TIMING: June 22nd LOCATION: Van's House PARTIES: The Allgoods SUMMARY: The Young Adults of Wicked's Rest bond over a game of Truth or Dare CONTENT WARNINGS: None! It's Cute!
Nora looked around Van's crowded house. Between Cass and Nora, the small get-together that they had promised Van it had been turned into, well, a little bit of a rager. Nora wasn't sure she'd ever been to a party with this many people before. No, that wasn't true. She'd never been to a party with this many people who liked her and wanted to spend time with her before. Now look at them. They were all sitting in a circle on the floor, staring at each other, waiting for someone else to make the first move. Who had suggested truth or dare? Nora couldn't remember. Nora downed the last of the whisky bottle, she'd stolen a few from Axis to supply to the party, and set it in the middle of the circle. Was this how truth or dare worked? "Whoever the bottle lands on goes first." She announced, spinning it.
The bottle stopped, pointing directly at her. Cass grinned, clearly pleased with the development. In all honesty, the entire party was exhilarating. To be in a room surrounded by friends who wanted to hang out with her... she couldn't think of anything better. Bouncing in her seat, she scanned her eyes around the circle. "Okay! Um... Ray?" She looked at the boy, who she didn't know very well but wanted to know better. Maybe this would be a good way to do it. "Truth or dare?"
Ray was sat toying with the laces on his shoes looking at the bottle with apprehension. He didn't know how he'd found himself at a party, an actual real party. Let alone one where they were playing truth of dare. He hadn't done something like this since he was much younger. His heart ponded when he heard his name and he looked up wide eyed at Cass. "Truth."
Wynne was sitting next to Ariadne, legs crossed and hands resting on them as they observed this thing called truth or dare for the first time. Wynne had certainly been to parties before, but they had included dancing naked around a fire most of the time. They had a feeling that might not happen tonight. They turned their head towards Ray as he answered, curious to see what would happen next.
Cass was a little disappointed --- dare was more fun than truth, after all ---- but this would be a good way to get to know Ray better. Leaning forward, she said, "If you had to change your name, what would your new first name be?"
Nora enjoyed her fear snack as Ray was the unfortunate one called upon first. Part of her was surprised he didn't stand up and bolt at that second, and fond herself unsurprised that he asked for a truth. "Coward!" Nora heckled. Because it was a party, and parties needed hecklers, right?
Alex hadn't expected to find herself at party. Outside of obligatory team party invites, she wasn't exactly getting invites left and right. She felt a little tense, but she hid it behind a seemingly easy smile. Cass had asked her to be here and she found herself inclined to do whatever the oread asked of her. She recognized some other people at least though she wasn't sure if that made her feel more or less nervous. Cass seemed thrilled though and that's what mattered, right? She waved at Ariadne and Wynne and watched aptly as the bottle spun and Cass asked a truth of Ray.
Wynne waved back at Alex with a smile, as did Ariadne.
Van wasn't sure what Cass and Nora had gotten her into. When they had said a small get together, she thought they had meant it. Instead, she was now sitting in a circle with faces both new and old. Including the very person who knew what they had done to Debbie. She tried her hardest to ignore the anxiety as it bubbled, anxiously tearing at the loose fabric at the bottoms of her shorts. "That is boring," Van said, deciding that she wanted to try and be friendly. Even if trying might get her in more trouble than not.
Ray looked at Nora with a slightly betrayed expression and bumped his knee into hers as he turned back to Cass "Probably uh...just really commit to 'Soup' as a thing probably. Enough people call me it at this point right?" He then reached forward and spun the bottle quickly to get people looking elsewhere. It spun and landed on Van. "Truth or Dare."
Mackenzie wasn't exactly sure what she was doing here. Nora, of all people, had invited her, and it scared her a little. But getting out of the house was good right? Hitting the party scene? She hadn't done it since one of her co-star's birthday parties almost a year or so ago. Of course life had definitely been different back then. But was Truth or Dare really the right game for her to be playing with a room full of strangers? She didn't know their intentions, and the one person, she really knew had screwed her over in the past.
"You would change your name to Soup?" Cass made a mental note to make sure Ray never got his name taken by another fae. There was no way she was calling the guy Soup. Turning to look at Van, she flashed her an excited smile as the bottle landed on her.
Wynne asked, "Cream of corn?"
Wynne said, "Good choice."
Miyeon didn't know what to expect showing up to this party but any social gathering in Wicked's Rest was prime opportunity to gather information and pick up rumors and so here she was, sitting in a circle for truth or dare of all things. Some people she recognized, most she didn't. That was fine, she made friends fast. Or at least acquaintances and that was all that mattered. "Why Soup?" she asked.
Well that was at least something Ren could understand, leek and potato soup was the best option.
Nora tilted her head to the side. Soup made sense. He was already Nora's personal soup kitchen when it came to getting food. "Soup." She repeated, turning her eyes to Van to see what she would choose.
Milo had been nervous about coming to this party. Sure, he needed to get to know more people in town since it appeared he would be staying here longer than he had originally hoped, and he did like a good party, but... The magic girl was here and he recognized a few of the others from that night at the death pit as well. Some of the others seemed nice, at least. Also, he was pretty sure that was Mack Ross??? He could already tell it would be a strange night.
The idea both a dare and being truthful were frightening in their own right, but as long as it wasn't Milo (as she had learned his name was) asking the questions, then it should be fine, right? Plus, Van had just told the very person now spinning on her to not be boring. She spread her hands over her knees and rocked slightly. "Dare." She would regret it. Probably.
Finally! A dare! Cass grinned at Van's choice, looking utterly delighted. Granted, Van was only the second person to go, but it had still been, in the nymph's opinion, an agonizingly long wait for someone to choose dare.
Ray shrugged "My last name is Campbell like the soup brand, and...me and a friend of mine are...sort of inseparable at the moment and his last name is Baxter another soup brand, so we're the Soups I guess so why not?" and looked back down at his shoelaces for a second trying to think of something good to dare Van to do. "Give your phone to the person to your left and...let them text someone?"
Cass blew out a puff of air, sending her bangs flying up briefly. "Why didn't you invite him?" She asked. "We could use more people." And she could use more friends. This was a good sized group, but she always wanted more.
Well that gave Ren something to ponder. Did soups have brands? How would that work? Wouldn't the hot metal just quench in the broth? Or was that how this Ray heated up his soup?
Van had no clue about there being any kind of soup brands named Baxter, but she listened to his explanation as to why he went by soup anyway, thinking about how she'd want to be known as fermented veggie, if any. But then it was time for the dare and her eyebrows raised. "That's it? Really?" She didn't have any important numbers in her phone, anyway. Maybe somebody would accidentally text Janice. Fuck. With a sigh, she handed her unlocked phone to Wynne. "Here." Then, she took the bottle and spun it. It landed on Mackenzie (who she still could not believe was here. "Truth or dare." Now that the pressure was off of her, she could relax slightly.
Ray cringed very slightly "He might show up later if you want." and then regretted it as Ryan in his head started crowing about some sort of costume change so he could go to the party. Fake moustaches and all.
Wynne piped up to say to Ray, "I think we talked online about soup, once? Right?" Then Wynne looked surprised when Van handed them her phone, staring at it for a moment. They stared at the numbers her contacts, then tapping on the name Ren and texting: Hi!!!! I hope you're having a good time.. "There you go," they said, giving it back to Van.
Miyeon tried not to stare but either that girl was a doppelganger for Mackenzie Ross, or... Honestly in this town, either was possible. She made a mental note. Maybe she could get an interview. If she was up for that kind of thing.
