but even if the stars and moon collide [afterparty]

[allatonce]

[Well, that sucked!

After about an hour, invitations written in colorful ink appear under everyone's doors.]

Understandable if you're not up to it, but we're having a memorial and "don't wanna be alone" hang-out in the restaurant again.

[The restaurant has very much been decorated with the most rainbow fabric she could find in the department store. Jonathan got roped in, mainly so she could make sure he was doing okay, but also because she assumed that he knew how to put a tablecloth on a table. He seemed like the type, anyway.

After consulting with Undertaker, most of the food that's been set out is more traditional Chinese funeral food than Victorian—you can get a whole roast duck in the restaurant—but she tried for a mix of things. There is fruit, the aforementioned roast duck, and several vegetarian dishes along with potatoes for some reason and... cookies? Okay then.

Joy's trying, because that was way less terrible for her than it was for basically anyone else.

Happy Pride Wrath, New Rapture!]

Comments

[howveryglib]

We do not need more problems here than we already have, Vholran.

[vholran]

[ What're you, man, the cops?? ]

And if I did cause a problem, do you honestly believe you could stop me?

[howveryglib]

Given all your posturing, I suspect I would have an easier time with you than you seem to believe.

[vholran]

There's time to see if that is the case. That is, if you really believe you'd manage.

[howveryglib]

If you keep feeling the need to antagonize everyone, I will go ahead and show you.

[this is just two dogs angrily barking at each other]

[vholran]

[ It really is. ]

Oh? Right now?

[ He stands up, because he really is about to go. ]

[howveryglib]

[on the one hand, this feels like a bad idea and it’s been a while since he’s had to properly fight unarmed.

…on the other hand maybe if he can put vholran in his place he can get him to be more cooperative.]

Not in the middle of a funeral. We will take this elsewhere.

[vholran]

[ ...Gaius, doing the good work. ]

I'll agree. Come with me.

[ Notably, he has finished his food by now. So he has no problem with exiting the restaurant...heading towards the gym, because it's close by and will suit their purpose well. ]

[howveryglib]

Thank you for that, at least.

[...should he go get his armor.

actually nah it's probably way better to do it as he is. normal clothes. it'll feel more earned. He's going to eye Vholran warily as they enter the gym, because this guy doesn't feel entirely like he'll fight fair...]

[vholran]

[ What do you mean he doesn't fight fair?

Well.

Perhaps it is a good thing that Gaius keeps an eye on him, because as soon as they enter, he will immediately swing a fist towards his face. Wow. ]

[howveryglib]

[Good thing he thought that might happen! And he dodges back almost casually, putting a bit of distance between himself and Vholran. Even if Vholran is on the tall side Gaius is still, like, six inches taller, so he's got a bit more reach... best to use that to try and kick Vholran in the ribs!]

[vholran]

[ Gaius has got more reach, though Vholran seems to just swerve annoyingly out of where the kick was aimed.

It is on like donkey kong!! Not that it wasn't before, but y'know.

He follows up with a punch directed towards the other man once more—this time he is trying to land an attempted hit right at the other man's gut. ]

[howveryglib]

[ah, a dodgy boy. he probably should have assumed as much, but you know what? the punch attempt gives him an idea. his abs are tough enough to take a punch from a jrpg villain. and yeah, maybe it hurts a bit more than expected, but he did prepare himself to take a punch, and so he's going to take the opportunity to try and grab Vholran's arm and, if successful, try and judo throw him!]

[vholran]

[ Vholran is a bit too close to draw his arm back in time, though he does try in vain, and then, he is ... judo thrown, and collides with the ground pretty hard. Gaius has enough muscle and weight on him to make the momentum unpleasant from the throw, and there's a small grunt that escapes him all the same.

Out of pure stubbornness, he will swing a leg back in an attempt to hit one of Gaius' to unbalance him. ]

[howveryglib]

[The leg sweep… kind of works, because it happens just a touch too quickly for Gaius to avoid it, but he recovers quickly by shifting his balance to the other leg. He tries to control some of the momentum to get the leg that had been kicked out of range, but he has to move quickly to take advantage of the opening he gave himself without letting Vholran go for the other leg… might be a bit of a big ask, though.]

[vholran]

[ Vholran is already moving, swinging once again with one leg to try to intercept that opening so he can go for the other leg, trying to rely on his own speed here (it's more his intention to see if he can truly known the other man to the floor and then stand up properly.) ]

Think you can keep up?

[howveryglib]

Handily.

[Considering he predicted the move, he actually does make it out of Vholran’s reach… but only barely. Still, it’s enough that he can’t end this as quickly as he’d like; he tries to dart around for an opportunity to pin Vholran, but he’s pretty sure he’ll get up before he has the opportunity.]