Gals and Non-Binary Pals Night!

[bossyboiler]

Who: The hottest group of people you know!
When: Thursday Night!
Where: A dance club downtown, complete with a light up dance floor.
Summary: All of the gals and non-binary pals have been invited. Now it's time for them to enjoy a much needed night on the town. DRINKING GAME ALERT! Spot Winter, take a shot.
Notes: This is a mix and mingle style log. Post your own top-level, respond to others.
Warnings: N/A at the moment, will update if needed.

They are all dressed up and ready to party.

On this evening of Gals and Non-Binary Pals, Yelena has picked the starting bar. She's picked a straight up dance club called Frenzy. It looks fun. The dancefloor lights up with the rhythm of the music. The drinks are overpriced but the shots are fun.

And when everyone has to take the bus to get there, there's no need for a designated driver.

Comments

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[clavesregni]

[Caitlyn's not even sure why she came. Maybe it's the novelty of the thing - she never would have been invited on a girls' night back home. The closest she's come is being dragged along to a gala. She never really drinks except when she had something from her parents' liquor cabinet after dinner. The only dances she knows are formal dances that she's never enjoyed. And this music is... "Loud" is the kindest word can think of for it.

So she's lurking on the outskirts of the gathering, watching other people have fun and feeling very much the social outsider that she did back home, despite knowing that here, at least, she'd be welcome to join in if she wanted.

Oddly, it makes her homesick.

When she spots Rue, also on their own, she makes her way over to them.]

Is that good? [she asks tentatively, gesturing towards their drink.]

[ruevealing]

[Loud is certainly one way to describe it! Nothing in the faerie realm quite compares to the bass-boosted shrieking of the speakers in this tiny club, along with the rowdy crowd drunkenly trying to sing along.]

Oh! Caitlyn!

[And even in the dim of the club, there's no missing the way Rue's normally neutral expression brights at seeing the woman. It's nice to meet some new friends tonight, but seeing a familiar face is even more of a delight.]

It's quite nice! [They hold out the glass, filled with some neon blue concoction.] It reminds me of the beach in the summer sun.

[And because they are friends, Rue pushes the glass towards her.] Care to try? I'll happily share!

[clavesregni]

Oh. Um.

[It's the polite thing to do, and the beach in summer does sound nice, so she smiles and picks up the drink.]

Thank you.

[It's surprisingly sweet. And it does remind her of a summery ocean breeze - there's something salty and bright about it.]

That is quite good. What's in it?

[ruevealing]

I believe it was coconut rum mixed with some kind of vodka. Blue raspberry, perhaps? It's a touch stronger than what I normally drink, but it's delightful.

[It's new to Rue, to drink out in public like this, after a lifetime of worrying too much about their glamour accidentally dropping to reveal the owlbear beneath. But this isn't a spell anymore, but some strange form of ADI-technology. Rue couldn't drop their disguise even if they wanted to - which they most absolutely do - so a little public drinking shouldn't be an issue this time.

Hopefully.]

You do not need to stay back from the crowd on my account, my friend. If you wish to dance with the rest of them.

[clavesregni]

[She's never had vodka before, she's never even heard of it. It sounds like something they'd drink up in the Freljord, but it tastes like something that could only have been concocted in some warm, tropical place.

She smiles and hands it back.]

I've never been much of a dancer. I'm afraid the only dances I know are quite formal.

[ruevealing]

[Rue accepts the drink back with a smile.]

Ah, we have that in common! The only non-formal dance I am acquainted with is the Cha-Cha Slide and I don't believe that quite fits the tone of this club.

[Though it might not stop someone in the crowd from trying anyway.]

I do love dancing, though, even if my form does not necessarily make it very convenient to try. The balls I've thrown in the past have been a touch more accessible than this tiny club.

[clavesregni]

If you love it, you ought to give it a try.

