Meet, greet and eat

[titanianblade]

(To be perfectly honest, Cornelius didn't expect to find other persona users outside of himself and Guzma. The head of the Skull gang was a stroke of luck, but to have found so many others who can tap into that power and help fight off the shadows...it's a welcome relief.

Not to mention the large, large expansion to Cornelius' circle of friends.

So what's a rich kid to do when he's happy to have an extended circle like this? Throw down. A bunch of money to get everyone nice and fed for a day. He arranged for a catered picnic and invited his fellow persona-users and any friends they wanted to bring along. There's a bit of something for everyone, so pizzas, sandwiches, whatever, really. It's a large, open space, too, of anyone's in the mood for playing around. Just like the food, there's plenty of options there.

Cornelius would be lying if he said he wasn't thrilled to have so many people to hang out with. He just hopes they'll have fun while they're here.)

Comments

[ashadowofhope]

[Where the host of the party, Cornelius Abelard, was a bright spot in the party, there's a dark corner where his cousin lingered. Oswald Abelard (once Damos) watched the group quietly, a drink present in his hand. His socialization had improved, but his feeling towards attending parties and being part of a large crowd? Still, not something he particularly enjoyed.]

[So he continued to stand aside and watch... and tried not to stare at one person in particular, making mental notes to change his focus maybe every five seconds.]

[foolish_seal]

You know, it's hard to get to know people by watching them from afar.

[Leaning against a wall right next to Cornelius is Minato, just chillin' with a drink. Don't ask how he got there without being noticed.]

[ashadowofhope]

[Eyes sliding over to Minato, Oswald doesn't say anything back and slowly resumes his observations.]

...

[foolish_seal]

...Wow, you're worse than I was as a teenager.

[At least Minato had the decency to say "whatever" from time to time.]

[ashadowofhope]

And?

[His brow ticked slightly. He had reasons... but he doesn't think he disclosed anything to this guy.]

[foolish_seal]

The whole point of this is to not brood in the corner.

[Says the guy also standing in the corner.]

[ashadowofhope]

... Is that not what you're about to do?

[Because if he leaves this corner, then Minato will be in the corner and... perhaps not brooding, but still in the corner.]

[foolish_seal]

Nah. I just got here.

[He holds up a bag of food to show he was in the middle of bringing stuff to the picnic. He just had to stop and bother the edgelord in the corner.]

[ashadowofhope]

Hm... but you will.

[Yeah he's... gonna go back to just observing people.]

[theshadowslight]

(If there's anyone who's most likely on the receiving end of Oswald's gaze, it's white-haired girl who literally just arrived from work. Gwendolyn is late and not terribly proud of this fact, but she did everything she could to make time for this and making it at all is a victory for her.

But she looks a little tired for her efforts, despite momentarily ducking behind a tree to straighten herself up. She's finally able to catch her breath once she gets a cup of fruit punch. She hasn't noticed Oswald yet, but she's keeping a lookout for familiar faces.)

[ashadowofhope]

[It's true. The moment that Gwendolyn appeared, he stood up a little straighter and... well, he didn't leave his spot, but he found himself looking at her. Attempts to look away? Not working; he thought he got past this too.]

[theshadowslight]

(Gwendolyn's been warned several times about pushing herself as hard as she does. She's been managing along, but her supervisors all but forced her to go out and have fun, for once. It's bad when they not only know that she pushes herself, but that they have to take action and celebrate the girl treating herself for once in her life.

She sighs as she's able to finally relax and just...settle down for once. It's during this time that she finally spots Oswald and offers him a small smile.)

[ashadowofhope]

[He's staring... He needs to stop doing this and-- but wait, she noticed him. And she's smiling.]

[He smiles back, not realizing that it's so easy to do back to her.]

[theshadowslight]

(There's a moment of fiddling with her drink as Gwendolyn's eyes stare down into her cup, that smile of hers still holding. Through this fiddling comes the courage to finally approach Oswald, if shyly. He's someone who sincerely cares about her as a person...and she finds herself feeling the same way.)

Oswald...I'm glad to see you here.

[ashadowofhope]

[She was approaching him... willingly. That's always strange, but he feels his heart skip.]

You as well. Have things been... better?

[Ever since they took on her dungeon, and then helped her move out...]

[theshadowslight]

(Gwendolyn nods.)

They have. Thank you again for all of your help. I wouldn't be here today without you.

(And everyone here, really, but especially Oswald for believing in her. He's the first person to really do that outside of Griselda and Velvet.)

[ashadowofhope]

I...

[He doesn't feel like he did much, and it's odd being thanked like this. Though, looking back on everything, he may have gone a little... out there. How many times had he threatened her dad? And somehow - somehow - he only managed to throw Onyx into a dumpster once. He nods, very unfamiliar with this.]

... y-you're welcome. [That's what he could say, right?] You didn't deserve that. He didn't deserve someone like you staying with him.

[theshadowslight]

(Gwen never admitted it out loud, but watching Oswald practically slam dunk Onyx into the dumpster was so immensely satisfying. He was a jerk and she tried not wishing harm on people, but...man, did he deserve it.

She shakes her head.)

For a long time, I thought he was the one who needed someone to stay with him. It...wasn't until recently I learned I needed that.

(Or at least, she's able to admit that she needed it. Facing your shadow has you owning up to a lot of your faults, but that's in the past now.)

How about you? Are you enjoying yourself here?

[ashadowofhope]

[Satisfying to watch? He would recommend she try doing it too. Probably the more violent non-violent means of taking care of an actual person he'd taken in a while.]

[He nodded, glad that she was now free from her own terrible situation, but still not sure... how to word it so politely.]

... It's fine. I'm still not used to so many people like my cousin is, but... I would like to think I'm improving. Some have even spoken to me.

[theshadowslight]

(She'll have to consider that. Gwendolyn has been steadily improving herself since she left that house. Being true to herself, standing up for herself, others and her own beliefs...

The change of scenery has done so much for her.)

That's wonderful. There are many good people here; I'm...not sure how to go about talking to them, after they've seen so much about me already...

(She glances down at her drink briefly, then shakes her head.)

But if they're willing to stay after seeing that, then they're the kind of friends I'd like to have. I think we could both benefit from friends like that.

[ashadowofhope]

Not everyone has bore witness to your Shadow, but you'll have time now to tell them about all your troubles.

[So few saw his own... It makes him unsure about that discussion, but he'd try. It was important... in order to accept himself and allow others in.]

... Yes, I think we would. It's just a matter of speaking to them.

[theshadowslight]

Yes. I'm certain we'll find a way to do that.

(She gives her drink another look, then steps closer to Oswald, almost leaning against him.)

Although...I'm in no hurry to do that right now.

[ashadowofhope]

[Nodding, his action stuttered and color rose to his face. She's almost leaning against him - almost. But the proximity is still close enough that he feels... something.]

... Right now, neither am I.