[OPEN] Live life fully; all things will change, and the promise remains

[drydrown]

WHO: Alexander Cumore and whomever decides to join him (presumably you!) – he did issue an open invitation here, so feel free to handwave seeing the thing, why not.
WHERE: Cumore's estate in Veia Village
WHEN: New Year's Eve, 7:00 PM and onward until...whenever the hell, honestly.
WHAT: General partying/mingling; knock yourselves out. As far as Cumore is concerned, it's less a New Year's Eve party and more a Thank God 2017 Is Over party, but really, who's counting?
WARNINGS: We've got an open bar happening in here, but other than that n/a.


I. So, this place is huge.

The estate itself has a good amount of property that comes with it, and an acceptable view of said property from the inside – there's an abundance of windows, large and designed to let in as much natural light as possible in order to open up the space. The grounds are covered in snow, just for the season; there would normally be gardens out there, but, well. Winter. However, should you get tired of the indoors, it's secluded enough out there; mind the...bats, those are apparently going to be around until midnight tonight, but who knows, maybe they'll encourage you to get your New Year's kiss a bit early tonight.

The inside has a rather open first floor, and that's where most of the party is going to be; the dining room is an incredibly formal one, complete with table that's entirely too long for one person and the entire thing giving off the sort of air that it's primarily used for entertaining rather than everyday use. This is where the actual food is, and there is plenty of it, though most of it seems fairly easy – you're not going to have a full meal here, basically, but things have been catered and catered well as far as desserts, light things, and the like go. If you want it and it's generally party-friendly, it's presumably here.

Of course, if you're not here for the view or the food...


II. ...Well, Cumore did promise an open bar, and lord knows he seems to have delivered.

There's a large sitting room to be found near the front of the place, and that is where the alcohol is located; the room itself is less open than the others, to give at least some sense of privacy and make the setting a little more intimate and a little less chaotic than the rest of the place. The bar area itself is set up on the far side of the room, against the wall, and it's well-stocked with what comes down to the finest alcohol money can buy; Cumore is no stranger to throwing money at things until something sticks, and this doesn't seem to have been much of an exception. Sure, no one can taste it, but that's no excuse to not go all-out anyway; as such, don't be surprised if some of this costs at least half as much as this month's rent.

So you've got a good amount of space to drink and talk; just enjoy yourselves, or at the very least drown out the remainder of the old year while ringing in the new.

A note on exactly how "open" this open bar is: Cumore isn't going to be overseeing the thing, as he can think of a myriad things to do with his time and none of them are "babysitting people" – that said, the invitation did specify that all guests are to be over 18, and if you're old enough to serve your country, surely you're old enough to drink in a private residence while surrounded by other adults. Generally, what Cumore doesn't know won't hurt you, so as long as you behave, he won't throw you out; just act like civilized people and all will be fine.


III. Further back is where the music is.

The sound system in here is good, piping into a large open space that was likely something else at one point, but has since been converted into a ballroom of sorts; the floors are glossy and the ceiling is high, and it's something of an impressively pointless use of space that Cumore seems to enjoy anyway. The place is clearly set up for dancing, and the music is set by way of a device such that it can be changed easily enough depending on what you want; the selection is an acceptable one, we've got everything from classical to...decidedly not-classical, though that end of the spectrum is trending toward more modern things that probably won't offend anybody's sensibilities unless they're truly the most delicate. Feel free to grab a partner, or don't; show off in some way out on the floor, or just demonstrate why you shouldn't dance but dammit, you're going to anyway because someone's gotta. Enjoy yourselves, that's what it's here for.


IV. ...And since, let's be honest, this is what some people are here for:

There's a room slightly off the foyer with the door somewhat ajar; there's a smaller area that's closer to a personal library than anything; it's also got the large windows overlooking the front and large floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lining the other walls. And on the window seat is this...really unreasonably large grey cat. Like, we're talking what you get if you cross a Maine coon with a Norwegian forest cat, it is both truly absurd amounts of fluff and truly absurd amounts of cat.

