⨂ 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

invitation & arrival two prompts i am GREEDY

[pactmarshal]

Trahearne responded quite readily to Alastor's message:

There will be fires and a grill for you to use, so there are facilities available for cooking depending on what you plan on bringing. Come any time in the afternoon and stay as long as you like.

So he honestly was not expecting for Alastor to rock up with a meal to feed the entire party several times over. His eyes widened in shock when the sight greeted him.

"Alastor?" There was disbelief in his voice as he strides over to offer a hand to carry something. "Did you make all of this?"

campfire a!!

[pactmarshal]

[ After speaking with Eustace, just after the sun has set, Trahearne finds Beat by the fire. He's just finished his first bottle of beer and procured a second, but it's only after he has it opened and in his hand that he isn't really sure if he wants it... He'll just hang onto it. Just in case.

He comes to sit by the younger man, peering curiously at the device and the sounds emanating from it. ]

What is that?

[pactmarshal]

[ Trahearne pauses for a moment, only taking a small sip of his beer as he studies Eustace.

It doesn't seem like he's pulling his leg... It's not like the erune is the type to do so, anyway. ]

You may have given me the wrong list, then. I had two full columns of names to write to.

[pactmarshal]

I have been informed that the dogs acted of their own will, but I doubt it will happen again.

[ Or so he hopes. ]

Fish is perfectly fine, especially if it's tradition from your home realm. The more variety, the better.

[flamekthunder]

Two—!?

[...

He has a bad feeling.]

Do you have the list with you?

[pactmarshal]

[ Yeah, something went wrong somewhere, and Trahearne is confident it is not his fault.

As he produces the neatly folded piece of paper and holds it out to Eustace, he takes a lengthy sip from his drink. His brow raises slightly, gauging his friend's reaction. ]

[flamekthunder]

[He looks at it.

And stares.

His eyes rove over the list because yes that is his handwriting. He remembers well that he made this list. But how...

Trahearne will see the exact moment when his confused expression sharpens and for a moment, his eyes darkenen as if he's ready to kill someone. There's even a small snap of electricity. But then it immediately passes as he just sighs and rubs his brows.]

That damn wolf... This was my first list when I was just trying to recall everyone I knew. I had made a second one that narrowed it down to about eight.

[He hands the list back to Trahearne.]

But Eria must have switched out the lists without me knowing.

[flamekthunder]

[Hah.]

My preferences are more towards the quieter side of things. However...

[Along with Alastor's music and seeing everyone doing their own thing, be it talking to each other, eating, or whatever else—it's noisy. It's rowdy. It's much more than he would normally like.]

...This isn't so bad.

[It's in some ways, peaceful.]

[flamekthunder]

These stars?

[.....Hm.]

...A good question given the nature of this world. It wouldn't be surprising if not all of them are out in space and instead actual entities or creatures living in the sky. Yet many constellations remain static, so I can only assume they are like in my world and are planets or moons in this part of the universe.

[flamekthunder]

[A special ore? His brows rise slightly upon hearing the special care taken in this before he gives Alphen an appreciative grin.]

I will. I may have to come to you more often should I need my blades honed or need new ones. I don't suppose you know anything about guns, would you?

[flamekthunder]

[Ha ha...ha.]

There was a bit of a mix up, but it's fine. I'm more surprised you came.

[refire]

Shionne's the gun expert between us. I know a little bit from working with her all the time but I'm no marksman myself.

[He knows how much care she puts into aiming and it's not easy to wield a gun.]

You're free to come anytime you want. I can only hope that I meet up to your expectations.

[steadypulse]

Took you for a responsible drinker type- When you might partake. [It was said with a soft chuckle, a couple a sourdough buns being taken out as well and given something of a fire toasting briefly -thank you dreamotion blue fire- and was opening that steaming packet of pulled meat.

There was a whiff of devil pepper, added to the rub he'd given the piece of meat before it was slowly cooked. Bit of sage in there, and some cherry honey to hold the seasoning as a glaze as it had cooked. Generous sort of helping put between the pieces of toasted sourdough and plenty juicy it was a mighty fine sandwich with just being that simple.

Was offered out upon completion- along with a napkin.]

Be enough energy for that walk, too. Here, and hopefully you enjoy.

[removal]

[ He nods as Eustace speaks. Given that this is a dream world, the mythical explanation might be more likely. However, his interest is piqued by Eustace talking about his world. It reminds him of the piecemeal facts he had heard from the Doctor. ]

How are they like in your world? If you would indulge me.

[flamekthunder]

Hm... I don't know too much as it's still a new field being studied, so overall it's unknown. However, what we do know is that there are planets and galaxies beyond our own planet, and the stars are the light's reflecting off their surfaces.

