Scene #3456: Villain Thanksgiving Bonanza

Owner	Pose
Peridot	Peridot needed something to get her mind off her work. Her last mission had ended in failure. Her anxiety was not improving, but at the very least it wasn't getting worse. She had plenty of things to worry about. So she believed it was time to finally host that 'dinner party' she had been meaning to do for some time. The central room of the warship had been moved around by robonoids who worked tirelessly preparing a list of things. First they had erected a large transparent slab of gem as a table. Overall, the place looked decorated by beings who did not have a solid grasp on human customs such as dinning and eating. In the center of the table was a large vase. Where a beautiful bouquet of flowers might have been, there were instead large cacti, too big for the vase it was hurriedly stuffed in. (It was the closest thing to a plant Peridot could find in the desert where the Warship called home.) The plates and silverware seemed to not match each other. Perhaps stolen from several different locations. Also some plates didn't have proper cutlery at all, but rather it had garden tools strewn about. Those looked close enough to eating utensils for her purposes. Peridot herself, seemed to have drastically misunderstood what light-form meant and was now walking into the command hall in an overly formal attire. It was overly frilly, with a poofed out dress. Puffy shoulders that hung down into open bell shaped sleeves. She looked like she had stepped out of a page from ancient earth history. It had been the first dress she found following a search on the internet and she used her gem to create the fabrics. "Jasper!" She proclaimed loudly. "Come and greet our guest."
Jasper	Where Peridot has gone to some lengths to look the part, Jasper has settled on her usual formal attire. It's just a dark maroon cape over her normal red and mahogany uniform. It wraps around her upper arms and shoulders, cloaking them entirely if she crosses her arms over her torso - which she is. She might have helped Peridot out with acquiring some of these 'dinner things', but she's certainly not happy to be here, and she's treating it with the base level of grudging respect she thinks it deserves. Her mane of white hair is as unkempt as always. Still, there's a certain degree of intimidating fabulousness to her outfit. "Let's just get this over with," Jasper says to Peridot.
Bramble Patch	And how did Peridot get a cactus onto the Gem Warship without getting prickled and poked to death? Well okay she probably wouldn't of gotten pricked thanks to her mechanical arms and floating digits, but why do it herself when she knows someone that's actually good with plants... well, good with plants that are good at being prickly and dangerous, at least. "Tch. Could of used a bigger pot." Bramble Patch gave the vase a little scooch to the side and turned it between her hooves so the arms were alined with the length of the table, so no one actually bumps into them. "But that will do. Certainly better than some dumb colorful bouquet." The pony pushed her self back from the table and onto the floor proper, just in time for the hosts to walk in. "..." Bramble Patch is trying -very hard- to not just break out laughing, instead ending up making a rediculous scrunchy face as clenches her teeth to keep it down to a "ffffff" and cover her mouth with her forehooves. That outfit is rediculous, it looks like something that prissy pants unicorn from Ponyville would of come up with!
Tommy Wahagi	A FEW MINUTES AGO Tommy Wahagi is not....shall we say.../social/, by nature. In fact, exactly the opposite - Tommy is incredibly shy, introverted, and withheld. He's never been to a party in his life, and he's not about to start now.../willingly/. At the same time, is this really a party? Tommy's understanding of parties is drawn from books and movies more than reality. This is a /gathering/ of /allies/ on an alien spacecraft, something substantially cooler than hanging out drinking beer at the frat house. Xanya, too, 'encourages' him to go, because it's a diplomat's job to make connections and meet other people, and Tommy is technically a diplomat. A shy, skinny, sickly-looking diplomat, but a diplomat anyway. She also adds some /extra/ encouragement...in the form of making a call to someone Tommy does not want to disappoint in the slightest. NOW The air in the bay suddenly gets...heavier. Reality bends, rippling under some intense pressure. There's a crackle of lightning around the edges, a crackle that suddenly forms into a straight line. From that straight line comes Tommy, dressed in his robes, his face slightly red, not quite making eye contact with his companion as they unfold. The lightning dangles in the air for a brief moment, then vanishes. Looking too closely at the lightning reveals a terrible nothingness, or everythingness, or.../somethingness/, some great void between space and time and dimensions. Tommy, meanwhile, releases Sanary's hand as fast as possible, his face /crimson red/. There is a taser in his other hand. It vanishes into the folds of his robes. "H-h!" Tommy tries to speak. He fails. The word dies in his throat, little more than a high-pitched noise around the air. He coughs and attempts, "h-!" again, and, once more, fails. Tommy closes his eyes. "H-hello!" Yesssss! Syllables! Victory! "I'm," words!, "T-Tommy Wahagi...um, w-we're not late, right...?"
Medusa Gorgon	It was prudent to follow up on her work, Medusa had decided as the invitation had been given out. So after some minutes to settle issues at the ward, the witch had changed into something a bit more appropriate for a dinner party. A long black dress without sleeves, though for now her arms are covered as she's wearing her snakeskin coat, her hood up as she makes her way into the gem warship. Following behind her is another person however, one that she didn't warn Peridot about... The Confederate witch enters the central room, glancing curiously about, taking in the state of the table, the decorations... and of course Peridot herself. A pleasant smile spreads across Medusa's lips, and she offers a polite nod. "Thank you for the invitation, dear~" she greets Peridot, even as a spindly teenager walks in behind her. If the others are uncomfortable about this, then what about poor Crona? The young meister looks around, pale eyes darting back and forth as they take in their surroundings and all the people there. The gems, the other Confederates... but for now, Crona remains quiet. Medusa in the meanwhile turns to Jasper, still smiling. "Ah, Jasper, is it~? A pleasure." The other Confederates earn a polite nod as well, and then the witch moves to sit down at the table, Crona following suit with their eyes set on the floor.
