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

[exhound]

[Vander takes up the trek toward the bonfire alongside him, with careful and easy steps. That first comment nearly draws a laugh from him.]

Sounds like your father knows how to have a good time.

[Whether it always proved to be a good time or not, adding alcohol to celebrations was a surefire way of making sure it wasn’t a boring one at the very least. And considering the whole reason their people were out in Alenroux in the first place, it probably wouldn’t hurt to have something on hand to help people loosen up a bit.]

Glad we’re having the chance to let people unwind a bit out here.

[Goodness knows they need it, with everything that’s been going on lately and what’s on the horizon out here.]

[fishfearme]

[It was more Jeralt was too old to give a fuck about things anymore. Over three hundred years in a continent perpetually at odds with each other would turn anyone into a functional alcoholic.]

Yes. Claude taught me the importance of morale, so this is a good opportunity to reenergise those that were beginning to flag. We cannot be combat effective if we lack fighting spirit.

[Byleth was including himself in that. He had spent his first two months in Kenos in a depressive rut before Claude, and whoever his mystery blind date at the masquerade had been (Claude), had delivered a swift kick up his rear and made him realise moping about wasn't going to help anything.]

And I fear more fighting is to come after these recent events...

[exhound]

[There’s a hum of agreement from Vander as they reach their destination and he carefully sets his keg down amongst the rest of the supplies. Morale is important. Morale is something that is proving to be extremely in flux for Vander himself lately, and it is part of the reason he’d made damn sure he could at least be here for this whole affair. The fighting on the horizon, though…]

It’s the whole reason we’re out here, after all.

[Here in Alenroux, with an occupying force. He makes a broad gesture to the forest surrounding them.]

Knew all this was coming, but it still feels like such a headache to deal with on top of everything else back in the cities.

[fishfearme]

[Byleth easily set down his burden as well, pausing to straighten out his tunics where they had rumpled.]

Mm, but it was inevitable something of this nature was going to happen. At least the bandage has been torn off now.

[There was a relief, of sorts, of having the line drawn in the sand and knowing where, exactly, your rival stood. Byleth had been unsure with the ambiguity of Meridian and Zenith's relationship - Yima preached cooperation, Claude desired compromise, who knew what the Zeniths wanted... yet now, in Alenroux at least, they were aggressive rivals competing over a resource. For Byleth, mercenary that he was, he could understand that.]

But you're right, it's yet another commitment to juggle amongst the other events plaguing the factions. This occupation, for one, has thoroughly disrupted a task handed to me by Cetina... after I had gained a promising lead as well...

[exhound]

[Like tearing off a bandage, sure. That’s one way of looking at it. It came with a whole lot of whiplash on Vander’s end, considering the mess he’d been dragged through before getting pulled to his feet to find all of this already in motion. Meridian putting that military might of theirs to use was something he knew was on the horizon, but he’d understandably forgotten about it after over a week spent in a cage.

Maybe making waves here would prove to be for the best, in the end. But until things progressed beyond the tentative standoff the occupation has brought forth, they still had to balance everything else already on their plates.]

What was she having you look into?

[He fixes his attention on Byleth, gaze openly curious.]

Assuming it’s something you can discuss, at least.

[Considering how hush-hush the plans for Alenroux had been, he wouldn’t be surprised there’s more of the same surrounding other tasks handed to the Shard-bearers.]

[fishfearme]

Oh, it's no secret. I was asked to investigate the disappearances of three Shard-bearers.

[Of course, out comes the wanted poster - very crumpled, since it had been shoved into his satchel hanging from his armoured corset - and handed it over to Vander to, um, divine whatever the fuck was on there.]

Birdie Martinson, Hythlodaeus and David Martinez. My most promising lead has been for Birdie - who is not an actual bird - where it's likely her disappearance has been tied to a... 'change in management' for an establishment called 'Draumahol'. I was intending to visit it to learn more, but then the events with Manon, your capture, and this invasion occurred...

[exhound]

[Vander accepts the offered wanted poster, silently raising an eyebrow at the, ah, artistic interpretation of the people on it. But as Byleth elaborates on the names, his eyes narrow in sudden interest when he realizes he recognizes them. Hyth and David are folks he knows—and sure enough, hasn’t seen in quite some time.

Birdie, though? That’s one that’s a little more messy. He’s heard of her, and had even intended to start talking with her about a certain someone before the whole mess surrounding Manon and Aetós had usurped a lot of his time down there in the undercity. Vander figured that took priority; his petty grudge could wait.

Seems like he might’ve been mistaken about that. The moment Byleth elaborates on her disappearance and its probable ties to the shakeup at Draumahol, Vander’s attention abruptly snaps back to him. There’s an intensity to his gaze that has been absent until now, replacing the tired but genial demeanor he’s been carrying.]

I’ve heard much the same, regarding Birdie. [His free hand curls into a tight fist at his side, and he pauses momentarily to take a steadying breath.] Been meaning to look into it myself, since I’ve got a sinking feeling that I might know who’s behind it.

[Did he have any hard proof? No, not yet. But if Raine had been right about Birdie being eager for info on Silco a few months back, then it probably wasn’t a coincidence.]

[fishfearme]

[Byleth blinked, actually taken aback at how serendipitous this whole thing was. Yet another breakthrough lead, just throwing itself into his path?!]

Is that so...

[Yet, as pleased as Byleth was about this development, he had noticed Vander's darkened mood. It meant Byleth's suspicions were all but confirmed: whoever now 'owned' Draumahol was likely the culprit of Birdie's disappearance. While he could give this information to Cetina and consider that particular case closed, he still needed to find out if the other two were linked to Draumahol, or if Birdie was just an outlier, falling to the mundane machinations of the criminal underworld.]

...then, may I ask you to aid me in the next step of my investigation? As I said, I was planning on visiting Draumahol to interrogate the new front owner myself, but I'm aware of the dangers. It wouldn't do to become 'disappeared' myself.

[Not that he'd make it easy for them. He was called 'Ashen Demon' for a reason.]

[exhound]

If it is who I think it is, then you’re right to be cautious. The man’s an underhanded rat who wouldn’t think twice about making moves against someone poking around his business.

[There’s a clear undercurrent of anger there, an anger that Vander isn’t usually keen on making so apparent in front of others. It’s harder than usual to mask it though, and so he doesn’t.]

So I’d be glad to lend a you a hand there.

[He moves to return the wanted poster to Byleth, his other hand reaching out to give the younger man a firm pat on the shoulder. His head dips in a resolute nod.]

Just name the day and I’ll be ready.

[fishfearme]

[Byleth accepted the wanted poster, but paused at the shoulder pat, unused to people casually touching him. It wasn't a bad thing, just unfamiliar.]

Ah, thank you...

[He stared at Vander for a moment longer before shaking off whatever odd feeling had come over him, and stowed his wanted poster back into his satchel where it belonged. With his hands now free, he crossed his arms and planted his feet shoulder width apart, his head tilted downwards in a thoughtful posture.]

For now, the situation here is stablising. Meridian's position is fairly entrenched and enough Shard-bearers are here to assist the soldiers in fighting the monsters at night. At the very least, Dimitri counts as an army unto himself.

[Byleth recalled how his strength had made even him stagger when he had fought him back in his world. Dimitri could probably grab these monsters by their tails and simply swing them off the island.]

In which case, I'll resume my investigation by the end of the month. It's best to get to the bottom of this, to find out if Birdie's disappearance is an outlier, or if it's linked to the other two. If so, we can try to put a halt to it before more 'disappearances' occur.

[Which is the most important thing in Byleth's mind: normal criminal manoeuvring? Nothing to be concerned about. Something darker at work in the background? Definitely something to be concerned about, especially with this 'Aetos' skulking about...]

[exhound]

[Thankfully, they did have the support of Springstar’s well-prepared army to keep things stable out here. The Shard-bearers certainly have their work cut out for them, but it should be safe to leave things in their hands until Zenith starts making some obvious moves.]

Yeah, it’s best we get to the bottom of all of this before it gets out of hand.

[There’s enough danger lurking out around these parts as it is. Vander knows that all too well now. And sure, digging around into the whereabouts of a dangerous person is probably what got him into the mess he’d escaped only days ago, but that’s not going to stop him. This is important.

He tucks his hands into his coat pockets, turning all this information over in his mind for a moment.]

I spend a fair amount of time down in Kowloon myself. I’ll keep an eye and an ear out next time I head out there for any signs of the other two. It’s… been a while since I’ve heard form either of them, so I’m not sure I’ll have much luck. But it’s worth a shot.

[fishfearme]

Yes, I've wandered Kowloon myself, but my investigation turned up little.

[Because Byleth's method of investigation was literally walking up to someone, wanted poster in hand, and demand if they had seen these missing persons. Needless to say, he got nowhere fast.]

However, I'm inexperienced when it comes to investigations like these. I'm capable of hunting high priority targets on battlefields, or if they flee during a rout, but attempting to pick up cold trails is... beyond my capability.

[Not to say he's never done bounty hunting, but such people were pretty easy to find, especially if they were a certain someone well known for ripping his shirt off in public and loudly declaring himself the "King of Grappling" before beating up all the guards. Balthus's trail of destruction could be tracked by a blind man.]

I'll accept whatever help or advice you can give.

[exhound]

Sniffing around for clues in a town like Kowloon is definitely a lot different than storming a battlefield, that’s for sure.

[There’s faint amusement there just barely tinting the edge of his words, but he admires the young man’s initiative. Got his heart in the right place, at least.]

People tend to be cagey when it comes to things like these, so you’ve got to choose your words and your approach carefully. I’ll ask around some of the friendlier faces I know down there, see if there’s anything they might know.

[A long shot, like he said. Trying to hunt down any information on Manon and Aetós had already taken a lot of time to turn up anything promising. But there’s no way to know until he tries.]

[fishfearme]

I see. So, it requires a more delicate and charismatic touch.

[In which case, he may have to leave that part of the investigation in Vander's hands, or reach out to Claude which - he was hesitant to do so, as he had leaned so much on him recently. Byleth didn't want to become too heavy of a burden. He needed to be able to stand on his own two feet here.]

...

[It was subtle, but Byleth's blank expression gained a slightly downcast hint to it.]

I feel that Cetina chose poorly when nominating me for this investigation. I struggle to interact with others in general, but attempting to subtly interrogate people on matters they may not wish to speak of is almost impossible for me. If only it was as simple as raiding a bandit camp and rescuing hostages...

[exhound]

Well, there’s nothing wrong with preferring a more straightforward approach.

[It would certainly make life a lot easier. The kid might be harder to read than most, but if his words are any indication, Vander can tell there’s some disappointment there. He gives him an encouraging nudge and a tired smile to go along with it.]

Just think of it as a learning experience. We all have to start somewhere with these things. And in the meantime, you’ve got help if you need it.