daybreakacademy | MIDSUMMER'S MINGLE

Entry tags:

MIDSUMMER'S MINGLE

MIDSUMMER CELEBRATIONS

Log Comm | Network Comm | OOC Comm | Navigation

As both finals and the first Herald approach, darkness and uncertainty loom on the horizon. The celebrations held on the evening of the 21st serves as a way of cleansing fears and uncertainty - a time for reconciliation, peace, and reflection, purifying the old to make way for the new.

The midsummer celebrations take place in Soleil’s town square and the surrounding woods. Students can join the large bonfires set up by the staff, or have more private bonfires of their own if they so choose. Specially treated fuel and firestarters have been employed for the evening, to prevent accidental (or deliberate) arson; the bonfires that come from this equipment and fuel will never catch alight anything not deliberately thrown into the flames.

A. TOWN SQUARE
While the town square is usually bustling with all manner of people, today it has been cleared in order to build a number of large bonfires. Robed attendants stand quietly by each one with selections of herbs and flowers, as well as paper and wooden charms that can be folded or marked; these can be thrown into the flames in order to burn away symbolic representations of bad luck.

Attendees can freely take these offerings and feed them to the flames, or bring their own offerings - whatever they see fit - to burn.

A small selection of food is also on offer - small cakes and simple buns in both sweet and savory flavours. These, too, can be fed to the fire if you so choose, though they were made to be eaten.

B. THE WOODS
For the solstice, the woods around Soleil have come alive with light and sound. The various unused structures that litter Soleil’s woods are seeing some cleaning, too; you may come across robed attendants, older students and various staff attending to old graves and abandoned ruins, or building bonfires of their own. Many of them hold lamps on poles and sing songs - simple, traditional hymns about the rising of the sun.

If festival attendees desire peace and quiet, or privacy to build their own fires and reflect, the woods are well-suited for that purpose. Those who choose to take fuel and go into the woods will be cautioned that as darkness falls, supernatural visitors may come out to share your fire. Though they are entirely harmless and silent, seeking only to make their own offerings and lost in their own thoughts, their sudden (and strange) appearance may be alarming.

C. REMNANTS OF FIRE

After the bonfires have burned to embers, attendees will be offered the chance to jump or run over the glowing coals, as is traditional practice, for good luck. Whether as a test of nerves or a possible chance for a little extra luck - whatever your beliefs, it probably can’t hurt.

Unless you spend too long dancing around on the coals, of course, but that’s up to you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, it's still a prototype, so my weaponry isn't completed yet. Right now I can shoot energy blasts, a little like a laser-canon. I'll set that to a low density slash intensity for our fight.

[ Since highly concentrated, it does come close to being a bullet. ]

The shielding also works to make kicks and punches harder, so... martial arts play into it. The rest of the functions is still an 'on paper' kind of deal.

[His brow furrows as he takes all of that in, then nods.]

Are you gonna roast alive if I use fire?

[Again, the question is asked somewhat nonchalantly, though he doesn't feel it at all. As flashy as the fire is, ever since the spirit train incident, he's been hesitant about letting his blade burn when faced with a living opponent.]

I shouldn't, no. The armor is designed to be temperature resistant.

[ And well, if he roasts, he can always tell Keith. It'd just be really unfortunate because then he'd have way more work ahead than he thought he would. ]

Shouldn't.

[There's a hesitant expression on Keith's face as he repeats the word. It's not reassuring in the slightest, but that's the whole point of sparring, isn't it? To find out the limitations of your abilities now before the battle begins and ignorance is paid for in blood. Keith closes his eyes for a moment, then raises his hands.There's a soft glow as he activates his Flame that fades as he draws out his sword.]

Here I go.

[Deciding the best way to go about this is to go on the attack immediately, Keith quickly comes in close. In thoery anyway, rune armor should be easier to weaken by damaging the runes themselves and his first few slashes with the sword are aimed at just that. The shielding system, of course, helps mitigate the damage and Keith's forced to focus his mind on the blade's edge to get the barrier to crack.

