paradisalogs | Alcohol, taken in sufficient quantities

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felix harrowgate

Alcohol, taken in sufficient quantities

Who: Felix Harrowgate and anyone
What: A new years party
When: January 1st
Where: Chimera headquarters
Rating: Pg-13 for heavy drinking, at least

The central hall of Chimera headquarters is today taken up with a pair of tables, one covered with all matter of foods from finger sandwiches and deviled eggs, to salted nuts and chocolate-covered fruits, while the other is littered with nearly every beverage one might think of - tea, coffee, milk, punch, and fruit juices. It wasn't quite the expected spread for a new year's party, but that was because the castle had done them the favor of making any liquid carry the effects of the usual party beverages. A small table near the door, however, had at some point in the day appeared, carrying liquors and champagne for those who actually preferred their alcohol to taste as such. The ghosts stood sentry to keep whatever it was the attendees wanted flowing.

Most of that is likely forgotten near the end of the day, and the arrangement of comfortable chairs in the adjoining office begin to look far more comfortable a place to sit once the room starts to spin a little. Getting air on the balcony is an option, of course, but take care not to fall off of it.

((OOC:Feel free to set your tag at any time during the evening (though really, you know we're all here for the drunk shenanigans). Please see the link above for info on the layout of the area.))

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"I would certainly like to, given that it's mine," he answered with a drawl and a slightly self-mocking but otherwise flamboyant gesture at the hall assembled party-goers.

Thorin gives a very slight nod before returning his attention back to his drink. He is silent for a long moment, eyes glancing among the other attendants.

"With so many guests assembled you clearly weren't hurting for friends and party-goers. So for what purpose did you specifically request my attendance, if I may ask?"

Ashura had been watching the exchange, perhaps a bit less tensely given that he was flushed with alcohol. Indulging? Oh indeed.

But that last comment drew him up and he gave an odd look to Thorin and then another to Felix. His head flicked between them, and finally decided to settle on Felix with his brows raised.

"Specifically request him?" he asked, and no doubt Felix could hear the other questions running beneath that one.

There wasn't any point in denying it, of course, and the easy grin he gave in response gave no indication he felt guilty for it.

"Simple, your Grace. I happen to take a keen interest in Ashura's friends. We share a good many mutual friends, present company included, but you are the only one I have no had the pleasure of meeting. And given how...close..." he said, pausing to glance at the both of them in turn, "...it seems you two have become as of late, I thought I would correct that. I'm afraid I know very little about you."

Thorin regards the words silently, swishing his drink in his mug before taking another large gulp. He'll need a refill soon, at this rate - but Dwarves often needed refills when they got drinks at any occasion.

"There are few who know much about me, if it's any consolation to you," Thorin pointed out. He had spoken to a select few about his past, his home, his life and kin.

Though he could not speak for the few remaining from his world - he was not sure what they had said of him, if anything at all. Considering his curtness towards Galadriel, he did not expect a good character review from her. Nor did it really seem to bother him.

And don't think he didn't notice that pause and glance. Thorin may not be the brightest Dwarf, but he spotted the subtext of that act rather easily. The smirk on his face is likely not helping matters...

"I hail from the same land as the Lady of 'Lorien, though her kind and mine do not see eye to eye."

Ashura knew what the glance meant to and for a minute he was furious with Felix. He knew then why the other had actually invited Thorin, and he felt... hurt by hit, upset, like somehow he should feel guilty, but why should he? They were not together, he had ever right to see the warmth of another if he so wished. He certainly did not think Felix had been chaste.

"Well, perhaps we can get some stories out of you then tonight, Thorin," he cut in, putting his hand on the dwarf's shoulder, shooting a look at Felix. "You know I enjoy them, and I am sure you have many you have not told me or I would enjoy the retelling of."

He hadn't meant to hurt Ashura by inviting Thorin. His former lover's fidelity was not his to judge, but it still curdled something dark in him - some strange tangling of possessiveness and protectiveness.

"My ego is far less wounded to know that," Felix said with a smile, not entirely joking. "You may not share much with her, but the ability to keep a tight lip on your thoughts seems to be one of them. Or perhaps is everyone in your world like that?"

Felix ignored the look. His judgements were for the dwarf only, and he knew well enough how to control what showed on his face. He hadn't completely forgotten how to conduct himself.

