the grand opening of the raccoon room

[royalfling]

Who: YOU AND YOUR BEST BUDS
What: The Grand Opening of the Raccoon Room
When: October 31st
Where: The Raccoon Room in Cellar Door

Content Warnings: N/A for now

Welcome to the Raccoon Room! Code

You find a green door on a townhouse nestled in the middle of a long, cute cobblestoned street. There's a raccoon logo emblazoned on the door. When you enter, you're greeted by sumptuous green velvet drapery, a marble statue of a familiar looking guy with devil horns on his head, and surly ticket taker (Mako, rather unhappily wearing a Victorian style vampire outfit, including vampire fangs) who will make sure that you're paying your fair share for your ticket. That's either a nice rock, a nice shell, or a beautiful feather. If you don't have anything that's worth the right amount, he'll ask for more, or give you drink tickets if you over paid. Does Mako know what makes a feather beautiful? Who knows. It's all subjective here.

You enter the venue through heavy velvet curtains. The light is dim, there are tables scattered everywhere with plush chairs and flickering candles. It's a large room, but it feels intimate. You find a seat, get a drink, or take a look around.

At 8:00pm sharp, the show begins, with Wu, dressed in his grown, flowering top hat, made by Fern, and an impeccable green tuxedo with tails, a gold cape and fake vampire teeth, takes the mic.

"Welcome, welcome to the Raccoon Room! I'm so, so, so glad that you're all here. Things are dreary and dangerous outside, but in here, sit back, relax, and enjoy yourselves."

And with that, he waves the first performer on.

Throughout the night, you'll see Scorpia and Zari Tarazi sing, Fritter (Wu's raccoon omen) and Pabu the fire ferret perform tricks, and the headliner, Ryan Akagi of Chicken Choice Judy, rock out. Wu comes up between the sets and vamps, makes jokes, and applauds the performers, adding plugs to come talk to him if you want to perform.

Over at the bar, Mako's moved on from taking tickets to making drinks. You can order any old beer, wine, or cocktail, or the Jade Dragon, a speciality absinthe cocktail Mako created for the Raccoon Room.

Feel free to top level, make your own night of it! Your esteemed host will be a bit preoccupied, but this space is for Sleepers to come, enjoy themselves, and mingle.

If your character wants to perform, let Wu know.

Comments

Mako | taking tickets, bartending, and generally being a proud boyfriend | ota

[arclightning]

1. tickets

[ Mako is, indeed, decked out in a very frilly vampire costume. He's parked himself at the front of the theater, and while Wu has instructed him to be nice and let people in, there's no way he's letting people in without enough of a contribution. This is a fancy place! They have a lot of sconces! That costs... if not money, then definitely fancy feathers and rocks and stuff, even if Mako might squint at your entry fee for a long moment, trying to figure out if it's fancy enough. Maybe you can sell him on it?

Alcohol is also accepted. ]

2. behind the bar

[ For the rest of the night, Mako parks himself firmly behind the bar, sans fangs. He's not the best bartender on the planet—for one, he doesn't really chat with people, although he'll certainly listen—but he's decent, and the drinks are good. If you order a fancy enough drink, he might set it on fire before he serves it to you, grinning to himself in satisfaction.

Occasionally, a little red dragon head pops up from behind the bar and lights a drink for you. Zuko is also wearing a tiny little cape that flows down her long, scaled back. She'll push drinks down the bar and ferry empty glasses back to Mako and also, occasionally, poke her nose into your drink for a little sip. Don't mind her! She's very cute, so you obviously can't hold it against her.

Every once in a while—during the interstitials, when Wu is on stage, full of energy and life, Mako can be caught watching him up there with a soft, proud smile on his face. He'll cough and look over at you if he's caught, his cheeks flushing a quiet blue. ]

What? He's doing a great job. Should've seen him try to make a speech.

3. after the show

[ The show goes on for a while, and Mako stays behind the bar as long as he possibly can, but eventually, when the night has grown long and the moon is finally sinking redly below the buildings outside, he emerges to congratulate any of the performers left and start cleaning up.

And, you know. Escort you from the building if you're too drunk to move. Time to go! They have a theater to clean! ]

1

[notimeforfailure]

Good evening, ticketmaster.