But James adjust quickly as well, throwing a well aimed punch after parrying the sword. Laser fire follows immediately to keep him out of range, and Keith scowls, managing to dodge some of the energy bursts, though the dodging itself is energy consuming without cover.

Shouldn't.

The word comes back to mind as the blade edge ignites. Swinging the sword, Keith directs flames towards James, making small advances and steps back when there's return fire. James has gotten better at fighting -- a lot better since that last time they'd sparred at the gym and getting James on his back was relatively easy. In some ways, that's frustrating -- Keith's never liked losing much, and doesn't like how rune armor can do to even the playing field.

He doesn't know how long this back and forth goes on, but his breathing comes harder and his ribs ache from where he'd carelessly gotten himself punched hard. But eventually, he grabs his dagger, throwing it hard at one of the runes, partly to distract, partly out of growing impatience. As James dodges, Keith lunges, sword burning in his hands as he raised overhead to deal a vicious blow to the shoulder.

Through the visor, Keith sees the look of surprise on James' face as clear as day.

Shouldn't.

He falters.]

[ Keith is good, but James knew that from the start. This isn't only about testing his armor, it is also about proving how much better he's become. That he deserves to call Keith his rival.

The fight is tense, exciting and ultimately exhausting. Practicing against a real person is different than beating up dummies and James is pleased to see he can hold his ground, until---

Time seems to go a little bit slower when Keith charges in for his killing attack. James raises his hands, firing his lasers in what should be a last ditch effort of despair and--- and he hits.

Keith is blown across the room and the impact James was bracing for never comes. He's left frozen in place, not processing how this happened. ]

[The glow as the lasers charge, the blast, the impact -- all of it passes by in mere seconds though it feels like much longer in his mind's eye. At point blank range, the energy blast catches him across the jaw, like a punch to the throat and Keith's thrown bodily across the room and lands on his side, gasping for air.

Letting go of the sword, he coughs and attempts to get back onto his feet, but his body is stinging all over and he doesn't quite make it much further than managing to sit up awkwardly using his hand for additional balance.]

...shit.

[ Hearing Keith's voice snaps James out of his confused gaze and within moments he's kneeling next to Keith, removing his helmet. ]

Are you okay?? I thought... I thought you had me.

[ And he doesn't really understand why not. ]

[Keith deosn't speak, still trying to catch his breath. Gingerly he touches his jaw, as if touching it is going to tell him if that's going to leave a mark.]

I did. [Fuck sogarcoating that.] Ow.

[ This wasn't a victory James has earned with skill and he knows it - though naturally he also knows their skills were very evenly matched and it'd have been a close call either way, thank you. ]

And you didn't hit me anyway. Why?

[ Spoken softly and puzzled more than anything else, as he keeps his eyes on Keith and checking him for further injuries. ]

[No other apparent injuries, other than the one dealt to his pride really. Keith grumbles, still rubbing his jaw.]

I dunno. You looked like a scared noodle, okay?

[...it's at least partly true.]

A scared... a scared noodle...

[ James runs a hand through his hair. Not sure if he's relieved or exasperated. ]

Why do I worry about you...?

[ There's a small smile here. ]

Good fight, Keith.

[He looks up at James at the question, blinking because he wasn't expecting that to be the response to some half hearted insult. The smile he's confronted with gets him to pause even rubbing at his neck to swallow dryly.]

Don't count on winning next time.

I'm not. You better keep me on my toes, so we can use it to improve.

[ James takes a deep breath and then finally deactivates the shielding on his armor. He feels sweaty and sore all over and as much as its a given with fights, it's still a drag. ]

[He has half a mind to point out that James sure is getting cocky for someone who's relying heavily on magical armor, and would probably get his ass kicked in unarmed combat, but --

That's not what's important. They're in a war now, and their enemies don't care to fight on the terms he's most comfortable with. Strength can't be measured that way anymore.

And maybe.... maybe he's glad that James is stronger. Keith looks away briefly, then looks back up.]

