❝friendship affirmation party❞

[guiltapalooza]

Characters: LOTS OF PEOPLE just look at the tags, gosh. Start your own threads, hop into others, and generally be free with your tagging decisions.
Setting: Floor 4, the one with the big glass windows and lots of couches.
Format: Action tags!
Summary: Clearly what the tower needs right now is a party, and Willow and Aradia have thrown one.
Warnings: Nada. Good clean fun.

[It's never exactly a clear day around this floor of the tower, but the billowing clouds outside the floor-to-ceiling glass windows are maybe a bit lighter and fluffier. There's a positive atmosphere spread across the whole level, mostly from the colorful lights sprinkled here and there, magical in nature and of all different colors. They glow like small fairies.

But the biggest pieces in the room are the couches and armchairs, strategically laid out in different circles, with tables in the center. Snacks and drinks stolen from the kitchen are on the tables, so nothing too spectacular-- but there are several batches of baked goods that Willow's made, cookies and brownies and so on. There's also some board games and decks of cards placed here and there, the obvious Earth ones included and some not so obvious other ones that she hadn't recognized.

Anyone who wants to is welcome to show up, whether invited or not, whether they know Willow or Aradia or not. Fun is going to be had, darn it. However, everyone on the floor, just for today, is privy to an anti-violence ward that will prevent any motions toward violence from completing. A punch won't land, psychic powers mysteriously won't do anything if they try to cause harm, and so on. As the tower is not fond of being affected in any way, this is an effect the characters have put on them from crossing the threshold from the stairwell, and it will be automatically removed when they leave. It is not noticeable unless they try something or are particularly sensitive to magic.

It also won't last forever, so if you really want to get into a fight, do it while the party's winding down. Willow's wards are good but they aren't up to altering-the-tower-without-major-consequences level, and she's made them mild enough to wear off on their own after several hours.

You're really here to have fun, though, right? You knew where to go because of the network post.]

Comments

[guiltapalooza]

[Willow is flitting around excitedly, for once with no trace of sadness or reservations in sight. She's almost astonishingly like her old self, today, and is liable to pounce on every person she recognizes -- and probably a few she doesn't -- and maybe even rope them into a board game.

You might also run into her nearly physically attached to her boyfriend, so fair warning on that.]

[wwaterboy]

[If you're around Willow, then you're probably liable to meet her boyfriend, Eridan, too. He spent extra time on his hair today, not that you'd actually be able to notice, and he's all but gleaming.

And pretty much attached at the hip to Willow.]

[verymuchalive]

[Aradia is also flitting around, in a more literal sense what with the wings, with her main targets being those who arent really engaging with anyone, as well as the people she considers her best friends in the tower. If not with them, she's probably with Sollux.]

[wwaterboy]

[Eridan isn't avoiding Aradia, but he's not exactly seeking her out, either. His fins tighten as she comes closer]

Ah...hello, High-- Aradia. Thanks for, you knoww, throwwin' this party an all.

[justabignobody]

[Riku actually didn't see the network post, nor has he been invited; he's rather just, well, stumbling onto it while wandering the tower... and he is maybe kind of confused about magic he feels washing over his skin, especially when the ever present tingle of Soul Eater dulls just a little.

So he'll just stand just before the entrance and stare at things as he tries to figure out what kind of event this is supposed to be.]

[guiltapalooza]

[Willow notices him before long and comes over, looking curious but still smiling.]

Hey! You can come in, I don't mind. We're having a friendship party.

[capax_infiniti]

[Xehanort is just good at showing up where he is least wanted. So that explains why he wanders in to the party scene...

oh no this is so full of light and happiness it's almost physically painful

flashbacks to every birthday party Eraqus ever had, including the ones where Xehanort got tails stuck to him because Eraqus couldn't aim during pin the tail on the donkey

turning around and walking out RIGHT NOW before someone tries to get him to eat some cake with frilly icing flowers on it or play some insipid party game]

[pitiedthefool]

[light, happiness, and perhaps a small amount of trolling... With the last time he's ever been to somewhere like this, one would think they would seem fit to ban him from ever going to a club or party again. But no, there he is- that same boy who was so busy studying upon their first meeting, giving the elderly gentleman a look of thickly-veiled surprise.

We swear to drunk he is not god or wait.]

Not a party person, Xehanort-sama?

SCREW YOU ALL no really I love you though. (1/2)

[attheclocktower]

[Like many others, Xion hadn't been invited, but had been in the library on the floor below and come up to the 4th floor to read - book about sewing for beginners. She's utterly surprised by the change in atmosphere though. It's so much... brighter. And almost happier. It's not like anything she's every really seen before.

