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

[notimeforfailure]

Look at us? Look at you. This place is...

[She'd seen it when it was being set up several weeks back, but upon the revelation that there was a... house? ghost??? she had, for some strange reason, avoided coming around as often. But the transformation had made the space simply unrecognizable.]

Truly incredible. I can scarce believe you were able to create this in a scant few weeks. You make me feel as if I must double my own efforts.

[The cake is wheeled into the area where the other food is stored and settled securely in a corner.]

I've never seen an establishment like this - not even in Deerington.

[Possibly because she had been too young to consume alcohol in Deerington.]

[arclightning]

Don't look at me, this is all Wu. I just put stuff where he wanted it and made sure he wasn't wasting all his money on stuff.

[ Mako is practically a professional haggler, now. Once he's sure the cake is going to remain undisturbed—that thing is art—he presses a hand briefly to Lysithea's elbow to steer her toward the bar. It's not yet as packed as it will be, but enough people are mingling in here, crowded around tables and laughing, that it's feeling full and lively. ]

We used to go to places like this in the city. Swanky places for people with a lot of cabbage to burn.

...we're not charging that much, though. Probably should, the way Wu keeps giving out tickets.

[notimeforfailure]

...Is that the same job you're doing for me?

['Put stuff where I want it and make sure I don't waste my money.' Mako is everybody's babysitter. Lysithea allows herself to be led in the direction of the bar, a space she approaches with some hesitance. Similarly, she has never experienced anything quite like this.]

That's an impressive number of bottles.

I'm most familiar with taverns. I don't frequent them, but I know them. It's cheap alcohol, of course. Collections like these were usually reserved for private domiciles.

[She feels, somehow, that Count Gloucester must have a room that looks something like this.]

[arclightning]

Yeah, that's Wu's influence too. I'm used to hanging in the cheap dives [ Because of the Triple Threats, he does not say ] or the joints trying to look expensive, but, you know. Aren't. Wu wanted this place to feel comfortable and kind of... upscale? I guess? Like an escape from life.

[ He is... quoting Wu pretty directly on that. And it kind of works: the space is dripping with velvet wall hangings and curtains, lush chairs (although most of them, despite all being painted gold, don't actually match and clearly aren't from the same set) and mismatched-but-all-crystal sconces and chandeliers. It's nice. Ramshackle, foraged nice, but nice.

Mako rounds the bar like he's been doing it for years, already pulling a bottle down. ]

You'll like this. It's alcohol but chocolate.

[notimeforfailure]

My tastes are predictable.

[Lysithea agrees, sliding into a chair and looking around the room with a more observant eye. She has no grounds to criticize, but the environment is so foreign that she needs a few moments to allow it to soak in, from the performance stage to the velvet trappings.]

It's... tasteful.

[She can't find the right adjective, exactly.]

I can understand the effect, even if it's not something I've experienced before. It creates its own atmosphere. It's refined without actually being opulent.

[arclightning]

Huh.

[ Mako glances around as he uncaps the thing, releasing a sweet cloud of chocolate scent. ]

No, you're right. Kind of... approachable? Probably because half this stuff we, uh, liberated from some of the abandoned houses around here.

...don't tell anyone.

[notimeforfailure]

Given that we all entered this world with essentially no capital, I think people might have guessed.

[Lysithea sniffs the chocolate scent appreciatively.]

Not that anyone has any room to judge. We're all squatters. I certainly don't pay for my rooms. Er -- didn't. Now I offer some pastries daily to the neighbors who maintained the building before I moved in. Just to keep goodwill.

[arclightning]

Smart. I was thinking about setting something like that up with our liquor supply. Dragon Flats used to have—I mean, it was a racket, don't get me wrong, but the Triple Threats were supposed to protect people for a fee.

I don't want to get extorted, but a little protection's always good.

[ Mako is even topping the thing with whipped cream, because this is Lysithea. He warms it up in his hands, pressing heat into it until it steams, and then presses what is essentially alcoholic spiced hot chocolate into Lysithea's hands. ]

Try that.

[ It... might be too alcoholic. ]

[notimeforfailure]

Well, thank you, bartender.

[Lysithea holds the mug in both hands, allowing it to warm her palms before she leans over and gives it a heady sniff.]

It does smell wonderful.

[She initiates consumption of the drink by (obviously) licking off a good deal of whipped cream.]

There's no harm in forging good relations with those in a position to be of service. Personal benefits notwithstanding, our goal is to create a more unified town, isn't it?

Were you in on that protection racket, then?

[arclightning]

[ Mako's face shutters just a little bit, and he glances away down the bar at someone waving a hand to him. ]

I just ran numbers for them. That's it.

[ But... he brought it up. He can't get angry at Lysithea for asking a question like that when he's the one who—

Mako sighs and moves to grab another glass. ]

If I start something up like that here, it's gonna be based on mutually helping each other out and not threats. Wasn't a nice business at all, even if it was just a fact of life.

[notimeforfailure]

[His reaction does not surprise her. The few times they had discussed the more unsavory details of his past had never gone very smoothly. As transparent as they are with each other, there are certain truths that Mako does not like to divulge - or even remember.]

No.

It isn't - though it's hardly unique. The knights are a bit like that, you know. They'll protect you - if you swear fealty to the Goddess or the lord or... whomever.

The peasants had no choice in the matter, of course.

[She sips slowly of the chocolate, conscious that alcohol has a habit of making its presence known unexpectedly.]

People will be willing to help Wu, I think. He has a certain charm - the charm of earnest callowness.

[arclightning]

Yeah, the little guy never does.

