A Night Like This [Hammel Staff]

[Devon Wentsworth]

Devon was in very high spirits as he paced around the function room of the Churchkeys, trying to make sure everything was sorted out ready for when people began to arrive. A long table to the side of the room housed a number of large bowls containing an assortment of finger snacks, plus a tray filled with mint chocolate cupcakes that Devon had spent a chunk of the day making and decorating. Sure they might not taste quite as perfect as the treats Hammel's head chef often left littering the staff lounge, but Devon was proud of them and they looked pretty, which to him was the most important point.

At either end of the long table were huge punch bowls filled to the brim, each clearly labelled with what was in it; one alcohol free and the other rather generous with the booze. Additionally Devon had put some money behind the bar so that everyone who had RSVP'd (plus a few extra) could get a non-punch drink without having to dig into their wallets. All in all it had been a rather large financial outpouring for the art teacher, but he believed it would be well worth it. He had been itching for a party of some sort since he'd first landed state-side. Despite his ever-increasing urge for mischief he was aiming to keep it classy tonight. Light hearted but sensible amusement. That was the plan. It was also why he was going to carefully pace himself with his own alcohol consumption.

Looking at his watch Devon saw that it had just turned 7:45 and he made his last run around the room. Food? Check. Drinks? Check. Jukebox? Check. Karaoke machine? Check. Bloke on the door making sure no gatecrashers were able to sneak in? Check. Perfect.

Slinking up to one of the pool tables, Devon set it up before taking the break shot, waiting for the first staff members to arrive. Between the variety of entertainment options he was hoping it would be a great night.
Besides, if all else failed there was a party-size Twister board behind the bar.
Keepin' it classy.


[OOC: Hello and welcome! All Hammel staff members and their SO's are more than welcome to join in here whether they have RSVP'd or not. There is no posting order or need to word match; have at it! Go wild or relax and watch everyone else get drunk and make idiots of themselves. The bloke on the door will turn away any non-staff/ non-SO's and since it is a bar after hours no kids will be allowed in the building. Other than that, go for it! If you have any questions please grab me in the cbox or PM me on this account. HAVE FUN!]
[Also, since I can't be everywhere at once, please feel free to have Devon wave in greeting if you just want to bounce somewhere else or to someone else without having to actually say hi to him.]

[Ferris Macklin]

An 8 p.m. party was past Ferris's bedtime (as someone who woke up at 3:30 in the morning), but he was going to support his friend. He could just... nap longer tomorrow. He didn't care about 'fashionably late' or what it said about him that he showed up at eight pee em on the dot, and he didn't care about what people would think of him for not partaking in alcohol. Locking his bike up outside, Ferris poked his head in and grinned. The place looked great.

In jeans and a t-shirt, Ferris had not even tried to dress things up because there was a chance no one would recognize him. Since it was his party and all, Ferris did not use his foot to give Devon's butt a nudge when it presented itself as the Brit leaned over the pool table. Manners. Instead, he hooked himself a cue and touched it to both Devon's shoulders. "I dub thee Bringer of Parties." Grinning, he took a shot that sank the seven. "Hey Dev. Great idea. I won't be staying long, but... who'm I to turn down a free drink?"

Tapping the table with his cue, he said, "Solids and stripes or odds and evens?"

He knew Devon wouldn't be able to finish the game, mostly likely, but it was fine to start.

[Evan Coleman]

Evan took a deep breath as he approached the door to Churchkeys, and resisted the urge to walk around the block one more time. Eight o'clock had already come and gone, and he had come and gone with it three times already. He had been excited for this earlier in the day, but now that the big event was looming it seemed that his stomach had decided that it had been in his body for quite long enough and wished to explore the world for itself. A pregame shot of vodka sloshed around inside him, egging his stomach toward its migratory ambitions.

It wasn't that he didn't enjoy parties. Far from it: he would always be among the first to drink like a fish and dance like a maniac, and Science knows he hadn't had much of a chance to let his hair down since coming back to Pilot Ridge, but . . . they were teachers. Teachers that had taught him not half a decade ago. There he was, little more than a glorified intern of Dr. Neville's, about to walk into a room full of the people that had known him as just another in the swarm of the theater junkies of '09. He might have considered going elsewhere, but where else was there to go? And he'd RSVP'd, and he didn't want to snub Mr. Wentsworth . . .

He raised his hand to the doorknob.

