( open ) time is tickin' I cannot waste it love

[scarcastically]

CHARACTERS: Erik Stevens + Everyone / Mingle! I’m not the boss of you.
LOCATION: Open Field near ish the Palace
DATE: Sometime in July
CONTENT: Party, drinks, dancing.
WARNINGS: N/A


( i. party hats )

[ this had been the stupidest condition of his goal, but it’s a doable one so erik handles it the way he would handle any kind of mission; single-mindedly. he gets to work and makes a couple of dozen party hats of various colours and size. some might seem too small, others too big, a few that are just right, no he doesn’t accept constructive criticism. ]

Just put the damn thing on, it won’t kill you.

( ii. food and stuff )

[ unfortunately there are constraints. if they were back in usa, setting up the supplies of food and drink would be a cinch. however, he’s working with fantasy asian cuisine, out of which he knows half of. still, his position as a nobleman’s attendant gave him a hefty salary and he put it to good use. there are plenty of caskets of booze, all the kinds he could find and various eateries and snacks. some from the palace, others he cobbled together with the use of their kitchen like basic butter cookies and wafers.

eat, drink, he’s not here to card you kids ]

( iii. dancing )

[ and of course, there’s music. lively music, slow tunes. erik managed to hire a band (like three people on instruments but details). the sun was setting, the breeze was cool and maybe for a brief moment, you want to enjoy yourself. give up your worries for a day. the light hits the flowers, giving the scenery a warm orange glow.

grab a partner and have a little fun. ]

Comments

[scarcastically]

[ he squints at her briefly. ]

I dunno if I should be less forward in checkin' that you don't collapse at my party.

[soups]

❰ oh...is he worried about her state of inebriation? oops! ❱

My apologies. ❰ she offers him another quick bow. the only saving grace is that the cup is 2/3 empty, so it can't slosh onto the floor. ❱ I didn't mean to be impolite or in such a state in your presence.

❰ jiang yanli lifts herself up from her bow and feels her equilibrium shift immediately. she's got herself right on her feet after a split second of leaning into a stumble, but her face betrays just how dizzy her vision has just become. ❱

[scarcastically]

[ yeah okay. erik projects his hand movements so he can grasp her gently by the forearms. ]

I ain't mad. And I'm guessin' this answers my question about you being a lightweight. You good for staying or do you wanna head back?

[soups]

❰ his head moves side to side, and so her eyes bounce back and forth to meet his — or where they appear to be, with her head still spinning slightly. ❱

Back? No— ❰ she hopes the quick, declining head shake she gives him will knock her pupils back into place, but that only seems to make her grasp on things worse. confusing — staying...party? palace? back head back home? ❱

No I would stay.

[scarcastically]

Lady, you're barely standin' straight.

[ this seems like an incredibly bad call and erik isn't heartless, though he does his best to act like he is. ]

It ain't safe on your own.

[soups]

❰ the dizziness is calming down — or maybe she's just getting use to where things are around her as they spin. either way, this isn't what's upsetting her anymore ❱

I didn't expect that I would be such a drunkard. To think I've been so slovenly in your presence...please accept my apologies.

❰ she goes to bow again and almost tips over once more. ❱

[scarcastically]

[ erik doesn't roll his eyes. thankfully. ]

It ain't a big deal. Probably not used to the strong stuff, s'all.

[soups]

❰ okay, steady, steady— she's now learned that sudden movements make this sensation worse. ❱

I've only ever had rice wine on occasion, before. I didn't realize you had to drink so little to feel so strange.

[scarcastically]

[ erik gives a little hum. ]

Yeah, the alcohol content's stronger. I wouldn't call it a bubbly drink to start off with.

Maybe I should've made signs.