Holiday Mingle~

[killerwaves]

Tis the Seasun

Do you remember what it was like to get your first postcard? Maybe you don't, maybe you never got one at all, but no matter where you are, no matter WHEN you are, you'll find a particularly festive one slipped under your door, pillow, accompanied by a tinny meow.


Maybe that rings more familiar.

Should you check the RSVP box YES on the back, you'll find youself whisked away to the nebula of the island you once called home. It's still purple and spacey, but there's holiday decorations to be had through the work of some festive cat bots that have whirred to life since your last visit. Yes, there's at least a few palm trees adorned with lights inspiring some type of cheer.

Since you're already here, why not catch up with your fellow islanders? As always, there's food for you to enjoy courtesy of the catbots, and there's even tasks if you feel like doing them for old times sake (or for the cool swag). There might even be a new face or two in the crowd, interdimensional invitations are a bit tricky to wrangle even if you're not a repurposed kittybot.

!

TASKS:

Someone's kissing—
There's mistletoe here, mistletoe there, there's mistletoe everywhere all at once due to the portals, so get smooching!

Naughty or Nice?
Tell someone about what you've been up to and let them decide whether you were naughty or nice this year. Stickers included☆

Gingerbread Dreams
Put all that gingerbread to good use and build your own vacation home. Or eat it.

REWARD FOR ALL TASKS: Killer merchandise from the "island's" official sponsor✨.

((OOC: Happy Holidays, have a holiday mingle! In addition to anyone played in Last Resort, if you'd like to bring another character for shenanigans, have at it! This mingle is open to anyone in the LR server in keeping with the cozy island vibe. ))

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[idologue]

[ Despite her player's failure to notice the U-pinion post, please assume that Lacus has been active in the group chat! Though worrisome at times, her friendships to other universes have become a reprieve for her when the weight of her responsibilities rests too heavily on her shoulders. So of course she's going to attend a holiday party - however ominous the invitation feels!

She's... uh, let's say she's dressed for the occasion. She's got her gaggle of Haros with her, bouncing all around the room. Please don't trip on a little orb robot!

If you pass by Lacus, she'll put a sticker on you. Possibly even on your nose. Without hearing you out on your good or bad deeds. Sorry. Whether the sticker is 'naughty' or 'nice' varies depending on the person, but she'll give the same playful smile with both of them. ] It's good to see you!

[ Later in the evening, you can find her very focused on building what appears to be a gingerbread castle for Haros. The Haros are crowded around her, flapping their ears and commenting exciting things like "Lacus! Lacus!" and "That's a problem!". You are invited to help her in creating Harotopia..... or eat her work, that's also fine.

And at any point of the evening, there may just be a mistletoe hanging over her head. There's 34 kisses on the fucking counter and she is not one of them. Save her!

... or wildcard me something. That goes too. ]

mistletoe (i'm sorry lacus)

[thefirsthouse]

[Alecto, a blonde woman standing at what is at least six foot five, a tower of muscle and blonde curls and perfect looks. The ideal of femininity, the flawless doll, turned into a weapon of revenge and hatred. It is a face that nobody has seen before except on the plastic packages of a Barbie doll.

And she approaches Lacus, rips the mistletoe from the wall, and eats it wordlessly in a single bite.]

Littlest Lake. It has only been a fragment of a second since last you were in my eyes.

[And those eyes are unrecognizable. Where once they were an eerie but dazzling bright gold, now they are a pitch pupil-less black. She wonders if the littlest lake was standing underneath her flayed flecks of skin in the hopes of being devoured. That is the holiday as she remembers it.]

help. she knows how to make an entrance

[idologue]

[ This is... well, it's startling. Between the completely unfamiliar physical appearance and the... is mistletoe edible? It's not edible, is it?

Actually, even asking that question gives away who she's dealing with, doesn't it? And it's only the blink of an eye until the 'nickname' confirms it. Where Lacus had been blinking in confusion before, she breaks into a smile. ]

Alecto. It felt like way too long to me.

[ She really looks nothing like Nona now - but then, Nona never looked like Nona either, did she? Whoever Harrow is, she's far more of a stranger to Lacus than Alecto is. ]

Is this your own body?

[thefirsthouse]

[Of course it felt like too long to the Lake. She is a little baby freshly out of the womb. She isn't even a century old yet.]

'Tis a hideousness.

[She says harshly and immediately.]

My own body is the sweet dirt and the delicious rock, the bark and the tree, the worms, the flies, the cities carved from my bones and the magnificent roots beneath my crust.

This is what I have been reduced to. A doll. A barbie girl in a barbie world.

[idologue]

[ Talking to Alecto is always a little sad, both for who Alecto is and for who Nona was. Nona and not Nona. A precious friend. ]

It won't cast you out, then.

[ That is the minimum one should expect from a body, in any case. Lacus understands and yet doesn't understand the feelings one might have about living in a doll body. As an idol whose appearance is marketing, whose existence is propaganda, whose name has long ceased to refer to the girl within... But not as a planet, not as something so old and so powerful, trapped quite literally in her form.]

