[MINI-EVENT] Cadens and Libertas Art Walk

[cryptsleeper]

Who: All residents of the Free Cities
What: A multi-city art walk (with strong political opinions invited), organized by Jaskier and Alucard (aka, the “Architects” of Old Public Hall)
Where: The main event is in Cadens, with a special portal to Libertas (!!) for the entirety of the week
When: The final week of July
Warnings: None, please warn as needed!f

Flyers Posted/Lead Up To The Event

[Once again, the people of Cadens will begin spotting flyers posted around the city with a script that may be becoming familiar, appearing at first in the middle of the month. The figure of a large black gryphon weaves between bold blue print reading “A R T W A L K” on each flyer in a carefully inked script. The flyers promise live performances throughout the final week of the month – plays performed in front of Old Public Hall (more information about the Hall itself can be seen here), a nightly concert in the main market, installations of great, unique sculptures, and shops that will turn into art galleries for a full seven days.

This is a full celebration of the Free Cities’ art movements held by the "Architects" of Old Public Hall.]

Most prominently on each flyer is a bolded line with a promise to top even Jaskier’s previous concert: FREE PORTAL TRAVEL TO OUR SISTER CITY OF LIBERTAS WILL BE OPENED TO FURTHER EXPRESSION OF HER ARTS. The portal has been secured through cooperation with Quilleth Kaur of Libertas, and will allow a rare chance for free instant transportation between Cadens and Libertas in order to circumvent the usual weeks-long journey to the sister city.

[If you were lucky enough to have graced Jaskier’s concert a season ago, many familiar components appear again, albeit less apolitical than before:

+ Art is the focus here, especially artistic commentary on politics, war, and the Free Cities’ standing in the midst of it all. Local shops and the markets of Cadens will be hosting the works of contemporary artists. The museums and libraries of Cadens have agreed to sponsor and participate in the walk, providing performances of literature and poetry, as well as setting up exhibits surrounding local artifacts. (Please note Old Public Hall is currently under heavy reconstruction and is closed off to visitors. However, an outdoor cafe has been set up outside her front steps to provide shade/a place to sit during your time in the art walk!)

+ Characters may recognize this appears to be happening quite recently after an undercurrent of tension in Cadens’s military movements. If you know Jaskier or Alucard well enough, you may recognize this as a direct response to those movements.

+ Food and drink will be served in various areas of the art walk, though fancier goods can always be purchased from the market.

+ Miniature sculptures by famed sculptor Axn Kade of Libertas will be available for purchase. Other artists will be providing various sculptures, paintings, drawings, knitted goods, etc. for purchase through the Walk. Please support your local artists!

+ Not to be left out, there are posters in the Cadens barracks that cheerfully announce THE ART IS WALKING TO YOU! which, without additional information, could seem more threatening than it is. Jaskier will be personally organizing and overseeing a special event to ensure Cadens’s military is not forgotten, with Alucard having constructed a temporary stage inside the barracks. A traveling troupe from Libertas will put on a performance in the barracks "for the troops." It will be a fairly apolitical performance, and will be less heavy on the patriotism than what usually comes out of Cadens.

+ Recent new produce introduced to the Free Cities from the ambassadors Ikorr and Luna of Nocwich (see post here) will be highlighted in attempts to broaden the somewhat closed doors of Cadens's local culture.

+ Visitors are asked to be open to ideas and attitudes different to theirs throughout the event. Please don't cause overt trouble or strife that will actively disrupt the event during this period! (Unless you would enjoy being harassed by Cadens guards.)

+ Information regarding the art scenes/movements of both Cadens and Libertas and available performances/artists (barring the musical concerts), as well as the aftermath of the event, have been provided by the mods (thank you!), if any further clarification on it is needed!]

The Art Walk of Cadens



[The art walk encompasses several core hubs of the city of Cadens for a full week - main plazas and the exterior of Old Public Hall, several museums and libraries, and a row of shops along the main drag of the merchant street. Beginning at six in the evening and stretching on late into the night, allowing for the night air to cool things down, Cadens's artistic side asserts itself through written words, performances, and art.

Many of the pieces from Cadens artists are supportive of Marlo and the government. These views are expressed at all levels from books and articles that focus on the progress made during Marlo's tenure, popular poems and performances honoring decorated soldiers or military heroes, and music that emphasizes defending the freedoms afforded to those in the Free Cities. Criticisms of the government or military tend to focus less on its structure and more on the failures of individuals who have "let the people down" by allowing their self-interest to get in the way of serving their nation.]

Those exploring Cadens will be able to enjoy:

Nightly Concerts outside of Old Public Hall and Grand Plaza!
Samuel L. Matthias (aka, Smithy) of the band “Clarinet Smoke” is one of many local musicians who will be performing in the grand plaza this week. Known for a vocal range that many others might kill for, Clarinet Smoke has been innovating Caden’s music scene for the past two years. The recent performance at Old Public Hall inspired him to take the band in a new direction and embrace a cheerfully defiant edge in the face of neighboring nations.

Also performing will be “Ruins at Their Feet”, Berry Matt, and other familiar local bands. Each concert will be introduced and opened by Master Bard and Master of Ceremonies Jaskier (of aforementioned concert in Old Public Hall) among other noteworthy accomplishments in his diligent work in Cadens’s art scene. Performances begin at 8 or 9 PM depending on location.

University Libraries to give performances of Poems held in the Archives!
Safiye Rudruss, head of education at the Hall of Natural Relics, will be taking the lead on the special program Their Voices are Present as a part of the week’s festivities. Working in collaboration with museum curators and archivists at two sister institutions, readings of past poetic works and histories will be given at the Old Public Hall, the main public library, and on the university quad. Sure to please, each speaker will share not only a great work of the past and the context it was written, but invite discussion about what these works mean now. Performances are held in each location, beginning at 7 PM and concluding with light refreshments.

Stores to become Galleries in Miniature for the week!
A number of shops have agreed to host physical art for the duration of the art walk, concentrated in the primary merchant district of Cadens. Those participating have a garland of the recently arrived glowing blooms from the darkest areas of Nocwich. The pieces hung on the walls run the gamut from quiet, desolate desert landscapes to wild canvases that move thanks to enhancements out of the universities, and some more traditional portraiture of great heroes of yore. (And, in one subversive series housed in a macaron shop, Those Who Failed Us.)

