kenoslogs | open | a merry meri mingle

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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

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

I would rather peace than not. Conflict has dogged my steps all my life. I've embraced it at times and fled from it at others. But... finding a place where we can build and help others rather than spill blood on the battlefield... that's my hope. My dream.

[ He glances at Byleth after a moment, his brow furrowed. That was honestly a good question. One he couldn't entirely answer. ]

When I was king, I was busy, regardless. But... there's training. Upkeep. Maintenance. I suppose... well. What do you enjoy doing, Byleth? What is it you like to do when you aren't preparing for war or fighting?

Hm...

[Well, there were a few things.]

I enjoy fishing, of course. It's a productive use of your time, and it can be relaxing. But if there's no river or lake to cast my line, then I pass the time reading romance novels.

[Yes, you heard that right: romance novels.]

Or listening to stories in general. Then when it grows too dark to read, I stargaze. The vast expanse with their countless stars is endlessly fascinating, especially if you find entertainment in creating your own constellations amongst them.

[Something about Byleth's expression seemed to light up fractionally at the talk of stars and... wasn't this a little familiar? Didn't he talk at length about how amazing stars were with someone at the masquerade?]

Stargazing!

[ That does tickle his memory, honestly. He wonders if it's a coincidence. ]

I knew about your love of fishing, of course, but you're right... there isn't much of that to be done here. Although I'm sure we could find something for you to read...

[ He pauses, debating on whether to follow this line of questioning. ]

...I met someone a little while ago who was likewise enamored with the stars. Your words made me think of them.

Oh?

[Byleth seemed intrigued. Was there another person fascinated with the stars like him? The few he spoke about to had only mild interest, and only because Byleth had brought it up... and it had been at the masquerade. If there were others who shared his love of the night sky, then maybe he should lead in with that in conversation from now on.]

I'm always happy to hear of a fellow stargazer. Are they in Meridian?

I can't say for certain. It was during the masquerade, so... you understand I didn't know their identity. We talked about the constellations they might have known at home and how different the stars are here.

[ He sounds rather fond speaking of this mysterious stranger. ]

The masquerade...

[Wait.]

Ah. Um, out of curiosity... did this mysterious stranger say that their favourite star was the North Star...?

[Because while Byleth had mentioned his love of stars to at least three people at the masquerade, only one he had spoke at length about constellations back home, and that was the one he had told his favourite star to.]

Oh, now that you mention it...

[ Dimitri hasn't quite put it together yet. ]

I believe he did! A fortunate guess.

[ Dimitri.... ]

And... did they scold you for not getting enough rest...?

[Hm. What was this curious emotion Byleth was feeling. The thought of Dimitri being the one he had shamelessly gushed to about stars made him feel hot around the collar. It would've been fine if it had been a complete stranger, or someone he didn't know all that well, but the idea of it being Dimitri or Claude...

Was this what it meant to feel flustered?]

...I think they did.

[ Oh no.

He gives Byleth a slightly embarrassed look. ]

...was that you?

It... seems so.

[Though Byleth was bravely keeping a straight face, his cheeks and the tip of his ears were... a little... tiny bit, ah, pink.]

...my friend, I find that incredibly endearing.

[ Dimitri laughs, although... perhaps he can understand the bashfulness or the pink glow on Byleth's cheeks. ]

It was a good conversation to have.

Yes- yes, of course. I enjoyed it greatly as well.

[So, it was a little odd that Byleth felt so self-conscious about it. He prodded the emotion curiously, but he had no idea why he felt the way he did or what it meant, so he did what he always did in those situations: repressed it and pretended it had never happened.]

I'm sorry, I was just surprised. Considering how many were at the masquerade, the chances of us bumping into each other and having such an in-depth conversation should've been low. I suppose this is where that saying 'small world' comes in...

Call it chance. I didn't realize it was you at the time of course, but... I'm glad I got to see that side of you, all the same. I enjoy it when you're enthusiastic about something. When you smile. When you show me a side of yourself that I might not have had a chance to see before...