Yowane Haku	Finding her way on board this Gem ship was quite an interesting trip. When she was invited for the dinner, and with Medusa's input over the radio, she deicded to come out in a bit more clothing than she normally wears: a checkered skirt, black blouse and white hoodie. Her hair's still done up in her ponytail with a large bow on it. In her hands, she holds a large bag full of large sake bottles, one seems to be opened already. "Good evening." she calls out, her voice is still emotionless for now, moving to set the bottles down somewhere. She does look around, taking stock. This is the first time she's met any of these confederates. Time to make nice with them, they're here to help and you're here to help them, Haku. "I hope I am not running late and I do hope that people enjoy the drink."
Taro	Taro has heard of the Gems, though this would be his first opportunity to meet any of them in person. Curiosity along with his sense of politeness are what bring him to take up their invitation, and a small spacecraft with Neo Arcadian markings brings him to their ship to attend. He's wearing his usual cassock for this occasion, with a strand of prayer beads looped through his belt. Having absolutely no idea what a 'light formal dinner' means to the hosts, the dining settings will scarecly get a raised eyebrow...is that a cactus? Interesting. He offers a bow to Peridot and Jasper in turn. "Thank you for the invitation." Polite, if without a smile. Ah, there are others here that he does know, and Medusa receives a deep nod when their pats cross. Her companion receives a mildly puzzled look, one of not expecting that person to be here.
Sanary Rondel	As Sanary appear next to Tommy, she's looking more confused than anything else. Concerned, too, but definitely confused. She doesn't even have it in her to enjoy how uncomfortable she might be making Tommy, having decided to come with him to this dinner wearing a black dress that's showing a significant amount of leg. It'd almost be a little too risque if not for the completely out of place gunaxe strapped to her hip and the bandages keeping her chest tightly bound. "You feeling okay after that? Didn't think you had it in you to do... Well, /that/." She does manage a laugh after a few moments, directing some healing energy into the Planeswalker just in case. Spotting a few other familiar faces in the form of Peridot, Medusa, and Taro, she raises her free hand to wave at them before taking inventory over those she doesn't quite recognize. A small orange horse like the ones from that place with too many colors, a gray-haired lady with lots of liquid fun... Definitely a good start. "Evening, everyone! Uh. Crap. I forgot to bring things again. Sorry!"
Peridot	Peridot huffed. "You only brought your cape? I did my research and this is proper dinner party attire!" She gestured broadly, almost wildly at herself. Of course, she looked more like she was wearing a costume than a dress. But she didn't know any better. "We are making a -gesture- here Jasper." She pointed, speaking quietly through grit teeth trying to not make a scene. Soon however, she turns and smiles at Bramble. "Ah, Patch. A most reliable stand-in bodyguard." She then turns stiffly towards the pony. Taking the bits of her dress and pulling it to show her mechanical ankle. Peridot then proceeds to stamp the floor a few times. "I greet you in the custom of your people." Where did she get that from? As Tommy warps in, Peridot reflexively shields her eyes. Briefly thinking she was under attack, she leaps behind Jasper clumsily. No easy feat in such a frilly dress. However, upon seeing no genuine threat. She blinks warily and steps out. "Ah.. No.. you are not late. Dinner will begin momentarily." And then Medusa and some other human(?) Peridot didn't know... or strongly care to know. "Doctor." Peridot says in greeting. "Haku." Peridot greets the vocaloid. "I will take that." She snaps her floating fingers, and a few robonoids crawl out from the wall and take the sake bottles. They carry them to the large table, and begin to go about preparing them into small cups. At the very least, some of the basic functions of serving drinks seems to have crossed the cultural barrier. The gathered confederates had Alice Margatroid to thank for that. Once they were divvied up into mix-matched cups. The robonoids place them on a platter and begin scurrying about the room, offering drinks to all the guest. Peridot cleared her throat. "As the schedule dictates. Do take a drink. Robonoids armed with meals will be loading their ordinance into the serving table in a matter of moments. You may also sit, if such is your preferred method of engagement." Chairs, much like the silverware appeared to come from a variety of locations, and included a standard arrangement of folding chairs, but also an inflatable pink armchair, a plastic molded throne of blades replica, and an overturned washing machine.
Bramble Patch	Bramble Patch ahems softly and recomposes herself when Peridot speaks to her. Then pulls up her poofy dress to stomp her feet on the ground. Not quite a greeting, but at least the Gem is trying. Unlike her husky companion. She pffs softly, then grins at Peridot. "I'd greet you in the way of your people, but I don't think claiming conquest of the dining room would go over very well!" At least she can finally let out the laugh she's been holding back at her own stupid joke, before taking one of the drinks as the robonoid scurries past.
