closedish to cool guys having chill day

[megatheorem]

Who: a bunch of funky friends invited by Viktor and Palamedes*
What: Having a Party in a field with Fireworks
When: the second week-ish in May
Where: (the field outside of) Pal and Viktor's bunker in Gaze

Content Warnings: alcohol and teens drinking it, irresponsible use of explosives, see threads for anything else that comes up

*If you have friendly CR with Palamedes please feel free to handwave that he mentioned this happening, also if your character has CR with a Pal Friend (a pal^2) who would invite them along, he's broadly allowing this. It's not a formal affair in the slightest lmaooo

--

afternoon/evening.

Earlier in the morning on the day of The Fireworks Field Party (tm), Palamedes makes sure to send a quick location ping to anyone who's never been to the Sixth bunker (also tm) before, because it is, indeed, just in a field somewhere in Gaze. The treeline is comfortably distant from the door to said bunker, which is the only real indication anything is out here besides a few "big rocks" that he names, in his message, as landmarks.

As an afterthought, he has set up a little trail of mason jars containing glowing mushrooms to lead the way to The Field, helpfully. The Field is what it sounds like: a dang field, just slightly ominous in the Gaze fashion, although besides the usual somebody's-watching feeling, it's grassy and spacious for kitschy lawn games. Among the things Palamedes has provided (upon recommendation of a shopkeeper, so like, do not perceive his choices, they were made for him) include:

1. Just a load of blankets, big cozy ones dutifully spread out for chilling on, on the ground.

2. Throwing game Crossbones, definitely chosen because of the bones (they are wooden sticks), and just kind of left sitting there waiting because your host does not know how to play physical games.

3. beanbag horseshoes because it rocks

4. Just, like, a specific blanket that has pencils and blank paper sitting on it... This is a free station, no one will question what art happens here.

Harrow has also provided bone chairs for alternate seating, which are precisely what they sound like.

Eventually, the field will also feature a snack table, which is a community effort, and a booze table, which is slightly supervised in the way that your esteemed host(s) will not permit booze and cherry bombs at the same time.

And, because it's an open field in Trench, there is also a table where emergency incense is waiting. Wandering too far from the space immediately around the bunker (which, it's a big space, you'd have to go far) will eventually lead you to blood wards on the ground, on the trunks of a few trees, etc. Don't touch these. Don't be gross.


the fucken fireworks.

It's fireworks. Once it's dark, there are even more glowing mushroom jars and homemade alchemy glowsticks from Waver to be passed around, somehow, and at least some of the little beanbags glow in the dark, ooh!! Viktor has provided cherry bombs to be used with at least a little caution, for god's sake. There are also some slightly larger fireworks in much shorter supply, from a shop, that will be closely guarded until someone with pyrotechnics talent convinces Palamedes they deserve one. Godspeed.

Broadly: this is a fireworks party (tm) for individual wee ones you can throw around on your own, with only a brief smattering of the big ones that light up the whole sky above the field. It's a chill time for cool buds, fire safety is encouraged, so is vibing on the blankets and enjoying a nice evening.

At various times, local dope musician Anna Amarande will be providing some light musical entertainment, for vibes.


the bunker i guess.

The party is not in here, but for reference:
-it's locked via numpad and neither of these stickbug nerds are giving out the code but they'll open the door if asked... you don't have to leave the place to go to the bathroom lmf
-it's a bunker. it's one room and a bathroom in the back. it's full of disorganized nerd stuff and an oversized moon orb and pal's mean omen, rocky the cool rat (harpy eagle), who will aggressively flap at anyone with sticky fingers until they leave
-the code is 69420 so if you're super funny like gideon you COULD guess it

Comments

[lipochrome]

[ Gideon, personally, thinks necromancy is kind of gross, but whatever floats Viktor's boat! ]

Oh, man, I only know like, two princesses. One's super hot and the other is just the grossest, nastiest person you have ever met, bad in every way, and definitely not hot at all. [ Ianthe did everything wrong, thank you very much. ] Tell me about yours, but you gotta include a hotness rating, that's very important.

[tealeafs]

[ The bow is a bit of an unclear answer - Chizuru can think some things of it, but she isn't quite sure which was the intention of the person in the bird's body.

If she'd go by her own standards, she would assume the bow is a request for help though. And it's not like Chizuru can ever give up and do nothing when someone is in trouble, even during moments where she's severely out of her league. Like right now.

