EVENT MINGLE: PUTTING THE "FUN" BACK IN "FUNERAL" / HOLES

[asgardmods]

Who: EVERYONE
What: The Putting the "Fun" Back Into Funeral/Thistle Do Nicely Holes Event Mingle Log
When: Days 415-416 (March 9-12)
Where: all across the city!
Rating: PG-13. Anything higher than that should be taken to a private log, please!

Day 415 (Mar. 9/10)

Not long after the message from the gods on the bracelets, all NPC shops in town will begin shutting down. It is late evening when the city's Natives begin heading toward Gefion Park, some alone, some clustered in small groups, but it seems like citizens of Asgard of all ages are headed that way. It is just before sunset when all of the gods and several thousand natives will stand grouped around the shore of the park's lake. Thor, looking oddly somber, will move to stand on a small podium, voice tight but magically amplified. His posture is straight, head held high, and he will cut a striking image as he speaks with a firm and magically amplified voice:

"We may be the gods of this realm, but we would be nothing without both of you: our people, and our visitors. Even in times of darkness, we mustn't allow ourselves to forget how brightly our lights can shine. In times of weakness and exhaustion, we only need cling to the memory of how strong we truly are. We will fight for the lost, and we will fight for each other. Until my father returns, I will act in his stead. We will continue to move ahead, if only because there is too much to lose if we don't. Salvation is within our grasp, and I will do everything I can to make sure we attain it."

Here Thor will clear his throat, pausing just long enough to wonder how apparent it is that Freyr wrote most of this speech.

"But now I invite you to lay your offerings into the longboats, offerings to the Natives of this world that have lost their lives in this war. Their sacrifices were not in vain, nor shall they be forgotten. In their names, we shall fight for Asgard, and for every world represented here, and for the countless that aren't."

The moment that the newly crowned Prince Regent stops speaking, Natives will place clothes and food and other trinkets inside the boat. Any Traveller with offerings will be given the chance to lay them in the boat then, before Hel sends it off to the center of the lake. It will stall there before bursting into bright flame. Smaller, match-sized flames will light all across the lake, one for every native soul that has left Asgard for Niflheim in the last two years, and they will not extinguish even in the light rainfall that begins into the evening.

After the flames are lit, however, the natives will be opening several dozen casks of different wines, meads, and ales. There will be bottles of harder liquors passed around and glasses given freely to anyone within arm's reach of a native. Time for a bonfire in the park! Anything is free game for this: there will be dancing, eating, body painting, the weaving of flowers into people's hair or into crowns, pretty much anything that is loose and vaguely intimate. The only thing that remains undisturbed is the lake, where the fires burn ceaselessly above the water. This is their farewell; they will drink, tell stories, and laugh their way all through the night.

Day 416 ( Mar. 11/12 )

The next morning, most of the natives will still be in the park, making sure none of that pesky alcohol remains in those barrels. They will take this second day to relax and clean up the park while they continue to drink, singing hymns and generally lending a hand to one another. Where yesterday was a big party, this is more like communal R&R. About halfway through the day, flowers of all types imaginable will begin to sprout from the ground. Many of them will sing along with the Native's hymns of remembrance, though they will linger after.

This is actually our Holes event for the month of March! These flowers will not just sprout at Gefion Park, however! When they first appear on Day 416, they will actually spring up just about everywhere, dirt or not. They may appear on a table, off a wall, or rooted in someone's freshly prepared sandwich. The flowers not in dirt will wilt after about a day. Following their first appearance, these flowers will continue to grow in the city anywhere flowers can grow.

Back at the party, however, everyone is on equal footing and gathered to respect their loved ones. For the time being, nothing else really matters.

They'll go back to their regularly scheduled monotony by sundown, the boat of offerings finally removed from the lake, though the candlelight flames will remain throughout the night and disappear by sunrise. In thanks for their support and continued sacrifice, the Travellers will find one gift from home in their rooms at midnight.

[ OOC NOTES: This is the mingle log for the Putting the "Fun" Back in "Funeral" event AND for the Holes event. More information on this month's Holes event is located HERE. If you haven't had your character's GIFT FROM HOME approved yet, please make sure to do so here!

Please put [OPEN/CLOSED] in the title of your comment, along with the time and location. Let us know if you have any questions! ]

Comments

[emergingspirit]

[Somewhere along the line, Connor ended up with a flower crown and a garland around his neck. He's lost most of his layers, and has his shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows, but so far he's managed to avoid most of the body painting.

Alcohol, though. Definitely not avoiding that. In fact, he engaged in a round of shots with someone--no idea who--earlier, and he's pleasantly buzzed by the time Desmond catches his attention.]

You look... [Smashed.] Well.

[familyissues]

Three sheets to the wind, my friend.

