MINGLE LOG | WEEK SIX

[divus]

DRESSED TO IMPRESS

When everyone wakes up on Monday morning, perhaps with heavy or anxious hearts, they'll all feel compelled to gather once more in the courtyard. After a long day of praying, it's time to see the results of Saturday's verdict. Indulgence and Love are waiting for them, as all the gods have, on the steps at the entrance to the altar room; they wait for the participants to gather before Indulgence speaks.

"You know, everyone calls me a diva, but look at this. Look at you all!" He points at Guy, surrounded by a flock of guards, and snorts. "Really, where was he gonna go, the clouds?"

Shaking his head, Indulgence sighs and taps his foot. His hands fall to his waist. "So, the moment you've all been waiting for, or dreading: divine retribution. Guy Cecil, you were caught by your peers for the murder of another God's follower. And everyone knows what that means by now. The Big Zap. And everyone knows the spiel about how nobody vouched for a murderer, either, so I'll skip it."

But nothing happens. He pauses. "Except, someone did vouch for you. Funny how these things turn out, don't you think?" The familiar lightning bolt slams downward from the sky, leaving nothing but a shifting pile of dust where someone once stood. But Guy is untouched in the space he stands surrounding by guards. It's all over so fast, it may not be immediately apparent to even those standing nearby who was so abruptly removed...but an easy skim of the crowd reveals what happened. Estellise Sidos Heurassein is gone.

Love stares at the place Estellise once stood, giving a short moment's pause for the loss of the girl before she folds her hands behind her back. "So...at the beginning of the week, I gave you guys a rule. I didn't put a time limit on it like some of our past rules to give you as much time as possible, but it looks like some of you still didn't obey it. I'm really sorry, but this has to be done."

For those who did not share a secret or little known fact with a god last week, they will suddenly find such a fact or secret branded on their body somewhere.

"...it'll go away after a day." Love shrugs before she looks back at the altar room. "Thank you guys for giving us a chance to host. The others will be here soon."

With that, Love and Indulgence depart.

Still, even in their absence not a soul feels as if they should leave. They all get the sense that the last week has now drawn to its close, and the sixth week has, at once, begun. Two tall figures emerge from the altar room, striding confidently out to the group. By now, most of the participants who remain should be able to identify them on sight as Beauty and Sincerity.

Sincerity waves cheerfully to all of them before taking hold of a scroll he had tucked under his arm.

"Hey, everyone! That was... a lot, but I've gotta announce this real quick, so let's try and take a raincheck on the freaking out for now, yeah?"

When the scroll is completely unfurled, he begins to read the follower counts aloud. As the words are read, the text etched into the polished white stone columns that line the courtyard rewrites itself to accurately display the following:

CUNNING: 3 FOLLOWERS
JUSTICE: 3 FOLLOWERS
LOVE: 3 FOLLOWERS
MERRIMENT: 3 FOLLOWERS
AMBITION: 2 FOLLOWERS
DISORDER: 2 FOLLOWERS
INDULGENCE: 2 FOLLOWERS
SINCERITY: 2 FOLLOWERS
BEAUTY: 1 FOLLOWER
PIETY: 1 FOLLOWER

He rolls the scroll back up once he's finished, and then with a flourish, gestures to Beauty to continue.

Beauty, meanwhile, had been leaning over to read the scroll over Sincerity's shoulder but once that's finished he claps his hands to gather everyone's attention.

"As you may know, with a new week comes new locations and new rules from the both of us. We hope these wings are to your liking." He pauses, holding up a finger as if to say 'but wait, that's not all!' "In addition, come Wednesday Sincerity and myself will be hosting an event for all. We highly encourage you to find something nice to wear."

With that said, Beauty gives a gracious, sweeping bow. "We look forward to your company this week."

And then, like a bubble bursting, the hold keeping them there vanishes, and everyone is free to explore as they please. The statues belonging to those who perished last week vanish from the courtyard.

OOC NOTES

Just like last week, make sure you watch for any announcements concerning updates to existing mechanics that may appear throughout the course of the week! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us through plurk or discord, and we'll do our best to clear everything up for you as quickly as possible. If you've elected to change factions, please make sure you select an updated power and report it under the reporting toplevel!

Have fun, everyone!

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Comments

[digestif]

[ he does sound serious?! Mizuki wasn't anticipating such a heartfelt reaction from him. ]

Don't worry! It's not like I'm living in a post-apocalyptic world or something. There are just a lot of regulations. Probably. [ they don't fucking know they've never fished in their life. ] Mostly, I just don't like the taste. Even I have my preferences when it comes to food.

[haw]

Oh, whew... ya almost had me there. It'd be a goddamn shame if the world didn't get its act together over somethin' so simple.

