[MINGLE, ESPECIALLY TO NEWCOMERS] ROOFTOP FESTIVITIES!!!

[icanfixer]

WHO: All!
WHAT: Rooftop festivities!
WHERE: On a rooftop of an office building in the second open district!
WHEN: 8/14, evening!
WARNINGS: alcohol, tba as it goes


Banner displayed inside the train station, outside city hall, and on the most used residence buildings.

Follow the arrows.
So you're unaware. Maybe new. Or maybe you just didn't care the first time you saw it. That's fine. Between the banners hanging around key areas, and the flyers quickly drawn up in a similar fashion scattered across the city, it's hard not to know something is going on -- and there's helpful arrows, chalked on building walls and the streets the day of the party, to let people know where to go.

The Rooftop

A splendid scene awaits those who travel heavensward. Fairy lights connect the corners of the roof access building to metal poles at the corners of the building itself, lifted by cylindrical supports where needed, each one held straight by pots filled with well-packed dirty and stone. There's multicolored stars hanging from some of the lights, while various painted flowers hang on others, and what greets the ears first is some royalty free party music played from a CD player off the the side.

There's a long folded out table in the center for those who'd like to share cuisine, just set and serve yourself! Nearby is a space for Daan to do some bartending as well, a man who can make a multitude of cocktails and mocktails for those who want something less alcoholic. Also, pints of various ice cream flavors in a cooler!

Don't worry -- they won't have any odd effects on them, Don verified the lack of them herself. Not all of them are normal. Think loaded baked potato weird.

For those who'd like a quieter space, there's beanbags and a swirly, fuzzy carpet to sit on more away from the center of the party area. This'll be a great time to play some games, such as truth or dare, spin the bottle, and... whatever else you play at parties. Get to know your fellow man and such. Play the violin.

Naturally, no party... hosted... by Don Quixote would be without a space to fight, if one wishes to show off a little! It's also taking place on a swirly fuzzy carpet, just so no one smashes their head in, and there's a neat little banner hanging down from a string of lights that says thus:

WIN THREE MATCHES AND A PRIZE AWAITS THEE!!!!!!!
- NO KILLING
- HANDS ONLY

What the prize is, no one knows. But come find Don Quixote with your battle scars and she'll grant it -- and stick around a while, 'cause this party's gonna end with a bang... that is, with homemade fireworks donated by "a friend" through Junpei.

Anyway, have fun!!! Share words about your worlds!!! The society your characters are from, the cuisine they've brought, how they're working out in the city -- help the new kids along, too. There's more vets here now than there were a few months ago, after all.

Navi: Truth or Dare - Two Truths and a Lie - Hydra Storytelling w/Junpei - Drink Up With Daan - Qixi Festivites

Comments

[funburger]

snax

[Honestly, Tenma isn't sure why he came to this rooftop party full of the youths (tm), except that it seemed worth seeing what all the very enthusiastic banners were about and then he convinced himself it'd be rude to show up empty-handed and then he spent all morning making dessert and now he's here at a youths party.

(Actual age range of party guests unrelated. He feels out of place. This feels like something Nina should be at, not him...)

But he's here, and he's set up a corner of a snack table for his weirdly perfect homemade dorayaki (individually wrapped, even), which he's also helpfully labeled with a folded piece of paper set up as signage. He's not serving them, they're too straightforward for that, but he's sitting just to the side if anyone has, ah. Dessert questions.

He, meanwhile, does not seem to be eating much of anything at all... He'll get to it after he feels everyone else has had their first pickings, ahem. For the most part he's just lingering, so:]

Did you bring food, fun, or friends? [y-you know, like the banners said. dad joke-ish...]

fights???? and/or drunks

[The sign about punching the crap out of each other, what....

Or: Tenma is concerned that people really are going to start fighting. He's not going to demand the fight space, uh, stop, because it doesn't feel like his place to and it does say hands only ("no killing" is way more of a concern, implying that killing was an option before??).

The point being: he carries a makeshift first aid kit around with him everywhere he goes in this city already; that's what the big canvas bag he arrived at this party with is for. So if someone really does want to fight, or if they're simply a little too drunk and faceplant into a brick wall or the floor or something, Tenma is Ready for Anything with some rubbing alcohol, already. He just sort of appears. Hi.]

How are you feeling?

[Similarly, if you're super drunk but not making a mess of yourself, he will be doing some rounds to hand out glasses of water just in case... He's just looking out for y'all's hangovers...]

wildcard

[hard mode: convince kenzo tenma to play a party game.]

fights!! or, post-fights

[yeahsoyknowidunno]

[he's not especially roughed up from his sparring match with whomever took him up on his offer of going a few rounds in the 'ring,' but he's definitely a little banged up and feeling his age. these Youths™️, man, he just can't keep up anymore, especially with his biotic amp malfunctioning. Kaidan is holding a cocktail napkin to his bloody lower lip when Tenma approaches with his first aid kit on hand, and while he does offer a quick smile in greeting, he winces afterwards and hisses a little between his teeth. ouch. how's he feeling? well--]

Like I got punched in the face, [he replies, but there's enough of a laugh in his voice that he clearly isn't harbouring any hard feelings towards whoever gave him the fat lip.] Not too impressive as far as war wounds go, but it sure stings.