Breathtaking Birds to Delight the Children!
Master of Ceremonies and Master Bard Jaskier will be giving an early-evening performance every night, prior to the concerts, of a magical bird show, in which he will create and perform legendary tricks and japes with his colorful array of magically-crafted birds. Have you ever felt the feather-light weight of a chickadee on your finger? Have you ever been curious about how strong the grip of a seahawk truly can be? Come and witness Jaskier’s menagerie of finely-feathered friends! (A few lucky volunteers may go home with specially crafted jewelry using real feathers from local birds and gryphons, courtesy of local hunters and artists.)

Libertas, City of Individualism, And Her Featured Performances



[Thanks to the interest of Quilleth Kaur, the representative of Libertas and patron of the arts, a travel portal between Cadens and Libertas has been opened for a full week. The free travel between the cities means that the arts of Libertas - subversive, countercultural, probing - can travel as well. Because freedom of expression is emphasized in Libertas, a counterculture movement has formed there which includes more critical voices of the government, politics, and war (though of course voices from all sides of the spectrum are present!)

Upon entering Libertas, a vast sea of artwork, operas, music, and avant-garde fashion can be found. Where Aquila has a thriving marketplace alongside its trendy fashion and artworks, Libertas’s hub is built upon its independent thinkers who express themselves through poetry, visual arts, philosophy, and more. There are artist alleyways throughout the city and even the architecture varies wildly. Poets, musicians, painters, and other artists often meet in taverns to discuss politics and exchange ideas. Printed pamphlets are popular. Street corners are usually occupied with some kind of performance or speech all hours of the day into the night. Libertas is less strictly overseen by city guards, meaning the occasional brawl can break out over a difference of opinion. Citizens tend to govern themselves and anyone who has something to say or create is welcome to do so as long as they're willing to make their stand.]

Those exploring Libertas will be able to enjoy:

Playing once daily for a full week: Erbano’s most noted work!
Once a day for a week, an emerging playwright named Engelberta Erbano will put on her most popular play. It depicts the tragedy that results from a conflict between two warring families, one from a land filled with ancient magic and one from a land powered by progress. At the end, the two main characters - whose families will not let them marry - jump into a deep crater so they can be together. Their bodies disintegrate and the families lose their children over what is ultimately a petty squabble. It is not a subtle story. Some may recognize aspects of the play's subject matter from their own world, particularly the two star-crossed lovers. The acting is of high quality and the special effects using New Magic are quite convincing. She has won a few awards for her plays.

Noted Sculptor to exhibit in both Libertas and Cadens!
Axn Kade (born Paxton Kade), a famous sculptor, will show off some of the permanent sculptures located around Libertas, as well as bring one of his larger sculptures over into Cadens for a temporary display. His sculptures are made of scrap metal derived from the abandoned mining equipment and other materials Cadens and its military leave behind, rusting in the ground. Repurposing waste into art is his goal. He's vocal about the dangerous conditions in the mines and the hazards of old heavy equipment left lying around. He also sells miniature sculptures for anyone to purchase, such as this and this. Given his popularity, these cost a pretty penny - the equivalent of a finely crafted sword - but they're available if anyone wishes to splurge on some art. Kade promises some of the profits will go towards improving conditions for miners.

Academic Magic used for rare and unique performances by Theany Newland!
Theany Newland is a performance artist. He utilizes elaborate puppets powered by New Magic, similar to clockwork animatronics on a smaller scale. These puppets perform unusual interpretive dances on a lush and beautiful stage of grass and flowers that bloom using - in direct contradiction to New Magic - a form of magic that is obviously the Academic Magic favored in Thorne. Unlike many in the Free Cities, Theany dresses in a manner that carries the familiar edges of nobles in Thorne. Where many prefer not to acknowledge that the Free Cities was once a part of Thorne, Theany is open about the fact that his family traces a few generations back to Thorne: academics from Hayle before they came to the Free Cities to build a new life. As a result, Theany himself is as much a subject of controversy as his work. Some insist he should be ejected from the Free Cities while others admire his boldness.

The Aftermath/Changing Attitudes In Cadens

[The portal to Libertas closes on the morning of the eighth day, permitting those who stayed for one last night in Libertas to travel back to Cadens. The extra tents and stands for selling arts will gradually disappear, with the remnants of the art walk being the occasional painting or small sculpture still appearing in local shops and taverns.

However, Cadens will not entirely return to her original state.

Following the success of the art walk, Libertas's influence will begin to grow in Cadens and the Summoned will notice a shift in attitude among some of the locals. While parts of Cadens continues to have a strong political push towards Marlo and her leadership style, the counter-culture ideals and beliefs of Libertas will begin setting down roots in Cadens.]

Questions on the Event

Can my character give a performance/show off their own art or metal working/etc.?
Yes! Please feel free to allude to working with a local business to make a display, or slot yourself into a performance space. There are no limits to participation or the content, although those who know Jaskier or Alucard well can assume that they’d rather things contradict the current military bend in Cadens.

Can I just walk through the portal to Libertas?
Yes, and doing so is highly encouraged, as this is the first chance for the Summoned to easily visit Libertas! You can go there and back for the entire week as much as you would like; the mods have explicitly approved this.

My character would like to give a speech (or similar), is that cool?
While this event is absolutely about the intersection of art and politics, we do ask that unless one of your characters is participating in a part of the art walk (story telling, poetry reading, displaying art etc.), please don't use this opportunity for speeches. Gathering in pubs, street corners, etc. to talk about current politics and potential for war is perfectly fine and encouraged. Rabble rousing is where we're asking you to draw the line for now.

If you have any specific questions about the culture/artwork/political attitudes in Cadens and Libertas, or the performance details in Libertas, please ask on the FAQ, as all of that information came from the mods. However, we are happy to answer questions regarding the general art walk or Jaskier or Alucard's contributions!

Comments

QUESTIONS THREAD

[cryptsleeper]

Anything that cannot be answered by us will be flagged for the mods.

Alucard | Castlevania

[cryptsleeper]

With Jaskier

[cryptsleeper]

--I think this was the place.

[The pub Alucard has stopped in front of would be far too easy to miss if one was not looking for it. Barely the width of one room, The Bear Trainer's Daughter has a slim window, a single door, and a sign showing a woman adorned in fine jewels leaning against a surprisingly friendly bear.

