Jakem’s Skate Challenge and Party!

August 2, 2025

Date: 2025-08-01 17:14

(Jakem’s Skate Challenge and Party!)

[Fri Aug 1 2025]

At A rooftop

It is afternoon, about 71F(21C) degrees, and there are clear skies. The mist is heaviest At Birch and Sidney/span>/span“He gets it from me.” Annabelle nods of August’s competence on wheels.

All the ruse is up, August was born with wheels for feet. He lands off the leap with a flip, and holds his hands out on either side in a pose of the messiah – but he’s turning right back on around to approach the ramp a second time. “I need to get my spider, I’ll get back in a heartbeat.” Playing to the crowd, August winks at Matthew, then, lets himself drop off the edge.

Matthew pulls a face as he drinks that booze, “Good god!” He coughs, looking about before he returns his cup right back where it came from. Nobody saw that, right? Just to be sure he pushes off on his board, making for one of the ramps.

Sophie had pushed off with a swift kick, coasting smoothly down the ramp. Her knees have a natural bend, body leaning forward in practiced balance. She crests down and ends with a little hop – nothing flashy, just clean and easy. Without missing a beat, she kicks the board up into her hand, stepping off and snatching one of those special drinks. — shoulda posed. Whoopse.

Sofia shrugs over to Annabelle and says, “I have noooo idea what’s going on still, but hey, glad I’m not dead too.” There’s a bit of an idle glance around as she starts rifling curiously through the food, seeing what’s available and plucking at a bit.

Matthew uses a black skateboard: Basic trick: A simple board jump, brief grind, or spinning the board under you such as a shove it.

Lola uses a black rollerblades: Impressive trick: One good trick to impress the onlookers, then glide on out of it.

“I shall spread the tale far and wide of your being not dead.” Genevieve promises Sofia.

“No, let them underestimate me,” Sofia tells Genevieve after housing a slider, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. “I prefer people to think I’m dead and then be surprised.”

Watching everyone’s reaction to the alcohol, Annabelle takes off her helmet with its regular pulling of her hair, and tucks it under her arm- trading it for a cap she reverses like Ash Ketchum for all the lives she’ll need to catch from teetering off the edge. “These waffles probably have, like, ecstasy or something don’t they?”

Genevieve says “I don’t think you should Urgh when you’re going down on someone doll.“

Sophie says “Fuck..that’s Kai.“

Casey clears the jump, like so many others have but when the wheels touch the rooftop she slips right off the board, crashing hard on her knees to skid across the rooftop, tearing open her fishnets some more at the knees, some skin. The palms of her hands. She stays down, on hands and knees after her crash, both in pain and embarrassed by her ungraceful arrival.

Sofia tells Cristal easily, “Annabelle helped too!” She nods to indicate Annabelle, who she tells, “I dunno, maybe, but I think the sliders tasted not dosed.” She points to the pork sliders.

Sophie says “Need a hand at all? “

Matthew and Sophie seem to be having an exchange of faces and gestures and it’s resulting in his sudden laughter. “This not for wings,” he decides and then prepares to do another trick, pushing off for more speed.

Matthew uses a black skateboard: Basic trick: A simple board jump, brief grind, or spinning the board under you such as a shove it.

Sophie says “Yes. “

Matthew hears someone and then calls up that way, “Oh hey, Acting Warden, we should totally meet up and have a chat again!”

Malin snickers at Genevieve, but mostly gets distracted by her phone for a bit, although she does make sure to watch Matthew and his tricks.

Sophie giggles at Matthew and then becomes a little distracted with her comms.

Annabelle gives suspicion to the pork sliders, taking just one and giving it a nibble.

Jakem lifts his hands, clapping for Casey as she makes the jump, but not the landing “Well done, and welcome to the real party!” he says in a booming announcers voice.

Annabelle nearly sobs with relief, cocking her head to the side for an invisible hand to hold her cheek. “I’m so glauhd I didn’t just willingly eat narcotics.”

“Is it just me or does almost every social event these days have mountains of food?” Genevieve wonders as she lazily skates around a little, “I think maybe it’s a conspiracy by the vampires to fatten us all up or something.”

Matthew hears Alice and then calls up that way, “Oh hey, Acting Warden, we should totally meet up and have a chat again!” He shoots his friendliest, if not predatory, smile up towards the ramp.

Casey collects herself off the ground, brushing her bloodied knees lightly while sucking at her teeth at how much it stings. She recovers from the embarassment by looking up at someone at the welcome and telling him, “I guess its not a good party unless my knees get bruised by the end of it.” then she gives a pained, yet mischievous smile.

Casey collects herself off the ground, brushing her bloodied knees lightly while sucking at her teeth at how much it stings. She recovers from the embarassment by looking up at Jakem at the welcome and telling him, “I guess its not really a good party unless my knees get bruised by the end of it.” then she gives a pained, yet mischievous smile.