[ Bitterness practically drips from those small, muttered words. Mako glances up at the stage where Wu is greeting people, all smiles and energy, and his expression softens slightly. ]

That's partially why Wu made this place. You know that? He was never the little guy, but he has this thing about fairness now that he knows what an unfair place the world is. The Raccoon Room's supposed to be for everyone. He didn't even want to charge for tickets at first.

[ Mako changed his tune on that. ]

[notimeforfailure]

Earnest callowness...

[Lysithea murmurs in repetition, obscuring a smile by lifting her mug.]

That's why the two of you are in business together, of course.

[And why they were so well-suited, though she doesn't bother to voice that thought aloud.]

We did that odd ceremony together last month. The bit with the flowers and the burial. I imagine this life suits him more than his previous existence ever did. [She follows Mako's gaze.] I admit I'm having more trouble leaving my burdens behind. ...My flower actually wilted.

But I like... that people can be so satisfied here.

[arclightning]

Because I keep his earnest feet on the ground?

[ It's a perfect description of Wu, really. She says it again and Mako looks over at him again, caught for a second in the way he's gesturing, all arms and excitement. He's going to crash hard tomorrow. Mako will probably have to lead the clean-up effort, but that's fine. He'll just ply Wu with brunch and tea and probably rope Raleigh into helping.

After a moment he looks back at Lysithea, his smile falling slightly. ]

...mine's not doing so great, either. The flower.

[notimeforfailure]

No?

[Lysithea smiles ruefully.]

We really are too much alike sometimes, aren't we? That's why Wu is good for me. ...And that's why I like to talk to you, because a mirror is occasionally helpful for self-reflection.

What's wrong with yours?

I... just keep feeling guilty about the problems I can't resolve that I'm leaving behind.

[arclightning]

This is why feelings are pointless. It makes sense that you're feeling guilty, but it isn't your problem anymore. Thinking it doesn't make it... feel less bad, right?

[ Mako says, only half-believing that anymore. The words ring hollow without the conviction and anger that once filled them. Mako huffs and yanks a bottle down from the shelf behind him. The alcohol collection is a bit sparse right now, and tonight is probably going to wipe out most of their reserves. Oh well.

Lysithea was honest, though, so Mako can match it. His mouth works for a moment, silent while he sorts through words. ]

Guess I just miss home more than I thought I would.

[notimeforfailure]

Oh, don't posture. We all know the things we ought to feel and do, but knowing never quite bridges the gap towards the doing, somehow.

[Lysithea responds quite without malice. As somebody who cogitated regularly on the workings of her mind, she is perfectly willing to admit that she is being irrational. The trouble was, one couldn't rationalize oneself out of being irrational.]

If I had to take a step back... I think feeling guilty is the most proximate I can get now to those problems. If I let it go, then -- they'll be gone.

[She allows a lengthy pause as she stares dimly at some point on the ceiling.]

...What are you missing, Mako?

[arclightning]

Like, when you stop feeling guilty, you're really letting go?

[ That's an interesting way to think about it. Maybe that's why Mako's been fixating so hard on recreating dishes he remembers from home: maybe they're just threads to grasp, and he thinks if he weaves enough of them together home won't be a distant memory. ]

Does it ever get tiring, being that self-aware?

[ Question, what question. He'll just answer with one of his own. ]

[notimeforfailure]

You're avoiding an answer.

[Lysithea purses her lips.]

And what kind of question is that supposed to be? I can't tell if you're complimenting or disparaging me. If I spend a lot of time thinking about my situation, it's because Deerington taught me that if I don't deal with the mental morass of my feelings immediately, they'll manifest as... risen corpses or memory demons or fake houses or something.

[arclightning]

[ Mako raises his hands in something like surrender, grimacing at his own words. Why do things always come out wrong? He thought he'd have grown out of that by now. ]

It's a compliment! Thinking like that is a good thing. You just. Think about it a lot. Which is fine. And good. It's... good.

[notimeforfailure]

Hrm.

[Lysithea frowns and takes another sip of sweet chocolate.]

...It's probably unhealthy to overthink. But I can't help it.

Don't you ask your self the same kinds of questions, too? Don't we have discussions like this often enough?

[arclightning]

[ Stop turning his words back on him, Lysithea. Mako huffs quietly and pushes the glass he was filling towards its requester. ]

All the time. I... spend a lot of time in my own head. Can't not. Everyone has an opinion about you, you know? Whether you want them to or not. You have to know how you're being seen if you're going to get by.

[notimeforfailure]

Oh --

[Lysithea is surprised, somehow. Certainly they had spoken before of the constant need to maintain appearances. Of the need to be strong(er than anyone else), to claim what others denied them, to never betray weakness or hesitation.

But she had been speaking of something quite different and this was how her words had been reflected in Mako's mind. Perhaps this weighed more heavily on him than she knew.]

I would say... that I don't give a penny for what others think about me. But that's not really true.

It's only the image I like to maintain.

Still... it has struck me, in the past, that perhaps nobody thinks about me as much as I think about me.

[arclightning]

...you're probably right. Everybody's selfish, right?

[ He sucks in a breath, leaning on the shining surface of the bar with a small frown tugging at his mouth. ]

It's... I don't know why. Maybe everybody thinks like this and we're all stuck in our own heads trying to make a good impression.

[notimeforfailure]

I would wager that might be the case.

[She shakes her head gently.]

When I first came to Deerington, do you know what I thought? 'How annoying that nobody here has figured this out yet. I'll deal with this.' So really, you know... I'm not as self-aware as you think I am.

I spent so much time worrying about being perceived as weak or young or ineffective I really developed the wrong image of myself altogether. It would have been much healthier if I had spent half that time reflecting on what I actually wanted for myself.

Are you in your own head still? Here?