It's enough that she takes her hood off and decides to stay for a while. They could all use the cheering up. She'll be a little nervous yet of hanging around any of the big groups, though she will probably observe and will talk to anybody if they approach her. She'll need a crash course in any games she may be roped into, though.

She's also eying that food - she recognizes a lot of it from the kitchens, but the cookies and brownies are something new, so she can be found subtly sampling them... before grabbing a few more.]

And now I really do go on my hiatus (2/2)

[attheclocktower]

[... of course, midway through the party, something starts to feel really strange. She'd been maybe feeling a little off all day, but now... she feels sluggish... and dizzy, and it's.... a feeling that's... almost familiar. Hadn't this... happened... before...?

Thankfully she has the good sense to make it to a couch and sit down, even lean on one of the armrests and hold her head in one hand, and try to wait out the sensations. Only it doesn't do any good - within a minute the hand slips down, her head dropping onto her out-thrust arm. Her book falls from her other hand to the floor.]

[[ooc; Xion will not be replying to the second part and any attempts to wake her up will fail, given that she has just gone into her sleep coma for the next two or so weeks. Feel free to thread out any reactions though, if you want. Riku will be taking her back to her room at the end]]

[wwaterboy]

[Eridan isn't always with Willow. Really. So if you want to talk to him without his adorable witch at his elbow you can run into him while Willow is occupied.

He's sort of wallflowering, but he might play cards - he's a bit of a card shark - or you can catch him sneaking cookies.]

[prune]

[Ah. There's that other Eridan. Feferi pauses awkwardly upon spotting him, and she takes to just staring for a bit, curiously.]

[thekidsare0kay]

[Sollux isn't really that social, but he is pretty much obligated to stick around, so he can be found sprawled in a chair, maybe playing some board games and bitching when he loses.]

[mutab1e]

[Hey, fellow social butterfly!]

[Equius actually didn't check the Network for Aradia's announcement, which is good, because if he did he never would have been here at all. Who would want to show up at a social gathering put together by a rustblood? Not him, certainly!]

[Unfortunately, just wandering around for a while has given him one nasty headache (everyone's talking and moving and throwing their dirty cups all over the floor, EEEEWWWW), so he slumps in the nearest chair he could find with no regard to who's sitting next to him. No points for guessing it's Sollux.]

/sets Mr Wallflower here

[drknss_bnd_lght]

[Ventus hadn't seen the network post given that it been text. But he had been on his way up from another floor and heard the party so. What did he really have to lose? Not much, and he was curious.

The magic tingle didn't even phase him.

Somehow, the young man will find himself a couch (walking into one or two things may or may not happen) and curl up(ish) on that, eyes closed under that blindfold, just listening to the sounds around him. Anyone he knows the sound of will more than little get a small head tilt in that direction, but that's about it.

Otherwise, the capris and turtleneck clad blonde will be Mr Wallflower.

Which means bother him, obviously.]

/hello, Mr. Wallflower. Meet Mr. Social

[pitiedthefool]

[Unlike Ventus, Yu had seen the network post and had been looking around for anyone he knew. The first one he sees? ...Someone he barely remembered from that moment the collars began to mess with their heads.

He pauses, before stepping over. Might as well say hello, right?]

Hey. ...Ventus-san, right?

[hystericull]

[Gamzee might have seen the network post Aradia had made, and then again, he might not have - he couldn't remember. Even so, it didn't matter much, because the thump-thump-thump of music and voices had drawn him in like a flutterbug to an ignitionstick.

He had had every intention of mingling. Honest. There was nothing he loved more than getting all up in another brother or sister's wicked business, especially if they were a stranger! But, he'd become inexorably fascinated by the twinkly, multicolored lights, and therefore nixed his own plans of mixing.

So there'll just be a creepy, tall, clown-troll milling about in a daze, mouth fixed in an open smile and staring glassy-eyed at those rainbow fairies all floating around magic-like.]

[guiltapalooza]

[Willow has met two pairs of ancestor/descendant before, and she knew it was no guarantee that one would be anything like the other. Even so, instinctively she wants to be wary about seeing someone that looks like a young Grand Highblood show up, warding aside--

Except he just looks... drugged. And very happy. It's hard to be intimidated just yet, and when Willow comes over to greet him her eyebrows are up, and she's entirely unsure what to make of him.]

Uh, hey. Having fun? [That's a pretty safe, standard question.]

[pitiedthefool]

[He may or may not have seen the network post, and raised an eyebrow at the mention of Naoto. So whether or not she'd make an appearance didn't matter. He'd come to at least socialize in an attempt to take a break from...well, studying what he could.

Except now he may or may not be making paper cranes out of napkins, or he may be marking chopsticks. It all depends on when you find him~]

[fans_fire]

[Yukiko's going to find him marking chopsticks, because what could possibly go wrong there?]

