carmesi: <user name="berks"> (Default)
𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀 ⬡ 𝐌𝐀𝐗𝐈𝐌𝐎𝐅𝐅 ([personal profile] carmesi) wrote in [community profile] abraxaslogs2024-06-05 04:04 pm

• OPEN •

WHO: anyone and everyone in solvunn, some minor npcs
WHAT: mingle for the summoned, a funeral rite
WHEN: a day or two after the new summoned arrive
WHERE: in the treehouse and its surrounding area
WARNING: tba as necessary in comments




A. THE SUMMER EQUINOX
Across the different territories, the celebration of the Summer Equinox has long been awaited ever since the Spring Equinox picnics and floral decorations came to an end. Now, to celebrate the longevity of the sun, performers from different corners of the commune go about to entertain the community; sheaves of wheat and hay adorn the fields, and the drier ones are used to make decorative masks and costumes.

The days grow longer, and the settlements are decorated in ribbons of bright colors and the few flowers that are even more colorful this time of year, to decorate crowns or clothes—making bracelets to share amongst children and couples. The trees are a deep green, the branches dancing with the warm breeze that comes up from the southern coast, and the commune settles onto a festive mood as sunsets late into the day bring beautiful colors to coast over and through the clouds.

The celebration moves now towards the Primary Settlement. Trees are decorated with strings and ribbons, young girls and women in their best white dresses, dancing around to the rhythm of the music of the local bands. Young children run around in their half-finished masks and costumes, some of them even carrying a pamphlet that they give out to the Summoned, whether they're new or not. The Maypole, still erect from Spring, is being prepared to be burnt later in the night. In the meantime, people are asked to participate and add to the bonfire: twigs and flower crowns and ribbons.

Likewise, as the community waits for night to fall to culminate their celebrations, a small market has opened. Tents are raised under the eaves of trees, different items to barter: precious gems, produce, smoked meats, clothes, yarn, tools—the list is endless, as traders from across the different settlements have come to this particular spot. Come and join in the spirits of the celebrations and on the commune’s intent to bond together.



B. THE LOCAL TASTE
When shadows start to fall onto the commune, the market takes a different nature. No longer is there trading, necessarily, but rather the owners of pubs and makers of brews are excited to take part in this year’s ‘brew crawl’. Locals and Summoned alike are welcome to participate, both in providing the brews they have concocted over time and to partake in the drinking.

From one ‘stand’ to the other, ales of all colors from golden yellows to mauve browns, there is not a single individual who will go thirsty under the colorful lights of the marketplace. Watch out for roots that stick from the ground or a change in the ground’s level, and be sure to have at least one partner to make the most of the brew crawl.

At one point, the sound of drums and wooden flutes will signal to a rise as the shadows deepen. Men and women alike are invited to dance as the bonfire flares up into a white, hot blaze; the children who have managed to remain awake join as well, wearing their masks and chasing each other around. The atmosphere is electric, the buzz of ale thrumming through people’s inhibitions, and the general joy of the day’s celebrations. Locals sing songs without instruments, harmonizing with one another as they dance circles around the burning Maypole.

The youths in their masks will then scatter into the dark, sneaking out towards swamps or forest, forming a ‘mini-Council’ and attempting to sacrifice or make offerings to the Cardinal Gods. One may find an Elder mage or two chastizing the youths, who run away when caught, or one may even find themselves the lead subject of one of these ‘rites’. One could either follow along or snitch on them.


C. A FOREST'S LAMENT
As the heavens blotch into inky black skies, the sun seems to gift Solvunn with a gift of colors and light even as it has already departed, as they approach midnight. Pale reds and greens decorate the sky; the perfect backdrop of darkened treetops.

A more solemn ceremony takes place some ways away from the Primary Settlement, by the Black Eye Lakes. Across the lake, the local band led by Tiril Blomare the authors of a solemn song that echoes across the trees, a concert not meant to have a public, lights above on the trees adorning the musicians. A special gift, as Tiril is so pregnant at this point that she can only stand as her husband, Declan, holds her upright.

