lifeaftr | June Aftermath: Magic Lantern Strange

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June Aftermath: Magic Lantern Strange

JUNE AFTERMATH: MAGIC LANTERN STRANGE

Who: Everyone!
What: A celebration!
When: Evening of June 21st, and well into morning
Where: Ensō, E3 and E4
Warnings: Mark as needed!

Slide the Light Off You
As promised, the evening of the 21st finds the Jormun hosting a party on Ensō's largest beachfront. Near immediately, it should be clear that they've spared absolutely no expense when it comes to showing their story-walker brethren a good time.

Of course, they may also be...showing off a little.

The stalls and comfortable seating supplied around multiple firepits appears to be a mishmash of Jormun built contraptions and items requested from the Storyteller- many may be delighted to see the variety of beach cushions and blankets, items the Jormun will be happy to let their story-walker friends take home at the end of the festivities. A veritable smorgasbord of food and drink is also readily available, from the kid-friendly options of brrshavak (a spicy drink with a taste akin to liquified chili pepper) and molkavarr (a rich chocolaty broth) to the alcoholic rakvrhak (a rich wine that tastes oddly plumlike). Do be warned, however, that the last is incredibly potent.

Large slabs of driftwood have been laid out to form impromptu tables, bristling with the Jormun's culinary expertise: fried squid, seaweed wraps, spicy pickled kelp, kebabs of roasted eel, hard-boiled snapling eggs, and so on. The vegetables and meats of the sea have been laid out for all to enjoy, so tuck in!

Throughout the evening the air will be filled with the sound of music, with multiple Jormun eager to show off their skill in instrumentation. Conch-shell horns, carved driftwood flutes, urchin-needle harps, and countless more contraptions engineered by a deep sea-dwelling people fill the air with the most peculiar but nonetheless not unpleasant sound. Most of the bands will be set up in the shallow waters, however, as their instruments are not made to be used in open air - try playing them above the surface of the water at your own risk.

Of course, there's plenty more to entertain even the most difficult of people.

You're Living the Strobe Light
Those interested in proving their strength and skill will be encouraged to enter one of the many tournaments across the shoreline. The tournaments vary, featuring such challenges as play fights with the schlacknorkcvic to prove who is the greatest warrior, timed events to see who can stay on a bucking tigershark for the longest, and even a tourney of brovonkosshk, a board game somewhat similar to chess. Don't see anything you're interested in? Make your own. If you can think it, the Jormun will happily accommodate it - impromptu challenges are the highlight of such evenings, after all, though the Jormun won't be taking any responsibility for the first poor soul that decides to usher in a drinking contest.

A small variety of walker games are also available. Jormun children are more than eager to play such games as hide-and-seek or red light, green light, while Connor Murphy will be bringing his Cards Against Humanity deck, for those ready to completely screw with the idea of a fourth wall. There's even a game of Spin the Bottle... except the bottle is being spun overhead like a mace. Being hit by said bottle requires you to do a stupidly ridiculous task, so perhaps it's best to avoid that particular adaptation...

And of course, there's the lightshow.

As mentioned previously, the main show of the evening is the show of brssticca: bursts of magical light beneath the water that will put any fireworks show to shame. The lights are safe to wade and swim through, do keep in mind that the phosphorescent algae tends to cling to the skin. And should you reach into those spiraling, fluorescent nebulae of patterns beneath the surface, some of the configurations of light may abruptly shatter like broken glass.

Additionally, skilled Jormun will be happy to assist those who care to dress up for the event with intricate applications of shellivthiss - a style of waterproof body paint that is not only bright, but luminescent. Something the Jormun may forget to mention, however, is how similar shellivthiss is to henna; should you decide to get all dolled up, except to shine bright light a diamond for weeks to come.

Lastly, those who wanted to bring their own adventures are welcome to as well! Supplying some dope roast? Bringing those sweet, sweet greens? Have some alcohol to supply? All is welcomed by the Jormun - and undoubtedly, your fellow adventurers as well.

You May Find Some Peace
Feeling a tad adrift? Make sure to check the OOC Event Post, which has details regarding the event timeline!

LOGS ● OOC ● STORIES ● MAIN NAVIGATION

( CODED BY BOOTYCALL )

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( while there is so much that shiro doesn't know yet and might possibly never know, the one thing that he does know is that keith honestly needs to relax. every time he talks, he goes back into self-doubt and discrediting himself. he's so much better than he tries to tell himself. he works hard, he tries hard, and he really does want to help others.

it's something to feel proud about, not self conscious. )

So, it's a good thing that we're all here then, even if only temporarily, isn't it? ( a big smile as he cocks his head towards keith. ) Have some more faith in yourself. You did a great job on your own.

( then he's pushing the drink he had been drinking into keith's free hand. )

And you'll do a great job working with everyone else too.

( he just needs to believe it. )

Do you want to share more stories or do you want to talk about something else?

[He eyes the drink and takes it despite his earlier worries about drinking too much. Keith takes a drink and mulls that over. He's still just enough with it to think back to all his stories. None of them are really all that great. He's been constantly dancing between one fight and the next.]

