[SWE] The Feast of Bells - 318PC

This is a state of grace
This is the worthwhile fight

Lyra has never been one for parties. Her life, such as it is, is far too busy for idle revelry. Still, a feast is hardly likely to be filled with the drunken debauchery that she has associated with Torchline’s parties, and its location in King’s End is enough to coax her into going. After all, she’s been contemplating travel of late, and she’s heard good things about King’s End. She might as well dip her toes into the concept of world travel by going somewhere with a great many people. It seems safer than going somewhere by herself.

When she arrives, pineapple upside down cake in hand, she realizes that she hardly knows a soul. She looks around hesitantly as she meanders towards the food tables to make her contribution. Indeed, there are very few familiar faces - Flora, who she’s seen in passing as a resident of Torchline, but who likely doesn’t know her, and Ronin, who is standing at the food tables with a man Lyra assumes to be his husband.

Well, that seems like as good a place to start as any, so she grabs her own plate and sidles up to the two men. ”Ronin, hello!” she says with a friendly smile. ”It’s good to see you. I trust you’re doing well?”

—-

Lyra brings pineapple upside down cake!

Love is a ruthless game
Unless you play it good and right

Lyra

Draw the cat eye, sharp enough to kill a man
You did some bad things, but I'm the worst of them

Noe arrived at the Feast of Bells with an air of excitement, practically vibrating with energy as she deposited her own pineapple upside down cake - made in collaboration with Lyra - on the long tables filled with food. She didn’t see many people she recognized, but that was alright with her. She could make new friends as easily as not. Besides, she knew Lyra if no one else, and she thought she saw Talyson in the crowd. She still owed him for helping her finish the Dragoons’ obstacle course.

But for now - food. Noe grabbed a plate and began to pile it with things from the table that looked particularly delicious, knowing that she wouldn’t be able to stomach more than a few courses. Then she made her way over to Lyra, who was chatting with a few men Noe didn’t know. ”Hi Lyra!” Noe said, offering a smile to Ronin and Remi as well. ”Hi! I’m Noe. Some party, huh?” she added, reaching to grab a piece of bread from the table.

—-

Noe brings pineapple upside down cake!

Sometimes I wonder which one will be your last lie
They say looks can kill and I might try

Noe

Rhiannon

When Rhiannon arrived, toasted coconut in her grasp, it was to a party in full swing where she recognized very few. There was Deimos, of course, and Melita, too, and she thought she spotted Sah through the crowd. Overall, she was glad to see a few people to talk to, for she wasn’t keen to make new friends in such an overwhelming setting.

After placing her toasted coconut on the tables, Rhiannon meandered over to Melita. ”Hi, Melita,” she said, grabbing a plate to begin piling on food. ”Thanks again for helping me find a gift for my parents. They ended up loving it.”

—-

Rhiannon brings toasted coconut.

don't get sad, get even

As the sky opens up and pulls me in
I can see, I can breathe, I can feel again

Sohalia brought brownies to the Feast. She arrived in simple, dark clothes that she hoped would help her to blend in to the crowd. Perhaps attending such a massive event while on the Family’s radar wasn’t her best plan, but she couldn’t spent her life in hiding. She hoped that there were enough people here to deter the Family from coming after her - unless, of course, the people in the crowd were infected.

In any case, she studied the many faces in the crowd as she moved towards the food tables. In the end, she found herself beside Alys and Talyson. ”Hey,” she said softly. ”Alys, I just wanted to say how sorry I am about your companion. If there’s anything I can do…” She trailed off. If it had been her who had lost Tarak, she wasn’t sure what she’d do, so she knew that her words were likely empty. Still, she had to say something, to try to convey how upset she was that people had been hurt and died likely in part because of her own cowardice.

—-

Sohalia brings brownies!

And I'll wave goodbye to the ones below
As I float on by to the great unknown

Sohalia

all our lives i watched you search beneath the fallen skies

"If it makes you feel better, husband, I'm fairly certain the reason we didn’t think of this is because we'd have eaten everything before anyone else arrived." Or at least Ronin would have. Remi’s voice is low, edged with quiet amusement as he leans into Ronin’s hold, content to be guided through the festival as if they were one entity rather than two. He lets his gaze drift over the flickering lights, the bonfire’s glow licking at the edges of the tables, the way the festival has turned the snow-covered meadow into something warm, something alive.

