Snapdragons

"Snapdragons" is a [SEASON NUMBER] thread written on [IRL DATE].
==Summary==
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==Full Text==
Blunt Donz: “Hit it.” Blunt said as he clicked his fingers at the band stationed in the corner, and the musician picked up a lively tune that filled the corners of the great hall. 
Enough bad things had happened. The loss of their King, a madman on the loose, burned down villages…a bomb. Blunt looked around at the still scorched rafters of the building. But true to form, the rebels celebrated in the face of adversity, typically at the very location of their hardships. It was just how the lived, and how they always would. 
He launched himself over the bar. There were many from the kingdom who would likley travel to get here, and many more who had to wrap up work details, so Blunt vowed to keep this party going from 5 pm to 5 pm the next day. It was just the kind of festival they needed. 
Blunt swiped up a handful of mugs and filled it with ale. He passed them out along the bar, one of them plopping into the hands of Liam. “Well Liam.” He said as he cheered him with his own glass. “Here’s to helping me haul all this over, let’s start this night off right.”
Liam Arnason: Liam grinned in satisfaction and downed half the drink, already in a good mood at the prospect of getting wasted. The sun was beginning to set, there were lights across the entire island, and despite his usual hatred of crowds, there was a health and a heartiness to the atmosphere that had been missing with their recent hardships. He snorted at the sight of Nala across the room, who was leaned up in her typical bodyguard pose by the door, undoubtedly keeping watch over the entire island. She had a colorful autumnal streamer hanging from one of her horns without her knowledge, likely from her mix-up from decorating earlier. It wasn’t the first time, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. 
Milae, for once, was also enjoying himself, since Bhaem had mostly recovered. The two of them plus Tulli were at one of the tables chatting and eating with several other half-breeds at the end of one of the long tables.
Elbowing Blunt in the gut, Liam said, “I doubt you have enough to cover tonight. You know how rebels like to party.”
Blunt: “Well Grey did approve a substantial amount, but I set it up so if we start to run out a second shipment gets sent over. But I doubt that’ll happen. A mysterious customer ordered a shit ton and nearly cleared out my bar to help stock the party.” Blunt sighed in a very self satisfied way as he leaned on the bar. “Don’t know who it was but Hel bless them. Sweet butt is getting a hel of a dinner out after this.”
Liam: “Speaking of that…” Liam leaned in. “Where the Hel is Egil? He grow a pair of responsible balls all of a sudden? It’s not like Stonegit can’t protect him on Haligan.”
Blunt: “Whoa killer that’s a lot of talk for one stubborn ass to another.” Blunt laughed. “There is some lock down protocol that’s in place right now after all. But last Stones told me is that he was fine with the whole royal family attending based on how well lit and crowded of good folk the place was. Their arrival might just be at an odd hour to ensure safety.”
Blunt then permitted himself a grim thought. If Egil’s lack of responsibility is pissing the likes of a teenager who by all rights should have an ‘I don’t care’ attitude, then we are in worse shape than we anticipated. Fresh dad death or not, this could be problematic…
Liam: “Well, I need someone around that isn’t gonna get mushy when they get drunk,” Liam announced, eyeing the room. “Hey, do you think I could get someone to invent a drinking game with me?”
Blunt: Blunt cracked his neck. “Abso-fucking-lutely. We got big enough tables, let’s get everyone smashed. What did you have in mind kid?”
Liam: “Hmn.” Liam rubbed a thumb over his chin, getting a glint in his eye. “Some kind of mix between some heavily spiked bubble tea and some fire.”
Nayro: A scaled dragon hand slapped the wood next to Liam as a hooded figure walked up. He pulled down the hood and grinned. “I’m in for that. Sounds like something interesting and enjoyable. Name’s Nayro. Pleasure to meet you.”
Blunt: Blunt didn’t take much note of the stranger as he found himself momentarily distracted as he remembered a grinning, cunning face, the threat of castration, and a note on his bed. For a moment, unwarranted guilt twinged at his heart.
“Bubble tea huh?” He said with a soft laugh. “Yeah that sounds like a good idea to me.” He looked around, and saw Akkey popping around the hall. After Kiri’s passing, the next closest person who knew their bubble tea, and their spiking, was Akkey.
