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

[likethelight]

[ Two but they gave him four? Ah, they knew he was asking for a friend and wanted him to have fun too, that's kind. Likely Shouto doesn't fully get that's why either, given how he just phrased that, but that's okay.

His gaze snags on the other's hand for a moment when he does that, blinking, before glancing away and reaching over for the glowsticks, though it takes him a moment as he has to stretch a bit more than he'd like. _{Blast, this is annoying for a mobility-type like him.} ]

No. [ Snagging the four of them, he sits back up and turns to Shouto with a smile, eyes bright with certainty and sincerity. Handing him two of them? Yes. ]

It's just because you are. [ Not all the time and there are probably a lot of people who'd disagree, he's met them when they're together on the street, but in his own way? And certainly from how he's treated him?

It shines. And is so very warming. ]

[swellter]

[ He would disagree with it. He's selfish with things he wants, pushing when he's unsure if the person on the other side is ready for it. His brother is a prime example, he pushed too much too quickly and got burned. If he were considerate he wouldn't have approached him in the first place, not after Dabi made it known exactly what he thought of him after he tried to torch him the first time they met in Trench. But he's persisted, will persist, because he's selfish, always has been since infancy when he clung to his mother's side, contributing to her breakdown. ]

... I think you have low standards.

[ He takes the two offered sticks from him, intending to hold them for him. ]

If you want to turn them on, you have to crack them so the chemicals inside mix and create the glow.

[ He explains showing him how to 'crack' one in half without actually doing so. Dusk is fast approaching and there's still enough light out it would diminish the effect. ]

[likethelight]

[ Low standards? Ouch.

Allen just gives him a wincing sort of grin in response to that. Haha... maybe that's a little spot on. Even if he would still say the other is considerate in his own, hard to describe sort of manner, but that's the last sort of thing one argues about. And he holds one of his glowsticks up into the air and tilts it back and forth, peering at the liquids in it after Shouto demonstrates how it works. ]

Really? [ Huh. That's really neat.

Likewise he doesn't crack his own yet, wanting to wait for the fireworks themselves after he saw somewhat what they looked like after seeing a few other people running around with theirs already lit, and sets his two next to him. Timcanpy trundles over from where he had been busy chewing on and inadvertently rolling himself up in one of the corners of the blanket, batting at them lightly with one of his stubby hands. ]

We never had anything like that before. [ Sparklers and simple fireworks, yes. Glowsticks? No. Komui would be enchanted and learn how to make a hundred, and the thought makes him smile a touch ruefully. ]

[swellter]

[ Distracted by the odd grin, he misses the jab he inadvertently caused him. Shouto doesn't even realize he said anything wrong with no response to his words. So, his thoughts move on to the glow sticks leaving the little jab behind without ever knowing his part in it. ]

They're common where I'm from. People usually use them as a light source at parties.

[ He answers while tracking Tim's antics with his eyes. The tiny hands still fascinate him and after spending so much time with the little omen, he feels like a kindred spirit. He's tempted to reach out and tap him on his round metallic tummy but refrains himself. Instead, he reaches into his pocket where he slips out a small plastic cylinder filled with about fifty toothpicks. Tapping out two for the little omen, he pockets the container, and nudges the two little sticks close enough for him to grab and eat. ]

CW (cute warning): butts 🍑

[likethelight]

[ Well they do say ignorance is bliss. ]

Oh! That makes sense. [ He'd wondered slightly how they were meant to use them, because you know he's been considering what sorts of tricks he can do with them otherwise. But that makes sense, and he's excited to see for how the whole place looks as it continues to get darker really.

But Allen tilts his head curiously when Shouto reaches into his pocket for that cylinder, not recognizing it, and watches as he taps out some of the contents. Toothpicks? What for—oh.

Timcanpy watches the other boy intently, ceasing his play and rolling back onto his stomach. When the two sticks are nudges towards him he waddles forward, leaning forward as if he's sniffing them for a moment (if he had a nose?), before he reaches out with a hand and grabs one. Waving it around for a moment not unlike how Allen had studied the glowstick; it's almost disturbingly adorable.

