Light 'em up

[starcharter]

Characters: EVERYBODY
Date: sundown on November 29th to sunrise on November 30th
Location: A plaza in Earth
Situation: The population of Keeliai could use a little warmth. So Chekov set stuff on fire and invited everyone over.
Warnings/Rating: None, but please put something in your comment header if necessary.

On Wednesday, everyone received the following audio message (and text attachments in English and Russian) from (1) Pavel Chekov in their inboxes:

“Hello. I would like to invite you to a bonfire in Earth sector on Friday at sundown. Please feel free to bring friends.”


A plaza in Earth sector is buzzing with activity-- most of it from one young man. He spends the day lugging folding tables and pushing wheelbarrows of supplies into the plaza. As the day wears on, several entrepreneurial kedan set up stands. By sundown, the plaza is lit up with three large, roaring bonfires. Most of the ice and snow has melted away, leaving a few patches here and there in the furthest corners of the plaza. One patch a bit away from the fires is completely devoid of snow and ice-- it's a sort of dance floor or performance area. Some music is playing out of one of the upper windows of the buildings overlooking the plaza. It's varies from quick and frenzied to slow and soothing. Of course, anyone is welcome to claim the floor to perform a magic show or do a little singing of their own.

There's a hodgepodge of various folding tables set with the essentials: raw vegetables, the closest equivalent of marshmallows Chekov could find (next to the chocolate and graham cracker substitutes), and sausages. There are skewers and tongs lying around should anyone need them. He also brought a few jugs of water, which are refilled periodically. It's not much, but it's the best he could do with a limited budget and not a lot of time. The kedan have taken the opportunity to sell what Chekov couldn't bring-- hot beverages and food, blankets, scarves and gloves, and several other simple wares.

It's not a grand setup, but there are roaring bonfires, food, and good company.


(Posting this slightly early because of Thanksgiving chaos. Let me know if you have any questions)

Comments

BONFIRES

[starcharter]

Bright flames dance in the plaza, easily over five feet high and fueled by stacks of large logs. Occasionally a few embers will drift skyward, adding the illusion of tiny fireflies dancing between the guests. The smoke isn't too severe but the smell of wood burning fills the plaza, intended to be comforting and familiar. There is plenty of space between fires, so guests can stand as close or as far away to the warmth as they like.

Zatanna

[backwordscompatible]

A. - Closed to Robin

She needed this. So much. The night was almost too perfect. Then again, maybe they were just due. Come to think of it, when was the last time they'd had an actual date-date? Not since the Opera, possibly. Yeah, they were definitely due.

Her back was pressed comfortably against his chest. It amazed her just how well they fit together in this position. Part of her was afraid to admit it might have been because he'd been growing. If he hadn't realized yet, no way she was going to bring it to his attention. Not tonight. Not when she was experiencing that momentary state of actual bliss. The blanket they shared kept their mutual body heat contained, combined with the heat of the roaring fire in front of them.

She tried roasting marshmallows. Hands just barely peeking out from the top of the blanket to hold the stick over the open flame. For some reason, though, she kept getting distracted each an every time just long enough for the poor marshmallow to end up on fire.

At this rate, she was going to go the entire night without making a descent s'more.

She didn't mind.


B. - OPEN

In the rare moments when she wasn't semi-permanently glued to Robin's chest for the night, Zatanna could be seen bonfire-hopping. Glancing around in search of familiar faces and food items alike.

Preferably extra marshmallows. Her supply was running low.

[wintershepherd]

Earlier Jack had spotted Zatanna in his idle ambling around the outskirts of the bonfire area but seeing her snuggled up to Dick had kept him from approaching, not wanting to interrupt.

He'd taken up a perch a little ways out of the circle of warmth cast by the fires and now he caught sight of her wandering around. "Looking for something?"

Re: Zatanna

[alphatar]

Korra’s in front of one of the bonfires with a plateful of food from the vendors in one hand and a skewer with four sausages on it. It’d be easier for her to simply firebend the sausages back where she was sitting, but that’s in a freshly made igloo far from the fire’s reach. Firebending there is a definite no.

It isn’t until Zatanna in search of food that Korra notices her. It may have only been a week, but for Korra it felt like a lifetime ago.

“Hey.” Spoken softly, she holds up the plate. “Free of charge.”

/slides in late hello

[hackingyoursensors]

Dick is rarely comfortable here. Even now, he's alert to any potential dangers. But something about the warm blanket and the feel of Zatanna leaning against him soothes him.

She keeps failing spectacularly at roasting a marshmallow (he may or may not be helping her fail at said marshmallow-roasting). He tries not to laugh, but he does snicker slightly at her most recent failure.

"Hey, I think you'd be great at making a Flaming Alaska."

