[SWE] The Feast of Bells - 318PC

Dantalion

innocence died screaming
honey, ask me, I should know

"You seem suspicious about that," Danta drawls to Astaroth with a grin, toasting his cup of mulled wine against the other man's before taking a grateful sip. Filled with sweetness and spice and heat, instantly the Maverick feels his bones warm anew, and he lets his gaze flicker across the proceedings again - just in time to see Flora approach. Leaning casually against the butcher, he grins towards the Doubletake as she arrives before them, head tilting to hear of her woes.

"Ew," he says emphatically, merely at the idea of Jack dealing with his kids. "Well, I'm an awful dancer unless you want this festival to get real spicy real quick," he says apologetically, before nudging Asta. "Luckily, I have the finest gentleman in Caido to offer in my place. You won't leave poor Flora without a dance partner, will you?"

I slithered here from Eden
just to sit outside your door

Table base by Skylark

now i am the violence, i am the sickness
won't accept your silence

As always, being in a crowd harbors the butcher the opportunity to people watch (a favorite past time so long as he isn’t the main focus, sorry Danta). So, as it stands, he notices the variety of people flitting in and out, placing options for food and drinks amongst the already laden tables, so he most certainly sees the Ancient he’s heard rumors about returning.

The tightness of his smile betrays him as Danta leans against him, distracted so much that he can’t really relish the taste of the delicious mulled wine as it settles on his tongue. But thankfully, he’s saved from his glowering and annoyance (only the dark spaded tip of his tail flicks back and forth to reveal it), when Flora swans up and steals both his and Danta’s attention.

His nose wrinkles precisely as Dantalion’s ew paints the air as a mention of kids, it softens almost immediately as his dark gaze takes in her stunning attire as usual. “I would not dream of it, darling.” He hums, his smile more genuine as he gives a knowing look toward the Maverick before he’s setting his mulled wine down and offering his arm and the incline of his horned head toward Flora. “It could be amusing to make them jealous. What do you think, Flora dear?” The mischievous tone is also a glint reflected in his gaze, in his sharp grin toward the queen of Torchline as he guides her toward the dance floor.

Astaroth

beg me for forgiveness

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.

Per her usual flare for dramatics, Thal arrived late to the party, bundled tightly in her thick leathers and cloak that accentuated her figure. Unlike usual, her cloak was a deep blue that resembled the depths of the ocean, silver embroidery giving the impression of waves along the edge of the fabric. It brought out the bright blue of her eyes, framed by the cascading darkness of her hair, fluttering behind her as she glided through the crowd. The bloodied glotter carcass dangled from her fingers, but she didn't pay any mind to stray glances, confidently dropping it onto the table full of food options. 

Divulged of her contribution, Thal scanned the crowd for familiar faces. Plenty of people stood out, including a silver-haired Mer King perusing the table next to her. She gave Hadama a softer smile than most would see as she floated to his side. Her hum was sweet and melodic as she said, "Hmm. I think you missed that one." Her delicate finger pointed to a strange blob that looked like it was supposed to be a cookie. 

---

Thalassa brings seared glotter for the Ancients to enjoy.

Thalassa

you wouldn't be the first renegade to need somebody

Flora wrinkles her nod adoring at Dantalion before taking Astaroth 's hand without hesitation, her fingers curling around his with easy familiarity as he leads her onto the dance floor. She fits against him with the casualness of one who has been a good deal closer than she is now; whatever tensions had once existed between them—whatever misunderstandings, whatever bruised egos and lingering regrets—feel like distant echoes now, mere shadows of something long since left behind.

"Them?" she muses, tipping her chin up at him, her aqua eyes gleaming with amusement as they twirl across the cleared space. Aside from the captain, Flora can only assume that Asta means the other dancers, given how none of them hold a candle to the exquisite silhouette that she and the butcher cut. And honestly, Jack had never given her a reason to believe he might be the jealous type. If anything, he seemed more entertained than anything when other people paid her attention. Still, she can't help but wonder if, in this moment, he's watching.

If he is, she hopes he’s enjoying the view.

But Asta has her full attention now, and gods, though the butcher is always dressed impeccably, tonight he looks utterly dashing. Flora lets herself get lost in the rhythm of the dance, in the warmth of his hands, in the wicked little glint in his gaze that she hopes means she's enjoying all of this as much as she is.

