[OPEN] Fortress of Meropide Mingle Log (October Edition)

[whiteshroud]

WHO: Residents and Visitors to the Fortress
WHERE: Fortress of Meropide
WHEN: October
WHAT: Mingle Log!
WARNINGS: Nothing so far but we'll see.



Fortress of Meropide Mingle

The spooky season has officially begun in Kaisou. With the annual thinning of the barrier, a lot of residents of the fortress are choosing to spend more time in the fortress- away from the prying eyes of the normal civilians who are noticing the paranormal for what they are. Fortunately, it's pretty comfortable down in the fortress with October's mild temperatures. Though with winter coming, it'd be good idea to make sure you got plenty of things to keep you warm.

Throughout the fortress, various people have put up Halloween and autumn decorations to liven the place up. There are occasional signs on the bullentin boards reminding folks that Christmas decorations are not allowed in public spaces until November 1st. This is Halloween's time after all.

So come to the fortress and mingle!

[OOC: catch-all mingle for the Fortress of Meropide! Feel free to make your own top levels, or tag around other folks! If you want info on what can be found in the fortress, have an info page!]

Comments

Jun Nightroad | Tokyo Xanadu | OTA

[whiteshroud]

I. Cafeteria
[With Haru feeling sick this month, Jun is staying pretty close to home. Most days, he's usually found close to his brother's side in the Alley as they work their way through a very long JRPG series meant to give his brother something to do. When he's not with Haru, he's off enjoying Varian's company privately.... making him basically impossible to find during those days.

However at some meal times, you might get lucky and catch Jun enjoying a meal alone at the cafeteria. Except instead of his typical green hair- his hair is black. Not only that, but he's wearing a yellow headband like the one his brother always wears - making him look extremely similar to Haru at a glance. And for those of you who use their sniffer? He's considered this angle, picking a meal that's heavy in garlic in an attempt to make his own scent hard to pick up.

Is he trying to see how many people he can trick? Maybe. Just maybe.]

II. Halloween Decor
[Wondering where some of the Halloween decorations are coming from? Look no further than the local cryptid. You might catch him putting up some jack-o-lanterns around the fortress or hanging fake bats and ghosts from the various pipes.

Otherwise? You might find him doing an art project. He's laid out long white sheets of butcher paper on the floor of the common area where he was currently sitting on the floor. Next to him, is a supply of paints of various colors. He's painting out various halloween imagery on the paper, intending to hang on the walls of the fortress. From the extra paint brushes and other art supplies he has with him- it looks like he'd be open to anyone joining if they want to take part in some arts and crafts]

III. The Alley (Closed to CR)
[Mostly a catch all for anyone who wants to catch him in a more private setting! He's around the alley most days, either spending time with his brother or doing various chores. ]

I

[droptheious]

[ Varian had finally got back after a long, busy day - and as he enters the cafeteria, he spots Jun immediately. And he sees the game he's playing. Varian definitely knows it's Jun. He knows his partner too well not to. Even if he tries to disguise his appearance and his scent, Varian is not fooled. He knows how his partner moves, how he holds himself, the little facial ticks that he's mapped out intricately for the last year. He loves Jun with everything he has and knows him inside out.

...But if Jun wants to play games, he will just play games right back. So he passes by Jun's table with just a little wave of his hand. ]

Hey, Haru.

[ He says Haru in a light, but deliberate way. In a I know exactly what you're doing, you little shit and love of my life, and the game is fucking on. He makes a point of slowly making his way to the meal randomiser, and gets himself a relatively good mushroom hotpot. He moves to sit across from his partner, settling down to eat. ]

So. How are you feeling today? I know this month's been rough on you. Nice to see you up and about.

III. The Alley - Delivery!

[paraselenic]

[Hugo had given Lycaon a few tasks to do while he was at Meropide. One was to keep an eye on a certain tiger during his month of bedrest. The other was to deliver a package to Jun from the elusive 'Mockingbird.' Lycaon, who was all too familiar how the phantom thief MO worked, wanted to keep to the theme of delivering it in secret.

This proved to be a bit of a challenge, since Jun's room was not something he could easily pick the lock of. The actual picking wasn't the issue--it was Jun's senses. There was no way he could deliver it without evidence he'd been there being left behind.

So he had to take advantage of the tools he had. His most powerful one at his disposal: the fact that no one would expect him to be linked to an elusive phantom thief.

Holding the box in his hand, he finally finds Jun on one of his days he's available.]

