multiversallogs | OPEN :: A golden bird was singing

OPEN :: A golden bird was singing

Who: Everyone!
What: St Kelley's evening
Where: The Apache and surrounding environs.
When: Veerdi evening.
Notes:
(1) The topic threads are just suggestions; if you've got somewhere else that your characters simply must be, make your own thread.
(2) All mementos will appear overnight in some part of your character's apartment.
(3) Dance!

St Kelley's is one of the more sedate occasions in Baedal, at least as holidays go. It passes more or less unnoticed by the majority of the population as many of them feel it doesn't concern them. It's not their holiday; it's for the others. Those with severed ties and broken hearts. The temple and church preach that it's a time for reflection or for glorifying the generosity of the gods. It's one of the few days on which no one looks askance at first generation Citizens mourning their missing loved ones publicly.

As night rolls around and floating lanterns are set to sea, the Apache in Mog Hill prepares to accept guests from the newer cohorts. It's something that happens every year, making it a practical tradition. The alcohol will be cheaper for first timers, and the music will be kept at a reasonable level.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Yeah, that sounds about right," Kaitlyn replies with a laugh. "Like I said, it's a bit of comfort. A nice gesture." A good way to let people know you're alright, assuming this actually works the way the story goes. "I have my doubts on how this actually works, but Lord knows I've seen stranger in my life." There's a subtle motion with her hand out around her, as if she actually needed to tell Steph what she meant.

"N-no. Not yet," Kaitlyn remarks with a bit of embarrassment. "But I'm getting by. People can be surprisingly generous when you play music in the park." Well, that's being generous. Right now she's the very definition of scraping by, but she'll make do. It wouldn't be the first time.

"It's a good way to keep us from kicking up a fuss," Steph is apparently feeling really cynical tonight, but she softens some of the harshness of her words by smiling, "I'm not a hundred percent on how it's supposed to go either."

Her smile turns a litle wry, and there's a hint of worry there, "Gimme your CiD for a sec. I'll put my new address in; I've got a spare bedroom that you can crash in if you ever need it."

She feels a little guilty that she can't offer Kait a permanent place, but Steph can't risk getting anyone else involved. If the militia come crashing through her door, she doesn't want someone else to get caught up in it.

"I guess that's a way of looking at it," Kaitlyn replies with a bit of a small shrug. Her eyes remain fixed on her tiny boat, mesmerised as she watches it drift lazily out to join it's brethren. She doesn't even seem to noticed that she's pulled out her CiD for Steph until it's plucked from her hand.

"I do kind of like it," she admits. "I mean... I don't really like what the story tells us. But it gives people hope, an' when you have hope, you can do anything, right?" She smiles, finally turning her attention away from the boat and back to Steph. "I guess it just depends on what you want t' do with your hope. You know?" She reaches up, scratching at her cheek for a moment. "That's how I see it. Nothing wrong with giving people a little hope. It just kinda sucks when they misplace that hope."

And then she laughs a little, hanging her head. "Thanks. I appreciate that. I'll try an' avoid it though unless I really need t', I hate being a burden." She smiles, leaning back a bit on her heel. "I'll keep it in mind, though. Thanks."

Steph takes Kaitlyn's CiD and inputs her address, then puts it back in Kaitlyn's hand. She listens to the explanation, but frowns just slightly.

"I guess you can see it like that, but I just feel like i'm being told to hope and do nothing else. Sit and pray and the gods will deliver." She feels a bit bad about being so cynical, but it's been a long week, "Hope is fine in the right places, but sometimes you just need action."

"Don't worry about it, friends aren't burdens," but she understands the feeling, Steph hates accepting any form of charity and she won't blame Kaitlyn if she never makes use of the offer.

"Well, duh," Kaitlyn replies with a loud laugh as she slips the CiD back into her pocket. "Hope doesn't mean shit if you don't do anything with it. Just hoping and not doing anythin' gets you know where. Learned that lesson m'self the hard way." She shakes her head a bit. She doesn't really think Steph's being cynical. Just a bit too realist.

(Some would say there's no difference)

"I hope," wording intentional, "that no one is taking it t' mean that. If they are, someone needs t' put a boot t' their ass and get them in gear. Whatever they do with it is their business, but sitting around and waiting isn't the way t' go." With that she lets out a bit of a sigh as she starts to rock band and forth on her heels.