DEIMOS And in your darkest hour, I hold secrets flame Unlike the last festival, the Sword didn’t find himself bombarded by discussions and conversations. Perhaps others knew better, or could simply see his preference to remain cast in shadow, away from limelights. He gave respectful nods to Sah, Dantalion, Astaroth, Alys, and Rhiannon all the same, and an arched brow to Hotaru but segmenting nothing else. Were it not so busy at atmosphere, he might have attempted conversation with the Valkyrie, to see how everything else was going after, but given the way she tucked herself into Sunjata’s presence, perhaps it would’ve been for naught anyway. So the Warden took an available seat, and began to dish out portions to savor and others to bring home, intending for each of his familial members to still be a part of the festivities. master of nothing place; of recoil and grace

melita

and she recklessly plays with matches

Melita, not inclined to go dancing around presently, remained suitably unbothered by everyone around her and/or ignoring some she simply abhorred, she munched and drank, content with her choices of meats, fruit, and vegetables. Pouring herself another round of liquor as a little treat, she didn’t expect Rhiannon to come sidling nearby, and glanced at the soldier. “Oh hello,” she parroted back, waving her drink. “You’re welcome. Glad they found it suitable.” Hard to go wrong with a place to display weapons, after all. “My uncle liked the dragon cookery too.” She shrugged, head tilting as she lowered her tones in a furtive whisper. “Everything all right in Halo now?"

now i am the violence, i am the sickness
won't accept your silence

Its easy on both of their parts – and relieving for exactly the same reasons. Because given the state of how they ended, the butcher wasn’t sure they’d ever reach this comfortability with one another again – that he could take her out onto the dance floor and put on a show for everyone who deigned to look in their direction and they could part after as nothing more than good friends.

So as she says them? and questions him with amusement in her aqua gaze, his dark honeyed ones are equally as amused as they are mischievous, spinning along the packed floor of the dance floor as they expertly move across it – his hand warm where it presses against her lower back, his other twined easily and effortlessly into her own hand. “Anyone who may be curious, I suppose.” He starts to say, before he’s leaning in toward her ear, in a gesture that to some might seem intimate when he whispers, “I spy a pale Ancient amongst the crowd.”

He withdraws, then, flashing her a brilliantly sharp smile before he spins her again as if giving her a moment to look for herself and brings her back to his chest, his sharp grin effortlessly on display. He doesn’t look away from her, though, giving her his complete attention.

Astaroth

beg me for forgiveness

you wouldn't be the first renegade to need somebody

Flora barely flicks her gaze past Asta’s shoulder, her disinterest evident in the lazy, half-hearted way she scans the crowd. Maea. Of course; but if the pale Ancient was here, well, that was her problem, not Flora’s. She wasn’t about to waste her time, or her mood, on someone so utterly irrelevant.

Instead, she lets her focus settle back where it belongs: on the butcher, on the heat of his hand at her back, on the easy, fluid way they move together. They really do make a striking pair, don’t they? Dark and light, sharp edges softened only by the way they seem to fit just right, moving in sync as if they’ve done this a hundred times before as opposed to what their past together was actually like.

Tilting her head up at him, she lets her smirk curl slow and knowing, her lashes fluttering just enough to be intentional. "I think I’ll survive," she murmurs, her voice dripping with faux relief as if Maea’s presence was a genuine threat to her well-being rather than just a minor irritation. And then, because dwelling on that is far too boring, she shifts the conversation somewhere far more interesting. "Have you thought about how you’re going to pay Danta back yet?" She muses, her smirk deepening. "I mean, the surprise party was obviously a success—he’d never have pulled off that level of drama for anyone but you." Asta hating surprises made it all the better, really. "So, naturally, I think it’s only fair you return the favour."

Elizabeth

Easily accepting his permission, Elizabeth took the seat next to him. She leaned an arm against the table, sighing softly at his question. Her smile remained, but it thinned slightly, showcasing the emotions she'd set aside. "A little nervous to see how things work out." Unlike others, she wasn't concerned for her safety, however, she still wondered if they'd made the right choice. Dahlia and the Family didn't seem the kind to take their surrender as the end of the conflict. Elizabeth still wished they'd come to a different conclusion, but it was ultimately Deimos's decision as the leader, and she wouldn't subvert his authority. 

Strengthening her smile, she met Sah's eyes. "But I'm trying to stay positive and live in the moment. We can't do anything about it now, so we'll just have to wait and see." And had she realized what would eventually occur, she may have been less calm for his sake. For now, she was committed to enjoying the Feast, and her friend's company. "How about you? How are you feeling?"

