open | a merry meri mingle

[sterngaze]

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

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.

Comments

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[muchalucha]

[ Quetzalcoatl may be new to Kenos and Meridian, but right away, she stands out. She’s tall and, well, colorful, and she’d jumped into the tasks at hand without hesitation, if needing direction… But, by the time they get a little time to relax, she has a new task in mind. She wants to meet all of her fellow Meri, obviously.

So, even though he’s away from the rest of the group, Quetzalcoatl approaches him without any hesitation whatsoever. The gun isn’t anything she focuses on all that much (Servants are just as odd, so she’s not going to judge), but instead, it’s definitely the dirt. She puts her hands on her knees to brace herself as she leans over to try and see what he’s digging out, but there’s an easy smile on her face. ]

Mm, something good buried there?

[passio]

Huh?

[ dextera was honestly so absorbed in his self-assigned that he hadn’t noticed her approach, and he initially flinches away from the color and general presence of another person. ]

Um…

[ he’s embarrassed when he realizes he’s been “caught” by a large, lovely woman, and he hastily withdraws his hand from the hole he’s been digging to wipe it off on his shirt. saved by mere seconds, a worm wriggles in the gap he’s left. ]

[muchalucha]

[ Quetzalcoatl watches his reaction curiously and tilts her head slightly as she just watches him. What a shy young man, she thinks! She has to pause for a moment to consider how to continue with that since her loud, sunny presence is definitely… a lot… for people that are more introverted, but the thought is also quickly gone as the little bit of movement catches her attention. ]

Oh, un amiguito?

[ Rather than stand over him, she crouches next to him instead to take a better look. Plus, it probably is just friendlier to not tower over him. ]

That means the land is healthy indeed!

[passio]

[ “shy” is not wrong in this case, though it’s more just like quietly ashamed. her reaction, however, is a weight off his shoulders. the worm is what he was looking for, for reasons that he can’t and won’t explain to someone he just met, but since he can’t continue while being watched, he just plucks the worm from its little hole. ]

…

[ plump and saturated with color, it wobbles bodily as he… lifts his palm to show it to her.

quieres?? ]

[muchalucha]

[ She leans closer to take a better look and…! Yep, that’s a worm! That’s pretty much all she knows! But still, she’ll give their new little friend a friendly little poke, though it’s essentially a way to say hello. ]

Mm, lindo!

[ And actually, yeah, after giving him a little poke, she’ll very gently take the worm after all. ]

Were you looking for him for a reason, hm?

[passio]

[ girls love worms.

at least, this girl loves worms; every time he looks into his sunbeam crystal, he’s reminded of all the failed gifts he’s given. this wasn’t necessarily intended for her, but it seems it’s gone over well.

finally, he cautiously reaches out through communions. ]

Worms help the land. That’s what I’ve heard.

[muchalucha]

[ She’s surprised when he reaches out through Communion first, but her expression brightens easily as she returns it. Much like the woman herself, her presence in Communion is bright and warm. It’s very akin to the warmth of a perfect, sunny spring day. Since he’s speaking through Communion now, she does the same. ]

Sí, sí! It’s a good sign for healthy land. It means food can grow here. I see why we wanted to make sure that Alenroux was ours.

[ Sharing with Zeniths, technically, but. In her war-oriented mind, no, it’s Meridian’s now… ]

I guess you’re new to farming then, yes?