[Mingle] The First Official Meeting of the Young Adult Club

[skyward_eyes]

WHO: Nida
WHERE: House 16
WHEN: Evening/Night Monday the 14th
OPEN TO: Mingle: Open too all young adults (22 and younger); Older may show up but expect a testy Nida.
WARNINGS: Young Adults Partying, Possible: Underaged drinking if people bring stuff. If your thread changes ratings, in subject line and DM me so I can update.

---

The message goes out over the Network Sunday evening.

'Young Adult Club, First Meet-Up/Party Monday night. First house after the Jail/Barn. Bring Snacks If You've Got Them To Spare.'

Invitation sent in general, The rest, now, came down to Nida. Good thing he had someone who knew how parties worked was right there too. Rinoa turned out to be a pretty good resource. He learned there were a few important things to do for a party. Three major things were needed: music, treats and games. Unfortunately they couldn't do much about the former, so instead Nida employed his housemates in trying to make sure the latter two were covered.



The Nibbles

The easiest person to go to about food turned out to be Seifer. Of the three of them the blonde had somehow ended up as the defacto chef of their house when it came to important things like this. What this meant was a variety of easily made food, things like a plate of half-dollar sized pancakes for easy munching or dipping into other things, fried potato edges, even a quiche that Seifer had managed to whip up, not that Nida even recognized what the whole thing was. While it wasn't as impressive a spread as the New Year Eve party had (or perhaps even the forge gathering) it was clear that the three had done the best they could with the skills two mercenaries and a formerly sheltered young woman had between them. Hopefully treats from other people would help with the spread. Personally, Nida was hoping to steal some of the fritatta Seifer had made in their cast iron skillet, but guests came first of course.



The Games

Games. What even were party games? For that one the center spotlight had gone to Rinoa's planning efforts. Nida had scrounged in the inn's shared supplies, borrowing a set of playing cards and a Jenga set. Not that he really knew what the latter was. The cards went to the dining room table with some extra chairs borrowed from an unoccupied house, the Jenga onto the coffee table, and Rinoa's peakitten Julia got shuffled into her room to prevent her from knocking over the wooden blocks yet again. Nida was tired of rebuilding.




Introductions

They're all new here, they don't all know each other, so Nida and Rinoa encourage people upon arrival to start out simple. And all you have to do is say your name and three facts about yourself. Or, if you're feeling mischievous, two truths and a lie. Can people guess the truth of the matter about you? Or do they already know you well?



Quite Spaces

Frankly Nida wasn't sure how he felt about opening their house to so many people, and with the living room, dining room and kitchen all prepped for use, he realized there was one other thing people could need. A place to talk quietly or just have group games. As he was the only one of the three of them that didn't have much in the way of property and could give up the whole concept of privacy for a bit, the back bedroom ended up having a note pinned on it with a kitchen knife.

'Quiet Space for Your Use - Do not have sex in my bed please'

With his staff stored in the basement and his tiny journal and pencils stored out of sight on top of the standing wardrobe, the room was perfect for anyone who just needed to cool down. Or have a private conversation. Good thing the house has electricity because that could be used long into the night.

Comments

Rina Heartilly | OTA

[alittlelonger]

Introductions

This was her idea, so she has a very nicely written card with her name on it. This is also her house, so Rinoa greets everyone at the door and takes their coat and asks them to take their shoes off so not to track anything inside. She is in blue as usual and feeling wonderful that evening, excited to have everyone there and get a little time with more people their age. She always feels likes he has to be on her best behavior with the adults, but this will give them all a chance to just be with each other instead.

When it is her turn, she smiles and waves. "I'm Rinoa Heartilly. I am a city gal from Deling City, I love to sing and dance, and I think I might want to learn how to be a nurse. Or, uh, it's equivalent since we're here!" She can't be a rebel leader so it seems like a good option. Her fingers play with the necklace around her neck where two rings hang.

Accidental Cat Problem!

