a brimming glass of spiders

[bivariant]

WHO? Everyone.
WHAT? House parties.
WHEN? During the first three weeks, but after the banquet and House Chchai's demise.
ANYTHING ELSE? If characters have specific actions they'd like to take direct them here. Jumbled mess of a post plotting post is here.

Comments

[cutlery]

Brave, I would think. Considering the offerings of the other houses' celebrations, I doubt it is the only reason, but it does take a certain resolve to enter this one.

[ Which might be a compliment? It's not clear with his indirect way of phrasing things, but he does think just a bit more highly of Genji and Arthur because of their involvement in what he would imagine is the most dangerous party. It didn't factor into his decision, personally, but he also has the sense of security that comes with being an ancient demon. He respects the Araneans and doesn't want to cross them, but he also has a sense of security in that if things were to go badly, he could handle it. ]

If nothing else, it does promise to be interesting. I imagine I will draw their attention, at the very least. [ He knows Arthur knows, but just in case, he looks to Genji as he motions to himself. ] I am a demon, after all, just in case you are not aware.

[ Which is probably the most casually you could say something like that, but it also doesn't seem to be terribly important to him, since without missing a beat, he turns his attention to the door. They're not using the main door, since they don't quite have the status for it as a group of dudes, but it's personally to Sebastian's preference anyways. Making a grand entrance with doorman isn't what he'd like to go for, so he grabs the handle of the door. Unless there's further conversation, he'll open it for them to head inside. ]

[doublejumps]

[ They will definitely need to play up the brave angle, and the fact that only three out of COST's entire contingent elected to go here also says a lot. Granted, it had been somewhat calculated on Genji's part. He'd been interested in this particular party, and he'd also wanted to make sure he didn't attend the same party as Jack. Better to spread out, learn as much as they can, and then compare notes with each other later.

Resolve and bravery are things Genji has in spades, and this would hardly be his first time knowingly entering a dangerous situation. When Sebastian mentions that he'll be likely to draw their attention, he's about to ask (is he magical?), but is given an explanation just as soon.

A demon. And more than that, Sebastian offers that information like it's the most normal thing in the world. Forget the Araneans, Genji would like to ask about ten follow-up questions at least. He isn't given the chance, though, as Sebastian goes for the door, and only has the chance to exchange a baffled look with Arthur before he steps into place at Sebastian's side. As the artificial one, he certainly shouldn't be in the back. ]

[pointedlook]

[ A certain resolve is definitely one way to put it. In the past, he's struggled with his feelings on having been in the military, in the PASIV program and everything that entailed. Harsh training, even worse in the days before dreamshare had balanced out– they'd been the guinea pigs, after all.

But here, he's at least grudgingly appreciating it all. His sense of fear is a little more than broken because of it.

Though like Sebastian mentioned, he's more likely to attract the attention of the Araneans, simply by being. When he'd first found out, he'd been baffled at the notion. Now when it's said so offhandedly, he just moves on.

Of course, Genji seems to be thrown for a loop. Can't blame him. Arthur shrugs at the questioning look he's given, because really there's no other answer for the admission. He follows the other two in through the side door and brings up the rear, double-checking over his shoulder before the door shuts.

It's game on, now. ]

Greetings and then fan out?

[ It's a murmured question, a reiteration of something they'd agreed on earlier. ]

[cutlery]

[ The surprise makes the corners of Sebastian's eyes turn up slightly in amusement, but otherwise, he doesn't miss a beat. It really is strange and interesting to be so blunt with his existence, but really, the only reason he keeps it a secret is because it usually benefits him to. This was a rare occasion where being straightforward was much better, since it wasn't as if he could lie about why Araneans would be draw to him. "Magic" alone didn't quite cover it. ]

Of course. We can just keep in contact with the BCEs. Hopefully anything further will not be needed.

[ But at this point, their entrance is definitely being noticed. It's a grand, opulent party, as promised, and every Aranean is as fashionable as would be expected from this house. The entrance of the recruits causes a few heads to turn at first, but with taps on neighbor's shoulders, they quickly get more attention from party-goers. As predicted, Genji and Sebastian immediately draw attention, and probably leave very little for Arthur. Just as they hoped, really.

