(too late) you're at the party

[scouserer]

[Well, it's safe to say that trial fucking sucked. Therefore, some sort of afterparty is in order. Constantine is admittedly not good at throwing parties without some sort of liquor or other drug involved, but that's where Data and Sylvando guide him.

First order of business--invites. Upon returning to your rooms, crumpled pieces of paper have been taped to the doors. Written in poor handwriting is the following:]

meet at the lounge
bring whatever you want
[Simple, but effective. The lounge itself has been livened up a bit with Sylvando's help. Some nicely patterned fabric has been draped around on the tables to liven up the place a little, and snacks from the café and vending machines have been placed out for people to peruse.

A few supplies from the first aid room have been gathered, as well, for those who may need it. But perhaps the help is unnecessary, as tomorrow will likely bring another New Years Eve. And with it, another week of despair and frustration.

But for now, they can forget about that and pretend that all that matters is the present.]

Comments

cafe

[scouserer]

[Constantine seems to have decided that now was an appropriate time to start smoking again, as right now, he's sitting at one of the tables in the café and lighting up one of his precious cigarettes. He glances towards Yeager, raising an eyebrow.]

Sure, why not? Surprise me.

[He flicks a bit of ash into an empty paper cup.]

'sides, I could use somethin' else to think about.

[scythegun]

[Honestly, that's entirely fair, Constantine.]

Right away, then~!

[...you're probably going to regret this, because Yeager has entirely too many pumps of sugary shit back here and he will absolutely make use of all of them. You're welcome to come over and watch what he's making if you don't trust him not to poison it, but he'll make enough for two so he can suffer through his godawful creation with you.]

[scouserer]

[He's already regretting this once he sees Yeager start pumping all that syrup into his drink. He blinks, getting up and meandering his way over towards the counter.]

Do you even have experience in barista...ing?

[He squints at whatever awful concoction Yeager is brewing up.]

[scythegun]

[Hope you like sugar, Constantine!!!]

None at all.

[great!!!!!!]

But I've seen some people making drinks here and it seems entertaining, so I want to see what sort of horrid thing I can make. You said you wanted a distraction, ja?

[......i'm so sorry.]

[scouserer]

[He doesn't like sugar at all, thanks Yeager! <3]

I guess consuming my weight's worth in sugar is something. Even if it his revolting.

[....Hm. An idea hits him.]

If you make an identical one of those drinks for yourself, I'll drink the whole thing. No skimping on sugar, mind you.

[scythegun]

[constantine this is a dangerous game]

Absolutely~! I promise I'll find it just as disgusting.

[So yep. He's absolutely going to create a second abomination?? There isn't even any hesitation. We're both gonna die.]

[scouserer]

[He's an aging punk. He lives on the edge. He watches Yeager in rapt attention as he works. Once he's finished, Constantine takes his cigarette between his fingers, reaching out with his free hand to take the drink. Even from this distance, the smell of sugar is utterly overpowering.

...Well, it's not like he's going to get cavities from this, anyways, what with the time loop.]

On the count of three, then.

[He waits for Yeager. He is absolutely waiting for Yeager to take the first sip so he can laugh. But maybe that's what Yeager is also counting on?]

[scythegun]

[Sometimes you just want to watch the world burn, or you know, shotgun pure sugar because it won't matter in a day anyway.]

Would you like to do the honors, then?

[...yep, that's exactly the plan.]

[scouserer]

Right, then. One, two, three--

[He moves to 'drink' from the cup, careful to keep his mouth closed as he does so. He eyes Yeager to see what he does.]

[scythegun]

[Given the way he's studying Constantine as he goes to "drink" it, it's pretty obvious he's done the exact same thing.

...Which just gets him to burst out laughing, okay.]

Oh dear. I suppose there's no pulling one over on you, hmm?

[scouserer]

[Constantine sets down his drink, smirking.]

'Course not. I'm a bloody magician--you can't exactly trust our word, now can you?

[Parlor magicians are basically paid to lie to people, anyways--and people like it.]

We could always leave these out for the next sorry sap to sample.

[scythegun]

I'm not sure if it'll please you or disappoint you that we tend to hold our mages in high regard.

[There are obviously some Shady ones, but they're usually researchers and very well respected!

But anyway, that's hilarious and Yeager nods at that.]

I'm sure someone will be curious enough to take that risk~

[scouserer]

[Constantine shrugs, grinning slightly.]

Ah, mages are just nerds. Always goin' on about how you're supposed to use magic or stuff. You don't see me stuffed in a library for decades to dedicate myself to the idea of learning magic.

[Experience is the best teacher, after all!]

[scythegun]

Ah, you'd hate them, then! That's basically all they ever do. There's a city where most of the Empire's mages live that is so dedicated to the library aesthetic that their inn involves literally sleeping in the shelves.

[this sounds like bullshit but no, vesperia is just Like This]

[scouserer]

[my god. constantine lets out a sharp laugh.]

Bloody hell. Listen, I enjoy a good book or two, but I need a bit of fresh air sunshine on me shoulders in order to thrive. Half of 'em act like if you shone a spotlight on them, they'd wither away!

[scythegun]

Ja, you aren't kidding! Aspio - that city I mentioned - is in a cave.

[scouserer]

[Yeager could honestly be lying about this just to make Constantine laugh, but he doesn't care. All the more excuse to make fun of nerds. He shakes his head, smirking.]

Literal cave-dwellers. You really can't make this shit up.

[scythegun]

Right? Honestly, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. We don't have nearly as many mages in the guilds, so it's always so odd to see what sort of nonsense is happening with them in the Empire.