Matthew glances at his phone then winks at Sophie. “Okay, what kinda tricks can you do?” he asks of her.

Sophie tilts her head at Matthew, “You’ll have to find out sometime.”

Malin just kind of rolls frontwards and back idly as she finishes up some work on her phone. She glances over at Genevieve, then at the food. “I don’t know what most of them like, but Mab definitely doesn’t like cholesterol in her food. I feel like she’d give us vegan options and make us run on a treadmill first.”

Jakem calls out across the party “My friends, my fellow Havenites, my skate related enthusiasts, feel free to enjoy all this rooftop has to offer, but be wary. There is a hatch leading down into the depths of the abode that may be dangerous to explore.” he says, ignoring how dangerous it may have been to get here of course.

“Take it you’re not much experienced in the drug category? They can be fun if you have someone looking after you, taking care of you, used responsibly and all. But probably not something to go into blindly.” Sofia glances over to Cristal with a smirk and asks, “What are we talking, like, whiskey, vodka, gin, and tequila mixed? I’ve played that drinking game before.”

“That’s a good point.” Genevieve admits to Malin, “But I’m sure there has to be some kind of monster that wants you fat before it eats you right? Maybe witches?”

Annabelle gives the beer an apology of scrutiny, though it is meager and quickly forgotten as she looks back across the gap at the New Haven relationship goals.

“Where abouts is the hatch?” Genevieve wonders of Jakem after a moment of looking around.

Cristal blinks at Sofia. “Wha? Nuh, I sell drugs. I just ain’t drug up the waffles. These pure crispy yum yums.” She points at one of the booze drinks, “Always a lil different. We put in all the extra bits we got at the bar, this time a lil bit of all but extra on the tequila.”

Matthew shakes his head, faining disappointment at Sophie’s refusal for the time being. “Laaaaaaaaaame,” he teases and then glances towards Malin already shifting his weight like he’s about to launch himself into another trick, all showmanship and swagger, attempting to show-off for her.

Jakem addendums “Oh, and there’s no fence or guard rails on the edge, so make sure not to accidentally plumet to the ground below. Wonderbrand skate parks are not liable for any injuries, as the pavement that will be striking you is decidedly the city’s responsibility and any injury it causes falls under government liability, or so Derek has assured me.”

Matthew uses a black skateboard: Basic trick: A simple board jump, brief grind, or spinning the board under you such as a shove it.

Sofia apologizes to Cristal as she totally meant to direct that first sentence to Annabelle

“Oh, like in Hansel and Gretel?” Malin says to Genevieve, questioning, but already knowing. “Or maybe a Wendigo. Or a sentient house plant.” She looks over at Matthew. “Look at you, stud. Look at you go.”

Jakem looks to Genevieve “I think it’s off on the east side of the house somewhere? But again, I do NOT recomend going down the hatch, finding a locked door directedly leading from the attic into the main house, and knocking loudly upon it no less than three times.”

Sophie says “I know I’m still not that good but I’m gonna head out to be nearby if ya need.“

“Take it you’re not much experienced in the drug category? They can be fun if you have someone looking after you, taking care of you, used responsibly and all. But probably not something to go into blindly.” Sofia glances over to Annabelle questioningly, before turning back to Cristal with a smirk and asks, “What are we talking, like, whiskey, vodka, gin, and tequila mixed? I’ve played that drinking game before.” -fix

August uses a black rollerblades: Wipeout: You attempted something, but landed on knees, face, or rear.

“You’re definitely getting better.” Genevieve encourages Matthew.

Sophie winces and gives August a smile.

Malin winces as August ends up on his knees, and proceeds to pretend like she did not witness the failure.

Jakem claps vehemently for August “Marvelously done. Most here landed on their boards, but you have performed a trick unique amongst our partygoers by landing on not one, but two rears!”

Matthew looks less impressed with his trick than Malin seems to be, he’s even kind of glowering over it, but then August wipes out and well… at least he’s not him! He rolls over to the Pierce, offering up a hand, “WOuld you like a hand up, tiger?”

“Last time August did a crazy good trick and didn’t fall over at all.” Genevieve assures Arachne.

And in comes August Riding on the wind with Arachne in his arms, a leap of faith across the vast expanse with the intention to land on his feet. But alas, he’s carrying a spiderling, and his secondary arrival doesn’t happen in the same manner as it did with none of the flair. He lands, skids, and then wipes out on his rear to skid and slide, rather painfully – but Arachne is kept from the fall and the harm it would bring anyway while he winces and hisses under his breath.

Annabelle shakes her head to Sofia and takes an unnecessary step away from the to flying in. “Nope. Nightingale Pledge. I won’t knowingly take unprescribed medication. That’s mal-practice.” She insists, repeating that word like a saving grace. “It messes with your brain chemicals. You don’t want those messed with unless you need it, and more often than not people get a half-solution and wholly mess themselves up.”

a party that offers cigarettes as party favors is certainly a party for Casey, bloodied knee and scraped palms are not enough to stop the emo-femme from finding the cigarettes and taking two for herself, one for now and one to hide in the cleavage of her tank top

Genevieve applauds for August, “And they say chivalry is dead.”

Annabelle politely marches over to the poor rear-ended August and the lapful Arachne, and gives them each a awful while they’re at their lowest, “I hope this is a memory you will cherish. You’re both cool, good job.”

Arachne shrieks a raw and broken sound, her hands clawing at August’s sleeves as the ground vanishes beneath them in the aerial jump. Her sobs come fast, shaking her whole body, clinging to him in blind, visceral terror. “Please, please, please!” she cries, mascara streaking as she kicks and thrashes in his arms, only to be twisted and tucked away from the inevitable wipeout, frozen, sitting up, skittering off August in shock.

Annabelle has given waffles, no awfuls, oops.

Sofia gives Annabelle a doubtful little look at the ‘mal-practice’ statement, though still appears amused with the corners of her mouth curled up, and says: “I don’t know, sometimes learning about things first hand is valuable. As long as it’s done safely of course.” Her distraction is pulled however by August and Arachne and their dramatic, crashing entry, and she blinks a few times and says, “Here I was thinking I had the roughest entry so far.” She glances down to her still-healing scratches on her bicep, flicking a spare grain of dirt out of the disappearing wounds.

August’s hand lifts to the sky, breath torn out of him with the weight of Arachne driving it out of his lungs with her briefly on his chest, but he’s skittering off, and he remains limp, for the moment. His hand drops, dramatically. He’s possibly not -that- hurt, but he plays for the crowd. “It’s too late for me,” and his hand lays over his heart, head tilted to the floor, wheezing. “Save the arachnid, she’s an endangered species.”

Lola uses a black rollerblades: Basic trick: Something simple but exciting to behold.

“Is it too soon to start harvesting his organs?” Malin asks anyone who will listen as blue eyes find August in his theatrical state.

Matthew look over towards Arachne, something verging on delighted by her terror and he launches his board in her direction, offering out a hand as though he means to catch and glide alongside with her. “Yo Cuz, you should do that again!”

“I’m pretty sure the sooner you harvest the better it is actually.” Genevieve tells Malin, “But also probably the Pierces all have the right to their organs signed away from birth.”

Matthew uses a black skateboard: Impressive trick: You perform a reasonably impressive trick such as an Ollie 360 (handless jump and spin of the board), a high kickflip, or brief handstand.

Genevieve nudges Malin and nods to Matthew to ensure she doesn’t miss it. “I told you you were getting better.” She mentions to Matthew.

Matthew glances over his shoulder towards Malin, seeing if she saw his trick, a grateful smile in Genevieve’s direction.

Meanwhile, Lola skirts quietly around around the dance floor, occasionally twisting so that she rolls backwards on her rollerblades, holding her hat down to her head as her golden hair flutters about her. She seems genuinely free and happy, humming a quiet, ethereal tune to herself as she, eventually, closes her eyes and simply glides backwards, occasionally spinning to face the front, then back again, twisting her skates this way and that to form crisscrosses and zigzags.

Casey stays well away from the skating as if even being near the wheeled devices was dangerous let alone riding them. She finishes her smoke rather quickly then flicks the butt off the roof to be litter in the alleyway. She stays at the edge of the dance floor to watch the ongoing action as a bruised wallflower

“Hmm,” is hummed out past Malin’s plump lips as she hears out Genevieve. “Good point. But, also, maybe worth the risk to find out…” A glance is given to her handbag, with all of its various, random items, but Matthew is glancing at her, and she nods her approval. “Do you think you can rapoem at me while you do the next trick?”

Arachne brings a trembling hand up to wipe away the tears from her flushed cheeks, skillfully saving the remnants of her mascara as she attempts to steady her hiccupping breaths and stem her crying. “I’m fine,” she murmurs, scooting away from Annabelle in awkward decline of the wings, and while Matthew humiliates her further while laughing at her undignified handle of her fears. She swallows hard, turning her head away before tripping back to her feet after a few unsuccessful tries, searching for the exit.

“Does anyone want to come with me to go through that hatch and all that whatever that Jakem warned us not to do?” Genevieve wonders of nobody in particular.

“Uh, fuck yeah.” Casey tells Genevieve, flashing a grin

“Always,” Malin says to Genevieve about entering places she should not.

Jakem claps eagerly at Matthew’s display of prowess on the ramp. He seems completely unaware of Genevieve’s suggestion, almost aggressively so.

Delivery job complete, Annabelle’s black helm looks down for a solid eleven-seconds of black visor stare. The shoulders of this watching creature wilt and the voice, quieter, mumbles. “Kay. I think the hatch is just to the right here, (east).”

“I hope it’s like the hatch in Lost,” Malin muses.

“Where the hatch at?” Cristal pipes up.

“Honestly?” Lola asks Genevieve, skirting to a stop on the close end of the dance floor towards her with a wide grin, her eyes wide with excitement. “Yes! I bet that’s where he keeps the mushroom people- we should free them! And Mister Moo Cow!” she insists, clapping her hands together merrily.

Genevieve beckons for people to follow her.

Jakem calls over to Cristal “The hatch that people should absolutely not go down is on the east side of the roof.”

“I still shiver every time I hear the song Downtown play,” Malin is mentioning, and then glances at Lola. “Mushroom people?”

Sofia takes a waffle and starts wandering around on her own, bobbing her head from side ot side.

Matthew shoots Arachne an apologetic look, but for what, it’s hard to tell. Malin’s approval earns a smile from the Montrose but he shakes his head again, “That’s a skill level I lack,” he answers, laying hand to chest like he truly is apologetic for it. To Genevieve he says, “I’ll hatch with ya!”

“Spider, come on..” August pays no heed to the nefarious organ mob, and extends his hand up at Arachne while she’s standing back up. “You’re fine, don’t leave me here on my own.” Seeing as she’s trying to escape, though, August plants an elbow down and climbs up himself with a low, painful groan, in an effort to slide away and intercept, bump lightly to her side on the heel of his rollerblades and try to hook an arm around Arachne. “Stay.”

Malin pouts playfully at Matthew. “You do not lack it. You write me poems and raps, and you skate — you can do it at the same time.” Then she says, “I’ve never written anything for you… I’ve only Rickrolled you. Does that make me a bad girlfriend?”

Cristal glances to the east, curious.

Cristal decides when in Rome, or on a rooftop.

Jakem calls for no particular reason “The paint we used to decorate has been brought over here just in case people wanted to leave a momento.”

Annabelle makes sure to fasten her helmet tighter.

Annabelle holds her arms out and bends a leg up in a strange one-legged stance that’s hopping. “Take me, Miss Apizza. The time has come.”

Jakem jumps up and down, waving to the other side of the alley.

Sofia leans down to hoist Annabelle up over her shoulder in a haphazaard sling, and then, abandoning her skateboard, attempts to leap BACK the way they came, over the ramp.

Accepting the note from Matthew with a quizzical look, Marlow lifts her other hand toward Jakem, palm outward, looking expectant. “Good shit,” Marlow tells him. “Alice is a terrible name, have you considered a nickname of some sort?” Marlow wonders of Annabelle. “Just baijou,” she adds for Matthew. “Drink up, it’ll put some hair on your balls.”

Jakem looks to Marlow with a raise of his brow and a mischevious smirk “Didn’t feel like you could keep up with the youth and finish the course?” he asks. “Ah well, thanks for the ice!”

Genevieve squints at Marlow, “Sure, but you have a very nice car to risk getting all bent out of shape if you drive it.” She reasons.

Meanwhile Lola is far less graceful in her return- she gets a running jump on her rollerblades and clenches her eyes shut, squealing as she tries to parkour her way back over that massive gap between the roof tops. She sticks the landing, scooting across with her little rear end on her heels and her arms flailing as she goes fling halfway across the rooftop on wheels. “Oh gods I don’t know how I made that. Oh goodness. Oh my…

Jakem coughs, then laughs “It’s actually easier on the return trip without the skates.”

“I’m not much of a skater,” Marlow tells Jakem, lowering her hand when he leaves her hanging. “And the party is always where I’m at,” she adds matter of factly. “Would you visit me in the hospital, though?” Marlow asks Genevieve as she looks down at the note in her hand.

Annabelle looks to Alice, to Marlow, and then down at her feet where Marlow’ comment directs to. “Annabaleelee, Hannahbal, Anna, and sweetie have been given to me in the last week.” She supposes.

Alice nods her agreement to Hester, wiggling her phone and gesturing to it vaguely. “I’ll text you and we’ll meet up,” she promises, before grinning wide at Annabelle. “I’m sure some people can learn hypnotism from studying the occult,” Alice decrees, “But the best I’ve got is asking very nicely and fluttering my eyelashes. Doesn’t always work.” If she’s offended by the words flying around, it doesn’t show on her face.

Matthew doesn’t need to be told twice to drink up and he takes one of those shots from the bucket. “My balls thank you,” he assures Marlow, grinning, and then turns to check out what’s going on beyond the ramp.

“What the fuck is that?” Marlow points eastward, toward a gas-masked figure approaching.