Jun. I have a delivery for you.

When I was cleaning the mail room with Caleb, this box was found among the pile.

[Thankfully, he'd remembered how to forge penmanship different than his own...and remembered how to perfectly draw the Mockingbird logo. His fingerprints being on the box would not be out of place if he had found it and picked it up in the mailroom.]

i.

[fuegor]

[Guess who's around the cafeteria with some Nikuman for dinner and spotting...

Wait a minute, Harumasa? Okay well it's a now very confused Lighter that's here. He thought he just saw Jun...]

Hey Harumasa, good to see you feeling well enough to eat out here.

[...]

Did, uh... you happen to see Jun come out here a second ago? I could've sworn I just did. [Lorenzo.]

Varian | Tangled | OTA

[droptheious]

Around the Fortress

[With the cold months now well on their way, Varian's taken to the important task of running maintenance on the heating systems he'd started building last winter. They cover the main areas and the living areas of the fortress, so Varian can be found bustling around these areas with his toolbox. At least the system is in place, this time, so it's considerably less work that it was over the last year - but he still wants to make sure everything is working as well as it can. It's starting to get pretty cold under the waves, after all.

If you come across him, he will glance up from where he's adjusting one of the heaters with a wrench, his goggles firmly over his eyes because no one wants a face full of hot air. Ruddiger is sat beside him, holding some extra tools. The raccoon also has little goggles on, he needs to be safe too, Priscilla. ]

Oh, hey. Everything okay? I uh- haven't got to everywhere yet, but I'm hoping by the end of the week, everywhere that's got heating set up should have full maintenance. Unless you've noticed something being faulty - just let me know where and I can take a look.

[The less populated area of the fortress are still cold, but if you want to convince him to set up heating there, here's your chance. Make a good case.]

Cafeteria

[With autumn comes autumn treats. If Varian were in Corona now, he'd be helping his dad tend to the harvest - pulling up pumpkins and picking apples, ready to send along to the capital to feed the kingdom. He doesn't have to worry about the long, backbreaking farm labouring hours anymore (something he is glad for, he was never really cut out for the farming life), but it doesn't mean he wants to abandon all the traditions of his homeland.

So the smell of cooking apples and baking pasty can be found wafting out of the cafeteria one day in October. Varian can be found in the kitchen, making Apfelstreuselkuchen - a type of apple pit with a crumble top. As with most of Varian's bakes, it smells pretty damn good - and Varian's just taking it out of the oven as you wander though.]

Hey. It's nearly done - it just needs a little time to cool. I've got another one baking too, just to make sure there's enough to go around for the Fortress, if anyone wants a slice. You're gonna have to be patient, though, or you'll burn your mouth on it, and I am not dragging you to the infirmary if you don't listen to me.

Wildcard

[Otherwise, Varian can be found in his usual haunts of his workshop, the library or The Alley, working, researching or relaxing in these areas respectively. ]

around the fortress

[blackcloak]

[Jon holds his hands up, and shakes his head.]

Everything's fine. I was actually going to leave, I've finished with my duties for the week, but—well, winter is coming, so do you need any help?

around the fortress

[moderni]

Actually, I thought you might like some help.

[Maxima seems like he's in a good mood as he tilts his head down to where Varian is working.]

I may not be anywhere near your level of expertise when it comes to machinery, but I come from a particularly cold part of my world; maintenance of heating units is one of the mechanical skills I'm most confident in. I might be able to save you some time by going over the basic tasks, at least.

Lycaon | Zenless Zone Zero | OTA

[paraselenic]

a. Around the Fortress.

[Lycaon, in the interest of his own safety during the month of October, was kindly offered refuge in Meropide for as long as the Spirit Vein barrier had dissipated. Having only visited the prison a handful of times, and mostly just to drop something off, it meant he had to get a lay of the land. His metallic heels click against the floor as he walks through the hallowed halls, looking at the Halloween decorations being put on display, and making a mental map should he need to get somewhere quickly.

The infirmary was this way. The cafeteria that way. It's amazing that a place that was once used to hold prisoners became a safe haven, with utilities and places for reprieve.

You may bump into him just idly enjoying the peace, his eye looking upward in contemplative thought. There was suddenly so much free time.]

b. Cafeteria

[Naturally, Lycaon would find himself in the cafeteria at some point. He'd been given the rundown of this place when he first joined the app. There was something of a roulette meal that happened every now and again, where your meal could be a loving, 5 star creation, or it could be potentially life threatening.