Mackenzie: glanced around the room. Networking had never been an issue, but it seemed like large groups seemed to make her nervous now. She had secrets that the world just didn't need to know. However, soup was fun. And if she had to choose a flavor she'd be...Shit, someone just called her name. "Uh...okay, um..." What the hell? "Dare. Lets go dare." And give the people something to talk about…
Alex felt a small wave of relief each time the bottle didn't land on her and a small rush of excitement when someone chose dare. She wasn't sure why she cared, but Cass seemed happy. Then, she realized there was another familiar face in the group. Mack? She chewed nervously on her bottom lip. They hadn't exactly gotten off to the best start, but she offered up a small wave hoping the promise of mime dining cleared the air at least a little before chiming in aside Cass, "Yeah, the more the merrier!"
Cass looked over to Alex out of the corner of her eye, flashing her a bright grin when she agreed with her. Alex had been on her side in pretty much every situation since their trip to the cave, which was refreshing and exciting. Cass had never had anyone agree with her quite this much before.
Van took her phone back from Wynne, preparing herself to be devastated by the communication she'd find, but was pleasantly surprised to see that Wynne had been kind about it. It was probably a good thing she hadn't sat next to Nora. She probably would have sent a text to Felix or something about breaking his kneecaps. They would probably believe she would try to do that, too. She looked across the way to Ren and smiled awkwardly before tucking her phone away. When Mackenzie chose dare, she was slightly surprised, and a little disappointed. She wanted to know about celeb gossip. Fine, whatever. "Um..." she thought for a moment, before perking up, "give your best impression of..." she looked around, eyes landing on Cass. Would she even know how to do this? Did she know Cass like that? She had been the one who invited her. "Of Cass. Show us Cass." Mackenzie was an actress, after all.
Mackenzie nervously looked over towards Alex when she waved and gave her a soft smile, "Hey, Alex."
Cass was, of course, delighted to be included in the dare. She bounced in her seat, practically vibrating as she looked over at Mack, waiting for the impression.
Nora pulled a lighter out of her pocket to play with. Idle hands making for devil's work and all that. "Yeah, Mackie. Do a good impression."
Ray looked helplessly back as his mind swam with costume ideas from an over eager ghost in his head. Now trying to convince him that just a big coat would be enough only a few people in this group knew him that well. "I'll text him. See where he is." Ray agreed bringing out his phone to...change the clock setting to military time and then back to hide the fact he couldn't text Ryan. He looked over the screen towards the promised impression however.
Acting. They wanted to see her act? I mean, it's what she was known for. But Mackenzie barely knew Cass, aside from being scammed out of $50 for something she could have googled. The girl was sweet though and she didn't want to insult her or make more enemies in the world than she probably already had. Standing up, Mackenzie took a deep breath, shooting a hard glare in Nora's direction after the comment she let slip out. Walking over to Cass, she kneeled down, "If I have to act like you...you're acting like me. You're my scene partner." She held out her hands willing to help her up.
Alex smiled and watched eagerly to see how Mack would portray Cass. Then Cass was asked to join in as a scene partner and she found herself unable to look away. "You got this," she assured both of them.
Cass 's excitement grew as Mack approached her, her smile widening significantly. Mack wanted her to act with her? A professional actor who'd been in a superhero movie wanted to act with Cass? She looked over at Alex, smiling at the reassurance, and took Mack's hands to pull herself up. "Okay," she said, glancing around the circle. Eyes stopping on Ren, she smiled again. "Ren! Set the scene."
Mackenzie stepped back when they were both standing again. Theater in the round. This would be fun. Her heart was pounding hard in her chest, but her face was calmer than ever. She wasn't sure who Ren was, but she stood quietly and waited for the scene to be set. Her eyes shifted to Nora and then to Alex, who seemed to calm her unlike, Wednesday Addams staring her down probably hoping she'd fail.
Miyeon was tempted to take out her phone and get this captured on camera but that would definitely ruin the vibe. But a covert audio recording couldn't hurt anyone, right?
Nora's eyes flickered between Cass and Ren. Ren was the least talkative of the group, and now she was supposed to set up an acting scene between Cass and Mack? What would the bug choose to do? Nora flicked the lighter again, moving the open flame close enough to Ray to see if he would start to get nervous.
Van watched as Mackenzie got up. She looked over to Ren as Cass requested her to set the scene. Unfortunately, she was oblivious to any possible beef either could have with one another, and was half-excited to see what Ren would come up with. She nudged the other girl softly, giving her an encouraging smile.
Ren turned from an impossibly still bug to a stone statue all at once. Even if they weren't, Ren suddenly felt like every eye in the room was on her. No, that wouldn't do. Of course it was Cass who had set her up. Did she know? Ren certainly had no idea what a scene was, nor how to set it up. She barely knew was acting was or why everyone seemed to be both nervous and in some manner of reverance to the standing blonde. "It is not my turn."
Miyeon leaned back a little as she took a drink and casually glanced over as she saw 'Soup' """texting""" someone. "Did you mess up your settings or something?"
Wynne laid their hand on Ariadne'sknee as they anticipated the scene, quite relieved that all they'd had to do was text someone so far.
Alex felt inclined to urge Ren to set the scene despite having never talked to Ren before. "Come on," she grinned, "It's fun. You pick the setting-- you could do something fun like Bigfeet's or robbing a museum!"
“This means nothing to me." Ren replied flatly."
Van figured that Ren might take things a little literally, so she piped up. "Beach day? That's the scene. GO."
Cass was a little disappointed at Ren's response. She got the feeling that the other nymph didn't like her much, and she'd hoped that, by including her, she might change that. After all, Cass liked to be included. Instead, she got the feeling that she'd made things worse, somehow. Van came in with a save, and Cass offered her a small smile as she tried to hide her disappointment. "Okay," she agreed, looking back to Mack, "beach day." She began miming putting on sunscreen, humming the single that Mack had released before her departure from Hollywood.
Nora glanced between the two fae in the room. Was Cass's smile a little smaller? She put a single, comforting hand on Cass's arm for a brief moment before returning to her tormenting of Ray. Perhaps idle hands would be less the devil's plaything or whatever when it came to him. Nora flicked the lighter a little closer this time
Van noticed that the snacks were beginning to run low. As much as she didn't want to miss the performance, she got to her feet and hurried into the kitchen, grabbing a few unopened bags of chips, returning to the circle with them. She was glad that she went overboard on the grocery trip. She tried her best to avoid Milo as she set a bag down next to him. She wasn't sure why he was keeping quiet about what had happened. This would have been the prime time to tell everyone. With a sigh, she put a bag of chips down next to Miyeon and smiled at her before returning to her seat between Wynne and Ren.
Ray watched the discourse unfold. It was tense for a moment before a few voices rang out to ease it. He relaxed back tucking his phone out of the way. Glancing at Miyeon in what he hoped was a casual way he nodded -maybe a little too quickly- "Yeah I have to let it...set properly and restart I think..." the flicker of Nora's lighter to his other side causing him to keep an eye on her.
Wynne watched Van get up and looked at Ren without the other obstructing their view. "Hi! I'm Wynne." Once Van was back, she offered her a smile too. "It's great that you're hosting this, Van." With that, they let their gaze drift back to the scene, not recognizing the song in the slightest
Mackenzie: Okay, meeting at the beach getting scammed out of $50 after wanting to learn to mime and trusting some rando on the internet. She could do this. She had worked with worse. But the tension in the air between some of the group was as thick as cement, and Mack almost felt like she was walking into a trap. Seeing Cass start, she was pretty impressed. Backing up just a little, taking a deep breath, and coming forward again Mackenzie automatically changed her voice and her posture. Upbeat was definitely the word to describe her, "Omg, Mack Ross! At the beach! Wait...you're the one wanting mime lessons?" Mack stammered, in character as Cass, feeling slightly bad, "But why? And why are you in Wicked's Rest?"
