MASKTOURN

Darcy wandered into the gala area with his fancier outfit, his snake mask, and still no glasses, and scanned the area as best he could. His attention caught on a familiar looking face standing, baffled, in the middle of the dance floor. "Kal? Is that you?" He waved as he approached. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

When his name was called, Kal was shaken from his startled state. Recognizing the voice, a genuine smile worked his way onto his face as he turned around to face- “Darcy!” Kal practically bounced over the rest of the way to Darcy. Immediately, he held out his arms for a hug. “My boy- You’re here, too?! Crazy!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy wrapped his arms around Kal in a warm hug, relieved to be in his buddy's presence again. "Oh, Kal- I missed you. I hate that you're here too, but I missed you so much." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Kal squeezed Darcy back, even lifting him up slightly off of his feet. It was nice to be in the presence of someone familiar and who wasn’t out to be a weirdo like the guy he just interacted with. Weirdass man. “I missed you too!! It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve seen you- Look at you, looking all snazzy in your mask! You’re really makin’ it work!” He set Darcy back onto his feet and let go. “Sucks that we’re both here, but holy shit, I’m glad to see someone I actually know.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah- thank you. You look nice in yours, too." He managed a smile, and adjusted his mask slightly on his face. "It's so relieving. Isi is here too- did you two ever meet? And so is Peregrine," he said that with a slightly sourer tone. "But you're here too! God, I'm happy to see you again. How have you been?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Isi? Nah, I didn’t meet Isi before. Were they with us on cult island?” Kal asked. He rubbed the back of his head as he made a face. “Oh, yeah, Penguin- Yeah, I know them a bit. They were a bit of a weirdo.” Kal’s grin returned. “Happy to see you, too! Man, I’ve been doin’ so good- I’ve been reading tons of books ever since you taught me how to read- I’ve even gone into a library, those places are so cool!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh- she was on the island with us. She's a good friend of mine." Darcy nodded. "Yes, he- is." "Oh, that's great! I'm glad you're getting good use out of the skills I taught you!" He smiled genuinely. "What sort of things have you been reading?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Alright! Then I'll be sure to meet up with her at some point," Kal grinned. "I gotta meeta buddy of yours for sure!" "Oh man- I've been reading all kinds of things! Fantasy books have been my go-to lately- It's crazy how people can just imagine up stuff, and put that stuff down on paper. It's so crazy! I love it!" Kal grinned. "It's been such a blast." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You two would get along swimmingly, I'll have to introduce you at some point." Darcy smiled. "Oh, that sounds great! I need to read some more fantasy, I've been so caught up with my academic texts- Maybe you can give me some recommendations someday." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Hell yeah, I’d love to meet her!” Kal grinned. “Oh man- For sure!! I’ll make you a whole list,” Kal hummed eagerly. “I’ve read so many at this point I can make a list- That’s crazy! I’ve gone from having no list to having a giant one!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, wow! That's incredible, Kal! I'm so proud of you!" Darcy beamed. He had seemed kind of tense when Kal first saw him, but was visibly relaxing in his presence. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Thanks, Darcy!” Kal smiled brightly. “I’ve even gone on and learned sign language because of you- Thanks again for helping me out!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Of course!" Darcy smiled in return, and signed, You know sign now too? I'm impressed! @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

Thanks! It took a while, but I like that it's hands on, so I feel like it was easier to learn for me, Kal beamed. "It's been fun being able to talk to more people now and get to know them." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It is pretty useful, isn't it?" Darcy smiled. "Oh, that gets me excited about teaching you more different forms of communication. Have you ever wanted to learn morse code? It's a bit tricky, and it's not an extremely practical skill in our modern day, but it's a really neat trick!" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Aw snap- Morse code! That's with the beep beep boops, right?" Kal asked. "I'd love to learn that!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It is! It's really easy to learn, since every letter just corresponds to some number of dots and dashes. Ah, I wish I had something to write on, so I could show you how it's written down." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Man- Maybe next time, we can find some paper and stuff and we can get started! Then, we can communicate, and no one’ll know what we’re talking about.” Kal chuckled. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah, that's a good idea. And we have the tablets, maybe those are good for something." He smiled a bright smile, one more like he had smiled years ago. "Yes! We'll be able to exchange secret notes and everything, it'll be exciting." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"You're right!" Kal grinned. "We can send each other dots and stuff in the chat, and no one'll have any idea what we're saying. Big brain move, Darcy!" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm. That's the idea." Darcy nodded. "So, who else have you met here? Anyone interesting? Anyone I should look out for?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Well, I just bumped into a guy who’s- Kinda strange,” Kal glanced back into the crowd. “Claimed that he knew me and my past, and- I dunno, something weird happened when I touched him. Felt like I got zapped or something. I dunno, but maybe you should avoid him? He’s got kinda white hair with yellow feathers in it. Kinda a weirdo.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh- that's weird." Darcy frowned, and scanned the crowd for anyone matching that description. "I'm sorry that happened, I'll try to avoid him." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Yeah, it was- Weird. Really weird.” Kal’s energy seemed to be lessening slightly as he thought about the interaction. It was strange. And concerning. Normally, he didn’t let the strange and concerning get to him, but it wasn’t every day that someone claimed to know your bastard of a father. It was weird, to say the least. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Do you want to talk about it?" Darcy asked, noticing the slight damper on Kal's mood. "We can find somewhere quieter to talk, if you want." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Hm? Nah man, it’s alright!” Kal grinned again. He began to bounce to the music. “We’re at a party! We should be havin’ ourselves a good time!” He did allow his smile to flicker, only for a moment. “But- Maybe after, if that’s alright with you? I’d appreciate it big time if I could.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"If you say so," Darcy hummed. "And of course. You're my friend, and I'm here for you." He gave a supportive smile. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Thanks, Darcy,” Kal threw an arm around Darcy’s shoulders to give his friend another hug. “Whenever you need to talk, I’m here for you, too! That’s what buds are for!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thank you. I know I can always count on you, Kal." He smiled. "I really hope they don't put us against each other again.." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Ugh, I hope not,” Kal let out an easy going laugh. “Can you imagine volcano fight part two?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Darcy laughed. "Oh, it'd be awful. I really hope we aren't put against anyone we know... but I guess we have no say in it." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Nah, we don’t,” Kal chuckled. “I can’t wait for when we’re out of here. We need to hang out in places that aren’t deadly.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"We do.." Darcy hummed. "Do you really think we can get out of here?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Of course!” Kal laughed. “Lemme tell you one thing, Darcy, is that havin’ hope in the darkest of situations can do a ton of good for you. We got out of a bad situation once, we’ll get out of it again! I believe in us big time!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I guess that's true... I'll try to stay optimisitc. We have lived through one of these before... what's a second?" He laughed. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Exactly! We got this in the bag, Darcy!” Kal grinned. “We’ll get through it, and then we’ll laugh about it over some good food later once we’re back home!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hah, that's a good pla-" Darcy said, but was caught off-guard by the announcements. "Huh- I guess we aren't fighting each other." He didn't know how to feel about being put against Peregrine... "Do you know your opponent? I met her earlier, she's... really nice." He frowned. (edited)

