Dovie’s Pitcher Perfect Brew Night

Date: 2025-08-08 21:02

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(Dovie’s Pitcher Perfect Brew Night)

[Fri Aug 8 2025]

The Booze Emporium – Beer/span
This is the tasting ground for beer lovers, anchored by a polished wooden bar lined with sturdy, well-worn barstools that invite customers to linger. Behind the counter, a gleaming row of taps stretches across the wall, each handle labeled with the name of a craft brew that will likely be gone by the next season’s change. Chalkboard menus hang above, their scrawled handwriting updated weekly to reflect whatever small-batch or limited-run ales have claimed a spot. The air is warm with the scent of malt and hops, and the soft hum of conversation mingles with the gentle hiss of a fresh pour. At one end of the bar, a sleek digital checkout screen sits ready, the only hint of modern tech in an otherwise timeless setup./span

It is about 65F(18C) degrees. The mist is heaviest At Hawthorn and Woodcrest/span

“I didn’t either, candidly.” Derek mumbles as he walks in shortly after Aeryn, wiggling his fingers in greeting to Dovie. “Hi, Dovie-dove.” He surveys the brews on selection with mute curiosity.

Sophie waves to the group as she enters, dragging Kai a long hand in hand.

Dovie waves to Sophie and Kai. “Welcome! Feel free to help yourselves to any drinks or snacks!”

Sophie grins at Dovie, “Absolutely no arm twisting from me. Although, do you mind if I write a bit of a review on the beers?”

“Is that….” Aeryn’s unblinking stare fixates on the table. “I’ve seen this game. Beer pong!”

“Bonjour,” Noel tells someone softly as he steps into the space, barefoot and in a comfortable house robe that is plush with feathers about his shoulders and trailing down the front, lined with silk. He looks lavishly comfortable, doubly so when he brings his pretty-pink Pomeranian to his lips and kisses him tenderly on top of his head, a blue and orange companion each yipping excitedly from within his duffel bag. “Mademoiselle Dovie, a pleasure to meet you. I am Noel Deveraux, I am le Monsieur la bordello in All Saints on Church Street. I chose the space for the irony of it all,” he explains, his delicate French accent full of seduction and allure by nature rather than by force. “I am here to sample your finest wines, mon ange!

“Bonjour,” Noel tells Dovie softly as he steps into the space, barefoot and in a comfortable house robe that is plush with feathers about his shoulders and trailing down the front, lined with silk. He looks lavishly comfortable, doubly so when he brings his pretty-pink Pomeranian to his lips and kisses him tenderly on top of his head, a blue and orange companion each yipping excitedly from within his duffel bag. “Mademoiselle Dovie, a pleasure to meet you. I am Noel Deveraux, I am le Monsieur la bordello in All Saints on Church Street. I chose the space for the irony of it all,” he explains, his delicate French accent full of seduction and allure by nature rather than by force. “I am here to sample your finest wines, mon ange!

“Well, it is a known fact that I must sample anything with citrus.” Derek supposes, promptly taking up one of the Citrus Bloom sours and taking a sip.

Dovie grins at Sophie, “Oh I’d be so pleased if you do! If there’s anything off the shelf in the other sections you’d like to try, let me know. The Wine section is in process, but the rest of the shelves are fully stocked.” She chuckles at Aeryn, “Feel free to find a partner and start playing! Rules are posted over there. Winners should come see me for a prize!”

And to Noel she nods, “A pleasure, Noel. Welcome to the Booze Emporium! I’m afraid I only have mead by way of our wine collection, but if you have any suggestions for what wines I should import, I would be happy to see if I can get them in stock!”

Esme waves as she comes in with Gabriel, looking over the spread. “Hey everyone. This looks great, Dovie.” She flashes a grin.

Dovie waves to Gabriel and Esme. “Welcome you two! Help yourselves to the drinks and snacks!”

Gabriel walks in alongside Esme and waves to all of the familiar faces, “Evening, everyone.” then there’s another look around before he asks, “No Obie to cheat at beer pong?”

“Don’t tell everyone that, I want him to catch someone off. It’s funnier that way.” Derek observes dryly to Gabriel with a half-smirk.

Dovie turns to wave at Aishia. “Hello and welcome to the Booze Emporium! I’m Dovie, please help yourself to drinks or snacks or find an opponent for beer pong! The rules are posted over there and the winner can see me for the prize!”

There’s a whole string of what must be muttered profanities flowing quietly from Aishia as she scurries into the mall and traipsing through and across the usual flow of foot-traffic in the mall while bitching as one might when the weather’s particularly shitty out. It’s by virtue of helpful signage that this journey’s a quick one, easily finding where today’s beer-centered event is hosted and entering the establishment with eyes on a swivel. Hands finish some quick and hurried work of brushing stray windswept locks back into place or smoothing out a crinkle in her attire here-or-there meanwhile. It isn’t long or her wandering gaze finds a vast display of bottled articles, the sight alone enough to make eyes widen in restrained, mute awe. “Cozy place.” she then coos agreeably, to nobody in particular, smile tugging at the lips.

Dovie beams back at Aishia. “Thank you!”

“Faces I’ve not seen before,” Aeryn decides, waving to Esme. “I will play this pong. But not against Obie.”

“This stout does taste good,” Jasper says upon taking a sip from his glass. “Nice and warm.”

Esme gives Aishia a smile and an upnod. “Hey, Aisha. Good to see you.” She says and looks to Aeryn, “Ooh let me play you.”

Sophie gives Dovie a happy little nod, “I’ll be sure to. You’ve got a nice selection and I can do a hell of a write up with it.”

Aeryn emote nods her head to Esme. “Do you also have that luck though? Because I do not,” she wonders.

Aeryn nods her head to Esme. “Do you also have that luck though? Because I do not,” she wonders.

An intial ‘thank you!’ came from Aishia, who meets the warm and friendly welcome with a delighted little smile and nod combo. It’s when Dovie, in turn, thanks her that her focus snaps right back onto her, head instantly finding a slight angle to tilt at all curious. “Oh? This is yours, then?” the little thing inquires, ever animated with her hands as one trails a wide sweeping gesture across the store, using little wave-y motions at this or that corner or object of (her) interest. “It really feels like a bar already even before the games and big drinking begun. That is always a great sign already – no?” she notes next, nodding at something to herself.

She finds Esme next, the sight a slight surprise as she returns the proffered smile. “Oh, hey hey. Hope you’ve been good, yeah?”

Noel drapes himself delicately over a barstool, Pomeranian in hand and with gorgeous hazel eyes gazing out at the world from beneath honey-blond, lightly curled lashes. His delicate features remain schooled and pretty, never a scowl or a frown or a crinkle of the nose, but nor does he smile. It’s an expression of quiet confidence, submissive but assertive, an aura about him that tells a story of self-worth despite the luxurious robe that drapes over his petite form, parted slightly at the thighs when one slender leg crosses over the other.

“The sour will be my drink of choice for la nuit, I think, matchingademoisell. I am not one for a stout or a lager.” His French accent is sweet and soft and seductive, and it matches well with the pose he keeps, gentle and firm all wrapped up, opposites attracting here in this small body as he takes for himself a glass and brings it up to his plush pink lips for his first sip.

Dovie greets Lana and other faces as they walk in, “Welcome to the Booze Emporium! Please help yourself to drinks or snacks! Or grab an enemy to play beer pong against! Rules are posted and the winner can see me for a prize!”

A nod is given back to Sophie. “I’m grateful you even considered writing something! Again, if you want to try anything outside of the beer, just let me know and I’ll fetch it.

Her gaze moves back to Aishia with a proud nod. “Yes! And it’s almost done. The wine section is wanting, but it is a work in process. I’m pleased you think so, hopefully you’ll have fun too! My intention was for people to just have fun and chill tonight. A little break from anything high stress.”

“I have my suspicions,” Aeryn muses to Esme, tapping her fingertip to the end of her nose. She then turns to Noel, tilting her head curiously. “Noel, yes?”

Sophie gives Dovie a sideways glance, “You’ve got that backwards, as I’m grateful or my tastebuds are. But, I’ll let it slide.”

Esme kisses Gabriel’s cheek, “Wish me luck babe.” She grins, moving over to the beer pong table for when Aeryn is read.

Noel drapes himself delicately over a barstool, Pomeranian in hand and with gorgeous hazel eyes gazing out at the world from beneath honey-blond, lightly curled lashes. His delicate features remain schooled and pretty, never a scowl or a frown or a crinkle of the nose, but nor does he smile. It’s an expression of quiet confidence, submissive but assertive, an aura about him that tells a story of self-worth despite the luxurious robe that drapes over his petite form, parted slightly at the thighs when one slender leg crosses over the other.

“The sour will be my drink of choice for la nuit, I think, mademoiselle. I am not one for a stout or a lager.” His French accent is sweet and soft and seductive, and it matches well with the pose he keeps, gentle and firm all wrapped up, opposites attracting here in this small body as he takes for himself a glass and brings it up to his plush pink lips for his first sip.

Dovie chuckles at Sophie, “The meat and cheese board is all courtesy of catering from Obadiah Mercer by the way.” Her attention flits back to Noel, and she nods while giving a little ‘awwww’ to the Pomeranian. “I hope you enjoy it! It’s certainly refreshing, at least I think so.”

Gabriel smiles at Esme, “Good luck and kick her ass. I believe in you.” there’s a quick glance to his phone, “And I’ll be right back.”

Aeryn rubs her hands together, as if warming them up, and surveys the table. “I don’t claim to be good at this, necessarily,” she notes, chewing her lower lip.

Sophie grins at Dovie, “Then I’ll ignore it. He’s got a big enough ego as is.” She snickers, “And I only say that , as he’s my mentor.”

“Who’s your opponent tonight, Aeryn?” Dovie calls out to the Montrose.

Esme gathers up some grapes on the way out. “It’s pretty simple really. We throw tha pongs, try an’ land ’em in a cup and thennn we drink! There’s drinking involved. It’s me Dovie!”

“Esme!” Aeryn calls to Dovie. “Who will probably promptly beat me, but at least it’s hard for me to get drunk.”

“I quite liked the sour.” Derek muses to Dovie as he sips from it idly every now and then, positioning himself off to the side of the bar and seating himself promptly.

“Oui,” Noel tells Aeryn with a faint smile, not enough to cause lines in the future, but enough to be polite and warm in his greeting. “I am Noel Deveraux, a pleasure to make your acquaintance, mon ange. You are looking quite lovely tonight- as you can see, I have made myself comfortable. I do plan on indulging in sin tonight and embracing gluttony, non? I will be lush before I leave,” promises the petite Frenchman, giggling faintly with an amused twinkle in his eyes.

“Stress enough around town I dare wager, after the moon’s presence last few nights..” agrees Aishia in quieter tone, and while the little Wildling looks all but too anchored by the visible chains of stress or trouble, there’s enough compassion if not sympathy on the tongue to suggest a healthy share of understanding. A sharp breath is drawn in as she gazes at some spot, somewhere, as if staring into a void, but it takes only a few seconds or a few blinks have her snap back out. Focus finding the bar and what’s displayed out across its polished surface. “Do you have brewers in your family, source local brews, or also look to search far and exotic places for your drinks?” her curiosity continues a-pourin’, inching closer on padded feet to perhaps start her examining and sampling all the sooner.

Esme uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball veers wide and misses the red solo cups completely. (+0 points)/span

Esme is off to a (not) fantastic start! In her excitement, her aim is terribly off.

“Best of luck to you both.” Derek supposes to Esme and Aeryn with a slight upcurl of his lips, dipping his chin – though a smirk crosses Derek’s expression briefly at Esme’s first shot.

Squinting her eyes, Aeryn plucks a ping pong ball between her fingers, and tosses it toward the cups with a slight bit of glee in her expression.

