If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks...

[coldsong]

It's customary to have a Wake after the subject thereof dies. Even Loki knows that. But this is a special occasion. Ego-death is coming to his alternate, and the idea of letting him go off to perish alone, uncertain he will even be mourned, is too dark a proposition even for a flawed and callous person to contemplate.

That, and this Loki has been in a melancholy mood since speaking to the spirit of Frigga. He anticipates a dark choice of his own, sooner or later, and where the fates will send him after that, he can't know. Maybe oblivion, although even at that rate there may be worse places.

What's important right now is that no one dies unremembered. And honestly, any excuse for mischief a party. The first text rolls out to Harley, an innocent enough invitation to join them for milkshakes. Cricket is next, because it occurs to him that Cricket has plenty of liquor, which is good for a reckless celebration.

Things snowball from there.

As long as they don't destroy too much property, they'll call the night a success.

Comments

Karaoke/Dancing

[coldsong]

Loki has only sung karaoke once before, although he's been a spectator a number of times since. It's bound to be way more interesting after having a little to drink.

[sweetcandygirl]

And over here, Harley is the first one to hit the dance floor. There is nothing better than just dancing to the music.

She doesn't have a dance party right now... but she doesn't care.

[lovesuwithknives]

Azwel doesn't even know what karaoke is. He doesn't recognise any of the songs. But he knows dancing when he sees it and, wouldn't you know it, he can cut a rug with the best of 'em. Perhaps he'll join her. Sure, one'd think someone from the 1500s would be terrible with this kind of music, until one remembers drum circles and faerie revels had never been truly eliminated. Music hasn't changed one bit, it's simply gotten louder.

[sweetcandygirl]

Harley makes it easy for someone to join in. She just looks so relaxed and free on the dance floor. Like she doesn't mind if you don't know a two-step from a box-step. Really... it is just about dancing.

[lovesuwithknives]

It is, really, isn't it? At least he's got rhythm. While whatever it is he's doing looks a bit like a jig and a bit like something out of Bollywood choreography, if he manages to catch hold of her hands, it'll become something a little more structured.

[coldsong]

Loki just watches from the sidelines for a long moment. She is breathtaking. He almost hates to spoil the tableau she creates by entering it.

Really, what a remarkable woman he's found--or, actually, no, more like she's found him.

Tonight he's planning on tending to his counterpart, but that doesn't mean he can't take a few moments for her. At last, he takes a few graceful steps onto the dance floor and bows while offering her his hand. "If I may?"

[sweetcandygirl]

"My pleasure..." Harley takes his hand, pulling him close to her. Tonight might not be about her... but she is glad to have him in her arms.

She wraps her arms around him, tugging him close.

"Hey handsome..."

[coldsong]

"Hello, dearest," he murmurs back, a gentle endearment. The music is slow for the moment, his dance steps very much like a waltz, but the warmth between them and the gleam in his eyes is unmistakable.

"You know already, I think, why we've arranged this party." He cuts a graceful turn with her in his arms.

"I would not have him go unmourned. And I knew your heart had room for compassion. When he leaves, will you light a candle with me?"

[alittlehinky]

When the karaoke starts to heat up, an argument ensues. It's not serious, neither Cricket nor Loki are upset with one another, but the former is scowly and stubborn and the latter is needling him gleefully.

"Hell, no, I ain't singin' Wrecking Ball, and there's nothing you can say to make me."

"Well, there aren't going to be any on the list from your time period any more than there will be arias from Asgardian opera. You have to choose something."

"Says who?"

"I think it would make my alternate happy." There's a lilt in his voice that Cricket does not appreciate.

"...Fine. Gimme the list. Still not doin' Wrecking Ball."

[magpiemythos]

The alternate in question is unaware of the mischief his twin is stirring up, just far enough away that it looked like he was just helping Cricket pick a song, wasn't that sweet?