With every new year comes death, and with every new year comes new life. The death of one of the Summoned does not go amiss to the Council and to the members of the commune, especially that of someone who was an active participant in much of Solvunn’s growth in the past two years. A few locals have come about to pay their respects to Nero. Solvunn may have other ceremonies, but this one in particular is one that both Himeka and Wanda decided on after conferring with one another. Grief is not easy, and grief is best not tackled alone.

Candles and ornaments have been set up by the shore of the lake, to be lit and set to float away. Anyone who wants to pay their respects can walk into the water, send off a quiet prayer; a few of the locals do as much.

Perhaps this will be enough.
macwraith: (4)

[personal profile] macwraith 2024-06-19 08:58 am (UTC)(link)
[ Red looks about as startled and flustered as the girl, but luckily, she's drunk enough it doesn't matter he's proving himself utterly terrible at the play along act. At least he has the sense to keep his mouth shut and let the ruse play out to his benefit.

Thank God it doesn't take long. As soon as it makes sense for him to, Red pulls his arm away -- not roughly, but pointedly. He clears his throat. Takes an awkward half-step back. ]


She was just havin' a bit of fun on a celebration night. No harm done.

Not to say I don't agree. Things would be easier for most folk if everyone learned and kept that lesson, wouldn't they? [ He muses, with a vague little laugh in the back of his throat. He doesn't seem all too sober himself. ]

Ah. Right. Red mac Raith.

Pleasure to meet you, Teddy.
inthenameofhades: (Smile 2)

[personal profile] inthenameofhades 2024-06-20 08:46 am (UTC)(link)
"You didn't?" Zagreus says, looking genuinely surprised. Perhaps when one is an immortal god of the Underworld, who has never experienced illness once in his entire life, one's preconceptions on what happens when mortals are doing poorly might be a little...skewed.

"I wouldn't say no to a dance if you actually wanted one, but I can see that's not the case," Zagreus says, with an easy grin; no need to worry Red, there is no offense taken here. "Not fond of dancing, I take it?"
suplexer: (012)

[personal profile] suplexer 2024-06-20 11:18 pm (UTC)(link)
[ While Tifa's aware that magic exists here and that people learn how to wield it, she's also gathered that it's pretty different from what she's used to. There's no such thing as Materia here, and the ability to cast spells seems to be possible just through learning.

Which means that she should probably figure it out for herself at some point. Not that she can't kick ass with just her fists, but a Fire or Cure spell wouldn't go amiss either.

As Claire continues to explain, Tifa's eyes widen in awe. ]


That's amazing, though. Magic exists where I'm from, but it's rare to be able to use it the way you do.

[ And Claire had to learn from scratch, with no basis for magic-casting where she was from. She really is remarkable.

At the question, Tifa takes a look around them, out toward the lake where the candlelight has long been swallowed by the dark, and then back toward the settlement. ]


I did grow up in a small country town, though we were up in the mountains. After that, I spent a few years in a big city where you couldn't even see natural sunlight, so... that was a pretty big change already.

[ She pauses for a moment to think, one boot tapping against the ground. ]

I guess the biggest difference is all the reverence for the gods. We have churches and some people pray, but it's not a part of everyday life like it seems to be here.
beautifullies: (dιѕcreтιon ιѕ тнe вeттer parт oғ valor.)

[personal profile] beautifullies 2024-06-21 02:51 pm (UTC)(link)
No natural light?

[ Claire can't fathom that as someone who craves the outdoors and sun on her skin. But she supposes if that's how life simply is, a person would adapt, eventually. ]

I never had a permanent home growing up, but when I was married, my husband's family owned land and had a large farm. I lived mostly in a big city as an adult; nothing so large as to cause reasons for blocking out light, though. Is there a specific reason for that?

