maskormenacelogs | (no subject)

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(no subject)

WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: Jeopardy -> Heropa
WHEN: Nov. 19
WHAT: A resolution and a swear-in
WARNINGS: Please label threads

Somewhere, in a place that is and is not Jeopardy, time has passed. To some, it may have felt like mere hours; to others, days. For time doesn't truly touch this place. Only fate exists here, for imPorts to change or allow to proceed as it will.

Somewhere, the sisters look into the hearts of those with the power to decide the fate of this entire world and know their choice. A blinding light grows, forcing even the strongest to close their eyes, and as they do so, a vision of what could have happened appears in their minds. A world wreathed in flames, fire and screams echoing ceaselessly as they depart; a peaceful world, healed and whole and well—and a certainty that another world has paid a heavy price.

And then there's the sensation of three powerful forces leaving, two taking an unwilling third with them to wherever they are going. This world will be left as it is now, and its future will be whatever the people here make of it.

MEANWHILE, IN HEROPA

One week into the mysterious storm that has enveloped much of Jeopardy, citizens across the nation are losing hope. The government continues to monitor the situation at a safe distance, but cannot enter the affected part of the city, though one SEAL team did make an attempt, only to become lost in the wind for hours before emerging without ever making it through. While the storm hasn't grown, neither has it shown any sign of changing.

The heroes who bravely charged into the storm have not officially been given up for lost, but with no news coming from Jeopardy, few believe they will emerge unscathed. To honor their sacrifice (?) and offer sorrowful natives a means of coping, a candlelight vigil kicks off outside Heropa City Hall at 4:30 PM EST.

Speeches are given. Commemorative t-shirts are sold. It is at this point that a large portal of light opens up in front of the building and deposits all imPorts who entered the storm, as well as a confused but unharmed Layla and Sally Clapp. A stunned silence falls over the crowd — followed shortly by an eruption of cheers.

Organized chaos quickly reigns over the occasion. Medical personnel are quickly called in to aid any imPorts who might need it, and government officials quickly descend, one thing on their mind: what the heck happened, heroes?! ImPorts are asked to state, for the record, exactly what they experienced — which leaves a lot of room open for the more creative among them. Just what each imPorts is willing to confess to or lie about is up to them, but there are other imPorts at hand to refute or support all statements.

While imPorts are technically free to go, all are encouraged to enter the building for a debriefing with government officials. Those who care to share their story begin to paint a picture of what happened, and a flurry of transportation begins to move between City Hall and the local porter outpost, as Jeopardy will certainly require some aid now that it is fully accessible. Reports begin to filter back that while there have been some casualties and collateral damage to the city, it is far less of a disaster than the government anticipated during the storm, no doubt due to imPorts' efforts. Additionally, news from other porter cities begins to arrive; with the dissipation of the Jeopardy storm, all dimensional anomalies elsewhere have ceased.

Following the briefings, ImPorts may go home and get some rest, although they may have trouble shaking off the crowds — which are largely ecstatic that the people who apparently saved the world are in front of them.

While imPorts were occupied with the post-disaster debriefings, locals have used the time to launch an impromptu celebration of their defense of this world. Local restaurants, breweries and nanas have hustled their finest wares over, and free food and drink are flowing for the homecoming heroes. A local party & events organizing company has strung up some lights and tents in the park across the street from City Hall, lending a festive atmosphere to the area. T-shirts being sold to honor the assumed-fallen heroes have been 'edited' with permanent marker, going from 'FALLED HEROES' (there was an error in the print run, given the notice of less than a week) to 'RISEN HEROES' and are, regretfully, being given away for free.

For those who stay, an impromptu party breaks out, and the occasion quickly becomes the latest swear-in, albeit with a more casual emphasis on the actual swearing-in than usual; a card table is set up with the usual seals and documents, but it's a bit haphazard.

Along with tasty libations, local musicians start jamming on acoustic guitars in the park's gazebo, setting up some cheerful background music—or maybe you're not too tired to dance? A local physical therapy school has rolled in multiple portable massage tables, with free sessions for sore heroes!

