Party /o/

[astralera]

♥ Who: OTA Invitees/RSVPs
♥ Where: Main XIV House & Backyard
♥ When: February 12th, early evening before sundown
♥ What: PARTY
♥ Rating: PG-13 idk




THE LOCATION

The house is located in the southern Mallows district, a block or so away from Ohma's temple. It's large, with an equally large, fenced-in backyard (shared with the neighbouring house). The garden is dormant for the winter, though there are areas clearly marked with borders to avoid accidental trampling. A large tree with lovely light grey bark is to one side of the backyard, with five well-tended small memorial shrines nearby.

The yard connected to the neighbouring house has much more free space to roam, with a covered sandbox large enough for even Seto — the adult amaro — to fit in comfortably, and some scattered toys any bird or toddler would find joy in.

Overall their home is warm, bright, and welcoming, with a mix of aesthetics from various cultures vaguely reminiscent of certain ones from Earth represented in the decor — European and East Asian being the most prominent. The area rugs are all of a similar style that is hard to place and incorporated throughout the home.

The party is clearly set up to be both indoors and outdoors, with play to take place in the backyard and food and refreshment to be in the warmth of the main floor. Music of various genres and styles will be playing, though the majority of it will be cheerful with a strong beat to it as it's the birthday bird's favourite music to dance to.


Of note: the upstairs is off-limits to visitors, and to prevent any unfamiliar guests from sneaking around a warding spell has been placed on the stairs.

THE ANIMALS

• A marbled polecat will be roaming around inside the house keeping an eye on things. She leaves a wispy trail of bright blue energy with each footstep that soon dissipates like smoke, and has a faint golden aura about her.

• Carbuncle will also be roaming around both indoors and outdoors. In this form it is very big—approximately the size of a great — and it will avoid all attempts to pat it unless it's Hythlodaeus (the person), Emet-Selch, or Era.

• Argos will roam freely as well, though he can be found either sticking protectively close to Era or keeping his distance from everyone. (He doesn't like anyone except for Era, Estinien, and Ardbert.)

• Peki the Chocobo is outside and will hiss at anyone who gets too close to him but otherwise make no signs of aggression whatsoever, unless he thinks someone is a danger. He is approximately 6'4" tall.

• Seto the Amaro will also be outside. He is super friendly and chill and loves pats. He's around 7' tall.

• Hythlodaeus (Hythlo) the Amaro Hatchling is very, very friendly and will be excited to see all his friends and meet new friends. He's a few inches shy of 3' tall now, is two years old, and can mimic sounds incredibly well. May or may not try giving your character a kiss (gently bumping his face into whatever part of them he can reach) complete with loud kissy noises. If Era, Ardbert, or Emet-Selch are witness to this they'll chastise him and remind him that consent is important.

THE FOOD

The kitchen island has been set up as a small drinks and desserts & snacks bar, with all but the amra lassi being common beverages such as soda pop, fruit juices, and a few types of alcohol in limited quantities.

The savory dishes are laid out on the dining room table atop a lovely tablecloth, with adequate dishware for all guests to have their fill of the myriad foods prepared for the evening. There is a small placard in front of each dish that lists the region it came from.

THANALAN
- Meat Miq'abob
- Honey Muffin

LA NOSCEA
- La Noscean Toast
- Bacon Bread
- Cornbread

THE BLACK SHROUD
- Walnut Bread
- Forest Miq'abob

COERTHAS
- Knight's Bread {Ishgard}
- Sohm Al Tarts {Ishgard}
- Ishgardian Muffin

GYR ABANIA
- Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
- Popotoes au Gratin
- Imam Bayaldi

OTHARD
- Laghman {Azim Steppe}
- Steppe Salad {Azim Steppe}
- Chawan-mushi {Hingashi}
- Papanasi
- Dango {Hingashi}

THAVNAIR
- Hamsa Curry {Radz-at-Han}
- Amra Lassi

GARLEMALD
- Ukha
- Borscht
- Rolled Baklava

NORVRANDT
- Coffee Biscuit
- Creamy Salmon Pasta
- Lemon Waffles
- Paella
- Pizza

ELPIS
- Sykon Compote

OTHER STUFF

(( i feel like something should probably go here but i've spent too long on the menu to care rn so may come back to this later lol ))

Comments

Era || OTA

[astralera]

PROMPT 1

Era has played host numerous times before and yet for all her experience she still finds herself wracked by nerves. It leaves her spending much of her time wandering around, fussing with this or that to ensure everything is just right. Each and every guest is greeted upon arrival, every dish is kept properly warmed or cooled as necessary, empty dishes are taken away and replaced... It's busywork that she enjoys. Simple and distracting.

