aterat | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Who; Everyone!
What; Pulse log; REMEMBRANCE
Where; Throughout the City
When; August 8th - 15th
Warnings; Will update when and as necessary

In the days leading up to August 8th, the city is abuzz with activity. Businesses in the Merchant district have posted notices they will be closed the following week in observance of something called “Remembrance”. The Aspects are absent this week, though that doesn’t seem particularly out of the ordinary, and it’s easy to get caught up in what is quite a celebratory time in the city. Harvests and meats are being brought in from the outlying farms, the main square is being cordoned into stalls for food, drink, and performances. The guard is more present this week, keeping a close eye on the organization and watching for any miscreants.

As the time of the festival approaches, a quiet excitement seems to thrum through the others here, young and old alike, and on the evening of the 8th, a commencement parade makes its way through the market district.

The procession, filled with musicians, dancers, jugglers, and the like, make their way from the fountain square to the center of the market district, where a crude stage has been erected in the square at the center of the market district, in front of the guard headquarters. It’s nothing fancy, but it does serve the purpose of bringing to the attention of those gathered those who stand atop it.

A tall man in a Guardsman’s blue uniform climbs the stairs, steel plates glittering in the midday sun. He has a stern countenance, and there’s a stiffness through his shoulders that suggests he isn’t overly fond of public speeches. He takes a steadying breath before clearing his throat.

“People of Aterat, those of us who were risen from its ashes and those of us who have been gathered to kindle its flame,” he pauses here for a moment, giving his address an air of gravitas. “Welcome. I am Captain Orson Khannar, of the Aterat City Guard. I was a guardsman before the Fall and I can tell you we stand as a shadow of our former selves, but we do stand. Two years ago, today, the Aspects descended from the Fountain, all that remained of our once proud land, they saw the ruin wrought upon it, and they began to weave. There was little of us left, but what stands was reassembled because we Remembered.” A cheer rises from the collected locals, along with a few scattered cries of ‘bless the Aspects’ and ‘long may Halcyn reign’. Captain Khannar raises a hand to still the crowd and after a moment, their cheers and raised prayers quiet.

“But we did not remember enough. This year, the Creator has provided, and we welcome among us memories from other worlds. This Remembrance, do not forget their sacrifice.” His tone changes then, and his piercing gaze moves across all those who have come here from elsewhere. “Outlanders, I expect nothing of you, but I offer you a warning: we are not your captors but we are your neighbors. As such, we will hold you to the same standards to which we hold ourselves. I am the Captain of your guard, and it is my sworn oath to keep this city safe from miscreants. That said, those of you who are willing and able, I would welcome your aid. Surely by now you have seen our fair city has its share of problems. My office is just there across the square.”

And with that bit of business handled, he directs his attention back to the crowd. “A Happy Remembrance to us all!” The crowd cheers again, though less enthusiastically, as a few look around at those gathered from other worlds, uncertain if they share the Captain’s willingness to welcome the aid of ‘Outlanders’.

The rest of the week is a city-wide party. The taverns are overflowing with merrymakers, there is wine and food for all, music at all hours of the day and night. Performers come out in droves, there are artists, artisans, and the like. If you can think of a festival occurrence, it happens at some point, though all the shops are closed for normal hours. It seems it’s quite the holiday, and you are welcome to invent whatever you'd like for a scene.

The Captain remains true to his word, and the Guard HQ in the Market Square seems to be the only place operating normally. There are regular patrols throughout the events, but Captain Khannar can be found most days in his office, upstairs in the HeadQuarters, should anyone like to question him.

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Caelan grinned lightly at Jacob’s expression, glad to provide a little relief from the noisy drunks that were so insistent on the lad’s company. He was pretty good at dividing his attention, focusing on one person while keeping his ears open for other important chatter. It was an occupational hazard, had to stay a step ahead of whoever else might be watching.

