lifeaftr | you and me in the moonlight

Entry tags:

you and me in the moonlight

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Had Guzma not appeared and said the magic word, she would've left the area with all the rings dangling from her arm. He's the real hero of the party and while it's unlikely she'll be deterred from Grand Theft Ring for long, it's a temporary distraction. Because game. She wants to play?? Please??

And she wants to play with him in particular because she missed him. His absence didn't go unnoticed-the heartbreaking realization that he couldn't feel the heart of the spirit next to him and understand that it wasn't real. That no one was able to save him. That he died and there was someone he missed so desperately he was willing to follow her to the end.

But he's here now and she hurries to his side, holding her ring covered arm straight in the air, like she's asking a question in a classroom. It's her way of offering him one without taking them all off. Just grab it.]

I don't know this game-do you get points? Is there a 'goal?' Do you throw a ball?

[He's definitely tipsy enough to play a few games of Ring Toss with the little girl, though his aim may not be as spot on if he were sober...but it's fine, probably. Not like there's anything they can actually win from this, right? It's just to have fun and enjoy the space. To get up, get out, and socialize with people - to enjoy camaraderie with the people around you.

One by one, Guzma takes the rings off of Ren's arm, sighing as he looks around a bit. Is there really no one manning these things? Good lord, way to be irresponsible... The literal goblins here could make off with a lot more than just a few toy rings, if not supervised at all goddamn times. He holds three rings out to Ren, keeping the rest for himself, for now anyway - for demonstration, mostly.]

Settle down n'I'll tell you. Now, what y'all wanna do is toss these rings out onto where them bottles are lined up, see? [He squints his eyes a bit, trying to aim for the top of one bottle, then gives it a careful toss and...ting! The top of the bottle rattles a bit as the ring catches onto it and settles there, stopped in place by the largere, more rounded part of the bottle. Guzma hops a bit with a fist in the air.] Yeah! Like that!! Usually at fairs n' carnivals if'n y'get three rings on them bottles, you get a small prize. But I don't think no on's here to give out points...hm.

How 'bout we say y'get one point if you get a ring on the front rows, three for the middle rows, and five points for the back rows, yeah? [He'll even draw their scores in the sand, with tallies.]

[How can she settle down when he's talking about points and prizes? That description does the exact opposite of calming her down and while she isn't yammering off with a thousand more questions, she's pacing behind him with the rings in her hand. The only sound that comes out of her happens when he hits the bottle and she throws her arms in the air with a loud good job.

But that leads to one problem-he's already gotten some point. He did a good job, which means he might be great at this game. That hidden, competitive nature starts to show itself as she tries to calculate just how many points she'll need.

There's a fire burning in her eyes. She will Win. It doesn't matter if there's a prize-she can make her own.]

I'll get the back rows every time.

[A WILD REN WANTS TO BATTLE. FIGHT HER.]

[There are no prizes though? Unless maybe he thinks of one on the fly...though that's never worked well for Guzma before, so we'll see.

Though Guzma's brow raises at the hidden eagerness to win, and her straightens up a little bit with a thoughtful hum and rub of his chin. Oho, is that how it's going to be? Because he's just as competitive, frightfully so, and Guzma hates to lose. Thankfully, he's also mildly intoxicated and Ren is one of his little sisters here, so he'll probably be more forgiving if she does beat him. ...Maybe. Probably. But he still is going to trash talk like the best of them.

That just how he do.]

Yo, is that so? Well, li'l punk, step right on up and show your boy Guzma what you got. Just remember...I'm already in the lead. [And his reach is greater, not to mention he's a pokemon trainer - his throwing arm is that of a goddamn Olympian.]

[The prize is bragging rights and also whatever her goblin hands touch five minutes after the game. Because side-eyeing theft is a valid way let her claim victory.

But they can worry about the details after she wins.

Ever see her play baseball? Because that's how she's treating this. She winds up her ring thing and stares down the bottles like they're a batter in a world series game. The furthest. She has to get the furthest and-

She lets her ring fly and it hits one of the middle rows. N I C E. She looks all too proud as she pats Guzma's arm, hurrying him to throw his next ring.]

It's your turn, your turn!

[To be fair, Guzma was the boss of a bunch of grimy hobbits and Pokemon thieves, so Ren's theft isn't as bad as it should be. He only wishes she had an actual, safe place for things instead of her dirty bag, and didn't try and shove food into it or her pockets.

