|
|
Post by Lucas Chevalier on Jun 21, 2021 1:15:39 GMT -8
The Fairest laughed as he listened to Dani's audio text messages, as well as watched the gif she included in her response. He pulled the three of them into a group chat to make it easier to coordinate when and where to meet up. Once that was all squared away, he headed out to Woodlawn Graveyard. However, before arriving at said destination, he made a couple of stops. After all, if they were going to "hang out with the dead", it was only fitting that they brought spirits of their own. Since he had some cash to spare these days, he picked up a 750ML Pride Variation bottle of Crystal Head Vodka. The downside to their hangout place of choice is it wasn't exactly ideal for mixing drinks. He grabbed a handful of Las Vegas souvenir cups that were on sale and tonic water. Lucas ended up being the first one to arrive. He parked off to the side so anyone else who visited would be able to move up and down the small paths without any trouble. Compared to most of the cemeteries he had visited in the past, Woodlawn was on the small side. Most of the headstones were general markers and there were only a few headstones that included elaborate stone carvings. Near the back of the cemetery was a singular stone mausoleum that had seen better days. There was trash scattered all around the grass near the mausoleum, including empty bottles of liquor. Unlike the previous guests, the three of them would make sure they not only cleared up after themselves, but they would gather the nearby trash as well. The Gravewight finished setting up shop by spreading out the picnic blanket that he brought with him, turning on the radio, and letting the sound of the Cure float through the otherwise silent place of rest. |
|
Firebringer
.
Elemental Ifrit, Presence 3 (Intimidating)
Posts: 634
|
Post by Firebringer on Jun 21, 2021 2:06:56 GMT -8
True to her word, Zazz shows up with both chicken tenders and chicken nuggets, however, she lied when she said 'only sweet and sour sauce'. She was nice enough to get BBQ too. The Elemental walks around for a bit and nearly gets lost before she finally hears the music drifting through the wind of the eerie graveyard.
Fire arrives, looking around for the others rather awkwardly. And by others, of course, we mean her partner's ex and some spoopy Autumn she met at Beltane. As she is walking up, she takes the time to read each headstone she passes as if paying a respect to them, reading their name in a whisper.
Her outfit tonight is fitting for the theme of reverence, if that is what she is doing, because there is a plainness to the black, one sleeve off the shoulder dress she wears. The dress and her understated flats, a black wig on her head, a bit of eyeliner does make it a little difficult to recognize her, however.
She calls out on the wind, "Hello?" Her bag of tendies and nuggies in hand, she is ready for this wee spook fest. Though... It does bring Rowan to mind if not for a second. Sadness is good for a graveyard.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bella on Jun 21, 2021 2:09:43 GMT -8
Bella walks up to their graveyard picnic dressed a dark grey long sleeved shirt with a black overall style romper, her chunky black heelies on her feet with white and black striped OTK socks. On her head she is wearing her headphones around her neck and steampunk style black sunglasses. She has a grey lace parasol decorated with black potions bottles. skulls and black cats. While still VERY gothic her makeup is less dramatic today. Hanging precariously, from the edge of her grinning mouth is a aromatherapy inhaler pen, whisps of its perfumed vapours can be seen exiting from Bella's nose and mouth like midnight fog in a graveyard periodically.
"Hi Lucas hi Firebringer! Excellent taste in music!" Bella says as she comes over to where Lucas and Dani are at and sits down with her back up against a gravestone. She then packs up her inhaler and smiles up at the two of them.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucas Chevalier on Jun 21, 2021 2:27:12 GMT -8
Lucas in turn is wearing a casual outfit. He's adorned in a simple black v-neck, gray linen shorts, a bracelet that has three lines of black lava stone woven together, and sneakers. When he spots his companions for the evening, he waved them over.
"Hey, I'm over here."
Lucas grinned at the compliment and expressed his gratitude. His eyes immediately went to the bag of chicken nuggets that Fire had brought with her. The delicious smell of fried goodness alone was enough to remind Lucas that he had forgotten to eat earlier for most of the day and he needed to rectify that before drinking. Once Dani joined the two of them, he launched into a quick bit of graveyard trivia.