[ Oh, he's being a little sappy. ]

[Byleth's expression was utterly blank - in sharp contrast, his face was utterly red.]

...........................

[Byleth.exe has stopped working.]

...Byleth? Have I said something wrong?

[ Oops. ]

...uh.

[Byleth.exe has rebooted.]

Ah. N-No. No, you haven't. I apologise. You... took me off guard. No one has ever said anything like that to me before.

[Claude said nice things to him, but not like that and not with such earnestness that it made Byleth feel sort of weird and wobbly to be its sole focus. He cleared his throat, deciding that he must've had too much to drink.]

It's... appreciated. I'm, ah, glad that you found my ramblings endearing rather than... obnoxious.

How could I find it anything but endearing?

[ Dimitri is incredibly open and bright, his mouth spread in a smile. ]

I'm glad I could share with you some well-deserved praise.

[Byleth recalled a phrase he had read in a book once, but had been unable to truly understand. It had been "killing softly with kindness", and right now he felt rather close to some form of demise as Dimitri spoke. Byleth had no idea words could have such impact! That just someone speaking with such shameless kindness could make him feel as if he wanted to writhe on the ground from some intense, undefinable emotion: not agony, and it wasn't wholly negative. It was just. Much. Lots.

He was impressed. For Dimitri to inflict this on him with words alone... he was far more dangerous than he had realised.]

I feel much of it is undeserving. I did scold you, after all, which may've been an overstep on my part.

[Yet, as off guard as Dimitri's kindness took him, Byleth was always swift to adapt. He beat down the heat in his cheeks and regained control over his expression and tone. Time to turn the tables and shift the focus back onto Dimitri!]

...though, I hope you did take my advice to heart? You have been resting more, right?

Sometimes I deserve scolding. Especially when I don't take care of myself.

[ Dimitri offers a bashful smile. ]

And I have been trying to rest more. Even if it's difficult at times. My body and mind don't always want to sit still and I find that the nights are the hardest sometimes. But...

[ He laughs again. There's something incredibly fond in his gaze as he regards Byleth. There's that glimmer of something familiar - an admonishment he recognizes. This is not the BYleth he knew - but it is Byleth all the same. ]

I try.

[Byleth tilted his head at Dimitri's fond expression - a strange reaction to being lectured, wasn't it? - but didn't remark on it. He ran through his words instead, finding himself pondering on the dilemma Dimitri offered. It was difficult indeed to rest when your mind refused to sleep, something Byleth knew all too well. Since coming to Kenos, an easy rest had forever eluded him, leaving him to exist solely off erratic catnaps of varying lengths.

It meant the days were easy to lose track of sometimes.]

I see. I wish there was a way to put you at ease during the night. I understand how difficult it can be, to rest when sleep eludes you.

It's something I sadly have much experience with. I have found my own ways of dealing with it, slowly but surely. And these days I find I manage to rest... even if this new place and new troubles seem to want to conspire against that.

[ That's a joke. Maybe. ]

Is that something you suffer as well?

Yes. I dislike being vulnerable, and in this place, I'm vulnerable when I'm asleep.

[Perhaps it was a spillover of Sothis's lingering trauma from being murdered in her sleep, maybe it was because he was so used to Jeralt's presence that finding himself bereft of it so abruptly had his anxiety digging holes where it shouldn't, but the fact remained that Byleth hadn't had a full night's sleep since coming to Kenos. You wouldn't guess it looking at him, though. He didn't even have eyebags.]

...would you like company in the evenings?

[ That's the first thought that springs to mind. ]

If it would help you rest, I'd be happy to be on hand.

[Byleth let out a strange huff, like something caught between a noise of surprise and a not-quite-laugh.]

...Claude made the same offer earlier. I'm... surprised you'd both sacrifice your evenings to appease my irrational anxiety. I'm grateful but, I've nothing to give in return for your kindness.

You needn't give me anything.

[ He's not too surprised about Claude volunteering, either. ]

You're my friend. It's the least I could do.

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