[ OPEN ] an informal event.

[falcony]

Who: the summoned of cadens
When: beginning of february
Where: the sarstina inn and tavern
What: sam is hitting two birds with one stone - his February (or whatever February means in abraxas time) family dinner AND a kind of new-summoned-social event. he even had hilda help spread the word!
Warnings: will update if needed!

THE DINNER

As per Hilda's invitation, if any of the Summoned come by Sarstina's that evening, they will find it set up a little differently than it's normal tavern sprawl. There is a large long table set up near the bar that has plenty of food spread out across it - which appears to look very southern-inspired in its intention, limited only by the kinds of ingredients a certain Sam Wilson can get his hands on. Behind the bar is Mag, who will serve whoever it is that comes up to ask for a drink - it appears someone is covering the tab tonight.

There are various tables and chairs set up around the place, as well as a stage on the corner for some live music from one of their very own later in the evening. The vibes is definitely low-key and casual - come get an ale, come eat some food, and if you're a new face there is a very good chance you'll end up (gently and in the most friendly way) cornered by either Sam, Hilda, or one of the other Summoned here to help answer questions and give a bit more background on what the hell is going on and also let you know about Mag's whole deal. Aka, if you're looking for a room until you're a little more on your feet, you are welcome here. Room and board in exchange for work. Not a big gig, right?

And if being social isn't your vibe, Sam's kind of betting on the fact there aren't many here who would turn down free food and drinks. And believe him - the food is pretty damn good.

OOC INFO

- this is a totally open post! I've got a TL below for various scenarios you can find Sam, but otherwise have fun, meet some people, put up a TL of your own! there are various places to run into people in the tavern, and if you find someone who is willing to help you into the Horizon, Sam's been letting people know they can use his room upstairs.

- Sam's only Rule is there will be no fighting. You want to duke it out? Take it somewhere else. There will not be warnings or second chances. Don't be an ass. He has lived in this Inn since he first got here and considers this his home, and if ANYONE is seen giving Mag a hard time, he will not hesitate. He's not afraid of squaring up, but you will not be invited back if you cause too many issues. :)

- this is open to any and all Summoned in Cadens, no matter loyalties or factions. Sam is going to be going overboard to be welcoming, especially to new faces. Even if your character didn't see the big invitation, feel free to have them invited by word of mouth.

- Mag is an NPC who you can read a little more about in the NPC section of the Cadens setting page. Feel free to have her come in and out of your tags as needed!

- any questions? message me at disarmingly

THE INN

Magmara (or Mag) has run the inn for years and has been a familiar face in that neighborhood as a woman who always made ends meet, almost in spite of the way she took care of her friends and neighbors above all else. Most weren't always sure how she managed to run the place on her own, but she made due, though she always seemed a bit overwhelmed and exhausted. When the Summoned arrived in the Cadens through that first portal, Sam managed to stumble in and make quick friends with Mag. In exchange for manual labor, fixing up and cleaning up the inn, as well as whatever other various tasks Mag needed to be done around, Sam would be given free room and board (a deal she now offers to any Summoned that arrives in the city for as long as they need it).

The inn itself is 4 floors tall, with the top three floors making up the 15 or so rooms (around five rooms per floor), and the entire bottom floor reserved for the restaurant area. The tavern makes up the entire first floor and is a large open floorplan, with a small stage in the corner, a walled-off area for the decently sized kitchen, and a large wooden bar where Mag does all her business for both the inn and tavern (where can almost always be found standing behind). It serves drinks of some variety (though not nearly as large a selection as some of the more well-known taverns) and some food (usually a single, large meal that will be served to the tenants and whoever comes in throughout the night for a moderate price). It can be busy some evenings, but in general tends to keep a more 'dive-bar' kind of feel, filled with more locals and regulars than a casual dinner-going crowd.

The rooms themselves vary from fairly simple, single-bed inn-style rooms with a small bathroom and little else, up to a two 'bedroom' suite style with small kitchenettes and spaces for sitting rooms. Each bedroom has its own small bathroom for the tenants, with cleaning, washing, and chores left to those who live there. What used to be more of a working inn now serves as a kind of boarding house for newly arrived Summoned (or simply those who won't leave), and Mag has found herself quite okay with that.

Comments

ota.

[falcony]

BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT

[ sam will wait for at least a few faces to show before he makes his way to the front of the room. if general conversation doesn't immediately lower, he'll do that really fun hey....HEY to get everyone's attention. and then, once he does, he'll lift up his tankard as he gestures. ]

If you're new here, welcome to Mag's! There's a bunch of us here to help chat about what the hell is going on, and if you don't want to do that, there's a ton of food and no refridgeration to keep leftovers, so y'all better eat. [ seriously, do you see that table of food? sam has been in that kitchen for the last two days. ]

If I haven't tracked you down yet, my name's Sam- I've been here a hot minute, and I live right upstairs. If you don't know where to start, come find me. Otherwise, you see all these people around you? [ he gestures out to the other people gathered, makes a circle around the room. ] We all have gone through the same shit when it comes to getting here. You have people who can help. So talk to them.

Oh- and that right there? [ he points his tankard to mag behind the bar, who rolls her eyes a bit and waves to the room. ] This is the Lady of the house. You piss her off, that's it. Respect her, respect her place, and make some friends.

Alright that's it! Y'all can keep talking!

[ sam will step off the stage at that point and move a little further into the open space in the middle of the room. feel free to come approach him as he stands, or to walk on up to him at any point through the evening. ]

THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT

[ sam will be a little difficult to pin down during the course of the evening, if only because it appears he's made it his personal goal to try and track down and introduce himself to anyone he doesn't already know. that can include, but is not limited to, him quite literally just walking up and holding out his hand with a friendly smile. ] Hey, I don't think we've met yet. How long have you been in the city?

