[ open ] HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA (not you abraxas)

[princessvegas]

Who: Julie + Dean + open
When: July 4
Where: Julie's club in the Horizon
What: June sucked, it's time to party patriotically 🇺🇸 Dean's invite here 🇺🇸 no, the Americans don't care that it's not America, they're doing it anyway (just like real life)



[ Approaching Julie's club on this particular day, you can tell from the outside that something is going on. The pink neon has been swapped for red, white and blue, the pink carpet and velvet ropes changed to the good ol' stars and stripes. The front doors are wreathed in an enormous and very patriotic balloon arch, and they're wide open. American flags hang across the walls of the entranceway, and the music is what most Americans would recognize as July 4th standards.

Inside, Julie has obviously been incredibly hard at work, and the club has undergone its most massive changes to date. The entire first floor has been modified -- where there was once a dance floor and seating, there is now an Olympic-sized in-ground pool, dotted with a variety of American themed floats and balls. The glittering quartz flooring is all gone, now replaced with lush lawn grass, and sensible concrete wrapped around the pool itself. At one end, a truly enormous inflatable water slide can send you flying down from fifty feet in the air, just to land with a splash in the water.

How has she managed that height? Well, where there's ordinarily a roof, there is now only open sky, blue and picturesque with puffy white clouds lazily floating by. The sun is bright but never too hot, and incapable of burning anyone's skin. The only thing between the sky and the building are dozens of red, white and blue decorations, strung from the balconies to overhang the pool.

Don't worry if you weren't exactly prepared for a pool party! Julie, queen of not only parties but also wardrobes, has helpfully converted the warehouse part of the building for this very problem. Racks and racks of bathing suits and beach towels are available for use, with every conceivable style up for grabs. Trunks, one-pieces, string bikinis, banana hammocks, she's got it all! While many match the red, white and blue theme, all types of colors and patterns are present. Grab a towel from a stack, hop in one of the striped changing cabanas, then get to swimming. Don't forget your red, white or blue flip-flops and sunglasses!

Hungry? Well, Dean has you covered. On the lawn, Julie has provided him with a wet dream-inducing grill and every imaginable kind of meat to cook on it. Also in this section are tables and tables full of snacks, desserts and drinks, along with the full bar that is always present. The bartender, Steven, is always ready to make anything you could want. (He is dressed in what is best described as "Sexy Uncle Sam" -- in that it's a star-spangled wrestling singlet, a glittery red white and blue bow tie, an Uncle Sam hat and a small, fake white beard.) Plenty of picnic tables are present to eat at.

As the afternoon passes, the sky will gradually darken until it's black and clear, with a wide expanse of stars, the way Julie remembers seeing night from the empty prairies of Kansas. Between Dean and Julie, there is no shortage of fireworks; as proud Americans raised in places where there's little else to do, they are experts at blowing shit up in creative ways. The tables disappear and are replaced with blankets on the grass, meant to be laid on and shared. An incredible fireworks show rounds the night out, and only once the sky is calm again are people expected to leave.

Or pass out. Getting completely wasted is also an Independence Day tradition. ]

Comments

Julie [ ota ]

[princessvegas]

[ If there's anything that the Summoned of Abraxas need, it's a big blow-out party. As the resident master hostess, that is Julie's official judgment on the topic, and she decided that it was up to her to fix. It was just lucky happenstance that, while drinking downstairs in the tavern, Dean had realized it was the Fourth of July, and between the two of them, they'd pretty quickly managed to throw together the idea of a proper, American celebration. Two American idiots like them have more than enough experience to really drive home the spirit of America, which is mostly explosions and alcohol and forcing everyone else to celebrate their traditions.

The set-up is a scaled up amalgamation of various backyard cookouts and pool parties that Julie has been to, though everything is much nicer than anyone in her life could have ever afforded. The resident clubgoers, all dressed in an assortment of American flag inspired bathing suits and tank tops, swim around in the pool and toss beach balls between themselves to the sound of pop and country music. Most songs somehow work in the word "America" multiple times.

Julie, with the exception of her actual hair, is red, white and blue from head to toe, and can be found in the pool for much of the day, where she alternates between monopolizing one of the floats and sailing down the water slide with a truly impressive amount of speed. But she is still the hostess, and can just as often be seen flitting from person to person (still bikini-clad but with the addition of the shortest pair of denim cutoffs you've ever seen), bringing new drinks and towels and a huge smile with her whenever they seem needed.

Once Dean gets the grill truly going and people actually begin to eat supper, she's on one side of the big buffet table, helping fix plates and explaining all the different dishes to the unfamiliar. Julie herself is an absolutely shit cook, but that's not an issue here in the Horizon, where she produces endless replicas of her large, Midwestern family's classic recipes. Potato salad, macaroni salad, slaw, baked beans. Deviled eggs and succotash. Melon balls marinated in honey and mint. Pies and cakes all decorated in different red and blue berries, with whipped cream stars. Steven mans the bar, but there are also big pitchers of non-alcoholic options, lemonade and sweet tea and fruit punch. And of course there are multiple coolers full of canned beers (only the finest of America's classic, terrible choices for these fine folks) and Coca-Colas. The options seem endless, and they're all good -- Julie's aunts and grandmothers and cousins were all very talented in the kitchen.

When the sky is dark and the pool is mostly empty, Julie claims the blanket she deems to be the most prime fireworks viewing spot. She's swapped into drier but just as patriotic clothes, and she quickly fills her blanket with a bunch of pillows to recline in. Dean may be in charge of fireworks, but she occasionally adds in a shape of her own, just for entertainment. People she knows might catch simple symbols associated with themselves in the sky. ]

ᴡɪɴᴄʜᴇsᴛᴇʀ → ᴏᴘᴇɴ

[righteously]

( Parked at the edge of Julie's lawn is a shiny, black muscle car. A couple dozen yards away, its owner stands at the grill sporting a novelty apron, beer in one hand and a set of tongs in the other. He's got a small speaker set up nearby so that the Official Fourth of July Playlist sounds nice and clear even outside.

Dean Winchester is a barbeque dad. We're talking sunglasses, Bermuda shorts, an unnecessarily rapt dedication to cooking meat over fire, the whole nine.

For what it's worth to anybody who grabs a burger, a hot dog, a steak, or anything from him really: they're freakin' fantastic. Dean's a hell of a cook.

Later on, he can be found down where Julie's set up her badass fireworks to be launched. Lighter in hand, he sets them off one after another with way too much dedication to technique. Once in a while, during the finale, or after, he can be spotted with his hands in his pockets and a bittersweet smile on his face. )

Jayce Talis | OTA!

[hextechhead]

Jayce has convinced Viktor to come with him for yet another Horizon get-together, but it seems like a really good idea after the nightmares and aftermath has been unsettling for people. He knows nothing at all about this 'America' concept or what anything means, but it seems extremely festive and positive and that is exactly what he is looking for. The decoration is genuinely beautiful in his opinion.

You might find him looking around, turning toward you to ask "so do you know what the color scheme is about?" He is assuming it has something to do with their country, but he doesn't know for sure.

As per usual he can be found at the food table at some point making two plates of food, one for Viktor and one for himself, since that's just how he rolls. Feel free to tease him about the amount of food or notice that he looks confused about some of the dishes, being new to this particular type of celebration. You're welcome to join him at a picnic table whether he's there with Viktor or alone.

Jayce is more than happy to take advantage of the pool when he sees it, although it is designed differently than he's used to. He manages to create his own swimsuit for it, but respectfully uses the red, white and blue theme since it seems to matter. Jayce is very broad and muscular from his work and resists the urge to do laps, which he ordinarily would do. Instead he enjoys the water and would be happy to start conversations while drifting in it. Maybe he throws an inflatable ball to you to get in the spirit. "This is fun, isn't it?" he says cheerfully to the person nearby. He does seem to have a perfect diving technique when he jumps in though.

Jayce can be found looking through the blankets before the fireworks to make sure he has a good one for him and Viktor, and he'll make friendly talk with anyone there. Feel free to sit nearby for the fireworks show and enjoy the moment. Generally it is easy to spot him everywhere at the party and he's friendly and quick to chat with someone nearby.


[ooc: feel free to wildcard at me too!]

Jesper Fahey | OTA

[itookashot]

Jesper is a huge party person and while he did like the concert from earlier in the year, this is far more his ideal type of event. Once he sees the color scheme he immediately changes all of his clothing to red, white, and blue. He runs around with the energy of a very excitable teenager, because technically that is exactly what he is. He is extroverted so if he spots anyone he even remotely recognizes, he'll come over and say hi and chatter. The nightmares are behind him. Time to get back to his optimistic self.

There are a lot of opportunities to see him at the pool. He jumps with a giant splash into the pool, you can hear him whooping with delight on his way down the water slide, he'll keep going as long as possible just up and down a few times. Maybe he'll splash you in the water because he's full of mischief or sneak up on people to dunk them in. Jesper will only do this to his friends, not to strangers, because he's not a jerk. He'll relax on a float at one point with a drink and sunglasses on.

As usual, Jesper is a huge eater and it looks like he's getting enough food for two people but it's all for himself. He grazes there often and tries one of everything, you can find him pigging out and looking zero guilty for it, this is what he lives for.

Jesper wants to reconnect with people so when the fireworks are almost ready to go off, he'll probably walk up to any blanket and the person on it, sitting with them for a few minutes. Maybe you're already friends with him and it's a catch-up, maybe you're a complete stranger, but he'll chat as if you're already friends regardless. When the fireworks start he may not be sitting but walking around, but you can see him pause briefly and look up at the sky, a wistful and almost sad expression on his face briefly. It doesn't last long but it happens. He knew someone who could make fireworks.

