November Mash

[galambs]

Who: Open Log (All)
Where: City and Velvet Room
Summary: A small log before things get a little darker...
Warnings: N/A

One would think on the darkest night something terrible would happen. You would think wrong. Perhaps it was a sort of irony that caused Halloween and All Hallows' Day to happen without incident, but a strange feeling tells you that something might be up soon enough...

... however right now the city is in celebration, and honestly even Luci and at least one of the Velvets are encouraging celebration.

SPOOKY SCARY PUMPKINS

A-1
As the last days for crops slowly come to pass, Pont-a-Tarte lives up to its name, hosting a gigantic pie competition. While the main attraction is, of course, the giant pumpkin pie made with over ten gigantic pumpkins, there are booths selling maple, sugar, apple and pecan pies as well. Sometimes said pies are thrown in someone's face...but all in the name of good fun. You signed up for this, right?

A-2
A pumpkin carving contest is also underway! There are monetary prizes, but originality is what the inhabitants are looking for the most. The stranger (and spooky!) the idea, the better the prizes.

A-3
There are costume contests as well and a carnival at night. Will you join in? Maybe you'll take inspiration from your own world? However... you may notice something rather strange - at night you'll be able to change into your rebel costume when no one is watching. Not stuck in a dream is strange enough, but the fact that others wearing costumes don't seem to think odd of it means it truly is some sort of magical night... Too bad you can't use your personas or move around with the usual dexterity.

A-4
The only one who seem to really care are the numbers of cats around...most of them start rubbing on you the moment you are in your “costume” and it becomes difficult to move around. The minute the costume disappears, they move off,

Coins and Pranks...

B-1
Not to be outdone by the city, the Rebels’ phones will ring on November 1st, asking them to bring the pumpkins they might have done the day before so that they can be judged. Of course the Velvets are very... strange, so what might have won first prize might just be seen as a feeble attempt. However, there are prizes to be won, so it might be worth even to carve a new one! To be honest, they seem pretty pleased with anything...

Well... William seems pleased. Mary may seem a little lost with the whole affair, but soldiering on with her usual straight-laced efficiency.

(OOC - Pyro Jack’s/Jack Frost’s coins will be award to anyone who participates. Keep these in hand... they might be useful later. On a somewhat strange note the outside, while covered in bluish foil, peels to reveal a piece of chocolate... however, the layer of chocolate is very small and it's actually a golden coin inside.)

B-2
Not to be outdone by the city and the Velvets, Luci's asked the rebels to participate in his fun little contest too -- by which he means, “show me where you leave your rotten pumpkins and prank someone in the city.” But are you sure you even want a prize from him?

OOC - This is a small, fun log, but brace yourselves as plot logs are coming soon and a few new announcements! Use this as a small breather and have fun!

Comments

[onlythankyou]

[...That kitten is the best kitten of the lot. And Jun is purrhaps the tiniest bit jealous.]

I'm glad. [Close enough to touch, now - not crossing that barrier yet, but ready to.] Did the lemon balm and lavender work?

[cantforget]

[That is so strange Cat-titude, Jun. Tatsuya's eyes light up, oh that's right!]

They did! [his voiced almost cracked as he said that, like giving himself a single moment of happiness before he returns to his usual, deeper voice. or trying too anyway.] Thank you. They've been mostly outside now.

[onlythankyou]

Good. They're used in gardens to keep stray cats out, often, so it shouldn't be too different to make a long-term strategy with them.

[He got to help Tatsuya, things are looking up.]

[cantforget]

[Well it's not thinking about HIS PROBLEMS™ so that does make Tatsuya a little more approachable. And it has been over three months. He should get used to this right?

Nah...]

So I could leave them outside too...

[He thinks about this before adding...]

I think it might work at home too...even if my mother seems to love the cats a lot.

[He did have family here. He remembered nice things about them.




It was weird.]

[onlythankyou]

[It's been entirely too long, and it's high time they closed the distance.]

Yes, that should work. Not all cats will be deterred, but you shouldn't be swarmed like that again.

[...A mother. So Tatsuya has a family here - not his own, obviously, but a family. It would be nice if it were a normal, happy family.]

Does she? Perhaps you should adopt one?

[cantforget]

Not me, my...[should he cal her not his real mother? But the memories were still here and...yeah. He's not that completely distant. He can't help but still like it.]...mother.

[Yet even as he scoffs at the idea, even as his hand is petting the kitten on his elbow. You are saying one thing and doing another, Tatsuya.]

