Gnatty Spider - Truth or Dare

Meria Boucher pauses in the middle of the room, an enormous dish of some sort of glistening, roast bird hovering over her mitten-clad palm. "Oh - hello there," she greets, looking at those who have come into the room since she's been in the kitchen.
Meria Boucher: I made too much dinner. Do you want dinner?
Isaudorel Vairemont: "I certainly won't turn down dinner."
Artani Dazkar had slipped onto one of the stools at the bar, brow arched at Meria's appearance with the dish of food. "Um. Sure. Yeah, dinner sounds nice."
Meria Boucher turns the mask towards Artani. "Is there anything you're allergic to?" Meria already knows Isaudorel's dietary preferences and thus has no need to ask. Stalker or childhood friend? Put your votes in now!
Hnaba Kaatapoh stomps up the steps as soon as she comes into the house, sniffing. "Where the food AT!!!"
Artani Dazkar smiled and shook her head. "No allergic reactions to anything I've eaten so far yet."
Meria Boucher turns the mask towards Hnaba, then dips her head in a nod towards the roast bird she has hovering on a platter over her hand. "It is here. You have found the food, Miss Hnaba."
Meria Boucher: Please sit.
Meria Boucher puts the ridiculous amount of meat down on the bar counter. "I will acquire utensils."
Hnaba Kaatapoh looks excited at this, rubbing her hands together. "Sweet, me nose never lies." She marches over to take a seat, ready to consuME.
Isaudorel Vairemont nods to Meria, smiling. "Of course, my dear Meria. Thank you for the dinner, as always."
Meria Boucher clears her throat lightly, then disappears back into the kitchen with her perpetually quiet steps. Even in meido, she sneaks up on you!
Artani Dazkar rested her arms across the bar, lips quirking upwards slightly at Hnaba's...enthusiasm.
Hnaba Kaatapoh has to keep herself from merely using her hands, that she had to actually share... so she waits for Meria to return. "Been awhile since I ate 'ere. Usually just sum piss an somethin' easy on a stick will do it fer me."
Isaudorel Vairemont: "I personally tend to eat in my room." He pauses. "Well, when I *remember* to have a regular meal, that is..."
Meria Boucher returns with even more food - bringing to mind vague memories of the pie-flinging paissa with how she has the dishes floating around her. She sets down a generous portion of freshly mashed popotos, complete with a hearty, warm gravy that gives off a savory aroma. A vegetable salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, slices onions and bit sof dill, sliced loaves of bread dripping with melted cheese and garlic, cut carrots that glisten with a honey glaze... She sets them all down neatly, along with -
Meria Boucher - plates, silverware, wine-glasses, and - notably - a bottle of red wine. Of course, given the girl's height, she has to stand on her tiptoes to actually reach the other side of the counter, but... hey, that's what levitation is for, right? "Please don't eat piss. I do not think that is part of a balanced diet.
Artani Dazkar was about to comment, then her gaze fell upon the absolute feast that was levitating before her. She glanced sharply towards the others, clearing her throat. "You guys had better fill your plates first."
Hnaba Kaatapoh pauses a moment as she stares at all of the food, her mouth opening slightly as she very likely drools. Though she's quick to wipe it away with a laff. "Not real piss, though I ain't knock it til I try it! Cactuar piss is real popular if ya' ain't heard. Made me own 'round 'ere too when we used ta' do that sort o' thing."
Meria Boucher: Do I... need to make more? There is also dessert.
Meria Boucher is not used to the idea that she might have cooked too little.
Isaudorel Vairemont chuckles. "I imagine you've made plenty, Meria." He glances to the others. "Well... in theory."
Meria Boucher turns the mask towards him. "...I am not so certain," she says faintly, and then moves to uncorking the bottle. "Does anyone want wine? And please, eat your fill. If anyone is left hungry, more food can always be prepared. I enjoy cooking." A pause. "Though I have never tried it with cactuar piss, Miss Hnaba."
