synflux | OPEN💗 LATE VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY

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OPEN💗 LATE VALENTINE'S DAY PARTY

WHO: Newbies, oldbies, everyone is welcome!
WHAT: A Late Valentine’s Party mingle, since Valentines’ Day was over Kaiju month…
WHERE: “MANTRA”, an underground, alternative club in Neo Toyko
WHEN: March 10th
WARNINGS: Romance and shippy things, alcohol, hookah, suggestive things. Anything NSFW is to be appropriately labelled.

Around the 10th of March, Outsiders will receive a message in their ocular inbox from Kabru, the Outsider also known as @ rasgulla. The message reads:

“To my dearest friends and teammates,

If we haven’t met before, call me Kabru. When not on missions as an Outsider, I work as a freelance event planner for various businesses and private organizations within Neo Tokyo.

Valentines’ Day is a popular holiday in Japan that was sadly interrupted last month by the kaiju. My current client is holding a belated Valentines’ Day event and they would really like the Outsiders to come. There will be plenty of food and things to do. Even if you're not looking for a romantic time, I'd encourage you to come!

Please wear something comfortable. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Yours sincerely,

Kabru.”

A location pin comes attached with the invitation. It looks like Kabru’s become more adept at technology over the months.

Follow the location pin and you’ll find yourself in front of ‘Mantra’ in metro Tokyo, an underground, alternative club making waves for its uniqueness in the club scene. Outsiders will all be allowed in without much fuss. The owner of the club is a gentle woman who kindly requests that all guests take their shoes off and leave them at the side. There is a lingering scent of incense and the people hanging out in the club look remarkably calm as they relax; cuddling and enjoying each other’s company. What kind of Valentine’s day party is this? A New Age, alternative kind, apparently. The owner of the club wants to be promoting togetherness in a completely different way.

Thankfully, finger foods and alcohol appear to be abundant, even if Kabru would really like you to be mingling with the people! There is a bar with free flowing wines and spirits, and a table with hors d'oeuvres and small desserts as accompaniment. These can include sushi rolls, small sandwiches, crab cake bites, small skewers, chocolates, little cakes and tarts. Food aside, there is live music playing and guests are highly encouraged to dance.

Naturally, couples are also coupling up, but anything too raunchy is of course cordoned off to a private room. Also, ignore the people smoking electronic hookah at the side…

What can you do besides eat and drink?

1. DANCING 💗

The DJ mostly plays trance and synth pop music in the background but he’s happy to take requests. On the dancefloor,there’s always a group of tipsy guests dancing their hearts out, some dancing alone and others dancing as a couple. There’s no right or wrong way to dance and most people will not cast judgement. Give it a try? Better hurry, before some of the overeager guests try to drag you in.

2. CUDDLE PILE 💗
Numerous cushions are set out around the venue for guests to lounge in and cuddle. It’s highly encouraged, in fact! Especially after a vigorous dance session. There are people lying together in larger groups, and couples choosing to spend their time lounging and enjoying each other’s company. Finding it difficult to relax? The owner might give you a whiff of her special perfume that’s guaranteed to put you in a state of complete calm. It might even make you more open about lying together with someone else.

3. SPEED DATING 💗

There’s a speed dating round going on in one side of the club. Guests are numbered and paired up randomly, then given a short amount of time to get to know each other on a speedy little date. Don’t know what to say? A list of questions will flow in through the oculars to give you a prompt. (Please refer to here and here for some examples or make up your own!)

4. MAKE SWEET TREATS 💗

In the spirit of Valentines’ Day, the owner of the club is hosting a quick desserts-making workshop at the event. Guests will be provided with ingredients and taught to make chocolate or cupcakes, and they will get the chance to decorate it however they like. It’s highly encouraged to make something to give to your sweetheart or the person you admire. Do you really want to be the person eating their own chocolate on Valentines’ Day?

5. PARTY GAMES 💗

What’s a party without party games? Throughout the night, people will be getting drunk and playing local drinking games such as the King’s Game. Eventually, other games from the West get introduced by other people. These games include Truth or Dare, Spin the Bottle and 7 Minutes in Heaven.

