[Mini Event] [se] midnight palettes

DEIMOS

The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head
The thunder of the drums dictates

From one meeting to another, the Sword’s social battery was dimming – but perseverance and resilience was a must, and he’d rather get these proportions over and done with for the multitudes to move forward. To have opportunities to grow, change, and prepare, for whatever inevitable wakes lurked ahead.

With notice boards posted, he began the round again of ensuring there were enough chairs, fires lit, snacks, tables, and such, whispering to Evie about something else concerning Noah that she needed to be aware of (as he wouldn’t be attending this assembly – nor could he), before letting the crowd begin to form.

And when they had, eventually, he took a long breath that sounded like too many overbearing sighs, and began again. “Thank you all for coming. We apologize for yet another meeting, however, some changes have come to light.” Glancing out over the populace, he figured Hotaru would soon be whooping with joy at the next league of words. “Right before last season’s end, Safrin called to Ronin and I in a dream, where she informed us that she believes there is a threat looming outside of Caido, and has since departed to try and overcome it.” Leaving some to fill in the pieces, or for Evie to inform about the subsequent alteration in regional quests, despite efforts in Leafchange, he persisted. “This means we may change any upcoming preparations, or that the Refuge may be used again in the future.” From there, the Evergreen could unfurl further threads, and then, inevitably, the inquiries would come.

--

This is the Mini-Event/Seasonal Event to inform the citizens of Halo about upcoming plots/Safrin’s departure. Please let Evie give out some further information before posting. Thank you!

The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead
The rising of the horns, ahead

Evie

For you are made of nebulas and novas and night sky
You're made of memories you bury

Evie can tell Deimos will need to seclude himself in their house - or in the barracks - as soon as this meeting is done or his social battery will surely corrode and combust. It's endearing to witness in the way only partners are allowed to take amusement from their other half's pain, and it's a good thing Deimos can't sneak it off the attuned bond as he might someone else.

Taking up where Deimos left off, Evie clasps her hand in front of her and addresses the crowd of Halovians before her. "Information is our strongest weapon given how little we know of the threat Safrin has left to face. If you discover anything suspicious or noteworthy, please bring it to us. Our doors are always open." Hers perhaps moreso given Deimos' known allergy to the Council Hall, but she digresses.

"Of course while we will focus on preparations and defenses for Halo at large, we always encourage personal training as well. The Academy is available for magical training, and all citizens should keep spring water on them in Halo's boundaries." They cannot control whether the citizens will listen to them, but Evie will do whatever she can to ensure their survival, even if the threat is not yet at their doorstep. "Deimos and Ronin were supplied bracelets that will notify of how imminent the threat is, which is the best and unfortunately only sign we will have for warning." As for the regional quest that Deimos had briefly touched on - "Given that Safrin is gone, we must seek out another herald for protections. Given Frey was the second voted majority, we have decided to speak with them for speed and efficacy." Also known as Evie does not want to go through the annoyance of a second vote.

"The leaders of the other regions all met to disperse this information. Regional communications and relationships will be vital - so mind your manners." Evie shoots a fond, coy look out at the crowd at large, and subsides thereafter for anyone to speak up should they wish.

Or memories you live by

Iskra

WHEN THERE'S MADNESS, WHEN THERE'S POISON IN YOUR HEAD
WHEN THE SADNESS LEAVES YOU BROKEN IN YOUR BED

"Stay," Iskra murmured to Goose, ruffling the mutt's scruff affectionately as he left him outside. He had never attempted to bring the dog inside the actual meeting hall of the citadel, and something cautioned his carefree heart against trying. The Wardens of Halo were both formidable and harmless jokes or not, dogs or not, Iskra preferred to skirt their attention entirely. Plus, he was almost certain Goose would table surf the snacks Deimos had so carefully laid out for them.

Shuffling inside among the crowd, Iskra pulled down his cap, dusting off flecks of snow. The shreds of wood, evidence of his post, merrily remained, too twisted into the threads at this point to even be considered a separate entity. The cap curled in Iskra's hands, his thumb tracing over the fabric absently as he leaned into a chair in the back corner. As much as he'd like to run off to play hermit in the woods, as usual, he'd been caught with his pants down too often whenever he skipped these meetings, so he figured perhaps he ought to actually start to show up. So he came, and he listened, and his eyes bore holes into the floor as the leadership spread their knowledge. Not for the first time, likely not for the last, this man who was both sitting in a chair and yet helplessly adrift in a void not unlike the ocean, wondered what the greater machinations of Caido had to do with him and cutting down trees.