Between the portal to Libertas and the influx of new and strange foods from Nocwich, the culinary arts of Libertas have not sat idle. Several places had snapped up the new meats and blood wine from Cadedns' market, and rumor had it that this was the best place to try it. Alucard's own culinary desires to experiment suspected that trying the new offerings prepared by someone else first might be wise.

And why not Jaskier? The week has progressed well enough so far, and so it had been an adventure through Libertas' streets until they stumbled across the address.

There's no magical change in size or width once inside. There's a single counter to the left side of the door, a few seats already filled in. Shelves line the wall behind the bar, and on each are several bottles of liquor with nametags attached - regulars who leave their drink for a fee and then dip into their bottle as needed. Turquois walls and bright gold details make the place warm.]

After you. [It is said with a perfect serious expression. Because there's oh so many seats to choose from.]

With Viktor

[cryptsleeper]

--I saw a note about the size of the piece, but it is very different seeing it in person.

[Alucard was not sure how Jaskier had managed to get massive sculptures installed so quickly for this event. He suspects that there is some element of experience on Libertas' end. None of that diminishes the great twenty foot mountain of metal that has been installed in one of the main plazas, twisted and turned into a mountain that has begun to crack open and spew forth dark, dense contents.

The sense of movement from the darker metal is what catches Alucard's eye the most, and there's no barrier preventing anyone from getting up close and personal.]

In Libertas - OTA

[cryptsleeper]

A critique
[The debate over New Magic versus Academic Magic has always seemed pointless in Alucard's opinion. He grew up with a polymath of a father who was both fully a scientist and an absolute black magician who was capable of dragging demons out from the depths of hell itself. To classify types of magic was one thing. To build false walls between the two was another entirely. It did more harm than good, and the opinion had only been reinforced through his work on Old Public Hall. The meeting of architecture and magic there was wonderful and worth preserving and building on in it's own way. Never mind the type of magic used.

So he might have been attracted to Theany Newland's performance that combined the two types of magic. A man can have biases, just as a man can eyeroll at gripes come the end of the performance. Mutters of The Academic Magic just goes to show how little those families change through the generations and He could at least tamp down on that nonsense for now prompt the dhampir to let out a tired sigh of his own.]

The universe forefend that one might know what to expect when attending a performance from someone whose ancestry kicks up a hornet's nest.

Throughout the week
[Given his own reclusive nature, Alucard is surprisingly visible in Libertas throughout the week. Some of it is due to organizer status, as Jaskier cannot possibly be everywhere at once and there should be at least one of them in each city at all times. The rest of it comes from a genuine curiosity and desire to admire what has come of this.

His time in the Free Cities has been marked by construction. The graveyard. The hall. This. And so the opportunity to sit quietly outside with a glass of wine in hand while sharing a plaza with perfect strangers while great sculptures tower over a play, so be it. Anyone approaching him will get a polite nod.]

The café over on the right is trying to finish their bottles of opened wine for the evening, if you need something to drink.

Goro

[fourarmedandangerous]

Cadens Art Walk-Gallery Showing

Goro has wandered through the "art walk" for most of the evening, barely suppressing his disgust. It's impossible to miss the timing of the event, nor the cowardly sentiments being espoused. Add in the fact that this is being hosted by "the Architects" (a name that still manages to set his teeth on edge after the concert), and it's clear enough to Goro (and probably only Goro) that the entire evening, the entire event, really, is a concentrated attack on him as well, the one Summoned who refuses to fall in line with the rest of these mewling sheep, who does not fear battle or is shy about shedding blood when called for.

But he will not be cowed, and while he was happy enough to ignore that insipid holiday party that was making the rounds on the network earlier in the month, he will not do so here. He needs to keep his ear to the ground, if he's to respond properly to this attack.

Human art, like most things, leaves Goro cold, as it lacks the rather physical, living element that so permeates Outworld culture. Paintings of scenery or some long dead human seem so flat and artificial, but a deathmatch in the Koliseum by warriors well-versed in their craft, engaged in a dance of sorts that may very well be their last, now that is an artristry he can appreciate. The sands are the canvas, the spilled blood and viscerae the paints, and an especially epic kombat will live on forever in memory without the need of a canvas' poor imitation slathered upon it. An expert torturer working his craft on a very much living canvas, exploring all the myriad ways a body, mind, and soul might be broken, and the marks he leaves behind both physical and metaphorical, the intricate patterns of scar tissue that form, each implement of pain an instrument also, that draws out the most exquisite music...That is true art. This, on the other hand, is just paint and chiseled rock.

Still, some of the paintings in the shops are not...entirely without merit. One painting in particular captures Goro's attention, and he spends some time observing it. It's of a grey, blasted wasteland, practically devoid of any life save a withered tree.

Almost feels homey, in a way.

"This one is competent." He rumbles finally, motioning to painting. "Tell me, who is the artist? I may wish a commission." Perhaps he can just buy the painting outright? Also, even if you're not on staff, that doesn't actually appear to matter to Goro, since he's still clearly expecting an answer.

A Display of Physical and Martial Might, the Triumph of the Body & Will

Once again, Goro does not bother to ask permission. He simply finds a space big enough with good foot traffic, manages to set up a rough cordon, and there's even a sign advertising the "exhibit", thought up by one of his more...inventive followers.

And then he begins, working his way through his training kata, flowing movements that look almost dance-like in their execution. A very violent dance, albeit of the simulated kind.

In addition to the bombastic title scrawled on the sandwich board, there is a lengthier, yet at the same time carefully-worded description.

Behold, the results of millennia of the pursuit of physical perfection and mastery. Lifetimes worth of training, and discipline! Raw power balanced by total control both physical and spiritual, body and mind tempered by esoteric meditative techniques known only to the master monks of the Shokan. All this and more freely given to the Free Cities and her people thanks to the nobility and generosity of Prince Goro of Kuatan, First Summoned of the Free Cities, now graciously offering this artistic demonstration of his prowess for your enjoyment, and education. We can all sleep soundly knowing we alone have the protection of the Dragon Prince of Outworld.

In addition to the demonstration of his kata, Goro will also go through a few of his personal favourite combos, flying fists and kicks, and caps the exhibition with a display of his fire breath, a gout of flame directed upwards into the empty sky.

