songerein | ⨂ Eustace's Bach--er, Camping Party ⨂

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⨂ Eustace's Bach--er, Camping Party ⨂

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 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?

[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'.

[ 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. ]

[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.]

[ Trahearne, in fact, has never seen anything like this before! When Beat places the device in his hand, he places his open, yet-untouched bottle of beer on the grass between them.

It's weighty, but not too light. All the writing and symbols--though entirely foreign to him--are clear, even in the nighttime. He pokes the screen, and watches with fascination as another menu opens up. He doesn't know what any of these things do, but it's incredible nonetheless. If only he could show this to people at home! ]

Small, but multifunctional. [ He is far past paying attention to the music. Now he pokes at random places on the screen. ] Life must be quite convenient if everyone has one of these. Reverein's rustic lifestyle must have been quite the shock to you.

[ It was rustic for even Trahearne. He realized quite quickly that asuran magitech and charr steam technology had him spoiled. ]

Hell yeah. Phones ain't even the half a' it. I ain't used to not havin' internet, or, hell, even just a train to get from place to place.

[It's amusing watching the other man try to navigate the device, not knowing what each gesture does. At some point the music is replaced by the main menu of a mobile game called Elegant Strategy.]

Careful with that, I ain't gettin' any updates but I don't wanna start that game from scratch either.

[Now he understood how Nagi felt being away from the next chapters of the game while they were stuck in the UG.

But while Beat's attention is on the conversation with Trahearne, there is a moment when his gaze settles on the bottle of beer that is laid on the ground. It seemed to still be full, and he can't help but wonder if Trahearne had any plans to partake. He ponders asking about it, but only for a quick second.]

You ain't drinkin' that?

[ What Beat says marginally registers in Trahearne's mind as he stares at the screen, all the colors and noises and moving images. It's very sleek, even though he doesn't quite understand what he's looking at. Internet? Train? It doesn't sound like training-train, must be a mode of transport.

His mind is whirring, taking in all this new information, when Beat snaps him out of it with a question. ]

Oh, no. I don't think I want another beer tonight. [ He glances down at the beer, then back to the phone. ] I haven't touched it--you're welcome to it.

[A mischievous grin forms on Beat's lips as he reaches down for the bottle. It isn't as if he intends to pull a fast one on Trahearne. But he can't just let it go to waste, right?]

Thanks, yo.

[He reaches down and takes it and just like that, Trahearne handling his phone is the furthest thing from his mind.

The drink is cool in his hand and he brings it to his lips to take a large sip. It's more bitter than he originally expected, but he takes another sip, getting more than halfway through the bottle in an instant. Warmth courses through his body, his cheeks and ears flushing as a result.]

Ah, that hits the spot. You sure you ain't havin' more?

[ Trahearne only gives a hum in response to Beat's thanks--his attention is too focused on the colors and the tiny buttons and everything else to watch Beat chug the alcohol. He trusts Beat to be able to hold his alcohol.

Unfortunately, he is going to learn his mistakes the hard way.

As his attention is drawn back up, he looks in mild shock at the half-empty bottle. ]

You went through that quickly. And I'm sure--I may grab something else later, however. Perhaps when you're finished with that.

[ With a mild smile, he returns to his game... He still hasn't figured it out yet. Both the game and that he's made a BIG MISTAKE. ]

Edited 2022-11-21 17:39 (UTC)

[Over the next few minutes, Beat stares back at his phone in Trahearne's hands, offering help while subconsciously sipping more and more of the beer all the while. The initial sip had been bitter as hell, but as time went on, he found it tastes a little bit better.]

Nah, nah, you gotta get the power-up so you can make one a' your guys stronger!

[He doesn't mean to backseat game but he can't help it. After raising the bottle to take another swig, he finds it empty.]

Huh? Yo, I didn't think I'd finish it that fast. [He nudges Trahearne with his elbow to get his attention away from the game.] You said you'd get one more a' these when I'm done, right?

[ Trahearne is...mostly patient with the backseat gaming. Beat telling him what to do often conflicts with his own urge to tap stuff at random, and anything he doesn't like him telling him is usually met with a sidelong glance and active defiance. Sorry, Beat.

But the suggestion to get more drinks is answered with a smile, and Trahearne returning Beat's phone to him. ]

Certainly. I'll be right back.

[ And Trahearne isn't gone very long. He returns with two cups in hand, both filled with a moderate amount of whisky. It's not beer, but much more potent. With a smile, he hands one to Beat. ]

[He doesn't seem too bothered by Trahearne doing differently. Honestly, he would've done the same if Nagi told him how to play EleStra after she finally convinced him to give it a shot as well.

He takes the glass when Trahearne hands it to him. But before he drinks what was offered, he stands up and holds it out to the other man.]

Yo, hold up, I've always wanted to do this. [And he clinks his glass against Trahearne's.] Kanpai!

[ Oh! That's a nice little surprise. ]

Cheers. [ He says this with a smile, clinking his glass to Beat's. ] To Eustace.

[ He hasn't forgotten why they're here.

As he sits down on the grass, Trahearne hopes to make a little small talk over their drinks. ]

Is that how you call a toast where you're from?

To Wolfie!

[Beat sits back down with Trahearne, his other hand still holding onto the phone just in case.]

Yeah. Ain't ever done it 'fore so I figure I could now.

[He takes a whiff of the drink. Although he expected another beer, he wasn't about to complain now. Not with how accommodating Trahearne has been about all this.

Then suddenly, without any hesitation, Beat brings it to his lips and takes gulp after gulp of the whiskey, downing the entire glass in one go. Immediately his mouth becomes warm, moving downward as the drink travels down his throat. Now, this was nothing like the beer from earlier.