If Cricket looked his way he'd see the trickster, tipsy as he left him, offering a crooked but genuine smile when he noticed the glance.

[alittlehinky]

The version of Loki that is hosting this particular event has no clear idea how his alternate feels about the kid. And it doesn't matter that much if this is his last night alive; a little positive attention never hurt anyone. He can tell Cricket is fascinated, and teasing him comes naturally.

It's all meant in fun. Sometimes he forgets people have feelings that might come into play later.

In the meantime, Cricket does notice the younger Loki looking over, and when he first meets his eyes he looks eight kinds of flustered and disgruntled, but then it melts away into an utterly sheepish smile in response.

Oh, okay. Shit. Looks like he's doing this.

The great advantage to having karaoke in the Nexus is the ridiculously expansive list of songs available. They're not all from Earth. The ones that are from Earth are from various time periods, in a wide variety of styles, and finally Cricket finds one he knows, and that he figures he won't look like a total idiot if he sings it.

He's not much of a performer, and he's decidedly awkward and fidgety on stage, but he actually has a pretty good voice, and excellent pitch. If anyone present has ever watched a church crowd practicing Shape Note singing, the way he moves his left hand to keep the beat of the song will be familiar.

The song itself may not be. It's folksy, acoustic, almost like early bluegrass.

Big ol Buzzard sitting on a fence, watchin the chickens play
He's sitting with his best friend ol' Chicken Hawk,
Chicken Hawk jump up and say,
"Why don't we invite us a chicken home for supper today?"

And the Buzzard looks at him with a baleful eye,
takes a few seconds 'fore he give a reply,
turn his neck nearly all the way around,
points to the sky and he says with a frown:
The Lord'll provide, yes the Lord'll provide,
just be patient brother, and the Lord'll provide.

Chicken Hawk says, "but I'm hungry,
my stomach's start to rumble like a train!"
He spies a fat chicken in the barn yard,
Chicken Hawk jumps up and screams,
"I hear the Lord helps them who helps themselves, my friend!"
"No, the Lord'll provide, I said the Lord'll provide,"
that's all brother Buzzard said: "the Lord'll provide."

The song is only half over, and he's bright pink. At this point he has to close his eyes so he doesn't look at the gathering and see anyone watching him.

Don't worry, he'll be okay. He's just not good with attention.

((The song in question. But Cricket probably does not sound quite so twangy.))

[magpiemythos]

Not like he'd be upset. It was a rare thing for Loki to feel like this about anyone, and playful teasing was the way of the pair of them.

The way Cricket's discomfiture melts to a smile when they meet eyes just makes Loki inordinately pleased, especially when the man finally seems to pick a song. Fidgety on stage, but then not everyone was comfortable in front of crowds.

And unfamiliar or not, the song choice was interesting, the beat catchy and Loki was fairly certain that poor impatient Chicken Hawk was going to have a bad time. It didn't hurt that Cricket had a nice singing voice either, the trickster sipping his drink as he watched the performance, toe idly tapping under the table.

[commentatertots]

[Come on Eddie, don't be such a wuss.

It was silly, true. Likely dumb, but the people doing this karaoke looked to be having fun! He and Eddie deserved to have fun too! Eddie had perked up a bit after some food and some drinks but surely he'd enjoy this too!

Well he'd better because Venom is just casually walking them over to the selection screen, before he's extending from his host's shoulder to talk to him properly.]

You got a favorite?

[imareporter]

[This is such a ridiculous idea. Seriously, but it's nice to have V out and about. Able to talk.]

I don't see a lot of Eminem on this.


[Jesus. He's used to being on TV.] It's gotta be a duet though right? Fuck what about Evanescence?

[commentatertots]

Eddie we are not going to be That Guy.

[Venom only half understands what That Guy is but like hell he's going to be that!

The symbiote borrows Eddie's hand to skim through the duet options, head squinching slightly as he looks for something at least familiar.]

