Karaoke bar mingle, Day 433 evening

[sangreine]

Who: Alizarin, Lupine, Venti, and AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE
Where: Karaoke Bar, Pasela Resort
When: Day 433, evening

[ At the karaoke bar, the rooms are decorated in the style of LiliS, SensitIV, ☆Zrael, Wild City, Avante, and HSS as the "winners" of the latest horrifying game, dubious though the title is.  A group is gathering there in search of some mutual comfort after these recent, trying days, with plans for lots of drinks, songs, and plenty of cuddles for whoever wants them -- won't you join them? ]

[ A handwritten sign just at the entrance reads: ]

Rules: 
1. No brooding
2. Anyone wanting to engage in "improper behavior" must get permission from Suou Tsukasa

[ -- that last one is probably just a dig at the poor boy for attempting to moralize to immortals, but do with it as you like. ]

[ Everyone who was at Ideal Worlds endgame, knows the three party planners, is in their units, or just heard about this shindig through the robust hell grapevine should consider themselves invited!  In fact, you might have been dragged against your will -- they are a rather incorrigible bunch, after all. ]

Comments

[sangreine]

[ There were things she was preparing to say about that whole speech (insulting though she finds parts of it, she knows it's Kasa's naïveté at play and not anything intended to be offensive), but everything stops when he says the word "knight", which her mind, speaking and hearing French, hears as Chevalier. ]

[ Aliza gasps and pitches forward, catching herself on the wall with one hand, the other grasping her head, which feels like it's being ripped into pieces. ]

[ Sorry Kasa, we interrupt this discussion of your senpai to bring you vampire angst ]

[heavyliesthecrown]

Eh? . . . Eh!??

[ His eyes widen in panic and he reaches out worriedly to rest a hand upon her shoulder.]

Alizarin-san!? Are you alright? Do you need a sensitIV? Is... Is it blood again!?

[ WHAT IS HE SUPPOSED TO DO. ]

It... It's blood again, isn't it! H-Hold on! I will cut myself-

[ Time to summon a sword??? ]

[sangreine]

No! [ She has to force the word out, but she doesn't want anyone cutting themselves and spilling blood when it's not necessary. And she doesn't want anyone else to see her like this and worry, because tonight isn't meant for worries. ]

[ She tries to straighten out, but her arm buckles and she hits the wall hard with her shoulder to keep upright. ] It's not blood. Something you said -- sometimes I get these feelings where there should be a memory.

[ A shaking hand reaches up to brush at her face and comes away wet. Great, she's not supposed to be crying tonight. ]

[heavyliesthecrown]

[ . . . He made a girl cry.

The sword disappears but the worry doesn't evaporate. He does what he can to try and guide her toward a chair... somewhere she can sit down, while also pulling out a handkerchief. ]

I apologize. In no way did I mean to upset you. Truly.

[sangreine]

[ Letting herself be led to sit, mainly due to being too stunned and disoriented to properly insist she's fine (she is most certainly not fine). ]

I know. It's not your fault. Something about the word 'knight'... the whole world tilted. [ Taking the handkerchief and dabbing at her eyes hastily, before anyone else can see. There are rules about brooding, and she's the one who wrote them! ]

I'll be okay. It was just surprising. [ And the ache inside her went from manageable to overwhelming in one great rush. ]

[heavyliesthecrown]

[ He won't tell anyone if she doesn't that she had a hiccup. ]

I see... it is merely the name of my unit back home. Knights. They made me the leader of our unit, so when I referred Ritsu-senpai, I simply meant that...

[sangreine]

[ She wavers a little in her seat, grabbing at the edges of the chair to try and avoid falling. ]

Please, just -- stop saying for a minute. [ Covering her mouth, she draws a slow breath and commands herself to get it together. ]

[heavyliesthecrown]

I apologize! Here... let me help you sit down.

