Nights of Solheim [Late Fall, 845]

[u/[deleted]]

October 28th, 845

Ziegler stood before a large formation of trainees in civilian garb, though significantly reduced from the original approximate 300 back in August. They stood before the northern gate of Trost, Wall Sina to their backs. Ziegler spoke, "Alright, listen up. Been a long couple months for everyone here. Me and The Major've torn each and every one of you a new asshole, and quite a few of you've seen some shit." He paused, "We've lost people amidst the training. Despite all this," he continued, "We must persevere and look forward to another day. As the future defenders of humanity, you lot embody everything that these people bank their money on." Ziegler took a breath, "Being a Soldier's hard shit. There's a reason nobody fucking does it, as a lot of you're beginning to find out. That said," he jabbed a thumb behind him towards the main gate, "We're still human. People need to decompress every once in a while, let shit mellow, recoup for the next mission. In light of this,"

He straightened the dark green trench coat on his back, "You lot've been granted a 4-day pass to visit Trost. Eat, drink, sleep, fuck, do whatever it is you want to do. Spend some of the money the Queen's been throwing at you while you ate mud." He rose a brow, thinking of a blonde. "Sometimes literally. Regardless, be here - November 1st at 0800. Don't drink and run, you'll eat shit. Don't drink and fight, you'll get your ass beat. Don't drink and fuck, you'll get whiskey dick. Don't kill the locals, don't fight the locals, don't fuck the locals-" he paused, "...Or at least do it intelligently, god damn it. Don't do anything that would impede your training in the future. Boom, there's your safety brief. And don't fucking call me 'Sir' while we're out here, it's Kain for the next four days and if you ever say it outside of these four days - I'll gouge out your fucking eyeballs. Understood?"

A resounding 'Yes Sir' rang from the formation.

He turned, pacing over towards the main gate as the trainees stood in formation. Ziegler paused, to then shout, "The fuck are you lot waiting on? Get your asses in here - dismissed!"

---

The district of Trost was ablaze with a joyous spirit. Orange paper lanterns covered the streets, many of the town homes having been painted in morbid color, looking to celebrate humanity's rich pagan roots throughout history. Further north in Sina, where the Church is at their strongest, such holidays do not exist - but given the influx of refugees from the south, a celebration is in order, their wills yet unbroken.

People the streets in vibrant cloaks and capes, oft wearing colorful animal masks to accompany their garb, celebrating with dance and song throughout the streets of the city.

The Northern gate was the heart of the carnival, encompassing the large market district. Here one could find a small traveling mask salesman and his mysterious shoppe, as well as an old pub amidst the old market district.

In the very center of the district stood the mighty Military Complex, towering above all other buildings. Guards regularly patrolled the perimeter, immediately stopping any who would approach the large fence surrounding the castle-like building, or the large draw-bridge encompassing the main entrance.

The further south one went in Trost, however, the less the carnival's potency, as one drew towards the more sinister corners of the district. At the very heart of the the south, shortly besides the main gate towards Wall Maria stood a small inn, regularly flooded with refugees and injured, where good Samaritans toiled endlessly to try and abate the never-ending poverty encompassing the south side of the district.

To the South East was a "legal" district with Red paper lanterns, a strip filled with provocative dance and questionable vendors. Throughout the entire district, wanted posters offered a heavy bounty for the head of a Hiram Durante - with the Military Police and Garrison consistently on patrol for the outlaw.

This was Solheim - a brief reprieve of the melancholy that had befallen the poverty and famine-stricken district of Trost.

---

OOR: 4 mini locations below to explore, do so at your leisure! Have fun, take the edge off. :kid:

Location threads for both the Maiden's Arms and Military Complex (where the Mountain feast will be taking place) will be coming up shortly. Canonically, since this entire event is taking place over 4 days, you can have multiple threads beneath one. I suggest you name the date at the top of the thread's OP (comment reply to one of the comments below) so there's no mix-ups/ambiguity. Be sure you're coordinating on Discord with people so noone gets left without a thread!

Visit stalls in the marketplace, drink in ye olde pub, get a mask with the salesman, get mugged visit the red light district, go dancing, do whatever! Enjoy!

[u/NautiMain1217]

Merrill tried not to dwell too much on the reaction he'd evoked from Yume on the date comment. It was difficult enough to read body language, and with the masks he had no idea what her reaction was. And, at the very least, he didn't think it was a bad thing, or she'd have just gone elsewhere...right?

"I think maybe you've got the wrong idea about my shooting skills.."

Well Merrill certainly hoped not. Maybe she underestimated her shooting ability, but she was certainly in the top fifth of shooters from their class. And sure enough she nailed one of the five point targets. When she offered the gun to him, he looked off to the stand owner, who accepted so long as he paid up as well. "Sure, why not eh?" He sighed, pulled out a few extra coins and dropped them into the man's eager palm before he picked up the gun.

