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

[leicesters]

What's this? A cunning scheme to persuade me to share a tent with you tonight?

--Haha, just kidding.

[unless...? 😳]

[fishfearme]

It'd be difficult to gauge your snoring levels if we didn't share a tent or bed.

[Byleth, of course, taking it seriously despite the 'just kidding'.]

Though, admittedly, I wouldn't mind the company in general. I find sleep at night difficult here. So, having someone I trust nearby may aid me in that respect.

[No Jeralt had him twitchy, even now.]

[leicesters]

[Ironic how someone who had once proclaimed himself the embodiment of distrust is in fact trusted enough by not one, but two members of Meridian enough to look out for them while they sleep. Joking and flirting aside, he knows what paranoia can do to a person, and he's not about to make light of that.]

...All right. I know things are pretty tense at the minute, so of course I'll stick with you.

[fishfearme]

Thank you. I'm aware it places a burden on you for my benefit, so feel free to ask a favour in return if you require it.

[Byleth still stuck in the 'relationships are, at the end of the day, purely transactional' phase of socialising with people.]

[leicesters]

We're friends, aren't we? So it's not a burden. Just tell me if I snore or not, and I'll consider your end of the bargain upheld.

[If it has to be phrased in transactional terms at all, might as well make it clear he doesn't take it seriously.]

[fishfearme]

[In true Byleth fashion, he takes it seriously.]

Very well. I'll pay close attention whilst you sleep to inform you of your snoring status.

[leicesters]

Just make sure you actually get some sleep yourself, okay? That's more important.

[He can imagine Byleth taking his duties a little too seriously and staying up all night so he can deliver an accurate Snore Report (TM).]

[fishfearme]

[He would. And Claude would wake up with Byleth staring directly at his face about two inches away which would likely shave off several years of his life.]

Yes, not to worry. I'm already compiling a shift schedule to balance both sleep and observation.

[Uh, well... that's something at least.]

In any case, it's my turn again, is it not? Hmm, never have I ever... had... mmn... siblings?

[leicesters]

[A... sleep schedule. Wow. Now he regrets even suggesting it as a joke.]

Yeah, you're an only child, right?

[Claude, on the other hand, takes a drink.] Not including your twin brother somewhere out there with your name who looks and acts almost just like you.

[fishfearme]

The Byleth that exists in the alternative timeline does not count as a sibling.

[He's an alternative version of himself, something totally different! Byleth even pouted a little... just a little.]

Otherwise you could count the Claude in my world as your twin brother.

[leicesters]

Wouldn't your Claude be like my twin, though? Someone who looks like me and has gone through a lot of the same life experiences, but they're not quite the same... It's close enough.

[But Byleth seems to be pouting, and he seems to have successfully dodged any further questioning about his actual siblings, so Claude moves things along.]

Never have I ever won a sparring match against my father.

[fishfearme]

[Notably, Byleth didn't take a sip.]

I only 'won' the sparring matches where Jeralt was confirming my knowledge on certain techniques and arts.

[No point teaching someone a move and then just absolutely destroying them at the sparring match afterwards. No, to date, in a serious sparring match, Byleth has never won against Jeralt. His father was too wily, too experienced, and also wasn't afraid to cheat to win. 'Survival is all that matters', that's what he told him, and he ensured that lesson was beaten into Byleth's very bone marrow.]

Was your father equally formidable, Claude?

[leicesters]

So you've never beaten him for real? That's impressive.

[Byleth's skill is nothing to sniff at, but apparently Jeralt really is on another level... Or Byleth had simply never been interested in winning. To his question, he nods.]

Yeah, he kind of has to be. Though I'd say my mother is way, way more formidable. [He laughs.] She could send my old combat instructor packing any day of the week like it was nothing.

[fishfearme]

I see. She sounds like she'd be an interesting opponent to cross blades with.

[It was rare to get Claude talking about his family, so Byleth decided to try his luck.]

What weapon does your mother specialise in? Is it the bow like yourself?