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

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

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

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ looking severely out of place is absolutely the best way to invite small talk—especially if the out-of-placeness is accompanied by a seeming willingness to be approached, as opposed to a misanthropic glare when anyone comes too near. (not that Reno imagines anyone too misanthropic would actually make an appearance at an event like this... but then again, you never know!)

by the time he's passing by the other man, looking like a wallflower at the edge of the party, Reno has finished his cigarette and most of his drink. having taken that edge of uncertainty off makes it much it easier for him to be the one initiating conversation. ]

Yeah, you could say that. [ he grins. ] Newcomer, so—no friends to party with yet.

[ Under normal circumstances, Joshua would have liked to bring something to a party. But the thing is, he can't prepare a single thing. It may be selfish to want to be in the company of others, seeing as how... desolate this place is. He can't seem to learn anything either, when there's barely anything written that is substantial about this city.

Here he is now, though, a wine glass in hand. Not quite talking to people, but still in the company of some. ]

Then we are in the same situation. I ought to be grateful I was let in to begin with. I feel... as if I do not belong here.

[ selfish is a strong word, probably. what are they all doing here, after all, if not seeking some small amount of human companionship from their fellow captives in the city? ]

I wasn't so much let in as I just let myself in... seize the night, or whatever. [ he's referring to the party itself, but it occurs to him after a second that this guy might just as easily mean the city itself. ] Or do you mean to the city?

[ he tilts his glass, clinks it against the rim of Joshua's wine glass as if to underscore the words as if I do not belong here. ]

You're in good company, at least. I get the feeling there's not much that does belong here.

[ after a second he offers a hand to shake. ] 'M Reno.

I was referring to this— gathering. [ Party? But there's nothing to celebrate. . . none that he knows, at least. ] If I were not welcomed, then someone should have come to say so by now.

[ Everyone's in the same situation, but Joshua still feels out of place. Not to mention, out of time.

His eyes follow Reno's glass, watching their glasses clink. It is a little too late to lift it slightly for a toast, but he does so anyway out of courtesy before taking a sip. ]

Well met, Reno. You may call me Joshua. [ He accepts the offered hand, giving it a shake. ] I don't suppose you know ways to keep one entertained in a gathering like this. Apart from staying in one corner, of course.

[ the way Joshua talks is fascinating, just ever so slightly asynchronous with what Reno's used to—not enough to obscure his meaning, but enough that Reno finds himself paying even closer attention to their conversation than he might otherwise. well met. ] Nice to meet you, Joshua.

[ Reno considers the question. he can think of a lot of things one could do at a party, in theory—but when he does some mental filtering, taking away things that are impossible here or probably illegal, and things that might scandalize either Joshua or the other partygoers, the list is considerably shorter. ]

Eat, drink... I think they're playing party games, over there. Truth or dare, two truths and a lie. [ Reno gestures to indicate the small cluster of people over on the far side of the rooftop, sitting around on beanbag chairs. ] If you're into that kind of thing.

[ he tilts his head back briefly to look up at the sky, then adds, ] Ain't nothing wrong with the corner either, though. I take it you're not much of a partier back home.

"Truth or dare"...

[ Joshua says it slowly, and even repeats the other game in his mind. Okay, he's absorbed it. These games sound... fairly simple, he thinks? Nothing quite like playing cards at the tavern. Though it's clear by how perplexed he looks despite somehow understanding that he doesn't quite. . . well, get it. Where's the fun in that?]

No, I'm afraid not. Even then, parties and banquets I've attended were more. . . formal, I suppose you could say. Guests would be called into the hall one by one, there would be speeches, and other ceremonies. [ He lets out a little chortle. ] I would not be allowed entry were I wearing. . . [ He tugs on the red cloth he has around his neck. ] This.

You wanna play? [ the fun is absolutely in getting people to draw dogs with their eyes closed, of course! c'mon, Joshua, live a little.

the fact that Joshua is clearly bewildered by the choice of party game makes Reno think immediately that the parties he's used to are considerably less... pedestrian affairs, and his words only confirm the guess. ]

I've been to one or two of those myself. [ as part of the President's security detail, that is—obviously not as a guest of honor, Reno doesn't have a refined bone in his body. it seems, however, that Joshua might. ] Honestly, I always thought they were kinda a drag... Dress codes and too much silverware.

