Daytime Solstice Party

[windandrain]

Who: Anyone and Everyone
What: A party to celebrate the longest day of the year
When: June 21st, Noon to Nightfall
Where: The Southern Lake
Summary: Helios and Saori decided to host a party with food, dancing, and friends to mark the solstice, the birthday of a friend, and several other personal things. Residents volunteered to help get it together, and now all the work is done so it's time to set aside their troubles and enjoy summer!
Rating: PG to PG-13 at most (For language most likely)


It'd taken a week, getting everything together, but with everyone pitching in they'd managed it. Food, drinks, decorations, and all the trappings of a fine summer party. An area had been roped off for dancing and music, umbrella'd tables had been procured for meals and relaxing in the shade, and they'd even set up a piano for Fredric to perform with. A gentle breeze kept the lakeshore cool and mosquito free, and by noon everything appeared to be ready for the midsummer party.

The Longest Day, Helios' boyfriend's birthday, and Saori's ascension day had all conveniently coincided, so no matter what you're here to celebrate, enjoy yourselves and have fun! Toss your character anywhere, and remember that all important rule. As a note, teleport sigils to the other party were set up by Helios so feel free to pop between the two. Go ahead and start new top-level comments if you like too, these are just generic ones!

Comments

[windandrain]

A few times. I lived there for a number of years, exploring shortly after Sakoku ended. And I've taken occasional trips, of course. Just for fun.

[geniustheveil]

Where did you travel? [She'd like to see the Atlantic Ocean some day. The great lakes. Maybe even the Rocky Mountains...]

[windandrain]

Oh, I've been all over. The first time mostly in the Southwest, in California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Have you been there?

[geniustheveil]

No; I had a lot of studying to do, so I didn't have many opportunities to travel.

[Oh, a few small trips, but not there, unfortunately.]

[windandrain]

For your doctor's license?

[geniustheveil]

That's right. It takes studying a lot of different things, and the exams to test your understanding are very thorough. But it's worth it in the end. It's something I wanted since I was younger.

[windandrain]

I believe you. I've seen some of the tests my best friend had to take for her nurse's license. I don't think I could ever manage something like that. [Not unless she studied for a full century. She's not an academic, at all.]

[geniustheveil]

[Very true. No one should ever put down nursing. They go through intense training and study themselves.]

Mm. I really admire their dedication. And the patients see more of the nurses than the doctors, in the hospital, so it's very important for them to be capable and have a good manner.

[windandrain]

Exactly. Yuuna has such a great bedside manner. But that's natural for her. The actual tests I think she finds pretty challenging.

[geniustheveil]

As long as she's dedicated, she should do well. [She doesn't know Saori's friend to say exactly what the result of that logic would be, but it can be taken as a nice, typically polite comment at least.]

[windandrain]

[Saori shrugs]

She retired after four decades on the job. I'd say that she was dedicated, certainly.

[geniustheveil]

I want a long career like that, too, where I can help a lot of people. [She's sometimes thought a small hospital would be best.]

[windandrain]

It's nice, isn't it? Helping people where you can. I know it's why Yuuna kept at it for so long.

[geniustheveil]

[If she's totally honest, she has to admit it's the other side of that equation that appeals to her, too.]

A doctor or a nurse is someone everyone needs.

[windandrain]

Almost everyone, yes. [Saori's eyes slide away with a quick grin as she moves over toward more chairs, loading them up with ease.

A question occurs to her, in light of their current conversation though]

Ami, how long have you been studying and working, without really taking time for yourself?

[geniustheveil]

Eh? [You weren't supposed to catch the resident workaholic and notice that, Saori.] I take time when I need.

[Mmhmm. Sure she does.]

[windandrain]

Oh, Ami don't lie to me. [As if it wasn't obvious last night when they were working on the cooking] You don't, at all. If you did, you'd have traveled more while you were studying in America.

Why, you're the kind of person Yuuna would make take a vacation.

[geniustheveil]

[Unfortunately, Ami never fools anyone, really. She may not know Yuuna, but she gets the point. And Saori's logic has led her to the right conclusion.]

It's just that there's a lot to be done, so... [So she doesn't feel she can take much time out.]

[windandrain]

So you can put it on hold and let a friend handle it while you take your time and enjoy life. Mortal lives are short enough as it is. Why not enjoy it and make some dreams come true?

[geniustheveil]

[Mortality isn't the issue in this particular case, but Ami takes the advice for what it is: well-meant, and probably quite correct. She should push herself to fulfill those dreams more, to take time for herself.

But she knows where that can lead, too, so she's quite happy in her workaholic ways, with occasional blessings in the form of more peaceful times.]

I'd like to do that.

[windandrain]

Good. More people should. It's dreary enough, knowing people you like won't be around forever, and worse when you see them not enjoying their time.

[It is well-meant, and a bit of a sore point for her lately. But that's neither here nor there.

And that's the last of the chairs.]

You've been here a long time, as I recall. So tell me, does life here ever become less...dull? I've been here nearly a year, and so many days are filled with such pointless nonsense.

[geniustheveil]

Maybe it isn't nonsense, really... [Ami offers Saori a small smile. She's never on sure ground when more or less contradicting someone.] I think they just want to go about their lives, normal lives day to day.

[windandrain]

[Saori's fine with people contradicting her. It's more or less something she enjoys and too few people bother.]

I've never quite been able to deal with time, like this. I haven't had to in centuries, and it's so strange to me. I don't know how you humans manage...going through motions of things like...washing clothes and doing dishes and things. Not all the time. Sometimes it's fun, but there are some people who seem to want to do it constantly. It's baffling.

[geniustheveil]

[Ami laughs, an actually pleasant sound. It's just that it's so different.]

Haven't you told me I need to take more time to relax? It's those everyday things that let us have the chance to do that. It's when there's nothing else urgent that demands our attention.

[windandrain]

Really? I thought they were work...things you just have to do to be comfortable.

[Have a completely baffled look there, Ami.]

Relaxing is...well, it's not work.