deercountry | closedish to cool guys having chill day

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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

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a. chicks and dudes, who you think is really kickin' tunes? [music]

[true to form, local dope musician anna amarande is providing some music for the evening. she's got an electric bass with a cord hooked up to a jack right at the hem of her shirt—yes, she's using herself as an amp, and yes, she loves that she can do that. she takes requests and she's extremely into the idea of getting people to sing along, if anyone happens to know anything she's playing.]

[in between songs, she's taking breaks, and trying to make sure that nobody gets too rowdy with fireworks.]

Hey! Hey—[and through processes even she isn't fully clear on, she channels a little more energy into her voice box to amplify it (even though it's still, as far as she knows, organic).] Dude! Watch it, okay? You're gonna burn something to the ground.

b. look, i'll make it all manageable [chilling]

[when she's not trying to keep people safe or contributing vibes, she's definitely just roaming around the party, chilling, trying to get to know people. but that takes time and energy, and even though she's working on being more sociable, she needs a break. she's spending a little more time than she probably should leaning against a tree and smoking into the wind. at least she's not a big enough jerk to flood the whole party with smoke.]

[she pricks her finger with a needle secured to a worn pack of cigarettes, then lights up with a flame that she sparks to life from the blood. once her own is lit, she looks around to anyone who might be nearby, trying to find their own nicotine refuge.]

Need a light? [she's keeping the flame alive on the tip of her finger, but depending on who it is, she may have another idea of how to light the other person up. if they're into it in the first place.]

c. i'm feelin' glad, i got sunshine in a bag [wildcard]

((anything else here that isn't explicitly mentioned above but would be in her housekeeping tl, this time with significantly less literal housekeeping. feel free to hit me up on discord, at

roseward, or here!!))

[viktor wasn't really expecting the music, though he's pretty sure pal mentioned it at least once. maybe when he did viktor just imagined putting something on one of the omnis and cranking it, not actual live entertainment. frankly he's impressed? who knew palamedes sextus had such party planned depths.

and he enjoys it, he's always had a particular fondness for live music that probably goes back to his undercity roots, where it wasn't unheard of to find people performing in the streets, sometimes against any makeshift instrument they could get their hands on. so he'll be someone who wanders by on several occasions just to listen.

during one of her breaks though he has to do it. it's been killing him since he noticed, so he approaches to ask,] Hello, sorry but... do you have your bass plugged into yourself?

[what a thing to have to clarify. he's baffled and intrigued in equal measure, willing to accept being scolded if this is a rude thing to just ask someone if they are their own amplifier.]

You know it, dude.

[she flashes him a smile like this is something she's done a bunch of times before. besides, he's been having a good time here, and he's obviously one of PM's friends or he wouldn't be at the party in the first place. the point is: this is definitely not an offensive question. she tugs upward at her shirt to show the cable going into the side of her body more clearly, and if he takes a closer look he may be able to notice that her body is definitely mechanical in nature.]

[may not need that extra look with anna the blabbermouth on deck, though.

What's the point of being a cyborg if I'm not gonna make use of as much of it as possible? You definitely should've heard me when I made my debut back in January. Figured out I can do some cool stuff with my voicebox for that show. [she gives him a friendly look and brushes her hair out of her eye and behind her ear, not that it matters with the patch beneath it.] Let me guess, I'm the first one of me you've seen?

[oh good, he didn't insult one of pal's friends. this is a win, but what is more a win is when she actually shows him where the connection is made, the hardware, so to speak.

he does lean in, fascinated and actually rather delighted. aside from the tech itself the idea behind it is what does it, this adaptation to suit her needs and her whims. there's something joyful in that.]

A shame I missed it, I would have liked to hear what you managed. Did you do this customization with the amp yourself? [he pulls back after a moment more of examining, back to her face with a shake of the head.] Very much so in my world, but here I have met a couple. That said they were very cautious with that knowledge, you are the first I met who seems open with it.

Eh. Yeah, I could see why they'd want to keep it under wraps, but fuck it, you know? Not like I can hide it. Written all over me.

[she runs a hand along her matte-black arm, then reaches down and pulls up one pant leg to show the same material there. she could probably find someone to lay down artificial skin over the parts of her body that don't have it, but that's certainly a lot of effort.]