On board the USS Evan Coleman's Subconscious, Commodore Brick Pericles McStudlypants (of the New Haven McStudlypantses) glared at the viewscreen with a steely eye. Next to him, First Officer Kara Badmofo gnawed furiously on an unlit cigar. The air on the bridge was electric, as the crew awaited the command.

"Mr. Takei," intoned the Commodore with a voice like a ribeye steak beating a rabid bear to death, "open the door and engage Relaxation Protocols. May Science have mercy on us."

Inside, the air at Churchkeys was immediately warm, inviting, and more than slightly alcoholic. A magnificent spread of food and drink caught Evan's eye, but so too did the sight of Mr. Wentworth and . . .

Huh. That was weird. He could see Mr. Wentworth's emotional landscape just fine (and it was absolutely lovely to watch: a serpentine maze of Van Gough landscape colors tanging with a golden barley of endorphins that made him thirst for a nice pale ale), but the other guy appeared to have no aura at all. Evan squinted, but he came up with nothing but air every time he tried to get a glimpse, taste, or whiff of the man's emotions. It didn't help that he was kind of a cutie too, in a tall-dark-and-possibly-graceful-British-serial-killer way. Wow, was it hot? It felt really hot.

Well, to hell with it. If he was going to make a nervous ass of himself, better to start now.

"Um, Mr. Wentworth? Hi, my name's Evan. I just wanted to say thanks for, you know, putting this together. The place looks absolutely amazing. And, ah," he rambled, floundering inside as he turned to the other gentleman, "hi! I don't think we've met. I'm Evan! Pleased to meet you, Mr. . . ?"

Commodore Pericles surveyed the bridge. No damage had been sustained yet, but Chief Engineer Saltydog had already been on the horn twice with him to complain of fluctuations in the Stomach Engines. First Officer Badmofo had already punched out an assistant navigator out of sheer nerves, and even Mr. Takei's usually-unflappable demeanor had diminished to the point where he had forgotten twice to end his sentences with his usual "ohhhh myyyyyy".

"Science help us all," he repeated, quietly.

(OOC: Sorry if this is too long! New at this, can edit it down)

[Hart Kenney]

Although the invitation had said that partners were welcome, Hart had regretfully shown up to the staff party alone. That was the trouble with dating a police officer; her schedule didn't always sync up with that of people who had day jobs.

However, her absence was probably for the best. She didn't care for parties or large groups of people, and going solo meant that he would have to interact with people. Interestingly,although he had only begun working at Hammel the previous semester, there were quite a few new staff members and he hadn't gotten to know them all yet.

He showed his invitation to the bouncer, mentally approving of this precaution. Hammel students could be...difficult. He just hoped that Harmony hadn't seen his invitation when she had been over; the ability to teleport rendered bouncers at the door moot. But maybe he had better things to do than crash a staff party. Or maybe she respected Josef enough to...


No, he had better hope she hadn't seen the invitation.

He nodded to the three men over by the pool table. All new, including the host.

"Evening." He greeted them, glancing around to see if perhaps it would be acceptable to head straight for the drinks. But they were the only ones yet there, and it seemed rude to bypass the other attendees. Maybe after a few more people arrived he could grab a drink. "Name's Hart Kenney. I teach history to the middle schoolers."

He really needed to hang out in the staff room more often, then he wouldn't have this awkward period of so we're coworkers but we've never met.

[Devon Wentsworth]

The break was a clean one and the pool balls scattered pleasingly, Devon grinning as he righted himself again and turned to see who it was that had just arrived. The grin brightened as he noticed it was Ferris, and the Brit lowered on to one knee as he was 'knighted' with the pool cue. “I promise to honour Queen and country... Well, until I've had a few drinks anyway.” He laughed genially as he stood again, watching Ferris make his shot. “Nice!”

Seeing his friend served only to heighten Devon's spirits, especially since he knew just how out of his way the chef was going to be here. “Thanks for coming, mate. It means a lot.” The Brit embraced Ferris in a brief but sincere hug, never one to be shy about that kind of physical affection, before casting his eyes to the table once more. “Hmmm... solids and stripes.” He took a shot at the fourteen, but he was slightly too gentle with it and the ball rolled to a halt an inch from the pocket. “There's punch in the bowls on the table, the cups are next to them, or if you're wanting something else tell 'em to stick it on my tab behind the bar.” He used the pool cue to indicate to the long table, a cheeky smile on his lips. “If you don't try one of the cupcakes willingly, I will force you to try one. I spent all bleedin' day on them.”

