George Milton (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bindlestifflost) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
apocalypsehowcomm2022-04-22 01:46 am
bindlestifflost) wrote in apocalypsehowcomm2022-04-22 01:46 am
(Open Log) You gotta know when to hold 'em
Who: George Milton, Nick Valentine, and anybody who shows up
When: April 22, starting around 6 PM until
Where: Apartment A-3
Summary: A night for playing cards, drinking beer or b.y.o.b. if harder, snacks and unwinding. Feel free to thread jack and jump all around, at least in my threads. This is just for some relaxed down time and catching up or introductions in a smaller, casual space.
Warnings: None expected. If your characters get to discussing anything triggery or get up to anything spicy, please CW in your individual threads.
Over the past week or so, hand printed signs drawn in sharpie on plain paper have shown up taped to walls around the apartment complex and on any easily accessible bulletin boards at ADI. A couple of them were also delivered to the flophouse with the request they be displayed somewhere the residents might see them.
They read:
Cards and Beer
Friday April 22 6 PM
Apartment A 3
George and Nick's place
You want more than beer
or chips and popcorn
bring your own.
Extra decks appreciated.
The night of, the door to A 3 is propped open. In addition to the dining table, a couple of card tables and cheap folding chairs are set up for games. Two bowls on the coffee table contain chips and popcorn respectively. There's a cooler on the floor in the kitchen filled with ice and cheap beer.
George or Nick will greet people as they come in and tell them to make themselves at home.
((OOC: Feel free to top level with your own character and make whatever prompts you like. George is generally easy-going, but if he catches anyone stealing, getting too hot and heavy in a bedroom, or otherwise being a general jerk about the apartment or the other guests, he will try to throw the offender out. If you want that kind of thread or want to succeed at something nefarious, let me know so we can work it out.))
When: April 22, starting around 6 PM until
Where: Apartment A-3
Summary: A night for playing cards, drinking beer or b.y.o.b. if harder, snacks and unwinding. Feel free to thread jack and jump all around, at least in my threads. This is just for some relaxed down time and catching up or introductions in a smaller, casual space.
Warnings: None expected. If your characters get to discussing anything triggery or get up to anything spicy, please CW in your individual threads.
Over the past week or so, hand printed signs drawn in sharpie on plain paper have shown up taped to walls around the apartment complex and on any easily accessible bulletin boards at ADI. A couple of them were also delivered to the flophouse with the request they be displayed somewhere the residents might see them.
They read:
Friday April 22 6 PM
Apartment A 3
George and Nick's place
You want more than beer
or chips and popcorn
bring your own.
Extra decks appreciated.
The night of, the door to A 3 is propped open. In addition to the dining table, a couple of card tables and cheap folding chairs are set up for games. Two bowls on the coffee table contain chips and popcorn respectively. There's a cooler on the floor in the kitchen filled with ice and cheap beer.
George or Nick will greet people as they come in and tell them to make themselves at home.
((OOC: Feel free to top level with your own character and make whatever prompts you like. George is generally easy-going, but if he catches anyone stealing, getting too hot and heavy in a bedroom, or otherwise being a general jerk about the apartment or the other guests, he will try to throw the offender out. If you want that kind of thread or want to succeed at something nefarious, let me know so we can work it out.))
George OTA
For a host, George is very relaxed, waving people in with an easy, "Hey, glad you could make it." If he knows and likes the character, he leans in to shake their hand and guides them over to the ice chest to show where they can grab a beer. If his encounters with them have been less than friendly, he gives a more terse nod without being an ass about it. Tonight's not a night for grudges in his book.
"Cards is out. If you got an idea what you want to play, get you a partner and get to it. Let's keep the bettin' friendly tonight. I don't want to see no sour pusses or spoilsports."
2. Card Sharks in the Waters?
Look. George isn't saying you cheated, but he sure is squinting a stink eye after you've swept the table for the third time in a row. "Think that's a sign somebody else needs to warm my chair a while," he says, sweeping his hand back up into the deck and passing it off to someone else to shuffle and deal for a while.
