asgardchrysalis | EVENT LOG: HÆIÐRS-MINNI

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EVENT LOG: HÆIÐRS-MINNI

Who: EVERYONE
What: the Hæiðrs-Minni event log
When: November 16
Where: EVERYWHERE
Rating: PG-13; please take anything higher than this to a private log!

morning: the funeral

The morning sun is lost behind clouds that pour in an endless rain, casting the city into a dark and gloomy shadow. The streets of Asgard are almost entirely empty, although hardly a soul can be found indoors either. Everyone is gathered instead at the riverbank on the castle grounds, where a series of boats are tethered along the short and gently tugging with the current. The native Asgardians place gifts, food, and personal belongings into the boats in memory of their lost loved ones.

Whether you've lost someone, were lost yourself, or carry some other loss within you, the natives invite you to place your own offerings in the boats to send off your sorrows together.

Several hours into the morning, once everyone has had their chance to fill the boats, Heimdall gives a short speech honoring those that fell in the recent battle as the boats are let loose down the river. Honir fires an arrow towards the last one to float away, and Odin lights it on fire as it soars overhead, the single arrow splitting into a wave of shooting stars that strike each boat dead center. The boats alight all at once, and even with the rain pouring overhead, they continue to burn as they float gently out of sight, carrying everyone's grief away with them.

all day: the dedication

Throughout the rest of the day, many of Asgard's residents seem to buzz around Firar Samka, the cultural museum in Mimir's district. A new wing has been added to document Asgard's recent triumphs, but most especially to honor the unexpected stalwart allies of the kingdom: you, the Wanderers from other worlds. This display was added to memorialize the lengths you've gone to in the name of protecting and preserving life within the realm, the core purpose of Asgard in its entirety. You are heroes among gods and this exhibit seeks to portray that for all to see.

As you wander through the display, you might see childish drawings of familiar people fighting a massive dragon, or a large painted mural of solemn faces standing off against an army of ghoulish figures. Skadi can be found beside these, sometimes twisting them into eerie motion or placing a new piece somewhere along the halls.

Elsewhere, you can find Njord alone or accompanied by some human skalds as they sing or read poetry or even sometimes reenact part of the battles against the Red Death and the Army of the Dead. Your characters can watch or join, and they might even hear their own names mentioned among the reverence and song. This is the story of Asgard and the Wanderers conquering death, and you're right at the center of it.

evening: the feast

To end the day on a high note, everyone is invited to Nādhirhöll in Tyr's district, where the entire banquet hall has been decked out in so many colors and leaves and lights that it might feel like walking into an overgrown forest tightly held in the grips of a sparkling autumn. With the growing success of the distilleries in Njord's district, vodka and ales are passed around freely alongside the mountains of food available on tables in every room. People dance and sing and lounge around the leaves with laughter and a joyful appreciation of life in the air.

If your character joins the party, they might notice themselves feeling more warm and relaxed over the course of the evening. They might have the unusual inclination to be more physically affectionate with people and vocally declare their appreciation to them. Deep in this glittering "forest," it is easy to feel lost in the warmth and comfort of good company and relative safety.

This party continues into the morning of the next day, something that many may not realize as deeply wrapped in an artificial forest as they may be. The effects of the curse fade as everyone stumbles their way out of Nādhirhöll, leaving a heavy blanket of strangely warm exhaustion behind. It's been a long and potentially emotional day, but the city seems to be brought together under a shared relief and a new tomorrow.

[ OOC NOTES: This is the event log for Hæiðrs-Minni! There are various goings-on throughout the day to acknowledge past strife and be grateful for a projected future. If you have any questions or need any help, please let us know on the mod contact page! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

the funeral;

Between the fog and the heavy rain pouring all over the location, it is somewhat tricky for someone down there to notice a person sitting on a high branch of a nearby tree. The reason only known to him since it has a deep, personal meaning; a bushi must not cry, so it was easier for both Souji and his underling Kamiya to think about the loss of a dear friend or comrade far from the sight of others and up a camphor tree. Well, actually Kamiya's tears were from herself and in his name - a tree that has a crybaby sheding the tears of others - as he recalls saying to her... but Kamiya isn't here to weep for the dead.