[ Going to help her sit down... ]

[sangreine]

It's okay. I know you're not doing it on purpose. Even I didn't know it would effect me until I heard it.

[ Easing herself into the chair, and sagging over like she's entirely out of energy. ] Sorry for scaring you.

[heavyliesthecrown]

There is absolutely no reason for you to apologize.

[ Fretting. He doesn't know if she needs it, but he removes his cloak and drapes it over her shoulders carefully. It seems like she had something of a panic attack-- so maybe the weight and warmth of it will help a little. ]

Can I get you some water...?

[sangreine]

[ Just -- kind of staring for a second after he puts his cloak on her shoulders. Way to make her feel awful for making fun of him earlier. ]

No, I'm all right. Really. Thank you.

[ Rubbing her head a little ] I guess I know why you talk about... about knights. You're the embodiment of chivalry.

[heavyliesthecrown]

[ A relenting smile. While there is still concern over her, he seems rather pleased. ]

Fufu... I am glad that you think so. But this is the least that anyone should offer, whether I am kn-... whether I am one or not. But if I have any sort of tact at all, it is because I have been blessed with many wonderful examples that have come before me.

[ He's glad to see that she appears to be feeling a little better, though. ]

I know I keep offering, but would some honey bread help? I shall admit an embarrassing fact to you. I am something of a stress eater. Sometimes, eating something sweet and delicious can be the cure to clearing one's mind, though.

[sangreine]

[ That does get her to smile a little. ] I do love sweets. But my stomach's a little uneasy right now, so while it pains me, truly, I think I should wait a bit.

[heavyliesthecrown]

That is more than fine.

[ He shall take a seat in another chair nearby. ]

I shall wait with you, regardless, until you feel more steady on your feet once more.

[sangreine]

[ She's starting to see a little of what was behind his moralizing, now. It's sweet, really -- if still perhaps a bit much. ]

That's kind of you. I'm all right, honest. Just a bit of vertigo for a minute. [ And a headache, for which the best possible cure is a threesome! She'll just keep those plans to herself, though, you're welcome Kasa. ]

[heavyliesthecrown]

Is this the first time something like this has happened to you here?

[sangreine]

No. But it's the worst one. [ Considers that for a moment, and rephrases. ] The most intense, I mean.

[heavyliesthecrown]

I feel awful that I was the one to induce it.

[sangreine]

Don't. It was bound to happen sooner or later. I can't hide from my past forever.

[ Maybe just wishes she could. ]

[heavyliesthecrown]

That implies... you are afraid of your memories?

[sangreine]

It's a long story, and we'd be breaking the rule against brooding if I get into it. I don't mind discussing it some other time. [ She totally minds but stalling sure sounds better than being rude. ]

[heavyliesthecrown]

[ Lifting a hand to gently place it on her head. ]

Very well. For now, we should enjoy ourselves.

[ Lifting a finger up. ]

I feel that I should warn you that with your current condition, you ought to ration yourself, however. Or skip the alcohol altogether. There are other things that can be enjoyed. Like the honey bread that they have here.

[sangreine]

[ Yeah okay no longer feeling bad about making fun of him. Seriously?! ]

I told you, I can't get drunk. And I already had the honey toast, but I might still have some syrup on my stomach somewhere, he probably missed a few spots here and there. [ Perfectly. Sweet. Smile. ]

[heavyliesthecrown]

[ He is already tipsy from the scent of alcohol in the air. This goes right over his head when he responds with: ]

Hmm...? I do not see anything on your stomach. Perhaps next time, you could use a napkin as a bib?

Putting all of that aside, shall you be singing? That is the most exciting part of a karaoke bar, right?

[sangreine]

Napkin? But then how would he lick it off me? [ Poor Tsukasa, she should lay off him... on the other hand ]

I already did sing, and played the violin. Sorry you missed it, I'm pretty good. Now I'm making plans to take someone home with me -- well. Someones. [ Casually emphasizing the plural there, enjoy that. ]