Like thunder screaming out for a flash of lightning

[flawed_immortality]

[Cor's not great at this whole party thing, especially as this time it's not just a family gathering but intended for the friends they'd made here as well. The video starts with Cor sitting in a cushy white and grey striped armchair, a stone fireplace beside him glowing warmly. It's a classy set up and far above the townhouses they've been in.]

It's New Years, celebrations are in order. His Majesty, Ignis, and I have obtained a larger space and we'd like to offer our home for the festivities. Feel free to stop in, have some snacks, and await midnight with us.

[Locked from Regis]
[He looks a little paranoid at first, double, then triple checking that he's done this right.]

It's also his Majesty's birthday. He's always eager to sweep it under the New Years celebrations but he has no reason to shy away from any such celebrations here. Don't let him.

[Action - Party Start~]
[The new house is really very nice. It's nothing compared to the Citadel but it is very nice. Clean and homey with the accents of warm wood that, if Cor didn't know better, he'd have thought was reclaimed.

There's a fire in the hearth, hor d'ouerve trays laid out on the kitchen counters. The replicator is of course available to anyone who wants something specific, though you might be surprised to find she responds to voice commands and is distressingly cheerful to talk to. The house is open for examination! Go on, explore folks, mingle away.]

[Action - Midnight]
[As chill as the night is Cor makes a point of slipping through the crowd throughout the evening. There's a number of Lucis Caelums and other magic users as well. So when the time comes near he does his best to usher everyone into the backyard, or at least onto the back porch.

He's certainly not the one to lead the countdown, no someone more energetic can do that, but at the final count a series of spells get fired into the night sky. They may not be traditional fireworks but a few Flares, Thundaras, and spells he has no names for will work well enough, don't you think?]

Comments

[scourgingstars]

...Is th-

[Ardyn leaned over to get a better look at his shorter brother's face, barely managing to repress a laugh at the mark of red lipstick left behind.]

Oh--oh my, brother dear, I had no idea you were so popular lately.

[You will never live this down.]

[meridio]

[Popular? His brow furrowed as he angled his head toward his brother.]

What do you mean?

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn reached out and smudged the lipstick mark Era had left on Somnus' face, holding up his now red-stained hand with what could only be described as a shit-eating grin.]

[...He might have missed teasing his brother.]

[meridio]

[Somnus squinted at the stain on his brother's hand. The color was difficult to make out at first with the myriad spells mixing in the air. Once he recognized the shocking red, however, he looked at the grin on his brother's face, straightened, and gave the house a sidelong glance.]

It was Era.

[scourgingstars]

I know very well who is responsible, but that will scarcely stop me teasing you. What a sight, practically scandalous.

[meridio]

[His own expression was less mirthful and more pensive as he brought a hand up to his marked cheek. He was a widower as much as he'd made a widow out of his queen. Was it really that scandalous?]

[scourgingstars]

...What's wrong? Come now, I was only teasing you. You needn't look so serious all the time.

[meridio]

[He lowed his hand.]

Nothing. I was merely remembering something.

Did Aera not come?

[scourgingstars]

Oh, you know her--around causing mayhem somewhere, without a doubt. Why do you ask?

[meridio]

[ . . . No reason.]

It's late. I should be on my way.

[scourgingstars]

...Are you sure? I'm quite certain the others would be glad to see you stay longer, as would I.

[meridio]

[Alas, it was the world's new year and past his bedtime. He was tired in more than one definition of the word.]

I did not come alone. It might be time that we retired from the festivities.