[ the long-winded topic of climate change aside . . . it takes him a couple of moments to try and figure out how to extract the meat from the inside of the shell... but he manages to poke a decent amount of snail out and pop it into his mouth. he wrinkles his nose a little bit due to the unfamiliar taste and texture, but it doesn't really seem to bother him overall once he's swallowed. ]

I'll admit, I don't really get bein' picky with food—I'll eat almost anythin' ya put in front of me. Live a little, ya know?

[digestif]

[ they follow his lead - the impetus for having him eat it was more for fun than because they were actually worried about it. Escargot is pretty much just like eating garlic and butter, so it's not bad at all, actually!! Mizuki nods their head mildly in approval. ]

Certainly. Getting to be choosy just shows that I'm a little spoiled.

[ compared to him, anyway. they still don't know much about his past, but it's not exactly a leap in logic to assume Majima probably hasn't been living in the lap of luxury, "Lord of the Night" claims aside. ]

So? Does "living a little" include dancing?

[haw]

[ smooth as fuck in the streets, loneliness and traumatic flashbacks in the sheets... or lack thereof . . . life is hard.

good thing mizuki grants him an easy recovery. ]

Did ya really just say that to me? I'm almost tempted to turn ya down for askin' such a silly question.

[ with his lightning fast reflexes, he reaches in to give them a gentle, teasing nose boop. ]

[digestif]

[ instinctively, they flinch at the contact, but they let him get away with it with nothing more than a light bop in the chest with their knuckles and a playful smirk. ]

What? Would you prefer if I just hauled you off without asking? Unlike you, I've got some manners.

[ some!! Mizuki lets their hand find his, tangling their fingers together confidently, and takes a step back towards the dance floor, pulling him along with them. ]

And now I've got high expectations, too.

[haw]

Uh, yeah, actually? Ya know I like it when ya take charge.

[ he shoots them an absolutely wicked grin as they lead him. once they're at the dance floor, his free arm slides around their waist, while the one they're already holding onto gives their hand a squeeze as he brings them up and bends his arm and theirs at the elbow. ]

I'll let ya know Majima Goro's never half-assed anythin' in his life. It just ain't in my blood.

[digestif]

[ yeah, they saw that one coming - maybe that's why they said it. Their lips tilt upwards in a sly grin in response. ]

Mm. I had that much figured out the day we met.

[ since he just had to go show them up at bartending!! They feel his arm slip around their waist, and they nestle in closer, setting one hand on his shoulder and squeezing back with the other. ]

Actually, I don't have much experience in this kind of thing. I'll let you take charge this one time. [ a wink. ] Now's your time to shine, Lord of the Night-san! I'll try and keep up.

[haw]

[ oh.

hm.

they'll find their coy smile mirrored on his face. ]

Haw? So whaddaya want, Mizucchi... [ he suddenly swoops them down into a very deep dip, his hand solidly providing support at their back as the tail of their long hair starts to pool on the ground, ]—the mysterious an' aloof Lord of the Night Majima, or—[ pulling them back up with his upper body strength alone, he spins them around and draws them close to the point where their faces are merely inches apart, ]—your handsome an' lovin' boyfriend Goro? Ya can't be greedy an' have it both ways!

[digestif]

[ stop doing crazy shit before they realize what you're doing, majima, damn!! All they can really do is hang on and hope he doesn't drop them when he's suddenly got them barely balancing on one foot; by the time he's twirling them, though, they're laughing, amused as always at his antics. He's just fun. ]

I've had it both ways so far, haven't I? You can't start cheating me out of half the fun now. [ Mizuki doesn't shy away from the short distance between them; in fact, they lean in, knocking their forehead against his while they wind their arm around his neck. ] But if you just want to ask my opinion - well, I think I've been clear on that point with you.

[ they've told him plenty of times they like him best when he's being his goofy rough-around-the-edges self, and that hasn't changed. ]

[haw]

Thought as much, but I still felt like I needed to make sure.

[ he leans in to steal a quick kiss before smoothly transitioning to leading them in a waltz.

it's no surprise that he's very good at keeping rhythm, given his musical inclinations... but even so, the graceful fluidity of his dancing now might still seem a little strange to someone who only knows him as "that guy who yells and punches things a lot."

looks like that host persona of his really isn't just for show. ]

See, I know how to behave.

[digestif]

[ brave enough to call himself their boyfriend and kiss them in front of everyone, huh? They snicker to themself at his forwardness, but there is, perhaps, a faint tinge of pink to their cheeks. Stupid Majima. ]

Mmm... Once in a while, maybe. I'm still cleaning up your messes most days.

[ they know him well enough to not be surprised that he can back up his lofty claims; Mizuki was being honest about being an inexperienced ballroom dancer, too, but they're the type who's good at almost everything once they try, and they pick it up quickly. ]

[haw]

[ well, they showed up to the venue pretty much in each other's arms, so like... it's not like it's a secret anymore... ]

Today ain't "most days," though, is it?

[ he chuckles as he continues to lead them around the dance floor, never missing a step. even if they happen to, he's right there to very subtly help correct any small errors they may make so that it's unnoticeable to a casual onlooker. a proper gentleman...! ]

So? Am I livin' up to your "high expectations"?

[digestif]

[ there's a huge difference between showing up like that and being willing to verbally acknowledge it, all right!! ]

You are. [ for once, they answer simply and straightforwardly. It's true. He's a good dancer, thoughtful and surprisingly graceful for being a big lug of a man. And he's been a pretty decent boyfriend, too. For the record. But he'll have to pluck that inference out of their two-word response himself. ] You clean up pretty nicely.

[ sure, he's still got that ominous eyepatch and a face that screams "villain," but when he's like this, they can actually imagine him being the person he claimed to be. ]

[haw]

[ he smiles slyly at them, because he knows they're teasing him by not saying so directly for a reason... he wants to hear it from them, dammit! it's different from him saying it and them confirming... ]

Haw? Are ya implyin' I don't always dress my best? That'll put a lot more on you than it will on me, ya know.

[ bracing the both of them, he lifts them and spins them around briefly before setting them back on the ground. the move is so graceful, almost fairytale-esque, that it makes even him laugh at how much cognitive dissonance this must be causing for everyone even slightly paying attention to them. ]

[digestif]

[ they laugh, too - he's so over-the-top, but it's one of the things they like about him, they think. He's not afraid to have fun. That counts for a lot in times like these. Mizuki hangs on tight when he picks them up, but even once they're back on the ground, they stick close to him, looping their arm around his waist, too. ]

Eh? I was paying you a compliment, you know? If you don't like it, you don't have to accept it. You look handsome.

[ don't be difficult, Majima!! ]

[haw]

[ he grins and presses his forehead against theirs, nuzzling them affectionately. god. he's gross. ]

Nah, I'll take it. 'Specially with all the shit you've been givin' me lately—I gotta treasure these heartfelt comments.

[ g r o s s !!!!!!!!!!!! ]

[digestif]

[ my little yakuza can't be this cute.mov ... that gets a genuine giggle out of them, which is horrible and they're immediately (internally) embarrassed. ]

I didn't take you as the publicly affectionate type, Goro-kun.

[ it's. slightly embarrassing. they tease a lot, but they have a cool image to maintain!! not that they're backing off, either. ]

[haw]

[ OH. OH GOD. HIS HEART!! THEY'RE SO CUTE!! FUCK!!!!!!!! he blushes... because he loves them... wtf ]

It's different when it's somethin' like this where we're encouraged to be sappy, ya know?

[digestif]

[ nerd!! they take one look at his red cheeks and gently shake their head, laughing under their breath. ]

Maybe? It really clashes with your image. Most of the time, you're trying to get into fights with people.

[ the gap moe is truly real. could they get away with trying to take the lead here a little, they wonder? his skill level's definitely above theirs, but still... hm. ]

[haw]

'Scuse you, I am a multifaceted human being with feelings other than fightin'.

[ case in point! he squeezes his hand at their waist to try and elicit more laughter... but he wouldn't mind if they tried focusing back on the dancing. ]

[digestif]

Ha ha ha. I know.

[ hm!! they chuckle a little, squeezing back - and going ahead and dipping him this time. Evidently, they're considerably stronger than their slight frame suggests. ]

You're really just a big softie.

[haw]

[ with perhaps the smallest "haw?" that has ever left his mouth, he's momentarily speechless as he grabs their hand reflexively on the way down, and looks up at them from his resulting position. then, he begins to laugh himself, their hand at the small of his back radiating warmth and security. ]

Oi... I'm hard where it counts.

[ ;) ]

[digestif]

[ mizuki's cool moment, instantly ruined. A sort of disbelieving laugh makes its way out of their throat as they hoist him back up to his feet with them, but they're not at a loss for words for long. As usual. ]

Mm, you're hard to look at.

[haw]

[ he pouts in jest... mostly. he may be a teensy tiny bit offended for real. ]

Aw, c'mon, you were just tellin' me I was handsome! Ya can't just do a total 180 on me like that.

[digestif]

You suddenly lost some handsomeness when you said that just now. Sorry.

[ if it makes him feel better, they are very clearly just teasing him as they step back into rhythm. ]