RP:A Rager
Part of the Larketian Fault Lines Arc
Summary: It’s King Macon’s 44th birthday! Queen Josleen threw him a surprise birthday party in the royal garden. It’s an invite-only, private affair so that the King can let down his guard and cut loose--and he does! Keg stands and all, letting the chosen guests see a different side of the intimidating King.
Private Royal Garden, Fort Freedom
Josleen arranged the surprise birthday party in secret and with some trepidation given her husband’s temperament and general distrust of people. For this reason she kept the guest list short and populated with just their friends, which in truth translates to mostly -her- friends. Macon’s sociopathically-short list of friends can also be attributed to his general distrust of people, but he does have a few, exactly three: his sparring buddy and trainer at the fort (Calvin, goes by Cal), and two veteran soldiers who are also on the fort rugby team with the King (Tony and Bran)--basically, jocks. Cal is divorced and will arrive with his adult son and rich playboy, Brett. Tony and Bran are married happily and unhappily, respectively, to Janice and Penelope, charitable society ladies who spread wealth and gossip throughout the Hard City with an enthusiasm for the latter. The Queen is conscious that these women will likely tell tales of this party, but considers any party stories a boon to Macon’s overly-intimidating public image. Besides, these ladies are lushes and fun! A third socialite, unmarried and still young-enough to not be embarrassed about it, Lucia, was also invited for her fondness of drink and party. The guests were asked to arrive early at the Royal Garden in the fort/castle to surprise the King. Two long buffet tables provide both savory and sweet snacks, as well as ample drink, girly cocktails, and mocktails for those choosing to abstain. A framed sign behind the meats reads, ‘Please do not feed Gigi able table scraps.’ Beneath the placard sits Gigi, who has spent the day tailing the kitchen staff. Upon successfully making eye contact with any person, the Prince will whine and beg for sausage. Big white tents shield party-goers from any unexpected rain and paper lanterns strung on streamers bathe the scene in warm light. Two long tables have been set up for drinking games, and kegs at the ends of the buffet ensure no game will run out of drink. A band raised on a platform plays the modern hits of the age. To keep Macon out of the garden, Josleen told her husband that she was having a playground built in the garden that day for future children, which she will show him later that night--riveting stuff, how can Macon contain his excitement? Though he may begin to suspect something is up when Josleen dresses in a party dress, albeit a shorter one than usual, ending a couple inches above the knee, and dons a full-face of make-up... for the unveiling of a playground. Also she didn’t let him dress down before or after dinner, and when asked why, she stammered, “I invited my mother to come see the playground too.” Really? While her mother has recently been staying in the castle for familial drama reasons that won’t be mentioned so as to not besmirch this festive occasion (mommy and daddy are fighting), the Queen’s mother herself dressed down for dinner! So…? Josleen insisted Macon must not dress down, ok? Just don’t. And finally the time has come for the the ‘playground unveiling,’ Josleen tucking herself a step behind Macon as he turns the hallway’s corner into the garden, his entrance a cue for everyone to shout ‘Surprise!’ Josleen may have asked the jocks to stand in the front so that should Macon be -too- surprised, he see friendly faces and hopefully not react with fists first.
Brennia arrives at an accurate enough time and stag, oddly enough. She doesn’t seem perturbed about this fact either as her coachman assists her out of her carriage. A thank you to him with a kind smile and some gold for a tip before he helps her place a large gift under one arm and a bouquet of flowers in the other. Understanding that the King and Queen have been experiencing some turmoil with their new township she takes care in the gifts she brought for them; flowers for the Queen which are beautiful pink Dahlias that symbolize dignity and elegance. For the king; a crossbow bought from the Avian city, but specially engraved in a gold embellishment “King of The Hard City”. She hopes isn’t too much seeing as she only met the pair briefly at the benefit for Larket. Among the bustle it might be easy to miss the Avian if it weren't for her height, wings, and the tattoo pattern covering seemingly every inch of her carmel dewy skin. Onyx shaded wings hug tightly to her curvaceous frame as she made her way to the table which is surely brimming with other gifts for the king on his special day and she sets the large reinforced box down which had a navy blue ribbon securing a smaller box atop it containing silver tipped wooden quills for the weapon she’s gifting Macon. Tied to the ribbon is a parchment tag which reads in beautiful romantic cursive; To:King Macon From:Headmistress Smyth ~May your days be filled with brightness and merriment while your nights be filled with warmth and peacefulness. A slight pull up on the front of her long dark blue gown made of clingy silk so she can make her way to the Queen and wait her turn to greet her with the flowers she brought for her, “Merry Meet Queen of Larket.” She sort of bows/curtseys at Josleen with her fist over her own heart as it seems to be some sort of Royal custom where Brennia comes from. After her greeting she would sort of attempt to disappear into the small crowd to await the King while tucking black silky curled tendrils behind an elongated pointed and pierced ear. Surely the young playboy, Brett, knows of Brennia’s close resemblance and talent to the famous ‘Rijanna’ and probably makes any attempt to get her to notice him; thanks, but no thanks - kindly as possible.