Without hesitation, Sebastian steps forward into the party with an easy smile. Two Araneans walk closer, and the hunger in their gazes is only veiled out of politeness, but he dips into graceful and deferential introductions as if he doesn't even notice. ]

William Aspley of COST. It is a pleasure.

[ If either of them want to join in and overhear introductions (and likely quickly starting to take questions from the curious party-goers), they're welcome, but he doesn't actually look their way. He seems to be totally fine with entertaining the pair... ]

[doublejumps]

[ A shrug is nowhere near an adequate explanation in light of that bombshell, but Genji will have to discuss it with Sebastian later. They need to look like a united and organized front when they enter the party, so Genji quickly schools his expression into something more neutral.

They've planned for this as well as they can without knowing more about Aranean gatherings, or about this specific House. Genji can't help but stare as he takes in the opulent architecture and the way that every spider is dressed. The three of them are well-dressed, but their outfits don't really hold a candle to this kind of fashion.

When Sebastian is approached, Genji is as well. He watches Sebastian introduce himself in a practiced way, like he's been doing this all of his life, and is quick to follow his lead. ]

I am Suzume, also of COST. [ He bows to the Araneans, having mastered that particular act by now. It's a good thing that his altered body is so flexible. ] Everything here is so beautiful! It's an honor to be here.

[pointedlook]

[ At their entrance, only a few heads turn. But with a slow kind of murmur, more eyes slide into their direction and Arthur has never been more thankful to be painstakingly normal. Those openly hungry gazes go immediately to Sebastian and then in secondary consideration, Genji.

They glaze right over him, which is right in line with what they expected.

Introductions start and no sooner has Sebastian finished saying his name before he's whisked up in a conversation with a pair of beautifully deadly spiders. Genji has similar attentions in the aftermath.

Politely and as gracefully as he can manage, Arthur takes a bow, head lowered at a deeper angle on purpose. It rankles, but the extra subservience will be useful. ]

Blake Edwards, with COST. I'm humbled to be here.

[ And just like that, he's back to being relatively ignored. With the scrutiny off of him, Arthur slinks off to disappear into the crowd, eyes and ears open. ]

[cutlery]

[ If nothing else, they do work quite well as a trio, and it's something Sebastian quickly realizes. Arthur is given some attention, but compared to the two of them... Not nearly as much. Sebastian pauses to let Genji and Arthur introduce themselves, nodding to each of them in turn, but as one of the Araneans smiles a bit more, she quite directly gets to her curiosity.

So, tell me about yourselves.

It's as polite as to be expected, but her tone let's on what she really means. It's not really Genji and Sebastian as people she's interested in. It's what they are. ]

Ah, well, my goodness! Where does one start...

[ He trails off with a charming smile, but the wryness of it makes it clear that he picks up on the real question. ]

I suppose the simplest? After all, I imagine there is little point in hiding it, and especially not when I doubt your people would take offense to it. I cannot complain too badly for it, but still, it is rather difficult to be a demon in a very human realm. Personally, I do not find it terribly dissimilar from your own culture. It makes it a trip that is almost nostalgic...

[ Attention turns to Genji as they pry for his answer, and Sebastian takes that diversion of attention to glance Arthur's way and be sure he's able to slip away. He won't draw any attention to it, but assuming all goes well, he'll just look back to the Araneans they're entertaining with a slightly smoother smile. ]

[doublejumps]

[ The Araneans at least let Arthur introduce himself, but after that he may as well be invisible. It's an ideal situation for them, even if Genji is used to being the one in Arthur's position. He'd much prefer to be sneaking around the outskirts of the party to find and learn what he could, but that won't be possible with his artificial status.

Sebastian doesn't even hesitate to tell the Araneans that he's a demon, which is probably for the best because they likely have some way of telling. Genji's already been stopped a few times on the streets by now with questions, so he has this part rehearsed. ]

And I am a cyborg. I was once what you would consider a normal human, but my body was reconstructed after a great battle in which I almost lost my life. Now that so much of me is cybernetic, I find myself much more capable both in combat and in other aspects of my life.

[ Years ago, acting so fond of his cyborg body would have made Genji's stomach turn, but now he doesn't mind playing it up. He's come to accept himself as he is, and so he doesn't hesitate to talk about it, as a few more Araneans wander over to listen to the two of them. ]