2020.04.04 Conn's Birthday Party

Murder of Crows Reopening
It's a bar that's reopening.
IC Date	March 28, 2020
IC Time	5 PM-???
Players	Conn, Clara, Hop, Wick, Aoife, Robin, BT, Sterling, Simone, Cash
Location	Murder of Crows VIP Lounge
Prp/Tp	N/A
Theme Song	N/A

In the far corner of the VIP section there is a rented karaoke machine. Beside it, Conn's guitar rests against one of the barstools, coopted for the evening with written permission from the management.

The central table has a Hop-special spread. Plates with sticky toffee cake, bread and butter pudding, lemon pudding, spice cakes, cupcakes and muffins surround the Baileys and Whiskey flavoured birthday cake.

While arrayed along the table by the wall there are soft drinks, beer, hard cider and a selection of Irish Whiskeys, the crown piece being a 1985 Jameson Single Cask Reserve.

Wick turns up with a wrapped gift hugged tight in his arms. And that magnificent guitar over his shoulder. His eyes shine with delight as he gazes across the room, taking in that incredible spread of desserts. But before he makes his way over, he first seeks out Arthur and offers up his gift. "Here. Um. You should open it before people really start to get here..." his cheeks seem a bit warm with a hint of color as he smiles up at the troll.

Clara does show up however, and with a large box in her arms. She looks about and smiles brightly "oh wow" at the spread then looks for a place to put her gift

Conn is a bunde of nervous energy until Wick shows up. "I'll open it later, if you like, people have started to get here. Hi Clara, yeah I'd say Hop outdid himself. But he keeps setting the bar higher every time he does something like this."

Hop is making sure everything is set and fine, and looks up, "Oh, nah, this." he motions to the spread, "I just had the crew at one of the restaurants I own help me with everything." says the dude dressed like a skater drifter.

Clara is probably very overdressed but she looks stunning and turns back after setting down her gift "you're putting me to shame Hop, and you don't even realize it" the lady laughs

Wick nods up at Conn with a shy smile, offering up the gift. "Sure. Later might be better. Though... I mean, it's just a book." It's obvious from the shape and weight of it. "If you open others, I suppose it'll be fine. Just... yeah." He pauses. "Also. Happy birthday!" And with a bright little grin, he takes hold of Conn's shirt so that he can bring him down to recieve a kiss on the cheek.

Conn grins "I wasn't expecting presents. I guess I'll put them on a chair here. And if there's more than just you two with presents, I'll open them tonight, otherwise I'll open them when I get home?" he responds, rubbing his cheek where Wick kissed him with a soft smile.

Clara looks over "I do hope you'll open some of them before you go home" and smiles fondly at the pair

Aoife lets herself in with the key provided for the party. She looks around cautiously, nodding to the few people she actually recognizes. Giving each of the others a long curious look.

Hop pffts a bit, "All I did was bake Clara, that's his present and its like, one of the few things I'm good at." he huffs in humor, "I'm def not doing solo karaoke or anything later, for example."

Wick smiles with warmth up at Conn and nods. "Alright." Glancing to Clara, he drifts over and, if she permits, he offers a light kiss to her cheek. "It's good to see you." Then with a bright smile off at Hop, he reaches out, hoping the delightful baker will come and give him a hug. "There are few things in this world better than your desserts, Hop. You should take pride." And as Aoife steps, Wick grins at her and offers her a nod. "Hello Aoife!"

Clara laughs with Hop "I can't sing, not even a little so you won't see me up there thats for sure" the smiles up at Wick and tips her cheek to the kiss "Hello my friend, good to see you also"

Conn smiles at Aoife "Aoife, this is Clara and Hop. Hop, Clara this is Aoife. She is a trusted friend of mine and Wick's."

Clara turns with a smile and nods to the woman "Aoife, its a pleasure to meet you"offering her hand "Clara Sterling"

BT arrives upstairs just slightly before Robin, his hand held in hers, though she's not really dragging him along. She's wearing her green dress, which is likely the closest to 'fancy' that she gets.