He did give the crowd a little wave (expression just a touch cheeky perhaps) as they walked away, before turning his attention on Jacob properly. “I’m as grand as one can be in this place, I expect. Finding trouble to get into, or trying.” His tone is joking, but he hasn’t forgotten the new guard guy’s comment on miscreants. He definitely counted as one in his own world, so that would be fun if it came to him being one here as well. “What about you, find anything worth doing yet in all this mess?”

The selkie held his violin aloft a moment later, pleased to show it to his friend. “Indeed, it was. Got this a little while back from that Raimon fellow. So, at the very least, I’ve got something to do in my spare time again.”

Jacob glanced behind him, catch the gaze of a few of Caelan's new fans. He hadn't been paying a lot of attention to the specific players but if the bars reaction was any indication, Caelan was incredibly skilled, or perhaps a touch flirtatious. Jake didn't feel as if he knew him well enough to identify what it was.

"Mm?" He turned back, his light hazel eyes reflecting more of a seaweed green hue. "Oh, yeah? Is there a lot of trouble to get into? This place seems pretty low key to me but I probably haven't gotten around as much. That is- exploring. You seemed to like that."

He was a little more relaxed thanks to the alcohol but not entirely. It was hard for Jacob to relax.

"I haven't found anything yet. No cars, so I'll have to fall back on carpentry. You think the guy who got you your violin might be able to get me my ipod... and a magical charger?" That existed, right?

The safest bet where Caelan was concerned was to say it was both and be done with it. He used both skills to his advantage more often than not, a tool to use and to gain some sort of upper hand over a mark. The genuine flirts tended to be followed by disaster despite his confidence, so they were a little fewer. “Not the sort of trouble I’m accustomed to, but enough for a little excitement now and again. Joined a group for something to occupy my time a little while back, called the Gullwings.” He shrugged a little, “They seem like a good enough lot so far.”

“I’m sorry to hear you couldn’t find what you were hoping for. It can be frustrating to have to fall back on other options.” Conforming and fitting into a new situation was bad enough without that. He was still trying to figure it out, as lucky as he was to at least find a group he got on with well enough so far. “I don’t expect you’d have trouble finding work as a carpenter at least, there seems to be plenty that needs that kind of expertise here.”

Of course, he still wasn’t really sure what an iPod was... But given how much time he had spent around Holly since arriving, he was getting used to hearing word that he didn’t understand. “Well, I don’t know what that is specifically... but if anyone can get it I expect it’d be Raimon? When I stopped into his shop about the violin, it was the very next morning that this was on my doorstep.”

"Sounds like fun." Jacob leaned against the wall once they were a decent ways away from the hum of the crowds. He had hoped they would find a back table but the bar's were packed and there wasn't a place to sit and talk without standing close or rising their voices to be heard.

It wasn't bad but it was an atmosphere he wasn't used too.

"Really? I'll have to ask him. Not sure if I can though. An I-pod is a device that has my music on it but it'd need to be charged. Not sure how that would work here. If I do manage to get it, I'll show you. I'm not sure how much of my music you'll like." He had varying tastes.

His expression broke into a grin when he saw the violin. "It's amazing. You playing, I mean. I'd love to hear more." He didn't care for the sound of silence and not having his I-pod meant that he didn't sleep very well or for very long. It was starting to wear him out.

“Well if you do get one, I’d be happy to hear it. I’ve heard all sorts of music over the years, and future music might be interesting. I might just like it, yeah?” He responded with a little grin, moving towards the back of the bar with Jacob. It was too bad there wasn’t a space to sit, but Caelan wasn’t too bothered by it.

He did gently nudge Jacob’s shoulder a moment later though when he spotted a less populated space by the wall.

The selkie grinned at the compliment, a little pride bleeding into his expression. “Well thanks, Jake. It’s always nice to hear the great racket I make is appreciated now and again.” As it was, he’d probably be willing to play now. The only reason he hadn’t was because it tended to draw attention, and Jacob seemed to need a little less of that at the moment. “Maybe I can play for you some time, been working on some new compositions the last couple weeks while I was without an instrument that need some fine-tuning and opinions.”

"Sure." He smiled and moved to where Caelan had indicated. "And thanks. That is, I'd love to hear you play. I don't know if you're going to be here a lot or where you practice." Jacob shifted a bit, taking a small sip of the drink that he'd been carrying around with him. He was trying not to be awkward but Caelan was charming, handsome, sweet and brought out that awkwardness in him.

"I live in the Gray Building. Which- probably doesn't help." He didn't know where people lived or who lived in his building but he knew that they were always close together, each building meeting in a single courtyard.

“It does help, gives me an idea of where to go if I want to find you.” He responded with a small chuckle, better the grey than the blue or green. He was bound to get those two mixed up from time to time, and he didn’t really want to have to go knocking on the wrong doors just to pester his friend. “I’m in the red building, at least as long as they expect us to live in the apartments.”

He’s not fond of living in a crowded building, especially one so far from the waters. Still, it was a free place to rest his head at night. It would do for now...

“As for where I play, you can find me here sometimes, or in the markets busking when I’m not messing about with the Gullwings.” Or in the early hours of the morning, possibly driving his neighbours a little batty when he forgot the time and kept on playing. He was a night owl, and music was his comfort habit.

Jacob's head tilted briefly to the side. "Well, that's true. It's not too hard to find me honestly." He didn't travel out a lot and when he did it was for specific reasons. Most of his time was spend pacing around the small apartment he'd been given and attempting to teach himself how to cook. So far he hasn't burned down the building though he's pretty sure that most of the rooms around him are empty because they would definitely have complained by this point.

"The Gullwings huh? I think I saw an place called that. I wasn't sure what it was." It was unclear to him. "I like going to the docks or check out the shops or when they have things like this." He gestured at the week long event. "Otherwise I'm at home but I'd go out to hear you play."

"I feel like I'm channeling my sister and rambling a bit. It's been awhile since I've been in a social gathering like this. I didn't really do it much back home."

“Well if you happen to be out and see me playing, feel free to stop. I might even be willing to take requests.” Although, he supposed, there was a good chance he might not have heard of the songs that were popular in Jacob’s world. Still, he grinned at the idea. He definitely welcomed having a friend around, as adaptable as Caelan was, it was still very weird to not have his group around. He was far too used to having them around daily, and lack was starting to be felt a little more strongly.

Perhaps Jacob was rambling a little, but it wasn’t a problem. Caelan was used to being around chatty people, and he was used to talking to people at length concerning just about any subject. Sometimes you needed to distract people while working a job, and that meant being able to keep up. “It’s a pleasant sort of ramble if that’ what you’re doing, though I would say I’ve been around people who ramble far more.”

Gesturing a little at the crowd, he continued. “It’s not a bad turnout, at least as far as a tavern goes. I find the trick is to have interesting company and to find a good place to watch the crowds. At least if you’re not performing.”

(I couldn’t remember if we were hand waving the rest of this thread and Syeira’s or not, so I’m tagging them just in case! I’m excited to get back to the things and getting ready for October stuff though <3 )

Jacob grinned. "Cool. Though you might not know the songs I do. Unless you're a fan of classic rock?" He listened to other types of music and instrumentals as well but nothing that he knew the name of.

"Huh?" His gaze was pulled back to the crowd as another set of performers began to play. "I wouldn't mind playing in a group but I'm not much of a solo performer. I sang in a horrible band back in middle school. It was really bad." But he smiled at the memory. There were a lot of friends that Jacob would never be able to see again.

(ooc: we can handwave this and start something new if you want! I think we had handwaved this to Jacob and Caelan hanging out a bunch whlie Caelan played.)

(ooc: Okay! That’s perfect :D)

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