fellas is it gay if you can magically read your best bros thoughts (OPEN)

[heerequeerandfulloffear]

Who: Rich and others
When: Morning and noonish, November 15
Where: Jeremy, Rich, and Michael's home
What: Rich and Jeremy's Bonding ceremony and celebration
Warnings: none



i. Bonding (Closed)

[Jeremy shows up at Rich's door bright and early the next morning. Despite how Rich claimed that suits weren't required, Jeremy still put together the nicest-looking thing in his wardrobe. His hair is slicked back, his skin is clearer than usual (where did he find concealer?), and he's used up a good chunk of his precious deodorant that he brought with him through the mirror.

The SQUIP had a lot of drawbacks, being an evil mind-controlling robot and all, but it taught Jeremy a valuable lesson: Jeremy cleans up good.

When Rich opens the door, Jeremy's waiting expectantly, hands behind his back and bouncing on his toes. It's clear that he's been there a while.]

You ready to go?


ii. Announcement (Open)

[To announce their Bond and to celebrate, Rich and Jeremy have opened the house up for any and everyone who wants to check it out--both quietly not mentioning how empty the space seems with Justine's recent disappearance. At Rich's suggestion, they've sent an open invitation out on the watch network to anyone who wants to drop by and offer congratulations.

Their budget isn't huge, but Jeremy's insistence on hospitality means that they've got enough finger food and drinks for people to try out. There's no alcohol.

Jeremy's still nervous even though the deed is done, so he's bustling around constantly to make sure that everything is perfectly neat, that they've got enough seats, and that nobody needs a refill. In his rush, bringing a hot tray of cookies from the oven straight onto a serving tray, he bumps into you. As he turns around to see who he's plowed over, he rushes to apologize. The niceties run into themselves before he even sees your face.]

Shoot--I'm sorry--thanks for coming!


iii. Wildcard (Open)

[Jeremy and Rich are both available to talk about their new bond with your character. Let me know if you want a specific situation!]

Comments

i.

[firewalled]

[Rich had not been expecting Jeremy to come find him first thing in the morning, nor did he expect Jeremy to be that cleaned up. He's dressed nicely, but honestly casually, just in a simple button up that he purchased once. He feels underdressed when he opens the door, and holds up a hand to pause him in order to snatch up his vest from the masquerade. It matches well enough... plus it does have those brooches in its pocket, if Rich isn't too embarrassed about giving it.

As he slips it on, he gives Jeremy a nervous smile.]

Apparently I'm not as ready as you. Looking like a damn model, Heere.

Probably a Popular Science model, but hey, still a model.

[heerequeerandfulloffear]

[Jeremy grins in relief at Rich's reaction.]

Shut up.

[He nudges Rich with his elbow, cheeks already dusted pink.]

You look gr--fine, too.

So you're leading the way, right? I can't get the GPS in my watch to work.

[firewalled]

Wow, ringing endorsement. I mean, no one's really gonna see us for this part anyways, so you're just lucky I don't look like a total slob.

[He certainly notices that blush, but he shrugs it off as Jeremy probably just nervous about the big event. He holds out his hand, gesturing that he'll lead the way. Jeremy can take his hand, or be "no homo" about it. Rich'll get plenty more times to embarrass him.]

Yeah, of course! I've got this. I've been a couple times. You should probably try once in a while too. They've got classes for magic and stuff.

ii - announcement party

[spaghettimonster]

You're welcome!

[This particular guest's face might come as something of a surprise, being a somewhat animated skull. Though maybe not - one of the replies to the watch announcement was by username CoolSkeleton95, and Rich may have mentioned his skeleton friend.

Papyrus and Rich are buddies with the budding notions for a book club that hasn't taken off yet... partly because Papyrus has been sick for a while. So this is the first time the skeleton's swinging by the house to actually step in for a visit.]

And, thanks for having me!

[So yeah. It's a skeleton, standing at the door talking, dressed in pretty normal-for-Aefenglom clothing, and a package tucked under his arm.]

[heerequeerandfulloffear]

[Jeremy can't help it. He stares.

Well... they've all seen weirder things in this city already.]

Y... You're welcome.

[He holds out the tray awkwardly.]

Cookie?

[Oh shit, do skeletons eat?]

[spaghettimonster]

[Ah yes, the staring. Surprise and alarm happen all the time, but this is fine. No rudeness, no fearful shouts, and Jeremy's pushing past it to offer food?]

Oh! So hospitable! Greeted with food right at the door...

[This skeleton eats, or at least he's quick to politely accept a cookie.]

Thank you!! I have a gift as well, but... It's for both of you. Where should I bring it...?

[Is there a gift table started.]

just sliding in here don't mind me

[firewalled]

Oh, Papyrus! You made it!

[He had indeed seen the username show up on the network post, but Rich hadn't thought to mention it to poor Jeremy. Even so, he's very excited to see his friend again, especially since he has extra books to give him, now that he's actually up for reading himself.]

How have you been? I was worried you got sick again.

double party time

[spaghettimonster]

Pshhh.

[Papyrus has a drink in one hand, but he waves the other through the air as if brushing aside Rich's concern.]

No, I'm not getting sick again. I've been sick enough for a decade! But the recovery took a little time... And then I had to find new jobs.

L Lawliet (Linden Tailor) | OTA

[hearthebell]

II. Announcement

[The invitation was open; L doesn't feel like he quite belongs, and it goes a little further than the usual way he feels that he doesn't quite belong at social gatherings. He finds himself divided almost in an even split, here; he outright dislikes Rich while having an uncomfortable amount in common with the dragon, and he actually sort of like Jeremy, even though they have very little in common on a surface-level and know an uncomfortable amount each other's sex lives.

Still... isn't Jeremy sort of his friend, the same way Rich is sort of his enemy? L thinks of it that way, with his admittedly warped sense of how these things work. Therefore, it averages out to an entirely neutral presence here today.

L's rather the reason that Jeremy needs to bring another tray of cookies out. For someone so waifishly thin (who already looks gaunt and unhealthy again a week after Jeremy's excessive healing spell restored him in more ways than he really expected or wanted), he's eaten an obscene amount.]

It's OK that I'm here, right?

[Spoken like someone who knows it's technically probably alright, but would fully understand if he was asked to leave.]

III. Wildcard- OPEN

[L continues to wander and nibble, finding that the line between anonymity and familiarity is difficult to define here. He came alone, without either of his Bonded, and he's looking a bit like a creepy skulking wallflower. Feel free to talk to him, or catch him pocketing some of the sweeter finger food for later.]

II. Announcement

[heerequeerandfulloffear]

[Jeremy, despite all odds, actually relaxes when he sees that he bumped into L rather than a stranger.]

Yeah, of course. Open invitation. Don't bring the SQUIP around or there'll be a brawl, but otherwise, we're good.

I'm glad to see you here. Is everything...

[He raises his eyebrows.]

Okay? With your situation?

[hearthebell]

I know better than to bring the SQUIP.

[He's not offended, even if a month ago he might have been. He actually seems surprised, and heartened, that Jeremy is glad to see him here.

He doesn't get that, very much. He doesn't have long to marvel at it, however; his brows raise at the mention of his "situation."]

I haven't had the time or means to address it. It's the kind of thing that sounds strange when you try to explain it to a native Witch...

[An awkward shuffle.]

We should probably talk about a different Dick. Congratulations on your Bond.

II

[firewalled]

[Part of Rich would like nothing more than to request L's hasty exit, but things have become a lot more complicated in regards to him since the SQUIP was deactivated. Jeremy's odd connection with him has to be considered: if Rich were to kick Linden out, the latter would have to be actually doing something offensive, which he isn't at the moment.

Besides that, Rich still does want to give him a chance, even if the mere sight of him gets his hackles raised. There's a good person in there somewhere. It's just a matter of digging through all the self-assured bullshit in order to find it.

Today is as good a time as any. Rich looks at L, and then at the stack of cookies he has in one hand, and he sighs, giving a wry smile.]

It's okay that you're here... though I think you should maybe leave a couple cookies for the other guests. You're going to go into a sugar coma at this rate, man.

[hearthebell]

Oh... I wasn't sure you'd be here.

[Even though it's... Rich's Bond-wedding. L still says it dead seriously, with a straight face, and at Rich's request, he pauses, before continuing to take cookies until precisely two remain on the platter.]

There. A happy couple, just like you and Jeremy. Congratulations, by the way.

[He adjusts his grip on the cookies, tracing a circle with one of his fingertips. A platter made of ice materializes, floating next to him, and he piles his spoils on it.]

slides on in here! | ota, & if group threads make more sense here let's do 'em!

[faithlikeaseed]

ii. announcement

Maker's breath--I'm sorry, [Myr says with a laugh--because odds are if anyone got in anyone else's way, it's the blind guy. He makes an abortive gesture like he'd steady Jeremy, except he's got a staff in one hand and a stunning little potted plant in the other, so that's not going to work.]

Just my luck I'd have my hands full, too--but thank you for the invitation, by the by. Got somewhere I can put this?

[The plant. Possibly, also, himself, so he's not standing in the flow of traffic like some kind of breathing coatrack.]

iii. low-speed mingling
[Myr's wearing his Circle robes with their patterns of fruit and foliage today; there's a matching flower or two adorning his antlers. Having set down his gifts--the coralbells in their decorative pot and a bag of little cinnamon candies in the shape of dragon scales--he's found a chair to perch on near the center of the action. His ankle's still tender enough standing on it is a trial, so better to...not.

If you wander into earshot of him he'll strike up a conversation--or flash you a bright smile and ask, most politely, if you'd get him another cookie.]

iii

[firewalled]

Another one? God, between you and Linden, I'm feeling like we're going to run out in an hour.

[Rich rolls his eyes as he comes by, but quickly turns back to the table Jeremy's been filling with finger foods, grabbing a cookie and holding it out for Myr.]

Thanks for coming. And for the gift, those candies are adorable.

[faithlikeaseed]

I am, [Myr says piously,] healing from an injury. You can't expect me to do that without food, can you?

