EVENT #6: PEACE ON THE HORIZON

[abraxasmods]

Event #6 - EVENT INFO

go to the OOC event info and plotting post

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Those that agree to attend the Summit will travel via portals to the designated location, which is out in the open in neutral territory. Plenty of pretty mountains and flowers. A magic field is erected over this area. Characters can only enter and exit at designated portals. It is not possible to leave this encircled area, which will also negate teleportation and portal spells. Plus, you don't want to embarrass your faction by sneaking out of bounds!

Before entering, all will be given a pin that designates what faction they belong to. This pin is not only color-coded but enchanted so that even should the appearance change, mages from any faction can identify who is who. The Summoned will be required to wear this pin at all times during the Summit.

The Summoned will be offered a comfortable tent to stay in during the 3-day Summit period! There's also a communal bath and a lounge to enjoy. A simple but tasty complimentary breakfast is provided for everyone, and additional meals can be bought from the faction booths or at the lounge. See the Neutral Section detailed below for more.

As noted, CHARACTERS MAY CHANGE FACTIONS USING THIS EVENT. To switch factions, please reply to the comment here. See the OOC post (link above) for details or questions!

The "Peace" Summit

An open plain flanked by mountains to the north and south, a large circular area has been fenced off. Large poles embedded into the earth are connected with magical rings, drooping heavy in the middle as if the ethereal chains have real weight. The area is divided into thirds, each section a mass of colorful tents and booths. In the center is a large wooden stage. All attendees must sit through this keynote speech. It's only polite.

The Prime Minister of the Free Cities begins the opening address. In formal military regalia she's the first to address the crowd, raising her arms high to command attention. She's smiling.

+ Marlo's Speech

"We'd like to start by welcoming all of you. For those that don't know me, I'm Marlo Renier, Prime Minister of the Free Cities. With me are Councilwoman Winifred Bordeaux of the Solvunn Communities and Queen Ellya Gladwin of the Kingdom of Thorne. We come together today in the spirit of good will. We may be divided by borders but we're all neighbors. We all share this continent. We may not always share the same opinions or agree on everything but who does? There's one thing we do agree on though - nobody is looking to start trouble. That's about the last thing anybody needs right now. That's why we're all here today. A show of good faith, a display of trust, and hopefully the first step on a long road of diplomacy and mutual understanding. And we all expect everybody on their best behavior and to conduct themselves in the spirit of this Summit.

I'm going to turn things over to Councilwoman Bordeaux now. Thank you, and you all should come check out what the Free Cities has to offer! Councilwoman?"

Marlo steps aside for the representative of Solvunn to take center stage.

+ Winifred's Speech

Winifred steps forward, nodding hear head to Marlo before turning her attention to the gathered crowd. Her own attire is modest, a dress of ivory and forest green adorned with hundreds of embroidered flowers and a velvet bodice in a deep wine red.

"Thank you, Prime Minister. Some of you are likely only to know of Solvunn due to the terrible circumstances surrounding Eifstide, for which we must humbly apologize. It was not our intention to cause such pain and happened merely by accident. While that does not take away what has occurred, we do hope that we can move forward together to create a brighter, more connected continent. All of us has something to share with each other, and it is my sincerest hope that we may learn from you, as well.

The Gods smile upon the unification of our mighty communities! May we be blessed with a friendship of longevity and prosperity!. For those of you curious as to what Solvunn can do for you, look no further than this Summit's festivities. It is my pleasure to let Queen Ellya of Thorne conclude todays formalities."

+ Queen Ellya's Speech

When it's Queen Ellya's turn to speak, she addresses the crowd with hands folded. For this occassion she's worn an elaborate gown of bright blue shot through with silver that seems to shift and move through the fabric.

"Such inspiring words, truly. I can only echo the sentiments put forth before me. I hope that this Summit shows to one and all that Thorne intends no aggression toward our fellow kingdoms. Certainly, through collaborative efforts such as this, understanding can be found. Tensions can be resolved. Even between such opposite minded cultures. I am confident that these few days will be very illuminating for each and every one of you. I urge you to go forth with eyes and ears open, to ensure all that can be learned is. Enjoy yourselves. Indulge yourselves. Educate yourselves. The festivities will now commence!"