Aoife shakes Clara's offered hand, "Tis a pleasure to meet you as well...". She trails off and gives BT an odd look before shifting her gaze to Robin. She tears her gaze away from the couple and forces her attention back to the guest of honor, "Berfore I forget." She offers a small expensive looking crystal and silver vial to Arthur, "Drink this in the morning. It'll get rid of your hangover."

Clara smiles and is glancing often at the door clearly waiting for someone

Robin trails up behind BT with a big smile on his face. His hand firmly in hers.

In comes sweeping the stately figure of Rick Sterling. "Damn it all, I shall be so -late-," he frets as he makes his way in. "Aha! I'm here! Now the party can begin in earnest!" Spying Clara, he makes his way over to her. "There's my lady," he says, sweeping her up in a loving bear hug.

Hop will finish the food setup and then take a moment to give Wick a hug. "I made all of Arthurs favorites, so I hope everyone likes traditional Irish stuff, and things flavored with booze." he chuckles a bit.

Clara has been sporting a happy smile since her arrival but seeing Sterling makes her entire being brighten and she laughs, wrapping her arms about his neck as he hugs her "you are late my Lord"

Wick laughs with Hop and nods. "Mm. That sounds perfect." He wraps Hop up tight for a hug before drifting off to snag one of the cupcakes. He licks off a bit of the icing and closes his eyes with an 'mmm' of pleasure. "Hop... You've outdone yourself." Or at least, that's probably what he was trying to say. But with half of that cupcake in his mouth it's hard to make out. Catching Robin and BT stepping into the room, he lifts the cupcake in a cheerful wave.

BT will look to the woman in the room even taller than her, but she gives a friendly smile instead of an odd look, "Hi, I'm Betty." She states before wafing to Hop, "Hey Bunny." She's dropped the 'boy' from the end of the nickname, then an equally cheerful wave back to Wick.

Conn smiles at Sterling "Doctor Sterling. A pleasure as always," he strips the seal off the bottle of very expensive whiskey, smells the cork and smiles, "if anyone else drinks whiskey, this is from the year I was born" and starts pouring out glasses.

Aoife chuckles at Hop's comment, "I learned to like most of that because of friends in Colledge. It smells delicious."

Conn smiles at Aoife "Thanks, I plan on putting myself in a situation where it will be needed"

Robinsqueezes BT hand. "I'm gonna go say hi to the hi." He says letting go and walking over to pull Hop and Wick into a hug. "Hey guys."

Hop will give Robin a hug back, wave and smile to BT and then head over for a small glass of whiskey from Sterling with a smile and a "Just a bit please and thank you."

Wick grins off at BT with warmth. "Hi Betty!" And he wraps Robin up tight in a one-armed hug, holding the rest of his cupcake up in the air with the other. "Hey Robin. Glad you two could make it." Conn tugs at his attention as he mentions whisky. With a bright grin, he stuffs the rest of that cupcake into his mouth and hastens after Hop for a shot of whisky.

Aoife nods in response to BT's greeting, "I'm called Aoife.". She glances at Hop and grins before looking at the other woman again, "So many interesting people at this party. Makes me glad I decided to show up."

Despite the line about not having to bring a gift, Simone climbs the stairs carrying a box wrapped in shiny red foil paper. Not necessarily wrapped very well, but it's the thought that counts, right?

Clara kisses Sterling with a grin then turns to the rest of the party as more people arrive "I believe Dr Sterling would love ataste of that spirit Conn"

BT nods as Robin heads away to mingle, then just looks around, sort of rocking back and forth for a few minutes before she moves off to get a drink. Whiskey will be a new experience for her, and that's what the woman is all about, experience.

Conn grins "The bottle is open", he says, referring to the $2000 bottle of whiskey, "and on the table, at this stage it would be a shame not to drink it all tonight. So please, help yourselves. Simone! Glad you could make it. Simone, this is BT, Robin and Aoife. Aoife, Robin, Aoife, Simone. Make yourselves ... I guess at home is the wrong phrase, but at ease."

