[WORLD ONE | POST-UVI CELEBRATION]

[spellbindmods]

Who: Coven members and Palai
Where: In and around the Aimintas marketplace
When: Day 39
Open/Closed: Open to All

After an appropriate amount of time for mourning, the Palai have shifted into a more positive mood -- they're a very resilient species, though there is a bit of a muted tone to their celebration. The whole event is a little hodge-podge, mostly because they aren't used to having to celebrate with the coven members added to the guest list. The Palai have gathered together all of their people and have invited the coven members to a small, intimate gathering -- the purpose of the event is to thank them for their service in fighting the Uvi, and the success of freezing the Uvi in their home. While no one knows how long the Uvi will stay gone, any amount of time without the Uvi being a concern is fine by them. The event takes place in the very center of the marketplace, with the Palai interacting on the fringes of the party throughout the rest of the large building. The coven members have time to spend by themselves, but there's room for moving around on their own and also spending time with the Palai if they so choose. A ▢ One of the more noticeable editions to the food the Palai have provided is a large pile of sweet, sugar dusted pastries. You may notice that something about them seems...odd, to say the least. It looks as if the pastries are vibrating slightly, but they smell divine. If you're so inclined to ask what the deal is, these pastries are magically infused by Eltos, which somehow gives them a sweeter flavor and enhances the sensation of tastebuds. The Palai sometimes eat these before meals in order to better the flavor of their entire spread -- though adding this energized magic to an already magical being means magic powers may be a little off kilter. Don't be surprised if suddenly your abilities go a little crazy. B ▢ The Palai aren't participating the party for two big reasons. One, the purpose is to celebrate the victory of coven members. The other reason, however, is one that may be more interesting to outsiders. While previously the Palai were peaceful people, happy to exist submitting to the Uvi, the coven's show of strength and valor has inspired them to be more aggressive in their approaches. Grown Palai can be seen working on makeshift weapons, but the idea of smaller tools like slingshots have already been constructed and almost perfected. The Palai youth have discovered these tools and are playing with them gleefully, though occasionally hitting each other -- and potentially you -- with energized, paralyzing rocks fueled with Elto energy. Watch out or you might get zapped! C ▢ Other Palai youth aren't as fortunate to be so distracted and happy. While fewer Palai died during this attack, the casualty number wasn't zero. Most Palai children still have at least one family member to care for them, but they're still a little disconnected from their people by means of grief. Some are milling about with the coven members, trying to eat or pester them for attention. If you're good with kids this may be more your speed, but those bad with children can find this irritating. Some Palai youth are more muted, however, content to just sit and listen to stories or eavesdrop on conversations. D ▢ For some people, rain isn't that big an issue -- but it certainly puts a damper (get it?) on a party. The Palai seem a bit confused by the sudden shower that comes in heavy as the evening dies down. The Palai have never experienced rain before, using irrigation systems and existing ground water as their means of hydration (both for themselves and for plants). Because the rain is coming from the ocean, the drops are large and salty, and the marketplace quickly begins to flood. The Palai move the party indoors for the most part, but that doesn't mean you or the food aren't already soaked. It's much warming underneath the roofs in the marketplace, but that doesn't provide much relief since the ocean rain is warm and humid. E ▢ Wildcard! How will your character handle this violent and volatile situation.

Comments

[bulletbiter]

[ This is the idea of appreciation to a guy who's actually had no social contact outside of his mother and his squad. ]

For the celebration. [ He tilts his head a little, unsure of what to make of Jude's reaction. ] You were working very hard yesterday.

[ He repaid his replacement captain in chicken because they asked for it. ]

[talim]

Oh! Oh. Right.

[ despite the explanation, jude colors even more, although his smile softens with understanding. he has no idea what he was thinking. a little hesitantly, he reaches out and accepts the flower. ]

Thank you. That's... very thoughtful of you. It was nothing, though. I was only doing what I could to help, just like everyone else was. It was a group effort.

[ a pause. his eyes flicker to julius' arm again. ]

How are you holding up?

[bulletbiter]

[ Do people usually flush when given gifts? Probably not, given what he's seen, so he is a little confused. However, everything seems to be settled. ]

I doubt we'd come so far without your work, though. [ He's a doctor, too. Especially at this young an age, it's an achievement. ] Especially with the barrier idea.

[ But since the question has been turned on to him, he has to field it - even if he's used to not fielding it at all. Few people would question what he said. ]

I'm fine. A few days and I'll be back to usual.

[ The cloak is to cover both his injuries and any risk of the spider marks reappearing. Even if no one knew their significance, they still looked disturbing. ]

[talim]

[ jude won't deny that he's rather proud of his accomplishments, but there's always so much more he could be doing. to say he's used to being a workaholic would be a massive understatement. he misses poring over books and drowning in research for hours on end, but with all the hustle and bustle he just hasn't had the time. ]

The idea of a barrier was 9S' to begin with, and it still needs a lot of tweaking, but I guess I can bend and take some of the credit. I appreciate it.

[ jude is questioning that i'm fine, not bothering — or remembering — to keep his telepathy in check. he doesn't verbalize his concerns, however, simply nods. ]

But I think you should be the one getting some rest.

[bulletbiter]

[ Being humble yet caring... really, it reminds Julius of someone. But that's someone he won't ever be seeing again. Nostalgia isn't quite enough to make him smile, but he'll look less serious. ]

You worry a lot about others.

[ Given that he gave a lot concern to Julius when they only just met, it'd be reasonable to assume that it was extended to others as well. ]

I heal faster than most. I would admit to stretching my limits a little, but it was to protect others.

[ Justified, in a sense. He's willing to die for a good cause. ]

[talim]

[ jude huffs out an awkward laugh. ]

Maybe. So I've been told.

