⨂ Eustace's Bach--er, Camping Party ⨂

[pactmarshal]

Who: Eustace & all his male CR
Which: Semi-closed log, forward-dated to the weekend before the wedding (November 26-27)
Where: Out in a cosy clearing of the Wildlands
What: Eustace can't make up his goddamn mind, so he invites all the men he knows to his bachelor party. He intends for it to be a relaxed hangout, but...well. We'll see.
Warnings: Alcohol, underage drinking, ghosts, more to be added if they come up

» invitation
At some point in early November, all those named by Eustace (aka, every man Eustace has had CR with) will receive a short message from Trahearne over the journals:

Hello. If you aren't aware yet, Eustace will be getting married this winter. He has invited you and several others to join him in a pre-celebration of the occasion called a "bachelor party." This will be held on Saturday, 11/26 at a location in the Wildlands (see attached map). Please bring food and drink and anything else you will need for camping.

No need to reply. If you are unable to attend for any reason, feel free to ignore this message. If you will be coming, we will see you there.

For those who are reluctant, or want to go but can't find a good excuse, some of Eustace's dogs will appear at those characters' houses without warning to dognap them. The flower dogs can make use of vines for those who really want their characters to suffer for this party.

While any of the dogs may come to grab people, only the male dogs will stay for the party, of course. There will be 5 dogs in attendance total--4 corgis and 1 flower dog.


» campgrounds

In the weeks beforehand, Trahearne and Beat went and scouted out a suitable little place for the shindig: A clearing in the woods flanked by a small cabin. The cabin sits nestled among the trees at the edge of the clearing. The clearing itself is sizeable--there's a place for chopping firewood, a ring of stones in the middle suggesting its use as a bonfire spot, and a grill built into the ground nearer the cabin.

The ground here is soft, but not muddy--perfectly suitable to sleep on. Beat and Trahearne made sure to clear away excess leaves from the ground to make things more comfortable.

The woods around the clearing are not thick, but they are still wilderness. There is abundant, if mundane flora to be found, and smaller critters that happily scamper around in the daylight. Who knows what lurks beyond in the nighttime... Better keep those fires going to keep the bad things away.

» cabin

The small cabin at the edge of the clearing is just that--small. It is comprised of only two rooms. The front room is a sitting room with a small kitchen, kept warm by a wood stove. Visitors to the cabin are free to make themselves comfortable in front of the fire on the couch big enough for three, or the large sitting chair by the window. The dining table only seats two, and it sits snug against the back of the couch.

The back room is home to the bedroom. Here, the visitors will find two bunk beds--enough sleeping room for four (or more if you wanna share i'm not judging). All the beds are made and equipped with soft, clean blankets and pillows. It seems whoever was here first was anticipating the party.

There is also another door in the bedroom, which leads to a closet. The particularly nosy will find all sorts of things useful for a cabin stay inside: extra pillows, blankets, tools for maintenance, an extra grill... You name it! Within reason!

On the outside, there is a stockpile of wood for the wood stove, and an outhouse. Just the one.

» nighttime

This is an overnight party, by the way. And when night falls, that's when the real fun begins.

As mentioned before, there is more than enough space in the clearing to create a big bonfire. But be careful--it's dry and windy. Take care not to unwittingly set any of the trees on fire. The ground is comfortable enough to sleep on (especially for those seasoned travelers), but for those who don't want to rough it completely, there are tents and sleeping bags.

The cabin is for those who don't like or can't sleep outside. It is comfortable and warm, yes, especially with all those others in the same room... But there's a catch. It's haunted. The ghost that inhabits the cabin isn't malicious, thankfully. It's friendly, in fact. Perhaps a little too friendly. Those sleeping in the cabin may find themselves poked and prodded into awakening at odd hours. Besides that, it's harmless. Promise.

Treat this as a mingle log! The setting description above is just the stage--feel free to come up with games, have your characters bring things to add to the mix, play around with the things mentioned above. It can be as chill...or not as chill as you want.

Comments

[stillarhino]

[A hand immediately presses against the side of his head and Beat leans against the table to keep himself steady.]

Crap, I feel like I'm gonna be sick.

