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+---- Thread: [SWE] The Feast of Bells - 318PC (/showthread.php?tid=10698)
The Feast of Bells - 318PC - Court Official - 02-12-2025
As the afternoon bleeds into early evening on the final day before Longnight, a light begins twinkling in Meadowreach. Another joins it, and then a few more, and before long the meadow is flooded with soft illumination, dozens of string lights marking the entrance and the borders of the Feast of Bells.
With the chill in the air kept at bay by a merry bonfire burning at the centre of proceedings, despite the snow, attendees can crunch through the feast without needing anything more than a light jacket. Large, round tables flank the bonfire, arranged with ample seating, and further areas are available for sitting and enjoying company, or simply taking in the atmosphere alone. A band plays music nearby, soft yet jubilant, and a space has been cleared of snow for anyone wishing to dance.
And then there's the star of the show - the feast itself.
Each table is heavily laden with enough food and drink to make any gourmet envious. Some are stacked with slow-cooked meats and stews and soups, bordered by loaves of freshly baked breads. Others bear platters of delicate fish, bowls of whipped cheeses and honey and trays of crispy vegetables, and even more are focused on life's sweeter delights; pastries, cookies, chocolates and candied fruit with jugs of thick cream. It's hard to imagine anyone finishing it all, but then again, this is Caido.
Scattered throughout the feast, small silver hand-bells can be found hiding in plain sight, ready to ring when night finally does fall, heralding the beginning of the week long darkness.
Hello and welcome to The Feast of Bells! Eat, drink and be merry on the last evening before Longnight.
Please post your character arriving, and remember to bring along whatever you've prepared to add it to the celebrations!
RE: The Feast of Bells - 318PC - Melita - 02-13-2025
Laying low probably shouldn’t involve meandering straight into a festival, but Melita, wisely or impulsively, wasn’t going to let a broadcast interfere with celebrating a time before LongNight. Her fortitude and endurance was written plainly on her features – an audacious turn of her nose as she wandered in amongst and amidst the Meadowreach clearings – though perhaps the seditious plunge was merely her smelling the enticing aroma of so many foods.
Her own platter, a large amount of roasted sausages fresh from the heat of fire, was placed upon the table. Opting to be somewhat careful, in that she had a clear exit should anything go down (or view of pew pew pew times), the Honeybee perused and browsed the finery, snagging at several cheeses, meats, and various other dishes, before sitting at the end of a row.
--
[say]Melita brings some sausages to share![/say]
RE: The Feast of Bells - 318PC - Vesper - 02-13-2025
Vesper steps onto the meadow with Nova and Calypso at his side, the final day before LongNight already alive with a subtle, pulsating glow. The string lights have been strung up along the borders, their soft twinkles merging with the coming dusk. The air is chill—even Deepfrost can’t completely quench the coastal bite—but the warmth of a large bonfire in the center keeps spirits high.
Dressed in a long, dark coat that fits him like a second skin and a snug shirt that hints at his lean build, Vesper’s roguish demeanour stands out amid the revelry. His platinum hair is kept neatly in place, and his eyes scan the scene with that cool detachment that belies his inner satisfaction.
Tables laden with slow-cooked meats, fresh breads, platters of fish and pastries, and jugs of thick cream fill the space. The gentle hum of a band playing jubilant tunes adds a rhythm to the night, and even a cleared patch of snow beckons for a dance, though Vesper himself is content to simply watch for now.
Glancing toward one of the tables, Vesper considers the small package he’s brought along: toasted coconut, prepared earlier with Rhiannon’s help. The treat is simple but well-executed—a small defiance against the cold and a reminder of home comforts. With a practiced flourish, he produces the coconut and holds it up for inspection. [say]"Not bad, right?"[/say] he remarks dryly, his tone both inviting and reserved, before setting it down on one of the nearby tables.
Vesp brings his toasted coconut!
