ourearth: General Mod icon, shows Earth (Default)
Save Our Earth Mods ([personal profile] ourearth) wrote in [community profile] saveourearth2018-11-11 03:24 pm

Light the fires [Mingle]

Date: 2nd to 5th of November; backdated due to the Halloween mingle being too close by
Characters: Open!


2nd to 4th

Bonfire night approaches, and like every year, a large bonfire is set up on the Greens, as well as an impressive fireworks display, intended to happen on the 3rd. It's been advertised for a few weeks now, and many families, groups of teenagers, and just regular people are planning on going... And then it's abruptly cancelled at the evening of the 2nd. The official word on it is that some kind of safety regulations weren't met, and as this was discovered at the final security check, there is no time to fix them. Oddly enough, at the same time yellow signs go up near the Greens, reading:
Mossgate POLICE Working for a safer Mossgate
We are appealing for witnesses: Can you help us?
Police incident
An incident occurred in this area between 1pm on the 2/11 and 2pm on the 3/11.
In strictest confidence, plase phone
020787574
Did you see or hear anything?
Please call us
On the number above or at your local police station

...And the perceptive person might notice that there are a few oddities going on around town. For one, there is more police out in the streets than normal, constables nobody has seen before, too, and they are carrying guns. Why are they carrying guns? This is not the airport or central London! This is the first thing that really gets the rumour mill going.

The second thing is that the area that was fenced off so when fireworks and bonfire happened, only those who paid an entrance fee would be able to get close, is still fenced off despite the cancellation. And those who peer into the area will notice more police there.

And then, on the 4th of November, a few nondescript vans and a small nondescript lorry arrive at the parking lot at the bottom of the Greens, and some people get off. All of them wear civilian clothes. A few simply wander off into Mossgate, but the rest goes up onto the Greens. And some of those carry large suitcases that seem to be quite heavy. Too bad there's bushes and trees and it is impossible to see what they're doing at the place where the bonfire and fireworks were set to happen...

[ooc: There are a few dedicated open NPC toplevels below for people to investigate, as well as toplevels aimed at specific characters. If anyone has ideas for investigating that are not covered by the below toplevels and needs input, prod the mod contact thread on the last setting interactions post!]



5th

After the fireworks in Mossgate couldn't happen, it was decided to do them in one of the villages in Mossgate Council. Naturally, Folkton and Moss Manor both clamoured to get them. But after a few young men got into a fistfight about it and a nose was broken, Mayor Gary Russell arrived at the Salomonic decision of having the fireworks happen in Tarwich instead. They have a nice little park there, and the official reason for the decision is that it is closer to Mossgate town so it will be easier for people from there to attend. The real reason is of course to not take any sides in the village rivalry.

Tarwich, by contrast, is too young to truly have rivalries and there are no old families that could bring true patriotic pride into the mix. Nicely bland and harmless. An excellent middle ground.

So on the evening of the fifth, like every year, there are two massive bonfires in Mossgate council, one in Folkton and one in Moss Manor. Little fairgrounds have sprung up next to them - a children's carousel, a kiddie train, an ice cream van, one or two vendors that sell festival foods like candy floss (= cotton candy).

But unlike other years, there's a third event, and most unusually the location is the often-forgotten Tarwich: Carefully timed so that people can first go see the fireworks and then go to whichever bonfire they prefer, there is a very nice 30 minutes long firework taking place in Tarwich, just after nightfall. There are no carousels or ice cream vans here, but festival food is offered, too.
iamnotgod: A man, holding a folder in one hand and gesturing with the other, looking off to the right. (And WHAT Is This?)

[personal profile] iamnotgod 2018-11-21 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
"Never a bad idea, that," Walter agrees, nodding with slightly more animation than his face had held previously.

Familiar territory leads to positive associations - and more tools with which to combat the sense of being overwhelmed.

Walter frowns again, though this time it's out of good-natured exasperation.

"More of the same. Some interesting trivia, but no real news."
warped_replica: Temp sketch icon (Human: Cover Neutral)

[personal profile] warped_replica 2018-11-21 06:07 pm (UTC)(link)
The incremental loss of guard is sign enough to reassure Benjiro that the new suggestion is the right course of action. Walter will have the company of a friend and nothing more.

“Two sets of eyes increases the odds of success, and yours far more,” he encourages, knowing Walter can read far more than he can skim in the same amount of time. “Alright. Meet you at the front at closing then, but feel free to come get me if you find anything particularly promising.” Lingering a moment longer, Benjiro returns to his research efforts.

When closing time at the library finally arrives, he has a mild headache and his stomach feels cavernous. Article safely stowed in his backpack, he heads for the front entrance to meet up with Walter.
iamnotgod: A man, smiling and holding a book. (When He Smiles.)

[personal profile] iamnotgod 2018-11-21 06:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Walter looks a little chuffed at the complement, but nods, then turns back to his book.

Several more books (and many more related and not-so-related webpages) later, and he is in a similar state by the front entrance.

"Any cravings tonight?"

