OPEN - welcome to solvunn!

[respiting]

Who: anyone in solvunn
When: october
Where: ed’s inn & tavern & fine gift shop
What: a mingle meet & greet for all new and old solvunn summoned to hang out and get to know each other!
Warnings: n/a, please mark any warnings in subject titles



[ ooc: this is an open log so please feel free to jump in and make your own top-levels! the official unofficial welcoming committee will be extending invites to as many summoned as possible, so you won’t need any cr with any character to just show up. you can also always assume you’ve heard it through word of mouth, and the locals will be happy to point your character in the right direction, too! there may be random locals that come through, looking for gifts at the gift shop but don’t worry about them. the event will start at 4pm~ and lasts until the very last guests head out or head to bed. ]



i. (don’t) exit through the gift shop ;

Welcome to Ed’s Inn & Tavern & Fine Gift Shop. You’ve likely wandered here due to that invitation in your hand, a word from a fellow Summoned, or because you were simply curious.

The inn itself is situated between the Primary and Secondary settlements, nestled in a nice plot of land with a garden out back, and a pen for the goats. There are little fairy-lights decorated along the eaves of the roof, and candles to set the cozy atmosphere. Inside, you’ll find a front desk with no one currently behind it, or sometimes a three foot tall raccoonoid standing there who will not speak with you until you ring the bell, even if he’s there, because that’s the freakin’ rule. The desk itself has nothing on it save for an empty bowl and the single bell. And afterwards, if you do ring the bell, he’ll demand (okay, ask) whether you’ll be needing a room.

In one corner of the main lobby area, just by the entry door, a small table has been set up with a seemingly random bunch of nick-nacks placed over it, under it, and to the sides of it. A single nail without an actual picture has been pierced into the plaster wall as though holding its place for something to come in the future. If asked, Rocket will explain that it’s a dumping ground for the owner’s stuff, because he’s not dead or anything, he’s just on an extended holiday. (But it can be noted that his voice sounds a little melancholic when he explains as much.)

This will be followed by a quick clearing of the throat and a not-so-subtle, ‘Hey, check out the gift shop while you’re at it. The guy who ran this place collected a lot of weird shit and it’s awesome’ before he follows you right behind. Apparently he mans this station too.

The gift shop itself is actually more of a stand, set up with all manner of odd items, some of them veering towards creepy or weird. Some items may even be haunted, but who knows? It’s all explorable at your own risk, and don’t feel pressured by time. Take as long as you need; just know that you might have to haggle to get the price that you want. Donations for items you want to take off your hands are also accepted, and there is a rather not-so-subtle ‘tip jar’, with a couple of coins already in, set on the side.

If you need any help while exploring your stay at the inn, employees Arthur Hastings and Nanaue will also be present at opportune times to aid you. (Feel free to ask Arthur about the furniture around the place; it had been built by him.)

ii. a feast for all ;

The bar and kitchens will be busy tonight. There are tables set out to encourage more mingling and less opportunity to be anti-social (though a few single tables will be left for those that insist on the wallflower life), with foodstuffs placed like a buffet. This includes a few wheels of Nero’s cheese collection cut into slices and served with preserved meats and crackers to start with, and a few pots of vegetable and meat stews for a proper dinner, courtesy of Himeka, the inn’s chef. Tifa will be at the bar, ready to serve any interested patron a drink.

There is a dart board hanging on the wall to one side, and decks of cards and dice games for when you’ve filled your share of food and want to mingle with something other than alcohol. And for the musically inclined, you’re free to request an instrument from Wanda, however … don’t be too surprised if your instrument is a little out of tune or weirdly misshapen. It’s fine, it still works…ish.

The Official Unofficial Welcoming Committee (made up of Wanda, Himeka, Rocket, and Nebula) will be making their rounds as usual, so feel free flag them down for a quick chat. And if you notice an odd looking small little cat with a white-and-ginger coat lingering around the space (usually found around Wanda or Rocket), feel free to make his acquaintance too.

Each Summoned can take a jar of preserves or jams with them as a kind of welcoming gift, and next to the pyramid of carefully placed delights is a stack of pamphlets, also free for the taking. There’s a lot of Very Important information within, as well as a few expertly crafted doodles to get you better acquainted with your new home.

iii. all in a day’s work ;

The fenced-in area of the yard is relatively neat, but there are spaces where there is clear gardening and other yard work taking place. Some of the older Summoned will say ‘the previous owner liked his flowers, you know,’ like it’s common knowledge, and while one won’t be expected to help, the invitation to pull out weeds or tend to what garden beds and pots that exist will be there.

There are other tools: pitchforks to pick at clumps of hay that the goats wandering in have spread about, shovels to push at larger rocks, watering cans for the drier-looking plants and flowers. Some stone slabs sit on the side of the inn, waiting for the walkways to be planned out and set onto the ground proper. It will come quickly, the understanding that here, in Solvunn, everyone works together to make things happen–as much is true for the Summoned in this territory, too.

Later on, as the day simmers down both in activity and temperature so the sun starts setting behind the rolling fields of Solvunn too. The brook behind the inn sounds louder now, not for its water, but for the animals that start their tunes for the night; the air is brisk and chilly, but plenty of beautiful butterflies and colorful toads can be found amidst the flowers and moist rocks, respectively. Should one not want to tempt fate and catch a cold, there is, instead, the start of preparations for a bonfire on a dry patch of grass. Stools are brought out from the inn, set around the area, and twigs, kindle, and logs need to be brought close for the fire.

