[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

[secrowtary]

( B )

[ An Elto baby is an effective deterrent when it comes to the generous Palai carrying the vials, and Hibiki's quite thankful for that. He's a parent now, he must be twice as responsible, even if he barely has any idea what is he doing.

Why didn't the egg come with an instruction, honestly?

The nursery caretakers might have some answers to his questions, though, which is a relief. It seems that he's going to spend a while here, given the fact that he approaches with a few sheets of paper full of various questions considering the Elto babies...

In the fervor of asking questions, he might not have noticed his baby lizard scurrying off to play with their cousins. ]

Ah? Where are they? Don't tell me I've lost the baby already...?!

[ There's no point in questioning the caretaker any further for now, even though there are still 61 questions left. ]

( D )

[ After losing and finding the lizard baby, Hibiki doesn't really need any more thrills tonight. Too bad that the tiny Elto has a different opinion on that. Unaware of the danger at first, Hibiki allows them to climb up all the way to the top of his head...when he realizes what this is about.

Something's floating above him...a bone, no less. He scoops the baby with both of his hands and starts scolding them, wagging his finger.

It must look really delicious for some reason because...the lizard bites on it. Well, maybe they just don't agree with Hibiki's parenting methods. ]

This isn't how you thank someone for saving your life.

[ He's mildly annoyed. What an unruly baby. ]

( E )

[ When the baby is finally asleep in his pocket (it's way past bedtime, too), Hibiki can finally relax.

Or so he thinks. It might be a bit difficult to rest when you're the victim of a Palai's prank. It's too late to do something about the loops that connected him with another person, though. ]

Their sense of humor is truly exceptional.

[ In a bad way, that is, which is written all over his face. ]

B

[lohengrins]

[ percival cradles a small, palai child in his arms -- it's not his own, just one that happened to become rather attached to him. hastily, it crawls out of his arms and darts towards another palai in particular.

ah.

percival follows, only to then stumble into another...unfortunate, makeshift caretaker. ]

Clearly. Their characteristics: name them, and do a sweep of the perimeter.

[secrowtary]

I can't believe this is happening...

[ After running his fingers through hair, Hibiki looks around frantically. A good parent could probably tell the baby apart from the numerous group of tiny lizards, but he wouldn't call himself that. Not now, not anytime soon...if ever. ]

I knew I should've given them a name as soon as possible.

[ Not that there's a guarantee they would react to it, but. ]

Have you lost yours as well?

[lohengrins]

It isn't surprising. They're a wild sort — playful.

[ he crosses his arms, eyes scanning the vicinity somewhat thoughtfully. percival eventually resigns with a sigh. ]

He—he wasn't mine. He simply latched onto me for...some reason. But are you implying that the Palai you were tending to was yours?

[ a convenient way of dodging the question, that's for sure. ]

Tch. They probably went off to go fool around. Come with me, we must start searching.

[secrowtary]

[ Playful certainly feels like putting it mildly to him. Hibiki, who considered himself a competent person until it came down to taking care of a hyperactive Palai baby, is now at a loss. ]

For some reason? [ Is this really what should he be focusing on right now. ] What reason?

[ Think straight, Hibiki. There's no need to be fixated on an idea that there's some way to coax them so they come back. Besides, there doesn't even have to be a reason. ]

Please do tell.

( d )

[enflame]

( Ah...that might be his little critter. They're a pretty sassy Elto who moves according to their own whims. Curious to a fault, it's no surprise they'd try to latch on and sniff out the magic inside that sneaky, floating bag, then chomp on a foreign, scolding finger.

Here comes dad, jogging up to collect his little darling. )

Oh, there you are. I -- ( It's not until Emil finally trots closer that he notices the tiny Elto's mouth is clamped around this man's finger. There's a sudden shift in his tone: ) I'm sorry! They do that sometimes!

( Let him take the little rascal; come to daddy. Once he has them in his grasp the teeth come unclenched. At least the teeth aren't sharp enough to do much damage...? )

[secrowtary]

Oh, they're yours. [ Smiling and frowning at the same time—the bite doesn't even hurt that much, it's just mildly annoying. Soon enough, however, his finger is free from the tiny fangs. ] It probably has something to do with their teeth growing, I guess. Or, possibly, they don't take criticism well.

[ They're just a baby, of course they don't?? ]

Please don't worry, I'm fine. I understand the woes of a...parent.

[ Does he really...

That said, it feels weird to use that particular word. The pause makes it even more awkward. ]

e.

