3776/Tanabata ECFH Style

Tanabata ECFH Style
Date of Scene:	14 July 2019
Location:	Earth Court Frat House - Roof
Synopsis:	It's Tanabata! There's a party on the Earth Court Frat House building's roof.
Cast of Characters:	Mamoru Chiba, 226, Koji Silvia, Norie Okana, Kyouko Sakura, Naru Osaka, Rosalie Janus, Jadeite, Zafira, Makoto Kino, Kunzite

---

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
It's a glorious summer evening: all over town, the Tanabata festivities are taking place, and there are a lot of people wandering through the parks and streets catching goldfish, putting wishes on trees, eating festival food, and watching the lights. Pretty much... well, nearly everyone, anyway... is wearing yukatas, tourists and residents alike. Some people really like the anonymous crowds of festivals in the city streets! Some people, like Mamoru Chiba, can handle them sometimes.

This year's Tanabata is not one of those times.

"Yeah, Usa'll be here later, after she does the rounds with her family, and then again with Minako," Mamoru's telling Kyouko as he's grilling steaks. His beer's next to the teriyaki sauce, and his yukata is beautiful and makes him look ludicrously regal. At the moment, he's even wearing the obi properly and his hair's only a little rakish, and his geta are... cat-shaped?

Okay.

Anyway, there are paper lanterns strung up around the edges of the roof in addition to the fairy lights along the ledge to make sure drunk people see them in the gathering dark, and there are big tables set up with amazing food and lots of non-alcoholic delicious drinks and lots of treats, and there's a portable freezer with frozen desserts too, and also some beer coolers. There is k-pop playing because of course there is. At some point Mamoru will regain control of the stereo.

Ayumi Yohisa has posed:
Icela doesn't know about Tuxeko Mask, but she knows Mamoru Chiba. She's been hanging out on a nearby rooftop, boredly watching the place when she spies activity on the rooftop. She waits a moment to see what's up before vanishing into dreams.

A moment later, she materializes on the rooftop, the pale-faced girl wearing a white yukata for the ocassion, though she looks human enough... she's recognizably Icela to those who've seen here before, and those who can tell such things will be able to tell her body is a construct of dark magic rather than flesh and blood. "Nice party, Chiba-san." She greets cheerfully, "I hope you don't mind I invited myself."

Koji Silvia has posed:
    While people have not seen Koji Silvia in a while... not many since the Presea affair... the young man came by with a mission that was simple. If you aren't going to the festival, bring he's bringing the festival to you. Near the barbeque is a small fryer to make takoyaki, a flat grill for yakisoba, and a pot on a portable stove to heat water for boiling the noodles.

    Coming back up from downstairs, Koji is wearing a wave-patterned yukata that goes from a light teal at the shoulders to a dark-blue at the base, the rolling waves becoming more obvious the further down it goes. Tyrfing's presence isn't by his side... and it anyone was to look down in the living room, the other half of the bonded duo is currently a trio of drones. One acting as the eyes, the other two using their three-finger grasping option to manipulate the controller to learn whatever latest fighting game is on the console. Carried with him is a watermelon that's already been chilled and he sets it down to begin cutting it up.

Norie Okana has posed:
Lacrima arrives with a sudden flare of dark energy as she sighs. "I'll see you later. mwah, kisses!" she says into the phone as she gently turns it off and slips the phone into a purse as she arrives in a fancy dress with Asian accents, it looks like thus;

She might had been out earlier in the night but right now, she's here and huffs. "I'm here~" she says with a bright tone, sing song a little. She wanted to come extra fancy it looks like, despite this probably not even being that kinda get together even a little. She rubs her hands. "I smell... something delicious~" she says as she meanders towards the tables. Then she blinks. She looks over to Icela and then slumps. In a 'ugh this girl' manner, but she knows Mamoru isn't gonna put up with garbage going on.

"Hello." she says to Mamoru and Icela and the arriving Koji.

Kyouko Sakura has posed:
    Kyouko is talking to Mamoru by the grill, and she too is wearing a yukata. But she's wearing it like, Yakuza-style, which is to say loosely, hanging off of one shoulder and with one leg more or less exposed from just above the knee by the (purposefully) loose tie-job of the obi. It's not scandelous by any means but the style of 'purposefully unkempt' is one she has carefully cultivated and suits her demeanor. The yukata is red with white flowers, and her obi is black.

    She has a beer in a red solo cup in one hand, and is watching the steaks grilling with a small anime drool-drop hanging from the corner of her mouth. But then she glances up as Mamoru speaks. "Oh, cool. I haven't seen her much lately, that'll be nice." She says, with regards to Usa.

    Her crimson eyes watch the people arriving, and despite the well-known apartment rules, there's something of the air of 'bodyguard' about the way she lazes beside the Prince of the Grill, despite the evident lack of weapons.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
The Prince glances away from the grill when he hears 'Chiba-san', spotting Icela. He blinks. "Hey. Thanks! And it's fine, open invite. Do you know the house rules yet?" He calls back toward the party, "Can someone hand Icela here one of the rules printouts?" And then immediately he spots Koji's watermelon and his mouth starts watering. "Oh gods can I have a slice when you've got it cut?"

Then there is definite waving in Lacrima's direction. "Sweet stuff's over there, savory's over *there*," he tells her cheerfully, pointing out the tables before he focuses on cutting into one of the steaks to see how rare it is. It's first off the grill and handed over to Kyouko next to him because it's so rare it's practically still moo-ing.

Naru Osaka has posed:
The tables look fine. The tables look better than fine, really. They look lovely. They also have a Naru fussing about, moving platters just a smidge, ensuring that plates are straight and there's plenty of napkins out. Frozen treats tend to become drippy quickly, napkins are important. Her drink is non-alcoholic, and icy cold based on the condensation gathering on the side of the cup. She moves over to collect up a copy of the rules from the edge of a table as she hears Endy, turning to sort out who she should be giving them to. "Icela?" She ventures towards someone she doesn't recognize. "Rules, as requested."

