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

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

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!]

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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. ]

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. ]

[ 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.

[Jun's expression immediately goes to one of suspicion when Varian calls him Haru. He knows of anyone in the fortress, there's no way his partner would mistake him for his brother. He lives with them, has spent countless hours with them - especially with Jun. Hell, there are times where Varian seems to know Jun better than Jun knows himself. Not in a million years would he think his fiancee would fall for such a surface level prank.

And so, it dawns on Jun extremely quickly what his partner is doing: he is challenging him. What was going to turn into a quick "haha no wrong brother" prank is now going to have to turn into a full farce if he wants any chance of tricking someone. Especially if Varian expects him to speak-- since their natural voices sound oh so very different.

His gray eyes narrow as Varian sits down across from him.

He knows what you're doing, you little shit and love of my life.]

Edited 2025-10-05 18:53 (UTC)

[But fine. He's not going to give up this easily. He can't report back to Haru "I tried and Varian sold us out immediately". No. He has to at make sure he dupes at least ONE person.

And so, it's time to break out the voice mimicry. Mimicking the way Haru covers his mouth, he'll fake a cough a couple times as he activates that power. When he lowers his hand and speaks, his voice sounds just like Harumasa's. Probably sound pretty weird, coming from Jun's mouth]

Hey Varian!

I'm alright. Had a little extra energy, so I wanted to sit out here for a bit.

[Which isn't a lie if he's talking about Jun at least.]

How're you doing?

[ Varian knows Jun better than he knows himself most days. Jun does the same for him, of course, a fact that makes him feel so deeply loved and appreciated. But that does not save his beloved from shenanigans. A grin crosses Varian's features the second he sees those grey eyes narrow. It is a sign that Jun understands the gauntlet that has been thrown at his feet and is leaning down to pick it up. Game on, love, game on. The grin is replaced again by a passive expression as he goes about eating his meal. Nothing to see here, folks, just having dinner with his bother in law.

And so he waits to see how Jun will get through the very obvious voice difference between himself and his brother. He knows Jun has voice mimicry, of course, but the fake cough before it does pull a snort of amusement out of him. It IS weird hearing Haru's voice coming out of Jun's mouth, even if he knew it was coming - but he's started this challenge and he's not going to back down now. ]

That's good to hear. You might wanna make sure you rest if that cough gets any worse, though. None of us want you to push yourself.

[Which is, at least, the truth. He eats a few more forkfuls of his meal.]

I'm okay. October's usually a busy month, what with all my checks on the fortress' heating systems as they get turned on and everything. But it's fine, it's an earth month, so I have a lot of excess energy anyway.

[He loves Varian so deeply and so intensely. He meant the world to him and he would do just about anything for him. His engagement ring is still sitting on his finger because of course he'd never take it off, even for a farce like this.

That all being said, he would love to throw Varian in the moon pool at this moment]

Yeah- of course! Don't have to tell me twice.

[Or something. He did not prepare a script for how to talk like his brother. But he's hoping someone's not eavesdropping that much. Surely if they had, they would've figured out by now that this is jun anyway right? This wasn't supposed to be a full impersonation.]

Oh right, it is getting to be that time of year. How much of the fortress will be heated this year, do you think?

[ Varian has taken note of the ring, and it fills his heart with so much appreciation and love. That even for this bit, Jun has kept it on. He truly adores this man, absolutely and completely.

But he is not going to do anything to prevent the moon pool-throwing desires. ]

Good, glad to hear it. How have you been enjoying that game you've been playing? Jun gave me a rundown of what's happened, but I'd love to hear your opinion on it.

[ Haru's specific opinion. On the specific game he's been playing. :) :) :)

Varian's clearly enjoying himself as he sits back in his chair a little.]

Sure is! I'm hoping to get some of the lower levels heated this time. The main community hubs and the residential parts are already heated, of course, and I need to run maintenance on them. But hopefully that shouldn't take long, and then I can hit up the less habited areas. I don't really need to worry about the production zone, my forge is running all the time so it keeps that place pretty warm, but the other things on that level needs it. Maybe the Pankration Arena, once I work out how to get that space warmed up.

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!]

[The brief look says it all on his face.

He is visualizing right now throwing his lover into the moon pool]

[Alright, he's clearly being challenged to break character and he's not going to let Varian have that satisfaction. So he'll lean back and push a lock of his hair behind his ear as he takes a moment to think about Haru's review of the games that he gave just a couple hours ago.

Fortunately he remembers (17). Instead of half-assing it, he's going to actually go all out, trying to sound exactly like his brother and use Haru like gestures as he talks.]

My opinion? Well-

Okay, so I'm hurt after the second one. That hurt my feelings. I'm upset and I'm ugly crying and then I cried again at the other real ending because oh my god that tiny girl doesn't know feelings and THIS IS THE ONE SHE FEELS THE MOST ABOUT. That's upsetting. The not gay but totally gay romances are the best written ones I've seen while the intended straight romances are the worst I've ever seen, and I have seen a lot of trash anime and fanfics written by extremely obvious straight people. I love the world. The bisexual prince is a call out to me specifically and that's just plain rude. Protag may or may not be worse than Belle and Ragna at getting a clue, but at least it's just as endearing as those two, so I'll forgive it. 8/10 would get my heart curb-stomped by this again. I've only just started the third one, so I'll have thoughts later when I get back to it.

