[Mini Event] coming together

How deeply are you sleeping or are you still awake?
A good friend told me you've been staying out so late

Whatever personal struggles the young Heart might be dealing with, let it never be said that she failed to do her job. The letters had been sent, notice had been posted, and the day of their celebration to welcome Abandoned into Stormbreak had arrived. She'd risen with before the sun, carefully cleaned and prepared the event area in Pacifist Plaza, and now it simply remained to be seen who would come to greet their new guests.

And to see which guests, if any, would show up.

Round tables had been set, food laid out in a buffet, and street vendors and entertainers had gathered to sell their wares and perform for anyone who came to the event. Soh was nervous, and for good reason. This was the first big thing she had pushed for as Heart, and she wanted to ensure that it was a success. So she'd dressed in her finest spring dress - a flowing, floral dress that came to mid-calf - and pinned her hair carefully up off her neck, all to make the best impression on their guests. While she waited for people to arrive, she fluttered here and there, adjusting tablecloths, fixing napkins, and rearranging platters of food to make everything as appealing and welcoming as possible.

Be careful, oh, my darling, oh, be careful what it takes
From what I've seen so far, the good ones always seem to break

Sohalia

DEIMOS

we've all got blood on our hands

something somewhere had to die

so we could stay alive

Attending an event nearly exclusively for Abandoned and Stormbreak citizens sent off every alarm in his body. In days of old, it would’ve signaled a definitive trap, a snare, and those primordial modicums in his mind continued to signal his trepidation contorted firmly in his ribcage from the moment they stepped upon the sky portal and drifted upwards, towards circling clouds and something impending.

He steeled himself multiple times – because their arrival would also cement some political notions, and his own overprotective measures. A segment of trust, and sanctuaries nestled within his chest, extended directly to those who shared the same magical blood.

Nor was he entirely certain of what to expect when they stepped out, and didn’t find themselves obliterated immediately where they stood. Stone upon stone, towering buildings, and the overwhelming platitude of gray. He wasn’t used to a city not presiding out of snow, for Halo had its own structures and nuances, nor the amount of heightened structures that weren’t mountains rising out of the background. The Sword forged another breath, and glanced directly at Evie, eyes seeking out Hotaru thereafter.

He couldn’t help the unyielding gait as they crossed thresholds either, gaze darting in all directions, taking in, absorbing, the images, sights, and sounds of a world they’d never been allowed to traverse within. He could feel other stares upon them too – but stood tall and firm and stalwart, not uttering a word until they made their way through the Plaza, and where the Heart, and multitudes of tables, platters, and others seemed to linger. Upon approaching, he nodded at Sohalia, trying to accommodate the slightest of smiles, before yearning to linger and flicker back into shadows. “Thank you for doing this.”

Soh's notice had gone out at the perfect time, catching them in the Hollowed Grounds as they were planning the next leg of their world tour. It was a relief to leave the endless rain of the Hollowed Grounds behind and sail in clear weather for a few days, but soon enough the gusty winds that heralded the Flowerbirth tempests around Stormbreak had rocked the Peregrine and Tal had been forced to use all his tricks and knowledge of the winds and sails to bring the little skyboat safely through the night to morning.

But morning had dawned unexpectedly calm, if still thunderously grey, and the lightning was, for the moment, behind them as they pulled into dock at the skyport and disembarked.

Tal still had lots of Stormbreak to explore himself, but he pointed out the points of interest that he knew while they walked to the plaza, and they arrived early enough that the celebration was still getting underway. He'd offered Alys his arm with an awkward attempt at chivalry, and Boreal pressed close to her other side with a reassuring rumble and one maternal eye on Sascha to make sure the little bear didn't wander far.

As they made their way towards the buffet he raised his arm to give Sohalia a grin and a big thumbs up from where she was engaged with other Halovians before he turned back to Alys. "So, what d'y'think o' th'place so far?"

