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

[princessvegas]

[ She chuckles again, props her elbow on the ledge to lazily support her head, hand on her cheek. ] I know. [ She didn't mean to sound judgmental. When you're able to seriously say things like "my boyfriend's lover's wife is my best friend", the limits of labels stop bothering you. Those clear-cut lines disappear when the world suddenly shrinks, when it's more important to just be with each other than to try and neatly file people away into categories. ] I mean more like... when we first met, I thought you'd half like to bite my head off because I asked if you had a family. Shit that people ask each other when they have to make small talk at parties. I was just askin' the most basic questions I could think of, and you were touchy. Not the kinda man I'd think of with a Jaskier around at all.

[ And Jaskier is, essentially, his own category of being. So much of what she has encountered in Abraxas has been incredibly different than what she was used to, but the people, they weren't anything new. She has always been a people person, it's how she used to move through the world -- reading everyone, seeing what they needed and becoming that, to use for her own personal gain. And she thought she had seen every personality that was out there, from the kind to the awful. Thought she knew how to deal with them all.

And then there was Jaskier. Jaskier, who, within moments of meeting, showed her as much love as he showed to his best friend of so many years, like they'd always known each other even that first night. It's disgustingly cliche to say, but he's a genuine fucking ray of sunlight. Loud, flashy, clingy, ever beaming sunlight. Not at all what she expected the companion of someone like Geralt to be. A him. ]

But we can still chuck some rolls at him, watch his mouth flop like a fish.

[gynvael]

[ Oh. That. Geralt hums. Yeah. He gathers what she means now—but it wasn't that she wanted to know if he had a family. Or it was, because she couldn't have known, but they'd also been talking at a time when Ciri and Yennefer only just both appeared out of nowhere—angry, upset, hurt in their own ways, and unfortunately for Julie, that's a fucking time to be asking him about his personal life. But it's a bit more than that, too. ] You asked if I had parents.

[ He doesn't know how to explain that despite understanding she didn't mean it as such, no one back home ever asks a Witcher about their parents unless they're being pointedly cruel, prodding at old wounds. People are more than aware how it is a boy comes to be in the hands of the other Witchers and mages who make them what they are. It's a question that will always see him on edge.

He tries not to think about it anymore. His mother. Whether or not he even saw her that night, he hasn't any idea, and he's never told anyone. Not Jaskier, not Yennefer, not Ciri. What does it matter? She was right, anyway. It was time to move on.

He pushes it aside. His lips curl into a small smile—wry at the edges, like he isn't entirely sure how he ended up with a Jaskier, either. ] I expected him to fuck off eventually when he had his fill of adventure. But he's still here.

[princessvegas]

You were born and not hatched from an egg, right? Most people with shitty backstories just lie, not snap. [ She ribs, and while she understands what he means, now knows why he reacted to the question, it doesn't change the fact that she had, at the time, obviously asked only as polite chit-chat. No one actually wants to tell the truth about their parents -- at best, you say what job your dad does, and at worst, you lie and say they died. That's just what people do, the same way that they prattle about the weather and traffic, shit no one cares about. She is also extremely American, comes from a culture where "How are you doing today?" is a polite greeting and not a genuine question. Asking about family makes sense in her code, where it translates as a general request to get to know each other.

Also, she had just been raised from the dead and then imprisoned, so he could have told her that his parents were ogres from the planet Neptune and she would have just nodded. It would have been the least confusing thing she'd heard that week.

She laughs as she squints into the bottle, tries to gauge how much wine is left through dark glass in dim lighting. Not much, but enough. ] How long did it take before you realized he wasn't gonna tire out on it? Ooh, before or after the song?

[gynvael]

[ Mm. It sounds so easy. Maybe when you're expected to grant certain signals, it becomes habit to have a convenient lie in your pocket; he isn't, so he's never felt a need for stories when everyone thinks they know who and what he is. When they make up their own stories about how a Witcher lives, about how they're raised and made, what they do and do not feel. Matters of family and childhood are rarely asked out of courtesy, for him. It's morbid curiosity at best. Is it true? They say your mother sold you to a witch. Instincts a century old are difficult to undo.

But she's only prodding gently, so he says none of that. Just raises his brows, a teasing glint in his eye. ] They split me out of a great white egg with a hatchet. Gave me my hair.

[ Now that, he does on occasion make up stories about. His hair. Even among his kind, he looks not quite as they do.

