[ME] Be Merry and Be Dazzled

Nova

It's insane to think it's been a year since they arrived, and she's been working on this party all season to celebrate. From ordering enough alcohol for an entire warehouse and making the Hanged Man sparkling clean to hanging glittering streamers and making mini bath bombs for party favors (glitter ones, of course). Along with the new renovations of star crystal chandeliers and galaxy velvet seat cushions, the entire bar is bedecked in decorations and evidence of the triplet's celestial heritage. She's also spared no expense on the geode cake that sits in the center of the room, a three-tier masterpiece almost as tall as she is that shows off the brilliant individualities of each sibling: marbled black and silver, marbled gold and white, and a marbled rainbow that really ties it all together (at least that's Nova's opinion). It's been tempting her want to take a bite all day, but the large gash in the side looks like a galaxy has beaten her to it; gold, silver, and dark colorful hues of edible crystals catching in the dim light, a cave of wonders hidden just inside.

Overall, she's very proud of herself, and with a final twist of the star-cutout lantern centerpiece, Nova lets out a giggle and a clap of her hands. "Okay! Now come here so I can make sure your birthday hats are straight before everyone gets here! That would be embarrassing." She turns to Calypso, adjusting the golden curls around the gold cone clipped in her hair, the words 'BIRTHDAY GIRL' in bright white puff paint so that all can see. Humming and bouncing, her fingers are deft and skilled in placing it perfectly on the crown of her head, shooting her sister a wink when she's finally satisfied.

Then Nova jumps on Vesper before he has a chance to escape, making sure the silver cone with similar black puff paint is perfectly visible (although she has to stand on a chair to do so). Only once she's certain it's going to stay despite any movements or verbal complaints does she turn to the mirror and fix her own. 

Hers is a rainbow of glitter twisting down the cone like a miniature tornado, the paint on hers written in white to keep it bright and match the pearly white strand of hair underneath. The loud pink of her dress is stitched with iridescent stars that shimmer as she moves, falling to that perfect length so that it flares just above her knees when she spins to look at her siblings, the brightest of smiles on her star-freckled face. "Happy Birthday! Let's get this party started!"

---

Welcome to the triplet's birthday party! 

All party poopers will be promptly removed, and Nova says if there's not glitter on you by the end, you didn't really celebrate them. XP

(All gifts are expected accepted!)

- Life is a party, and I’m the piñata -
- break me open, and all the fun spills out -

if you try and chase the sun you're never gonna catch it

Vesper should’ve known better. He had known better, technically. One glance at Nova’s manic glitter eyes a few days ago and he’d known there was no way this was going to be a subtle affair. Still, somewhere between “sure, I’ll help you carry boxes” and “you’re going to love your outfit, I promise,” he’d managed to vastly underestimate just how far she’d go.

And now here he is.

There’s a hat on his head—silver, puff-painted, aggressively cone-shaped—and he hasn’t even had the chance to straighten his collar before Nova is bouncing away to fix her own like a satisfied event planner about to receive an award. The air smells faintly of citrus bath bomb and sugar, which is a hell of a combination, and his reflection in the mirrored liquor shelf behind the bar is...well.

Tragic.

The shirt—his shirt, he suspects no longer—was once black. Now it glimmers with a sheen of microglitter that he’s ninety percent sure is never coming out. The sleeves have been rolled and pinned with tiny star-shaped clips. His usual silver rings remain, of course, and he’s still managed to keep his hair mostly in place despite the cone on his head—but only barely. There’s a small shimmer dusted across the crest of his cheekbones that he knows wasn’t there an hour ago. He glances down at his pants. They look normal, but Nova had mentioned the phrase “colour-shift when you twirl” at one point, and honestly? He’s afraid to test it.

Despite the indignity, despite the rainbow glitter now embedded beneath his nails, there’s something in his expression that gives him away: a warm flicker behind the cool blue, a curl at the edge of his mouth that won’t quite flatten. He’s watching Nova spin, watching Calypso grin, watching the whole damn bar sparkle like someone broke open a comet and scattered the pieces with a smile.

