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

2

[a_better_man]

[Julie isn't the only one a bit charmed by the Solvunn section. Mat's found himself gravitating to it, the painfully familiar shades of it welcome. He's dressed down for rambling around the summit, and with bells on his wrists and a flower crown currently resting on his unruly mop of dark curls, he almost looks like a Solvunnite himself.

Maybe it's silly for a grown man to feel such joy on beholding a pen of goat kids, but in the moment Mat doesn't care. He thinks of spring in the mountains, the fields full of the sound of bleating new sheep and rushing streams from the snowmelt. They're good thoughts, even if a part of him is aching for home and family and the friends he's known since he could toddle. But! He's not alone here, even if it's unfamiliar and most faces are strangers. Easy enough to push the tinges of sorrow and homesickness away and focus on what pleasant things the day has to offer.

He spots Julie with the little goat in her lap, and while he doesn't know her, he makes his way over anyhow. A pretty woman tending to a baby goat? Who wouldn't be drawn?

A few of the little goats chase and nip at his heels and he nimbly dances away from them with the ease of a man who's used to it. He approaches with a friendly grin and the jingling of bells, leaning against the fence casually near Julie.]

Does the heart good, doesn't it? Till one of the little buggers starts eating your hair, anyhow. Or are goats more polite than sheep in that regard?

Himeka Sui | Solvunn | The Fool

[aquaveiled]

[ ooc; Obligatory outfit reference for the event thanks to discord. ]

i. between the aisles

[ Ever the curious person, Himeka makes a point to stop by and view every booth available. She's most familiar with the booths in Solvunn, but if anyone outside of Solvunn stops by, she will gladly engage them in conversation. See, she knows the family that helped make this wheel of cheese and she can assure you that it is the best you are going to get in the realm! The patented Warrior of Light Seal of Approval. She also enjoys watching the Solvunn mages practice divination, something she has seen before and has a distant familiarity with during her stint as an Astrologian, but it's a different technique. Very interesting!

Himeka is very curious about the Free Cities booths, mostly because that is the one faction she has no experience with. Their energy is definitely something she vibes with and she is easily won over by the demonstrations. The meal in a can is something she is becoming a little obsessed with. Someone should try to talk her out of it. With little magic to speak of, Himeka spends some time admiring the clever designs in guns. Can they hold those?

She is, however, notably wary about the Thorne section, though it isn't enough to stop her from investigating all the same. Those who have been here since the beginning likely understand why. In the spirit of the weekend, she is trying to set aside her own trepidation. It isn't the people of Thorne she fears, but those in charge. All the same she cannot avoid the call of the Pondering Orb, no matter what a poor idea that may be. And she is certainly taken with the magical staves and enchanted items that appear to be for sale, her own attempts to create a conjuring cane of her own having gone...poorly.

Easy to catch between stalls or even just on the aisles between the booths themselves, Himeka is easy to smile and strike up conversation with nearly anyone who makes themselves available. Have a curious bauble that you've recently acquired? She'd like to see it! Also interested in the magic shows? Watching with company is always more enjoyable. ]

Soooo...what do you think?

ii. in neutral territory

[ To those that know her, it is unsurprising that anytime the tavern is open, Himeka is there. She's always enjoyed the atmosphere and where there is food, she is usually not far behind. She makes it a point over the course of the weekend to give every meal option a try at least once, no matter the time of day. Maybe dessert first just in case.

With little todo, when she sees an open spot she ventures with tankard in hand, ]

Is this seat taken?

[ After food it makes sense to have a soak, doesn't it? Given that she grew up in the sea, Himeka is very at home in the water and spends much of her downtime in the baths. She can be seen soaking as one would expect and has zero shame when it comes to being clothed--it is a bath, after all--and will gladly wave to anyone approaching.

But she also happens to have a trick up her sleeve.

Maybe you are enjoying nice quiet time in the bath, a time to relax after a long day of enduring propaganda. But something catches your eye, a strange shadow moving about the pool. Somewhat reminiscent of Jaws. ]

xx. wildcard

[ ooc; Anything else! I'm pretty open so feel free to drop your own starter or ping me on her plotting comment or on plurk at doggystyle ]

tavern! (I was this close to choosing baby goats, you have no idea.)

