( open ) time is tickin' I cannot waste it love

[scarcastically]

CHARACTERS: Erik Stevens + Everyone / Mingle! I’m not the boss of you.
LOCATION: Open Field near ish the Palace
DATE: Sometime in July
CONTENT: Party, drinks, dancing.
WARNINGS: N/A


( i. party hats )

[ this had been the stupidest condition of his goal, but it’s a doable one so erik handles it the way he would handle any kind of mission; single-mindedly. he gets to work and makes a couple of dozen party hats of various colours and size. some might seem too small, others too big, a few that are just right, no he doesn’t accept constructive criticism. ]

Just put the damn thing on, it won’t kill you.

( ii. food and stuff )

[ unfortunately there are constraints. if they were back in usa, setting up the supplies of food and drink would be a cinch. however, he’s working with fantasy asian cuisine, out of which he knows half of. still, his position as a nobleman’s attendant gave him a hefty salary and he put it to good use. there are plenty of caskets of booze, all the kinds he could find and various eateries and snacks. some from the palace, others he cobbled together with the use of their kitchen like basic butter cookies and wafers.

eat, drink, he’s not here to card you kids ]

( iii. dancing )

[ and of course, there’s music. lively music, slow tunes. erik managed to hire a band (like three people on instruments but details). the sun was setting, the breeze was cool and maybe for a brief moment, you want to enjoy yourself. give up your worries for a day. the light hits the flowers, giving the scenery a warm orange glow.

grab a partner and have a little fun. ]

Comments

[scarcastically]

[ erik merely smirks. ]

Time will tell.

So you gonna bust a rhyme or what?

[winscenario]

I guess, [ He hums, squinting real hard. ] I could... give it my best?

[scarcastically]

No harm, right? Give it a whirl, future man.

Nothing ventured, nothin' gained.

[winscenario]

I can give it my best shot, but a poet I am not. I like to read Shakespeare, Shelley and Poe, but to get there I'd have a long way to go.

[ Look, it's not good, but at least it rhymes, so. He'll call it a win. Kind of. ]

But I'm more an action guy myself, I like to do rather than tell; although as Captain of a starship, you do need a lot of lip. I prefer reading when I can, and sometimes I like to pick up a pen, so I can draw the things around me, and all the people that I see.

[ He looks so proud of himself. ]

[scarcastically]

[ erik cracks a smile, teeth flashing. he even manages a few claps. ]

You ain't no Snoop Dogg, but not bad. Not bad at all.

[winscenario]

You're too kind to me, but let's speak honestly. That wasn't all that good, I'm not writing any books. [ He pauses just to think on what to say next before continuing— ] And to keep this up for so long? I fear my rhyming game isn't that strong.

[ Nailed it though. ]

[scarcastically]

[ to be fair, rhyming all day is a tall order. erik can't claim he'd fare any better. ]

Pretty random goal, if you ask me. Like the party thing. Not exactly character-specific.

[winscenario]

I have heard of a few, that's true. Some serious, some more out of the blue. None of them seem suited to us, it's more like they pulled it out of their... [ Uuuuuuuh ] —anus?

[ Sorry, Erik. Really sorry. ]

I don't know how long I can keep going. Do you already find me annoying?

[scarcastically]

[ erik's grin just gets wider. ]

If you wanna quit, go ahead and I'll lie to our overlords that you managed it for a day, scout's honour.

[winscenario]

Not a whole day, just two hours! But who do you take me for, a liar? I've never quit in my life and I won't start now, but I like you and I'd hate to scare you off somehow.

[ He shrugs at Erik, brow raised. ]

But since we're stuck in this strange circumstance, will you perchance give me the honor of a dance?

[ Look, at least if he's dancing he doesn't have to come up with shitty rhymes. ]

[scarcastically]

[ erik cracks another sharp laugh. this is fun. it's been a while since he's had fun. ]

You got yourself a dance, future man.

[winscenario]

[ Good, laughing is good. It makes Jim immensely pleased that he's managed to get that out of Erik, and he beams as he takes his arm and urges him over to where people are dancing. ]

I'm better at dancing than rhyming, I'll have you know. I hope you can keep up with the flow.

[scarcastically]

Yeah? I'm gonna hold you to it.

[ erik's not bad. his training is well-rounded but he doesn't do it for fun. ]

[winscenario]

[ Jim doesn't answer this time, instead smiling and focusing on the dance rather than some silly rhymes. He moves to face Erik, resting one hand on his shoulder and taking his other one in a loose hold. He's not sure how formal the dance should be, but something like this is probably what works best with the music. ]

[scarcastically]

[ for a moment, erik's expression flickers, not used to being touched. it's been some time since linda and even then, it was . . . just a means to an end.

I'm sorry, Erik.

instead, he relaxes, placing one warm palm at jim's waist. ]

[winscenario]

[ The shift in Erik's expression is enough to make Jim's movements stutter for a moment. He seems to relax soon after, but he still tilts his head, setting the whole rhyming thing aside for a second. ]

Everything alright?

[scarcastically]

Yeah. S'all good.

[ he shakes his head, pushing it back. ]

Just thinkin' about how this is the closest I've been to someone.

[winscenario]

No it's not. Come on.

[ Jim just assumes Erik means physically, but either way, it sounds kind of surreal to him. ]

Really?

[scarcastically]

[ he shrugs. ]

Just never had much luck in that area.

[winscenario]

Kind of hard to imagine that, I'll have to admit.

[ Erik's been pretty friendly so far, charming in a unique way too. Plenty of people are attracted to that. ]

[scarcastically]

[ erik smirks. ]

It's just circumstance. Not what I'd call a personal failin'.

[winscenario]

No, not at all. I didn't mean to imply that.

[ His lips curl into a smile, and he shrugs. ]

Lucky me, then, huh?

[scarcastically]

Very lucky. You better take it for what it's worth.

But I'm also the lucky guy who heard you bust some rhymes, so it goes both ways.

[winscenario]

Don't worry, I never let a good opportunity slip from my grasp.

[ He lets a part-laugh, part-groan at that. ]

Well, shit. Guess I've failed on that one by now.

[scarcastically]

[ erik gives a sharp laugh. ]

Well, you held on for pretty damn long. You should be proud.