Party Rock Anthem only it's played on kazoos

[sacrificialpawn]

[Oscar is a practiced master at Coping (tm) in the face of things he would prefer not to address in any sort of healthy or rational manner. After the events of yesterday, he's somehow getting the feeling that he isn't the only one, which means that in his mind there is only one thing to do: this translates to yet another Walmart booze heist (even larger than the original), a few side trips to amass snacks because RIP his kitchen, and some haphazardly erected decorations in one of the spare rooms to try to at least give off something of a celebratory atmosphere... but let's be real here, this is just Misery x CPR x Reese's Puffs + alcohol.

Sunday morning will find handwritten notes tucked under everyone's doors inviting them to a party that evening, snacks and drinks (that particular word underlined a couple of times, just in case people didn't pick up on the meaning of "party") provided gratis.

There's alcohol, there's soda for the minors, there's plenty of junk food to eat, and there are a whole bunch of other people who are also Going Through It. What better recipe for a party could you ask for?

... don't answer that.]

Comments

cw implied weed use!

[hashtagafreakingghost]

[ "Party" for Ashley isn't much different from her normal attire: Some kind of jacket, a slouching beanie, some knit fingerless gloves she made herself, and a pair of leggings. Casual, absolutely her.

There is no alcohol in her hand this time, seems she didn't feel like doing the whole underage drinking thing. But, she did step outside before all this with her own personal party favor of choice, now that they're back at base. She kind of lingers at the edge of things, but she seems more relaxed than usual, content more with people-watching than engaging. ]

[plushes]

[ He's in a pretty casual outfit himself, but he's also wearing a jacket, one that's more for aesthetics than practicality...but at least he looks nice? Anyway, he can tell that some Weedening happened here, so that probably explains her exceptionally good mood. He's here to make it better. ]

Welcome in, to the most beautiful lady in the room!

[ is his stance on her re: Hot or Not clear yet ]

[hashtagafreakingghost]

[ fdsafewa wait no- ]

Wait, P-Percy, that's- that's a little much, isn't it?! I mean... [ like she's tragically straight but she has eyes, dorothy is RIGHT there ]

[plushes]

No? I don't think so. Only lady I've got eyes on, at least.

[ Dorothy is objectively pretty, it's true! But also, he might be very smitten with Ashley in particular, so. ]

[hashtagafreakingghost]

[ 🥺 ]

You're being so sweet... I really don't mind if you play, you know.

[plushes]

I don't mind if you do, either! You deserve compliments from everyone.

[ Just saying!!! ]

But...I don't really wanna open myself up to this sort of thing to just anyone, I think. I'm...a little shy about it.

[hashtagafreakingghost]

Oh, ah... You know, I think I understand that? I'm just not really used to it. My...

[ Mmm. She pauses for a moment, and then decides to continue. ]

...My friends. Most of them were a lot more, well... [ She kind of gestures at some of the more...outgoing members of their little party. ] They were made for games like this. So, even though I'm...a little more reserved myself, I'm also used to being around people who are a lot more...shameless.

[ Does this feel like it's speaking ill of the dead? No, it's just being factual, not judging, swear! ]

[plushes]

Heh, well, I don't think there's a shortage of people like that here, at least.

[ He's honestly shameless when a) it's not about himself and b) he's not taken, but now that he is, he feels a little more self-conscious about how he carries himself. Weird how that works. ]

...But you don't have to worry so much. You're perfect the way you are.

[hashtagafreakingghost]

[ Oh, now it's her turn to get flustered. ]

I-I don't know about perfect.

[plushes]

[ Hehe. Cute. ]

It's okay. I'll say it as many times as you need.

[ungratefuloz]

[:kyuuchan_blush:

you two are so adorable--]

[is2g]

[ regardless of the reason, it is nice to see her relaxed and not so worked up. wolfwood isn't here to rate her, but it doesn’t mean they can't people watch (gossip icly) about what's happening. ]

See anythin' excitin' from back here?

[hashtagafreakingghost]

[ gossip icly, aka every party she's ever been to. ]

Mm, maybe. What about you?

[is2g]

[ this is how we talk about the screenshots icly... heh. ]

Hmm. Not too much.

Looks like people are stil warmin' up to on another.

[hashtagafreakingghost]

Not all people. Some are at least a little more...open than others, though.

[is2g]

Yeah?

Is there someone already feelin' extra friendly?

[ squints. he has seen fukuda going around.... ]

[hashtagafreakingghost]

Perhaps. [ Pointed eyes @ Dorothy and Yeager. ] Maybe just a little outside the friend-zone, possibly?

[is2g]

[ 👁 👁 ]

Well, would ya look at that. It does look like somethin' a bit friendlier than what'd ya do with "just" friends.

[hashtagafreakingghost]

Maybe it's nothing! But, you know. Maybe it's not. This is the kind of stuff you see when you wallflower it up.

[noirge]

Your smile is a ten. Ashley.

[ Even if it's with a little help, he's happy she's relaxed! ]

[hashtagafreakingghost]

[ Aaaaaaa she blushes a little. ]

Yves... Thank you. You know, yours is too.

[sacrificialpawn]

[... ah. When Oscar spots Ashley standing off to the side, he hesitates for a moment, unsure whether he should approach her or not. It's this very guilt that led him to throw this party in the first place, for better or for worse, but it seems like the alcohol still hasn't quite managed to take the edge off entirely.

Ultimately, however, he decides he'd feel worse if he didn't say anything, and so it's with one hand rubbing the back of his head that he comes over, not looking directly at her as he speaks.]

... hey. 'M sorry for what happened back there.

[hashtagafreakingghost]

[ It's like a regular role reversal. Oscar's awkward and uncomfortable, and Ashley? Ashley's feeling so fine and relaxed. In fact— ]

...Sorry for what?

[sacrificialpawn]

[It sure is one heck of a reversal, especially in light of how upbeat Oscar's been for the majority of the party so far.]

For sayin' that things would be okay, and then not bein' there when they weren't.

[He frowns.]

Yves and Void Archives told me about what happened with the copies of yourselves an' how they attacked you. [...] I'm sorry for not bein' around to protect you guys.

[hashtagafreakingghost]

Oh.

[ Yeah. Oh.

For a moment, it seems like she's sobering up, remembering the harrowing experience. But... ]

Well... I mean... I kind of knew, it wasn't going to just...be okay. You know? After everything...that just seems like, like something people say. So...you don't have to be sorry. I figured something would go wrong.