Tommy Wahagi	Tommy nods at Sanary. "It's j-just...it's h-how it has to work," he manages at her concern. He's still not looking directly at her, even as she heals him. He straightens up, trying and failing to muster some dignity. He's...not very dignified. He's, well, skinny. Sickly. The robe sort of hides just HOW skinny he is, but his thin fingers are a pretty good giveaway. What a great try, he thinks cruelly. Tommy nods at Peridot and adjusts his robe slightly. It's probably formal enough. He doesn't really own much else, and besides, what do aliens consider formal? Do they consider a specific type of clothing formal? Oh, God, what if they consider something like what Sanary's wearing formal? Tommy's mind runs through the scenario rapidly. He stumbles a bit. Fortunately, Jasper is a terrifying creature, Peridot is wearing a costume, Bramble Patch is a horse, Haku is wearing a hoodie, Medusa has a jacket, and Taro is a guy. Yeah! Yeah, this is deal-with-able! That's great! Tommy musters up a sudden burst of courage and draws his robe around himself politely, then sits down at the table. He winds up sitting on the washing machine, because...yeah. That's just the kind of person Tommy is. "Um, so are w-we...eating food from your home?" He asks. Briefly, he wonders what Gems even /eat/. Aren't they rocks or something? Maybe they eat rocks, like giants or some dwarves? That could be awkward, if Peridot served them rocks. He'd have to eat it to be polite. He'd regret it later, though. "I l-like your robots...?" He attempts to make small talk again, then risks a glance at Sanary - a /pleading/ glance. THIS IS NOT TOMMY'S FORTE. SMALL TALK IS NOT HIS FORTE /AT ALL/. "D...do any of you, um, p-play cards...?"
Jasper	"That's good," Jasper tells Peridot at the mention of a gesture, "Because so am I. Standard attire for when I'm trying to send a certain message." The mention of a 'stand-in' bodyguard seems to draw some measure of ire from Jasper, her face twisting slightly. She settles for eying each guest as they arrive. What's Peridot doing, stomping her foot? This is madness. When Medusa greets her, Jasper just responds with: "I'm sure." She doesn' bow when Taro does, although she does nod. It's some small gesture of politeness. She laughs, however, as Peridot leaps behind her. It's a fairly harsh sound, but given that she doesn't follow it up with an insult, it's probably... good-natured? Maybe? She thrusts a finger at the throne of blades replica chair. Plastic or not, that's definitely her style. Something about it appeals to her. "Mine," she claims. She meets Tommy's gaze evenly, the light catching the lines of the gem in the middle of her face. "What's 'cards'?"
Medusa Gorgon	"Oh, I'm not a doctor," Medusa replies with a smile as she shrugs out of her coat, revealing her bare arms. "I'm a witch, and I dare say I have far more experience than any living physician~" she claims, then rests her hands in her lap. "Crona. The wine." The teenager sitting next to her in the inflatable pink armchair startles slightly, then nods and pulls out a large bottle with deep red wine from a bag they were carrying with them. "Y-yes, Lady Medusa..." It's set on the table, and the young meister looks around as the others greet them. Does Crona look uncomfortable when Taro is looking at them? Quite possibly. Medusa in the meanwhile looks relaxed and at ease. When the robonoids serve the sake she is quick to take a cup, though Crona does not reach for one. "Thank you for inviting us, it's... quite nice of you to take time out of your busy schedule, dear. And it's so nice to meet you as well, Jasper~ And the rest of you too, of course," she adds as she looks at the other Confederates who are new to her.
Yowane Haku	The sake is taken from her, the already open bottle stays in her hand. "I play cards, kid. Poker is ok?" she moves to take her seat upon the upturned washer, giving a brief, if half hearted, smile before turnning towards Peridot, "I finished some practice for a concert later, so I had time. Thank you for the invitation. I am sorry that Kazuki could not make it but, as stated, he does not leave our world." Haku upturns the bottle, takes a swig and sets itdown in front of her, a content sigh coming to her. "Aaah, it's good to meet everyone in person. The radio does not do a face justice to see." a pause, "A witch, a talking equestrian, and a few humans. The Confederacy has many... interesting people."
Taro	The robotic servants are given a look of interest as they collect the sake and begin pouring and distributing it to the guests - he's a roboticist, thus professional curiosity. Taro accepts one of the mismatching cups with a tiny nod, then finds and seats himself in one of the folding chairs...next to what looks like an upside down washing machine, which Tommy takes as his seat. whether it was intended as dining room furniture or not, it is serving that purpose now. "I know a number of card games," he replies, "though I don't know whether you would recognize any of them." Then, he glances over in Medusa and her companion's direction. "I hadn't heard that you had returned, Crona. Welcome back. You're well, I hope?" "Android," he mildly corrects Haku, "though my appearance is close enough to pass as human, I suppose. Pleased to meet you in person. It's good to see you as well, Sanary, though are you all right?" Her bandages have not gone unnoticed.
