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expiationlogs2023-04-21 12:41 pm
electroburst) wrote in expiationlogs2023-04-21 12:41 pm
(OPEN MINGLE) Ain't no party like an Aldrip party
Who: The Chosen
Where: Aldrip inn
What: Open mingle log (with mod approval)!
Warnings: Nothing major anticipated, other than light (underaged) drinking and comic mischief, but PM me if any warn-worthy things happen and I can update this space.
Feel free to use this log as a completely open mingle for all characters new and old! There will be a few prompts below the cut, but you're free mess around with them or come up with your own ideas for toplevels, and tag around as you please.
Nestled in the heart of the quaint town of Aldrip, the inn, formally known as The Inn, has housed the Chosen of Expiation since their initial arrival. In spite of the occasional influx of new Chosen, they've dedicatedly provided rooms, food and drink, and basic amenities without buckling—even during the food shortages and other issues that have plagued the town. Of course, the Chosen have been no slouches themselves, repaying the hospitality with mercenary work, hunting and fishing, cooking, completing odd jobs, and much more to help bolster the economy. Even those, er, less magnanimous sorts have benefitted from this give-and-take, although there are those that prefer their living space to be a bit more solitary (or perhaps cave-ier) that might not have noticed as much.
In the days to follow, most won't be able to recount exactly how The Party started. The true story is that one particular new arrival, after having spent a day or two scouting the area out and, deciding it's chill enough, opted to do what he does best: be a public menace. What is known is that rounds of drinks start getting ordered and handed out, and soon platters of cheese, fresh bread, and other victuals make the rounds as well, appearing on tables that quickly begin filling with people. Somehow, someway, local musicians are pulled in to play and given a striking, energetic setlist to set the tone. The word gets out—party at the inn!
And boom: just like that, it's a party, and everyone's invited.
Early on, the offerings are relatively meager. The inn's food stores aren't completely bottomless after the shortages, to say the least, and there are a sight more Chosen (and local residents who also join in on the fun) than there is free food to toss at them. The drinks range from milk, water and juice to scuzzy, pisswater beer, which is a bit more plentiful. As the tavern portion of the inn fills with people, the music relatively ambient so that you can still hear the people at the table next to you talking, others bring their own food and drink, adding to the options on offer.
Others bring things like cards to play with, or dice and coins to gamble with, and set up spaces at tables toward the back. There's even an amateur fortune teller, heavy emphasis on amateur. Maybe you've got some party games of your own in mind, or you're a natural-born performer and want to hit the stage. Maybe you'd rather just grab a pint and lurk in the corner doing some people-watching. Or maybe you're just hungry and want to stuff a bunch of cheese in your pockets for later. Either way, there's something here for everyone.
As evening wears on, the peaceful inn party blossoms into a proper block bash. Even if you're not the partygoing sort, it'd be a little difficult to ignore the sheer ruckus going on downstairs while you attempt to read quietly in your room. The music, chatter and laughter carries on down the street, attracting even more people. By this point, it seems as if the food and drinks have multiplied, thanks mostly in part to others showing up with their own offerings, Chosen and local alike. It's getting rowdy in a few places—the music's louder and livelier, people are dancing and singing, and the gambling/party games' stakes seem to just keep climbing higher and higher. It's a good time all around. If you're not the quiet, loner type, anyway.
Thinking of sitting this one out? Think again: somebody starts going around to all the rooms and knocking on the doors, calling out to come join the fun. By the time you get to the door, though, whoever's up here disturbing the peace is gone, but maybe you can track them down by their voice at some point and wring their neck later.
In addition to the escalating merriment, all this imbibing also has the added benefit of loosening a few lips. Now's your chance to pick up the latest Aldrip gossip! You might even hear tell of a few pesky monsters that need slaying, so if you want to jump on that bounty before anyone else gets to it, you better act quickly. (But maybe don't run out into the woods in the middle of the night to fight monsters while inebriated... or do, nobody's stopping you.)
Late into the night, the festivities are still going, and they're... messy. Fortunately the drinks and provisions seem to have run to the bottom of the barrel, so those that've been partying hard for hours are getting cut off whether they like it or not. The band's getting tired, the tempo of the music fluctuating. Some people might like to go to bed sometime soon, so maybe now it's time for the voices of reason to tell those still dancing on top of the tables to get down. And why is there a chicken in here? ...And oh no, somebody tell those guys to take that swordfight outside!! Yeeaaahh, maybe it's about time to shut this production down.
Or maybe not. Let the good times roll until the sun comes up! That's up to you.
Where: Aldrip inn
What: Open mingle log (with mod approval)!
Warnings: Nothing major anticipated, other than light (underaged) drinking and comic mischief, but PM me if any warn-worthy things happen and I can update this space.
Feel free to use this log as a completely open mingle for all characters new and old! There will be a few prompts below the cut, but you're free mess around with them or come up with your own ideas for toplevels, and tag around as you please.
