Event Log: A Hope for the Future

[hadrielmods]

Who: All characters participating in the event
What: The event log for the A Hope for the Future event
Where: All over the city!
When: April 15th-April 19th
Warnings: Stealth Rock

It's finally time to reap the rewards you've earned from all that hard work collecting and returning the Hope orbs! Be careful walking the streets during the small earthquakes, but feel free to admire the scenery as your beautiful city reassembles its way back into its former glory.

There are new houses where the destroyed buildings once were, and they're perfect for a single person or pair of lovebirds. In addition, you'll find that the electricity to these new houses, and all other homes and shops in the city is restored. The food is better, the monsters are gone- hey, this city might be livable again!

To cap it all off, we've got a feast waiting for you on the 19th! Come one, come all, and enjoy all of your favorite foods, drinks, and party games. It's been awhile since we've all gotten together to celebrate something good, so get your party on and toss all your troubles away!

► This log covers April 14th-April 19th.
► Feel free to make your own logs as well!
► Please tag headers of threads with content warnings where they apply
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!
► If you get hit by levitating rubble or eat a food that wasn't meant for you, please let us know here.

Comments

Kelson Haldane | OTA

[kingforboth]

Feasts were at least something Kelson knew and was acquainted with. It was a little different than he was used too, alright, very different than what he was used too. He didn't need to preside over anything, keep a careful watch or really do much of anything besides enjoy himself. It was quite nice. It was still jarring not to be served by pages in Haldane livery, but this was a new experience. He hasn't removed his crown yet and thus can be seen wearing it, resting against his braided black hair. Plus it's a feast. One was expected to be attired correctly, even if it seemed he was one of the only aware of this.

He's wary at first, but a light probe to the food convinces him there's nothing wrong with it, and the king relaxes. Kelson mingled around, a glass of sweet red wine in one hand, and a plate of, yes, that's a roasted peacock, feathers still adorned, marzipan with glazed cherries. He started out heavy in the wine, and then backed off when he remembered he didn't have the comfort of healers like he did back home to make the hangover disappear the next time. It hadn't been that long since he was back in Rhemuth and able to eat like this, but it seemed an awfully long time to him. A bite of peacock disappeared into his mouth and he closed his eyes to savor it and wash it down with a sip of wine.

"Is this a usual occurrence or does a feast like this come with unknown expectations?" Kelson asked warily.

[abyssalarcana]

Caedra certainly feels underdressed, though she's comforted by the fact that most everyone else seems to be as well. She misses her extensive wardrobe and makeup set. She looks presentable, certainly, but she always does make an effort to do so anyway given the pride she takes in her appearance.

As she makes her way through the crowd, with her coffee cup sitting on her plate and a little pile of human-faced grubs beside it, she spots the boy king and comes toward him eagerly. She hasn't spoken directly to him since their arrival, as far as she can recall, and though he had admitted his royal status then, she can't recall having seen the crown before. And look at what he has - some gaudy food indeed, with all those feathers, but it's the sort of thing she would love to be served back home in the Abyss so she can't judge too harshly.

"Greetings, your highness," she says, though her teasing smile suggests that yes, she knows that's not the proper form of address for a king. "Unknown expectations are the only thing one can expect here, as far as I've determined."

[kingforboth]

Kelson likewise wishes he had been kidnapped with his entire wardrobe, but a king does what he must. As for your wardrobe Caedra, Kelson is thrilled you don't have it. He had no doubt at least something about it would be inappropriate, whether it was something simple as a dress that was too low cut, or something horrific like a dress made out of human skin. He was not happy to see you Caedra, but he was glad you were coming over. He had been meaning to talk to you. Or at you.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," he corrected, rather tersely even though it was rather obvious she had done it on purpose. He tried not to look at what she was eating and looked purposefully at her face instead, jaw set.

"Is there something you should tell me Caedra? I have not liked what I have heard. You have been busy."

[abyssalarcana]

Human skin, it turns out, doesn't quite have the hair density to make for very good leather. Dragonborn make nice boots, however.

