abraxaslogs | [open] a fantastic public charity event!

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[open] a fantastic public charity event!

Who: Jaskier, open to all of the Free Cities!
What: The bard is holding a concert at Cadens's Old Public Hall in order to raise money for its renovation!
Where: Cadens
When: The end of March, a bit after the eclipse/Singularity event shenanigans
Warnings: None. This is a family-friendly event. :)

The Event

[Flyers hand-written and posted around the city of Cadens promise many a thing: a lovely night of community and belonging, beautiful decorations, a precious place to bring your bonnie sweet (the most important.) Jaskier fully intends on this being the perfect date night; the more lovers who become closer thanks to him, the better. The hall will see a larger audience than it ever has before! And hopefully more money will be thrown at it than ever before.

Of course, that’s what this is: a charity concert being held to raise funds for the old Cadens speaking hall, a large hall that has long fallen into disrepair. Through the efforts of Jaskier (and mostly) Alucard, restoration of the hall has begun. However, it has far more renovations ahead of it, and coin will be needed.

The concert is meant to be a grand time, but, it is about the money. This is a charity event, technically. But there's no reason he can't have fun with it.

And since Jaskier does nothing by halves, he has gone fully all-out. At the concert, any goers will be free to partake in:

+ free food (courtesy of himself, Alucard, and Sam's cooking, generally fresh bread, rolls, sweets, cheeses, and various finger foods and slices of roasts)
+ free wine and local juices (mostly paid out of Jaskier's pocket)
+ flowers will be given out, though it is STRONGLY IMPLIED a donation is expected (bouquets can be purchased for your honey, as well)
+ Nadine will be going around the crowd and providing small samples of tonics and potions

There will also be a small raffle that Jaskier will be running. Tickets can be bought for a small fee, and ticket holders can win small prizes of bouquets (courtesy of yours truly), a box of fresh pastries from the local bakery, an array of prized feathers from his pet toy gryphon, or a slightly fancier bottle of wine. The ultimate prize will be a free song written personally for you by Jaskier, all topics and requests accepted. Yes, it is a grand prize. For the small prizes, you can decide whether your ticket is a winner or a loser!

Please, remember to keep your behaviors amenable, fair citizens of Cadens. This concert is for charity, and no roughhousing, fighting, or generally ill tempers will be suffered. And as an event on city property, it is meant to remain completely neutral. No politics or you'll be kindly escorted outside the event!]

The Old Public Hall

[The Cadens Public Hall is an old, large speaking hall hosting distinctive architectural features that are strongly Thornean in influence. Like the old days, the concert is mostly meant to be standing-room only; the second floor mezzanine has been blocked off due to unsafe conditions (mostly old, rotting floorboards.) There's a slight musty smell that lingers despite Jaskier's best efforts to hide it.

His attempts to hide it are vast in number: every where one looks are richly colorful groupings of flowers, tied to pillars, hanging from strings of semi-magical lights that have been criss-crossed over the main concert area to mimic the sight of stars, and growing from pots meant to hide dusty corners. Illusionary birds fly and flutter about, adding spots of color and life to the old hall.

Small tables and chairs have been set out the entrance for folks to eat and relax at while music fills the hall and spills out.

Jaskier himself headlines the music, accompanied by a flautist, a drummer and a cellist. Songs that he performed at the Summit are part of his set: a song that venerates the magical accomplishments of Thorne (which may earn some grumbles from local Cadenites, but that same magic flows through the hall itself, amplifying the music and preventing echoing and regulating temperature.) His ballad about Lyfbringr, one of the gods of Solvunn, features, with a slightly baudy edge to it. But most prominent are several songs about the Free Cities themselves: bastions of hope for those who have lost their home, rich mixing pots of culture and people, with fantastic advances in technology.

Peppered among the songs are general fun, upbeat songs. As the night draws to a close, the songs become slower and softer, meant for dances between lovers.

Between sets of songs, Jaskier can be see moving through the crowd, shaking hands, dancing, and showing off his precious new pet toy gryphon named Mog, with black fur and feathers and an owlish face. (Yes, you can pet him.) Mog accompanies him on stage as well, flicking his tail and sleeping inside his lute case.]

Speech, Speech, Speech

[Like all good events, it must begin with a speech.

At the beginning of the concert, while his band behind him plays quiet music, Jaskier takes the head of the dais that is acting at the stage, giving the concert-goers a hearty bow with a sweep of his large, feathered hat.]

