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

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.

[heerequeerandfulloffear]

[Jeremy looks positively scandalized until he realizes the Richard pun. He's left stammering as if each wrong syllable will discharge a bit of embarrassed energy.]

Y--s--sorr--I--sorry--you--I!

[He takes a deep breath and tries again.]

Yeah, it happened out of the blue. Rich suddenly needed one and I owe the guy more than this. And from what you said it sounds like I needed to Bond too. Still haven't tested the limits or whatever but Rich's brain didn't explode when we did it, so... point for me.

[hearthebell]

Really, don't mention it.

[Much more stammering and L would probably reach out and poke Jeremy between the eyes, since it worked fairly well last time. As it is, he does manage to get a grip on himself, and L just waits it out with surprising patience for someone of his particular disposition.]

You absolutely needed a Bond. Did you... expect his brain to explode?

[He reaches for another still-warm cookie.]

[heerequeerandfulloffear]

Kiiiind of? Yes?

[Jeremy offers them out to L, glad for a distraction.]

I'm still not convinced he won't regret it, but it's gone surprisingly well so far.

You're a magic expert, right? Tell me like, medically. Can someone's brain explode here?

[hearthebell]

[L just goes ahead and takes three. Might as well; he's eating for one very malnourished superdetective whose brain burns like 500 calories an hour, here.]

I'm not a magic expert.

[But he's been here a pretty long time. And he's also put some seriously hard work into honing his witchcraft. It's not ridiculous for Jeremy to ask him this.]

But brains can explode, along with everything else. Usually it's because magic was mishandled... and usually it's the Witch, and not the monster. Monsters go feral, and if Rich needed a Bond "suddenly"... that's what I would guess was happening with him.

[heerequeerandfulloffear]

He seemed like he was doing fine...

[Jeremy sounds unsure.]

If people can explode like that, why don't they pair you up with a Bond when you first come out of the mirrors? Like roommate dorm assignments when you get to go to college. Then no one's brain would explode or they'd eat anyone.

[Jeremy is still not entirely up to date on his lore.]

[hearthebell]

[L seems skeptical, regarding the claim that Rich was "doing fine," but at least knows better than to voice as much.]

On paper that seems like a logical solution. But Bonds are highly personal... with a strong focus on compatibility. If you're intent on using the "marriage" metaphor, most people would agree that an arranged one isn't inherently better or more desirable.

[heerequeerandfulloffear]

[Jeremy scratches the back of his neck, fluffing up his hair under his fingers.]

Sure, but no one's gonna get hurt for staying single.

If... if a Bond goes wrong, what can happen?

[hearthebell]

[L is silent for a moment. He doesn't ask if Jeremy is particularly concerned about that, but instead tries to reflect his philosophy for attending this party in his answer.

Neutral ground.]

Inherently... you give something of yourself over to your Bonded. And it's true the other way around. It works well if you're both lending yourself support and complementing one another, but... it's possible for two people who witness each other's weakness and concerns to feel threatened or unbalanced by those things, or... for them to be unable or unwilling to take them on. In those cases, the Bond might become strained or difficult... just like an actual marriage, I suppose. And in that case, you might elect to dissolve it, also like an actual marriage.

[heerequeerandfulloffear]

[Jeremy's tenseness ebbs away as L talks. He's got a way of making everything sound like obvious fact, and that is its own kind of comforting--especially for someone like Jeremy.]

Right, right. That makes sense. But no weird spooky magic backlash? I can't accidentally make Rich go feral if I handle the Bond wrong?

[hearthebell]

[L rarely puts people at ease. It might take him a moment to realize that he sort of has, but when he does, it'll also make him relax a bit, too.]

No... you can't make Rich go feral. Only the absence of a Bond can do that, or... perhaps one that is so neglected that it might as well be the absence of a Bond. Remember that a Witch-Monster Bond is symbiotic in nature; you create the magic and the monster siphons it off before it can destroy you. Speaking as a Witch with two Witch Bonds... you don't have much to be afraid of.

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.]

[firewalled]

...It's to celebrate my Bond. Why wouldn't I be here?

[Rich reacts with confusion, and then muted annoyance as Linden continues to do the one thing Rich asked him not to do. He folds his arms, trying to look like he has some semblance of authority. Granted, he does have all the power here and could easily kick L out of this house... if he didn't know it'd upset Jeremy.]

You know 'couple' was a figure of speech. You can take two at a time. Put the rest back, please.

[hearthebell]

[L shrugs one scrawny shoulder as he chews quite the mouthful of cookie that very conveniently prevents him from being able to answer for a good twenty seconds. By the time he's able, he's been reprimanded for his very literal (very deliberate) interpretation of Rich's earlier statement.

Oh, he can play this game. He's more than happy to play this game.]

A... figure of speech? I'm not sure what you mean by that. I clearly heard you say "a couple," and "a couple" is "two." Are you saying that you said one thing, and meant another?

[He takes another bite, out of a different cookie.]

[firewalled]

[Rich, on the other hand, is not very interested in playing this game, particularly when his opponent is someone who seems to delight in taking things literally and playing other annoying mind games. He steps forward to snatch up the plate Linden has, putting the uneaten cookies back onto the tray.]

