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abraxaslogs2021-12-11 04:25 pm
The Festival of Enlightenment - The Free Cities
In the Free Cities, Enlightenment has come once more.
In each major hub, lanterns and lights of every kind are being hung everywhere. On every storefront, every sidewalk, every home and every fence. From elaborate custom made lanterns with color changing lights to simple hand carved candle lanterns and everything in between. By the time Enlightenment proper rolls around, the three major cities are bedecked in lights..
Lanterns and elaborate candle holders and artfully carved candles are going on sale everywhere. Flyers are being plastered on walls announcing The Annual Circus of The Sciences! The latest and most impressive inventions from every corner of the Free Cities! Hosted by Prime Minister Reiner herself!
This is a time to celebrate technology. Free from a dependency on magic, The Free Cities thrive in this time of literal and metaphorical darkness. The phrase ‘lights for Enlightenment!’ is on every citizen’s lips. In the evenings, night markets pop up in the streets. Vendors offering little mechanical toys and decorations set up, as well as the latest street cuisines, and light up jewelry to celebrate the holiday. Pendants, earrings, headpieces, bracelets... some of them glow due to naturally occurring substances, some have chemical reactions activated with the press of a button that make them light up and twinkle.
In Cadens the focus is on inventions and the latest technological advancements, the buzz about this year’s Circus of The Sciences spreading through the city. On Enlightenment Day, in front of Portham Hall, the greatest inventors from all over the Free Cities gather to show off their greatest inventions, each vying to win the coveted prize of government funding. All inventions are on display to the public - there’s a great deal of talk about an engine powered entirely by steam! - and judged by a team of Ministry officials.
Yet none judge quite as harshly as the infamous Head Judge, Aleksander G. Klingel. Known not only for his own contributions to Cadens innovations and technological milestones, but for his biting commentary during the competition itself. Some of the less technologically minded have even made it a point to attend just to see what the winning insult will be this year...
"I wouldn't trust you running a bath let alone a hydroplane."
"Are you a stuffed puppet? Because your head must be filled with felt to come up with something this inane."
"This is really a tough decision... because you're all crap."
And even the summoned have a role to play, if they so choose. Aleksander is more than happy to compensate any of the Summoned for their time... if they’d just participate in a teeny little holiday experiment. All they need to do is hold a metal rod for a few minutes. Aleksander promises it’s not dangerous, that little tingle is perfectly normal...
In Libertas and Aquila, new plays and performances are debuting - and all seem to have a common theme: the power and superiority of technology over magic. Even overheard conversations may espouse the same ideals - how strange that the other kingdoms still rely on magic, it’s just irrational! The theme of technology and light are found even in the newest fashion collections, unveiled for the season, utilizing reflective fabric and metals.
Should anyone ask a local how long, exactly, this holiday is celebrated for, they’ll be told that in honor of the light of technology triumphing over the dim, the festivities last all day and all night. Come the day, the street markets open in the morning and stay open until the next morning. There’s singing and drinking in the streets, everyone trying to stay up until dawn to show that the spirit of the Free Cities will never go dark. Starting with The Circus of The Sciences, kicked off by a speech from Prime Minister Marlo.
Standing on the steps of Portham Hall, wearing her formal military garb, is Prime Minister Marlo Reiner. She holds up her hands for silence from the crowds.
"Welcome, once again, to another celebration of the Enlightenment! We’re gathered together to celebrate and illuminate all the hard work that each and every one of you do, every day, to make our Free Cities what they are! We’ve cut ties with relying on magic to do everything for us and we thrive! Even now, in the darkest part of the year when the rest of the world struggles, we thrive! Because we rely on ourselves! Your minds are more powerful than magic and nothing can dim your light!
"So let’s have a good time! Starting with the Circus of The Sciences! Enjoy the best of what the human mind has accomplished, and if you see something you really like, I don’t think a single one of our inventors would refuse a donation. Judges will be making the rounds soon.
"Here’s to another year of changing the world!"
With a thunderous roar of applause, The Day of Enlightenment officially begins!
(Coming soon! The events of December 21st and beyond will depend on player actions...)
no subject
He blinks, staring down the path. For some reason, he can't help but imagine the horses are just going to keep running until they've arrived back here. Is there a joy in going that fast? A horse must enjoy it. Certainly those ones needn't suffer from being prey.
Jaskier turns back to his friend, moving to his side perhaps a little closer than normal. Nothing against him, but he would very much like to not get lost in vampire woods. It doesn't surprise him that Alucard has specifically designed this place to keep himself alone, yet his heart is heavier for him all the same.]
Cozy, isn't it? [Is his comment as they come upon the hut. And the very opposite of a moving castle, a difference so obvious it can be nothing but deliberate. To Alucard's credit, the inside is quite cozy, the kitchen a clear focus. He stares at it all, at least half of it unfamiliar.
It's quaint. A vampire with a penchant for cooking. Perhaps Jaskier is really still throttling through the air, his head shaken. It feels like it.] Ah. I do adore brie. Do you have something with a note of fruit? Cherries, perhaps?
[Certainly it's all expensive and rare, but that's the glory of this place. He could provide his own food, his own wine, but he's far more curious what Alucard will choose given the chance.]
no subject
Once they're both inside, Alucard goes right to a bread box that sits on the counter. A small box of salt sits on the dining table. Hospitality. Bread and salt. Always and without fail.]
I don't need much more. [It is dry, he can cook, and there's a bit more space than the cactus. Inside, the rain patters against the roof in a gentle staccato. The dhampair grabs a cutting board that lives behind the bread box, and soon enough, there's a thick, crusty rye loaf brought over to the table. A serrated knife is balanced carefully on the board.]
I'm not familiar with that type, but I might have something. Feel free to start slicing though.
[Alucard moves to the refrigerator, something that's rudimentary but functional. A small rectangle that cools itself through circulated water and a little bit of magic. One of his father's favorite inventions, and one that does indeed have cheese within.]
I've a goat cheese crusted with hazel nuts and a medium sheep's cheese that might work. Do you have a preference?
no subject
Jaskier, curious, watches him move about his own space. Certainly it's nothing like the discomfort he saw tensing Alucard in the babble of the museum. He plucks up the knife and begins cutting them both a sizable slice of bread, still vaguely warm to the touch.]
They both sound excellent. The hazelnuts, I think. [Anything for a bite of the rarer things in life, when he so often spent time on the road. And though he could summon up a brie, naturally, he likes the aspects of the Horizon that feel all the more... real. Thus, the vineyard.
He does summon a few grapes, though. Not out of nothing, but simply a relocator spell. They'll go well with the goat cheese.] I imagine you don't have company here much, do you?
[Not with the single bedroom. The single bed. He leans against the counter, plucking at grapes. However this day was meant to go, he didn't expect he'd wind up here.] Thank you for inviting me in, Alucard.
[He might not only be speaking of his cottage, or his domain.]