At that, Parallaxus spoke up and started looking around, counting on his fingers, "Jenon... Zeufonis... Klempt... Jehhal... Ak-Velar... Khaira... Ashimar... Wollden..."
The robotic body shrugged, not even noticing Matthew staring at it. Noting he seemed to rattle off those names easily, like he was very familiar with them. While Matthew knew of the Light Gods, he caught the implication in the way Parallaxus talked.
The dragon cheerfully admitted, "Oh, I know everybody from back before they split up. We were all in the last universe together. Riiiiiiiight before everything changed, I picked up as many treasures as possible. Couldn't get the Blue Moon, though..."
God Talks In The Club
Heather fell deathly silent as new information came to light. The gods of light and dark used to be united, they used to be from the universe before this, so was this dragon robot thing giving all the information. But the most relevant to Heather was that those that take on the mantle of a fictional god would eventually become that god.
Heather was deeply cognizant of the triangle shades in her shirt pocket.
It took a few seconds for her to ride through the harrowing implications before she pressed her forehead to the bartop and tried to steel her nerves against the onset of dread. She wasn't willing to lose herself like this, she wasn't going to accept a fall before she could make everything better...
It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.This was a lot of information to get dumped all of a sudden. Parallaxus', who was a robot but also a dragon or something, had known the gods in the previous universe. There was a previous universe. He was talking to somebody billions of years old, who, inexplicably, sounded alot like Mickey Mouse. James just nodded politely.
He was about to ask further questions when he noticed Heather slumped over.
"Hey Heather, you doing alright?"
Pablo quickly took a good gulp of the milk before speaking. Sighing in relief, he enjoyed a moment of calm.
"Thanks" He said, with a gasp. He really needed that. He thought he would be able to handle the spice, but they really didn't appreciate how bad this would be. Would have prepared for the food fighting back
Seeing the conversation they were having, he simply shrugged and commented on it.
"That god thing sounds like a headache and a half, really" He took a sip of his juice and went back to eat, wanting to see how much he could shove in before needing to stop again.
Edited by Blueace on Dec 13th 2022 at 12:39:31 PM
Wake me up at your own risk.We're In The Club Having Existential Crisises
Heather was tempted to speak her mind, to talk openly about how alienated she felt seeing everyone let the existence of tyrannical divinities slide and how she was scared the fictional character she mantled for power could overtake her personality because that's how mantling fake gods goes apparently and a hundred different other anxieties that prodded at her like pressure pins. But it was only a temptation, a call of the void wishing the worst for her, she knew when to ignore such things and put on a brave, smiling face back to James.
"I'm fine. Just... Waiting for karaoke."
It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.James had seen this before. That time they'd went to the mall Heather had suddenly become flustered. Despite her normal flippancy, it often seemed that on serious matters she had great difficult in voicing her thoughts.
Heather, it's clear you aren't alright. You and I aren't particularly close, but we've still been through a hell of a lot together. I'd be glad to hear your concerns, whatever they may be."
Edited by bobbitwormhobbitwyrm on Dec 15th 2022 at 9:21:48 AM
Matt and Co.
Matthew drank down more of his beverage - and was now strongly considering getting another one. This...was a lot. A lot a lot. He'd known since encountering the Subspace Station that there was something going on. But to hear of this, from a—-a singing dragon that had lived through the apocalypse. This also opened the possibilities on why Parallaxus always addressed him as "Good Matthew".
"This is a lot to take in all at once," Matthew spoke up, "If you need to head home for the night, Heather...well, that's on the table."
Tom for his part was taking it all in with wide eyes and a lot of questions in mind - though he wasn't that eager to press Parallaxus' robotic avatar. This did make it clear to him though that he would need to get going on this soon. There was a lot more going on than he thought - and he didn't want to just be a passive part of the world while everyone else was in movement.
Jackson and the Brothers Gardner
"So anyway..." Jackson looked out on to the waters, and thought back to what happened up in his spa. He bit his lip, pondered how Kyle felt, and then said, "You uh. Wanna go swim a bit in the lake? Just the two of us for now...?"
He glanced over at Jayden. The guy was definitely more relaxed than he had been even at school. The question nagged at the jock - what exactly happened to do this to Jayden?
