as the night unfurls around them, Spider makes their way through their pilfered bottle and finds themself growing progressively more light-headed. and by the time they stumble away from the bonfire for a bit of peace and quiet, their steps feel heavy and their tongue is like cotton in their mouth. they're not completely sloshed, but it's a level of intoxication they haven't reached prior to tonight, and they're not entirely sure if they like it or not. at least it makes stuff with Hazel - nonopewe'rnenotthinkingaboutthat - seem further away. out here, nestled within unfamiliar territory, they can almost pretend their entire world hasn't dramatically altered its course. almost.

"Speech"

Was Wake supposed to be helping keep an eye on the pups? Probably, but there are plenty of real adults around. They're a noisy lot, so much barking and squeaking and squirming. He doesn't have the patience. So many siblings, and what's a festival without actually taking time to have fun on his own? Wake can see at least some of them mixing and mingling with the crowd, good enough.

Uncapping his bottled tincture and letting some of the bitter liquid sit under his tongue for a while before swallowing. Never did get used to the taste, but it's a worthy trade for a little relief. Relief from what? The noise. The sheer overwhelm of the environment. The ache that still rattled his lungs in the humidity. Wake wouldn't admit how reliant he was on it, at this point.

Stepping into the Grove, away from the fire, he was happy to get a breath of fresh air. It would only get worse, with the smoke from the impending fire. Looking for somewhere to settle, finding the best spot already occupied. The strong opium tincture already taking hold though, Wake doesn't want to keep walking. "Mind sharing your hiding place?" Outlined against the fading sun, offers a little smile to the stranger, taking a seat before they have a chance to rebuff him.

"They party different down here, kinda stuffy." Wake's posture is relaxed, lazy, where he settles. Languid, back resting against one of the stout berry bushes.

"Wake"

Spider smiles blearily at the newcomer, sweeping a paw outward in a gesture of welcome. “be my guest.” despite their earlier melancholy, the drink has softened them around the edges, made them open and loose and glad for the company. as the boy settles, Spider props their chin up on their paw and stares at him openly, probably a tad unnervingly. he smells of salt and the sea (raider?) and something else, a strange undercurrent they can’t place. Spider snorts loudly at his comment, eyes finally shifting from his face and moving instead to the sky above. tracking the stars. “you can say that again. some of them look like a stiff breeze would knock them over.” but then, these are guys who live in a palace, after all.

snickering, Spider lifts the bottle to their lips - then scowls into its empty bottom, giving it a few useless shakes. “ugh, i’m all out.” they glance slowly over to the boy, expression shifting into something vaguely hopeful. “you, ah, wouldn’t happen to have any wine you, would you?”
"Speech"

Two sets of eyes stare back at him, and Wake isn't entirely sure what to make of that. Ah, he's too high to care much. Settling in beside the stranger, his tail thumps for a moment against the ground. Lounging, taking in the scent of alcohol on their breath. Perhaps that's the most familiar part of this environment, huh?

Their words bring about a snicker, a grin. "Dunno how anyone lives cooped up, we're not chickens." He's comfortable, maybe too comfortable. Letting his hair down, so to speak, comes pretty easily.

His companion's expression shifts for a moment, hope-- ah, an empty bottle wouldn't do. Wake knows better than to offer someone laudanum, knowing the risks and dangers. Still, he's got something almost as good, less dangerous, tucked away with it.

"No wine, but I'll share my spliff if you share your name." A rakish, confident smile plays on his face as he draws the sizeable hand rolled cigarette from the pouch around his neck. A mixture of tobacco and cannabis, Wake wouldn't be caught out without it. Shhh, he doesn't have a problem or anything.

"Wake"

another snort, this one even less dignified. this guy is funny, they decide. “wouldn’t know it with the feathers on some of ‘em.” they have a brief image of the Hallows alpha with a beak and a pair of chicken legs, and they snigger into their paw.

his offer confuses them, but they don’t let it show. no, they keep their face perfectly schooled, casual as you please. can’t let him know they’ve no idea what a spliff is; that’d be decidedly uncool. besides, if they play their cards right, they might be about to find out. “ah. you’ve got yourself a deal.” they hold out a paw, offering a handshake because it feels oddly right in this moment. “i’m Spider.” they gesture to their face, an explanation all its own. “might i know yours, mr. raider?” they’re not entirely sure they’re right, but he’ll probably correct them if not. maybe some wolves just like to kick it by the beach.

weirdos.

"Speech"

Relaxed, easy. Wake is comfortable, shifting on his hip and letting his long legs splay lazily. They like their ravens down here-- maybe that's why. Part bird, with their desire to stay put away in high places. It's weird, but he supposes he can't throw stones from glass houses. Hell, he'd helped Dread put up more than one tree house, and likely more to come.

Carefully striking a match, lighting the spliff, and taking a long drag-- Spider. "Wake, it's a pleasure." Feeling the smoke take hold in his lungs, bringing on a pleasant head rush, and further relaxation to his already languid form. "Here, like this." A slow demonstration, pulling the smoke into his lungs and holding for a moment. Ever the showoff, Wake blows a smoke ring before letting the rest go.

Perhaps it's an assumption that his new friend doesn't quite know what they're in for, but Wake's tone is gentle. "Don't inhale too long, at first. Just a little will probably hit you nicely, if you're not used to it." A mixture of tobacco and cannabis, rolled carefully with a broad tobacco leaf. Is Wake a good healer? No, but at least he's gentle about what he does.

"Wake"