Hello and greetings, my fellow citizens of Cadens! While you may not know me -- though I highly doubt that, if you've ever stepped foot into a local tavern -- I have been dwelling in your city in some time now as the conveniently-dubbed Summoned. I am the Master Bard Jaskier, and tonight we have gathered for a few hours of good will and merriment.

I have been welcomed into your city ever since I came here by chance, and have long wanted to give back in what ways I can. This concert is being held for the good of the very hall we stand in, long having fallen to disrepair in lieu of other pursuits -- important ones, I'm sure! -- by the city. However, as a musician, I have high respect for any such beautiful place, and I have recently began working tirelessly with an anonymous patron and friend to restore this grand old beauty for the use of all Cadens citizens.

Please, peruse the first floor of the hall to see our recent work in restoring and preserving historical Cadens architecture. There is free food and drink for all -- though, if you're a known glutton, learn a bit of restraint for the sake of the children. [Laugh track.] There are small gifts available in return for donations at the stands just ousdie. There will be collection plates placed around the tables, and by the door -- you'll see that lovely young man there, yes? He'll be glad to take your coin off your hands! [Another laugh track. He's hilarious, he knows.] All donations will go straight to the restoration of this historic hall.

By your leave, lovely gents and beautiful dames, I bid you a wonderful night. May your hearts be light, and your coin purses even lighter!

For ideas about the general mood of the music:

Youtube Bardcore Playlist

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Hello, Hootle, nice to meet you. [She may as well address the little owl, now that they've been properly introduced, of course.

She smiles again and nods.]

I'd like that. And I'll remember that, about the stand in town. Geraniums are my mother's favorite. [And it's an ache to know she had just gotten her parents back, only to be whisked away to some new world, so maybe the flowers will help. At least a little.]

I think it helps. Not being alone, in this place. Everything is so different from my home in some ways. Some things, I think, don't change no matter where you are, though. [Like war and strife and uncertainties.

She laughs softly and nods.] It truly is very different. I liked it there, but Jesper could not have prospered in a place like that. We were only just talking about it when the Summit happened. I couldn't believe my luck. Meant to be, I suppose.

[Though 'meant to be' can often be the sort of throwaway statement people say for convenience, there's something much more genuine in the way Inej says it; she actually seems to believe that sentiment wholeheartedly.]

Just making sure, is all. [She assures him; she knows a very specific sort of workaholic back home, and while Sam does not fit that bill very much at all, there is still a balance to be spoken of. A gentle reminder, just in case he needed one.

She laughs at his obvious insistence and takes the proffered plate.] Well, I suppose I am now. And isn't the food one of the best parts of parties, anyway?

[ Wen Kexing has always been determined to experience every ounce of life he had been denied. As soon as he got the chance, he threw himself into knowing about every highlight the world had to offer before he met his end. Now he's turned that goal toward Zhou Zishu, giving him the chances he never had--so of course he ends up dragging the poor man along to what sounds like a great event. While exploring the area, he catches sight of the other grumpy man and immediately makes a beeline toward him. ]

What's that?

[ Chirped without any formality, Wen Kexing looks a bit wide-eyed at the small animal. He's never seen one like it. ]

What a strange bird.

[ Logically, Geralt can't expect to be here and not run into several familiar faces. He's been in Cadens for some time. Been on this sphere even longer. And he isn't about to fool himself into believing he can slip about unnoticed.

Still would prefer if he could, though.

His gaze flicks up when he finds the man from the pool coming straight for the animal. Geralt takes a drink. Other than keeping an eye on Jaskier's pet, that's what he's here to do: drink. ]

Gryphon. [ Miniature, domesticated. It gives a wide yawn before curling up. He's been told it can kill a small lizard, but he's yet to witness this feat of hunting. ] Watch your fingers.

[ Sephiroth has got the faintest hint of that look, but Geralt makes no comment on it. He's long learned things have a way of surfacing without his ever asking outright. He suspects it's nothing that needs to be dug up this instant, if it's anything at all.

A friend suffices as an answer. He acknowledges both remarks with a noncommittal hum. ] She has herself to thank.

