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

[testygirl]

Aira would be a lot more self-conscious about all of this if she wasn't so sleepy and inebriated.

"I'm really, really honored. And I promise I'll be good."

That's a pledge made in earnest. Aira continues to use Renne for support as they shuffle along, but only so much that she doesn't fall on her face. Otherwise she keeps her hands to herself.

[straykitty]

Renne's room is rather tidy, adorned with rather soft and feminine frills and lace in what Aira would definitely recognize as akin to the gothic lolita style in her home world. Her scythe is carefully hung from the wall, held aloft by firmly placed pegs and polished to an absolute mirror shine.

Without any particular ceremony, Renne dumps Aira into her bed, before taking a seat at her desk, a faint smile of amusement playing on her lips.

[testygirl]

A sober Aira would happily admire the scythe and all the other bits of decor. She thinks it's nice that Renne displays her favorite weapon, particularly while showcasing its immaculate upkeep. Aira treats her hair the same way.

"Oof."

She flops to the bed and doesn't initially adjust, keeping her unceremoniously dumped position while staring up at the ceiling.

"... I'll be OK, if you want to go back to the party."

[straykitty]

Renne has already opened a book and is sitting elegantly at her desk reading.

"Nonsense. I would never leave a guest alone. I have already had ample time to enjoy the party."

[testygirl]

That answer gets a blink and a soft hum.

"How come you're stickler for being polite, but then you can like—" Aira uses one curved finger to lazily slash around at the air "—dismember a bunch of guys without batting an eye."

[straykitty]

Renne's smile is crooked but her expression is wistful.

"We're reaching subjects that will probably need discussing someday, but are probably not for tonight."

[testygirl]

There's a fairly long pause. Either Aira is lost in thought, or she's finally passed out. It's the former, but her voice has gotten groggier.

"You don't have to tell me anything that you don't want to."

She's speaking generally, whether that's clear or not. Aira wiggles her way under the covers, then curls on her side, getting comfortable.

"I won't stop liking you either way." A yawn. "If you were worried..."

[straykitty]

"I know."

Renne twirls her hair in one hand thoughtfully, the book held in her other.

"My past is perhaps far more unpleasant than I think you realize. But they are things you must understand if you truly intend to approach me in such a way. I am damaged, moreso than you can begin to understand."

She chuckles humorlessly.

"I'd say beyond repair, but my sister is quite insistent on the contrary. I never knew they could be such troublesome creatures."

[testygirl]

Aira squirms a bit at that word: damaged.

"Your sister..." She trails off for a second, then remembers. "Fish Fear Me? Yeah, sorry, I'm with her. If she loves you, then obviously she doesn't want to hear you call yourself stuff like that. It hurts."

Renne's words do carry a lot of weight. On most days, when Aira considers what awful things might have happened to Renne in the past, she's sure that she can handle even the darkest of truths. But Renne isn't the type to exaggerate, so inevitably, her warning does stir up a sense of foreboding.

"... But, I'm sorry. When you're ready to tell me, I'll make sure I'm ready, too."

[straykitty]

"It's hardly a conversation for the state you're in. If you're feeling up to it, we can talk more later."

[testygirl]

"Yeah. Night..."

Renne doesn't have to tell her twice—or actually she has, hasn't she? In the end, it still takes a little while for Aira to fall asleep, since she can't easily stop her thoughts from whirling around and around. Fatigue and drunkenness do eventually win out, and she ends up looking rather peaceful while snoozing away.

[straykitty]

When Aira awakens, she'll fine Renne sleeping in her chair that has been placed against a wall, with her arms folded across her chest. She seems to be sleeping fine, but there's a certain defensiveness about the stance - it seems as if she could launch immediately into some kind of defense the moment she is woken up.

[testygirl]

Alcohol-induced sleep isn't as sound as advertised, typically. It's mitigated by the fact that Aira feels safe and cozy where she is, under Renne's watch, but she still wakes up pretty early with a dry mouth and a headache. She brings her fingers to her throbbing temple, then looks over to where Renne is sleeping.

It's a mild predicament. Aira would like for Renne to switch places with her so that she can rest for as long as she wants in an actual bed, but she doesn't really want to wake her up, either. Renne's defensive sleeping posture does weigh into the decision; touching her awake or trying to carry her over to the bed are both off the table. In the end, Aira settles on using just a soft voice.

"Hey. Hey, Miss Deadly Super Genius. Sleeping like that can totally wreck your back."

[straykitty]

"Perhaps, but it's something you learn to live with when it becomes necessary."

Without missing a beat, Renne rises and stretches in an almost cat-like manner, before walking over to a small etheric icebox and removing a bottle of water which she tosses at Aira.

"How do you feel?"

[testygirl]

"So amazing."

Aira confidently lifts her hand to catch the bottle, and misses completely. The flub goes unacknowledged, and she manages to keep a straight face.

"Do you want to sleep some more? I'll give you the bed. Uh, and I could grab you some breakfast from the mess hall, if you want."

Shyness and some embarrassment creep into her voice. There's no ignoring the discussion points from last night, particularly how she confessed her feelings.

[straykitty]

"I'm fine, thank you. I'm accustomed to functioning on far less rest than this. Breakfast does sound lovely though."

[testygirl]

Aira drinks from the bottle, chugging down most of the water in a few quick gulps before wiping her lips. She is a morning person through and through, which ought to help with powering through this hangover.

"Turning down breakfast in bed, huh?" Her tone is dry. "Let's just go to the mess together, then. Since I guess I'm not allowed to spoil you, even after you let me stay over."

[straykitty]

"That sounds awfully messy, so I think eating in the mess hall is a far wiser decision."

She considers for a moment.

"It's probably a good idea anyway, I tend to just bring food back and eat at my desk since I'm often too busy."

[testygirl]

That gets a sigh.

"I'm surrounded by a bunch of crazy workaholics, I swear."

Aira opens the door and gives Renne a stiff little bow.

"But yeah, it is a good idea! After you."

[straykitty]

Renne gives Aira a little smirk and heads over to the dining hall, plating up a light breakfast of fruit and toast and saving some seats at the table.

[testygirl]

Aira also opts for something light, and so sits across from Renne with similar fare. She spreads butter on her toast then starts on a piece, nibbling shyly. Silence follows.

[straykitty]

"Not so talkative without liquid courage?"

Renne's smile is playful, teasing, even.

[testygirl]

Aira clears her throat.

"I-I just like being able to sit and eat with you. We don't have to talk."

She moves on to a sip of coffee, and her posture straightens a little in an effort to project maturity.

[straykitty]

"Of course."

A smile still playing on her lips, Renne sips her tea in silent elegance.

[testygirl]

"Hmph."

That sounds like a challenge, so naturally Aira has to accept. Though her patience ends up draining pretty fast, and she gets antsy within a minute or two—which is extra easy to notice when contrasted with Renne's poise.