crescentview | karaoke party!

karaoke party!

Who: Lucia and you!
What: Karaoke Party Time
When: Fall 20
Where: Cozy Kitchen
Warnings: n/a for now

[ On Fall 15th, a notice goes up on the noticeboard advertising a karaoke party at Cozy Kitchen on Fall 20th. It may be easy to miss with all of the pirate chaos, but Lucia will put a sign at the front of the restaurant to remind her fellow farmers of the event.

When Fall 20th rolls around, the smell of Lucia's food can be smelled from outside in town square. One may also catch another redhead bringing alcohol from his winery into the restaurant, or people from the other neighboring bar moving equipment into Cozy Kitchen. When everything's said and done, the restaurant is left with a nice evening setup. It's a small-ish space but there is plenty of food and alcohol for people to indulge in, as well as non-alcoholic drinks like tea and water. The karaoke machine is set up, and there are board games from the store that people can play while they're here.

People are free to sing, open mic style, as many times as they'd like. At some point during the party, however, Lucia will make it a point to play some slower songs on the machine and cite that it's been a while since the dance in Spring. Now might be a good chance to get one last dance in with someone before Winter hits! Finally, party games will be inevitable, so go ahead and participate or run your own. ]

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[Syrlya has been his usual extroverted self this event, though drinking far less than at the last group meeting. He isn't singing much, but he is enjoying the good and the party games.

So of course he swings around to where Mishka is, and sees him holding a familiar magnifying glass.] You're looking quite intently through that. Is it some mirror to another world? [He leans over, curious himself to see...

... Huh.] What are all these lines? Between people?

( Mishka smiles, glancing at him, and then traces his lines in the glass. Hmmm... )

They appear to be colors that reflect the relationship or emotional status between people. I'm still figuring out the key, but I think I've sorted out the colors for sexual and romantic relations.

Oh. [WELL don't mind if he slides into that seat nect to Mishka, leaning over to peer through the magnifying glass. He can tell some lines are going from other of them, spreading out but mostly to--]

This is what it does? [Maybe he shouldn't keep looking, but...]

Well, which lines are those?

( Sure, he'll let Syrlya have a peek-through! What's the worst that could happen. )

Red is for sexual relations, and orange is for couples.

( Which is what he meant by romantic relations. )

For instance, you and Trahearne have both—congratulations, by the by—as do Gaku and Ellis, but myself and Amber only have one such color in common with these two parties. Those with only a couple arrows running to one another are easy to divide out their meanings in this way.

[Syrlya's face flushes gold DON'T LOOK AT WHERE HIS OTHER RED LINE GOES...

He coughs against the back of his hand.] Since I am sure you intent to discern it anyway, perhaps we can make sense of some. [He really wants to point it at Trahearne, but if he asks he'll look jealous...]

--There's blue, between us. Perhaps that is for a kiss? [DON'T LOOK AT WHERE ONE OF HIS BLUE LINES GOES EITHER...]

A kiss seems reasonable, given we've not done much else.

( And he has no clue what to call their relationship, but he doubts it's something easily replicated, given the number of blue lines across the room.

Mishka, though, does seem intent to follow those lines, though, since he knows very acutely where Adelis is sitting at present, and he'd like to find that the lines don't go there, and instead go to someone adjacent.

They do, however. )

... Adelis, hm?

[It's really the only thing he can think of between them, because if it was friendship there would surely be a lot more blue all around.

--Syrlya jerks his gaze away as the blush gets deeper.] It won't be something we will be continuing, given Trahearne and... your proposal.

[M... mostly. The kisses won't be romantic!!]

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

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He pauses visibly before Syrlya is blessed by Mishka's gaze turning from him and turning off Adelis for the moment, just jittering it to someone nearby.

He wants to ask what Adelis said. He has a lot of questions. But, like a tender bruise, he does Not want to touch this at All. )

... Yes, well, I imagine Trahearne would appreciate it. He has spoken of nothing but loving you since our first meeting.

( A beat. He seems to be studying Syrlya's green line that goes to Adelis (if out of the glass's panel, given he's not fixing it on Adelis at present), because he happens to have one, too (but sssshhh). )

Is there some third act I should be aware of, that you've done with him?

