isleofavalon | a midsummer night's feast

🧙 WHO: Everyone!
⚔️️ WHAT: Claude throws a feast, as advertised on his network post
🕒 WHEN: 30th June, early evening onwards
🗺️ WHERE: Camelot outskirts
⚠️ WARNINGS: Alcohol mentions.

[It took a fair bit of planning, but Claude's feast goes ahead on the appointed date. Everyone will find the location sent to their devices: a meadow generously loaned by a local farmer, situated not far from the city walls. There's no set dress code, just a requirement for everyone to contribute something to the feast, whether that be food, drinks, entertainment or even just practical things like tableware. There's a long table where people can leave their food, outdoor stoves for reheating dishes, long trestle tables with chairs where people can sit and eat (unless they prefer to stand, of course) and a few kegs of ale and bottle of wines on offer, along with a selection of non-alcoholic drinks.

The dishes are all laid out buffet-style, and in keeping in the theme of the evening, labelled with whoever brought them, the name of the food, and where the cuisine hails from. There's also a piano! Gokudera and Zuko have offered to perform live music, with Dorothea as the accompanying vocalist.

Although the days are at their longest at this time of year, there's still plenty of candle lamps and torch brackets lit later in the evening as the sun dips toward the horizon, casting everything in a dusky glow. Later still, when it's completely dark, a bonfire is lit for people to sit (and maybe cuddle up? 👀) around and relax.

Once a sizeable number of people have showed up and the spread looks about ready, Claude grabs the nearest chair and climbs up to stand on it, waving to get everyone's attention.]

Okay everyone, listen up! I want to thank you all for coming. None of this would have been possible without all your contributions. I hope we can all remember tonight as an example of what we can accomplish when we work together as one community, regardless of wherever we're from. We have much more in common than whatever differences we share between worlds, and the friendships we forge tonight will stand as a testament to that.

[Then he grins, a mischievous look in his eye.] But no one came here to listen to a guy on a chair wax sentimental. I'm starving -- let's eat!

[He hops down and wastes no time beelining for the food. Race you, nerds.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Feast
[ The buffet-style array of dishes seems to have captured this robed man's attention, and he appears to harbor a particular interest regarding any of the desserts. Should you be nearby, you might just be able to watch him take a sample of a dish he's never tried before (and, spoilers, it's likely he hasn't, considering how long he's been dead).

Each bite is slow and measured, and his expression makes it seems as if he's just eaten something either extremely bitter and foul.

Oh, wait, no, that severe expression is his default. Apologies if that is your dish. ]

Bonfire
[ It's quite, here. He's quiet. And since he has resting severe face, he looks as if he's brooding. That, or entirely focused upon the flames as if simply staring at them could make them bigger.

In truth, Somnus has brought some figs with him, and currently, he's using his kinetic magic to hover one near the flames to gently toast the it. The roasted fruit is aromatic, giving off a scent that's both smoky and sweet to those nearby. ]

wildcard
[ Have an idea of your own, surprise me! Somnus is available. ]

...Somnus.

[The witch had approached him quietly on seeing him roasting fruit by the fireplace. He was easy to recognise after all.

...There was something a little guarded, nervous, even in her expression this time- Caster had no idea how much of the month's events he'd seen, or what he'd think of her after it all- but also a deep sadness. Even after the fighting was done, she was still grieving.

But, through all that, seeing him helped ease the hurt a little.]

[ He stands when she approaches-- ] Caster. [ --and greets her cordially, lifting his head in acknowledgement. Above the fire the fig continues to turn by the way of his magic, out of thought for now.

It seems that each subsequent time they meet, she appears worse for wear. This world is not kind to her.

Somnus gestures to the bench he had been sitting upon. ]

[Relief washed over her expression at the greeting- in all her exhaustion, in all the enemies she'd made- being welcomed kindly was something truly precious.

And with a tired, grateful smile, she moved to take a seat at his invitation.]

It's...I'm glad to see you.