Aeryn uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball veers wide and misses the red solo cups completely. (+0 points)/span

Sophie takes a slow sip of the stout, lids lowering as a low “mm” escapes her. The bittersweet chocolate and espresso deepen her gaze, a faint curl at the corner of her mouth as the roasted caramel lingers. She moves to the sour, brows lifting at the first sharp hit of lemon and orange zest. A soft hum follows, her lips pressing together briefly as the wildflower honey smooths the edge. Inbetween these both her pen scribbles across her notebook.

Esme uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball whooshes through the air, landing cleanly into the red solo cup with a wet plonk. (+1 points)/span

“A pleasure to meet you too!” Aeryn calls back to Noel amid a rather disappointed look in herself at her miss of the cups.

Aeryn uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball spins midair and sinks neatly into the center of one of the red solo cups without touching the sides of the cup. (+1 points)/span

“Glad to hear that! Let me know what you think of the others,” Dovie replies to Derek, “Try some beer pong! You might win a tank top.”

Esme uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball hits the rim, circles once, and finally slips into the beer with a gentle splash. (+1 points)

Kai wanders over to the plate of food and snatches up some food, he gives a two-fingered salute to Dovie and Aishia, Noel, Lana, Derek and Jasper get a more friendly grin and a wave, then he starts digging in and turns to watch the match.

“Good evening, Kai-Guy.” Derek greets Kai as if that was indeed his formal term-of-address, sipping from his sour promptly thereafter. He looks back to Dovie with an upnod. “I intend to! I imagine it will be quite fun.”

“Oh, now it’s getting harder,” Aeryn frowns, concentrating.

Aeryn uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball ricochets off the table’s edge, clattering away. (+0 points)

There’s probably drinking happening whilst the playing is happening because that’s the whole point of beer pong. “Two to one!” Esme grins as Aeryn’s next shot misses

“Close!” Dovie tells the Montrose, cheering at Aeryn.

Esme uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball hits the rim, circles once, and finally slips into the beer with a gentle splash. (+1 points)

Kai wanders over to Derek while he munches on his stolen meats, cheese and fruit and murmurs to him, “Hey you should try to get with Noel,” he informs him and looks over to Sophie, winking at her.

Dovie slides down the bar towards Gabriel. “Who did you bring?” she wonders, looking around at the crowd.

Mercy enters with Gabriel but breaks away from him immediately, seeking out the least crowded spot in the place and to be spared forced introductions.

Aeryn uses a beer pong table: The ball arcs high before bouncing off the rim of a red solo cup and rolling sadly across the floor. (+0 points)/span

Sophie sips the pilsner, her brows lifting briefly at the crisp malt before her lips press together at the clean herbal hops in the finish. She breathes out softly and sets the glass aside. A glance is given to Kai, “You gonna try your luck there lover?” She motions to the beer pong before snickering, “Fucking..as graceful as a goddamn sledgehammer.”

Kai notices Gabriel and gives him a wave and a grin too.

“The same luck as me, my ass,” Aeryn snorts, grinning at Esme as she misses yet again.

Esme laughs out at that comment, giving Aeryn a cheeky grin. “Maybe I picked up some stuff by osmosis!”

Esme uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball spins and spins and spins… only to spin out of the red solo cup! (+0 points)/span

Kai grins at Sophie and shakes his head, “Nah,” he says and leans back against the bar, though he does watch the match that’s happening as he munches on his stolen food.

Gabriel points Mercy out to Dovie, “This would be Mercy. A semi-feral recluse with a habit for getting abducted and not making friends.”

Aeryn uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball ricochets off the table’s edge, clattering away. (+0 points)

“Hey, Kai,” Jasper belatedly greets Kai with a wave of his hand.

“Hey Mercy, I’m Kai, this is Sophie, this is Derek, my soul mate, and it’s nice to meet you,” Kai greets Mercy, indicating Sophie and Derek in turn.

“Well done,” Aeryn tells Esme, watching as she misses her last shot. “Dovie, this table hates me,” she decides.

Gabriel waves back to Kai after the crass introduction.

Sophie tugs Kai over and kisses his cheek, “You a Lager boy?” She chuckles at the introduction and winks at Derek, “Lucky thing.”

“Well played!” Esme grins to Aeryn, picking up one of the samples to try.

Dovie waves at Mercy with a sunny smile that may be Mercy’s worst nightmare. Maybe? Regardless, the Fairchild exudes positive energy as she greets the newcomer. “Welcome! Pick an enemy to play beer pong with and you might win a tank top! Pour Decisions is our seasonal shirt!”

Turning to look at Mercy, Jasper gives her a small nod of his head and said, “Nice to meet you. I’m Jasper.”

Mercy bobs a nod or throws a half-hearted wave here and there at all the introductions she was pointedly trying to avoid, making fleeting if any eye contact and promptly looking away from all the new faces as if hoping doing so might make her disappear.

Derek squints at Kai after his introduction of Derek, then looking over to Mercy. “Derek Fairchild. Charmed,” he intones with practiced ease, leaning his back against the bar idly as his gaze flits over to Sophie with a flit of his brows. “Perhaps.” he muses with wry amusement, tipping his drink back to sip more of the sour then.

Kai leans against Sophie and asks her, “You’re smarter than me, tell me what the difference is? I just drink whatever’s put in front of me, I dunno what the differences are,” he grins at Sophie, looping an arm around her waist.

Of course Noel overhears Kai, and of course the gentleman that he is, he feigns ignorance, bringing that sour back to his lips for another drink that almost entirely hides the amused grin curving the shape of his inviting mouth. Eventually, however, curiosity gets the better of him, and he approaches Derek and Kai on soft, bare feet that tiptoe through the crowd. Coming to a stop alongside the two far taller men, he settles himself somewhere in between them, forming a triangle of sorts with his back to Gabriel despite the orange Pomeranian that pokes its head out of his duffel bag and yips territorially in the man’s direction several times. Then sneezes.

“Monsieur Kai, Monsieur Derek, lovely to see you both again,” says the petite Frenchie. “How did you both enjoy my class? I hope I was not too busy with my words. Was it understandable? Did you absorb?” inquires the young professor with a flutter of his luscious lashes.

With a shrug of his shoulders, Jasper glances around at the crowd and turns to grab and nibble some cheeses and meats.

“Honestly Professor I had a killer headache and I didn’t absorb much but what I did absorb seemed good,” Kai tells Noel, smiling to the fellow, he gives a fond wave to Esme, Malin and Matthew when he sees them, “Hey guys.”

Dovie waves to Matthew and Malin. “Welcome, welcome!” She calls out to Esme and Aeryn. “Who won? First tank top of the night!”

Esme wanders her way back to the bar, settling up against Gabriel and peering at Noel’s Pomeranian with a ‘He’s mine’ kind of look. Because of course the dog would understand that. Then she grins to Dovie, “I did!”

Esme says, with a laugh, “I’m getting so many new shirts from these events! “

Malin is holding one of Matthew’s hands, offering Kai a warm smile in response to his greeting. “Hey,” she replies. “Is anyone drunk yet?” she wonders curiously as her eyes take in the attendees.

Kai gives a two-fingered salute to Aeryn and a wave to Buck.

Sophie rests her elbows on the table, glancing between the glasses as she points them out to Kai. “Alright handsome, a brief intro. Stout is a dark beer, heavy and rich, usually full of roasted flavors like coffee, chocolate, or caramel. A sour is brewed to be tart, sometimes fruity, and often has a sharper, almost mouth puckering finish. That pilsner is a type of lager buuut light and crisp with a bit of hop bite. A lager is smoother, more balanced, and easier to drink without strong hop or sour notes.”

“Heya Kai.” Esme greets Kai after telling Dovie about her win and smiles to Malin and Matthew. “Good to see you both.”

Buck gives a tip of his hat to Kai as he says, “Neat event.”

Dovie hands the tank top over to Esme. “Congratulations!” She waves to Buck. “Welcome! Please help yourself to drinks, snacks, or grab a partner to play beer pong with. Winners can see me for a prize!”

Gabriel turns at the yipping to offer a smile and a greeting to Noel, “Good evening, Mister Deveraux.” then there is a slight glance downward to the source of the yipping, Gabriel’s worst nightmare made manifest in orange, “And a good evening to you as well, Mango.” with that he wraps an arm around Esme’s waist and presses a kiss to her cheek, “Good job, babe. Proud of you.”

Derek lifts his right hand to wiggle fingers at Noel in greeting. “Bonsoir, Monsieur Noel.” he intones easily. “I felt it was quite a good lesson – though I did study French at Exeter in my time there.” he muses, then taking another sip from his sour, humming contentedly. “I’m not as fluent as I once was – we summered in France one year and I was quite used to it at that point, but I’ve had fewer opportunities to practice of late.”

Matthew and Malin arrive hand in hand, a wave offered up to one and all as he looks over the crowd. “Hey, I really want–” he sees one of the tanks already being passed out, “to win one of thsoe!” He beams a smile on over to Sophie, then Dovie, Aeryn, and Kai. “Where do I gotta write my name to try and win one?”

Sophie rests her elbows on the table, glancing between the glasses as she points them out to Kai. “Alright handsome, a brief intro. Stout is a dark beer, heavy and rich, usually full of roasted flavors like coffee, chocolate, or caramel. A sour is brewed to be tart, sometimes fruity, and often has a sharper, almost mouth puckering finish. That pilsner is a type of lager buuut light and crisp with a bit of hop bite. A lager is smoother, more balanced, and easier to drink without strong hop or sour notes.” -whoops redo

“Coffee!” Kai laughs at Sophie and shakes his head, “It’s beer not dessert… what the fuck…” he looks to the sour next and nods slowly and nods again at the pilsner and lager, “Uhh… I’m guessing I’ll like lager most,” he shrugs and looks back to Sophie, “What do you like?” he asks, lifting his brows at her curiously.

Dovie points at the rules posted, “All you have to do is get a partner and play against them. The winner can just see me for the prize! No sign up sheets. Just first come first serve on using the beer pong table,” she explains to Matthew and Malin.

“Hey, Esme,” Malin says with those full lips still forming a smile, as she lifts her free hand and gives Esme a wiggle of wave via slim digits. As Dovie explains, she’s nodding along, and then looks to Matthew. “Are you too scared to go against me?” is asked in a taunting tone.

Matthew frees up Malin’s hand only to slide an arm across her shoulders as he leans in to murmur, “You wanna help me win one’ve these shirts, hot sauce?” The smirk working into his features suggests he’s already trying to rig his chances, playing against his girlfriend.

It isn’t much later or Aishia has procured a small pouch of change from some secure spot beneath her layers of clothing and traded them for a double order of drinks to try. Something sour and a share of sunveil, the latter of which is the first her fingers wrap around. “I’m surprised to learn there’s drinking games that don’t involve throwing sharp objects..” an amused comment comes a little later, as by now she’s withdrawn from the bar and wandered somewhat closer to where beer pong’s being had. “So how long does a round take? Just one throw, or until they’ve hit all..” A pause, index freeing itself to quickly count over the cups, one after the other..

Sophie chews her lip as she thinks, “Well, I love sours. But I like tart. Each has their own beauty in the end but I think the lager is more your style.” She says to Kai. A quick glance goes to Dovie, “Damn tasty samples tho!”

“Oooooh, she’s calling you out Matthew Montrose!” Dovie says, loudly, pointing out Matthew.

Kai listens to Dovie and glances at Sophie, “Oh hell, we might as well play, either way we win,” he waggles his brows at Sophie, “Sours, hmmm…” he nods to her.

Dovie points to the rules, answering Aishia. “Five rounds! So each person gets five tries each. Whoever has the most points at the end wins!”

