one night of magic rush

[blyat]

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.]

Comments

smacks wrist

[blyat]

[It's not the most favorable reaction. Wei Wuxian is fortunate he doesn't fumble his vape pen right over the ledge, and instead jolts into action, elbow jabbing backward as soon as that black curtain is pulled over his eyes.]

Hey--!

[Prickly may be an understatement. Whether or not Cain catches him with the jab, the skin contact is enough to communicate his own brief flash of emotion: fatigue intermixed with inebriated relaxation, spiking quickly into surprise when touched.]

Don't sneak up on me.

[998]

[jon nods, tries to push all thoughts of robb to the back of his mind.]

Aye, there's good ale here. I've had a couple pints.

[taking note of the names, for market research. he glances at cain's glass.]

What're you drinking?

[so he can refill it, if necessary.]

[laozu]

[ JUST DESSERTS - for both of them. in his eyes, this is revenge for the way cain has muddled his thoughts since they last spoke - causing him undeserved strife between himself and his two countrymen. he takes the elbow all the same, a whuff escaping him as he tips back, back, nearly toppling over entirely from the railing. it's a precarious position, but damn if it doesn't prove his core strength is good.

he comes off the railing after that, hands laced behind his back as he fishes around for the code that contains his gift for cain as well. antics aside, he's come for a reason. ]

You look exhausted, mister Cain.

[ and no wonder, having to pal around with that INTERESTING individual manning the bar inside ]

I just thought you might like a little burst of energy, after a night like yours. Congratulations and happy birthday to you, I've brought you a gift!

[verselet]

[Any more and V might do the same, if he isn’t already considered something of an anti-social creature as it stands. A party like this, all bright lights and drunken expectations, were too much for him — he’d much prefer corner to himself, a good book, and a long stretch of silence.]

Heaven forbid that should ever be the case.

[He says wryly, in response to Abel becoming a native where parties on the regular were the norm.]

A Navigator, though? I must admit that sounds very fantastical, in a sort of romanticized way. Are the constellations seen from Earth that much different from the ones you know by heart? Or is it really a matter of being out of practice?

[amstrdm]

Already? [ Hideki doesn't look pleased about the prospect of moving. He's high energy, but he also just got comfortable.

The good news is that he doesn't say "no," but he needs to be allowed to have his fun. ]

We just got some time to ourselves here. Plus – your birthday presents haven't even arrived yet! Did you think I brought you over here for nothing?

[wiccant]

( oh. cain's reaction is enough to earn a small, quiet laugh from billy as he takes hold of a wrist and leads him on towards the lounge. at one of the tables there's--a reusable grocery bag tucked into a corner, a small digital tag that reads cain as to hopefully dissuade anyone else from taking off with it.

inside is a black cropped bomber jacket--short enough it doesn't go beyond cain's ribcage. and it's probably a size too big, but-- )

I had to guess your size, but you can probably take it back if it doesn't work.

[verselet]

[Images that Prompto had snapped of him with little to zero warning, no doubt. But at this point, V probably remains oblivious to the growing popularity of that particular Cooltalk account, and therefore recognition isn't something he particularly expects from... well, anyone.

Not that Cain has made it clear that he does. V allows his cane to rest across his lap, balanced evenly, leaning his elbows into the counter that stretches across from them.]

'Sunshine'. [Now that's a fitting descriptor if he's ever heard one.] If you mean I was dragged here with little to no choice, then yes. I was 'invited'.

[Maybe Cain can hear the scare quotes an otherwise plain-toned delivery.]

[amstrdm]

Ah, good thing, then! We can fix that today. [ No, V likely needs proper nutrition and a lot of time with a doctor to fix that, plus any number of other things. Hideki feels that feeding food to someone who clearly can't buy it for himself will do the trick. He begins to pile it onto the plate: slices of salami, delicious cured cheeses, a few pieces of spare ribs, and a dollop of mashed potatoes. He tops the mashed potatoes off with beautifully air fried green beans, and then presses the plate into V's chest. ]

You can't say no. I threw this party. [ He is used to getting his way. ]

[verselet]

[This is

so much food.