A new arrival grabbed Devon's attention and he turned the bold smile to him, giving a wave of his hand. “Hey Evan, just Devon is fine. Thanks for coming, it's great to meet you!” Devon's energy and enthusiasm was high, and he waved again as another man arrived. “Hiya Hart, glad you could make it. I'm Devon, the art teacher, and this is Evan and Ferris. I'll grab some drinks; what're you all having?”

[Deleted]

Renee didn't have any special someone around to bring with her to this party. Parties and get togethers that presented the option of bringing you SO tended to bring the little party animal down a bit. If things had turned out differently for herself and Kurt....if he wasn't in the state he was in.... The thought processes circulated over and over in her head as she had showered, made-up, and dressed and not even the one, two, shots of tequila had done enough to calm her nerves, nor had the two cigarrettes she had smoked on the way there. She had sat out in her Prius for several minutes before convincing herself that everything was going to be fine and finally stepping out of the car in a yellow sundress. She had gone through several different outfit over the span of probably an hour, running through casual jeans, to something fancy, to something a little more hip....finally she gave up and just went with her normal style, though this one in particular she had never worn to school before due to the neckline. In her already tipsy state, Renee could hear the complaints from Sean now if she ever dared.

Her walk was unhindered and as smooth as ever, as if she were floating on the air itself, when she stepped into the bar where she gave a familiar nod to the bouncer. There were already a number of gentleman congregating around the pool table, most of which she was already acquainted with. With a faux smile that she was sure would turn true as the night went on(and the liquor consumed), Renee stepped up behind the young '09 class boy and draped her arm around his shoulder. "Why hellooo Mr. Coleman," she cooed, settling her other hand holding her purse upon her hip. "You're looking like quite the gentleman this evening." Renee turned to the others, "Good evening, gentleman."

She gave Devon a wink, "I'll take some of the strong stuff, if you please." Then she pulled herself back, not wanting to be too much of a queen....yet. "Actually, on second thought, you only have two hands, Devon. Need some help?"

[Mai Adaire]

Staff party? A chance to meet colleagues AND to drink to her heart's content? If there was nothing Maiella loved more than a light-hearted and fun social gathering. It took hours to decide what to wear! The choices were two really cute wrap dresses she wanted to show off for the occasion before finally choosing the one in rich azure. It was flirty and pleated and paired with some little black flats, absolutely adorable! She even took the time to paint her nails to match the color of the dress, because why not?

What was less of a difficult decision was dragging Valentia along with her. That was just a given, Mai offered the woman very little choice in the matter. In her eyes, it would do Vel some good in playing the social game even for a little while. It may have helped that she begged to go with her until she was able to draw some sort of "yes" answer.

"I wish I was able to take a picture from the top for you, Vel. It's such a fantastic view, but we were really running low on oxygen by that point. And I was amazed how many bones were up there, you know? The village at the bottom were amazed we came back alive."

Mai chirped cheerfully, linking her arm with Valentia's to tug her along, stopping once to beam at the bouncer as they were allowed into Churchkeys. She could not help but be excited! Drinking with her best friend ever and the possibilities of the night; it was impossible not to be all smiles!

"Hello colleagues~!" Mai greeted all who were already present before her attention flipped to the important stuff: snacks! "Ooh what a nice spread, eh Velli? Tell me you're gonna have a cupcake too!"

[Evan Coleman]

"Ohhh myyyyyyy! Ohhhhh myyyyyyy!" Mr. Takei shrieked, frantically stabbing at his station, "Commodore, we have a UFC on the shoulder level!"

A murmur of terror spiraled through the room, and a muffled scream issued from the mouth Communications Officer Herpderp.

"An Unexpected Female Contact? Sweet Sassy Science!" gasped First Officer Badmofo, "Ready the Sweaty Palms! Begin loading the Self-Depricating Humor! Hoist the . . ."

"Belay that!" thundered Commodore McStudlypants, eyes flashing like a welding torch, "Saltydog and his boys whipped up something special for just such an occasion."

With confidence blazing on his face, he pressed the intercom button to engineering with a flourish.

"Release the Rehearsed Smoothness, Saltydog!" he roared triumphantly, "And for Science's sake, stop with those blasted bagpipes! We're not going down that easily!" he added petulantly, as the reedy tunes of Danny Boy wafted through the intercom onto the bridge.

