riverviewlogs | open: gold & glitz

open: gold & glitz

who: Bryn Zethir & Guests
what: A Gold & Glitz House Party
when: Evening of June 1st
where: Bryn's apartment
warnings: Alcohol, tobacco, and weed.

[Welcome to Bryn's apartment. The door is unlocked, and personal belongings can be tossed up onto the bed just at the top of the stairs. The party's theme is apparent at once. As mentioned on the network post, gold and glitz is strongly encouraged (though no one will be turned away for lacking either) in clothing, jewelry, accessories, or however creatively someone would like to incorporate it. Those interested in participating but lacking anything gold or glitzy will find gold glitter body gel to spread on their skin, compliments of the hostess.

There's a bar cart by the front door with a sign that reads WELCOME in gold script. It's laden with short shot glasses filled with what looks like liquid gold. When imbibed, however, it tastes like a faintly peach-flavored vodka. The rest of the alcohol and mixers can be found in the kitchen. Clear plastic cups feature labels that can be written on in gold permanent marker, then filled with any number of beverages. Really, there's no real rhyme or reason to what's available, as guests have been encouraged to bring whatever they like and add it to the kitchen island. For those who don't drink alcohol, there's a sign on the fridge indicating that non-alcoholic drinks and mixers are kept within. Anyone looking to fill their stomach a little between drinks will find platters of finger foods available throughout the apartment. Gold macarons, cheese and crackers, sliced fruit and vegetables are plentiful, but guests who are quick enough may find they can grab some of the thinly sliced beef arranged around a bowl of spicy dipping sauce. Of note, there is also a plate of gold fortune cookies for guests. While it's noted there's only enough for one per person, the fortunes feature not only a fortune but a party challenge. Dance with a stranger? Eat nothing that isn't fed to you? Try your hand at inventing a new drink? Why not try it and see what happens? Play a game of party jenga for that matter.

Beyond all this, anyone attending is encouraged to mingle and enjoy themselves. There's ample seating throughout the apartment for people to sit back and enjoy their food and drinks, including a plush rug in one corner covered in floor cushions and pillows around a hookah with a variety of flavors of tobacco. For those who are more inclined to activity there's space enough to dance to the music that booms throughout the apartment. With the windows open the space stays well aired out and comfortable, inviting any who attend to linger as long as they like. By the looks of things the hostess has no intention of kicking anyone out no matter how late it gets...]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He doesn't have a whole lot that glitters and/or is gold, but a quick stop out to a local store or two gets him ready. Cain arrives with his hair sprayed up with glitzy glam and styled nicely for the event, black shirt with a glittering golden vest buttoned up over it. Just dark denim jeans below that but it's enough for the theme, right? He isn't intending to go all out, anyway. It doesn't stop him from looking really nice when he bothers with his appearance, however.

He's taken in by the activities provided, lingering at party jenga and playing at mixing drinks for a while (without having any for himself) before he just settles down with some snacks and watches. Anything interesting going on, he's likely to poke his nose into, but times like these make the best opportunity for people-watching. ]

_{[ He remembers Cain. It's hard to forget somebody who pretty much hand fed you encouragement without actually begging for it. It's people like these that he holds in highest regards, but his ego is a bit too much to make it easy for him to outright admit that.
Cain is seated with snacks on a sofa and Karamatsu is inviting himself over to slide his ass on the arm rest, definitely right next to Cain. He's not hard to miss-- the guy looks like a human disco ball in his sequin covered suit and mirror coated sunglasses. ]}

Your aura of self confidence and friendliness has attracted me over, it seems.
It's good to see you in person, Jacob-san.

_{[ There's a glass of some kind of alcohol in his hands, but his face is already a light pink color-- just a heads up, he's a lightweight. ]}

I don't suppose this is your first party, is it?
_{[ implying.. that it's his? Actually, it isn't, but he acts awkward enough to make it seem so. ]}

Edited (WORDS) 2017-05-31 05:05 (UTC)

[ Cain isn't totally expecting anyone to invite themselves over, but the fact that it happens doesn't escape his notice. Anyone who wants to talk with him while he's taking a break is more than welcome to. When he recognizes who it is (and takes a very quick glancing look to Karamatsu's neck out of his peripheral vision), he smiles. Shifts on the seat to turn toward him like they meant to sit like that together.

