lake party invite + mingle (open)

[channellings]

Who: any and everyone!
Where: the lake and nearby!
When: right now! (july 7th, afternoon)
What: motha 👏 fuckin 👏 lake 👏 party
Warnings: Language (!!!) for now, will be added as needed!



[no, this is not a joke and yes, it's an actual invite to a party over the network from the username: cock.licking.idiot (and no, that's not a joke, either).

those who decide that they'd rather not be square will arrive at some unspecified patch of lake shore (thanks, klaus) at a similarly unspecified time (good work, asshat) to discover that something resembling a slapdash but heartfelt lake party along the northern waterfront. a couple of tables have been dragged out of nearby cabins and now hold a probably inadvisable quantity of foods, at least half of which don't belong at a party by any means. is this what rationing looks like? this is definitely what rationing looks like. there's also an alcohol table, filled pretty sparsely early on in the party but gathering bottles and cans throughout the day. (word of mod says feel free to wing it on what kind of alcohol we have!).

a number of chairs sit in a wobbly line in the stone-filled waterfront sand, most of them not meant for beachgoing but nearly all of them able to recline. about fifty feet down the beach seems to be the splash zone, where all water horseplay exists well out of range of splashing those sitting in beachside chairs. some people dive or cannonball off the mostly-sturdy pier, while others seem to be batting around a-... is that a beach ball they have? no, it seems to be a balloon that says "get well soon". how fitting. please, someone bring them a fucking beach ball.

(this is a mingle! go ahead and make top-levels or tag into other people's.)]

Comments

lan sizhui ♪ ota

[deferences]

(tentatively) showing up;

[after receiving the invitation, sizhui's initial reaction is to ignore it, but the temptation of food, drinks and maybe something to do that isn't wandering the perimeter along the honeycomb barrier or pacing the cabin would be good. gets him outside in the fresh air and is technically an excuse to see what might lurk within the lake (because he doesn't buy that it's safe! ridiculousness).

so, following a quick raid of the refrigerator – which is still an utterly foreign yet fascinating concept to him – he arrives with both arms full (and in all his lan clan garb), sword strapped against his back for easier mobility. tubes of potato crisps, various fruits, lunchmeat and bread are what he brings to the snack table, setting each one up as neat as possible before he decides he'll get a quick scope on some people already there.

meaning he very well could be caught looking a little too long, whether it's something someone's doing or an odd t-shirt they're wearing with whatever written across it. either way, the moment sizhui realizes he's been caught, he offers a quiet,] Sorry, [then sheepishly inclines his head with shame before straightening back up.] I— I didn't mean to stare.



refreshments;

[aside from what he brought, sizhui helps himself to some of the other things on the table; a prepackaged thing of snackcakes, other-flavored potato crisps, and eventually a sandwich someone else has made. (ingenious, putting the bread and meat together!) the one object he's got his hands on at the moment is proving rather difficult to open. will you help or simply watch him struggle?


because in the end, if he can't figure the tab out, you can bet he's found a way to stab the mouthpiece open and is now cautiously considering the bizarre, bubbling drink in his hands. it smells funny, almost... alcoholic? though he can't get past the fizz tickling his nose long enough to contemplate that further, he takes a drink from the can anyhow—

holds the bubbly liquid on his tongue, wrinkles his nose with bafflement then, albeit reluctantly, swallows.] That's... [different? weird? somewhat uncomfortably sharp going down?] ...interesting.

[watch him take another sip though since he is truly intrigued by the carbonation.]



near the water;

[most of sizhui's examining the lake is from the safety of the dock. he's accepted the fact it's far too hot for all his layers and has peeled off his first one, leaving him in simple white robes with the sleeves bound tight. those might end up being the next thing to go, but until then, they're staying because he isn't keen on losing more clothes than he has to.

after ultimately deciding the water is safe enough, he won't get in right away, although he does remove his boots and stick his toes out, tracing across the lake's surface. there may even be a chance to catch him hanging off by his elbows, feet kicking thoughtlessly, but not wildly.

go ahead, give him a nudge.]

showing up

[lookslikeacinnamonroll]

[ Sizhui is right to be wary of the lake. Wen Ning is wary, too. That's why he's standing a fair distance away from the water, peering out at its depths.

