[Mini Event] See The Light

Ludo had been trapped within the barrier for three hundred years with the rest of them, freed to return to its tasks the world over only a year and a half before. Perhaps to the Fae such a span wasn’t so very long; a lifetime or two, little more, and their traditions had continued on unbroken through the centuries, but what of the humans of Torchline?

The Festival of Lights was fast approaching in the Hollowed Grounds, but there was no reason for it to remained trapped there behind a portal that not all were willing to pass through. There had been tragedies of late along the coast, too, lives lost to Ghost Whales and volcanoes – or at least, the panic caused by one. Shipwrecks and sailors lost at sea were a constant source of prayer at the Shrines as well, he knew, after speaking to the Haulani survivors, and disease and old age were just as prevalent here as elsewhere, along with more violent deaths in back alleys and smugglers’s caves.

So it was that Jigano, Outlander though he was, put up a notice and brought with him a cart of supplies and pre-made lanterns and candles to the beach one balmy Leafchange evening, a moonless night when the stars shone bright above and the breeze moved but lightly through the palm fronds.

Donations of food and drinks from grateful Haulani survivors were laid out for those that wished to engage in fond remembrance and celebration of lives well-lived, while plenty of space was set aside for those who desired a quieter reflection on those who had gone on ahead to Mort’s realm.

He set the lanterns and supplies out; every one of them made from paper and lightweight wood, the tops covered but the bottoms open, made of a simple cross to support the candle holder and candle within. Here, with that slight seaward breeze and the expanse of ocean beyond to prevent anything from catching alight when the lanterns eventually burned through and turned to ash on the wind, seemed a safe place to indulge in a tradition of his mother’s people.

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This is a Mini-Event to make and release floating lanterns in honor of Ludo and the year’s dead, and to share a version of the Hollowed Grounds’ Festival of Lights with the Torchliners. Anyone is welcome to attend and the more the merrier! Updates will happen every few days and characters can join in at any time, regardless of round.

(This does not fulfill any SE requirements)

all our lives i watched you search beneath the fallen skies

"An interesting statement you're making in all of this, but aren't you a bit early?" The alchemist mused in a low and mischievous voice as he neared the Sage. With a bit of fruit in his hand and dressed for comfort (thread-bear trousers and his magical shirt), he folded one arm over the other as he looked around at the decadence and decorations which had been set up. The Festival of Lights wasn't for another few weeks, after all.

"A man who doesn't call these sands his home deciding to lead the Festival of Lights here?" Remi raised a brow in polite challenge. But the alchemist couldn't help but feel that this was only more of what seemed to be the mentality of the Hollowed Grounds: that the rest of the world needed to have those from the Hollowed Grounds doing things for them.

Taking a bite from the fruit (a plum), the alchemist shrugged gently. Surely nothing of what he'd said wasn't something the Sage hadn't already considered.

saiden

Saiden was mostly there for the free shit. Making his way down to the coast, he sipped from a flask. Peering over the food and drink on display, he finally snagged a pastry and munched on it. It wasn't up to his exacting standards, but then again, nothing really was.

Spotting Jigano and Remi, the cook nodded at both the other men, but made no move to go over. Instead, the Hali just flopped on to the sand, lounging on the ground. It was actually good to get a chance to relax; he'd been working hard with his air magic to help clear the lingering ash, and was tired from that. So he stared up at the stars, eyes lingering on the one that supposedly was Vanya. He'd told Seren that he'd meet her anyway, so being on the outer edges of the gathering would help with that.

Then the stranger spoke, he said, do not fear

I come from a planet a long way from here

Josh had heard a little about the festivals that occurred with each season in Caido; he'd been interested, but he thought there were more important things to investigate and so had put it to one side. He'd been looking at the portal entrance at the bottom of the Spire for a while, thinking about stepping through, but he'd seen beings that had gone through portals more than once...they usually didn't come out the same way they went in.

But these portals were a new thing entirely than ones on Earth, weren't they? People had told him they went through them regularly with no issue. If he wanted to investigate the entirety of the world he'd been placed in, he had to get over it and risk it eventually - he took a step into the void.