Simone smiles to Aoife and Robin in turn. "Nice to meet you, and nice to see you again," she says to them, respectively. To the latter: "Sorry I haven't been able to meet up with you. Larry and I have both been pretty busy." She turns her smile on Conn. "Happy birthday! I can't stay too long," she says, approaching him. "And I know you said presents weren't necessary, but here." She offers the box, which turns out to be a little heavier than it looks.

Aoife chuckles, "Home has been a lot of temporary housing over the years, but i understand the sentiment." With that she also walks over to collect a glass of the whiskey.

Clara laughs and steps over to pour a glass of the expensive liquor for her husband, finding something less potent for herself

Robin smiles at Simone "Nice to see you again as well." He starts heading over he isn't missing out a two thousand dollar bottle of whiskey for anything.

Wick laughs as he accepts a shot of whiskey. "I don't think there's any risk of that bottle being empty by the end of the night. Doubt it'll last the hour." He raises his glass to clink with Hop's before taking a sip. His smile quirks. "Mm. Yeah. Not even an hour..." Simone draws a sunshine smile to his lips as she approaches Conn with that gift. He waits his turn, watching her, before stepping over. He might seem hopeful for a hug - but he waits for her to offer. "Hi Simone! It's wonderful to see you."

BT would wait for her turn to get a small sample of the alcohol. She has some good patience so most everyone gets their glass before she does. And after it is in hand, she's raise it to her nose to get a smell of it, as it's not a type that she's tried before.

Conn has put the small collection of gifts on the small table, nervously ambling around the room trying very hard to make sure that everyone is having a good time. He hugs Hop and Clara in turn, leaning in to whisper words of thanks, looking uncertainly at Simone before doing that "hug/handshake" thing that people do when they don't know which to offer.

Sterling gives Clara a tender squeeze. "I -am- sorry, my lady," he says. "Robbie was simply inconsolable that he could not come to the party. I had to promise him that I'd tell him all about it when we returned home." He accepts the whiskey she buys him, smiling warmly as he passes it under his nose, inhaling the fragrance. "Hmm." He indulges in a swallow, nodding his head. "A fine spirit indeed." He looks over to Conn with a smile, lifting his glass in the younger man's direction. "And there's the man of the hour! Many happy returns, old boy!"

Clara smiles and returns Conn's hug tightly "You could open the gift from Rick and I" she asks then nods to her husband "He'll be totally distracted by Paw Patrol I'm sure"

Simone offers Conn a slightly awkward hug - better than a handshake - after putting her gift down. She very carefully doesn't look too closely at any of the booze floating around, and instead moves on to offer Wick a hug of greeting. "Hey."

Hop takes his drink and sips it slowly and then heads to the table to get something to eat. That done he gives Arthur a smile and a nod and then heads to flop down on one of the couches.

Cash arrives a bit later, showing up with a large box under his arm. A smile as he spots all the people, and the turn out. "Damn fine group." He says, to no one in particular. He pauses, looking about for the man of honor.

Conn smiles at Cash "Hey Cash, glad you could make it. I'm starting to feel like every time someone shows up I should just say everyone's name" he says with a bright grin, offering Cash a hug.

Robin grabs a beer for now and something to eat and goes to sit next to Hop the bigger and bigger crowd of people gathering around is not for him. Clara sips her drink and lifts a hand in greeting to Cash when he arrives

Wick holds his shot of whisky out of the way behind his back and wraps Simone up in a light one-armed hug. "Hi. Let me know if... well... you need anything." He smiles at her with warmth before stepping back. He glances off after Conn and tracks that nervous amble for a moment. Tossing back the last of his whisky, he heads over and places a gentle hand on his arm. He murmurs something before wrapping him up tight in a hug.

Sterling chuckles, nodding his head. "He does so dearly love the Paw Patrol. And let's be honest, who wouldn't be?" He looks over to Conn as Clara suggests their gift, his expression brightening to a high-beam smile.

