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

[sleepytimegal]

Yeah, like- old-timey, but still like something you might hear, maybe. ...Do you- you mean the...Yuri that's here?

[firstaid]

[Estelle claps her hands together and nods firmly.]

Yes, I do mean the Yuri that is here!

[sleepytimegal]

[ She swallows bitterness; she's sure no one else would wish they were stuck here with someone they know, given how horrible this situation is, but...

Well, sue her. ]

Whoa... You guys are like...the only ones that seem to have a...history, you know? Have you figured out why both of you?

[firstaid]

[There's no doubt it's a bittersweet situation, however, Estelle feels comfort in knowing someone she knows and trusts is here. It's... complicated, it makes her sad, but it also makes her happy. It's selfish, she knows, but at least she can stay (mostly) calm.]

I haven't figured that out. Given what I've heard from others, there's no known reason why we're both here and others don't have a companion of any sort they know.

[sleepytimegal]

Maybe it'll...become clear in time, right? [ She considers what she said for a moment and gives the smallest possible laugh, more like a sniff. ] How d'you two know each other, anyway?

[firstaid]

Oh, I met him when he broke out of jail and into the castle...! I was trying to make my escape from the castle at the same time and we happened to run into each other. I almost clocked him upside the head with a vase because I knew he was an intruder! But he dodged it. Once I got his name from him shortly after, I found out he was the friend of one of my close friends in the knights! So I accompanied him.

[.....what the fuck?]

[sleepytimegal]

[ O....H....... ]

Friend of a friend, got it! Why- why did you...need to escape a castle...?

[firstaid]

To tell my friend that an assassin was after him. Unfortunately, by the time I got the news he had already left on his pilgrimmage. So I followed him on it to tell him his life was in danger. However, by the time I got to him, the assassin had decided that Yuri was his target-- then again, Zagi had mistaken Yuri for Flynn multiple times for one reason or another, despite the two looking nothing alike.

[This is never explained why it makes sense. Nothing in ToV makes sense. Just smile and nod.]

[sleepytimegal]

[ wha....t....... ]

Did- I mean, Yuri fought him off at least, right?

[firstaid]

Yes, multiple times. I believe he's fought him off three times now?

[Yep.]

[sleepytimegal]

The assassin... [ AH... ] Pretty...dangerous lives you guys lead.

[firstaid]

I won't doubt that what we do is dangerous. However, it's because we travel in a group of people who are talented in different areas that we manage just fine.

[With Estelle as a healer, they all good.]

[sleepytimegal]

You're all like...adventurers. That's what it sounds like.

[firstaid]

I suppose that would be an accurate description of what we are. We are going on a journey together or sorts.

[sleepytimegal]

To do what?

[firstaid]

At first, as mentioned, it was to find my friend. Now, I'm searching for an answer as to who I am.

[sleepytimegal]

Journey of self-discovery... I hope you can get back to that soon, Estelle. ...it's okay if I call you that, right?

[firstaid]

I do, too. For better or for worse.

[She smiles bitterly.]

And yes! Please, I prefer to be called Estelle.

[sleepytimegal]

[ Oh, that kind of journey of self-discovery. Well. ]

Then...Estelle it is. Wanna ask any more questions?

[firstaid]

Oh, sure! Um, tell me about your hobbies!

[Please tell her, she loves hearing and learning about other people!]

[sleepytimegal]

Uhhh, I like music? Indie music, the kind of...niche stuff. And rock climbing, camping...outdoorsy things.

[firstaid]

Forgive me for asking, but what is 'Indie music'?

[She saw that on Alex's profile, but she could never figure out what that was.]

[sleepytimegal]

Oh, uh... Okay, so the full thing's independent music. It means music that's produced outside a major label. Labels are...they're companies that make and distribute music. Basically people who don't sign with them have a harder time getting their names out there, but they have more...creative control over their stuff, generally? Does that...make sense?