Rosalie Janus has posed:
Bell has been following her usual patrolling-through-the-city methodology: pick a random spot, teleport there, and then move around furtively. Honestly, when she saw all the Tanabata festivities all over the city, she was tempted to go home to Haruna's bunker and hide for the evening. But then it occurred to her that there were even odds there was going to be some sort of Tanabata-youma running around somewhere, so she immediately resumed her patrols.

Her route this evening just happens to take her through Uminari over by the ECFH. When she sees the barbecue going on, she zips up to another nearby rooftop and stares at it. For like a full minute.

<<HERRIN?>> says her Device, hanging around her neck in pendant-form. Mistress?

"Huh?" Bell blinks her glowing golden eyes. "Oh." She sighs. "Might as well just go ahead. Should we ...?" She blinks as she sees an eidolon hanging around there. And a Lacrima, just plain teleporting in. "Okay, I guess hiding magic is optional." She disappears in a bolt of rosy red light which shoots into the sky.

A couple of minutes later, another bolt of light shoots down onto one corner of the ECFH's rooftop, and Bell materializes ... in her Akari form, dressed in a plain black and slightly oversized yukata, with Rubindorn hanging around her neck on display. "Um, hello!" she says, a faint but clearly uncomfortable smile on her face. "... wow it's been a while since I've used this form ..."

Jadeite has posed:
Unlike some residents and guests, Saburo is staying away from the grill and cooking stations - for the betterment of everyone, really, he does not belong anywhere near cooking food - and instead is busying himself with a 'goldfish' stand for Scooping Goldfish. All of the goldfish are miniature sculptures of the Pokemon Goldeen, swimming with delicate little motions in a little see-through tub of icy water, a trio of little nets hooked over the side of the basket. No point in making real goldfish suffer for a festival game! But most of the prep work had been done way before the party really started, so once he's done, he stands, ready to steal away some sweets -

And ends up facing a newly-arrived Bell. He hops back, giving her a little more space, and steps on the back of his sea-green yukata, fumbling for a moment.

"Hi!?" He says in return, almost-but-not-quite as awkwardly. "Welcome to the party! You wanna grab a snack, or scoop goldeen?"

Koji Silvia has posed:
Almost going to correct Mamoru on his cutting the steak to check the heat-level... Koji stops himself, and then just sighs as he goes back to cutting the watermelon. Which actually isn't hum cutting. He steps back and summons out six Bits that slip out from under the navy Obi over his ocean-themed yukata. They scan the dimensions of the watermelon, and then using thin streams of magical laser beams, they cleanly cut into mathematically perfect spears. Someone's been practicing. Since magic doesn't mean heat, he then creates the small holes in the rind to push sticks into.

    Why?

    Because this is what you do.

    Downstairs, the 'eye' Bit grumbles as it loses a match, and anyone still coming up can hear Tyrfing grumble, <<This'd be so much easier if he'd just let me direct interface with the machine... *SIGH*>>

Still not talking much, Koji comes over with two spears of watermelon for Mamoru and Kyouko, offering to the host first as he says softly, "Here. Chi-.." Stopping himself before saying the honorific, "There's a second in the freezer just in case."

He does offer a look and then a tenative wave to Lacrima, Naru, and of course the newcomers he doesn't know... but ultimately, once those social niceties are done, he tries to fade back into the background...

Ayumi Yohisa has posed:
The pale girl takes the copy of the rules, "Thanks." She glosses it over and nods along as she reads it through, "Seems reasonable." She rolls her copy up and it vanishes into thin air. "Thank you, Chiba-san. My usual friends don't seem to get Tanabata." She makes a bit of a face, and then she notices Lacrima and she shoots the girl a glare and very cold, "Hello." No love lost there.

Kyouko Sakura has posed:
    Kyouko accepts the steak from Mamoru, straight off the grill and still bloody. Just the way she likes it. At least she uses a plate, but rather than cut it with a knife like a civilized person, she just stabs a fork into it and lifts it up and takes a big bite out of it. Juices run down her chin, no doubt embarassing Naru with her lack of table manners if Naru happens to be looking in her directoin at the time.

    She is offered watermelon by Koji, and offers a rather bloody smile as she accepts it and adds it to the plate. "Hey, thanks kid. Nice to see ya." She says, before taking another bite of the steak.

Naru Osaka has posed:
You're welcome." Naru smiles just a touch to Icela, glancing between her and Lacrima at the cool glare, but she doesn't ask. Instead, she moves over to where Koji has watermelon even if he's trying to divest himself of it, aiming to snag herself some before Endymion and Kyouko omnomnom though it all. "Evening, Koji. How are you and Tyrfing?" She isn't quite letting him hide. "Wow, did you use a ruler on the watermelon?"

Zafira has posed:
Being rather clueless about the holiday, likely to Hayate's great dissatisfaction, Zafira managed to sneak out to do the night's patroling for possible core targets. Tonight WAS seeming like a loss. SO many people out. SO many normal people. However, eventually he spotted something flying and thought he sensed a VERY high concentration of magic. As such he made his way up a nearby building.

Spying from a nearby building top, Zafira sees the party going on and finds himself at a pause. That is a LOOOOOT of possible enemies all in one place. Not just that, he even RECOGNIZES a small amount of them. If he goes in, he can't afford a battle tonight. Definetly a loss for cores, but maybe it could be VERY useful for information. That thought decided on, Zafira reaaaally hopes he's not making a bad decision as he, in his civilian form, hops down onto the occupied roof top with the party goers, peering around for where Bell ended up.

Rosalie Janus has posed:
Akari smiles nervously at Saburo! "Oh, hello!" she says. "I'm ..." She grins awkwardly. "I'm sort of not sure ... well, uh, I think I'll go for a snack for now." She looks around at the assembled group ... but she never saw Saburo out of henshin before. "My name is, um, Bell, by the way." Not Akari? "Say, I don't suppose you know if Jadeite is around?" Whoops!

Rubindorn syncs with the music player's bluetooth, and queues up what initially sounds like a gentle piano-plus-vocals rendition of the 1970 folk song Tsubasa wo Kudasai. (It's actually the Evangelion version. The stirring Third Impact orchestral crescendo doesn't kick in for a minute or two.) She queues up Cruel Angel's Thesis to play after that.

