Event || The New Year

[melodiesmods]

Characters: Anyone!
Where: The Enterprise.
When: The Night from December 31st to January 1st.
Summary: A Ball aboard the Enterprise, for well-dressed (mostly) Heroes of Light and their friends who want to dance and (especially) eat for free.
Warning: Nothing.

While the passing from a year to another isn't as big of an event as the Starlight Celebration, it is no reason to pass up an ocasion to celebrate and have fun. There are fireworks in all major cities and various activities to enjoy. Noticeably, there are gatherings of people in Aqures Ixen and Trano Golsaucia in particular, if only to conclude what is one of the most celebrated week in the year, and wish to each other the best possible year to come-- Though most people are worried about what's to come soon. After all, the end might be nigh with the Calamity about to take over the planet...

To celebrate this, the Heroes of Light have all been invited to stay aboard the Enterprise for a particularly prestigious and animated Ball. Indeed, the Enterprise will from Aqures Ixen and go all the way to Mysidia at midnight-- This way, New Year is going to last even longer than normal thanks to the magic of timezones.

There are tables with foods for everyone to eat and of course, music for people to dance together if they so wish. There is also a consequent number of chairs lined up, for all those who refuse to dance or are too awkward to do so.

Comments

[no1]

Indeed, Minato had already made the task of finding him a challenge as it was, having to put up with escape attempts would have probably been a little bit too much. There was a reason behind the distance Ace had kept, and it was to offer a choice; he found some relief in knowing that the younger boy's resolution let him stay for a while longer.

"A fair observation." With that, he moved slightly closer, placing hand against the railing while the other rested at his hip. "Are you all right, Minato?"

Ace knew the importance of being alone better than most, but the nature of the evening left him with a belief that it was nothing but a call for all the Heroes to stand together, united, in the face of the unknown. It was unlikely that Minato would agree with such philosophy, but the teenager's understanding wasn't required at that point, as long as he wasn't left entirely on his own.

[silencesfate]

"... Did something give you the impression I'm not?"

He hesitated a few seconds before giving that remark which was neither admittance nor denial... But Minato was genuinely curious what it was that led to the assumption. Being easy to read was not something that he was eager to add to his checklist of traits; if it was just Ace's instinct speaking to him, he would take to that better than any self-perceived vulnerability.

This is such a strange thing to say without even the smallest motion at turning or establishing eye contact, but... Minato lowers his face, signifying his focus--if you could call it that--was no longer on the distant horizons.

"It's good to see you."

Continuing to be a mostly-avoidant oddball up to the end of the year, your patience is appreciated, Ace.

[no1]

"I think the real point here is which of these is true."

While Ace took note of the deflection attempt, he decided not to press further. As long as the other was in the state of mind to provide him with any answer, it diminished the need for such concern. "But let me simply assume it's not your kind of thing."

Did he actually need to assume, if this fact had long since been established between them both? Ace appreciated the fresh air now that he'd gotten a chance to shift his attention from the party crowd, not even particularly bothered by the low temperatures that he would normally find rather uncomfortable.

The comment, sudden but undoubtedly genuine, had his expression lighten in surprise, and he inclined his head slightly to the side.

"It's good to see you, too." Corners of his mouth curled into a tiny smile. "After all, I've been wanting to express my thanks in person." However, his expression eventually grew into a more solemn one as he'd decided it was time to get straight to the point.

"Though listen, I -- I am still not entirely okay with accepting them as a gift. Do not be mistaken that I'm oblivious to their real value. You could have just kept the money to yourself."

Even if it had been a free regain, it still didn't feel right, in his mind.

[silencesfate]

If Minato had wanted to give an answer to that, objectively speaking he couldn't anyway.

He had thought getting away from where he normally was would do something, but instead he was equally confused and equally grim as he was while he was on the ground. It figures literal elevation wouldn't apply to your spirits. These were facts and thoughts from the past month that he didn't really want to talk about with anyone; even with those he felt would stay calm, and those he could trust at least as far as being his allies. Or maybe he did, but wasn't sure how to word them.

His uncertainty, regrettably, continues.

Promptly delivered is a distraction, and Minato could only raise an eyebrow. Well, that was one way to get him to look directly at you. He would have to reply to Ace's sincerity with his own, but he could already tell a sentence into this conversation that their respective perceptions of its seriousness were very, very different.

"Ah... you're still thinking about that small thing?" He doesn't miss a single beat in his replies, and he leaned back slightly; he could almost be interpreted as challenging in tone if not for his timidity in actual disputes. "Um... I don't really care about money, so you'll need a different argument."

[no1]

Ace was indeed very much still thinking about that small thing, but realizing the futility of his plea, he quickly decided against making any more assumptions. Instead, he would just go ahead and state the facts.

"Kindness, then." Sighing softly to himself, he once again cast his eyes upon the fireworks in the distance, faint as they were with the ship slowly moving away from the masses of land. "I promise to put them to good use. There is something about them that feels... lucky."

While he'd been no less enthused about the Chocobo side of the gift, there was no escaping the strained atmosphere that had formed, letting his thoughts stray away from what could potentially only add a certain element of awkwardness. Fortunately, there was a simple way around it, for he would wear it as long as it would take the other teen to notice. Hardly a sacrifice on his part, really.

What followed after a longer pause was a timid suggestion.

