[location: John Everton's House] [OPEN TO ALL!] BLOCK PARTY!!!

[aesthetic_mojo]

The time had come. Charlotte left John in charge of setting up the bar, giving him only the one request that he have a decent selection of beer, and did the work of dialing up the food. She knew she was going way over board. For all she knew no one might show up, even though she'd gotten a bit of a response to her invite. How could people resist, though. Food, drink, Dean's music, kittens? Okay, and an ex-vampire, but that wasn't his fault.

Pushing that thought away, she continued laying out the food and the carefully crafted warding spells that would protect it from the kittens. They had been given run of most of the patio, but not the yard, and not the food area. That meant they'd still be popping in and out of people's laps, but at least they wouldn't do it to plates.

When everything was ready, Charlotte ran up to change into skinny jeans, a crisp white button down and a ridiculously shiny pair of cowboy boots. Not unlike Dawn, not that she knew it, Charlotte was having too much fun with the fashion options the replicators afforded. Properly armored for the event, she headed back to the patio to wait for their first guests.





OOC: This is an open event, folks, anyone should feel free to tag in, even if they just discover the party. Start a new thread with a label if you want or just tag in on another thread. Feel free to hop around, too. IT'S A PARTY, PEOPLE! Also, this will go on as long as people are interested, so backtag all ya like. We know people will be in and out all weekend. Have fun, drink all the booze.

Comments

[before guests start arriving]

[fudgingkillyou.livejournal.com]

Dean gets there early, since he's providing the music. As much as he hates the fact that he's using it, he's got an iPod full of mostly classic rock that he's intending on hooking up to whatever system Charlotte and John have got.

Plus, he may or may not have a bottle of Everclear stashed in his jacket, after a conversation he'd had with Brigitta. But shh, nobody knows about that except the two of them.

Grinning, he waves to Charlotte when he sees her, raising the iPod for her to see.

"Hey there. Ready for a good time?" He calls.

[before guests start arriving]

[aesthetic_mojo]

Charlotte leaned over the patio railing and narrowed her eyes to figure out what he had. When she figured it out, she burst out laughing. For a man who drove such a classic car, she practically expected an 8-track. She'd have to hit a port to get something that would connect to it. She waved him up onto the patio. "Always am."

The Bar

[lapsedsaint]

The only real qualification that John had to be the designated bartender was the amount that he drank. Of course, there were worse qualifications to have, like actually going to school for it. At least his knowledge was come by honestly.

He had two metal barrels filled with ice, one full of bottles of beer that he'd drank in his life, the other full of bottles of soda. He was keeping the hard liquor under slightly tighter guard. But he was ready for anything.

Except what Charlie came out wearing. He suddenly felt woefully under dressed.

The Bar

[aesthetic_mojo]

She was pleased with the job he'd done and all ready to show him her excitement, then she saw his expression. She looked down at herself, frowning. The outfit was simple, although she'd dialed up the best fabrics and cuts. "You don't like it? There's still time for me to change."

[emergentfaculty.livejournal.com]

In due time, a slightly befuddled looking fellow with a tray of brownies arrives. When in doubt, bring dessert and smile, right?

JARVIS

[aesthetic_mojo]

Charlotte was disentangling a kitten from her hair when the man arrived with brownies. She held the squirming black furball out from her with a groan, then smiled at the man. "Hi. Welcome to the party." Al, the kitten, vanished out of Charlotte's hand, leaving her standing there like an idiot. "What've you got?"

[thirtyish minutes after sunset]

[diedwithit.livejournal.com]

Cian arrives like he said he would, and - probably as expected - fashionably late. He's brought a bottle of wine with him to add to the general selection, not that he figures such a gesture is necessary in a place that gives you anything, wearing jeans and an untucked white shirt, sleeves rolled up. He looks fairly at ease, but also watchful.

[thirtyish minutes after sunset]

[aesthetic_mojo]

Charlotte had found a quiet corner out of range of the cats so she could catch her breath for a while. All the new people were overwhelming them, making them return to her and John often. She'd just returned to the bar to get herself a fresh drink when Cian walked up. She greeted him with a broad smile. "Why do I feel like I just won a bet?"

[hearts-of-gold.livejournal.com]

Inara stared at the walls of her shuttle for a good long time before she decided, finally, all right.

