Log:New Year's Eve at Chyoode's, Scene 1

New Year's Eve at Chyoode's 2021/01/08 Artemis Ascendant Chen Chyoode Evan Jamie Magda Wade Wayne A'al 	 E'el Y Malingromastavaksiumalaikaosingsonsillys Garby Zwixy 1

This house in the south if the Student Quarter, near the Alien District, is shared by 6 students, though 3 are away with their familes this New Year's Eve. On the ground floor are a living room (crowded, with loud music), a kitchen (crowded, with food and drink, some of which has labels advising what species should avoid certain items), and a bedroom being used as a coat room (just throw your coat on the bed!). Those who want it quieter might do better in the four bedrooms one floor up. The last bedroom is in the attic, up a ladder it has a sign saying 'No entry without permission'.

The party is populated mostly by students and mostly by humans, but any friends of Chyoode and her housemates are welcome! 

It's New Years Eve, and Chyoode and her housemates are having a party! Already a lot of guests are here, not all students, and not all human, and probably not all invited, though the invitation was pretty open anyway: friends of friends are welcome too. Food and drink are available, but contributions to them are very welcome. Speaking of which, don't touch the green punch (or anything other food and drink so marked) if you're a normal human, by the way!

"Yes, I am sure this is the traditional way to attend a New Years Eve party." mutters Jamie to the floating mote that hovers around near her. Usually invisible, it is pulsing in a way that only she can perceive right now. What? It's super ancient alien supertech.

Either way, she is approaching the house with a cardboard carry case to hold the six bottles of Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Champagne substitute. Because most people go for booze, she is offering an alternative. Sure, she's old enough to drink, but not everyone at every party is, right?

Either way, the mote is still out of sight (For everyone but her) when she knocks on the door and smiles as the door opens. "I brought the Anti-Booze!" she announces as she steps inside.

Chyoode says, "Oh, hey Jamie! Anti-booze?" She grins. "Kind of defeats the purpose, seems to me, but that's great - I'l help you take it through to the kitchen!"

Chen arrives four armed for the party, carrying large thermal carry bags of Chinese take out food. She checks the address. Then knocks on the door with her forehead as she cannot be bothered to grow another arm.

Where there is drink and merriment, so go the Godflora when there are no battles to fight. Artemis is already at the party with drink of a strong nature in hand, talking to some aliens from the farther reaches of this galaxy. The aliens in particular are far from humanoid looking. One looks like a floating jellyfish, another a small scaled humanoid, another is a gaseous entity in a suit. Speak not of anti-booze to her, for she will dismiss it hastily.

Wayne, the robotic duplicate of Wade Lockwood, arrived with Artemis earlier. He's hanging out with her, and not eating or drinking. He CAN, but he just isn't for today. He comes back to Artemis with a drink for her, though. "Here you go." He smiles.

The door is opened not by Chyoode this time, but by some odd-coloured twins. "Good Night of Renewal!" they say together. "You are here for the party?"

Wade shows up a minute later, coming up behind Chen, "Do you need a hand at all?" He smiles to the two at the door. "I am, at least. I suspect Chen is too."

"I'm A'al." "And I'm Eel. We're Chyoode's brothers."

Chen nods, "Someone ordered Chinese?" she quips, handing over two of the large carry bags. "Yep. Hey, good to meet you. And glad Chyoode has family here for the holiday."

Artemis is dressed in a sleek, strappy black dress with glittering golden material that isn't sequins, but some other sort of alien material. The gold is in chevron band patterns akin to armor, but no actual armor or weapons for her tonight. She's dressed for the new year! She smiles as Wayne comes with her refill. "Thank you, Beloved!" she says enthusiastically to Wayne and accepts the drink. While tempted to sweep him off his feet for the gesture, she instead restrains herself and leans in to offer a delicate kiss on the cheek if he allows.

A'al nods. "We've been hoping to visit Chyoode for a while, but it's a long way. But now we're taking a 'gap year', I think you call it, and are travelling about the galaxy on our bikes!"

In the kitchen, a sheeplike humanoid is getting some baked goodies out of the oven.

Chen looks between Wade and Wayne. "One of you ought to get a different haircut," she pronounces. Then making an informed guess she attempts to link arms with Wade and give him a side hug.