A better and more impressive display of fire than birds, Bard.

Libertas-A Comedy(?) Tonight!

Despite having resided in the Free Cities, Goro is not especially well-traveled within it, having spent more time in Solvunn and fighting at the Singularity than he has exploring the other cities that make up the desert nation. The portal to Libertas provides an opportunity to rectify that somewhat. Libertas has a reputation that has already caused Goro to mark it as a potential problem for his future plans that will need to be brought to heel, and this visit only confirms that from the rampant lawlessness and anarchy he sees within its walls.

However, the reverse is also true; Goro has made enough of a name for himself that his reputation also precedes him in the city. And given his hard to miss appearance, it does not take long for the people of Libertas to realize the four-armed warmonger of Cadens has come to their city.

Goro quickly finds he is not welcome here. His biases confirmed, he resolves to make his stay a short one. But not without taking in a show, first. Apparently, this Erbano woman is supposed to be highly-regarded in the theatrical community here.

It's as awful as Goro expected it to be. He watches the entire thing from the comfort of his summoned throne (if the seating had to be quickly rearranged at his polite-seeming, but firm insistence that he be allowed the same right as everyone else to enjoy the show, that's certainly not his problem) and by the end he cannot say he's impressed. And don't worry, he will.

"Hrm." He rests his chin in one of his upper arms in thought as the lights rise. He pointedly did not clap during the curtain call, or rise for the standing encore. "I was under the impression that the pen was to be wielded like a scalpel, not a bludgeon. Clearly, Libertas does not hold itself to the same standard of quality as the rest of the Free Cities."

He says it loud enough for people in the surrounding area to hear, and with a crowd like this, he's expecting to be challenged. Oh, he wants to be challenged. After all, isn't spirited debate a necessary part of "art"?

Not a tag

[shadowthief]

In her idly wandering through all the booths and performances that have ensconced the city, Inej comes across what seems to be a bit of a slapdash, hastily put-together demonstration.

She pauses in her walk and skims over the description given– and promptly rolls her eyes and wanders off with a quietly muttered, "All Saints," under her breath as she continues to stroll through the city and see everything she can.

geralt of rivia | OTA

[gynvael]

I. Libertas (OTA)

[ Were Geralt to choose not to attend, he'd never fucking hear the end of it from either Jaskier or Ciri. Not that he's disinterested. He merely has other things on his mind than art and politics. The latter of which he prefers to steer clear. (Never mind his tendency to fuck up that goal every time.)

Easy travel to Libertas intrigues him, though. He's had little reason to go there—not much work to be found—but he is curious. Besides, it's a chance to get out of Cadens for a bit. And once Julie asked him for his help moving her inexplicably large amount of coloured pencils, he decides he may as well.

Of course, easy travel means portals. Geralt has gone through portals before. When it's necessary. He still hates them. Frequency of use has nothing to do with their ill effects.

He can be found:

1. Leaning against the wall near the portal entrance in Libertas, looking vaguely put off. You can talk to him, but it might take a few tries before he acknowledges you. He will not vomit on your shoes. Promise.

2. Eyeing the variety of performances with something akin to bemusement. Is he enjoying it? Might be. Hard to say; even harder to tell. It's all a bit of a circus, but he expected nothing less. Still, he won't complain about this short reprieve from the army's movements. He's too fucking cynical to believe this will change anything, but it isn't as though it'll hurt. And he knows Jaskier is looking for something to...replace, he supposes, the Sandpiper he left behind on the Continent.

3. With a glowing flower that someone (likely Jaskier or Ciri) has given him. If you watch him long enough, you'll spot him bringing it to a black mare tethered to a fence post nearby. He will braid it into her mane and spend a few minutes retelling the little play that's been cycling every evening. She deserves to hear a story.

He can also be seen with a miniature gryphon in his arms, or a small bird on his head. Likely, he will be drinking more often than not. On occasion, he's eating in the corner of a tavern. Invite yourself over if you want. You might find him more amenable than usual if you pay for a round.

II. Quality Time (Ciri, Jaskier)

[ When the last night comes around, it is—for once—Geralt's idea to gather the three of them together. As with most things that are his idea, it comes with an utter lack of preplanning or fanfare. He tells Jaskier he's buying them a drink and asks him to look for a decent tavern, then disappears into the crowd to find Ciri before Jaskier can answer.

Geralt does not ask Jaskier which tavern the bard ultimately chooses. He doesn't need to. As one of the faces of this entire event, it isn't hard to locate his friend. He shows up unannounced with Ciri, sits down at Jaskier's table, and that's that.

In truth, it's been good. Geralt is glad to see Jaskier's found a purpose to drive him. And it has been a successful event. Who knows? Maybe all the fuss will distract the people of Cadens from the looming threat they see in the Singularity. Or maybe war will erupt tomorrow. He doesn't want to dwell on what-ifs. He has Ciri and Jaskier with him. It's enough. ]

i.2

[frontlinetitties]

[The idea of fast, free travel to Libertas is something that sparks immediate interest in Gideon. It's the place she and Harrow had been saving for, the place they originally intended to move to just as soon as they found their feet a bit. And that...well, it still hasn't happened. There's stuff to do in Cadens-- she has work, a (shitty) place to live...friends. Uprooting herself all over again and settling into yet another new place has slowly lost it's shine as the weeks turned to months. That doesn't mean she isn't swift on the uptake for a visit though. The counter-culture attitude, their bright little rebellions, the quiet whispers of the taboo and the debaucherous-- Libertas has her name written all over it.

Gideon doesn't know shit about art, unless you count the nudie variety (in which case, she's a veritable connoisseur), but she watches the play from a position toward the back, arms folded over her black-swathed chest. Her expression, it's gone a bit serious. Dying for someone you love, all because some other fuckers you don't care about make big, dumb decisions-- it's relatable.

It's perhaps to lighten the weight of her own feelings then, that when she spots Geralt she sidles over to him. Whispers just a touch too loud.]

It would've been, like, ten times better if they added a sex scene or two.

[cointosser]

[The tavern is Jaskier's favorite sort: brightly lit, a bit raucous, and people already know his name. (It's rare, after all, that a man gets a portal from Libertas to Cadens open to everyone, and he's beyond pleased to hear that the people of Libertas are happily taking the opportunity, just as those in Cadens are.