He stands and ambles over to the ice chest to check the level of the ice and the beers, and if the popcorn or chips bowls are low, he heads over to a cabinet to get some refills. If you're nearby, he'll offer a friendly, "You doin' alright? Need help learning any a' the games?"
Or he'll point subtly at his latest card nemesis and say, "Better watch that one. They'll clean ya out."
3. Outside
Every once in a while, George steps out to lean against the outer wall of the apartment and just take in a little fresh air and quiet. Hands in his pockets, he tips his head back and closes his eyes. It's a cool night. He's glad he threw on his jacket.
If he hears footsteps or someone addresses him directly, he'll smile a little and shrug. "Sometimes a man jes' wants to hear himself think. You're fine. I don't mind the company."
4. Wildcard!
None of the above strike your fancy? Hit me with something else. Just don't expect me to RP any actual card threads. lol
2. Card Sharks in the Waters?
"I'll... uh... fold? Right, fold." She cheerfully tosses a hand that had at least two Aces in it and gets up to join George. Instead of going for the ice chest, she hops up and sits on the counter beside him, kicking her legs gently and grabbing a birthday cake flavored Oreo. "This is fun! I like gambling with cards."
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3!
Frankly, he's nervous, and it's most likely he's already somewhere outside when George sets up. It takes a minute or two for him to casually slide to his side, give a little smile.
"Hey, I-- sorry, don't mean to bother. You're the one who set this up, right? It's, uh, it's nice. Very lively."
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2.
"He's kind of a professional," he explains with a shrug. He picks up a beer and offers it to George. "Do you have card nights a lot where you're from?"
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1.
Like now. All she's wearing is her little flash drive on a necklace. She's brought extra cards and a 12 pack of hard seltzer-likely intended as a sort of peace offering for the inherent unfairness of her being an AI, since she certainly can't drink them.
And if George doesn't stop her, she's gonna waltz in like she owns the place. With no clothes on.
...George should probably stop her.
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crowley | ota
[Ever since humans stepped out of the garden, they've been playing games, with whatever they could get their hands on. Sticks, rocks, bones. And cards, eventually. A million different variations of symbols on pieces of paper, all sorts of patterns and rules and games.
And Crowley's been playing alongside them for just as long.
Not having his powers takes away an advantage, but experience is still experience. He'll occasionally need a refresher on the rules of a particular game, and isn't infallible, by any means. Anything with an element of bluffing, though, is where he does well. Reading people is easy enough, and for anyone that doesn't know him well, he presents a fairly inscrutable façade, especially with the sunglasses (an eye condition, he'll explain to anyone that asks).
He's not a total dick about it, at least. Winning is great, but he knows the point of a game is to have fun. He might even offer a pointer or two to anyone that seems to be having an especially hard time of it.]
You're making it too obvious. You only start counting your chips when you've got a good hand.
→ b
[Beer is all well and good, but it's not Crowley's preferred alcohol of choice.
Which is why he brought a bottle of scotch whiskey and a few handful of ingredients with him, both as a vague attempt at hospitality, and so he could make himself a cocktail or two during the evening.
The latter is more important, really, and he'll end up in the kitchen a handful of times, mixing sugar, bitters, and whiskey in a glass and trying to decide whether he can be arsed to fuss about with the 'orange peel' part of the process.
He looks up when someone else wanders in, and tips his head towards an empty glass.]
Want one? Offer's only good for the next thirty seconds.
[Otherwise he's going to get bored and move on.]
→ wildcard
[Whatever strikes your fancy, I'm easy.]
b
Why is it so complicated?
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a!
I count them every hand! That's how you can't tell. Or, or maybe they're all good hands.
[Martin, no.]
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a
[Malcolm is interested in poker more as an intellectual exercise in psychological warfare than anything else.]
...How much are the blue ones, again? [He holds one up.]
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B
I'd love one, if you don't mind. Thank you.
[His voice is low, rough, raspy with old damage, but his words are thoughtful and proper. He's a big man, well over six feet, but he lingers back from Crowley's space, mindful not to intrude.]
I don't think we've met, formally. Andrew Jaeger.
[Because seeing each other across the room at orienation doesn't really count.]