Sanary Rondel	Sanary lauhgs at Peridot's reaction to the appearance, raising her hand in a quick wave to Jasper as well. Unlike Tommy, she not quite as initimidated by the giant Gem's appearance nor being around so many other Confederates. There's still a mild feeling of awkwardness from wearing that dress, of course, what with it being so... Drafty. At least there's good ol' alcohol to fight that little problem. Eyeing the various seating arrangement littered about, the cleric opts for one of the folding chairs. There's something oddly nostalgic about them, but she can't put her finger on what. "So! Uh. Thanks for having us, Peridot. Jasper." She gives them a light nod before taking note of Tommy's lack of small talk proficiency, chuckling for a moment and nudging his side with her elbow. "Easy. Just relax. They ain't gonna bite.. Probably." She gives him a supportive grin and a light clap on the back, glancing at Medusa for a moment. "... Probably won't. Hey, Medusa! Hey, Taro. Yeah, I'm fine. Got a little banged up yesterday, but... Usual work dangers." She gives the medical and repair personnel a quick nod and grin, then turns to Bramble and Haku. "Haku, right? And... You're from that bright pony place? Name's Sanary. Good to meet you both in person." She grins broadly and taps two fingers to her head in a lazy salute. "Healer, stuff-breaker. What're your specialties?"
Peridot	"A good one." Peridot goes on in a stiff tone as she answers Bramble. "I suppose we have no equivalent. We typically simply show up, do our job then leave." Peridot approaches the table, and simply takes one of the folding chairs preferring to leave the fancy ones for her guest. When Tommy compliments her robots Peridot gives him a nod. "Thank you. They are plug and flask robonoids, some of which have been converted to turret functionality. Very efficient, very deadly. Tonight they serve our food and drinks." She waited until everyone took a drink. At least everyone who seemed to want one. Peridot eyed her own drink nervously. She had practiced for this. She had even dragged Jasper along one of these practice sessions to ensure it went down without a hitch. Now it was time for all of her lessons to pay off. "A-hem." She started in a loud tone. "I propose... a toast." Her floating fingers wrapped around her hello-kitty mug and she raised it into the air. "Earth... initially, we gems came here six thousand years ago, to conquer it. A war Jasper personally attended." She gestures towards the orange gem. "Now however, we return not as conquerors, but as allies. The earth we knew was weak, and feeble." Her tone became imperious. "It's inhabitants worthless." She paused. "However, this earth has shown itself to be strong. Our confederate allies have shown themselves to be anything but weak, or feeble." "And so, I break gem tradition and substitute a new one. Perhaps even at my peril. But, I believe the Diamonds who rule our Homeworld will praise me for my decisive and creative thinking. My alliances which has brought strength to our empire and to our Confederacy and ushering in a new era of gem-earth relations." "Thank you for attending." She goes on and raises her drink higher and then takes a sip to conclude the toast. She had never practiced with actual alchohol. Her eyes immediately go wide and her cheeks puff out as she fights a spit take-- before painfully swallowing, her eyes tearing up and forcing a smile. "--owowow-ohmystars-ow." she squeaks out under her breath and retains her composure.
Tommy Wahagi	OH NO! THE EASILY-STOPPABLE 'talk about cards' GAMBIT...WAS EASILY STOPPED! That's almost everything in his playbook! The only play he's got left to try is...THE UNSTOPPABLE 'sitting quietly and not having any fun while people talk around you' MANEUVER! This is, needless to say, a sub-optimal play for Tommy. He has a mild panic attack. His breathing gets a touch more.../ragged/...than it has been before, a bit more erratic. His eyes widen. His lips tremble a scooch, almost undetectably. Tommy attempts to rally up his confidence in the face of Jasper, who is, let's face it, frankly just a little bit terrifying. Sanary nudging him and reminding that these people are his /peers/, not his enemies, helps a little. But it's hard to think of powerful people as his peer, apparently. Even after all this time, he's still...well, scrawny and sickly and weak. All told, he makes a valiant effort, though he can't seem to settle his gaze on Jasper. "C-cards is, um...it's a game, like sports? D-do your p-people have any games?" Maybe he'd get to learn about alien games instead? Maybe they did neat things like...well, he couldn't think of any neat things they did. "Oh, um, s-sure, yes!" The relief on Tommy's face is self-evident despite his apparently-perpetual blush. Two whole other people knew cards! Tommy latches onto this like a lifeline in a high-class storm. This is civilization for the weary traveller! Water in the desert! Something he can have a conversation about without sounding like a moron! Maybe he'll even impress somebody with his INTRICATE KNOWLEDGE OF CARD GAMES! Yeah! Living the dream! The Planeswalker digs into one of the many pouches around his waist, pulling out a simple, regular deck of fifty-two cards. They have some nerdy dragon designs on the back. "I'll p-play any kind of cards. Any g-game, really, although I'm only really g-good at one, and I d-don't think it's a game anybody else here has ever p-played, so..." Nimble fingers shuffle the deck faster than human hands should be allowed to. It's sort of like watching one of those automated shuffler machine's interiors. His slender digits dance up and down the backs of the cards, spinning them into places, sliding them in and out of piles and then slipping those piles together, all without the cards ever touching the table. He's practiced this. "I d-don't even mind learning new ones! I think I'd really l-like that, even! As long as we're n-not playing for money, though...I, um, d-don't have much." Tommy's head hangs a bit at the admission. Even with his eyes off the cards, he's still shuffling furiously. "So, um, are we p-playing p-poker, or learning a new g-game?" Tommy is so busy focused on the shuffling, he nearly misses the toast. He lunges forward, grabbing his drink and hurriedly raising it. "Y, yes, um, t-to new allies...!" He tips it back, and immediately starts coughing, furiously and loudly. The cards scatter. Tommy's face goes beat red as he hurriedly tries to bring them back to himself. All that beautiful work shuffling, and the end result is the cards laying there in a big pile in front of a red-faced, head-hanging Tommy, his hair dangling in front of him to hide his expression. Small mercies. Wordlessly, Tommy shuffles the pile much faster and simpler, then sets it in the middle of the table and waits for either Haku or Taro to decide what they're playing.