Nestled in the heart of the quaint town of Aldrip, the inn, formally known as The Inn, has housed the Chosen of Expiation since their initial arrival. In spite of the occasional influx of new Chosen, they've dedicatedly provided rooms, food and drink, and basic amenities without buckling—even during the food shortages and other issues that have plagued the town. Of course, the Chosen have been no slouches themselves, repaying the hospitality with mercenary work, hunting and fishing, cooking, completing odd jobs, and much more to help bolster the economy. Even those, er, less magnanimous sorts have benefitted from this give-and-take, although there are those that prefer their living space to be a bit more solitary (or perhaps cave-ier) that might not have noticed as much.
In the days to follow, most won't be able to recount exactly how The Party started. The true story is that one particular new arrival, after having spent a day or two scouting the area out and, deciding it's chill enough, opted to do what he does best: be a public menace. What is known is that rounds of drinks start getting ordered and handed out, and soon platters of cheese, fresh bread, and other victuals make the rounds as well, appearing on tables that quickly begin filling with people. Somehow, someway, local musicians are pulled in to play and given a striking, energetic setlist to set the tone. The word gets out—party at the inn!
And boom: just like that, it's a party, and everyone's invited.
Early on, the offerings are relatively meager. The inn's food stores aren't completely bottomless after the shortages, to say the least, and there are a sight more Chosen (and local residents who also join in on the fun) than there is free food to toss at them. The drinks range from milk, water and juice to scuzzy, pisswater beer, which is a bit more plentiful. As the tavern portion of the inn fills with people, the music relatively ambient so that you can still hear the people at the table next to you talking, others bring their own food and drink, adding to the options on offer.
Others bring things like cards to play with, or dice and coins to gamble with, and set up spaces at tables toward the back. There's even an amateur fortune teller, heavy emphasis on amateur. Maybe you've got some party games of your own in mind, or you're a natural-born performer and want to hit the stage. Maybe you'd rather just grab a pint and lurk in the corner doing some people-watching. Or maybe you're just hungry and want to stuff a bunch of cheese in your pockets for later. Either way, there's something here for everyone.
As evening wears on, the peaceful inn party blossoms into a proper block bash. Even if you're not the partygoing sort, it'd be a little difficult to ignore the sheer ruckus going on downstairs while you attempt to read quietly in your room. The music, chatter and laughter carries on down the street, attracting even more people. By this point, it seems as if the food and drinks have multiplied, thanks mostly in part to others showing up with their own offerings, Chosen and local alike. It's getting rowdy in a few places—the music's louder and livelier, people are dancing and singing, and the gambling/party games' stakes seem to just keep climbing higher and higher. It's a good time all around. If you're not the quiet, loner type, anyway.
Thinking of sitting this one out? Think again: somebody starts going around to all the rooms and knocking on the doors, calling out to come join the fun. By the time you get to the door, though, whoever's up here disturbing the peace is gone, but maybe you can track them down by their voice at some point and wring their neck later.
In addition to the escalating merriment, all this imbibing also has the added benefit of loosening a few lips. Now's your chance to pick up the latest Aldrip gossip! You might even hear tell of a few pesky monsters that need slaying, so if you want to jump on that bounty before anyone else gets to it, you better act quickly. (But maybe don't run out into the woods in the middle of the night to fight monsters while inebriated... or do, nobody's stopping you.)
Late into the night, the festivities are still going, and they're... messy. Fortunately the drinks and provisions seem to have run to the bottom of the barrel, so those that've been partying hard for hours are getting cut off whether they like it or not. The band's getting tired, the tempo of the music fluctuating. Some people might like to go to bed sometime soon, so maybe now it's time for the voices of reason to tell those still dancing on top of the tables to get down. And why is there a chicken in here? ...And oh no, somebody tell those guys to take that swordfight outside!! Yeeaaahh, maybe it's about time to shut this production down.
Or maybe not. Let the good times roll until the sun comes up! That's up to you.
no subject
She could say it's for them both, but the truth is more likely that it's for her benefit.
"I would bear anything for you."
What a puzzling thing to say. Guilt makes people do many things, maybe.]
...You don't need to say it like that. [She replies with some consideration, turning his words over and the way he's said them in her head.] At a point, you can't go living your life through my eyes. Or through Migal's. Regardless of how either of us felt, or feel, time doesn't just stop moving. A day might come in which I can't get over it. You probably shouldn't spend your life condemning yourself because of that.
[Forgive himself? Probably. Maybe. There's a difference between forgiving and forgetting. Just because she's not ready to forgive him now doesn't mean she'll always feel that way. She can recognise that, even if she can't give him a timeline for it.
Colouring just a touch, wondering if it could be that it's more personal for him when it comes to her, she takes a moment to hide behind her mug.]
But I'm not a lord. I don't know how one thinks. I'm sure there's plenty I don't understand about what happened then. Or what didn't happen.
no subject
[His gaze drops as he collects himself; there is, for just a moment, an uncharacteristic vehemence in his voice as he tries to articulate himself and, briefly, fails. He has never been a man who has struggled with words, and while he has not had so much to drink that he can truly blame it for this moment of boldness, he reaches out to lay a hand against her wrist, as though it will better command her attention, better convey his meaning.]
