eyemind | time isn't real and the party is always } network + action

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time isn't real and the party is always } network + action

[hey, it’s a jack video! and she is grinning with excitement, because she has something cool to show you.]

So. Time is a construct, right? But it’s a pretty important one to a lot of us. We mark the passage of time in cycles, with celebrations, and I’m guessing most of us have missed at least one birthday, favorite holiday, or anniversary since we’ve been on this long, strange trip. For me, it’s been four birthdays since I was home. Not that I did a whole lot for my birthday, but it was still nice to take myself out for ice cream and check the box for surviving another year.

[the video feed flips around to show the observation room/lucifer’s bar, tastefully decorated with sparkly silver streamers and balloons. as jack slowly pans the camera across the room, you’ll see tables have been brought in and are loaded up with a variety of foods, an assortment of drinks, and of course a nice big cake.]

Anyway, whatever it is you’ve missed, we’re celebrating it - right now. So get thee to the observation room! If nothing else, you can celebrate an unbirthday with the rest of us.

[have a party mingle! or you can talk to jack on network, if you really want. feel free to assume your involvement with party setup, making food, etc. and have a good time!]

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[As far as Kaz was concerned, the only thing worth celebrating involving the passage of time was marking another year he hadn't found himself on the Reaper's Barge. That, and watching the rises and falls of share prices at the Exchange. While he had passed another year avoiding the barge (barrel scum like him didn't rank high enough for a grave), he wasn't sure where he had ended up was much better.

Back home, members of his gang vied desperately for his attention, but no matter how much they wanted him to make small talk or join their social circles, he never indulged them, choosing instead to keep to himself. However, in a setting such as Navi, where everyone was crammed together in close quarters, it was much easier to trap him into socializing. The observation room, despite it being a trip down four flights of stairs from his room and back, was one of the places he liked to frequent, the wide window and view offering him a place to clear his thoughts.

While he's not here out of a desire or interest to celebrate anything, he is physically in the room, standing near the window and leaning on the cane, open for anyone to pester him.]

[ It's a good thing Lucifer's Devil Bod Incident has been taken care of by now - he's back to his normal, handsome and charming self in time for the party. Because of course, you can't have a party without music, and no one touches his piano but him.

So that's where he is - he's got a drink sitting on top, in easy reach, and he starts with a nice, jazzy rendering of "Feelin' Good". Because he is, again, and he wants everyone to know it.

Feel free to approach, strike up a conversation, request a song, whatever. ]

[John's arrival and settling in period was marked with dramatics, fits, and futile attempts at opening portals. And then it was marked with isolation, keeping to himself while he wrote down rituals and spells in fear of losing them without the original books to guide him. And once he was done with all of that, he figured if nothing else he needed to get to know the other poor sods he was stuck with for the time being. And Jack's video provided the perfect opportunity to get out.

Constantine doesn't particularly feel like celebrating, but he's frankly tired of going out of his way to avoid people and moping alone in his room. So he makes his way to the observation room, ready to attempt to socialize for a while. If nothing else, there was food, and he's not likely to turn down a free meal.

John can be found at the party, either hovering around the drinks, enjoying a bite to eat, or observing the party with mild interest. Regardless, it feels good to be out of self-imposed isolation and with people again. Even if he'd never admit to it.]

[Ah, there he is, the big fancy drama queen himself. John is content to just listen at first, well behaved enough for the time being. It's very pretty, very nice music and there's nothing really to complain about. Save for the fact that it's just not John's thing.

But after a bit of listening, John has a request of his own.] Play us some Pistols, will you? [It's more to attempt to trip Lucifer up than actually seriously requesting it. John doesn't think he can pull it off.] God Save the Queen would be nice.

[ Well, there's a fly in the ointment of this little get-together. Of course, there are worse people who could show up on this sentient space-carnival ride, Lucifer supposes. He glances up, plastering a fake grin on his face as John approaches. ]

As I live and breathe, John Constantine, in the flesh. [ He actually does plonk out a few bars of "God Save the Queen", just to poke fun at him. ] And here I thought Navi was only picking the really fun people to go on this space vacation.

[Of course Murmur wasn't going to make Jack set up alone. While he had absolutely no experience in mortal celebrations he was at least vaguely aware of their customs. Food was generally involved, as were decorations. For his part he was adding something of a... magical touch.

The ice keeping certain cool snacks chilled, for example, wouldn't melt. Nor would the small and intricately formed owl ice sculpture. Swans never did make sense to Murmur, what did they have to do with winter? An owl was clearly the superior choice. This particular icy owl, formed out of ice so clear it might easily be mistaken for glass, also seemed to have within it the faintest point of light, giving the whole thing a bit of unusual sparkle. He was rather pleased with his work there.

In addition to the evercold ice and small sculpture he was going about adding hand-sized intricate snowflakes to Jack's various streamers or hanging around a few lights. Each of these, also, seemed to possess their own internal glow to give the place a nice bit of ambiance.

Murmur was busily continuing to add more snowflakes even after things got underway. He might be going overboard. Guy just likes snowflakes. Please interrupt him, or request something else.]

[The duty of adding far too many over-sized snowflakes to the decorations had become an all consuming task, but not so much that Murmur wasn't going to notice and meander his way over to bother their newest resident.]

I was wondering when you might make your presence known.

[He mused quietly, sidling up not far from John as he conjured up a fresh snowflake sending it up to stick along a line of them near a light fixture.]

Overcome the initial disorientation and existential distress, have you?

[They've all been through it, after all. This one was a bit odd. When he spoke, it was in a soft monotone, no intent made clear in the lack of strong inflection. Nor did he make eye contact, wholly focused on his current task of generating icy decorations for the party. Even if he weren't, there's a strong probability he still wouldn't make eye contact.]

[ A party sounds like a fun idea. A fun thing where people who gather and mingle, and probably not stab each other in the back. At least, that's what Demyx has heard, but what does he really know?

More interesting than anything else is the piano and the man playing it. He approaches, listening with his head cocked a little bit.

No, he doesn't know the song, but if he listens he'll be able to pick up the melody. Lucifer needn't worry - piano playing was never his style anyway.]

[ Demyx hasn't met that many people, and some kind of gathering is definitely a good enough reason to meet them.

In theory, that was true.

He had a friendly smile, he could be engaging and outgoing when someone paid attention to him, but naturally he was a bit of a lone wolf.

Not to mention, as for birthdays? He has no idea what birthday he should be on.

For a bit, he'll be listening at the piano, but after that, he might situate himself in a corner, expecting everyone to ignore him while he watched and observed. He seems calm and relaxed, but he's paranoid. Any one of them could attack him at any time. What made him excellent at subterfuge is how he doesn't look anything more than relaxed.

Eventually, he will pull out his sitar, playing very softly and picking up the music coming from the pianist, if only so he'd remember later. ]

[ Prompto doesn't know this man, which makes him nervous, but not nervous enough to avoid the spread of food on offer. He's kind of hungry and curious because some of it seems strange to him. ]

H-Hey! [ Prompto greets with good cheer in his voice. He might look a bit out of place, he's wearing black, thick leather pants, and the boots come all the way up to his knees and seem complicated in the way they're laced and constructed, a piece protecting the knee like armor. His top doesn't have sleeves and can barely be seen under the vest that has a fussy silver pattern on the front. He's also wearing fingerless gloves with wide cuffs and a piece of black fabric over his bicep. There's not much he can do about his uniform, it's what he came with. ]

Have you uh, tried these? Whatever they are?

[ He gestures at some delicious chicken wings. They're way too small to be chickatrice, but they're really tasty. ]

[ Prompto still only has his uniform on hand, although fortunately he's left the jacket behind. It probably looks out of place at a party, but what can he do about that?

He's an adventurous enough eater, he would say, because those who prepared the food would make mostly food that he's unfamiliar with. They might remind him of a thing or two from home, but something about them doesn't seem quite right. He can probably be found at the table looking confused.

Otherwise, he'll sit back with a drink and a meal and possibly he's eating like someone who doesn't get a nice big meal all that often.

He doesn't think his birthday has passed, but that's alright, everyone was allowed to come. ]

Are you going to keep staring indefinitely or will you be making conversation at any point?

[ Lucifer hasn’t moved, hasn’t looked up, hasn’t even stopped playing, his fingers expertly skating over the keys as he addresses the newcomer. ]

[John might be the fly in the ointment, but if nothing else he's a happier one. One might think that Lucifer is someone to be feared. And maybe, to some, he is. To John, he's open season to bother and John has no small amount of delight in doing so.]

Good to see you again too. [The few bars bring a more real smile to John's face.] That's what I was thinking too, and then I saw you here. So who knows how the guest list is chosen. [He tilts his head, thinking.] Not bad. So just how far does your repertoire go?

[John doesn't know what to think of Murmur. Besides the fact that he's instantly uncomfortable with him, and knows that something is entirely wrong with him. It doesn't hit how though at first. He's very used to the celestial energy of his home world, angels that work in a different way. Angels that feel different.]

Oh, I figured it was time to grace your lot with my company. [His tone is dry, he's still wary and irritable, even if food and drink have sweetened his mood a little.] Existential distress though, really? Sorry to disappoint, but I had a project that kept me busy. That's all.

[He's nearly angry at how long it's taking him to identify Murmur. It doesn't take him this amount of time usually, but he's still chasing the familiar, and here? That's nearly useless.]

Edited 2022-01-19 04:35 (UTC)

[John takes note of that little stutter, but says nothing about it. He's not a bully unless he has to be, and there's no point in being needlessly cruel, especially not to a stranger who's making an effort to reach out. And honestly, it's a bit refreshing. John has been sulking and dramatic, even keeping his distance overall at the party. So there's a part of him that's happy to have some friendly company.