"Well, parties are best, I have found, when you remember them the next day, -and- when there is no chance of a hangover. So.. anti-booze." quips Jamie as she heads for the kitchen. "But to each their own. I just wanted to offer an alternative, not try to shove my viewpoint down anyone's throat." She steps into the kitchen and pauses, staring at the sheep-like thing until her little data storage thingee murmurs in her brain about what it might be.

The sheeplike girl sees Jamie staring and (putting her baking tray down) offers a hand. "Hi, I'm Y."

Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx has decided to join in the merry-making since he spent his previous hu-man winter holiday scaring the ne'er-do-wells of Colonial Bay's dark recesses back to the path of righteousness... or at least to needing new pants and a good long look back at their life in any case. And so, he was delighted to hear about the party at Chyoode's place. Hearing such he decides to spend the New Cycle as a hu-man student.

He arrives with his own (modest for a Godflora) party in tow after making a suitable change to his appearance.

Now he arrives as a total Stranger in the midst of a throng of (bewitched) people, two of which are carrying a keg with them, others carrying bottles of other sorts... and for some reason a pastry chef pulling a cart of delicious delicacies.

Wayne smiles and kisses Artemis back. "You're welcome, love." He's dressed much as he usually is. Button down shirt. Slacks.

Wade smiles to Chen and gives her a hug. "Heya. Yeah, that's why Wayne grew his out a bit. Apparently he can do so in a matter of minutes if he wants. Automatically generated."

E'el asks Wayne and Wade "Are you twins?"

Artemis smiles adoringly at Wayne, then makes introductions. "Ah, yes, so this be Krizi, Thaj, and...Sssshffs? I think I be pronouncing this right. I think ye may be able to speak to Krizi," she says to Wayne as she makes introuctions to the aliens she's speaking to. She then speaks to the aliens to introduce Wayne as her Beloved, both in accented Guild Trade speak and Malvan.

Tilting her head to one side, Jamie smiles a bit. "Hi Why... I'm Jamie." she offers as she reaches to put her carry case on the counter. "Whatcha bakin'?" she asks.

The Stranger (NNS) cannot help but listen in on his friends as they celebrate the occasion, them not knowing he's there is likely why he bears a smirk on his face as if he were in on some joke no one else was aware of.

He looks to one of his throng of party-goers and nods for a drink to the one who has been selected his cup bearer as he listens to Artemis make introductions.

Y says, "You've brought drink? No-alchohol stuff at this end of the table, gettting stronger going that way. Most species should avoid the things at the end. And there's frost giant spirits in the fridge. Don't touch that unless you can't get drunk on anything else!"

Wade shakes his head and says to E'el, "Sort of. Wayne over there is an android duplicate of me. So...close to being family? But not by blood."

Y says, "Oh, just some cookies from a family recipe - try them if you like!"

E'el says, "Huh, I didn't know you had android duplicates on Earth!"

Nodding her head, Jamie puts her case where instructed. "This should be served cold at least." she mutters before she shakes her head and asks what has been rattling about in her head, "I'm sorry. Forgive my curiosity, but... I a student of cultures and history and.. I would LOVE to know where you are from, and what sort of people you come from."

Wayne nods to E'el. "The Japanese have made...great strides in robotics. They have...many uses for them, to say hte least."

For those who understand the Guild common language or Malvan, Artemis' introduction of Wayne is, "New friends, let me introduce you to my most Beloved and dearest to my hearts: Wayne. He is honorable and true, and has taught me much of the Earthen ways."

Chen asks Wade, "Do you want a drink? I can get you one when I go greet our host and grab one for myself. Strong, weak, soda?"

Wade thinks about it, and says to Chen, "I think...a diet soda for now. I might have something stronger later. Thank you."

Artemis smiles as Wayne explains to E'el, adding helpfully with a smile, "Indeed, their skill in replicating the hooman form and functions is most impressive. I have tested this most thoroughly, over and over again."

Chen gives Wade another side hug, then wanders off looking for Chyoode and drinks. In that order.

Y shrugs. "I'm from Balvern. But you've probably never heard of it!"

"That is /some/ introduction." The Stranger says before his cupbearer arrives in time to lift his beverage to Wade as he laughs gently at Artemis' testing commentary.

A'al grins to E'el. "Remember the fun we had with Furg's duplicating android? Our folks were so confused!"

Nodding to Y, Jamie shrugs, "Well, Balvern. Interesting. I'd love to hear more about it. But.. I really should meet everyone else." She smiles and says, "Good to meet you Y." before turning to head out to see the rest of the party.

Chyoode by this point is in the kitchen, talking to various other guests.

Wayne smiles, and says in the Guild Trade language to the folks that Artemis is speaking with, << It's nice to meet you all. >>

Wade seems to not mind Artemis's comments at all. It might have helped that he managed to see Casey recently and spend a fair amount of time with her.

Chen takes a route that passes by Wayne and Artemis. "Happy New Year!" she tells them, grinning at the way Artemis and Wayne are entwined. Then she comences a search for Chyoode.

Artemis hasn't recognize her Brother through his disguise. She smiles in surprise to hear Wayne speak the Guild Trade Language. "Thou speakest the language more eloquently than I, Beloved," she compliments and laughs. "Me thinks thou would be a better conversationalist with them than I." She finally notices Wade and raises a hand in greeting. "Greetings, Friend Wade! I see thou art here for the festivities as well!"

"Ah, Friend Chen Li! Happy Coming New Year as well! 'Tis not the hour, but soon!" Artemis says merrily.

Chyoode catches sight of Chen and waves her over. "You made it, great! And you brought food. Oh, Chen, this is my housemate, Y Malingromastavaksiumalaikaosingsonsillys. She's a fine arts major."

Y looks rather embarrassed at the mention of her full name.

Wade waves to Artemis and smiles. "Hey there. It's good to see you."

"E'el. give me your glass," says A'al. "I'll go and get us some more!"

Artemis smiles. "'Tis good to see thee, too. Alas, has thy love had to return to her homeland?" she asks, hesitant to use her name, since she's not sure which identity of hers is meant to be dating Wade.

Chen chuckles, "I might be a shifter but there's no way I'm getting my tongue around that." She hugs Chyoode. Then to Y offers a hand, "So what do you like to be named as?"

NNS is as gifted in tongues as he is with all things, so he does not even notice as people slip in and out of their native & trade languages. It is all the same to him, as is a day spent in he skin of one dreamed up such as he is this evening.

His companions chatter around him, laughing and likely having the times of their lives- which is exactly the kind of thing the Godflora would command to a crowd of party-goers, so naturally they've turned it up to 11 now that they're at an actual part.

The pastry chef waits patiently by, occasionally offering passersby sweets & then if taken, producing a matching treat for his patron. Despite being a wallflowe rin a uniform he too looks like he's having the best time ever.

As a pair of Onylaxian Bivalves clap in rapid succession, the Stranger joins their conversation chitering back an answer to the question.

Hearing a hu-man speak their language so perfectly draws them in to the tattoo'd Stranger.

Y shakes the proffered hand. "Call me Y, I guess. It's my name. But what were my parents thinking, you know?"

"Gangway!" calls out A'al cheerfully as he makes his way toward the fridge. "Vital drinks run in progress!"

Wade smiles and says to Artemis, "I'm hoping Casey will be able to stop by later. I'm not sure if she'll have time, though."

Chen smiles as she shakes Y's hand, "Parents with a new-born? Who says they were thinking?"

Y smiles, well, sheepishly. "Point."

"Chyo, you want a refill too?" calls out A'al from the fridge.

Artemis smiles brightly. "I do hope that is so, Friend Wade. Friend Talia was speaking to me of the tradition of a kiss at the turning of the cycle, a last and first kiss for each," she smiles. "It sounds a charming ritual, one I hope for thee and thy lady love, Casey. And one I look forward to commemorating with my own Beloved."

Wayne grins. "Well...yes, that IS a tradition here, I admit. I believe it's supposed to be good luck?"

Chyoode says, "No thanks, I've still got some - but bring some for Chen here!" She says to Chen. "I assume you want some? It's the frost giant stuff I was telling you about!"

Chen nods to Chyoode, "Sounds good. And a diet soda if there's a chilled one." She adds, "For Wade."

"Speaking of traditions," says E'el, "What are you blowing up tonight?"

Artemis smiles to Wayne. "And good luck as well? Then we must be sure to observe this ritual together, Beloved," she says warmly to him.

The Stranger had not heard of such a ritual. He is unsure how he feels about it- likely due to not knowing anything about it.

He asks the aliens in his company. They chatter back with surprise that they do not know who it is that is suppsoed to be kissed for luck. He shrugs and decides that he shall find a stronger drink. He hands off the cup to his cupbeaer, who despite not being quick enough finds the cup drift gently into his hand without a drop spilt.

Chyoode says to A'al, "That's a yes for Chen, and bring one of those red cans there too, thanks!"

A'al makes his way with the drinks over to Chen and Chyoode, and passes over the drinks to Chen with a big smile. "So how do you know big sis?" he asks.

Chen accepts the foam topped litre mug and quaffs deeply. She slowly smiles as a warmth spreads through her, "Mmm.. That's good stuff, Chyoode. Let me take the soda to Wade, circulate a bit, and came back later."

Chen laughs, faces A'al. "We beat up bad guys together," she answers him. Then goes to take the soda to Wade.

Chyoode says, "Ok! I should do the same - I wonder where Dan is!"

Evan wanders at end of a group of undergrads. The undergrads head immediately towards the bar while Evan hangs back and gets a look at the crowd.

The aliens Artemis befriended speak to Wayne in Guild Trade speak, "Nice to meet you, too!" The floating jelly-fish like one adds with a bubbling chuckle, "Except that now we know Althea's taken!"

"Cool!" says A'al

A sheep-girl is passing round with a tray of cookies, and (happening to be nearby) offers one to Evan.

A'al take a good swig of his own drink and goes to find E'el, by this point talking to a human girl in the living room.

Wayne chuckles and says to the alien who spoke, "Afraid so. I'm afraid so."

Wade takes the soda from Chen, "Thanks. I appreciate it." He takes a sip of the drink and looks around before turning back to Chen, "How have you been? And your family?"

Chen bumps into Evan on the way back to Wade. She's a little suprised to see a teen in the college party, and makes a mental note to keep aware of how he is doing and getting treated. "Hi. I'm Chen. There's sodas in the kitchen," she tells Evan. A not so subtle reminder he shouldn't be drinking the hard stuff.

Artemis laughs warmly at Wayne's answer, smiling at him fondly as she says in the Guild Trade Language, "I fear it not." She looks back to the aliens they're conversing with, "While their is an old Ashildr saying of two loves for two hearts, both of mine dwell on my Beloved." Or maybe her second love is battle! As the aliens start to talk about needing more drinks, Artemis turns to Wayne and says in English, "Mayhaps in the New Year, thou can experience new changes for thy own life to be made yours."

Chen answers Wade, "Grandfather is fine," she tells Wade happily. "So's my father. Now the Baron has gone mostly straight there's less stress for him. "Mother sent a three word text. Honestly I didn't ecpect even that. Maybe she's mellowing."

A'al catches up with E'el, and they both have a good chug of their drinks, after toasting the Night of Renewal.

"Oh, good," he says in a Northern California accent to Chen. "I'd wondered. First college party, I've been to. Didn't expect so many nonhumans." His gaze is caught by several but he doesn't stare...much.

The sheep-girl says to Evan, "Oh, you won't find so many at most student parties. Butt with me and Chyoode sharing a house, well..."

Wade furrows his brow and says to Chen, "I don't think I've met your mother, right? Unless I'm mistaken?"

NNS moves along the line of alcoholic beverages on offer, trying to find the strongest of the lot- or at least compare to the beverages his own retainer brought. He's certain they have some of the finest and/or most potent beverages until he gets to the part of the line-up reserved for non-humans.

"Oh hello, my Lovelies." He says with a glee that causes the tattooed wings behind his ears to raise up slightly.

Wayne nods to Artemis. "I have some ideas for that. I spoke with a couple of ambassadors to see if they're willing to hire locals."

Chyoode carries some snacks into the living room to reduce the amount of crowding in the kitchen. She walks high up on the walls to avoid having to push past people.

