hugtopia_logs | Drinks + Poker + Cover-Up

Entry tags:

Drinks + Poker + Cover-Up

♥ Who: Research Lab 'Terrorists' and a few friends [Closed]
♥ Where: Insomnia 2.0
♥ When: Tuesday evening
♥ What: Over drinks and an innocently looking private poker night, checking in with everyone and making plans for data recovery
♥ Rating: PG 13? Language and likely lots of jokes about strip poker

Since the 'incident', business had been down for the non-native run bar. It wasn't too surprising given that both of the owners were involved in the crime. It might not have been as obvious to some, but for those who lived in the area or frequented the place, the bar had been shut down for the week they'd been in jail and the week following. This past week (the first full week of July) had seen the business re-open but with more limited hours and there was a noticeable drop in customers.

Tony decided to take advantage of this and he shut the bar down for a private party on Tuesday. Chances were no one was going to show up anyway and it was a great excuse to break out the poker decks he'd commissioned ages ago. They all had small braille imprints at the top but besides that were new decks. He set up the bar with some pitchers, a couple platters of food, and set up a nice big table in the center of the room for everyone. It was going to be a good night.

[Former jailbirds: We'll have a couple different logs off this and tag into whatever you want, whenever you want.]

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[Everything was ready and Tony flipped the sign on the front door to 'Closed! Private Party!' With a satisfied nod, he went over to the bar to relax and pour himself a beer.

Glancing at his watch, he waited finding it a strange sensation not purposefully making a fashionably late entrance for once. Instead, he was ready to greet his friends whenever they arrived with a grin and a mug.]

[Workaholic that he was, Verstael wasn't familiar with these games and assumed it had to be a cover to get stuff done. Thus, he arrived with notes and journals. Much of their data continued to be hidden, of course. They couldn't be too careful. But he'd made a few notes of the Aellyn text they'd seen.

Thankfully, he entered in his white suit rather than full work gear. But he was ready to get down to business all the same. Greetings barely had time to be said before he was ready to talk about what he had.]

We may need to be discreet with our spoils, but I still recall the text I memorized whilst in jail. [He lifted a paper to show Tony his scrawling, before going to claim a seat.] We will need to learn more of the language here.

[Of course, work made him happy. More than social activities, so he was rather enthused.]

[Tony chuckled. Leave it to Verstael to be the first one here.]

Okay two things, we need to get you a briefcase if you're going to carry around all that stuff so you're more subtle. Two, relax, we'll get to that stuff. What's your poison, Verie-pie?

Verstael. Besithia.

[Clearly Tony didn't know how to pronounce his name, but that was fine. He could correct him.]

Considering the frequency I carry documents, it may be more suspicious if I suddenly transport them in a different manner immediately after our mission.

[But he did make himself comfortable, taking a seat at the table.] Have you a good red wine? I'm flexible on the type.

Just testing out a nickname.

[He shrugged.]

I suppose you're right. How about a nice Merlot? I still need to put in that request for Elven..

[There were a few things he wanted to upgrade about the bar, but now they'd have to wait. Some things were worth borrowing Dora for but extra drink options wasn't one of them. Either way, he poured his friend a glass of the red wine before coming back to him.]

I have a few pages on my desk in the back to give you.

Edited (Decided to pick the wine :D) 2021-07-22 00:53 (UTC)

[While he was in his fighting gear still, Cloud left his sword near the entrance once he stepped inside. He had a few questions to ask people at some point in the evening regarding their tower expedition but perhaps those questions might not be so urgent. This little gathering was supposed to be a mini party, which he was invited to so maybe he could sit down and relax a bit.

Nevertheless, he stayed nervously still for a second after Tony hugged him, thinking he should do something in return……before giving him an awkward pat on the back.

Well, at least he tried.]

[Tony chuckled at Cloud's awkwardness. The fellow was too fun to mess with. Everyone else was getting a mug of beer, but he'd started a habit of giving his friend a hug when he greeted him so why not continue that?]

Good to see you. Now relax, Blondie, and join the party. You know how to play poker, don't you?

[He went to pour Cloud a drink.]

[ When Sephiroth got closer to Tony, the first thing he noticed was the smell of alcohol.