[ or, if you're standing anywhere near the table of food- ] Oh, here, this one. Yeah, no, trust me- [ just as he's filling up a plate and handing it to you. there is definitely more food on there than you planned on taking. hope you're hungry!

or, possibly, if you're running low on whatever drink you've been nursing for the night, there he will be, with a friendly smile and a second cup in hand. ] Here- good to see you. I'm Sam.

[ you get the idea. whatever the situation, he is not afraid to approach you, so. have fun! ]

END OF THE NIGHT

[ sam will be the last person hanging around, no matter if this all turns into a party or just a low key hang. either way, once most of the patrons have gone home and mag's also slipped off to bed, you can find sam cleaning up - picking up dishes, moving chairs and tables back to what you can assume is where they normally sit. he is most likely humming to himself, probably something that jaskier played earlier in the night, and though he does appear to be somewhat tired, he's going to be here until the rest of it is put up.

so if you linger, or if you wait around until he's not surrounded by people, this would be your moment. feel free to come up to him directly or, if sam notices that you're just sort of wasting time, he's not against calling out to you while he's in the middle of his stuff. ]

Everything good over there?

end of the night

[dxvi]

[ the uproar of the crowded night dwindles into smaller, more intimate parties filled with light laughter and softer music, and eventually on into this: a stuffy almost-silence with few stragglers, a drunk or two passed out right onto the tables, the bartender scrubbing down all the sticky remnants of liquor. Vi herself still hasn't quite found her place, having bounced from group to group for fast conversation or friendly competitions, asking more than one veteran Summoned if they'd ever met a blue-haired girl named Jinx. ]

[ and now, having already arranged her room with Maggie in exchange for a little labor, is taking to cleaning up plates and wiping down tables. she's still... well. a little drunk, judging from how here and there she stumbles to catch herself and takes lengthy pauses before she goes back to cleaning. Sam catches her off guard in calling over to her, almost making her jump-start in her inventively torn-up military uniform, sleeves ripped off (waste not, want not). ]

Huh? Yeah. [ a haphazard flapping of the rag in her hand, as if she's trying to convey her mission while she waits for the room to ease up on spinning. ] I'm staying here, so... I should help. I wanna help.

beginning

[sakhr]

[ Sam has barely finished speaking before Bartimaeus appears in his field of view, arms crossed over his chest. If Sam is in charge here, at least of organising things if not making the rules, then surely he'll know more about the place and the people. He clears his throat in a businesslike sort of way, as if they're about to discuss the economy or other equally boring topics. ]

I have some questions.

end of the night

[philancer]

[ Somewhere midway through the evening, Sylvain had slipped behind the bar to give Mags a hand keeping up with the number of Summoned currently inhabiting her Inn looking for alcohol. Which is half the fun of a party, in his opinion, but he hadn't really been in the mood to celebrate. Not that you could tell that from his constantly cheerful demeanor, occasional outrageous flirting, and just a general good-natured banter coming from behind the bar. It had been fun and kept him busy, which was really all he wanted.

When things start quieting down, he's wiping down the bar when he glances up at the sound of a voice. He knows who Sam is by now, even if he's never gotten the chance to really know him personally. Claude speaks highly of him, though, which is more than enough for Sylvain's estimation of the man. ]

Yeah, I'm good. You need a hand with that? [ He nods his head in the direction of where Sam's working on cleaning up. ]

throughout the night

[bealufull]

[ It's not that Kaz isn't used to people and noise and all that comes with it. He'd run a gambling house for years thriving in the heart of the chaotic energy. This was not the same. It felt like finding a party in his parlor, and despite Inej and Jesper's reassurances that he should embrace things and have a good time... it's almost as if they don't even know him.

Yet he's staying instead of hurrying to his room, and if he might wear a perpetual scowl, well then that's just Kaz Brekker's resting bitch face.

So when a plate full of food is thrust into his hand, brown eyes go wide, glancing from the plate to Sam and back. ]

Wait, no. I... I wouldn't...

[ His other hand grips tighter at the gilded handle of his cane. ]

This should be for those that are new, shouldn't it?

[ That seemed diplomatic enough without demanding to know what it is. ]

Throughout the Night

[preferscuffs]

[True enough, Caitlyn hasn't actually taken any food yet. Not because she doubts it's good, she's had food from a Sam Party before. But because she just hasn't gotten around to it yet. With all the new faces, she's been busy observing. And goodness there's been a lot to watch.]

Oh. Thank you Sam.

[It's too much food, but she can find someone to polish off whatever she can't manage considering who she's friends with. So Caitlyn will take the plate with no protests]

You're a wonderful host.

[After all, this is the second one she's been to now. Since Jayce had made sure she'd been attending the Thanksgiving one. So Sam going to be linked forever with parties in her mind. But in a warm, inviting way.]

ota!

[stepping]

AROUND.

[ laura ends up at the tavern by happy accident. she hears the name thrown around—the Summoned, they all end up at the Sarstina—and so she goes, with half a hope in the back of her mind that maybe she'll find a familiar face. she almost leaves right away, caught with the sense that she's intruded on a party she wasn't invited to, but there's enough people insisting that newcomers are welcome for her to linger.

and it's one hell of a party. for someone used to life with the same handful of people, a gathering like this is a novelty she hasn't had in years. laura loves it, beams at anyone welcoming enough to stop and gestures at the food. ]

Is this seriously free? 'Cause like, I didn't show up with a wallet.

