deercountry | closedish to cool guys having chill day

Entry tags:

closedish to cool guys having chill day

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The Oversight Body can file a formal complaint if they don't agree with my leadership. I will absolutely read it. [ha ha, the end. Cherry bombs were meant to be thrown - here, at least, where they can see the sky without a view screen. He's coming around to being outside, but only a fraction.

Anyway, spoilsport. He scoffs, briefly tilting his head to the side to land on Viktor's shoulder like, oh, woe! Woe is Palamedes, who cannot bleed on everything at all times. Ahem.]

Alright, alright. [But hm, new project? No, they mustn't. There are already so many. ...but,] Blood mist is just as corrupting as concentrated blood; if the integrity of Sleeper blood can be preserved, so should the magic. What sorts of compounds?

Generous, Master Warden. [he does pull pal's hand up to pat it with his free hand, a 'there there, sorry you can't bleed all over the yard' gesture because truly pal suffers under tyranny here.

way too many projects. possibly enough projects to fill pal's comically large surplus of notebooks.

but.] So it could theoretically offer a wider spread of said magic and effect. Interesting. [and messy. if it were darkblood the stains would be incredible.] Several things would interest me to know- actually, do ministers deal with anticoagulants at all in their work?

[Viktor is indeed very unfair, not letting him bleed on anything else. Palamedes gives him a Look, very tragic indeed. He suffers.

Darkblood mist is possibly the worst option for the stains alone, but what if it could let people float around... possibilities: endless. But oh, Viktor has practical concerns, hm,]

Hm. Infrequently. The ones who lean into non-magical forms of medical practice do more than the others, from what I've noticed. The workplace tension between the ministers who favor blood magic versus the traditional healers is fairly intense.

[Very wild! The stuff you see at work! He shakes his head.]

Why, do you want some to test? I can pinch a vial.

[tempting, so tempting. viktor's brow furrows as he internally debates this before giving up with a soft sigh and ultimately a shake of the head.]

No, I don't want to take focus away from other research. It's the sort of thing better handled by a chemist or blood minister regardless. [such a sacrifice, but really, it is freeing to be able to be whisked away by little research whims once in a while.

that and he'd get too curious about what happens when you add blood to more volatile compounds and gods know where that would end up. bad end au bullshit probably.

instead he focuses on pulling back pal's sleeve a little to regard the new Eyes, asking,] How have these been? I'm concerned about the sensory input you must be processing.

So you're saying I should do it, [he says, with a brief grin. No, he won't, he's not that interested in throwing mysterious compounds into blood just to see what happens; his blood ministering career might not last long if he did, and he'd hate to wind up one of the "independent" eccentrics. Being a Sleeper makes him eccentric enough already.

Anyway, eyes. Hmm. A few of them pop open to boggle at Viktor when he pulls the sleeve back, and Palamedes hums at this.]

I can see into six new dimensions and also the future, [mildly, then,] Well, they can barely see anything, you know. It takes more effort to concentrate on not processing another fuzzy blob.

[Hence trying to keep them closed as much as he can, although that has the annoying effect of trying to essentially wink large-scale and longterm, and also, well. As another eye opens to swivel around and look at Viktor,] They like you. Even if you're blurry.

[eyes (affectionate)]

You would have to find time in your schedule for questionable blood experiments. [who doesn't have time for that, in between bleeding and children's sports team management.] No, I think we may actually have to leave some questions momentarily unanswered.

[gross. what isn't gross is pal's new eyes, which viktor is a touch surprised about. he's well aware it would be reasonable to find them unsettling at the very least, but once it was clear they weren't causing pal any pain? mostly he finds them fascinating.

he traces the skin near one as he regards it, lips quirking at the absurd concept that they like him.] Hm, the feeling is mutual. It's an odd look but not terrible. [weirdo.] I wonder if the Trench is just calling you nosy.

A long moment, I imagine. [They have... so many projects, without adding more every time an interesting question comes up. This is what it means to be a responsible adult, probably.] Leaving it alone— alright.

[A firm nod, to prove he agrees and will not go wild over this blood+ idea. Much as it pains him to let something go unexplored when the avenues for exploration are there... ahh, being responsible is boring.

He focuses instead on the eyes, and the brush of Viktor's touch near one such eye, that flutters closed in, ah, enjoyment at the attention. He huffs, quiet and amused.]

I've been nosy my whole life; I hope the Powers that Be here don't consider that news.

[Now, significantly, Viktor thinks his eyes look not terrible, a fine compliment. Hmm.]

