Obadiah’s Mercer Family Game Night

July 4, 2025

Date: 2025-07-03 20:02

(Obadiah’s Mercer Family Game Night)

[Thu Jul 3 2025]

a private gaming room in a mansion
Entering into the gaming room, one is imersed in a dimly lit but lively atmosphere. A small bar rests along the eastern wall with a liquor cabinet that remains locked outside of gatherings. An oranate gaming table sits in the southern corner, tooled to be able to handle most cardgames, whether gambling is involved or not.

A pool table is positioned in the center of the room, classically lined with green felt and made of a polished mahogany. Hung up on the northeastern part of the wall is a dart board with several color coded darts.

The southern wall houses a 70″ flat screen TV above a cabinet fulled with almost any console that has ever existed, games to go with it, controllers, memory cards, and a complex electronics setup switch that allows each one control of the TV as needed. A pair of large bean bags and floor gamer chairs are setup near there for use, if the chairs from the gaming table are not utilized.

It is about 60/span>/span15C) degrees. The mist is heaviest At King and Lake/span>/spanKing says “He took off his shoes, then had to put them back on.“

“…Anyway you know Montoses. They are really really poor. Like Ransome poor but they like to put on good face so… Oh Hey Matthew!” Obadiah says turning around with a shit eating grin and a broad smile for Matthew. “Didn’t see you there.”

Marina shakes her hair back with one hand, throwing a last dart at the board before stretching her arms up over her head. “He’s a little obsessed with sneakers,” she explains to King, “They probably make his outfit better or something.”

Esme upnods to Matthew when he comes back in with King, “Good t’ see ya.” She offers, taking a sip of her drink .

Obadiah says “King’s house in Killgrove“

Obadiah says “It is in the family chat“

Matthew follos in step behind King, hands extended wide as he beams a smile along the group. “You know how it is, we Montroses aren’t sure what class is–” he states for Obadiah while giving a sweeping glance around the mansion’s game room like maybe he’s not so sure of the choices made here, “so I wasn’t sure if it was a shoes on or shoes off sort’ve thing.” The man shakes his head, looking over towards Marina, beaming a smile her way, “It’s true, I like my shoes.” ANd then to Esme he’s dipping his head, “Hey great to see you.”

Barefoot herself, Marina ventures closer to Matthew. “I see you dressed up.”

Obadiah thinks for a moment, “I almost thought you were going to be Neve’s plus one.” He says glancing at his phone a moment before responding to a text, “BUt we are glad to see you.”

“I try not to boss folk around, especially when we’re here to relax and chill,” King says to Matthew, shrugging his shoulders a bit, shaking his head after a moment. And then there’s another knock and he sighs. “Be right back again.”

Esme says “Put up signs!“

Esme pauses and then adds, but only for the group in the room. “I guess he’d have to leave the door open too.”

King nods to the pair inside the front door and says, “Cmon this way.” He gestures toward the southern wing.

“I completely forgot you gave me a key,” Miles realizes, when King catches him just casually walking into the house after knocking. “Good to see you, cuz,” Miles pushes forward to try to give King a big, back-slapping hug.

“Hey King!” Patience offers brightly, stepping aside to allow Mercer slappy-hugs without getting herself in the way. “It’s really good to see you again!

Obadiah looks up from his phone, “Dovie says I am not allowed to cheat at game night.” He glances between Marina and Esme before offering, mildly, in his own defense, “I don’t cheat.”

King gives Miles the required pat-hug then turns to head back down the hallway. “Y’all are last, I think,” he says on the way.

Marina lets out a skeptical noise. “…sure. Neither of us cheat, we’re very innocent,” she agrees with Obadiah.

Matthew shrugs his shoulders towards Obadiah, “Nope, Marina invited me,” is his reply, stepping to join Marina at the dartboard. “And yea, I usually do for things,” he admits, easily, “when I’m not dead set on beach bumming it.”

Esme smiles to Miles and Patience when King brings them in. “Hey guys!”

King returns after a bit with Patience and Miles in tow this time. “Look who I found, breakin’ in the front door,” he announces with a gesture toward them.

“Hey hey. The B and E was all Miles,” Patience declares, as she runs a hand through her hair to sort of fuss it back into place after the bike ride through the rain. “I’m innocent of any and all wrong-doing!” Then she’s grinning, breaking away from Miles’s side to give Esme a quick hug, before turning to follow that up with one for Obadiah. “Good to see you both!”

Marina tilts her head, definitely not looking at Matthew’s rear end as he joins her in front of the dart board. “Guess I’ve only ever seen you beach bum it,” she decides, before the arrival of Patience and Miles has her lifting a hand up. “Break down all the doors!”

“Sup!” Miles calls in greeting to family and friends, returning Obadiah’s hug and flashing a grin as he lugs in a box of cookies, a six-pack of PBR, and Patience, whose waist he loops a hand around. The six-pack is surely familiar to Matthew. “How’s everybody doing?” he asks, though Matthew does get a bit of a curious look. “Marina, you didn’t tell me Matthew’s your plus-one,” he says, then fixes Matthew a steely glare that isn’t entirely convincing because his lips keep twitching towards a grin.