It will be a good mixing, he thinks. He hopes.) When they enter, a few men with tankards raise up their drinks and holler his name, with one man adding, Where you hiding them birds, under that coat?

Jaskier gives him a wink and a promise he might find out later.

By the time Geralt's shown up, he's already ordered a round of mead for all three of them, his tab officially opened.] Soooo....? You know I want to hear what you think. Even if I'll probably disagree, or say you're understating it. Likely, that. It's going well. Very well. Right?

a tavern in libertas

[shadowthief]

She finds him by chance, perched alone at a table in one of the taverns in Cadens' sister-city. She's been meaning to talk to him, and this seems as prime a time to do it as any.

Inej doesn't hesitate inviting herself into his space, only saying his name in greeting before sliding into the booth opposite him. "Geralt." Even just the sound of his name on her lips seems accusatory, somehow, in this second. Curious.

i.2

[assembles]

[ While Steve has more than a passing interest in art, it's been a long while since he's been able to dedicate himself to more than being able to appreciate it here and there. He's here primarily for the opportunity to see a different part of the Free Cities than just Cadens and that original outpost. If they're going to get offered a portal for the week, it would be silly not to make use of it.

He's spent a lot of his time here simply getting a sense for Libertas, which is pretty different from Cadens both aesthetically and culturally. It's a nice change of pace and he almost wonders why more of the Summoned haven't moved out here, but it wouldn't do much good to separate themselves even further.

When Steve stumbles upon performances, he does linger around to watch — especially since this one seems to involve a unique display of magic. He's already hearing hushed conversation among the crowd, with some people more openly voicing their disapproval of Theany Newland's ways.

Steve watches as one of the clockwork puppets curtseys and spins, then raises one hand over its head just as flowers bloom to life behind it. There are gasps of awe, surprise, and outrage among the viewers.

It's only after the show is over and people begin to disperse that Steve catches Geralt in the crowd. He's a little surprised to see him here, but he closes the distance between them, figuring there's no harm in checking with someone who's such a good friend of Sam's. And maybe he didn't make the best first impression.

Once he's near enough, he greets Geralt, his mouth upturned on one side as he raises his eyebrow. ]

I wouldn't have really taken you for an art connoisseur.

Jayce Talis | Arcane | OTA

[hextechhead]

Cadens Art Walk Adventures

Jayce may be very skilled at his trade but he would not say he is particularly artistic, so this is much more of an enjoy from the outside type of week for him. He has always liked that Progress Day not only brings new ideas but sometimes cultural touchstones as well, so it is exciting to see Cadens transform in a positive way. He is not surprised that Alucard and Jaskier are behind this. They're both so creative in their own ways, and Jayce is just here to have a good time.

Visually, Jayce has a way of standing out. He is a very tall and broad man wearing white and red, a little formal in his clothing with a tie tucked into a vest over a short-sleeved buttoned shirt. For people who know what to look for, he has a The Magician Arcana symbol pin on his vest.

Jayce can be found wandering the streets stopping at every shop or artist to give them his attention respectfully, sometimes he chats amiably with them and asks about their inspiration. You can hear him say that before he politely steps away, although you may notice that he is looking particularly closely for painters or artists that have a slightly unique style. He may be shopping for an idea. If he sees another Summoned, he may pause and ask them what they think of the paintings in front of them, or if they've gone to the poetry readings.

Jayce himself can be found enjoying the concerts outside of the Old Public Hall; it is Alucard's building after all, so he wants to show up and support whatever happens there. He does not stay for long, usually for a song or two, unless his partner is with him in which case he lingers. But he has somewhere else to spend his free time. Jayce can also be found at the university poetry readings listening attentively and asking questions afterward of the speaker. He will linger to talk to other academics and researchers there. He can also be found staring up at the giant sculpture temporarily brought to Cadens, amazed.

Jayce's sometimes boss Lee asked him to help some of their allies in the Merchant District set up with the physical pieces of art. She occasionally sells their pieces through others, so he can be seen carrying boxes or moving items around to make room for the artwork. Considering Jayce is very tall at 6'4, he is probably most often seen hanging garlands despite not actually working at any of these places. But he goes along with it!


Libertas, City of Individualism

Jayce was very excited to hear about the portal to Libertas, having not been able to travel anywhere new for a long time. Years, in fact, back home as well. It seemed too exciting to not take advantage, and he and Viktor packed a bag to go on a small vacation for a few days. He definitely looks like a tourist when he is spotted on his own, eyes wide as he takes in everything he sees, his enthusiasm clear on his open face. He might accidentally bump into people while looking around, not entirely paying attention to where he is going.

While in Libertas, Jayce follows up on the sculptor Axn Kade and seems genuinely spellbound by listening to him talk about the miners, concern showing on his face. Outside of that, he seems to be picking between different sculptures to buy, uncertain. He is splurging just a little, feeling like it is the kind of thing he and Viktor should have, but the problem is picking options to show Viktor later.

Jayce also pauses to watch Theany New's performance art and seems particularly interested in how the clockwork puppets seem to function. As per usual for anyone who knows Jayce, he is completely fascinated and wrapped up in watching magical shows of any kind. It does not bother him that it's Academic Magic, having learned a few spells himself quietly, but any kind of magic is incredible to him.


Wildcard:

[Jayce will be anywhere you want him to be during this event out and about! He is friendly and will come over to say hi to anyone he recognizes as Summoned. Message me on Plurk @ waftingcurtains or just go for it.]

Closed to Viktor

[hextechhead]

The moment the announcement was made about the Art Walk and more importantly (to Jayce) the portal to Libertas, Jayce was already hurrying to get back to the workshop to tell Viktor. Well, after he first asked about where to stay while they were there, Jayce is capable of thinking ahead sometimes. He was glowing with excitement and begged to have a little getaway. They could bring their research and notebooks to work on when not looking around, so they weren't wasting all their time.

They walked to their temporary inn and then explored but Jayce wanted to check out this theater production people were talking about. The last time he was at the theater, it was very complicated for him, he went to a place he ultimately isn't certain was good for him. This time was much better. Spellbound, he was touched by the story, his heart hurting while watching. If his eyes burned and a few tears spilled over the tragic lovers, so be it. Maybe he is always a sentimental fool, or maybe now that he is enthusiastically in love it hits home harder. There was a version of this play where they were from, and that also hurt.