More wine is drained when it comes back to him. He's willing to retrieve another bottle should they run dry. Why be part of this circus if they can't indulge some? ]

After. [ Quite awhile after. He takes another drink before the bottle is set down with a clink. He's probably had more on the whole than he should—he's been drinking since the fucking speeches—but it does have the benefit of easing his tension further. ] He composed that the day we met. It's how I— [ He lifts his hand in a vague gesture, tone ironic. He assumes Jaskier must've mentioned it, what he's called, though perhaps not. ] —was graced with that title.

[princessvegas]

[ What an interesting change of pace it must be, for people to just think he's a grouchy man with dirty hair and weird eyes, rather than having any preconceived notions. He can be reassured that any cutting remarks Julie may make are based entirely on him as a person, not because he's a Witcher.

She snorts into her hand. She's been drinking since shortly after the speeches too, and she's not entirely how anyone could make it through this event sober (or why they would want to), but it's keeping her in a good mood. ] Oh, is that how it happened? Usually when you gotta help a chick outta its egg, it means it's a weakling.

[ He composed that the day we met, he says, and her brow knits as she tries to remember all the lyrics. Jaskier put several different remixes in the karaoke machine, and the people who live in the club will sing fucking anything, so she's heard it quite a bit. ] All that shit happened the first day you managed to pick up a dumbass with a lute? There was the elves and the goat devil, and a horde... Wait, you're you and no one called you that before him?

[ She shakes her head a little. That's maybe the most unbelievable part. ]

[gynvael]

I was small for my age. [ It's hard to tell if he's joking or not; he is and he isn't, because mutations will do a number of things to a boy no matter how they started out.

But then she's asking about Jaskier, and the edge of the world, and Geralt glances towards her. Right. That. ] He's a poet, not a historian. [ They're only tales. Which he's accepted is just something that happens, whether it's some villager spreading it or a bard. ] We were captured by some ragtag elves. I convinced them not to kill us. Left them some money on the way out.

[ Not exciting enough for Jaskier, so here they are with a completely different version of what occurred, and a moniker that stuck to boot. His lips quirk. She's not wrong; it isn't the most unique of names. (Actually, he's fairly sure Sam's friend goes by the same, according to Jaskier.) He does not use it, really, but he does respond to it. ]

They preferred less flattering names.

[princessvegas]

Maybe they didn't let the hen sit on you long enough. [ She cannot imagine him as a child. At best, she can picture just a shrunken version of the man he is now, exactly the same except much shorter. It's a strange image.

The explanation he gives her does not make much more sense than Jaskier's version, if she's honest. To Julie, elves are either tall, ethereal things with no use for things like money, or else they are tiny, cheerful slaves who make toys all year. She cannot fathom a "ragtag" group of them, or why they would want to kill the two of them.

She sighs and decides that, no, she really doesn't feel like learning about whatever tragic circumstances (she has figured out that it's always tragic in their world) created the situation in which elves would capture two random guys and then take their money. Not when she's been drinking so much. ]

Well, most people from your world sound pretty shitty, so yeah. But it don't change the fact that White Wolf is some low-hangin' fruit they left on the tree.

[ He literally wears a wolf pendant at all times. It's just an insultingly obvious one, in her opinion. ]

[gynvael]

Mm. Yes. The mage hens. [ That's definitely how they were all created.

It is probably best she doesn't ask about how the elves came about to be as they are. Geralt wouldn't even know where to fucking start, between the history of the humans and the elves, Jaskier's less-than-honest compositions, and Nilfgaard's current invasion across the land, and the North's response to it. Mostly, it can be summed as Everyone's a bastard. Same as ever.

Rather, he turns to look at her fully. He reaches for the wine, tipping it to see how much is left. ] What would you title me?

[ Whether her answer is serious or not, he's curious: half-teasing, half-genuine. ]

[princessvegas]

Sure. Y'all don't have a wizard chicken? We call ours the warbawk-bawk-bakaw. [ Julie can't decide whether she's very funny or very drunk. She thinks it might be both. Either way, she does a pretty decent imitation of a chicken.

Still snickering at her own terrible pun, she rests back against the ledge, looking thoughtfully at the sky. That is quite a question, because she hasn't exactly spent a bunch of time coming up with a weird nickname for a man who already has a massive number of them. The bells around her wrist make muffled sounds underwater when she moves her arm, taps her cheek. ] Honestly, nothin' that could be said in polite company. Or that would make sense to you.

[gynvael]

[ She is further on the scale of drunk than not, but she gets one of his typical silent laughs for it. And maybe a look from someone passing by around the ledge.