Blunt decided Liam could talk to the new guest. He could make the plan, he would get the supplies. He waved a bidding hand. “Oh Akkey my dearest!” He sang. “Grace us with your divine presence for a moment?”
Akkey/Aria: They saw her turn her head at his call, then disappear into thin air and immediately reappear beside the bar.
"Hmmwhat do you want!"
"Are you guys playing a game!?"
Two voices rose simultaneously above the chaos, one from the dark haired nix as she popped up through the ground, already feeling somewhat lightheaded, and one disembodied voice from beside her, save for two hands waving right above the countertop for attention. Akkey glanced down at the source and bent down, and the men finally discovered who the second voice was as she placed Aria, who was running by at the time of the conversation, on a barstool by the collar of her shirt.
Both rabbit half breeds stared at them wide eyed.
Liam: “Hey, grandma.” Liam felt Nala’s attention sharpen over the two of them, but he ignored it. “We’re gonna dump mead in bubble tea and light it up.” He pointed at Nayro with a claw, squinting an eye at him. “Are you one of those guys that can breathe fire or no?”
Xui Nayro: Nayro grinned widely and puffed a small ring of smoke. "More than happy to provide fire." He chuckled. "I think I've yet to try drinking games in these lands. Should be really interesting. I wonder if it's stronger than the stuff brewed in my homeland." He chuckled with glee and rubbed his hands together.
Blunt: Blunt smacked the back of his hand on Liam’s shoulder. “Liam, that right there is a gorgeous spectacle of a lady, keep you’re careless comments to yourself.” He then turned to Akkey as he put an arm around Nayro. “Hey sweet cheeks ready to help me get this fine gentleman some flaming good drink?”
Akkey/Aria: She scrunched her nose but let the comment slide in good humour. Everything was hazy anyway. She grinned and leaned forward, hoisting herself up on the counter so that she was dangling by her forearms, "You fuckin' bet."
A quick portal opened up beside them and she pulled up one of Juro's barrels, sneaking it away from his feet and pushing it towards Blunt, "It's called shochu or something, I don't know, but I know it's homemade. You can mix it with the mead."
Aria also got to her knees and peered at the barrel in excitement, then up between all three men, grinning.
Nayro: Nayro blinked at the drink and grinned. "Mm. Sounds interesting. Can't wait. However, none of you have introduced yourselves when I already have. Where I come from, that's rude." He sniffed with a chuckle as Blunt wrapped an arm around him. "Just wanted to know names, anyway."
Blunt: “You can call me Blunt,” The man said easily. “Or near eight, or your next date. Whichever you prefer. This here is the esteemed Akkey Black, and this here is Liam. I’d also give him a title, but I’m not sure which one he would like.” 
He began to set up a table for the drinking game with Akkey’s help.
Liam: “None of them.” He eyed the dragon half-breed as he slid a jug of bubble tea down the table towards Blunt and Akkey. Despite acting casual towards Nayro, he certainly wasn’t about to completely let up on newcomers. “Where’d you come from, anyway?”
Nayro: Nayro sat down and gave them a friendly wave. "Nice to meet you all. I'm just a traveler, and I heard there were festivities! I can't pass up a good party. And a chance to meet new friends. I heard this place was friendly to half bloods." He grinned. "It's nice to be among people like myself."
Akkey/Aria: Akkey set up more mugs and spooned tapioca pearls, Aria following suit, but neither of them were really that big of a help. The dark haired half breed grinned at the dragon, "Came to the right place. You'll find plenty of friendly faces here," she passed more drinks towards Blunt, squinting a little and the usual pink splashed across her nose
Blunt: Out of sheer, negligent reflex, and perhaps simply out of habit, Blunt passed Aria a mug of ale. Out of all the things Stonegit and Blunt had worked out together, his willingness to allow children to drink, smoke, and preform reckless antics had never been something he former had gotten the latter to shake. 
“That it is doll,” Blunt affirmed to Nayro, and then gave Akkey a one armed hug and kissed the top of her head. “Hey you, glad to see you’re already poking fun at everyone. So how many have you had? One or two sniffs?”
