meadowlarklogs | one night of magic rush

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one night of magic rush

WHO: Cain, Prompto, Hideki Maeda, and you!
WHERE: The popular Asylum club.
WHEN: Night of October 26.
WHAT: Cain and Prompto's joint birthdays!
NOTES OR WARNINGS: Beyond drinking/smoking, general wild party behavior, and fake friendship, there shouldn't be much. Will update as needed.

[Set deep in the downtown of New Amsterdam's entertainment district is Asylum, arguably the most popular club in the city. The exterior is cool steel beams and tasteful futuristic architecture with a long line down the corridor, suited bouncers posed at the entrance all armed with a virtual guest list. Its interior is fashioned with bright, colorful lighting dynamic to the music of the infamous DJ Semicolon, high ceilings and acoustic sounds to lend that feeling of a constant full-body hum. Any partygoers on the guest list for this event will be funneled toward the VIP section. They will have received an invitation a few days prior via their Cooltalk profiles. Jason is specifically blacklisted, sorry buddy.

DANCE YOUR HEART OUT. Nearly impossible to book without deep pockets or wide-reaching connections, Semicolon is at the top of their game mixing popular contemporary hits with Whitney Houston's classics. From song to song, Semicolon provides a unique and talented contrast of the slow to the energetic, so no matter your dancing style, you'll find something to move you on the dance floor.

DROWN YOUR... LIVER. Courtesy of the party's host, Hideki Maeda, the VIP section's private bar will provide an ever-flowing river of your favorite expensive high-proof alcohol. Pick your poison.

CHILL OUT. Tired on your feet from too much dancing, or just need a break from the packed atmosphere? There are plenty of comfortable areas where you can relax and take it easy until you're ready to get back out there. The lights around this area cycle through different colors in reflection of Semicolon's performance set, so a slower song might lend toward romantic shades of red while a faster-paced song is brighter blue.

SMOKE, EAT & MINGLE. Asylum will be serving real, fresh meat at this party, so enjoy that luxury while it lasts. There is also an outdoor area with a beautiful view over the city itself if you want to take your vape pen out there for a smoke, just get some air, or see who's around for a chat.]

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So it's all very purposeful. I'd call it clever, but I'm hesitant to provide them with anything resembling a compliment right now.

[He's easy mannerisms, an unaffected tone; but V is also not a fan of what happened to him that night, the discomfort of being torn away from his world, where important matters were being seen to, still raw against his insides.

A tap of his finger onto the cool surface of the bar, the other hand still allowing a place to rest his chin.]

Counting the seconds. [At least he's honest.] No offense directed to your own party, of course. But it seems to be running very long. Maybe I'll say hello to the host later to kill some time.

Of course.

Tricked? That's not very nice. You should let him know.

[He wonders if he should take that as a grain of salt, because there's always the choice of deciding to not be someone's roommate beyond the initial agreement. He figures that they must get on well enough, so the joke is interpreted as one, V's own smile lopsided.]

What's the point in putting on a brave face in a place like this? [Re: Prompto, he means. The tip of his cane clicks against the floor again.] We are all lost creatures, apparently making ends meet in a world where we don't belong. Missing home is just the consequence of being human.

[He assumes. He should know, but his experiences have been rather limited.]

Experience, right?

[ Rey's place to draw the line is pretty basic. ]

You do something long enough, and in enough ways, and you start to understand how it works better than other people.

Maybe tomorrow after I finish making our coffee. [That paints a picture, doesn't it? But Abel is still a little warm and loose from alcohol, even less careful when he's tired and comfortable on a couch under the stars. As much as he hates this party, the reason he's here is absolutely worth it, twice over.]

It's true-- if home is a place you love, it's generally accepted that most people will miss it when they're away for a while. But there's other factors to consider, don't you think? Admitting that your 'brave face' is just a face means revealing a vulnerability. [That first time he'd actually engaged with the Colterons, how many times had he told himself that he couldn't cry?]