Finding that there was a realm between the portals was interesting and Josh thought he might return to this place later for a further investigation. He'd entered with the intention of going somewhere else though, so he continued through a random door, which as it happened led him to a beach. Torchline, he'd heard? His face lit up as he remembered this was meant to be the place with mermaids. God, he'd pay to have a scale to test on.

Walking along the beach hoping he might run into a stray merman on the beach he instead found some kind of gathering; food and lights and people stood about. Confused because he'd thought it was not yet time for the 'festival' he'd heard about he stood on the outskirts and watched, quietly studying each person in turn and trying to ascertain what they were doing. Maybe if he thought he could go unnoticed enough, he might steal some food.

And I bring a message for mankind to hear

JOSH

Base Code by Sky!

and if you want, i could tell you the truth

that this life takes a toll on you. i spend nights

Jigano and Sunjata might not be on the best of terms – but as it stands, he’s still now a working part in the forming government, and Torchline has been made his home. So of course, an event like this is one he can’t skip. It happens suddenly though, not having a lantern or anything for Maea – just the completed one for Peter at the moment, having expected to have a bit longer to produce something else to add to his amount of lanterns growing on the walls.

But there was food, at least.

He arrives mostly by himself, though he imagines Nate and Melita aren’t far behind him – focused on the way the bard had set it all up. A nod is granted toward Saiden and Joshua though he doesn’t venture near – instead, choosing to inspect the varying premade floating lanterns, gaze lingering along them before settling mostly by himself – to watch and survey.

stitching up the loose threads of my soul

so in the morning i'm bulletproof

SUNJATA

Rance left the lantern he’d made with Jigano behind in his room when curiosity led him through a portal and back to the beach. He still wasn’t sure about details of the Festival to come, but the warm sands near the endless ocean was still so strange and foreign that the idea of releasing his lantern there felt wrong. However, coming to see this small version of the event yet to come in the Grounds might give him some idea of what it was life. Not to mention, he’d heard a lot of startling stories from people in their cups at the VlamVloed. Tales of a mountain exploding in fire and covering everything in ash. Of lives and homes saved and the men who helped bring it about.

When he came through the portal, the locals had more details. Both of the disaster — near disaster? — and the event happening down the beach. Jigano’s name came up as one of the infamous saviors and as the organizer of this festival, which only made Rance more curious. He followed a group of Torchliners to where tables and lights were set out, food and the familiar lanterns alone with their components. Like any good festival, if felt as much like the beginnings of a party as it did an occasion. And like any party, the first thing Rance went hunting for was a drink. After that, he’d hunt for the Provost himself, and maybe see if he knew anyone else.

'cause karma's just a different word for bad luck &

Nate arrived not long after Sunjata, only showing up at all because he knew the other man would be. He didn't know Jigano, beyond some hear say, and maybe long ago stories from Sam, he couldn't indulge in the food, and he hadn't really participated in any Caido traditions before. A dark cloak was wrapped around his shoulders, the only tell that he'd been out roaming in the daytime, helping here and there with the efforts in Haulani, bettering his image that much more.

It's actually a little surprising that he knows nearly everyone else who's arrived already, save for the event's organizer. Saiden earns a look, a dip of his head, and Josh a wide, sharp toothed grin, both dealt out while he makes his way to Sunjata's side, elbow up on the mans shoulder like the spot had been reserved for him. Honestly, it was the only good thing about the inches the attuned had on Nate.

what if death is just another pair of handcuffs?

NATE

Quanil wanted to participate when they'd seen the notice, and had hemmed & hawed a bit before taking a deep breath and realizing that they'd have to, at some point, let the provost know they were coming to Torchline.

So they went straight up to him with their pack on their back and their staff in their hand. They'd wait their turn patiently, letting him deal with others first, before giving a bow of greeting and murmuring a polite, "Good evening, Guildmaster."

Then off to the tables to secure a seat to make lanterns. Not scurrying, no, no, of course not, they had nothing to be ashamed of, they had every right to be here, really. They were just getting straight to the business of the event, that's all. Really. Not at all worried about what Provost Jigano Silversmith would say about their being in Torchline.

