pluviosa | Information Meeting [Open]

Information Meeting [Open]

Who: Kaeya, Casper, and WHOEVER (open to all!)
What: kaeya and Casper have organized a meeting in the wake of everything that has been going on. Both of them have arranged a meeting to collect information and figure out exactly what everyone (who is willing to share) knows.
Where: R0, Cafeteria
When: Day 23
Warnings: N/A, other than talking about events

There are several posters posted on the walls of the ship’s upper floors. It appears to be a made from regular paper and tape to keep it up, despite the plants giving the paper not so much room in some locations to actually stick properly. In bold letters is:

[INFORMATION MEETING: Day 23, after lunch, in the cafeteria.

Be prepared to share, not just lurk in the corner.]

Aside from some of the doodles on the page, the information is quite clear.

----

“I had planned to talk to others more individually, but I think you may be onto something,” Kaeya admits as he glances over one of the copies of the poster in his hands. Kaeya had purposely gotten a few extra papers to write down his own findings of what is going on.

He adds, “You know, it’s more annoying people haven’t written a log sooner. That would’ve made this all much more easier.”

He’s already taken a seat and looks still a little tired, though not the same sleep deprived man of before. There is some refreshments (or rather some snack foods from the lunch carts), Kaeya had managed to take just in case anyone wanted them.

"So...." Kaeya adds and taps the pen to the paper. "Anyone want to start with anything they saw over the past few days? Or any information that should be common knowledge by now?"

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Aventurine had noticed that one of his boat friends was missing. Friend...yeah. Yeah, he thinks Mario is a friend in the way....most people mean it. That alone is strange to him, but not unwelcome. Mario had helped him through a particularly nasty possession episode...thus he would have information likely helpful to Malos.

On a more basic level, bringing a form to the little plumber is a good excuse to check up on him. Aventurine hadn't really seen him since....he'd hugged him and seemed happy Aventurine had returned to his senses, but he was....crying so much, the embrace almost desperate. It's occurring to the gambler only now with a clearer mind that there might....be more going on there.

So he comes up on Mario's door, giving a cheerful knock, a blank form held in his other bandaged hand against the bottom of a small plate of snacks. "Afternoon, Mario! Hope I'm not waking you. I just noticed you weren't at the meeting and thought I could fill you in on what happened?"

"OH! Well-a hello, Aventurine!" Mario says, cheerfully, though there's something tired about his smile. Uh. He has been sleeping, right...? (Yes, fitfully, his phone still playing muffled opera music from between the couch cushions, listening to his favorite opera to try and distract himself from nightmares.)

"Well, I accidentally took a nap," he lies, "so I-a missed the meeting, and hadn't gotten to check the time before you came-a knocking!" Truthfully he wasn't sure if he could manage a brave face while everyone was talking about. uh. what happened. Better to have a breakdown in private, you know? He can't wait for the Ship to have some other kind of non-possession related ghost problem. Can the plants start overgrowing again? That'd be nice.

"Sorry I missed it - I see you brought snacks!" He hops up to take the plate from Aventurine effortlessly, though leaves the form in Aventurine's hands, not noticing it until now and now distracted by the bandages.. "Are your hands... doing okay? I, uh... I guess they got pretty beat up, huh."

While saying this he makes clear invitation for Aventurine to come join him on the couch, the plate of snacks placed on the coffee table. Also during this he embarrassedly fumbles for his phone to turn off the opera.

Edited 2024-07-18 07:08 (UTC)

Aventurine clocks the worn edges of Mario's smile, the darkness under his eyes, the lethargy hidden under bright smiles and cheer. He can see it because it's a tactic he's also used many times. He also hears...music? Which is something he's pretty sure has been helping Ratio sleep lately...

He's not completely sure about these observations, but they do paint a pretty worrying picture. His gut instinct seems to have lead him correctly...

Still, he smiles back, because he also knows when someone doesn't want to be called out for their facade. "It happens. At least it wasn't in front of a bathroom on the floor this time, hm?" he replies easily.

He's happy to let his friend take the plate from him. He always marvels at the man's jumping ability, truly. "It's no problem! If you were this tired, you were probably better off resting. There were so many people there, it was honestly a bit chaotic," Aventurine chuckles, following Mario in to sit down. He probably looks pretty cozy in the new(?) hoodie he's wearing. "Someone turned a guy into a cake cat because he made her mad. It was...a little funny," he adds, clearly stifling a full laugh at it even now. "Don't worry, he turned back in a minute or two."