Prompto's clothes certainly stand out, he looks like he's more suited to an anime or video game than real life. It's nothing to really think about though, they've been plucked out of their day to day lives and put into a ridiculous situation. And Prompto's fashion choices are the least of his concerns at the moment.

John's more than willing to talk food. Although he's surprised that Prompto doesn't know about wings. He's an American, right? By accent at least. All yanks eat those, right? Or at least know what they are.] No, not yet. Better change that before they're gone. [He snags a couple for his plate.] Never had wings before? They're standard pub fare but nice enough.

My repertoire is extensive, of course. I taught all the greats. Centuries of music, at my fingertips.

[ His smile takes on a challenging gleam. ]

Try me.

Taking up interior decorating, I see.

[ Lucifer is lounging. He's not helping decorate, he's just color commentating. ]

Fascinating use of your skills.

[ Stutter or not, John might find bullying Prompto to be a bit of a nonstarter at this point in his life, he just hasn't completely outgrown his social anxiety. At this point, he was pretty sure he wouldn't. He'll likely replace his clothes when he gets the chance really.

So far on this trip he hasn't seen a lot of combat.

His brow furrowed a bit as he considered that. ] Wings of what? I'd be worried someone's trying to feed me chocobo, but it's too small for that. [ He looks it over critically before ultimately shrugging a little bit. He'll eat just about anything anyway. ]

Tastes kinda like Daggerquill, but it's not very big.

Oh, yeah, sorry. I was just listening.

[ He's also appreciating how nice this piano is. ]

Wasn't sure if you minded being interrupted when you're playing. Some people do.

Fascinating.

[ Senku would comment from behind Murmur as he was setting up one of his snowflakes. The guy's not going to complain, he likes snow and ice just fine. ]

You have ice magic then?

[ The question is obvious, but maybe he can get some insight as to how Murmur is doing that. He hadn't even considered looking into elemental magics. ]

[ Kaz isn't the only one who enjoys the view. In fact, it was what Senku liked best about the observation deck, and he would grump endlessly about the fact it had been turned into a bar.

He rarely came in when people were playing or partying like this any other time. He tended to sneak in when it was dark and quiet and he could just admire the sky. ]

No telling where in the universe we are, or if it's even the universe I'm familiar with...and it's no less fascinating, don't you think?

[ Stars tend to have stories attached, and hold many mysteries yet to be solved by human minds, and that's what's always interested him the most. The potential. ]

[Ah, now that's a familiar reaction. There's a brief show of teeth, as though John had touched upon some inside joke that only Murmur was privy to. The expression didn't last long, as quickly as the flash came it left leaving behind the usual unnaturally neutrality.

His eyes did flick briefly to John, an unnaturally vibrant green, before returning to his work. More snowflakes for the cluster.]

None of that? Excellent. The whining does grow tiresome. If I may... what kind of project?

[He fully expects to be rebuked. Mostly he's amused by the way John's looking at him. Looking for what? He wonders. Of course he can smell magic on the man, but beyond that he himself has made no effort to dig around. It would be rude, after all. With his own vessel heavily warded and his power intentionally dampened John's liable to have a harder time yet. He could ask, but what would be the fun in that?]

[Lucifer's the music man, he doesn't have to decorate.]

You think so? Certainly a change from what I am accustomed. I suppose not every action must be related to war.

[He's just going to keep at it. The snowflakes are rather fun to make, and they look very nice stuck up around the place. Easy cleanup too, just toss them in the sink later.]

I am glad to hear it meets with your approval.

[While his tone remained rather monotone, there was a faint hint of a smile for a moment indicating that he was being quite sincere. Inflection just isn't his strong suit.]

I do, though using it in this manner is not typical. Would you like one?

[He offers out the faintly glowing over-sized snowflake he'd been making to Senku. They don't melt in the hand, though they most certainly are cold. Forged of ice in the same manner that they form naturally, just plus sized.]

[ For the sake of not inviting awkward questions about his usual attire from home, he was in tan cargo pants, hiking-style boots and a forest green polo shirt today. His hair's a little too unwieldy to stay up on its own, so it's pulled up into a ponytail, tied by a length of silk rope in a slightly unusual knot. He'd cut it, but Gen seems to be entertaining himself with his hair for the moment.

He's not the partying type, but he appreciates the savoury spread. Some people might be surprised how hard it is to go to a party and not get sugar shoved in his face. At least, his train mates tended to think only junk constituted party food.

He's been around long enough that in fact, his birthday would be upon them, actually, thanks to the time differences in his journeys. He's not one to mention it though he's sure Gen will remember.

He'll have to remember his birthday later. So Senku is more the type to grab food, a glass of wine and sit somewhere where he can look out the window.

Socalizing is optional, but partly he just doesn't know anyone well on this journey yet. He'll also take the tiniest piece of cake, just to say he had some. His eyes are on the stars, but he can be interrupted without much difficulty.]

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