expiationlogs | (OPEN MINGLE) Ain't no party like an Aldrip party

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(OPEN MINGLE) Ain't no party like an Aldrip party

Who: The Chosen
Where: Aldrip inn
What: Open mingle log (with mod approval)!
Warnings: Nothing major anticipated, other than light (underaged) drinking and comic mischief, but PM me if any warn-worthy things happen and I can update this space.

Feel free to use this log as a completely open mingle for all characters new and old! There will be a few prompts below the cut, but you're free mess around with them or come up with your own ideas for toplevels, and tag around as you please.

Nestled in the heart of the quaint town of Aldrip, the inn, formally known as The Inn, has housed the Chosen of Expiation since their initial arrival. In spite of the occasional influx of new Chosen, they've dedicatedly provided rooms, food and drink, and basic amenities without buckling—even during the food shortages and other issues that have plagued the town. Of course, the Chosen have been no slouches themselves, repaying the hospitality with mercenary work, hunting and fishing, cooking, completing odd jobs, and much more to help bolster the economy. Even those, er, less magnanimous sorts have benefitted from this give-and-take, although there are those that prefer their living space to be a bit more solitary (or perhaps cave-ier) that might not have noticed as much.

In the days to follow, most won't be able to recount exactly how The Party started. The true story is that one particular new arrival, after having spent a day or two scouting the area out and, deciding it's chill enough, opted to do what he does best: be a public menace. What is known is that rounds of drinks start getting ordered and handed out, and soon platters of cheese, fresh bread, and other victuals make the rounds as well, appearing on tables that quickly begin filling with people. Somehow, someway, local musicians are pulled in to play and given a striking, energetic setlist to set the tone. The word gets out—party at the inn!

And boom: just like that, it's a party, and everyone's invited.

Early on, the offerings are relatively meager. The inn's food stores aren't completely bottomless after the shortages, to say the least, and there are a sight more Chosen (and local residents who also join in on the fun) than there is free food to toss at them. The drinks range from milk, water and juice to scuzzy, pisswater beer, which is a bit more plentiful. As the tavern portion of the inn fills with people, the music relatively ambient so that you can still hear the people at the table next to you talking, others bring their own food and drink, adding to the options on offer.

Others bring things like cards to play with, or dice and coins to gamble with, and set up spaces at tables toward the back. There's even an amateur fortune teller, heavy emphasis on amateur. Maybe you've got some party games of your own in mind, or you're a natural-born performer and want to hit the stage. Maybe you'd rather just grab a pint and lurk in the corner doing some people-watching. Or maybe you're just hungry and want to stuff a bunch of cheese in your pockets for later. Either way, there's something here for everyone.

As evening wears on, the peaceful inn party blossoms into a proper block bash. Even if you're not the partygoing sort, it'd be a little difficult to ignore the sheer ruckus going on downstairs while you attempt to read quietly in your room. The music, chatter and laughter carries on down the street, attracting even more people. By this point, it seems as if the food and drinks have multiplied, thanks mostly in part to others showing up with their own offerings, Chosen and local alike. It's getting rowdy in a few places—the music's louder and livelier, people are dancing and singing, and the gambling/party games' stakes seem to just keep climbing higher and higher. It's a good time all around. If you're not the quiet, loner type, anyway.

Thinking of sitting this one out? Think again: somebody starts going around to all the rooms and knocking on the doors, calling out to come join the fun. By the time you get to the door, though, whoever's up here disturbing the peace is gone, but maybe you can track them down by their voice at some point and wring their neck later.

In addition to the escalating merriment, all this imbibing also has the added benefit of loosening a few lips. Now's your chance to pick up the latest Aldrip gossip! You might even hear tell of a few pesky monsters that need slaying, so if you want to jump on that bounty before anyone else gets to it, you better act quickly. (But maybe don't run out into the woods in the middle of the night to fight monsters while inebriated... or do, nobody's stopping you.)

Late into the night, the festivities are still going, and they're... messy. Fortunately the drinks and provisions seem to have run to the bottom of the barrel, so those that've been partying hard for hours are getting cut off whether they like it or not. The band's getting tired, the tempo of the music fluctuating. Some people might like to go to bed sometime soon, so maybe now it's time for the voices of reason to tell those still dancing on top of the tables to get down. And why is there a chicken in here? ...And oh no, somebody tell those guys to take that swordfight outside!! Yeeaaahh, maybe it's about time to shut this production down.

Or maybe not. Let the good times roll until the sun comes up! That's up to you.