Spreading her hands towards the audience, Queen Ellya slowly steps back to her place with the others.

From here on out, the festivities commence! Characters are encouraged to freely explore each faction's section as they please - and of course, to be respectful of their neighbors. They're all friends here, after all.

Mingle & Activities

Every faction has their own setup of booths and displays that feature a variety of activities and items. Booths open in the morning and close a couple hours after sundown in the evenings. Attendants at each place will be friendly, although some may notice that while the Summoned wander more freely, there is very little intermingling among the locals of each faction. The occasional dirty look may be exchanged when no one's looking and those with keen eyes might find evidence of petty bits of vandalism.

Click to expand the sections below for a description of each area.

Thorne Section

Each booth in Thorne's section are adorned with opulent fabrics in the same blues and silvers of the Queen's dress. Magically lit lanterns are strewn on the fronts and within tents and will change colors throughout the day and over the course of the weekend. Regardless of the weather, being beneath the awnings is always pleasant as if indoors in a properly warmed and ventilated room. Nothing is left wanting. Luxury and ease through the use of magic is emphasized.

Though not calling out any who wander the aisle, any who approach a booth will be greeted with a pleasant smile. Mages are eager to show off their magicks by the use of spells, staves, wands, and magical enchantments from ancient tomes. A booth from Hayle University gives demonstrations and short lectures on the hour every hour, letting the Summoned know that with enough practice they, too, can become a Master of Magicks.

For those who came with a full coin purse, there are fine wines, expensive tapestries and fabrics, sparkling accessories and more available for purchase. If you're feeling hungry, it is highly suggested that you try the decadent and delicately dressed dishes comparable to what's served in Castle Thorne itself.

Along with magic shows, the most popular booth is that of the Pondering Orb. Form an orderly line and wait for your turn to approach the orb. All will be allotted five whole minutes to think their deepest thoughts as they lay their hands upon the orb and ponder. The little bit of tingling that you feel and the faint glow that grows the longer you touch it just means that it's working.

Free Cities Section

The Free Cities area can be heard from nearly all the other sections, alive with sound and activity. There's a state of carefully balanced chaos between the different booths and lanterns are connected by long wires, powered by generators placed proudly out in front - in almost direct competition to the magical light show that Thorne has been putting on. It's just a bit of friendly rivalry, of course. There's nothing wrong with having such a strong reliance on magic, even if it seems rather outdated.

Attendants are eager to show off all their grand innovations, including meals in a can (main course and dessert all in one dubious goop can!) and a small variety of old-style guns. They are the only faction displaying these weapons. In addition, they'll talk about the impressive level of productivity their workers provide in the name of progress. Naturally, no one is forced to work overtime. It's only that their people are so dedicated to their work, even a common factory worker will go out of their way to help science and innovation. The Summoned are encouraged to consider joining a nation with such a high level of ambition, and there's always room for everyone in their powerful military.

To commemorate the event, those participating can stamp their bronze with a fancy gear pattern. It takes about fifteen seconds to press and renders the bronze worthless to spend, but what's more valuable than a souvenir? There is a sign that says No refunds if you aren't happy with the result, although if the machine happens to swallow your coin, you will be given a new bronze to stamp free of charge. Isn't that generous?

Solvunn Section

Solvunn's booths are covered with handmade tablecloths in various styles - quilted, patchwork, crochet, and intricate embroidery. Enchanted candles of all shapes and sizes float and illuminate the area, some changing color as the day goes on. When the sun sets, all the candles take on a shade that imitates moonlight.

