sixthiterationlogs | [MINGLE] Saints & Sinners Masquerade

[MINGLE] Saints & Sinners Masquerade

WHERE: Corn field next to the inn
WHEN: 31 October, all day and night
OPEN TO: ALL - MINGLE
WARNINGS: Please warn as appropriate in your subject lines
NOTES: Please make sure you have read and understand the event details! If you have questions, drop them here. RECOMMENDED BUT NOT REQUIRED: Put your SCRUBS COLOR in your OTA subject line for folks doing bingo. Time your OTA for the harvest feast, the masquerade, or both. Costume matches and details for folks who did not get matched are here.

This morning, our intrepid villagers awoke to a surprise of the nicer kind: A bundle of clothing left at the foot of their bed, tied with a bow. There is also a note: Put on your new outfit and join the festivities in the corn field next to the inn.

You may be thinking, what corn field next to the inn? The one that sprung up fully-mature overnight, of course.

In the middle of the field, villagers will find an autumn feast: Tables piled with harvest time food and drink, warm and rustic decorations, the day's sunshine fending off any chill in the air.

Tuck in and enjoy, villagers, but take note: Things often look different in the dark, and you might be one of them.

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Raine barks happily and wriggles his stump of a tail in response. Of course, this has the effect of wriggling his entire back end at first, as the excitement works its way up to the entire puppy. Vanille giggles, lifting her hands to cover her smile.

"He's doing really well for his age," she admits. "I just don't want to push him too much." There's no good in overworking or over-training any animal, especially one she needs to help her with her other animals.

The quiet observation has her pausing for a bit as she debates how much to admit. She's been opening up a bit more than usual lately and so far no one's come back screaming about l'Cie paranoia. So maybe it's okay to talk about. For another moment, she lets her gaze take in Raine again, studying the happy way he peers up at them, before her brow creases a little and she looks back up at the other woman.

"I've heard of things happening here," she says slowly, "but it's just.. at home, the fal'Cie might do something like this, give people something nice, and then..." She shrugs, almost helplessly. "Nothing is ever just for fun. I can't shake the feeling that something bad's gonna happen."

It's absolutely adorable. The best kinds of dogs were the wiggly butt ones. They lived with the type of exuberance everyone should aim for, in her opinion. "No, that's a good idea. Puppies still have to puppy." Kids have to be kids too. Eventually everyone grows up and gets responsible. Ish.

Hawke waits for the girl to decide whether she wants to answer or not. She sees the wheels turning, and she's not likely to push if the other person avoids whatever's on their mind. That's a specialty of hers, so she's not one to talk. She listens to Vanille's explanation and nods. "Yeah, few things in any life come free or cheap. I'm sure there's a reason why it's happening that isn't nice at all, but I don't think anything's going to pop out. I have a very good gut for danger, and the only thing my gut is telling me is that this quality of food won't be around forever."

She's being absolutely serious. Hawke has a sixth sense for trouble. It's something she attracts no matter where she goes. It hasn't happened here yet, but it's early. "The Fal'Cies sound like pricks, and I don't think you're wrong that whoever's running this show is a prick too. But you'll be safe either way. You've got a lot of dangerous people around in case of trouble, myself included. Don't let the terrible costume fool you."

Responsible-ish is definitely right. No one likes full responsibility anyway. It usually leads to guilty feelings.

Vanille manages a small smile at first, as Hawke begins reassuring her, and eventually that smile brightens into something larger. It's not huge and all-encompassing, but it's much better than her expression previously. Nothing will be able to fully wipe all of her worries and cares away. This is as good as it might get and for now Vanille will take it. Hawke's efforts will not go unappreciated.

"Yeah!" she chirps, channeling as much happiness as she can. "You're right. I have plenty of people who can help me." Just like Sazh used to do. And all the others she met on Cocoon. Hopefully, there aren't any fal'Cie like Barthandelus behind all of this. And hopefully, this is just one big party with weird costumes.

