new delhi ♔ but in all chaos there is calculation | dropping glasses just to hear them break

[behindcloseddoors]

♬ Glory + Gore - Lorde

WHO || David L., Alex K., Andie, The Doctor, Natasha, Alex U., Shulin Desai
WHAT || The Knights hunt the Decanter of Dionysus
WHERE || New Delhi, India
WHEN || June 7th, 2014, evening.
HOW || Actionspam. Single thread.

Talk about a soiree.  The team has walked into what is clearly legitimately a Gatsby party, but with an Indian flair.  Even upon approach, it's easy to see that this place is without parallel:  people are driving cars right up on the lawn of the fabulous mansion, which looks half-modern and half like a palace out of a Bollywood film.  Men and women in bright colors, fabrics, beads and silks move inside en masse, and as the doors are opened before them, they can see the grandness of the interior, with its diamond garland, draped fabrics, giant jeweled elephant statues, indoor trees that arch to the ceilings, twirling dancers, and a tall dramatic staircase leading up to a balcony above where the host himself reclines surrounded by admirers and friends, smoking a cigar.  

Liquor flows freely, and food is carried around on golden trays through the crowds.  It's an overwhelming buffet for the senses, a dizzying spectacle of color, laughter, dancing, and entertainment.  

Comments

[behindcloseddoors]

[ desai himself notices the 'accident' below, and stands up, clapping his hands as the waiter fusses to clean up rapidly. ]

Oh, we cannot have this! More glasses! More wine, yes?

[divisional]

[Seriously Mr. Bowtie. You just saved Alex from pulling the same stunt, the brunette stepping into the line of fire of the drinks as they come crashing down.

Her face is a mask of shock and outrage as she levels a melodramatic glare at Bowtie that's worthy of a Lohan tantrum. (Bluff 34)]

Do you have any idea what this is worth? It's silk. Given to me by the Crown Prince of Brunei! [Unwrapping a now wet scarf from her arm she tosses it at Bowtie.] Unbelievable!

[And storms off in a huff to 'get cleaned up'... funnily enough in the direction of the Kitchen.]

[asap]

[Andie doesn't move that much faster than normal, but it's amazing how much ground she can cover while still appearing to walk. Mostly. Her legs might be a little blurry.]

Oh, no! Not the Crown Prince Bingo! Let me help you with that. [And she's just gonna slide after Alex towards the kitchen because hey, might as well steal the going inside excuse. Saves her from coming up with her own.]

[generaldavideus]

[David's attention is drawn to Alex for the moment - he's pretty sure that was her intention - but when she storms off in a direction that is not the bathroom, he steals a glance to the Doctor to make sure he isn't getting into trouble before following her, weaving through the crowd easily (dexterity 17).

Andie is with her, so he's not going to worry too much, but he's still wondering what exactly this girl is up to.]

[ambitionist]

[yeah, ~accident.~ alex gets it. (wis 20 total) he also sees what's-her-face (no okay, he knows who it is — knowlege: pop culture 16) heading in the direction of where the drinks came from, and swans over to distract her. NOT ONE OF US, ANDIE. YOU DON'T KNOW THIS BITCH'S DEAL. well, not the non-publicized part. trust no bitch.]

Orrr ... I could help. [cha ... 11. ok so not every game can be his a game.]

[divisional]

[Alex manages not to look surprised at the offer of (Andie's) help (Bluff 27), smiling serenely at her new companion (Wisdom 20 total) but the second follower sees her whip around to face the stranger, expression tight.]

Really? You know how to get wine out of silk before it stains? [(Will Save 27.) Boy, you so have no game.] We're fine. [Reaching for Andie's arm in a way that's more familiar than it probably should be.] If you want to play a game of grabass, you're going to have to do better than that now if you'll excuse me, I need to put soda water to this before it sets. [(Knowledge 20 total).]

[ambitionist]

You'd have better luck using hydrogen peroxide and cold water. [wis 13. HE HAS SILK TIES. and also sisters.] But ... hey. Whatever. Suit yourself.

[asap]

[Man, Andie did not intend for her plan to go this way. SHE JUST WANTED AN EXCUSE TO GO INSIDE.]

You know? We should try both! I'm just gonna go ahead to the kitchen and see what I can find! It'll be like a science experiment! [Bluff 14. She grins awkwardly and slips her arm free, moving only a hair too fast as she heads into the kitchen. Spoiler alert she'll never come back :-( ]

[krasnayapautina]

[Natasha knows who the female Alex is (pop culture 17), and made her way over to the resulting commotion. Andie has already started off to the kitchen before Natasha can ask if she wants an extra hand in there -- though she does take the occasional glance towards the kitchen area, keeping an eye on it (spot 18).]

Just don't rub it; it'll just make the stain that much harder to get out. You might have to soak it overnight. [(wis 15)]

[divisional]

And I suppose you carry a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in your pocket do you? [Eyebrows raised. Seriously. She's turning on the bitch here. Take a hint guy.

It's Andie that makes her eyes narrow though (Sense Motive 24) and that combined with the presence of yet another helper sees her suspicions go into overdrive.]