I'll admit, I'm relieved. I don't really mind them, but... [to be gross to others? dread.]

[they'll need to learn to survive without indulging in relentless curiosity this one time. it's a big ask but maybe they can make it through with support and perseverance.]

You, nosy? This is shocking to me. I am glad the Trench dipped you in eyes to make sure I was aware. [dry. still he's smiling a touch at how the eye flutters, though pal's words make him glance back to his actual, original eyes.

he has the decency to do a quick scan of the area before saying simply (and somewhat quietly, to be safe,)] When the party is over I will show you how much I like them, hm? [monsterfucker. but really nope, not letting pal think for a second the eyes are gross in a real way. not to him, at least.]

[Maybe if Viktor comes to sports practice... ahem...

Well, he laughs once, a brief chuckle, and then again a little more surprised. Does it surprise him, actually, that Viktor can so easily translate scientific curiosity into showing Palamedes how much he likes the eyes, hm, no. If it were Viktor covered in eyeballs, he'd probably be the exact same way.]

Will you? I was a fool to worry for even a heartbeat; I see. Quite a bit, actually.

[Zing, except that he really doesn't see that much more, but it's for the bit. He leans in towards Viktor with an accompanying flurry of eyes opening all down the side of his neck, kissing just the corner of his mouth before pulling back. You know, subtly. He is a very subtle person.

Hmm. Eyes.]

You'll have to help me count them. I can't reach them all.

Eye puns are going to increase dramatically now, aren't they? [viktor sighs, the tone of a defeated man. he should have known, that's the real trial here. the body horror is just a vehicle for it.

extremely subtle. viktor smiles and resist the urge to just pull him in for a proper kiss, teenagers and guests be damned. he manages to keep it to smiling fondly at him, a look that's probably just as nauseating in terms of pda. terrible.]

Oh, I think I can handle a thorough preliminary count for you. Assuming you aren't tired out by rigorous party hosting by the time everyone's left. [and he pulls a sparkler out to hold out to pal, lips quirked.] Occupy yourself with this before we embarrass ourselves.

[Palamedes wiggles his eyebrows, like, oh? Are the eye puns going to increase dramatically? They just might! He's entitled to an eye pun or several, he thinks; like Viktor's thorough examination of his many eyes, it will keep his mind off of having many eyes. Clearly a useful thing.]

If I was going to be tired of pretending to host, I'd have been on the ground an hour ago. [there are so many people to ensure are having a good time, after all; he's paced himself.] Somehow, I'm suddenly feeling much more energetic, besides.

[It's the anticipation. He personally will embarrass them both beyond measure if not curtailed, so the sparkler is a genius move. He takes it and twirls it over his fingers, which mercifully do not have any eyes on them to errantly poke out.]

D'you want another drink? Let me do something productive before I wheedle you into sitting down with me, and with this.

[There is a cozy blanket with their name on it and it might just be the squid art station, repurposed in the dark. Speaking of embarrassing them both, he cannot resist,] You could start counting now.

Ah, must be the sparkler. [dry. surely not the eyeball related flirting that gives an energy boost.

he unfortunately has to let go of pal's hand for this plan to start taking motion, grabbing his crutch leaning behind his chair. the mug he placed to the side gets lifted, the bag of various fireworks left on the chair. hopefully people would take them responsibly, he's giving up guard duty to hang out with his boyfriend like a delinquent.]

I would, I think. Maybe I'll finally have some of that tequila. [he's refrained, mostly because he wanted to be alert and able to help out pal if he needed host backup regardless of committing to aggressive wallflowering.

he holds the mug out to pal and says,] Get me something and I will go scope us out a blanket, yes? Then maybe you can convince me to begin certain counting duties.

[who are the real teenagers at this party, honestly.]

Oh, absolutely. [obviously, sparklers get him going.] You're finally going to let loose?

[A mug of tequila: going wild. He hovers with some restless energy as Viktor gets up - what else is new - and ducks to scoop up a handful of more cherry bombs before he takes the mug. These, too, will come to the blanket. He can throw from the ground, it'll be fun.

Anyway, he's filling his pockets with explosives. Excellent.]

Yes, sir. I'll be quick and resist any and all shenanigans.

[None of his eyes will open towards distractions!! He leans in to peck Viktor on the cheek, hmhm, rocking back on his heels and then skittering off to get some tequila. He will be quick, returning to shuffle around the various blankets he's tossed on the ground for Comfort and Coziness to look for Viktor. It's free blanket real estate, now where has Viktor gotten to... this mug needs drinking...]

