side. Not only did she not have to inject herself into a conversation by her own volition, but he was going to get her out of this godawful suit. "Thank god," she sighed, starting to follow him. "This was all I had."

Ash shook his head. This poor girl. "Come, we'll make a star of you yet." He crept out of the party with her, rushing up to his suite, one of the nicest in the whole place, and throwing open the closet doors. "What do you need? Something to make you look attractive and butch? I have lots of lovely suits." He gave her a quick once over. "It may not fit perfectly, but we're similar size."

Fane shifted to prop his elbow on the bar nodding his head at the clarification of his name "that's me." He felt more than saw Faye's presence arrive nearby glancing in her direction his features softening a bit when he looked at her but his attention returned to Maya promptly. "So how's town treating you so far? Settling in I hope?"

River looked down at herself, holding her arms out at her sides and noting how the sleeves of her tweed suit hung past her fingertips if she let them lay naturally. How the hem of the slacks slumped heavily around her unpolished loafers. "I think anything's going to fit better than this thing." Without shame, she started to undress. She felt weirdly comfortable with Ash in that regard, not that she was getting naked or anything. She stripped down to her tank top and briefs. "Something simple I guess. You've got a better style than me anyway. You pick."

Maya nodded, "Yeah so far. Alia helped me get a job, so you know, things are looking up." Of course it would take some time for paychecks to start coming in which was going to be a problem for her. But that was hardly his problem.

Fane seemed pleased by her answer. "Good, I'm glad to hear that-- are you working with her or somewhere else in town?" He'd been to the Fainting Goat a few times but it wasn't a regular habitation of his, it might become one though.

River immediately started putting on items as Ash picked them out. So quickly, in fact, she wasn't really taking in how everything fit together. Not until it was all on and she caught a look at herself in the mirror. She look...really good. As a finishing touch, she took her mop of hair on her head and used the tie on her wrist to bring it into a ponytail. "Thanks Ash," she said, still staring at herself.

Ash admired his handiwork, helping River smooth out the edges and brushing back her hair. "There. Now aren't you stunning? Come, alcohol is waiting. It would be rude to keep it."

 "At a bakery around the corner," Maya replied, "They needed someone to cover an opening shift and the rest as they say is history."

River chuckled. "Alcohol might be waiting for you..." Right. She was here for a party. Which meant she had to talk to people. And social. Oh man, there were the nerves again. As they walked down the stairs she felt butterflies trying to rip through her stomach. What if she looked stupid in this suit? What if everyone could tell she'd never be able to afford something like this and she looked like a huge imposter. She breathing picked up the pace as they got down to the main floor again. "I don't know if I can do this," she admitted to Ash.

The bakery, "huh really?" But a smile did edge its way onto Fane’s lips "well fancy that, have you started yet? I feel like a congratulations is in order. What are you drinking tonight?"

Ash eyed her curiously. "You're not looking to get drunk again? Tsk tsk, I'm shocked. I have this lovely suite up here for you to crash in and everything." Selkies couldn't hold their liquor, and he'd tested that theory personally. He could practically feel her nerves. He could hardly imagine what it was like to not be so confident. He'd never been in that position. Confidence that bordered on arrogance had been bred into him. "You can. It's merely a party. The cake is excellent."

Maya shook her head, "Next week." She felt a little nervous, having not baked properly in awhile. But it was like riding a bicycle. Probably. "Plus apperently I've been hired to make next year's birthday cake after Iann got a wedding cake instead, so I have that to look forward to," she added with a gesture towards the monstrosity. She took another sip of her drink which was already almost empty. No one could really blame her for that though considering she'd been apart of an awkward conversation already this evening and didn't really know anyone involved. "Rum and coke," she replied.

River tried to take some deep breaths, but they were shaky and ragged. "I barely know anybody. And this suit...I look like a fraud." She paced in front of the doorway back into the party, wiping her sweaty palms on her new slacks.

Ash shook his head, tsking her again. "You look fabulous, and the sooner you start believing it, the sooner you will feel it."

River found herself finally able to take some deep breaths, her lungs thanking her by relaxing a bit. "Okay...." she breathed. "Okay." She faced the door to the party, tightening her tie a little. Just have to believe it. Easy, right? She pushed forward and once again she was in the large hall. This time though, it did feel different. She didn't feel like a frumpy schoolboy in a too-big suit. She felt...hot. Attractive. Ash had been right.

Ash clapped her on the shoulder, a little too enthusiastic, a little exaggerated, but well-meaning. He gave her a broad grin and plucked a piece of cake from the table at the head of the room. "Excellent, now eat this. Apparently they're not really married. It was a joke. But it's delicious just the same."

Faye leaned against the bar as well, listening idly to the conversations going on around her. Content, for now, to people watch. The young girl Fane was talking to seemed nice enough, and Faye could feel the hum of magic around her.

River eagerly took the cake from Ash's hand, digging in but being more careful than usual to not make a complete mess of herself. "The cake is pretty damn excellent," she confirmed to him. She surveyed the room. She spotted Maya across the way, locked in conversation. She wanted to go up and talk to her, but instead just shoved more cake in her mouth.

Grace had been talking to Ruby, mingling with the other guests, and all around trying not to look suspicious. She had only just noticed that Fane had arrived, alongside Faye. The smiliarities of their names would never fail to amuse her. She approached Faye first, given that the other woman was alone. "Hello darling," she greeted with a small smirk. "Long time since we spoke. How are you and Stefan doing?"

Fane brightened at the news, happy for Maya's success so far in managing to secure herself a job. "I'm sure you'll do splendidly, so what else have you gotten up to since I last saw you? You've clearly met Alia." He looked over at the cake in question having somehow missed it on his entrance and letting out a low whistle. "What the bloody fu--" but then hearing it was Iann's doing Fane ended up snorting "typical Iann..." he glanced over at Faye his next comment directed at her "do you think that was deliberate or he didn't know it was a birthday celebration?" Waving down the bartender to get a rum and coke for Maya "oh and this is Faye, my partner."

Grace arched a brow. Speaking of Stefan... "Oh, there you are," he said with a smile as Fane and Maya approached. "The cake was but a joke. Alia and I won't be getting married any time soon."

"Deliberate," Faye said without hesitation. She gave Maya a wave before turning around as she heard a familiar voice. "Grace," Faye greeted. "Happy Birthday. And it has been, hasn't it? Housewarming was it?" She gave the vampire a smile that was genuine but that held all the reminders of their last chat. "We're doin' well. I'm sorry we were late. We had... car trouble."

"Just trying to stay out of trouble mostly," Maya replied with a shrug. She'd met a few people, but nothing really all that exciting. She'd helped Iann out of a mole man situation, but she suspected that was a typical Tuesday for Iann. "I think it was on purpose based on his shit eating grin after presenting it," she replied. Her statement was shortly confirmed by Grace who had come over to greet the two newcomers. She gave Faye a wave, but nothing more as the other woman seemed distracted by Grace. Instead she picked up the rum and coke with a thanks to Fane.

"Was it really though?" Fane questioned unable to help the slight slant of a grin that crossed his features looking at Grace. He stepped over quickly enough to kiss her cheeks lightly oblivious to the other conversation going on between Faye and her. “Happy birthday, darling.” Though hearing Faye mention car trouble he arched a brow as he withdrew "no need to make excuses... Faye was a tad tied up with work, she couldn't get out of it..." Returning back to stand near Maya he looked at her curiously "is that to say trouble finds you then?"

River became acutely aware of how weird she looked standing by a cake table shoving it in her mouth alone, seeing as Ash had walked away to get a drink. She set her almost finished plate down and bit the bullet, walking up to Maya and those around her. "Hey," she spat out. "You look nice."

Grace kissed Fane's cheek in return. "Thank you. You've still got several more years on me," she replied with a smirk. "Yes, Iann was kind enough to loan us the room, help arrange all the drinks and all the food, but I suppose this was his payback," she said with a snicker. Gorgeous seemed like a huge understatement to use in reference to Alia, but Grace nodded in agreement. "She's very special. I wasn't expecting someone like her to walk into my life, but I'm glad she did. You might say she domesticated me."

Maya looked up a little surprised when Fane returned to talk to her. She'd assumed that he would be more interested in his partner and the host. As far as his question Maya let out something between a sigh and a laugh, "Yeah, you could say that." She was about to make a joke about it when someone spoke beside her. Turning to find River Maya smiled, "I think what you mean is that I'm wildly underdressed, but its sweet of you to say anyway." It was true too. Having not even owned a dress in two years she'd opted for black jeans, her only pair of shoes, her leather jacket which at this point was almost like armor to her, and the nicest shirt she owned which definitely had a hole in one of the armpits. "You, on the other hand," she replied, "Clean up nice."

Faye tipped an eyebrow at Fane - which he pointedly ignored - as he brushed off her excuses with one of his own, though a bit more towards the truth. She had been tied up with work. But well... not the kind that came with red pens and comments in the margins. "Anyway..." she said with a touch of fondness as she turned back to Grace. "We never do, do we?" Her gaze drifted back towards her own partner. Faye wasn't the type of person who needed to be with her significant other for the entirety of an event like this. Fane was a social person, and she felt no qualms about being left to her own devices. She was a big girl. She could take care of herself. And entertain herself too, if needs be.

Ruby wandered off a bit as Grace moved to say hello to a few more guests. She didn't care to talk to Faye or Fane at the moment, so she found a nice, quiet corner and sat down, watching the party from afar for the moment.

River chuckled. "You look great," she reiterated. "You should see what I showed up in. I looked like I'd been dressed by a drunk history professor." Why was she admitting that? The whole point of putting on this suit was to forget the tweed ever happened. "This is my friend Ash's suit," she said, gesturing over to where he was standing. "But, you know, thanks." She blushed a little, rubbing her sweaty palms on the inside of her pockets in an attempt to keep them dry.