And it's a good size to greet you properly.

[ That's the only genuine upside Lacus can think of, but it's a decent one.

Alecto is getting a hug. ]

[thefirsthouse]

[She can see the grief in the Lake's eyes. The sadness she saw in Palamades and Camilla even before they died and became something new, leaving her alone. She remembers Lacus, from the period where she was something else. Lacus never wanted her to be anyone but herself.

Anyone but... Nona. The name is a distant memory, despite having only been less than a blink ago. Were she in her body, it would've been less time than it took her to spin. Why does the feeling feel hollow and raw?

Alecto hates being touched. She hates being in a body that people look at with desire and lust. She hates being Annabel Lee. But she can smell the Little Lake's hair. She thinks she wants to eat it. All of her. Consume her and hear and feel her bones snap and crunch. That is, after all, how meat loves meat. Instead, she awkwardly returns the hug and squeezes her.]

Do you mourn for me still?

[And then, treasonously, a small part of her feeling slips out from her perfect teeth. A feeling she cannot understand. A lie she can never stop telling.]

I still love you.

[thefirsthouse]

[Christmas. She remembers this holiday. It was so grand that even she had to pay attention to the lights, the trees, the joy, the fighting, the misery, the advertising, the wonder of children so small and so young.

Ginger and peppermint, Christmas trees and wrapping paper made from her beloved trees. Did the planets inhabited by her murderers have Christmas? She doesn't remember. It is not as if Nona would have lived to see it.

So as Alecto wanders the familiar island, she picks up a snowglobe and eats it. Her eyes are pitch, gone are the gold she once gifted to John, now it is her own eyes. The eyes of the monster. And they are still fucking hungry.

She doesn't bother with the tasks - she doesn't really want to do the work today - as they are for fools. But she will look at the people she spent a few blinks of time with and ask.]

You are still alive with your tiny lifespans.

[That's... all. It's not Nona's voice. It's not Nona's body. It's not even Nona's eyes. It is a hideousness that used to be Nona that used to be the Earth.]

[idologue]

[ A returned hug is better than Lacus expected! She lingers in it for a little, because however unfamiliar Alecto looks and however many layers of despair Nona is wrapped in, they're still friends. Lacus hadn't been as sure of that back when they parted, showed more uncertainty than she now feels is warranted, but she's had time to think a lot on it since then.

Alecto isn't Nona, but Nona is a part of her, was born from her. That is all that really matters. ]

I love you too.

[ It's only after the sentiment has been properly returned that Lacus lets go. ]

And... A little? I miss you. I miss the person you could be when you were happier - because I want you to be happy and because I liked spending time with her, for myself. But I'm to see you too. I'm glad you came here.

[ Holiday cheer! ]

Did the mistletoe taste good?

[thefirsthouse]

[She smiles in a grotesque and almost comedic approximation of a smile. Like she's staring into Lacus' soul (she is, it's so warm, she could snuff it out in an instant) and like she's baring her teeth in a cartoonish grimace.]

I am a creature of grief. Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep. Happiness was a dream I had whilst I drifted, unsure of my grief. You are not the only one to wish I could be happy. My siblings do, despite being the same as I am. My necromancers do, despite having done this to me. My Anastasia did, even though she was my jailor. Even John did, and he loved me so terribly that he turned me into a hideousness.

I am... still glad I could see you. I am glad I can remember how it felt to be near you.

[She looks around, at all the Christmas decorations, the sands, the grass, the furniture. She remembers Christmas mornings, parents sneaking presents under a tree, little children with little fingers and toes pretending to sleep while containing their excitement. Eggnog, stockings, cheap imitations of a fat man in a collection of consumerism, awkward photos, family dinners, too much poison in the bloodstream. Now it's gone. All gone. Dead under the weight of nuclear fire.]

Nothing tastes good. But I remember the crunch of it, so it was nice. It was once part of my branch, of my root, of my body. Now it is in my hideous belly.

Did you stand under it hoping to have lips against your flesh?

[nullifying]

[ A complete stranger has arrived! He looks more exasperated than anything. He expected the postcard to be some sort of prank by certain individuals (and is definitely muttering under his breath what the hell old man...), but now where the hell was he? Teleported to some Christmas-y Hawaii... in space or something? He was used to Christmas by a seaside country by now, but usually it was so busy with the Foundation providing for the children's holiday cheer, he didn't have time to enjoy them.

Well, it seems a bit difficult to enjoy these trees though, as he looks up and makes a face at them. ] Are they supposed to look...... like that?

[ Of course, instead of PANDRA's doing, this could also be one of those things, in which he really didn't want to participate.

He will, however, munch on the food while he warily stares at the catbots untrusting. At least they were being feed here (and it seemed safe enough), unlike that godforsaken, cursed school. And even more of a relief, that character didn't seem to be around either, if this was that. He looks at the tasks, but declines on them. Yuugiri would've enjoyed the gingerbread houses, but she wasn't here, of course. And who needed misspelled merch? ] ... I could use a coffee, though.

