Regina came downstairs to the sound of giggles and corks popping in her living room. As she walked in, Ruby was filling glasses to the brim atop of her pristinely polished coffee table. That's going to leave a ring. She thought to herself.
"Regina! Just in time for a toast!" Ruby beamed and handed her one of the champagne flutes. "To friends old and new, to finding love in the most unexpected places and most importantly, to getting Emma completely wasted tonight!"
"Here, here!" They all chimed and clinked glasses. The champagne from all the ladies glasses was gone in seconds. None of them had been out in such a long time and they all needed it desperately. Emma refilled their flutes this time and budged up on the sofa so Regina could sit. She noticed her dress. An elegant, black figure hugging mini with a cowel neck that teased but didn't quite please. Emma thought she saw the hint of a hidden tattoo but didn't dare double check. "You look really good Regina." She complimented and chinked their glasses again.
Ruby was watching from the floor she'd made her seat and smiled. "Hey Regina? Did I hear you say something about cocktails?"
Regina smiled and flicked her wrist. "Et voilĂ ! Behind the sofa, a small home bar was revealed laden with every possible spirit you could imagine. On the front of the bar, there were two trays full of glasses containing a clear liquid and slices of red apple garnishing each of them.
"Wow! Has that has always been there?" Emma asked in astonishment.
"Don't worry. I keep it hidden under lock and key with magic. Henry has no idea it's here." Regina smirked.
Ruby picked up a glass and then another and walked over to where the pair were sat. "No offence Regina but, given your history with apples, I wanna see you down this before I go anywhere near it!" She handed the glass to her and received a playful scowl back in return. She gave the other glass to Emma. "You too dude!"
"Hey! Why do I have to be the guinea pig too?" Emma protested.
Ruby grinned, "Because, Dufus, If it is poisoned, I doubt very much that Madame Mayor will let you drink it!"
Emma wiggled her eyebrows and caught Regina's eye. "I wouldn't be so sure about that, Rubes! It wouldn't be the first time she's tried to kill me!"
Regina rolled her eyes and took the drink from Emma's hand. "Argh! It was like one time.. okay. Twice. But, I've saved your life so many times since then! Fine! You bunch of babies! More for me then!" And she downed both glasses and slammed them down on her coffee table, without a coaster. "Happy now?"
Emma and Ruby cheered and then helped themselves to another glass each. Soon they heard the doorbell chime and Regina disappeared off to meet the arriving guests. Ruby took the chance to pull Emma aside for a quick chat.
"Hey, how you feeling?"
"Like I need way more alcohol before this becomes a topic!" Emma complained.
"Ok. I'm gonna remind you you said that when you can't stand up later! But seriously, tonight is about having fun, letting your hair down. Just, enjoy it ok?"
"I intend to. Thanks Ruby."
"No problem."
Regina returned with Snow, Dorothy and Granny in tow. "The cavalry has arrived!" She announced and offered the ladies some drinks. Snow took it gratefully and proceeded to swallow the whole thing in one gulp.
"Like mother, like daughter!" Regina drawled and shot Emma a look that said, I'm not dealing with her tonight.
Emma looked back with an, I'm not either expression and they both reached for another glass of appletini and giggled.
While the others were saying hello to each other, Emma leant in and whispered to Regina who was propped against the bar, "I see your plan is to get as drunk as possible so that you don't end up being the responsible baby sitter tonight!"
She tilted her head to one side and whispered back, "I'll let you know if it works!"
It was almost eight and Tink finally turned up with Belle and Zelena. They were served drinks and we're just getting comfortable when Ruby threw a curve ball. "Alright ladies! Now everyone is here, let's have a little game to get this party started!" At least half of the group audibly groaned at the sight of the tequila bottle in her hand. Things were about to get messy.
The group made their way reluctantly to where Ruby was signalling to sit in a circle.
"I'll start so you know how to play. I'll say a phrase and you all point to the person you think it describes. The person with the majority has to take however many shots as there are fingers pointing at them, then they make a statement about the next person and so on. Ok? Most likely to talk to animals!"
Everyone pointed at Snow.
"Eight shots Snow!"
"Hey! No fair! Everyone knows that about me! Fine!" She knocked them back and wiped her mouth as the others cheered. "Urgh! Ok. Mostly likely to kill Ruby this evening!"
All fingers pointed at her again.
"Wait! I think I did that wrong, didn't? Let me change that!" Snow protested as everyone laughed at her.
"Nope! Rules are rules Snow! Seven shots." Ruby grinned. Her plan was working better than expected.
Snow downed them reluctantly. Her head was already spinning. "Bleugh! Ok. I've got one. Most likely to use an apple as a weapon."
Everyone pointed at Regina, slightly afraid of her reaction. She laughed and filled her shot glasses. "And to think, I made you all cocktails! Somebody is going to have to pay for this!" She tipped her shots back and shivered slightly at the bitter aftertaste. "Woah! And I thought my cider was strong! Right. Most likely to wear a red leather jacket to her own wedding."
Fingers went to Emma in fits of giggles.
"You are such an ass, Regina! You've seen my dress!"
"Drink! Drink! Drink!" Regina started the chant and gave the blonde a subtle wink.
Emma took the bottle and swigged directly from it to the cheers of the group.
"That's gotta be at least eight shots right there. Whoo!" She could feel the effects almost instantly mixed in with the champagne and cocktails and knew tomorrow she was going to have one hell of a hangover. She still had the bottle in her hand and remembered she was supposed to accuse someone. "Oh, right. Most likely to turn green!"
"Zelena! Drink!"
"Disgusting. Most likely to date a beast!"
"Belle, six shots!"
"Most likely to bring a rifle to a bachelorette party!"
Everyone looked at Granny in shock.
"What? It's good to be prepared." Granny protested. "You never know when you might need a good old rifle in this town!"
"Give Granny! I'm not taking any chances with you, a gun and alcohol." Ruby extended her hand and Granny have her the rifle reluctantly. "Regina. Can you hide this somewhere please?"
"With pleasure." She responded and magically transported the gun to safety. "Well, we certainly are an odd bunch aren't we!" She sassed, making everyone laugh in relief. "Granny, I believe that's eight shots and two more for pissing me off!"
