[PUNCH CLOCK ANIMAL] ASHTRAY

[skinstealer]

 

   

ALI: Bucket, you need to be back here at the table now.
ALI: You're slacking.
BUCKET: I'm working, Ali!
BUCKET: Just give me a few minutes, I assure you I'm not going to party with ruffians in that time.
ALI: We're being paid Bucket, they expected knights and we need the money.
ALI: You know your poor mother has been having a hard time lately right?
ALI: She hasn't left the house in so long.
BUCKET: I mean, I know bu-
ALI: Then why are you still arguing?

  
Derry tries to avoid being seen as much as possible as they bicker, intimidated as hell.

BUCKET: Just please let me finish what I'm doing....
ALI: I need you to come over right now, everyone's worried you left on them.
BUCKET: I... I'm sorry Ali.
ALI: Tch, don't give me the sad schtick either right now.
ALI: After today you can party with them all you want but you're a knight right now.
BUCKET: I know.
ALI: Act it.
DERRY: We can go over there with the fancier crowd if you need to...it looks like they're having a good time over on the other half too, so...

  

 
Bucket nods quietly and follows their aunt back toward the mass of the wealthy folks. Derry shoots Bucket a worried glance, getting bumped into as it follows the both of them.
 
Just don't make a scene any bigger than you have to.
 
Bucket sits at the table back where they started.
 
Gotta find an out to this.
 
Derry takes an empty chair with more than a little nerves, getting an inquisitive look from the selected at the table.
 

????: Interesting choice of company.
BUCKET: I am keeping an eye on it for now, it's not something I planned to be doing.
????: It's just, I've heard rumors about it.

  
She leans forward, sipping at her drink, her words just the slightest bit familiar.

????: I couldn't place its face from afar, but this one's got a reputation.
BUCKET: Oh?
????: I just don't think that keeping the company of someone who lays with cultists is the best idea for your own look.

  
She looks up at their aunt.

????: Did you know about this, Ali?
ALI: No idea who this person is, never permitted inviting a friend to this occasion either.
ALI: A discussion will be had after this celebration.
ALI: I don't want to see you wander off with it together.
DERRY: I, I'm sorry to cause trouble...
????: I just don't understand what motivates a person to make their bed with Spit's people...let alone Spit herself.
ALI: I would hope Bucket here isn't planning on joining ranks like those, mmm?

 
Bucket frowns in response.

BUCKET: What are you saying?
ALI: You come home with me, I don't want to find any shenanigans.
DERRY: I wasn't planning anything w-with them!

 

 
Bucket tries to find the words to stand up for it but can't come up with anything that won't summon backlash. Derry tries piping up to defend itself, only to be interrupted by a loud shriek from the other side of the party.


 
On said other side of the party, Bazil’s sunk his tusks into somebody's arm.