Jaspers quarters weren't much, but he wasn't expecting much. It was about the size of a closet. There was a bed, a barrel for a night stand, a chest for stuff, and things hanging on the wall. He sat on the bed and patted next to him. Taru slowly sat down, looking around. "How… nice…"
"Probably not as good as whatever you've seen. I mean you must have a pretty amazing place…" He hummed.
Taru had to keep himself from making a face. His place was alright. He honestly just took the first place he could find that was far enough from his family but not too far from his job… it was a normal apartment though. "It's… functional." He spoke slowly. "Did you just come in here to start getting onto me about how I am cause I really am not in the mood-"
"Ah no no you misunderstand really, I truly am interested in you, my phrasing may have come off as a bit accusatory so I apologize." He stood. "Do you like strong drinks?" He began pouring something.
Taru looked away slightly. "… Too much…"
"Would you like some? This is one I've had hidden in here for a while, it should've aged nicely." He offered a glass.
Taru stared at it, before at him. His experience of sharing drinks with others is usually… weird. It's either with Pluto in which they just insult each other or random others where he ends up sleeping with them…
Well.
He did technically share one with Jemm when they met, and he's better than alright. Maybe this won't be too bad? Yeah. He should be more trusting of others! Finding the good or something!

He took the glass and took a sip- holy shit that's strong. He started coughing and Jasper sat next to him, laughing a bit. "It's a bit rough isn't it? This one I made myself. The captain really likes it so I have to keep a bit hidden in here to keep her from drinking it up when I set it out. This one though I forgot I hid in here until recently. I figured I'd keep it until I had a special guest. As it happened you and your crew showed up. So now I have reason." He held his cup towards him. "We are allies, so allies should be comfortable to partake in mead and speak."
Taru turned, he had his face in the cup still… he slowly lowered it and pressed his cup to Jaspers. He slowly nodded in agreement. "Y…eah… course…" He continued sipping his drink.
Jasper also began to drink his, sneaking looks at him every so often. "So, what do you like to do outside of working?"
Taru squinted. Man this shit was strong… it was actually getting to him and he was only half done. "Uhh… I uh… do stuff… like… walking?" He spoke slowly. "I don really… do stuff… nless Jemm asks me to go…" He put his face back into his cup.
Jasper leaned back, smiling slightly. "Jemm… are you two together?"
Taru choked and coughed, wiping his face of the liquid that had splashed up from him doing so. "Wuh? N… nooo no… he's jus my assistant… and my roomie… but das all…" He shook his head. "I douby he'sh terested in… me." He set the cup down, wow he actually finished it all. As was visible.

Jasper blinked a moment before tilting his head slightly. "You're adorable though, why wouldn't anyone be interested in you? If it makes you feel better I find you quite interesting."
Taru blinked slowly. Is he being nice or sarcastic?
"Why…" He spoke under his breath. "I…ff ucked… up me hair… and emotions… make me eel gros." He closed his eyes. "Whys… at inchresting…"
Jasper finished his cup and set both on the chest. "I think your hair is nice, not often you see an elf with three toned hair." He reached out and plucked a strand, pinching it between his fingers as he examined the frayed red ends. "The red of your shorter hair pairs nice with how purple the rest of your hair is…" He let go of it.

Taru grabbed at his shorter hair after he let go and stared at it. His hair… was always sore to him. Why did it change like that?? He cut it years ago so it was clear it wasn't ever gonna grow back… what the hell kind of curse is that? He wanted to slip away and be unnoticed but instead he made himself even more noticeable by accident.
Jasper leaned closer, their faces were getting quite close. "As for feelings… I don't know you… I can't give any reason why I'd think other wise. Though seeing how fond the Ice queen is about you and how your friends clearly look out for you I don't believe you're scaring anyone away with your demeanor."
Taru blinked… and then again… wait he's actually being nice what the hell?
That thought crossed his mind. That's awful he can't actually consider that he doesn't know this guy…
He didn't know the others either though…
"I… w… what… do you think… makes deep connection…" Taru spoke quietly.
Jasper smiled, tilting his head slightly. "I think… speaking and getting to know another more than surface level can form deep connections… and although we've talked for a little, I've already learned a bit about you I don't think I would've learned had we stayed out there."
His hand brushed his cheek, before he gently grabbed his chin to level their eyes.
Ah fuck.

"Hello… hi… are you there?" Yoshi waved her sleeve in front of Jemm's face. He had been staring at where the two went off to but after so much more waving he finally turned his attention to Yoshi. "Oh- yeah hey sorry…" He shook his head.
Yoshi crossed her arms and squinted. "You've just been staring off this whole time and I was trying to talk to you!" She huffed.
"Yeah yeah sorry dude I just- hold on a second…" he was about to walk away but the one they met earlier came back, throwing their arms around him and placing a hand on Yoshi's head, much to her anger.
"Hey y'all! How's our honored guests doin? Enjoying the party?" Mercyi laughed, Jemm smiled slightly and Yoshi swatted their hand off of her. "Oh wait ones missin, where's red horns?"
"Your friend took him off somewhere when we got back…" Jemm pointed. Mercyi made a very surprised face before they stood straight. "Huh, odd. Jasper usually doesn't like talking to folks unless it's for official business…"
"Maybe he's got a business proposal for Taru." Yoshi snorted. Jemm did not find that funny, he just looked off into the distance.

