STEVEN'S MANDATORY BIRTHDAY PARTY (OPEN)

[starseedling]

Who: Open to abductees and also hopefully an intervention.
When: Aguril 15th, night of the full moon.
Where: Around the Haven, and in Steven's house.
What: The combination of intense homesickness, his 15th birthday, and also Full Moon faerie mania, has resulted in Steven trying to use illusions to kidnap and trap people in his house that remind him of his family and friends from back home. Theoretically this is for a "birthday party" but it's entirely possible Steven will lose the plot as the night goes on. Threads can either be your character ending up stuck in his house somehow or Steven making an attempt to whisk them away and failing.
Warnings: Probably some fucked up illusion shit. Someone stop him.


With the distraction of the Speed Dating event over, and his initial attempts at experiencing the wild mostly successful, Steven finds himself experiencing a gnawing emptiness towards the middle of the month. He doesn't know how exactly the times line up, but it's close enough to feel true - the 15th is his birthday, or close enough to count. He's fifteen years old, and he's still not home.

He's never had a birthday without his Dad, or without the other Gems. The idea that he's having one here, so far away, without any of them is painful. Part of him wants to try to put together a gathering, to do something to celebrate, but the rest of him feels like doing so will just make the absence of the others more obvious. In the days leading up to it, he resigns himself to maybe doing something small, and to otherwise let it pass by uneventfully.

Unfortunately, on the morning of the Full Moon, those reservations gradually start to peel away in favour of the wild energy of the Sisters. He molts in the afternoon, as has become typical, and upon opening fresh eyes to the evening moons, his fae side starts to take over. He will have a birthday party, and it'll be like his family was never gone! How did he not think of it before?

Steven is going to try to - and possibly succeed in - abducting various people with illusion magic. He could probably end up with anyone, but he'll be specifically focusing on those that fit these archetypes:

1) Anyone with strong dad energy.
2) Mysterious, reserved, self-confident, and will kick your ass.
3) Mother-hen, fastidious, protective, graceful.
4) Scrappy, playful, punk-ass, chaotic, sibling type.
5) People around his age that are big nerds.

We can approach this one of two major ways: either we can thread Steven attempting to kidnap your character, or we can start with them realizing they've already been bamboozled by any kind of appropriate illusions into entering his house, and now can't seem to figure out how to exit. If he's going to try to kidnap them you can have your character be anywhere in the Haven, and if you want to start out in the house, just summarize the initial trickery and have them realize they seem to be in one of the fairly nice houses in the Haven but can't find the door or any exits.

Unless they can see through illusions, in which case Steven's antics probably won't work on them from square one. Feel free to get on his case about it!

He's going to be at this all night, but his roommates and other people may be sabotaging him, so your character may arrive and escape at random times throughout the evening. Other people may or may not be around at the same time. We can play it loose!

Comments

Kidnappery

[hippocarnival]

Steven has a prime, gullible target when Yuya's ready to leave the apartment to magic classes. He doesn't spend much time there given he has no money and nothing but himself and maybe this independent living isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Anyway, he can't tell illusions from the real thing, lead him astray.

[starseedling]

Steven has been flying around the Haven with his now fully-formed wings, and he settles on a nearby rooftop as soon as he sees Yuya leaving his building. He remembers Yuya - from the dreams, and from the dating event. He likes him! He's close to his age, and there's something exciting about that. Something... familiar?

His antennae curl and wiggle, sensing the air. He just needs to lead Yuya in the right direction, he thinks. Otherwise, he may end up in the wrong place!

It starts off fairly subtle, with the roads and pathways taking on a different look than they usually do. Yuya will see the landmarks he is expecting on the way to the Cover, but maybe in the slightly wrong places? Either way, it feels convincing enough that he will follow the path as he expects to see it.

It just happens to be leading him in the wrong direction.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya follows like the sucker he is, in part because he's not paying a whole lot of attention. It's only as he drifts closer to Steven's house that he starts to slow down, realizing...