The scent of roasted meats, honeyed pastries, and fresh bread drifts on the chilled air, but Remi barely takes notice—he’s too busy watching Ronin with a familiar fondness as his husband deposits their contribution and immediately sets about assembling his first of what is undoubtedly many courses.

"Mmm, I should have known you had a plan." Remi steps beside him, his fingers brushing over the edge of a bowl before plucking a piece of crusty bread from a nearby platter (and perhaps looking for a glass of wine to dunk it in). "A week of leftovers and not a single bit of cooking required. Truly, you are the greatest strategist of our time." His tone is dry, but his lips curve in a boyish smile that has his sea-glass eyes sparkling.

He might have said more, but then there’s movement—too many eyes flickering in their direction. He doesn’t register Sunjata ’s reaction, too distracted by the approach of someone much closer. The sound of Maea ’s voice has Remi turns toward her, his expression warming. He watches quietly as she pulls the carefully wrapped package from beneath her cloak, his fingers gentle as he takes it from her, the chamomile tucked into the ribbon a small, delicate detail that doesn’t go unnoticed. "You didn't have to get us anything," he protests softly, glancing over his shoulder at Ronin before carefully unwrapping the package.

The wine glasses catch the light almost immediately, glistening like frozen water, the craftsmanship intricate and thoughtful. He turns one in his hand, watching the way the glass warps the torchlight, and something in his expression softens. "These are beautiful, Maea. Thank you."

He passes the second glass to Ronin, letting his husband admire the gift as well before his attention shifts again.

First to Lyra, then to Noe, both unfamiliar but approaching with the kind of casual ease that festivals like these tended to encourage, especially in Ronin's orbit. Remi’s sea-glass gaze flicks toward Ronin at the mention of his name, not at all surprised when his husband is greeted like an old friend. "Hello, Noe," he greets after a moment, nodding slightly in her direction. "I'm Remi." His tone is polite, and even if he doesn’t jump to conversation the way Ronin does, he does seem more than at ease. "It does seem to be a good party. Though if Ronin has his way, there won’t be a single scrap of food left by the end of the night."

---

Ronin brings their contribution of bread and butter!

Hotaru

I know that I should have told you that I would die
Just to hold you

The Valkyrie doesn't stray so much as a centimeter from Sunjata as they arrive arm-in-arm. Though her expression and demeanor betray nothing, as in control and faintly superior as Hotaru routinely would appear in public, there are raw pieces just below the surface that keep her firmly rooted to her fiance for the strength his presence provides. There are too many familiar faces - her daughter, who she desperately needs to talk to - and she can't bear to see half of them right now. Call her selfish, but she doesn't care to try for any of their sakes. She isn't ready yet. Doesn't care if they want answers, because she can't give them right now.

Setting down the sauce she'd made to go along with Sunjata's steaks, the bowl is blessedly out of her hand by the time he warns her. Because - human as she is - her eyes automatically do the opposite of what he warns for a moment, halting somewhere near Ronin's chest as trust kicks in on the heels of instinct. No, she objects weakly, though it's the equivalent of a pitiful plea to the universe at large and far from a true response to her beloved. A refuting of a truth she can already infer from his warning. Not Ronin. Not after they'd finally both been freed. Surely?

So look she does, though she's prepared enough by Sunjata's forethought that her reaction is reduced to a brief spasm of her expression when the horrors emerge over a face she hasn't seen since the dimly lit interior of a houseboat. Too many terrifying layers, some of them void-shadows and some of them far too real, that her eyes skitter away sharply after hardly a moment. Breath suddenly shallow and arm tighter around Sunjata's than she remembers it being half a second ago, she follows numbly as the Flood turns them away. "Yeah," she echoes hollowly, skin suddenly clammy all over. "Lots of good food at least." It's a weak attempt at normalcy for them to hide beneath should anyone look too hard at them.

And if I just had my shit together I could be with you
But I'm too high on paranoia

The King of of the Merfolk arrived like most of his fellow leaders - without fanfare or fuss as he made his way to the outskirts of the party. The lights drew him in, sparkling even in the last light of the year before the sun had quite set. He was grateful for the bonfire as he drew close enough for its warmth to melt the snow from his hair and shoulders, a fur-lined long white coat, open in the front and with wide sleeves, offsetting the silver-flecked navy blue of the robes he wore beneath it. His steel-silver hair hung mostly loose tonight, only some of it styled back in a crescent moon hairpiece at the back of his head. Emerald eyes were bright to see such a merry gathering, and lit up even more at the sight of so much delicious food.

