hadriel_logs | i would like you to dance

['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...

[And yes, the moment Glacius bows his head and walks away, Carlisle quickly and quietly refills his glass with the Dwarven ale he carries at all times in that fancy flask of his, uttering to Emily before his companion returns.]

And before you ask, no, it's not that the drinks here aren't adequate, but I prefer something a little stronger for an occasion like this.

[Somehow she didn't expect Carlisle to be that kind of a drinker, but maybe she shouldn't be surprised.] If you're that stressed--

[But here comes Glacius, so she leaves it at that. If Carlisle is that stressed, maybe he should go home, is the thought. Surely Carlisle gets it.]

Oh yeah, everything here's good. [She plucks an imitation sushi off one of the plates, grinning at Glacius.] Thank you. And I hope you both know that you don't have to stay if you're tired or anything. I appreciate that you came at all.

[And sure enough, Glacius gives Carlisle a quiet, barely imperceptible look of uncertainty when he notices that the glass has been completely refilled... one that only grows a little but more apparent when Emily drops that suggestion.] W-what? Why would we not want to stay? This is a big occasion for you and we are happy to be a part of it... we're not looking for a chance to slip out unnoticed. We'll leave when we are ready, but I, at least, am enjoying the chance to honor your accomplishments.

[Despite that he is obviously feeling otherwise, Carlisle agrees with his icy companion.]

It's a big day for you, and we're happy to be here to celebrate. It took us quite a while to get ready, what with these outfits, so we'd better make good use of them.

[But more important to Carlisle than the effort put into being at the party is that Glacius wants to be there, and even after all his reservations seems to be having a good time. Carlisle might not tell just anyone, but his actions make it apparent he'd do just about anything for his alien friend.]

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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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