it's not unusual to have fun with anyone

[innocentloveholic]

[ The ballroom's a little swanky for a simple get-together like this, but...

Well, actually, judging by what you see when you come in at the appointed time (or even before that, but Aligula'll be huffy if you do!?), what was advertised is not exactly what's going on. Continuing her war on paper, Aligula's put up origami hearts (or her attempts at them; she got better as she figured out what she was doing, but they're not the best) pretty much everywhere. There's also sheets taped to every wall with encouraging things in her curly-cute script like GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER! and FIND A PARTNER! and WELCOME TO SPEED-DATING!

...Yeah, welcome to speed-dating.

There's a lot of chairs paired together, presumably for the whole "partnering up" thing, and everyone anywhere near the ballroom will be getting a sheet of questions titled SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS. There at least seems to be food like she promised? At least... there's signs pointing to the dining room across the wall to suggest it, and entering the dining room gets you hot chocolate (and water, if you're boring, as well treating you to the sight of a parfait bar, with various cups and glasses to stand in for actual parfait glasses. There's also things for making sandwiches—she pretty much grabbed whatever she could think of from the fridge and such—and of course, plates and utensils and etc.

And if none of that's appetizing then, like, kitchen's not that far, go make something yourself. She put a lot of work into this whole thing but especially the parfait bar because she loves parfait and everyone can have fun making those.

If you don't think your character would've come without a little help, don't worry; even if Aligula can't bodily drag everyone, she sure can bother them aggressively until they come just to get her to leave them alone. All in all, don't sweat the small stuff and have a good time getting to know each other! Or go sulk and play the piano, whatever. ]

Comments

[sadisticwarfare]

Oh, you're married? Tell me about your husband.

[He sort of assumed she was, given her profile, but this is a better topic of conversation than any of his romantic pursuits.]

[matchbreaker]

I am... was? [ She shakes her head. This is still a hole in her heart, so it's strange to admit, but she sort of tugs a little on her dress, her face falling. ] I... suppose you would say recently widowed. It happened bu days before I arrived here, so I cannot say I'm used to saying that.

[ Inhale... ]

In any case! His name was James, and he was the kindest man you'll ever meet - to a fault, really. He often worried about- well, about others, to his own detriment. This isn't to say he was boring; ever was he roguish and and honestly in our youth he was something of a womanizer until he pledged himself to me. But once he did - well, he was a dashing gentleman. He and I had two hundred years of bliss together.

[sadisticwarfare]

Oh. I see.

[WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING TO HIM oh my god he's not good at dealing with things like this.]

I'm sorry to hear that. He sounds like an interesting man.

[matchbreaker]

He really was, thank you.

[ Even if it's awkward, her smile is sincere for the attempt. ]

I've not been left alone, though - we had a son, and now my little Henry's been married for near to forty years himself. And he's given me not one but three darling grandchildren.

[sadisticwarfare]

You sound very proud of them.

[He can't even imagine what her life is like, but he's never put much importance on family.]

What are your son and grandchildren like?

[That's probably an easier topic.]

[matchbreaker]

Well golly, of course I am! They're the light of my life!

[ She laughs, brushing the back of her head and... uh. Well, you opened the floodgates, so, ]

Henry's a gentle soul, like his father if not more so, really! We raised him to be a true gentleman which is why it's unfortunate the wife he picked for himself can be such a shrew, but he's a dashing figure these days, tall, broad shouldered, and very doting for his dear mother and his children! He's become a real proper head of household when I'm sleeping or out, you know?

As for my grandchildren... the oldest's their own son, his name's Ren. He was sooo cute when he was young! Just the most darling thing! He's older now, an adult in his own right, and he inherited a lot of the roguish good looks of his grandfather. He can be just a bit standoffish these days and unfortunately also inherited his grandfather's womanizing, but I know he's going to grow out of it soon enough.

Their youngest is Anju. She's actually only eleven or so. But she's a really prodigy, let me tell you! Getting to be too old to go to that h---school that she's still going to, if you ask me. Her face and hair are pale and gorgeous - almost like a doll. Actually, that's ironic, because her only little bit of childishness if that she's always carrying around dolls. Well, I mean, it seems childish, but I guess she does keep ghosts in them?

And then there's Karin-

[ This is Archer's chance to interrupt the player if giving if he wants to latch onto the ghosts thing or just let her get to Karin ]

[sadisticwarfare]

[And there she goes, damn. Well, he doesn't mind listening and he hasn't seen Elda look this thrilled about anything since showing up here, so she might as well go for it. He doesn't interrupt until she reaches the ghosts part, at which point he raises a hand to catch her attention.]

She keeps ghosts in her dolls?

[Which sounds all kinds of impossible where he's from, but who knows when it comes to Elda's world.]

[matchbreaker]

She's a- Oh!

[ Well then, she'll cut off and nod ]

I don't know a lot about it, but she's particularly spiritually attuned, so she gets along with a lot of 'em, convinces them they're better off having even a fake body than haunting some place everyone forgot.

[sadisticwarfare]

I... see.

[HE DOESN'T BUT HE'S TRYING.]

My apologies for interrupting, carry on.

[matchbreaker]

Oh no, it's fine, it's fine. I've only got Karin left.

Karin's sixteen, and she's a real chip off the old block! Got a lot of my genes in there somehow or another, she's the spitting image of me. Keeps her hair shorter and she's got a bigger chest, but hey, everyone's got their individuality. Real late bloomer, that girl! Still technically a child, despite it all. But she's fun! Shy, though.

[sadisticwarfare]

You sound very happy with all of them. It seems like you have a very lively family.

[It's sort of weirdly nice to hear her talk about her family like this too? Huh. Strange.]

[matchbreaker]

Of course I am! They're my pride and joy, the whole heart of my life!

[ Her salvation, from the crushing loneliness of isolation. ]

[sadisticwarfare]

You truly are lucky to have such a wonderful family, then. Congratulations.

[That's not sarcastic at all!]

[matchbreaker]

I know I am. I've... been blessed, really, to have the family I do.

[ James, you poor, foolish man. She thanks you every day. ]

... Still, that's enough about me. Why not tell me about that country you serve?

[sadisticwarfare]

Oh, I don't mind it. It's interesting to hear about your life.

[But Archer does like to talk, so here we go!!!

I'll spare you the long definition and just link you the wiki if you really want to read more about it, but the general sense is that it's a landlocked country, there's been peace for a decade, and the military is totally awesome.]

[matchbreaker]

[ She listens, trying to remain attentive through the entire thing. As she does, she picks up on many little facts and misses many others, but in a lull there, she too raises her hand and... ]

Huh, so it's one of those situations where the military's also a big part've the political power. So you must be really up there.

[sadisticwarfare]

I'm not as high ranking as I'd like to be. I'm a Lieutenant Colonel, and I've worked hard to get to where I am.

[Hughes also died and that got him another promotion, but details!!]

[matchbreaker]

Still, that's impressive for what it is! [ A sage nod ] Must've been a real journey for you.

[sadisticwarfare]

It's mostly been just paperwork.

[But he's sort of smirking as he says it; he always appreciates praise, okay!!]

[matchbreaker]

Well, I suppose that's the most ideal soldier life.

[ No wars, and all. ]

[sadisticwarfare]

Of course. Things really have been good these past ten years.

[NO THEY HAVEN'T WHEN WILL HE GET HIS WAR.]

[matchbreaker]

Mm! Well, that's all in good, then.

I imagine that didn't leave you with too much time for a love life though, huh?

[sadisticwarfare]

[Ah. Getting into this, are we.]

No, it didn't. I have very little interest in such things anyway.

[matchbreaker]

Makes sense, some people don't! Sure as anything sounds lonely to me, but then I'm not you.

[sadisticwarfare]

[Well. You're not wrong...]

I've never found it particularly lonely, but I do tend to prioritize my work over everything else.