[ He taught her, that's all. The things she needed to know. But Ciri survived on her own before he ever came into the picture. He doesn't add further; he did more than train the girl, but that isn't a conversation to be had during a casual encounter. He offers more liquor to Sephiroth instead. For Geralt, this functions as a gesture of acceptance. ]

And you? You took a leap that day. [ Off the museum roof he means. Considering he did it in view of the entire city, Geralt assumes Sephiroth has little inclination to hide what he is. ]

[Well, that's not a bad idea. He makes a mental note of it for later--Viktor has already begun assembling a collection of books in his new workshop, mostly bought secondhand, but suitable regardless. He'd be more than happy to lend them out.

Alucard says that discussing work is celebrating and Viktor offers a little laugh in agreement, because of course he'd rather hear about the schematics of the public hall than actually party.]

That makes sense. [Magic structured in the way technology might be, in order to make up for a certain lacking in advancement. For someone whose entire career is built on the applications of magitech, more or less, he's suitably intrigued.] Do you know who built it, and how long ago?

[Viktor gets it. It's nice.]

The name that comes up the most is Vulca, although sometimes The Thorny Firm has cropped up in histories. Municipal archives have not been terribly useful in that regard, but dates have been easier to come by. It was a little after Cadens declared independence, but not so long that their attitudes towards magic had shifted dramatically. [He lets out a soft huff.] A few centuries, and it is a small time capsule of that march towards technology.

[His voice drops, just a little lower and takes a faux conspiracy tone.] In truth, I would argue it is the better balance of magic and technology working in harmony to create something unique. It's far more remarkable a place than anything modern here.

Being alone here would be...yeah, it would be really hard.

[Nadine's lucky that she has Julie, can't imagine trying to navigate this world with no one from her own. Even if they hadn't (really) known each other beforehand. It makes all the difference.]

This world isn't much like mine at all. Every day I'm running into something I've never seen or heard of. But I've been here...uh, a long time, now. I was with the first group of summoned they brought in. I'm starting to get used to it.

[Thankfully, as this is home for her. She can't go back to her own, not now. Even ignoring the glimpse into the possible future she'd been given, she doesn't think she could just go back to being nothing but Flagg's queen.]

But I know what you mean. About...things that are supposed to be.

[Inej had, by all rights, been on her own. She'd realized Matthias was here during the casket mission but had not seen him again, and Jesper confirmed he was gone by the time he'd gotten here. It's been a strange time since she arrived in this world.]

My friend from Solvunn was in that first round as well. She escaped from an awful situation in Thorne, based on what she told me.

[She hasn't liked anything she's learned about Thorne, thus far, and can't quite see it changing any time soon.

She smiles.] Some things just are, I think.

Edited 2022-04-03 18:21 (UTC)

( Castiel's Dean isn't something he typically hears from people that aren't angels. Say it out loud sometime and watch his brain momentarily malfunction.

It's Jaskier- )

No, I know, that's a-

( Sort of an awkward, under-the-breath mumble that he immediately dismisses. He wouldn't get it anyway. Is that going to stop him from making further references in the future?

Absolutely not.

Anyway. )

Hey, you wanna swing by my little slice of Horizon, be my guest. Especially if it gets you playing a little Creedence on stage sometime. That would be- ( hand of god, pause for emphasis ) -awesome.

( He's not a musician, though he's got some half-decent karaoke pipes. Even so, music is a pretty big goddamn deal to ya boi Winchester. )

Edited 2022-04-03 18:47 (UTC)

Jesper is full of questions. He finds people and the world generally interesting, and that's in his world, let alone in this new one with the multiverse concept happening. Although in Ketterdam you learn when to not ask questions, except Jesper usually does anyway. He listens attentively to Goro's response. "Eh, it seems more the distinction is between usefulness as opposed to bloodline."

And that is a different version of power. It's the type Ketterdam exists on, which is why the merchants run the city, and no noble ranks would really matter outside of cold hard cash. A pauper king would get nothing out of his city. A rich nobody could. "Oh so you joined the military here? I know a few people leaned that way." Sephiroth, for example, who is somewhere in here. "Thorne has their own kind of military, from what I hear. A mageocrity."

I. What's a date like?

[Charity event is a new term for Wen Kexing, but he likes it the moment he hears it. He likes events, and he certainly likes to think that he can do good in the community (probably), so he ends up excitedly dragging Zhou Zishu along for the experience. So that they can learn and meet people, of course! At first he stays pretty close, and they can be found together with Wen Kexing trying to feed Zhou Zishu some of the various food offerings available.

