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

[yallstupid]

[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!

[catpiper]

[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.

[yallstupid]

[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.]

[catpiper]

[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.

[yallstupid]

[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?]

[catpiper]

[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.

[yallstupid]

[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.]