“You’re a sour.” Derek teases Kai idly, toying with his glass as he watches people go about their partying, playing the part of a wallflower for the time being.

“Bonjour! Monsieur Matthew! Mademoiselle Malin!” Noel calls out happily, waving a hand through the air at Matthew and Malin before deciding instead to shuffle over towards them on his bare feet, strange hazel eyes flitting between the pair with excitement then, claiming, “I should kiss you on the cheeks but I do not know if we are friends enough for this, so I shall kiss the air instead!” This declaration made, he leans in towards Malin first, kissing the air twice in the direction of either of her cheeks before mimicking the affection towards Matthew, later lifting up his little pink Pomeranian and waving a paw at the man. “Say ‘bonjour’, Pussy! ‘Bonjour, monsieur!'” he insists in a slightly higher pitch, faking the voice of the caning. Meanwhile the orange one, now dubbed ‘Mango’, gives Esme a ruffled growl, another yip, and then a sneeze, though the growl is so soft that it is easily mistaken as the purr of a cat. “Look, it is your favourite person!” he tells the pinkest Pomeranian: Pussy. “Wish him luck in his game, ma petit poupee!”

“I’m a sour patch kid. First I’m sour, then I’m sweet,” Kai tells Derek, “But then I have another sour core even further in,” he waggles his brows to the man.

Esme relaxes into Gabriel as she readies to watch Malin and Matthew play. She then definitely sticks her tongue out briefly at Mango before exhaling a laugh. “Your pomeranian’s are cute.” She tells Noel, “Name’s Esme.”

“Let’s get you one of those shirts,” Malin says to Matthew, bobbing her head in agreement. “And if you lose… then–” but she never finishes that thought aloud, as Noel is greeting the couple, and she turns her head to view the Frenchie and the Pom Pussy. “Bonjour,” comes her reply. “Hashtag, Noel your worth,” gets tacked on for good measure and then she proceeds to blow a kiss to the pup. “Oh, is it our turn?” she asks, looking between Matthew and Dovie.

Sophie gives Buck a nod, “Glad ya made it out safe from the mess. You a beer guy?” She gives Kai a nudge, “You’re making yourself sound like a sour kinda..lollipop.”

“No one has claimed it so far, so go ahead!” Dovie tells Matthew and Malin. “Aeryn and Esme just wrapped their game!”

Sophie says “Is stop 77 mist clear? My car is parked there.“

Buck gives a shrug to Sophie, “Not much of a drinker unless it’s whiskey, honestly. I’m here to mill around and people watch, mostly. Update my files. I know Meridith just went to go hunting.”

“I’ve yet to discover that one,” Derek supposes to Kai dubiously. “That sounds like a bait-and-switch.” Sluuuuurp. Derek’s green eyes linger on the beer pong table curiously, then wondering aloud, “Who’s going to be drinking five solo cups of beer and procuring my tank top?” with some confidence and a rol of his shoulders.

Sophie says “Shit my brain..sorry.“

Sophie says “It’s fine. Thank Belle!“

“Listen Malin’s a GILF there’s no doubt about it, but waht does she know about beer pong?” Matthew announces like the taunt was decision enough, “Dovie, sign me and Malin up, I will give a master class in beer pong for all–” and along comes Noel, a welcome sight. Kissed air is returned with a ‘mwuah’ when the frenchman is before them greeting. THen of course the pups, “Oh hello Pussy. Mango, and where–” he is looking around, “WHere is Chichi?”

But Malin’s already negotiating their places and he slips away to the table, “Let’s win me a shirt,” he says, like his boast prior was nothing.

Sophie looks at Buck and smirks, “No surprise there. Broody kinda whiskey vibes.”

Matthew grabs one of the sours along the way.

Dovie crows to the whole bar, “Matthew versus Malin, who will win? Will love endure? Questionable!”

Kai nods to Sophie in agreement at her, grinning just a little, “Wait… I dunno if I know what GILF means anymore,” he frowns when he overhears Matthew, “What’s that, Professor? You want to play a round with Derek? What a good idea!” he tells Noel and glances at Derek, a shit-eating grin on his face.

“Place your bets now!” Matthew calls as he arranges his cups, preparing the table for Malin to go first.

Mercy glances over a shoulder at the howl from earlier, catching it even in all the hubbub.

The apparent grandma Matthew wants to … do something to, also known as Malin, raises both medium-width eyebrows at that Montrose, and she taps at a canine with the tip of her tongue. “I’ve already robbed the cradle, it seems, so let’s see if I can steal away your victory, as well,” she quips back at Matthew. Hands lift to rub palms briskly together, preparing herself as she takes up her position and then reaches for a ping pong ball.

“I got ten on Matt,” Kai calls out, a big grin on his face.

Sophie lifts her brow, “Isn’t a GILF…a girl ya wanna fuck?”

Sophie says “Or is it grandma? “

“Montrose Mania. Will they go one-for-one, or zero-for-two?” Derek eggs Matthew on with a sly half-smile and an upnod, his green-eyed gaze drifting to Kai with a flit of his brows, then to Noel. “Did he say that?” he wonders innocently, lifting his shoulders helplessly.

Dovie counters Kai. “I have ten on Matthew!”

Gabriel chimes in, “It’s grandma.”

Sophie smirks at Gabriel.

“Oooh… I thought it was grandma…” Kai tells Sophie, he looks to Dovie and nods at her, “Good, great minds and all that,” he waggles his brows at her. Once Derek speaks he nods at Derek, “I’m sure he did, but it’s loud here.”

Sophie gives Matthew a little glance, “Hey, uh Boss. Might wanna edit the GILF comment before I wind up bring you meals in a dog house.”

“Matthew does not end up in a dog house,” Aeryn looks horrified.

Matthew upnods Derek, winks at those betting on him and then says to Malin, “Let’s see what you got Granny!” to Sophie he quips back, “Never, you heard her, she robbed the craddle!”

Squaring up her shoulders, Malin prepares herself. Her blue eyes lock upon her target, and then she shifts her weight back and forth, then heel to toe, and finally leans in, then back and… “Oh, I’ll be eighty next month,” she pauses to tell Sophie.

Malin uses a beer pong table: The ball arcs high before bouncing off the rim of a red solo cup and rolling sadly across the floor. (+0 points)/span

“Dobie is too young to be a grandma.” Derek supposes matter of factly, sipping at his sour some more as he squints at Matthew. “Maybe he meant ‘girlfriend’.” He glances over to Sophie. and then looks back to Malin perhaps surprisedly. “…Ah.” he mumbles.

“Look at that, perfect. I didn’t even need my bifocals on to see how good that one was,” Malin makes this claim loudly as she misses entirely.

Upon hearing his name, that cotton candy blue Pomeranian pokes its head right out of the duffel bag and looks around excitedly, practically vibrating with energy when it spots Matthew. It yips only the once, then all but leaps out of the duffel bag puppy carrier and runs to chase after Matthew’s heels, snagging a shoe lace and taking off, only to be stopped short by way of the fact that it is still laced into his Air Jordans, and thusly is going nowhere. Still, now the poor man’s shoe is untied, and Noel gasps and clutches his pearls. “ChiChi, non! You are being plus naughty! Release! Do not chew on that, mon Dieu!” he calls out, exasperated.

But then Esme’s words call his attention, and he turns to smile at the woman, lifting a hand to twiddle fingers at her in greeting. “Oui, Mademoiselle, I am Noel. Such a pleasure to meet you, non? How is your night? Congratulations on your victory!”

“I’m so sorry, I am horrible with names,” Aeryn turns her eyes toward Aishia. “Have we met before?”

Furthermore, Noel hears Kai’s declaration that he should play with Derek, and while he seems to ignore it, the perceptive may catch that amused twinkle in his red-flecked hazel eyes.

Dovie chuckles, watching the antics of the Pomeranians before she sighs at Malin. “It’s okay! I’ve seen Stella Got her Groove Back. I know you can get it next time!!”

Dovie says “Evening! “

Esme smiles to Noel, “It’s goin’ great. Can’t be mad about winnin’.” She laughs, looking back toward the ping pong table to see who ends up winning next.

Looking around, Buck looks at his phone as he gets a few alerts, and he give a tip of his hat, “Sorry, got some work to do folks. I’ll see you all around.”

Sophie waves to Buck and then leans over to whisper to Kai.

Aeryn says “There is. Get over here.“

Aeryn says “But I’m here.“

A wink is given to Dovie by Malin, and she claims, “Totally.” While Matthew prepares, she’s performing shoulder rolls. Her hips wiggle beneath the confines of her tight fitting, white romper, and then she does some exaggerated karate chops — likely to try and distract Matthew from his focus.

Dovie says “Yes, it’s at the liquor store in the mall.“

Derek says “The beer may have legs, but it’s not walking to you.“

There’s a hanging question on the lips but it never reaches the point of blossoming out into sound, into audible words, as instead the curious little thing is drawn onto the exchanges around the table. A small arc on her eyebrow takes shape naturally across her features, as she shifts her focus from one person to the other, but nobody seems to be stepping up to the table to play. That is until Malin takes shot, the trajectory of that white orb she lobbed then traced on its path to hit the rim of the red-cupped basket. ‘Ouch’ a quiet wince slips, expressions softening up almost as if some tension’s vanished, now with a game to perhaps follow and examine.

A sip of her drink later, Aeryn’s inquiry reaches her and the lass looks over. Lips purse faintly, and she draws a quick up-and-down across this individual. “I think.. we did, no?” Aishia ponders, asking a heartbeat or two later, “.. where you not in the Order also, before? Or.. did we tend to some arcane disturbance, if not that?”

Kai turns his head and yawns into his fist and scoops up some cheese, chewing it down, he washes it down with beer and nods at Sophie in understanding.

Derek says “It would.“

Matthew stoops down and collects the ball, making extra show of just how lithe and spry he is, like Malin hasn’t already had proof. The display falters when he realizes Chichi has taking a liking to his laces. Once upon a time, this might’ve been a full-scale tragedy for the Montrose, who has been known to care far too much about his wardrobe, but after a cheeky exchange with the Pommy, the laces survive unscathed. “Nobody panic,” he calls, ball lifted in one hand, “The Jordans are fine.”

With that, Matthew turns and sends a smooth one-handed toss towards the cups in front of Malin.

Matthew uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball spins and spins and spins… only to spin out of the red solo cup! (+0 points)/span

“I used to be, but I don’t recall any disturbance,” Aeryn ponders to Aishia.

Dovie blinks at Arachne, “Are you alright?” she asks, concerned, “Did you get injured?”

Kai turns to Arachne and dips into an east asianesque bow to Arachne, “Miss Fairchild-Montrose.

Sophie takes a sip of the lager, her eyes softening at the smooth, bright start. Once he’s done bowing, she tugs Kai close by his shirt and presses a quick, warm kiss to his lips, “Wanna get a snake for a pet?”

Malin uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball whooshes through the air, landing cleanly into the red solo cup with a wet plonk. (+1 points)/span

Dovie glances towards Charlotte a moment. “Welcome! Feel free to help yourself to food, drinks, or games!” She shoots a worried glance back at Arachne.

Kai returns Sophie’s kiss and hmms, he shakes his head at Sophie, “Nah, I don’t really get that. Unless we could train it to attack people,” he supposes to Sophie.

“We may have met paths at one of the Order meets, then.” concludes Aishia, though there’s still a trace of uncertainty as she gives her shoulders a slight shrug. “.. You are.. Arachne’s cousin, no?” she wonders next, curious tone growing slightly warmer and optimistic, energetic even. And speak of the devil in damely disguise, there is an actual Arachne now, who’s found making her entrance and offered a little wave from where this short sight herself is at.