Cash nods to Conn, giving him a one-armed hug. "Is my ears supposed to be burnin'? Were people talkin' bout me?" He chuckles, offering over the large box to the other man. "Happy Birthday, Conn. Many more to come." A wave and smile to Clara.

BT takes a small sip of the whiskey, making a face often seen on people who taste it straight for the first time. She tries again...and the same face is made. Though she seems like she's still going to finish it. She wanders the room, giving Robin some time to chat with people while she gets a little bit of moving.

Clara grinz up at her husband then steps over to the table of gifts and pulls out one of the boxes, turning to Conn "Can you open one?" she teases

Hop waves over to Cash, "Big guy! I'm glad you made it!" he calls over with a smile and then holds his arms open, hopeful for a Cash hug.

Simone smiles gratefully to Wick. "Thanks," she murmurs. "I can't stay too long, but I did want to drop by."

Conn whispers something back to Wick, nuzzles his hair and smiles.

He starts opening the gifts, taking Clara's and smiling, opening it carefully and folding the wrapping paper before unboxing the leather jacket. He hugs Clara and kisses her on the cheek "Thank you Clara, Doctor Sterling. It is wonderful."

Moving next to the one that Simone handed him, he unpacks some fancy shot glasses and places them on the table. "Thanks Simone, I legitimately don't own any shot glasses at home. I've been too busy to pick up a lot of the necessities."

Upon unpacking Cash's, he reveals a Cowboy hat, which he promptly puts straight on with a grin. "Well thank you partner", his 'cowboy' accent is appalling, but you get the sense it might be intentionally bad.

Cash waves to Hop, and does offer over a hug to the other man. "Hey there!" A grin as Conn unboxes the gift, a nod from the Trollkin. "Reckoned it'd be good for a lawman." A wry grin.

"You're welcome, happy birthday!" Simone tells Conn with a smile, having found a place by the big round table to lean against as she watches the presents get unwrapped.

Wick smiles with warmth up at Conn. With a nod, he steps back to give Conn a bit more room to open those gifts. With a glance off at Hop and Robin on the sofa, he heads over to settle in with them - snagging another cupcake on the way.

Aoife sips her Whiskey, savoring it as she settles in to watch the unveiling of the gifts.

Robin sees all the presents being exchanged and walks over to Simone. He leans in and whispers in her ear.

Clara laughs and invits Sterling to sit with her "I love to give gifts I can't help it"

Wick grins up at Cash and offers him the cupcake he'd snagged. "You need to try this. It's amazing. Also... Hi Cash!"

Hop savors the hug from Cash, squeezing the big man a bit, not that Cash probably notices, and then settles back down on the couch. He seems content to let the party revolve around him, smiling as everyone chit chats and finds food and drinks and seats and such.

Simone chuckles quietly at what Robin whispers to her, but her ensuing smile is gentle. "It's fine," she murmurs to him. "He said he didn't expect a gift, so you didn't have to bring one. Ethan doesn't have one, either."

Conn smiles "I am grateful for your presents, but more so for your presence. It's an idiom, perhaps even a cliché, but clichés are clichés for a reason. I am going to have some cake, and probably a good deal more booze. I suggest everyone who wants, does both or either or neither."

Eventually the tour around the room ends up with BT watching the opening of the gifts, her hands moving up to subconsciously play with the key on the end of a gold chain that hangs around her neck. She then moves over, looking at what else there is to drink, hopefully something tastier than the Whiskey, probably a cooler or something. And of course she'll grab a snack before finding herself at the couch.

Cash takes the offered cupcake from Wick. "Thanks man! Good to see you too!" He offers, taking a bite of the snack and enjoying the flavor!

Robin has had his question answered so he grabs another beer and heads to sit at the couch again.

Clara is sure to get a few cupcakes and a fresh drink before she settles and smiles watching the party. Glancing at the Kareoke system she smiles "Conn are you going to sing?"

Aoife avoids the alcoholic beverages after the whiskey in favor of water, however she does partake of the alcohol laden foods.