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b/wildcard-ish
George had invited him here and even offered to teach him some, act as his eyes, but there was still some hesitation. He didn't like being a burden on another's fun. He did like listening to friends and allies having fun, however, and their laughs or shouts fuel the small smile on his face.
When someone approaches, Garner looks up a bit more, listening.]
Your steps are light. You swagger. I don't think I've heard you before.
[His voice is low, soft, and lightly accented like he might be from Crowley's neck of the woods, even if that isn't quite true.]
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Poker, of course, because even though I have no idea how to play Neal is super good at it RIP.
"Deal me in. Please."
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Bucky/Winter | MCU
Winter looks a little apprehensive, kind of hovering outside the door in the hall. He wasn't specifically invited to this. Posters on walls really don't count as an invitation, he thinks. But he knows how to play cards. And he knows George and Nick, both. So he came, and now he's second-guessing himself, because he only sort of knows George and Nick.
He did bring something. It's not a thing most people would think to bring to a poker night, but he brought it anyway, because it's one of the few things he knows how to make that's not overkill or likely to keep people up all night. So he is hovering outside with a very big thermos full of... hot cocoa. Yeah.
Somebody tell him he can come in before it gets cold.
II. Cards
Winter is inordinately good at cards. He can keep track of the deck and people's discards in his head, and make an educated guess as to whether it's likely he'll get certain cards based on what he's seen so far. He can read faces and bodies like he's spent seventy years trying to appease cruel and capricious handlers. And his poker face is impeccable.
He lays down a royal straight, relatively confident he'll take this pot, with a perfectly emotionless face.
III. Mingling
Winter is, however, much less apt at socializing. He kind of loiters around the edges whenever he's not playing cards, holding a mug of the hot cocoa he brought, watching people with a too-intent expression.
He's trying to learn why people do things. So he can get better at being a person. That requires watching them. That means he's staring at you and has been for like three minutes, now, expression like someone who is trying to memorize whatever it is you're doing. Sorry.
i
He's stepped away for some fresh air, a cold beer in his hand mostly just for nostalgia's sake; the c'nataat in his blood gives him immunity to all poisons, recreational ones included. He's taking a sip when he spots the figure at the door. The first thing Ade notices about the man is the thermos in his hands. Second, that one of those hands is made of metal. And finally, as Ade steps towards the door to welcome him in, that the acid scent of human anxiety hangs heavily around him.
Ade's guessing that the other man hadn't expected so many people and is having second thoughts. He stops a respectful distance away, his expression open and amicable.
"Hi," he says. "Are you here for cards?"
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iii
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iii
He'd moved back to his place in the kitchen, a safe spot of low activity where people would occasionally come through and he could speak to them, but keep out of the way. The feeling of being watched goes nearly unnoticed for most of that time...until he turns his face more in the direction it feels like a presence has been...but stationary. He almost missed it in the hustle of everyone else, but something tips him off now. His brows pinch together as he tries to listen harder for a shift in clothing or movement...but the person is nearly statuesque. Like someone used to watching for long periods.
Finally, Garner raises a hand from where they've largely rested across himself and waves vaguely in the presence's direction. Hopefully, he's not waving at...and empty wall or something, that would be embarrassing.
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III. Mingling
"Was I blockin' your way to the ice chest? You can help yourself now," he offers, making sure he's well out of the way.
"You havin' a good time?"
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iii
She's wearing that shirt of his. It's mostly because she was told she had to wear something, but she is wearing it.
"Didn't expect to see you here." He doesn't strike her as the partying type.
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iii
It isn't until Neal has handed the plate off to Malcolm with a kiss and a murmur in his ear that he dares approach the big man. Neal isn't small himself, no, but Winter has so much presence.
"Um... did I take the last of something you wanted? I'm sure Malcolm wouldn't mind sharing."
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Senku Ishigami | OTA
A party was not normally Senku's idea of a good time but he was suddenly alone in a strange place and he needed to meet the people around him that he was expected to work with. Sounded like a lot of work to him, but that was neither here nor there.