Sophie says “Are you ok there Big A?“

Guess who’s back? Back again! Charlotte‘ back, tell a friend. Charlotte strolls in at an hour that is well beyond fashionable late and into rudely tardy, and she slides on to a booth at the bar. Dovie gets a smile, though, as she gives Malin a kiss on the cheek, and she replies “I’ll have a drink or two, perhaps.”

“I’m more worried about the rhinestones on your jeans,” Malin informs Matthew, exhaling out a shaky breath and eying the sparkly little baubles with feigned concern. Next, she’s watching that miss, but she says, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” and applauds the man before moving in and giving another go. With that absurd warmup over, it seems she’s found success, and as the ball flies true and scoring her a point, she looks back at Matthew and says, “Grandma’s still got it! Suck my Werther’s Original!”

Arachne drifts toward Dovie, downplaying the limp in heels, her right ankle badnaged, pressing a kiss toward her cheek. “A minor mishap,” she murmurs dismissively. “You look wonderful, darling. Is there still beer?” A hand lifts to Charlotte arriving behind her, then she’s waving to Kai back before gliding over to Aishia to treat her to a brief, but fond smile. “Aishia. It’s good to see you stepping out of Killgrove for a change.” And then, she’s on to snatch Malin and thread their arms together. “Malin, darling, walk with me a second.”

Sophie catches Malin’s gaze and comments, “Can market that. Need to market that.”

“Oh hey, it’s that bitch,” Kai nudges Sophie and indicates Charlotte, “Let’s see who she roasts tonight,” he grins at her a little and yawns into his elbow.

“I’m beating Matthew’s ass!” Malin calls to Arachne, as she plays beer pong against Matthew.

Dovie turns back to Arachne, nodding, “Yes, plenty. Help yourself. Snacks as well!”

Matthew uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball whooshes through the air, landing cleanly into the red solo cup with a wet plonk. (+1 points)/span

“Stop that.” Derek mutters to Kai after his deep bow. His attention drifts to Arachne as she makes her arrival limping, his brows lifting with brief concern as Dovie greets her first; he nods quietly once or twice after her dismissal of concerns, leaning back against the bar and continuing his wallflowering.

Sophie giggles at Kai, “Got it, find snake charmer.” She looks over, “Kai, my love, you are ridiculous.”

“It won’t be you, I don’t bully the weak and pathetic.” Charlotte replies to Kai, giving Matthew a hug and Arachne a friendly wave as she peruses the beer options, crossing one leg over the other as he gets comfortable.

Gabriel shoots off a couple of texts and departs with two in two.

Out a chuckle and snort comes. “I’m across town plenty. It’s just.. usually at hours most of the streets are quiet and the people are vast asleep.” Aishia retorts amusedly, but nevertheless says ‘thank you’ for the well-received words with a little dip of the head and offered smile. But then the game is on, and the first point in the girlfriend vs boyfriend match is actually scored, only to get equalized a few seconds later. This is due some excitable applause, muted and likely inaudible over the ruckus of background conversation as it is.

“What?” Kai asks Derek, tilting his head at her, “Why?” he asks, frowning a little, he looks to Charlotte and nods at her, “Very noble of you,” he grins at her a little and looks to Sophie, “What, why?”

“I am Arachne’s cousin, yes,” Aeryn nods to Aishia. “Aeryn Montrose, a pleasure, even if we’ve met before.”

Sophie leans in, “Did Gabriel just leave for a threesome?”

“I dunno but god bless him if he did,” Kai salutes the departing man and the women he’s with.

Aeryn is then beaming, “Charlotte!” before turning to Sophie. “I’d hope not, considering he’s dating Esme.”

“I wouldn’t assume that,” Dovie tells Sophie amicably. “That’s how rumors start, which is unfair to people.”

“You shouldn’t spread such shameless gossip,” Arachne admonishes Sophie lightly, before immediately glancing after the departed pair, and suspiciously reaching for her phone to send a few texts.

Sophie nods along with Kai, “They’re hot.” She looks at Aeryn, “What’s ..that got to do with anything?”

Kai looks to Sophie, “Esme’s super hot, I dunno about the other one,” he shrugs at her, leaning against Sophie lightly.

Aeryn looks absolutely pained. “Esme is plenty pretty enough.”

“…I don’t know.” Derek supposes with a lift of his shoulders, evidently totally nonpressed on the matter, giving him a goofy look before he sips from his sour once more.

Sophie lifts her brow at Aeryn, “And? People do like to have fun?”

Dovie turns towards Charlotte. “Your perfume is divine. Where is it from?”

“Aerie!” Charlotte exclaims, realizing her friend is in the group, and she beams at the woman, giving her a kiss on the cheek as well. “Well, I’m glad I came out. What an excellent group of people.” She takes a sip of beer and makes a little face, but then puts on a brave expression. “I’m not a fan of beer, but this is acceptable!” Wow, what praise.

Out of his sour, his cheeks burning red with drunkenness, and taking up a Pilsner to round himself off, Noel half wobbles towards Matthew, then drops down, gently patting his knees as he calls out to his most mischievous dog, “ChiChi.. You are so naughty, you must not do this to Monsieur Matthew. Apologize!” says the, well, lush, he’s already tipsy off of his cocktail and now swallowing down another drink bit by bit, a behavior that the limping Arachne might recall all too well. Speaking of, as he takes that powder blue Pomeranian in hand, he notices her limp, and stumble-trots to her side, looking concerned and seductive all in one with his pout.

“Madame, are you alright? You look like you’ve had one of mon bad nights… Or one of mon good nights,” he gossips, giggling faintly with drink in hand and then bringing it to his lips, sipping slowly. Then not so slowly, chewing on his lower lip as he appraises the Fairchild-Montrose woman.

Matthew “Oh don’t you worry about my sparkle or shine, babe,” he quips back towards Malin, “and I never miss with my glock,” he claims after. He holds that ball up, tosses it, because imitation is flattery, and he sinks the ball into one of the cups. A wink sent across the table to his girlfriend, then he’s looking over to see the newest of arrivals.

Charlotte granted a quick hug, Arachne a “Hey!” and a wave before he turns tback to Malin, his competitor. “Top that!”

Charlotte smiles at Dovie. “Oh, I picked it up at a little shop in france. I need a fall scent, though-” at this, she turns her gaze to Arachne “And I was hoping to invest in local businesses. Arachne, I’ll be reaching out.”

Sophie looks at Kai, rubbing off on me.”

“Cousin, how are you?” Aeryn smiles to Arachne before joining Charlotte and linking arms with her.

Matthew calls to Charlotte, “Have you met Noel yet, his Chichi is causing trouble, made me miss my first shot!” That dog didn’t, but that’s the Montrose’s story now.

“What?” Kai asks Sophie, looking at her innocently, “Not true.”

“He’s copying me!” Malin declares of Matthew as he, too, scores a point. “My man knows how much wisdom I have as the grandma, and in no time at all, he’ll be performing in the senior circuit, but we don’t call it Beer Pong. It is known as…” She has to take at least two seconds to come up with something. “Prune Pong… at the Ensure Cup Challenge during the Metamucil Madness Convention… something…” She’s next to Arachne, but very much not moving away from this championship at hand. “Hey, Charlotte!” is called to Charlotte before she’s lobbing the next ball to a solo cup. Or at least trying to.

Malin uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball whooshes through the air, landing cleanly into the red solo cup with a wet plonk. (+1 points)/span

Dovie nods at Charlotte as the bartenders refill drinks at the bar.

Sophie catching herself, she moves her gaze to Arachne, “Apologies for my words, shot out before I could think of them. I didn’t mean it.”

“HAH!” Malin cries out at Matthew like she’s already won.

“Don’t forget to bow,” Kai murmurs to Sophie, prompting her, a little grin on his lips.

“People like to have fun, but certainly not have people in their business if they are,” Arachne delicately asserts to Sophie before she’s wrapped back in her family in front of her. Her cheeks warm – the faintest blush, or perhaps a trick of the light, at Noel’s words. “Noel, darling, how much have you had to drink? I’ve had a wonderful night, but quiet. Have you eaten any snacks?” She then treats Charlotte to an easy smile. “Certainly, darling. You have a direct line to me at all times. Never be afraid to use it.” And huh? Someone said something, but there’s Aeryn who gets a gentle squeeze of the hand from her place beside Malin, who she does not steal after all, because it’s far easier to be the belle of the ball while her employee battles Matthew. “Kick his tail, Malin. Make my cousin grovel. Wager he has to banish those Jordans for a month and wear something like Balenciaga.”

“I like that bet,” Aeryn looks intrigued. “I’ll even source it if he loses.”

Dovie adds to Arachne’s suggestions, “Make him wear CROCS if he loses!”

Dovie adds that to Malin, of course.

“You should take his Labubu.” Derek supposes to Malin. Does Matthew have a Labubu? Derek doesn’t really know.

Sophie winces at Dovie, “No no. That’s cruel.”

“Love is a battlefield,” Dovie replies pensively to Sophie.

Horror mixes with avid amusement at Dovie’s suggestion, and Aeryn laughs. “With those little charms.”

Arachne throws a horrified look at Dovie, then turns her head to stare at Matthew consideringly.

“Your dog is charming” Charlotte says to Noel, though she carefully avoids getting close enough to touch said animal. “Chichi, you said it was?” Arachne gets a smile as she leans against Aeryn, smiling at the woman as she gets some friendly affection. “Goodness, it’s busy in here.”

Wow the pressure is really building here. Some people even have mony on the line… supposedly. When the ball sinks in, Matthew collects it, and the cup, downing it down cus now it’s a drinking game, or maybe it always was. “Bold of you to assume I wouldn’t dominate Prune Pong, too,” Matthew fires back, smirking over the rim of his cup, “I’d be the Metamucil MVP, malin, regular as clockwork and twice as deadly.” He does a tick shot, covering up his eyes with one hand, tossing the ball out with the other. “Nobody touches the Jordans!”

Matthew uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball is released with too much force, sending it sailing past the red solo cups entirely. (+0 points)/span

Matthew peeks through his fingers just in time for the ball to land too far. “FUCK!”

“Except apparently they do,” Aeryn quips as Matthew’s shot misses.

“I’m surrounded by sadists,” Arachne comes to that conclusion immediately when Aeryn brings croc-horror-hell home with the mention of charms. “Okay,” she exhales, before nodding her head in agreement to Charlotte. “My cousin’s events usually are. I’m looking forward to the movie night tomorrow. Everyone will have their cars to separate in.”

Dovie calls out to Matthew and Malin. “What’s the score??”

Sophie snickers quietly to herself.

“If I take his Labubu, he comes with it, because they are an inseparable set!” Malin informs Derek, gesturing to Matthew who ends up missing. “Is that a labubu? When you miss? It sounds like it’d be a good name for it. Like if you don’t want to swear in front of children — and you’re like, ‘oh… schnikeys, that was a labubu.'” Narrowing those eyes, she looks like she is trying to imagine that situation or something, but then Dovie is asking for the score. “I have two points, Matthew has one!”

Malin uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball bounces once on the table, then drops into a red solo cup like it was meant to be there. (+1 points)/span

“Three points!” Malin corrects.

Sophie perks up and gives Charlotte a smile, “Have you tried any of the samples?”

Sofia tucks away her weapons as she slides up to the bar, glancing around with a little noise and checking the vibe.

Aeryn’s phone is brought out, and she not so discreetly begins to look at various styles of Crocs, thumbing through images while occasionally showing one to Charlotte. “Red ones, maybe…”

Kai gives a two-fingered salute to Sofia when he notices her.

Dovie waves to Sofia. “Hey there! Just in time, Matthew and Malin are facing off and Malin is winning, so the chances Matthew’s forced to live a life without his Air Jordans are getting higher!”

