[Mini Event] don’t wanna hesitate

all my wolves begin to howl, wake me up, the time is now

can you hear the drumbeat?

Preparations were underway, the Grounders in Halo were already there, and news from Samuel of Torchline taking refugees were a welcome reprieve. But they’d had many new faces as of late, new people who didn’t know what to expect, and with the failure of speaking with Frey about the Sparkbird… Well, there’s far less room for error when it comes to preparing people.

So she gathers them, her council, her people, and sets up in the Temple to avoid the cloud cover outside. She wears a long jacket, a trench coat of sorts that is edged with gold, hair grown out longer now from before that settles in two easy braids down her chest. She’s still exhausted, her usual luminous appearance quite dull in comparison, but she doesn’t mind — not when it comes to trying to protect those that have chosen to remain in the Hollowed Grounds.

And so she waits for them to arrive, waits for her council to arrive, before getting down to business.

---

This ME is to go over where everyone will be staying for LongNight and get information out! I’ll move it on in 48 hours give or take so there’s time for you all to join <3

there's a revolution coming

i'm rising up from the ground

REXANNA

We're lost in the space between
who we are and all that we're trying to be

Dutiful and steadfast, the Sword committed to the beckoning call, despite his usual distaste for crowds or public speaking. These footfalls and strides were necessary, prompted by discourse over LongNight potentials, knowns, and then the enigmatic quandaries always pervading the capricious designations. How many of them wished to stay, sheltered but still there, surrounded by the potential of monsters and demons? How many of them sought out tradition, could lock themselves away without fuss? How many of them would wander over to Torchline, seeking out the warmth over the ruin?

He nodded and hastened the slightest of smiles towards Rexanna (recognizing the tired, drawn look again – making no mention of it despite every nuance sharpening, honing in on the particulars). The beast might’ve slipped in a joke, tilted his head in jocular formation, but now didn’t seem to be the time, and it would leave the rest of the void wondering. His presence would signify enough. Then he took a breath, pondering over where to meander. Were he not on the council, his chosen spot would’ve been in the shadows, tucked away to listen, to hear, to calculate, to formulate plans and considerations, left to his own devices. Instead, he took the General’s position, remaining close by the Queen, a monolith, fortified, features rendered nonchalant, impassive, reserved, there to assist in whatever means necessary.

DEIMOS

Stop trying to show how to save our souls
It takes dying to know
How to live as ghosts

RANCE

Rance had made his decision to leave the Hollowed Grounds as soon as he found out that going to Torchline was an option. Not so much for the warmer weather, he'd grown up with a cyclic seasons, but to get away from the gods-damned monsters he kept hearing about. He wasn't a fighter or a strong magic user, he had no way to defend people or property even if he'd had either to defend. And while he would worry for those he'd found friendly relationships with over the seasons, his staying during the Long Night would be far less useful than his leaving.

And he wasn't the only one with similar ideas. Even natives who'd grown up with the yearly threat -- maybe because of it -- were eager to flee to the supposed safety of the ocean and sand. One amongst the gathering crowd, he looked toward the Queen and her General, waiting to hear the news.

---

Rance is headed to Torchline (and has IC already gone, whoops)

It's beginning to look a lot like
fuck this.

He arrived on four dainty paws and changed in the shadows to a man's more eloquent shape. Shaking the snow from his cloak he mounted the steps to the Temple and slipped within, pausing a moment as his eyes adjusted. Rexanna, tired but resolute, stood at the forefront and he gave her a small bow for her station. Deimos nearby, always somewhat looming close to those from Helovia it seemed, earned a nod as Jigano made his way towards the front to join the General.

As he passed his fellow raven he gave Rance an encouraging smile, but there was no mischief in his eyes today and he didn't pause to chat. This was Rexanna's show, and he was here only as support and spectator to her pronouncements. They were her eyes and ears and hands, was their little Council, surprisingly tightly-knit and bound by threads of shared danger and mended faith.

He settled in on the other side of Rexanna, leaving space between him and the Queen for Amalia when she arrived. Best to stagger the Naturals and Outlanders, his bard's instincts whispered, intermingle the old with the new and show a united front to their friends and neighbors, the people they were sworn to protect against the night and all that roamed hungrily within it.

Lily Already getting to know Torchline, she nevertheless appears at the meeting, thinking that it’s at least part of her civic responsibility. She scoots in towards the back, figuring that unless some people want specifics about Torchline, she doesn’t have much to say. Honestly, part of her can’t wait for LongNight to come so she can escape back to the warmer climate and the allure of a pretty roommate. Once she’d gotten her bearings around Haulani the city and its people had really grown on her, and there’s a small part that says she should move there permanently. After all, Melita is there. Harper is there (not that a guy is ever a reason to move unless you’re in a committed relationship). It’s warm. Why wouldn’t she? But then she sees these familiar faces and there's a reasonable amount of doubt about leaving. Perhaps this LongNight would be a good trial run, hmmm? --------------- Lily is going to Torchline women are like tricks by sleight of hand which, to admire, we should not understand

OLIVER

It seemed he was one of the stragglers, figures. His time of being, well, on-time had seemingly ended. That wasn't too bad though as he was still here.

Entering the room he glanced around at all the faces who had arrived already and found himself a seat off to the side where nobody else was sitting. Occasionally, he would glance over at the entrance to see if Aisha or anyone else would arrive that would need to be there to see if he'd need to relay any information given at the meeting. Otherwise, his eyes were on Rexanna, waiting to see what sort of information would be revealed concerning this LongNight. Hopefully nobody would be mad at him for leaving this go around. Oliver could only hope that Amalia would vouch for him.

---

---

Oliver is going to Torchline

Isn't it amazing

How we can never tell

Who is in an identical hell

even if i lost the fight

Aisha was a straggler as well, but of course the housemates had to be in it together, right? That didn't stop her from exerting confidence upon entering, hair tied up in her golden ribbon, cloak shrouded about her shoulders. A mere several months ago, most all these faces here would've been strangers. Here now, she felt like one of them, a Grounder, and recognized every face she saw.

A smile towards Oliver, she walked over to where he sat and made her place next to him. Since this meeting was about plans for Longnight, she saw it fit to be near him. Their plans lied with each other, the endeavor to take refuge in Torchline.

you should've seen the other guy

AISHA

all my wolves begin to howl, wake me up, the time is now

can you hear the drumbeat?

Deimos’ presence is steady and an anchor among the swirling exhaustion that lingers in her bones. And as she watches those around that filter in, she greets them all with a soft smile. One is sent toward Jigano as well – a small wave granted to the bard, before she settles when they’ve all arrived. “Thank you for coming.” She begins, stepping forward and clasping her hands together in front of her, letting her verdant gaze sweep over everyone in attendance.

“For many of you, this will be your first LongNight. It is… A dark time, treacherous in the Grounds. The Council has reached out to Halo and Torchline to take those who do not wish to stay. I’ve only spent two years here, but I wouldn’t blame you if you went to Torchline.” She offers with a soft hum of a laugh. Her attention flickers to Jigano, a small smile crossing her face. “Jigano will be able to explain it better than I can, over what remaining in the Grounds you will face.”

Then her attention flickers toward Deimos. “Deimos has already been quick on preparation and ensuring we do whatever we can to keep the Grounds safe. And I applaud and appreciate those of you here that have helped with all of that.” A deep nod granted toward those gathered once more. “But I gathered you to inform you that if you wish to spend LongNight in Torchline, they will be closing the portal a week before. Samuel has done well in ensuring you all have a place to stay, please seek him out when you arrive.” A brief pause before she’s stepping back, gesturing for Jigano next.

“Jigano, if you would like to explain what LongNight is like here, the floor is all yours.” Then, when Jigano's done a summation, and Rexanna hopes perhaps a bit more of an in-depth notion after the meeting is concluded, Deimos can take hold and explain what they've done and are doing to keep the Grounds safe as they can.

---

Please let Jigano post first, then Deimos! Then have at it <3

there's a revolution coming

i'm rising up from the ground

REXANNA

The bard nodded gravely to Rex and stepped forward, gaze sweeping the gathering. Almost all of those he saw had chosen the wisest course of sheltering somewhere safer for LongNight, and he was glad and relieved at their choice. So many, that would survive this year. So many who he would see again in Flowerbirth. It warmed his heart and gave him strength as he gathered his thoughts.

"Hopefully you have all heard something about what is coming," he began, finding comfort that the audience was mostly Outlanders, and that he would be giving them an Outlander perspective rather than preaching to Naturals. "In a little over a week the sun will set and the sky will go dark. There will be no stars. No moon. No dawn, for a full week. Wherever you are staying, it's important to have light sources - candles, lanterns, fire, magic - near at hand, for the world will go black without them." His expression was solemn as he nodded to those who had survived the previous year and knew what to expect from that aspect.