[lackingtalent]

[His wanderings had (more or less) lasted until the sun had sat low in the sky- when the heavens above Solvunn had started to wane into purples and pinks accented with streaks of gold from the rapidly retreating sun.

When varying attendants throughout the summit had begun to light the walkways between exhibitions, attractions and communal tents, Hythlodaeus had seen fit to stop by the tent that served alcohol. For simple reasons, really. He'd decided that as he would move to his own shared tent for the night, it would be better with a bottle or two.

So needless to say, what he stumbles upon after making his request is quite surprising.
As is the winner of this impromptu contest.]

...Ah.

[How many cups are overturned around him, precisely? A cursorary count is quite difficult due to sheer number. Still- upon being informed that due to a sudden... shortage... he is to wait, he moves to the table, taking a seat some poor fellow seems to have fallen out of. And.]

How nice to see you again, little one.

wildcarding it

[subhuman]

[ Well that's a shame.

It had seemed like a perfectly reasonable tent to catch a few z's in but, as fate would have it, Dante wasn't invited. Or rather he isn't the best bedmate so to speak, despite his declarations to the contrary.

Ah well, it wouldn't be the first time he's found a less than welcoming place to take a nap. Considering how often he falls asleep in his desk chair or on the couch, though he would argue the former is quite comfy given how the cushion has now taken the right shape of his butt. Dante-perfected.

As he's patrolling the area for a decent nap spot, he realizes he's not the only one who hasn't found a perspective cuddle puddle.

Dante raises his chin in a quiet greeting towards the long-haired man. ]

Out for some fresh air? Or told to hit the road?

Re: wildcarding it

[cryptsleeper]

The former, such as it is.

[Dante gets a polite nod in greeting, Alucard folding his arms over his chest. The question of food or possibly the baths have been on his mind for the past five minutes or so, but they're not pressing.]

That the second is even an option carries some implications.

Tea

[yeshou]

thancred waters | thorne | strength

[funbreaker]

i. free cities section

[ Now that the posturing speeches have ended and Thancred has caught up with Himeka as best he can, it's time to take his time and explore the sections dedicated to the other factions. While he's well aware that anything presented here will be sanitized, the information carefully controlled, he still has the option of speaking to the other Summoned who are likely to be far more free with what they share. This manner of intel gathering plays to his strengths far more than paging through tomes in Thorne's library, in any case.

So, as he walks through the area littered with tents and booths all showing off different innovations (this reminds him a bit of the markets in both Limsa Lominsa and Ul'dah, though far more advanced), he will be happy to nod or smile to anyone who he brushes elbows with among the crowd, ready to strike up conversation at a moment's notice.

In truth, this sort of technology reminds him far more of Garlean inventions than anything he's more accustomed to, and yet he can't simply dismiss it for that reason. His inability to manipulate aether means that he has to consider other means of enhancing himself in combat, and when he comes across the booth with the guns, he can't stop himself from beelining for it.

He already has the weapon that Ronan fashioned for him, but he's still curious about these, especially seeing how they differ from the bladed guns he's used to. He picks one up and begins to examine it, manipulating the hammer and the barrel to see how it might come apart, though he doesn't go so far as to dismantle it.

When someone working the booth attempts to espouse to him about the Free Cities and their forward-looking ways, implying that they might benefit from his addition to the faction, particularly if he has an interest in joining the military, he smiles politey and returns the gun. ]

My apologies. I think for now I'd rather stay something of a free agent.

[ At least Thorne hadn't immediately tried to conscript him, though he assumes it's only a matter of time. ]

ii. solvunn section

[ Thancred's interest in the Solvunn section is pronounced due to knowing that it's where Himeka has chosen to set down her roots, as much as she ever really can do such a thing. While they had a long talk about it and determined that he would better serve their interests (at least for the moment) by remaining in Thorne, he isn't particuarly thrilled as to who her company will be back in Solvunn.

Still, he knows that Himeka can take care of herself and he's fully ready to defect if the situation calls for it and it makes more sense for him to be at her side. He has to represent the rest of the Scions, and while that is quite the mantle to take on, he won't let her down.

So he is paying the humble stalls and booths a special interest, making idle conversation with the people running them to get an idea of what they're like, at least at first glance. It's all quite homey and comforting and as he tries various samples of food, he can only imagine this played some part in Himeka's decision of where to go after escaping Thorne.