[ if she's not busy shovelling said food into her mouth she'll just make conversation, open and friendly as she looks around the place. she's only somewhat looking for people now, slowly giving up on the idea of finding someone — at least for today. ]

So how do they even decide who moves here, is it just like...you get invited, or?

ABOUT.

[ it takes her a while to get over the novelty of food, honestly, but there's only so much even someone used to tight rations can stuff themselves. happy and full on more food and more interaction than she's had in years, she ends up at a table with some drink she's never tried before, nursing it as she listens to the music playing with an interested expression.

her table is free for anyone to join, she'll quickly smile and wave at an empty seat if anyone wanders nearby that looks likely to join her. ]

I always wanted to learn to play guitar, you know? It seemed so cool.

AROUND.

[righteously]

( Guess who just got out of jail after serving Hard Time? Ya boi Winchester, who has gone a grueling two days eating prison food, and is therefor obviously starving. He's posted up with a giant ass tankard of mead and a plate full of food that he's midway through chewing when New Girl poses her question, and he doesn't even bother swallowing to answer. Full-on talking with his mouth full, what are manners, never heard of her. )

It's open doors, kid. Go nuts. My advice? Grab up one of the upstairs corner rooms before they all get got. You're, like, a solid fifty percent less likely to hear people having sex than if you're stuck with a middle room.

( Trust him, okay, he's an expert. He's been here a While. )

ABOUT

[itookashot]

[ Jesper's been here for hours, having helped set everything up as part of the welcoming committee. It's not that much of a hardship since he lives upstairs and has since he arrived. He handed out drinks too, a part-time bartender around here when Mags needs it. This is the first time in the night he sat down with a drink of his own, planning on taking in a little music before the inevitable clean-up duty.

He plops down next to a new person because he never misses the opportunity to chat with one, his energy level always high despite all the busy day. Tall and skinny, he usually has a flashy coat that changes colors, but it's too hot in there for that. Jesper glances over at her with a smile. ]

I've actually been learning for the first time myself in the Horizon. And by learning I mean I made one and I'm just plucked strings until something sounds right. [ Maybe one of these days he'll get an expert to help him out. ] It is really cool.

[ He wiggles his fingers at her in greeting. ] Hi I'm Jesper. I've been here about a year.

around

[theidlemaiden]

[ Being the gracious co-host she is, Hilda is trying to make up for the headache she knowingly gave to Sam earlier. Is half of the reason she's so involved is because it means she doesn't have to work behind the bar tonight? Maybe. But she'll continue to swear to the Goddess that she's simply doing her job as part of the unofficial welcoming committee.

She keeps an eye out for new faces but it's always easier when said new face is also beaming and looks like they aren't having an existential crisis. ]

Of course it is! Well, at least this time. [ A cheeky little wink is slipped in here, and not just because it's an offer she'd absolutely follow through with (hint: it's because she's kind of cute in a disheveled way). ] If you play your cards right with who's behind the bar, I might even be able to get you something on the house from time to time.

about

[frontlinetitties]

[Okay, so maybe she doesn't need free food. Maybe unlike half the other Summoned here her digs are above the Surly Wench - she liked the name, okay, it reminded her of someone - but it's not the kind of offer anyone with so much as two braincells to rub together ought to be turning down. Besides, spend the majority of your short, sweet life locked up on a backwater planetoid in a cult full of rancid old nuns, and you swiftly learn to love a party. You know, once the overwhelm wears off.

So she's here tonight amidst Summoned both old and new, she drinks and eats and presents a (kinda) friendly face, until finally - late in the evening - Gideon spots a seat beside some chick she's never seen before. Waved over, she accepts the invitation by dropping down into the empty wooden chair and plonking her pint onto the table. Foam sloshes over the lip of the glass, pooling stickily onto the surface beneath it, but she pays it no attention.]

Yeah? [She says, in the wake of the other woman's statement.] Well based on my experience - which is all of like, one year just so you know - becoming a musician is a sure-fire way to pick up babes. They love the whole mysterious, sultry songwriter thing.

[Does she play herself? Fuck, no. She's just been paying attention.]

bartimaeus | bartimaeus sequence

[sakhr]

001. arrival.

[ Bartimaeus makes his way to the inn in the guise of a small sand-coloured cat, but he has the feeling that won't actually fly once he's indoors. Most people are reluctant, for some reason, to serve drinks to a cat, talking or otherwise. So the cat dips down an empty alleyway around the corner from the inn; a few moments pass, and then a dark-haired girl of about nineteen emerges from the alleyway, heavy-browed and serious. It's not actually the first time he's taken Kitty's form, but the last few times had been to needle at his master. This time it's different; he'd taken a little while longer with it, recreating her as faithfully as he can remember, but for the sake of variety he's wearing an outfit that fits a little better with his surroundings, based on some clothes he'd seen another woman wearing on the way.

All ready, he tucks a strand of hair a little demurely behind his ear and heads into the inn. Parties aren't really his scene,¹ mostly because they're so desperately human, but he puts on a brave face and posts up at the bar, pushing up onto his toes a little to peer over it at the drinks on display. He's not going to drink any of them,² but he's curious nonetheless. ]

So what's the story here, then? Just a nice party out of the good of someone's heart, is that it? That's just about what Cambyses told Amasis before the Battle of Pelusium, you know, and we all know how that went down.

[ ¹ Not that he's not the life of any party he attends, obviously. It's hard not to be when you're as effortlessly charming as Bartimaeus.

² No need, but also yuck. ]

002. throughout the night.