[onlythankyou]

[That's adorable. Then again, Jun adores everything about Tatsuya.]

Be sure to choose a good one for her, alright?

[He's teasing.]

[cantforget]

[Jun could show up covered in blood and guts and Tatsuya would still think he looks good. Which is why this is so hard...

Is that why he cracks a smile?]

Okay. I will.

[??? Then he frowns almost confused with himself. Life is confusion.]

[onlythankyou]

[There it is.

He laughs, quietly, briefly. He's missed this. And...it's so...normal. Anyone could have this conversation. It's nice to just be 'anyone', without all the baggage that comes with being them.]

That one seems to like you.

[cantforget]

[He suddenly stops petting, looking over at the kitten. It looks back at him briefly before starting to play with his mustache so he has to turn away again. Tching briefly, Jun would probably notice he was trying to pretend to ignore it.

That type of cat...it kinda reminded him of...he sighed.]

I don't know if it's a good idea. [For him or?]

[onlythankyou]

[And now he frowns slightly. Teasing done with, he does want Tatsuya to be happy - more than anything. He...doesn't want to think that he could be coaxed into destroying another world if it meant Tatsuya's happiness.]

Why not? [And he breaks the touch barrier, finally coming close enough to gently touch Tatsuya's arm.]

[cantforget]

[For a few brief seconds, he freezes. It's only when the cat's claws dig into his elbow does he snap out of it. He wants to move away, but he just stands there...

...he looks down, wanting to do something but can he? Should he? It's been so long. What if this entire place is just something HE wanted to do?

No...it wouldn't make sense, right? He'd be bragging about it now. In his head and his mind. So he just stands there. Looking down.]

...

[onlythankyou]

Tatsuya?

[He's worried now. This isn't... Something's wrong. He should have noticed sooner, there's been something wrong for months, hasn't there?

No, he knows what it is. The same nagging fear that's hung over him, despite Luci saying he didn't think it was him. There isn't really any guarantee, is there?]

[cantforget]

I'm sorry...

[The bites his lip again, trying to stop himself from breaking down. Sorry about what? For speaking to him, for talking with him, for the guilt he still has in his heart?]

...I'm just worried...

[Worried this could cause biggest issues...]

[onlythankyou]

[...This can't go on. Something - something is decidedly Off, Tatsuya is suffering. Jun had noticed they'd seen incredibly little of one another since their Awakening, but he'd chalked it up to their schedules in their alternate lives being incompatible.

Now it's clear he was wrong.]

Tatsuya... What is it, exactly? [He hates having to ask. He's pretty sure of the root cause, but...but there are so many ways he could hurt them again. What's he done now?]

[cantforget]

[He takes off his glasses, revealing the redness of his eyes. In a way it's kinda pathetic, and he feels like a kid again...but he nearly folds them in a pocket before speaking. Maybe to keep on his head straight.]

I...I'm....

[He already said he was sorry but...]

...

[Running away right now would be perfect. That way he could be sure nothing bad would happen but...he couldn't do that to Jun. To Jun who remembered him. It's...so hard to even say words to him properly.]

...can we talk about this somewhere else?

[A place with just the both of them, maybe.]

[onlythankyou]

[Needing words with Tatsuya is so foreign it's painful. It's obvious now that something has come between them, that Tatsuya has faced something Jun knows nothing about.It...scares him.

Was it something here? Or, like Jun, was there some in-between time to worry about?]

Yes, of course. [He'll let Tatsuya lead. Whatever would make him the most comfortable.]

[cantforget]

Yeah...

[Where can they go? Just somewhere that isn't here at a celebration. It does't feel right. It can't be too far away either...awkward shuffling in the subway for an eternity will be torture if Jun is around.

So when he moves, he brings them, quietly to the station, but brings them to Eastmount. It's close enough, but he can't help but realize exactly what he's doing - bringing them back to his father and mother's pastry shop. How did this end up a 'safe' place for him? Key in hand, he knows no one else will be there until a few good hours.]

Is going to the kitchen backroom okay?

idk

[miseris_socios]

No. Not really. I prefer not being in school.

[He's been out of it for a while... getting into the routine again has been really hard.]

[megacurious]

[While most of the party-goers are dressing up with the usual vampires, mummies, and devil costumes, Augustine's costume was very different. Though he can't say it was a costume considering it was his Rebellion outfit. Sure, he didn't change them by will, but at least it was enough to avoid himself from being a wallflower.

