[ OPEN ] Games & Good Company

[dreamstick]

Characters: OPEN
Location: Casualty Communal 12E - Lau's Apartment
Rating: PG
Time: February 28, 8 PM onward
Description: The time has come for Lau's game night! All are welcome for a round or two (or more) of mahjong, cards, or just to have a drink and some food. Don't forget to bring a dish to share- And some alcohol, if you plan to drink yourself.

---

Lau's apartment at the Casualty Communal had been rearranged to accommodate his guests for the evening. The couch and chairs had been pushed so their backs were to the window, the coffee table set with several packs of cards and a box of poker chips. The TV and desk had been pushed into the corner to allow space for two square folding tables and four chairs for each, one set with a jumble of mahjong tiles and the other awaiting its game- And even with the additional furniture, he'd left enough space for people to sit at the counter as if it were a bar, facing the space he had left open for food and drinks from his guests. He had set out dumplings, as promised, a kettle on the stove for tea, and a few bottles of juice and various alcohols- vodka, table wine, brandy.

As eight o' clock approached, Lau finally stood back to appreciate his work, smiling as he paced between the tables to make sure there would be enough space for his guests to move around. Everything was just the way he liked, and so he moved to prop open the door, humming a soft tune before pouring himself a drink.

Tonight was going to be fascinating, especially with the medley of people he'd met on his post regarding the event. Nothing could really compare to a night of gambling and the company of others- Especially in the event that said company could be of use to him in this city.

{{ ooc; A few threads for specific areas in the apartment are being set up, but you can post your own thread if you would like! Post the time in your subject line, so poeple know who they're meeting when, but otherwise just have a good time. ♥ }}

Comments

Beginning of the evening

[proudambassador]

Londo is here for a game... but he has never, ever been one to turn down food or drink. Especially drink. It only makes life more bearable. He sets down what he'd brought, the free stuff afforded to those who don't have a job, and he starts mixing what's there to make something interesting.

"There is nothing like experimentation, yes? In this, that is." He grins at the person nearest him as he asks, filling his glass.

[shiromadoushi]

Bakura had brought a box of anpan with him to share and had been setting it down when he caught sight of the chemistry set concoction being mixed together and paused, blinking. "...Do all those mix together well...?" he asked, utterly curious. Not that he knew anything about alcohol, however...

[proudambassador]

"But of course." Londo chuckles. "Would you like to try some?" He takes a quick sip and nods, grinning as he feels the burn. For him to feel it, there has to be something very strong in the mix. "It is like living, yes? Do try." He holds his cup out toward Bakura.

[shiromadoushi]

"Aaaa... no thank you..." Bakura held up his hands slightly on reflex, looking oh so awkward. "That sort of thing... I really shouldn't."

[proudambassador]

"No? You do not like it? It is entirely safe to drink." He pauses. "I mean, it will not kill you." That's an important distinction, he feels. "And it may even make this evening the most glorious of your life thus far, hm?"

[shiromadoushi]

"Aaaa..." Bakura rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't know... I've never had anything like that before... I don't think I'd do so well if I did, really...!"

[proudambassador]

"A sip. That will not be so bad, hm? And then you can decide if you like it. One sip cannot, as the humans say, mess you down, yes? And you can decide if you like it!" He holds out the glass, offering again. "This is the last offer, for then I will be selfish and enjoy it all to myself if you do not try it."

[shiromadoushi]

... this happened to him far too often, Bakura reflected as he looked at the glass, trying to debate if it would be rude to refuse again when the offer had been repeated. As long as it was just a sip....?

He nodded. "If you insist..."

He was still very hesitant as he accepted, taking the tiniest of sips--

-- and trying not to let the reaction to the unholy concoction show on his face as he held the glass back out. It was still a rather comical face that betrayed the fact that he was wholly unused to any sort of alcohol, never mind anything strong. Trying to keep from coughing was another battle he felt he was going to swiftly loose...

[proudambassador]

"Well?" Londo asked as he took the cup back and brought it to his own lips for another sip. Then he saw the expression on Bakura's face. That was a sort of answer in itself.

