Plot - The Christmas Party [closed]

[purity_mods]

Who: Prima, BLU Spy, Alphonse Elric, Ritsuka Aoyagi, Zidane Tribal & Others...
When: December 21st, around 6pm.
Where: The Governmental District
What: A Christmas party is held for a select number of Awakened. If you’ve ever wanted a chance to engross yourself in Boston’s upperclass, now’s your opportunity!
Warnings: Violence. All participating

Comments

[tooyoung]

It's a strange way to spend a birthday. ( Though, honestly, he hasn't even cnsidered that he's only just turned thirteen today. ) Especially, for a child who probably considers fancy parties a waste of time. Despite this he- previously -had opted to go, but even introversion is a core element to a person that can't be completely shaken.

He hovers close to the very same pair of doors he had entered through. A silly comfort, because he knows he has no real intention of leaving. There, actually, was a purpose for deciding it just might be worth going. Now, it was just a matter of knowing where to start, and what kind of questions to ask. Ritsuka's sure he wakes up each morning with a pile of brand new ones, in addition to the old, pushing to get out of his head.

'Yuiko would like them', he thinks, finally moving further inside with eyes more on decorations rather than any one person. Thinking about Yuiko isn't a silly comfort, it's a nice one. It is a strange boost of confidence, though, but nonetheless: in the time they had known each other, Yuiko had proven, despite a lot of tears, that you can do anything if you will yourself.

It doesn't take long at all to see ( and smell ) how inedible all the food offered appears. This manages to cause cat ears flat against his head and a slightly bristled tail; 'Are they nuts!?' is what he thinks about it. ( You see, he's actually incredibly, ridiculously, horrendously hungry. ) Even finding something suitable to drink seems impossible. Although, he does take a curious sip of wine. Proof of childhood and naivety; he's not often around alcohol. Of course, most small children are adverse to the bitter bite of it- he makes a face, and abandons his glass.

How out of place he must look: one of the smallest, youngest, attendees standing out of the way, but keeping such a concentrated expression on each person from time to time. He's trying to figure out who it would be best to start with. 'What do you really think this is about?', he wants very much to ask, but who would know that. Besides, the overheard swap of conversation intensifies his belief that no one here may know that, even without asking.

[purity_npcs]

From behind Ritsuka, someone laughs mildly. An older man watches him from his place against the wall, cigarette in hand.

"Little too young for that, aren't you?" He doesn't sound very concerned or even angry, however. "Although I can't say I blame you. They really should have chaperones watching this place if there are kids around."

[tooyoung]

Those ears drop first, and then, looking back, with apparent annoyance: "I didn't know it was wine, all right?"

But, he says all this at the man's neck. He's trying to see if he can spot a mark similar to the same one he has.

[purity_npcs]

"It doesn't look like chocolate milk either, if that's what you were wondering."

Ritsuka doesn't have to look very hard. When the man notices the younger one staring, he coolly remarks, "It's a benefit party for Awakened. I wouldn't be here if I didn't qualify for it."

[tooyoung]

Your chocolate milk comment is purposefully being looked over, mister cigarette smoking guy.

"Yeah, but do think everyone in this room is Awakened?"

[purity_npcs]

"Isn't that apparent? Second biggest bunch of freaks I've ever seen." He doesn't say that unkindly, just bluntly. He languidly drags on his cigarette and adds, "I'd wager the ones who put this party together aren't, though."

[tooyoung]

He hates cigarettes. They sting and smell, and he really dislikes them. But, right now, he's really thankful that someone smoking one struck up conversation with him. Gave him an excuse to be close by that unforgivable stench.

"Then, shouldn't they be here, too?" he asks it, turning back to the table. Seriously. These people are some horrible party throwers. Not that Ritsuka has ever been to a party ... that he can remember, anyway. Who doesn't properly host a party? Who doesn't provide proper refreshments? He can't even find a coca cola. Just one goddamn coke.

"Shit."

[purity_npcs]

He replies by blowing a cloud of smoke. "Watch your language. And...you'd think that would be the case, wouldn't you? It's strange. I've been here for a while and there hasn't been any orientation. No grand speech, no toast, nothing."

A beat. Idly, "I was hoping at least that Santa would be here."

[tooyoung]

Ritsuka checks under the table as he listens. Maybe there was a cooler or something and he had overlooked it. No such luck. A discouraged sigh is released, before he straightens again. Everything about this makes him wildly uncomfortable, but he wants to blame it on the fact that he most ordinarily wouldn't be here.

"You can't be serious," comes the response. The kid can't tell if this guy, like that one the other day, believes in Santa, too. Or, if he's doing that idiotic thing adults do around kids: purposely say stupid things they think are on their level. It's belittling intelligence, Ritsuka thinks, so either way, whatever the meaning, it's irritating.

[fyi_iamaspy]

Spy's not exactly looking out for wayward children, but the fact that he's not looking is what makes Ritsuka catch his eye. That, and the cat ears, of course. Since they hadn't conversed through video, he doesn't know that he's spoken to this boy before-

And that he's a boy, for that matter. The cat ears, the tail, the longer hair, the waifish figure and 50s mindset all point him to young girl, even if she's not wearing a dress.

He's not interested in babysitting, but Spy is interested in figuring out what kind of child has cat ears on their head. "Fille? Little one, are you lost?" He approaches Ritsuka from behind, "Your parents are probably looking for you."

[tooyoung]

Fille. Ritsuka doesn't know a single word of French, so, thankfully it isn't something he can grow offended about. Though, the 'little one' does cause a twitching tail-tip. It's not exactly something to get heated up for; no, but he really dislikes when people state the obvious. He's little. So, what? It's called a growth spurt, and he'll get it later, geez!

Of course, Ritsuka recognizes Spy's voice right away. "Not lost," he informs, but it sounds like, 'it's me.' Which might be odd since they never went through introductions. "You got one, too?"

[fyi_iamaspy]

Ah. Spy raises an eyebrow. "Pardon for not recognizing you, petit existentialist." He nods towards Ritsuka, though it feels a bit odd; he's not used to dealing with children at all, unless shooing them away or generally ignoring their presence.

So he clears his throat, and figures he'll treat the kid like he's an adult, until he does something to warrent otherwise, like cry or scream. What children do, right? "'owever, I do not believe we ever really properly met," He holds out a hand. "I am Spy. BLU Spy. And oui, I did. Zo I was a bit misled to zhe... nature of zhis party. Razzer disappointing."

[tooyoung]

'Silly thing to apologize for,' he thinks, because it's not as if he would have ever recognized Spy, either. He would have gone completely unnoticed if he hadn't spoken to him.

The hand gets a tiny stare, a quick beat of determined awkward probably passes between the two. Japanese born and raised, Ritsuka is more accustom to quick, little, polite bows. He's not sure if he's ever shaken a man's hand before. Soon, though, he's feeling like a pint-sized imbecile for standing and staring, so, he takes the hand.

It's the briefest handshake, and there is, in fact, a little bow to go with it. "Ritsuka Aoyagi. Nice to meet you." The latter part isn't actual sweetness. It's just customary. Being polite. He's a good child, even if he doesn't believe that.

He ignores the curious urge to ask if 'Spy' is Spy's real name, because if it was an undercover one, it was really lame. ( Still a kid, after all! ) "Yeah, it's been really disappointing. Aa, what'd you think it was all supposed to be about? Everyone here is Awakened. Doesn't that seem suspicious to you?"

[fyi_iamaspy]

A small, timid handshake. Spy hadn't expected any different, and he's quick to relinquish the smaller hand in his own gloved one as soon as possible. The bow is a little odd, but then again- of course, he's Asian, Spy thinks, and isn't that what they do? Some of his coworkers had missions over in Japan, China, Vietnam, but he never saw any appeal in going to such a extremely different culture, especially after the war and knowing they had dropped bombs there.

"Ritsuka. A pleasure." He nods in response to the bow.

Spy glances around, "I 'ad noticed. Per'aps it is, per'aps it is not. If zhis is indeed sponsored by zomeone important, and not zimply a childish prank, zhen zhey will obviously come late. Nobody important ever arrives early."

Except himself. But that's because he's a gentleman.

"I am guessing now zhat zhis is all zome childish prank, if zhey invited children- no offense, of course. But zimply a set-up as a grand ball and all zhey provide is..." He scoffs. "Whatever zhis food is. Disgusting."

[tooyoung]

"Oh." Those 'oh's of his- they resound with innocence. Tiny defeats; 'I didn't know that.' This time at: Nobody important ever arrives early. Still, it gives him a vague, dry sort of hope that perhaps things aren't so bleak.

There isn't a quip or adolescent retort to Spy's remark, but there are a pair of ears that flatten impulsively and, whether Ritsuka is saying it or not, it's probably enough to share that he doesn't appreciate it -- offensive or not. This is typical, however, and so his expression shifts into something dull and flat, rather than annoyed. Adults are typical. There are so many children nowadays playing the parent ( something Ritsuka isn't a stranger to ), who can really stick a number on childhood? And, there's that, too. Childhood is, in fact, something Ritsuka essential lacks. Oh, he's tiny -- the tiniest little thing. Nor is twelve - no, thirteen - a remarkable number. He's grown old so young for a child who can only recall two years of his life. ( This is why the idea of losing his memory once again mortifies him. )

"I never really expected American food to be that gross. I can't even find anything to drink." His brows knit, "You're probably right. It's probably a prank." Yeah, see there? He forgot 'childish' on purpose, Spy. "Suddenly, I'm regretting it."

[fyi_iamaspy]

The flattening of his ears draw Spy's eyes. He's not used to seeing a boy with cat ears, of course. His job was odd, but not that odd, and it's interesting to mark the feline characteristics; perhaps the childish comment struck a cord? It would be awfully hard to be a Spy with a pair of ears, if ones emotions were always made so blatant.

Spy pauses, taking a sip of his own bourbon. Certainly not a child's drink. He does, however, gesture to the wine. "You do not like wine? Zhey 'ave red and white." Growing up in the twenties and thirties with an Italian mother in Europe, of course as a child he drank wine at the dinner table. He walks over to the end of the table filled with bottles on a rack, carefully looking them over. "If it is too strong, you are young enough to be excused for diluting it wiz water."