[ME] They call the thing a rodeo

Got a head full of spiders & a heart that isn't here

Vesper chuckles, low and warm, as Nova clings to his arm like she’s just won a royal coronation instead of a rodeo. Which, by the look on her face and the bounce in her glitter-slicked step, might as well be the same thing. "Think you broke the sound barrier back there, he drawls, brushing a speck of arena dust from her shoulder with theatrical care. He lets her steer them through the crowd, past grinning locals and slack-jawed onlookers, and back toward Jack and Calypso, where smugness is already radiating off the both of them like heat from a LongHeat dock. Vesper tosses a smirk their way, eyebrows arched as if to say yes, I’m amazing, you’re welcome, just before the sound of a familiar voice—drawling and proud—cuts through the gathering dusk.

He turns just in time to catch Colt ’s smirk, and he doesn’t even try to hide the sigh that escapes him as the bag of carrots appears. "Really?" he mutters, deadpan, even as he reaches for the bag. Her kiss to his cheek catches him off-guard—not in the fact of it, but in how gently she lands it. The tension in his spine doesn’t vanish, but it eases, just enough for the corner of his mouth to hitch into something wry and half-affectionate. "Glad I came too," he murmurs, quiet and honest as her words brush past him.

Then she’s gone, sunshine and sass on full display as she climbs the fencing like she owns it—which she probably does—and Vesper turns back toward his sisters, one hand still full of carrots.

"Colt says it’s time to go," he announces, slinging the bag over his shoulder and slanting a grin at Nova and Caly. "And for once, I agree with her." He tips an imaginary hat to the bar, the arena, and the whole glitter-drenched memory of the day. "Let’s get the hell home."

VESPER

Styling stolen from Sky (obviously)

Maea

If I could sing one last song

No sooner had she askked the question, than the announcement sounded for all to hear. Upon recognizing the name of the victor, Maea wooped and joined in to applaud Nova's success - it was nice to know that her contribution to the pot went towards someone she wouldn't hesitate to back of her own volition.

Finishing off her drink and exchanging pleasantries with any acquaintances that seemed inclined, eventually she dispersed along with the rest of the crowd. Maea had a skyship to catch, and as the excitement died down, she was starting to feel every bruised muscle and scraped patch of skin. A long, hot bath would not be bad - and maybe she would try to make one of the simple salves Alys had suggested she start with on her mission to become a better healer.

----

Maea out!

I'd make it a good one

RONIN

the white knight

"I feel like it would be unfair to go anything but easy on anyone but my husband," Ronin says with a breezy laugh, nodding towards Zavien and turning to snag a passing server for a couple of drinks. "Or maybe Sunjata, if I was feeling a bit mean," he adds, collecting two beers and passing one off to the other man. "But that's good to know. If it helps, I've got plenty of stories I could share where I've been a bit of an idiot. Laughing at yourself builds character." He winks.

Ah, but then said husband appears out of the corner of his eye, and it's with a departing nod and a promise to catch up again soon that he steps away from both Zavien and Lena, pretending to be entranced by the next bull and rider when Remi sidles up beside him. "Mm?" Grinning and turning to sling an arm around his shoulders, he scoffs to hear the words murmurs against his ear.

"Ah, it sounds like we had the same rodeo," he says. "With identical results, if only a slightly different rider."

i'll get over it
i just gotta be dramatic first

Dantalion

but you can't be free

"Oh yeah, pretty much," Danta grins at Astaroth as he settles beside him, popcorn in hand, drink sitting between his knees and the rest of him more than content to lean into the man at his side. And as the festivities begin, suffice to say that he's thrilled by each of the rodeo rounds, whether the riders last for one second or several, and he can't help but shake his head at Charlie's antics.

"At least she seems to be enjoying herself," he purrs, turning to press a kiss against Asta's shoulder. "Maybe we can try our own version of this when we get home, mm? Since you're already dressed like a cowboy." Winking, it's at that point that Colt calls out the results, and Danta abandons the last few kernels of popcorn to rise to his feet and stretch. "Well, that was fun. Shall we?"

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

He said "I bet you don't remember me"

Remi’s smile curves deeper as Maea appears, alive and only mildly dust-coated. He lifts his beer in return, clinking it lightly against hers in silent salute. "You are, obviously," he says smoothly, amusement softening the edges of his voice. "Survived a ride on a mythological beast and still managed to walk back for a drink. That’s more than most can claim."