Hey. What're you doing?

[She's just hoping against hope that those are not for what she thinks they might be for]

[sageprincess]

[Truth be told, Zelda is not really in a party mood, given recent events concerning the removal of her best friend's eye. But curiosity won out in the end, and who knows, maybe this will help clear her head.

So she can be found sitting in one of the armchairs, sipping at a drink and seeming content to simply watch the party unfold. Play nice, and she might even bring out her harp and have an impromptu jam session.]

[childhero]

[... ah... Princess...

He wants to talk to her, but he doesn't know what to say. He'll approach her, anyway.]

... hi.

THE WALLFLOWER CORNER... YEP.

[nobirdie]

[ He isn't even sure what happened; one minute he's passing by after finishing his librarian duties for the day, and the next he's shuffled into this ridiculous party, unable to find an exit proper.

It was FAR too loud.

So in the far corner, someone is sitting on the floor attempting to blend in with a cloud, a book in his hands. All this noise is seriously stupid. ]

[metawoof]

[This is a party you dummy! So while you're trying to hide behind that book, Echidna is trying to look at the cover, and also generally being a bother.]

What'cha readin'~?

[childhero]

[There's a ten-year-old boy peeking around the room. Oddly, he's armed to the teeth, but is obviously not hostile at all. He isn't really avoiding people, even though he's looking at them and walking on by. He just... doesn't know what to say. It's kind of silly, really. He came because he thought this was a good idea. He wants to get to know more people in the Tower. After all, they're all there together, right? So they should be friends. But... but... How does do party? o3o

So, instead, he's occupying himself with this and that or the other. Watching the clouds (that's some nice scenery right there), tentatively trying the sweets on the tables as if he's never had them before (he may or may not be really interested in the brownies and anything chocolate), staring at the not-fairy lights with a confused look (are those fairies...?).]

[pitiedthefool]

[He isn't the only one who happens to be watching people as they pass by. Looking up from making paper cranes in the corner, he... okay, he can't say he's the first person under the age of thirteen who's armed. However, he seems a bit lonely or was it just a bit awkward? Either way, he stops to speak with him. Giving a faint nod of greeting- don't mind him being tall?]

May not want to have too much of the chocolate. [May get sick, after all.]

[lucidmutant]

[Once again, it seemed someone saw fit to have a party in this hellish tower, and once again, Fawkes remained conflicted on it. Even if he wasn't around, the things Erik had said before still lingered in his mind about why people shouldn't be letting their guards down like this, but...

It was still nice in a way.

Fawkes keeps to a side, like last time, more content to watch than anything. He still wishes the cups were bigger, though.]

[midgarhorizon]

[Was that guy green?

Reno watched him, slightly fascinated. Sure, he knew there were some strange ones in the tower, but hadn't seen any one that was actually green before.

The guy didn't seem inclined to mingle or talk, though. Interesting. Maybe Reno should do something about that.]

[midgarhorizon]

[Reno had been hanging out a lot on Floor Four lately, mostly for the view. It was kind of a routine by now, so he hadn't seen any network post- just walked in and saw someone had dressed it up for the party. Well, that was fine with him, he was going to hang out here anyway. Hey, the drinks and food were a nice touch.

One of those sofas would do; he stretched out on it, getting comfortable for people watching while munching on some of those baked goods.]

[childhero]

[Huh... He sure seems relaxed. Link can't imagine being able to just stretch out like that with so many other people around.

There's a ten-year-old boy in green equipped with a long (for him) sword, a shield, and a rather large bag staring at you, Reno. He doesn't quite seem to realize he's staring yet. o3o]

[oldmannomore]

[There's an older man near the edges of the place - he feels a little awkward. This isn't a military function and there's not that many people around his age - physical or otherwise. So John just hangs near the edges, sipping a drink and munching on a cookie.]

[midgarhorizon]

[Hey you. Yeah, you. There's Reno, standing behind you suddenly.]

Hey John. [Spooked, yet? That's just Reno's sense of humor. He's taken it upon himself to bother wallflowers tonight. And he's sort of physically your age.]

Some party, huh?

[sevenyearbeautysleep]

[This Zelda's off on her own, of course - a little too shy and soft spoken to be with the others on the floor. She does seem to be enjoying herself at least - playing with one of the balls of light when she's sure no one is watching - and she won't object or shy away from conversation.]

[great_king_of_evil]

[ How Ganondorf got in there is a secret to everybody. Why he stayed though, is quite obvious. Food. If you had been sealed for a couple hundred years in the Dark World, you'd have developed an interest in quality food as well.

