OPEN MINGLE: Welcome to Thorne

[londonbound]

WHO: OPEN to all Summoned in Thorne
WHAT: A party, info dump, and magic study session all rolled into one! Eat, drink, mingle -- make some friends!
WHEN: a couple days after the newest Summoned start appearing
WHERE: a ballroom in Castle Thorne

NOTES: This is an open mingle log where everyone can tag one another!

Rhy will have sent a written invitation to all Thornean newcomers within a couple days of their arrival, inviting them to meet their fellow Summoned. Otherwise, there will be fliers posted in the dining area that anyone can see. If your character has CR with Rhy (or Kell), you can assume they were told and got an in-person invite -- and you can even assume your character helped with setup if desired (decorations, helping set out food, etc.), since he definitely needed the assistance. Up to you!

Kylo Ren will also be hosting a group meditation to allow newcomers to access to the Horizon (and network). New Summoned who wish to learn how to step into the Horizon have an opportunity to have their connections to the Singularity activated. If preferred, they can also get one on one help from those who've been around for a bit.


Party people.

The large ballroom is bathed in warm, golden light from dozens of chandeliers above, reflecting off the gleaming inlaid floors and brass light fixtures along the walls. It is at once neatly sectioned, yet naturally open, allowing the length of the room to flow from one potential activity to another with ease.

In the center, a circular area has been left clear, and every half hour or so during the first half of the evening, two native Thornean (apprentice) mages come up to offer magic demonstrations -- mostly flashy elemental magic, adding sparks and atmosphere. If any of the Summoned who've been around longer wish to show off as well, they are welcome to do so.

Along the walls stand narrow refreshment tables and bar carts, where one can serve oneself with wine from large glass carafes. Water with seasonal fruits added is also available, as are a smaller number of bottles of brandy and mead. For those looking to eat a more substantial meal, large dining tables have been set out toward the center of the room, with plates and utensils and large platters of food in the center kindly provided by the kitchen staff (trying to use up ingredients they need to get rid of, mostly, but they always turn out delicious food so it really is a win-win situation). Both the handful of large tables and the smattering of small, taller tables for standing at are in full view of the demonstrations so the show can be enjoyed with food and drink, whatever your desire. Bright summer flowers garnish every table, freshening up the space.

Of course, there's plenty of space to stand and mingle, walk around and see what everyone else is up to. In the back of the room, the folding screens offer a quieter area, for more private conversation and meditation as desired.

Study buddies.

You may have attended one of Kylo Ren's group gatherings in the past, usually hosted in the privacy of his study. You may have heard about such gatherings, at least. In any case, the rumor around the Castle following the latest wave of Summonings is that Kylo Ren (the Venerable Kylo Ren, something of the Abraxan equivalent of a mysteriously broody Byronic hero, if the locals are to be believed) is offering his knowledge and assistance in another gathering of sorts -- this time as part of a welcoming celebration for the newly Summoned. As before, only the Summoned are invited, and encouraged to discuss their situation, exchange information and ideas, while the more settled among them can help newcomers reach the Horizon and access the Network for the first time.

To ensure some level of privacy, wooden folding screens have been put up around the back portion of the large ballroom, delicately carved with images of birds and flowers and enchanted to provide some insulation from the sound of the party beyond. Inside this sectioned-off portion, there are thick, soft rugs and a good number of large pillows for sitting on; a couple of chaise lounges and low tables line the perimeter, and another long table against the back wall holds drinks and light finger-foods and sweets, should anyone get nibbly after a group meditation or deep conversation.

(( ooc: Welcome to Team Thorne! Feel free to make your own top levels and tag around. If you have any questions, please PM this journal or catch me @ belleteyn on plurk! ))

Comments

[funbreaker]

[ With the understanding that it may take Urianger a good few moments to find his bearings, Thancred does take the opportunity to kneel down and pull an acorn out of his pocket to give to the nutkin. Its small hands reach out and grip around the treat instantly, and then it chitters in approval before scurrying off to find a place to enjoy its bounty.

He stands then, more or less in time with Urianger's query. A guide? Yes, that's as good a way as any to put it, and so he gives a nod. ]

Aye, more or less. I'm the one who brought you here.

[ The brisk wind cuts through the trees, stirring both his white coat and his hair. It's nothing he hasn't felt countless times before while in Sharlayan.

He makes a wide gesture to all of the scenery around them, the trees and architecture alike. Normally there would be far more people milling about, but here it's all vacant save for the two of them. ]

This is a recreation of a place from my home. We're in a realm called the Horizon, which is mutable to our thoughts. Think of aught you might want to create, and you will find you're able to do so with just a bit of concentration.