Makoto Kino has posed:
For once, Makoto is not going to spend the entire party cooking!

If only because Mamoru and Koji have staked out the cookout apparati and are doing perfectly able jobs with them.

It would take more than that to keep Mako out of the kitchen entirely, of course. That's why when she comes up from downstairs, dressed for party in a pink and green yukata, she's toting a tray of anpan and cream buns which she beelines to deposit upon the sweets table.

"Isn't that against the rules?" she wonders, catching Naru's question about the watermelon and flashing a grin. "What happened to smashing it open with a stick?"

Norie Okana has posed:
Lacrima makes a face at Icela in turn but doesn't cause any trouble as she gently purses her lips and turns towards Saburo and meanders towards his fishing game. She gently peers as she looks into the bowl and huhs. "Oh, not real goldfish?" she asks softly as she gently peeks.

She nods to Akari with a blink and peers. "Hi... Akari-chan. Are you.... okay?" she asks. This is awkward. But she looks over to Saburo.

"Got a moment, Saburo, to talk about a commission?" she asks.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Mamoru is DELIGHTED by the watermelon-on-a-stick, and from there on he's got watermelon in one hand and the forky grill thing in the other, and he's carefully flipping the other steaks over. He swallows watermelon hurriedly and offers Icela a lopsided smile. "I still wish you'd tell me how you know me, because I'm not *that* psychic, but thanks. I couldn't cope with the crowds today. I have a very understanding fiancee."

Belying the 'not THAT psychic' part of the psychic thing, he glances back at where Saburo misstepped despite being too far to hear the fumbling, momentarily concerned, then grinning. He waves to Akari, also, then spots another newcomer behind her. "HEY JAY! CAN YOU GIVE NEW GUY THE RULES?" he yells over people's heads, then points with his grill fork at the guy behind Akari.

Then he waves his watermelon stick at Mako. "This prevents me getting watermelon juice all over my pretty pretty yukata," he tells her solemnly.

Koji Silvia has posed:
    Seeming to have an easier time talking to Naru and Makoto than the others at the moment, Koji first responds by saying with a rub on the back of his neck, "Since this is an open invite, and for all we know there's going to be a twelve-foot tall demonic youma showing up, I felt it was best to make sure all the pieces were cut equally. No complaints about bigger cuts leading to potential fights."

    The question about his well-being is given a short bow, as he says, "Oh... uhh... I'm home alone for the summer. My parents are well enough to work outside of a lab, so they're tracking more fallout patterns in the coastlines of Fukushima. They just left Niigata yesterday, and are crossing over to Sado." He pauses for a moment, "And... Tyrfing is learning how to play games the normal way to pass the time when I sleep. He's been running around on an American server practicing his English and playing something called... a Hrothgar, I think?" Another sigh, and he waves it off, "Anyways... I'll be back in a moment."

    How does one disarm a potentially icy pair of partygoers?

tHe approaches Lacchan and Icela each with a stake of takoyaki, sizzling hot and with a sheen of the sauces on them as he brings them to both, "Here... please enjoy."

    Back to the others manning the tables, he takes a moment to nibble on some of the veggies Naru put out.

Ayumi Yohisa has posed:
"Don't ask questions you know you won't get an answer to." Icela answers Mamoru with a smile, clearly not bothered by the question, she claims a seat but doesn't bother with the food, beyond frowning some at it. "Are these all your friends?" She asks. Koji offers her takoyaki and there's a sigh and a shake of her head, "Thanks, but give that to someone who can enjoy it." Being incredibly nice by her standards. "Don't need to eat, and can't taste a thing." She explains.

Kyouko Sakura has posed:
    Kyouko is wearing a red yukata so she can eat bloody steaks and not worry about dripping juices onto herself. Maybe that's the secret of why she wears red to begin with- the blood doesn't show. The steak is vanishing at an alarming rate. The watermelon will follow in due time. And Mako-chan's cream buns are mentally added to the list when she sees them appearing alongside her friend. "Mako-chan!" She calls, as best she can with her mouth full, waving without moving from her position near Mamoru.

    She eyes Icela suspiciously, but probably got a Talking To before the party that she is to be Civilized (though that apparently does not extend to steaks) and though she might be wearing her yukata like a Yakuza so far she's on her best behavior and therefore keeps her mouth shut. Well, except for all the biting and chewing, anyway.

Jadeite has posed:
Everyone just uses Saburo's well, real name, so often, he actually forgets that he has one sometimes. Case in point, like now, when Bell introduces herself and then asks if he knows if ...he... is around.

He actually stares at her for a second, all baffled like, before a proverbial lightbulb flashes over his head and he laughs, a little sheepish. "Right, right - sorry, I'm Jadeite, I forgot we met while I was magic-on. Now that I told you, you can tell, right?"

Just wants to make sure that actually worked for her, before he says, all at once, chattering away, "So here's the thing, there are a ton of sweets at that table over there, but the real prize is the watermelon Koji's got. Because if we don't get a piece now, I'm pretty sure Mamoru and Kyouko are going to claim the whole thing. But but, if you don't want to wade into the deep, I'm pretty sure Mako-chan just abandoned a tray of something delicious and unguarded? Or, we could - oh hi Lacrima, yeah, festival goldfish can suffocate in little tanks like this, so I just made some and - oh hold on a second both of you? YEAH I GOT IT MAMS!"

He is a true whirlwind of juggling conversation, swapping seamlessly between his various rambles and jamming a hand into the pocket of his yukata, because he demanded pockets and so it was done, and from one of those pockets, he grabs a copy of the rules. Bell and Lacrima have both been here before, so of course he's not going to give them any, but Mamoru said there was a new guy so, he just needs to find the face he doesn't recognize and then it will all be good - holy smokes that's the friend-of-phone-breaker-and-the-hand-crusher what the heckle -

"Can you two give me like, maybe five minutes?" He asks the two girls before darting over to the HAND CRUSHER aka Zafira aka New Guy. He holds a copy of the rules out like a talisman and says, "Read these, agree to them, and this totally won't get ugly tonight, okay? Okay."