Koko is a dignified lady who absolutely loves being petted and spoiled. Just don't torment her, as he set forth in the rules; of course, this is also somewhere you can go if you just...don't feel up to dealing with people for a little while, for whatever reason.


V. This is an open mingle, so feel free to make up your own prompts and do what you want! Just adhere to the rules set forth in the invitation and everything will be grand.

Also, just as something that's being set out there – should you drink entirely too much and he's made aware of it, you will be encouraged to stay/not drive until morning. He is taking no shit and offering...some sort of quarter, though he'll be irritable about it he's got couches as far as the eye can see. Sleep it off.

Otherwise, this is an open log for you guys to do what you want with; Happy New Year, everyone.

Comments

[drydrown]

[III.]

[Cumore will be spending most of his time in the ballroom, personally, though that certainly doesn't mean that he's keeping to himself; anyone who's in there for too long looking like they're holding up the walls, or just looking like they're without a partner, will be approached eventually by...well, the androgynous person with long lavender hair and striking red eyes that's wandering around wearing this tonight because of goddamn course he is.]

Come join me for a while; I promise it'll be a good time.

[...Even if you're not sure what you're doing, at least he's an acceptable dance partner. Come on, it's just a few minutes.]


[...And a bit of II as well.]

[Granted, he can be found once in a while throughout the evening in the sitting room containing all the alcohol; he drinks socially once in a while, and from time to time he'll come in here to see how things are going (despite his aforementioned lack of willingness to babysit people). If you're drinking by yourself, you might find him joining you – no one really enjoys drinking alone, do they? – but either way, he can be found in here more and more frequently as the night goes on. Not getting trashed in any sense of the word, but just...here, sitting in relative quiet when he's not being in anyone's business, and even though the drinks don't taste like anything he's still having an interesting time mixing a few neon things with filthy names for himself. Because naturally.

If you want to talk to him about anything, you're more than welcome to; he doesn't turn down company, let's put it that way.]


[V.]

[I mean, he is hosting the thing, so hit me with whatever? Make up your own prompt, it's all good.]

iii

[scythegun]

[Jaeger's also a big fan of the ballroom and dancing; he'll pick people to drag off the walls and dance with as well, so it's really no surprise that one of them approaches the other at some point during the night. Jaeger's smile is just as chipper as always and when he responds it's with the same level of enthusiasm he's shown everyone else tonight.]

Ja, I'd like that! Would you prefer to lead?

[He doesn't care either way, he's just aggressively Here for dancing. And since a certain someone won't dance with him, he'll just have to make his own fun with other people.]

[drydrown]

[...What in god's name happened to your hair.

Cumore's gaze will flick over to that a bit because that's...new, but he doesn't comment; he's tempted, mind, but this is starting off pleasantly enough. He can get catty later if it goes south, but until then - ]

I can do either, but I'll lead if you're offering.

[Come on, then.]

[scythegun]

[Look. He's finally starting to get used to his hair, don't bring it up!!]

That's fine with me! Lead on, then!

[Come on, let's go dance, this should be fun!!]

[drydrown]

[Yes, yes, goodness lord what is your deal - ]

You're certainly an enthusiastic one, aren't you.

[He sounds amused, though, at least.]

I take it you're enjoying the evening well enough.

[scythegun]

Of course I am! I've always enjoyed parties like these!

[They're an excuse to dance with everyone and have a few too many drinks (not that he's done that... yet) and this is a great way to ring in the new year as far as he's concerned.]

Thank you for hosting such a lovely little get-together, by the way!

[drydrown]

Of course. It seemed like a fair enough idea, really; if anything, the end of this year seems like something worth celebrating.

[It's been a rough time, Retrospec didn't really help? ...Retrospec definitely didn't help.]

probably III but possibly II

[floret]

[ When Jamie arrives (mysteriously, at the exact same time Minato does) (mystery solved: they're roommates and Minato has a car), he starts the night off by wandering around until he finds Cumore.

