hadriel_logs | i would like you to dance

[As Emily circulates through the room and greets the various attendees of her party, she'll notice a pair that rather stands out from the rest-- a tall, gangly clergyman in the presence of a towering, bulky ice alien. Both Glacius and Carlisle are as nicely dressed up as could be managed in a cave whose shops seemed to provide only strange or mismatched items... and neither of them seem to be terribly adept at mingling, so they're sticking pretty close to one another. Though they greet other party-goers and engage in small talk as best they can, they seem to be getting the most contentment form each other's presence.

That doesn't mean there's not room for their friend, however. When the marshal spots Emily coming their way he smiles brightly and waves her over, though his expression turns to one of befuddlement as she immediately hounds them for a drink. That... is something that he had not considered, though he supposes he should have seen it coming given how human celebrations and alcohol seem to go hand and hand! He still hasn't touched a drop ever since leaving his homeworld, and he's still a bit too tightly wound to start now... but maybe over the course of the night they can start breaking that down somewhat. For now Glacius bows his head respectfully to his friend, tucking his arms behind his back as he does so.] Perhaps in time. As of right now, I would like to celebrate by giving you our well-wishes... both Carlisle and I are honored to be a part of this, Emily. And look at you! [He lifts his head now, gesturing to her with one great white hand. The fine fabric and embellishments of the sash that she'd made for him glitters in the light as he straightens up.] You look well. The hardships of this cave have not diminished you in the slightest. If anything you are stronger and more knowing for them... a radiant beacon if ever I saw one, my cherished friend.

[Glacius hasn't been imbibing, but Carlisle deftly picked up a glass at some point and has been working on it ever since, hoping to relax himself enough to enjoy the party -- he's not sure he'll ever be invited to another, given his general temperament and the constant dangers the city presents. Thus far, he's spent the night glued to Glacius' side, watching people chatter, his eyes occasionally catching sight of the star of the show as she floats from person to person, clearly making the most of her big day.

He straightens his tabard for the nth time as Glacius greets Emily, feeling underdressed in the sweater and slack he's got on beneath it. His other clothes just weren't in any kind of shape for an event like this.]

Congratulations, Emily. [He offers her a polite bow of his head, much like Glacius' gesture.] I thought about getting you wine, but then it occurred to me that you could just go to the bar yourself and pick out the same bottle any time you want, so it did seem like a bit of an empty offering for such an occasion.

That's okay. As long as you're having a good time. [Far be it from her to force someone to drink if they don't want to. Unless they're a friend from home, in which case she's not going to force them to drink so much as tease them mercilessly about their choice to stay sober.

Glacius's compliments always make her feel warm inside, because she knows they're heartfelt and sincere.] Thanks.

Thank you both. I'm really glad you came.

[She's... going to politely not laugh at Carlisle's awkward little bit about the wine. Maybe he should stop drinking. Or drink more, she's not sure.]

Honestly, I wasn't expecting anyone to bring gifts. I mean, we're here, right. Just knowing people cared enough to come celebrate is really nice. Are you having fun?

[Don't think she hasn't noticed how attached at the hip you two seem to be. How suspicious.]

[Carlisle made Glacius promise that he wasn't going to leave him alone for too long okay! Also, they're both clearly way out of their depth here, so being around each other is helping things feel a little more familiar. Social butterflies, these two are not, but they do genuinely want to be here for Emily's sake--so instead of focusing on how strange it is to be surrounded by packs of humans, the ice alien bobs his head.] If we wanted to get you a gift, I'm sure we could come up with something more personal together... we might just have to do that, now. In any case -- yes! Granted I have never really been to a, ah, human gathering like this... but so far the worst I have gotten is a few turned heads and surprised looks. That aside everyone has been welcoming.

What about yourself? This celebration is for you, after all. Is there anything I can do to make the night even more enjoyable for you?

['Having fun.' Carlisle. Good one, Emily. He gives her that same, disingenuous smile he offers when he's trying to cover for his nerves.]