[pactmarshal]

[ When Beat goes, Trahearne finds himself doing much of the same: sitting and talking to Ori over the journals. He still has just enough faith in the boy to keep himself together while he gets food, so he's content to sit and unwind for a second.

But it's like his big brother senses kick in or something. He doesn't exactly hear what Beat says, but he hears his voice and the tone through the still air and Trahearne immediately drops his journal and pen to quickly stride to Beat. Before he can hurl anywhere, Trahearne grabs him and positions him away from the food and towards the grass.

Alastor spent far too long making the gumbo only for Beat to vomit in it. Not letting that happen! ]

[stillarhino]

With a confused look on his face, Beat purses his lips as he brings his hand back to rub the back of his neck. "No offense, yo, but you sound pretty chill for someone who went through hell an' back."

Beat wasn't one to talk, considering the Reaper's Game had been something like hell for him as well. While there is some lingering trauma, he often tried to hide it, instead putting on a brave face for those who needed it.

[stillarhino]

[While he was trying to hold it in before nausea completely overcomes him, the quick swing away from the food was enough to push him off the edge. Everything begins to spin around him and he loses his balance, falling to the ground.

Doubling over the grass, he holds himself up as he begins to throw up, the effects of the alcohol finally catching up to him. He barely notices Trahearne at his side, far too caught up in... well, hurling up almost everything he'd just eaten only moments ago.]

[disdelusioned]

And one of the reasons Van Zieks makes it a point to keep an eye on me, if I have to be honest.

[He's gotten variations of 'don't do like I did at your age' advice from the man. It's advice he's tried to take to heart, although the reality of his own feelings is too complicated to be able to heed it wholeheartedly. Especially with a certain someone now in town...

Either way, it's a rather tacit admission that he's less okay than he purports to be. Maybe the sip has affected his judgement more than he realizes.]

I suppose we'll just have to wait and see how it turns out.

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc's one bad day from it also blowing up into his face. Good times, good times.]

I see. Longer than I have, then--I'm only just coming up on my first year.

[Which is still a really long time, when you think about it. It's difficult to wrap his head around, if he has to be honest.

With a polite smile, he accepts the offered snack.]

I certainly have no objections to spinach. Thank you.

[He takes a bite. Mmm!]

This reminds me of a savory version of a dessert I had once while traveling.

[pactmarshal]

[ Gross. What did he say???? If anything, he just hopes Beat learns from this. For now, though, he takes care of him. ]

Come on. Let's sit you back down and fetch you some water.

[ He should not be walking around the food like this.

And so, Trahearne guides Beat back to their spot by the fire... He can vomit in the fire next time. ]

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc takes a moment to digest the information, particularly that about using dreamscapes for practice rather than the open world. That's a good idea, and one worth bringing to Ori for discussion.

It really is striking how alike he and Eustace are, push come to shove. Perhaps that's part of why his feelings toward the other man are so complicated.]

I'll see what Ori thinks about it. As... as much as I'm not used to working with someone else on something of this magnitude, I've been making the effort not to shut her out.

[flamekthunder]

It can be difficult... I know how it feels to want to just work on it on your own and keep others at arm's length, whether it's for their protection or your own.

But this is not something you should do on your own. And if you need a different partner in case Oriphi can't handle it, or someone to assist her, I'm willing to offer a hand if you'd allow it.

[steadypulse]

It's real easy to spot yourself in someone that hasn't gotten to the point you have yet... and want them to do better, take even a slightly different path and live better.

[Shoulders shrugged a little as he spoke, taking a slow sip from his glass just at that last word. Wanting to know the truth, digging in deep, anger and a growing hatred fueling a revenge filled justice- he knew that well. Reason he'd flung himself under a sword for Kazuma in a nightmare.

Reason he went after him and didn't stop until he pulled the kid out, even after having to make mistakes to figure out what was needed. Hell of a thing.]

Yeah, and hopefully it goes for the best- for the both of them.

[Whatever it could entail to be the best for Kazuma and van Zieks.]

[disdelusioned]

That's exactly it.

[WAY too similar.

The offer takes him by surprise, and it takes a few moments for Diluc to respond as a result.]

