Summer 4 - Midsummer mingle

[kollomods]

During the day

[ Preparations are in full swing right after breakfast - although still seemingly unstaffed, the kitchen is a flurry of activity and careless guests may find themselves bumped into if they venture too far into the actual cooking area.

It's safer outside, where guests are encouraged to help dress the maypole with fresh cut, leafy birch twigs and a variety of colourful, seasonal flowers - ox-eye daisies, woodland geraniums, cow parsley, buttercups and lupines. There's also a table and benches to carry out into the community center garden, lanterns to hang in the fruit trees and bottles and bottles of elderflower lemonade, beer and brännvin - midsommar isn't midsommar without snaps.

A little later in the afternoon, with the tables laden heavy with pickled herring, fresh potatoes, sour cream and chives, and Västerbotten cheese pie (and a few other less traditional but perhaps more palatable dishes), guests and residents alike sit down for the midsummer celebration. If anyone wants to partake in local customs such as the little frog dance, Ingvar is more than happy to provide the music. Of course, he's just as happy to teach a few drinking songs for those who want to partake in snaps. ]

Evening

[ As the sun begins to... well, not exactly set, but take a dip towards the horizon, the long table will be cleared
for dessert - coffee or tea, strawberries and cream, with the option of an aperitif of your choice. The music will continue with traditional songs, that the residents are more than happy to try and teach the guests - or just sing poorly, as is tradition.

For those who are looking for something a bit more quiet and peaceful, Valborg is spending the evening talking about the magic properties of midsummers eve, the most magical of nights. It says that if you pick seven different types of flowers in complete silence and then sleep with them under your pillow, you'll dream of your future betrothed... ]

Night

[ Those who stay out late will quickly notice that the sun doesn't exactly set tonight. You don't need much light to guide your way back to the cabins. However, as you make your way through a wooded area, you might get the sensation that you're being... watched. Like there's someone following you in the shadows. Surely that's just your eyes playing tricks on you... right? ]

Comments

[burntviolet]

N-No I don't! Shut up! Don't b-blame me f-for your actions!

[ Veins are about to pop out and blood vessels threaten to break, Hanako succumbing to a hysterical episode as her screeching voice cuts through the air, echoing around them. There's one positive thing about having adrenaline pumping into her system, and that's the fact her body functions skyrocket with the instinct to fight or flight she lived with for years.

There's a rock laying next to her. She could throw it at him. He'll leave if she lets him know that he's not welcome, that he needs to stop talking and leave because she can't stand getting hurt again and again and again and again—

But violence was never the solution and she got that drilled in her head at a young age. A wave of nausea hits her stomach because of how disgusted she is with herself for thinking of such solution.

But yes, adrenaline. Her feet pathetically scramble over the dirt before she finds a solid surface to stand up on, her skirt soiled along with her ripped stockings. She snarls, fists clutching to her sides, nails digging deep into her palms. ]

Stay away f-from me! Don't t-talk to m-me! You-... you bully!

[ There are worse things she could tell him, but a nastier wave of nausea punches her in the gut and she holds her stomach, scared to death that he'll be even harsher and say more hurtful things no no no no—

She turns on her heels and runs so fast she hopes the wind will cover up whatever the guy might yell at her in response, locking herself up in her cabin and probably not sleeping for the rest of the night. ]

[unwieldy]

[ There's silence on his end as Hanako goes through her episode. Haein's not too big on reactions, preferring to watch and listen most of the time, and in this case, it works out. In the same way that she wants to be left alone, so does he. He's used to hurting people with his words, cutting them deep enough to cause lasting pain and keep them from coming anywhere near him in the future. It's no surprise when she takes off, and he doesn't call after her or say anything else.

He did as he intended to do. That's all that matters. There's not an ounce of guilt or remorse stirring inside of him, no conflicting emotions, no hesitation at what he'd just done. Not for a stranger, at least.

There's a moment's pause as he waits for her figure to fully disappear from sight before he huffs out a breath and continues for the cabins. Hopefully with no more run-ins this time. ]