(Untitled)

[lucetimods]

Who: Everyone!
What: The event has started!
When: From the beginning of the event until the end.
Where: EVERYWHERE
Summary: You're feeling a bit different today.
Rating: All over the place, yo.

Go to town, kiddies!

Comments

Whenever Giles is at Good Spirits? \o/

[semper_cogitans]

[Did somebody say Good Spirits? Because that's a place that Robert happens to be - for once in his life, and willingly at that. He's carrying around a half-full glass of something, though it's clear Robert isn't paying much attention to the drink - he's here to talk and be socially competent, thank you very much.

Which is why he immediately approaches Giles when he sees him, smiling with a brightness very uncharacteristic of him, and gives a very easy, natural-looking wave.]

Hey, Giles! Glad to see you around; it's been too long since we've spoken. [Robert gestures to a seat conveniently near Giles.] Is this seat taken, or do you mind if I give you some company for awhile?

He's exactly the kind of person that intimidates the hell out of me! \o/

[semper_cogitans]

[It's that lack of awareness that probably explains why Giles doesn't realize how inordinately insane what Robert said is. One can't just "get over" a neurotypical difference. But this is what the experiment has done to Robert - it's how he's managed to not realize it is an experiment (without having cognitive dissonance with his own memories), so far.]

Thank you! But I couldn't have done it without great friends like you guys. Being social is the whole reason I feel so much better!

[Gods, he will regret these words later on.]

[consultmybooks]

Happy to help, of course. If I did.

Have you told Helios the good news, then? I'm sure he'll want to hear this.

[semper_cogitans]

You certainly did! I'd say you were one of the top ones, but of course, I can't easily pick favourites when I have so many nice people to talk to.

[Robert smiles even wider.] I certainly have! I ran into him before taking supplies home from the shops - he's been on quite the inventing kick lately, hasn't he? Good for him! It's great to see him so excited about his magic.

[consultmybooks]

Yes, I saw. We've had a few setbacks in that regard lately, even before the draft. It's good to see that he's forging on ahead despite all that. And expanding his efforts - that might be what was causing the problems to begin with, too narrow a focus.

[Giles nods, looking quite proud of his best friend, all things considered.]

[semper_cogitans]

It might have been - but he looks much better now, and I'm so happy for him. [Robert's voice is lilting - though he's better at keeping the sheer adoration out of his tone, now that he knows how it sounds. He doesn't necessarily sound in love with Helios anymore, though those feelings are still firmly entrenched.]

And you too - you just seem so much more open! It's great to see you being friendly.

[consultmybooks]

I'm glad you think so, Robert. [It's kind of flattering that the scientist has notice, actually.]

I'm...not sure what's brought this on, to be honest, but I'm not complaining.

I feel...very well, today. Better than I've felt since well before the draft.

[semper_cogitans]

Neither am I, because it's such a pleasant state. [And it hasn't occurred to Robert that this might be atypical behaviour. For either of them.]

It's wonderful how everybody has recovered from that whole nasty affair. As good an excuse to celebrate as any!

[consultmybooks]

Now that everyone's had the chance to recover from the malaria and scarlet fever and whatever other horrible diseases they dragged back with them, of course.

But, you're certainly correct. The villagers in general show a remarkable propensity for bouncing back from tragedy.

[semper_cogitans]

They do! And I've learned to count myself amongst them, actually. Well... maybe not too well, recently. [He smiles a little sheepishly.] But I'm getting better, I think! And you guys have always helped so much. I really need to find some good way to thank you.

... I didn't realize before, but, after thinking about it and remembering... sometimes you must've felt even worse than I did. And yet you still helped me... that means so much to me, Giles. [Robert looks earnestly into the former Watcher's face.

... Even after the event ends, he'll remember this. And he'll still feel like this even if it'll be much harder (if not impossible) to see that ever again.]

[consultmybooks]

[This catches Giles...entirely off guard, even with his newfound social forwardness. He blinks, startled and puzzled and...not sure what to do with that.

But eventually he smiles, evidently touched.]

I...never thought you noticed. Thank you, Robert.

That means a great deal to me.

[semper_cogitans]

[Robert smiles as well.] I'm just glad I can see it now. I couldn't before...

[Somewhere in the back of his mind, Robert is aware that this is probably temporary, probably an experiment - but he's consciously blotting it out, because he wants to be "fixed". He wants to be... "normal", for his friends' sakes. He's convinced they like him better like this. And maybe they do...]

It means a lot to me, too, that you'd be willing to do it for me. Not many people would - but that's what's great about you, and Helios, and Don. They'd do stuff like that for me, even before.

... Just, one of these days I gotta find a way to do the same for you!

[consultmybooks]

To coin an old but hopefully accurate turn of phrase - what are friends for?

[He'll clink his glass lightly against Robert's.]

Help me with my apartment and we'll call it even.

[semper_cogitans]

I'll be glad to help you!

[Even after the event ends. Though, uh, Giles will kind of be KIA for a bit.]

What should I start helping you with, first? ... Other than decorating the place for a party? [Robert just... glitters as he smiles thinking about this party and how awesome it'll be.]

[consultmybooks]

Well, we'll certainly need food for everyone. A great deal of food, just to be safe.

...what about party favors? Just to, um, thank everyone for coming?

[semper_cogitans]

Think Seventh Heaven could do some catering? Though I'd help cook if you want - I'm not as good as Mike, but I'm pretty decent! [It's like chemistry! And he's good at that! Plus baking is fun.]

Oh, party favours? Great idea! Something small but nice... hmm. [Robert wonders what might work as a little easily-distributable trinket.]