[Open Mingle] End of Summer Lucky-Pot

[darkestbefore]

Who: Anyone and Everyone!
When: September 22nd
Where: Cnoc Áine
What: It is the final day of Summer and the first day of Fall so the Temple of Áine, the Irish Goddess of Summer, throws one last picnic to bid her season farewell. All are welcome, as long as they bring a dish for the lucky-pot potluck.


[ To celebrate the final day of Summer, the Temple of Áine has gone all out, decorated in vibrant shades of red and gold that already accent the hint of leaves that are changing outside the temple grounds. Although inside the walled temple, it still seems like a beautiful summer day, the leaves on the trees still a bright vibrant green. The picnic is set up in the large orchard that spreads within the temple, the trees' boughs heavy with brightly-hued apples of every flavor and crispness.

Blankets and tables are scattered beneath the trees and in the clearing at the center, several long tables are set up to be filled with dishes brought by guests. Yona has supplied some of it herself, with the help of some friends. Several roasts, carefully sliced and carved for guests. A large platter of corn still on the cob. Several types of breads, seasoned with fruits or vegetables from the summer seasons or the harvest. And apples, of course - those seem to be here and there and everywhere; in pies, sliced and paired with peanut butter or caramel or other dips, made into a buttery spread for the loaves of bread. No matter what people bring to add to the potluck, there will be plenty of food to go around, as well as wine and ciders generously offered to go with it.

There is music playing in the background, just to set the mood or for people to dance to, and the pools of water are still warm enough for people to take a soak or swim in. And when the sun sinks and the sky darkens and the air grows a little cooler, a large bonfire is lit, with hot cocoa passed around and the makings for s'mores set out for anyone who wants to have a little dessert after their feasting. One last offering to a fading summer until it comes around again. ]

Comments

[flamebearer]

[ Alibaba still looks a little dubious, but just shrugs, giving the guy a grin and taking his word for it. ]

Uh, ok. Well, first you gotta roast these over the fire until they're warm and gooey. Wanna come try? There's sticks you can use by the fire to heat them.

[farseen]

[Silently he nodded, fascinated by the explanation that the young man provided. And, remembering his words, he added...]

Mm. Please.

[flamebearer]

Okay, sure, there's some over here.

[ Beckoning, he leads the way back over to the fire, although he glances over his shoulder to make sure the guy really can see where he's going with that blindfold on.

When he seems to do fine, Alibaba casts him a perplexed look for a moment before shrugging and just rolling with it. Offering one of the sticks to Shin-Ah, he holds up the bag of marshmallows. ]

Here, stick one or two of these on the ends and then you can hold them over the fire without getting burned.

[farseen]

[The stick was accepted with the ease of someone who had long worked with their hands, both with a blade and on far more delicate tasks, and he watched Alibaba with the unfaltering attention of a student who wanted nothing more than to learn. He eyed the marshmallows themselves, with their oddly soft and fluffy composition, and nodded in understanding of Alibaba's words.

These were foods that would hold up to being speared, like those soft rice cakes with the sweet bean filling.

And, in recalling what others had done with their marshmallows, he found a question to ask.]

How does it not burn?

[flamebearer]

Well, it does, if you leave it over the fire too long, and trust me it makes a real mess. But if you hover it above the fire for like a minute and keep turning them to brown the oustide of it all around the marshmallow, it'll make the insides perfectly gooey when you're done toasting it. Here hold it like this and keep an eye on it, so you can turn it just when the outside starts to brown.

[ And he demonstrates as he explains, jabbing a pair of marshmallows on the skewer before settling in to hold it close to the fire, but not close enough that they'll catch fire themselves. ]

[farseen]

[A nod. That sounded like a reasonable explanation-- and it certainly made the way that people held the marshmallows over the flames make sense. It was less about cooking and more about warming.

Shin-Ah accepted the stick when it was offered, prepared to follow the blond's lead.]

[flamebearer]

[ Alibaba is more than happy to show him, since Shin-Ah seems to be following along well enough despite the blindfold. Holding the marshmallows over the fire, he glances over at the other guy. ]

By the way, I'm Alibaba.

[farseen]

[Never doubt his sight, Alibaba. It will never lead you astray, even if it is unnerving to behold.]

...Shin-Ah.

[He said with a bob of his head while he mimicked Alibaba's action of holding the marshmallow over the blaze. Already, he could see the fine details of it's delicate skin starting to crisp and turn a golden brown.]

[flamebearer]

Shin-Ah, huh? It's good to meet you, Shin-Ah. Are you still pretty new here, too? [ He glances over at him before looking back to his marshmallow, tracking the progress of both their treats. ]