[ It's a good fact-finding mission, of course, which is why he sticks around as long as he does. No other reason. He certainly isn't charmed at all by the genial atmosphere or the host's very determined attempt to keep everyone on speaking terms, of course.

He stays in the middle of it all for a while, popping in and out of conversations when the topics catch his ear – or, if he's in the mood, challenging a fellow Summoned to an arm-wrestle for money. Is this skinny teenager hustling you? Surely not.

Later in the night, he migrates to the fringes of the party, though he's only doing it to have a better shot of engaging fellow lurkers in conversation now and then about the city and its inhabitants or perhaps how the Summoned are integrating. ]

003. wildcard.

[ hmu (crowders) if you want something specific, or feel free to handwave an introduction and jump into a mid-conversation thread. i am also happy for someone to have spotted him shapeshifting in the alleyway!

note on pronouns: i don't mind which pronouns you or your character use for bartimaeus! i will stick to he/him on my end to make sure things don't get too complicated, but you're welcome to use she/her since that's what he looks like and your character will likely not know any different at this point. absolutely up to you! ]

arrival!

[godshattering]

[ It's about time for a refill as the night goes on, or maybe another plate of snacks to have in hand as a reason to stop in with different groups gathered here and there or the solitary Summoned looking a little overwhelmed - particularly the new faces since there's quite a few to check in with.

Of course, standing around while fiddling around with pouring said drink once he's at the bar is a reason to scan the room. Having worked a few shifts in this very tavern means it's not like he's shy about reaching for whatever he needs, but it doubles as a convenient chance to see who he hasn't talked to yet. This also means he doesn't notice someone else approaching the bar until someone's talking and he pauses to glance over at a young woman very curious about both the drinks and the state of things. Maybe. ]

I have to say that specific reference goes over my head. Good chance it might for others too considering we're all from different places, but I get the point of it nonetheless. [ He's not outright laughing, but his tone might certainly imply he's amused as he flashes a smile her way before finally pouring himself an ale. ] This party really is what it appears though, fortunately enough. Assuming that's what you're asking since I would've done the same after arriving here, strange as that whole experience was.

OTA

[nadine_he_loves]

Goodie Bags

[While still tired and recovering from the past month, Nadine's come down for this casual gathering of Summoned. They aren't localized like she understands the other kingdoms are, it's rare to easily meet the newest arrivals to the Free Cities. Besides, it's literally downstairs from where she lives.

She's also brought welcome gifts. Specifically some herbal tonics and potions for common ailments. Draughts to help with easy, restful sleep are numerous. Trouble sleeping is the most commonly reported issue in newcomers, and that's easy enough to help with. There's also mild painkillers and calming tonics. She's set up at one of the tables, in layered white skirts and a brown leather vest, a basket of bottles beside her. She'll be quick to wave over any new faces that have That Look.]

Recent transplant, huh?

Mingling

[When not handing out the equivalent of over the counter medicine, Nadine tries to mingle as much as possible. She's not the most social, but she does want to be sure that everyone knows about her clinic and the services it offers to Summoned.

A lot of them have a habit of getting injured often, and she doubts there's anything different about this latest batch. The sooner they know there's a resident healer on hand, the better.]

goodie bag

[dxvi]

[ immediately, Vi sets to rifling through her little goodie bag, shuffling through concoctions and brews and powders with an open-wide curiosity. after an account of the inventory, a mildly sheepish look up and back down is probably meant to be a thanks. ]

Yeah. [ like most people here tonight, right? it's not the most interesting part of this situation; she isn't special by any means. there was plenty to learn as she canvassed Cadens herself, sticking to the streets while she looked for her sister but taking to the rooftops to gather the lay of the land better, after enough rejections. Jinx really isn't here. ]

Do you have any spare bandages? Is one of these good for cuts and stuff...?

[ her knuckles, once well-callused, have begun to split and bleed again without any protection during her training. ]

Alucard, OTA

[cryptsleeper]

End of the night

[Alucard is not social, not by upbringing or natural inclination. He has outposts in Cadens and the badlands away from the bustle and crowds of the city with reason, and he has more than once used one of his building projects as a place to decompress away from the too noisy world.

But last he was in Nocwich, he ran into too many vampires that numbered among the Summoned. There is a good reason to scan the crowd at this event and observe new arrivals. If there are any more of his father's people here, it would be helpful to know.

He arrives with only an hour or so left to go in the evening, his hair pulled back and swept off his neck in a bun that means I just came from work, thank you. A few smears of blue and green paint are visible on his arms and hands, his clothes somehow devoid of the same. (He changed, because he is the kind of person that would have fresh clothes as a work site.) Old Public Hall is nearly done a year after he began the project. Everything right now is cosmetic.

At the bar, Alucard ignores the food, making a simple request.]

Blood wine, please. The darker the better.

[With drink procured, Alucard steps back, content to observe the room from a little spot he's picked out for himself. Enough to see and close to the door. Easy escape, if need be.]

OTA

[itookashot]

BEGINNING OF THE NIGHT

Jesper got there early to help Sam with the set-up, like he does for every mingle or dinner whether it's in person or on the Horizon. This requires more help than usual since it's real, though. And he usually likes to be on hand for Mags if she needs anything he can fetch. He helps set the table and brings ale to the table for new people as they arrive, putting down drinks in front of them if they'd like it.

Tall and skinny, he has a bright smile and warm personality, happy to chat with anyone who wants to, and also a good point person on the welcoming committee with information to share. He is rarely seen without his signature flashy coat but it's too hot in here. Jesper is still looking good (in his opinion) in a bright red vest over a white collared shirt. He likes to stand out.

