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ph_logs2026-02-15 12:54 am
pumpkinhollow) wrote in ph_logs2026-02-15 12:54 am
Entry tags:
FEBRUARY EVENT - Dance Into Spring
DANCE INTO SPRING
A Wealth of Happiness and Romance…
The sun rises on February 15th, and the whole town is buzzing with excitement. There's a similar excitement in the air on the days of other festivals, surely, as well as Dahlia's annual birthday gala, but something in the air is different today. Like a breath held, a flower waiting to bloom.
It's spent the last few days raining, patches of snow growing smaller and smaller until they are a memory. But yesterday, the sun was out, giving all that water a chance to saturate the earth while freshly-uncovered plants wake to sunlight and stretch toward its rays. Serendipitous. A blessed omen from Serranai herself. A sign that she, as well, is waking from her slumber. The world is alive again. Reborn, in that annual sacred miracle that is the onset of spring.
The Festival Green is decorated to the nines with all manner of fresh flowers---- early blooms and green-house raised. A naked maypole stands at the ready, loose fabric dangling errantly in the breeze. The gates open early, when the sun in her early morning vantage still stares just a bit harshly, still warming up to the idea of being aloft. Partygoers trickle in a few at a time, some eager to be early and others taking their sweet time in getting ready. It isn't until the light of later-morning softens and the world takes on the divine radiance of a sun-struck early spring day that Dahlia Leeds ascends the stairs of the large gazebo in a lush flower crown. A hush falls over the crowd of its own volition, and music begins to play, soft and rising. The procession is about to begin.
First comes the honor court--- those nominated who did not manage to clear the first round of voting. They are attended by their "courtiers", the name used for their chosen plus-ones. They come in as a group, tossing ever more flower petals in a hail like confetti and waving to the crowd. Patty Paisley and Kelaiah Voxx ride on the shoulders of Mettaton, who escorts Grace Holloway. Margaret Houlihan and Anya Kovacs carry bouquets of flowers associated with healing, gifted to them by the local medical staff. Ashley Graham, Haley Beckman, Cassandra de Rolo are tasked with carrying banners--- long pennants with floral patterns on them, made of light fabric so that they dance in the breeze as they're carried in. And the youngest contestants, Noelle Holiday and Harrowhark Nonagesimus, bring up the rear, each looking their own flavor of nervous. They and their guests find their seats at the honor-tables circling the base of the gazebo, where a crown of flowers awaits each member at their seat. Then comes the Floral Court, the honored nominees that made it to the second round of the vote. They come in two by two with their courtiers--- Daisy Tonner with Basira Hussein, Valdis with Agni Azimar, Lyubov Morghenschtern with Shen Qingqiu, Zivia Birnbaum with Degas Clayton, Susie Dyneaux with Ralsei, and Carolina Church with Gerry Keay. They make their way down the aisle of the festival green and up to the gazebo. Standing at the top of the short flight of steps is Dahlia Leeds, the previous year's Flower Queen, standing proudly in her blue and white gown beside her own courtier. Gracing each pair with a greeting of “hail and merry meet”, she places a ring of flowers on the head of each Flower Court member who kneels or bows to receive it, while Radar hands each courtier a matching boutonniere or corsage. The last two contestants receive a slightly larger flower crown and an extra prize as well--- a ribbon for being in the top three, decorated with a small flower-shaped metal charm. Susie's is bronze and Carolina's is silver. Once the formalities are complete, each pair files past Dahlia and Radar to take their seats at the high table.
Finally, it is time for the Flower Queen herself to arrive. By process of elimination, many onlookers have already determined the winner, but everyone still holds their breath as they await the arrival of their new Flower Queen.
And there she is. A vision in violet, escorted by North Dakota, is Fever Dream. The face of Town Hall, the hearse driver of choice for Mourner's Night, and a Daughter of Winter chosen by the goddess Mortanne herself. If ever were someone from off-world to deserve the title of "community pillar," none should deserve it more than her. The people have spoken, and they speak again as they erupt into thunderous cheering as their elected Queen appears at last.
As the pair make their way to the steps of the gazebo, a fresh shower of petals rains down upon them as the music swells to greet them. Once there, Dahlia steps down from the top landing, guiding Fever to stand there instead. A willful abdication, allowing the year to change and welcoming what comes next.