[Thaaaat's way more words than Jun likes to speak at any given time with WAY more inflection, so he will immediately need to take a drink of his water- which briefly breaks the voice mimicry enough to mutter in his own voice low enough so just Varian can hear]

Asshole.

Edited 2025-10-05 21:37 (UTC)

[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?

[Harumasa has been resting and also moving around when he can. He doesn't have the energy (or the breath) to venture out as far as he normally does, but he's hanging in there. Mostly by playing this game series and having Jun nearby to not feel alone while dealing with his health. His tiger ears and tail are out, since he doesn't have the energy or willpower to keep them hidden at this time. He's just letting his Zouyu form do whatever it wants this month.

The young archer is nodding along with what Jun's saying.]

Yeah, definitely. Maybe not as good as Lea, but I bet I can get him to her level with enough thought put into it. Tina isn't gonna be part of my team at all, she's so slow, so... I guess Yunie is gonna be our healer until I say she's out?

[He sees the look. He knows what that look means. He's absolutely delighted!

He IS surprised that Jun manages to rattle all that off - especially with Haru's mannerisms tied in. He has to give him some credit for that one, he's going hard on the bit, and if Varian didn't know any better, he'd find this almost believable. He gives a nod. ]

Wow. You've been thinking really hard about this one, huh? I guess it tracks on you being so deep in the romance plots, huh? I watched that movie Belle asked me to model your plane on. But hey, so glad to see you're finally acknowledging how clueless those two are, I'm proud of you, bisexual prince.

[He says to someone who is not bisexual in the least. But this is the bit they're in. He grins into his food at the asshole comment, cleary loving every second of this. With a soft murmur. ]

You started it, dearest. [DID he? Then out loud: ] But hey! I'm glad you've been enjoying it. I might come and watch a game or two - I should have some spare time coming up. I'll try my best not to flirt with Jun while I'm there.

[Varian is definitely enjoying this. And he'll enjoy this even more when his comments about Belle makes Jun sputter some of his water (4). He doesn't even try to get back into Haru's voice because OBJECTION]

Hey! Prodding me to comment on his love life while I'm in character is cheating! You know I'm not going to do that!

[Cheating as if there were ever established rules to whatever this is]

[Victory is HIS! A proper laugh bursts out of him, clearly deeply delighted by this landslide win for himself! ]

Hey now, we did not establish any rules beforehand, therefore any and all plays are perfectly legal and acceptable. [ His grin is wide, genuinely happy - this is a great time. ] Besides, you didn't have to quote him word for word, you could have avoided the Belle and Ragna comment and saved yourself the devastating loss.

[He rests his chin on his hand, resting his elbow on the table. ]

I'm going to relish my victory. I didn't even have to try that hard~

[When the invitation to stay in Meropide was offered, he had promised Harumasa that he would prepare snacks for him to enjoy while he was on bedrest. A small treat to indulge in as they were both to remain in its walls for the remainder of the month, albeit for different reasons. He'd kept his word, and before he made his way to the fortress, he'd prepared boxes of shortbread cookies--half of a strong matcha flavour, and half of them chocolate dipped for Jun to enjoy.

He'd originally made his way through the halls and stopping by Harumasa's room to deliver them, only to find the room empty. He then tried Jun's, with a locked door as his only answer. Figuring that they were likely both 1. together and 2. somewhere else made him start to check the places people tended to gather towards.

The first being the common area, naturally. The telltale click of metal heels against the floors was enough to signal Lycaon's arrival, what was once a foreboding sound to a certain group in a haunted tower was now more just a familiar gait one could recognize by sound alone. Lycaon reaches the common area, looking around and finding the two on the couch in front of a television, engrossed in what seemed to be video games.

Hm. He probably shouldn't disturb them. He'll make this quick.]

Harumasa. Jun. There you are.

[He tilts his head to look at the screen, like when a dog hears a sound they're not used to. Are those gun tonfas? ...Video games are truly astounding.]

Could I steal a moment of your time? I simply want to drop this off.

[He'd originally wanted to thank both of them for his birthday gifts, but he doesn't want to distract them too long.]

Is this a new game? I have never seen anything quite like it. [Hi what's a JRPG]

[So! Annoying!!!!]

Nngh- you didn't give me a chance to establish rules. I was just seeing if anyone would mix us up at a glance, and you start grilling me like I'm a disneyland actor! You wouldn't ask Aurora's actress about her dating life with the Prince! [THUS IT'S CHEATING] Look, I was busy trying to recite what he said! If I had tried to improv it, it would've tripped me up!

