GIRL'S NIGHT

[can_fight_ugly]

WHO: Anne
WHERE: Anne's House
WHEN: Tonight
OPEN TO: OTA/Mingle
WARNINGS: Drinking, will edit as necessary

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[The video opens to show Anne's living room with a subtle glowing decor of candles and greenery and red berries (though, to note, care has been taken so the two elements are not intersecting). Anne herself is sleek-haired and smiling, with a little kitten perched on her shoulder. She's got one hand up to steady him as he's the inquisitive type, trying to lean in to sniff at the device she's currently talking to.]

I received two surprises today. Little Lynn on my shoulder, here, and an obscene amount of wine. So, I am declaring Girl's Night. 'Girl' is up to your interpretation. If you want to hang out and enjoy some wine, you'll be welcome. Just, BYOG; bring your own glass. House 53.

Private to Franklin

I was gifted with way too much wine for one person, and am throwing a little get together at my house. You're more than welcome to come, and I also wanted to know if you want me to set a bottle aside for you?

Private to Tony

Bottle of wine with your name on it if you want it, as thanks for helping me deal with Eddie and Venom.

At The House

Anne has pulled out a selection of eight bottles and set them in the living room. She's stashed two for herself and the rest are in the kitchen just in case they somehow run through the first 6,000 millileters. She's not sure how much interest there will be or how many people will show up, but she's also aware that what she's got could be considered a hot commodity.

So why not barter with it, Anne? Why not trade it for favors, labor? She asks herself, but the answer is too bare and ready; I'm lonely. The idea of filling her house up for one night for something that's not related to survival, surrounding herself with friends, will make the truth she's facing a little easier to bear.

Hadn't those been the best Girl's Nights? Either sharing a celebration or gathering to commiserate? It's not something Anne did often - she wasn't usually the one organizing it - but with everything that's been happening lately, she'd felt she was in need of a little release and what a perfect sign it was to find the 'Crazy Single Cat Lady Starter Kit' on her doorstep. At least she can have a sense of humor about it.

She's got a dry red opened and a glass poured for herself as she waits for people to arrive.

Comments

Anne || OTA

[can_fight_ugly]

Now that people are here and the party's truly gotten started, Anne's going to gather up a glass and stand, holding it up as a toast. Nestled in the crook of her other arm is the kitten Lynn, looking with wide curious eyes at the way the candlelight hit the wine.

"To Dan Lewis. One of the good ones. Maybe you'll still show up someday, but ... until then life keeps moving forward, and I'm going to move forward with it." It feels weird, giving a toast to end a relationship like this when the other party literally has no idea it's happening.

Alternate realities, clones, whatever the case; she's not waiting around forever for someone who may not even show up.

And, a little later in the evening after she's had a few glasses; she stands for another toast;

"To not recycling your exes."

[connatural]

The message has Ashley curious. About a social life in this place, and what she's really going to do with herself in this place. Everything she's used to is in the past, her future is coming to make a life for herself in this place for as long as it lasts.

Changing into her jeans and midnight black hooded sweater she got at Halloween and grabbing one of the jars of peaches she got for helping set up some things for a friend and headed for this girl's night. From what she knows, this is fairly normal. That's what this is all about. Normalcy.

Lifting her glass in toast after having left the peaches in the kitchen as a housewarming gift, she joins her in the toast. If nothing else, it's a sentiment she can agree with. Which is why she seeks out the hostess after the toast.

"Hey, I just wanted to thank you for this. Never really had a girl's night or anything, so I couldn't help but to be curious. I also brought a housewarming gift. My mom would have had my ass if I hadn't."

[can_fight_ugly]

"Oh!" She hadn't imagined people would bring gifts, but then now that she's thinking about it she can't say she's surprised. Ettiquette and moms had a way of digging into you despite circumstances, and she realizes she would have done the same thing. "Thank you, I appreciate it."

"Girl's Nights, in my experience, were just about hanging out and having fun, sometimes commiserating or celebrating together, sometimes - just catching up. I know I was missing a little bit of a fun time, and figured I might not be the only one. I'm glad you decided to come out."

She offers her hand in greeting, "I'm Anne, by the way."

[womanofvalue]

Peggy's not precisely sure that a girl's night is the ticket for her, but she does need more friends and after the last stressful few months, she could use a bit of a respite, which has led her to this house, wary about her place here, but the host seems to be rather cheerful. Perhaps the wine? Or perhaps simply her countenance.

She has to laugh though, at the last comment, finding a glass herself. "What if they were never truly an ex," she suggests, "and yet, time and fate have pulled you apart?"

[can_fight_ugly]

Anne chuckles, she's warmed by the wine, by the chance to just relax with people without planning some post-apocalyptic survival routine, and finds the question a little ironic.

"That's where I'm at with Dan. The ex - that was someone else." She's trying to be respectful to Eddie, since he also lives here now, but she still needs to work through it, work past the temptation to fall back into familiar habits. "I'm not one for long-distance relationships; as nice and as good as he may be, I can't share anything with him if he's not here." She smiles over at Peggy, but it's melancholy. She does miss Dan, this is not an easy decision, but Anne knows what she wants and it's someone who's going to be an active member in her life.