Esme returns the hug to Patience with a laugh, “You’re definitely innocent.” She agrees. After the hug she does aside to Marina, “He was beach bumming it at tha Spoke!”

Obadiah looks completely shocked at this, except not really, his fake surprise melting away quite quickly before he greets Miles with a big hug, and quickly there after one for Patience. “There are snacks in the to-go boxes, Rina is running a dart scam it looks like, Dovie sent me with Jenga and the pig dice.” (this time without the attemp)

Matthew shoots Patience and Miles a wave, wondering of the latter, “Hey man, you get that six pack?” Speaking of, he actually wields a gift, some wine – white. “Oh I brought…” None the wiser to the attention his backside draws from Marina. The glare is met with wine and a few long strides over, “Here man, just booze up and don’t think too much about it.”

“She just threw you -right- under that bus,” King says to Miles, shaking his head slowly before laughing and giving Patience a wink and a sneering grin. He moves over to the card table and pulls out a chair for himself to take a seat.

“Matthew’s crashing with my permission,” Marina explains to Miles, tossing another dart. It also bounces off the frame to land with another one that bounced earlier. It’s clear she’s not paying attention to the board at all. “I didn’t tell him he had to bring anything. He did that himself.”

Patience relaxes any attempt at looking innocent into a playfully mischievous grin as she bounces between Esme and Obadiah for those hugs, and is called out hard by King. To him, she flutters a wink, before she says, “I found the beer on the porch. Made sure it went to the right person,” over to Matthew, along with a wave for he and Marina alike. “Good to see you both again,” she notes, then tips up her head to ask Obadiah, “Dovie’s not coming?”

A plaintive mewling sound has Patience fishing a little white kitten out of her totebag and informing it, “It is raining outside. You didn’t want to be all wet! before promptly trying to hand the fuzzball over to Miles. “That’s Miles’s real plus one,” she confesses to the crew.

“Her trip to the mists left her tired, plus she had other business to attend to,” Obadiah says with a soft smile to Patience. “I am glad we could do this though. It’s nice to hang out and not have to worry about… things.”

A plaintive mewling sound has Patience fishing a little white kitten out of her totebag and informing it, “It is raining outside. You didn’t want to be all wet!” before promptly trying to hand the fuzzball over to Miles. “That’s Miles’s real plus one,” she confesses to the crew.

“If you hadn’t brought me that six-pack yesterday, why I’d…” Miles starts to vaguely threaten Matthew but he doesn’t seem very committed to the bit, especially not when the wine joins the booze. “How are the cats settling in?” he asks, making his way deeper into the room and telling King, “Look, it was all her, but I’ll take responsibility.” He deposits his collection of booze and cookies, just in time to receive a kitten, which he folds in against his chest. “Awwwww… are you sleeping, baby?” he coos down at her.

Miles uses a cream-colored kitten: A sweet cream-colored kitten settles gently into a comfortable position, her soft coat creating a small cloud of pale fluff while her amber eyes blink slowly with peaceful contentment.

Esme settles in at the gaming table next to King, taking another sip of her drink and stashing her phone away in a pocket. “Aww, she’s cute.” She asides to Obadiah, “I’m glad Rascal and Licorice have each other t’ entertain themselves. Or did you settle on Ink? Or are you still deciding?”

Marina delves a hand in to snatch up a taco, giving a hop to sit on top of the pool table as she crunches down on it. Her hand comes up to hide her mouth as she speaks, fully chewing while talking: “Don’ let dat cat gedinna way of the D, Pax.”

King slips an arm around Esme once she settles at the table next to him. He looks about to say something when he sees the cat, but he decides against it after a moment then snickers to himself and shakes his head. “I may not be able to stay all that late, but y’all are welcome to stay long as ya like,” he does mention when there is an opening.

“Please never talk about my ‘D’ again,” Miles begs Marina, traumatized. The poor man can’t even put earmuffs on because his hands are occupied with kitten. He lifts a hand, moving to the kitten’s face and just gently tickling the bridge of her nose while he makes a, “Boop” sound. “So what are we losing to Obie at tonight?” he asks, surveying the crew and then appraisingly peering at Matthew and Patience, seemingly estimating their probability of challenging the family game-bully.

Miles uses a cream-colored kitten: A sweet cream-colored kitten attempts to play but does so with such gentle movements that even her pounces look more like polite requests than predatory attacks.

It takes a moment, maybe to understand through the taco, or maybe just to realize that Miles’s sister has said such a thing, but with a peal of delighted laughter, Patience tells Marina, “Hell no. Too many things already get in the way,” as she wraps an arm back around Miles’s waist, traumatized or not. “But look!” she adds and then kicks up a foot to show off a gleamingly new, bright purple pair of kicks.

“It’s real good of you to host it King,” she adds a moment later, once she’s shown off her footwear. “I definitely don’t get to see enough of… well shit. Any of you.

Esme relaxes into King, murmuring something to him before her gaze is drawn back toward the game tables. “Well I already know I’m gonna lose in ah room for ah Mercers so I’m not bettin’ money.” She grins and laughs. “Ooh those are fuckin’ nice, Pax!” She enthusses about the shoes.

Matthew supplies his answer with the universal A-OK sign, index to thumb with the remaining three fingers flagging high in the air. He’s silent, content to listen but joins in to support Marina’s advice with, “Yeah, Man,” directing the words to Miles, “Don’t get distracted by the cat.” A good natured tease that he’s already apologizing for when he pats hand to chest like maybe he knows a little too well what it’s like for the females in his family to speak a little to freely.

Obadiah shoots off a quick text then slides his phone in his back pocket, “Mab offered to let me touch her bald pussy but said Miles had already copped a feel.” He looks to Esme in preemptive self-defense, “Direct quote.” He then says, “I don’t know, up to you guys. I am down to play whatever… also I am thinking Ink but that might be too on brand.”

Marina gives Miles a look that indicates she’s disgusted by this suggestion. “Not yours. Ew,” she mutters, crunching into her taco again. Her head shakes, shakes, shakes, trying to get the horror out of her head. Until Matthew chimes in. Then she’s snorting and giving a cackle.

“Whoooa there killer,” Miles tells the kitten when she gently nips at his finger and then wiggles to try to pounce out of his arms. He slowly lowers her to the floor, allowing her to wander freely. Conveniently, this frees his hand for a cookie, which he stuffs in his mouth. “Thosher Packshsh new ashkickin shoes,” he nods down at Patience’s Chucks.

Esme snorts at Obadiah and shakes her head. “Deplorable.” She teases. “Well you brought Jenga. And the pig game. So probably should play one of those, mm?”

“I really don’t need to hear about Mab’s genitals,” King says in a tone that suggests he knows -exactly- what Obadiah actually meant, but the shudder after suggests his brain had to run it through several filters first. He nods to the side regarding what Esme whispers before giving her a quick kiss on the temple.

Matthew echoes King’s sentiments with a number of nods, unwilling to breathe the support of words to them, looking instead towards the spread out on the table. Exclusive use or not, Matthew helps himself to a PBR, popping it open with a satisfying pop. “I’m down for any game,” he announces.

“That I’m determined to keep spotless, so they probably will kick no asses,” Patience says after another moment spent interpreting mouth-full speech. But she grins, pecking a kiss to Miles’s cheek, before snickering at Marina’s protests, and then again at King’s take on the matter. “This is the fun of having plus ones, I can tell,” she decides, before admitting to Obadiah, “I don’t know what Ink is.”

“I don’t think Mab has genitals,” Miles tells King in a spooky tone, like he’s telling a scary story over a campfire while he leans into Patience at his side. “I think it’s just like… another mouth. With fangs and all.”

King says “Vaginal dentata. It’s a legit thing.“

Marina swings her legs idly, picking some of the jackfruit from her taco to pop into her mouth absent the rest of taco. “Mab seems nice,” she comments to Miles and King.

Patience made a horrible, horrible mistake. Out flies his phone again with pictures opened up and the 20 some photos, that day, of a black lady cat with green eyes playing with a tortoiseshell kitten get forced into Patience’s face by Obadiah.

Slowly, Miles’s gaze pivots towards Matthew as though looking for confirmation. Though why Matthew, of all people, would want to or be able to verify this is up for debate.

Matthew has taken to busying himself with that can of PBR, like drinking and guzzling down that blue-collar flavor might be the thing to shield him from the conversation around his cousin’s genitals. In time he puts the can down, swallowing a large gulp as his eyes settle on Miles, “So is it pigs or jenga?”

Esme laughs, covering her mouth as she finishes chewing her bite of taco. “I vote Jenga.” She says, helping Matthew out. Maybe.

Obadiah says “Regular Jenga or truth and dare jenga/“

“Jenga,” Marina agrees with Esme, taking another bite of taco.

“Oh I thought it was like Pictionary,” Patience says, but she allows herself to be sucked into the views of pictures on Obadiah’s phone. “Cute,” she declares along with a few ‘awws’ and an ‘oooh!’ Eventually though, she turns to peep out where her own kitten has gotten to and confesses, “I’m not terribly creative with names. She’s still Thirty-Eight.” With that said though, she wonders while notably not commenting on nether-teeth: “Am I going to regret asking what Pigs is? Jenga’s fine. And it’s always more fun when there’s weirdness involved.”

Reaching down into the six-pack, Miles peels out a can of glorious Pabst Blue Ribbon – still repping some ribbon they bribed somebody to give them at a state fair in like 1902 – and pulls the tab to pop it open. He tilts it back to his lips to take a deep, deep glug.

“Tastes like stale piss,” Miles tells Matthew with a satisfied sigh. “Gotta love it.”

Patience nearly chokes. It’s probably very good she’s neither eating, nor drinking at that moment.

Marina flops back onto the pool table noisily, as if she’s died where she’s sitting. “Christ.”

King remains silent regarding which game to play. He does stare at the choices of games brought before the crowd on the table. Then his blue eyes slowly turn to travel around each of the other people around for a long moment each. He gives Esme a squeeze with the arm around her shoulders. After listening for a bit, he does not have a lot to add just yet.

Obadiah smacks Miles on the back of his head lightly. “In!”

After Obadiah’s smack upside Miles’s head – well-deserved – Miles grabs Patience’s hand and tugs her along after him towards the gaming table.

Esme snorts “We’re barely a drink in each and this is how it’s going? Gonna be an interesting night.” She shakes her head. “Definitely a Jenga starter.”

Matthew defers his vote to someone wit ha simple lift of his hand, finger pointed as a wordless second on the suggestion for Jenga. Miles comment earns a nod of understanding, and he raises his PBR can in a contactless cheers before taking a sip.

The sip doesn’t last because whatever the Mercers are saying next has him coughing mid-drink, choking on the carbination as laughter tres to fight its way through. A spluttered mess of beer escapes, and he’s suddenly reaching, half blind, for a napkin, trying to save his shirt and whatever dignity he has left.

Obadiah glances at Patience about something and shrugs, “That’d be you to deal with that.” Glancing back he says, “Alright truth or dare Jenga it sounds like. Pig is a dice game where you try to get to 100 by rolling the dice. If you roll a 1 you lose all your points but you can keep rolling until you bank or bust.”

Matthew defers his vote to Marina wit ha simple lift of his hand, finger pointed as a wordless second on the suggestion for Jenga. Miles comment earns a nod of understanding, and he raises his PBR can in a contactless cheers before taking a sip.

Sliding off of the pool table, Marina becomes a bit boneless. Boneless Marina. Then she’s heading towards the gaming table with everyone else, shaking her head a couple times. “I almost feel bad that I invited Matt,” she admits, “But y’know. He kinda fits in.”

Patience lets herself be tugged along. She still looks torn between horrified amusement and just plain old amusement, though she chooses to plop herself down in Miles’s lap – or try to, at least – rather than take her own chair. “I’m on vacation,” she says bluntly. “Unless it becomes sheer chaos. Besides, I’m not the boss,” she stresses in a tone that borders on aggravation. “Welcome to life with the Mercers. It should be a sitcom,” she says to Matthew, with a bright smile that once more slides into amusement when Marina says that, and this time shows just the tippy-tips of her fangs. “That sounds complicated,” she offers over to Obadiah. “I mean what if you have a ninety-nine and you need a one?” But the game has been chosen, and thus she nods her agreement with Jenga.

Obadiah uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces holds steady72. The block is removed successfully72!/b>Matthew’s shirt is saved, the mansion floor? Not so much. But he look sup, eying around like he’s expecting staff to come out and resolve the matter immediately and therefor, steps over the puddle of his mess witout a second thought. Why should he? Instead he plops in one of the chairs, continuing on smoothly like no he didn’t just have a spit take over his cousin’s boat.

“So just regular Jenga or…” he scans the table, watching as Obadiah takes that first tile.

Esme snappoints in agreement with Patience about the Mercers needing a sitcom. “I heard something about truth or dare…” But she sounds uncertain, keeping in her relaxed lean against King for now, watching.

Obadiah takes the first the piece and plops it down on top with ease, “It really doesn’t matter to me. You guys chose.”

“I vote that Obie has to play while standing on his head,” Patience offers. That’s neither Truth and Dare nor normal Jenga though.

“It might keep him from cheating,” Marina agrees with Patience, though there is no evidence that Obadiah is cheating.

“Not sure the Mercer clan can claim him, since he managed spill beer,” King says to Marina with a slow sad shake of his head regarding Matthew before giving the guy a wink. He does not seem that bothered by the mess, but he does get up to go get a roll of paper towels from a nearby bar and puts it on the table.

“Matty is actually lowkey my favorite Montrose,” Miles admits candidly to Marina. “But don’t tell him I said that,” he says, right in front of Matthew. His legs spread and he’s momentarily startled when Patience deposits herself in his lap, but otherwise welcomes and accommodates her plop. “I can do that,” he affirms in response to Patience’s whisper. “Unless you’re talking about the leadership thing. That’s totally dodgeable.” He doesn’t seem to know whose turn it is, or entirely understand how this game is played, but once he sees Obadiah reach and pull, he automatically emulates, extending his arm past Patience.

Miles uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces 18trembles72, but eventually holds up after the block is removed successfully72!/b/span/i

Esme murmurs, “I think I entirely forgot how Jenga is played…”

Marina tousles her own hair a bit. “We’re just friends,” she tells King, “So no claiming has to be done.” Then she reaches out to try her hand at the block-pushing game.

Marina uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces 18trembles72, but eventually holds up after the block is removed successfully72!/b/span/i

“Jenga, not that. Though they’re sort of similar,” Patience decides, but then she’s pointlessly holding her breath for Miles’s attempt at removing the brick. “Whew!” she offers, wiping a hand across her brow, before she smirks over to Esme and says, “You just pull out a piece and put it on top, like they did. But I don’t drink beer at all,” she says over to King, wide-eyed. “Can I still be claimed?

Obadiah looks to the next person in line, mentally keeping track, and looking far too relaxed for a game about tumbling blocks

Esme watches the tower dubiously, nodding to Patience’s instructions. “Okay. Let’s see…”

Esme uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces 18wobbles precariously72. The block is removed successfully72!/b/span/i

Matthew tracks the conversation happening around and above him, his amusement evident. King’s statement earns a pointed lift of his can, no repentance but ownership all the same. To Miles he says, “Oh, my job is to be everyone’s favorite cousin,” he claims, no hints of modesty, and then, deciding it’s his turn, he leans forward to reach towards the tower. “Okay, let’ see how this hold ups to the ol’ Montrose touch!”

Matthew uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces looks dire 72after the block is expertly pulled out. Success72!/b>Matthew sucks in a deep breath, watches as the tower wobbles and then sighs it all, relief.

Marina reaches over, trying to ruffle Matthew’s hair. “I think he succeeds. He’s my favorite cousin and he’s not even my cousin,” she offers, her tone a bit wry.

“Y’all have fun. Try not to burn the place down,” King says, lifting his arm away from Esme to let her do her playing. Once she is done with her move, he leans over to give her a kiss on the cheek. “Good luck, darlin’,” he tells her, once she is done, then he pushes his chair back and stands up.

“Ugh I guess it’s my turn…” Patience says when King nopes out of the game. She tips her head to offer him a mild, “Good night, King!” and then reaches out to tentatively nudge one of the Jenga blocks.

Patience uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces looks good72 after the block is expertly pulled out. Success72!/b>Matthew tries to duck out of the ruffling, but either he’s too slow, Marina’s too fast, or it’s all just a show. EIther way, he’s lifting up his hand, trying to save the curls of his coarse hairs, patting them down and back into place.

“He definitely has cool cousin vibes,” Miles confirms of Matthew, though he steals a sickeningly sweet smooch to Patience’s cheek and claims, “You’ve already been Mercerized.”

Esme tilts her head to accept the cheek kiss and smiles to King, “I’m gonna need it.” She laughs. “Rest well, I’ll be up in a while I’m sure.”

“Good night,” Miles extends to King. “Thanks for having us over!”

“Oooooooo,” Obadiah says to Miles pitting his head on his knuckles as he looks at him with a mischievous glint in his eye before taking his turn.

Obadiah uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces looks good72 after the block is expertly pulled out. Success72!/b>Patience returns that little cheek kiss, and hops herself up to claim her own seat. “Good,” she decides of Miles, before laughing at Obadiah. She leans back a little, nestling down to get comfortable.

“Oh no,” Miles looks at the tower of Jenga suspiciously. “It’s my turn again, isn’t it,” he chews on his lower lip thoughtfully. Patience’s hasty evacuation from his lap results in a childish whining sound from the Mercer, but he reaches out for some illicit hand-holding that probably doesn’t help his one-handed pull from the tower and subsequent placement.

Miles uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces does not move72. The block is removed successfully72!/b>Marina uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces holds steady72. The block is removed successfully72!/b>Esme wonders curiously as she tries to take antoher turn.

Esme uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces 18sways concerningly72. The block is jiggled out sloooowly. Success72!/b/span/i

“We don’t know what lives inside of it,” Marina points out to Esme, “Could be a giant shark. Then we’re trespassing and stealing from Mister Shark.”

Obadiah has successfully killed his router. Carry on.

“No, but it sounds cooler,” Miles replies to Esme. “That sounds awesome, though. Can I come?” he asks Marina.

Patience just keeps right on laughing at Miles’s banter. She curls her fingers around his, offers a quiet, “Damn, nice,” to him when the blocks hold so steady, and then turns her attention on Marina. Those dark, doe-like eyes ponder the woman for a few moments before she wonders, “What are you after?” Briefly, she looks to Miles and then Obadiah and whispers, “No more jellyfish…”

Matthew watches that sway with some measure of concern before he’s standing and stretching fingers and arms, in preparation for his turn. THefts out of sea earns Marina a nod, a no questions asked kind of assurance when he says, “I’ll go if you do it, might be able to pick some locks or somethin’ for you, but you better keep me safe!”

Matthew uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces 18sways concerningly72. The block is jiggled out sloooowly. Success72!/b/span/i

Obadiah looks up as the conversation shifts to adventures and looks genuinely interested in what Marina is talking about. “I booped a whale shark once. On the snoot. If I am free I’ll go.”

Marina shrugs her shoulders to Patience. “Something shiny,” she announces, before revealing a bit more detail: “The person I was talking to wants this old compass. I don’t care so much about the compass, but they’re paying, you know?” A glance is given sidelong to Matthew, mirth in her eyes. “We’ll see. I’ve gotta get more details.”

Esme says “If I could breathe underwater, I’d go. But I ain’t wearin’ scuba gear“

“Oh damn, it’s my turn again,” Patience pouts when the Jenga tower sways for the second time in a row. Eyeing the threat, she cautiously reaches out for what looks to be the most stable block. Is it? “What’s wrong with scuba gear?” she wonders, before she says to Esme, “I think Miles could totally kiss you into being able to breathe water.”