"Y’know," he drawls eventually, voice dry as ever as he tugs slightly at the neckline of his shirt, "ain't no way this bar is ever gonna see another day without glitter, you know that, right?" But even as he speaks, he reaches up and adjusts the birthday hat just so. Doesn’t take it off. Doesn’t threaten to. Just slides his hand into his pocket, leans a hip against the bar, and casts a slow look over the decorations like he’s filing it all away for the memory shelf he never admits to having.

And now it's turning out to be the worst of my bad habits

Code 100% taken from the queeeeeeen herself, Sky <3

Lately we've been covered by the past

An entire year since they’d touched down - since she’d felt the lingering warmth of the Longheat sun on her bare feet, since they’d arrived to carve out a portion of Torchline and Caido with their teeth. Needless to say, she’s quite pleased with the year they have, even with the golden glitter that dusts her cheeks and her attire — one that matches her sister in a more reserved chaos. It’s a pale golden pink, warm and glittery from the gold dusting that’s fallen everywhere and wouldn’t get out anytime soon, but boasts a sleeveless design. It hugs her curves in a mermaid fashion, with a few ruffles along her sides and under the skirt, matched with a glittery pair of heels.

“Well we can’t have that, huh?” She teases her sister, before striking the perfect pose for her sibling to adjust the golden cone in her hair - already left half down and half up to support the puff paint birthday hat while also letting her golden curls spill around her shoulders in shades of muted sunlight.

Her grin is vibrant as she aims it at Vesper and Nova, watching with amusement and adoration as her sister adjusts his hat, and knowing that of all things that her brother would pick to wear to designate himself as the birthday boy, the hat was not it.

Flashing a bright smile and a laugh to Vesper, she nods her head. “That’s how everyone’s gonna know it’s ours.” Her brows bounce playfully, nudging Vesper with her elbow before she’s leaning against the bar, stretched out back toward Nova with that same grin, a hand on the hat on her head to make sure it doesn’t fall off when she tacks on a “happy birthday!”

Calypso

But don't you think that we are made to last

JACK

"Gods, you need a pair of fuckin' sunglasses to make it through this place without goin' blind."

The last thing one might expect, arguably, is to see Jack Barclay in attendance at the birthday party of his three Safrin-born children - and believe it, the captain has been continually surprised at himself the entire walk over. At his back, a few of the more well-known members of his crew file in as well, offering gruff cheers and in some cases trying (and failing utterly) to wipe away glitter that has fallen onto their clothes.

A study in opposites, Jack is of course dressed in darker colours; a midnight blue button-down embroidered with tiny stars along the collar, and a pair of black slacks that you can't really see the blood on. (Go figure). Under one arm, he carries a small crate, swanning through The Hanged Man to deposit it on the bar. "Happy Birthday," he announces, using the blade from a knife in his boot to crack the crate open, rifling inside.

For Calypso he withdraws a bottle of something pale and greenish tinged - tequila, flavoured with cucumber and jalapeno peppers. For Nova there's a bottle of white rum with the faintest of faint pink hues (blushberries, though she'll only know that when she tries it). And for Vesper, there's a classic, single malt whiskey in its own wooden case. Not just that, though; a small white envelope sits atop it.

"That's for all three of you. Open it later, an' don't do anythin' I wouldn't," the captain instructs with a wolfish smile. "Now fuck off - I'll man the bar tonight."

romancing yourself is possible, narcissistic
and recommended

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

From the corner of the room a massive wine-spider scurries. Running toward you, it tries its best to crawl up your leg, hovering against you for warmth. Clearly something has startled it. Poor thing.

---

This is not a RE nor a rare creature. It cannot be used for levelling.

Wine Spider: These friendly arachnids can grow up to the size of a small housecat. With fuzzy bodies and spindly legs, they are often found lurking around wine racks or kegs of beer. They are almost always drunk, hiccuping and stumbling about. It is said that finding a baby wine spider in your drink is a lucky omen!

Nova

Vesper's drawl has her giggling, Calypso's comment echoing her own "Good." Life without glitter is boring after all. 

In the midst of the final touches, Nova spots their dad walking in and she rushes forward to meet him at the bar, bouncing and buzzing like a hummingbird while her arms come up in celebration of his arrival. "Jack! You made it! And you're the first one here!" There's a speck of surprise in her voice, although the excitement overwhelms any doubt she'd had. 

Her eyes immediately find the new alcohol and the small white envelope, delight making her magic shimmer around them as she leans forward on her toes to peek inside for anything else that might be hiding in the box of goodies. And only then does she turn to Jack again, her smile stretching wide. "You're the best!" Acting on pure instinct, there's no warning when Nova stretches up to plant a peck of a kiss on his cheek, glitter inevitably falling on his clothes in the process. She giggles again, a twinkling sound that follows her as she spins on her heels. 

It twists into a gasp as a familiar creature crawls up her leg. "Jeff! There you are!" She scoops him into her hands, noticing with no small amount of pleasure that he's already coated in glitter too. Jeff knows how to party. 

Then Jack's claiming the bar, shooing them off to have fun, and Nova doesn't have to be told twice. "Oh okay! Here!" She sets the wine spider on the bar, patting his head gently before giving Jack a beaming smile that leaves no room for explanations or arguments. "Make sure you take good care of Jeff! He's the resident taste tester." And with a wink, she spins around to see what kind of chaos she can brew up.

- Life is a party, and I’m the piñata -
- break me open, and all the fun spills out -

COLT

She'd been stunned when she read the glittering announcement, tracing the letters several times to make sure she had them down right. When they'd finally sunk in, she immediately set out to Hawthorn's house. She drug him along on all manner of shopping trips, catching him up on the latest details, until they were both dressed and aboard the sky ship headed to Torchline.

Colt loves a good party, though celebrating the birthday of a man who means more to her than she'd prefer, who's younger age and the strange workings of star-born demigod years only complicate things, makes this one feel a touch more convoluted than most. She's dutifully decided not to dwell on any of that, to ignore all the imperfections she knows are hiding behind the puff paint.

So it's just the slightest breath she sucks in as her hand finds the door of the Hanged Man, and as she tugs it open to reveal the whirlwind of color and shadow within, an easy smile settles into place. Her hair is swept over one shoulder, curled faintly at the edges. A smoky wash of makeup frames the gold of her eyes, and a cool-toned red on her lips looks like it might not survive the night. She’s swapped out her ranchwear for a sleek black skirt that hits mid-thigh, paired with a sheer slate-gray blouse with half sleeves, draping easy over her frame and the black camisole underneath. Her gray ankle boots are worn, but polished enough. Sapphire earrings and a matching necklace glint against her skin, joined by a few silver rings and a slim cuff at her wrist — nothing flashy, but enough to catch the light when she lifts her glass or gestures through a story.

Her eyes coast over the gathering, immediately drawn to Vesper, who is quite the sight in his birthday hat. Her smile deepens at the edges, pressing painfully against her cheeks as she stifles the laugh that threatens to loose. She clocks Jack as well, but her attention shifts to the remaining triplets, and though she hasn't met them before, she can tell them apart easily enough from Vesper's descriptions and their obvious differences. Nova's the loud one, Caly's more like the ocean, he'd told her once, along with a deeper, loving explanation of both that said a hell of a lot more about him than them.

"Hey!" she greets them all, offloading the three wrapped boxes in her arms onto the bar top. For Nova, a romance book that maybe doesn't have a glittery cover, but the man inside sparkles between the sheets. For Calypso, a golden glass suncatcher that will throw the various amber hues across her room in the right light. Vesper's gift is tucked behind a ring of three apples, the smallest box of the bunch. Inside, he'll find a black, braided-leather bracelet, three crystal-cut stars inlaid on one section, with sand from their venture sealed within, shifting faintly whenever the bracelet moves. "Happy birthday," she says warmly to all of them, though it's Vesper she's focused on.

Everything I hold dear resides in those eyes
You got that power over me
The only one I know, the only one on my mind

Mateo

Should'a seen what I wore
I had a cane and a party hat

Mateo has swanned through the doors of The Hanged Man many a time now, but this is the first time in a long while that he's brought a new botanical addition for the space. For the triplets and their space, specifically, but tomayto, tomahto and all that. Either way, he steps inside already streaming with colour and charm, and the shirt (if it can be called such) that drapes over him is cast in an array of jewel-tones that waft and move like butterfly wings when he spreads his arms. 

In said arms is said plant; a vibrant and thriving little thing bearing curious white fruit with red seeds dotted along their shining surfaces. "Happy Birthday!" he announces cheerfully to them all, setting the plant on the bar and grinning between Nova and Calypso. "These are called pineberries - they are a hybrid fruit that tastes a little like a pineapple. I thought it would be a good garnish for your cocktails. I put care instructions inside."

Tipping a wink to them through heavily kohled eyes decorated with a wash of twinkling cobalt blue, he then of course steps around to Vesper, thoughts immediately hazed with playful heat. "Nice hat," he purrs, fingers ghosting along the small of his back as he drifts by. "I have another present for you, if you like. But don't tell your sisters - just meet me in that cupboard back there when you get a chance."

I was the king of this hologram
where there's no such thing as getting out of hand

Not even the weight of the world could keep Hadama from attending the birthday of the triplets, and he ducked his head to enter the Hanged Man through the door for once, instead of swimming up to the bar in his usual way. There was reason for that: for once, in honor of the occasion, he had worn a shirt - or something close enough to one. A short robe was belted closed, seafoam green and flecked subtly with silver over his usual black leather trousers stitched with silver stars. He was well-bedecked in his usual collection of jewelry, from hair ornament to earrings to armlet, bracelets, and rings, but it was his finger- and toenails that really sparkled with a glittering mani-pedi courtesy of Flora.

He nodded courteously to Jack and Mateo, with a more reserved inclination of his head to Colt before moving towards the bar with an unhurried step, his gaze sweeping the three stars of the party with a twinkle in emerald eyes. "Happy birthday," he rumbled quietly, silently pleased to see even the serious Vesper partaking of the joy of the celebration in his own black-and-silver way. His stoic expression lightened to see Calypso, but it was Nova who drew the hint of a smile to his lips as he lifted the small packages he had brought with a teasing tilt of his head. "Where would you like your gifts?"

last couple of months kinda been a disaster

He didn’t know the triplets, but after grilling Colt before they arrive, he’s managed to snag something in Haulani for each of them if only to make his arrival seem less like he was tugged along (which he was, not that he’s complaining), but to also be able to not look like a fool as the only person that arrives without something in hand. And besides, he’s not going to claim he has a hand in what Colt’s brought. That was all on her.

“Happy birthday!” Comes Thorn’s greeting, stepping up beside Colt to drop his gifts off – each one wrapped in what he understood the assignment to be. For Nova, a rainbow scarf, knitted and glittery because Leafchange is on the horizon and he remembers how Torchline gets when it finally arrives, is nestled into a glittering box. For Calypso, a box covered in gold that harbors a candle that sits in a glass jar designed to look like sunflowers. And for Vesper, the more difficult of them, a dark sleek velvet touched box that holds a crystal rocks glass with constellations etched into the glass.

With that done and a bright smile offered to the triplets and a grin flashed toward Colt, a polite nod offered to Hadama as well, he finds himself stepping away for the only other more familiar face amongst the rest of them. Mateo will soon find the courtesan in his orbit. “Hey stranger.” Comes the easy drawl, the crooked smile, the ease of which Thorn leans against the bar.

Hawthorn

tell all my friends i'm asleep if they ask ya

Everybody sour like a lemon tree

She could have warned him on their date, or in a letter, or any possible means. She didn't though, instead he found out from a flyer too bright to ignore, and the sheer panic it sent through his heart when it registered nearly sent him running to the nearest healer. With limited time, and even more limited knowledge of his new home, he's run around a bit like a headless chicken in an attempt to collect something worthy for her, and some attire that wasn't just beach bum or soldier coded.

