Happy Dawning!

[labrathor]

With the setting of the winter sun, the Plaza falls into a quiet lull, most of the hustle and bustle of the crowds trickling away as visitors wrap up their business and head home, shops closing up for the evening save for the late night life. Snow falls softly along the darkened streets, muffling footsteps and leaving tracks through the blanket of white.

But in the darkness up ahead, there is a soft glow and a scent of sweet baked goods.

A series of tables is laid out on the walkway, lit by the white glow of a sword thrust into the ground in the center, casting a wide circle of warmth and light around it. Blue and gold fabric covers the tables, decorated with stylized snowflake patterns, and hand-written labels declare one table as Synthetic-Friendly, another as Safe For Organics. Both tables are festooned with a wide assortment of offerings, some still steaming from the heat of the oven that burns industriously behind them, smaller labels propped up against each plate.

Perhaps you may find your eye drawn to one of the biscotti-like Vanilla Blades, or maybe a sugar-dusted almond Alkane Dragée cookie is more your style. Harshly-angled hazelnut Dark Chocolate Motes provide a little bite of bitterness, while the White Chocolate Traveler truffles combine vanilla and coconut and orange for a burst of sweet. You may be surprised at the airiness of the Void-infused Chocolate Unwafers, crunchy and light like biting into impossibly chocolately puffed rice, or indulge in a lemony Lavender Ribbon cookie. Soft cashew Gjallardoodles, chocolate-dipped palmiers, and classic Chocolate Ship cookies may serve as comfort food, a taste of the familiar and less adventurous side of baked goods. And for those who want nothing more than simple sugar cookies, a series of Snowflakes, or meticulously decorated Exotic Weapons.

Cookies are not the only items on offer. A cup of little plastic spoons sits ready near samples of Telemetry Tapioca and Radiolarian rice puddings, portioned out into tiny portable bowls. Thin slices of cherry-chocolate Infinite Forest cake sit ready on paper dessert plates, disposable forks already doled out with each slice. For the thirsty, empty glasses stand ready to receive bourbon-spiked Sunshot milk punch from a large pitcher, or the more meticulous assembly of an Invective sangria. Steaming mugs of spiced Skyburner's Oath hot chocolate can be put together on request, the marshmallows on top scorched to a golden brown by the flames of a conjured Solar hammer before serving.

This small spot of warmth on the cold winter streets is made all the brighter for the spherical lanterns that stand ready at the last table, small offerings for visitors to send aloft and bring a spot of Light against the dark.

However you choose to celebrate, you'll be greeted all the same by the Guardians behind the table. "Happy Dawning, traveler!"






[OOC: The Dawning is the Destiny universe's celebration of new year, held in the deep of winter. Originally created by refugees from hundreds of cultures on the founding of their new home, the Dawning has come to stand for a time of unity and hope, bringing Light to guide people through the Darkness, a reminder that dawn will always come no matter how dark the night is. Giving gifts and treats are customary gestures of good luck and health for the coming year, and lighting lanterns is done as a beacon of hope that grows all the stronger for every light added to their number.

Feel free to use this space for characters to meet up and exchange presents and goodies, or share in the warmth of companionship of friends both new and old. Happy Dawning!]

Comments

[spacetaser]

The sight of the roasted marshmallows going flying caused the Hunter walking by the table to burst out laughing. His armor and cloak were in colors of deep reds, blacks and lined with gold that complimented the bright gold of his eyes. He wasn't an awoken man, but a human - which made the color more striking. His long dark hair was pulled up into a half topknot. The lighting glinted on the Sunshot hand cannon strapped to his thigh.

"Happy Dawning!" He replied, flashing an easy grin. "I prefer to roast my marshmallows like this." Instead of drawing the dagger at his waist, he instead summoned a dagger in his hand made up of bright, warm solar energy. He gently speared one of the marshmallows on the table with it and brought it up, watching it brown all toasty on the dagger's tip. He waited til it was nice and dark and melty before pulling it off with his teeth and dismissing the flame dagger. "Mmmff. I love this time of year."

[rekindledtitan]

"Hah! Flashy, but inefficient. Nice trick, though, I haven't seen that one from a Hunter before." Blaze flicks another marshmallow at the man teasingly. "Haven't seen you around before, either. You with one of Aegis or Katiri's teams?"

[spacetaser]

At the compliment, Kojin flashed a roguish grin; his eyes twinkling. "Hey, I'm just full of surprises." He held out a hand to shake. "I'm Kojin, from Katiri's fireteam. Our third is Widget-3. She may be tiny but --"

-- a snowball suddenly hit Kojin on the side of the head and he rocked sideways a little with a surprised grunt.