Caedra just seems to grin more at the correction, visibly entertained by how irritated the boy looks. "You've been keeping up with the news! I'm flattered. Or I would be, except that you seem to think I owe you some sort of explanation - ooh, or a description! Perhaps that's what you're after. Would you like to hear about how how that seamstress' brains splattered across the floor?"

She may be small but Caedra isn't about to back down. In fact, if Kelson doesn't speak up quickly, it looks like she's about to elaborate, as she busily dreams up a scenario far gorier than the reality of the event to relate to him, eager to stir him into a rage since it's looking like that might be very easy to do.

[kingforboth]

He really wishes he could hang you Caedra. You are a common thug and you deserve to be treated like such. But as he's been told, Hope resurrects people here, your death would not be permanent. Kelson prefers it when the people he has executed stays dead.

"That seamstress was a Queen and should be treated with respect. I see you show that to no one, however. Do you have a reason for your actions or did you simply enjoy it?"

Kelson easily slips into a cold mask, almost wishing it didn't come so easily after so few years as king but he was glad it did. He also wished there was something he could do about Caedra, but he didn't dare use his powers against her. He still wasn't sure how her power level and what was Deryni or Haldane magic against an actual demon?

"I think the description you have provided is more than enough. I had hoped to give you a chance Caedra, but I see now that you deserve none."

[yearrounder]

Annabeth is one of those people who doesn't know--or care, more likely--that a feast requires dressing up, and her sole concession to the tradition is that she's brushed her hair, at least, and let it fall around her shoulders instead of pulling it back in a ponytail. Though she's still wearing jeans and her Camp shirt and anyone trying to make her change could go take a swim in the lake. She'd help if they didn't want to.

She's also incredibly wary of most of the food around--some people ate weird things and while she could at least appreciate a cultural difference, do people actually eat peacock?

Oh. Yes. It looks like they do. Oops. At least she hasn't said that out loud yet and made a huge idiot out of herself. And hey, there's even a question she can answer and pretend she isn't actually a stubborn and ridiculous individual.

"I guess that kind of depends on why they're throwing the party. This isn't even the first one."

[kingforboth]

Women not wearing dresses was something he was going to have to get used too, and yet, it was actually one of the things he was having the hardest time acclimating too. Her hair was at least nice but whatever she was wearing was not court appropriate clothing. It wasn't even appropriate for any gender. Taking a breath and reminding himself that she was from a different time and a different kingdom, he concentrated on her nice hair. She had nice hair. Annabeth might notice Kelson most definitely not looking at her clothing after his first glance.

"What was the impetus for the previous feasts?" Kelson restrained himself. "It's customary where I'm from for one to introduce oneself to the other."

As for the peacock, yes he was enjoying it, thank you.

[yearrounder]

O...kay. Not the strangest thing she'd ever encountered, but seeing him trying really hard not to look at her was almost funny. She wasn't even wearing anything ridiculous like someone from Cabin 10 might have. It wasn't even offensively pink. She raised an eyebrow at the rather obvious attempts to pretend she was only a head, but said nothing. He was embarrassed enough by nothing already.

"There was one after the weird paintball tournament. I still have that stupid gun." Unused, of course because really, what was she going to do with it? And Will already had a bow that he preferred. And he was probably the only one she could think of who'd manage to do something with a gun.

"You started talking first." Now he's concerned about manners? "But I'm Annabeth. Nice to meet you too, mystery person."

[crippled]

Oh, the crown is back out. Ivar smiles slyly when he rolls up to Kelson in his new wheelchair, excited to take advantage of his sudden increase in mobility. Especially as it allows him to hold onto things that can't be strapped down against his person while he moves, which might seem frightfully mundane to most but is a new and novel experience for him. He has a plate with meat (just horse, nothing as fancy as a peacock) and a thick heel of bread drizzled with honey balanced on his lap, accompanied of course by a large tankard of mead.

"Your Majesty!" he greets with just as much amusement as he always attaches to the title, eyes flicking pointedly up to the crown on Kelson's head, but his current good humor turns even the light mockery (which is, admittedly, his version of being friendly) less sharp and entirely playful when it spills out of his mouth. A miracle, surely. "Is that why you've dressed up, huh? To avoid it? But I do not think a god fears pressing kings into service."