“That’s what mom told me. I don’t really understand what Miss Kane means.” Annabelle equivocates without conclusion to Alice. “I dunno. I’ll ask Kilometer. He seems pretty wise.”

“We drew ancient runes and summoned it,” Matthew explains, nodding sagely.

“Well send it the hell back,” Marlow demands.

“Do vampires even go to the hospital?” Genevieve wonders of Marlow, “I suppose I could though, I could bring you another money bouquet.” She muses, peering at the bucket for a moment and then reaching in to grab a shot before nodding in agreement with Matthew, “I don’t think we know the runes for that.”

Hester returns the head-bobbing at Alice, except instead of her phone she just lifts her cigarette-toting hand out of habit. “Mhm..!” From here, the fat one slouches away from the crowd once more, to find a quieter spot somewhere on the roof and continue just puffing away and existing.

Alice glances down at her rapidly-buzzing phone and makes an apologetic little gesture to Annabelle, declaring, “I’m gonna get going – hope you had fun with the skateboarding, though. I’ll be around all evening if you need something,” though she’s already starting towards the pulley to catch a ride to the bottom floor.

Matthew shakes his head apologetically, “Yeah, I basically depleted all my deep arcane knowledge,” he says contritely, “so can’t rebind her back.”

“Irresponsible summoning practices,” Marlow chides Genevieve mildly. “And while most vampires might avoid the hospital, I’ve always been fond of drama, and bouquets. Especially bouquets of cash. I still have the first one you gave me.” She then asks Matthew, “Can you feel it yet? Your man hairs growing in, Montrose?”

“Okay!” Annabelle calls out to Alice with tip-toe and a wave of her hand.

Seraphina licks the remaining bit of hot sauce from her thumb, focusing on a nail. “Have fun all,” she says, a little distracted by her phone, and the zing on her tongue. She heads over to Matthew, opened arms to seek out a possible hug from the man, far too long a stranger.

“Do it, we want to hear a villain monologue,” Marlow tells Jakem, not bothering to whisper. “Everyone, raise your hand if you’d like to hear the host’s villain monologue?” Marlow looks around at those gathered, as if daring them to not agree.

Matthew cups his crotch, giving it a good, theatrical grab like he’s drawing power straight from the source. Chin lifting, eyes narrowing, he nods. “Got some more hairs down there.”

“Sure, villain monologue.” Genevieve agrees, seeming a little distracted with her phone. “Although after that I think I wanna go chill out for a bit.”

Hester is but one of many faces, herself over in the back minding her own business – for the most part. Who is she to be a party pooper, though? “Speech..” she eggs in a single low note, after Marlow speaks to Jakem.

Lola uses a black rollerblades: Basic trick: Something simple but exciting to behold.

Jakem glances about the partygoers, speaking to Marlow “I think they might be a bit too worn out for the most part.” he says, patting his pocket, the sound of crinkled paper accompanying the movement. “I can post it somewhere for people to read later.”

Jakem grins and waves to Viviana “Hey Viv! You made it afterall. Gonna try the jump? I think Lyk has given up trying to get past my security.”

“Did you mass produce these?” Marlow asks Matthew after squinting at her note. “Don’t be boring, give the speech. You planned it – stand on it,” Marlow tells Jakem.

Matthew smacks his lips, “This baijiu is good, put hair on my balls and everything!”

Vivianasomeone had spent much of the last few minutes climbing those ropes and those nets, to get all the way up her. With a kipup over the edge, someone ends up on the rooftop, and spreads her arms wide, putting on a cheeky grin. “I gotta know what the jump is,” someone says. “We tryin’ to jump over the gap or something?” she asks.

Matthew grins at Marlow, and shrugs, “Kind of,” he admits, “but like… still grateful all the same. I Told you humble gratitude was coming my way towards you.”

Viviana had spent much of the last few minutes climbing those ropes and those nets, to get all the way up her. With a kipup over the edge, Viviana ends up on the rooftop, and spreads her arms wide, putting on a cheeky grin. “I gotta know what the jump is,” Viviana says. “We tryin’ to jump over the gap or something?” she asks.

“Hey Viv, still struggling with the hair dye?” Genevieve wonders of Viviana, “Is there a reason to want hair on your balls though?”

Matthew looks at Genevieve, “You mean me?” Then he shrugs, “There’s already hair there, but figured I’d confirm that Mars’ booze will add more hair to balls.”

“You are such a Montrose,” Marlow tells Matthew, shaking her head. “Leave her alone, if she wants hair on her balls, let her have hair on her balls – she can braid it to match the hair on her head,” Marlow suggests.

Jakem nods to Marlow as he pulls out the paper “Hmmm, nah energy’s too low. Trust me, you get a sense of this sorta thing when you’ve been in showbiz for as long as I have.” Says the 25 year old. “Plus if I wait I can put it to rhyme. So what’s the special ingredient in your booze Mars?”