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[Scott shakes his head when she asks him about Tatsumi Port. He doesn't think he's ever heard of that island before-- he's assuming it's somewhere in Japan. Nonetheless, Scott breaks into a small smirk because he's not going to turn his nose up at whatever fun idea she may be suggesting.]

Yeah, I could go for something fun. You got something in mind?

[She seems to have more of her crap together, so Scott doesn't potentially mind tagging along with whatever plan she may have. Besides, hanging out with another teen feels normal and he sort of welcomes that feeling right now.]

There's a lot of fun things around here, if you know where to look.

[As she rests her chin in her hand, she grins a little playfully at him. He can take that any way he wants, because she continues after another moment,] Even though we don't have to go to school, I've been trying to start some school clubs. I got some of the locals to help me renovate a building into a space we can use, so there's Cooking Club, Sewing Club, Magic Club, uhh...

[Her brow furrows. What the heck had Gojo said?]

Deep-Sea-Tea-Ceremony-Yoga Club...? If it's real, he's still working on the name. And I think some people wanted to put together some kind of Martial Arts Club, too.

[She snorts a laugh and taps her fingertips lightly against the table. It's a little silly, but it's important, she thinks. Keeping people's spirits up, giving them something to do, something to learn or somewhere they can make new friends...]

I'd love it if you wanted to join one of them!

[Scott barely manages to stop himself from asking if they can form a 'Freak Club.' It's something that he said in anger when he was chatting away on the charms, but after talking with others, he's been far less certain about it. Didn't exactly feel great to have people call him a freak, okay mostly Dazai, but he did prove a point. He can't treat himself in a certain way and expect others not to do the same.

So, yeah, no Freak Club.]

Jesus, were you school president back home or something?

[Scott's never really joined a club before, just dealing with his own shit in an angry teen angst sort of way, but she really sounds on top of things?? Even got locals to help her renovate a building just for club space, like damn. He leans back into his seat, a more thoughtful look finally crossing his face, and he speaks in a way that isn't exactly timid, but doesn't have the same confidence as before.]

Got a club for teens with abilities? [Unless that's Magic Club or something but he's not going to count that.]

[Ah, Dazai, Kotone's problematic fave who unfortunately makes very good points. She just laughs at his question and shakes her head. God, being president of the Student Council looked like it had been so much work.]

Definitely not. I just like to meet people! Having something to do is just a bonus.

[Her true form is revealed... she's simply a busybody. But when he sits back, she tilts her head, hearing the change in his tone of voice. "Teens with abilities," huh...?]

I think we could make one. Can I ask what your ability is? [She taps beside her eye and raises a brow as if to ask if that's what the glasses he's wearing are for.]

[Is he an idiot?? The fact that he's thought that twice in the span of like 2 minutes is probably not a good sign.

Of course she'd notice by now that he has an ability. The only thing that could've made him more obvious about having a power is him holding up a flashing neon sign that said so. Scott holds back a groan, just accepting his fate about this. It's probably fine anyway, Kotone seems chill and basically everyone that he talked to so far has had zero problems with him being a mutant, even though he hasn't used that phrase yet. It's the general thought that counts.]

Was it the sunglasses or my question that made it obvious? [It's a good thing that Scott's not in charge of keeping his kind a secret.]

Optic blasts.

The question.

[Just in case he does want to try keeping it a secret in the future, maybe... don't ask about things like that openly? Or lie after asking. Lying could work, too!

"Optic blasts," though...? Doesn't sound anything like what she's familiar with. There are a few different comments she could make, ranging from dismissive to curious to sympathetic. She takes a moment to weigh those responses before deciding that curiosity will probably upset him least, forming her expression into one of interest.]

Does that hurt...? You, I mean. [If it's called a "blast," she has to assume it would hurt another person pretty badly. But anything directly involving the eyes sounds kind of painful by itself, so...]

[Guess it's honesty hour. Scott can't even really blame the alcohol, since he had just one drink of that piss water. It's just sort of nice not keeping it all in? He felt better after the whole charm incident and Scott's not sure who else to turn to right now.]

When they were first forming, yeah.

[Scott reaches up to his glasses again, adjusting them over his face, even though he doesn't really have to. Just sort of double checking that they're securely on and everything.]

Doesn't hurt anymore. [He'd 100% be even more of a bitch if they did and he wouldn't feel bad about it.] Just a small constant pressure. But maybe I'll have shit luck and they'll evolve into something that will constantly hurt later on.

[He says that with a slightly bitter smile, but guess it's a possibility.]

[Kotone's used to people telling her all kinds of things about themselves; she kind of expects it, really! All she does is ask the questions. It's up to whomever she's speaking to if they want to answer or not.