Charlotte blinks at Sophie when addressed, looking a bit distracted and overwhelmed, but after a moment, she manages a smile and her rich girl persona clicks in. “I’ve tried one, so far. Any recommendations for the second?” Aeryn’s phone is glanced at and she replies “Are you trying to cosplay as a hippie or a poor person? If so, go all out and get a neon color”

Sofia gives Kai a little thumbs up right back and tells Dovie, “A competition where the stakes are sneakers? Not bad, I’ll take it.”

Sophie hums and asks Charlotte, “Which one did you try? And, on a scale of one to ten, how much do you like beer?”

Derek grins over to Dovie, trying at heart with his fingers, his phone nestled at the center. “I can see it.” he muses.

Trying at making a heart with Derek’s fingers, rather.

Dovie grins and Derek, and nods back to Sofia. “Annnd the winnings are a Pour Decisions tank top! Slogan of the month!”

“ChiChi, oui,” Noel replies to Charlotte, holding a Pomeranian in each hand with a third poking its head out of a luxury duffel bag lined with soft fabrics: powder pink, cotton candy blue, and pumpkin orange respectively are the dogs colors. “This is ChiChi,” he says, holding up the blue ball of cotton. “Then you have Mango-” he bumps the duffel with his hip, and the orange Pom yips once, its tongue hanging out of the side of its face as it stares at nothing and everything at once. “And Pussy,” he indicates the third, wiggling that pale pink PomPom and kissing it atop the head, the most quiet and well-behaved of the three. “Ma babies! Ma petite poupees!” he declares smiling at Charlotte politely and giving a dip of his head in greeting.

“Et oui, je suis Noel Deveraux. I am Noel, yes. A pleasure to meet you, Madame Charlotte. You are ravishing like a sunset the day before a storm, a sight for the eyes to behold, you deserve to be painted time and again and hung upon only the most opulent walls,” he decides, a redness to his face indicating that he’s been enjoying the free sample of alcohol. To Arachne, however, he lies: “Only one drink, and I am not finished! I have been behaving myself, you know?”

Kai leans over to bump his hip against Sophie’s lightly, grinning at her a little Lorelei gets a two-fignered salute when she’s spotted as well.

Arachne narrows her eyes mildly at Noel, studying him at length before she lifts her gaze to scan the room around her. “Go and find snacks, Noel,” she murmurs toward him through a gorgeous smile that does not warm her eyes.

“I tried the…pilsner? And I’m more of a wine and gin gal, though beer is appropriate for certain circumstances.” Charlotte replies, shocking literally no one with the knowledge that she’s a fucking snob. She is distracted again by Noel, looking the dogs over before she replies in flawless french.

Obsessed by the progression of the game, and cheering on in particular the girl-side of the competition as she’s showing any established patriarchy what’s up, Aishia is surprised a bit as Arachne makes note of something about her, which easily has bubble out a bit of unabashed laughter. “.. Don’t forget the raptors. Horse smell’s not bad, but.. am glad we stable those nowhere near my home.” she replies with that mirth to her tone, before adding, “.. It’s one of my own blends. Sourced partly from Navorost, partly from Anupharis. Thank you tons, they’re not much compared to your own I dare claim.”

“And where is Bussy, darling? Did you sell him to the man who makes tacos?” Charlotte grins at Noel, leaning back against the bar.

Sophie nods at Charlotte, “Try the sour then, it might be a bit of a refreshing surprise.” A little smile follows, “Brava for trying new things. Wine and gin are obviously superior.”

Matthew affixes Malin with a look from his side of the table, his competitive nature starting to flare up. He wags a finger with the tempo of a sharply delivered warning. “Careful, Grandma, I’m about to send you to bed early.” And then he tosses the ball, like somehow he can land two cups with the toss.

Matthew uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball spins and spins and spins… only to spin out of the red solo cup! (+0 points)/span

Dovie laughs as Matthew doesn’t follow through. “Next time!”

“I’m just going to order them,” Aeryn decides, pressing another button on her phone screen with a sad shake of her head at Matthew.

“Labubu!” Matthew shouts it out like it’s the dirtiest of words.

Arachne tilts her head to the side, a subtle breath drawn in through her nose allowing her a more contemplative study of Aishia’s perfume from where she stands beside Malin, traitorously praying on Matthew’s downfall with the occasional jeer. “I’ll have to compare notes with you soon. I never think to leverage my web of contacts to import more otherworldly notes unless it’s for a Court-aligned event, but perhaps I’ll consider it for the ravamping of our women’s collection to match the work we’ve done with the colognes.” She turns her attention down to her phone, then sighs. “Excuse me. Work never stops.”

Malin uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball hits the rim, circles once, and finally slips into the beer with a gentle splash. (+1 points)

Dovie waves to Arachne. “Thank you for coming, do be careful out there.”

“We do not talk about ma poor Bussy,” Noel informs Charlotte with a pout, feigning a swoon with one Pomeranian pressed to his forehead, then deposited into his duffel bag carefully, claiming, “Gone too soon, mon coeur! He fell to his death from le balcony… How I miss him so. He was the best of us, and mon Dieu decided he deserved better than this wretched world,” describes the Frenchman with a pout, his lucious lashes batting as though he may cry, though his angelic, marblesque face simply won’t allow it, drunk and with odd emotions as he is. Still Arachne’s words reach his ears and he turns towards the bar, humming, “Very well, Madame, but know that you are, as they say, a party foul!

Aeryn waves at Arachne. “Sleep well, I hope to see you later.”

“Don’t threaten me with a good time,” comes Malin’s reply to Matthew, before continuing with, “Us geriatrics love to be in bed before eight, and it’s well past that.” She watches the man’s attempt at scoring, and the failure that follows has earned, “Your ball wanted to take the scenic route.” This time, she’s tossing that ball granny style, underhanded. It tests her patience, skimming about the outer circle of the top of that red vessel, but ultimately plops inside. Blue eyes lock on Matthew’s face, daring him to beat that.

Lorelei lingers just outside the edge of the crowd for a few moments as it gathering impetus to breach, or like a gymnast preparing for her routine. After a beat she steps forward and strikes a melodramatic pose, a distracting bit of glitter and noise catching on her copper curls and scattering in quick, illusory sparkles that vanish as quickly as they appear. She does a little spin as if to catch as many eyes as she can and greets with a melodic German accent. “Hello! I am here. Did someone say Bussy Tacos?”

Up comes that hand again to give someone a farewell share of a five-fingered wave. “Please do. You have sources in Killgrove plenty now and most are very open to trade. Dream well, weaver.” Aishia offers the departing lady with fond expressions going somewhat more serious now, eyes glazing back towards the pong table. “This is triumph, yes? A four-to-one victory?” Out comes a whistle. It may be the first time ever she’s seen this type of game but that sounds like a solid score out of five.

Up comes that hand again to give Arachne a farewell share of a five-fingered wave. “Please do. You have sources in Killgrove plenty now and most are very open to trade. Dream well, weaver.” Aishia offers the departing lady with fond expressions going somewhat more serious now, eyes glazing back towards the pong table. “This is triumph, yes? A four-to-one victory?” Out comes a whistle. It may be the first time ever she’s seen this type of game but that sounds like a solid score out of five.

Dovie lights up at seeing Lorelei, “Lorelei!!” She calls out, “Come grab a drink. And maybe an enemy for the night if you want to earn a tank top!”

“Goodness, what a tragedy!” Charlotte exclaims to Noel. “I can imagine your grief is intense, darling, a loss like that is so difficult to process.” Charlotte leans against Aeryn again, peering at the other woman’s phone, before she asks, curious, “Where in France do you hail from? My grand-mere pushes me to bother anyone who comes to town and is from the old country.”

Looking at Charlotte oddly, Aeryn blinks in a purposeful motion. “That’s a language I don’t speak, and I’m betting French,” she says slowly.

Sofia upends a glass of beer that was barely touched, chugging it all down in one go and then setting the empty on the bar. She gives Dovie an apologetic little smile and then slips off silently, walking away with her shoulders uncharacteristically slumped.

“Apologies, Aerie, I was using you as a comfortable leaning post while I rudely conversed with Noel in French. It’s so rare that I get a chance to speak it.” Charlotte shrugs, taking another sip of beer and then watching as Sofia walks out. “Oooh, seems to be some gossip there.”

Charlotte is a messy bitch who loves drama, and so she is fascinated by the messes of others.

“You’re fine!” Aeryn tells Charlotte, returning the lean and also watching as Sofia exits. “Hmm.”

Sophie shifts to wrap and arm through someone’ “Heeey. How you doin? Wanna throw a fall pizza party?”

Lorelei tilts her head, curls catching the light as she slips through the crowd toward Dovie with lazy, feline ease. “Mm, Dovinia,” she teases, a glint in her blue-green eyes, “if there’s a tank top and I don’t leave wearing it, I can absolutely guarantee you’ll have made yourself an enemy by sunrise.” She goes right for the drinks.

Malin looks entirely hopeful that Aishia’s claim is correct.

Sophie leans on Kai as she enjoys the event.

Kai leans back against Sophie, hmming as he looks around at those that remain at the event.

“Then find yourself someone to play against and claim the next game after Matthew and Malin!” Dovie tells Lorelei. “Plus the tanks are on sale, but you may as well win yourself one!”

Matthew ferezes mid-reach for the next ball, a slow grin spreading as he watches Malin sink another cup. “Alright… okay… that was actually hotm” he admits the faintest note of awe slipping through before he can catch it. Then, because sincerity is dangerous territory, his head tips, eyes narrowing in mock suspicion. “You been practicing without me? Out here developing… ball skills?” He lets the last twor words hang loaded, before finally grabbing the ball, losing or not, he’s not going down without a fight.

Matthew uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball is released with too much force, sending it sailing past the red solo cups entirely. (+0 points)/span

Charlotte hands out cheek kisses all around the room, Aeryn, Malin, Matthew, Dovie all getting some, and Sophie gets a pat on the arm after engaging this lady. None for (Gretchen Weiners) poor Kai, though – this bitch cannot help herself. She doesn’t even irish goodbye, but rather full on slides out the door with a wave, clearly aware that everyone knows she’s peacing out.

Dovie says “Thanks for coming Charlotte!“

“Mon ange, I was born in Marseille but was ultimately raised by mon former master in Paris, my mama sold me for mere pennies, non? And now I am worth gold bars to the right bidder, truly her own mistake,” Noel informs Charlotte without shame for his former enslavement, something that likely carved him into the being he is today, confident and submissive and ever pretty. When talk of his past-tense dog becomes English, he switches his language easily, claiming, “Oui, I was torn. I did not leave my home for days, nearly a week, before I was shaken out of it. He was mon coeur, you know? Do not tell the others, I-” but in the middle of his rambling, the woman is gone, the Frenchman turning around to find no one there to converse with at all.

Sophie nudges Kai, “She’s not that bad.” She then kisses Kai’s cheek.

“I didn’t say she was bad, she was hilarious the other night,” Kai tells Sophie, grinning a little at her.

“Did I win?” Malin asks, like there was actually any reason to question if after Matthew’s toss misses again. She winks at Matthew playfully. “Maybe?”

Sophie grins at Kai, “I agree.” Her smile warms, “No lover, pizza shop stuff.”

Kai nods in understanding to Sophie, hmming a bit, he loops an arm around her and squeezes her lightly.

“Admittedly, I was relying on you two to keep score,” Dovie tells Malin and Matthew, looking between the couple as she preps a tank top.

Lorelei plants her hands on her hips and observes Malin and Matthew’s game, and the lovers quarrel that might ensue. She golf claps at inappropriate times.

Matthew is conceding, he’s been severely out classed, and slips out from his side of the table to stalk over to Malin’s, “This why you my gilf,” he claims, “the real question is, are you gettin a shirt for me, or for you.” To Dovie, “She has like five points, six points? I only got one.”