Patience uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces holds steady72. The block is removed successfully72!/b>Oh holy, whew.“

Matthew claps his hand for Patience. “Hey, nice job. I was worried for you.”

Obadiah uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces holds steady72. The block is removed successfully72!/b>“Ooooh,” Miles breathes out as both Patience and then Obadiah skillfully preserve the structural integrity of the tower in sequence. “Oh no,” it’s his turn again, and he worries at his lip while he reaches out. “Okay, here we go,” he tries to hype himself out while he removes the next piece. “Be careful when you go. The stuff down there is spooky as hell. Ambroseph has some jellyfish that attacked us preserved in the Lodge. They were scary as hell,” he warns Marina.

Miles uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces does not move72. The block is removed successfully72!/b>36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces 18starts to sway72. The block is removed successfully72!/b/span/i

“You’d be coming with me if I do go,” Marina insists to Miles, reaching out to push a block from the tower. As it sways, her eyes open widely and she looks cautious. “…fucking… Fuck.”

Esme considers Patience point as she eyes the tower. “Oh impressive Miles.” She says when the tower doesn’t move at all. She moves to take her turn after Marina. “Scuba gear just seems so extra t’ learn how t’ use?” She laughs. “If there’s another way, maybe but we’ll see.” She takes a bit more time to study the tower before trying carefully to extract a block.

Esme uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces 18wobbles precariously72. The block is removed successfully72!/b/span/i

Esme breathes out a sigh of relief

Matthew points a finger towards Obadiah for what he says, “Hey, I was planning this birthday party for the fam like… two weeks ago!” A look shot next towards Marina, “But you know, we’re all born in a cluster. I’m the Tenth, Miles the twelfth, Mab the thirteenth, Arachne the twenty-third…” He lists them all out then laughs. “But can’t complain about a party weekend or Marina’s birthday cakes, I say!” With that he draws a breath, visually working his hands in a circular motion towards his body as though this were going to assist him in the move he attempts next when reaching for the Jenga tower.

Matthew uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces 25crumbles72, 60to60pplin04g o18ver72. 60Shame on you72! Better luck next time!/b/span/i

Matthew says, clapping a hand to the table, “Motherfucker! “

When Matthew topples the tower, Marina lets out a “Hah!” and points at him. “You fucking lose!” she declares, “Now gimme your cardigan, you loser!” Was there ever a thing that said Matthew had to give Marina his cardigan if he lost? No. No, there wasn’t.

“Everyone missed my birthday,” Patience declares, but then she slants a look down at her feet and amends, “Almost everyone.” There’s a little startle when the tower crumbles and then she’s grinning over at Matthew and saying, “I was so sure it was going to be me!” Thus, she’s too busy to comment again on those jellyfishes.

Patience says “Wait. Wait.“

Esme laughs as the tower comes down. “Mines on the 14th.”

Patience blinks a few times and then looks at Obadiah. “Are we playing strip Jenga?”

“Esme’s the 14th, I am the 24th,” Obadiah piles on to the list. “Alright, truth or dare?” and pauses then while Marina victory strips Matthew

Matthew squints at Marina, “This is a Montrose M, Mercer, and…” and he considers the request, shrugs and begins pulling it off.

Montrose M it might be, Marina slides into the cardigan and makes it a Mercer M. “…I just wanted the cardigan,” she admits to Patience.

“That’s okay,” Miles proposes to Patience. “We can just lie and tell everybody your birthday is July 7th, and have a party anyhow.” He flashes a grin at this idiotic plan to convert Patience into a July birthday like the rest of the M&M gang. Then, far belatedly, on realizing that the whole tower has crumbled, he points and laughs at Matthew with a: “Get wrecked!” Then he tries to do just that himself, with a greedy drink from his beer.

“It’s on consignment for the night,” Matthew tells the table with mock seriousness, gesturing to himself like a luxury good. “Figured I’d loan out some fine quality, since I know mercers don’t get that kind of exellance in the middle of your humble little mansion, all the time.” He flares a grin, looking up to the very opulence that truly is this home.

“Apparently it is truth, dare, or clothing switch Jenga,” Obadiah muses to the crowd then says, “Pax you are up next right? He resets the blocks with a grin at himself.

“Alright. Look at that. I have a birthday in July too!” Patience says with a flutter of her lashes as she finagles her way into the party crew. But then she’s laughing at Matthew’s quip and Miles’s jab and she says over to Obie, “Well, which is it? I definitely should have worn layers if we’re stripping…”

“My birthday’s not until May,” Marina admits to Patience, “So you’re not the only non-July person.” Her shoulders shift and she makes sure the cardigan is nice and comfy on her body. “Is what it is. And Miles and Obie’s joint birthday party is gonna be on the 18th because that’s a better day for it.”

Esme says, about the joint party, “it’s gonna be breath“

Esme says, about the joint partyfix, “it’s gonna be great “

Matthew looks again over at Marina, surprised, “Not the Twelfth?”