Which should have prepared him but did not for The Hug.

Sephiroth just kind of froze in place because it was so unexpected. Then his brain kicked in and reminded him of one of his Havenwell learned principles: one is supposed to hug back.

So Sephiroth wrapped his arms around the much shorter man and picked him up off the floor. ]

[With no need to 'arrive' since he was already there, Gladio had kicked back in one of the chairs, legs stretched out, hands behind his head, a small smile on his lips.

It'd be nice to get a group of friends together. Just hang out and chat. He couldn't remember the last (or the first) time they'd done that since arriving at Havenwell. Birthday parties didn't really count. So he was looking forward to this. And poker. He wondered how many of them actually knew how to play?]

You're looking pleased with yourself.

[Gladio didn't even have to look, he could sense Tony's smug satisfaction. It made him happy that his love was in such a good mood.]

[What? He'd gotten such a humorous reaction out of Cloud, he- in his slightly intoxicated wisdom- had decided to try it on Sephiroth after saying hello and offering to poor him a drink. How was he supposed to know the ogre would pick him up in retaliation?!

Tony made a very undignified squawk followed immediately by a peal of laughter.]

Okay, okay! I give! Dammit, Sephy! Put me down, you Moose!

[Was it becoming clearer to others yet why these idiots were friends?]

[Still unsure if he reacted appropriately, Cloud quickly pulled away, returning to his stoic demeanour as if nothing had happened.]

Poker, huh? [He wasn't sure actually. He could't remember very well, to be honest. Better settle on an answer - if a non-one.] Maybe. [Casual shrug.]

[ Sephiroth didn't see the problem. He'd done what was expected of him, even if it was in a different way.

With the way Tony reacted he quickly caught on and adapted. ]

And here I thought this was right where you wanted to be.

[ Sephiroth made a show of setting him down. ]

[Tony came over to deliver a fresh mug of beer to his partner and grinned. He leaned a hip against the table next to Gladio's chair and looked around the room with a satisfied nod.]

I am pleased. This is what I'd been wanting to do so often in that stupid train but we never had room. A good group of friends, some good food and drinks, some games, and you know.. a dose of intrigue never hurts.

In case I forget, our notes for Verstael are in a folder on the desk in the manager's office. Don't let him leave without those.

Edited 2021-07-22 17:12 (UTC)

[As he passes the mug over, he considers Cloud for a second.]

Which card is trump in poker?

[A little smirk plays on his lips.]

[The trump card? Wait, he didn’t remember a trump card. But then again, he didn’t remember ever playing poker. He never had the friends to play those games with ....wait, that wasn’t necessarily true.

While Cloud fell silent, trying to figure out what answer to give, he noticed the smirk on Tony’s face. Hang on a sec. He knows Tony a bit more and knowing Tony....]

There isn’t one. You just made that up.

[Tony smacked his chest with the back of his hand when he was finally free, but couldn't stop laughing. He would've been way more pissed about this had he been sober or if it had been someone he liked less but, whatever they were having fun tonight.]

You're turning into a first rate troll. Don't forget when you pick me up where my knee ends up next to!

[He stepped back- out of reach- and around to the bar.]

What do you want? Beer, liquor, wine? Verstael's drinking Merlot if you want some of that.

[Tony's grin widened and he tapped the tip of his nose.]

And the circle gets the square.

We have a bottle of Merlot opened up or if you'd prefer beer or liquor, obviously I have that too.

[It's obvious from the mug in his hands which he is assuming Cloud would prefer, but he's trying to be considerate after that trick question and give the guy a choice.]

I'll have Friday leave the score cards up just in case anyone forgets. I know some people play poker a little different even on my world. It has to be variable between universes.

[Fëanor found himself not in the slightest affected by the locals' ire for heir attempt at infiltration of the research towers. Strange as it was, there was nothing they could take away from him as he literally possessed nothing. No local friends, no business that could take a hit, no blessings of the gods that could be withdrawn. Even a week in jail was but a small inconvinience.]

You really plan on playing poker tonight, do you?

[ Although he didn't show it, Sephiroth was deeply amused by the whole thing--especially after seeing Tony retreat. ]

Tell me. Is that a compliment, a threat, or a challenge?