So with his heart in his throat, he makes the flight to Torchline once more, idly wondering if he could get some sort of discounted pass for how often he uses this route. He bursts through the door of the Hanged Man with his usual gusto, because stress aside, he is absolutely stoked to celebrate Calypso and her siblings, and he'd happily sink into some festivities right about now. Expecting she'd be in gold, he's gone for a sky blue suit, accented with gold at the cuffs, buttons, and belt. Maybe fancier than needed for a bar party, but given the last time he'd been here he'd been in jorts and a bikini, he figures he'll trade one extreme for another.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" he roars as he steps in, smile so wide it presses in on his eyes. Calypso's radiance is immediately noticed, and calls his gaze, something warm tugging in his chest at the sight of her. He couldn't forget her sweet sister Nova of course, or sour Vesper, which is why in his hand he's got a box that's for all of them: a red velvet cupcake for Caly, a funfetti one for Nova, and a lemon one for Vesper. Made by the best baker in King's End, and decorated with an over the top abundance of cream cheese frosting, applicable garnish and either a dusting of gold, rainbow, or silver as applicable for the person.

He stops dead in his tracks though when his attention coasts past the other attendees and lands on Jack. Kaisel instantly pales. He probably shouldn't be surprised, given he's their father, but Kaisel would have been less shocked to see Safrin herself. "What the fuck is he doing here?"

Kaisel

I'm just smiling down upon my enemies

if you try and chase the sun you're never gonna catch it

Vesper doesn’t turn when the door opens—he doesn’t need to. Thoughts always precede footsteps, and Colt ’s arrive in a ripple of surprise and resolve. He registers the hitch in her breath, the tidy way she tucks her nerves beneath silver and slate, and by the time her boots carry her inside, he’s already preparing for impact. She lands softly against the edges of his thoughts—cool, smoky, composed—and then there’s her laugh just behind her teeth, the warm pulse of her amusement when she sees the party hat still crowning his hair like some sort of divine punishment. He doesn’t move from where he’s leaning against the bar, one hand resting lightly on the edge of the crate Jack brought, the other cradling his glass. But when Colt’s attention grazes his sisters, when her gifts touch the bar with quiet intention, Vesper exhales softly. He certainly isn't the type to enjoy receiving gifts, though from her mind the demigod already knows what to expect. His throat is too tight for words at first, so he takes a sip of whiskey instead, hiding the flicker of feeling behind the rim of the glass.

Then Mateo drifts past, sugar-tongued and shameless as ever, fingertips ghosting across the small of Vesper’s back. There’s laughter curled in his thoughts and something hotter too, an image half-formed of exactly what that cupboard might hold. Vesper doesn’t startle, but his mouth tugs wryly as he tilts his head just slightly, eyes following the movement. "Careful," he murmurs, only loud enough for Mateo to catch, "someone might think you're here for more than just the plants."

And then—Kaisel  

The sound of his voice crashes through the room like a glass bottle hitting stone. Vesper doesn’t bother to hide the long-suffering breath he exhales through his nose, turning just enough to face the man currently paling in the doorway. "He's our dad, genius," he says crisply, raising his glass like he’s offering a toast before setting it down with exaggerated patience.

Then, with the dryest of smirks: "Calypso? Your boyfriend looks like he's about to wet himself." He lifts his voice just enough for her to hear. "Come pet him before he ruins his nice new outfit."

And now it's turning out to be the worst of my bad habits

Code 100% taken from the queeeeeeen herself, Sky <3

Theea

yla

I step just inside the Hanged Man and hesitate.

It’s not that I didn’t know what to expect. I’d seen the glitter from down the road, like the sky cracked open and poured a party into the bar. But standing in the doorway, trying not to get in anyone’s way, I have to swallow the sudden weight in my chest. There’s music, and laughter, and light catching off every moving body. It smells like sugar and spice and maybe a little bit of sea-wet leather. My dress catches on a gust from the open door behind me—flowing light blue, soft and loose around my legs in uneven folds. I reach back, press it down absently.

I made more of an effort this time. My thick hair’s twisted into a bun, too many waves escaping around my neck and ears, but that’s fine—it feels like me. Glitter freckles fan across my cheekbones in a careful scatter, catching light that doesn’t quite reach my nerves.