"Here's a fun graveyard fact to kickoff our evening. There are several places in the United States where Graveyards are considered to be apart of the Parks and Recreation department. Elmwood Cemetery in Kansas City, for example, was resigned in the early 1900s to be a like a park. There are benches all throughout the cemetery and running paths for local residents to go jogging through there. The residents who live nearby the cemetery are given keycards to get through the locks and go jogging whenever. The same is true for cemetery of the same name in Detroit, Mi. Both Elmwoods are registered as historic landmarks. They are meant to be a place to honor the dead as well as learn about the history of the city and many of the noteworthy figures who are buried there."
Lucas hoped they caught on that this was his way of saying they could relax while hanging out here. While Woodlawn was far from a historic site, the three of them could unwind and enjoy their own strange connections to the universe and everything in between.
|
|
Firebringer
.
Elemental Ifrit, Presence 3 (Intimidating)
Posts: 634
|
Post by Firebringer on Jun 21, 2021 12:01:20 GMT -8
Fire smiles as she approaches Lucas, "Sup?"
She sets down the bag of nuggies. Inside, there are three 20-piece nugget boxes and many containers of sweet and sour sauce as well as barbeque sauce. At the bottom, there are also two boxes of 4-piece chicken tenders. In the second bag she carries, there are mini apple pies that are starting to get on the cold side, not that she minds. She likes them cold.
She watches as Bella arrives as well, "Hey! Spooky chick! Uh... Izzy? No, Bella, right?" She gives a warm smile, which only accentuates the warm crackling of her mantle, "You in for the spookies too? Sweet."
Lucas gets into his fun facts about the Cemetary and she can't help but nod in respect to the information. She looks around, "Quality place. Nice facts. Was wondering why so many of the Hedge-sto- HEADstones," The fuck was that flub? That's not even a thing. Although- "Having hedge spun headstones would be kinda cool." she realizes she said it aloud, but doesn't care too much in this case. It would be a cool idea. "They've got a bunch of info either way."
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucas Chevalier on Jul 2, 2021 0:16:46 GMT -8
Lucas snickered at the pun Dani made. The Fairest appreciated a good pun especially when it ties into spooky matters.
"Hedgespun Headstones would be cool. I would be down for one."
He eagerly awaited the chicken tendies and nuggets being served to the group. After thanking Dani for bringing them, he scooped up several nuggets along with the sauce that had been assigned to him.
"The mixer selection at the party store I went to was pretty weak. One of the things I miss the most from Michigan is Faygo. Their Creme Soda is amazing. I don't care if it makes me basic AF, but Faygo Creme Soda mixed with Whipped Vodka is amazing. Same with Rock & Rye."
|
|
Firebringer
.
Elemental Ifrit, Presence 3 (Intimidating)
Posts: 634
|
Post by Firebringer on Jul 2, 2021 19:17:34 GMT -8
"Oh my fucking god, cream soda. Cream soda is the soda of the gods and people who are perfection." She overexaggerates, but she seems one hundred percent committed to it.
"We had so many good places for cream soda back in Baltimore. Shit city with shitty people, but it was home."
She grins and takes a bite of one of the nuggets, appreciating the recognition of having brought them. Everyone needs nuggies.
"Have you ever had it mixed with orange cream vodka? It becomes an orange dreamsickle. Honestly, cream soda mixed with anything is," she does the chef's kiss gesture.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucas Chevalier on Jul 2, 2021 21:40:16 GMT -8
"A fan of both chicken tenders and Cream Soda? You are a connoisseur after my own heart."
Lucas raised his chicken nugget in the air towards Dani like he was toasting her with it before he dunked it in his BBQ sauce and downed it in one go.
"Baltimore, eh? I've never been there or anywhere else along the East Coast. I guess Buffalo but I'm not sure if that even counts since it was when I was a kid and we were visiting Niagara falls. I barely remember dipping across the border but my parents told me we did."
He shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm originally from Toronto. The city is good and the people are decent...but the cost of living there is fucking ridiculous. One of my favorite things about Detroit is how cheap a lot of places are outside of the downtown area. I used to go to Costco once a month to get their huge bottles of vodka for $20-25. Then on Friday nights I would treat myself to a bottle of Faygo, a Hot 'n' Ready Little Caesar's pizza, and Crazy bread. Best $10 you can spend on a Friday night. If I was feeling fancy that's when I would get the whipped cream vodka. I've tried the creamsicle and hard agree. Ten out of ten, would down one now if I could."
|
|
Firebringer
.
Elemental Ifrit, Presence 3 (Intimidating)
Posts: 634
|
Post by Firebringer on Jul 6, 2021 21:48:53 GMT -8
Dani can't help but laugh, "Well, now we know what to have at a party when we're around. Then again, who can resist chicken tenders. We'd have competition."