 Maya grinned, "A drunk history teacher? Now that's a look I'd like to see." Her smile softened, remembering how nervous River had been the first time they had met and guessing that she was probably pretty nervous now. "Well, it looks like Ash didn't steer you wrong," she said. Faye leaned both elbows back against the bar, looking around at all the people chatting quietly and at the very chic decor. It was beautiful, that much was true, but the atmosphere was a tad too... stuffy. But this wasn't her party. "You know what you need?" Faye said to Grace. "Tequila."

River smiled. "Yeah. He's got more style in his pinky than I have in my whole body," she said, bringing a hand up to rub the back of her neck. "So, uh, I know like almost nobody at this party. So I'm glad you're here."

Fane had temporarily wandered off to get a drink but lingered on the edge of the various conversations. Though Maya seemed taken in conversation with a face he couldn't place and Faye was... Well, Faye was mingling with his ex. So all in all people seemed more or less alright he supposed even if things felt a little slow for now. Eyeing the other figures it was hard to miss the one sat aside minding her own and after a slight debate he meandered over to sit down nearby. "You know, suddenly I'm getting flashes of that dancing film where Swayze declares you never leave a lady in the corner" he said by way of greeting, friendly and hoping to engage Ruby in conversation if he could.

Grace gave Faye a smile. She would have been lying if she had claimed not to like the other woman at first. She'd been fond of her from the moment she met her, but she had maintained a little jealous streak over her relationship with Fane. That was mostly gone now. "I couldn't agree more. Alcohol is always a good choice."

Maya it wasn't until it was too late that Maya realized she hadn't asked if Fane and River knew each other. She was new enough to town that she assumed everyone knew more people than her. When River mentioned not knowing anyone it finally occurred to her. "Oh well this," she turned to see Fane walking away, "That was Fane. Anyway just give it like three more rounds of shots and you'll have more friends than you know what to do with."

Iann returned from somewhere, surprised to see new people, but at least most of them seemed to have cake in hand. Iann was determined to get rid of as much of the cake as possible tonight - after all, the damn thing was huge, and paid out of his pocket (Freddie refused to pitch in to such a random prank, but wished Iann well nevertheless). "Cake? Does everyone have cake? Do you want more cake?" Iann paused near Maya and a tidy-looking young woman in a snazzy suit standing with the witch. "Hello, who are you?" Not that Iann knew everyone in town, but...well he knew most people, anyway. And she was not someone Iann recognized.

Ruby wasn't feeling particularly inclined towards any emotion in general, content to sit and watch the crowd and be social (ish) instead of staying at home or working. She smiled around the rim of her glass as she watched the antics of some of the people floating around. It wasn't until he spoke that Ruby noticed Mr. Savin sitting down nearby. "Mmm," she said as she swallowed her drink. "I think you mean' nobody puts Baby in the corner.' Dirty Dancing."

Maya brightened when Iann appeared almost magically at her elbow, "Like Iann. This is River and this is Iann." She shook her head at his question, "And no I don't need more cake. It's hard to steal a mattress on a full stomach."

Iann looked at Maya, slightly worried. "Which room are you going to steal it from?" he asked, pulling out his cell phone. "And around what time? I'll have to make arrangements to get a new one delivered..." Iann poked at his phone for a moment, then looked up at River. "That's a nice name. River, like an otter."

River watched the man Maya gestured to walk away. "Fane. Okay." She made a mental note. If they ever met later she'd at least know his name. "I hope you mean everyone else is doing the shots. Selkies famously can't hold their liquor, apparently. Something I found out the hard way when I got to town." She smiled. Suddenly someone was talking to them, and thankfully Maya introduced her before she had to do it herself. "H-hi Ian," she stammered. "Oh, I'll take more cake. I'll always take more cake." When it came to food, it was one area where River was shameless. "Close," River chuckled. "More like a seal."

Maya laughed, "You don't really think I'm going to fall for that do you?" She was teasing, mostly. Even if she did steal it the theft would only be temporary. Pranks were their most fun when they were also mostly harmless aka not costing a new buisness hundreds of dollars. "Also yes shots for everyone including you because the only way to build up tolerance is to drink more."

River shook her head, smiling. "I uh...I don't think that's how it works," she said to Maya. But she'd be honest, if Maya put a shot in her hand, she probably wasn't going to refuse.

Fane perched not having sat deliberately too close in case it made her or anyone else uncomfortable. Fane was still very keenly aware of the fact of just who ran this hotel and in a slight way felt like he was intruding into a place he didn't very well belong. Suffice to say, it didn't put him in an overly jovial mood at least whilst he was still sober that was. Of course he'd known what he meant to say but it had been an effort to at least break the ice "that's the one, not sure whether I prefer that, Grease or Footloose though."

Iann grinned widely at River, eyes widening in delight as he forgot about his phone for a moment. "A selkie!! A nattily-dressed selkie to boot," Iann said, motioning to a server to get River a huge hunk of the cake. It was swiftly delivered to her hands. "Don't fret, River. We have drinks designed specifically for selkie constitutions, hm? Give it a try, see what you think?" In truth, Iann knew full well there was no chance in hell that a mattress that made its way outside of the inn, only to be returned for a laugh, would ever be allowed back into the room. That was just plain unhygienic and not the rep the inn wanted. It would be destroyed, and a new one would be purchased. So Iann just chewed at his lip. "Well the last thing I need is some guest showing up and we don't have a bed there. Just tell me when," he pleaded. "Then I can get a bed delivered in time."

"Pfft, Dirty Dancing. Hands down. Kevin Bacon creeps me out and Grease was just..." Ruby waved a hand, dismissing the movie entirely. "Don't even get me started on the second one with Michelle Pfeifer. Good Lord."

Maya smiled, "Its settled then." She turned to the bartender, "Shots all round." When Iann asked again about the mattress she shook her head and grew serious, "I'm not really going to steal a mattress Iann. They're huge and there are way to many witnesses. Your mattresses are safe from me." He seemed a little actually worried about it, so she let the idea go easily.

River was smiling so much she thought her cheeks would fall off. A huge chunk of cake? Drinks made for selkies? Had she died and gone to heaven? No, there'd be more mac and cheese here if she had. "Thanks Ian," she said, her mouth already full of the first bite of cake.

"Shots all around! This one's a selkie," Iann noted to his bartender. Freddie had some art-business or something to take care of, but that was probably just an excuse to get out of bartending once the actual bartender arrived for his shift. Iann didn't mind though - Alia and Grace were technically people Iann knew better. So the bartender got the shots sorted - tequila for Maya and Iann, and something slightly green for River. "Erm...it might not taste good with cake," Iann warned River, and tapped on the bar. "Yum that up, and I'll pack you some before you leave, hm?" He looked at Maya, squinting at her. "I mean, I don't mind if you really want to steal it. If you need it and all. Just let me know when so I'll be prepared, kiddo."

Faye had done her set of shots along with Grace, the tequila burning a line down her throat in an old familiar fashion. More people were showing up, and Faye heard Iann's voice calling for shots. This might turn out to be a good party after all.

Grace always appreciated someone who bought her drinks. She could afford her own, of course, but it was the thought that counted, and she remained close to Faye, draping an arm around her shoulder. "Will any of these even work on me?" She questioned playfully, downing one after the other.

 Fane hummed slightly but Ruby's dismissal over Grease made him tilt his head slightly. "Awh, Grease wasn't that bad... There are worse musicals out there. Carrie for example, was a shambles 'n' a half. At least the eighties gave us something worthwhile right? Besides the extreme shoulder pads 'n' waterbeds." Fane grew quiet taking a sip of his drink, glancing aside at her after a moment. Fane had noticed the fact that Ruby had been visiting the estate a fair bit, to hang out with Dani mostly but it was hard not to notice her being around so often. Plus, considering her husband owned the hotel he had to wonder why Ruby wasn't off with them. Despite everything he liked her, and it led to him wondering whether was wrong. "Is something up?" he eventually asked a touch tentatively unsure whether she'd want to talk about it or leave it be.

River easily smashed the rest of the cake in front of her, probably looking a little embarrassing as she did. The shot was placed in front of her just as she finished it, so to take Ian's warning, she swallowed a few times to clear her palate. Giving a wary glance back at Ian and Maya, she picked up the shot and held it out. "Cheers," she said, before downing it. It tasted pretty good, honestly. Fishy, but she loved it.

Maya grinned. This party was turning out to be pretty fun after all. She took her shot and was about to start at count-off when Iann told her that if she really wanted to steal a mattress he wouldn't mind. Just as long as she properly prepared him for it. The truth was she might soon need a mattress. But this was a party. She smiled, even though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I won't steal your mattress Iann. Scout's honor. Now, shots on three?" She licked her hand and applied salt before picking up her shot. After counting down she licked the salt, downed the shot and bit into the lime like an expert.

Faye stuck her hand over the last shot before Grace could drink it. With a swirl of her fingers, Faye set the liquid inside spinning until it turned a deep, smokey blue. "Now try..." she grinned, the spell one she'd learned while working at Morgana's all those years. Increased the potency of the alcohol for vampires and wolves. Faye wished she had some of the /actual/ drink that was a Morgana's specialty. It had gotten Fane drunk on their trip after only a glass or two.

Iann watched River closely as she took the shot. It was something he'd designed with Elena's help; and though Elena was a merm, Iann figured the taste palette of seafolk was a little similar. Her face didn't screw up in disgust, so Iann took that as a good thing. "What's it feel like, River?" he asked eagerly. "Do you feel anything? It's made from a special type of seaweed, fermented of course. You're the first selkie to try it." Mostly because other selkies were far too suspicious of some concoction made but a human. He still squinted at Maya but didn't say anything just yet. Instead he downed his shot, biting into the lime wedge. "I don't trust those Scouts. With their badges and campers pampers."

Ruby gave him a small smile. "The eighties wasn't too bad. I mean... it gave us Journey and Blondie and Star Wars." Ruby /had/ been out to see Dani a bit more often lately. But it was nothing she wanted to bring up with Fane. She didn't dislike the man, but she didn't know him either, other than the two times they'd met previously. So her personal life - though she appreciated the offer - was her business. "Hm? Oh... no. I'm fine. Just been feelin' a bit under the weather lately. Think I might be gettin' a cold or somethin'."

Fane dipped his head "ooh don't even get me started on Star Wars-- we'll be here for an age and a half and I'll probably bore you to death." He had figured Ruby wouldn't talk to him, but he'd just wanted to check up on her really considering she seemed a bit lonely over here. "Ah-- It is the season for stuff like that... But, since you're here-- Fancy coming to join in?" he nodded towards the bar where people were starting to get their buzz on.

River nodded enthusiastically. "It tastes hella good," she said, licking her lips. It was like she'd had a fish-infused smoothie with a hint of kick. "I feel...fine. Tiny buzz, but usually one shot's got the room spinning so it's definitely an improvement."

"So another round?" Maya asked. If either of them said no she wouldn't push it. Turning to Iann she added, "Does it make a difference if its Girl Scouts and not Boy Scouts? Or that I stopped after the age of eight and that's before they really start indoctrinating you?"

"Fan, are you?" she asked as he mentioned Star Wars. Internally, Ruby gave a sigh of relief that Mr. Savin didn't push. She really was trying to have a good time instead of just being a boring wallflower, so his suggestion to head back to the bar was - eventually - met with a nod. "Sure. Why not. My drinks gone anyway."

Grace eyed Faye with a smirk. She wondered how Alia was getting along, hoping she was having half as much fun as Grace was. The two of them didn't need to be glued to one another's sides, no matter how jealous or over protective Grace came across sometimes. "Oooh, I do love witches," Grace whispered with a smirk, leaning in a little closer to watch the magic at work, then she drank it, sighing as the pleasant sensation made its way through her body. "Mmm...magic."

"No room-spinning! Let's just get your cheeks all pink, hm?" Iann flicked his fingers for a second round. He didn't really drink often anymore, after some...bad times in his late 20s with booze. But recently, Iann had been imbibing more, assuring himself he could totally handle it. It had been over ten years after all, what was the harm? Iann snapped his fingers and pointed at Maya. "Girl Scouts are great. But I refuse to say anymore because a childless dude my age saying something like 'girl scouts are great' is kind of fucking creepy, ha ha," Iann grinned, letting the shots in a line. "Allez-oop, ladies."

"We do have our uses," Faye said as she watched Grace down the now ten times more potent alcohol. She would never do such a spell for anyone but a vamp, and maybe a wolf, because it would probably give them alcohol poisoning. "Tastes like a dream, don't it?" Faye drawled.

Ephram sidled up next to Faye and Grace, wrapping an arm around his sister's waist and kissing the side of her head before asking, "What sorter magic-touched liquor are you feedin' folks now, Faye?" He grinned at Grace, holding out his hand. "Don't think we've met. I'm Ephram, good to meet you."

Grace smirked, wetting her lips with her tongue. "Plenty of uses." She lightly tapped a finger on the bar. "Is there more where that came from?" Before Faye could answer her question, a handsome blonde gentleman approached them. "I don't believe we have." She shook his hand. "Grace Villiers. And that magic liquor is going to keep me happy for many, many hours."

Faye was a bit surprised as Ephram came up beside her, and coughed a little on the liquor she'd just downed. "Mmm..." she coughed, "Hey you... and it's a spell made for vamps and wolves. Makes this-" she held up another tequila shot. "- ten times stronger."

"Am I?" Fane laughed slightly "oh lord you have no idea. C'mon, what are you drinking?" he waved for her to come along not liking the idea of leaving her sat alone on the sidelines whilst everyone else had fun. He wandered to the bar glancing at Iann, Maya and the new figure he didn't quite recognise. "Invented anything special for vamps?"

Maya laughed, "You make a good point." With the shots all lined up she counted down again before doing the salt-shot-lime sequence. It was a little messier this time. "You know," she said, relishing the burn in her throat, "Before I was born my dad used to brew magical beer. He stopped because apparently boiling beer next to your two year old seems like asking for a disaster."

Ephram rubbed his hand against Faye's back to soothe her cough and said, "Good thing I brought this, then, for the birthday darlin's." He plunked a mason jar full of a scarlet liquid down and said, "Now, I'd bet my left lung you ain't never had this before, since I'm the only 'un makes it. Blood moonshine." Ephram was practically bouncing on his toes, wanting Grace to try his new invention.

Iann was half leaning against the bar and he looked from Fane, to Ruby, then back to Fane. "Why re-invent the wheel? We serve blood here - have you ever tried a pixie blood cocktail? I've heard it's..." Iann grinned slowly. "Potent. Fun. Fantasical." He looked at Maya, exuding heat off his skin, due to the crowd and the alcohol. He blurted before recalling the context of Maya: "So why didn't your dad just pick up brewing again once you were old enough?"

Grace arched a brow. "Blood moonshine?" she repeated, eyes alight with curioisity. "Those are two of my favorite words." She couldn't say very much about the container it came in. It was rather crude, if she did say so herself, but that would be easily forgiven if the substance inside was as good as she anticipated. "I think I just made two new friends," she said with a grin, helping herself to the concoction, swallowing it hungrily.

Faye let out a soft 'ooohhhh' as Ephram plunked down the jar of what could only be moonshine, coughing once more as Ephram confirmed. She gave a slightly tickled laugh, mock whispering to Ephram, "You tryin' to get her drunker than a skunk?"

Maya paused. It wasn't something that she liked to talk about. And it was always complicated to talk about, how to reveal and how much to keep to herself as not to make anyone uncomfortable. Maya was so tired of secrets though, of pretending to be only half of herself. She took a long sip from her drink before replying with a faux easiness to her tone, "He died, which made it kind of difficult."

Ephram was more comfortable in the Stonefruit by virtue of it belonging to Freddie than he normally would be somewhere this fancy, and for that reason he wasn't in agony inside wondering if he was showing himself to be a backwoods rube. He watched Grace drink, pleased, and said to Faye, "Tipsy, not drunk! Party tipsy. Just enough to be fun."

River followed suit and downed her second shot as well. She was starting to feel it, and assumed this is how people usually felt after a second shot. Still not slurring their words and tripping over themselves, just feeling a nice, happy buzz in their head. She felt her cheeks starting to flush and she started to sweat a little, not being helped by the stuffy suit she was in. There were a lot more people at the bar, she was now noticing. A lot of voices. A lot of body heat. "Can I have some water, please? With ice?" she asked the bartender, who quickly handed it over. She gulped it down greedily, feeling it cool her from the center out. Much better. She'd been so wrapped up in slightly overheating that when she turned back to Maya, she realized the conversation had gotten slightly uncomfortable, only catching the tail end.

Ruby followed behind Fane, her glass hanging from her hand, but found herself in no immediate rush to push between the crowd to the bar. "Whiskey on the rocks," she told Fane. The crowd seemed to be having a good time. She saw Iann - looking at her - and she saw Grace standing with Faye and Ephram, both grinning, and a few others she didn't know. All in all it was a happy mood, and Ruby felt her own lighten.

Iann realized belatedly - right. He remembered when Maya used past tense before for her folks, and noted it then, but forgot completely now. "Well shit," Iann said abruptly. He reached over the bar, grabbing a regular tumbler and pouring three fingers of tequila into it. "There you go kid - on the house. The rest of it you had to pay for but you know. For the old man and all." Iann turned and looked at River, downing her iced water. "Do you want food? There's seafood. Shrimp! There's raw shrimp, you can have as much as you like."

Grace continued drinking the concoction, probably more of it than she should have, lowering the mason jar with a grin before handing it back to Ephram. "Oh, darling. Party tipsy sounds perfect. We're gonna have a hell of a time!"

#chatzy #with: group

[akaluan]

our attain[AB]le dreams

So yes, this crossover fic does have a name. I was tossing between this one and “[AB]errant timeline” due to reasons, but this one won out because I kinda want the ending to be cheerful and hopeful and a bit less melancholic and sadface than the actual game ending. ANYWAY.

This 2k chunk of writing ATE MY SOUL today. It’s horrible and painful and I did some mean things to Uryuu in the backstory that he’s talking about and WHOOPS SPOILERS FOR AUTOMATA. If you don’t want spoilers for a MAJOR piece of the puzzle about the Androids in the game, DON’T READ THIS. K? k.

“Let me go! You don’t understand!”

Uryuu compressed his lips into a fine line and yanked harder on the wires he had wrapped Nines up in. The android was thrashing, teeth bared and expression wild even with the visor that covered half his face, and it was taking everything Uryuu had to keep the other trapped. Quincy abilities were not precisely created for containment, and never before had Uryuu so cursed that very fact. Behind him, another battle raged, as Kurosaki and Sado struggled against 2B with Inoue’s help to keep her contained. Even Tatsuki was busy elsewhere, keeping both Pod 153 and Pod 042 from interfering.

“Don’t I?” Uryuu finally asked, voice frigid, as he sent a pulse of reiatsu down the wires and managed to destabilize Nines for a moment. “I think your view of humans is hopelessly naive if you believe those words.”

Nines snarled and lunged, making Uryuu twist and dart aside in order to keep them apart. The android lunged again and again, trying to manipulate Uryuu around, trying to get closer, trying to win.

“What would you know about not being good enough?!” Nines raged, strategy lost in his frenzy. “About being made from pieces of the very enemies you were programmed to hate?!”

“I know plenty!” Uryuu roared in response, hands clenching as he wrenched Nines off balance and threw the android to the ground. His hands burned, and he could already feel trickles of blood running down his palms from where Nines’ thrashing had managed to rip the wires through his flesh despite the reiatsu padding it. But it was a distant ache, just another mark against this horrific day, and Uryuu had. Had. Enough. “Now shut the fuck up and fucking listen to me, you idiot!”