Edited by NickTheSwing on Dec 23rd 2022 at 10:56:43 AM
"Well, at least the universe will start again, right?" Pablo said, slightly unsure "If things just ended, it'd... just suck, really. No matter how far down the line it is" He looked thoughtful for a second before diving into his food like a dog.
"Might as well live as you want"
Wake me up at your own risk.Shit, things had been on a downwards trajectory since Parallaxus casually admitted knowing the gods. To be honest, James didn't really understand why Heather was so upset. A past universe had been destroyed somehow, but this one had already managed to stick around for trillions of years, so it seemed unlikely that it would meet a similar fate any time soon. It was a revelation of immense weight, but only in the same way as a major scientific discovery. The truth it unearthed was neither to their benefit nor detriment. But after what happened to Jayden, there was no way he would continue to disregard the thoughts of his compatriots. He had to make an effort to empathize.
When he spoke his voice was uncharacteristically grave. "Heather, we might never see eye to eye, but I share the same concerns that you do. I try not to worry about things that are beyond my control, but I'll still fight with you until the bitter end against the evils of this new world. I think I speak for all of us on that. But if your ambitions are even remotely possible, it sure isn't something that can be done alone. We have to work together, and that entails some degree of openness. We can all keep our own secrets, but if you have a major concern, any of us would be glad to hear it."
Jayden
"Huh?" Kyle blinked a few times, then shrugged. "Oh, yeah, sure."
"Did you bring swim trunks?" Jayden said.
"Well...no, but—"
Jayden laughed a little. "Try not to get your phone wet, Mom might actually kill you."
...she was designing killer robots.
The smile dropped off Jayden's face, and a knot formed in his stomach. Well...she probably isn't anymore, right? She has no reason to.
Everything should be fine.
But he couldn't shake the sudden nervousness.
"Look inside yourself and to the stars; there, you will find your answers."The Club Is Truly The Venue To Be Tonight
"Can we not have this talk now? I wanted to relax tonight. We can... I dunno, text me once we're all home and I'll ramble. Is that okay?"
Heather was silent, as though expecting a response. Eventually though she gave a glance up at the stage.
"... I'm gonna do my karaoke."
And with that she got off the stool and began the walk towards the stage. She specifically tried to set her trajectory to pass by Xander on his way back with Mina. Once she was close enough, she rolled her shoulders back and whispered as she practically brushed past Xander.
"Rooftop after the song. We gotta talk."
And as though nothing was wrong she continued walking and started preparing to sing.
It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing.Matthew just watched Heather leave the group for the stage once Mina and Xander's song ended. He finished off his drink, gulping down the last bits of his beverage while contemplating. He figured he should've probably said something sooner. Done something sooner. But now it seemed she was...completely set. He'd...just have to make sure that she didn't hurt anyone during the course of her journey.
And indeed, as Xander and Mina walked down from the stage - Xander flush in the face from the movements of the two during the song - he halted briefly as he heard Heather move past him. Say something that left him paused there for a moment. Eyes briefly glancing back at her as she started to climb up to do her own karaoke.
But he wasn't just going to sit back and do nothing at this point.
Xander found himself rather numbly walking toward the main group - Matthew, James, Pablo, and Tom now - and thinking about what she meant. "The roof...?" Xander murmured. As he approached them, he wiped his forehead for a moment, and got ready to say his piece. He just...didn't know if they'd accept it.
Jackson for his part casually started removing the majority of his clothes, shirt and jacket landing behind him, and shortly after his jeans, socks and shoes as well. Clad only in a pair of black briefs, Jackson stretched a little bit, and then looked at Kyle. He was suddenly thinking again about that time in the sauna. The first time he'd been really honest with Kyle.
He let out a breath and then took a running jump into the water, quickly coming back up and wiping his hair back.
I know I picked my tightest briefs today. I know I daydreamed about this ever since the sauna.
"Come on in, water's fiiiiine~!"
Edited by NickTheSwing on Jan 7th 2023 at 9:17:40 AM
Pablo took a moment to clap, but noted the look of confusion on Xander as he passed Heather, but he didn't know what would be the best move.
"It feels like something's boiling" He noted to himself. It wasn't intended, but there was a bit of a weird mood around. Even as things seemed to come to an end, the question about what comes next still lingers.