Sizhui is also right to stare. Deciding that it was much too hot to be wearing heavy black robes, Wen Ning has shed down to his under layers, and pulled on a shirt he found at the gas station. After a moment, he notices Sizhui's gaze, and waves him over. ]

[deferences]

[wen ning has the right idea, honestly, sizhui should follow his lead. all his robes are going to get uncomfortable real fast, but until that moment comes, he's staying completely clothed.

in his defense though, this shirt's one of the less weirder articles of clothing he's seen, so the ghost general has that going for him. after wen ning waves him over, he bridges what distance is between them in a few quick strides, smiling softly and dipping his head in greeting.] Hello! Are you inspecting the lake, too?

[lookslikeacinnamonroll]

[ Sizhui gets a head nod of his own in return, before Wen Ning turns his attention back to the lake, crossing his arms and frowning. ]

Yes. I don't trust it. [ There are a lot of things he doesn't trust about this place, especially not after those loops and fog and beasts and strange dreams about dying... ]

The barriers are centered around the lake, keeping us near to it. It must be important somehow.

[deferences]

[once he gets close enough to be standing beside wen ning, sizhui lingers there a moment, considering the lake as well. not trusting it isn't unsurprising, the water's bizarrely clear, after all; he's still trying to understand how that's possible.

he hums thoughtfully, tilts his head and chews the inside of his cheek.] I wonder what's so important about it. [then he takes a couple steps toward the shoreline, fingers faintly curling, itching for the weight of his sword that's strapped to his back right now.]

Have you gotten close enough to the barrier to look it over?

[lookslikeacinnamonroll]

[ Wen Ning shakes his head. ] Not yet. I will once I leave here, though. It would be good to know what our limits are.

[ Sure, it was probably wrong of him to prioritize a party over investigating the barrier, but... he had never been invited to a party before. He wanted to see what it would be like. ]

refreshments!

[casner]

[ in the timeline where sizhui has not yet opened the can, despite how graham is in no way at this event to party - god save him from such things tbh - he wants to get an idea of what supplies stock the other cabins for the purposes of determining what they lack as a group, and as such the refreshments table is the place to be.

his idea of the general drinking age corresponds most closely to ...some nebulous global thing, so his reaction to sizhui and this can isn't that so much as it is what appears to be stark unfamiliarity. hard seltzer ought to at least mean something even if the brand name doesn't. ]

You pop the tab. Like this.

[ he demonstrates with a different can, this of some offbrand soda just in case that turns out to be a better idea than anything alcoholic. having looked sizhui in the face to do this a cloudy moment of uncertainty sharpens, instantly into recognition: ]

We've met. My twenty-fourth loop, your third.

[deferences]

[beach ball and suntanning aren't all that interesting in sizhui's opinion, either. meaning there isn't much left of the ‘party’ side for him except maybe (and that's a huge maybe where the lake is considered) swimming and-slash-or food.

which is what he should've stuck with once he opens this container and realizes the possible mistake he's made. he doesn't drink much, what with liquor being prohibited in cloud recesses, but he's definitely had some.

sizhui blinks up at graham, tilts his head then downcasts his gaze to the can he's holding instead, eyebrows arching with surprise when the tiny metal tab punches a hole into the top and it hisses in response.] Oh, [comes a bit more uncertainly than he's expecting, though with renewed determination, he manages to crack his own and the drink unfortunately(?) does the same thing. a quiet hmn is what he offers and before he gets to take a sip, graham speaks again, instantly recapturing his attention with that comment.]

You... [twenty-four fucking times, to my last count. yes, he remembers now!] ...Graham, was it?

[casner]

It was.

[ sizhui, familiar with hanguang-jun's version of smiling, probably has more perspective than most to recognize that's what graham's face is doing, mostly in the eyes. ]

And you're Sizhui. [ his expression hooks downward, strung taut between intense concern and equally intense attempt to ferret out the 'i'm fine' related lies he himself is prone to. ] Last we met the circumstances were--somewhat dire. Have you been all right since? Do you have a place to sleep and adequate provisions? I can make arrangements to supply you with either.

