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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[Oh, Rin definitely cut up his fingers. There was a lot of profane words echoing throughout the temple earlier that day. Still he manages to get through it, and he feels it's worthwhile if people enjoy his food.]

I did! I think I really like to cook, maybe that's something I was good at in my former life. Or maybe it's just a necessity since I tend to get really hungry,and my god's expertise isn't cooking...at all.

[He smiles, can you tell he looks forward to trying everything that people brought?]

Yes! Everything smells so good. I can't wait to try everything.

Ah, who is your god? I wonder if I know them? Oh, I guess I didn't... [ Trailing off, she looks embarrassed a moment before dipping into a polite bow of greeting. ]

I'm Yona, by the way. Or Áine, but Yona will be fine. It is a pleasure to meet you.

I'm not sure if you know of him, he kind of keeps to himself it seems like. His name is Add, but he's filling in for Henir, god of time and space.

[Though it's nice to meet other gods. He smiles at the polite bow, she didn't really need to do all of that.]

So Yona's your given name, right? Then I'll call you by that. Remembering all of these titles and positions are confusing enough.

[ Add had to keep reminding him who he was, but Rin's always been kind of slow. Plus, it didn't seem like people really cared about their godly roles either. It just seems to be a formality.]

Hmm, I don't think I've met him yet, no. I might have heard him spoken of a time or two, though... [ Hadn't Chikusa mentioned him once? She couldn't be sure. ] The god of time and space sounds like a very important job, however. It must keep him very busy.

And yes, you can just call me Yona. Sometimes I still forget that I have a second name to answer to - I'm sure it must be similar for the other gods, too. And what's your name?

Yeah, he's always busy. Doin' research or experiments...not sure if that's part of his role as a god, but he seems to enjoy it. He's really good at making robots, but I don't recommend visiting his temple. It's like a trap.

[He just feels he should warn Yona just in case she feels adventurous, and wants to pay a visit sometime in the future. He smiles as she asks for his name.]

I'm Rin. I just came here recently, so I'm just starting to get to know people. I thought it would be a cool idea to bond with people over food. It's one of my favorite things, so why not enjoy that with others, y'know.

A trap? His temple is? [ Yona looks surprised by this. ] Isn't that dangerous for a temple?

[ They were supposed to be visited, after all. Weren't they? Maybe a god of time and space was different? ]

I think that sounds like an excellent idea. And just what I hoped people would use this for. Especially if you're new. You're welcome here any time, Rin. Besides, there's lots of new and different foods to try, too.

Well...I think it's a defensive system! Like if an intruder comes in, then it'll just mess with them until they want to leave.

[Actually that doesn't seem sound very welcoming. Though Add had told him,the temple has a mind of it's own, but it's a bit kinder to it's inhabitants. He's not sure if that extends to guests or even people who wish to leave prayers.]

I don't get it, but thank you for the welcome! Yes, I can't wait to try everything. And I will try everything. What did you make?

[ Yona just gives a faint laugh at that, shaking her head. ] I'm afraid I provided most of the fresh fruit and some of the drinks. Cooking is something I'm still learning how to do so I mostly helped some of the others who prepared dishes here. I thought that might be safer for everyone.

Well those things are important too! People's bound to get thirsty! And fruits are a part of a balanced diet!

[ Though it doesn't settle well with him that she thinks her novice cooking could be unsafe.]

Though even if you're still learning,don't sell yourself too short. Making things for people is a great motivator, and it challenges you to do your best. You're gonna make mistakes too, but sometimes those accidents can be really tasty.

And sometimes they can be really terrible. [ She laughs, looking amused. Guess who's had that happen a time or two? ] I am learning, and I enjoy what I've learned so far, but since there were so many people to feed here today, I thought it best to leave the food preparation to people who knew more about what they were doing. We don't seem to be lacking for any of those, at least.

That's true.

[ Rin laughs at that too. Not all of his meals turn out exactly as he wants, but for some reason, he knows what he's doing. So mistakes have been minimal on his part.]

I understand, that's probably smart of you! You do have a nice spread here! I especially saw that boar roasting over there.

[Rin must have shown his excitement for the hog to at least everyone he's talked to.]

Edited 2018-01-08 01:16 (UTC)

[ That gets an amused look from her as she glances in that direction, her expression fond. ]

Ah, yes, that was Temeraire's gift for today. It's quite impressive, isn't it?

It is! That's biggest hog I've ever seen! I wonder where he found it?

[Not that he plans to do a barbecue anytime soon, but it would be good to know where the dragon goes shopping. It escapes him that Temeraire probably hunted the swine.]

Probably in one of the forests? But you could ask him! I don't think he'd mind sharing.

[ And considering he's a dragon here today, he's pretty hard to miss. ]

Yeah? I'll definitely ask him,then!

[ He's sure a whole bunch of people are lining up to speak with him. Though thinking along the same lines, he shouldn't keep Yona any longer.]

Well I shouldn't hold you up either, I'm sure you have to tend to your other guests.

[ She gives him a warm smile and reaches out to squeeze his arm lightly. ] I do have quite a few of them to look after, huh? But I'm glad you came today, and stopped to say hello. I hope you enjoy yourself.

[ There's something about her warm smile and the light weight of Yona's hand that leaves an impression. Suddenly, he feels a bit shy, even if he was speaking to her normally before. Still he manages to regain himself in enough time to part ways with Yona properly. He stupidly gives her a thumb's up.]

I will! You don't have to worry about that!

[As she goes on her way, Rin cringes at his own idiotic display. He recovers enough to enjoy the rest of the potluck.]

[Open Mingle] End of Summer Lucky-Pot

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