TIME TO EAT

The one thing Jesper can always be counted on doing is eating a ridiculous amount. He tries to tone it down when it's group meals since his appetite is unnecessarily high, but he does have a generous portion he seems to be chomping through. He loves Sam's food always and hey, he helped out plenty. Despite having eaten only a few hours ago, he seems to be acting like it's been days. His permanent high energy and activity tend to burn off food fast.

Eventually he does come up for air and take a breather from the food, settling back in his chair and sighing contently. This is the time when he might look around and flash a smile at someone, asking if they liked the food or if they were enjoying the party so far.

At a point he enjoys listening to some of the music, always impressed by the talent of their most famous Summoned.

END OF THE NIGHT

Jesper is always part of the clean-up duty so he is ready for that, but he first lets people know there if they have questions, he'll be around for a few hours. He just lives upstairs! After that, he focuses on picking up dishes and bringing them to the kitchen, cleaning the table and then moving everything back to where it belongs.

Someone may be able to notice that he is moving items without looking at them, dishes stacking with invisible hands, calling glasses to him with telekinesis rather than needing to go over and get them. Jesper feels safe with his fellow Summoned so he doesn't hide his abilities anymore.


WILDCARD

[ooc: Hit me with whatever!]

matt murdock — ota

[catholica]

01 DINNER

( though he'd brought a lot of work home today, he decides that maybe he can give himself a break and head down to have some food, maybe a beer. there's some unfamiliar faces around which he takes to mean that more people have shown up. it seems to happen like clockwork and makes matt realize that he's been here for awhile now. he can't pinpoint the exact amount of time but — it's been longer than he thought he'd be here.

and it hasn't been a bad thing. he's had some success here, met some good people, met someone that he considers very close to his heart and — well, he was feeling better about things.

which he knows means something's going to happen soon to ruin it all. that's how life goes.

trying to keep those intrusive thoughts away, matt grabs a beer and finds a spot to stand, leaning against the wall and listening to people move about. he picks up hints of conversations from across the room, getting a feel of who was there and who wasn't.

he finishes his drink and goes for another, sweeping his cane out and maybe accidentally bumping someone with it. )

Sorry about that. Guess I didn't see where I was going.

( ha ha. )

02 AROUND

( despite knowing that he has another long day tomorrow, matt lingers, allowing himself to be more social than usual. he says hello to people that he recognizes, that he knows and even introduces himself to some other people.

he's gone from leaning against a wall to sitting in a chair, feet up, cane resting against his side as people mill about. he can still hear various conversations and though it's cheating, he knows, it's not like he can turn it off though he could focus elsewhere.

but, it's a good way to figure things out here so, with his head tipped down, he listens and when something catches his attention, he does look up.

when the music starts up, he taps his cane lightly against the floor in rhythm with the music, enjoying the ambiance and the relaxed atmosphere. he knows that it probably won't last long. not here. )

03 WILDCARD

( for anything else that doesn't fit in the above. )

[dxvi]

[ something come to sweep along her boot and her first instinct is to stamp her foot down. the cane lands stuck between her sole and the hardwood floor, and her gaze follows it up to the hand holding it. she puts two and two together slowly; the sad truth is that people with these kinds of disabilities don't last long where she's from. maybe the topsiders have better fortune, but that depends on their, well, fortunes. ]

[ still, empathy twists her gut and her frown. ]

Shouldn't people like you have a service animal or something? [ not the most tactful, this one. she releases the cane from underfoot and makes a guess at what he was going for, filling his cup on the table with the pitcher of beer she'd already had in her hand. ]

Courier 6 ☆ OTA

[lonedanger]

☆ arrival/dinner

[ Len was referred to this place by an extremely helpful otherworlder, and its unassuming appearance and general lack of pretension have reminded him considerably of the Goodsprings Saloon: diverse clientele and an assortment of services with a few places to stay in the inn. Definitely the kind of place he'd prefer to relocate to when he figures out a way to do so, because the barracks just aren't going to cut it for something as anti-authority as himself. Nothing worse than getting press-ganged into fighting in somebody else's conflict.

The food feels relatively familiar, at any rate, not in material but in execution. Reminds him a bit of the way folk have prepared things off the coast of Texas, back when he used to wander out that way. ]

Y'all tried this yet? It's damn good.

☆ throughout the night

[ Things could be a great deal worse than all this, and Len makes a concerted effort to make the best of yet another kidnapping situation. It's a good thing he's at least not at the mercy of a bunch of psychotic, two-hundred-plus year old doctors - a bunch of fairly reasonable near-strangers is ideal by comparison.

Between meandering around the abundance of foodstuffs and indulging in the open tab, Len can be found (consistently) with a glass of something or other in hand, making a not insignificant effort toward introducing himself to people. ]

Leonard Darin. Len's fine, just don't call me Lenny. [ And lastly, the most frequent subject of conversation that comes up: ] If y'don't mind my asking, how long you been here?

[ Between the small talk and general chatter he takes his time to people-watch, filing little bits and pieces of information away, regretting his lack of a Pip Boy and wondering if there's some Abraxas equivalent he could get his hands on. If he's not dead-eyeing the assortment of people milling about he's tapping a foot along to the music, interested in the way it differs from everything back home. ]

☆ wildcard

[ If none of these options appeal, please feel free to hmu on discord at uncalendula#5439 and we can figure out something different! ]

throughout the night

[nadine_he_loves]

[It really is helpful, being able to meet so many of the newest Summoned at once. This was a good idea - it's not like the inn is some big secret. It's pretty well known this is The Summoned Area. Even those that have left the inn to live elsewhere haven't gone very far from it.

And plenty of them seem just as eager for answers and networking with those already here.]

