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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[This is the hard part about being a bridge between them. Sometimes, trying to comfort one, hurts another no matter how careful he is. Ignis gives Gladio an apologetic look and then leans up to press gentle kisses along Ardyn's jaw.]

Don't. Please. It was my choice and a lifetime ago, it seems.

[He shifts just enough so he can turn his head to 'look' between them.]

I want to be here. Now. With you two and none of the past.

[Ardyn looked off to the side, yellow eyes narrowed and cold as if he was contemplating the easiest escape route. He hated this, hated every second of this charming little domesticity thrown in his face like he was really some part to it. Liars, the pair of them. Like it would ever matter once Gladio knew the truth of Altissia, or once they finally decided the charade had worn itself out and grown tiring.]

[When they were tired of pretending Ardyn could ever be one of them, then this would all be over and all sides would be better off for it.]

[He raised a hand to his mouth, whistling sharply--on cue Hresvelgr trotted over and nibbled harmlessly at Gladio's hand seeking attention.]

Do what you like. I don't care, and I doubt she will either.

[Gladio looks between them for a moment, keenly aware that he's missing something here. He doesn't have much time to think about it though because Hresvelgr is suddenly all up in his business and he smiles at her, careful to keep his stained fingers away from her beak.]

Okay, gorgeous. Why don't we go find a shade that suits you and your dad. And then we'll see if we can't get some progress made, hmm?

[And he is going to just roll to his feet, scritching gently at Hresvelgr's chin, pausing briefly to rest a hand on Ardyn's shoulder before he is crossing the beach once more, giving them a few moments to work out whatever this is that he's not supposed to know about.]

[It's not that Gladio shouldn't know; it's that there has been so much to tell him, it hasn't come up yet. He probably would have mentioned it when he told the Shield about the vision Pryna show him except he had just told Noct about it and torn them both apart in the process. Ignis wasn't ready mentally or emotionally to cover it again. Even if he had been ready, dumping a year's worth of changes and then secrets that his other self had kept for 10 years all on Gladio at once would have overwhelmed him. Still, the guilt of not telling is a heavy weight on him, just as the weight of the copy of the Ring he still carries with him is heavy in his pocket. They need to talk again and soon. About more than just this complicated relationship.

For now though, that talk will have to wait at least until tomorrow morning. There is another person who needs his attention.

Ignis pulls himself up out of Ardyn's lap and then turns to face him, reaching out to rest his hand on the redhead's knee.]

Talk to me, beloved. I can guess where the thoughts in your head are going. Get them out so we can deal with them.

You've not told him, oh that is hilarious. I might yet get to see the look on his face when he realizes the truth.

[The mocking smirk was entirely evident in Ardyn's tone, cold and derisive.]

Do any of them actually know? No, surely not--else at least one of them would have come for my head by now.

[Oddly enough, the smile that crosses Ignis' face holds no ill emotion. Instead, it holds only fondness despite Ardyn's mocking tone.]

That's where you're wrong. Both Prompto and Noct know. Gladio is the only one I haven't had time to tell and that is just because everything else has come up first. It's not because I'm keeping it secret from him.

[Lets just make that clear right from the get go.]

It seems your head will be staying right where it is. Good thing. I like it there.

Oh, I'm sure that's what you think. I can scarcely wait to see how amicable the behemoth is when he finds out what happened.

[Something just a little sly turns Ignis' smile into a smirk.]

If he wishes to remain amicable with me, he will remain amicable with you. You were here first, after all.

...you're a fool. He's going to detest me once he knows the senseless stupidity I pushed you into, and everything will fall right back into its proper place.

No, I suspect that like me, he will recognize the choice was mine and respect that. What you fail to realize is that there is a very large difference between me making the choice to put the Ring on and me being held down and helpless while my vision was burned away.

[Ignis has no idea what Gladio thinks happened that day, but he knows well what he used to think happened that day.]

Oh, spare me. I'm sure even he's not stupid enough to think I'd have wasted the time and energy on something like that.