And then he ultimately wanders off, exploring alone to browse the samples of wine, look for anyone that seems like they might have medical or healing experience, and of course collect flowers to bring back to Zishu. He offers up money thinking it's only fair to purchase them, but at least he mostly got the idea.]

II. Public Hall

[He enjoys Jaskier's performance immensely, clapping along to the music of the group and wondering at the effects of the songs. During a pause, he sighs a bit and glances around at the other people in the hall, either eating or finishing their last dance.]

Are instruments difficult to come across? Or is it just the performance that makes these ones seem unique?

[It wouldn't be so bad to find one himself, even if it wasn't a flute crafted from white jade. Then again, he misses a few things from home--and people, if he's really honest. But honesty is more expensive than even jade, and Wen Kexing settles for wistful looks and praising the other guests for their outfits and dance moves.]

I haven't seen someone dance like that before.

[ The man eyes him with the same sharp look as the weird bird he has with him, and Wen Kexing naturally smiles in response to that tension. But this time he's less forceful about it. The laugh he gives is light and soft, not something pushed out to defend himself.

He really does act like him.

He makes a small gesture of realization, as if he's belatedly remembered his manners, and reaches to his hip to produce a flask, holding it out like it's a toll. ]

Can I pet it? Is this your hunting creature or a companion?

Right. That's good. Organized.

[Mass producing the nails is less entertaining than making and fine tuning the first prototypes, but at least it is more fulfilling work than plain, non-magical nails.

He hums about the recipe. Cake tastes better when someone else makes it, but there's no reason for him to not have the option to make his own.]

I do have a kitchen. [Does he uses his pans and knives for experiments more often than sustenance? Maybe. Shhh.] Is it difficult to make?

[ Jesper's used to handling the most inflexible and controlled person to ever exist, so he knows what to look for, and he also knows when to push and when to stop. Enough smacks of a cane would teach anyone boundaries, but he still likes to poke at them, especially with people he's come to be fond of. And he is fond of Sephiroth. His icy exterior doesn't change that he is helping him learn how to fight without a gun, and he has moments like this, when he's nicer than he probably thinks he should be.

Jesper loves making people who wouldn't ordinarily warm up do so, it's his drug. So he's grinning brightly when Sephiroth walks past him onto the dance floor and he laughs, dropping his hand to his side and following him. ]

Swaying can be very comfortable and platonic. Gyrating is one thing and one thing alone.

[ He continues their conversation without missing a beat and when they get onto the floor Jesper snaps his fingers and winks. ]

So I've seen how you are when you're fighting, yeah? You're graceful and comfortable and in the moment, you're like pure silver liquid, it's lovely. What you want to do is imagine that you're fighting to the music and move to it like you would if you had a sword.

Not especially. Just eggs, goat cheese, some sugar, a pan and parchment paper. Nutmeg or orange zest if you feel like adding a finishing touch. Sugared rosemary, perhaps.

[There's a slight shrug as he throws the suggestions out. Food is easy.]

I'll have a full order for you by the end of the week. I can start in earnest next month, it seems.

[Again, he takes the bottle in an automatic way, but this time thinks to take a drink as though to busy himself while he considers an answer. Sephiroth only notes the taste after it lingers on his tongue, but even then he just replies without savoring it.]

I’m a SOLDIER.

[Phonetically, it means little, but there’s a weight to the way he says it that belies something more like a title than a simple job description. To his credit, he doesn’t leave him guessing.]

On my planet, we’re an elite fighting force belonging to Shinra’s army. They task us with particularly dangerous missions, mostly because we possess capabilities beyond what a normal human can perform.

[His lips thin. The tries to reword it in a way that doesn’t sound so clinical, like verbiage from the science department.]

…basically, jumping off a building only a few stories high is simple because of it.

Edited (don’t mind me I saw a typo SIGH) 2022-04-06 12:40 (UTC)

[ Whether or not there's someone to make sure she gets home is largely dependent on her state at the end of the party. If she can still walk, then yes, there are people -- her roommate is circulating around the party with potion samples. If not, then things get a little more iffy. Nadine cannot carry Julie. But Julie doesn't really have a problem with just finding a neat little hiding spot and sleeping it off there, either.