Now if I follow her into the kitchen... What's the bet you two are going to insist on coming to help? [Brow Raised. She knows when somebody is casing a place okay (Spot Check 27).]

[ambitionist]

I don't know about her, I was just trying to make out with you. Or more, depending on how things played out. [bluff 22. with a roll of his eyes, he backs off.]

[divisional]

[Despite the Sense Motive of 29, Fem!Alex is just going to smirk at that comeback and pat 'Otherov' on the arm as she passes.]

Not if you were the last person on earth. [Smiling flatly as she beelines for the Kitchen, announcing herself to the staff who may be coming and going as she enters.]

I need soda water. Now. [Sounding very much the tempremental socialite that she's known to be.

Meanwhile she'll be looking around the kitchen itself. (Spot Check 24)]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ her demands are met with a few rolled eyes and exchanged glances, but they go to grab her her soda water. her looking around - and probably andie's as well - shows that there are no fancy decanters anywhere. in fact, strangely enough, while there are bottles of wine, etc. around, they're largely all full. the majority of glasses with the liquid in them that's been floating around are sitting on trays all around the kitchen, pre-poured. ]

[ambitionist]

[alex k. is going back to his original plan before that hot tranny mess happened and trying to lure someone who talked about being shown into desai's treasure room in there for hot makeouts. he is just s-so into dinosaur heads ok. at least he managed to rediscover his game?? (cha 21) maybe the rejection made him try harder. ]

[asap]

[Yeah, Andie's spot check was a nat 20. She gets the idea. So on the list of things Andie will not be doing: sampling that liquid is pretty high up there. Things she will be doing: tugging on a caterer's arm and point blank asking:]

So, what kinda wine are you serving?

[Andie is the greatest spy.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ arden knows jack about wines and google let me down so INSERT RESPONSE HERE, it's a real kind of wine ok. something they drink... in india. a+ rper right here.

alex finds some hot piece of ass who wants some of that action, but he looks up nervously at where desai sits at the top of the stairs. ]

The treasure room is up there. I don't know any other way around.

[divisional]

[Thank you fake new friend for that complete lack of subtlety, Alex able to comfortably overhear their conversation as she pretends to fuss over her dress, putting on on air of superiority as she chimes in (Bluff 28)]

Oh no. I've had Insert Response before and that's not what you're serving. [From the woman who doesn't drink and sure as hell hadn't been drinking here.] Perhaps we can find out from the Sommelier? [Which is just a fancy name for some dude who deals with wine service and all that blah blah blah. Google FTW.]

[bowtimeandspace]

[ Qualified sommelier playing this idiot. But this idiot knows nothing about wine. He didn't join the mass exodus to the kitchens, because really people it looked obvious enough. Instead, he mills around the party room, a smile for people who might look in his direction, ready to approach anyone that might look chatty. People always get chatty, and funny just how much they give away when they do, even if they don't realise it. ]

[ambitionist]

[he glances down at his phone, quickly shooting out a text to the doctor because he seemed so gifted at it earlier: break some more shit. cause a scene, something. i want desai off the stairs. (sleight of hand 17)] Hmm ... that's a shame. [~such a sad frown.~] You don't think he's gonna stand up there and lord over the little people all night, do you?

[bowtimeandspace]

[ He gets the message and rolls his eyes a little. Really, is this what he's been reduced to, some sort of performing monkey? He's not about to do the same thing again, but he can handle this, so he replies with a simple 'taking care of it' before looking up and grinning widely.]

Right! [ he claps his hands together ]

Who wants to play a party game?

[generaldavideus]

[Oh, he's going to regret this. He's probably so going to regret this. He's not sure he wants to know the Doctor's idea of a party game, but he's assuming that there's a point, so ... ]

I'll play.

[bowtimeandspace]

[ Is it possible to give a look that conveys 'get other people involved'? Because if it is, that's the look that he's trying to put across. He responds all big voice and beaming smile. ]

Great! Games it is. Love a party game. Come on don't be shy, let's all join in, get in a big circle!

[ and a look towards David ]

Right then, brave volunteer! Round of applause for the brave volunteer everyone!

[ come on people, start watching, start paying attention to this instead of the people sneaking around]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ wow desai looks actually offended as shit, standing up at the top of the steps to say: ] No one volunteers before Shulin Desai in his own house! [ down he comes, rubbing his hands together ] What is the game?

[bowtimeandspace]

[ hurrah! The Doctor offers a big grin towards him and steps over, clapping him on the back ]

Right you are! And that? Well that's just about the best question you could ask. What is the game, eh? What is the game? Well the game is... well it's a game. Secret game. Couldn't tell you what, that'd give it away and it'd be ever so boring and wouldn't that be a bit rubbish for everyone?

Tell you what. We need teams! Teams, and you can be the captain.

[ He's trying to keep him occupied as long as he can, keep him interested, and because he's lying his arse off... bluff roll of 35 ]

[ambitionist]

[hallelujah praise the lord. alex raises his eyebrows at his new hottie frand like yeah how about that??? come on now mchottie. we're going on an adventure. up the stairs. (move silently 16)]