deercountry | the grand opening of the raccoon room

Entry tags:

the grand opening of the raccoon room

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, singing it's really a typical thing for my world. Unless someone is in a musical or out on a karaoke night. [The second thing is someone she has done.]

Oh, this? Thanks. I just put it together with the clothes I had and found a few extra things to make the tail and the ears.

[She takes a moment to look him over.]

Are you supposed to be a zombie?

Oh yeah, that's pretty much what I gather from most worlds. Mine's an...anomaly.

[In so many more ways than one. Nothing like being a Disney and living in a place long enough to be aware that you are, in fact, a Disney.]

It's still pretty cool! Especially if you put it together last minute.

[He laughs, shaking his head.]

Nah, I'm supposed to be Frankenstein's Monster. My boyfriend's dressed up as Frankenstein. Because...uh, I'm a scientist and he's- [well he's not a monster, not to Varian] well, he's not human, anyway.

Awh thanks, Varian.

[His comment makes her smile widely, clearly appreciating it.]

Oh, now I see it! The look of Frankenstein's Monster [Yes, she includes the correct name!] I'm used to is usually green and has bolts in his neck. Guess you're going with the book interpretation.

[As for the comment about his boyfriend, she gives him an even brighter smile.]

I met your boyfriend earlier and he said that you helped him with his costume. Nice guy. How long have you been dating?

You're welcome! Just calling it as I see it.

[Oh, Laurel, you are earning yourself some major brownie points here. ]

Yes! That's exactly what it is, the book version! I've uh...seen the movie now, but I knew the book back home, so it's the one closest to my heart.

[And he's just a BIG NERD like that. But hey, Fern is one of his favourite subjects, so he definitely brightens up even more.]

Oh, that's great! He's amazing, one of the best people I know. We've been together for uhhhh about ten months? [He waggles his hand, palm down.] We got together in January, but it was while time was being kinda...unpredictable. We're not exactly sure on the date because of it. But we've known each other longer. He's my best friend- the first person I met when I came to the dream.

I haven't seen the movie, but I studied the book in highschool. Can't remember all of it though.

[Maybe because it wasn't her favourite genre. She was more into romantic literature.]

Oh, wow. So you've got a big anniversary coming up then, huh? That's so sweet, I'm glad you that you guys were able to find each other. [Despite not knowing either of them that well, she's supportive of happiness!] I think it's also great that you're best friends too because that is a good foundation for a relationship.

[Not that her relationships have worked out so well. Buuuuuut he doesn't need to hear that.]

Who asked who out first?

It's still relatively new as a book back home. Uh, definitely read it for fun. I only ever got to go to school when I came to Deerington.

[His grin widens, maybe a touch of a blush tinging his cheeks.]

We have! And I consider myself really lucky. I've... well, I've never had anyone understand me the way he does. I love him a lot. But being best friends first did help a lot.

[He coughs, a little awkward.]

Fern figured it out way before I did. He told me how he felt months before I caught on. I was still... I dunno, freaked out. It was a lot to get used to. For...uh complicated reasons. [Festering self-worth issues which is a whole other thing.] I felt the same for a long time, too, but it took me a while to admit it. Then we kinda left that stand for a few months before mutually deciding waiting for our lives to stop being crazy probably wasn't gonna happen and we'd be just as well off tackling them together than alone.

[This is so wholesome.]

It's always nice to find someone who understands you. That makes things a lot better.

[Clearly, him and Fern were doing everything the right way.]

Sounds like a bit of a rollercoaster ride for the both of you. But I'm glad you managed to figure out your feelings for each other eventually and give it a shot. Sometimes, you just have to or you mightn't know what you'd be missing out on.

[Laurel had taken that chance with Tommy and it had worked for a while. Until it didn't.]

Okay, I'm going to stop grilling you on your relationship. I just had to know a few things.

It really does. Especially in a place like this.

[Except for occasional changes in the status quo, neither he nor Fern has people from home to fall back on. They learned to rely on one another. ]

Ohhhh yeah, it was pretty crazy. But it was worth every second of it. I'm really lucky to have him.

[He loves that grass boy a WHOLE lot. ]

Don't worry about it, I'm always happy to talk about Fern.

