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:mingle

June Mingle

NEWCOMER MINGLE

You better bundle up if you intend to wait for someone on the jetty, it's getting cold out here. Autumn has set in, the winds from the north are picking up and with them they bring a promise of snow in a not too distant future. Olivia is there as always, bundled up in whatever knitted she could get her hands on, ready to greet the new guests.

The ferry lands soft as always, letting off the small group of newcomers. Welcome to Norrhamn.

As is tradition, a welcome party is planned for later that night. It's a simple affair this time around, just coffee or tea and a slice of home made cardamom sponge cake. Those who have been on the island for awhile may notice that it's a more somber party than usual. Autumn always brings out the Swedish melancholy - we know it's going to be dark and wet for a really long time. We need to prepare.

KURA SKYMNING

It's getting dark earlier and earlier. Too cold for garden parties and barbecues, too cold for midnight skinny dipping and wandering through the forest on early summer nights, when the sun barely sets. No, we're in the dark months now and that means one thing and one thing only this far up North — you huddle up indoors and do the best you can with the situation at hand.

The Community Centre is cosied up with plenty of blankets and the House Gnome — placated from last months shenanigans — has been kind enough to set up a whole array of hot drinks. The main event however is Valborg, the bird like little old lady who lives alone in the woods. She's set herself up at one of the larger tables, nursing a cup of coffee and expectantly looking at anyone who comes close enough to catch her eye. Come sit with her. Talk for a bit.

EVENT INFO

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May Mingle

NEWCOMER MINGLE
The breeze across the waters is cold, Norrhamn glowing like a bonfire with the reds and oranges of the trees. Autumn has truly arrived and Olivia, the administrator, has foregone summer dresses for warmer clothes. The ferry lands soft as always, letting off the small group of newcomers. Welcome to Norrhamn.

As is tradition, a welcome party is planned for later that night. A small fire pit has been set up in the community center garden and Ingvar is present to liven up the night with his accordion. The fika for the night is apple cake and hot chocolate — and if you know who to ask, you may be able to spike that chocolate with something stronger.

HOUSE GNOME MAYHEM
You're sure you had it a minute ago. The book you borrowed from the library, that trinket you brought from home, your favourite shirt, maybe even the keys to your cabin — whatever it is, it was there and now it's gone without a trace. Weird, huh? To make matters worse, whoever manned the community center kitchen has also disappeared, leaving the guests to fend for themselves with whatever they can find in the fridge.

Those who investigate this odd string of thefts - if that's what they are - may hear footsteps, see movement out of the corner of their eye, smell tobacco smoke or hear a faint, gruff chuckle without being able to place where it's coming from. Stranger and stranger...

EVENT INFO

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April mingle

NEWCOMER MINGLE
The ferry makes a soft landing against the jetty as it has done every few days throughout summer. Aina the ferry captain, usually wearing the proud orange short sleeve of the Kollo project, has bundled up in a black wind proof jacket. The island administrator Olivia has made no such compromises, determined to cling to summer as long as possible. She greets the newcomers with a smile, handing out brochures and showing them the way to the cabins.

Around noon there'll be a small get together to welcome the new arrivals. Nothing too fancy, though the blueberry pie that's being served is almost certainly homemade and made with blueberries picked from this very island. Coffee, tea and apple cider is also available.

A FARMERS LIFE FOR ME
It's harvesting season on Norrhamn and for once, plenty of free workers to go around... right? Those who venture up to the farm will find themselves roped into the activities by hook or by crook - doesn't matter if you got farming experience, there's always something you can do. Roofs need to be patched, hay needs to be baled, vegetables picked and fruit preserved for the long, cold, harsh, dark winter that's just around the corner.

Your work won't be in vain though. If you stick with it and stay until the evening, Einar and his family will treat their volunteers to a feast to show their appreciation. There will be such autumn delicacies as värmlandskorv, kroppkaka with salted pork and lingonberry jam, and fried salted herring with pickled cucumber and red onions on crisp bread. Stay really late and we're breaking into the good snaps, my friend. ]

EVENT INFO

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Autumn Six | Action | Closed to Spike

[Ianto will be the first to admit that the outdoors aren’t exactly his thing. He’s spent most of his time here in the more inhabited areas, occasionally venturing to the beach but rarely further. So he’s frankly feeling rather proud of himself today for his decision to actually do some hiking, and equally glad that he’s convinced Spike to come along. And if it leads to a chance to investigate the lake after his strange encounter there the other day, well, that’s just an added bonus.

He glances around their cabin one last time before shouldering the backpack that contains as much of a picnic as can be had when half the people involved only drink blood. At least that means it isn’t heavy.]

Right. Shall we?

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March Mingle

There have been waterlilies throughout summer, clustered around the shorelines and butting up against the jetty. Sometimes they've bloomed, sometimes they haven't, but it's never been quite like this. They're everywhere now, even as we move into autumn. They crowd the beach, they give the ferry a hard time to land, they practically fill the lake end to end — and they're all blooming in golden yellow and bright white.

