Raine's Birthday Bash!

[philomathean]

raine's birthday bash

what's up?

Raine turned 28 on Tuesday, June 6th, and Annie is making good on her threat promise to throw him a birthday party. Despite her teasing to the contrary, the whole affair is relaxed and understated. Everyone at the station was invited either personally by Annie or via flyers posted around the campus. The party is being hosted in Annie's one-bedroom apartment (Apt. 203) and is advertised as a "come through." So, anyone is welcome to stop by between 5pm and midnight to pay their respects, chat for a bit, and play a few party games. There is more weed on hand than alcohol and the vibe has been carefully curated to discourage rowdiness, but it's Raine's party, so Annie will match his cues.

the vibe!

There are few things in Annie's apartment that don't serve a functional purpose, so it was pretty easy for her to make space. Even so, at certain points in the evening, it is standing room only. She's brightened up the earth-toned interior with simple, brightly colored eco-friendly banners and garlands. There are lots of sweet treats on the counters in the kitchen and everything containing THC is prominently labeled with dosages by milligram. Her cat, Tussy, mostly stays in the bedroom but is friendly and available for scritches. THIS IS A SHOES OFF HOUSEHOLD.

volunteer slots!

Rhodes Callaway arrives at the wrong apartment and spends 45 minutes hanging out with Rory Fairfax in their pad before realizing no one else is coming.

Jack Jung is bored? Nosy? They begin poking around in Annie's desk drawers and get caught by Raine Riley!

Lenz Polzin gives Tussy a treat. And then Tussy follows them around the rest of the night. More food please!

Volunteer F forgets to lock the door when they hide in the bathroom to read their phone. Minty Payne walks in on them.

Volunteer H fails to read Annie's notes properly and takes what they think is a weed brownie. But it's really just a regular brownie.

Volunteer I and Volunteer J both got Raine the same birthday gift.

Volunteer K brings an instrument and immediately draws Annie's ire.

Annie's mother taught her that it endears people to you if you ask them for favors, so even though Annie is a control freak, she enlisted lots of help over the course of the week. Feel free to say Annie asked your character for something!

playlist!

🎶

The Groove station on Radio France is ambiently playing from several inconspicuous rose quartz shaped speakers placed around her apartment. If anyone asks if they can hop on the AUX, Annie will pretend that she doesn't know who is controlling the music. 🙃

locations!

⬦ ARRIVALS/VIBE CHECK: Whatcha wearing? How ya feeling? When did you arrive? When'd you leave? Did you bring anything? DID YOU TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF LIKE ANNIE TOLD YOU TO?

⬦ I SAID NO GIFTS: The flyer invites posted around the station explicitly said that Raine does not want your junk, but maybe you brought him something anyway? This is also a place to leave cards or wish Raine a happy birthday with your human mouth.

⬦ AROUND THE APARTMENT: All areas of Annie's one-bedroom apartment are open to partygoers. The living room is set up like a conversation pit, the bedroom is open if people are looking for a little space, and the deck is set up with a few chairs and a small table. Please smoke outside if you're going to.

⬦ PARTY GAMES: A place for party games! Feel free to start your own or just tag in.

⬦ ELSEWHERE IN THE BUILDING: Did you wander off for a moment's respite from the chaos? Did you decide not to come to the party, but you're sitting alone in your apartment stewing with FOMO? (If you file a noise complaint against her, Annie will make your life a living hell. Just know that.)

⬦ OOC - QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS! Here if you need me!

♡

Comments

TABLE TOPICS: Jack & Annie

[philomathean]

Now Annie feels like she's won whatever this is, because she's made Jack laugh, genuinely and against his will. Her manic grin softens into a self-satisfied smirk. In bed later, as she stares up at the ceiling with gummy eyes and a dry mouth, she'll get a little paranoid, wondering if it's a problem that 'thinking about him a lot' is not, actually, an untruth. But, for now, convincing others of this fact had been her intention and she's pleased.

So, she quits while she's ahead. "I like your ears," she assures him as she stands. As she pushes off the couch, one hand planted on the cushion by his head, she leans over him and kisses the air near his cheekbone. "They make your head like a piece of salt water taffy. Yum."

TABLE TOPICS: Jack & Annie

[nolitangere]

Her gesture is sweet and uncomplicated and makes Jack feel awful. Only briefly for himself—all near misses of casual intimacy of any valence make his chest hurt. Mostly he feels bad for Annie, that she has to do this dance with him. Would it be easier for her without the mandatory hands-breadth of empty space? He thinks so. Jack guesses he is like a piece of salt water taffy, but the piece you don't eat that goes hard and inedible, that you must ultimately toss out.

He gives Annie a small smile, sincere but a little out of place. Then his expression changes, joking again. He feels stupid thinking about this, being self-indulgently sad, so he'll stop. It doesn't matter, he's doing that thing again where he presumes too much, and anyway Annie asked him not to imagine versions of her that didn't actually exist. Obviously she's perfectly fine.

"Careful," he squints after her. "Don't let LBJ hear you say that. You know how he gets."