Hudson and Alvina are here on time, principally because they literally couldn't wait to ditch their children, secondarily because Josleen is Alvina's best friend, if they're late it will mess up the whole surprise thing and that is Unacceptable, and thirdly because they're picking up Meri from the Rynvale ferry. So technically, he, Alvina, and Meri are on time. They make light conversation but it may be slightly apparent to Meri on the carriage ride over that Hudson and Alvina are mildly chafed with one another, mostly because Alvina had wanted him to not wear Those jeans, they are dad jeans, this is the literal King and Queen, and so on, and of course after a while he had caved because he'd started to feel unreasonable. Ugh fine etc., he still is mildly resentful at her for being right and/or insulting his favorite pair of jeans. At the party, pre-Macon arrival, he excuses himself from Alvina and Meri to fetch drinks (a beer for himself, something candy-flavored and non-alcoholic for Alvina, and whatever Meri's having). He returns to them in time for the premeditative hush to fall, which of course ends in everyone yelling "surprise!" Alvina seems to have mutated from mild annoyance at him to smugness. Every other man is in sport jacket and wool trousers. Which is what she'd forced him to settle on.
Alvina didn’t feel at all bad about making Hudson change. It’s one of her few wife to be powers, and she’d explained on this and more to Meri on their way here in the carriage. Hudson is polite enough to fetch them all drinks, she is grateful but smug as the rest of the party goers seem to have the same idea about attire. While Alvina is a classy lady, she is not above saying ‘I told you so’ with her eyes, which are brimming with smugness. She’s not at all put off by Meri being with them. In fact, it’s a nice buffer since the Lita incident. They do not talk about Lita though. They talk about boring wedding to be stuff until the time comes to shout ‘Surprise” and her voice is among those most excited to do so. It’s hardly a threatening volume from a 5 foot something woman in a nice party dress (that Hudson thought could look a little hotter, even if he didn’t say so.) She waves at Brennia either before or after the surprise, whenever the two bards can get their gazes to meet and Alvina sticks close to Meri, maybe annoyingly so. This is the third time they’ve met but Alvina’s acting like they’ve newly discovered their sisters and wants to know EVERYTHING about Meri.
Hildegarde is here promptly, given that the lengthy journey from Frostmaw and Larket requires one to leave particularly early. Hildegarde did not much like parties, nor did she particularly wish to attend this one. But politics and the mighty sway of Josleen had convinced her otherwise. Showing up in Frostmawian formal wear, the Silver brought with her Lisbeth and Torbjorn: her Captain of the Queensguard and the man just below that rank. Capable warriors and fashionable in their decorative armour, the giants tower above many of the guests but largely have their eyes upon the food available to them. Hildegarde dusts off her coat briefly, allowing the residue of snow to drift off and melt before it could hit the floor. She had begun to mingle and had even managed to smuggle a scrap to Gigi, because he was a prince! He deserved a cheeky treat. When the time came to yell surprise, Hildegarde joined in with the customary yell; doing her best to be welcoming and friendly.
Meri arrives with Alvina and Hudson, they are clearly having an issue over something and she isn't entirely sure that she wants to get caught up in the middle. She probably would have sided with Hudson. Please wear the dad jeans so we can both be total rebels and break this whole 'formal' thing. At least someone advised her that it was formal (not Alvina or Hudson). There was some back and forth. Bite the bullet and wear a dress or potentially embarrass Alvina and Hudson by being that chick who just does whatever the heck she wants anyway? She picks the option where will be embarrassing Alvina and Hudson (probably mostly Alvina if Hudson was willing to try and wear the dad jeans). So Meri has found her nicest pair of black pants, one with no holes or ink stains, a decent pair of boots, and a blue top that is fancier than the norm. There. Effort made. Formal enough? Hudson goes off to do the proper gentlemanly thing and get everyone drinks, Meri will be having a beer thank you. She is also a classy lady (not). Brennia gets a hello, Meri is content enough to let Alvina hang around her, conversation about wedding stuff is eh but she knows it is important to Alvina so she is definitely going with it, and her voice is definitely. amongst those shouting surprise. So enthusiastically.
Tristram was here, on time, drink in hand for the surprise. He shouted it with gusto, tipping his glass toward Josleen and Macon as they entered in a semi-salute, and then went back to passionately discussing the rising trade fees associated with intercostal routes with a Larketian market man. He'd make his way over to the King and Queen at a later time, when they had a bit more breathing room, perhaps, or he did.
Hudson gets be-gone-pls vibes from his intended, mostly because she and Meri keep discussing woman topics (their wedding). Now that he has firmly been established the loser in his domestic battle over the dress code, he takes the hint and mingles among the other guests. Mostly he wants to eat some appetizers, and apparently has the same idea as Brett, who ropes Hudson into a conversation about Brennia, who's that hot woman, can Hudson introduce her, etc. Hudson waves at her, deciding he'll wing this total stranger, for whom he now feels random fondness. Instead of luring her, however, they attract Lucia, who thirstily and immediately initiates a totally inappropriate conversation about some people she and Brett both know who are having an affair. Hudson tries to eat sliders and looks about him for an opportune moment to peel away.
Brennia of course would wave back at Alvina with that warm smile as she found herself at the refreshment table getting a glass of wine when Hudson caught her eye, “greetings Hudson.” Would be all she offered to the drink balancing man before he was off again and she wonders how long it would take him that she learned his real name. There were large men, giants, that were staring at the food behind her and she quickly gets herself out of range before noticing the Queen they were guarding. If she happened to catch Hildegarde's eye she would smile warmly and offer one shortly kind wave to the stranger. The “surprise” died down and Brennia had to make sure not to use her bardic powers this time. After a moment she felt a little out of place and sort of alone, but that was okay so she made her way to a rather quiet area with her wine.
