[WORLD ONE | DING DONG THE FISH IS DEAD]

[spellbindmods]

Who: Coven members and the Palai
Where: Celebrating the Uvi going boom-boom
When: Day 67
Open/Closed: Open to All
OOC Note:

The initial setting information found here should be utilized for threads here.

There's no official OOC account for the Palai people. You're free to roleplay their actions and reactions on your own, as in depth as you want -- asking questions, hand-waved interactions, becoming best friends. The new world is your oyster!

For decades, the Palai have had to deal with the threat of the Uvi invading their homes, killing their families and returning 30 days later. After the coven found their way to Aimintas, the Palai found that the threat wasn't so...threatening. After the last attack, with many more Palai lost as compared to previous Uvi instances, some Palai had lost hope. Now, after seeing their nemesis blown to bits and falling out of the ocean, their faith in safety is restored. While the Uvi are still committed (by and large) to learning more about barriers and other forms of safety, the time for focusing on serious things has passed. It will return, but tonight? They celebrate. Unlike their last, shrimpy festival, this party has a lot more going for it. The Palai have had time to process the events and prepare themselves for a grand celebration. The Palai know how to party, but you ain't seen nothin' like this. A ▢ As a birthday tradition, the Palai give the birthday lizard a special concoction. It contains Elto energy and a combination of found herbs that can easily be located in Aimintas. When these herbs are combined with the Elto energy, they create a sort of...hallucinogenic experience. It's supposed to feel extremely relaxing and give the Palai pleasant visions, but in human bodies it's essentially just getting high. There are vials of these being passed around like candy, so don't worry about anyone running out. B ▢ Despite the adults getting lit, there are obviously a lot of baby Palai on the lose. Responsible coven members who have their own babies will have the ability to let them run wild and play with their lizardy cousins. If you want to spend time with your baby, the nursery caretakers have platters of crackers with mushy foods adorning them -- these are essentially candy to a tiny Palai. They may also be tempted by other foods present at the festivities, but you can avoid them getting a tummy ache if you have a watchful eye. C ▢ Speaking of food, there certainly is a lot of it. There are large grills being heated by the newly found bone structures. These hold shrimp and fish, grilled vegetable skewers and other foods. Instead of the Palai doing the serving, the coven members and other Palai are instead encouraged to utilize their own raw ingredients (which includes several large sharks, dolphins, etc.) in whatever fashion they choose. It's essentially a "build-your-own-kabob" station with no limits. D ▢ Because the party is lasting on into the night, some Elto have decided to light the marketplace with some of the bone structures they found by powering them and inserting them into small cloth bags that they then magically levitate around. While they provide a powerful light source that can increase the party's longevity, they're also floating live wires. Bump into one of these and you'll get a nasty shock! This is doubly concerning since Palai babies are fascinated by following these floating "toys." E ▢ The Palai, feeling more familial and supportive of their ideals than ever, haven't let go of the whole family/romance pushing on the coven. Their newest attempt is a bit of a prank (probably due to high Palais) who have taken magic bone structures and tied thick strings to the spines that poke out of them. At the end of these strings are loops that they're quickly slipping around the wrists of coven members they find. You may find that you're suddenly magically connected to someone -- or two other people if you're lucky enough -- by a magical thread that's VERY hard to slip out of or break. F ▢ Wildcard Part 1: Other previous party prompts can also be considered here, from the rolls that make magic go haywire to the aged liquor that causes a bit more than a headache. G ▢ Wildcard Part 2: Any prompt you like!

Comments

[talim]

[ jude's voice is suddenly much smaller. ]

There are lots of things I like about you. Do you remember what I said? Back in Fezebel Marsh?

I'd like to think you know how I feel.

And whether that's wishful thinking or not... What I think is that you need to work on forgiving yourself when everyone else has already forgiven you.

... Things haven't changed in the future, Alvin. You still keep those walls up, and I might pack a hard punch, but I haven't been able to knock them down.

[ this is a lot. he knows it's a lot, but he locks eyes with alvin, refusing to look away. this is too important to avert his gaze. ]

Look. If I have to literally be chained to you to get you to listen to me... then so be it. I know I'm playing dirty.

[outofplace]

Heh. Well, I wouldn't argue with you there-- if you were the one who planned this all out. Since you're not that just makes this another of Jude Mathis' touchy-feely moments.

[Although he says it like that, there's nothing negative about it. He's more-- resigned, with a tone of amusement. He could tell he wasn't getting out of it so struggling became kind of pointless.]