[soothsighs]

( Urianger turns his face towards the wind as his eyes slip closed, and for a moment it almost, almost seems like he might be about to have a memory of this place. For a beat the man at his side seems more familiar, and the silence surrounding them seems bereft of chatter, scholarly debate, the sound of boots against polished stone; but then it passes, and Urianger opens his eyes again. )

So, then. 'Twas thee who brought me here, and within a recreation of thy home that we stand.

( He goes over the facts easily, as though committing them to memory proper. )

A workshop of sorts, for magicks that must be some manner of creation ...

( Which means this man must be a friend, must he not? Urianger's reasoning is simple: anyone who knows him at all will know of his pursuit of knowledge pertaining to magic; diviniation is his specialty, of course, but there's nothing that could dampen his intrest in exploring the power to create within this realm. Indeed, he holds his hand out in front of himself and focuses his attention on a book—

On the hope in a sweet girl's face as she selected it, on a hazy memory of wide blue eyes and a rope of blond hair wrapped in a rose-coloured ribbon. When the memory clears a familar tome rests in the palm of his hand: the very same volume the young Minfilia — Ryne, some part of his memory supplies — chose for the next part of their journey. Tales of fantasy and magic, of fairies and fearsome lady-knights, and a smile touches the corners of Urianger's lips as he turns the book over in his hands.

It feels ... precious, somehow, even if he can't quite figure out why. )

'Tis truly as you say.

( He remarks, lifting golden eyes from the cover to his companion. )

Wouldst thou tell me thy name?

[funbreaker]

[ A place from his home, Thancred almost corrects, but decides there isn't much point. Sharlayan had been a home of sorts for a good portion of his life, but he would not go as far as to call it that these days. He's not certain anywhere quite fits that bill, though the Rising Stones would be the closest.

While he's never thought of the Horizon as a workshop, Urianger isn't entirely wrong about that, and so he simply nods along with those words as Urianger thinks out loud. A habit that hasn't left him despite his lack of memories — unsurprisingly.

And of course, of course Urianger would choose a tome as his first creation. Much like a knife had been Thancred's first. Though as he takes a few steps closer to see which tome, he isn't quite prepared for what he finds. Yes, he recognizes it. How could he not, when Ryne had held it close for so long? When she had sat at campfires, or in more comfortable accommodations at the Pendants, with her face buried in it?

It brings forth a deep sense of nostalgia, warming his heart and yet tugging at it in the same moment. His smile is soft and there's creasing at the edges of his eyes as he stares down at the familiar book.

Though when Urianger looks to him, Thancred's expression quickly smooths out and he nods. ]

Thancred. [ A pause, and he adds: ] Thancred Waters. The surname came later. In fact, it came from this place. [ He looks back to the river, and if Urianger is to follow its path with his gaze, he'll see that it eventually cascades down, down, down into a great bay. ]

[soothsighs]

( Urianger catches that small wrinkle of recognition arund Thancred's eyes —can feel the warmth of it, and the softness that overtakes his expression. It's almost a shame to see it so efficiently rolled back once the man realises he's looking at him, but instead of commenting on it Urianger simply lets the moment flow past them.

Thancred has been kind to him, after all, and Urianger wouldn't want to make him uncomfortable. )

Then 'tis a pleasure to make thine acquaintance, Thancred Waters. To take thy name from a place such as this ...

( He may not have his memories but he knows how and why such names are formed: Thancred's past must be one of hardship, and yet he seems comfortable with the surroundings in which they've found themselves. If what he says is true then this place must be of some importance to him, which quirks a smile onto the corners of his lips. )

My name is Urianger Augurelt.

( The fingertips of his free hand lightly touches the centre of his breast as he inclines his head in a little nod. )

Wouldst thou be amenable to delivering a tour of thy realm, Thancred? 'Twould be a most novel way to begin this companionship.

[funbreaker]

[ Their name is one of the only things that they still remember during a first trip here. A sense of who they are, as well, though with none of the scaffolding built around it. The fact that Urianger had been able to replicate this book does speak to the fact that the memories are dormant in him somewhere, though Thancred still doesn't quite understand how or why the Horizon represses them at first.

That will all have to wait for now, and Thancred is certain Urianger himself will have theories about it. Or at least more questions to add to a long list.

It occurs to him that Urianger has also kept hold of one other thing: his quite peculiar way of speaking. How odd it would have been to hear him any other way. In truth, Thancred is relieved. ]

Oh, I would be happy to. I believe we can start with the Noumenon. I suspect you'll enjoy it quite a bit...

[ And with that he starts down the wooded path, leading Urianger to the expansive library. Of course, most of the books there will be nowhere near complete. His mind can only recreate so much. Still, he will entertain Urianger for as long as he wishes. There will be plenty more to see. ]