Those who are running booths will call out to anyone who approaches, ushering them to the booths in order to ply them with friendly conversation and small samples of their wares. For the right price, there are specialty honeys, cheeses, candies, and all other manner of goat-based products. A few booths also have goat's milk soaps, lotions, and candles. Ask a Solvunnite about what good a goat is and they'll tell you everything. The mages are equally more than happy to show off their mastery, though not just in flashy elemental magic. Mages fond of divination, tealeaf readings, and interpreting tarot will offer one-on-one demonstrations, especially if you've some coin to spare.

This year, Solvunn has decided to extend its Spring Equinox celebration to the other Abraxans at the Summit! Everyone is encouraged to join in the festivities as now is the time for observing the balance of day and night. This celebration is devoted to new life - new community members, additions to their flocks, and the bringing of goodwill for the year's crops. A maypole is erected at the center of the celebration and if it stays upright until the following festival, it's taken as a sign that the community's harvest will be bountiful.

Additionally, the shrine of Lyfbringr has been erected with paintings and several small statues depicting an androgynous god that appears as an amalgamation of man, flora, and fauna. The shrine is enclosed in a tent that is half bright cheery colors and darker monochromatic shades.

Representatives of Solvunn stand by to weave colorful ribbons or rings of flowers into people's hair or tie small bells onto their wrists. There are many baby goats frolicking in a temporary paddock that guests are free to mill about in. The Summoned are invited to consider a life among a peaceful neighborly commune where help and friendship are right at your doorstep!

Neutral Section

This area is meant for everyone to mingle, but the Summoned will find they're mostly the only ones here as the locals prefer to stay within their factions. It's lightly decorated with no particular colors or emblems of any one faction. Ample ambient lighting gives the place a warm glow once the sun goes down. Wooden benches are placed sporadically between the different designated areas, making sure that no one has to go far to find a place to rest their feet.

The Lounge Tavern is open at noon for 2 hours for lunch, and then again at sunset in the evenings, where anyone can come to have a drink or a meal. Beneath the protection of a large, open air tent, seating is provided in the form of more wooden benches and long shared tables, as well as a few stools. Vintages, ales, and meads from each of the factions are available to enjoy. A few recreational activities are available, as well, such as darts and dice games. The tables and seats are placed close together, to encourage mingling and talk among each other. Though the bar is staffed by NPC volunteers, all are expected to bus their own tables when they leave.

The Sleeping Tents are where the Summoned will return to for the night to sleep. Each tent has large number of pillows, throws, and a few large mats that can be arranged as desired for optimal comfort. The ground itself is lined in animal pelts, mostly sheep and goat, making it soft and inviting. They are indeed shared, but there's plenty of room for everyone. Each tent can fit about 8-10 people - or more, if you cozy up.

The Communal Baths open in both the evenings and in the mornings for a few hours each, which is effectively an open bathhouse pool. The pool is dug into the ground itself and lined with special tile manufactured from the Free Cities, hailed for its ability to hold water without the use of special sealant. The waters are magically warmed to the ideal temperature using enchanted stones from Thorne that create a natural border around the edges, and soap (made of goat's milk, courtesy of Solvunn) and towels are provided. Here, those attending can bathe as well as use it as a mingle.

Summit Events

Meant to be a "collaboration" between the factions, the Summit also offers activities that take place on the main stage where the speeches were initially given.

Raffle

The Summoned will be provided a single courtesy raffle ticket, which they can use to enter the raffle contest. Additional tickets will cost an extra 5 bronze coins. To enter the raffle contest, fill out the comment here and we will RNG your prizes!

Regardless of luck, all those who enter will receive all 3 (one of each) of the following consolation prizes:

• Inkless Quill: Provided by Thorne, this is a magical quill that never runs out of ink...sort of. It'll work for about a month of heavy use before it runs out of juice. The Thorne sigil will automatically watermark any pages that this quill is used to write on.
• Tote Bag & Charm: Provided by Solvunn, this soft woven tote bag comes with a small handmade charm depicting a sigil of one of the old gods. If asked what the god or sigil means, the only answer is that you will know when your time comes.
• Glow Ring: Provided by the Free Cities, this ring will adjust to fit any finger size. It comes with a round orb instead of a jewel that can light up on command and act as a powerful torch or flashlight. Very powerful. People have gone blind by looking directly into it for too long.