Josleen, after thanking Brennia for the flowers, sees and greets Alvina and Hudson first, embracing them in turn and briefly smile-grimacing over Alvina’s shoulder at Meri’s offensively casual dress. To Alvina, “Hiiiiiii!!!! You look beautiful,” then to Hudson, “So good to see you!” Is it, though? Josleen made the mistake of trash talking Hudson to Alvina during the couple’s break. However, now that Alvina is back with Hudson, Josleen blows past that history as if she and Hudson both don’t know that she encouraged Alvina to never take him back. Water under the bridge. It has to be, for Alvina. Besides, Hudson is an asset to any party. Turning to Meri now, “Hii! So great to meet--- glad that you could make it!” Unsure if Josleen had ever met Meri before, she abandons that line and fishes for a name instead. “A friend of Alvina’s?” As a Queen, she meets far too many people and has put her foot in her mouth in the past by forgetting some of them. Once introductions are made, Josleen excuses herself to greet Hildegarde. “Hilde!” She calls out as she embraces her friend. “I am so glad you could make it.” So is Gigi. “You really must find the time to get to know Macon better, outside of politics.” Lisbeth and Torbjorn return with their food and drink and Josleen greets them too. “Let me say Hi to the governor and I’ll bring you two together,” she says to Hildegarde. Josleen pays a visit to Tristram, offers him a glass of the extra good whisky, compliments him a recent success if Gualon, then peels away to fetch herself a mocktail near Hudson who has been cornered by Larket’s eligible rich. She listens in on the gossip as she sips her fruity, virgin drink and scans the crowd for Macon.
Zedidiah has come bedecked in his finest festival garb, having never been to a royal birthday before, and so the little hobbit shouts his surprise and then does his best to blend in. Which is difficult since every piece of his festival garb is a different garish color that essentially makes him a walking billboard for bad fashion choices. He does have a nice pumpkin orange sport coat on though. He decides only one thing is going to see him through this night, and he posts himself up by the appetizers with a firmness and solidity not often seen on a less then three foot frame. Welcome to Sausage town, population hobbit.
Macon becomes suspicious around the second or third lie in the web Josleen has spun to make this surprise happen along with her continued insistence on what he wears for the evening. Normally her input on that subject stops around the answer to the question of ‘armor or no armor?’ When she hangs back and lets him lead the way to the gardens he begins to get a clearer picture of the ambush that is coming, given the date. Even with as paranoid the Rage Knight is known to be, he does not believe for a moment that his wife is leading him into any possible danger, despite her suspicious activity today and in the moment. He -is- surprised at the gathering, blinking, stone faced at those shouting ‘surprise’ at him. At the very least, he has names to almost all these faces, well done, Josleen. The most surprising guest is easily Frostmaw’s queen, given that less than a half a year prior the two kingdoms were at war. Truly marrying The Thane of Frostmaw was a brilliant addition to the peace treaty. Who thought of that? They're a genius. He turns back to give The Queen of Larket a look like ‘you sneak’ with a smirk, grabs her to bring her in for a quick kiss in thanks, before peeling off and going about greeting and waving and pointing.
Brennia had noticed Meri’s greeting and waved back with that same warm smile. Yeah, girl you wear them jeans. She even throws in a wink before sipping on her wine some more. Brett was hovering once more and Brennia was doing everything to keep those liberty blue eyes focused on anything else besides this bro-dude trying to flash his riches her way.
Hudson is not surprised that Josleen has now joined to listen in on the gossip. He recognizes her drink, it's the same thing that Alvina's having, and turns to her with a knowing smile. "Alvina's having one of those," he says lightly, doing a double take as he recognizes the hobbit Zedidiah from his uh, literal purchasing of toilets the other day. ....? What? By the time he turns back to Josleen, Macon has Kool Aid Man crashed the affair gossip circle (to say hi to his wife, obviously), and the conversation immediately dies a death with Lucia and Brett moving away under the pretense of refreshing their drinks. "Your Grace, happy birthday," says Hudson, in the tone he uses with all of his friends, as if he's not talking smack about the dude's policy choices on the sly. Janice and Penelope are hovering like a storm cloud, and leap in to immediately include Josleen in some gossip about Lucia: apparently Lucia is spreading a rumor about a woman having an affair. NO WAY HUDSON AND JOSLEEN HAD NO IDEA. They suggest that Lucia is spreading such a vicious rumor to get back at this woman for not inviting Lucia to her birthday party. Hudson, listening closely but not that closely (in case Josleen's going to report back to Alvina), makes eye contact with Zedidiah, and nods at him solemnly in the manner of men everywhere acknowledging that they're trapped in some sort of woman gossip circle.
Tristram received whiskey and greetings from Josleen, was satisfied with both. He gave the Queen a friendly kiss on the cheek and surrendered her to her social obligations before he went on his own rounds, stopping by Hudson, first, for some bro talk and convo about the league, before heading over to greet his northern counterpart, Hildegarde for some light conversation about their respective governments.
Alvina is not at all offended by Meri’s choice, but guessed Josleen might be. -Might- be. Since she was all about fashion and parties and the like. Had she always been? The bard doesn’t known Tristram, so she’s careful to avoid him. He looks important, Meri do you want to go say hi to Hildegarde she’s my employer, it’ll be great please? Josleen is greeted with a high pitched hello and an affectionate hug. Alvina fills in the blanks for Meri’s name in proper guest introduction. “This is Meri,” she says without hesitation and then leaves Meri to make any additional comments about herself. It’s like a game show, only things are moving so quickly, Alvina is struggling to keep up. Zedidiah is another face she doesn’t know, while vague recognition comes for the rest of Larket’s socialite population and Macon’s friends. Her hand goes up to wave at Hildegarde, who Josleen is leading over to talk to Tristram? Oh damn, there goes her shot. Might as well weave back into the gossip circle, Meri dear? There’s no time to exchange actually words, Alvina drags Meri around, trying to link their elbows but getting the sense that Meri might not be into getting pulled around all evening. Alvina lifts her glass, matching Josleen’s drink and takes a sip as if to says ‘ cheeeeers so fun this party’ while being sucked into this gossip about Lucia. Whaaaat even? How dare! All appropriate faces are made before she turns to Macon and smiles. There’s no barrier here, beyond the weirdness of that thing she said a while back about Macon not being cute. Why does she think that everytime and weird herself out with the GUILT. “Happy Birthday,” She says in a friendly tone, that tries too hard to be casual. Cue nervous laughter and she’s back to nosing around with the other socialites. Oh you don’t say! Gasp!