[Then, in a stage whisper,] How many has he had? I'm not about to let him beat me. [Which is a joke, and from the decorous way Myr takes the cookie and breaks it into pieces to eat slowly...it wasn't a competition he could win anyway.]

My pleasure, on both counts. And congratulations to the both of you.

[heerequeerandfulloffear]

Oh--of course! Excuse me.

[Jeremy looks around the kitchen frantically until he finds a counter appropriate for a hot tray. He quickly drops his cookies with a clatter and scoops up the plant out of the stranger's arms.]

We've got a gift table over in the other room if this is for us.

Oh, um, pardon, I'm Jeremy Heere, hello. Nice to meet you.

[faithlikeaseed]

It's for you, [Myr affirms,] as are these-- [Now that his hand's free, he can dig into his satchel and retrieve the bag of candies he'd brought, holding them up for Jeremy's inspection.

Which would work better if he were facing Jeremy exactly but, well, blindness.] --which I'll take to the table.

Myr Shivana; it's good to meet you at last, Jeremy. [And because he really can't contain his own black humor sometimes,] In my own shape and a more congenial setting, at that. Congratulations on your Bond.

Post-party, for Jeremy

[firewalled]

[The get together is nice, but considering its two hosts, it isn't exactly carrying on into the night. Mostly everyone is content to leave around dinner, with the presents opened and most of the food already eaten.

It seems all that is left then is for the 'newlyweds' to tidy up. In fact, Rich is actually gathering up dishes without much prompting, and he shakes his head if Jeremy approaches to help.]

Hey, you got all this together. The least I can do is get a couple things cleaned.

[Though... ugh, he might do the dishes tomorrow. All this socializing took a lot out of him.]

[heerequeerandfulloffear]

[Jeremy's more than pleased with the low-key get-together that was mostly crisis-free. Once he's been waved off, Jeremy gets started on taking down decorations and cleaning up the odd piece of litter.]

It was a team effort. Besides, you provided all the guests.

[He rolls up a handful of ribbon and puts it in a spare drawer, lingering beside Rich.]

[firewalled]

[Rich levels a Look at Jeremy, one eyebrow cocked, as he gestures to the empty cookie tray he's rinsing off.]

There was definitely one guest that didn't come because of me. Linden flat out told me he didn't think I'd be here, for some fucking reason.

[Did he seriously think he'd just throw Jeremy to the wolves afterwards?]

III because I can

[fuckingpassw0rd]

"Jesus Christ!"

There's a giant dragon sleeping on one of the houses on the next full moon. Maybe taking Sumo out for a walk at this hour was a very bad idea and he mentally prepares himself to fight if he needs to.

Maybe he shouldn't have tried to...scream at it tho.

[firewalled]

Rich isn't really a fan of these full moons since he's found himself in a more monstrous state. It was bad enough dealing with longer nails and teeth, but suddenly growing from a below-average teenage height to the size of a house takes a lot out of a guy. The cold air certainly doesn't help, though his fiery wings usually help keep him warm. He has those folded over his back, snoozing peacefully, until a yell of surprise makes him snort in surprise.

He grumbles as he blinks blearily down at the man who interrupted his sleep, yawning and showing off his huge teeth in the process. Ah, that's... Connor's roommate, right? Rich huffs and crawls down from the roof to inspect, and maybe see if the guy has any food. He needs a midnight snack, and he's guessing Jeremy and Michael are too busy dealing with their own full moon woes to remember.

afterward, for Rich--

[faithlikeaseed]

[Myr had intended to step outside with Linden only long enough to get the younger man out of his hellbent fixation on winning his interaction with Rich. He had intended...

But things hadn't quite worked out that way. An absence large enough to fit a trip to the Coven and an emergency Bond wanted an explanation, Myr felt, even if the party's on its way out by now.

Uncertainty keeps him on the doorstep rather than inviting himself in a second time; there isn't enough sound from inside out here to judge whether it's still an open house. So he'll knock--on door or doorframe, whichever presents itself to his fist first--and wait for someone to come to him.]

[firewalled]

[Rich has been on edge for most of the evening. Talking with Jeremy about the situation in regards to him and L had been helpful, but hadn't gotten rid of Rich's worries at any level. They really only reminded him that Myr had still completely disappeared from the party after the debate, Linden's stupid addition to his home still left mockingly in place, standing proudly when Rich comes down the stairs to answer the door. He scowls at it for a moment, frustrated that the reason for their incompatibility has physical evidence now, and even that isn't enough to convince people to actually listen.

He's back to dealing with feelings of anger and jealousy eating away at his rational thought again, and with Jeremy still closed off to him, there's nothing to help him relax before he opens the door. Not that seeing Myr now would have helped either. He narrows his eyes at him for a moment, then steps out of the doorway, into the living room to add more wood to the fire.]

Party's over. Did you find something to deal with the sign?

[His words are tense and to the point. He hates being angry at people for such a stupid reason as them liking people who don't like him, but after how the SQUIP went? After how this party went, and how every effort Rich has made to give him a chance has been dismissed? He thinks it's a little more than pettiness fueling his discomfort now.]