Imani simply watched them all from a distance. When Vyshima offered her a cup she took it and they bumped their cups together before she began drinking. "Do you feel it too? There's a weird feeling in the air… it started when the sun went down. Is there aught you have to tell me?"
The Captain hummed, lowering her mug. "There's been a lotta reports of fractals swimming in the waters… we've only seen small ones but still… the waves kick up fierce sometimes. Without the wind." She set the mug down and walked over to the railing, Imani followed suit.
"You believe somethings in the water?" She looked over at her and she nodded.
"I don't just believe. I know it. But we can't do nothin until it pops its head up… and based on the waves it kicks that's gonna be worse than leavin it alone." The Captain sighed. "Honestly… I've contemplated canceling the festival… these sea ones aren't the same as the dwellers you deal with… they're even more viscous when it comes to noise."

Imani turned to her, placing her arms over her shoulders. Vyshima looked up at her for a moment, before a grin spread across her face. "You wanna fight it anyways doncha?"
"That is my job…" She hummed. "Besides it's not just me here. Those three kids work quite well together and I have faith they can hold things down while we deal with the fractal."
Vyshima smiled. "You're fond of them huh? It's nice to see… when I first met you you were all business and little spice."
"And yet you still tried over and over again to get me to stay longer than half a day by showing me the town and your office and your ti-" Vyshima spoke up quickly to cut Imani off. "Woah woah woah- Save that for when its just us icy baby."
Imani just smiled and stood straight, folding her hands in front of her. The two looked out over the party again before humming.

Taru opened his eyes, clothes only slightly disheveled but they were just laying facing each other. Or more he was facing Jasper and Jasper was staring at the ceiling. He looked over when he noticed Taru awake and sat up. "Are you feeling good now?"
He did not remember shit. He should really stop drinking.
"Uh… y…yeah… what happened…" Taru shook his head.
"We kissed." He began fixing his buttons. Well Taru inferred that much…
"Uh huh…"
"And then you began to tell me about your feelings. You said something about it not working between us either and how lonely you are." He shrugged. Though as he turned back to Taru he still had his same smile. "I'm assuming there's a reason you allowed me to do that without freaking out… I promise, everything will stay in this room."

Taru ran his hand through his hair before shaking his head and fluffing his hair up. "Uh… It's just… I'm not…" He trailed off before taking a deep breath. "I want to know what a connection feels like… But no matter how many guys i talk to or even sleep with i still don't understand what I'm doing!" He got up. "I mean… doing the former I'm so weird and no one gives me a chance the moment they see my hair and… and then the other it makes me feel gross and i hate it and it has nothing to do with the others I just… being touched like that… and touching others like that… it makes my skin crawl and i can't stand it." He buried his face in his hands before moving them through his hair.

Jasper tilted his head slightly. "Have… you tried telling-" The boat rocked really violently. And soon after there was rapid knocking before the door opened. It was Jullietta. "Jas… the captain said she needs us all cause of a wave." She hummed. Jasper waved and smiled, walking up to her. "Alright, we'll be right out, tell her that."
Jullie nodded and walked away. Taru turned to walk out but Jasper first turned and smiled back at him. "I have truly grown to like you even though we have only spoke briefly. However I can sympathize with having thoughts not easily said aloud. Because of this I won't burden you with any promise or deep confessions. We are allies and nothing more… I believe that you'll find someone close to you though." He nodded and walked out.
Damn did he just get rejected without even asking anything… he kinda wished he could still be forgetting stuff right now… Taru shook his head and followed him out.

Everyone was standing on the deck staring down into the sea. Beneath the darkened waters they could see scaly reflective crystals moving, glowing and pulsing with mana. A sea locked fractal. It slithered around under every boat before going off towards the horizon… several of them.
"Mercyi… we're going to set sail towards that. I want Jasper and you with me. Jullie will take the twins and our three guests to the shore to watch for any beasts that try to come back this way. I want this festival to go on without any casualties." She called. They all nodded and scattered, going to their stations. Jullie motioned Yoshi, Taru, and Jemm to follow her but Taru turned and walked over to Imani. "Are you staying-" He started but she placed her hand on his head. "I will be alright. You needn't worry about me."
He was about to speak up again but the boat shook heavily again. She turned towards them fully and took off her cape, folding it and placing it in his arms. "Here, you can use this if you find anyone cold. Now I am asking you as a high elf to uphold your duty here and keep the shore safe from fractals. Can I trust you."
Taru stared down at her cape, before he closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes… Miss Msuya…"
"Imani… I've already told you to call me that instead." She waved as he joined the others and they got off.
The Captain simply smiled at her before turning back to the sea. "Time to clean up."