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

I don't know how strong your people make their lance hafts.

[If it sounds like she's being contrary... Honestly, she isn't enjoying this event, and it's only an attempt to be "kind" to her troops that she's even indulging them like this in the first place, so. He'll have to blame the two cheerleaders.

But she squares up, making a look of distaste at the closeness, and then clasps his hand. A woman would likely normally have a smaller hand than this man, but considering her overall size... it's more even.]

But very well.

[The simian woman bounds over to pump up the crowd, counting down 3, 2, 1... !]

[ Dimitri offers another smile - maybe a touch self-deprecating - and then his expression settles into one of concentration as the count-down begins. When it ends, his muscles strain as he puts his strength into the contest. And he is strong. Strong enough to at least make this a challenge for Hayame instead of a walk-over. He exhales with a low little grunt as he feels muscles tense and they begin their struggle... ]

[He certainly is stronger than a human ought to be, even one as obviously muscled as he was. Hayame would normally dominate even such a person very easily, but this one... is making her work for it. Those "Crests" must be something...

But unbeknownst even to herself, Hayame has a power of her own. One that could slowly weaken supernatural advantages closer to her, returning to a reliance on biology...

With a glare, completely serious even with this strange farce of a contest... Hayame begins pressing her opponent's arm towards the rock, muscles bulging.]

[ Dimitri pushes back in return, his own muscles straining, the cords in his neck starting to stand out as he returns the pressure. She is strong and even his supernatural strength is sorely tested. Especially when it's being slowly weakened, bit by bit. He grunts, but doesn't give in, their hands swaying slightly as they strain against one another.

His jaw clenches as something slips, just a bit, and he has to give a bit of ground. He redoubles his efforts, trying to claw back what he's lost, hoping to make this a good fight if nothing else... ]

[It is not a good fight that she is lacking, at the very list. Hayame would not make that argument, for she is not a liar. Any normal human's arm would have broken under the amount of force she was exerting, and she actually has to strain to press her advantage. But once she has it...

She stops trying to hold back for fear that he was of human strength, trying for a sudden surge of strength to slam his arm back towards the rock.]

[ Dimitri makes a noise - a low grunt - as the strain starts to tell. He puts his all into it, but it's not enough - not once she has the upper hand. It starts slowly. His hand wavers, his arm lowers a fraction. Then a little more. Then she surges and his arm starts to give way. There's a last gasp - a hold that stops her for a moment - and then his hand slams into the rock and he gasps as the tension bleeds out and he can stop straining. ]

I - yield. Well-done-!

[For what is worth... Hayame does not seem to be a poor winner.

The moment she achieves victory and his knuckles hit the rock, she releases the fierce press of strength she'd levered against him and removes her hand from his. There's a few signs of strain on her face, the flush of her skin and stand-out veins, and that... that is unusual. A normal human she would have beaten without breaking a sweat, and so-]

You are quite strong for a human.

[She spreads and stretches her fingers in reflection, quietely impressed.]

Well-done yourself.

Thank you.

[ Dimitri smiles, massaging his shoulder a little in the aftermath. He's feeling some of the strain himself and takes a moment to mop at his brow. ]

Your strength is quite impressive. I don't think I've ever met anyone who could exceed me like that.

[ He looks at her curiously. ]

Is arm-wrestling something you do often?

You have never met a jinba. There are plenty stronger than I.

[When it came to raw muscle, that was. She thinks of Matsukaze, and his form seemingly hewn from the very stone of the mountains he called home. Mountain jinba had that advantage. But she doesn't wish to think of them, or him, for a single moment. Not here, not now.

Thankfully, she is asked a question that she obviously views as stupid- if her facial expression is anything to go on. Is this something she does often?]

I normally have far more important things to be doing than child's games like this. You may thank my subordinates for this show.

[The monkey-like woman and the six-armed man look like they're expecting some payback for this.]

You're right; you're the first.

[ He seems cheery about that, though. And quite happy to have met her, for all that. Even if she does seem offended at his question. He laughs and glances at her followers and gives them a nod. ]

Then I'll offer my thanks to them as well. Whether a child's game or not, it's still worth bonding, isn't it? Meeting one another, finding out our strengths, seeing more of each other... working together is more than being perfunctory.

[The cheeriness is an anathema to Hayame. What he's laughing for, she has no idea. He lost, after all. And as for "bonding"-]

I did not come here to bond.

[Meeting one another? Seeing more of each other? She didn't need such weak attachments to accomplish her goals, and she didn't relish having to indulge in them if she didn't have to. So it was best to be clear, then.]

You can thank my subordinates and be on your way.

Truly? Even those who will share a battlefield with in the future?

[ Dimitri does dim a little at her sour attitude, but he's not about to let that stop him. ]

But if you do not wish my company, I won't burden you.

open | a merry meri mingle

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