The locals who haven't dispersed yet are also around, likely to seek autographs from the world savers, while podcasters, BlueTubers and regular nosy nellies might lean in with a recording device, asking for the real story of what happened. For imPorts who become too intoxicated or exhausted to porter home, many locals are offering couches to crash on — although the pillows they use may later show up on ePay.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[her expression softens out of worry and clouds into weariness. it takes a beat, but she catches the glance and follows it down to the empty scabbard, her heart aching and eyes burning anew.]

Now that it's over...really over. I'll be fine. [sooner or later. because she must, because she won't accept anything less. this is the first day of the rest of our lives.

she exhales.]

...I'm so tired. Forgive me.

Ain't nothin' to forgive, yo.

[He understands, even if he doesn't know the details. This whole...thing has been exhausting, and now there's some party erupting...Guzma feels the pull to indulge, to let loose and enjoy some stupidity, honestly. There's been so much thinking and overthinking and feeling these past few weeks, so it just feels right to let loose.

However, Lucina doesn't look to be in the partying mood, and maybe it's less that even Guzma is, neither...]

What're ya wantin' t'do? Sounds like the lot of 'em are wantin' to celebrate. Think we should do the same?

[her eyes wince.

yes, it'd be...appropriate to share in the joy abounding, but right now, the prospect sounds very taxing.

she shakes her head a bit, still looking down.]

I won't keep you from it, but...I just want to go back to the house. [she peers back up at him through her bangs, unsure of what sort of expression she'll find...or what one she ought to expect.

or what one she wants.

she swallows quietly, her head tilting back down.]

And...if you want. You can come there, too. When you're tired of all of this.

[God, he doesn't know what he wants. Not when she's like this. Not when, hell, not that long ago they were fighting for their lives, and now it's...this. Like it didn't even happen, like all that danger, all that tension, pain, and fighting...it all went away so quickly. The relief so sudden it almost feels...unsatisfying.

Like the relief is skipped entirely, and it's gone straight into pure exhaustion.

However, her invitation isn't lost on him, and he's left wondering how often he'll be finding himself at her place...or vice versa. He's also wondering if maybe sticking around for a little bit will be good for her, to see some joy in the faces of the people she sacrificed so much for...]

I'll join you—but I think you should join me too. Even for a little while, hmm? You deserve the praise and the attention...the love they got for ya.

[He lets that hang in the air for a moment, glancing towards the bustling people on the street connected to this alleyway he's hidden himself in.]

Then we can go home, huh?

[...He means her place, but he doesn't catch how he phrased that, oops.]

[she does, though. it stirs her a little on the outside, and a whole lot more on the inside. while her thoughts had been on washing off Jeopardy's filth and sleeping for the next century before, including Guzma in them means a different image for that century or so.

that thought stills her, even as her heart thumps a little harder in her chest.

her eyes flicker away from him, glancing over her shoulder at the festivities to her back. he's probably right, on some level. she's not so sure about what's deserved, but...to slip away and hide from joy when they'd spent so long without is probably not ideal.

she nods slightly.]

...Okay. Yes.

[He looks to her once she's given her answer, and smirks. He's completely unaware of where her mind even went, and maybe that's for the better.]

We can see what's up, maybe eat or drink somethin' halfway decent.

[Backing off her so she can actually turn around and head out that way with him, he shrugs.]

But hey, if shit gets to be too much, just tell me, yeah?

[it's a generous offer -- perhaps she ought to consider how generous it is, considering the sort of man Guzma tries to be. Lucina's still in a bit of a haze, however, and she only nods, turning to face the sea of celebration ahead of her. it's easier to stare down when she starts to spy familiar faces, however...and more palatable once she gets some food in her. after that mysterious span of days with just tepid water and vending machine fare? a burger is about as close to heavenly as she's tasted, and it does a lot to perk her up. simple, animal needs, right?

it means she has more stamina to speak with friends -- to get rid of some of her armor, thanks to Archie. to get a little encouragement from Darin (and...even some bit of a blessing? that leaves her with a little flip of the stomach). to see for herself that the people she cares about are still hale and whole. a bit worse for wear, but...still here.

being crowded by civilians takes a toll, however, and Lucina doesn't last long in all the smothering. she withdraws after a couple hours or so back to where she had left Guzma's side...finding him absent, dragged off by Darin for their little pow-wow.

she swallows against an uneasy feeling that wells up and passes over her. there's no more fighting to be done, and he said...]