[fourtuity]

[ Another complete stranger here, and to be fair, this time is absolutely her own fault. What was the harm in checking that RSVP? Surely it won't end with more murder, right? Right? How was she supposed to know it'd immediately send her to not-even-a-circus this time!

Obviously, the best thing to do first is to gather info. And where better to get the ball rolling than some random dude with a necklace she thinks looks interesting. It's kinda familiar-looking, and he doesn't look like he's about to shank her. Good enough for a start. ]

Yeah, I could use a coffee right about now too.

[ In fact, she's gonna look for some while she continues talking. ]

Hey, how'd you make it here? 'Cause this sorta party sure isn't an everyday thing.

[ We do not speak about the other kidnappings. ]

[nullifying]

[ Blinks at sudden pink girl talking to him. Well, that's not exactly uncommon, though. ]

Umm, there was that card? I thought it was just a prank from this guy I know, but since he's not here, guess that's not it. [ And other people around seem familiar with each other, so he just is not going to butt into anything, as awkward as it is already. ]

[fourtuity]

[ She nods. Yeah, that tracks. Clover doesn't mind crashing a party and all, but give a girl some actual notice first. (The postcard totally doesn't count.) ]

Hmm, you do look like the kinda guy who'd get dunked on a lot.

[ Not quite bully magnet? Maybe something adjacent? ]

Though I guess I can't say much since I also got a postcard asking for an RSVP.

[nullifying]

Wow, thanks.

[ Said in the flattest of tones, like he's heard that one before. He's used to it, but it's not like he likes it! The only one allowed to tease him was— no, that guy isn't allowed to either, actually! ]

Are you quick to make judgments on people you don't know?

[fourtuity]

[ Without any hesitation or shame. ]

Yeah. Maybe I'll even prank them for the hell of it. But hey, time and place for everything!

[nullifying]

[ In his opinion (and exhaustion), there's been far too much pranking as it is. He's been far too tired of getting the mail lately. ]

And exactly what would be the appropriate time and place for pranking complete strangers?

[fourtuity]

Good question! Time and place is kinda broad, so let's go into "why pranks?" instead.

[ That's probably not what he's looking for, but this is funner. She'll jokingly count on her fingers as she answers. ]

Pranks can be a good icebreaker, as long as they're more confusing than anything else. You can get some really fun reactions outta it!

As for other reasons...sometimes a funny old man eggs you on to do it, because why not when prank mails are classic. And uh, I guess if you're somehow the host of one of those prank shows? But then that becomes your job, which sure is awkward.

[nullifying]

[ Firstly, how sadistic was this girl? And secondly, when she starts going on about an old man is when he starts choking on air. After he gives his chest some thumps to clear it, he goes: ]

Wait, what funny old man? Is this Hyoubu's doing after all? Who are you? [ PANDRA picks up so many kids he wouldn't be able to keep up with it, but he's sure he's never seen this girl with them? ]

[fourtuity]

[ She blinks, almost raising a hand over her mouth in surprise. ]

What? How'd you get that particular old man from just that? I should be the one asking who you are!

[ Oh snap, did she talk to someone she shouldn't have? ]

[nullifying]

What other old geezer is egging on little strange girls to play tricks on other people? [ He looks around warily, the number of times he's called Hyoubu "old" today is probably too high for his tolerance. ]

White hair, gakuran, an air about him like he's hiding so much crap behind some shit-eating grin?

[fourtuity]

[ She's tempted to mouth off at that strange comment, but she'll let it mostly slide...for now. ]

Probably more than you think. There's a lotta weirdos out there. And don't lump me in with them.

[ Really, it says more about this guy that he's the first person that comes to mind. Putting her hands on her hips, she leans forward, staring intently. ]

Hmm... Yeeeeah, that's sounds like him all right. So how do you know him? Did he steal your lunch or something?

[nullifying]

Doesn't that sound more like you've met too many weird old men? [ and like shouldn't she be more careful?? ]

Um, that's a long story. He's basically the reason where I'm at now... But how do you know him?

[fourtuity]

Maybe, but I don't wanna hear that from you.

[ This is just her life now: weirdos up the wazoo. ]

Long story here as well, but quick summary: sometime after I got dragged into yet another stupid game, even more dumb stuff happened, blah blah, and he helped me out. Not sayin' exactly how, 'cause none of your business.

[ All anyone needs to know about how they met, totally. ]

So now I poke fun at his dinosaur-aged bones, and send weird stuff over the mail to who I'm guessin' is his crush.

[ She shrugs at that last part as if to acknowledge that the old man's never said that, but hey, close enough in her eyes. ]

1/2

[nullifying]

[ Well, that sounds all very much like him (quickly ignoring that part about some stupid game), ending up helping some teenage girl and getting into shenanigans. He puts his fingers on his forehead because he feels a headache coming on—

Ah, there it is. ]

2/3

[nullifying]

... Wait, you're not Clover Field, are you? [ He thought that was just a bad pun on where the hell Hyoubu was at the time?? ]