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

OTA - Stars are falling down for God's applause

[flawed_immortality]

[When he's not fussing about making sure plates and glasses are full Cor is sitting out on the glass enclosed porch. Regardless of how chilly it should get the space acts as something of a greenhouse and Cor rather likes it out here. There's already a shelf tucked into one corner with three fragrant mint plants on it. He's also dressed much more casually than he normally is, a silver and grey kimono replacing his uniform for the party. As much as it is an event he orchestrated he's... not really one for partying. Better to let his King and his boyfriend be the social butterflies they are.]

text. (w/ appropriate privacy locks)

[astralera]

Is it Heavensturn already? I must've lost track of time after Starlight. My thanks for the reminder.

Which 'his majesty' are you referring to? I believe I know of at least one other you could be referencing.

[flawed_immortality]

This evening.

Apologies, I'm referring to Regis. I forget how many others here are from royal lineages sometimes.

[astralera]

The other great-grandnephew, then.

How do people celebrate birthdays?

[flawed_immortality]

Well wishes for the coming year is fine. He'll at least accept that without much fuss.

[astralera]

And how does that not sweep his birthday beneath the new year's celebrations?

[scourgingstars]

[a; party; halfway between the black and gray]

[Ardyn was quiet as ever at the party; he hadn't answered the network post, but had taken note of it. He'd have to seek out Regis later, quietly if that was what he so preferred. For now he was perfectly content to keep a bit more to the sidelines--much as he found these gatherings nice, he was never one for overmuch noise and attention.]

[b; midnight; is no place for a life to waste away]

[Until later, as magic lit the air at midnight. He cast a glance left and right, either uncertain of the tradition or a bit self-conscious. Possibly both. But after a second or two he raised a hand...with a flick of his wrist and snap of his fingers a burst of fire shot skyward and exploded in brilliant orange and scarlet.]

[...Maybe it wasn't that bad, having so few limits on his magic now.]

[c; wildcard; starlight brigade]

[anything else; he'll stick around for a while if anyone wants to catch him]

[iustaegis]

Mingling
[ After arriving and unlinking her arm from Somnus, Pyra, dressed in pjs a lengthy tunic with a starry drape of fabric provided by Era, can be found just about anywhere reasonable within house party. She will try a bit of the hor d'ouerves and be delighted by the extra quality of the food, or she will be outside waiting for midnight to strike. For the house itself, though-- ]

This place is beautiful. [ She's reminded, then, of what others have told her of what makes a family, a home... But those are thoughts for another time. Turning to smile at you-- yes you, her new company-- she inquires: ] Enjoying the party?

Just-after Midnight
[ The magical firework-like show continues, and she finds herself alone as she watches the lights dance in the sky. Her expression is wistful, distracted as she gazes upon the enchanting display. ]

New Year's Finest
[ ARE YOU DRESSED TO THE NINE'S IN THIS PARTY? Well well well link me yo fancy outfit, let her just bring a hand up to her lips as she gapes at you. Unprompted, she can't help but compliment: ]

Oh, my... That-- [ Dress/suit/necklace/hairstyle/earring/shoes/tie/whatever. ] --looks wonderful on you.

Resolution
There is... a tradition of wishing to better oneself for the next year. [ She is standing outside, not bothered by the chill despite the thin quality of the fabric she wears. For those who stand next to her, they will realize that she's inhumanly warm. Pyra offers her arm to take, just in case you might need it (or a hand, if that would be more comfortable). ]

Do you know if we say these aloud, or keep them within our hearts?

Wildcard
[ HMU here, PM, or PP at drinksteapots! ]

wildcard-- after midnight

[iustaegis]

Ardyn.

[ She'll encounter him still outside, just as the last of the spells of the magical not!firework display fizzle out. Smiling as she approaches him, it's almost the same as they had met last beneath the night sky. Neither of them are bothered by the cold. ]

It's been some time. [ And here, she offers her hand if he should care to take it. ] Have you made your toast to the new year yet?

[scourgingstars]

My...what, sorry?

[He was just a bit behind on traditions, but took her hand with only some hesitation.]

[iustaegis]

A toast! [ She encourages happily, softly, as her fingers curl around his. ] With a drink, usually.

[ She has no drink in hand, unfortunately, oh well. ] Or, sometimes, ringing a bell at a shrine does the trick.

[scourgingstars]

I'm afraid I haven't a drink on hand, and I don't know that the temples here have anything in the way of bells. What happens then?

[iustaegis]

Nothing, save hope for a new year.

[ A pause. ]

You had no such traditions for welcoming in the new year in your world? [ Back in ye olden days, anyway. ]

[scourgingstars]

I can't quite recall, truthfully. It's been a long while since I was able to celebrate much of anything, either way.

[iustaegis]

[ She watches him for a moment longer-- "It's been a long while". His past, he certainly cannot celebrate; his future? Not that, either.

That leaves one aspect of time remaining. ]

Ardyn... [ She smiles softly in a way she hopes is gently encouraging. ] Do you believe you cannot celebrate your present? [ Look at all who are here. She sees a good number of what she believes to be a part of his family (distant or not), and members of his world, the extended friends they have made. If he cannot celebrate his time being with them, then she wonders if there's something else she is missing. ]

[scourgingstars]

...To the contrary. I think there's nothing more worthy of celebration.