[funburger]

[Maybe try not getting punched in the face... Tenma gives him a sympathetic look in return before turning away to not his big bag of medical tricks, but to the small snack table beside him, on which is sitting what looks like a snack wrapped in paper napkins but is actually ice cubes in a baggie. Wrapped in paper napkins. He's had time to prepare this in advance, and it's only a tiny bit melted.

He holds it out.]

Here, try that next. Give it a minute, then I've got something for your lip.

[It's generic brand neosporin, get ready. Now, Tenma really does not see the appeal in recreational punching, but he's trying to not make any snap judgments; so, delicately--]

Had too much Truth or Dare for one day?

[yeahsoyknowidunno]

[what he wouldn't give for some good old-fashioned medi-gel--except that clearly isn't old-fashioned by the standards of this place, is it? still, he's only got himself to blame for his current rather embarrassing predicament, and Tenma is doing him a solid by not remarking upon the absurdity of a man his age trying to box with a bunch of twenty-somethings. he takes the ice pack with a grateful grimace and gingerly presses it to his lip.

another little chuff of sheepish, restrained laughter, and then,] Uh, yeah, you could say that. Looks like this is what I get for daring myself to act like a jarhead I guess. Thanks, by the way. [for the ice, and the neosporin.] I'm Kaidan. [he offers out the hand not currently occupied with the icepack.]

[funburger]

[Listen, his judgment is there. Deep down. He doesn't need to bring it up, especially given how this guy has already been hit in the face; surely he's learned his lesson. Now, if he were bragging about fighting one of these youths... Tenma would have to have words.

So. Ice. He opens his big bag to look for the neosporin with a little hum, like, ah yes--the urge to... throw hands. No, he pretty obviously doesn't get the urge.]

Ah- Tenma. [a handshake! then it's unscrewing the neosporin time.] You're military?

[He's two for two on making some kind of military-esque comment, so either he is or he's an army fanboy. Kind of doubly inappropriate for a grown military man to get into fights, but Tenma doesn't necessarily know how many of these kids have literal superpowers...]

wildcard, i wanna go hardmode

[horrifictie]

Greetings, fellow aging man.

[ It's later into the party and Harry has been a good boy and only had *one* drink. It was a small one too! This is a cause to celebrate. However, a lot of people at this party are like half his age. It's a little awkward actually. The last place he was in, the only place he truly remembers, was Martinaise. The average age was 40 and two-thirds of the town was severely depressed or on the way there.

This means spotting a man who is *roughly* his age or close to it is a small miracle. What activity should he recommend for two middle-aged men? ]

Do you feel like a good arm wrestle today?

i'm already insane over this

[funburger]

[F-Fellow aging man... Not that that's necessarily wrong, but Tenma still blinks at this fellow-aging-man in surprise that that's how he starts a conversation. He's not offended? He's... perplexed. But hey, he has been sitting here lamenting how many plucky young people are here who he cannot relate to at all, so.

Oh boy.]

I think that'll be over a little too fast.

[Because of Tenma's feeble arms that can't do a push-up, specifically. This is not a challenge. Please don't interpret this as bluster.]

I'm glad 🫡

[horrifictie]

Really? Have your muscles degenerated already?

[ His haven't yet, thankfully, but he attributes that to a history of athleticism and working out regularly. ]

Ok, well... how about thumb war! Your thumbs shouldn't be so weak.

[funburger]

[Thumb war... Are they twelve years old... Tenma sighs, but alright, he supposes he can humor a probably-drunk cohort with two minutes of thumbsies.]

Okay. Can I ask why, though? Is there another contest?

[horrifictie]

[ PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT - This guy really doesn't *get it*. Such a pathetic specimen of a man. You can crush him easily. Lay it out for him, champ. ]

I'm testing your *manhood*.

[funburger]

[....Don't ask why again--]

With a thumb wrestle? [Maybe it will make this guy feel better?? Tenma holds out his hand.] Am I going to get my lunch money stolen if I lose?

snax

[furibund]

[ Nebula doesn't really expect someone to speak to her when she does finally go to grab a drink. For a moment, she doesn't quite register that the man is speaking to her - there's enough people here, he could be finding someone else passing by - but she's quick to realize that she is the closest one nearby. ]

No.

[ To all three apparently. ]

[ She turns her head towards him: ]

Did you?