He envied Goose right now.

I WILL HOLD YOU IN THE DEPTHS OF YOUR DESPAIR
AND IT'S ALL IN THE NAME OF LOVE

yet my blood renders me a King

Sah arrives and eyes Deimos with concern. His friend looks exhausted. The Wild Thunder has a feeling that this meeting pertains to the conversation that the two had had recently. Hopefully, that meant that the Sword had found the information he was seeking.

The discussion begins and Sah grits his teeth as the words register. So, this was what the unease in the air had been about. Safrin his Goddess. She was gone? Even if it was temporary the unease it sends through the Abandoned has him calling his magic. Telekinetically pulling a spare sheet of paper from a nearby store, he quickly jots down everything that the Wardens have said as well as a list of possible preparations that he could begin.

It's unlikely that he could possibly the details of the meeting, but the Wild Thunder isn't taking any chances. Not when it involves Safrin.

Taking a deep breath, he centers himself. "What's our next move then? There are a few holes in our defenses that could benefit from Frey's help." The threat may be unknown and perhaps a long ways away, but Sah would rather they start preparing immediately.

Sah

DEIMOS

The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head
The thunder of the drums dictates

Grateful Evie had taken over in the other parameters of information sharing, his eyes searched and scanned the rest of their constituents for reactions, or for other insights. Iskra’s silence was enough of a tell – likely absorption of everything going on – but the Sword didn’t know the younger man well enough to presume anything else. Sah, on the other hand, as another devoted Safrin follower, seemed all the more tense for it.

Snagging at his own pile of papers, Deimos nodded towards the Abandoned. “My thoughts were to add defenses to the dome we already have in place.” Especially with the threat of dragons always present, regardless of other impending threats. “I would also like to refurbish the jail,” given any impending ridiculous acts – the threat that moronic ventures could be confined and curtailed would always be worth upholding. “Hold more trainings – especially target practice.” If anyone was intrigued by the latter, permitting the smallest of smirks to curl along his lips. “We will take any suggestions.” The Citadel walls had been enhanced and reinforced last season, but there were eternally other things to do.

The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead
The rising of the horns, ahead

There was tension in the air; Alys didn't need her cards to tell her that.

She'd arrived at the meeting with an air of quiet concern, and listened to the information disseminated with a furrowed brow. Safrin was one of the heralds; Deimos was devoted to her, and Halo at large had benefited from her patronage. While Alys had no real opinion of her one way or another - in fact, her opinions on the gods in general had been rather negative until recently - the news that Deimos shared was concerning. Alys pursed her lips in thought, concentration in her eyes as she pondered all that this could mean.

For comfort, she reached into her pocket and ran her fingers over the edges of the tarot cards she kept there. She'd have to do a reading, then, and see what she could tell, if anything. The cards were notoriously vague when it came to telling the future; there was too much that could change. "Defenses are important," she said finally. "But what of offense? If trouble comes knocking, we'd best have a way to fight back."

The looking glass, so shiny and new
How quickly the glamour fades

Alys

Soleil

I hear the music, I feel the beat
And for a moment, when I'm dancing, I am free

Everyone is incredibly solemn at the meeting today, and given the notice announcement, Soleil isn’t exactly surprised when the big reveal is fittingly worrying. Standing by her father’s side, Soleil frowns and reaches out to hold his hand. While she’s not personally affected by Safrin’s absence, she knows her father had deliberated for years before deciding to follow the herald of Vi. She doesn’t know how badly the news might hurt him.

While she’s more aware than most (and certainly most her age) of Halo’s defenses given she’d toddled after Deimos her entire young life and sat at her father’s knee for better education than their schools gave, it’s a bit daunting to think she has any say in what they choose to pursue. So she merely stands and listens, uncommonly somber but trusting her Wardens and her family will find ways to keep Halo safe.

yet my blood renders me a King

Sah sticks close to Soleil, his unease perhaps making him overprotective. The Abandoned still listens intently as Deimos speaks, "We've discussed an aerial barrier in the past. It's probably an opportune time to implement it." The jail is another matter but the Abandoned nods in agreement at the notion of it. He's about to mention a few other possible training exercises when Alys speaks up.

Glancing at his fellow Abandoned Sah hums, "True. But given that we already have the Solar Beam it might be best to build the dome first. After that, maybe we could add something offensive to the perimeter of the Citadel?" Traps although more of a defense could prove to be a decent offense. Another weapon of some kind wouldn't hurt either.

