[ME] [RQ] in vino veritas

// you knew who I was //

Danta has pinned notices in all the places they might matter, perhaps, except for the official Notice Board. And one might think he's done it on purpose to be a chaotic bastard, when in reality he's absolutely just forgotten about the board's existence. Either way, in the Dusklight, along a few businesses in the Last Whisper, a clutter of stalls in the Inner Quarter, and even to the back of a couple of wagons (without their owners' knowledge or consent), citizens will find all the information they need about the gathering he's planned, the whens, the whys and the hows.

Now all that's left is to actually discuss their new healing (WINE) fountain, and the Maverick arrives at the Temple to pay his respects to their dark goddess before emerging to wait for any others who wish to talk about the matter. Danta already has his ideas, of course, and there's no telling whether he'll go with the majority opinion if he's not a fan of it, but listen. At least he can say he'd asked for input, even if he doesn't accept it.

For now, though, he warms his hands in one of the braziers, the Temple already thoroughly sweltering from the change of season, something he finds completely to his taste.

---

This ME is for the following RQ requirement:

2. A Mini Event of at least 4 Grounders (with 3 posts each) discussing where the fountain should be located and what kind of wine it should contain.

Please post your characters arriving and we can begin!

Dantalion

// with every step that I ran to you //

/// forgive me father, for i have sinned
and as i kneel here now,

Already in the loop of the meeting, the butcher doesn’t need the notices to invite him to the Temple to talk about the fountain that he’ll very likely benefit the most out of. He does bide his time, though, enough to grab a quick snack before the event begins – likely while Danta’s visiting their goddess, but he finds himself swanning through the doors with ease and a beeline straight for his lover.

He knows the time and place, though, so he offers a quiet nod and a far too sharp smile, lingering off to the side and leaning on his cane settled easily between both of his feet in front of him – prim and proper and offering his partner his utmost attention for the matter at hand, already having a few ideas in terms of what kind of wine to use and what position might suit them the best.

---

Asta is heeeere!

Astaroth

hands red with blood,
i know deep down, that i'll do it again ///

Aithne first sees a notice on the very morning of the described meeting, but her lateness does not prevent her from coming. She hurries home from the market, checks her reflection in the mirror by the door, and then she's off, heading for the temple where the meeting is to take place. She arrives in a pretty floral dress, her fingers dripping with glittering rings, large hoop earrings dangling from her ears. Her horns glisten in the summer sun that shines through the windows of the temple, and as she sashays her way over to her two friends, she flashes a bright, fanged smile.

"Hiiiii," she trills as she seats herself daintily beside Astaroth, beaming at Dantalion all the while. Wholly unprepared for the meeting, seeing as the first she's heard of it was this morning, she tilts her head curiously to one side. "Soooo healing wine, huh?" she asks, wicked delight evident in her dark eyes. "Super fun. Totally on board."

---

Aithne arrives!

Aithne Murphy

FOX

If not for Kiada, there's a high likelihood that Fox would not have been aware of this meeting, other than potentially learning about it from one of the wagons boasting a notice. He doesn't spend a great deal of time out in the Inner Quarter, preferring to keep to the wilder parts of the Grounds where work is never lacking and he doesn't have to concern himself with small-talk or crowds.

But a healing fountain, alcoholic or otherwise, is something he can get behind, and so the hunter arrives with his hand clasped in the harpy's, dressed down as far as the weather is concerned in a pair of sunbleached jeans and a button-up he's only worn once so far this week, the shirtsleeves folded enough to keep his hands free. There are only a couple of people gathered thus far, one of them being Astaroth (insert ew gif of your choice), and Fox purposely chooses the opposite side of the Temple to linger at following a soft kiss to Kiada's cheek.

astra inclinant, sed non obligant

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

charlie

Charlie darts! through the Temple doors in a rush of colour and motion, black skirts swishing and bare feet a touch too loud against the stone, already mid-apology before she has quite cleared the threshold. "Sorrysorry—so sorry—I swear I meant to be on time but one thing turned into another and then there was blood and—" she breaks off only long enough to swipe at her hands with the rag she’s carrying, the dark smear across the cloth doing very little to reassure anyone that the situation has been fully resolved. Her grin, however, is radiant and unapologetically fanged, eyes sparkling as she takes in the familiar collection of faces already gathered.

