[ME] dreams in darkness

so is there any treason in the tricky little price I pay?

i can't open up to you

Nodding in agreement to Alys’ comment about LongNight and its usual bad reputation, he shoots her an easier smile as she settles into her seat and the flames of the bonfire in front of them illuminates in a sapphire blue this time. He hadn’t exactly been the best at changing the reputation until now, more often than not preferring to stay behind closed doors in case the monsters made another showing.

But this year it felt safer, more okay. And if other regions could do it, why couldn’t they? “Yeah, that’s what I was hoping for.” He agrees after a moment of consideration. But then the Fateweaver grows quiet, contemplative, and when she speaks next it drags his attention away from the bonfire entirely to look at her in quiet surprise, as if he can’t figure out why she might want to apologize.

He doesn’t interrupt her, though, not until she’s done and he can offer her probably the softest, most genuine smile in response. “Oh, Alys, there’s no hard feelings about it, honestly.” He starts off, shifting in his seat a bit to face her better. “I get it. I left ruling Torchline pretty abruptly too, so, you don’t have to explain anything you don’t want to. So long as you and Tal are doing well, that’s all I care about.” He’d been able to manage it on his own, anyway, even if it was a little more work. But he’d needed the additional work with everything that’s happened.

me and my friends are lonely

i always figured i'd be the one to die alone

SUNJATA

Alys

Sapphire blue illuminated the immediate area, casting them both in the brilliant hue. The colorful fire added a nice flare to the festivities, Alys had to admit, and she smiled softly to herself as the partygoers whooped in excitement. She'd always been one for a quiet LongNight, herself, but she had to admit that this made for a nice change from cowering at home, waiting for something bad to happen.

Sunjata's surprise flared in the wake of her apology, followed by a genuine understanding that the seer wasn't sure she deserved. Even if the Archon meant every word - and her magic assured her that he did - she still felt that she had handled the situation poorly. "We are doing well," she told him, a small smile lighting her face as she basked in Sunjata's forgiveness. "Although... I've been a little unsettled, lately. I think I've been sequestered away for long enough," she added with a little laugh. "We may start traveling again in the new year - so if there's ever anything you need, please let us know."

funny how it all works out in the end
you dance with the devil and you lose your head

Nova

Here's to alcohol,

Nova isn't hiding, she's working. She just happens to be sequestered behind the colorful booth of the Sunbean, passing out drinks and snacks where very few people can see her. That includes a particular rancher she's spotted in the crowd. 

It's not like she has any reason to minimize herself or feel ashamed for being at the party, but she doesn't really want to invite Colt to berate her on why the exuberant drinks or the frilly layers of her dress are 'childish.' She'd much rather push aside thoughts of 'growing up' with smiles and giggles, particularly when people try the explosion of peppermint bark hot chocolate or the sweetgrass lattes. They've been quite the hit so far, and she's kept busy babbling on about how amazing their shop is, adding an abundance of edible glitter on top of the whipped cream. They even have glow-in-the-dark cups with little star designs to really brighten things up.

However, when a lull finally comes between customers, she's pleased to find more friendly faces in the crowd, almost relieved. She leans out over the booth, waving excitedly at Jack and The Ark. If they're in conversation, she doesn't notice, plastering a vibrant smile on her face. "Hi! Do you guys want a drink? They're really good!"

the rose-colored glasses of life.

// you're everything i'm thinking of //

She’s also working behind the stall with her sister – happy to be the main face so Nova can avoid whomever she wants to. She takes note of Colt in the crowd, but finds its easy to ignore her as she steams the milk for a peppermint bark hot chocolate, hearing the scream of the steam in the metal cup. Drink after drink is passed out to visitors, cheery little small talk to make the night that much easier.

Caly’s stepped out to snag a few extra supplies from the Sunbean, returning to the stall about the time that her sister’s leaning out of the stall to greet Jack and The Ark, and Caly slips back behind the stall to deposit the extra syrups for the drinks and leans across as well. “I’ve got some extra spice I can add if ya haven’t brought your own!” She chimes, shooting a grin and a bounce of her brows, the metal flask hiding the contents of some dark cinnamon kind of rum to add to the hot cocoa.