Hnaba Kaatapoh placed a finger to her ear suddenly, some might hear some kind of odd beeping noise and something that sounded like a language. "Oh shit, really? I'll be there in a sec'!" She is suddenly getting up, grabbing a stick of meat and shoving potatoes in her mouth an yelling something about something in the company workshop before she POOF
out something in the company workshop before she POOF
Meria Boucher: ...What a mysterious woman.
Artani Dazkar /em pushed her hair back over her shoulders before reaching for a plate. "What sort of wine do you have?"
Momi Hajinne wanderes upstairs. Forgetting that the house had been busier of late. He sees people...only one of which he is remotely comfortable talking to normally...and slowly he finds a corner to hide in.
Meria Boucher shows her the label on the bottle. "A medium-bodied red, supposedly suitable for dodo, though I know very little about alcohol pairing adm-- oh! Mister Momi! Would you like some dinner?"
Isaudorel Vairemont remains staring at the spot where Hnaba was. "Perhaps it's for the best that she had to attend to business; the woman is..." He seems to be looking for the polite way to say 'absolutely insane.'
Artani Dazkar heard someone enter the room and turned to find Momi slipping into a corner. She lifted an arm to wave him over. "Come sit."
Momi Hajinne makes a soft noise as he's spotted, poking his pink head out from behind the pumpkin tower and making a little bit of a face. AFter a moment he obeys the beckoning and sits at the counter. Fumbling his hands together and muttering, "G-g-good evening..."
Meria Boucher nods to the spread before them - roast dodo, mashed potatoes, a vegetable salad, and honey-glazed carrots. She also has a bottle of wine in hand, and there's even a plate ready for him since Hnaba didn't need such things.
Artani Dazkar began heaping a plate high with some of everything.
Meria Boucher: Isaudorel, I'm not sure if the two of you have met, but this is Mister Momi - the one who gifted us that wonderful tea?
Shadi Rajavi had nearly been knocked down by a pink haired cat girl running from the stairs with potatos falling out of her mouth. But he didn't question it. It had been... a Time since he'd been back at the estate, and A LOT had happened in that time. But anyways, at hearing voices from upstairs he thought to come see what Hnaba had been running from, or where she had gotten all of those potoatos...
Momi Hajinne blushes when the tea he had given to Meria is mentioned. He looks down at his hands then looks up when his right ear twitches. He glances back and sees a shadowy stranger. Freezing up a little.
Isaudorel Vairemont smiles and nods to Momi. "A pleasure, Ser Momi; Meria has spoke at length about you, so it's wonderful to finally be able to put a face to the name and the stories." As he speaks, he carefully gets a bit of food. Probably not enough, given his earlier comment about forgetting to eat.
Momi Hajinne: "O-o-oh...y-you...uhm...u-uh...y-yeah...uhm...t-tea. Y-you must be I-I..." He can hardly finish the sentence out of f e a r. Was this is? Was it over? Was it time........for a shadowy death????
Meria Boucher pauses. "At length? I haven't I - I don't think I've really - you..." Ah! A shadowy distraction. Perfect!
Meria Boucher: Hello. Do you want dinner.
Shadi Rajavi wanders towards the group, a bit awkwardly. He coughs, clearing his throat. "Good day." He managed just loud enough past the mask. "I had been startled by the Hnaba girl running through the halls with food, and wondered where she had gotten it from."
Meria Boucher: That would be me. I made dinner. My name is Meria Boucher. I like your mask.
Isaudorel Vairemont: "The tea was greatly appreciated, of course." He looks back to Shadi and... just stares, judging for a moment before he smiles. "Good evening."
Momi Hajinne makes another sort of "eeee" scared noise as the shadowy stranger approaches....bit then he recognizes the voice and calms down a little, "O...oh..." It had been ages since he has seen Shadi.
Artani Dazkar eyed the hooded stranger for a moment before nodding politely, not wanting to talk with her mouth full.
Shadi Rajavi gives a curt bow. "I believe we have met once before, perhaps sometime ago now. Shadi Rajavi." He introduced once more, just in case there were any who had forgotten. "May I join you all? It has been some time since I had a decent meal."