"Bummer," Miyeon replied. "Is it old or something?" She had a suspicion it wasn't the phone that was the issue. "If you need to use my phone to text your friend, you can, I don't mind." Her attention turned quickly to the scene happening in front of them, curious to hear what was possibly going on that brought Mack here. Not that she knew if Cass knew but someone knew something and she wanted to be the someone who knew.
Alex frowned slightly at Ren not setting the scene like Cass had asked, but watched the scene play out eagerly anyhow and smiled at the way Cass mimed putting on sunscreen. She noticed the chips coming out and nodded a thanks. "Thanks... Van, right?" She was trying to remember everyone's names and was picking up bits and pieces of everything around her.
Oh, so she wanted to play out the mime scam. It wasn't what Cass would have chosen, but all right. "Yes! I'm Mack Ross! Famous actress, at the beach. And I love mimes. I want to be a mime more than anything. Can you teach me how to be a mime?"
Milo tensed as Van got close, but she just dropped another bag of chips down next to him. He offered her a smile, tense though it was. It appeared he was at her house tonight. He would at least try to be friendly. Grabbing a handful of chips, he offered the bag to the couple on his right before straightening as the girls began their little acting scene. Not only was he at a party with Mackenzie Ross, he was getting to see her do a bit of acting, too.
"Oh, uh. Yeah." She smiled at Wynne, not really wanting to get into how it was only supposed to be a few of them. Out of everyone there, Van was least upset with Wynne for their arrival, and by proxy, Ariadne's. "I hope the snacks are okay." She looked across to the redhead and nodded. "Van, but not like the car." She tried to keep her voice low as Cass and Mackenzie acted out the scene.
Nora knew who pretty much everyone here was except for one person. One person sitting between Mack and Miyeon. Nora's eyes stayed on him for a long time, barely paying attention to the acting scene. Had he a scent of fear radiating off of him. Nora did her best to make eye contact with him while flicking the lighter on and off. Fear was fun.
Miyeon realized pretty quickly that she couldn't offer her phone to Ray, not while she was recording. "Actually, just kidding you can't use mine," she said without waiting for his answer. She turned to the guy next to her. "Uh, hey, hi, question: can he borrow your phone to text that other soup guy?" she said, pointing to Ray. "His is acting up. I'm Miyeon, by the way, I don't think we've met."
Were they... pretending to be each other? This made no sense at all to Ren, who's face had been hidden since she had to speak. Why did everyone care about this? Why did people look to the blonde like she was some type of hero? Ren scowled. She was just some girl, right?
Wynne said reassuringly, "The snacks are great, yes!" Their gaze was on the scene again, frowning a little at the mention of famous actress. Wynne had been watching a lot of movies since leaving the commune but they'd never seen her. Maybe this was just part of the bit.
Mackenzie felt like she had struck a nerve with Cass, but in her defense, they had only just met, and she was basing this off of barely knowing the girl; a problem she hated running into. Improve was okay, but research was so much better. Especially when you were portraying a real person, "Mimes? Why would anybody want to be a mime? Whatever! But first, it's $50 and proof that you're not going to murder me, because serial killers on the internet is a real thing! Plus, do you like coffee?"
Ray shifted uncomfortably having been caught in his lie, he opened his mouth and then closed it again when the invitation to borrow a phone was withdrawn. Only for his horror to increase as another person was added to the fold. "Oh I can really just text him later it's no big deal don't worry about it...My name is still Ray for now...but Soup guy works fine too... hi" he trailed off looking between the two of them.
Alex interjected, "Good soup."
Cass tried to hide a smile. "I have a lot of fifty dollar bills, so I will give you one." Glancing around, her eyes landed on the chips Van was passing around. She took a chip and held it out, a little dramatically, to Mack. "Here is $50, which a serial killer would not have. Tell me about mimes. And I do like coffee! Also!"
Milo looked up as he felt someone's eyes on him and met the gaze of the girl who had been playing with a lighter. Her stare was intense, and he was grateful when the two on his left began speaking to him. "Oh, hey. It's no problem, man." He pulled his phone out of his pocket, unlocking it before handing it over to Ray. "I'm Milo, nice to meet you guys." He flashed them both a warm smile.
"Do you like Scary Movies, Milo?" Nora asked, leaning into Ray's personal space as the other handed Ray his phone. She was doing her best to keep her voice down, she didn't want to get in the middle of Cass's big acting debut, but something about Milo screamed easy food.
Wynne stared at Nora and the lighter she'd been flicking, remember what she'd told her about eating fear. Was she doing that now? That was a bit messed up. They frowned. Letting their voice pipe up, they said, "I'm Wynne, nice to meet you Milo! How about these crisps, huh?"
Ray gave Alex a smile, he knew that one. He didn't say a word as Nora leaned over him, just leaning back a little and keeping a good eye on the lighter still in her hand just in case. He took the phone offered to him with a soft thank you before tapping into messages and wondering if he'd put his phone on silent or if he could just text himself inviting himself to the party... "Great to meet you." He said from behind Nora.
Van noticed that Nora was starting to try to intimidate Milo. Shit. Maybe it would be better to tell her and the others who he was after the party was over. If she told them know, there'd be no telling what would happen. She nervously fidgeted with a loose thread while trying to distract herself by the scene before her between Mackenzie and Cass.
Mackenzie was impressed by the use of the chip as money, but happily took it, "$50? Sweet! This is what I know..." Mackenzie begins doing basic miming skills, including drinking a cup of coffee. It was starting to feel awkward enough, and she was worried going any further would either insult Cass or force something out that people didn't need to know. "Well, thanks for the $50 and the coffee! See ya later, Mack Ross. Famous actress!" She took a beat and stopped what she was doing, "And scene." Stepping back, she smiled nervously at Cass, "Good job, Kid. Nice working with you." Leaving the middle of the circle, she walked back to the table with the food to hide from an already embarrassing introduction to people she'd never met. God, if you could only see what my life has become, Brody. She looked upwards shaking her head.
Nora applauds loudly. Because it seems like something friends should do.
Ray jumps at the sudden noise, drops Milos phone, fumbles for it, makes sure it's not broken and then joins in the applause.
Milo raised an eyebrow as the lighter girl asked him a question and seemed to be trying to look at his phone. Now that he was focusing on her, he was pretty sure she was also part of the group that night. Cristo, maybe he shouldn't have come tonight. "Uh, yeah. Horror movies can be fun. Do you?" Looking back at Ray he smiled. "Likewise."
Now they were smacking their hands together? Why? Everyone else seemed to be clued in on the strange ritual. Ren wasn't sure she wanted to be.
Miyeon stops the recording super quick before adding to the applause. "Bravo! Encore!" she shouted for the hell of it.
Wynne applauded because it seemed polite.
Did a thanks count if it was in character? Cass wasn't sure, but didn't bother trying to bind Mack to it, anyway. She's already gotten $50 from the actress, and she didn't think it would be hard to get another thanks out of her if she really tried. Grinning as Mack called scene, she bowed dramatically. "Next step, Broadway!" That was probably more fun than Hollywood, anyway. Plus, Mack probably had some kind of beef with Hollywood if she'd left, and Cass didn't want to offend her. "Okay! Mack, now you spin the bottle and see who it lands on to go next."