And I came to, walking on the train tracks
How did I get here? And how do I get back?

Stormbreak had never been a place that Alys had thought to visit; they had kept the Abandoned out for so long that it was strange now to be sailing into the city with Tal. As they approached, the seer tensed, prepared for whatever defenses there might once have been to come alive once more - but when nothing happened, she slowly began to relax.

The day was dreary, the sky covered with dark clouds that promised rain. For now, though, the lightning storms that had apparently plagued the region this season flickered on the periphery, leaving the so-called Pacifist Plaza momentarily free of the flashing light. As Tal and Alys disembarked, she sent a stern warning to her ursur cub not to stray far from her side. Fortunately, Sascha was not one to wander, and the little cub stuck to Alys's side like glue as they made their way into the city.

Tal pointed out various landmarks; Alys had been surprised to learn that he'd spent a fair bit of time in the region, and seemed to be on quite good terms with its leader. She herself was unsure what to make of a teenage queen, but if the girl had fought to open Stormbreak to all, and was friends with Tal, well, Alys was willing to give her a chance. She took Tal's arm with a smile and a wink, rubbed Boreal's head for good luck, and made her way into the party with her friend.

Deimos was already in attendance, and the seer sent a brief wave in his, Evie, and Hotaru's direction before turning her attention back to her escort. "It's strange," she said. "It's so much bigger than I thought it'd be." Having grown up in the Grounds and lived in Halo for the past year, the seer had been unprepared for towering buildings and bustling streets. It felt too closed in, too cramped, and Alys found herself missing the wide open spaces of Halo.

I've been up all night, let's stay awake
Push it further, you know I'll never break

Alys

Lena

and sweetest in the gale is heard
and sore must be the storm

Lena could remember the tension and misgivings amidst Halo the last time they’d ventured there together – understandable, given the discussions, the past, and the present. But the Caretaker also knew the Heart had meant well, and despite all these differences and musings, Stormbreak had worked together to solidify the breaking of chains and guards, eliminating the items used to maim those containing magic. In their place, they’d put blossoms and flowers, and maybe, in some way, they could enrich others’ lives too.

So she stood by with Sohalia, tending to napkins and plates as they all fussed about; striving to remain calm in a world of trepidation and unknown. Despite the beckoning clouds nearby, they seemed set for the moment, and so Lena gave her fellow Attuned a firm pat on the shoulder when the first started to arrive. “Welcome,” with her own compassion and smiles extended to each that wandered in, waves of serenity and tranquility contorting straight through her ribs and heart and lungs. This was a start.

that could abash the little bird
that kept so many warm

Dantalion

but you can't be free

Danta isn't an Abandoned, and so Stormbreak's shiny announcement means very little to him. He's never been to the floating city, though, and a celebration seems as good a time as any for a first visit. (Getting out of the endless downpour in the Grounds wouldn't go amiss, either). And lo and behold, when he sees his very best friend ever (s'up, Deimos) of course it all feels very worth it.

Eyeing the stormclouds overhead but content with the breezy Flowerbirth weather for now, the Maverick ambles up to the Sword, offering him a nod filled with unearned camaraderie. "You're looking very broody for a party," he remarks, recalling a previous celebration where the other man had been skipping quite merrily along (even if he'd looked a little constipated doing it).

'cause I'm selfish, I'm obscene

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

Mateo

"I wonder how many Abandoned will come," Mateo is saying to Everest as they head towards the festivities. Dressed in a large yellow raincoat with a bucket hood and matching wellies, clearly the botanist is not expecting the fair weather to hold out, not by the look of the clouds overhead. Nevertheless he makes a cheerful, tousled sort of visitor as they enter the celebrations.

"Do you know any?" They've never really had that conversation, he doesn't think. Growing up in Stormbreak on the brink of war does a lot to colour one's judgement, and while Mateo can't really confess to ever hating the Ascended the way some did (his middle name would never forgive him), he doesn't think he's ever dabbled to closely with those who have magic.