As Ren rears back her hand, Guzma watches her closely, raising a brow at her stance and how she;s actually taking aim - not bad, she's at least gotten some practice at actually getting a read on distance and stuff. He's impressed, and even more so when she manages to ring one of the middle row of bottles, both brows raising up in clear surprise and awe. Not bad, pipsqueak, he may have underestimated you.]

Yeah, yeah...don't rush me, jeez. [He smacks a large mitt over her face gently, pushes her away with his palm. Guzma quints his eyes as he takes aim, hoping to get a ring on the farthest row, worrying his lower lip between his teeth. Mm, maybe he shouldn't have drunk so much, that alcohol is definitely not earning him anything in the way of clarity, and it shows. When he tosses his first ring, there's too much power behind it, and it sails farther than even the back row of bottles, and he straightens with a frustrated huff.]

Tch! You got lucky, that's all!! [He takes aim again, this time rubbing his face and his eyes, breathing out slowly. Come on, a little more restraint this time... Just like bagging a Pokemon, you gotta wait for the right opening and--] YEAH!!

[The second ring clatters against one of the farthest bottles, settling in place around the neck. His third shot, sadly, goes wide. It bounces off the rim of one ring in the middle and flops uselessly into the sand. No points.]

Pfft--! I'm just letting you win, y'know? Don't want no li'l Krookadile tears if'n I stomp you.

[The palm completely muffles the laugh that comes out of her mouth when he pushes her back. It keeps her away for all 0.2 seconds and she slings back like a boomerang the moment he removes his hand from her face. At least she stays out of his way, pacing back and forth behind him, staring at those bottles with an intense expression. Like she can win them over if she looks at them long enough and doesn't blink. No points, no points-maybe some points. Less points than her.

She doesn't celebrate when he misses and pops up when he manages to get one, clapping her hands all the while. Amazing. The third ring misses and that's a tragedy, but he still got one.

Still, it's unfortunate she doesn't know smack talk when she hears it. He's letting her win? That's tragic and she takes immediate issue with it.]

You have to try! Don't 'let me win' or you're going to lose. I'm not a crocodile so I won't have those tears. I can only do Ren tears and that's when I'm very sad.

[So no worries there. Not that she's gonna cry over a lost game, but he will be issued with an immediate re-challenge. She takes her stance next to him, aiming her three rings and miss, miss, middle hit. That's another point and while she's not counting, she's pretty sure they're close to being tied. Tension's in the air. Victory will be hers.]

Hurry, hurry. The bottles want you to throw again.

[Now, this is a predicament. Guzma's competitive and ruthless streak can encompass the globe at least three times, but if there's one person who could cut that line slack, it'd be Ren. He grimaces, nose wrinkling at how utterly sincere and sweet she is, snorting loudly to hide the curl on his lips. How dare you soften his cold, dead, ashen heart - this is mutiny!

And sadly, it's that little distraction from his goal that makes Guzma's next rings all miss their targets. Too far, not far enough, too far to the right... He looks more and more frustrated with each miss, snarling and gripping those poor rings just a tad too tight... One of them seems to get a bit warped from the force of his grip around the flimsy plastic, and he grunts. At the very least, he can admit defeat, but is the sorest of losers - yes, even to a child - and just shoves his hands into his pockets.]

TCH!! There's no skill to this garbage toddler game anyway! Gimme something to smash and I'll show all y'all how your goes goes hard! [He actually seems to take that to heart, looking around for something, some kind of game that actually tests strength instead of skill. He may lack in the latter, but definitely makes up for in raw, brute force.]

[Incredible. Ren's about to claim a win by default, when he starts to look visibly upset. There's no need to rub salt in the wound. She's a gamemaster-that's how it is. She'll have to teach him the art of the ring toss and lead by example.

Which is why, despite the game being over, she collects a few from the bottles to throw and-

Well, ignore the fact they all miss in equal measure to Guzma's. Which sort of makes this a tie, but she won't call attention to that. In fact, she knocks over all the bottles with her foot. Whoops. Everyone's a loser and it's not cheating if the game's over. It's fine.

She has a feeling Guzma's not going to want to talk about points anyway.]

You can smash-

[And she bolts to the shoreline, immediately dropping to her knees and creating an amazing sand something.]

This! Smash this castle!