She laughs, takes another drink and shakes her head a little. ]

What, you think he's got room in that noggin for any more ego? The first thing he tells most folks is all about how famous he is, he couldn't think more of himself. Let him sweat over the fact that maybe someone out there thinks he's got rings on his trunk.

[ It's said in good humor, though. Julie adores Jaskier deeply. She just also finds his sensitivity very funny. She taps one nail on the table (there are flower petals pressed into the polish), flicks her eyes across the crowd. Nearly everyone she knows here is somehow working at the party. Which, technically, she should be too, but she never promised more than the bare minimum. ]

So how's your shit goin'? Got a gun yet?

[If not for everything that was said at the Summit, she might ask to stand on his feet so she can get a clear view of Jaskier warming up the crowd. She cranes up on her toes instead. What if she summoned a cusion of air for lift--no, too many people wearing skirts in the vicinity.]

Well then, it sounds like I owe him an apology for underestimating his organizational skills! I'll bet there are some useful artisans looking for work here, too, unless you're also an expert glazier all of a sudden.

It is a skill I'd like to learn.

[Alucard's voice is, of course, far too serious. It's who he is, and it wouldn't be a bad thing to know how to do all things considered. But moreover and more important is this particular moment.

So he can be forgiven for taking a step to the right so that Sypha can inch closer to the stage, just as someone else tries to angle in. Alucard being Alucard means he barely feels someone bouncing off of him entirely.]

Don't expect to hear much more from me, I expect things about to become very l--

[And there it goes.]

Of course you would [she says, disgustingly fond, barely checking herself from patting his shoulder. Sometimes she thinks he'd put her people to shame with his enthusiastic adoption of the 'no knowledge is wasted' adage.

Sypha shuffles a little closer, trying not to frown at that ominous warning. Does he think she won't just come here to pester him, or is he asking her not to (and does he think that'll really work?)? But then there's a scuffle at his back and a sudden uptick in the music's volume. Someone at her side whoops and flings their hands up, jostling her into Alucard's hip.

Oh so it's going to be that kind of party!]

[He has a lot of time and hands he needs to keep active lest he go feral again. New things to learn helps!!

The warning is only ominous because Alucard was around for soundcheck and has a decent idea about things like volume. Now admittedly, this kind of a space is hell on his hearing. He's this close only because Sypha is, and a rowdy crowd and a fire mage might be a little bit of an issue.

Alucard moves with the bouncing Sypha though, her movement easy to work with so that she doesn't bounce off of him. She's the exception to everyone else, although he won't let that be obvious. Not inclined to get caught up in the enthusiasm though, he stands there with crossed arms, eyes moving from Sypha to Jaskier to the crowd just to make sure everything is under control.

And it is. For a few moments, there's none of the baggage of Sypha's presence. There's just her, wild and caught up in the moment. No monsters this time, no fights, just joy. It is a wonder to see, and a reminder of feelings from a less complicated time.

No one in a wild crowd can hear a wistful sigh. Thankfully.]

[Nadine nods at that.]

Yeah, that's when I got out of Thorne. Essentially. It's a long story.

[Nott had still been within the borders of Thorne, but...it's the part that's ignored. There was no royal presence in the city. But whatever plans had once been lain that required staying in Nott were long gone. It hadn't made sense to stay at this point.]

A lost of us left then. It wasn't a great situation, back then, no. I've heard they're doing better now, but...I don't have any reason to trust Thorne. I don't have any reason to trust the Free Cities either, I guess, but I don't have a reason not to.

[Jaskier sorely hopes the same, but he is being rather realistic about it. He imagines Goro is going to continue to be a thorn in everyone's side, possibly because he thrives in such a state of mind. A bit sad, if you ask Jaskier. He was quite the fascinating drinking buddy.

Jaskier's in the middle of getting up when he pauses, brows raised. Not that he doubts Alucard is capable of it, but generally the dhamphir strays from violence in conversation with him.] That is rather sexy of you. You know, I was about to say the same. [He scoops up Mog, who only chitters in annoyance at being disturbed.] I mean, the two hearts thing, not about the ripping. Not sure I've got the heart for that. Hah!

[He's so tired.] I'll leave it to you, then. [He gives Alucard a tap with his boot on the leg, which is about equivalent to patting him, but he's far too sore and tired to bend over and try, and he's got two hands of gryphon now.] But do call me if you make a mess of our problem child overnight. I'd be delighted to help you clean it up.

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