Makoto Kino has posed:
"Picky, picky," Makoto chides Mamoru, with a laugh and a shake of her head. "Where's your sense of festivity?"

Koji's explanation, on the other hand, has her nodding in understanding. "That's fair," she decides. "Not as much fun, but I guess sacrifices have to be made now and then in the name of keeping the peace. Kyouko!" She ducks back to the tray she just abandoned long enough to snag a cream bun, which she brings over to present as an offering to the insatiable black hole that is Kyouko's appetite. "Having fun?"

Rosalie Janus has posed:
Akaribell would be clearly recognizable -- she doesn't have henshin-recognition-magic (yet!), and the Wolkenritter have seen her transform between forms.

She smiles at Lacrima -- though it still looks somewhat uncomfortable. "Hi, Lacchan!" she says. She shrugs. "I guess I'm doing as well as can be expected? I feel ... mostly ... as recovered as I'm going to get. But. I'm ..." She looks around, then down at herself. "... Honestly, I'm actually not all that comfortable in this form anymore," she says frankly. "I'm working on that, though!"

She blinks at Saburo's revelation. She recognizes him once her eyes are open, though. "Oh! Yes! Hi! How's your hand?" She laughs weakly. "Sure! Watermelon sounds like a ..." Her enthusiasm falters when she sees Kyouko. "... great idea!"

She pauses as Jadeite heads over to ... Zack Yagami! Huh. Small world. Which usually means he's actually magical, but it's not like she'd recognize him. QED.

Zafira has posed:
Zafira blinks at the fact one of the people he recognises just...zooms offer and offers him the rules and seems to leave it at that. "...ok," Zafira replies simply, looking to the rules and reading them dutifully. It is a little hard to pay attention because GOODNESS, core SMORGOUSBOARD here. However, given how much of a total suicide mission it would be to try and take ANY cores right now. He will do as decided and simply use this as a time for information gathering. Some people are VERY much setting off his attention. Ah, but Akari has noticed him again. He blinks and waves a little. "...no idea what's going on," he admits to who might be listening, "...just saw something I thought might be dangerous, so I followed it..."

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Mamoru mouths 'Mams' in consternation, then calls back, "I SWEAR I JUST HEARD YOU CALL ME BOSS, JADEITE, AS IN THAT BETTER BE WHAT I HEARD." And then he shrugs cheerfully at Icela. "Always worth a shot." He grins, crinkle-eyed, at Makoto. "I eat cheetos with hashi, you know that. Do you want a steak, and if so, how well done?"

Norie Okana has posed:
Lacrima smiles at Akari as best as she can manage. "Well. That's good. But it's better if you're not specific with me." she says tersely. "For now. Until I know what's going on and--- I shouldn't be talking about this right now!" she says worriedly as she looks back to Jadeite. "Mmmph...." she says. "Well. They're cute." she says softly, and nod as Jadeite runs over to hand the rules over some some newcomer she doesn't know.

She turns around. "He... he can't call you Mams!?" she asks with a scandalized look!

Kunzite has posed:
Obvious Kazuo was downstairs making sure nobody bothered Makoto in the kitchen. Obviously he was *entirely not* watching Tyrfing play fighting games. Ahem. He does, however, come up the stair to eye the gathering warily at the sound of that much of Mamoru and Saburo shouting at each other. On the bright side, nothing seems to have exploded, stabbed anyone, caught on fire, or escaped to menace anyone with teddy-bear-shark tentacles.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
"No," Mamoru says forcefully, "he did not. You misheard him. Everyone misheard him. He actually said 'My Prince'. Or possibly actually Boss, yes. Or Endy. Or literally anything but Mams. Because you're right. He can't call me that and nobody else can call me that." A beat. "Kyou, can you make sure Naru gets some watermelon? I think she's on her way out. Maybe just set some aside in the fridge? Jadeite's up here, I'll be fine." He glances back. "Also Kunzite."

Naru Osaka has posed:
Naru leans in to settle a kiss upon Kyouko's cheek, carefully dodging the carnage. "I got some watermelon, thank you Endy." She notes, while she's basically right near by. "And I am heading back downstairs. Text if you need anything." It's unclear who, exactly, that last ocmmentary was for.. Mamoru, Kyouko, or anyone else. Still, she doesnt' linger long over further conversation, heading back down into the main apartment.

Kyouko Sakura has posed:
    Kyouko finishes off the steak, just in time to be brought a cream bun by Mako-chan. She beams at her friend. "Well, so far it's been pretty good. And if people keep bringing me food, it's just gonna keep getting better, ain't it?" She chomps into the watermelon next, pausing long enough to lean her cheek towards Naru when the kiss is incoming. "Have fun, love." She tells her retreating girlfriend, without need to abandon her duty since the watermelon situation has taken care of itself.

    Akari really doesn't need to be concerned about her, she's being well fed and is standing right next to Mamoru, so there's very little chance she's going to be looking to start trouble so long as trouble does not start itself. She does file away 'Mams' for future reference, though wisely keeps her mouth shut about that as well. Thankfully that's not hard to do, with watermelon and cream bun on offer. She notes Kazuo coming upstairs, and shoots a smile his way that anyone else might find disturbing due to the steak and watermelon juices on her cheeks.

Koji Silvia has posed:
    The presence of the kun-Sama immediately gets a bow from Koji, still holding the baskets the the Takoyaki that were not taken... though he rises up to offer another in Naru's departure.

     The quickly-cooling Takoyaki must go SOMEWHERE... so one skewer is set next to Kyouko, as this is always a way to make sure food never gets wasted, and the second is deftly put into SABURO's hands as a welcome treat for the newcomer.

    From downstairs, a digital voice says loud enough to be heard, <<OH YOU WEASLY LITTLE MOTHERBOARD... I SHOULD RIP OUT THAT JOKE OF A PROCESSOR AND REPLACE IT WITH A HOT DOG YOU CUT RATE RANDOM NUMBER GENERATING B->>

    It sort of goes on like that for a bit... leaving Koji looking a bit... apologetic.

