Midsummer Bash

[puppy_lancer]

Characters: Lancer, the people he invited to the party, and everyone else who wants to stumble in
Setting: Floor 25, July 5, afternoon
Format: Open
Summary: Lancer throws a party for midsummer, since the Tower obviously needs a breather.
Warnings: None so far.

[To be honest, Lancer wanted to have the party in the evening, sometime around twilight. That would have been the most romantic time for it. Unfortunately, when in the Tower, one had to account for things like monsters. As a result, he had to hold it during the afternoon. But it wasn't too bad of a compromise.]

[This was, of course, a more simple affair than Diarmuid's birthday. For food, he had hauled a couple of tables up here and lined the table with dinner food. The centerpiece was a cake which had a heart drawn on it in red frosting. In one corner of the meadow, he had used some boxes and tarp to make some sort of booth where people could hide from the sun (and steal kisses off of each other). In the center of the meadow, he had piled a large stack of wood, perfect for lighting a bonfire by the party's end. The structures had all been surrounded with wreaths made from the meadow's flowers.]

[As soon as he's done with the setup, Lancer will sit down next to the firewood pile, waiting for people to come.]

Comments

B

[puppy_lancer]

...What happened to you?

[Seriously, he doesn't remember inviting you. And the least you can do is somehow make yourself look sort of decent.]

[doctor_dismemberment]

[Oh, god shitting fuckdamn, he always gets stuck talking to people that he hates. Which is kind of understandable when you hate 99% of the people you come across, but that's totally not the point. Richtofen bristles immediately upon hearing Lancer's voice, and it takes everything in him not to yell, or glare, or just tackle the bastard.

Instead, he does something even worse.

He forces a smile onto his face.]

Oh! It's you. How nice to see you again. [There's no hiding how strained that greeting is.] I've... been better.

[He shifts his leg. It looks like half of his pants leg has been torn off, then replaced with not-really-similar fabric. The sewing job looks like it was done by a 5-year-old.]

There was a monster...

[He trails off.]

[puppy_lancer]

Wow. Tough.

[He'd be more sympathetic, if he didn't remember you being an asshole the last time the two of you spoke.]

[doctor_dismemberment]

Yes, very.

[Richtofen narrows his eyes, but his overall disposition remains something close to cheery.]

So. What have you been up to? Still chasing after monsters under your bed?

[It sounds casual, but there's a taunting undercurrent to his words. He can't help it. He just can't stand having conversations with these people without being PA as hell.]

[puppy_lancer]

[He snorts.]

Nah, the only monsters I've seen were out in the open. And I bashed in their skulls.

[doctor_dismemberment]

Ahh, good for you.

[He sounds a little more enthusiastic than he probably should at that. Still, the twinge of annoyance in his eyes never quite fades away. He suddenly wishes he'd run into Lancer when he was transforming into a beast last month. Feeling that brat's flesh between his teeth would've been more than satisfying.]

[puppy_lancer]

[He nods.]

Well...uh...since you're here, I guess you can stay for the party. But hurt anyone...

[His eyes narrow dangerously.]

And I'll make you regret it.

[doctor_dismemberment]

[Though every instinct he has is screaming at him to take Lancer up on that offer, Richtofen just keeps smiling.]

Oh, you don't have to worry about that. I'm taking up a new leaf, don't you know? No more hurting people for me!

[Surprisingly, he doesn't sound sarcastic.]

[puppy_lancer]

...

[He's just a little doubtful about that, but he probably shouldn't deny this guy his chance.]

I see...uh...good luck and enjoy this party then. Pretty sure those here who know you will be glad to hear that.

[doctor_dismemberment]

[Richtofen touches the tip of his finger to the crescent-shaped scar under his left eye, and actually gives a friendly wink.]

Wunderbar. Tell everyone you know, okay? It's silly, but... I would rather enjoy doing something about this awful reputation of mine.

[puppy_lancer]

If you're honest enough about being nice, I'm sure it'll disappear in no time.

[doctor_dismemberment]

[Oh, so that's the way he wants to play. Richtofen's smile is tense, but he doesn't relent.]

Right. Of course.

[He opens his mouth to say something else, but no matter how hard he tries, he can't even fake a "thank you" to Lancer. Awkwardly, he presses his lips shut.]

[puppy_lancer]

[He reaches out to clap Richtofen on the shoulder.]

Go ahead and grab a drink then. I gotta go check on something over there, so I'll be seeing you later.

[doctor_dismemberment]

[Richtofen tenses noticeably as soon as Lancer touches him, but he covers it up by widening his smile and belting out a high-pitched laugh.]

Right, yes, I will go do that, that drinking thing! Ahaha! [He lifts a hand and wiggles his fingers in a tiny wave.] Toodles.

[puppy_lancer]

...

[Lancer gives him a blank look at then walks off. He has a feeling he might be scarred for life...]

[doctor_dismemberment]

[As soon as Lancer's back is turned, Richtofen's smile fades. He shudders and brushes off the spot where he was touched.

Aaand he's back to creeping around by his lonesome.]