open: gold & glitz

[inlaid]

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...]

Comments

[glitterpants]

_{[ He seems honored to have so many things in common, but he's going to act like it's no big deal. ]}

Hmph. I suppose.. if you desire to be that much like me.
_{[ see that? He's turning away... cause he's embarrassed. ]}

[aeturnus]

[ This is an endearing, if somewhat mystifying, child. He'll take it, for sure. ]

Are you sure you don't want to be just a little bit like me, too?

[ Reaches out to nudge him gently. C'mooon. ]

[glitterpants]

_{[ He fidgets slightly, still avoiding looking at him. ]}
Hmph. Your.. hair is nice, I suppose.

[aeturnus]

[ That gets a laugh, and he moves to futz with the hair that's nice and style for the party. It does make him look more sophisticated than usual, which is appropriate for the event but he's been avoiding looking at himself because, really, he looks more like Abel this way than himself. He'd probably get teased a lot at the same time, too. ]

Thanks, I take good care of it.

[glitterpants]

Not as if I am terribly interested for my own personal gain, but how does one go about seizing to age physically?

[aeturnus]

Of course you're not.

Unfortunately, it's not a skill so much as... [ he grimaces internally, because knowing this kid, he knows the reaction that will come ] ... a curse? A blessing?

[glitterpants]

_{[ He falls quiet, studying him intently. A blessing? A curse? Which is it? Karamatsu is gullible, so he honestly thinks it could be either. Though, he's definitely more of a believer in that kind of thing versus something like magic, and so, he just nods slowly before looking up at the ceiling. ]}

Isn't it like that with everyone's existence? Only we can decide and figure out who we really are — a blessing? or a curse?
_{[ please stop making everything so profound.. ]}

[aeturnus]

[ It's really more for the individual decide since Cain himself isn't... really sure what it is. That's a philosophical debate he's been having with himself for a while, and one he knows he won't get answers to for a while yet. If ever. ]

Everyone gets to choose what to do with their own time, yes. I just... have an inordinate amount of it.

[glitterpants]

_{[ Karamatsu shifts, as if he's uncomfortable about the topic now. Turning away from Cain with a frown, he seems rather concerned. ]}

You must feel.. and abundance of loneliness. Without aging, you see others age— others leave you when it seems too soon for you.

[aeturnus]

That's the pretty common first thought. You get used to it. [ He pauses, allows a contrite look. ] You learn how to mourn and move on. It's not like there's anything else you can do.

Shutting people out doesn't help, nor does it make anyone a cool loner type. It's pretty much impossible to function if you're not built for that.

[glitterpants]

_{[ You get used to being lonely? It sounds impossible. He's quiet for awhile-- it's obvious he and Cain have stumbled across a sensitive subject for him. It's not so much as the fact he is lonely more than it is he's afraid of being lonely. ]}

... I think people like you are the strongest. To endure loneliness, and yet, not let anybody know. I would not have known that about you just by speaking with you now.

[aeturnus]

[ That gets a soft, gentle laugh from him. ]

I'm no saint, Matsuno-kun. It's not like I don't make friends and family when I get the chance.

[glitterpants]

But then you see them go, do you not?

[aeturnus]

Yep. But everyone loses loved ones, it's not like that's the uncommon experience. For me, it just happens more.

[glitterpants]

_{[ Karamatsu doesn't even want to think about losing loved ones. It's terrible. ]}

But through that, you build up more personal strength, don't you?

[aeturnus]

[ Cain's lost a lot, kid, and even the one most important of all. It's all complicated, though, and not... something he talks about. Surprisingly, the guy who outright admits immortality has things he won't speak of. ]

Personal strength. Emotional calluses. Whatever you want to call it. It's only about as romantic as you feel like making it.

[glitterpants]

_{[ He sucks in a breath, then eases it out, oddly satisfied with the response. Cain, you're learning very well. His lips curve upward-- he almost looks dreamy. ]}

Such a tragedy. But.. with such despair you carry sunshine on your face; your words like sweet nectar..
_{[ ???? ]}

I feel a sense of hope.
_{[ ok.. thanks? ]}

[aeturnus]

For your extended youthful spirit?

[ He looks amused more than anything because he really has stopped expecting proper lines and conversations with Karamatsu. It only took two times talking with him which is probably pretty good, he figures. ]

Smiling's not hard as long as you keep looking for reasons.

[glitterpants]

_{[ Oh, that's a good one. He'll probably have to steal that line from Cain. ]}

... What reasons have you found so far?

[aeturnus]

[ Property of Romulus, 20XX. Copyright. ... but maybe he'll let you borrow it. ]

People, mostly. Recent years, technological advances are pretty exciting and watching people figure out something so crazy is cool. Usually it's just the people, though.

[glitterpants]

_{[ People.. that is such a great answer! ]}
Jacob-san, are you meaning to tell me... that you.... found love?

[aeturnus]

[ Great and true! And really, he's trying hard not to laugh because it must seem impossible for a young twenty-something that apparently no one really believes in. ]

Yes. Many different kinds, too. Each one just as valuable as the next.

[glitterpants]

—Male or female?
_{[ NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS. ]}

[aeturnus]

Both? Can't say I don't have a preference, though.

[ There's plenty of stuff Cain doesn't talk about with people. This one? Ain't no thang. ]

[glitterpants]

I see...
_{[ this is embarrassing to talk about.. ]}

The alluring physique of the female creature is enthralling in my opinion.. but it is what it is her heart that is more important. Surely you know this already as somebody so old and wise.
_{[ you're old and wise now.. nice. ]}