“Hail and merry meet.” Dahlia says, unable to contain her thrilled grin as she recites the words. “Today, just as I was one year ago, you have been chosen by the people of our town to be the Flower Queen. It is my honor to present you with gifts befitting a queen.”
Another townsperson passes her a basket, which Dahlia presents to Fever. It contains a number of spring-themed treats--- honey harvested from last spring’s flowers, a bottle of specially crafted sweet festival wine to be consumed on the summer solstice, a candle embedded with dried flowers, a blend of lavender and bergamot tea, a charming floral soap, and a necklace with a pressed forget-me-not inside a clear pendant. There is also a medal hanging around the wine bottle shaped like an orchid bloom, engraved on the back with text. “Flower Queen 16:56 - Pumpkin Hollow - Fever Dream”. Dahlia then passes the somewhat heavy basket off to North to carry--- after all, it’s the Courtier’s job to attend to the Queen!
Then, Dahlia pins a boutonniere to North's lapel, and beneath it, a medal of his own. “Floral Courtier - 16:56 - Dmitri 'North Dakota' Katina”.
“With this sprig of Serannai’s glory, I bestow upon you the honored duty of Courtier to the Flower Queen. Assist her as she needs and ensure that she spends this day as free and joyful as a spring breeze.”
Lastly, Dahlia turns back to Fever and lifts up the crown of flowers from her own head, larger and more elaborate than the others, holding it aloft for a moment before resting it upon Fever’s head.
“With this crown, I pass my title on to you. May it bring you felicity and fortune, so that you may share it with the earth as you put seed to soil.”
Before they all proceed up to the gazebo to join the rest of the Floral Court at their table, Dahlia takes Fever's hand and leans in to whisper to her. "Congratulations, love. You've more than earned it," Dahlia tells her emphatically, kissing her on the cheek. And then all four of them---- this year's Queen, the prior, and each of their courtiers, ascend the steps and take their honored places at the table.
Applause rings out over the crowd, music swells once more, and Merrymeet officially begins. Congratulations to Fever, and all the members of the Floral Court!
Short on Brass? Drop by Gourd en Glace before the event and grab yourself a sundae and bring it up to Venka Meridell, the proprietor who also happens to be the local tailor’s daughter. She’ll slip you a coupon for a half-price Merrymeet outfit if you’re willing to taste test one of her unorthodox new ice cream flavors. Her mother, Saraya, will begrudgingly accept these coupons. [Mod Note: Please only take this option if you have 500B or less in your ledger, we are trying to get some of these rich-ass characters to spend their damn money!]
Once you’re all dressed to the nines, please feel free to use the code below to show off your drip in the Fashion Show thread! Please remember that imgur is still not functional in the UK, so use URLs from Pinterest, Snipboard, Catbox, etc. so that no one misses out on your drip. If you got a discounted outfit, you also have to include what weird flavor of ice cream Venka made you taste-test and whether it was good or not.
It's spent the last few days raining, patches of snow growing smaller and smaller until they are a memory. But yesterday, the sun was out, giving all that water a chance to saturate the earth while freshly-uncovered plants wake to sunlight and stretch toward its rays. Serendipitous. A blessed omen from Serranai herself. A sign that she, as well, is waking from her slumber. The world is alive again. Reborn, in that annual sacred miracle that is the onset of spring.
The Festival Green is decorated to the nines with all manner of fresh flowers---- early blooms and green-house raised. A naked maypole stands at the ready, loose fabric dangling errantly in the breeze. The gates open early, when the sun in her early morning vantage still stares just a bit harshly, still warming up to the idea of being aloft. Partygoers trickle in a few at a time, some eager to be early and others taking their sweet time in getting ready. It isn't until the light of later-morning softens and the world takes on the divine radiance of a sun-struck early spring day that Dahlia Leeds ascends the stairs of the large gazebo in a lush flower crown. A hush falls over the crowd of its own volition, and music begins to play, soft and rising. The procession is about to begin.
