Teenagers Scare the Living Shit Out Of Me etc. etc.

[dyingtohealyou]

[Characters passing by the bulletin board may notice a new message tacked to it!]

Drinking party at the bar at 8pm. Under 21 only. Adults will be persecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Fun and games included, party hats optional. Don’t be late!

[Sure enough, there’s a gathering of teens (and maybe some not-so-teens?) to be found in the bar! While the posting mentions this is a teen only event, adults are in fact allowed as long as they are cool. OOCLY please be aware there are going to be teens drinking alcohol and possibly smoking! Also additionally, please let the teens/players have fun; again, adults are allowed but only if they’re cool enough to play along without snitching them out!

All party game top levels are going to be made under Ahito’s account but please assume ICly that Akira instigated/explained them! Once the game toplevels are up you can also post your own toplevels to mingle freely if you like IDK IT’S A PARTY HAVE FUN]

Comments

[jorunna]

I do like your hair. That was partially why I was happy to help dry you off.

[ It's wavy! They were hoping it would get fluffy.

Comet will do two braids and then tie them together in the back. ]

[leewards]

Ah, I see-- you had an ulterior motive, heheh.

[Not that he's too put-out by that.]

[fullspbar]

[ ...He'd been under the impression he'd been a more modern (???) type, but apparently that isn't the case. ]

School's mandatory where I come from, from when you're 6 'till you graduate at 18. [ Well, kinda. ] You can drop out, but people'll give ya shit for it. Harder to get a job, too, but you can manage.

[fullspbar]

[ Sure, Cid. Let's go with that. ]

...Not even sure how to respond to that one.

[ He's not really expecting the reaction, but it does quirk his eyebrow a bit. Well, at least he's not the only one suffering in that regard. ]

They had it at the castle back for that welcoming party they threw us, but didn't get around to asking what they used for it. If I knew, I'd try and make it here. All the weird ingredients are a pain in the ass.

[dyingtohealyou]

...Like a bar?

[What's... a club... other than a big stick.]

[fullspbar]

[ Squint...it's easy to forget the cultural dissonance here sometimes. ]

...Pretty much, yeah. The alcohol's part of it, but it's got dancing and music. Not my thing, I just don't mind workin' with that kind of crowd.

[dyingtohealyou]

[He's from an olden world, he cannot help this...]

You don't always get dancing at bars, I guess...

Anyway, I think it's my turn, so I'll take another truth.

[dyingtohealyou]

Nice of her...

...

Does she know you're...?

[dyingtohealyou]

I'm starting to see that.

[He is still looking Directly At Mika.]

[dyingtohealyou]

...People included?

[dyingtohealyou]

...I should've known you of all people would get it.

[troublereduction]

For what it's worth, I don't think I can really force helpin' onto other people. [ This is the first time anyone here has asked him this sort of question, which Day finds curious.

But, hmmm...]

How do you find life in the manor?

[foresightis2020]

[ Jing Yuan passes Solomon a little smile, glad for him to ask. Time to give a basic run through... ]

Aeons are, essentially, akin to gods. Beings of immense power who can lend their strength to others, or have others that sincerely follow their "Path" to take on the certain attributes, which can lend itself to "magic" proficiency.

For example, following the Path of Abundance, will lend towards one taking their strength from Yaoshi. Which means increasing or creating proficiency in healing technique.

Those who follow the Path of the Hunt often can count on having some sort of wind element added to boost their capability, though it isn't necessarily guaranteed either. [ Gameplay mechanics seguing with story mechanics means this is the kind of explanation he offers. Story-wise he too follows the Hunt, but uses lightning-based attacks and follows Erudition otherwise. ] One can simply already hold the potential towards magic all on their own.

...Ah, by the way, the Aeon assigned to the Hunt would be Lan, who is known as the Reignbow Arbiter. The Xianzhou Alliance as a whole holds great respect towards this Aeon, as their mission to eradicate Yaoshi and their Abominations is also our own.

Aeons may endeavor to appear before mortals quite often, such as the Reignbow Arbiter, or hardly bother to make an appearance to them, such as IX; though, considering what happens when one gazes upon them, that is for the best.

[foresightis2020]

[ Funny how that works, huh? ]

You can say many of the interior of the ships do resemble normal cities, containing restaurants, shops, and hotels. Though, of course, you have differences in the kinds of living spaces as well.

So there are more than just city-like spaces too.

[foresightis2020]

...Fortunately, I am quite used to troublemakers. I will simply have to give it time to acclimate to your style.

You could always tell me a good story or two as compensation, however.

[ Jing Yuan passes Solomon a little tired smile as he does aim to lighten the mood for a bit with a joke, and then just simply has a chair pulled up via some magic persuasion (beginning level levitation), settled right beside Solomon, only to seat himself down. ]

Mm. I could also certainly drink at a quicker or slower pace as accordingly, yes. Though, it will not quite matter much to me, as it takes quite awhile before I typically feel the affects of alcohol.

[foresightis2020]

[ That's fine with him. It isn't like the two haven't been obvious during the entirety of the game. ]

Yourself and Tatara, I mean.

[leewards]

I've learned the value of simply having others live and go about their business around me, even if the lot of you are not even remotely similar to me. [And for once, Ithaqua is a little uncomfortable with the truth charm... But he'll keep going, it's not enough for the truth charm, apparently.] The forest is silent, which is its own peace, but perhaps... a little too quiet, as I think back.