Edited 2023-02-21 06:17 (UTC)

Third act? [Reluctantly, he looks back at the magnifying glass. But not at Mishka. The green line?]

Well, if blue is a kiss and red is, ah, intercourse, there's nothing else we've acted on--[Oh, but it's

probably

not

an act.

It only points to Adelis, and not back to him. Which he... knew, even if the affirmation stings a little.

He looks away again.] I-it isn't anything important I don't think.

( Oh? He didn't expect that reaction. He glances at Syrlya, studying him for a few moments, and how he doesn't react with gold this time.

If Syrlya is honest and this isn't an act, then it must be a feeling. And if it's a feeling, then...? )

...

You are fond of Adelis.

( It's both a statement and a question. Syrlya is clearly nice enough to be fond of multiple people, but only Adelis has this line from him, which he does not have pointed to Trahearne, either.

He isn't sure he likes this potential train of thought, though, given whatever implications it may have for himself. )

Edited 2023-02-21 06:28 (UTC)

[There's a certain temptation to deny it... but as he thought before. Mishka will be trying to discern these lines regardless. And he'll remember, because of course he's curious about Adelis' the way Syrlya is curious about Trahearne's.

He sighs, defeated.] I adore him, yes. You would understand, I'm sure, how much there is to be fond of.

[He's sure Mishka feels it all the more intensely, after all.]

Edited 2023-02-21 06:33 (UTC)

( Oh, he doesn't like this line of conversation, because... he doesn't disagree. I don't love him, he wants to say. I don't. But maybe it's because he wants to carve open his chest and empty it of its swamp that he thinks so.

He spins the magnifying glass slow between his fingers, toying with it. )

... I do not think I can fit six years easily into some few adjectives about him. It is a sensation so overwhelming I must look away often.

( He speaks of it in vague terms, as if to give it name were itself a curse.

He isn't certain how he feels about Syrlya holding those feelings, even if the arrow isn't returned. It disturbs the silt in the pit of his stomach, and makes its muddy waters that much more polluted.

He does not disrespect Syrlya for understanding, though, Adelis's appeal. )

... Did you hope he might regard you in the same way?

[At the first sentence, Syrlya nods slowly to confirm. Yes, Mishka's feelings are clearly much deeper than Syrlya's. There are many reasons for that, and he thinks Adelis would be most happy with what he wants (if who he wants would get his act together).]

I always figured he did not. [Which doesn't directly answer Mishka's question, because he doesn't want to give words to that thought. He doesn't want to solidify it, the way he doesn't want to let his feelings get deeper by giving them too much attention.

His gaze flickers, only for the briefest second to Adelis across the room.] So, I have no desire to tell him.

...

He is very, very fond of you. I'm certain he could come to like you.

( He says this in the same exact tone he used to suggest Syrlya take Adelis home with him to Tyria, though there is something a little unkind about the fact that he suggests it knowing full well he and Trahearne are committed now.

Never mind how he is, in some sense, running away from himself again. )

[... Syrlya looks back at Mishka, still a little gold-faced but raising a brow at that.] Are you sure that is what you want when he's captured your heart, so?

[He reaches, to grab the handle of the magnifying glass and turn it back to Adelis.] And I would dare say it's mutual.

[But he already had a sense of that. Still, given he knows Mishka is already emotionally compromised about having proposed to him while he's weeks away from possibly dying...

Syrlya won't harp on it. Instead, he finally turns the magnifying glass to Trahearne. He can't take the suspense.]

--Oh, goodness. [There is. SO MUCH? He covers his mouth with his hand.]

( .

HE BARELY HAS TIME TO REACT TO THE CALLOUT OR THE FORBIDDEN MUTUAL PINK BEFORE SYRLYA TURNS THE GLASS TO TRAHEARNE

He's not addressing that. If he doesn't acknowledge it, it didn't happen. Anyway. Anyway. Anyway, )

... It seems most would agree that they find appeal in his charm, I suppose.

( Him, too, Syr, though he supposes it must be worse for Syrlya, who's literally dating him, )

[He's only sparing Mishka for now.]

Yes... I suppose so. [He knew Trahearne has slept with multiple people. He had greatly underestimated the amount.

Mishka's lines, red, blue, green... maroon? Are not lost in him.

