[OPEN] welcome to farmville

[aquaveiled]

WHO: Anyone in Solvunn!
WHAT: Mingle Meet & Greet for new and old Solvunn Summoned!
WHEN: Early through mid-February
WHERE: Primary Settlement: The Drunken Lamb and Gardsbruk Farm

[ ooc; This is an open log so feel free to jump in and make your own top-levels! You do not need to have CR with Himeka to stop by the farm, but you are free handwave her as a word of mouth to get your character there or to the tavern if needed. She will easily talk to anyone. ]

i. The Drunken Lamb




If walls could talk, these certainly would. The Drunken Lamb, an old staple in the Primary Settlement is where many go to relax and chat after a long day's work. In these colder and darker times of the year, the tavern herself gets more and more packed with those looking for a little respite from the new chill in the air. A cup of locally brewed ale and good conversation are a great way to pass the evening and some nights get livelier with heated arguments over local produce and game, and friendly contests over mead and cards. A few nights a week there may also be a musical performance by a bad or just an impromptu sing-along when someone gets the urge. Luckily if you're drunk enough knowing the words may not be necessary.

Everyone is welcome at The Drunken Lamb, and that includes the Summoned!

The atmosphere inside the tavern is warm, stone walls lit by torches and candles. Everyone is welcomed by the local tavern owner standing behind the counter. You're free to grab a drink or order dinner right away should you like, but if you want to meet up right away, you get a nod towards the back of the tavern to the tables by the stairs where your fellow Summoned wait.

Oh, and there is an old ewe who hangs out by the front door, either outside or inside depending on the weather. Her name is Myrtle and if she spits on you it's considered good luck.

ii. Gardsbruk Farm

[ ooc; Pretend the mountains are much further away in these reference images, lol ]




On the roads between the Primary and Secondary Settlements sits Gardsbruk Farm. A once thriving homestead servicing the community and housing several generations of the Gardsbruk family has fallen into disarray in the past decade, a shell of its former glory. Left to the care of Maeve and Declan Gardsbruk, the twins had somewhat hesitantly allowed the help of local summoned in their efforts to restore the farm. Himeka Sui, Kay Faraday, and until recently Estinien Wyrmblood and Relena Peacecraft had called the farm a second home. With new trust in the Summoned, the Gardsbruks finally begin to reach out and ask for help of the larger community.

Muddy pastures start to look green once again, but the cooler months are a time to prepare for the oncoming spring. A few crops may be planted for family use, but the main stock of this farm is sheep.

And there are sheep! You may be greeted by up to two dozen sheep when you enter the grounds, though not all of the livestock may welcome your presence. Hopefully that doesn't put you off because there are a few ewes to be milked. They will not be sheared again until the springtime is in full swing, but for those that are interested there may be an opportunity to make sheep cheese. If you do well, you may take home a sample as well!

It isn't just all fighty ewes and cheese, though. It seems that a few of the ewes are due to give birth! If you're not squeamish, you may help deliver lambs into this world. The miracle of life may not be pretty, but you will earn a cup of hot cider for your efforts.

Comments

[lackingtalent]

[It was at that moment, Hythlodaeus knew he-

Well, no. That, more than likely, would come after he'd been soundly beaten. Or perhaps even the next morning. His eyes widen ever so slightly, and he can do nothing, really, but blink at Himeka.

He's surprised, he can't help it! And while he would never view most of a dear, dear friend as a concept, (really. He couldn't.) some questions are certainly cropping up as to her new physiology that he does not have a ready answer for.

But. In attempt to smooth Himeka's (subtle!) outrage...]

Is that so! My apologies. I've a feeling I am to learn something tonight.

[A glance to the barman.]

Would you mind? If I'm to lose horribly, I'd prefer to do so quickly.

[aquaveiled]

[ It's the tail, Hythlodaeus. Like a camel's hump that's where she stores all the excess fat which gives her an edge--

--no, that's not it at all. But is that something she would tell him with a straight face? Yes. Absolutely.

She accepts his apology readily enough--never one to hold grudges or ill thoughts for long in any incarnation. Though she cross her arms obstinately as she nods, at least as much as she can while still holding onto her stein. ]

"Round one? I don't see why not."

[ At that, Himeka blinks, turning her gaze from Hythlodaeus to the barman. ]

Oh, really? I was hoping he would have a few rounds.

[ The barman motions for the two to take their place at the small wooden table in the center of the seating area. ]

"I'm not the sort to deny a dying man his final wish. If it pleases you."

[ Himeka purses her lips in thought, sizing up Hythlodaeus then, apparently, deciding this would be the kinder thing to do. ]

Alright.

[ With that, she takes her seat.

Seeing the designated gaining occupants, others around the tavern start to gather around. It's time to begin! ]

[lackingtalent]

[He would believe it too! For surely, the sight of Himeka, with (quite pretty, if he were to be asked) scales and horns and of course, such a gigantic tail- all which seem to display multiple colours depending on how the light strikes them- evokes some kind of wonder as to purpose.

Yet it is a missed opportunity (for now.) Instead, his mind is ticking along steadily, trying to deduce what the aim of the game even is. Drinking? Well, that's quite apparent. But is it a matter of speed or endurance? Or even both?

Questions, questions. At least the barkeep seems to have been taken in by his ever-so-slight self-depreciation regarding suitability. And in his experience, ensuring he is underestimated in all things is half the battle. Himeka though? He's unsure. The way she purses her lips is unreadable.

Still.

He moves to sit where offered, and... oh, he's worried. More worried when people seem to come from all corners of the bar to view the challenge to the reigning champion! ...To his credit though, he sits. And he raises his empty mug to tap it, lightly, to Himeka's.]

