(no subject)

[amberhearted]

Who: Alexander, Anthony, Bakura, Banagher, Hajime, John, Lyall, Ravindra, Reilanin & Vanessa
Where: Alex & Ravi's apartment
When: Friday, Sept. 13th (ooooh)
What: Movie night!
Warnings: --

[ and so it happened that tonight was a movie night slightly different from the one alex, anthony, john (and ravindra, when he wanted to be included) had grown accustomed to -- namely, the volume of bodies had doubled, plus two. the cats were split in opinion; adhirat sought shelter in ravi's room, while olivia got cozy with anyone who'd give her the time of day and gomez poked around and occasionally darted off.

the more the merrier -- for anthony's sake, partially, as holing up in an apartment couldn't have been very fun (thought alex) while his peers enjoyed (or enjoyed to hate) school. bakura was a friend of his, so alex was more than happy to have him over. lyall could always use a break. hajime had been an invaluable asset at the water bust and seemed like a swell guy. john was an 'of course'; a founding member of movie night and someone alex got along with splendidly. vanessa, well.

vanessa could do with the company of good people. she seemed to get along with banagher fine, too, and alex was fond of both of them.

as for reilanin, he was basically continuing to offer the branch of friendship, or something like it. he'd actually been surprised when she accepted the invitation. as a librarian, she was probably familiar with the movie they'd be watching tonight.

twilight (or the save the earth equivalent of). ]

[ ooc: more or less a mingle log! throw up your own threads, go hog wild, yeah!
here's the apartment layout for reference. they're on the second floor! ]

Comments

before movie

[amberhearted]

[ after everyone (or mostly everyone) has arrived, alex steps out of the kitchen and into the living room, lifting a hand and calling for their attention. once he's got (most of) it, he drops his hand to his neck, holding it a little nervously, and smiles awkwardly. ]

Hey, sooo... Since you're all here and you're probably gonna want a drink, uh...

[ suddenly, he points to the refrigerator with both thumbs over his shoulder. ] There's drinks, by the way!

[ he drops one hand to his side while the other resumes position at his neck. when he continues talking, his eyes are on the ceiling, not them. ]

In the interest of full disclosure, Iiiiiii am actually! [ he rolls up on his toes for that one. ] A vampire, so there's blood in there. That isn't jello. Well, I mean, it is jello, but it's not the kind you want to eat, so, yeah. It's there so I don't eat you. Don't touch it.

[ he looks in the general direction of the living room, but not actually at anyone in it. damn, perfect osmosis of ravi's eye contact avoidance technique. ] And please don't-- I mean, try to keep it to yourselves?

[goldenclothes]

...

[ well, that answers that question. being at the library was one thing, but coming into someone else's apartment is a whole new ballgame.

get it, ballgame. vampires. twilight.

yeah okay anyway.

she was actually surprised to see some familiar faces, namely ravindra, lyall and anthony, though she was having trouble placing the young man. she was surprised at the number of people there, and considered opening a window before too long.

but for now, she sits on the floor, knees folded up to her chest, with olivia watching her fingers as she taps them on the carpet beside her and swiping at them before simply rolling onto them affectionately. it's nice. cats don't usually like her.

she looks up to alexander and tilts her head a little at the statement before her eyes slide away. ah, she freaked out a little, shut him out a bit after that last echo... she didn't know how he felt about it, but since he hadn't said anything and didn't seem to be reacting too harshly to it, she wouldn't either.

she leans over a little to inspect everyone else. all network people?... randalph, of course, she knew, but what did everyone else have going on?... ]

What movie are we watching...?

[amberhearted]

[ Reilanin's reaction is one he's more concerned about, though that makes little sense given that she ate people and he... took sustenance from people without having to grievously injure them. it's doubly dumb because she already knows he's a vampire -- that memory spilled the beans before he had the chance to ( and he's not exactly chomping at the bit to tell anyone. it's only fair that he warn the people here, given what he was capable of doing, regardless of how well-stocked he currently is.)

of course, he can't glean an ounce of useful information from her reaction, only a faint worry that she's taken his admission negatively.

he presses his hand further into his neck. ]

Twilight. You seen it?

[scramasax]

[Anthony recognizes her on sight - and likewise - all the months it's been - can't instantaneously place her with something in his head giving him a spur to stay back, turn around - reined and overridden by quick-acting sense. She's here. All here are network, and Alex has just openly announced himself as a vampire in front of them all -- and with the lines connected, focus zooms in on exactly who he remembers her as.]