Charlie drifts closer, gravitating toward Aithne, shoulder brushing near as she comes to a stop beside her. She tilts her head and widens her blue eyes at the young acolyte in an exaggerated, affectionate look.

Nice to meet you, where you been? I could show you incredible things
Magic, madness, heaven, sin

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

i am made of bullets; shrapnel /// you are solar flares and soft lips
better creatures could love you i know ///

It’s a good thing Kiada’s there to make sure Fox knows about the going’s on in the Temple government wise, something that she takes a large amount amount of pride in as she slips into the building with her hand in her husband’s. The healing fountain had been a near immediate agreement from the harpy, because while Danta certainly had his motivations for it — so too does Kiada, knowing all too well the kind of trouble a monster hunter could get up to day after day.

So she doesn’t mind as he guides them in to the opposite side of where the butcher sits, leaning contently into the kiss with a smile she can’t hide as she squeezes his hand. Her own attire is a mixture of dressed down and not quite, wearing a dress that clings to her frame in glittering waves of gold against ivory, a dip in her neck line and her back reveal the X scar on her neck and a series of burns that linger against her spine, a few smaller ones seen along her legs from how short the dress is, all things that grant her a sharp figure beside Fox as she glances over to see Charlie dart! in with an apology — granting the priestess a small smile if she looks over their way before she settles in to listen, her weight shifted enough that her hip presses against Fox’s side contently, both hands clasping his in front of her now.

kiada

/// but now they'll have to get through me
my love should wear a warning sign, damn right i remember you

// you knew who I was //

Danta watches them file in, familiar faces joining among the trickle of citizens from the Inner Quarter - merchants, farmers, a few medics from the infirmary in the Temple - offering greetings where he can. He tips a wink to Astaroth and offers a fanged grin to Kiada and Aithne both, lips parting to speak just as Charlie also joins them, prompting a scoff of laughter instead.

"Nonsense, you're here just in time," he tells her, before glancing to Aithne. "And you're right yes - healing wine, from a fountain that everyone in the Grounds should be able to access." Addressing them all now, it feels rather political and official when he puts it like that, standing up in front of a crowd like this, and Danta pulls his hands from the brazier to open the matter properly.

"Because it's for everyone, it makes sense to ask your thoughts about where it should be, first of all. I was thinking perhaps here in the Temple, or elsewhere in the Inner Quarter, but I'm all ears for opinions."

Dantalion

// with every step that I ran to you //

/// forgive me father, for i have sinned
and as i kneel here now,

A familiar face comes to join him, his shark-tooth smile aimed at the young Ancient with an incline of his head. “Hello Aithne, my dear.” He rumbles warmly, cut off from any further commentary he might make with Charlie’s arrival – the blood already scented and caught keeps him settled and quiet as Danta begins to take the floor once the rest of their citizens find a place to settle.

As his lover opens the floor to them all to offer their opinions, the butcher’s of the same mindset that the Maverick is in. The Inner Quarter’s already dominated by the bonfire – something he absolutely adores, but there’s something poetically beautiful with the idea of the Temple boasting each and every part to their Dark Lady alongside the breath of life from a fountain to heal their wounds made of wine.

“I am personally a fan of keeping it here in the Temple.” The butcher hums, pulling his adoring gaze from the Maverick toward Charlie and Aithne, warm and confident in their abilities to ensure it was always available for those who needed it. “It would be protected from the environment so we would not have to worry about events such as the mud last season and all of the rain.” His tail flicks a little, head tilting slightly as he looks back up at Danta, awaiting any other inputs from anyone else.

---

Asta votes Temple!

Astaroth

hands red with blood,
i know deep down, that i'll do it again ///

Aithne is greeted with smiles and kindness from those she knows, and she beams over at Charlie with a fanged grin of her own before turning her attention back to the meeting at hand. Dantalion explains the plans further, leaving the young acolyte to tilt her head to one side in thought. It does make sense to have the fountain in a central location, and where better than the Temple to be just that? Besides, Astaroth makes an excellent point after last season's terrible mud problem.

So the girl nods along as Asta speaks, her nose wrinkling faintly at the memory of the muck that had been such a challenge to them all. "The Temple makes sense to me," Aithne says, shrugging a shoulder, glancing to her mentor as though for Charlie's approval and agreement. "Everyone knows where it is, and it's pretty centralized, right?"

---

Aithne votes Temple!