An Escaped Creature

On the second day of the event, rumor has it a small creature has gone loose! The offender in question is this little fellow, who is the size of a small poodle. The Summoned are asked to help find and catch him, if at all possible. He's noted to be harmless if mischievous, but all those in the area are warned to be careful for if he's startled, the animal will eject a magical plume from his quills that can cause one of the following temporary effects: excessive sneezing, a change in hair color, glitter bombed, or to emit a constant glowing aura.

No one knows where he came from or who brought him, but ask any of the faction attendants and they'll be liable to start pointing fingers at the other side. Nonetheless, all those who make an effort to help catch him will be thanked and available mages may attempt to help with the side effects.

If you want your character to make a real attempt at catching him, reply to the comment here by Feb 20th and we'll RNG who eventually catches him. If your character fails, however, they must take one of its side effects for the rest of the day. The choice as to which one is yours! The winner will be rewarded with a token bottle of wine for their troubles or a very fancy dessert if they don't drink.

Comments

Edelgard von Hresvelg | Thorne | The Emperor

[flame_emperor]

The Sections

Thorne-Pondering The Orb

The line for this mysterious orb seemed so long, Edelgard felt compelled to see what all the fuss was about. She hopes the wait was worth it and now that she's here, she can conclusively say...she's not actually sure.

Tentatively, she places a gloved hand on the orb. "Ah. I can feel it tingling even through the fabric." But her brow furrows. "Though I'm not sure the effect is magical in nature. It's certainly...odd." She gazes deep into the sphere. "I suppose I probably should have thought of something to ponder." She admits with a shrug, and looking over to whoever joined her. "Are you finding the orb...helps?"

Free Cities

Of the two other factions, it's the Free Cities that interest her the most, and she spends a great deal of time there. While she does linger for a time at the display of guns, more weapons aren't what Fódlan needs right now, so she doesn't spend much time there. Instead, her time is spent wandering from stall to stall, examining the various technological marvels that are apparently commonplace. There may be ideas here worth pursuing when she returns to Fódlan.

Right now, it's a steam engine display that has her most intrigued. "To think, so much power could be produced from so small an engine." She says, trying to observe the parts of the machine. "And from steam, of all things. Truly remarkable." But she can't help but wonder if perhaps such knowledge had been known to Fódlan and suppressed by the Church. The books in Abyss' shadowed library had been most enlightening on all the advancements that had been kept out of humanity's reach by the Immaculate One and her ilk, and that list was hardly exhaustive.

Later on, feeling the pangs of hunger, Edelgard decides to try out one of the meals in a can. Unsure of how to take the goopy substance, she sips at it, lets the goop slosh about in her mouth for a moment, before swallowing.

"Hm. I think this was a mistake." She decides, finally.

Baths

Cleanliness has always been important to Edelgard, but so has her privacy. Unfortunately, the main source for hygiene at this summit is anything but private, so it's near the end of the evening bathing period, with only about twenty minutes left, before she slides into the water, covered as best she can by a towel, in the hopes that most people have cleared out already and Edelgard can bathe quickly in peace and be on her way.

As a result, she takes no time to relax or enjoy the water, but merely gets to the work of scrubbing herself down as best she can with the provided soaps. Though unusually, by this time of the summit, Edelgard has gone through something of an unusual change; her white hair has somehow turned a shade of brown. It had come as a rather...stark shock at the time, and she was trying not to dwell on it too much. After all, the effect was apparently temporary. Not worth trying to get used to it if she was only going to lose it again soon anyway. Still, that knowledge fills her with a wistful melancholy of what might have been.

And while she is working determinedly to clean herself, anyone still in the baths will definitely be able to see that her body is both toned and surprisingly more muscled than might be expected, and is marked by many scars. Clearly, Edelgard is a woman trained for and experienced in battle. The thin straight lines down her arms, the sides of her legs, and just below her clavicle that descends past her chest are much older, and far too neat for battle wounds. For those who see them, and are aware of such differences, there's a distinctly...surgical look to those ones. Less random or haggard than a glancing blow from a blade or cut from an arrow nicking her side.