[It's a pile.]

[Oh, honey.]

[Guzma sighs, feeling the majority of his ire ebb away at the rather precious attempts at curbing his anger and competitiveness (and hatred of losing or being less than first place). He rubs his face and can't help the tiny curl at the corner of his lips at he shakes his head. Praise this idiot girl for putting up with him as much as she does. He doesn't deserve her, really.]

C'mon, I'm not so big a bully I'm gonna smash your sandcastles, sweetheart. [But, a game of strength does sound promising, and super fun. Definitely a game Guzma would excel at. Too bad there isn't a "Test your Might" sort of game here. Hm. He thinks a moment, straightening his back as he thinks, scratching his cheek with a hum.] ...You ever play tug o' war?

What's that game? Do you get points? Do you smash things? Is it scary?

[There's an answer in that barrage of q's-No. She has never heard of this in her life. The interest is there, clearly, as she tries to figure out where all these new games have been her whole life. Maybe this should be the first thing she asks people. Maybe the world doesn't begin and end with hide and seek and baseball. Maybe there's a whole world of games out there she has yet to discover.]

What do you tug?

[Before Ren can continue her waterfall of questions, Guzma puts a hand, quiet literally, over her face to silence her. The entirety of his large palm all but covers her face, and he looks flatly at her with a low sigh, waiting only until the muffled sounds against his palm stop before he removes his hand. Finished? Good. Now he can actually explain.]

You tug a rope. [Removing his Pokeballs from his pocket, he hands one to Ren and tells her to wait before releasing Ariados from her ball. The huge spider blinks, stretches her legs, and lifts her abdomen, happy to be out and about after a long rest. Turning to Guzma, she crawls over to him for cuddles, which she easily gets, before she's given an order to make thread. The silk is thick, sturdy, and glistening, and as she expels it from her mouth, Guzma behind to braid and tighten it into a thick and strong cord of rope.] Two teams tug a rope over a small pit...usually filled with water, mud, or whatever else y'all think of putting in there.

On the count of three, the two teams take up the opposite sides of the rope and pull, real hard, to try and tug the other team into the pit. Whoever's left standing is the winner. And if it take more'n a couple minutes, well...that's when you use a marker. [Removing his gold chain necklace, Guzma loops it a few times through the middle of the threaded spidersilk rope.] Whoever's got the marker farthest toward their side is the winner.

Go on and release Golisopod, he'll be your partner, since y'all wouldn't stand a chance against me normally. [IT'S A TANK FIGHTING A KITTEN, HE'S NOT ABOUT THAT GAME, OK?? At least give Ren a fighting chance here.] Ariados will be my partner, since she's less brawny, but got a good grip.

[Like an old dog learning no tricks at all because it's roamed the streets for 20 years and has its own law of the land, she doesn't stop mumbling for A Bit. She tries to get louder, to go through the hand, like the speed of sound can't be stopped by some guy's grubby palm, but it doesn't work. And then, sweet silence, accompanied with smile once he pulls his hand away.

That sounds simple enough? There's no complex maneuvers or goal posts or rings needed. Ari is the real star as always and while she keeps hold of the pokeball, not releasing it as instructed, and kneels down to wave at Ari before the insect scurries away to make the best rope she can.

And it's beautiful-a treasure in its own right, but she can't shove this in her bag. That's the real tragedy. Maybe she can ask her for some later. ]

Okay!

[There's a button right? All she does is press it??? That's how Guzma did it. Instead of doing that though, she holds it up to her face and whispers Goli, wake up, wake up. We're going to play a fun game. Just in case it had been taking a lil pokesnooze. She has no qualms about waking up her family in a variety of ways- apparently giant bugs, cats and lobsters are the only things to get special treatment.

A second passes, she pushes her finger against the circle and poof-]

We're going to win! Goli and I are very strong!

[Only once does Ariados look at Ren, clicking her pincers together with a close-eyed smile and a wriggle of the stingers on her back, almost like a mock wave of her own. She truly is a spoiled princess, and a glutton for attention and praise - the most affectionate and friendly of Guzma's team, hilariously enough. And were Ren to voice her desires for a silken thread of her own, the massive spider would see no issue in weaving her some. Hell, Ariados silk is used for beautifully designed and durable clothing in other regions. It's very high quality stuff.