And then–warmth, from the roaring fire, as cups with hot apple cider are passed around to those wanting, old and new Summoned open for conversation.

Comments

B

[floeing]

[As much as Jack absolutely adores being seen and having people pay attention to him, getting used to it will take a while. A big party (with torches) definitely becomes overwhelming after a certain point, so Jack decides to leave the inn to catch some fresh air. He can hear the animals, too, and Jack is definitely curious about them - for 300 years they were his only company, and he's dying to know if he can connect with the creatures of this world as well.

The very loud meowing takes him by surprise, but it isn't unwelcome. Jack can't help laughing, feeling sympathy for the poor guy.]

I bet he wants to play! How can you deny him that?

[Sitting on top of a fence, Jack presses his hand against the wood to cover it with frost. With a big grin on his face, he proceeds to draw a mouse on it - nothing detailed but perfectly proportioned. Then he concentrates as he waves his hand, causing the little mouse to pop out of the frost in 3D. It begins running around, but its frosty feet aren't actually touching the ground.

Have fun, Dot.]

[carmesi]

( while not unusual for the newly summoned to be topped to the brim with enthusiasm, her own lessened energy makes it seem like this is an exaggerated amount of it. she opts to not reply, seeing instead as the little mouse skitters about, shaped in ice, and does provide her cat with a new sense of curiosity.

it is unsurprising that dot starts jumping after it.

wanda sets the watering can down, between her boots, the action causing some of the water to spill. she looks at the guy carefully, taking in his factions, the white of his hair, the cut of it, and is reminded far too easily of someone she lost not too long ago in this place. )

That's a neat trick. You'll spoil him, though.

( as she says that, dot pounces onto the mouse, making the ice-shaped animal disappear in a poof of snow. the cat seems confused at this, pawing at the ground as if that'd make the mouse appear anew. )

[floeing]

[He shrugs.] Everyone deserves to be a bit spoiled.

[Dot's confused face is adorable, and Jack can't help laughing. Never one to stay still for long, he decides to fly above the cat, dragging the tip of his shepherd's crook on the ground to see if Dot will chase it too. There's no frost coming out of it, he can control as much - just a good old stick, and the breeze of the wind gently caressing Dot's fur.

Jack also keeps glancing at Wanda, curiosity written on his snowflake eyes.]

Funny time you chose to water the plants - not a party kind of gal?

[carmesi]

( dot feels a little bit offended that the next offering isn't any other frost or snow related prey to hunt, but rather the tip of a stick. so, dot sits, wanting to appear uninterested, but aggressively following what lines he traces with his eyes, tail whipping back and forth. )

Plants need as much attention.

( she does not like being perceived as someone who 'doesn't like parties', even if he's right. )

You look like you'd prefer being around everyone, ( she motions at the campfire with a finger over her shoulder, than slowly turns her gaze back to him. ) unless it's too hot for you?

( the frost, the snow mouse. she can put two and two together even if she doesn't have all the context. )

[floeing]

[The lady wasn't lying about spoiling him, huh? Dot clearly is expecting more already, what a guy. Jack doesn't want to give in just yet, but the end of his staff does send a trail of frost toward the cat just to see his reaction.

He looks up to follow Wanda's gesture, and he can't help chuckling as awkwardness takes over.]

That obvious, huh.

[She's smart, observant - but she doesn't appear to be judging. He can appreciate that.]

I won't deny I don't like the fire, but I did do some mingling. I flied far enough from the falmes to only make it a mid-annoyance. [He shrugs, trying to make what he says next not a big deal, but it's clear that it is.] It's the crowd I needed a break of. It was... a lot.

[So many people seeing him, talking to him, touching him. He loves it and is overwhelmed by it at the same time.]

[carmesi]

( and dot is a little smarter than that, offended a touch about the insinuation that a trail of frost could equate to the shapes he had been chasing before. with loud meow, he trots over towards wanda, tackling one of her boots, before pulling up to see what's inside the bucket she carries.

wanda, instead, can't resist, and picks up the cat into her arms. )

I'm Wanda. You probably saw me drawn on one of the pamphlets.

( she figures that the best way to figure out who anyone is is by being candid about introductions. )

We're all a little strange in Solvunn, I'd say. ( setting dot down now, wanda pulls away from the bucket of water and lifts a finger so that it can float up beside her. he's shown her his magic, and she shows him what she can do, too. ) So — anything we need to know about you?

( "we" — the witch and the cat, that is. )

[floeing]

[Jack laughs at the cat's reaction, not surprised at all. Cats that enjoy playing in the snow aren't unheard of, but they definitely are not as common as dogs. He's wondering how to bother the little ball of fur next, but now he's on his owner's arms. Boo, spoilsport!

The floating bucket gets a softer smile out of him - the gesture is definitely appreciated, and it's good to see he isn't alone. He floats as well, stopping in front of her as he waves his hand.]

Strange is good - great, even. Things are never boring if they're strange. [Or so he hopes, anyway.] I'm Jack Frost. If the name isn't familiar, then-- I'm in charge of winter. [He scratches the back of his neck.] Or I usually am, anyway. The kids have told me about the local seal.