Meria Boucher: It is a bit hard to recognize people with masks on when they change their clothes. I would know. That is why I try to keep my distinguishable hair revealed. Please, avail yourself to my hopefully-decent meal. The same offer is extended to you, Mister Valeriant.
Alexois Valeriant wandered upstairs, Hna shoutinig something to him about there being food as he passed her in the hall. He gave everyone a nod as he entered, frowning a little as he noticed how crowded the bar was. "How's it going?" he asked in general.
Meria Boucher pushes herself aaaaaalll the way on her tiptoes to pour glasses of wine for everyone at the table. Might as well just bulk serve people at this point!
Artani Dazkar: "It's -several- steps above decent."
Isaudorel Vairemont: "I'm well enough. Good evening, Ser Alexois."
Meria Boucher dips her mask, words hesitant. "Ah... my thanks for the compliment."
Shadi Rajavi: "A-Ah. Right." He seemed hesitant to remove the mask, but eventually does so to reveil another blindfold underneath. How did he even see!! He took a seat inbetween Momi and Tani, noting that he also had not seen Momi in... well, he couldn't actually recall. "This is a lovely looking meal, you are quite talented Meria."

Momi Hajinne is quiet. He looks at the drink put in front of him with big curioys eyes. AT first he thinks its grape juice! It is not grape juice! he makes a face.
Meria Boucher is being complimented!! Oh no. Divert attention! "W-would you like some faerie apple cider, Mister Momi...?"
Artani Dazkar sipped her wine, humming in satisfaction at the grape flavor.
Momi Hajinne: "O-oh u-uhm..." He looks embarrassed and mutters, "Y-yes p-please..." He becomes quiet after saying this. Thanking Meria once she hands him the drink.
Alexois Valeriant reluctantly takes a seat at one of the bar stools, feeling uncomfortably close to everyone. The food did look appetizing though. "Is it okay if I just take stuff?"
Isaudorel Vairemont seems fairly content as he begins working on his own meal.
Meria Boucher nods to Alexois. "Please do," she replies to him before going to get Momi something that he'll actually drink. She's only in the kitchen for a moment - when she returns, she has a plate for herself... and since all the seats are taken... She just stands by Isaudorel's side.
Isaudorel Vairemont: "I'm more than willing to stand if you'd prefer to have a seat, my dear Meria."
Momi Hajinne takes the juice...juice....box............when he sees Meria standing he tilts his head and stands up. Walking over to her to tug at her sleeve and point to where he was sitting, "I-I...I'm not too h-hungry...s-sit..."
Meria Boucher: Absolutely n-- no! Guests should sit!
Meria Boucher: Please sit.
Isaudorel Vairemont: "And are you, yourself, not a guest in Mistress Batachikhan's establishment?"
Meria Boucher: ...
Artani Dazkar glanced up to see Meria standing. "You cooked all of this and you're standing up to eat? That's....no."
Shadi Rajavi had started to claim a plate for himself, moving very deliberately to take a small portion of whatever was left after everyone had ravished the meal. He got up almost imediately after Momi, gesturing to his seat. "Please, Meria. By all means take mine. You did us the honor of cooking us this meal. You should rest."
Momi Hajinne: "S....sit..."
Meria Boucher stares at this problem and Isaudorel Vairemont's big brain logic. Then - "I will solve this problem," she says, promptly moving to sit on Isaudorel Vairemont's lap.
Alexois Valeriant "i don't think I've ever seen you without you mask on," Alex noted as he took a bite of pie, glancing at Isa.
Meria Boucher proceeds to stare at all of her guests, presumably going 'checkmate' except its impossible to tell with the mask on.
Momi Hajinne starts looking like he's doing math in his head at this development...buuuuuuut he doesn't sit back down. Sipping his juicy box.
Isaudorel Vairemont sighs, defeated. "Well, we certainly made an attempt. Well done, everyone, perhaps we'll have success next time." The man has accepted his fate as a chair.