Akkey/Aria: She scrunched her nose at him in response, bumping him good naturedly in the hip, although it was more towards his lower thigh considering their height difference, "Excuse me. I can drink one... Uh, one full cup now. And be fine..." she said, her cheeks flushing more, grabbing a bubble tea for herself and drinking it.
Aria went unnoticed as she brought the mug to her lips with both hands and drank it more than halfway through. She placed it back on the counter and burped thoughtfully, before sticking her tongue out in disgust, "I don't like this juice."
Nayro: Nayro raised a clawed finger and pointed it to the youngest one present. "Uh, is it normal in your lands to give small children alchohol? Because I don't believe that's wise."
He made a nervous chittering noise. "If I'm incorrect, I apologize. I just know not all people have the same traditions."
Liam: Liam leaned over, slid the mug out of Aria's hands and pushed it towards Akkey instead, making her take the drink. "What alcohol? We don't do that."
Akkey/Aria: "Ahh, why'd you give her one? Blunt! Maya's gonna kill you!" she cried, accepting the mug from Liam with a sideways grin and switching it with her bubble tea so Aria could drink that instead. She took a big gulp of the ale herself, "Is the game--Snap. Snapdragon, something. Are we ready?"
Aria took her new drink with both hands again and drank a good amount of it as well, chewing on the pearls, before sticking her tongue out once more, "I don't like this one either." She abandoned it and proceed to scramble off the stool to find juice that actually tasted good. She hiccupped, considerably redder.
Blunt: “What?” Blunt defended. “Now she knows she doesn’t like it.” He looked in Aria’s direction. “There’s juice for mixing somewhere under the bar amid the bottles of varying colors and sizes. You’re welcome to it.”
He then clapped his hand. “Right then, snap dragons, not a full blown tradition Mr. Traveler, unlike vodka spiked bubble tea. But never the less it ought to be fun. Liam, do us the honors of the rules?”
“Gladly.” He scooped up the jug and tipped it into the shallow bowl on the table, and the tapioca balls swirled in the drink before sinking a little bit to the bottom. Then he poured a thin layer of mead across the tea and gestured a paw at it, looking at Nayro. “It’s simple. Everyone takes turns fishing out a pearl and eats it. Whoever ends up with the most wins.” He snapped his fingers and pointed a claw at the bowl again. “‘Cept it’s gonna be hot while you do it.”
Nayro: Nayro raised a brow, but shrugged. “Alright.” He had scaled hands. It would be easy for him to do it without getting burned. “Where shall I shoot flame, hmm?” He asked.
Blunt: “Ah that’s right, this gentleman can light things up for us.” Blunt said, one arm around Aria and the other Akkey. “Right in the bowl my friend…” He rolled up his sleeve. “Let’s see who can pull this off without losing arm hair…” 
He sniffed once and glanced at Liam. “Your mom isn’t going to get mad at me if I let you do this right?”
Not to mention your baby sitter……
Liam: Liam huffed. “You think I care? Light her up.”
Nayro: Nayro nodded and blew a stream of multicolored fire into the bowl of liquid until it was hot. Not boiling, but hot. He grinned at the group. “Alright, who goes first?”
Blunt: “Hottest bowl, hottest guy, I’ll take it.” Blunt said and shook his wrists as he rolled his neck. “Okay here we go…”
And then with precision that he probably should not have had, he dashed his hand into the liquid and snatched out a handful of the orbs. He hissed and shook his hand only once, and then gave a cocky grin as he presented the amount he had in his large hands. “Ta da…” 
Akkey/Aria: “A pearl, Blunt! One pearl!” Akkey cried indignantly as Aria shot a tiny hand out of her own and grabbed a good bunch from his hands before he could eat them. For some odd reason the flames did nothing to her skin as she blew them out and popped them in her mouth.
Akkey flicked a finger and the liquid lifted a fiery blob in the air. She pulled it towards her, simultaneously freezing it and extinguishing the flame and biting down on it with a satisfying crunch.
