Event #09: THE FETE OF KNOWLEDGE

[vivalamods]

EVENT #09: THE FETE OF KNOWLEDGE

As the month wears on, the Imperial forces withdraw, tired of scouring the seas in attempts to pick off individual Corsair ships, have slunk back to their masters. During this time, the Corsairs were hard at work finishing the Crimson Portal in Asphodel, and for the first time ever the Corsairs now have four waypoints - an enormous gain as they welcome the refugees from Vindess.

The refugees themselves are settling about as well as can be expected. Tension is still high, while the people are grateful for being saved from certain doom, a lifetime of propaganda doesn’t fade away in an instant and they remain wary, upset at the loss of their homes and way of life. Struggle is natural, and thus, the Corsairs have prepared for the second phase of the resettlement operation - the Fete of Knowledge.

As Asphodel residents stream into the Vault, music - the kind never permitted under Imperial auspices - echoes through the halls. Although the hammering of munitions is ever-present, this music is meant to reverberate through the caverns, echoing upon itself to build into even greater harmonies. This is music of the Crimson Corsairs, made to suit their purposes and circumstances. A salve for aching hearts and a beauty to bring a tear to the eye, the Vault is ready to prove that as the last repository of forbidden knowledge in the world, the wonders they hold welcome all who have the minds to seek it.

With the spring thaw well underway there is still much to be done, but the Corsairs have worked to complete it as best they can. Thus, most everyone within the three, no, four cities should find some time to partake in the Fete. As the week-long festivities commence, Corsairs are welcomed to take a much-needed break and celebrate their triumphs.

Join the Performance

The music of the day is a beautiful choral arrangement, repeated on the hour to echo through the halls, the verses building upon each other. While not enough to drown out the bombing, it’s a gorgeous piece and one that somehow provides a measure of peace and comfort. Any and all are welcome to lend their voices, there are several parts for any vocal range with the more complex vocalizations being handled by experienced musicians. And, best of all, any who aid in the song are gifted a jug of honey wine, a salve for a sore throat and a delicious delicacy besides.

Debate Hall

The Debate Hall is often lively, and during the Fete it has been repurposed to serve as the center of introduction to rhetoric. Debates between people of roughly equivalent skill are held throughout the Fete, and the topic of debate can be anything the participants choose. Debates over best foods, fashion, or even the odd lyrical exchange of truly hair-raising insults, just about any kind of confrontational discourse is currently on display for the amusement of refugees and Corsairs alike. Corsairs are free to join the stage, so long as they honor the traditions of the hall - settle disputes with words, not blades. At least while you’re in the hall, anyway.

Banquet Hall

The Corsairs have tapped their stores to create a truly enormous feast of delicacies only found in the Eternal Ocean. Aquatic creatures of all sorts grace the tables, as well as some of the native flora and fauna of Elysium’s fields, prepared to absolute perfection. And then, of course, there is the grog, free-flowing and plentiful to help take the edge off the trauma of the resettlement. The mood is mostly festive, with sober bouncers on hand to eject any Corsairs who might get a bit too belligerent while soaking in libations.

Dueling Hall

Sometimes words are not enough, and the Corsairs have set up a dueling hall within the Vault for people to test their skills against each other in controlled environments. Ether is dampened in the Dueling Hall, so while one can cast spells as they might, the lethality is far reduced, a once-searing flame is now a gentle warmth and a block of ice a pleasant mist. This, along with padded weaponry, make for a fine way for Corsairs to both test their skill and show off for the masses, with any number of interesting rules in play to make the contests of strength more interesting and enjoyable to watch. With many a pair from the Debate Hall making their way to the Dueling Hall to continue their disputes, the hall is busy for the entirety of the Fete.

Story Hall

A Story Hall has been set up near the library for actors and orators to read and sometimes act out the books and stories found within the library. While the townsfolk of Vindess are not entirely illiterate, their lower class nature as mine workers means that many cannot read, or read well, and this hall gives them an opportunity to experience the wonder of the written word, of story and legend, and to hear the histories the Empire has long suppressed. The Story Hall is always looking for more orators and actors to read or act out books and plays, and it is one of the most heavily trafficked areas in the Fete, with the Vindess residents hungry for these once-forbidden tales.

Wildcard

The Fete of Knowledge is all about sharing, so there are any number of activities, and Corsairs are encouraged to come up with their own to keep the Fete moving. You may use this prompt to do whatever you wish. Enjoy the party!

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Comments

[straykitty]

"I will require far more compelling wordplay to move my heart. I've heard that from you several times already, after all."

Renne's memory is quite impeccable and she's not one to be satisfied with the same words.

[testygirl]

"Augh. You've been keeping track...?"

Aira droops a little. Given her current state of inebriation, she really might not be up to the task. However! There's also no way that she'll give up so fast.