"Hey, maybe that's why we're here," she remarks after a moment, glancing over at Steph with just a bit of a teasing tone in her voice. "To shake things up a bit. How wild would that be, to get asses in gear?" She smiles wide, before looking out ahead. It's mostly a joke. Mostly.

"I knew there was a reason I liked you," Steph finally gives a genuine smile, loosening up a bit because it's nice that someone understands, "I hope so to, about people not interpreting the story the wrong way."

"I think so," despite the teasing in Kaitlyn's voice, Steph is serious, "Everyone else has been here too long, they're getting stuck in their ways and just accepting all the bullshit that comes along with it. We're the ones who ask questions and try to change things."

She'd put money on the person who leaked the militia transmissions being from their cohort. And she's sure she's not the only one who feels this way about their being here; Ilde had said something similiar when her and Steph had talked.

"Hey. That sounds familiar," Kaitlyn remarks at Steph's observation, laughing a bit. "I'm pretty sure I've had those exact words spoken t' me at some point back home. I guess some things never change, eh?" She snickers, turning her attention back from the boats and over to Steph. "I guess that means I'll have t' start keeping an ear out, then. Listen for things t' question." That's mostly her joking around, but it has become more and more second nature for her. Even if she doesn't know there's actually a good reason to.

"You really think so, though?" Kaitlyn inquires more seriously, arms crossing over her chest. "I guess it really is the more things change..." A somewhat quiet chuckle, and she sighs. "It would be nice to actually make a difference."

"It's always good to be paying attention; and from what you told me about your world, it sounds like a lot of people needed to start questioning things as well." She shrugs, wondering at what point Baedal started turning her into a bit of an anarchist, "Just be careful as well, some people might not want you paying too close attention to them."

"So yeah, I think we're actually here for a reason, and my money is on revolution; or something like it."

Kaitlyn actually looks a little surprised as she looks back at Steph, though she doesn't look taken aback. She's heard similar a lot over the last few months. She just didn't really expect to hear it here. She nods at Steph, grinning pretty widely. "It's okay. I'm pretty good at making sure people don't know I'm payin' attention," she remarks slyly. "If it comes to that."

She's quiet for a moment as she thinks to herself, before she chuckles. "You know, I'm actually not the only one from my world here. Met an... acquaintance the other day," because friend isn't the right word by a long shot, "and she seems t' think there's a higher purpose t' us being here. Though I'd worry about what that'd be for her." She gives a small shrug before continuing. "I guess some things you can't get away from, if that's the case. But if you figure somethin' out an' need any help, feel free t' ask."

A hand runs back through her hair as she stares out at the water thoughtfully, looking over the boats. "Wanna see something cool? I don't think it'll get us in any trouble," usually bodes ill, but Kaitlyn has an entirely harmless thought in her head. Promise!

"It might," come to that; she doesn't know how close the militia are watching them, but it's better to be safe, "And know who your allies are, just in case things go to hell."

It's not too surpising that someone else from Kaitlyn's world is here, Steph knows of at least three from her world, and there's possibly more she doesn't know about, "Why are you worrying about what that means for her?" She's curious, and unsure if that means she should be making sure Kaitlyn doesn't get caught up in anything bad.

"Always," Steph likes cool things, especially if they involve potentially getting in trouble.

Okay, that statement makes Kaitlyn a little uncomfortable for simple fact of how familiar it is. She tries her best not to show it, though a sudden bit of fidgeting probably gives her away. "Yeah, I try t' be good about that," she states plainly. She'd been told she's too trusting, but she likes to think she has a pretty good track record for knowing who's going to fuck her over. Not spotless, but pretty good.

At least, when it comes to things outside of personal issues. But that's a whole different beast.

"She doesn't exactly have the best reputation back home," Kaitlyn draws it out for emphasis, even though it's a big of (a lot of) an understatement. "I don't think she's up to no good here, at least, but I'm also not dumb enough to take her entirely on her word." She chuckles, shaking her head. "I'm not to worried about it, though. I'm gonna keep touch with her, just in case."

She trails off, before taking a half step closer to the water. She claps her hands together and rubs, more for warmth, but also because she can't help but make a bit of a display out of things. When her hands separate, there's a small orb of light sitting in her palm. "I don't mean t' show off..." She totally does, actually, smirking as she raises her hand up to mouth level and blows - and the ball of light blows out, spontaneously seperating into numerous little motes of light that look almost like fireflies as the float out on the water and drift down to its surface, illuminating several of the boats out ahead of them with a dull white light. "But I thought that might be kinda pretty." Because that's howshe brings levity to otherwise serious conversations.

Steph is pretty good at reading people, and she lays a gentle hand on Kaitlyn's arm to reassure her, "I'm here if you ever need anything."

"Good idea keeping an eye on her, we don't need people making a mess here," not only because it'd reflect badly on their cohort -- the public opinion is already pretty bad, "But it should be alright as long as she won't hurt anyone."

Steph watches, leaning up on her tip toes a little even though she can see Kaitlyn perfectly fine, it's a bit of an instinctual reaction. Her eyes widen when Kaitlyn blows the light out over the water, and her smile is wide and awed, "It's beautiful."

"Thanks. That means a lot." And Kaitlyn means it, arms folding as she watches the last of the lights flutter down to the water's surface, where they linger for a good minute or two before she lets them fade away. She's sure other people saw, but then, that was part of the point. Hopefully no one thinks she was being disrespectful or anything like that. "An' I'm glad you liked that! I used t' do all kinds of neat stuff back home, when I was DJing or performing. It was great because I could do all kinds of tricks on stage and people would just think it was the lighting techs doing fancy stuff, not me showing off an ability." Which probably would have gotten her in a lot of trouble, if anyone had ever figured it out.

"I don't think she's the hurting type. I don't really know a lot about her, mostly hearsay and stories from other people. She sounds more like the 'find creative ways to fuck you over' type." Kaitlyn grins, letting her hands sink back into her pockets as she steps back. "I don't think she'll be a problem, but it's probably a lot t' hope for for her t' turn over a new leaf or something." She shrugs. It's not a big deal to her. If it becomes a problem, she'll worry about it then, as she normally does.

It's a random thought, but what Kaitlyn says makes her wonder about Jae, and if he uses his magic while he performs. She doesn't linger on it very long, though, because there's no way she can ask and she doesn't know nearly enough about Jae's powers, "You wouldn't have to hide it here, I don't think. There are a few places where no one would blink an eye at you using you powers." The Vault for one, where Steph's sure Megan must use her wings as part of the act.

"Fucking people over can hurt them too," her voice is kind of flat as she says it, and she makes a note to check out this friend of Kaitlyn's, "What's her name?"

"Yeah, I'm still getting used t' the idea of not having t' hide it. It's a bit weird t' me. Awesome, though." Kaitlyn looks thoughtful for a minute, turning from the boats so that she can glance back up at the "party" for a moment. Not that she's considering going back just yet. "I still try not t' make a thing out of it, though. With my luck I'll find myself bumping int' someone like the people from back home."

SHe quirks an eyebrow as she turns back to Kaitlyn, giving a bit of a small nod. "Well- yes. I didn't mean she's harmless. I just don't think she's going to causing any mayhem or anything. Nothing- big, you know? She'd just two faced." She thinks for a moment, rolling her shoulders before she speaks up again. "Odessa. Like I said, I'll keep an eye on her. I don't think she'll be causing any problems though."

"I imagine it'd be hard to get used to," She really doesn't have any similiar experiences to compare it with, so she's relying on her imagination. She does frown a little at the next bit, "I think the infrastructure is better in Baedal in terms of protecting Xenians, so you should be safe here."

"I'll trust you to keep an eye on her," That says a lot, even if Kaitlyn might not understand just how much of a big deal it is for Steph to let someone else deal with a potential problem. She has control issues sometimes.

"It's not so much hard," Kaitlyn replies after a momnt of thought. "I'm more that it's really jarring. Acceptance isn't really something I'm used t', unfortunately." She shrugs, though, not seeming to down despite that fact. "So it makes for a nice change of pace for the time being, you know? At least until that whole 'home' thing happens." She cracks a smile at Steph.