[ if there are three forks how the F is he supposed to know what fork is used for what? c'mon. ]

[ It is difficult to "live a little", when there's so much work to be done. Even now, in the midst of all this. . . Joshua finds himself at a loss. There's nothing to do, and it bothers him, because he's not used to being idle. Though he does not say that out loud. There would be no reason to. ]

I can't say I've played it before. I think I understand the mechanics, however. Why not?

[ Reno is facing a truth or dare noob right here. He could practically say anything about the game and Joshua would believe it. ]

Yes, they certainly know how to make things complicated, don't they?

[ "They" being those who throw these crazyass banquets to begin with. Joshua does not miss them at all. ]

It's easy. [ Reno's not enough of a dick to make up rules on the spot, especially when he could easily get caught out by a simple trip over to where the others are playing. ] I say truth or dare. You pick truth, I ask a question and you can't lie in your answer. You pick dare, I give you a task to do. If you don't wanna answer or don't wanna do the task, you get a punishment.

[ he gestures back over towards the cluster of people sitting around the beanbag chairs. ] I think their punishment is drinking vinegar.

[ better pony up if you don't want that experience!! ]

So—truth or dare?

[ The idea of a punishment in a game is both intriguing and terrifying. When his gaze moves over to the people ahead who seem to be playing as well, he's also able to hear the noise of protest when it seems like one of them drank something terrible.

Ah, that must be the vinegar. ]

So the punishments are not necessarily harmful, but still awful.

[ Okay, he's starting to get the idea. And since they're playing now, (he didn't even know!! Thanks, Reno.) he goes with, ]

I pick... truth.

[ They barely know each other. Surely, none of his secrets would be unearthed right off the bat. ]

Exactly. It's supposed to be low-stakes, fun.

[ which is why Reno is, thus far, choosing not to dig too hard into things that could be real secrets. he's not a dick unless there's a reason to be, and he's still in friend-making mode at this point, trying to build connections so he's not completely an island in this weird-ass empty city.

also, Joshua will learn quickly that things with Reno are often fast-paced—he's not really the type for lengthy deliberation... ]

Truth... [ a pause as he considers some options. ] What's the most childish habit you still have as an adult?

[ What an odd question to ask. He was thinking of something along the lines of "talk about your first crush", or "what was your dream job". Questions that would get to know the other person better! Then again, he supposes that the question does give more insight to him... Still, it sounds unusual. ]

If I were aware it was a childish habit, I would do what I could to rid myself of said habit.

[ And in which case, he wouldn't have any! Or maybe he just doesn't want to consider being picky with food, or just about anything, a childish habit. :) ]

I don't have any.

[ He delivers that last line so simply, as if it's a fact. Now, he waits if Reno would accept that answer. ]

[ au contraire, my fancy friend, you can learn a lot about people by how they answer truth or dare questions! for example, Reno is currently learning that Joshua either had the kind of upbringing that didn't allow for very much childishness, or suffered through something that forced him to squash all childish behaviors—

or he's straight up lying, because who doesn't have at least one habit that's a little silly? ]

Well, that sounds like chocobo shit to me. [ he's grinning, though—there's no aggression in the words. ] You mean to tell me you ain't got even one thing you did as a kid that's still a habit for you?

[ an eyebrow goes up, skeptical. ] Even I got one.

[ His brow goes up at the mention of chocobo. He hasn't seen any... birds here, but he's curious if the chocobo he's thinking about versus what Reno's mentioning are the same thing. ]

I suppose I do sleep later than most people. [ JOSHUA GO TO BED ] Is that an acceptable answer?

[ Though, yes. It is obvious he does not consider it to be a bad thing. Why would it be bad when you can be so productive instead of resting? ]

Sure, I'll take that. Do you stay up to work or just to say fuck you to the world for making you go to bed? [ revenge bedtime procrastination is kind of childish, although Reno himself is also often guilty of it. ...maybe he has two after all.