Rinoa really only planned on popping into her room for a minute, but Julia took that second to sneak out like the quick little peakitten she is. "Oh no!" Rinoa snatches up her gloves and hurriedly gets them on, dodging around people. "Don't touch her, I'll get her." It might sound like a strange request to people who aren't aware of what the feline can do. She does manage to snag Julia up into her gloved hands before she can rub up against anyone, and lets out a big sigh of relief.

"Sorry abut that," she says to whoever is nearest and may have come close to getting a peacat surprise. "Petting her causes a reaction."

Quiet Spaces - locked to Billy

Rinoa is having a great time at the party, and she keeps waving to Billy over the night, but eventually what Nida said to her echoes in her head. So she walks over and smiles, snatching his hand and tugging him toward Nida's room. They can't go outside, it's too cold, and her room has a grumpy kitten in it. She knew Nida set aside his room in case people wanted to chat. She has a lot of thoughts, about Nida and Billy, but that's not what she plans on talking about (right away). She shuts the door and sits on Nida's bed.

"Hi. This is going to sound random, but I didn't want to talk about this out there." She ran fingers through her hair and glances up at him. "Nida said you might want to talk about magic?"

cats!

[aguidingkey]

For the most part, Aqua has been keeping to herself, engaging every so often and even going as far as to try playing the block-stacking game. She is really having a hard time figuring out how to interact with people her own age, people who don't need her for a specific job or reason. Being here is so far out of her comfort zone. But at least she's trying. That has to count for something, right?

By the time Julia gets free, Aqua is standing on the edges of the party again, mostly watching while she sips a glass of water. The call of, "Don't touch her," catches her attention first and as she turns towards it, she spots a young woman catching a beautiful animal Aqua can only assume is Julia the peakitten.

"It's okay," she says easily. "She's very pretty. Is that Julia? Nida was telling me about her."

[alittlelonger]

"It is! Sorry give me one second. She tries to nuzzle my neck if I am not paying attention." Which would obviously make her feel the effects of the feathers. It's a balancing act, having a pet she loves so much, but always having to think about how to hold it carefully. Rinoa put Julia back into her room and scolds her, before coming right back to Aqua with a warm smile.

"She's very pretty, but she doesn't really understand why we all have to be clothed before petting her." She's just a kitten after all, and wants to play and snuggle all the time. Rinoa loves her so very, very much. She misses Angelo, her beloved dog, but it's been great taking care of something. Outside of taking care of the boys, obviously, who need it!

Rinoa takes off her gloves and sets them aside, offering her hand to Aqua. "Hi I'm Rinoa! Thank you for coming to the party."

[aguidingkey]

Aqua watches with muted curiosity as Rinoa takes Julia back to her room. She's never had a pet before, so all of this is really new to her. The kitten is really cute and if Aqua were more convinced that she's really stuck here for good, she might be tempted to see if she could find a pet herself. But she hasn't given up yet. There's still too much at stake.

When Rinoa finally returns and offers her a hand, Aqua takes it firmly. "It's nice to meet you, Rinoa. I'm Aqua." And, because she is nothing if not polite and modest, she adds on, "Thank you for inviting me. Nida was insistent that I come." He sent her a personal invitation, after all, and how could she turn that down? "I didn't really know what to expect, but everyone has been very friendly."

[alittlelonger]

Rinoa smiles and shakes her hand enthusiastically. "Hi Aqua, nice to meet you." It really is. She didn't know about so many people around their age who lived there, and it seems like they could actually hang out. Rinoa hasn't had a lot of friends; she's extroverted and friendly but she was isolated by her upbringing. It's nice to have more possibility here.

"I don't know we really knew what to expect either, outside of having guests. We felt like it would be nice to have a hangout. These things are always awkward at first, but afterward, we'll all know each other on sight." Which is nice in a village this size, to have faces you know everywhere. Rinoa doesn't add that it was in part because they wanted to be around people their age, because Aqua looked a little older than them. Which was fine! Rinoa's just happy to have people there. "How long have you been around?"