6. TAKE SOMEONE HOME 💗

If it looks like you're having a pretty good time with someone else, a helpful robot will approach you and provide you both with a key to a private room. Some of these private rooms are normal and some are themed, similar to a love hotel. There's no need to actually do anything raunchy of course. You could just cuddle up and enjoy the warmth of the digital fireplace! Everything one might need for a nice time together (condoms, lubricant etc) will be readily available.

As the event planner, Kabru will be buzzing around and making sure everything runs smoothly, but he can be stopped for questions or concerns (pls be nice to him he has anxiety). Characters can sit out of anything they want, but drunk and overeager guests might decide to drag them in.

[ OOC: I put this up so everyone can enjoy a chill mingle after the chaos of last month! And also because we didn’t get the opportunity to have do much for Valentines’ Day given the timing. Naturally, please label any NSFW, add your content warnings appropriately, and state your boundaries and preferences in terms of shipping/gen/being tagged by younger/older characters. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A. Food and Drink

[Despite the large area dedicated to dancing, Taryon is avoiding the wild movements and chaotic choreography in favor of sipping a deep red wine and snacking on a stack of tiny sandwiches.

And he's not come alone - unless you don't count a nine-foot-tall magic-powered automaton that followed Taryon into the club. The owner asked that any robotic assistants (thankfully, it was easy to pass Doty as just another AI-powered drone) to be kept away from the crowded areas of the room, leaving Taryon's constructed friend regaled to the edges of the room.

He settles onto a pile of pillows in the cuddle pile to enjoy this moment of luxurious living, observing how the others dance and trying to memorize the movements in case someone asks him to join. Hopefully they won't ask him to show off his moves. It might make everything worse.

The moment someone wanders by, he starts the conversation first:] Come join me! There's plenty of room here. Seriously, did you try these pillows yet? I wonder how much they cost.

B. Sweet Treats

You know, I co-owned a bakery with my friends before I arrived here. I was the best at selling what we had in stock, being so naturally charismatic myself- [He pours in the last spoon of cocoa powder into the cupcake batter, adding a little flourish of the spoon that knocks off perhaps an additional fraction of a gram.] but I was also an amazing baker. Did you know that my blondies were reknowned throughout the city that the bakery served?

I know what I'm doing. [Taryon says, taking hold of the whisk and the bowl himself. If anything, the movement of his wrist shows that this isn't the first time he's been in a kitchen. Someone might have to tell him that he didn't properly measure all of the chocolate powder they need.]

C. Speed Dating (m/m)

[This looks fun! Not very romantic, but Taryon sees the potential in making new friends this way. Taryon slides onto his end of the table, smiling and eager to earn a perfect score on first date etiquette, his hands folded on the table.] Good evening! [No, no, that's coming on too strong. Quieter voice, Tary.] I'm Taryon, in case you haven't heard of me.

[A pause to let his partner appreciate his freshly combed hair and new neon blue vest.]

Alright, so let met go first. What is...[A list of prompts pop up, and Taryon reads the first.] Do you want any children one-- shit! No! Forget that! Hold on--

[Taryon covers his face with a hand, and his eyes flick back and forth in a rush to find a more appropriate question for a first date.] What is your favorite Disney...no, um- If you had to give a TED talk-- what's a TED talk?

I'm sorry, I mean- What's your favorite book? Yes! Yes, let's go with that. [He resumes his initial posture: back straight, hands folded, and his mouth incredibly tight and his face red.

Wildcard

((OOC: feel free to come up with anything here! I'm open to things heading in a NSFW direction if we discuss it first))

Edited 2025-03-11 20:17 (UTC)

[Astarion is passing through the crowds of people, holding a cupcake in a small, plastic bin, grumbling to himself about a red stain on the shirt of his fashionable new outfit, but as he prowls past the strange, so-called "cuddle puddle" he recognizes the top of dirty blond hair.

He comes to a stop and leans over on tip-toes, as if peeking over the edge of a cliff.]

Well, well, well. Look who it is.

[The red stain is very noticeable to Taryon's discerning eye (although his eye for fashion is more sensitive to that for danger). His gaze is fixed on that spot of imperfection of Astarion's outfit before he realize that he has a singular object in his tray. ]

I was invited to this party, too. What's that you have there? [Taryon sits up and sets his glass aside, shifting to the side, though there are already dozens of available pillows for the taking.]