Reno kind of gets the impression that if Joshua considered it a bad habit he would have already stamped it out, so it's clear he's not especially bothered by being a late sleeper. ]

Your turn.

It was the latter when I was younger, but now, it is the former.

[ Sorry, he won't repeat Reno's words. That is to say, he won't curse.

Now then, ]

Will you be answering a question, then? Or will you do a dare?

[ how many words can you use to say "truth or dare," Joshua...

Reno grins. ] I'll pick truth too.

[ he's all out of iambic pentameter just in case Joshua also wants him to recite a poem he made up on the spot smh ]

Very well. What is. . .

[ The question was... rather innocent, wasn't it? Joshua's got his legs crossed as he swirls the wine in his glass before taking a sip. Truth is, he's buying time as he thinks of a query. ]

A lie you've told someone, that you feel proud of to this day?

[ Somehow a bit more intense than Reno's, but he can't really think of a more innocent question at this time. Besides, getting someone to drink vinegar feels like a funny story to tell his brother. (What a little shit.) ]

[ oof, that's loaded. Reno's expression turns thoughtful as he considers it—he's told a lot of lies, for a lot of reasons. many of them he wasn't proud of at the time, even if they were necessary, and many more he was proud of at the time but has stopped being proud of in the intervening years. ]

Tough one.

[ the closest Reno can get are the small mercies, if they can even be called that. lies like "it's going to be okay" or "you won't even feel it." like "don't worry, I'm not here for you." these were all lies to their core, but ones that maybe grant someone an instant of peace before—

but he ain't about to tell Joshua all of that. ]

Think I'm gonna have to take the vinegar on this one.

[ Reno knocks back the rest of his drink. it might not be vinegar, but it sure does burn going down. ]

[ Well, that was quick. He didn't expect the guy to fold that easily! ]

Does this equate to my victory, then?

[ From the sounds of it, though, that might just have been one round. The others are still playing, after all. ]

I could go for another round. If you're amenable to it, of course.

Sure does. For this round, anyway.

[ that's the great thing about truth or dare! it can go endlessly! or at least until someone runs out of questions or dare ideas.

Reno will probably table his vinegar punishment until the end of their final round, whenever that is, to spare himself the effort of getting up to go pour a shot. ]

You wanna start, since you won?

[ Joshua feels a little bad that Reno has to be punished at some point, but at least it's just a game. He's warming up, as well, and there is a small smile on his face when he decides: ]

I choose dare.

[ Time to change things up a bit! ]

[ oh, delightful! Reno's making a small collection of the results of this specific dare. ]

Hold that thought.

[ with a grin, Reno leaves his drink on the nearest flat surface (as a sign he'll be back for it) and then darts off to snag a marker and a piece of paper from Don Quixote's stash. he's back after only a couple of seconds, and hands the pen and paper over to Joshua. ]

I dare you to draw a dog with your eyes closed and then let me present it to people later.

By "present", what is it you would be saying?

[ Surely, there would have to be a story behind it. Joshua can't imagine something like "Come take a look at this!" and end it there.

Still, he complies easily enough. His art skills will be judged, but that's okay! Before anything else, though, he has to stop and look at the marker now that it's been uncapped. ]

Interesting. All the ink is inside.

[ No need to dip it in anything! He's more used to quills, but these sorts of innovations would have had to happen at some point. Some brilliant merchant out there must have thought of this once or twice by now.

Joshua moves so he can have the paper on a flat surface, and then closes his eyes. His strokes are slow and careful, and were he actually looking at his work, he might have been able to make something cute.

Alas... ]

There.

[ It's Torgal! ]

Kinda depends how good the art is, don't it?

[ no... no, it's largely "come take a look at this!" just with some extra flourishes. he learned from his mistake letting Angela present her own art, because she'd really just said I drew a dog. and left it at that, and Reno likes something with a little more style.

he watches with a growing grin as Joshua first admires the marker, then sets to work at drawing what quickly shapes up to be an amazing dog. (amazing in the "Reno is amazed by it" way, not the "art is actually good" way. no offense, Joshua.) ]

Ramuh. That's incredible, you put its eyes on the side of its snout. [ Reno picks up the paper, clearly delighted. ]

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