There's a crazed look on his face as he brings his head back down, slamming the glass against his knee.]

Yo, that one's got a real kick to it!

[ At first, Trahearne thinks it kind of sweet, that Beat wanted to shout "cheers" because he never had the chance to before. Not everyone has the experience of giving a toast, of course, or is the one to initiate a toast. He can sort of sympathize.

But as he brings the glass to his lips for a sip, watching as Beat relentlessly downs it as though it was beer, a sinking feeling overcomes him. His eyes widen as he watches. Things are not going to end well for Beat. ]

Yes. That's whisky.

[ He says this in a matter-of-fact manner, as though stating the obvious. He isn't annoyed or angry with him, though. When he asks, there's more worry in his tone than anything else. ]

Have you never had it before, Beat?

[He shuts his eyes for a few moments, wincing slightly as he feels the lingering burn of the liquid down his throat. But he shakes his head in reply before opening his eyes once more.]

Whisky, huh? Naw, never had this before.

[He realizes that he almost slips but tries not to bring more attention than to it. Considering this was his first foray into drinking alcohol, he didn't want it to be too short-lived either. But it was odd that a part of him didn't seem to care much about getting caught either.

But that didn't matter right now. He just had to play along.]

Yo, was I not supposed to do that?

[ Trahearne isn't suspicious about his age--naturally, as a sylvari, it's not the first thing he thinks about--but that Beat might get sick if he treats it like beer. ]

Whisky is much stronger than beer. You may find yourself regretting your actions if you continue to drink it like that.

[ Absently, he swirls his own glass in his hand. ]

Pace yourself. I would eat something if I were you.

[ As much as he doesn't want a drunk teenager on his hands, little does he know... ]

Yeah, no kiddin' it's stronger, yo.

[He lets out a laugh that's a little louder than he intends or seems to realize. With the alcohol slowly beginning to slip in, he can't help begin to feel a little buzzed.]

Thanks for the tip but I ain't hungry. Hell, I'm just getting started. [He raises the glass once more.] Where can I get more a' this?

[ When Beat laughs, Trahearne frowns and places his glass down, almost in an attempt to equalize. And he plucks Beat's glass from his hand when he raises it. ]

You can have more after you eat.

[ Is that his firstborn voice? It is. The tone he uses with misbehaving saplings or Nightmare Courtiers. Get big brother'd, Beat. ]

You stay here. I'll get you something.

[ And Trahearne gets up, both glasses in hand, and goes to where all the food is to get Beat something. That said, the drinks aren't all that hard to find... ]

Yo, what gives?

[There's a bit of a huff from Beat as Trahearne walks away with the glass. But Beat has never been one to sit around and not do anything. Especially not when he sets his mind to something. So, unfortunately for Trahearne, he does the exact opposite of what he was told and wanders off looking for more alcohol.

Upon Trahearne's return, he'll find Idris sniffing around the area Beat had been sitting at, looking for his usual playmate/dog walker. Should he search for Beat, he can be found crouched over the chest that was brought along for the night, another already-opened beer in hand.]

Edited (I didn't wike a word.) 2022-12-01 16:47 (UTC)

[ Trahearne returns with pulled pork on a bun and a small helping of vegetables. When he sees Beat missing, any frustration or anger he might have quickly gives way to a sigh. Of course. He should have brought Beat with him instead.

After regarding Idris briefly, he scans the campgrounds...and does indeed find Beat by the drinks.

He strides over, food in hand, bright yellow eyes set on the boy. ]

Beat. [ He comes to stand beside him, staring down at him. ] I told you to stay put. You'll make yourself sick.

[It's only when Trahearne is by his side that Beat realizes that he wasn't alone. But instead of fighting or running away, he stands back up with another unopened bottle of beer in his other hand.]]

Took you long enough, Nightlight! Here! [Just like that, he shoves the unopened bottle into Trahearne's free hand so he could reach for the bun. He takes a huge bite of it, taking large swigs of beer in between. The vegetables remain untouched.]

Nah, nah, no one's gonna get sick, yo. 'Specially me. I ain't ever sick.

[He even points towards himself with his thumb, causing some of the beer to spill out of the lip and splash onto him.]

Oops. My bad, yo.

[ "I ain't never sick"? Famous last words.

Trahearne places the unopened bottle of beer at his feet, not really interested in drinking it. He gives Beat a flat look. ]

Sit down and slow down. [ His personal rule about touching be damned--Trahearne reaches to place his hand on Beat's back, forcibly turning him back to where they were sitting. ] Come. Let's go back to our spot. I promise you'll have more fun if you pace yourself.

[Beat finds himself mid-chew when Trahearne urges him to head back by the fire. He lets out an audible grumble as he moves forward and around so he wasn't like he was being herded back.]

Slow down? [He actually sounds insulted by that.] It's like you don't even know me, yo. I ain't built for slowin' down, yo.

[And, looking Trahearne straight in the eye, he takes another defiant swig of his beer.]

[ Trahearne only stares back flatly as Beat looks at him. Regardless, he doesn't break his stride as he gently herds him back to their spot by the fire. ]

You're right. I don't know you.

[ He takes that defiance and spins it right back at him. ]

But a Beat that can scarcely talk or sit up because he's too drunk to hold a conversation isn't the Beat I want to get to know.

[ He points to their spot on the ground, waiting for Beat to go first. ]

⨂ Eustace's Bach--er, Camping Party ⨂

campfire a!!

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wrap soon??

yes I think we're close! also 1/3

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