He mingles enough that he finds himself with a crown of flowers and two bell-adorned bracelets that he simply could not turn down, though where he ultimately ends up by the end of his exploration is the shrine of Lyfbringr. Himeka had mentioned the people of Solvunn and their dedication toward the old gods, and as a Scion, it's more or less his duty to investigate this further.

So he enters the small shrine and takes a careful study of the statues within, curious to see if they resemble any description of the Twelve, or, indeed, any of the primals they've faced over the years.

If someone else steps into the small space, he quickly turns toward them and gestures for them to come in. ]

Be my guest. I'm not here to worship, and can certainly grant you some privacy if you wish it.

[ Or are they another curious Summoned, like him? ]

iii. neutral section

[ It's only once the booths shut down toward the end of the day (and, in some cases, during the lunch hour) that Thancred will return to the neutral section for some rest, though more primarily for the chance to speak more openly with his fellow Summoned. ]

a. [ The lounge is generally his first stop, and as he settles down with a pint of mead and some food, he looks all too comfortable. At home, even. He would like anyone who passes by to feel open to join him at the table for a meal and a chat and mayhap another round of drinks, if they have a taste for it.

Barring that, he might take to the games of darts or dice, his aim with said darts incredibly swift and precise if he's looking to show off. Dice, being a game of chance, means he could hide some tricks up his sleeve and hustle others for their hard-earned coin, but he opts not to get on the bad sides of any of the other Summoned. If anything, he wants to use this opportunity to forge more connections across all the factions, so he is playing to have a good time rather than to win.

Though one might get to hear him grumble about the lack of Triple Triad. He's quite good at that one, you know! ]

b. [ A bit later into the night, after having his fill of food and drink, Thancred might stop in at the communal baths, where he strips down to the altogether with little hesitation and settles into the perfectly warm water with a sigh of relief and contentment. There is nothing quite like taking a soak after a long day, and while these days at the summit have been relatively calm (chasing after that strange creature aside), he won't pass up this chance.

These baths are quite similar to those found in Kugane and other parts of Higashi, so far as he understands, and that thought alone is enough to make his stomach twist. He has no way of knowing the fate of his home, of Himeka's home, and as much as he's chosen to believe that it will all sort itself out (whether or not he survives, in the end), the not knowing still eats away at him.

Yet if he happened to join someone, or is joined partway into his soak, he greets them with a lazy smile and a nod. ]

It truly is the perfect temperature. Every faction played a part in this, or so I hear.

iv. wildcard

[ If there's a scenario we discussed while plotting or if there's something you want to do that's not represented above, feel free to wildcard me! I'm available at demonology or demonology#1725 for further plotting. My plotting comment is here! ]

[princessvegas]

[ On the other hand, Julie absolutely does not look like she belongs among these people, at least not in dress. One of the biggest positives of moving to the goddamn desert is that they rely far less on layers in general, and the material tends to be quite light. And not made from goat hair, as she's about 80% sure these people's clothes are. Sure, Cadens fashion tends to have some weird Mad Max-meets-Oliver Twist vibes, but that's easy enough to avoid if she leans more into the Aladdin side of it all.

But dressed for it or not, she doesn't seem to have a problem playing shepherdess. The goat in her lap is greedy, and it follows her hand, bleating, when she takes the bottle away for a moment. She laughs and wraps her arm gently around its neck, holds it back. ] Wait a sec, you gotta take a breath, buddy. You're gonna choke!

[ She lets the goat have the bottle back and it settles back down as someone she's never met approaches. If there's trepidation in her expression, it's only because she doesn't really trust many of the Summoned who came after her group, the ones who appear to have been purposely chosen by their factions -- there's a huge difference between getting randomly yanked from the ether and actually being selected by these dumbasses. It reads to her as being much more amenable to the leaders, and Julie doesn't trust anyone who doesn't immediately want out of it. She smiles nonetheless, though her eyebrow is raised. Who doesn't know about goats? ]

Goats are worse'n sheep about it, but these are all too young to be on more than milk and a few oats. Maybe a bit of hay. The adults, though, they'll eat anythin' they can reach if you don't stop 'em.

aerith gainsborough | solvunn | the moon

[bloomly]

THE THORNE MAGICK SHOW.