Which means the girl frowns, clearly thinking. ]

Well.. Maybe there's some reason you're stuck like this..

[ Even if it's hard to think of a reason. Chizuru mostly thinks it's just cruel to do this to people without their permission. ]

Do you know why it might be a bird? Maybe thinking about that might help us find a solution! Did you see any suspicious birds lately, or.. um, maybe birds have something to do with you..?

[tealeafs]

[ ...

Hold on.

Chizuru just stares at Palamedes, blinking, like her brains need a moment or two to process everything that just happened and came out of the other's mouth. It's just.. A Lot, and it's not something people have told her very often, so it's definitely something she needs a moment to get used to. ]

Ah, no, I-- I just.. didn't want to make anyone else feel bad by talking about my problems, that's all.. [ There may be some Issues here.

It's okay. ]

But, in this case.. um, I'm glad it's not a problem then. It does feel like it's been kind of life-changing.. I don't even know how I'm going to tell anyone back home about this if I do return there.

[swellter]

[ The softness of his face when he spoke about him is what he focused on. Allen looked lost in cherished memories. The same look he sometimes wore when remembering his mother, so he knows what it means. The feelings tied to it. The longing of missing someone that was once your world. Their presence leaves an absence impossible to fill. That faraway look is different from how he spoke about his father but very similar. A mentor, someone you look up to. Didn't Allen say he lost his father when he was young? How young? How did he become the General's apprentice? It must have been after Mana. The way he speaks of the General, Cross Marian, it's impossible not to see the affection layered in his tone no matter what he says.

Lost in thought, Allen looks almost wistful. Like remembering a sweet memory and finding comfort in it, but the admission, so very quiet, leaves him stunned. How long have you been holding that in? It sets the state of his world into stark perspective. Unstable. Men that powerful don't die by chance. Either they break down and turn into a tragedy, or it's the natural progression of a losing war.

Are you... following in his footsteps? The every idea has him slotting his presence next to his, shoulder to shoulder, an undeniable force contained within the breath of his shoulders ready to march at a command. ]

Where does that leave you?

[likethelight]

[ The question draws a bit of a surprised look from Allen, not so much from being asked that but because perhaps he hadn't considered it. But his expression gentles at how the other boy shifted closer at asking that too, the light touch of shoulders, and he's quiet for a moment, briefly looking down before back up at the twilight sky.

He leans in slightly too, shoulders pressed lightly together in fond and a touch indulgent manner, and finding some stability in that.

Where does that leave him? It's a different question in Trench than it would be in his world. There's no mystery or meaning of Cross's death to unravel, no "third side of the war" or holy war at all to figure out, no Apocryphos, no being on the run... no Noah inside him... no Noah at all... no Order... absolutely nothing. Even if he wanted to, all of that is unreachable and long gone here. All the things he had been doing in order to, yes follow in his footsteps in his own fashion. Did that mean his death didn't effect or mean anything him? Definitely not... but--

He's silent, turning that over in his head. Not distressed, but with a genuinely thoughtful and quiet look on his face. Until his lips quirk slightly and he turns back to Shouto then, pale eyes quiet but also a little bright, and smiles wide. Light and airy, certain, happy but also bittersweet. ]

Here.

[dohaeris]

[sansa nods briefly in response, smiling softly.]

I never knew spirits until I came here--not the kind that walk around and do things, anyway.

[the old gods were comforting but not very much use. she is sure lady amaterasu could set her world to rights.]

My realm only had very ancient magic that nobody knew how to use anymore. You could see it in the heart trees and the Wall, and they say wildfire is made with magic, but there haven't been any great magicians like Bran the Builder or Garth Greenhand for thousands of years.

[swellter]

[ No grand scheme to break him out of Trench to return home. No vow of vengeance with a ready plan waiting in his back pocket. Just... here. Seated on a blanket, unable to feel his legs. Waiting for a fireworks display with the person who helped cremate him less than a month ago. Taking it all in stride with unwavering optimism, decorated with a sparkling smile he can't comprehend.

He stands down, soothed into a peaceful lull. His shoulders round, and his gaze slips down as a warm feeling brims within him, touched by that simple answer. He folds his hands neatly, resting them on his lap while he tries to convey his feelings. ]

I like you here too.