A hum, this one of sympathy as he adjusts the glasses. It sounds awful, especially if this is something he has to contend with every day. No wonder he's interested in finding other people like him, she thinks.]

That sucks, [is the only way she can really respond, huffing humorlessly through her nose as she gives him another small smile.] You're doing okay now though...?

[Not "good," not "fine," but just "okay." Sometimes that has to be enough.]

['That sucks,' yeah. Simple yet true.

Scott finds some of the bitterness easing away at least as she smiles at him, and he finds himself offering a small one in return. Guess there's worse things than having a cute girl be sympathetic with him.]

...Yeah, I'm okay. [For now. That can change at some point, whether it be because of something happening to him or Scott's just feeling pissed off, but right now, he's fine. It's not the worst time he's had so far.]

So. Did I convince you to start the club now? Or do I need a better pitch?

[As long as he's okay for the moment, that's enough. In her experience, tomorrow's never guaranteed, so as long as you're doing the best you can right now -- that's enough.

Her laugh is a little more genuine, nose crinkling a little with her smile as she rests her chin in her hand again. Scott seems like he's been through a lot, so if there's anything she can do, she's ready to help! Even if it's just providing a space where he can hang out.]

It's a pretty good pitch, yeah! What kinds of activities would you have in mind?

[Her eyes are sparkling a little playfully -- she doubts he has any ideas for that, but maybe he'll surprise her?]

[Scott leans forward a bit, letting his face rest against his hand as he thinks. He really didn't get this far when bringing up the idea for the club. Honestly, he thought she'd just sort of blow him off or laugh, even though she gave no indication earlier that she'd do such a thing.]

Uh, I guess normal teenager activities? [Unfortunately, going to the movies or going to the mall is out of the question. No arcades or anything like that either. Everything here is so old and boring.]

I mean, when you have the power to blow through a wall with your eyes, sometimes you just want to feel normal for a while.

[But maybe it'd also be good to have activities that sort of... encourage their abilities? Help them control them?]

Normal stuff, huh...?

[She drums the fingers of her free hand lightly against the table as her gaze goes kind of distant with a faint smile. Going to the movies with her friends during the film festival, going to the summer festival in yukata, playing tennis with the students from that rural high school, shelving books in the library committee... there were a lot of normal things she'd gotten to do, in between all the abnormal things she'd had to do as the leader of SEES.

...She misses it, kind of. Both the normal and abnormal parts.

Late nights are difficult for her, an exhaustion lingering deep in her bones since the final battle making it hard to move. But the music has been slowing down this late in the evening, and she's pretty sure she can handle doing one more thing before finally letting Shinji take her back home to Astralin's farmhouse. Planting both hands on the table, she shoves herself to her feet and offers Scott a hand.]

Wanna dance with me, then? I think I've got one more tonight!

[Scott's visibly surprised by the sudden offer, taking her moments of silence as Kotone just brainstorming ideas for the club. Was she thinking about other things this entire time? Uh, guess that's fine. He doesn't know what goes through a girl's mind and he doesn't claim to!!

He's honestly never danced with another person before, but he's not opposed. Besides, when is he gonna get to dance back home? Xavier's School, while neat, doesn't seem to function like a regular high school. Who knows what sort of events and stuff they'll get to do.

So, normal thing now sounds nice.]

Yeah-- sure, I'd like that.

[Any false confidence he's had prior has definitely depleted, leaving Scott almost meek, but he swallows past the lump in his throat and gets up from his seat. A thought goes through his mind of 'shouldn't guys ask these questions,' but he shoves it to the back of his mind before offering a hand to her.]

Great!

[Maybe guys should be the ones asking these kinds of questions, but that's never stopped her in the past. If her time with Mitsuru had taught her anything, it's that girls are just as competent at doing things as boys are -- sometimes even more so! So she takes his hand with all the self-assuredness of an extrovert in her element and tugs him toward the dance floor with a smile.

The slower music from the weary band isn't really her style -- none of the music tonight really has been, her preferences leaning more toward electronic and pop -- but a glance around at those few locals who are still up and at it gives her all the cue she needs to pull him in close with a cheerful laugh. If he won't do it himself, she'll put his hands on her hips for him before letting her own hands come to rest atop his arms.]

I think doing normal stuff is important. Especially for people with abilities, like you talked about. It helps remind us that we're still people, you know?

[He's seen her dance earlier and he's not going to lie, it's contributing to some of the nervousness that's building in his stomach and chest. Dude, how embarrassing would it be if he stepped on her shoes? He can't be known as the guy that can't dance and steps on people's feet. Like how can he show his face out in public after something like that??

