(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

[hellahighwater]

[ oh god she almost ruins the picture of allenby she's trying to detail— ]

Uhhh hi to you, Plum. [ ...is that- she's not even thinking, really- ] Fire away, I'm a multi-tasker.

[paucipan]

...P--Plum?

[Plumeria kind of just. Blinks, trying not to sputter at that but um--okay this is happening, great. Plumeria doesn't bring it up any further, though, opting to glance away and cross her arms.]

Anyway, I...wanted to thank you. [Plumeria's tone is actually much more awkward now than she intends, please don't call her out on this--] You know, for earlier, when you...helped me protect Lady Freyja. I didn't think that...well, anyone else would.

...If there is anything that I might be able to do to repay such a kindness, let me know. I don't like the idea of being indebted to a human, but...I'm willing to make an exception, for your actions.

[hellahighwater]

[ Chloe is very used to nicknaming people so she doesn’t think anything of Plumeria’s reaction. She gives a slight grin and a shrug, and then just listens.

Oookay... Well. First of all you don’t have to repay it. I didn’t really think you had your hands full or anything but, with how all that fucking chaos was unfolding? I didn’t wanna just sit on my ass and watch. You’re not... I did it ‘cause I wanted to. Freyja’s been nice to me. Even when I’ve been...kind of a bitch. So, I wanted to help. Nothing else to it.

[paucipan]

[...That does make sense, honestly. Plumeria does listen, just kind of looking briefly frustrated with herself, but--]

...I am simply glad that you were willing to do so; most humans tend to be rather selfish beings, from my experience.

[And yet, strangely enough, today's...kind of putting that into question. So many of them jumped into the fray to take on Allenby, without even once considering what could happen to them. It's...

...Well, it's a different side of humanity than what she's used to.]

...And all be told, I worried that my capabilities would not be enough, should that girl have decided to target Lady Freyja or myself. If nothing else, I...insist that you accept my gratitude, if nothing else. I am thankful, that you elected to...not sit on your rear and watch.

[She despises the idea of admitting weakness, but she did lay all cards on the table when speaking of her capabilities. At least with Chloe around, Lady Freyja had more of a chance to escape unscathed.]

...I take it that you had a pretty tough week, then?

[She certainly hasn't heard anything but pretty kind words from Lady Freyja about Chloe, so that is Plumeria's first guess, admittedly.]

[hellahighwater]

[ She holds up her hands, just kind of murmuring: ] Okay, okay, I accept your gratitude, or whatever. [ ...And then...clears her throat, unable to keep from glancing at the portrait she's finished and detailed, the one of the only unfamiliar person. ]

...Yes, you could...very much put it like that. [ With a...slight grumble. ] I...forgot something that kind of...helped make me less of one of those...selfish assholes you've seen humans as.

[paucipan]

[Hm. Plumeria's gonna pull out a seat, then, if Chloe doesn't mind; not sitting too close, but so she can at least get comfortable.]

...I see. Do you wish to talk about it at all? It sounds like a rather pivotal thing; I will not pry, if you do not wish.

But that man had no right to take it from you.

[Though there's a sort of...frustration on Plumeria's face, as she thinks about it. She's always been angry for Lady Freyja's sake, but...something about this doesn't settle right with her, either.]

[hellahighwater]

[ ...What does she say? She's not sure. ]

I... [ She frowns. ] It...was a person. Or, at least...part of a person? Someone who I'd written off entirely who...came back for me. Someone I loved. I forgot...all the thing she did for me, before I ended up here. I forgot her...making me better.

[ That's about enough of that, Chloe decides, focusing intently on the lines in Allenby's face, her smile. ]

So. Yeah. I'm pretty pissed at the Captain. Pretty ready to raise some hell.

[paucipan]

[Plumeria listens pretty intently at that, and there's...hoo boy, there's some anger building. The more she hears about these stories--the more she hears about what people have lost, what the Captain has stolen, it fuels some kind of fire in her.

Something about what Chloe says though--someone she loved, someone who made her better--it's striking a particular cord, and when Plumeria speaks up, her tone is filled with nothing but hatred and disgust.]

...That the Captain took someone like that from you is shameful. Disgusting, even. He stole someone so precious to you, and that dastard thinks he can get away with it?

[Plumeria looks to the drawing of Allenby, for a moment. Considering, really.]

...Whenever you should finish with your work, I would be happy to assist you in your endeavor to...raise Hel.

[...she heard that right, right, that's just what kids do she guesses???]

[hellahighwater]

[ She knows they're kind of having a Moment here. But Chloe really isn't expecting Plumeria to sound so...so outraged on her behalf? It shows on her face, really, at which point she doesn't seem to know what to do. ]

Uh. Well. Yeah. Guy's shittiness knows no bounds, I guess. [ ... ] I, well. Actually was kinda thinking of taking a break, I'm— I haven't done people in awhile, so...besides Max [ a little nod, at the detailed portrait ] it's... I'm still practicing, so.

[ ....... ]

You wanna go break stuff?

[paucipan]

[...Was it something she said? Plumeria tilts her head a bit at Chloe's words, honestly, but that very last bit gets the most shit-eating smirk on Plumeria's face.]

Gladly, Chloe. In fact, I would like nothing more.

[hellahighwater]

[ A little grin. ]

C'mon. I'll show you how to throw your weight right so you can break a table.