[ 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? ]
early morning; [Noel hasn't been a restful sleeper in ages, and here, it's no different. He's back to rising early --a great relief, after so many months of living almost nocturnally-- but after a restless night, he's doing whatever he can to distract himself. To keep himself busy. So, before the festival preparations begin, he's down by the water's edge. Fishing. It seems oddly...innocent, after everything he's been through.
His hearing is no longer as keen as it was when he was a werewolf, but he's still got that tendency to be on high alert, listening for footsteps. If he hears them --if you wanna say hi, in other words-- he's not likely to ignore you. If you want to approach, he might even attempt a smile.]
Want to give it a go?
[He's got a pile of bait, but no fish. Clearly, he's just not very good at this. Someone help this poor fool.]
daytime; [The idea of a festival isn't new to him, but he's used to some evil ominous thing happening either during, or after, the festivities. So he's trying, he's really trying, but he's got this edge about him like something's about to happen. Nonetheless, he'll do his very best to brush that aside and enjoy.
He's got a handful of leaves and twigs, and he's haphazardly stuffing them onto the maypole. I'm just gonna tell you right now that his design sense is lacking, so it's not looking great.]
Is...is this how it's supposed to look?
[The answer is probably no.]
night; [All evening, he's felt a familiar foreboding shadow at his back. It's hard to describe, to people who never experienced it; a feeling as if something is about to happen. Something about to be unleashed. In the other world, he dreaded it -- the pain of transforming, the dread of being something else.
Here? Here, he knows it's all in his head. Those transformations are done. Only the memory remains.
Nonetheless, he finds himself wary and wired at attention, traipsing through a wooded area. Maybe that's part of it, too. On nights like this, he'd wander into the woods, run himself ragged to keep from hurting people. Even without the sunset, the crackle of leaves underfoot, the chill at his back...it takes him back to that time in a way he desperately wishes to shake.
He stops, tries to compose himself. Then another crack, like a twig snapping. It's probably an animal, is what his logical mind rationalizes. But there's a part of him that'll always be on edge, waiting for a monster that'll never come. That part of him is on high alert, now.]
I'll only give you one warning. [His eyes flicker around for something he can use as a weapon.] Who's there?
wildcard; [Noel will be hanging around for much of the festival, either trying food or listening to the music. Feel free to throw a random scenario at me if you want!]
[ If she has to be honest, Hanako shares the same sentiment about the execution, as she happened to overhear the stranger before taking a look at what has been placed on the maypole. She tries to make her approach polite and distant. ]
I s-suppose it looks okay... there would be a c-complaint from the residents i-if it weren't the case.
[The fact that he can't hear her coming from a more significant distance is still messing with his head, but her cautious approach is probably for the best, to be honest. He's still feeling very on edge about...uh, everything. A quiet voice and a slight, hesitant stutter indicate to him that he doesn't really need to be.]
You think so?
[He shoves a small sprig of flowers between two ribbons. What he lacks in grace he certainly makes up for in determination, because he's still at it.]
Maybe they're all too nice for that.
[Wow, is that bitterness in his voice? Chill out, Noel, geez.]
[ She watches the proceedings for now, making herself as small as possible for the other presence. It's out of habit and a significant bit of intimidation. ]
I... suppose that's a w-way to look at it, but I don't think they're being t-too nice.
[Noel continues to go all-in on making this poor choice, as usual, pairing the poor flower sprigs with some large leaves that just look sad and half-dead. He's trying. He should really stop trying.]
Yeah? [He tips his head a bit, eyeing her for just a moment.] ...What do you think of them so far?
[The bitterness is gone from his voice, replaced by curiosity.]
[ That's one sad combination of colors, and those plants look rather unhealthy, but again she just watches. There will be an attempt of criticism if the guy asks for it. ]
Ah... [ She takes her time, shifting her eyes somewhere else on the maypole. ] They are... helpful. Maybe a little too... f-friendly? But I suppose it's for the s-sake of helping us settle in. It was a lot to t-take in. [ Pause. ]... It still is.
[ A nod would be all he gets afterwards, and the conversation would end there because she's not at all used to keep it going, to have a topic and talk with strangers and stress herself about not making this awkward. But Hanako wouldn't have come all the way from Japan if she was going to huddle away from the world 24/7 like she used to.
It's a big strain, but she'll say next: ]
Once we get accustomed to... this new environment, I s-suppose everything else will become easier to adjust with, too.
[He says it a little absently, maybe a little half-heartedly. After all, he has no intention of staying here after proving it's all legitimate. His only goal is to pass on the information to the people he knows. And yet, he can't help but hope...
In any case, he doesn't get the impression that conversation comes naturally to his new companion, and while he can sort of relate, he knows how much effort it can be. It would be unfair for her to be the only one doing any of that work.]