[deferences]

Ah, I remembered! [and he sounds so proud.

also: yes, he's quite familiar with that kind of smile, which is exactly why he offers a more outright gesture in return. not too enthusiastic, just the faintest curve at the edges of his mouth, but it's definitely more visible.]

That's correct, [sizhui confirms, unable to keep from puffing his chest a little, except it doesn't last long whenever graham mentions their not-so-good situation before. he purses his lips with thought, considers what he's being asked: has he been alright? he does have a place to sleep and his (their?) supplies aren't dwindling yet.] Goodness, you're courteous, but shouldn't you be keeping those for yourself?

[casner]

[ Graham chuckles, mostly to himself. ]

Not an attribute typically ascribed to me, I must admit.

[ Let's be real here, he uses up most of his politeness professionally, and the remaining three percent goes to whomever he's currently sleeping with. ]

I know how to manage resources. If you're already supplied I won't give them away just for the hell of it, but know you can ask me for help should the need arise.

♪♪♪ near the water ♪♪♪

[gusumouthcannon]

[Jingyi's late to the party, inasmuch as one can be late to a 'show the fuck up and rock the fuck out' sort of invitation. In in defense, he had woken up in the middle of the woods, had to take time to freak out in the nearest isolated cabin, and did not actually know how to use his smartphone. (Well, more accurately, he was having a panic and smartphones were not on the list of ways to solve said panic.)

It is only because he hears the festivities that he realizes that he is not alone.

He is at the lakeside like a rocket after that and stands for a long, sweltering minute or two staring at the junkyard chic of the party grounds and all of the totally and utterly baffling people partaking. His gaze snags on the tables of food first, but he hesitates, not wanting to disturb something he does not understand—until he spots someone who looks like Sizhui.

There is no decisionmaking after that. He takes off at a run, leaping over one of the occupied reclining chairs that happens to get in his way, and powerslides on his knees to the end of the dock to half-tackle Sizhui where he is sitting on the edge.]

[deferences]

[while none of them have been here all that long, never during any moment since his arrival did sizhui think a fellow junior would show up. (although he's about to learn, this isn't technically the jingyi he knows, that will not matter to him in the slightest.) it's going to be the most bittersweet moment once the realization hits, yet sizhui will be so glad he isn't the only one.

initially, the footsteps aren't anything he considers; people behind him are running back and forth, collecting rocks, setting up chairs, splashing around some odd feet down the way.

it's when they come onto the dock that sizhui's feet stop moving, he turns to cast a look over his shoulder, sees another person sprinting toward him. who in the world? and for a split second, it looks like—] J-Jingyi? [comes out so softly, it's a wonder he's said anything because it just couldn't be! surely the heat has finally started getting to him and he's seeing things— but no, wait, the robes, the long hair? perhaps it isn't so far-fetched after all.

not like he's given much of a chance to look at whoever the person is before they're kneesliding toward him and there's suddenly extra, unexpected weight to account for.] Wha!? [thank goodness, he wasn't hanging off on his elbows or else they'd both be in the water. they actually almost are anyway, but sizhui braces, shoots one arm out to hook around the wooden edge, the opposite one cinching around jingyi's shoulders.]

[gusumouthcannon]

Sizhui! [And if Jingyi is a disaster right now he is very much entitled to be. He does not notice all the little differences between how this Sizhui looks and the one he grew up with, not when right now familiar is all he can register. He trusts Sizhui to catch them, though honestly it is hot enough that he would not have minded ending up in the lake.]

I woke up in the dirt.

[The complaint is a shadow of his usual tone as he simply refuses to let go. He is not usually so sticky and while he will not be embarrassed about it, it is perhaps just slightly unusual. It is just that these are special circumstances!]

I thought I was alone and I did not know how it happened and I was worried something terrible had--[He stops himself. And then there is the silence of him processing through new information.]