And then he bites down on the end with a crunch, chomping on it somewhat noisily for a moment before he whips his head back at Allen, then back up at Shouto, the long end of the toothpick dangling from his toothy little mouth. He grins up at Shouto when he does though, his backside wiggling for a moment as the toothpick bobs up and down in his mouth; a little sassy. It almost looks like how someone with a toothpick habit might chew on one, except not quite.

Allen laughs, genuinely. Recognizing it immediately. ]

He wants to pretend that they're cigarettes.

[ Should it be weird that the golem is a smoker? Apparently not. ]

OMG! My eyes!!! That's too adorable!!!

[swellter]

[ Tim waddles forward and Shouto watches his approach with flickers of hope behind mismatched eyes. Like trying to bribe a stray cat, his movements are purposeful and he stills, so very still, when Tim starts to sniff them. Hook. Then that impossibly tiny hand grabs at one of them and starts waving it around and he outright stares. Line. Only one thing left now and Shouto is practically vibrating with unspent energy, so very intent on what happens next he almost forgets Allen's still there, when the little omen opens his mouth and - Sinker - Bites It!

Bright eyes immediately flick to Allen. Did you see that?! Stays there long enough to confirm it, then just as quickly turns back to Tim who grins up at him. His eyes sparkle with bottled excitement that tugs at the corner of his mouth, utterly pleased by the outcome. Only to be thrown for a loop, when he comes across that wiggling butt with that toothpick bobbing out of his mouth. Kizu hums with humor in his mind and Shouto stares not quite believing what he's seeing or what Allen tells him. ]

Cigarettes?!

[ Did he turn him onto a smoker?! Oh, no. What has he done. ...I'm a bad influence. He thinks, managing to look lost while feeling like a villain in one of those mangas Sero reads. Except, Allen sounds happy and Tim looks just as pleased with his new... toy? What's going on??? ]

the world became a better place with Timbutt :D

[likethelight]

[ It's contagious, that quiet sort of excitement, even if he knows Timcanpy well enough to know what's going to happen. So much so that when when Shouto looks up at him with that bright and excited sort of look in his eyes far more expressive than his face, Allen's own smile lights up and splits wide with a silent sort of laugh in shared joy. So absolutely warmed by that, and laughing for real all the more easily a moment later when Tim begins treating them as he would miniature cigarettes. ]

It's because my master would smoke them. [ He reaches over to pat Shouto's arm lightly and tries not to be so very amused. Don't feel bad. ]

He likes to eat them sometimes. Or their smoke.

[ And almost as if to prove his point, Timcanpy has taken the second stick now and is proudly chewing on both of them like some swag sort of debonair. Two is twice as cool, right? ]

Shouto will never unsee it *__*

[swellter]

[ Excuse him while he tries to get that image out of his head. The hands he can understand, even the mouth full of teeth. His tiny little feet too. Just... give him a moment. He's seen things... cute... things?

Even though he knows he's being placated, he accepts Allen's gesture. Still, a little off, he doesn't quite register the explanation taking a few moments for it to fully settle, and then he's turning to him, brows slightly creased in question. ]

Your master? The General?

[ It clears his thoughts in an instance. He spoke about him before. The one he apprenticed under. A very highly-ranked Exorcist like Allen. ]

[likethelight]

[ Don't worry, Shouto. The tushy isn't going anywhere. It's always there when you least suspect it. Cheekily -- and Timcanpy seems to know it, grinning wide in a pleased sort of manner.

And there's nothing wrong with placating! It's not like he's lying! But he blinks at the question, before giving a small nod. Still in his good mood. ]

Mm. [ He pauses for a moment, considering. ] General Cross Marian.

[swellter]

[ He'll get over it. He's fascinated by his tiny hands more than anything. How much dexterity does he have?! He doesn't like platitudes, but if he trusts the source, then it's not so much platitude but sincerity. He trusts Allen. ]

Cross... Marian.