Lola skirts around again now that she’s recovered from her jump, her heart still thundering in her chest from the adrenaline. She glances around at all of those present, then pauses in her glide to bring a bit of booze to her lisp and take a long, slow draught- then cough, and hack, and shudder, her face screwing up.

Matthew hears only compliments from Marlow and he beams a bright smile her way.

“Well I just mean in general.” Genevieve explains, “I just feel like if your balls were hairier probably that gets caught in flies or like, in people’s teeth and just generally not sure how it’s a net positive you know.” She details, “Anyway, I’m gonna head off, do you need help getting home safe Madam Vice President sir?” She wonders of Marlow.

Annabelle settles on her own answer, which is painfully tired as she takes two steps towards Jakem. “Jakk, I’m goin’ home. Give me a kiss while you get the recipie.” She mutters laying an arm on his and giving an insistent two *pats* on the shoulder.

“Buzzkill,” Marlow tells Jakem. “Anyway, it’s an ancient Chinese secret, you have to master the Shaolin monk pose to be privy to such secrets,” Marlow claims. She frowns at Matthew as if his expression isn’t what she was seeking, but she lets it go for now. “I can’t believe you’re fucking off after I just got here,” Marlow tells Genevieve.

“Cause the party’s ending, not my fault you were super late.” Genevieve points out to Marlow.

Jakem nods to Lola “Pretty impressive moves. And you’re just in time to learn the secret alchemical ingredient to adding hair to a person’s balls.” he comments. He rolls his eyes at Annabelle “Bossy, you realize if I give you a kiss WHILE she gives me the recipe, and she refuses, I gotta witduel her for it while kissing you?”

Lola’s eyes drift between Jakem and Annabelle curiously, taking a pause from her drinking to lick her lips clean of that horrible brew for a time, but otherwise remaining silent. Hearing his rebuttal, she turns away, though her eyes remain on her drink thoughtfully.

“You like games and challenges, c’moooon.” Annabelle hops her heels to the ground like Jakem’s embarrassing her in front of dad.

Despite semantics, Jakem does give Annabelle a kiss.

“That’s what man-scaping is for,” Matthew insists of Genevieve, zero shame about sharing his down under grooming habit. “Oh yeah, the party’s ending.” He looks across the ramp, checking in on the Swede.

“Yeah the ramp should take you to the roof on the other side.” Genevieve agrees with Viviana, “I’m sure you could try it and then pop back pretty quick if you wanted to.”

“Something something should be honored by my lateness,” Marlow retorts, though she does add, “Also, I was getting drunk beforehand, because no one ever lets me eat them at these public gatherings,” Marlow laments.

Annabelle breaths a fresh happiness, giving the peck right back, and slinks away. “Siiiick. I’ll see ya later. Buh-bye.” And with that, she retreats into the hole of ropes, wisely not doing a trick and falling to her death.

Jakem tilts his head as he looks to Marlow “So did you see Lyk runnin’ around in a gas mask, or was that only visible from the other side?”

“Your life is pain.” Genevieve sympathizes with Marlow, “Anyway, did you want me to get you home safe or want to hang out here longer or want to make your own way?”

“Is that who that was?” Marlow asks Jakem, her laughter more mean-spirited than amused. “She looks absurd, we could see her from here, yes.”

Viviana gives a snort, looking towards Genevieve. “Maybe in a minute. Fuck my timing, I was trying to get into this one,” Viviana says, bringing her hands up to brush her hair back over her shoulders, bringing that blue braid – the blonde roots definitely starting to dig into it now – into view.

“Supposedly there’s a monster over there,” Matthew adds, squinting across the distance, “in the gasmask, or something. Not sure what kind of threat it poses.”

Jakem smirks a bit to Matthew “Not much. I hired security to keep her out of the party.”

Jakem says “Which took place on her house.“

Jakem glances to someone “Oh, yeah the jump takes you to Lyk’s roof. Where you might find a hatch that you absolutely should not go down and add more dick drawings to her attic door.”

“Well, it’s looking like it’s my time to go as well,” Lola decides rather suddenly, smiling softly at Matthew, Marlow, Genevieve, and Viviana. “It was nice seeing you all, but uhm… I should head out and find other things to do, I think. Yeah,” says the blonde femme, who lifts her hands up and tucks a few stray strands of hair behind an ear. “I had fun!

Matthew starts to link a bunch of dots together and then he suddenly laughs, “Ohhhh, okay. So this a petty party, gooooooooooootit.”

Jakem glances to Viviana “Oh, yeah the jump takes you to Lyk’s roof. Where you might find a hatch that you absolutely should not go down and add more dick drawings to her attic door.”