His raised voice drew the attention of the others, and he could sense Inoue’s worry and Kurosaki’s understanding and even Sado’s quiet support. Even 2B calmed in her frenzy to get at him, though he wondered how long that would last. Uryuu dragged in a deep breath and twisted Nines up just a bit more in the wires, preventing the android from getting to his feet again.

“Let’s start with the easy ones amongst us,” Uryuu started, glaring down at Nines’ covered eyes. “Inoue-san and Arisawa-san, two perfectly normal humans. Except that they aren’t, not anymore. Because in order to survive being friends with Kurosaki, their souls reached for power, and found it. Because it was either that or suffocate under Kurosaki’s very presence, a presence which he was unaware of and could not control. Because his family never explained it to him, and therefore never assisted him with it.”

He didn’t count Urahara Kisuke as Kurosaki’s family — not in the way he meant it here. No, Kurosaki’s blood relations had done nothing for the boy except to lie and deceive. To all of them.

(He’d had a cousin all along and no one had told him. They’d had to find out together, at the hands of their enemies.)

Nines’ wild fury was fading, replaced with a tiny frown of puzzlement, and Uryuu could read the tiny tells of Nines’ body that meant that he was paying attention. Good.

“Sado-san is another story,” Uryuu continued mercilessly. “His power was born of Hollows, the very creatures we have fought for nearly half our lives. Creatures that are the fallen souls of mankind, doomed by their own regret and negative emotions to wander eternally, ever hunting for something to fill that ache within them where their positive emotions used to reside. But for all his strength is drawn from the same source, Sado-san is human enough for us.”

The android stiffened, and Uryuu had no doubt Nines was staring off towards Sado. He wished he had managed to rip that damn visor free, but Nines was a wily combatant for how much he insisted combat wasn’t his purpose. Getting ahold of that visor was difficult at the best of times, and impossible with Nines in a berserker state.

But he needed to continue to drive home the point he was trying to teach the other.

“Kurosaki Ichigo, a hybrid soul,” he continued, skipping himself for the moment. “Part Shinigami, part Hollow, part Quincy. An amalgamation that has never before been seen amongst the three worlds, a delicate balance that requires Kurosaki to know and trust himself at a level most of us only pretend to be at. The Hollow in his soul is dangerous enough to make pure Hollows flee, and his Shinigami side is no less powerful.”

“And of course, he was never told anything about this,” Uryuu said with a twisted smile. “Because he was nothing more than a weapon, aimed at an enemy none of us even knew existed until suddenly he was in front of us, destroying us like the children we were.”

He’d explained, one dark night under the brilliant stars, when sleep was but a distant dream, about the ‘war’ with Aizen. About being a teenager thrown headfirst into a conflict he hadn’t even known existed. About seeing Ichigo (Always, always, always Ichigo during those dark, lonely nights; moon bright overhead and Ichigo’s skin bleached white like his lifeless body with it’s mockery of a Hollow Hole) die and come back, berserk and yet still himself.

“Then there’s myself,” Uryuu said, his words dragging everyone’s attention back to him. Bitter bile rose in the back of his throat at the thought of what he was about to explain, but Nines deserved to know. And how could he convince the android to stop being an idiot if he couldn’t face his own past head on? “I know you noticed the differences. The way power comes to my call. The way I can twist even your own attacks. I’m less human than even Sado-san, possibly even less human that Kurosaki-san — I am a Quincy, and my people were born at the behest of a power hungry asshole who dreamed of becoming god itself.”

He knew the other four would argue his words; would rage and snarl and deny every word he spoke to denigrate himself. Would insist he was human, that the dreams of a madman had no say on his being.

Except it did.

With Yhwach gone forever, with the Quincy people broken and scattered and destroyed down to the last few remnants of true Living people — not enough to rebuild the clan, barely enough to survive the next generation — Uryuu was truly The Last. Bound by a Schrift he had never desired, cursed to be Yhwach’s successor, he was no more Human than Kurosaki was.

“He called us to his side, and he pointed at the world, and he said ‘kill’.” Uryuu flexed trembling fingers, gaze cutting to the side to meet Kurosaki’s steady gaze. He drew strength from it, from the lack of judgment, from the warmth in the other’s eyes, from Kurosaki himself.

Kurosaki would always be his touchstone.

“And so we killed whatever stood in our way. We killed, bound by his will, bound by a dream that was no more than a mirage, and even as I struggled to do what I could to undermine them, it was… difficult.” Uryuu gave a weak laugh, shaking his head at the words. Difficult? Nearly a decade on and he still had nightmares of waking trapped within empty white perfection. Couldn’t even get to sleep in a room with white walls, anymore, and forget wearing anything resembling his original Quincy uniform. “Because, Nines, he elevated me to his side. Made me his successor. Me, a half breed! A worthless little mixed blood mutt that had the audacity to live when he said die!”

“Uryuu—”

“No! You don’t get to talk right now!” Uryuu raged, wrenching at the wires in his hands to tangle Nines up even further. He ignored the pained whine the android made, struggling against the burning fury in his soul that urged him to hurt Nines, to torture him until there was nothing left. He was dangerously close to losing control, and he knew it, but he couldn’t step back, couldn’t give ground, not if he wanted to keep the other still. “You get to lay there and listen like you’ve refused to do ever since you started getting your hands on that information in the Bunker’s server!”

(Nines was dangerous-deadly-fickle-don’t-trust-never-trust—)

(Uryuu was not Yhwach!)

Body trembling in reaction, Uryuu forced himself to release some of the pressure on Nines. Already he could see where his wires had sliced clean through the fake skin that covered the android, red fluid beginning to seep out. Exposing Nines to the dangers of the world, to the chance of a Logic Virus infecting him.

“You don’t… get to talk right now,” Uryuu said after a tense moment, swallowing past the discomfort of knowing that he had caused those injuries, that his rage had led to this. Shit, he was going to need some time by himself after this. Talking about Yhwach always skipped right through his control and straight to his rage. Nearly a decade and even the thought of that time still drove him to the brink.

“The Quincy were purists, Nines. Pure blood, pure lineage, traced back over a thousand years straight to Yhwach himself, an immortal thing that drained the life of his followers in order to sustain his own. Quincy who sullied themselves with regular humans, and of course any children born of such unions… well, they weren’t worth that power, were they? So he stole it all back, to bring himself back to life.”

Uryuu bared his teeth at Nines, his rage dulled but not extinguished. The memory of his mother on that bed, lifeless and still, that man standing over her— NO!

“My mother died of it, her power ripped from her soul and leaving her nothing to live by. She died not long after. But me? I got a bit of a cold. Needed a few days of sleep and then I was back on my feet, perfectly fine and still just as powerful as before.” Not that he had known that there was anything to worry about at the time; Ryuuken and his grandfather had exchanged heated words night after night, but Uryuu had never managed to overhear their discussions. “When I discovered what had happened, I wanted to kill them. I wanted to destroy everything they had hoped for! Who would ever believe the little half breed mutt would be the traitor? After all, they were doing me a grand privilege, allowing me into their ranks with my impure power!”

And if a tiny, tiny fragment of his soul had wondered, had dreamed could this be home? Could he be finally accepted here? Well, no one but Kurosaki needed to know.

(It was Kurosaki who had saved him, just like always. Just like he kept saving him, day after day.)

(He wondered when Ichigo would grow tired of saving him from himself.)

“Your core may be that of a machine, your entire purpose may be a lie, but you are yourself, Nines. Screw what those ‘true’ androids believe, you are just as worthy of life and a name as any of them,” Uryuu spat, bringing his rant back to Nines’ original questions. “I have Yhwach’s power within myself, but that does not make me him. Even Kurosaki has a fragment of Yhwach within his soul; that smaller blade he wields is forged from that fragment, and they work together.”

“We are ourselves, Nines. It doesn’t matter where we came from, or who had a hand in crafting us. What matters is what we do with the life we’ve been given,” Uryuu paused, struggling to put his feelings into words. He could practically taste the irony — him, giving a speech about a person’s place in the world? But he wouldn’t, he couldn’t let his own insecurities get in the way, not when Nines needed him like this. When he was the only one Nines seemed to listen to all the time. “We’re none of us ‘normal’. Not Arisawa or Inoue, not Sado, not Kurosaki, and especially not me. But we’re together. We’re family. And you’re part of that, you goddamn idiot.”

Below him, Nines began to tremble, the edges of his visor turning dark with tears. And just like that, the stand-off ended.

2B sheathed her blade. The two Pods stood down.

Uryuu let the wires slip from numb and bloodied fingers, watching as they pooled around Nines like liquid mercury. He felt empty. Wrung out. His rage had cooled to hardened embers once more, leaving his limbs feeling like lead and his head pounding with power that he had forced back.

Still, as 2B cautiously approached him, Uryuu lifted his head and gave her a wan smile, “That goes for you, too. You’re part of this group, and you deserve an actual name of your own.”

She hesitated a moment, expression blank and gaze obscured by her visor, before slowly nodding. “When this is over. I… we… would like that.”

“Good,” Uryuu said, as he took a few shaky steps back from Nines and ran straight into Kurosaki. He didn’t even bother to struggle, just sagged against his friend and let Kurosaki carry his weight. There was no one here he needed to pretend to be strong for, not right now, and he just… really wanted to be by himself.

Cowardly of him, but he just… couldn’t. Not right now. Not after ripping open old wounds like that.

(Would he ever have Ichigo’s strength of will?)

(It seemed so distant no matter how he strove.)

#our attain[AB]le dreams #Bleach/Nier #crossover #Nier: Automata #Bleach #ishida uryuu #9S #warning #shouting #bad language #Automata spoilers #hints of Uryuu going insane #hints of 9S going insane #Uryuu always walks that special edge #oh look #I made the heir to Yhwach thing important #Oops #that was unintentional #but i like it now #it gets to stay

[rinnahtheskinchanger]

REALLY  LONG  CHARACTER  SURVEY.

RULES.  repost ,   don’t  reblog  !    tag  10  ! TAGGED BY: @celestialspitfire​ B|  TAGGING.   anyone who wants to torture themselves

BASICS.