Edelgard is working quickly to clean herself and be gone as fast as possible.

[gynvael]

[ His lips twitch. He does not say that spending his days with several horses sounds ideal. A stablehand, he's joked more than once; never serious—he means it when he says he can't see ever being anything other than what he is—but on rare occasions, the mind wanders.

He wants to say he misses when things were simple. He isn't certain they ever were. Simpler, maybe. But not simple.

He's quiet when she falls silent: watching, without expectation for her to say more. A lot is an understatement for how things have been. The arrival of Julie and her people has been the least complicated of all that's happened. The only thing that isn't giving him a fucking headache. He's largely remained in Cadens since. Hadn't wanted to vanish for an extended hunt immediately. Besides, his last few trips have netted him a good amount, a chunk of which has gone to Nadine and Julie to help them settle—whether the coin itself or in the form of things bought and given.

A breeze rustles the leaves and he exhales. ] It hasn't made things worse. [ That's almost the best anyone can hope for, with the state of this world. He reaches for the wine again. ] The queen appearing alone—I thought Thorne would at least pretend the crown stood together.

[ He doesn't know what it means, but he doesn't like it, the king's utter absence from the start. Nothing about the queen leaves him at ease. And as much as he's pushed his time in Thorne aside, seeing her again is still. Unpleasant. ]

[gynvael]

[ Not enough. Geralt only shakes his head, accepting that for what it is. He hasn't asked how Sam's been doing since his people have filtered into this world, new and old alike. A blessing and yet not. He understands how it is. The complications it brings. Nothing is ever easy, ever simple. Not even reuniting with those closest to you.

Sometimes, that's the part that's the hardest.

Sam jokes, but: ] They may as well be.

[ A puppet monarchy is hardly unheard of. The Queen is elusive, but nowhere near as elusive as her husband. If he's present, Geralt suspects he rules in name only. She has Grigory wrapped around her finger. Not a stretch to believe she's done the same with the king. It's only, given the public nature of this event, he'd have thought they would appear together at the least, king and queen.

He tips back more wine. Setting sight on the queen again makes him uneasy, dredges up memories he'd rather not dwell on. By and large, he's managed to put most of it out of his mind—but on occasion, he feels it, the ghost of sharp claws digging into his head. ]

Welcoming Speech

[flame_emperor]

"I was just asking...Yennefer of Vengerberg?" The white-haired woman dressed in an impeccable red coat and black trousers clarifies once she has Yennefer's attention. "You are she, correct?"

Yennefer's name was one that had turned up repeatedly as Edelgard had gotten her bearings around Thorne and began learning how its power structure worked. Another Summoned, and a veteran one at that, who now apparently had the queen's ear. Her name carried significance, and that had Edelgard's attention. Someone she could perhaps learn from, and take measure of.

"My name is Edelgard von Hresvelg. I was recently summoned, and I was hoping we could talk, if you can spare the time."

baths

[hegemonwings]

It was an eventful day. Byleth had shadowed her or walked alongside her for much of it, making idle conversation as they tried to enjoy themselves, but she'd spent a solid amount of time on her own, as well. Edelgard may not have had much interest in the firearms, but Byleth did, fascinated from a mechanical standpoint and simultaneously interested and horrified by the impact it could have on a battlefield. Still, she'd tried not to lose sight of why they were here.

Byleth's already bathed by the time Edelgard ducks in, so she just sort of... waits outside with a robe folded over her arm. Self-consciously, she takes a lock of her own recolored hair between her fingers and stares at it. Back to that pale green.

With any luck, El will be done soon, and the two of them can at least somewhat decompress from the day—even if they can't drop the performance entirely.

[leitstern]

[Hendrik is a plain man, simple with his emotions. He watches the man stare at his hands; an uncomfortable display of restless boredom. The act is uncomfortable enough to provoke him to inspect his own. He turns them over in his lap with a puzzled frown.

