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

[shiro2hero]

[He just inclines his head at the tongue. Nah, it's fine, he's used to it.]

I... really don't mingle. Or get... phone numbers?

[imaglyphwitch]

[That hot jerk].

Ok, the mingling? I understand. Not everyone's sociable. But no phone numbers? Really? This is the perfect time! I mean, technically no one's got phones, but you know what I mean!

[shiro2hero]

I really don't need anyone's phone number...

[imaglyphwitch]

No? I guess that's your call then. Or rather, its NOT your call, since you won't be calling, right?

[Ok, no more puns].

Out of curiosity Mr. Wallflower, what do you do for fun?

[shiro2hero]

No, I don't. Because I married my partner in Deerington.

[Wellp. Time to test and see how Mako's cocktails are.]

Here? Haven't figured that out yet.

[imaglyphwitch]

Oh. I didn't know that! Congratulations then! I don't think I know anyone who actually got married there! I'm pretty sure I didn't, anyway.

Me neither. I was working with Eda at her store, but...well. That's not going to happen anymore. Guess there might not be a reason to have an oddities store around here.

[shiro2hero]

No, it's fine. I haven't... really told anyone.

[For a lot of reasons that have no place at this party. It's a happy occasion for Wu and Mako. And the performers.]

You never know. There could be, somewhere. It's a brand new world, after all.

[imaglyphwitch]

Oh. I get it.

[If he hadn't told people, she'd imagine there had to be a reason. Shiro seemed like a pretty private person, maybe one of the more private people here she knew. There were probably things he was still dealing with he didn't feel like telling to a kid he only just started to know].

Maybe, but it looks like most of that is being covered by other peoples' trades and things. They go to junk yards or they outright trade for things! Besides, with all the things I have to do daily, it'd be better for me to have a job working at a place than managing it myself. That's a LOT of work!

[shiro2hero]

Hm.

Maybe one of the other Sleepers has something they need help with? Their own shop in mind, but need more hands. Heck, maybe Wu could use someone.

I volunteer at the Koz Orphanage, or with the Wakers, most days.

[imaglyphwitch]

Oh, I'm just saying I don't have a job right now, but I am doing some jobs for Lysithea! You know that sweet shop she runs? I fly her pastries out if the person ordering them is far away! I was offering to do it for free but Lysithea refused me doing that.

[Luz liked helping a friend, but of course she wouldn't turn down payment since she needed this for her own living situation].

Sometimes I don't even have time for that anyway, living in a house with a lot of other people takes a lot of work itself! I still have my goals as a witch to also devote time to!

[Not to mention her NEW powers, which were starting to involve herself a little more in her life].

[shiro2hero]

Sweet shop?

[No, he has not heard about that. But hello, potential gifts for people...]

Oh yeah? Who all are you staying with?

[imaglyphwitch]

Yeah! You know, cakes, cookies, that kind of thing! You should check it out, it's pretty great!

[Luz was loving how a lot of her friends were opening up businesses, and was only slightly jealous]!

The Disaster house! Varian, Luca, Fern and Reaper, when he's around and not...in a cup, I guess? I still don't get him, honestly.

[shiro2hero]

That... does sound really great. Where's she set up at?

[He may have to pay her a visit...]

Wait, you guys live with Reaper?

[imaglyphwitch]

Willful machine! If you can, please give her patronage! She's really good at what she does, and I'm trying to help her anyway that I can!

The smoke guy? Yeah! I don't know a whole lot about him though. He doesn't talk much, and he was already living with Varian and Fern when they invited me in. Other than him having a scary mask and kind of trying to be the adult in the house, he keeps to himself.

Don't tell anyone, but I'M really the one playing adult in that house though. It is way harder than you'd think.

[shiro2hero]

[He's quiet for a long while. His expression as neutral as Shiro can possibly make it. Reaper...]

[He takes a slow breath.]

How long has he been living with all of you?

[imaglyphwitch]

[Whoa. Oh boy. Luz would never say she was a reader of minds, but this certainly was saying a lot to her that didn't need to be said. Clearly, Reaper and Shiro had some kind of history].

Not very long. I mean, he's a private person, compared to all of us. I'm guessing you and he have a history?

[shiro2hero]

You could say that.

[It's a studiously neutral statement. He even pauses to sip the drink in front of him.]

There aren't a lot of people from Deerington I'd say this about... but if I ever drop by, keep him out of my sight.

[imaglyphwitch]

[Luz watched his reaction and thought oh boy. There was definitely some history going on there, and she had a feeling she might need to ask about that. To who, well, that was anyone's guess].

That's fair. Most people wouldn't even give that warning, they'd just show up and fight.

[Darth Maul. Darth Maul would do that. Don't be like him].

[shiro2hero]

[Shiro shakes his head, firmly. Holding up his hand in a "no" gesture.]

Honestly, I prefer not to fight when I can. I'd rather just avoid the man as much as possible.

[It causes less injury and damage, that way.]

[imaglyphwitch]

[That was just about exactly what she thought were Shiro's feelings. Granted, she still didn't know why those were Shiro's feelings, but that just meant she'd have to go and investigate things to see what she's find out].

I don't think he'll have a problem with that. He doesn't exactly go out seeking conflict. At least, that's not the impression I'm getting from him.

[She could be wrong though. Reaper was very mysterious].

[shiro2hero]

Well. We'll see, I guess.

I'll keep my distance unless you guys really need a hand.

[He doubts Reaper will keep that up for long. Not after how things in Deerington went.]

[imaglyphwitch]

There's quite a few of us in the house, and we keep tabs on each other! I think we'll be fine!

[Granted, Luz was very sure that she needed to find out what was going in with Reaper and Shiro, since Reaper had never struck her as someone who went around starting fights.

But looks could be deceiving, she supposed. She'd have to ask the others about Reaper, so she at least had a better idea what was going on there].

Did you say you run an orphanage of a sort, Shiro?

[shiro2hero]

[Ah, there's a better topic. A much better topic. His shoulders relax, and his entire expression softens.]

[He'd much rather talk about this than Reaper.]

I don't run it, no. I just volunteer at the one here - Koz's. They've got a lot of kids to look after, so... whenever I've got a chance, I'll swing by to pitch in.

[He has a lot of chances, these days.]

[imaglyphwitch]

[Yes, it was probably a good idea to steer away from Reaper as a subject].

Really? Like, what do you usually do with them? I'm still kind of looking into a job for myself, and I'm wondering if it might be OK to volunteer there from time to time.

[shiro2hero]

Teach a little science, clean up the rooms... double as a jungle gym for them. They could probably use just about anyone.

[There were all kinds of roles to fill over there. All kinds of needs to be met. Heck, he'd probably do some cooking if he were capable of it.]