hexarchate_rpg | Chapter 3.1: The party begins

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moves: chapter 3

Chapter 3.1: The party begins

EDIT: The base is sited in the year 951, in a very odd timeline that has NO h*archate. Supplies have to be brought in via rift from other timelines. Thread here.

Ashari's new base features variable layout, which has been put to use in creating an extravagant ballroom. Tables to one side boast a variety of foods, drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and the occasional euphoric drugs. Candlevines glow blue and violet, and flower arrangements interspersed with fantastic sculptures of lace-woven wire adorn the tables. The arrangements mean various sarcastic things, if you're familiar with the Andan petal language.

Music plays softly enough not to overwhelm conversation, loudly enough to set a mood complementing the low-key lighting.

Remi is one of the first arrivals from the Cantata, shepherding the mothlings. Because he's a Nirai, he has a slate and is taking notes, although he is happy enough to talk to anyone who approaches him.

The kitchen is currently adjacent to the ballroom. Ashari's voice can be heard, raised in some kind of argument with...a caterer?

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It’s not Eddox’s style to play it safe, but it’s exactly what they’re doing. Too much weird shit has happened in an exceptionally small amount of time for them to take the point position. Besides, new people mean new possibilities and the chance to observe them.

Eddox enters the ballroom alone. They try to shake off the strange lightness of their arms. They prefer to enter parties with at least one lover draped over them. But free arms leave them open to have farther spanning conversations.

They are dressed finely in a iridescent dark purple suit with matching slacks and black shoes. (They have little love for the typical Andan Blue and only adhere to it under duress or the sweetest bribes.) The jacket and neck of their shirt has been left unbuttoned to reveal the hint of a black binder beneath. They wear no scarf or jewelry around their neck, leaving it bare, inviting someone to comment. Their rust colored hair is braided tightly in rows on one side of their head, the other side unbraided and styled meticulously to look carelessly frizzy as it curls down to frame the right side of their face. On the left side, their facial scar sprawls across the cheek in a thin horizontal arch over their nose. Their left ear is pierced with several small gold hoops, their right sporting a gold and cream-colored hearing aid studded with diamonds. A gold chain hangs from the top of the device and ends in a stud piercing in the lobe of their ear. Their makeup is minimal and a touch masculine.

Eddox sizes up the room, their eyes darting quickly to the food table and just as quickly away again. They make a show of taking in the decorations as they make a headcount, take in initial social posturing and sorting social groups from proximity and lack thereof. No Ashari, at least, they they can scan from likely aesthetics and body plans (which is a terrible metric for them) but, no matter. Molina had designated them as their point of contact, but seeing as Mol had conveniently left out the mission parameters and the whole time travel bit, they figured they would get to business when business got to them. For now, pleasure.

[ Note: Eddox is partially hearing, but will likely not be able to make out individual people speaking verbally in crowds. They cannot hear the argument in the kitchen. They are however fluent in Shuos sign language, Kel drum code, and simplified machine universal and machine universal (with their color field generating exotic). When close enough (or over comm or private vid) and without too much background noise, they can communicate verbally mostly without issue, and can speak common and the high language, but they do have a bit of an accent. They also speak their own culture’s verbal language and sign language. ]

There is a lot of iridescence suddenly in the ballroom between Eddox and Seyli. Although the dark purple is almost sedate compared to the riot of sequin's the former Kel is wearing. Thanks to Reshad, their hair spills over one side of their head and is neatly braided along the edge of the other undercut. Outside of their usual mock uniform...this is certainly a look one wouldn't expect from the solider. They've paired it with complimenting gold eyeshadow, sharply lined cateye liner, and simple flats. It's femme, but the cut of the dress outlines the fact they are still very much an alt. A fairly daring choice for an ex-Kel.

They meet Eddox's eyes on accident as they walk in and offer a smile that doesn't quite look at home on their features. "Hello," they say with a little wave as they take in the newcomer with an appraising look.

[The dress, for those who didn't see it in the discord https://www.net-a-porter.com/us/en/product/1213226/Alex_Perry/jackson-one-sleeve-sequined-satin-mini-dress ]

Edited 2020-01-11 03:12 (UTC)

So Ashari found another pretty person somewhere (they must have a subscription), and--saint of vines and tendrils, that is Seyli. Matter-of-fact, not-drinking-on-duty, comfortable Seyli.

