Nero. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ofthesword) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
abraxaslogs2023-12-07 08:17 pm
ofthesword) wrote in abraxaslogs2023-12-07 08:17 pm
OPEN MINGLE: welcome to solvunn! (run while you still can)
WHO: anyone and everyone in solvunn
WHAT: mingle for the summoned, old and new
WHEN: a day or two after the new summoned arrive
WHERE: tertiary settlement
WARNING: goat violence iykyk (none for the moment!)
( A ) frosty weather
( feel free to check the locales section for more info on the tertiary settlement! )
WHAT: mingle for the summoned, old and new
WHEN: a day or two after the new summoned arrive
WHERE: tertiary settlement
WARNING: goat violence iykyk (none for the moment!)
( A ) frosty weather
( feel free to check the locales section for more info on the tertiary settlement! )
The cold weather that comes with winter exchanges the constant autumn downpours for its frostier kin. The air grows drier, the ground colder, and nature recedes unto itself; grey skies offer not only brisk, chilly winds, but a flurry of snow most evenings. The snow almost never sticks, though the blanket of white remains a slurry reminder around the clock of shorter days of sunshine and a creeping coldness. Some days, though, when the temperature drops just enough, the Settlements wake to find themselves in for a winter treat. The landscape is covered in snow, the plant-life frosted over, and a general sense of cheer invades the locals as they come about to decorate and prepare for the Winter Solstice.
This mood spreads throughout the settlements, and with Isar Hart recently stepping up as the permanent Council member for the Tertiary Settlement, maybe there is a reason or two to go visit the westernmost settlement at a time like this.
Located just off of Hydra Gulf, the Tertiary Settlement is rife with activity as the locals prepare for their version of Winter Solstice celebrations. They are, through and through, a fishing-based economy, and the newcomers that show up—the Summoned—either out of curiosity for the place or in having found themselves stranded during the harsher weather, are expected to lend a hand with the different activities that have become just a bit more difficult with the heavy snow they've gotten the past few days. The coastline has frozen over, meaning that ice fishing is in the cards; sleds are made available to travel from the settlement to the beach, boots with spikes strapped under the soles, tools (picks and axes) to open a hole in the ice, fish hooks and spears. To those less enthused by fishing, they are welcome to visit The Soundless Hollow, a cave beside a large rock formation, where they are expected to help tend to the candles and the snow that has blown inside with the strong winds.
Once things have settled, however, and the horizon casts itself with beautiful tones of purples and oranges over the coast, those nearby will want to enjoy a moment of ice skating on the frozen shoreline. As long as someone can attach their boots onto the metal-made blades, one should have no issue whatsoever in tackling the ice.
This mood spreads throughout the settlements, and with Isar Hart recently stepping up as the permanent Council member for the Tertiary Settlement, maybe there is a reason or two to go visit the westernmost settlement at a time like this.
Located just off of Hydra Gulf, the Tertiary Settlement is rife with activity as the locals prepare for their version of Winter Solstice celebrations. They are, through and through, a fishing-based economy, and the newcomers that show up—the Summoned—either out of curiosity for the place or in having found themselves stranded during the harsher weather, are expected to lend a hand with the different activities that have become just a bit more difficult with the heavy snow they've gotten the past few days. The coastline has frozen over, meaning that ice fishing is in the cards; sleds are made available to travel from the settlement to the beach, boots with spikes strapped under the soles, tools (picks and axes) to open a hole in the ice, fish hooks and spears. To those less enthused by fishing, they are welcome to visit The Soundless Hollow, a cave beside a large rock formation, where they are expected to help tend to the candles and the snow that has blown inside with the strong winds.
Once things have settled, however, and the horizon casts itself with beautiful tones of purples and oranges over the coast, those nearby will want to enjoy a moment of ice skating on the frozen shoreline. As long as someone can attach their boots onto the metal-made blades, one should have no issue whatsoever in tackling the ice.
( B ) solstice preparation
The Summoned are welcome to stay in the homes of the families that live in the settlement for the time being. They aren't exactly considered friendly, compared to the other two settlements, but the upcoming celebrations and the presence of some of the Summoned has, in fact, improved the general spirits of the place. Since the Winter Solstice gathers the community around to give and share, no bartering needed, many makeshift 'stalls' that have started to be set up around the settlement will offer passed-down recipes, from hot drinks—ciders, teas, hot cocoas—to freshly baked goods and stews (many fish-based) and treats, to be tried. Enthused by the presence of the Summoned, they will also be expected to help with decorating the settlement, given that they are far behind such things compared to the other ones. Perhaps this is their time to shine, despite the reputation of the place? Boughs of holly and garlands, bells and twine will be passed around to decorate, along with candles to be set on every window. Once in a while, the orphaned and troublemaker children will expect gifts, so anything the Summoned can spare will be met with much enthusiasm. Unless it's a ruse for pockets to be picked? Watch out.
