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

fruity popsicles

[suplexer]

[ Tifa's spent most of the gathering thus far behind the bar, so she's had a front-row view to most of what Jack was doing with the glasses and the fruit juice. What he's doing seems harmless enough, so she didn't see much reason to stop him or say anything until he snatches away one of her spoons. ]

I—

[ He doesn't even give her the chance to answer (maybe she needed that for drink-mixing!), but instead of reprimanding him, she's distracted by how he manages to freeze the juice in each of the glasses, then pull the popsicles free without any trouble at all.

That isn't really the sort of thing you could easily do with a Blizzard Materia. Fascinating.

She blinks and wordlessly takes one of the popsicles when he offers it, studying it for a few seconds but not yet taking a lick. ]

This wouldn't be a very good bar if I didn't have both of those things. [ Sweeter alcoholic drinks often incorporated fresh fruits or a sugar rim, so she's done her best to be well-stocked. She glances down at the frozen treat. ] You really go out of your way for them, huh?

[ A few of the kids have already collected a popsicle from Jack and are excitedly enjoying such a rare and interesting dessert. It won't be long before they're bouncing off the walls or running outside to let off all their energy, Tifa suspects. ]

[floeing]

[He shrugs.] Some bars are nothing but beer taps.

[But hey, not going to complain about a bar that is actually stocked with good stuff and not just alcohol (the fact Jack is a lightweight has nothing to do with this - it's about the kids. Obviously).

Since the bartender is talking to him, Jack will take it as an invitation to sit on the bar and take a peek "behind the scenes", so to speak. Frost will soon appear on its surface. Hand the sugar, please, Jack can't stand the salt. This place seriously needs a fridge so Jack can fill it up with popsicles and ice cream.

When Tifa asks that question, Jack looks up as his expression softens with a gentle smile. He turns around to look at the kids, snowflake eyes already full of fondness even though he's only been here a week.]

I'm a Guardian. It's on my job description. [Gosh, it's so fresh, it still feels weird saying it aloud... but also right. It makes him feel all (metaphorically) warm and fuzzy inside.] Kids are... [A pause. How can he even describe it?] ...kids are what everyone should be. Free. Playful. Carefree. Nonjudgmental. Full of belief. The more a person grows, the less fun they are.

[He makes a vague gesture with his hand to indicate the bottles of alcohol. He doesn't have anything against the drinks themselves, but he hates how some people can't fun without them.]

[suplexer]

[ Well, he's not wrong. A lot of the alcohol that's common here are beers and ciders and ales, but Tifa has done her best to allow for some variety.

She startles briefly when the stranger takes a seat and the bar top ends up covered in a thin layer of frost. It's really nothing like the magic that she's used to, and while she's been learning how to cast spells without Materia here, she still finds it foreign. Especially since he's doing it so casually.

Even though she asked the question, she isn't really expecting such a kind and sincere answer. Everything he has to say about children is right, although when he contrasts it against adults, she can't help but let out a brief laugh. ]

I think it depends on the adult, but you're probably right. The problems and responsibilities pile up, and then...

[ Well, life becomes harder.

After trailing off, she clears her throat and adds: ] If you like looking after them, you'll definitely become popular here. The people of Solvunn prefer favors over any other kind of payment.

[ And everyone needs help with babysitting from time to time.

Then she realizes that her popsicle is starting to drip onto her hand and quickly lifts it to her mouth to give it a few licks to make sure she doesn't make even more of a mess. It's pleasantly sweet and fruity, causing her to make a sound of approval. ]

[floeing]

And then they stop believing and become boring. It's okay, you can say it. [He winks at her, grinning. He's glad to have someone agree with his point.] I will give it to this little welcome party, though, the fun has been strong all night long.

[He can feel it, quite literally in fact, and it revitalizes his spirit after a long day of exploring. When Tifa mentions the babysitting gig (if it can be called that), Jack can't help bouncing on his hills, laughing in delight. It's a bit hard to believe still, and hearing someone else say it makes it feel more real.]

They really do! I've playing with them for hours and nobody minds! They give me things! They thank me! [He explains it as if it was a miracle - which kinda is, considering Jack's life so far.] I love this place.

[Even if he does miss some technology, like lights instead of torches. There's the issue of war, of course, but that's a problem back in his world too. Humans are the same no matter the universe.

He watches Tifa taste the popsicle and beams as soon as he hears that sound of approval. Ha! Adults can be captured with treats as well!]

Good, right? And we can make them better! [Jack, you've already said that. Suddenly, he dives in, floating upside down behind the counter to take a better look.] You said you have the stuff, show me the stuff! [A sudden gasp.] Does this place have syrup too? We could make snowcones!

[suplexer]

[ They stop believing? Tifa's not entirely sure what he means by that, but the conversation carries on before she can ask much about it. She is glad to hear that he's been having a good time at this mainly adult party, however. Rocket and Himeka and the rest of the welcoming committee truly do put a lot of work into making sure that everyone enjoys themselves.

But he's really enthusiastic about all this, isn't he? Tifa isn't used to someone so new to Solvunn being so fond of it so immediately. Most people need some time to get over the fact that they were yanked away from home with no warning. Still, the stranger's excitement is a bit infectious, and she isn't about to discourage him from looking after the kids.

So her response is warm, following a laugh. ]

I'm glad that Solvunn's made a good impression on you so far. I can't say that things are this laidback all the time, though. Have you seen the pamphlet?

[ That might have given him some idea, although to be honest, it had confused her more than anything else at first.