[ Pollution, maybe? Or perhaps something she can't fathom yet, not far enough into a world with modern technology to understand. ]

And that's similar to how I felt. In fact, I'm sure I thought it was all religious rubbish, or perhaps a cult on the less nefarious side. I know now it's all very real, but it was difficult for me to wrap my mind around for a while.

[ Claire puts the candle into place in her new boat, searching her pockets for a match. ]

tedandroses: (just teddy)

[personal profile] tedandroses 2024-06-24 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
[Teddy nods at that, releasing him as soon as they can and flushing. They feel like they've stepped in it a bit: he doesn't seem as bothered as they thought he was by the come-on. Still, he goes on and laughs, and they relax, laughing themself. They're not quite to drunk yet, but well into tipsy, enough to be relaxed and frank.]

I think it would, yes. And if everyone was just, straight with each other, I guess, too, and we all just said what we meant and took each other at their word. Though I guess that's ...easier said than done.

Red, [she repeats, as if to remember, and nods amiably up at him.] Likewise.

[after a thoughtful sip of beer] I'd understand if it wasn't. A pleasure, I mean. [She smiles a little, wryly.] I can't imagine some stranger taking your arm and pretending to be your girlfriend is the best thing that's happened to you lately.

Though... I reckon it's not the strangest either. Are you new here?
suplexer: (18)

[personal profile] suplexer 2024-06-24 05:10 pm (UTC)(link)
[ While Tifa doesn't think there's anything wrong with having pride in your creation, even if that creation is a self-brewed beer, she doesn't think there's any reason to give someone a hard time for abstaining either. Judging from Wanda's tone, though, it's all in good fun and the locals tease her about her tastes rather than hold it against her. ]

Non-alcoholic cider is an option too. [ Even if that's not what she was initially referencing. She isn't going to give Wanda crap for not liking alcohol. ] The warm ones are nice, aren't they?

[ At the question she lets out a brief, warm chuckle and shrugs one shoulder. ]

When I mentioned I could mix a mean drink, I wasn't kidding. I ran a bar from a while, back home. We were more focused on crafting cocktails than brewing beer, though.
macwraith: (1)

[personal profile] macwraith 2024-06-25 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"Not as a matter of principle or anything. Just can't say I'm in the mood," he admits, in a way that gently shuts down further questions in that regard. Thus, Red is more than happy to lead them away from the dancing area and back toward one of the booths offering free ale.

"I'd offer to buy you a drink, but they're not taking coin today." The 'offer' stands, though, if his companion would like to drink together. He gestures at a rough wooden table nearby, some food laid out.

"The name's Red mac Raith. And who might my savior be?" He's not quite bold enough to ask what in addition to who, but he's definitely thinking it.
inthenameofhades: (Smiling face)

[personal profile] inthenameofhades 2024-06-26 07:56 am (UTC)(link)
Zagreus, perhaps to Red's relief, does not press the issue. He follows Red to the table without argument, although he doesn't sit down. Zagreus isn't a fan of sitting.

"The locals don't really use coins much. They do like to trade, however! Services as well as goods," he says, gesturing to the food on the table. They might not pay for any of this with anything like money, but that certainly doesn't mean they won't be expected not to give anything in return.

"Pleasure to meet you, mate. I'm Zagreus." Alas, said introduction comes only with his name, and not any kind of explanation of the nature of Zagreus's being.
suplexer: (77)

[personal profile] suplexer 2024-06-27 11:12 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's quite dark out here, too dark to tell if there's tears welling in the stranger's eyes, but Tifa can hear them in his voice. The way it cracks.

She knows that feeling, along with how frustrating it is when you can't hold it together in front of someone else. Her heart quakes for him, and she steps closer before she can think better of it. She stares up into his face, her brow creased with genuine concern. ]


There are a few other candles left out over there. [ She points in the direction she'd just come from. ] I guess some kind soul left them out. Here.

[ Maybe he'd rather be left alone, but it seems to Tifa that maybe he needs the company right now. So with a nod, she leads him over to the spot in question. ]

And um, folding a boat isn't too hard... if you wanted help with it?