[He's not saying this just because he does have someone to share his bed with. He understands the value of noise and signs of life now, because it's much easier to tell if there's something wrong simply by the way the sounds around him change. It affords him peace of mind.]

Someone can come by my room at any time for a chat, for tea and snacks, or for other reasons. I've Urianger to turn to for closer companionship. There is always something to do, whether that's a mission requiring the touch of a wizard, or simply here at the manor, and no day is ever the same.

[He sits back and crosses his legs, tapping his fingers against the wood frame of the chair.]

I could live here permanently, if I were not needed so desperately in my home world. [And that's the issue, isn't it? The problem he's been mulling over since the battle against the chimera and the Northern witches.]

[lustro]

Mm - [ The rest of the sound continues into Mika’s mouth, content. He doesn’t care if he’s overheard right now, as long as no one else can heard Mika’s sweet sounds or - when the kiss breaks - the pretty flush on his face. When they fit together like this, it’s as if all the other miscellaneous, troublesome things quiet down for the moment.

His sigh is full of longing for another kiss, a third one - and a fourth one after that. But they need to talk about blood and murder, and he’d rather do that out here than in their room. He settles for speaking into Mika’s knuckles, lips brushing over their intertwined fingers. Everything about Mika’s words had made him feel better, so he wants to pass forward some sense of ease.

(He should question it, perhaps, that Mika would love him even with the blood of everyone here stained on his skin. But he’d love Mika just as much and overall shape of his love wouldn’t change if it was the moon or murder or any other sin.) ]

… I think the only scenario that would force my hand is… if it was the only way to save your life. Otherwise, it won’t be my first choice or last choice, even if I’m really upset, okay?

[ But to keep Mika, to protect his love, he would do anything. He knows Mika is capable - that’s not it. This world is just so - unpredictable. ]

I don’t want you to worry - and I don’t want to hurt my heart since it’s yours. No matter what either of us do, it remains yours.

[ Here’s a kiss promised on his ring finger. Forever faithful. ]

… and because of his dare, I should tell you - [ and to his mild surprise, the words come out. Maybe because he means them for Mika rather than himself. ] I’m - devoted. Resilient. When it’s just us left in the world, I’ll be with you.

[impacter]

Do you, now? Duly noted. I wouldn't want to get drunk in circles.

[He is, at the moment, noticeably sober. Almost as though he's not drinking alcohol at all! Fascinating.

A story, though.... If Robin has dismissed himself... there is one that definitely comes to mind, that Robin himself has already heard.]

Mm. I have a tale I could share, though it may be bittersweet and without my usual flairs. [From how he adjusts in his seat to straighten himself up and breathe in deep, though, he will try his best. Dramatic ass bitch that he is.]

Could you lend the Witty Sorcerer your ear?

[impacter]

[Solomon's attention is almost immediately intensely drawn. Magic was always a prime subject for him, in any sense or shape it maintained, and this is no exception. To perform magic means to know magic at its building blocks, and to know its building blocks means to understand the history and structure that begets them.

This sounds far more like the structure for a warlock than that of a wizard or sorcerer. But he has plenty of questions to help smooth out that idea.]

So it's a relationship of benefit rather than potential for most? Is devotion or worship all that the Aeons require for that sort of connection? What about those with the natural talent, how are they treated?

[impacter]

[Not a surprise, but an ache nonetheless.]

[foresightis2020]

Wise of you.

[ Enjoying your lil' juice drink, aren't you, Solomon... ]

I think that would be the perfect story for these old ears of mine.

[ Be dramatic. Be free, Solomon.

Jing Yuan is a person who can stand to hear things that are sad; perhaps better than most. A certain thought does occur to him that even if Solomon does say it is without his usual flairs, that he might see a little bit. Perhaps in tone? ]

...So, yes, I certainly would enjoy doing so.

[lustro]

[ Ah - okay, just speaking around a pinched cheek,,, mom vibes… ]

Eh? It was - was it that obvious?

[ He’s… embarrassed, but also pleased. Mika is so wonderful, it’s only natural to love him so much he can’t hide it? But he didn’t think Mika was that obvious about it in public. ]

We do talk a lot… But the things that bother us have been there since before we met so… I think we can help each other. But these things might not go away completely, even then.

And uh, we decided that was okay as long as we’re working through things. One step at a time.

[ Proud of his boyfriend actually!! But wait - ]

… Does it look like we’re not fine?

[foresightis2020]

It can be a beneficial relationship depending on the Aeon, though it doesn't have to be; generally, I would like to say yes at this time, with in regards to Lan, and those on the Path of the Hunt. Though, nothing too strong like blind devotion or strong worship is necessarily needed in order to gain an Aeon's power. Sometimes, an Aeon might feel inclined to gift it on a whim as well.

It all depends.

[ Nothing too structured or always according to reason. That might be due to ones like Aha, who do things for literal shits and giggles, including powering up their so-called enemies.

So. Yeah. It sure is something?? ]

Those with natural talent are treated normally on the Xianzhou Alliance. I am not one who has been to many worlds, so anything far in-depth regarding that based on the particulars of other societies do tend to be beyond my grasp.

Did you expect differently, however?

[lustro]

[ At some point, he’s off to talk to Mika about murder, very romantic. But he… does come back…

Good news: overall, it went better than he thought! Bad news: he now knows Solomon would kill him, so he’s upset again once he sees his face. ]

I did it. Let’s end it there.

[ Does he mean for good? No, there’s nothing final in his tone yet. He still…

… ]

Think we’re both tired from this.