"Did I go the right way?" It looks like the right way, doesn't it?

the lone wanderer "lex" | fallout 3 | chimera | ota

[lonewanderer]

The commotion draws Lex out of her room, for the part of the night that she's in it. Under the full moon, her chimera features are stronger than ever; most of her hair is now a mix of red fox-fur with eagle's feathers along the bottom and her arms. Fox ears and a tail accompany the eagle's talons on her hands, and eagle's wings have sprouted from near her shoulders. Her teeth are sharp, showing as she breathes, open-mouthed, and scents the hallway.

Something is... off. Something, but she isn't sure what. It's enough to have her tell Dogmeat to stay and for Lex to slip out of her room, walking a few steps down the hall before she spots you.

"What's going on?"

[starseedling]

Whether or not Lex has gotten the chance to talk to some of his victims first, Steven will notice her around. He looks pretty pleased with himself, and seems to be setting up for some kind of celebration by making various decorations appear.

"It's my birthday!" he explains. "So, I'm having a party."

[lonewanderer]

"Oh! Happy birthday!"

As confused as she is, there's genuine delight there - birthdays are, for most people, a good time. And Steven is young; he should have a good birthday.

"Here, hold on- I've got something from home that you should try. A birthday treat."

If Steven lets her, she'll duck back into her room and return holding a glass bottle of glowing blue soda.

meanwhile, at another birthday party

[bleedinghare]

Steven isn't the only Monster with their birthday on the full moon; in fact, he's bound to find the little hub of magic and mingling with how it practically glows with the pulse of its partygoers, like a lit streetlamp (or a birthday candle.) One of Geardgas's most recent arrivals sits at the heart of the glimmering little party, with her skirts rolled up and her stockings pulled off― cozied up to the poolside edge to dip her feet in, to chat with the birthday-Merrow and the others who have decided to have a swim.

―spurred by her gentle tipsiness from several drinks composed of mint, sugar, and bourbon, Adeline eventually kicks her feet out of the pool and finds her way over to the refreshment table for what is probably her third portion of cake. She's at the fringe of the crowd now, and not incredibly alert― giving Steven a fine opening.

[starseedling]

It's a bit later in the night at this point, and Steven is starting to feel a bit frustrated. The night isn't coming together like he'd imagined, and given the thrum of magical energy driving his actions, he's having a hard time figure out what's wrong. He can make everything perfect, if people just cooperate!

He's out and about again, looking for more guests to fill the hole in his heart. He spires Connor's birthday party, and pettily, something snaps inside of him. Tears push into his eyes, and he finds himself angrily blinking them away. Someone else is having a party - on his birthday! And they all look so happy about it!

Why can't he feel happy so easily? It isn't fair.

He flutters in close, spying from over the fence - and he sees her. It's the curly hair and her dress that strikes him first. It's not a lot to go off of, but he's obsessively looking for patterns here, and something about her is immediately appealing.

A few glowing butterflies appear to her, gently fluttering towards the table - one of them coming to rest on the mack of her hand. Steven watches, looking for a reaction.

[bleedinghare]

It certainly takes something special to pull Ada's attention from the prospect of cake― and Steven's illusion is the perfect thing to do so, drawing her attention as soon as she notices, pulling her eyes away from the ornately-decorated little table. She's certainly a viable candidate, given the ease that her curiosity is piqued; she peers into the dim curiously, taking the precaution to gently shield the butterfly upon her palm with her free hand.

"―hello?"

kid...nap?

[horkbajir]

Toby doesn't really 'get' birthdays and birthday parties, but she was present for America's, and Steven had seemed melancholy about his as it approached. So she thought about it, decided that a good pinecone was not an appropriate gift, and in lieu of sorting through the vast and complex array of goods sold in the markets she's spent the better part of a week carving a short three-legged stool, staining the seat darker and engraving it with an oak leaf that shows paler wood through the stain.

It's meant she's been away for the buildup to the full moon, unfortunately, but she comes back into the city carrying it. It's wrapped in white cloth with just a few pine needles caught in the folds, because she'd accidentally tear paper with her claws.

