Solstice Party: the bonfire :: milliways_bar

[jack_inthegreen]

As the sun sets and the evening grows colder, Jack lights a brand and stands on the dancing platform, near the bonfire.

"Everyone!" he calls. "Everyone. Can I have your attention, please.

"We're going to light the bonfire in a few minutes, but first I've been asked to say a few words. As many of you know, we have great sorrows in the bar today. Friends who are endangered, and the outcome is unclear. I have been asked to speak a blessing to the Universe to bring them safely home."

He pauses a moment, holding the torch high, and then speaks to the stars. "Father and Mother of us all, hear our plea. We have great fears tonight. Loved ones whom we wish to see and touch and make speech with again. See them safely home is our cry. Guide the warriors who seek them. Protect their champions. Bring them home to us that we may celebrate the lives we cherish."

He stands quiet again, and there is no sound but the crackling of the torch. Then he holds the brand to the bonfire, and in a moment it bursts into a great flame.

Comments

[jack_inthegreen]

The musicians play on.

[jack_inthegreen]

One of the traditions surrounding the Midsummer bonfire is to jump over it, either alone or with a loved one, for luck in the coming year.

Hope you've been practicing.

[asar-suti.livejournal.com]

Asar-Suti walks up on dainty faun hooves, after Gil's separate birthday party (http://www.livejournal.com/users/asar_suti/13163.html), turning around for his beloved faun following, holding out his hand.

Jack's words have deeply moved him; the other god said those words and blessings much better than Asar-Suti could ever have hoped to.

[gris_bug_man]

Gil comes back outside. True to his earlier comments, he has changed out of the kilt and into something more suitable (in his opinion) for dancing. Or jumping, as the case may be.

[gil-whimple.livejournal.com]

Gil reaches for Sooty's hand for comfort as he thinks of the sadness of those bereft and the danger to the lost ones.

Ahead the flames stream up against a sky so blue it aches. A huge leap.

But not too huge for fauns.

[asar-suti.livejournal.com]

Asar-Suti gladly takes Gil's hand, turning to him with a sad little smile.

"I volunteered to help heal when the rescue team comes home," he says, still thinking about Jack's words; then, he shakes himself out of it.

"Shall we be the first, my love?" he asks, with another long sidewise look.

[jack_inthegreen]

Jack joins him and puts his arms around him simply. He always carries a great weight but now, with the bonfire crackling away, it feels very heavy indeed.

[gris_bug_man]

He turns to look at him, an eyebrow slightly raised. "Are you all right?"

[gil-whimple.livejournal.com]

"Are you brave enough?" Gil asks with a laugh. The fire glints on his eyes and horns, makes his brown skin ruddy. "I am."

He leans across, gripping Sooty by one of his horns, and kisses him then grabs his hand again.

[asar-suti.livejournal.com]

The kiss and the glint are returned in kind, and the white faun hocks get read to start running and jumping.

A glance, a smile, a squeeze of hands.

[jack_inthegreen]

"I grieve."

[gris_bug_man]

No words he could speak would be of comfort. He had learned what had happened to the Barman's fiance. And he knows Jack grieves for all.

He holds him, trying to give what solace he can.

[jack_inthegreen]

Jack leans on him, holding him.

Eventually he says, "Gil. This is a night of great joy for me but sorrow as well. Winter is coming and--if I stay here--it may be like the old days. My powers are stronger here than they've been for centuries but they may require more from me when winter comes.

"I have never been afraid of winter before."

[gris_bug_man]

"Could winter harm you?"

[milliways_sawyer]

Sawyer walks out of the bar with Claire on his arm. He appears to be less than comfortable in his kilt if the grumbling is any indication.

"... still can't believe you got me to wear this damn skirt."

[gil-whimple.livejournal.com]

The flames stream upwards with ambitious sparks rising towards the stars and just a little smoke billowing, it being to hot and dry a fire for more than a little.

Gil takes a deep breath, holds Sooty tighter and then runs ...

Small strong bodies, legs like steel springs, with a wild cry, one part praise, one part prayer and the rest sheer fright, Gil hurls himself into the air, Sooty handfast with him and the two horned shapes are black against the flames for a moment.

Then they are gone, apart from the soft skitter of hooves on turf and the faint sound of relieved giggling.

[sendpeanutbtr.livejournal.com]

"Oh, stop whining," she grins and squeezes his arm affectionately. "It's cool and airy and you like it. Admit it. Plus it looks nice with my dress (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/ktblle/normal_19.jpg)."

[milliways_sawyer]

"You look nice with your dress. I look like I'm in a dress."

He sighs. "At least it ain't that dishrag I had to wear last time."

[sendpeanutbtr.livejournal.com]

"Well," she shrugs dismissively. "We'll be naked and dancing around the fire soon enough, don't worry."

[jack_inthegreen]

"Gil--I die. Every winter I die. I have since the first winter and I will until the last. But I have never been at Milliways before and things are different here."

[gris_bug_man]

I die. I have since the first winter and I will until the last.

Again, there is nothing he can say to that, but a quiet, "I'm sorry."

[fairest1.livejournal.com]

*after listening to the announcement and having a moment of silence for hope for Svava, Snow and the kids move near the bonfire, though Snow is cautious about letting Millie too close*

[milliways_sawyer]

He still isn't sure whether or not she's kidding about that, so he just responds with a smirk.

"What exactly are we supposed to be celebratin' with this?"

[mapmakerchur.livejournal.com]

Chur - resplendent in green-blue breeches, green scarf, copper kitten bracelet, and copper vines armlet - comes near the bonfire and watches it crackle. Hani don't have the tradition of jumping over it, but she's content just to watch the flames soar around the bonfire.

[sendpeanutbtr.livejournal.com]

"It's the solstice. We're celebrating fertility," she smiles sweetly. As always, her sweetest smile should probably be feared.