It is enough to divert his attention. Eight seconds pass before he finds himself. Five more before he discovers words.]

Enough to find it all preposterous. Common knowledge would have us believe that monument is the source of all life. For each and eery world entire.

[He looks puzzled for a moment and starts talking aloud.]

Perhaps it and Yggdrasil one and the same? I should hardly understand it. Yggdrasil is...

[Dead? He sounds uncertain. The Luminary survived meaning Her power had not been entirely subsumed. But if Erdrea is dying because of missing Her presence does their presence here even matter?]

Go Orb or Go Home

[speak_n_spell]

[When nothing much happens, Sypha releases the swirl of wind she'd held in her other palm, ready to sweep any shards of crystal away from the onlookers. She'd been pretty sure Thorne wouldn't put any truly dangerous or powerful objects out for the masses to fondle, but not so sure that she'd taken zero precautions.]

Exactly! If it were anything more than a lump of glass with a glow charm slapped on, it should have reacted. Lightning and magic behave very similarly when it comes to passing through conductive material. Magically generated lightning even more so! I'm fairly certain that - [An aggressive jerk of her pointy chin towards the booth] - is just a prop.

Thorne

[flame_emperor]

"It certainly has a theatrical quality to it." Edelgard notes wryly. "I think it would appeal to someone back home. Perhaps I should suggest it to him." Hubert could be...surprisingly flowery when the mood seized him, but she had to admit his naming of "Those Who Slither in the Dark" summed them up quite excellently.

"Next to that, professing to be a master of Reason seems a bit dull in comparison."

[princessvegas]

[ During the Queen's speech is when Julie seems more furious than simply incredulous. There are only a handful of people who know what she did, and Julie wants to scream at the top of her lungs, but she doesn't. The effort is distracting her, so when the man next to her speaks, she starts a little, blinks at him. Truth be told, she's not yet comfortable even running into other Summoned she doesn't know, not outside of the Horizon. It's to be expected, probably, when you live isolated away from all of the others for months on end.

It's a welcome relief for the stage to empty, and she's already turning when he says something else, and she stops, tilts her head as she looks him over. She doesn't even remember seeing him anywhere in the Horizon, now that she thinks about it. Maybe he's one of the fresh fish they just caught. ]

Yeah, sure. I need a drink or I'm gonna lose it, listenin' to this shit. [ She's already starting to walk again, in the general direction that the crowd is going. ] And just so you know, I can light shit on fire with just a thought, so don't try anythin'.

[flame_emperor]

Once Samus has slumped backwards, Edelgard finally relaxes, pulling herself up into a kneeling position, and nods. "Yes, fine." She assures the other woman. "I must apologize for startling you." For a moment she hesitates.

"I've had nightmares of similar intensity myself. Are you all right?" She asks. Sleep generally comes harder to her after a thrasher like the one Samus just experienced.

[princessvegas]

[ Honestly, for something like this, even putting down both feet probably wouldn't stop her. Bathing is not optional just because someone might see your tits in passing. Not when you're sleeping within smelling distance of Julie. ]

Yeah, and everyone who ever made you feel that way is dead now, so you should do whatever you want. They were Catholic, they're probably in Hell for diddlin' kids anyway. Don't let a kiddy diddler make you feel shame.

[ This is Julie being encouraging. She's trying, but she's also trying to persuade a woman twelve years her senior that it's okay to be naked to take a bath. Catholic scandal jokes are about all she's got here.

She sighs deeply when Nadine keeps a towel on in the pool, because it's childish. This is not behavior befitting a queen, and wasn't that what they'd agreed, that she needed to start acting like one? That she deserved that? Julie dips her head back to wet her hair more, the string of little bells around her wrist tinkling softly as she moves. ]

Look, I know shit was hard for you your whole life, but bringin' that baggage here ain't gonna help change it. I mean, I get it, I was raised in the church too, Evangelical, but at some point, you gotta remember that God just doesn't give a shit about us bein' naked. If He wanted us covered up that much, He'd provide the wardrobe.

baths, of course.

