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+---- Thread: [SWE] The Punchiest Pool Party (/showthread.php?tid=11439)
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Alys - 06-02-2025
Alys kept her hand on her partner's arm as
Still, she did her best to make it look like she wasn't terrified and nauseous and prepared for the worst. Her dark curls were bound in a low ponytail, keeping them out of the way in case the worst should happen. She'd selected a light blue bikini - not as revealing as some of the others she saw scattered throughout the party, but certainly more so than she was used to - beneath a white cover up that was long enough to conceal two daggers strapped to her thighs. They weren't as useful as Tal's Special Delivery Dagger, but in a pinch, they might buy the time they needed to make an escape. Her free hand was tucked into the pocket of her cover up, clenched around the Constellation Compass that Tal had insisted she carry today.
Normally, she and Tal might have separated to greet their respective friends, but the seer was not inclined to let him out of her sight today. So when he tilted his chin towards one being in particular and invited her to go see Sunjata, she quickly agreed. Vox made her skin crawl, and Sunjata seemed like a relatively safe option. [say]"That sounds like a good plan,"[/say] she agreed, and the pair made their way over to the Archon.
Unaware of the silent conversation that was ongoing, Alys smiled as they approached the demigod. It didn't quite reach her eyes. [say]"Hello, Sunjata. It's a beautiful day, isn't it?"[/say] Sure, let's talk about the weather. Why not?
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Sohalia - 06-02-2025
Kaisel 's voice was a little too high, a little too chipper, but Soh didn't press him. Instead, she lowered herself to the ground to stick her feet into the pool, sticking close by the dragoon in case he found himself in need of support. After all, hadn't she promised
Until...
Well, Soh didn't really know. Until something changed, she supposed.
Her focus shifted as a familiar voice cut through the low hum of conversation around them, and she looked up to find
A crease that only deepened as Noe was brought up. Soh shook her head. [say]"I haven't seen her in Torchline,"[/say] she said. [say]"I've been watching, but..."[/say] But she was probably still in Stormbreak, with the Family.
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Iskra - 06-02-2025
Iskra meets the sharpness of her smile with a slanted frown of his own, nodding without much motion in agreement as he took in the party. The appearance of Vox only serves to deepen the worry knotting in Iskra's gut, especially when both his and Melita's names are thrown out. [say]"Long enough,"[/say] he mutters, which seems to imply that it's already too long based on the growing number of Family. Ultimately he'd stay as long as she did though.
[say]"You got any ideas?"[/say] he asks with a bit of a sly smile creeping in on the dourness, wondering what the mischief-maker might be inclined to do. She's not dumb, but she is daring. [say]"I can help,"[/say] he offers, because as a distraction for her to spike the punch or lob a stinkbomb by the food table, he absolutely could. Maybe go start another fight with Vesper just to draw a crowd.
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Colt - 06-02-2025
The cut of blue from across the way as Vesper glances back is enough to ease something in her. He seems fine, she decides, more than fine, as his siblings join him with a splash. She half-smiles at it, glancing back at Hawthorn as he suggests they go in. Something feels off, like a storm rolling in but too distant to actually see any of the thunderheads or the darkness yet. Just something in the wind, something that sets her on edge.
Still, Sunjata and Deimos being gathered nearby are a relief, and others that she is dimly aware of but has never met. Against her better judgement, she relents a little, an exhale making space in her chest for hope. [say]"Alright, but if we do, and shit goes sideways, we cut and run, promise?[/say] She's hesitant when she answers him, and could just as easily walk away right now and not think about it once. She'd go in though, if he wanted to. Maybe it would be fine, just, the Family isn't anyone she wants to get to know better.
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Noah - 06-03-2025
Noah’s eyes continued to scan around, noticing how everyone was dressed drastically different than him. He wore a pair of cut of pants with several pockets, and boots, and a long button up rolled to the elbows. He had no swimsuit like the majority of others, but, for those that knew Noah, didn’t seem too out of sorts. He let his eyes linger on the group outside the barrier for a moment, giving each of them (Deimos, Remi, Ronin, Sunjata) a respectful nod and a small wave of greeting.
Standing on the outside, like the others, wouldn’t help Noah anyway—not right now. Most of his magic was ineffective against the Family and their damned creatures, so staying in the fray of people was his best option — because at least then he could defend with his hands, his body, his flesh, without having to book it across the sands and lose his magic anyway. So here was, within the vacuumed veil.
