2019-12-09 - Holly Jolly Jello Festival

"There's something weird about giving Joey's money back to him as charity." Which isn't to say Graham doesn't put some money in the charity bin, but he wants to be sure to share this sentiment. Then there's something about getting them drinks, so he goes one way - toward alcohol - and Elise goes the other way - toward the bathroom. "Bartender!" he calls, just the worst kind of patron.

Sparrow is not dressed for jello wrestling despite being one of the advertised combatants for the night's title bout to determine the sexiest member of Double Trouble. Also known as the Kelly Twins. She is, instead, in a long-sleeved forest green wrap dress which hits about mid-thigh and a pair of cute--read: cheap--green pumps she almost certainly found secondhand somewhere. Lips painted red and eyes dusted gold, she is polished up for presentation as she checks to make sure the auction is running smoothly, there's nothing left to fuss over and the jello shots are all set out and ready. Best way to check the jello shots? Do a couple. One red and one green. Quality control. Deep breath. With her brightest smile, she tells Graham, "Go with the green," with certainty. Lime plus tequila? Always a winner.

Not long after the doors open for the Jello Twins & silent auction, Sutton wanders in wearing a pair of very old, very worn, comfortable jeans, knees ripped out. Paired with that is a knitted grey sweater with a big white snowflake on it. Her hair is a tousled mass of loose curls, makeup light save red lipstick. She looks refreshed, bruise free, nary a hangover in sight. She plots her course is a circuit: a greeting pass, a spin past the shots to grab two, and then a detour to the auction sheets.

Roxy Kivela is at the gym for the charity event. She's even up for auction. Well, dinner and dancing with her is. The raven-haired woman is dressed in a 1950s style flare dress in a festive red with white snowflakes printed on it, and a gauzy white tulle shawl with embroidered snowflakes on over it, which falls to her elbows. (Dress: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/784189353848756956/ Shawll but snowflakes instead of flowers: https://cdn-img-1.wanelo.com/p/901/990/28f/90a4c68d0a760a32bee0814/x354-q80.jpg) There are white patent leather pumps on her feet with ankle straps and a bow at the back. She wanders around, perusing the various auction adverts with bright blue eyes.

Soon enough more people are arriving. Specifically Erin and Ryan. Walking in, with Ryan letting his gaze move around the place. Humming some to himself. Nodding to some of the people there. Greeting those he saw at the club the other day. "Where to?" Is asked of Erin, letting her lead them once they are inside the gym proper.

Stepping through into the gym, Yule is decked out in a long gray woolen coat that covers a white dress shirt and black slacks. It's towards the door that the M.E. keeps, hands in his pockets with those brown eyes scanning first the crowds, and then the ring that has been setup for the spectacle to come.

August arrived with the shop's various offerings in the mid-sized bucket truck (which seems to have a floating name, today he's calling it Margaret in the Middle): wreathes, fake tree in its fancy box, and an information pamphlet about the allotment garden, complete with photos. Having handed all of that off to Joey, he's lingering, in search of something to distract himself from one hell of a goddamned week. The shots he'll avoid, but maybe he'll run into some people here. He's in his black, leather, biker jacket, a red, long-sleeved, Waffle knit Henley, pale denim jeans, and black suede boots. So at least he looks a little like someone who'd show up here, even if he never does.

Jaime's actually dressed up for this shindig, seeing as it's for charity. He's got the black on black going on ( https://tinyurl.com/yyzzgwtj ), and has already found himself a drink. He wanders over to Sparrow and shakes his head slowly. "This thing turned out to be way bigger than I thought it was going to be. You guys really outdid yourselves." What had started out as what he thought was mostly a text joke had become.. quite the phenomena.

Nicole emerges from the back office looking as if she is prepared for a UFC match instead of jello wrestling. In other words, she has her game face on. A pair of red patent pumps are on her feet and she is wearing a simple red satin robe for the time being, held closed with a matching belt tied at the waist. The robe hits her about mid-thigh, showing off her long legs as she walks towards Sparrow and the jello shots. "Bet on red." She winks and reaches for two shots, like Sparrow, also one red and one green. Her hair is done in a few braides sweeping along her scalp to a bun wrapped tight at the back of her head. Easiest way to keep the jello slick from permeating all those waves.

Kelsey is not really one to hang out at charitable events. However, she frequents the Gym and offered to cook for that auction thing so it only makes sense that she actually show up! She dressed a little nicer than she might usually be, a pair of black jeans without any holes or rips and a v-necked long-sleeved AC/DC shirt. She lingers near the fringes of the gathered group, making her way towards the bar that was set up, but taking her time to get there. Way more people here than she thought there would be.

Isabella's here, albeit moving very slowly, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that she got tag-teamed by a couple of demonic fruitcakes in an extradimensional hellscape.

Look, it's a long story.

At the very least, her injuries from that entire ordeal aren't visible. Dressed in a reddish-brown leather jacket with wide cuffs that pull over bandaged fingertips and a black ruffled blouse, there's her usual fitted jeans tucked into knee-high boots and her dark hair spooled in a loose, haphazard twist at the back of her head. At the moment she's looking at the items put up on the silent auction, fingers absently toying with her moonstone fashion as she picks and chooses what to bid on, before picking up a pen and doing just that.

Jacob strolls into the gym in his usual office attire - lab coat and all, collared shirt, tie, black trousers, nice shoes. He scans the growing crowd for familiar faces, his eyes poking out through ginger hair and full beard. The only thing he carries with him is a small letter-sized envelope, stuffed full with something. The doctor makes his way over to the auction tables, eyeing the items at the auction table.

With his brightest smile back, full wattage, Graham picks up one of the red and one of the green, then rears his head back a few degrees to side-eye Sparrow. "Is this some Matrix type thing? Couple hours from now, I'm gonna be all 'why oh why didn't I take the red shot.'" He lifts the green one, peers through it for a second, then shrugs a lanky shrug. "Fuck it. It's for charity, yanno?" And knocks that puppy back, sliding a look around afterward, glance passing over people in their dresses and shawls, then down to the rolled up sleeves of his red-and-green-for-Christmas flannel. Whatever.

"Didn't we go to high school together?" He asks of Nicole and then literally takes a drink.

Gabriel is here to support Sparrow, and so here to support Sparrow he is. In his bomber leather jacket and his jeans and a red henley, Detective Gabriel Quintanilla slips into Kelly's Gym, letting out a whistle for Nicole. But he then goes to find a spot to situate himself and watch.

Viktor's gone full lazy. Okay, not lazy. He's dropped by on a brief pause from A to B, throwing on a button-down shirt over a pair of dark jeans. Which totally match the beige hiking boots. Yuuup. He mostly stopped by to double check with Sparrow about the arrangements and details for the item he's offered up for bidding, but someone went and put a jello-cup in his hand, and now there's a claimed table off to one side that he sits at, texting out something about being a little later than planned for something-or-other.

Just where does someone fairly new to town go when they want to meet more people? A big holiday party open to all, of course! A Santa hat sits at a jaunty angle upon Liam's head as he comes strolling in, dressed in black jeans and a black button-up shirt, already rolling up the sleeves once the warmth of the gym washes over him and baring the cheap wristwatch he's wearing in the process. "Hey everyone," he calls cheerfully to the group of strangers, meandering unhurriedly over towards the auction table to take a gander at the charitable-cause-du-jour and what might be acquired for a small percentage of his bank account. Or large. It's not a very big bank account.

Wearing nothing, special, Everett ducks under the door frame when he enters through and takes a look around. Hands go into his back pockets before he gets any further. Taking a look around, the large figure heads for the donations and starts to take a look around, eyeing items or their pictures and how much current bids are going for.

Sparrow beams a smile bright as daylight as Jaime as he heads her way, giving her hip a little dip to the side in some very, very tragically poor approximation of what might've once been a curtsey. "I always outdo myself," she tells him. And then, a touch more quietly, "And your brother really knows how to pull shit together," with a good dash of genuine gratitude in her tone. Looking back to Graham, she promises, "Both is always an option. Except in the ring." She shoots a playfully competitive look to Nicole and adds, "In which case, definitely go for green," then winks at her. Noting the crowd growing more and more? Oh, she's reaching for another shot and putting on that winning smile, and then it's off to play hostess. Or keep telling people to bet on green. Is someone taking bets? This is Kelly's. Someone's probably taking bets.

Beth is here perusing the silent action sign-ups in an oversized ugly Christmas Sweater that is decorated with a tree with real lights that has 'GET LIT' under the tree. She has paired this with a pair of leggings decorated with a pattern of Christmas light bulbs. Her winged eyeliner behind her glasses is accented with a touch of festive red and green glitter. Red flats with big bows complete the garish ensemble. She may not be fancy, but she certainly is festive. She looks up from the silent auctions briefly to people watch.

Stuttering Thew Moore is actually at a public function. He's not dressed to impress though. Expecting it to be warm within, he braved the cold long enough to get from truck to function, clad in green flannel and dark brown cargos, into which the beanie was wearing has disappeared. There's so many people. So. Many.
The cemetery caretaker is doing his best to keep a mind on where he walks, but his head is down, eyes on the floor when he is not jerking and turning as if expecting to be attacked should he not keep his head on a swivel. He keeps putting a cigarette in the corner of his mouth an then tucking it back into the pack. Deep breaths. Deep. Breaths. As soon as he can find a chunk of wall to put his back to he does, hands in his pockets, edging towards a corner.

Next to arrive is Garrett. One of the things on auction! And he looks it, having donned a tux for the night, black pants, white shirt and dinner jacket, seriousness offset by a festive red-and-green bow tie with diagonal stripes. His first path takes him towards the jello shots... then past them, a small nod and bright smile offered to the evening's combatants (as well as everyone else) as he heads, instead, towards Kelsey. "Hey, stranger," he greets with a smile.

August meanders over towards Isabella, giving her a critical look once he's close enough. "Moving a little gingerly, I see," he says, voice low. It's very nearly a drawl. He arches an eyebrow. "You okay?"

While this may not be the classiest of locations nor the classiest of events, Byron Thorne shows up in a deep amethyst velvet tuxedo jacket with black lapels, a white dress shirt beneath and black slacks. He dons a black bow tie to complete the look. His dark hair is fashionably worn slicked back.

Of course, he makes his own donations and bids on a few auctions as well, before the event begins. On his arm, as many would expect, is Lilith Winslow. He'll accept a jello shot to start the evening, at the very least. His piercing dark eyes scan the room for the bookie. "You know, I always got Joey's back." He says with a little grin to Lilith, "For tonight though, since I know who /you/ have your sights and your money set on, let's make this more interesting."

Making his transaction, he also catches sight of Isabella in the crowd. Unlike August, he knows exactly what's up. "Once we're done here, let's go visit Izzy."

Roxy drifts from one auction ballot to the next, smiling at how much is being done for charity. From a clutch purse she draws an envelope which she drops into the donation box as well. She spots Isabella and moves her way, a familiar face from Thanksgiving at the Kelly House. "Isabella?" she asks, hoping she remembered the name correctly. She nods to August, an unfamiliar face, but smiles cheerfully.

"Definitely the auction first, then we can go by the shots. I'm cheering Joey on, he's my boss after of them." Erin smiles up at him as they do walk towards the items to bid on, looking them over. "I'm glad you were able to make it." A wave is offered over to Isabella when she notices her there, as well as August. "Hi!" she greets them briefly as she peruses the auction items.

Ohthankgod. A familiar face! Kelsey flashes Garrett a grin. "Hey there." Giving him a first bump. "You're lookin' sharp tonight. I like it." She chuckled. "You looking forward the fight?"

Lex has slipped into the gym at some point. As much as someone with sapphire blue hair can 'slip' anywhere. She's wearing her usual trench, and remains leaning against this wall or that, seemingly preoccupied with people-watching. No one in particular.

A flicker of a smile comes to life as Thew settles in next to Yule, the M.E. flashing the fellow a look. "Hey ya," It's the jello shot in his hand that he passes over to the caretaker, tongue dipping out to wet against his lips as the man explains, "On call tonight, so this? Is all yours. Surprised to see you here... glad you are, though. Good cause." It's the red headed drummer that his eyes cut to for a moment, and then her oponent, all before his question comes for the man next to him. "So. Who are you rooting for?"

Diana was waiting outside before the doors opened, ten to fifteen minutes ahead of time. She peers in the windows, and generally makes her own excitement build, until it's open for all, at which point, well, she steps in. Oh so casually. She's got on a nicely fabric'd pair of high-waisted black pants, black flats, and an 'ugly Christmas sweater' styled top, featuring an Escape key off of a keyboard locked in jail and hacksawing its way out. Despite having been here early, however, she waits by the door, smiling at those who enter, but always looking to see who's following them; clearly, she's looking for someone in particular.

James is following Isabella's lead and moving pretty slowly as well when he finally arrives. Not quite as slowly as her, mind you, because he only got hit by one demonic fruitcake, but also, he's a wimp, so it evens out. Jeans and hoodie as usual, folks, although his hoodie is a festive holiday one. Or, well, mostly festive. There's a cartoon Christmas tree on it. It's flipping people off. Oh and he's got a Santa hat on because why not. He stops outside the door to the place, a couple of minutes late to meet his.. date? Is this a date? Maybe it's a date. That'd be something, huh? Anyway, he looks up at the sign, trying to remember the last time he went to a gym. Well, at least he won't have to work out tonight, which is good because everything hurts right now. He steps inside, wincing a little at the sight of all the... people... before his eyes alight on one of them that isn't so bad, he guesses. He smiles at Diana, the smile he aims her way warm and genuine, truly a rarity for him, before he starts making his slow way over to her. "Hey, sorry I'm late, hope you weren't waiting long. Had to find the right hoodie, y'know." And also rebandage a few small injuries, but he'll leave that out.

Sutton waves to Isabella, catches a 'hey everyone' from Liam and calls back a, "Nice hat, Santa." She wanders past Vik's table, claps him on the shoulder with no warning whatsoever, "Vik." She's just shoving off to carry on to the jell-o table, gaze roaming over the magnificence of all the horrible Christmas sweaters. "You look great, Rox." And on she goes.

Ryan smiles and nods to Erin. Walking towards the auction. Looking some items. Probably throwing out a bid at something. "So am I" Following her gaze as Isabella is greeting. Bowing his head in greeting as well. Recognizing her from the other night.

Liam's head lifts up at the call in his direction, and he flashes a broad grin over towards Sutton. "Thanks," he calls out, "Got it off a drunk mall Santa!" He's probably kidding. Probably. It's hard to tell, really! The auction table reclaims his attention, and after some chin-rubbing consideration he collects a few slips to scribble on.

"Oh, absolutely. Smart money is on...." Garrett glances from Kelsey over towards Sparrow and Nicole. "...I have no idea," he admits with a smile. "Which means it should be that much more fun to watch!" Pause. "Gotta sneak in my sales pitch quick. Raffle ticket?" he asks, producing one from inside his coat.

A sea of faces, and Sparrow recognizes a good many, that smile turned toward some... and settling on one in particular. She stops as her attention settles on Yule, trajectory promptly adjusted and resumed, she heads toward the medical examiner and his unfamiliar companion, a bit of a spring in her step. Sure, her heels click on the hard gym floor, but... is she also... jingling? It's faint, hard to catch, but it does sound as if she might have bells on. Literally. Who knows where. They fall mute as she stops close to Yule and Thewlis, hand lifted to give a little finger-waggling wave. "Gentlemen."

Lex continues to watch the auction tables, seeming the backs of the various individuals as closely as she is their front. The back of your neck can say a lot about you! "Fuck..." she's sighing after a sweeping glance, and her study goes from people to the far corner of the gym.

Slurping the green jello shot first, Nicole lifts the red up in a toast to Sparrow. "Here's to having a great time sliding all around with you in jello. And to everyone betting on red to win." She smiles then looks to Graham. "Um, yeah... i think so? You were a few years behind me, yeah?" Hearing Gabriel's whistle then, she lifts her free hand and waves. Like Sparrow, she looks around the sea of people and tries to wave to all the faces she recognizes then finally takes down that second shot, reaching for two more.

Jaime grins at Sparrow and then drops back a bit to let her continue her hostessing, looking around for his twin and spotting Garrett and Kelsey. He lifts a hand and gives them both a wave, wandering in that direction. "Hey, nice tux," he says to the bassist, and then a grin for Kelsey. "Hey, long time no see. How's it going? Either of you seen Joey yet?"

Lyric comes in and looks around first before walking over to the auction. She's making money now, at the club and can afford to bid! Checking over the things, she places on bid for sure then walks over to get one of each, a red and a green before going to find a seat.