RE: The Feast of Bells - 318PC - Deimos - 02-13-2025
The Sword had a difficult time parting from Halo, even if for only a few scarce moments, after the latest bout of occurrences. Were it not for apprehension regarding the festival, and chances of something happening there as well, given its tie to LongNight and all the ominous tidings he’d never quite alleviated from his chest, he might’ve stayed rooted in the frozen, Halovian soil. Whether it was best, or healthy, to stay within the confines of his home and never leave, wasn’t a discussion he was willing to partake in for the moment – but with safety and collaboration in mind, Evie and Erebos stayed, and he meandered into the Meadowreach confines with rigidity straight through this spine.
He'd promised to bring leftovers home though – and the assemblage of food might’ve been worth the deep levels of trepidation lodged along his bones and ichor. Placing the platter of chocolate chip cookies upon the table amongst the other desserts, his gaze scanned both tables and participants, before beginning to take a few portions of meat, breads, and vegetables for himself.
--
[say]Deimos is bringing chocolate chip cookies~[/say]
RE: The Feast of Bells - 318PC - Charlie - 02-13-2025
Charlie strides into the Festival of Bells as twilight deepens, her presence a bold contrast against the soft illumination of Meadowreach. Bundled in a sumptuous, fur-lined cloak, she summons her fire magic with a flare, causing a gentle circle of dancing flames to wreathe around her, warming her skin and casting a crimson glow that blends seamlessly with the string lights adorning the meadow.
She pauses at the edge of the revelry, blue eyes widening in delight as she takes in the scene: round tables heaped with sumptuous feasts, clusters of guests laughing and dancing near a merry bonfire, and the subtle jingle of silver hand bells hidden among the decorations. The bonfire’s turquoise, blue, and fuchsia flames mingle with her own fiery aura, transforming the chilly air into a tapestry of vibrant warmth that pulls her in like a moth to a flame.
Automatically moving toward the large fire, Charlie beams as she looks around for any she might recognize, hoping perhaps for her curly-haired friend from Stormbreak.
RE: The Feast of Bells - 318PC - Dantalion - 02-13-2025
[say]"Well, damn. I wasn't expecting this,"[/say] Danta murmurs to Astaroth as they head into the feast, the small covered basket of thumbprint cookies hooked over one of his arms. Together with the ruddy red coat, and he makes for some kind of red riding hood, though it's best not to think about the details. (Big bad wolf in disguise, anyone?)
Spotting Charlie flitting close to the bonfire and Deimos grabbing some food, the Maverick raises his hand in a wave to them both, leaving his basket on a table already laden with sweet treats so he might better use his hands to grab a drink. [say]"You ever been to anything like this before?"[/say] he asks the butcher, wondering if Asta has attended a similar festival in his time roaming Caido before they'd become decorative statues.
As he speaks, he's led them towards the drinks table, opting for some mulled wine in two cups - it might be warm enough for a light jacket for some, but Danta would like to keep as much warmth in as possible, thanks.
Danta (& Asta) bring thumbprint cookies!
RE: The Feast of Bells - 318PC - Mateo - 02-13-2025
[say]"If I did not know better, I would swear you were looking for me."[/say] Mateo's accented voice is sly and charming as he appears quite conveniently beside Charlie, a glass of deep red wine in his hand that he offers towards her, sipping from his own drink and enjoying the heat of the bonfire. Given that he's still on his extended vacation in Torchline, he's absolutely enjoying the proximity to King's End and the opportunity to flit along to any party that he imagines his sister will be attending.
And with this, he is not disappointed.
[say]"There are more Ancients here than I expected,"[/say] he continues, raising his eyebrows as he casts his gaze across the proceedings. [say]"I did not think you enjoyed the snow so much. If this is to your liking, thoough, I am more than happy to give you another tour of Stormbreak while it is snowing."[/say] He winks.
RE: The Feast of Bells - 318PC - Ronin - 02-13-2025
[say]"Alright, but why didn't we think of something like this?"[/say] Ronin wants to know, his voice pitched in a soft whisper as he heads into the feast with his arm wound around Remi as if to keep the Bastion glued against him. [say]"Food, dancing, a bonfire, food... this is exactly our kind of party."[/say] Grinning and pressing a kiss (or five) against Remi's curls, the Knight peels himself away if only so he might be able to set down their own offering; some artisan loaves of bread with flavoured butters (including roasted red pepper, paprika and cinnamon).