Ominous.

Lycaon had no appetite at the moment, but he did want to contribute something to the meals here. A signature dish would likely be best. Something that distinctly said 'Lycaon made this', or something of the like. Inching his way to the kitchen, he ponders just what he should bring to the table.

...His souffle. That seemed like a nice addition. With that decision made, he starts to get to work.]

c. Wildcard

[If Lycaon planned something with a character in previous threads or if you just want him to clean/cook/etc. something with yours, either put a starter underneath or let me know and I can get one put up!]

WILDCARD - Alleyway (closed to Haru and Lycaon)

[whiteshroud]

[Most days this month, the easiest place to find both Haru and Jun are in the common area of Fuckass Alley. With Haru's health taking a dive, they've set up his couch to be an impromptu bed. A tv has been set up in easy view, so the tiger can keep playing through the extremely long JRPG series that Jun's colleague had recommended.

Jun meanwhile sits on the floor next to the couch on a floor pillow. He's got the phone propped up so he can use it as a guide, and he's working on sketching out his next art project while also watching the playthrough. Currently they are discussing the new batch of characters the third game has brought]

Oh hey, Burt is a two sword user and apparently has really strong counterattacks. Maybe the team build could focus on that?

Closed to Varian (OMINOUS) - LAB

[paraselenic]

[Wriothesley and Caleb can only hold off the inevitable for so long. Sooner or later during the month, Lycaon's schedule has freed up, and ready to take on less prioritized--but still important--tasks. One of them was to clean the Alley, naturally, but that was a long term project inbetween the more specific requests.

One such request (see: demand) was to clean Varian's lab. Or at the very least, inspect it. Lycaon has started to learn of Meropide's layout enough that he can make his way around without needing directions, following the scent of burnt sulfur and ammonia that seemed to be signature of the young man's workplace.

He is the wolf that is approaching.

Lycaon's heels click against the floor, more ominous than they were with Jun and Harumasa as he arrives, pulling his pocketwatch out of his breast pocket to check. Ah yes, right on time. (Right on time? Varian never scheduled this?) Yes. Right on time.

With a prompt rap of his knuckles at the metal door, his voice calls out loud enough to be heard.]

Varian. I have come to inspect the lab as we have previously agreed upon. Duke Wriothesley and Caleb's tasks have been completed.

around!

[poisontippedcure]

[Rose has two jobs: One at the Vogue, one at the Fortress. There’s a fair amount of overlap, but it’s still somewhat surprising seeing a familiar face somewhere she doesn’t expect.]

[When she recognizes Lycaon, she’ll wave. There’s a small stack of papers under her arm.]

I don’t recall seeing you here before.

b

[centralfiction]

[What a wonderful day to make a souffle! And you know what would make that souffle really thrive?

Not the loud yipping coyote that's coming into the kitchen for his work shift and immediately having his day ruined like the one behind the keyboard seeing a certain truck carrier pull into her job.]

Why the hell are you in here? Get lost, I have work to do.

Around the Fortress - hope you're ready to learn about magical girls, Lycaon

[blossominghopes]

[Lia isn't always found in the kitchen when she's left to her own devices. Sometimes there's just too many people already in there when she needs relative quiet.

This isn't one of those days, but she does have her training to keep up with regardless. She's found an out of the way part of the Fortress to do most of her training.

She's taking a break currently when she hears Lycaon passing through (his footsteps are distinctive)--probably to get a sense of where things are around Meropide, if she had to guess--and opens the door a little wider with a grin and a wave.]

Lycaon, hi!

[She still has her Pride Sword in her other hand as she does, the rapier gleaming with the colors of the bi flag.]

Ghilley Adair | FFXIV OC | OTA

[tonberrykin]

one; building

[ it is not yet time for Christmas and its trappings, but. like. y'know.

sometimes you should plan stuff out ahead of time. especially if you're a clever bitch and can repurpose the stuff you're doing so that you only had to do it like, once or twice. a nativity set can be Halloween themed if you throw the right decorations in it, probably.

for certain people of a certain religious upbringing and experience, Ghilley is definitely in the process of building a manger and its sensibly scaled, barn-like trappings out of LEGO bricks and zipties. it's probably not meant to be a structure that lasts, given that it'll change sizes several times throughout the early part of the month.

the metal, four-legged wire-skeleton structure, however, is definitely going to be something that's committed to a lot earlier than expected... if Ghilley can ever pick a project to focus on. especially considering the obstacles present in the Fortress. ]

Hey, hey, stop eating aubergine Jesus! You're going to go to whatever the seal equivalent of hell is if you keep this up! The Sahara Desert!