[aguidingkey]

"It was a good idea." This sort of a gathering wouldn't have been Aqua's first choice or her idea at all, but she has to admit that it was a good one. They will all know each other on sight and maybe that will lead to more lasting friendships. Even with as many friendly people as she has met since she first came crashing out of the tube, Aqua has felt isolated, being the only one from her world here. It hasn't been easy to fit in or find something to do with herself. Maybe this will help.

"Not very long," she answers with a shake of her head. "Only a week or two at most. I'm still getting used to having days and nights again." Which has been its own difficulty. She's glad that this place doesn't feel like the realm of darkness, but getting used to the light and the people and the day/night cycle again has been... an adjustment. "What about you? Have you been around for a long time?"

[alittlelonger]

"Oh wow, so where were you that didn't have days and nights, if I can ask?" She'd heard of not having seasons or having worlds different in climate and appearance, but no where yet that didn't have any day or night. But Rinoa is fairly sure that isn't a small talk sort of question, still, Aqua was the one who brought it up,

She tries to remember. "It's a little over two months? I came in early November. It feels like years honestly." Squall and her came together, and then he disappeared, and she's been trying to live every day at a time. And that means focusing on the moment which stretches out time. "I would like it here, if there were a few changes."

[aguidingkey]

"No, it didn't even have a sun and there wasn't really a sky," Aqua answers. Light and darkness aren't really secrets. Most people know the concepts, even if they aren't familiar with the monsters born of them or the keyblade warriors who fight those monsters. "Time doesn't pass there, not like it does here." She always knew that getting back to the realm of light was her ultimate goal while she was stranded and that eventually she would have to adjust to life in the realm of light again. Even so, she's still having a hard time adjusting now. Maybe that's just having been thrown somewhere unfamiliar.

"I understand that feeling." That's kind of how her life has been in the last ten years, except backwards. Years have passed in the realm of light, only feeling like a couple of hours to Aqua. "What kind of changes do you want to see?"

That seems like a safer topic. Better to focus on what's going on here in this realm.

[alittlelonger]

Rinoa stares at her with wide eyes, because honestly, that sounds horrific. No sunlight or sky. No time passing. What was that even like? Endless darkness? It could drive a person mad, but here is Aqua, strong enough to get through it and still be there. She's fairly sure she couldn't handle that; thinking about being stuck in space for eternity was enough to give her nightmares, and that was endlessness too. "I'm sorry, that sounds very difficult." To say the least.

She thinks Aqua might want to talk about something else though, so she'll just go with that. "Oh, uh ...." Rinoa plays with her necklace, where two lion rings hang together. "My boyfriend was here but then went away. He wanted to stay here. I'd like him back." Obviously. Squall said he wanted to stay. "I don't think any of us really know where anyone goes, but I know he didn't leave willingly."

[demiurgency]

It's not Billy's first time over to the house in general, but it is his first time seeing it filled with quite so many people. It's definitely not a ton, but enough to feel like a bit of a crowd, to keep him from spending all his time with people he knows. He's been watching Nida, a little, maybe, and waving greetings to Rinoa, but he's a little surprised when she tugs him aside. Surprised, but willing enough to go with her, even when she steps inside the room he knows is Nida's and closes the door behind them. He's never been in here before, and so takes a moment to look, curious, before Rinoa starts to speak.

At her words, Billy looks back to her, leaning against the closed door. He isn't sure what to say. Nida mentioned it to her? That means something to him, something good, but he's still full of nerves. Taking a deep breath, he lets it out slowly, reaching up to fiddle with his earringless lobe.

"Uh, yeah. He said you were the person to talk to about magic. Specifically, Sorceresses. I guess I had some questions. It sounds... kind of familiar, I guess."

