[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.

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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

[demiurgency]

"Mm-mm," he says with a shake of his head as he snags another wedge, but he's laughing as he does it. Protein is great, and necessary, and I'm sure you're right about how helpful they all are for working out, but you are definitely wrong. Carbs are love. They are comforting and delicious and great for helping you get over really bad days." Like certain other people maybe sitting here with him right now. Shhhh.

He's right about the rest, though, and Billy laughs again at the pun, reaching out again to brush his hand over Nida's arm. "I guess I waltzed right in to that one. Wow. So as my combat instructor, it's your job to keep me in shape, but as my friend it's your job to murder me with bad puns?" Okay, it's a little bit of a reach, but still. It was a little funny.

[skyward_eyes]

Comforting and great for getting you over really bad days? Nida raises a curious eyebrow with that, paired with a tilt of his head. His go to look of confusion, which Billy would have learned from talking about Judiasm. The sort of look that came before a question. Because really, comfort food isn't a concept to him. Which he really needs to have as a concept because he could use some comfort.

"You're... saying food helps you on a bad day? And we're not just talking a bad hair day?"

But as he asks it, Billy reaches out and touches his arm again. Nope, the plate doesn't wobble because Nida is too composed for that. But he definitely plucks up a wedge and shoves it into his mouth because if he's chewing he can't say something stupid about how warm his arm feels now. Hyne save him from charming witches.

"I think we're both aware that instructor Nida and best friend Nida are two different guys," he offered with a smile once he was done with the wedge and calmed down. Maybe Billy isn't wrong about this concept. "The first is a job, the second is a privilege. Though if you really want murdered by puns, Steph is where you need to go. She's talented."

[demiurgency]

"Well, yeah." And he's gonna let that hair comment go, because he deserves it. "Comfort food, right? Sometimes you just need to eat something because it tastes good and it makes you feel better, not because it's, like, the optimal blend of nutrients to fuel your workout, or whatever. Is there a food you had back home that you ate just because you loved it? Like curry?"

He might be eating another potato wedge just to illustrate his point. Don't judge him. Finishing the wedge, he flashes Nida another grin at his words. "Yeah, I kind of figured that part out. I think I'm gonna end up with a lot more bruises from instructor Nida than I am friend Nida." From all of that training, right?

[skyward_eyes]

Curry. Literally only curry. And it was good for him too.

"Comfort food? Seriously? Pull the other leg, Kaplan. That one has bells on it."

Still, bruises are an unfortunate effect of all of this, and Nida does give him a sad, soft smile. "Trust me, if I had my magic I'd make sure you were healed up after every time. But as long as we have this green power we have, we should be able to reduce that going forward."

[demiurgency]

"Shut up, it's a real thing. Ask anyone from Earth. Or we can take this poll multi-dimensional, I don't care." He's still grinning, but the look fades just a little as Nida smiles back at him. Why does he look sad? He shouldn't look sad. Not about this, it's silly. The look Billy gives him in return is earnest, sincere, and 100% just for Nida.

"I totally wouldn't let you do that, because magic means junctioning and I like your memories right where they are, mister. Besides, I don't mind bruises. They mean you've earned whatever you're doing, right? And they're a reminder of a good session. Something to remember how to do things better next time."

[skyward_eyes]

He doesn't want to hurt you Billy. In any way. In so many ways. Not physically, and not with this stupid crush. That's why he's smiling sad. But Billy's warmth, man that always makes it better.

"Wow, you're officially better to me than my life back home," Nida offered warmly. "But yeah, pain is important. It helps teach the body what it should and shouldn't do."

Like have crushes. He's so going to ask Seifer to step on his foot later or something.

[demiurgency]

"Things should be better to you. So should people." He wants to be good to Nida. Or good for him, maybe? Maybe both. But anyway. "It's a good way to look at things. Listen to your body, don't do the things that hurt it? Or, y'know, learn from that hurt," he muses thoughtfully. Maybe there's something to that. Maybe he should be listening to his heart a little more carefully. He looks distracted, eyes going soft and a little distant as he contemplates, licking his lips and clearing them of any stray crumbs or oil. After a second, he shakes his head and looks back at Nida, smiling.