[wiedzminka]

[ Ah. Ciri sees the sparkles catching the late afternoon sunlight from way across the bath, and she knows what happened. She ambles closer through the water, a washcloth held over her chest when the water doesn't reach that high -- mostly so as not to make it too awkward, considering some people's fussiness about communal baths that she's realized among the Summoned -- and greets him with a snort and a sympathetic smile. ]

I see the little bastard got you too.

[ Also, Ciri's hair is mint green. ]

[flame_emperor]

Knowing that Byleth was waiting lends greater speed to Edelgard's washing and as a result the older woman is barely waiting five minutes before Edelgard returns, damp but scrubbed clean and smelling of soap. "There. That should be sufficient for now. Thank you for waiting, General Eisner." The term is formal and she hates having to use it, but they've both agreed on the necessity of maintaining the illusion they are Emperor and general only in public. And there is no privacy among the tents or crowds of the summit.

She takes the robe, and her fingers run slowly over Byleth's hand, brushing against her skin as she does so, a brief but important acknowledgement of affection as she stares into the other woman's eyes. And they are her eyes, the same blue that Edelgard knew and cherished, a sign that the return of that familiar, unhappy green shade was merely an unfortunate coincidence of their failure to catch the creature running loose, and not a sign of anything more serious. She slips the robe and immediately untenses, grateful for the coverage it provides.

"I think I'm quite ready to call it a day. Shall we return to the tent for the night?" She asks. Fortunately their tent-mades were few and people were coming and going at all hours of this summit. If they were lucky, they might be able to snatch a half hour to themselves, and while they couldn't unmask completely, they could at least relax more informally.

[londonbound]

[ When he displays discomfort, though it is slight, Rhy releases him without question (though perhaps a little bit reluctantly.

A laugh. He shakes his head, one hand touching his chest as though wounded. ]

My good man! You cut me to the quick. You could have at least pretended to feel the rogue breeze coming from a recently-opened door.

[londonbound]

[ Rhy doesn't mind at all. He welcomes it, in fact, drinks in the attention like suggestive smiles alone sustain him.

When he approaches, Rhy reaches out to touch Mat's hair, gently straightening the flower crown. ]

They suit you. The flowers. [ A beat, considering. Rhy cocks his head, smirking as he looks Mat up and down. His fingers trail briefly over the other man's cheek when he pulls his hand away again. ]

And the little creatures. They like you.

I don't think I've ever been this close to a goat before.

[londonbound]

I suppose it was, at the moment. But it's all right, either way. There's room.

[ He strides over as he speaks, stepping around and over the messy bedding strewn about. Rhy reaches out -- to brace his shoulder, to offer a hand to take or lean on, whatever seems to make the most sense. ]

Are you injured? Here. Let me help.

[ He means to assist Viktor in getting down to the level of the pillows and blankets without literally toppling right over into them the quick way. If he needs some help with the brace, Rhy might find the contraption unfamiliar, but he follows instructions just fine. ]

iii.

[frontlinetitties]

I dunno.

[She says as she moves up behind him, peering over his shoulder at the gloriously indeterminate gloop inside the can.]

I mean sure, it looks grim as all hell. But I've seen worse. Probably tastes alright.

tavern!

[frontlinetitties]

Huh?

[There's something loose and languid in the way she moves, a certain aqueous gleam to her golden eyes, that indicates she isn't entirely sober herself. But she's upright and more or less functional, which is more than can be said for the scattering of unconscious forms that currently surround the man who addressed her. A man who looks...pretty fucking interesting she's gotta say, and she eyes him up and down quite openly with the sodden brashness of the slightly inebriated as she diverts from her original path to head over to his table. He looks decidedly intimidating, even sitting down. Which of course, is fascinating as fuck.]

