2025-01-13 - Truth or Dare for 21 and Under (Async)

While something like 'Truth or Dare' might not be something that Rowan would usually participate in, he's trying to be more social and if that means being stupid with his fellow 'youts', so be it. Worse comes to worse, he can just leave and be a poop, right?

Rowan is wearing his Casual Gothy clothes as he saunters to the skate park, black pants are actually wide-legged this time, and he's layered a black, long-sleeved tee under a long-cut, dark crimson hoodie which has a flared hem, slightly flared sleeves, and a piped hood. His 'new look' isn't really evident unless he smiles...or maybe if he speaks. His canine teeth are elongated slightly and are quite sharp, as befitting a more Vampiric image. On his hands, to help against the chill, are some hand-knit fingerless gloves. He's even brought an insulated thermos full of something warm. Likely tea...might be fortified with a nip of booze.

"Hey Rowan!" Theo calls out and lifts his hand in greeting. There is a table that shows snacks and drinks on it. A variety such as cookies, donuts, chips, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, soda and alcohol. "Glad you could make it. How's it going?" He will come forward and clasp Rowan's hand in greeting. There are others around and Jett is doing a dare. Having to sing while skateboarding. He had chosen the dare option which Theo gave him. Theo is an awesome roommate.

Rowan will return the hand-clasp and look over the offerings. A brow is lifted at the sight of the alcohol; booze and skateparks generally don't mix well, but who is he to judge? "It's all right, you?" is asked before dark eyes note Jett, singing while skateboarding. "So, are we starting off tame, then?" Since that seems pretty mild for some Truth and Dare parties he's apparently been to.

"It seems we are." Theo laughs. But next, it sounds like there may be some truth-seeking mixing in there. "Have you done Truth and Dare's back home? How crazy did they get?" He asks this curiously when he asks this.

Rowan lifts a shoulder, "At the occasional party or sleepover I was invited to." Not many, but there were a few in there. "It usually depended on the people. At one point, someone was dared to streak across the front lawn in the middle of the night...in the Winter. In Chicago."

"Yikes. That sounds like a mean dare as well as cold." Theo says. Looking back at Rowan. "If you would like to share what was the best dare or truth you had to do when you were in Chicago? There had to have been a good one or two in that?" He moves over to where the chips are so he can take a handful and start snacking.

Rowan wanders a little closer to look at the food offerings before taking a few things to snack on, "Well," he seems to think a moment, "I mean, the good ones were always to raid a parent's liquor stash. There was one about putting on someone else's bra. The streaking one...I mean, we were kids and I don't think anyone really knew better." There's a pause, "We went joyriding in someone's dad's car when no one had a license at 2am one time..." Those were all Dares.

"I think a lot of kids chose the dares because no one wanted to be judged for our truths, you know?"

"Yeah, that makes sense. Especially if you didn't want to get embarrassed by the truth. But man, some dares are....." Theo grins and then laughs, "They could be silly or rough depending on the person who has to do it, I imagine."

Theo would point out the hamburgers/cheeseburgers that Yvette brought in case Rowan wanted some real food. He's still sticking to chips as he talks.

Rowan takes a cheeseburger but he doesn't dig in right away. "More like it depends on who is giving the dare and what they know of the person getting the dare. Like, if you're friends, then maybe they'd go light. If not...well..." maybe that's when the harsh ones came out. "I dunno...In High School, I don't think some people deserved to know my truths, you know?"

"Yeah, I understand that." Theo tells Rowan. "In high school you really had to protect yourself." When Theo uses the word you he is referring to the both of them and it is used in more of a general statement.

"But now here? I think there is a certain freedom where you can be you. I am not sure if I am making sense, but that is how I see it." He attempts to explain.

When Jett is done with his singing, skateboarding act it has moved on to a couple of truths as people start to mingle away even though there are a few still playing. Theo is content to observe and snack as he speaks with Rowan.

High School is brutal to those who don't, won't, or can't conform. Rowan was told that 'college will be better' but he chose to take time off and do the Remote College thing.