Moving to drape her arms over Genevieve’s shoulders whether the shorter woman likes it or not, Marlow rests a chin on top of her head. “Stay here a bit longer? I only just got here, everyone hasn’t even taken a shot of the drinks I brought all the way from the Diamond Pavilion,” Marlow points out.

Viviana lifts her chin up towards Jakem, a small smirk touching her lips. “Well, I wouldn’t wanna fucking do that,” Viviana says, glancing across towards Lola too, to whom she gives a two-fingered salute too. “I’m gonna take that jump then,” Viviana says.

Jakem nods to Matthew “Well yeah. I bout the skate park next to her house as an excuse to ferry people over to her roof.”

“The fuck?” Marlow asks bluntly as Arachne appears from thin air.

Viviana uses a massive launch ramp: Wheels pick up speed and 14ro08ll 02fa96st/i>96launch yourself off the jump towards the eastern rooftop! [Go EAST (twice)]/span>/spanGenevieve taps out a fairly long message on her phone, frowning a bit before there’s suddenly a chin ontop of her head and she scowls a little. “I feel like being a chin rest isn’t in my deputy vp job description.” She complains, but doesn’t try and get away either. “Mars is drunk.” She explains to Arachne. “Also she brought some nice drinks though.” She adds, indicating the bucket.

Viviana uses that moment to launch herself onto a skateboard, biting her lower lip in a grin as she takes up more and more speed. With a certain amount of dexterity, she manages to… well, she manages to make the jump, but what do you do? She whiffs it on the other end, laughing as she comes to a crash.

Jakem waves to Lola “Hope you had fun! Pick up your prize tomorrow, or whenever you’re ready.”

Matthew smiles at Arachne when she pops out of the air, giving her a small nod. Then he’s looking right back over to Jakem when he finally lays it all out. “Damn, I’ve not been to a good petty party in a long ass time.” He smiles much wider, suddenly breaking into laughter, head shaking side to side, “Okay, and I drew ancient runes on her door. Fantastic.”

Rubbing her chin back and forth atop Genevieve’s head, heedless of how annoying that might be, Marlow claims, “I’m not drunk, just a little tipsy. And maybe my dinner was a little coked up too,” Marlow admits. “But I’m perfectly fine. I’d be even better if more people drank shots from my bucket,” Marlow says, pointing toward said bucket.

“… Mmh,” Lola says in Jakem’s direction, lifting a hand over her shoulder dismissively, as though he had been placed in the doghouse for one reason or another, and so she removes her rollerblades and steps down the tire swing into the playhouse below.

Tamar makes her way up as most people are heading down, curious about what this is all about.

“I told you to give the speech, now you’ve let someone ruin it,” Marlow calls over toward Jakem.

“It does seem unlikely she’ll react to the prank with good humor.” Genevieve muses, scowling irritably as Marlow rubs her chin all over her head then escaping the dread chin briefly as she bends down to grab another shot from the bucket before straightening. “You probably don’t want her killing you though.” She points out to Jakem, “That’s be super annoying.”

“She always ruins revenge plots, it’s kind of her thing,” Marlow explains to Jakem.

Matthew becomes distracted in his phone, shooting off a few texts, loosely following the conversation taking place around him.

“I ruin revenge plots that puts my courtiers unknowingly in the crossfire,” Arachne corrects Marlow.

Jakem says “Oh, well if it’s her thing… I suppose I won’t walk on another artist’s art form. I kinda feel like a sculpter who hangs out with a demolition artist now.“

“That’s what I said, minus the part that doesn’t concern me,” Marlow assures Arachne.

“Would you have been concerned if one of our operatives took a frag grenade to the face,” Arachne wonders to Marlow curiously.

Matthew grins at Malin.

Malin returns after her comfortable nap while standing on rollerskates that she somehow managed to do.

Jakem suppresses a series of what likely would have been laughter, but it ends up making him just look constipated. After a bit he says to Arachne “That would have been terrible. But at the same time, I did tell them not to go down there.”

“Happens all the time in raids, we have plenty of budget for band-aids,” Marlow promises blithely. “Stop being so fussy.”

Jakem says “I quote myself ‘absolutely do not find the hatch to our east, go down and knock repeatedly on the door you find’“

Marlow snickers.

“I like the band-aids with Disney Princesses on them,” Malin confesses as soon as she hears that adhesive bandage mentioned by Marlow. She looks to Jakem. “Hey, when you say stuff like that, that automatically makes me believe you want me to do it.”

“Also she betrayed the Hand, she’s extremely lucky she isn’t going to bed every night without fingers.” Genevieve points out and nods, “He did say that actually.” She admits, “Hey Malin, there’s good drinks in the bucket.”

Jakem looks to Malin innnocently “I would never say something to put you of all people in jeopardy.”

“I’ll make sure we have band-aids with Disney princesses on them if I ever have cause to injure you,” Marlow promises Malin, sounding perhaps tipsy enough to not remember this promise tomorrow.

“Who is she?” Tamar asks softly, trying to find a way into the conversation.

Jakem shrugs to Tamar “I dunno.”

Jakem says “Oh wait, do you mean Malin or my arch enemy?“

Matthew notes Tamar’s voice and smiles in her direction. “Oh, hey Tamar,” he says, pointing towards the bucket, “You wanna drink?”

“A gas devil summoned by special sigils.” Genevieve explains to Tamar, “Or Lykaia if you’d rather.”

Malin bats her lashes at Jakem. “I know, you give me chocolates,” she tells him, like that makes him entirely innocent of all things. When Genevieve mentions drinks, she has blue eyes widen and goes, “Oooo,” in some kind of vowel sound, and there’s an approving flash of a grin at Marlow. “I’m holding you to it, Twin!”

“If my Vice President isn’t worried about it, then I won’t either,” Arachne mutters, lifting her glass slowly to her lips. When Tamar catches her eye, her brows knit, tilting her head slowly to the side.

“I’m drunk, be irresponsible at your own peril,” Marlow warns Arachne, contradicting her earlier claims of sobriety.

Jakem nods over to Genevieve “I guess that’s who my arch enemy is. I’ve never met her before, or talked to her I don’t think.”

“This is a petty party,” Matthew offers his own unsolicited advice to Arachne, “So you shouldn’t be getting worried ’bout nothin!”

Tamar offers a fleeting smile at Matthew, but shakes her head a little. “I should not, but thank you for the offer.” Glancing back towards Genevieve, the girl nods slowly as she recognizes that name. “I see.”

“Do you guys want to move this party somewhere with comfortable chairs?” Genevieve wonders.

Jakem nods to Viviana “So you took my advice and didn’t go down the hatch right?”

“I’ve been the spoilsport and responsible party the entire party. Someone else should have a turn,” Arachne deflects Marlow’s warning, tilting her shot. To Genevieve, she agrees immediately, “Yes, please. Preferably where I’m not tempted to shove Jakem off a roof and not still panicking.”

“I would kill for a comfortable chair,” Marlow says, her aura chilling for a moment with how serious she sounds.

Jakem smirks and toasts Arachne “You’ve showed remarkable restraint I must commend. There’s few more tempting than I in this world.” he winks at Matthew.

Viviana flies back over with a landing that was a little better than her departure. The skateboard hits the ground, and rolls, and Viviana ducks with it, letting it go a few steps before she straightens up again, letting that roll forward. “Hell no, that’d be fucking illegal, Jakem. People should have a right to their own mansions and shit,” Viviana says with a wryness.

Matthew shrugs his shoulders, “I’m good wherever,” he supplies, kicking the board back under his feet for another trick. He winks right back at Jakem.

Jakem nods approvingly to someone. “You see? Someone followed my advice.”

Matthew uses a black skateboard: Basic trick: A simple board jump, brief grind, or spinning the board under you such as a shove it.

Jakem nods approvingly to Viviana. “You see? Someone followed my advice.”

“Here,” Arachne supplies August with a double-shot.

Jakem whistles to Matthew “You got good at that didn’t you? Still, not on the level as that reverse spinning kickflip you did earlier, but it’s late and people are tired. Old people are already complaining about chairs even.”

Still leaning her lean but not insubstantial weight onto Genevieve, Marlow announces, “After party at Vie’s!”

Viviana makes an overdramatic curtsey with a grin. “Hey, I’m like… a world class rule-breaker, but Jakem helped me change my ways,” Viviana says, miming prayer hands in front of herself as she looks skyward.

“I do appreciate you forestalling any esclatory violence.” Genevieve tells Arachne, “Alright, I’m probably only going to be around for another hour or so but if you guys want to come chill at my place until then you’re welcome to.” She says, tugging on Marlow, “Gimme your keys.”

Tamar watches Viviana as she heads back over, lifting a hand in a tentative almost-wave. “Hello, Viv.”

Matthew holds up a finger, “I’ll…” he looks like he’s intending to land another impressive trick.

Matthew uses a black skateboard: Basic trick: A simple board jump, brief grind, or spinning the board under you such as a shove it.

Jakem calls out “Okay folks, I’m taking off. Before I go, anyone want a commemoratory skateboard, or set of skates or blades?”

Matthew doesn’t of course, not enough air but he covers it with a quick heel flip. “Just gotta get the right bounce, y’know?”

Viviana keeps her eyes on Matthew and his tricks, making a low whistle. Flicking the braid back over her shoulder – she did have blood on her clothes, probably from the failed launch over to the other side – yeah – there was a tear in her pants and the scent of blood on them, Viviana gives a lift of her hand towards Tamar. “‘sup?”