If Ivar seems much less worried about the prospect than he should be, it is mostly because nobody has ever bothered to press him into any sort of service before. No one assumes he is capable of literally anything, after all, aside from being dead weight.

[kingforboth]

The crown is back, he got tired of carrying it around and besides, this was supposed to be a festive occasion. Everyone had to dress the part. Except no one else got the message and there Kelson was in his court attire. Giving a smiling nod to Ivar, that chair contraption was new, lucky him. He spied his plate, the food alone giving away their rank disparities. No matter. This was a feast where there was no heads of state and no commoners.

"Ivar, it looks like you've fared quite well," Kelson gestured at his new contraption, smiling and in good humor as he quite likes the viking a lot. There's something in the sarcastic, mocking humor that reminds him a bit of his foster brother. "It's a feast, I thought I should show the proper respect for the occasion. As for service, I don't fear service to honorable lords. Our captives honor has yet to be ascertained I would think, however. " He wasn't entirely sure if this food was a thank you or a bribe.

"Tell me, do your kings and others of noble houses not serve others growing up?"

[crippled]

"Who should a king serve but his gods, huh?" Ivar shrugs. To him it seems simple: ideas like stately obligation enter far less into the whole mess. "Jarls might serve some king. But they might not." Viking society tends to be a touch... disorganized. Commonly their nobles were simply free men who clawed their way to the top through cunning or sheer strength, with gold won in terrible raids far more often than gold passed down from fathers to sons, who might be violently unseated at any time same as they'd done to the jarl or king before them. As Ivar's father had done twice, conveniently. As had been done to his mother when his father was gone. As he would do to his mother's murderer, gleefully, and soon.

But Kelson, he thinks, rules by more... Christian means. Call it a hunch.

"So what will you do if they do make you serve? These dishonorable captors." The way he speaks the last word sounds just as amused as the way he'd spoken the words your majesty earlier. Like he's entertained by Kelson's stubborn refusal to acknowledge any gods but his own still, even after a month here in their bizarre, otherworldly realm. "Rebel?"

[roseofthetyrells]

[it's a sign of how badly shaken by her murder Margaery was that she had to force herself to go to the feast. ordinarily, she loves feasts! she adores occasions to dress up! and she loves the companionship and camaraderie that can be found there.

but today has her going in, eyes darting from one side to the other, looking for her attacker. she doesn't know what she'll do if she finds it. confront it? try to kill it? run and hide? she just doesn't know.

since she's here, she might as well get something to eat. medium rare venison with herbed roasted potatoes, and cooked carrots with a glass of a dry red wine.

she looks around for a friendly face and finds none. none until her eyes alight upon the young king who had requested clothing. she's initially alarmed to see what looks like a Lannister lion on his doublet, but swallows her alarm and goes towards him]

This is not a usual occurrence. Usually, we're expected to suffer before receiving any rewards.

[kingforboth]

How kind of them.

[Kelson looks at Margaery, knowing for sure she's shaken by her experience, having had the dubious honor of talking to some of the men and women in his service back in Gwynedd. While this young Queen was recovering from being murdered, not raped or tortured or burned at the stake, he had no doubt it was a similar grieving process. Trauma was trauma. And unfortunately for her, he couldn't just hang Caedra to give her a little relief.]

How are you doing today, Your Highness? You look lovely.

[Kelson decided to edge of the side of respect and courtesy, surely something in short supply. He might have repeated his offer to blur her memory of the events, but he had already previously offered his services. If she wanted it, she would ask. If it were him, he would have wanted it.]

[roseofthetyrells]

They can be. Other times, they're absolutely insufferable.

[she's incredibly shaken by her experience. dying at the machinations of Cersei was one thing. there was no love lost there and each regarded the other as an enemy from when they first met. dying at the hands of the demon, though . . . that was unexpected. even during the worst of the Null invasion when she had the things actively trying to kill her, she'd felt safe. now that sense of safety is gone, shattered into a million pieces and she doesn't know how to even begin to repair it]

I am doing well. [LIES] And, thank you. I based this dress on an old favorite from home.