Afterward Jayce intertwines their fingers together and sets them off on a nice comfortable walk. Libertas is different and exciting and the energy there is unique. He thinks he'd rather live here than Cadens, but it is what it is. Grace is always greener too. They technically have gone on multiple dates at this point, but they were their usual sort of activity together. This is the real kind.

That is why when Jayce spots night blooms being sold at a vendor, he pulls Viktor toward it and buys them without a second thought, handing them over to Viktor with a soft smile. "Not bad for a first real date, huh?"

libertas

[assembles]

The sculptures are eye-catching, and even though Steve has seen similar creations back home, that doesn't make these any less interesting to study. Art had been an interest of his once upon a time, and while that chapter of his life has long been closed, he has never lost his appreciation for what people can create with their own hands. Some of the sculptures are of creatures he's never seen before — a preview of what can be found in the desert, he would guess. That's the practical reason to be curious.

While he's browsing the smaller pieces that are on display for sale, he spots Jayce, who seems to be deep in thought as he tries to pick between two of them. They do seem to cost a pretty penny, but given that Jayce has a whole business up and running, it makes sense that he would be able to afford one.

Steve slides up next to him, hands in his pockets as he nods to Jayce with a brief smile. Given what Jayce has already done for him, Steve owes him a lot more than just assisting in a decision like this, but it's a decent place to start.

"Did you want some input? Is it for you, or a gift?"

Ciri | The Witcher | OPEN

[wiedzminka]

Libertas; the play's the thing

[ Ciri enjoys seeing a show every once in a while, and the acting and special effects in this apparently famous play are top-notch. The writing feels... a bit heavy-handed, but the actors' performances are moving enough throughout that the script becomes something to empathize with anyway. There are few dry eyes left in the audience by the end.

Perhaps you're a friend Ciri dragged to the show (or vice versa). Perhaps you are a simple bystander. Either way, she's rowdy and excited, and she has Opinions. ]

The show was very good, but honestly-- why did they both jump instead of running away together? Seems stupid. There were dozens of better options, if they just talked about it beforehand!

Libertas; trouble brewing

[ Spirits are high (figuratively) and plentiful (literally). The bar is bustling, colorfully-clad Free Citizens from both Cadens and Libertas mingle in numbers previously difficult to achieve, considering the usual weeks-long travel time between the two cities, with the winding paths of hills and mountains in between. The portals have opened up a free flow of people, ideas, merchandise and conversations -- and all the good that comes with such free cultural exchange, as well as the more troublesome parts.

Occasionally, a disagreement runs too hot. Tempers flare. There have been too many drinks had.

Ciri finds herself in a pub in Libertas, trying to enjoy a new, local cocktail she's never tried before, but the topics of politics and military movements are always pressing in everyone's minds, apparently. And what better place for such discussion than one where everyone is intoxicated? ]

Hey. Watch it!

[ Ciri complains as someone is smacked right into the edge of her table. Her quick reflexes save her drink, but she certainly looks scowly. ]

Don't make me get up and separate you!

[ Are you involved in the brawl? An innocent bystander who got dragged in or bumped into? Or maybe you just think it's weird to see a woman dressed in a puffy tulle dress waving her sparkly pink drink around like she might start bludgeoning people with it any moment now. ]

Wildcard!

(( hmu with anything, idc! plotting @ belleteyn on plurk ))

for sephiroth.

[wiedzminka]

[ Sometime after the performance in the barracks, Ciri managed to prod and/or cajole and/or threaten Sephiroth into attending one of Jaskier's concerts with her too. Then take a walk through the street looking at art and artisanal wears. This has happened a couple of days in a row, now.

Today, a new mission: get Sephiroth to come see Libertas. ]

Come on. They're closing the portal in a few days.

Come with me.

You still need to buy less boring clothes. It's a work in progress.

[ And as if to prove her point, Ciri is wearing her new dress, and a wreath of glowing cloth-and-wire flowers in her hair that she got on her previous excursion to the sister city. Yes, the intention is for Sephiroth to feel underdressed. No, she will not apologize. ]

Libertas but this is entirely for fashion appreciation

[cryptsleeper]

[Alucard is due back to Cadens soon. There's a concert that it is his job to keep an eye on, as Jaskier is elsewhere engaged, and he may have asked Sypha along just for fun and not a date. From all he's experienced of Libertas, he would consider making it home. But too much is tied up in Cadens at the moment, and the promise of Nocwich and exploring what might be there looms.

But for now, a pub. Mostly to keep a quiet ear out on the success of things so far from the mouths of others, in spaces where they're more likely to be candid. Jaskier's face being so public and Alucard's preference for avoiding the spotlight means that he can overhear things a bit more, and--

--politics. Of course. From his spot at a table near the door, he can hear the discussion. Hear the heat in it grow, and watch as someone is smacked against another table. In a moment, Alucard is on his feet. One more shove and the bar is likely to either grow dead silent or turn into a real fight. Everything balances on a knife's edge and the movement of the bartender who, for their part, seems like this is the first time they've dealt with a fight. They're young, much smaller than the offenders, and the tone of the offenders hasn't changed.

Fuck you, prick! the one who smacked into Ciri's table yells before throwing himself at the one responsible.]

Ridiculous.

[It is the only word Alucard mutters before he stands up, quick to clock the movement of the two brawlers as they move towards the bar itself. If he's right, they'll move left. For a moment, he tries catching Ciri's eye. Grab one?]

libertas baybe

[techmaturgy]

[Viktor doesn't come to a bar expecting peace and quiet--that would be slightly naïve of him, and he's been in enough rowdy Zaunite establishments (pre-Academy, of course) to not flinch at the occasional bar fight. It doesn't mean he isn't annoyed, because he is annotating all of the pamphlets he picked up over the course of the day, thanks very much, and he's sitting close enough to Ciri that the impact of someone against his table jostles his writing.

Well, he can't say he would mind if she decided to insert herself. She'd probably bring a quick end to it.]

This is why I don't involve myself in politics.

[He's just kind of hanging out. Drinking. Giving all of this the side-eye.]