[ He warms, soft and faint, like candlelight; easy to miss. ]

[likethelight]

[ I like you here too. He blinks. ]

Shouto...

[ Caught a little off-guard by that, his expression becomes quiet as he realizes how much smaller and-- vulnerable? the other boy looks at the moment, eyes down to his hands in his lap. But not in a bad or worrisome way, not at all, just... he isn't sure, but it's important. Good. So very touching, and for a moment he has absolutely no idea what to say.

So just smiles then, soft and a little hard to read, before he reaches over gently to cover one of Shouto's hands with his. By virtue of the fact the other has been seated on his left side it's with his scarlet Innocence hand (no glove, he hadn't worn any to this) so he does so very delicately, very mindfully. Giving his hand a gentle, drawn out affirming squeeze and leaning a little more against him for a moment.

He's warm and he takes comfort in that, but also figures he only notices it now from the increased contact. ]

Mm. [ It's quiet, but fond. Eyes forward. ]

The same for you.

[ He'd be a lot sadder here without you too. ]

[mehanizovati]

[the passion gets a faint quirk of his lips, not amusement but understanding. he gets carried away too sometimes, though he is no longer young. if anything he finds it a necessary quality in a researcher, and only makes him more interested in collaborating.

he didn't really expect to be networking for corruption research at a teen fireworks party, but that's how the world turned.]

I think both those sentiments are correct in their ways. Even if there is no grand plan in place that brought us here I find it pointless to waste away longing for places I cannot be. [usually he's a little more careful about this sentiment, aware others may be holding on to hopes he doesn't necessarily wish to tread on. even if he does believe them ultimately doing more harm to the individual than good.

kudos to paul that he doesn't feel the need to choose his words carefully.] We are here, we have a wealth of fascinating, varied knowledge and we can help. And in truth there is far too much intent in this place not to wonder if these constant mental tests aren't a matter of strengthening our resolve or providing eh... incentive to unravel it all.

cool normal kids club [sansa, adaine, l(azarus)]

[dohaeris]

[sansa is visibly delighted to see adaine. her flower crown of yellow primroses does not at all go with her dark grey dress and wide leather belt. she dashes over to wherever adaine is, beaming.]

Adaine! I'm so glad you're here. I came here with Allen and I hardly know anyone.

[she doesn't seem very bothered by this. she briefly scans the crowd.]

Have you met Lazarus yet? He seems to be under some kind of fire curse at the moment...

[peripheries]

You're... not supposed to leave!

[It comes out in a huff. A childish exclamation, with clenched fists and a stomp of a sneakered heel on the ground. This isn't what he wanted. He didn't want him to go away. He only wanted Lazarus to be more careful. That way he could stay close. That way things would be easier, better...]

[swellter]

[ Red comes into focus, settling over his folded hands. Surprise flickers across his eyes as he turns to look at Allen in a questioning manner, caught by his profile as he looks out over the hill.

The same for you.

He stares outright, and a loud whistling sound zips through the night exploding into a thousand sparks that rain down like a scarlet waterfall illuminating his face. The crowd cheers and another jets into the sky bursting like starlight in a glittering silver shower dazzling among the stars. Reluctantly, Shouto looks away from him, the night's begun. ]

[likethelight]

[ Aaaa, it's not his first time seeing fireworks, but it is the first time in a long while. And one of the very few times he's actually been able to just sit and watch it carefree and easily -- maybe the first? -- so it's impossible not to be caught up in the excitement of it. Eyes bright and smiling wide as he watches each one rise up and burst. They're not even big fireworks but he doesn't care, they're amazing and perfect for how good the whole night has been.

Timcanpy is likewise enchanted, staring up at them so very quietly be with utterly rapt attention, his shiny body reflecting the starbursts as he sits just in front of and between the two of them, his tail twitching back and forth somewhat like a cat who's found something interesting.

Allen's torn as he wants to clap as the crowd goes 'oooh' with each burst, but he would also have to take his hand back to do that. So he compromises, and when the next one that whistles heavenward to bursts into a cascade of white and gold he turns and twists his wrist deftly. Entwining their arms and snagging Shouto's nearest hand about so he can properly clasp it and raise it up between them, giving it a gentle but companionable, excited squeeze. Deft and gentle even with plated fingers like that.

Smiling? Smiling, delighted and the most it's felt like he has in such a very long time because it's the most he's felt this much happiness threatening to burst from his chest or warmed contentment. Honestly he can't remember the last time it was like that? Viktor and Palamedes did good.