Hildegarde embraced Josleen in return, offering her a slight role of the eye in regards to her Macon comment. She’d give it a go. Brennia was given a polite nod in reply, but Torbjorn waved pleasantly towards her. He was a friendly giant. A big friendly giant, you could say. As Tristram as brought towards Hildegarde, Hilde engages in some light conversation about government because that’s what heads of state do. Then she turns the topic of conversation, “Oh, I heard Jacobo likes some fabric or some such for knitting? I’ve procured him some frost worm silk.”
Zedidiah lifts his sausage in a silent salute and recognition of Hudson's gossip filled plight. The nice toilet man with the little girls is here, how delightful. Zedidiah is almost about to make his way over, but the birthday boy makes a brief appearance in Hudson's orbit. Maybe best to ease into how many Majesties he talks to today. Safer by the sausages. He sips his ale between bites, and precisely when and how the tiny merchant procured a pint glass is a secret of hobbits at parties.
Josleen grins at Hudson’s comment, but does not verbally confirm nor deny his suspicion, though her secret smile gives it all away. It’s a secret too juicy and joyous to contain and is bursts out of her seams at all times, from the way she conspicuously sips non-alcoholic drinks to the frequency with which she rests her hand over her stomach. “I should go congratulate her then.” She lifts her glass to return Alvina’s long distance toast. Gigi, who is very fat, begs at Zedidiah’s feet. {Please, oh please, I am starving. They don’t feed me here. I am famished.} Josleen spies Zedidiah from behind and grins delightedly at the presence of a hobbit. They’re her favorite, such fun-loving and dependable folk. When Zed next turns around, she waves at him cheerfully, her face bright the way a child’s might be on a carousel. Weee! (The Queen’s a bit of a hobbitphile, for those who don’t know.) Janice and Penelope then monopolize her time with gossip that she already knows, and soon she’s rescued by Macon, who delights her even more than hobbits and gossip (most of the time), and is also very cute, Alvina, very handsome, ok? She slips an arm around his middle and leans into him sidelong as he receives birthday wishes. The trio of jocks are already doing keg stands, somehow. It’s a magnet attraction between jocks and kegs, like Brett and Rijanna, baby. Cal counts aloud the seconds as Tony does a keg stand and chugs. The Queen had told them it -is- this kind of party, and why wait? Tony lasts only 52 seconds, and Cal and Bran mock him loudly, loud enough for the gossip-circle to hear. Josleen turns to Hudson and says, “I bet you can’t beat that.”
Macon, after Tony greets him personally and hands him a glass of what is probably whiskey, takes a few steps back to once again get the entire crowd into view. He growls or clears his throat, raising his glass, looking for attention that likely comes after his rough, Veratoakan voice starts leaving his mouth in the classic Macon speech giving volume. “Thank you all for comin’ at the reques’ or command of The Queen.” He goes on to -order- them all to eat, drink, and be merry or something, and raises his glass higher still to toast to the Larketian queen for secretly setting all his up. He finds his way into that gossip circle and nods in response to Hudson’s and Alvina’s ‘happy birthday’, thanking them for coming. He can only take so much of gossip about Lucia before he purposefully finishes his drink so that he has reason to go get another one. A fort staffer is on it however, and intercepts him with a refill before he can take a few steps away. Growl. Empty on tray. Refill in hand.
Meri has not caught on to the fact that Josleen does not know her name. No, not at all. The fishing attempt isn't recognized for what it is, and it is definitely not why Meri offers up a vague answer of, "Oh yes! We are friends." But oh dang, thanks Alvina for spoiling her attempts to pick on the Queen. It is probably for the better, never smart to try and play games like that with someone who holds the title of Queen. Did Meri want to go say hi to Hildegarde? Indifferent, but if Alvina was going to drag her along to say hi to Hildegarde then Meri was going to try and force her to say hello to the other dragon in the room, Tristram. Alvina seems to cut that one off when Josleen snags Hildegarde first, but dangit it? It has been ages since she has said hello to Tristram so she greets the politician with a wave before she is forced over to the gossip circle where....Meri promptly tunes out the conversation. Who did what with who? What? Huh? This beer is amazing. Oh no, and now this beer is empty. Excuse me Alvina while I escape the gossip circle, I need to get lost a bit while I try and locate myself another beer. Maybe a shot of whiskey. Something alcoholic.
Hudson is momentarily peeled away from the gossip circle by the promise of sports talk in the form of Tristram and entourage. Yes of course, he, fellow man, will discuss sports. He immediately enters dog-in-a-dog-park mode. He casually drops that he has season tickets to Cenril Cubs games in case Tristram ever fancies leaving Gualon, yes actually his wife-to-be (he points out Alvina, who no doubt is hearing this gossip about Lucia now) bought them for Hudson, she's the best, etc. And now Tristram has peeled away and Josleen has challenged him to partake in a basic man feat. Hudson makes a dry comment about embarrassing Alvina and then goes and does exactly that, though he does make a pit stop on his way there to touch her on the butt and whisper in her ear that Josleen is probably With Child. He ties Tony's high score at the keg, and beer on his shirt. That'll kick in later, he'll have regrets. He eats more passed food. On autopilot-alvina!