"Hey, James" He called "How deep do you think we'll get on this whole thing?"
Wake me up at your own risk.Jayden
"...alright, guess we're doing this now," Kyle muttered. He stood up and undressed down to his underwear, then looked over at Jayden. "Watch the stuff, okay?"
Jayden nodded, still somewhat distracted. Kyle headed into the water.
"Look inside yourself and to the stars; there, you will find your answers."Howl Then, Totem-Bearer
Heather had to take a moment as she took the first step onto the stage. A single moment to secure the red scrunchie around her hair and take a breath.
"Okay miss Chandler, let's rock this shall we?"
She reaches the center of the platform and exhales a breath laced with power. A waltz on acoustic floods into the space, quickly followed by a ticking-clock pattern on electric guitar. And yet, it's not from the speakers is it, it's present in the club without a source: as though it's the score in a film; the ever-present soundtrack only now audible to others. Magic has a way of messing with what's known, especially when the Heather's pouring her heart out through the Dead Red.
And her singing is maybe a little rough, but it's filled with the Dead Red's strength and (thankfully not literal) poisonous vibes. The lyrics aren't truthful to her of course, she never knew her father, but as the song progresses she allows a frenzy of passion until all the spite and vitriol leaves her with the last guitar strums of the song fading on the wind.
And with that, Heather leaves the stage and starts making her way towards where she promised to be. The roof awaits, she hopes a reckoning will follow on her heels.
It's clearly a case of backroom political albumizing."I'll try to respond better in the future Pablo. Heres hoping things don't get too out of control in general."
He listened to Heather as she sang, clapping at the end. His teammate was pretty damn good, but he couldn't ignore the rather ominous overtones of the lyrics. The gods might not notice now, and they might never, but that song was a declaration of war. James sighed, this was not likely to end well.
He glanced at Xander, who suddenly seemed quite tense. His feelings for the boy had, unsurprisingly, not changed over the hour or so they had spent here. Disturbingly, it seemed Mina's own opinion was much higher. Xanders other relationships seemed at best circumstantial and oftentimes simply coercive and it would have been easy (albeit unethical) to lead him along with even the slightest shows of affection, but Mina clung to his arm at every opportunity. If this really was aruse, she had truly committed to the bit. This was fucked up. It would probably have even worse consequences than Heather's display of hubris.
"Is there something on your mind? You look uncomfortable."
Mina Parker
Mina was indulging in a few slices of the pizza that Matthew had bought for the party, while also sipping one of the exotic fruit juice cocktails that were on offer. It wasn't often that she got to indulge in so-called "junk food," even with the laxness of her father. She never realized how much most of the standards she had imposed on herself in an attempt to be the perfect daughter had hampered her ability to get out, have fun, and be a normal child. Her and Xander both.
Heather's song resonated with Mina the more she thought about it, so she sang along in the background without the aid of a mic, cheering her teammate on with neon glowsticks. As it ended, Mina noticed that Xander looked anxious, so she said "Xander? Y-You look like you h-have something to say. Are y-you okay?"
I wear the skin of the Elder Things, having come unto my own."Heather said for me to go up to the rooftop with her once her song was done..." Xander stated, looking down, not knowing what to do from here. He just got a really bad vibe from that for some reason. He didn't want to go up there, not knowing what may well happen. If it was what he thought it might be... it would be something that could stand to hurt Mina, hurt her relationship to Heather and her friends...and he couldn't let that happen.
So rather than go right on ahead, he went to go consult with the others. He felt he could trust them well enough at this point.
"I don't know, I don't like the way she voiced it. There was something about it..." He fidgeted for a moment, and then said, "It...just reminds me of when me and the other Umbral Teens have to move. When there's danger present, but you just can't see it. But you know it's there..."
He shook his head, "It's just the way I felt about it."
Jackson tried to make it less obvious that his eyes immediately darted to Kyle's body once he was fully down to his boxers. Glancing toward the water with the slightest blush on his face - purely an instinct from years of suppressing how he felt watching the other guys in the locker room. He didn't want to make it seem like he organized this just to ogle Kyle. It was more than that. He'd wanted to do something like this ever since the sauna.
