[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

[secrowtary]

[ Akira catches him off guard again, but Hibiki, despite being in public, doesn't yank his hand away. Actually, after a little while, he gently squeezes the boy's hand, wishing that he could hide his face somewhere. His flushed cheeks should go well with the fabric of Akira's yukata...the thought is tempting, but Hibiki walks beside him watching their feet instead. ]

We should get some yakisoba and dango as well. [ And, after a while. ] Don't you think we went overboard...? I mean our attire.

[actus]

I don't think so.

[ ah... ]

The last festival I went to with my friends got rained out. There were supposed to be fireworks.

[ needless to say, he's trying to make up for that with this. by no means is it similar, but it's still a celebration and he can't help but want to go a tiny bit overboard. he hasn't really been all that Extra lately (not after getting his ass kicked by the uvi). ]

[secrowtary]

That's a shame, I'm sorry.

[ Hibiki looks up, doubting that there will be fireworks here, of all places. ]

I'm not sure if I can make it up to you alone, but I'll try.

[ He's serious. Too serious, perhaps. ]

[actus]

You don't need to worry about that.

[ it isn't a burden for anyone to carry. it's just something silly that's been on his mind. to accentuate his point, he squeezes their hands together.]

This is already more than enough.

[secrowtary]

How is it possible? [ He can be so clueless at times. ] There's only me, but I know you have more friends than just one.

[ Maybe it isn't about maths, Hibiki...the squeeze feels nice, though. ]

[actus]

Let's just say you're special.

[ wow. how forward?

he grins and rubs the back of his hand in slow, steady circles. ]

[secrowtary]

[ Hibiki opens his mouth, clearly to say something, but he's caught completely off guard. ]

Stop sputtering nonsense...I'm just a captain.

[ That's the only rebuttal he can come up with right now. ]

[actus]

[ well.... you made him say it. ]

Maybe.

[ is he agreeing - ]

But at least to me, you're special.

[ of course. akira grins, still a bit smug. ]

[secrowtary]

I've told you to stop.

[ He murmurs, pressing his face into Akira's shoulder and nuzzling it. It's just too embarrassing... ]

Why you never listen...

[actus]

If you really want me to stop I will.

[ he hasn't stopped grinning, though. sorry, he's not sorry. ]

[secrowtary]

[ The true problem is that Hibiki's not sure if he does want that. Even if it means walking around, his face tomato red.

So he says nothing, just pulls Akira along as he starts walking faster. ]

I think I saw a food stand over there. I'm getting hungry.

[actus]

Right. We did say food was the first stop.

[ of course, of course. delicious food first, wonderful sights second. it definitely made sense. ]

What if I eat so much that you have to carry me around?

[secrowtary]

Is that even possible?

[ Yet, Hibiki's already considering what he would do in that case. Give Akira a piggy back ride? Or should he try bridal carry? ]

Besides...it'll probably be the other way around.

[actus]

I already proved my stomach of steel, you know.

[ bridal style, definitely. but no, he isn't looking to eat himself into a food coma. not this time!

and then, as if a side-thought: ] Too bad there isn't dancing.

[secrowtary]

Did you mean thankfully there isn't dancing?

[ Hibiki frowns, recalling that one time when someone asked him to join his dance troupe. ]

I don't dance.

[ More like I can't dance, but details. ]

[actus]

I had to go to a thing with my parents when I was younger. I probably don't remember that much, but it'd be fun.

[ with hibiki, he means. not just anyone. his grin is somewhat lop-sided. ]

It's kinda romantic.

[secrowtary]

Stepping on someone's toes is your idea of romantic?

[ Hibiki ends his question with a heavy sigh. ]

Maybe next time.

[ At least he's not saying no! ]

[actus]

We can practice sometime.

[ alone. with just music. the two of them - that's probably a terrible idea, all things considered.

but he's offering it anyway. ]

[secrowtary]

[ Hibiki knows better than anyone that he should outright refuse. Of course he should, he doesn't dance. He can't dance. This is going to be a disaster. Yet, it's Akira who's asking. It's impossible for him to just ignore this.

He's going to regret it and no one has to tell him that. ]

Uhm. Sometime. But on one condition. [ It's time to look down at his feet for the 240238th time today. ] No one can see this.