Without any offerings to give, he wishes to think that being there is a sort of tribute to those who perished fighting the White Walkers, both natives and wanderers, especially the youngest. His eyes don't tear up, instead, a smile is drawn at the boats that move away towards the horizon. For some people, it could be weird seeing him without worrying that he would fall.

the feast;

With the autumn leaves dancing around like those present who attended the party it is a whimsy for Souji to enjoy, quite fun and full of life with seasonal decorations. Not seeing himself as an inveterate drunkard, it seemed as if he had drunk quite a lot without having a single cup or glass, albeit that didn't matter when he can't take his eyes off the food tables and mostly the available pastries.

If you are close enough, you will see he's in such good spirits than usually ever, having pieces here and there.

Wei Wuxian doesn't rise from the lakeshore until he's sure his tears can be mistaken for rain, rubbing his eyes a last time as he turns back to the city proper. He's passing under a tree when something - a sound, perhaps, or a soldier's instinct - causes him to look up. His red eyes widen in surprise - he knows the person seated in the branches. They share a room in Heimdallhaus, though he can't understand why he's up a tree now.

"Okita-gongzi," he calls up. "Come, let's go to the feast."

Certainly there are many people gathered he could spot a few housemates and people with whom he has talked before. One of them is Wei Wuxian standing under the tree after leaving from the shore. As opposed to him, Souji looks calm with the white in his eyes as clear as daisy petals when he decides to go down.

"Are you sure you want to go too, Wei Wuxian-san?" The more he descends, the more obvious is the sadness on the boy's face.

"Can't linger in the rain forever," says Wei Wuxian, forcing a smile onto his face. This close, Okita-gongzi looks sorrowful, and Wei Wuxian wonders if he'd known those among the dead. They're of an age, but after being the Jiang clan's da-shixiong and the Yiling Patriarch, Wei Wuxian is of the habit of looking after him, and he holds out a hand to steady his descent.

"I'm hungry!"

Easier for himself to hide his own grief by being sad for others, for Wei Wuxian with that kind of smile. Except Souji's smile is a complete and sudden shift that could take aback anyone. "I was about to say the same. I'm glad that Wei Wuxian-san has a good stomach right now." he replies, going doing with his help until he touches ground.

"It's rare for Wei Wuxian to not," he answers with a more genuine laugh as he lets his hand fall. "If I ever turn down food, send for a doctor, if I turn down wine, send for the undertaker."

He turns them towards the banquet hall, not so long a walk, though the rain will make it feel as much. "Did Okita-gonzi know any among the dead?"

Lan Zhan knows this face. This is the other person who lives with Wei Ying. This is the person Wei Ying has spoken of, wants to arrange a dinner with.

And suddenly, out of nowhere, it seems like an excellent idea. Lan Zhan finds himself walking over entirely unprompted, half confused at his actions but nonetheless on this course. He half wonders if he has been drugged.

"Pardon my interruption. I am Lan Wangji of Gusu Lan and Odinhaus. Friend of Wei Wuxian," he says, offering a proper bow.

The polite introduction pauses his cake tasting, turning to Lan Zhan with a bite-making lump inside his cheek like a meadow mouse. Funny how even when caught eating, his good manners are commonplace. What has captured Souji's attention is the stoical face and traits similar to those of his comrade and friend, Hajime Saito.

"Oh, nice to meet you! I'm Souji Okita, First Captain of the Shinsengumi from Heimdallhaus." Hopes Lan Zhan can forgive his mouthful as he offers a short bow to him, a small piece of little cake in his palm. Fortunately, he gulps in time. "Are you enjoying the feast?" asking with a sheepish smile.

Lan Zhan can feel his bizarre bravery wavering, especially as he can see he has interrupted him mid-bite. It is terribly rude but he cannot simply run away. Wei Ying lives with this person.

"Apologies for Lan Wangji's timing," he says, offering a smaller bow in remorse. "Yes, feast is generous. Wei Ying speaks highly of Master Okita. Wanted to make introduction," he explains, tensing every muscle so he doesn't fidget. "Not practiced at it."

