OPEN TO EVERYONE: Summer Gala

[bowdown]

Characters: Everyone!
Location: By the Park swimming pool
Rating: G to PG (any higher rating, please make a private log)
Time: 20th June (FORWARDED DATE)
Notes: Go ahead and add links as you please under the main threads. If there is anything you need or I forgot, contact me and I will add!

Tonight, the park is full of life. Lights show the way towards the swimming pool, where you can find large white tents set up, all connected to each other. Music, loud chatter and laugher come from them, and inside you may find Guests and Natives enjoying the night together, a rare sight after recent events happening in the City. But tonight, all of that is to be forgotten. Maybe.

Welcome to the Summer Gala.

Feel free to leave your coat by the Coat room, listening to music (some songs are even played by Guests such as Karina, Shinji, Nanami, Hamel and John), dance together (don’t forget the Partner’s dance!), enjoy good food and good drinks, and perhaps after take a stroll by the swimming pool and the park.

But please, don’t forget to thank your hosts, Keroro’s and Eve’s Metokkori R and Hikan Café, and thank Cupid, Lily’s Yesterday's Magic, Hyoubu’s World’s End, Condesce’s Betty Crocker Bakery and the Watch for all their help. And if there is any disaster with your clothing and hair tonight, look for Kanaya and she will give you a hand!

■ PREPARATIONS

Condesce [Open]
Keroro[Open]

■ ARRIVAL/COAT ROOM

Condesce [Open]
Sendo [Open]
Saya [Open]
Bumblebee [Open]
Matt [Open]
Re-l [Open]
Naoto [Open]
Lee [Open]
Fujino [Open]
Meenah [Open]
Minatsuki [Open]
Minako [Open]
Duo [Open]
Near [Open]
Hyoubu [Open]
Giroro [Open]
Kanaya [Open] - Clothing Repairs
Edgeworth [Open]
Dolorosa [Open]
Sugata [Open]
Hiro [Open]
Alucard [Open]
Cupid [Open]
Raidou [Open]
JK [Open]
Yuugi [Open]

■ DINNING TABLES

Saya[Open]
Senji [Open]
Re-l [Open]
Duo [Open] *
Josuke [Open]
Vincent [Open]
Sugata [Open]
Hiro [Open]
Naoto [Open] *

■ BAR

Matt [Open]
Re-l [Open] *
Psiioniic [Open]
Senji [Open]
Duo [Open]
Snake [Open]
Cupid [Open]
Meenah [Open] *

■ BALLROOM

Partner's dance
Lily [Open]
Minatsuki [Open]
Minako [Open]
Karina [Open]
Genesis [Open]
Kanaya [Open]
Dolorosa [Open]
Fujino [Open]
Hamel [Open]
Sugata [Open]
Hiro [Open] *
Yako [Open]
Asuka [Open]
Cupid [Open]
Sendo [Open]

■ SWIMMING POOL

Saya [Open]
Matt [Open]
Condesce [Open] *
Hyoubu [Open]
Shinji [Open]

■ LAVATORIES

Condesce [Open]
Yamazaki [Open]

■ WATCH AREA

Neji [Open]
Mello [Open]
Fabiola [Open]
Karkat [Open] *
Gray [Open]

■ PARK

Amaterasu [Open]
Mizuno [Open]

Comments

[peacocked]

[he ducks his head a little at her accusation. he only said it was minor so no one else would freak out. that's the last thing he wants anybody to do with him.] I'm truly sorry if I worried you, Yako. [he'll try his best so it won't happen again.]

And yes, he did. We talked when I got home from work three days ago. We're on better terms now.

[itaidakimasu]

I'm more upset about the lie, honestly. I mean...well, I guess we haven't known each other very long, so I understand not wanting to go too deeply into details, but...

{She gives a little sigh and shrugs a little, nudging his arms into the right places once they reach the dance floor proper. She looks up and smiles, though, at the latter half of what he says.}

Good. I thought I got through to him, so hopefully he won't try and keep the people who care about him at arms length again anytime soon.

[peacocked]

It's not that I wouldn't go into detail because of that. [because, if anything, he would probably share that kind of information with her because she's the closets person he feels comfortable confiding things to.] But, it's more of me not wanting to burden other people with my issues or problems. It's just... how I was raised. If he wasn't there I wouldn't have told Takuto about it either.

