awooooo

[actuallyawolf]

Who: Ylva and assorted CR

What: She's decided to have a small party -- a bonfire -- of her very own before it gets too cold to cook outside.

When: Nebulously mid-October

Where: Elsie's clearing (so graciously donated)


Please feel free to tag me directly or to make toplevels for a mingle. New CR is welcome to crash the party or handwave coming along with someone else (she will not stand on ceremony and possibly does not know that idiom anyway).




Ylva has been thinking. On the one hand, she likes many of the things that are at parties -- food, music, friends -- but on the other, they are very noisy and a little overwhelming, and often (though not always) indoors, and maybe, just maybe, she could make herself a little party. The invitations that get slipped into people's mailboxes are printed with carefully but inexpertly formed letters:

I'm having a bonfire before it gets too cold. Elsie said we could use her clearing. Bring things to eat and cook if you want!

On the day of, the wood is gathered and piled high before being set aflame. The food set out is largely simple fare -- bread, cheese, roasted meat, some small cookies and sweets -- but it's the sort of food that fills and warms you on an autumn evening in the woods. There are even some sharpened sticks ready if someone brought sausages (the risk of hot dogs has not occurred to her). It's a camping sort of evening.

Ylva is almost shy, hostess or not, and looks almost startled when someone addresses her, as though this were not a completely normal thing to do. She does try to mingle, though, and is easily flagged down for a conversation.

Comments

[imjustaman]

Sephiroth smirks a bit. "Yes, but we're not here all the time." Not confirming, not denying. "I was under the impression you meant she lives out here."

[maltesefalcon]

"When she feels like it. She's not helpless." Cerrit looks over at Ylva. "I doubt I could make her live in the village. And trying would cause unnecessary friction. But she's got friends who'll come help her in an instant if she needs it."

[imjustaman]

Sephiroth nods. “If this is where she is happiest, I will do my best to help ensure it stays safe. My name is Sephiroth, by the way.”

[maltesefalcon]

"Cerrit Agrupnin." No harm in introducing himself again, even if he's certain Sephiroth has already met him.

[imjustaman]

Sephiroth nods pleasantly in acknowledgment. "And this is Zack," he says, indicating the excited Umbreon. Zack has calmed down a little, but is still wagging his tail.

[maltesefalcon]

"Many people have found companions like him."

He gives the Umbreon a thoughtful look.

"They're very friendly."

[imjustaman]

"In this case, it was more that he found me," Sephiroth remarks.

And he smirks a bit. "Yes. You see why I can't take him with me on ... excursions."

Mostly admitting. He doesn't want the entire gathering to know, but maybe no one else will hear.

[maltesefalcon]

"I see. Though I've heard some of them can be trained to fight. I wouldn't know, I haven't befriended any."

[imjustaman]

"I've heard that too," Sephiroth says. "And this particular kind is usually serious and aloof. Mine seems to still behave as though he is his unevolved form, Eevee." He ponders. "I suppose ... I could try to train him. It would be good, to have help."

Zack wags his tail and yips.

[maltesefalcon]

"I'd feel better, knowing you aren't out there alone." He says that quieter, understanding Sephiroth's desire for secrecy.

[imjustaman]

Sephiroth smiles a bit at that. "Your concern is appreciated. It's been ... a long time since anyone has been concerned about me. Even longer since I deserved it."

[maltesefalcon]

Cerrit cocks his head slightly. "Can I be blunt with you?"

[imjustaman]

"By all means," Sephiroth says.

[maltesefalcon]

"Looking at things through the lens of deserving is self-flagellating bullshit. No one here knows who you are, what you've done, what you deserve. You can show who you want to be through your actions, and that's who people will treat you as."

[imjustaman]

Sephiroth nods slowly. This place has been a way for him to start finding himself again ... to see if he actually can be good again now that he is once again sane ... and so far, he has been pleased with the results. It feels liberating, freeing, to be able to make a difference for good once more. At the same time, knowing what he's done, it's difficult for him to ever feel worthy of people thinking he's good, as though he's keeping something from them that they should know.

But he is good now. Perhaps in time, he will be able to heal more and better put his demons behind him.

"You have a point," he says. "Thank you for your counsel."

Zack nuzzles him. He definitely thinks Sephiroth is wonderful.