Brennia takes in the sight of the King when he speaks. He seems uncomfortable and she vaguely remembers the feeling. Government talk and royal gossip, seen it all and done it; even been the topic of many royal gossips back home. Maybe she was staring by this point and he made some toast to which she raised her nearly empty wine glass. Those long pointed ears aren't just for show, but they are great at hearing and she picks up the keg stand perfectly from a safe distance away. She hears Hudson being challenged and knows this probably isn’t going to end well, but watches for him anyway with an amused smirk. Also, was that a ring back on Alvina’s finger? Brennia wants to ask, but they seem so wrapped up in mingling that she didn’t want to barge in, maybe Meri and Alvina would eventually find their way over.
Alvina is not impressed with Hudson's Keg skills and rolls her eyes lovingly, Meri manages to sneak away without Alvina holding onto her for dear life. She is endulging the other women before peeling Josleen away through the crowd to give her the question eyes. "Did that thing we talk about early work?" It's possible it did, things have been so crazy with the move and the mini war Hudson and Alvina were in the middle of. She's not being cold to him but there's a sensitivity to their interactions. Alvina's got her 'public couple' face on. She clinks her glass to Josleen's as they watch the rest of the men make rotations, likely waiting for Macon to come do the keg stand with them. "Sven save us..." She laughs, as beer coats Hudson's shirt and the other men clap him on the back. Good effort mate, I'll beat that score next and like kids in the park trying to see who can climb the dangerous tree the highest, it continues until there's beer and laughing flooding that section of the party. Hudson returns to Alvina, looking at Jos to very loudly tell her the beer she bought is one point in a voice that's too loud. His shirt is soaked but he's pressing himself against Alvina's back like there's nothing wrong. Now she smells like beer and has a stain on the back of her dress. Oh My Gods, could he be more embarrassing? Where did Meri go? Is she doing keg stands too? She catches sight of Brennia again, they really should talk soon. There's a promenade coming up and Alvina adored the invitations. It's just like they'd talked about in Rynvale!
Zedidiah manages a polite wave back to Josleen, but then he's cornered by Gigi. The color drains from the poor hobbit's face, but he'll be damned before this dog gets his sausages. There's just some things you need to take a stand for, draw a line in the sand. This far, but no further. He eats his sausage while staring the poodle down, going so far as to lick his fingers after. He quietly starts hissing at the dog, "Stop it, can't you read the sign? No begging. If you get fat I'll be fired. Go have some of your Gawkroger Brand Healthy Choices Adult Dog Mix, with trademark Energy Boost nutrition."
Macon, envious of Hudson’s escape of the gossip circle, finds a good opportunity to slip away as well a few moments later to the rest of the dudes while Bran is finishing his go at the keg stand, losing out to Tony and Hudson’s record. It is the Rage Knight's turn next. The Rugby club guys have seen the consequences of treating the king with kid gloves or purposely allowing him to win because of his position. The consequences are a royal headbutting. So they know better than to count faster than usual while Macon does his thing. A fierce competitor, the King fully intends to last a full minute or more, shattering the record and becoming a Larketian legend. As he is rounding fifty seconds, beating out Bran, the output of the keg becomes mostly foam, totally ruining the rhythm of the run and causing the Fury Knight to cough and fail shy of the current high mark of 52 seconds. Foam and beer is most everywhere as the king is placed on his feet again and wipes his mouth with his sleeve, catching his breath.
Brennia catches the sight of Brett trying to make his way over to her while she was busy checking her mirror messaging pendant to much disappointment, but she made an excuse to herself of getting more wine and possibly a snack. Curved him. In attempts to politely excuse herself around the crowd to get to the refreshments she is being tailed by Gigi and Brennia notices this as she pouring herself more wine. “Why hello there,” she glances over the sign above the food, “poor pooch.” She puts some snacks on a plate, but ‘OOPS’ a little sausage rolls off. Technically not Brennia’s fault as Gigi wastes no time in taking the fallen treat into his little puppy mouth. She walks away like a smooth criminal, but as she does she picks up on some idle gossip, ‘what is -she- even doing here?’ and ‘shouldn’t she be the one playing music for us? Amirite?’ Brennia doesn’t even glance their way when she scans the area for any reserved sort of musical instrument because… Maybe they are right.