It's not as if he cares much when stopped halfway through a meal or eating sweets, Souji always welcomes a good conversation with anyone who approaches him. Surprising is that Wei Wuxian holds him in high esteem, not accustomed to the praise of friends and acquaintances in the same regard.

More than that, unwittingly and without thinking, Souji laughs amused at how Lan Zhan really has a hard time socializing. "I can see that! You're not used to crowds, right?" Kamiya would have hit him for such comment.

Lan Zhan drops his gaze, ears burning as Okita laughs, however gently. He broke so many rules of politeness and custom with his approach.

He shakes his head, taking a deep breath before he is able to raise his head yet again. "Avoid crowds," he agrees with a small bow. "Avoid socialization and speaking. Not proud of that. Wei Wuxian told you this?"

Isn't it fun? Not that he's making fun of him, of course. He just finds Lan Zhan's discomfort too adorable, almost like Saito's when he's teasing him. Which comes to answer his question, "Well, he told me you like peace and quiet, even during meals, and that you're not a drinker." handing the piece of little cake at him, asking, "You want some?".

"Noisiness, speaking during meals and alcohol are against Gusu Lan rules," he explains, as if that will somehow make him sound less unappealing. Although it is not as if being outside of Gusu has altered his demeanor in any way discernible to anyone but Wei Ying.

He does not want the little cake, suspicious that it will be very sweet not to mention it has been touched by a stranger but even he knows the last concern is going too far.

He bows, extending his bare hand for the sweet and deciding this must indicate progress. "Wei Ying mentioned eating a meal together with Okita-gongzi. Please know my silence during meal does not indicate lack of interest."

Well, that's something from what Bushidō is for bushi, since there are many who party, drink and sate their desire in teahouses. More like — "Are you some sort of Chinese monk?", blatantly asking without any filter on his side of conversation. As much as he's an easy-going and carefree man, the sass isn't the same as being a tease to the people he knows. Out of place for a bushi like him.

It's only courtesy, Lan Zhan, a way to appreciate a roomate and friend material sharing what he loves most. "Ah! I would like that very much! And don't worry! I have a friend back home who doesn't talk during meals too!"

Lan Zhan stares, unsure how to react to what he does not think is a compliment.

"Not a monk," he says, choosing not to admit that the founder of his Sect was, indeed, a monk. He does understand why one might wonder, but he cannot help but feel he has given the wrong impression.

"Strict upbringing and still discovering preferences," he tries to explain as he takes a bite of the sweet cake. It makes his teeth hurt. "Mm, glad to hear I won't cause offense. Do not mean to yet often do."

"Then how do you see yourself?", fortunately asking out of curiosity rather than keeping on the rudeness. Except... that Lan Zhan is going to get a bit of the latter in a way that others would take as cheeky conversation. The question is... is it as how he will take it?

Not able to see through Lan Zhan's facade about enjoying the cake, the smile on Souji's lips becomes a subtle grin. "And which are your actual preferences? Besides being silent. It does not offend me, by the way." And how is Souji not becoming the offending, right?

Chizuru is not the most perceptive person ever. Maybe she can be at times when it comes to seeing people's emotions and the like, but she sure isn't the first one to spot someone hiding up in a tree. That's more Yamazaki's thing, if anything.

But a leaf falling down from the tree and landing right on top of her head does grab her attention. It makes her look up, and that's when she coincidentally manages to spot Souji sitting up there.

At first it's mostly a surprise, but it quickly turns into her wondering if he's sitting up there since he wanted to be by himself for all of this. What was Souji of all people thinking about as they are all watching the boats leave? Was he sad? Or otherwise emotional?

Chizuru can't be sure, and her fussy meddling instincts kick in right away. But as always they're also at odds with her natural inclination to be polite and considerate. Even though she enjoys spending time with this Souji, in the end he's still not the Souji from her own world, and it makes her wonder if it'd go too far to try and approach him now in this possibly vulnerable moment.

So she doesn't attempt to get up there as well - which might be for the better, since it could've ended disasterously.. - and instead stands at the base of the tree. But she's still very visibly staring up at him if he happens to look down.

