lucia lee (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
irresponsibly) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crescentview2023-02-20 05:34 am
irresponsibly) wrote in crescentview2023-02-20 05:34 am
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. ]
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. ]
no subject
[ It absolutely does...despite the fact that as always, He Xuan is usually sulking about in general party-themed activities. Anyways, he says this now but if he is asked, he'll at least go along with two rounds of the game.
That being said, when Sylvando mentions that quest, he's mildly surprised. His face doesn't show it easily, as per usual. But he should've expected the other would be intent on that. ]
Is it? Or are you just saying that in an attempt to amuse me so you can complete your quest?
no subject
But what's more important at the moment is the reason Sylvando came over in the first place.]
This isn't a ploy. I really mean it. [He certainly sounds serious too.] I don't like the thought of everything I said turning out to be empty words. It'd be like breaking an oath! It'd be disgraceful, it'd be unfair to you, and...
[He trails off, realizing how animated he's getting about this. With a gentle huff, he calms himself down and gives He Xuan an apologetic look.]
I'm sorry, honey. Could I...still take you up on that walk?
no subject
Whatever the case, he'll nod, rising to his feet. ]
It's fine. Let's go.
[ He Xuan will begin to lead them out of the area.
It is at least a good distance away from the Cozy Kitchen when he stops. As a fyi, He Xuan silently prepares a nasty curse that will cause trouble for anyone following them, so they're clear. ]
...Continue where you left off.
no subject
And off they go! Sylvando's grateful for the added privacy, but really...the curse wasn't necessary... That's He Xuan for you, though.
He takes another breath once they reach their destination. He can't keep holding this in anymore. He needs to talk.]
Before our first date, I told you how my desire to see you smile and my declaration to make a quest out of it had started to feel like a lot more than it was in the beginning. The reason for that is because... [His gaze drifts to avoid eye contact, uncharacteristic of him.] I was starting to feel something for you. I had started to envision what the future looked like for us.
[The look of shame on his face is obvious. He feels embarrassed for waiting so long to bring this up.]
But then the auction happened and what you did threw me for such a loop, I... I haven't found the words to speak about it since. Even after I won that date with you and Barry. I've avoided it, and I had promised myself I wouldn't avoid things like this anymore.
[His voice shakes, but he does his best to still it.]
He Xuan, darling... I just wanted to clear things up between us- to see where we stand.
no subject
But, anyway, as the other male talks, he begins to finally realize the topic in earnest; and, well, He Xuan is many things. You'd think that, with how long he has lived, he'd be able to catch on the signs.
People earnestly falling for him...would he be able to recognize that without anyone telling him? Evidence that this is not so. There's a moment of silence on his part, before he speaks again. ]
When you and I had that date, I had every intention of finding out if I could meet anyone half-way.
[ So what other better way to find out to see if he can grow to love Sylvando? Even for his words of warning, the man had shown him kindness. All at the same time, the other man can continue along that quest, despite He Xuan's own words initially expressing doubt towards the idea of it. ]
And afterwards, I thought to simply give myself time to decide.
[ Whether he can love anyone, whether he thought anything would come of pursuing anyone he happened to come to love. Or whether he is to make the goddess regret he was ever brought here? Sure, he also very well knew he had fallen for Tartaglia, but did it mean it was going to work out? Then, the auction happened, his actions answering any lingering questions, if any, about these wretched feelings. ]
...I'm certain that I wouldn't be able to give the love you deserve. Not with my attention on someone else—and only that person.
[ And He Xuan does care about Sylvando; he has thought about what it would be like, to go and be by his side. He's sure the man would treat him well. He would respect him, shower him in affection. But in return, would he be able to give him the same amount of devotion with his thoughts elsewhere? He doubts it.
Which is why Sylvando deserves better. ]
no subject
[Sylvando takes that definitive answer with as much grace as could be expected of him. As Fall wore on, he'd slowly prepared to accept that this might be the case. Though he'd never heard it straight from He Xuan until now, how else could what happened at the auction be interpreted? He Xuan spoke so passionately to win a date for someone else- something Sylvando only wished could have been for him.
Though he was hurt at the time, he knows well by now that he let his emotions get the better of him. There was never a guarantee that what he felt for He Xuan would be reciprocated.]
Thank you for your honesty. [He breathes out a sigh, then looks back up with his signature smile. Nothing about it is forced- there really are no hard feelings.] It's honestly a big relief to know your thoughts. The path ahead feels a lot more clear.
[For the both of them. Like he said, Fall has been busy. Before he knew it, his own attention was being turned in different directions. The auction's turnout and He Xuan's realization...it's all for the best.]
I'm so happy that there are others who feel the same way as I did for you, darling. You deserve just as much of that love, so I wish nothing but the best for your relationship with Tartaglia.
[With that said...]
Would you...still be willing to have me as a friend?
no subject
Personally speaking, He Xuan couldn't have predicted whatever really resulted from that. Except definitely people thinking unwell of him, but it isn't like that's anything new. Either way, it's definitely past time for him to have turned back what he did.
That being so, he takes notice of the smile—but finds nothing off about it. He's always been better at hurting people than doing anything else in recent memory, so if anything he's glad he hasn't caused Sylvando turmoil. ]
That's good to know. I wish you well on your path, and ruin to anyone who dares try to make it any less so.
[ As for the comment of good luck, he's touched. It's honestly more than someone like him deserves. ]
...Your well wishes are appreciated. [ But, he'll just pause and clear his throat... ] Though, I am not yet sure if he reciprocates, I am still working on it.
[ He's got this (by which we mean he's probably embarrassing himself constantly.) That being said, he will add: ]
I would. Just don't expect me to break into song about how useful friendships are and such.
[ Anyway, Sylvando did help him out awhile ago too. Not something he'd forget. ]