A community event was not unfamiliar. He'd attended many over the years, and was used to some level of interaction. Cards was fun, on top of that.
He had in his hands a tupperware container, not for his benefit but to offer the hosts. He'd picked up on some social norms over the years. Also cooking had been relaxing. "I brought mochi. It's just filled with fruit though."
II. Card Shark
Senku was definitely a card shark, and while he could cheat rather blatantly if he wanted to, and with the right opponent he definitely would, he actually wasn't cheating.
Well, outside of card counting, but he couldn't help that. His memory just worked that way, it made it difficult to forget what cards had already been discarded and statistics seemed to be helping him.
He could probably be called out, or even better if someone wanted to cheat against him he'd definitely enjoy the challenge.
III. Hanging Out
If not at the card table, Senku might be more in a corner with snacks and a beer. He wasn't drinking heavily which was good for their hosts, probably, but sipping at the same one he'd gotten since he came in.
A bowl of chips mixed with popcorn and beer was good enough for him. He just was not the most outgoing person. He was fine once he got going, but he tended to flirt with the edges of groups and was fine with that.
IV. Fresh Air
Eventually, it became too much to be in the party and he needed to catch his breath and centre himself. It was a little worse without his buffer around.
Asagiri Gen would've been proud he was making an effort.
He glanced back at the door and away and considered whether or not he should just go at that point.
V. Wildcard
[Senku is available for just about anything here! Hit him up.]
iv
"Are you leaving? I thought you were winning."
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Neal Caffrey (and Malcolm Bright) || OTA || threadjacks welcome
Neal knows all about George and Malcolm's day out. His reaction to the fact that Neal and Malcolm are a couple, and open about it. He's sad for George, really--sad and sympathetic. He'll keep both those things to himself in everything but attitude.
Still, on their way over, Neal suggests to Malcolm that they keep their usual physicality low-key. As though Neal himself doesn't instigate more than half the time. He's got a basket of cheap bottled wine on one arm, and he's letting Malcolm carry the tupperware containers of way-too-fancy-for-poker-night hors d'oeuvres. There's a little bit of everything, from a fish and cracker arrangement to vegan 'sushi.'
He's never going to attend a party without bringing a vegetarian or vegan option. (He misses Abby. A lot.)
Right before they knock, Neal leans over and gives Malcolm a kiss on the temple. "Just because I'm not holding your hand all night doesn't mean I don't want to," he murmurs. He gives Malcolm one more little kiss and raps smartly on the door.
They mingle after arrival, setting up their offerings and seeing who else is there. Close to each other, but not like... glued to each other. They're super casual. It's fine.
II. He's Not a Shark He's Just Good At This Okay
Neal loves cards. All kinds of gambling games, really--he's played, fairly or unfairly, just about every game you can bet money on, from backgammon to mancala to traditional cards. Poker, of course, is a favorite.
He's swept the table for the third time in a row when he decides to take a break, excusing himself with a wink and a grin at one of his surlier table-mates. He can't help himself. Sure, it's not as posh as the poker games he's used to crashing, but it's still much more his element than most of what happens in this place.
He goes over to the a kitchen counter and several bottles of cheap wine he brought along, since his apartment is so close by, scrutinizing his own selections with a critical eye before he picks a red that hasn't been opened yet.
It's a twist top.
Sigh. Such is life. (As though he didn't bring it.)
III. Solo Wandering/Card Tricks
When Malcolm is comfortably established with a friend, Neal circulates the room a little more on his own, looking for new faces to introduce himself to and familiar ones to chat with. If he knows you--or doesn't--he's very likely to approach with an appropriately cheesy pick-up line at the ready. (It's clear the cheesiness, and the related vibe of 'I'm not hitting on you, I promise,' are very intentional.)
At some point, during a break in the game, Neal takes up one of the decks of cards and starts performing card tricks, both sleight-of-hand and literal 'tricks' that involve building castles or hitting targets with a carefully flicked queen of hearts.
He can't help himself. He's dramatic.