Alex eagerly applauded, giving both Mack and Cass a smile, though her gaze lingered on the latter for longer, still eager to please in a way that perplexed her. Simping wasn't usually her style, but cass hardly seemed to mind. "Now there's a show I'd see."
"Love them." Nora answered, side-eyeing Ray as he jumped. Any scare she made to try and hit Milo with would for sure take out Ray. Nora returned to her personal space, deciding to leave the scare for another time. "Spin the bottle Mackie." Time to see who was the next victim.
Van clapped in unison with the others, but wasn't really sure whether or not it was good acting. She'd seen better from Mackenzie and Cass. "Yeah, Mackenzie, it's your turn to spin." She smiled at the blonde before looking over at Ren who seemed visibly uncomfortable with the applause.
Mackenzie walked back over to the circle and sat down after cramming a few chips in her mouth. They tasted like cardboard, but if she didn't at least eat something, Mackenzie felt like people would be suspicious, "You'll be great, Cass. Maybe I can even teach you a few things." She winked at her. Leaning forward, she gave the bottle a firm twist, before watching it land on Nora. Could she not win? Fuck. "Nora...truth or dare?"
Milo clapped for the duo. Their scene had seemed... tense, but it was acted out pretty well for just a little dare. Turning to his other side, Milo flashed a smile to Wynne. They seemed maybe a bit nervous? "Nice to meet you. Yeah, good, right? You go to a lot of parties like this?" He wondered if they were friends with the others.
"Dare" Nora stated without hesitation.
Mack Ross giving her acting lessons was an exciting concept, and she turned to Alex to flash her a quick grin to communicate this. Alex seemed to get her well enough that she thought it would be understood. Turning to look at Nora now, Cass guessed what she'd pick just a moment before she did it, because it was Nora. She was all about dares. "Oh! Make it a good one!"
Wynne shook their head at Milo's question. "I thought we'd be celebrating the equinox tonight, but this is very different from that." They looked at Van, "Unless there's more to come?" Wynne was quick to add: "I mean, I really love it!"
Alex found she was excited that another dare was in the mix and somehow the eagerness was settling in over the unease. "Dare's are the best," she watched between Nora and Mack to see what the latter came up with. Something told her Nora wouldn't be backing down regardless.
Looking at her with a sly grin, Mackenzie spoke up, "Tape your mouth shut for the rest of the game." At least then she couldn't taunt her. Of course not knowing what Nora could do probably screwed her over regardless for the rest of the night.
Nora gave her blankest most uncaring expression to Mack. "Does anyone here even have tape?"
Alex piped in, "In my bag, I do!"
"If this becomes a mime party, I'm leaving," Miyeon said. "I'm just saying."
Wynne looked at Miyeon. "What is a mime party?"
Had Mackenzie just wasted her dare? A wave of relief came over her when Alex spoke up. Looking over to her, she mouthed the words 'thank you'.
Van At Wynne's question, Van shook her head. What had this get together been market as? Was everyone here for a different reason? "Um...I don't think so?" She hadn't quite heard Mack's dare for Nora until Nora asked if anyone even had tape. Before she could say that she used it all, Alex was offering some up. At least she wouldn't be held responsible for helping tape Nora's mouth shut. "How is she going to give whoever she spins on a question? Or uh. A dare?"
Out of anyone, Wynne was starting to look like next most reasonable person in here. Aside from Van maybe. Ren still hadn't quite looked up, but eyes werent the only way she could see.
Alex fished in her bag for the tape she'd used to repair various things. It was right alongside the handy dandy pantyhose she used for repairs that Kaden seemed confused by. She offered Mack a nod and smile before handing the tape over to Nora.
"Wait!" Cass glanced uncertainly from Mack to Nora. "If her mouth is taped, how's she going to truth or dare the next person?"
"This is the lamest dare anyone has ever given me." Nora held a hand out for Alex's tape. Placing it over her mouth. When it was done Nora gestured like 'is this what you wanted?' Nora reached forward and span the bottle. It landed on Ren. Truth or Dare, Nora signed in unpracticed fumbling sign language.
Miyeon turned to Wynne. "I mean, I don't know I've never been to one but if everyone here is just miming and not talking, I'm going to call it a Mime party."
Ray spoke to Wynne and Miyeon whilst watching the next dare unfold and Nora gesture for the next person to pick with tape over her mouth. "I heard that mime parties only happen when the moon is half gone, like a stripe."
Alex faltered when she realized Cass didn't like this specific dare and frowned. "Sorry," she murmured, unsure of why she felt so bad about something as simple as giving Nora duct tape.
Wynne looked from Miyeon to Ray and their expression turned very grave. "Well, that was yesterday, so we should be fine."
Cass didn't know sign language, but she could guess what Nora was saying. Glancing uncertainly to Ren, she said, "Truth or dare?" And looked back to Nora for confirmation. When she looked back to Alex, the other girl seemed... weirdly apologetic. Cass bumped her shoulder against Alex's as if to reassure her that it was okay.
A hush fell over everyone, and Ren could feel eyes upon her again. For the first time since she had been called upon before, she looked up. Seeing the fateful bottle had spun her way. Her eyes widened, her breath sped, and her stomach sank. "Oh." She hadn't been paying enough attention. Was Cass the darer now? Shouldn't it have been Nora... oh. Right. The tape. "Dare."
Cass glanced back to Nora, holding up her phone. "You can type it? If you want. I'll read it for you."
Miyeon wasn't sure if they were serious or just going with the bit. She was a little concerned they were serious. "Cool, the party's saved, then." She finished off what was left in her solo cup, debating if she wanted to refill now or later. Nah, this was too interesting. Later. That said, she would love it if people would pick truth one time so she could learn a little more about them.
Nora got the feeling Ren didn't know sign language. Nora pulled out her phone and started to text Ren 'Deck Mackenzie across the face so hard she cries.' But then Nora remembered she was trying to be a nice person, and that she didn't actually hate Mack. Mostly. 'Kick Mack-' No. No. No. 'Keep it secret, spin the bottle, again, but your goal tonight is to scare someone so bad that they cry. Good luck!'
Ray looked seriously back at Wynne and nodded "Should be safe then." He then tapped Milos phone and asked Miyeon to pass it back. "Thanks dude."
Mackenzie: was taking so much joy in seeing Nora both annoyed and her mouth taped shut. It had been the highlight of the party. And Alex offering up the tape meant she had another ally in her corner aside from Cass.
Wynne let out a breath of relief as their eyes flicked between Miyeon and Ray, "That's a relief." Lingering on Miyeon, they creased their brow before smiling. "What's your name?"
It seemed Nora preferred to text Ren directly, which was kind of exciting. It meant no one else would know the dare until it happened. Cass grinned, pleased with the results and excited to see how it would go.
Miyeon wondered if she could sneak a peek before handing the phone over to see if he actually texted anyone but that would be way too obvious. So she just gave it to Milo instead. "Miyeon. Hi, nice to meet you!" she said to Wynne. "And you are?"
Van wasn't sure what dare Nora had given Ren, and though she wanted to be nosy and look at the phone, she averted her gaze.
The nymph's phone buzzed and after a confused second and a knowing look from Nora she realized what was going on. Ren picked up the ancient excuse for a cell and immediately frowned. A frownier frown than she was already wearing. She decided did not like this game very much. It seemed cruel. A text shot back. "What if I do not wish to do this?"
Wynne was confused by the game, and so ignored it somewhat because they didn't want to be the one asking questions the whole night. "I'm Wynne. Nice to meet you too!"