Smiling and waving to Sohalia, he makes a beeline for one of the tables laden with food and drink, fully intending to indulge.

i've told you time and time again
i'm not as think as you drunk i am

Everest

Dressed with similar thoughts on the weather, Everest looks at the botanist and shrugs beneath his heavily-oiled slicker. "I'm not sure. It's a rather strange time to be out and about in the world right now." Then again, he supposed all of this was more about the gesture than actually visiting Stormbreak, so perhaps more would show up than he'd otherwise assumed.

"Honestly..." Ever's stomach suddenly felt quite heavy and cold as he searched his memory (the urge to pull out his notebook and verify made his fingers twitch no matter how much he tried mentally to still them), realizing that...he actually didn't think he'd ever met a single abandoned. "..I don't think so. Do you?"

Nodding to Lena and Sohalia, the aviator gaped at those in attendance wondering what he would be able to see where he able to wear his father's glasses.

even if i had to lose you to know you,
i'd still be that temporary phase that you grow through

flora

"Hey you." Wrapping her arms around Sohalia from behind, Flora gives the luminary a quick squeeze before sliding around and into her eyeline. That Flora wasn't an abandoned didn't register to the girl as a reason not to come; her friend was throwing an event, so why wouldn't she be here? Besides, her mother was going to show up, her brother was already here, and her twin had been an abandoned, so, she basically felt as if she had an invite anyway.

"This all looks good." She chirps encouragingly, gesturing at all the tables and decorations that Sohalia had put up.

Waiting to catch Mateo 's eye, Flora will wave to her brother before blowing a kiss she hopes will make Everest uncomfortable, before turning her attention firmly back to her friend. "This is a really good thing you did. I hope you know that."

never be so kind
you forget to be clever

Code taken from Sky who is utter perfection

Sah

Sah had been just as wary as his fellow Abandoned to come to Stormbreak. But he felt his presence was necessary in case things went wrong. The lightning storms were a bonus and the Wild Thunder found himself enjoying the sight of them in the distance. As he walked through the crowd, he made sure to greet his friends. With a nod at Deimos and Evie, a grin towards Hotaru and Alys, and a smirk at Talyson, he made his way through.

Approaching Sohalia as she was tackled, he gave the young woman a warm smile, "Thank you for this." Echoing Flora he added, "You should be proud." His trepidation was kept under lock and key for the moment, letting his gratitude through. But Sah would be ready to act at a moment's notice should anything befall his brethren. He could pick up the murmurs of the Stormbreak citizens and it seemed that they were similarly wary of this drastic change.

I think there for I am,
But what if all I do is bleed?

So tired trying to see from behind the red in my eyes
No better version of me I could pretend to be tonight

This is the culmination of months of effort, and Koa couldn't be more proud. Or more nervous- not that anyone who doesn't know him well would know. Devilishly handsome, charming grin in place, with a dragon wrapped across his shoulders and his finest uniform polished to gleam, the young man looks every bit the prestigious Guildmaster.

Only the fidgeting of his sweaty hands and the way his weight shifts from foot to foot betray the nerves tingling beneath that cool, collected façade.

There's more people than Koa expected, more than he could have hoped for, and to see them all here in his city fills the young Dragoon with pride. Many of the faces are ones he recognizes, but a fair number are not, and the soldier makes a point to meet the eyes of everyone he can, extending a welcoming smile and, when appropriate, salute.

And, of course, there's the man he most hoped and most feared would turn up. Koa waits until Deimos has finished greeting Sohalia before making his move, some of the flip-flopping in his stomach unfortunately evident in the flush of his ears. "Warden Ignatius, sir," the young man salutes brightly, trying very valiantly not to look like a puppy who shat on the bed and is now trying to make amends. "Thank you so much for coming - it's truly an honor.

