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

[shroudedsecrets]

... It may be more costly, but perhaps a space can be developed for that purpose. There is, however, a significant lack of materials, beyond consistently transmuting these scraps into more viable alloys.

[ A glance, to the piece before them. Certainly the worse for wear, but being melted down, re-purposed, might make it viable for another prospect, be it decoration or something else. ]

I admit, I have been improvising more than need be, but I have been able to acquire basic tools and supplies, so it should be no less difficult for you. From what I have seen from some of the stores, they do have some... base weaponry, though it seems more useless in the current form. It is evident that they are unused to such things requiring maintenance beyond themselves.

[astralera]

A furnace, an anvil, a hammer, and a grinding wheel. With those I could melt down scraps into more useful ingots, then into tools, armour, or weaponry.

[ She frowns down at her hands. ]

The weaponry available here is of... lacking quality, to say the least.

There is little I can do without the tools, however, and as I do not engage in frivolous touch such things are beyond my means.

At least the so-called gods saw fit to let me keep some of my magic, so I am not wholly incapable.

[shroudedsecrets]

If it has importance to you, you will find a means.

[ Of course, she has her magic and her own ways of improvising, so she has not been too concerned about the provisions here. Others aren't so lucky. ]

I do not earn much, but I would be willing to lend what tools I have access to, if you have a requirement of it.

[astralera]

[ A small sigh; a shake of the head. ]

It is of little import compared to medicines. This place isn't like my home, or Deerington — there is no need for weapons and armour on a daily basis. It would merely be the ability to prepare for worse breaches in the future, and the comfort that would provide.

[shroudedsecrets]

... The offer remains, even if you consider it not.

[ She glances toward the unfinished craft that Era has before her. ]

Even if it does not seem as pressing, items that may serve for other purpose would not be remiss.

[ She knows well, how it is to toil only for duty alone. ]

[astralera]

If not for war or medicine, I can offer little of use.

[shroudedsecrets]

Perhaps. Those paths can be consuming if one allows them to be.

But I spoke not of such use alone.

[astralera]

I am a weapon and, at times, a healer. Those are the paths available to me.

If something cannot be used to protect or for survival, what use does it have?

[shroudedsecrets]

[ She's quiet for a moment, allowing those words to settle, and she remains very still. Her gaze flickers over to Lup, somewhere on the other side of the room. ]

Such a concept is not so unfamiliar to me. Is that how you view others as well?

[astralera]

Others are people, not things. What they can or cannot do is of little consequence to their worth.

[shroudedsecrets]

And how are you able to know what separates them, if you cannot see yourself fully?

[astralera]

What separates them from each other, or from myself?

[shroudedsecrets]

From yourself.

What is it that prevents you from being a person as well?

[astralera]

I am the Warrior of Light. The fate of multiple worlds rests upon my shoulders.

[shroudedsecrets]

Being the Warrior of Light is a role that consumes you, but if you glance upon your reflection, are you not still Era?

[astralera]

I am my Mother's daughter.

[shroudedsecrets]

That does not change what I have said.

However, it is not for I to convince you. It is certainly a far more personal matter, best heard from those you care for rather than those you do not have such affiliation with.

[astralera]

[ She frowns, then shrugs. ]

The Warrior of Light has a chance to succeed in her duties. Era does not. That is all that matters, in the end.

[shroudedsecrets]

Perhaps. However it is Era that is here, while the Warrior of Light's duties are somewhere else.

[ She shrugs, herself. Warrior of Light rang too closely to something else she was familiar with, and not in any comforting way. ]

The offer remains, even if you were only inclined to create an item for sentimental value alone.

[astralera]

[ She can't help but bristle at the reminder that she has been ripped away from her duties. It is something she resents in a way that goes beyond all words and reason. It is not Honerva's fault, however, and Era is cognizant of that. ]

The Warrior of Light's duties persist, regardless of where they are. A dull blade will be no use in the heat of war.

My partner is the one more inclined toward sentimentality than I.

[shroudedsecrets]

Perhaps.

[ There is little more she can say to that matter, however, before she begins to repeat herself. And there is truly no need for that. ]

Is your work intended for them?

[ Meaning the figurine that she holds. ]

[astralera]

[ She turns the small dragon over in her hands, considering. ]

He is not the most fond of dragons.

[shroudedsecrets]

Then this figure serves as... a reminder for yourself?

[ It is neither weapon nor medicine, she does not say. ]

[astralera]

No. [ She seems both resolved and highly amused. ] I will gift it to him, and every day he will be faced by the progenitor of the alien race he finds so weird.

[shroudedsecrets]

[ So instead of keeping it to herself, she would gift it to someone she is close to... and of course he would keep it because of her and likely place it in a way she would still be able to satisfy herself with it.

Perhaps that was the only way. Still, she can spare a flicker of amusement in return for the effort. ]

The consideration of his reaction seems to please you.