Crowning of the Flower Queen
Attendees line up along the pathway of flower petals leading from the festival gate to the gazebo, creating a colorful spectacle with their finery as they peek around each other, trying to get a look at the procession. To the tune of soft and pleasant music, the nominees for Flower Queen begin to file in, claim their prizes, and take their seats.First comes the honor court--- those nominated who did not manage to clear the first round of voting. They are attended by their "courtiers", the name used for their chosen plus-ones. They come in as a group, tossing ever more flower petals in a hail like confetti and waving to the crowd. Patty Paisley and Kelaiah Voxx ride on the shoulders of Mettaton, who escorts Grace Holloway. Margaret Houlihan and Anya Kovacs carry bouquets of flowers associated with healing, gifted to them by the local medical staff. Ashley Graham, Haley Beckman, Cassandra de Rolo are tasked with carrying banners--- long pennants with floral patterns on them, made of light fabric so that they dance in the breeze as they're carried in. And the youngest contestants, Noelle Holiday and Harrowhark Nonagesimus, bring up the rear, each looking their own flavor of nervous. They and their guests find their seats at the honor-tables circling the base of the gazebo, where a crown of flowers awaits each member at their seat. Then comes the Floral Court, the honored nominees that made it to the second round of the vote. They come in two by two with their courtiers--- Daisy Tonner with Basira Hussein, Valdis with Agni Azimar, Lyubov Morghenschtern with Shen Qingqiu, Zivia Birnbaum with Degas Clayton, Susie Dyneaux with Ralsei, and Carolina Church with Gerry Keay. They make their way down the aisle of the festival green and up to the gazebo. Standing at the top of the short flight of steps is Dahlia Leeds, the previous year's Flower Queen, standing proudly in her blue and white gown beside her own courtier. Gracing each pair with a greeting of “hail and merry meet”, she places a ring of flowers on the head of each Flower Court member who kneels or bows to receive it, while Radar hands each courtier a matching boutonniere or corsage. The last two contestants receive a slightly larger flower crown and an extra prize as well--- a ribbon for being in the top three, decorated with a small flower-shaped metal charm. Susie's is bronze and Carolina's is silver. Once the formalities are complete, each pair files past Dahlia and Radar to take their seats at the high table.
Finally, it is time for the Flower Queen herself to arrive. By process of elimination, many onlookers have already determined the winner, but everyone still holds their breath as they await the arrival of their new Flower Queen.
And there she is. A vision in violet, escorted by North Dakota, is Fever Dream. The face of Town Hall, the hearse driver of choice for Mourner's Night, and a Daughter of Winter chosen by the goddess Mortanne herself. If ever were someone from off-world to deserve the title of "community pillar," none should deserve it more than her. The people have spoken, and they speak again as they erupt into thunderous cheering as their elected Queen appears at last.
As the pair make their way to the steps of the gazebo, a fresh shower of petals rains down upon them as the music swells to greet them. Once there, Dahlia steps down from the top landing, guiding Fever to stand there instead. A willful abdication, allowing the year to change and welcoming what comes next.
“Hail and merry meet.” Dahlia says, unable to contain her thrilled grin as she recites the words. “Today, just as I was one year ago, you have been chosen by the people of our town to be the Flower Queen. It is my honor to present you with gifts befitting a queen.”
Another townsperson passes her a basket, which Dahlia presents to Fever. It contains a number of spring-themed treats--- honey harvested from last spring’s flowers, a bottle of specially crafted sweet festival wine to be consumed on the summer solstice, a candle embedded with dried flowers, a blend of lavender and bergamot tea, a charming floral soap, and a necklace with a pressed forget-me-not inside a clear pendant. There is also a medal hanging around the wine bottle shaped like an orchid bloom, engraved on the back with text. “Flower Queen 16:56 - Pumpkin Hollow - Fever Dream”. Dahlia then passes the somewhat heavy basket off to North to carry--- after all, it’s the Courtier’s job to attend to the Queen!
Then, Dahlia pins a boutonniere to North's lapel, and beneath it, a medal of his own. “Floral Courtier - 16:56 - Dmitri 'North Dakota' Katina”.
“With this sprig of Serannai’s glory, I bestow upon you the honored duty of Courtier to the Flower Queen. Assist her as she needs and ensure that she spends this day as free and joyful as a spring breeze.”
Lastly, Dahlia turns back to Fever and lifts up the crown of flowers from her own head, larger and more elaborate than the others, holding it aloft for a moment before resting it upon Fever’s head.
“With this crown, I pass my title on to you. May it bring you felicity and fortune, so that you may share it with the earth as you put seed to soil.”
Before they all proceed up to the gazebo to join the rest of the Floral Court at their table, Dahlia takes Fever's hand and leans in to whisper to her. "Congratulations, love. You've more than earned it," Dahlia tells her emphatically, kissing her on the cheek. And then all four of them---- this year's Queen, the prior, and each of their courtiers, ascend the steps and take their honored places at the table.
