Raise a Glass [OPEN]

[lordshield]

Who: The XV Cast and You!
When: June 6th
Where: Curti Center, Jiminy's Juicery (bar)
What: After saving innocents from the Dream Width, some people just need a drink.
Warnings/Notes: Alcohol consumption, possible violence, whatever people do in bars.

Their first foray into the search and rescue business in the Dream Width had been intense, to say the least. Stressful, heartbreaking, exhausting, and enlightening were other words some might use to describe the experience. After a night of rest and a day to somewhat sort things and people out, the next evening brings about a mighty need to head to the local tavern. Some drink to forget, some drink to remember, some drink to relax. There are even representatives of the Bard's Guild providing live music. You can try to make a request, but chances are they don't know your foreign songs.

Maybe you were invited by one of the excitable young men from Lucis, or maybe you came on your own. There's enough room in the bar for quite a few people, so long as they're of age. Sit right at the bar, or pull up chairs around a table, the choice is yours.

[OoC: Make your own toplevel or tag around. Please put content warnings as necessary. Have fun!]

Comments

[warpstriking]

Noctis noticed the long look on his best buddy's face, so after he got back from his Grand Adventure™ with Ignis and their quest for bacon, he excuses himself and leaves Iggy to Gladio, who.... might be as drunk as they are. Whoops.

Ah well, he and good decisions broke up a while ago, so he just silently makes his way over and plops himself down beside him, placing the wrapped package of pork product in front of his bestie and leans in close. Placing his own in the table in front of him.

"Heyyy Prom," he smiled back, nudging the thing to him. "Speccy and I got bacon buns. Figured you'd want one."

[regalblaze]

"I didn't see it because Noct told me he reached you," Ignis says after ordering them another round from the waiter. "He was really worried for you- I'm glad he managed to find you."

But- Lord Clarus also saw the memory? It makes Ignis frown for a moment. He's silent while the waiter places their glasses on the table and then asks.

"Is that what's bothering you? Lord Clarus?"

[suigojin]

Well, that cinches it then. Mirabelle is conspicuously absent, he notices, glancing around the bar. Either she parted ways with him at the door or else she found a friend to hang out with.

"Alright. Are there any special rules--I mean, are we going by a point system or whoever can't hit the dartboard anymore loses?"

[chocobosnap]

Prompto nodded slightly, he understood the worry, because he had so few nice memories, it was bound to be a bad one.

"It's not his fault. He saw- he heard how I was made so..." He trailed off slightly. He was being treated as an infiltrated enemy.

"He thinks I'm a threat."

[chocobosnap]

"Shouldn't..." Prompto admitted, but he was also drunk and hadn't eaten anything like a responsible person. It smelled good too, but really, he knew better. If he ate it, he was going to regret it.

"Looks so good though." He hesitated a moment before shrugging, fuck it, and began unwrapping it.

"I can hate myself more tomorrow." He muttered under his breath. "Thanks Noct."

[warpstriking]

"'Ey Ivy," he calls out to his drunken moogle. Ivory lifts her head up from the bar briefly, and he points at Prompto. She grumbles something and talks to the bartender about before they produce two glasses of clear liquid. Tall glasses. Which she very wobbly carries over to their table then just... drunkenly passes out on the table next to theirs. He'd feel bad if she didn't drink on an empty stomach, too.

As Gladio would put it: Wuss.

Noct pushes one of the glasses over to Prompto (don't worry, it's just water) before unwrapping his own.

[chocobosnap]

Prompto smiled gratefully at the moogle and took a big drink from the water glass. "I was thirsty but, they said they wouldn' give me more alcohol."

He'd had a lot more than Noct might think, perhaps. But it was settling a little bit.

The bun looked so good, smelled amazing and he took a big bite.

"Where'd you get this?"

[warpstriking]

"That's rough, buddy," he teased with a slight smirk that was more a smile if anything. He had a bit more than Ignis realized, too, before they started mixing drinks and he's kinda a lightweight. Were it not for the water he'd been drinking earlier he'd probably be passed out on the floor right now.