Jadeite has posed:
"It's a party," Saburo says pleasantly, "A totally normal, pleasant party on the like, 50th floor, so it's a good thing there's nothing weird going on at all, huh?" It's a warning, but a semi-gentle one, or at least a kind of nice one, as he turns around to go back to the party - and also to spread the word. If wishes were goldfishes, active villains wouldn't crash parties.

A wicked grin spreads across his face at the sound of Mamoru's utterly indignant shout, Lacrima's scandalized defense, and Mamoru's forcefully confident assertion in response. "YOU GOT IT BOSS MANS," he calls, not using the nickname but guessing Mamoru might mishear him anyway and get a fluster.

He works his way back to Lacrima and Bell, a rueful look crossing his face. "Sorry to abandon you guys mid-conversation, but there's something I need to go tell Boss Mans before he takes away my steak rights. Be back in a flash?"

And then he is off, making his way towards the Mamoru-Makoto-Kyouko-Kazuo cluster because MAMS HOLY F*CK it's the hand crusher - oh wait that's takoyaki in his hand is that for him? It is now, for it is swiftly popped into his mouth. Whoops!

"Thanks! These are great, do you sell these things? Hey, guys and gals of the frat house, got a sec?"

Rosalie Janus has posed:
Bell nods to Lacrima's comment about not being specific. "Oh, I know!" she says. "It's why I stopped there." She shrugs. "Anyway, uh ..." She smiles weakly. "Why don't we head over and grab some watermelon? And, and whatever other snacks." She shrugs, grinning nervously at the 'Mams' byplay. "... I can eat things perfectly well, and nutritional nonsense only affects this form, and --" She belatedly remembers that Lacrima used to be one of her bosses at Eclipse. "-- wait, right, you already know all about that." She nods as Jadeite briefly returns. "Right, got it!" she says, smiling.

The orchestral part of the music starts picking up, though Tyrfing's voice is still audible. Rubindorn transmits a telepathic message in Belkan: <<EVERYTHING ALL RIGHT DOWN THERE?>>

Makoto Kino has posed:
"Yes, you're ridiculous," Makoto agreed cheerfully to Mamoru's claims of eating cheetos with chopsticks. "I know this. And I would love a steak. Pink not red, please!"

She beams back at Kyouko, finding a place to settle in nearby while Mamoru works his magic on a steak for her. "Good to hear, and nobody can say I haven't done my part. --Nobody should be allowed to call you 'Mams,' it's terrible."

Jadeite's approach is greeted with a wave and a cheerfully feigned stink-eye, presumably related to nickname decisions. She'll let one of the actual residents of the building take point on fielding the rest.

Koji Silvia has posed:
Sadly, for it's sins, Rubindorn receives a telepathic rant from the hybrid and intelligent former Belkan Unity Knight on what he thinks of the programming and pattern management of the game he's playing. In the kind of glaring tones of one who is overly competitive, hates losing, and doesn't really play games well when not allowed to just plug in to them...

Kunzite has posed:
The fact that Kazuo gives Saburo a narrow-eyed stare for the simple fact of that grin's existence does not mean that he does not abandon the stare in order to bow in answer to the one Koji gives him. Tyrfing ranting at the game system, on the other hand, is perfectly normal. Obviously they should get him and Neil going sometime, as a spectator sport one can watch safely from the roof. Ahem.

Annnd then he's making way for Naru, and at Saburo's call for the residents, actually going the rest of the way on to the roof, to meet up with terrifying carnivorous Kyoukos and company.

Zafira has posed:
Zafira is being very peaceful, despite his previous hand crushing antics. Even without the rules he wouldn't want to cause problems here. He's a little concerned given Jadeite's call so soon after giving him the rules, but he responds by trying to hide himself i----ooooooooooh steeeeeeeeakkkk.

Rosalie Janus has posed:
Rubindorn replies to Tyrfing with what is probably undue cheer: <<OKAY, JUST CHECKING!>>

Norie Okana has posed:
Lacrima follows along with Akari over to the snack. "Okay... okay good. Just. Ya know." shr shrugs in her pretty dress. She snorts. "We killed a buncha vampire ghosts... then a head vampire ghost. And that's all that's been going on in my life since... ya know." she fidgets a little uncomfortably.

She nods to Jadeite. She'll handle commision stuff later. It's just some BearSharktopus statues for her room.

To totally surround her awesome coffin.

< <YOU ARE ALL BEING WOEFULLY RUDE BEING SO LOUD.> > says Paige in his delightful British accent from Lacrima's wrist. Lacrima cringes and 'ssssshhhhhhsssssss'. her device.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
"Later, Naru," Mamoru calls after the departing redhead, and then eyes Makoto sidelong. "Are you making fun of me? Because that statement is one hundred percent correct--" And then he checks the steak he thinks is likeliest to be as Makoto wants, cutting that one open for the visual. It's a little thinner than the others, so it is, in fact, pink, so he pulls it off and puts it on a plate, handing it to Mako. "--but Jadeite's still skating on thin ice with that mod, and-- oh? What? Sure. If you need to keep your voice down then do it and say it quick and we can whisper campaign the rest very rudely." He makes a grab for Kazuo's arm and sticks his watermelon in his mouth, then pulls another steak off and onto a plate and sticks the grill fork in Kazuo's hand. "Time to eat red-in-the-middle steak, can you take over for me while I stuff my face?" he asks with puppy eyes.

Ayumi Yohisa has posed:
It's clear that Icela is running out of things to say, so she just slowly moves to the side of the party where she can watch people. She gets out a sketchbook and begins to make sketches of the antics that are going on, observing closely without commenting.

Koji Silvia has posed:
    Koji is about to speak up and apologize for Tyrfing's... boisterous... nature, when his Device snaps back, <<You wanna complain, how about you grow a pair of arms and come down here and school me first! Do it like the humans do, kid. PUT UP OR SHUT UP!>>

     "...I would have left him at home if I could..." is all he can say about this, and goes over to make some more takoyaki.

Kyouko Sakura has posed:
    Kyouko has been remarkably quiet most of the time thus far, mostly due to having a continuous stream of people delivering food to her. Sometimes it's good to have a reputation- it's not quite offerings to keep the peace but an unfamiliar observer might be forgiven for mistaking it for such, and Kyouko has no problems with that at all. The cream bun is dutifully devoured. "'S great, Mako-chan." She says, with regards to the now departed bun.

