crescentview | fall catch-all!

1 - honse time

[The end of summer brought a very welcome surprise: Sylvando's equine companion Margarita appeared in his stable! She has quickly made her place in his daily routine, and he can now be found riding her into town for errands or simply taking her on a run through the island for a fun ride!

If he happens to run into any of his preexisting CR, he'll actually make an effort to stop and introduce his flashy white horse.]

Hey, honey! If you're not too busy, I have someone very special who I'd like you to meet!

2 - a little music

[During the fall season, anyone passing through the beach area might hear the distant sound of music coming from the farmlands. Closer inspection reveals that it's coming from Sylvando's farm, and he can be found playing a large red shawm. Most of his tunes are upbeat and easy to dance to, but he has a few softer ones in his repertoire.

Feel free to stop by and enjoy the show!]

3 - you gotta be kitten me!

[It seems that Sylvando wasn't able to elude the Goddess' tricks forever, as today he's woken up with fuzzy cat ears atop his head! He'd probably think they were adorable if they were on anyone else, but they're just a hassle to him. Styling his hair around them this morning was an absolute pain!

He almost opts to stay home until they wear off, but he can't ignore his errands, so unfortunately he must take the chance of being seen by others. Maybe no one will ask questions if he tries to tuck them under a hat?! No, that'll just draw anyway, won't it...

Well, maybe he'll be lucky and he won't run into anyone. He can just deal with the store owners being curious. Whatever.

(He's not going to be that lucky, is he?)]

Edited 2023-02-06 19:56 (UTC)

[Well...today's the day! At first, Sylvando wasn't sure how to go about this at all. The auction turnout was shocking in a number of ways, and he left the event more confused than ever about where he stood in both van Zieks and He Xuan's estimations. But after cooling down and thinking more on it, there's no point in worrying now when this is supposed to be a nice time, right? It's going to be a little awkward, and he knows there's no avoiding that, but he can still try to make it an enjoyable outing for both of his dates in spite of that.

He made sure to dress up extra nicely for the occasion, taking advantage of the cooler temperatures to wear a black three piece suit with red floral accents. Very formal for Sylvando, but visually loud enough to make up for it.

That said, it's time to board and Sylvando can be found waiting at the docks for his two dates to arrive.]

Hey, honey! I'm so glad you came!

[He grins from ear to ear, holding a gloved hand out to whomever arrived first.

(The other hand is reserved for his second date, of course.)]

I wouldn't have held it against you if you hadn't. I know it was...quite a lot.

[That sure is an understatement.]

But it means so much to me that you came regardless. I promise you that I'm going to make this a memorable night.

[ The auction in of itself is something that definitely makes the situation all the more awkward across a variety of fronts. But, it's okay, that's what makes things infinitely more fun??

It's funny, perhaps, that though people might assume He Xuan is the type of person to operate on a 'My Pace' schedule even with arrangements, that isn't the case. He isn't 'late' when it's time for arrival, appearing composed despite whatever nonsense he has engaged in the last 24 hours. It's fine.

He also finds himself completely unsurprised to see Sylvando dressed well; as usual, his own in comparison is not so loud, but nothing unfitting. He Xuan also glances at the hand, but then reaches out to take it, letting go soon enough presuming it is part of a greeting (and then making room for when Van Zieks shows up.) ]

It was.

[ To suddenly contradict that would be ultimately foolish. Though when Sylvando says the rest, he doesn't doubt it...for better or worse, ha ha. ]

...As much as it would likely fittingly ruin the goddess' plans to not show up, it'd be more difficult if I hadn't.

[ He Xuan would be dipping out irresponsibly on two counts. For as much as he has said which doubtlessly affected perception of him, he has no intentions of making it worthless. Not to mention, there is something to say of someone who indicated an interest in participating by sending in an application, and to not show up after that...well. In that way, it would be a waste. ]

Edited 2023-02-06 11:21 (UTC)

[Baz is perhaps the least surprisingly dressed, as he's defaulted back to the finery he initially arrived in, more or less. He's in some ways most equipped for formality, though he certainly seems far from comfortable right now. It's simple enough for him to take the proffered hand though, given as it's now cooled down enough for his to justify wearing his gloves once more.]

It would be a discourtesy to you and your efforts at the auction, farce as though it may have been, to refuse to show.
[Plus, though he won't say, He Xuan presents a buffer that will probably keep Sylvando from lecturing him. For now.]

It seems you've... dressed to be in step with the mood we are bringing.
[A black suit for your black-mooded goths.]

[Both of their hands get a gentle squeeze from Sylvando before they let go, and he steps between them to offer a little bow in the direction of the boat. Dates first!

He takes in their responses as they board. Two very different responses, but so very them. He Xuan earns a laugh with his, and van Zieks, an almost apologetic smile.]

The goddess deserves a bit of criticism for how that was set up, but... Well, I did participate in the bidding, so I suppose I don't have much room to talk, do I? [Oopsie.] I know you didn't sign yourself up with that application, Barry, buuut if you hadn't either, He-He, then I thank the both of you for humoring me. I wouldn't have bid on either of you if I wasn't interested.