Okay, so I misspoke. What I meant to say was that you could have a couple of cookies. Like you said, that's two. You have two you took a bite out of. Those are yours now. The rest can be saved for other guests.

[Rich decides on the rules here, and if Linden doesn't like it, he can go home.]

[hearthebell]

[Unfortunately, magic can be kind of tricky, and a floating tray made of ice has any number of ways it might react at the sudden interference with the process of a spell.

More pertinently, there are any number of ways L might react. And those ways tend to skew toward being immature, petty, and childishly competitive. The moment Rich lays a hand on the chilled tray, it immediately turns to water, spilling most of the cookies onto the floor in a cold, soggy mess.]

Oh... that's really unfortunate.

[L blinks, taking a step back to spare his leather boots.]

You should have warned me that you were going to do that. Now no one can enjoy them.

[firewalled]

[Rich fumbles with the cookies, only managing to catch one or two, with the rest landing on the floor. He lets out a sound of annoyance, stepping backwards himself, and levelling a glare at Linden.]

I'll be grabbing a mop.

[Before he turns though, he decides that if L is going to be childish, he'd better say something now to nip that in the bud.]

And listen. I know you're smart. You only tell me so every time we meet. So I think you can understand the concept of house rules. This is my house, so I have rules that you have to follow as a guest of this house.

[He holds up two fingers.]

Rule #1: don't be an ass. Rule #2, which mainly falls under Rule #1, but just to spell it out for you: Take two cookies at a time and make sure there are more than enough left over for the other guests.

[He's tempted to insist on the importance of sharing, a basic kindergarten lesson, but being condescending would probably break his own rules.]

If you don't like them, you're welcome to leave.

[hearthebell]

I'd be glad to abide by those rules, but...

[L pauses, round-eyed gaze wandering thoughtfully toward the ceiling.]

I can't help but suspect that this is a power trip, and a rule intended for me, uniquely, because you're grasping for a sense of control over my presence here. So... I'd request that you allow a sign to be placed by the cookies so that others can also abide by those house rules. I'd hate to think that others might not be aware of those rules by merit of not having been properly informed.

[He takes a note card out of his pocket, beginning to inscribe some runes on it.]

I'll even put the sign up, if you want.

[There's a glowing light, and then the card has some fancy calligraphy on it and a handy little stand made of ice.]

[firewalled]

Wow, me, power tripping you? And yet you can't recognize the SQUIP's entire fucking existence is a power trip.

[He shakes his head in disbelief, and then of course Linden has to push it even further. The sign is utterly ridiculous, and probably the most petty, childish thing Rich has seen in a long time. He groans and puts a hand to his head.]

Never mind. I almost feel bad for your Bonded now.

I said "two at a time." There's no fucking hard limit. Fix your stupid ass sign, and then sit your ass down. I seriously don't have the patience for you right now.

[Rich heads off to find a mop, but when he comes back in a few, Linden better have fixed things, because he really is this close to grabbing him by the collar and throwing him out the door.]

[hearthebell]

[L is unmoving while Rich goes to get the mop. He intentionally stands so as to block Rich's view of the cookie platter and, presumably, where the sign was intended to go. He's at ease, leaning slightly on the table with his hands in his pockets. He chews at his lower lip as though it's bothering him, or... more accurately, as though he's biting back a smirk.]

Where did you learn power? Because... I mean, it's like a child's idea of something, but it isn't power.

[He glances at the mess on the floor, then to the mop.]

You could backhand me across the room if you wanted to, absolutely, and yet, you're about to blow a gasket over some cookies. I question and doubt everything about your approach, from your concept of power to your application. Absolutely. Probably, it's not your fault... everyone learns power somewhere.

[He steps aside, to reveal the exact same sign. He's used magic to fuse it to the table.]

It's fixed... in place. You'd be hard-pressed to make it budge without a counterspell.

[faithlikeaseed]

That, serah Tailor, is quite enough.

[Forgive Myr for not twigging to the incipient conflict sooner but he's here now, leaning on his staff and looking deeply disappointed.]

You and I are both guests here; it isn't a power trip for a man to expect his guests to listen to him in his own home. [He tips his head roughly Rich-ward for emphasis.] It's the sort of expectation society's build on, [though I suspect you could have told me that if I asked you.

Which really only worsens Myr's disappointment. But then, there was a reason Linden had sought out the SQUIP...]

--I apologize for cutting in, serah Goranski, but I couldn't sit silent any longer.

[There's an uncomfortable balance to be negotiated between his two friends if he'd be heard and Myr's completely unsure he's achieved it--but he is sure letting this play out on its own is unkind to both of them.]

[firewalled]

[Rich is honestly relieved Myr cut in, if only because maybe now, it won't just be him kicking Linden out if he continues to act like this. Honestly, who's the fucking child here?

He smartly decides not to argue with Linden's idea of power, but only because he's too exhausted to, working on mopping up the mess that was left on the floor.]

You have no reason to apologize. I'd rather hear one from him.

[For causing a mess, for fusing a sign to his table... and for also continuously making Rich feel like garbage, but maybe that's too much to ask.]

Because he's not going to be a guest here much longer if he doesn't agree to stop being a brat.