How different is this place from where you're from?
[ Honestly, she had time to make comparisons between Sweden and Japan since her arrival. The differences were wide and sometimes overwhelming, making her question how long it would take her to get used to it.
She finds that easy to answer then, and her shoulders sag slightly. ]
It's w-wildly different. The people here are... m-more sociable and welcoming towards strangers. My country is deeply t-traditional and closed off compared to most others...
[Closed off and traditional... On a smaller scale, it sounds a little like his home. Even Nova Chrysalia became very isolated. Over time, people began to stick closer and closer to their own interests, and they stopped caring about anything outside of that. The peninsula, too, though Noel can't blame any of the locals for that. They were afraid for their lives.]
It's like that for me, too. [A faint, wry smile.] I keep wondering, where's the catch, you know? What's their motive?
[ It's not that different for Hanako, who closed herself off the world most of her life after the incident that took away her parents and then the horrors of middle school as she had to face the cruelty kids were capable of. Trusting people is not easy. She definitely thought "where's the catch?" several times when she interacted with others, especially after their eyes inevitably fell on her scars.
Even now she's withdrawn, speaking softly and not making eye contact with the guy.
However... ]
It's not unwise to be c-careful when we're experiencing new things, even though... I...
[ She trails off, biting the inside of her cheek. ]
Even though this time I want to give them a chance... t-to prove coming here was not a m-mistake.
[For the moment, Noel has given up on the decor. Instead, he fiddled with a sprig of leaves, twirling it between his fingers, mangling the end of the stem thoughtfully. He's too rough on the whole thing, the whole project, forcefully trying to make things work out. It's an oddly fitting metaphor for his life.
Something about the way she words that really gets to him. Even though this time...
To be honest, he doesn't feel so differently. Maybe not for himself, but for other people.]
I agree. It seems unreal -- too good to be true. But I'd like this place to prove me wrong.
[He hesitates to ask --she seems quiet, maybe even timid, and he doesn't want to push too hard-- but in the end, curiosity wins out.]
You don't have to answer, but I was wondering. What do you mean by "this time?"
[ whoever thought it was a good idea to have keith decorate anything ... well, they might have regrets after this. he's got a huge bundle of twigs in his arms when he approaches noel, a leaf stuck in his hair from his efforts in an attempt to help out with the festivities.
it looks like they're both a little hopeless today, like the blind leading the blind. he makes a face, seeming to consider his question with a tilt of his head. ]
Thanks. [This is said in a tone that might lead you to believe that Noel doesn't believe what Keith is saying at all. Because he doesn't. But honestly, how is he supposed to do any of this when he doesn't know what it's supposed to look like???
He eyes Keith slowly, and then moves a hand up to mirror the location of the stray leaf that has landed in his hair.]
[ he really shouldn't believe keith, who is a confirmed bad liar. it's an attempt to be friendly, even if it isn't all that helpful. of course, keith also isn't great at following directions which leaves them both a bit lost when it comes to this pitching in thing here before the festival begins. ]
What? Oh.
[ grimmacing, he brushes the leaf out of that dark mullet and at least looks a bit sheepish when he finally turns his attention to noel. ]
You have any idea what this is supposed to really look like?
[Whomever let them have a say in this decor really has no right to complain that it's turning into an absolute train wreck. Although...no one has complained yet, so maybe it's okay? (It's not.)]
Sure. It... [He glances around for anyone else who might know what the hell they're doing. He finds no one.] ... No. No idea. This is one of the weirder festival activities I've ever seen. Do you?
[ ( no, it really, really isn't. but at least these boys are trying. )
he normally doesn't wait around for anyone to tell him what to do, but here we find keith hesitating because he really doesn't want to ruin the party by making it look ugly. don't leave these things to boys who have no idea what aesthetic even is, guys. they just want to enjoy their vacation here. ]
Nnno.
I didn't even know what a maypole was until today.
[Well, so much for...either of them knowing what they're doing. Clearly, this is going Very Poorly. Oops. Noel pauses, looks at the terrible mess he's made, and half heartedly gives it another shot. A few of the leaves, crunched by this process, fall off their stems and float, defeated, to the ground. Alas.]
Yeah, totally, [ keith sort of grunts in agreement, looking put out by the whole thing already. but where is your fighting spirit, boy? you can't give up so quickly. ]
What if we ... [ trailing off, he takes a look around at some of the supplies brought there by various guests and employees. ] What if we added some ribbon?
[Listen if these two can go around saving* worlds and piloting giant mecha lions for the good of the universe, they can damn well make a festival decoration look Slightly Less Than Horrible. Probably.
Noel looks at him for a second, and then follows his gaze to the party supplies.] Good idea. [nOOO] Which color?