Artani Dazkar stifled a laugh as she went back to eating.
Shadi Rajavi coughed when she sat on Isa, glancing away. He also does not sit back down, more moves away to stare at the fish and eat in silence. Thinking.
Meria Boucher: Why are you standing. I solved the equation. This is a workable solution.
Meria Boucher looks at Isaudorel. She is so tiny in comparison to this weird giant man. "...Isn't it? Er, can you actually eat around me...?"
Isaudorel Vairemont: "It is and I can, my dear Meria." He demonstrates this by... doing exactly that. Was he used to this kind of thing?
Meria Boucher nods, and then... takes the mask off, revealing her horribly scared face and perpetually neutral expression. "Then yes. Workable solution. Everyone can sit and eat." She demonstrates this by spearing a bit of dodo on her fork and... well, eating.
Shadi Rajavi moved to sit at the table instead, i little disturbed when said table was ''squishy''. Eventually though he sighed heavily, still thonking. Big thonkin. It was difficult to eat with his... condition of late, but he tried.
Artani Dazkar was already filling her plate a second time, though not without glancing about once or twice to make sure there was still enough left.
Momi Hajinne looks down, thinking before he glances back at Shadi. When last thet met Shadi had sort of...run off...but still...He holds up a "one moment" finger to Meria before walking over to Shadi, "M-may I sit...?"
Alexois Valeriant ordered a glass of his usual from the bartender ananta, taking a long swig as he ate his pie. He felt. Awkward.
Shadi Rajavi was surprised by the sudden voice, glancing up to see Momi somehow beyond his blindfold. "Of course." He answered simply.

Meria Boucher stares after Momi... and then shrugs, looking at her fellow bar companions. "This is one of those 'odd social circumstances' that I don't understand, isn't it? Hm."
Meria Boucher: Um. Have you all... had... good days?
Meria Boucher just... reaches for conversation.
Momi Hajinne smiles a little, he has a sort of serene look to him as he sits down and folds his arms, "H-how...have y-you been feeling...?"
Isaudorel Vairemont idle pats Meria's head. "I've found that 'odd social circumstances' are better left unquestioned, my dear Meria. But yes, my day has been pleasant enough."
Artani Dazkar shrugged. "It's been an uneventful week, till now."
Alexois Valeriant shrugged. "Define good. I suppose its been fine for the most part," he answered, taking another drink hoping the effect would kick in sooner rather than later. He knew it wouldn't. HIs tolerance was too high.
Meria Boucher may finally be realizing that she may have calculated this wrong, considering she is now in public, in a maid outfit, on someone's lap and her hair is being petted. She grabs a glass of wine as if it will offer her any solace whatsoever. "'Good' is something typically defined as 'to be desired or approved of', or perhaps... 'having the qualities sufficient to fulfill something well.'"
Meria Boucher: Do you feel fulfilled, Mister Valeriant? Satisfied?
Shadi Rajavi manages a smile beyond his food, though it was clearly mostly untouched. "Ah.. well enough, I suppose." He's silent a moment before speaking more seriously. "I apologize for my lack of attendance, it has been some time since we last spoke and I imagine that would leave almost anyone with a sour note." He shakes his head, a sort of chuckle coming from him as he smooths out the edge of his blindfold. "Plainly, I am just glad to be back here. It's familiar. I had missed it."
Alexois Valeriant raised an eyebrow at her; apparently she didn't realize he wasnt ACTUALLY asking for a definition. He chuckled a little to himself, her question more loaded than she realized. "Satisfied? Never. But that is life I suppose."
Meria Boucher pauses. "That sounds like you have not had a good day, then. That is troubling. Hm. Um..."
Momi Hajinne continues to smile, though there's an emptiness to it, "I-I don't th-think y-you need t-to a-apologize..." He looks at the table,"I-I had been busy m-myself...d-doing research...in regards to..." He gives Shadi a sort of knowing look.
Isaudorel Vairemont: "Perhaps some form of entertainment would bring you some small satisfaction, Ser Alexois?"
