[Mini Event] Session 1: Party till Longnight!

Although brief, the time from the establishment of the guild till now has been hectic for Edmund. He's been run ragged between ordering catering from local restaurants and procuring enough barrels of ale to drown the city. On top of that it wouldn't be a party without decorations in red and gold. Now as the sun sets and the stars emerge, the time has finally arrived for the party to begin. The food and drink have been placed on buffet tables on the street outside and in the main hall. The candles are lit, and local performers and musicians have laid claim to spots throughout. Soon guests arrive and Edmund regards them all with a tired, but excited grin, tail flicking as he speaks, "Thank you all for coming." Raising a glass he toasts, "The Adventurer's Guild is officially open for business!" ~ Welcome the ME party for the Grand Opening of the Adventurer's Guild. Come eat some food, drink, dance, and enjoy your night! Edmund Reborn In Fire

Tal had had a little too much adventure lately courtesy of the Dreamwalker, but since he was down in the southwest reaches of Caido he figured he'd swing by for the Guild's party. Deepfrost was his favorite season in Torchline, when the oppressive heat had cooled to something downright tolerable by Halovian standards, and he was in the mood to celebrate surviving an encounter he'd frankly had no right to come out of unscathed from.

He ambled towards the lights from candles and torches, reluctantly impressed by the musicians warming up. Boreal lagged a little ways behind him, inquisitive muzzle sniffing around for any early tidbits that might have been dropped by a hurrying caterer, and Tal shared his companion's focus by moving first to a banquet table with some tasty little sausages wrapped in fried dough. He popped one in his mouth and then scooped up a small plateful before heading over to Edmund with a nod. "Hey, k- uh, Edmund," he hurriedly corrected. "This is a pretty good party!"

kaiden

There is no shame in survival
Only strength

The greatest benefit of having the party spread to the outdoor was that it spread to the canals that ran through the city. Which meant that a certain mershark had access to free food. So of course, they were here. Propped up on their elbows at the edge of the canal, the merhsark enjoyed a plate of food that someone had been kind enough to give them. They think it was the Guildmaster. The young Ancient with obsidian horns. Whoever the guy was, Kaiden likes them.

Spotting a familiar Accepted, the mer ducks their head under the water for a moment before recalling that they'd only been in shark form around Talyson. Popping back out of the water, the mershark snickers before happily returning to their food.

coding by kaons

"Edmund," came the rumbling voice from the nearby waterway as a steel-silver head broke the surface and Hadama looked over the gathering with quiet appreciation. "Congratulations on your Guild. If I can assist, you need only ask." He nodded politely to the unfamiliar young man speaking with the new guildmaster, but as he left them to their conversation and looked around he spied some of the food placed within reach of the canal.

And a much more familiar face who had been absent from Torchline's waters for far too long. "Kaiden," he greeted, swimming slowly over to join the mershark and load up his own wooden plate from those dishes in reach. It was professional curiosity, of course; he was curious who had been chosen to cater the event. Have you been well? He slipped into speaking through the Bond as easily and thoughtlessly as he transitioned between breathing water and air.

It was certainly easier to speak with one's mouth full that way.

Soleil

Soleil arrives fashionably late with bottles in hand (don't ask where she procured them because you don't want to know) and wearing an outfit not meant for the winter season that shows off miles of long legs, her collarbones, and excessive midriff. Clearly already at a far higher level of energy and excitement than most of the others in attendance, Soleil takes one look at the respectable but otherwise calm party and immediately begins scheming.

Dumping her bottles off on the table, she takes a glass already full of alcohol and downs it in one go, coiled hair flying as she tosses it back. Discarding it thoughtlessly, Soleil points at the guy in the corner playing some sort of instrument - because there's always a guy in the corner insufferably playing an instrument - and her clear voice cuts through the air. "Play something we can actually dance to!" Doesn't matter that he's some random man in what Soleil belatedly realizes is a small troupe of musicians, she has already made her command.