[ He sits down beside her, lifting a hand to smooth out the front of his robes. A moment passes in silence after she's done speaking. Then: ]

Is aught amiss?

...It's been a difficult month.

I don't know if it's possible to achieve my happiness, anymore.

[They'd talked about it a little, after that shadow ritual, hadn't they?]

...Were you able to escape the trials unscathed?

[The first thing Rinea noticed about the man sampling her cookies was his attire. It reminds her of the robes the Zofian royals wore back home, long and flowing.

Then she notices how dire his expression is. Uh oh.]

P, Pardon me, sir...

[Rinea looks quite anxious as she meekly requests for Somnus's attention.]

Is the taste of that somehow offensive or amiss?

[ The cookie remains half-eaten, wedged between his index and thumb. Even as she addresses his, he seems to be staring it down.

He remains silent for a few beats longer. Then, in a detached tone: ]

What is this dessert?

[O Lord Duma, give her the strength to survive this inquest. As long as the treat wasn't poisoned or spoiled....!!]

It is called a checkerboard cookie, sir. [The urge to over-explain is high, but this man's bearing is regal enough to intimidate it out of her.] It is crafted of both-- both chocolate and vanilla dough.

[ANXIOUS ANXIOUS] Is it not to your taste?

[ He stares at the biscuit for a single beat further, and then he speaks again, his tone neutral. ]

Nay, it is palatable.

[ The hand not holding the cookie grasps the side of his cloak, moving it to the side as he at last turns to face her. Somnus' gaze holds her steadily, sharply. ]

I presume they are of your world.

[Wait, it's okay?! Oh, thank the Father. (Of course, Somnus could simply be sparing her feelings... but his demeanor is so opaque that Rinea decides to take him at face value.)]

Yes, that's correct. [Recovering herself, Rinea clasps her hands politely in front of her.] Its pattern is easier to create by using cold temperatures, so my home country is quite fond of them. Though, the abundance of sugar in this realm certainly makes it easy in it own way...

[ He breaks off another piece of the cookie, lifting it to his lips for another bite as she speaks. Once more, he chews slowly and swallows; hence, another delay in his reply.

"The abundance of sugar", she says...

He observes, ] This realm's resources are rather plentiful, even divorced from non-harvest months.

[The pauses in Somnus's responses are just long enough that Rinea feels awkward staring... she fusses with the arrangement of the cookie basket to give herself something to do.] Oh, do you think so too! I found it such a marvel, really... even though so many seem used to it.

[She looks out at the feast's array of tables, smiling faintly.] Truly, I feel quite lucky to be able to witness such an event. I do not think such a gathering of global dishes like this would be possible, back home; at least not without much more preparation. Is it the same for you, sir?

[ The clamor of the party holds but a tiny candle to the array of dishes displayed before them. To her question, he appears to reflect:] Indeed. Some dishes would require an entire day for the women to prepare.

[ To say nothing of the luxury of preparing sugar for a pastry, or having a display of exotic foods from all over.

But at last he turns to regard her, his eyes remaining cool. His shoulders remain of a stiff, dignified posture, something the half-eaten cookie still in his hand might contrast. ]

Such luxuries... are not to be taken for granted.

Yes, I agree. [Something about the gap between the man's expression and the treat he still holds is... familiar. Rinea's smile widens despite herself.]

I suppose that would make it all the more important to enjoy it, correct? [That is why she came over to check if her feast contribution had damaged him somehow!] Is there any dish you would perhaps recommend?

[ He looks at her for a moment longer, and... something about this conversation (rather, her cordial demeanor, distantly familiar) seems to make him pointedly attempt to soften his expression. It's as if her reach at conversation has at least reminded him of the thing known as manners, of which he's sorely lacking. However, the set of his brow seems to be permanently set, shadowing the blue of his eyes.

He gestures to another plate beside him. ] Our host has inspired many to craft desserts. I would recommend any of them to others.... [ A beat, and then he offers: ]</small And yours as well, Maiden.

a midsummer night's feast

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Bonfire

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Feast

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