kenoslogs | 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

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[diluc can make things work as long as the pieces are of high quality. he can do the deceiving, though he much prefers just storming in and hacking whomever is in his way. he acknowledges that that isn't often the best coarse of action, though. sometimes, a little subterfuge and deception is necessary.

he listens carefully to byleth's explanation.

what the hell is an oracle. other than, well, someone who divines the future or some shit.]

...A Blight? [that sounds alarming!! why are they just sitting around having a cookout happily!!!] Some sort of sickness affecting the crops, I assume? The occupation of Alenroux makes much more sense now, despite the obvious setbacks.

And these Oracles- they're...?

We have no idea what the Oracles are.

[Blunt!]

Their nature is mysterious, but gaining them is required to succeed in our respective faction's ambitions. Zenith has one, we assume, whereas Meridian have none. It means that many within our group are eager to win the next race, when it comes round.

[So, their faction is already on the backfoot, but it has lit a fire under everyone's asses to make sure the next race for the Oracle won't be so easy for Zenith... never mind the last one was just all of them fumbling around in the figurative dark, equally lost.]

However, it means morale has been rather low, and stress high. That's the reason for this gathering, I assume. It's intended to uplift our spirits and ensure we remain on task, rather than giving into despair.

[hey, diluc appreciates the bluntness. he cares so little for small talk and roundabout explanations. he just wants to get to the point, and byleth got him there.]

I see. [he's definitely going to have to ask kaeya about what the oracle has done to help zenith in their goals. especially since no one knows what these oracles are? and presumably how they work either?]

Is it a literal race?

[he's not the fastest actually oops... but if it's just a metaphorical race, he could offer his skills then.

he glances around at the gathering, where people are indeed laughing and happily reminiscing on their worlds and people they knew - or eating or playing games. it's the kind of atmosphere diluc prefers to see rather than participate in, but he's glad that morale has not sunk SO low that people have lost all hope.]

It seems the festivities have done the opposite for you. But have hope - we mustn't give up. We must simply press forward and seize it for ourselves no matter the cost. It may be easier said than done, but without that mindset, we are doomed before we even start.

[At the 'is it a literal race' question, Byleth did a very helpful shrug. Technically it was a race, but if only it were as simple as reaching the finish line first - he could cheat with the Divine Pulse and win every time...]

I've no intention of giving up, not while the possibility of returning to my world remains, but...

[He shook his head slightly, frustrated with himself. If only he were a heartless demon like so many thought of him back in his world: a demon wouldn't become so uselessly gloomy at the mere reminder of home and how far away Jeralt was. A demon would be rolling up their sleeves and diligently getting to work... whatever that work may be. Maybe wrestling Yima into a headlock and telling her to surrender, he didn't know.]

It's homesickness. Nothing more. It'll pass, as all things do.

[what would your students think if they caught you cheating, byleth... ~~if they were around to see you cheat in the first place~~

diluc understands where byleth is coming from, though, as far as one can even compare being homesick for a destroyed planet and being homesick and just being far away from home.

but hey, if byleth needs someone else to beat yima up, he can just ask diluc. he's got a few things to say about her lying to kaeya about him being dead...]

It is good to see that your heart is still in it.

[he still has a question though...] My apologies for so many questions, but do the faction leaders even know exactly what the Oracles are?

[It's okay, this is Hopes Byleth, he's meant to be a bad influence (and a terrifying boss fight).]

Mn, I'm not sure... I've never directly questioned Cyrus or Yima about their nature. I'm merely awaiting orders to claim one whenever they appear.

[now this... this diluc doesn't understand. just waiting around to be told to do something. he supposes that that's just what mercenaries do, though. just wait until someone comes to pay them for their services.]

You don't question either of their motives? Or the way they do things?

I questioned Yima once why she preaches cooperation when conflict is inevitable between our factions, but her platitudes dissatisfied me. I saw no point in wasting my time further in asking any other questions.

[He doubted they'd even tell the truth anyways. He trusted neither Yima or Cyrus. He trusted no one but a very small, select few that he could count on one hand.]

Hmm. Indeed, especially since we are both vying for the same resources, the Oracles in this case. One could argue it is because we need the same resources that conflict is inevitable.

[he looks off into the distance, lost a little in thought.]

And yet, Yima has a hold on the others that have survived from my world. While I don't begrudge them for their choices, it is baffling to me that they aren't trying to bring our worlds back when there's even a sliver of a chance.

[To Byleth, it wasn't baffling at all. It was perfectly logical, because...]

It may be that they'd prefer the certainty of saving one valuable thing from their world, rather than gambling on the slim chance of saving it... only to lose it all. It's human nature to weigh things that are personally important to you over the abstract whole.

[he thinks back to when kaeya told him he had been given diluc's shard and shakes his head, sighing. kaeya is definitely not someone who gambles with the abstract and things like hope and chance. diluc still can't grasp it, but whatever. it just means the burden is on his shoulders of the ones from teyvat to bring it back.]

That is their prerogative. Whatever soothes the ache of losing our homes, may they take solace in it.

[he gestures toward byleth.]

The same could be said for you. Do not lose heart. [a funny thing to say to byleth in particular, unless in hopes he does have his heart.]

open | a merry meri mingle

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