Jacob peruses the auction paperwork, eyeing a few items, writing a few bids down. Following that, he makes his way over to the cash donation bin and makes a subtle motion when nobody is looking, dropping a few larger notes from his stuffed envelope into the box before tucking the envelope away in a pocket. A little yawn, and roll of the shoulders later, he walks away to find himself an unoccupied seat, taking it, unconcerned with whoever might be nearby.

Up one brow arches as one of the contestants approaches the spot Yule has taken up, though the ghost of a smile on his lips offers a note of familiarity with the woman. "Someone finally decide to put bells on you, did they? Too bad it won't help them even if they do see you coming." It's a tip of his head to the man next to him, offering up a brief introduction, "Sparrow, this is Thewlis. Caretaker for the local cemetery. Thewlis, this is Sparrow, whom will be one of the two fine athletes you witness competing tonight." It's a small step forward he takes, flashing the drummer a playful wink, "Didn't check your horoscope today, so can't say what is in the stars for you. You'll just have to settle for a bit of good luck." In the man leans, head dipping to offer a kiss against the corner of the woman's mouth, a light thing before he takes his step back.

Diana makes a tsk noise as she spots James, looking concerned rather than frustrated. "Are you okay? You're all... you know. Slow. And don't you worry about being late. I don't mind a bit. I mean, there's no such thing as 'late' to parties and the like, right?" She gives him a warm smile, putting a hand briefly on his arm. "I love your hoodie, so it's good you took the extra time," she teases. "I'll be right back. I have to-- I have to bid on some things, and you're not allowed to look. No peeking!" And she powerwalks off, to place three bids. Big money? Who knows. Still, the rest of the auctions are only peeked at briefly.

It's December, but Lilith still finds a way to wear a little black dress and winterize it for style-- instead of the typical sheath dress that bares arms, this one is fitted with black sheer shadow of blouse-sleeved mesh there at the limbs to camoflauge skin once she gets off her cream colored and tied wrap coat. The hem is short with thigh flash, though, in contrast to the elegant flow of sleeves, and her patent black leather heels are tall to enhance that given how she stands and walks in them like a maneater. Really, it's not how she generally dresses while kicking around on Elm, but Byron is a dresser and he's dropping some money tonight, no doubt, she's made a point of matching and looking like she belongs right there at his side.

She's also apparently prepared with a silvered antique patina flask that was a nice find in the shop, pulling it from her handbag to nip from and pass over Byron's way to chase the sweet Jello shot in the name of festivities. She definitely is not doing Jello shots, tequila makes her a bit wild and she's just not risking it unless he or someone else insists the brunette join in properly in the fun. She's good with her Gray Goose in a flask, but she tends to kind of drink like a man anyway on most occasions as far as tastes go. Fruity things just generally aren't her bag unless she's already into the buzz, "You forgot the whipped cream, do another one..." she teases company, looking at the collective gathered, "And mm? You know who my money is on, does that mean you're going rogue and we're going to have our own stakes as a side bet?"

Then she looks toward Isabella in the crowd and her good nature kind of takes on a more pensive, bothered beat of expression, "... yeah, might take her outside for a tick here after things settle." AKA, she's bothered seeing her friend in pain, knowing why, and wants to fix it on the sly where she can.

Dithering over the details, Graham decides, "Sure, sounds right." He's nice enough to wipe his hand on the front of his flannel before he offers a handshake across to Nicole. "Graham. Stewart, in case it helps ring any bells." He follows the eye-line from that wave to its destination, pulls a quick face. "That guy's a cop, just so you know. He lives, like, two blocks from me." So saying, he's gonna collect another couple of these shots and, like, sidle on down the table a ways.

"Have to try and make the merchandise look as good as possible, yeah?" Garrett says as he turns towards Jaime, smiling at his band mate, then leaning in. "I definitely wore this same tux to be James Bond for Halloween. Shh." A conspiratorial wink to Jaime. "Haven't seen him, but I'm about to go mingle. I'll tell him you're looking for him! Wanna come be social?" he asks Kelsey before beginning to drift, slowly, into the crowd.

There are quite a few familiar faces in the crowd. Sutton's wave is returned with a grin, and Bylith (Byron and Lilith) has Isabella's hand lifting in a wave. Erin gets a quick hug as she's nearby, with an airkiss next to her cheek and a quiet murmur about a secret surprise conspiracy dropped in her ear. "Erin, Irish." This to Ryan, whose name she didn't quite catch in last night's drunk revels. "The two of you again, I see. What are you all bidding on? Oh wait, is that against the rules?" The word SILENT is right next to auction, soon-to-be-Doctor Reede, come on! It must be the painkillers she's on.

August's approach has her turning to the Combat Botanist, her smile turning almost immediately into a grumpy grumble. "If I told you what caused it, I'll never live it down for as long as I live," she groans. "But it's good to see you, want to catch up in a couple of days or so? How are your holidays going?"

Joey comes out of the back sliding his phone into his pocket. Fingers go to his forehead re-calibrating himself before looking around. Ah, there's Jaime. He's got on his red pinstripe suit (Totally Byron's fault) on. with a red santa hat (Nicole's fault) to match. He finds his twin with a wry grin pausing to give Lex a shoulder nudge. "Sup. Poe trapped under 20 cats or he comin?" There's that wry dimpled grin. He finds Jaime slapping a hand to his twin's back with no real force behind it. "I'm here. I'm here."

Looking for anyone he knows, Thewlis strains and stretches and then goes the longway, against the wall, to get to the table eventually, putting money into the the donations for raffle tickets and even noting a few other listed items... and then he heads for where there is alcohol, doing his best to try and keep himself from just tucking into a corner. Has anyone spoken to him? Who knows! The floor is great.

Wandering in quietly, the owner of the Control Pad was dressed simply in a big green sweater, red knee-length skirt, opaque black leggings and calf-high boots. Wearing a big scarf as well and her hair swept in a pretty artsy bun, two chopaticks stick through it, Abitha looks like she actually tried to look presentable for human interaction. Well... That would come after the first shot....or two... She steers straight for the bar to grab one of each. At least she didn't have to remember to bring her auction item, since Sparrow was already here.

Erin returns the hug to Isabella, "It's a secret, I think. It's supposed to be announced later who the winners are." While she turns to August, Erin checks the auctions over again, curious about one or two. She writes in a few numbers over a couple of options and grins over at Ryan. "I think I'm finished here, I'm going to the jello shots. Would you need anything?" Making the offer.

Liam's head lifts from the auction table as someone else comes over, and eyebrows lift up towards the white fringe of the holiday hat he's wearing, chin nodding up to Thewlis in affable greeting. "Hey, Thew," he greets warmly, "Didn't think this was your scene or we could've carpooled-- you bidding?" He jerks his head to the various notes on the board, the puff of white at the end of the red tail of the hat bobbling furiously with that movement.

James bites his lip as Diana puts her hand on his arm like that, smiling sheepishly. "I'm just a little sore. Long night last night and all.", he replies, but then she's fluttering off to place Mysterious Bids, which immediately worries him. "... that can't be good..", he murmurs under his breath as he watches her leave to do the thing. He looks around again while she's off doing that, and spots a few folks he knows: Byron, Isabella, Lilith all get little pained waves and awkward smiles, before he spots the free jello shots. "... oh yes please." He beelines for the table, taking a green one for himself, and downing it immediately. Then he picks up another green one for Diana. Then a red one and he downs it immediately. And then another red one. To share with Diana. Properly provisioned inside and out, he turns to go find her and see if she's done with her bidding.

August smiles and waves at Erin, gets out a pen and starts filling out a bid or two. Eleanor might like the spa day...

"Look I was attacked by Christmas gnomes, I dunno what's more embarrassing than that. And, not really getting any better." He shrugs. What can you do. He nods at the notion of catching up, but falls quiet when he sees Roxy approaching Isabella. He gives her a quick once over in the manner of someone who's heard a foreign accent and doesn't recognize the face attached to it. Isabella's familiarity with her puts any of August's concerns to rest, and he nods a hello. "August," he says.

Whatever reply Viktor received to his text, it causes Sutton's little tap to only barely shake him out of a mild stupor. "Harry. You uh... take care." Does he have four jello shots grasped in his fingers as he beelines for the door? Yes. Does he mutter to occasional passers-by about how the firing range option includes EXPLOSIONS? Most definitely.

But he's also up, up and outta here!

"Sounds great," Isabella says to Erin with a laugh. "Three can keep a secret...and all of that." With the glamorous ballerina approaching, her half-pained expression drains away in an affable smile of greeting. "Miss Kivela! How are you? Did you enjoy your Thanksgiving?"

Elise is here! She's been here, but was over there --> somewhere, and now she's elbowing her way through the crowd to get back to Graham. She's got on a cute dress, it's cranberry red and the skirt is short but it's not like she's wading through snow. Just people. "Are all those shots for you?" she points a thumb at Graham's collection. "Or you gonna let me have one?" She's going to take one anyway, he can't stop her.

Continuing to look over the auction items, Everett looms with a brooding expression, his hands remaining in his back pockets for some time. Then, with a soft cant of his head, he takes his hands out and opens his leather jacket with his left hand and pulls out his phone with the right before fiddling with the device for a moment. Armed with his black smartphone, Everett continues shopping through.

Maggi walks up to the gym with a bit of uncertainty, not having been to a Large GH function in some time. A large red bow pins her hair away from the shaved portion of her head. Black shorts, with tights underneath and Doc Martin's remain the same as earlier in the day, but her Nirvana tee has been replaced by a black fitted style Christmas sweater with mild and cookies captioned "I Put Out for Santa". Red lips match her bow. She anxiously heads toward the jello shots grabbing a handful in order not to crowd the table.

"Thank you, Miss Sutton!" Roxy chimes back to the paramedic as she passes. "Roxy," she says quietly to August as the crowd around Isabella grows. "It was very nice, yes, thank you," she tells the archaeologist. She seems to go shy a bit, and ducks her head down, "Excuse me," making her way to the shots but thinking better of taking one just yet. She ends up near Thewlis, another wallflower, trying to deal with the overwhelming amount of English she thought she was fluent in but which Americans destroy with every syllable. She needs to decompress a moment or ten.

"He's dealin' with some paperwork disaster with his nan, but he said he'd try and stop by," Lex offers Joey's, tipping the man an expression that typically passes as a smile from the tattooist. "Talk to later, Joey," she says with a bit of a smirk as she watches the man ushered into the crowd.

Beth continues to people watch. Since people are coming it to look over the silent auctions she starts slowly moving upwards to avoid bumping into them. Now a good several feet from the auction tables she begins meandering towards the bar where the jello shots are piled up. Picking one up she shakes it about to dislodge the stcky boozy goodness within before she brings it to her lips to slurp it up. Others near the bar earn a friendly nod from her. She picks another shot glass up, and shakes it a little to repeat the process.

"Good, because if you abandoned me here to these shenanigans, there would have to be payback," Jaime warns his twin with a good-natured grin. "Lookin' sharp," he says with an upnod for the twin's suit. "Hell if I know, I haven't seen him," he answers when asked if Poe came or not. He glances around, scanning the room, briefly. He acquires a green paper napkin and tucks it into his pocket like a pocket square. Apparently nobody told him he was green, or that he should wear something green, so he improvises.

"They always see me coming," Sparrow assures Yule with a helpless shrug of her shoulders. Hair that red? Yeah, that's the way she likes it. "Pleasure to meet you, Thewlis." She's about to say more, likely on the topic of the melee itself, when Yule's step in steals her attention. Her hand settles lightly on his side as lashes dip low, that tiny kiss accepted without complaint. Unless one counts the sidelong look she angles his way as he withdraws and contact is broken. "I might need a little more luck than that," she teases. Looking back to the cemetery caretaker, she explains, "I'm wrestling on behalf of Jaime Lee Kelly. If you're betting? Definitely bet green." She gives her hips a little shimmy, giving away where those bells are, inspiring the green dress to swish a bit. Nevermind the red, red, red hair.

Taking Graham's hand, Nicole gives it a shake. "Nice to reacquaint. Nicole Stein, if you forgot." She smiles, knowing sometimes names and faces don't connect in memories. "Which?" she asks, looking around. "Oh, Gabriel? Yeah... a Detective. Good guy from what I know of him." She sees Joey emerge then, complete with the Santa hat, and puts on a bright smile. "And there is the man I am wrestling for. The sexiest Kelly of them all."

Kass arrives, late but present, tugging at the sleeves of her oversized sweater to make sure they settle properly over her hands. Dark grey cableknit sweater with an applique of skeletal reindeer pulling a wretched looking sleigh that nevertheless has pipes coming off the fins that will presumably belch fire or smoke. Black skinny jeans, and Chuck Taylors with a bright red and green Christmas theme to them. Her messenger bag is ever present as she shuffles along the outer edges of the room. Darting glances here or there as she makes her way towards familiar faces.

Ryan smiles to Isabella, "Hello. I don't mind Irish, but name's Ryan." He assures her. Letting her call him whichever she prefer. Glancing to spot Abitha as well. Offering a wave to her. Then looking back to Erin, "I could have the same." He agrees. Turning to the others as well, trying to just catch up with people now that everyone aren't completely drunk.

Turning when Yule points him to Sparrow, Thewlis jerks to a halt, and then turns again when Liam. "OH! I. I'm. I'm. I. I. Sorry... I'm." he then looks to Sparrow "Red. I. Hello. Hi. Wrestling? OH...!" he looks to the jello rasslin' tub, looks back to Sparrow, then to Liam, then Thule, and then the woman who is looking about as stressed as he is. He nods to the other three and practically hyperventilating steps up and speaks towards Roxy, "Ma'am... If. I can. Stand behind me." willing to put himself in front of another at least before looking to the others. "I don't... I got. Raffle."

Byron's not going to back out of doing a second shot, complete with whipped cream either way. Nevertheless, they gravitate towards where Isabella and several others are. The first thing on his mind is a question that he asks, "You okay, Izzy?" He remembers what they'd all just been through and while tonight was an incredibly spirited event, that does not change the fact that some of his friends may not be feeling up to par. To something Lilith says, he flashes a grin, "That's exactly what I'm saying." In passing, he notices James in the company of someone he does not know. "Hecker." He'll call out in greeting, but now he's back to the conversation at hand. "I'm interested in a few things. It's a very good turn out in regards to goods and services." All the while, he continues to observe the room, his gaze flickering over in the direction of where Joey is.

It's a good thing they got than handshake out of the way, 'cause there's nothing Graham can do to stop Elise, that's true. He tries, turning his body a little to try to protect his red-and-green, saying, "No. No! Some of these are for Nicole Stein, my old good friend from high school, and - " He casts a look toward the others nearby. " - that funeral home chick, and apparently the sexiest Kelly of them all." But whatever, Elise gets the green shot, and he points out, "Now your tongue's gonna be green, meh." He'll be drunk in ten minutes, tops.

'Festive holiday wrestling match and charity auction' is one of those dress codes they don't really go into detail on online, so it's not really a shock that the room's ranging from ripped jeans to tuxedos. Rhys has aimed for somewhere around the middle, apparently, strolling in in dark jeans, brown boots, and a burgundy-on-white plaid shirt under a dark green velvet blazer and burgundy/gold/white paisley tie. With a plush-reindeer-antler headband, because 'tis the season. He saunters in, glancing around and flashing a bright grin to various people he recognizes, and there's an approving look at just how many people have turned up. Not bad at all. Maybe it's the fact that so many of them are congregating around the auction right this moment, but the room survey pauses and his trajectory adjusts toward the matched set of Kellys, to start with.

Sparrow's busy, dont bother her. Oh look, that August guy is alive, that's a ball of anxiety to tuck away and deal with later. There's Ryan. She returns the wave but... He's... With someone... Oh good, that signal was too awkward to deal with anyways. Oh thank god, "Maggi!" she jumps up and down and waves a shot. She had energy?

"I can't have it on my conscience to make the whole match be over before it starts, if I give you more luck than that." Comes Yule's counter towards Sparrow, the coy smile gracing his features holding more than a bit of mischief to it. It's the whole thought that Sparrow is green, rather than red, that has his mouth part, and then close, before a warm bit of laughter spills fourth, but Yule? Knows just what Thewlis requires. He plucks a passing jello shot, holding it out to the caretaker with a knowing smile. "Here. It's green, even. Perfect to show your support."

"Easy," Liam holds up a hand towards Thewlis in a reassuring motion, "Take a breath, man, it's okay." Not wanting to over-stress the man, he moves to step away from him and the table - after a friendly smile's flashed to everyone else about him - and he turns, then stops in his tracks when he sees Beth over at the bar-- for the first time outside of that weird dream he had once. Blink. Blink. "Wait, am I dreaming," he mutters to himself, pinching his own arm.

"Ow." Nope.

Here one moment, gone in the next. Isabella's keen, green-gold eyes watch as the elusive Finnish lady flutters away like the graceful, professionally-trained butterfly that she is, curiosity visibly simmering in the undercurrents of her face's suntanned lines. After a moment, her hands slide into the pockets of her jacket and turns her attention to August, smile ticking upwards. While she's elected not to wear her ridiculously hideous Christmas sweater today (it was really tempting), she's dressed for the occasion - her headband with her rudolph antlers are on her head, and her ears have snowflake earrings on them. "Ryan. Nice to meet you, Irish." There's a teasing grin. "I'll call you by name properly after that. How do you know Erin? And have you met Doctor August Roen?" She gestures between both men.

To August, she frowns. "What do you mean it's not getting any better, did something else happen after the Christmas gnomes?" And how much worse can it get? Her expression twists comically. "Oh, trust me, it can always get worse. Are you doing okay?" Her eyes search his features, fall right into his eyes and hold there.

Though with Byron and Lilith approaching, she is forced to break away from her intent scrutiny; there's a smile, always for the two. "I'm incredibly sore and super cranky because I couldn't run today without crying." Suggestive of the fact that she tried, and failed miserably. At least nobody will ever know of 9.5 faceplant she made at the foot of Alexander's bed in her brave (foolish, stupid, ridiculous) attempt to put on running gear. "Excited for the match?"

"Joey?" Elise says of the 'sexiest Kelly' with a wry smirk to Graham, before she swallows down the green shot. Elise, of course, knows Nicole because she probably goes to Curl Up & Dye once a month, which is why she says: "Oh hey, Nicole," with a big smile. "Did he pull the 'I think we went to high school' thing on you?" She perches on a chair and is already reaching for a red shot, eyeing Graham from over the rim of the glass. "Please don't die of alcohol poisoning tonight."

By this point Maggi has sampled a couple reds and a couple greens. She is also grateful to have spotted Mac, realizing how few people she actually knew. Martins approach her casually, but in a low voice she says "How many of these do you think I have to do before I feel less awkward?" She giggles passing one of the two remaining in her hands to the girl, raising her own in cheers.

Roxy blinks at Thewlis and she opens her mouth, then closes it. "Oh, thank you. I am all right. I just get overwhelmed sometimes. English is not my native language." She chews on her lower lip and clutches her purse in both hands in front of her, looking to Sparrow and Yule with nervous nods and a smile for each. "Hello. You are wrestling, correct?" she asks Sparrow.

Kass sidles her way around towards Sparrow, shoulders hunching up as she moves through the crowds, skittering away from the casual bumps and touches to reach her fellow redhead's side (real or dyed, redheads unite!). She offers a fleeting smile towards Sparrow and murmurs, "Sorry I'm late, still gotta work tonight so I had to, uh.. get ready first." Then she's shooting glances around, offering that same fleeting smile towards Roxy and lifting a hand partway before suddenly dropping it again and instead offering a nod towards her. Looking back to Sparrow, she offers, "Put me down for fifty on green."

Smiling at Elise, Nicole says, "yes, Joey." She winks and says, "hello, Elise. Good to see you! Did you bid on the spa day?" Looking at Graham then back to Elise she says, "but... we did. Just a few years apart." As Elise urges the man to not die of alcohol poisoning, Nicole, having finished her own, reaches out to grab one of his shots. She's a helper.

August nods at Roxy as she goes, watching her find a wall to grow on. Well, he knows a lot of people who can relate to that, so he can't say he blames her, even if it's easier for him to be lost in a crowd.

He grimaces at Isabella. "Our..." He stops, shakes his head. "We'll catch up. No need to ruin this with that." He drops in his bids, gives Byron and Lilith a smile, nods at Ryan. "Just August is fine," he says, of being called 'doctor'. He spies Abitha in the crowd, gives her a wry smile. A sort of 'hey, you're alive' smile, not a 'thanks for leaving me to be eaten by elves' smile.

A warm smile is flashed from Yule to Roxy when she glances his way, leaving it to the red haired wrestler to make her pitch towards the woman. "This," He offers in way to Roxy, helping to bridge a bit of those nerves, or so he hopes, "Is Thewlis. Good friend. Caretaker over at the cemetery. I'm Yule. What can I say, this? Is my time of year." It's the faintest flickers of a smile, all sincere and in good humor, even as his brown eyes drift over to Kass as she approaches the group to speak with Sparrow.

Abitha looks Maggi up and down, eyes a littlw wide and harried. This was a lot of people, and well, the shots were for charity! "Well, if they substituted vodka for water, and given you don't look that much heavier than me (sorry?)" Her eyes pointedly look at Maggi's bustline, which was bigger, "I'm gonna do some napkin math and say 7."

Would it surprise anyone to see Carver showing up in a waistcoat? Of course not. The waistcoat being a deep purple and patterned with candy canes, snowflakes, stockings, gingerbread men and Christmas trees? Well, that might get a couple of looks. He's making his way through the door with a half-eaten gas-station sandwich, and already prepping with a pen rolling over his fingers to fill out a whole bunch of ballot bids.

Where did he find that tray? Garrett decides a trip to the jello shots is in order before any advanced level socialization, a chunk of wood that looks like maybe a short piece of former fence slat in one hand. A jello shot (green) is sucked back by Garrett, then he's beginning to stack a few handfuls of them carefully on his tray. "Help spread the social lubrication around a bit, hm?" he says to nobody and everybody that's near the shots, balancing the tray on a hand at shoulder level with a satisfied nod.

Diana is not entirely done with her bidding, so James is just barely able to spot her walking away from the Ghost Hunt auction item, which pretty much figures. As she spots James, she wags a finger at him. "I said no peeking," she teases with a smirk. "I hope you weren't waiting long." She smiles, hooking her arm up with one of his. Hopefully it's an unbandaged one! She sure does try to see if he's favoring one arm over another, and will go for the one he's favoring, if so.

Sutton is somewhat distracted by the jello shots. She takes a couple in each hand and wanders off to check the auction sheets. Did she see what was on Vik's screen before he made a Vik shaped smoke ring in his haste to exit the venue? Maybe. There's a smirk on her lips as she shoots the first jello shot. She waves back to Roxy, and then turns just in time to avoid walking into Lex. "Great hair." She slurps a second shot down, whip free. "That color is one of my favorites."

Lilith gets some cash out of her purse in preparation for laying bet down on her chosen wrestler while walking with the flask in her other hand, grinning a little at the very sight of Byron doing a bright jello shot proper in that fancy garb and suave, handsome presenting. After eyeing Isabella a wee bit closely, as if she's looking into the woman instead of at her, she blinks her mascara-thickened lashes a few times and flashes a fond smile before suggesting, "Here after it all goes down when there's a lull, step out around the doors with me for my dirty smoke and drink habit? Vodka makes me crave." That and there's another reason she wants to step out after looking at the woman, of course, but that's not for now.

Betting is for now! She waves the cash in answer to Isabella's inquiry like yes, she's ready, then eyes Byron up and aside to consider their side bet visibly, "I'm thinking on a good one. I need three minutes, if I'm estimating right, to come up with something delightful." Then suddenly she catches sight of James and waves her money in hello at him before looking at Diana. She asks, "Who's that with James?"

Lyric has a couple of jello shots and bounces over to find a seat and quietly watch all the things. Because all the things is why she is here! She even managed to place a bid on something or other.

Lex lifts a pierced 'brow as Sutton wanders in her direction, and she's quirking a grin at the woman as she mentions her hair. "Thanks. Good luck with the jell-o." Well, she knows who some people are.

Hearing the quiet buzz, Everett lifts his head and sees Kass. Brows lift expectantly, but the redhead doesn't see him. He is hard to miss after all. With a smirk, the thug consoles himself by watching her walk past, and then he turns back down to his phone, no better way than to make his own digital donations while stepping out of the auction line.

Graham does not - er, Graham really tries hard not to hiccough while he points a finger at the air in Nicole's general direction. "You can do up to a year for petty theft," he tells her gravely, then finds himself completely out of shots. That's fine. This is fine. "They're supposed to be fighting for which one of them is the sexiest, right?" He heard that somewhere. "I'mma go put some money on that fight." The smile he flashes at Elise is triumphant: she coulda just let him do shots, but nooooo.

The shot is taken from Yule by Thewlis and slammed in a moment, the garbage tucked in a pocket till he fids a place he can put it. "Sorry... Li-" and Liam is on his way, and he's being introduced to Roxy, head ducking low. "It's... I. No worries. I... I know... It can. Bad. It can. I..." he looks for another tray, snagging a shot and downing it before he looks to Roxy again. "I... Yes. Thewlis. I. Cemetery. I..." looking to Sparrow, the betting people, and then back to the floor.

James's arms are fine, thankfully, all the damage is around his torso. It's downright festive under that hoodie, let me tell you. He smiles softly as Diana links her arm with his. "It's ok, wasn't a long wait." He then brings up the two jello shots, offering them to her. "Red or green, your choice." Once she's had her shot (or let him have both if she's not in a drinking mood, he spots Byron's little wave, followed by Lilith's cash-flash. "Oh, hey, I know those guys. Byron and Lilith- you wanna go, uhm, say hello?

"Oh, there's a spa day?" Elise perks up at the mention from Nicole, but then gets laser focused on Graham when he mentions betting on the fight. There's a narrowing of her eyes before she knocks back the shot and hops to her feet. "Sorry, gotta babysit," she smiles apologetically to Nicole before she grabs Graham by the arm, already pulling him in the direction of the bar. "Let's go get a few more shots first, and then maybe you can make some bets?" He's never going to make this bet.

Joey looks to Lex, "Shiiiit, Jaime, I know better. Lex, my brother Jaime. Jaime, Lex. She's Poe's new wrangler." He does the introductions where he stays parked on the side. Fingers lift to Roxy and a couple others. Byron and LIlith roll in and while his eyebrow goes up he doesn't look surprised greeting from across the room in an upnod. "What's funny is I don't remember for the life of me how this got started, but I'm excited how it's turning out. We're helping some folks that really need it." the money's going around though and that gets his attention. He grins to Jaime and nods Graham-ways. "You meet Graham yet? G, c'mmere when your' done man."

Maggi grins at her. "Well I am at four so, round two it is!"For the time being Maggi respects Mac's bubble, not tugging at her sleeve, but leading the way. This was no guarantee at seven however. She sets out another four on the table, hip checking if need be to get to the table. Popping the top off the whip she makes expert swirls. Looking around the table for other alcoholic souls she raises hers up with a louder "Cheers!" of inclusion to whoever was nearby and wanted one of the remaining two.

Sutton salutes Lex with the third shot of four in her hand, and tips it back after she loosens it from the bottom of the cup. These things are deadly yum. She waves a hello to Joey, then breaks off to make some bids at the bidding slips. Any minute now, she's going to be confronted with Carver's waistcoat.

Sparrow gives Yule a look which suggests she's not gonna argue with that logic. It's fair. There's a cheerful confirmation of, "Wrestling," to Thewlis and then to a nod Roxy. "To defend the eternal sexiness of Jaime Lee Kelly, the hotter of the Kelly boys, don't let Nicole tell you otherwise." It's a playful thing, clearly. The twins are, well, identical. Temperature-wise and otherwise. But she sells it like she believes it at least a little bit. At least enough to get in a ring full of jello and fight over it. A few of those passing by catch her eye, Rhys holding her focus for a few seconds before there's a Kass. Kass gets a squeak and, if she's not quick, an unprompted hug from Sparrow. "Oh! I was worried about you. Not. That I had any reason to be? But. Ya know. Hi. I'm glad you could make it!"

Erin smiles at Isabella, "I'm going to go over to the shots for a moment, I'll find you in a bit." So much was going on! She motions over there to Ryan and walks over, looking for Joey shots, hah. There her boss was, steeped in conversation and introductions, she just offers him a brief wave, not interrupting, just letting him know she'd made it.

"Later," she tells August quietly, lifting her hand towards him in a pinky swear, hooking hers into his if he humors her. And her grin turns impish. "Fountain of youth, remember?"

To the lovely Miss Winslow, the archaeologist nods: "The dirtiest habits are the best ones," Isabella tells Lilith with a grin. "Always, darling. Besides, like what E always tells me, booze is a more enjoyable way to medicate." With bets being taken now, though, she perks up - she may have crusaded against the casino, but she's not opposed to gambling, especially if it's for a good cause. She takes out a roll of bills from the inner pocket of her jacket. It looks significant, but really, it's not. It's probably valued less than half of whatever Byron Thorne's got in his billfold. Her attention follows Lilith to the other side towards James and... "...I have no idea who that is," she murmurs, following Diana's wake with mild interest.

Erin's move towards the shots has her waving. "Later." And she gives her a significant look as she leaves.

"Yes, that's right," Nicole says with a nod towards Graham. "Which is clearly Joey." She smiles, despite the fact that the two Kelly boys are identical twins. As he goes, she calls out, "bet on Red! That's me!" Turning to Elise she murmurs, "mmhmm. Sure is." But she too is leaving, chasing after Graham, and so Nicole just waves to them and looks around the crowd for Joey next. Seeing him talking with his brother and Lex, she saunters his way in those patent red pumps. "There you are," she says, finger touching the lapel of his suit. Looking towards Jaime she smiles and says, "and you." She winks, then greets Lex with, "hey there. Having fun?"

Roxy offers a hand to Yule and then to Thewlis, during introductions to shake. "I am Roxy. Nice to meet you." Her accent is something Scandinavian sounding. She covers Thewlis' hand with her own if he gives it, understanding his distress. "But we are here to help people, so we will make it through," she says quietly. She gives Kass a small wave as well, another familiar face, and then a broader smile towards Joey Kelly, her dance partner at the dance studio. At Sparrow's words she makes a surprised face and blushes. "I am so sorry, I bid against you. Joseph is a dear friend, I had to support him." JOSEPH?

Oh god, August saw her, recognized her. Ok, shit was actually weird. More shots were clearly the order of ths night. "I'm coming to a session." Abitha announces unbidden to Maggi not caring about an answer. She does not respect Maggi's personal space, grabbing hold of the parapsychology student's jacket sleeve to follow her and not get lost. She loads up some more Jello herself.

Liam gives his head a tight little shake--surely, he's imagining things anyway--and then he's stopping off at the bar to fetch himself a shot. He ends up with one that's red, not that he has any idea which is meant to be supportive of who. Or even who's wrestling. Drink acquired, he finds a chair at a cocktail table, dropping down into it in a comfortable sprawl and letting his gaze roam the room. A few familiar faces, but not many.

Ryan does look a bit lost. Probably having missed a conversation or two. "Sorry, just taking everything in." He offers to Isabella. The greeting from August did also make him smile and nod, "A Pleasure to meet you." Though as Erin gestures he will bow his head before following along. "Back in a bit." He offers before ending up at Erin's side. "It did get quite crowded." Is suggested. Seeing Erin wave to Joey has Ryan looking towards the man as well, and will offer a bow of his head in greeting.

Lex glances upward as another actually approaches her. What happened to wall-flowering? Green eyes blink at Nicole, and she tips her chin just a bit as she studies the other woman -- almost as if looking for intent. "Hey. You're... uh? Sorry. I'm Lex. And yes, it's... thrilling." So convincing.

"Hey," Jaime says to Lex with a grin when Joey introduces them. "I heard that you were donating some ink time to the cause. Thanks for that." He grins and then follows Joey's gaze over toward Byron and Lilith and says, without looking back at him, "It started with a joking text, and it turned into this. That's how these things happen." He seems pretty happy with the turnout, himself. "No," he says when Joey asks if he's met Graham. Though as Nicole approaches, he grins at her and says, "Heya, Nicole. How's it going?"

Reaching the ballots for the silent auction with the minimum of fuss, a complete lack of interruption of the devouring of his sandwich, and somehow with three jello shots inside him, Carver's mid-way through jotting down a bid for $6969.69. For Something. He seems to have reached a little impasse when it comes to putting down the name of who, exactly, it would be in the name of.

"Sure, let's say hi!" Diana says with a nod, giving James a smile. "You'd mentioned those two before. Must be good friends." She takes the red jello shot, but doesn't seem inclined to bet on who's winning one way or another. She turns to look at Byron and Lilith, shooting a wave in their direction-- they're not waving to her, but maybe she feels it's awkward not to wave, now that James has.

Beth is still idling by the bar, slurping down jello shots casually before tossing them into the trash. She glances to Liam when he wanders over, tongue stuck into a little plastic cup to loosen and slurp jello into her mouth, and she swallows it before rubbing her face with the sleeve of her light-up ugly Christmas sweater. "Hey." She begins before she says, "...Haven't we met before?" She narrows her eyes slightly behind her black-rimmed glasses, as if squinting will improve her memory. Pro tip: It totally won't.

Kass darts a quick glance towards Yule because he's looking, then starts to greet Everett... only to be sabotaged by Sparrow. Sparrow's quick movements are too much for the artist and she's left to freeze up entirely at the hug, eyes wide as saucers and looking vaguely panicked as the scream that was building up turns into a squeaked out, "eee?" Her breathing picks up to near hyperventilating before Sparrow releases her which leaves her feeling a bit light-headed and offering a dazed, "Oh, um.. th-thank you. It was.. it was actually nice. That one." You know, that time with the thing in the place. "Its, uh.. the first time I didn't end up with..." she makes brief scratching motions and finally finds the word, "marks." She flickers a brief smile and murmurs, "It was a good one. Really good." Then she's practically leaping out of her skin again as someone brushes up against her back.

"When I'm done?" Graham repeats this uncertainly, looking down at Elise like that's part of the equation. "Uh, let's just do this now. What's up, Joey." He veers over thataway, throwing out handshakes willy-nilly. Whatever, it's Christmas, everybody already had the flu, they'll all be fine. "Sorry, should I say - what's up, sexiest Kelly." He snickers sloshily.

In Yule leans, a few words whispered towards Sparrow, but then he's letting the hostess go on about her duties of getting the crowd on her side. His hand lifts, offering a firm handshake to Roxy, head dipping into a faint nod. "Pleasure to meet you as well. You donated a dinner, yeah? Good of you to do so. Certain it'll do extremely well." His hand falls away, not lingering overly long, before that charming smile is flashed towards Kass in silent reassurance when he catches just a bit of that exchange between she and the wrestler.

Lex is tipping upnods and the occasional wave toward the unexpected greetings, even smiling at a few. She super sucks at wall-flowering.

A friendly nod and a winning smile is given August when Byron notices the guy. "Looks like the entire town showed up for this event. Not sure if it's for the Jell-O shot, the wrestling or if we're all really curious as to who is the sexiest Kelly brother." Catching sight of Jaime too, he gives that particular Kelly this look of 'I got you'. Even if he's closer to Joey out of the pair. He then asides to Lilith, "Don't think too hard, unless you're really trying to make this fun, then I say go all out." When Lilith tells Isabella that she wants to meet with her from a little breather and drink at some point, Byron looks between the two with some concern in his eyes, but he'll leave it at that. For now, all there is to do is wait for James to make some sort of introduction. "Looks like we're about to find out."

Sutton turns from scrawling her bid on a sheet for tattoo time when she catches sight of Carver's waistcoat. Not Carver, no. The waistcoat has her inhaling to say something right as she's shooting that last jello shot. It globs into her mouth, almost slides down the wrong way, but she coughs, covering her mouth. "... holy fuck." The waistcoat will lay waste to civilization if given half the chance. When she turns back to the sheets, she's writing on the wrong auction slip.

Shaking her head, Nicole grins at Jaime. "It started with me telling Sparrow I would jello wrestle her to prove Joey was the sexier of you two. I might have had a drink, I can't remember if it was after drinking or when we were up too late and high on sugar... but I definitely... obviously... wasn't joking." Looking to Joey she adds, "it was his idea to do this all for charity and then, well, it just kind of took off. I am so happy to see so many people here, doing good for people who are in need."

Alcohol and jello wrestling -- and jello shots. If that wasn't an itinerary to attract Antonio, nothing was. The gentlemen's club owner struts into the gym with a smirk on his face, attired in a hot pink blazer and stark white trousers. Spotting a few familiar faces, Antonio offers a cheerful smile, and soon heads straight for the shots.

Elise was so close to the bar! SO CLOSE! But Graham veers that-a-way and she's got his arm, so she veers that-a-way, too. At least one of them isn't drunk, but it's not because Elise is more responsible. It's just because Graham took all the shots before she got back. "Hey Joey," she says with a smile, and a wave to Jamie, too.

James, as ever, oblivious to the murmurings and wonderings from Lilith and Isabella, mostly because he's mostly focused on Diana as she speaks. And smiles. She's got such a pretty smile. Ahem. "Alright, let's see if we can make it over without being trampled, yeah?", he tells her, and soon enough the pair is making their way (James keeping a sedate pace so as not to aggravate his bruises overmuch) over. "Hey Lil'. Byron. Isabella.", he greets up at each of his childhood friends, all of whom are at least a couple of inches taller. At least. "Everyone alright? Having fun and stuff?", he greets, then looks to Diana- is that a mild blush on his cheeks? "Uhm. This is, ah, Diana. Diana, this is Byron, Lilith, and Isabella. We all used to nerd out together when we were kids. Then they all went ahead and glowed up on me, which doesn't really seem fair, y'know? But what can you do, right?" He pauses. "Erm. Anyway. Hi guys."

Roxy nods to Yule. "Yes, I am a dancer at the Platinum Cabaret, so I do not expect many wealthy people to bid because well, being seen out on the town with a stripper is not likely to do them any favors. But I wanted to do something for charity and others were doing similar things so I decided, why not?"

"Oh, was that how that went? I just remember the texts from Sparrow asking if she could wrestle for my honor," Jaime grins at Nicole. "Either way, I mean.. this is a fantastic turnout and the money is all going to a great cause, so I'm not even sure it really matters /how/ it all happened, just that it happened, you know?" He chuckles at Byron's comment and says, "Pretty sure it's to watch hot ladies wrestling in Jello, Thorne. Thanks for coming out." He gives the man a broad grin.

A tad disappointed at the lack of takers in her perfectly whipped options, she passes one of the two remaining to Mac with a shrug. "Six for the fix!" Was this college level trashy? Maybe. Was she technically in College? Yes. She clinks hers forward and then raises it to her mouth to loosen it with her tongue. Swallowing it whole she processes what had been said to her on the way over here. "Oh cool! That brings my total toooooooo one." The thought made her want to cry but the first wave of shots hit and she laughs instead.

Lyric just listens to all the people having all of the conversations about all of the things in all of the places. There's not really any attempt to talk to anyone, it was already so busy and she knew she'd never to be able to catch up if she even started a conversation. So she remains out of the way and waits and waits and waits for t hings to start.

August huffs a laugh at Isabella, nods and pinky swears. "Fountain of Youth indeed." He bobs his eyebrows, turns his attention to Lilith and Byron. Byron's comment has him scanning the crowd and nodding. "Yeah--glad to see this kind of turnout, honestly. Good for the charity, good for the town." 'And since it's Gray Harbor, it could use some good' is the subtext there.

As James and Diana approach and James makes the introductions, August nods and lifts a hand in greeting. "August," he says. Not a local, or at least, not one from their cohort. (But also, not a local.)

Nodding again to Yule, and there is a long moment when Thewlis stares at Roxy's hand. Taking it to be polite and then turning sheet white when she covers over his. He does half flinch, as if to cover his face to ward off a blow. "Yes. It's Cause. Good. I." he sighs, eyes closing with his head bucking a moment as if yelling something at himself, but only once. When Roxy makes note of her job, his eyes snap open and his brow knits. "Thats... Tha... But. Just a... It's a... Job. I'd... I would. I could... But I have.. Seeing someone... I could bid... Mean to think... bad... Just because." brow knitting as he looks back to Roxy.

"Right?" Sparrow chirps to Kass, even as she flashes a faintly apologetic smile for that affectionate ambush. "Felt like a fucking badass. Inner werewolf is go." Whatever that means. There might be some mental note made about 'marks' but it's certainly not commented upon now. Not when there's a Yule leaning in close to her. Lashes dip to cheeks again, smile skewing sharply left. And she nods agreeably to whatever it is the ME said. To Roxy, she notes, "No hard feelings. Everyone's wrong sometimes. Even gorgeous dancers." She winks to the woman and then bids the group, "I should go and make sure this show's still moving. You all have fun, alright? The jello shots are on the house. And the auction and raffle are open all night." And, with that, she's off. And jingling.

The charming smile from Yule is met with Kass giving him a very THOROUGH visual investigation, peering closely, as if perhaps looking for fangs or claws or tentacles to pop out suddenly. When he remains perfectly normal, she offers a jittery bob of a nod and murmurs, "Pleasedt'meetcha.." Everything run together into a very quick greeting that offers nothing of herself to be picked up. She looks towards Roxy and offers a brief smile and murmurs, "I, uh.. put up a painting for auction.. premade or custom. Winner's choice. Figure if there's ever a reason to take a commission, this is it." Looking back to Sparrow at her response, she offers a brief but warm smile and nods, "I got to be Mothra. Never felt more beautiful or badass in my life."

"Seems we are. Lean down, let me whisper so I don't scandalize everyone... especially James' date, she doesn't know I'm incorrigible, as yet." Lilith nods solidly to Isabella, then speaks to Byron with tug and murmur, vague smile right against his ear with her cosmetic flushed lips to no doubt impart terms of their side bet against each other. Then her eyes cut over to James approaching with Diana as she passes her bet to a wandering bookie yelling odds and betting advert, hand coming to rest at the small of Byron's back after her hand is free of cash and in the grip of wrestling fate to profit or tank.

And you know. It doesn't matter how many years it's been, James knows Lilith is eyeing him in silent and subtle ribbing like 'oh ho, is this is a date?' But she's backhanded and lovely about it afterwards, piping up toward Diana after properly greeting them, "James, James, James. One day, I'm going to peel you out of a hoodie and put you in a suit jacket just to see what you look like. Byron will encourage my ideas, don't worry." Then to Diana, flashing smile, "Hi, I'm Lilith, as stated. Don't believe everything you hear out of this one if he goes talking about me, I promise, I'm not that scary."

Jacob had been lost in his phone for some time, not talking to anyone, but decides to stand up and go have a second look at the auction sheets, having to shoulder his lightly muscled frame in between a few people. One of his bids is fine, but upon inspecting the one that he was really interested in, the doctor frowns, and adds another, much higher bid. He needs that for his office!

Carver doesn't even flinch at the sound of someone choking on Jello beside him. He does, at least, finally settle on a name, putting a fancy little final loop on the ending 'e' and slipping the ballot away, casting only a single glance aside to the blonde hair of Sutton beside him to casually state "I didn't know you were in to that, pet."

Diana seems a little overwhelmed by the crowds, but she's not dashing off to a corner just yet, at least. And her smile remains! She gives another wave toward those gathered again, this time including Isabella in that. "It's always a shame when people grow up, isn't it?" she says with amusement to James as they reach the others. "Nice to meet you, erm, Byron, Lilith, and Isabella!" She's nodding to each person in turn, clearly trying very hard not to forget their names in the rush of the crowd, or worse, confuse Lilith with Isabella! She gives another wave, remembers she's already done that, and forces her hand to her side. "Hi."

Joey lets out a sharp, shrill whistle bending his lower lip. in a shrill chirp! There he is, Nicole. She gets a wink from where he's parked with Jaime replying to his more gregarious bro, "Yeah, funny enough same can be said for my work texts lately." Because whoo dayum! He leans over to give Nicole a hug. That he will move for. Graham comes over and he just shakes his head amused and shakes his head, secret over complicated handshake and whatever, "Eh, just want to say thanks for helping me get the gym put back together man. Is good to see you." Across teh room though Rhys and Antonio get a nod of individual recognition.

Roxy takes her hand back when Thewlis shows distress and she blushes. She looks upset about upsetting him, but his kind words about her job make her smile a little. "That is very kind of you to say. I should go say hello to Joseph. Enjoy your evening," she says to the group before she moves away.

Byron's concerned look earns him a small, but warmer smile. Curling her fingers, she taps those knuckles lightly on his shoulder in silent reassurance.

The glowing lanterns that James' cheeks have transformed into earns another dimpled grin from the green-eyed archaeologist. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm also just starting to get to know James," Isabella tells Diana in a conversational fashion. "These two kids..." Nevermind that Byron and Lilith are actually a year older than her. "...have known him since wee. Very dependable in an adventure, this one. It's nice to meet you, Diana. This is..." But August is already introducing himself, and she laughs. "I think he's pre-empting me now before I introduce him as Doctor August Roen, again. Or August Roen, phD." There's no disagreement, though, regarding Byron's and the botanist's comments about the turnout.

"Their loss. Person is more than their job, yeah? Least I sure as hell hope so, cause that'd make me one deadly boring person, otherwise." Yule offers up to Roxy about her particular job and the potential of what people might think in agreement with Thewlis, a shoulder lifting up into a hapless shrug. "ANd you as well. I'm Yule Duchannes," He offers up to Kass, but his hand doesn't reach out to shake, not just yet, leaving it up to her if she wants to extend that invitation or not, given that peering look she gives him.. "Knock them dead, Sparrow. I'll be rooting for you."

"Sparrow totally made it happen." Nicole nods to Jaime. "I mean, I was totally willing to jello wrestle, but she's the one that orchestrated this... all this. She's kind of amazing." She wrinkles her nose and whispers conspiratorily, "I kind of feel bad for having to kick her ass now." Laughing, she looks around for that red head, upnodding her and giving her a big smile. "But, you are totally right. It doesn't even matter."

Diana adds to Lilith a, "Don't worry, I haven't believed anything yet. And there was so much, too..." she trails off, smiling nervously despite her teasing.

Stopping in his tracks, Everett puts his smartphone back in his inside leather jacket, and from the other one, extracts a pack of iconic white and red Marlboro cigarettes. Turning the pack over, he flicks until one comes out and promptly puts the cancer stick in his mouth while putting the cigarette pack back only to take a lighter from his front pocket. Before someone tells him he can't smoke in the gymnasium, he's already headed for the front doors, white cigarette dangling from thin lips, stealing a glance down at James and Diana. What's that? Did he crack a smile?

Sutton glances up from writing on the slips. She glances over, clearly still distracted. "Of course I am. Who isn't? I have a sleeve." She's not just bid on the tattoo time, but could be a nonsequitor too. Four jello shots isn't enough for drunk utterances. Once the after images of the waistcoat have blinked out of her eyes, she continues down the line looking to see what else is on offer.

"The funeral director from Lawson's funeral home is offering a full makeover." Beth calls out to Jacob as she watches the poor random stranger who did nothing to deserve her attention or harassment look over the silent auctions. "And it's super cheap because for some reason no one wants a mortician to put their hands on their face. You should totally go for it, man." She reaches for another jello shot and slurps it up."

"You got it. Besides, this is what we do. I give you money, you gimme money back, I give you the same money back... It's like our own little economy." Graham smiles a sunny, tipsy smile at Joey, then leeeeeeans into Elise. Like she's supposed to be supporting his weight here. "Speaking of money - I gotta go not put some on this fight." His eyelashes flutter at Joey - wait, no, his eyelashes flutter at Elise, and then they're swallowed by the crowd (or they're in the parking lot, 'cause drunk and twenty-six).

Mac will remember this. She takes the shot gladly and does the turn-gulp needed to loosen and consume ths shot. "Ok, so that was attempt to strike conversation up, and fell flat. That's fine. We want to socialize, we attack." Her eyes narrow to a squint as she stands up on her toes and raises her chin, peering around. She grabs three shots, Maggi's sleeve and drags. She walks them right up to Lyric. "We dont have any other people to talk to, and you don't either. Hi, I'm Mac." She offers a hand with a Jello shot in it.

The emptied is idly played with in Liam's hands as he leans back a little in his chair, one foot planted on the ground to keep his balance and the other leg stretched out under the table. A brief frown purses his lips at a thought, dismissed then with a shrug and a shake of his head. He watches the man with the cigarette head pass, then looks back to the people near the auction table again.

"I mean, she's totally going to kick your ass," Jaime says to Nicole with a grin and a wink. He's gotta have the back of the redhead fighting in his name, after all. "But, in the event that you somehow manage to squeak out a victory, I suppose I don't mind losin' out to Joey." He grins over at his essentially mirror image, save for a few differences in ink, none of which can currently be seen on Jaime, and Joey's more pronounced musculature from boxing more heavily than Jaime. "Pretty sure everyone wins tonight no matter what."

Head lowering again, Thew makes for the bar again, quiet, hunched, head down. Working his way through the mad house he signals for whomever is tending and then signals for a double, not trusting himself to speak aloud. Because he can't.

Roxy makes her way through the throng to where the twins are and taps Joey on the shoulder. "Just wanted to wish you and Nicole good luck tonight. I have money on you," she notes with a small smile. She's looking a touch overwhelmed but keeping it together at least.

"It's just more hoodies underneath. Hoodies all the way down to the core. Which is a twenty-sided die covered in cheeto dust.", James quips back at Lilith, and then asides to Diana, "Don't believe her lies. She is terrifying. Like a hurricane that's on fire. And has sharks, which are also on fire. They're firesharks in a hurricane, is what I'm saying." Have we mentioned James babbles when he's nervous about things, like, say, his old friends meeting his girl-who-is-a-friend? Isabella's words gain a smile, but also a raised eyebrow, as she calls him 'dependable in an adventure'. "... okay, do believe her lies.", he mock-whispers to Diana.

"Not sending anyone your way tonight, Nine!" Sparrow calls back over the din of the crowd toward Yule when he tells her to knock 'em dead. Slipping past Rhys, she leans in just long enough to say something quietly, but she's off again before there's any opportunity to respond. With a noticeable jingle, she hops to a stop in front of Jaime and Nicole, giving the former a nudge of her shoulder to his and the latter a playful glare. "We doing this? I'm ready to do this. Elbows at the ready. Did I mention I've been taking kickboxing classes all semester?" Flutter. Where are the green shots. She's gonna take two before hitting the ring.

Maggi overhears Beth as she begins to be dragged away, grabbing an extra Jello she taps her on the shoulder and waves her in whatever direction she is apparently going. Should she follow, Maggi's slender fingers would hold the shot out to her. Mac said attack so...

"I am absolutely truthful all the time," Isabella banters back. "Don't believe his lies." Along with a smile that is so innocent that it's downright miraculous a SWAT team hasn't raided the place to take her away to a secret supermax in the middle of the Pacific (because that only happens in comic books...right? Right).

Jacob blinks, and squints up at Beth. Then he looks to either side, not finding anyone else immediately within Beth's. She's not talking to me, is she? But she's looking at me. Okay then. With something of a wry grin on his face, the doctor says to the mortician, "You know, I generally try to avoid giving a mortician more business. There was a whole oath, ceremony, and everything." He blinks, and then continues. "..are you implying that I need a makeover?" Jacob reaches up to his face, fingers running through his beard. It's fine. It looks good. They always liked it, before..

"Kass Hughes," Kass offers back to Yule, not offering her hand out, though perhaps not for the reasons expected. She grips the strap of her messenger bag tightly in both hands and murmurs, "Sorry I'm.. I'm not great in crowds. Crowds mean I can't watch everything and there's.. things happening behind me and its very,... upsetting."

As the group of friends allll watch as James brings over his female acquaintance to introduce to them, Byron will give Diana a good, and mostly subtle, look over as he leans in close to Lilith to listen to her proposition. Something that she said brings out an all too amused smile on his lips, perhaps just the hint of a flush to his cheeks, but he seems terribly entertained by the idea. Turning so that his dark eyes meet with her bright blue gaze, there's this thoughtful bite at his lips. "You're on, Winslow."

He then straightens when the introductions are finally made, greeting Diana with a friendly smile and a handshake. "Nice to meet you, Diana." There's this lingering look between the new face and James now and Byron is giving his pal this /look/, like: Good for you, man. "Just a warning," He says, still all grins, "Watch out for that one." He lifts his nod in James' direction. "More than meets the eye and all." Oh look, stuff is happening.

"Twenty minutes in the ring, huh?" There's a low whistle through Carver's teeth as he follows Sutton down the line, only pausing to make a second little bid down on the slip. Then scribbling it out, putting a different figure, and sliding it away. Which would, of course, come at the sound of 'Enter the Jello.'

The back of his palm rapidly slaps Sutton's shoulder as he turns to the ring. "You bet, right? Tell me you bet."

August gives Isabella an amused, sidelong look. 'Maybe', that look says, but he will neither confirm nor deny such reports. He shifts his attention to the ring as Joey begins his announcements, folds his arms.

Nicole says, "Mm... We will see," Nicole grins to Jaime. "I mean, if my ass has to be kicked, I would be honored for it to be her." She sinks into Joey's hug for that brief moment before he goes to get started. "And yes, everyone wins." She smiles to Rozy then and lifts her hand to wave to her. "Hi Roxy! I will try to not dissapoint. Oh! Time for me to go!""

"A pleasure, Kass. And hey, here," Yule steps off from his spot on the wall next to Thewlis, all to let the red haired woman take it over. "By all means, yeah? I get it. Crowds don't bother me nearly as much. And a jello shot or two wou-" It's lost in the ruckus of the crowd and annd announcements as they get started, his phone slipped from his coat to peer at the message that just came across. "That's my cue for work." He murmurs, casting a glance to Kass. "Good to meet you. Don't forget to put in a few bids!"

At the declaration of the 'fight' about to start, Liam perks up; the empty shot set down on the table, he pushes himself up to his feet to make his way over towards the 'battle' about to start, an amused smile crooked to his lips as he walks that way. He hasn't bet, himself. He doesn't even know who's wrestling!

"I placed a bet on the outcome," Erin tells Ryan. Though as things begin, she checks the auction once more then finds a place out of the way of those behind her to watch the match. "I'm glad you came," she tells him, but then most of her attention is on the girls entering the jello. She does call out once, "Get her Nicole!" Then explains to Ryan, "She is my hair dresser."

Jaime gives a loud shrill whistle when Sparrow's name is announced and a whoop to follow to cheer her on as she makes her way toward the jello.

Kass pauses, then slips into the spot Yule vacated and offers a brief smile, "Thanks." Able to put her back to the wall, she looks much more relaxed, her shoulders dropping, the sweater shifting aside to show a patch of airbrushed bodypaint. She's quick to readjust, but it was there. Glancing down to his phone when he looks down, she glances back to Yule and murmurs, "I only had enough for one bid, plus the beter I made."

Sutton nods, "Yep." She scrawls down another bid. This time on something less bleed-y. "Twenty minutes should do it, don't you think?" She glances over her shoulder at Carver, careful to keep her eyes above his waistcoat. "Of course I bet. I have $250 to make back from the f—Bake Sale." She turns to the ring, sliding a pen into her back pocket.

"Oh hey." Lyric had been la-la landing it up! When they approach, she grins and stands beside them. "I'm Lyric, thanks. It's good to meet you." She takes the shot, then the hand and gives it a shake. "Do you have a favorite to win?"

The match is starting, and she manages to put her pinky fingers into her mouth to let out a piercing whistle as the cheering commences. "Ugh, I'm so torn about this," Isabella mutters, standing somewhere within August's bigger, taller, broader shadow. She typically roots for the underdog, but she knows Nicole! Decisions! She does place her bet, eventually, though reminded of the gambling aspects of the event has her searching over the heads of those present. "Hey! Evans!" she calls to Rhys, once she finds him. "Did anyone tell you the odds?!"

Beth waves a hand and lets out little raspberry in response to Jacob's statement. Okay, so she may have been sitting there eating jello shots since the event started, and it may have caught up with her. "Oaths smoaths. Death comes to us all." She slips her hands into her sleeves and does he best impression of ominous. It doesn't really work considering she is wearing a light up Christmas sweater. His next question earns a shrug of a shoulder. "Do you? I mean I guess if you laid down I could trim your beard for you." The announcement for the jello bout starting draws her attention to the pit, and she leans over a bit to see the action.

"Good luck then, for both of our bets." Yule offers up to Kass before he turns, slipping through the crowds as his phone vibrates again, another message coming up on it before he stuffs it back down into his pants pocket. A moment later, and he's out through the exit.

Lilith bats her lashes with darling at Byron and is clearly pleased at the subtle flush, indicating it's on and she didn't just make a proposition to him that wasn't crowd-friendly before she looks back at Diana and James. She just kind of scoffs at James' claims about multiple hoodies, cheeto dust, and most of all, her being as scary as flaming hurricane sharks flying around in chummed water or something of the ilk. But it amuses her all the same and turns into a laugh before she reaches out to touch with squeeze of delayed 'hello' at August's forearm where he stands by Isabella nearby.

Then the mic is taken and things are underway, sending her attention thattaway as she takes a nip from the flask again and passes it to Byron. After a beat of idle looking at the gathering, though, she does a double take when she seizes eyes on Carver. Then she stares and tilts her head a little as if trying to figure out if him at a social gathering or the vest is more unlikely. Either way, he's here, and holy hell. Putting a hand on her hip with pop out, she waves a hand at him to get his eyes, points at his attire, then shakes her head with faux disappointment, despite the amusement in her eyes. Then she mouths, maybe unsurprisingly, "Burn it."

Rhys has just barely enough time to wish luck to the combatants as they pass like proverbial ships in the night on his way across the room; Sparrow's murmur gets a flicker of a grin and then a too-solemn inclination of the antlered head before he moves on, snagging a couple of the shots and pausing to make sure he gets his bet in before he manages to make it to where Joey and co are standing. "Nice turnout," he greets the guy, with a more lasting grin, particularly when the announcement's made from the ring. He cheers loudly for both fighters before adding conversationally to Joey, "Snazzy suit, too." Catching Isabella's question, he laughs, calling back, "I made an inside inquiry! Did you avoid them? ...nice antlers!" He gives the ones on his own head a little punctuating shake.

Roxy finally moves to investigate the jello shots, taking a red one with her back to another wall spot where she can watch. She smiles a little at the theatrics of it, before drinking down, well slurping down, who the hell invented this awkward things, her shot.

Jacob squints once again at Beth's elaboration. But then the fight' starting, which pulls his attention away briefly, but not before dealing with this little thing. "I think I'm fine as is, but in the name of charity, I guess I can figure out someone to give this to.." One hand stays on his beard, while the other hand reaches out to the auction sheet for the makeover, making a bid with a few zeroes on the end of it. And then he turns away towards the fight as it's about to begin, fingers still in his beard, suddenly feeling extremely self-conscious about his appearance.

Hark! Jello shots! Fight's beginning. Perfect cover. Noelle Duchannes loiters on the sidewalk outside until Yule Duchannes exits the gym and disappears. She slinks out from behind a trash can, where all the savviest sneaking lurkers (and raccoons) loiter. She slips inside, skitters around the crowd, hugs the wall, and makes a one-two-three bidding pass, looping her distinctive writing on the slips. It's almost like there can only be one Duchannes in any one event room at the same time.

"Sparrow!" Abitha is quick to chirp, the speed and enthusiasm of the delivery probably at least striking Maggi as odd. "She's the best! She works with me at the Control Pad. Also this is Maggi, cause I'm terrible at introductions." She tugs on the blonde's sleeve demonstratively.

Thewlis is no where near Yule when he looks. He's at the bar, ordering booze. Liquid Courage. Something to focus on. He looks embarrassed, stressed, and twitchy. Looking down at the table serving as the bar area only too look up at announcements... and a dress is off... and he is beet red. Thewlis signals for another drink, and keeps his eyes down, picking up his small collection and heading for the wall, looking practically on the verge of panic to get there.

Did she avoid knowing the odds? "Like a god damn plague!" Isabella tells Rhys with a laugh. "Rumor has it that you're my neighbor. Extremely offended that you haven't borrowed a cup of sugar after all this time, by the way. But I'll forgive you because you clearly have excellent taste in couture!" She means the antlers, and she wiggles her own back at him, like two stags about to knock heads in the wild. With the contestants tumbling out, though, she lets out another encouraging, piercing whistle when Sparrow makes it to the 'ring'.

From outside, Everett exhales and then looks inside once the door was opened by Noelle. Watching for a moment, with a twist and a tilt of his head, he pauses to bring the cigarette to his lips and inhale but doesn't exhale while the tall man watches what he can through the crowd. Unimpressed with the limited view, he lets the door go and goes back to his stress reliever in cigarette form.

Maggi gives a rye smile to Lyric. A tad sad she was 0/2 on social interactions for the night. "I'm Maggi," she says raising the shot she had grabbed for someone else in response. Seeing Sparrow's sexy reveal she gives a whistle before answering. "Well I didn't have one till she did that. DAMN!" She takes out her phone and sends a quick text. Her smile widens in alcohol lubricated recognition to Lyric. "Lyric, you donated a shit pile to this auction right? Renaissance woman!"

"That... honestly does help," Diana says with an awkward little laugh for Isabella. "And it's good to meet you, Dr. August Roen, PhD! Never can tell when a degree will come in handy-- or someone with one, in any case!" She smiles, then laughs again at James' teasing of Lilith, shaking her head. "That'd make a really great movie script, actually. You should get on that," she teases him instead, though she does add after, "I mean, in between your adventuring, of course." She's apparently gullible enough to assume he's just as good as Isabella says! She then says to Isabella, "And no worries, I believe all the lies. It's pretty much my career prerogative, as a paranormal investigator." She smirks at that, not taking herself too seriously, it seems. She merely smiles to all the various look-overs she's getting; it's kind of expected, when meeting a romantic ... something's friends. Even so, the smile is a little more than a little nervous. She stops smiling, though, long enough to adopt a serious expression at Byron's 'warning.' "Oh, you bet. I'll keep an eagle eye on him. Never know what you'll find, with him." And the smile is back as she turns to look at the ring. "I don't know either of them," she confides to James in a theatrical murmur. "Who do you want me to cheer on for you?" She smiles toward Rhys when she sees Isabella talking in his direction. A familiar face! She waves politely.

Carver rests up against the ballot table for a second before patting Sutton on the side and heading out to hunt down more Jello shots. He's about half on the route over, and so tantalizingly close to a cup when Lilith's look catches him. He freezes, straightens, and then finally scoops up the cup to touch it to his forehead in a little salute, mouthing as clear as he can manage: "Tried. Didn't work. It owns me now."

As he turns to watch the fight get underway? Kinda hard to tell if he's joking.

"I know Sparrow, we went to school together and she's got a band. We see each other at karaoke all the time." Lyric smiles at Maggi, "It's great meeting you. I am a DJ at the Cabaret. I think Sparrow will win." Glancing out there. "Me? Oh no, not really I don't have that much money. But I did bid once."

Sutton is distracted by the wall of slips one more time. She smirks and quietly pens a bid in in the name of a dear friend. If she wins, the firehouse is gonna get quite a show from the pizza guy. She finally turns back to the fight, sliding her hands into her pockets. Who doesn't love a good jello wrassle?

James ducks his head at that look from Byron, giving him a momentary side-eye, but smiling warmly up at his old friend. That look of 'I KNOW, RIGHT??'. He does, however, notice Diana's nervousness- it doesn't take his powers to feel that, not when they're this close. He gently squeezes her arm with his in a 'hey, I got you' kind of gesture, which, for those who know him, is pretty amazing to see coming from the usually frazzled ginger beardo. He laughs softly at her teasing, and turns back to the others, just in time for all these announcements and there's jello wrestling about to start and he blinks. Glances at Diana. Then back up to the ring. As available 'date' options go, watching two half-naked women wrestle one another in a giant pool of jello seems to rank pretty high up there on the awkward factor, thus, James remains as ever On-Brand (tm). "I need more jello shots. Anyone else need more jello shots?" Diana's question has him smiling sheepishly. "I, uh, don't know either of them anyway- I just kinda thought you'd want to come because of the charity and stuff- I'd probably be hiding at the nearest bar otherwise."

August's mouth twitches in a wry almost-smile for Diana. "Well, it's plants in my case, so if you need some help with plants, I might be able to put the degree to use for you." He looks sidelong at Isabella, back at the ring. He's rooting for Nicole, since she went to the Murray House and helped sort that latest nonsense. He didn't bet, though; auction bids seem like enough in that regard. The smile turns less wry, more genuine for Lilith at the arm squeeze, a silent hello after a hell of a week. Then his attention shifts back to the ring.

Joey grins to the spectacle of the ring nad lets out a shrill whistle. And-it's not often the Boxer is taken aback but that's a hell of a championship bout. He winks back at Nicole and tells Jaime and Rhys, "And that's why I'm not fucking announcing because right now I can'te remember what the shit I'd be doin." He does the introductions, "Rhys, my brother Jaime. Jaim' this is Rhys. Manager at Firefly. Good dude."

The sidelong glance from August gets a very wide, very humored grin from Isabella, baring a hint of her teeth. There's a surreptitious wink cast Diana's way when she calls the man by his full title and even offers her fist forward for a bump. "Nice. I like investigators. They question everything and drive me crazy." And she says this like it is the most flattering compliment anyone can ever receive.

Abitha playfully shoves Maggi, like a puppy trying to ahove a larger puppy. Not alot of force. Fuck, she must have done the math wrong. "Dont mind her, we had to QA the shots." The noise and Maggi's reaction finally draw Abitha's attention towards the ring, she starts to cheer, then suddenly seems a little... Confused? Like for some reason she had no idea this was going to happen. She immediately looks back to Lyric, "Wait, DJ? What do you like to mix?"

Noelle swings by the refreshment table, leaving it at least six shots lighter. She smells like dumplings (lemongrass and spicy sauce), and she trails that though the venue on her way out and around the other side of the gym, ducking past some dude in a Santa hat. She offers a shot to Santa, leaving it on his table, then hits a minor body-clog in the flow of traffic. She ducks this way, wends that way, and drops wad of sweaty cash on a little bet.

Jaime's attention is mainly on the bout, but when Rhys comes over and Joey introduces him, he lifts his chin in greeting and gives the man a friendly easy grin. "Hey, nice to meet you. Firefly, huh? Haven't been there in a while. How's business?" He offers the man a hand to shake if he likes. He's still keeping an eye on the ring, though as Duarte announces the start.

Beth's lips twitch upwards in barely restrained mirth when Jacob writes down his bid. She calls out, "Use it for yourself. You know it's nearly 2020. Men can wear makeup!" She picks up a small handful of jello shots, and starts towards the wall where Thewlis happens to be. She leans against it to watch the fight as well, giving Thewlis an askance glance accompanied by an easy smile. "It was nice what you did for Mrs. Robinson. I think it's harder for her because she relied on Mr. Robinson for so long."

"Hey, you heard the rumours and didn't come borrow a cup of sugar yourself? I think I should be the offended one!" Rhys replies to Isabella, "But forgiven for reasons of exquisite taste in headwear, and also that I'm pretty sure I don't have an entire cup of sugar." Diana gets a grin and wave back, too (some of which might spill over on their other companions as well), which reminds him there's a shot in that hand, so he fixes that swiftly. Mm, slippery.

"Nice to properly meet you," he says brightly to Jaime, offering the freshly-freed hand, and finding it meeting Jaime's right there to shake. "Doing not half bad. You ought to come by again, I'm sure it misses you." But the doings in the ring are a distraction now and need proper cheering on, of course.

Maggi's eyes are now fixed to the ring, there being sparkles and noise coming from it, the comment and shove cause her to look back at Lyric, blinking. "Girl SAME. I keep getting outbid and I have rent. I apologize, I think I was referring to 'Love' never met her either and I have had several Jello Shots. DJing is rad though. Ever add in any Rock?" Waiting for an answer she gives a cheer for Sparrow and pats the top of Mac's head condescendingly without looking as her eyes return to the ring. She cocks her head toward Lyric so she can hear her though.

No Duchannes throws up a double peace sign after she stuffs the shots bravely into the pockets of her green army jacket. "Bid on the Vespa ride!" Just after the ding. With that subtle reminder, and her olfactory lure, she exits stage left! She can totally drive her Vespa with one hand while downing shots on her delivery route. What's the worst that could happen? She glances back at the ring, catches some of the dialogue from back there, and almost falls out the door.

There is a moment where Thew hunches and flinches when he is acknowledged, downing another shot. "I... She..." There is a moment considered. "She. It's not... Not fair. Not to have... when something bad... I." brow knitting. "Cemetery won't fight it... can use... headstone cost... tax write-off." because sometimes the wrong headstone is ordered... and it's the nicer one. He looks to Beth, for a moment before his eyes are down.

"I don't get to mix at the Cabaret, it's straight songs. I get the sets ready for the dancers and play dance songs in between and generally try to keep the party going and the patrons wanting to stay and drink. The dancers do that though on their own." Lyric grins, taking the jello shot finally.

Welp, that makes Abitha feel like a heel for asking. Also the red-head's banter from the ring has Abitha immediately announcing, "Need more shots!" She spins on her heel, finally letting go of Maggi to wander over to the bar to liberate more jello containers. She returns shortly to the spot between Maggi and Lyric holding one out in either direction to the other women, but her eyes definitely not on the ring.

Diana looks over at James warmly at the squeeze to her arm, lips setting into a wry smile. She begins interestedly watching the match, seeming surprised as James decided he needs jello shots. Still, she says, "I'd like a green one, please. I had red last time." She squeezes his arm right back before letting go so he can leave-- and gives a sudden laugh when he says he knows neither of the wrestlers. "Oh! I thought you'd want to come, because charity and maybe you'd know the people! That's funny." She grins, shaking her head, and pecks his cheek. She then looks to August, nodding as he talks about his degree. "Ooooh, that's fascinating! I wouldn't presume to steal you away for plant troubles, all the same-- I have a black thumb, I'm pretty sure. Always over or underwatering everything." She winces, then adds, "Not that I don't like plants, I'm just rubbish with them." She fist bumps Isabella right back then, seeming highly pleased. "And I like being a liked quantity, so thanks!" She gives a little laugh, teasing James (if he's not left for shots yet), "You didn't tell me she likes investigators!" She shoots a grin his way, either way.

Sidling along the wall, Kass moves in closer to JOey and Jaime, reaching out with a tentative touch to tap them both on the shoulder, offering a quick greeting, "Jaime, Joey. Thanks again for inviting me to the Thanksgiving thing. I have to go to work, but uh.. good luck with everything." She offers a brief smile before starting to shuffle her way back through the crowds and towards the exit.

Roxy watches the battling, wincing here and there for Jello in places no one should ever have Jello, but she cheers for the girls each in turn.

"No, you're completely right." Beth says with a soft nod of her head in agreement with Thewlis. "It isn't fair. She's going to have a hard enough time of it without him there. It's been something I've been thinking about a lot." She says without taking her eyes away from the fight. It's hard to tell if it's because she is trying to make Thewlis more comfortable by not looking at him or if she is truly fascinated by bikini-clad women writhing in jello. "How do we make ends meet for the business while also being compassionate to people, I mean."

Carver, being Carver, makes sure to down at least four, no, five jello shots before waiting with the patience of a saint for the perfect lull in the sound of the crowd. Then, and only then, does he unleash the ...second? most-accented "FUCK 'ER UP, LASS!" this Gym may ever have heard.

Hell knows who he was cheering for.

"Heya, Kass. Thanks for coming out," Jaime says to her, giving her a grin. "Appreciate the donation, as well." He then says, "And thanks for the sidewalk chalk with the kids on Thanksgiving. It definitely helped out keeping all the kids entertained." He turns then to cheer Sparrow on, "Come on Sparrow! Take her down!" He then grins at Rhys and says, "I'll definitely stop by again soon."

James has in fact fled to get some shots, even if he has to do so at a slower pace. "Who doesn't like investigators?", he calls back to Diana as he flees. Though- did anyone else catch that peck to his cheek? 'Cause he sure as hell did. Hey look suddenly he matches the color of his hat! Once he reaches the jello shots, he downs one immediately, and then, just to make sure it doesn't get lost, sends another down after it. Buddy system, guys. He then scoops up four more to bring back to Diana. He keeps his attention on the shots, must not drop them, and mostly keeps his eyes away from the shenanigans in the ring. He finds his way back to Diana, holding up the jiggling drinks, before glancing back at the others.. who are all focused on the ring. Yup, time for another shot.

Opening the door again, Everett drops his cigarette and makes sure to step it out before kicking it to the side, out of the walkway. Disenchanted, he ducks back under the frame and enters again to take a look at the fight already in progress, perhaps trying to see if there's a clear winner while he extracts his phone once more from his leather jacket to check his bids, stepping out of the way of the entrance with his head down and his long black hair cascading down.

"I... I can. I can." Thewlis's eyes close and he bites his lips. "Will. I. Can. I can check. Will check in. Can help. Groceries. Repairs." he sighs and takes a long moment. "Know what... It can be like. Not fair."

"Oh thanks!" Lyric takes the shot that was brought and smiles at Abitha. "Do you not like the wrestling?" Maybe just now noticing she's not watching the ring at all.

"Well, we give classes, if you're interested--indoor and outdoor gardening," August offers to Diana. "But I'll admit, it's not for everyone, just like anything else." He says this amiably enough and without judgment.

He watches the match go back and forth, wonders how either of them are staying on their feet. He's not sure he could. He winces for Nicole, bites his lip.

There's a delayed rolleyes at Carver's claim about the vest before everything kicks off, then Lilith is pretty quiet and intent on the ring while taking the occasional nip or making the occasional whistle when things look to be in Nicole's favor here and there, maybe outing who she bet on. Shifting weight between hips, she glances at Diana a little more closely on the sly after the paranormal investigator claim, pensive a beat, but mostly she's watching the ring instead of trying to facilitate any continued conversation while the fight is on. Also she nudges her elbow subtle at Byron here and there when it looks like she might be skewed toward bet favor on their own personal front.

Sutton returns from the shots table. It's easy to find Carver. Because that bellow had far too much enunciation (it had little, really), she hands him another shot. "Here you go, love. Bottoms up." She raises her fingers to her lips and shrills out a sharp whistle to urge the fighters on in their jellotastic stylings.

"That would be nice of you." Beth says, and she reaches over to offer him one of the jello shots she's holding while the other is brought to her lips so she can shake it into her mouth. Her head turns to look in Carver's direction at that statement, and an amused snort escapes her.

Maggi nods sagely, trying to keep an eye out for Mac until she returns. She pauses on taking the shot that she is handed, the previous ones coming at her VERY fast. "Do you mix for fun ever? I am not anything but a Rock gal personally, but I can respect the talent it takes. You seem creative." This is said to Lyric. Maggi checks her phone again before noticing Mac's averted eyes and Lyrics comment. Maggi had her suspicions, but never wanted to assume. Maybe this would be her answer.

Joey leans on his brother's shoulder and just shakes his head. "Pretty certain this is what winning at life by Kelly standards looks like. " He calles up tot eh ring, "DUARTE, this is totally going up on Youtube man." It's not often Joey is just in a relaxed, amused mood but holidays and shit. "Heeeey Kass. Thank you for helping hold the fort down."

"I mean, yeah, they probably will be now they've fallen over." Carver replies to Sutton immediately, taking the offering from her hands and wincing at just how loud that whistle is so close to his ear.

"People should do... for... others. Decent." Thewlis accepts the drink with a nod, slurping down the jell-o shot and starting to relax as the alcohol sets in. He looks back to the ongoing match, brows raising.

Oh, thank goodness, Lyric talked so Abitha can look at her without it being awkward, "Yeah, I uh... I've never been to something like this in person. But yaknow, charity. I put up stuff from my shop to auction, so here to support the cause!" She moves a fist across her body in that universal working gesture. The hand goes to pull a fly away bacm behund her ear, "Buuut, I'm just a weirdo, so yeah... Awkward." Her eyes drift up to examine the decorations.

August groans and rubs at his eyes when he feels the tell-tale sheen of someone using their Glimmer. He pointedly gives Sparrow a long-suffering look. "What was that," he mutters under his breath.

Easton makes his way into the event, very late but at least he made it. He's dressed in his usual tee-shirt and jeans and is immediately seeking out a drink. And then possibly some familiar faces. Or at the very least seeking to be seen by some. The use of glimmer from the ring causes a WTF look to cross his face as he looks around, confused as to what he just walked into.

"Oh sure, we're in a band." We, being other people who aren't here currently. "We do all the time. We all write songs, but Park, she writes some really crazy songs. A lot of fun though." Lyric smiles at Abitha, "Well we're friends so that works, I mean we can be friends now. If you want?" She looks at Sparrow and frowns. "She's cheating, that's no fun."

"...oh my god, they're cheating," Isabella whispers to the rest of her group. There's a long, drawn out pause.

And then, her grin widens. "YES!"

Roxy blinks at the sight of Sparrow beginnning to sparkle and she peers with wide blue eyes at the wrestling from her spot on the wall.

Beth can only nod her head in agreement with Thewlis's statement. She turns her attention back to the fight, and shakes her head just a touch. She murmurs, "Good thing I put money on both of them."

Sutton does a mean whistle. She coulda been a construction worker in a previous life with a whistle like that. She slurps down a jello shot, her hand sliding down Carver's back in a light touch. She squints and glances at the jello tubs. This cheating shit is so blatant even she can see it past the Christmas waistcoat, and she has the mystical strength of a wet paper bag full of quinoa. "... I need a cigarette."

Diana laughs to James' retreating form as he calls out about investigators, and then turns her attention to the ring for a bit. She even has to be tapped on the shoulder or spoken to, to make her realize James is back-- and with booze! She smiles warmly at him, definitely not seeming to notice Lilith's closer once-over, and tips up one of the green jello shots. When August talks about classes, she cants her head to the side interestedly. "Oh! Yes, that sounds like a lot of fun. I'll take a class, and maybe upgrade to brown thumb!" She grins, but does seem to have been serious about the 'taking a class' part, since she asks, "Where are the classes held, and how often?" She looks back at the match, then blinks first at something she sees in the ring, and then what Isabella whispers. She laughs, almost too loudly, and covers her mouth in embarrassment.

August isn't the only one savvy to what probably just happened there, despite it not being quite as helpful as someone might have hoped. So she thinks about evening things out quite visibly with a much more subtle exertion flash for the next charge because fair is fair, isn't it? Hood rules. But then when the outside parties start interfering, it can become a bit of a freeforall, considering, so...

After looking aside at August and Isabella, she decides, "I'm going to be good because I'm not losing yet, but if I lose money to cheating, it's very possible I'd break..."

After a moment, she bats her lashes, like she senses something in the crowd, but missed the source, "Oh hell no."

James hands Diana her drink when he returns, blinks as the surge of Glimmer from the ring finally forces his attention up there, and he sees that one of the scantily clad combatants has that dang heat-shimmer of utter weirdness that he mentally associates with Glimmer usage. His jaw falls open a moment, and then he sighs, facepalming. "... this goddamn town.", he mutters under his breath, just as Isabella and Diana are cheering for it. And Lilith is talking about cheating with powers as well, and he just looks around himself, wondering if everyone else has just gone insane or if it's just him.

It's Gray Harbor, James. Everything is fine.

Maggi's blue eyes grow saucer sized and she begins to look about the room. Did no one else see Sparrow GLOW...not like the Netflix show. She looks in shock at Lyric "Why does no one look surprised!?!?" Her tone has some incredulity to it. Was this like her and Leon? Was there government conspiracy afoot? Now she downs her shot. She shoves Mac.

"Really? Yeah, I'd like that!" Mac grins at Lyric, but her attention is actually drawn to the ring when she hears that and... "What the..." Ok, all that shyness to watch apparently was gone as the presence of whatever was going on just... Kinda puts her in a confused fugue. Until Maggi shoves her, then she looks at her with saucer-shaped eyes.

Watching still... the person who was nice to him is down, and Thewlis acts on instinct, concentrating on the fight, finishing his last shot and tucking his hands into his pockets. Mouth pulled in a tight frown, trying to keep from looking away

Yup. Everything's fine. Carver's glance to Sparrow, and the immediate follow-up glance in Thewlis' direction? That has him taking Sutton's hand by the wrist, albeit with a gentle grasp. "Smoke, yes. Smoke good."

There's a lovely little piercing whistle from his lips in Lilith's direction as he's getting a hustle on towards the door. Because, hey. When Carver pointedly eye-stares at someone, that usually means something.

"Because she was glowing and so was he." Lyric points out Thewlis. Friends with the man though, she doesn't think anything bad of it. "Someone is cheating though, I guess it's kinda funny but if people bet money they may be mad if they lose cause of it." She had opted not to bet, just bid. "Are you okay Maggi?"

Jacob 's brow furrows upon seeing the dyed red head in the ring start sparkling, and then another in the crowd, and then another does. He'd been relatively guarded with his usage of his glimmer since arriving in Gray Harbor, but others in the crowd are certainly not being subtle. He sees Sparrow pop off well enough, for all the good that does her, but as to who in the crowd is at it in particular is beyond him. Just kind of an overall shine. Something about it all makes him turn away from the ring, suddenly finding great interest in the portraits on the walls from the olden days.

It's only fun when everyone is cheating though. At Lilith's remarks, Isabella turns her eyes towards Nicole, expectantly, to see how she would fare with the deck suddenly stacked against her.

Easton sees Sutton and Carver headed out for a smoke and he makes his way towards them, hoping to catch her eye. It's hard in the crowd though and all he can do is give her a semi concerned look, whatever that means.