For others it's difficult to know when he could be afflicted or hurt by losing someone, since many in the Shinsengumi see nothing but tranquility and a smile full of respect from Souji. Even with Kamiya close, he's not able to cry - Hijikata has taught him that tears blind his vision to fight since he was a child, which allegorically could be used in going forward after tragic situations. Watching the boats is like watching those whom he had to end their lives leave to a new start. He might not show it, but he hasn't forgotten how much they meant to him.

As he looked down to the people sending their farewells, there's Chizuru staring up at him — almost losing balance from the branch with the color of his cheeks turning deep red. "Chizuru-san!", he yells, a hand holding from a thin, flexible limb after the sudden shock.

... well.

Souji sure is managing to subvert every single expectation Chizuru had of how this might go. She could envision a whole range of reactions from the other, but 'nearly falling out of the tree' wasn't among them. It's pretty obvious too, since she herself looks startled as well, even when he regains his grip.

"O-- Oh no, I'm sorry!" Her expression quickly turns to concern. "Are you alright? You didn't hurt yourself, did you?"

What is fascinating about Souji is that his reactions are unexpectedly dense: at times cute, others irritating, now is overwhelming. Funny even, being an expert in climbing trees, this time for this one time, he was about to fall. A shame for a bushi like himself.

"I--I'm fine! Really!", and before she adds anything else he goes down as fast as a monkey without hesitation. His cheeks are quite peach colored, standing before her like a soldier getting into line to await orders. Realization comes to soothe the awkward between them. "You're soaked."

The way he manages to get down so quickly and easily feels a lot more Souji-like to her, so she isn't quite as worried at the sight of that as she was when it seemed like he was about to tumble straight out of the tree.

So the worry ebs away a little. Surely he couldn't have gone down with that kind of agility unless he really wasn't hurt, after all. Chizuru even manages a small smile despite the doom and gloom around them once he's in front of her.

"Well.. It is raining."

And getting soaked feels like a small price to pay in order to show some respect for those who lost their lives in this place.

Good reflexes. Pure, natural, trained, good reflexes, Chizuru. And him being as swift and light as the wind serves him magnificently to this kind of situation.

Oops. Right. He can understand the reason why she's there without an umbrella, because... it is raining, indeed. The sight of her as sorrowful as him for the people who died defending them is pulling at his heart, so he decides to take off his haori and cover her up, rubbing her arms to appease the chill.

"Let's stay under the tree, shall we?"

She doesn't say anything as he decides to share his haori with her, but her facial expression does show her surprise at the gesture. Her cheeks even light up slightly, but she doesn't protest or shrug off the gesture. It's just such a kind and warm thing to do that it catches her off guard a little.

Then again, she should be getting used to it at this point. Souji seems, if nothing else, always so incredibly sweet.

Chizuru ducks her head a little bit, looking kind of shy, but she does smile thinly. "Just look at me.. I was worried about you, Okita-san, but now you're the one comforting me instead."

With how her cheeks seemed more colored on her white skin, his own match with hers only deeper. The smile disappears to leave a face filled with worry for her. "You shouldn't have to, Chizuru-san. You're the one with more right to grieve for our comrades, much better than I would do so.", he motions her under the tree to not get more soaked than they already are. "Is it... because of that war you mentioned before?". Yes, he had to ask about it at some point, his bangs hiding his gaze.

The smile instantly disappears from her face.

"Well.." She doesn't want to lie. And even if she wanted to, there's no way she could. Chizuru has never been a convincing liar, and Souji would be perceptive enough to catch onto it. But she doesn't want to tell him everything either. He shouldn't have to bear the weight of knowing that in some other world the Shinsengumi has been almost completely wiped out.

He shouldn't have to know about Kondou's last moments when he obviously seems so fond of the Kondou from his world. The very thought of telling him about the man's fate makes Chizuru's stomach churn.

It's easier to start about a concern that is true, but also not the whole story. Showing a bit of vulnerability in an effort to hide the rest.

"Hijikata-san is still out there fighting back home.. I have no idea how he's doing." What's to say what could have happened back home while Chizuru is here?

EVENT LOG: HÆIÐRS-MINNI

souji okita | ota

funeral

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funeral

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