He'll spare the 'let's share our results' talk until their conversation can be well-masked.
dragoonrouge: (Sadie)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2018-11-21 07:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Sadie laughs and pecks Ben on the cheek. "Nice catch! I'll admit I'm a little surprised that we're not flat out on the ground but I won't complain." She kisses his cheek a second time. "I missed you Ben."

She does notice the looseness of Ben's hold on her and loosens her grip slightly to see if he'll tighten the hold. "Shall we go for a wander?" Some alone time and privacy amongst the crowds would be best for any questions and conversations between them afterall.
warped_replica: Temporary sketch mode until I can make better icons (Human: Happy)

[personal profile] warped_replica 2018-11-21 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Her laughter and kisses bring a tinge of color at his cheeks around the edges of the mask, and even with the fabric between, he tilts his head to kiss her cheek in turn, “Missed you too... You know you can always try again if you’re disappointed with the results.” It is said in jest, but other opportunities will present themselves in the future.

As her grip shifts, there’s a reflexive pull in his arms that is countered by conscious restraint that he follows into lowering her to her feet with a bend of his knees. “Yes please.” Away from the crowd is tempting enough, but Benjiro will follow Sadie anywhere. Releasing her middle, he instead offers a bent arm to her as he turns to face away from the bonfire and thus the draw of the gathering.
fairfeste: (Feste [Always watching])

[personal profile] fairfeste 2018-11-22 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
"You don't?" ...Were they doing it wrong the whole thing???
fairfeste: (Feste [Don't peak])

[personal profile] fairfeste 2018-11-22 01:25 am (UTC)(link)
Feste will nod at her to let her know she's allowed. She's too cute to deny, honestly. "I'm sure you'll be great," they say encouragingly, wrapping an arm around her to give her a little squeeze.

Ok. Good. They can talk about it then. But for now, fireworks, and they can try and figure out how to do this.
vernal_miss: (Bluebell)

[personal profile] vernal_miss 2018-11-22 01:49 am (UTC)(link)
The encouragement stirs a giggle from the girl, and she wraps her arms over their arm to squeeze back in appreciation. Nel allows herself to lean lightly against Feste, head turning in towards their neck to rest while looking upwards so high in the dark sky. The colorful flashes burst into being only to fizzle away, but the sheer number of rockets creates a performance to be enjoyed.

After the loud finale, through which Nel curls a little smaller even as she smiles, the girl will work to extract herself from her sibling's lap to stand. Sharing warmth snuggling has kept her comfortable, and she offers her hands to Feste to help stand should they feel stiff from having supported her through the last portion of the fireworks.
dragoonrouge: (Sadie)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2018-11-22 05:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"Right. Of course!" Sadie stands up and shakes hands with everyone before trailing out of the room after her escort.
dragoonrouge: (Sadie)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2018-11-22 05:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Sadie shakes her head grinning. "Nah! We checked and there's no age limit. Those people just aren't going on because they have no idea what fun is." Sadie's brother nods in agreement, a matching grin also spread across his face as well.

"If that was your worry you should go on, don't let the grumpy Adults ruin your fun!"
saveournpcs: (other)

[personal profile] saveournpcs 2018-11-22 05:09 pm (UTC)(link)
She'll be seen to the door and given the card of the superintendent before she leaves, to actually enable her to call a specific number.
warped_replica: Temporary sketch mode until I can make better icons (Human: Happy)

[personal profile] warped_replica 2018-11-22 06:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"Food," he jokes, then shakes his head as he reaches to massage at a sore shoulder tired from the efforts of research, "But really, you can pick. I can eat just about anything right now."

Benjiro pushes the door open and holds it until Walter steps outside the library with him. He looks to his friend for direction in which way they should head to obtain a meal.
blueskying: (And where I breathe there is no death)

[personal profile] blueskying 2018-11-22 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Sky shakes his head sorrowfully.

"It's still wrapped in foil at my place. Carrying it around is too great a risk." It's time to make Russel understand something of how good the good stuff is. "This is the kind where you've got to get a pot of milk simmering with cinnamon bark, and then you unwrap the chocolate and start cutting it up to melt, and then you add things - sugar, vanilla, maybe mint - and use a strainer, and how thick it is depends on how long you keep it on the pot, but it's smooth as silk and rich as velvet. I fear the preparation time means that it's not a great way to warm up, so there's no practical value at all."


He finishes as gravely as if speaking of spiritual matters. "But in life, young sir, there are concerns beyond the practical, there are needs beyond food and warmth."
warped_replica: Temp sketch icon (Human: Cover Neutral)

5th

[personal profile] warped_replica 2018-11-22 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Benjiro is not one to like being in crowds, so after he separates from his great aunts, he'll take a few minutes to move away from the bonfire and find a nice spot to lean his back against a wall where he can observe at a short distance. He only really learned about Bonfire Night after moving to Mossgate, but as it is his second time attending, it is more comfortable than curious.

When the teenager spots Sam moving around, he'll raise a hand out of his crossed arms to wave in greeting.
iamnotgod: A man, smiling and holding a book. (When He Smiles.)

[personal profile] iamnotgod 2018-11-22 06:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"We'll try and keep the walking down, then - don't want to push you on the 'anything' count," he jokes.