Those who know her may be surprised to find that she hasn't dressed herself up at all for the party, instead wearing comfortable, shapeless clothes that provide good warmth and mobility, her apron, and has a mask hanging at her waist by a small sash — admittedly a more fitting choice of attire for a bird-toddler's birthday party than a dress would be. Her hair is also different than her friends might recall, now framing her face in wavy chunks of varying lengths.

PROMPT 2

In those moments when there is nothing to do inside (or when someone shoos her off to take a break from hosting) Era can be found playing with Hythlo in the backyard. She controls her nouliths with careful precision, making them act more like bugs to be caught than tools meant for combat medicine. The little bird chases after them, and she eventually lets him catch one. He chomps down on it with his maw but she holds it steady, turning it into an odd little game of tug-of-war. Hythlo delights in it, and it brings Era joy to see him happy.

WILDCARD

(( she isn't really doing anything interesting so i can't think of anymore prompts. feel free to hmu with whatever!!! ))

2!

[necromanswers]

[While Hythlo is chasing the nouliths around, Lup peeks out from the back door, watching for a moment, then gestures with a hand to send four small glowing lights to dance around in the air alongside them, giving him something else to snap at. They're not so fun for chomping if he happens to be fast enough to catch one, intangible as they are- the light would simply 'escape' to keep flying.]

[astralera]

[ The lights catch both her and Hythlo by surprise, though the amaro quickly begins chasing after them. Era turns her attention to the door, knowing the culprit is likely to be Lup and fully expecting to see her friend.

Her assumption is correct, and she offers a small wave, tail perking up behind her. ]

wildcard, yolo

[carbungle]

[Noctis is in the living room, lying on his back, bench-pressing Hythlo. Umbra is "spotting", counting off each lift with a playful bark. It's probably a noisy room to be in, but hey, they sound happy.

Yep, that's it.]

[astralera]

[ Era is only half paying attention to the goings-on in the living room as she continues fussing in the kitchen. It's only after she has sliced and cored an apple that she makes her way over to the boys, bowl of apple slices in one hand.

Hythlo is having too much fun to pay her any mind right away which gives her a chance to hold a piece of apple in the air right over where his head will be the next time Noct lifts him up.

To no one's surpise the young amaro immediately fluffs up with excitement, stretching his neck to take the treat from her fingertips. ]

1

[nomoresharks]

[Hythlodaeus waits until Era isn't flitting about to and fro to approach her.]

You are aware that you are just as welcome to enjoy the party you've set up as all the people you've invited? I can hardly enjoy this feast all by myself.

[astralera]

[ Without anything in need of her attention Era seems a bit lost for what to do until Hythlodaeus approaches. She is ready to play hostess some more, but his question draws her up short. She glances at the dining table; long, rectangular, and covered in myriad wonderful dishes. After a moment she begins to fidget with her hands, briefly contemplating asking Hades if he might change the shape of the table in the coming days. ]

With all the people I've invited you're hardly enjoying the feast all by yourself, Hythlodaeus.

1, fashionably late.

[brokeforgood]

[With all the fussing, it’s not a surprise that she might come across a very rude, self invited girl raising the snack table. She’s even stuffing stuff in the pockets of her oversized jacket. When Farrah realizes the hostess is looking her way, she smiled sheepishly, lifting her head just so—- ]

Mmmmph—- happy birthday! [Shes talking with her mouth full. And she’s very confused as to what this party is.]