Of course, darling, but that doesn't mean you would actually come. But I was hoping to find you here.

[Ah, being invited to sit beside him! How far they've come. He gracefully steps down into the pit, sinking to the pillows beside him like a feather floating to the ground. He holds the cupcake out to him with a nice little flourish.]

Here, for you.

[The cupcake is chocolate, and decorated beautifully with red, white and pink roses...okay, they look more like round blobs of colored frosting in some attempt of a pattern. But it was the best one he decorated. All the others he handed out randomly to whoever would take them.]

I never turn down an opportunity to attend a festive gathering! What else would I be doing, sitting in my room with only Doty for company and playing a video game?

[Even though that sounds like a lovely, relaxing time for Taryon. However, with friends attending this celebration of romance, he had all the more reason to socialize.]

This? [Of course Astarion figured out a way to display a baked sweet so elegantly without dropping frosting onto the expensive pillows. It adds a sense of beauty to the mess of a pattern.

A cupcake is a cupcake. Taryon holds it from the botton delicately as if it were a component of a gourmet dish, looking touched.] Thank you. That's...rather thoughtful of you.

...I'll need a plate to eat this. [He's not some sort of ill-bres ruffian eating food out of his own hand.]

Yes. Exactly that.

[Not that Astarion would be any better off. He would be in his room alone reading or maybe staring some of the trash on the media feed from the eye implant.]

You're welcome. I even decorated it myself.

[He says that with a little more pride than it deserved.

The request for a plate, however, has him rolling his eyes and making a tsk sort of sound.]

It's clearly a finger food, Taryon, surely you have been to parties with those?

[Is this how people feel when Taryon praises his own good work when it's mediocre at best? Could everyone be simply be polite when they commend his skills? Is he truly coasting by in life by the sympathy of friends who don't want to hurt his feelings?

Taryon won't dwell on that and his lifelong imposter syndrome and instead focus on the offense of Astarion's response.] They serve finger food with plates or napkins. How else are they going to prevent crumbs from getting all over the place. Here.

[He hands out the cupcake for Astarion while he scoots off the pillow. It may be difficult, but he will attempt to stand up using only the weight of his upper body and the strength of his legs. So far, success has not been made, and for a good few seconds, he's making it an inch off the seat.]

[He watches Taryon in disbelief as he struggles to get back onto his feet. He knows he's stronger than him--was it only arm strength?? He sets the cupcake down an empty pillow, balanced so it won't ruin his beautiful flower frosting, and effortlessly stands up.]

Honestly. Seems you need to work on your leg strength, darling. [A small roll of his eyes to prove he was being judgemental even as he helpfully holds out his hand to him.]

It's just- it's difficult to get up when you're so close to the floor. [With both hands free, Taryon gives himself a small shove to lift himself into a balanced squat, grabs Astarion's hand, then leaps onto his feet.] Then I'll simply have to adjust by workout routine to work on my legs. I've been working too much on my endurance, since it's far more practical for a fight.

[He will not admit that he's not really that much more athletic than the average adult human man. Nor that his little sister did a better job at working out that he did.]

Thank you.

Of course it is. [He says, obviously placating, pulling him up with a small grunt. Upon standing, Taryon is close enough Astarion can feel his body heat. He doesn't immediately let go of his hand, and nods.] You're welcome.

[As they continue to hold hands, both take note of the temperature of the others. Astarion's hand is colder. Of course it has to be cold, Taryon chides himself, the elf's dead. Unfortunately, his ability to speak and move about doesn't erase the fact that he's a walking corpse.

...A creepy thought. Tary will not follow that and instead let go and stuff his hand into a pants pocket.]

Anyway: I'll take the cupcake. I should make something for you in exchange, after all that effort you put into it.

[The way Taryon quickly shuffles his hand into his pocket doesn't go unnoticed, and for some reason it makes him feel . . . odd. Uncomfortable? Bad. That was the simple way to put it. He is no stranger to people remarking how cold he feels, and he would always respond in a purr about how they could help warm him up, but seeing Taryon hide his hand away as if to keep it away from him was new.

He blinks as Taryon began talking, a welcomed distraction from this terrible new feeling.]

Oh, it was no trouble. However... [A pause as he leans in, a charming smile on his lips.] ...there is something I would like to ask in return.

