(Open Log) You gotta know when to hold 'em

[bindlestifflost]

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.))

Comments

[bloodalwaystells]

Jaeger returns the smile with something faintly self-conscious, but amused nonetheless.

"I'm right next door, and I really should be doing my best to meet people," he says. There's no offense taken, the big man's shoulders relaxed as they ever get and his posture easy as he glances around the room. Watchful, but not straining with it. A beer or two and he might actually relax completely!

"I think 'The Office' has become a new sort of normal for us, with the way things are around here. It's such a huge part of this town." This world, this existence. "It's good to step away from that, though. I'm glad to have the chance.

"How have things been going for you? The past few months have been...very involved." Translation: kind of horrible.

[conning]

Very involved. Neal smiles crookedly.

"I'm... okay, actually. Mostly. Do you know Malcolm Bright?"

[bloodalwaystells]

Jaeger is choosing his words carefully when it comes to ADI's less-wholesome activities. Not just for the sake of delicate sensibilities, but also because he doesn't want to talk about burning bodies or carnivorous mind-controlling phone cases in detail if he doesn't have to.

Discretion is the better part of not ruining the night.

The mention of Malcolm gets a slight nod, a brighter subject to discuss, and Jaeger goes with iht. "We've talked a little, though I don't know him well. He seems pleasant enough, if a bit intense." A look of question follows it, because there's surely a reason that Neal is bringing him up.

[conning]

Neal grins at that, pleased and proud and not entirely able to explain to himself why he feels the latter. "He's intense, yeah. Intensely kind, intensely smart--we're seeing each other."

He practically interrupts himself with the last statement.

[bloodalwaystells]

Jaeger's eyebrows rise slightly, but he smiles and gives a polite incline of his head. Being able to find some happiness in this entire Gloucester situation? He really can't fault anyone for that.

"Congratulations, then. I hope it's working out well for you so far."

[conning]

"It has, yeah." Neal smiles in Malcolm's direction, then pulls his attention back to Jaeger. "What about you? Getting along particularly well with anyone in our little pool of weirdness?"

[bloodalwaystells]

He really does wish them the best, even if he's not always sure what to make of Malcolm. Happiness is a rare and valuable thing, though, and if someone happens to find it? Good for them.

That draws a small, rueful laugh from Jaeger.

"I don't think I would even know where to begin, honestly." He gestures a little hopelessly. "I think I spend too much time at work to really be considered much of a catch, and it's been so long since I've even thought about it..."

It's said with quiet, self-deprecating humor and 100% sincerity.

[conning]

The wheels in Neal's head are already turning. He sips at his terrible wine thoughtfully. "I wonder how people would feel about a mixer of some kind. Speed dating, only for forming acquaintances."

[bloodalwaystells]

Jaeger's eyebrows hike a little higher. He's honestly got no idea how to feel about that, though more social events certainly can't be a bad thing, something to relieve stress and foster...something like community.

Speed-dating, though? That's just this side of terrifying.

"I think we could use more events for simply relaxing, and getting to know each other." There, that's totally diplomatic. "We've had some...mixed luck in the past, but smaller get-togethers have gone better." He gestures lightly to indicate the current surroundings. "I'm not sure how dating would go, but perhaps, like you said, something more social without expectations."

[conning]

"Maybe we can organize a rotating schedule, so different people host a monthly get together at different times. That way nobody is stuck doing it the whole time."

He scratches his chin, making a mental note to put something on the network about it. "Good way to check in and see who's still here more regularly, too."

That last part is a little quieter, half to himself.

[bloodalwaystells]

Jaeger nods soberly, because he hasn't missed the high rate of disappearances here, either. He's made note of it when possible, what faces show up at orientation only to be gone from the next meeting.

He doesn't always catch the names, but he does notice.

The idea of more organized socializing, however, is a positive one, and he's going to keep the topic on that, the better to keep the jovial atmosphere of the evening intact. "I think that's a good idea. And different sorts of things, to appeal to different interests. Perhaps a movie one night, games another." He smiles a little. "Good for those of us who've mostly forgotten how to have fun, and need the practice to get back into it."