Lady's Night Out! Or in, technically.

[necromanswers]

♥ Who: Lup, Honerva, Pyra, and Era
♥ Where: A... new business!?
♥ When: Tail end of the winter holidays
♥ What: Lady sleepover party, time for drink and gossip
♥ Rating: probably at least PG


In the heart of the entertainment district, closest to where the majority of residents live, a new building has opened up- in theory, that is. There is a sign across that door that reads "opening soon", and the curtains are drawn across the window to hide its contents, but those passing by might catch a glimpse of things here and there. A stack of cups on a table, a spread of colourful fabric, a cat perched in the window, staring back. Hints of what's to come. Today, beneath the existing sign, hangs an extra: "closed for private party".

Attendees of said party will find the interior still very much a work-in-progress, but it has the signs of obvious progress. The business is set up as a cafe, the walls painted warm shades of browns and pinks, cat toys piled in the corner, synthetic trees and shelving along the walls for climbing and exploring. The central area is peppered with blankets and pillows all gathered in a pile, and beneath them a series of connected sofa cushions forming the "mattress". One table is set up as a work station of sorts, with paints and various construction supplies laid out, though for tonight it's mostly abandoned.

Another table is decorated with snacks and dishes, mostly finger food and sweets for easy eating; it all smells delightful, with varying recipes to indicate that the chef has been experimenting on which to choose. Many of them are decorated with animal motifs: cut-out cookies in mammal shapes, tarts with icing whiskers, cat-eared quiche. The coffee drinks too will have simple shapes drawn into the foam when ordered. The alcoholic drinks will probably not, but they're smooth and cold and are made for fun more than aesthetic, anyway. A variation of old-school or modern pop style music plays quietly from wall-mounted speakers, loud enough to be heard but not overwhelm. Two cats wander about the premises, introduced to the party-goers for those not in the know as Ditto and Kova. They're friendly, but be gentle!

Before things get going, Lup lays down a few ground rules:
1) respect the animals, and do not feed them!
2) respect the other people here and definitely feed them
3) if you make a mess tell her, that's what magic is for
4) have a good time, yes this is a rule
5) profit? maybe? you get paid for cuddles here, get drunk and go nuts

Let's go, girls! Time for some R&R fun.

Comments

[astralera]

`Sounds more like you meant you love fucking humans,` Esteem quips, amused, as a faint blush colours Era's cheeks.

[necromanswers]

[Lup's only response to that is a fingergun in Esteem's direction - bingo - and a burst of giggly, half-drunk laughter. She does, oh she does.]

[iustaegis]

[ --Okay, now she can laugh as well, shifting against Honerva. How crass! And so unexpected for Era! It seems that this Esteem is far more outspoken. ]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Honerva only waits patiently for the giggles to fade, expression only betraying the faintest of smirks. What an odd conversation to be caught up in. ]

... For a race that does not seem to recall even their own bodies, they still rely on the majority of what they encounter. There has to be a better way of... teaching them accommodation strategies.

[iustaegis]

[ Honerva brings up a good point. ]

....If they are attempting to rebuild their original forms, I wonder if they'll be making any changes. [ In her world, so many believe that sentient life had been created in their god's image. She wonders if that is the case here. ] Human-like or not.

[astralera]

«Someone saw fit to suggest a more accommodating method of clothes acquisition to a local tailor, so perhaps soon we'll see some improvement there.»

[ Esteem wears a wry, satisfied smirk, while Era shoots them a look equal parts betrayed and irritated. ]

[necromanswers]

[Lup snorts playfully, stretching her arms up above her head until her fingers find Kova and can weave through his fur, gently scritching at his neck.]

Gee, wonder who that could have been. Though that sounds to me like this party should have an encore later- in the form of a shopping trip.

[iustaegis]

[ A shopping trip...?

She doesn't need any clothes, however, and it would be a waste on her. Pyra takes another sip of her drink, smiling anyway as she merely enjoys the company of Honerva's shoulder. ] Mm, sound fun.

[shroudedsecrets]

It would be remiss to allow such a suggestion to not be pursued.

[ She knows if Lup is involved, she's going along anyway. It's still more unusual to have the additional company, but at least sitting like this was not causing any discomfort. ]

[astralera]

I've the height of Hyuran child, the figure of a woman, a tail, and horns too wide for standard necklines. I was just... tired of not being able to have anything pretty unless I made it for myself.

[ She flushes at the admittance, feeling silly for having been so frustrated over something so unimportant in the scheme of things. Esteem leans their weight against her shoulder in a gentle, reassuring shove. ]

«No one can fault you for that. And if they do, they're only worth their weight in steaming hot shite.»

