[SWE] Festival of Lights - 318 PC

Festival of Lights With the void's presence banished once more from the Greatwood, the region is, understandably, in the mood for a celebration. And given Ludo's affinity for the place, it's little surprise that this year's Festival of Lights arrives along the rushing banks of the Stone Symphony. As darkness falls, strings of lights line the sweet grasses to prevent any unwanted tumbles into the water, and lanterns - both generic and those brought by festival goers - hang between rows of brightly coloured tents. The marketplace from within the Sidhe Village appears to have set up shop for the evening at the riverside, bursting with food and trinkets and materials for anyone needing to make last minute touch-ups to their lanterns. The smell of fresh bread, roasted chestnuts and sweet pastries fills the air, lacing the breeze with cinnamon sugar and apple spice. Music, too, warbles between the stalls, and fae can be seen dancing and socialising, giving out cups of warm cider and sharing the memories of those they have lost. All in all, for what might usually count as a sombre occasion, this festival is an occasion for good cheer and a much needed bit of light in the darkness. Welcome to the Festival of Lights - 318 PC! You have SEVEN DAYS to have your character arrive at the festival. If your character brings a lantern to remember a loved one who has passed on, please note who it is for at the bottom of your post! At the end of the festival, Ludo will choose a lantern as its favourite, and spooky things may happen! You will need to post at least twice in this SWE thread for it to count for SE, MP and/or levelling.

Hadama arrived with the Mer who had been willing to leave the protection of the Arclight to attend the Festival. The mermanta swam through the Symphony's rushing waters until the reached the strings of lights and sounds of music and murmurs of conversation drifted down through the surface of the great river, drawing them up and into the celebration of remembrance. The smell of autumn foods was welcome as it drifted through the air with sugar and spice and all the flavors of the harvest, and Hadama inhaled appreciatively as he pushed his metallic-steel hair back from his face.

He swam a little ways from his people, seeking a branch overhanging the water from which to hang his lanterns. The glass fishing floats filled with Arclight water that sparked and glowed with each sway of the breeze were well-cared for, two old and one much newer. He hung the ones for his grandfather and younger brother near to each other at the water's edge. The third required legs, as he reached up to place it higher above the river's reach. Feathers dangled from the delicate golden netting that held the spring-green glass, and the shapes of animals and healing herbs had been painted on its exterior in lovingly painstaking detail.

After long moments in prayer, Hadama returned to the water and those Mer who had not yet swum off to hang their own lanterns or find human acquaintances amongst the gathered. "Be polite," he rumbled a gentle reminder to Kaiden, slanting an amused emerald glance towards his bitey friend. "And the Fae will bring you what food you ask for."

---

Hadama has hung a lantern for Ray Lunarium!

Brokkrid always adored the festival of lights, but in the recent years hadn't had the means to make the pilgrimage to see them.

She had purchased a lantern for her mother, Korina, who had died before Brokkrid had taken up her mantle as a Smith. Because of the laws in the town she had lived in, the town had collected all of Korina's things, leaving Brokkrid potless and in the gutter at age 14. She had been taught the basics of smiting from her mother who had been able to weave magic throughout her works. Maybe it was because of that crutch that Brokkrid's own magic was stagnated at a basic level.

She lit the lantern with a paper which held her, and her mother's, rune on it, turning the lantern around so that the rune on it cast its shadow on the nearby tree. He placed her hands together, reverent silence permeated the immediate area as she prayed to whoever was listening that her mother was comfortable.

Brokkrid had built herself up on her own hard work. She didn't need the gods' help, but her mother? Beyond the reaches of mortal ken, Korina might need Brokkrid's prayers. So she prayed, even though she had been abandoned by the gods since her mother's death. Perhaps they might at least have mercy on her mother's spirit, since they seemed to have little enough pity on Brokkrid.

______

Brokkrid has lit a lantern for Korina, her mother

and the only solution was to stand and fight

The Festival of Lights always brought a certain melancholic occasion the Sword couldn’t shake. Opportunities to see loved ones again was a chance he wouldn’t squander, but the fact that they were gone at all, and the stark reminders of it year after year, or lantern after lantern, still stung.

Determined not to be laden with the brutality of those lost, he traversed with his family through skyport endeavors – carrying the multitudes alongside with Erebos would’ve been an impressive feat in flight – before the familiarity of the Greatwood opened up again. Another grand reckoning once more, to see it back to full form and out of the Family’s infested clutches. Hopefully that would prevail for longer.