"I take it - you left someone behind as well?"

[cleptes]

The idea of getting tipsy on wine sounded heavenly to Bela and since she didn't have anything else on tonight she decides to answer Anne's invitation and show up at house number 53. She's never really embarked on a "Girl's Night" before - mostly because she didn't have any friends to do it with and she was too busy carving out her career as a professional thief for hire back home.

Once Bela enters the home she searches for the host to make her presence known.

"Hello." She smiles warmly at Anne, offering a hand out to her. "I believe I have you to thank for this little soiree. I'm Bela."

[can_fight_ugly]

It's likely Anne's on her way to Bela, having heard the door open and tingling her Host Senses. She may not exactly throw many parties, but as a high-powered corporate lawyer she's used to keeping track of a room, and that wasn't much different here.

Perhaps a little cloudy with the addition of a couple of glasses of wine, which would explain why Bela had to seek her out in turn.

Anne takes Bela's hand, her other hand around a glass that's running a little low on it s current liquid. "Oh, you're welcome, Bela. I'm Anne, welcome to my house. This way for wine - we've got a nice selections of white and red, Zevran's set up his salon in the corner if you want some pampering-" She makes a quick truncated tour, pointing out the important rooms with wine and backup wine. "I just figured we could all do with a moment of not fretting over surviving in an Edwardian Christmas."

[championofsnark]

Hawke still isn't anywhere near drunk, as she has a high tolerance, but she has enough to giggle snot at that last toast. Slightly tipsy, one might say. Oh if only she was back at the pub having pints with the others. She has to be careful, she does have a tendency to go from happy affectionate drunk to deep melancholy at a moment's notice. Still though for now, she glances up at Anne and smiles.

"Not sure I know what you mean by that. What d'you mean by that?" What is recycling, for start, and she's wondering if that means Eddie might have a shot after all!

[can_fight_ugly]

Anne is pleasantly warm by now, a little flush to her cheeks and, as Hawke had just seen, an honesty to her words. She sits back in her seat and leans over with a pained grin.

"The idea that we broke up for a reason. There's still ..." Tension? Desire? Deep and meaningful attraction despite the wounds he'd left her? "want there. But, there's also hurt. Just a little reminder to myself that I made a decision and I'm sticking to it. You have anyone like that?"

Text

[clouded_heart]

No need to set a bottle aside just for me, but I'll happily come and split one with you at your place.

[can_fight_ugly]

Well, in that case I will see you here shortly.

[clouded_heart]

Yeah, just let me find all my outside gear. I hope I get one of those boxes soon with some decent clothing.

Despite his bitching and grumbling, he turns up fairly shortly, bundled up and wearing knitted gloves and a scarf in a dark green to match his scrubs.

Ashley | OTA

[connatural]

It's less the wine and more the chance to socialize that has Ashley curious about a girl's night. She's not had a lot of such things in her own life, so she can't help but to be curious. Also, in the end, there's wine.

Having a few glasses, if only hoping it will help her to relax. It's odd. She can talk to mob bosses, have no issue with coping with the abnormals, but socializing on this kind of level? She just doesn't have a clue. But wine is helping.

"Okay, but seriously... I just don't even have a clue," she says, though it's not to anyone in particular. "I mean, my mom has infamous immortals flocking to her, and the one serious ask out I've had? Died in front of me by odd bug thing. Maybe it's a curse."

[championofsnark]

Hawke has plenty to say about love, but she's not even close to drunk enough for that yet. She does like having a drink though. Not her preferred choice, but a good on. She refills her drink and then plops down to Ashley, rather fond of the girl from the first time they met and that's a sad thing to say.

"That's unfortunate, that he died and all so quickly. I don't know that it's a curse, you're a beautiful girl, but there are some men that are intimidated by that. And they're the worst. You ever think about trying with women? Women can be an excellent choice." She herself loves both genders without reservation, and without a favorite. Even if she favored a man for her monogamy, she could see herself doing the same for a woman. "I will tell you this about women, at least they know exactly what to do in bed." She chuckles.

Zevran | OTA

[ombranera]

His time has come. Or, an evening that could be his time has come. Women commiserating with wine often meant adjusting appearances and for that the friendly, gossip neutral stylist is most often welcome. Zevran arrives with a bottle of his own wine tucked under his arm as an offering as well as his kit. Oils, fragrances, scissors, all the accouterments for trimming and buffing of nails or a simple hand massage. He sets up and pours a glass for himself, happy for the warmth, the company, and a means to stave off boredom for another night.

The more he drinks the less he needs to bundle, settled comfortably in the corner, tucked up with his coat folded over the back of his chair, happy to offer a massage, a trim, or a quick nail lacquering.