( it starts, as always, with something purely innocuous--there are the beautiful hanging fabrics to contend with, brilliant colors that seem to move despite the air around them being still, things that draw aerith's eyes to them as though she wants to reach out and touch them. is that something rude? she still hasn't quite mastered the manners of this place, and here, more than ever, it seems important to be demure: something she's never been good at a day in her life. she wanders through the booth with her hands wrung tightly in front of her, fingertips itching to grab at this, touch that, and despite her trepidation, those from thorne seem only pleased to see her; there are only smiles, where she goes, and a part of her wonders if they're real or if they're just playing nice.

in the end, it doesn't really matter. by happy mistake, with her eyes locked onto one particular corner of the booth, she ends up knocked right into one of the booth members, their shoulders touching, and with a laugh, she manages a curt apology. would you like to see something wonderful? the mage asks her--she can only assume it is a mage, given the get-up, though her eyes sparkle with barely-controlled amusement. (would she wear this sort of thing, if she went there? what would they think of her magic?) he instructs her to hold her hands together; with a flourish that's surely designed only for the sake of amusement, a plume of silver smoke, glittering and warm, bursts from her palms: there's a delicate rose in her palm, white and pink and red petals blossoming from the head.

with a laugh, her face lights up with a smile--and immediately, she's turning to one side, and then the next, hoping to find some poor wandering soul to trouble. )

Hey, look! ( and yes, she will be pushing her hands forward, the flower still safe between them--though she's certain it's just an illusion that will disappear the moment someone else comes to touch it. ) I got this for you. It's cute, right? Take it.


FREE CITIES AND FREE FOOD.

( she had been uncertain about it from the beginning--but, when she's sure she's meant to be some sort of polite, observing emissary in the middle of all this trouble, well: it's not like she can outright refuse, can she? dubious, though, her hands are slow to take the can from the incredibly energetic man offering it to her; he at least has the good manners to wrench the top of it off for her and show her the marvel of innovation that sits underneath it. and, well: she has to admit, it is a pretty interesting concept. imagine if they had this much food to distribute to the slums back home--would it make a difference? she can hardly imagine any of the children stuffing their faces with the congealed mess she sees inside.

still, she's trying to be polite: she forces her face to light up with a smile, a bow of her head in thanks as she turns, presumably to enjoy her little three-course-can-meal in private. once her back is turned, however, her nose wrinkles; she grimaces, looks forlornly into the can and tries, at once, to touch it with her spoon. and it--it wiggles.

so, brightly, once again, it's time to trouble someone else: she lifts her head and looks for anyone else struggling to enjoy their meal, takes a few wayward steps to put herself beside them and asks, conspiratorially, in a low whisper: )

If we just... dump out all the stuff and get to the dessert at the bottom, no one will know, right? ( her eyes are full of desperate hope. ) Or, or do you want to eat mine until the dessert? I'll trade you something! Promise!


FLOWER GIRL OF SOLVUNN.

( it's a weird feeling, to have that sudden wave of relief wash over her, staying around in the solvunn booth. there are plenty of pretty hands to tend to things here, plenty of staff around to help those looking at the goats, or at their products, or at the small shrine, admiring the look of the paintings there; there are plenty of people who call solvunn home, truly, to be able to explain the worth of being there, and she almost feels like a fraud, in some sense, like once again this is a place that she wants desperately to belong and yet--she doesn't truly belong there, either. yet there's some calm, at least, from the familiarity; for her part, she takes to tending to the long tables of flowers, dutifully sorting them back into neat piles, working on clipping their ends, making great strips of ribbon by working methodically with a knife.

it's odd, really, too--that in a place like this, with so much adventure, so many different people to talk to, there is a calm in being back around those that she's more familiar with, and more than that, a calm in having a bit of quiet time to tend to some of the things she misses most about home.

so she'll be there, smiling and working among all the flowers--open to questions or requests, but not necessarily making a pointed effort to draw anyone in, when there are plenty of the other girls around to do that for her. )


TENT SHARING.