Bramble Patch	Bramble Patch shifts her attention to Sanary for a moment. "Specialty? Oh, I work with plants." Doesn't sound all that impressive, does it? Until Bramble smirks a bit, and after a faint flicker from the gem in her headband the cactus centerpiece abruptly swells up in size, opening a 'mouth' full of it's needles as teeth to growl and brandish its multiple arms like a boxer clenching it's fists .... And then due to the tiny pot not being very stable falls over on it's side, and turns back into a normal cactus. "Like that." Oh hey, a deck chair. Where did Peridot confinscate the furniture from? Oh well. Bramble claims that one, kicking the foot flap down and leaning back in it. "Yeah I'll drink to that speech." And she does too. Despite being a somewhat cartoonish equine she has little trouble chugging down the booze. She's also an alchemist, she's probably drank much worse.
Jasper	Jasper assumes the 'throne' like it's simple to her. Hands at the ends of the arm rests, ankle sitting on one knee. Pleasantries bounce off her like bullets. She generally just grunts at those who are being polite to her. Go be polite to Peridot, she's all but saying, it's her 'party'! The cup of sake seems like a child's plaything in her large orange hand. But Peridot's speech? The cup shatters in Jasper's hand, her face going dark. She doesn't say anything, but it's clear that she's found something to dislike in Peridot's speech. The breaking of tradition, perhaps? Who knows, it's Jasper - she's a bundle of anger and pride. "How clumsy of me," Jasper growls, reaching for another cup. Tommy's talking at her around that time and Jasper's golden eyes lazily roll over to stare at him. She doesn't blink. "No," she remarks simply, "We do not have 'games'. Games are a distraction from duty. If these 'games' don't allow me to crush my enemies beneath my heel, then what's the point? What do you prove?" She eyes the rapid shuffling, and then asks, confused: "What are you doing?"
Medusa Gorgon	Somewhat flustered when Taro speaks and actually asks questions, Crona blinks and looks up from the table. "O-oh, I'm.... fine, Mister Taro..." Crona begins to say, only to gasp and shudder as /something/ begins oozing and bubbling out of their back... a sinister and black muscular figure that looms over Crona, setting his gloved hands on the table as he leans forward and reaches for a glass of sake. "About time I got some booze, Crona!" "Aaaah, you shouldn't drink, Ragnarok! It makes my head spin and feel all weird, and I don't know how to handle that!" "Shut up you brat! Hey, lady! When's the food coming?" the demon weapon asks of Peridot. Medusa doesn't seem to notice, or she simply doesn't care about Ragnarok showing up to this dinner. Instead she raises her glass as Peridot proposes a toast, drinking it without batting an eye. Meanwhile Ragnarok can't help but guffaw and laugh at Peridot as she spit takes and tears up at the alcohol. "Haha, it's like watching you, Crona!" Medusa in the meanwhile looks over at Tommy and Haku. "Hmmm, I haven't played Poker in a while... And games can be useful in the long run," she half chides Jasper.
Taro	Taro holds his cup as Peridot offers the toast, musing on her words. "To new allies," he murmurs, and after lifting his glass aloft and lowering it, he takes the resiquite sip. He's far too polite to show any amusement at the reaction of hers, or Tommy's, or anyone else's reaction to the sake. The expertly shuffled cards are now in an untidy heap, but if he finds it funny, it doesn't reflect in his expression. "Poker would be fine, though you may need to show me the specifics of which version we're playing..." He arches a thin eyebrow at Jasper, not so much at the broken cup but at her words. "Games can also be a form of training and discipline, not simply an amusement," he remarks, tone cooler but still polite. At this point in time, Ragnarock is going to be politely ignored.