"I heard that!" Shouted a voice from across the way. It was indeed a tiny purple Exo Titan in the brightest holographic shiny armor possible.

Kojin reached over for the marshmallow that the golden colored Titan had batted over to him. "But she's mighty." -- and he tossed it over to the small Exo who simply caught it out of the air and shoved it into her mouth. He shook his head with an affectionate grin. "Yeah it's our first time here. We're glad we were able to come."

[rekindledtitan]

Blaze snorts with laughter. Yeah, the Hunter kind of earned that. "It ain't the size of the weapon that counts," she tells him, "it's the size of the boom."

She extends a weighty gauntlet to clasp his hand and shake it warmly. "Blaze-37, Sunbreaker Order. The guy minding the liquor is Kaolin Sorn."

"Pleasure."

Blaze raises her other hand to wave at the very shiny Titan, raising her voice to carry over the crowd: "NICE ARMOR!" What? She's likely to blind the enemy even if they see her coming, and Blaze can appreciate that strategy.

Her Ghost winces a little. "We're glad you could make it. Just... try to be careful in this place. The Nexus harbors a lot of dangers you won't find on a standard patrol route."

[spacetaser]

Kojin shakes his head to get the wad of snow out of his hair before chuckling and gripping Blaze's gauntlet in a hearty shake. "Excellent point." He laughed. "I swear she never misses." He shakes his head, still grinning. Widget tended to use sticky void grenades to great effect in battle and that talent obviously extended to snowballs.

"Nice to meet you Blaze." He let go of her hand to give a lazy salute to the other Hunter. "Likewise, Kaolin." He blinked as Blaze called over to Widget, who cheekily held up her hand in a thumbs up. Hearing the concern from Blaze's Ghost he waved a hand. "It's okay, Katiri briefed us on this place and keeps us in the know. We're happy to help if the need ever arises. You can reach us through her." He reassured. Even though traipsing around the Wilds was extremely tempting, he promised Katiri he'd behave this visit.

Widget suddenly peeked out from behind Kojin. She may be bright as hell but she was surprisingly silent when she approached. She really was tiny, and was a couple inches over five feet. Kojin was at least a foot taller. Her bright teal optics were bright as she looked up at Blaze.

"Did I hear you say you're a Sunbreaker?" She asked, quietly excited. "That's awesome." Kojin looked down at the normally shy Titan, amused. Widget looked like she wanted to jump over the table and throw her arms around the other Exo in a hug. The Hunter knew she had a tendency to quietly admire older and experienced Titans; wanting to be like them.

[rekindledtitan]

“It’s not just the obvious threats,” Ghost warns, his gaze flitting back to his Guardian. “The Nexus can do strange and… dangerous things to people before you know what’s happening. If you return here… you should stay on your guard.”

“Always got to be prepared,” Blaze agrees. “But we’ll keep your team in mind if- oh, hey there!” She blinks at the shorter Exo popping out from behind Kojin, before she draws herself up a bit and proudly pats the golden mark at her side. It’s been a long time since that sigil was borne in the City, and she knows few people even speak of the Sunbreakers any more. About time that changes, no matter the bad blood between their Order and Zavala.

“Sure am. Remade in the Light of the Sunbreaker’s Forge and inducted by Ouros herself. I’m, uh, still new to the Order though. I haven’t had long to train with them.”

[spacetaser]

Kojin blinked, then nodded at Blaze's Ghost. The first thing that popped into his head was when Katiri spoke of being turned into Variks at the 'Halloween' party here in the Nexus. She also said that Saint had been turned into a pigeon. It had been around the time of the Festival of the Lost. Neither Kojin or Widget had been present. Was that what the Ghost was referring to? The strange...magic?

"Duly noted." He said finally with a grin and a wink. To be honest, he kind of wanted to see these strange occurrences first hand. Sounded kind of fun. Freaking crazy, but fun. As a Guardian, being in situations that tended to kill him over and over was a given. Strange non-lethal magic didn't sound too bad.

"Ohhhh!" Widget murmured softly in admiration, teal colored eyes bright. "That must be wonderful." She tugged at her mark, which didn't have any identifying symbols on it. It wasn't holographic like the metallic parts of her armor, but it matched appropriately in shade. To be able to belong to an Order or even have a personal symbol to have on her mark would be amazing. She was still so new that she hadn't found her place yet.

She had been Raised after the Red War when so much had already been lost.

Kojin seemed to sense her self consciousness and rested a hand on one of her armored shoulders. The touch jolted her out of her thoughts and she looked up at Blaze. "It really is an honor to meet you." She said shyly, coming around the end of the table and reaching out her hands for a shake - and if she was honest with herself she wanted to give the Guardian a hug too.