Even if it's someone you trust, there's risk. The balance between sharing a problem and burdening someone is very delicate, I can see why Prompto in particular would have trouble. He's very giving. [Like Abel in some ways, though Abel can't say he'd take Hideki out to walk in the snow of New Tokyo just because he'd wanted to. Prompto is in a different league, it seems-- too sweet to be real.]

[L o o k, it's his literal first time, don't shame him he's a good boy!!!!]

[Closing his eyes does make him feel better. In this case, ignorance is bliss-- if he can't see people looking at him and silently judging, it's just easier for him to move. He's not drunk enough, so shutting out what bothers him is the way to go.]

[His brow crinkles a little bit as he takes stock of how he's feeling. It takes a moment because he's also focused sharply on moving to the music, but in the end he's nodding.] It does. The... 'visual noise' just ruins it for me, I guess.

[But maybe if he were dancing with Cain, his focus wouldn't drift like this. But it's still fun, venturing into this thing he's always wanted to do but never given himself permission to do.] I'm Abel!

[that...is very helpful. jon grins.]

That makes sense.

[said as if it were something of a revelation. not a lot of things have made sense to jon lately.]

You're good at explaining things.

[ Aww, that's touching. Rey lights up notably at this. She's been trying to get better at communicating with other sentient beings through more than looks and grunts and it's working!! ]

Thanks. [ There's a sense in her demeanor that it means a lot. Mostly, though, this one is easy. She became a pro with ships not through training of any kind or working under someone in the craft, but by experience and trial and error over a decade. It's the experience that counts to her. ] I'm going to go outside for a bit. Do you want to come?

[ She's all about dem city views, and they're pretty high up right now. ]

Yes. I can see that he is.

[Knowing him for only a handful of days, that much had been clear.

V himself is not one to really speak, anyway — these same words would’ve labeled him a hypocrite once, never wanting to show weakness, never wanting to be vulnerable. He had hated nothing more, the feeling of being helpless and unable to protect oneself from outside forces that would grind him under their heel.

Now? Now there’s an irony in him being more human, and understanding that weakness and flaws are just part and parcel of being alive. That Prompto might try to keep it all inside of him is equal parts understandable and… strange.]

It’s funny, though, isn’t it? He seems the type to collect friends easily. I’m sure none of them would call him a burden.

[Ah, but he leans back, shrugging a little. Not his place to say.]

We’re a ragtag group. No one but each other to rely on.

That's the paradox, isn't it? He cares so he doesn't want us to worry, but we're alright with worrying because we care. Putting himself in our position must be very difficult despite the clear parallels. I can't say I'm not guilty of the same thing.

[Despite him begging for help fixing what was between him and Cain, Abel still felt like every feeling he had was something he had to untangle and purge. Putting his feelings onto Cain seemed ridiculous and pointless, Abel was the one feeling them. And so he's sitting in a corner outside watching Cain enjoy the party and holding himself back from saying what he actually feels. The desired outcome doesn't seem workable, and he's not even sure he wants Cain to pick up and leave with him. It's a difficult problem.]

Isn't that the truth. [Abel smiles faintly, thinking about all of the people he's met since arriving. A strange group indeed.] It's a strange gift, in a way. I find that people tend to cluster together in like-minded groups, never really challenging their worldview. There aren't enough of us to create true echo chambers though-- and if the network is anything to go by, few of us are willing to walk away from a disagreement. [He chuckles.]

Well. Maybe the party will help ease whatever woes he's hiding.

[All that they can hope for, given that there's nothing to be done about Hideki's attentions being sloughed off on Cain and Prompto. V is in the same position as Abel; wait until the time has ended, and return home.

He looks at Abel again, a raised brow coupled with his usual grin.]

And it is a blessing that we're all so different. Varying experiences mean varying expertise, and we need all of it if we want to unravel what's happening to the world around us. For example, you were a... Navigator, correct? You know space better than many of us. [A beat, remembering something else mentioned.] And maybe war, too.