Josleen squeezes Alvina’s hand and confirms her question with a sly look. She glances furtively left and right to communicate that they can’t talk about it here. The Queen is soon distracted by the antics of the men in her life: Gigi, pawing at Zedidiah’s thigh waaaaaay too close to the family jewels (possibly even nicking them) and Macon limbering up for his kegstand. She makes two quick kissy noises at Gigi, “Gigi, come.” She holds her fist closed. Could it be a sausage therein?! Gigi trots over to Josleen to discover...an empty hand! {Et tu, Mother?} Josleen scruffs his head and leads him towards the kegstand where he notices the game for the first time. {W-what?} He barks as he prances in a circle around Macon who is doing a kegstand. The poodle even twirls in the air when no one reacts to his antics. {What is this?} He badgers man-dog (aka Hudson) for an answer. {What are the humans doing?!} Macon’s just shy of the record, and Josleen shouts playfully, “Cal counted slow!” Cal grins cheekily and shrugs before doing his own kegstand for a solid minute, and in the last second lifts one arm to hold a one-armed kegstand before sputtering and kicking off the keg. God damned Cal, always showboating. As the party progresses, Gigi fat-waddles behind Brennia who gives him sausages and is therefore his favorite. Cal drunkenly informs Zedidiah he once had an affair with a hobbit lass, she was real adventurous in bed, but Zed surely knows all about that, heh heh heh, eh? Brett challenges Meri and Lucia to beer pong (“Come on, if I win, I get a kiss from each of you, and if you win, you get anything you want, ladies. 2-on-1.”) Bran gets so drunk he stupidly challenges Hildegarde, a literal dragon Queen, to an arm wrestling competition, but it beats talking to his bitch-wife Penelope who is flirting with Tristram shamelessly and leaning forward so as to make use of her low-cut dress. Janice, abandoned by Penelope, butts in to Alvina and Hudson’s dancing and forces a group dance circle, which then Josleen, believing this group dance circle to exist peacefully, joins in with Macon. Macon has never danced with Josleen, not even on their wedding day, but she’s determined to try her luck now. The band leader recognizes Headmistress Brennia Smythe and invites her to the stage to play. “Please, it would be my honor to play with you, Headmistress.”
Meri escaped, Alvina. Somehow, somehow, she is a slippery little thing and that death grip was not enough to keep Meri away from the booze. She is not doing keg stands though, no thank you there. Just because she showed up to the formal party in a pair of pants does not mean she's going to be the woman that is the mess of the party, because it is pretty damn impossible to do a keg stand in her top without accidentally flashing everyone. No she is doing shots and it seems Brennia has the same idea as Meri, more booze plz. Another smile for the bardic avian, but that smile fades when she too overhears the very same gossiping ladies. Brennia seems to ignore it, good for her. Meri has probably had one too many shots for she mutters 'stupid cows' a bit too loudly for it to be considered an 'under the breath' attempt at an insult. Is Brett trying to get her to play beer pong? What? No. Go away, busy with shots, doing some real boozing over here. Maybe he has better luck with Lucia? Meri basically snubs the guy from there on out.
Zedidiah stares daggers after Brennia, the nerve of that woman! Wasting sausages! Fattening dogs! He can't decide for a moment which is worse and mulls it over while chomping a slice of pie. He's got pie now. And he's free of the monster, Gigi. So far so good. He tries his luck pitching an idea to Cal, "Oh that'd be from Grammy Lumpo's famous hobbit stew. Ridiculous libido enhancer, Grammy Lumpo had forty seven children." He hands Cal a business card for Gawkroger Shipping Company, "Contact Gawkroger Shipping, we offer an easy to make frozen kit for Grammy Lumpo's Stew. Tell your next date you'll make dinner."
Tristram conferred with Hildegarde about Jacobo's apparent latest hobby before excusing himself for some more booze. He partied for a few hours, managed to find a moment to congratulate the King -- he'd sent his best tailor as a gift, along with the more standard fare of priceless gems -- before taking his leave to return to Gualon and his fiancee, who'd begged off the surprise affair with a sudden ill spell.
Hildegarde, having promised Tristram to deliver the silk to Jacobo at a later date, is soon distracted by the challenge of an arm wrestle! Oh! Such a sport in Frostmaw, it is a challenge that is eagerly accepted. Hildegarde removes her coat, which Lisbeth accepts without a word and without even any sort of command required to take it. The Silver smiled at the drunkard, “Come, let’s sit,” she tells him, finding the nearest table for them to sit upon and ready themselves. She tugs her tunic sleeve just slightly and sets her elbow upon the table, ready to grasp his hand and initiate the arm wrestle. No matter how hard the man tugs, her arm will not budge.
Brennia gladly welcomed Meri in her presence and reached out to protectively put an arm around her when Brett nears. Their time is cut short by the band leader and Brennia politely smiles. Politicking made easy for her as she was raised around it in being groomed to be a countess and all. Inside she she felt a pit open in her stomach and was like ‘oh yeah. Of course I was invited to play. Nevermind me everyone. I’m fine. It’s fine.’ She gently sets her wine glass down and was only blushing of embarrassment even though it probably only looked of flattery. She takes her place among the entertainment and smiles warmly at the small crowd before closing her eyes and connecting with the musicians on a musical level. They know what to play and how to play at her lead, the male voice accompanied at the proper times. The song swanky and slow enough to sway to or slow dance or just enjoy. Brennia made sure to keep her eyes softly closed throughout the performance, but if you can hear it you can feel it. The feeling of being relaxed, the feeling of love and whenever the word ‘fire’ was song from those plump lips the listener would feel warm, but not overly so. Every note sung by the woman engrossing the heart and mind. Yes she realizes her actual purpose here and she does a damn fine job at it, causing even the most stubborn of two-left-feet-non-dancers itch to grab their loved one and just sway with her voice.
Macon believes with all his heart that Cal counted slow and if it weren't for that freak foam accident, he would have had the best kegstand. Revenge will be The Rage knight's, one day. For now, The King has had much to drink and has consolidated two glasses of whiskey into a single very full one. Clearly, even before the fifty straight seconds of ever drinking, Macon has let his usual guard down even in the presence of former enemies at war and current political enemies (though he does not know that), and so even though he hasn't completely given up looking over his shoulder this evening, Josleen gets her dance in the hostile dance circle during Brennia’s enchanting song. Though with this level of inebriation, there is a royal hand on the Queen of Larket’s butt at nearly all times during the performance.