[astralera]

[ Era ignores the sentiment — it's given to the wrong person after all — and instead stares unflinchingly at the young girl she doesn't know. ]

You will cease filling your pockets or you will be asked to leave.

[ She gestures at the table, but doesn't take her eyes off the girl. ]

If there are leftovers when you leave you will be permitted to take a reasonable amount with you, but this feast was not made for you alone.

2

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Where there is Lup, Honerva is not far behind. First and foremost, the birthday amaro is properly greeted, and there is also a gift to be opened at whenever his family deems it an appropriate time for such things. Still, once he is properly greeted and even played with to an degree, it's not difficult to notice that Era of course is simply working and making a point of making herself seem more like a servant in her own home.

So it is more of a relief to notice when someone else has done the necessary deed later and Era seems to be enjoying herself more to be playing with her charge instead. The tools she employs to do so catch her attention, though it's simply more pleasing to see them play, and she even gives him applause when he succeeds in the catch. ]

[astralera]

[ The applause catches Era by surprise, though it shows only in the way her nouliths suddenly synchronize their movements, reflexively shifting to a more defensive formation (and dragging Hythlo along for the ride). It's brief, with Era quickly redirecting her tools to once again act as playthings for her amaro and offering a small smile and nod to Honerva in greeting. ]

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn arrived with a companion in tow; a tonberry bereft of their knife and wearing a hat far too big for them. In fact, Ardyn has to carry the poor thing like an annoyed cat because the hat eclipsed the creature's eyes and most of their head. There was probably a reason for that, maybe.]

[All the same, he didn't seem to be in nearly so annoyed a mood as his friend; making sure he greeted both Seto and Peki (the latter from a respectable distance) on his way in. He was only barely wallflowering this time, even. How's that for character growth?]

[As the evening progressed and the sun became less of an imminent threat, Viridi (without their hat) could usually be seen shuffling along at Ardyn's heels, with a menacing unblinking stare at anyone who might approach their great and terrible daemon lord.]

[...Who was having a very nice time harmlessly munching on a coffee biscuit oblivious to his companion glaring knives in absence of their own. The food really was spectacular this time, Era had utterly outdone herself.]

[astralera]

[ Era approaches eventually, though her attention is on the tonberry rather than her friend. She squats down and holds out a big lollipop for them to take. ]

[scourgingstars]

[THEIR DARK MASTER'S UNDERLING HAVE GRANTED THEM A FLAIL TO SMITE THEIR ENEMIES]

[Viridi wiggled their nubby little arms for a moment before accepting it with absolute mayhem in glowing yellow eyes.]

You...do know they're likely to hit something with that, right?

[nomoresharks]

[Hythlodaeus makes a beeline over to Ardyn and Viridi the moment he notices the Tonberry, all curiosity and wonder and absolute delight.]

Well now! Who is this handsome fellow you've brought with you?

[He leans down to get a better look at them, hands on his knees as he refocuses his vision to examine the creature's aether]

[necromanswers]

[While he's sitting down enjoying his biscuit, the first to approach is Ditto, who wanders over and plops down in front of Viridi (out of arms reach, which doesn't take much admittedly) to stare at it, a telltale sign that Lup is here.

Before long she joins them, offering a mug of pleasantly-purple tea to Ardyn.]

Someone's enjoying themselves.

[Him, their critters, or all of the above? Who can say.]

[carbungle]

[Ardyn is a given, Viridi as well to a lesser degree. The hat, though, nets them both an odd look as they show up.]

Oh shit, you really did give it to him.

[He kind of only halfway thought Ardyn might keep it, but it's not like he sees the little ratfrog outside much.]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Viridi is here, so Honerva is always mindful to be attentive to them as she might at least represent another familiar face in all these gathered. An attempt at doing so, anyway, but she well resonates with the feeling of being so wayward.

Hi, Ardyn. There's a greeting for you too. ]

Do you think they have been acclimating well?

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis appears at some point after Ardyn speaks with Era. In fact, it is the sight of a certain tonberry brandishing a very brightly colored lollipop at a randomly discarded cup that catches his attention.

He can't hide the amusement in his voice when he finally speaks.]