He blinks, looking at his hands. Right. He'd gotten used to this, actually. His eyes crease with something like fondness at Mario's concern. "They're healing up quite nicely, thank you. I should be able to take most of these off soon actually," he says, tapping a finger against the other to indicate the bandages. He's been well taken care of in that regard, between Ratio's and Fridtjof's ~~fussing~~ care.

As Mario turns off the music, Aventurine tilts his head. "How about you? How have you been? I haven't seen you much since...erm. Well, y'know." He shuffles a little in place, realizing he backed himself into an awkward corner. His smile reflects that, going crooked and awkward as well. "Thanks again, by the way. For...helping me through."

Mario laughs. "Haha, I've-a slept in weirder places, for sure! Sometimes I sit down for a breather and then just.... shnoooooo...."

"A... cake cat?" Mario repeats, becuase he doesn't know what that is, but his tone suggests more than he thinks that sounds hilarious and is excited to hear about it. "That-a does sound pretty funny! And I'm-a not so good with public speaking, so I might've not been much use in-person, anyway."

Other than, you know, hearing all of that information might've been useful. And probably caused him to have a breakdown in front of a bunch of people who trust him or know him as THE super Mario and he doesn't mind being a hero, he doesn't he doesn't, but if he even THINKS about--

He freezes up, super obviously, because Aventurine mentions it. Like - seeing Aventurine like that - well of course it sucked! He can't stop thinking about Aventurine looking at him but not registering he was there at all and, and, and--

Breathe. Smile. Resist urge to pull hat down over ears.

"Y- yeah! Any time!" Never again please please please never AGAIN why is it always HIM?!

Aventurine laughs then. "I remember! It's impressive to be honest, you must get alot of rest with that kind of skill," he says, noting the shadows under the man's eyes. Clearly he's NOT getting rest, so something must be wrong...

Aventirine's blood runs cold. Did Mario get possessed and hide it away? That would be...awful. But he can't directly ask...that could upset his friend.

So first. Cake cat. Aventurine grins, pulling out his phone. "I got a video," he says conspiratorially, opening an album. He flicks to a video of a little...cat like creature in a cake shell on a table, squeaking furiously, swearing up a storm, as Aurelia stands by watching with a deadpan expression. Perhaps the barest hint of pride.

"This is a creature a scientist made in my universe. They don't need alot of care but...I'd ended up with three of them as pets due to...a series of events." Like Ruan Mei being a terrible caretaker, and Ratio being...well, Ratio. "It was fun to see."

He leaves the phone out and sets it down, turning his attention to Mario. "SO it got a bit chaotic, but it got everyone in the same page. I...figured I could help with that too."

He doesn't miss Mario's stiff posture on the topic. Did...Aventurine truly do something that disturbing while possessed? It could be frightening but...something's off. He's doing a decent job of hiding it, but Aventurine knows tells to look for. He knows a bluff.

Hm...time to bet. He reaches over, placing a tentative, hopefully steadying hand on Mario's shoulder.

"I really do appreciate it. And...hey. If you need anything, please let me know, OK?" He asks, gentle but as sincere as he can make it. He...hates the idea of Mario weathering a possession on his own, when the man worked so hard to help him. It makes him sick. That's what presses him to add, "...I've been told I'm a pretty good listener." A smile. A squeeze on the shoulder. An invitation.

"I get plenty, for sure! Except-a that I'm a reaaaaaal light sleeper." He snorts, then shrugs, and then the matter is forgotten as he leans in to watch the video on Aventurine's phone - phone!!! well, without wifi or any kind of network, it'd be silly to ask for Aventurine's number, so for now Mario refrains - The video is...

Mario bursts out laughing. "Hahahaa!!! He's so squeaky!!!" He's clutching his chest even, as he laughs, his grin wide and - for the moment - unburdened. When the video ends he reaches out and just taps to start it over, and then brusts out laughing just the same when he watches it the second time. "I'ma so glad you got that on camera!!"

...Anyway, yeah. A meeting to get everyone on the same page, that's great! Mario's so glad it worked out! He wipes tears from laughter from his eye, and thinks to himself that he will definitely have to ask Aventurine for details, later. Mario's not sure what he missed, but...

Well.

"Um. It's - it's-a not really..." He's trembling, a little. He tries to smile reassuringly. "It's-a not anything you did! I promise! I'm-a just a little..."