Derek wallflowers about at the bar, tippity-tapping at the social media device they call a phone and sipping more at his sour, green eyes drifting between Malin and Matthew with a flit of his brows as the game seems to be resolving.

“I need one that would fit me if I was a big man with muscles,” Malin informs Dovie as she slips an arm about Matthew, leaning into him.

Sophie looks at Derek, “You got a favorite?”

Derek blinks once or twice, looking cluelessly over to Sophie. “…Mm?” he hums curiously.

Sophie asks Derek, “The beers, you stickin to what ya know?”

“Oh. I see citrus, I drink. Or eat, really. It’s just the best flavor profile.” Derek supposes to Sophie.

Dovie grabs a larger size and hands it over to Malin. “Congratulations! You show those kids these days!”

Matthew drapes his arm around Malin’s shoulders, boasting to the group, “You guys see the shirt my girlfriend won me?”

Sophie makings a little note in her book and nods at Derek, “Good to know.”

“Thank you!” Malin gleefully replies to Dovie as she accepts the shirt, and then promptly hands it over to Matthew. “There you go, stud. It’s all yours.”

Derek presents a brief, slight, but candid smile to Sophie, dipping his chin in acknowledgment, before he snorts at what Dovie says. “…Wow.” he states. “I’m glad I wasn’t sipping then.”

Aeryn starts to laugh after Dovie’s comment, before slipping off her seat. “I need to run. Dovie, always a pleasure. Wonderful event.”

Dovie winks at Derek and turns to Aeryn. “Thank you for coming!!”

Huffing out a breath as much of his conversation filters out, Noel’s dark and seductive gaze finds itself settled upon Derek, and he makes his way over in the other man’s direction, bare feet stepping on their toes silently, hips all a-sway until he comes to a stop before him, smiling up and fluttering his lashes in a playful manner, though it is not all poking fun. It seems Noel takes the art of seduction quite seriously, even when off the clock. “Monsieur Derek,” he greets softly, leaning in against the wall beside him and drinking again from his malt. “Handsome as always in your suit, tres magnifique..”

Aeryn gives a wave of her fingers before slipping out the door.

Lorelei runs her fingers through her wild coppery hair as she sweeps the room with a carnivorous look, then eyes the ponging table. She sips the beer, makes a face like she’s just drank a swig of kombucha, is it good, is it bad, her expression won’t tell you that’s for sure.

Dovie turns back to Lorelei. “The beer pong table is clear! Who do you want to challenge?”

Lorelei lifts a hand in the air pointing at the cieling, a bubblegum pink fingernail falling in an arc to j’accuse Dovie herself.

Dovie gasps, her hands over her heart, as if that bubblegum fingernail had let out a bullet. “Well.. I have no choice to accept! Accusers first!” Dovie tells Lorelei.

Malin whistles approvingly at Lorelei and Dovie.

Derek blinks once or twice with brows raised up with a mix of concern and intrigue at Noel as he sways along and approaches him. “…Hello, Monsieur Noel.” he intones with a little upcurl to his lips, before that smile broadens a bit at his latter comment. “Oh? Well, I’m glad you like it. This blazer is one of my favorites; my dry cleaners and staff have kept it pristine, which I am quite happy about.” he confesses, before adding, “Though, I suppose the handsomeness is of my own accord.” with dry amusement, running a hand through his auburn hair idly as his gaze surveys the petite man, clearing his throat. “You are looking quite dapper this eve as well.”

Having spent some time at the observer’s edge of the ball game, Aishia finally speaks aloud a curious question that’s been gnawing at the mind – one that itself seems to spark up almost wishful wonder and amusement already. “Are there.. bonus rules, like.. blindfolded shot earns double points?”

“I’m afraid my crocs have been stolen by the Mercers,” Matthew claims to Dovie, and then he starts pulling off his shirt, intending to wear that new one beneath the jersey.

“Hmmm, that’s a fun idea! Perhaps there could be some house rules if people want,” Dovie offers to Aishia.

Lorelei moves to the table with a bounce in her everything, grabbing life by the ball she inspects it for regulatory markings and balance first, clicking on it with the tips of her nails and checking for asmr potential as well. “Yes, this will do.” She moves to line up her shot, doing a little spin that overcomplicated the whole affair before the toss.

Lorelei uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball ricochets off the table’s edge, clattering away. (+0 points)

Dovie takes her time selecting a ping pong ball and begins to line up for her shot as well…

Dovie uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball is released with too much force, sending it sailing past the red solo cups entirely. (+0 points)/span

Dovie looks up from the game and waves to Amara. “Welcome! Help yourself to drinks or snacks! Feel free to grab a partner to play beer pong after this game too!”

Amara gives a warm smile to Dovie and tips her head politely. She does indeed help herself to snacks and drinks.

Lorelei completely ignores her own failure, then gently jeers Dovie’s with a giggle and a clap. “Oooh the Dovie fandom is in shambles.” She says, as she shakes the next ball and breathes on it like you might dice before going for another toss.

Lorelei uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball hits the rim, circles once, and finally slips into the beer with a gentle splash. (+1 points)

The first thing Dovie does is check that Obadiah is not wear plastic sin-shoes.

Dovie huffs at Lorelei, “Just you wait! The Lorelei fanclub will disband after this!” she threatens while lining up her shot again.

Dovie uses a beer pong table: The ball arcs high before bouncing off the rim of a red solo cup and rolling sadly across the floor. (+0 points)/span

Dovie groans.

“Some of our games end up with so many house rules for bonus points all made up on the spot, games end up with scores more like that basketball sport even if you only get one throw of a dart.” muses Aishia amusedly to herself with an almost nostalgic sense of mirth and merriment a-bubblin’ inside. She draws more sips of her sunveil down and soon finds herself with an almost empty glass in hand. A look over the shoulder though reassures her that, even would this container turn out empty before long, the other ordered refill is still there for her when she’ll need it most.

“… most of those rules are also made up as hail maries by parties behind in score, mind. Creative is he or she who finds himself cornered.”

“I would not call my house robe et bare feet dapper, mon ami,” Noel laughs softly as he tends to a few seemingly important texts upon his phone, glancing down at the screen, typing, then subtly biting his lower lip. He thinks for a time, then taps out a response before looking back up to Derek, amusement writ across his face for a time. He quickly conceals the expression on his lips behind his Pilsner, however, pretending to sample the aroma wafting from the glass, and notably he does not partake in the snacks that he was commanded to eat, letting the alcoholic mixture of sours and malts muddle in his stomach and soak into his blood stream, his face turning a bit more red. “I dare say I may have a caller tonight… Surprising, I am plus expensive..” claims the French whore.

“Maybe the house rule is one house rule per game?” Dovie suggests to Aishia. “But the point is taken, it can get needlessly complex.”

Lorelei nearly bounces out of her top as she bounces in time with the missing ball, cackling witchily and giving Dovie another sweet smile. “Ooo, ja. They will be crying in the Dovie-dome tonight.” She promises, retriving the ball and buffing it off against her vinyl skirt before cheekily doing a blind toss.

Lorelei uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball hits the rim, circles once, and finally slips into the beer with a gentle splash. (+1 points)

Obadiah wanders in and finds a place near Dovie before commenting rather loudly, “How did the subject of my footwear come up? And more importantly why the croc hate?” He squints, “And why use my full name?”

Dovie huffs at Lorelei before she glares at Obadiah. Full on glares. “This is a no crocs zone, Sir Mercer.”

Dovie uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball hits the rim, circles once, and finally slips into the beer with a gentle splash. (+1 points)

Dovie cheers!

Derek tippity-taps at his phone nonchalantly, green eyes drifting about the room momentarily to Dovie before they look back down to his black mirror.

Obadiah glances between Matthew and Derek as if they may hold the answer to this riddle before closing his eyes, “So much to unpack in this conversation.”

Lorelei groans as if Dovie just punched her in the gut, planting her hands on her cheeks worriedly as if concerned the worm has turned. “Dovie!!” She says, as if wronged, but she breathes deeply and regains her focus by chugging on her beer Germanically.

Lorelei uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball is released with too much force, sending it sailing past the red solo cups entirely. (+0 points)/span

Sophie gives Obadiah a little wiggle of her fingers.

Looking at his phone, Jasper pauses and looks around until he finds Obadiah and Robert. “Hey there,” he greets with a small smile.

Tippity-tap; Derek seems engrossed in his own little world, green eyes adrift for a moment before he tips his drink back and finishes off his sour.

Robert makes his way on over towards the bar, offering an easy smile to the group and a wave to those familiar to him and a hand waved back. “Hey, folks, been awhile, how have you been, Jasper? And drinking at another establishment, Obie?”

Dovie waves to Robert, welcoming him before she turns her attention back to the not-so-deadly game of beer pong. She squints hard, trying to approximate her shot…

Dovie uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball hits the rim, circles once, and finally slips into the beer with a gentle splash. (+1 points)

Robert sighs faintly as his earpiece beeps, then opts to ignore it.

Derek blinks, as if snapping himself from a trance as he looks back to Noel. “…Perhaps not.” he muses, running a hand through his hair again once or twice. He studies him for a moment longer, humming. “Is that so? Well… I wish you a lucrative and – hopefully – enjoyable night in that case then.” he iterates candidly, a slight upcurl to his lips briefly.

“Worse! I am having my hypothetical fashion choices criticize in someone else’s establishment,” Obadiah faux laments. “It is almost enough to make me go get some crocs, jeans, and a tuxedo t-shirt and come back.”

Lorelei had her phone out fixing her makeup when Dovie made that shot, so it perhaps did not have an impact on her. She distractedly looks up and makes a delayed reaction of displeasure, huffing. She snaps her phone shut and goes back to taking this very seriously. No more trick shots, no spins. She locks in.

Lorelei uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball spins and spins and spins… only to spin out of the red solo cup! (+0 points)/span

“It’s been well, I guess,” Jasper admits to Robert. “Survived the full moon inside my room and all.”

Dovie turns her head slowly towards Obadiah, in an eerie way. “What?” she asks. But Lorelei’s shot distracts her and she tries to focus in on making a new cup.

Dovie uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball is released with too much force, sending it sailing past the red solo cups entirely. (+0 points)/span

Robert grins hugely at Obadiah’s comments, deeply amused. “Make sure to add a four-inch spoiler to your shoulders while you do it, and racing stripes everywhere.” As he leans against the bar, picking up one of the taster beers. “Hey, there’s worse things to have happen, Jasper.”

“Obie, if you show up to a function in a getup like that I will make you change.” Derek observes evenly, crossing his arms as he leans his back against the bar. “Dress code.” he teases as his gaze flits back to the beer pong game, evidently trying to get a pulse on it then.

Noel turns to stare at Obadiah as though he had insulted his moth, jaw dropping slightly as he is distracted from his conversation with Derek against the wall. “… Non, you must not! I would not be seen in the same room!” he warns, clutching his own house robe about himself tightly. Standing on his, well, bare feet. And yet he looks at the other man and judges him for his own hypothetical poor fashion choices, all a-gasp.

Robert waggles his drink at Jasper. “And now you’re amongst friends. Unfortunately, I can’t stay – I’ve gotta pick up some medication and head on the way back, but figured I’d come and be social for a brief bit.”

“Okay,” Jasper nods towards Robert while he sips his glass of stout. “The crowd’s big though.”

Robert calls out, “Good party, though! Good on you for the event!” He raises the glass and takes another swig from it, looking pleased.

Lorelei seems to only grow more focused a the string of misses, huffing up and inflating her chest like an angry pheasant in a pushup bra. She leans back this time, arcing the shot high, tired of all these rimshots. “Ja, 2 2, I think.” She says, breathily.

