A SAVAGE LAND FOR A SAVAGE NIGHT

[professorlionface]

WHO: EVERYONE OF ALL AGES
WHERE: The Xavier Institute
WHEN: June 15th, early evening to all night long!
WARNINGS: Who knows! Language is likely, violence is possible, dancing is mandatory.
SUMMARY: prom night prom night gotta get down on prom night
FORMAT: MINGLE

As you enter through the doors of the Danger Room, the sound of cicadas chirping clues you into your arrival to a tropical paradise. Red and orange lights show a room transformed, vines all along the walls and trees that seem to reach the beyond the ceiling. There's no doubt now, you're deep in the heart of the jungle. You can almost feel the heat of a distant volcano, the humidity wafting in from a river just outside, but that's only your imagination. Luckily, someone had the foresight to bring an exterminator into this jungle beforehand, as there isn't a bug in sight.

Fierce papier mache dinosaurs look down on your throughout the room, some perhaps planning their next meal, others regarding the intruders to their home with something not unlike fear. From the stage, the gleaming jaws of a downed Tyrannosaurus look on at the partiers, hungry even in its taxidermied stated.

But there's one ornament that stands above them all: the mirrored surface of what appears to be a pterodactyl man, reflecting the lights all across the room in ways most disco balls only wish they could.

Welcome to the Savage Land. Hope you survive the experience!

quick links!
DANCE FLOOR
REFRESHMENTS
SIDELINES
OUTSIDE

Comments

[invoking]

Lutwidge? No. [ He looks to the side for a moment before looking back (as much as he can) at Hank. ] I'm mostly self-taught or had tutors.

[professorlionface]

Oh? That's a bit curious, what was your association with the establishment, then?

[invoking]

My... adoptive brothers have attended Lutwidge as well as my master's younger sister.

[professorlionface]

Your master?

[That's a curious idea. Gil didn't, but his adoptive brothers did. What does that do to a young man?]

[invoking]

[ A forlorn look passes his face. ]

That's right. I'm a servant.

[professorlionface]

["Were," he almost wants to correct, or maybe ask.]

To this family that adopted you?

[invoking]

[ He would have a slight panic attack. No matter where he is or what he's doing, he's sworn to Oz forever. ]

Ah, no. I'm a servant for the Vessalius... rather, just one person. [ It a very long and sad story. ]

[professorlionface]

Even despite being here for... How long have you been in the City, Gilbert?

[invoking]

Fifteen months.

It doesn't change anything. [ He means being here. Just because he's been misplaced, doesn't mean he doesn't have his duty to Oz. ] It's a promise I can't break.

[professorlionface]

[It's a long, thoughtful look Hank gives him. He doesn't really understand what that must be like, but he's trying.]

Even when there's no one to whom it can be kept?

[invoking]

[ Also being brainwashed really screws up one's priorities. ]

He's simply not here. It doesn't mean there is no one. [ Gil sighs. ] He gave me something very important and I would never throw it back in his face.

[professorlionface]

[A cat's curiosity leads him to wonder what it is he was given, but he's sure it would be prying to ask.]

But you can't live as if he'll be just around the corner when he may never arrive. Would it really be throwing it in his face to think of yourself as...I don't know, on sabbatical perhaps?

[But then, this whole conversation may be a little presumptuous to begin with.]

[invoking]

I -- [ He's growing uncomfortable. ] It's difficult to explain. You wouldn't understand.

Sabbatical? [ He tilts his head, not following. ]

[professorlionface]

[He shrugs. Gil is probably right about that.]

It's like an extended vacation, essentially. A long sabbath.

[invoking]

I don't know what to think of this really. [ A chance to be a hero? He would scoff at the idea. He's no hero. ] But I've been able to keep myself busy.

[professorlionface]

But is that all it is to you? I know from experience how business can be a distraction from dealing with everything else.

Is it such a struggle, not having someone here to serve?

[invoking]

[ He hits right into the heart of Gil's issue.

He had a second chance and what good is it if Oz isn't around? At the same time, his loyalty doesn't waver to his master. When he senses his thoughts and feelings drift too far from him, he's pulled back quickly. Something in his head calling him. Reminding him no matter what, Oz is his only master. ]

I... [ He can't find the words for it. His right hand grips his left one. ]

[professorlionface]

[Hank isn't oblivious to the reaction either, frowning and shifting his weight as Gil hesitates. He scratches at the fur on his neck awkwardly.]

Perhaps it wasn't a proper question for me to ask. I'm sorry if doing so has made you uncomfortable.

[invoking]

Huh? [ He seems to snap out of it mostly and quickly shake his head. ] No, no... it's okay. It's my fault for making this conversation so depressing.

[ He's awful when it comes to parties. ]

I should go find Kenzi.

[professorlionface]

To be fair, it was my questioning that turned the conversation in that direction.

[Hank frowns, looking back at the table. He quickly fills a glass of punch and offers it to Kenzi.] She might do better at keeping your conversation light, and I'm sure she wouldn't mind some punch, either.

[invoking]

Thank you. [ He takes the glass with both hands.

He sighs. ] Enjoy the rest of the night, Doctor.

[professorlionface]

You make sure to do the same, alright?

[He scratches a bit at the fur on his neck with a frown.]

[invoking]

[ He's worried he's said too much. It'll be a while before he shakes the feeling and Hank's words from him.

Sometimes, he can ignore what he deems as silly advice, but every now and then it gets to him and leaves him questioning his place at all if he doesn't have a master to serve here. ]

Yes, of course. [ He says and turns away from Hank with a bit of a forced smile. ]