"But, yes, please, tell us a little about yourself or your world."

The tension was not lost on Thorin. He bit the inside of his cheek, glancing analytically at Felix. This turn that the conversation seem to have taken didn't make the Dwarf trust or like this new companion any better than before. Thorin tipped his mug to his lips again, drinking the last of his ale.

"You're curious to know of my world? Frankly I'm surprised Lady Galadriel hasn't told you everything about it already," Thorin disliked even partially admitting that Galadriel knew more about Middle Earth than he did. The fact that he had referred to her as 'Lady' around others bothered him as well.

Glancing to his empty cup, the Dwarf silently wished for a refill. The mug refilled and Thorin took a long, loud slurp of ale. He was clearly stalling, not sure how much about himself he wanted to reveal to this new man.

"As I said, I am King Under the Mountain, rightful ruler of Erebor, greatest and richest of Dwarf kingdoms. I've faced a dragon, hordes of Orcs, and countless goblins," Thorin decided telling tales of his battle prowess would be a good place to start.

"In fact, I am called 'Oakenshield' because of one such battle. I led my people to reclaim one of our lost kingdoms, and we faced legions of Orcs. Their king, Azog the Pale Orc, disarmed me of my shield and sword. I grabbed an oaken branch and used it as a shield, until I was able to grab the nearest weapon and disarm Azog...quite literally."

Thorin couldn't help but smirk at the memory of defeating his enemy and leaving him maimed forever.

Felix has little experience with warriors, even if Ashura was one as well. It was less a defining characteristic and more an augmentation to the rest of him. Whereas with Thorin, lacking any other context, the smaller man seemed to revel in it. He wasn't sure if he should feel impressed, wary, or repulsed, though all three warred for dominance in his mind. Getting on Thorin's bad side seemed to be a bad idea, though he had no goal to do as such. People could not stand up to a little subtle mockery would never last long as his friend. It was simply the way he spoke to people.

"I don't know the Lady nearly as well as you might believe. Ashura here has a far better relationship with her than I do," Felix answered. It was quite true, in fact. While he counted Galadriel as an ally, ever sense he'd invited her into his mind - even though he'd gained her approval in the process - their relationship had largely been one of cautious but friendly distance. But they had an understanding.

"Did you succeed in taking back your lands?" he said after a brief, slightly stunned, pause.

Thorin had no trouble with teasing - he often took it from his nephews at every turn. But with those he was unfamiliar and suspicious of, he was wary of such teasing. Often in those situations Thorin would have to consider the malice in such comments - regardless of whether or not it was intended. That was just the kind of person he was.

"I know the Lady not as well as some might like," Thorin's gaze flickered to Ashura.

The fact was, no matter how kind or gentle Galadriel might be, she was still an Elf.

Still, the second question brought an almost sheepish pause to Thorin.

"...No, not yet," Thorin replied. "Before the castle took me I was leading a band of 12 Dwarves and a Hobbit to march on Erebor and reclaim the kingdom. Two of those Dwarves were my nephews - fine lads, both of them."

"The castle seems to be fond of bringing us here at inopportune times or with unfinished business," Felix replied, his eyes staring down at his drink for a moment. He was not as unfeeling as he might seem. It may once have been the case that he would not give much pause the problems of strangers, but Paradisa had an uncomfortable way of reminding him there were other perspectives than his own.

He listened, letting the two go back and forth. He rather thought his input and interruption would make things sour, and he wasn't really in a place to deal with that right now. Still, it was interesting to hear such things again and others anew, and Ashura could respect the sacrifices and risks that Thorin was taking for himself and his people. He was making the same, though as of yet, only a few in the Castle knew of this decision - Legolas, Felix, Galadriel. Others who knew had passed from the Castle's domain.

He looked to Felix, and without realizing it, he reached out, touching the back of his hand gently for a brief moment before withdrawing it and once again assuming a neutral position between them.

"I think I have drunk a bit to much to be pondering the possible motives of this place," he stated, not wanting to dwell on a dark topic.

Thorin noticed Ashura's movement - though he tried to ignore it. The cold spark of jealousy ran through him, though he attempted to keep his face from showing it.

Blue eyes glanced among the other guests, still attempting to distract himself.

"Indeed - this was meant to be a merry occasion, let us not dampen the mood with talk of this place and its more wicked tendencies."