"Do not tell me you have never had a good drink before. That, it would be a shame." He looked over the table. "Here. We will start with weaker, and build you up, yes? Soon, you will be good at drinking."

[shiromadoushi]

"Aaa..." Bakura faltered, looking rather unsure. "I-- I don't know if..." he trailed off.

[proudambassador]

"If? If what?" He didn't understand the doubt on the young man's face at all. "It is one of the finer things in life! It makes life worth it, yes? Come, what flavors do you like?"

[shiromadoushi]

It it were at all a good idea... but in the face of such direct encouragement... he wasn't as if he could just refuse...

"Aaaa... I-- I don't know, I've never...."

He was feeling still very uneasy about the whole thing.

[proudambassador]

"Speak. Say what you mean. Myself, I am no telepath." He chuckled. "And if I were, this place, it would have taken it away, yes? So speak and then the words, they will be out. The stuttering, it helps no one. Not you, and not me." Londo took another drink, feeling like he was acting rather benevolently.

[shiromadoushi]

As if it were just so easy....

"I've just never..." Again, he faltered. He had such a problem just saying no... "Never had any drink like that before. I don't know if it's such a good idea..."

[proudambassador]

"It is tasty. It is not poisonous except in vast quantities and you are not going to consume vast quantities, yes? New things, they are good to try. Do not be scared. There are many here; it is not an unsafe place." Londo eyed the bottles and found a 'cooler' with a low percentage of alcohol. Picking it up, he held it out to the boy. "Here. This, it is weak."

[shiromadoushi]

This was a bad idea. Bakura knew this was a bad idea. But when this person offered over and over... there was no way he could refuse without being rude...

Almost timidly, he took the bottle, eyeing it as if it were full of something far more toxic than it was. "You're sure...?" he asked, looking over the label. 4% alcohol... that didn't seem that strong... he hoped.

[proudambassador]

"Am I sure? Sure of what? That it is tasty? Yes. That it is not poisonous, yes. That you are not going to suddenly decide to drink barrels of the stuff, no. You are being a very confusing young man and so it is hard to say what you will do, hm?" He gestured at the bottle. "That, I am certain is very weak. It is weaker than what I had, when I started."

[shiromadoushi]

Considering how strong the concoction he had been handed to try before had been, that wasn't especially reassuring either...

Well. Maybe he could just do like he had with Yamazaki's sake and just... not really drink much of it. That way he'd still be being polite, right?

Still a bit hesitant, he carefully poured himself a very small glass.

[proudambassador]

Londo made a tutting noise as Bakura showed far too much restraint, but it was the boy's choice.

"Now, we toast," he held out his glass, "and then, we drink. To your continued good health, and to mine, yes?"

[shiromadoushi]

...and with a toast like that, there was no way he could get away with just a sip...

He nodded, raising his glass. "Un, to our good health!"

He braced himself as he emptied the glass, doing his best not to have his face react to the burning taste that even something that light held.

...and wound up still coughing, much to his utter embarrassment.

[proudambassador]

Londo shook his head. "Have you never sipped a drink? You do not chug when it is not a shot, no. You drink it slowly, and enjoy the taste. And then, there is no coughing, hm?"

He demonstrated, taking a sip of his drink instead of the longer gulps he'd been enjoying. "That, it is how you do it. Try it again, hm?"

[shiromadoushi]

"Aaa.. I thought..." Bakura trailed off. "You don't drain it for a toast...?"

[proudambassador]

"Not a casual one, no." He chuckled. "At an official event, like a wedding, then, then you drain it. When it is just you and another friend you go with the speed you wish, yes? There is no need to skip the flavor and rush when you are relaxing."

[shiromadoushi]

"Aaa... I didn't realize." Bakura scratched at his cheek awkwardly. He'd only ever seen people do toasts at official things... or movies.

But at least that meant sipping would still be polite! That was helpful!

[proudambassador]

"So how are you taking it, hm? You do not feel too warm, or uncomfortable? Beyond the coughing, of course." He didn't need to speak further about the boy's actions; it was clear now what to do in the future. "The taste, it is pleasant?"