[He might as well be upfront about that, right? That's what the auction was supposed to be about, even if it became a little twisted.

With that said, he beams when van Zieks brings up his choice in attire.]

Oh! So you noticed! [He dramatically places a hand to his chest.] I thought it would be fun to match! Well, I couldn't go the full mile- even I have my limits with dark colors! But don't we three look absolutely snazzy together?

[Even the moody hues can't dampen Sylvando's inherently sunny nature, it seems.]

[ He Xuan is much too ridiculous to admit that he doesn't have any room to talk here. Especially since he most certainly did participate in that auction bid.

Either way, it also seems that Sylvando is setting the tone for the date. Nothing so heartwrenching like yelling over a glass of exquisite wine and such. Not that he can imagine that he would, come to think of it. ]

More used to humoring people than not...and I suppose you've made that clear. If you didn't want to see either one of us, you wouldn't have bothered.

[ As for the word 'snazzy', he goes quiet for a moment. Back in his home-world, even with lack of language barrier due to reasons, he's never heard anyone refer to their clothing as 'snazzy'. Or appearance.

It's entirely possible he missed it during one of those bright parties in the heavens, though. ]

We do match, if that's what you mean. Like three ghosts ready to curse whoever dares to disturb us.

[ He Xuan says this with a straight face. ]

... Your image of what a ghost would look like must differ from mine.
[He thinks of ghosts as pale glowy specters after all. And he also thinks they aren't real. Anyway, back to their vibrant lynchpin;]

I think with the florals it's quite striking but still suits you very well. It better represents the power you hold that your usual behavior undermines.
[WHAT SORT OF SIDEWAYS COMPLIMENT IS THIS?]

[VAN ZIEKS THERE'S A GHOST RIGHT HERE--]

Ghosts? Oh, honey, if I was going to be a ghost, I'd want to be the more angelic kind! And I certainly wouldn't dole out curses.

[Which is why he's trying very hard to not make this date feel like a curse.

Meanwhile van Zieks over here is...well, Sylvando doesn't know what to do with that for a moment. It's not often that he feels weirdly seen through and van Zieks is really good at doing it.]

Oooh, so you like when I make my hidden depths more obvious, eh? Honestly, I'm not surprised. You do know better than many here that I am certainly more than meets the eye.

[That's not to say his "usual behavior" is a facade by any means, but he appreciates how much van Zieks has challenged him to bring out the facets of himself that he had become so accustomed to suppressing over the years. He no longer has to only be the silly jester.]

[ ... He Xuan is not going to be the most pleasant date here, but he is not going to be necessarily rude either.

As for both of their answers to his grim comment, he thinks they're about what he expected them to be, given what he knows of their personalities thus far. ]

...An unsurprising response from the both of you.

[ Though, he goes quiet, listening to Van Zieks and Sylvando's words towards each other. Personally, he doesn't think that the compliment was too bad, and given the way the other receives it, he was right to suspect as much.

As it is, however, he has nothing much else to say on the matter, looking entirely unaffected. He's perfectly fine with listening to them flirt. ]

[Van Zieks still has yet to really get a clear read on He Xuan and this isn't helping.]

Is your knighthood not common knowledge?
[NOW HE FEELS BAD FOR REFERENCING IT IN PUBLIC AT THE AUCTION.]

I think you've told more people about my knighthood than I have.

[He sees that aghast look on van Zieks' face though, and he's quick to laugh about it.]

That's okay, though! It's not something I'm trying to keep hush-hush about anymore. You've been good at reminding me.

[He tips his head toward He Xuan, since he's pretty sure he's yet to mention the literal knight thing...]

Does this revelation surprise you, darling?

[ He Xuan is here to be most certainly helpful in that regard, Van Zieks. Hope you appreciate it!

But as they talk a little further on about this supposed 'knighthood' and such, it does make him wonder. Though, he certainly doesn't have an image of what that would look like. Not because his imagination is certainly lacking. Sylvando's commentary about Van Zieks explaining to others about this subject must be true, since he hasn't ever heard of it before. ]

It could.

[ ...Why is he answering like that? Well, the reason for that will become obvious soon enough. ]

But, you'd need to explain what exactly does it mean for you to be a knight in your world first.

[ Is it a role that adds a layer onto why he jumped at the call to help save the world? Besides the determination not to let it all fall to ruin. Whatever the case, traditional 'knights' are not running around where he's from (there's always vague equivalents, but terms like that don't align neatly with knightly things.) ]

Edited 2023-02-10 17:19 (UTC)

[He really isn't that lucky at all. Here's a whole hat wearer, walking along, glancing over at the man with a wave.]

Hey, Sylvando-

[He walks.]

[He pauses.]

[He walks backwards.]

Sylvando?

[YOUR EARS?]

