logsinthenight | EVENT LOG: FOR EVERYTHING A REASON

characters: everyone.
location: the harbor.
date/time: september 6-7.
content: characters and forest spirits send off paper lantern boats in honor of those who have died..
warnings: character death

a somber kind of serenity.

When you arrive at the harbor, there are already boats in the water, and the lighthouse's red beam flares in slow pulses over the lake. The moon's a bright first quarter and the stars are out in force today, all reflected on the glassy surface of the water. It's uncharacteristically calm, this weather, so take advantage.

Rastus is down at the water's edge, tending to a large mound of pebbles that looks not unlike a miniature bonfire from a distance. The stones are all ordinary, having been collected from the beach, except Rastus has enchanted them to glow with a soft, yellow light. The enchantment will only last a week, but that's ample time for this little ceremony to send off those lost over the past two months. Or to send off something less literal, perhaps.

Next to the pile of stones is an array of craft materials—just the basic supplies like paper, markers, glue, and scissors, but more than enough to accommodate everyone in attendance. A handful of forest spirits (some you may recognize from the party!) are standing nearby to assist in paper-folding or boat-crafting if you're out of your depth there. They, along with Rastus, urge you to join in. This memorial is as much about you as it is anyone we've lost, after all. The boats can look like or represent anything you like.

Releasing boats lit with pebbles out onto the water will fill you will a sense of peace. It's a somber kind of serenity, but it's a relief nonetheless, whether you're mourning the loss of a friend or letting go of some other part of yourself. You're welcome to release as many boats as you like, too. It's not like there's a shortage of rocks around here, and even if the craft materials run low, there's plenty of other stuff around town that could be used in a pinch.

The forest spirits are in attendance, as well. Some are helping with the crafting, yes, but most are taking part themselves, building their own little boats to send out over the water. Their crafting involves more of a hands-on approach: Chomping and tearing and crinkling into unique shapes and textures. They stand out from the townsfolks' designs on the beach, but once the boats drift far enough into the surf, it's impossible to tell which vessels belong to which group. Feel free to NPC your own forest spirits for this event and refer to the OOC info post if you have questions about how they might behave.

On the final night of the event, a sound starts up along the treeline, one you haven't heard in some time, perhaps. Crickets. Cicadas. Katydids and beetles and the shrill hum of a mosquito in your ear. It seems insects have returned to Beacon from... wherever they were hiding, and the night air is now vibrant with their music. No more eerie silence back in town, where the sounds of the lake are snuffed out by the trees. It sounds almost like a real forest now.

And it will stay that way after this event ends, too. Maybe you were enjoying the time away from bugs or maybe you were longing for some sign that, yes, this world was alive once, but either way, the insects are here to stay. Well, until winter, at least.

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It's a struggle to take only a few mouthfuls instead of draining him dry. She's so hungry, that need to take more and more winding so tightly within her that she stops even sooner than she'd planned, suddenly terrified that she'll lose control and give in to the predator within. Still a young vampire, she's never had to test herself like this before, and she makes a note to experiment further with the boundaries of moderation in the coming days.

A trickle of his blood runs down her chin as she pulls away, a strange aftertaste on her tongue that she can't quite place. Her face shifts back to normal as she wipes away the streak with the back of her hand and before giving another swipe with her sleeve to erase any trace of red.

"I know you said you heal fast," she tells him, fishing a sealed bandage from her jeans pocket and immediately unwrapping the bandage to peel the sheet from the adhesive, "but I'll feel better knowing you're taken care, just in case."

That didn't feel like very much. Technicians have, in fact, taken more than that for testing before, the Soldier is sure of it. Its face curls down into a little puzzled frown, even as it waits for whatever treatment she deems necessary. It doesn't even bother covering the wound, since doing so would be with the metal hand and thus not really as effective.

"Was that enough." Not that it's not relaxing internally now that she's not holding onto its arm anymore, regardless. But it really didn't seem like very much.

"It's enough for now," she declares almost dismissively, hoping he won't argue because she's not sure she's up to it. Holding the unwrapped bandage carefully with both hands, she quickly presses it onto his arm over those two marks, sparing a second to be sure it's secure before removing her hands again and taking half a step back to put some space between them.

"You should check it later, and try not to get it wet," she instructs, tucking her hair behind an ear in an almost nervous gesture. "And... thank you. Really."

Of course it's not going to argue. The Soldier doesn't argue, because that gets it in trouble. So it just nods. "It should be healed in twenty-four hours. I am available whenever you need more."

It was less painful or awkward than severely uncomfortable, but helping Elena is a good thing to do, especially when it will heal from what she needs faster than most people. The Soldier can deal with being uncomfortable.

Maybe one day he'll argue with her. With the way he is about things, what she's managed to guess about who he is and what he's been through... she'd be proud of him for it. She'd probably argue right back and stubbornly stand her ground, but she'd be really proud of him nonetheless.

"That means a lot. Really, I appreciate it more than I can say." It feels important that he know that, more than anyone else here. She isn't forcing him into this and she never would, so to have him volunteer so willingly is a gift she'll try her best to repay.

The Soldier briefly considers reminding her that this is its job, doing whatever is needed for its handlers and donating blood to techicians... but it's afraid that might lead to her attempting to argue the point, and it really wants to sit down alone now and make another little boat until it's internal static settles down to more manageable levels. So what it does is nod gravely and say, "You're welcome, Elena." It even leaves off her title this time. (Might be time for a title change, anyway.)

Besides, she looks like she feels a little better, more relaxed somehow. That's worth dealing with a few minutes of someone touching him.

Hearing him say her name makes her smile, something in it calling to her old self, from before everything was pain and darkness. There's a connection between them now, however slight, and she's so very grateful for that as well.

But for now, she nods, more to herself than anything else, and then gestures out to the lake. "You should make another boat if you want," she suggests, the soft glow from all those little lights illuminating the water's surface. "You're pretty good at it."

That's nice of her to say. "Thanks. I'll do that."

And, because now it has official permission, the Soldier dips its head to her, steps back once, and then turns to head over to the craft pile. It's done its duty, made (technician?) Elena feel better, and now it badly needs to recharge its ability to handle people. The paper boats help. So will not being touched for a while.

Hopefully that's not too rude.

EVENT LOG: FOR EVERYTHING A REASON

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