[closed] let's go crazy, crazy, crazy

[psycholawgy]

Who: Athena Cykes (psycholawgy), Rei Hino (faithfulflame), and Yuri Kozakuta (onerous)
When: 8/1
Where: Niteo
What: PARTY!!!
Rating/Warning: n/a

---

[ it was a few weeks back when athena invited rei to go to a club with her, primarily because she's never been to one. ever. she likely won't have a lot of time once she goes back home, so she's taking the opportunity now, here in cerealia to do so. she wanted to invite a friend that rei didn't know as that was the deal: she'd bring somebody to introduce to rei, and rei would do the same. unfortunately (or fortunately), rei and athena actually have a lot of common friends. that, and there are a lot of girls whom athena knows who have since disappeared. it's a pity, really. friends slowly disappearing... but that wouldn't be a good topic for a conversation here in this place.

she texts rei that she's waiting for her by the entrance to niteo. frankly, she's nervous, and rei would definitely be able to tell once she gets here.

in any case, she should be easy to spot with her bright reddish-orange hair tied in a sidetail. aaaand... she's also wearing something yellow. ]

Comments

[faithfulflame]

You've said a dozen times that you don't have time for night clubs and dating back home. [And that's where you're going to grow old. And grow into a blossoming woman. Not here.

Rei sips her drink a little more slowly and shakes her head.]

Not so bad here. It's pretty spicy though.

[onerous]

Are you interested in someone, Athena? [Just. Casually asking. She's curious, and this is the sort of things girl friends gossip about, right?

As long as that line of conversation doesn't turn around on her anyhow, then everything is Just Fine.

She knows Rei had a girlfriend here that's since gone home, but she's not sure if she's taken up casually dating again yet or not...]

[psycholawgy]

[ ah... that's such a punch to the face, rei. thank you. athena visibly winces, and even though it's terribly cool in the club, athena starts sweating. it's a painful reminder of her circumstances at home, and it's dawning on her that she doesn't want to go back to los angeles. ]

I don't— [ ... want to go home. not anymore.

but she can't exactly say that, huh? not yet, anyway. it's not a decision that's easy to make, after all. thankfully, yuri manages to divert athena's attention to something else. ]

Um. Merlin's my boyfriend... [ she knows at least that yuri was with rei and merlin when they were taken that... one time. when there were ghosts, so she doesn't have to beat around the bush. ]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei's a little surprised to see Athena start to sweat, immediately regretting what she'd said. She may have gone too far. Maybe.

Leaning forward a little, she's about to apologize and deflect when Yuri does it for her. And wonderfully so.]

He's a good guy, too. [And that's a mark of the highest esteem Rei can give to the entire male gender. Not that either of the two here would really understand that. Rei's issues with men are incredibly deep-seeded things, but some of the men here at least have earned her respect.]

She's been head over heels for him for weeks now.

[onerous]

What? Merlin? [She looks baffled and rather surprised at this information, and then winces at her own tone]

Sorry, not that that's a bad thing, I just... He seems really nice, I'm just surprised, I guess. [SHe's not sure how to explain this in a way that wouldn't be throwing Merlin under a bus. She didn't quite see hi mas the kind to ask someone else out.

Then again, he'd also randomly hugged her in the grocery store, so what did she know?]

If Rei's praising him it must be true... It's cute. [She smiles a little] Did you ask him out first, or did he?

[psycholawgy]

[ merlin would probably have a different story, but-- ]

W- Well! [ ah... athena can be very embarrassing but somehow she just wants to crawl into a hole now. she talks a lot about merlin but nobody's really asked her for any details about their relationship. it's... kind of weird. ] I don't know? I mean, it just kind of happened. We don't... really go out on dates or anything. I mean, there was one time we went to the movies, but that was it.

We just spend time with one another?

[faithfulflame]

[Rei will quietly sit and watch Athena squirm a little, sipping her drink and eating a french fry.

Oh this is good. Revenge for calling her old...]

[onerous]

If that works for you, it's fine, isn't it? It's not like there's a 'right' way or a 'wrong' way to date, I think...

As long as you're both happy with it, I wouldn't worry about it. [Yuri's not an expert either, but she shrugs. Who cares as long as it's good for everyone involved? She reaches over and attempts to sneak french fry away from Rei]

Merlin seems like a nice guy, so I'm happy for you both.

[Not they just have to focus on setting Rei up with someone...]

[psycholawgy]

[ considering they only started using "dating" as a term recently, it's still really weird! merlin said that he'd rather call it courtship than anything else, and she's been using that same idea all this time, too.

she just nods, though, cheeks flushed red now. ]

Yeah... He's an idiot, but he's nice.

[ she was told to tsun responsibly, and that is what she's doing! ]

A- Anyway, why are we talking about me?! Do you like someone?

[ SORRY REI, we're skipping you because the whole universe knows who you like anyway. ]

[faithfulflame]

[WOW. WOOOOOOW. Not only do you skip her but stealing her fries. Rude.

But she pushes the basket towards Yuri so she can share anyway.]

Yes, that's a good question, Yuri. Do you have someone?

[She's guessing yes.]

[onerous]

What? [Yuri looks instantly alarmed, freezing with a fry halfway to her mouth. After a second she shoves it in her mouth to buy herself some time, her face slowly turning red.]

I... No. [But she winces, because Athena was honest with her, so she should really return the favor.] Not... officially. I was going to tell him soon, actually but-- [But she's getting cold feet about it.