[alittlelonger]

Rinoa tries to give him her most reassuring smile, but this isn't exactly easy for her to talk about either. "Nida said people could sit in here if they needed a little alone time. Not the questionable time. I didn't want to talk about this out there." She is happy to have all their guests, but there are some things Rinoa's still dealing with on her own and it's harder to keep a chipper face on in that situation. Still. It's fine. She's chosen to be here.

"He says that because I'm a sorceress." Rinoa settles her hands in her lap for now. "It's relatively new, our powers stay dormant until they're awakened by another one. Technically Edea, the creator of the SeeD, is the best expert on being one, but ... she has reasons for not wanting to talk about it." Not even to Rinoa. Not yet. "Being one is kind of a bad thing in our world, I'm sure you already picked up on that."

[demiurgency]

"Yeah, I kind of figured you might be." Billy steps away from the door, coming over to have a seat next to Rinoa on the bed, hands at his sides and the toe of his boot scuffing idly at the wooden floor as he watches it. "He told me a bit about what happened. How everyone stopped existing for a while, and about the Sorceress Wars, why people don't trust them. Because they have so much power. They can control other people, even. Influence them." If he sounds nervous, it isn't because of her.

"That's kind of why I wanted to talk to you about it. Because it sounds kind of...similar. To what I am." If anyone here is going to get it, it's probably her.

[alittlelonger]

Rinoa nods, because that's all very true. She does remember feeling the power in her. She pushed it aside once it was all over, but it was there, simmering. "Yes, I was possessed by one of them, Ultimecia. She also possessed the others. I technically have the power of two ... which is a lot." Two powerful sorceresses and her own power, whatever it was. That was a lot for any person. "I guess I have that power too. I ... I know I do. Did." She refused to use her powers because of what she suspected they could do.

She puts a hand on his back, rubbing it comfortingly. "What happened with you? I know you have magic, or had it, in your world."

[demiurgency]

Possession. So many it wasn't just...natural, for Sorceresses to go bad, or for anyone with that much power to end up that way eventually. He couldn't ever see that happening with Rinoa, after all. She was so kind and considerate, and the fact that she's willing to do this for him? To talk about what's clearly difficult? It means a lot. So does the hand on his back, the physical contact comforting in a way she can't possibly guess. It's a shame that the words almost make Billy want to laugh. What didn't happen?

Instead, he takes a deep breath in and releases it slowly, focusing on Rinoa's hand moving in slow circles on his back. "Yeah. Wanda says I still have it, that the Observers can't really take away part of who we are, just suppress it. Put it in a box, you know? At first, that was kind of comforting. My magic is such a big part of who I am, now. But, I don't know, lately..." He trails off, then starts again. "So, yeah. I have magic. I'm...stronger than anything my world's ever seen, or I will be when I come into my full power. I've seen part of that future. I have a--friend, I guess, who can read time like a book. He says that someday, back home, I'm going to make a choice that will change the way magic works all across the universe. It's gonna be big. Which, I mean, no pressure, right? But...I'm still new at it. I've only had my power for six years or so. I'm still learning how to use it."

"It isn't magic, like you guys have. Casting spells, channeling elements. What I do--it changes reality itself. Does that make sense to you?"

[alittlelonger]

Rinoa listens to him without interrupting, letting him get out what he needs to say first. She doesn't know Wanda, but she does personally agree with that assessment. She feels like their powers are still somewhere, hovering under the surface. Sealed, maybe, in a way. She just keeps rubbing his back and nodding as she thought through his words. Although new to magic after six years? She was less than a novice in comparison. "It is a lot of pressure, but time is changeable. Who knows what could happen in between that might change it. For instance, you're here and not there. Maybe that's already altered the future, for the better."

Or the worse, of course, but that's not something Rinoa tries to focus on.

She smiles faintly and nods. "That magic you're talking about, casting spells and elementals, it's what other people can do. A sorceress is different. Our powers are more varied and come from within, they're in-born. Ultimecia had the ability to do time compression, which is putting all of time and space into a single moment. By using the spell she wanted to take all of it into herself and then recreate the world to her liking." So she understands reality bending, and time altering too. Not that she's done it herself, but she knows that it can be done. "I honestly don't know if I can do what she can. But it's possible. So I do understand. And I know it's terrifying."

[demiurgency]

Sealed, maybe, and Billy can only hope they stay that way, because the last thing he wants to do here is ruin the tentative beginnings of friendships he's built. He misses his magic, yes, doesn't know exactly who he is without it, but he's starting to learn. To figure out bits and pieces. To know himself outside of the context of what he was. And if it turns out his magic isn't suppressed...he doesn't know why that worries him so much, only that it does.

"Yeah. I mean, Nida said something a little different, but it was kind of the same spirit, I think." He'd said that maybe Billy was going to be that person and change things, but that he was a good person, and so...so he'd make a good choice. That had been a reassurance he hadn't even known he'd needed.

Rinoa goes on about Soreceresses and their abilities, then, and Billy nods, listening in response. It's a lot of power, and a lot of responsibility, and it's definitely scary. "It is," he answers softly, lacing his fingers together in his lap and looking down at them. "I guess what I have is more like a sorceress than I even thought. I can change things. People. Some things I have to actively try and do--I repeat what I want to happen over and over again, so I can focus my intent--but I don't have to do that for everything. Some things I do without even meaning to. It's unconscious. You know?" Unconscious, and unintended, and now he's so, so worried that that might still be happening without him even knowing it.

[alittlelonger]

"That's because Nida is able to see outside of what he's been trained, which not everyone can. All they knew were evil sorceresses, to put aside that mindless hate is hard." Rinoa believes that all three of them, Nida, Squall, Seifer, at one point thought they would strike down a sorceress without hesitation. It was what they were trained to do. "Squall fell in love with one, Seifer ... well that's complicated. Nida now is close friends with two magic users, so." He's become more open minded than he might have been once.

Rinoa reaches over to gently put her hand on top of his. Comforting comes naturally to her, it might be why her sorceress magic was healing and revival, and why her powers here are advanced empathy. "Yes, you might not know you're using your powers, but you are. Magic doesn't seem like something we can just turn off. Like some people can use their powers by their will, but it's always in us." She might not know much about being one, but this much she is pretty sure of. "If I go back, I have a lot to live with. I'm supposed to be the one good sorceress to prove them all wrong." Rinoa sighs, looking at the wall. "I worry it's just a matter of time before power corrupts. Because when you can do anything, change anything, it could start simple and well intentioned."

Accidental Cat Problem

[skyward_eyes]

"She get out?" Nida asks as he comes up behind Rinoa and Julia. Barehanded as he is, he doesn't mind reaching out to pet her right now.

Which given his absolute avoidance of doing so barehanded is saying a lot. Can't help it, flustered post conversation with Seifer. And then post Billy. He's had a busy and emotionally charged night, okay? He could use some euphoria.

"Saw her reaching under the door to play with Seifer too."

[alittlelonger]

Rinoa's eyes widen when Nida intentionally pets her barehanded, since he knows what that does. But maybe he's feeling anxious because it's his first party and he was worried. A hit of Julia's fur wasn't dangerous, especially in a small dose. Still, it's rare, but he looks okay otherwise.

"He keeps pretending he doesn't care about her, but I swear she has him wrapped around her little paw. If not now, soon!" Seifer is such a softie. She knew that about him from day one. She knows better than to tease him about Billy now, although she knows very well that the two of them have talked and she spied on them.

"See, I told you it'd all be okay. You did a great job."

[skyward_eyes]

"There's a reason I gave him gloves for his birthday," Nida points out. And he's even got a new pair too, tucked away in his room. Saw them in the storage closet with all the spare clothes and the like and brought a pair home for his own use. Also useful on patrols of course.

Oh boy did they ever talk. Nida's eyes even now cast about for Billy but didn't find him. No doubt off to the kitchen like he'd said to thank Seifer for the cooking work. Hopefully that wasn't going to bite him in the ass given what he'd admitted to Seifer earlier that evening.