There was no avoiding it. She had been living like a hermit for weeks, months really. And one of the only times she'd ventured out she'd nearly been killed. It wasn't a phenomenally confidence-stirring fact.

Still. There were people out there, a greater society, and she was at heart a social creature. It was difficult watching other people network and participate while she endlessly made herself tea and prayed.

Only shénshèng de gāowán did it have to be at John Everton's house? She rubbed her neck reflexively. He'd apologized in a very halfhearted way with no assurances that it wouldn't happen again, the entire becoming a monster of legend...thing. And nearly killing her. Was she insane to contemplate walking directly into his home? She already felt so stupid for it happening in the first place.

By the time she was running in mental circles about this she'd already dressed, prepared and was standing at the loading dock of the ship, ready to leave. She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose, and then announced "I'm going out!" To whomever it concerned. Assuming that anyone was even still there and hadn't all already gone over themselves.

It wasn't far to John and Charlotte's apartment. By the time she arrived there were already quite a few people there...well. At the very least if something awful was going to happen there would be plenty of witnesses. She drew her embroidered shawl around her arms more firmly and ventured forth, going in to see what, and who, was there to be seen.

[fudgingkillyou.livejournal.com]

And over to your right, Inara, is a one Dean Winchester, who is very glad to be seeing you not... bleeding to death. He's got a beer in hand and is leaning against the wall, people-watching for now. When he spots Inara coming in, looking plenty nervous, it's vaguely confusing for Dean, considering he doesn't exactly know what John did.

But hey, that's not going to stop him from coming over to Inara and flashing her a grin, offering her a beer. No use in being shy.

"Hey. Good to see you."

[notcursed.livejournal.com]

HAY GUYS, it's Toby, and he's brought Canadian beer (bow down). He smiles upon seeing the crowd that's formed, although he's expecting a headache from trying to block out all these thoughts.

Pillage away.

[lapsedsaint]

John came up to Toby to take the beer. "Canadian. Nice. That's the one kind I really can't get the hatches to do justice to for me. I'm not drinking it enough."

He stuck his hand out and smiled. "John Everton. Welcome to my house and Charlie's party."

[browncoatdevil.livejournal.com]

The little red dot was annoying. Gwen had been tracking it for half an hour getting lost countless times throughout the city before she finally thought she was heading in the right direction. One thing she hadn't expected to find upon her little quest for the red dot was finding a shindig.

Stuffing the tablet into her pocket the brown coated captain stood off on the edge of the group quietly tilting her head to the left and studying the people there. Yeah she had a few options mostly centering around being sociable or continuing on her way however the want to need to find out more about what was going on overcame any need for red dot hunting.

Lowering her arms to her side one of the newer arrivals progressed toward the group with a wry smile upon her face. "If I had known there was a party I would have remembered t' bring somethin'."

[lapsedsaint]

John had slipped away to enjoy a cigarette without kittens, so he watched Gwen approach. He held up a hand in greeting. "No need to have brought anything. Charlie made enough food for everyone to eat and take home."

He came close and held the same hand out in an offer of a shake. "I'm John Everton. This is my house. Somewhere around here is Miss Charlotte Blaine, the organizer of this shindig. And you are, besides welcome, of course?"

[later that ~evening.]

[outafter-dark.livejournal.com]

Barnabas knew that it would be rude if he didn't show up, especially since he'd seen the invitation, so naturally, he put in an appearance. Besides, it was a good opportunity to get out of the room he'd been staying in and actually look around the city a little bit.

Of course, he's a little late, but he's been "busy" all day. Surely people will understand.

And there he is, generally observing the entire thing. Especially the kittens. He may or may not think they're the cutest things ever.

[later that ~evening.]

[lapsedsaint]

John came over to greet the newest arrival, just in time to have Aleister appear on his shoulder. It did make offering a hand shale a little difficult, so he settled for a smile instead. "Welcome! Glad you could make it. Name's John."

[oldoldghost.livejournal.com]

Brigitta has actually managed to leave her sword behind for the occaision, gasps of shock are allowed... Basically, she managed it thanks to a handy amount of mental trickery on her part, and she does have a good few knives shoved in the coat that she's wearing, it is thus tolerable.

...Aaand she also has a bottle of Everclear tucked in among the knives, for just in case, but nobody knows about that except Dean and she's not telling.

So, yes, Brigitta shall just be standing there wearing a innocent smile that might just be taken to mean 'Nope, of course I don't have several weapons and some very strong alcohol on me, I don't known what you're talking about' but shall probably just be taken as a friendly smile, feel free to bug her!

[lapsedsaint]

Innocent smiles attract John like no body's business. So, of course, he has honed in on Brigitta. "Welcome to the party! Come on in, no one here will bite, I hope." It was a ridiculously weak joke, but he needed to do it.

[slasher-slayer.livejournal.com]

The Deadmobile idled in front of John's house as Cassie looked out the passenger window. She'd been driving around the city, nothing better to do and noticed the decorations and the people milling about. Cassie wasn't much of a partier, but she'd done it once. It was a cover, of course. Hunting Father Wrath on Spring Break. She'd drank, danced with a cute boy, kissed a girl. But all for the sake of getting the slasher. Course, the vomiting and the hangover the next morning weren't exactly awesome, but she'd survived. But would she survive this?

With no Vlad to make fun of it with her....

Cassie sighed, raking her fingers through her hair. "...the fuck, man?" She growled to herself. "It's not like you can't excuse yourself if you don't feel welcome or just get fucking bored. You gonna do it or not?" She noticed Dean's Impala parked not far from her and she arched an eyebrow. At least she'd know one person for sure. Biting at her bottom lip, she exhaled sharply, then ran her fingers through her hair again, making sure it didn't look completely jacked.

Climbing out of the van, she shut the door, glancing down at herself. Her usual attire wasn't exactly people-friendly, but she didn't feel over or underdressed. Steeling herself, Cassie started up the walkway that led around to the back of the house. Lifting her hand, she knocked at the door, waiting awkwardly for it to be answered. She may curse like a sailor, and kill things for a living, but she still had some manners.

[lapsedsaint]

The knock startled John. He was the only one in the house, for the moment, and certainly wasn't expecting the knock. Maybe someone needed the bathroom. Or they just hadn't gone all the way back yet.

He opened the door and smiled. "Hello?" It took him a moment to recognize that he didn't recognize her. "Oh! You're here for the party?" He grinned.

Gathering himself up, he stepped out the door and gestured that she come with him the rest of the way around the house and to the party proper.

[stealth-shot.livejournal.com]

Well, it had certainly been awhile since Zoe had been to a party quite like this. She looked around, still so many people here she didn't know. Sometimes she did wish she could be a bit more outgoing, but it just wasn't in her nature. In fact, she used to be worse. The fact that she had showed up was a testament of how much she had changed over the years.

She looked for her other crew mates but it looked like they hadn't yet arrived to this shindig yet. Wait, there was Inara. Zoe smiled slightly and headed over to the bar area. Might as well get a drink, some food, and settle down for a little relaxing time.

[aesthetic_mojo]

Charlotte had just snagged herself a fresh beer when a new face walked up. She stepped aside a bit to let the unexpectedly elegant woman get to the bar. After taking a long sip of her beer, she flashed Zoe a bright smile. "Welcome to the party. I don't think we've met." She put a hand out. "Charlotte Blaine, on whom all of this is being blamed."

[for the wallflowers]

[needtoruleit.livejournal.com]

Look! Billy's at the party too! Except... he's not really participating. Mostly, he's hiding in corners, sipping at a beer and making a face every time he does. It's a bit of a mystery as to why he's here, especially considering how badly his social skills suck, but...

He's still confused as to what's going on, considering his not-so-graceful appearance into Taxon. Maybe here he can find someone nice enough to take pity on him.

[for the wallflowers]

[aesthetic_mojo]

By the time she noticed Billy, Charlotte thought for sure everyone had been greeted by either her or John. She watched the slender man for a moment before sidling up beside him. Leaning against the wall, she crossed one ankle over the other and sighed deeply. "You know, that's really very good beer, but if you don't like it, we could find you something else. Wine, cocktail, Kool-aid?"

She glanced over at him for a moment, then looked away, grinning.

