station72 | PARTY PARTY PARTY

CHARACTERS: Everyone!
WHERE: The streets of Concordia
WHEN: Dusk til just before dawn on DAY 040
SUMMARY: IT'S A PARADE
WARNINGS: Add them to your top levels as necessary etc etc

As from the calendar:

Confetti! It's a parade! The annual Arista Parade, to be precise. Nominally a part of Aristana, the celebration of the ribbons of life, it's a holiday who's origins are nearly forgotten. Nowadays it's a big, raucous celebration pretty dedicated much entirely to drinking and partying. Almost all those in attendance will be wearing ribbons tied around their hair, their wrists, off of their belts and the edges of their sleeves. Pull one off, and you will be rewarded with a kiss - on the cheek, usually. The parade itself showcases a number of performers, costumes, and moving art pieces. It's route covers a number of the main streets of town (which will be closed, sorry traffic), and it lasts from dusk till nearly dawn on DAY :040. Have fun, if it's your kind of scene.

From the mods:

No notable NPCs are present at the parade - at least not in any official capacity. However if anyone wants to interact with a Concordian native, feel free to make up/interact with any randos you feel like!

Feel free to use this log for all of your parade day activities!

*moving art piece not included, original characters do not steal

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Honestly, for Shiro's part, he sees nothing wrong with this. Like he'd said -- someone needs a hand, he might as well give it. That's his job. Isn't it? It doesn't matter whether someone is male or female.]

[His shoulders tense up, however, at the lurch for his arm. For that arm in particular. It's too dangerous, it could hurt someone, something, and -- he just braces himself. Ducking under the other's arm in return. Supporting him.]

You don't need to apologize. Think of it like... you're giving a tired introvert an excuse to go home.

[Just a little bit of flat humor. He's trying.]

Mm.

[ A soft grunt of agreement is all he can manage as he finds his footing again. Shiro's support helps. He holds on as they slowly begin the walk back to Bearings. ]

What were you doing out here before you... found me?

[ He doesn't want to say rescued - he told that guy off too, (quite literally, with psychic voice powers) but it's still a good thing Shiro came around. He might not have been able to hold him off, and now that he's used Scrap he can barely balance through the oncoming migraine. Maybe talking will help stave off the encroaching pain for a little while. ]

Taking a walk.

[Partly. And partly looking for a way to pick up a car. But the walk had been a big part of it. To clear his head and get away from the press of people for a little while. Only to walk right into more of it.]

[If the weight of another person bothers him, he doesn't comment on it. Just keeps a steady pace.]

I do that a lot, anymore. Helps -- keeping a little distance when I can.

[ It's a bit before Aoba can answer again. Keeping his footing, fighting off sleep, and making sure his mental connection is closed enough to Shiro's that he doesn't spread the migraine - it's balancing a lot. ]

Th-that's good. I used to go for long walks at home... well, for work... and because it was the only way around...

[ They turn a corner, and finally the loud music and people yelling in the streets start to sound farther away. The parade is weaving, unpredictable - it will undoubtedly get louder again before they reach Bearings, might even be loud on the rooftop where Shiro had found a moment of peace. At least it will be silent once they're inside. ]

Are you finding it any easier to... keep your headspace clear?

You don't have to talk if it helps anything.

[He'll manage. Even if the pain leaks through, it's not like he hasn't fought through pain before. Or carried on despite it. The last thing he wants is to put someone else out for his own comfort -- hence the reassurance he doesn't need a conversation if Aoba can't manage it.]

[The quieter street is nicer on his own senses too. Not that he'll say so. But after so long in such a quiet space, in such a big, empty ship, and as nice as it is to see humans again, it feels like Too Much.]

[His grip shifts, just enough to get a better hold.]

Some days. Better than "some hours". Do you need me to carry you?

What-?

[ The way he asks so casually, slipping it in at the end of something else - that catches Aoba off guard. Makes him stagger worse than before in surprise. If Shiro hadn't adjusted his hold, he'd be on the pavement already. ]

N-no, I'm fine like this!

[ Why is his face so hot all the sudden? Is fever also a side-effect from using Scrap?

Being helped home, slung over the shoulder of a friend is one thing. Shiro sold it to him on the fact that he just looks like another drunk out partying too hard for the holiday. But being carried? By another guy?? In public??? It's too embarrassing. They would be near Bearings soon, what if another host sees-? ]

I can... just fine-

[ And then Aoba slumps against Shiro, unconscious - the looming migraine and sudden rush to his head too much. ]

[Was... he not supposed to offer that? It just seemed natural. If someone was having trouble walking, you offered to pick them up -- if you could. He'd hauled enough of his teammates around on occasion to know it's possible. And it just feels normal.]

Really? It's all ri-- whoa!

[Well. Regardless of whether or not it's acceptable or something to stare at, it's going to happen. He pauses, getting his balance back when the poor guy goes limp. And...]

[After a brief debate, it's up into a fireman's carry for Aoba. Like it's nothing. Nothing's chasing them, nothing wants to kill them. This is a lot easier than hauling Lance's noodle butt around the castle.]

[And a lot less harrowing.]

Well, that settles that. C'mon...

PARTY PARTY PARTY

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