[starseedling]

Steven spies her around the time that she enters the Haven. His reaction is twofold - on one hand, it's Toby! His Bonded! His friend! She's great on her own accord.

Yet, even better... he thinks she might slot into exactly what he needs right now. He didn't even realize it before. She's perfect.

"Toby!" Steven yells, flying in her direction. His wings are noticeable larger, her other fae traits having gotten even more intense since the last time he saw her. It looks likely that he molted again. "You gotta come with me, okay? I really want to show you... !"

He's practically glittering with magic.

[horkbajir]

"Steven." He's flying faster and more strongly and is in the manic phase, and she actually turns her head to one side, looking a little awkwardly out of just one eye, out of a sudden concern that he's not going to be able to stop in time and might encounter her horns.

"You've shed your skin again! It seems like your Cywld infection has healed completely, then. I am glad." Toby was a little worried at the time, even after treatment, that his wings would bear the marks. She's a little guilty thinking that some Bonded live together and can track the progress of these things, day by day. But she wouldn't be happy confined in a house, and he wouldn't like to be away from all of his other friends.

"All right. Where are we going, and do you want to lead, or perhaps sit on my shoulder?" It slopes, he'd need to put a hand on or around her snakelike neck, but also has the benefit of being broad and blade-free.

For Steven, but I guess guests can also use this as an OTA if you want to beg Peridot for help.

[alienwear]

Under the sister's influence, Peridot is experiencing a surge of her own monstery instincts. In her case, this is being expressed by an increased obsession with her hoard. She has been stealing and stashing away objects that catch her interest practically since the day she arrived here, but within the last few weeks, she has taken to filling her room with lots and lots and LOTS of potted plants. Like, as many as her minimal cunes can possibly afford, plus some samples pilfered from other resident's prized gardens. She has been guarding them all jealously, soothing herself by tending to them whenever her feralness starts to peak. Sometimes she even talks to them, as if they're all as sentient as Pumpkin... Even though she lacks a faun's ability to truly understand them, or help them grow by supernatural means.

Tonight she's been lurking up there in her makeshift greenhouse, trimming and watering and humming at her little collection between extended periods of crouching sentinel by the door. After a certain point though, the noise from Steven's shenanigans becomes too intrusive to ignore. It's then that Peridot prowls downstairs to investigate, ears back, teeth bared, tail swishing, ready to bellow and chase out the sources of the unfamiliar voices that she's been hearing all evening. She jumps around the corner and down onto the last step, puffing up and putting on her most intimidating face.

"Alright all you clods, what's the big ide-- yeeeeehhhh???"

She cuts herself off mid shout with that confused noise, startled out of her fury by the sight of numerous strangers and familiar faces alike stumbling around in what... appears to be her living room, but mirrored, and completely lacking any doors or windows? Peridot glances side to side, casting about for some sort of explanation.

[starseedling]

Steven is there, floating around by wing. When Peridot arrives, he twirls around, spreading his arms enthusiastically. His wings are visibly larger, now, and his eyes are alight with magic.

"It's my birthday!" he says. Never mind how confused everyone else looks.

[alienwear]

Peridot stares at him. She leans slightly to the side to peer around him at the guests. Then she straightens back up, and looks back at Steven. Her brow furrows slowly.

"Your... What--?" She sneers somewhat impolitely on the last syllable, showing a flash of sharp white teeth. "Um. Is filling the house with a bunch of baffled strangers a tradition typical of most human birthday celebrations?"

[hippocarnival]

Yuya looks up at Peridot from the chair he's parked himself into for however long he's been here. He then scans the whole room for any signs of Steven before returning his gaze to her.

And then he raises his hand and waves.

[alienwear]

Peridot continues to make ^this face. And stares. And then waves back slowly.

"I'm going to go ahead and assume that you didn't exactly volunteer to be here," she growls as she approaches, also keeping an eye out for Steven.

