Save Our Earth Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ourearth) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
saveourearth2018-11-11 03:24 pm
ourearth) wrote in 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:
...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.
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.
no subject
"Just checking. If she was awake, it'd be obvious." Ornella is too young to be embarrassed by a grandfather. Her enthusiasm for being sung to is heartening. "I'd like to have her closer to the others, if she's this deeply asleep. These old bones won't like me picking her up, though. How are yours?"
There may be other people out napping, but they aren't his quite young granddaughter off by herself. If this was her family's yard, or a friend's, he wouldn't be too concerned. Sky was raised in an age of free-range children and at around Nel's age he'd fractured a collarbone falling off something miles from home, but this isn't that age anymore.
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"My bones are young and sturdy enough to pick her up, but, how long were you looking to carry her...?" A quick pickup is easy enough, but if Sky's looking to drive her home, parked a good quarter-mile away...
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"If you want a bribe, it's a little warm for it, but-" he lowers his voice for effect -"I have some of the good stuff. You know. Gourmet hot chocolate, all the way from Mexico."
He's on a low sugar diet. Sometimes, that means ensuring that the sugar you get is only the rare and precious kind.
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"Is it... still in the pack? It is warm, but, I could put that aside for a snowy day.
And he grins a little, to show it's mostly a joke. He's willing to do it without the bribe, but he won't say no to the offer.
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"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."
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"Oh my god?" He puts a hand to his chest as if to swoon. "I would be honored to try that, that masterpiece of warm cocoa... I can't think of words to do it honor, from your description. But I think I need to do more than help with your... grandchild? to earn it."
But the grandchild delivery is a good first step, and he finally scoops down to gather Nel so her head's resting on his shoulder and his arms are tucked firmly under hers.
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Head high, Sky speaks as he does on the pulpit, with a voice of inclusion and warmth. "Be not troubled by guilt, or bothered by your cares; set them aside, for they will return on their own. Allow yourself the animal pleasure of indulging in what is before you. A welcoming bitter sweetness on the lips, a treasure on the tongue, a caress upon the palette and swooning surrender down the throat. And as in all good things, there is sorrow too, for as we are born and live and die, the chocolate comes to an end, and you are left with an empty cup, the lingering ghost of what was, and the memories."
Somewhere he has relatives writhing in embarrassment without quite knowing why. The thought makes him smile.
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His tone is relaxed, so she has no reason to be scared, but the reassurance is sought still. Nel is too tired to think too clearly, and physical contact would be a clear indication.
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He claps Russel on the shoulder - he's got the five-fingered prosthetic on, not the hooks, so it doesn't hurt - and offers Nel those gloved fingers.
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"I'm going to remember that, and think of loss, whenever I drink this cocoa," he says as he shifts his pace to walk a little closer to Sky so the grandparent and grandchild can clasp hands. "Did you just come up with that on the fly?"
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She feels downright exhausted and she can’t quite get her muddled brain to find the right words to express that. In lieu of words, the fact that she has already returned to a rag doll state in Russell’s grip might be a good indicator even as her grip is retained.
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"My son," he says, still in a preacher's voice, "I have stood at the pulpit for decades. Improvisation is a useful skill, though I will admit that it's best if I have a moment to consider first. I've never been quite so rapid that I can hold my own at improv."
Of course he's tried improv.
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"Oh, that's fair," Russell reassures, and adds in a more confidential tone, "I think the 'good' improv artists have things pre-rehearsed, and cues agreed between them, to buy time to think."
Anyone who's anyone has tried improv, right? Even if most don't excel at it.
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"I'd assume so. The ones I've spoken with deny it completely, but they're actors, after all. They know the art of selling a line better than anyone." He smiles.
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Still, though the motionless and mostly-asleep kid is easier to carry than someone wriggling around would be, she's not light weight. Russell adjusts his grip a little, and glances around them.
"But, uh... You said you want to get her to her moms, right? Where are they supposed to be?"
no subject