[funburger]

[Well, that's abrupt, but Tenma is unphased; not everyone is incredibly comfortable at parties, which is what he assumes is what her reaction is about. So, after a beat, he gestures to his tray of dorayaki.]

Food felt the most appropriate, since I don't know anyone here. They're sweets; help yourself.

[If she would like... a lil snack...]

Are you friends with the host...?

[furibund]

... I will think about it, but thank you.

[ Is she doing mental math about the likelihood of someone poisoning all these people? Probably she has at some point tonight, but by now she thinks that whoever's done such a thing hadn't done it right if they did. ]

No.

Being friends wasn't a requirement for entry. Are you?

[funburger]

[Thinking about it is enough for Tenma; he nods and then gives the rest of the party a thoughtful, almost nostalgic look. It's been forever since he actually attended a party where people knew him, much as those days are tainted now. Hmm.]

No, I'm afraid I don't know that many people here. I'm a recent arrival. But the banners around town said... [is he really going to explain his dad joke. no.] Well, you know. I thought I'd get away with just one.

I wanted an excuse to talk to people, I suppose.

[furibund]

Some people think anybody is their friend.

[ Or some people want to pretend to be your friend to stab you in the back - it can really go any way. But she doubts the one in charge is truly friends with everyone or if they were... That sounds exhausting and like insanity. ]

[ Her brows pinch together, but instead of asking what 'just one in' she focuses on the second part with a short nod. ]

That is part of the idea. It's not a bad one - to see what people can offer.

[ Not just in cultural food. ]

slaps my hand on the drunks button. i mean the drunks button. the drinks button

[unrequite]

[ Noooo Midnight's not drunk! Just kind of heavy and warm and tipsy. He kind of looks like a borderline case, to be honest, but the look Midnight trains on this lovely stranger is definitely drunk on something. ]

Oh, hello. You're gorgeous. What's someone like you doing here?

[funburger]

[Oh, that's a big drunk, alright. Tenma has a bottle of water in one hand and the strap of his canvas shoulder bag in the other, waiting to see what this drunk needs. He just kind of chuckles at the comment - drunk people are so funny, anyway -]

Looking after you, it seems. Here, take this, [the water bottle, which he holds out.]

[unrequite]

[ Midnight reaches up from his beanbag throne for the water bottle, but readjusts from prone to slightly upright and pats the beanbag next to him as he takes it. Paff, paff. ]

Stay a while, my darling. Tell me your name. Tell me everything. Who are you, and how did you come to grace me with your presence?

[funburger]

[Drink some water and he'll think about the beanbag. Tenma crouches down to be closer to eye level, at least, like a respectful doctor should. He wasn't planning on babysitting the mildly intoxicated, but here he is...]

My name is Tenma; I'm a doctor. I thought I'd come to the party and make some friends, like everyone else.

[And he's been sitting in a corner, so he's not doing that at all actually.]

What's your name?

[unrequite]

Mm. Tenma. Doctor Tenma.

[ He singsongs the name, unscrews the cap off the bottle, and obediently takes a sip. ]

Call me Midnight. It's not my real name, but I like it. I hope you like it. I like doctors. Be my friend. Sit with me, won't you?

[funburger]

[Good boy. Tenma reaches up to pat him on the arm, approvingly. It doesn't seem like he's too drunk, so he's not going to fret more than giving him the water bottle - for now. Who can say.]

I'm already sitting with you. [Well, kind of. He'll shift from his crouch to sitting cross-legged on the floor, instead of on the beanbag. Ahem.] Midnight is a nice name.

Have you been in the city long? I've only just arrived, but you seem comfortable enough here to relax.

snax

[xiaoxiuya]

Ah -- all three? Is that an option? [What can Shen Yuan but laugh at such an unexpected, awkward question -- and his own, only slightly less awkward response?]

[He grins at the man, before casting an eager eye over the...sandwich pastries? on his table. Of course Binghe's pastries are best, but Shen Yuan is in-between recitals of the Qixi legend right now and he wanted to try the other offerings! It's part of the experience, Binghe, don't pout!]

Are these for sharing? They look delicious, please do tell me they're for sharing.

[funburger]

[He gestures for Shen Yuan to go ahead and help himself; they are delicious and full of red bean paste, please, enjoy them.]

All three...? You'd have to ask our hostess. I haven't met her, but judging by what she's set up here, I don't think she'd mind.

[Honestly he's a little surprised "Fights!" didn't make it onto the banner, but maybe that was intentional. A little surprise.]

[xiaoxiuya]

No, I don't think she would! [She's certainly an exuberant young lady! It's very cute, when she's not talking people into murdering her in the street.]

[Anyway! Pastry!]

Did you make these yourself? [He asks, in-between decorously nibbling at the dorayaki and not, for example, wolfing it down like the actual animal and reaching for another. Even though it's good enough that he really wants to! But he's trying to be civilized here.]