-- Ms. Bainbridge...?

[His voice peters thin and sheepish as he moves in - a tad, and halts at a point just far in enough to have announced his presence, hopefully.]

Everyone's free to smack him with pillows

[shiromadoushi]

[[Oddly enough (for those who don't know him, anyway), Bakura's face lights up at this admittance and he sits up straight in his seat on the couch]] Really?!

[[A million questions in his mind. A million and a half and they're all starting to come out in a jumble of THIS IS SO COOL!]]

Have any of the powers that go with it or just the downsides? Where do you get your supply and why jello? It doesn't ruin it mixing it up that way? Do you know what type you are? This a garlic free zone so I know next time I bring snacks? How far along is it?

[[Someone might... want to get him to shut up. Else he's going to keep going... and going...]]

[scramasax]

[John and Anthony had come in bearing several, several dozens of the edible things now left sitting somewhere in the span between the entrance to the apartment and the kitchen. They're white, vaguely-rounded lumps that contain many small lemon-yellow specks.

Anthony isn't hanging close - is stealing pettily anxious glances over from time to time watch for if they're being found to be worth taken or for any indicators of approval. Or disapproval - after the perfectionistic process of making that many batches to bake something closer and closer to proper, please don't let it have been a mistake to have nothing but a relatively-plain and probably still amateurishly-baked thing like meringue to bring over.

That silly-ish and obligatory concern aside Anthony's in fine spirits, and for a few reasons all the more glad and at-ease that as many are also over this Friday as there are - he's minding his posture, if actively; he remains hovering and standing about just out of the way but "keeping track" of everyone else in the room, not pausing too long on small and polite but sincere smiles on eye contact.]

[doomedtheworld]

[Vanessa had spent a long time thinking over the invitation to this movie night. She still wasn't sure how awkward things were after her last visit to Alex and Ravi's apartment and, besides that, most of the people there were still strangers.

She might have also circled the block a few times before finally showing up at the door with an offering of a bag of popcorn, because move night and all. Since then she'd grabbed a seat on an arm of the couch to wait for the movie to start.

And then Alex's announcement beforehand had given her something else entirely to worry about. She's quiet all through the first round of questions, before finally looking up toward him.]

If you try to eat me, I'll kick your ass.

[Yeah. She's cool with it.]

[chalicejoker]

[At first, Hajime thinks this is going to be a normal sort of movie night opening speech. Here are the drinks, there's the bathroom, that sort of thing. He wasn't expecting that last little bit.

He's quiet at that, hanging back and letting Bakura the others pepper Alex with questions. Not like he's particularly bothered by it; a vampire seems more normal than a gigantic bug. There's an understanding nod at Alex's request to keep it quiet. He can understand that; he didn't want anyone knowing about his green blood at first, but he'd given up hiding it when the transformation became too pronounced to even think of hiding.]

[allinvein]

[Oh, so those fangs he'd seen during the bar crawl were, in fact, not part of some weird sex fetish get-up? Alex, stop being such a disappointment! Goooooooosh.

...that is to say, John isn't too surprised to hear Alex make this confession about being a vampire, but the actual confessing part is... well. That's something else.

He actually ends up making a mental note to talk to Alex about this entire vampire business more later and in private, but John's actually quite curious about the stuff in the fridge as well.]

Was that the reason behind your movie choice this week?

[He offers Alex a grin, hoping it conveys his thoughts that he doesn't think he's any less of a bro now than before, okay? Okay.]

During movie | OPEN

[professorwolf]

Lyall had actually read this book. He wasn't terribly impressed by it, but so many of his students had read it, that he felt like he really ought to. The movie wasn't really any better, in his opinion. So he didn't stay put for most of it, moving to the snacks and the drinks, and occasionally wandering to a window, with only part of his attention on the actual movie and most of it on the people in the apartment.

During the movie, open to all

[chalicejoker]

Hajime had, unfortunately, seen this movie before. He'd somehow gotten roped into bringing his sister and a bunch of her friends to see it when it was out in the theater. He remembered his feelings of disgust rather well, and he also hadn't forgotten the ensuing "if a guy treats you like that, I will beat him to a pulp" discussion he'd had with his sister later on.

And here he was, stuck with the same terrible movie once more. This left him with only one course of action. He'd fallen asleep on the floor slumped against the couch, clearly not at all enthralled by the movie. This might not have meant anything to anyone were it not for the fact that he was starting to snore rather loudly.

[amberhearted]

As far as movies went, Twilight was relatively inoffensive to Alex because he didn't take it seriously at all. It was what it was, and hey, it had some pretty good music, too.

(Secretly, he wouldn't mind super strength and super speed, as demonstrated most aptly in the baseball scene. Hot damn, that would be awesome.)

It took him a bit to realize the snoring was coming from the ground. Sitting on one of the chairs ganked from the island, Alex leaned down and nudged Hajime on the shoulder.

During | Open

[doomedtheworld]

Vanessa had sat through the first half of the movie quietly. Although anybody paying attention to her reactions would notice her expression getting a little more troubled as it all went on. Starting with a bit of a bemused frown, and gradually moving on from there to knit eyebrows, tilting her head and even glancing around the room a few times as if expecting to find everybody having some kind of chuckle at her expense.

That's how it went through the first hour of the film.

'About three things I was absolutely positive. First: Edward was a vampire. Second: ...There was a part of him... and I didn't know how dominant that part was... that thirsted for my blood.

And third... I was unconditionally--and irrevocably in love with him.'

Apparently that was just about enough.

"Are you fucking kidding me!"

[goldenclothes]

Still sitting on the floor, mochi half-eaten and mostly forgotten in her hand, watching the movie with a creased brow and an almost petulant frown, Reilanin jumped at Vanessa's outburst.

It wasn't that she thought the movie was particularly good, or even engaging, but it did have a strange hypnotic quality to it, having drifted off into critical thinking mode herself as the movie wore on. Vanessa's voice snapped her out of it.

"What?"

[scramasax]

" -- They've - said -- ...weirder things than that - already...!" Anthony finds himself inexplicably piping up as an offering in a tone simultaneously muffled and thin - torn between attempt at lighthearted nonchalance and wondering why he's letting out a comment during a film - and whether or not that was plain out of order and liable to make matters worse, whatever exactly those matters are, in her case...

during | open

[argents]

[ So maybe he'd been kinda high-strung and uncharacteristically quiet throughout the duration of movie prep time when snack divvying and the vampire Q & A was going on, but given how utterly goofy this movie was turning out, the demeanor isn't sticking. Even for the kid who was 1. already subject to being vampire kibble once and 2. had at least one Jane Austen novel in his bookbag, thanks to Lina's swindling.

Right about where the vicious pack of shirtless werewolves are gathering 'round for muffins is where he sort of loses it and hides a half-laugh half-groan into the throw pillow he has clutched to his middle.

If it wouldn't be rude of him to use his phone, he'd be texting Colette to come save him. Somehow. Anyhow. ]

[shiromadoushi]

[[Bakura, in contrast, seems highly amused by this whole thing. He had long ago gotten over his ire at the series being everything that was wrong with modern day faux-occult movies and instead just silently made commentary the entire time.

At the groaning laugh however, he couldn't help but give a laugh of his own]]

Hit your limit?

towards the end / closed

[amberhearted]

As the movie approaches its climax, Alex finds his attention drawn away from Bella's plight and into another time, writing in a book with a pen already filled with ink -- unusual, for that period, though he thinks nothing of it then. The memory trickles into his consciousness like rain threading through gravel, disjointed sentences written by two different people pooling into one cohesive conversation.

From it stands out one reply with glaring dismay. He reads it again, in his mind, his memory, as letters appear onto the off-color pages of his ledger in black, thin ink.

If you are anything like me, you will reevaluate what is of importance to you many times, because you will destroy the things you care about despite yourself. You will not be able to help yourself. Your hungers and your thirsts are easy to avoid in the beginning, because your hopes can overshadow those darker feelings.

But as time drags on, so does that hope. When you become tired as I have become tired, it is harder to ignore. It is harder to hold on to the things you valued. Things, people, morals. It is the thing inside of you that speaks loudest. And it is not yourself you feed anymore. It is that which is inside of you.

Hold tightly to those things, Alexander. Before your inhumanity shows. It cannot be so easily erased.

His fingers have dug into the material of his jeans, curling, a white-knuckled grip. He remembers the desolation he felt then, the repulsion and bitterness, the hatred for this phenomenon called Belief and the people of Tyrol, undermining his core, his identity, his very self.

Worst of all is the resignation because there was nothing they could do about it.

He exhales, breath unsteady, and swallows, and promptly feels ill for it. He makes the mistake of glancing over all of the heads for one -- Reilanin's. His chest goes tight at the sight of her. Without a word, he slides off his chair and retreats to his room.