It's unnatural, in so many ways. Beckoning. Come closer. ]

EVENT INFO

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:daypost

Autumn 1 - News

[ Good morning, Norrhamn! Here are the news! ]

Weather: Cloudy. 18C.
Sunrise: 06:37
Sunset: 19:29
Waterlily level: Low risk.

Yesterday: Nothing scheduled.
Today: Nothing scheduled.
Tomorrow: New guests arriving! /O

Other news: Autumn is officially here. The general store will be stocked with warmer clothing, for those who require it! /I

Entry tags:

:daypost

Summer 25 - News

[ Good morning, Norrhamn! Here are the news! ]

Weather: Cloudy. 25C.
Sunrise: 06:31
Sunset: 19:45
Waterlily level: Medium risk.

Yesterday: We had a lovely time with surströmming! You don't know what you missed! /I
Today: Nothing scheduled
Tomorrow: Nothing scheduled

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Summer 24 - Surströmming mingle

Even if you had no intention of joining Ingvar and Valborg down by the shore for surströmming this day, chances are good you'll know exactly when the party started by smell alone. It's not necessarily an unpleasant smell — distinct, sure, but not necessarily unpleasant. Despite following protocol of opening the bulging cans under running water the warm aroma of fermented herring travels far and wide, luring or warning the guests of Norrhamn of the phenomenon.

Those who do take a chance on this particular Swedish delicacy will be greeted by the islands older inhabitants — no one else wanted to come — who are more than happy to show even the most reluctant participant how you're really supposed to eat surströmming. Forget everything you've seen on Youtube. We're talking soft, thin flatbreads, almond potato, red onions, sour cream and the smallest possible amount of fish. This is practically mustard. Only seasoned surströmming eaters would ever dare eat a whole fish and never on its own.

Those who aren't too keen on the fish are more than welcome to dine on potatoes and bread, should they choose to, but this is a particular celebration and alternatives to the fermented fish cannot be found. What can be found is copious amounts of beer and snaps, along with less strong (but still alcoholic) svagdricka.

Welcome. This is how we do it in Norrland.

Entry tags:

:daypost

Summer 24 - News

[ Good morning, Norrhamn! Here are the news! ]

Weather: Sunny. 27C.
Sunrise: 06:23
Sunset: 19:51
Waterlily level: Medium risk.

Yesterday: New guests arrived! Welcome!
Today: Surströmming this afternoon by the water! Follow the smell! /I
Tomorrow: Nothing scheduled

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Summer 23 - newcomer mingle

[ It's a small but valued group of new guests arriving at Norrhamn today. The ferry lands smoothly on the jetty as always, Olivia already waiting with her clipboard in hand. Aina lingers until the guests have cleared out before steering out to sea again, to pick up another batch.

Later in the afternoon there'll be coffee and sponge cake in the community center garden, to welcome the new guests as is tradition. ]

Entry tags:

:daypost

Summer 23 - News

[ Good morning, Norrhamn! Here are the news! ]

Weather: Sunny, some winds. 29C.
Sunrise: 06:21
Sunset: 19:59
Waterlily level: Low risk.

Yesterday: Nothing scheduled.
Today: New guests arrive today!
Tomorrow: Surströmming by the water. Everyone is invited! /Ingvar

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Summer 22 | Action | Closed to Spike

Jack is starting to get back into his stride of actually getting out there and socialising again. First the crayfish party, then a day out with Ianto, a day out with Martha, and there's one more person who really deserves his attention.

So the next day, with the afternoon sun shining brightly down on him, he shows up at Granite Cabin again and knocks smartly on the door, fairly sure that Ianto is already out and the only one home is Spike.

Entry tags:

:daypost

Summer 22 - News

[ Good morning, Norrhamn! Here are the news! ]

Weather: Sunny, some winds. 29C.
Sunrise: 06:18
Sunset: 20:01
Waterlily level: Low risk.

Yesterday: Nothing scheduled.
Today: Nothing scheduled.
Tomorrow: New guests arriving!

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Summer 21 | clinging to summer | Open

The Port

He's come here to escape the Navy, yes, but he doesn't want to escape the sea. It's lovely to be on an island, surrounded by the smell of salt water, and not have to worry about mad captains.

It'd be nicest if Horatio was here, but that's not something he can help right now.

So he does the next best thing and decides to go out on the water. There are rowboats out on the port, and while it's not a ship-of-the-line, it's still a boat. It's enough to be able to get out on the sea.

He'd be more than happy to take someone with him, if anyone's interested.

-

The General Store

Stopping by the general store is a necessary thing, to get supplies for daily living and paddles for going rowing. He'll even contemplate acquiring fishing equipment, though he ultimately decides that's something for a slightly later venture.

He'll probably end up asking about some of the more modern equipment he encounters in the store. There's a lot here that's new and innovative, for him.

-

The Beach

Much though he loves taking a turn out on a rowboat, the beach might be his favorite part of the island so far. It's a joy to explore the sand and see if he makes any interesting discoveries. To brave the water and its encroaching lilies on occasion to try and see if there's anything in the tide pools.