What kinda unfair advantage are we talking about, here?

bath time~

[frontlinetitties]

[The idea of communal bathing is entirely new to her. In fact, the idea of bathing is still pretty damn new-- back on the Ninth water had been kind of a hot commodity, something to use carefully and sparingly, and having gone through recyce so many times that it always retained the faint whiff of piss. There are no sonics here though, and she's kiiiinda got used to the idea of soaking oneself in water, has since relinquished her fear that it would somehow seep inside her skin and saturate her body. Drown her from the inside.

So it's the communal aspect now, that she's trying to her head around. It’s this that has brought her here late, hoping to avoid the crowds, and despite all her bravado and brash talk she's still wearing her bandeau and underwear. Look, she's never been naked in public before, or even in front of anyone. The thought of it leaves her feeling uncharacteristically shy.

She's reclining against the edge of the pool, head tipped back and eyes closed. Letting the bright heat of the water sink down into her bones and soothe something inside of her that she didn't even realise needed soothing. So relaxed is she, in fact, that she hadn't noticed the other woman come to rest nearby, and her voice comes like a ripple through the dark. Has her cracking an eye open, and peering over in Aerith's direction. Sees her there, skin pale in the soft light, hair all piled up on top of her head and naked as the day she was born.

Well, fuck.]

Oh. Um. Yeeeeaaaah. Wine. Er...Wine would definitely make this better.

[Smooth.]

[hegemonwings]

Even having seen Edelgard with brown hair earlier, the sight of it as her Emperor emerges is arresting. She catches herself staring and curses internally, though she can't bring herself to glance away when they share that long moment of eye contact. The fleeting touch is a gift, under the circumstances. She does avert her eyes when El moves to put on the robe, though. That is definitely something her general shouldn't be seen looking at. Once that's been sorted, though... she relaxes a fraction.

"As you wish, Your Majesty." Byleth nods once, beginning to walk alongside her towards the tent. Still, that title tastes strange on her tongue. Perhaps she'll have to get used to it, but she isn't certain she wants to. Even so.

She still carries a small bag from her earlier perusal of the booths, with a few spoils from Solvunn in particular she's curious to share.

1b - flowers!!

[frontlinetitties]

[Damned right she's standing around to gawp at this gruff, taciturn guy sitting patiently whilst a gaggle of kids adorn him with flowers. She'd been drawn over by the sound of his voice, the tale of battling some great beast, his descriptions of the gore completely gross and bad (she loves it, obviously). She stays, though, for the entertaining sight.]

Nah. No way. I'm gorgeous enough on my own, you know? No need for adornments. I’m a veritable sight to behold. Suits you though.

[She says it with a bright grin.]

[standvastig]

[Hendrik's expression twists at the mentioning of the World Tree, and he raises his head to look over at Jasper. He would not have thought to make the connection at all, and he wordlessly clenches and unclenches his hands as his mind whirls at the possibility.]

Yggdrasil fell from the sky. We presumed whatever that master of yours did destroyed what remained.

[But that was unconfirmed and easily taken as fact when despair began ebbing through the populace. Sickness and the dead rising from the ground did not help matters. How they managed so long in spite of the uncertainty was a testament to the people's willingness to hold out hope.]

Such a connection would imply that one being in danger means all are in danger.

[But that thing, that Singularity, was still intact in this world. He had stared at it in the distance not long after arriving, seeing as it was not something he had ever seen from Castle Thorne.]

I... Can that possibly be true?

[cryptsleeper]

Worse how?

[Is Alucard's noise one of horror? Distress? Yes.

But then his eyes move to Gideon, suddenly a little too childish.]

So taste it.

[cryptsleeper]

[Great news Hector: Alucard is probably the single person the bard won't put moves on!]

Borrow one of his and see. He's started collecting them.

[cryptsleeper]

[The raise of Alucard's eyebrows is a display of how very little he happens to believe that statement, but at this point he is not going to poke that bear.

Better this one instead:]

Of course it does. You're made vulnerable to anyone who passes by, human or animal. Fortunately I imagine you only need worry about the former for the next few nights. Unless some of Solvunn's baby goats escape.