( at night, it is not as quiet as she would have imagined--but there's a comfort in that, she thinks, a comfort in hearing the hushed, whispered voices of others in the tent, of the sounds beyond it, outside, where others may still be tending to their drinks or simply looking up at the night sky. on her part, she stays up late enough that it seems reasonable to try to sleep; she's careful about taking only what is necessary for her to sleep, and honestly? it's not much.

with her mat spread out in one corner of the tent, and one small, warm blanket stretched out over her lap, she sits up, carefully and meticulously unweaving the braids in her hair by the light of a candle. her fingers comb through the strands with practiced ease; it's only once she reaches up for her ribbon, and the materia there, that she casts her gaze around, as though worrying that she might be watched.

there's a soft laugh, though, embarrassed, as her nose scrunches up, and in a whisper, she nods her chin towards whoever has the poor fortune of bedding next to her: )

I'm not keeping you up, am I? ( the ribbon is laid out in her lap, now; the length of her hair comes tumbling down her back. ) I can brush yours too, if you want.

( now that is definitely a tease. )


BATH TIME.

( there's a certain pleasure to finding the bathhouse pool--it reminds her of the lake, outside of her mother's house, where she had been caught swimming more than once in her youth despite the utter chill. here, though, the water is warm and comfortable, and despite her ploys at trying to be modest and demure, earlier, she finds that this is the place where none of that matters. she changes carefully, moves to the bath wrapped in her towel, but: that's where the polite manners end. with the towel pulled off, folded up near one edge of the pool, and her hair all piled up into some messy bun at the top of her head, she has no issue slipping into the water utterly naked, paddling out to the center of it to take in the sights.

it's evening, at least, and there aren't too many people here, at such a late hour; she must have gotten in just near the last pinch of time of it being open, but that's okay. for now, she washes down her arms, cups water up to wet her face, and settles herself back against one edge of the pool, contented, for a moment, to look up at the sky.

and then, a sudden thought: ) This would be so much better with wine.

( she is more than happy to talk to herself--she does it all the time, after all. ) I wonder if that's considered contraband? Maybe if I sneak it in under a towel?

( her shoulders sink against the water, lips pursed in thought. and hey, at least with a few other people around, she might not look entirely weird, chatting to herself, or maybe that makes it worse. )


WILDCARD.

feel free to hit me with new ideas or anything else you'd like! i'm open to anything, and would be happy to discuss ideas on my plotting thread. also happy to write up private top levels!

— for gynvael.

[bloomly]

( it's the whisper of the other girls that she hears first: her hands are deep in the trenches of a pile of pale white lilies, trying to sort them as delicately as possible to keep their large, wide petals intact, and her eyes are narrowed in on the task, struggling dutifully for the sake of the flowers. as always, it's the temptation of curious information that has her lifting her chin; a small piece of brown hair comes swinging against her cheek, and she lifts one hand, wet and dirtied with some bits of the stems she'd been cutting off earlier, to carefully swipe the hair back down under her chin. look at all that hair, one girl says, clutching wildly at the shoulder of the girl next to her--they both seem awestruck, drawn to the handsome, quiet aura of someone nearby. at first, aerith wants to laugh a little; they seem so enamored that it's cute, and her gaze almost goes back down to the flowers, unbidden.

but it's the next whisper: he's terrifying, the other girl bemoans. look at his eyes!

perhaps there shouldn't be the sudden swell of anxious wondering in her chest--there had been that small moment, awhile back, with the strange air writing and the thoughts that seemed to travel from one place to another; could it be cloud? would he be at this summit, too? not that she would find cloud particularly terrifying, but she can imagine where some of the younger girls might flee away from him. deftly, she wipes her hands off on the front of her dress, so used to the movement that she doesn't even think about it--she moves around the table, patting one of the girls on the shoulder as though to reassure her that she would take care of this particular patron.

when she sees him, it isn't cloud, not by a long shot--it isn't zack, either, who are the only two people with the terrifying burst of mako in their eyes that might scare someone, and her heart plummets, disappointed, into her stomach. the man is tall, formidable, and utterly silent; his hair is long and pale, and his skin seems equally washed of all color. none of that seems to trouble her--instead, it only encourages her on, lengthening her stride with almost comically large steps so that she can, at once, swing around the stranger's side and plant herself right in his path. )

Hello. ( there's a bright, warm smile directed up at him; his eyes are beautiful, a desperate gold color, nothing at all like the cold chill of blue she had expected. ) You look lost. Let me help you.

( he isn't lost in the slightest, but that doesn't matter--and no, she isn't going to allow him to escape, either. one arm gestures over to the table of flowers; the other girls skitter away to leave a chair open. ) You'll actually want to come with me this way, and take a seat over here.

— for unnecessaryflourishes.

[bloomly]

( there is a part of her that wants to recoil away from the sight: the last gun she had seen, so close, had been the pistol that tseng kept at his side, hidden beneath the flare of his jacket. that time, that world, feels so far away now: she wishes she could say she doesn't remember what he looked like, doesn't remember the fear that had clawed its way up her throat, when he had arrived, but over the years of knowing him, it hasn't gotten any easier to pretend that he could just disappear. it's not like he had taken the gun out or pointed it at her, either, but the sight of the weapons on display, here, in the lively, bustling activity of the free cities booth, still forces some chill of dread into her, keeping her smile painted firmly on her face as they continue talking about them. they look nothing like any of the weapons that she's seen shinra use at all: they look old, like they wouldn't work even if they tried to load them.

gratefully, she's told, the guns here on display are currently not loaded, though of course they would trust the whole of the summit to be able to keep peace in their hearts, and on their minds, while looking at them and touching them. she thinks that it's likely a good compromise, keeping them empty; she's not certain that even she would make bets on the goodness of the human heart enough to ensure that no accidents occurred. still--it's important not to look at this grimly, really. it's a marvelous display, even if the technology is seemingly decades behind that in midgar; she thinks that it might be better if some places stay this way.

so, when offered, she does take a moment to touch one of the guns, to hold it lightly between her hands and examine one end of it, and then the next. maybe this is some silly method of facing her fears, or something equally ridiculous--she even holds it properly, with some eager instruction from one of the staff members there to keep watch. of course, this means that she's playfully taking aim, arm outstretched, at each corner of the room with a helpful little bang! from her lips with each 'perfect' shot. she spins on the heels of her boots, 'fires' off another shot, spins to another angle, and--

--and ends up with the end of that strange gun, right in a familiar face. )

Oh! ( startled, laughing, she nearly drops the weapon, wanting to apologize; they've only met the one time, but there had been something curious about the man that had drawn her to him, something that had made her want to see him again. it's only here, now, that she realizes how much she had wanted to learn more about him--and that uplifting feeling has her face resuming its smile of mischief, holding the gun back up again as though she is holding him at gunpoint. )

I demand payment. ( she says, loftily, as though they're playing a game. ) Tell me something I don't know and I'll spare you your life.

baby goats!

[carmesi]

[it is not the sight she expects to see—standing in the middle of the paddock, surrounded by baby goats trying to find a way to make entertainment of the tall man. wanda had wandered off to find some feed to give the kids, only to be completely distracted from her goal by sephiroth's presence.

how did he even get roped into coming?

more importantly, it is her chance to greet him outside of wandering into his horizon without invitation.]

You don't have to just stand there, you know. [her approach has the goats turning their expression onto her, taking note of the bag she carries that likely contains hay and grain pellets.] Kids can get very mischievous even when you do nothing.

[hello, greet your baby-goat savior.]

[a_better_man]

My best friend raised sheep - most folks around my village do. Always thought they were menaces who'd eat anything. Here I ought to have been thankful we weren't goat people.

[It's all said in jest, and Mat's attention is more on the frolicking livestock than Julie directly. It's clear from the way she talks and her manner of dress that she's not one of these people. Which means she's like him. And maybe she's been here longer than a couple of months, and knows more.]

I'm Mat, very new to this place and still not entirely sure what I'm doing here. Are you...housed by these folk?

[He gestures to indicate the people of Solvunn milling about. He knows she's not among those from Thorne, he at least knows the faces of most of his fellow Summoned at the castle. Even if he couldn't name half of them.]

tents

[subhuman]

[ He's just a normal guy in red minding his own business, looking for a place to settle down for the night. A respectable bed time? Dante? Not as rare as you think, but mostly when there's not much else to do.

As he ducks into the tent--free for all, as far as he's aware--he's met by something less than a welcome. ]

The sun's behind the horizon which means either party hard to grab some shut-eye.

[ Oh hey, it's that guy. ]

Nice to see you too again, neighbor.

[princessvegas]

A lotta people where I'm from raise steer or pigs, but it's hard to compete with the factory farms. Or it was, anyway, before everythin'. Goats are geniuses compared to sheep, though, they'll get into any kinda nonsense you can imagine. Sheep just sorta stand there.