It's supposed to be summer, right? So I guess - bright colors? [ keith isn't entirely hopeless even if his wardrobe consists of pretty much only red, black, and purple things. he pulls a bag of accoutrements over to their decorating spot and stoops next to it to rummage through the decorative items. ] Maybe some green?
Noel watches Keith grab the decor bag, and the green ribbon catches his eye, too. He pulls out a small length of it, examining the color.] Yeah, I think green works well.
[He's wrong tho, because the colors of green already scattered over the pole are just a shade off of the ribbon color, so they look mismatched. Not to mention, the rest of the ribbons on the pole are orange and red, giving the whole thing a very unfortunate Christmas effect. It's just a disaster, and the fact that they don't know it is an equally unfortunate disaster.]
[ see, that's a nice color. it's green kind of like grass is, but .... sort of sparkly. outside of this decorating project, this would be a very nice accent. as it stands, it doesn't provide any contrast against the leaves and it will probably make a bigger mess than already exists. let's see how far they can take it. ]
It's nice, [ keith comments, nodding in agreement. following suit, because that's what you should do in such an instance, he pulls out purple. because why not. let's go colorful and all out. ]
[This is going so well. Just so well. Noel watches what Keith is doing and follows suit, choosing a blue ribbon that he doesn't totally realize has red spots on it. It's glittery. Shiny always helps with decorations, right? Except that glitter is going everywhere. EVERYWHERE.
He tries tying it in a bow. The bow is lopsided and crunched.]
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noel kreiss | ota
[Noel hasn't been a restful sleeper in ages, and here, it's no different. He's back to rising early --a great relief, after so many months of living almost nocturnally-- but after a restless night, he's doing whatever he can to distract himself. To keep himself busy. So, before the festival preparations begin, he's down by the water's edge. Fishing. It seems oddly...innocent, after everything he's been through.
His hearing is no longer as keen as it was when he was a werewolf, but he's still got that tendency to be on high alert, listening for footsteps. If he hears them --if you wanna say hi, in other words-- he's not likely to ignore you. If you want to approach, he might even attempt a smile.]
Want to give it a go?
[He's got a pile of bait, but no fish. Clearly, he's just not very good at this. Someone help this poor fool.]
daytime;
[The idea of a festival isn't new to him, but he's used to some evil ominous thing happening either during, or after, the festivities. So he's trying, he's really trying, but he's got this edge about him like something's about to happen. Nonetheless, he'll do his very best to brush that aside and enjoy.
He's got a handful of leaves and twigs, and he's haphazardly stuffing them onto the maypole. I'm just gonna tell you right now that his design sense is lacking, so it's not looking great.]
Is...is this how it's supposed to look?
[The answer is probably no.]
night;
[All evening, he's felt a familiar foreboding shadow at his back. It's hard to describe, to people who never experienced it; a feeling as if something is about to happen. Something about to be unleashed. In the other world, he dreaded it -- the pain of transforming, the dread of being something else.
Here? Here, he knows it's all in his head. Those transformations are done. Only the memory remains.
Nonetheless, he finds himself wary and wired at attention, traipsing through a wooded area. Maybe that's part of it, too. On nights like this, he'd wander into the woods, run himself ragged to keep from hurting people. Even without the sunset, the crackle of leaves underfoot, the chill at his back...it takes him back to that time in a way he desperately wishes to shake.
He stops, tries to compose himself. Then another crack, like a twig snapping. It's probably an animal, is what his logical mind rationalizes. But there's a part of him that'll always be on edge, waiting for a monster that'll never come. That part of him is on high alert, now.]
I'll only give you one warning. [His eyes flicker around for something he can use as a weapon.] Who's there?
wildcard;
[Noel will be hanging around for much of the festival, either trying food or listening to the music. Feel free to throw a random scenario at me if you want!]
daytime
I s-suppose it looks okay... there would be a c-complaint from the residents i-if it weren't the case.
no subject
You think so?
[He shoves a small sprig of flowers between two ribbons. What he lacks in grace he certainly makes up for in determination, because he's still at it.]
Maybe they're all too nice for that.
[Wow, is that bitterness in his voice? Chill out, Noel, geez.]
no subject
I... suppose that's a w-way to look at it, but I don't think they're being t-too nice.
no subject
Yeah? [He tips his head a bit, eyeing her for just a moment.] ...What do you think of them so far?
[The bitterness is gone from his voice, replaced by curiosity.]
no subject
Ah... [ She takes her time, shifting her eyes somewhere else on the maypole. ] They are... helpful. Maybe a little too... f-friendly? But I suppose it's for the s-sake of helping us settle in. It was a lot to t-take in. [ Pause. ]... It still is.
no subject
Trying to help us settle in, huh? [He frowns thoughtfully at a few sprigs in his hand, twisting one between his fingers.]