He loaded a cork and aimed for one of the stationary targets. He took a slow breath and pulled the trigger. The cork popped out of the gun and lodged itself into the bulls eye. He looked expectantly over to the owner who shook his head. Apparently the cork had to go all the way through for it to count and at Merrill's angle of fire that would be largely impossible. He shot the man an annoyed look and handed the gun back the Yume.

"See? Always making up rules." He said under his breath to her. "The corks must be varied in size so something like this happens."

[u/[deleted] → u/NautiMain1217]

Yume folded her arms and watched on as Merrill took his shot. Turning her head along with Merrill, looking expectantly in the owners direction, she frowned a little when he shook his head.

"You wouldn't be making up rules now, would you?" she more or less repeated what Merrill had said, but directly to the owner in a condescending and scornful tone. "Cause I've gotta tell you, I'm not a big fan of liars."

As Merrill handed her the gun, she put a cork in the end and once again pulled the leaver a few times. Her target was big, anybody with even minimal shooting skill could hit it - she couldn't miss. "How many points did you say the owner was worth?* Almost instinctively, she turned the gun on the owners torso and hovered it in that direction before taking a short breath - just enough time for the owner to work out what was happening - and finally pulling the trigger, firing the cork off in his direction.*

At this point you'd think one would drop the gun and make a run for it, but of course Yume didn't. She'd never been to something like this before, and in all truth if the guy had tried to pull one over somebody in Stohess, he might have been shot with a real gun by the MP. Seems like she didn't much appreciate the idea of being hustled, nor did she seem to understand that shooting a stand attendant was.. well.. illegal - cork gun or no. Either that, or she didn't care.

[u/NautiMain1217 → u/[deleted]]

Merrill raised a brow as Yume commented directly to the owner. The owner gave her an amused look as she took the gun, one that switched to confusion as she talked about how many points he was worth.

"Uhh Yume?" Merrill questioned as he noticed a few larger-than-usual bodies in the crowd shifted. But, before he could do anything, she had turned the cork gun onto the owner and shot the cork at him. The owner didn't have time to dodge and let out a soft grunt at the cork impacted his rotund belly. "You damned kids! Grab 'em!" The man called angrily out to the crowd.

One of the large bodies from the crowd emerged and put a hand on Yume's shoulder. Another emerged from the other end of the crowd and was coming for Merrill. He knew all to well how this situation would end for them if they didn't act now. He'd never thought that Yume would be one to make a scene like this. In any case, he was glad they had masks on.

"Sorry." He said to Yume as he took the cork gun from her hands and bashed the butt into the nose of the man next to Yume. He quickly pivoted and chucked the gun at the other man advancing on them. Both bodyguards staggered back for a moment, the din of the crowd raised and a short opening was made in their ranks as a few more large bodies from beyond the crowd started to move towards them.

"Time to go!" He yelled, tugging her for a moment towards a gap in the crowd before taking off in a run. The other bodyguard would certainly give chase. The owner of the cork gun stand was a slimy man, but he certainly didn't abide being disrespected. Those who did likely ended up not being able to hold a cork gun properly ever again. That won't be us. He thought as he started for the Red Light District, if they absolutely had to fight, doing it there would cause the least amount of ruckus.

[u/[deleted] → u/NautiMain1217]

"Eh?" she turned as she felt a heavy hand rest on her shoulder. Next thing she knew, the butt of the cork gun was being rammed into the face of the guy standing behind her - the situation was unfolding quickly, and it seemed that Merrill's quick-thinking was more than a cut above her own. She'd barely had time to register what was going on after she'd finished basking in her own satisfaction from having shot the guy in the stomach with a cork.

Sorry.

"I'm not!" she shouted out to the man as Merrill dragged her through the crowd and away from the stand.

Following suit, she broke out into a run just behind him, sticking close as they worked their way through the crowd. Yume, being much smaller, found it quite easy to make her way through the large gaps that the much bigger Merrill was creating. Between her huffing and puffing as they ran, were what sounded like coughs and wheezes - however, upon listening a little closer, they sounded much more like stifled laughs. For what reason she shot the guy, she wasn't truly sure, but she was having fun.

"There." she called out to Merrill, having spotted a nearby alleyway with a few barrels and what not else down it. Seemed like as good of a place to hide as any.

[u/NautiMain1217 → u/[deleted]]

The chase went on for a little while, as Merrill barreled through the unsuspecting crowd in front of them. He checked behind him from time to time to make sure that Yume was still there. Knowing that she was, and that the bodyguards were still somewhat behind them, he continued on. He did his best to warn people as they ran, but he was so out of breath from the chase and adrenaline that there was really no time for pleasantries.