I'm not in a position to refuse. There's too much at stake for my pride to get in the way.

...thank you.

[lonelysmiles]

It took ages fer jes Angel ta show up! An' no one else from tha hotel's come 'long!

[There might be a sliiiight whine in his voice.]

[lonelysmiles]

Isn't your planet named after your biggest continent?

"Really?" Alastor tilted his head to one side. "Interesting! Most marriage ceremonies on my Earth started off as religious ceremonies. Are your people more secular?"

[lonelysmiles]

"None taken! Besides, eternal damnation starts to get boring after the first decade or two."

Yes. This man was bored of literal Hell.

[flamekthunder]

[It's in part a genuine offer out of concern, another part because it involves Oriphi, and another part of practicality as it would be better to help than risk Diluc losing control. But at the end of it all, it is sincere, and Eustace just nods.]

I won't be able to help right away. [For obvious reasons.] But whenever you next feel up to it, let me know.

[pactmarshal]

SHHH.

"Religious ceremonies? Fascinating." Trahearne's eyes drifted upward in thought for a moment. What would it be like if the humans did the same, under the guidance of the Six? It could have very well started out as a religious ceremony, considering...gestures vaguely to humans and the gods. "As far as I'm aware, weddings are often political at their core. For the ones that do not marry for love, that is.

"My people, on the contrary, do not worship gods or spirits, per se. We revere our mother for her wisdom, but she is our mother."

As anyone would.

[steadypulse]

There's one from the world I'm from, and it's just been the two of us for a full year, with a couple months added now I guess.

[They happened to have arrived at the same time-]

Angel's the tall spider demon, yeah? Met him when he came by the Harvest for the Devil pepper noodle contest we held.

[lonelysmiles]

"Oh, I'm not saying they weren't ever political! Plenty of examples would prove me otherwise! However, a traditional marriage is held in a place of worship before a religious officiant, a celebration of two souls coming together to walk the same path!"

His ears twitched at that.

"Ah, that certainly makes plenty of sense! One's mother is, after all, their gateway into the world!" He grinned and motioned a hand, mutely encouraging Trahearne to tell him more.

[lonelysmiles]

Yes indeedy! [He raises a hand up to indicate the spider's height.] Tall an' spindly an' annoyin'. Good company.

[stillarhino]

[It doesn't take a lot for him to be herded back to the fire, still fighting off remaining nausea that lingered at the fringes.

Once he's sat back down, Beat waves in his general direction as if trying to push Trahearne off, despite not looking or knowing where he is. Not that there was much strength to it at this point.]

I'm aight, yo. I'm aight. We cool.

[Though his voice didn't have its usual energy, he didn't exactly want to be babied at a time like this either.]

[pactmarshal]

[ Are we really cool? No. Trahearne just eyes Beat for a second, making sure he's steady in his spot before letting go. ]

All right.

[ ... ]

Lie down if you need to. I'm getting you some water.

[ He really isn't gone long to get a glass for Beat. And whether he's sitting or lying down at this point, he places it beside him. ]

[noblegarnet]

[For a moment, he looks thoughtful. In truth, there are some things he simply can't see improving at any point... but at the same time, this place has been good for him, despite all the trouble he's had to suffer through, too. Between all the chaos, there's a chance to really be himself and just enjoy things as simple as a friend's upcoming marriage.]

I'm here, aren't I?

[He gives Eustace a brief, sly wink. dork.]

[noblegarnet]

[May your blowups be less catastrophic than Ferran's, friend. He nods in response to the explanation; even though he's been here as long as anyone else, it's hard to think of himself as being any more experienced.

There's a gentle sparkle around him as he watches Diluc enjoy the snack—it's always satisfying to see your hard work be appreciated.]

Does it have the same kind of dough? I love how flaky this stuff gets.

[It's messy because of that, but it's definitely worth it.]

[flamekthunder]

[There's just a blank look at him before he snorts and grins.]

Guess I could say for himself.

[No one would ever believe he would be here. But as silly of an answer as it is, it does speak volumes.]

But I'm glad for you.

[noblegarnet]

[Heh.]

Thanks. The same to you, future Mr. Tifa Lockhart.