She sips her drink anxiously then and adds (because she knows they'd ask):] It's, um-- Do you know Rock Lee...?

[psycholawgy]

[ athena is drinking her coffee when yuri replies, and she couldn't swallow fast enough. when rock lee's name is mentioned, she almost spits out her drink right at rei. it's a miracle she manages to control herself from opening her mouth, and instead battles herself from laughing, hitting her chest repeatedly just so she can down the drink before she reacts.

once that display of embarrassment is done... ]

Lee?!

[faithfulflame]

[It's a damn good thing she manages to not spit out her drink because Rei would have been beyond mad. That's just rude, Athena! Yuri can like who she likes!

Of course she's kind of surprised, given that someone as pretty and dour as Yuri is into that...energetic...young man ]

Well, he's certainly earnest. Lee-kun is a unique individual, no doubt about that.

[onerous]

[her face turns more red and she huffs] What's wrong with Lee? [Okay, look. Besides the obvious.]

He's always cheering me up, and he tries really hard at everything he does... Even when I don't have any faith in myself, he does. Honestly, I think he sees a way better version of me than I actually am, but he believes in strongly enough...

Anyway. I know he's a little...much, but... [She scratches her cheek and takes a sip of her drink to distract herself] Our personalities don't really match up too well, I guess, but... [She's self-aware enough to realize that much]

interrupting Rei

[faithfulflame]

No buts. You don't have to justify it to anyone.

[Rei shakes her head and reaches her hand out to touch Yuri's arm gently, squeezing softly.] There's absolutely nothing wrong with Lee-kun. He's quite honestly the most earnest, eager person I have ever met. And there is nothing wrong with that, right Athena?

[Little miss gigglebox may be getting a stinkeye right about now.]

I like him. I really do. He's a bit much for me to be around constantly, but I respect him and I have asked him for help a few times. I respect him all the more now, knowing that he means so much to you, too.

[psycholawgy]

[ rei doesn't have to look at her like that! athena wasn't trying to judge yuri at all! it was just shocking because lee is so over the top all the time. she just can't imagine him dating anybody. ]

Nothing's wrong! He's one of my first friends here in the colony. He's a great [ BUT SO FREAKING WEIRD ] guy.

... does this mean the two of you will go out on dates wearing jumpsuits?

[ I AM SO SORRY ]

[onerous]

[She's grateful for Rei's interruption and relaxes somewhat, still looking a bit sheepish] I know, but I also know how weird Lee can be, you know?

[Athena's question has her making a face] Jumpsuits are banned on dates. [It's said flatly--NO JUMPSUITS. Her strict rule. But then she shakes her head and glances away at the people dancing]

I haven't even told him yet. [She won't go into the exact 'why's because it's depressing, and instead just shrugs with a sheepish 'ha' of laughter] I don't really know what to say.

[faithfulflame]

You just need to be straightforward. Especially with someone like Lee.

[Because he's about as dense as a mountain of granite...]

[psycholawgy]

[ or.

OR

you can not listen to rei and listen to athena instead. ]

You should pay a marching band to arrive at his place and then you can crash a hole in his ceiling and drop in all... "ROCK LEE! YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE FOR ME!"

[onerous]

[?? ??

ATHENA??

NO??????

She quickly looks at Rei as if to ask 'is she serious!?' before looking at Athena]

Is that how it worked on Merlin? [She assumes Athena must've done something ridiculously over the top as well to bring it up for Yuri to do]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei facepalms, smearing her hand down her face and sighing at Athena.  What the hell.

Ho boy.

Athena…]

Yes, I’d actually like to know how that happened too.  I never actually heard this story.

[She waves a hand loftily, flashing a smile.]

And for full disclosure, so I’m not the only one left out, Minako and I got together after having to hunker down for a night last winter.  When the ghosts showed up and started taking over trains and things.  Before the flood.  I confessed to her when we were trapped in my bedroom, and she kissed me…and I’m pretty sure it was all fueled by the adrenaline.

[psycholawgy]

[ look. she's known lee all her cerealia life. it's totally the most apt way to confess to him!! ]

Ugh, no... it was so messy. . . I invited him to the rooftop to stargaze, but things got weird and I started crying and I wanted to run away.

[ it was really messy. maybe merlin might be a better storyteller in this case. ]

I didn't want him to know that I liked him because I wouldn't know what to do if he didn't like me back, but it worked out... I guess. . .

[faithfulflame]

[Rei leans close to Yuri, whispering just loud enough for Athena to hear as well.]

It's not that strange. Athena cries about everything.

[onerous]

[She supposes an adrenaline-fueled confession works, though she feels a little bad for Rei that it was such a drastic sort of moment. But Rei doesn't seem bothered by it, so Yuri let's the feeling go.

Her comment about Athena crying is met with a little smile]

I don't think I should be taking advice from either on you on this sort of thing. [Though Rei's was by far the most sensible.]

But, mm, I understand. That's what I'm worried about. He's friendly with everyone, so I'm worried I'm just reading more into it than I should be. Though Lily-san and Hinata-san both said otherwise... [She looks sheepish and gestures to the waiter for a refill on her drink]

I think I'll tell him soon. Maybe tomorrow, or the next day... Whenever I get the courage up again. [Liquid courage need not apply.]

[psycholawgy]

[ athena remains quiet (wow!) for a good few seconds, a palm flat on the table as she just looks at yuri with so much soberness. the irony is that she isn't all that sober anymore. ]

You'll regret it. You should hire a marching band.