[She hasn't the faintest clue what the Cha Cha Slide is, or why it wouldn't fit the tone, but Rue shouldn't be sitting on the sidelines if they'd enjoy dancing.]

[ruevealing]

[Just wait for Rue to get a few more drinks under them and they'll be all too happy to teach Caitlyn exactly how to Cha Cha Slide.

Their large, deep eyes blink a little owlishly, before Rue is bowing their head, maybe just a touch self-conscious.]

There isn't enough room for me. I'd hate to frighten any of those from outside of ADI if I unintentionally brushed against them. I've been given very explicit instructions to keep my real form hidden, no exceptions.

[clavesregni]

That's no reason for you to have to sit on the sidelines all night. Come on, we'll find a spot that's open.

[She holds out her hand to Rue. If it's to make a friend happy, she'll get out on the dance floor.]

You can show me how to do the Cha Cha Slide.

[ruevealing]

[Oh.

Caitlyn holds out a hand and Rue preens beneath their glamour, feathers fluffing up in delight, a happy trill falling from their beak. For how othered they were made to feel back home, it is simply astonishing how quick the people here have been to accept Rue's true form.

It's only a small hesitation, brought only by their happy surprise, before Rue is settling their large, taloned paw into the woman's hand.]

I would be delighted to.

[clavesregni]

[Caitlyn pulls Rue out onto the dance floor, finding a corner where there are fewer people and hopefully enough space for Rue to move around without jostling anyone, and smiles at them.]

Now, how does this dance go, exactly?

[ruevealing]

It helps when there's music to accompany it - the lyrics themselves are actually instructional movements to go along with the dance - but here, let me show you.

[And look, as long as Caitlyn is going to listen and dance around with them, Rue is going to be happy to show her every 'Take it back now, y'all' and 'Now it's time to get funky's.]

[clavesregni]

[Caitlyn dances along to Rue's instructions with the grace of someone who was taught ballroom dancing from a very young age and the intense awkwardness of someone who never even realized it was possible to do a dance that didn't have a promenade step or reverse fleckeryll in it.

She does every hop and clap as precisely as possible, more concerned with getting it right than having fun.]

Is this correct?

when i tell you i adore caitlyn with all of my heart

[ruevealing]

[Oh. The way that Caitlyn holds herself, the practiced grace of her movements, the high expectation that she sets for herself - well, it reminds Rue entirely of their fiancé. How many times had Hob been so much more worried for the precision of his movements than enjoying the moment he was in?

Rue just can't let that happen for Caitlyn, not after the woman so kindly pulled them from their lonely spot on the sidelines.]

Almost. Here.

[And it has nothing to do with the Cha Cha Slide, but Rue takes the woman's hands in their glamoured paws, dragging her into a casual sway of a dance.]

You are thinking too much of the movements. Shake some of that out with me.

right back at you with Rue, they are an absolute precious bean of an owlbear

[clavesregni]

[Reluctantly, Caitlyn takes Rue's paws, unsure of this new development. She tries to relax into it, just swaying a bit to the music. This is... not how dancing is supposed to go. Is it meant to just be relaxing and fun?

Thinking too much. She's always doing that, isn't she?

She gives Rue a rueful smile.]

I'm afraid I never learned not to think too much.

[ruevealing]

[Somehow, Rue knows exactly how that feels.]

Fortunately, you have all the time in the world to learn. And I shall help you however I can.

[If a gentle sway is all that Caitlyn can build up to now, Rue is more than happy to go right along with her, swaying to the tempo of the song, giving her hands gentle, reassuring squeezes, and once the music picks up a bit maybe adding a little more wiggle to their movements.]

My fiancé used to have the same problem of overthinking. The first time we ever danced, he was so much more focused on the movement of his feet than the fact we were dancing together. But with practice, he was able to find the joy in simply being.

[clavesregni]

[Caitlyn keeps swaying, trying not to think about her movements. When the music picks up, she tries to follow the tempo, but realizes she's thinking again. And now she's thinking about how much she's thinking, so she just goes back to sort of swaying and trying not to worry too much about what her feet are doing.]

I didn't realize you were engaged. Congratulations.

[ruevealing]

[Perhaps a touch more alcohol might be necessary for this exercise to really work.]

Thank you. [And even though their glamoured expression never quite lights up as much as their true, feathery one does, Rue still looks joyful, beaming gently under the dim lighting of the bar.] We were engaged before this place, I was quite lucky to arrive with him.

Is there anyone from your home that arrived here with you?

[clavesregni]

[There's a flash of something across Caitlyn's face that she can't quite control, a feeling she couldn't name even if she were so inclined. Melancholy, maybe. Exhaustion. Relief that no one she loves is trapped in a strange world far away from everyone and everything they've ever known.

She gives Rue a little smile, trying to keep the mood light, but the smile doesn't reach her eyes.]

No one.

[She desperately misses her mum and dad, she desperately misses Jayce, and... Her thoughts keep straying every so often, even after all this time, to a girl she knew ever so briefly. She had Vi for all of a few days, a week at most, and still it feels as though she has a weight that settles a little deeper in her chest every time she thinks of her.]

Tell me about your fiancé. [She'd rather not dwell on her own woes. She'd rather be happy for her friend.] What's he like, apart from his habit of overthinking dancing?

[ruevealing]

[Ah, Rue can recognize when they've said the wrong thing. Their brows pinch just barely, lips pursing together as their paw gently squeezes the woman's hand.

They hope their apology can be felt, even if it feels as if it would be most tactless to speak such words aloud. Clearly, Caitlyn would prefer if they did not.]

Ah, well! His name is Hob. He was a Major in his former court's military, a war hero of some great esteem across all of Faerie. So much of his life has been dedicated in service to his king and kin, that our lives here in this land have opened up so many new opportunities for him. It's been lovely to see.

[And just a touch softer, between them, Rue's chin tipping down as they sway.]

He's honorable and good and most of his jokes are endearingly bad, but I have never cared for anyone the way I care for him. I know this place can be horrifying and traumatic, but we have found peace here that we never would have back home. I'm grateful for it.

[clavesregni]

[Caitlyn feels that gentle squeeze of her hands and takes it for what it is. She's not upset, really. Certainly not with Rue. It's easy enough to remind her of everything she doesn't have in this world, and Rue couldn't have known.]

He sounds like a wonderful man. I knew someone like that, once. Someone honorable and good who dedicated herself to military service. To protect people. [There's still a hint of melancholy in her voice, but this sorrow isn't fresh. Grayson died long before Caitlyn found herself in this world.] She didn't make bad jokes, though. I'm not sure she knew how to joke at all.

[A soft smile.] People like that are rare, I've found.

[ruevealing]

Truly, they are. I believe we are both most lucky to know them.

[Even without knowing the full extent of the history there, Rue can tell the sadness there is deep enough to not simply have been separated by ADI. They hope the pair can be reunited again someday.]

Well! [A little forced brightness, just to change the energy between them.] I think, if you are agreeable, that we should get another round of drinks.

[clavesregni]

Yes, lets. [She can sense Rue's desire for a change of subject, and easily goes along with it.

She drops her hands from Rue's paws and starts making her way back towards the bar.]

I do find that the drinks here aren't nearly so good as the ones back home. [Apparently whiskey that doesn't cost its weight in gold isn't nearly as tasty. Though Caitlyn is only an occasional drinker, she misses her parents' liquor cabinet.]

[ruevealing]

[Look, sometimes you are at a clubs with all of your friends and the very last thing you want to do is make someone cry, so instead, drinks!]

IS that right? Are there any that you enjoy? I would be happy to buy you one.

[clavesregni]

Oh, no, please, don't concern yourself.

[She leans in a little closer, so hopefully no one around them will hear her.]

I suspect the quality of the ingredients in this world is lesser than in mine.