It’s instinct that has V balancing the plate with an arm when it’s shoved against his chest. The piled-on food doesn’t look bad, admittedly, but his innate weakness exists for deeper reasons than just malnutrition or an overall lacking constitution. Definitely beyond the means of what a single plate can fix.

But he’s getting the impression that this young man either doesn’t care, or isn’t given to believing such rational thinking. He looks up from the plate, giving Hideki an even stare, choosing what to say next.]

Is that so? Hideki, right? You don’t do things by halves for your friends, it would seem. ‘Great things are done when men and mountains meet’. Or in this case, a prominent DJ, plenty of food and drink, and a trifecta of converging birthdays.

[(Has made no move to eat anything yet.)]

[mercurio]

Feels like you just want an excuse to say poems whenever.

[picking up after himself, prompto tries to sit up straighter. no matter how mysterious v (consciously or unconsciously) tries to paint himself as, there's clearly that layer of him being a big nerd over his favored hobby: poetry.]

[prompto can appreciate that in others. noctis and video games, ignis and cooking, gladio and camping. he really can't say much, though, for he is—after all—deep into photography.]

It's a good present, so thanks. Y'gonna be reciting a lot of poems in the apartment? I'd be down.

listen he has yet to prove her wrong

[girlcorrupted]

[ Oof, Angel doesn't like that- being in the proximity of so many physical people has been enough for her nerves, the empathetic bond activating always startles and frays her. She supposes that at some point she'll get used to it, but for now when Prompto lets go she keeps that distance, swaying awkwardly to the beat he lack of experience clear.

But Prompto's enthusiasm is contagious, and if he can look like that without a care, it helps her give herself permission to let go a tiny bit as well as she does a twirl on her own, smiling when she comes back round to face him. ]

I take it you're enjoying your party?

[verselet]

[V won’t give so much as a shrug at that assumption — however correct it might be. Not that it’s particularly difficult to ascertain; Prompto should be well aware of his proclivity to slip quotes in now and again, if not complete verses in conversation, based on nothing more than a passing whim.

He’s right, V’s definitely something of a poetry nerd, no matter how taciturn of a picture he usually paints.]

Are you saying you want to be an audience? If you’re interested, why would I say no?

[mercurio]

[as per usual, there's something about the way prompto sees this friendship that has him reaching over and trying to swat at v. he doesn't really manage, losing his balance easily to the world spinning while still seating.]

[the attempt was there, at least.]

Roommate tradition! [he may have had his fair share of drinks, but he's definitely into this idea, and he'll somehow remember it while sober] Roommate tradition!

[this your life now]

[adsero]

[The moment the ice meets his forehead, Abel frowns in his sleep and reaches to brush the sudden cold spot away. He's so used to Cain leaving their usual tangled embrace that sleeping through something like this isn't so difficult. But the cold is certainly uncomfortable.]

[verselet]

[The swat is far from landing, though it does motivate V to pick up his cane again and prod at Prompto's shoulder with it. It's equal parts to keep him from kneeling over face-first onto the ground, and to tease him.]

I haven't been living with you for a week, and you're already trying to instill traditions? [prod] You might be getting ahead of yourself.

[Besides, V doesn't know how to "roommate". What's the point of a tradition, if he can just recite a line or two to keep Prompto's curiosity fed whenever he needs it?]

[adsero]

[Abel winces as everyone starts yelling around him-- too many bad experiences when he's the center of attention, it makes him very anxious.]

Great, good! Come on, this way. [Abel puts an arm around Prompto's waist and makes sure he gets to one of the booths before waving a bartender over to get the birthday boy some water.]

I know you must be having a very good time right now, but try not to get hurt doing it.

[mercurio]

Listen, [he starts] traditions are ... necessary for bonding and for roomies not to get all sour-y on each other. [this makes great sense, he's talking out of his ass.]

[he swats the cane away, not realizing it's meant to help him]

Besides!

[this is already an idea in his head, there's no backing out. prompto opens his mouth as if to say something, hand up with a finger raised as if here be his ultimate rebuttal. except - silence, a wide lean back onto the couch, finger still up.]

Besides, the more you poetry the better person you'll be.

[okay, he's reached a mildly sleepy/drunk state of mind.]

