The future's gonna be out of this world [Text / Mingle]

[spaghettimonster]

Date: [December 26th (Text), December 31st/January 1st (Log)]
Characters: Network - [Russell's number], Log: Open]

---

Network: Open Invitation (Mostly)

[In the late hours of the 26th, around 9pm, an emoji-filled text message goes up courtesy of Russell typing his number into his phone again.]

I've decided we're having a party at the flat
If you can read this and your a friend
Or a friend of a friend
You're invited to celebrate the new year and decade

...if your name has 'evil' in it you're not invited

The rest of you! Come party!! 🎉⌛🎉

[There's more celebratory emoji at the end, starting with party poppers and confetti in place of a string of exclamation points, followed by various crossed-circle Nos and radioactive signs and villainous faces to emphasize his other point. Just in case an alien got this and chose to pretend he couldn't read it.]



Mingle: Quite A Normal Party

It all started as a normal, relaxing party idea. Russell's Christmas holidays turned out a little bit stressful, thanks to multiple visits to family where people expressed concern for him. Was money tight, some asked, was his new job not paying enough? Were the doctors sure he was in good health, others whispered in private asides? Well, just have another portion then, someone insisted at every house, and stay over for a big breakfast tomorrow. Reassuring family monopolized the three days, and come the night of the 26th he returned to the flat with every intention of not leaving for a week... but maybe, he mentioned to Walter, having friends visit instead.

So when Walter and Russell had the idea, and Russell posted to the network with a mostly-open invitation, they planned on a "normal" night of it; streaming normal movies, eating normal popcorn, trying to put the insanity of mice and sharks and everything else out of mind. Maybe that plan lasted for most of the days before New Year's Eve, or maybe it fell apart during the network chatter. Whenever it ended, it ended with Russell having second thoughts about the appeal of normalcy

After all, he might have said on the network but definitely said aloud, pacing up and down the hallway of the flat, talking whether he had an audience or not... they were none of them normal, and by now willingly so. After all, he emphasized, if any of them really couldn't bear what was happening, they could move! Some already had! Those still here, whether they admitted it or not, were accepting the strangeness. Choosing it. They might as well come out and say fuck it, we're strange, at least with each other.

(It isn't that simple for everyone, of course, between family obligations and financial limitations. But Russell has his biases.)

In the spirit of embracing it, by the time of the planned party, there's decorations all over the living room, kitchen, and washroom. Streamers and balloons of greens and yellows, grays and blacks, with cartoonish UFOs and aliens all over the place. An aesthetic like this all over. Some of them even say Happy Birthday, because in a manner of speaking it's a birthday for the planet, right? Or at least the calendar.

There's a decent spread of food between some home-cooked things and mostly some store-bought party platters, plus one plate meant more for the canine variety of people. And there's a Russell loitering around near the entrance, quick to open it and greet anyone who comes to visit - maybe even before they knock? (Walter may be giving him a head's up when people are coming).


[If your characters stop by the party, feel free to write top-levels for mingling with each other - this is meant as an open post for everyone! (Except Mr. Evil)]

Comments

OTA!

[iamnotgod]

Walter is indeed keeping track of everyone coming by - or just plain near - the flat.

That and about a million other things, these days; he's had more than enough time to adjust, now, and that relaxed attitude shows more in his stance.

So it turns out more than two months of the world not seeming out to get you can be good for a person, who knew?

Physically, he's keeping himself grounded by drawing again, but he's perfectly available for conversation regardless.

[dragoonrouge]

Walter's increasing ability to multitask throws Sadie off as she goes to sit next to him, gold snaps about and flies off in all different directions and Sadie can't help but follow them.

"What are you doing, Walter?"

[iamnotgod]

There's a split-millisecond where Walter considers just texting Sadie like normal - but, that's not the right normal for this context.

It would be awfully silly of him to forget...

"Just checking in on the broader state of things, Sadie. Haven't caught any emergencies tonight."

Which was just as well; even as his ability to cope with preventing suicides grew, he was never going to outgrow the storm of emotions that came with each one, how the memories chained up with those previous, and that always put a damper on how he interacted with those physically around him.

He winked.

"I'm doing more than all right. How about you?"