( there's no shaming!! abel's fine. nervous, but fine. billy follows in line with him easily enough, too; mirrors his own movements. he's not the best dancer, either. but he can manage this just fine. it's easy, and helping abel not be so nervous also means he's not dancing by himself, so. )

Billy. Nice to meet you, Abel. ( soft, friendly. billy keeps his own eyes open, if only to make sure they're not getting close to running into anyone. but he's not bothered by any stares directed their way, sticks his tongue out at anyone who's looking a little too long before giving an extra sashay of his hips. )

You're newish, right? I remember seeing your name around on the network.

[ Was V speaking? Hideki certainly doesn't seem to think so. He grabs a sausage off the plate and stuffs it in his mouth, savoring the taste. It's a good thing it didn't go to waste on someone ... like that. ]

[heckin rude

There's not much more to be said once security arrives, one of them clamping a firm hand on V's shoulder and telling him it's time for him to leave. A 'tsk' escapes V, but not much else, and he won't resist being escorted out, leaving Hideki without another word.

V WILL REMEMBER THAT]

Hopefully... [Abel is worried it's only pushing them deeper inside of Prompto and not actually easing anything. But maybe he is truly distracted and can take a few moments to enjoy himself. Abel's opinion of the party might not be shared by Prompto, and that's probably a good thing.]

[Thinking of himself as a soldier, despite spending months in space working on military technology and engaging in a few dogfights with Colterons, is still strange. Maybe because his desire to become a Navigator was relatively new when compared to his love of science and engineering. Maybe because he'd never wanted to 'Waste 'Terons' as so many people put it, he'd only wanted to protect what he loved. It doesn't seem very war-like, but he's not sure what he expected. More blood? More fighting? Less time digging around in the guts of the Reliant trying to shorten her response time? Hard to say. But V suggesting that he knows war better than many of the Displaced really makes him wonder how qualified he is to talk about it.]

Space definitely, my head was always up in the stars. [He smiles back, just a little self-conscious about it.] War, though... I don't know, sometimes I think it's better to ask someone like Cain about that. I've only shot a gun once, and I've flown more simulations than actual battles. I wouldn't call myself 'experienced'.

[As if her comment's reminded him, Cain lifts a hand to drag through the length of his hair, flattening bangs across his browline. Still messy, still wild, but cropped much shorter than her own current length.]

Atrocious? I think it looks good on you. [Fancy, a little dated (as if he knows anything about vintage fashion except that Peggy's style is not identical to those who are native here), nothing like the soldiers he's so accustomed now. It reminds him a bit of civilian life.] And 'the pictures'? Seriously?

[Okay, so those examples aren't horrible. Team building. Maybe they'll have to figure out how to escape a closed-off room someday? But it's still a far cry from what he means.]

Teach me the foxtrot, and we'll do that.

Edited 2019-06-05 01:35 (UTC)

[Cain snorts, leaning with both of his own elbows propped against the bar top.]

Good luck with that. He can be kinda particular about who he hangs around. Somehow me and Prompto got into his good graces. Guess I'm just so damn charming.

[A sharp hook of an ambiguous smile goes V's way. And he doesn't know V, or how much Prompto's shared, so he won't go into too much depth there.]

So? How's New Amsterdam hold up compared to what you're used to? Everybody comes from somewhere.

[The most physical contact they've shared up until this point was in the dreams, that tunnel of a hallway, endless in both directions. He hasn't forgotten that. And he wants to talk to her more in depth, but for now Cain's glad to have the hug returned -- maybe he was somewhat emboldened by alcohol. There's no shred of regret to be found for it.]

It will be. Trust me. [Another small squeeze and he releases her, taking a step back.] I'll send you a pic when I'm done.

[Grinning, he cradles the box of wax in one hand and nudges into her shoulder with his own.]

Been meaning to see how you were since we all got stuck in New Tokyo, just some shit came up after we got back. What's up? Want a drink?