Meria Boucher looks to Isaudorel. "--I was thinking much along the same lines, Isa. I have heard that social games are popular to get to know each other and break the..."
Meria Boucher: Ah, what is the phrase...
Meria Boucher: Break the... Frost? No.
Meria Boucher: Ice!
Meria Boucher: Icebreaker games.
Meria Boucher nods.
Meria Boucher is not already maybe just slightly tipsy after two sips of wine - what are you talking about?
Alexois Valeriant pursed his lips. He did not need cheering up, nor did he enjoy 'icebreaker games'. But he found it sort of nice that they were trying. He wasn't used to it. "What....sort of game..." he mumbled.
Isaudorel Vairemont: "You know, my dear Meria, for working here as long as I have, I admittedly *don't* know a tremendous amount about my colleagues. Splendid idea!"
Isaudorel Vairemont gives her another pat on the head.
Shadi Rajavi remained quiet for a long time. "I see." He didn't know if now was an idea time to talk of said things, considering the others speaking of playing games. "Perhaps for now, we might not think of what may or may think on what affliction might have taken hold of me. I would hate to ruin the night." He really barely had touched it, maybe scooted it around with his fork but that was really it. "I hope you have been well, at the very least?"
Artani Dazkar "Game?" Artani paused with a last leg of dodo halfway to her mouth, looking somewhat apprehensive. "I....suppose that'd be fine."
Meria Boucher mulls over this seriously, taking another sip of wine. "I... have never played a social game." Looking over Isaudorel's shoulder at Momi and Shadi, she calls, "--Do either of you have experience with social games?"
Momi Hajinne shakes his head, "Y-you're r-right...i-it can be discussed a-another time..." His smile is less empty now, "I-I've been getting b-by...f-fine...is perhaps t-too generous." He then smiles at Meria, "O-oh...n-not really..." He looks to SHadi, "D-do you?"
Shadi Rajavi smiled, if not only slightly before he nodded. "Oh, yes. I've been to some handful amount of parties. Though I imagine not all are entirely safe... or legal." He coughed to slightly cover up the last part. "I would be more than happy to share them, unless anyone else has suggestions?"
Meria Boucher: Please share. I have never been to a party. Well - unless balls are counted as parties. Isaudorel, do those count as parties?
Artani Dazkar: "Unless there's stage entertainment, you're not missing much..."
Meria Boucher: ...Why do a grand number of people assemble at such events if there is nothing to miss...? How quizzical.
Alexois Valeriant: "I think balls count as parties. Though the only reason I've been to one is because I'm there to kill someone..." he muttered that last part.
Isaudorel Vairemont thinks it over for a moment. "I... believe they would, yes."
Meria Boucher has very good hearing. "Oh - is that related to the adage, 'die of fun'?"
Artani Dazkar shrugged. "It depends on what you like to do. If you like talking to people and dancing, it's fun, I suppose."
Alexois Valeriant: "Probably," Alex replied, considering the amount of times clients had used parties as an excuse for murder.
Shadi Rajavi nodded his head. "Well, growing up in Thavnair we often played games that required more sand then we have here..." He pauses to think. "I believe there is one that involves an aspect of speaking the truth on the subject questioned or performing a 'dare' so to speak of an action one might not usually do."
Terres Regalius gives a wave as he comes upstairs. "'Hoy, everyone."
Momi Hajinne tilts his head a little as more strangers show up. As Shadi explains he hides himself ysing his scarf, "..."
Alexois Valeriant shuddered at Shadi's words. "Truth or dare? Sileas made me play that once....I ended up her dress up doll..." he took another LARGE drink.
Isaudorel Vairemont: "Truth of dare? Fascinating..."
Shadi Rajavi gave a wave to the two new additions. "Good evening." He didn't recognize either of them, but imagined the others knew who they were. "And yes, that. I believe that may be an exciting form of entertainment for tonight."
Alexois Valeriant waved to Terres casually, not paying him any particular mind.
Terres Regalius: "Hmm.... I don't recognize quite a few faces." Staaaares around.