Calypso

// from time to time and dust to dust //

// and all my flowers grew back as thorns //

Happy to be the support for the both of them, if she requires it, Thorn’s excitement isn’t dissuaded by Colt’s quieter demeanor. If anything, he’s boisterous enough for the both of them, snickering lightly in agreement that it was a better way to wait out the dawn. “Mean’s I’m less busy too, so we can do more stuff if ya want?” He asks, grinning vibrantly over her way. The more things there were to do around the city without the House being the main focus, the more available Thorn was for everything else.

The trinkets are a good distraction, though, and he focuses on the dark hoops that he starts to collect while she scans a pair of blue topaz teardrop earrings. “Guess I got a good eye?” He says, looking over at her with his seafoam gaze, punctuating his point with a wink. With all the dark hoops collected in his hands, he turns to peruse the necklaces next, sticking on a choker that’s the same dark material but broken up with bits of silver.

“Oh yeah?” He asks, glancing over at her with an easier smile as he starts to think about it. “Whatcha gonna put in the town first?” He asks, wondering what might be the first order of business for her to add to the desert townscape.

THORN

so is there any treason in the tricky little price I pay?

i can't open up to you

His smile grows more lopsided, almost more relieved as Alys confirms that they are doing well. And honestly, that’s kind of all that mattered to Sunjata, regardless of what occurred in the past. Gods knew the Heartless wasn’t the best at his own rises and falls from power, the way he’d left Torchline had been swift and succinct. But he listens as she continues, explaining that she wanted to go traveling again, and while Sunjata nods, the gears in his head start working.

“I might need some more help with finishing the regional quest to finish the healing river.” Sunjata murmurs thoughtfully, considering as he regards her. “How do you feel about helping corral unicorns or helping purify the area with healing?” He asks, his own soft laugh accompanying her own, lightening the mood even more as the bonfire starts to flicker in greens and deep reds and pinks again.

me and my friends are lonely

i always figured i'd be the one to die alone

SUNJATA

Alys

Alys could sense the gears start turning in Sunjata's mind as his emotions shifted from a certain relief at her wellbeing to almost calculating - something that she had almost expected as she'd offered her help. What kind of leader would he be if he weren't willing to use every tool at his disposal for the betterment of his region, after all? And what kind of civilian would she be if she weren't ready and willing to do her part?

As the bonfire flickered in various colors and hues, Alys considered. "I'd be happy to help with either," she said. "Though I might be more well-suited to purifying with my healing magic." She hadn't spent much time around unicorns, but healing, she was well accustomed to. "Just tell me when and where, and I'll be there." For either or both tasks; wherever she could be of use, she would go.

funny how it all works out in the end
you dance with the devil and you lose your head

// You could be lonely, or heartbroken—Or hungover from the night before //

Hawthorn 's words sweep in with the same quality of light pouring over a darkened corner, adamant and altering. The prospect that they'll get more time together, as opposed to idling her time in the House bar while he finishes his increased workload, causes an immediate gush of delight. "That's the best reason for this I've heard yet." She turns her smile his way, each of their grins traded for a moment.

As they browse the stall, she occasionally stops to properly scan the wares, fingertips reaching out to brush a pair of dangling opal earrings, lift up a sapphire speckled ring, or turn over a silver charm bracelet. "You should spread the wealth," she mutters playfully, a put on sigh soon following suit. "Some of us got bad eyes and terrible taste." Her thoughts have strayed off jewelry by this point, though her gaze lifts to assess his choker try-on with a smile flashing out in approval.

"Once everyone has houses and basic necessities," Colt hums of the desert, lifting up a diamond necklace for a moment. "A gambling den." She offers the answers with no alteration to her tone, as if it's as ordinary a consideration as a rookery for mail. "Out in the Boneyard, to keep the debauchery from spilling over into the main town. Allows people a sense of seclusion as well." The diamond necklace returns to its display on the rack, and Colt fists her hands in her coat pockets as she scans the other stalls for interest. "We'll need the income, and the attraction to pull the business and the trade. There might be gambling halls all around Caido, but this one's gonna be bigger and better."

COLT

// Turn that frown into a smile real quick—There ain't nothin' that a beer can't fix //