Artemis smiles brightly at that. "Given the skill of thy tongue, that does seem a good chance of work for thee. They would be fools to turn thee away."

Chen nods to Wade, "I don't think so. She's never left China. Birth mother. Not much else. She sent me off to the Shaolin Temple before I could walk."

A'al leaves E'el with the girl and goes looking for someone else to talk to.

Evan smiles brightly at the sheep girl. "Oh, arid. So you are both undergrads?" His eyes drift to Chen as he adds, "And you as well?"

The sheep girl nods. "I'm a fine arts major. You?"

"Not an undergrad yet. Arguing with my guardian if I can't just test out of high school and get on with useful schooling." He shrugs slightly as he speaks. "STEM is my passion, so, likely electronic engineering." Oddly, there's no sound of bragging in his tone. He's kinda flat actually.

The sheep-girl nods. "I'm Y."

Wade nods to Chen, "That explains it."

A'al finds himself near Wade again. "so what traditions are there for this night?" he ask.

Evan nods to Y. "Nice to meetcha, Y. I'm Evan." He starts to offer his hand and then apaprently realizes her hands are full. "Ah..."

Wade smiles and says to A'al. "Well...There's the a large ball with lights that drops in New York City. They'll have it on television. When it gets to the new year, the ball will have dropped completely. And then couples kiss. Oh...and then they'll sing 'Auld Lang Syne'."

Wade chuckles to himself as he realizes how weird and random that all sounds.

Y solves the problem by leaning forward and rubbing noses with Evan instead!

Wade says, "People also often drink. Champagne or somethign simlar for the actual moment of the changeover for the year. Or a non-alcoholic subsitute."

Chen answers Evan, "I left school years ago. Never thought about college. Just wasn't smart enough. I mostly work as a shunt double these days."

"That's it? You don't blow anything up?" say A'al.

Artemis finishes her drink, still very sober. She's been listening in on the New Years traditions, and does find them random. She looks to Wayne with that puzzled expression of hers. "I was not told there was a hymn to sing. How does this 'Auld Lang Syne' go?"

E'el by this point is showing off a bit by standing on the ceiling and attempting to drink in that position.

Wade laughs. "Umm...no. We dont' blow anything up. It's basically a celebration that we survived another year."

Chen says, ".. without blowing ourselves up." adds Chen."

Wayne nods to Artemis. "It's..umm...based on a Scottish poem, I think? Robert Burns? The first lines are: 'Should auld acquiantance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne?' It's been American-ized since hte original."

"Lame!" says A'al. "A Night of Renewal should be about making things better for the new year! We always blow up the ugliest building in town so it can be replaced with something better!"

Wayne does sing the lines, though not terribly loudly.

Wayne chuckles. "That's about as far as most people know. Then they'll hum the rest."

Evan blinks and blushes at Y's solution but then laughs. "Uh, guessing that's your people's greeting, Y?"

Artemis smiles and gives a soft gasp as Wayne sings for her. "Never have I heard thee sing before, Beloved. I look forward to hearing thee sing the full song at the strike of the coming year." His singing even distracts her from talk of explosions.

Y nods and smiles softly.

Wade chuckles again and says to A'al, "Yeah...umm...please, don't blow anything up."

A'al grins. "We totally should. Show you how to do things properly! I mean, there's got to be some building here people don't like!'

Wade shakes his head, "Nope. Not this holiday. We don't blow up buildings for any holidays, actually. Only when we need to do so."

The red headed teen murmurs softly, "Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne!

And surely ye'll be your pint stowp! And surely I'll be mine! And we'll tak a cup o'kindness yet, For auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes, And pou'd the gowans fine. But we've wander'd mony a weary fit, Sin' auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn, Frae morning sun till dine, But seas between us braid hae roar'd, Sin' auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fere! And gie's a hand o' thine! And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught, For auld lang syne.

Chen applauds.

A'al shouts to Chyoode, "I don't see what you see in these Earthers - they've got no sense of fun!" His tone is joking, though.

"My family's Scots, so, kinda had to learn it," says Evan.

Y smiles. "Very pretty, but I think it broke my translator."