[ladyofice.livejournal.com]

Arabella is unsure about parties to say the least, even in her full out lady-so-have-to-attend-parties days she could usually be found off in a corner or sneaking off after animals, she just didn't really get the whole dancing and socialising with everybody under the sun thing, she'd much rather have been spending her time with animals.

...Which is probably why she's here, kittens! So, yes, she'll just be standing around in a way that is just faintly awkward and looking for the kittens, and possibly Charlotte too.

...Mainly the kittens.

[aesthetic_mojo]

Charlotte and John tried to greet everyone who showed up, but there were a few times someone slipped by. In this case, the smallest residents took up the slack. First was Vivienne, who teleported herself right in front of Arabella. The tabby and white kitten sat down pretty as you please and meowed a polite greeting. Her brother, Aleister, was not quite so polite. The black kitten popped up on Arabella's shoulder and meowed in her ear.

That's about when Charlotte managed to walk up. She stiffled a laugh with difficulty. "So, you found the place okay?"

[tattooedfacts.livejournal.com]

Leonard's got himself organised for this little event, he made a note and everything of where, when etcetera. Only thing he omitted to take note of was 'what'. So when he rolls up to the house in his car, he's not entirely sure why he's here. It doesn't help he arrived during a lull in the music, which would have been a dead giveaway.

A knock at the door produced no response so he sticks his head inside and calls out. "Hello!?"

[aesthetic_mojo]

Another minute and Leonard would have been lost in the house with no one to guide him, but Charlotte was still inside after sending Dean and Cassie away. She came out of the kitchen with an empty pitcher in her hand and waved at the new arrival. "Hi. Welcome to Chez Everton and our first event." She smiled brightly. "I'm Charlotte."

[valaunbound]

For all her line-up of dates this week, it never occured to Vala to bring one to the party. Well it did, to be fair, but this was an event that would go ahead with or without a date, so why waste one on the occasion when she could save it for an evening with no plans?

She'd have asked Daniel, but he seems to be doing his level best to ignore her recently, plus she might be secretly sulking that despite her array of willing dates, he wasn't one of them. Not that she expected him to offer, but expected and hoped aren't the same thing.

Party etiquette lost on her, she arrives empty handed. A faux pas which she quickly rectifies with two emergency hatched pitchers of Margarita and oddly enough a can of silly string when she sees others bearing gifts. Fairly lethal Margarita at that, we'll ignore the silly string and pretend it never happened maybe?

[aesthetic_mojo]

Charlotte only noticed Vala after the impromptu 'shopping.' Very nearly clapping with pleasure that the dark haired woman had appeared, she headed over to grab a pitcher so it didn't get dropped. "Welcome to the party. I'm glad you found us." Not that finding the place was that hard. It was on the map, after all.

She led her over to the bar so they could put down the drinks. "We've got a pretty good turn out. I have to admit, I'm a bit surprised."

Grilling

[lapsedsaint]

The sun's down and John is at the grill. He's got plates of various meats surrounding him and has already said a prayer that the grill will work. He closed his eyes and hit the starter. Click, click, and then it caught.

After another prayer of thanks, he signified the start of making food with the loud sizzle of steaks going down.

Grilling

[aesthetic_mojo]

Charlotte completely intended to go help John at the grill. Or at least ask him if he needed help and then stand there looking pretty. When she realized he'd actually said a prayer before starting up the grill, she decided to hang back and watch him. He'd been working the crowd almost as much as she had, which was a fascinating surprise.

After a while, watching him wasn't enough. She licked her lips as she reached for him with her mind, goosing him lightly with invisible fingers.

[Xander defies time-scales!]

[demonmagnetism.livejournal.com]

And at some indeterminate time when the party is in full-swing, Xander will be rolling in, not wearing anything particularly exciting (still in his vaguely-military outfit) but having at least made some effort with his hair (involving gel and being slicked back). All in all he's presentable. Also, he's bearing beer! Because booze is the most important thing.

He's actually currently looking for a place to put said beer, so plz pester him to your heart's content.

[Xander defies time-scales!]

[fudgingkillyou.livejournal.com]

"More beer? Good man." That'll be Dean coming up behind you and slapping you on the back there, Xander. He's buzzed, so don't mind if he says anything stupid.

"It's about time you got here."

I defy your labeling of thread times!