Aithne Murphy

FOX

Offering a smile to Charlie as well as she arrives, when the Maverick takes to the floor to begin explaining the details about the fountain, Fox slips his arm casually around Kiada's waist and leans in against her to listen. Given the chaotic and brutal nature of many of their citizens, he's surprised to hear the immediate murmurings of peaceful agreement; later, maybe, the hunter will have cause to mull it over and rethink his initial impressions of his fellow Ancients. (And one butcher in particular).

For now, though, he finds himself nodding along as well. "The medical bay is located here too," he adds, "so in emergencies it makes sense for there to be a ready supply of it. People can always come to fill flasks and other containers, too." All fairly logical, in his mind.

---

Fox agrees with the Temple!

astra inclinant, sed non obligant

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

i am made of bullets; shrapnel /// you are solar flares and soft lips
better creatures could love you i know ///

Leaning into Fox as his arm wraps around her waist, she’s always grateful for the additional heat he provides that she leans into so willingly every time. Her gaze remains on Danta, though, as their Theocrat explains the plan to decide a location for the fountain.

Hearing so many agree to the Temple has her also in agreement. With the way it would be easy to get to and with everyone knowing where it was she wouldn’t have to worry about Fox getting into too much trouble if he could carry a flask or two around with the healing wine.

So it’s with a smile and a playful bump of her hip against her husband’s as her tail wraps around his leg that she offers her own vote. “I vote Temple, too.”

---

Kia votes Temple!

kiada

/// but now they'll have to get through me
my love should wear a warning sign, damn right i remember you

charlie

Charlie’s grin softens the moment Danta takes the floor, her posture easing as she turns her full attention on him, blue eyes bright with unmistakable affection. There’s something almost peaceful in the way she listens despite her usual chaos, hands finally stilling as she lets the discussion unfold around her.

When Asta mentions protection from the elements, Charlie wrinkles her nose dramatically, lips pursing as though the very idea offends her on a spiritual level. "Mm," she agrees immediately, shaking her head with feeling. "No one likes watered-down wine." She punctuates the declaration with a solemn nod, as if this is a moral line she will die on.

Then her attention snaps back to Danta, eyes widening with sudden inspiration, grin spreading fast and sharp. "Oh—oh!" she says brightly, practically vibrating with the thought. "Could the fountain itself be Dygra-themed?" One hand lifts, fingers curling as if already shaping the idea out of the air. " So when anyone drinks from it—Ancient or not—they’re reminded of her."

---

Charlie votes Temple and also Dygra-themed fountain designs.

Nice to meet you, where you been? I could show you incredible things
Magic, madness, heaven, sin

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

// you knew who I was //

The support for the Temple is overwhelming, and Danta inclines his head with an agreement that can't be denied. "All ridiculously good points," he croons - especially not watering down the wine or having it be put at risk of capricious environmental changes. "Congrats then, Charlie - soon you'll have wine that cures a hangover. And of course we can design the fountain with Dygra in mind. I wouldn't have it any other way."

And perhaps it's aesthetic that will help lead the way for his final point. "There's just one last thing to decide," he says, clapping his hands together, tail lashing at his heels. "What's your preferred vintage? I know fuck all about wine, but I can tell you now that the very dangerous looking gentleman over there," and here he gestures to Astaroth, "will definitely be favouring a nice red, so my vote will count for the same."

Dantalion

// with every step that I ran to you //

/// forgive me father, for i have sinned
and as i kneel here now,

They do all have great points and Asta takes them in with a hint of satisfaction – his ashen spaded tip flicking back and forth like a content feline. Charlie’s suggestion of making it Dygra themed is immediately something he latches onto – because he’d honestly have it no other way, either. The Temple itself was a beautiful tribute to their goddess, why not make the fountain an additional worshipping space as well?

He remains there, settled into the pew while Danta speaks again, one final question to answer. And as he’s referenced to, the butcher straightens a touch and flashes his traditionally too sharp grin, a low chuckle leaving him as he turns slightly to glance around all of those gathered. “I am overwhelmingly a fan of a cabernet sauvignon. Full bodied, bold, sharp, and savory in some aspects.” He pauses, as if deciding whether or not he needs to sell the point. “It sounds a lot like us, no?” A dark brow lifts as he takes in everyone until his gaze finally lands on Danta with a wink.

---

Asta votes for the wine to be a cabernet sauvignon!

Astaroth

hands red with blood,
i know deep down, that i'll do it again ///