thenearshore | [Open Mingle] End of Summer Lucky-Pot

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. ]

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[ She blinks, dragged out of her thoughts when he sits down beside her and offers her one of the skewers. Casting him a warm smile, she reaches out to take it and eye the marshmallows at the end. ]

Of course! There were so many people to see and so many new foods to try!

[ That didn't mean that there weren't still parts of the day still tinged with the sadness of who was missing. But she knew she wasn't the only one feeling that, which is why she glances up to search his face intently. ]

How are you?

[ Instead of answering right away, he gestures at his head to watch what he does- holding his own skewer of marshmallows near the flames. Not right in them, but close enough to catch onto the heat, letting them expand as he slowly rotated them. ]

Pretty good- Socializing really isn't my thing, though. So it's kind of tiring.

That or it's from all the work at the bar.

[ He has been spending a lot of hours there. Sometimes even sleeping there in an attempt to start really catching up. He's trying to cheer her up and get her back on the good feelings though, so he moves on from that. ]

So- what'd you enjoy the most?

[ She watches him carefully before stretching her own skewer out over the flames, just as he was, mimicking his actions with a curious expression. More new foods to learn about! At least she had heard about these, which had made her definitely want to try them tonight.

She hasn't missed all the hours he's been spending at the bar, and she casts a glance over at him. ] Is there anything I can help with at the bar, Shizuo? You know you need only to ask. I know you weren't expecting that dropped on your lap. If I can make that part of it any easier, you know I will.

[ His question gets a thoughtful blink before her gaze drifts back to the flames, thinking her answer over. ] Hmm. I'm not sure. All of it was very nice. I'm glad to have had the day to spend with so many friends, I think. Ah, by the way, there is a large chocolate statue in the fridge I might need your help with. [ Her lips twitch in amusement. ]

It's mostly a lot of things I've gotta learn, as an owner.

[ That and the main thing he needed help with actually required someone that was and looked like an adult, to make things go the easiest. As his own marshmallows grow large and start to brown, he waits just a little more before pulling them away and pulling one off the skewer- that gooey trail is being left behind, too. Which is a good display of how it's going to be once it's in your mouth.

With that kind of information, however, Shizuo looks a little unsure. In fact, he's concerned about who it was giving- no wait, now he remembers all the small ones that were on the table. ]

Ah... I see. I'll show you how to melt it down for other things another day.

Alright, but the offer still stands. I hope you'll ask for help when you need it - if not from me, then perhaps someone else who might know a little about it.

[ Although she glances over at him as her marshmallows start to brown, forgetting about them for the moment. ]

Melt it? [ She looks a little uncertain before glancing around to make sure Hibiki is nowhere within earshot. ] Can we?

Yeah, I know. We've got plenty of people that wanna make sure the place keeps running.

[ She might be looking over at him, but his eyes are on the flames, and marshmallows. Enough to know to give her a nudge when it starts to really brown up.

Shizuo doesn't seem to share the same concern over being heard by Hibiki. ]

Yeah. No reason not to. Same with all the extras that she dumped onto the table for everyone. Which, yes, I'm sure there will be plenty.

Good, I'm glad. It was important to him.

[ Her voice is soft, thoughts drifting away again until he nudges her and she jolts, jerking her marshmallows back away from the flames before they catch on fire. They're darkened, but salvageable at least.

Still, she gives a soft laugh at his comment about the chocolates. ] She meant well and it was... a thoughtful present to say thank you. Besides, I'm sure we can find a use for chocolate. Maybe we can lure Goten over to make cookies or something. The distraction might do him some good.

Thoughtful, right. We can see where those thoughts are towards.

[ They're literally figures of her, Yona. As charming as she was probably trying to be, there were so many other custom shapes she could use. He'd be concerned literally all of the time if he had Hibiki for a god, and in a completely different way from the concern he has for you. ]

Maybe after we manage to get him to sleep for a little bit. There's a lot of things that would do that kid a lot of good.

[ She's trying to be generous here, Shizuo.

Although at least he's sufficiently distracted her with concern for Goten. ]

You're probably right. He hasn't been sleeping either? Poor Goten. He would be taking this hardest.

I've been approached to make sure I help in case it became time to force him to rest, actually.

[ Because Shizuo did have the durability to fight against any tantrum that Goten had in resisting. ]

Though I made it clear that it'd be better for him to try and realize the way things are on his own. Otherwise he'd just go on the search for Izumo again.

[ She nods seriously at that. ] I think so, too. He's too young to be dealing with this well, but I don't think arguing with him or forbidding him from looking would do any good, other than making him resent those that tried to help him. But if it gets to the point that he won't rest... I'm not sure forcing him would help, either. Would you let me try first, if he persists so single-mindedly? Perhaps I can help... [ She's frowning, worried for the little shinki. ]

I've got nothing against you trying first. Maybe you'll get through to him in a way I've got no chance of doing. He doesn't really take what I say seriously, so while I try, I can't expect it to go very well.

[ He can say this because it hadn't gone well. Goten was still insisting that he'll be able to find Izumo no matter what. When the only way they'd see him again is if the Heavens brought him back. ]

[ She reaches out to lay her hand on Shizuo's arm, giving him an understanding look. ]

Thank you for trying, all the same. I think he would take what you're saying seriously, if he could bring himself to that point of acceptance, but if he can't, it might not matter what you say. Or anyone, for that matter. But I'll keep an eye on him, all the same.

I mean, I'm not exactly the type of person he really is ready to listen to when it comes to serious stuff in general. It takes a lot of work compared to how easily he'll take what other people say.

[ You have no idea how much work it was to teach Goten not to steal a baby for the purposes of a prayer. ]

This particular issue... Just makes it more impossible in my case.

[Open Mingle] End of Summer Lucky-Pot

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