I'm going to make my way back to Maurtia Falls.

[she sighs, sending the message before giving one more look around, just to see if she can glimpse him before giving up the evening for good...]

[Well, he's enjoyed himself for the most part. Had some fun, met up with some people, had some drinks, ate some food, had that...powwow with Darin...

In fact, he's about done with that whole thing when he notices the message. He fumbles with his phone, nearly drops it—maybe he should have gone a little easier on the drinks—and then reads it. Yeah, it's about time to call it a night he thinks too. He's beat, and there's little he wants more right now than to retire with Lucina, so after recalling his team, and parting ways with Darin, he quickly sends her a reply.]

i fellt hat wehre u @???

[He squints at it appraisingly for a moment, as if he cared for a single moment that he's typing like a drunk slob. Which turns out he doesn't because he sends it off and doesn't even attempt to correct it as he heads out into the crowd, standing at his full height to see if he can spot her.]

[blue hair is deceptive in the dark, but glimpses of that color under street lights can give tell to who that shape walking away from the crowds.

she's only slowed by having to squint at that spelling...]

On my way to the Porter.
I can wait for you, if you like.

thikn i c u btr

[...Good enough. Look he's pretty sure he sees her, and so he's pressing past the crowd. When he's almost out of the bustle, he gets stopped by another annoying ass person wanting an autograph—someone he grabs by the front of the shirt and throws to the ground out of his way.

Oops!

He's not looking back, even as people cluster around to check on the person, and level stares of disbelief at him. Obviously Guzma doesn't give a fuck, his mind is on one thing and that's getting to Lucina. Besides, maybe if he hadn't had that whole bottle of rum to himself, he might...have found a different way to handle that guy.

Either way, he's in plain view without so many people about, and he looks...drunk. Happy, but drunk.]

Yoooo!

[And maybe a little too high on the volume. But who can blame him with all that music that's been playing?]

[she stops at the call, turning and looking mildly perplexed.

he looks...

well. definitely much better than he did in the storm. but that-much openly drunk is a new sight for her. she stares at him curiously as he makes his way over, making note of his gait and balance.

...and smell.]

Hello. Did you have a good time?

[IT'S JUST MONSTER BITS, CROWD FUNK, AND ALCOHOL!! Nothing too bad...

He doesn't seem to notice how she's perplexed, because he doesn't notice a lot right now. He'll be fine.]

S'okay. Had better parties.

[Once he's actually to her, he stops with a little bit of a wobble, but otherwise seems able to stay up.]

How 'bout you, huh? Ain't nobody bugged ya too bad? If they did—[He looks back over his shoulder, as if she had confirmed this, and the perpetrator might be behind him somewhere...]

Edited 2019-11-21 07:14 (UTC)

[mildly:] Nothing I couldn't handle myself. Don't worry. [but she can appreciate the offer! that's very sweet, drunkzma.

she turns, starting back along her way, hardly needing to wait before his long legs can get him to catch up at her side.]

...You were right, though. It was good to be there, even for a little while.

I ain't doubtin' if y'can handle yerself none.

[If anything, he'd just wanna reinstate whatever she might have done to the person in question. The hypotehtical person who is decidedly nonexistent. But Drunkzma also isn't entirely sure with her answer.

His stare lingers for a long few moments, as if he could narrow-eyed glare them into confessing, even though he's not even staring at anyone in particular, and even less does anyone back that way give a shit. Once he realizes Lucina's a bit away from him, and speaking, he quickly (albeit a bit sloppily) catches up.]

Oh yeah? [He says in a way that attempts to cover up the fact he had lagged behind so badly, and thus he caught about half of what she said.] That s'good!

[He thinks...?

Yeah, he's taking a guess at what she said, a little more focused on keeping pace with her. Something that's not usually too difficult, but right now...]

I dunno 'bout you, but m'ready fors a shower, wash all this crap offa me...and spendin' the rest of the night witchu.

[He gestures widely, his volume increasing exponentially.]

Hell, I could spend the whole--the next damn whole month witchu after all that shit, HUH?

G-Guzma-?!