FULL  NAME :   Rinnah  NICKNAME :   Rin, Rinrin, Puppy, Wolfy, Wolf, Pipsqueak, Half-pint, Furball, Fuzzball, Fluffy, etc. AGE :   19 BIRTHDAY :  August 31st ETHNIC  GROUP : Mixed blood (Dad has some of the Eastern blood in him, hence the lion), but she looks stereotypical white (Nordic, specifically) NATIONALITY :  Skin-changer (Nordic in modern/Earth) LANGUAGE / S :   Common Tongue/English, most animal languages SEXUAL  ORIENTATION :   Pansexual ROMANTIC  ORIENTATION :  Panromantic RELATIONSHIP  STATUS : Single and hoping to find someone that she can trust and love completely. Hasn’t had the best life, so having a stable, caring partner would do wonders to help her. CLASS : Skinchangers don’t really have classes, but she’s the granddaughter of the chief. Whether or not that’s recognized by the other denizens of Middle Earth really depends. I wouldn’t think that many hold her kind in high regard. Probably most think they’re savages, or something, really. HOME  TOWN / AREA : The Withered Heath, in the far North of Arda. CURRENT  HOME : She’s a wanderer, though whether its by nature or necessity is actually quite hazy. PROFESSION :   A hunter, guide, muscle for hire, etc. Rin does what needs to be done in order to survive, whether it’s selling wares, or letting people pay her to help them in some way.

PHYSICAL.

HAIR :   Bright white; a product of Leucism. It really depends on how she wants it cut. Grows relatively fast, so there are times when she lets it grow to her waist. Other times, it’s cut into a crest that becomes midback length locks. Either way, there are two side pieces, and it’s been likened to a lion’s mane, as her father’s was. Soft to the touch, but doesn’t lie flat and silken. EYES :   Heterochromatic. Her left eye is a golden brown/amber, while the other is a vibrant green (inherited from her mother) NOSE :   A medium length nose, with a slight bump in the middle. The bottom is not overly wide, and slightly upturned. FACE :    Her facial shape is not remarkably feminine, more androgynous, though her features definitely point towards her being female. Her brows are a bit heavier than most women, and with a semi-strong jaw. (Think Norn of Guild Wars 2) LIPS :   Nice, full lips, plush for sure.  COMPLEXION :  Not pale, but not too dark. She has the permanent tan of someone who is always outside. No freckles or acne. Skin is pretty clear for the most part, though in the cold there can be a need for something to give it moisture. BLEMISHES :   Only occasional things. Dry lips, sometimes, maybe dark circles if there hasn’t been much sleep. SCARS : General wear and tear, as to be expected. There is also a massive burn scar on her left side, from hip, to under the bust, but not crossing over her center or spine. Two rips on back and front each of her right side, from massive fangs. Three claw marks over her left eye from forehead to midcheek. TATTOOS :   ...there’s, uh, some tribal stuff on the top of her...dick HEIGHT :   137 cm / 4′6″ WEIGHT :    50 kg / 110 lbs BUILD :  Rinnah is toned, but not sculpted. She has an endomorphic body type (reference is Samantha Wright, mostly). There isn’t too much going on, bust-wise, and there’s a bit of broadness to her shoulders, but her hips are decidedly wider, giving a more pear shaped appearance, though her upper body is nothing to sneeze at. FEATURES : Thick thighs, thick ass. Got a bit of a happy trail going on (white peach fuzz) ALLERGIES :   Nope! USUAL  HAIR  STYLE :   Let it loose! Though she has been known to braid her crest, braid it when long, or just tie it up to keep it out of the way. USUAL  FACE  LOOK : Generally curious, interested. Not necessarily happy, but there’s no resting bitch face either. USUAL  CLOTHING :  Think vikings, with more bones and furs, and no shoes.

PSYCHOLOGY.

FEAR / S :   Being alone, rejection, abuse ASPIRATION / S :   To find whatever it is that she’s looking for. ( Rin, herself, doesn’t know what it is, but it’s to find someone that cares for her (in any sense of the word) and/or a place that she can have purpose. POSITIVE  TRAITS :   Strong, loyal, gentle, caring, protective, brave ( for others ) NEGATIVE  TRAITS :   Pushover, nervous ( under the surface ), easily influenced, gullible ZODIAC :   Virgo TEMPEREMENT :    Easy-going, yet a bit on the shy side, until she gets to know/trust you. Then, she’s a fluffy whirlwind of fun, if you let her be. SOUL  TYPE / S :  Server. Click the link on the actual “soul type” thing to find out what that means! ANIMALS :   Wolf, Lion, Horse, Hawk ( Her and her immediate family’s forms )

VICE  HABIT / S :    Tendency to isolate herself, despite the fact that it makes her feel horrible,  Is very secretive, and tries to give out as little information as possible, until convinced that she can trust them completely,  Easy to corrupt with her eager-to-please nature and fear of rejection

FAITH :  Believes in the Valar, mostly because she has met two of them, so it is not possible for her not to believe at that point XD GHOSTS ? :   Eh AFTERLIFE ? :  Everyone is told the story of what happens, and being that she has met two of th Valar, proving their existence, Rinnah isn’t quite sure on the matter. REINCARNATION ? : I don’t think Rinnah wants this to exist, the possibility of coming back, and not having her family the way it was. She refuses to think about it. ALIENS ? :  Modern verse? Certainly POLITICAL  ALIGNMENT :   True neutral. Rinnah will making decisions based on who gets to her first ( and shows some form of affection/care, even if they’re faking.

ECONOMIC  PREFERENCE :   Skin changers are not known for being materialistic. They might have a home, but everything has its purpose, and is usually crafted by them, themselves. SOCIOPOLITICAL  POSITION : Granddaughter of a chief, but that really doesn’t mean much in her society. Everyone is inherently equal, in their eyes, though your behavior and prowess can sway it. EDUCATION  LEVEL :  Basic survival/self care. A bit of domestic knowledge, but no formal schooling. Can’t really read or write that well... (main verse only)

FAMILY.

FATHER :   Folkvar -Deceased- ( The White Lion ) 7′6″, broad and thick muscled. White hair, and blue eyes. A traveller by nature, until he met his match, Selehna, in the Withered Heath. He is jovial, and kind, though a big flirter as well. Has shared his bed with many people, of all races and genders when they’re interested. Doting father to his twin daughters, though Rinnah is his favorite, which everyone knows, but there is no problem with it. MOTHER :   Selehna -Deceased- ( The Knight Mare ) 6’4″, more slender and wiry, reminiscent of Elves. Dark red hair, and green eyes. Described by her husband ( and agreed upon by many ) as a Warrior Goddess. She has a temper, to be sure, and is not quite as cuddly as Folkvar. Though, her daughters are a different matter. Sinha is her favorite, and similar to her in many ways. Selehna is the beat down first, ask questions later type when it comes to intruders, or anyone threatening her family. Other times, she is cool and calculating. SIBLINGS :  Sinha -Deceased- 5′7″ ( At age 13 ) Fraternal twin to Rinnah. Lighter red hair than their mother ( not fiery ), and blind ( blue eyes ). Takes after their mother in build, and a bit in temperament. Sinha is not entirely fun-loving, but will do all sorts of playing and fun things with her sister, and their father should Rinnah be present. Calm, assertive.

EXTENDED  FAMILY :    Unknown on father’s side. Mother’s, however, which made up many of the tribe, were not fond of an outsider marrying their most sought after daughter. Were abusive to Rinnah when her parents took Sinha away to find a better healer. They are the source of all her scars, stunted growth, and psychological problems NAME  MEANING / S :    Folkvar: “guardian of the people”, Selehna: “Moon”, Rinnah: “Shouting for joy”, Sinha: made to match Rin’s HISTORICAL  CONNECTION ? :   N/A.

FAVORITES.

BOOK :   N/A MOVIE :   N/A 5 SONGS :  N/A

DEITY : Orome and Ulmo ( because she’s met both, and finds them to be quite pleasant )

HOLIDAY : N/A MONTH :  Probably September, when it’s not too cool, but Fall has begun. SEASON :  Summer/Fall PLACE :  She wanders too much to have a favorite. If she did, then there’s a good chance that there would be no more traveling for her. WEATHER :    Sunny days, warm, but not too warm for someone who...wears a fur coat -wink- SOUND :   The sound of fire crackling, the animals of the forest, rain on a roof, or on the leaves SCENT / S :   Baked treats and bread, roasting meat, freshly cut wood TASTE / S :    Savory, meaty flavors. Freshly baked bread, deserts of all sorts FEEL / S :    Leather, fur, crunching leaves, smooth river stones ANIMAL / S :    Dogs and horses, and bears NUMBER :  N/A. COLORS :  Golden yellow, warm browns

EXTRA.

TALENTS :    Good, scrappy fighter, ready to use whatever weapons she can find, and her body if she can’t. Cooking and singing. Very good listener. BAD  AT :  Reading, math, fitting in with more “cultured” people, especially the women TURN  ONS :   All sorts of things, really. Mostly anything that takes away her control, and even possibly belittles her. Teasing is good, verbal or otherwise, but nothing too cruel. Facesitting is pretty awesome (especially when someone else is doing the sitting). SIZE DIFFERENCE HELL FUCKIN YEAH. Experienced partners, and a reasonable amount of roughness. Put a hand around her throat, maybe pin her down completely, make her cum over and over until she’s begging you to stop, or the reverse is good too. TURN  OFFS :   MAKING ANY SORT OF NEGATIVE COMMENT TOWARDS HER GENITALS (The existence of, moreso than being like “oh gosh it’s so small, because that kind of comment makes her feel all hot and embarrassed and she loves it.)  HOBBIES :  Woodcarving, hunting, singing, traveling, sleeping in sun beams AESTHETIC  TAGS :   Animals of all sorts, gorgeous landscapes, carved wood, bone jewelry, all sorts of weapons (more along the primitive/medieval aspect), rustic dishes (bread and meats predominantly) GPOY  QUOTES :  N/A. Look at the musings tag on my blog

FC INFO.