... You're right. It's been a lot to take in.
[He sounds more thoughtful than anything. Maybe he's not the only one having trouble adjusting, after all.]
no subject
It's a big strain, but she'll say next: ]
Once we get accustomed to... this new environment, I s-suppose everything else will become easier to adjust with, too.
no subject
[He says it a little absently, maybe a little half-heartedly. After all, he has no intention of staying here after proving it's all legitimate. His only goal is to pass on the information to the people he knows. And yet, he can't help but hope...
In any case, he doesn't get the impression that conversation comes naturally to his new companion, and while he can sort of relate, he knows how much effort it can be. It would be unfair for her to be the only one doing any of that work.]
How different is this place from where you're from?
no subject
[ Honestly, she had time to make comparisons between Sweden and Japan since her arrival. The differences were wide and sometimes overwhelming, making her question how long it would take her to get used to it.
She finds that easy to answer then, and her shoulders sag slightly. ]
It's w-wildly different. The people here are... m-more sociable and welcoming towards strangers. My country is deeply t-traditional and closed off compared to most others...
no subject
It's like that for me, too. [A faint, wry smile.] I keep wondering, where's the catch, you know? What's their motive?
no subject
Even now she's withdrawn, speaking softly and not making eye contact with the guy.
However... ]
It's not unwise to be c-careful when we're experiencing new things, even though... I...
[ She trails off, biting the inside of her cheek. ]
Even though this time I want to give them a chance... t-to prove coming here was not a m-mistake.
no subject
Something about the way she words that really gets to him. Even though this time...
To be honest, he doesn't feel so differently. Maybe not for himself, but for other people.]
I agree. It seems unreal -- too good to be true. But I'd like this place to prove me wrong.
[He hesitates to ask --she seems quiet, maybe even timid, and he doesn't want to push too hard-- but in the end, curiosity wins out.]
You don't have to answer, but I was wondering. What do you mean by "this time?"
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daytime!
it looks like they're both a little hopeless today, like the blind leading the blind. he makes a face, seeming to consider his question with a tilt of his head. ]
It doesn't look ... bad?
no subject
He eyes Keith slowly, and then moves a hand up to mirror the location of the stray leaf that has landed in his hair.]
You have a...thing, right there.
no subject
What? Oh.
[ grimmacing, he brushes the leaf out of that dark mullet and at least looks a bit sheepish when he finally turns his attention to noel. ]
You have any idea what this is supposed to really look like?
no subject
Sure. It... [He glances around for anyone else who might know what the hell they're doing. He finds no one.] ... No. No idea. This is one of the weirder festival activities I've ever seen. Do you?
no subject
he normally doesn't wait around for anyone to tell him what to do, but here we find keith hesitating because he really doesn't want to ruin the party by making it look ugly. don't leave these things to boys who have no idea what aesthetic even is, guys. they just want to enjoy their vacation here. ]
Nnno.
I didn't even know what a maypole was until today.
no subject
Well, no one can say we didn't try. Right?
[R-RIGHT???]
no subject
What if we ... [ trailing off, he takes a look around at some of the supplies brought there by various guests and employees. ] What if we added some ribbon?
no subject
Noel looks at him for a second, and then follows his gaze to the party supplies.] Good idea. [nOOO] Which color?
[*"saving and then destroying" tbf but it's fine]
no subject
( famous last words. tbh. ) ]
It's supposed to be summer, right? So I guess - bright colors? [ keith isn't entirely hopeless even if his wardrobe consists of pretty much only red, black, and purple things. he pulls a bag of accoutrements over to their decorating spot and stoops next to it to rummage through the decorative items. ] Maybe some green?
no subject
(help)
Noel watches Keith grab the decor bag, and the green ribbon catches his eye, too. He pulls out a small length of it, examining the color.] Yeah, I think green works well.
[He's wrong tho, because the colors of green already scattered over the pole are just a shade off of the ribbon color, so they look mismatched. Not to mention, the rest of the ribbons on the pole are orange and red, giving the whole thing a very unfortunate Christmas effect. It's just a disaster, and the fact that they don't know it is an equally unfortunate disaster.]
no subject
It's nice, [ keith comments, nodding in agreement. following suit, because that's what you should do in such an instance, he pulls out purple. because why not. let's go colorful and all out. ]
How's that?
no subject
[This is going so well. Just so well. Noel watches what Keith is doing and follows suit, choosing a blue ribbon that he doesn't totally realize has red spots on it. It's glittery. Shiny always helps with decorations, right? Except that glitter is going everywhere. EVERYWHERE.
He tries tying it in a bow. The bow is lopsided and crunched.]
This isn't so bad.
[It almost sounds like he believes that.]
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