Nayro: Nayro sniffed at the obvious cheating from Akkey and Blunt, and decided he’d do it fair and square, even if it meant he lost. He daintily dipped a clawed hand in the flaming liquid, pulled out a single pearl, and popped it in his mouth still on fire.
“Alright, I suppose it’s Liam’s turn now.” He motioned to the cat with a claw. He decided not to mention what the others had done in the interest of being friendly. He was a guest after all, and this was supposed to be fun. He was having fun.
Liam: Liam made a face at Akkey’s strategy. He wasn’t going to use magic to cheat. But…
He played it much the same as Nayro, managing to fish around for one pearl for a little too long while hissing between his teeth. He yanked it out and made a show of flapping his paw around, and the flaming mead splattered on his elders.
“Ooh! Ow, sorry! Hot!” he said loudly, not at all sorry.
Blunt: Blunt held uncharactistically still, and Akkey noticed that his eyes were watering, probably less from the actual pain, and more from the self restraint he showed to resist the pain.
Why though wasn’t clear until he smoothed back his hair, and dropped - “No worries Liam, it’s not that much hotter than me.” As if it were nothing short of second nature.
Nayro: Nayro seemed slightly concerned for the hot spatter of mead everywhere, but figured it sort of was just desserts for the cheaters. He snickered slightly, amused.
“Alright, Mister Hot, I suppose it’s your turn again.” Nayro stated. He muttered something in his home language and motioned to the bowl, rolling his eyes slightly with a grin.
Blunt: “Mister hot? Please, I’m Too Hot.” Blunt teased as he confidently reached his hand in again. He fished around with a hiss for a few seconds and then yanked his hand out, a pearl between his finger. “Hot damn!” He blew on his hand and then popped the bead in his mouth. “And lady Akkey, I’d really be curious to see if you could pull off a spectical such as this without cheating.”
Akkey/Aria: She squeaked as she hurriedly patted and cooled the hot spots that splashed on her. “There’s no specific rule on how you’re supposed to fish it out,” she whined, but there was a twinkle in her eye.
“Fine,” she laughed at him and scrunched her nose, releasing her magic to equalize her arm temperature back to normal and shot a hand out to grab one. “Owww,” she cried out as it burned, waving her arm unceremoniously to put out the flames, but still stubbornly popping the pearl into her mouth, “Stupid fire.” she mumbled as she chewed, hiccupping once.
“Okay, my turn!” Aria called out cheerily, flying under the radar the entire time. Before Akkey could stop her, she dunked a tiny hand into the bowl, and stayed there for a long time as she rummaged around, her face uncomfortably close to the flames.
Liam: Liam had several mean bones in his body, but none of them involved kids.
“Son of a–” He whipped his hand forward and yanked her arm out, sending another spray of flames across the table and on the floor, and the growing crowd of tipsy onlookers yelped, and some of them rushed forward upon seeing Aria go dunking for flaming bubbles. “Shit, kid,” he muttered under his breath, kneeling down and using a quick spiral of smoky blackness to snuff out the fire between them. “You okay?”
Akkey/Aria: Aria stared up at him with big, innocent eyes, holding a now extinguished pearl in her hand, with no signs of broken or burned skin anywhere. Instead there was a slight green glow around her arm that disappeared after a few seconds. She promptly put the tapioca pearl in her mouth, chewing with a grin on her face, then hiccupped, “Yeah! Why wouldn’t I be?” 
Akkey blinked at her niece, not quite understanding what just happened, “What the heck Aria?” The tiny half breed shrugged, her face flushed red now, unaware of what she had done, and pointed towards the others, “Okay! Who’s next?”
Nayro: Nayro shrugged and reached a claw in, pulling another out with no issue. “You people are wild. I like your style.” He chuckled. “I may just have to hang out here a while, though I’m not used to such cold weather.”
He didn’t acknowledge Aria much this time, as the others seemed to be handling it. He did decide to keep an eye on her still, though. “I’ve lost who’s turn it is. Let’s just keep going.”
Blunt: Blunt glanced at Akkey, and then leaned over to murmur to her. “Let’s talk about this later hm?”
He then clapped his hands together. “Keep going indeed! Although…we may need to refill the bowl…”