MAIN  FC / S :   Emilia Clarke & Samantha Wright ALT  FC / S :  Isla from Plastic Memories (For any non-live action) OLDER  FC / S :   N/A YOUNGER  FC / S :  N/A VOICE  CLAIM / S :   Nora Patterson of Royal Teeth, I think, is probably the best I can find? GENDERBENT  FC / S :    N/A

MUN QUESTIONS.

Q1 :   if  you  could  write  your  character  your  way  in  their  own  movie ,   what  would  it  be  called ,  what  style  would  it  be  filmed  in ,  and  what  would  it  be  about ?          A1 :   Oh geez, this is definitely a very tough question. Personally, I don’t think there’s really much of a way to do a movie about her. I mean, the beginning would be fun, probably, with the antics of her and Sinha, as well as just enjoying time with the parents. Then everything would just become depressing, more depressing, and then a bit indifferent as she went on her own. After all, She doesn’t have anything big that happens, she’s just another denizen of Middle-Earth.

Q2 :   what  would  their  soundtrack / score  sound  like ?          A2 :   Ooh boy, Instrumentals all the way for this one. It fits best with the world she lives in, and a lot of the Lord of the Rings stuff would fit for that reason. However, while it’s good on the epic/battle fronts, it doesn’t have quite as many happy and depressing songs that would fit for her. For that reason, I could actually see Ghibli type music working well. It has a whole range of emotional songs, from the most light-hearted, to the most heart-wrenching. Princess Mononoke would definitely have good instrumentals, as well as Spirited Away.

Q3 :   why  did  you  start  writing  this  character ?          A3 :  Well, I had her as a character in my mind since I first read The Hobbit in second grade. (I was really good at reading) There have been multiple revisions over the years (as children tend to make sort of mary-sue characters, but that’s not their fault), and I finally really settled about 2009. (other than the average hair changes because people don’t have to stick to one style)

Q4 :   what  first  attracted  you  to  this  character ?          A4 :   BEORN WAS MY FAVE IN THE HOBBIT AND I WANTED SO MUCH MORE!!! I would have loved a book about his life, and more of when the Company stayed at his home. Shape-shifting characters have always been a draw for me, but I wasn’t quite as fond of the one’s who had even more power than that. Trust me, being able to change into one animal is enough to make a character interesting, without overdosing on coolness and power.

Q5 :   describe  the  biggest  thing  you  dislike  about  your  muse.          A5 :   Being that Rinnah is naturally so friendly, and her culture pretty open, I have a lot of trouble when it comes to rp partners thinking that she’s trying to get into their pants. She also has a lot of fears and conflict when interacting with others, so I can’t always proceed the way I would like, in threads. Pleasing the character she’s interacting with is her top priority, so sometimes it can be pretty limiting.

Q6 :   what  do  you  have  in  common  with  your  muse ?          A6 :   We both stay quiet about our own problems, and will constantly try and help people while we, ourselves, are just treading emotional water. I personally, emotionally carried like half of my fellow Honor students in college through every midterm and finals week, while completely freaking out in my own head.

Q7 :   how  does  your  muse  feel  about  you ?          A7 : She’d probably be really excited to have someone like me as a friend. Interacting with me isn’t as emotionally taxing, because of my laid-back nature, so it would be very comfortable for her.

Q8 :   what  characters  does  your  muse  have  interesting  interactions  with ?        A8 :  Ya know, I can’t make this shit up. With, like, 90% of villain characters, she will become like someone they absolutely love to be around, some even ask to marry her, while others mostly go out with her, if she hasn’t been adopted by them. (And yes, I’m including the ones who really are not fond of other people, like; Gisborne, Smaug (in multiple cases), Bolg, Ganondorf, Hades, Gregor Clegane, Hyde (from BBC’s Jekyll), etc.

Q9 :   what  gives  you  inspiration  to  write  your  muse ?         A9 :  Music, mostly. If I’m listening to some good shit I will check tumblr so many times for notifications hoping that it’ll be time to write XD My other inspiration is all of the positive feedback I get from my partners, as well as my want/need to do the best that I can for them.

Q10 :   how  long  did  this  take  you  to  complete ?          A10 : Don’t....don’t even..please...

#headcanons #Rinnah #Muse #JFC PUT AN END TO MY SUFFERING

[elwoodwebdesign]

What To Lead To A Failed Web Design?

Trust me, I go over a considerable measure of customers who have come to me subsequent to having experienced numerous website specialists and designers and are completely frustrated with my industry. It's not a simple place to be in the wake of having been let down, conned, ripped off, or controlled. Regularly they sit in my office and take a gander at me through wary eyes and naturally so! Most have burned through a huge number of dollars as of now in web advancement with very little to appear for it or with a site that isn't what they needed.

Tragically this happens however as in any industry, there are individuals who advance genuine and exploitative practices. In light of the data that I have accumulated from customers and conversing with different experts inside my field, there could be three noteworthy causes to having a terrible or negative involvement with your website specialist or engineer.

1. Identities simply don't mix.

It's critical to discover a website specialist whom your identity best mixes with. You will work with this individual for in all likelihood quite a while and on the off chance that you don't feel you can work with this planner or designer from the underlying begin, it won't improve. There will be numerous choices and recommendations you'll have to make out and about ahead so its essential this relationship is one your alright with from the beginning.

2. Not understanding the distinction between a website specialist and web engineer.

There are basically two breeds in the web world and both are altogether different from each other. The two titles are not tradable, truly. Talking when all is said in done, the website specialist is the imaginative being that if talented, can make excellent outlines and ideas for you. Unmistakably, this is a left brained scholar and would likewise be the more affable one of the two. Frequently be that as it may, a better than average website specialist can do not have the specialized aptitudes to take their outline ideas to the coding or improvement of a site. The web designer then again, can be a profoundly gifted, specialized individual and can take an outline from begin to conclusive stage. Nonetheless, the correct cerebrum designer does not have the imaginative aptitudes to show delightful plans and ideas. Since each have a powerless zone, they frequently get the other to make up for other. This is fine however what occurs with the general cost is passed down to the customer. It's critical to discover a website specialist/engineer who is balanced and ready to do both similarly well. You'll spare time and cash over the long haul.

3. Absence of comprehension about the Web Design process.

Unless you are a fashioner or engineer, your not going to have a decent information of the stream and process it takes to outline or build up a site. Yet, in the meantime, your web proficient should help you in helping you comprehend the procedure by teaching you en route. This is the place believing your web proficient is imperative. You should have the capacity to believe him or her realizing that they have the best enthusiasm for your site. Over and over again, an absence of understanding causes false impressions and opens the way to future issues.

Getting your work done and meeting a few website specialists or engineers is an unquestionable requirement before you utilize anybody with your site. You will contribute a decent measure of cash for a site and its basic to discover somebody whom you can trust and will have the capacity to work with for the whole deal. Having a web proficient who is nearby in closeness is great however in the event that you can discover somebody who meets the three elements recorded above, at that point its consummately fine to have a website specialist or designer from a remote area. Simply ensure that he or she is constantly available either by telephone or email.

Since the web language can be confounding, it is simple for you as the client to be controlled. Be mindful and dependably request a clarification that you can get it. I trust the need to discover great, legit, moral web experts will keep on rising. Christian website architecture and facilitating organizations are frequently looked for after on the grounds that those looking for them as of now have an assumption in the sort of morals and character of a Christian web specialist. Its great to work with other people who share in an indistinguishable conviction framework from you and that work and administration is done at a higher standard.

Most Christian website architecture organizations offer facilitating and in addition outline and advancement administrations. It is dependably a smart thought to have your site with your outline firm if that is accessible. Thusly, the creator can work all the more productively since they are as of now comfortable with their facilitating servers. Discovering Christian website architecture and Hosting will be justified regardless of the exertion!

For more info visit us at https://elwoodwebdesign.com/

#Web Design #SEO

[vijayonstuff]

Eject > Side B

This is my first blog post in over a year. I tried to blog a few times in between, but left those posts as drafts, because my nihilism took over :/

What’s the point?

So, I’m repurposing the title from a post I drafted last year after the presidential election to give an update on what's up.

TL,DR; I am not at Google anymore. I’m now working on my passion project that I’ve personally wanted to work on for over 4 years. Expect more posts on it with details, but here’s a sneak peek.

Sometime near the beginning of this year, I suddenly stopped being happy about a lot of things that I used to be ecstatic about... Stuff that others would kill for! I fell in love in NYC, and with NYC. Then I wasn’t happy about either of that. I was in love with Google. Then I wasn’t happy about that either. I initially blamed oxygen deprivation from Kilimanjaro and exhaustion from running a marathon for messing up my brain. But then after a lot of shower thoughts, I realized it’s actually because of something much worse!!! It was because of muthafuckin’ Tony Robbins! And my buddy that channeled him by asking me blunt piercing questions during his visit to NYC in February. (You know who you are!!!) Things just weren’t the same after that.

I started feeling the same sense of stagnation that had originally forced me to move out of San Francisco, and made me look for a job in NYC. It was like the plot to INCEPTION. The thought was seeded in my mind that I’m not living up to my full potential, and it made me unhappy about everything that I did. There was a cloud of apathy hovering over me with whatever I did. And it affected everything! Both in life, and at work. And it didn’t go unnoticed, especially at work. Apathy + Google’s work demands just don’t mix. So, after months of feeling like a millennial craving for “impact” and feeling like I’m stagnating, and not particularly caring about things perf (Googler speak) wanted me to care about... I quit and decided to start on my passion project!

What is it? Why now? And How? I’ll get into those details in follow up posts. I have loftier goals. But for now, it has to do with online video editing and real-time collaboration, and it's gonna stretch Operational Transforms, the basic tech behind Google Docs, beyond its limits. I’ll get into the technical details of OT in a subsequent blog post as well. But, here’s a sneak peak of what it will look like visually:

I took most of December off to destress from everything, and to take care of some personal finance stuff back home in California. (I need to save in every which way I can to extend my runway for this project.)