It is not about having been a lord, or what took place then— not only.
[Because of course, he cannot leave that behind, he cannot and will not forget what had come to pass, because it would be a disservice to the very people he had sworn to protect both then and now if he did so— but it is not guilt or a desire for forgiveness or atonement that drive him now, not entirely.]
I would bear anything for you because— you remind me of what is worth changing things for. You always have. You have always shown those around you the best of what the human spirit has to offer, what kindness can achieve.
no subject
This is a different kind of touch that comes with a different kind of circumstance.
Why just her? Why not all Dahnans? It would be more right to fight on behalf of all of the impoverished people who have suffered beneath the hands of their Renan overlords. Not just her. Not just a single person. Otherwise, he makes it seem as if it weren't for her that he might not have changed his outlook at all. How is any of that fair?
She suspects her expression looks both conflicted and incredibly befuddled as she tries to muddle through what he might be saying.]
I... don't know what you want me to say to that. [She admits a touch quieter, the colour dusting her cheeks darkening in the moments that Kisara finds courage enough to speak again.] I could say that I've always done what I thought was right, which isn't untrue. Would I have done the same thing if I didn't have that dream in mind? I don't know that for certain.
Either way— [She shakes her head at him with a small, subdued smile.] —it's a little strange if you're putting yourself in harm's way for me. You should leave that to the reckless professionals.
[Like herself.]
no subject
[That is his duty to all of Elde Menancia, to all Dahnans, but he does manage a small, cautious smile in response to her own, to her referring to herself as a 'reckless professional.']
Perhaps I may surprise you with how reckless I can be. But— it is not my intention to try and change your mind about who I am or may become, or persuade you to feel anything other than what you already do. I only...
[His smile fades as he averts his gaze once more, suddenly interested in his own mug, and his hold on her wrist loosens, releasing her.]
I wish you to know that we walk the same path. I do not ever expect your forgiveness, and understand you may never be able to offer it, but I will be behind you, always. I have tried, these past months, to give you your space.
[With middling success, admittedly, especially when one considers the gift he had given her some weeks past, or even his invitation to join her here tonight.]
It is difficult for me to stay away.
no subject
His wording is chosen with care. She's come to expect this of him. Dohalim knows how to hold conversation. It is something he's excelled in since his arrival. Kisara, on occasion, can provide words of wisdom, but it is not often. That is, it's not as often as she would like for it to be.
She wants to believe him. She knows it just by listening. Kisara wishes for that intensely. In the same way she wishes Migal was here. In the same way she wishes she could travel back in time and do things in a different way. But if she did, then there wouldn't be the growth that they're experiencing now. It is not that adversity is required for the evolution of a person. But it is undeniable that what they have been through is responsible for how they must think of things in different ways.
"I have tried, these past months, to give you your space." ... "It is difficult for me to stay away."
What a way to put it. For just a moment, she wonders if the thump of her heart, consistent though it may be, jumps just a touch. Is that her imagination? What could it mean?]
I... Oh. [She can't claim to be good at conversations like this either.] I know I haven't made things easy for you. You likely experienced this once already. Now, here you are, experiencing it again. I don't want to make any promises to you that I might not be able to keep.
[That seems like a very important thing to say. That she doesn't want to go out of her way to hurt him. To give him hope only to take it away from him inadvertently. She wonders why she feels it necessary to say so now. Another long drink from her mug and she empties it of its contents.]
You deserve better than that. I know that things are complicated. I know that things won't ever be the same again. I know that you and I also won't be the same again. We can't ever return to the way things were. I thought coming here would give me space from that, but all it's done is remind me that I don't actually know who I am when I'm not protecting you. That is no one's fault except mine. Between you and Migal, that was all I had. I need to become better. I need to become more.
I need more power.no subject
I understand, of course.
[She would never make a promise she was not certain she could keep, and he would never ask her to. He is not here for false hope, nor for soothing words, only to ensure that she knows that regardless of how she feels, her well-being matters to him. She matters.]
As much as I want to say that I would like the chance to be your friend, rather than a leader of any sort... I understand that despite my desire to help you in whatever way I can, you may not be able to find what you're looking for should I insist on doing so.
[His presence may be enough to distract, to summon up too many emotions. He frowns slightly, looking down into his mug, which is still half-full of weak beer.]
We must both find out who we are now, away from our past lives.
no subject
Dohalim couldn't have come at a better time.
But the line between servant and friend is thick. It's been important to remember that the line exists. That she must never mistake his treatment of her as anything more than the kindness that a Renan could show a Dahnan. Maybe she's never thought they could be anything but devoted servant and lord. So what are they now?
Betrayed and betrayer.]
You're still a leader. You might not want to be, but you're the only one your people have had. Better than what many of them have had before. People don't know how to lead themselves overnight. They'll still need your guidance, even when they have voices of their own. I don't think you have a lot of self-discovering to do.
[Leaning heavily onto her arms, Kisara tilts her head to the side with some thought.]
Maybe it's more about finding out how to be a better leader. The past can't be changed, but we can all learn from it. Maybe your journey is more to do with bettering what you already do.
no subject