[thatdamnknight]

[and thus flynn again ends up a victim of the palai's matchmaking. first speed dating, now magical and almost unbreakable string joining people together. what terrible luck.

if nothing else, at least the person on the other end of the string ends up a familiar face. maybe one day they can just bump into the other normally. flynn offers hibiki an understanding, if tired smile.]

Their stubbornness in attempting to pair us up is equally so.

[the exasperation in his voice comes across loud and clear. as kind as the palai are, their matchmaking efforts need to stop already.]

[secrowtary]

They could've devoted their energy to something more...useful. They seem to have a long way to go when it comes to weapons. Even if no one is threatening them right now, there's no guarantee that it's going to stay that way.

[ What an optimist. It's a party, so it's clearly a good moment to talk about the development of the Palai weaponry and their future. Hibiki, chill??? ]

Too bad they won't even listen.

[ Okay, he's a realist too. ]

[thatdamnknight]

Their battle strategizing could also stand to be improved upon. Even with all the weapons and skill in the world, the lack of a good battle plan can easily cost them victory.

[look. flynn is completely for this plan of chatting about weapons and battle. it's the best possible thing to talk about always.]

But they do seem far more interested in [he pauses.] mating and partying than anything else.

[this makes, what, party number 3 since they've been here? don't get him wrong, those herbs were phenomenal in easing his nerves but the time spent relaxing could also been spent training and gaining experience as warriors!!]

[secrowtary]

You're absolutely right. Some kind of a leader figure would be beneficial to them as well, I suppose. As they are now...they just do what they want.

[ Hibiki has noticed that the Elto are a bit higher in the hierarchy, but that's it. It's not like they're the leaders of any sort.

That pause. He understands why it was here so well. ]

If they're lucky, we'll visit them again when they're in trouble. [ There might be no need for sarcastic remarks but Hibiki can't just help himself. ] Until they they can party and [ A pause! ] mate all they want.

[thatdamnknight]

[these two truly are kindred warrior spirits. that all too similar pause coupled with that obvious sarcasm end up enough to gain a small, if tired smile from flynn.]

That might be all they have in terms of a plan, truthfully. [saying as much makes him sigh.] And attempting to convince them to party less and train more will likely fall on deaf ears.

[part of him wants to try (and he very well may) but the palai like their festivals far too much to want to cut down on them.]

[secrowtary]

Why does nobody understand the appeal of training...?

[ This is a serious question asked in the middle of a party during which people are getting high. Some of the Palai might actually think that Hibiki had the chance to try their special concoction if they hear him talking about working earnestly right here and right now. ]

There are literally no disadvantages to it. And yet...

[thatdamnknight]

And yet few people see its appeal despite its benefits. Just a few minutes of it each day and one's skills can greatly improve within a few months time.

[flynn's bothered by this as much as hibiki and it shows. so many people forgo training in favor of lazing about or partying. it makes no sense!]

Maybe it's the lack of instant gratification that causes people to not bother with it?

[secrowtary]

[ He's absolutely right and Hibiki confirms that his own opinion is the same with a few nods. ]

It might be the reason, but I don't understand it. Only hard work can bring you long-lasting effects. What's so good about throwing parties so often anyway?

[ Basically: what is fun? And why isn't it a synonym of work? ]

[thatdamnknight]

I can understand in indulging in the occasional festival and especially after a victory, but this is going overboard with it.

[flynn can do fun. rarely, but he can. continuous play and no work, however, doesn't sit right with him. work ought to come first and doubly so when that work is training. he sighs.]

That said, throwing a party and having fun is easier than working hard. I can't say I approve of that mindset, but it isn't an uncommon way of thinking.

[secrowtary]

Well...at least there's one more person that agrees with you. I wish the number was more impressive, however.

[ Hibiki doesn't have high expectations when it comes to that. It's so difficult to find people who are dedicated nowadays!! ]

It might be much easier, but enough's enough. [ The feeling that most likely they're not getting anywhere, especially not with the Palai way of thinking finally sinks in. ] At least we'll have more time to practice when we'll be back on the island.

[thatdamnknight]

I'm honestly looking forward to the reprieve from partying.

[to be able to do his own thing and not worry about getting dragged into forced match-making? heavenly. getting to train properly is also another thing flynn can't help but look forward to. speaking of which...]

When we return, would you be interested in sparring sometime? Training always proves more effective against a partner.

[secrowtary]

Of course. Actually...I've been meaning to ask the same thing.

[ They've been on the same page when it comes down to training, so perhaps this isn't as surprising. ]

I'm looking forward to it, to be quite honest.

[thatdamnknight]

As I am. It'll be an enjoyable change of pace after dealing with so many parties.

[despite not having seen hibiki fight, it still feels as though he'll prove a worthy opponent. yeah, flynn's definitely excited.]