Chapter 3.1: The party begins

[yhlee]

EDIT: The base is sited in the year 951, in a very odd timeline that has NO h*archate. Supplies have to be brought in via rift from other timelines. Thread here.

Ashari's new base features variable layout, which has been put to use in creating an extravagant ballroom. Tables to one side boast a variety of foods, drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and the occasional euphoric drugs. Candlevines glow blue and violet, and flower arrangements interspersed with fantastic sculptures of lace-woven wire adorn the tables. The arrangements mean various sarcastic things, if you're familiar with the Andan petal language.

Music plays softly enough not to overwhelm conversation, loudly enough to set a mood complementing the low-key lighting.

Remi is one of the first arrivals from the Cantata, shepherding the mothlings. Because he's a Nirai, he has a slate and is taking notes, although he is happy enough to talk to anyone who approaches him.

The kitchen is currently adjacent to the ballroom. Ashari's voice can be heard, raised in some kind of argument with...a caterer?

Comments

at the drinks table with Shess and Deyna

[zuhrovet]

Sasha has found a collection of small glasses and is filling them with a clear liquor. The aroma is clean, with an edge of minerals and salt. She makes a game of filling each glass to the exact same level as the last. She fills a couple of champagne flutes with sparkling water, too--Seyli's current attitude doesn't look a fuck of a lot like being on duty, but Prophet only knows, maybe they're cross-training as a fox.

She sketches a grid command with her left hand as Shess approaches; the grid obligingly supplies their name. "Kandoir Shess. We're going to toast, in a minute. There is a glass here for you and one for Caro Deyna--unless you would like to take this tray around? The flutes hold water."

Re: at the drinks table with Shess and Deyna

[flowersforgraves]

Deyna suddenly feels extremely awkward, now that she's out of the relatively safe and rational space of the kitchen. Almost everyone is dressed in stylishly impractical clothing, and her cheeks burn with embarrassment as she looks down at the gown she's layered over her working clothes.

"I'll have a drink, if that's alright," she says, possibly louder than she should. "I could use it." The liquor is sharp in her nose, and she takes another breath to buy herself another moment to remember which name belongs with which face. "Zuhrovet, is it? Zuhrovet Sasha?"

Re: at the drinks table with Shess and Deyna

[zuhrovet]

"Just Sasha works, for most purposes." Sasha curls her fingers in a quick grid command, then passes Deyna a small glass. "And you are Caro Deyna. Should we toast a round or two with just us, before things get formal?"

Re: at the drinks table with Shess and Deyna

[rugessnome]

[part of this is trying to in-universe explain my out-of-game delay]

Shess got a little lost in thought about the many things around at the party, the task of tetrising the dishes and decorations on the table, the logistics of apron removal, etc. So despite hearing Sasha, they don't process what she said and think how to reply for a moment, by which time Deyna has already said something.

They finally answer, slightly embarrassed: "Sorry, lost in my own little world there for a moment. I haven't had this liquor before; is it very strong?" Shess doesn't leave quite enough pause to get an answer before concluding "If there's going to be a lot of toasting, maybe I should use water for some of it." Although they would like a drink, maybe two, the prospect of being personally significantly impaired does not appeal to them for several reasons, one of which is their newness to the rebellion.

[party clothes description(!):]
They also untie the neck of their apron and fold it down at the waist to reveal a double-breasted jacket-top in robin's egg blue. The front is ornamented with a vertical stripe of contrast leaf-patterned fabric at one side and a macrame overlay on the other that serves as the outer closure. With it, they wear cocoa colored trousers, decorated only with a contrast band (bright carrot-y orange) at the slightly cropped hem.

Re: at the drinks table with Shess and Deyna

[zuhrovet]

"It is approximately 80% grain ethanol by volume," Sasha says, with a grin for Deyna that means Green saint, I am too sober for this.

Re: at the drinks table with Shess and Deyna

[flowersforgraves]

A genuine smile breaks over Deyna's face. "That sounds perfect," she says, accepting the glass Sasha offers. "This isn't exactly my usual speed, if you couldn't tell," she adds, forcing a self-deprecating chuckle. "I'm more of a meat and potatoes kind of person, less of the orders. Hors d'oevres."

She pauses. "Shess, if you want to stay sober, you can take the tray around while we drink? Or I can do it, after I have some of this --" she cuts herself off, sniffs the alcohol again "-- what kind of grain is this?" she asks Sasha. "Or I can do it," she repeats, returning her gaze to Shess.

Re: at the drinks table with Shess and Deyna

[zuhrovet]

"Yeah, I have no idea what the fuck a potato is. This is long-grain rice from some planet with an elaborate network of cultivated traditional wetlands. At least, that's what the label says. To the rebellion?"

Sasha raises her glass and knocks it back. The liquor is smooth and soft. You could almost think you weren't drinking.