And now he looks straight at Mishka. But his expression isn't troubled--it is, however, intent, looking deeply at Mishka for honest truth.] Including you, I see, are fond of him in much the same way.

[Not intensely, but there. Perhaps, too, afraid of letting it go deeper.] I did not realize you two were this intimate.

( Oh he HATES this

Mishka falters, lips pursed. He shouldn't have asked about Syrlya's green line. )

... We aren't. Adelis is quite fond of you, but Trahearne would not have been with me if we had not been under the influence. ( He taps the table with a finger, slightly agitated, and a lot less good at hiding it this late into the month. ) He was quite clear with me, for your sake, though I had never once thought otherwise.

( He says this more like he's insisting to himself. In any case, that's not quite what Trahearne said, but it feels true to the spirit of the conversation to Mishka. )

I would not worry much about it, in your position.

I'm not worried. [Rather, the expression he fixes Mishka with, at that, is one of understanding. Because his heart is in a similar position, isn't it?

No, he can at least say that the times he has been close to Adelis have always been on their own terms. No other influence influencing the decision itself.]

... You made him a very beautiful focus. It must have taken you a lot of time. [He had already thought the craftsmanship was beautiful. He wonders if Trahearne himself is even aware of the intent behind it.]

You should have seen the way his face lit up as he told me about it. You are an important person to him. Perhaps, not so unlike Adelis and I at all.

[Treasured, trusted, even as one side harbors feelings they desperately wish to strangle. Love truly is bittersweet.]

( Oh... 🥺

That actually takes him off guard, and softens the bitter agitation in his chest. He is quiet for some moments, as his gaze falls to the crowd— without the magnifying glass, this time, gazing at neither Trahearne nor Adelis.

He doesn't know what to do with these churning waters in him. )

... I would be quite glad if he thought so. I'm... fond enough, I suppose, that I am pleased he's happy, ( taps finger, ) and there is nothing he has wanted at all more than to be with you. So, I am glad on his behalf.

( And even if Syrlya weren't here, he doesn't think things would have been different between them. If Syrlya is any gauge of the qualities he's fond of, he and Mishka have no overlap.

It's just stupid. He feels stupid.

He exhales soundlessly. He accepts what Syrlya says is probably true, and that Trahearne is fond of him. But it stings, and perhaps that's something Syrlya had felt mirrored just a few turns of conversation ago. )

... If you want to know why I suggested Adelis might like you in return, it's because I do not think he will agree with... what I proposed, ( can't say proposal, ) even if I do, by some miracle, retain myself.

I do prefer it when those I am fond of can be happy. Frustrating as it is, I understand that may not be with me. Such as it is.

[Well. He was going to spare Mishka, but...]

And yet, it is you he clearly loves. And yes, I am aware that sometimes love is not enough to make something work--but if I make him happy, it will not be with expectations that he will fall for me. And it will not remove the place you've made in his heart.

[His expression twists wryly.] I'm afraid you may just have to accept that you mean far more to him than I do.

( oh he HATES this (x2)

He purses his lips, finger tapping without him really realizing it.

He has arguments. Beliefs he considers relatively strong, considering his own misbegotten feelings toward his mentor. But some part of him grips this privilege of love jealously, and with all its claws does not want to let go.

Tap tap... Tap Tap... )

... I think this is a poor development.

( Tap tap tap tap tap... )

I would like to believe I want him to be happy. I believe he can find that conventionally with you. The impulses that skitter through my body... I think he will resent me for them.

( Tap... )

I believe we should return to the topic of Trahearne.

I think you want him to want me more than I do. [It won't make it happen, and honestly trying to think about that is making his heart hurt, his lips turning down. He doesn't want to hope. And he doesn't want to fall further.]

But if you would like to talk about Trahearne, you can tell me all about your crush on him. It doesn't trouble me--I understand falling for that charm.

( He knows Syrlya is probably half saying this to agitate him, and he's like ugh !! But he does genuinely seem less tense now that they're not talking about his feelings on Adelis. )

I wanted to know about your thoughts on his popularity. Are you truly not troubled at all?

I admit I'm surprised. But... he has a way about him, that I don't think even he is aware of. I didn't have any claim on him until recently, and I trust all of that was before he decided to pursue me in earnest.

I

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