Applause rings out over the crowd, music swells once more, and Merrymeet officially begins. Congratulations to Fever, and all the members of the Floral Court!
Dress to Impress
Generally speaking, the dress code for Merrymeet is garden party formalwear. Appropriate outfits can fall anywhere in the Classic or Lavish categories. Characters here less than 2 months are able to get free rentals if they’d like, but can buy their outfit if they wish. Everyone else is asked to please purchase their outfit (from 300-500B, depending upon complexity).Short on Brass? Drop by Gourd en Glace before the event and grab yourself a sundae and bring it up to Venka Meridell, the proprietor who also happens to be the local tailor’s daughter. She’ll slip you a coupon for a half-price Merrymeet outfit if you’re willing to taste test one of her unorthodox new ice cream flavors. Her mother, Saraya, will begrudgingly accept these coupons. [Mod Note: Please only take this option if you have 500B or less in your ledger, we are trying to get some of these rich-ass characters to spend their damn money!]
Once you’re all dressed to the nines, please feel free to use the code below to show off your drip in the Fashion Show thread! Please remember that imgur is still not functional in the UK, so use URLs from Pinterest, Snipboard, Catbox, etc. so that no one misses out on your drip. If you got a discounted outfit, you also have to include what weird flavor of ice cream Venka made you taste-test and whether it was good or not.
…In the Golden Afternoon
Springtime Spread
It doesn’t take long for lunch to be brought out, courtesy of some helpful volunteers and the Oak & Iron’s diligent cooking staff. Salads full of spring greens, fresh bread with herbs baked in, puff pastries with fresh cheese and asparagus, egg tarts, chicken sandwiches, and crispy little hashbrowns formed into cups to look like bird nests, each with a devilled egg sitting inside. There are also dozens of little desserts made with flowers and spring berries, like cakes and custards, and even heart-shaped macarons.And while there is wine being passed around the table, there is also tea. But this isn’t just any tea, and these aren’t just any tea pots. The pots are clear glass, surrounded by ornate silver fixtures, so that you can see the color of the tea and the leaves steeping within. Some are regular tea leaves rolling around in ball strainers while others are blooming floral teas perched in the center of the pots. And best of all, these teapots are enchanted, looking like chubby little tea puppies walking around on four short metal legs. They meander around between dishes on the tables, bumbling up to partygoers to offer their contents and tipping forward with surprising grace to pour tea into cups. They are helpfully labeled with tags tied to their handles, explaining what they contain.
And the teapots aren't the only thing that's been enchanted---- the teas themselves have been blended with some mood enhancers! The intensity of the effects depends on how much you drink and how susceptible to these sorts of things you tend to be, but don't worry--- if you don't like what you got, the drink won't overstay its welcome. Unfortunately, though, these enchantments are a bit experimental, and some of them don't really work as intended…
Well, don't worry too much about it. Surely nothing can go wrong, right? Anyway, the selection available is as follows:
Spiced Apple Blend - A black tea blend with fresh apple slices that makes the drinker feel happy! A great way to bring up the mood if you didn't make it to the festival in the best of spirits.
Orange Blossom Herbal - A delicious floral and citrus tisane that evokes a playful feeling, encouraging jokes and shenanigans along with making the drinker feel a little bit giggly.
Invigorating Green - an energizing green tea that has somewhat mixed effects--- while some may find it perks them up so they can dance longer and party harder, others may find that it provides a bit too much of a zing. The urge to burn off all that energy might be enough to send you for a jog or even a few push-ups, despite your finery, or you may just end up raising your heart rate for a bit.
Steamy Ginseng - for folks looking for a boost to their romance game, this warming tea will have the drinker feeling flirty! Be sweeter, more charming, and more receptive to romance!
Earl Grey, Hot - enjoy a boost of confidence with a strong cup of this classic black tea. You'll be as bold as bergamot!
Calming Chamomile - While this tea is intended to relieve tension, in some cases it will just make the drinker incredibly sleepy.
Pitch Black - this strong breakfast blend was intended to reduce sad feelings in the drinker, but there seems to have been a mishap in the brewing that now causes it to make you sadder. At least the tea is delicious--- it's probably one of the best-tasting teas you've ever had.
Bee's Delight - a bit of a misnomer. While this honey-infused lemon ginger tea was meant to draw on the social prowess of the bees involved in its making, it was accidentally brewed with honey from bees that were very angry with the harvester.
