[closed] Mog's Day Celebration

[unkindled_madness]

Who: Sephiroth unkindled_madness, Loki dothelokimotion, Tina skagzz, and friends!
What: They made up a holiday instead of celebrating any of the actual things they have to celebrate.
When: November 14
Where: their new home in Sunset Falls
Content Warnings: N/A for now


Happy Mog's Day!

What's Mog's Day? Well, it's not surprising you haven't heard of it, since it isn't an Earth holiday. It's a fall celebration marking the end of the season, before moogles enter their annual hibernation. A simple drawing of a moogle (a white, vaguely koala-like animal with small bat wings) was included in the invitation. On arrival, guests will be asked to don a large red nose, out of respect for Mog. The hosts are exempt from this, given they're the ones throwing the party and all.

Want a tour of the house? The hosts are not familiar with the concept of a housewarming party, but that's essentially what this is, and any of them would probably show you around if you like. They've just moved, but there's no sign of boxes. Rather, the bookshelves and decor seem a little sparse, their belongings having migrated from a smaller space. You may catch glimpses of a large orange cat slinking around behind the furniture. He has not yet adjusted to his new surroundings, and all the strangers aren't helping.

A catered dinner is laid out on the dining room table. (They can cook, they just... didn't.) There's also a chocolate cake waiting in the kitchen for later. It's for Loki; Sephiroth doesn't really care about cake.

The nearby back door leads out into the yard, and the fire pit. Arranged on a table are some materials one might use to create a simple effigy of someone you particularly hate. There's also a bag of marshmallows, seemingly as an afterthought.

Comments

[atypical_echo]

Private bets could be pretty fun if they are done right. Hopefully it goes well for them.

"I suppose I've never had a chance to externalize my anger like this," he says with a shrug. "So I'm hoping this will make me feel a little better. It's been a hard week."

[unkindled_madness]

"Never?" Sephiroth repeats, astonished. He may not be an expert in healthy ways to express anger, but it was the first emotion he really figured out what to do with.

"Make as many as you like."

[atypical_echo]

"I spent more time trying to avoid everything that happened to me, and dealing with it really poorly," Mark admits with a shrug.

For now he tosses one of the effigies toward the fire.

"Thanks. It's just... Things got really hard and I handle it with running away."

[unkindled_madness]

"...I understand." He may not understand running away precisely, but he does understand avoidance.

"Sometimes it's easier to pretend nothing happened at all."

[atypical_echo]

"I can't do that," he admits. The memories stalk him in his sleep. There is no freedom from what happened. Just shadows that he jumps at.

Especially after Fantastic had his little power trip. Not that people here remember.

"Maybe burning these will help."

[unkindled_madness]

Oh, the avoidance absolutely works better on other people.

Sephiroth shrugs, picking up a piece of green-colored paper.

"I have found this... cathartic. A symbolic destruction of the things that held us back."

[atypical_echo]

"I think that's actually the point," he admits as he turns his attention from his creations to look at Sephiroth. "A letting go of the past, but still getting some of the anger out. People do this for protests a lot I think."

[unkindled_madness]

"Protests? As in the public variety?"

That seems very different to him from what this is. This is personal, and the personal requires some privacy.

[atypical_echo]

"Exactly. Big public ones. Some people see it as a threat rather than an expression of anger and frustration."

And really, he should have made one of Fantastic.

[unkindled_madness]

"...are you suggesting it isn't meant to be a threat?"

If a large group expressing anger isn't threatening, then he's not sure they're doing it right.

[atypical_echo]

"It's a display, but most people that do it, they aren't the sort to go after that particular form of violence I think."

There's threats, and then there is a willingness to actually cause harm in that way.

[unkindled_madness]

"So for most, it's an empty threat."

The green paper has taken the rough shape of a man. He reaches for black.

"That seems less effective."

[atypical_echo]

"No, it's a metaphor to display their anger. It draws attention and eyes."

Perhaps it's not effecitve, but it gets eyes.

[unkindled_madness]

"I suppose I'd rather just skip to the killing part."

[atypical_echo]

Mark winces. He doesn't think he could ever suggest to Sephiroth that they can't stoop to such a level. Because for Sephiroth it makes sense.

"I think I'll pass."

[unkindled_madness]

Sephiroth gives him a considering look. It's possible murder isn't for everyone.

"...but if they happened to die, you'd be glad?"

[atypical_echo]

"I would. They would probably deserve it."

And that hurts, to know he can feel that in his heart.

[unkindled_madness]

"Good. It would be a shame to deny yourself that."

...Sephiroth clearly feels differently on the matter.

[atypical_echo]

He denies himself a lot of things. And Mark does what Mark can do. That's how he handles it as he does.

"Sometimes strength is denying yourself things that will hurt you even if it feels right."

[unkindled_madness]

"...I'm not sure what you mean."

Are they not talking about celebrating the death of things that would hurt you?

[atypical_echo]

"I... have the ability to have hurt them. Really hurt them. I could have walked back into that place, borrowed all the powers I needed, and had revenge. But wouldn't that make me as bad as them?"

[unkindled_madness]

That sounds like a really good idea to him.

"No. It was their choice to make themselves your enemies. That has consequences."

[atypical_echo]

That's definitely a way to look at it. Of course, their choice also led to his sister's ex-boyfriend dying so...

"It's not that easy. OR at least it isn't for me."

[unkindled_madness]

"It's that simple to me. But I won't ask for elaboration."

Actually killing Hojo wasn't as easy as he would have liked it to be, but he has no regrets on the matter. It feels good to remember the man is dead.

[atypical_echo]

If only the people who hurt Mark were too. But there isn't any way to make that true.

"Thank you. I think I'd rather keep it to myself. More than I have at least."