Someone else has taken Garrett's lead and is wandering around with an improvised tray of drinks, and happens to stop in confusion when things get odd in the ring, glancing around. Glimmerers. Even Rhys, who stands out around here mainly by dint of standing out less than anyone else (antlers aside) blinks as something suddenly seems... odd, but clearly this is either the fault of drinks appearing beside him or having not had enough of said drinks, so he just snags another few off the tray while the volunteer server is distracted anyway, with a bright, "Thanks!" followed by adding another whistle to the encouragement for the fighters. Which fighter? Who cares, really? Not like the audience can really affect the outcome. ...right, guys?

Sutton is squinting at the slippery jello combatants for a second more when her hand is taken and she's led toward the door by a suddenly-exceptionally-supportive-of-cigs Carver. She catches Easy's look but not the expression/meaning behind it, lifts a hand to wave, and off she goes out the door.

Maggi turns to face Lyric, swiveling in a stiff manner. "I knew a grand total of 1 other person who could do anything like that." The questions start spilling out faster than she can stop them at this point. "How many people can do that? Do other people set stuff on fire too? How can you see it? What did Sparrow do!!?!?" Maggi couldn't tell if she was more frightened or excited.

Diana's gaze shifts about the crowd curiously, no doubt trying to figure out who precisely is at it. She looks fascinated rather than disgusted or in any way worried about how the match will end up, in the end. Poor James is mostly being ignored in favor of OOOH STUFF, but she does peck him on the cheek at one point, just letting him know she's still there. Beyond that, she's looking at the crowd-- and at the contestants.

Glancing up from his digital donations, Everett looks around, pausing once to notice that one of the jello wrestlers starts to shine. He stares dispassionately for a second, and tucks his smartphone back into his leather jacket then uses his left hand to rake the long hair on that side of his head over his shoulder, not that it stays there long. Army green eyes open a little wider, then his head shakes. When that happens, its time to go and in turning around, Everett spies the person that taught him that rule. A prompt glace in the wall flowering Lex's direction, sends Everett's rebuked gaze down as he ducks under the doorframe again when leaving.

This was all fun and games. The whole event was for a good cause and everyone was in good spirits with Jell-O to be had. Byron is only making small talk, though mostly with Lilith, due to her ribbing. Whatever is on the table between the two of them, the results of the match will determine something entertaining, most likely. It's only when Isabella brings up cheating, just as Byron is about to whisper something to Lil, his attention is drawn first to the ring and then to the crowd as a whole. "It's a good thing then, I suppose, that this isn't a professional event or the match would definitely be stopped by now." If the referees and the officials knew anything about Glimmer anyway.

August squints, catching more of this going on. Sighs the sigh of someone whose boundless patience is rapidly becoming bounded. "This is why I didn't bet," he asides to Byron, with a rueful lift of his eyebrows.

Carver and Sutton: Out. It's a winding little weave that includes his own little hand-wave in Easton's direction, a diversion around the sheer mass that is Everett...

And if anyone could even think about hearing something over the sounds of the crowd, a quiet little graveled voice that comes in a soft susurrus from the other side of the door as they duck on out.

"Fanks, Puppet."

At August's remark, Byron just has to laugh with a shake of his head, "It's all in fun and games right? I mean, like this was really going to be the determining factor on Kelly hotness?" Obviously, the money part doesn't concern him much. His was a throw away bet at the time. Sorry Sparrow.

Erin glances at August. "I did. I bet five hundred. On Nicole." She's seated somewhere nearby but says nothing else.

Abitha is proccessing things behind the veil of fortifying alcohol, so it takes her a second to make the connection, staring at Maggi, "Too?" She also wheels on Lyric, "Other people do weird shit?!"

August winces in apology and sympathy for Erin. "Well, you could, ah..." He gestures, pulls a face, shrugs.

Lilith stops looking around on the sly, suddenly, when Carver whistles and gets eyes on Thewlis, and the commotion in the crowd is starting to pick up given the certain ways of the populace. But does she cheat? Nope. She takes a page out of the Kelly rulebook and just decides to discourage any further cheating from the crowd while the twins are occupied with the ring. Someone else can worry about what the wrestlers choose to do or not do in the ring, but outside messing with her bet and money and everyone else's? Whole lots of nopes from the look she casts at Byron.

She doesn't say a thing or act out visibly, though, she just goes back to watching the ring and drinks from her flask, like she's not doing a damn thing about it. She is, though. It's possible that Thewlis might get a sudden snap of bruise like a 'no' right in the chest, especially once Erin says she bet a five hundred spot on one of the parties.

Taking a longer look around, Lyric bobs her head, "You should be able to see who can if you can. Everyone here can." She points out Rhys. "But not him." Tilting her head. "That's why new people come here, they are drawn here. Maybe we can talk about it a little later?" So many people around.

The girls are all excited, but James is with the boys on this one- #TeamBemused. The flickers and flashes of other Glimmer uses in the crowd cause him to wince a little- the peck to his cheek distracting him for a moment, before he looks over between the happenings in the ring and the way Diana is fascinatedly watching the people casually playing with forces beyond their understanding, which of course is going to end very, very well for all involved, because that's how these things always go right? Still, Diana looks so happy, and he moves to stand closer to her, slipping his arm in with his a moment- if for no other reason than to be nearby and keep her safe when some hell-rift opens up and disgorges a mass of creepy dolls with knives on them all or something.

Joey looks to Byron lifting his eyes from where they're honed in on the ring. His head tilts in the expression of Right!? and points to his brother. He will always endorse Jaime's the good looking one in spite of them being mirror identical. It there glimmer? Is he aware? All he saids to Jaime is "This place be full of some holiday spirit or some shit, man."

Jaime claps his hand on Joey's shoulder and says, "There's definitely some holiday sparkle in the air." He can't help but grin a little bit and shakes his head. But he doesn't seem to react all that much to it, other than he does seem to notice, if nothing else.

Jacob finds himself pegged in the back of the head by some of the jello flying from the ring. This elicits a grunt from the doctor, making him turn and head towards the exit, spotting Sutton and Carver heading out as well. Oh, her. He has a few questions for her. He heads out the door after them, to avoid further jello incidents on his work outfit.

Maggi's head starts to dart around in a panicked fashion, trying to focus on Lyrics words. "Seriously I only felt the magnetic thing, I've never seen..." She stops and starts again. "I only accidentally..." Now she starts to shuffle her feet. "Leon said bad stuff happens..." Maggi's eyes have stayed as wide as can be, looking to Lyric now for help, no longer watching the match.

Struck, but unsure from where, only that he hurts and it's something that he knows. The hit to his chest causes Thew to drop what he has, arms flying up to his face and he drops. Trying to be small now, scrabbling for a corner half crawling along the floor as he goes. He's not flat out running for his life, but he's on the verge of panic. "No! I. I didn't! I'm sorry! I didn't! I!"

Abitha was suitably floored by the information, a look of wonder spreading across her face. In that moment, she opens up. Using just that weird bit of empathy, she tries to feel what the people around her were, trying to really see if this was normal. She knew she felt surprise and... fear? from Maggi, but she tries to hone in on others, really read the room.

"Shhh, it can, it can happen. Bad things, I mean." Lyric puts a hand on her arm. "The shadows are bad and if you use it so much, they do come, you gotta be careful." Her voice is quiet. Her other hand goes to Abitha and she tries to be quiet and helpful. "It'll be fine, just be careful."

"Oh my God! Be right back!" Lyric lets go of the girls and rushes over to Thew, getting to his level, "Hey, no hey, Thew, it's Lyric, hey look at me.." trying to be reassuring.

Beth was just sitting there observing the glimmers flying about the room with a raise of her brow. Then Thewlis is dropping empty glasses and himself onto the floor. "Shit! Hey...man, it's okay!" She cries out, a little startled herself, before she remembers shouting probably isn't going to help the situation. "Hey..." She begins a little more calmly and subtly. "It's okay. Let's just get you out of here for some air, okay?"

Diana leans her head against James' shoulder, briefly taking time away from crowd-staring and match-watching just for that reason. She squeezes his arm, and only then seems to notice that he's looking so dismayed. She straightens, and after a pause, she pulls him into a hug right then and there. Or attempts to, anyway. She's apparently not too embarrassed to just hug mid-match, crowd of people nearby or no. Quietly, she whispers, "You okay? What's going on?"

With all this buzz going on around them about cheaters in an event like this one, of all things, Byron can't help but be a little amused by the whole thing. Surely, it's in bad spirit, but he saw this as a simple exhibition match than anything more important. If anything, he'd caught wind that the creepy gravedigger, or whatever he'd like to be called, Thewlis, doing /something/ or other in the midst of the chaos. In fact, a few people have been calling him out. But then hearing the man's panicked words, he can only imagine that this was retaliation from someone who-- Then his eyes are on Lilith who now falls under his scrutinizing gaze. Obviously, he's not about to say anything. That's what happens if you piss her off, he knows that much. Leaning in against her, he drapes an arm over her shoulder. "Looks like it's over. I think. Whether they'll let this stand or not, that's up to them. But I have to check on a few things." Probably the auctions.

Maggi would offer to help Lyric out with the panicking man, but she seemed to have it handled, and the two seemed familiar. Instead she stops giving a damn about personal space and drags Mac by the wrist toward the door, snatching two jello shots in one hand and frantically typing with the other on her phone. Her face is very serious, her pace quick.

James stiffens a little at the sudden hug, but starts relaxing- or at least returning to normal, while not squirming out of it or anything. "I-it's ok. I'm ok. I, uh, I think the match is almost over?", he says, a little hopefully, glancing to the ring just in time to catch Nicole smooching Sparrow. "... uhh.. hey, I'm hungry. Are you hungry? You wanna go somewhere else? And eat? Because you're hungry?", he asks Diana.

Still holding it together, despite people coming at him, and yelling, Thewlis continues to scoot, or tries to continue, as others look to him. "I was. I just. I'm sorry! I won't! I'm. No." he stops and looks to Lyric, eyes wide. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean! I'm! I won't! I'm sorry!" arms back up to his face. "Don't hurt me!"

Rhys cheers for the pin (and the kiss, c'mon), lifting an arm with the whoop, and hey, there's a shot in that hand, so he drinks it when it comes back down. He may be more or less oblivious to the mystical powers getting bandied about, but glasses and a dude falling to the floor? That's mundanely unusual enough to steal his attention from the last threads of the match. He looks over toward Thewlis with a furrowed brow, but Lyric and Beth seem to have that reasonably well covered for the moment. So that's okay, then. He gives the contestants another approving whistle, calling out, "Good fight, festive jello warriors!" before he looks for a good spot to set down his empty cups and perhaps wander toward the auction before it closes.

Jaime cheers and applauds for both Nicole and Sparrow, and then he grins over at Joey, "Looks like your champion won, brother. Congrats on being the sexiest." He give Joey a clap on the shoulder, and then makes his way over toward the jello and Sparrow to tell her, "You fought valiantly, my champion." He offers her a hand out of the jello, not seeming to care if that means he's going to get covered in it.

An, "Oof!" interrupts Sparrow's laughing, but the kiss is more effective, silencing the redhead for a second as she struggles, uselessly, to dislodge the blonde bombshell who'd all but bellyflopped onto her. "Slippery witch," cries the hypocrite, as if Nicole had used one little lick of anything supernatural to help her to her win. The redhead does not promptly rise to her feet after that victory kiss from her opponent. Or after victory has been declared in Nicole--and Joey's--favor. No, the redhead languishes in the mashed up red and green jello for a little bit longer, catching her breath, enjoying the moment, entirely lost to the worry she's caused outside of the pool.

Until Jaime comes by, that offered hand accepted gladly. Carefully. She does try not to pull him down into it while he's looking so slick. "I shoulda maybe practiced in jello. And actually thrown an elbow or two." But she doesn't look the least little bit distraught. With a tip of her head toward the bar area, she asks, "Buy me a drink?" wholly aware that they're free.

Abitha is kind of in a daze, trying to identify and sift through feelings of the people around her. Hey, she'd never tried this in a big area before, and it seemed like she could only touch a few people at a time! And then there was the one panicing, and Abitha slammed that door shut again, coming out of her processing stupor to realize she was being dragged. "Uh... Where are we going?"

Nicole wins. And considering where Isabella put her money on, her faith has been rewarded! "YEAH NICOLE!" she cries from where her group is, both of her hands are up and she is absolutely ecstatic, because winning feels awesome. Especially winning while ignoring the odds!

To Lilith and Erin, though? She can't help but wink, and she knuckles August's shoulder in a comradely fashion, before she applauds for the combatants. "Good job, ladies!" she calls encouragingly from the crowd.

Butter couldn't melt in Lilith's mouth right now the way she leans into Byron's drape of arm after that backhanded flash of exertion, but then again, the man generally knows how things tend to go when Lilith gets in a snit and decides to 'handle' things. She still pretends she didn't do a damn thing while watching the ring even as the bit of commotion breaks out concerning Thewlis' pain and panic from a pinpointed precision blossom of pain and bruising at the chest under the clothes, then whistles for Nicole before looking at Erin, "Damn fine bet!" Then she looks upward at Byron with a bit of a lopsided smile, because... well, they had a side bet too. After a little pat of her hand at his backside, she murmurs, "Go make charity flush, babe."

Lyric knew the noise didn't help, she stays down at his level and reaches for his hand. "Do you need me to call your girlfriend?" Offering in a soft voice. "Everything is okay, no reason to be upset, Thewlis. It's alright, let's do what she said and let's get outside for some fresh air." She doesn't stand fully unless he does. "I know you didn't mean anything bad. Let's go out of here."

Joey snickers and slings his arm around Jaime's shoulder, "Well I'm imitating you. I'm apparently a good actor." He slaps Jaime on the back and wades after hi to the ring and just looks at a future of his gym being holiday colored for the foreseeable future. Thank god for visqueen. Arms hanging on the side of the ring he arches an eyebrow, "Remind me never to disagree with you." His hand torns over to help her out. Looking back to Lilith he says, "See? That talk paid off."

Diana just keeps on huggin' James, at least unless he does start to pull away. "I'm actually very hungry," she lies, smiling at him. "I'm glad you suggested it, because I'm ready to eat a horse. ...hopefully not literally." She smiles to Isabella and the others, only then pulling away from that hug. "Anybody mind if I drag this one off?" she asks, with a playful jerk of her thumb at James.

Erin just groans. "I wonder if I am going to have to clean this up." Probably not alone at least, but she smiles over at Lilith, Byron and Isabella. "Tonight was interesting. I had a good time. I can't wait to hear the winners of the auctions I have a couple of bids in."

Beth has had a lot of jello shots. She's more than a little hammered, and the gravedigger flipping out in the corner is not helping manners in regards to her own cool. She inhales a calming breath before she says in a chill, relaxed voice. "No one is going to hurt you. We won't let them, right?" She looks to Lyric for confirmation before she steps towards Thewlis's other side to help Lyric help him up. There is a wary little lean, as if afraid in his panic he might lash out, but if he allows it she will reach down to try and help him up. "Come on. Let's go outside." She then says to Lyric, "Can you call his girlfriend?"

Maggi stops as they get outside taking a cigarette out of her pocket. She takes a deep breath and contemplates trying to light it like she had the candle, but then Leon's reaction echoed in her head. Instead she takes out an actual lighter. She hoped Lyric would come out, the girl seemed to have answers and Maggi wanted to check to see if the man she was with is okay. In the mean time she rounds on Mac. "What the fuck was that?"

"You will," Isabella tells Erin sagely and with gravitas when she mutters about cleaning up the jello. But she slings an arm around her friend and squeezes. "But my battered body is willing to help you for a price."

It takes a moment before Nicole even tries to get up. Wrestling in jello, it turns out, is quite the workout. When Jaime helps Sparrow up, Nicole kind of just rolls off her, laying on her back in the jello before she starts to giggle uncontrollably. Eventually, she does sit up and CRAWLS out of the pool. She's not even going to try to walk in the jello pool right now.

Jaime gingerly helps Sparrow up so that he doesn't accidentally let her slip back into the jello, and so that he doesn't fall in with her and then chuckles, "Yeah, I think I can buy you a drink, maybe even two. One of each color?" He gives her a broad grin. "Congratulations, Nicole," he tells the other wrestler with a grin as she goes to try and crawl out of the jello pool. He lets Joey help his own champion out of the jello before escorting Sparrow over to the drinks.