And, in the last week of actually working full time on the project, I’ve gotten much farther that I thought I would with the technical design. (And of course, the visual design as well.) I have come up with a generic algorithm and a set of operations to perform OT efficiently on any large complex hierarchical model. (Uhhhh, say for instance... a video editing project?) And more importantly, I think I’ve found a way to sync the same document across multiple servers, which will allow for a lot more large-scale collaborative applications beyond just video editing. This one is a hard problem to solve for, especially when it comes to handling network and server failures. There’s a reason why Google limits the number of people that can simultaneously edit the same doc. I even have the front-end Javascript, and the video rendering pipeline figured out.

It’s all coming together! My confidence in my project’s feasibility is now at 100% 💯. My confidence in my execution... uhhhhh, not so much. 😕 J/k. My goal is to have a working prototype that looks like that visual design by March.

Aggressive? Yes.

Achievable? Absolutely! (I think...)

But not if I simply keep blogging about it, and don’t write any code. Peace!

A Note on Porters

In my previous super-dramatic post about not dying on a mountain, I mentioned about writing a follow-up post on the colonial era concept of porters. I did start writing about it, and the stains of a racially biased colonial past that are still evident in today’s tourism industry in Africa and the third world. But, as I was drafting, I realized that it wasn’t any different that any of us working for the man, and that it was only a matter of economics and access to education. And in time, porters as a profession will be extinct.

We, as consumers and tourists should just be cognizant of the human cost involved in the profession, and be empathetic to how much we demand of them. Sure, you are paying them to carry your shit... but don’t be a dick about it by stuffing your bag with unnecessary stuff that you don’t need. So, that’s that.

Here’s the original post (sans a chart) from last November with the title “Pause || Resume >”:

I originally wanted to write a post about how my 2016 NYC Marathon run went, and about how badly the Nike app on my new Nike+ Apple Watch failed in tracking my run. But, that happened on a Sunday, a whole 2 days before more pressing matters took over people’s attention and fears, and the whole world seemed to turn upside down for many when Trump swept in his victory on election night.

Suddenly, a lot of emotions started pouring out of those around me, and most of it negative. Fear. Anger. Despair. Sorrow. And along with emotions poured out snap judgements, and misguided inferences. “A lot of people must’ve been closet Trump supporters that voted for him, though they supported Hillary in public.” “I don’t feel safe in this country anymore!” “I can’t believe how racist this country has become to have elected Trump!” “Let’s sign this petition to ask the Electoral College to vote their conscience!”

Alright, pause right there!

TL,DR; Don’t trip chocolate chip! It’s not as bad as you think it is.

First of all, the nation is no more xenophobic/racist/ignorant than before. I’m not saying those elements don’t exist. But that’s not the reason why we lost this election to a misogynist. It’s just that not enough democrats came out to vote for Hillary this time, and DWS and the DNC are to blame for that. And partially, Bernie as well. I love Bernie and I know the scales were unfairly tilted against him during the primaries, but Hillary would have won the nomination even if the primaries were fair. And he should have acknowledged that earlier, instead of fueling the anger and rage felt by the berners that eventually turned into disillusionment and apathy.

Here’s the voter turnout for the last 3 elections. Republicans had more or less the same number of people voting their way. Democrats didn’t.

Second, not all trump supporters are racist ignorant tribal xenophobes. Okay, I take that back. They are all pretty much ignorant for thinking he actually cares about their issues, and tribal for voting just because of the (R). Regardless of whether they just feel patriotic and want to make America great “again”, or whether they are just selfish ultra capitalists that hope to benefit from Tax cuts for the rich and service cuts for the poor, a Trump presidency is not going to be beneficial for any of them. Even the racist xenophobes aren’t gonna benefit from his presidency. Mexico is not going to build that wall, and those Nazi saluters at trump rallies aren’t gonna become mainstream. Although, there is a huge chance that race relations will stop progressing.

The only people that are gonna benefit from this presidency are gonna be Trump’s cronies, and the spineless GOP politicians that stood in line to kiss King Trump’s feet... I’m staring at you Ted Cruz!

But, that’s not a bad thing at all. Sure, the nation will suffer from gross mismanagement for 4 years. But, the ignorant public will hopefully wake up and realize the big con Trump and the GOP pulled on them, and vote them out of office in the upcoming mid-term elections. And hopefully, Trump will be a single term president.

Then again, there is Fox News spewing misinformation to the section of public that just voted him in. Never mind. Scratch everything I wrote. Dumbassery has achieved critical mass. We are royally fucked! 

[thedisc0panda]