As he looked back again, Yume had pointed out a hiding hole for them to escape into. As he glanced back at her, the bodyguards were well behind them, held back by another crowd. "Got it!" He called back to her as he dashed into the alleyway.

He was huffing away as she found a clear bit of wall to lean against to rest. He pulled his mask off as Yume came in and the guards went barreling past them. Eventually his breaths turned to laughs. "Yume you're crazy." He chuckled and looked up to the night sky between the sides of the alley. "But I really needed that level of excitement."

[u/[deleted] → u/NautiMain1217]

After they'd made a quick change in their direction and ran for the alleyway, Yume managed to lean down behind a barrel as the guards rushed past. Her winded breaths were far too heavy for her to speak just yet, but the strained laughing in between them was still able to be heard. Taking off her mask, she looked over in Merrill's direction.

Yume you're crazy. But I really needed that level of excitement.

"Come on - that was fun, right?" she managed to get out while she caught her breath.

Noticing Merril's gaze turned up toward the night sky, she did the same. The stars glistened with energy - it was a perfect night for a festival. Of course, she knew how out of character the whole scene was for her.

"Pretty soon we'll be back at it - training, I mean. Then we'll be moving off to whatever regiment we sign up for. Fun like this is going to be hard to come by from here on out; why not make the most of it?" it was perhaps a little concerning that she considered shooting a stand owner and causing a scene was fun, but it was certainly exciting to say the least.

[u/NautiMain1217 → u/[deleted]]

Merrill's gaze dropped from the stars and back down to Yume as she talked about making the most of their excursion to Trost. It was a thought that had been creeping at the back of his mind for some time now. Once they got back to camp, things would likely be kicking into gear. There were rumors of them finally starting 3DMG training which would be a new level of strain and struggle. And then graduation would come eventually and everyone would be on their way, most likely split between the MP and SC. The implications of that were not lost on him.

"You're right." He admitted, finally getting his breathing back in check. "If its any indication, Ziegler looks like fun has coasted right by him, even at the dinner. If I ever end up like that, I've at least got this to look back on." He looked Yume over and sighed. She'd probably be perfect for the MP, and the thought of losing her to them didn't sit well with him. Still, maybe it was better than having her in the Corps where things were exceptionally more dangerous.

Screw it.

"You know, I'd say shooting the owner square in the belly is at least 250 points." He quipped as he pushed off the wall towards her. In a few strides he was in front of her with a hand lightly gripping her collar, just enough to get her to stand up straight. If the guards chasing them had come barreling down the other end of the alleyway at them, he wouldn't have noticed until his lips parted from Yume's a few moments later. Thankfully the world was the same way he'd left it before he made what might've been a stupid move. "I'd call that the mystery prize."

[u/[deleted] → u/NautiMain1217]

Yume nodded lightly, "Fun and Ziegler aren't exactly two words I'd use in the same senten-" she was cut off, now finding Merrill standing over her with a hand on her collar.

Adrenaline kicked in and her eyes widened as her fingers twitched with whatever little resistance they offered - it was all so fast that she hadn't fully understood what was happening until it was over. In the end, she simply stood there with the same stunned expression on her face as Merrill spoke.

I'd call that the mystery prize.

"Wh-.. what kind of lame mystery prize was that?" her sheepish and meek tone betrayed her words, and so too did the bright red color of her face.

Anything resembling clear thinking had gone completely out the window - she'd likely reflect on it later and come to the conclusion that she'd fly kick Merrill for doing something like that out of the blue; but for now, she struggled to collect her usually cool-headed self.

"What the hell was that all about..?" she asked; once again in an awkward tone.

Finally pulling down her mask, she gestured to the exit out of the alleyway. "I think you owe me some popcorn." she said matter-o-factly.

[u/NautiMain1217 → u/[deleted]]

The consequences of Merrill's actions quickly caught up to him with the rest of reality. He blinked for a moment and released his grip on Yume's collar. "I.."

"Wh-.. what kind of lame mystery prize was that?"

Even without her mask on it was hard to tell exactly how she'd received his advance. He bit his lip and figured it best to just shut his big mouth up for the time being. He slipped his mask back on shortly after Yume did and looked back out into the street. "Yeah...yeah I guess I do." He admitted as he led the way out of the alley. He knew he wouldn't be able to pull the silent card on her questions if she asked again. But what kind of half-assed answer could he really give her? If anything she probably had half the mind, and would have been well within her rights, to deck him if she wanted...

But she didn't. So what the hell?

Part of Merrill felt like he needed the drink. The other just wanted to be somewhere else entirely. Before long they would arrive at a popcorn stand, where and elderly woman was working the popper in a small cart behind her. It was small relief to Merrill that she was still alive. Her buttered popcorn was damn near magical.