Before he departs, Byron pauses to look between Diana and James again, "He's all yours." There's even something amused in his voice when he says this, "Just don't feed him after midnight. Or get him wet." He looks at Rolex when he says his, "You have maybe a little over half an hour." He then lifts a hand to the pair, before leaning in to press a kiss into Lilith's hair. "Won't be long. I'll catch up with you." When he spots Erin, he does offer up a, "Congratulations!" He's not sure if she really needed the money or not, with what he knows about her family situation. "And you look great, Erin. Like always. We definitely need to catch up soon."

"What the fuck was what?" Abitha asks, confused, mostly cause that seemed a very vague question to ask after everything they'd just watched unfold. She opens her moith, shuts it, then breaths in and tries again, "Look, I feel like there's alot to unpack with that question." She squints at Maggi a little inquisitively.

A sob escapes him as Lyric takes hold of him, and Thewlis tries to breath. "Don't hurt me. Please. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have. I'm sorry. Please." The two helping him up get him to comply at least, looking to Beth, then Lyric, "I... Not outside. No jacket. I. It. I. Corner. The corner." he starts to move for the corner again.

Lilith grins at Joey from a distance and ticks her head toward Nicole and the jello triumph with approval, something unspoken kind of passing in her eyes with pride there for a beat, and fondness. You know, despite the fact she just sly-ganked a guy. Really, she's sweet sometimes. Then she pulls in a breath and looks between James and Diana to say, "I suppose you can steal him, but we'll get to talk more proper sometime, I'm sure. I have his house on my loot-for-neat-pawn-stuff list, because surely, there's something neat in there. But it was nice meeting you!"

After a nod of her head to Byron and a little air kiss his direction with 'mwah' as he goes off, she looks at Isabella offering to help Erin clean, clarifying, "After the smoke step out, Miss Indestructible."

Lex is slipping out of one of those doors she's made such a point to remain near, disappearing into the not-so-savory neighborhood outside.

"Actually not that hungry, I just need to get out for a bit.", James admits quietly, before Diana pulls away from the hug... but he does reach for her hand before she pulls away entirely, wanting to keep her close, even if he does blush pretty fiercely when he does. Tonight... has been weird. Which, in this town, means it's just another Tuesday. "Yeah, gonna go get something to eat, all those jello shots on an empty stomach, bad juju, y'know?", he tells the others in their little group, already sidling slowly towards the exit. He narrows his eyes at Byron as he makes that quip and then walks away, before Lilith gets his attention. "Oh! Actually, Diana had offered to help with the cleanup and stuff. Soon, yeah? I'll text you guys.", he says, then looks to Diana, a little pleadingly. "Let's get you all fooded up, yeah?"

Joey looks to Abitha and says, "That was people being entertained and twenty grand going to a chairty that can use it really badly." There is a nod of agreement though. A lot to unpack. He pauses and notices something else going on. Looking around he murmurs to Nicole, "Gimme a sec." He unbuttons his suit coat and follows Thewlis over. He's quiet for a moment and arches an eyebrow lookig around. "The hell happened?"

"Yes, after the smoke and step out," Isabella tells Lilith with a beaming, grateful smile. Because the vodka is just what she needs on a cold night, and other things. She also curls one arm around the brunette, if she allows, and gives a matching squeeze. "Later, B," she tells the investor as he starts to depart.

Lyric glances to Beth then nods at Thewlis. "No one's gonna hurt you. Don't you remember me? Brandon's friend. My mama is in your cemetery." She won't take him outside, so she will help him to the corner, looking as someone brings him a chair. "Thanks," she tells them. She slides it so he can sit with his back to the wall and have a seat. "Do you need to use my phone to call her?" She shakes her head at Beth, "I don't got her number,"

Sparrow should probably at least towel off before she goes traipsing bikini-clad and jello-smothered about the gym. It's a brief detour that leaves a trail of slimy footsteps from the pool to the spot where she'd left her dress. She's still leaving that behind, but she at least gets some of the stickiness out of her hair--a wild matted mess at this point--and off her skin before rejoining Jaime. "Gueeeess I can do a red one for your brother. Now that there's a--" Comically, not at all scientifically. "--definitive answer to one of life's most pressing questions and all that." Digits still sticky, she snags Jaime's elbow on their way to the bar, surveying the crowd, "Maaaan, we're gonna have a lot of work tomorrow." She doesn't sound all that bothered by the prospect.

Erin leans into the hug and smiles at Isabella. "You got it, we'll do that then. At least we'll have Joey to help too." Eyeing Joey whether he hears her or not. With a smile over to Byron, she offers back, "Thanks, I'm glad to see you both. We will for sure, catch up soon, I mean. I'm doing really good."

Nicole is now sitting on the edge of the mat, yeah, sorry, there is going to be a Nicole's butt shaped jello mark on the new mat. Sorrynotsorry Duarte! She nods to Joey, seeming to be in no rush, currently. She smiles at Lilith and Isabella, and anyone else who had looked her way, given her a thumbs up, or otherwise offered their support or congratulations. Truth is, the girl is fairly well spent and in need of a massage of her own after all that sliding about.

Beth lets Lyric handle soothing Thewlis further since she's doing such a good job. "Lyric is going to keep you safe. Tell me where your jacket is, and I'll go get it." She nods her head softly when she tells her this she files it away.

"I'll hurry," Diana teases Byron right back, and asks James, "You eat quickly, right?" She squeezes his hand reassuringly when he takes hers, and then nods to Lilith. "We can collaborate on the pawn stuff, then!" She nods to James saying she'd offered to help. "You obviously have a much better eye for it than I do, but maybe I'll spot something here and there." She nods to that pleading look from James, moving to exit stage left. Or right. Stage directions are confusing, mmkay?

"I did it. I thought it. It. She was nice. I tried to help." he looks to Lyric, "Yes. Lyric. I. Yes. You're..." then looking to Beth, and the approaching Joey. "I... I'm sorry. Jacket. Truck. It. I. In the. Left it." looking up at Joey, "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have. I. I. I'm sorry." sitting in the chair, Thewlis is quickly curling up in it, still trying to be small.

Maggi narrows her eyes as she takes a drag, blowing out smoke slowly. "You can read emotions can't you? Like Leon can." She disliked the dodging of her direct questions. "You have nightmares too?" She hadn't seen anyone come out and that made her nervous, she really did want to make sure things were okay. Maggi decides to stomp out her cig and hands the shots over to Mac. "Ya know what, we will deal later. When Leon flipped I almost got fried, I am legit worried about in there." She opens the door and heads back inside towards where she can find Lyric.

Jaime's got Sparrow -- though Rhys gives her a grin and a thumbs up when he manages to catch her eye -- and Joey's apparently got things to handle, so Rhys grabs another couple jello shots and heads over toward Nicole, where she's recovering, and offer her one of them. "Congrats," he says, giving her a grin as well. "Made your point, a mess, and a whole lot of money for charity. Sounds like a win all around to me."

"Yeah, I-..." Abitha squints at Maggi in confusion, "...who's Leon?" She shakes her head to dispel the mental segue, "I mean, rarely, but..." Her voice sort of just trails off as Maggi seems... mad at her. Oh. Maggi thought she was lying. That made Abitha a bad friend. The short girl seems sort of deflated by that, nothing really to say as Maggi heads back inside. Abitha stays outside, leaning back against the brick wall... With the shots Maggi gave her.

Nicole takes the shot from Rhys with a smile, lifting her other hand to wipe hair that escaped her braids and got stuck in the jello on her face aside. "Thank you! It was a lot of fun. And yes! I totally did all those things. Aside from raising money for charity... I mean, I have to say, making a mess was a ton of fun. Maybe even better than winning." She lifts her shot to him and says, "cheers?"

Joey looks up and gives oe sharp whistle, "Duarte. Bring me a gator aid." With the nod from his be-jelloed manager he looks back to Thewlis nodding slowly. "Breathe man. No one's hurt. We'll talk about it." He waits and gets the small bottle gatorade from his assistant there who watches. Joey eyes the gravekeeper up and he shakes his head silently lifting a hand. No need to get ultraviolet on anything. He hands the gatorade to Thewlis and says "Here. Drink this. Get your electrolytes back. I don't want you passin out."

"Is your truck unlocked?" Beth asks Thewlis before she says, "I'll go get it." She takes a step towards the door, but pauses when she sees Joey approaching. She stops, holding her breath, but when Joey starts to try and help Thewlis she relaxes a little bit and then starts towards the door to retrieve the jacket.

Lyric gives Joey a grateful smile when he comes to help Thewlis. "I bet on Sparrow," she confesses like she was betting against him in doing so. But she also goes back to Thewlis. "Everything's gonna be alright, alright

Sparrow snorts a laugh at that thumbs-up from Rhys, blowing a kiss across the room in answer. It'd be cuter if she didn't still have some green jello caught in the corner of her mouth. With the crowd thinning a little, she waves to, "Mac," then blows her a kiss, too, this one with a big dramatic delivery of her hand to her lips then sweeping out wide. She casts a worried look toward those gathered around Thewlis, but trusts in the others--and, specifically, in Joey--to see the situation handled appropriately. And so it is jello shots, a red one raised toward Jaime in Joey's honor. "Still hottest in my book," she tells him with a wink. "Obligated bandmate and all."

Lilith steps out for a flask share party with Isabella and a little bit of TLC other than that occasional drink-smoke time on the sly while they're out there talking. Then when she wanders back in to find Byron, she murmurs about stopping by Tobin's on the way home to do another check on him with Isabella taken care of.

Thewlis is lucky it's not a beer or soda, with the way he shakes. "I... I did... and I was hit. I deserved it. I was. It was wrong. Stupid." taking long breaths, looking to Lyric, Beth, and then Joey again in turn. "It's... you don't need to go... It's. I. Thank you..." managing to get the bottle open and drinking half in a go.

Rhys's hand comes up to exaggeratedly 'catch' the kiss from Sparrow while he's on his way, complete with equally exaggerated delighted look as he checks the contents of his hand, then mimes tucking it into his pocket. For later or something!

He lifts the second shot in reply to Nicole, inclining his head. "Cheers!" he agrees, and looks about to join her in sitting on the side when the part of his mind that has not had several jello shots suggests that he kinda likes these jeans and it might not be his greatest plan ever. "Was it as much fun as it was to watch? Can't say I've ever tried jello wrestling, yet."

Maggi comes to sit near the small group of people feeling both awkward for doing so, but also a sense of unshakable guilt at the possibility that she might have the tools to help and had yet to. She sits cross legged on the ground and gives a few nods to Joey, Lyric, and Beth. "Hey guys. I can totally step away if needed, but I have a friend who can get kinda in his own head like this and I just want to make sure people are okay. You can tell me to leave if you like, but I just want to make sure everyone is cool." She takes a pause processing what the man in the chair has said and looking directly at him.

"Are you okay now? Do you know where you are? You said it was an accident right?"

"Cheers!" Nicole says yet again. She had a few of these shots before the wrestling (it's no wonder it was extra slippery!). "It was so much fun! I highly recommend it, even if I cannot wait to get into the shower now." She laughs then slurps down that jello shot and hands the glass back to him. "I can't believe how much money we raised. I would do it again and again if it helps like this!" Her eyes shift to look towards Joey with Thewlis, a touch of concern in her eyes for the latter.

"Because he helped Sparrow. I saw him." Lyric doesn't specify anything different, but she doesn't sound accusatory. She smiles at Maggi, "This is Thewlis, and Thew, this is Maggi and Abitha." She leaves it short.

Feeling broken down, overwhelmed, and emotionally about the size of a pea, Abitha honestly just wanted to dissapear. Well, good news for her. Not even knowing how or what she was doing, she just... Sort of... Fades out of sight...

Jaime grins at Sparrow and he raises his own red shot in honor of Nicole and Joey's victory before downing it and then saying to Sparrow, "I consider my honor well defended, and appreciate that you still think I'm hot." He winks at her. He's only somewhat aware of everything else going on around them. He's been trying to focus mainly on the event itself, leaving others to deal with the crowd that's all around them. But as things start to settle, he finally takes a moment to look around at the aftermath.

Joey looks up to Maggi and looks very confused. "He's a human being not a Pomeranian. I don't think letting the guy chill out requires Baum; Dude Whisperer." Some people really just don't get it but in broad strokes if at all. He looks to Lyric and tilts his head, "Money all goes to the same place. Is till won't lket you get eaten by bears." Looking back to Thewlis he focuses watching him, "A lot of people help out a lot of people. No one was even holdin hte money." However Joey has a very different perspective of what rigging a bet i his gyn generally means and why people have shit liek fingers go missing. Quietly he says, "It's the holiday man. No one got hurt. Somethin happens tho? Next time come talk to me." His finger points to the gatoraid, still quiet, "Drink that. you'll feel better."

"I'm at... Gym. I." Thewlis looks up, not seeing Abitha, but looking to Maggi. "Hi... I'm. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have." turning back to Joey. "I got hit for it. I won't do it again. I'm sorry." sipping at the gatorade again, "Thank you... I... I can. I can fix it. When I got hit. I'm sorry. I shouldn't do that. Cheating."

Maggi gives a smile towards Joey and gives a little good natured laugh. "Nah I wish that were the case. 6 Months left on a Cognitive Psyc Masters. Friend nearly fried me with lightening? Ex Military, bad PTSD...Some people do forget where they are." Looking back to Thewilis, "Nice to meet you Thewilis! I don't think anyone is mad, just worried about you. Are you gonna be okay to getting home?" Whilst Joey managed to bristle her, he also owned a gym, so she didn't put much stock in what he thought about mental health check lists.

Rhys accepts the glass from Nicole with a small mock-bow, stacking it with his own empty. "Well, if you do it again, I'm pretty sure you'll draw another crowd. Just not too often. Gotta keep the punters wanting more, right?" He grins again, and follows her glance toward Joey, Thewlis, and company, considering them a moment. "You any good at medical stuff?" he asks her, "Probably best not to crowd the dude too much, otherwise." Thinking out loud, possibly. "Am I keeping you from the shower, or should I keep you company until your damsel can come thank his champion?"

Nicole is still looking over at Joey and Thewlis and shakes her head slowly. "Not one bit," she says in regard to medical stuff. "Though... I should go get that shower before this stuff dries up and like, I dunno, becomes some sort of impossible to wash off glue or something." She grins at him and slides off the mat onto the floor. "But, we can chat after if you are still around. Hopefully I won't be long." Meaning, hopefully it all washes off okay. Leaving her shoes and robe where they are, she walks carefully towards the back room and to the shower.

"Bright side?" Sparrow chirps to Jaime, as if all of this weren't a big, magnificent twenty-grand-for-charity bright side in its own right. "We're gonna be playing for someone. Our first oficial gig. Unless I catch up with Easton sooner rather than later, but." Her holiday schedule is ridiculous. Break? What break? Second shot downed without any toast, just a crunch of the plastic cup to squeeze the tequila-infused jello out, she reaches for one of the whipped cream cans on top of the bar and starts shaking it, that clatter pretty easily identifiable, as she sidles on over to Rhys and... and... not Nicole. One target wandering off, she might be in search of another. "Mr. Evans."

"I'll. I'm. I." Thewlis rubs at his chest sighing as something happens eyes closing. "It. I should. I can go. I can get back. I know where I am. I should. Get back. Jade will worry." at least he's coherent, if halting worse than Shatner. He tries to stand up, unsure if any will stop him, finishing his gatorade. "I won't do... the... what I did. She was nice. I wanted. She. Help." looking to the others. "I'm sorry. Thank you." looking to those around him.

Rhys lifts his... empty, alas, glasses in a toast that serves both as a farewell to Nicole and a welcome to Sparrow. "Ms. Jones," he greets her in return, with a grin. There's a flicker of a wary look at the freshly shaken whipped cream, but then the grin's back. "Snacktime?" he inquires, with a gesture at it. "Important to refuel after burning all those calories so gloriously."

Satisfied that things were good, Maggi waves to Lyric as she leaves. She figured she would hit up Sparrow tomorrow, text Mac tonight, and head out. It had been...interesting, and most importantly everyone was okay. She takes one last shot and starts walking.

Sparrow flicks a look down Rhys' form and then back up to the top of his antlers. Then back down to his eyes. "Definitely." Snacktime, that is. The crowd around them is thinning out, a few volunteers working on picking things up to make tomorrow's big clean-up a bit easier. But the doors are still open, there are still jello shots to get through and whipped-cream-based mischief might erupt any minute now.

By all accounts, the Holly Jolly Jello Festival was a messy, magnificent success. And tomorrow? There will be gifts going out and official donations to make. Til then? Just a little bit more jello.