"Thanks," she offers next, still smiling. "Just for that, you can pay attention to Raine as long as you like!" She would have offered that anyway. Now she's just trying to make a new friend.

What a sweet smile! Hawke's fairly certain a smile that bright could knock someone off their feet if they're not prepared. Her own mirrors it, always glad to turn someone's bad moment into something else. Vanille is a lot easier to brighten up than some of the sour pusses she's used to. "That's right you do! Look around. Ridiculous clothes or not, this is a group of people who could kick some serious arse." Hawke gestures to the others there. They have some intellectuals, yes, but they're all more competent than she'd expect.

She laughs and scratches Raine's ears. "Oh, well, if I have permission now, Raine'll get more than you bargained for." Hawke really and truly misses her pup and she hopes that Bethany remembers to sneak him treats and hug him more than a few times a day. Her sister wasn't nearly as indulgent as she is, but hope springs eternal. She wonders if she'll get a pet eventually; Annie has her geese and this girl has Raine. Frank had a dog too. She's seen other animals wandering about.

"I'm Hawke."

There really are plenty of adults and strong people here to help. Plenty of people to take over and protect a kid like her, even if she really is capable of taking care of herself sometimes. It's nice to know that there are people who will help, who aren't going to turn tail and run. That thought makes her all the more appreciative for the friends and acquaintances she has here in Fang's absence. No one will be quite like Fang, but they'll be good in the meantime.

"Vanille," she chirps in response. As if in response to the both of them, Raine pushes forward, standing a little on his back legs so he can reach Hawke enough to try to lick her face. Vanille lifts her hands to her mouth to cover her delighted giggle. "I think he likes you. And I know he doesn't mind the extra attention."

Hawke has a soft spot for the vulnerable and sweet types. It's why she let Merrill get away with so much, and it probably comes from being an eldest sibling. To this moment Bethany could give her a wide eyed look and she'd crumble without more than some grumbling. She's protective by nature, and she gets the sense this girl needs some of it. Oh well fine then, another little birdie to pull under her big hawk wing. She doesn't mind. Bethany's well past grown and doesn't need a big sister now anyway.

"Nice to meet you, Vanille. And Raine." Hawke laughs and pets him, scratching his ears and that good spot on his wiggly butt that dogs loved. "My monster pup Faust takes up half a bed himself, so of course you know he acts like he's dainty and slides under the covers. He could smother me in my sleep! Hates to go out in the rain like it's going to kill him." Now when she needs him, he can get it together and be a terrifying guard dog, but other than that, he has his own personality. Bloody hell she is not going to get weepy over her dog. Nope. She swallowed that right down. "My sister has him now, she's so much stricter than I am."

Something familiar in the woman's words and demeanor tugs on Vanille. Hawke reminds her a bit of Fang and the realization makes her miss Fang all the more. She pushes that aside, squatting down next to the two of them and fluffing her puppy's fur affectionately. Raine responds with a massive lick up her face, making her giggle. Yep, she definitely needed that.

"I haven't found much that Raine doesn't like," she muses. "The box he was in turned up on a rainy day, so that's how he got his name." Raine licks at Hawke's fingers this time, seeming to lap up the attention eagerly. Vanille smiles, happy to have the puppy as a source of levity and happiness. She pauses for a moment and then adds on in a tone that's quiet with sympathy, "I bet your sister loves him just as much. Fang would complain about having more animals brought home, but she loved them too. It's probably the same for your sister."

"That's a sweet name and reason for giving it, I like it!" Hawke sighs but she nods. "I'm certain Bethany will do what she can. She might even snuggle, if he lets her." He's a guard dog and that's the important part. She'll need the protection. Hawke keeps petting Raine so she can get her dog fix, and smiles up at Vanille.

[ooc: wrapping up earlier logs, this cool? they should hang up to date!]

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[MINGLE] Saints & Sinners Masquerade

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