"I understand what you're saying and I don't disagree. But...I also feel like maybe being here swings way too far in the other direction, if -that- makes any sense. In High School...if you were different, you stood out, and not in a good way. Here...so many are different and 'weird' and 'artsy' that...I dunno." He gives a little shrug, "It's like getting lost all over again."

Probably why Theo only did a semester, a year at most of college, and did a gap year. But the gap year turned to here at the park and the islands where magic has run amuck.

"Too much of the same community?" Theo asks to make sure he understands what it is that Rowan is telling him. "Maybe here was a safe haven for people who gravitated that way even if it can be overwhelming." He doesn't know. He's just offering his opinion for what it is worth.

"Yeah, kind of like that," Rowan gives a toothy little grin. "Like...In your school, you're maybe one of a handful of weirdos...and here, everyone's a weirdo!" Said with love, of course. "Even the guests!" He has a nibble of the burger and looks to watch as the others continue to play their Truth or Dare. "It's also kind of weird to be on the fringes of, what should be, a community you might normally fit into. I'm still deciding how I feel about that."

A laugh when Theo hears that and watches how Rowan smiles like that. "It is hard to figure out where you belong, even with like-minded people. I get that. And then you start self-doubting yourself. At least I do." Shaking his head when he says that. "I guess we both still have time to figure it out, right?" A glance to Rowan when he says that.

"Maybe even especially with like-minded people? Because then...if everyone has almost everything in common, how do we find our people?" Rowan gives another little smirk. "Guess we do. And once we leave here, apparently, we'll have to do it all over again."

"Yeah, that will be the sucky part." Theo laughs because that is all one can really do. He asks, "Do you plan on leaving? Or do you think you'll stay for a bit?"

Rowan's brows lift at the question, "I plan on staying as long as I'm enjoying it. Which I am. I don't know that I'm ready to join the 'Real World' yet, so I'm happy to be a part of this circus for as long as I can." So what other magic might happen? Will he become solely Nocturnal next? Have a desire for blood, like a real/fictional Vampire?

"Besides, where else can I afford an apartment for this price?"

"That is fair." Theo says as he looks down at his own changes. He doesn't know what to expect next but he is here for it. "Do your teeth bother you?" Yes, he saw the fangs. "Is it helping you sell your act? Jett says with what I have going on people would love it. I am not sure I am sold on the idea of that but if it works, it works."

The question has him running his tongue across his teeth, "Not 'bother'. It was a shock...still kind of is. And they're sharp, so I bite my lip and cheek a lot," eating might be a little odd still. But then Rowan grins again, "Oh, the audience loves it. With that and the accent, they're totally deciding that Count Grimoire is really a vampire and I'm not correcting them."

He tilts his head some at Theo, "You do storytelling, right? I think you could totally sell it for your act. Like, you could totally hint...or build a character around being a fey creature...full of magic, or an alien, or made of stardust or something."

"Almost like you were wearing braces, in a way?" That is all Theo can compare it to. He's trying to understand the change that Rowan has gone through. Most of the park has gone through.

"Totally awesome dude. I need to stop by and see your show. I bet it is pretty fantastic."

His eyes widen, showing the different colors in them when Rowan gives that suggestion. "Oh, excellent idea! I didn't even think of that!"

"The sharp thing, yes," Rowan agrees with the braces part. "But my teeth don't ache like having braces ached. They just appeared...and I can tell they're there, but they don't hurt like that." He gives a single chuckle, "I think I got a lighter change than some. I'm not complaining...I was actually thinking about talking to the wardrobe department about fake ones, but this is kind of better, you know?" There's a pause, "I haven't tried eating an apple or going to the dentist yet."

The smile turns a little bashful at the mention of the show, "Same. And you're welcome any time." When the idea is praised, he gives another shrug and works a little more on the hamburger. "I figure...if we don't like what's going on, we can just leave, right? So why not have some fun with it? Unless it's physically or emotionally harming us? I mean, who -doesn't- want to have magic, right? To -look- like we have magic?"