[shadowthief]

The play had been a particular thing of interest, if only because it reminded her of Ketterdam's own performances by The Komedie Brute. Overall, this performance was amazing, but the ending– it left one a little off-kilter, didn't it?

She's all abuzz with the rest of the crowd and scoffs a little, an amused little huff, when Ciri lets her opinion be known. "Sort of acts as a statement of the ridiculous things people do in times of desperation– or when they're in love." Both feel apt, in their own rights, or perhaps even more so in tandem.

claude von riegan | fire emblem: three houses | ota

[godshattering]

i. CADENS

[ This much activity around - even on top of the hustle and bustle of Cadens as it is - is exciting. It's good to have some distractions beyond whatever he can drum up for himself, and the Alliance had always been heavy into promoting the arts so having the chance to tour a bunch of different exhibits and performances? Thrilling. Also, it's useful for seeing more about the Free Cities that the government might not be as willing to share, though he doesn't doubt that they have their eye on things. Just in case. This broadening of one's horizons by bringing in "outside" experiences fits right into what he'd hoped to do back home, so needless to say: he's really into everything happening and has probably exclaimed as much to anyone who will listen.

Claude can be found checking out the shops turned into galleries in particular - he'll be wandering in and out of them to see what's on display in each one. Some merchants might recognize him from his errands and from prior visits he's made thanks to just being a nosy person. He'll be appreciating the art in each one before moving on to the next, so he can also be found walking the streets.

If not there, he's probably eating, because he's also excited to try the different foods and drinks being served throughout. Claude might be sitting at a table with empty seats just waiting for someone else to join, just walking around, or even browsing that produce brought in from Nocwich. He's likely not trying anything involving blood, but everything else? Why not!

Otherwise, you can certainly find him attending the concerts, since he makes a point to go to as many performances as possible. Claude will either be sitting somewhere with enough space around him for others to take a seat themselves or he might sit down near where you are with a smile and a nod in greeting. For these he'll mostly listen attentively, but will gladly chat before, after, or during intermissions if no one else is speaking during the performances.

Whether he knows you or not, if you approach or just pass by him Claude will greet you with an easy smile. You can strike up a conversation if you'd like but if you're silent then he'll take that step himself. ]

This is all pretty exciting, right? You find anything you've really liked so far?

ii. LIBERTAS

[ The portal is too intriguing to pass up. All Claude really knows of Libertas is gossip and whatever he's pored over in Cadens' libraries, so a chance to see another unknown place for himself means he's willing to test out whatever this is. It turns out to not be unlike when he's been Warped across a battlefield before, so he'll come out on the other side mostly unscathed. Time to explore!

From there, Claude can be found pretty much everywhere. Aside from appreciating the arts just like he's been doing in Cadens during everything he's attended, Claude is really out wandering the streets in Libertas to take in the architecture and the speeches happening on what feels like every corner, noting how different things are from Cadens. You might find him studying different buildings, absently contemplating them like some elements look familiar.

He can also be found browsing the clothing shops, stands, or stalls in search of anything brightly patterned he might be able to buy and bring back home. There might not be a whole lot of coins rattling around in his coin purse but if you're also looking for clothes, he's happy to offer advice. Or he'll take yours if something he picks up stands out in what's not a good way, so please save him from any fashion mistakes.

Finally, he's also observing anything about Academic Magic. From what he's learned, it seems to resemble the magic he knows from Fodlan - well, minus the puppets. Magic was never one of his strong suits at the academy, so seeing what others can do is intriguing to him. To Claude it certainly seems like this magic has its benefits, and he might say so quietly to someone standing next to him if he can tell they're a fellow Summoned. Whether you agree or disagree, he wants to hear your thoughts! ]

iii. WILDCARD

( Anyone's more than welcome to place Claude anywhere they'd like for any reason - no need to ask first unless you'd like to plot something out, just go for it! Also if you prefer prose over brackets, go right ahead and I'll switch over. )

Libertas -- Academic magic

[cryptsleeper]

--Well yes, of course it does.

[The tendency Cadens to heap scorn onto Academic Magic is, in Alucard's position, a matter of posturing. About being better than Thorne, which is an understandable impulse but also a stupid one. Nothing about excluding an entire type of magic due to geopolitics is smart. It makes one weaker.

He's biased. He grew up with magic and science co-mingling, his current project is where the New and Academic magic meet. There is a beauty in doing both well.]

Practicality speaking, only a fool focuses on one type of magic to near exclusion.

Nadine Cross | The Stand

[nadine_he_loves]

1 - Storytelling

[While Nadine hasn't yet recovered from the events of the previous month, she's at least had plenty to keep her busy. The numerous other Summoned who've needed medical attention - Sam specifically - setting up her clinic, and now this. Jaskier and his friend have put together something amazing - again - and this time she's able to participate a bit more actively.

Dressed for the occasion, she's set up on a very well traveled and prominent bit of street - whether she's at the Cadens or Libertas location. There's no booth or stall, but a chair for her to sit in and a scattering of cushions in front of her, for an audience. Pianko, her all-white moth hare, is harnessed with the leash attached to her dress and sitting on her shoulder. He's wearing a little flower crown.

Nadine may not be an artist or much of a performer, but she tells a good story. And all those years as an elementary school teacher have given her a vast bank of easily told, family friendly stories she can rattle off without thinking. And it's good for her, to be around kids. The little ones. It's good for the soul, and the expressions on their faces as they listen warm her heart. She'd gone into teaching for a reason, and while she doesn't regret her late in life career change, it feels good to reconnect with that part of herself.]

...and by now, the sun was going down. Since there was nothing else to cast any shadows, neither one had noticed. Suddenly, Tom looked over and saw that while he and John had been arguing there was something else they hadn't noticed. The donkey had run away! The two men spent so much time fighting and insisting he should be the one to take shelter in the donkey's shadow, neither one of them got to. And it never even occurred to them that they could have just shared.

Okay, I need to take a little break, but I'll be back in an hour.

[She waves the little crowd away with a smile and then sighs, standing to stretch and unclip Pianko from her dress to give him a proper walk - and chat with anyone who'd like to, before she's back in her story seat.]


2 - Enjoying The Art

[In between her storytelling, Nadine takes plenty of time to enjoy the whole art festival. Especially the opportunity to visit Libertas, usually a long trip she hasn't been willing to make.