You yourself? Perhaps not, but you are hardly above manipulating others to into doing it for you. Of course, he doesn't know exactly what your plan was for that day. Maybe I just upset you enough you struck out at me without it being part of 'the plan.'

[Ignis laughs as if they aren't talking about how he was maimed.]

You have to admit, I am very good at upsetting you.

Me, upset? Don't be absurd. I wasn't upset then when you did something unbelievably stupid, and I'm far from upset now.

Oh, really?

[Ignis raises an amused eyebrow. So, they're playing this game again, are they?]

Because I'm quite sure I felt the mood shift rather dramatically just a few minutes ago. One moment you were slowly relaxing and then next you were hiding behind your walls again. Perhaps, I'm just imagining things, though.

[Oh dear, and there is that sly look again.]

If you aren't upset, then you will have no trouble helping Gladio finish painting me and then allowing us to paint you in return. It's no big deal, right? It means nothing. Hardly something that would upset you.

I could just as easily leave before he even comes back, you know. I'm not quite as interested in a shameless display as you are, and I doubt anyone wants anything to do with what's under this shirt.

And I could just as easily get up right now and sit in your lap. I may not stop you, but it will make quite the scene now, won't it?

[Is he or is he not really considering it? It's hard to tell for sure, but he does rock up onto his knees from his former sitting position.]

Your scars are just as much a part of you as mine are a part of me. There's nothing under your shirt that is going to make me think of you any differently.

[Carefully, he reaches out toward Ardyn's face, fingers brushing lightly over his cheek.]

If you don't want to take your shirt off, you don't have to. Just let us put a few marks on your face, perhaps?

You don't seriously believe I'm self-conscious, do you? You're even more of a fool than I thought, I just don't care to hear your or his false pity and feigned sympathy. And I don't want you or him doing anything of the sort, I've no need of looking as ridiculous as the rest of you.

[Ignis hums softly. Not in agreement, just in acknowledgment. In other words, he thinks you're full of it Ardyn, but he is going to be nice and not say that.]

I don't think it would be ridiculous to show your love of chocobos with a few feathers. Perhaps across your cheek or on your neck? Honestly, with how your hair falls and the shadow of your hat, I suspect people will probably miss anything we do most of the time.

I'm not going around covered in luminescent paint. I don't even like light.

Are you seriously comparing the soft glow of luminescent paint to sunlight?

[Someone's being dramatic.]

A few feathers is hardly being covered with paint. Being covered with paint is what he's doing to me and what he already had done to himself.

[he doesn't know how else to be]

I'm comparing it to what it is, which is a nuisance. Why are you pushing the issue like this?

Because I want to share something with you.

[There's a slight bit of frustration in Ignis' expression, but somehow he manages to keep it out of his words.]

Is it so wrong that I want to leave a mark on you to help you remember I'm here? That the soft glow of that flame that burns for you is still with you even when you're alone?

It's foolish and so are you. I don't understand why you refuse to drop this silly little pretense and just ignore me for your precious Gladiolus like any sensible person would. Is this some kind of game to you? Do you actually enjoy tormenting me like this?

Oh, do stop being so dramatic!

[Ignis doesn't mean to snap at Ardyn, but in his frustration the words slip out before he can stop himself.]

Attempt to push us away all you want; you are going to fail every time because I know exactly what you're trying to do. Do you think I've forgotten our talk after the mess with Bliss? Do you think I've decided to abandon my promises just because the road is bumpy? If so, you're the fool, not me.

Shut up.

[Ardyn didn't raise his voice in the slightest; if anything it was quieter, sharpened and cold.]

Do you really think I care for your promises or your intent? Do you think I'm lying when I tell you how revolting I find this, or how it's tantamount to torture--and believe me, I would know. Or do you really believe I harbor any illusions that this will end in anything but replacement? Do not take me for some manner of idiot, because I of all people know what being replaced by a superior option looks like. Just because you can't understand it and may not even intend it does not mean it isn't happening regardless.

You're causing more harm than you know in this foolish misguided attempt to help. Give up.

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