Cometh the Big Crying Wheel

[initiates]

Date & Time: Sept 15th
Location: A refurbished castle on the outskirts of Exsilium.
Characters: Anyone at the party!
Summary: Vanadi hosts a party that goes very poorly.
Warnings: Violence, probably! Let a mod know if we should update this.


It’s a lovely night for a party!

The venue at the outskirts of town is, unfortunately, a bit drafty — and actually rather sparsely furnished, as well. In fact, party goers are encouraged to mingle, drink, and enjoy themselves in the courtyard, as the castle itself wasn’t able to be renovated in time, and has proven to be a little bit architecturally unsound. Any explorative guests might find a small hail of dust and pebbles on their heads if they venture too far in — and who knows what else, if they continue on.

But the drinks and snacks both are plentiful and delicious, and the large canvas set up from castle wall to castle wall keeps off the sprinkling rain. The weather could even be described as warmish and pleasant, if one were feeling generous. A group of Exiles plays classic instruments in one corner of the courtyard, having been paid enough to even smile at any Transports that wander near.

All in all, it’s shaping up to be a good night. Until about 10 PM, that is. Come 10 PM, the Misery rolls into town, tearing down the canvas, nullifying powers, and crying corrosive blood everywhere. That’s the cue for all hell to break loose, as the final wave of mind-controlled characters snag their victims and make for the hills — or at least for the UE. The mind-controlled characters will also have the backup of a squadron of 20 of the Masked, the UE's special ops force. The Masked's main goal is to grab those on their list and get away, but they're certainly not above shooting to kill at anyone that gets in their way. They're also highly trained in hand-to-hand combat and physically enhanced by their suits, so they're a good bunch to try to avoid.

But do have a wonderful time until then, won’t you?

Comments

[crocodilesmiles]

( And so she does, to a little rise on what was once more of a wall than it remains, partly privatized just by how things fell out, though getting in or out of the small outdoor niche unnoticed would be a neat trick. There's room enough for two and then some, a good rectangle of rock providing a table of sorts, another two decent seats. Collette ends up backing herself in, playful with the way she winks at Lenalee, then gestures for her to be seated. )

I hope you like people watching. Best entertainment of the night!

( It's not the canvas over their heads here, but instead, more of the castle; the rain has dropped back to the fine mist that feels like heavy fog or whispered missives against unprotected skin.

The partial wall blocks the night breeze seeking to chill flesh more thoroughly than it is so far. Collette shivers, rubbing one exposed upper arm. )

Cheapest, too.

[anklets]

[Nostalgic, somehow. Like a childhood game, if she'd had a childhood to be nostalgic for. Setting down the custard tray, Lenalee perches on the indicated seat-stone and deems it suitable, if a bit chilly, and flashes a small smile.

Girl doesn't go around wearing miniskirts and metal boots for a lifetime without acclimating to the cold.]

As it happens, I do enjoy people-watching.

[Obsessively so, in some specific cases.]

[crocodilesmiles]

What's your favorite part about it?

( Collette settles back, curious as she peers over to Lenalee once she sits. People do what they do for different reasons. James watched people with a different ends in mind than how she watched people. It makes her wonder if Lenalee's reasons relate back to her friends, the way she has been in the war, ties back into that protection. )

[anklets]

It's the least troublesome way to learn whether someone is human or not.

[crocodilesmiles]

If you're patient enough.

( She says, laughing because doing otherwise would lead to stranger places. )

How do you judge humanity?

[anklets]

Humans [ ...most humans, this Noah thing is a relatively newer development and still something of a sore spot ] don't often make to kill us on sight. Akuma do.

[crocodilesmiles]

This place must be an unwelcome surprise.

( Enemies more subtle must be an unpleasant surprise. Other people, just people, being enemies too... She shakes her head. )

What kind of things do you notice when you're watching people here? Mostly we're human. Not everyone, but even those guys who aren't are pretty human in how they react, sorta.

[anklets]

Not a surprise, exactly.

[Humans destroy other humans. She knows this. She's seen it and remembers the words she'd heard- "this will probably be the final test", "another Fallen One", another because there had surely been others, children like her, sometimes. At least one time.

She shrugs, and it's elaborate and done without looking at her.]

Who they talk to. How they look at people.

[crocodilesmiles]

What does that tell you?

( Letting the statement of non-surprise settle down to rest with of what she knows about Lenalee, or about her friends, she focuses on curiosity. What is Lenalee watching for? )

[anklets]

Whether I need to speak with them, too.

[crocodilesmiles]

( A small sound of amusement. )

Do your friends all pay as much attention to you as you do for them?

[anklets]

I make them worry.

[crocodilesmiles]

Over what?

( Friends worry. It's a natural extension to her, but it always seems like there's something else, when it comes to Lenalee, or her friends. )

[anklets]

[Her emotional stability.

Her capability.

Her strength, how hard she is on herself, whether she's a death wish or is someone who can be protected.]

Over me.

[crocodilesmiles]

They're good friends. Like you are.

( Collette announces, lips quirking up into a smile. )

May you all give each other fewer reasons to worry rather than more.

[anklets]

I wonder if that's possible.

[crocodilesmiles]

It is.

... Sometimes.