Glancing first one up then down the street, he'll start them walking off to the right.

Tonight really feels like a comfort food night; fortunately there's some in close range.
catted: (uh huh)

[personal profile] catted 2018-11-22 08:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Normally, she would just not and agree - Halloween was pretty distressing. But Ben is Numbered, and with that at hand, you never know...

"Halloween, as in just the general situation of it, or did something specific happen to you?

And nice, about the motorcycle. Will you be allowed to drive it on public streets?"
runs: (I got this)

[personal profile] runs 2018-11-22 08:29 pm (UTC)(link)
She's not going to correct him, that would just be unnecessarily complicating things. Plus it's not strictly wrong. She does have a mobile phone.

"Mobiles are pretty cool. You can take pictures and call or text people and play games and stuff."
runs: (duh)

[personal profile] runs 2018-11-22 08:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"You need parent permission for school trips and going to see the theatre, not carousel rides. Because you go to the fair with your family, not school or some other organisation."
tobodlygo: (Default)

OTA

[personal profile] tobodlygo 2018-11-22 11:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Fortunately for the Mossgate Police force, Jim doesn't work over the weekends, meaning he hasn't been out of his house the whole lead-up to the bonfire and therefore hasn't been snooping around where he shouldn't be.

He's spent all week re-arranging his kitchen, throwing out the stuff he can no longer eat, sorting the bits he's not touched into a bag for the food donation bin at the Tesco's on the high st. It's been a long process, who knew so much stuff had gluten in it?

Too much stuff has gluten in it, Jim is suffering, and maybe he'll become a bio-engineer just so he can eat whatever the hell he wants again.

When it gets to the fifth, though, he knows it's time for explosives. The british have a day for fireworks, and there's less patriotism involved, but more fire in general, and that's something he can get behind. He's not gonna go show his face in Moss manor for a while still, so he'll be at the one in Folkton.

Find this idiot either staring forlornly at the food stalls or stuffing his face with Floss. It's still up for grabs because it's just sugar so long as they don't put any food colouring in it, and the gods have to give him something, anything that won't make him die on contact.

When everything's calmed down some, though, he's still kinda... restless.
He saw the sales, he's got the money, and so he has home fireworks of his own and a perfectly good back garden. The council ones are good, but sometimes you just gotta set off your own.

So after the Bonfire in Folkton, he's set up a small array at his house, setting them off at 8:30pm. People that know where Jim's house is or just know Jim in general will know that it's him because well, Americans, right?
fairfeste: (Feste [Always watching])

[personal profile] fairfeste 2018-11-23 01:03 am (UTC)(link)
They sit together, just enjoying the show until the final rockets go off. It's a nice, quiet moment... or, well. Quiet metaphorically. Not literally. Literally it is quite loud. Maybe 'peaceful' is better than quiet...

Feste grins, taking their sister's hand but not really putting all that much weight onto her. "Thanks." They keep her hand in theirs, starting to walk together just around the area. They wait until they're out of more people's earshot before getting to what this is really about. "So... uh. I should. Tell you something."
fairfeste: (Feste [The show must go on])

[personal profile] fairfeste 2018-11-23 01:04 am (UTC)(link)
Well, Feste is an adult, so they were technically kind of ruining their own fun-- but yeah!! They won't let even themselves stop them. Perfect. They shoot the two a grin. "Then... yeah! Why not?"
fairfeste: (Default)

[personal profile] fairfeste 2018-11-23 01:07 am (UTC)(link)
Feste feels like they've really lost track of the conversation at this point, but they don't want to admit that. "Who do you go to the theatre with if not your family though...?"
iamnotgod: Black and white picture of a man looking up and off to the right. (What Even Is This?)

[Text]

[personal profile] iamnotgod 2018-11-23 01:49 am (UTC)(link)
[Jim gets a message shortly after those explosions go off, because the ambient noise of nighttime Mossgate is not enough to cover up the fireworks.]

???????

[Granted, that could have been any number of things, BUT...]

I better not have heard gunshots just now. Tonight is loud enough as it is.

Please be okay. :(
Edited 2018-11-23 01:50 (UTC)
vernal_miss: (Sycamore)

[personal profile] vernal_miss 2018-11-23 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
Adjusting her grip on their hand once Feste is standing, Nel moves right in alongside them as they begin to walk together to navigate out of the most densely packed portion of the crowd. Now and again she tucks behind them, hand held fast through it. Once at the outskirts, she looks up to Feste as they try to broach a subject. Her eldest sibling seems nervous, so this must be important.

Head tilted curiously, she inquires right out, “Did you meet someone?” That Feste is telling her only eliminates the worst possibilities that spring to mind such as them wanting to leave Mossgate.
Edited 2018-11-23 03:21 (UTC)
dragoonrouge: (Sadie)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2018-11-23 06:39 am (UTC)(link)
Sadie chirps happily as Ben kisses her cheek. "Maybe I shall... I will strike again when you least expect it and topple you for good!" She proclaims jokingly even as she pouts at Ben putting her down, though she happily links her arm with his as they start wandering away.

"How have you been?" She asks, gently giving his arm a squeeze as she looks up at Ben.

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