2020-10-31 - A Poor Attempt at Halloween

Maggi was a black clad goth gal all year round, but all hallows required extra. She sports a red and black lace dress someone may place around the Victorian era. It is full length with hoop skirt and endless sleeves. A scarlet feather is tucked into golden curls. The entire look transforms from charming to disturbing with a slit throat and embroidery on the dress' back stating 'eat the rich'. She is currently busy putting out a few pumpkins for those who may wish to create some last minute submissions for the night. For once she has actually hired people sooooo she isn't living behind the bar, rather organizing and being social. What has the world actually come to?

A Good ol' American boy to the core, Leon's costume chosen for the night was period, revolutionary, a blue coat with gold accents over a white button-down, and sporting a faux powdered wig, a look that fit alongside his wife's, though lacked any spooky element. He was glad-handing with some regulars, making conversation here and there, making sure people were having a good night, playing good host, checking if any drink orders needed to be relayed to the staff. He carries a goblet that he occasionally sips from. He slides by Maggi for the briefest of cheek pecks, sending a grin her way.

Joe's decided to just go for broke on the pirate front. He's got a loose white shirt under a frock coat of splendid blue (complete with elaborate gold trim), a scarlet silk sash, baggy black trousers tucked into cuffed black boots. He's holding the black tricorne in hand, rather than wearing it....and there's a gold hoop gleaming in his ear.

The blue eyes are very bright, and there's a flush on his cheeks, though he doesn't seem to have started the drinking at home. He ends up at the bar after a glance around, and orders a Grave Juice. Stays leaning there, rather than claiming a stool, for the moment. Clearly expecting someone.

Seems a certain duo heard about the Halloween party and decided to show up together, matched, as it were, in one of those themed couples costumes. Awww. how cute.

Nicole seems to be leading her partner-in-mischief by the hand, entering first. Her hair is parted right up the middle and perfectly rolled into buns over each ear. She wears a white fitted mock turtleneck, and over it, a white dress robe thing with big bell sleeves. A white and silver belt gathers the material at her waist and there is a blaster, or gun (it's a toy! [probably]) tucked in the side there. The man she drags along with her is dressed in black jeans, a long sleeved ecru colored henley style shirt left open to the chest, and a vest full of pockets. What does he carry in all those pockets anyway? He wears a leather belt holster that straps his own blaster (gun?) to his thigh, and a pair of heavy boots. Yes, folks, Han and Leia have arrived!

"Come on! I want some time to carve a pumpkin. Do you want to carve one too?"

Joey already walked with the swagger, but not it's an accessory. The best part of being Han? His Leia willing to be seen in public with him. The other? He's not required to wear a tie or a whistle right now. Joy of joys. But hey he's not a local crime underboss, he's 'Just a gym teacher' and he seems to have fallen into doing this every Monday through every Friday and run a football camp. The Harbor is fucking weird.

Giving Nicole's hand a squeeze he casts a wry grin to her, "Baby I will carve up that pumpkin like like it kicked your puppy. Fuck yeah I'll carve a pumpkin with you. Just... I have like no artistic talent so you gotta draw it out." wading in he greets Cavanaugh with a hand extended, "Other Joe. Fuckin good look for you, bruh. Where's the tribe?" He points to Leon and Maggi, "I think we sign up with them. "

Maggi is overly eager to give drinking guests sharp objects with which to competitively stab things. Nicole's is a pop culture costume she actually gets (for once). "I'm excited to see what you've got!" she said cheerily, in contrast to her neck 'injury'. Maggi lays a trash bag out for the guts of pumpkins, which she may or may not use to frightens children later. "Go full Edward Scissorhands my dudes, try to solicit some votes from drunk patrons!" She giggles which comes out more like a cackle and watches intently.

Gym teacher or not, capitalism and knives are not discerning. A 'black as your soul' is in her hands and she is sipping on it like it is going out of style. More than likely Maggi was going to end up being one of those old people the children thought was an actual witch and that was just fine with her.

Catching the entrance of the cosmonaut, Leon angles his way to the bar, offering a hand to the man as well with respect to the handshake he was likely giving Joey first, “Cavanaugh! Kelly.” Obviously the military tendency for names was only helping the man here to keep from confusion. He had an amicable grin on his face, offering a hand to the ‘gym teacher’ next. “Great to see you guys come out. Happy Halloween.” A look that speaks volumes of shared experience is given both Joey and Nicole, “Hanging in there?”

His sipping goblet is set down and slid across the bar, Davis, the zombified bartender (yes, he’s a dad, of course its a low-effort trope costume) coming by and pouring another few fingers of bourbon into the container for the man, then moving on with his harried life.

Joe gives Joey an amused look, even as he takes the 'gym teacher's' hand and shakes it, firmly. "Thanks, man," he says, amiably. "Figured I'd just go for a classic. How're y'all?" He finally claims an actual stool, levering himself up with a hand splayed on the bar, before settling his hat on his knee. "Good choice there, too."

Then Leon's getting his handshake in turn. "Good to see you, man. How you been keepin'?" Not a hint of wariness to him, though one'd think that the Dark Men might find this holiday hard to resist.

And then into the midst of this group of fine, upstanding people prowls a mangy beast. A black furred wolf, to be precise, peppered with silver about its 'muzzle', and not wearing a lick of clothing. Because, duh, it's a fucking wolf. It has a big bushy tail and a hackled mane, and pointy, tufted ears atop the head that's probably making its owner sweat right about now. The owner who's notably scrolling through his Friendzone feed as he wanders into the Poorhouse, and glances up just in time to avoid running into someone, with a muttered apology. The guy grins, congratulates him on his costume, and slaps him on the back. To which the wolf scowls. It doesn't look too terribly different from the expression he's already wearing.

"I mean, I don't have much either, but.. I have an idea!" Nicole looks towards Leon and Maggi, heading towards them. "Thanks!" she says, when Maggi greets them. She gathers the materials they need and the pumpkin and leads the way to one of the set out trash bags. She pulls out a marker and starts drawing on the orange gourd, explaining to Joey what she needs him to do. "It's the death star babe. Then after, we can smash the fuck out of it and destroy the Empire!" She tossses her head back and does her best evil laugh. "Ahem. But first... You can use this tool to help draw the lines. Just go over the marker and not all the way through."

Lifting a hand to Leon, Nicole waves. "Hi! Yeah... we're you know, good." She smiles then looks at JoeyHan then to the bar. "We need drinks though... Hello, Joseph!" Her eyes track then to the entrance of the wolf and she just watches for a moment.

It's not Halloween unless there is someone dressed as a naughty nurse In this case, it's Vic. The outfit is one of those Halloween costumes, you know the ones, in the section of the store with the "Sexy" label on every package. The tall blonde is made even taller by the 3 inch heels she's wearing with the outfit, bloody red like her lipstick, petticoat, and the accents of the otherwise white outfit. She has clearly already started drinking tonight before going out, because she's smiling for a change.

Maggi is more than happy to watch the happenings. Nicole's gusto and the general atmosphere has her in a pretty good mood. Every bar in the harbor had the surley bar hottie and somehow all were less surely. "Hey Vic!" she calls out (having had a few herself) Maggi loves any day that involves booze and the dead. "Take a crack at the bobbing for shots?" Hell must have frozen over because she is actually giggling. Leon was healing well and everyone seemed to be having a decent time. All was well. Freaky right?

Joey shakes Leon's hand with that meaty vice grip of his, and trying not to be a dick about it. "Well it's the Harbor on Halloween. I figured you'd have your hands full." That's all Kelly's take on weirdness. Nicole's antics actually get teh recalcitrient badger to grin. "yeah, we do need drinks. So you wanna dance on the table for votes or is it my turn?" And had they not met at Platinum it'd be less funny than reality makes it. And then there's... a goddamn wolf. His eyes snap up to Cavanaugh and he says, demeanor shifting, "That dude comes anywhere near my crotch sniffin before buying me a drink or a warrant we're having words, Joe."

"Hey there," Joe says to Nicole, lifting the Grave Juice to her. It's alarmingly green. To Joey, he asides, "You only wish. Don't worry, I'll keep him from humpin' your leg."

Then his gaze lights on the Big Bad Wolf, and a slow grin appears. It has a feral edge to it - he even runs his tongue over a canine as if he were the predator. Slipping down from his stool, he abandons his drink to pick his way through the partygoers to where the Wolf is fooling with his phone. Then he's got his hand at the Wolf's nape, and has sort of angled his head to nudge the mask up. All the better to plant a kiss on the mouth thus exposed...and it's no token peck on the lips. The pirate's taking his time about it.

Leon uses his goblet-wielding hand to point at Joseph, cocking his head slightly aside, "Some seriously weird dreams, but that's kinda par for the course around here, yeah?" He takes a sip of his bourbon before adding on with a shake of his head, "Like who wants to think about when we were teenagers?"

Nicole's Rebel enthusiasm gets a laugh from the locksmith, and there's a brief passing of his attention over Vic, and a quicker slide of that attention away, eyes widening in an innocent way as they find anything else to look at. 'Poor'-ly hidden. Hopefully Maggi hadn't noticed. But this means his eyes sweep to the full-blown Mexican furry rolling into the bar. There's a squint, then an even wider grin, "Holy fuck, atta boy!" he remarks for Ruiz's benefit, but quiet enough only those engaged in conversation hear, not like... drunkenly shouting across the bar or anything.

He'd need a few more refills for that.

Vic grins at Maggie, holding up a "syringe" that is actually for holding booze. "I don't want to get all wet yet, but I'll take one of those black as my very black and crusty soul drinks you advertised." She leans on the bar and glances around at familiar and unfamiliar faces. Joey and Nicole are still recognizable and get a wave. And is that Joe making out with a furry? She squints and barks out a laugh, realizing it Ruiz under there.

"Daaaaamn, Vic!" Nicole says when she spots the sexy Nurse. "Just.. like, way to make me feel like I look like a Grandma!" She laughs then hears the exchange between the Joes. Lifting the back of her hand (currently free of pumpkin guts) to her forehead, she shakes her head, laughing more. Lowering it, she looks to Joey. "I mean, we both could dance for it. Get more votes that way." She grins then picks up the knife, ready to ct into the pumpkin. "Maybe I should have drinks after knives..."

Ruiz goes to shove his phone back into his pocket (yes, the wolf suit has pockets, okay?) and make his way up to the bar for a drink. Because wolves can totally handle tequila. But then there's a dashing pirate intercepting him, and dragging him in for a kiss, and like fuck he's going to turn that down. Even if he isn't quite clear on who it is, for about fifteen seconds there.

Then he makes an mmph sound, breaks the kiss off, and tugs the mask free of his head. "Fuck, that's hot. How the shit do people do this for hours at a time?" He rakes his fingers through his hair, glancing from Joe, to a few familiar faces scattered along the bar, then back again. "You look hot." A roughness in his voice that's almost bashful, in that snarly way of his.

Presumably the wolves of Mexico can, even if they have to lap it out of steel pans.

That kiss was apparently enough to make Ruiz transform back to his usual surly human self, and Joe lets him break it off, grinning like a wolf himself. He even licks his lips again, unthinking. "Cooling stuff underneath," he says. "Whole systems of it. 's like how we did it up there." He points at the ceiling with a long finger, presumably referencing space. "Yeah?" he says. "Eyeliner and an earring do it for ya, huh?" His tone is cheerful, teasing, and he's taking the wolf by the hand to draw him to the bar. "Gotta try this. It's called a Grave Juice," he says, offering it to the cop, still grinning.

Vic grins at Nicole. "You don't look like a Grandma. You look like Space Mom." Because Carrie Fisher was everyone's space mom. Sniffle. "Which makes Kelly Space...Dad....? I demand bad dad jokes." She takes her drink and sips it, smacking her lips at the tart lemonade before turning to Joe and Ruiz. "Boys. Happy Halloween. Nice eyeliner Cavanaugh. It's pretty hot on you. Makes me wanna break you in half." She winks at the pirate then arches a brow at the wolf. "Has no one explained to you what a fucking furry is, Javier?"

Joey tries as he can, to just ignore the cop in the room right now. whatever bridge got burned might still be smoldering. Who knows. The grin goes wide "Viiiic, shit, you're making me miss getting in an accident. Goddamn." Turning to Nicole he promises, "Yeah well you're also a princess and a general."She gets a bite at her cinnamon roll bun for saying so, a smooch on the cheek, and moving past to go get drinks. Grinning back to Vic wryly he says "If I'm Space Dad it'd explain why Kylo Ren is all fucked up. Just sayin. Uhhhh two rum and coke, Leon? That would be...fucking great to start with."

Maggi does not deny the sexiness of the cosmonaut in pirate gear! "Everyone looks quite dashing!" She says because she is an awkward demi-bi. "The drinks are pretty good tried a few drunkin nights at home to get the right mix." Maggi smiles and then nods at the pumpkin being carved. "I have no artistic ability, but that looks pretty good!" Maggi giggles again and sneaks happy looks at the couples about the bar. Is this valentines day or some shit?

"She's lying, they're pretty great." Leon corrects his wife, "I wasn't so sure about the charcoal, but eh..." Leon gives Joey a nod at the order, looking down the bar at Davis who was having his own set of issues with already drunk patrons in costumes. This was the Poorhouse afterall. Leon makes a waving motion to the bartender, letting him handle his business and moves behind the bar. Having had to learn a thing or two about bartending in his recent corporate takeover, he mixes up one of the black cocktails and lifts it, making a pointed look in Vic's direction before setting it in the midst of the roiling smoke of the bartop. He then flips two tumblers and proceeds to pour rum in each over ice and finishes them with the soda nozzle. Those get set in Joey's direction as well. A brief tap at the nearby screen adds them to a tab for settling later. It's not like he didn't know them all anyhow.

Nicole blinks, trying to decide if being Space Mom and Space Dad are much better. She laughs at Joey though. "Please. You get in enough accidents and mayhem that you don't have time to miss it." She laughs again and there is a small snort that escapes. "Next time, I'll tell her to come visit in costume." She tilts her head as he bites her bun then leans in to accept a smooch. When he orders two drinks, she shouts after him. "Don't forget to get me something too!" She goes back to work on her pumpkin, glancing up towards Vic. "You gonna vote for our pumpkin? I'll buy you a drink if you do." She looks around and asks, "bribes are allowed, right?"

By the paw might be more accurate; Javier's gone all out with that damned wolf suit, in which he'd be damned near unrecognisable if he hadn't removed the head piece. And thunked it down on the bar, right next to Vic. "Has no-one explained to you what fucking Halloween is, Vic?" he retorts mildly, sliding a glance Joe's way when he starts prattling about some sort of drink that isn't tequila. "Better not be some fruity shit with an umbrella in it." He settles into a seat at the bar, glances Joey's way, starts to say something. Changes his mind, and looks away again. Then adjusts his tail, because damn if that thing doesn't need a lot of room.

"Well, thanks," Joe drawls, winking at her, but otherwise leaving it at that. "It's Halloween, but I can assure you, Javier is the Big Bad Wolf year-round, it's no mere persona," He all but purrs that statement. "Don't they?" he adds to Maggi.

"Well, it doesn't have an umbrella," he hedges, but the blue eyes are still bright with amusement, made more so by the liner. It's not black, but a deep gray, still smudged like proper kohl, though. Then he settles down at the stool by Ruiz....and reaches over and tugs that tail once, not hard. Just to tease.

Vic is staring at the tail of Ruiz' costume, and she pokes at it a few times experimentally. "It's so fluffy!" she declares. Yep, she's smashed already. Nicole gets a broad smile, "Of course you have my vote. What am I voting for?" Because she just got here and has no earthly idea.

"Who knows?" Is Maggi's response to Vic via drink experimentation. She does smile at the death star pumpkin though. Mentally she queries what a pirate vampire might be like and then she tries not to think. She takes another sip of black liquid and grins to Leon. "Someone referee for us?" She asks drunkenly. Mostly she just wanted to prove they are a pretty good team. Taking a mummy bandage she wraps it over her eyes, because game.

Joey slides a flat look to Nicole, sighs, and tells Leon, "and one for Nicole." Hey the cash hits the bar and when you start by laying the 50 down a certain forgiveness comes in placing add-on orders. HE answers Vic simply, "Voting for Nicole's melons. What else." He pauses and asks Maggi, "You guys look amazing like you fell outta a goddamn movie. " Looking to the others he asks, "Is a pumpkin a melon? Where's Clayton? he knows this shit."

"That's for sure," murmurs Nicole with a roll of her eyes as she overhears Joseph talk about Ruiz. She is focused on her pumpkin mostly though, and maybe it's not obvious what she was remarking about. She might have a little residual grumpiness in regard to the man, gained through proximity to one Joey Lee Kelly. She looks up to Vic and points down towards the pumpkin that is transforming into a carved Deathstar. "For this!" She smirks at Joey then says, "those too, if you want. But, pumpkins are gourds. Melons are like, cantaloupe."

Vic grins at Joey, "Nicole's melons deserve first prize!" she declares, loudly, with a lifting of her glass. She adds for Kelly, "Your mom told me I looked like a tramp before I left the house in this." Damn ghost mom. "I thanked her." Bwah.

One more rum and coke is thrown together in short order, set on the bar with a grin. "Thanks. Halloween is her favorite. Probably on account yesterday was her birthday. So we went all out." There's a quick mischevious look sent Maggi's way, as if he was jokingly spilling the beans on that one. He smirks as he steps back around again, watching Maggi get the bandage. He sighs, "How many of these have you had already, and now you wanna bob for a shot?" There's a snort of a laugh as he steps up behind her and assists tying the bandaging over her eyes, then takes her hips in his hands and guides her to the bobbing pail. "You know, when we tested this out, you didn't have ice in it..." he adds in a foreboding voice, but he does at least attempt to guide her for a good spot to drop in. "Alright, hon. From the hips. Go!"

The nearby conversation over death star pumpkins garners the occasional glance from de la Vega, though he doesn't weigh in on it. If even he has any opinions. Then the way Joe assures him that the drink doesn't have an umbrella, that pretty much assures it's girly as fuck, and he reaches across to collect it once it's set down. Click, clack of claws on glass, and he pauses with the rim about an inch away from his mouth when not one, but two feisty blondes tug on his tail. "You do that again and I will fucking bite," he informs them both, a flick of dark eyes from Joe to Vic, and then a swig of the Grave Juice. He tips his head to and fro to signify that it's passable before sliding it back to Joe. "All yours."

"I hope that's a promise," the pirate's voice still has that purring note in it, as he smiles at Ruiz over the rim of the glass. "I surely do," He takes a hearty swig from the drink, and sets it back down, propping his elbow on the bar again. Grinning that lazy, vulpine grin.....but he leaves Ruiz's tail alone, for now.

Only then does he turn his attention to the competitions going on, apparently wholly at his ease, toying idly with the fringed end of the silk sash he's wearing. He's even got rings on his fingers, for once, silver and bronze and enamel.

With Leon's skillful guidance, Maggi is able to grab a clear liquor shot from the freezing water. Her curls are somewhat damp but it is totally worth. Maggi downs the mini bottle with pride and smiles at the crowd. "One down, Wolf boy's turn!" She giggles again, maybe or maybe not drunk for two days now. Her feather is no less festive through the moisture.

Vic snorts at Ruiz and quips, "Promises, promises." Yep, drunk. "Wait. Am I dressed as Little Red Riding Hood?" She looks down at her costume. "Nope!" Then she's cheering Maggi on. "Go go go!"

Joey looks back to Leon, both eyebrows up and then to Maggie, "Whaaat, girl? No shit?" And with that Han Solo plants the bar stool out and planting his hands hops up on it. There is one very sharp, shrill whistle which is the usual indicator of someone's face about to hit pavement. It really does draw the attention it needs though. "Yo! All you critters and crawlers and...what the fuck ever listen UP! Yesterday was Miss Maggi's birthday. We are going to sing Happy Birthday to her.... like you have fakey vampire teeth in your face. If you can't say happy birthday like that blah bluh balh blah works fine." There is the warning glance given to the room with that wry grin. "If you don't sing I'm a take you out back...and make you do laps or something." Yes, Maggi. This is happening.

When Joey hopped up on the stool, Nicole was fairly sure it was time for the tabletop dancing. She is about to cheer him on when he whistles and calls for a round of Happy Birthday. Hands full of pumpkin, she gasps and says, "Happy Birthday, Maggi!" Then, she is starting the singing. "Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you!..."

Kailey arrives in all her magenta glory, tail swaying behind her, to Happy Birthday being sung. Not one to stay quiet she lends her voice though skips the name. Does she know a Maggi? No she doesn't but still she sing them a happy one as she prowls up to the bar. When she smiles it shows she even put in fake fangs for the night.

With a burst of laughter at Joey taking it upon himself to make Maggi's birthday a spectacle, Leon joins in on the singing in short order, egging on some of their regulars until half the bar is joining in. Honestly, the Poorhouse was probably the best mix of shit-faced to get people to join in on singing, and this was what was happening now. Tough luck, Magpie. Even Davis, a ways down the bar joins in, though with a flat tone that betrays the joking reluctance to the idea.

Promises? Promises? Did Vic just accuse Javier of making empty fucking promises? Because the way he plants a hand.. no, paw on the bar, and starts pushing off it, he has every goddamned intention of following through on that threat. Right up until Maggi's calling him out for shots, and someone's shoving a bucket at him, and Joey's proclaiming that it's someone's birthday and that felicitations are in order. He peels one of his paws away, digs through the icy water for his shot with a few hissed curses in Spanish, and growls something about how he's not drunk enough for this shit before joining in mid-verse. Then downing the shot.

Ah there is challenge in Vic's blue gaze when Ruiz looks to be following up on her words, but then he's distracted and she snorts a laugh, before joining in singing to Maggi. She warbles between gulps of her drink.

Joe does sing along, merrily enough. He's got a decent voice and can carry a tune...and makes no attempts at all to try and do it as if he had fangs. He watches the wolf take the shot and drink, before eyeing Vic with amusement. "You know she's just tryin'a bait you into doin' jus' that," he informs Big Bad, affably. "Better be careful, I might get jealous." Though who, precisely, that last statement is directed to isn't exactly clear. Then adds, "You're not drunk enough yet," before turning to order a couple shots of tequila.

Maggi only half understands what is occurring currently, she is no less gracious while intoxicated however! Maggi begins fistpumping in the air and laughing while throwing shots from the refill bucket into the air. Not only had she lived another year but, married this was a full success. Shitty bar or not it was hers, and she could not be any happier! "To fucking with the harbor!" She yells and tosses more shots into the air. What was going on? She didn't know, but it was drunk and so was she!

Kailey isn't drunk at all, but seems intent on fixing that. Smiling at the bartender she orders 2 shots of jaeger, a cherry coke, and mozzarella sticks. Paying for one of those rice crispy bars for dipping as well. Then turns to watch Maggi tossing shots about with amusement. One might wonder where she is keeping her money and id. It turns out to be a pink leopard spotted wrist-pouch. As Joe grabs his tequila she gives him a sunny smile and nod.

Joey clinks his glass to Maggi's and hops down and catches Leon before turning to Nicole-Leia, knife and all and returning back with drink number...whatever. He looks to Vic, the situation, and back to Vic not saying a damn word or making any attempt to dissuade the situation. And then? Well ew if you are 12 or under because space dad and space mom are snogging, at least briefly. "This looks damn fantastic. Just think by the time we get home Jess will be passed out from all that damn sugar."

Vic grins at Joe, a flush across her cheeks and nose from the drink. "Pfft he ain't gonna. He's too...what'd he call me at the barbeque? Pristine for that! HAH!" She goes to take a turn at the bobbing for shots thing. "Maggi! How do I do this thing?" She sets her empty glass on the bartop.

Nicole shares a quick 'snog' with Joey, one of her buns starting to unravel as she does. "Perfect timing then," she says. Whatever she means by that is kept to herself for a moment.

The tequila seems to mollify him slightly, though Joe's claims of jealousy only gain a dimpled grin from the so-called big bad wolf. He finishes off the round of Happy Birthday to the hot girl he doesn't know, downs tequila shot number one, and doesn't take his eyes off the pirate in the eyeliner and earring as he licks some alcohol off his teeth. Surely he's aware of the fact that Vic is over there trying to taunt another reaction out of him, but a slight smirk and a huff of breath is all she gets, before he reaches for shot number two. And promptly fat fingers it, and spills it all over Joey. "..fuck. You want to wring that out for me into a glass, Kelly?"

The look Joe gives Vic is positively wicked, for all its coolness. "There are many words to describe Javier de la Vega," he says, and his voice is silky. "But 'pristine' is not one of them, nor has it been for decades. However, 'taken' is," He shakes his head at her, before turning to Kailey and lifting a hand in greeting. Then he looks to Ruiz, right in time to see him spill that drink. "Oops," he says, mildly.

Maggi’s generally drunken state meant Leon was being responsible bar owner for the night... With a good bourbon buzz.

“Supposed to be cooperative. One person wears a blindfold and goes for it, other person has to guide em. You uh... Got a teammate?” Leon tosses a quick glance in Joseph and Ruiz’s direction, because appearances, then back to Vic. He keeps eye contact... Mostly.

Vic snorts at Joe, tying the blindfold around her eyes herself, before turning towards Leon's voice. "I don't need no fucking teammate. I can just root around in there. I can hold my breath a LONG damn time." She prepares herself mentally, or something. "Just point me at it."

"Alcohol abuse!" Kailey tells Ruiz as he spills tequila. Her own drinks arrive and she knocks the first of the dark liquid back. The smell of anise for a moment strong. She follows it up with a sip from her coke. Heading for the chocolate fountain with her rice crispy she lets it get liberally dunked in it.

A really tall girl shows up in a Little Red Riding Hood dress of the sort made from cheap plasticky fabric as 'Sexy Red' or some such nonsense. Its brief skirt seems even briefer, because this girl is tall and has legs for days--no wait, that's not a girl, that's Itzhak Rosencrantz in that dress and accompanying cheap red cape. And thigh high glossy red latex spike heels. Those weren't cheap. They push him to six and a half feet. He's also made up in gold glitter eyeshadow and nail polish. Apparently Itzhak is going for the trampy Halloween look! He struts on in like the party's been waiting for him.