Sanary Rondel	Right. The alcohol! Sanary takes a cup of sake for herself, listening intently to Peridot's toast before grinning broadly and raising her drink. She blinks slowly at the green Gem's reaction to the booze, holding back snickers while sipping her own (and fighting back the urge to do the same exact thing). "Ah, you'll get used to it sooner or later!" It's even harder to hold the snickering in at just how flustered Tommy is around this massive group, although there's actually a sympathetic look on her face after a moment. She even reaches over to give him a lighter pat on the back before turning to Bramble Patch. She never thought she'd see the day where a tiny horse sat on any kind of chair, but... Well. There she was. She raises an eyebrow slowly at the sentient cactus thing grow in size, eventually letting out an impressed half-whistle at the full display. "Interesting... Could be really useful for ambushes with vegetable gardens around. Or... Hell, even grass." Although it might sound somewhat patronizing, the healer does look genuinely impressed (even if her imagination's getting the better of her). "Or taking over someone's body after they eat..." Her train of thought is interrupted by Ragnarok's outburst, her eyebrow raising curiously at both the pink-haired girl and the larger figure behind her. "Easy, easy. Haku brought plenty for everyone~"
Peridot	Her throat burned from the drink. She had been warned about this very thing. Warned to not drink alcohol for the first time at her dinner party. She figured this would be why. As Jasper crushes the cup in her hand, her expression becomes somewhat uneasy. She was fully committed to this plan, and she was in command of the mission therefore there was no point in keeping it a secret. Still, it was plain for all to see the tension that hung between the two gems. It get's even more strange when you consider Jasper is Peridot's only confidant. It was no wonder that the green gem was in a constant state of anxiety and paranoia. Her life was devoid of warmth. She clears her throat and taps her chest lightly. "Yes.. the.. food." Her floating digits momentarily form a holopad in her free hand and she inputs a few commands. Robonoids begin to march out of the backroom and into the command hall. All them carrying silver platters and covered bowls. These were surprisingly elegant. She must have raided a nice location for these. And one by one it's brought out and revealed. The food itself.. is surprisingly normal. If not presented in the most beautiful manner. if it was one thing Peridot excelled at was comprehending clear-cut instructions that didn't rely too much on cultural understanding. Cooking as it turns out was an immensely documented process. Peridot -loved- documentation. Especially when they translated into easily input-able commands she could feed to her robonoids. It's a large banquet of meats, veggies, and more alcohol. Large barrels of wine are rolled out. If she didn't have her technology this would have been a complete disaster. But, luckily for her... "Eat then. Enjoy the spoils of our raids and profit from the nutritional value in which we have stolen through the might of our superior technology and tactics!" She makes a fist!
Yowane Haku	Haku watches the shuffling done and perks up, listening to Peridot before raising her 'glass'. "To new allies." she replies, and takes a drink. Two moments later, she sets it down and lets out a gasp before turning to Tommy, "Ah, let's play some poker, I'm sure we can find something to bet with. Maybe I can sing a bit later for you all." "Hold'em is nice. It's my preferred and I'm pretty decent at it, being an android aside..." she turns to Taro, tilting her head, "An android as well, my apologies. A pleasure. Kazuki should be updating the Confederate medical database with my schematic." she offers her bottle to Taro, "Drink?" she grins a bit before leaning into the table some, "Nice table." She looks a bit, patting Tommy and helping to pick up a few of the cards, "Here. You're okay with Hold'em, right? And I'd like to learn your card game too, I'll even give you an autograph on one of the cards too."
Tommy Wahagi	Sanary pats him on the back. Nobody comments on his incredible, titanic fuckup. Slowly, slowly, Tommy recovers himself. This helps immensely, the show of support and the lack of judgement, even if in his own mind he's imagining all the horrible things they could be thinking about him right now. Then Jasper drops like the worst bomb a nerd could imagine from an alien species. And it's not the cup-crushing fury. They...they don't have games. Tommy's face falls, immensely. He'd thought he might get to learn some cool Gem games or something. But Jasper...no, Jasper really doesn't seem the type to have /fun/. Jasper doesn't seem the type to understand the concept of fun. Tommy stumbles. But he can use this! "Well, th-they're for, um, relaxation. And c-competition. Actually, n-n-now that I think about it, you c-can crush your enemies at g-games like this. There are whole b-big tournaments where people p-play games to prove who's b-better. Lots of m...resources and p-pride, sometimes even land and people, get b-bet in these kinds of games? I mean, that d-doesn't happen in public tournaments, b-but I'm sure shady back-alley tournaments and illegal g-gambling dens happen all the time...?" Tommy's imagination has to be powerful, at least, to conceive of a secret part of the world where land and people are bet over a collectible trading card game. Poker, maybe, but that's not what he's /really/ thinking of. Not really. "And, I mean, p-people practice really hard at these things to m-master them...um, and they're right!" He adds, nodding at Taro and Medusa, "It's d-discipline, too..." Tommy's voice sort of trails off. He deals the cards slowly, one to each person, including Bramble Patch, even though FRANKLY he has no idea how this is going to work. He deals carefully, avoiding the food as it's put down. It, well, it smells really good? It smells better than hospital food. Tommy explains the rules of basic Texas Hold'Em around dinner. Surprisingly, he doesn't stutter once when he recites them. It's like listening to an encyclopedia. "Um," Tommy adds at Bramble Patch, "Are you g-gonna be able to play...?" He gives the Demonic Weapon a similar look. He's already dealt the cards, though, so, whelp...? "Oh, um, okay..." Tommy tells Haku, "Um, b-but the game I play is a little more...c-complicated...than I can t-teach at dinner..."
Bramble Patch	Is this how aspiring conquerers got to frivilously spend their free time? No wonder The Boss was so bent on dominating Equestria. Bramble Patch could get use to this. At least until Tommy buts into her little daydream. "Hey, I can hold cards just fine. Don't go overrating the fact that you've got opposable digits, joker." Was that a card pun? Or at least an attempt at one. "Buuuut." She leans over to grab an all veggie shiskabob from one of the passing robonoids. "I'd rather be stuffing my face." Though she does cast another look in Peridot's direction. "Remind me later to teach you to talk less like an egghead. All the overenunciated long words kinda ruin your sinister vibe." Then takes a big chomp out of the kabob.
Medusa Gorgon	"There are different strengths," Medusa states calmly as she partakes of the food that is being served, smiling softly for herself even as she watches Jasper real closely, her eyes unblinking and calculating. "Then again, some people only think brute strength is what matters. They are the ones who are the easiest fooled in the end, after all~" she chuckles, then turns to look at Tommy. "If you are really good at a game... you can turn it into a potent weapon~" So play your cards, Tommy. As for Haku's offer to sing? Now that makes Medusa nod and smile. "Ah, yes. A dinner party would not be complete without some proper entertainment, dear~" Next to her, Crona is poking at their food with a fork, while Ragnarok is grabbing what he can get his grubby hands on, stuffing his mouth, slobbering and being an overall utterly disgusting sight. Just how much can that thing eat anyway?! "I'm sure you would enjoy poker, Peridot," Medusa adds after she has taken a bite, chewed it and then swallowed it. "It's a game of deception, really."
Taro	Taro listens attentively as Tommy explains the particulars of the rules to all of them...or it would be more proerly said that he was listening attentively until he was distracted by something not immediately clear. His brow furrows at something that has nothing to do with the hand he's been dealt, though he does fold the cards together neatly before setting them face down on the table in front of Crona/Ragnarok. "My apologies...my Master is calling for me, and it would be best if I did not keep her waiting." He raises to his feet in one smooth motion. "Thank you again for the invitation, Peridot."
Jasper	"They wouldn't be called games if they were for training," Jasper retorts to Taro. "Do you think training is supposed to be fun? Hah. Of course you do." She punctuates her point by throwing back her cup of sake. It burns on the way down. It might be terrible to Peridot, and while Jasper certainly doesn't find the burn comfortable, she tilts her head back and lets out a breath, exulting in it. She ends up taking another. Jasper watches Tommy then, her face something like a confused sneer. She abruptly reaches over and grips his chin in her fingers. She goes to turn his head to the left and the right, as if trying to figure him out. "Why are you so /nervous/?" she snaps. Which probably isn't the most reassuring thing to do. It's highly unlikely she understood all the rules of Hold'Em. That may be a problem later on in the evening.
Peridot	"I talk-!" She starts indignantly before stopping herself. "I talk in manner befitting a gem of my station and intelligence." She goes on in a more conservative tone. She eyed the game they were playing curiously. She had a slight interest in games herself, however she seemed wary. Did games mean they were bored? She queitly asked herself. The various footage she uncovered in her research didn't show this kind of thing. Humans gathered around large feast. Granted, the footage was black and white. She had to ransack ancient human tech to even view it. She eyed her cup. Drinking is what usually occurred and so she does. Ragnarok would find the food supply as endless as his appetite for the moment. Peridot had no idea how much humans ate. She had stolen an embarrassment of riches in preparation. "A game of deception?" her lips pursed as she moved closer. "Like setting traps?" Traps were her preferred method of attack.
Sanary Rondel	Sanary seems rather pleased with herself. Good food, good drinks, old and new allies mingling without so much as a punch being thrown, and even Tommy appearing to get over some of those initial hangups with the other Confederates taking some form of interest in those cards... In some small way, it almost feels like she actually had something to do with it! Then again, her main focus at this point is on devouring more of that food. It doesn't seem to matter much to her where the food is from as long as it's edible, and if nothing else? Quantity /can/ beat quality for someone with such an unrefined palate!
Bramble Patch	Bramble Patch holds up a hoof. "Easy there Peri, I didn't mean it like that. But if yer gonna give good speechs while crushing your enemies, you gotta cut back on the elaborate phrases a little. The more time you spend on those lengthy technical terms is more time for the 'clods' as you so wonderfully call 'em to find a way to stop you." There's a pause, and she rubs her chin. Maybe she needs an anology. But where would she ... Bramble eyes the kabob, half eaten, in her other hoof. "Like this shiskabob!" Bramble holds the speared veggies up with a flourish. "Each piece is a small and succulent point -- good job on the cooking, by the way -- but it's how they come together as a whole that gets their overall purpose across. Of being tasty." She chomps off another portion of the kabob. "To the point on details, so you can get to the destroying of your enemies all the sooner."
Peridot	"Thanks.." She starts dryly at the compliment. Now that Bramble had mentioned it. The others may notice by now that the food -was- of exceptional quality. Following the instructions on meal preparation was one thing. But Peridot seemed to have really gone all-out on getting a grade-A source. Of course, when you have a warship at your disposal it really does open up ones options. "I will leave the more.. curt brand of speech to Jasper. Simplicity is more her style." She smiles. That was a rather barbed compliment. She immediately knows better to run damage control. "That is to say, simply destroying our foes without the need for quips."
Medusa Gorgon	While Medusa did not mind speaking up for Tommy on the topic of games, she isn't about to stop Jasper when the gem decides to manhandle him. Let's see how he handles that... Instead she turns to Taro, offering him a polite nod. "Do take care, mister Daisho~" And then she looks at Peridot. "And yes... you could say that. It requires planning ahead as well. And you do need to lull your opponents into a false sense of security as well. It's rather fun, and quite good training for dealing with enemies. Training can be rather fun too in my experience..."