[ Her tone is uncertain, because there's a chance he's just going to send her away. It seems only right to offer, though. ]
macwraith: (7)

[personal profile] macwraith 2024-06-27 11:31 pm (UTC)(link)
...thank you, lassie. [ His voice still sounds rough, but he does his best to attempt a smile. It's not happy, and it's small, but it is somehow relieved. Red nods, letting her lead the way back to the lakeshore where she'd been. ]

Show me how to fold the boat. Please.
suplexer: (81)

[personal profile] suplexer 2024-06-27 11:36 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It feels a bit like the man is just functioning on auto-pilot right now, but he hasn't told her to leave him be (it's the opposite, actually), so Tifa is happy to help.

She crouches down again and grabs for a piece of paper to start folding into the correct shape. As she works, though, she can't help but glance over to study him for a moment. She hadn't caught it at first, but the "lassie" made it pretty clear. ]


... That accent. Where are you from?

[ The only person she knows who speaks with that sort of accent is a robot cat, so she's frankly a little baffled by it. Chances are he isn't from Gaia, but now she has to know. And it at least gives them both something to focus on other than the crushing grief they haven't quite addressed. ]
macwraith: (62)

[personal profile] macwraith 2024-06-27 11:45 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Her question catches him by surprise (it is, at least, a distraction). Red looks up from the candle he's chosen, cradled so gently in his rough hands. He blinks. ]

Scotland. You've heard of it?

Wasn't under the impression anyone here'd know what that meant.
suplexer: (63)

[personal profile] suplexer 2024-06-27 11:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, umm...

[ Well, now Tifa feels bad for giving him any sort of hope. She pauses in her folding for a moment, heaves out a sigh, and shakes her head. ]

Sorry, I haven't. The place I'm from is called Gaia. It's just, your accent sounded a little familiar.

[ She tilts her head, squinting in quiet confusion. How that's possible when they're from different worlds, she doesn't know. ]

I'm still trying to process that we're all from different places. I thought traveling to other worlds was pretty much just a pipe dream, but somehow they've brought us here like it's nothing.
macwraith: (23)

[personal profile] macwraith 2024-06-28 12:05 am (UTC)(link)
[ Red lets out a breath that's sort of a laugh, shaking his head, though his shoulders slump a little despite his every intention to take it all in stride. It's a lot to take in. She's just unlucky enough to have caught him in a moment of weakness, when the attempts to keep positive have crumbled too far to be rebuilt for the night. ]

's all right. Can't say I've heard of Gaia, either. [ Not as a place, anyway. Greek mythology notwithstanding. ]

That they have. And no way back, it seems.

I'm sorry. You must miss your home.
suplexer: (75)

[personal profile] suplexer 2024-07-08 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[ No permanent home? Tifa isn't sure what Claire means by that, but she breezes right past it to mention that she's married. It must not be easy, being separated from her husband... unless he's also here?

At the question, Tifa heaves out a sigh. Her shoulders tense up, like she's just been reminded of something unpleasant. ]


The corporation which owned and ran most of Midgar decided to contrust it that way. They built a whole upper plate that drowned out natural light from the original sectors down below. Most people just know of where I lived as the slums.

[ That wasn't the only example of it, either. Junon was exactly the same. Shinra would just come in and build on top of the people who lived there with no care for their quality of life. Thinking about it, one of her hands balls into a fist, but she releases it with another exhale. ]

... You're not the first person to mention Solvunn being a cult. I guess because they're so committed to the gods? [ Tifa tilts her head. The idea of Solvunn being one big cult had shocked her, and she still doesn't know what to think of it. Claire seems to have changed her mind on that, either way. ]

What made you realize it's real? Did you see or talk to one of the gods?
beautifullies: (yoυ нave υnтιl мιdnιgнт claιre.)