1/2

[iustaegis]

[ And hearing that--

Her eyes widen for a moment, and... ]

[iustaegis]

[ She takes a small half-step closer to him, smiling ever more brightly-- for his own in this moment is with all the sincerity and beauty of someone who loves, heartfelt, appreciative. How it reminds her of early autumn upon the earth, there as if he has gathered a bounty unexpected for the harvest, one that he might not believe he entirely deserves.

These words, she is happy to hear from him. Her hand squeezes his. ]

Your smile.... Your family is blessed, to know it.

[astralera]

PARTY

[ Era arrives a bit late, having gone out of her way to find and drag Somnus to the party. She does not truly belong here, but Regis is family to Somnus and someone he cares about more than words can express, and Somnus is someone Ardyn loves, and that long, complicated chain of familial love means that Era loves too, in her own way — that different sort of love, like the love she has for all those lives on all those worlds she needs to safeguard. Distant, but no less strong for it.

So she sheds her jacket and tucks it away, revealing the dress Hades made her for the occasion. Dark, sheer hosiery and heels complete her outfit, all of which is contrasted by the pure white weasel that drapes across her shoulders like a scarf, and the bright red lipstick she wears. There are few things Era dislikes more than standing out, but there is no avoiding it when surrounded by humans, nor when wearing one of her partner's beautiful creations. Better to embrace it tonight instead, strategically accenting her appearance in ways to (hopefully) draw attention to her face rather than her horns. Tonight is the end of one cycle of the heavens and the start of another, and Era would rather spend it enjoying herself rather than feeling out of place.

If there is music, Era dances. If there is none she still dances, providing her own by use of her old 'phone', or perhaps even forgoing music altogether. She knows a variety of dances, formal to informal, traditional to modern, and for all that she is normally very closed off to the touch of others she is far from it now, always more than happy to share the joy of dance. ]

MIDNIGHT (DEMI-PHOENIX SUMMON)

{{ Demi-Phoenix summoning looks like this. All fast and fancy and fiery. }}

[ There is always a bit of pain when channeling such quantities of aether into one burst, and without her Soul of the Summoner to aid with her channeling the pain is tenfold stronger. Tonight it is worse, choosing to forgo adequate preparations (in current company Demi-Bahamut would be ill advised), but the end result is always worth it — that final, explosive release of magic. Era skips her Dreadwyrm Trance and moves straight on to channeling the Firebird aether that lingers in her own, allowing that healing, searing flame to build up beneath her skin until it is almost unbearable, shaping it into the proper form, and then...

Era raises her grimoire above her head, the runes for her summoning spell etching themselves in the air above her fingertips. Her Carbuncle vanishes in a swirl of aether, only to reappear in a swirl of flames and golden feathers in the form of Demi-Phoenix.

It lets out an empowered, avian screech and twirls once before soaring into amidst the other spells released above. Glittering, golden sparks of aether rain down from its tail as it sings. After a few minutes it dissipates the same way it appeared, leaving a crimson Carbuncle to fall from the sky, landing with an ethereal grace upon its paws. It stretches, then trots back over to Era, who seems markedly drained compared to before, though she masks it well. Era gives her summon a small, fond smile and squats down to pat it upon the head. ]

WILDCARD

{{ hit me with whatever, friendos }}

[scourgingstars]

[Ardyn himself hadn't been fully aware he'd been smiling--the gesture wasn't one he was used to, and most times it was still an awkward and half-formed expression. But it seemed like the less he thought about it, the easier it was to do.]

O-oh--I don't know about that, truly.

Regis Lucis Caelum CXIII | OTA

[kingkingcxiii]

[Those who were at the family dinner will not be surprised to find that Regis is once more taking up a host-like role. He's dressed much more formally than he was as the dinner, and considering how Cor is dressed, it won't take much deduction to figure out who is responsible for that. It also doesn't take much deduction to see that Cor was absolutely right in his network post. Regis makes no mention of his own birthday. Instead, he focuses himself on greeting people and showing them around the house should they like an actual tour instead of just exploring blindingly. He is extremely at home in the house and it's obviously he likes the change of location a great deal. If someone is looking for him the living room fireplace and the back porch are good places to check as he seems to float between the two when not actively showing people around.

When midnight rolls around Regis will be out among the crowd adding his own spells to those that are being fired into the night sky.]

1/2

[iustaegis]

[ And, of course, she just had to point it out.

A soft giggle escapes her lips, her hand swinging happily in his. ]

[iustaegis]

[ Then, softly: ] Might I offer a suggestion?

[scourgingstars]

Er...c-certainly? What is it?

[iustaegis]

[ Lifting her hand in his, she pats over his knuckles. The scars upon his palms are ever more apparent.

She understands his response-- his multiple responses up now, diminishing his value-- to be quite grave. ]

If not with me... then whoever compliments your smile next. [ And here, she smiles at him. ] Consider just... trying to say "thank you".

It is okay, to let yourself have something nice. [ Even if it is only a compliment, just words, and nothing more. ]