[ the seals keep stealing his squash stand-ins for nativity figures. they've carried the donkey away and Ghilley had to pull a whole blubberbeast out of pumpkin Mary. maybe Ghilley will also go to seal hell at this point. ]

two; baking

[ stress baking makes a day of pinnipedal sacrilege feel a little less weighty, at least. Ghilley promised fall goods, and fall goods will be provided--and since Ragna's not cooking dinner yet, he can make as much noise as he wants with bells on. ]

I was struck by lightnin' walking down the street~ I was hit by something last night in my sleeeeep...

[ it's a dead man's party and Ghilley has pumpkin bread cooling on a rack as he mixes a nice glaze for it, some sort of appley crumbly thing taking its place in a fresh oven as he plays Spotify's best excuse for spooky holiday tunes. there's one about eating a man in a collapsed mineshaft! ]

three; becorating

[ the Fortress ain't gonna tart itself up. Ghilley already got the jump on things, building a mysterious rebar skeleton and purchasing enough stupid skeleton decorations to tuck in all sorts of places all over the Fortress, and he's hardly gonna stop now that it's Spooky Month. he's got cobwebs and tombstones and spooky signs and a couple of hay bales. where did the hay bales come from? should we have hay bales underwater? who knows, put the dried corn stalks with them.

and don't leave Ghilley by himself he will shimmy up the pipes to hang stuff appropriately high it's a good day to die. ]

four; bildcard

[ and for the rest, a little foxman has day to day things to do, potentially alongside you! he's part of the Aides so he's prone to chores. he likes to be busy--reading, roaming, slipping down this hallway and that. the magically-acquired tails that won't allow themselves to be put up won't brush themselves. if you have a mischief that needs something short, pink, and implacable at your side, here's where to put it. ]

building IT'S TIME

[droptheious]

[ Varian's not a big fan of holidays, generally. When you come from a place that will have a parade for a mouse farting, it gets old quickly. But he does admit, he's curious when he comes across Ghilley and his...

construction.

He watches the Blubberbeast and the devouring of an aubergine idol, then at the... beast. Again. ]

Uhhhhhh, Ghilley? The not-allowable-in-Jun's-Christmas-rules-nativity-I-am-not-reporting-to-my-partner aside... [ he gestures at the goat, the not-yet goat ] what's this?

becorating

[loupmorque]

[ he's really not about to stand around and complain about the halloween decorations. certainly, they have a certain charm to them, he has to admit, even if they aren't as nice as christmas decorations.

but as he idly sits at the coupon cafeteria, one of Jun's special parfaits half-eaten and a cup of tea in his hand, he does have to sit in quiet wonder.

and when Ghilley starts to climb the front of the cafeteria stall itself to hang some sort of skeleton, he does have to ask. ]

What will you do if you fall and hurt yourself? [ the first question. Sir that's dangerous. ]

Can you also tell me why half these skeletons have appendages that aren't typically made of bone?

Last I checked, ears don't leave behind bone. [ he gestures at the cat skeleton Ghilley set up near the vending machine area. ]

Hermes | Stray Gods | ota

[doublethumbsup]

RECLUSE
[For most of the month, Hermes is... hard to find. Unless you know where their room is. Even then, they only poke their head out to grab food or run deliveries if asked. They're hard to catch. Mostly because they seem a little... faster... than usual. And they were always pretty quick on their feet.]

[If you don't see them, you can probably hear them. Either their music - mostly heavy beats, bass thumping - or the sounds of video games blooping along. They can be convinced to come to the door... eventually.]

Just a second!!

[Because they have to clean up. To frantically shove empty containers into the trash and drinks into a recycling bin.]


POWERS
[And then... on one trip to the cafeteria, Hermes, well. They trip. All that dashing around was probably going to end with them stumbling at some point or another. But instead of face-planting on the ground, they sort of slowly drift?]

[Landing gently on the ground - still on their face, more or less, but they definitely didn't fall like they expected.]

Whaaaat... just happened...?

[Actually in the cafeteria, they're stretching to reach something. It's up a bit high and they aren't a tall person. When they hop, just to get another small inch of height, they stop. They don't land. They're basically hovering a couple inches over the floor.]