It's only polite. ]

Good to see you, too, Matsuno-kun. [ He takes a sip from his own soda, hard to tell if he's imbibing or not. (He isn't, because he's also unfortunately unable to handle Too Much Alcohol.) Shrugs. ] No, I've been to plenty. Not recently, though, figured I'd fix that.

What about you? You digging this one?

_{[ For some reason, he's oddly giddy over the fact that some Westerner is using -kun on him. He's always been interested in Western culture-- he owns too many cowboy hats and cowboy boots that are bedazzled in diamonds and doused in glitter of his own trademark. After all, you needed that when you wanted to make your own clothing line.

His chest quakes as he tries to suppress a hiccup with no avail. He looks away from Cain dramatically, trying to look mysterious... or something. Honestly, we're not sure what he's doing.
He pushes his sunglasses further up the bridge of his nose, bold eyebrows pinned together. ]}

Tch. It's an okay party.

_{[ it's okay, he says, as he taps his foot against the flooring-- an obvious indication of his insecurity in being here. This whole thing was too amazing for him, but he can't let people know that.
The serious expression fades as he sets his drink down on a coffee table and folds his hands together, remaining seated on the arm rest. ]}

--There are not adoring fans falling at my feet just yet. Only then will a party such as then become superior. They are too shy I have concluded.. and that is why nobody is approaching me.
_{[ what fans.. you have no fans... ]}

[ He's even willing to speak Japanese wholesale if Karamatsu indicates that would be welcome, but as it is, he can't help but return in kind when someone uses honorifics on him first. Just seems rude. Manners are important, kids! ]

In cases like those, your best bet is to approach first and... smooth things out. Help them feel more at home. [ His smile is gentle, appealing, not teasing like he would with anyone else that had more confidence in themselves. This kid talks the talk way too hard for Cain to believe it for a second, his tells giving him away with every attempt. ] What have you already tried here?

Ah, approach them first, just as I approached you, but--
_{[ Karamatsu takes a good look around the area then splays his hand over his heart. ]}

... I do not want to startle them with my presence either. Why is this so difficult?
_{[ see.. see that sweat on his brow.. that just means he's the one who is being nervous.
He drops his hand and places them both on his knees, watching the other people mingle wordlessly for a moment. ]}

Ah, in regards to what I have tried here-- you mean what do I plan on trying here. Heh.
_{[ There's a suspenseful pause again, and then: ]}

In regards to what I have planned here--

I have got no plan!
_{[ all that build up for nothing.. ]}

[ See, this is why Cain looks forward to talking to you, Karamatsu. It's amazing. He has no idea what it is but it's true. He just smiles a little wider and hides it into his drink while he goes over what a poor nervous doofus this boy is. ]

Party jenga's pretty good. Sit down, let the blocks do the talking. Don't be afraid to strike up conversation... with the poor nervous people you're playing with, of course.

[ Does... does this count as reverse psychology or just encouragement? Does it count as anything? Who the hell knows, hopefully it just helps this kid not feel like a gazelle in a lion's den. ]

Yes, of course. I should be.. gentle with these sweet song birds as I hold them in my rugged palms.
_{[ He sulks his shoulders down and leans his chin against his folded hands, elbows propped up on his knees at this point.

There's a long, long, long pause this time as his eyes study everyone else and what they are doing, but he doesn't know these people. They're like some kind of angelic beings who are socially adapted-- a more evolved species than his kind of low-life species: a virgin NEET who has taken forever to leave home.

God, this is so hard, so he comes up with an escape route, but do it carefully and not cowardly: ]}

... Why should I talk to them when I am talking to you already, though?
_{[ BINGOOOOOOOO. ]}

[ Don't laugh. Don't laugh. It'll crush this sweet delicate song bird if he laughs. It's just... so cute? And funny but also cute. Cain is man enough to admit it, and there's an endearing quality to this kid, no doubt. His enthusiasm for covering up his nerves is pretty legendary. ]

You make an excellent point. What, with us handsome guys nearing our mid-twenties, we gotta stick together. No telling what kinds of terrible happenings might rip us apart if we don't prepare now.

Terrible things-- such as a broken heart. We do not need anything like that, so why even negotiate the idea of true romance at a place like this? Why entice the idea of-- speaking to a girl?