Tommy Wahagi	"Oh, um...okay." When your main form of socialization relies on playing cards...well, somebody turning it down is hard to deal with, right? Tommy nods at Medusa. He /can/, in fact, turn cards into lethal weapons. Just...not these cards. These cards are, well, these cards are just playing cards. Mana won't do anything for these cards. Besides, they're out in space. Tommy's basically cut off from most forms of mana out here. Maybe colorless, but in his decks, that'd do nothing. All it can do is fuel his planeswalking. He eats very little. It may be why he's so thin, or maybe he just doesn't have an appetite. He clearly expresses appreciation for the meal, though! He smiles as he chews, he's not rushed about eating, he's just...he just /eats/. He just doesn't eat /much/. "Um, it's, k-kind of like that, yeah. I m-mean, most games like this have a deception component. You have to c-convince other people that your hand isn't as g-good as you think it is, so you can make them lose c-confidence and drop out early and then you win the p-pot. Um, the...gambled resources." "Lying and having a g-good sense for a poker face is a really g-good way to win if your cards aren't very good. Also calling s-somebody else's bluff by raising the stakes..." Tommy briefly explains the rules of ante. Jasper's question catches him right in the middle of his explanation. "Um..." "W-well, I..." "It's j-just..." "I d-don't..." "It's, w-well, um..." "When you g-get right down to it..." These false starts continue a little bit longer before Tommy lowers his head. "I j-just...don't talk to many p-people..." "I've n-never been...t-to a party, before...." "It's...it's a r-really nice one...?"
Ferham	Ferham clicks in, moving to the party area and looking for a place to sit. She gets a cup of sake for herself--or glass, whichever the case may be. She raises a brow at the scent of the liquid as she brings it closer to her face, then shrugs, giving it a try. "Huh, could have passed for pure alcohol, not bad, this food is pretty exceptional, Miss Peridot," she crosses her legs as she sits down, crossing her legs one over the other. "Not bad selection of folks we have here, either," she gives a wink to Sanary Rondel. She pauses for a moment as Tommy stammers through his explanation, though, eyes wide a little as she is surprised at his apparent shyness. "Oh it's quite alright, honey, you're around friends here," Ferham gestured to the others surrounding them at the party with a black polymer gloved hand, sitting back with her drink a bit queen-like. "I don't go to many parties either, myself, last time me and Sanary were both at one was when Duke had to rescue us, remember that Sanary dear?" she grinned a little, clearly talking about a... strange incident from their past.
Jasper	Perhaps luckily for Peridot, Jasper's attention is wholly on the smaller person who is afraid of a dinner. Jasper doesn't get it, at all. "Why?" she snaps. "This is a dinner, not a battle - there's not even one Gem brandishing a battleaxe. By Homeworld, what have you got to be so nervous about?! Drink! Eat! It's what your species is supposed to do." Feels like she's about five seconds away from trying to shove a chicken wing down Tommy's throat.
Bramble Patch	"Eh, you've got a point there." Bramble cocks her gaze at Jasper and Tommy, and tries not to smirk too much. "She does seem more like the 'buck talking, I'm gonna buck up your face' sort. Too bad Gilda ain't here, the two of 'em would probably get along... or try to tear each other's eyes out." Shrug. "Either would be entertaining."
Tommy Wahagi	Tommy is quiet for a bit. Then he shrugs, and declines to answer the question. He does't meet Jasper's, or anybody's, eyes, as he deals out the river and pushes the ante into the center of the table. He pushes some of the food in, because...that's the handiest thing to gamble with.
Yowane Haku	Haku hmms a bit, taking another drink as her cards are dealt. She nods and puts a bit of food in... and a dish of sake. As the river's given, she grins. "Heh. Hehehehe... All in." she comments, eyeing Tommy. "Perhaps you might want to fold..." she laughs and takes another drink before leaning back, "Gimme... your best...hehe.." She noms a bit and hiccups... lightly.
Peridot	Fortunately for Peridot, though she could be affected by alcohol. Gems generally shifted their own internal organ structure. Meaning they were generally idealized and healthy. Even a rail thin gem like Peridot could handle more then the standard human. Though, it would still affect her long before it affected Jasper. She looked to Haku with some curiosity. "You are a machine are you not?" She rubbed her chin. "I thought you were more mechanical in nature. Susceptibility to alcohol requires... a more biological body, or a close facsimile there of. Are you more biological in construct than I realized?"
Bramble Patch	"Maybe they're programmed to respond to it like us biologicals do," Bramble Patch offers.
Yowane Haku	The directed question gets Haku's attention, turning her head towards Peridot. "I am, I just drink quite a bit. I suppose it's somewhat programmed... I think. I never paid attention to it, no one seemed to mind. Most people in my world think I'm a real person. It's nice..." she sighs some, leaning back, showing her hand.. a four of a kind ace high. "Perhaps I should change my module and get ready to sing here soon." Haku starts, looking around some. "Do you have a place to change?"
Peridot	"Ah. I understand. It seemed pertinent for me to know, as I mentioned earlier I specialize in mechanical, not biological maintenance." Peridot gesture vaguely in the direction of the prison block. It was the closest area, and it was far more secured than the weapons bay. "You will find suitable privacy in there. I advise against touching anything."
Jasper	Satisfied, for one reason or another, Jasper lets Tommy go about his business. She picks up her cards, scrutinising them closely. It's clear that she's not quite sure what she's doing. She glances at her cards, then at the table, then at her cards again. And then she stares at Yowane's cards, set out on the table. "Hmm..." Jasper remarks, mostly to herself, eyes narrowed. "Hmmmmm."