Enjoy any of these with your meal to turn up the mood! While these teas are clearly labeled, it's up to you whether or not you actually read them. Accidents can happen!
Planting Ritual
After the food is served and everyone's had plenty of time to eat, Dahlia calls everyone over to the far side of the Festival Green nearest Town Hall. Fever has a floral-print apron tied over her dress and has Her Majesty's Royal Spade in hand, and she and Dahlia stand in front of a small plot of earth with a row of tulips planted behind little stone plaques. A whole line of them, from nearly half a century of Flower Queens--- Juniper Sweetwater, Mary Dahl, Dahlia Leeds, and now, Fever Dream.This part of the ceremony is short, just involving Dahlia and Fever saying a brief prayer to Serranai over a new tulip bud, followed by Fever burying it next to the others, which have already begun to sprout for the impending spring. Won't it be exciting to see what color the petals are in a month or two?
Once that concludes, Fever is released from her protective gardening get-up, and the party gets started in earnest. Time to dance, mingle, and enjoy a festival blessedly free of demonic or eldritch intervention. Who knows how many of those we have left?
Dance the Day Away (or whatever else you like!)
Food is a staple of any good Concordian holiday, no matter where on this beautiful planet you may find yourself, but it surely isn't all there is to do at Merrymeet. After all, what's a garden party without a bit of dancing?Local musicians will be playing throughout the day for group and couple’s dances, including a local partner dance called the Sunrise Waltz and a classic maypole dance that is equal parts party game as it is fertility ritual. Feel free to dance the afternoon away with partners, friends, new acquaintances, and more!
There’s also areas to catch your breath and chat with friends, a chocolate dipping station with a variety of little treats, flower sprouts in tiny pots and premade seed packets as party favors, flower garland braiding areas, and plenty of wine!
Additionally, there are a few tents scattered around the far edges of the green. They're pitched low to the ground, with the floor of them covered in cushions and the upper interiors are strung with flower garlands and silk drapes, creating a very romantic ambiance for couples looking to grab a private moment together away from the crowd. It's the perfect place for a kiss, a proposal, a confession of love--- or anything else that might call for a moment alone. (You’re not supposed to, but if you’re quiet and don’t mind a bit of risk, it wouldn’t be hard to sneak a little naughty fun into your day in these little tents. Just keep it stealthy--- this is an all-ages festival, and you'll get kicked out if you're caught being inappropriate.)
Also, if upon returning to their seats, everyone in town will find an invitation to a bit of an afterparty on the Bluffs, a whole year in the making, right down to the day. (Though in reality, it's several decades overdue.)
Whether this is your first time celebrating this time-honored tradition with us, or you've been with us for all three years, or anywhere in-between, it is our sincere hope that this Merrymeet finds you well and joyful. Take this opportunity to share love, whether that's for your partners, your friends, or something somewhere in the middle, and greet spring with open arms. The festivities will at last draw to a close when the sun begins to set --- the perfect time to head out and grab some dinner, either at home or at unrelated gatherings, wherever you might find them.
Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again, my friends.
| CONTENT WARNINGS: mood alteration (optional)|
Agent South Dakota | RvB
And I'm just tryna play it cool now [for Haley]
It's not that kind of date, that's what South tells herself, from the night to the morning before the dance. It's not that kind of date. She invited you because you're the friend that nominated her. Even as she gets ready, dressing herself up in the vest Haley made her, her brother helping her fuss with the cravat she's probably going to abandon half-way through the day, she's insistent.
("It's not like that, Di. Just— leave it, okay?")
But fuck, she'd be lying if she said she didn't wish it was.
Haley looks gorgeous. It's all South can do not to stare too hard, from the moment they meet up, through the procession and beyond. She tries to keep her eyes on anything but Haley's cleavage, which somehow ends up in her staring at fucking CT's equally overflowing dress for a little too long which is not better, that's worse actually for a lot of reasons, and— fuckdammit she's hopeless.
Right. Focus on your actual date. Friend. Date. South grunts, tugging a little at her collar. "Ugh, this thing is driving me nuts..."
But that's not what I wanna do now [OPEN]
Public gatherings have been... tricky, for South, since she arrived. Celestine's was mostly a fucking nightmare. The holiday stretch, as a whole, was mostly a fucking nightmare with brief reprieves. But this time, this time, South actually seems to be in a pretty good mood (even before she and Haley disappear for a while, though she's certainly glowing even brighter when they come back).