Yes, it certainly is an event. With people.

They better be nice. [Let's be real, Emily didn't invite any assholes.] As long as everyone's having a good time, that's enough.

[As for Carlisle...] Yeah, funny how that works, that you invite people to a party and they decide to come, and suddenly you're sureounded by people.

[Honestly, did he ever lead services back home? Those tend to be packed too, right?]

Come now, Carlisle, [Glacius chuckles, very gently prodding the clergyman with those spikes protruding from his elbow,] we are among friends right now. Perhaps I should have asked you the same question that I just asked Emily... so, is there anything I can do for you?

[Carlisle gives the alien a slight smile in return.]

Just let me stand here and hide in your shadow a bit longer.

[He returns his attention to Emily. Forgive him, Em -- he comes from a small village and knew everyone there. This is a party of people he doesn't particularly know, which he would if he stepped outside every once in a while.]

So you've come of age now, correct? Do you feel any different?

['Let me stand here and hide in your shadow' ...? That's. Poetic? Sure, Carlisle talks like a pretentious scholar a lot of the time, but that's a level above the norm.

But whatever.]

Actually? Yeah. It's weird -- my birthday was a while ago, but it feels official now, especially since everyone's here to celebrate that. I'm really glad you're both here for this. It's... it means a lot.

[Glacius tilts his head; he's confused by the cultural concepts, but this seem important, and Emily is usually once to construct a bridge across those gaps for him.]

Wait, ah... these events are... different? How are human birthdays usually celebrated, then? [And how did he go unaware of Emily's when she's one of his closest friends here? He feels bad.]

Edited 2017-01-18 17:38 (UTC)

I'd assume it varies from world to world, but a birthday might be met with a celebration, while a coming-of-age is met with a ceremony or ritual of some sort.

[Carlisle looks to Emily for some sort of verification on that. This is very different than his own coming-of-age ceremony, after all. Less bears and bloodshed, for starters.]

Yup. [Thank you for explaining it, Carlisle. Emily might've been less concise.] Coming of Age Day is a national holiday. People who've tirned twenty over the year are brought together in their home city for a ceremony. You still have your birthday, but this is the big deal event. Do you have anything like that?

[The question is for both of them.]

W-well! [Glacius immediately jumps in, flicking his eyes briefly and nervously to Carlisle, because he has heard of what happened to his friend during his and he cannot imagine he is particularly eager to talk about that.] We don't have any ceremonies for coming of a particular age, no. But there are different rites of passage you go through depending on your profession or discipline, and your realization of achievements... for example there was an induction ceremony when I first began my training as a warrior, and then a granting of honors when I finally was able to best my mentor in a spar.

There was also an induction ceremony and appointment of duties when I became a galactic marshal and was inducted into the Alliance of Worlds... leaders and representatives from all of the species under that collective were there. It was quite a sight. I did my best to stand tall and proud, knowing that I was from there on out an advocate of my people, a protector of the peace that they held dear.

[Given how distinctly unsettled he looks by the thought of talking about his coming of age ceremony -- there's that nervous smile and the twitch of his brow the alien has likely come to expect from his friend's nerves -- Carlisle is glad Glacius steps in to give him a moment to put together an answer that doesn't involve having a lad of fourteen mauled by a bear.]

As for me, it's nothing nearly so elegant as this.

[And that's all he has to say about it.]

[She'll take it like Carlisle's ceremony was some really religious thing.

Glacius's several ceremonies, though, seem amazing.] That sounds really exciting! You so deserve that recognition.

And whatever yours was like, Carlisle, I bet it was still important.

[She says, not knowing what it was and what happened.]

[Glacius starts to smile and puff up in that way he does when complimented by someone whose measure of him actually matters, but then Emily goes and drops that comment and he tenses again, standing up straight as a rod as he places a supporting hand on Calrisle's back.]

