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]

Unless you fancy running into a monster, you had best head for the cornerstone.

[And whether he went to Springstar or Highstorm...

Well, that was that. Hayame's arrow remains notched and her eye remains sharp, but... It seems their answer has been decided. Normally, she would just let him go, but... a certain dhampir tasked with improving Meridian's reputation in Alenroux flashes through her mind and causes a distasteful frown to flicker over her face, directed at the would-be-could-be threat's back. In her mind, his story was as suspicious as the eighth cold hell, but on the off chance it wasn't...

Tch.]

If you are not a warrior, I will escort you.

[diversionist]

[ well, he has no particular desire to antagonize her. whether or not he'd intended on leaving alenroux entirely when he agreed to leave, it'd seem he's doing so now. especially given that offer, which catches him by surprise. he pauses and looks back at her, eyebrows raised. but "melshi," this persona, isn't a warrior, and maybe admitting at much would help take her off her guard. and maybe she does just want the excuse to see where he goes, in which case it'd be more suspicious to act like he has something to hide.

regardless, he shrugs. ]

I'd appreciate it, if you have the time.

[ is she. is she going to put the arrow down now, or... ]

[warmare]

[She is not going to put the arrow down.

But she doesn't point it at him. She unstrings it, and instead just keeps it out of her quiver and ready to be notched again. She wasn't making up the threat of the monsters in the area.]

I don't.

[Have the time. But despite what she says, she begins to walk in the direction of the cornerstone, on guard for threats from the woods... but not altogether relaxed about the man in her company either.]

Move quickly, but keep your eyes sharp.

[diversionist]

[ well, he'll take what he can get. and if she's telling the truth about monsters — and he believes that she was — then it's good that she won't leave them two of them without protection as they go. he believes that she was telling the truth, because he's heard wisps of rumors about monsters on alenroux, most times he's asked about the place. because she has the warrior's demeanor of a woman above deception, by and large: too proud to stoop to it, and too strong to rely on it by necessity. he'd trust any word that comes out of her mouth as something she genuinely believes, whether or not it's objective truth, because he's met the kind before.

but she starts to walk and so does he, trotting to keep up with her and trying to look suitably cowed by the situation, the monsters, her. he takes a look around, mindful of attackers, but for now the woods are quiet. ]

What kind of monsters are around here?