Cal tucks Zedidiah’s business card discreetly into a pocket. At Cal’s age, libido enhancers are downright collectibles. Anything that works. “Thanks, buddy. Gawkroger, is it?” He grins at the hobbit, his new little pal. Over at the arm-wrestling competition, when Bran realizes he has bitten off more than he could chew, he foregoes the rules of arm wrestling, stands up, and with -both- hands tries to best the dragon’s arm. His face purples from the effort. Penelope, having lost that handsome governor and now noticing what her husband is up to, hisses too loudly, “Bran! What are you doing! Making a fool of yourself!” Josleen snickers into Macon’s shoulder during the slow song and glances towards Bran and Penelope conspiratorially, to draw Macon’s attention to the spectacle. “I bet you that once junior goes to university in Cenril, they divorce.” Brett shouts for a flip cup tournament, which in a world without plastic takes some real finger strength as the short cups are made of pewter. “I used to be very good at that at the Academy,” Josleen tells Macon. “Do you have flip cup in Veratoak? Let’s do it. But first…” She leads Macon towards Hildegarde to save the dragon queen from the bickering couple. “Hildegarde, have you ever played flip cup? Come. I think you’ll like the challenge.” And the chance to escape Bran and Penelope. Also it brings Macon and Hildegarde together, which was always Josleen’s secret plot. At the flip cup table Josleen announces that she bought armadillos--not live armadillos, but small, enchanted clockwork armadillos that hover at the well of the cup and spin when it is airborne, twirling the cups to flip faster and thus become more difficult to land. She waves Alvina forward too and suggests that Hudson drink when she loses, and Macon can drink for Josleen.
Brennia smiles kindly at any applause after the song ends and says her goodbyes to the band with a thank you as well. Trying to see where Meri went off to only to see she just left and Brennia casually makes her way to Macon and Josleen, “lovely turn out. Merry part until we merry meet again. Happy birthday King Macon,” she does the half bow/curtsey thing with her fist over her chest, “and I hope you make good use of your gift.” She makes up some sort of minor urgency that the college needs her back as soon as possible and with a kind smile she saunters her six foot two self towards her carriage to board it.
Hudson is all about drinking for Alvina. He makes some remark about it being his duty and leading them over to the flip cup set up with enthusiasm for a new game. Alvina takes her place on the opposite side of the table and waits for the festivities to begin. She's never played flip cup but Hudson gives her a quick lesson and an encouraging pat on the butt (for luck, people). He stands by to do his turn, and then drink her cup before she tries to flip it. Once, twice, she's not having much luck. Hudson is gesturing wildly behind her and making faces at anyone who is watching, mostly Jos like 'can you believe this?! Why haven't you trained her?' When the cup finally flips, it's between two beer bottles and Hudson nearly howls with joy. "Trick shot!" she screams, drunk on adrenaline. "Are there extra points for that?" She asks, anyone within ear shot.
Zedidiah watches his new archnemesis whose name he didn't catch leave before he nods back to Cal, "Gawkroger it is, Zedidiah Gawkroger, chairman and president. If you'll pardon me a moment sir, I have recently discovered a matter of vital import to which I must attend." There is an entire plate of cheeses here! The hobbit waddles happily over, content to stuff his face in between pints of ale. The party seems to be winding down to just the die hards, couples pairing off into their own entertainments. Which means the king's cheese is up for grabs! Zedidiah looks at the stool, which he would definitely need to play, then looks at the servant. Is this attentive man who is just doing his job and trying to anticipate Zed's needs trying to make a comment about his height? Maybe they should saw the legs off the table so it was a proper height for respectable folk instead! But then he remembers, free cheeses! All is right with the world.
Josleen waves Zedidiah to join them. “Zedidiah, tell my husband that delightful joke you told me about the nut farmer!” It wasn’t Zedidiah who told Josleen that joke. She’s confusing him for another Hobbit, but her expectant gaze and delighted smile betray her ignorance to this fact.
Alvina looks at Zedidiah, expecting to also hear this joke while Hudson drinks another beer, just because. He's studying something on the ground, which turns out to just be a beer puddle and rubs his hand along Alvina's back in a motion of 'I'm present but thinking about something else'. He was in fact thinking about how the days baseball games had gone so he could total up his fantasy scores. He'd been in dead last the past couple weeks and is hoping for a turn around.
Macon nods and growls quietly in agreement with Josleen’s prediction. Poor Bran. Doesn't even have being good at arm wrestling and keg stands to fall back on. Goodbyes and thanks are given to Brennia as she takes her leave. They do not play flip cup back in Veratoak. It is more of a quarters country (played with pieces of silver) of course. Unfortunately, Hildegarde has to decline the offer to come play the party game, as it is a long flight back to Cold Town, or a long however she got here. The Fury Knight has no doubt Josleen is an expert at this type of game and leans on her advice while she explains the game before they begin. The Queen anchors the team as the presumed strongest player, and the contest is won and lost in the head to head of Macon and Alvina. The Rage Knight is evenly matched in the drinking portion of the competition with Hudson and lucks out during the flipping while Alvina struggles. His first attempt is wild, and would have been even without the armadillo machine making things more difficult, but his second attempt, with a new cup after his original one broke when it hit the ground in the disastrously wild first try, flips a full one and a half times to land firmly on the table upside down, prompting him to drink for Josleen’s turn, and she, as expected of The Queen of these types of games, turns her cup over on the first try. Zedidiah has taken too long looking at cheeses to participate in this game, but he is eyed expectantly for the joke after takes the Queen up in a bear hug and lifts her in celebration of their victory.