[ She looks around at some of the Solvunnites and snorts. Fuck, is that the vibe she's giving off? She never should have let those little girls turn her into some kind of Heidi field maiden. Not that she thinks any of the other options are that much better, but she's definitely not into looking like one of these Kool-Aid drinkers. ]

By Solvunn? Fuck no, I'd kill myself first. I mean, they seem nice an' all, but I'm not out to get eaten by the Children of the Corn or whatever the fuck it is they got goin' on down there. I live in N-- Cadens. I live in Cadens.

[ She's gotta get used to that. ]

Ronan Lynch | Thorne | The Moon

[nightwash]

Ronan Lynch cannot fucking believe that this is where life has landed him. Eight months ago, just before he was summoned to this world, he'd been a fugitive sentenced to death without a trial for the crime of existing. His family and friends had abandoned him. His boyfriend had sold him out. His partner had joined his enemies and betrayed him. He'd had nothing left.

Thorne changed that. Ambrose Rhett, specifically, changed that. And Ronan himself has been changed by these new circumstances, to such a degree that anyone from his old life would hardly recognize him. They'd known a Ronan who was starved and furious about it, a wild animal, an anarchist with a shaved head and a plot to set the world on fire.

There's no sign of that boy here. Throughout the entire Summit, the Venerable Ronan Lynch stands with the rest of the Thornean delegation, dressed in the Queen's blue and silver so that there's no mistake where he belongs. To his faction, he's a celebrated hero who nearly gave his life to restore the Singularity during the Dimming, and he looks the part. His features are softer now that his hair has grown out to the long length preferred by Thorne's nobility, more fairytale prince and less gutter punk. In fact, when he's standing here amongst the other members of Thorne's court, it's hard to pick him out as one of the Summoned. He could so easily pass for a true Thornean citizen.

Ronan isn't here to mingle. His only job is to represent an example of what's possible for the Summoned who choose Thorne: status, wealth, admiration, power. He is a very lovely prize on display for all the others to see, available for query if not conversation.

(( OOC: Action or prose tags are both fine! I'll match style. Ronan's plotting comment is here but you're welcome to simply drop in and harass him for being an absolute shill. He really is just standing there looking like an NPC 90% of the time. Any wildcard starters are also welcome, though. ))

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiHfvw6YcVA

[exoterminator]

[At the very same moment Thancred reaches for the gun there is another hand overlaying his, fingers tips curled around and touching the other side of the grip, clad in fingerless gloves. She was so eager to see the firearms of this vendor that she, in a rare instance of lack of perception, failed to notice Thancred reaching at the exact same time.

In sheer confusion she squeezes gently and then lets go, taking her hand back as if he'd burned her. Her face is flushed pink very briefly, though her expression is as steely as ever.]

Ah...

[She should probably apologize, but that would be what a normal person does. Instead she awkwardly stares at him, looks to the gun, and then back at him again as if challenge him on it.]

[endcaller]

You want me to sit here and regale you with tales of my halcyon days? I think not.

[Fandaniel knits his fingers together, stretches his arms out before him then up over his head until he feels a satisfying pop. Afterward he drapes them across the stones behind him, causing him to nearly sling one across Hythlodaeus's back and shoulders.

At the term "dynamis" various emotions flicker briefly across his face. Not one of them is cheerful.]

It was so long ago, anyway. Hardly worth talking about.

I'm more curious to know how you have heard of my title...

["Fandaniel" is a term that only the Ancients would care about. This man resembles faces from his dreams and is clearly an Ancient... He's never met an Ancient who wasn't an Ascian.]

Clearly you know of the old world but yours is not a face I've met yet. How intriguing!

i. b

[petcromancer]

[Hector is spectating around the orb as well, undecided if he's willing to waste hours in a line to touch the thing if is has no real effect.]

It'd be pretty damn funny if it was just a rock, wouldn't it?

[Hector can't imagine the head Thornean mages pulling a prank like that, but he hadn't gotten to mingle much with the common people in his short time there. Maybe there was someone on the Thornean's delegation with a sense of humor to poke fun at the nation's self-importance and obsession with the arcane.]

I think it's just a thought experiment. Doubt they'd put anything really valuable on display here, where they aren't in control of security.

[lackingtalent]

[Interesting, how his expression changed just like that.
...Was there anything left of Hermes after all? Or was it simply boredom that caused such an array of emotion, so quickly?]