[Except for a quick brief look, Cain doesn't bring attention to her age. Not everyone's at the same place in life, or had the same opportunities. Abel's shown him that even if it was a strange thing to wrap his head around initially.]

Hey, still got plenty of time to go to more parties. [Smiling still, he finishes making the very simple cocktail. Jack and Coke. Mostly soda so as to off-set the burn of whiskey. It's not anywhere near the strength of Hideki's concoction, so Angel may not even taste the liquor at all, just soda. He passes it over the bar top.] Unless you don't really like 'em.

[Abel can't tell if Billy is good or not, given his eyes are closed. But it does feel right and it does feel fun. The longer Abel separates himself from the people watching him, the stronger those feelings become. But is it just awkward to dance with someone who isn't looking at you...?]

Ah, nice to meet you too! [Yeah, this is weird, he should open his eyes. So he does and just tries not to look around too much.]

I've been around for a few weeks, I was part of the group that arrived in New Tokyo. What about you? Have you been here for a while?

You really are a nice man.

[ it might not be a glowing accolade, but the attention that abel gives to the little people and their needs and lives is, in part, why wei wuxian likes him so much. he has a good heart, it's in the right places, and it's going to get him hurt one day. it likely already has, for all he knows, but who needs to relieve the past? ]

It makes me feel bad for picking on you, but only a little. [ and he jostles the side of the cup he's handed abel, pointedly. ] You're always thinking of so many people, just don't forget to care for yourself. I'm sure it's a moot point, but it begs to be said. Call it reflex.

[Yes, his big, trusting, loving heart has already been battered quite significantly. Unsurprisingly, he still shares a bed with ground zero. He's chosen not to see this as asking for more pain, and instead as a chance to rebuild something truly honest and strong between himself and Cain. But, he still gives Xuanyu a smile like he's been told a funny joke. He may be head over heels for Cain, but he's definitely not smart about it.]

[He looks at the cup and squints, eyes going between Xuanyu and the spot on his shirt.]

Wait, did you...?

[A far more gruesome fate than the one Cain suffered on the hull of that ship, in the dream, built on a real life example of memory. Wei Wuxian weaves the brutal description into a fond reflection of a friend. He finds himself openly staring as though this other man has grown a second head, so thoughtless is the transition, but those barriers are down between them. There's less shock at the violence itself than its delivery.]

Thought you would've been eaten by dogs or something, sounded like they really freaked you out.

[Torn to pieces by corpses, instead. Cain's never seen one that wasn't dead on the ground, never to walk again, never to bear any resemblance to the living. That one might reanimate itself... it gives him a crawling sense of discomfort. Dead things should stay dead. But then, what did it mean for this person, who had lived three lives.]

What is it, some kind of magic bullshit? Whatever lets you come back after you die. Can't be technology like they got here.

Edited 2019-06-05 06:28 (UTC)

[ oh, Prompto. you sweet baby angel. no one wants to talk to Loki. ]

Me? Oh, really?

[ that throws him a little, and his expression draws down into something of surprise.

not the greeting that he was expecting. ]

So, what's the hub-bub then?

I had made peace with the assumption I would never have the opportunity, so to suddenly have so many options open to me is…overwhelming?

[ She hadn’t decided if she liked the party scene yet, too new, too little to compare it to. But she didn’t dislike it, either. She accepts the drink with a thank you, immediately noticing how the smell of alcohol doesn’t waft up from the glass like the previous one had, she’s even able to take a small sip. Then a more generous one when it doesn’t make her tastebuds want to jump out of her skull. ]

It may have been in my best interest to start smaller, given everything else I am adapting to. I’ve seen soirees consisting of a slightly…quieter crowed. Sometimes they were even themed! Um…

[ Maybe the alcohol is hitting a little, faster than she expected but this is her first experience with alcohol. And at her size it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that she’s a total lightweight. ]

Sorry, I'm getting away from myself.

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one night of magic rush

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