[ More teasing, as made obvious to those who knew him by his very dry tone. But then Tony had to go and get him thinking again. Sephiroth considered the question for a moment before giving an honest answer. As always. ]

I've never seen the point. Alcohol has no effect on me.

[ As far as he knew, anyway... ]

[He smirked at him.]

Yes.

[The other part just had him rolling his eyes and he poured him a beer. Just shut up and drink it.]

What about 'because it tastes good', ya silver-haired freak of nature? Now have you ever played poker? I have a feeling you're either going to be the devil at it or suck horribly.

Thanks, babe.

[He reached for the beer and sipped at it while Tony spoke, nodding along with it and offered a smile when he lowered the mug.]

Guess it never hurts. Should be a fun night if all goes well.

Once the documents had been passed over to Verstael, the glasses filled, cigars (for those who wanted them) lit, Tony passed the out the plastic, colorful poker chips.

"Friday, put up the points for the possible hands for our newbs," he ordered as casually as he was talking to anyone else at the table. The TV screens around the bar lit up with a display showing the various ways to score and a woman's voice said 'Yes sir' from somewhere overhead.

"Now, first round is a freebee since Cloud here has never seen or heard of a gambling card game in his life. Next round, we can make a dora pot. Game's Texas Hold 'Em. It's the most popular game in my country, America- there will be a quiz. It's named after one of the states that has a really big personality and.. we'll get into that later. Anyway.." He continues on to explain how the game starts with everyone getting two cards and then progresses from there.

"And who knows, if we have enough rounds and drinks, maybe we'll do a round of strip poker," he smirked at his boyfriend playfully as he shuffled the deck.

Splurged with a little bit of our remaining funds for a couple of stogies.

[He held up a few cigars with a grin. He didn't know and didn't really care if anyone else liked them. According to Tony cigar smoking, liquor, and poker went hand in hand.]

You know besides these guys, we also have Ann, Mina, and Katsuki. If we ever cause trouble again we're going to have to find a way to include them or they're going to be seriously pissed at me.

[After the fake scolding he had given Tony and several of the others so he could keep up neutral appearances, it is a relief to be able to meet with them again and actually act normal. Yes, the king in Regis knew that it was important for him to keep bridges with the natives unburned--especially since so many had just burned them--but the man in him just wanted to spend time with people who were some of the closest friends he had.

Come give him a hug and not a mug, Tony. You know you both can use it.]

I hope you recall that I don't know how to play poker and that it is treasonous to fleece a king while you are teaching him how to play.

[ooc: Not waiting on the mods anymore, sorry about the delay.]

Oh, you can bet your sweet elf-y ass, it's happening!

[Tony laughs when Feanor arrived. He got up and- since everyone else was getting one and he was a little drunk- a hug.]

So do you want beer or wine? I swear, I'm buying the elven kind soon. I just haven't gotten around to it just yet.

[Tony had made it look good too with snide comments back and hostile glares. He might not be an actor, but he definitely knew a thing or two about arguments. Someone watching would've been hard-pressed not to know it wasn't real.

Fortunately, it wasn't. Tony had thanked him very sincerely for protecting his armor and had been thrilled the king felt things were well enough to come to the poker night. He'd reassured him there'd be a couple extra faces so it wouldn't be just those who had been in jail. Hopefully Regis would blend in with those.

Either way, he was smiling widely when Regis came in and hugged his friend fiercely- something he would've done even completely sober.]

Damn, you're back thirty seconds and you're already wanting special treatment? Where do you think this is? Insomnia?

[ Sephiroth privately took that as a challenge for the future. Then he grabbed the bottle and took a sip. Sephiroth was not an expressive man but the drink was so repulsive that his lips actually turned down for a moment. ]

That tastes good?

[ He let the mug hit the table and stay there. No way was he giving that a second chance. Not even Genesis would be able to convince him of that. Instead, he stood and semi-leaned and used one of his long arms to reach for a more colorful bottle. Sephiroth didn't know what it was but it surely had to be better than what he'd just had. ]

What is poker? [ said while examining this new bottle. ]

Cloud listened and watched intently as Tony gave out the poker chips and explained the rules, trying to see if he could remember some of the rules by himself - although like Tony said earlier, the rules might differ from world to world. But he could pick it up as played.