Oh my god.

Am I a ghost?!

Powers

[droptheious]

[ Varian is on his way to the lottery machine to get some food when he sees Hermes go ass-over-tea kettle and then... not actually hit the ground. He comes a little closer, then at Hermes' question, he reaches out to give his friend a little prod in the arm. ]

Nope! Still solid. My guess you're getting some Kaisou abilities... uh... unless this is a Hermes-Thing? Can... can you fly normally?

[ Look, he had the wing shoes in the stories, right? Makes sense!! ]

Recluse | Beeb Beep MARIO KART TIME

[paraselenic]

[Lycaon had wanted to check on Hermes since he arrived in Meropide. The young messenger had been surprisingly absent in the time he's spent there so far, and he was starting to worry. Thankfully, he'd already memorized their scent, and was able to easily find their bedroom.

But not without holding to his promise of making those homemade Takis. Sure he had to put up with Ragna's presence in the kitchen, but small potatoes to make a snack for them. ...He's also made a bento box with apples cut into rabbit shapes, celery with peanut butter, and a sandwich. The takis will come after.

He waits at the door as they prep their room (you best clean it good, Hermes. He WILL notice), tail swishing back and forth.]

Take your time, Messenger Hermes.

ragna | ota (mostly)

[centralfiction]

workin'

[Ragna could hide his stupid ass dog ears from normies with a beanie and pass off the patches of scales as a skin condition. It was a good way to keep people away from him too. He didn’t have that shit on in the kitchen, though. His hair’s too damn long now to even think about avoiding a hair net at work.

It was just work. Regular work, meal prep with surprisingly impressive knife work and such, clean up after the fact, etc. But it’d be a lie to say he’s not been lingering juuust a bit more to pick up word on how Harumasa was doing.

Just a habit from old times. He was getting a lot of those back now that Johan was here, it seems.

But he can be bugged while working at your own risk. Or do it to make him make funny noises. If he hears you come in he'll hit you with:]

Get what you need and get out.

ii. thinkin'

[Sometimes though, either before or after Ragna’s work shift he can be found in an isolated spot either within the Fortress or above it in the harbor just lingering while looking out at the sea.

Sometimes he'll mutter something to himself, sometimes a complaint about someone in the Fortress, sometimes about himself for being a "goddamn idiot" about something or another.

Relatedly to his thoughts, he won’t throw a complete fit if he were to be approached by someone he knows.]

iii. wildcardin'

[[ ragnothy's poking around fuckass alley this month too so you can also find him there before or after work for a short period! Just poke him he make da funny noise. the "mostly" primarily is towards the second prompt, you're more likely to get something out of him if you know. he knows you.]]

workin'

[whiteshroud]

[Jun even isn't fazed by Ragna's growling remark. That's just how Ragna works. ]

Hey Ragna, just looking to grab a couple lunches.

[He's heading towards the fridge where he knows the dietary lunches are kept, glancing over at whatever Ragna's making]

What're you making?

thinkin'

[life_ethereal]

[Harumasa's days this month have been bad enough to where he doesn't have the stamina to venture too far outside of Fuckass Alley lately. He still makes an effort to at least go to the cafeteria on days where his stamina is stronger. It's not so much been his heart that's the problem, but his lungs. It's easy to fall into coughing fits with how irritated they've been, and for what feels like no good reason.

He feels like he hasn't seen Ragna much, which is kind of expected. After all, he doesn't have the breath most days to walk all the way to the cafeteria. Still, the second Harumasa sees Ragna off in an isolated part on the way there, he decides that he's going to skip out on whatever his original plan is and makes his way over to his friend. His gait is slower and his wave lazier, but the bright, friendly smile on his face is as genuine as always.]

Ragna~! Having fun talking to yourself?

[Still a little shit, too.]

Jon Snow | A Song of Ice and Fire

[blackcloak]

[one: take a break]

[As a member of the Black Order, Jon's really down here to check on things—more of a cursory check, really, because he's pretty sure everyone here has things locked down well enough, but no harm in checking anyway. Once he's finished up, he pops up in the cafeteria, a black-clad figure who picks up a tray and then picks the furthest, loneliest table, where he can watch the people who live and work here.

There's something soft and almost sad in his eyes as he watches them, munching idly on his food. He can't help but think of the feasts at Winterfell when there'd been occasion to hold some, or the brothers of the Night's Watch all huddling together and supping on salted meats and turnips.