[iustaegis]

[ Once more she lifts her head to look at Esteem.

Well put, other Era! She thinks this, but does not contribute more than a pleased smile and a nod. Era should indeed have all the nice things. Everyone here should. ]

[necromanswers]

No shame in wanting to look pretty. Though this bunch doesn't need much help in that department.

[This gathering of aesthetics is quite nice, here, and she doesn't have to be drunk to recognize that.

And hey. Hey, that silence? Is not! Unnoticed! And after a moment's consideration, Lup scoots herself backwards, lifting Kova up out of the way to deposit him in her lap with Ditto. As she moves she ends up draped across Honerva, and drops her head on Pyra's leg, peering upside down at her, her long ears tilted curiously.]

Pyyyyyyyra. Pyra. My girl, my very rad fire girl. What's on your wish list for this place?

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Honerva adjusts for accommodating the switch from Kova to Lup by gently shifting the cushions around her legs for more support. ]

... Be mindful that if your answer has to do with finding new information or our reason for being here, that is not quite what she is looking for.

[iustaegis]

[ At Lup's movement, she reaches down to rest a hand upon the woman's fiery orange-highlighted hair. ]

I... wish for those here to be safe and... happy. [ Especially after the awfulness of December. She shifts slightly. ] Including for all of you three.

[ Her answer is boring, plz move on. ]

[astralera]

[ Esteem rolls their eyes, having heard that sentiment more than enough already. ]

«You are allowed to wish for more. There is no limit on wishes — you can make as many as you want, and none will lessen the others.»

[necromanswers]

Booooo, you're fired. We need to get you some new, selfish life goals.

[She finger-guns in Esteem's direction; nailed it.]

[iustaegis]

[ Was it not good enough? Oof, that eyeroll, then that comment! She's not going to turn the attention to her. ]

Then, I pass, I pass! [ She says this with a good-natured wave of her hand as she laughs. ] Perhaps someone has a better answer.

[shroudedsecrets]

... We cannot answer for you. [ Tough crowd, Pyra. Still, there's some reassurance in it. ]

Although it is understandable if you are... unused to such a concept.

[astralera]

[ Era has held her tongue because it is something she still struggles with herself. She has made some progress as of late, however, in regards to 'selfishness.' ]

I enjoy being able to fulfill the wishes of others. It... did not occur to me until recently that others may enjoy doing the same for me. [ Somewhat embarrassed, Era fidgets not with the small figurine she has been working on, but a spinner ring on her finger, etched with a skyline burned into her very soul. ]

I would like to one day be able to wish for a life I could have had, and not feel guilty for doing so.

[iustaegis]

[ Pyra looks from Honerva to Era, her gaze softening at hearing the latter’s answer. ]

That’s very wonderful of you to say, Era.

[ Truly, that Era might be a little more selfish and have those wishes. ]

slides in here again :U

[astralera]

«She is trying to tell you that selfishness isn't always selfish, just as selflessness isn't always selfless.»

[ While proud of Era for admitting her thoughts, that doesn't mean she made her intent with doing so clear. This is what Esteem is for, luckily. Or unluckily, depending on who you ask. ]

«Have you considered that there are people who care for you who are upset by how little you care for yourself?» [ They pause, briefly. Then, pointedly: ] «Denying yourself does not change the past, nor does suffering in silence.»

[ Era startles at their final words, twisting her neck to shoot Esteem a horrified look of disbelief before her expression hardens. ]

Hold your tongue, Fray, or I will return it to the Abyss for you.

[ It seems that Era would fall into the category of 'unluckily'. Esteem seems pleased by the vitriol she sends their way. ]

[necromanswers]

[The unabashed sass makes Lup laugh, openly and not unkindly.]

Well said! And there's no shame in it- I see no reason why one has to cancel out the other. Sometimes your selfish desires align with another's, and there's a lot of freedom in that. I don't think there's anything more important than being honest with yourself.

[iustaegis]

[ Just one portion of Esteem's words gain her attention, and then she looks back to Era as the exchange finishes. This is followed by a glance towards Lup as she chimes in.

Pyra's smile remains the same as before, only now bringing a hand to her chest, heartfelt.  ]

You all are very wise. I agree completely, people should live life to their fullest and enjoy what they can.

[shroudedsecrets]

[ She has not been glanced to, but Honerva has a feeling that Pyra may not be including herself in the way she uses the term. Nor is Era, but that is a different issue.

She remains silent for the moment, waiting on this. ]

[astralera]

«Tell me, how do you define 'people'?»

[ There is a small thud as Era slams Esteem's tail against the floor with her own. ]