Honestly, I've got a reputation to maintain...

[sweetcandygirl]

"Little Blob DUDE!" Harley beams at sighting her new friend.

"Are you going to sing? Let's do a Duet!"

[pirateangelbaby]

Thor has refused to sing karaoke before, but that was clearly because he wasn't anywhere near tipsy enough to think it was a good idea. And because it was a targeted attempt to make him embarrassed in public, but never mind that part.

Now it's only a peripheral attempt to make him embarrassed in public, which is much better.

The god of thunder has had enough of Loki's mysterious bottles to put a slight wobble in his step as he goes to poke at the song list and see if there's anything he even recognizes.

[coldsong]

Aaaaand zip! There is a Loki next to him in a matter of seconds after he shows interest in the song list. It's not even subtle. But that's because Loki himself is well and truly drunk by this point.

"If I may make a suggestion?" He leans his elbows on the nearest table like he's not sure he can be comfortably upright just now. "This one?"

He taps at the page, right next to the entry that reads Thunderstruck, AC/DC. It's an objectively appropriate choice, but damn would it be hard to sing.

[pirateangelbaby]

Thor's laugh is unrestrained, unburdened by the weight of the crown and all the baggage that's come along with it. As it happens, he knows this one - thanks to Stark providing the soundtrack to several battles - and rather doubts he has the right voice for it. "Come on, brother, you can't let me sing it alone." He throws an arm around Loki's shoulder, hugging him close to his side so he can't squirm away.

It only takes a few tries to find the menu that lists duets, and his grin broadens when he sees one of the titles on offer. "Here," he says, stabbing the entry called Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better), Irving Berlin. "If there is a more fitting song here, I dare you to find it."

[outpostcook]

Kinner isn't usually the karaoke kind of man, but he can sing - just not well, and he's too drunk to know any better. His voice, normally gruff or soft depending on his mood, is loud and raspy when he sings. The cook stands up, shakily, and breaks into a traditional folk song from his neck of the woods.

He doesn't know any of these newfangled songs anyway. He's from 1938. Clearly a lot has happened since then.

[alittlehinky]

Cricket is in the process of recovering from his death by blushing after his own performance, but he perks up when Kinner sings. He recognizes the music, in fact, and whistles along with the chorus, applauding when Kinner wraps up.

Applauding, in fact, a little more loudly than his normal. Cricket's had a lot to drink tonight.

[outpostcook]

Kinner’s drunk, but aware enough to be surprised and pleased that Cricket likes his singing. He’s no musician, but he’s not opposed to learning, and he knows how to fiddle some. And his voice needs work.

He’s emboldened to choose something else, a lively tune from back home.

Re: Karaoke/Dancing

[thissideonly]

The two Tatsuyas was just passing by the Café to check on Katsuya and Ice Bear when they saw the karaoke machine. After guitar playing, karaoke is their jam, as expected from Japanese youths. They don't get the occasion, but if there's karaoke involved, well, that means it's time to party.

"We should duet something," the one in the neon hoodie noted as he checked the song list. "Something Freddie!"

"Uh, are there any Queen songs we can duet together?" The other in the leather jacket asked.

"Dude, Tatsu. Bohemian Rhapsody. I'll even do the falsetto for you."

If anyone ever wondered what Tatsuya Suou sounded like in stereo, you're in luck today.

[coldsong]

Really, anyone with an interest in any aspect of the evening is welcome as far as this Loki is concerned. The bigger and more chaotic the celebration, the better. He promised a night to remember.

He's pretty drunk right now, and wouldn't normally recognize either of the Tatsuyas anyway, but he's willing to cheer them on as the music starts. He may even end up humming to the music before the end of it. There is something magical about Bohemian Rhapsody. The appeal is inescapable, even to gods and aliens.

[thissideonly]

The youth with the Neon hoodie grinned after finishing the song. "Thank you, we do requests! Any other Queen songs you like, we can perform!"