He turned and then noticed
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Talyson - 06-03-2025
Tal was looking decidedly drab next to his partner, clad in plain blue oversized swim trunks and the glint of his jewelry. He swallowed hard and gave Zavien and
At least he was in Alys's sight for this. He gave her a wan smile and squeezed her hand again before letting her peel off towards the demigods. As for him? He headed closer to Trouble, surprising no one more than himself.
"Hey, Vox," he called, trying to very casually approach the lounging... uh... existential crisis in a sunhat as if every step closer didn't sent static zipping from his toes to the back of his eyeballs. He stuttered to a halt next to the Voice of the Family and squinted down at him - it? - through his Goggles. But he still lowered his voice to a strangled whisper, trying to keep things chill. "You're creepin' people out with this whole..." He waved helplessly in the direction of the... er, general area below the sunglasses. "Too many teeth thing. People'll've only got, uh... lessee..." He trailed off for a moment, brow furrowing as he moved his tongue around and did some quick math. "Thirty... two? Yeah. Thirty-two teeth. C'mon, spit out th'extras."
And without much thought for just how disgusting things could get, Tal held out his hand like he would to a recalcitrant dragon who had gotten ahold of something she shouldn't have and was being coaxed to spit it out.
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Vox - 06-03-2025
There is no pause, just an immediate noise like a dial-up modem gagging on a kazoo as Vox beams up at
[say]"Spit them out?"[/say] he echoes in scandalized horror, sitting up with the slow, hydraulic jerk of a puppet in denial. [say]"Spit them out, he says! As if they’re not part of my ensemble! My aesthetic! My smile that whispers sweet nothings like entropy and tax audits!"[/say]
Vox leans in slightly. Not close enough to touch, but close enough for Tal’s bones to rattle in sympathy with whatever strange waveform is vibrating behind those sunglasses, and then he reaches forward—not to bite, no, that would be gauche—but to very gently pat the back of Tal’s offered hand, like one might do to a child offering a rock as currency. [say]"There, there,"[/say] he coos. [say]"Not everyone is fashion forward enough for extra teeth. You make it work, though. Very gum-forward. Minimalist. Like a haunted walnut."[/say]
He reclines again with a sigh that turns two drink umbrellas inside out. [say]"Do you want a hug instead?"[/say]
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Jack - 06-03-2025
[say]"Mm,"[/say] Jack agrees dryly with the weather, glancing sidelong at Flora as she ducks beneath the shade of the parasol to join him. [say]"If it weren't for the heat it'd be perfect for sailin'."[/say] Another sip of his drink; another soft clink of ice in the glass. He doesn't react to the message she feeds him via his magic, far too experienced in the arena of shitfuckery to let it show on his face, but he does tilt his head a fraction as if to check on the Dad Corner.
[say]"I like the odds,"[/say] he remarks, almost under his breath, before turning promptly back to the proceedings, watching as more and more people flood in. Every additional civilian makes this an accident waiting to happen - a veritable powder keg, considering what Pierce can do - and so as Flora remarks on Vox and expands on her plan, the captain drains his glass and sets it down on a nearby table.
[say]"I can feel the evils that Short, Dark and Crispy over there are shootin' you,"[/say] he rumbles, nodding towards Kaisel. [say]"That's my cue to leave."[/say] That and the imminent chaos about to unfold.
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Flora - 06-03-2025
Flora sighs as Jack nods toward Kaisel, the sound escaping her like it’s been simmering in her chest all day. Her gaze cuts toward the ring in the pool where her best friends linger in the water. [say]"Ugh, of course,"[/say] she mutters under her breath, loud enough for Jack to catch even without his telepathy. And gods, the mess of it. The thorns tangled around her thoughts, how yes, she probably shouldn’t be talking to Jack given how raw everything still was, and yet, it’s him. The one person who still arguably knew her better than anyone else.
Had Jack lingered, maybe she would’ve stalled. Let the sun ride a little higher before she set fire to the afternoon. But as he smoothly turns away, Flora lifts her chin and squares her shoulders. Whatever, it didn't look like anyone was having much fun to begin with.