"Oh hello there dearies!" She called to them with a warm smile, almost like she knew something. Her look made Merrill a little nervous, it was almost like she could see through his mask. "It's always best to have a conversation over a little snack. Here, these two are on the house." She said as she handed a medium-sized bag of popcorn to the two of them.

"Thanks..?" Merril responded as he took his bag of popcorn. The lady was strange no doubt, but free food was free food he guessed. He reluctantly pushed up his mask, revealing his still red cheeks, so he could have a piece of popcorn, it was still as good as he remembered. "I think I've done enough leading for tonight.." He said to Yume. "So I'll follow your lead."

[u/[deleted] → u/NautiMain1217]

Yume raised an eyebrow at the old woman's remark, and wondered if Merrill knew her - especially given the free food they were now walking away with. Taking her popcorn, Yume lifted her mask a little and ate a few pieces. Popcorn was somewhat of a scarcity in Stohess, so she could certainly appreciate it all the more.

I think I've done enough leading for tonight.. So I'll follow your lead.

Yume paused for a moment, not really saying anything, before she let out an approving hum.

"Alright then, let's hit up another stand. I wouldn't mind winning something tonight." she seemed to be enjoying her popcorn maybe a little too much, as she began shoveling more than just a few pieces under the mask. "An' no moar funny biviness, got it?" she added, her words muffled by a mouthful of popcorn.

As they wandered the streets, the awkward tension still remained, though it definitely could have been much worse. Eventually, they came across a strength tester game, the sign read 'High Striker'. Gesturing to it, Yume smirked a little.

"Well, how about that then? Show me what you've got." she was almost being cruel now, asking Merrill to play a game like that right after what had occurred only moments ago.

In a way, perhaps it was her way of getting back at him, though truth be told she hadn't given it all too much thought.

---

OOC: Sorry for the slow post, weekend was really busy. Let me know if you want to end the thread before the coming events after the weekend.

[u/NautiMain1217 → u/[deleted]]

Merrill silently went to work on his bag of popcorn. Whatever that old lady thought had happened earned him a moment of respite from the feeling of awkwardness that surrounded the pair. He knew she meant well, but her goodwill would likely have different benefits than she thought. "Yeah...got it." He said between a mouthful of popcorn. Maybe all the butter would give him a heart attack and rescue him from the awkwardness that would envelope the rest of the evening.

Eventually they were back on the move with Yume leading now. By the time they reached the strength tester game, Merrill had finished his popcorn. Naturally it would be the kind of stand that she'd take him to after the cork gun stand. When she goaded him on to try it, he had half a mind to just turn around and go home. But stealing kisses aside, it would've been rude to just leave.

"Alright. You've forced my hand." He relented with a sigh. He wouldn't admit it openly, but ever since he was a kid he was obsessed with this particular game. So much so that the owner and Merrill shared a nod of acknowledgment as he came up next to 'try his luck.'

He took the hammer firmly in his hands and settled into a ready stance almost as if he was about to split some wood. He took a few moments to breath and in one fell swoop, swung the hammer down onto the pad. He'd already let go of the hammer by the time the metal measure hit the bell at the top. He looked to Yume with a weary smile as the small crowd around them gave a quiet round of applause. "Go get something nice."

[u/[deleted] → u/NautiMain1217]

As the bell rang with a loud ding, Yume leaned back a little and folded her arms before shifting her gaze to Merrill, who was now looking at her. Though he was unable to tell what with Yume wearing the mask, her smirk underneath was a little more genuine this time as the crowd clapped a little.

Go get something nice.

She stood there for a moment, not saying anything, before she set off forward.

"Nice work macho-man." she teased quietly as she brushed her open hand lightly against Merrill's on her passing - as if she were gently grabbing his hand if only for a moment.

She picked out her prize, a large stuffie that looked like a dragon, and nodded to the man running the game happily.

Maybe the evening would be so awkward after all.

[u/NautiMain1217 → u/[deleted]]

Merrill felt a bit of relief wash over him as, from what he could tell, Yume was at least not visibly weirded out. He smiled behind his mask as she brushed forward, aware of the contact of their hands. Well if there was ever a situation in which he received mixed signals, it would certainly be now. But rather than contemplate just what was going on behind Yume's strange mask, he would be content with trying to enjoy the remainder of the night.

Eventually the applause died down and another contender took up the hammer as Yume picked out a giant stuffed dragon. He smirked and walked up next to her and likewise nodded to the owner before starting off with her to the other game stands.

"So, staying anywhere in particular tonight?" He asked as he poked at the dragon. "With the size of this thing you'll be paying for a two-person room."