Sah

DEIMOS

The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head
The thunder of the drums dictates

With agreements on the implementation of the dome, and no one else to refute, counter, or argue the claim, he settled with the notions. Glancing towards Alys, he tilted his head, half-wondering if she was joking – considering who he was. “Thus far, we have the solar beam,” as Sah had already mentioned, and had come in handy during the war, “weapons placed around the Citadel walls,” that she’d helped with in the previous season, “and a variety of soldiers capable and trained.” Not to mention himself, and scores of others, who were enduring, stalwart, and powerful. “But there can always be more,” he mentioned with a slight grin, for there was a stack of papers in his study of carefully drawn armaments.

Eyes drifting to Sah and nodding, he persisted in the situation. “I have no problem adding things on once defenses are complete.” It would give them future goals and perspectives to ponder upon.

The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead
The rising of the horns, ahead

Iskra

BREATHE IT IN, IT'S JUST SNOW, WE'RE JUST FALLING
WE WON'T ALWAYS FREE FALL BACK TO NOTHING

Iskra largely remained quiet, his gaze drifting to each figure that spoke up, all of them recognizable yet unfamiliar people to him. He resided in Halo, but it hardly felt like he lived in it. Hell, some days just waking up was hard enough, he didn't need city planning and cosmic trifles also perching on his shoulders when his heart and his head already felt like too much.

Yet, he was here after all, finally. He was here, not in the woods, not in his bed, and he was listening.

He did not envy Deimos. The Resurrected Sword was a stoic man, but he had proven fair and patient thus far as a leader, in so far as Iskra knew anyway. It could not be easy to lay down the troubles of gods at the feet of your people and in the same breath prepare for the unknown. Iskra sighed quietly, his grip tightening on his cap; restless energy worming its way free.

"Perhaps we could rig the skyships with weaponry and armor plating to be able to battle midair or from above our opponents if need be." Plus, then he could fulfill his dream of being a sky pirate. "And all of our tools are meaningless if we're caught unawares, I think we could have an improved alarm system to immediately alert our citizens of threats so they can react as quickly as possible." Perhaps some form of signal fires or a light system, or something more audible. He supposed it would still require some way of being activated, but it would be quicker to trigger an alarm than hoof it and shout to the people who then would bark orders.

I'M JUST STARTING TO LEARN
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN CHASING GHOSTS

Hotaru

With a candle through time
I could still see your ghost

Hotaru might arrive late, but it's fashionably late. Why? Because this is a motherfucking party. In fact, this is hands down the best news Hotaru has ever heard in her life.

Safrin is gone.

Safrin is gone.

She's so ecstatic she might just risk Ronin's wrath to send Remi a letter and demand he dreamwalk with her so they can have an absolute rager of a celebration together.

Deimos (and any unfortunate Attuned in her vicinity) will surely feel her utterly victorious, enthusiastic internal cheering. It might be a temporary thing (boo) but Ru won't look a gift horse in the mouth. Not only is the starbitch gone, but now they get to go to Frey for the Citadel's improvements. Hotaru is winning everything right now.

She has the shred of decency to stand alone if only to spare anyone having to associate with her deeply smirking countenance, hands in her pockets to hide how she wants to toss them in the air like a child. External threats will never cease, so the rest is white noise to her; blah blah blah. If she were Warden she wouldn't be so careless, but she isn't, - so she'll trust they'll figure it out, and simply tell her where she's needed.

After she's done celebrating of course.

But I can't close my eyes
For it's there where you haunt me most

DEIMOS

The sound of iron shots is stuck in my head
The thunder of the drums dictates

Striving to ignore the sudden bout of absolute chaotic delight flickering through his mind, his eyes still searched the crowd for Ru, giving her a singular look of unimpressed nonchalance, before rendering his attention elsewhere. Iskra’s notions of skyships rigged with weaponry was worth exploring, with his own sort of malicious glee at the thought of shooting things down from the sky. “Noted,” and he grinned – though the other suggestions were worth a pause too. “We do already have an alarm system rigged from the watchtower to the barracks,” created before the war, in hopes that communication could be delivered to soldiers in quick, swift facets, and thus deploy them under threats and ominous sights without a moment’s notice. “But they could always be improved upon,” and neatly added those to his notations as well.

And with that, and in the falling midst of silence, Halo seemed intent on the direction they yearned and craved to go, with other potentials for the future.

{FIN <3}

The rhythm of the falls, the number of dead
The rising of the horns, ahead