"It'll be fine," is a repeated reassurance, re: Odessa. "It's something I'd do anyway. If there's one thing I can do, it's talk t' people. Endlesssly. It's a good way of keepin' them out of trouble without even trying!"

"I'm glad though, that you don't have to hide it here. And you have to let me know if you end up doing DJ work somewhere, I'd love to come see you," She won't comment on the home thing; it hurts too much to think about right now.

Steph gives a little laugh, shaking her head, "I totally believe that. You're a chatty one." It's obvious she doesn't mind at all, Steph is pretty chatty herself.

"God, I'm sorry," Kaitlyn replies with a bit of a laugh. She can tell Steph doesn't mind, but she feels like she should issue the apology anyway. "I'm just over here yaking away about practically nothing. At least it's made for a good time, eh?" Well, not really nothing. But nothing good, you could say. She chuckles a bit self consciously as she leans back on her heels. "I'll make sure you know. I'm hoping I can work out something like that. It'd be nice, at least." Though she wouldn't mind working in a quiet bookstore again. She misses that.

"So, are you going to go join the party proper at all?" she inquires, a curious look angled Steph's way. "Not that you have t'. It's a bit crowded for me in the bar, but the jukebox has Joan Jett, so I'm gonna brave it a bit more later."

"It's fine, I like talking to you," and Steph is pretty chatty herself, so it'd make her a hypocrite to care how much Kaitlyn talks. "I hope you can find something, and I expect to be on your guest list when you do."

"I'll head back eventually. I'm meeting a friend there, and I shouldn't stand her up, but it'll take her a bit to get here." She's at least 90% sure she dragged Kate out of bed.

"Oh!" For whatever reason, Kaitlyn seems a bit surprised by this. Not that she doesn't think Steph has other friends. Out on the shore jutst doesn't seem like the place to meet them to Kait. Not with a party right there! Well, that's cool. Maybe I'll bump int' you guys later, then. Would be nice t' meet more friendly people." There's a moment or two pause, before Kaitlyn's smile creeps up into a grin. "She cute?" Because she just can't resist asking.

Steph's meeting Kate at the bar, she just knows it'll take a while for her to turn up.

"Kate's nice, I'm sure you two would get along." Steph's judgement is based on the fact that she likes them both, so clearly they have to like each other; this is probably not completely logical, but it's how Steph works.

The question makes her pause, "Um..." and this is where she tries to untangle her extremely complicated feelings for Kate, which is kind of impossible, so she just settles for, "Yeah, she is." It's cool for girls to think other girls a cute without it needing to be a thing, right?

Hey, it doesn't have to be a thing, but Kaitlyn's the last person who would mind if it was. She laughs a bit as she reaches over and pats Stephanie on the back, still grinning. "I was joking," isn't enitrely the truth, but she wasn't really serious either. "I didn't actually expect an answer," she teases, waiting a bit before she continues. "Good t' know, though," she adds with a sly smile. She stands up on her toes as she looks towards the party, as if looking for someone. She's not, she's just curious what's going on up there.

"She'd have t' be pretty bad off for me t' not get along with her," Kaitlyn notes as she strains up a bit more. "I'll keep an ear out for her or somethin', in case I bump into her around town." The name's already committed to memory. Or at least as cmitted as anything can be to Kaitlyn's memory.

Steph wonders if she is missing something, here, and decides to go out on a limb to ask, "Planning to try your luck?" She will advise against this course of action, if the answer is yes, because Kate got super awkward when Steph hit on her.

"She's in our cohort, so you'll probably catch her around the network at least," it's a little weird, all the cohort stuff but Steph's starting to get used to it, and it can be handy a lot of the time. "She's built like me, but with dark hair."

A small shrug is the only initial reply from Kaitlyn, still grinning a bit from what she thinks is confusion on Steph's part, maybe? She's actually a little embarrassed, though. "Nah. Well, maybe? Hard t' know without meeting someone," she jokes again. "I was mostly joking, though," she adds almost immediately, and that much is true. Particularly that mostly.

"The whole cohort thing is super cool, but I have no idea how you keep track of it," Kaitlyn admits. "It's a little overwhelming. And I'm not sure I like the idea of just anyone in our group seein' what's posted, you know? I'm glad they let you do private stuff. I'd go absolutely mad without that."

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