Evan's grin went from anxious to crooked as he felt an arm descend on his shoulder. He'd gotten a whiff of that cinnamon-and-steel aura as she'd walked in, and the voice told the rest of the story. Renee Hendricks was in the house. Hear her roar.

"Great to meet you, Mr. Kenney. Art to middle schoolers? You're a brave man. Mrs. Hendricks, thank you kindly! You're looking lovely yourself, as always," he grinned, twisting slightly out of her arm and giving her a small mock bow, "and would that my classmates could see this moment. If you're offering," he continued, spinning back to Mr. Wentworth, "I'd love a Jameson on the rocks if you've got it. I'll also probably help burn through those cupcakes before the night is out."

It required a lot of verbal jiujitsu, but Evan was starting to feel like he could keep up with all of this new stimuli. New faces, new people, new emotional landscapes . . . it looked like the start of an exciting night, and they hadn't even made a move towards the karaoke . . .

"Begin priming the Bad Decisions reactor, Mr. Herpderp! We'll be wanting maximum Karaoke Output within the hour!"

"Aye sir!" replied Mr. Herpderp, humming a certain Bon Jovi tune as the reactor began to purr.

[Ferris Macklin]

Ferris made a face (one similar to the kids' when they saw what was being served that day) when Devon hugged him. Mostly for show.

“Thanks for coming, mate. It means a lot. Hmmm... solids and stripes.”

"How else am I going to be able to judge the sort of neighborly disturbance you're capable of? And yes, yes, I will try your bloody efforts." Ferris took a shot at the one, but ended up scratching. As he pulled the cue out of the pocket, more people wandered over and he grinned.

"Hi! I don't think we've met. I'm Evan! Pleased to meet you, Mr. . . ?"

"No mister, just Ferris. I'm not even a teacher." He held out a hand for Evan to shake, and when he was done, held it out for Hart. "I've read the 8th grade history textbook! And... others."

Ferris was going to have to keep from nerding all over Mr. Kenney, perhaps easier said than done. To Devon, he just shook his head. "I'll have some punch later. If I load myself up I'll never be able to sleep."

When Renee walked in and attached herself to Evan, Ferris laughed. She had a certain style to her, she did. "Evenin' Renee." Leaning over, he then sank Devon's fourteen and then his own two. A woman in a blue dress came in with a friend and he waved, despite not knowing who they were. Back to Evan Coleman, he said, "So what do you do at Hammel, then?"

[Devon Wentsworth]

Devon mostly ignored the face that Ferris pulled at the hug, sticking his tongue out at him before laughing at his comment regarding neighbourly disturbances. “Hey, I'll have you know I only throw classy gatherings. What other people end up doing, or end up coaxing me into doing, is entirely their own bag.” He grinned easily as Ferris confirmed he'd try one of the cupcakes.

Smiling at Evan, Devon nodded in confirmation. “They've got it behind the bar, I'll grab that for ya in a moment. Help yourself to the cupcakes, but don't be too mean on the criticism, ey? My pride is easily dented.” He gave a slightly cocky wink to the other man before turning to Renee. “Thank you for the offer, and might I say that's a real pretty dress.”

Devon leaned his pool cue against the table. He wanted to keep playing but he wasn't going to fail in his duties as host. “Anyone fancy taking over, feel free. He's kicking my arse anyway.” After waving in greeting to the brunette that had appeared with her friend and encouraging her to go for a cupcake too, he offered his elbow to Renee for her to link to should she wish. “Shall we?”

[Dr. Sean Neville]

In high-stress situations, camaraderie and bonding developed quickly among those involved. Teaching at Hammel was hardly equivalent to military service, although it had its hazardous moments; there remained more than enough over which to bond. More than that, sometimes the staff simply needed time to unwind after a particularly difficult day.

Sean was fond of most of his coworkers, which, coupled with the general stress of life at Hammel, was why he hadn’t hesitated to go out to the pub. He had brought Josh with him, because he always extended invitations to his partner for shared activities, unless otherwise prohibited from doing so. Josh had agreed to come with him, and the telepath had hired one of the neighborhood teenagers (whom he himself had babysat when she was younger) to watch Bailey for the couple of hours that they would be out.

