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]

[ 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. ]