"Yes, quite right!" Ashura nodded, wanting very much to get away from that, from any topic that could bring up jealousies or anger, which was more difficult the more he thought about it with these too, especially Felix.

"I think you would like dwarvish jewelry," he suddenly put out to Felix, his hand reaching out and caressing Thorin's hair without really thinking about it. "Perhaps Thorin can tell us about that?" That was a safe topic, wasn't it?

A slight chill raked through Thorin, feeling Ashura's fingers in his hair. He gives a soft, cocky smirk though, glancing Felix up and down.

"You'd be interested in Dwarf jewelry?" It's hard for him to believe. "What for?"

Felix managed not to look perturbed by this, though the intensity of his stare is a bit too sharp to be friendly.

"Ashura and I often have similar tastes in our amusements, though not always to same degree, obviously," he gestured vaguely at the four sets of simple golden rings in his ears, though the slight implication was for more than just ear jewelry, "Sadly I arrived in Paradisa without my wizard's rings."

Thorin tilts his head a bit, glancing to the golden rings in Felix's ears. Piercings for Dwarves were ways to honor and remember fallen loved ones. Not everyone expresses this same practice, but it's the first thing that comes to his mind when he sees them.

"Wizard Rings?" Thorin tilts a brow. He's heard of the rings of power forged ages ago, one of which had been given to his father. But the wizards of his world received none. "And what are those?"

In a way the rings could stand for such things. He'd seen far too many friends die before he was even a man, but the real for them was actual simple vanity. "Many wizards in my world use rings to help focus their magic. A full set of ten, though the metals and stones vary from person to person."

Felix casually flashed his bare hands, palms down and fingers spread slightly. Trailing tattooed vines in gold, crimson, azure, and emerald wound their way over the top of his hands and disappeared underneath the frill of his sleeves.

Thorin tilts a brow at Felix's explanation and glances down at the wizard's hands when he displays them.

Though he soon forgets the rings as he studies the tattoo. Tattoos also, in Dwarf culture, had a great deal of meaning - and Thorin is curious to see if there are any similarities...

"And the tattoos, there," Thorin points. "Is there a significance to them?"

Well, this was going a bit better than expected. At least they were not at each other's throats for one reason or another, yet. Ashura kept sipping from his cup quietly, listening to them go back and forth. He knew the reasons, but he felt it would serve no purpose if he butted in now. He remembered spending days admiring those tattoos, having always liked them...

Oh, no, don't drift, he needed to be here, in the now, ready to jump in in case something went sideways.

It was funny that the first time he had met Ashura, his tattoos had also become a subject of discussion, which may or may not have been an unfortunate thing to recall at the moment. Thankfully, he couldn't entirely resist a reason to talk about himself, as long as the subject was as neutral as his wizardry.

"There is. They are marks of loyalty and a badge of office, so to speak, taken as part of my oaths and induction into the Cabaline school."

"Interesting."

Not so different from his culture, in Thorin's opinion. He nodded slowly in understanding and appreciation. Tattoos were usually worn by fierce warriors who had lost loved ones and comrades, hence why Thorin was always interested in them.

Most of Thorin's tattoos are on his arms, fingers and chest, mostly hidden by his clothing, not that he had any shame in wearing them.

Felix was glad that Thorin's tone was a bit less stand-offish for the moment, and decided to continue the topic. Even though he wasn't sure if he wanted to like the dwarf, he could not control his genuine curiosity on the matter.

"And what about yours. I see you have some as well."

"Indeed," Thorin glances to the tattoos that he can see on his arms and fingers.

He actually takes a moment to clench and unclench his fingers. Just admiring the movement of the ink on his skin.

"Memorials," was the simple way of putting it. "For fallen friends and loved ones. Each tattoo, each piercing, the pain is meant to make us remember those we have lost that much more."

Thorin felt a phantom sting in his ear - the gold hoop in his earlobe pierced to remember his brother.

"Pain fades like everything else," Felix said, though not dismissively. He did not mention that his own tattoos did not, nor would ever, fade, because of the magic imbued into them. He didn't think their presence was what made him remember his vows. They certainly had not stopped him from side-stepping them when he needed to.

"I could imagine you running out of skin if you chose to stop and remember everyone that has died in your war..."

Alcohol, taken in sufficient quantities

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Sorry for the delay!! Moving was HELL!!

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