_{[ Karamatsu, that's half the reason you're here. You wanna get laid. ]}

Why risk something so sacred for the opportunity to touch a boob?
_{[ He went from such poetic talk to somebody lecherous in an instant. What is his damage? ]}

Edited 2017-05-31 06:38 (UTC)

[ Thank god Cain wasn't drinking just then. As it is, he hides the surprise and amusement behind a cough and sideeyes the kid. He's getting the bigger picture now and. well. it's definitely something. He thinks he likes it. ]

You've got me there. That can always come later, but our youth — that only comes once.

[ ... and just never leaves when you're in Cain's situation. Semantics!! ]

So it does.
_{[ So it does— and then come growing up, being responsible, making something of yourself and ultimately leaving your family behind. These are all things he has procrastinated on.
Anyway, this conversation has completely distracted him from his intended purpose here— it is not often somebody carries a conversation with him outside of family without wanting some kind of personal gain. ]}

Perhaps that is why we are trying to prolong our youth— me and my brothers.
_{[ He's talking like they are there...
and no, you're trying to prolong it cause you're all lazy fucks. ]}

How's all that going for you?

[ Cain knows it's probably just a saying and the usual idea of people trying to escape adulthood and responsibilities. He knows that. But something inside him bristles at the joke and he's careful to hide it. After his recent experiences back home... well, it's a sensitive subject. ]

Found anything that works yet?

_{[ this is a serous topic: ]}
I have found that clinging to your family home and demanding freshly cut pears from your mother is the best way to prolong your youth-- also ignoring any other responsibilities such as job hunting.

Perhaps that is why I feel as if I have suddenly grown up after arriving on the Eluvio, and then arriving here. Finding a job here was terribly easy.. I'm not certain if I can trust what I am getting into. Surely it was not that simple for me to be hired.

_{[ OH, SO HE'S EMPLOYED? ]}

I will go into my first day of work wielding a weapon, and if I find I am getting scammed, I'll blow'em full of holes.
_{[ shit. ]}

[ what is wrong with you, child ]

Actually... I'm pretty sure they have a program going here to help place new arrivals in jobs no matter what their specialties turn out to be. So maybe go easy on the ammunition and just leave if you don't like it?

_{[ Just....
takes off his sunglasses and looks at Cain. ]}

Are you saying that they've employed me because somebody helped me and it isn't because of my handsome looks and charms?
_{[ Karamatsu, this was explained to you. Why are you dumb. ]}

[ He just looks... not quite sure what to do with Karamatsu but at the same time it's not a huge deal. Child pls. ]

Weren't you just saying someone just giving you a job is suspicious? If not because of that, then what's shady about it?

What is shady about it is it isn't your run of the mill kind of job that I've been given.
No, I dare say it's the kind of job that I thought was only achievable in my dreams..

_{[ there's a pause, another big build up: ]}

An actor in soap operas.
Is it really that easy to get a job such as that here, or am I being foiled? Have I just caught the attention of the right people at the right time? Is it... Fate? I do not really know, so I should go prepared, non?

[ Well. Okay. Yep, that tracks. ]

Given your talents for buildup and tension, not to mention following through with any drama you come across... I'd say it's not so out of place.

[ did you just call him a drama queen, Cain? I think you did. ]

_{[ You totally called him a drama queen but he's too dumb to realize it's not a compliment.
So, he brightens: ]}
Ah, yes! So I am talented for the role! And this entire time I've been ridiculed for it, but I suppose it pays off.

_{[ He can't wait for his family to show up here and see how successful he is. ]}
Making a clothing line will be easier once I am famous.

[ He said it nicely! Kind of! Look, it's impossible to not poke fun a little when someone is... Karamatsu-like... ]

There's always a perfect spot for everyone out there. You just have to find it. So...

[ Cain laughs, nods and takes a sip of his drink. ]

Right, just have to remember your goals while you work toward the top.

I already know where my perfect spot is.. and I've known that all along. It took no time to find it. From the womb, I knew..

My perfect spot is..
_{[ He reaches out and taps Cain lightly on the chest with one finger. ]}

Within the hearts of other people.

_{[ end this right now. ]}

[ Cain doesn't flinch at the touch, but he briefly wonders at whether Karamatsu notices a lack of heartbeat under his touch or not. He does have a heart, it's just... a little misplaced compared to the usual. Probably not, though, not with him continuing to carry on, and Cain just leans further against the back of the couch where he's nestled himself comfortably. ]

Which is exactly why you on TV is probably the best place for you right now.

[ Checkmate. ]

Cain (Jacob Kane)

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