[she startles at his shout, her face starting to flush red. she reaches over to try and get him to put his arm down.

she knows him to be a rowdy sort of guy...but like this?]

Goodness, I— I mean...! I doubtless share a similar sentiment, but...! [but she’s not about to yell it!]

What?

[When she grabs his arm, and successfully pulls it down, he just looks confused. But then it sinks in what she said, and that confused expression gives way to a lascivious grin.]

Yeah? Do ya now...?

[He starts to move his hand towards her, but then stops. Almost like he's hit a wall. That grin fading for a second as his expression shifts to something a little conflicted and concentrated. Lucina can basically see the gears in his head turning as he then stuffs his hands into his pockets. Maybe groping Lucina in public isn't a good idea, and he has at last the smallest morsel of sense to keep himself in check

Even drunk.]

[in that beat where he's clearly got the hamster-wheel turning, Lucina is braced with her breath held. is she going to have to throw him? clap a hand over his mouth? drag him to the Porter posthaste? is--

ah...

no. he's...heeled himself! thank gods. she lets out her breath, still red as a tomato and none-too pleased about it!

flustered, she picks up her pace, rubbing at her cheeks as if to scrub the look of her face.]

L-let's just get out of here, okay? Without yelling to the world about it!

YEA—[WAIT]—uh, yeah.

[Man he feels a little awkward, but probably not as awkward as Lucina right now. It's not like he's trying to be a pain in the ass, but drunk people do drunk people things...

So, with a scowl that's more self aimed than anything, he follows behind her. Feeling an odd bit like he's in trouble? A strange feeling for the Skull leader to be sure, but he doesn't say anything about. Just keeps his hands in his pockets, and focuses on keeping up with her, and not tripping over himself and eating the concrete.]

[honestly... drunkenness can be so troublesome! she has half a mind to scold him for it, but...gods. that's so much work and effort. even with a meal behind her and a bit more energy, she's exhausted with conflict! now that Guzma mentioned getting clean again...that's really what's coming to the forefront of her mind. hot water...]

Oh, good-- it's still warm in here.

[she lets out a breath of relief as she enters the dark house, quickly sidestepping so her drunk boy can stomp on in to warm his poor, tropical bones. Heropa was comfortable enough to walk in during the evening, but porting back up to Maurtia Falls? the temperature change was quite the slap in the face.]

Come on, then. [she keeps a hand on his arm while he's kicking shoes off.] Go on and wash off. You'll feel a lot better right away.

[The only fortunate part of his drunkness is that the artificial warmth it gives fools him into thinking he's not as cold as he is. He's still cold, but he'd probably be complaining a whole lot more, especially considering he wasn't exactly wearing his winter coat to goddamn Jeopardy!!

So, when he does step into her place, his arms and face are particularly red, his body a bit rigid from trying to keep itself pulled tight against itself. Honestly, it's when the warmth hits him that he realizes just how cold he actually is, and as if on cue, he starts to shiver.]

Fuuuuck, it's cold out there...

[Once inside proper, he starts to rub his arms after kicking his shoes off at the door. He does look over his shoulder at her—at least the trek home helped to sober him up a little, and what artificial warmth remained was more from the buzz, than being truly piss drunk anymore.]

Y'sure? I'm sure you're freezin' too.

[She's just...less of a baby about it.]

I can wait my turn. It'd bother me more if you had to wait on me.

[after turning on one of the lamps in the living room, she walks back to him and gives him a gentle tug on the arm, nodding over toward the bedroom.]

Besides, you're the guest. You get first dibs.

[That earns her an odd look. He's the "guest", huh? Technically it's true, but...he's not exactly familiar with such treatment or consideration, at least other than maybe mocking that sort of mentality often found in the upper classes of society—the stuffy sort that are friendly because of social standards than anything genuine.

With a huff of amused disbelief and a shrug, he starts his way towards the bathroom.]

If you say so. Though—[he stops right before leaving the living room, his hand resting on corner of the doorway into the hall from the livingroom as he stops for a second. Maybe if he was as piss drunk as before, he'd offer she join him, but even with inhibitions lowered as they are, he's not...braindead.

After all, she was already pretty pissed with him earlier, wasn't she?]—eh, nevermind... I'll be quick.

