MINGLE - Post-Op(era) Recovery

[pumpkinhollow]

On this night we drink to the death of Sorrow.

After the Fall of Efrain With the Prince of Sorrow's Song dead and gone, the opera dissipates, spitting its victims out on the summit of Crane's Ridge where the Dance of Celestine was held some months before. It's getting late, and there is no one yet in town to run the train. Some will brave the trip home simply for the sake of collapsing into their own beds and achieving some sense of normalcy. Others will do so with the hope of returning with help. But many others will simply say "fuck it" and camp out on the mountain, still fitted with extra firewood from the festival and the means to build temporary structures in nearby storage sheds. The journey down will be safer in the morning, and there's solidarity to be had in a cool spring night spent under the stars.

Oh, look, there's even some non-perishable food and wine from the Dance. Combined with what can be hunted or foraged, as well as snacks and drinks stolen from the concession stand, there's plenty to go around. This might even be a little bit fun! Anyone up for another game of Never Have I Ever? Maybe a little Truth or Dare? Or perhaps you just want to chat and unwind with your friends. Whatever the case may be, have fun. This is your time. After darkness, there is a dawn. At the death of Sorrow, there is joy.

Comments

[staybizzy]

"Depends how ya take it! I got some on the medium-rare side ready, but ya shouldn't eat 'em any rarer than that. Venison can make ya sick if it's too rare," Capochin warns. "And if you want it more well-done, I need a couple more minutes."

[xiaoxiuya]

"Of course, of course! I can't actually get sick from normal parasites, but flushing them out of the body is such a pain! We certainly don't want any of that!" He grins, inching himself a little closer to the grill. "I'll sit here and enjoy their scent -- and your company! -- until they hit medium-well, shall I? They do say the first bite of every meal is taken with your eyes!"

[carefulinspekshun]

Hector would very much like to say that he, as a person, has learned better to get jealous at inappropriate moments, and that he's grown past that sort of thing. If he said as much, though, he'd be a cobdamned liar. He's off to the side, enjoying the night air and a drink, when he catches a too enthusiastic remark about enjoying company, and a familiar known flirt face sitting awfully close.

Naturally, he inserts himself into the situation, stepping over and putting the arm of his free hand around Capochin's shoulders, forcing a grin.

"Hey, fellas! What'cha up to over here?" He chimes in, perhaps a bit too brightly. "Dinny's smellin' awful-ee good!"

[xiaoxiuya]

"Hector!" Shen Qingqiu's smile, for whatever it's worth, doesn't dim in the slightest when he registers the other man's presence. "I was just complimenting your man on his cooking -- you're really quite lucky, you know that?"

He props his cheek up on one hand, benevolently beaming at him both. This guy has no clue what he's doing!

[staybizzy]

As far as Capochin's concerned, he's the one who ought to have been jealous of Shen Qingqiu's flirting with Hector, which he's managed to worth through. He gives no party to the idea of it being the other way around. (Besides, Shen Qingqiu acknowledged Capochin as being Hector's man. That's progress, right?

"Hi, baby, you want any?" He pulls one of the rarer steaks off the grill, knowing Hector's preference already.

[carefulinspekshun]

"Oh, 'cawse I know! Luckiest fella in God Grove and Marrow Isle, n' I ain't about to forget it!" Hector jokes, the hand around Capochin's shoulders moving to set upon the start of his tail as he talks. Standard-fare affection to any onlookers, but for Drainfolk, or perhaps any well-informed Godpokes nearby? The old men are doing ridiculous little territorial displays again. At least the smile he's given is enough to keep him from getting in a huff in addition to that.

(The lucky remark flares that jealousy with a fan, though. Of course he's lucky, don't you go getting any ideas about trying to get any of that luck, you strange, beautiful man.)

Any griping is kept to himself in favor of brightening at the offer of food, though, and he leans down to snag a plate for himself. "I was hopin' I'd make it in time for 'em to be done! Lemme grab a seat, I'll have dinny with yew fellas."

[xiaoxiuya]

Shen Qingqiu completely misinterprets that (what he thinks is) touch to Capo's lower back, taking it simply for a gesture of affection. "Oh, you can sit here!" With a wave of his hand, a nearby chair is hitched up to the counter and Shen Qingqiu pats it invitingly. "We can keep Capo company, and he can keep an eye on me to make sure I'm behaving myself," he adds with a laugh. And then, sotte voce, he adds, "I promised I wouldn't hit on you anymore, you see."