"Dun remember which way, but 's a few blocks from here." Yeah. He was kinda. Yeah. He's gonna take a good couple gulps of water. "Kinda just followed our noses."

But yep, it did look really good. So he tore off a little bit and stuffed it in his mouth. Mm, pork fat. Igs had the right idea about looking for this.

[chocobosnap]

Prompto made an agreeable noise, but it's okay, he probably shouldn't drink anymore and really what was better than bacon right now?

"Man this is good."

He could practically melt over it and he sighed a little. "I wanna do over on today. Can we?"

[warpstriking]

Noct nodded, a note of agreement escaping his mouth at the assessment of their find. "Yeah," he said, between bites. Because even when drunk off his ass, he just can't help something that was drilled into him since he was a kid: table manners.

Well, some of 'em. He might be relatively close to just leaning on his best bud.

"Hm?" He looked at Prompto, glazed over eyes trying to study him a bit because what? He swallowed his current bite before turning to face him fully. Arm resting on the tablle in order to help stabilize him. Well, as much as his drunk ass could. "Did somethin' happen?"

Talk to him, buddy.

[chocobosnap]

Prompto hadn't had the same elegant upbringing, unfortunately, but he wasn't too terrible. Ignis had corrected him at some point in their shared past and he was much better about his manners. At least if he needed to say something, he covered his mouth.

"Yeah, but it's not like, important."

It was, incredibly so, but he didn't want to get people upset on his behalf. It wasn't worth all of that, and he wasn't impressive like Clarus. He was just him.

"I mean, anyway, not that bad. Shouldn't matter."

[regalblaze]

Noct's swaying to the beat makes Ignis smile and he wishes so dearly he remembers the rest of the song. But it's fucking too damn long and he's too damn drunk. Still- very happy Noct remembers it. Despite it being in Old Lucian, it's cute.

"I think everyone dislikes Old Lucian. Except for people that have too much free time on their hand to spend hours translating," Ignis says with a sigh.

When Ignis finishes his glass of water, he feels a bit more refreshed. And even more determined to find that bacon. Also maybe baked potatoes, fries, whichever. Why is he so damn hungry and why is everything he craves greasy? His body will despise him in the morning.

"So? How about we hunt down that bacon? Maybe buy and bring it with us for others. Gladio likes bacon."

[warpstriking]

Noctis frowned at that answer, before scooting his seat just a little closer to Prompto. Enough that their elbows could brush up against each other. Bacon bun forgotten, his drunken brain solely focused on his best friend.

"You're important to me," he put a lot of effort into each word to make sure he didn't slur, before placing a hand on Prom's shoulder. "If it's enough to bother you, it matters."

[immortalmarshal]

A - Stone-cold sober

Cor sure as hell needs a drink or three after the past day or two. But he doesn't immediately reach for the alcohol. No, not with everyone else being here and clearly drowning their sorrows, or smiles, in various drinks. Instead, he starts off sitting at a corner table, water in his glass and a full plate of food before him. He's observing everyone, only stepping in if some idiot starts reaching for something other than fists and words for a fight.

But he's not adverse if someone approaches him mid-sip of his water. "...yeah? What is it?"


B - Strong Enough to Peel Paint

Some time later, though, he finally gives in and have one drink. Or so he tells himself that it would only be one. But judging from the smell, one would be forgiven to mistake it for paint thinner. But Cor's sipping on it like it hardly effects him. The most it's done is actually make him open up a bit more to strangers and familiar faces alike.

Including a certain cosplaying Moogle. "Relax, Tommy, I'm not even buzzed. This is actually good."

"But, but...how can you drink that and not be--oh, what's the term...sloshed?"


C - Buzzed and...mmmmellow?

Late in the evening, Cor's nowhere as stoic as he normally is. He's not black-out drunk, but he's certainly had enough to show his emotions more openly. Happy subjects? He actually smiles around strangers, and jokes more easily. Sad subjects? He'll give a shoulder patt, or a one-arm hug.