He can't. Never.

Some of those feelings disappear, however, as she guides his hands to her hips, before letting them rest on his arms. Geez, he really is making her do all the work, isn't he? That's pretty lame on his end. He wants her last dance tonight to be fun, and that thought helps with building some of his confidence back up, causing Scott to move with the music and keeping his eyes on hers. Well, as much as he can with shades covering them.]

...So, do you have an ability too?

[It almost sounds like she's speaking from experience, but she could also just be really empathetic. Scott feels like there's an equal chance of either, so he might as well ask her. He sort of hopes that she does have a power like him, because it helps with feeling less isolated and all that.]

[She'd laugh it off in good fun, so it's not that big a deal to her! But also she's not at all easily embarrassed, so she can't relate. Instead she just beams up at him, pleased that he's following along and trusting he'll get more comfortable as time passes.

Ah, but that's the question she was expecting to get. It seems only fair, after he told her about his own, but also hers is so complicated and annoying to explain... ugh. So instead she just shrugs, her smile turning somewhat sheepish.]

Kind of. I don't think it works right here, though. I haven't tried, anyway.

[She taps her fingertips against his arm, smile brightening again.] Hey, can you spin me? [And without waiting for his answer, she raises her arms and pivots on one foot. Hang on!]

[There's a subtle tilt of his head when she admits that. Her powers may not work here? Scott doesn't quite understand what that may entail and before he can ask, she's smiling brightly at him and god, she really is cute--]

Oh, uh, of course--

[And she's already in the process of doing so. He shouldn't be surprised at this point and Scott hastily scrambles to keep up, moving his arm up so she can pivot and spin easily on her foot. He's still sort of following her lead, isn't he? But at least she's having fun, Scott's a little more sure about that.]

[She giggles again at the motion, spinning once, twice, three times and -- oh. Dizzy. Okay, it's too late at night for those kinds of moves. She has to blink a few times as she settles back into something like a rhythm, though decidedly less-coordinated than she'd been just a minute ago, leaning a little more into his arms for support.]

I'd say it's your turn now, but I'll need a minute. [She huffs another laugh through her nose with a mix of embarrassment and amusement.] We should have danced earlier, I think.

[He keeps Kotone steady in his arms, joining in her laughter as his eyes crinkle in amusement. Scott's not quite sure how'd it go if he'd try to spin around, but honestly, he wouldn't mind making a little bit of a fool of himself for her. It's fun, and any worries he's had from earlier is gone from his mind.]

Next time, I'll ask you for a dance. And it won't be at the end. [He can't let her do all the work!!] But hey, if you wanna retire for the night, I won't be hurt. It is getting late and everything.

I'll look forward to it.

[And if her antics distracted him away from asking further about her powers, so much the better. She smiles up at him again, still swaying a little more gently with him and the music before casting a glance around the room. She's not very tall, so she pushes herself up on tiptoes, leaning against his arms for extra support as she looks around.]

I might... I'm sure Aragaki-senpai was ready to go home hours ago.

[She kind of bullied Shinjiro into sticking around hoping that he'd have fun, but she holds no illusions that he wouldn't rather just stay home.]

[He keeps her supported and looks around as well, mostly out of reflex, because he has no idea who he's looking for. That name doesn't ring any bells, but also, he just got here, so not knowing someone isn't uncommon for him. Probably a friend of hers, which, isn't surprising. She seems like the type to make a ton of friends and be popular.]

Are they still around? Be pretty lame on them if they left without letting you know.

Hmmm...

[She keeps her position there on tiptoes, trusting Scott to keep her supported. Sure, they barely know each other, but he seems reliable enough. And sure enough, with a quick a-ha!, she points over his shoulder to a large teen doing his best impression of a wall on the other side of the inn.]

Yeah, he's right there. Shinjiro Aragaki.

[Dropping back down, she takes Scott's hands in both of hers and gives him a smile and a wink.]

I mean it, you'd better ask me to dance next time, okay? I'll be looking forward to it!

[Scott tilts his head and does his best to look back at the other teen she's pointed out. Sort of a brooding loner type, isn't he? Or maybe he really is tired from the party and just wanted some alone time. Still, he doesn't stop himself from smirking just lightly as he turns his head back to Kotone.]

A bit of a wallflower, isn't he?

[He briefly squeezes her hands before releasing them, a more genuine smile crossing his features as he nods.]

I promise. [Maybe he'll learn a bit more how to dance next time too--] I'll see you later then.

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(OPEN MINGLE) Ain't no party like an Aldrip party

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