"W-Well, it's just. When I'm looking at you, it's always right there on my mind. So maybe I can't help it."

Somewhat ironically, her gaze ends up drifting before she can finish. This is getting embarrassing already.

[straykitty]

Renne very deliberately approaches Aira, standing a bit closer than propriety might demand.

"Is that so? Well, then let's make sure you have a proper view so you can figure out something new to say."

[testygirl]

That's closer than Aira expects, and it takes a lot of willpower to keep her cool.

"How long do I get?"

She's stalling, sure—buying a little time until she can come up with something good. The coy tone also suggests that she would be happy just to look for as long as Renne allows. It was a long week in that dungeon without getting to see her.

[straykitty]

"Depends on how long you think you can hold my attention in the meantime, I'm not one for waiting long."

[testygirl]

"Alright, alright..."

Aira takes a breath. The compliments shouldn't just be limited to her looks, right?

"You're so elegant—the way you hold yourself, your words, the way you say things. You're totally brilliant and strong, and it makes me want to fight harder, and put more effort into my work, and really just... strive to reach my peak. I get a rush every time you like the things I design."

She pauses, the heat flaring in her cheeks.

"And even if you think it's uncreative or whatever, you should have someone calling you pretty all the time! Once a day, at least."

[straykitty]

"Well. You are perhaps a bit more capable that I imagined."

If Aira is able to be attentive enough, she might notice a faint bit of red creep into Renne's face, although she conceals it well.

"I will keep this in mind when doling out your punishment~"

[testygirl]

"Hmph."

It's hard to be drunk and attentive. Though now that Aira is on a roll, and cast aside most of her inhibitions, she feels confident enough to stand... and shorten the distance between them by another few inches.

"You're always underestimating me. So, whatever. I can handle anything you come up with."

[straykitty]

Renne chuckles, meeting her head on.

"Is that so? Your drink has given you quite the boost in confidence, not that you lacked before. Careful, I might take that as a challenge."

[testygirl]

"Yeah? That's what I want."

Being this close, the urge to reach for Renne's hand or caress her hair is quite strong.

"If you do your worst and I can come out the other side, then I'd probably feel invincible."

And maybe she would have the courage to say what she really wants to say.

[straykitty]

Renne is not about to back down, keeping her face just as close. "Then I would say you owe me the best outfit you're capable of making. A fair trade for pulling you out of fire, no?"

[testygirl]

"That's your super scary punishment?"

Aira laughs softly and shakes her head.

"Softie. I was expecting some kind of legitimate torture."

[straykitty]

"All the more painful punishments might mar your skin, I'm not THAT cruel~"

[testygirl]

"Aw, that's sweet. You're worried about my skin?"

Aira tilts her chin, and her tone is still as challenging as it is flirty.

"Does that mean you think I'm pretty, too?"

[straykitty]

Renne laughs a bit.

"Any fool can see you're beautiful, but I'd rather it not go to your head."

[testygirl]

"I-I mean, yeah. That's true, it's the first thing any idiot would notice, but..."

Oof. Now the tingling heat of her blush is... pretty intense.

"Hearing it from you is a whole different thing."

[straykitty]

"Naturally, I am rather beautiful myself after all~"

Renne tosses her hair dramatically.

[testygirl]

Aira feels her throat tighten.

"You sure are. There's just... more to it, though."

By now, has Renne really not picked up on how she feels? She's so sharp about everything else.

[straykitty]

Renne's smile is wan, tired. In this moment, Aira sees an unimaginable weight behind her.

"Yes, I rather thought there might be. Is it time, then?"

[testygirl]

It's easy for Aira to misinterpret that look—still a bit lacking in empathy, and wrapped up in her own issues. Unimaginable is unimaginable, besides. She shuts her eyes for a second, then sighs.

"Are you about to reject me?"

[straykitty]

"Funny, I didn't think you'd be cowed no matter what I said."

Her grin is tighter, an open challenge.

[testygirl]

"Who says I'm cowed?!"

Aira huffs, folds her arms, purses her lips. Sometimes (most of the time?) it really feels like this girl has her on a string.

"It's just... gonna hurt if you say you don't like me back. Kind of a lot."

She's still willing to be drunkenly honest, at least.

[straykitty]

"It's not a matter of like or dislike, but the weight I carry. I'm quite the complicated girl, I'll have you know."

[testygirl]

"It matters to me..."

Grumble, grumble. That's spoken mostly under her breath, and it takes her another few seconds to form a proper response.

"You know what, Miss Complicated? When you have to carry around something heavy, it's really nice to have another pair of hands."

[straykitty]

"And you know how I feel about burdening others with my problems. More to the point, I think it might be nice to be capable of having a relationship someday, but it would have to be with someone who is willing to confront that weight."