"I hope you'll allow me the opportunity to make up for our last meeting," he adds with a chuckle, rubbing bashfully at the back of his neck. "I'm afraid I came on a bit stronger than I meant to, and gave entirely the wrong impression of my plans for the Dragoons. I really oughta get someone smarter to do my talking - I'm told I have the unique talent of getting both feet in my mouth."

Koa

No other version of me I would rather be tonight
And, Lord, she found me just in time

Hotaru

I'll lose my mind at least another thousand times

Hotaru wouldn't miss this for the world. She stands apart from her normal crowd - which is really all the Halovians it seems, making her glow with pride that feels bittersweet around the edges - while everyone tentatively mills about, picking idly at food and glancing around with ill-concealed wariness.

Flora is a welcome sight, and Hotaru knows the boys in her company well enough to know she won't be cramping her daughter's style if she swings over and presses a kiss to her daughter's temple. And if she keeps uncomfortable eye contact with Sohalia as she does it, well...she has lost one child, and given she has witnessed Sohalia's naivety firsthand, she's not exactly thrilled that the two are in cahoots. At least Flora has enough braincells for the both of them - a gift to those of poorer breeding.

"Yes, your efforts can't be understated. This is a major step forward for both Abandoned and the world at large." It's far more proper than Flora's sentiments, but it's mostly for show anyway.

hold my hand tight, we'll make it another night

Evie

Evie revolves easily around Deimos like a miniature planet, occasionally saying her hellos a few steps away to mingle and grab food that she doesn't actually eat before naturally finding her way to his side again. There are many people around, most from Halo which makes her quite proud despite how it simultaneously soothes her and puts her on edge. While it would be quite dangerous to pull something here with their most powerful in attendance, Evie knows better than most the anti-Abandoned sentiment that can infest the hearts of men.

As she is returning to her fiance's side, Koa does the same - and Evie's brows rise as she comes to stand beside Deimos and listens to his apologies. Deimos had told her immediately of the encounter he'd had with the young Dragoon, but seeing him in person really drives home how young he is.

"Is there a hierarchy to the Dragoons? Given how secluded Stormbreak has been, we know next to nothing of them." A pointed political remark that is softened only by her small smile. "Do you have a formal division for political affairs? Or is that a position outside the Dragoons' purview?" As she speaks she offers Deimos one of the pastries she'd snagged, free hand fitting naturally into the curve of his elbow. She'd been left out of this conversation once, and Evie isn't keen on it happening again - especially when her beloved is usually far more blunt in his wording.

I see you when you chase the dreams inside your head
and when you laugh and love until the bitter end

DEIMOS

we've all got blood on our hands

something somewhere had to die

so we could stay alive

There were multitudes to take in, and his senses were a constant swing of his sweeping gaze; mildly overwhelmed by the unknown, and incessant need to be protective of those under his care. He extended nods to Halovians, acknowledging their presence and notching it in the back of his mind for awareness purposes, but to see Dantalion sidling up next to him was an unexpected notion – for some reason his mind not capable of placing the Ancient within the confines of Stormbreak. The statement earned the Grounds leader a snort though, piercing stare following more movements nearby. Waiting for something bad to happen nearly came from his mouth, but was bit down, gauging for another moment of veracity instead. “Just taking it all in.”

His eyes narrowed at Koa’s approach; uncertain about the Dragoon as a whole, or the semblance of boldness granted in even coming near him. Evie must’ve known there was a barrage beginning to settle in between his ribs, for he instantly snagged at the pastry so he wasn’t tempted to come to blows, explode, or cause some snarling scene in the middle of the Plaza. “Thank you,” was a rumble, and a relief when her touch flitted along his elbow, a grounding measure before he finally poised his attention back to the young Accepted. Opting to tear off a portion of the croissant instead of anyone’s limbs, he tilted his head, listening to the long-speech, Evie’s inquiries, before pinpointing in his own concise wording. “How else was it meant to be interpreted?”