OPEN

[superieure]

[She's not here because of the cold. That doesn't affect her at all - it's only that this is something new and she thinks she might as well make it a party worth attending by gracing it with her presence. Monet has taken a good, long, slow stroll around the plaza, keenly taking in all the sights.]

[She can be found near the fires, walking, hands clasped behind her back, heels clicking, or at one of the stalls, picking out something she finds particularly charming.]

[definingfuture]

[Tony is wearing a heavy coat over his suit, so he's not that bothered by the cold. But when he happens to see who is walking around the fires, he freezes. As if it weren't bad enough that he already had trouble on Tu Vishan. At first he hopes she just doesn't see him, but in the end he doesn't bother to hide. Tony stands right in the line of Monet's path, waiting for the inevitable and raising a hand with a calm gesture when she gets close.

Here goes nothing.]

[laylaknowsstuff]

I got some chestnuts, [Layla says, her hands wrapped around a small paper bag, as she appears next to Monet.] Y'want a few? They're nothing like the ones back in New York, but they're still pretty tasty.

[She pops one into her mouth.]

[cowled]

[Bruce catches her at one of the stalls, and steps up beside her with a smile. It's a little unsettling, how much she looks like and reminds him of Talia, but that doesn't mean he can't be friendly. To a telepath.

His mind is full of idle chatter on the surface, commentary on her appearance (beautiful, it's a respectful word in his mind), on the gathering, he's crunching numbers on Wayne Enterprises in one facet of it, and thinking about picking a suit up at one of the local cleaners.

Beneath that, of course, there is absolutely nothing.

He selects something from the vendor she's observing - a strip of a cloth similar to velvet, with a ring curling the edges together at the centre, a charm ringed around it there. It's an elegant little piece, all in black and silver, and he holds it out to her with a smile.]

If you're looking for something suitable, might I recommend this piece?

Damian

[demon_brat]

Damian wasn't exactly a part of the revels. He didn't feel like celebrating, honestly. But half the time when there was a festival, something odd happened - and, in case something happened tonight, he was out to keep an eye on people.

Not directly under the fires, but quietly circulating around and among all of them.

[unetrustworthy]

He was alone. Good.

Not because he deserved to be (although...), but because Midii would rather prefer they not have an audience for this. It had been difficult enough trying to muster up the courage to approach him at all without the fear of knowing somebody would be listening in. Watching. As it was, she knew there was a good chance at least one person would see them together.

A risk she would just have to take. She'd promised Kyle, after all, and the young man had been so kind and helpful to her, she felt like she owed it to him to keep that promise.

"...hello, Damian."

Her words were soft. Barely audible over the crackling of the fire. She maintained her distance. A few feet back. Waiting to see what he would say...or, more importantly, do.

[modernized]

It had been two weeks since Terry arrived. Over that time he slowly became knowledgeable in the workings of his new surroundings, not so much the fish out of water he was when he arrived. To say he's happy about the circumstances is stretching it (the idea of time being frozen back in his world only worries more than comforts) but it's all about adapting.

That said, he picked up a little tidbit over the network from an angry woman calling out a certain "Damian Wayne" and it didn't take Terry long to deduce that this person had to be the Robin he met his first night. The one he has no intel about. Frustrating, but he'll live. Rolling with the punches is what he does best, if nothing else.

So when he catches sight of a small kid fitting the quota (black hair, blue eyes, angry scowl) he's certain he has his match. Rocky start yes, but Terry is more certain now of where he stands (on thin ice) and decides to approach, carrying a strange looking fruit in his hand. Don't ask him what it is - it looked interesting enough to fork over a couple juulan for. He might eat it if he's feeling risky.

"Nice night, huh?" He starts casually, walking up by Damian's side. He's sure if he goes from behind the kid might freak and try to kick him into a wall on reflex.

Open

[michaeljangelo]

From a distant rooftop Mike saw the smoke rising high into the sky, and being the special kind of fool inclined to run towards danger, quickly dashed to the the scene so as to be of help as needed.

Imagine, if you will, his surprise at not finding a house on fire, but rather a planned safe and lacking in chaos bonfire. His is a sigh of relief. It's followed quickly by a pause, a tilting of his head, and then a wide smile.

Fires are warm.
Bonfires are extra warm.
Reptiles are...less so. Especially in winter.

So if anyone needs Mike, he'll be as close to the fire as possible without actually being on fire.

Probably reciting to himself the Saturday Night Live sketch Mister Robinson's Neighborhood.
"Feel that heat."

JACK

[wintershepherd]

The scent of the bonfires is indeed a powerful nostalgic reminder for Jack and he stands on the edge of the plaza for a good ten minutes just watching the people beginning to gather around the three flaming stacks. It made him think of small quiet cabins in deep winters and hearths blazing in old town squares, the crackle of the many fireplaces in North's Workshop to drive out the Pole's chill.