They couldn’t return intoxicated, which was fine. They had both agreed to cut down on their alcohol intake, as it was. Still, they could enjoy themselves and the company of his co-workers, even though many were significantly younger than they were, even significantly younger than Josh appeared to be.

Upon entering, the two older men easily found their way to the group of Hammel staff. Sean offered them a wide smile, and announced, “The next round is on me.”

[Evan Coleman]

"I'm sorry?" Evan said distractedly to Ferris, his eyes trying to take in as many of the new faces as he could. He supposed it was just as well that there WERE new faces. He didn't really recognize most of the people here outside of minor interactions in the staffroom. "Oh, I'm the new assistant counselor. The Xander to Dr. Neville's Buffy, if you will."

His eyes widened as he heard the words coming out of his mouth. Inwardly, he smacked himself. Would anybody even get that reference? Why not just throw on a bow tie and suspenders, since he was clearly going all-out towards being an utter NERD?

Still further inwardly, Chief Engineer Saltydog poured himself a generous tumbler of whiskey as a cascading Bad Jokes malfunction began to spring up in the Conversation Tubes.

"'m not a bloody miracle worker, Dad blast 't" he growled to himself as he reached for his tools.

"What do you do at Hammel?" he resumed towards Ferris, with a split second's pause. He couldn't really recall ever running into Ferris, and he would have definitely remembered someone who didn't show up to his power. Not that he was complaining, mind: a bit of mystery was kind of welcome after the numerous other stilted conversations he'd had since returning. Besides, the other auras were mixing quite pleasingly as more people filtered in: Hart had some interesting textures running through his brain, glistening ice sculptures of personal social anxiety (absent friends? home troubles?), and Mai was a walking Tesla coil of gregariousness, complete with a pixie-ozone tang which allllllmost twisted into the territory of legitimate garrulousness. And coming in through the door . . .

Sweet Jeffichew Jesus, his boss had just come in and offered to buy everyone a round. Evan had figured that he'd RSVP'd, but still, WHAT.

"Commodore! A Seangularity has entered the system!"

"All hands, run silent! THAT MEANS NO BAGPIPES, SALTYDOG!"

[Deleted]

Renee did not miss Evan's immediate reaction to her arm suddenly hanging off his shoulders, and it made her want to push him even more, and less subtly. However she was a mite disappointed that his distress was not more extreme. Then again, his handling of the situation was admirable as well. Renee's inner mind gave a perverse squeal. She supposed she would have to curb those intentions which could not be intentions, however. She still had those for someone else.

"Why thank you, sir," Renee said with a flirtatious air. With a nod, she accepted Devon's arm, grasping onto it like she was a bride to be given away. The two promenaded slowly together towards the bar but it was then that a familiar figured appeared in the corner of her eye. "Well, look who it is," she said, her already big smile broadening ever further. "Seeaaaan!" Renee called out to the doctor with a twinkle in her eye and wave of her fingers. "'Bout time you showed up! Want a drink?"

[Valentia de la Torres]

Valentia wasn't the type to attend parties. If it had been her choice, she really wouldn't have. But she lived with an abrasively forceful individual who all but threw her out the door; and she literally could have had Valentia protested any longer. The social game? She rarely played it. And she clearly preferred it that way.

She rolled her eyes at the story offered to her. Maiella had a tendency to push herself and do the impossible, which was impressive. But also annoying. "Fascinating." She breathed, pressing her lips into a hardened line as she was practically dragged along and into the building. Once inside she was quick to shake the woman off and free her arm.

"I doubt it." She responded with a dry smile in Maiella's direction. No, she'd be present for a mandatory amount of time and likely disappear once her counterpart found something more interesting to pay attention to.

[Devon Wentsworth]

With Renee linked on to his arm, Devon led the way to the bar and gently untwisted their arms while he placed the group's order with the young man working there. He made the first trip to deliver drinks to those gathered around the pool table and was on his way back towards the bar when Dr Neville entered the room.

Devon had known he'd RSVP'd and he was okay with Sean being here, but he still felt a slight unease being once more in the older man's presence. Their first meeting had hardly been sunshine and rainbows, and Devon had always cared a little too much about what other people thought of him. It had hardly been a stellar first impression on his part and he did still worry about just what Dr Neville thought of him now. He still offered him a bright smile as he entered, though, and waved for the bar staff to sort out drinks for the new arrivals too. “Hey guys, welcome! Glad you could make it. Help yourselves to drinks and edibles.”