Tony's jab at him made him roll his eyes. Maybe before, he might have gotten a bit defensive but he knows the guy a little more, so instead he decided to retaliate with his own cheap shot. "Sure. Besides, we need to go easy on Tony first round since he's doesn't want us to know he sucks at card games."

While he didn't say so, he was pretty sure the strip poker suggestion was a joke. Well, Verstael might take it seriously.

[Well, looks like he nailed it on the head. Heh. He thought so. He could have pointed out it was written all over Tony's face but restrains himself because it would just reveal that he doesn't know/remember how to play.

And regardless of his memory of poker, Tony has a point - the rules might be different depending on universes. That's fine. One question he has though.]

.....Merlot? [Ok he is fine with the beer but he's curious to know what that is.]

[Regis rubs at his chin as if he is considering the question much harder than it deserves, especially when he already has an answer in mind.]

Perhaps I am seeing things, but I am pretty sure I saw a sign outside the door that, in fact, did say 'Insomnia' on it.

[Ball's in your court now, Tony.]

[Tony's grin only widens.]

See? This is why we're friends. You get me.

[Way to figure out his joke! He patted Regis on the shoulder and headed for the bar.]

So we have some beer drinks, a couple wine guzzlers, and I've got the scotch out. What sounds tonight for the king?

[Gladio tried not to pull a face at the cigars. He would not be partaking of that little celebration of Tony's.]

Just brush your damn teeth before you come near me.

Yeah, Ann was pretty pissed we did something without her. [He gave a weak little smile and took another drink of his beer.] Probably best we don't do anythin like that again for a while.

[The hug does startle Fëanor a little but he does not shun it, nor does he push Tony away. He pats the man on the back instead. Now, now, that's enough. His friend is very obviously a bit drunk himself but it is also Fëanor's suspicion that the atmosphere of this place is influencing everyone here. He does not exclude himself from the affected. He's been a lot more permissive than usual.

A cursory glance around the bar tells him the drinking is only starting.]

I fear where this will end given the amount of alcohol you've prepared.

[This is not a criticism, even if it could be read as such. After what they've been through, they all need a good drink. And lots of it. It doesn't mean though Fëanor's going to torture himself further with the drink choice. So no beer.]

Show me that wine you have. I bet we can make better ourselves given enough time.

[Tony gives him a grin and sets down the mug to pour a small glass of wine for him. He passes it over to let Cloud have a taste.]

It's a mild, dry, red wine that is one of the most popular in my world. Technically, it should probably have a different name here but where I'm from it's from the French word merle, meaning blackbird based on the color. This one the replicator makes tastes very similar to the one I'm used to.

What do you think?

[Regis grins back and then follows Tony to the bar.]

Scotch, please. If I am only going to have one, it's going to be the good stuff.

[Could he drink more? Sure. He doesn't have to worry about being king here, but old habits die hard and someone should be the responsible one tonight.]

I will lick your face if I want to and you'll like it.

[He sticks his tongue out at his boyfriend like a five year old.]

Yeah probably not. I think we made our point though. Hopefully we'll find what we need in these files to determine for sure if anyone is being kept in those other towers. Did you get any helpful information while people were losing their shit on the network at you?

.....Blackbird, huh? [Weird name but it does make a little sense, considering the colour. He tries a little himself and pauses, considering the taste.] .....Not bad, I guess.

How much of that stuff have you got? [A small part of him wonders if he's going to regret asking, considering Tony's tried to get him drunk before and succeeded.]

And I'll cut it off.

[The warning was issues the same way Gladio might comment on the weather, calmly and with a smile. Would he cut Tony's tongue off? Probably not. It was a pretty talented little muscle. It'd be a shame if he were to lose it.]

Sure. We suck. [He chuckled.] The general consensus was we should have asked nicely. No real information was given. Maybe they were right? Maybe not. But we tried something new. And maybe somethin good will come from it.

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Drinks + Poker + Cover-Up

Tony- Welcome

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fashionably late to the party - someone has to

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The Game

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It might as well be the hot elf guy

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