But that's neither here nor there at the moment. The moment the words reach the pokemon still inside the ball, it shakes somewhat, but only when he's properly released does the much larger insect shake himself off and begin to groom his antennae with like long, more noodly arms. It gets cramped in there sometimes, and he's happy to be free to stretch and take care of himself and his shell. He looks around, sees the rope, sees everyone else holding it, and nods. Yes, yes, he knows this game. Picking up one end of the silken rope, he readies himself to begin pulling on the mark.

But. Then his eyes lock onto his trainer. And for a moment, the air around the pokemon tenses, and his eyes narrow into thin, dark slits. There's a deep rumble in his throat, claws gripping the braided silk rope tightly before he gives it a very swift, very hard yank. Neither Ariados or Guzma were ready, so they jerk forward a bit before digging in their heels and grunting loudly to stay on their feet.]

What the heck--?! Jeez, give us some warning!! [Thankfully, the two on the opposing side redouble their efforts, and their combined strength starts to tug the other two forward. Even Golisopod himself has to strengthen his steely grip, so as not to get pulled forward...thought he is growling and losing a few inches in the sand.]

[That burning competitive streak rises in her, like a Hot Boi from the ashes, once everyone begins to pull. Goli isn't the only one around with noodley arms-Ren's trying to drag them over to her side, having no luck in doing so, until her partner shows its true power. The yank makes her smile and laugh because she thought they won and-

They're not winning. Now they're being pulled forward and Ren looks back to Goli because, unfortunately, it's gonna have to be the brute force behind this.

Until she gets an idea. A special kind of idea. Her feet aren't stopping anything, so she tries to just. You know. Grabs a hold of the rope completely. By throwing her body on top of it because if it can withstand this tugging, it can probably handle her minimal weight being added to it, but she's hoping it slows them down.

She's got her arms and legs wrapped around the dang thing like she's trying to climb a rope in gym class only-

Her cheating ways don't help at all. All she does is flip over when a tug throws her delicate balance off and she lands on the sand with a plop right on her back.

But she's not!!! Giving up!!! She straightens, now on her knees, and grabs the thread again. PULL GOLI PULL!!!]

[Well, Golisopod has...many arms, actually. He is a bug, after all. Some of those arms are thin and noodly, while his others - the two main arms, are thick, armored, and clawed. It's those arms he's using to pull the rope, and he really doesn't seem to be paying too much mind to Ren, only glancing down briefly at her when she does a completely useless move to try and "cheat".

Like...really. What the fuck are you trying to achieve here, child? There is literally no benefit to throwing yourself on the rope. It's pulled taut and you're gaining no ground either way. She honestly just looks like a really stupid squirrel dangling dumbly from a powerline before it either gets electrocuted of falls to the pavement. Fucking gg.

However, if she was going for a really idiotic distraction, that...worked?? Question mark??? I mean, if definitely made both Guzma and Ariados blink, dropping their guard for a half second and making it so they lose ground by a few inch.]

Rrgh... Dig in, Ariados--come on, girl!! We ain't gonna let these punks beat us!

[It doesn't matter if it was stupid because it worked and that's a license to do more dumb things in the future. The sweet smell of victory's within her grasp. With Goli tugging behind her, there's no way they can lose.

And yet-

And yet her knees start scooting forward in the sand, Goli has to step forward to keep the rope steady, her upper body pulls away and away and away no matter how much she digs into the ground or how tight her fingers clutch the thread. She looks surprised?? That this is happening?? And she even turns to Goli as if to form some kind of silent plan, but-

The thread slips through grasp and somehow, someway, thanks to rng's betrayal, a good spider and Guzma's beefy boi arms-

They lose. She falls face first into the sand when her knees can't hold down the fort anymore, immediately rolling on to her back just in time to see dangling gold piece move over to his side. What the heck!!! They were so close!! But that disappointment lasts all of [1] second as she immediately pops up, sand covering her from head to toe, to celebrate her buddy, her pal, her partner in crime.]

Good job, Goli. This is called 'second place' and it's still very good.

[Well, let's look at the facts here - Ren is a dumb idiot girl with no strength at all and literally no weight or TETHER TO THE GROUND RIGHT NOW. She's basically a fucking squirrel hanging from a powerline. So dumb, so terrible. Golisopod may be strong, yes, very powerful and very bulky...but he's topheavy mostly, and his power is more in his arms than it is in his small feet. Ariados and Guzma together have the grip and the raw power to overcome even a boulder of a Pokemon like the massive insect.

