* ‧̍̊˙· 𓆝.° ｡˚𓆛˚｡ °.𓆞 ·˙‧̍̊

[beathollow]

in the wake of turmoil

What's Up?

Mafuyu and Aerith have hatched a plan to give Braphine's Chosen some time to relax and have fun together! And just in the nick of time...

Date and Location

Afternoon of Monday, October tth into October 8th
The Aquarium within the Office District

The sway of water

It's a normal morning for anyone who's managing to sleep a standard schedule- up until a mass text goes out, that is. Everyone will find the same thing from either Mafuyu or Aerith's username:

ONE NIGHT STAY-OVER AT THE LOCAL AQUARIUM, SCHEDULED MONDAY, OCTOBER SEVENTH!! All of Braphine's Chosen are invited to an exclusive event hosted at the aquarium where guests can spend the day taking tours and then sleep over in qualified areas. Dining will be provided, all we have to bring is ourselves, changes of clothes and pillows and blankets. (And yes, the floors will be extra clean.)

... Simple enough. And should you choose to attend, both your hostesses will be pleased to see you once it's time to head over.

As they said, the aquarium is largely empty save for the group, and it's definitely worth it. A serene song plays overhead while attendants give tours or explanations as needed. The variety of aquatic life is surprisingly vast as well, and spacious halls give way to plenty of opportunity to explore.

Come nightfall, certain rooms dim the lights but the tanks stay lit- or black lit as darker enclosures like the jellyfish hall and the octopus tanks remain- and only a few staff remain to keep an eye on things- so... stay on your best behavior. The two restaurants stay open- a regular fast food joint with kitschy island cabana theming, and a much more upscale lounge where Aerith plans on corralling the adults for fun this evening.

Once it's time for the age groups to split, Aerith will lead the adults to a pleasant lounge with more tanks, large couches or more private tables, and a view overlooking one of the main rooms of the aquarium- wave to the kids if they're there! Or don't. Bouquets of flowers are placed around the room, and it looks like Aerith has a few ideas already, though she won't stop anyone from going out to review the different sections again.

Contrasting Mafuyu, who is content to let the fellow teens do whatever- though if they do congregate, she's not really the social sort and will simply be content to enjoy the vibes. Even if you just want to take a nap somewhere, there's plenty of dark secluded areas to do so.

Out of character!

This log is for an ic sleepover hosted at the aquarium! All characters are invited but attendance is not mandatory. That said, there are still staff members ready to boot any troublemakers out. We wanted to keep the types of displays vague to give everyone creative freedom, and characters are welcome to flit about between groups as they desire, be it to check in or to to snoop or whatever. As discussed with the mods, this does count as an open event and can be used for rewards. Thank you all for your interest!

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Comments

[cirquedesang]

[And he will, of course, take the invitation, all but immediately, following her a half step behind, before walking side by side with her once things are a little quieter.]

[beathollow]

( it's probably the biggest room in the entire building, given that it's also the biggest tank, even being part of the shark tunnel. she did make a swerve at the restaurant for a peach slushie though, and once they get there? she's sitting down on a bench and watching the fish and the giant seaweed. )

...

I almost wish we could keep tonight going.

[cirquedesang]

[Once there, he will sit next to her on the bench, looping an arm loosely around her shoulders, in a mirror of how they'd settled in the dennihop.]

Oh? And why is that?

[The question is curious, not judgemental, of course.]

[beathollow]

Because it's fun. And it feels like... everything is okay.



Also, I think I like aquariums very much.

( she leans against him happily- one gets the impression that if they were cats, she'd be purring very loudly. )

[cirquedesang]

It does, doesn't it?

[Deep down, he knows that isn't quite the case, not so long as they're all still here, but...

They can have a moment of reprieve, for now.]

There are... hm... at least nine aquariums in my city.

[An open invitation for her to come visit, as if she needed an excuse.]

[beathollow]

You'll take me, right?

( it seems so natural to ask, but then she




hesitates, and looks away for a moment. like she's ashamed. like she's remembering something unpleasant. )

[cirquedesang]

Of course I will.

[And on the contrary... he has no hesitation in assuring her that he will.]

As many times as you'd like.

[beathollow]

...

I keep... thinking about the things your shadow said...

( her voice is quiet and she fidgets with her drink, twisting it idly in her hands as she runs her thumb through the condensation. )

... I know that part of it was true. But... I don't know how to fix anything.

[cirquedesang]

[Well... she's right, in a way. His shadow wouldn't have been able to be as cruel as it was if there was no truth to the barbs, but...

Well.

All he can do now is try to reassure her. And part of that is finding out what is bothering her the most out of all the awful things said.]

Which part, Mafuyu? What is there for you to fix? It'll be easier if we fix it together, no?

[beathollow]

I've relied on you so much, but... I barely know you, it feels like. I can't... ask for more than you're willing to share, but all this time, I've only...

( taken and asked for more, as his shadow has alluded to. even asking for the answers she can't come up with herself.

she loves him. but... )

I feel selfish, for never once asking.

[cirquedesang]

Mafuyu...

[A soft sigh, as what he's about to say... he knows it'll come off as a bit dismissive. Condescending. But it's also... true.]

You're a child. It's your job to be selfish, and to let others - adults - care for you. To expect something in exchange for that would be breaking your trust.

[And he'll tuck her closer against his side.]

It would be terrible of me to expect you to treat me like one of your peers.

[beathollow]

( she does nod, because despite almost being 18, she understands. and she does, on some level, agree! but... )

I know. But I still don't really know you, it feels like. ... I want to, though. I do.

[cirquedesang]

And we have all the time you could ever want to get to know me. There are... some things that will have to wait until you are much older...

[Even past 18 - there will be a point when they come to the "I am friends with my parent" stage, but that isn't something that can be reached any time soon.

And that's fine. But for now...]

However; if there is something you simply must know now, I will answer... I want you to feel like you know me as well.

[beathollow]

... Over time, then...

( mafuyu squeezes his hand in hers. ...it's- it's a little chilly since she's been holding that peach slushie, but- still. affection. )

I know you perform. But... why do you do it?

[cirquedesang]

Over time.

[And he'll squeeze her hand back. Mutually chilly affection that still somehow manages to feel warm.]

I've always been good at it. It started as little street performances to make whatever spare change I could... Then my sire - the man who turned me - took a liking to how much it seemed like I enjoyed it and encouraged me to join a travelling circus.

[And that was better than staying on the streets, but she can be spared that little detail for now.]

Besides that, the sort of vampire I am has the tendency to obsess over some form of art. This is mine.

[beathollow]

The two of you get along?

( ... wait- )

There's different types?

[cirquedesang]

We do, yes. We're... remarkably similar in some ways, but he is much older and much more eccentric.

[...Surprise, Mafuyu!]

There are. Fifteen for certain, and sixteen if one counts an odd little anomaly that happens sometimes as one.

[And then there are the different bloodlines, and the clans where there are too few of them to quite count-- it's a whole Thing, Mafuyu!]

[beathollow]

I like you better.

( you haven't even met the man, mafuyu. you probably won't??? daddy's girl behavior, honestly. )

It sounds complicated...

[cirquedesang]

You haven't met him~

[His tone is chiding, gently, in that fond "I'm enabling the daddy's girl behavior" way. Though if she does ever meet Amour... yeah, Celeste is pretty sure she'll still like him better. He'd just get to show off his cute not-daughter to his vampire not-dad.]

It... is. Though truthfully most fledglings don't concern themselves with the details.

[She just, you know, seems like she'd prefer to have the option of picking at details at her leisure.]

[beathollow]

I don't have to.

( so there!

and you knock that 'not' off in front of that daughter, meta-text. she wouldn't call just anyone dad, after all. )

Really...? I would think that would be important, if only to avoid starting something...

[cirquedesang]

Fair enough.

[His cute! Daughter!]

Some... seem to think knowing too much is dangerous, and others... Well, I imagine it would be like trying to get Izou to write a book report.

[This is said affectionately, of course, but if anything would illustrate just how little some care to get into the weeds...]

[beathollow]

( the mental image gets a startled laugh out of her, one that she sheepishly tries to cover up because... ... because why? )

I imagine a lot of bribery would be needed.

[cirquedesang]

[So it was a biiiit of an uncharitable comparison, but she has to admit it was quite the effective mental image!!]

Oh certainly~