And here he is once more, sitting on the outside. Once a bastard, he supposes.

But the second someone approaches, he smiles a little, a brief flash of the slightest upward twitch of his mouth, before he scoots over to make some room.]

Someone slipped a fortune with my meal. [He fishes it out from under the bowl and reads:] Believe in the power of skepticism. Well. I'm not sure what's left to be skeptical about, all things considered.

[two: terrible baby brother]

[Then there are the times Jon shows up as Ragna's little brother, enlisted into doing errands or helping out around the kitchen, or just dragged down to Meropide because "you can't listen to My Chemical Romance all day, Johan!"

You might catch his surly, Fall Out Boy-merch-wearing self around the kitchen, stirring pots or washing dishes, grumbling:] I listen to Taking Back Sunday too. Ass.

Two

[whiteshroud]

[Well that's a new face in the kitchen! One that looks pretty similar to his brother, so it's not hard for jun to connect the dots who it is when he stops by to grab some meal stuff.]

Ha- you must be Ragna's brother. I heard you were in town.

Cotton Cookie | Cookie Run Kingdom | Gardening Time

[creamcottonshepherd]

[As Cotton doesn't actually live at Meropide, there's a fair chance that people might miss how often she's around despite that. It doesn't hurt that she has a job to do- though Zodiac hardly keeps her on under full time hours these days, and she herself is quite happy to leave it that way. As she puts it, she's just a bit old for that!

(She's going to take a bit to realize she's stopped aging.)

But while she's quite a frequent sight in the kitchens of Meropide, she comes along just as often for its greenhouse. Gardening isn't something she can really do at her streethouse, not unless one counts tending to little terrariums and porch flowers, and she very much adores being able to chip in here.

She misses a good hike, and this is probably as close as she'll ever get.]

Ohohohoh, oh, they're growing so splendidly, [she chuckles as she looks over one particular row, moving along to a set of leafy plants nestled under heat lamps.] Now how are these dears doing...

[Come to help Grandma garden? Got questions about the plants?

She might not actually know what the plants are. She's got the spirit though.]

[whiteshroud]

[With a lot of Jun's time being taken by looking after Haru, Cotton's work in the greenhouse has been a true boon to Jun. There's no way he'd be able to handle both things without her help, and thus? He's constantly grateful for it.

So while Haru is having one of his routine naps, Jun is stopping by the greenhouse to check on things. He smiles when he sees Cotton there, checking on things]

Miss Cotton, hello! It's nice to see you as always.

How are the plants doing?

Kyryll Chudomirovich Flins | Genshin Impact | OTA (whoever's still in Meropide)

[lanternae]

Maritime Report Delivery (after the October Plot starts)

[It's a rainy, October day in Kaisou. The ocean's might crashes along the short of the coastline, and the lighthouse stands there as stalwart as ever. You may not have noticed it's been back online the past few months, and you probably haven't even noticed that someone has been delivering reports to the head of Meropide regarding the atmospheric and maritime readings of the coast.

Now was one such time, as Flins takes the elevator down to the prison of Meropide, holding mist-touched papers and a lantern in hand, an eerie blue glow emitting from it. He seems as content as can be, a soft smile on his face as his hair, wild from the salty air, brushes out of his face.

He enters the prison, looking to deliver his reports on time as was required of him. ...Only to find the Duke isn't there. Maxima isn't either, and that was usually his backup. That one boy, Jun, and his brother Harumasa were nowhere to be seen either. What to do...

Well. He's sure he'll find someone. Time to wander the halls like when you're in a mall past closing.]

[droptheious]

[ The Fortress is weirdly quiet. Varian remembers last October, it was a deeply unfun time for him, and he's honestly glad to just be inside the safe, comforting space of Meropide - listening to the quiet hum of the pipes and glancing out at the gallons of water that are, thankfully, not fucking space.

He's carrying some food from the cafeteria off towards his and Jun's room. His partner said he would be late for dinner and as soon as Varian knew where Jun was - he knew he was gone for the vast majority of the night. He knows he has a multitude of ways of checking and getting to his love if he needs to, so he's gonna settle down and enjoy an evening of documentaries, hot cocoa and lego building.

He sees the lantern before Flins, and stills for a moment - before Flin's face appears in the lantern light and he realises who it is. It's the lantern guy! That comes to the Duke's office all the time! ]

Oh... h-hey. You doing okay? If you're looking for The Duke, he's... not here.