Nora shot Ren a deadpan stare, then texted back. 'You're not supposed to want to do a dare. It's the point of the game. Do you think I want to spend the rest of the night with tape on my mouth? Can't drink. Can't eat.' Nora's stomach grumbled at the thought. God she was hungry. Tonight was going to be miserable.
Mackenzie: relaxed at bit and decided to mingle. Her turn had passed and it hadn't been too bad. Turning to Milo, she spoke, "Hey, I don't think we've met yet, have we? I'm Mackenzie, but everyone calls me Mack." Tonight was turning out to be better than she thought it would.
There was another text, from Van that made very little sense. Why would Van be saying hello, and during the party as well? A thought to be disected later. The room felt like it was caving in already and the longer Ren waited on this thing from Nora the worse it would get. Another text. "Then this is stupid game. Is this not night for fun? I do not think this is fun."
Miyeon looked over to Nora and then back to the girl who was apparently named Ren who were both clearly having a silent conversation on their phones. Boring for the rest of them. "Alright, what's the hold up? Let's get a move on, chop chop! Take your dare or face the consequences."
Nora stared at her phone. This was her first time playing truth or dare but she was pretty sure this wasn't how it normally went. 'Alright I dare you to spin the bottle and challenge someone else to truth or dare.'
Nora and Ren were texting back and forth, and while it had seemed novel at first, Cass was starting to feel a little left out. She was glad when the girl sitting in between Ray and Milo piped up, nodding in agreement.
Milo nodded at Ray. "No problem." He did have to admit he felt a little better once lighter girl aka Nora had the duct tape over her mouth. There was something about her that unsettled him. He didn't like the way she looked at him and Ray. Turning, he came face to face with Mack. It felt insane that she was here and talking to him. 'Celebs are just like us' and whatever but it was kinda surreal. He offered her a friendly smile, trying to be cool. "Hey, I'm Milo. It's good to meet you."
Alex found herself giving Cass a pat on the shoulder as she watched the silent conversation unfold between Nora and Ren. While she wasn't particularly eager for the game to keep going, wanting to avoid the bottle landing on her, she still agreed despite herself. "Yeah, it's your turn to spin now! Then you get to pick a truth or dare for someone else."
"There are consequences?" Ren said aloud before another buzz stole their attention. An easier request. Doable. The red-head's hand reached out and twisted the glass. Perhaps with a bit more force than necessary. It span for quite a while before landing on the other red-head. "You." There was far to much chaos for Ren to have overheard which name belonged to which person. Though Alex looked shockingly familiar to someone Ren had met before. Or maybe they were both just...gingers? "Truth or Dare?"
Alex cursed to herself. Damn. Why had she agreed to any of this to begin with? Truth definitely wasn't an option. After a long pause, she finally answered, "Dare."
Mackenzie: "Milo, that's a cool name. The only other Milo I've met is my friend, Milo Manheim. We worked on a show together once." She had missed working. It had been her life for so long and now she was sitting here playing Truth or Dare, while normally she would have been on set. "Have you lived here long?"
Miyeon nodded. "Oh yeah, totally. What kind of truth or dare game doesn't have consequences? Ask Nora, she'll tell you all about them." Well, she thought she was funny. "Usually you have to finish your drink if you're going to be a coward," she added.
Nora put her phone back in her pocket. This being her first party, there was something inside that hurt that she'd been silenced for the remainder of it. The other one out once again. Nora settled back for a night of not talking to her friends, she guessed. It was a little lose-lose. Break the dare or not talk. Thus was the way of life, she supposed.
Van stayed fidgeted next to Ren. She realized it may become annoying, so she dropped her hands into her lap and looked around, waiting for whatever silent conversation between her and Nora to be over. Finally, a decision was made, and Ren was asking the redhead, Alex, for her choice. So far, things hadn't gotten out of hand. She was grateful for that. She waited for Ren to decide what the dare would be, wondering if she'd be able to come up with one on the spot.
Alex chose dare, and Cass couldn't help but wonder what Ren might ask her to do. Ren seemed a little out of place here but, then, Ren seemed a little out of place everywhere. And Cass was afraid to try to help her fit in more, afraid that doing so might make whatever dislike Ren had of her grow. She shrunk back a little, silently hoping that Alex wouldn't be asked to do anything she didn't like. Inviting someone to a party meant you wanted them to have fun. She wanted Alex to have fun.
Green eyes poured over the room. Ren did not like this game but maybe she could make it better for Nora who also didn't seem to be having a great time. "I dare you to un dare Nora. Remove the tape."
Alex relaxed a little bit at the realization that the dare wasn't bad. Un-daring she could do. She looked over to Nora and back to Ren, "Am I the one physically taping the tape off or..."
"It is just tape." Ren retorted. As if it was obvious. As if it didn't hurt to rip that shit off. Ren knew that of course, it had come up in training. Had to learn to escape just as much as she had to learn to trap.
Miyeon wanted to roll her eyes but she decided now was the time to get a refill. Lame dares all around. "If anyone needs something while I'm up, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Nora blinked, looking at Ren and Alex because it was not obvious who was undoing the dare there.
Wynne looked up at Miyeon and got up to their feet. "I want a refill too." They also picked Ariadne's cup before making their way over to where the drinks where. It would be nice to have a little quiet.
"Oh, thanks. Picked it myself," he laughed. And she just casually name dropped Milo Manheim who he did have a lowkey crush on, cool cool cool. "Oh, yeah, I remember that one. You were both so good in that." Milo hoped he hadn't ruined it by admitting he was a fan. He was trying his best to be chill. "Haven't been here that long really. Bit over a month or so? Have you?"
"Whoever I do not care." After another moment of awkward silence, Ren tossed her hands in the air. Taking the distraction as a good enough reason to get up and go get some fresh air.
Alex frowned. That didn't exactly answer he question and made her feel stupid for even asking in the first place, the one insecurity that didn't normally plague her with the rest. She shook it off and rolled her eyes. It was a lame dare anyway, but it was kinda sad that Nora didn't get to talk to her friends, so she stood leaned around Cass to rip the tape from Nora's face, hoping it didn't sting. "There," she said, "Sorry if that hurt."
Nora scrunched her nose together as the tape was pulled from her flesh and pain stung her mouth. "These dares are lame." Was the first thing she said. Its your spin. Whoever picks, please make it fun." Nora might not have said it, but she was grateful that she would get to participate again.
Ray stood up with Miyeon "I'll come with you." anything to get away from potentially being dared to do something.
Alex felt inclined to come up with a more exciting dare. She leaned toward the bottle in the middle and gave it a flick of her wrist. She watched as it spun before it reached a stop on Milo, if she was remembering the introductions correctly. "Milo, right? Truth or dare."
Miyeon smiled as Wynne joined her. "Good call," she said, nodding to the second cup in their hand. "So are you new to town? I don't think I've seen you around but I could be super wrong."
“Oh! Can you get me another drink? And I'm Cass, by the way." Ray had told her his name, but she hadn't met the other girl just yet.
Alex called out, "Oh, if you could grab me one too, please. I'm Alex."
Miyeon turned and gave them both a thumbs up. "Got it! I'm Miyeon, I'll be your bartender today. Hope you like it strong and fruity because that's all I can manage."
Alex laughed. "Works for me. Not used to having everything in common with my drinks."
Wynne nodded at the question. "I've been here since February or something? So a few months. My ..." They glanced at Ariadne. "Friend has been here all her life, though."
"Strong and fruity is my favorite," Cass grinned. It was nice to see Wynne getting along with someone new, too. They seemed like they might be lonely, sometimes.