[once his hands are in place he gently leads her around to the beat of the song that's currently playing.]

Thank you for that. I... don't know what I would have done if he kept ignoring me.

[itaidakimasu]

Not taking proper care of yourself is far more of a burden in the long run. If Takuto had done something like this, you would have been all over him and you know it.

{And oh, he doesn't know enough to see the blatant hypocrisy in Yako's words, but she's working on it.}

I don't think he knows what he would have done if he kept ignoring you. Like I said before; he needs you. This place...it's definitely changed him from the person he arrived as, but I think you help him remember that who he was isn't gone; it's just a piece of who he is now, instead of just the whole picture. And you never have to thank me for something like this, Shindou-kun.

[peacocked]

I was just trying to ensure that he got looked at as well. [sorry yako, you'll find out that he kind of puts his friends over himself.] But I suppose you do have a point. I would have been upset had he done the same thing.

I would like to think I do. But sometimes it's hard. Especially when he's so ready to throw the towel in on himself. And of course I do. You have done so much for him already. So much I haven't done.

[itaidakimasu]

I know, but you could have gone back after. And you didn't.

{She puffs her cheeks out at that last comment and slides her hand down to prod him in the chest, hard.}

Hey. Hey. None of that, okay? Yes, I have taken care of him; I love him. But it's not a matter of 'Who's Done More'; the important thing is that we both help keep him from sinking into himself. We're both important to him.

[peacocked]

[could have should have but didn't. oh well! he's learned his lesson for now. he does wince a little at the finger jab though. he bows his head and momentarily stops dancing. a couple of minutes later he picks back up with the slow familiar pace.]

Yes, of course. You're right. We have to keep him strong.

[itaidakimasu]

In my eyes, strong is just a perk. I want him happy. God knows he deserves to be.

{ She leans her forehead against his shoulder with a quiet sigh.}

I can't be there for him all the time, or in all the ways he needs. You make him happy in ways I just can't, Shindou-kun. And I don't think I can ever fully convey how glad it makes me to know you're here for him.

[peacocked]

[he smiles down at her fondly as he pauses to twirl her around some.]

Happiness is what I also aim for. I don't know how many times I tell him that he deserves to be happy every once in a while. And of course. I will do my best, as you'll do yours.

[itaidakimasu]

{She comes back from the twirl giggling because...well, it's hard not to after getting spun like in the movies.}

He can be stubborn. We might have to coordinate or even combine our efforts sometime.

[peacocked]

[he could do so much more if he had the use of his other arm, but for now she'll have to deal with the things he can pull off.]

It wouldn't be Takuto if he weren't a little stubborn or hardheaded. I'm sure we'll work something out though.

[and at that a new song starts. it's a little faster than the other. but sugata adapts to the new rhythm seamlessly.]

[itaidakimasu]

{They can have another not-date/dancing rematch after his arm heals.}

True. I'll look forward to it, then.

[peacocked]

[he's already planning on it! he leads her around effortlessly though.]

As will I. So, other then... all of this, how have you been?

[itaidakimasu]

...

{She grimaces, looking away guiltily.}

...I went on a mission to rescue Sai. So. Not horrible, just kind of tired.

[peacocked]

[understanding dawns on his face as he twirls her once more.]

How did that go?

[itaidakimasu]

He's in the hospital and not massacring people or flamingos, so I'm chalking it up as a win.

{And the spin lifts her spirits slightly. Good job, Sugata.}

[peacocked]

Massacring flamingos... [he shakes his head at the mental image.] Maybe it's best I don't ask. But how much sleep have you gotten since then?

[itaidakimasu]

The normal amount.

{Yay for non-answers!}

[peacocked]

And that would be?

[itaidakimasu]

Five hours, I think?

[peacocked]

[well he can't really argue with that. five hours is decent enough. even though she should probably be getting more. but people are different!] Ah, I see. Well so long as it's that and not two or three.

[itaidakimasu]

{It was more like...five hours after you combined all the times she was actually asleep, between nightmares. But she doesn't need to share that.}

Yeah. It wasn't...traumatizing or anything. Just a little tiresome.

[peacocked]

[what is it with you guys and your nightmares. just fall into a coma. coma sleeps are much better. ...but then again keito isn't here to wake anyone up with her creepy bedtime badtouching. so that might not be a good idea after all.]

That's good. I can't really say I've had any issues sleeping.