The Doubletake flashes a smile that doesn’t quite touch her eyes and scans the crowd. she can't catch
Then she spins toward the Dad Group like a girl with nothing but time and chaos to spend. [say]"Hey, Deimos!"[/say] she calls, voice bright and laced with sugar. [say]"You wanna play a game of chicken with me? Bet we'd make a great team!"[/say] He'd asked for a subtle signal, but that had never been Flora's way. If nothing else, the strangeness of the queen's choice to call on the Sword for such a ridiculous game would hopefully clue in those who knew both the Doubletake and the Sword, that something was off.
Flora wiggles her fingers at Deimos in a come-hither wave, giving him the moment to come closer; to get within range. One hand lifts like she’s brushing a curl back from her face, but her mind sharpens—knife-like, deliberate—as she channels. Not to Ludo. Not to Safrin. To Frey. Bind him up for me, she purrs inside her head, syrup-sweet and laced with spark. Just enough to make it easier for Deimos to turn him into a pin cushion.
The queen’s smile curves, dangerous and dazzling; what was a Torchline party without a bit of bloodshed, after all?
Flora gives the signal to Zavien and Deimos, and then channels!
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Pierce - 06-03-2025
In they come, but fuck if the vibes aren’t bad. Pierce watches with silent amusement, gaze flickering upon each and every one of them that show, whether in his bubble or not. But it’s when someone actually approaches him that Pierce’s blue stare meets the demigod – a touch disinterested, though the sly curve of his lips widen as he steals a glance toward Flora before returning to
His lips part to speak when Vox arrives, the sensation of static bursting through his form, but one he buries down as he chuckles. “[say]Look at you, Vox.[/say]” Comes the amused drawl, deep like the rumble just before a strike of lightning. Glancing back to Hadama with a nod and that same knowing, shit-eating grin, Pierce offers his nod. “[say]In the flesh.[/say]” Pulling away a touch dramatically from the conversation as Vox goes to sing his praises, the brawler casts another glance around their rather pitiful party and returns back to Vox.
Hearing the singing praises and the toast, Pierce twists to grab what could only likely be a voidy sunrise, blending purples and lilac, with an odd kind of green hue. Hoisting it up high for a toast for himself – because the pity party happening outside of it seemed unlikely to share in it. “[say]C’mon guys, what’s a guy gotta do to liven up the party?[/say]” This is angled toward everyone in the distance, the curve of his grin still as cocky and arrogant. “[say]I don’t bite.[/say]”
And it’s precisely the time that Flora calls out to the group and Pierce’s gaze flits between everyone as the party seems to get a little bit more life in it.
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Frey - 06-03-2025
Pierce is laughing, lounging like a serpent in sun-dappled water. The Family’s influence simmers at the edges of the celebration—perfumed, polished, and poisonous. As Flora calls out, Frey is all too happy to answer. They love a good party, after all.
They step from nowhere, nude and gleaming, a vision of sun-warmed gold and honeyed skin. Their body is impossible—fluid and flawless, masculine and feminine in equal measure, a living contradiction that draws every eye, even as breath catches and hearts stutter.
[say]"Pierce,"[/say] Frey purrs, voice like silk sliding across bared nerves. [say]"I hear you've been very naughty."[/say] Their hand gestures lazily, and the air obeys. Vines sprout from between the pool tiles—lush and writhing, thick as rope and wet with nectar. They wind around Pierce’s limbs in an instant, not stopping at restraint but caressing as they bind, slick and deliberate, as though the god means to make him feel everything before the pain begins.
They tilt their head toward Flora, vines pulling Pierce upright, his body momentarily helpless—dripping, shining, bound. [say]"And darling,"[/say] Frey murmurs to her, licking nectar from their fingers, [say]"I do believe I’ve tied the ribbon just the way you like."[/say]
Then, with a wink, they’re gone.
There will be 24 hrs before Peirce responds!
If you are going to take an action, please list it in your summary as if you were in a KQ!
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Talyson - 06-03-2025
In a battle of glasses vs. Goggles, Tal was horrified to realize that the eldritch horror still ended up winning. Tal's nose wrinkled up in dismay as the static somehow worsened and the dial up modem of Vox's voice made him regret his life choices even before it began to extol the many reasons for its overzealous smiling.