Whether or not he listens, Soleil practically skips toward Edmund and Talyson, trying to wrangle a hand from each of them so she might yank them toward the open space in the middle. "C'mon! Let's dance!" Her laughter curls around her like smoke, infectious and engaging, dedicated to inspiring some more life and movement in the party.

sunkissed even in my darkest hours

"Thank you, Hadama." Edmund sends the mer a small smile before his attention is quickly stolen by Soleil. As always, her enthusiasm is infectious, and the young Ancient finds his smile stretching into a grin as the musicians did as she asked. The music tempo quickly rises, becoming livelier and worthy of dancing. Soleil doesn't have to put much effort into grabbing his hand. Once her intention is clear as she reaches out, Edmund shyly takes her hand in his. "Alright." He lets her pull him onto the dance floor, a small flush on his cheeks, even if Tal joins them. Caught up in Soleil's' storm he follows her lead as the dance begins. He'd loved to dance as a child but Edmund can't recall the last time he'd done so. Better to let Soleil set the pace. Edmund Reborn In Fire

kaiden

There is no shame in survival
Only strength

Kaiden glances over at @Hadma, mouth full. Giving the King a nod they respond through the bond, Yes. Continuing to shovel food at a reckless pace they attempt to channel their manners. Or what was left of them. You? You're still alive so I'm guessing yes. Hadama didn't appear to have any major injuries at the moment either.

The humans begin to dance and Kaiden almost wishes that they could get closer. Or maybe they wish that they could sprout legs. Regardless, the humans need to be pushed or dragged into the water. It's only fair that the mershark gets to have fun too, right? Soaking some land-dwell is fun. Kaiden keeps an eye out to see if any of them got close enough to the water to grab.

coding by kaons

The Tidebreaker inclined his head at Edmund before the bright and lively Soleil grabbed hold of the young Guildmaster and spun him off to the dancefloor. Hadama looked on, quietly amused and content to watch the young people enjoy themselves and let go of their worries and tensions about the future for a little while. Instead he turned his full attention to Kaiden, another young light of Torchline for whom he had great hopes.

I am. Thank you. The King sampled his plate more slowly than the mershark, taking time to appreciate the flavors and seasonings that had gone into the little hors d'oeuvres and dishes. Catching Kaiden's intent gaze towards the dancing humans, the mermanta tilted his head to the side curiously. Do you want to join the dancing? He was, at the moment, oblivious to the shark's desire to cause chaos at the otherwise-lovely party the new guild was throwing.

Boreal might have noticed Soleil making her way over towards the boys, but Tal didn't see the wolf-girl coming and his dragon didn't see fit to warn him. She was far too engaged in watching the show play out, chortling mischievously to herself as her companion became the prey.

"Wh--hey!" Tal yelped, taken by surprise as his hand was captured and he barely managed to drop his plate on a table as he went by it, swept along in Soleil's energy and determination. He definitely hadn't wanted to end up on the dance floor, but by the time he caught his balance it was too late; he was smack dab in the middle of it with Edmund and Sol and wow he needed to ask the gods for something that could make him sink into the floor or disappear or something.

He gave Edmund a sickly smile and began to shuffle his feet awkwardly, tense as a drawn bow as his eyes darted left and right, seeking the fastest escape route from the sticky wicket he'd somehow Soleil. The answer was Soleil ended up in.

Soleil

Soleil may be aware that catching Edmund by the hand is more like offering a bird your finger as opposed to proverbially scruffing Talyson but that doesn't mean she's going to stop. As such, she immediately takes note of Tal's awkward shuffling as opposed to Edmund's looser movements and decides the young man needs even more help. Luckily for him, Soleil is on the case!