Listen. Try all you want, but it's not going to happen in a day. Not for you-- not for anyone.

[That's just the truth of it. He's been this way too long to change easily. But he's not going to say that Jude's efforts are in vain either. They have an effect. They always have. He doesn't know what does or what doesn't happen in the future, but he does know that... he's listening now. It might not seem like it, but he is.]

Hey. But if anyone has a good chance of making it happen one day, it's you.

1/2 this is the most shoujo icon i have

[talim]

[ that answer doesn't seem to satisfy jude wholly, but it's something. it's more than he's gotten, and it's progress.

so jude offers him just about the only thing he can in this situation — a soft smile. ]

You can count on it.

2/2

[talim]

Right. So. Getting loose...

[ this is something jude is going to have to puzzle over for awhile, and just sitting around here won't get them anywhere. ]

It's a last resort, but maybe you were onto something back there. Do you think there's a possibility we could just, I don't know, wait it out? There's no doubt the magic isn't going to hold up forever. It's just a matter of how long it'll take...

[ it's beyond him to realize that he's more or less suggesting exactly what alvin did, which is just. staying like this. and to think he was the one in a blind panic. ]

Do you want to head back to the house? I think I've had enough celebration for one night.

[ he won't talk to alvin about how blazed he was like twenty minutes ago. ]

[outofplace]

[he knew it wouldn't please him entirely, but it's enough for now. the boy's insistence that he'll do it is cute even.

but that brings them back to the problem at hand. literally.]

Are you sure you're not just afraid I'm going to embarrass you in front of your friends?

[teasing aside though, he does think there has to be something to it.]

The Palai are a little weird but I don't think they're cruel.

[eh. he could be wrong. he doesn't know them that well.]

Well... worst case scenario we'll get to know each other a lot more intimately in the next few days.

1/2

[talim]

[ jude clicks his tongue. ]

You and I both know that you're going to embarrass me whether we're bound together or not. That's just a given.

... Yeah, uh. The Palai have been nothing but welcoming hosts, but they also sort of stalked me and 9S to the point of writing borderline erotic fiction about us. There were drawings, too. And then there were the blind dates prior to that... And Camilla insisted on taking me on a real one, and.

[ he rubs his temples with a heavy sigh. ]

It's been a ride. You don't even know the half of it.

2/2

[talim]

[ intimately.......... alvin, please. let jude rest. ]

A-Anyway, I... I think we already know each other pretty well.

Just. Come on.

[ jude is going to start dragging him in the direction of his section of the coven members' houses. he's already been getting used to alvin living there. it's not all that different from the countless inn rooms they've shared, and if anything, the place has been livelier.

who knows what this will change, though. jude prays it's just an overnight thing. he can't handle a few days when a few hours will be enough of an endurance test. ]

[outofplace]

[...well now. those are some interesting stories. alvin chokes a little at "erotic fiction", imagining how creative these guys have to be to put sweet, innocent Jude in their indecent stories. but this is enlightening. he thinks he gets it now.]

Sounds like the Palai just wanna see a little action.

[he's saying that knowing full well where he is and who's he's with and he's still chuckling.]

How good are your acting skills?

[talim]

[ jude chokes on air. ]

Hey, Alvin...

Remember when I told you I was sick of your lies and innuendos?

That was a year ago.

Besides, the Palai aren't voyeurs. They just take things a little too far.

[outofplace]

I was just making a suggestion.

[it helps that he knows you'd never go for it. keeps him safe. but certainly entertains him.]

Waiting works for me. I'm in no hurry.

[yes he is, he'd like to not be taking showers with the kid. a guy needs his space.]

[talim]

Right, right.

[ jude shakes his head as he fumbles to get the door open and steps inside. home sweet home. ]

So...

[ so. help him out here. what is he supposed to do now that there's nothing else to distract them? ]

[outofplace]

Might as well get comfortable.

[alvin gestures to the couch.]

Don't know if it'll get us anywhere, but we can at least take a look at this thing.

[who knows. maybe there's something they're missing.]

[talim]

Mm. Sounds good to me.

[ the couch has more than enough room for the both of them — jude is still close by alvin's side thanks to the thread, but he keeps some measure of distance between them just to give him some breathing room.

he yawns when he sinks into the cushions with a sigh, letting his head tip back and allowing himself to take a brief moment to just relax. he needs it. ]

... Sorry we're in this mess. I know it's not my fault, but... still.

[outofplace]

Good to know you realize you're apologizing for something stupid.