Lorelei uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball ricochets off the table’s edge, clattering away. (+0 points)

Dovie winces, picking up a ping pong ball after Lorelei. “Sudden death then…” she muses before squinting again, trying to take aim…

Dovie uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball hits the rim, circles once, and finally slips into the beer with a gentle splash. (+1 points)

Dovie gasps!

Robert also calls out, “Hey, Ai! It’s been awhile!”

“Mm,” Obadiah laments, “As much as I love a good game and mild antagonism of the Fairchilds, this may be a line I don’t want to cross.” He squints slightly, “I guess just bunny slippers for me.”

Dovie grabs a tank top and hands it to Lorelei. “For being such a good competitor.”

Kai runs his fingers up through his hair and turns to Sophie, leaning over against her, he notes Amara and gives her a wave, “Hey Amara. You found a shower huh?” he greets her with a grin.

Lorelei uses a beer pong table: The ping pong ball hits the rim, circles once, and finally slips into the beer with a gentle splash. (+1 points)

Lorelei splonks one more in for some reason.

Dovie beams proudly at Obadiah and claps for Lorelei. “You just had to get warmed up.”

A state of almost momentary trance usually reserved to drug-fueled oracling and soothsaying blinked out of, one befallen upon her as she watches Dovie and her adversary rack up the points at the pong table, Aishia gives a bit of golf audience-style clapping now that this match reached its conclusion, and another t-shirt victor stands before the gathering. She finishes her drink promptly after, turning bar-wards with a swivel on the balls of cloth-padded feet and returns the glass with a complementary tip to tonight’s dutiful bartender. “.. It was lovely.” she comments en large, attention drawing exit-wards – “.. Curious to try the other drinks soon.” A ‘night’ is offered as good night wishes as she begins to slip away from the bar, just in time to catch Robert in his (to her) unnoticed arrival. “Hey! It has! I hope they’ve a beer with syrup in it for you, but I -do- recommend the Sunveil otherwise.” A wave later and the little thing’s vanishing westwards.

Amara glides over with light footsteps towards someone “Are you Kai?” she wonders, curiously gazing over toward Sophie for a moment.

Robert snorts at Aishia’s snapback, calling on back, “I’m about to leave myself! And I’m not drinking any damn syrups tonight – and I have money to throw at your head! Get back to me when you have time!”

Amara glides over with light footsteps towards Kai. “Are you Kai?” she wonders, curiously gazing over toward Sophie for a moment.

Sophie looks at Amara and gives her a warm smile.

“Yep, nice to meet you. Cool hammer,” Kai greets Amara and asks, “What’s your favorite kind of beer?” he asks, indicating the spread with one hand.

Lorelei pulls off her blouse, and tucks it away in her bag, swapping it for her victorous tanktop, she won, right? That sounds right to her.

“And who is this? A girlfriend perhaps?” Amara wonders looking at the smiling Sophie. For the moment she ignores Kai’s question.

Lorelei does some brutal things with a pair of scissors she just happens to have in her purse, cropping and cutting some cleavage out of the top.

Sophie offers Amara a hand to shake, “Hi, I’m Sophie. Kai’s mine. Yeah.”

Robert knocks back his lager all in one go, setting the empty glass back down with a -clunk- and offering a wave. “Alright.” He states. “I’m going to buy some liquor on the way out, and then get back to it. Catch you cool cats all around.”

Then, just as quickly as he appears, Robert steps out, life dragging him ever onwards and endlessly busy.

Kai nods in agreement with Sophie and Amara, “Yep, girlfriend,” he agrees, “I forgot my collar at home though,” he informs Amara, a little grin on his lips as he glances sidelong to Sophie.

Dovie waves to Robert as she moves to stand next to Obadiah, getting on her toes a moment to lean up to give him a chaste kiss on his cheek.

“Oh? A collar? She’s your little toy?” Amara wonders, over at Sophie. “A little pet for you to amuse yourself with?” she observes, gazing back to Kai.

Lorelei blushes and offers a demure handwave, though she’s obviously gassed up and the bashfulness is a show. “Oh, ja ja. I’ll tell you a secret, these glasses are just plastic lenses. I just wanted to look like a professional.” She says, though it’s obvious that was not her intent.

Derek leans back casually, tapping at his phone as he holds it before him regarding it with idle interest, his green-eyed gaze drifting languidly over to Amara with mute curiosity before it returns to his screen.

Obadiah leans into the kiss as the couple pay off dueling propaganda ministers for their little games. “Hey honey. How is it going?” His eyes flit around the room as some people come and others go, occasionally glancing at his phone

“No no, /my/ collar,” Kai replies to Amara, laughing a little at the woman’s questions, “I think I’m more like her pet,” he tells Amara, glancing down at his phone, typing away from time to time.

Dovie smiles at Obadiah. “Good! Seems like people are having fun,” She turns back to Lorelei. “Lorelei, you ARE a professional,” she eggs on.

“That makes more sense,” Amara observes to Kai. “I suppose that makes her responsible for your behavior.”

“Alright, mon friends, it is time for me to depart,” Noel announces crisply, almost drunkely, but not quite as he hoists his drink in the air, hearing Amara’s words and deciding that this is roughly a good time to tiptoe his way out of the space, before things start getting thrown, like glasses and fists- he’s far too pretty for a black eye. “It has been a pleasure, but this time of night is mine, and I am afraid I must work! Adieu, au revoir!” says the French whore, hugging his robe more tightly around himself and making for the exit while the getting is good.

Sophie looks at Amara and then Kai, “No no. Kai is perfectly capable of being responsible for himself. He’s far from a pet. Way more precious.”

Derek lifts a hand to wiggle his fingers over to Noel with a slight upcurl to his lips. “Very nice seeing you, Monsieur Noel.” he intones delicately.

“Oof, I hope not,” Kai grins aside at Sophie, “I wouldn’t want to wish anyone responsibility for my behavior but me,” he tells Amara, “Did you try any of the drinks yet?” he wonders, tilting his head to the woman.

Lorelei waves to Malin and Matthew and does a little wiggle-spin as she poses in her top. “I won!” She tells them, across the room.

Obadiah waves to Noel, “Great to put a name to a face!”

Jasper waves his hand at someone.

Jasper waves his hand at Noel.

Matthew gives out a cheer for Lorelei, “Hey, nice job! Now we can be–” he taps against his chest, “twins! Nicely done!”

“Congratulations, Lorelei. If a German lost a beer related sport, I’d be very disappointed,” Malin confesses to Lorelei, one arm still slipped about Matthew.

“It is actually impossible for Lorelei to lose any beer related sport as a result,” Dovie informs Malin.

“…Impossible?” Derek wonders to Dovie skeptically.

Dovie nods seriously, and leadingly at Derek, emphasizing. “Impossible.”

Obadiah says “That sounds like a challenge.“

Matthew squints at Amara then just asks, “Who’s that woman?”

Amara is about to respond then blinks, peering at Matthew. “Who’s that man?”

Malin flashes a broad grin at Dovie, and then looks over at Derek. “It’s practically like Oktoberfest running out of beer. That just doesn’t happen.”

Dovie bobs her head in agreement with someone, “Right Lorelei?” She asks of the German, peering at Lorelei.

Dovie bobs her head in agreement with Malin, “Right Lorelei?” She asks of the German, peering at Lorelei.

“I would certainly hope not.” Derek muses to Malin, before he glances between Matthew and Amara, tilting his head to the side with idle curiosity.

Lorelei crosses her arms thoughtfully beneath her breasts, squishing as her fingers lock into her elbows. “I did consider wearing my Dirndl to this event, but it seemed like overkill. And I can wait until October to break it out.” She says, as if that were the answer.

Sophie nudges Kai, “You wanna head home and snuggle?”

Obadiah decides to play gracious host, “Amara, meet the famous Matthew Montrose, Matty, Meet Amara.” He motions between Matthew and Amara

Dovie picks up a grape from the food board.

Malin turns her head, pressing a quick kiss to Matthew’s cheek before giving a gentle pat to his far hip where her hand is otherwise resting. She nods to Derek. “October will be here before we know it.”

Kai nods over to Sophie, “Yeah… I guess it’s getting kinda late,” he agrees as he looks between Amara and Matthew, looping an arm around Sophie’s waist.

Amara hmms and nods, jotting the information away then back to Kai, she simply smiles. “Enjoy your evening, you two.”

Matthew points a finger at Amara, then says, “I think I took a picture of her once and she called me a creep!” He doesn’t sound the least bit apologetic, nor does he sound ashamed. “Hi, Amara!”

Sophie waves to the rest of the room, giving everyone a happy smile.

“Isn’t most of Oktoberfest in September?” Derek wonders to Malin with a flit of his brows and a slight smile, gaze drifting to Obadiah and then to Amara as if putting names to faces – most of which he already knew.

Kai gives a two-fingered salute to Amara and follows Sophie on out of the party.

Amara gestures emphatically. “I am afraid I have no recollection of this event, Mister Montrose.”

Dovie looks between Amara and Matthew, interjecting brightly. “How about we all have a drink! There’s still plenty of stouts!”

Lorelei purses her lips and pouts a bit, being a baby about something. “I hate event planning. I am good for like one or two jobs to help then I get overwhelmed” She complains, melodramatically.

“The day before my birthday, it begins,” Malin confesses to Derek. “But in the states… it’s usually someone putting up tends in the beginning of October? That I’ve noticed. But in Germany…” She glances over at Amara, and then laughs at Matthew. “Aww, my creepy man.”

“Even better,” Matthew decides, glancing down at Malin, whom he is well and truly fused to between her arm around his waist and his around her shoulders. “Then let’s even forget I ever said that!” The offer of a drink earns a bright smile, “I want to try that stout!”

Dovie pats Obadiah on the back.

Amara says “It has been a lovely evening.“

Dovie reaches for some freshly poured stouts, bringing one to Matthew and one to Amara.

Malin is still laughing, softly, but no less amused. She pats at Matthew’s hip again. “I should have brought the camera.”

Amara lifts the stout and smiles. “Your name?”

Lorelei snips a little more fabric off of her top as if to even it out, making sure it fits right, she looks like she’s modified a shirt on the go before.

Matthew lifts his drink in a cheers to everyone, “Hey, to a good game of beer pongs!” Then over to Amara, “you been in town long? Don’t think I’ve ever met a woman as tall as me–” the Malin he comments, “have you seen a woman this tall? She’s so tall!”

Obadiah looks up and around a moment before flicking his eyes to Derek and then back around the room and then back to his phone.

Amara nods to Dovie just so. To Matthew, she offers, “A few weeks now. I have been busy with my work, sadly leaving little time for a social life in this wonderful city,” she smiles plainly.

“I have, indeed,” Malin assures Matthew of Amara’s height not being the only one related to a female’s figure.

Lorelei bites her lips thoughtfully, “Women are very tall in Sweden.” She says. “Malin is actually very short there.”

Derek clears his throat as he tippity-taps at his screen, nonchalantly reaching a hand over for one of those stout samplers.

Malin flashes a grin at Lorelei. “The rest of my family is quite tall, yes,” she agrees.

Amara tilts her head. “It’s a complicated job, and I prefer not to discuss business when socializing,” she smiles warmly.

Malin relays to Matthew, “I was the shortest.”

Lorelei nods her head thoughtfully. “This was true for me too, Ja. Malin told me is it the Fae blood.” She wanders over to the food to hover over the charcutes with a very don’t mind if I do pose.

Katha nods to Dovie with a quick smile “You’re very kind, thank you.” he says.

“It does make us shorter for some reason,” Malin states, without really stating much beyond agreeing with Lorelei. “I’ve been seeing Doctor Clark lately. She’s been doing all kinds of blood work on me, trying to see how my body responds to all of the shifting and whatnot. It’s been interesting.”

Matthew grins, then nods his head, “I see, well it’s already been established I need to travel more,” he reasons, bumping against Malin, “we should go to Sweden sometime.”