Sasha takes four deep breaths, the way she practiced with Ione (better not look at Ione either, fuck) and scans the party for anyone wearing approximately decent clothes.

Eddox smiles as the riot of color that is Seyli greets them. They’re charmed by the dissonance of their daring outfit and their hesitant greeting.

Eddox waves back and then says in common, “That is quite the dress and you wear it well. Though, I imagine it would be difficult to conceal a weapon in it.” It’s meant as a joke, but the tilt of Eddox’s head is offset but the severity of the infection on “weapon.”

“Andan Eddox,” Eddox says and bows a respectable depth. “Or Umul Eddox, if you’re nasty.” They reach to clasp Seyli’s hands with both of theirs, their fingers pointed down and palms toward themself as they wrap their fingers around Seyli’s. “A pleasure to meet you.”

Seyli's surprised that Eddox takes their hand, but they don't pull away from the touch. "Seyli, in any case," they say with a faint flush on their cheeks. "And you'd be surprised where I can hide weapons." The sleeve is full as it is for a reason. "And well," they flex subtly, their bare arm perfectly toned.

Eddox's mouth curls in genuine delight when Seyli flexes, their eyebrows arched in interest, but also at the alt's candidness about the presence of their guns, metal or meat. "Now, I'm easily impressed by feats of flesh but still I must say: Nice." Eddox has dozens of types, but buff alts willing to flex within the first minute of meeting them must be in the top 1/3, at least.

They raise their own arm in mock flex. "I'm afraid I have no such weapons, but what I lack in strength, I make up for in dexterity." They wiggle their fingers innocently.

Seyli lets out a delighted laugh, face still flushed, as Eddox waggles their fingers. "Well we can't all be everything alone." Seyli isn't entirely sure if they're flirting...but they aren't not flirting with Eddox. "Isn't that why people team up?"

[if this posts twice, sorry! dw or my internet glitched out on me]

"That is precisely why people team up." Eddox says it like a revelation, completely overblown and far too dramatic for the moment.

They appraise Seyli again, as if sizing them up, literally this time. Eddox decides they might prefer to hang off of Seyli's arm rather than for them to hang off theirs, if only so they could wrap their fingers around their bicep. In any case: "You have a charming laugh," they say after adjusting their shirt collar. They close the distance between them and place a hand on Seyli's upper arm. "Forgive me for my familiarity, but touch is part of the language when you're deaf. And it's much easier to hear with you close to my right." Eddox removes their hand and gives Seyli an expectant smile. "You don't mind that, do you?" It is only from practice that they keep the smirk from their lips.

It's surprisingly pleasant to have Eddox rest a hand on their upper arm, they swallow hard. And then they shift just enough so they're standing close to Eddox's right side, still close enough to touch. "Oh, not at all." the pitch of their voice drops down in surprise, rather than up. "I'm...a very tactile person." There is no fucking way the could keep up with an Andan flirting, but they're willing to give it a go.

Edited 2020-01-12 02:39 (UTC)

Eddox gives Seyli a liquid smile and then wraps an arm around their bicep. There! They feel much more comfortable with a lovely companion to wrap around.

They begin to lead Seyli leisurely about the room, roundabout towards the food table. “So, tell me a bit about yourself?” They say aloud. With the hand wrapped around Seyli’s arm, Eddox says in Kel drum code, “I was sent to assist in the mission. I know little. I am on your side.”

Edited 2020-01-13 02:31 (UTC)

That smile does entirely too much to Seyli and they allow themselves to be lead around the room. It's Sasha you want to meet, she'll tell you how to help. they tap out, taking Eddox's hand for a moment to do so. They shift Eddox just enough so they can see the woman in question.

"Ex-Kel, but I doubt that surprises you." Not with the drum code message, not for an Andan's sharp eyes. "I'm just a pretty set of muscles with a gun and a taste for very shiny dresses."

Understood.