But nah, I haven't had anyone try to mod anything yet. I could probably find someone if I really wanted to, but this whole audio interface has been there ever since I got this body. Just never had a reason to use it until recently.

From what I understand some worlds aren't particularly tolerant or generous in these matters. [you know, exploiting robots/cyborgs, general bullshit. it's not shocking to him but it can be disappointing.]

Is this not your first body? [he pauses and offers,] It's a fascinating system to have installed regardless. Augmentation and robotics is not nearly as eh... sleek, in my world.

I didn't have much of a choice in it. [the words may sound like she's winding up for something dramatic, but she's waving her hand like it's no big deal.] Just woke up like this one day. Long story, but basically if anyone back home decided to be a dick to me about being a cyborg, I would've had a lot of stones to throw right back at their glass house.

But yeah, I'm learning that maybe I did get lucky. Like, in the grand scheme of how robots get treated across every universe. Don't have to deal with anyone debating my existence or trying to forcibly shut me down. [not for the robot thing, at least.] Anyway, what's it look like for you?

"You have no idea..."

Whether or not Anna recognized him didn't matter at the moment. Waver Velvet was just glad to be looking more like his usual self while Bausphomet's magic was at play. Although he had the lower body of a centaur-- and fuzzy black ears that blended in with the long hair he had tied back and the tail that he had neatly braided for safety's sake. The manner of speech and the somewhat dour manner should be familiar enough, at least.

He could have done it himself, but having an excuse to chill with Anna was always worth it. Besides, it gave him something to do while Iskandar entertained himself with the teenagers at the snack table.

"So. A fighter, an academic, a pirate, and a musician? Is there anything you can't do?"

The question was genuine. He was curious.

"Excellent choice in music, by the way. It's been a while since I heard any of Blue Oyster Cult besides that one that's always on the radio. The kids don't know how to appreciate Buck Dharma."

Oh, the appearance is wild, and yet—well, she's familiar enough with the magic by now, the stuff floating in the air that she can't put her finger on but that's somehow managed to pass her by. And she's definitely familiar with the demeanor of Waver, so it's not hard to realize who she's talking to. Least of all once he lists off her accolades, and she gives him a dry laugh before passing over a cigarette and lighting it with her own blood.

"Used to know that one, but it got too hard to program in enough cowbell," she jokes. "Besides, 'Burnin' for You' just hits harder, you know? Maybe I am livin' for givin' the devil his due."

As for his question, once she's a little more settled and leaning back against the tree, she scoffs just a little. "Anyway, yeah, there's a lot of stuff I can't do. You just hit all the stuff that makes up the whole... Gestalt of my life. Military historian parents who pushed me to learn a whole bunch about shit that I go out of my way not to think about, combat android battle data downloaded right into my dome, long-ass history of live music being the only place I feel like I belong..." She takes half a breath and half a drag.

"Oh, add tech support to the list if you gotta. But that's probably where it stops. I can't do everything. Don't know how to ride horses, for example." A sly look.

"You don't need to ride a horse to be called a Rider. A ship is fine, too."

It likely didn't matter to Anna, but it mattered to him. Despite everything, he had called out for a Rider during his first hours in the ocean and one had arrived to save him. Sure, she was at the helm of a borrowed ship and not on the chariot that had been bound by Gordius-- but she was still a Rider.

Such little things meant to world on try someone who didn't believe in coincidences.

Casting her a wry look of his own, he took a drag from the cigarette and just enjoyed the simplicity of it for a moment.

"We're all living for giving the devil his due here, but I can't help but wonder if he isn't doing us some favors as well." He exhaled, releasing a plume of smoke towards the sky. "It's been over a month since I could do this. The tailoring has been a pain-- but this? It's pretty okay."

Edited 2022-05-19 20:53 (UTC)

"Could be. You know, I did always think the devil was pretty cool," she says, in one of the least surprising sentences of her life. She takes a long drag and blows it out away from the rest of the party, and the nicotine does less for her now than it has in the past but it feels very comforting.

"What do you mean 'rider', though?" She has no desire to reveal that she's the bottom in her relationship, but she can't really piece the rest together on her own. "That a special thing from your whole... everything?" she asks, gesturing a little with her cigarette. When in doubt, generally it's safe to assume that it's magic wizard bullshit.

