Bacchanal: an occasion of wild and drunk revelry.
Never had a better party been held than the one in Jackson Wyoming on New Year's Eve. It was big, it was warm, and there was liquor. By far the best party in years. It might have helped that Tommy convinced Ellie to do stand up comedy.
"I used to be addicted to soap...but I'm clean now." The (slightly drunken) crowd roared with laughter. Except Joel, who had heard all of the jokes at least a dozen times. He just smirked at Ellie's ridiculous grin and stirred his drink absently.
"She's a regular comedian, you know. Glad I thought of it." Tommy pulled up a chair, gesturing to the makeshift stage. Joel raised an eyebrow."This was your idea?"
"Yea, unless I'm in trouble, then I have no idea what you're talking about." Laughing, Joel shook his head. "You shoulda seen her before she got up there. Poor kid was shaking in fear."
"Stage fright?" Tommy said, glancing up at Ellie. She seemed perfectly calm. "She hides it well."
"Mmm, that might be my fault," Joel mumbled, scratching his beard.
"You teaching her that stuff, big brother? Maria's gonna be pissed," Tommy grinned. The old man shrugged. "You try and stop her. I cannot make her to do anything. She thinks she's grown up enough to know everything."
"I remember someone else like that," Tommy commented wistfully. "Yeah. They'd be thick as thieves," Joel chuckled weakly. Tommy smiled up at the ceiling.
"I imagine they get their way a lot, too."
"And I would never get a minute of peace."
Tommy listened to Ellie's next joke as he rubbed his head. "How do you get holy water? You boil the hell out of it." The crowd chuckled a bit, most groaning at the utter stupidness.
"Oh, and we'd all die of bad jokes."
"Yep."
They went on, drinking and discussing the shared traits between the two girls. When she ran out of horrible puns, Ellie slid into the seat next to Joel.
"Never again, Tommy," she said, leaning against her father figure exhaustedly.
"I thought you were good," the younger brother claimed.
"It was fucking scary up there, you asshole," she turned to Joel. "Why didn't you warn me?"
"I have no idea what you're talkin' about," He said, failing to suppress a grin. Ellie crossed her arms.
A/N: That other girl was Sarah by the way. :D
Okay, all of this story has been on my phone so far, so I have no idea how it looks to you people on laptops. My apologies if it looks like an eight year old typed it.
SLIGHT SPOILERS FOR AFTERMATH AHEAD! Remember the last chapter when I was all like, "Hey everybody read the Aftermath series!"? Yea...To all those who just read the newest chapter, kitten therapy does not help. Tissue?