[goldenclothes]

The movie isn't terribly of interest to her. What interests her more by the end is everyone else's reactions. She's not used to this sort of proximity and comraderie with other people, and she isn't entirely comfortable with it, despite an otherwise easy-seeming demeanor. She's sat the whole while on the floor with her arms loosely wrapped about her knees, dividing her attention between the people around her and the movie that they're watching. Nothing triggers anything for her, and everyone else is either watching or discussing things among themselves to such a degree that it seems Alexander's retreat has gone mostly unnoticed.

Except, as she chances to look up, she notes the expression on his face as he glances towards her and then away, turning and walking out.

The look threatens to send a shudder through her. What... what was it for?

Reilanin looks down and stands, pushing herself up by her hands and dusting her pants off. That's what she'd expected back when she'd received her echo. Maybe... maybe he hadn't? Maybe it's something else entirely? She has no idea how these things might work for others, or what was in his history that the movie triggered. Assuming it to be so, sensing somehow it isn't, she excuses herself from the group and follows behind him.

The door is partly open, but she doesn't feel quite confident enough in opening it, at least not without announcing herself first. A soft knock does just that. "...Alexander?"

During | Open

[healspec]

[Alex is not sitting near Ravi. That was a wise choice.

"Say it. Out loud."
"Vampire."

Ravindra has not forgotten. Recognition--and outrage--light on his face. He looks, for a second, like he is going to leap across the room at Alex, but does not. He's just tense, like a coiled spring, glaring indignantly in his direction.]

You asshole! That's what that was?!

[amberhearted]

[ he's too busy trying not to laugh to answer. this is exactly why he didn't sit next to ravi. ]

as the credits roll--! / closed

[allinvein]

[While the fun hadn't stopped just yet in the living area (for there will always be much to discuss when sparklepires are involved), John is now officially parched and he still hasn't had a chance to check out the fridge just yet. He quietly excuses himself and ambles over to the kitchen, dead set on taking his sweet time in picking out a drink.

Morbid curiosity easily getting the better of him, John pulls the fridge door open, and while his eyes immediately land on a can of Coke that he wants, he lingers a bit longer, his gaze straying to the red jello. A bit longer turns into a lot longer, and there's a definite sense of disconnect between the here and now when, rather unfortunately, he's hit with a pulse as he continues to stare at the curious delicacy: it turns out that this isn't the first time he's taken an interest in blood tucked away in refrigerators.

The worst part, though, has got to be the hunger that fills him. It's a brief sensation, here one second and gone the next, but it leaves him feeling a little weak in the knees and rather light-headed. John grabs the Coke he'd spotted before, shuts the fridge door, and drains his soda like a drowning man gulps down air.

He doesn't realize that, for a second, his eyes had changed. Uh. Hopefully no one has noticed?]

[amberhearted]

[ alex isn't keen to rejoin the rest of the group in the living room, but he doesn't feel particularly enthused with holing up in his room, either. that might have something to do with the ledger shoved under his bed, sole entry incomplete in reading.

he's not sure he wants to finish it.

instead of returning to the living room, he goes into the kitchen -- a compromise. he enters just as john is about to throw back the coke, in just enough time to see his black eyes.

alex visibly starts back, startled. it's one thing to talk about, another to see it on a screen, but in person, it's pretty surprising.

he fills himself a glass of water, giving john some semblance of space. bringing the glass to his lips, alex glances askew at him. ]

You okay?

And once the apartment has been cleared...

[healspec]

[it did not escape Ravindra's notice that Alex retreated to his room before the movie was over. That was strange. Stranger that the woman whose name he can't quite remember went after him. Very curious. He spends the rest of the evening throwing covert glances at the both of them (once they re-emerge, of course) and trying to figure out what happened.]

[After everyone's finally gone home and the apartment is empty again save the two of them, he spends some time mulling over whether or not he should ask. lately, none of their attempts at serious discussions have gone well, and he's gotten paranoid about bringing anything up.]

[still, Alex is his friend, and he's pretty sure that was a sign that something was bothering him.]

[he finally makes up his mind and goes to Alex's partially-open door. he knocks lightly and peers in, checking to see if his presence is welcome or an invasion of Alex's space] Hey.

Re: And once the apartment has been cleared...

[amberhearted]

[ ears filled with robot unicorn attack 2's music, Alex doesn't hear Ravi's greeting, but he does notice his movement. He pauses the game, removes one of his earbuds and looks up at him from his position on the bed, slouching against the wall, cushioned with his pillows.

His ledger is poking out from beneath his bed. ]

What's up?