Leon looks like he was about to argue, mostly from the fact that letting someone go face first into a cold pail of water with no vision he was pretty sure was a form of torture. Mostly sure. Also he does himself a favor and looks the other way, because a woman Vic’s height bending over a pail in that skirt? Nope. He wasn’t gonna get caught lookin.

“Davis! Clean towel!” He calls, getting a white cloth tossed his way from behind the bar.

And then de la Vega spills the drink right on Joey's good time? Well the good news is all hands are empty, but the reaction is instinct an immediate and driven by way too much shit between the wolf and the scoundrel. The reaction is hands. There's a shove, hard and before even Joey himself really grasps what is happening that left fist is back and that arm spring loaded. "You trying to start the shit you finished? What the fuck dude?" Yup. Good mood gone. Too many feelings hitting the surface.

Vic is not finding much luck looking for a shot in that icy water. The room gets flashed her petticoat and undies which are red, as she slogs around in the bobbing pail, still trying to find the booze, and mercifully unaware that the cop and her boss may be about to throw hands.

Finally setting down the tools, her pumpkin complete, Nicole has been oblicious to what has been going on for the last couple moments. All she sees when she looks up is Joey's fist cocked back and, well, that can never be good. The fact he's looking at de la Vega with it like that is only worse. She is quick to hop away from the pumpkin and over to his side. "Joey... Joey... " She eases a hand up to his fist, fingers just barely grazing his skin. "Let's... let's um... maybe we should go? You still gotta get up for school in the morning." Remember, Joey? School? Where you are currently working?

Who the fuck is this, then, sassing him for spilling his tequila? Ruiz sliiiiides a look Kailey's way when she pipes up at him, and trails her with his gaze as she wanders off toward the chocolate fountain. But it's little red Rosencrantz's arrival that really steals the show for him, and he does a double-take when he spots the leggy Jew spike-heeling his way into the bar like a two-bit hooker fresh out of raiding a trashy halloween store. He's just about to turn and mutter something to the blond beside him, when that shove throttles him back in his seat, and nearly topples him to the floor. Out of fucking nowhere. His head jerks toward Joey, and he steadies himself with a hand on the bar, eyes narrowing at the younger man. "You want to hit me? The fuck are you waiting for, then, huh? For me to start huffing and puffing?" Because, well, he's the big bad wolf.

Joe's response to Leggy Red Riding Hood showing up is to put two be-ringed fingers to his mouth and wolf-whistle like he's trying to make it heard down a whole city block. He's crooking his fingers to beckon the taller man over when Joey decides to get testy about it....and instantly, he's on his feet, too. Even though him getting involved can only end in disaster, he's no kind of fistfighter. "C'mon, y'all," he says. "Calm down. It was an accident. You know de la Vega'd just fuckin' tell you if he wanted to take you out back....an' hell, there are easier ways of flirting with him if that's what you're after." He flicks a fond look at the cop. What's it say about your relationship when your first meeting, all those years ago, was a barfight?

Itzhak got the attention he wanted and flashes a randy grin Ruiz's way, eyebrows up. "What's shakin', lobo malo?" Joe wolf whistling at him (get it? WOLF whistling?) makes him laugh and point fingerguns at him. He's sauntering towards the two of them when--oh man, shit is about to get real between Joey and Ruiz, and Itzhak, rather than like, sensibly trying to defuse the situation, just watches avidly. Way too avidly. Someone's been pregaming.

Kailey is very glad she is by the chocolate fountain with her drinks. Her cat-contact eyes go big as it looks like punches might be thrown. Yet she otherwise cooly tosses back her second shot before taking a bite of her dipped crispy treat. There is little chance of her abandoning a chocolate fountain over some fisticuffs nearby. And Itzzy. The last time she saw him he was a lanky teen beating feet. The time before that a kitten. For a second she pauses and stares. Is she dreaming again. Surreptitiously she licks a finger and then wipes at one of her spots. With mild relief she resumes watching the drama unfold. And she realizes how hard chewing with fake teeth can be. Especially rice crispy treat dipped in chocolate.

Leon has to do a double take as he was generally the tallest dude in the room, but then Itzhak has dem heels. Another blurt of laughter toward Rosencrantz, a wave of a towel before he's holding it out straight arm to the nurse he was pointedly ignoring. This gives him a chance to notice, and now he's watching the Gym Teacher and the Chief of Police start to get into it. Now normally, a couple hands thrown in the Poorhouse is a normal occurrence, but Leon thinks maybe this one needs to get nipped. His own good mood starts to dampen as he trades looks with Davis, then makes a quick look around to figure out where Maggi had gotten off to, or at least make sure she wouldn't be in the line of fire.

She probably wandered off to the manager's office.

Vic wasn't kidding about being able to hold her breath. It takes forever before she clamps her teeth around one of the shot tubes and emerges victorious, and soaked to the waist. That white uniform now shows the red lacy bra under it as well. Happy Halloween to the patrons of the Pourhouse. She woohoos around the tube then tosses off the blindfold and uncaps it to swallow it down.

That's when her eyes alight on the possible altercation and she gulps down the booze to mumble, "Aw hell." She takes the towel from the wisely eye-averting Leon to mop her face.

Nicole's almost got Joey standing down against Ruiz' goading. To a point of saying "yeah. Fine." It's what Cavanaugh says that slams the scale in utterly the wrong direction than it intended and it lets go. Almost never in the last ten years has Joey ever been accused of being 'emotional' in public. This very clearly isn't about the drink, the shirt, or someone 'scuffing his keds'; this is some primordial hurt making him react like wounded feral things do: They bite back. In this case , the boxer swings. "NOW i'm your fucking bad guy you want me to be. HAPPY?"

There is a non-verbal groan when Nicole hears Joseph. She feels the tension in Joey briefly, so briefly, ease then build up and she's quickly moving out of the way. "Shit... Shit..." There has been so much alcohol, she doesn't even know how much. After the punch is thrown, she is urging him to stop, eyes glancing towards the drowned-rat Vic. This isn't her area of expertise, it's passed her skill set now.

It's not like this hasn't been brewing for the better part of a couple of months between these two particular ruffians, ever since that new asshole rolled into town and shit promptly went sideways. And speaking of wounded feral things, Ruiz is an exercise in conservation of energy; he's perfectly, preternaturally still until he's not. And then that fist comes swinging at him, and despite the fact that Joey's got the advantage of all that training, and about a decade and a half less wear and tear on his body, the Mexican can fucking move when he wants to. He very nearly slides right out of the way of it, but it clips him across the cheekbone at the last second and sends him reeling into Joe.

And then launching right back with a fist crashing into Joey's gut, to try to double him over for the elbow that follows, aimed at his face.

"KELLY!" Vic barks out, and a hand flashes, curling into a fist and dragging back towards herself. Joey feels a hard grip on his belt, then he too is tugged back towards the blonde sodden not-a-nurse. "Not the time or the place, boss," she whisper-hisses at him. "Holiday, and friends own the place, let's just let it go for tonight ok?" she offers, presenting the bar with a translucent view of her cleavage and fancy bra. Watch the boobies, not the fight...watch the boobies, not the fight...you are getting very sleeeepy. "Cavanaugh! Get him away, will ya!" she barks at Joe, eying Ruiz.

Itzhak is no help whatsoever; the look on his face when Joey and Ruiz go at each other is downright appreciative. "Nice," he murmurs to himself, eyebrows tilted flirtatiously, his attention on first the way Joey goes in, and then the way Ruiz retaliates.

It's a bar fight and Everett isn't even here to enjoy it with her. That thought brings a sudden smile to Kailey's face and out comes her phone and suddenly? She's filming while nibbling on her treat. Just as her mozzy sticks arrive. "Another jaeger, please?" She asks the server before dipping a stick and setting crispy treat aside.

So that is Joe just drunk enough to absolutely lose his balance when Ruiz is more or less flung against him....and not only does he lose his own footing, he takes down a whole rank of barstools with him, like lined up dominos. There's a solid thud as his head meets the floor, and he doesn't hurry to get up. Just sprawls there, dazed, trying to sort out how he got down there....before he rolls onto his back.

Leon was actually dealing with a high-profile fist fight in his bar now. Shit was bonkers now. Another traded glance with Davis. The bartender points to the phone, wondering if he should call the police. Leon waves a hand at Ruiz incredulously. Davis makes an enlightened, 'Ohhhh' expression of understanding... Then shrugs a 'What can you do?' and goes back to serving patrons. That left Leon with the job of having to get in this one physically. He swings his bulk between the two men as best as he can, trying to get ahold of Ruiz and hold him back, noticing Vic had taken Kelly in the opposite direction. At least for now.

"Hey! Hey! Cool your fucking jets!" he shouts at both of them, though he was facing the chief, "Not in my fucking bar!"

Kailey notably cringes as people and chairs fall. The phone lowers slightly and Joseph is highlighted. "Oh ow, you okay?" She asks with real concern. The phone is lifted and she says into it, "Hold on." The phone was then set on the table against her mozzy basket. She gets up and moves to help Joseph up from the floor. "Can we get some ice?" She calls towards one of the servers. She heard that head hit the floor.

Itzhak breaks his enraptured concentration on the interim Chief of Police and the PE coach formerly known as the yard boss when Joe wipes out so spectacularly. He sighs. "Cavanaugh, seriously? Seriously Cavanaugh?" and picks his way through barstool hell to help him up.

Joey is still a little sloppy on his follow through and he knows, knows, that punch is coming back for the bread basket and he tightens his core down in response to soak that. That's going to bruise later. He's just catching that elbow when he's dragged back and there's... flashing green burn spots in his vision momentarily and also breasts which- okay admittedly he is not going to argue about. They're decorated and everything. Oh yeah. Being pissed. Now is that time he could fight bakck but instead takes a deep breath and holds both hands up. He's done. More for Leon's benefit than really anything else and, "School tomorrow... post hangover. Right."

He sniffs and his tongue runs across his lip checking for blood. We're good. Still, He sniffs and there's a faint smile, but it's hurt and he murmurs, "There. You got what you want. Ya always do. You have this...uncanny super power to let down the dumb mother fuckers who are stupid enough to trust you without fail." Shaking his head he admits, "That leaves me as the dumbass motherfucker don't it?" Pinching his eyes with two fingers, he speaks the words he never fucking says, to Leon, "I'm sorry." Guess you can learn something in school.