He doesn't want to talk about it. Ever. But maybe he should tell someone? Everyone back home already knows, and they all have this mutual agreement to just - not talk about it. Or... he and Peach do, at least. And Luigi has learned after several years that Mario isn't about to start talking now. Bowser might finally make Mario crack - But Mario's here, and Bowser isn't! No one on the Ship knows. And...

Mario takes a deep breath. He doesn't have to talk much, does he? He just... "I've-a. Um. This isn't the first time this whole..." He gestures vaguely. His heart is hammering in his chest.

He gives up on resisting the urge and takes his hat off of his head so that he can fiddle with it. It's comforting. He's staring at it, and not Aventurine. His shoulders are hunched like he's trying to make himself smaller.

"It's just - I've-a had my friends possessed. Before." He swallows around the knot in his throat. "And I just - I hate to see it."

There. Isn't that enough? Isn't that all he has to say?

Aventurine chuckles, more genuine than his usual. "We're similar in that regard, I think. White noise helps me, like your music!" Is it why he swings by to nap in the clinic as Ratio bustles around the place fussing over organization? Maybe.

Also they absolutely should exchange numbers! Less of a risk losing it on a piece of paper or something! Aventurine just kinda forgot with the everything.

He grins at Mario's laughter, finding it delightfully infectious. Aventurine finds himself giggling with a hand over his mouth. "So am I. I'm surprised Malos didn't try to break my phone for it but..." He remembers how the aegis protected him during the jump, feeling both embarrassed and fond. "That's not something friends do I guess." He laughs when Mario makes the video repeat. "He was a good sport about it after, squeaks and all. Maybe he knew we could all use a good laugh like that~" He's grateful for the warm levity it could bring even here!

Especially when broaching the more somber topic after.

Aventurine makes sure to listen, smiling with encouragement whenever Mario looks to him. The man's words falter, and he moves his hand from Mario's shoulder to his back. He is listening. Physical reassurance is...something he doesn't get to offer often--he's a bit rusty!-- and will absolutely do so now.

He remains quiet as Mario collects his thoughts, his courage. Aventurine's hand remains steady on his back.

Not the first time? Aah. Other possessed passengers, perhaps? No...this goes deeper. "Yeah?" he asks softly, not wanting to startle his...his friend.

Mario takes off his hat, and the already small man looks even smaller, hunching in on himself, fiddling with the hat. It's...probably like when Aventurine fidgets with coins and cards...a light distraction that, by seeming contradiction, helps him focus on the topic at hand. He obligingly turns and looks to the floor near Mario's shoes instead.

And...ah. Yeah...ok. Trauma. That makes alot more sense than it probalby should. Like how foreign metal touching his wrists still makes him flinch violently away. "That...makes alot of sense, actually. That sounds like a really hard thing to deal with." He moves his hand to the man's other shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. "Were they okay? After, I mean." Because Mario obviously isn't.

Stars. This sucks. Mario's heart is beating double-time, and he can't stop shaking. He's grateful for Aventurine's hand on his shoulder to ground him.

"It- It was-a really scary," he gets out. Luigi not recognizing him, Peach's voice laughing as she struck him - even the way Bowser became not-himself when something else took him over, turning fights into something way more serious, more terrifying. He didn't want to hurt them but if he didn't fight back, then the world would end -

Mario shudders all over. Tries to put the memory of Luigi - plant sprouting from his head, eyes blank - from his mind.

"B- b- but! They were okay, after!!" He reassures Aventurine, trying to smile. "They- they-a really were." Luigi doesn't remember it, so he's fine, and Peach... Well, Mario and Peach don't talk about it, but Peach seems as fine as Mario is and Mario's - er, mostly fine! So. "Everything always tends to work out in the end, for-a Mario! J- Just getting there is scary, sometimes."

Mario is shaking so much. It reminds them of when they met, a recent ghost encounter echoing in both their frazzled minds. Aventurine can count himself lucky (ha, as always....as always) that he does not share this particular fear. It was bad enough to have Ratio turn on him at the Dewlight Pavillion. He's still 90% sure it was an act to help him, but it still...that 10% ratio (oh haha he's killing it) still hurts. What if someone he trusts really does hate him?

He shakes his head a little. It's not at all the same, he knows, but it's a sort of betrayal being spoken of here, isn't it? And Aventurine himself played a part bringing that back to Mario's mind...