Conn grins "Twist my arm, why don't you", he says and takes *no* time in reading the catalogue, and in time with the little bouncing ball on the screen he starts singing.

Clara mimes reaching out and twisting Conn's arm then laughs and applauds as he starts the song

Wick brings his fingers to his lips, whistling a cheer as Conn starts up the karaoke. And his eyes rather shine as he starts singing. He can't help but rock with the music, tapping his feet. But halfway through that's not enough. Carried away in the music, he hops up and just starts full-on dancing.

BT looks over and watches as the the karaoke starts. "Oh! They really dids it. I'm gonna wanna picks something when it' my turn..." She says as she sips at her cooler.

Sterling perks up a bit at the reveal of the karaoke machine. "Ohh ho ho dear..." He looks to Clara with a grin. "Shall I go embarass myself for the amusement of our friends, my lady?" he asks with a grin.

Cash gives a whistle as well as Conn begins his song. He finishes the cupcake, finding himself some iced tea after. No alcohol for the big guy.

Robin beams as BT smiles but there is a tinge of worry realizing he is going to be forced up there by her eventually.

Clara looks up at Sterling in surprise then smiles "only if you want to my love, there is no dishonor in simply enjoying"

Conn smiles lovingly at Wick, as he finishes his song, thrilled to have turned the table on the young Satyr after the last party in the Murder and puts down the mic, taking a mild bow with an effected flourish.

Simone applauds Conn after he finishes. She steps up to him to say quietly, "Great job! I need to go, but I wanted to stop in at least for a while. Happy birthday!"

Wick lifts his hands in an enthusiastic applause before giving another shrill whistle. He drifts over to the stage, but not to take up the karaoke. He leaves that open for others for now. Instead, he seems to just be stealing Conn's guitar. He's about to head back to the sofa when he catches Simone bidding Conn good night. He drifts over to offer her a gentle hug. "Hope to see you soon, Simone."

Sterling applauds Conn as the man finishes his performance, before stepping up to the karaoke machine himself. He looks over the catalog, rubbing his beard thoughtfully, then snaps his fingers. "Aha! Perfect!" He puts in the code and steps up, grinning huge. And then, with a blare of brass and percussion, his performance begins. And boy, does he have fun hamming it up. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDKyj35ew0E)

Clara applauds after Conn's song then blinks and covers her mouth as she grinz when her husband takes the stage

Conn hugs Simone gently, somewhat timidly, "Thank you for coming Simone. I hope to see you soon."

Clara is blushing to the roots of her hair and laughing as her husband struts his stuff

Cash brings fingers to his lips to whistle appreciatively for Sterling - clearly a Rocky fan!

Simone returns the hugs of both Conn and Wick. "You too," she says to both of them in turn. "Have a good evening!" And she's off, without getting to watch most of Sterling's performance. Alas.

Cash brings fingers to his lips to whistle appreciatively for Sterling - clearly a Rocky fan!

BT doesn't know that movie at all, but she seems really amused by the song, clapping when the song is done as she gets up to take her turn at the mic. A little longer is taken to pick a song, but she eventually stops on one and queues it up, stepping to the mic when it's open and starts to sing.

https://youtu.be/hVs6Fekh0RY

Wick drifts off back to the sofa with Conn's guitar. He casts a curious glance up at Sterling. It doesn't seem like he recognizes the song. But he still can't help but laugh with the lyrics - eyes shining with an appreciative mirth at the performance.

Conn blinks at Wick not knowing the song. "You don't know the Rocky?.... I ... this cannot stand. We will have to arrange a showing."

Wick offers Robin the guitar before glancing off at Conn. His head tilts. "Rocky? Mm. Sure. That'd be fun." He nods. Then as BT begins to sing he grins and starts to rock a bit with the beat of the music.

Aoife returns her empty whiskey glass to a table and nods to Conn, "I'm affraid I must be going, something has come up. Enjoy your level up day"

Hop chuckles at the song, and sings along to bits, because he's definitely gone to live showings of it and thrown bread and everything. He then stands up from the couch and takes a moment to talk with Robin, before turning to Conn and saying, "I gotta head out, but I'll see you later maybe? I hope everyone enjoys the cake. Hug for the road?"