While not exactly an art expert, she likes art. And every form is on display in the Free Cities right now. It's the perfect opportunity to get a few paintings for her new medical office. She even finds some thematically appropriate pieces, a stylized and almost abstract portrait of a skeleton holding a doctor's bag and walking along a wooded road being her first purchase. Between her own savings and Jaskier's generosity, she isn't as worried about spending as she used to be. And something about the dark joke of it, the literal dead making a medical house call, is charming to her. The long-beyond help in turn helping those that can still be saved.

Not all of the art is to her tastes, and plenty she doesn't even understand.]

I have never understood this kind of art. It...it just looks like a horse with a dirty foot stepped on a canvas.

[Said low, so as not to offend if the artist themselves is nearby...]

3 - Wildcard

[OOC: Nadine will be all over the art walk, taking in the sights and appreciating the performances, and storytelling every afternoon in either Cadens or Libertas. Feel free to toss a starter at me!]

I. storytelling

[gynvael]

[ As much as he dislikes portals—something Nadine may have noticed by now—the opportunity to explore Libertas is too convenient to pass up. And with no extended job he's taken, he has time on his hands to look around. When Nadine tells him she's telling stories for the children, he decides—why the hell not. Goes to find the orphans who lurk around the Mad Dog's Bark. He's looked in on them from time to time since Eifstide. Mostly buys them a pastry or two.

He sends them through the portal to Libertas with a few coins. Lingers nearby under a tent to listen to Nadine's stories with the children. She's enjoying herself. He can tell the children are, too.

They're good stories.

When she stands to leave, he falls into step beside her. ] Did you tell those stories to your students?

viktor ota get at me

[techmaturgy]

i. around libertas

[Viktor is not necessarily an artist himself—his skills have always trended towards the mathematical and scientific, but that doesn’t mean he has no appreciation for it. On the contrary; he seems to understand intimately that there is no scientific advancement without the humanities, and that craftsmen like this are invaluable to his own research. Besides, he’s a tinkerer himself, and can appreciate the work being done here.

He spends his time not unlike the way he spends it in Cadens, browsing the stalls and chatting up craftsmen. The difference here is that the focus is not on science, so for once he seems deferential to the artisans, asking questions about the nature of their work and watching performances. He'll even try to (rather forwardly), ask Newland a few questions about the clockwork puppets post-performance.

He can also be found examining the merchant’s offerings, though he lingers a little longer at the wares of Axn Kade, seemingly taken by the little clockwork sculptures and turning one over in his hands with furrowed eyebrows. It’s possible he’s deciding whether or not to make a purchase.]

ii. a bar, later

[Despite the fact that he does not appear to be in any kind of physical condition to hang out at a tavern and drink, he is doing it anyway. Viktor has collected a variety of pamphlets, political and otherwise, and seems to be annotating them, because, of course he is. He isn’t at all opposed to others joining him, even as he works, and will even offer a nod of acknowledgement to anyone he knows who decides to join him. Isn’t that nice!]

I would offer you a drink, but I’m afraid this trip has run over budget.

iii. wildcard

[let’s do a cool chill thing I’m on plurk at whitticus]

ii -- I'm gettin u

[cointosser]

[Luckily for Viktor, and for any and all of Jaskier's friends (which, of course, he already considers the inventor), Jaskier has hardly ever needed an invitation to offer his company. He grabs the chair next to Viktor and swings his leg around it, taking off his hat to lay on the table with a "whew!" as if he's run a great distance to be here.

It's not entirely wrong. He has, as the saying goes, been running about like a headless chicken, setting everything up, ensuring the artists are entertained and seen and set up correctly.

To make sure certain men (if one could call him that) are not galloping about, causing trouble.]

No need to worry about that, my friend. I've already an extensive tab lined up. [He gives a wave over to the bartender, who has been a frequent caterer to Jaskier's tastes (and his susceptibility to being particularly indulgent in tipping with the right sort of drink in him.)] I'm glad to see you out and about so far from Cadens! [Which is more to say "after that near-death experience" more than anything. Ask Jaskier what he did after his last near-death experience.] How are you finding the rich culture of Libertas so far?

Jesper Fahey | Grishaverse | OPEN

[itookashot]

The Art Walk in Cadens

Jesper likes art and all, he's enjoying the new hustle and bustle of people coming into the city. It feels more like home this way. Cadens is pretty lively as it is, but this reminds him of the occasional festival. It's fun! He can be seen wandering the streets in his bright green vest over a short-sleeved yellow shirt, the colors looking like they should not work together and yet it somehow is pulled off by his confidence. Or it just suits him. He'll stop by a few places and not ask questions but look at the wares with interest.

Where you can really find Jesper is selling his own wares. Jesper has a little stall of his own set up although it is not at all as official as everyone else. It seems to be more of a single table with a box underneath it and several things for sale on it. He mostly makes jewelry, pins, pendants, and selling very soft scarves and handerkchiefs. The themes for most of his work are either animals or the Arcana symbols.

He is vocal inviting people to come check it out and for people who may have followed local tourist spots in their home, it may seem familiar to see someone casually selling trinkets on the street. Technically Jesper is not supposed to be there, and sometimes you can see shop owners shooing him away. He doesn't argue but packs up his things ... and moves only a street or two down to start it all over with. While some merchants might not appreciate it, people on the streets seem to, and he sells out of his work by the end of the day ... only to do it again the next.

He can also be seen enjoying the concerts, dancing by himself or pulling someone into it with him, and admiring Jaskier's magical bird show.


In Libertas

While Jesper understands Cadens and can dodge around its disapproval, he is not so stupid as to take the same risks in a new city. Instead he's there to have fun! You can spot him wandering the streets and seeming to hurry from one place to another, as if fearing he's going to miss something unless he takes it all in.

While he is not there to sell anything or steal anything, Jesper finds himself in taverns where people don't already know that he's a hustler. He's able to hustle people at darts again, brand new this time, showing off all kinds of impressive tricks as he never seems to lose. The crew is impressed and while some are suspicious about his unerring aim, no one can find a reason to suspect him of foul play.

He stops and enjoys both the Engelberta Erbano play and Theany Newland's puppet show. Sometimes he can be found telling stories to the children of Libertas, having wow'ed the Cadens one already so he has a new captive audience.