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

[sicharia]

[She can't help but smile as he explains himself to her, even if the expression isn't fully a happy one.]

Mm, well, as long as you've been staying safe as you do that. It's been dangerous lately.

[Not that he needs her to tell him that, most likely, but the words come to her mouth almost instinctively.]

Well, I'm glad you did come. It's good for everyone to take a break every once in a while, and I'm sure something like this is good for you. [Even weird child soldiers needs socialization, after all!!] I've been well enough.

[She's able to lie with a straight face when she tells him that.]

[pinnaculum]

I have not been staying safe. [Spoken very matter-of-factly.] It is a soldier's duty to face danger, but my healing magic is extensive, and I have avoided those floors that negate abilities.

[What is staying safe? He could easily avoid all conflicts, with his speed and magic, but what would be the point?]

Yes, downtime is important for health. Usually I read in the library. There are many books of interest.

I am pleased. [Sephiroth isn't very good at reading emotions, so it's relatively easy to lie to him, as long as the lie is logical. He isn't very worried about how others feel, so no matter what they say, he generally takes their word for it.] If you are in need of assistance, you can contact me, and I will escort you. I can eliminate most monsters, except those that cannot be killed.

[Sephiroth could probably write a book about the monsters in the tower at this point.]

[sicharia]

[For a second, her smile falters when he replies, a little bit of worry creeping into her expression. She moves to crouch, putting herself at eye level with him.]

That's not what I meant. Even if you wanted to, I know it's difficult to completely avoid danger in this place. What's important is that you're not putting yourself in situations that you can't handle. It's not exactly safe, but— I know you're very capable. If you have healing magic, that's even better.

[As always, she feels a little taken aback by how matter-of-fact he is, especially when he talks about killing monsters, and that concerns her more than the dangers he puts himself in.]

Thank you, Sephiroth. If I'm ever in need, I'll remember that. [Though, capable or not, she isn't sure how comfortable she would be asking that of a child... She pauses momentarily, considering something, then says:] Actually, there is something I'd like to ask of you. I have a condition that means I need healing sometimes. Would it be all right if I came to you for that?

[But she doesn't want their conversation to only be about such serious topics, so she smiles at him and asks:] What kind of books do you like to read the most? I know the library's collection is very large.

[pinnaculum]

Yes, I am very careful. I possess a form of magic that can remove me from any fight without fail, as long as I am not on one of the power dampening floors. If I face an opponent too difficult, I will flee. Knowing when to retreat is a necessary part of tactics. Sometimes it is preferable.

You may come to me. My room number is 01-18, but it is easier to find me in the library or using the network. I can heal all physical injuries, revive those near death, and I can cure poisoning of any kind.

I particularly enjoy reading books on chemistry, biochemistry, engineering, bioengineering, biology, genetics, as well as the other sciences and mathematics. [No soft sciences, though!]

[sicharia]

Good. That's what I mean. For you, "staying safe" is different than what it is for me.

[She half-lifts a hand to pat his head, but then she stops herself, not knowing if a child like Sephiroth would appreciate that. Headpats or no, though, she smiles warmly.]

Thank you. I appreciate it very much.

Ah, goodness! [She's surprised by that answer, but at the same time, she isn't.] Do you ever read stories, or are you only interested in sciences like that?

[pinnaculum]

Yes, you should avoid the dangerous floors. Hopefully Diarmuid's guide to the floors will be helpful to you.

You are welcome. I am glad to be of service.

[Sephiroth blinks.] I rarely read fictional stories. I find them frivolous.

[sicharia]

[Again, his response both surprises her and isn't surprising at all. She blinks, and then her lips purse together as she debates how to respond.]

Hm... May I ask why you feel that way?

[pinnaculum]

There is no purpose to them. They do not provide meaningful facts or data. Nor are they accurate accounts of historical events.

Some read them for enjoyment. I do not enjoy them, so why would I read them?

[sicharia]

Well, that's fair enough, if you don't enjoy them! [She'll concede that easily enough.] But being fictional doesn't mean they have no purpose. You said yourself that some people enjoy reading them, and enjoying oneself has value all on its own. [Her tone shifts slightly, just a little bit of concern audible as she asks:] Sometimes you do things just because they're fun, don't you?

[He did say downtime is important, and a party is the kind of thing you go to just because it's enjoyable, right?]