[ He doesn't butcher the name this time. Allen spoke of him before, not much, but he seemed to be important to him. ]

Do you miss him?

1/2

[likethelight]

[ Allen is nothing but sincerity, almost to a fault. Well, there are some exceptions with people he dislikes, but someone has to really earn that and provoke him. Even when he's not being entire genuine he's still being sincere with his feelings and intentions in some form, if not in whole. So yes he sincerely thinks you shouldn't feel bad and the whole thing is endearing.

But that question throws him a little comically off-kilter. ]

Eh? [ um

scrambling,, mentally, to try and even figure that out. You know anyone in his life before just knew better than to ever ask something like that, knowing what a can of worms it was... and guessing the likely answer... ]

Um-- [ fidgeting ] That's...

2/2

[likethelight]

[ ... ]

He was a bastard, you know? [ He glances over at Shouto as he says it, ironically no bite in his tone. Just calm and honest eyes as he folds his hands into his lap. ] An absolute demon of a man. He drank, had too many lovers, a disagreeable temper, bad morality, spent all of his time in gentlemen's clubs, and had no sense of responsibility with money...

[ And yet -- he pauses. His expression softening a little for a moment. ]

...but he used to make me this really salty stew sometimes, to try and get me to eat when I didn't want to. It was terrible.

[ Another pause. Clear-eyed, as his chin tips back and he regards Shouto for a moment. ]

I miss that.

[ It's because you make him sentimental or something. Or are hard to lie to -- and thus make it hard to lie to himself. Or Allen's own feelings have mellowed and become more sentimental with time. Possibly all of the above. It'd almost be annoying, honestly, if it was anyone else. ]

[swellter]

[ Watching him closely the way he is, it's impossible to miss Allen's reaction. Is he... nervous? Midoriya was like this sometimes and Shouto spent a long time studying him. From confidence to fidgeting in the span of one breath. Shouto stares, curious about the kind of mentor that would make him react this way. ]

A bastard?

[ Oh... Not what he expected when he first asked the question. He listens to Allen's description, building a picture of this Cross Marian in his head, more movie character than a real-life man. Born into a well-off family with social standing, he can't even parse the true nature of a gentlemen's club and writes it off as one of those upscale bars. People do that sort of thing there, right?

He doesn't need to understand the details of his tale when the answer lies in the soft expression of his face. He meets his eyes adn Shouto looks back at him, feeling like he knows him just a little bit more. ]

You miss him.

[likethelight]

[ More movie character than real life man is absolutely what Cross always was to Allen, if he'd had movies like that in his world, so that's honestly pretty accurate. Ten feet tall and bulletproof, larger than life, terrifying and amazing -- not even the laws of reality seemed to apply to him, the man didn't even age. But that Shouto took that entire list of every single one of Cross Marian's vices and synthesized it down to that...

Allen blinks at him, perfectly flummoxed for a second. Sometimes... sometimes you can read him very well. And he considers it for a moment, and his own conflicted feelings. The comfortable dusk air and oncoming night bringing a cooler scent, Timcanpy playing with his wooden "cigarettes" and beginning to truly chomp down on them like delightful little chewtoys now-- and that's what does it. Watching Timcanpy play with toys that remind him of his old master, and it brings a softer smile still to Allen's face.

They were both dead in his memories, after all. Dead by the same creature, who'd taken two of the things he loved in the world away.

He laces his own fingers together and smiles down towards the ground, expression nostalgic and a little faraway. Bittersweet. ]

Sometimes. [ It's quiet; thoughtful. ]

He was killed some time ago, even in what I remember from "before". I guess about a year, going from "now".

[ Ten feet tall and bulletproof -- that's why it had hit him so hard, realizing that even Cross Marian could die. ]

[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.