What a pity. I would think these baths were created for men and women to wax lyrical about themselves just as much as they were made for cleansing their bodies!

[Perhaps it is a pity he is not to hear. Or perhaps not- given the state of that soul. Regardless, he's quite capable of taking the cue that the subject was to be changed. And change it he does.

He shifts away though- just slightly- for that arm does come far too close- beginning to rebraid his hair from when he had previously loosened it to wash it before Fandaniel's appearance. And with his eyes looking to Fandaniel's arm as it rests atop the stones, then to his face- his work is shortly complete. He releases it over his shoulder, choosing to cross his legs underneath him.]

Well. Of the Eitherys of my origin, all know of the Convocation. I happened to be fortunate enough to consider a few members friends. [A wan smile.] The previous holder of the seat, [...Maybe.] for instance.

[Whether Hermes was a previous holder, or Fandaniel is a partial holder, it makes no difference with that. Hermes was a friend. Yet he was not a close one. Hythlodaeus was not close enough to him to have done anything to help him with his burden- nor even of a mind to understand it, frankly. Especially after Kairos. But a friend, yes- with offices more or less linked.

And as for the other question...]

Not like I'm anyone of importance, mind you! Quite insignificant, all considered, even while alive- and long dead during your time, I would suspect.

[a_better_man]

[That gets a laugh from Mat. He doesn't quite understand everything she says, but the tone and context is more than enough. And he always appreciates a woman who isn't afraid to say 'fuck'.]

Suspicions of something sinister amongst the goat folk? I did note their somewhat terrifying temple tent. Not sure I want whatever that one's supposed to bring.

[He shifts, turning to face Julie more properly, still leaning casually against the wooden fence. There's so much he doesn't know, and he's all too aware of it. Nothing shouts 'out of place' like sprawling ignorance about the world you're living in.

It can also shout 'idiot'. The more he learns, the better equipped he is.]

Cadens> That's the Free Cities, yeah? And all of these places are just reaching out into the corners of existence and plucking people up? Fucking rude of'em all, if you ask me.

[princessvegas]

Oh yeah, that Lyfbringer thing is weird as hell. I'm not sayin' that my world didn't have creepy legends like that, but we sure didn't make shrines to 'em. But no, it's way weirder'n that guy. They fucked up the whole world with their Eifstide bullshit. I think that's why they're here tryin' so hard now.

[ Speckle finishes the bottle, eyes barely open now, and as she sets the bottle down, it lets its little head droop, falling into the sleep that only babies with full stomachs can experience. Julie keeps stroking its head. ]

Yeah, Free Cities. Doesn't matter much which one's gotcha, though, not past the digs and the clothes. They're all messin' with shit they shouldn't be. Least they treat y'all better than they treated us.

[subhuman]

Fresh air. Plenty of it to go around.

[ He can't say the same thing about a few extra pillows in a tent, apparently. Those fur-skinned rugs look so enticing, too...

Dante gives a shrug, apparently not too put off by it. ]

You'd think communal tents would foster a sense of community? Nada. We've got some real pillow queens around here.

[endcaller]

During my time.....

[Fandaniel falls silent and lifts his gaze to stare into the stars climbing the horizon.]

...An interesting answer...

You raise a question I had not considered. Clearly the residents of this world can grasp us from different worlds but to have magic so precise that it can locate different times as well...How?

Most civilizations fail to master even one of those arts, let alone both... Oh, the principles between them are similar, but--

[Then he looks back at Hythlodaeus and snorts.]

Forgive me, you wouldn't have any answer to that question.

Perhaps instead you could enlighten me... who else is here?

c

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor, too, finds himself trying to occupy the idle hours when the exhibitions are breaking down for the night but he isn't quite ready to sleep. There's always the tavern, he supposes, but after a few days of this, the summit is starting to take its toll on him. Not wanting to brave a communal tent just yet, he finds somewhere to sit, instead, deciding he's more than earned a drink, at this point.

He'd meant to keep to himself, but the flash of red in his periphery is difficult to ignore. Despite being around mages--real mages--all day, he makes note of the fact that most everyone in this particular area is summoned, so these are likely powers from somewhere outside of Thorne, if not this world entirely.

Which means, obviously, that he wants to know about them. He's staring. He can't really help it.]

Not what you expected?

[He has no idea how any of this works, or what she was trying to do, so this is more of a conversation opener than anything else.]