Jesper will still be partying until the last crowd of people, his energy is high and he's desperate for some fun. At the end he is definitely a little drunk and forgets to go back to the real world. Whoops.


[ooc: or feel free to just reply as a wildcard.]

Nadine | OTA

[nadine_he_loves]

[Last month was, to put it very bluntly, a very shitty month. One Nadine hasn't quite recovered from. And while the Fourth of July has never really meant much to her, she has relatively fond memories of the neighborhood block parties from her childhood - at least before the children's home. New Hampshire, like all New England states - and many elsewhere - went overboard for the Fourth. Whole streets decorated, potluck barbecues, fireworks lit right in the closed-down road. She can vaguely recall her brother - who passed when she was so little she can't even recall his name anymore - handing her a sparkler.

Besides, it's Julie's party and Nadine attends all of her parties. And a day of pushing reality aside and drinking and barbecue sounds just fine. She even makes an effort with what she wears, keeping to her casual preferences but trying to avoid looking matronly. And in honor of the holiday, her pearlescent horns are wrapped with red and blue ribbons. If nothing else, this is a day to celebrate freedom. And god knows she needs to remember she is free. At least for now.

Despite her frequent reservations about getting tipsy in public, Nadine starts things off with a drink and hangs about on the grass, or at a picnic table with a burger. It's nice to just relax and strive for something of a sense of normal.

She even takes advantage of the pool, in a modest two piece that she thinks is relatively on theme. Though she doesn't so much swim as grabs a classic tube-style float and lounges in it with a colorful looking cocktail. But she can probably be coaxed out of her float.

After a few drinks, she does start eyeing the slide...

And of course she stays for the fireworks, stretching out on a blanket pleasantly toasted to just watch the spectacular bursts of color above.]

geralt of rivia | OTA

[gynvael]

[ Parties are not Geralt's element. Has he any clue what they're celebrating? None. Nor does he care. The point appears to be the drinking and the food. And a light show, supposedly. He's never seen fireworks, but Jaskier has assured him it's delightful.

In any case, he's only here because of Dean and Julie. They've all had a shit few weeks. He can make an appearance for some company and an unholy amount of liquor. He's contributed to the meat fire that Dean's possessively taken over with a portion of deer and absconded with a raw steak for his wolf. Those who have walked past Geralt's domain might recognize the animal as a fixture of his Horizon. Large, white, and marked with scars, the wolf is clearly not a domesticated breed and has a habit of ignoring nearly everyone. It begins the night undecorated, but as the evening draws on you might find a variety of shimmering bits and bobs attached to it. Don't ask. The wolf will wander freely. Geralt seems unconcerned at keeping it by his side, though it returns to him often when it isn't lurking at the edges or chewing on some meat. Go ahead and feed it. If you aren't on familiar terms with Geralt and try to pet it like a dog, you'll get a growl for your troubles. Not to worry. It won't bite. Watch your fingers, anyway.

As for Geralt, he isn't difficult to spot in a crowd, either. He mostly keeps to the side with some sort of drink or other. Switches between beer, vodka, the occasional brightly coloured cocktail he's been convinced to try. At one point, an aptly themed ribbon of red, white, and blue surfaces. It's wrapped around the plain leather cord that typically holds back his hair. Whoever put the ribbon on him, Geralt doesn't seem bothered enough to remove it. A fresh healing scar splits his left arm from elbow to wrist—the only outward sign of what happened a week ago.

He'll skip the pool, though when the fireworks start you can find him on the grass. As is his habit, he's sat apart from the others, leaning against one of the tables—but he isn't exactly avoiding people. Just prefers not to be in the midst of things. Feel free to strike up a conversation. He isn't sober, but he isn't drunk. He is, actually, startlingly alert for someone who's not ever stopped drinking once. Perhaps it's Horizon magic, perhaps something else. It's possible he's indulging in excess for reasons beyond the joyous festivities, but what does it matter? Ignore the half-empty bottle he's drinking straight out of. ]

matt murdock — ota

[catholica]

( he doesn't remember the last time he chose to attend a fourth of july party. it's a very visual holiday what with the flags and the decorations and the fireworks and that, combined with living where he did, made invitations pretty rare. when they did happen, he tended to ignore them.

strange to think that the first one he decides to go to in years is one in an unfamiliar place where he's something called a summoned. but, he's here. he supposes that he can't really make himself a hermit especially when he needs to know this place and the other people around him.

he spends most of his time outside, standing a bit away from most people but unable not to hear snippets of their conversations. he doesn't get involved but he picks up some information here and there that he files away. the smell of food wafts over and his stomach growls a bit and matt tries to remember the last time he had a meal.

probably not great that he can't remember that.

later on in the evening, he's still on the lawn but he's sitting now, drinking a beer and peering up. there's fireworks going off above him and though he can't see them, the pop pop pop points to the quality and quantity and he can't help but smiles. he feels young again.

it's not a feeling that'll last but it's nice to feel it for a moment. )