And he's really lucky to have you.

[Based on their interactions so far, she's got a good feeling about Varian.]

I'm glad I don’t have to worry, I just didn't want to overload you with questions. [Even though she's kind of invested now. Oops.]

Feel free to ask stuff about me. Seems fair.

Hah, I guess so.

[Varian's self-worth is pretty terrible, but he's getting better at it. To even marginally accept a compliment like that is a good step for him. He chuckles a little.]

I don't mind, and uh...sure. So um, do you have anyone? I guess more...back home, huh?

[Her expression turns into something awkward for a moment before she replies.]

No, I don't. There was someone - or well, two someones a few years ago but it didn't work out. [Laurel takes a breath.] One of them, Tommy. He died. And Oliver? He moved on with another person.

Oh.

[He does look a touch guilty for fumbling into something that seems pretty personal. Oops.]

Sorry. That's...uh. That all sounds pretty rough.

It's okay. You didn't know.

[She tries to reassure him with a smile, though Laurel appreciates his words.]

Thanks, though. It was rough for a while, but I'm glad I've experienced what it feels like to be in love.

[Oh, well, that's a concept he's better at dealing with, his smile softening.]

That's true. That's pretty amazing to be able to go through. I definitely don't think anyone could regret that.

Exactly. [Her smile grows warm.] Which is why I'm glad that you and Fern have found each other, despite being from different worlds. That should be celebrated.

[Basically, she loves love.]

Who knows? Maybe I'll meet someone here.

It really should. We're lucky we found each other, the odds are ridiculous for us finding each other.

[He knows, he's done the math. ]

But you might! Me and Fern are definitely not the only couple that's come from living here. It happens a lot.

[Of course he's done the math.]

Yeah, I already know of two people like that. My sister has been seeing someone.

[Laurel has her suspicions about another possible couple, but it hasn't been confirmed for sure.]

I'm just glad she had someone to look out for her - both here and back in the previous place.

[He's gotta live that math life!!]

Oh yeah? Someone outside of your home world? Who is it? I might know them.

[As much of an anti-social weirdo he is, Varian's at least quasi-aware that he talks to fairly large swathes of the population. ]

Yeah, knowing people aren't alone here...helps? It uh- it makes surviving this place a lot more bearable.

He goes by the name Booker, and he's not from our world.

[Knowing a lot of people here is probably a good thing. But it also might be difficult to keep track of them all.]

It's always good to have that kind of support and back-up. There was a time when I didn't have that and it wasn't so great.

Huh, it doesn't sound familiar, but I've probably passed him at some point.

[Though this is getting a much bigger city these days- that's getting...tricky.]

Yeah, I know how that feels. [Though his was mostly self-inflicted. ] It's...definitely not ideal. Luckily, it's a lot harder to get away with that here.

[Self-inflicted? Oh, she knows a lot about that.]

It's incredible the amount of people around who are so willing to help. Without expecting anything in return.

[Laurel wants to give back if she can.]

Like I said to Luz earlier, tell me if you need anything.

[He's a pro at making himself miserable at this point. ]

Well, we kinda learned to look out for one another in the Dream. It carried on through here. We only have each other.

But thanks, I really appreciate it. I'm sure she did, too.

Oh, she did. But Luz is also very willing to give help in return.

[It's one of the things that Laurel likes about her. She had really taken a shine to the younger girl.]

Anyway. I meant to ask if you were going to perform again or is it just a one off tonight?

Thaaaat's Luz. She's all about helping people. If they want it or not.

[He laughs, shaking his head.]

Probably a one-off, unless Wu needs help again- though I'm sure he'll manufacture a gooood reason. For now, I'm gonna keep using this as a date spot for me and Fern. [He dusts himself off.] Which now I've finished with this wiring, I should probably get back to.

She's a good kid.

[One of the nicest people she's met.]

Oh, okay. Well, I'm glad I got to see your one-off performance. [Giving him a smile.] I think it's a great date spot as well as a nice place in general.

But yeah, you go ahead and meet up with Fern again. Enjoy the rest of your night.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

the grand opening of the raccoon room

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we could wrap up soon?

works for me!

/wraps it up!