[Well. At this point he can't even really be surprised by what people do and don't have a metric for. Especially in this case, given that He Xuan seems to be from somewhere equivalent to the far east in his world. He doesn't think they have knights over there.]

I think we all need reminding of what does and doesn't need to be held to our chests here, sometimes.

[gaypeople.png

In any case he'll leave the knight explaining to Sylvando.]

[Sylvando waves back with a smile, walking very briskly along...]

Hey, honey~!

[...and he's about to breathe a sigh of relief at the fact that Steinbeck didn't seem to notice, until that is very quickly no longer the case.

He freezes, cat ears flattening.]

Mierda.

[Well, there's no getting out of this one now. He lets out a sheepish laugh and does his greeting a second time, except with a lot more defeat in his tone.]

H-Hey, honey...

Edited 2023-02-13 06:12 (UTC)

Oh, we certainly do.

[Pointed look at van Zieks. Guess who's getting lectured about that later!

Also wow, why does he have to do the explaining? But no, he'll happily explain.]

Knights are keepers of the peace who serve their kingdom! They swing their blades for the sake of protecting their people.

[He dramatically outstretches his hand to recite a passionate pledge.]

"A knight's word is his bond, his kingdom his master. He serves the weak untiringly, challenges the strong unflinchingly, and never retreats in the face of adversity!"

[...and then he's back to his cheery self.]

Knights serve in the military, and that's what I spent my entire childhood training to do. But as you can see, my knighthood became a biiiit...unconventional.

[ RIP Van Zieks...even he can sense a lecture in the making. But, hey, as far as he's concerned, it doesn't apply to him (lmao), so his attention is more rapt when Sylvando explains the basics of what a knight is.

Now that he knows better, does he necessarily find it to be a strange revelation where Sylvando is concerned? He doesn't quite think so. ]

If there is an expectation for knights to be strict, yes.

[ Which, there probably is, given that they serve a master. Though, that's just like the other male to be unconventional. ]

But, it does sound like the type of occupation you would commit yourself to. Protecting the people, challenging the strong, if that is what's currently oppressing the weak around you. Can't say I'm surprised in that regard.

[Welp. No getting out of it now, Sylvando, especially when Steinbeck is getting closer to tilt his head as he glances at those ears.]

Someone do that to you? The goddess?

[Untitled.mp3

He lets out a dramatic sigh and shrugs his shoulders.]

I don't know what I could've possibly done, but can't think of anyone else who'd do this to me.

[An attempt to smooth back a hair curl in his face goes about as well as you'd expect.]

Ugh! They're so annoying! I can't keep my hair in check at all with them in the way!

It could be worse! You could get like, donkey ears or something.

[Oh, poor, poor Sylvando. He can't help but smile, thougj.]

As it is, cat ears are pretty cute.

Mmm...

[Steinbeck gets props for helping Sylvando look on the bright side here, but he's still not entirely convinced.]

I don't know. Kitty ears are cute, but I think I prefer them on actual kitties. Or someone who pulls them off better than I do.

[He says this, but they actually look pretty endearing with his hair still on the curly side. He'd given up trying to coif it like he usually does.]

[Van Zieks nods at He Xuan's assessment.]

His methods are... unconventional, but as someone with similar aspirations I respect it nonetheless.

[Anyway, I'm deciding they are properly on the boat now.]

In any case... what exactly are we expected to do here?

[It's cute that He Xuan thinks he's free from A Talk.

That said, Sylvando does his best to not visibly preen in front of the two of them, but it's obvious that their comments have made him very happy.]

Aw, you two are so sweet. I do my best!

[Van Zieks has never mentioned the respect part either...it means a lot to hear that straight from his mouth.

But, yes! It's time to kick this off proper!]

They've prepared plenty of activities for us to partake in! [He pulls out the little pamphlet he was given that details everything.] I thought we could all start with a trip to the lounge and enjoy each other's company along with a drink!

[He doesn't say it, obviously, but he figures everyone here needs one to loosen up first.]

[ Similar aspirations? He chances a brief look at Van Zieks for once. But that aside, yeah, He Xuan thinks he's not gonna get a Talk.

That being said, the idea of being called sweet is always so ironic. Though, it's not like he meant anything bad by it for certain.

In the meanwhile, he has nothing else to say to that, content to be quiet for a little bit until they're now properly somewhere on the boat. Probably near the entrance or something... ]

...Then, let's get going and grab something to drink.

[ He Xuan, not the type of person to see much need in dithering, makes a movement towards the lounge already instead of standing around. Keep up, folks. ]

[He was dreading this whole ordeal a little, in all honesty, simply because it felt like just so many opportunities for awkward situations. But this.... this sounds fine, and also will make any future activities probably more bearable.]

I think that is something we can all agree on. Though... I don't believe I've ever drank with either of you before. I'll be interested to learn your tastes.

[And silently judge them, maybe, wine snob that he is.]

Mmm. Hmmm.

[He tilts his head this way and that.]

Why do you think you don't pull them off?

fall catch-all!

general open prompts

date night with van Zieks and He Xuan!

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