A variation of the Goat of All Tidings is thus seen, as help is much appreciated to dress a large goat-figured in what dry grass, twigs, cloths, and other flammable fillings are found. If all goes well, it will last until the celebrations start properly, but until then... hopefully nothing will accidentally happen.
The Summoned are welcome to stay in the homes of the families that live in the settlement for the time being. They aren't exactly considered friendly, compared to the other two settlements, but the upcoming celebrations and the presence of some of the Summoned has, in fact, improved the general spirits of the place. Since the Winter Solstice gathers the community around to give and share, no bartering needed, many makeshift 'stalls' that have started to be set up around the settlement will offer passed-down recipes, from hot drinks—ciders, teas, hot cocoas—to freshly baked goods and stews (many fish-based) and treats, to be tried. Enthused by the presence of the Summoned, they will also be expected to help with decorating the settlement, given that they are far behind such things compared to the other ones. Perhaps this is their time to shine, despite the reputation of the place? Boughs of holly and garlands, bells and twine will be passed around to decorate, along with candles to be set on every window. Once in a while, the orphaned and troublemaker children will expect gifts, so anything the Summoned can spare will be met with much enthusiasm. Unless it's a ruse for pockets to be picked? Watch out.
A variation of the Goat of All Tidings is thus seen, as help is much appreciated to dress a large goat-figured in what dry grass, twigs, cloths, and other flammable fillings are found. If all goes well, it will last until the celebrations start properly, but until then... hopefully nothing will accidentally happen.
( C ) ice fishing
Nero (of the Welcoming Committee) has taken a new lease on life. No longer crafting hand-made obstacle courses sporting land mines and poisonous toads, he has found a new hobby to indulge his free time in:
Ice fishing.
Why the hell not? Enough fucked up Singularity weather combined with some helpful magic flooding the sea has got the shoreline waters turning to ice, and that provides ripe opportunity for... something new.
Even if it was weird. Whatever. Point was, he wanted to try. And ice is a challenge. With what knowledge he'd gotten from Geralt (minimum; use worms and maggots for bait, which he painstakingly spent days capturing and sticking in a bucket of dirt) his strength (needed to both bend wires into hooks and make holes in the ice) and his dad-like impulse to build things (several small, wooden shacks on the ice, each with a torn-up stump for sitting on, and something resembling a small table), Nero has set everything up for the coming holiday, 'cause... he might as well. A demon hunter without demons to hunt has a hell of a lot of free time, unlimited amounts of energy, and a stupid amount of strength to waste on bullshit.
So be sure to go towards the frozen beach just down a path from the festivities, lit up with string lights that hold magical flames, akin to the twinkle of Christmas lights, instead of bulbs, where Nero can be seen, on his knees, punching several more holes in inches-thick ice. He's set up rudimentary rods with baited hooks, more buckets of bait. Even at night, the whole place is lit up nicely that (most) people won't bust their ass trying to get across the ice.
It's nice.
Nero (of the Welcoming Committee) has taken a new lease on life. No longer crafting hand-made obstacle courses sporting land mines and poisonous toads, he has found a new hobby to indulge his free time in:Ice fishing.
Why the hell not? Enough fucked up Singularity weather combined with some helpful magic flooding the sea has got the shoreline waters turning to ice, and that provides ripe opportunity for... something new.
Even if it was weird. Whatever. Point was, he wanted to try. And ice is a challenge. With what knowledge he'd gotten from Geralt (minimum; use worms and maggots for bait, which he painstakingly spent days capturing and sticking in a bucket of dirt) his strength (needed to both bend wires into hooks and make holes in the ice) and his dad-like impulse to build things (several small, wooden shacks on the ice, each with a torn-up stump for sitting on, and something resembling a small table), Nero has set everything up for the coming holiday, 'cause... he might as well. A demon hunter without demons to hunt has a hell of a lot of free time, unlimited amounts of energy, and a stupid amount of strength to waste on bullshit.
So be sure to go towards the frozen beach just down a path from the festivities, lit up with string lights that hold magical flames, akin to the twinkle of Christmas lights, instead of bulbs, where Nero can be seen, on his knees, punching several more holes in inches-thick ice. He's set up rudimentary rods with baited hooks, more buckets of bait. Even at night, the whole place is lit up nicely that (most) people won't bust their ass trying to get across the ice.