Journeying further into the lights and sounds of others, his gaze flickered to Evie and Amhran, towing the infant on his back (babbling, squealing, delighted by all the sparkling auras) and his clutch of lanterns in his grasp. “Anywhere in particular you want to go?” An area that caught their eye?

--

Deimos has brought lanterns for his parents, Rexanna, Bastien, Adam, Peter, and fallen Halo soldiers from the previous war.

DEIMOS

// but darling you are a river //

The Festival of Lights was an anticipated thing; the opportunities of a quiet blessing, of perhaps seeing loved ones again, like glimpses before their own time in Mort’s Realm. With that in mind, Lena came with a buoyant and hopeful heart, hand holding her sister’s lantern tightly, hooking her other arm along Zavien ’s elbow as they traversed amidst the Stone Symphony; cured, cleansed, purified and wonderful again.

The smells of the village, including fresh, warm bread, spices, and pastries, lured her further, already beginning to lead them towards the cider aromas. Granting a wide smile to the Accepted, she wrinkled her nose, figuring he’d know exactly where they’d be meandering towards. “Food first?” Then they could find a place to tie the lanterns off, hanging them amongst and amidst the collected brethren.

--

Lena brings a lantern for her sister, Seraphina.

Lena

// but you will never stop; you flow //

you wouldn't be the first renegade to need somebody

The placement of the festival this year had absolutely nothing at all to do with Flora, and yet the Doubletake couldn't help but take its location personally. Had this not been her only chance to see her twin again without her dad having to linger around she might have skipped it entirely, but aside from Jack, Enzo's was the only face she craved to see on the regular.

"At least if he shows up, there's enough firepower here to take him out." Flora mutters under her breath to Jack; her tone lacks its usually brassy confidence as she glances up at him over one shoulder. Having opted for the captain's hand lest she twine herself too tightly against his side and tear out his stitches, Flora's knuckles had been white with tension long enough for her fingers to have grown cold against his. Despite the way she kept her chin raised, Flora's head jerked toward every snapping branch as her mind twisted the low hum of laughter and warm conversation around them into something biting and cold.

Feeling like an absolute fool for the way she didn't want to part from Jack for even a second, Flora stared silently at the branches that reached over the Stone Symphony before her inner monologue turned cruel and mocking enough to have her dropping the captain's hand in order to hastily affix the little paper lanterns she'd brought.

---

Flora brings lanterns for Aoife, Enzo, and Vervain!

to be lit up from within

vein by vein

Melita came with her companions, taking in the sights and sounds with all that predacious prowess embedded inherently in her survivor’s soul. Grateful she didn’t have to make a lantern for either Flora or Jack, that news was still unsettling, and she opted to leave them both alone, save for granting a wave – figuring there’d be enough to meander through, now that they too had been briefly in Mort’s Realm.

Swallowing down the flicker of memories of her own demise, she sauntered towards an open area, beginning to tie off the lanterns for her mother and sister. Aiming to keep it buoyant, light, and unserious, as she figured Ludo would appreciate it, she set up several large rubber ducks too, figuring someone would like them.

--

Melita brings lanterns for her mother and sister; and also rubber duck décor.

to be the sun

MELITA

yet my blood renders me a King

The festival had snuck up on Sah. When he realized that it was just around the corner, the hybrid quickly sought out supplies to make his lanterns. He wasn't sure what it was about the current year, but he felt the need to make more than usual. Grief was strange, and for some reason, it was rearing its head for those that had long passed. Could hybridizing have made him more sentimental? Or was there something that his instincts were trying to tell him?

Spotting familiar faces, Sah waved at those he knew before he began to meticulously hang his lanterns. Once he was satisfied, he bowed his head for a moment and gave a brief prayer. Letting out a small sigh, the hybrid turned to the abundant sweets in an effort to improve his mood.

~
Sah arrives with lanterns for Aino, Soleil & Luka's mothers, his family, and for those lost to the war.

Sah

kaiden

There is no shame in survival
Only strength

Kaiden had been tempted into the festivities once more by the promise of a free meal. The King was determined to see them socialize apparently. Grumbling at Hadama, the mer reluctantly nodded before eying the shore. Unlike any previous year, the mershark had actually brought a lantern. It wasn't for a friend, lover, or family member. But for someone, or someones far more important. The lives of the fish and other delectable creatures that Kaiden had hunted in the past year. The Void mess had made hunting difficult for some time and although the oceans were clearing up now, it had felt necessary to bring a lantern.