Ray counted off the called orders and reached for any cups being help aloft to them. Happy to quietly help out.
Nora didn't need anyone to go get her another drink, cause she had another stolen whiskey bottle tucked away in her jacket. Nora cracked it open, taking a big gulp. Her face scrunched again. How did someone drink so much of this shit?
"It's a pity there's no homemade mead," Wynne said, carrying the cups over to the drinks table. "Do you people not drink mead?"
Milo nodded. "That's me." He hoped his nerves weren't apparently in his smile. He was more than a little nervous about picking either around this group, but he wasn't one to back down. "Dare."
"It's a great choice." Mack's smile was genuine as she spoke, "Oh? There was supposed to be another season, but some behind the scenes stuff happened, and we never made it back to production. I'm glad you enjoyed it though." She hated when good shows didn't get a second chance, but it happened a lot in Hollywood. "Um, about the same. Maybe a little longer." She was about to keep the conversation going, until she heard Milo's name called for the game. "You got this!"
Van was going to use that as her next dare if Ren hadn't already done so. She watched as people made themselves at home, and while it didn't really bother her, she wanted to tell them to keep her hands off the mugs in the top cabinet. Hopefully they wouldn't go into them. She didn't even use them. With a soft breath, she pulled her knees up to her chest and watched as Alex asked Milo truth or dare, and he accepted the dare.
Alex was glad he chose dare. She wasn't entirely sure what a good truth question would be that didn't kill the mood. Hell, she wasn't even sure she had a good dare. There was always daring Milo to kiss someone, but that could get a little weird a little too fast. Then she had. "I dare you to take a big bite out of a bar of soap and eat it."
Van frowned. Not her soap. To save Milo from eating soap, Van piped up quickly, "I don't use bar soap. Only the liquid kind. Sorry."
Wait!" Cass fished into her bag and pulled out a bar of soap. When you lived in a cave, it was something you kind of had to carry on you. You never knew when you might find a place to wash up. "Here you go!"
Nora could appreciate some good pocket soap. Maybe she should start doing that, instead of relying on the soap people already had. Those people sometimes had 5-in-1.
Alex wasn't surprised that Cass somehow saved the day for her dare. It was like ever since they ventured into the cave, she knew she could trust and count on Cass, which was weird, but the save was proving that instinct right. "There you go. Bone apple teeth."
Mackenzie: looked to Nora, who now had the tape off of her face. Knowing that she had been the one to invite Mack had made her feel somewhat bad. Reluctantly getting up from her seat again, she walked over to where Nora was, "Hey, can we talk? Like over away from everybody."
Miyeon nodded as she poured the drinks. "Thought so," she said. "I'm nosey enough I figured I'd have seen you sooner if you were here longer." She glanced over to Ariadne, a familiar face. "Oh yeah! Ariadne, right? It's been a while since I've seen her so I'm glad she joined us." Just in case, Miyeon made a fourth drink instead of the three requested. There was always someone who wanted one and never said. "I don't think I've heard about meade anywhere but the Renn faire and I haven't been there since I was a kid?"
Nora looked up at Mack as she came over. "You want to tape my mouth again?" Nora asked, getting to her feet. She was nothing if not an obliging and kind host. Fake host. This was Van's house making Van the host, but Nora had done a lot of inviting. She followed Mack away from the party people.
Wynne frowned at the mention of Renn faires. Why were so many things they were used to part of these faires? It seemed a little odd. "It's okay, though. I also like beer. So you've been all your life, or a long time or something?" They smiled a little at the fact that Miyeon knew Ariadne. "Yeah, she's pretty cool."
Milo grinned as Mack continued their conversation, complimenting his name and mentioning some behind the scenes Hollywood stuff, even cheering him on. She seemed really nice. Nose wrinkling at the dare, he was psyching himself up to eat soap, he supposed before Van actually saved him. He shot her a smile, but of course Cass produced a bar of soap out of nowhere. He accepted it, slightly amused by Alex's comment. "Thanks." Taking a deep breath, he gave himself a moment before bringing the bar up to his mouth and taking a good sized bite off the corner. Suds filled his mouth as he chewed. It was terrible.
Mackenzie: rolled her eyes and sighed, "No." Once they were in the corner, she sucked up her pride and spoke, "I want to apologize for the dare. You just looked miserable-er...than you normally do." She had hoped they would be good after this and that whatever little tricks Nora often had up her sleeves wouldn't come back to haunt Mackenize
Mackenzie: rolled her eyes and sighed, "No." Once they were in the corner, she sucked up her pride and spoke, "I want to apologize for the dare. You just looked miserable-er...than you normally do." She had hoped they would be good after this and that whatever little tricks Nora often had up her sleeves wouldn't come back to haunt Mackenize.
Van 's nose scrunched as Cass pulled soap out of her pocket. Surely it'd be covered in lint or something. But no, it was clean, and Milo was eating it. She should have maybe found some satisfaction that their foil was eating soap, but she felt sort of bad for him. She hadn't realized that Mackenzie and Nora had walked away and she was slightly disappointed that Nora was missing out watching someone eat soap. This seemed like something she would have loved to watch.
From the look on Milo's face, the soap was not tasty. "At least your breath won't stink now?" Cass offered up a silver lining.
Alex watched in amusement as Milo took a bite from the bar of soap. She could tell it didn't taste good, but she couldn't help but giggle a bit at the way his face scrunched up. "Sorry, my guy," she offered, "But yeah, you've definitely got the freshest breath in the room now." Not that anyone in the room was prettier than Cass who she was certain didn't need to eat soap for fresh breath. "Now you get to spin."
Ray grabbed an extra cup so that milo could spit it out and a refill of his drink and jogged back over to offer it to him.
Nora stared blankly back at Mack. "It was just a dare. It's not that deep." Her face remaining her ever-present black and emotionless mask. Even though it had been sad. Even though it had made Nora feel like an outsider at the event for the few minutes she'd been forced into silence, Nora was still the cool girl. And cool girls didn't care about dumb and stupid things like that. "I just figured you didn't want anyone trying to get you to answer a truth question. One like why did you leave Hollywood." Maybe a low blow. Maybe none of Nora's business. Nora was aware of all the news articles stating that her fiance had died. Nora maintained her emotionless face. "But I guess that depends on who spins your next bottle, huh?"
"Yup, born and raised," Miyeon said. "I can never decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing but it's a thing I guess." She shrugged and gave the drinks a final little stir before delivering them over to Alex and Cass. "Here you go, hope you like them. If you don't, pass them around I guess." She went back to grab her own drink at the table, planning to help out Wynne and Ray if they needed anything before taking her seat again.
Wynne carried their drink and Ariadne's back to the circle and plopped down, wondering if they'd missed some exciting action and taking a sip from their beer as Ariadne thanked them. "Who's up next?"
"Milo is spinning," Cass replied, looking at the boy questioningly. That was his name, right? Milo. She'd heard someone call him that. "Go ahead, Milo!"
Alex took her drink from Miyeon. "Thanks," she said taking a sip, "Can't go wrong with fruity and strong."
It was hard to keep chewing, his mouth filled with an awful bitterness and foam, but he chewed it just enough that he could swallow it without concern. Milo gagged as it went down, nearly hacking it back up before he chased it with the last of his drink. Yeah, he probably shouldn't have come tonight. "That was the worst, thanks." Picking up the botttle he gave it a spin and it landed on Wynne. "Wynne, truth or dare."