And so he just looks at Shouto with a silent sort of 'heh' as he tilts his head at him and gives his hand that squeeze, smiling so wide and so bright as if to say isn't this fun? ]

[terriblepurpose]

"Oof," Paul says, for effect, at both forms of ribbing. "You said you liked how I smelled. I'm hurt."

He can't possibly be that bad, he's sure. He's nearly sure. He's going to take an extra thorough shower when they get home, and strip the sheets.

"What about Midoriya-kun when he trains? I've never heard you complain about him. It's not fair. I demand reparations." He hums, thoughtfully, turning over his options. "A cheese cracker should do the trick."

[wannasmash]

It's a luxury to be comfortable enough with someone to tease them in a harmless way, like a kitten batting another with sheathed claws. Midoriya never had that as a child, but he's learned it since.

"I don't wake up Kaworu-kun unless there's something he'd want more than sleeping, and I shower." See, Paul, simple solution, is the tone and smile not spelled out in words. "If you don't take care of yourself, we can't spend time sharing notes." A nerd knows how to threaten a nerd. He does not say he knows what sleeplessness looks like.

He turns his head towards the other two so Paul won't run afoul of the horns curling over the sides of his head. With most of his face buried in his hair, he presses a small kiss to his head. He does not give Paul a coveted, highly precious cheese cracker. He runs his fingers through Kaworu's hair near his horns instead, a subconscious reminder for him to be careful when roughhousing.

[mehanizovati]

I think he is too fond of those he knows of your house to be particularly critical. [that much is very true. he does need to take a moment over 'grave duty,' regardless, though curiosity- well, as he said, he's not as kind as ortus. the urge to ask and beg forgiveness usually came before leaving well enough alone.]

What is in this tomb you guard? I admit it sounds rather like a religious duty of a sort. I eh, I apologies if it is disrespectful to ask.

[he'll be more sorry when he realizes about the truth juice!

but he does not yet, so he simply sits with those solemn words, considering them and the weight behind them. the snap of a cherry bomb has him wait a moment, answering in the silence that follows,] I suppose it may be florid but I have grown to believe the heart of progress is in collaboration. It does not shock me to imagine the kind of miracles that come when two people devote themselves to the same path, and in turn each other.

[ah, a flicker of emotion about jayce he puts in his box.] The subject of your poem, is he who you mean about witnessing miracles?

[slightlytaller]

[It was a pointed question-- but a sweet, innocent one that Waver saw no reason to avoid.]

Something like that, [He commented.] I've been rebuilding and organizing a private archive-- but I do have my reasons for studying history.

[Those being of a personal nature. How was he to describe to a teenager that he was only a few years older when he met the most important man in his life... in the form of someone who had died 2000 years ago?]

Beyond that, however, I am also an alchemist. A teacher. Sometimes I have been called to play detective...

[He wasn't bragging. As a Lord, however temporary his title may have been he did have a multitude of responsibilities that included placating his superiors enough to not question him.

To the follow up question, the answer was simple:]

She's a black cat, like the sort you find in the cities. Her name is the same as my apprentice back in London-- Gray.]

[terriblepurpose]

[Paul is certain of his own maturity, and that he could weather a little amusement at his expense unruffled. As such, there's no explaining the relief he feels at Viktor's acceptance of his words as seriously as he meant them, lightly held tension released.]

This place is what we make of it. [This world is not home, but neither is the place he would return to if he left; besides, it does no good to dwell.] And it's funny that you say that.

[A turn of phrase he's picked up here, his polyglot's ears always acquisitive. Like the piercings in them, it's a marker of his adaptation to this world, how fully he has enmeshed himself in it.]

That's a theory of mine as well. [He leans forward, knitting his fingers together.] That these things are meant to be catalysts. Not always constructed to achieve the desired results, but sometimes extremities of pressure produce remarkable acts, don't they?

Revelation. Transformation. Connection. There's something... [His gaze flicks up to the strange stars above, then returns.] There's something there. I can feel it.

[hearthebell]

Did I? I'm sure that they have...

[There's a wayward kind of affected cluelessness about the way he stares, gnawing on his thumbnail.]

I hope I didn't startle you. Your work appears to require no small amount of concentration.

