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

[terriblepurpose]

[Chairs are overrated. Paul is one of those people with a talent for locating alternatives to using them when he's at ease, which is something people outside of his immediate household very rarely see. Viktor, by proxy, is getting a rare glimpse of it now, Paul's spine a gently curve as he leans over his crossed ankles with hands on his knees.]

One of the first things he mentioned was that you're an intellectual. [And Palamedes doesn't lie.] Do you find the trick with them is getting them not to explode? That's the part I find most challenging, and then getting them to detonate the way you want them to...that's all a roundabout way of saying I'm impressed.

[He waves a hand that happens, by fortunate timing, to coincide with another cherry bomb going off in a riot of light and sound. Paul stops to admire it, and the muffled laughter that follows in its echo.]

I appreciate you doing that for him. [A statement on the bold side, but why keep his approval to himself?] Watch him invent a new kind of necromancy-based firework by the end of the week, though.

[mehanizovati]

Honestly here I found the trick is finding the resources. I had to grind up the aluminum myself for the sparklers. [he admits, glancing over to watch that bomb go off with a critical eye. he's mostly satisfied with the outcome still, all things considered.]

I think the most amusing aspect is being asked several times if I was a mage for making them. I'm half tempted to throw a class in the lab so people can see some basic chemistry for themselves.

[but ah, pal and his necromancy. viktor snorts softly.] Oh, if given the chance he would have used his darkblood to have them float at least. I can't say I wouldn't have liked to see that. [a pause.] May I ask what you do here?

[terriblepurpose]

[Viktor's opinions on being accused of witchcraft pull a full-throated, if quiet, chuckle out of Paul, who shakes his head with a touch of ruefulness.]

It's a strange transition, isn't it? People going from assuming a thing must be based in the material world to assuming that anything they see that they don't understand must be magic. Not that I don't understand, considering where we are, but still. It's different.

[He knows his own native capabilities have been mistaken as magic before. He doesn't wholly mind, since he'd rather that they not be understood, but it is a difference, and one he's not used to another person recognizing.]

As for what I do... [A supple shrug, a self-deprecating smile.] Mostly? I find resources. I'm a Disciple, some of the time, but even that's part of it. I'm not a bad research assistant, either. It all weaves together.

[Knowledge is another kind of resource, one of the most valuable. He has a feeling Viktor is a man who can appreciate that.]

So...if not a mage, what would you say you are?

[mehanizovati]

It's understandable, I suppose. Being her is also being forced to accept a rather offbeat shift in how anyone views their own reality, what with the squid business. That people clutch so tightly to what they know is at least some small act of rebellion. [again, understandable, but he decides to admit:] In truth I find the possibilities it all opens up far more appealing.

[science is about discovery, after all.

he nods to that, asks,] I have yet to meet a Disciple here, most seem hunters or scholars. [at least his circle, unsurprisingly a lot of nerds. and he certainly understands resources, knowledge among them. paul seems someone who understands the keys to survival better than a lot he's met.]

An inventor, I suppose. A researcher here, when I have the resources. My curiosity demands I ask, are you assisting in any research at the moment?

[terriblepurpose]

[Yes, he decides, there's no mystery as to why Palamedes finds Viktor good enough company to live with. This is someone who has a view of the world that aligns with his, and the comfort Paul had felt at knowing Palamedes wasn't rattling around his bunker alone is stoked further by the suitability of his housemate.]

Not many Sleepers choose to honor an alien pantheon. Like you said - people cling to what they know. [A shade flits across his expression, then, eyes averted as he runs a fingernail along the rough grain of his denim pants.] The way I see it now is as...being a honorable guest in an unfamiliar host's house. At least a few of us should try to understand them, shouldn't we?

[One less, now, but that's neither here nor there. He turns himself towards the subject of research instead, brightening as he returns his focus to Viktor:] I'm studying corruption and Beasthood. Trying to systematize the approach to reversal, as much as I can with the tools we have. I don't mean to presume, but if you are expanding your line of inventions in light of the possibilities...perhaps there's an opportunity to collaborate?

[mehanizovati]

[interesting, that actually gives viktor a moment pause to consider it this way. his world has gods but they aren't matters he's ever given a great deal of thought, lest he fall to inevitable bitterness at the state of the world they supposedly hold power over. gods are a little easier here, where everything is so foreign and the magics darker around the edges.

it has him nodding though, to this.] You make a good point, in truth. I cannot say I've ever been a spiritual man but understanding the nuances of this world does not come from rejecting its traditions as unsettling or untrue. Hm, have you found any understanding yet?

[but oh, well that research instantly has his attention, turning to paul with a spark of interest that probably answers his question already.] I would say there is. In fact I would say my main focus of research has been corruption and beasthood, moreso finding more easily accessible ways to cure it, even in its later stages.