Wynne frowned as Milo gagged, wondering if he maybe didn't like the crisps after all. As the bottle spun, Wynne watched it closely, a flutter coursing through their stomach as it landed on them. Excitement or fear, they weren't sure. "Um, truth." That one hadn't been done a lot yet.
Mackenzie 's blood turned cold (colder than it already was). She knew she had hurt Nora, but she didn't have to bring up Hollywood or her former life, "You know what? Fuck this. I've been nothing but nice to you since the first day we met. It was a dare, and I did feel bad, but not anymore. You win again, Nora. I'm not gonna stick around to be made a fool of in front of an entirely new group of people yet again, because you think it's fun. Enjoy your party." Grabbing her jacket from a nearby chair, Mackenzie headed towards the door, "Thanks for a fun night, guys. It was nice to meet all of you." On the verge of tears welling up from the thought of her former life and Brody, Mackenzie left slamming the door behind her. Why had she ever believed this town would be any different?
Milo racked his brain for a good question. Wynne seemed nice, and he didn't want to be a dick, but he also didn't want to ask something too boring. "What's one thing you’d do if you knew there’d be zero consequences?"
Nora watched Mack storm off into the night. Nora had tried to be kind, she'd tried to be nice. But how come she was supposed to watch the girl who everyone loved strut around at her friends' party, try and keep her out of the activity, and keep being nice? Wasn't it enough that everyone already loved Mack? Couldn't they have existed here together without whatever this was? Mack had started this tonight, and Nora had finished it. Nora returned to her seat between Cass and Ray, taking another swig of that horrible bottom-shelf whiskey. "That was weird." She muttered in her disinterested monotone voice. It was to no one in particular.
Wynne considered that, frowning in thought. "That's a hard question," they said, sitting up a little straighter. There were things like stealing a ton of money, but there was only one road their mind to: kill the demon. "I'd want to hurt someone really bad, I think? A specific someone. Uh, that's honest enough." They leaned over to spin the bottle before there could be any follow-up question. The bottle landed on Cass. Wynne smiled at one of the few people they knew a little better. "Dare or truth?" Frown. "Truth or dare, I mean."
Ray blinked at Wynnes answer surprised completely and distracted by Noras return. "Yah, wouldn't have expected that answer either." misunderstanding her words.
Wynne's answer wasn't one Cass had been expecting and, coupled with the shock of Mack's sudden departure, it threw her off guard. It left her feeling like she was on uncertain footing when, to top it all off, the bottle landed on her. She flashed Wynne a nervous smile, their mixup endearing in spite of everything. "Uh, dare?" That was what most everyone else had picked. Besides, truth seemed much scarier.
Milo was surprised by Wynne's answer, though he could understand it. He looked up as Mack walked to the door, looking upset. What had happened there? "It was really nice meeting you. Get home safe," he called after her. He meant it, she had seemed really nice. He would've liked it if she had been able to stay longer.
Alex listened along to Wynne's answer and shuffled a bit in her seat on the floor. Something in it landed a little to close to home, except she was the opposite. She was so damn scared of hurting anyone that it haunted most of her thoughts. She shoved that back into the tidy box in the back of her mind. Thankfully, the bottle had landed on Cass and there was something new to focus on. She looked up at the nymph she found herself taken with devious grin, "Dare... I knew you were fun."
Van had been so distracted that she hadn't noticed Mackenzie's outburst at first. But she was leaving, and while she was twisted around to watch the blonde exit her house, she heard Milo's question to Wynne. Her eyebrows pushed into her hairline and she felt her stomach twist. What would Wynne what to do with hurting somebody? Did she even know what that was like? To take a life? Van wished she didn't know how it felt. Even if she'd been in pain, she would have wished things went different with Debbie. She shot a nervous glance in Cass's direction before looking at Ren as she returned to the seat next to her.
Cass grinned at Alex's words, feeling vindicated in her choice. She was fun. That was an exciting thing to be.
Wynne wondered if maybe they should have lied, but now they'd said that ugly thing and it was out there. They smiled nervously at Cass, wondering if they all were looking at them. "Um ..." At home, they would have dared her to jump in the lake. But there wasn't a lake. "Maybe you can howl like a wolf for like half a minute?"
Howling like a wolf? That was easy stuff. Cass nodded, squaring her shoulders and throwing her head back dramatically. The resulting howl was long and mournful and, in her opinion, sounded pretty wolfy. She was so good at Truth or Dare.
Nora blinked as Cass started howling like a wolf next to her. "Woah, I didn't know we had a werewolf in the room." She joked.
"What the fuck," Van whispered. "That was like, spot on."
Wynne smiled and cheered when Cass finished. "Whoa!!!"
Miyeon said "That's good but no wolf girl jumps to round it out?"
Alex swallowed as her throat started to feel impossibly dry. Wynne wanted Cass to howl like a wolf? Like a monster. But somehow Cass made it work and it was cute, not dangerous like hers. "Good job," she laughed, "You'd have me running over in a second." And then the word werewolf was said, and her face dropped. Alex's head whipped. "Wolf girl jump?"
Something seemed to shift with Alex, and Cass couldn't put her finger on it, but she knew she didn't like it. She wanted to change it, somehow, wanted to make it better, but she'd never been very good at that. So she looked to Miyeon instead, nodding. "I don't know what a wolf girl jump is, either," she admitted. "Um, I can do it if you tell me what it is, though?"
Miyeon nodded. "Yeah, you know. Like on tiktok?" She looked around for some confirmation from anyone. "Hey, it's not my dare, alright, I'm not demonstrating."
Cass grinned. "Okay." She reached out and spun the bottle, timing it just right so that it would land on Miyeon this time. "So, truth or dare?" She really hoped it'd be dare.
Wynne held up their hands. "I don't know either. You passed, Cass. You ... cassed."
Van picked up a chip and popped it into her mouth, watching Cass and Miyeon expectantly. Before Van could mention that Miyeon hadn't gotten a question yet, Cass was spinning the bottle and it landed on the newcomer.
Alex shrugged. She must have missed that trend. "I think your howl was perfect without it," she smiled, even if the bitter reminder of her own howls still lingered.
Miyeon sighed and then narrowed her eyes, trying to figure out if this was some kind of prank. "That's gotta be rigged," she said with a laugh. Hmm, she was going to go dare initially because truth was like way too vulnerable and dangerous. But now she knew what her dare was without even saying a word. "Fine. Dare. Hit me with it."
Cass bounced, shaking her head. "Not rigged!" Just... careful spinning. "Do a wolf girl jump!"
Alex decided to finish of the rest of her drink with more wolf mentions. And found herself wondering if she did weird little jumps. Probably. Still, she could appreciate the well-played delivery on Cass's part and found she felt inclined to let her know as much. "Nice," she commented, giving Cass a pat on the shoulder.
Van nodded enthusiastically, finally feeling somewhat light in all of this. "Wolf girl jump, or you can't have any more chips."
Nora does a little chant. "Wolf girl, wolf girl, wolf girl"
Wynne was stuck in overthinking mode and finished their recently refilled drink. "You got this," they mumbled to Miyeon, leaning a little against Ariadne.
Miyeon stood up, cracked her knuckles and then found a spot that looked big enough for her performance. "All I can say is it's a good thing I didn't wear a skirt tonight." And with that, she bent at the waist and put her hands on the ground so she was on all-fours with her limbs out straight and her head down. Here goes nothing, she thought. And then she jumped side to side with the appropriate "RUFF RUFF RUFF, BARK BARK BARK." It wasn't the most elegant thing she'd ever done, but she was all in. It would only be embarrassing if she half-assed it. At least that's what she told herself. After a few hops and ruffs and barks, Miyeon stood up and caught her breath before taking a bow in front of her 'audience.'