[adsero]

No, no, you don't have to apologize. [Though Abel does look mildly distressed that Angel, an apparently sweet woman who only wants to be helpful, isn't used to dealing with people who aren't 'considerate'.] You didn't do anything wrong, you were being very mindful. I haven't had someone offer to do something like that for me before, honestly. [Not without some kind of ulterior motive at least. Nobody except...]

[Abel finds Cain across the room, picking some other boy up and swinging him around laughing. He wants to be over there, not here, but Cain shouldn't have to babysit him when he has to focus on his mission. This is an opportunity for him, Abel can't threaten that.]

I hope he likes it. I've given people gifts before but, I really want this to be appreciated... [He gives Angel a guilty look.] Is that too selfish of me?

[verselet]

[He doesn’t think any of it makes much sense. His cane is not deterred even when Prompto swats it away, just planting it again on his shoulder.]

Is that right?

[The more you poetry, the better person you’ll be. Prompto says something so ridiculous with the confidence that only a drunk person can exude, it’s hard not to be impressed. An interesting concept, if not altogether wrong.]

If only that were the case. You can be a diligent purveyor of poetry and still be a bad person.

[He presses against Prompto with his cane one final time before finally relenting. It falls parallel to his side.]

But like I said, I will read to you, if that’s what you want. Tradition notwithstanding.

no worries!

[blyat]

What, you expected someone prim and buttoned-up, the good samaritan type? Not really my style. He was just trying to make me look good.

[Flashy is one of the least offensive things anyone's ever called him, and it's not wrong. Cain tilts his head, still smirking.]

This your first time at a party like this?

[blyat]

[Ale? Aye? The more he speaks to Jon, the more interesting that accent and dialect is.]

Whiskey. Top shelf, smooth as fuck. You wanna try some?

[He offers out the glass, as if expecting Jon will take a sip off the rim.]

[blyat]

Yeah, well, was dancing a lot. 'Course I'm fuckin' tired.

[Scowl permanently affixed, Cain withdraws a few steps. No one's invaded his personal space more times uninvited than this guy and he's not about to forget that.]

I didn't ask for a gift.

[At least he has the decency to look... somewhat cowed, or embarrassed? It's not the first one he's received tonight, ridiculous party aside, and it rubs him the wrong way. That people are giving him things. It would've been better if no one found out.]

[adsero]

[Abel snorts faintly.] It's a little like being a glorified engineer with a fancy degree in astrophysics, but I like 'fantastical in a romanticized way' better. [He was guilty of romanticizing it in certain ways, honestly. His grades had been phenomenal, his scores in simulators were the best in his class, that indicated to him that he belonged in the Alliance. Numbers. But he'd be lying if he said that there weren't times where he imagined leaning back in his Starfighter and just drifting through an endless map that spoke to him.]

Nothing's different, which should be a comfort, but it sure is frustrating right now. [He's fairly certain that he isn't out of practice, he's just rushing through the identifications and missing things because he's annoyed and emotional. But he'd rather look like an idiot than admit that he was jealous Hideki both beat him to the punch with this ridiculous party and threw around money to do it that Abel absolutely didn't have. He couldn't buy anything for Cain, he was a dependent for the time being.]

Maybe this just isn't the best place to be working on something like this. If we were at home and not in the middle of all this noise and distraction, I could actually think.

002;

[wiccant]

( billy doesn't stare but he does notice abel start to slink off when someone else is looking his way. it's enough of a cue for him to start pushing through the crowds, reaching a (sleeve covered, no empathy bond necessary) hand out to grab onto abel's wrist before he can get too far. )

Are you leaving this early? ( soft, teasing. before his tone takes a bit more of a serious note; ) Don't let them bother you. It's way less fun if you're worried about what everyone else is thinking.

[blyat]

Fuckin' sweet!

[In a reaction uncharacteristically earnest -- from someone who can count on one hand the number of genuine gifts he's received from people in his lifetime, barring his older sister -- Cain's face lights up as he takes the jacket up and shakes it out for a better look. The size is good, better to be larger than too small, it'll stretch over his broader shoulders and look yet intentionally fashionable.]

How'd you even know I'd want something like this? [Your wardrobe speaks for itself, Cain, but whatever.] Ugh, you asshole, c'mere.

[And he's throwing an arm over Billy's shoulder to drag him in, hand ruffling black hair.]