I think I might be concussed?

Sioux Falls is not where Lucy thought she'd end up, but life is funny, and when she'd gotten the opportunity to open a Southern Eatery and Bakery there, she'd taken it. She'd still been settling in when she'd met Castiel at a bar not far from the little house she'd recently bought. She'd run into him the next day at the gas station and he'd recommended a slurpee that had cured her hangover. In her most dramatic moments, she'd announce that it had been true love from that moment. In her realistic moments, she knows neither of them are at that stage yet (at least she doesn't think either of them are), but she likes Castiel. A lot.

Which is the only reason she agrees when he says he's going to pick her up an hour before the sun rises. It's also the only reason she agrees to casual, warm clothing. To Lucy, a Southerner accustomed to very warm seasons, Sioux Falls is a little chilly (at best) most of the year. When Castiel picks her up, she's dressed in one of the few pairs of jeans that she owns, a pale yellow sweater, warm fuzzy coat, and tennis shoes (they've got slight platform soles; she's incapable of wearing flat shoes). She's got her hair braided in two pigtails and her eye makeup is mostly from last night, and smudgey. The grumpy pout on her face disappears when Castiel hands her a very large cup of coffee. she wraps her hands half-covered in fingerless gloves around the cup and groans. "Oh my Bear Bryant," she sighs as she takes the first sip. "Okay, you're half forgiven," she says as she scoots closer on the bench seat of Castiel's truck and snuggles up to him. She puts the cup between her legs, digs in her large purse, and pulls out a mermaid flask, tips a bit of the contents into the coffee cup, replaces the lid, and swirls it a little. She tasks another sip and tips her head up to brush Castiel's cheek with a kiss. "I'm reserving the other half of my forgiveness until I see why you've dragged me out this early. It's possible I'm still buzzed from last night."

Lucy isn't aware of the gorgeous Falls Park only five minutes from Sioux Falls. She's not much of an outdoorsy person so hopefully, Castiel has plenty of blankets, a pillow or four, and an excellent breakfast in the back of his truck. At least Lucy will be happy to help him set the picnic up.

With Jill gone, Lucy has found herself unexpectedly a part of the Winchester family, and it's something that she needs. Lucy doesn't do well alone; she never has. For their Tuesday night dinner, she bakes a pie (as usual) as well as hummingbird cupcakes. She's dressed in a cute yellow minidress because according to her calendar, there's a decent chance Cas could be human and she enjoys looking particularly cute those times of the month.

There's something different about dinner in the bunker with friends and dinner in the Houndstooth with friends. Lucy loves the Houndstooth and wouldn't know what to do without it. It gives her a purpose as well as a place to be around others, but dinners with the Winchesters feel more like a family event, more like a home. Some nights they all stay up and play games for a while, some nights Ruby and Sam slip away early. Tonight is one of those nights. Dean insists it's his turn to do the dishes (Lucy thinks he secretly enjoys doing the dishes with music on the radio; she's not wrong). That leaves Lucy and Cas with the rest of the evening to themselves.

"Walk me home?" Lucy invites him.

[Lucy is in the kitchen mixing up something. She's got a smudge of orange across her cheek and she's wearing an apron. There's some poppy music on in the background. She swipes a finger through the batter in the bowl she's working with and sticks it in her mouth then looks up to the device, gives it a bit of an 'oops, caught red handed' look, takes her finger out of her mouth and smiles.]

Okay, so Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I don't know what sort of traditions everyone has and I know not all of us are from the United States but if you ask me, Thanksgiving is about getting together with your friends and your family and eating. A lot. That means I'm busy cooking. A lot.

If I know you, I've talked to you or you're all alone tomorrow and don't want to be, you're invited to my place for Thanksgiving. I promise there will be a lot of food. I'm even making vegetables without chicken broth, Stephen.

[The video on screen is just a blurred out mess. The voice that comes through isn't much better.]

Anyone have any clue what's up with the devices? It sucks. No one can see how incredibly good looking I am. I apologize to you all on behalf of the craptastic devices. By the way, this is Jace as if you didn't know such perfection could only be me. For the extreme benefit of the City, Deities, I suggest you work on your technology.

[ooc: Anon curse. Previous agreement with Jace mun to pretend to be him for the day.]

[Lucy is pacing her apartment, wringing her hands as she does. She passes by the piano in the living room and hits a couple of the keys before she turns to the device sitting on top of it.]

Okay, has anyone seen Jace lately? He's been gone since Sunday and yes I've checked the hall of missing. He's not there. I'm kind of worried because he usually stays in contact at least some what.

And on a happier note, was there goodness to be had for everyone with all of the visitors? I saw Hardison and I met someone who could have been my twin. It was awesome sauce. Harry didn't show up and...I'm kind of okay with that.

[There's a significant pause and then a spitting sound.]

Okay so truth time. I love that buzzed, hyper, omg everything is amazing feeling that six shots of espresso in a latte gives you.

The truth part? It tastes like crap and that makes me sad.

[And another significant pause]

Sometimes, I buy a pair of shoes and realize I have a pair at home that looks almost like the pair I just bought but that new shoe high just makes it impossible for me to say no. And yes, I've had months when I ate ramen and didn't pay the light bill because new shoes are my addiction.

[ooc: She's cursed to tell the truth today no matter what she's asked.]

[Lucy is pacing through the store, adjusting last minute vases of roses, straightening bottles of perfume, tubes of lotion and bubble bath as she goes. She's got a few candles lit and scattered around the store. There's a table with coffee, sweet tea and lemonade along with various pastries and cookies near the register. Everything is as ready for opening day as Lucy can possibly make it. She takes a deep breath, runs her hands down the skirt of her red dress and unlocks the front door.]

Welcome to Coming Up Roses. We've got all your sweet smelling needs. The first 100 customers get a free lotion.

[Lucy has been hard at work for the last several hours turning Xanadu into a frat party paradise. Alright, so Jace has been busy turning the garden into frat party paradise while Lucy supervised. That's how things work. Boys do the heavy lifting. All of his her hardwork has paid off. There are tiki torches ringing the area, bug candles scattered about, a keg, a cooler, funnels for beer and a table full of liquor bottles with varying amounts of liquor in them. Music suitable for dancing is pounding out at a workable volume. There's a pile of red plastic cups next to the table and the keg but the main event of the party takes place center garden. There are three long tables with red plastic cups of beer on them. Ping balls set waiting innocently for the beer pong games to begin.]

Things are definitely too truth and darish around here today. Beer pong is more fun. Add in keg stands, games of I never and spin the bottle, it's a good party.

Everyone's invited and we'll explain the rules to things if you like.

Edited later PSA, if you intend to kill, maim or harm any of the party goers, consider the invite revoked.

[ooc: please tag, thread jack and have fun. You don't have to know Lucy or Jill or anyone. You can even say you saw the party from a distance and decided to check it out.]

For those of ya'll that knew Chris Skelton, he's not in the City anymore. I hadn't heard from him in a few days so I checked on him and then went to the hall.

I know we're supposed to happy when people go home because that's what most everyone wants, right?

I hate it. Color me selfish. As long as it's not orange.

[She sounds quiet, tired and yeah, a little sad.]