[A substantially-sized cart appears in the doorway, its contents veiled by a heavy black cloth. Behind it stands a girl who has, in light of the unfortunate events of the last month, committed to wearing both an elegant bird mask and elaborate face paint simultaneously.

The person in the stuffy vampire costume is clearly Mako. In the spirit of fancy-pants high society fraternization, Lysithea will feign ignorance.]

I believe this suffices as my entry fee.

[arclightning]

[ Mako cannot express how much he appreciates that feigned ignorance, even though he's putting on absolutely no airs about this at all. Wu can get as fancy and into it as he likes: Mako is going to take tickets and make drinks and put out fires as they crop up and generally do his best to make this opening run smoothly.

Including, in this case, hurrying to one side to tug the door open wider for Lysithea. ]

Yeah, yeah, you're good, obviously—how much did you bring? Did Wu pay for all this?

[notimeforfailure]

Just one cake.

[Lysithea murmurs as she lifts up the cloth and moves aside a cover to reveal a sneak peek of an extraordinarily grand specimen of a cake. In diameter, it measures approximately a foot, with two carefully balanced tiers.]

Wu approved the plans I sent earlier this week - in exchange for a ticket and drinks.

[She's probably operating at a net loss here, but they're her friends. And if her work impresses some potential customers tonight, she'll consider it an investment.]

[arclightning]

This is worth way more than a ticket and drinks.

[ As your quasi-accountant, Lysithea, Mako cannot accept this!

Even though he's absolutely going to, and really just moves to make sure that her path is clear. ]

Come on, we need to get that thing out of the way. Someone's going to... I don't know. Fall on it, or something, how long did that take?

[notimeforfailure]

It's worth exactly what I think it is. It's my cake.

[She sniffs and replaces the cover and the cloth, wheeling it forward through the entryway and into the narrow space beyond.]

It doesn't actually take that much longer. It was a challenging project, but you just scale up the ingredients in the batter. The real issue is making sure it bakes evenly - and finding the right-sized pans.

[The real real issue is that she has no immediate plans to make any more foot-sized cakes, so she's never using those pans again.]

It's less a matter of time and more a matter of ingredients.

I hear you're responsible for the drinks tonight, though? If you're concerned, you can make me something appropriate.

[Something extremely sweet with no hint of alcohol at all.]

2!

[lightinside]

[ Laurel bides her time until the bar is quiet before going over to introduce herself to Mako. Based on Wu's description of him, she immediately knows who he is. She takes a seat the bar, offering Mako a smile. ]

Hey. Mako, right? Wu might have mentioned me or not, if he didn't have the time, but that's fine. I'm Laurel.

[arclightning]

[ Mako had hoped that this night would be a success. Wu's been on tenterhooks for days now, a flurry of frantic energy and late-night crises about the amount of glassware they have (enough) and whether or not the curtain should go down between each act (no) and whether everyone is expecting actual dinner or just treats (they can fuck off as far as Mako's concerned; they get what they get). Mako's had to calm him down and finish last-minute touches, and it's actually kind of nice to just be behind the bar in a familiar rhythm learned in Deerington, serving drinks.

Even though he really does appreciate the break. Zari's on stage right now and most people have settled back in to watch, which means it's mostly just them.

And Mako definitely recognizes her from the name alone, because Wu had in fact told him, "Laurel, she's a lawyer, Mako! Isn't that cool? Although, I'm not sure how much work she'll have here. Sort of like you and the whole detective gig. Maybe you guys can bond over that!"

Also because he's very possible he learned to bartend in the first place from her sister back in Deerington.

Either way, he snorts, shaking his head at Wu's words and leans on the bar for a second, meeting Laurel's eyes. ]

That's me. You're the lawyer, right? Wu thought we'd get along because our jobs are boring?

[lightinside]

[ She can't help laughing at that before giving him a nod. ]

Yep, I'm the lawyer. For the record, I don't think our jobs are boring -maybe the paperwork part is. Anyway, I am glad that Wu gave you a heads up about me. [ Laurel smiles. ] We didn't talk a lot over the network, but he seems like a nice guy.

[ Plus, he had some nice things to say about Mako, but Laurel is leaving that part out. ]

My dad is a cop back home. Captain now.

[arclightning]

He's something alright.

[ There is a decent amount of gruff affection dripping from those words, and Mako looks over at the left wing of the stage as he says it, where Wu's swaying to Zari's music looking enraptured.

Nope, wait, focus on Laurel, her dad is a cop and that's cool and definitely not boring. Mako leans a little closer, flashing her a real, if small, smile. ]

Definitely don't miss the paperwork. Captain's impressive, though—I was hoping to get there one day back home, but didn't actually want Beifong to retire yet. Must've taken a lot of work for him to get there. I, uh, haven't actually done any detective work in a while.

[ A beat. ]

The cats kind of had it covered in the dream.

[ ....which sounds like a deeply weird thing to say, so Mako coughs, a little awkwardly, and straightens up. ]

Can I get you anything?

[lightinside]

[ Okay. Laurel is beginning to think there's something going on between Mako and Wu. Which is nice if there is. She's all for people finding happiness.

Wu did mention that Mako had a good jawline and now that she has seen Mako look his way, her suspicions may be right here. ]

My dad has been on the force a while so he had to work his way up to Captain - wasn't easy, but I'm very proud of him. I did consider joining the force once. He wasn't happy about that.

[ At the mention of the cats, Laurel looks amused. ]

A guy already told me about the cats and yeah, it's weird.

[ It will never not be weird. ]

Do you just have soda? I don't drink alcohol.

3

[royalfling]

Hey there, stranger.

[ The show's over, and Wu has finally left the stage area to lean on the bar, smiling at Mako. He could have looked over here during the show, but that made him more nervous, so he didn't look at Mako at all. But now it's over, and it was a success (he thinks) and he can flirt with his boyfriend all he wants. ]

[arclightning]

[ The bar is emptying out, finally, which is the only reason Mako feels comfortable enough to smile back, already reaching for one of the fancy cut-glass coup-glasses he got to make Wu a celebratory cocktail. ]

Hey yourself. Nice job up there. You really sounded like you'd been doing this forever.

[royalfling]

[ Wu laughs, bright and easy, leaning in a little more, kicking his feet on the other side of the bar. He watches Mako work, and it just feels so right, to be here with him, to have mostly moved past the awful things he was thinking, about himself, about Mako. They were a construct of this place, not fully his own, but not not his own feelings.

But Mako's still here, still helping him. Still with him, wants to be there. ]

You think? Thank you! It was so, so fun and so much less scary than giving a speech. I guess it isn't public speaking I don't like, but giving political pronouncements!

[arclightning]

Shocking.

[ Mako flashes him a little grin and pauses for a second to shake the fuck out of the very fancy cocktail shaker he and Bolin found. The resulting mixture is a little greener than the version he first tested on Wu and Ryan, more vibrant, and Mako even goes so far as to top it with a little curl of mint because Wu did a great job and deserves something fancy.

It was hard not to look at him up there, really. He'd been so in his element, flushed and laughing, clearly buoyed by the energy of the crowd. Wu-the-emcee is nothing like Wu-the-politician, unsure and scripted and stilted. This was, maybe, Wu at his best. It was a little entrancing.

He doesn't so much push the cocktail across the bar as lean close to hand it to Wu, letting their fingers brush. As soon as he's holding it, Mako glances sideways and stretches over to dark wood to kiss him, quick and firm. ]

Proud of you.

[royalfling]

[ Wu follows after him, face flushed and happy, reveling in those three words. Mako believing in him isn't new, exactly, but it still takes him by surprise, a little. There was a time, really not that long ago, where Mako didn't think Wu was good for much of anything, and if Wu is honest with himself, that's part of why he's trying so hard here. He remembers the first time Mako was proud of him, when he made that speech to Republic City, to help with the evacuation, and he holds that moment close to his heart, adding each new moment next to it. This one will live there too, and he smiles into the kiss before letting Mako go. ]

Thank you, Mako. We did a really good job.

[ He glances back at the venue, with people still milling around, talking, drinking, enjoying themselves. It's exactly what he wanted. ]

A really, really good job.