Yes, this facade of responsibility has lost its charm. I now wish to be an active problem. [viktor answers, a smile at the peck before they head off their separate directions.

surveying the blankets for the ideal spot is a heavy task he's willing to bear, aka he mostly just steps around until the place with the most cushioning mushrooms underneath catches his attention and he lowers himself, crutch placed to the side and legs stretched out before him.

it's close enough to the arts station he's currently surveying some of what was left, likely with a snort, only glancing up again when he hears pal approach.]

Thank you. [just taking that tequila and whatever they're mixing it with, holding the mug in one hand and offering the other to pal.]

[Viktor has found the most comfortable spot like a cat would, excellent. Palamedes takes his hand and folds himself down onto this blanket, glancing over at - ah, yes, some abandoned art.]

Enjoy; I've mentally prepared on the way over to see you being a rowdy disturbance.

[Ha... like, it would be great, actually, but he's expecting maybe some fussy ranting about rich people at most? Tequila and truth juice do it best.

In any case, he is stealing himself another kiss before he settles back. Oh, and with his pockets full of sparklers and bombs, right-]

Where did that lighter go?

Excellent, your enabling is noted and appreciated. [viktor hums, a smile at the kiss and this time he does pull him over for another. he hasn't gotten to do so yet, this is Equality.

but yeah if pal's lucky he'll get into some old academic feud he had and diss the guy from a world over for trying to coax linearity out of obviously random variables. wild tequila nights.

he takes a sip and reaches into a pocket to brandish the lighter, saying,] Here you are. I am genuinely surprised you haven't made any of the bombs float yet.

[he doesn't want to encourage more bleeding but yeah, still surprised.]

[Far be it from Palamedes to dissuade equality, gosh. He scoffs, swiping the lighter and withdrawing that one lone sparkler from his myriad pockets, first. Now, don't give him ideas...]

Well, evidently I didn't understand they weren't intended to be thrown until ten minutes ago; forgive my lack of creativity. D'you want me to try?

[If Viktor would really like to see some cherry bombs float gently into the air, he will bite his own thumb open in a heartbeat, so like, really do not encourage him. That one's a lot grosser than going wild on a scalpel to make his wards.

The sparkler, though; he lights it and holds it out in front of them, slightly overhead, so that he can admire it for a second and then admire Viktor, in the flickering fizzy light. Hey.]

As always, a marvel. [the fireworks or the man?? either. both.] I'd wager you've made yourself relentlessly popular in this crowd now, thanks to these.

You're forgiven- and no. I think your hand has suffered enough today. [true show of caring here, that he prefers pal not bleeding more to cool magic on his bombs. the things he sacrifices, truly.

he leans against pal a little to watch the sparkler, thoroughly content in the moment despite being at a party. he glances over as well, offering a smile for being joint caught looking at one another like saps, eyes going back to the sparkler with a snort because that is what he assumes is the marvel.]

The only vaguely difficult part was grinding aluminum for dust. Everyone here is far too easy impressed. [it's almost like simple things are sometimes good? who knew.] Good, it was my plan to make sure all your friends liked me through bribes if need be.

[He hums, like hmm, shame, but he dutifully does not start chewing on his own fingers, so there's that. Actually, while he's thinking about it, he shifts to one-handedly empty his pockets of the rest of these cherry bombs and place them over on the other side of the blanket, so that they don't get in the way of being all over Viktor for the foreseeable future.

Foresight. Good planning.]

Now you're showing off again, and to me, who's been impressed the whole time. [The only difficult part of making cool party bombs! Viktor! He wiggles the fizzing sparkler like one might wag an admonishing finger, except entirely without the same effect.] Save some of that for the others.

[Who he assumes do all like Viktor even without bribes, as he's fairly sure either Viktor or someone else would have told him by now if there was a Problem... no news is good news; the meeting of the friends is a success.

He lets the rest of the sparkler fizzle out and then scoots an arm around Viktor's waist, which has the additional effect of some of his weird eyeballs boggling at Viktor again.]

They're good people. Not that I'm saying every one of them would turn down a bribe, but it's hardly necessary.

I am going to have you make one with me next time we're at the lab, then you will see. [viktor tuts, as though a fun science lesson would be a punishment. it's probably just another date night activity aside from heists and mushroom throwing.

when the sparkler fizzles out viktor takes pal's free arm, pushing his sleeve up to get a better look at the eyes again. he moves a hand to see if they'll follow his finger, humming and saying,]

That's fair, there is nothing wrong with being enterprising. [and then, more seriously,] I like them. I was surprised Paul wasn't one of the Ninth pair I haven't met, he certainly has part of the eh... gothic look down.