...something else. I mostly just did exactly like I was when you met me. [Bruising his knuckles on other peoples' faces. Literally in some cases. He winces internally at that and passes the drink back. A red feather woven into his hair slips and he reaches up to fix it.]

I mean uh, I'll talk about anything you want to. It's just...yeah it's good you and Lance are here. [Even if he's envisioned picking Lance up by the waist and throwing him in the ocean on more than one occasion.]

Guess I'm really not used to talking about myself much. [Story time it's easier. He tells about the events but when Shiro looks at him like he is now he wants to be better. Be the man who shields the rest of the team and protects them. He's so tired of suffering. Here. At home.]

( this feels a little easy.

retrieving his cup from keith, he simply holds it in his hand for a moment before taking the next drink. he probably should have just let keith keep it, but he doesn't mind this easier. it's nice to just take a moment to chat.

except keith seems to be struggling a little on that point. does he really want to tell stories or is there something better to talk about? )

It kind of sounds like you got something you want to say.

( a gentle tug on keith's hand. )

But I can listen to you talk about yourself all evening if you're willing.

( oh, maybe he shouldn't put it like that. it's a bit forward. )

[He blinks. His eyes widen and somehow the way Shiro worded that makes his heart hammer in his chest. How could he want to hear him talk all the time? About him? It's like when he woke from the dream with the feeling of having a life where he was happy. The fragments are falling down and he has no idea what he wants to do.

Keith puts his hand over Shiro's enfolding it in both of his.]

I have no idea what to say. I'm just happy you're here and we're talking. I'm...worried I'll mess this up.

( oh.

there's something about the expression on keith's face and the way that he clutches at his hand that really strikes a chord in shiro. it feels so kind and genuine, which is a little bittersweet for him. the reason why keith feels so anxious is partly because of him, because of a version of him in the future that makes all the wrong moves.

he shouldn't. . . he shouldn't feel like this. )

Anything you want. I should have made time for us to talk sooner than this.

( impulse guides him from there, urgently telling him that he needs to reassure keith and finally needs to get it through to him that he's not going to let anything happen between them.

he needs him to know just how important he is to him.

lifting their joined hands up, he presses a soft kiss to one of keith's knuckles. under the haze of alcohol and the intense urge to make a point, this is the answer that comes to mind. )

You're not going to mess anything up. I'm not going anywhere.

( said lightly and airily, almost as if he had not just kissed keith's hand. )

No, it's fine it's been-

[His mind screeches to a drunken halt. Holy shit. Even tanked to the gills he recognizes some line just got crossed and he has absolutely no idea what to do with it. What...does he do?

Keith swallows and his voice cracks.]

..okay. Yeah. Yeah okay.

[They have to be drunk. Really drunk.] But, it's fine Shiro. It's been pretty busy and I haven't exactly held still long enough for a talk.

[Which had been the whole damn point of being constantly busy.]

( out of all the mistakes that shiro might have thought that he could make, he wasn't really expecting this to be one of them. he definitely knew better than to be too friendly with someone else, especially after a few drinks, but yet—

shit.

immediately, he's pulling away from keith's grasp and sliding ever slightly away from him to allow him a bit more room away from him. his eyebrows furrow then as he places a hand to his forehead. )

I'm sorry, I'm not—

( thinking.

guess it wasn't keith that they needed to worry about messing things up, but shiro. )

Keith. I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to make you feel uncomfortable.

Shiro, wait that's not-

[He reaches out for him with a noise of protest at the loss of contact. His hand hovers then he touches his arm.]

It's fine. You just surprised me. [He just doesn't know what to do with that kind of attention. He's never had it before and from Shiro...it had never been expected.]

It's fine from you. [The words come out before his brain checks in with it. He closes his mouth with a click and he looks skyward.]

But I think we're really drunk.

( "it's fine from you."

it might as well have been the only thing that keith said because shiro is pretty sure that he barely heard anything else. a small tinge of pink races across his cheeks as he replays that sentence back to him.

this punk. what did he think he was saying? )

It's fine from me?

( he's repeating the sentence before he can even stop himself, incredulous.

then he laughs, a little anxious and a little awkward, before waving a hand in a dismissive gesture. )

No, just tired.

( he doesn't want to blame it on that. )

[His face heats up. Why did Shiro have to repeat it? He bristles like an offended cat at the laugh but stops feeling like he needs to prove himself when he catches Shiro's anxious.

He blinks, looks at the drink and takes it from him to set on the sand.]

Can't argue with that. [He doesn't want to blame it on being drunk either. Even if he knows they're both really drunk. He will repeat this over and over in his head.]

( his gaze jumps from keith's hands as they take his drink from him to the spot on the sand where he abandons it. part of him wants to protest, but he decides it's better not to say anything. )

You know, I think this is a first for us.

( drinking together. )

...what is? [He blinks. It hits him a second later and he flushes.] Oh. Yeah. I think it is.

Until I met the Jormun I didn't really touch alcohol.

[He shifts so he's seated closer to Shiro. He prefers it. Sitting side by side with his best friend is comfortable.]

