The Exploits of Misfit Company

"I do." Stella grins and holds out her arm.

The barbarian nods at her decision to stay as the bear, seeing no need to force her out of it if she didn't want to. His eyes would focus on the grass in front of them as his lips part to begin. "...Do you remember the first time you made me laugh?" He questions, not truly expecting an answer back, but he believed it would have been a good way to start. "I do. It's one of my most cherished memories. You were trying for months to get me to crack a smile, to chuckle, anything. You were so... persistent. You were making jokes, pulling little tricks, being silly... then you decided to do something big. Really big. Literally. Truthfully, I don't even know if you had meant to get me to laugh with it..."

"I'm not entirely sure how you managed to convince someone to help turn you into a giant chicken, but you did and you scared the socks off of so many people by clucking loudly and running at them. We ended up hearing those screams and rushed over to try and see what was happening, then, when Rinn turned a corner, there you were, in the dark alleyway, slowly making your way to him, clucking menacingly." A laugh finally makes its way past his lips, halting the story for just a moment as he tries to compose himself. He'll clear his throat before continuing. "I-I don't think I've ever heard a grown man scream so loud... at a chicken. It was hilarious. Something I'll never forget." There's a smile on his face as he reminisces of the times back then. "It was the first time that I had laughed in a very long time... You brought back joy into my life and I have you to thank for that, Kasha. I know you do what you do to have fun, and for some others to laugh too, so I'm not going to tell you to stop. I want you to have your fun. I want you to smile."

He pauses. "If anything, just... try to be careful, okay? I don't want someone to hurt you, because if they do..." He trails off, trying his best to not think about something like that happening to his best friend. 

After a minute, he would sigh, then move onto say, "And I also brought you out here because I wanted to... apologize, for lying to you yesterday." His eyes, still on the grass before them, soften as does his tone. "You all were having so much fun... I... I didn't want you to have to worry about me, so I had to be dishonest... and you saw right through me. You always do..." He gives a mirthless laugh before continuing. "I... I wasn't okay... I-I got super mad at... something and... and I did something bad as a result." At the confession his shoulders slump over, blocking Kasha's view of his face, but she could hear guilt within his tone. "I didn't want you to know because I... I was scared. I was scared of what you would think of me... scared of hurting you... I thought that, if I told you, you'd... you'd hate me... but I don't know if lying to you only made it worse. I... I'm sorry, Kasha."

Kasha reverted to humanoid form as Yvan spoke. It was slow and subtle, as not to disturb his speaking. She was still wearing her dress, and although her hair was still mostly made up, she looked at him as he spoke and her heart swelled with pride. She laughed as he remembered the past.

"Rinn didn't eggs for a week." she giggled. 

Then, as he continued her smile softened a bit as he confessed and apologized. When he finished talking, she stared off into the distance and didn't speak for a few moments, for she was thinking of something to say.

"I know you were lying to me. I didn't push it because I knew eventually you'd tell me. I let you be you. When we're dealing with our personal lives..I often think that these are moments for personal achievement. In those moments, it's you versus the challenges of the real world. At that moment, there you stand alone with your choices. But..on the battlefield? We're part of a team. One big team. Without our team..what are we? To me, i'm no one. I get nowhere unless the team wins. Unless the Misfits win."

"What i'm getting at, is that I know I can handle anything life throws at us because i'm part of a team now. I'm strong because I am part of something greater than myself now. And that's thanks to you. We each rely on our strengths and support each other when we're weak. You don't have to feel that way if you don't want to, because we can support each other. It's ok to be mad. It's ok to be scared. We're all here for each other. I'm here for you! I know you well enough that you wouldn't do anything on purpose to hurt me, and if you did we would be ok anyways. That's part of life. The best part is, we don't have to go through it alone. But thanks for letting me know. I still love you."

She leaned up and gave you a kiss on your cheek, and then grabbing it, squeezing it, and saying baby words like "OOhYOuJoOshShoOpbPhh!!

(If only you all were capable of having more than one point of inspiration at a time.)

Vastra takes Stella's outstretched hand and leads her out to the dance floor, where the musicians begin playing again now that Bearsha has stopped rampaging. She begins to lead Stella in a slow dance. "Has it been a while since the last time you've danced with someone?" 

Kasha pat the floor next to her and Yvan, so Obsidian would have a place to sit down next to her. If he allowed, she'd pick him up and let him curl up in her lap while she gave him long, loving pets. "It doesn't matter why you were angry, we all get angry. It's really your overall behavior that matters the most. Everyone has bad days. We can get through them together though. And believe it or not, I think someone else really wants to understand you the way I do, too."

She bit her lip, and while looking straight ahead, only moved her eyes to look at Yvan. It was a classic, "I think I know something you don't" look.

Yvan hadn't realized Kasha had reverted back to her normal self until she giggled, earning her a quick glance over from him as he spoke, glad that he was able to make her laugh. He hadn't been good at that truthfully, she always having been the one to bring smiles on everyone's faces, but it felt good. It made him happy, though the happiness would be put on stop when he moved onto confess, his mood dampening, hoping that she wouldn't hate him in some way...

And she didn't. Yvan knew Kasha was wise when she wanted to be, in her own little way, and it truly shined through when she spoke her piece. His shoulders laxed, and while his eyes were still on the grass, there is a look of relief on his face. "You are somebody, Kasha. With or without us. You're you, and that's what we love about you." He says. "I'll be here for you too. To protect you. I'll love you, always."

At the kiss/raspberry on the cheek, there's little resistance, he having known full well this would have happened eventually. Kasha had never been afraid with displaying her affections. It gets him to laugh and crack a smile. However, when she says that last bit, the smile falters as he tilts his head in confusion, her look only confusing the poor barbarian further. "What?"

"Ohhhhh, I don't kiss AND tell..." she teased, not wanting to give it away. "You'll see!"

She showed him her closed fist, facing upwards. She slowly opened it, the look on her face once of supreme curiosity and suspense. When she opened up her palm, she blew into it, and a huge glittery display of druidcrafted butterflies shaped like hearts splashed into his face, right on target.

She got up and swan dove back towards the gathering hall, singing to Yvan as she left, "Oh, and if anyone makes you mad like that agaAaiinnnNn, i'll eat themMmMmm...!" she sang, and for some reason you know she's ******* serious.

Stella nods. "Years, actually. I haven't danced since I was a kid."

Yvan held his confused expression from up until Kasha dove back to where the party was, wondering just what the heck was that all about... He got up from his place in the ground and dusted off any dirt that might have gotten caught on his cloak and pants. With Kasha's words fresh in his mind, he followed behind her to the gathering hall.

"You obviously have some pretty good powers of retention. You certainly don't dance like someone who hasn't done this since they were a child."

Kasha sat back down at the table and resumed eating her dinner. She turned to the closest person sitting down next to her, and said, mouth full, and matter of factly, 

"You'll love the dessert."

"I haven't done it since I was a kid, but I got it drilled into me when I was one," Stella explains. "It was very important that I know how to comport myself at a party or dance."

"I hadn't realized that such a tiefling had done so." Bixby had jest best. Though when he tried to smile as well, it came out a little stilted as if uncomfortable or uncertain about the expression. Yet, he soon played it off with a casual chuckle, before folding his hands behind his back and looking expectantly at Alys. "Hello indeed, Lady Alys. How might I be of service to you?"He asked bright yet notably still formal tone, cutting somewhat to the chase. While he was prepared and willing to accept more vacant conversation, given the state of things between them, even the changeling had enough insight to know something more important was brewing in mind.

Which is why when Alys spoke of dancing, even he blinked, before then quirking a brow as if to ask 'Pardon?'. But that look promptly gets wiped away the moment she so much as started to retract the hand or seemed about to say more. "As you wish, Lady Alys. Though I warn you that I'm not nearly as good a dancer as some of the others." He said, as her hand is gently taken, and the cleric guided to whatever amounted to a dance floor.

"An apology? For... Ah. I see. Do not worry about a few stubbed toes. We've both endured far more punishment than such a thing." He grinned toothily. "Though, if its in regard to me being a stand-in for someone else, then if need be I could try to emulate them, if you so desire?" He asked pleasantly.

"I knew that your parents weren't the best of people, but I didn't know that they were so strict. My parents were kind of similar. They were very rich, and sent me to an academy to learn magic, so that upon graduation my father could call upon some favors to get me a good job in the defense force for the kingdom I lived in."

Alys was equally as surprised when Bixby would accept her ask, her face softening when he’d take her hand and guide her to the dance floor. There was definitely worry on her face for stepping on his toes, and sure enough he anticipated that. And as if on cue, he read her plain as day, or has been more observant of her lately than she believed he was. The elf’s cheeks would redden in response to him bringing attention to her wavering thoughts. Did he read her that well so long ago too? One thing Bixby could be sure of though, was that she was not disappointed that he was humouring her both in dance and in jest. Although it was a new visage to B, he did not introduce himself as someone else. And even if it presented itself to be a self-critical version, yes still missing his historical exuberance and confidence, he was still pleasant, even gentle with her. He was keeping the mood light in tandem with her while she looked for her words. It was genuine enough for her and she appreciated it.

Sure enough, Alys would overthink her steps, stubbing his toe, bringing her out of her thoughts. An apology followed by a soft chuckle would leave her lips, “Yes, there’s one of possibly many more to come.” She’d correct herself, her steps barely perfect but they were getting better and she’d eventually settle into his lead. Alys would be quick to shake her head at his suggestion of being a stand-in. “I desired this dance to be with B, which ever side of you, you desire to be.” She’d say honestly before taking a breath. The wizard didn’t want to dance around her apology more than they had already.

”I owe you an apology for more than a few stubbed toes.” Although a part of her felt as though he could already have her all figured out, it didn’t change the fact that she believe she owed him a proper conversation and confession. Alys’ eyes would waver for a moment, obviously not proud of her recent actions. No matter how many times she went over the words in her head, she’d still blank, having to try to find them all again. The cleric would start with something ‘small’, “In the Feywild, I realize that my attitude towards refusing to come to your aid during a time of discomfort was uncalled for. Perhaps it went a little far... But if it’s any consolation, please know, that deep down, no matter how upset I may be, I would have never not come to your aid during a critical moment. I hope I’ve proved that...” Considering her efforts during the last battle, she hoped it was recognized. But that wasn’t what was eating at her. So she’d take a breath and continue, “More importantly, I owe you an apology for stealing from you and using my divination magic in order to succeed in doing so.” Her stomach would churn with that admission, obviously referring to his ‘missing’ cube, “I owe you an apology for invading your privacy because I was unable to bring myself to accept what was before me. Instead of facing you and properly conversing. I turned my back to you, and even acted out childishly.” The wizard would pause to take another breath, “I allowed my own emotions to control my actions instead of logic and morals, without taking into full consideration what you may be going through. I feel as though my frustration with feelings of rejection with the wall you were building, clouded my judgement also ignoring to consider the consequences of my actions and how they could make you feel.” She’d sigh, hearing the last bit as an excuse. Alys would look to B, “And for all of that and more I probably forgot, I am sorry.”

Stella chuckles softly. "Yeah, yours sound fun too." She shrugs. "I guess that since my family weren't real nobles, it was even more important to them that I act like one. Remove doubt, and all. I was an important prop in their little scheme." She sighs. "They were shitty people, and I'd like to be past them at this point, yet they keep showing up, and even if they did, some people...won't let me forget them." Stella gives her head a quick shake and smiles again. "But you probably don't want to hear me complain about my parents. I know you left, but while you were there, was there anything you liked about school?"

Kasha swallowed her food and dropped a little for Obsidian. "Here you go, *****cat. I didn't forget you." she then looked around and saw everyone else dancing, but no one was dancing with Yvan. She stood up, focused, determined, and was, frankly, a little surprised no one asked him too yet. She stormed up to him, wherever he was, glared at him for a few moments, and finally said. "Dance with me." as if it was a matter of life and death that the situation hadn't happened yet.

"The academy itself is a very fine institution. Beautifully built and decorated, more books than you could ever ask for, professors that were skilled in the schools of magic, it's quite a good place to go if you have the money and the arcane talent." 

Stella smiles faintly. "But it wasn't for you."

"It was what waited after the academy that wasn't for me. I took to my lessons well enough, but afterwards my parents wanted me to join my nation's defense force, which meant that instead of seeing the world that I had read about in books, I would be making sure that it remained at a comfortable distance."