[huh...?

she tilts her head, giving his back an inquisitive look that lingers even after the door clicks closed. what...did he mean to say? she wishes she had a better read on him in times like that. or...in general. he still surprises her -- mostly for the better, if she were to keep score, but even so...

well. she can't spend that time just...conjuring up mysterious claims with no basis; that's not only nervewracking, but exhausting to even consider. instead she takes to meandering around the rest of her little living space, seeing to some of the chores she'd left behind on that fateful day. after setting some glasses of water down on the coffee table, she starts to unclip the greaves on her legs. for the first time in so many days, her knees and shins get some air...gods, it feels weird. good, but weird. same feeling she'd had when Archie helped her get out of the gauntlets and pauldrons. shedding a second skin...

straightening up, her fingers trail to her belt. Falchion's belt and scabbard... she feels a weight in her chest as she unbuckles and withdraws it from herself, watching the material dangle limply from the belt length.

even if her father wouldn't hold it against her, giving up that most holy blade...she can't help but hold herself accountable. maybe there was something else she could've given in its stead. but the idea of sacrificing her memories? her precious feelings? even the painful ones...they're all so important. she's already afraid of all the times others port out, how they'd come to forget her. how some had, upon return. Thor. Padme.

it's why she'd been so relieved when Guzma found her again, remembered her.

she'll remember Falchion, too. having it, earning it...losing it. those memories will stay, and she'll fight anyone who tries to wrench them free of her.

for now, though, this belt and the remains of this armor will get carefully placed near the wicker chair Archie made for her. the laundry chair.]

[The shower does him some good. Peeling his own clothes off is much the same feeling for him—he has no idea how long they were actually in that hell storm, but it did them no favors in hygiene. Not that Guzma's ever been too horribly picky over such things, being homeless and then stuck living in an abandoned and destroyed town, where they struggled to keep the power on, where they struggled to survive..there were just more important things than that.

But even he could appreciate the relaxing and refreshing feel of a hot shower after everything. Especially after the cold trek it took to get back. At least it helps him think a little more clearly, and gives him a little more time to sober up...even if he's not entirely. His buzzed mind doesn't let his thoughts linger too long on one thing or the other, jumping around a bit, but always landing back on Lucina. How grateful he is to be back with her—both of them relatively unharmed beyond scrapes and bruises from those fights.

Both alive.

Once he's finally done, he emerges from the bathroom in...nothing but a towel around his waist. Look, his clothes are a damn mess, and it'd be pointless to put the gore and sweat-slicked clothes back on when he just got clean. His hair is a wet flippy mess, more in his face than not, and what attempts he might have taken to drying it only did so much.]

All yours.

[He says as he gestures towards the bathroom, but he stops in his place as he looks her over, and takes in the sight of her out of her armor. She's really something else in it and out of it, and it's a bit of an incredible transformation. He likes both, definitely, but after both of them having to be so on guard non-stop, it's nice to see her like this.]

Edited (WOW) 2019-11-21 22:06 (UTC)

Alright, I'll--

[she stops, doing a bit of a double-take as she actually looks at Guzma as opposed to just a passing glance. rather, the state of him. state of undress of him. him. uh--

without her permission, her face and neck go red as a tingle shoots up her spine. it really is a novel thing to her -- not really to be attracted to someone, not really, but...to this degree? and with this state of dress.

undress.

gods.

she shakes her head to snap herself out of it and, clearing her throat, hastens past him and closes the bedroom door behind her, needing a minute to stand there and get a hold of herself. heart hammering out of nowhere! where is this adrenaline coming from? after all that endless strife, shouldn't she just be exhausted instead of...of all hot and bothered?

dammit, she can't even really zone out in that glorious, hot water for too long before her thoughts begin to drift to him, leaving her quite shaken up. yet, alongside that... 'the first day of the rest of our lives,' was it? to find happiness?

and he'd said, even though he had his heart set on someone else where he's from...he wants to stay with her. he could spend the next whole damn month with her! as he'd screamed...out loud...like a crazy person.]

Umh...So I, I took the liberty of collecting your clothes, [she says, reappearing in the doorway, pajama-clad and hesitant.] I've put them in the washing machine with the others. That way you don't have to...

[walk around my living quarters in just a towel!!!]

Put on that filth later.