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open | a merry meri mingle
Who: Meridians new & old!
What: Cookout mingle
Where: Alenroux
When: Mid-March, after Vander's rescue
Warnings: Potentially alcohol consumption and violence, for the rowdy
PREPARATION:
THE EVENT:
What: Cookout mingle
Where: Alenroux
When: Mid-March, after Vander's rescue
Warnings: Potentially alcohol consumption and violence, for the rowdy
After the initiation of Springstar's invasion plans for Alenroux, tensions among the Meridian-aligned might be a bit strained. The move comes as a surprise even for many of the shard-bearers within the faction itself, to say nothing of those whose livelihoods depend on the farms here. It's not yet clear what Highstorm's response will be, but one will certainly be coming; when that happens, someone is going to come out on the bottom, and their blood will be at least partially on Meridian's hands.
At times like this, the importance of maintaining morale can't be understated. A call goes out to the newest generation of those harmonized with Meridian's light: it's time to have a party!
PREPARATION:
Those who can are invited to help with the set-up. There are drinks to procure, foodstuffs to acquire and prepare, canopies to erect for shade, entertainments to organize. It's not meant to be a grand affair — the gathering is private, intended to foster camaraderie among the shard-bearers after long days and nights of work — but it will be a comfortable one, with edibles and enjoyments to offer to those taking solace in the company of their fellows.
It takes one of Alenroux's long days to make all the necessary arrangements — and then, late the following morning, after the night's monsters have slunk back into the woods, things are made ready. All that's left is for the guests to arrive.
THE EVENT:
Spring is still in the midst of taking hold over Alenroux, so a tall bonfire at the centre of the gathering place offers a toasty place to linger and chat throughout the day. Hot drinks and a variety of fire-roasted foods are on offer, including an entire deer helpfully supplied and prepared by Liem. Logs and stumps provide simple seating, and nearby canopies provide shade around the tables of food and drink. A little further away, sturdy tents provide more private gathering places for those wishing for a break from the hubbub.
And there will be hubbub. To break the ice between unfamiliar faces, a variety of contests have been set up over the course of the gathering. These range from simple arm-wrestling competitions, to three-legged races, to friendly sparring matches for those so-inclined. Gathered Meris are encouraged to spectate and bet amongst themselves on contest outcomes — and better yet, to volunteer to participate themselves during the next round.
For those who have already had a chance to relax and let off some steam, the gathering is a perfect opportunity to get to know one's fellow sect-mates a little better, and to reaffirm why Meridian called to them in the first place. Those gathered are encouraged to take the chance to tell a few tales about the place they came from, and to share the visions inside their Sunbeam with those from other worlds. A favourite place, a cherished person, an unkept promise, even an old enemy: all could be worth revisiting for a moment with new comrades in arms.
02
[ Dimitri seems confident enough. Although perhaps he's cheating a little because heh as a crest... ]
And if I taste defeat, it's to a worthy opponent. Besides... it seems fun, doesn't it?
[ He knows he and Hayame have butted heads (to put it politely) before, but he doesn't see any reason to let that interfere today. This is supposed to be about coming together as a group, isn't it? ]
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And their instructor's brow twitches.]
Excuse them.
[They might be going to start collecting gambling bets on this match from the people around watching.]
Sit. You look strong for a human.
[It's been tough trying not to break arms.]
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[ He laughs and strips out of his coat and down to his shirtsleeves. He's actually got some impressive strength under there. The gambling he will politely ignore, for all of that. He settles down and starts to situate himself, getting a little comfortable. ]
I have no small measure of strength. Although arm-wrestling isn't something I do often...
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[Hayame mutters it as if it's far more negative a trait than he's viewing it, but the two don't seem phased at all. In fact, they're already busy going to hype the crowd up (and maybe take bets). As Dimitri sits, Hayame watches his arms, sizing him up as she wipes her hand...
And then holds out the cloth.]
Me neither. Wipe.
[All this bare hand touching in front of a crowd... disgusting, even as a battle contest. If it wasn't actually life and death, was it really a battle? He says he's strong, but-]
Aren't you human?