[personal profile] beautifullies 2024-07-09 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Claire makes a small face of regret at the question, but it's out there now. Inevitably, they all have difficult things to speak of from home. Husbands are a complicated topic for Claire, all told. Nothing's a secret and she isn't ashamed, but it's a tangled knot of a story, not for an evening like this. ]

I know of others who come from worlds where conditions are so extreme, being here isn't necessarily a bad thing. [ It took time for her to feel that way, that it was better for some to be here. But now she feels it for herself too, after living in a time that is begrudgingly tolerable of women on the very best of days.

Tifa's question is a good one, and a few days ago, her answer might've been completely different, but now she has an experience under her belt that changes everything. ]


In all honesty, I think most organized religion could be considered some class of cult, not just on this planet. [ As a lapsed Catholic, she has strong opinions, but those can wait too. ] A little while ago, we were given a glimpse of...something, I don't know if it was the future as set in stone, or a possible outcome of events still in motion, but all of us Summond became gods ourselves. [ She pushes a hand through her hair, making the light bounce in her curls. ] This is a side effect of that. But now I see how it works, the way the gods exist.

[ Before, she'd started to come around to the idea on her own, maybe not that the gods were real, but that the locals deeply believed, and she could respect it. Now, she just believes it. ]

It's changed how I view things, and what I'll make more of an effort to take part in when the locals ask for a godly intervention. I never visited the shrines much before, but I will now.
suplexer: (69)

[personal profile] suplexer 2024-07-12 05:25 am (UTC)(link)
[ No way back.

Tifa bows her head for a moment when she hears that, barely holding back a sigh. It won't do any good to spiral about it, especially when she's well aware that this man is in the exact same situation.

Her hands move almost without her thinking to continue folding the paper craft. When she lifts her head again, she's mustered up a smile. ]


I'm sure you do too. [ Especially if he's suffering some recent grief, which she suspects he might be. ] I've met others here who were also summoned, but they've made entire lives here. It's hard to imagine.

[ He'll understand, surely. And with that, she puts the finishing touches on the paper boat and gently sets it down on the grass in front of her, nodding to him as she does so. ]
suplexer: (001)

[personal profile] suplexer 2024-07-14 08:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Tifa lets out a small chuckle at that observation. ]

I kept busy, yeah.

[ As Wanda has already noticed, Tifa's careful with what she shares. Not because she wants to hide it, necessarily, but dumping the specifics of her life at that time on someone feels like it would be oversharing.

Besides, that chapter is behind her now, for better or worse, even if the memories are fresh. She'd worked sun-up until well past sundown just keeping that place going, and yet that had somehow been more rewarding than the work she did for the food stall. It had been hers.

She blinks, refocusing when Wanda speaks up again. ]


Oh! Really? I'd be honored. I'd have to see if any of the taverns here would let me behind the counter... or figure out another way to get my hands on ingredients. [ She quirks a smile and braces a hand on her hip. ] What do you think?
suplexer: (002)

[personal profile] suplexer 2024-07-15 09:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Tifa frowns at Claire's words, at the implication that some people came from places that were so bad that being here was an improvement. Maybe some would look at her situation as it was in Midgar and claim that it was an example of that, but she couldn't imagine leaving behind Gaia for greener pastures.

Especially now that she's seen it in all of its splendor. Especially now that she understands just how much there is to save. (The waters off Junon and its great condor; the dense jungles of Gongaga; the red-rock vistas of Cosmo Canyon...)

She could speak to all of that, but she holds it in for now, listening raptly as Claire explains a recent experience that she had. All talk of cults and organized religion aside, she's saying the Summoned became gods? How is that even possible? Tifa's eyes go wide as she looks back to Claire's beautiful, glowing hair. Yes, it is unusual, but she never would have jumped to assuming she was a god. ]


I — does that mean it was temporary? You being a god, I mean. Or...

[ Has she been talking to a god this whole time? That frankly doesn't feel right. Claire had been extremely approachable, long glowing hair aside, and Tifa doesn't feel anything like she did when visiting the summon shrines back home.