    Then Jadeite is coming over and requesting whisper-conference. She doesn't need to move, as she's already leaning on the table right next to Mamoru, but she does lean just a little bit to hear what's being said. Her eyes keep sweeping over the rest of the guests, but everyone seems to be doing normal party things at the moment, and she seems relaxed and not terribly concerned by any of the guests at the moment.

Jadeite has posed:
Saburo fakes innocence as Mako and Kazuo both turn the stink-eye on him. He has done nothing wrong, not ever in his whole life. "I dunno what I could be on thin ice for, Boss Mans," he says cheerfully, and then throws his arm around Mamoru's free shoulder and leans in closer to Mamoru and Kazuo and Kyouko and in fact, does lower his voice to drop the news, being as quiet as he feasibly can while still being heard.

"So the new guy in the corner of there's Zafira, hand crusher and friend of Signum's, so you all need to get a good look at him so you know who he is in civvie-mode. He says he'll play by the rules but the party won't last forever."

Kunzite has posed:
Was that -- ahh. That is a Lacrima there. Kazuo nods in her direction, but his arm is detained and then his hand is enforked and there are puppy eyes. Well. Apparently he's dealing with the grill. Then again, if that helps give Makoto time to consume food instead of being consumed by it, that's more than acceptable. Mamoru gets a different casual nod, Tyrfing's complaining gets a faint little twitch at the corner of his mouth whether or not it's delivered in a way that most people can hear, and then he's paying attention to the grill while listening to Saburo. Is there a glance Zafira's direction? Yes. Also in Icela's, and in Akari's, just taking in who else is there.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
Grateful, Mamoru finally gets to eat his steak-- and then Jadeite's arm is slung around his shoulders and heads are leaning in and then--!

If anyone was ever wondering if someone can get Affronted Miyazaki Character Hair in real life, they need wonder no longer. He does not at this time glance at Zack, since he already looked at him when he was behind Akari, and he'll look again later, but his hand's kind of white-knuckled on his fork. "Right. Rules. Thank you. Good. Don't want to have to yeet any of us off the roof, including myself." And then he shoves a big piece of steak in his mouth and chews with extreme prejudice.

Makoto Kino has posed:
Mako's brows lift at Mamoru's sidelong look and question. "I was just agreeing with you," she replies. "Also possibly I missed some shenanigans, so I am sorry if I accidentally stomped on toes? Thank you." That's for the steak, as she accepts the plate he hands her.

Her expression grows more serious at Jadeite's murmured warning. For a moment her eyes flick towards Zafira, narrowed in assessment - subtle, she ain't, but just as quickly she bends her attention to her steak. "Good to know," she murmurs.

Zafira has posed:
Zafira quietly has set his way to some of the food. Sadly the steak is TOO close to the source of concern, but there are still other tastey smelling things. Still what is this all about? He didn't get to sit in for lessons from Hayate, so he's completely clueless. Talking about it's probably NOT the best of ideas either. ...but then, thankfully NOT talking is something Zafira's better at than talking. He'll be stuffing his mouth with foods he managed to yoink approriately ASAP.

Kyouko Sakura has posed:
    Kyouko's eyes narrow as she listens to what Jadeite has to say. Her eyes flick over towards 'Zack', and though she doesn't actually move from where she's leaning, Mamoruisn't the only one with white knuckles, and there might be like, wavy-anime-menace-lines exuding from her to represent her palpable desire to inflict greivous bodily harm.

    However, she had a Talking To and she is on her Best Behavior and also she doesn't want to get yeeted off the roof so she just stays where she is, though if her expression was magic it would bring the steak back to life just to kill it again. "Okay, but why is he here?" Is the only thing she actually says, though it's more of a hissed expletive than a question.

Koji Silvia has posed:
     With little else to do at the moment, Koji gets one of the steaks from the 'Meat and Heat' side of the grilling area and takes it over to the flat-top. While the older Mahou talk out their issues with the potential newcomer, he stats cutting the steak with the same skill as a hibachi chef, and then puts some dark soba noodles into the boiler.

     In the space of a few minutes he's got soba and sauce over the browning steak. Toss in some cabbage, carrot, onion, and a little red chile... he scoops and tosses in an almost hypnotic fashion. By the time that Saburo is done getting all the ECFH people into the loop about Zafira, Koji is walking over towards him with a piping hot bowl of fresh steak soba, and holds it out to him with both hands.

     "Here. Welcome to the Earth Court Frat House. Please... enjoy. If you'd like a drink I can bring you something."

Norie Okana has posed:
Lacrima waves to Kazuo and smiles. "Hello, Kunzite!" she says- She's in a pretty Asian styled dress! She chooses a big piece of watermelon and then gently picks it up and slides it into her mouth.... and just kinda eats it. She raises her head up and looks at the odd person she doesn't know and looks to Akari. "Hold on a moment." she says as she gently slips around the table and around towards 'Zack'.

"Hello there." she says as she gently tilts her head up. "My name is... La Crima." she says. "I haven't seen you around before. So. I thought I would say hello." she says softly.

Jadeite has posed:
"Don't think I didn't think about it," Saburo says darkly, because he had considered yeeting himself off the roof along with Zafira (he could teleport, he'd be fine) but there are Rules and if they don't abide by them, who will. He exhales, trying to push off some of his excess energy, and focuses on Kyouko's pointed question instead.

"As best as I can tell, it's the same old same old - 'ooh, look at all the people and lights on that one building, wonder what's going on?'. Maybe he was looking for some kid to yank the magic out of and realized he bit off more than he can chew. Maybe this is the start of a really poorly planned invasion. Either way, there's all of us and one of him, so I figure we've got this. ...and if we're lucky, maybe one of us can follow him home and figure out who Signum is too."

That Probably Won't Happen. It's way too lucky for them. But it's the idea that's been sitting in the back of his mind from the moment he resigned himself to a night of no yeeting.

Rosalie Janus has posed:
Bell giggles nervously at the byplay between Paige and Tyrfing. "Oh, jeez ..." She shrugs, and heads over to grab a bite of watermelon. "Well, um, anyway! It sounds like you've had a pretty full time of things, Lacchan." She laughs weakly. "My life has just been slow all the time. The only thing I actually do these days is going on patrols and fighting whatever random youma that I run into." She frowns. "I haven't seen the Wolkenritter at all, either ... not since I rescued Jadeite-san from one of them." Double whoops, it's a good thing 'Zack' is out of earshot at the moment ...

She nods as Lacrima heads over to 'Zack'. She hesitates, and almost follows her --

And at that moment, the rendition of Tsubasa wo Kudasai ends. ... Followed almost immediately by: Zankoku na tenshi no you ni, Shonen yo, shinwa ni nare...

Ayumi Yohisa has posed:
Eventually, Icela gets bored. She putch away her sketches, then approaches Mamoru once again. "Thanks for the party, Chiba-san. I'll make sure to pass over you and your friends, at least the ones I know are your friends. As a personal favour." And then she vanishes into thin air, not waiting for an answer.

Zafira has posed:
Zafira 's generally stoic expression becomes practically STARRY EYED at being offered the steak soba. Ahh, the heavenly smelling food is being offered to him! "...th-thank you..." he murmurs quietly, offering a small bow as he accepts the bowl. Being approached by La Crima he offers a little bow in her direction as well. "...I'm Zack Yagami," he'd reply hesitantly. In one part because...awkward as usual, in another part because, well...STEAK. He BARELY manages not to just shovel it into his mouth to the point of rudeness. He at least has SOME tact.

Kunzite has posed:
Koji's interaction with Zafira is observed, and Kazuo makes a mental note. If attacked by these people, make attempt to trade steak for information. And then Lacrima is also joining that particular party. Second mental note made: check in with her later. Mostly, he's paying attention to the grill. Obviously Saburo is whispering with Mamoru and the girls over something entirely unrelated to the party. Maybe somebody made Naru cry or something. Clearly.

Norie Okana has posed:
Lacrima lifts her head and mmmphsss. "Hello Yagami-san. That steak should be good." she smiles. She looks over to Akari who's frozen. She frowns. She wonders if it was the music change? What's with the Kpop anyways. She looks back towards Zafira.

"So what brought you around?" she asks. "Friend of Mamorus?" she asks curiously.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
"I LOVE THIS SONG," Mamoru yells over people's heads instead of their ears, at Cruel Angel's Thesis, "DID YOU HEAR THE MARCHING BAND VERSION." And then since he's finished wolfing(ha) down his steak, he leans far over-- over-- oooooverrrr-- to get a cream bun, and rubs at the side of his nose. "No. We can't do that. If you see him on the street, get Zoisite to tail him, or disguise yourself as a really boring old dude and get Naru to go with you Luna-penned into a really boring old lady and tail him, or something, but if people think they're gonna be tagged like scottish miscreant kids when they come here, they won't come here."

And then he stares after the vanishing Icela. "Oh crap. She asked if everyone here was my friends, didn't she. She sounds like she thinks she's the angel of death. I hope she's not, and if she is, I still wish I knew why she knows my name."

Kyouko Sakura has posed:
    Kyouko scowls. "Sometimes this whole 'no violence in the house' thing is a real pain in my ass." She grumps, mood dampened despite all the delicious food, which is rather hard to do. It's not Jadeite's fault though, she absolutely would prefer to know of enemies in their midst than to be ignorant. A sigh. "I'm going to go get another drink. I'll be right back." This said more to Kazuo and Jadite than anyone else, with the implied meaning of 'you bodyguard him in my place for a few'.

    She also makes a mental note to watch out for Icela, but vague threats are secondary to much more tangible threats at the moment. Still radiating annoyed menace, she pushes off from the table where she had been leaning and heads towards the stairs to get the drink as previously mentioned.

Zafira has posed:
Zafira nods about the steak before he shakes his head toward Lacrima. "...not sure where this is..." he admits hesitantly, "..saw something in the sky, thought it might be dangerous..." Which apparently means he decided to follow it, but he doesn't bother to follow up with that, and just eats some more. ...not the most talkitive guy.

Rosalie Janus has posed:
Bell stares towards the music player, then at Mamoru's outburst, she holds up her pendant. "Rubindorn, no."

Her pendant pings. <<RUBINDORN JA!>> Rubindorn YES! She has a more cutesy version of Bell's voice. Bell facepalms. <<KOMM SCHON, HERR CHIBA MAG ES!>> Come on, Mr. Chiba likes it!

Bell pinches the bridge of her nose. "Please tell me you at least set it to change back after this is finished," she says weakly.

<<JO!>> Yep!

She sighs, and heads over to Lacrima and Zafira, oblivious to the talk between Jadeite and the others. "Hey, Lacchan, hi, Yagami-san," she says. "Hate to cut and run, but I think I'm going to head back home for the night. I think I've, um, expended my capacity for parties at the moment."

Koji Silvia has posed:
    "Koji. Silvia Koji." Comes the response from the long-haired young man in glasses and ocean-themed yukata, who dodges around a departing Kyouko as she departs and raises a hand to offer a kind parting word... then remembering who it is, just lets it go.$

    Since no drink was really mentioned, he goes to the offerings and comes back with an iced green tea for Zafira, and a glass of watermelon juice for Lacrima, one of the expertly sliced wedges inside like a decoration. He holds those out to both, and dips his head to Akari, "Sorry... I only have two hands. Would you like anything, miss?"

    No comment is made about the Belkan being tossed around, since everyone here is magical in one way or another. But he does say, "Hello, Miss Rubindorn. Welcome as well."

    Who in the world addresses a DEVICE?! Apparently... this guy.

Jadeite has posed:
"Fine, fine, you have a point," Saburo concedes, never mind how much he really would prefer they broke the rules, even though they're important and were made for a good reason. He too, loves Cruel Angel's Thesis, and thinks it fitting for the cruel truth of no yeets, tailing, or decisive action tonight. He nods to Kyouko as she heads off, happy to stick close to Mamoru for now, especially with Icela's disturbing little farewell speecch snippet.