IV. Late/Outside
At some point, like several others present, he needs a people break. He loves people. He absolutely does. He loves being around them, loves talking to them, loves getting them to smile and laugh and relax. He's also--even after several months of close living--not really used to it any more. Not on this intimate a level. It's more tiring than it ever used to be. So here he is, out in the hall, or on the patio, or even up on the roof for a few minutes. Gathering his thoughts and wits to return to the front lines of sociability.
I.
“I’ve never been invited to a poker night before,” he confesses.
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III. Card Tricks
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Andrew Jaeger | OTA (will match brackets or prose)
Jaeger is doing his best to be social and friendly with the people around him, considering that at this point they're more than co-workers. They're all stuck in this situation together, and fostering a sense of trust and comfort, well, that's important if they're going to be relying on each other for their lives.
So the big man is present at the party, with a grocery store fruit tray in hand and dressed in as casual a look as he ever manages: jeans, long-sleeved work shirt, boots. The collar of his shirt doesn't quite come up high enough to cover the old, pale scar around his neck, but...well, they're all friends here, right?
He's quick to offer a nod of greeting to familiar faces, and new faces will get a moment of consideration, of sizing-up with faded blue-gray eyes, before a polite, "I'm sorry, I don't think we've met? Orientation aside, I mean."
2. At the Table
Jaeger is, under most conditions, a good card player. He's thoughtful, meticulous, and quick to read the tells of those at the table around him. However, there's no supernatural advantage there, just the occasional wise moves on a good hand.
On the other hand, though, he knows when he's swimming with sharks. And he's amiable enough about it when his chips are gone, content to sit back from the table and take a break when luck has been a little less than favorable for him. He's keeping with his usual habit of nursing a couple of beers over the course of the evening, keeping his head clear, but he's comfortable with it, content to absorb the company in his own quiet way.
3. Outside/After the Party
Jaeger doesn't have far to go to get home, being in the next apartment over from George and Nick's. But for a little while both during and after the event, he can be found leaning against the wall outside, just taking in the fresh air and keeping alert eyes on the surroundings. He's got a flashlight with him, the kind of heavy steel Maglight that could deliver a beating in a pinch, and he paces slowly outside the apartment with the deliberate step of someone used to patrolling.
Just making sure everything is okay, and that everyone gets to where they're going safely.
After the Party
Eventually, however, he reaches his limit, finds George and Nick to thank them both briefly, and slips outside. He loved people, but he was...out of practice. There's a familiar height and build with a familiar gait pacing outside and Garner hesitates just by the door with a small smile in Jaeger's direction. "Is there a password for passing, road-watcher?"
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Argh, this notif got buried. Sorry!
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aziraphale | ota
Card nights have never historically been his Thing as far as attended social gatherings run, so getting into games is not overall where he lands. Things that do fall into his wheelhouse as the night goes on include:
- Making a beeline for familiar faces to say hello again and maybe see how they're doing.
- Making a separate beeline for unfamiliar faces to introduce himself properly, because he's never not on that manners grind. He likes people, generally speaking. Getting to know them, learning a bit about what their deal is. He already loves them objectively, but he knows well enough to keep that to himself.
(Sometimes an angel can be a person with broad "relative who maybe saw you in your infancy once, now turned up randomly at a reunion 20+ years later and is sincerely very interested to hear about your university major or how you had to change your cat's food brand" energy.)
- Using a spare deck of cards for a) a tiny card house, or b) to shuffle in the manner of someone who learned magic tricks a couple of centuries ago and hasn't really bothered with practicing since then.
- Or, occasionally, if Crowley is on a particularly sparkling win streak at some game or another, and if it seems like the people at that table are amenable, using one of his routine "is the only person at this party I'm properly familiar with still safe and accounted for" check-ins to be a little bit of a bastard. Namely in that he'll wander past and maybe....... offer the rest of the table some sort of gesture regarding the state of Crowley's hand. For a treat.
His card opinions are purely subjective but he's out here doing his best. ]
((i'm honestly up for wildcards/whatever tho, this is just a general little thing!))
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Not that it's Malcolm's scene, but being part of A Guys' Night sort of event is fun, even if literally everyone was invited.
"Have you tried any of the games? Do you want a drink?"
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