He eyed her ponderously over his wire glasses, wondering how far he could go with his explanations before the memories of the Fourth Holy Grail War compelled him to freeze or attempt to flee. Not even a decade of time and distance had been enough to heal the wounds on his psyche, and in many ways Waver was as haunted as Anna was by the things that no one could change.

Tipping the ash from his cigarette into the dirt, he mulled over all of this with a tightened jaw before finally releasing a sigh.

She deserved some answers.

"You're right," he said. "There's seven classes of hero the can be summoned they the Grail to participate in one of its rituals. Rider is one of them, and the one that came to me when I made my covenant a decade ago"

She watched his jaw set but didn't comment on it further. Everybody had secrets, everybody had their own lives to live, and from what little Waver had told her about everything back home, it sounded like he had more than enough of his own history to complicate things.

"Well, I never thought of myself as much of a Rider, but if you keep getting rescued by us, then who am I to argue, you know? Unless you can think of a better option for me." She thought on it for only a moment—she didn't know the other classes, of course, but Iskandar could only have one reason for being a Rider. "So did he come with Bucephalus, or did he have to find another horse that could handle him?"

"He did, but not in a constant physical sense."

This was where explanations about Servants and their capabilities grew muddied. Waver lifted a brow at her.

"The Fourth Holy Grail War took place in a tiny Japanese suburb. The chickens I brought were noticeable; I can't imagine how a war horse would have gone over!"

It was a dry attempt at levity, for the sake of buying time and easing the mood. Such things were needed at times.

"The summoned Servants need an external anchor to interact with the world as we do. Even then, it requires a certain amount of mana expended by the Master in order for that to happen. Both the Servants and their equipment-- including their steeds, like Bucephalus-- can take a non-corporeal form and manifest physically at will."

He glanced over towards the snack table, where a certain golden eagle was hopping amid the snacks and playing with the teenagers, and snorted in amusement. With a gesture, cigarette smoke swirling around them, he motioned for Anna to look.

"You see how he is as a bird? He was worse when it came to the... physicality of the experience. He wanted to engage with everything regardless of how he presented or looked to everyone else. I had a helluva time even convincing him to wear pants."

Not that Waver was currently wearing pants himself...

Edited 2022-05-23 01:11 (UTC)

She absolutely did see the way he was as a bird and couldn't help but grin at the whole display. So this was Alexander the Great, huh? Well, history had a way of lionizing even the greatest.

"That does make sense, though. I mean, nobody from Macedonian times wore pants anyway, right?" And she grinned again, redirecting it towards Waver. "So that was your first taste? Just a big eyeful of Lil' Alex the second he showed up?" And she nudged his arm, knowing she was definitely not saying something appropriate. "Lucky you."

But talking about Alexander the Great's dick could only take her so far. She wondered whether it was safe to discuss as she took another drag.

"Four Holy Grail Wars, huh? How did that small Japanese suburb handle a big Catholic war taking place right in the middle of it?"

"I wouldn't exactly--"

--Do you see the sheer embarrassment on his face, Anna? Waver recalled the thrill he had when the mists cleared around the summoning circle that those poor chickens had died for and Iskandar's presence was revealed. He may have been nervously biting his lip-- but bear no doubts, Waver lost his shit in that instant.

No reason to resume that pitiful denial.

"It wasn't quite that early, Anna. We may have been in a war, but I was a pretentious little shit that didn't know when to shut up."

They're was no shame in his words. He absolutely was a complete brat. It was how he had come so far.

"Not just four. There's a fifth on the horizon. I plan to get my hosts from last time out of harm's way, even if I must email them the flight plans." He scoffed. The fact that the Mage's Association had passed up his candidacy after he tried entering through legitimate means still bothered him.

No matter.

"It's not just a Catholic idea. A mysterious wish granting artifact is present in most mythologies, but the Grail was the most renowned of them. The name and details aren't important.

We... Have our methods of keeping the general population safe, and it would have worked ten years ago if the Caster pair weren't also serial killers. We needed outside assistance from the Association and the Church to cover up the...uh..."

He trailed, frowning as he mentally fumbled on how to even describe the eldritch monstrosity that the duo had created with their bloodlust and madness.

"... Let's call it the Lovecraftian Horror that they created. It took four out of seven teams working in tandem to take it out before it reached the riverbank and started feeding on the population."

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