But then he's suddenly behind the counter, causing her to gasp and startle as she realizes that he can float. Upside-down, even. It's entirely different from Bugenhagen's method, and she stares at him, slowly blinking, before his string of questions registers. ]

Here, let me get it—

[ She'd rather that he didn't make a mess of her carefully organized system. She reaches under the counter to grab a few mason jars. One has cut up apples, another peaches, and then there's a whole jar of sugar which Wanda helped her create using sugar cane. Tifa sets them down on the bar, taking care that they don't slip and slide since the surface is still covered in ice. ]

I'm Tifa, by the way.

[ She turns to him, her head tilting to one side as she tries to make eye contact even though he's upside down. ]

[floeing]

[Her laughter is music to his ears, but his expression does turn more serious when she mentions that things aren't always laid-back. Suddenly he doesn't look much like a teen anymore, more like a tired old man.]

I have. The locals have been good at explaining things too - even the kids have a general idea of the situation. [A vague idea, but an idea still. They aren't dumb, and Jack hates it when adults treat them as such.] A war between the other two kingdoms. I wish I could be surprised, but-- [He sighs.] Humans like their wars.

[And oh, how it frustrates him so.

Thankfully, Tifa has the perfect distraction: fruit and delicious, delicious sugar. Jack whoops in excitement and forces himself to turn his body around, since he can't exactly mix things like this. Not wanting to spread frost on the floor as well, he puts up the shepherd's crook a carpenter kindly gave him and sits on top of it.

Sorry about the system, because he's already grabbing random glasses to start dropping ingredients on it. He doesn't stop until Tifa introduces herself. Oh, right. Manners. He has to remember those.]

Jack Frost. [He brushes the sugar off his cold hand on his hoodie before awkwardly offering it to her - it's still new to be able to do this at all, but he's been trying his best.] Thanks for the help. If you want me to make a popsicle out of anything else, then-- my treat.

[Hey, if cocktails and alcohol are the thing here, then he can make those fun too. His type of fun.]

[suplexer]

[ That shift in his expression stands out, even when he's upside-down. The youthful, boyish look about him is replaced with something tired and almost defeated. Then he speak about humans and their wars, not including himself in the human part, and Tifa finds herself truly baffled.

Naturally she knows that it's not only humans who are brought here. She's met people like Himeka, who has horns and a tail, or people like Rocket, who looks more animal than human. She's familiar with these concepts from back home, even if Nanaki had been in a category of his own. But this feels different somehow.

The ice magic, the floating, the disdain for humans and their violence — what does it all mean?

She looks vaguely amused when he starts putting his own drink together. That's supposed to be her job, but she can't help but find that childish nature of his endearing all the same, especially when contrasted with that brief shift earlier. He really is a puzzle, isn't he? ]

I think just the one is good for now, but it might be a good idea to make some and hand them out, especially during the hotter months. We don't really have freezers here, so storing them isn't an option. [ She takes his hand with her free one, startling slightly at how cold it is, even though she should have guessed at that. She glances down at their clasped hands, and while she's held her tongue so far, not wanting to pry too much, even she reaches a point where curiosity takes over. ]

It's nice to meet you, Jack. [ She gives a polite of her head. ] I guess you're not human, then...? Based on what you said before.

[ It's not quite as bad manners as asking him "what are you," she hopes. ]

[floeing]

[Jack wrinkles his nose at the mention of the hotter months - he doesn't know how he'll deal with that when the time comes. Back on Earth it was easy: when one half of the world was hot, the other half was cold, so he only had to cross the Equator to have a good time. Another reason to hate those stupid barriers that don't let him fly out of Solvunn.

Once he's properly mixed the juice, the sugar, and the chunks of fruit, he keeps the spoon in the middle of the glass while a chilly finger touches the mix, quickly freezing it from top to bottom. He then takes the resulting popsicle out of the glass and offers it to the first kid he sees before he starts making another one. He thinks Tifa should've gotten the first mixed popsicle since she chopped the fruit and all, but if she's still enjoying the first one, who is he to argue.]

Yeah, the lack of electricity has been a pain. [He wrinkles his nose again - no light bulbs means there are torches everywhere. Ugh.] But if you need to keep things cold, then just ask me. I can put a pile of snow inside a box or something. That could help, right? With the fish and stuff?

[It's not bad manners at all, and Jack wouldn't have minded the question even if she had outright said "what are you". How else is one supposed to know if you don't ask? It took him a while to learn every supernatural creature around the world, sometimes you just gotta be direct!]

Oh, yeah, I'm the winter spirit. You know, in charge of the snow days, and the blizzards, and the- [With a mere wiggle of his fingers, a snowflake appears on his hand and he lets it float away to land on the tip of Tifa's nose.] -cold noses.

[suplexer]

[ Tifa is going to need at least a little bit of a break between popsicles — it's a lot of sugar and she should probably figure out an actual meal too. Himeka's no doubt already cooking something up in the back, so she'll wander over there later to see if she can grab a plate. For now, though, she's happy to work on the one popsicle she's already got.

It's true that the lack of electricity makes everything that much harder, though Tifa has done her best not to be too bothered by it. There is magic that helps with it, and when she considers how back home people got so reliant on electricity that it was taking its toll on the planet, she wonders if maybe it's better to find other ways.

She blinks in surprise when Jack so easily makes an offer. ] That would definitely help, yeah. You can smoke fish to preserve it for longer, but some fresh filets would be a nice change.

[ He doesn't seem at all bothered by her question and is direct with his answer, although it just confuses her more. A... winter spirit? In charge of snow days? She's never heard of such a thing, and the closest she could even think of is Shiva, but she doesn't look or act anything like Jack.

Tifa wrinkles her nose when he makes it cold, letting out a laugh as she bows her head to rub at it and warm it up again. She can't deny his abilities, that's for sure. ]

I can't say I've heard of anything like you before. We have an ancient summon called Shiva who has ice powers, but... I mean, you couldn't just talk to her like I'm talking to you, you know?