Good to meet you, sorry about the circumstances. I'm Nadine, I'm the resident medical aide for the Summoned, and I've been here...uh...almost two years.

[That sounds about right. Winter's at least half over, and it had been late spring when she'd first come here, or thereabouts. Keeping rigid track of the time always slips her mind.]

Inej Ghafa | Grishaverse | The Hierophant | Handwaved Meeting Options

[shadowthief]

I. ooc

NOTE

I'm working on freeing up space in my inbox before the next event, but feel free to comment here or hmu @ loyalwolf [/#3540] on plurk [/discord] to work out details the initial first meeting. Some options for introductions are below!

ii. handwaved meeting prompts

OTA

• She definitely helped with set-up, she's kind of a fixture at these dinners and gatherings Sam puts together at this point, and she likes helping.

• She will generally float around the edges, but is available to chat with about anything new people might have questions about, and will be very candid in her responses. She is not shy about her anti-war sentiment, but won't press it on people unwarranted either.

• If her more usual CR wants to chat, that's a possibility too!

Jayden | OTA

[takeatrip]

[It's Jayden's second day in this world when he sees the invitation, and by this point he's kind of just going with the whole thing. It's for that reason that text appearing out of nowhere is taken in stride, and having already found the Sarstina the night before, he quickly decides he'll attend.

He can easily be found throughout the night lurking around the edges of the room or at a table in the corner, and although he spends most of the time quietly observing people, he's entirely willing to talk to anyone who might approach.

But if you happen to just be nearby, or even not that nearby, it's probably easy enough to notice when he abruptly drops his glass; despite a valiant attempt to catch it with his other hand and then a foot, he's nowhere near graceful enough to pull that off and soon there is the distinctive sound of glass shattering.]

Shit.

[It's said in the tone of someone who is equal parts dismayed and resigned to his fate, and he immediately shoves his hands in his pockets and starts sliding the shattered glass into a pile with his foot.

In a tone that is a little forced casual, he directs at the nearest person observing--]

Know where I can find a broom or somethin'?


[[ooc: Please feel free and wildcard if you want, or hit me up at amiasha or Ami#8741 for plotting! Also if we had a TDM thread and you wanna handwave it into canon (whether for this party or for the previous day) I'm down for that. c:]]

[stepping]

[ laura isn't observant so much as nosy, and this whole gathering is satisfying that urge in a way she's missed out on for years. new faces, new patterns, it's all fascinating and she's loving every moment of it — even seeing the lurkers, they're interesting in their own right. there's a guy, and he's a lurker, and laura's half paying attention in a curious sort of way as she shovels food into her mouth, watching him hang back. even the uninteresting is fascinating, in its own right.

of course then he goes and drops a glass, and then it does get a little interesting, actually. ]

Here, I bet I can find something. Hold this.

[ she hands over her plate, and promptly disappears. off behind the bar, if jayden's following her movements, and engaged in animated conversation with the barkeep before she makes her way back. the look on her face is clearly one of pleased, self-satisfaction as she comes back.

she's found a broom. ]

Told you.

John Blake | The Dark Knight Rises | OTA

[oversight]

FIRST THINGS FIRST_

[ Arriving some time during the dinner, John Blake has been informally summoned, as the invitation had noted, and upon entering the part of the inn where the food's laid out, he's greeted with a lot of unfamiliar faces. Well, okay, of course they're unfamiliar, but that's not really the point. It's a lot more people than he was expecting (and he's not entirely sure why because he'd seen the group he'd come in with), enough that he finds himself more interested in mingling instead of intermingling.

He sneaks some food onto a plate, perhaps strategically skirting the talkative host in his efforts, and when he settles it's at the end of a table. He's there to watch and eat, although anyone who might play a reverse Uno card would observe the following: Blake is tackling the vittles, trying each thing in succession, disliking nothing. In fact, when he finds a single something he particularly enjoys the most, he does a happy little food dance and finishes it in a single go. For a little guy, he can eat. Not a common occurrence, but cash is slim and so is Blake's hunting abilities.

He's just about to sneak his way out the door with absolute success in speaking not one single word to anyone when he finds himself doing one of those polite little two-steps with someone as they try to cross paths. ]

Oh, sorry— I was— Maybe you should—

[ Miraculously, this little dance will continue. We've all been there, right? Overly polite, Blake can't take the right-of-way, only offer. ]

No, I'll go this way— Wait— Hold on—

WALLFLOWER_

[ Feeling suitably ridiculous — caught, as it were — Blake soon settles into the idea of sticking around for a little while. Maybe it's shame that keeps him (because it's rude to eat and run) or maybe it's something deeper than that, but he posts up against the wall and waits it out, maybe the only person in the room eager for the party to end.

It's not so bad. He hates that he thinks it is so bad, because he knows it's not. The familiar press of people reads of home and Blake's thankful for the comfort of it, but strangers here set him on edge. Perhaps because he's alone, no safety net, no parachute. Hard to trust when you think of it that way.

Could he go back to his room? Sure. It's right here, paid by the day in one way or another, and he could escape for a little while and come back. Thing is, Blake can only stare at the same four walls for so long. This new world — this new old world — moves at an entirely different pace than he's used to, slowed to a state that makes him feel trapped in molasses.

If he's going to fidget anywhere, it might as well be here.

One exception happens by — Magmara Sarstina — who Blake convinces into a truncated but heartfelt dance full of smiles and laughter. He's a good boy and Mag lights his face briefly with a shared warmth before excusing herself to her very busy day. He'd been doing small jobs without so much as a complaint at any hour and who could dislike anything about that?