Zedidiah is trapped. Be funny on command? Abandon his cheeses? Disobey the Queen's request? There's only one solution. He piles a few sausages onto the cheese plate and hauls the entire assemblage over where he can watch the couples flip cups for some reason, and regale them with his humor. "Well now, a nut farmer? I admit I don't recall that one offhand, I may need to work my way up to it. Sounds like a joke my cousin Boffo would've told. Boffo was a funny guy, but he never married. Once we were out fishing, and Boffo catches a nice big frog. Pulls out the holk, and the frog says Thank you Thank you, if you kiss me I'll become a beautiful wife for you. Now Boffo thinks about it for a moment, then tucks the frog in his pocket. She yells out What're you doing? And Boffo says 'Well, at my age, I'd rather have a talking frog."
“Whoop whoop!” Josleen shouts in the cadence of the Cenrili Academy victory cheer. The possibly cringe worthy moment is softened, or worsened (depending on your view), by two bards in the band who respond with “Soooouuuuu-wweeee!” Apparently they are also alumnis of the Cenrili Academy of Music and Arts, and Josleen imitates Macon’s point as she points them out in thanks for the call-and-response. Caught off guard by Macon’s bear hug, she yelps delightedly and returns the embrace. She’s about to kiss him when she overhears Zedidiah’s joke, which is just about the funniest thing she’s ever heard. She throws her head back and loses it in a peal of laughter. “Oh Zedidiah, you are too much!” The couples are tied one to one. Hudson-Alvina: 1, kegstands. Macon-Josleen: 1, flip cup. “I think we’re tied. What say you to settling the score, hm?’ She’s looking at Alvina as she asks and nods her head towards the beer pong table. Despite ample experience in beer pong as well thanks to her Academy days, Josleen is abysmal at it. The problem? Over hand throw. Josleen just can’t aim with the over hand throw, and she misses a lot.
Macon puts Josleen down and doesn't find hobbit humor as gut wrenchingly hilarious as The Queen, because no one does. Even drunk, he tilts his head towards her questioningly, wondering if maybe this is an exclusively Xalious thing. As the man who will go into the history books as The Furious King of Larket, he does not offer a polite, fake laugh, or any kind of laugh at all, sorry Zedidiah. By decree of the Queen, beer pong will decide whether it is the Larketian or currently Cenrilian couple that are the champions of this evening’s festivities. Remember Hudsvina, if you don't try and let the king win, you will be on the receiving end of a headbutt.
Zedidiah accepts Josleen's delight and Macon's lack of delight in equal measure. Popping another sausage in his mouth he looks at the beer pong table with a smile of recognition. "Oh, you play Hurly Ball here too? I mean it's not regulation sized, but still." He eats another sausage, then remembers Macon is royalty. Drunken royalty. Who sometimes executes people. "And of course, happy birthday, your majesty. I had a decorative sword comissioned for you. I thought it would suit you, it should have been delivered after the party started." That way the king doesn't have go pretend to like it, or crush Zedidiah's feelings. Better that way.
A single game of beer pong won’t do. The couples compete for best of 7 games. They’re tried 3 to 3, no thanks to Josleen. Macon has been carrying their team, and Josleen grows grumpier with each missed throw. Her flowery dresses and disarming smiles are a facade for a ruthlessly competitive spirit, though perhaps anyone studying her recent ascent to nobility and royalty would not be surprised by her boundless ambition, even in beer pong. It’s down to one cup each and it’s Josleen’s throw. If she misses, Hudson throws next and he’ll likely not miss. “Love, lift me up,” she says to Macon as she eyes her nemesis, that final cup. “On your shoulders.” Is it such a good idea for drunk Macon to be the bottom of a human totem pole with his (semi) secretly pregnant wife? Safety concerns take a back seat to Josleen’s desire to win, not because she is negligent, but because she is sure of her husband, even drunk. He won’t let her fall, and they need to win this, for pride, for Larket, so that their unborn child will be born to a pair of gods damned winners. And so Josleen insists if she has to, and from her high perch on Macon’s shoulders (and to Hudson’s protests and accusations of cheating, perhaps?) she carefully aims an underhanded throw and the Queen of the Underhanded sinks that tiny ball into the cup. “Woooo!!” Josleen shouts in celebration, points at Hudson’s face repeatedly like a good sore winner. Back on the ground, she bounces on the balls of her feet as she hugs Macon, then kisses him. Most guests have left, so that in addition to the five people at the beer pong table, there is only Bran, abandoned by his wife, passed out in the corner. Everyone else has gone. Josleen suggests that they should go too, and if Macon agrees, says goodbye to the conscious party goers, and leaves with her husband for the private residence upstairs.
Macon is, as Zedidiah appears to have correctly imagined, a collector of decorative weaponry, and not just axes, which he is most practically fond of, as can be seen by the rack of spears in his office, of which he claims no real expertise in the use of. He tells the hobbit, who Josleen has no doubt told him about before this party thanks to his important work in slimming down the royal pup, that he looks forward to receiving the gift. Normally an invitation (read ‘command’) to take a tour of the Fort’s weaponry collections might have followed, but competition calls, and it is a lengthy one at that, filled with tension and comebacks. Macon requires one deep breath, that he holds, to remain steady with Josleen on his shoulders while she makes the finals winning shot. Larket wins, the drunken king showers his queen with affection, and he is all too eager to agree to leave his party to continue this celebration privately.
Zedidiah sits, eating and drinking, until the staff are just looking at him, wanting to go home. Finally he looks rtound, surprised the party ended before the food ran out, very unlike a hobbit party. He nods to the staff and says "I'll just help clean this up then" before shoveling cheeses, meats, and pastries into a large sack. He trundle out the door, popping treats into his mouth every few steps.