She doesn't understand how you become a god only to suddenly not be one anymore, though. Or actually, scratch that, how you become a god in the first place. ]
beautifullies: (ѕнe'ѕ goт wнιтe ѕĸιn.)

figured we could work on wrapping whenever it feels comfy for you 🩷

[personal profile] beautifullies 2024-07-16 02:50 pm (UTC)(link)
It was temporary, though some of us were given more parting gifts than others. I can't say I understand how—I don't think anyone can explain it—but we all, collectively, were unconscious for a time. It was as if we all shared one dream over eight centuries, as if we all began on this planet, and...I don't know, ascended to god-hood?

[ As Claire explains, she looks and just as confused as she felt in the aftermath. She meant to not overwhelm Tifa, not wanting to spill nothing but hard-to-digest information on someone so new. She failed that task spectacularly. ]

Sometimes things happen to us here that we can't control, but the Summond, we tend to come together quickly to try and rally. Once one person saw through the cracks of those eight hundred years, it wasn't long before the illusion crumbled.

[ Ready with her new boat for the bees, Claire lights the candle and settles it inside carefully. There isn't much to say, other than a murmured thank you for everything those bees produced for her, and then she sets the boat on its way, watching it for a few seconds before looking at Tifa again. ]

I didn't mean to say too much, at once. It can feel like being overloaded, I know. Would you like to go and get a drink with me to try and soften the edges?
macwraith: (33)

[personal profile] macwraith 2024-07-19 07:28 am (UTC)(link)
[ He can imagine it. At least, the reasons some might not mind -- he can't quite imagine being comfortable or happy here, but that's less to do with the place and more the circumstance. Regardless of where he is, nothing would ever be the same. ]

For some, it may not matter where they are. Not attached to a place, perhaps, or not so keen on going back regardless.

[ He doesn't have much to return to, himself. Memories. A grave. (Though here, he can't even visit her grave.)

This will have to do.

Red reaches out for the folded paper. ]


Thank you. Truly.

[ She's been very kind, to keep him company like this. ]
suplexer: (60)

yes sounds good!

[personal profile] suplexer 2024-07-23 10:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[ One shared dream, that lasted eight centuries? The more that Claire explains, the less believable it is, not that Tifa thinks that she's lying. Who could even come up with something like this? And if it was just a dream, then it didn't actually happen, except that there are these "parting gifts" as Claire calls them.

It is good to hear that the Summoned had worked together to awaken from that fake reality. It's true that Tifa has found herself in some pretty odd places, realms that seemed to exist outside the everyday and beyond fate, but that had been a fairly brief occasion. A dream that lasted eight hundred years was something else entirely. ]


... I'm glad you were all able to find your way out together, at least. [ She holds one hand to her chest as she lets it all sink in. If they hadn't woken up, what would have happened to them? Maybe it's better not to plant that thought, especially when it's all said and done.

Tifa didn't mean to distract Claire too much from her memorial for the lost bees, and so she falls silent as she finishes off the task, watching for a few moments as the small boat travels across the water.

And then, at Claire's apology, Tifa quickly shakes her head and waves her off. ]
Not at all. I appreciate you explaining everything to me so patiently. I know it must be a lot, to remember all of that. A drink... sounds nice. [ She grants the lake one last glance before falling into step at Claire's side so they can return to the town square, with some distance put between them and their grief. ]
suplexer: (15)

ya!!

[personal profile] suplexer 2024-07-23 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
[ The way that Wanda cuts through any uncertainties that Tifa might have about fitting in here or finding her way is almost impressive. Maybe it really is that simple for someone who's been here for a while and knows their way around.

Either way, the willingness to help continues to bowl Tifa over, and she clasps her one free hand over her heart. ]


Really? That would be wonderful. Here you are doing me another favor — I'm definitely going to find a way to repay you.

[ With some nice cider, maybe? Non-alcoholic, of course. Once Tifa gets her bearings here and figures out where and how she can brew things or put together cocktails (or mocktails), she'll be knocking on Wanda's door. ]

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