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[color=#d18f75][b]#d18f75[/b][/color] [color=2e2c2c]....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [url=https://i.pinimg.com/474x/69/86/b8/6986b853d1ef49fca2d87c65e416ecbb.jpg][color=9b9b9b][b]outfit[/b][/color][/url] [color=2e2c2c].....[/color]|[color=2e2c2c].....[/color] [color=9b9b9b][b]The Woods --> Cabin #3 --> Party[/b][/color]
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[indent][color=darkgray]There is a subtle chaos to the natural world that is often ignored. Some animals crave order and routine, marching in lines as part of their daily existence. But there is always chaos in the search, be it for food or shelter. Things skitter in the woods, craving and clawing for their basic needs. It is a soothing, predictable disorder. Tess felt at peace with the routine, marching carefully through the snow to her destination. The soft padding of old paws diligently followed her movements, the pair moving ever closer to their destination. With a sharp whistle, the two came to a complete stop. She had counted their paces, her measured steps helping gauge the distance they had travelled. She reached into her waxed canvas jacket, removing an old folded map. She fumbled with it through thick gloves, crouching down to settle on the balls of her feet. Her old Pointer slowly moved in, nuzzling his snout against her leg. She reached down to scratch between his ears with her left hand, and brushed some accumulated snow off of his fur. Her eyes remained fixed on the map, clicking her tongue softly as she got a pretty good idea of where they were located. She dipped a hand into her pocket to produce a compass, noting the directions, before letting out a loud exhale. [Color=d18f75]“Alright, Butchie… Not too far now, I promise.”[/color]

The old dog lazily lifted his head up to acknowledge Tess, who was already returning the map and compass to their safe places on her person. She reached a hand over towards the shoulder straps of her framed hiking backpack, which was stuffed to the brim. A small tube and valve fed from part of the bag over her shoulder, which she brought to her lips to take a few sips of water. She eyed her old dog, who seemed perfectly content as he shifted into an upright sitting position next to her. She gave him another few scratches behind the ears, which prompted the dog to suddenly stand and shake his entire body. Melted snowflakes sprayed the area from the move, and Tess let out a small giggle. Butcher knew what he was doing, and it was clear he was looking forward to resting in front of a fire more than she was. So, Tess rose up to her feet once again and continued the journey. The bright rays of the mid-day sun shone brightly overhead.[hr]

The letter had been surprisingly clear on what she needed to do when she arrived. She wasn’t particularly familiar with the mechanics of a thumb-print, and it took a few tries until she understood what exactly she needed to do. The gates creaked open in the late afternoon, and Tess entered without much fanfare. She noticed a few signs and a map, and quickly scanned it. The letter had mentioned Cabin #3, distinctly noting that it would ‘remind her of home.’ So, Tess and Butcher decided to go the long way around. Opting to keep her distance from any assorted campers who seemed to be preparing for some festivities, she slipped back into the tree-cover and make her way around the north end of the camp, until her eyes locked on her destination. Tess’ heart rate quickened as she gazed upon a near-perfect recreation of [i]her[/i] cabin in Montana, nestled cozily in a clearing of trees. She was a little perturbed, but it also seemed to be an affirmation. This is where she belonged.

Butcher sprang forward, rushing towards the back door of the cabin. Tess followed quickly, clicking her tongue in chastizement as her dog had begun to scratch softly at the back door. She stepped up to it, placing a hand on the worn brass knob, and gave it a turn. It was unlocked, and the two entered into the cramped cabin. The interior was similar to what she knew, but the furniture seemed far less worn in and much more expertly crafted. Small logs were already stacked up in the fireplace, and a stuffed deer head was mounted above it. The adjoining kitchen was small, but much better stocked with food and appliances than hers ever was. As soon as Tess set her bag down, she noticed that two metal bowls were already sitting on the ground in the kitchen. She scrounged up some kibble and filled another bowl with water. Butcher’s tale wagged as he ate and drank to his heart’s content, letting out a pleased guttural growl. Past the kitchen, the cabin had clearly lost some of the familiarity she was used to. Her old room was gone, and it appeared that the only remaining bedroom seemed to engulf the space that the two rooms had once occupied. Her new bed was far roomier and nicer, and the spacious walk-in closet seemed to be filled with clothes her father could never afford to buy her. Of course, the clothes were not designer… but they were less practical than the rugged hunting clothes she was used to. She eyed the outfits, her mind drifting back to the signs of some sort of social event. Tess plopped down on the larger quilt comforter neatly tucked into the bed, and took a deep breath.

It smelled like home.[hr]

A beam of moonlight had managed to pierce the cabin’s blinds and slowly rouse Tess from a delightful uncomfortable nap. She had only meant to sit down, leaving her sore legs dangling in mid-air off the side. She heard the loud snoring of a certain canine in the living room, certainly curled up on the couch like he always was. Tess heard the faint sounds of revelry from outside, carrying on the wind. She was most certainly late, but that mattered little to her. She stumbled into the simplistic bathroom, stripping out of her dirty clothes while she turned on the shower. She was surprised to see that she actually had a bathtub/shower combination for once, instead of the small shower stall she had grown up with. She tied up her long brown hair in a towel to keep it from getting wet, and did her best to let the aches and stress of the last few months wash away down the drain. She kept eyeing the bathroom door through a gap in the shower curtain, half-expecting the door to creak open on its own. She did not know precisely what she was walking into, despite the letter’s assurances that they were ‘in a similar situation’ to her.

Once Tess was confident she had sufficiently washed away the stench of her recent hike, She quickly went about combing through the closet for an outfit. There were a few dresses that she certainly did not feel comfortable with, and skirts were a little too loose for her taste. She eventually settled on a pair of high-waisted white slacks and a silk black blouse. It seemed much warmer in the camp than it did outside, most certainly some sort of magical ward befitting a place like this. She eyed a few pairs of heels and slippers, shaking her head at the thought. She eventually settled on a pair of black loafers. Makeup was something she had never even considered as she finished getting ready, untangling her hair and letting it hang down. She looked at herself briefly in the mirror, nearly blown away by the person staring back. A small smile crossed her lips.

She didn’t want to jinx it… but there was a chance this could be fun.[hr]

[color=8e0047]"Shots!"[/color]

Tess stepped out from the darkness and into the bar area, slipping between groups of strangers as best as she could. She towered over most of those assembled at the bar, sticking out like a sore thumb. She hadn’t exactly gotten the memo on how little she was supposed to be wearing to a party like this, and did her best to avoid staring too closely at anyone in particular. Everyone gathered was unnaturally attractive in a way that brought color to her cheeks. She slipped towards an empty spot of the bar, noticing a couple individuals approaching with a pleasant demeanour about them. Another man had arrived separately, with a simple inquiry. 
[color=0d0e20]"Anything good over here?"[/color]

The call for “shots” clearly had the sort of intonation of a challenge, reminding her faintly of the calls she and her father would make before  launching arrows at moving targets. As her gaze turned to the assorted liquors and beers, Tess almost instinctively began to rifle through them. Whiskey seemed like a sipping beverage, not something one should ‘shoot’ in one go. Beer was out, gin seemed a little unsavory. Tess’ eyes rested upon an older looking bottle with cyrillic writing. She swished the clear liquid inside, before shrugging and twisting off the cap with a flick. She fetched a simple plastic cup, pouring a bit of vodka in it before setting the bottle back down on the bar. She motioned towards it vaguely while cradling her drink in preparation. [Color=d18f75]"If you aren't afraid of a a burn, it'll get the job done."[/color] She turned her head towards the others, settling the rim of the cup between her lips as she let the scent of alcohol burn her nostrils. She waited until others knocked back their drinks before she would drink hers.

After all, drinking alone was boring.
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[hr]Location: The Bar
Interactions: Azariah [@Blizz]
Mentions: Lochlan, Azariah, rest of the bar crew