A massive about the characters post

A. Psychology: Valan What of the Meyers-Briggs personality types they most fit into? INFP, ENFT, et cetera… What alignment are they? Chaotic neutral, lawful evil, et cetera… MBTI: INTP Chaotic Neutral Do they have any emotional or psychological conditions? Are they aware of it? Do they try to treat it? Valan is legally blind and uses a cane and reads raised print and Braille Anxiety/Depression/Bipolar disorder Mood disorder Learning disabilities Congenital Genetic mutation Are they a pessimist or an optimist? Generally a mix depending on the situation Are they good at handling change in their life? Due to anxiety and a mood regulation disorder he doesn't deal with change well Does your OC tend to assume their interpretation of events and reality is correct, or do they question it? I.e., “I’m sure that’s what you said” versus “It’s possible I misheard you.” He's more “It's possible I misheard you.” Is your OC confident in their reactions to life in general, or do they get embarrassed or easily shamed for it? I.e., if something startles them, do they insist it WAS scary? When they cry, do they feel like they overreacted? Valan is confident when he knows what he's doing but still is easily embarrassed, though he enjoys performing. If something startles him then he insists it was scary and he rarely cries and feels it's okay when he does so. Is your OC a martyr? More of a reincarnation rather a martyr Does your OC make a lot of excuses? For themselves? Others? He makes excuses when he's feeling lazy. Usually makes excuses over why he has no money. Does your OC compromise easily? Too easily? He compromises a fair amount but not too easily Does your OC put others’ needs before their own? Depends on who the others are. Does your OC have any addictions? If so and problematic, have they admitted it to themselves? No but he has smoked occasionally and had alcohol before, though was not fond of either and luckily didn't develop an addiction. Does your OC have any phobias? If so, where did they come from? He's terrified of spiders, most other insects, and the dark Is your character empathetic? Yes Is your character observant? Very much so for someone with low vision Does your OC have to go through their own trials to learn a lesson, or do they listen and learn from observation and lecture? I.e., does your OC listen when someone tries to tell them the importance of budgeting, or do they have to go experience what happens if you don’t budget first? He learns the lesson of resilience and grows up after being exiled. After joining the Morag Tong his senses become sharpened and he learns to control his emotions. What’s one of your OC’s proudest moments of themselves? Being recognized as Nerevarine Do they get jealous easily? Do they feel bad if they do? Yes and he feels rather bad afterwards. What instantly irritates them or puts them in a bad mood? People constantly talking, ignoring him because he's blind, inaccessible places, girls flirting with him Are they harsh on themselves? Yes because depression is a thing Do they make excuses often? Mostly because he's broke a lot of the time and needs money for food Is your OC intended to be found generally attractive? Unattractive? Average? Is there a reason why? He's usually found to be very attractive, likely because of his hair and he's just very handsome in a dorky, innocent, and sometimes broody way Does your OC place much importance on their appearance? Do they feel confident in it? Not too much but he keeps himself well kept What are some of your OC’s biggest personal obstacles? This could be emotional, physical, social… Are they aware of it? Are they trying to overcome it? Physical: Low vision Emotional: Mood regulation/childhood trauma (loss of his dad) Social: the fact he didn't go to public school B. Social : Anna Do they believe you have to give respect to get it, or get respect to give it? That you have to give respect to get it Do they get frustrated when lines at places like pharmacies, check-outs, delis, banks, et cetera, are moving slowly? Yes due to sensory issues and add/adhd Under what situations would they get angry at servers, staff, customer service, et cetera? Do they tip well? How easily can they be moved to not leave a tip? If people were being mistreated, she tips within normal limits, only with very poor service she won't leave a tip at all Do they hold doors open for people? Granted it's not too heavy Would your OC let someone ahead of them in line if your OC had a big cart and the person behind them had very few items? Yes How do they respond to babies crying in public? Cover her ears and hope the mother quiets their child Is your OC considered funny? Do they believe they’re funny? Yes in a cute way What kind of humor does your OC like the most? Slapstick, ironic, funny sounds, scare pranks, xD sO rAnDoM… She likes puns and funny sounds and nerdy jokes Does your OC find any “bad” or “mean” humor funny? Do they wish they didn’t? She finds bad words hilarious sometimes Your OC is running late to meeting someone: Do they let the other person know? Do they lie about why they’re late? She lets the other person know and appears ‘fashionably late’ Your OC orders something to eat and gets their order done in a pretty wrong way, something they can’t just pick off or whatnot to correct, or something major is missing. What do they do? They call the waiter/waitress over and ask them to redo it Do they have a large or small group of friends? Large group of friends, though not many childhood friends. Do they have people they are genuinely honest with about themselves? Not too many people. Does your OC enjoy social events, such as parties, clubs, et cetera..? No. She considers lounging around with the twins playing chess and drinking coffee a party. Does your OC like to be the center of attention or more in the mix? In the mix C. Morality: Xavier Does your OC have a moral code? If not, how do they base their actions? If so, where does it come from, and how seriously do they take it? Xavier has a moral code of treat others how you'd like to be treated and they will treat you the way they'd like to be treated, whether that be positive or negative. Would your OC feel bad if they acted against their morals? If not, would they find a way to excuse themselves for it? Yes he feels bad if he lashed out at an innocent person but people being jerks it's justified to teach them a lesson Is it important for them to be with people (socially, intimately, whatever) whose major ideological tenets align with their own? For the most part yes, especially if they are close to him Do they consider themselves superior or more important than anyone else? Lesser? Usually average to slightly superior Do your OC’s morals and rules of common decency go out the window when it comes to those they don’t like, or when it’s inconvenient? Aka, are their morals situational? Yes. If you're an enemy you get no mercy What do they do when they see someone asking for money or food? If they ignore them, why? If they help, how so? Depends on the situation, sometimes he gives and sometimes he doesn't. It depend if he thinks the person is a scam or genuine. Do they believe people change over time? If so, is it a natural process or does it take effort? That it takes effort and realization and repentance of your mistakes Is your OC more practical or ideal morally? I.e., do they hold people to high expectations of behavior even if it’s not realistic for the situation, or do they have a more realistic approach and adapt their morality to be more practical? Practical. D. Religion and Life and Death: Alarian How religious is your OC? What do they practice, if anything? If they don’t associate with any religion, what do they think of religion in general? Do they believe in an afterlife? Ali is a fairly religious person in certain situations. They are Jewish (or the thedas equivalent, I have an AU that places modern religions as the thedas equivalent based on canon lore) Ali is a messenger of the Hebrew (elvish) God and thus is religious to some extent. How comfortable are they with the idea of death? Knowing that within a few days they'll be back on earth they aren't too worried about it Would they like to be immortal? Why, why not? If they are immortal, would they rather not be? They are immortal though in a different way to my other ocs. They can die but will be reincarnated either in the same or different body. Completely healed. Do they believe in ghosts? If not, why? If so, do they think they’re magical/tie into their religion, or are they scientifically plausible? They believe in ghosts are there are some in their castle in tevinter. It is due to magical energy from The Fade. E. Education and Intelligence: Isabelle. M Would you say that your OC is intelligent? In what ways? Would your OC agree? In terms of street smarts and books smarts yes, socially not as much. Which of the nine types of intelligence is your OC strongest in? Weakest? (Linguistic, existential, naturalist, et cetera) Naturalist is her strongest. Linguistic is her weakest. How many languages do they speak? Four? Or five maybe? Did they enjoy school if they went to it? She didn't really like school What’s their highest education level? Do they want to continue their education? Do they enjoy learning? Do they actively seek out sources of self-education? Are they a good note-taker? Are they a good test-taker? Do exams make them nervous? Currently in college. She enjoys learning on her own. Not a very good note taker but good test taker. Exams make them nervous. What’s one of your OC’s biggest regrets? Not auditioning to wind ensemble F. Domestic Habits, Work, and Hobbies: Yuuri What sort of home do they live in now, if at all? How did they end up there? Lives in his families home and the Morag Tong headquarters with his uncle. What’s their ideal home look like? Where is it? Probably Valans castle but somewhere other than the ashlands. Could they ever live in a “tiny home”? Nope, he likes open space How clean are they overall with home upkeep? His mother or uncle constantly tell him to clean up his room so not so good How handy are they? Can they fix appliances, cars, cabinets, et cetera? No one lets poor Yuuri handle any form of machinery afraid he'd fall asleep How much do they work? What do they do? Do they enjoy it? Yuuri works both as a neuropsychologist and a master assassin, somewhat strange mix of jobs don't you think? But he enjoys what he does. What’s their “dream career” or job situation? Probably a high paid researcher How often are they home? Everyday Are they homebodies and enjoy being home? Except when his cousins are around Do they engage in any of the arts? How good do you intend them to be? Would they agree they are? Yuuri enjoys watercolor painting as a hobby. He's good enough to do commissions. What are some of their favorite things to do for recreation? How did they get into it? What part of it do they like the most? He likes to read, paint, sleep, play video games, and hang out with his friends. Would they enjoy a theme park? Not at all G. Family and Growing Up: Phillip Is your OC close to their family? Yes Who makes up your OC’s family, at least the more important members to them? Mothers Lillian and Rebecca Three year old Ainsley Boyfriend named Everan Does your OC find their family supportive? If not, what would be an example why not? Yes they are very supportive. What kind of childhood did your OC have? A happy and mostly laid back one. Did they go through any typical phases growing up? More just getting sick a lot, and he liked more typically feminine things growing up. Do they have any favorite childhood memories? When he got his cat. Do they have any childhood memories they’d rather forget or be less affected by? When said cat died. H. Romance and Intimacy : Anna What is your OC’s orientation, romantic and/or sexual? Has it ever been a source of stress for them? Have they always been pretty sure of their orientation? Asexual and Panromantic never really a source of stress though having to explain the difference can be annoying. Is your OC a thoughtful partner, in whatever aspect of that you want to cover? Yes. Does your OC believe there’s only one ideal partner (or multiple ideal if not monogamous) for everyone, or that there are many people who could be right? Depends on the person in question. Does your OC believe in love in first sight? A little bit but not a whole lot Does your OC believe in marriage (or their culture’s equivalent)? I mean she's married so yes? Has your OC ever cheated on anyone or been cheated on? Once by a girl in high school What do they look for in partners? (Emotionally, mentally, physically..) Kindness, intelligence, general nerdiness, slightly shy or reserved, respectful What’s your OC’s idea of a perfect date? Going out to dinner What are some things that your OC finds to be an instant turn-off in potential partners? No respect for boundaries. I. Food: Sarah What are their favorite kinds of flavors– Sweet, salty, sour, spicy, creamy, et cetera? Salty and creamy are favorites Do they have any eating requirements or preferences? Allergies, vegetarian, organic-only, religious restrictions… Sarah tends to avoid pork mostly but doesn't call herself kosher. Are they vegan/vegetarian (if their overall culture/species generally aren’t)? If so, why? Do they think animal products are wrong in all circumstances? Nope she likes steak way too much. How often do they cook? Do they order out a lot? Mostly the smiths cook or they go raid Lanis fridge. Are they a good cook? More of a good baker. Could they eat the same thing they enjoy over and over and not get bored of it quickly? They already do for the most part. J. Politics, Current Events, Environmental Aspects: Lanriael Where does your OC stand most politically? What would they align with most? How politically aware are they? More liberal and would likely be socialist. How politically active are they? Aside from being a double agent not very active at all. Is your OC the sort to fall for fake news? If not, do they ignore it or make a point to clarify that it’s wrong? They ignore it or make a point to clarify its wrong. Are they or would they protest for a cause they’re passionate about? Medical rights and freedom of the press are two big things How do they react to people whose political viewpoints are very opposite of theirs? Grin and bear it. How much interest in environmental health do they have? Recycle and turn off lights. In reality-based or applicable worlds, do they believe in global warming? Do they recycle? Global warming doesn't exist in their world. K. For OCs in Reality-Based Worlds Who Are Unusual in Paranormal Ways: Alarian (such as magical abilities, being another species, having a curse like lycanthropy, sci-fi abilities, being from another time, et cetera)– Also for OCs where the scenario is similar even if their universe isn’t based on reality Does your OC have to keep their paranormal aspect (PA) a secret from general society? If so, how? I.e., they can’t discuss their abilities, they have to hide a tail, they have an alter-ego, et cetera. What would happen if society found out about it? No they just do as they like screw anyone who disagrees. Are there others in their universe with the same or a similar PA as your OC? I.e., others from different dimensions, others of their same species. Do they know about it? There's the herald who is mildly similar and Solas who's Fen'harel but Ali's far more powerful than both of them. Does your OC have any friends who know about their PA? Any enemies? All their friends know and the inquisitor and commander noodle hair know too among other select enemies. Does your OC ever use their PA to get an advantage? I.e., use their ability to be invisible to steal or get out of things, compete in track while their species is a naturally superior runner, use their invulnerability in careers like police work… If so, do they have any hang-ups about it? Yes, they teleport to get away from enemies or if their bored and don't want to walk, they personally select and mark certain people for damnination, they get into arguments with the sky, and other antics of that sort. Does your OC feel isolated or unrelatable due to the experience their PA brings with it? If so, how do they deal with it? Yes but they think of it as something cool. Does their PA cause issues in daily life? I.e., if they’re inhuman in a human universe and they can’t go to a doctor or risk the doctor realizing they are not human, super abilities with physical drawbacks, they don’t have control of their abilities and must keep to themselves, et cetera… If so, how do they feel about it? No it doesn't usually cause issues. Does your OC’s PA affect their dietary habits so that they are unusual or problematic by their society’s standards? Nope. What are some routines, if any, of self-care that your OC must engage in that are not typical of their society? I.e., having to file their teeth, maintaining magical rituals, drinking blood… More just every so often check in with Liam and Emmie to see how things are going. Does your OC have knowledge that they can’t share with the rest of their world that could improve it if it didn’t cause chaos? I.e., a character from the future knowing about technology not yet invented, but they can’t reveal themselves by sharing it? More that they can take anyone they want with them when the world ends. Would your OC give up their PA if they could? Why or why not? Nope because being a messenger is hacking awesome. L. For the Writer/Owner How have your characters changed since you created them? Gotten darker, or dorkier and more well developed. What do you consider the biggest themes in your character, if any? GAYYYYYYSSSSSS… And angsty young adults Did you create the character to be like yourself, did they end up being like yourself, or are they very different from you? They are an even mix of likes and differents Would you hang out with your OC if you could? Definitely Which OC do you think is the most decent morally or behaviorally? Phillip he's the cinnamon roll Which OC do you think is the worst morally or behaviorally? AKA, which is supposed to a “good guy”? Marien is Satan and everyone knows it. Ali is the pure messed up angel...literally. Alarian is the good guy. Which OC do you think is the most attractive? Either Anna or Valan are both are pretty good looking AKA, which is supposed to be a “bad guy”? Definitely Marien. What’s the longest you’ve had an OC for? I think Valan was my first well developed one. How did you come up with your OC? I played Morrowind for the first time.

#TES #Valan Velothi #Xavier Stephenson #Anna Lenox #Phillip Evans #Yuuri Seki #Sarah Marx #dragon age origins #alarian cousland #alarian surana