[ ordinarily, he'd disapprove, but... well. jude can't argue when he was pushing his own limits too. protecting others is more important to him than anything else; if julius shares those same ideals, then he's in no place to reprimand him.

still... ]

Protecting others is all well and good, but just remember to take care of yourself, too. Doctor's orders!

[ jude winks, teasing, but then he decides to bite the bullet and go ahead and ask: ]

Is your arm alright?

[ despite his mild concern, thankfully, it does look like it was treated properly. there's likely nothing more jude could do for it. ]

[bulletbiter]

[ Doctor's orders, huh... how long has it been since someone last spoke to him like this, as friends? ]

I was injured in the fighting, but Lenka helped me set it. It should heal properly.

[ He remembers Jude's artes, but asking for more when the youth was already so tired seems a heavy crime. ]

We won't have to fight again for some time. I'll be okay the next time we need to take action.

[talim]

If you're sure, but...

[ jude puts a finger to his lips and tilts his head with an easy smile. ]

Remember what I said. If you ever need anything, feel free to ask. I'll back you up.

[bulletbiter]

Thank you. And likewise to you, too.

[ He's still not one to smile easily, but his emotions can be read through his eyes. For a while, he looks less tired. ]

How are the children? [ You know, the ones Jude had been entertaining. ]

[talim]

[ it doesn't escape jude's notice, and his smile softens in response. ]

Hmm? They're easy enough to entertain. You've just got to be patient with them.

[ jude pats one on the head, his smile unwavering. the young palai nuzzles into the light touch. ]

Are you good with children?

[bulletbiter]

[ Julius makes the effort to keep his arms close to himself, half-folding them as the Palai come near. ]

I'm afraid not.

[ He tilts his head, looking at the child with a quiet gaze. ]

[talim]

Oh...

[ jude isn't quite sure what to say to that. at least he's honest. he can appreciate that. ]

Well, don't worry about it. Not everyone is.

[ he pauses, looking at julius and searching his eyes for... something. ]

Can I ask you a question? There's no obligation to answer it.

[bulletbiter]

[ Considering that his contact with people usually involved work and no children, they're not very familiar to him. As he's come to realize, he was odd even as a child. ]

Sure.

[ Given that there was no obligation to answer, he supposes he can stay and have conversation for a little longer. Questions... tend to invite problems. ]

[talim]

How is your... uh...

[ curse? disease? affliction? jude makes a vague gesture at nothing at all with a sheepish look. ]

What we talked about. Your condition. Have you noticed any differences? Has anything changed?

[ to his credit, his heart is in the right place. he wrings his wrist just to do something with his hands. ]

[bulletbiter]

[ Ah, his curse. At least, it wasn't a question about his past. This, he can answer. ]

I'll tell you later.

[ And by later he means a second later via telepathy, because it's not something he wants the younger Palai or any eavesdroppers to know: ]

Its strength comes and goes. I've been lucky for the battle to coincide with a weaker phase. I won't have much issues with recuperating.

[ He'll mend slower, but in exchange he can feel more in control of himself. ]

[talim]

Are you sure it's alright for you to be fighting in your condition? Granted, it's too late now, and thank goodness you were lucky, but...

[ jude's eyes dart down to the bandage on his arm yet again. ]

Don't take it the wrong way. I'm just worried about you. That's all.

[bulletbiter]

I was a soldier. Combat is my only talent. I'm not good at much else, so I must serve in the way I can best do it.

[ A God Eater fights to their very last, against the Aragami, and against themselves. It's just the way it is... though the concern is in many ways the same that his team would have once given him. ]

I'll definitely try to be more careful. I forget when I am alone, so I appreciate the reminders.

[talim]

[ jude isn't sure whether or not he believes that. that he'll be more careful. ]

Your only talent? You can serve to the best of your abilities and be good at other things. The two aren't mutually exclusive. Regardless of what you perceive to be good enough, isn't there anything else you enjoy doing?

[bulletbiter]

[ Is there, really? He rarely had the time to engage in pursuits that weren't work. ]

I read books when I can.

[ There's also gardening, but he's not sure if that's an 'enjoy' doing since he had not done it much before. ]

[talim]

See? I'm a big fan of reading, myself. What kinds of books do you enjoy the most?

[bulletbiter]

[ This is a good question because he hardly reads anymore. ]

I liked reading about the past. A disaster happened in my world. It was before the Red Rain. We had an Archive for all that humanity accomplished before it. I used to read it when I had free time.

[talim]

A disaster?

[ he pauses, thinking about the "old world" 9s is always referring to. ]

Like... an apocalypse level disaster?

[bulletbiter]

[ He'll try to pet the younger Palai who's wandered back to bother them, mirroring Jude's previous movement so that they won't look suspicious. ]

Yes. A type of beast named the Aragami appeared on the Earth two decades ago. We've been fighting them ever since.

[talim]

[ jude doesn't hold back a small smile in response to julius mimicking his actions. he doesn't seem to realize that he can be rather... sweet. ]

Aragami... I've never heard of such a thing, but coming from different worlds, I suppose that shouldn't be a surprise.

[ this... certainly put a damper on the topic of reading, though, although jude blames himself for pursuing this line of thought in the first place. ]

Awhile back, you mentioned parasites in the clouds and the Red Rain being the source of the disease. Are the Aragami related to those parasites?

[bulletbiter]

[ These are difficult things to think about. He can't answer with complete honesty, even if the truth had been staring at him in the face since... well, since he came here. ]

We knew that they were connected, but we couldn't find out if they were the same type of organism.

[ It's not a lie. But it's... not the complete truth, either. There are some things he has to keep to himself. ]