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

[redsoil]

Bahaha! Yes, yes! Of course that is the point! Certainly, we must be allies and companions for now, but we knew nothing of one another before this. In victory, we will become but fleeting memories of a time that was briefly inconvenient for us all.

[ John's response earns an immediate, bold laugh from him. The sudden eruption of sound and delight that has him doubling over, reaching a hand out to steady himself on the other man's shoulder. It's so good! It's too good! He is a relief, a sensible sort of man! ]

You do already seem to know quite a bit about me. Enough to have made up your mind about my affiliation being of benefit to Meridian. Naturally, it is. While I am diminished by Kenos's unique metaphysical properties — Shards, souls, Aspects, power — I will not be forever.

[ WARNING WARNING ]

[hyperpotamous]

[ set continues to be uninhibited, and john continues to keep a pleasant face, disguising the rising unease of his imposter syndrome.

he had thought of himself as the shaman who had claimed the sun once, which is a world away from the guy who has several sun gods as immediate family. he really feels the weight of that hand on his shoulder. ]

Have you found a way around the local interference then? I figured the connection to our worlds is the bottleneck we all have to contend with.

[redsoil]

Of course. I spoke directly with the Tribune, about my intentions to reclaim what was sealed from me by Ma'at — my divinity itself. Meridian's own were the ones who reached through whatever veil separates us from the world, and restore my connection with it.

[ And honestly, while he does not go around yelling about it, that is one of the reasons that he remains Meridian's war god. It is proof, that even if his world does not exist, he does — and he, above all else, has the power to restore and remake.

Without Ra, he believes he could become the beginning and the end. ]

It took effort. It took further Harmonization, but here I stand — proof, that we will triumph.

[hyperpotamous]

[ john listens to this explanation and closes his eyes with a quiet sigh. of course, that would be the answer. he might feel like an imposter as a proper god, but he is confident in his ability to be deeply distrustful of others. ]

So, just to clarify, Meridian hooked you up with what you needed in exchange for—.. loyalty? Getting deeper in the sauce? I suppose that's a fair trade.

[ he thinks it's a little too convenient, personally. ]

But if they can do it, so can the rest of us, right? I agree; you've proven that.

[redsoil]

Loyalty? I did not think this world could inspire such naivety!

[ The word is half-snarled, half-sneered; Set bares his teeth at the audacity of John's query, for who in their right mind would assign a traitor-god such as Set a character trait such as 'loyalty'? Dark pupils thin into angry slits, his eyebrows knitting and peaking at the center of his brow - incredulous and verging upon insulted psychosis. It's truly amazing, how a careless question can pique his ire. ]

My goals are best supported by Meridian at this time. If that is all it takes to be considered 'loyal', perhaps we ought to devise a way call upon the memory of my dear, beloved brother and ask him how well my 'loyalty' served him.

[ Somewhere near the ends of his hair, something smokes and smolders. Bright, burning like a flameless fire -- as if his hair itself is a ray of rosy-gold sunlight. The implication in his tone and words is clear: if he were to find that Zenith were the faction better-aligned with his goals, he'd be there instead. ]

I only received what is mine, by right of my existence itself. Such a thing could be restored to you, as well - and if you want to trade your loyalty to Meridian, instead of something else... that is for you to decide.

[hyperpotamous]

Ah—... [ oops. ] A poor choice of words, clearly.

[ john holds his hands up in what's meant to be a soothing gesture. he's surprisingly calm despite the misstep, but with that sort of reaction, now is not the time to show fear. he has ten thousand years of experience tweaking his own biology to thank for that; you can take the edge off of anything. ]

Of course, forgive me; I didn't mean to imply true loyalty, but you did have to Harmonise, as you mentioned. That isn't meaningless.

[ all that extra Meridian in someone's soul has to count for something, right..? ]

I'm trying to understand what it means for me as much as anyone else. I crawled out of the earth here and couldn't do a damned thing until I picked a side. It's a curious thing, don't you think?

If our worlds and connections to them are there, why should we need anyone to restore what's rightfully ours?