It's nice.
( D ) talk shit get hit (on purpose)
Nevermind. Nice? Is boring. The ice fishing didn't do it for him. Nero now turns his attentions to opening a fight club.
It wasn't his initial idea. It was more like a sort of drinking club. Whatever. The people in Solvunn love drinking, even if he doesn't participate. But then a guy got too rowdy last time he was at the tavern, enjoying his usual carrot/ginger juice, and he'd had to toss him out and tell him to let the steam off somewhere else.
After Nero had laid out the guy in the dirt, the idea had sort of... come to him. Lotta liquor ends up with a lot of hotheads with energy to spare. And considering the little crowd that had gathered in the very short fight between them... look, he's seen movies before.
And thus borne of Nero's inability to do nothing: a fence originally used for keeping sheep in their pen has been moved closer to the settlement, wrapped up with more of those magicked twinkling lights, and a circle pit has been slightly dug out, the dirt smoothed and dried as much as it could be to prevent slipping. Rings of men and women sit along the railing, waiting for their turns to pop into the ring and work out their issues. Bruised, broken, or bleeding losers (or winners) stumble out with their arms in the air -- or as high as they can go -- to Himeka, waiting off to the side with a smile with her free healing services... unless the participants are too proud of their bruises to heal them. (Everyone deserves at least a Cure 1, though!)
Nevermind. Nice? Is boring. The ice fishing didn't do it for him. Nero now turns his attentions to opening a fight club.
It wasn't his initial idea. It was more like a sort of drinking club. Whatever. The people in Solvunn love drinking, even if he doesn't participate. But then a guy got too rowdy last time he was at the tavern, enjoying his usual carrot/ginger juice, and he'd had to toss him out and tell him to let the steam off somewhere else.
After Nero had laid out the guy in the dirt, the idea had sort of... come to him. Lotta liquor ends up with a lot of hotheads with energy to spare. And considering the little crowd that had gathered in the very short fight between them... look, he's seen movies before.
And thus borne of Nero's inability to do nothing: a fence originally used for keeping sheep in their pen has been moved closer to the settlement, wrapped up with more of those magicked twinkling lights, and a circle pit has been slightly dug out, the dirt smoothed and dried as much as it could be to prevent slipping. Rings of men and women sit along the railing, waiting for their turns to pop into the ring and work out their issues. Bruised, broken, or bleeding losers (or winners) stumble out with their arms in the air -- or as high as they can go -- to Himeka, waiting off to the side with a smile with her free healing services... unless the participants are too proud of their bruises to heal them. (Everyone deserves at least a Cure 1, though!)
( E ) tbf it was foreshadowed
Nero in particular – and perhaps all of Solvunn -- learn a valuable lesson today. While the fight club could only be called a rousing success, it appears as though encouraging people to work off their drunken energy does, in fact, encourage them to drink even more.
The Goat of All Tidings was meant to be a decoration only. It was lit up, clothed with a great big scarf (donated by some very bored housewifes), his all-mighty horns so large they curl over his back, towering over the citizens of Solvunn. Clearly goats are just awesome, but it stands, perhaps, as a testament to Isar's recent entrance to the council with the sacred aid of Spyndlveiss. At least, that's what some of the locals claim... which is funny, because aren't sheeps more their thing?
Maybe the horns just look cool. Maybe everyone's just drunk.
And that's exactly why, at some point in the night during the celebrations, a wild holler roars across the festivities, with several joining until it's a cacophony -- conveniently rising in volume as the Goat of All Tidings begins to erupt in flames, which climb over those grasses, wood and cloth in mere seconds.
Everyone crowds around the Goat as fire eats it. Here's to a bright new year! Out with the old, in with the new!
Rumours later might have several hungover patrons insisting a small, chatty animal had encouraged the first flames, giggling to himself as his paws clapped together, but no one can agree on what, exactly, the animal was... or if it was just a mischievous forest spirt come to mingle among the people.
Nero in particular – and perhaps all of Solvunn -- learn a valuable lesson today. While the fight club could only be called a rousing success, it appears as though encouraging people to work off their drunken energy does, in fact, encourage them to drink even more.The Goat of All Tidings was meant to be a decoration only. It was lit up, clothed with a great big scarf (donated by some very bored housewifes), his all-mighty horns so large they curl over his back, towering over the citizens of Solvunn. Clearly goats are just awesome, but it stands, perhaps, as a testament to Isar's recent entrance to the council with the sacred aid of Spyndlveiss. At least, that's what some of the locals claim... which is funny, because aren't sheeps more their thing?