Do be gentle with me.

[aquaveiled]

[ Her eyes narrow as Hythlodaeus takes his seat across from her and, at his plea, she can only smile. ]

I'm never gentle.

[ Which is exactly what you want to hear from a healer.

She taps her tankard against Hythlodaeus' before holding it aloft so the barkeep can fill up their glasses. He raises his hand and the room, all at once, starts to count down from five. After hitting one, all shout "go!"

And boy does she go. Himeka downs the mug in a series of heavy gulps before slamming it down on the table as she grins at her opponent. ]

Another!

[ If she could wield a hammer she'd also be a terrifying sight. ]

[lackingtalent]

[It is not something good to hear. But in this case, it is. For this case is special. This case is unique- for he is reminded immediately of Hemera. Had she not said something entirely the same once? Had she not had the same look in her (altogether different) eyes when she had said it? Had her soul not let off a brief spark in the exact same manner as it just did right now?

He can only respond with what he had said then.]

Then I ask only that you treat me well! ...And that you embellish the details as much as possible to our dear friend.

[Oh, how similar his feelings are. At once, he is both amused enough to laugh (which he does) and spurred to start- something which... well, he does make a go of it. Despite the fact that the ale spills over unto his hand as his tankard is filled, he does put it to his lips and he does drink...

Despite the fact he is not an ale drinker. Despite the fact that by the time Himeka has finished her first, he has taken three good gulps- and perhaps a fourth hesitant one. His tankard, regrettably, is still half-full by the time she has finished her first, and the taste within his mouth is not one he deems worth this.

Yet. He does finish. And he does offer out his tankard, once more, by the time Himeka has finished perhaps her fourth.

How?

The question is an emotive one. He's staring, wide-eyed at her, even as he begins to drink his second.]

[aquaveiled]

[ Our dear friend. It gives her pause, but only for a moment. She knows immediately who Hythlodaeus is speaking of, but things with Emet-Selch are...complicated, at best.

Yet she knows that after all that has been said and done, he has kept his word since arriving in Thorne and even absconded to Solvunn with them when he had no real reason to. He was welcomed in Thorne and would do well there, even. But here he is, in a farming community mostly keeping to himself and not causing much trouble. Hells, he's even come to her aid when she's asked. Bygones may really in fact be bygones.

Are they friends again? There was a time she thought they were, when he was part of the team. Maybe such a thing is possible, though she gets the feeling that Hythlodaeus is the sort to see the best in people, much like herself. For better or for worse.

But Himeka can only smile in turn, raising her tankard to her opponent and taking a hearty drink along with him. ]

You have my word, as long as we can still stand.

[ Which is. Promising, isn't it?

And down the next few mugs she does, one after another, wiping her mouth with pride after she finishes each. There are some cheers from the crowd--they've seen her do this before and novelty of the small draconic woman downing mead like the local blacksmith hasn't quite worn off.

But after four pints, even Himeka is a little wobbly on her chair. She watches lazily as Hythlodaeus get his refill, resting her chin on her palm as her elbow slides along the wood of the table.

At his unspoken question, she chuckles and snorts once. ]

I dran...k-- [ Emphasis on the "K" for no reason at all. ] --with pirates, y'know.

L'msa Lom'nsa. You can make a lotta gil if you win.

[ A beat as she tries to take another drink from her empty tankard. ]

I lost.

[lackingtalent]

[Promising indeed. There's so much about Himeka that is different when compared to Hemera, such as that pause. Such is plain to his eye. While, indeed, Himeka at her core is, without doubt, Hemera- so many little factors she has experienced within her life have no doubt made changes to her- altered her beyond a memory of the woman he once knew so closely.

...Yet these changes are not something he's unprepared to accept.
Nor the fact she has a life quite different now- offering her purpose and meaning beyond a past she could not even recall. And even then, for all of these changes, she is not unrecognizable. So he nods his head. Not quite as elegantly as he would have hoped, as the ale has well and truly taken hold, yet he nods it regardless.

And once they have slowed down, just enough for her to blearily utter that story, he finds he cares not for what pirates or gil even are. For even without understanding either of those things, he finds sympathy for this (seeming) misfortune rise.]

Is that so? How unfortunate...

[And.]

Still. You've learned from it. I'm quite certain- for I'm feeling that I am the one to be defeat-

[A clatter. ...His mug had got in the way of his gesture. It is now on its side, remaining liquid within now without... and all over the table. soaking his elbows and...

Oh.]

Are my elbows wet?

[He's not actually aware.]

...I forfeit. And now you have won.

[And no, he's not aware there are subsequent challengers either.]

[aquaveiled]

[ Unfortunate indeed. But there is wisdom in loss, or something like that. Or maybe it was just the fact that no matter how many times she did lose, she didn't give up. That, of course, meant she often had nothing to her name and some nasty hangovers to boot, but look where it's gotten her?

Watching a man who should long be dead try and hold his ale on a strange world that neither of them wished to be in on the caveat that they are, potentially, there to save their own.

Clearly worth drinking with pirates.

Himeka watches Hythlodaeus' fumbling about and should absolutely try to help, but instead she just stares a bit as she tips her own mug back and forth. Hard love? Yes, something like that. Everyone has to learn their limits even if it soils their clothes.

When he formally forfeits, Himeka just laughs and pats his arm as she may have done many eons ago. ]

Then I guess we're on to...the second brackets? M' sure we'll see who your next opponent is...

[ Sorry, Hythlodaeus. It's going to be A Night. ]