[tothelibrary.livejournal.com]

HAY SUP. Tiny Watcher is here-- or has been here for a while, depending on when you chose to tag, because this is a laissez faire kind of deal-- and she's wearing shoes that are inevitably going to end up stashed in a corner once her ankles start hurting.

Until then, though, she's a tiny brunette in high heels that look vaguely unstable and a skirt that Buffy will probably tell her is too short, wandering around and drinking a Diet Coke. Laissez les bons temps rouler.

woo rebellion!

[likeajoan.livejournal.com]

Buffy pretty much just arrived at the party, though she will maintain that she's not at all late, and she intended to take this long. She'd be willing to state it under oath. In any case she's sneaking up behind Dawn with her legendary stealth ninja skills, but instead of going with the traditional 'BOO' she opts for:

"Your skirt is too short."

Predictable? Pffft. She's not wearing the stern-face though, apparently that was more obligatory chastisement than actual conviction. Besides, her dress is maybe a tiny bit longer, so leg to stand on? Hardly.

[erudite-watcher.livejournal.com]

And here's a Giles, standing in the corner and looking awkward because that's what Gileses do at parties.

[likeajoan.livejournal.com]

Hello Giles, have a slayer in a sundress walking idly around the party-perimeter and then spotting you and bustling over enthusiastically.

"Giles, hey!"

[FASHIONABLY later]

[likeajoan.livejournal.com]

Buffy took what is described in polite circles as 'forever' to get ready for this party, because she was choosing an outfit. However, now that she's here and sipping something fruity and vaguely alcoholic from a plastic cup, she's very much in the spirit.

So feel free to bother her!

[FASHIONABLY later]

[lapsedsaint]

John saw Buffy and grinned rather widely. He held no ill will toward her, she'd just been trying to keep people safe. And they did share a knowledge of Latin, even if it was to opposing purposes, somewhat.

"Miss Summers. So glad you could make it. You look lovely."

[traveling-rose.livejournal.com]

Look a Rose. Looking quite bored since being late to a party clearly sucks.

[lapsedsaint]

Late party arrivals get greeted with beer and burgers. Which is what John is carrying as he comes up on Rose. "Welcome to my humble abode." He held put things out to her in offering. "I'm John. One half of the party throwers."

Oh yes, John has a lovely little buzz going now.

[lilgreasemonkey.livejournal.com]

This is a Kaylee, wandering over here. Clearly taking advantage of there being food.

[aesthetic_mojo]

By John's decree, it was time to start passing food around and making sure Charlotte's initial excess gets devoured. So he wandered with burgers and she carted around fruit covered in chocolate. A girl's gotta have her priorities. When she reached Kaylee, she turned on her bright hostess smile. "Please eat some of these? I'll get in trouble if they don't get eaten."

[And as always, a drunk starts the dancing...]

[hearts-of-gold.livejournal.com]

Inara was already swaying a bit, her third or fourth cup half-full of punch...she'd lost track somewhere along the way...in one hand. Very good punch! With a rather unexpected kick. The poor thing had no idea that she was blitzed out of her mind. She was sadly a lightweight when it came to hard alcohol.

A slow grin spread across her face as she heard the music in the air...she liked this song. It only took her a moment to locate the iPod docking stereo, and while it was admittedly primitive there was something to be said for large knobs that said "VOLUME" on them as far as ease of use went.

She turned it up far louder but not too deafeningly loud, and then she started to dance. Her dance, something like a combination of belly dancing, Chinese fan dancing and the arms-over-the-head swaying gyrations of every dancing drunk woman everywhere in the history of time was just a bit incongruous when done to "Sweet Home Alabama"...and yet it worked. Somehow.

And she was also perfectly content to dance alone...hopefully more people would join in, though.

[skyfrome.livejournal.com]

...Wow.

So, Mal hadn't been planning on attending the party. He generally considered himself too surly and/or belligerent for the social butterfly thing-- after all, he has that tendency to start fist-fights and occasionally get married by accident. That one time. That we shall not speak of.

However he was glad that he'd come now, if only to witness this truly amazing spectacle. He couldn't find words to say anything just yet, but he cleared his throat loudly from his current spot as wallflower extraordinnaire close-by. Of course it's debatable whether Inara will hear or not, over all the... well.