Fire takes her own nugget and does a wee toast, "To nuggies of the past and nuggies of the future. May you all be delicious and munchie soothing."
She listens, nodding at his adventures. "Baltimore is where the Wire was based and it does give a pretty genuine feel for the rougher parts. There is a lot more community than they were able to portray. My Jennies were about cleaning up the streets and working for social change. A lot of what our King was up to as well. And, of course, sometimes those changes needed some fists, but you know... And totally stole the name from Dragon Age cause it sounded cool as shit. You get enough weebs and vid game freaks together, you get an interesting gang of bomb people." She can't help but chuckle.
"Moving here has actually been the first time I ever ventured out. I think that's part of why the Huntsman didn't find me on my way out. It didn't think I'd do it. That's my theory anyway."
"Yo though, that sounds lit. This place is expensive in so many of the areas. You have to scout a little harder for the cheap grungy places that will sell you questionable food to eat with your questionable alcohol."
She looks around a little bit, "Does your vision differ much from mine sitting here?" She asks curiously.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucas Chevalier on Jul 6, 2021 23:14:11 GMT -8
Lucas slowly ate his chicken nuggets with visible confusion on his face. Some of the references he got, others he didn't. Like the phrase weeb. He had an idea that it was referencing Anime nerds of some kind but as to why the term was used he had no idea.
"That sounds like it was...fun?"
He chuckled, shaking his head.
"Sorry, I never played Dragon Age or watched much Anime when I was younger. The important thing is it sounds like you found a good group of friends and no matter where we are or what interests they have, having good people in your life is the important part."
While the two of them continued to talk he worked on making their vodka tonic sodas. He admired the colorful detail in the glass skull before opening it up.
"Whitney is where a lot of the cheap eats are at. Another benefit of being in Winter. " He snickered.
"Luckily, it's something I actively choose to have on or off. I don't have it on at this time. A lot of places on the Strip look the same because they are so public that not a lot of truly terrible things have happened to them that would leave a lasting psychic impression. The graveyard here is sparse compared to a lot of other places as well. Still, there are some pockets of ephemeral energy. All graveyards give off the emotional impression of death."
|
|
Firebringer
.
Elemental Ifrit, Presence 3 (Intimidating)
Posts: 634
|
Post by Firebringer on Jul 7, 2021 20:50:36 GMT -8
"It was interesting for certain," a chuckle in response.
"Just know that if you ever want to explore that path of nerdom, I can hook you up." She means it. Her stash of all things anime and rpgs is stupid. You'd wonder how she manages to play it all on her crappy laptop.
She watches as he makes the drinks, curious about the ratio he is going to eyeball. It's good vodka, so it'll be fine either way.
"Sounds like a lot of places I need access to get cheap food..." she gives a look of 'you will bring me places' and laughs.
"It's good it's not a constant. Would remind me of books where they have the psychics who are just done with the world because ghosts and supernatural shit gets old fast. I can almost imagine what you mean though. There's been so much ghosty shit lately... Good thing we chose a more chill energy-ed area then." Beyond just the ghosty shit, things have been... things.
"I feel like I don't know enough about this kind of stuff, but I want to. People aren't exactly very forthcoming with information I feel like nowadays though. Not really. Knowledge is guarded so closely that so few people benefit that we all end up screwed over, you know what I mean?"
To a degree, she's always felt like this. It's a constant boiling frustration of always feeling left out of something. Missing something and not knowing that you're even missing it in the first place.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucas Chevalier on Jul 7, 2021 21:22:57 GMT -8
"If I had to chose a path of Nerdom it would probably be video games. Back when I was in undergrad, I did play a lot of Mario Party with my friends." Before he dropped out but that was neither here nor there.
Dani would notice that Lucas was heavy handed with his drinks. There's easily two shots in their drinks, if not three. Maybe he's factoring in Fire's stamina as a Summer elemental, or the ridiculous amount of carbs they are surrounded by, or he may like his drinks to be stiff. Whatever the reason, he mixed a decent amount of tonic water in before handing Fire her drink.
"If you like cheap and decent Chinese food, I know a few places. But I can't be responsible for what it does to your digestive system. All you can eat for $7 comes with other costs. "
He snickered before the conversation took a more serious turn. He contemplated his answer while sipping on his own drink.
