[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 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. ]

2/2

[talim]

[ and then, like that entire conversation didn't just happen: ]

You make a pretty comfortable pillow.

[ jude scoots further into his lap, sighs and allows his eyes to flutter closed. alvin can shove him off if he wants to, but jude isn't particularly inclined to move on his own. ]

[outofplace]

[he's paid his dues for awhile, let him just enjoy some casual, feels-free days and he'll eventually come back on his own.

now that jude says that though-- he does look pretty comfortable down there. not even accounting for the sickeningly sweet smile that was just on his face. he only saw it out of the corner of his eye and he could still feel the affects of that softness.

once the moment's over and back to normal-- well. more normal, he looks over at Jude and grins.]

You're like a cat.

[it's a fond, yet somewhat wry look that comes to his face.]

Heh. See? Not so bad.

[talim]

Am I?

[ jude chuckles lightly and stretches, curling his toes. he thinks he might just pass out right here. he shifts so that his head is more settled in alvin's lap. ]

I'll take that as a compliment. You're a cat person, after all, aren't you?

[ he remembers that skit conversation. don't underestimate jude's memory. ]

[outofplace]

Heh. You're right about that.

[Good of you to remember what the best animal is. Even if there were only two no, Milla, no options.]

Alright. I don't think we're getting anywhere with this thing tonight. Might as well call it a night.

[Which means-- up you go without any real warning. Time for him to princess carry you to bed.]

[talim]

[ jude immediately starts flailing all over the place, wrapping his arms around alvin's neck instinctively but kicking his feet. ]

A-Alvin?!

[ WHAT ARE YOU DOING. ]

Put me down! I-I am perfectly capable of...

[ he buries his head in alvin's shoulder to hide his embarrassment. not that it works. seriously, couldn't he have gone to sleep just like that? alvin's lap was a reasonable sleeping situation, wasn't it? ]

... walking... !

[outofplace]

Just calm down.

[He says, but honestly he's laughing. Jude's flustered face is a treat every time.]

It's easier this way.

[Alvin saved them both approximately twenty seconds just picking him up rather than asking Jude to get up so they could move together to the bed. TWENTY WHOLE SECONDS.]

I'll put you down in a second.

[As soon as they reach the bed.]

[talim]

[ jude's red face doesn't leave alvin's shoulder. it's sort of comfortable. ]

Do we seriously have to sleep like this?

[ he already knows the answer to that. look, he can be an adult about this, right? ]

[outofplace]

Do you want me to sleep on the floor?

[He knows the answer to that, so it's essentially the same thing as answering Jude's question. Jude will get it.]

[talim]

[ knowing alvin, that offer is entirely serious. ]

... No. Of course not.

[outofplace]

[Oh he absolutely would, if that's what Jude wanted.]

Then the answer is yes. [Alvin chuckles.] Don't get shy on me now.

[It's not like Alvin would ever do anything weird. Gosh.]

[talim]

[ right, right. alvin has never invaded his personal space ever, in his life!!! ]

Just put me down, okay? The bed might be a little cramped, but... it'll work.

[ jude's voice is small. he's more tired than he realized. ]

[outofplace]

[You invade a dude's space a couple hundred times and suddenly you're full of bad intentions. gosh.]

Heh. Alright, alright. Here we go.

[For the tease he is, he's careful putting Jude down. He's not messing with him. At least not in this regard.]

Just make yourself comfortable. I'll manage with what's left.

[He's good at adapting to situations.]

[talim]

[ as soon as alvin puts him down jude curls up into a ball, making as much space for alvin as he can. it's not very comfortable, contrary to alvin's request, but this entire situation isn't very comfortable. seriously, why couldn't he have just slept with his head in his lap??? alvin ruined the Moment.

jude eventually stretches out and tosses a look over his shoulder at alvin. with how much smaller jude is, there should be enough room for him to squeeze in. ]

You too. C'mon.

[outofplace]

[Listen. He wasn't aware there was a Moment at all okay?

But alright yeah. He can work with this. Once Jude says he's fine (Alvin can tell he's not, but he's not calling him out on it yet), Alvin makes himself comfy in the remaining space. It's close, even with Jude curling as tight as possible over there. But he's taking it real casual. Getting worked up-- that's what would just make it weirder.]

...ya okay over there?

[talim]

Mm.

[ it's supposed to be a yes, but... not really. his wrist is stretched out so uncomfortably, eventually he has to turn around to face him, resting his tied hand between them and bringing his knees up to his chest.

jude doesn't say a word. just sort of looks at him in the dark space through lidded eyes. almost like he's waiting for something. ]

[outofplace]

[Oh. They're doing this? The facing each other thing? Alvin is internally sweating.

Still-- he's glad Jude's a little more comfortable. He'll just. Close his eyes and then he won't have to be aware of it any more right?]

...good night.

[Yeah. Yeah...]

[talim]

[ yeah........ yeah.

jude swallows thickly and closes his eyes, too, occasionally cracking one open just to check on him. alvin can feign sleep, but jude's not an idiot. ]

Do you usually have trouble sleeping?

[ jude has a feeling he won't like the answer. ]

[outofplace]

[Jude why can't you just be a good boy and pretend like he is?

...

Fine. No use denying it.]

Everyone has troubles like that from time to time, right?

[talim]

Maybe.

[ jude might inch a little closer. might. he's still curled up, but his knees brush against alvin's, just the barest hint of a touch. he tenses up for a moment before relaxing again, allowing his eyes to flutter back closed. ]

[outofplace]

[Even though his eyes never opened once, he's keenly aware of Jude's presence and how he's getting closer-- even before their knees lightly bump.]

...cold?

[He's good at turning any discomfort around into something a little more carefree. It's a good coping method.small>]

[talim]

[ jude laughs lightly. ]

You don't have to keep filling the silence, you know. You're not as good an actor as you think you are.

[ not anymore, anyway. not after all they've been through together. ]

'M fine.

[ and he scoots a little closer, just to prove it. warmth is radiating off of alvin, and jude is one to seek out comfort. ]

[outofplace]

Ouch. That hurts.

[Alvin feigned a painful wince-- but a few moments later he was chuckling under his breath.

Mm, it's definitely warmer like this. They're practically curled up next to each other at this point so it was highly unlikely that Jude was uncomfortable. And that was good enough for Alvin. He let his guard down and relaxed a little.]