(Part of him half-expects a small chicken to appear out of nowhere in her hands. They've spent time in the Horizon far more than they have in person.)

He props his head up on his hand while she mulls it over. He idiot flicks his own bell, on the ribbon he's taken off. It chimes in tune with hers. Might give it to Rinwell later to put on her little owl. The girl has already stuck a hat on it, apparently.

He raises an eyebrow. Answer enough. He'll take it. ] I'm flattered you consider me polite company.

[princessvegas]

[ Yes, she actually is quite drunk, which is not really surprising, considering that she's been drinking nothing but wine and huge flagons of ale for like three solid days. She doesn't know that she's drunk enough to create chickens in either plane, but she's very drunk.

There's a chuckle, sharp enough that it makes her swallow, then she sighs. Her eyelids flutter closed, head still resting on the edge of the pool. When she speaks, there's a heavy sense of ease in her voice. Between the alcohol, the water, and the actual physical presence of people around her, she is comfortable in a way she cannot remember being in over a year. ] You're not, you just wouldn't understand the joke. I'd never fuck anyone I'd call polite company.

[gynvael]

[ His smile fades, as it often does, into something smaller, but it lingers still. Doesn't matter if it's the alcohol's doing; they've found a semblance of calm and it's more than they've had in awhile.

Perhaps being pushed into this trip, gathered into their tents, has had it's upsides. It's a circus of bullshit, to be sure, and he'd rather not be in...proximity to certain people, but it's also a change of scenery. Something to focus on.

He hums, passing what remains of the wine to her. ] Impolite company is made for when the night is deepest.

[ It's as much a suggestion as an invitation, for later when they aren't apt to be banished from the pool. Should the mood strike. They'd hardly be the only ones. ]

[princessvegas]

[ She opens her eyes to take the wine, and polishes off the rest of the bottle before she sets it down on the stones with a clink. There's enough free alcohol here to have made it worthwhile, even if she is still enraged about the fact that they should have done this a week ago, or at least, you know, sent out some advanced warning. If Coachella can release their lineup months in advance, three shitty kingdoms should be able to give more than two days of warning, that's all she's saying. But they are giving her a decent opportunity to squirrel away a bunch of wine, and that's somewhat helpful, given her monetary situation.

With a smirk and a soft snort, she stretches out one leg under the water, prods at his knee with her toes. ] Oh, you were thinkin' of waitin' 'til then? 'Cause I wasn't.

[gynvael]

[ Alcohol and the cheese. (The cheese is important to Geralt. He comes from a world where a beer is more easily found anywhere, for cheaper, than fresh soft cheese. He will not be accepting criticism for the amount he's taken from Solvunn's display.)

He lets her toes glide across his leg. He's had a lot to drink and he's tempted to say that there's room for both opportunities. He glances off to the side, then back. His gaze lingers on Julie, a weight of desire to it that erases what minor reservations he might've held.

Except for one: ] I don't know where Ciri got to.

[ She's already walked in on him twice; he's not willing to suffer it a third time. He can be swayed if he's assured she's somewhere on the other side of the dome. ]

[princessvegas]

[ Julie has actually purchased more cheese than she can realistically eat herself before it goes bad (look, she only likes the people of Solvunn, so she gave them most of the paltry amount she allotted for this event), so he can absolutely take some of hers too. She'll teach him how to make grilled cheese.

This is, perhaps, the most dad thing that Julie has heard anyone except Sam say since she arrived in Abraxas, and she can't help but choke on a laugh over it. Oh, he is getting slumber party'd twice as hard tonight, it's the only possible outcome when you dad this hard. She wonders if she can hunt down some ribbon from the Solvunn kids for friendship bracelets that he'll have to swear to never take off.

She pushes his leg with her foot again, then stands on the ledge and steps out of the pool. The way she wraps herself in the towel is languid at best. ] Probably still chasin' that little glitter rat thing. Gimme fifteen minutes and I can have 'em all out snipe huntin' for hours.

[gynvael]

[ Is she laughing at him? She is. He sighs, but it's in stride. (He will accept his fate inside that tent for tonight.) He turns upwards as she gets out of the pool, his eyes following the water that slides down her skin. Hm. ]

I'll take your word.

[ He climbs out, too, though his intention is only to find another bottle of wine while she sets her plan in motion. Ideally avoid another purple plume. She will find him back where she left him when she returns, on the edge of the pool with a towel loosely around him and not much else. Freshly acquired wine off to the side.