[dragoonrouge]

Even as Walter speaks Sadie's gaze continues to flit off to the side as each new task results in a new snap of gold.

"Hmmmmm..." She hums agreeably even as the sparks capture all of her attention.

[warped_replica]

Even grounded in the moment with his drawing activity, Walter may not have seen it coming. A paper plane lands squarely in his lap, or perhaps on his drawing pad should his lap be occupied by it. All it takes is a glance to see Benjiro smiling and waving one hand at the wrist to know where it originated from among the party attendees.

Unfolding the paper, Walter will find a written message:

I got some new parts for the holiday. Any ideas?

[iamnotgod]

It's enough of a novelty to get him to laugh, that's for sure!

Putting his mind partly to work on a different way to refold the paper to send it back to Ben in likewise fashion, he writes:

Vehicle parts, or something more generic? Or perhaps a submarine?

It was only an offhand thought, but upon consideration it seemed worth pursuing to him. Walter folded the paper up again - a different shape than before - and tossed it at a proper angle to fly back at his friend.

[warped_replica]

Noticing the new shape when the paper plane is returned, he catches it gingerly to look over before he unfolds it to read. He raises a brow at the notion of a submarine. It would be useful no doubt.

Benjiro takes a moment to write a response, and then folds the paper back to its original form to send back through the air. Too many changes in shape could make it too flimsy to fly, but each of them using a different shape to fly it is entertaining.

Computer parts actually.

A submarine? Sounds like a fun challenge, but it could take a while to build and I would not have a place to store it. The boat in the backyard is enough of an eyesore to my aunts.

[dragoonrouge]

Russell and Walter's party wins award for the best party that she's been to this season even before she's seen the theme. The chance to not have to hide anything is worth it's weight in gold. The sight of all the decorations has her cackling as she goes and grabs a drink.

"This is absolutely brilliant! Happy New Year!"

Ever the social butterfly, Sadie flits between chatting to all the Numbered who had also come and generally just being very upbeat despite the slight tired circles around her eyes.

[spaghettimonster]

"Isn't it just?" Russell agrees with a bright grin at her response to it all. "Happy New Year, let me know if I can take anything, coat, hat..."

One of the coat hangers is already in use, the better to tie one of the green alien balloons from, but that can be moved easily enough.

[dragoonrouge]

"Oh, right. The hat." Sadie laughs and hands over her multicoloured bobble-hat, her ears wiggling now that they are no longer confined, "I forget that I'm wearing it sometimes. Back to the decorations, how long did it take you to decide on this theme, Russell?"

a handwaved answer since it's not conclusive ooc :P

[spaghettimonster]

"Oh, you know," Russell says, waving his hand dismissively. "It's hard to say, it all blurred together. I just got to thinking... All this avoidance is doing hell on my nerves. We might as well embrace it. In, uh, in private."

The few windows are curtained, today, after all. The better to ensure privacy for those who might have hats to remove.

[warped_replica]

Waiting until later into the night, he watches for Sadie to pass between engaged conversations. When she moves to walk by, he leans to stretch one arm out and catch her hand gently, “Sadie? Mind sitting with me for a few minutes?” He is posing the question for his benefit, but intends to encourage a brief rest break for his tired girlfriend. Her first go at university has taken a toll on her.

Should she accept, he has his legs criss-crossed, but there is a seat available next to him on furniture.

[dragoonrouge]

Sadie beams at Ben as he captures her hand and her gaze focuses fully on him even as her ears continue to twitch and turn in the direction of the other party guests.

"Always," She delicately settles down on Ben's crossed legs, ignoring the free seat in favour of more physical comfort from Ben, "How are you doing, its been a while since we had so many of us in the same place?"

[warped_replica]

Her immediate smile brightens his own, and he eases back to sitting upright at her acceptance of the request. Benjiro lends her a steady hand as she transitions down onto his legs. Once she finds a comfortable nook, he wraps one arm around her back and waist, “Thank you.”

At her question, he briefly glances across the party, then looks to her directly, “Pretty good actually. Kind of feels like another family gathering for the holidays.” Over the course since the aurora, he has come to care very much for the other Numbered, and he is so much closer to his cousin and friend than he had ever anticipated.

“How are you holding up?”