Marina nods her head once. “Since Obie’s birthday is on the 24th, and Miles’ is the 12th, better to do it somewhere between the two.”

“Cool,” Miles gives Marina a grateful thumbs-up, clearly hyped for the shared party compromise, though he does follow up by asking: “How much did Matthew pay you to change the date?”

A little snort escapes Marina. “Matthew ain’t pay me shit, he’s even getting a free cake out of me,” she reveals to Miles.

“I mean we had joint parties until we were ten at least and then there was out 21st,” Obadiah glances at Miles and then just goes on, “Seems fitting we have a joint 30th.”

“Gives me time to figure out how to not be broke so I can get them presents that aren’t adopted cats,” Patience declares to Marina, as she ponders the jenga tower. “That’s maybe a little less chaotic than a zillion birthdays all in one weekend…” and then since it’s her turn, she pokes at a brick. “You guys are old.”

Patience uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces 18starts to sway72. The block is removed successfully72!/b/span/i

Obadiah uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces holds steady72. The block is removed successfully72!/b>Miles asks Matthew while they play – and he reaches to pull his next piece – at the risk of opening a wound. “I was really disappointed you didn’t get him, to be honest with you, and Shay was kind of a dick about it. And a lot of things, really.” Something causes him to jump, just as his hand connects with the tower, but he tries to progress steadily anyhow while shooting Patience an accusatory look.

Miles uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces does not move72. The block is removed successfully72!/b>36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces looks good72 after the block is expertly pulled out. Success72!/b>Marina squinting.

Patience tries for a look of wounded innocence at the glare Miles shoots her way, but it fails. It fails hard. Snickering softly, she watches him manage to maintain his cool with that tower, and shakes her head. “I think we’re doomed, Matt,” she says to him, shifting slightly to sit on one foot, and lean forward to watch even more intently.

Esme considers the tower, chin in her hands like she’s trying to pick the best one before she goes for it.

Matthew nods then looks towards the spilled Jenga tower, huffing an echo of that failure only a few moments before. Miles’ question earns a laugh, his head-bobbing support on the free cake. “Yeah, I didn’t know y’all had a good cook on your hands.” Then to the rest of the group, “If you wanna know what to bring me, my cats need more toys or I like PBR, or a hand written not confirming I’m still your favorite cousin.”

As the topic shifts over to the missing cat the Montrose shakes his head. “Truth out loud, I’ve been distracted but I guess lots of folks been out and about digging into it on my behalf.” He shrugs like he’s used to this kind of thing, “and I guess then he said something to a teacher and then this guy from the Hand heard and now that guy wants to try, meanwhile I’m literally just sittin’ on the beach drinking beers all day!” A laugh then for that, “But I guess now it’s a game so I think I’mma figure out what piece to move next.” The apology earns a small wave of the hand, “Naw man, don’t worry about it. Plus that kitten is a good kitten, he’ll surely like that new cat.”

Esme uses a 36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces holds steady72. The block is removed successfully72!/b>36gi37an80t 81Je81ng80a 37bl36ock/b>72The tower of Jenga pieces 25crumbles72, 60to60pplin04g o18ver72. 60Shame on you72! Better luck next time!/b/span/i

Esme snickers as Matthew loses again

Matthew stares at the jenga tower then over to the Mercers and finally at Marina. “Did you hit the table?” he accuses.

“I think you just got shit luck,” Marina counters Matthew, poking her tongue out at him. “Shit, shit luck, fishboy.”

Patience looks from Matthew to Obadiah and then back, before she asks, maybe a bit uncertainly: “You too?”

Matthew refuses to believe that, shaking his head over and over, “Naw, naw, these Mercers are cheaters,” like it’s the only possible answer.

“I didn’t see nothing,” Miles seems to believe Matthew’s accusation of Marina sincerely but is wise to the fact that snitches get stitches.

Marina beams at Matthew as if she is the most innocent creature ever witnessed.

“They’re just stupid lucky.” Esme muses about the Mercer collective before eating a bit more of her food.

“I was drinking, didn’t know Matt was a mermaid too,” Obadiah says with a smirk. “More Mercer than Montrose every day.”

Esme finishes off her taco and drink, sitting back a little and looking apologetic. “I should head up to get some sleep. King’s old man sleep schedule’s contagious.” She laughs.

Patience nods her firm agreement with Esme. “They’re seriously lucky,” she agrees, shifting her chair closer to rub shoulders with Miles as if his luck will wear off on her, as well. “Mermaid…” she repeats Obadiah’s claim, before she says, “There has to be a better term to encompass all sexes of hybrid water-shifters.” But then with Esme claiming departure, there’s a little pout before she says, “Okay but sometime soon, Esme! Girl time.

Matthew huffs a laugh at Obadiah, “Wouldn’t go that far now, Mercer,” he counters, “but I’d not be here if I didn’t grow a tail, so figure it’s about as Montrose as it is Mercer.” Esme earns a smile and a warm, “Hey, good to hang out with you. Goodnight.”

