open ] [ the gallery

[huntersdaughter]

Who: Jo & Friends
Where: The Continuing Hope Art Gallery (Jo's place)
When: April 8th
What: A social Gathering
Note: Prose or [bracket] friendly. Alcohol provided.



[The castle had given her something pretty substantial around Christmas, but she hadn't really felt like putting it up until today. It took missing home and being trapped in another world, within a different world, for Jo to actually feel a bit homesick. That morning, waking up in her own bed, with one less pet, Jo plugs in the Jukebox from the Roadhouse. She knew it was the one from back home, the one from back home that had the one button that stuck, that wouldn't actually press. That number three just permanently depressed, the spring forever snapped and never letting any of those tracks play.

It still plays the REO, which was the only thing that she figured matters.

She fills the fridge with beer and pulls the top shelf liquor out of the cabinets and just sets it out on the table.

Then she waits. Seated on her couch, music from the jukebox playing, and a drink in her hand. Not bad for a day late birthday.]

Comments

[imnot_likeyou]

[Sam wanders into the gallery pretty much as soon as he's told to. You didn't have to tell him twice to get out of the castle, and as he walks in the door, his eyes fall on the jukebox.

He makes his way closer, and as he looks it over, a small smile crosses his face, one hand coming to rest against the side of the jukebox.]

[huntersdaughter]

I think it classifies as art. [She calls from the staircase, heading down into the gallery.]

[imnot_likeyou]

[glances back at her with a smile, before nodding]

I think you're right.

[he then pauses, and pulls away to head towards her to give her a hug]

Happy birthday.

[huntersdaughter]

[They've come a long way in a year! She'll accept that hug and laugh a bit.]

I'm not even another year older. Oh, this castle. [She says it mockingly, with a hint of a funny voice.]

So, is the duck back in Pokemon land where it belongs?

[downright]

[ Have a Chase arrive a couple of hours after the party starts (and is thankfully still in progression -- he's not entirely late!). He has with him Jo's birthday present! Come get it, Harvelle. Don't be shy now just because you spilled your feelings out via the journal! ]

[huntersdaughter]

[She sees him come in, but she's talking to someone else at the time. She does acknowledge him though, a slight head nod and a smile, but she returns to talking to whoever she was talking to before breaking away and heading toward him.]

Did you have a nice nap?

[downright]

Yes, I did. [ He grins and offers her the stuffed chicken. At least it's not a necklace this time. ] Happy belated birthday.

[huntersdaughter]

[She takes the chicken and holds onto it.]

Thanks. I'm surprised you showed up. I thought for sure my admission would've put you to overthinking things.

[valuedstrength]

[Steve is coming in (having successfully escorted Neal!) with two big thin packages that look suspiciously like canvas wrapped up in thin paper. He can't wave while holding them, but Steve has a smile for everyone including the belated birthday girl.]

[huntersdaughter]

[Jo is glad that Neal arrived safely! She'll wave to him, but offer to help Steve too.]

Okay, you realize that I didn't mean for you to bring work for the gallery today, too.

[valuedstrength]

This isn't for the gallery. [Steve hesitates a second.] It's for you. I didn't want to say anything about it until I was sure the flood didn't get them.

[alias_savant]

[will follow in behind him, before turning to him with a smile]

Thank you for the escort.

[valuedstrength]

[Steve nods to him.] It was my pleasure.

because Jo needs more guy friends...

[gottaknockhard]

[So what if coming here is partially an excuse to get out of the castle? Spike shows up, continuing the illusion that the old safe house still counts as one. Then there's the part where he's checking up on Jo... and proving he's fine too after how dramatic he'd been the last time. He's been making an effort to build back some good karma; it just helps him to keep things balanced.

Socializing, on the other hand, isn't part of the deal. He finds a drink, a nice unpopular spot in the gallery, and hangs around to bring the class level down a few pegs. That's all anyone could expect from him.]

[huntersdaughter]

[Yes, proof that Spike is still alive is appreciated. She'll circle around to him and nudge him with her elbow.]

I'm glad you showed up.

[gottaknockhard]

[He smiles, like this makes up for anything.]

It had to happen eventually. -- How's the party?

[whatialways_do]

[and Max is late. Not as late as Chase, and you think that for a genetically engineered super soldier she would be on time more often, but nope.

She's just awesome like that.]

[huntersdaughter]

[Jo appreciates the ONE LADY showing up. Even if she is late.]

So... do you think I need to make more female friends? [Because... seriously.]

[whatialways_do]

[laughs]

Maybe. But they can be a little overrated sometimes.

[impetuous]

[ When Gwaine swaggers in (yes, swaggers), he comes up behind Jo to catch her in a surprise hug. Happy birthday, not!sister. ]

[huntersdaughter]

[Jo does not see the swagger, but she does laugh when she gets caught in the hug.]

Please don't have any cupcakes.

[impetuous]

[ Bad thing to mention. He snorts in amusement and shakes his head against her so his hair flies into her face. ]

[alias_savant]

[And Neal is down here, milling around and talking to different people. He's a bit of the odd man out in this group, with his suits and such, but eventually he wanders over to the jukebox to see what it has.]

[huntersdaughter]

[Jo will mill about and find Neal by the jukebox. She settles her hand against the back of his elbow, just signaling that she's beside him since it is a bit loud in there with all the people talking, as I pretend Jo has more friends here than are present.]

See something you like?

[alias_savant]

[glances over with a smile]

Classic rock doesn't normally fall into my usual tastes. But I think my options are improving.