Unless, of course, you've come across him when he's scowling and has a clenched fist on the bar counter. "You wanna repeat that, asshole?" he growls at the other person he was just talking to.

[chocobosnap]

"It's okay, I just..." He pulled his hand down his face with a sigh heavily.

"Not everyone is you guys. I know that. I should know that. I kind of forgot." Prompto babbled without really explaining anything.

"You've spoiled me. Not everyone thinks a Niff is okay to have around."

[regalblaze]

"'S too dangerous. No clue about wildlife and no haven camps to protect us," Ignis groans, some rational part of his brain making him resist the urge to smack his forehead against the bar. "Could do one-day trip though. For picnic. It would be nice." At least there are no daemons around.

Hopefully, they never appear.

"Wow... sounds more complicated than it looks." He'd offer a more... intelligent response if he weren't trashed the way he is. "Question- does time pass fast in space? Or is it just an illusion?"

[warpstriking]

How could he NOT remember at least some of it when it was drilled into their heads from such a young age? The rest of it could jump into that Fira spell with old lady Mirla.

"Ugh, no kidding. Wouldn't wanna get suck in their heads for an afternoon. Or even fifteen minutes really, because seriously. Who does that? It's old. No one uses it except for in the tombs. And the grammar rules make zero sense when you're used to modern Lucian and even Common Eosian. Like, what the fuck were they even thinking with some of it?" Oh dear. He's started rambling. Quick, distract him with-

Yep. Greasy foods. That'll do it just fine. "Sure, let's go. Pretty sure Prompto could use something. He's been sulking in the corner all night and hasn't spoken to anyone but Cor? I know he's usually a wallflower but that usually loosens up a bit after the first two drinks."

He's on a mission now and it involves getting the sunshine bro to beam again. "Let's go before the world starts spinnin' or something."

[warpstriking]

Noctis sat there, listening for a while as he tried to piece together what the hell Prompto is trying to say because he's rambling and rambling only pieces a few things together. Especially in their current state like what the fuck is he even-?

"Whoa, slooow down there buddy." He knows his name literally translates into quicksilver from Old Lucian but come on, man. Work with him a little. "Who thinks that?"

It doesn't really matter if he answered that, though. Mostly because Noct's hand then slid to Prompto's other shoulder as he gently pulled the chocobutt into a hug. "And I haven't spoiled you. You're one of us."

[chocobosnap]

Prompto sighed softly and moved wherever Noct wanted him to and he slid his arms around Noctis' back, hugging him properly.

"I know. Not everyone is gonna think that. I know that. I should know that."

No matter what, he'd never looked like a Lucian. That didn't matter so much, because he was a Lucian. No one could argue with the king about his citizenship.

"Lord Ami-Amici-" He was too drunk for this. "Clarus. Thinks I'm going to hurt you. Or supposed to hurt you or-" He sighed. "He saw my memory."

[regalblaze]

Ignis swears he's heard this rant before- identical or almost identical. And he can't do anything but agree. Old Lucian, while it sounds fancy and important, it's very impractical. It's why no one uses it anymore.

"I think I saw one stand that is open 24 hours just a few blocks down. I think they had bacon sandwiches or something similar." It's probably the thing he smelled on his way here and ended up craving.

He stands, somehow managing to keep his balance and waits for Noct- just in case he's wobbly and close to falling over. He had more drinks than Ignis.

keywords

[warpstriking]

Noctis pulled him into a proper hug, nuzzling into the side of his head as he gently rubbed his back. Prompto was still rambling, so he just... let him. Better to get it out of his system than let it fester. At least that's what his drunk brain was telling him.

"It won't matter back home," he whispers, trying to soothe him the best he could. Whether he lived to see that daylight... his fingers gripped onto the back of Prompto's shirt a little tighter, almost as if afraid he'd be back out there, in those memories. But Prompto is solid. He had to consciously remind himself of that and focus on the fact that they're both present and accounted for. "And he shouldn't here, either. We're all aliens in a fo-" fuck it "-strange world."

One that was so much like theirs and yet so, so different. Away from most of what they knew yet still had a few things that were familiar. Not including each other.

His grip only adjusted and grew a little tighter when Prompto finally spat it out. He was too drunk to not start a bar fight or something so instead he just. Sat there, gently nudging Prompto to sit on his lap as he tried to comfort him the best he possibly could while intoxicated. "Clar... He bugged you about it?" He asked, quietly, not sounding like he was going to do anything drastic (yet), just clarifying. Because he saw it, too. Even without being told about it first, that... wasn't something one simply asked about.

He'd have to write himself a note, later. Just in case. Or have Ebony do it. Ivory's kinda out of commission right now.

[chocobosnap]

"I know we are." Prompto said softly, but that hadn't meant he'd never heard people talk. He ignored them, but he still heard it. He knew what some people thought about people like him. Especially MTs, and he understood, but that didn't mean that it didn't hurt.

He wasn't thinking much, and he went where Noctis wanted him to, and if he wanted him to sit on his lap, he could do that. It was a little easier to hug and cling to him like that, admittedly.

"Yeah. He was mad. He wants to know what my orders are. What I'm supposed to get near you for. What happened after. And I couldn't tell him anything. Noct, those things hurt. I don't-" He swallowed.

"Gladio interrupted and made him let go of me." He rubbed his arm where Clarus grabbed him but he didn't think there would be a mark there.

[warpstriking]

He more than likely had and Noct is too far gone to remember if he's given this rant before. Regardless it's still 100% true and he'll fight anyone who disagrees.

"Hm... think I know where you're talkin' about. Wasn't it bacon bread twists?" Which was even better in his drunken mind, though his body is definitely going to hate him later. He stands, swaying a little bit before he shakes his head in an effort to shrug it off. Yeah. Might be a good idea to probably try and steady him a little. It hasn't fully hit him yet but it might relatively soon. "I also remember there being curry nearby and maybe some sort of noodle? But bacon wins."

Ugh, who let the giant pink slimy blobs with a bajillion laser eyes in and out of the bar and when'd he get hit by them?

[warpstriking]

He was about to say something but then Prompto was in his lap and unloading his pain on him. And, like his typical self, he just absorbed it until he mentioned that Clarus layed a hand on him.

"He fuckin' interrogated you?" Clarus. Who'd been there when he'd been given his Crownsguard uniform? Clarus, the big unbearable jerk who woke all of them up for training in the morning? He saw a little bit of red in his vision, but he didn't let go. If anything, it made him more determined to make sure his best bud was alright.

"...Shiva bless that big lug," he breathed out, going back to gently rubbing Prompto's back. He had the best Shield ever and he'd fight people over that, too. "I'll talk to 'em tomorrow," he promised. "Just talk."

No arguing. No punches thrown unless it came down to it but he doubted it. Their family was sworn to protect his so he could vaguely see why... were he sober. But it's Prompto. The big fucking nerd who was too shy to even approach him for eight years or so after they'd first met. Who had a hard time opening up to others and somehow wormed his way into all of their hearts. Was the glue that kept them together after Altissia, his best friend and if Clarus couldn't see that, then...

Yeah. Definitely talking to him when not suffering a hangover.

[chocobosnap]

"A l-little!" Prompto answered, the nerves coming from the fact he didn't want them to fight over him. He wasn't worth that much, he knew that they were close to Noctis' family. "He wanted to but I couldn't-" He breathed. "I didn't want to answer his questions. I know that wasn't helping but Noct I can't tell him how I felt. I can't tell him the Chancellor-" His voice caught. "What he did."

He sucked in a breath. "He only grabbed me because I tried to leave. I didn't want to talk about it, I was already...I was trying to centre myself when he came in. I just..." He hated admitting that he was so weak and anxious and needed to do thinks to improve his mental health. He should be stronger.

He hugged him a little tighter, breathing warm against his neck, like they were in bed in the morning when he woke up, Noctis was that close. He wasn't entirely sure when this happened. He liked it.

"Yeah, he saved my ass, but I don't think that makes Clarus feel better. I wouldn't hurt you Noct. I'm not a spy. I promise."