Maybe the horns just look cool. Maybe everyone's just drunk.
And that's exactly why, at some point in the night during the celebrations, a wild holler roars across the festivities, with several joining until it's a cacophony -- conveniently rising in volume as the Goat of All Tidings begins to erupt in flames, which climb over those grasses, wood and cloth in mere seconds.
Everyone crowds around the Goat as fire eats it. Here's to a bright new year! Out with the old, in with the new!
Rumours later might have several hungover patrons insisting a small, chatty animal had encouraged the first flames, giggling to himself as his paws clapped together, but no one can agree on what, exactly, the animal was... or if it was just a mischievous forest spirt come to mingle among the people.
no subject
[Why does he feel like he's heard that before... like, from a movie or something? Actually, the whole way Arthur talks really is just pure BBC, which he's only caught once or twice because Kyrie likes the weird British police shows, or whatever the hell they are. Usually he joins her on the couch and would fall asleep.
Nero stands there awkwardly, watching him shuffle the other mittens around to put them on. See, this is why he doesn't give gifts. What's he do now? Watch? Jet? Jetting is tempting.
But, shit. Arthur looks like Nero's just given him a three-legged puppy.]
Man, don't say that. [He claps him on the shoulder, anyway. He looks like he needs... something. Maybe something Nero can't give him, but he's not gonna abandon him, either.] Makes it harder to make the next gift better.
no subject
[Arthur assumes Nero now feels badly for him, assuming he'd never been given a nice gift before. Which is certainly reason to feel badly for someone, but that's not it at all.
But the physical expression of sympathy is very nice just the same.]
I'm sure I was hardly lacking in gifts when I was young, it's just that I don't remember. The drugs the government made us all take repress memories, there's still a great deal missing. Including my childhood Yules.
[He says it casually, the way someone might say that they used to have to work on holidays. It was just a part of his life before this world, a simple fact of reality. The government drugged everyone and repressed their memories. His own memories are slow in returning, even now.
They'll all come back eventually. Even the ones he wishes wouldn't.]
no subject
Well...
[Fuck, what is he supposed to say? This is those times he needs Kyrie. He really needs her. She would make him feel like... like none of that mattered. Like there was an entire life he's got to lead, so the past -- even if it's lost -- could be forgotten.]
I guess it gives you space to make new memories, right? [That sounds lame. Shit.] Look, this world isn't the best, and it's -- it's a fucking mess. But there's good people here, and no one can tell you what to do. There's no one to force you to do anything. So... you can live. Make new memories.
no subject
[Oh, dear, now Nero feels badly. Arthur hadn't intended that.]
To be quite honest, I think there's large portions of my life I don't want to remember. They'll come back, though, they've already started to. Joy doesn't erase memories, just...sort of buries them, like nasty refuse. And believe me...I am very glad to be here.
[It may not be an ideal place to live, but by Dog it's so much better than what he'd had before. Or likely what he'd find on the mainland, when he finally crossed that last bridge.]
I came from a terrible, terrible place Nero. A place that controls us and takes away utterly everything that makes a person a person and obsesses so much over everyone conforming the right way that half the population is dying of plague and the other half is starving to death. Here? Solvunn? This is a fucking paradise as far as I'm concerned. So don't worry about me, eh?
[He really is trying to make Nero feel better.]
no subject
Maybe it's better you don't forget them. Just because you don't remember doesn't mean the things you did didn't happen.
[Whether they were good or not. There's plenty in his life Nero wishes he didn't remember, but forgetting it would mean he'd forget what he'd learned from that shit, too.
God, he's sounding like a fuckin' self-help book.]
An' here I thought the world infected with demons was bad. [Is that a joke??? From Nero??] Look, I'm not worried. It's more like -- I want you knowin' you have someone who can help you. If you need it. It might be better here, but it's still adjusting. It's still trying to figure out how to live.
no subject
[Arthur will remember what he remembers, whenever it happens. There will be good and bad - a lot of bad, probably - but at least they'll be real.]
And...well...thank you.
[Oh dear, emotions. He's never been very good with them. But he appreciates it, he really does. Even if he isn't about to make a fuss over it. He doesn't think Nero wants any fuss, either. Just a pair of no-fuss fellows, them.
In true awkward with feelings fashion, Arthur chooses to move right along and change the subject entirely. He gestures to his rod and bucket, still on the ice beside him.]
Now...would you like to do a bit of fishing?