OTA

[warped_replica]

Confirmed within an hour of the invitation going out through a DM to Walter, Benjiro made certain to arrive promptly to the party to ring in the New Year among friends with whom he shares something extraordinary.

The door is opened for him, and immediately he is surprised by the apparent theme of the decorations. Stepping through the doorway carefully, the mirth brought on by the absurdity of the aliens on the balloons is clear at his eyes as his face mask covers his grin. Aliens definitely do not look that way in his memories. Hands busy with a tray of goodies from the great aunts, he offers compliments to his cousin after letting out a chuckle, “Nice ambience. I didn’t expect it to be so spaced out in here.”

Early on in the party, Benjiro stakes out a nice spot to stand that would not impede others from moving about the flat. He has to duck to get by the streamers without tearing the paper, so it seems safer to stay in one place until more people find and claim seats. Midway through, he’ll venture to get a plate full of food, and linger in the kitchen to eat - mindful to hide his teeth as he does. After that, he’s back to his former spot but has switched to sitting on the floor rather than stand.

Even if he’s not chatting, he’s happy watching on for a bit.

Arrives to deliver Feels.

[iamnotgod]

Partway through the rather chill festivities Walter comes over to sit by Benjiro. Not necessarily to talk, just to provide - and partake in - close companionship.

He gives Ben a knowing smile, reaching over to gently squeeze the teen's shoulder.

No matter whatever else happens, Walter wants to convey, you are safe here.

How dare

[warped_replica]

Benjiro looks up as he notices Walter come close to his chosen seat on the floor. He watches his friend settle next to him and put a hand on his shoulder to give a squeeze without a verbal word.

The meaning comes through clearly.

Placing his hand over Walter’s, the teen leans against the seat Walter has occupied, “...hey. Thanks for hosting this party.”

:V Proudly, is how I dare~

[iamnotgod]

Walter's smile broadens, just a little.

"You're most welcome, Ben. It wasn't my work alone, though."

He winks, knowing full well Ben has thanked his cousin too.

"I'm happy people were able to come at all."

[spaghettimonster]

"Thank you, thank you," Russell says with exaggerated graciousness, leaning over to take one of those goodies before the tray's even set down. "It's clear to me that everything is aliens, positively everything, so we might as well embrace it."

With the reveal that the three oddballs not clearly connected to the Network are aliens, and more than a little bit of inhumanness happening between those who are... Who knows. Maybe they're all secretly aliens. Changelings from space. He snorts and takes a bite of the treat, savoring the familiar flavor of family baked goods - and the juxtaposition of it with the ambiance.

[warped_replica]

Russell has a perfect opportunity to snatch something from the tray while Benjiro is stepping carefully to work out of his shoes without bending down. Especially since the teenager will hold the tray still to enable him. “You’re not wrong,” he responds with a chuckle. Even he might fall into that category in time thanks to his Number.

Giving his cousin a moment to enjoy the contrast of old and new, Benjiro will take the tray to set beside the other food items. Hands free, he takes his mask from his face and tucks it away into a pocket. Returning to talk to Russell while standing inside to leave the doorway free, he asks, “How far does the theme go tonight? Decorations only, or maybe a game?”

[spaghettimonster]

Truly, one of the best things about family is how they'll help enable the harmless things. Like pausing ever so accommodatingly for snack thefts.

"Stop at decor? Please, what do you take me for," Russell scoffs. He knocks a knuckle against the nearest of the alien head balloons, sending it bobbing in its anchored orbit. "I found a few appropriate movies, of course. Didn't think of games, though..."

text in answer to Russel's

[catted]

But if your name was Evil, wouldn't that read as more of an invitation if you were told to not come?

[spaghettimonster]

Well
You're not wrong
I may have opened the door for interloper evil fairies
Do you think aliens play by faerie rules
Or just contrary rules

[catted]

I don't know. One way to find out, and you stepped on it.

...though I think we established that they seem to have no access to the network, right?

[She vaguely remembers someone making a post to that end a while ago.]

[spaghettimonster]

Right
Or
They've never answered anyway

[Walter established something like that, in trying and failing to contact Mr. Neutral. Russell goes back and forth on whether he believes it or not.]

I suppose it's close enough
If he does show up Ill give him a party favour and show him the door