Eventually, Golisopod rumbles loudly, trying to pull back, but it's no use, he wobbles and falls to one knee, having to catch himself in the sand and release the thread. It's definite vctory, and while Guzma wobbles from the lack of tension on the silken thread, he catches himself quickly and throws his fists to the air, shouting and whooping loudly.]

YEAAAH! IN YOUR FACE, LIL LOSER!! YOUR BOY GUZMA SHOWED Y'ALL UP REAL GOOD. Down low, sweetheart, you did great! [He squats, holding his palms out for his spider pokemon, who taps his palms with her two front legs. Low five!!] You couldn't even win with my Pokemon!! Hahaha, get beat, punk!

[Oof, did someone order a sore winner? Old habits do indeed die hard.]

[Look, she's trying to console a pokemon here. Not that he needs it. But it doesn't negate the fact she's placing her hands against his weird bug cheeks, trying to pet, pet, pet the tug of war dishonor away. They'll get him next time. After she can ask Taako about cheating methods for this situation because brute strength won't cut it if she's vs Guzma, no matter how much assistance is behind her.

And it must be the heat of the moment, combining with the part of her that's already itching to go for round two, that makes her spin on her heel until she's facing Guzma, all smiles despite their loss because it was fun. Really, really fun to have this playful session with him. It's been an emotional roller coaster for months and high tension moments have left her at a loss for how to deal with this erratic, but gentle, guy.

But it feels like they're back to their own normal and with that light, happy sensation fueling her, she issues a new challenge, trying to mimic his tone.]

Your girl, Ren and your bug, Goli'll show you up next time! We'll be baller and make you get beat, punk. It'll be dope. That's a prophecy.

[Golisopod definitely doesn't need the reassurance, but he does stoop low for the affection anyway, letting her pat his face gently and tickling her palm with the feelers on his mouth. He rumbles pleasantly, snuggling against her small palms before moving away again. He doesn't approach Guzma like Ren does, instead keeping a healthy distance from his trainer. Hm...odd, that. But it's probably nothing, Golisopod always was the more quiet, calm one of Guzma's Pokemon.

Speaking of Guzma, he snickers and lifts his chin up with a sneer. Oh, honey...you're decades away from being as great as him. But, at the least, her trash talk makes him snort into his hand and begin to laugh, returning Ariados to her ball and holding his hand out for Golisopod's to recall him.]

Keep talking smack like that, homeslice, and I'll have to hang you upside down from a palm tree. To air out the stink of a sore l o s e r. [Yes, he enunciates each syllable like a fucking douchebag, what makes you think he wouldn't?]

[The problem now everything sounds like a challenge in the wake of this battle of strength and I'll hang you upside down ranks up there with the I'll turn you into a frog on the scale of threats she takes seriously. IE: She's not even batting an eye at him. String her up, punk. She's waiting.]

I'm better at running than tugging.

[And she knows that for a fact. If it weren't for the pokeball's appearance, she would be turning around to get Goli on her side because victory would be theirs, but it's his nighty night peanut time, apparently. Back into the ball for now. She won't get in the middle of that.]

You won't catch me. Then you'll be a sore loser too.

[The ball is returned and so is Golisopod, the two Pokemon had their fun and exercise, now they get to take a nice little break. He tucks both away into a pocket inside his hoodie and raises a brow at Ren. Oh, this little punk has a mouth on her, does she? Huh...he made a good pick for a Team Skull member. Don't be bullied by him, Ren, it's that sort of spiciness that Guzma respects.

That doesn't mean he won't argue with her. Even as a man in his mid twenties, Guzma will absolutely go toe-to-toe with someone half his age. He's that sort of guy, but at least he's not being a total asshole about it...anymore.]

Tch! Punk, you don't want me chasing after you. Your boy won't stop! Don't matter how fast you fun, I'll always be doggin' you, yo. The hated boss that beats you down, and beats you down...and never lets up. [He bops her nose gently with a fist, pinching her nose between his fingers for a second before releasing.] Don't rile me up, brat. C'mon, it's getting dark out and y'all gotta go back home.

[Or, you know, to his home. It's pretty subjective at this point - Ren stays over a lot, and visits a lot more. Wherever they end up is fine.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

you and me in the moonlight

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

1/2

2/2

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject