purgastory | week six: pardi.

week six: pardi.

The maze beckons you in further.

The snow and cold give way to a decadent ballroom. Of course, you must also be dressed appropriately to attend—you may have your choice of either five foot tall bipedal mice adjusting your wardrobe, or just. Elves. A warm hearth blazes to life nearby, filling the space with its comforting crackle. Somehow, this space never grows uncomfortably warm or hot. Some might even call it perfect. Nearby, a long banquet table provides food and spirits that are enough to fulfill your wildest dreams.

There is space to dance. There is space to play. There is even space above and beyond—looking up reveals that instead of a simple ceiling, there is instead a beautiful vantage point of Northern Lights overhead with all their dancing colors. A balcony is also available for those who wish to have a moment to catch their breath.

And it would seem that you’re not alone.

At the top of the grand staircase, there are some faces(?) that might be familiar to a few of you. The Mixer, the Weaver, the Candlemaker, the Jeweler, and the Guardian—the Guardian stands at the center of their formation, flanked by the others.. Each one of Their many, many hands shifts, holding out one index finger. One. Just one.

The Mixer, the only one among all of Them that possesses a mouth to speak, finally parts Her ruby red lips. When She speaks, it sounds like a gentle chorus. Every voice you might hear in a crowded speakeasy coming out of one mouth, though a woman’s even timbre sits above them all: “What Our companion means to say is… One week left, darlings. Imbibe. Dream. Good luck. Though… we do bring gifts, if you would like to take some spoils for your trouble.”

As one last touch... there appear to be magical mistletoe flying all around. They hang over archways or even just float right above you incessantly. Ignoring them will cause more of them to gather... and the compulsion to spare just a little kissy to become stronger. Go ahead. Make merry!

mod notes.

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✦ Mingle
✦ Never Have I Ever
✦ Charades
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[ But honestly it could be whatever. Maybe it's a mix of multiple who can say :flushed:

Anyway, Siffrin is lingering in the balcony, who offers a small little wave when he catches Isabeau's eye and smiles a little wider as he drifts over. Because of course Isabeau does. Always fluttering about to make sure everyone is comfortable. Siffrin is no exception, right?

Carefully, gingerly, a hand raises to lightly touch fingers on the man's arm. Initiating first, woah. ] You've been busy.

[Siffrin could never be an exception! That would be crazy. He practically flops onto the balcony railing next to Siffrin, and flushes a particular shade of pink when they touch his arm.]

It's a party! If I'm not busy, am I even alive?

[He's swiping that hand up. His hand now. Hold hands time.]

You've been the usual wallflower in the meantime.

[ If only Siffrin can see such pink, but hey it's a nice Shade nevertheless. There's an answering hum, blinking in brief surprise as their hand is taken up, but smiles at that comment. ]

Well, walls happen to be great listeners; they always have your back.

[ "This is a railing." It counts. Their other hand reaches out to take Isabeau's other hand in hold too, gently. Swings them a little like a silly fella. ]

I'm okay here. You don't have to stop having fun being busy on my behalf.

[GIVE HIM A MINUTE... it's been so long since he's laughed that hard, it actually manages to catch him off guard. That's right! His laughter is usually all kinds of raucous, isn't it... Whew.]

Nuh-uh. If I wanted to spend time with someone else, I'd already be there. This is my Sif time.

[He swings hands with them for a while longer.]

...Do you really think there's only one more week left?

[ That loud boisterous laugh always fills them with such warmth. Happiness. Making him laugh that hard, it's exactly what gave meaning to their half-baked life. But as those answering words murmur to them.. there's a heavy feeling.

(He probably can't help having a crush on you.)

(Poor him. He deserves better.)

But as their hands swing together, there's that burrowing greediness. That wants that love so desperately. To keep feeling loved, right in this moment. Even if it'll just disappear again when they go back. All of this, forgotten. ]

..Mmm. That's the hope, right? I can finally reach Mira, and then we can go back.

[ sorry per the Siffrin norm, the cute fluff is ruined by sif. ]

[Part of him was starting to worry that they really would be stuck here forever. Passing these same weeks with new areas, new curses, new "growth"... But that part of him is not for sharing. Especially not with Siffrin, who has so much to worry about now that Mirabelle's survival is potentially riding on his shoulders. Isabeau grips their hands tightly.]

We've gotta! For Mira's sake, and for our own. We have a world to get back to saving.

[He pauses a moment to think, idly rubbing circular patterns into their palms with his thumbs.]

But it also means we'll be leaving everyone else... We should really make our time with them count, huh?

[ A nod. Back to their world. To save the country. For Mirabelle's sake, for Vaugardians, for their own.. going back should have always been the ideal outcome. Was the main focus and attention until their shards were revealed.

Their hands tense a little at that thought. Shivering just a little by the rubs. Leaving everyone else... would it -

(Would it be so bad to stay just while longer..?) ]

...Mmh. We should. [ (You don't want to leave some of them though. Can't you stay together just a bit longer..?) ] You've left a good impression on a lot of them.

[Siffrin shivers and Isabeau thinks- it must be cold out here! The warmth from the hearth doesn't quite reach the balcony... And there are some things Siffrin said besides, that Isabeau doesn't fully agree with. So he pulls them in, wrapping his arms around their back and nuzzling into their hat.]

I think you left an even better one!

[He's keenly aware of how many folks here run to Siffrin. Makes his heart warm.]

We won't forget them. I'll make sure of it.

[ Squish goes the hat! Their fancy different hat. Though their body tenses naturally at the hug, it feels so incredibly nice to just be held like this and sink in. A hold from someone much larger than themselves at that. A safe feeling. ]

Not as much as you.

[ Unlike Siffrin, Isabeau is like the sun. Warm and inviting. Brightens up anyone's day with a sprinkle of words or actions. Siffrin is hardly anything like that. ]

..Yeah. [ Just like he isn't this either. Unable to forget them.. that's easy for Isabeau to say. He doesn't forget people's names at the drop of a hat. Doesn't have a horrible memory like Siffrin. Isabeau maybe will be lucky enough to not forget them, but Siffrin likely will. If not them, they'll forget Siffrin. Forgettable. But there's no way Siffrin can say that, so... ] I know you will.

[Just like with holding hands. There's a tension at first, one that ebbs as Siffrin grows accustomed to the embrace. They aren't used to it, is all. And with weeks of practice under his belt, Isabeau now knows not to panic in turn. He hugs them tighter as they sink in, and endures the way one of the decorations on their hat is stabbing into his cheek. It's worth it! It's worth it.]

We could probably bat that "they love YOU more" phrase back and forth until we pass out.

[They'll never agree with each other! Isabeau is aware.]

I speak the truth. [ Simple as that. ] You're just biased, Isa.

[ There's a soft quiet contented sigh as Isabeau hugs even tighter. Arms wound around him - as much as they can anyway, Isabeau really is so much bigger than them.. :plead:

A small patpat to his back. ] Make sure to go back and check in with everyone, okay?

...Yeah. In a minute.

[He will remain in this hug for several more minutes. It is so sacred a hug, not even the mistletoe comes to bother them.]

[ Quetz said no mistletoes for isafrins DAMN....

No but Siffrin is okay to stay in this hug a little longer. Cozy. Siffrin misses the comfort of their cloak so they won't complain. ]

week six: pardi.

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