To study the signs carved over the shelters with no small amount of curiosity.

--

[It's still Summer 21 somewhere, maybe, hahaha. Like I said, open to anyone! Feel free to PM me or message me on Plurk (

guardyanangel ) if you need. I typically use prose, but I can match/don't mind action spam either.]

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Summer 21 - action - open

[ Community Center Kitchen/Garden ]

[ Vampire habits are hard to break and so mornings are more like early afternoons as far as he's concerned. Even here, where the sun doesn't set him on fire, Spike tends to not step outside until sometime after noon. It's around then that he can be found in the kitchen, microwaving a mug of blood and idly flipping through some worn paperback of poetry he found in the library.

Once he's got breakfast ready he'll retreat to the garden, drinking and idly reading, prime for interruptions. ]

[ Store / jetty ]

[ He may not have a lot of obligations here, but domestic chores are still a thing and after breakfast he'll head down to the general store to stock up on necessities. Whiskey and cigarettes, coffee for Ianto, some other bits and pieces they've run out of. Once done he opts to hang out on the jetty for a moment, smoking and taking in the view before heading back to the cabins. ]

[ Graveyard ]

[ Other than a quick look-around that first day, Spike hasn't really been anywhere close to the church since his arrival. There were other things to do, vacations to be had, parties to avoid. There's no reason for him to spend his time with the dead anymore and yet it calls to him, tells him to go where he belongs.

They're all on this island for a reason, he as much as the next man. That reason - one he's played close to the chest - is beginning to occupy his thoughts to a degree that can't be ignored. He has work to do. He just needs to figure out how to actually do it. ]

[ Wildcard ]

[ For all your unsatisfied needs! Hit me up on discord (ricamarch#3742) or plurk

reveillez if you want to hash things out! ]

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Summer 21 | Action | Closed to Jack

Honestly, Martha was supposed to be on vacation. Supposed to be having fun. Meeting new people. Relaxing. And she just kept finding her way back to her own room and moping. What on Earth was she doing?

Well today, she was going to turn that around. A hike would be just the thing. A hike with someone. Jack maybe. She'd not seen him in quite a while. Not since Ianto arrived and dropped the news that he was seeing someone else.

After a quick stop at the Community Center, she made her way over to Jack's cabin decked out for hiking along with a rucksack and two canteens.

"I'm going to The Mountain, Jack. I could use some company!"

Entry tags:

:daypost

Summer 21 - News

[ Good morning, Norrhamn! Here are the news! ]

Weather: Sunny, warm. 32C.
Sunrise: 06:12
Sunset: 20:09
Waterlily level: Medium risk.

Yesterday: Nothing scheduled.
Today: Nothing scheduled.
Tomorrow: Nothing scheduled

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Summer 20 | Action | Closed to Ianto

Having broken his self-imposed isolation yesterday by welcoming the newcomers and attending - and enjoying, mostly - the crayfish party, Jack decides it's time to spend some time with Ianto that (hopefully) won't end up quite as intense and harrowing as the last time. Not that there weren't some really fantastic parts to that day, but Ianto really does deserve to be taken out and given a nice time in return for being so sweet and wonderful.

He'd been thinking of the beach, but it's not really the weather for sunbathing so he has something else in mind when he turns up at Granite Cabin late morning with a picnic basket over his arm and knocks smartly on the door.

((OOC note: thread contains sex and spanking later on))

Entry tags:

:daypost

Summer 20 - news

[ Good morning, Norrhamn! Here are the news! ]

Weather: Cloudy, but warm. 23C.
Sunrise: 06:02
Sunset: 20:01
Waterlily level: Low risk.

Yesterday: The crayfish premiere was a great success! Thanks to everyone who attended! /O
Today: Nothing scheduled.
Tomorrow: Nothing scheduled

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Summer 19 - Crayfish Premiere

[ Summer is slowly creeping towards autumn. We're not there yet, but we're certainly on our way and to mark the occasion the residents of Norrhamn have put together yet another Swedish celebration that allows us to drink inhuman amounts of alcohol: the crayfish premiere.

Paper lanterns and outdoor candles light the way down towards the jetty, where several long tables have been set up, lit by large block candles in glass lanterns. The tables are laden with cheese pies, cold bitter beer, bottles and bottles of snaps, bread and butter and, of course, a metric ton of bright red crayfish boiled in dill.

There's also a tray set aside with glasses of bright blue thirium for the android population and, as an experiment, little jello thirium cubes. They have yet to be tested, but should be fine. Right? It's probably fine. Have one.

The locals will be waiting on the dock for the guests to arrive; Einar with his large, red-haired family, Olivia who flitters about making sure everyone is having a good time, Lars who sneaks off for smoke breaks every so often and of course the veterans, Valborg and Ingvar who are more than happy to teach the guests rowdy drinking songs or how to properly crack a crayfish and scoop out the butter inside.

As night falls, the table will be cleared for coffee and apple cake, music and laughter, making the most of what few warm summer nights we have left. ]