And what is Viridi's current tally? How many mighty foes have fallen to its flamboyant blade?

Teo | OTA | Shows up over a week late with zombucks

[ghoulserrand]

Hythlodaeus had tried to invite him to his place before. He'd been wary. The less people aware of his undead status, the better, and he'd been told the people here might very well be able to sense something off with him. But... it was Hythlodaeus' birthday and he literally could not remember the last time he'd acknowledged a birthday.

The house is warm and beautiful, quite unlike his home with Faust, though he hopes maybe he can begin to change that little by little. There are a number of large animals, all of which he avoids, half to hide himself and have to save himself the temptation of taking a bite-- thankfully, some seem to go out of the way to avoid him too, even if it means doing awkward dances around the outskirts of any given area.

And speaking of hunger, his jaw drops behind the gaiter to see all the food. There's so much and all of it looks so good. This must have taken so much work-- and if not then, then a lot of upgrades on the Replicator. The scent of curry, syrup, and coffee in particular bring forth a whole series of disjointed flickering memories. A friend's kitchen, a diner, an early morning on his own. And besides that, what wouldn't someone from his world give for a feast like this? He wishes suddenly, fervently, that he could safely take off his gaiter to try every single dish, even if his dull taste buds only gave him half the experience.

He has to tear himself away from inhaling the scent of every dish twice to go searching for Hythlodaeus. He's not really sure he was technically invited, but, it's a birthday and the guy is a friend, right? He's got to show up. Though, it occures to him belatedly that he maybe should've brought a gift.

[nomoresharks]

"Teo?"

Hythlodaeus's voice comes from behind Teo, his expression shifting from surprised to absolutely delighted in hardly a second. "You finally decided to drop by!"

It's something of a shame that he won't be able to show his face with so many different people around, but the fact that he still decided to come is yet another cause for celebration as far as he's concerned--as well as all the gift he'll ever need.

"Oh! And just to warn you, be careful of the little green fellow with the lollipop wandering about. They shouldn't stray too far from Ardyn, but they seem to believe the sweet is a weapon of some sort. I may or may not have a bruise developing on my ankle." He laughs. The injury was his own fault for pressing his luck, after all.

Emet-Selch | OTA

[unnecessaryflourishes]

[For all that Emet-Selch is not strictly speaking the host of the party, he can none the less be found... mingling with intent, the best word might be. Keeping an eye on the festivities, even as he makes his unhurried way through the rooms, partaking of both the food and any potential conversations with the same unhurried grace - and he is enjoying both, to those who might be able to tell.

Sharp-eyed guests, however, might spot a new addition to his wardrobe - a pair of rather unconventional-looking shoes. He himself, however, does not address them, and given that he doesn't seem to be bothered by wearing them, presumably he finds them comfortable enough for casual wear.

When he's not spending his time talking to the various guests, he can also be found in the company of the various birds - Hythlo in particular, though all of them do eventually get a treat from him as well.]

[astralera]

[ While fully aware it's unfairly difficult to truly catch Hades unawares, Era makes an attempt at it all the same as she comes up behind him and wraps her arms around his waist in a quiet hug, forehead pressed against the gentle dip of his spine. She says nothing, knowing her action serves well enough as a greeting. ]

[scourgingstars]

Dare I assume you're enjoying yourself?

[Ardyn does not have the worldly knowledge to wonder WHAT ARE THOOOOOSE, fortunately. And he's a bit too occupied with the tonberry in his arms wielding a dangerous rainbow lollipop to bother, either way.]

[shroudedsecrets]

[ Honerva is not too much of a mingler, but she's been to enough of Era's gatherings to have a sense of who or what to anticipate.

Emet-Selch happens to approach at a time when the birthday amaro has cornered her and entreated her for extra scritches. She doesn't seem to mind, glancing up only when the shadow of a passing by person catches her attention. ]

Greetings. I know we are anticipated to be mindful of the affection we allow him, but he does make it quite difficult to resist.

[ And frankly it's nice to be able to feel such a thing at all, so if the amaro wants extra pats she's not going to deny that unless a caretaker says otherwise. ]