"Yeah." Theo nods when Rowan explains how his teeth don't ache as if they were trapped by braces. Looks down at himself and the lines found there. "New Year's Day, both Jett and I woke up changed. I thought he had left the light on since he tends to keep his room dark. Not realizing it was me being a ball of sunshine." He can laugh about that now.

"I bet it will be okay if you try an apple out. I don't think it would cause a fang to fall out?" He shrugs. He really does not know the answer to that. "I am not a fan of the dentist so I hope you don't have to go there anytime soon."

He smiles when he sees that bashful look. "I will try to come by and catch it the next time I have a moment. I remember you doing some things at the beach bonfire. Whips, right?" Not wishing to mess up the wording.

"Exactly. Or, if we need a break, go hang out on the mainland for a little bit. But for now, I think I am okay with all of this."

"I woke up like it too. Scared the shit out of me when I went to brush my teeth," Rowan admits. "So you always glow? Do. you have to wear a sleep mask to sleep then?"

As far as an apple is concerned, he gives a little smirk, "I've cut one up to eat it...haven't tried biting into it. I mean, I also don't -think- it would do much, but...not sure I want to try in case it does and I -have- to go to the dentist, you know?"

Then there's another little shrug, "No whips at the bonfire. I did a couple coin tricks. It would have been way too erratic at the bonfire. My show usually has both magic and the whips...I try to do 50/50 but sometimes the audience leans one way or another." His grin returns a little, "I'm ok with it too." But his change is relatively minor. So far.

"I have gotten used to the glow. It mutes when I do try to sleep, but that first incident?" Theo shakes his head and laughs. "It was a doozy. If this island is not done with us yet, I am almost afraid of what will happen next. I mean, look at me." He's his own light show. He's gotten used to that, too.

Grinning at the mention of the dentist, "Yeah, fair. I wonder what the dentist thinks of all the changes." He's assuming they have a dentist who is used to all the weirdness here on the islands. Even if this change was recent.

"I don't know why I keep thinking whips." Embarrassment flares in his features when he says that. "I hope you don't think me ill for it."

"No, I do whips too. Just didn't bring them to the bonfire. I mean...first of all, why? And second of all, I wouldn't want someone to get hurt or hurt themselves," trying to drunkenly crack a whip.

"I get you," Rowan nods, "About wondering what could come next. I'm not sure I'd really like to be a vampire. I mean...the drinking blood to survive stuff is pretty grim...and harmful."

So maybe Theo had heard Rowan talk about whips, and that is why it stuck in his head so much. Nodding as Rowan explains why he would not have them at the bonfire.

"I don't think our magic is supernatural?" Theo says slowly because he's not sure. "I feel like it is whimsical more than anything. So maybe you are safe from that thought, and the fangs happened to help enhance your act." Again, he's just theorizing.

Rowan chews some on the burger, dark-lined eyes watching Theo for a long moment until he's able to speak again, "So you think the magic is aware? Of us and what we do and why? I mean, yes, it enhances my act, but does Jett's decaying touch enhance his job here? Or Huck's new animal-like features? Some things that I can do has nothing to do with my act..."

There's another pause, "Unless you think it's just totally random and some of us get a little lucky with it?"

"I actually don't know," Theo admits. "There is something special about this island if the magic only stays here and it doesn't go with us when we leave here. So I do wonder if we are of our own world here?" He shrugs as he says this.

"I don't think Jett's decaying touch affects his job. If it has, he has not informed me of it. I haven't seen Huck lately. He did send me a picture of his eyes when they changed. That was pretty cool."

Nodding when Rowan finally brings it back to what Rowan can and cannot do. "I think it is random, yeah."

"No, I don't think it affects his job either, but it's also not directly related to it right?" Rowan will point out. "So maybe some of us got lucky in that the magic -helps- our jobs here and some are just random...I guess?" His brows draw down in thought, "I dunno. Maybe."

"It might be something we never find an answer to either," Theo says it nonchalantly. He doesn't seem bothered if that is the case. Changing the subject again as he looks out to the skaters as their peers play the Truth and Dare game. "Ever tried to get on one of those? Jett is really good at it. I'd fall on my ass, personally."

