MIDDLE EARTH ; oo1

[phatroles]

[ The party's already in full swing by the time you arrive, checking your name off with a doorman so sozzled that the whole exercise is pointless anyway. It's a bit surprising how many people the Prancing Pony can fit, or indeed how many have even turned up.

Why are you here? Well, that's obvious, of course. It's because-- never mind, that's not the important thing. There's a greeting to be given, and drinks flowing freely. Perhaps you'll find old friends or make ones new. Perhaps the same will be true of enemies too. Maybe you'll even notice tat you don't quite look the same as you thought you did.

Perhaps you'll find out why your thoughts are rhyming and your sense of timing is off. It's not likely. This isn't a riddle to be taken so lightly.

But you have a part to play, even if you don't quite realise it. Maybe that dysphoric, I-Shouldn't-Be-Here sensation is the result of too much Hobbit weed in the air? Just go with that for now, before you think too much and spoil your fun. ]

Comments

WHEN MARIMBA RHYTHMS START TO PLAY

[phatroles]

[ of course there's a band. the longer this night goes on, the better you think your dancing skills are. take it away, dancing queen! ]

[ferroucious]

[ Gazille can immediately tell that something's wrong here. First off, nobody invites him to parties. Secondly, he's pretty sure the beard is new. But everyone just keeps passing him pints and calling him by name, so maybe he's just imagining things?

Confusion disappears with every sip, and he finds himself remembering details about his life. His forge, deep in the mountains. His brother dwarfs, and some of the mischief they get up to. His foot taps along with the beat and he scowls to hide it, one arm crossed firmly across his chainmail.

Maybe in another dozen or so ales he'll find the courage to ask the musicians if he can examine that lute... ]

[ayesir]

[and then, outside, there is absolute, window-rattling chaos. window-breaking, too, on account of someone diving through the window to get inside. now the room is filled with shrilling, wailing animal noises over top of the shrilling, wailing people noises trying to get away from the former.

there is a giant, blue-feathered bird sprawled out in the middle of the muddy road in the downpour, just yelling and being altogether obnoxious and awful.]

i SHOULD PROBS ACTUALLY GET THIS BOY SOME ICONS HUH

[ferroucious]

[ The caterwauling outside doesn't go with the Hobbit banjos or whatever at all. Gazille's scowl darkens. He puts up with the noise for about a whole half of a minute before his temper gets the better of him. Cursing, he shoves his way to the blighted window and tries to see what all this is about.

A giant blue eagle or whatever wasn't what he expected somehow. And it looks so familiar... ]

--Cat?!

IF U WANT I MEAN FOLLOW UR DREAMS

[ayesir]

[HICCUPsob.] Uwuuu... [SNIFF.

his head turns...then turns again. damn these sideways eyes.]

WAH! [hopping up on his talons, wing stretching out and pointing.]

Beard cosplay!!

FLIES INTO THE SUN (THIS WAS A TERRIBLE IDEA)

[ferroucious]

GEH--

[ YOU STUPID CAT. ]

It's not a cosplay, this is real! Real! And what's wrong with you?!

NOT MY FAULT

[ayesir]

[hiccup-sniff.

beat.]

...S-so it's not...Gajeel cosplay–?