Re: Zevran | OTA

[can_fight_ugly]

"I'm glad to see you here, Zevran." Anne smiles as she settles herself down in the seat across from him, her own glass of wine perched carefully in her hand. She's got a rosy glow about her at this point, warmed enough and smiling easily. As she had said earlier; she's continued to strictly follow the routine he'd set out for her hair, and it's just about as sleek and finely scented as the day she left his care.

"Are you enjoying yourself so far? Here and," She makes a vague wave towards the front door, "elsewhere?"

[clouded_heart]

Foggy is distinctly not a woman, but is clearly very at home with them and was, presumably, been invited to this thing. He's still wearing scrubs, so assumedly he doesn't have anything else to wear to a gathering like this.

But he throw Zevran the occasional look. Curious. A little wary, because facial tattoos have connotations where he comes from and he's had dealings with those people. And because freaking elf ears.

And eventually, his curiosity gets the better of him and he comes over with his mug of wine. "What do the tattoos mean?"

text | un: Spark Plug

[assemble_the_lovbacken]

Dear: Anne Weying

I am not a girl - or at least I do not identify as one - but am I able to still come and partake in your festivities? I will understand if the answer is "no" and you wish to have a gathering of your female villagers instead.

Sincerely: Thor

text | un: Dominant DA

[can_fight_ugly]

Dear Thor,

You are most welcome to come. I only used 'Girl's Night' as a reference to my own world, but I am more than happy to share my wine with anyone here.

I hope to see you around!

Yours truly,

Anne

Thor | Open to Anne

[assemble_the_lovbacken]

After getting the "okay" to come to the gathering, Thor gathers himself and heads towards the location mentioned in the original video. He would've liked to have had more Midgardian-appropriate clothes, but all he has are his obnoxiously yellow scrubs. He keeps meaning to ask the other villagers how it is they managed to get less garish outfits, but the thought slips his mind whenever he's in a conversation with someone else. Perhaps he'll remember to do that tonight instead.

He's still learning the geography of the village, so he knocks on the wrong door a couple of times before finding what he hopes is the right one. Rapping his knuckles against the door, he takes a step back to allow for a wide berth in case it's another stranger, tucking his hands into the pockets of his scrub trousers.

[can_fight_ugly]

Hearing someone at the door, Anne excuses herself from her current conversation and walks over to welcome the next guest. She's got a glass in hand as she opens the door with an easy smile and slightly flushed cheeks.

"Hello and welcome to the ... party ..."

There's one thing about seeing the news articles and hearing casual chatter by the watercooler, and it's something else to know that you're sharing a tiny village and having pleasant and gramatically thoughtful conversations, but it's an entirely different matter altogether to open your door and find the actual God of Thunder standing on your porch.

Oh, Anne knew it was likely, after they last texted, she'd been expecting him to arrive, but her already wine-clouded senses have to swim through the added actuality of him stnaidng there and for a moment she can only stare before taking in a breath and composing herself, "Thor! Come in, come out of the cold-"

She steps back so she can have room to enter; the fire's going and there are people and together it's made for a cozy night, compared to outside. "Did you bring a glass? What's your preference, red or white?"

Video

[mediumhoodie]

That sounds like a great idea.

[Kat has no idea what a Girls Night entails but she's curious. She hasn't had a lot of female friends before and she rather likes Anne.]

Can I bring anything?

[A small limping kitten appears in view of the video and Kat pauses to reach down and lift the bird like kitten into her lap.] Or if I can bring him. [He's still healing from the frostbite on his leg but the kitten seems determined to get around on its own.]

Video

[can_fight_ugly]

If you want, you can bring something, but there's no obligation.

[She had some lovely peaches already that she wasn't expecting, but she didn't want anyone to feel pressured to bring anything; this was just about having a good time.]

- and you may absolutely bring your kitten. I think Lynn would appreciate a play-date.

OPEN TO ALL + KAT

[mediumhoodie]

Kat arrived an hour after speaking to Anne. She was dressed in her attire from home; shorts and a hoodie. The hood of her jacket was down and a little feathered kitten was curled up in her hood, meowing at everything and everyone who walked by her. In her arms was a small offering of tea though she didn't think that anyone would want it and intended to leave it for Anne as a gift.

She'd never been to a girl's night before and Kat was surprised to see so many men there. She didn't know most of them but she'd seen a lot of people come and go from the inn.

It was easier to relax with a glass of wine in her hand and very slowly, Kat began to open up. "What are you supposed to do at a girl's night?" -besides drink wine and talk. Kat's life had been hectic since she was born and she hadn't been able to experience a lot of the sweet simplicities of life.

[can_fight_ugly]

"Well, there are lots of ways to do a girl's night." Anne's got Lynn with her in one hand, glass of wine in the other, but the kitten seems more interested in investigating the other kitten, and won't be tolerating Anne's hold much longer. "You can do themed parties, go out to an event, grab some drinks at a bar ... it's really whatever you want to do."

She finally sets the kitten down and leans back in her seat, "This particular night is just about relaxing and having fun with other people; there's plenty of wine, Zevran over there is doing nails and hair if you want to be pampered, but other than that it's up to your imagination."