He doesn't return either, instead beckoning his husband to come and join him at one of the various tables piled high with food. [say]"I'm grabbing a spare basket before we leave so we can put all the leftovers in it. We could eat this all through Longnight,"[/say] he whispers. In the meantime he's grabbed a bowl to fill with some sort of chowder and a sprinkling of crunchy croutons. It's the first of what is sure to be many courses, if it's up to him.
Ronin (& Remi) bring artisanal breads and flavoured butter!
RE: The Feast of Bells - 318PC - Flora - 02-13-2025
As the Ark moors nearby, Flora steps onto the festival grounds with a flourish, the chill evening air nipping at her cheeks as she balances a plate of cinnamon buns in one hand. Wrapped up in something both warm and effortlessly chic—a fitted coat in a rich midnight blue, cinched at the waist to highlight her curves, paired with tall boots that make her legs look longer than they already are—she looks every bit the queen of Torchline, even amidst the rustic beauty of Meadowreach.
Flora spots Melita first, her friend's wild red hair impossible to miss. Grinning, she lifts a hand in a cheerful wave before her gaze shifts—Mateoer expression softens, warmth filling her eyes as she spots her brother, and she resists the urge to abandon her plate of baked goods just to go throw her arms around him. Instead, she beams, making a mental note to pull him into a dance later.
Remi and Ronin are also among the crowd, as is Deimos, and unsurprisingly Dantalion and Astaroth as well.
Setting the plate of cinnamon buns down among the feast, she dusts her hands off before turning to Jack. The music drifts through the air, lilting and light, the cleared space for dancing inviting in a way she hadn’t expected. She hesitates for a half-second—he’s never really struck her as the type—but now that she's thought of it, she might as well ask.[say] "So...."[/say] She wonders, wrinkling her nose affectionately up at him. Honestly, she can see Jack being the sort to enjoy dancing just as much as she could see him hating it. [say]"Should I go bother someone else about this, or..."[/say]
RE: The Feast of Bells - 318PC - Astaroth - 02-13-2025
Despite the snow and his envy of the Maverick’s coat that keeps him warm, the butcher’s quite bundled up – at least for the trek. Upon the approach, warmth blooms through the snowy atmosphere, both in the general atmosphere alongside the fires set to keep it in. “[say]Admittedly, neither was I.[/say]” He hums, his arm snuck into the crook of Danta’s free arm, not to jostle the thumbprint cookies they’d worked so hard on.
He's dressed in all black, which may be an oversight considering the way the snow has dusted his clothes into a gradient, though it melts quickly enough that he can shake out the snow that’s collected onto his horns and hair, the butcher flashes smiles to all those he knows. One is leveled toward Charlie with a bright amount of warmth, a more professional one leveled at Deimos, and of course as they drift through it’s aimed toward Flora upon seeing her.
“[say]Mm, well, somewhat. There was a town that would gather for feasts, but alas nothing quite as beautiful as this is.[/say]” Comes the admission – that while it might be similar to a whole town’s feast, this was for everyone. And it was evident with the variety of residents from all over Caido. But as he drifts toward the drinks alongside Danta, he plucks the cup he assumes is for himself, flashing an adoring smile toward the blonde with a hum of “[say]thank you, darling.[/say]” Glancing around the party again, though, he finds his gaze returning toward his lover, his posture is impeccably straight as if he’s a touch on edge at the thought of whomever else might make an appearance. “[say]It is… surprisingly merry.[/say]” Though whether that’s a good or bad thing, the butcher isn’t yet sure.
RE: The Feast of Bells - 318PC - Sah - 02-13-2025
Sah arrived and nodded at those he recognized, giving Deimos a grin when he passed him on the way to drop of his offered cookies. The batch that he'd brought home had been nearly all but devoured. The Wild Thunder had been forced to hide the ones that he brought with him today.
Once he made it to the long tables of food, a slight shiver went down the hybrid's spine. He was most certainly being paranoid, but something told Sah to wait before diving into the food. He didn't even touch the cookies that he himself placed down on one of the open spaces. With everything that had happened this season, the Wild Thunder's nerves were fried. Others were digging in, and if they seemed fine in a bit, Sah would partake then. But for now, he found an empty table and relaxed as much as he dared, taking in the scenery. Just in case.