Alright. Tell me what you think I can improve on.

[ James pauses for a moment, thinking, and catching his breath a little further. During the fight he's been focused on reacting more than anything. There had been no reason to approach this as a tutor, so now he has to let the battle rewind in front of his mind's eye. ]

Considering flames are your strongest asset, you should really use them more... though otherwise, your fighting is pretty much perfect for what I can tell.

Your gear though... it probably has space for an inscription like mine, to create a shield. Protect you even from bullets, if you're lucky.

[There's a brief silence.]

I'm not that great with runes yet.

[The people at the Anvil could probably help him with that one, but he just doesn't like asking for help in the end. What's harder to say is... well. He takes a deep breath, pushing his hair off his forehed. He glances at his dropped sword, then reaches to pick it up. Instantly a small wisp for flame skitters along the blade, and then extinguishes.[

I know I'm not using the fire right. [Insofar that there is a correct way to use fire in a fight.] It's just... [Eyes decidedly fixed on the sword, he busies himself with making the sword vanish by running his hand over it.] ...I don't want to watch anyone burn alive.

Oh.

[ That's a syllable he ends up saying a lot with regards to Keith, James has to notice. This was so obvious, so perfectly clear, and he just hadn't seen it. Now he nearly feels bad for making Keith say it out loud. It's... not an easy issue to approach and beyond the fact that fire powers are more fitting than anything else for Keith's personality, they're also a cruel joke. Maybe even the comparison itself is a cruel joke. A fiery personality... yeah, right. ]

... sorry. [ It's something Keith will need to confront, James knows that, but he can't bring himself to insist right now, when Keith is bruised and on the floor. Instead he says: ] I can inscribe your gear if you want.

[Awkward silence hangs in the air, though Keith is determined not to leave a whole lot of room for discussion on this particular topic.]

Right now?

No... I'll need tools. I just... I want you to be safe, too. So tomorrow, give me your gear for a little bit and it'll be back better than ever.

[ Awkward indeed. They're both still seated on the floor close to each other too and James is aware he should probably be getting up but his body is weary. Maybe he should float to the changing rooms instead of walking... Yeah, that'll be a good idea for in a little bit. ]

[Keith stares for a beat. The sentiment is ...well, not new. It's just a reaffirmation of what's already been said at the bonfire, but it's a sentiment that feels disconnected from the way his jaw aches. His whole body aches. There's a fractional smile, his expression soft for a moment, but it fades soon after.]

You were working on your armor though. And studying for finals. You planning on sleeping at all?

Uh... Seven hours a night, yes, with longer sleep planned in for right before the battle to remain rested.

[ He knows he can't let his body deteriorate or this battle will also kill him and the chances of things killing him are... already higher than he'd like for them to be. ]

I'll fit it in at cost of studying, if I have to.

Risking your chances of getting a perfect score on exams for me, huh. Can't tell if that means I should be touched or if it means you think I'm gonna die.

[He lets out a sigh, then takes his hand away from his jaw. Angling his face slightly to give James a better view:]

This bruised or what?

[ James raises his hand to push some of Keith's unruly hair out of the way for a better view. It's weird to do it with full awareness that he likes Keith and wants to touch him, rather than just accidentally get close and feel strange about it later. James even wonders idly if he is taking advantage of the situation, but if Keith didn't want that, then maybe he shouldn't have such a mullet, clearly. ]

Yeah, sorry to say. Not a huge bruise, but visible.

[ And then he lets his hand fall again because too long is too weird after all. ]

[He tenses up as James reaches to touch his neck, then keeps his eyes fixed on the ground rather than any part of the other boy.]

Guess this probably counts as payback.

[Maybe. He breathes out when the contact ends. Perhaps he ought to be getting to his feet to retrieve the dagger he'd thrown earlier. Yeah.]

Maybe... Not that I really wanted payback anymore.

[ That time Keith hit him in the face seems so long ago. Formative, but distant, very very distant. ]

With the way it's now.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject