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

[auralaura]

[Oh, Fox thought he meant this place?]

Uh...No, that's how things work back in Vacuo, where I'm from. Credits still exist, but most of the time bartering and alternate trade works. I figured it couldn't be that different here. Still flying blind about how to tell if a feather is good or not.

[At least on Remnant all the kingdoms used the same currency generally. It was mainly Vacuo who accepted other types of payment because of the nomadic tribes and shifting settlements.]

[arclightning]

So you're kind of used to this.

[ Huh. That's... actually good to know. Mako's not exactly a stranger to bartering, but he learned it back home where he knew what things were worth, or at least could learn. Here people are interested in feathers and rocks with fish in them and Mako kind of hates being so out of his depth. ]

Weirdest part is how much is free. Like, back where you're from, you'd have to pay to get a place to live, right? You couldn't just... have one.

[auralaura]

If you lived in the capital maybe. If you lived out in the desert or some of the settlements you just built your own hut.

[Vacuo is a lot more communal than the other kingdoms.]

I know not everywhere is like that though. You'd never be allowed to take a plot of land in Atlas and build on it. Probably get arrested.

[arclightning]

Yeah, it's the same in Republic City. The second you can't pay, that roof is gone, no matter who you are and how bad you need it.

[ It's a fact of life, but that doesn't stop the sting of bitterness in Mako's voice. He and Bolin were just kids and no matter how hard they hustled to get enough money to stay, the moment rent was due and their parents weren't there to pay it, that was it. Streets for them, no matter how much Bolin cried. ]

[auralaura]

It was so weird when I moved to the big city. Who charges people for a place to live?

[Living in a desert has few perks, but not having to spend all of your money on a place to live is one of them.]

[arclightning]

[ There is a tiny voice inside Mako, populist, revolutionary, that wants to say nobody should have to pay for one.

But that isn't how the world works and he doesn't think he's naive enough to even let himself think things like that. Just because things should be one way doesn't mean they are. Wishing for things that should be gets you nowhere. ]

Normal people. That's a normal thing to do.

I'm not saying it makes sense, but... of all the things that people's worlds have in common? Paying rent is definitely up there.

[auralaura]

Normal must be another word for capitalist oppression.

[Yes, he says this with a complete straight face. Yes, he is joking. Will Mako be able to tell the difference?]

[arclightning]

[ From one deadpan to another: absolutely.

Although Mako snorts and cracks a small, sardonic smile that sounds in his voice. ]

That's where they get you. Make you think it's normal when really it's just a bunch of shitty rich people trying to stay rich.

[auralaura]

[Fox has a little half-smile himself. Good to know there are some like minds around here.]

Probably because you need a lot of money to cover up that smell.

[Because they were shitty. Get it?]

[arclightning]

[ Mako outright snorts in proper laughter at that, steps aside for Fox as they head toward the seats. ]

Only the fanciest potpourri, right? Here. This'll be a good seat. You want a drink, come find me later at the bar. Enjoy the show.

[auralaura]

[Seems like the perfect punchline to end their conversation so Fox goes along with it, very pleased with himself there.]

Thanks. Sounds like it'll be a fun night.