She says no to the wine whenever it's offered, and feels pretty proud of herself for managing to. She doesn't shy away from chatter at the table, a little more confident on the outside even as she feels a little awkward on the inside. She bothers her brother and she congratulates Carolina. She might even let people that know her drag her into a bit of dancing (Haley sure won't let her get away with not joining her).
She does seem to be in a bit of an ongoing battle with the tea puppies, though. They keep coming by to offer her something to drink, but, honestly, the magic sounds a little too close to getting drunk, for her. Do the tea puppies understand this? Apparently not. Which is why you might see her shooing them. "Jesus christ take a fuckin' hint!"
[ Or hit me up / wildcard me for something specific. ]
no subject
"Do you need me to loosen it?" Seems like North might have tied the cravat a little too snug. He's probably never done it before.
no subject
South keeps tugging at it, to no success at all.
"If you want me to keep the fuckin' thing on and not just, like, rip it off and turn it into an impromptu belt or something—" Would the length of it actually fit around her torso? She doesn't know, okay, she's mostly being a shit. "—then yeah, probably. Why do people wear these things—"
no subject
Lithe fingers carefully adjust the knot without undoing it, giving South's neck an extra inch-ish of fabric. "That better?"
no subject
It's hard to say if the compliment, the view she gets looking down at Haley from this angle, or having Haley's hands up close to her throat, is the main cause of her ears going tell-tale pink once more.
"Uh— yeah, yeah I think so. Money's still out on if it survives the fuckin' day, but— thanks," she says, only having to swallow a bit. "Dashing, huh?"
no subject
"Well, leave it on as long as you can stand. It looks nice," Haley insists. "What do you want to drink? I figure I can track down some lemonade or regular tea."
no subject
"Ugh, fine," she grumps, playfully, undermined by that pink and her smile. "As long as I can stand. Promise."
God, she's already so whipped and they're not even— they're not gonna be— shut uppppp brain. Just enjoy the little kick from the hot girl you like telling you how you look dashing.
"Anyway, uh— lemonade sounds pretty good. Assuming they haven't gone and invented fuckin'— Mike's Hard Lemonade early, or something. That'd be just my luck."
no subject
Rising from her seat to head over to one of the bigger refreshment tables, she reaches over to give South a scratch on the shoulders with long nails, then brushes off in search of something better to drink. She returns a bit later, two cups of fancy strawberry lemonade in hand, setting one in front of South. "Looooook, oh my god, there's real strawberry chunks in here. By the way, have I told you that I'm super proud of you for working on the drinking? I know it can't be easy at events like this where everyone wants to party, but you're doing so good."
no subject
The faintest shudder runs up South's spine and her ears get a little pinker, and she tells herself not to be weird (for the love of fuck do not be weird) before settling to wait with a grin on her face anyway.
Her whole expression brightens another notch when Haley gets back, both successful in her quest and complimentary. "Fuck, right? Never realised just how much goddamn alcohol is at these things until now, it's fucking nuts. Sure picked hard mode for my first one of these things not drinking, but uh— ha, thanks. Seriously. For the encouragement. And help."
She has the inexplicable urge to tug Haley into her lap that she has to fight off, the only sign left a subtle twitch of her hand toward her that she quickly redirects to the lemonade. Which does look really good.
tea puppies
Rowena takes a glass from one of them with a sweet smile, before shooing them back away with a gentler gesture of her hand.
"Taking the glass may stop them returning. You don't have to drink it." Rowena didn't plan to, though she was also curious about the magic within it, if she could puzzle it out.
no subject
South huffs, crossing her arms. "I don't want to take the fuckin' drink. I want them to leave me the fuck alone."
...ugh, that's a childish response, even if it is how she actually feels. Be nice if something just did as she damn well wanted it to, for once.
"Just seems stupid to take the fucking thing only to pour it in the grass or— whatever."
no subject
She shrugs slightly, sniffing the blend that she'd taken. It was a delightful spiced apple scent, which, under ordinary circumstances, she'd be more than happy to try.
"We're here for a ceremony. It's about being part of it, even if you'd rather be anywhere else."
no subject
"I don't mind being here. I like being here." Mostly because she's getting to spend the day with people like Haley, who she automatically casts a glance around the party for as she has the thought, but still. "I just don't wanna drink magic. Or waste food."
That's an old instinct that's built in from years and years ago. Money isn't a concern here, but it's ingrained.
general party talk.