"You ever get the feeling that something should be horribly disconcerting, but you just have so many other priorities you just have to let it go?" It's a rhetorical question, but also, what was that even. "Rei-chan told me she was a kind of ghost once, so if she is death, hopefully she's learned that the prince of our hearts and grill is too important to die."

Not even joking about that,,, they really don't need 'angel of death who personally knows Mamoru' added to the list of possible issues.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
"Literally all the time. I mean the too many priorities thing. Sometimes I think my life is made of those moments," Mamoru admits, and then he laughs uncertainly. "I don't think that was a threat to me. I think she was saying whatever she's going to do she's going to spare people I like? Which is, uh, nice of her? I guess? Except really uncomfortable? I feel vaguely like I should start handing out lamb's blood." He finished his cream bun, and his hands are clean, and he's sort of worrying at his obi. He lowers his voice further. "Guys I think I'm at my social limit for now. I might get drunk and come back but if anyone wants to help me introduce Tyrfing to Mario Kart I wouldn't be opposed."

Norie Okana has posed:
Lacrima 'ohs!' "You know Akari-chan!" she says. She gently smiles. "Well. Don't worry. No trouble here, I promise." she says with a smile. "Unless my dumb brother shows up or something. But I uh. Think he learned his lesson. Last time."

No, he didn't. He's probably dumb enough to try again. She thinks.

She mmphhhs. She gets not being talkative. She was like that. For a while. She nods. "Well, if you need anything. Just ask." she says. She looks back to the others and then realizes Icela has left.

"Oh she's gone... ugh, finally. I just.... Have SO much trouble with her... she... attacks Ariel and stuff." she says with a frown. "So.. I need to. Keep my emotions in check when she's around and..." she ughs!

"DON'T WORRY! I BEHAVE!" she says loudly. "I DIDN"T FIGHT I PROMISE! SEE! EATING!" she says raising a plate high.

Koji Silvia has posed:
From Downstairs, the carrying voice of the Knight replies, <<I GET KING KOOPA!>>

Zafira has posed:
Zafira blinks as he's given a drink and then offers another bow to Koji. He seems mostly stoic, but keeps seeming thrown off by having food and drink offered to him this way. "Thank you Koji..." he says in reply. This one....this Koji REALLY got the business part of his attention as well, but he's not doing any of that tonight. It's just for information. Besides, he'd honestly prefer it if he DIDN'T have to do it but... Hayate's more important than his petty wants. He'll be some underhanded predator again and again if that's what it requires, but...he really just would rather fight cleanly with willing participants and not be feeling like some sort of fox in a chicken coop being watched by the farmers. He'd offer Akari a parting wave as she goes. "...your brother," 'Zack' wonders for some reason. Aren't family supposed to be good to each other? Further talk mentioning Icela causes the white haired guy some pause. "...a lot of fighting in this city..."

Rosalie Janus has posed:
Bell smiles uncertainly at Koji. "Oh! Um, sorry, I was just heading out, actually."

<<AH, HALLO!>> says Rubindorn, though there's a very faint uncertainty in her voice.

Bell hesitates. "Have we met?" she says; she never saw him out of henshin when they fought Pyrne together. "I'm Bell, by the way."

She narrows her eyes at Lacrima's outburst, and tenses up slightly. "Oh, jeez, thanks for the warning," she says. "I'll, I'll keep that in mind if I run into her again." She shakes her head. "But, um, yeah! I'll see you guys later!" She returns 'Zack's' wave, and hesitates. Well ... no, she probably shouldn't just tell a relative stranger and someone who's ambiguously still chasing her that she might look different.

Rubindorn just snickers wordlessly at Tyrfing's outburst.

Kunzite has posed:
Kazuo says quietly to Mamoru, "I had the general impression that time might be arriving." What with the grill fork being placed in his hand. At least it keeps him safe from Mario Kart. And then he calls over to Lacrima's plate gesture, "There's more steak, if you'd like some."

Does he get the feeling that something should be horribly disconcerting, but you just have so many other priorities you just have to let it go? ... does he ever *not* get it?

Jadeite has posed:
"Let's spare the lambs for now. Go on, play Mario Kart and remember to drink your water. I'm going to see if Lacrima still wants to talk commissions," Saburo makes flappy hands at Mamoru, shooing him towards the sanity (?) of downstairs and the awaiting game systems. "Me and Kazuo and the strength of Kazuo's ability to summon brotherly disapproval and also legitimate fear will be enough to watch the rest of the party.

Mamoru Chiba has posed:
It could potentially be embarrassing if it were anyone else doing it, and Mamoru might have done more of it if anyone else had been right next to him, but yeah: the Prince of Grills abruptly sling-arm-hugs Jadeite and Kunzite. "You guys are a hundred percent the best always and you know that and if Usa shows up I'm not hiding from her but she can't drag me back up unless I'm drunk and you know there are lots of rules I prefer you break sometimes but we can talk about that later and I'm going downstairs now." And this is kind of quiet, but the kiss on the side of Jadeite's head and the one stolen from Kazuo are certainly visible and if Zafira sees him basically staking claims of various types then that's fiiiiine.

And then he scatters himself down the stairs. "That's fine I'm taking Waluigi REMEMBER I GET PLAYER ONE."

Koji Silvia has posed:
     Koji knows for a fact that Tyrfing is already setting up things and is floating there waiting for Mamoru to challenge him. So he contents himself with going back to his spot and getting himself a cup of tea, especially since Lacchan seems to be talking with The New Guy, and he's not one to want to interrupt. He turns to Akari, and says, "I don't think so, Miss Bell. I'm sorry... I've been really busy with a new part time job. And..." He just trails off with a slightly dejected look on his face, "Nevermind. It's impolite to unburden yourself on a guest."

     Instead he moves away, and offers a polite, "Goodnight Chiba-sama." Still using that honorific despite the numerous warnings.

Rosalie Janus has posed:
Bell nods. "All right," she says, managing a smile. "Goodnight, then!"

With one more round of waves, she steps back from the group, heads over to an unoccupied corner of the rooftop ... and then vanishes in another bolt of rosy light that shoots off into the sky.