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

[warmare]

[Of course, it could not be genuine but innocent. Not that she would have viewed such a thing as even really possible, but as close as one could get... No. This man wanted to understand people, and not just because he liked stories. She isn't sure which she views as more reprehensible.

Even if she does, though... She resents his assumption. It brings a sharp look to her eye when she looks over at him, lips pursing.]

And you know because you have asked me and I have refused you?

[... She dislikes people being so sure, or even "guessing", what she might be keen on.]

[leicesters]

It was a guess based on how quickly you put away your Sunbeam just now. Not what I'd call inviting.

[And how much she had scoffed about sharing. Really, what else was he supposed to think...?]

But if you're willing to share, I'd love to hear about it. I know you must really care about your world.

[warmare]

There's a difference between telling and showing. And a difference between telling someone one knows and mere strangers bound by happenstance of wanting to return to where you belong.

[Just because they were Meridian... It made them allies, not friends. Certainly didn't make her willing to just start showing visions of her proper world to them.

And that wasn't the only opinion she had.]

I hate when people just say "tell me". Ask a specific question if you're so interested.

[leicesters]

Gotcha. Let me think...

[It's such a broad topic, he's not sure where to start, especially if Hayame is likely to take offence to something he does or doesn't say. Maybe he should just start with the basics.]

There are jinba and humans in your world, right? Are there other kinds of people, too?

[warmare]

[It's because it's a broad topic that Hayame dislikes being just asked to tell something about her world. How does she know what they want to know, or find interesting? Perhaps she didn't even need to say anything personal at all, and they only really needed to hear some tawdry tale or random information about food. It was better if others did the asking.

... Hayame doesn't know how to talk about herself anyway. All her stable master had ever wanted to hear from his jinba was "yes", "I apologize", or "I will see it done". And anyone in her world who saw her would already know enough about her that she needn't open her mouth.]

No. Just humans and jinba. Everything else is just myth.

[She says it matter-of-factly as she shifts her weight and pulls at the chain of her sunbeam bead.]

I assume yours must be the same. [Not with jinba, but-] Mostly human by a great number.

[... From how he'd spoken in the past.]

[leicesters]

[He's still surprised she answered his question, but he's at least tactful enough not to make it clear in his expression.] That's right. Mostly, there are humans, but there are some others. The children of the goddess, for instance. People with exceptional lifespans who could transform into great beasts.

[Actually, it reminds him--]

Do you remember the story about the desert? That beast we fought there was one of them.

[warmare]

"Children of the goddess"... Hah.

[She remembers the story. She remembers a lot about that evening, considering how hyperaware all of her senses had been with a man leaning against her flank.]

They used to say jinba were the gods of the mountain, too.

[Until their race advanced enough to discover war and decide it was more convenient to think of them as tools and beasts. That's what the mountain jinba said, anyway.]

[leicesters]

Hey, if I lived in a little village and saw you coming down a mountain one day, I think it would be easy to mistake you for a goddess.

[Wait, but he's getting off topic. Better put a lid on the flirting before she gets grumpy.]

But that must've meant jinba were well-respected back then, right? [They didn't... sleep in stables, in other words.]

[warmare]

[................ For a moment, she cannot tell if he is flirting or being serious. She stares at him, her lips thin, unamused and not the least bit flattered. (Not now.)

Only after a moment of staring does she look away again, busying herself with fixing a nonexistent kink on the chain holding her sunbeam bead.]

Once.

[A long, long time ago.]

You would have to speak to wild jinba if you want to know more about that. It was hardly part of my life. I only heard tales.

[leicesters]

Then how about I do that? When our worlds are restored, you can introduce me to some more jinba, and I can learn everything they have to share. I'd show you my neck of the woods in return.

Or... not-woods? There aren't many woods there.

[He's not even sure if that's how it all works when their worlds return, if they'll have the opportunity for such things, but he likes to think they will. He rubs the back of his neck.]

Anyway, I'm getting sidetracked. Point is, I'd like to see your world someday.