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[ he takes the cloth and dries his hands carefully, already sizing her up a little. He's seen her in action a few times, so there's something interesting about getting closer and about to challenge her very real strength. He doesn't know if he'll win... but he'll make an effort. ]
I am. [ He affirms as he sets the cloth aside and starts to set himself. ]
But my birthright includes a crest - a element of my blood that grants me great strength.
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[She lumps them all in together. There's "magic", "technology", and then everything else... is "supernatural". Fine. She won't even tell him not to use it at first, unaware of her own body's ability to reject such things.
As he sits, she stretches. Though her upper half looks rather human... beneath the surface, the muscles are corded together differently, anchored in a far more powerful equine base.]
I don't get how your blood does it, but I don't care. Tell the gamblers if you want.
[A couple of the audience are trying to figure out what a "Crest" is and whether they should change their bets.]
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[ He laughs quietly and then glances at the people collecting bets and shrugs. ]
I've been known to snap lance-hafts on accident. Take that as you will.
[ He settles in and offers his hand, waiting. ]
I figure I may as well try and offer a challenge.
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[If it sounds like she's being contrary... Honestly, she isn't enjoying this event, and it's only an attempt to be "kind" to her troops that she's even indulging them like this in the first place, so. He'll have to blame the two cheerleaders.
But she squares up, making a look of distaste at the closeness, and then clasps his hand. A woman would likely normally have a smaller hand than this man, but considering her overall size... it's more even.]
But very well.
[The simian woman bounds over to pump up the crowd, counting down 3, 2, 1... !]
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But unbeknownst even to herself, Hayame has a power of her own. One that could slowly weaken supernatural advantages closer to her, returning to a reliance on biology...
With a glare, completely serious even with this strange farce of a contest... Hayame begins pressing her opponent's arm towards the rock, muscles bulging.]
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His jaw clenches as something slips, just a bit, and he has to give a bit of ground. He redoubles his efforts, trying to claw back what he's lost, hoping to make this a good fight if nothing else... ]
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She stops trying to hold back for fear that he was of human strength, trying for a sudden surge of strength to slam his arm back towards the rock.]
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I - yield. Well-done-!
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The moment she achieves victory and his knuckles hit the rock, she releases the fierce press of strength she'd levered against him and removes her hand from his. There's a few signs of strain on her face, the flush of her skin and stand-out veins, and that... that is unusual. A normal human she would have beaten without breaking a sweat, and so-]
You are quite strong for a human.
[She spreads and stretches her fingers in reflection, quietely impressed.]
Well-done yourself.
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[ Dimitri smiles, massaging his shoulder a little in the aftermath. He's feeling some of the strain himself and takes a moment to mop at his brow. ]
Your strength is quite impressive. I don't think I've ever met anyone who could exceed me like that.
[ He looks at her curiously. ]
Is arm-wrestling something you do often?
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[When it came to raw muscle, that was. She thinks of Matsukaze, and his form seemingly hewn from the very stone of the mountains he called home. Mountain jinba had that advantage. But she doesn't wish to think of them, or him, for a single moment. Not here, not now.
Thankfully, she is asked a question that she obviously views as stupid- if her facial expression is anything to go on. Is this something she does often?]
I normally have far more important things to be doing than child's games like this. You may thank my subordinates for this show.
[The monkey-like woman and the six-armed man look like they're expecting some payback for this.]
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[ He seems cheery about that, though. And quite happy to have met her, for all that. Even if she does seem offended at his question. He laughs and glances at her followers and gives them a nod. ]
Then I'll offer my thanks to them as well. Whether a child's game or not, it's still worth bonding, isn't it? Meeting one another, finding out our strengths, seeing more of each other... working together is more than being perfunctory.
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I did not come here to bond.
[Meeting one another? Seeing more of each other? She didn't need such weak attachments to accomplish her goals, and she didn't relish having to indulge in them if she didn't have to. So it was best to be clear, then.]
You can thank my subordinates and be on your way.
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[ Dimitri does dim a little at her sour attitude, but he's not about to let that stop him. ]
But if you do not wish my company, I won't burden you.