Or maybe he's just here to bother the heroes- They are having so much fun, what better way to make them feel insecure? He won't stay for long though. All that happiness and stupidity makes him feel sick. So he'll just eat a bit. He spots Hero Zelda though.

...

He still has no idea what to think about her. So he'll pretend he didn't see her for now. ]

[littlemissnobody]

[Dawn's not really convinced she wants to be here at all. She's still trying to deal with the whole thing where Tara's dead in her future and Willow's dating a troll-fish alien guy.

Okay, the last part wasn't so unusual. Not the first time someone she knew had fallen for a non-human. It was just that with everything that had happened, Willow and Tara being Willow and Tara was one of her remaining sources of stability and now that wasn't even a thing any more.

Still, she knew she'd never hear the end of it if she didn't show up so she's here, mostly keeping to herself because there's not that many people she knows here]

[fracta_anima]

Hi!

[Minami is trying to be more social in a bid to distract herself from the collarswap incident. Naturally she's trying to be cheerful and peppy to compensate for this.]

I don't remember seeing you around before. Are you new here?

[swordofzero]

[Suzaku stuck to the edges, looking for Aradia. She had asked him to come and so he had, but once he felt he had been there long enough to be polite he would leave. He glances round, recognising some people and nodding to them politely.]

[guiltapalooza]

Hi.

[Have a polite smile edged in some serious enthusiasm for life. Willow holds out a plate of cookies, and looks hopeful.] Want one? Peanut butter chocolate chip.

[fracta_anima]

[Minami had been trying to move past what happened with the collars so, naturally, when she saw a party was going on she was there. Someone wanted to have fun around here? Count her in!

So naturally she's stuffing her face, bouncing cheerfully to the music. Minami's done it for long enough that it's hard for even her to tell she's been depressed about the situation, but hey. That's what parties like this are for in her mind!]

[evokingfool]

[When he see Minami, he can't help but smile and watch her, well, bounce.

It's nice to see her enjoying herself, after what happened with the collars.]

[windykind]

[Hey, Tower! Guess who likes parties?]

[Not John!!!]

[But that's mostly because whenever he goes to parties in his neighborhood, they're usually really lame and he ends up calling his dad to pick him up early before he bores himself to death. But since it's Willow running the operations, he's pretty sure this party is going to be totally interesting, so when he saw a notice -- from one of the trolls, he's pretty sure -- up on the Network announcing that they and Willow are running tonight's event, he was there like an Apparator.]

[Right now he's loitering around the refreshments table, because only just now did he notice that he's really thirsty. And he didn't even go around and say hi first. Bad etiquette, John, bad etiquette.]

[littlemissnobody]

[Dawn's at the refreshments table too, mostly for something to do. When she sees John, however, she looks up and ventures a smile]

Hi...John, right?

[cantstopme]

[AH - NO. So many people - and he's so small! Being only a little bigger than three feet is not good when everyone else is so much taller than you - it's so hard to not get tripped on or anything...

So he's trying (TRYING) to make his way over to the safety of a sofa, hopefully to sit on top of the back.
Or hide under it.
Something safe.]

[chronomancer]

[Have a troll nearly running you over, Link.

Whoops!]

Ah, I'm sorry.

[Blink, blink. Wow, you're kinda tiny, kid.]

[floreatnoctem]

[Chidori is only planning on slipping in to say hello to Willow and perhaps finally meet this infamous boyfriend of hers, sketchbook held tight in her hands in front of her chest as she edges around the edges of the party. She wavers in and out of most people's notice because of Medea, so don't worry if you catch a glimpse of white and red and turn to see nothing there. Just Chidori being spooky Like a Boss.

Feel free to notice her when she's not focusing too hard on keeping attention off of herself though.]

[evokingfool]

[Minato pause and glance over, when he notice Chidori at the corner of his eyes. They never talked that often, but it reassures him to see her relatively okay.

Even though they're technically enemies.]

[terrificmachoemperor]

[Oh look, Kanji has arrived at the party, looking around to find Naoto (PRIMARY OBJECTIVE FOR KANJI-800) and...you know he doesn't really fit the whole party festive stuff. He's more used to it with his friends and nothing else.]

[verymuchalive]

[Oh hello, you look interesting, have an Aradia coming to greet you]

Hi! We haven't met, have we? I'm Aradia.

[savedbyasong]

[Shion is here as well, he has never been to a party before but it seems like fun. He smiles at those he knows and eats some food, not exactly sure what you are meant to do at such gatherings.]

[midgarhorizon]

[Lucky for Shion, an arm amiably falls over his shoulders. Completely out of the blue. Reno sure does move quietly when he wants to.]

Hey buddy. How's the party?

[Don't think Shion escaped notice! Reno is here to teach him all about parties. Yep.]