[which is to say totally not your fault. but it's a nice distraction from the comfortable weight on his arm while alvin takes a closer look at it.

looks decently solid... he gives it a tug between two fingers.

yep. pretty solid.]

[talim]

I tried giving it a solid yank already. It's wound up tight.

I think this is the Palai's idea of some sort of prank...

[ he huffs out a weary sigh. ]

Do you want to sleep here tonight? Sharing the couch shouldn't be too bad. I don't take up much space.

[ his short laugh turns into a yawn. it's been a looong night. ]

[outofplace]

Oh right. That's what that was.

[because let's be honest, he didn't really feel much pull-- you just kinda flung yourself into him.]

If you're tired then get some rest. If it gets too uncomfortable I can carry you to bed.

[don't mind him just checking the thread where it wraps around your wrist. he's just making sure there aren't any ties or gaps in the thread where he might be able to take it apart.]

[talim]

[ jude doesn't have any objections to that. if 9s can carry him, he doesn't mind alvin doing it too.

he's content to let alvin fiddle with it as much as he likes as he lies back, his head just barely brushing against alvin's thigh. when he speaks, his voice is small. even smaller than during their talk earlier. ]

... Alvin?

[outofplace]

...

[for a moment alvin hesitates; plays it off like he's engrossed in what he's doing. but that isn't going to fly after earlier. so eventually, without making eye contact, alvin responds in a light, casual tone.]

...yeah? What is it?

[talim]

Am I a selfish person?

[ he stares up at the ceiling, expression blank other than his knit brows. jude was never anywhere near as good at wearing a mask. ]

[outofplace]

[that catches alvin entirely by surprise and it shows; the way his eyes widen for a second before his brows scrunch up. it almost looks like the question bothers him.]

...what would make you think something like that?

[talim]

Because I've been surrounded by people from the second I got here. I've met people I can call friends. I'm learning more and more every day.

But a part of me still felt... alone. Lost. I was always thinking about everyone back home. Worrying.

And as soon as you showed up, that... that part of me just vanished. As soon as you showed up, I felt safer.

But you ended up here against your will; just like me. Does that not make me selfish?

[outofplace]

[as jude explains, this... lump forms in alvin's throat. picking and choosing what to let show on his face-- it's not easy to do and it's especially hard when you're being thrown unexpected curves like this.

but at least he can pick and choose what he says with come precision. not that he has much room to avoid the heart of the matter here.]

You make it sound like I have it so bad here. Besides. You were brought here against your will too, remember? Just because you don't hate everything about your situation doesn't mean you're gonna be able to just forget everything about home.

And honestly, I don't think anyone here expects you to.

[he knows a little too well what he's talking about here. much as he doesn't like dwelling on this information, he hates the idea of jude letting feelings like that sit and fester when they're unwarranted.]

It's not so bad, being the guy who inspires a little confidence in someone for once.

[talim]

[ jude's gaze flickers from the ceiling to alvin, staring up at him with those eyes of his, expression an open book. he nudges up until his head is resting comfortably on alvin's thigh and he can get a better look at him. this is much more comfortable. alvin's lap doesn't make a bad pillow. ]

I know I already told you I'm glad you're here, but... I'll repeat it. And if that does make me selfish, well. I suppose that's just how things are. This isn't something I'm changing my mind on.

[ something alvin said in particular caught his attention; you make it sound like i have it so bad here. saying that when they are quite literally tied together by a string, a string that alvin is still attempting to undo. ]

... Despite all this, you really don't mind being here? With me?

[outofplace]

[alvin didn't know why he thought giving jude that much would free him from any further emotional obligations but-- of course it's not actually that simple.

...alright. one more freebie.]

Listen. I'm not the guy to tell you what's selfish and what isn't. And yeah, I'd probably be a little more at ease if I didn't have a whole lot of unknown risks looming around. But all in all I'm pretty lucky, right? It's not like I'm facing this alone. You're not a bad partner to have in a pinch.

[...]

It's not home, but... it's not like it's lacking all the ingredients either.

[.......]

Alright. That's enough sap for one evening. There will be plenty of other opportunities until this is over.

[since there's no telling right now when they'll be free.]

1/2

[talim]

[ jude's smile is so soft, so genuine, so fond. his heart settles in his chest, his anxiety put to rest.

and alvin did this. to think that he has no idea what kind of effect he can have on people. ]

Thanks, Alvin.

[ jude doesn't know what else to say, and he can tell alvin is checking out of the feelings zone for the next ten years or so, but jude means it and that's all that matters. as long as alvin knows he's grateful. ]