Of course, Cash is willing to give the microphone a try. He keeps his hands clear of it, however - singing into it by leaning towards it. The man's song of choice? https://youtu.be/A3MGfJ3eMGA

Conn takes Hop into a bear hug, lifting the little Pooka off the ground "Thank you for everything Hop", he adds, kissing him on the cheek chastely.

Clara has covered her face with her hands as Sterling finishes his song, giggling as her ears turn pink

Robin takes the guitar from Wick. "I'll walk you out." He says now that BT is finished singing. He smiles at her as he heads down with Hop.

Hop smiles warmly at Conn, gives Wick a hug and then nods to Robin, "How kind good sir." he says with a wink and then heads out.

Wick can't help but laugh with the lyrics of Cash's song - dancing with them hips shakin' to the beat. But as Hop steps in, he wraps him up in a hug and twirls him around for a moment before setting him back down. "Take care, Hop. See you soon."

BT returns to the couch, only to see that most everyone that was there is gone by the the time she returns. She sighs, a look of confusion on her face as she sor of flops fown.

Sterling doesn't seem like the sort who'd go for country music, but he laughs deeply and claps along with Cash's song of choice. He looks over to Clara with a grin. "Sounds like someone else we know, eh my lady? Ah, glad I am -those- days are behind me," he says, reaching out to give her a one-armed hug.

Wick glances to BT with a gentle smile and offers out a hand for her to come dance with him.

Clara laughs and leans over to stroke Sterling's bearded cheek and kiss him "Oh yes I am /so/ glad those days are long gone" and snuggles into his arm as she applauds for Cash

Cash's cheeks redden, the man stepping down and recovering his iced tea. "Thank you all..." He says, sheepishly. "Ain't got the chops to do too much outside of country, but it speaks to me."

"Music should be something that speaks to you, there is no need to quantify it. You were all wonderful," Conn says with a bright smile, "I don't know any specifically American party games. Does anyone have any suggestions?"

There is actually a moment where BT's expression flashes sad and she might turn down the dance, but eventually she takes his hand to stand up and start dancing.

Sterling chuckles at Cash, shaking his head. "It doesn't matter -what- it speaks to you, old boy. Just that it -does- speak. Music is wonderful, no matter what shape it takes, nay?" He leans in to steal a kiss from Clara before looking over to Conn. "Party games? Hm. Well, there's always Charades."

Wick takes BT by the hand and gives her a little twirl before dipping her. He grins at her, dancing through the last bit of that sweet country music. With a gentle squeeze of her hand, he releases her. Just as Robin returns. He smiles with warmth off at the man and sends BT off towards him with a little nudge. He glances over at Conn's question and smiles with Sterling's suggestion

Cash gives a nod to Conn and Sterling. "Damn straight." He grins. "I seen all sorts of games, but yeah - I think charades is a good one for our crowd."

Clara tips her head back upon Sterling's shoulder and returns the kiss with a happy sigh then blushes if anyone was watching and looks arund "games?"

When BT arrives at robin she is just finishing dancing, though she looks around at the thinned crowed who coincidentally left mostly as she was singing. "Was I that bads?"

Robin returns up the steps the guitar to find Conn. " Hey. Here you go I did some fine tuning for you." He turns to BT. " No you were great hun. I went to go give Conn a bday present." He gives her a quick kiss. "You wanna dance

Conn blinks at the question "Betty, you were wonderful" there is no hint of condescension or patronising in his tone, "People just had to leave and.." he stops talking when Robin hands him his guitar, looking at him a little curiously, but he lightly plucks some chords on the guitar and looks up him with a look that Wick recognises as 'cultivated ignorance' and nods "Thank you Robin. I appreciate it."

"I think that the music's stopped, I thinks that they's be wantin' to do games...Does that means we need whipped cream?" BT asks, though most might not get what she's referencing.