“Oh? Just? I can hardly believe that.” They stop and select a folded bun filled with sliced duck and take a bite. They can’t help but to inventory the food, to mentally sort everything into what could be easily transported and keep long enough to be worth taking in bulk. They take a tiny plate and place the bun on it. “Ex-Kel surely. A pretty set of muscles, gun and Andan-level fashion taste, most surely. But just that?” They make a little pout of their lips. “Surely there is much more. Tell me of your lovers. Or your platonic partners?” They shake their head and their hair bounces. “Ah, forgive me, too personal too quickly. How about any house plants?”

They find themselves charmed rather than annoyed by the questions. "None of them, I'm afraid." Oh that pout is very attractive. "I can't imagine keeping a plant alive on a moth, although I'd work great deal harder to keep a lover alive."

Eddox breaks their Perfect Andan character at Seyli's answer. They jerk to stop and say, "Wait, seriously? None?" That doesn't process for several reasons. They notice Seyli's polite stare and then straighten their posture and slip back into Perfect Andan mode. "Forgive me, it just wasn't what I was expecting to hear."

They buy a few precious seconds as they pick up their bun and take a few more bites. "I suppose it would be hard to keep lovers in your line of work," Eddox says on pure supposition. They have no idea in truth, but they can guess people with guns and muscles would have little time for domestic affairs. "It's practically my job to have them, so it's strange to me." Oh, now they are going to think they are a courtesan. Well, they are flustered now, and Seyli's sympathetic and earnest attention isn't helping. Nor are their arms or that genuine looking smile they keep favoring them with.

"I do have several house plants," they add idiotically. "My planet is only just beginning terraforming work. Plants are precious solace." So are lovers, but they don't want to slip again.

It's odd to see an Andan slip, but Seyli doesn't react any differently. Just an apologetic shrug. "I was a Kel surrounded by other Kel on a moth until very recently, not particularly a good place to find a lover." Seyli doesn't go in for a great deal of artifice or false emotion, the earnest interest appallingly honest. Anyone on the Cantana would likely agree Seyli wore their emotions clear on their face.

"Did you bring them with you? The plants? Although I suppose you could have brought your lovers along with you as well."

“Oh, no. No plants or lovers allowed the mission I’m afraid.” They considered bringing Em, but they wouldn’t exactly call them lovers. And Cherno is... occupied at the moment. “Hard to keep both, I’m afraid. Always seem to be getting new ones to replace the old.” Foxes and hounds, this is sounding awful. “I haven’t killed many plants—or lovers.” Eddox sighs. “Forgive me, I seem to be flustered.”

They take Seyli’s arm again and squeeze it lightly. “Shall we go walk some more, so that my feet have something other to do than fill my mouth? Not that I don’t want to have you to myself, but I should probably speak to the others.” Seyli had said to speak to Sasha, and the grid had helpfully pointed her out, speaking with another woman named Hana.

"I'm pleased to hear you haven't killed many of either, I'm sure the rest of the team will be reassured as well." Seyli touches the back of Eddox's hand as they squeeze their arm. "I'll be sure to let everyone know," the tease as they allow themselves to be lead toward Sasha and one of the new team members.

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Chapter 3.1: The party begins

Eddox enters the Ballroom.

Re: Eddox enters the Ballroom. And so does Seyli

Re: Eddox enters the Ballroom. And so does Seyli

Re: Eddox enters the Ballroom. And so does Seyli

Re: Eddox enters the Ballroom. And so does Seyli

Re: Eddox enters the Ballroom. And so does Seyli

Re: Eddox enters the Ballroom. And so does Seyli

Re: Eddox enters the Ballroom. And so does Seyli

Re: Eddox enters the Ballroom. And so does Seyli

Re: Eddox enters the Ballroom. And so does Seyli

Re: Eddox enters the Ballroom. And so does Seyli

Re: Eddox enters the Ballroom. And so does Seyli

Re: Eddox enters the Ballroom. And so does Seyli

Re: Eddox enters the Ballroom. And so does Seyli

Re: Eddox enters the Ballroom. And so does Seyli

Re: Eddox enters the Ballroom. And so does Seyli

Re: Eddox enters the Ballroom. And so does Seyli