⨂ 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

[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—]

[lonelysmiles]

[Would you believe, Eustace, that for once Alastor is not trying to troll or otherwise be a massive dick?]

[His head remains tilted as one ear twitches.]

You're not really so what?

[flamekthunder]

......Superstitious.

[....UUUGGH.]

There wouldn't be such a thing here, would it...?

[His voice is a low mutter, but still loud enough to be heard. It's clear he's actually thinking about this now.]

[lonelysmiles]

[Um...oops?]

One can never say for certain in a place where there are days when the forecast calls for starfish!

[He's not helping, is he?]

[flamekthunder]

[No. He is not. Groooan.]

What other common superstitions are there?

[Normally this would be a stupid question for him to ask—but he's looking at Alastor with dead seriousness. He needs to take all the precautions.]

[lonelysmiles]

You're asking a life- and afterlife-long bachelor about wedding superstitions. Give me a moment.

[This isn't as easy as rifling through his vast music library or his repertoire of recipes.]

For the bride, it's good luck to have something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue incorporated into her attire. Though there's another line about a sixpence in her shoe, but American money doesn't have that so it's generally dropped where I'm from.

[His eyes narrow a bit in concentration.]

It's bad luck to get married in a church near an uncovered, open grave.

[And his ears momentarily flatten down.]

And apparently if one catches the bouquet or garter when either is thrown, they will be the next to get married.

[And, good Lord, he'd made tracks the moment that tradition had reared its ugly head at the last wedding he'd been invited to.]

[flamekthunder]

[Is that his journal in his hand? Yes. Yes it is. He is taking notes. His brows does furrow at hearing "American money" but he can only assume it's a currency in Alastor's world. Church near an uncovered open grave...

...

WELL the Corgi Tree is isn't a church and there's only one well kept grave in the back there so should be fine??? Should be fine.

At the last bit, he just speaks without looking up.]

It'll just be the bouquet.

[Like hell he'd let anyone touch any piece of Tifa's wardrobe especially a fairly private piece and ESPECIALLY any other man—]

[lonelysmiles]

I can't say I'd be disappointed about that.

[If he'd been the one to catch the garter by accident, he would've dropped it like it was on fire.]

It might be best to ask around. As I said before, I lived and died a bachelor and maintain that status in the afterlife. I never really looked into the superstitions much since I had no interest in ever kneeling at the altar myself.

[flamekthunder]

[A small dismissive wave of his hand as he jots a few notes and reminders for himself.]

It's fine, at the very least you made me aware of some possibilities I hadn't considered before now, so I'll look into it myself as well.

[And then a snap of the journal shut before it disappears.]

Any particular reason why you were never interested in marriage?

[lonelysmiles]

Typically to get married, one would need to have interest in another person to do so. I've never felt romantic love before nor have I had any interest in the carnal pleasures one might find in a partner. Any of the supposed benefits of marriage are wasted on me.

[flamekthunder]

[A small nod.]

Makes sense. I was once like that as well.

{But he's not going to be one of those people who try to urge finding love or whatever. If it happens, it happens. And if someone's not interested, then that's that.]

Regardless, I appreciate you coming along to celebrate.

[lonelysmiles]

Just because I've no interest in such things myself doesn't mean I don't enjoy a good celebration, my friend! [Alastor's grin is a mile wide.] I was delightfully surprised when I received my invitation!

[flamekthunder]

[He's a little surprised by Alastor's own reaction.]

Oh?

[He wouldn't have imagined the demon would take much importance for something he himself finds a bit more trivial.]

[lonelysmiles]

[Alastor gives an eager nod.]

Why, it's been decades since I received an invitation to a party rather than it being open to everyone or just party-crashing due to boredom!

[Which is one reason he got a bit overexcited and brought arguably way too much food.]

[flamekthunder]

...I see.

[There's a thoughtful look before a small, rueful smile appears.]

While I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, I'm afraid you won't find this all too exciting.

[lonelysmiles]

Good food, good company, and good drink are the most important ingredients at any celebration. And good music!

[And Alastor is just going to play a few bars of a rather bouncy, stride piano cover of "I Got Rhythm" to demonstrate.]

[flamekthunder]

Only thanks to you. Phantom is more classically inclined... Beat would be the only other one I would expect to try and play music here.

[lonelysmiles]

Why not play music? [And he's going to soften the volume so he can continue to talk and play it at the same time.] It's supposed to be a party after all!

[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.]

[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?

[flamekthunder]

[There's a small look of surprise before he listens carefully to the music, eyes briefly closing as a small smile faintly forms.]

Hmm... Yeah, this is good. What kind of music is it?

[lonelysmiles]

Jazz, same as before. Different subgenre, but jazz piano is always easy on the ears.

[He twitches his own for emphasis.]

I'll take that question to mean this is your first time hearing it.

[flamekthunder]

While I believe there is something similar back in my world, I admit I don't really pay too much attention to music often.

[Mr. Peace and Quiet over here.]

[lonelysmiles]

Could be your world's version leans more towards the "big band" or "swing" subgenres: faster, more intended for energetic dancing.

[flamekthunder]

[A small thoughtful nod.]

It's possible. As opposed to this which I assume is for more casual listening.