Really? [Oh? Will he? Yeah, this is a fun date activity and not a punishment, judging by the overt enthusiasm with which he says this. Really!!] Alright. I'll do my best.

[And yes, the eyes do follow him. Briefly he thinks about, like, lab safety and goggles while he's covered in eyes, so maybe this fireworks lesson will have to wait a bit— but right now the eyes are watching Viktor's hand with interest, while Palamedes leans his cheek on his shoulder with a little hum.]

Does he? [he doesn't wear skull paint, don't be silly,] He's something of an ascetic, so I can see it. Harrow did his piercings, I've been told.

[An honorary Ninth. Fair, because if Palamedes had to pick specific people he wants Viktor to like, it's Paul and the Ninth. No bias whatsoever.]

They all live together, remember; it's been good for them.

[shock of shocks, the enthusiasm is endearing.] I think you'll enjoy it, and then you too can impress the teenagers. And then you can impress me with what a quick study you no doubt are.

[everyone is happy. his lips quirk at the eyes, a few more movements of his hand before he mentally starts counting them. each time he counts one he touches the skin near it, trying to make an actual mental map of where they are to see if they shift position at all. monsterfucking aside, he does want to make sure they know what's going on here.]

Ah, that would explain it. I suppose the lack of face paint should have told me. [and the infamous bone house. he nods as he runs a finger below another eye.] I also met Gideon. I like her too, she seems chaotic. [he appreciates that. a little chaos keeps things interesting.]

I'll find a way to make the sparks grey. Not silver; just grey. [That will be his personal challenge, thanks in advance for supporting him.

Anyway, the eye study probably takes precedence, even if Palamedes is just going to lean on Viktor's shoulder and observe. The eyes are randomly spread, and if anything, he's noticed the biggest change is more popping up overnight rather than moving around. It's, hm, still surprisingly pleasant just to have Viktor almost-touch his monster eyeballs, so give them that much credit: nobody except Viktor likes them, but they still somehow find a way to contribute to something relaxing.

Eyeball petting. Almost. It's fine.]

Hmm, that's one word for it. She's very unabashedly herself. [which sometimes leads to dramatic reveals in the form of a joke, but such is life.] When I met her, she was pretending to keep a vow of silence. Can you imagine? From the person who thinks 'globular ass' is an attractive phrase.

[It's on the chalkboard and it's all her fault, as fondly as possible.]

That... would genuinely impress me. [he cannot think of how to make that happen off the top of his head and he's pretty sure palamedes is just the sort of grey-obsessed genius to make it happen. maybe it will take actual magic, which is definitely a good use for it.

one of the things about the eyes viktor finds odd is he wouldn't say they feel like some malignant growth, despite being actual whole ass eyeballs growing at an alarming rate. there's something about them that's distinctly palamedes, which he wonders if that is why he finds them more fascinating than he ever did alarming. moments like this just help cement that somehow.

hm. well even after making a full count he still just idly explores. does almost eyeball petting count as pda.]

Yes, precisely. That is excellent. [he's pleased by that description, 'unabashedly herself.' an excellent trait.

but yeah the vow of silence thing makes him snort in disbelief, sorry gideon...] I cannot imagine the running internal commentary she must have had going- [everything stops though so he can make a face about globular ass.'] Oh no. I was wondering why that was on your eh- your ass related descriptors list.

[Oh, if it's to impress Viktor, now he really must. He'll make a mental note of this, how do you make a lightshow that is also kind of drab and shitty? Life's greatest mysteries. He'll work on it, after he works on the rest of the stuff he needs to work on, good god.

This whole picture probably counts as PDA, given Palamedes has essentially melted onto Viktor's shoulder and Viktor is tenderly touching his arm, eyeballs included, so yes: congratulations, it's PDA. They could be much worse than this, which is a credit to them, frankly.

Ah, and Gideon earns another point in Palamedes' endless list of Gideon points, because it is thanks to her that Viktor has now said the words 'ass related descriptors' out loud and in public. He snorts and then hums, like, what? That list? Golly.]

Don't tell me you thought that was one of my originals. Such little faith in my skill as a writer! She also contributed 'rotund,' which I think is a little on the nose. If that's what we're working with, I should just use 'ass-shaped.'

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