[ Desmond, what do nautical terms have to do with your being piss-drunk? He makes the most awkward of motions, thisclose to throwing a brotherly arm around Connor's shoulders before he recalls that yes actually this is Connor we're talking about, lowers his arm and presents instead a closed fist. ]

[emergingspirit]

[Everything, actually, which is why Connor doesn't blink at the phrasing. He does, however, blink at the offered fist. What is this, Desmond?]

You...want to box? [Desmond, is that wise, drunk as you are?]

[familyissues]

What?

[ He actually looks at his fist, puzzled, before things sink into the velvet-soft haze clouding his brain. Oh. ]

No! No no no, it's something we do at home, a fist bump. In greeting, or when your friend's said or done something really super badass. I mean awesome. Great. Yes look-

Show me your fist.

[ This is very very important, Connor, this is super important. ]

[emergingspirit]

[Oh!

...Well that's a ridiculous greeting.

...Actually, no, it's better for Connor than a handshake. Less completely unnecessary touching. He curls his fingers into a fist and shows it to Desmond. Sideways.]

Like so?

[familyissues]

Like...

[ Desmond brings up his own fist in imitation, then turns his wrist, indicating Connor should mimic. Closed fingers perpendicular to the earth, man.

Once he's done so? The Assassin bumps Connor's knuckles with his, pulling his hand back and opening up his fingers. ]

"Kapow"! You gotta blow it up, see?

[emergingspirit]

[Connor follows Desmond's directions until they get to the exploding part. Then he stops, hand still in a fist, puzzled.]

Why does it explode?

[familyissues]

I don't know!

[ Oh no he's practically buzzing with excitement. ]

It just is. Try again?

[emergingspirit]

[Desmond, you are an odd, delightful drunk. Connor obliging holds his fist out for Desmond again and, yes, explodes it this time, though he still fails to understand why that part is necessary.

...Actually, it's kind of fun.

No, no, don't look at him, that's not the flicker of a smile on his face, no no]

[familyissues]

MOLTO BENE. May your descendents sing your praises. Fuck yeah.

[ YOU ARE HIS GREATEST TRIUMPH, have the biggest, brightest smile of admiration ever okay? Okay. ]

This calls for more beer.

[emergingspirit]

[Foreign language! Good job kicking his curiosity up! And of course, there's the warm feeling of satisfaction that comes with being praised for something, even if it's something as stupid as an exploding fist.]

More beer, yes, of course. And what does that mean?

[familyissues]

"Very good"! It's Italian, è una bella lingua.

[ Hold on, he's actually got to concentrate because drunken!Desmond is also more-likely-to-slip-into-a-foreign-language-and-just-stay-there!Desmond. English brain, English brain yes okay bene. Jai'yed?

Shit.

Taking a swig okay. Maybe getting this wasted wasn't the brightest idea. ]

[emergingspirit]

[Desmond, you're drinking from an empty mug. Let Connor take that empty mug and replace it with a full one. There, more cider for you, bro.]

Bene. [If he repeats it, he'll remember it. And Connor does like languages.]

[familyissues]

Oh, grazie. Er, thanks. Bene!

[ More smiles, okay. ]

I'm glad you found your bracelet again.

[emergingspirit]

[Ah, grazie must mean "thank you," judging by Desmond's quick correction. He files that word away for later, too.]

Yes, I...am sorry to have worried you. It will not happen again.

[familyissues]

Listen,

[ Ah, shoot, he wants to put an arm around your shoulders, man. Will the briefest hover-hand to Connor's arm suffice in terms of not-touchy? ]

You don't need to apologize for it. We're all happy to see you around again.

[emergingspirit]

[Yes, a brief hover hand will do. But Des, if you want to pat your ancestor's arm, do it now, before he's covered in paint and while he still has that shirt on.]

Thank you. It is something I am still getting used to. It is as though you are all a family.

[He's closer than he knows when he says that, but feels slightly out of place among them regardless.]

[familyissues]

[ How about a comradely shoulder pat?

Desmond's smile takes on an odd, undefinable quirk. ]

Right you are. That's the hope.

[emergingspirit]

[A comradely shoulder pat is acceptable. He won't even twitch, which is a testament to how much he likes Desmond.

That aside, he's a little envious. It's been such a long time since he had a sense of family, though maybe living in the bureau will at least help with a sense of belonging.

Wow, what a depressing train of thought. More beer.]

Do you know a game called Quarters?

[Clearly, it is time to get spectacularly drunk.]

[familyissues]

Connor, I used to tend bar, I've taught people how to play Quarters.

[ So yes. Very yes. ]

What are you plotting, bro?

[emergingspirit]

[Oh good! That makes this much, much easier.]

I thought we might play a round or two, if you think you have what it takes.

[New phrase, "have what it takes"! He's trying it out. Not sure if he likes it.]

[familyissues]

[ Desmond's brows make a mad dash for his hairline at Connor's last line, and he laughs happily. ]

I accept your challenge!