⨂ 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

Eustace

[flamekthunder]

[GENERAL BUG EUSTACE THREAD HERE.

He'll just be chilling, sometimes helping grill things, playing with the dogs—basically just being his usual quiet self. He will also be camping out in the open. Tent, psh, he doesn't need it. Just his sleeping bag and his dogs...and Flamek within reach. Can never be too careful after all. Someone may need to tell him to go sleep later because old habits die hard and he would definitely stay up on watch duty.]

[lonelysmiles]

If it isn't the man of the hour! Enjoying your last few days of bachelorhood?

[flamekthunder]

[A light grin.]

I think those days are already long behind me.

[lonelysmiles]

[Alastor tilts his head curiously before understanding dawns.]

Ah, I see. I suppose it is the norm for more modern generations to live together prior to marriage. Still, I've heard it's supposed to be profoundly bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding.

[flamekthunder]

I believe that's only for the night before or day of. But we're not really so...

...

[It's clear that Eustace was just going to be dismissive about it. But then he considers where they are.

He then considers his own rotten luck in this place.

...

.....

Fuck— THANKS ALASTOR NOW HE HAS TO THINK ABOUT THIS he doesn't want to not be with Tifa are you kidding him—]

[removal]

[ Phantom is not unused to camping outdoors. After all, he worked many years as a freelance assassin. What bothers him more is that there are other people around, far more than he is usually accustomed to. He pitches his tent at the very edge of the clearing, far away from the noise and the fire... but he doesn't seem like he'll sleep just yet, even after most people have settled down.

Instead, he appears by Eustace's tent, making sure to walk over visibly instead of using his stealth to vanish and startle him. Phantom is nocturnal and doesn't sleep much, so he doesn't look tired at all. ]

Do you have a moment? Let us go and look at the stars.

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace is. Also surprised by the number, but he's just accepted it and in many ways is a bit thoughtful about it. Hearing Phantom's approach and at the offer, this a bit of relief there. While in the end he had found everything fairly enjoyable, it was definitely louder and rowdier than he would have expected.]

Sure. I know of a decent spot not too far from here.

[Of course, at least one furry friend will want to tag along, the rest scattered about at the moment to bug any others still awake.]

[removal]

[ If anything, Phantom is amazed at the number of connections that Eustace has forged while in Songerein. He hopes that these bonds will help to keep him grounded from now on. ]

Thank you.

[ He follows Eustace to the spot, not minding the corgi that would come with them. Once they arrive, Phantom sits down on the ground, and Miss Christine appears out of the shadows of his cloak. He looks up, letting the silence sink in for a while before speaking. ]

The stars are beautiful, are they not? I would never be able to see them this clearly back home.

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace leans back as he settles down on the ground, Cadoc resting next to him with his head against his leg. Idly petting the corgi's back, Eustace looks up.]

Is that so? I would often go out to find open places to stare up at the night sky...

[A small pause as he studies the stars for a bit. They are a bit more familiar now, but...]

It's strange how different the skies are here.

[He remembers how foreign it felt, how out momentarily out of place it all was. The familiar skies he had grew up in no longer there... It was probably the first and only time he felt vulnerable being in a different world separated from everyone else.]

[pactmarshal]

[ As the sun sets and Trahearne begins to glow, he seeks out Eustace. He approaches the lone wolf with a knowing smile.

This has turned out to be...a party. More than he's used to participating in, and he knows it's more than what Eustace was expecting. He knew, Eustace. He knew.

With a pointed look, he holds out one of the cold, freshly-opened beers to Eustace. ]

[flamekthunder]

[And with a bit of a wry look in return, he takes the beer...before eying Trahearne for a moment.]

Is this your doing?

[pactmarshal]

[ His mouth curls into a deeper, drier smile. As his arm comes to hang limply at his side, he points the lip of the bottle to his friend. ]

I only did as you told me--reached out to all on the list you provided me. Don't tell me you're surprised.

[flamekthunder]

Then why are there more than I had written?

...Not that I'm truly complaining since I know them, but the final list was a bit smaller.

[Still sizable for his preferences, but. He thought it would have been more manageable.]

[disdelusioned]

[Toward the end of the night, Diluc sits down next to Eustace.]

I don't think it should be left to the man of the hour to stay up for the night watch.

[Hello yes, same habit. He sees what you're doing there.]

[flamekthunder]

[It's a hard one to let go.]

Similarly, I feel a guest shouldn't have to either.

[And then a small dismissive wave of his hand.]

It's fine. I wouldn't be able to sleep for a while, anyway.

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc lets out a slight, almost-amused huff.]

Maybe we should have discussed watches before it got too late.

I won't be sleeping for a bit yet, either, if you don't mind company.

[refire]

Hey! I'm glad I made it! I came here with your sword!

[It's wrapped up in a pretty bow and tied together with flowers. How neat. ]

This is the right weapon, isn't it? It'd be awful if I came all this way only to get the wrong measurements.

[flamekthunder]

[Eustace is a bit surprised for several reason, but the main one will be the sword delivery.]

...No, this looks about right as we had discussed. Thank you, Alphen.

[And he'll reach out to take it....and start removing the bow and flowers so he can do a few test swings.]

[refire]

Allow me to say congratulations. I thought it might be too weird to give a sword as wedding gift but you seem to like it.

How's it feel?

[He's taking that thing out for a test drive.]

[noblegarnet]

[While also playing with the dogs, fairly early on in the day:]

There are more people here than I'd expect for you.

[He's including himself.]

[flamekthunder]

[Ha ha...ha.]

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

[noblegarnet]

A mix-up, huh...

[Hey, what's that supposed to mean? Ferran pauses and blinks for a moment, but answers:]

I'm not so rude that I'd ignore an invitation, you know.

[It's a big deal, bachelor parties. Supposedly.]

[stillarhino]

[At some point in the night, Eustace will hear rustling by a nearby tree. Prior to the party, Beat and Trahearne made sure that the campsite had been secure, but perhaps something had wandered back in.

Investigate?]

[flamekthunder]

[He hears that rustling... It could just be a normal animal, or it could be something else. And while this place is filled with people who could take care of any threat that wandered in, it's only natural that he would take a look at it on his own first.

So with no one else noticing, he slips off to investigate...]

[stillarhino]

[The rustling stops every once in a while. Then it would continue, slowly making its way from the center of the tree, moving further out towards the edges of the branch. The activity occurs at least a good ten to twelve feet off the ground and the movement is enough to shake off a few leaves from the branches, falling to the forest ground.

Upon closer inspection, a few grunts can be heard and a red and black sneaker would occasionally slip to peek past the branches before disappearing among the foliage once more.]