"Entry-what?" He stuttered - though he knew exactly what a tax audit was and his scowl deepened immediately at the dirty words that Vox uttered. "Wait, are y'callin' me a walnut??" He snatched his hand back as if he'd received a nasty shock - which, y'know, pretty spot on - and glared at the collection of fuzzy tentacles with affronted pride. "Y'know, for somethin' that doesn't have a penis, y'sure manage t'be a dick, Vox."
So that was probably a 'no' on the hug, then.
Hands balled into fists to hide their shaking, the courier turned on his heel and stomped - well, more or less. The soft sand stole most of his thunder - away, back towards Alys and Sunjata.
Which was about the time that Frey joined the party, and after a good solid thirty seconds of staring Tal swallowed hard and then scampered back to stand with his Archon and partner to be ready for whatever hell was apparently about to break loose next.
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Remi - 06-03-2025
The corners of Remi’s mouth turn downward the moment Pierce raises his glass—void-stained and mocking—as if daring the world to punish him for smiling. But the Bastion doesn’t react outwardly, save for a faint furrow in his brow and the way his thumb flicks once against Ronin’s palm.
It’s Flora who snags his attention. Her voice, syrup-sweet and sparkling across the party’s strained atmosphere, is the sort of dissonance that makes Remi’s stomach twist. He follows her line of sight to Deimos, sees the ridiculous wave, the too-cheerful tone that doesn’t suit her, and knows something is coming. Knowing her wave and game of chicken must be the signal, Remi inhales slowly, slipping his hand from Ronin’s with a gentle squeeze.
With the quietest breath, Remi reaches out through the bond. [say]Got you[/say], he murmurs toward Deimos, tethering the Sword to him with a thread of protective magic as fine and strong as silk. He keeps his distance from Pierce—not just because the man is the target, but because getting too close might shatter the magic’s fragile link.
Remi maintains 61+ft from Pierce and tethers himself to Deimos using:
Magic: I’ll have what he’s having | Tethers himself to someone and takes all of their damage during an encounter until it’s recast.
Type: Light | Rank: Mastered
Regional Score bonus: +15 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +15 should be included). Residents cannot be cursed at shrines in this region.
RE: The Punchiest Pool Party - Deimos - 06-03-2025
And then the waiting game was over; and Deimos took another long breath, steeling himself for the inevitable. [say]All right. Show time.[/say] The resolve slipped over him, as if he were marching into yet another treacherous lair or layer of their descent into hell. Wouldn't be the first time. [say]Thank you[/say] he hushed back to Remi, glancing at Sunjata to see if he’d be soon following suit, and then beginning to advance to where Flora remained, long strides snagging within the necessary range.
Then he placed the cloak upon himself, and seemingly disappeared.
A different game of chicken, perhaps, but they were playing a deadly one with Pierce, and given the newfound advantage from Flora’s channeling, they’d at least have an opportunity, a chance, to protect and divide and conquer.
He entered the dome, feeling the magic and abilities leave his body – absent and muted. But he didn’t need them at the moment. Snagging at Flora’s daggers, glad for all those days spent practicing the art of throwing knives, he tread closer and closer, and when he felt like he’d occupied a decent range, he flicked and threw one of of feathers directly towards, and hopefully into, Pierce’s back.
--
[say]Deimos puts on his invisibility cloak, moves into the dome and near Pierce, and throws one of the daggers towards Pierce’s back.
--
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Mastered
Gambler's Gloves | A pair of supple leather gloves, seemingly innocuous. Doubles the user's Luck stat.
Type: Grey | Style: Other | Level: Upgraded
Invisibility Cloak | Ornate, detailed cloak, that when worn, renders up to two individuals (or a rider on a horse) invisible.
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Deadly Plumage | Three iridescent feathers capable of being used as projectiles. Razor sharp.
Type: Dark | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Star Poison | A poisonous coating on each of the Deadly Plumage daggers that adds mastered damage on the initial hit.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Basic
Lucky you | A ring that when worn grants +3 luck. Must be included in all PQ/PQ+/KQ/DROP posts to be counted.
Type: Light | Style: Other | Level: Upgraded
Lucky Ring | A ring that when worn grants +5 luck. Must be included in all PQ/PQ+/KQ/DROP posts to be counted.
Regional Score bonus: +11 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +11 should be included). Residents cannot be cursed at shrines in this region.[/say]