[Jun will make an annoyed sound. Yeah, he can tell Varian is relishing it]

While you're relishing, you can eat my garlic bread. [PUSHES IT FORWARD. It smells even more garlicky than normal] I put extra garlic on it, so enjoy your victory.

I did not, but I was also not expecting to see you cosplaying as your brother, so we're even there, Dearest. And I don't know, I might! Maybe I wanna know what she sees in a dude who'll kiss someone in a coma! [ He shakes his head, humming softly. ] So what you're saying here is that you could never hope to win. Duly noted!

[ That's what he's taking from this. And he is relishing every second.

He watches the plate side towards him, sniffing the garlic. He picks up a slice, holding it aloft.]

I will! I'll enjoy my victory garlic bread! [ Because he clearly has a point to prove, he shoves the whole piece in his mouth. He manages to chew it and get it down, but not before coughing after it (12). ]

You know it's vampires who don't like garlic right? Not werewolves. Who are you defending against with this? Good lord.

[..... Well, Jun sees an opening to how even if he can't win, he can take Varian down with him]

It was Haru's idea. He suggested I wear a yellow headband and see if anyone mistakes me for him. But now I have to tell him you ruined his joke before anyone else could fall for it. [He sighs wistfully] Poor Haru. He can't even have a harmless little joke go right for him this month.

[Suffer.]

Also it was the only way to break the spell and you know that. That's what it says in all the fairy tales.

[So. there!! But he does snort at Varian biting the garlic bread. Of course he actually bit into it.]

I was trying to cover my scent! With all the werewolves here, I felt I had to throw off their heightened smell somehow.

[The rudeness!!! The cruelty! Varian lets out a soft gasp, putting a hand to his chest. ]

I cannot believe you would play the Haru Card on me like that. That's not fair. That's playing dirty.

[ He is suffering and he hates it. ]

I do know that, but the fairy tales also say that Eugene fell into a patch of thrones trying to get to Rapunzel's tower and that definitely didn't happen, so I'm inclined to believe those stories are stretching the truth a lot.

[ Look, sometimes you stumble upon a book of fairy tales, and you have a little bit of an existential crisis about it for like a hot minute, and then you get made about the "historical inaccuracies" instead.

He's ignoring the snort. He bit the damn bread and he survived it! ]

I mean... okay, I have to give you that. That is one that'd get you found out real quickly.

[Jun shrugs]

You started playing dirty first. And didn't you say there were no rules and ergo everything goes?

[How do you like reaping what you sow]

Yeah, but saying he kissed her because he likes kissing coma patients is a STRETCH. Especially when there's no evidence to believe other than "some fairy tales are inaccurate".

[Get Princess Aurora or someone from that fairy tale in there!! Don't slander a random prince's name!]

Mm. I couldn't mimic his scent, so it was the only chance I had. Even if I'm going to smell of garlic for the rest of the day.

I can't believe you're taking away my well-earned victory by making me feel guilty about your brother. So cruel, so merciless.

[He does not like reaping what he sows, he's tasting his own medicine and it is bitter! ]

Well, it's not like we can ask him. But it doesn't detract that kissing someone he barely knew while she was unconscious is a little bit weird, spell or no spell.

[ Varian, you are a terrible Disney character. Varian lets out a soft hum, nudging the plate of garlic doom back to his Dear Heart. ]

There is that. I guess you lucked out that it doesn't deter me, at least.

Mm, and yet you'd do the exact same were the roles reversed, and you know it.

[He knows Varian would do it in a heartbeat, without a doubt. ]

She was unconscious, he didn't have a chance to get to know her better. And if it really was the only way to get her awake- then what he did was CPR before it even existed. He invented CPR, and you're implying him to be a creep. Shameful.

[How dare you shame the inventor of CPR]

Well that's a relief. [He'll just scoot the plate to the side. He doesn't want it, now that the ruse has been ruined]

Aww, but I like Tina. Her hat and boots are really cute.

[Of course Jun would prioritize how cute a character looks over actual gameplay strategies. This is one of many reasons why Haru is the one with the controller and not Jun.

In truth, Jun could sense Lycaon coming the moment he stepped into the threshold of the alley. The approaching presence pings him, causing him to immediately focus on it before he identifies Lycaon's energy signature- in other words, a signature that's allowed to be in this part of the fortress. He relaxes internally, choosing not to make any external sign that he picked up the presence at all. No need to advertise just how on guard he often is.

So when Lycaon approaches, he'll turn his head at the sound of the clicks, giving the wolf a polite nod and smile]

Oh, hey Lycaon! And of course- steal away!

[Not like they're at a cutscene or anything. ]

Haha, yeah it's called Paths of Chilled Metal. I wouldn't say it's new, a friend recommended it to me awhile ago, but it's really long so now felt like a good time to actually sit down and play it.

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

Jun Nightroad | Tokyo Xanadu | OTA

Varian | Tangled | OTA

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Lycaon | Zenless Zone Zero | OTA

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WILDCARD - Alleyway (closed to Haru and Lycaon)

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DW DIDN'T SEND ME A NOTIF