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

"That doesn't mean I couldn't have been imagining it all this time," Ronin protests with a sigh, though of course he knows Remi is correct. Left with an unattended buffet, things are guaranteed to go poorly with the Taliesins around. It explains why he's almost halfway through his bowl of soup by the time his husband speaks again, the Knight unable to do much more than look quietly smug while his mouth is full of bread. Still, he has to put his brilliant strategist plans on hold as Maea approaches, Ronin setting his bowl down to turn towards the pale Ancient. And with the gift given and the Knight feeling humbly appreciative (see [SE] Ice on my teeth), his blue eyes flick towards Lyra as she approaches, and then Noe. "It's good to see you as well," he chimes, leaning casually into Remi's warmth and smiling between them. "Ronin," he greets to the other woman, his grin turning sheepish. "I promise to make sure everyone has enough to eat first. If there are leftovers, though..." He shrugs. Waste not want not, right? RONIN Darkness is a funny thing. It creeps up on you.

yet my blood renders me a King

Sah made a so-so gesture with his hand in response to Elizabeth's question. Her positive attitude made him smile a little more brightly as he responded. "I'm about the same. The lack of a response is certainly concerning, but I'm trying not to let it overwhelm my every waking thought." It was like there was something on the horizon, inching closer with the looming darkness of LongNight. Every instinct the Wild Thunder had whispered that they were still in danger, possibly him more than Elizabeth.

He'd certainly be going back to Halo as soon as this event was over. Sah had considered skipping it, but these events usually proved important in some way. Pushing his negative thoughts aside, the Wild Thunder nodded towards the crowd, "I'm kind of hoping that the usual chaos that comes from these party, erupts. It'd be a nice distraction from everything." Whether it be drama, food fights, or some other random occurrence unrelated to anything purple; Sah would welcome it.

Sah

Lena

and sweetest in the gale is heard
and sore must be the storm

If they were a little late, the Caretaker hoped no one counted it against them – but with recent tidings and circumstances, she figured their tardiness was understandable. Striving to smile despite everything else looming and braced against her mind, she forced a light grin and glanced upwards at Zavien, patting his arm. Impending LongNight had its own effect on her mood; to the point where multitudes felt forced and strained – worry and consternation flooding her senses in their own drowning deluge.

Then she steered them towards the table of food, despite her lack of appetite, placing her brownies baked with Sohalia there, before glancing around – hoping to see familiar and welcoming faces looming out of the crowd, rather than portions like the incidental taco party.

--

Lena brings brownies!

that could abash the little bird
that kept so many warm

Zavien

Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times

It felt strange not to be one of the first to arrive, and without his usual beaming smile or warmth. He did his best to give Lena a reassuring look, but his nerves were heightened, still analyzing possibilities and choices - past and present. It was so different than his carefree positivity, weighing heavy on his shoulders in a way that was evident in his green eyes. They were still rimmed with dark circles and an exhaustion that pulled at his limbs. At least his clothes were finally his, instead of a bundle of borrowed furs. The stubble around his chin was still somewhat longer than usual, but it didn't look haggard. If anyone noticed his unusual appearance, they might just think he wasn't sleeping well - which was true enough anyways, if only half the reason.

As he set his baked cinnamon apples next to Lena's brownies, Zavien spotted a comforting face in the crowd. In all the chaos and uncertainties of his mind, he suddenly craved a friend to confide in. Although reluctant to leave her side, he couldn't miss the opportunity before LongNight arrived. Rubbing a gentle hand down her back, he whispered to Lena, "I'll be back in a few minutes. I need to talk with Tal." His smile was more genuine as he asked, "Save me a dance?" Because even in the turmoil, he wanted her to enjoy the festivities, and he going to embrace every single second with her.

Once she agreed, he approached Talyson, running a hand through his hair. It ruined the careful combed look, but maybe that would make it easier for his friend to see the way he was barely holding it together. Trying his best to make the smile convincing, he placed a hand on Tal's shoulder, addressing Alys. "Can I steal your partner for a minute?"

---

Zavien brings his baked apples.

Alys

this night is alive with the smell of insane —

There were so many people, and Alys was truly beginning to regret coming, but it was too late now. They were already here, and people were already noticing them. Sohalia was the first to approach, her quiet condolences appreciated but no less painful for their kindness. ”Thank you,” Alys replied softly, her gaze going to the ground. She wished that it would open up and swallow her whole; perhaps then she wouldn’t have to feel the Luminary’s pity for a second longer than she had to. While Soh was well-meaning, it didn’t change the pain that lanced through Alys at the reminder that she had experienced unimaginable loss - loss that she wouldn’t wish upon her worst enemy.

Then Zavien approached, and for a moment, Alys was irrationally angry. She needed her partner far more than Zavien did, and the thought of Talyson leaving her side left her adrift in a way that terrified her. it Zavien’s appearance - and his emotions - told her that perhaps he did need Tal, and that as selfish as she was to want to keep him to herself, he had others who relied on him. It wasn’t fair for her to hold her own neediness in the wake of Sascha’s death against others who had suffered just as much as she had - if not more.

So she forced a smile, though her gaze flickered anxiously to Tal. ”I’ll be right here,” she said, linking arms with Sohalia. ”Soh will keep me company. Won’t you?” she added, looking to the Luminary for confirmation.

— it's reaching for me and it's calling my name