He doesn't know what she has planned, but—he's watching, out of curiosity. ]

[princessvegas]

[ It only takes a small handful of careful messages to send everyone else on a variety of wild goose chases, all of which conveniently take place in other, much more busy sections of the summit. While there's always the chance of the unexpected, she reckons she buys at least an hour, probably closer to two, before any of them start trying to stumble back for sleep. (Just in case, Nadine is specifically enlisted to keep them all occupied elsewhere. She owes Julie anyway.)

When she does return, it's also with a bottle of wine in hand, and a pleased smirk. She stops several paces away to run the nails of her third hand down his arm before she tilts her head in the direction of the tent. ] C'mon.

[gynvael]

[ She does look pleased with herself. There are also indeed a couple of people who run by after the creature. He feels mildly bad for being responsible for Ciri and Jaskier chasing a false lead, but in fairness, they're the reason he's been shimmering this entire time. He did tell them to leave the damn thing alone.

Geralt rises to his feet. The sky's grown dark over the dome, a few bobbing orbs and candles lighting the way. His wine is uncorked as they walk. Their shared tent is, for once, actually empty. Remnants of shiny bits from him stick to the pillows.

He sets the bottle aside and reaches for her instead, stepping in close. ] Very devious.

[princessvegas]

[ Really, Julie can't see much reason to feel bad that she's sent them off to waste their time. They're clearly wasting their time anyway, chasing a wild animal around like idiots. She's sure they won't be satisfied until they too are covered in glitter.

(She will, ultimately, make a single grab at the thing as it scurries by, earning herself several hours of glowing like a nightlight, but at least she's not running around like a crazy person.)

The tent flap has barely closed before she discards both her own bottle of wine and her towel, tosses them onto one of the pillow piles without any care for whoever will have to sleep there. He comes to her and she wraps an arm around his shoulder, her hand on the back of his neck. She laughs a little at his words. ] You like it.

[gynvael]

[ His foot kicks aside a cushion in the way as she pulls him closer. It bounces across the tent floor. He doesn't so much remove his towel as let it drop on its own. Like the pillow, it's tossed somewhere unimportant.

He smiles. ] What else do I like?

[ Her skin is damp against his. She smells of lightly scented soap and wildflowers. He cups her face and kisses her: hungry, tasting of all the wine he's had. They've got a bit of time alone and he's planning on taking full advantage. ]

[princessvegas]

[ He kisses her and she bites at his lip with a purr, standing on her toes to stretch after him when he pulls away. Everything feels pleasantly buzzy, tastes like fruit, and she makes a thoughtful noise before she answers. ]

What does Geralt like? [ Her voice is low, humorous and sultry at the same time. ] You like wine. And horses. And me. And you especially like when I do this.

[ Her free hand wraps around his cock with a gentle ringing, because most of her limbs are still draped in strings of bells, and her neck cranes so that she can nip at his jaw. ]

[gynvael]

[ One hand moves to her waist as they part. The bells chime, and a flower tumbles out of his hair to the ground.

Mm. Not necessarily in that order, but. Yes. This. Especially this. A breath of a laugh escapes him. Her hand wrapped around him, he bends down to meet her chasing lips.

He reaches down, too, curling his fingers around her wrist. He rings one of the little bells with a flick, because he can, pressing into her palm. ]

[princessvegas]

[ She laughs against his mouth, puts her free hand first on his cheek and then his chest, her fingers splayed wide. The sound of the bells chiming away only picks up, and she leans into him before she pushes him at one of the piles of various stuffed things with another giggle. It's like pushing a really warm wall.

There's a definite sing-songy note to her tone. ] Sit down so you can fuck me.

[ She does not leave very much time before she is heading into that pillow heap. ]

[gynvael]

[ He steals one more kiss before he yields. Lets her push him into the cushions that fill the tent. They sink beneath his weight, a thick pile of clouds. Political sham it may be, this whole damn summit, but the comforts are at least real.

He pauses only to dig out someone's jar of lotion under him and push it aside. Then he's pulling her on top, leaning in.

His hand trails over the curve of her backside. One leg draws up and out to invite her closer against him. ]

[princessvegas]

[ She's only a few steps behind him, follows him down with her knees on either side of his hips. Still grinning, she wraps her arm around him and digs her nails into his back, her other hand grabbing at his face. Her moan is quiet against his mouth.

Copious amounts of wine always do about half the work for her, so she's already flushed and slick when she grinds down into his lap with a sharp breath. ]