Rowan will work on the burger for a little bit, turning his attention to the skaters as Theo mentions them. "Skateboarding?" he asks after a moment. "Naah, not my style. I tried a tightrope once, though. And the trapeze. The trapeze was fun, but I don't think I'd want to be up there all the time. I commend the aerialists for that...I'm not afraid of heights, but I'm afraid of falling from them."

"Everyone has a fear in something." Theo agrees when Rowan tells him what he's afraid of. "I think I should get lessons from Jett. Never really looked into it because I didn't consider myself very athletic but it looks fun to me. And acrobats up in the air? It is thrilling to watch them." He grins as he says that. Must be one of his favorite acts.

"Well," Rowan can't help a fangy grin, "That's a fear I'm willing to admit, anyways." He looks out at the skaters, "If you want to learn, he'd be a good one to go to." He then gives a light shrug, "Never know if you're athletic for skateboarding unless you try. I mean, think of it like an art. Maybe you aren't big into drawing, but you can play the piano. Or maybe you can't dance, but you can make the neatest stuff out of clay. Just depends on the medium, right?"

Theo laughs when he catches sight of that fangy grin. "Thank you for sharing that with me. I know we are still learning about each other, and regardless of what fear it is, I am glad you felt comfortable enough to tell me."

Nodding when Rowan confirms that Jett would be a good teacher from whom to learn skateboarding.

A tip to the side of his head as Theo processes what Rowan is telling him. "Yeah, true. I have another friend who thinks I should run and punch a bag. I agreed to it. So sure, why not skateboarding? Thanks for the encouragement, Rowan. I appreciate that. Is there anything you wish to talk about or anything I could encourage you in?"

"I'm not perfect," Rowan shrugs, "Nor do I pretend to be. People who do...I mean, it's what makes us intesting and unique, right Our imperfections?" Even if it's sometimes hard to accept them. That's in answer to being thanked for sharing.

"I think you can try a bunch of things if they sound interesting and see what feels right." When asked about what he might want to talk about or be encouraged in, he looks thoughtful for a moment before he offers, "Thank you for coming over to talk to me. Sometimes I feel like it's hard to get involved."

"Awe, Rowan. Of course! I think you are a cool cat." But it does seem that the game has ended on the other side of the park, and people are leaving. Theo looks back at Rowan, "Want to grab a coffee or a drink soon? Is that your kind of thing?"

Rowan also looks out at the others as the game seems to end, "I wonder what the worst Truth or Dare was in that crowd?" is asked almost rhetorically before he looks back to Theo with an expression that might be somewhat akin to surprise. "Uh, sure! I don't drink coffee, but I drink tea...and drink some. Thanks. That would be great."

A phone comes out, and Theo hands it to Rowan. "Give me your information, and we can either hit the Vine or Lucky's and go from there?"

Theo looks over at the group as they disperse. "Lucien is your roommate, right? You should ask him about his dare. Theo might have heard about it when he went over there earlier to see how things were going. Needless to say Theo was amused at what Esme dared Lucien to do.

Rowan will take the phone and make it call Rowan's phone so that they both have each other's number. "Thank you, I'd like that." The phone is then handed back even as he gives a smirk.

"Lucien is...and Auggie. And two more cats, a turtle, and an otter. In addition to my own cat. We're a menagerie."

When the information is exchanged, Theo returns his phone to pocket it. Grinning as he hears Rowan's version. "I am friends with both of your roommates. Auggie was pretty excited about the setup. I hope you don't feel outnumbered."

He then raises a hand towards Rowan. "I'm gonna get this cleaned up and be on my way. I am happy you could join us today. You have my information and don't feel you can't reach out. Okay?" Moving to throw out what needs to be thrown away or what he can take back with him. Jett will eat any of the leftovers.

"Sometimes I do," although not necessarily by the critters, Rowan admits. "Thanks for the invitation." He'll then offer to help Theo clean up or pack up whatever needs to be dealt with.