[deferences]

[that's all it takes: hearing the other boy say his name in return and sizhui's apprehension melts (not entirely, but it's a start). it dawns on him something's clearly inconsistent, although jingyi airs a soft grievance and despite biting his lip, he can't muffle himself.] O-Oh, [he stammers out through a laugh, shaking his head as best he can manage in this position. which is a little awkward but it's fine, lan clan is known for their arm strength, after all!

sizhui doesn't mind being held and holding in kind, regardless of the bizarre happenings or the fact it's possibly somewhat too hot to even exist right now, let alone be hanging off one another.

motormouth jingyi continues talking and he's content to let him go, silently looking him over, connecting the dots, discerning the differences— except then jingyi stops, causing him to downcast his attention, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

this is the moment sizhui should let them topple into the water, yet instead, he thoughtfully rolls his lips together and:] You look... different. [an unfamiliar ‘different,’ but not a bad one.]

[gusumouthcannon]

[Gaze drifting back toward the shore and the weird chair and the weird people, Jingyi has a moment of relative non-panic with Sizhui in close contact enough that he can breath and think and...were these people not extremely strange? Their manner of dress along suggests that they are from somewhere--

But he is interrupted. Or, not interrupted, but Sizhui pulls his attention back with his comment.

I look like myself. [He loosens his hold and sits back on his heels to look down at robes. He wrinkles his nose.] Dirtier than myself, but I cannot be blamed for that.

[But the comment also makes him blink at Sizhui and. Hrm. That's. Hrm. His brow furrows. Considerably more wary, he ventures:]

You. Also look different.

Refreshments

[lethechained]

[ Although Naminé has never been particularly given to optimism, she was rather hoping she'd find more familiar individuals in such a broad group setting. Despite her having gone through the loop in the cabin several times over without meeting anyone she knew, it had seemed at least possible that someone else from her worlds might have ended up in the same place. Roxas would make sense, maybe - even one of the others.

But the crowd is disappointingly devoid of distinctive clumps of spiky hair, and in the end she's left to her own (somewhat more somber) devices. As she's looking for familiarity in any form, however, eventually in the midst of her people-watching, she finds it. Lan Sizhui may not be someone she's known very long or very well - and that recollection is, when she thinks about it, a little fuzzy around the edges - but she recognizes him, so clearly she wasn't hallucinating his existence entirely.

Or she recognizes as much of him as she can see, anyway, when he's half turned away from her. Naminé spends a few awkward seconds peering at him from a distance, trying to determine whether she's got the right of it. She won't find out much more from where she is, though, so with that in mind, she makes her tentative approach.

Which... actually might qualify as sneaking up on him, considering she's awfully quiet about it until she's at least close enough to get a better look. The fact that he's in the process of drinking something doesn't actually occur to her when she speaks up - she's glad enough for her realization to pipe up with an out-of-the-blue, ]

It really is you...!

[ It's not very loud, but it sure is abrupt. ]

[deferences]

[maybe sizhui isn't someone she knows like she's familiar with the roxas person she's looking for, but he is an individual she's met before.

he isn't paying much attention, what with being effectively distracted by his canned drink and the weird little tab he's— ope, now it's broken off.] ...oh no, [the lan disciple whispers, hardly audible, eyes darting every which way like he's done something wrong; he has, except it's not in that sort of sense. doesn't matter, he returns to the table momentarily, finds an item that might be useful (a metal butterknife of all things) then wanders away again, fidgeting with it the whole time until he's certain he isn't in anyone's way.

of course, naminé gets closer just as he's managed to use the knife and smash the mouthpiece open by holding the utensil upright and slamming the serrated end into the outlined part. he startles at the peculiar hissing noise the drink makes, draws it in, takes a curious (hesitant) sniff. ah, the bubbles tickle! sizhui wrinkles his nose, prepares to take a sip—

and is instantly frightened again by the sudden sound of another voice. thank goodness, he avoids tipping the can straight into his nose or else that would've been absolute torture on his sinuses. he does give an undignified sputter though, turning his head away to cough then clear his throat before ultimately turning back.] Ah, excuse me, I got... a little startled. [obviously! he spares the girl an absent once-over, lingering after he meets her eyes. wait, yes, i remember now...]

The girl from the bedroom! With the. Winged monster thing? [a beat, his drink totally abandoned in favor of the realization.] We ran into the woods.

[unfortunately, he doesn't remember much after that.]

[lethechained]

[ As preoccupied as she was with having finally found someone she's seen before, Naminé didn't stop to fully examine what he was up to. She realizes her mistake as he sputters, and her hands fly up to curl near her mouth with her startled, 'oh!' Immediately her expression crumples in visible contrition, although she lowers her voice for her, ]

I'm sorry...!

[ … almost as if she's afraid she might interrupt his... coughing. Which is silly, of course, but it's all reflex and little thought, for once. She still looks concerned when he glances at her, which might actually make her more recognizable; it happens to be the demeanor he's seen most on her so far. (Understandable, perhaps, considering how they met.) But his recognition causes her to brighten - enough for a small smile, at least, as her hands sink back down to the middle of her torso. She nods firmly. ]

Yes - that's right. [ And it's a relief that he recalls that, too - the memories feel strange even to her, and that's saying something. ] You protected me. And then...

[ They did run into the woods, but what happened after that? The upturn at her mouth fades, threatening a frown for a moment. With a purse of her lips and a shake of her head, she sends the thought away; there's no point fretting. She's already been informed there's plenty she's forgotten. Instead, she endeavors to focus on the present moment and looks back up at him. ]

… I'm... just glad that you're alright. [ That's true - the sincerity with which she says it is hard to question, even if she's also trying to nudge aside the weird gap in her own memory. Soberer, she admits, ] I probably owe you my life...!

[deferences]

It's okay! [sizhui's laughing, nevertheless amused despite his initial surprise. he should've been paying more attention, honestly, if she'd been a monster of some sort, she absolutely would have gotten the jump on him. but he's lucky, naminé's just a kind girl who doesn't seem like she'd hurt a fly.

the fact she apologizes as softly as she does while he's coughing of all things proves even further how she's sweet and so benign.

having her smile – no matter how faintly – makes sizhui grin in return, delighted that he's remembered something. the longer he thinks about it and alongside the details she's giving, the more he starts recalling, too.] It came after us when we went out the window. You— [then it dawns on him: she'd cut her hand, hadn't she? he vaguely remembers her making an abrupt pained noise, but can't remember exactly what for since he'd been, uh, distracted with being forced through the window not long afterward.

naminé's expression falters and within an instant, he feels guilty for bringing it up. it's okay though, they've both forgotten, which seems popular among everyone at the moment.]

Me too. [brief pause before he amends,] That you're alright, I mean. I'm glad we're both okay. [then he sheepishly inclines his head, his own smile lifting a little higher.] Well, there's certainly no way I was going to let it just attack you!

[that'd go against every single thing he's been taught by the lan clan.]

[lethechained]

[ The girl seems to respond directly to his good humor, her delicate features easing into warmer, more comfortable expression at the sight of his grin. Her tiny exhale takes with it the last of her guilt, and just for a moment her smile widens enough to make her cheeks rise along. She has a kind face, yet sad eyes - though for that one single beat, the gladness actually reaches them. It really does her good to be treated well.

The more serious topics, however, mean the return of a more serious expression. Looking less perplexed than before, she makes a soft noise of agreement to confirm his other recollection; she remembers the discomfort of her injury rather vividly, yet doesn't feel the need to mention it. And no matter how she might have frowned for a moment there, she finds it easier to put her concerns to at least temporary rest when he can still muster a smile, as he shows amongst his sheepishness. ]

There are people out there who would have, [ she answers, because she knows a few of them - but that's not a pleasant thought, and she realizes as much right after she says the words. In an effort not to let that sink in, she urges the corners of her mouth higher again, though the effort does nevertheless contain actual sincerity, even if it's also for his benefit. ]

But you were very brave, and pretty amazing, too...! At first I was afraid that it would hurt us both, but you proved me wrong. [ Her lips remain lifted subtly at the corners, yet her eyes grow quietly regretful, shoulders sinking slightly. One of her hands curls around her opposite wrist, unconsciously cradling the palm that was injured before. ] I don't think I ever got the chance to thank you, or to apologize for causing you so much trouble. So, now that I can tell you... I'm grateful.

near the water

[mannerless]

( wei wuxian has been, for his own part, sticking out by the dock and giving the lan boy a bit of space. their last encounter wasn't exactly the smoothest, and though he feels no lack of relief that the junior is alive and intact and apparently bold enough to drink a bit of alcohol despite his prevailing lan-hood (don't think wei ying didn't notice!! he likes this boy a bit better already), he has yet to decide if he's ready to add 'not sure where he stands with random lan disciple' to his list of current concerns.

but when he returns from a trip to fetch another drink, that very boy is waiting right there on his dock. it's almost certainly not on purpose, as preoccupied as he seems with the water, but it's just enough to force wei wuxian's hand.

sizhui will hear footsteps strolling up behind him, at a pace clearly meant to be heard but not startled by, and then wei wuxian (still damp from the water and dressed down to his undershirt and trousers) sinks down beside him at the edge of the dock.

a beat, and then - ) I never did ask your name. ( it sounds almost considering, his gaze cast out over the lake. then, with a note of self-depreciative humor, ) Something I might should do next time before I try to shove someone out a window. ( well - he only threatened, but that's beside the point. the window threat in itself is almost beside the point, but it's much simpler to address than the way he snapped at him. )

[deferences]

[the aforementioned alcohol has left sizhui with a decently pleasant buzz, too. being fair, it'd taken a second drink – something distinctly different, far fruitier – to get the perfect balance of delightful warmth yet still leaving him just coherent enough to keep from tipping over into the lake. thank goodness, he's quite the lucky one and needn't have to ever worry about his tolerance like lan wangji does. (or worry about having to learn that fancy golden core trick uncle xichen should've taught poor hanguang-jun!)

by the time wei wuxian returns from collecting his beverage, he's gotten one arm unwrapped and is fidgeting with the other, well-aware there's footsteps approaching, though he doesn't automatically look. whoever it is, they've no reason to— oh.

sure, they can sit beside him, that's fine! as he turns to greet them, however, sizhui comes up short with any actual words when he sees who has sat down. it isn't that he's avoiding wei wuxian, per se, but their last meeting hadn't gone well; it's clear the former(?) yiling patriarch has no idea about this particular lan boy and sizhui's alright with letting it stay that way. fate, on the other hand, has different plans.

he's grateful wei wuxian fills the silence first since his thoughts are even more twisted than the ribbon he's wrapped around his hands while the man talks. at least a name is easy enough:] Sizhui, [he offers quietly, attention flickering back over and— is that a smile? ...maybe.] Now, you can threaten me properly.

[mannerless]

( sizhui. he repeats it in his mind, perhaps even mouths it aloud, to commit it to memory. it's the least he can do, after... well. the way he acted. part of him insists he was well within his right, but the rest of him knows for a fact that he was more than capable of tempering his tone and his words to a soft-spoken lan junior like this one. regardless, it's hardly sizhui's fault for wanting to help. )

Lan Sizhui, ( he repeats aloud, head tilting a little as a grin spreads across his lips. ) Unless you'd like to be dunked in the lake, I wouldn't push my luck. You know who I am, don't you? You have to. ( a lan disciple, of all people, will have heard from good ol' lan qiren about the dread yiling patriarch and what a poor example he sets. or perhaps wei wuxian's head has gotten a bit too big these days. )

[deferences]

[and sizhui simply nods with confirmation, redirecting his gaze back to the water for now, knowing full-well that wei wuxian was right and he should've done as told, but how could he accept leaving him behind with that mechanical monstrosity? especially after he'd just gotten back the memories of who he is, neverminding the fact he doesn't recognize him— that's something to worry about later when they aren't sitting side-by-side.

however, the threat(?) captures his attention again, has his eyebrows lifting with consideration.] Of course I know who you are. [because of course lan qiren has told them about it, but that doesn't mean sizhui didn't do any studying and make his own decision. which is exactly why he dares:] You wouldn't.