He's considering returning to that position as a wall anchor when he catches Mag shooing him with a bar towel, discouraging that behavior with warm intentions. Arms up in surrender, Blake chuckles quietly. ]

Yeah, okay. My love's just left me, as you can plainly see... Who else wants to dance?

[ Look, he doesn't lack charisma, he just chooses not to use it. ]

WILDCARD_

[ You know what this means! The more hilarious the better, so go ham. ]

---

OOC— Prose or Action Spam | Plotting/Starter Requests

wallflower

[theidlemaiden]

[ Hilda happens to be nearby, keeping a watchful eye on the newbies and acting as a good official/unofficial member of the welcoming committee as she can. She flits around the room, mirroring Sam in many ways by ensuring that everyone has everything they need and that no wallflowers are kept tethered to the corner of the room.

When the dancing begins, she can't help but be surprised although she doesn't know why she's surprised in the first place. Maybe it's because Sam thought this was an informal thing and informal things didn't really have dancing, a thought that makes her huff amusedly after the fact.

Amusement transforms into a small bloom of pride when she realizes who has pulled dear old Mags into a dance in the first place. Blake — not Bartie, as she had taken to calling him after their near-mauling experience in Nocwich — had unrooted himself from his spot against the wall. Colour her proud of her fake, gambling husband. When the song comes to a close she claps along with the rest of the crowd before letting out something of a dramatic sigh. ]

Oh, alright, twist my arm. [ She steps in easily, picking up his hands as if she knows the steps to the dance. Instead she stands there expectantly, eyes sparkling up at him mischievously. ] But only because I didn't know you were so light on your feet. You should stick to that instead of sewing.

ciri, ota.

[wiedzminka]

[ Somehow or other, Ciri's been prodded the requisite amount into agreeing to attend. Jaskier is the likeliest culprit, considering he is performing, and even though she's seen him do so a million times by now, she ends up agreeing anyway. The free food is fine; the free booze is better. She finds a table tucked away against the back wall near a window, a large tankard of ale for a companion, and spends most of the evening people watching over mingling.

She's a frequent enough guest to the Sarstina that none of the Summoned who live here will consider her a stranger, and Mag recognizes her on sight. In turn, Ciri can tell easily enough who the newcomers are, picking out faces she hasn't spotted before and committing them to memory, mostly out of curiosity than anything else. So she can remember them, perhaps, if they bump into one another around the city.

If it's getting crowded and places to sit become few, Ciri doesn't mind sharing her table. She'll offer the seat to anyone wandering around looking a bit lost, or anyone asking for it.

After Jaskier's performance, when everyone's feeling more settled in and Ciri's had another ale or two, she decides she's in a more sociable mood. She pulls out a soft deerskin pouch and shakes a handful of carved bone dice out onto the table. ]

Got an empty cup?

[ Maybe she's asking a passing bar worker. Or maybe just the nearest person, whether they're walking by or sitting at the table with her. ]


(( ooc: open to wildcards, hit me with whatever! feel free to catch me on plurk @ belleteyn or in the game discord. I'm also cool with handwaved interactions and driveby tags, so if you want to say your character met Ciri here but don't have the bandwidth for a full thread, just drop a quick lil comment or message me above! ))

[bealufull]

[ The musician seems skilled, even if Kaz doesn't know the songs, so there's that at least. It does bring the din of the room down a bit, which is both a blessing and a curse.

He can't feign he can't hear if others are quiet. And yet despite his rather dark countenance, the woman laying dice out on the table suddenly has his attention. He's not been much of one for gambling himself - not unless he was absolutely sure all of the odds are alignedrigged in his favor, but that was back home.

Here he's been encouraged to be social. That's all it is, right? ]

One moment.

[ Leaning to reach over to another table, he picks up a mostly empty mug that someone has turned their back on and up ends it onto a napkin to let the rest drizzle out before cleaning it out with the same napkin. ]

So what's the game? Or is this some kind of offering to read my future in the fall of the bones?

Kaz Brekker | ota

[bealufull]

Beginnings

In fairness Kaz had absolutely no plans to attend a party. He hadn't even truly given a second thought to the invitation after he'd dismissed it. The problem, for him, is he's made the inn his home here and now there's a party there.

His expression could certainly be called resigned as he goes first to the bar, his gilded cane tapping along the floor as if that would be enough to clear the way for him. Even after all these months he still carries himself as if this were his world and he still had his place in it.

Perhaps that's why he suspects he's going to need a drink or two before the night is over. He most certainly downs the first one rather quickly.

Later in the evening

An escape attempt was made, certainly, but due to good friends with bad ideas on Kaz's ability to make more friends, he hasn't fled to his room. Yet.

He's even made some attempts at being social. If one calls answering questions not quite posed to him social. He is trying though in his best way. In some way. So if someone looks confused or uncertain, he does ask what they need.

Though when someone nearby stands, he lifts his tankard with a well rehearsed smile. "Wouldn't happen to be going to the bar? Bring me back another?"

His gaze falls pointedly to the cane at his side, both practicing his performance skills and saving him from running into someone else with a question. Unless they join him.

beginnings!

[sakhr]

Bartimaeus, currently in the guise of a serious teenage girl, watches Kaz down a drink like he was a thirsty man guzzling down water. He's never had an inclination for alcohol – or any other kinds of food and drink, since he doesn't need any of that to survive.

Or he didn't, at least. This summoning feels different, less of a strain on his essence, and he has to wonder what the price of that will be.

"Steady on there," he tells Kaz as he leans in almost conspiratorially. "The night's only just begun, you know."