It'll be the second time they've met in person. (The first was a brief encounter that involved a bobbed-for apple that was just really happy to be alive, for whatever value of "alive" that meant.) Depending on how good his memory is, Cumore might notice that Jamie looks a little worse now than he did then, just in general; then again, the effect is maybe somewhat mitigated by the fact that he made a genuine effort to become a presentable human being suitable for existing not just in public, but someplace nice. So it's a wash, maybe.

Anyway. He's carrying a small, sparkly gift bag. ]

Ah, Mr. Cumore! Good evening. It's Jamie Doh. ...From Retrospec. Thank you for having us.

[drydrown]

[There have been some changes on Cumore's end as well - the hair, the eyes - but he generally seems none the worse for wear tonight; his memory is fairly good, however, and he certainly remembers this one now that he's seeing him again. He seems...a little rough, but it's nothing that's going to be pointed out because Cumore's an asshole but he's not an asshole in that particular direction.

So! Hi.]

Ah, yes, of course - good evening, and believe me, the pleasure is mine.

[floret]

[ On Jamie's end, well...
The thing is, they didn't actually exchange names the first time they met. And since then they've only spoken over Retrospec... And now that Cumore's eyes, hair color, and hair style are completely different, plus of course his outfit, Jamie cannot recognize him as the same person he met all those weeks ago. That is, he did initially think "the person tossing that apple" and "this person on Retrospec" were most likely the same guy, since his profile picture at the time matched up. But then the picture changed, and of course he understands that apparently that kind of thing is just going to be happening now, but his tentative conviction that IRL Dude and Internet Dude were one and the same vanished, along with (of course) his confidence that anything he sees, remembers, or believes has any meaningful connection with reality. So obviously he's not gonna mention anything about it, because it seems more likely than not that he's wrong. (But he's also not going to say anything like "It's nice to meet you in person," in case he's not.) ]

You have a lovely home! That's a really nice suit, too. ...I hope that wasn't weird to say. [ Honestly, what is the socially appropriate way for a broke undergrad to interact with a wealthy attorney he met on some kind of cursed social network?? He feels like his grandmother would actually have an answer to that, but of course, it's been weeks since he's been able to get through to anyone in his family at all. So. ]

...This is for Koko! [ From the gift bag, he withdraws a celebratory beverage formulated with sophisticated palates like hers in mind. ]

[drydrown]

[I mean, fair? He's had people he's spoken to for a while not immediately recognize him due to the hair and the eyes, so it kind of. Happens.

...Honestly it's not like he's going to care for terribly long, especially given that the kitty champagne is the most charming thing he's ever fucking seen, oh my god.]

Ah, it's not weird at all, don't concern yourself with that - and I'm certain that she'll enjoy it, I'll be sure to give her your regards if she doesn't see fit to grace us with her presence.

[floret]

[ Cumore's delight at the kitty champagne (Jamie was pretty psyched about it too, just as a concept) and assurance that Her Ladyship will most likely approve of the gift is enough to inspire a genuine smile from ya boy! It's a New Year's miracle. ]

I hope so! I'm looking forward to meeting her, but I thought I'd... uh. Mingle? First. [ He's pretty sure Minato went straight for the cat room, after all. And while Jamie treasures and respects Minato as a roommate and person with many fine qualities, he does think it might look a bit uncouth if both representatives of Birch Hills #7A kicked off their party experience by evading and ignoring all the human attendees. ]

It must've taken a lot of work and planning to put all this together. Will you be able to just relax for the rest of the evening, or is there still more to do?

[drydrown]

[...I mean, when it comes to "abandon party immediately in favor of exclusive company of cat," Cumore is somewhere between knowing not to do that and "honestly, same?" so at least he. understands.]

I doubt there's much that's going to require my exclusive attention, at any rate. So things should be easy enough from here.

[compendiem]

iv.
[ To be honest... yeah. Minato's here for the cat.

He doesn't want to bring alcohol into a room where it can be knocked over and accidentally lapped up by a cat, so all he gathers from the party food table is a cup of water and a plate of pretzel sticks, the latter of which he takes to a corner somewhere and idly flicks the salt crystals off into his mouth with his thumbnail. Mm!!! Still tastes like nothing.

With his free hand, he manages to coax Koko onto his lap and busies himself with combing through her thick fur with his fingers. Want a turn at petting the cat? Too bad. ]

wildcard.
[ Eventually he'll have to leave the cat room. Maybe he got hungry or somebody else dragged him off or something idk. Squinting at the dance floor or guzzling Kahlúa in preparation for midnight, whatever. ]

iv.

[drydrown]

[Well, Minato won't be completely alone for the entirety of the evening; don't worry, Cumore isn't here to collect his cat or anything, just seeing where she's gone off to. And he isn't...altogether surprised to find someone in here with her, and Koko is just over there on the guy's lap and purring away and generally just looking like the fluffiest and most content cat in the world because attention, so really, this person can't be all that bad.]

Well! You both certainly seem to be enjoying yourselves.

[compendiem]

[ Minato looks up when the door opens and he hears the approach, almost half asleep for how long he'd been sitting there on the ground, slowly losing the feeling in his legs. There's no way anybody wouldn't feel drowsy with a warm lap and that constant purring lulling them to sleep— the purring, at least, answers the question as to whether Koko is enjoying herself. ]

Yeah. Sorry, I'd get up and greet you properly, but...

[ Getting up with a lap full of cat is sacrilege. ]

[drydrown]

[That gets a laugh out of him, really, light and almost dismissive in quality; no worries, no worries.]

No, no, I understand, believe me - I wouldn't dream of making you.

[I mean. Such is cat.]

[compendiem]

[ He's relieved, relaxing a little and returning to the slow comb through Koko's fur, as if reiterating that ceasing petting would also be sacrilege. ]

Are you checking up on all your guests?

[ Here is where he'd make a joke about promising he's not going to kidnap Koko, but that joke might not go over well and his 2018 new year resolution is to think before cracking jokes, so he bites the inside of his cheek until the urge passes. ]

...You're a good host. I don't think I thanked you for hosting?

[drydrown]

[Ah, that's...hm.]

It's my pleasure, really. And besides, I didn't see much sense in not doing something like this.

[He's also just an incredibly bored individual who doesn't socialize normally, like, at all, and this seems like the best way to do it? ...It's one of the ways he knows how, basically, and it works as well as anything.]

[compendiem]

Expensive, and the clean-up will be a pain...

[ Honestly, he can think of a million and one reasons not to do something like this, first and foremost being that he also doesn't normally socialize, had come here for the cat, and stayed because he'd arrived with some others he needs to take home. ]

iv

[floret]

[ It's about ten minutes till midnight when Jamie finds Minato (though he didn't have to look all that hard). ]

Hey... It's getting kind of close, so I thought I'd see if-- Ohh!! Is this Koko?? She's so big!!

[compendiem]

This is Koko. Do you want to hold her?

[ He's been sitting here for hours. He can't feel his legs. ]

[floret]

I really want to hold her! I hope she likes being held. I bet she's even heavier than Kitty is! [ He means that with love and admiration, OBVIOUSLY! ]

Ah, but it's going to be midnight. I think we'll be able to see fireworks from the front room. And there are... celebratory beverages. If you're interested.

[compendiem]

[ As a testament to how heavy she is, Minato lifts her up by her midsection and the entire lower half of her body still remains on his lap. Hurry and take her. ]

Depends on if you want to sleep over tonight. Can't drink if I'm the designated driver.

[floret]

[ He takes her!!!
She's a big girl, and he's a small boy, so it ends up as a bit of a feat, and he has to lean pretty far back. But gosh. She is just so warm and fluffy and dignified. He would probably die for her. ]

I don't really care.
I mean, I'm not twenty-one yet, so I should probably be sticking to family beverages anyway. It's up to you.