[Taryon leans away slightly with Astarion's approach.]

...Is it something I should be worried about? I mean, I trust you as a friend, but I really don't want to go to jail.

[It's always a narrow escape, whether in Exandria or on Earth. His luck has to run out at some point.]

[This reaction doesn't offend him at least, it's fair enough. But with a playful note in his voice, he answers:]

Not unless magic is suddenly criminalized. A bit of presidigitation, if you don't mind?

[He straightens himself out while pulling out the bit of his shirt with the red stain on it.]

Surely a fastidious gentleman such as yourself has that spell in your repertoire.

Um.

[His eyes dart around the room in a telltale sign of panic. He's a budding artificer who uses tools to cast his spells ~~based on the UA ruleset for Artificers~~, and he didn't think much about preparing something for mundane spells. Presidigitation wasn't flashy and worthy of including in his autobiography.]

I...let me see what I can do. One second. [He raises a finger, then turns in his heel to run for his bag. It should be a simple enough spell to imbue into a coin, he just has to figure out the components and write them down.]

[He obeys and stands there for a moment, then asks himself why the hells was he obeying him for. Following him to his bag, he comes up behind him, perhaps unheard, and eventually asks:]

So you can't just cast it like a wizard or a sorcerer?

[He knew Taryon tended to use items as a means to spellcast, but Astarion had assumed it was merely a clever way to have a spell on hand in case you ran out of your own magical essence, not a necessity. Artificers weren't very well known to him.]

I'm not a wizard or any of those fellows that focus solely on the esoteric side of spellcasting. [Meaning they he swears he's not that much of a nerd. With his hand resting gracefully on his hip, he raises his chin.] I imbue my powers into objects, and only some are available at command.

[Which doesn't include useful cantrips.]

I mean, I could potentially follow the proper hand flourishes for it, but I'm a worldly man, not someone who wishes for things to come into existence.

Hm. That doesn't sound as convenient as those esoteric hand flourishes. [He doesn't look too impressed at the moment.] Now, don't get me wrong, I see the benefit in having a coin that can help you fly in a jot, or a giant automaton fighter, but what if you just want a good old fashioned Fireball?

[He illustrates this by holding up a hand with closed fingers then throwing them open, as if an explosion.]

Then you should speak to a wizard...or I build something that casts it. [Taryon hesistates towards the end of the sentence, wondering if he should come off as more aggressive, but ends up rather uncertain. Can Taryon tinker a fireball?] If I had some gems, it would be easier.

[He attempts to imitate Astarion's hand movements, but it just feels like he's imitated gestures he's seen drawn in a manual.]

Besides, it's way cooler to run into battle, blade drawn, in armor, fighting the enemy head-on.

That I cannot disagree with. Though, my preference is lunging from the darkness and inflicting a startling blow. [He titters, a bit more blood-thirsty of a sound than his previous giggles.]

[Why are so many adventurers eager for a fight? Taryon's face is stoic as Astarion revela in his love of backstabbing.]

Anyway. [He presses the pads of his fingers together, palms facing each other.] We should wash that before someone notices. There's soap in he restrooms.

[Charging in recklessly or attacking from the shadows, both help you win in the real world, Taryon.

He looks vaguely disappointed.]

Really? We've just decided on soap and water then?

Oh. [He must have been looking forward to having magic used for mundane applications. Now Taryon would be a real jerk not to fulfill his wish.]

I...will prepare the spell. You should find a spot where no one can see the mess for a few minutes.

I...what?

[Astarion is starting to get whiplash. He just didn't want to expend the effort of getting red out of a white shirt using elbow grease, it wasn't as if he found it impressive.

With a quick shake of his head, he just . . . goes with it. He gestures at the nearest corner, walking toward it.]

I'll just wait over there, shall I?

Alright.

[Now that Taryon has a new goal ("make Astarion think I'm really cool"), he runs to the table and takes a napkin. He scribbles some runes, writing out what components are associated with each part of the spell. It should be easy, if any wizard can do it, so if he perhaps uses a towels to control the stains.

Actually...yes! If he can infuse some of the spell into his glove he could control the magic....his brownish furrowed as he does his god damn homework during a party.]

Taryon Darrington | Critical Role | Redemption

Modified A

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