For us, sleepers, it is a traumatic event but for the people of this world? To turn into a beast is a death sentence. I have seen some beasts can be cured so why should we not try and make that the norm over slaughter?

[terriblepurpose]

[Viktor's musings on a cure strike Paul more than the crackling cherry bombs and fireworks still intermittently going off around him. He straightens his back as his hands curl on his knees, eyes almost luminous with returned interest.]

More understanding than I had. [He nods.] More understanding of the people who are tied to this world, as well.

[He rarely discusses his work in the Pale Sanctuary where it touches the lives of the natives of Trench, but Paul has discovered a shift in how he approaches it. He's becoming sincere; it's an increasingly prevalent bad habit.]

Someone told me once they thought we were brought here to do just what you say. Study the blood magic and the blood pollution, using our understandings from our own worlds, so that we might elevate the discipline. To provide a disciplined path forward - because if we master this, we could master this place. We could change -

[He catches himself on the rising note of that abbreviated sentence, faintly flushed with the embarrassment of a young person carried away by a passion:] We could help them, and ourselves.

I think he may be right. At the very least, it keeps us busy, doesn't it?

[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.

[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.

[mehanizovati]

[viktor finds himself following his gaze upwards, to where the moonlight brings him a minor vitality afforded to all palebloods who bask in it. another odd mystery that feels it has meaning he cannot grasp, their blood and its types.]

Sometimes it reminds me of a chaotic but nonetheless intended experiment. Each month a shift in our blood, each start brings new troubles or wonders as old petter out. I have been here three months now and each had a moment where it required I examined myself and my nature closely in order to free myself of the burden.

Revelation, as you say. Connection, often to hamper the effects of of corruption as well. Transformation even in our arrivals- what I find odder than any of it is despite it all it truly feels like we are wanted here. The residents, the pthumerians, the sea itself.

[a pause.] Most I have met have been touched by death, one way or another. I often wonder if that too is a common theme.

[terriblepurpose]

[The mention of death drags Paul down from the sky and the patterns he sees in it. He guards his apprehension carefully. It's not his place to know what's been said between Viktor and Palamedes, or to talk about his friend like that without knowing what's already been shared.

(The month where Palamedes was gone had been a bad one. Paul doesn't let himself think about it, the bleak and bitter dregs of it behind him.)]

I think so. Others, or their own. [A quirk of a smile, not entirely warm, but not false.] Perhaps that's one of the reasons I'm invested. This is a chance so many people couldn't have imagined they'd have.

[Is that true of Viktor? He seems on the less physically robust side, but appearances mean less here than what little they did in his own universe.]

You picked the pattern up faster than I did. I thought, for a long time, that what I wanted was to make the changes stop. What I want now...if we can make coming back from a mistake or misjudgment in the trials safer, more sure - how much less terrible they might seem?

But here I am, making a party about 'nerd talk' again. I'm sorry. Shared bad habits.

[mehanizovati]

That is very true. It may be the only chance many have. [viktor answers, and does think of the fact his own life wouldn't have lasted more than a couple of months more back home. thinks of palamedes who died in his home as well and dragged himself back, of others who have let a similar story slip.

hm, not good party talk, he thinks. the point of this was to give the teenagers a break, not speak of mortality.

so he glances over with an almost apologetic quirk to his lips, refocusing.] At the very least eliminating the need to kill beasts would help cut blood pollution, which is a matter that will need to occur eventually if there's ever to be a serious attempt at rebuilding. In one way or the other it all ties together, between the sea, the blood and the beasts. Rather a dangerous balancing act.

[the comment about the party makes him snort, leaning in slightly to conspiratorially say,] Please, you are making it bearable. I hate parties. If it was not for Palamedes I would be in my lab as we speak. Thank you for sparing me small talk or party games.

[terriblepurpose]

[Paul echoes the leaning in, always one to be intrigued by a conspiracy, before Viktor's comment surprises a bright, bell-like laugh out of him, his head tilted to the side like a curious bird.]

You could have convinced me otherwise.

[At the very least, that he didn't hate parties, and Paul indulges in a ripple of satisfaction at the idea he's good enough company to have made anything bearable. Even a party, which he knows can be ordeals.]

I don't think Palamedes likes them much either. [He lowers his voice, leaning in further over his knees.] If you two want to sneak off to your laboratory later, at this party or the next, I could provide cover for you. No one would suspect a thing.

[He really has no idea.]

But here's my price - I want to know the most obscure, challenging, and convoluted part of the balancing act you're working on. Deal?

slaps a bow on this

[mehanizovati]

[this makes viktor chuckle, a genuine quirk to his lips as he regards paul.] Ah, a fair price. You have a deal, Paul.

[which they may end up paying soon, since viktor is more than happy to delve into it here as the party stretches, theories and experiences and questions upon questions.

two nerds wallflowering together at a party, you love to see it.]