[ He takes a sip of the drink and lets out a little squeak of excitement. ]

Oh, wow! You made it even better!

2

[imaglyphwitch]

[Luz is behind the bar ready to order, but don't worry Mako: it's not what you think].

One Shirley Temple please!

[She had it once and it was lovely so she definitely wants it again. She does spy Mako's little smile toward Mako and gives him knowing smile].

We haven't talked in awhile, Mako! Looks like some stuff happened during that time, huh?

[arclightning]

[ Mako's very, very glad he isn't going to have to argue with Luz about whether or not she's old enough to be drinking. She definitely isn't, and just because Mako had his first drink at the table of the Triple Threats at 13 does not mean she is going to do the same thing.

Thankfully, he a) knows what that is, and b) can absolutely serve... at least a version of it to her. ]

Haven't been able to get my hands on lemon soda; you're getting grapefruit.

[ Honestly Mako's not even sure he knows what a grapefruit is but it tastes citrusy, and also he's already pouring grenadine into a glass for her so it's not like she has a choice in the matter. It's grapefruit soda or bust here at the Raccoon Room! ]

Depends what kind of stuff you're talking about. The squid thing happened.

[imaglyphwitch]

Grapefruit it is!

[Luz already saw underage teens getting drunk back at Deerington: not really her style, and Luz was pretty sure she couldn't get behind the taste anyway].

Ooh, nice! Pfft, squid stuff! We're all squids! I'm talking about you and Wu! Heh, that rhymes!

[arclightning]

What about me and Wu?

[ Ignore the slight blue tinge to his cheeks, that's... definitely just the lighting in here. For sure.

Mako twists a bit of grapefruit juice into the glass and then basically destroys it with soda, enough it almost fizzes redly over the top. A bit dribbles down the side—he's not the best at this, even now—but he plops a cherry into it and shoves it across to Luz. ]

For free, since there's no alcohol.

[imaglyphwitch]

[Luz looks at the drink sadly. Aww, no grenadine].

You're dating, aren't you? I mean, you're clearly into him, in your own Mako way, and you guys seem like a good match!

Oh, thanks! How's business so far?

tickets

[auralaura]

[Ruby's party was also tonight, but Fox had been interested in visiting this place, getting to hear what kind of music they'd be playing. So he plans to stay for an hour before heading over. Might give him some ideas for a gift for her too.

Except Fox also has no idea what a "pretty feather" would ever look like, so he picked up a few he found on the beach--three seagull feathers and a very smooth black one, not that he would notice--and some shells. They happened to be cracked, but they felt really smooth on one side so that's good enough right?]

Do you really accept shells and feathers instead of money?

[arclightning]

Hey, I didn't make this choice. Unless you want to bring us some alcohol, this is what we got. Haven't seen any actual coins, but if you got any, we'll take 'em, too.

[ Mako is currently turning the smooth black feather over and over in his hand.

The problem, of course, with there being no set currency and everything being up to judgment is that... Mako really doesn't know what makes a pretty anything. This one is nice! It's smooth, it's dark, but the person he gets their alcohol from is a picky one, and seagull feathers are pretty common, but this one... maybe with the other three... could at least get him a few of the fancier bottles he was eying?

There is a distinct line forming behind Fox.

Mako sighs and pockets the feather. ]

You can keep the shells unless you're looking to get a drink, too.

[auralaura]

[The way currency works around this place is weird, Fox knows that. The silence as he looks over the feather makes Fox wonder if he didn't have enough.]

Ah...nah, I don't plan to drink, but I don't want them either. You can use them for someone else, maybe? I don't need to be carrying them around.

[arclightning]

[ Mako tosses the shells a bit, letting them clink together, and then shrugs and pockets them. ]

Sure, I'll cover someone else with them. It'd be a lot easier if we could use money, or... anything. You know how annoying it was carrying a bag full of rocks to get the bar here stocked up?

...you're good, by the way. Feathers were fine. Show's in about half an hour, so you can get a drink just as soon as I.... figure out whether or not everyone else has enough rocks.

[ Mako is so incredibly put-out at the accounting system here, and it is very clear in his voice. ]