What if the hunting got worse and the spirits of those they had consumed cursed the mer to starve? Kaiden couldn't have that. Grumpily instructing a Fae on where to hang their lantern and what foods to grab, the mershark found themselves lounging on the bank and snacking as they glared at anyone who got close to them. Those who dared brave their range would get a splash of water to the face.

~
Kaiden arrives for the food. (And with a lantern to honor their past meals.)

coding by kaons

Sohalia Lumaris

Sohalia arrived on her own, taking in the festivities with a pause before continuing into the fray. It had been a long time since she'd been to anything remotely like a party, and despite the rather somber occasion, this all felt rather party-like. She carried a few lanterns with her, her arms rather full this year with lanterns for her parents, for Auden, for Harper, and for Flora (for the Luminary had yet to hear the news that her friend was, in fact, not dead).

She didn't see Flora as part of the crowd, but she did see Hadama and made a beeline for her friend almost immediately. She still hadn't managed to find time to spend with him since reemerging from the Greatwood, and so it was with a level of sheepishness that she approached now. "Hey, 'Dama," she said softly as she carefully folded her legs to sit near the bank of the Symphony. "How are you?"

---

Soh brings a lantern for Harper and Flora (lol).

The Festival of Lights was always something of an uncomfortable affair for Rhiannon, who had yet to lose anyone near and dear to her heart and therefore always felt a little out of place. Still, she always felt compelled to attend, seeing as so many of her friends had lost people they cared about, and it seemed like the least she could do to show up and at least offer her sympathy.

This year, she carried a lantern for the fallen soldiers of Halo, many of whom had perished before she'd joined their ranks. She spotted Deimos in the crowd - gods knew he was hard to miss - and made her way over. As always, she was torn between a salute and a wave as a greeting, and so she opted for neither, merely nodding in greeting. "Deimos," she said, offering a smile to those with him - Evie and Amhran. "Pardon me. I just wanted to say hello."

------

Rhi brings a lantern for any fallen Halovians.

Rhiannon Cassidy

Alys arrived with Talyson, her fingers entwined with his as they made their way through the crowd. It was a rather festive atmosphere, though Alys supposed that they deserved a celebration after freeing the Greatwood from the Void. She carried a lantern in her free hand, and Sascha trundled along after her, keeping close to the seer and her partner in order to avoid the worst of the fray.

There were several faces she recognized in the crowd: Deimos and Evie, to start with, to whom she waved her lantern with a smile. She'd go over and say hello later, when she and Tal no doubt separated to mingle. She waved, too, to Brokkrid, Hadama, and Sah. Sohalia was there, and some others that she recognized vaguely but didn't know particularly well. "It's rather cheerful tonight, isn't it?" she asked Tal as they meandered about. "Is there anything you'd like to see first?"

ALYS GLASSE

JACK

Raising a hand to wave back at Melita as he spots her in the crowd, Jack is quite typically silent as they meander through the proceedings. It's far too soon for him to be back in the Greatwood, and honestly he wouldn't have bothered were it not for the nature of the festival. Nothing invites bad omens like neglecting to celebrate Mort's herald after taking a brief sojourn through his realm, or something.

He almost hopes that Pierce shows his face, though he doesn't say as much to Flora, the captain letting her hand slip out of his own if only so he can replace it on the small of her back; a silent tether that keeps them bound physically as well as by the means of his magic. Only once she's finished hanging her lanterns does he guide them away from the strings of glowing lights - he's brought nothing for himself, of course, so has no need to linger.

"Someone has brought one for you," he rumbles softly, and with a raise of his brow nods across towards Sohalia. He briefly remembers the young woman, but not enough to care about the context. Clearly Flora meant something to her, though.

when I look at something, I see it for what it could be
when I look at something, I see how it ends

Code stolen from Queen Sky

// I thought of angels choking on their halos //

It's a brief skip over from the Grounds to the Greatwood, and after nearly almost having to bring a lantern for the first time (thanks for actually turning out to be alive, Flora), Danta is very, very happy to show up empty handed. Or mostly empty handed, but Astaroth is very much not dead, and the Maverick has slipped his hand into the butcher's back pocket some time ago as they strolled towards the proceedings, and has no intention of losing its warmth now.

"How's your first trip through the woods treating you?" he wants to know, smirking across at the other man and reaching out to snag a cup of hot apple cider as he goes, taking a long sip of it before holding it out for Asta to try. "I didn't expect it to be quite so cheerful, I'll be honest. Not that I'm complaining." And as he scans the proceedings again, he spots the Doubletake through the crowd, his eyes lighting up as he raises a hand towards Flora in greeting.

Dantalion

// get them drunk on rose water //