"I'd talk to them but I don't want to take the chance of my pay disappearing. I like the money very much." Murphy was well aware of how the owner could be and most days he wondered how he made it so long. He laughed, Jaxon could try to be like him all he wanted but he wasn't going to admit he barely knew what he was doing half the time. He usually used fear to keep the team in place. "I'll tell you one thing right now, don't be afraid the yell. The look they'll get in their eyes is priceless." Murphy continued his drink.

To say Murphy recognized everyone that came to the table wasn't a lie. He kept up with what the other teams. And He just happened to know Lilybelle. She also happened to be someone very much stuck in his head. Maybe it was her good looks. And he was very much shocked when he saw how close her and Jaxon seemed to be. "Lilybelle, great to see you again. Your cake was a huge hit at that part." Murphy grabbed a cupcake off the table. It was true. She was the best baker in London. But his mind was set on her and Jaxon. The reason behind why he cared to much wasn't extremely clear to him yet. He just really wanted to know how they knew each other. "Shots sound wonderful."

Val, stilly heaving a bit from laughing as Jax had swung her around, whooped when he suggested shots. Yes, good, drinks. Most importantly, shots. That was always fun, particularly with Nate and Jax and Chet. She didn't know Benson too well, but he looked like fun, and he was a looker too. And Katie... Well, Val would prefer not to dwell on her older teammate because she might just do something she shouldn't. If Fanny showed up, Val didn't know how she would handle everyone in the room.

She wrapped an arm around @murphy's shoulders, having to stand on tiptoes even with her heels on. "Murph, mate, that didn't sound too enthusiastic. Just for that, you'll be taking part in the more difficult level." She joined at @babe and Jaxon Jameson Cole. "First captain down loses. Doesn't matter who else is on their feet. Last captain standing, boys."

Sure, they were all mates, and many of them had been together in the school teams, but they were all extremely competitive. No matter what, it somehow ended up being a competition.

Katie knew she was a good bit older than everyone else, except for maybe Lady Watson, but she was a whole 'nother story. She flashed a last parting grin at Jax before turning to survey the rest of the room, catching sight of  @val , she grinned wider and sauntered over, because she couldn't resist teasing their illustrious captain any chance she got. She draped an arm around Val's shoulders and leaned her head in close, just because. "Good that you're here, it's not a party until the hottest ones show up, and you're definitely in the top five, babe." Obviously, Katie herself was the number one hottest babe in attendance, but Val was probably a very close second. Probably.

Shots? Count her in. Drinking games were her favorite kind of games, after Quidditch, of course. "Is this going to be a contest? Because I'll so beat all of you," she insisted confidently. Unless Lady got there in time to assert herself, then she just might lose. That tiny tyrant could certainly hold her liquor. 

It was a damn shame to be losing a seeker like Jaxon, especially when the league season was so close to starting up again. He was sure that they would figure it out, though, and that wasn’t something to worry about tonight—or ever, as that was another perk of not being the captain. He didn’t have to deal with that sort of shit, assuming that was even what Murphy had to deal with. Nathan wasn’t really even sure. All he knew was that, while they were down a seeker, they would be having a hell of a good time that evening. They had something to celebrate, and he was looking forward to it long before he’d even gotten to the Leaky. Being here would be a bit more laidback of a night, assuming they didn’t migrate elsewhere as the night continued. Seemed to be what commonly happened, after all. As he poured himself a glass, he smirked in response to Jaxon Jameson Cole. “Or lose them—more often, in my experience,” he answered, easily, but it was clear from his tone that he was joking. Jaxon was a damn good seeker, and Puddlemere was lucky to have him… he just didn’t say sappy shit like that out loud.

His gaze moved to @ainsley as she appeared next to him, and it was a damn struggle for him to keep his eyes on her face when she looked as good as she did. Having attractive friends was a real burden sometime, he mused to himself, before retorting quickly, “Only what you’ve told me, babe.” She would never let him live it down that the Harpies had beaten them the last two times they’ve played… and since they’d ended up winning the European Cup, Nathan had to concede that she had the right to gloat. For now. Nathan laughed when @babe joined them as well, taking a swig of his drink before replying, “Oy, I don’t want in the club,” he retorted, but he was still grinning. It truly wasn’t something he was interested in. Well, if someone offered he wouldn’t say no… he supposed. But it just sounded like a hell of a lot of work that didn’t involve actually flying, which he wasn’t as down for. He just wanted to play the game, not worry about other bullshit.

Nathan took another long gulp of his drink while everyone else talked, watching as an unfamiliar blonde approached the group. He nodded amidst the introductions, a smirk on his face, but didn’t overwhelm the newcomer by immediately pulling her into a conversation. Besides, from the look of it, she’d be plenty buy with Jaxon and Murphy, he noted, as the Arrows’ captain soon let on that he knew her as well. “Never a bad time for shots,” he agreed, before shooting a look in Val’s direction. “I assume you’re counting me out of that game because you want a chance of winning,” Nathan added, good-naturedly, but game or no game, Nathan was never one to turn down shots. It did make him wonder if his favorite Fanny would be making an appearance, as she was normally the one he went out and drank with. If she didn’t show, he was sure he’d see her later, as it always tended to work out that way.

Being late to a party was never a thing Lady liked to do, especially when it's a party for Quidditch players because the amount of drinking that goes down is always huge. Berry was at home with Delphi, as usual, probably playing some dress up game or something. She apparated to Diagon Alley, in a little alley near the Leakey Cauldron because there was no way she was walking the entire way, and made sure her dress was straight and covering all the important bits--because it really didn't cover much else. Her entrance probably wouldn't attract attention unless she made it loud, with wasn't off the table but she wanted to be classier than that. Ah, well, best to just get in there and hope for the best.