Artemis says to A'al with a chuckle and smile, "Urthians have a sense of fun on their own once ye get to know them, and each is uniquely different. There is much to appreciate in Urthians."

Artemis looks even more confused by the full poem. "I think I understand not this song or what it has to do with the coming year."

Chen grins, "Neither did I. But it sounded beautiful."

Evan looks down at his hands and then reaches into his messenger bag and pulls out a drawing pad. "Yeah, my mother made me memorize Burns poems."

the red headed teen looks over at Artemis then says, "It's about remembering the past year and before with your remaining friends and loved ones and raising a toast to the New Year and auld lang syne, time's gone by."

Wade chuckles a bit at Artemis's reaction. He starts to answer and then points to Evan when he responds.

Evan looks surprised at Y's words. "Shick, did I do that? Do you need help fizing it?"

E'el is down attempting to dance with a girl with him on the ceiling and her on the floor.

"Oh, it's working again now!" says Y.

Wade adds, "The song is basically asking whether or not it's right to forget the past."

"Depends on the past," grins A'al.

Artemis looks to Evan once Wade points him out. She nods slowly, and says, "I understood none of that from the words, but if that is the translation, 'tis a beautiful sentiment." She smiles at Wade's further explanation. "I choose not to forget the past."

Magda arrives quietly -- technically a party crasher -- with another woman, an Indian. The gypsy looks at the partygoers, then at her companion and says, "Told you." The Indian woman smiles, and hands over a coin.

"Ah, well, there were a lot of Scots Gaelic words or slang in the poem, Y. Probably the translator, hnn, choked on them," murmurs Evan.

Magda glances up towards the ceiling, then asks loudly, "Did somebody order a flying saucer to go?"

Evan looks around at the wall then the floor then the ceiling then says, "Does anyone else feel that?" He titls his head. "there's a hum and vibration."

Magda gets a couple of odd looks.

Wade furrows hsi brow, "I didn't sense anything odd."

A couple of figure begin appearing in an unoccupied part of the hallway, with original Star Trek-like transporter effects.

Artemis hasn't noticed the sound over all the party noises. She looks to Magda. "What be a flying saucer?"

"It's like a pre-cusror quakes but with a herterofyne hum..." murmurs Evan.

Chen says, "Me neither." She migrates an ear to the sole of a foot to check.

A'al and E'el glance at each other. "Uh-oh..."

Chen nods, "There's definitely a vibration. I... I think if I had spidy sense it would be tingling right now."

The two figures completely their materialisation (amid alarmed noises from nearby humans).

Garby and Zwixy are not twins, but nonetheless are similar of appearance: six and a half feett tall and of athletic build. They look roughly human, other than the green skin and that, instead of hair, they have six long tentacles growing from their heads. They have a shimmer about them suggesting a force field, and are each carrying 2 flail-like objets and two baton-like objects (in their tentacles) and some kind of weird gun (in their hands). 

Chen looks at the arrivals. Looks at her almost empty large mug of Frost Giant spirits. "Either this is good stuff, or I'm having a waking nightmare."

Magda shifts her attention to the teleportation site, a pass of her hand altering her clothing to her armor and cloak, shifting to put herself in a position between the new arrivals and her Indian-sub-continent companion.

Garby shouts out something, though it's largely lost amid the music and some startled screams. ()

Both Wade and Wayne look over in the direcitno of the disturbance, trying to figure out exactly what's going on.

Artemis glances at the new arrivals and assumes they're also guests.

Evan moves so his back is against a wall. <>

Evan moves so his back is against a wall.

A'al and E'el glance at each other and make a bolt for it in different directions - one through a window, the other through the front door. Forgetting for the moment that they have superstrength on Earth, they succeed in destroying both!

More screams come from the crowd as the door, window and bits of nearby wall splinter.

Chen notices Wade doesn't react. So she faces the new duo, "By what authority and right do you make such a claim?"

Artemis looks to Wayne. "If they be innocent, I must go to their aid...much as Wade came to mine when those bounty hunters came for me."

Wayne says, "I missed what was said."

Chen repeats what the new aliens said, louder. Then editorializes, "They're yours has a kind of slavery ring to it, doesn't it."