"I'm still lame, Rinoa. I don't even begin to believe anything else. But I am thinking about making a second set of those strange 'Jenga' blocks. Pretty interesting idea actually. And apparently we need to figure out how to replicate an Earth game called Twister, because according to Billy, I'd be the best at it."

[alittlelonger]

"That silly boy," Rinoa shook her head, but there was something very soft in her smile, glancing toward Seifer. "He works so hard to act like he doesn't care about anything." The thing was, Rinoa was great at looking through people, and she saw through that the very first time they ever met. And with her, on the whole, he was himself after that. He tried to be tough, but it didn't last for long. She knew why he did it. "I think he's doing better here, about opening up."

Rinoa turned her attention back to him. "You really should give yourself more credit, Nida. I'm just going to keep telling you nice things until it sinks in." Even if it took a decade or two. She was tenacious! She smiled about his reference to Billy and raise an eyebrow. "Twister, huh? It sounds ... what is it, like you twist around and see who can twist best?" Just taking from the general assumption of the name.

[skyward_eyes]

"He cares though, we know it," Nida smirks, shaking his head as he looks back in that same direction. The kitchen. Where Billy had disappeared to. Don't screw him, Almasy, or he will demote you from brother so fast. "And yeah, he's doing well. I'm sure his Poppa Stark will help with that."

But the other part, the compliment to him? Nida doesn't even respond to, just brushes it off. Rinoa builds him up, Seifer keeps his head from getting too big. It's a pretty good system for him, for now. But with the game he smiles with more mischief than she would have seen out of him than ever before.

"Big mat with colored dots. Spinner wheel with colors and body parts like hands and feet. Everyone playing has to put the body part spun on the color sun. Fall or take your body part off of a thing before you're supposed to, you lose. I'd be kick ass at that."

[alittlelonger]

"It's nice, having a positive role model for him. Mr. Stark seems to understand him." Rinoa still had an impossible time calling some people anything but polite names. Mr. Ms. Dr. Her father's formal upbringing of her was too firm within her mind. "I spoke with him at the party and he's very aware of what he's doing, what he's offering Seifer. It's intentional." Not just giving him a place to work because he needed the person, no he was doing it to help when he saw a lost young man.

Rinoa's eyebrows went up at that description. "That sounds kind of naughty. We'd all be wrapped up in one another." It didn't mean she was against it, just that it sounded like a party game for a different kind of party. She wanted to tease him about that being what he and Billy wanted to do anyway, but she was being good! So good. "Don't count me out, I had dance lessons growing up, I can bend too."

have a field day with that one Rinoa

[skyward_eyes]

Well, it's polite enough in Nida's book, given the fact that Seifer's all but been adopted by the guy, whether he knows it or not.

"Part of that awareness of what he's offering Seifer may in part derive from... some things I said to him," Nida admits with a shrug. Sure, he can tell Seifer that he threatened Stark. But Rinoa? No chance in hell. "I don't think he likes the idea of Garden much. I can respect that."

Naughty? Nida laughs, because wow, hearing that word from her is hilarious. He's grinning stupidly, but that may be from touching Julia with bare skin. "Okay, it's only naughty if it's with someone you want to get naughty with, Rin. Like, say, Billy. But I imagine that there is more collapsing over other people because not everyone is going to be coordinated, or they'll be competitive and trying to undermine one another."

UH HUH.

[alittlelonger]

"I don't like the idea of the Garden much either, now that I know more about it. And while I love all of my SeeD dearly, it doesn't take a genius to see there are flaws in the system." Seriously though. Major flaws in the system. "But it's not on you guys. All you did was your best. If he wants to rant about the adults in our world, well, he's not going to hear any arguments from me. He was super upset when he heard about them freezing me."

Which she agreed to, but still! And then Rinoa hear that from him and she grinned at him ear to ear. "I'm sorry, did you just say you want to get naughty with Billy?" HA.