She spotted a few of her teammates, but decided not to join them just yet until she'd fetched herself a drink first and properly congratulated Jaxon Jameson Cole for his transfer/promotion. At least, until she heard mention of shots. Well then. "Oh, I am so winning this," she declared confidently. Lady might be the smallest of all of them, but could hold her booze with the best of them. Delphi would throw a hissy fit when she came home totally plastered, but that was a problem for a later time. She barked a laugh at @nathan , "No one's got a chance against me, mate. Might as well count your losses now."


Outfit

Quidditch players were always so competitive. Maybe it was the whole sport thing. The so called jocks always seemed ready to challenge anyone at anything at anytime. But did Murphy really mind this? Nope. He was always up to win at something and with a group like this it sure would be fun. It wasn't like none of them have never had a drink with each other. Celebrating was a big thing with him and most of the others here. And turning celebrating into a game seemed like a very Quidditch player thing to do. "How about we make this a little bit more fun? With everyone wanting to join in," a slight smirk on his face. "Split up into pairs. Last pair alive wins. And that means both people in the pair." he suggested. With the rest of the Trifecta missing, Murphy wasn't so sure who he could trust enough t o team up with.

Artemis was late she knew she was late, but better late than never right? Honestly it was just because she tended to avoid places that she might run into Humphrey, but she figured that there would be plenty of people there tonight and she was small enough that she could disappear if she had to. Slipping into the bar unnoticed she came up beside @murphy just as he suggested a rather interesting game. "Just how did you think you were going to win that without me or Fanny?" She smirked at him and shook her head, letting her hair fall around her. "Good thing I showed up when I did Murph."

Laughing lightly she looked across at Jaxon Jameson Cole . "Sorry I'm late. Congrats by the way." She hadn't thrown a party like this last year, not with Humphrey around, but it was definitely something to celebrate, and she remembered the amped up feeling that she had had for days afterwards. But if Murphy was going to suggest a drinking game she was all in. If Fanny was here she knew that Murphy would have won, but she'd do in a pinch, they were still going to win this thing.

Outfit

Jaxon loved being out with this crowd. These were his people--where he get most like himself. Nights like these he wasn't a werewolf. He was that wild eyed boy who came alive on a broom. LB being here just made it all the better.

Another captain joined the fray and Jax gave her flirty, wolfish grin. A tap of his hand swatted playfully at her arse. "Punishment for keepin' me waitin'," he joked, winking at @artemis. She was one tornado he would not mind getting twisted up in. So sexy without even trying--he had a crush on the other seeker since they were playing against each other back at Hogwarts. But being honest, he had a hardon for basically everyone present that evening.

"Barkeep," he half yelled, the call brought the man close and Jaxon gave the instructions: "Shot and keep 'em comin'--and whoever can't leave, we'll take whatever rooms ye got upstairs. I'm good for it." Shots were ferried to the table--all Ogden's firewhiskey.

"I don't care if we team up or go it alone. I got this either way!" the seeker commented to the group, flashing that wide boyish grin. He had no shortage of confidence in his drinking abilities. The were affliction he suffered from made him metabolize alcohol faster than a normal wizard or witch. So, he had a little bit of an unfair advantage.

Like just about all Quidditch players, Katie could hold her liquor with the best of them, but she knew her age was starting to catch up to her. Sure, she could still drink a good six or seven drinks before she couldn't walk quite straight, but her hangovers after nights like that were getting progressively worse. It was only a matter of time, she supposed, before everything truly caught up to her and her age started showing. 37 wasn't exactly young, she knew. Still, there was no way she was going down without a fight.

A devious smirk turned one corner of her lips up. "I'll pair off with Val," she declared as she threw a wink at @val . "Unless you'd rather do this with someone else? Or alone," she asked, because she had enough honor to respect her captain's decision either way. She wouldn't force herself upon someone if they truly wished to be elsewhere. If nothing else, she'd go it alone and tap out when she neared her limit.

Without hesitation Lilybelle wrapped her arms around Jaxon's shoulders in return, kissing his cheek fondly. At his explanation she shook her head, smiling up at her best friend, she was upset that he hadn't been the one to tell her but she knew he never meant harm. Not to her at least. She took the compliment with a grin, though, and pressed another kiss to his cheek before turning to face the group. Strangers for the most part, but all of her customers started out as strangers as well. "It's nice to meet you," she told them kindly, keeping a hand on Jaxon's shoulder as if to keep herself grounded. She wasn't shy, not in the slightest, but these people meant something to Jaxon and that, admittedly, made her a bit nervous.

Her grin turned to @murphy at the mention of her cake and her eyes lit up, "I'm so glad!" She loved to hear what people thought of her baking, even when she wasn't sure she believed them. He replied to Jaxon's shout for shots, and one of the women... Val, had it been? Issued a challenge. All of which Lilybelle watched with a fond smile, Quidditch players, it seemed, were always competitive. Shockingly it hadn't been too long since the veela had gone drinking, Muggle pubs were all too amusing to frequent with her twin sister, but she still didn't do it often. But she'd already made a point to have the shop closed tomorrow and while she wasn't spectacular with drinking, she was far from terrible. She kept to herself though, watching the athletes claim partners and declare themselves the winner before it'd even begun, they were all so friendly with each other. At Jaxon's declaration she smacked his arm lightly, giving him a concerned look, she didn't want him to make himself sick trying to prove a point. She'd seen him hungover before.