This is my first time drinking this much.

Yea? You didn't pick up any bad habits at the Garrison?

( the air between them still feels a little tense and uneasy, but it seems like the weight is starting to ease off as keith moves closer. or maybe shiro is imagining it and he's the only one making a big deal out of this.

he sure hopes so. )

I can't remember the last time I drank. Had to be back on Earth . . . before everything.

[No, what he picked up at the Garrison was blood on his knuckles from jerks' faces. He wisely doesn't say that. Some places he won't go even when drunk. He sighs, pushing his hair out of his face. The air feels a little strange. But Shiro isn't pulling away anymore.]

I was too busy learning to fly. That's all I saw and wanted. [Just like Shiro he'd wanted to fly as far into space as they'd let him go. It didn't matter who was there. He wanted to reach and reach...

He leans back to stare up at the stars.]

Didn't drink as a Blade either. We're all too busy. They have so many plans in motion that have been in the works for years.

[He's partly talking so Shiro doesn't have to recall anything painful. He remembers before.]

Learned to fly Galra fighters instead.

Edited 2018-08-01 07:51 (UTC)

It's—

( it's a lot. shiro understands it and he understands it deeply. the two of them didn't really get to have the same kind of teenage years as a normal person might have, although keith a bit more so than shiro due to being a few years behind him. )

I was joking. You were a good cadet, Keith. I was always proud of you.

( he presses a hand down between them, using it to lean against. )

There's never been any time for anything but the mission for a long time.For either of us. In the Garrison, there was always the pressure to do your best and exceed the expectations the instructors laid out for us. Then there was Voltron and later for you, the Blades. There's not been much time to just breathe.

( admittedly, shiro prefers it that way. he doesn't really enjoy too much downtime or feeling directionless. he enjoys being a paladin, a pilot, a fighter, and anything else. it makes him feel alive and there's an excitement in that. it's never really too much for him, but he worries that it might be for keith. for the others. they deserve some periods of rest and to be able to relax for just a little.

the world expected too much out of them. )

It almost feels slow here.

( a little thoughtful. )

Do you want to hear a story?

Sometimes it's slow here. [He admits, his voice quieter. He hadn't meant to turn things towards darker paths. He's been striding through the dark for the better part of a year. Here and there. He hates slowing down but he takes a moment to think for Shiro.

He could talk about how little time he's had to breathe. But he's thrust the knife of the future at Shiro hard enough and he's tired of scaring him with what he's becoming.

He leans into his side and eyes him, dipping his head.] Yeah, I want to hear a story.

( the only thing that stops him from reaching back out to keith is that he had already overstepped his bounds just a few minutes earlier. otherwise, he would have placed a gentle hand on keith's shoulder to reassure him that it is alright.

instead, he hopes that his story will do that for him. )

Back in the Garrison, I was friends with one of my classmates. A real rule-breaker and fearless sort of guy. It's almost a miracle he graduated.

( there's a gentle smile towards keith then, leaning a bit further inward to catch his eye. )

Sometimes he would sneak in alcohol. No one knows how he got it in, but he did it a few times a year. There was one time that a bunch of us couldn't leave on break because of a lockdown. So, the group of us went out to the roof and he brought some bottles from his room to celebrate spending the break together to make light out of a bad situation.

We didn't think it through, so we had to stay up there for most of the night to avoid getting caught by one of the guards. We couldn't come down until about 4am during a shift change when they finally relaxed the security enough for us to stumble through the halls. Except two people in our group had fallen asleep before then and everyone else was barely standing.

( as would be expected when a bunch of teenagers get stuck up on a roof with literally nothing else but alcohol. it wasn't the best decision that shiro had made during his cadet years, but it was certainly a fun one. it had a been a hard time for all of them because of the lockdown, but it was nice that they had still made something fun of it. )

What ended up happening is that everyone went to the dorm room of the guy who brought the alcohol. We didn't have the time or coordination to split up. His roommate woke up with three of us in the opposite bed, two on the floor, and someone in their shared bathtub.

In retaliation, he drew cat whiskers on every one of us.

[He has no idea what kind of story is going to happen as he settles in against Shiro's side. He's a bit drunk, a bit drained, and Shiro hasn't put distance between them. He looks up to lock gazes with him as the tale is shaped.

His eyebrow raises. He's just sober enough not to point out as long as you don't punch a superior officer in the eye, you're probably good. His brows come back down at 'lockdown'. He hated those. He'd been through two and he never wants to deal with another one.

He'd been hiding his knife and that could have gotten him booted faster than alcohol. His slightly perplexed expression shifts as the tale winds on then he presses his face into Shiro's side to muffle his laughter.]

At least it was just cat whiskers! It could have been a lot worse. Could have gone for mustaches or patterns. [He could just imagine a bunch of hungover cadets with big cat markings on their faces.

He coughs as he draws back to cover his mouth and keep laughing. It takes him a moment to get himself back under control.]

Hey. At least it wasn't aircraft markings. Imagine explaining that.

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June Aftermath: Magic Lantern Strange

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