In what is cleverly disguised as natural when it is truly intentional, Soleil jumps in time to the music, going for the old faithful instead of gyrating or grinding. She doesn't think either man would survive that. As she dances she intentionally bumps shoulders, elbows, and hips against Talyson in gentle rhythmic motions meant to bolster his confidence. "How many other surprises are hiding up your sleeve Edmund?" He certainly is surprising her with knowing how to dance, even if it's clearly taken from a more formal basis of tutoring than clubs and bars. Maeve's doing, probably.

Soleil lets the next hip bump bounce her back toward Edmund to brush up against his side while dancing before ping-ponging back again. Never letting either man stray too far, and giving them equal amounts of attention. And, just in case Tal doesn't quite manage to mimic her and Edmund, Sol reaches for both his hands at once to try and spin them both in a small circle, laughing brightly. "You got this, Tal!"

Leaving her conveniently in range of Kaiden.

sunkissed even in my darkest hours

As the sky opens up and pulls me in
I can see, I can breathe, I can feel again

Sohalia was more than fashionably late - she was simply late. And it irked her, given that she always strove to be on time, but things were complicated, and life was hard, and honestly, she wasn't really in the mood to party, but this was her guild, and she owed it to them to show up. So she did, even if it was late, and even if she didn't want to, and as soon as she walked into the party, she felt her mood lift.

Edmund and Soleil had somehow managed to lure Talyson out onto the dance floor, and the absurdity of it all had Soh giggling. Perhaps she would join them in a moment, but for now, she was content to watch. She waved a little hello, briefly considered rescuing Tal, and then meandered over to Hadama. "Hello, Hadama," she said politely, then turned her attention to his companion. "Hello," she said to Kaiden. "I'm Sohalia. It's a pleasure to meet you!"

And I'll wave goodbye to the ones below
As I float on by to the great unknown

Sohalia

kaiden

There is no shame in survival
Only strength

Kaiden sent Hadama a diabolic grin, No. They did not want to join the dancing. Instead, when Soleil came into reach, the mershark surged upwards. Wrapping both arms around the woman, they pulled them into the water with a cackle. Not wanting her to get the wrong idea, they let go as soon as she hit the waves.

Swimming backwards they kept snickering, "Much better!" In their 'attack' they'd completely missed Sohalia' approach or even her addressing them. So focused on their intended target, Kaiden only noticed her when they'd swam backwards, "Did you say something?" They tilted their head, trying to recall the words that they'd previously ignored.

coding by kaons

Edmund shook his head with a chuckle Soleil's antics, "A few."  He sent Talyson what was hopefully a reassuring smile. The other man was clearly uncomfortable but trying his best. Catching on, the young Ancient made sure not to crowd the courier so that Tal could escape as soon as there was an opening. But it was for nought as Soleil kept both of them close. In their encirclement, Edmund didn't have enough time to stop Kaiden. There was only enough time for his eyes to widen and a brief, "Watch out!" to be directed at Soleil. The Ancient rushed to the water and let out a sigh to see that it was only a prank and that his guildmate was unharmed. He sent Kaiden a fierce glare and reached a hand out to Soleil, "Are you ok?" Edmund Reborn In Fire

Sohalia 's arrival was a welcome breath of fresh water for the mermanta, who inclined his head deeply to the Heart and then met her gaze with a warmth in his eyes he reserved for those he was fond of. "Sohalia. It is good to see you." He looked at her more closely, perspicacious regard seeking signs of health, or of its opposite. "Are you well? I had heard there was a mon--"

Before he could finish, Kaiden was making their move and water splashed all around as Soleil hit the canal. The King of the Mer did not mind being splashed, simply closing his eyes as the water washed over him, but there was a sense of deep stillness in the Attuned Bond where Hadama was; a silence that was almost deafening as he blinked his eyes clear. Their host was already on his way, reaching for Soleil before Hadama needed to lift a fluke, so the Mer refrained from chastising his subject in public as he instead turned to Sohalia with a dignified nod of his head towards the mischievous shark.

"They are Kaiden," he rumbled, his tone carefully neutral.