Perhaps... but... what is truly important is the person he has become now. An individual who is talented at their passions, who has endured much and become stronger for it... and a good friend to many. Just like you, Emily.

[Carlisle reddens just a hair as Glacius puts a hand on his back, and he offers the alien a brief, but grateful look.]

You flatter me, truly. It is Emily we should be praising on this day, however. She is an accomplished student, and now an adult in the eyes of her world. What is expected of you, now that that's the case?

You're right. [Of course Glacius is right. He always thinks the best of people and puts a positive spin on even the worst-sounding situation. She gives both him and Carlisle a smile and drops the subject. Here and now, they're all better than they were.

And here and now, she has questions to answer.] Mostly I'm supposed to be a productive, responsible member of society, and to my family and community. You know, get a job, be there for people, help keep things tidy, follow the rules. Do the best to keep things the way they should be. [She gives a little shrug.] Group well-being is really important in Japan. I think sometimes it's a bit much, but it's still a cool sentiment.

[America is more about individuality, and while there's a lot Emily values about that, it can be lonely too. Pros and cons, she figures. Nothing is perfect.]

[Glacius's hand lingers on Calrisle's back a moment longer before he gradually removes it, folding his arms behind his own.] Ah! That does not sound too different from how things were back in my home district. In general, my people place a lot of value on the well-being of the group... we are taught from a young age to place the good of the whole before the individual. [Which probably explains a lot about why he was willing to suffer so much on earth to reclaim his technology and safeguard his people's existence.] It is nice to know that are worlds are not so different from each other in some regards as they may seem.

In any case, you have already been a welcome, helpful member of this society, so you're well on your way. [The alien flashes her a little grin.] But responsibilities can wait until later--is there anything in particular you would like to do now to celebrate?

[Desperately wanting to get away from the subject of his youth, Carlisle chimes in with Glacius.]

Yes, what would you like to do now?

[Amazing, how she and Glacius share so much as far as culture is concerned. How they have a lot in common and can understand each other better for it.

His praise means a lot to her. She asked Delight for fabric more for herself than anything, and now she can't imagine life here without the sewing shop. It's where she and Carlisle met properly, where he taught her how to sew a bag and agreed to give her glyphcrafting lessons.]

Right now? Just drink and eat and have fun.

[It really is the little things.]

[Glacius hems and haws a little bit when drinking is suggested again. While he does not want to seem rude, he also does not want to engage in any behavior that could be seen as negligible to his people... someone should really teach him that it's okay to relax every now and again.]

Well, I'm already having fun, especially now that you're here. But if either of you are hungry, I can get us all something. [The ice alien is rarely the sort to turn down food just so long as he trusts the source--eating bits here and there is important for getting his large body the nutrients it needs, and for keeping his energy levels topped off.]

I could use a quick bite, if you don't mind. Something to help this settle.

[He means the alcohol in his hand, which he is probably going to top off with his personal flask the moment Glacius walks away.]

[She meant she herself wanted to drink, but she doesn't try to smooth it over with more than an apologetic grin. Maybe one day, she and Glacius will share a drink during their culture talks.

For now, she's not about to make Carlisle look bad or Glacius feel bad.]

Sure, me too. Thank you.

[Carlisle do you honestly think that he's not going to notice that your glass has somehow magically refilled itself? He's not likely to speak out here given that it's a celebration and all, but he is gradually becoming wary of the clergyman's frequent overindulgence. He'll just have to keep an eye on him.

For now, he has a job to do, so the ice alien dips his head politely and steps away, leaving the two to chat for a bit. When he comes back it's with a plate full of assorted items in each hand and a slightly apologetic look on his face. By now he has a fairly good idea of what sort of things Carlisle seems to enjoy eating, but as for Emily...] I--I just realized that I'm not even entirely sure what you might want to eat, so I brought a little of everything. Given that it's a party for you, I should hope that the menu was tailored to your tastes...

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let's pretend i was fully aware these past few days it was my turn lol

pretends!!

o7

thank u both ilu

<3!

:D

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