"Sorry. Guess I've heard a lot of things to think about tonight. This has been really good. It was a good idea, Nida. I'm glad you did it."

[skyward_eyes]

Nothing like Billy not looking at him to get Nida worrying. If he just knew what that distraction was, he could do something about it. Make it better. Or at least try. Of course that slips from his mind when Billy licks his lips. Then Nids is just starting at those lips, wishing he could lick them clean himself. And then maybe more.

Billy’s voice jars him back to the present and he smiles, offering over the plate. “ I can leave you to think if you want. Sorta a hosts anyway. I think I owe the others my smiling ace. And to try, you know, actually smiling. I should check in on Seifer and the food, see if he needs me to fetch anything. We can meet up Wednesday. Here or at your place if you want. I promise to handle all furniture rearranging.”

[demiurgency]

He can't help but feel disappointed when Nida makes to leave, and it shows on his face before he can stop it. But Nida's right. This is his party, and Billy shouldn't keep him here, it's selfish. "Guess you're right. I can't hog you all to myself all night, right?" The smile he offers is small, a little lopsided but genuine as he takes the offered plate. "You've got a lot of people to see and things to do. Uh--wherever works for me, we've got the room at our place, I don't want to get in Seifer or Rinoa's way or anything. Tommy isn't usually home during the afternoon, and he's unconscious til noon most mornings."

[skyward_eyes]

“Oh, you could absolutely do that,” Nida smiles at him. Don’t be sad, Billy. Please. “You just... seem like you wanted space. To think. Was I wrong? Did I read that wrong?”

Like Nida cared if he gets in Rin of Seif’s way if it meant time with Billy. But if Billy is more comfortable offering his place, Nida will take it. “Wherever you think is comfortable, Billy.”

[demiurgency]

"Yeah?" His smile grows just a little wider as he looks up at Nida. "I mean, I might've reached the thinky part of party attendance, but I'm fine, really. Still, guess I probably should let you go do your rounds, or I'll be tempted to keep you here all night." It's nice, talking to Nida. One of Billy's favorite things to do, and he never seems to run out of things to say. But Nida should see the others.

"I might go tell Seifer his food's been really good. He'd probably be great at a few recipes I know. Meet me at my place on Wednesday? Maybe we can alternate places for lessons so we don't get on anyone's nerves too much."

[skyward_eyes]

"Maybe we'll just have to have another sleep over sometime," Nida suggests with a fond smile. Just him sleeping in the same room as a beautiful Billy. Is it bad that the sound of him sleeping made Nida sleep better? Fuck, it probably is.

"Wednesday," Nida agrees after a moment. Then he gestures for Billy to stand. If his friend does, he's getting a goodbye hug. Because Billy hugs are the best.

[demiurgency]

"I'd like that a lot." He really would. It was so much easier to sleep knowing he wasn't alone, that he had someone within arm's reach if he woke up with more nightmares. His smile at the thought grows wider, and when Nida gestures Billy sets the plate aside, standing in front of him and wrapping his arms around Nida. And if he lets the gesture last a little longer than he maybe should, or stands a little closer for just a minute, he's pretty sure Nida isn't going to complain too much.

[skyward_eyes]

He won't complain at all. This is the best thing ever, and he'll never admit it. To be in the arms of someone you care about. What in his life did he do to deserve the sweet torture that is his feelings for Billy Kaplan?

"Guess you aren't going to want to chat with me tonight. Try and sleep some, okay?"

[demiurgency]

"I always want to chat with you. But I'll try and sleep. Message me anyway?" Because maybe he won't be able to sleep, and honestly, even if they've hung out during the day it still feels weird these days to not talk to Nida before he goes to sleep. Only a month in, and already it feels kind of like a routine.

[skyward_eyes]

"You know I'm always here when you call."

Truer words he doesn't think he's ever said. It's a promise, and a deep one. And made with that perfect playful smile to rob a lot of his own personal meaning from it.