The bag in my hand has butterflies on it. It’s pretty. Inside is a box of chocolate chip cookies I baked this morning, still a little soft at the center. I take a breath, find Calypso across the room, and steel myself. She’s the only one of the triplets I’ve spoken to.

Walking to the bar is like stepping through a constellation parade. There are people everywhere. Beautiful ones. Loud ones. Legends. A wine spider on the bar stumbling across the floor (and it makes my chest ache with missing Soot). I make it to Calypso, offering the bag with both hands and a shy smile.

“Happy birthday!” I chirp, looking from her to her siblings but not quite lingering on either one, but I grin at them all “These are for all of you. I baked them. Just—something sweet to share.”

And then I see those cupcakes from Kaisel . The kind that belong in a royal banquet, not next to my humble batch of homemade cookies. I blink, biting back a laugh and trying not to fold in on myself.

“...And maybe a strong drink?” I add with a sheepish glance at whoever’s behind the bar. “Something that won’t argue with me you kn…” Wait a fucking second. Jack . ”Captain! Remember me? You gave me a ride here.”

Know I'm gonna get there somehow, take it all in and breathe out
I got everything I need now, think I'm done looking down,
got my head in the clouds

Nova

Deciding that she's the designated gift collector, Nova flits around the bar like a hummingbird, a level of energy that rivals that of her coffee highs. Her spastic movements look elegant when paired with the flaring of her dress, real and illusionary glitter following her every movement. 

Starting with Colt, she takes in the woman who's wearing an annoying level of black, shaking her head in disapproval. "Lady, this is a party. You need more color!" Having expected that this might be the case for some, Nova's prepared. She reaches behind the counter to reveal a giant. Fuzzy. Bright pink. GLITTERY SCARF. that she immediately wraps around Colt's neck. 

Her face cracks into a pleased grin and her head nods like all's right in the world again. "See? Much better. Thank you for the gifts!" And without another word - although plenty of giggles - Nova darts across the bar to deposit the presents. 

She makes it back in time to find her brother's... friend? offering forth a plant. Not much of a flora person herself (the Queen being an exception), she hasn't the faintest idea what it is before he explains, but what she does know is that the tiny white berries with red seeds polka dots are adorable. Gasping lightly, she bounces to get a better look, already gathering the plant in her arms as she says, "Cute! Thanks Mateo! And I love your shirt!" The sleeves are already giving her a million ideas.

But then she's off again. A woman on a mission. 

On her way to the table, her eye level shows a familiar bare chest peeking from beneath a fashionable robe that draws her shimmering gaze up in delight. "Hadama! I'm glad you made it! I'm making a pile over here, placing the best wrapped ones on the top!." Lugging the plant, she shows him to the table and the small variety of gifts that have already been stacked, ignoring the tiny tears in the paper that show someone has been snooping at what may be inside. It's no coincidence that they all have her name on them. 

When she makes it back to the bar this time, she's greeted by an unfamiliar face, not that she's complaining. Hawthorn has a very attractive face. Nova blinks once, barely a twinkle of surprise before she's giggling it away. "Oh hi! I like your tattoos!" She taps an admiring finger over one of the vines - coincidentally leaving a patch of glitter - before shooting him a bright smile and collecting the gifts from his arms. "Thank you!" And then she's zipping through the growing crowd again, sparkles falling in her wake. 

Next is Kaisel, arriving in something a little stiff for her liking, but he makes up for it in enthusiasm, and Nova giggles as she flits forward to greet him. It's with a twirl and an amused level of nonchalance that she swipes the box from his grasp, adding to Vesper's quip, "Yep! He's also the bartender tonight!" Like it's the most natural thing to find the captain manning the bar instead. But she leaves Calypso to deal with that particular oddity, her mouth watering as she peeks inside the box. 

Another girl appears to approach Caly, so she decides she has a moment to breathe, claiming one of the free barstools in a dramatic draping of her limbs. "Whoo! That's hard work!" She says it to no one in particular, just letting her eyes roam the bar, a satisfied tilt to her lips as she snags a vibrantly colored sweet drink from Jack - a reward for herself that she gladly indulges in.

- Life is a party, and I’m the piñata -
- break me open, and all the fun spills out -