[hearthebell]

["Full obvious" has never been necessary for L to catch a suggestion, an inkling or a quirk that deviates from the expected. He takes careful note of her word choice, his own nod slower and more meaningful than what might otherwise be offhand enough to communicate that he is merely paying attention to the conversation on a basic level.]

I think that it is, in fact, good that we met.

[And he lets that hang like a tattered sheet pinned in the sun to dry, before clearing his throat.]

Do you doubt your own perception of the "vibe?"

[He actually envies the people who could let themselves slip under the influence, so much that he's drinking tonight, and not imbibing moderately.]

[disrupts]

[ At least Pal's getting the correct sense that V calling Viktor a choom is a good thing. It is, and V'd be horrified if anybody thought it meant anything remotely approaching negative. He's a big fan of Viktor - Pal, too - and it feels warm in ways he can't explain succinctly that he made the invite list. ]

Guess that's somethin'. Reminds me, back when I was a kid, one o' the clan elders always used to tell us she had eyes in the back of her head.

Don't think she'd know what to make of this.

[ Needless to say this isn't remotely close to reality for V. ]

Feels like we gotta be ready for anythin' here.

[peripheries]

"That's right, Izuku operates with strategy and thought. You-" He pushes against Paul again, with less force this time as he (somewhat) minds Midoriya's attempt to ensure that no one gets injured. "You operate by trying to tease and bother and now it's backfired on you."

He's joking, mostly, though Paul has, once or twice, decided to hug him after training to share in the sweat soaked pride of a successful session much to Kaworu's chagrin. However, denying Paul a cheese cracker is a bit too cruel. So he takes one and offers it up. "Here. Since you do smell nice most of the time."

[megatheorem]

[Wow, that sounds like a silly and useless invention, enough that it makes him laugh lightly - what is the point! Who made this machine!]

That sounds like a terrible waste of water, but this place doesn't have any sonics, so I guess one has to make the most of it.

[Raucously inconvenient, to eat off dishes and have to then clean them. Truly, the ideal system is a dedicated mess hall somebody else runs. He's all for it.]

What sort of cakes do you make? I've never baked a thing in my life, either— desserts weren't much of a priority back home. Walking past a, what are they called, bakeries? Walking past a bakery for the first time here was jarring.

[hashtag grew up in a tin can with no shops let alone bakeries]

[megatheorem]

[Ah, perhaps he leaned in too much. He gives her a quick smile, reassuring - much as he tries not to call attention to this kind of thing, it seemed like it could help? But he doesn't like to proselytize or make people feel uncomfortable, so— he's said his piece, he can leave it at that.

He shakes his head, though. Okay, one last thing;] Anyone who feels worse for themselves about your problems is, pardon, an asshole. Really, don't worry about it.

[As a professional not-an-asshole, himself, Palamedes knows the score. He's practiced in the art of not letting his personal feelings ooze into other people's problems to make it all about him; comes, perhaps, with the territory of leadership, but also - well. He's been a part of the "I don't want to burden anyone" song and dance before, and never on the end that feels like a burden.

So it's fine. She can call Trench a horrible shithole full of idiots, and he will let her (and god, that would be funny).]

It is pretty unbelievable, isn't it? Sometimes I feel like a fool not to write everything down, but then I'd never get anything done.

[He shrugs! Pros, cons.]

Most of my people are here, though. Conveniently, depending on who you ask. We're numerous.

[dohaeris]

[sansa laughs a little, incredulously. she absolutely thinks he grew up in a castle. many people did, in the seven kingdoms, especially those with the time and resources to become maesters or scholars.]

Your cooks never made dessert?

[any of it?? how sad. she knows sugar was largely imported and expensive, but there was always honey. perhaps he didn't grow up near bees or beets.]

Lemoncakes are my favorite, but we couldn't always get lemons all the way up the mountains at home. That was the first thing I learned to make here, besides mushrooms with noodles and things. But cake is very easy, you only have to stir all the ingredients together and put it in the oven. Bread is much harder; I don't know how you're supposed to get it to rise.

[more vigorous kneading than she's attempted would probably help.]

Chocolate and vanilla cakes are easiest, I think. You only have to add cocoa powder to make it a chocolate cake, and many of the recipes already have vanilla in them anyway. We didn't have either, in the Seven Kingdoms, but I wouldn't be surprised if there was some other place in my world where they grew the beans, and its people were keeping them all to themselves, because they're so delicious.