"In return, I'd like to offer some assistance in sharing information on the theory of magic, should you ever need it. After all, your line of work involves taking care of others, and that often requires a different level of understanding."

[silencesfate]

That's not--
> 'It's only because you were kind to me first.'
> '... I don't think I even understand you any more than from when I first met you.'
> 'You're really persistent.'

His protests only stay as far as his mind, and Minato breathes, shifting his eyes to the side again. Accepting acknowledgement for the sappier things was never going to be very easy for him, was it? He himself was starting to finally be conscious of his ready denial habit, too. He would have to try to stop this in the coming year. Keyword: try.

"You're welcome. That was... the idea." A good luck charm that was functional as well, for when the other would be using his Gambler Job. Minato had intended to give it much sooner than on Christmas Day, (more or less immediately after he got it, truth be told) but there never felt like a good time for it, until it was a season for all-around giving. He hoped he would have thought less of it that way, but that didn't work, huh. Ace was...

'A weird guy. --Maybe even weirder than me. One who likes frightening birds.'

But not a bad person at all. If he can be safe, then that's a good thing. He'd grown protective of him too, and that was Minato's own way of showing it without saying as much out loud. And then Ace brought up doing something in return? Minato blinked, a bit confused by the idea. This wasn't how he remembered gifting was supposed to work--unless it was like obligation chocolates on Valentines and White Day where he was from.

"Magic theory? Ah right, I received your Eidolon book..." They had some of his notes, too. He didn't even know his growing curiosity and poking around cities about them on occasion had been obvious. Or maybe he just had a lucky guess and accurately thought it would help him?

"... What did you have in mind? I just approach you when I have questions, or is it like tutoring?"

[no1]

Ace found himself drawing some strange kind of satisfaction from witnessing a shift in the other's expression. However subtle it was, getting Minato to acknowledge there would always be consequences to his actions was a point the cadet had wished to make, and also meant in the most positive way.

"Yeah," he smiled lightly. "I have not many who would decide to follow the path of a summoner here, let alone show such interest, so I thought you would take good care of it." To put it simply, he'd caught a glimpse of the boy poking around the Pyramid in Mysidia while on a mission of his own, but there was still a chance he'd been wrong in his assumptions all along. Even now, his companion made it difficult to tell, though the question he eventually posed hinted at certain eagerness.

"However you like, I just can't claim to be experienced as far as teaching is concerned. Perhaps there is something you would prefer to focus on first, and we can simply choose to go from there." While he did run a rather tight schedule, none of that had stopped him from taking evening classes himself, before. It was only fair that they aided one another with the knowledge in their possession where it applied, as it was the one thing that could never be taken away.

i hate to say this but he's finally living p3 mechanics isnt he

[silencesfate]

This would've been an opportune time to take out the actual book and flip through it for a rough gameplan, however-- The gifts Minato got here were the first in a long time where he's felt like they weren't some sort of obligation; as such, they were safely kept in his spacious room that wasn't filled with much else, and he was loathe to really bring most of them places where he could easily lose them. There was nothing of value there aside from its role as a place to return to and sleep, but now it was different. Then again, it wasn't the objects as much as the people who gave them, huh? He'd just have to give it a glance when he got back.

"... Look I. I don't really know what I'm doing."

Ahh, why couldn't he just say simple words of gratitude in return; up crept his usual pessimism. The admittance came with an even further deflation from his normal posture, and he rubbed the back of his head. He stayed quiet again for a bit, before elaborating in an unsure tone.

"It sounded... really hard, learning how to talk to them. I don't actually get why I'm still considering it."

It was a group disciplined and united that all knew each other, and he didn't know if he would have any proper place standing alongside them even if he tried. Why did he want to do this? He wasn't even very good at conversations with normal people, much less substituting those for sacred beings. And that's if he succeeded. He was now considering thorough additional studying; a teenage boy without fancy credentials who was part-time monster fighter, intel gatherer, and dutiful medical provider.

He must've been out of his mind.

"If you're really willing to help either way though..." Minato trailed off, slowly shaking his head. "I can't promise much."

[no1]

Gratitude could wait; Ace had never been the type to favor a small talk, especially now that he could feel more confident about discussing the matter at hand. As much as he suspected it being merely one among many factors that had contributed to his friend's reserved demeanor, it seemed like a sound start.

"To make a difference?" Though he gave Minato a studious look, it didn't include waiting for the other to answer before he continued. "As a collective, we should focus on ensuring we have all the means to win the battles ahead, and for that, Eidolons are the force that might just tip the scales in our favor. We don't know nearly enough about their allegiances to count on the Mysidian summoners in time of need, so it would be good to have someone with that level of knowledge on our side."

The cadet regarded his companion with a solemn look for a moment, if only to let his eyes fall shut and complete his response with a soft sigh. "The question is, are you really just lacking faith in your abilities, or fearing the responsibility that would fall upon you?"

Not that either of them should be a reason to stop, but he left that notion unspoken for now, catching himself sounding a bit too overbearing than he'd necessarily meant. The same realisation caused him to slip into a less formal tone, eventually. It wasn't as if he was capable of making any promises, so he found it befuddling to see the other boy be this disillusioned from the get-go.

"Good, because neither can I." As if to counterbalance Minato's gesture, he decided to follow with a firm nod. "That said, the offer still stands."