Looking to Nicole he says "I'm 'a go take a walk around the block." Dumbass or not the smart boxer knows when to tap out.

Vic looks over as Joe goes down. "Cavanaugh, you ok over there?" she calls out, with a bit of worry in her tone. She moves with Leon in between the two angry men, trying to keep them apart, and fully aware she might get a fist to the face for her trouble. Then Joey is de-escalating and she lets out a relieved breath, because she is REALLY drunk and she's not entirely sure she could throw a straight punch if things got any uglier.

It isn't like Nicole to just stand by, hands up to her cheeks as she watches chaos break out. But, that is what she is doing at the moment, even though she's still pumpkin-fied. The men are separated and she gives Vic a look of thanks. When Joey calms, says he's going for a walk, she nods and comes out of her apparent daze, slipping up to his side. "Let's go." He didn't include her in the statement, but, she's not about to stay here alone after all this. Besides, he's her Han and without him there she'd just be the Leia with one bun coming loose.

Javier, too, looks to have had a switch flipped somewhere in the midst of this little kerfuffle. Maybe it's the fact that Joey's not fighting back; but it's more likely the fact that his goddamned boyfriend's hurt, because he was trying to stop him from being a dipshit. Furry paws up, palms forward in surrender, the wolf-cop backs away as if to make it clear he isn't going to press the issue any further. Leon's attempt to get a handful of him is.. well, somewhat irrelevant by this point, and moreover meets with some irritation on de la Vega's part. "Esta bien Está bien, vale?" he mumbles, twisting away.

And then once he's reasonably sure Kelly's not going to take another swing at him, he wades in to check on Joe. Itzhak gets a murmured, and somewhat awkward, "Hey," in greeting as he goes to check that bump on the blond pirate's head.

Well, that takes the indignant wind right out of Leon's sails, the big locksmith's eyebrows both shooting up in surprise as he watches Joey disengage and apologize. Ruiz's retreat and words get a look, then a nod as well. There was clearly a fat bit of emotion coloring the actions here, so he was liable to let it slide for now. "Ya'll need to talk some shit out, fine, do it. Fistfights, go to Kelly's place, alright?" Leon feels like he needs to state in finality, then takes a look around the bar as things start to go back to normal...? Fight's over, back to drinking, the rest of the patronage was probably thinking, conversation starting to pick up again in the outskirts. Leon sighs and goes to get himself a drink, offering a brief nod in thanks to Vic for trying to stop it.

Joe's helped upright by willing hands, but he still looks a little dazed. "I'm a'right," he insists, and his voice is gentle, no irritation., "No, seriously, I'm fine. Not usually this clumsy, that drink musta been stronger'n I reckoned." The accent's thicker than usual, but his mood doesn't seem destroyed. "Thanks," he says, to those who've helped him up. Then he's submitting to Javier's inspection. No blood in the dark gold curls, just a rising lump - he smiles at the cop almost shyly, like he's the one embarrassed.

Vic scrubs a hand down her face as the situation goes from red alert to all clear. She looks down at her front, realizing she's a little see through on the outfit at the moment, and grunts. She hangs on to the towel from Leon. "I'll bring this back tomorrow, ok?" she offers, then ponders how much she's had to drink. "Day after tomorrow, ok?" Then she's heading out the door to stumble her way home, unlike Joe, her mood is clearly soured.

Itzhak just gives Ruiz a wry and fond sideways half-smile. "Hey there, handsome. You boys ain't playin' nice." He helps out, helpfully, by smooching the big bad wolf's cheek and then kissing Joe's booboo to make it better. "You need some ice on that, sailor." He looks over his shoulder to find Kelly, like he might have to go mother him too.

Kailey lets those who know the man take over. But does direct the baggie of ice to Joseph when the server comes back. Sitting down with a huff the phone is picked up and turned to herself. Giving a pretty pink smile to the camera she says, "Show's over. Come get me in 30?" Then she makes a kissy face and presses a button. Phone it deposited into the pocket of her bra. Yes it has pockets! Another two shots, mozzy sticks, and paying ger tab later. She is heading out.

"Define nice," Javier retorts, eyes crinkling a little at the corners at the cheek kiss he gets. Then, once he's done checking Joe's booboo (it's not called fussing if he gives the man a little shove when he's finished), and Itzhak's done kissing it, he informs the pair of them that he's, "Ordering a round of drinks for the house." Probably because he feels like shit for letting himself be goaded into a fight by Kelly. He might even need to go have a word with Maggi and Leon while everyone's getting their drink on, and properly apologise, or some shit. Being the acting Chief fucking sucks sometimes.

Joey is not looking to reengage in a fight. Vic's got the world far enough apart and Joey really does, as she helpfully points out, 'Like Leon and Maggie'. The rest? It's something small. And there's no ice for his ribs or his jaw. It's his whistle Nicole's fished out of his pocket and put in his hand. He looks at it for a quiet moment, takes her hand and rolls out like a storm over the wave break to let the sky clear. For now Joey needs out of the bar that is now a too too small room for him, and as promised the angry claustrophobic goes to take a walk and get some air.

Ice it is, and Joe settles back down on his stool, sighing, after murmured thanks to Itz and Kailey and Ruiz. "Been a long time since I was in a barfight," he says, starting to laugh, softly. He gives Ruiz a look full of fondness, lips curved in a wry smile. Like the situation might have some particular special meaning for them.