you and me in the moonlight

[crosslaced]

Who: You!
What: A year end party MINGLELOG to help everyone recover from the Shit we’ve been through.
When: Forwarddated to Nov 24
Where: Enso E4, close to the ST Temple
Warnings: Mark as necessary, but none expected.

As the end of November draws near…… it’s time for that player plot the mods hinted at in their latest announcement.

Laurent’s Witch Labyrinth! -no, actually, it’s just a party.

[preparation]

All day on the 24th people are hard at work setting up on the golden beaches of Enso. The Storyteller’s Temple can be seen from the site and vice versa; it’s just a short walk away. There’s quite a bit to be done, so every extra pair of hands are welcome!

[the party]

As evening falls, a series of torches light up the party site for the lost; most prominent are the three large campfires spaced out across the beach, offering a variety of gathering spots for those who don’t like the loud partying going on at the other one.

There’s more than enough food to go around. An entire Cariborn is being dug up from the sandy soil way up the beach, having been roasted in the ground. There’s a wide variety spread out on tables… of handwaved origin… maybe they’re the ones left around from 4/20?? It’s probably fine. Herb- baked vegetables, fresh fruits, meat of various types, pizza!! and yes, Muffet’s Magic Blackberry Alcohol abound.

We’ve also got party favors. Amongst them, it seems like..... owo are these sparklers?

Come hang out! It’s a well-deserved break.

[activities]

The children (and adults so-inclined) have some cute party games to have fun with. There’s a simple little ringtoss area set up, with rings that aren’t even proper circles (listen, Laurent tried) and wooden stakes in the ground to be ringed.

Across the wide stretch of sand there's a lot that can be done- want to build some sandcastles? Pick some shells? Fight some crabs? The beach is dotted with doodles in the sand, inviting you to join in.

The biggest attraction is perhaps the petting zoo- well, it’s a cluster of animals just hanging out, but you get the idea. Located far up on the beach and away from the danger of the waves, the petting zoo has three whole Chocobos, two whole Tigerlilies (one of which is clearly guarding the Chocobos), and one whole horse. Sometimes two horses, but the grey wandering one is wearing a plaque that says “I BITE. PET ME CAREFULLY.”

[storyteller?]

Yes, ST-chan is invited! I’m leaving it to them to top-level or tag out at their leisure. Keep an eye out for the bunny god, they’re Coming.

Comments

please hit me with both

[lesbeau]

[This? Beau loves this. Every good party should have a good barfight, and with so much space it's only a natural reaction to throw the fuck ass down. So she's by the sidelines, fists up and whooping as she watches the sparks fly, excitedly eyeing the entire combat and giving 'friendly' tips to both of them as they go.]

C'mon bug, skullman's always going right-- no, dude, the bug is circling, turn around! I call dibs on next fight!

[lightlessfuture]

[ Their rotating audience has at least gotten them a little used to commentary; they've learned they can concentrate on the fight as long as it's not a shout that heralds interference. The battle continues uninterrupted.

But if anything's rubbed off on them from Grimm in the months they've spent together, it's that an audience needs a show, and so they rise to the challenge despite refinement and embellishment not being something they've really thought about.

It means they take more blows than they would otherwise - but they turn missteps and mistakes into momentum, into something new and unpracticed.

When they're hit and thrown back, they turn it into a spin and bring their nail around in a shining blur; Grimm's cape flashes through the air in a curving strike and they strike down to propel themselves upwards into a flip that turns into another attack. When they finally skid to a stop and raise their hand to show they're done, they're breathing hard with effort, but the way they hold themselves upright suggests pride.

They glance at Beau and give her a little bow, stepping aside to open the stage to a new participant. They need a little breather before they start again, but if she wants to test herself against either of them, they're hardly going to say no. ]

[fireindreams]

[Grimm is quite used to having an audience and the words that make their way to the stage. It is not something he minds, however, and Beau's advice causes Grimm to laugh. He has not heard words like that in a long time! It is quite amusing.

Nails and claws clash, the Knight turning their mistakes into something new and Grimm following them down whatever rabbit hole they create. Flame and shadow is what began their dance in their world and it continued to be that way even within these lands.

But when it is time to stop, it is time to stop. Grimm sees the Knight raise their hand and immediately teleports back to give them space. It is once he sees that their deep breathing is only due to effort that he turns to Beau and offer a deep bow of his own.]

Thank you, my friend. Do you wish to face one of us next?

[lesbeau]

[She lights up like you just told a little girl she's getting a new puppy, except it's "you get to fistfight someone", because that's the sort of thing that makes Beau happy.]

Holy shit, really-- yeah, square up!

[She's not wearing her typical monk vestments outside of her overcoat, a sleeveless floor-length number open in the front. But otherwise, she's got jeans tucked into what look like armored boots and a tank top and a wooden staff. Hardly looks dangerous. But that's what monks thrive on. She also looks deeply confident, crossing her arms and tilting her chin up to look at them both.]

I'd take both of you if you're ready for me. Buuut if you're tired I can go one-by-one. I wouldn't want it to be too easy for me.

[She's also going to need to remember this is nonlethal, not that they have the same sort of pressure points and finessed hits that she could do on a humanoid. But she hasn't found something she can't punch yet.]

[lightlessfuture]

[ To be fair, it's not like the Knight looks very dangerous either. The most that might come to mind would be 'cute', or possibly 'creepy' depending on the viewer's definition.

They imitate her confident look, tilting their head up (though really that's also just to look at her, because they're like two feet tall).

They control their breathing a little before straightening and drawing their nail, waving it in a sort of encouraging manner. THEY'RE SUPER READY, BRING IT ON. ]

[fireindreams]

[Grimm can certainly appreciate someone who shares a love of battle. There was a beauty to it that most miss, even in the heat of a battle that involved the possible loss of life.

Grimm considers his own energy before bowing.]

I will open the floor to you and my dear friend. Please, enjoy yourselves.

[The Troupe Master teleports backwards to give the two participants room to battle. Have fun kids.]

[lesbeau]

[She grins down at the Knight, talking trash with her expression.]

Alright, little bug, let's go.

[She crosses to Grimm's side of the field, drawing her staff off her back and tilting her head up towards them, waiting until they've assumed a similar position before shouting--]

Come and get me!

[Except instead of waiting for them to charge, she goes right in, swinging her staff and using her reach to try and deliver a smack right into their side and propel them off their trail.]

[lightlessfuture]

[ They're used to being challenged, and for their opponent not to wait for them to be ready. Beau's taunt is barely acknowledged; they've narrowed their focus to the trial ahead, ready for battle.

They take the strike, letting it propel them to the side. Bigger, stronger opponents with longer reach mean they have to resort to unconventional tactics to gain hits.

They roll with the hit and bounce back immediately, flipping upwards and forwards to bring their nail down. If all goes well, and they've judged the distance correctly, they'll be able to strike at her arm. ]

[lesbeau]

[She's beyond jazzed about this, not expecting the Knight to simply take the hit but keeping her eyes sharp for another whirl. Beau digs her feet into the sand, letting them slide slightly to try and dodge. She raises her staff to block, but a bit of it catches, letting the Knight find purchase. The wound doesn't seem to slow her down though, as she surges her fist forward once she knows where they are to deliver two quick punches right to their body.]