"You look like you're having a lot more fun than last time."
More sure of herself.
no subject
Also unlike last time, South's nursing a simple glass of what looks like it might just be juice, rather than hogging a whole bottle of wine all to herself. To match this, her face is much less flush beneath the easy, relaxed tug of a lopsided smile on her face. "Yeah, well, let's say I've actually had a pretty good fuckin' month. Y'know. Despite the whole... thing, last month, whatever that was."
Kinda because of it, actually, since it got her and North to talk (and all the other implications are rather lost on her). And despite Theta jumpscaring her by, well, existing, only a couple weeks ago. Things have been... good, for the most part, ever since she got to come home.
"Congrats on the win, by the way."
no subject
"Thank you," she replies, the smile on her face broadening some. "Definitely wasn't how I expected the day to go, but...if it's what people wanted, I'm flattered."
She already knows she's going to wake up the next day and feel overwhelmed in the best way that it happened.
"How's Haley? Is she enjoying it too?" She's noted who's shown up together - the little blonde and the big blonde still seem to be attached.
no subject
"Huh, what, why're you—" Shit, right, obviously she'd have seen that they're sat at the other table together. That's all it is. Right? Why else would she ask her?
This thought track crosses her face in a look not unlike a Grunt in the headlights of a Warthog. She clears her throat and pretends she didn't stumble over half a stupid question in return, but her ears are pink.
"Oh, yeah, she fuckin' loves this stuff." She rubs the back of her neck. "Her uh— she said her hometown has something kinda similar in spring. So. Yeah."
no subject
Careful. Don't press too hard - she doesn't know South well enough for that - but she can circle back around to gentle teasing after a bit. The whole point is to be nice, especially to the sister of the guy she'd ended up bringing along.
"What about yours? Do you have something similar? For flowers or romance or any of that?"
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Happy enough in her— what the fuck does that mean? Whatever, nevermind, it's just Fever saying... words... and things.
"Not— really? Unless North remembers something I don't. Which is literally always fucking possible." Childhood memories are... tricky, sometimes, she's trying not to think too hard about it but it's frustrating how often it comes up, lately. "I mean. Winter ending was a pretty big deal, 'cause it was so fucking long. But we were in a city. I think maybe I remember— fireworks?"
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It's a soft self correction, and a deliberate one. She's mentioned her amnesia before, so South knows she won't judge on memories and their quality.
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Right. The whole amnesia thing. That both makes South's let out a breath of what could be called relief and makes her brow scrunch a little. When Fever brought that up the first time it felt so insane, but the more she's been unpacking shit... how much of her own damn life is gone?
...yeah she's not gonna think harder about that right now.
"Summer, right. I think that's like, the more normal fuckin' time to do 'em, based on like, other people. But for us, yeah, it was spring and then—" she clicks her fingers a few times, "New Years. Big ones at New Years. Everything always went hard on New Years. And, y'know. You don't gotta buy fireworks to watch 'em. So. North and me would watch when we could."
Far more than that: she'd drag him outside the second she heard the whizz-pop sound somewhere nearby, no matter how late it was, or how cold it was. She can remember that, in aggregate. Maybe not any specific instance. Maybe not details. But she remembers the feeling of dragging him out of bed, up the apartment block stairs and onto the roof, where they could perch in their too-thin pyjamas and watch the sky light up with colour.
But that's too personal. That's theirs. So, abridged version it is.
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That said, if South's a secret madwoman for fire, then they can get her to build a bonfire or something else.
"I wonder what a hard New Year's would be like. I just stayed up this year to watch the sunrise, nothing exceptionally out of the ordinary."
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South snorts a laugh. "Well, I am technically trained in explosives. Just, y'know. The 'fuck your shit up' kind."
But even that trains you how to not get your own shit rocked, so. Who knows. Maybe it's transferable.
"Hard New Year's is like, well. The big fuckoff fireworks. And huge meal spreads. Like just as big as Christmas and shit." So long as you could afford it at home, or make it to a public gathering, anyway. Which was never at all guaranteed for them. "Or, y'know, drinking yourself sick. I sure did that plenty."
No Russian-heritage New Year's tradition meals out in the military. And she enjoyed the parties that dominated the scene out in the melting pot of the UNSC, anyway. Made poor North have to chaperone her drunk ass, even back then. Man.
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Degas certainly has never held it against her.
"They do well with the food here. I've never had a holiday where I went home hungry."