MELITA

The honeybee youth and her companion came along the heels of Sunjata and Nate (which she couldn’t explain at any given hour, except for a new flavor of the month or season, after his loss of Maea). She moved along the sands, the swell of surf, enticed and inveigled by the slightest alteration of events, not quite the same thing as Ludo’s Festival of Lights, a differing arrangement meant to be more of a social gathering than the quiet, unearthly stillness in embers and lanterns. She waved to a few she knew, like Remi, newest Governor-elect, and shipmates like Saiden, before opting to stand near Sunjata the lantern table – considering, contemplating, as best she could.

help tonight to split its seams
Give the bruises out like gifts

Seren

I am magnet for all kinds of deeper wonderment
Destined to seek, destined to know

It was very nice to go places other than the house. Her world was small and confined to wherever her parents and guardians chose to bring her, but on occasion there were times like this. When she could laugh and run through the crowd, wave greetings to Sunjata and Nate, Remi and Quanil - so many familiar faces to watch her here - and maybe stray just a little as she made her way towards Saiden.

It was past her normal bedtime, but if the glow of energy and the light in her eyes under the bright starlit sky was any indication, she didn't mind at all.

Finding her almost-Uncle, the girl plopped down onto the ground beside him. She had a hoard of treats in her hands, and sugary crumbs around her mouth, and with grand generosity she offered one of them to Saiden.

"Here! You can have this."

I am a princess on the way to my throne
Destined to reign, destined to roam

“I hope it’s early,” the bard chuckled, smiling a greeting to the man who was cleaning up nicely as the next governor. ”And I doubt you’re the only one asking that. Bear with me a little while longer in case more people come, and I’ll make an announcement to hopefully clear the confusion.”

It was strangely refreshing to see Remi ’s challenge, however polite. No more hiding behind sad smiles and beaten-in courtesy, and the bard’s smile turned to a grin. ”I could say I’m only following your lead,” he teased back. ”An Outlander who’s lived longer in the Hollowed Grounds than here, arriving – what, a season and a half? – ago, and already taking control of the entire region? Congratulations, by the way.” His mischievous expression faded, turning a little rueful. ”I think this makes you Caido’s fifth ruler from Northhaven? Though Ronin and Edrei might be able to file petitions to be removed from the list since they were both rather forced into it.”

He nodded welcomingly to Saiden and more cautiously to Sunjata, noting those staying on the fringes of things with a wry smile of understanding. Even if they only came for the food… well, at least they came. Rance was given a wave and Quanil a teasingly arched brow and a grin of welcome. ”And good evening to you, Seeker Quanil.”

DEIMOS

the resurrected sword

The Sage’s suggestion and idea had apparently taken off, Jigano wasting no time in executing the notions and ruminations. The Sword had noticed its assemblage on the notice board, hovering along the areas of Torchline simply because the water was inviting, and reminded him of homes he’d never have again. He wandered over the sands just the same, gaze piercing and puncturing over those gathered within – lifting a respectful nod to Remi, and then walking further into the midst. The beast snagged a handful of food, but with a whole mess of those congregated and assembled by the lantern table, he eyed it warily; not exactly his scene. Perhaps he could just take one for later, set it out along the sea, floating contently amongst the waves until the embers were swallowed, until the ghosts reigned again.

under the bludgeonings of chance
my head is bloody, but unbowed

I'm not dead, I'm not dead, I'm not dead! Their hands stilled in mid-air. ...yet. They cleared their throat and got back to work.

There were so many people around that they knew. So many friends! But the provost had waved at Rance , so Quanil waved to them, too. "Wanna come decorate lanterns together?" They gestured to the table in front of them that had an abundance of decorative bits and bobs, as well as a large punch bowl and several cups.

Many were unfamiliar in this crowd, though that was normal enough now that he didn’t feel as lost, at least. He picked out Sunjata, his oft-absent employer — and one of the heroes of the coast, so reports went — but his body language all but screamed that he wasn’t looking for company. Something had happened to the man, beyond the near-disaster of the exploding mountain, and Rance simply did not know him well enough to be asking about it.

He spotted Jigano before he actually got to any table serving drinks, catching sight of him just as he was waving. Rance offered a lazy wave and a lopsided smile in return and might have gone up to him if a rather energetic young person hadn’t waved at him as well and caught his attention. “Sure?” He arched a brow and joined them at the table of lantern supplies, scooping a cup of whatever was in the bowl and taking a drink which was, disappointingly, non-alcoholic. “Can’t promise I’ll be any good.”