OTA

[preferscuffs]

Arrival

[While she's not early, Caitlyn also doesn't arrive fashionably late either. Instead opting for a more casual time, within minutes of seven. Simply because Hilda had suggested seven. Seriously, Tonight was far too broad of a time range, Sam.

She's slowly adapting to this trend of casual parties, dressed in a soft cream sweater with a pair of dark violet slacks. More casual than she'd been dressed for Thanksgiving. It's a work in progress. Wearing boots, she fills up the doorway surprisingly well for someone so slender. For a moment she stands in the doorway, blue eyes scanning the crowd before realizing she's... blocking the door.]

Sorry.

[Stepping inside, she turns to smile apologetically at whoever had the misfortune of being behind her.]

There's more people here than I'd expected.

[Finding any one specific person in this? Might prove to be a challenge.]

During

[At first she's just a wallflower. Content to watch and search, though she's more than happy to talk when approached. Then she's plied with a plate of food by their enthusiastic host. It's far too much and instead of eating it, she watches people watch the food table carefully before approaching someone who's not actually approached it yet.]

It's quite good. Here.

[And the food will be held out along with a warm smile. Instead of trying to eat it all herself, she'll just give it to someone else. Make a fresh plate with more Caitlyn sized portions on it. Because this person looks like they'll eat more than she will. Realizing this is super strange, she tries to explain.]

Sam is lovely, but a touch over eager. I can't eat all of this and I'd hate for any to go to waste you see.

Wildcard

[Feel free to make up your own prompt! Just wing it or hit me up on plurk (Starscall) or Discord (Starscall #7508) if you want to do a more structured wildcard.]

During! HAPPY THREAD.

[hextechhead]

[ Jayce wasn't entirely sure if he and Viktor were going to come considering Viktor's still in recovery, but he felt well enough to at least make an appearance, and it's a good sign to Jayce. He hates being cooped up and any display of wanting to jump into life again is good. So they do end up appearing a little later and he makes certain Viktor is settled somewhere comfortable with everything he needs before glancing around.

He watches Caitlyn as she adjusts to being in this situation, which he did tell her was miles better than the banquets and dinners she grew up with. There is something very homey about this place, especially when Sam's making his food and the area is lively and positive. Jayce kisses Viktor on the cheek and tells him where he's going, before he crosses over to where she's being a wallflower.

In typical big brother fashion, Jayce simply snatches a carrot off her plate without her even offering and pops it into his mouth, because that is who he is with her. ]

I told you these are nothing like the dinners back home.

viktor | ota

[techmaturgy]

i.

[When Viktor makes an appearance, it’s not for very long. He’s still too early in his recovery to spend much time out of the apartment, but he and Jayce eventually come to an agreement that it might be nice for him to get some air, and meet some of the new faces that have come to Cadens over the last few days. Viktor’s current state (wheelchair, general air of exhaustion slash painkillers) is a bit of an open secret—something about a surgery, or another kind of procedure to resolve a chronic illness, the experimental nature of it, the Academy officials raiding his laboratory in an attempt to confiscate whatever it is he was doing—but he seems, generally, in good spirits.

Though he can’t necessarily partake in any of the drinking, he’s more than content to carry on conversations at the bar, or a table. True to form, he’s brought notes with him, and is happy to share explanations with anyone who asks (though be warned, he will get into it about various esoteric engineering principles).

Of course, no hard feelings if you’d rather not hear about what he’s working on. Viktor will deal you into a game of cards, if that’s more your speed. If you're new, he might even ask you a few questions, starting with--]

It's an adjustment, yes?

ii. wildcard

[hey what’s up new friends and old; please hit me with whatever you like. For everything else, I’m on plurk at whitticus.]

i

[warfed]

[Petra approaches Viktor between card games with a drink in hand. They know each other in passing; they have common friends between them, she's friendly with Jayce, and of course he'd been partially responsible for her sword as payment for her participation in the mining endeavor some months back. There haven't been many opportunities for her to approach him on his own, and so she feels this is long overdue— especially as she has a vested interest.]

Viktor— how are you feeling?

[Word on the street, after all, is that he's been through a lot lately, but even if it weren't, one would only have to look at him.]

I am guessing you are itching to get back to work already, yes?

[She sees those notes, sir.]

— closed | gideon

[theidlemaiden]

( cont from here )

[ True to her word and shockingly mostly on time, Hilda manages to sweet talk her way into the Sarstina's kitchen. It isn't so difficult of a feat considering her sometimes employment at the tavern, but also the cook had fallen victim to Hilda's doe eyes and fluttery lashes, but she counts those as wins.

When Gideon arrives, Hilda is placing a couple of edible flowers onto the top of a rather decandent, three tier chocolate cake. Her gaze is laser focused, barely registering that someone else that isn't the cook has joined her in the kitchen. When the flowers are finally in place, she straightens up, interest sparking in her gaze. There's laughter in her voice as she seems to appraise Gideon for a moment and she taps her chin for effect. ]

Tall, muscular and hot, but no bells on — are you my mystery dessert taster?

[frontlinetitties]

[To be fair, Gideon's eyes are also drawn immediately toward that huge fucking cake, and behind her mirrored lenses they light up like the city at night. Honestly, it was worth being dragged into this strange, crazy world just for moments like this. Moments she sure as hell never would have experienced back on the Ninth-- maybe not anywhere in her own corner of the universe that she was ever likely to go.]

Fuuuuck me, that has gotta be like, the dessert to end all desserts.

[She says, her voice appropriately coloured by awe.]

And yeah, that's right, I am she. I did consider the bells but thought that would just confuse the issue. I'm Gideon.

[And she holds her hand out, palm upward, by way of a proper greeting.]