[horkbajir]

Toby's standing with a lot of weight leaned back on her tail, considering things. Around her there is an illusion of the house having been overgrown with vines and moss, with nooks and crannies sprouting ferns and broad-leafed plants with long stems. Small frogs stick and sleep here and there.

She tenses a moment as Peridot appears, pulling her head back, turning her long arms so the elbow blades point defensively outwards, and slowly relaxes as the small Dragon's fury yields to bewilderment.

"Steven is moons-struck," she says. "I believe that he is lonely."

mea culpa for the horrendously slow response.

[alienwear]

Peridot blinks at Toby, and then at the surrounding illusionary scene, frowning. Her own moon-addled brain is struggling to sort and disseminate this information properly. Steven, lonely... Plants in the house? Outdoors, in the house. What.

She shakes her head drunkenly, broad ears flapping with the motion. "How could he possibly be lonely? I've been in the house all night. He could have just come and told me."

He would've been allowed into her plant sanctum. Probably. She's reasonably certain, anyway.

this is why faeries are awful, steven

[atouts]

From an outside perspective, Childermass certainly could be considered mysterious and reserved. From a perspective that knew better, he... could still be... exactly those same things. Mysterious and reserved isn't quite how he's feeling right now, however, as he's ended up in a house he hadn't meant to be in at all. While this new world may have stripped him of his old magic, it hasn't done a whole lot to shore up his terrible resistance to the very same, and so Steven's found himself an easy enough mark, up until he realizes what's happened.

This isn't the barracks. It may not be far off from them but that doesn't change the fact that it's some stranger's home and he's just standing here like an idiot, looking around.

"This isn't right," he mutters as he does. So far form right that he's immediately turning on a heel to reach for the door, only-- "Ah."

No door. That has him pausing mid-reach for a handle that simply doesn't exist and frowning. There had to have been one there. How else would he have gotten in?

[starseedling]

"No, it's right," a voice says, and a young fae reveals himself, lingering near the central staircase. His eyes and wings are bright with magic, and his clothing is woven with shining thread and tiny jewels in a way that doesn't make realistic sense. "I brought you here!"

His expression seems to imply that Childermass should be happy about it.

Mandatory fun

[textsfromhotland]

Alphys isn't usually one for parties. Or being social in any capacity. But there's something about tonight that makes her want to approach the first person she sees and tell them all about her favorite anime!! (spoilers: it's the full moon) Unfortunately for her, the first person she see is Steven, and that's how she ended up at his house... somehow?

The worst part is, she can't find anyone to talk about Mew Mew Kissy Cutie with! She thought this was supposed to be a party!

"Hellooooo? Is anybody here?"

She thinks she hears voices and laughter in the next room over, so she reaches for the door and rushes in... into the room she just left.

"Wh...." Alphys trails off, looking around in confusion, then turns around to find a solid brick wall where the doorway had just been.

It was then that she realized: she fucked up.

Maybe you live here, or maybe you're another sucker who got taken in by Steven's illusions, or maybe you're Steven! Either way you might come across the walking ball of anxiety knocking a little frantically on a brick wall. "P-please open up!"

[starseedling]

"Oh - no worries, I'm back!" Steven says, suddenly arriving from one of the other rooms. He heard her calling, but he was in the middle of something. He's got various things bundled up in his arms - sheets, and bags full of something.

"There should be other people around... I don't know where they all went! Maybe you could find them for me?"

Kidnappery

[wordsinthesoul]

As it gets later in the day, Thancred will be returning, from taking what opportunities he can around the harbour. He's not as focused as he might be- feeling he knows the way well enough by now. He's not expecting any illusions, certainly, and probably won't think twice if nothing stands out.

[starseedling]

With Thancred on the move, it seems like it's easiest to just play with the shape of the streets - to make him see where he is expecting to go, instead of where he's actually going. Steven follows along as he travels, gently guiding him towards his trap.

When Steven's house is in sight, Thancred will hear the voice of someone familiar to him from inside the building. It could be anyone, but the spell is intended to draw his attention.