“I don’t grow a tail,” Marina reminds everyone present, “Sometimes I wish I did. Ugh. Jealous of it, really…” There’s a sulkiness that overtakes her as she remembers she is not of the fishtail kind.

“I don’t know how you two cope with your trunks disappearing and your dongs flopping out whenever you get in and out of the water,” Miles shakes his head on the subject of mermen. His shoulder rubs back against Patience, and he inquires: “What kind of fae were you? I kind of wish I had the fish bits, it’d probably be worth all of the donging out.”

Esme grins to Patience, “Absolutely, yeah.” She agrees. “Good to hang with you too, Matt. Have a good night!” She waves to everyone, ruffling Obadiah’s hair in parting on the way out.

Miles says “Don’t let that keep you from going if it’s going to be fun. Also good to have an eye on what’s happening.“

Miles says “Good night, Esme!“

Obadiah gives someone a side hug. “Sleep well.” To Patience he says, “Merfolk is what the woke Atlanteans say.” He gives a wry grin, clearly teasing

“Miles doesn’t either, that I’ve noticed,” Patience says, though she then turns a suspicious look on Miles and asks, “Holding out on me, Mercer?” Obviously she has no claims to fishdom of any sort, so she can sympathize with Marina in that – for half a moment until flopping dongs are brought up and she finds herself snickering all over again. “Just the human kind,” she admits and then adds – relatives beware! “When you’ve nothing to hide, you’ve no reason to hide it.”

Patience says “Wait that sounded wrong…“

Patience says “When you’ve got nothing to be ashamed of, there’s no reason to hide it!“

“Sorry about that. Needed to be said. No more,” Miles promises of the microphone at his collar. “It’d be pretty cool to have frog legs, though. Like, imagine how fast I could swim with these big ass webbed feet, you know,” the Mercer seems to have thought about this a lot. “Or like… the lower half of a crab. A crabtaur.”

Matthew looks entirely unbothred by the idea of dongers flopping out. He waves it off with a flick of the hand when Miles brings it up. “Eh. So what? WHo hasn’t seen a rogue floppy dong before?”

Obadiah gives esme a side hug. “Sleep well.” To Patience he says, “Merfolk is what the woke Atlanteans say.” He gives a wry grin, clearly teasing before adding “Neve also grows a tail.”

“Just a bunch of sushi walking on land,” Marina teases, stretching her arms up over her head. “…it’s getting close to my bedtime,” she admits, “I have a date tomorrow.”

Matthew snaps, wagging a finger in Marina’s direction, “Okay, I’ll head out with you,” he decides, “plus consignment time is up.”

“Oooo with who?” Obadiah asks Marina. “Will I approve? Will Miles approve?” He is overly interested but starts packing up the pieces of the Jenga set anyway. “I am sure Matt and I should get dressed for Arachne’s thing but I am going like this.”

Matthew glanes toward Obadiah, “Isn’t that thing already going on?” he wonders.

Obadiah says “This was a lot of fun. We should do it again some time. I like hanging out with my family.“

Marina gives Obadiah a look that indicates she thinks this question is weird. “His name’s Drake, he’s like… Fifty,” she explains, sliding out of her chair a bit. She starts to shrug out of the cardigan she ‘borrowed’ so it can be returned to Matthew. “Tell them I’m sad I missed it, but I have a big day.”

Obadiah says “Naw we got an hour until roller skating “

“It was a lot of fun. Such a great idea, Obes,” Patience says, when round three is not declared. She stays for a moment, just relaxed in her seat, before pushing to her feet to go and find the kitten. “Fifty?” she calls over her shoulder in some surprise as she meanders, looking here and there for the fluffball. “But hey! Have fun! It was good to see you again.

Marina looks between the various people present. “Yeah, he’s not my boyfriend,” she adds, “He just scheduled a date with me.” It seems explaining her plans for the 4th are more long-winded than she’d like. She pivots a bit towards Matthew. “I’ll show you out.”

Matthew winks at someone when it’s returned, rising up out of his chair, content to linger at her side for as long as goodbyes are being said. “Hey Mercers, thanks for having me, I had fun.” The Mercer who’s invited him earns a fond smile, “Thanks.”

Matthew winks at Marina when it’s returned, rising up out of his chair, content to linger at her side for as long as goodbyes are being said. “Hey Mercers, thanks for having me, I had fun.” The Mercer who’s invited him earns a fond smile, “Thanks.”

Obadiah snickers then waves to Matthew and Marina when they leave

Marina blows kisses at Miles, Obadiah and Patience, and then also at the cream-colored kitten, before she heads out of the gaming room to show Matthew to the door.

“Drake,” Miles makes a face while he drinks from his beer, shaking his head disparagingly. “Thanks for taking the time to organize this, Orbs. It was much needed.”

“No kidding. It was great,” Patience says. “I didn’t lose once, and we got to just relax for a change.” She beams at Obadiah as she pops up with a sleepy, protesting kitten in arms. “He’s totally bi, Obes. But it would have been really weird if both Miles and Marina had gone on the show huh?