"I get what you're saying. There are a lot of complicated layers to it. Look at what happened with the Reverent Crisis. That happened because the wrong people got their hands on knowledge about ghosts and rites and twisted it all up.
Vegas is different than just about any other freehold. There are things that work differently here than they do other places for a number of different reasons. I for one don't feel comfortable teaching anyone else how ghosts work when I'm still learning about the way they work here myself. I'd feel responsible for however they end up using that knowledge.
That being said, I generally don't mind sharing the basics to help figure out what a ghost maybe capable of. "
|
|
Firebringer
.
Elemental Ifrit, Presence 3 (Intimidating)
Posts: 634
|
Post by Firebringer on Jul 7, 2021 21:36:52 GMT -8
Fire can't help but laugh. Little does he know that she can eat just about anything and the vomit will only be a testimony of how truly terrible the food must have been.
She takes the drink, kind of pleased with it being incredibly heavy-handed. Sometimes you just need more than a regular drink and it's nice to have someone who either normally drinks like that or is just in the same boat.
He gives his explanations of his feelings on information share and she can just feel the Winter on it. But he isn't wrong. "There is a balance that needs to be found, but... being left in the dark when you are a part of something does worse. It can get everyone killed and fuck up everything in between. But, I don't just mean about ghosts. I mean that I don't know enough about the spoopy stuff in general. I feel like I'm pulling straws from my brain and I get looked at like..." It just reminds her of Rowan when he near laughed at her trying to help with her shit knowledge level.
"Well, like I'm supposed to be an idiot. But that's beside the point. I get what you mean though, not sharing something that you aren't even as sure about yourself. If you'd be willing to talk about some basics, that would be nice. I have an idea of basics, but I'm not rounded. I don't have any specialty area either though, so," she shrugs a little, sighing.
She takes a drink and hardly makes a response to the strength. Truth be told, it felt great. It felt like something she needed, which might not be a great thing. But hey, moderation, right?
|
|
|
|
Post by Lucas Chevalier on Jul 7, 2021 21:52:59 GMT -8
Lucas was quiet while he listened to Dani. She had his full attention. Nothing about his body language suggested he was waiting for an opening so he could dive in and debate with her.
Once she was done, he offered her what he hoped was a reassuring smile.
"You're not an idiot, Dani. Figuring all of this out isn't solely about having the right spoopy knowledge or whatever. I mean, yeah, that helps a lot. But if that was all that was needed, Fall would be in charge all the time. The seasons change for a reason. "
He took another healthy sip of his drink before he continued.
"The Freehold needs heart too. There's a lot of lonely Lost here. Loneliness tears away at every fiber of your being. We need Freeholders who genuinely give a fuck about themselves and others. Who want to do the right thing because it's the right thing to do. Not because there's something to gain from it.
We need Freeholders who will step in front of us when we get knocked down and we can't get upright away. Someone who is willing to get angry on our behalves because we are still blaming ourselves for the trauma the Gentry hit us with."
|
|
Firebringer
.
Elemental Ifrit, Presence 3 (Intimidating)
Posts: 634
|
Post by Firebringer on Jul 7, 2021 22:31:45 GMT -8
"I know I'm not an idiot," she replies, "I appreciate the affirmation though," she returns the smile.
She listens, sipping her drink and she looks down as he goes into 'someone needs to be angry...' Sometimes she wonders if her flame is a flame at all lately. Anger isn't driving her. Not anymore. She is angry, but she's angry and terrified. She will act, but she doesn't know anymore if she has what it takes to die for the cause.
The thoughts makes her take a longer sip of her drink, the heat of it as it goes down tingling her nose and making her cheeks feel a hint warm. "Sometimes I wonder what is left once all that anger is burned up though. Is anger sustainable? Is it enough?" She's never voiced that out loud before. That waver.
"Everyone seems to think I'm this strong thing that runs into battle like a damn hero and I-" she shakes her head, "I don't know. I feel just as lonely and confused as the rest of them, I imagine." Lonely, scared, timid, unsure of what I believe in...
"Sorry, I'm not trying to turn this into some therapy session." she sighs, "I just don't know what I'm doing anymore. It's why I feel like I need to learn more things. Figure out what I can do when the fists aren't enough." another sigh before she takes a long draw of her drink, nearly half gone already. "Maybe I keep doing too much. It's so easy to. Do you do that too? Keep going when you should probably stop?"
|
|