He hoped his friends would forgive him, but he had his priorities. He began to move along the tables with a large plate in hand, collecting small portions of as many delights as he could fit on it. Along the way he nodded at a few of those Torchers whose paths crossed his - Flora and Jack , of course, and Melita. For Maea and Sohalia there was a more solemn nod, and for Noe there was a hint of a smile at the corners of his eyes that extended to Remi and Ronin .

But for the moment he was content to enjoy the largesse of Caido's many chefs, amateur and otherwise, as he dug into the bounty provided.

---

Hadama brings grilled shark meat

No less subdued than Alys, Tal kept close to his partner's side. He wore black and grey, and his pale eyes provided no relief in the way of color; they were hidden behind the Seawright Goggles he had pulled down, uncaring of the strange looks he was getting. They'd already lost Sascha, and he wasn't taking any more chances. He kept his hand wrapped around Alys's for warmth and support as they made their quiet way into the party.

They dropped their respective offerings at the tables and collected some snacks of their own - Tal went for some of the artisinal breads with a delicious-smelling cinnamon butter - and after perusing all the options he was forced to nod at his partner with a slight grimace. "I should've asked Zavien t'split our stuff," he admitted. "His baked apples were pretty tasty."

He nodded at Sah and Rhiannon and gave a half-hearted wave to Sunjata and Hotaru, still conflicted over what he'd learned at the meeting. As his eyes scanned the crowd - more for threats than friends - Sohalia came up and he managed a tight smile for his dear friend. "Hey," he mumbled, awkward in the face of her condolences to his partner. He squeezed Alys's hand gently, offering her his strength if she needed it.

---

Tal brings mulled cider.

Elizabeth

It'd been a while since Elizabeth had attended such a feast, having only seen so much food during parties and festivals during her travels growing up. She was immediately taken by the wondrous sights and smells, the tables laden with various homemade dishes. Although proud of her own contribution of miniature pies, she had to fight the feeling of inadequacy at the other amazing foods. A self-soothing hand ran down her thick red sweaterdress as she wove through the crowds. 

Once she'd set out her own plates, she glanced around, spotting Deimos, Sah, and Rhiannon amongst the familiar Halovian faces. She gave them each a pleasant wave before her eyes caught on Alys and Talyson. Her smile was warm, relieved to see the seer getting out despite her recent loss. Elizabeth noticed a few others but ultimately decided to make her way to Sah. When she reached his table, she gestured politely. "May I join you?"

---

Elizabeth brings her mini pies!

Every adversity,
every failure,
every heartache
carries with it
the seed of equal or greater benefit.

There's no night without stars

Linking arms with Calypso, she follows Vesper into the festivities tucked into the snowy meadow. She drops off their echo shark meat before allowing herself to gawk at it all. Her eyes glitter with wonder, taking in the lights that twinkle around the space. A variety of colorful foods and people catch her gaze, her head whipping from side to side just to take it all in. "'Not bad'?! It's great! Look at all the people and food! I don't think it's quite as sparkly as the Festival of Lights, but this smells much better. And look! Dancing!" She points to the small patch of melted snow, already removing her jacket to reveal the dress underneath. It's a deep purple long-sleeved cocktail dress with a bow at the nape of her neck. Nova can feel the way it hugs her curves, flaring at the bottom so that the glitter catches the lights like starlight, perfectly matching the moon hairpin that holds up half of her blonde and pale blue hair. The thick material of her black leggings and dress are more than enough to supplement her excitable resistance to the cold as she hands Vespy her jacket. "We're gonna dance!" She doesn't give her sister a choice, dragging her forward with a chiming giggle. 

As they make their way to the 'dance floor,' her eyes find Hadama in the crowd, and she gives him a dramatic wave of her arm. A few others stand out to her - Ronin and Remi, Sah, and Alys - but only one makes in her skipping stutter, a glare suddenly overshadowing the brilliance of her smile. The redhaired demigod (Melita) is here and she feels that flicker of indignation again. She lifts her head in defiance, but whispers to Caly (and subsequently Vesper), "She's the mean one." However, Nova doesn't let it ruin her plans. If anything, her steps become more confident, hips swaying as she makes a point to enjoy herself in spite of the woman. 

---

Nova brings the cooked echo shark!

~ Nova ~

yet my blood renders me a King

Sah glanced over at the sound of footsteps, some of the tension bleeding out of him as he recognized Elizabeth. "Hey." He gestured to the open seats at the table with a small grin, "Feel free." When she sat, the Wild Thunder tilted his head, "How are you holding up?" He wasn't sure if she were in the same level of danger as himself given that Dahlia had responded to her.