(The warmth of the big fire with his sister curled sleepily at his side in the Dream. The tiny circle of light of the abandoned village house and Oliver's suspicious glances.)

He hardly notices that he's been standing there unmoving for quite a while.

Bakura (OTA)

[denyamenti]

The fires were a surprisingly welcome distraction, for even though the suites were more than adequately heated the thief was not one to sit idly by. There was still too much information to gather about this place and the people here and so there weren't many hours that he wasn't out despite the unwelcome cold and snow.

Where was the Ring? Where was his host?

This gathering gave him an opportunity to sit and watch others while warming himself with a show of relief not 100% feigned. He doesn't speak to everyone but his body language isn't standoffish, watching everyone's comings and goings.

[jondrette]

The cold wasn't strange to Eponine. What was strange was the warmth. Usually, the winter brought with it frostbite and people freezing to death at her feet. She'd gone barefoot through the Parisian winters, hating the shoes she shared with her family. But here she had boots of her own, and was bundled up in sweaters and scarves and hats. Winter here was warm and lovely, with the snow. Everyone seemed in good spirits, and Eponine was no different.

She wanders about the people, drinking some of the mulled wine she'd gotten from a vendor.

Enjolras

[solo_patria]

[Enjolras is not really built to withstand the cold, or prone to dropping money on something as mundane as clothing, even here, but he's made his way to the festivities regardless, finding himself standing closer to the fire himself to make up for the fact he's forgotten to exchange his fall coat for something warmer just yet. He DOES, at least, have a scarf wound around his neck, and is sipping from a steaming cup of coffee as he observes the goings on, keeping an eye out from kedan ladies he's had ...encounters..with in his time here, and ready to find hiding places at a moment's notice.

Until then though? Please feel free to bother him!]

Booker - Open

[washitaway]

Booker's never been the celebratory type, for reasons that would probably be pretty obvious to anyone who knows him well (which, admittedly, isn't that many). Still, the general rule of thumb with him these days is 'Elizabeth asks, he agrees', especially when she wants to go to a party, where there are likely to be a lot of strangers.

Which is not to say he's not potentially enjoying himself, too. Sure, he's got a watchful eye on the girl, to make sure no harm comes to her, and he's always wary of anyone who might pose a threat. But there's a lot of food here, too, and drinks. The drinks are nice. He'll be seeking out the strongest whiskey-like drink he can find.

But don't make fun of the brand new, green hand-knitted sweater he's wearing. Elizabeth made it for him herself. It's very comfortable, and in no way impedes Booker's masculinity.

OPEN

[alpha_squad_leader]

At first, Victor had no intention of leaving his suite. The cold and snow were too much for him to want to go. But eventually the smell of the nearby bonfires and promises of the warmth they'd bring drew him out. So he got bundled up and set out.

At the moment he's as close to one of the bonfires as he can get without actually being burned and is carefully roasting a marshmallow.

"Don't burn, don't burn..."

DANCE & PERFORMANCE FLOOR

[starcharter]

Music drifts out of an open window in the upper apartment of a building overlooking the plaza. It's audible, but not so loud that it's overbearing. The songs will be unfamiliar, but they're danceable and vary from bright and energetic to slow and contemplative.

The space also doubles as a performance area, should anyone find the dance floor empty and want to spice it up with their own brand of entertainment.

OPEN

[imaginate]

[Kyle is bundled up in several layers despite the fires, mostly dark colours with a deep green scarf; he's been staying near the performance area, humming along to some of the music a few enterprising kedan have been playing. He watches the dances a bit more distantly, taking notes rather than joining in. When the floor's empty he can be heard humming a song somebody may once noticed on the '90s pop charts, and muttering about how there really should be a karaoke option here.]

Raven (OTA)

[zinthosmantra]

Raven has found a quiet space at the edge of the performance area, settling into a crosslegged position hovering just slightly above the surface of the snow, seemingly content to watch the various acts and participants. Holding onto a large mug of tea purchased from one of the kedan vendors, it floats in midair long enough to let her clap politely along with the others at the end of each group's activity, before the sorceress reclaims it once again.

[beunbroken]

[One of Elizabeth's favorite things, she'd learned early on, was dancing. But it was one thing to dance alone in your tower, and another thing to do it around people, smiling and laughing and enjoying it. She'd already been swept into a dance around the fire with a charming Kedan boy- don't tell Booker- but she wasn't going to stop any time soon.

Except for snacks.]

WINDING DOWN

[starcharter]

The sky is lightening, most of the food is gone, the music has stopped, and the merchants are packing it in. There's still a little more time to socialize in the quiet just before dawn.

MISC.

[starcharter]

Eating and dancing aren't the only things to do here. Go wild! Don't let me put you in a box, bro!