Dovie nods at Amara, “Not a problem, where are you from?”

Lorelei takes a very zen approach to charcuterie, and attempts to make herself one with everything. Wrapping slices of fruit with meat and cheese, writing her own story intead of sticking to any script the layout of the platter might encourage.

Malin bumps her hip into Matthew’s in return, in a playful manner so that he doesn’t go flying away from her side. “I’d love to take you to Sweden. The weather is quite nice there at the moment, too.”

Derek snorts as he taps at his phone, amusement playing at his features as his gaze drifts over to Obadiah for a moment, then to Dovie and her conversation with Amara. He sips the stout he’d procured, humming contently.

Amara sighs long. “Oh, I’m actually not entirely sure? You know how it is, spend enough time in this strange world of ours and you lose so much. I think it was somewhere like….Michigan. That sounds like a fine place to come from, Yourself?”

“Michigan! Great Lakes? Never been myself, I-” Dovie catches sight of something on her phone and freezes.

Amara peers over, smiling at Dovie. “You have quite the alarming situation on your hands, it seems.”

Katha snags a glass and starts to drift a bit aimlessly, not quite sitting at any particular spot. Eventually he lingers near Dovie and Amara, lifting the beer to sip. “Michigan. I hear they speak a dialect of Canadian there.” he comments thoughtfully. “Though I suppose the mists can meddle even with memory of our once native tongue.” he adds with a little bit of mischief gleaming in his eyes.

Obadiah can barely contain his laughter as as he looks at his phone, eyes filled with mischief

Dovie glances between Amara and Katha, clearly displeased. “I am being libeled!”

“My host? Libeled? Well that simply won’t do. Who is the offender, shall I deal with them?” Amara asks of Dovie.

Derek snickers as he taps at his phone with a Cheshire grin.

Dovie stamps her foot on the ground, angry! “I don’t know,” she wails to Amara. “How do I find out??”

Lorelei having tried every obscure combination of fruit cheese and meat she desires, drifts back over to the beerpong table, taking a moment to check underneath it and around the cops for any signs of tampering or witchcraft.

Lorelei lifts a finger and points at Obadiah.

Amara sighs and gestures. “I think whoever is guilty should simply admit they did it, otherwise, well, who knows what might happen? We’d have the investigation. Ground this whole evening to a halt until we found and punished them.”

Katha looks to Dovie with some sympathy over the rim of his glass, heaving a soft sigh “Perhaps they want something? I don’t know why anyone would say something bad about a woman that offers free beer.” he says mournfully.

Obadiah blinks his eyes innocently at Dovie

Dovie sighs at Amara, Katha and Obadiah. “I don’t know who would do such a thing…” Her eyes narrow. “I’m hiring a private investigator,” she decides, beginning to text.

Matthew holds up the stout, “This one is my favorite,” he declare and glances down to check in on Malin, “You have a favorite you’ve tried?”

“Ask Buck; he may know.” Derek supposes to Dovie softly.

Dovie rubs her eyes for a moment, doing a double take at the crowd.

Malin gives a shake of her head to Matthew. “I haven’t tried any,” she says, tonguing a canine, but not saying why she hasn’t sampled any.

Matthew offers his over to Malin, “Try this one,” he suggests.

Katha hmmm’s soflty and nods to Dovie with a supportive little smile “I hope they can do something in time. Who knows how much damage this could do in the meantime! But I guess there’s no hope for it. You’d have to have a sorcerer or something to find the culprit faster.”

Malin glances down at the stout, then a little further down at her middle, and then back up at Matthew. She hesitates, but then takes a sip of the beer.

Obadiah watches Dovie for a moment then to Amara, then to Derek, then back to Dovie. “Well, whoever it was, is a little mischievous, clearly so we are looking for a Fae. Someone close to you, and close enough to hear the croc conversation. I wonder…. Simple deductions leads us to two suspects.”

Malin partakes in that stout and then declares it to be, “It’s very good.”

“This is just like Among Us.” Derek dryly observes as he tips his stout back and takes a sip nonchalantly.

Amara gives Obadiah a look, of amusement perhaps, mirth. She lets him continue without comment.

Dovie stamps her foot on the ground, her eyes narrowed at Derek. “Derek how could you!! I thought you despised crocs as much as I did!”

Matthew leans against Malin, “Should we head on?” he wonders.

Katha swaps the glass to his other hand and extends his right hand to Dovie with a little smile “I’m so glad, I mean if it proves useful at lest. I’m Katha, it’s good to meet you. Do you know any decent ones?” He asks curiously.

Malin leans in and kisses Matthew on the cheek again. “Sure.”

“What? You can view the chat history. I never said such things.” Derek states indignantly to Dovie. “What a ridiculous accusation.”

Dovie stops her ranting to wave at Matthew and Malin. “Thank you for coming!” Her gaze returns to Derek, eyes narrowed. “I’m telling Arachne!” she insists before she sighs, telling Katha. “I don’t yet, but if you find one, do inform me.”

Katha says “I mean I never said such a thing in public at least. Though who knows what I may have said in private.“

Obadiah gives Katha a shit-eating grin.

Dovie huffs, looking offended. “We’re family!”

“Thank you for hosting!” Malin says to Dovie happily and genuinely.

Obadiah says “Derek is certainly one of the suspects “

A smile is granted to everyone at the bar, Dovie earns a pointed finger, “Hey, I’m so glad I got one of these poor decision shirts!” Then Matthew points towards Obadiah, “Hey, can’t wait for the crawfish boil.” Lorelei is given a hug, Katha, Jasper, and Amara an upnod. “Good seeing everyone, Amara nice meeting you.”

Dovie looks between… Katha and… Derek?

Derek draws his dagger from his wrist sheathe and plants it in the bar, demeanor suddenly icy. “I said I didn’t do it.” he states in even, cool tones, presenting to Dovie a stilted, saccharine smile.

Lorelei gives Malin a suspicious look then looks around at everyone else, especially all the Derek.

Amara says “You have welcomed me and granted hospitality. It is my honor.“

“Someone is impostering Derek!” Dovie cries out in alarm.

Malin bats her lashes at Lorelei ever so innocently.

Jasper says “There’s two Dereks!“

Matthew does not waste a single drop of booze, however, he downs both drinks all in one gulp.

Obadiah places both hands on Dovie’s shoulders when the knives come out. “It wasn’t Derek, darling.”

Lorelei says “Now I am not the only one suffering under the burden of double Ds.“

Dovie’s eyes go wide at the whisper.

Matthew glances at Malin, “Ready?”

Derek presents a perfectly chipper smile at Obadiah’s revelation, slipping that knife away as if nothing happened. “See?” he observes lightly to Dovie, rolling his shoulders.

“And I thought I always get confused with another double,” Jasper comments with a blink of his eyes.

Malin mms and nods to Matthew. “Yes, Master,” she tries in her most submissive tone.

Malin sticks her tongue out at Matthew half a second later.

Malin reaches over and smacks Matthew right on the ass.

Dovie blinks and rubs her eyes a moment before she whirls upon Obadiah. “How could you!!”

Lorelei says “When we first got to town I don’t think anyone could tell Malin and Dovie and I apart though especially those two, I only got mistaken for Dovie once.“

Matthew’s expression twists and he just proceeds to usher Malin out, waving a final farewell to the group.

Katha blinks at Obadiah “Did you come to drink her beer and libel her name? That’s… Dastardly.” he comments with wide eyes.

Arriving very fashionably late, Eloa waves at the group and comes up next to Jasper, “Ola.” She greets seeming a bit shy as she hides herself next to the student.

Obadiah shudders a moment, pulling his hands back, taking a half step back from Dovie to send off a quick text.

Dovie puts her hands on her hips and scolds Obadiah. “Apologize! In public!” She huffs and tells Eloa. “Welcome, there may still be some beer left.”

“Hush, Derek 2.” Derek supposes with wry amusement to Katha, crossing his arms – he’s given him a label, now. He looks with curious green eyes to Obadiah, as if anticipating an alibi.

“Hey, Eloa,” Jasper greets Eloa with a smile, glancing at his phone while he taps the screen with his thumb.

“Sorry was late. Was … somewhere underground.” Eloa looks like at least, she’s showered and changed unless she was underground in a gown. She waggles her fingers at Dovie, “Do you have any cidar? Eloa like sweet stuff.”

Dovie’s eyes narrow at Obadiah. “OBADIAH MERCER-” she begins, threateningly.

Obadiah grins fiendishly at Dovie as the flame war rages on.

Lorelei sips lager like tea.

Obadiah sighs and just shakes his head.

Dovie is bristling. As much as a non-threatening person can bristle.

Eloa looks between Dovie and Obadiah then leans to Jasper, “What is happening?” She asks the man still eyeing the pair curiously.

Lorelei steeples her fingers together, clicking her long nails as she leers forward. “The wrath of Dovinia Rosebottom Fairchild the First.”

Dovie shakes her head at Obadiah. “He’s lucky I have to head off in a few minutes,” she sighs and tells Lorelei, Derek, Jasper, Amara, Katha, and Eloa. “Feel free to stay and enjoy what you wish though.”

Obadiah can barely contain his laughter as the situation degrades further.

Amara tilts her head. “Would you like him punished? He has broken hospitality with such jabs, and I owe you some favor for your hosting me.”

Katha smiles and toasts Dovie with his half-empty glass “Thank you.” He looks to Amara, clucking his tongue “Oh, uhm, I don’t think we have to go to such lengths. It was just harmless fun.”

“Okay will ask… orbie what’s going on…” Eloa comments with curious amusement as she looks at Dovie then back at Obadiah again. Her eyes fall to Katha and she waves her fingers, “Ola. Am Eloa. Is nice meet you and… ” Eloa waves at Amara too.

Amara gazes at someone a moment. “…Yes, Eloa. I am Amara.”

Amara gazes at Eloa a moment. “…Yes, Eloa. I am Amara.”

Lorelei does a little spin, striking a dramatic pose asshe shows off her victory top. “I think I will head out, But this was fun. I would also never wear crocoshoes. If you need help preparing some sort of croc destruction crucible or ritual circle I will help you later Dove.” She promises Dovie. “Hit me up any time.” She chugs the rest of her beer for safe driving and heads out.

Obadiah looks over to Eloa, “Dovie said I wasn’t allowed to wear crocs so I got… an advertisement that the Wild Bloom was running a sale on them.”

“Don’t burn them, Dovie. Think of the smoke.” Derek mumbles after Dovie, scrunching his face. “Melt them. In a furnace. Into some weird polymer mould.”

Katha let’s the edge of his lips quirk into a little smile to Eloa “Oh, hello Eloa. I’m Katha. It’s a pleasure to meet you. You’re not from around these parts either it sounds like?”

“Wait, I have an idea.” Derek mutters, looking to Dovie deviously. “…We could make him chug the Gadfly-provided box wine.”

Obadiah gasps! “You wouldn’t _dare_”

With a thick brazilian accent, Eloa is defintely not from around these parts, “Yes, Eloa nto from around here.. Although … crocs not t

With a thick brazilian accent, Eloa is defintely not from around these parts, “Yes, Eloa nto from around here.. Although … crocs not THAT bad.” She supposes softly. “There was time when every doctor and nurse was wearing them but they soon became out of fashion.”

Dovie looks scandalized by the idea that they are not that bad.

“Surely both would be cruel and unusual punishment under the penal code?” Derek demures with a contemplative squint to Dovie. “Perhaps I should consult with Elliot to see if that would be the case.”

Katha listens raptly to Eloa’s words “Really? So they’re like, for medical professionals? I can see why they’d garner such status. How did they go out of fashion though?”

Dovie sighs and checks her phone. “Apologies all, I must retire, but please feel free to stay, have drinks, play games, and eat!”