"It sounds terrifying. I don't think I could handle something like that as well as you are," he replies, solemn but soft. He means it, too. The fact that Mario still openly offers his hand to people after being hurt so bad by this, repeatedly. When Aventurine wasn't himself...he's glad he didn't attack the man. He's oddly very glad for his particular ghostly visitor, how it didn't make him violent. ~~He doesn't have to talk about how he did blow up at Argenti a bit in one episode it's fine they're fine he's fine-~~

Aventurine's in control now, though, and...he wants to...

He sighs softly, scooting over and pulling Mario the rest of the way against his side, wrapping his arm around his friend's shoulders in a tight side hug. Mario hugged him tight when he came back to himself, and Aventurine's pretty sure it was as much a comfort to Mario as it was to him. He's...aware he's kind of bony (even on a better diet on the ship!!!) and probably not the most cozy to lean against, but he can offer this much. His jacket should soften the edges at least...

He doesn't look at Mario as he talks. He knows it's sometimes worse to be stared at when failing to keep up a brave face. "I'm glad to hear they're okay! Thanks for sharing this, I...I know it's hard." His hand shakes a little on Mario's shoulder, but then he squeezes and it's over. This isn't about him. "That's really difficult to go through, it makes sense why the last few days were...eugh." He pulls an exaggerated cringing expression in a shorthand way to describe all that.

"Even strong people...can be hurt and scared by things. I get it. Was there anyone from your home that you could talk about this with before?" ....he has a strong suspicion the answer is no, based on how Mario seems to be...like. The hero of his story. And why would heroes be scared or sad or hurt by something that happened? ...and yet Ratio still seems to carry a deep hurt from Nous's rejection. Sunday thought himself the hero of his own story, and wow that guy has issues. There are some Clockie cartoons where he struggles, right? Who does he turn to if his very friends turn against him...?

"You don't have to answer any of this, by the way. I know it's hard. That's...it's normal, to have a hard time with...scary things in your past." He thinks so, anyway? Trauma. It's an absolute beast of a struggle.

"Handling it!" Mario laughs, incredulous, and then sobs, and lets Aventurine hug him. It's comforting. It helps him feel - a little more real. He's still kneading his hat, even as he flops more into Aventurine's side. He's just downright crying, tears pouring down his cheeks, even as his voice falls to silence. He tries to get his tears on his hat, and not Aventurine's nice new jacket.

His throat burns. He doesn't know how he's going to talk about this. But Bowser said he should and- and - Aventurine is at least asking, and Aventurine wasn't hurt by it, too, not like everyone else was, not like everyone else that Mario can trust, and -

"Mm-nn," Mario answers. "No. No one. There's not- I can't- we didn't -" None of the words are making it out right at all. Frustrated and already in a state, Mario groans, a kind of ugly thing - frustrated with his voice. It's always so difficult when it's the stuff that matters.

He tries to taking a deep breath. It doesn't help him stop feeling like his tongue is plastered to the roof of his mouth. But it does help him feel - braver. Or maybe stupider. More certain, if nothing else.

"Luigi doesn't remember," he says, in a rush. "And he's-a my little brother, and- and maybe he's-a figured it out by now but he hasn't mentioned it to me and I don't - I can't - I can't be the one to remind him! I can't - I can't be the one responsible for - for hurting him! And if he remembered it would - it would just -"

That's about as much as he can stand talking about Luigi - thinking about the black mask and the bravado and the -

Anyway. "And- And I can't talk to anyone else because'a then I'd have to mention Peach and- and we've got- I could-a see a therapist- but - I can't - " He's their hero, first of all. That's weird. And it would be hard to find someone he trusts. Second of all: "That's their Princess!!! They can't-a know that The Princessa Peach tried to - that she - that she was possessed and -" He can't say it. He can't say it.

"And I can't talk to Peach about Luigi because if I talk to Peach about Luigi then I have to talk to Peach about Peach and-- "

Maybe it's been long enough she'd be willing now. But Mario still isn't sure he's strong enough.

Embarrassed, miserable, Mario turns his entire face into Aventurine's chest and starts wheezing sobs.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Information Meeting [Open]

It's-a me, Aventurine!! (Bringing in a form for a friend <3)

wow something is certainly happening here

SURE IS!!! Approaches with caution....

no subject

no subject

rar stop writing long tags challenge (failed)

never!!! Long tag for your long tag o/

man is opening up.... but Not Quite Entirely! smh

It's ok we're pspsps-ing the Mario trauma out!!

WE SURE GOT IT!