As soon as he was sure that he wasn't blushing any more, he swam over toward Kyle. Before long the blond jock was about 10 inches away from Kyle, and before long he found his voice, "So I wanted to let you know, since I'm being more open now...more honest...I—-I really find you amazingly attractive. And I hope that's okay."
Jackson briefly glanced toward Jayden.
The younger brother was...quiet. Jayden wasn't usually quiet. At least when Jackson saw him before. But it seemed a lot had happened in this time.
No duh. I'm Out, Tristan got humiliated by James and Pablo, Nyczus is off the air, and somehow Mina and Xander are a thing.
While before James had been dealing with two problems running in parallel, it was clear they were set to collide. Unless Heather was about to declare her undying love for Xander on that roof, it was pretty clear that she was going to try and threaten him. As tempting as it was, James wasn't sure if he agreed with that strategy, and not least of all because it would jeopardize his friendship with Mina.
He "strongly disliked" Xander, he truly did, but James couldn't deny that he owed the man a great deal for helping them get through Oron'gur. He had felt truly horrible before, making Xander him go against his violent and abusive father and discarding him as an afterthought. As terrible as this new relationship was, it took a good deal of moral weight off of James' shoulders. Was that selfish in its own weird way? He wasn't sure.
For the time being, all he could think of doing was controlling the damage. "I trust your sense for trouble, if nothing else. Which means that she's probably going to try something inadvisable. We should probably come with you to the roof, see what she's planning. Who knows if it'll make any fucking difference."
Good lord, the celebration really shouldn't be more stressful than the raid itself. "I'm sorry your party has been so hectic Tom, I hope you still had a good time. You don't have to come up with us if you're not feeling it. I know this whole situation must be pretty awkward."
Jayden
"Yeah, I kinda figured as much," Kyle said. "I'm flattered. Honestly."
Jayden saw Jackson briefly glance at him, and gave a quick wave. Then, he lied back in the grass and steadily breathed out, relaxing. Don't think about what might happen in the future. Think about what's happening now.
And now? Things were pretty good.
"Look inside yourself and to the stars; there, you will find your answers."

Bar Bizarre
Matthew lightly sipped at the margarita first through the straw as he listened to James' question. Honestly, by this point even the alcohol here didn't suffice. He just drank for the taste. The foibles of an enhanced body... After a moment he took a bigger sip from the side.
"Oh, definitely. The Mage Association is divided into administrations across different areas, each one having different policy - though not nearly as different as it used to be..." Tilting his drink a little, Matthew went further, "Each area generally has a Grand Magus, who functions kind of like a President. Crowley is this area's Grand Magus. The further north areas, including Scandinavian Europe and further north Canada, have Magic God Odin as their Grand Magus. More on him in a minute."
By now, Parallaxus was leaning in and intently listening, like a small child eagerly hearing a story being told. He did however use one of the robot form's many arms to get a huge glass of white milk, which he slid over to Pablo.
"But a lot of the decision-making is down to the Association's Legislature. As Xander mentioned, we...just had a pretty bad election. Hardliners basically got a sizable portion of the electorate. And I think you can tell from what happened that electing them didn't "scare the Cult into behaving itself"."
Sipping again on his drink, Matthew chuckled to himself, "Ah yes, the Norse God I mentioned. Magic God Odin. Just after I started a couple years back, I was fighting people employed by his Althing Organization. Magic Gods are not exactly the divinities they claim to be - more, they imitate the deity as closely as possible, and thus retroactively become that deity through a process called Holy Approximation. They were involved in the founding of the Association - and their condition for supporting its continued existence...was, well, they are immune from being held legally responsible for anything. Odin was a foe of mine all the way up to last year, when he agreed to a ceasefire in light of events...still, I expect he'll be back to his old tricks before long."
Jackson's Party
Not long after Jayden found Kyle, Jackson found him. Even now, Jackson seemed a little nervous. Dressed in a pair of tight swim trunks, shirt resting on a nearby chair, Jackson looked around. Bryce stood by his side, and lightly elbowed his side, urging him forward. A bit of whispering broke out between the guys...
And then Jackson walked over, and put on his most confident smile. "Hey Kyle, I'd been hoping to see you out here! How's the party?"