Still, Sah imagined there was some anxiety on his fellow mage's part as their initial deadline loomed. He didn't doubt that there'd be repercussions regardless of them fulfilling Dahlia's wishes. The anticipation was horrible.

Sah

send me flying babe,
wearing diamonds down

It’s surprisingly warm here in the little meadow – though she imagines that’s the festival’s doing as she links her arm with her sister’s, trailing alongside Vesper as she lowers her cream fur lined coat, revealing collarbones hardly covered by the large scooped neck of her dark green sweater beneath it. Dark black pants accompany the rest of her outfit, clinging to her curves and legs, enough to keep her warm paired with the dark leather boots that had been really helpful to crunch through the snow to get here.

Music is a beautiful accompaniment to the rest of the gathering, and she finds her gaze scanning the item Vesper’s brought and humming a soft laugh in response. “Pretty good for you, I’d say.” She teases him, nose wrinkling affectionately as Nova’s voice radiates through their little grouping. She lets her sister go so she might slip out of the coat, using the moment to readjust the golden hair pin in her own hair that Vesper had given them, and her hand barely has a chance to drop back down to her side before her sister’s dragging her forward. “Oh!” Comes the bubbling laughter, nearly stumbling but catching herself to join her sister to the dance floor – scanning the rest of the crowd. She spots Sah amongst them, lips parting to tell her sister that was the man who said he could show her around Halo, before all excitement seems to vanish to hear the whisper her sister offers.

Of course, her amber gaze immediately flits toward Melita, committing her face to memory but incapable of doing much other than glancing back toward their brother to see if he’d picked up on it too, before she’s picking up her pace to join Nova on the dance floor, snagging her sister’s hands with a brilliant smile that hides the dark thoughts that flit through her mind briefly. “Let’s have a good time, then, yeah?” She hums to her sister, already starting to dance to the lively music.

Calypso

kiss my neck and make me never doubt you now

JACK

Leaving Flora to manage the practical elements of their arrival - that being bringing the cinammon buns, of course - Jack's gloved hands are buried deep into the pockets of his dark coat. It isn't the one he'd had crafted from the Kingmaker hide, though he really ought to complete the last element of that quest soon (he'd died and it had slipped his mind in lieu of healing), but it will do to keep the chill away.

Peering over the festivities and the attendees with cool indifference, his expression reveals none of the hard work going on behind his eyes, sifting through threads of thought and intention, marking the changes in relationships between people he recognises or otherwise reassuring himself of the status quo.

The thrum of golden warmth that he instinctively gravitates towards (that's you, Flora) snags his attention as he hears the music properly for the first time, Jack scoffing under his breath and raising his eyebrows. "Have you ever seen me dance?" he asks, voice filled with long-suffering acceptance. "You can have one--"

Cut off by the strangest sensation of a mental hand probing at his mental shields, the captain grows distant for a moment, head turning to find Vesper nearby, along with his sisters. "Just a second," he tells Flora, brows furrowing as he peels himself away from her to approach the Marin boy.

you are a quiet god
and your hunger is cavernous

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

you wouldn't be the first renegade to need somebody

Flora watches Jack peel away with a flicker of disappointment, but it’s quickly swallowed by understanding. Vesper and his sisters are here, and for all that Jack doesn’t talk about his children much, she knows he’s aware of them in ways no one else can be. So she lets him go, exhaling sharply before flicking her gaze around the festival, taking in the clusters of people as she reassesses her options.

Mateo is occupied with a petite blonde, and her dads are tangled up in each other, as per usual. Her mother and Sunjata are together, too, even if they each look a touch uneasy.

So that leaves—

A slow, wicked smile unfurls across her lips as her gaze locks onto Astaroth and Dantalion.

She moves toward them with the effortless ease of someone who knows exactly how good she looks, the bonfire’s glow catching in her golden curls, the deep blue of her coat setting off the bright crimson of her lips. "Tragic news," she sighs as she swans up to them, tilting her head as if genuinely distraught. "Jack abandoned me to go deal with his kids. Which means I’m left all alone without a dance partner." Her lashes flutter in feigned distress before she glances between the two of them, the gleam in her eyes anything but innocent.

"Unless, of course," she muses, letting her gaze drift deliberately from Danta to Asta and back again, "—one of you wants to save me from such a terrible fate?"