He takes a sip of his beer, then leans ever so slightly into Ronin ’s side, their shoulders brushing with the casual intimacy of men who’ve been through too many storms to pretend at distance. "Well, I don't know about you, but I think this is just about all the excitement I can take for one day." Of course, the glint in his gaze suggests that this is a filthy lie. He bumps his shoulder against Ronin’s, mischief bright in his seaglass stare as he lifts his brows in a silent shall we, before turning to watch Colt award the winning round to one of the Marin's.

and I said "only ever other memory"

ISKRA

He remains half attentive to the events, gaze scanning the crowd every so often instead for the telltale signs of Melita's red hair spilling through it like unbound flame. When she does return she's like a conquering hero, prizes in hand in the shape of breaded knots. He glances over at her with a curious rise of his features, but he knows better than to ask. She likely wouldn't tell him anyway, and often there's not much deeper meaning to her mischief than just because. So whether Thorn deserved it or whether he's just an unfortunate result of convenience, Iskra is content not knowing and just enjoying the fact that his pants were left alone.

He tears some of her offered pretzel off, rolling his eyes as Vesper breaks out into the arena. "Surprised he doesn't look more like a donkey," Iskra mutters to her, because, y'know, he's an ass. When it's Sunjata's ride up next, he elbows her excitedly. "I didn't know your uncle is in this!" As the pegasus leaps out of the chute and quickly unseats his rider Iskra laughs with the entertainment of it all, cheering out louder for the known bull.

The events wind to a close though, and aside from watching Sunjata fall prey to a lasso-trap, the fun is through and the winners announced. "C'mon," he tells Mel as he stands, "let's go for a walk and then head home."

Yippee-ki-yay

Astaroth

i think i'm the devil in disguise, here's my state of mind

Chuckling lightly before he settles in for the show, Astaroth only steals a few pieces of popcorn from the bag of it that the Maverick has acquired. His arm slips around Danta’s shoulders, keeping him close even as his dark gaze scans round after round, and when it finally gets to Charlie, his interest is piqued.

He’s half prepared to tell Danta that Charlie might want to rethink her priestessness when the kiss to his shoulder and follow up of their own version of this hits his ears. Looking back at him with amusement and a hint of content at the idea, the butcher’s smile is a roguish when he nods and finally releases him to stand. “We can see how long you stay on, mm?” Comes the gentle tease back as he rises to his own feet after, tail flicking around his heels.

“We shall.” Looping Danta’s arm around his own, he guides them out of the rodeo along with the rest of the departing groups.

---

Asta and Danta outttt!

give me destruction, tell me i'm scrumptious
i'm a fucking delight

so we take our time and skip around some

It really isn’t his scene at all, but the courtesan is focused immensely on the rounds as they go, glad over and over again that he isn’t attuned in any way. He’ll happily take his magic over being ridden like this when he can think of so many other ways that would probably be way more fun.

Either way, Thorn waits until most of the participants and visitors have departed and @Colt’s given out her awards for the winners and continues to scout for any gourds in the crowd as he makes his way to her side to nudge her with his elbow. “Success! Now, how can I help? An’ don’t worry, made sure my belt was good.” He tacks on with a warm laugh and a wink.

Hawthorn

half my love is on the run

If you live your life slowly, you live only half life;

Nova giggles, certain that the sound barrier never stood a chance, when suddenly Colt is calling her name. She spins to greet her, glitter falling around her face as the rancher flicks her hat affectionately, earning another bout of sparkling laughter as she beams up at Colt. There's no surprise in her eyes, although she's still infinitely pleased with her victory, and she bounces with enough energy to go a few more rounds in the ring. 

"Thanks!" Accepting the box, she doesn't hesitate to pop in open and peek inside. A wiggle starts from her toes before making its way to the tips of her blonde and white curls. "Ooh! And it's sparkly!" She turns to show Calypso her prize with an excited grin, leaving Vesper to his little tryst with the rancher until he's calling them to leave. Having done what she set out to do - with style - Nova grabs at her siblings, linking their arms as they depart, her voice shimmering in their wake. "We should go get ice cream to celebrate! With sprinkles!"

Nova

if you live your life fast, you live five lives or ten lives or fifteen lives!

do you feel like a young god?

Beaming to watch as Nova and Vesper take home the grand prize, the belt buckle box and the bag of carrots blooming a laugh from her lips. She can only imagine how the buckle might glitter once her sister opens it (and she knows full well she’ll be right over her shoulder peeking into it).

Or not so much, as it turns out, when her sister shows her right then and there. “Oh it’s oerfect Nova!” She chimes, giving her sister a squeeze. And as the call to leave comes, she perks up, glancing toward her brother with a smug little smile on her lips. “Just a second.”

Slipping out of their little trio, Caly darts toward Colt with a bright smile, the sun glinting off of her golden hair and her skin enough to make her eyes almost living gold themselves. “Thanks for this. Hope y’do another one, maybe I’ll shoot my shot.” She beams her smile her way, knowing full well that it’ll be the talk of her house for at least the next week.

Calypso

And I came to, walking on the train tracks
How did I get here? And how do I get back?

Alys watched as rider after rider was unseated by their chosen "bull," wincing as each landed in the dirt. She was glad now that she hadn't elected to join in the festivities, choosing instead to simply watch. Once the winner was crowned, winning some kind of belt buckle and a pot of money, Alys made her way over to Colt.

"Hey," she said, shooting the woman a smile. She didn't know Colt well, but had seen her around King's End before. "This was really fun! Maybe next time I'll work up my nerve to enter." The seer laughed, then gestured at their surroundings. "Need any help with cleanup?"

I've been up all night, let's stay awake
Push it further, you know I'll never break

Alys

COLT

The crowd steadily disperses, and based on all the beaming smiles from everyone, even those who barely lasted their rides, she'd call this a success. Though, she definitely has some reimagining to do when it comes to the bulls+, since some of her choices might have been a tad overpowered compared to their riders. Although, even regular bulls can unseat their riders just as fast, but it's no surprise to her that both the horse-shaped additions are the ones that made it longest. Perhaps a dragon and a winged lion were just not built for staying seated, else her ranch might boast a different variety of mounts. Still, it had been fun, and that's what matters.

As Calypso approaches, Colt tilts her hat towards her, a wide smile glinting from underneath it at the praise tucked into the suggestion of again. "I'd love to see it, I'm sure you'd kick ass." She doesn't know Vesper's siblings real well, but she knows enough not to underestimate them, and if they're anything like him, they've got all the talent to take the rodeo by storm, as already evidenced.

Her attention flicks towards Hawthorn and Alys as they approach, waving a hand at their compliments, though they secretly warm her heart. "Aww shucks, thanks you two. I bet ya'll were wishing I'd say don't worry, but I'm not one to pass down help," she smirks. "Grab a bag and start picking up trash, if you don't mind? Gotta clean it all before the dogs and the vermin get into it or else it's gonna be scattered all over the pastures." People don't mean to, but wind, not looking, an accidental bump, and both food and little bits of paper and other materials make they way all over the bleachers, the arena, and the radius beyond. The rodeo might be over, but Colt's cleaning duties have just begun, and looks like so have theirs, though she'd certainly cut them loose far earlier than what she'd remain doing.

Wild horse out the gate
Yeah your heart about to break
She the type of woman that gon' make you lose control
She something wild, you might need a lasso

And I came to, walking on the train tracks
How did I get here? And how do I get back?

Alys was more than happy to lend a hand, so as others began to depart, she nodded her agreement. "Sure, no problem!" she said. To Hawthorn, she added, "I'll take this direction, if you'll take that way?" Then, grabbing a bag, she set out on her chosen path, grabbing bits of food or paper or whatever else looked like it didn't belong as she went. Using her telekinesis to lift trash into the bag kept her relatively clean - although covered in a fine layer of dust, kicked up by the "bulls" and their riders in the main event.

It took some time, but perhaps not as long as it might have were there fewer of them helping, and eventually, Alys returned to Colt with a bag full of trash. "If you'll just point me to where to leave this, I think that takes care of the trash!" She offered a smile. "Anything else you need, before I head out?"

I've been up all night, let's stay awake
Push it further, you know I'll never break

Alys

do you feel like a young god?

Flashing a golden smile toward Colt, the attuned nods her head enough that despite the hat set on her head, it doesn’t impede the way her curls bounce around her shoulders. You’ll be the first to know.” Tipping her a wink from the eye that boasts the star tattoo underneath it.

Swanning away from the woman, she makes her way back to her sibling’s sides, arms linking in with her sister’s and beaming a bright smile to her brother, she waits for them to lead the way out of the group — already inspecting her sister’s shiny belt buckle once more with a hint of unbidden excitement.

---

Caly out!

Calypso