[she appreciates it. her friends have all been very supportive, but she fears that it will be months until she's able to be herself again. and part of her wants it, the part that wants to bury all of this deep in the ground where it will never be disturbed, but the other part fears that if she accepts his offer, she'll let her guard down and be killed again]

[outofthefire]

[Laura grins at the sight of Kelson and walks right on over. she's dressed to kill in a little black dress with matching heels and she comes bearing a plate of half of a fried chicken, french fries, cole slaw, and an ear of corn, an Old Fashioned in the other hand]

Nope, no way. Not so long as I've been here, anyway. I say we enjoy it 'cause tomorrow it's gonna be back to SPAM and canned creamed corn.

[kingforboth]

Kelson wouldn't recognize a single food item that was on her plate, but his eyes never even made it over there. He took in the peakhole opening from her neck to her breasts with a small sigh of appreciation and then down her legs to the heels she wore. My that was a very, very short skirt. He felt a little scandalized for her, or would have if he had any blood left in his brain at all. He couldn't stop looking at her, feeling that delicious tightening in his groin, eyeing the sweet curve of her breasts to the rather nice lines of her calves.

Sorry Laura, you've rendered him rather incapable of speech at the moment. Come pick his jaw up off the floor.

[outofthefire]

[...huh. she's gotten this reaction before--gotten it more times than she lets herself think about most days--but she wasn't expecting it from him. oddly, that makes her feel kind of bad for provoking it and wishing she'd picked something a little longer. but she's weaponized her sexuality for so long, it never even occurred to her that it could have its drawbacks.

she gives him a friendly smile and plops down in the chair next to his. act normal, Laura, you can do this]

What's that you've got there? [she points to his plate. food is a nice, neutral subject, right?]

For Margaery, after Caedra

[kingforboth]

Kelson pushed his food away in disgust, the obscene image Caedra burned into it as much a deterrent as her actual magic. He'd never actually tried to remove magic from food before, much less had any experience with demons, and he certainly didn't want to try without another Deryni around, or at least someone with magic he could trust. Right now, he didn't have either of those. He extended a small probe and recoiled at the residue, not quite like anything he'd ever felt before. The closest was Charissa, and he didn't like the woman who murdered his father and trapped his soul any more he liked Caedra. At least she'd never messed with his food?

He looked around, it wasn't hard to spy Margaery, the queen's dress was beautiful and as eye catching as her hair. He left his dinner with an exasperated sigh--very mature use of magic Caedra, he took his glass of red wine and approached.

"Would you be so kind as to allow me to sample your venison? I'm afraid my peacock had an unfortunate accident."

[roseofthetyrells]

[Margaery is in a corner with her back to the wall so that she can't be ambushed from behind and so she can see everyone present without having to try. such paranoia would've been unthinkable a little over two weeks from now, but she worries that it will be impossible to overcome after her ordeal with the demon.

but she reflexively smiles when she sees Kelson approach. he seems like a good man and a good king, so that makes her feel more comfortable]

Of course you may have some. There's far more than I can eat in one sitting. And what kind of accident?

[she assumes someone spilled something unpleasant on it or someone knocked it to the floor]

[kingforboth]

[That was a smart move, one he had hoped wouldn't be necessary but it was a wise precaution. Especially considering the company. However, Caedra's behavior tells him that she was telling the truth about that part. It wasn't personal. She's having fun. That's almost worse. It makes her behavior unpredictable.

But enough of Caedra, Kelson smiles courteously at Margaery, taking some venison onto his plate. A fresh plate now, thank you. As for the amount, yes. Deer were rather large. No one person could eat that much meat.

"Caedra burned an obscene image into it. I'm afraid the details aren't fit for the eyes of a lady. Or a queen." They weren't even fit for his eyes and he had to see it. "I'm afraid we didn't have a nice chat. And thank you for the venison."