2:53 PM

@Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

As Kal listened to the announcement, his face shifted into a frown. “You and Penguin, huh..? Damn,” He sighed. “A-and I know Asha- We met at the last tournament.. I didn’t know she was here.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

How many tournaments had Kal been to? Darcy sighed. "Mhm.... well, hopefully you two can work something out? Or- we'll figure it out. I don't know what I'm going to do about Peregrine, but... we'll have time." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Yeah, we’ll have time,” Kal sighed. “We’ll figure something out. If you want more training with fighting like last time, I’m your guy! I’ll lend a hand.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Thank you- I might take you up on that offer." Darcy hummed. "God, I can't believe they put me against Peregrine..." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I know, right? Sickos, all of ‘em are sickos.” Kal huffed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah... it's not like I'm particularly... upset at being put against Peregrine, I- I'm just surprised." Darcy confessed. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“At least you can teach him a lesson,” Kal commented. “He was a real jerk.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm, he was. He'll get his just deserts, I'll ensure it. Or at least, I'll try." Darcy huffed. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“I believe in you! You’re gonna do a great job!” Kal smiled. “You’re gonna knock his socks clean off!!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah, thank you. I'll certainly try." Darcy laughed awkwardly. "Hmm.. did you recognize any of the other names on the list? Isi was there, but I didnt recognize her opponent's name." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Well- I recognized Invo. He’s a cool guy, I think he’s kinda sus of me, but he’s chill. Maybe he careful around him, he immediately used his powers on me when we met. They’re shadowy.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Mhm, that's not good. I'll definitely try to be wary of him- what's he look like?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“He’s about my height. Tanned skin, kinda messy dark hair- It’s not too hard to miss him.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I'll look out for him." Darcy hummed. "I've only met one suspicious person, outside of Peregrine. A man named Ro-maine." He emphasized the 'maine'. "He solicited me for intimacy, and then asked for my blood. Pretty weird guy." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"Romaine lettuce? Good stuff." Kal frowned. "He asked for your blood????" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"He did, he wanted to taste it." Darcy shuddered. "Gross. I think he was affiliated somehow with Roque- did you ever meet Roque? She was at the same tournament as us. But anyways, I refused. Not letting anyone taste my blood." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Roque? Nah, I didn’t meet Roque. Sounds like I dodged a bullet,” Kal made a face. “Gross. I’d he asks me, nah, I’m not letting him taste my blood.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I never met her either- and I think I'm glad I didn't." Darcy agreed. "Good. I don't know why anyone would let someone drink their blood.. it's so weird." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Maybe he’s a vampire, and he needs blood to live,” Kal said. “I read a book with vampires. But yeah, nah, I wouldn’t let someone drink my blood, vampire or not.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"He didn't seem like a vampire- he was out in the sun and everything." Darcy mused. "Usually, vampires can't do that." @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Huh,” Kal paused. “Maybe he’s just a weirdo, then.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I think that's the case. Maybe he and Peregrine can find each other, and they can go off and be weirdos together..." (edited)

4:03 PM

@Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Maybe,” Kal laughed. “And then they can just leave us alone.” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Hopefully so." Darcy nodded. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Mmhm,” Kal chuckled. “Anyone else you bump into that’s chill or weird?” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah, not really. I met someone named Ace and another person named Aarni, but they both seemed pretty normal. And I ran into Asha, like I told you." Darcy hummed. @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Huh, nice. Maybe I’ll try and meet them next,” Kal hummed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I've seen Aarni around here. I don't know about Ace." Darcy hummed. "If you want to go meet some other people, don't let me hold you back! Maybe we can talk later?" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

“Ah, you’re never holding me back, you’re my boy!” Kal laughed. “But yeah, we can totally talk later!” @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ah, thank you!" Darcy smiled. "I'll see you later, then! Don't be a stranger!" @Vanessa | Cansu🐥+Evan🔩+Kal🌟

"See you around, have fun, and be safe!" Kal grinned. He waved to Darcy as he disappeared back into the crowd. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs