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

Wildcard - a little later

[thethirteenthchild]

Dahlia's been back and forth for a while now. She'll talk to someone, transform into the Pine Devil, make off with them through the sky, and then return a while later and transform back. It's happened a few times now.

As "Never Have I Ever" begins winding down, Dahlia returns once more, flying in from the direction of town and transforming seamlessly back into her typical human form as she lands, to the point where it almost looks like an act of sleight of hand. She is blonde and well-kept again by the time her feet touch the ground.

[not_the_last]

Cassandra has spotted the earlier flights happening; at this point, when she sees the Pine Devil approaching, she heads for where it looks like Dahlia will land. She gauges it pretty closely, and only has to quicken her stride a little to approach her.

"Good evening," and that sounds stilted even to her, but she still isn't sure how to address Dahlia to her face. Her bare name sounds like a familiarity she hasn't earned, and Mistress or even Miss anything sounds too stiff, and she hates being so unsure about this.

[thethirteenthchild]

"Hello," Dahlia replies, equally stiff. She's still guarded. Between being put on the spot by Cassandra about her nature before she was ready and their productive but inconclusive conversation at the casino, Dahlia still isn't sure where they stand. Cassandra's desire to thread the needle's eye of her conflict with Neil still puts her on edge.

"I'm giving people rides home," she announces, preempting the question she imagines Cassandra might have. "Those who don't want to camp but may have trouble walking. And if they can, ah. Trust me."

[not_the_last]

"I see." And the pause is barely there at all before she says "I'd be grateful if you'd do the same for me. I don't think I can make the walk on my own."

[thethirteenthchild]

Dahlia's brows raise slightly. "Oh. Yes, absolutely. Do you have a preference for how you'd like to be carried?"

[not_the_last]

"... What are my options?" And the caution there has nothing to do with Dahlia specifically, but with the prospect of multiple possible ways of being carried in flight.

[thethirteenthchild]

"Bridal style, in a sack, or riding like a horse. Piggyback is uncomfortable for both of us."

[not_the_last]

"I don't think I would care for the sack." It would take a very carefully attuned ear to catch the faint brittle note under the tone of mild amusement. "Like a horse sounds more comfortable for me than for you; if you're certain?"

[thethirteenthchild]

"I usually lean forward for flying longer distances anyway. It doesn't impact me much," Dahlia assures her. And she's being honest. It's really just landings and take-offs that have to be done with a minor amount of awkwardness.

"Whenever you're ready."

[not_the_last]

"I'm ready, thank you." The smallest hesitation. "Do I need to ... be in place before you change back?"