[say]~
Sah arrives, and he brings chocolate chip cookies made in [SE] the march forward. He doesn't eat anything yet. [/say]
RE: The Feast of Bells - 318PC - Sunjata - 02-13-2025
At least Melita isn’t alone with it. The festival was right in his region, so of course the Flood would make an appearance. Arriving a touch late, with Hotaru on his arm, he brings the one thing he’s decent at making. Ramphire steaks, crafted into bites, deposited along the rest of the tables laden with food before he takes a look around to see all of those in attendance so far.
A crooked smile is offered toward Melita, a wink and a wave toward Charlie, a nod to Deimos, a wave toward Dantalion and an apologetic twist to his face when he spots the butcher on the Maverick’s side. But ah, as he scans the rest of those in attendance, he stills when he spots Remi and Ronin. A huff of breath escapes him and he swallows hard, hiding the reaction the best he can with how he ducks his head toward Hotaru’s side, his scars flashing only once with light like the snap of a strike of lightning. [say]Don’t look at Ronin.[/say] It’s a warning quiet through the attuned bond for her, one that he knows won’t go well, because if he knows her (and he does), he knows she’s going to look anyway. But at least it was better than being surprised by it as he had.
“[say]Let’s have a nice time before Longnight, yeah?[/say]” He asks softly, trying to get them back on track, even if the wariness pours through him toward her.
RE: The Feast of Bells - 318PC - Maea - 02-14-2025
Hesitating at the fringe of light blooming across the snow, she peered around the festival grounds. Without a doubt it was a beautiful sight, not so far removed from what she had hosted herself only the previous year. Then she had been in her prime, thriving and making strides towards all she had wanted to be and do with her life. Ah, but that had also been the very moment she lost her grip. On sanity, some would argue. On the reality of things, which was pretty much the same thing, and the downward spiral har brought her to this point, where she stood like a beggar at the window of those more well-to-do, wondering when it all went sideways.
Too many of the revelors she knew or recognized. Reaching a table would be like running a gauntlet of questions, explanations and apologies, and when she spotted Astaroth alongside Danta, she nearly turned to leave altogether. Noticing the way people brought gifts of food to add to the feast had her shove empty hands deep into the pockets of her fur lined coat, embarrassed without a clear reason why. Her fingers caught on something, and with a start she remembered the jerky she had made with Hadama. Brightening, Maea withdrew a pouch of the pyrina meat; it wasn't fancy, but at least it was a contribution.
But, she had really showed up hoping to find Ronin and Remi, so after depositing her gift on a table it was with a deep breath to steel herself that Maea dove headlong into the fray, angling her way towards two likely looking candidates about to raid the treasures of the feast.
[say]"Hello, you,"[/say] she greeted upon reaching them, easing somewhat as their presence felt far safer than any other at the moment. [say]"I have something for you."[/say] From under her cloak she pulled an oblong package, carefully wrapped against breakage in simple yet neat cream present paper. A ribbon was tied around it, a dried chamomile flower tucked into the knot.
Upon opening they would find a pair of wine glasses blown to resemble melting ice, that glistened as caught the light of bonfire and torches caught within.
[say]"Thank you, for all the aid you've given me this past year."[/say]
-----
Maea brings pyrina jerky
RE: The Feast of Bells - 318PC - Alys - 02-14-2025
Perhaps attending the Feast of Bells was a poorly conceived plan - on a number of levels. For one, grief still sat heavily on her shoulders, leaving her unable to fully appreciate the revelry that was the festival. For another, she’d been specifically named in the latest broadcast from the Family, and attending a large public event certainly wasn’t the way to hide from any retaliation for her role in clearing the tundra.
But it would have been worse to stay home, alone, drowning in her sorrow. At least this way, Alys could spend time with people she cared about.
She arrived hand in hand with
With a platter of cookies in her free hand (and, perhaps, one or two missing already), Alys gestured towards the long tables laden with food. [say]”I didn’t realize there would be so much of it,”[/say] she admitted to Tal in a whisper. [say]”I wish I’d brought something fancier now.”[/say]
—-
Alys brings along chocolate chip cookies!