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin is here, but he hasn't dressed himself in full Elvish feast regalia. His dress-up colors are normally black, dark blue, and occasionally red, and he's not feeling up to darkness and intensity today. Nor does he want to wear that fabulous ball costume that Yukari made for him last year. Instead, he's dressed in pressed jeans, black boots, and a light blue button-down shirt. Of course, this sorts a bit oddly with his long black partially braided hair, and the otherworldly aura is present as always. He looks like something out of a faery tale or a Viking saga, humorously deciding to be contemporary for once.

He's carrying a cup of fine Elvish wine.

He responds to Kelson's query: "It's not usual at all. They usually don't feed us this well. Not that I'm not pleased. I"m filling up my satchel with take-out food. And as for the unknown expectations, there may be some, but it is a certainty that the gods are feeding off our positive emotions today."

[kingforboth]

At least they were both in braids, Kelson's being a four straid braid that is tucked back in upon itself, tied off with gold bullion.

"Take out food?" That was something Kelson.....was not familiar with. At all.The entire word sounded unfamiliar on his lips and he took a bite of his peacock to quell it. Actually, Curufin's entire ensamble was unfamiliar, or rather, he'd seen the pieces around, he just wasn't entirely sure about them. Curufin made it look alright though.

Still, he arched an eyebrow, not liking the idea of being anyone's food.Next time the wards were ready and something like this happened, he was sitting inside an active ward major to see if that stopped it. You didn't get to feed off him and not ask permission first.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin admires Kelson's coiff. It looks a lot like the style favored by his cousins Fingon and Finrod, very princely.

"Take-out is a phrase used by our twentith and twenty-first century friends from Earth. Apparently, many restaurants -- that is, the bars and taverns of their era -- will take orders from customers who do not intend to come and eat the food at the establishment. Instead, the restaurant will prepare the food and the customer comes and gets it."

He smiles in response to Kelson's arched eyebrow. "Speaking of restaurants, I guess Hadriel is one, and we are on the menu." Not that he likes it any better than Kelson does. And he'd be happy to know about it, if there are active wards that are capable of blocking his energies from flowing out to be consumed by the gods.

[abbatis]

Edgar is always clean and smells good, no matter the occasion or the circumstances. He could easily roll in a dirt and yet still come off clean if he so wished to. Dressing, however? It's quite mild on his part. He's always made sure his state of dress is according to his surroundings and the role he's supposed to play. For over a century he was son of a nobleman and now he was supposed to be just another child among the many -- avoid gathering more attention than was needed.

He comes to the feast undressed, which luckily seems to be more common than he thought, despite the small vain part of him missed the more rich attire.

Kelson, however, doesn't seem to feel a need for discreet like him. He's dressed like a king, wearing a crown and all on his head. Well, at least he's matching to his feast. A dinner like that is one that just can't be enjoyed while wearing rugs.

"A feast fit for a king!" He laughs when he comes closer to the table where he's sitting. Crossing his arms around his chest he sits down on the edge of the table, eyeing all the food he's gathered on his plate. "I suppose this is more suitable for you than the vegetables and fruits we found on a pantry. Is this your true form or have you just dressed up?"

[kingforboth]

Kelson could not often say the same. He distinctly remembered times coming in after practice and his aunt Meraude scowling at the hoarde of men and teenagers smelling like sweat and horses and refusing to have dinner or court with any of them until they marched upstairs for baths. He supposed it was only polite if a bit annoying.

As for fitting in, Kelson had tried a little of both the past few days and while he was being discrete about his magic and Deryni heritage, king was not something he was hiding terribly. In part because he wasn't sure what would become of his crown if he left it on his bed. Without any ability to shield objects from theft, well, he didn't trust you all.

"Quite. This is much better than the food previously. As for my attire, this is what I was wearing at court," Kelson laughed softly, "depending on the feast and occasion my attire would change somewhat."

The king believed in changing his crown and clothing to suit the occasion, whether it was fine court silks or rustic border leathers, as well as the emotion he was projecting. Unfortunately for now, his clothing choices were rather limited. And he wasn't exactly comfortable with jeans.