[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. ]

[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? ]

[swellter]

[ Rockets shoot into the night bursting into emerald showers prompting half-formed shouts that break down into tinkling laughter that draw people closer while they point up to the heavens. The sounds rise with every flush of the sky lighting up delighted faces.

Shouto isn't among them. Cast in shadow, he looks silently at his companion caught by the enchantment. Tumbling sparks of sapphire light up Allen's eyes like starlight and his hand grows warm. He looks down at Tim, similarly caught in the spell. They look happy. Kizu hums in agreement. Why aren't we? A brilliant cascade of white and gold erupts across the night. Allen steals away his hand raising it up to the sky compelling him to look up and SEE.

A moonlit night. Snowfall. A weapon gleams in the dark and blood stains hallow ground.

Allen glows with merriment and Shouto stares unseeing. It lasts but a moment, nothing more, the vision too far ahead. When he returns back to himself, he latches onto that hand, squeezing firmly. That's why. Kizu stalks through his memories, examining the images, while Shouto turns his eyes up to the night sky feeling jittery and disjointed. He holds onto Allen for the rest of the show, attentive but distant. ]

[likethelight]

[ Something isn't right.

He's not so caught up in the splendor and novelty of everything to miss something like that, even if he also isn't expecting Shouto to return the same sort of energy as him. It's partly why he reached for his hand; to make him a part of that high good mood and bring him along with. Because it's because of him that Allen is also in as good of a mood as he is, don't you see? And he isn't expecting to see that same kind of elation matched back, but that... It's like he disconnected for a moment and was entirely flat. Just briefly, but the lag in reaction is noticeable and something about his expression just seems... off, and it causes Allen to still slightly. Melancholy?

Shouto? He says it aloud, but the sound of fireworks and people swallow it up. So he just watches the other boy's profile for a moment after he looks back skyward, eyebrows knit in concern. He returns the squeeze lightly, not pressing it for now, but he's also quieter for the rest of the show. ]

Are you alright? [ He says it gently after the booms fade and the distant murmur of people fills the silence instead, watching his profile carefully. Keeping the majority of his concern in check as maybe he misread, but it isn't entirely absent from his face.

He wasn't expecting the same sort of energy returned, but something about you felt so... far away. ]

[swellter]

[ His name gets lost in the surge of sound following the explosions in the air. The vision leaves him breathing this time its grip gentler than all the other times it's taken him. Only the Old Ones know whether it's from passing through the eye to the realm of the gods multiple times or from the distance between his current point and the vision. When he returns to himself, he holds onto Allen, reminding himself to lighten his grip while his thoughts remain distant and out of focus.

After the last shimmer of firelight fades from the sky, people migrate inside, leaving them out on the hill. One too disconnected to follow their lead and the other too concerned with the former to pay heed. Caught up in his tangled thoughts, Allen's question reels him back, drawing his eyes to him. Quiet and unsettled, his fingers grow cold and he nods once. ]

I'm okay.

[likethelight]

[ Bullshit you're 'okay', Allen's used that line enough to know how it can be untrue as much as true. While his expression remains concerned and unconvinced though, he also doesn't push it. Your hand... it was warm -- warmed he now realizes -- but is almost cold now. Like before.

He worries at the inside of his lip slightly, and takes a moment to lace their fingers instead. Delicately, very delicately, even if there's nothing sharp about his fingers in this form. His own left hand a touch on the side of unnaturally warm, and holding the other boy's cold one lightly as if that might help make a difference.

And he doesn't care a whit about what other people are doing right now, no. ]

Shouto... [ He pauses. Leans in a little in earnest. ]

Do you remember what we first promised when you found me on the beach?

[ Amends. That you'd help him, and he'd let you. ]

[swellter]

[ Allen's motions are precise, gentle, his face earnest when he leans into his space. His composure ripples with uncertainty stayed by the fingers threaded through his hand. He looks up when he says his name, caught by that earnest face before his brows crease unable to pinpoint the promise out of all the little moments they've shared since then he first found him on the beach. ]

Which time?