(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

[hypnowhip]

...Of course, honey.

[His smile is a sympathetic one- he absolutely understands that sentiment. He used to say that to himself all the time...

But he understands that now isn't the time, and that's okay. It's not something one can confront in a night. So he returns his gaze as well.]

You know, how about this? How about you tell me one of your stories like we discussed, hm~?

[scythegun]

Oh ja, of course!

[That's a much better topic from the sound of it, and Yeager shifts to prop an elbow on the railing, then his chin on his hand.]

Let's see here... Ah, I know! I've been all over Terca Lumireis and seen all sorts of incredible sights, but when I was just starting out as the leader of Leviathan's Claw, I had to pass through Capua Torim. Lovely port city, with a fantastic view, but it's one of those cities the Empire keeps a close watch on. The guilds and the Empire have never seen eye to eye, so it's not the sort of place I like to stay for very long if I can help it.

It was one of my first times in the city that I was ambushed by a thief! But not just any old run-of-the-mill bandit, oh no. This one was a little girl! Charming, adorable little thing, and she might have gotten away with it had we been in a more crowded area, or had I been less observant. She and her sister tried to escape, but I caught up to them fairly easily and asked them what was going on. It turned out that the two of them were trying to make money for the orphanage they were living in at the time - there were many deaths in the Great War ten years ago, and these girls' parents were among that number.

So I asked them to take me to see the headmistress, and I started personally funding the orphanage. And that's how I met and adopted my daughters!

[THAT'S ONE WAY TO END A STORY???]

[hypnowhip]

[THAT SURE IS!!! Sylvando was listening with rapt attention the whole way through with his expression growing concerned and sympathetic, but the end absolutely makes him sputter.]

You adopted them on top of funding the orphanage?! [...] You're a father?! Oh honey, I never would've guessed! That's wonderful!

[Holy shit this is so much to process, but like, in a good way?!]

[scythegun]

I sure am~

[feel proud, sylvando, he hasn't actually told anyone else here that gauche and droite are his daughters???]

They're sixteen now, and they'll end up being far stronger than I am in no time! They're members of Leviathan's Claw as well, mostly because they insisted on it.

[hypnowhip]

[SETO CHARACTER GETS THE FORBIDDEN DAUGHTER LORE ONCE AGAIN, YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST--]

Oh my goodness, sixteen! That's close to the Luminary's age- Serena and Veronica too! I could see them getting along swimmingly.

[Scrappy teens who can fight? Definitely JRPG party material if they weren't on the bad guy side.]

It must be quite the experience being the father of teenagers at your age! You're still so young!

[scythegun]

[you cannot escape the forbidden yeager lore]

It does not matter just how prepared you think you are to have kids, I can guarantee that you aren't.

[...he still sounds pleased about it though??? droite and gauche deserved better.]

I like to think I learned quickly, though! It helps that they're very well-behaved and patient.

[hypnowhip]

Oh, I don't doubt you at all. I've only looked after the kids in the group, and their little spats could become a handful all on their own! I couldn't actually imagine being their parent.

[He speaks just as fondly though. He loves those kids.]

I'm so happy for you, honey. I'm glad they're doing well.