[A small shrug.]

That's about all I know, and I don't really know or understand how it all works. Our only foray into space travel was recently to the moon.

[flamekthunder]

I see.

[He won't bother Alphen about it then.]

I should also thank you for Tifa's sword.

[stillarhino]

[Beat gives Trahearne a nod of acknowledgment as he takes a seat by his side. After adjusting the volume and changing the song to a more upbeat party track, he moves his attention over to Trahearne.]

Hmm, this? It's my phone. [He turns it in his hands for Trahearne to see, the screen on standby on a music app.] Can't have a party without some music, you know? It ain't much without speakers but I figure it's better than nothin'.

[pactmarshal]

[ This music is...interesting! Not that Trahearne is all that versed in music.

As is the device. He tilts his head, the brightness of the screen a bit jarring in the darkness. ]

Phone? [ He repeats, the simple word sounding foreign on his tongue. ] Fascinating. [ It looks a lot sleeker than most asuran tech, and he has a feeling it can do more than just play music, especially with a screen like that. He holds out his hand, a quiet ask for permission to get a better look at it. ]

[pactmarshal]

[ In the second that Eustace lets his anger show, Trahearne wonders if there was something he should have noticed ahead of time but slipped his notice. Eight guests sounds a lot more reasonable for a man like Eustace.

But when the explanation comes and he hands the list back, he eases and a lopsided smile crosses his face. ]

It seems as though your wolf had other ideas for your party. [ He takes the paper, folding it back up. ] I would say that I would contact you the next time something out of character happens like this, but I earnestly hope this is your only bachelor party.

[ Please don't divorce Tifa. ]

[removal]

[ Phantom listens attentively. He's not familiar with some of these terms, even through Songerein's magical language translation. There are plenty of stories about the twin moons in Terra, but those are just stories. ]

You managed to visit the moon? That sounds very impressive.

[ Unfortunately, Terran people have too much to deal with on the ground to bother looking up at the skies. ]

[stillarhino]

[He hands it over easily for Trahearne to peruse after placing it on the home screen. Considering the people here seem to have been pulled from all sorts of worlds and walks of life, Beat figures that he's probably never seen one of them before.]

Yeah, everyone's got one back where I'm from. You can watch things and play games on it. You can even talk to others like we do in the journals. [A frustrated sigh follows.] It's better if we got net on it but there ain't none a' that here.

[The music continues to play as they talk before fading out and playing the next song on the list. It's one of the few times that Beat isn't wearing his headphones on his head or around his neck, having left it home for the night.]

let the good times roll

[stillarhino]

Considering there was no internet or network connectivity in Reverein, all Beat had to work with when it came to music was whatever he had saved on his phone prior to his arrival in the dream world. It wasn't a lot to work with, especially when it came to party tunes, but he made do with what he had.

It was while he tinkered with his phone to play something that he hears the music coming from Alastor. Immediately craning his attention away from the screen and toward the source of the noise, his knit together in confusion. Just where was that music coming from?

"Yo," he starts off candidly to get Alastor's attention. "How're you doin' that? With the music?"

[lonelysmiles]

Hmm...Give me a moment, will you?

[Alastor begins rifling through his music library again, hunting for something that's upbeat but not crazy. He finally settles on a series of jazz piano pieces.]

Better?

[lonelysmiles]

Old habit, my dear! Old habit! Hic! Was old 'nuff ta start drinkin' durin' Prohibition. Less yer at home where it's safe to knock a few too many back, you practice mod'ration at the -- hiccup! -- speakeasy ta not get caught!

[He'd only gone to one of those a handful of times. His "other hobby" was risky enough. He didn't need more reasons for the law to look his way.]

[Setting down his glass for the moment, he takes the sandwich. He gives it an appreciative sniff before taking a bite. Those fangs do an excellent job of cutting through it without issue. He takes his time chew and swallow before using the napkin to catch some of the excess juice.]

Delightful! An' this is some o' that honey glaze?

You and me both!

[lonelysmiles]

"I did! I just hope it's enough!"

The shadow creatures carrying the basket of bottles eagerly headed towards Trahearne. They didn't like having to be careful with all the glassware inside.

Alastor's smile was positively beaming. "Finished the beignets before packing them up. they're best hot from the fryer, after all! The biscuits and cornbread could stand a little warming up but otherwise should be fine. This..." He nodded to the covered cast iron pot (arguably a small cauldron) in his hands. "...has been simmering since last night, so it should be about ready to eat though I'd keep it over heat. Letting it simmer longer just enhances the flavor of a good old-fashioned gumbo!"

...Yeah, someone was a liiiiittle overexcited.