"In the grounds we will also need wood and coal, fires to burn and keep us warm through the last week of winter. In Torchline things should be easier, though in Halo the cold will be brutal." Lethally so, from what he'd heard.

"The true danger within the Grounds, however, are the monsters that come during the week of darkness." His jaw tightened, eyes turning grim and shadowed as he glanced towards the doors that Rexanna had once opened to save himself and Rory. "What we know is that they are Ascended... or the remains of them, at least. Failed experiments that the Voice allows to roam free during LongNight, with no natural light to harm them. They have powers - upgrades - that allow them to mimic others, but the real danger is that they can touch minds. They can drive those out in the dark with them to madness, turn friend against friend. Or they can sift memories from those behind the safety of locked doors, using their voices and the little things you think you know about your loved ones to cloak themselves in illusion and convince you to open doors to them." He swallowed hard against the memory of his first LongNight, a mere two years ago. "They seek Ascended upgrades and magic items to strengthen themselves, but more, they seem to hate the living. They will attack any they can find outside, and they will try to reach those inside as well. Some are stronger than others, with more physical form. Others are mere shadows. But every one of them is dangerous and will try to kill you. And they will hold the souls of those who die during LongNight captive even beyond death, denying them Mort's Halls." There was a cold anger in his voice at that, but he forced himself to take a breath and continue calmly.

"They can't stand the light from luxere or the Sparkbird, however. Something in the glow of magical light - particularly good magical light - wards them off. If we can coax the Spark Bird to return to us this year and perch in Sanctuary, it will do much to save the lives of those left. So I ask of you, even those who are leaving, please leave offerings for her at the Perch. Winter fruit, baked goods, carved toys, candles... gifts in her honor to let her know she is appreciated and desperately needed, and that we would welcome her presence here," he finished quietly, before ceding the floor to Deimos.

We're lost in the space between
who we are and all that we're trying to be

The beast listened, comfortable in those designations, of grasping hold of any information, of churning it over in his mind. He’d already heard these notions before, but they bore repeating for anyone new, for anyone thinking about staying within with the rest of their foolish lot. Jigano supplied the noteworthy sagacity and wisdom, and then it was his turn.

Speaking, in general, was not the Sword’s favored task – content to say as little as possible. Dregs and foreboding of worlds beyond, of torrential, tempestuous, mercurial individuals, where the kingdom seethed and churned no matter how often they gathered, always collected in the back of his mind. Sculpted to, unfortunately, expect the worst, the monolith had already guarded himself for the moment at hand, a reticent, reserved, nonchalant brow, a residual effort of sharp inhales and exhales before he began. Then his tones were calm, composed, purposefully measured as his piercing gaze went to each in turn. “Through everyone’s efforts, we have already gathered snow moss, essential to quieting our surroundings and shelters, constructed the perch, and sang for luxere. We will be preparing the Temple for anyone remaining.” The details immersed in between didn’t really matter – and the credit would always go to the fellow inhabitants who helped, assisted, in those moments. “I have also discussed a way to repel the monsters with Safrin, via the front door.” Which would come to fruition soon, the process and sacrifice already begun, in the works, Samuel’s efforts not to be in vain. Whether or not it would benefit them in the midst of haunting, poignant materials would have to be quantified in the foreboding future, in the enticement to unfurl apertures. “The most difficult task is to not open the doors, no matter how tempted.” Which they’d all done the previous year, and the one before that (and they’d paid the price, the consequences in their measures). Following up on offerings for the Sparkbird, the chiseled rumble of his voice reverberated once more. “If you have an opportunity to lure any luxere, it would be appreciated.” Then he was silent again, gaze swinging back to the Penumbra.

DEIMOS

Stop trying to show how to save our souls
It takes dying to know
How to live as ghosts

RANCE

Rance had heard a little about the Long Night, but only in context of needing to get things prepared. This was his first time hearing detailed reasons for what they were preparing for and it sent a shiver down his spine. Monsters that ravaged not just the buildings to try and drag out prey, but twisted one's mind to lure their targets out to them? The very idea made him glad that he was traveling to Torchline for the last part of the season.

Oh, there was the fact that he wouldn't do well being cooped up for a week with the others sheltering from the monsters, but that was minor compared to the fact that, if that shelter was breached, he'd have no realistic escape. Already his over-active imagination was creating and discarding scenarios that, thankfully, he would never have to use.

It's beginning to look a lot like
fuck this.

Lily What Lily hears next reminds her vaguely of a witch hunt, of church leaders preaching from a pulpit - sowing the seeds of hatred for one kind in the guise of love and concern for their flock. That could just be because she knows everything that’s being said, but it still begins to grate on her nerves. Whatever has been bubbling up against the bard this past year begins to simmer again, hardening into something resembling disdain. The church wrought enough destruction in her life, any dogmatic similarities here are beginning to be repulsive. “What is Safrin going to do?” she asks Deimos, finding the tidbit of information without any actual information rather unsatisfying. “And in regards to last year, will you all be committed to staying inside?” She pauses, briefly. “It’s easy to say ‘do this’ without following your own advice.” Looking to Rexanna, Deimos, and Jigano in turn, the redhead is rather pointed in her inquiry - she hadn’t opened any doors last year. But other others had gone out, even though they were told not to, time and time again. women are like tricks by sleight of hand which, to admire, we should not understand

all my wolves begin to howl, wake me up, the time is now

can you hear the drumbeat?

She steps back and lets everyone explain the plans, how LongNight works, what to expect should they remain. And when all is said and done and the floor opens up, Rexanna moves forward again to join Deimos and Jigano as Lily’s question is aired. And honestly? She pauses a heartbeat to let Deimos answer the question in regards to Safrin.

But then her attention flickers back to the redheaded woman, a soft smile crossing her face. “We cannot make guarantees.” She offers easily. “Ronin will be here, set on a quest by Safrin from what I hear. And you know how difficult it is to keep the doors locked when there’s loved ones and friends that are out there.” She makes a point to take a deep breath she doesn’t need, before exhaling it softly in a small sigh.

“LongNight is difficult, as you’re well aware. But we will be doing our best to take precautions, yes?” A dark raise of her brow before her attention shifts to Deimos as if he had any plans specifically – perhaps through Safrin’s door.

there's a revolution coming

i'm rising up from the ground

REXANNA

We're lost in the space between
who we are and all that we're trying to be

Here were the reminders of Basin provocations, little insinuations meant to do more than merely inform. Too many times he’d stood amidst the same clamors, notations, and distinctions, the levels of provocations layered and stoked beneath inquiry. So Deimos remained much the same as the Reaper had been before – nonchalant and reticent, calm and composed, a stoic breath intertwined in his lungs; an ease of yesteryears easing into his blood, into cold dominions. “Some have tasks given by heralds.” Like Jigano and his soul-searching, like Ronin and his quest with Safrin, like others who’d been pulled and plucked for regard when the deities and cosmos was absent from the world.

Ordinarily he wouldn’t permit further information on the wake of Safrin’s incantations, since it’d yet to be accomplished in that particular moment, but Samuel had wanted the world to know of his sacrifices, of his role in protecting. While the Sword had already chiseled and formed plaques to frame on the designated door – proof of both the herald and Ascended’s contributions – perhaps the man would appreciate this portion too (or be haunted; and he’d make best efforts to provide protection again). “Safrin required an Ascended’s upgrade and fluid. Samuel willingly volunteered both. In return, he was healed by Zuriel and received an enchanted prosthetic from me.” A pause, recollecting the cycle of words and phrasing. “Her theory is that the essence of an Ascended might repel the monsters.”

And true – for all their discussion of leaving the apertures locked and alone, he’d never experienced a time where they’d adhered to those requests and demands either. Lives had been at stake, knocks of panic and acrimony, twists and turns of monstrous contortions had made the world churn into a frenzied, wounded, marred interval. And when others screamed for mercy, when others begged for liberation, when others strived to accomplish their missions, where was the right, where was the wrong? Lines blurred, and it was easy to incriminate, easy to point fingers, easy to simply say (but he hadn’t, and perhaps that was where something blistered and burned). His gaze went briefly to Rexanna, and then back to Lily. “Had we not opened doors before, many of us would no longer be here.” Amalia, Rory, Jigano, Samuel, and the Queen herself were just amongst the few he could pinpoint directly – scrambling for salvation, for healing, to remain alive. Had it been idiocy to be out there in the night? Yes; but they’d been striving, attempting for something greater, something grander, and whether it was worth the weight, the flaws, the defects in thereafter would likely be left up to the individual.

“We will try.” It was all he could promise. But he’d be there – strong and stalwart, ready to defend, just as he’d done before.

DEIMOS

Stop trying to show how to save our souls
It takes dying to know
How to live as ghosts