Unfortunately, what he doesn't know was his antler-like collar is quickly caught on Jun's feathers from his costume.]

A4

[kokuyoyo]

Take it off.

[Parties were a Mistake (tm). Chikusa finds that he's already exhausted, and, if not for advertising the opening of his new cafe at a few places, would likely never have come in the first place.]

[But here he is! Reluctantly. Dressing up had seemed like too much work, so he's simply here wearing a plain black mask over matching turtleneck and slacks.]

[...Well, a little less matching now, with all the cat hair that's gathered on them, although thankfully they don't seem much interested him right now. Not with Jun as he is. Behind the mask, Chikusa blinks lethargically.]

[kokuyoyo]

A1

[Chikusa kind of doesn't want to be here, honestly, but what else is new? He's dragged himself out regardless, setting up a small booth to advertise for the cafe that will be opening soon. It's not the largest or most decorated stall around, but it manages well enough for itself all things considered. There's some delicious baked goods and drinks available...]

[...And, perhaps more relevantly, absurdly cheap pies.]

[Chikusa has Ciro's memories, and Ciro can distinctly remember all the pie throwing nonsense of what his mind tells him was last year. So far, it's been a pretty sound business decision.]

B1

[Chikusa didn't really participate in the pumpkin carving contest, simply because that's work and what's wrong with you... But he still has a pumpkin in hand as he shows up to the Velvet Room.]

[....Well. It's on his desk, and it's not exactly a face, but rather what is apparently a phone battery at 2%. He blinks at anyone who stares at it.]

....I needed one for my booth....

B1

[velvetprecision]

[Clipboard (as always) in one hand and folded against her, pen in the other, Mary's heels click across the tile, taking in what the Awakened have brought with them. She pauses before Chikusa's. And studies it. Intently, as one would critique a work of art, either disregarding Chikusa's defense or not hearing it entirely.]

[Finally, with a nod:] It seems an efficient design. Will the number change as the charge drops?

[Mary, that's not how this works.]

Vermouth | OTA

[secretmakesawoman]

A3

[Since “Christina” has no children of her own and is giving certain young folks in her life some space, she ends up staying at home for the evening. Someone has to hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters after all.

She has definitely noticed the ability to change into her Rebellion wear by now. However, Vermouth isn’t doing so tonight. Why would she do something so easy for the night dedicated to disguise, her specialty? That would be like cheating and not in a fun way. She might not have all her usual tools at hand, but there’s enough for a Halloween costume.

Folks who stop by her door will find her dressed as a particular famous actress. The irony might be lost on most, but at least she is giving out the big candy bars.]

B1

[Vermouth had bothered to carve a pumpkin at the contest, though slightly reluctantly. It felt rather awkward doing such a quaint thing surrounded by happy families. Especially when the last Halloween party she threw involved blackmailing a man into committing murder. Yet this was the sort of thing Christina would enjoy, and she must keep up appearances. After a great deal of consideration, Vermouth carved a simple mask.

Since she already made it, Vermouth brings the pumpkin to the Velvet Room.]

What do you think?

B2

[Pranks, you say? Pranks are very much on Vermouth’s level.

The next day teachers and staff will find their desks and drawers overflowing with apples and tiny pumpkins. They’re fresh and festive, but also in the way. Who on earth could have done this? Certainly not Christina, who goes about her day with a slight smile despite the apples. No no. Whatever would give you that idea.

The pumpkin just rots on her front porch. Come on, Luci, she’s not using that for a prank. Not when folks could trace it back to her so easily.]

C4

[singlefaith]

[Maybe it's not the best choice going over to the house of the woman you remember as ready to murder a child -- especially when you know she's recovered her memories.]

[But this is what Ran does. She has to. She has to find some answers, and she and Vermouth have to speak. "Christina" has not been coming over as she used to, and her father is already starting to notice. While Ran has quietly been grateful that her "aunt" hasn't re-emerged, soothed by the fact that she doesn't have to worry about Christina's contact with her false family, it's not something that can last. They need to retain some sense of normalcy in this place. If at all possible, they have to return to some variant of what their false lives demanded.]

[Beyond that, she can sense that Vermouth holds some key to the mystery surrounding Shinichi. She can't pass that up.]

[Ran won't go into an agreement that involves her family blindly. She needs some assurance from this woman first. That's what she's come for as she heads up Vermouth's front walk. In the interest of freedom of movement if she needs it, she's in Persona form -- and trailing several cats in her wake.]