Ray started clapping for her when she bowed.
Alex felt her face scrunch up in disapproval. This was ridiculous, this wasn't a wolf jump. She pouted indignantly, "I don't jump like that."
Wynne watched with wide eyes and found themself laughing, covering their mouth. "Wow! That was not very wolfish but very good!"
Milo cracked up, absolutely delighted to see the wolf girl jumps in person. He clapped. "Bravo."
Cass couldn't help but let out a whoop of excited laughter as Miyeon began her performance, clapping her hands at the clapping. "Bravo, bravo!" She called, though she was cut off when Alex spoke next to her. Blinking, she turned to face the other girl. "Are you a... um... wolf girl?"
Nora felt warmth of amusement spread through her. Then Alex claimed she didn't jump like that. Nora's eyes flicked to the redhead and bore into her. Was that a declaration? Nora took a smell. There were a few animalistic scents in this room. Previously, Nora had took it to mean that there were a few kids, herself included, with poor hygiene.
Van stared at Miyeon as she completed the dare. "We... all watched that, right?" At Alex's insistence that she didn't jump like that, Van's eyebrows furrowed. "Huh? You're a wolf girl?"
Wynne asked, "What's a wolf girl?" They couldn't mean werewolf, right? Maybe this was a movie reference too.
Ray piped in uncertainly "a fan of jacob from twilight?"
Wynne wondered, "Who is that?"
Alex didn't realize her mistake until Cass asked her if she was... a wolf girl. Great. Strong and fruity really wasn't not doing right by her in that exact moment. Homophobic, honestly. She looked to Cass, the only one she felt actually obligated to answer. A lie would have been smart, but she found the truth slipped out instead in almost a whisper. "Uh... yeah?" She braced herself for the inevitability of getting asked to leave the party, for the looks of disapproval, of fear.
Cass nodded, glancing around the circle. She had a feeling that different people might take the confession to mean different things. She knew what she thought it meant, though she didn't know if she was right. Maybe she'd ask Alex about it later, in private. "Cool," she said decisively.
"Cool." Nora agreed.
Wynne also said: "Cool," because it seemed polite.
Miyeon narrowed her eyes and looked over at Alex, confused. "So you're a wolf girl confirmed?" She had so many questions. Miyeon took another swig of her drink. Oh boy, she really did make them strong. "I mean whatever, you're right. Those should really be called fox girl jumps if we're being totally accurate." It was a shame no one there knew just how funny that was.
"So you bark at people? I used to do that, then I went to therapy." Van picked up another chip took a bite.
Wynne also said: "Cool," because it seemed polite.
Ray was a bit lost seemed it had gone past twilight and into something else. "Fox...girl jumps?"
Nora: It seemed they were now in the presence of a wolf girl and a fox girl, and Nora didn't know if it was jokes or real, because this town was weird like that. No questions or comments from her. Nora took another drink of her whiskey.
Cass was learning a lot about everyone in the room. Alex was a wolf girl, Miyeon was a fox girl, Van used to bark at people. Revelations all around. "Hey," she said, dramatically getting to her feet, "we should order pizza!"
Alex waited for the disgust that never came. There was a chorus of "cools" and jokes... and that was just that? It was that simple? She really wanted it to be that simple. "Yeah, cool," she nodded, scanning the room quickly before smiling at Cass. The other remarks made her giggle a bit as she relaxed into the feeling of unexpected acceptance. "I could see it being a foxy jump," she laughed, "Foxes kinda move that way... Are fox girls a thing?" She turned to Van, "And no, I don't bark at people." She growled sometimes, but was almost exclusively only at forest critters in the bunker and definitely not something that happened accidentally sometimes.
Miyeon side-eyed Ray mid sip as he repeated what she said. For some reason she didn't think anyone was going to catch it. "Yeah cause, like, that's how foxes jump. You know. When we-- they pounce." She decided to finish her drink in hopes it would stop her lips from moving more.
Van "Oh." She was only slightly disappointed to hear that Alex didn't bark at people. Probably for the better, or else she might land in therapy. Van looked over at Miyeon as she explained fox girl jumps. "I guess... that makes sense. They scream, too. I did a lot of that as a kid."
"I think fox girl jumps and wolf girl jumps are both pretty cute," Cass added helpfully.
Wynne was quite confused about whether this meant that Alex was a werewolf or not. Maybe they'd ask sometime in the future, but for now the matter seemed settled. What a fox-girl could potentially be, they really didn't know. Was Nora going to say that she was a bear-girl next? Or Cass that she was an oread-girl? Wynne didn't have any kind of cool identities besides human-sacrifice-person. "I would love pizza. And yes, the jumps are cute!"
This party was something. Celebrities, furries, what next? There was still an awful taste in Milo’s mouth and he had finished his drink. "Pizza sounds great, and you did that wolf girl on TikTok justice. Anyone need a refill?"
Alex laughed, "Oh, so did I. And ate a lot of crayons, my sister didn't get a kick out of that one." She found herself unable to stop from perking up at Cass saying wolf girls were pretty cute. Did that mean she was pretty cute? "Good to know," she responded with a wink to give off an air of confidence amidst the truth she hadn't meant to share.
Alex looked happy, and Cass was happy to make her look that way. She giggled at the wink, tossing one of her own back to the apparent werewolf.
"Did you eat orbeez, too?" Van probably shouldn't admit to that. There were several adults who would be disappointed in her. At the mention of pizza, Van nodded. "I know where we can get pizza." But they didn't deliver. Well. She got to her feet unsteadily, swaying slightly. She picked up her phone and dialed Janice's number. The woman on the other end picked up and Van let out a loud burp. "Janice. We're going to need..." she counted the number of heads in the room, "seven pizzas. Now."
"Make one Hawaiian," Cass called, hoping whoever was on the other end of the phone would hear.
Wynne leaned into Ariadne after kissing her like a friend would, watching Van on the phone. "It's really good pizza," they murmured, before piping up, "I want cheese!"
Alex looked confused. "What are orbeez?"
Wynne shrugged at Alex, "I don't know."
"Orbeez are orbeez." Van stared at Alex while on the phone and Janice spoke on the other end. "Shit. Sorry, Janice. Janice, we need a Hawaiian pizza. Get the ham I save for Nora" She mouthed sorry to Nora and walked away from the group, putting in the others and a promise of three extra shifts that were originally Janice's for this favor.
"They're those little beads that expand in water," Milo piped up, sitting back down with his drink.
Alex shrugged in response. That answered all of nothing. Pizza was more important anyway. "Guess we'll never know," she said playfully to Wynne.
Wynne frowned. "What is the function of them?"
“My ham...." Nora looked over at Cass. She supposed Cass was a good person to share her ham with.
Cass felt a little bad hearing that Nora's ham would be used on her pizza. "You can share the pizza with me," she said quickly, offering a smile. "The pineapple and ham go really well together. You'll love it."
"I'm sure I will." Because Nora trusted Cass.
Alex tilted her head. "Huh," she commented, "Not what I was expecting. I wonder what polymer they use for them to be able to absorb water and keep their form." She tried to rack her brain for amphipathic molecules but she was pretty sure her memory of those went somewhere out the door with the strong part of strong and fruity.
Milo took a big drink, pausing at Wynne's question. "You know, I don't really know?"
As her friends' voices all rose up together and Nora looked at her with trusting eyes, Cass felt better than she had in a long time. Maybe ever. This, she thought was everything she'd ever wanted. A group of friends all hanging out and playing games and ordering pizza. Was there anything better?
