Festival Board Meeting (Open to all)

[Xanta'Kun]

Aslanica, Cycle 1 of Junctior, Autumn of Era X in the Age of the Darkening

Xanta opened the tavern early on Aslanica and set up a large table in the back end of the Inn for the board meeting regarding the planning of the spring festival. Red had consented to having the meeting in the Inn only after quite a bit of persuasive talking on Xanta's part. In the end Red had seen the profitable end of allowing the planning to take place in his establishment, and had given in.

Outside, Xanta had placed a large banner advertising the meeting that would take place that brightening in the hopes that people would attend and help get the ball rolling. It advertised a free drink for participants, just as a little something extra.

Once everything was prepared and Xanta had what he thought would be enough chairs and tables for everyone he hoped would attend he himself sat down and waited...

[Mordeneb Ashcliff]

It was another quiet day for Mordeneb, as it had been for much of the summer and fall. With business so light at the bank, he had even more time to himself than he might have had otherwise.

Since he had little else to do, he took a walk down into a part of town he rarely entered, down by the tavern where he and Falaria had stayed when they first entered the town. He found himself wondering idly who was staying in that room now. Probably no one he had met. Although he had been in town for quite some time, he knew few people, except those his bank work had brought him in contact with and a few people at the Carter Collegio.

In front of the tavern there was a sign. Something about a festival board meeting. He wasn't sure what exactly that meant -- he hadn't heard anything festive lately, but then again he hadn't exactly been paying attention.

Curiousity got the better of him, and he walked cautiously but nonchalantly in the door. Once his eyes adjusted to the light, he noticed Xanta'Kun seated inside on a chair. He hadn't seen the Thėlyri in several cycles, since he had seen him in the bank, and wondered how he had been.

"Serale," he said, walking over. "How have you been, and what's going on around here?"

[Xanta'Kun]

"Mordeneb! Nice to see you. I'm doing alright," Xanta said, "Right now I'm starting the board meeting for a festival that Abestat will have in the spring." He motioned to a small sign he'd placed on the table.

"If you'd like to help out, I could definitely use your help. I promise you it'll be fun. It'll take four or five of us, and as of yet, I'm the only person on the board. I figure it'd be a little overwhelming to do it on my own. And hell, there's a free drink if you join the board!" he said with a smile.

[ozarch]

Ozarch was just walking to his home in the domiciluim when he noticed a sign by the tavern, it said something about a festival, so he walked in and saw two elf's sitting down. He tried to gain his confidence, for he was unsure of himself around more, mature, people. This was due to his young age and often overeagerness to help out.
"Serale," the young human said. He then looked the elves up and down, then he noticed one was decidedly tall for an elf. He commenced to sit down and call a waiter over.

OOC: just a question, you can order stuff in the tavern right, like food and stuff

[Mordeneb Ashcliff]

Mordeneb returned Xanta's smile. "Well, it's a little early for a free drink yet, but I'd love to help out. What kind of ideas do you have so far? And how did you get this job anyway? It seems quite entertaining, if a lot of work."

As he was speaking, he took a seat on one of the chairs that Xanta had arranged. It would be nice to do something fun, to maybe meet some more people and to contribute to the community. He had a very strong sense of community, developed over the eras and patterns he had spent in the small enclave in which he had grown up.

Falaria would be happy too. It would be a sign that, perhaps, their lives were returning to normal again, if they were able to take part in something amusing. It would be good to see.

[Xanta'Kun]

OOC: Ozarch: yeah, and I work there, so if you want something, just ask and I'll whip it up.
Mordeneb: is Falaria here too?

IC: "Well, as of yet, not many ideas, to be honest. That's why I've called a meeting to assemble a board, so we can decide just that. I've got a couple ideas though, like raffles and games and contests and such, you know, standard festival ideas. As for the job, I volunteered really. I don't have much to do outside of work, and Abestat could use some good fun like a festival. I just see it as my small way of giving back to the city I live in and the people I live with," Xanta replied. Just as he finished speaking, a human male walked up.

"Serale," the nameless man said and took a seat.

"Serale," said Xanta with a warm smile, "I assume you're here to join the festival board, or can I serve you something? I work here as well. You as well Mordeneb, I was rude not to ask if you needed something."

[Mordeneb Ashcliff]

Mordeneb inclined his head to the newcomer and also gave a "Serale." He examined the man curiously, but couldn't remember ever having seen him before. Turning back to Xanta, he said, "Abestat has indeed had a sort of darkness about it lately. A festival sounds like an excellent idea."

After giving it a minute's thought, he added, "I'll have a water -- I think it's still to early for anything else."

He fell silent again, waiting for the newcomer to speak. It felt good to be out talking to people. He was interested to see whether anyone else would come to join the festival committee, and who else might happen into the tavern. Come to think of it, he hadn't actually been here since he and Falaria had left after spending their first few days in Abestat in a rented room upstairs. The waitress had been so kind to them. He found himself idly wondering what had become of her as he sat quietly.

OOC: No, Falaria is at home.

[Xanta'Kun]

Xanta rose to get Mordeneb a glass of water, and a tankard of cider for himself. "Can I get you anything while I'm up?" he asked the nameless man.

[ozarch]

Ozarch heard the, employee obvioulsy since he was getting a water, inquire about something to eat and then snapped out of his day-dream and adruplty realized his rudeness. "Oh i'm terribly sorry gentleman, I forgot to introduce myself, " he said. " I am Ozarch, and I indeed come to join the festival party as my stay so far in Abestat had been somewhat uneventful so far. And yes, I would like a dinner, perhaps steak or ribs if you have with potatoes and a glass of apple cider."
He then felt his stomach growl and decided that he made the right decision ordering. Then, he realized he had been rude again and said, "Oh yes, pardon me but what might your names be?" He then sat back and let the aroma of the tavern envelope him.

[Mordeneb Ashcliff]

Mordeneb surpressed a smile at the easily flustered youth's distracted behavior. Humans -- they always seemed to be moving so fast. Then again, they lived for such a short time -- perhaps they could feel the ticking of the clock at all times. It was something Mordeneb had often noticed during his own youth, growing up near many humans in the valley, but it still wasn't something he really understood -- any more than steak and potatoes in the morning. But, to each his own.

Perhaps someday, he would have a close human friend that he would be able to ask. But, for now, other matters were at hand.

"Mordeneb Ashcliff, at your service," he said to Ozarch, extending his hand. The young human did seem to have a lot of energy, a characteristic that would be useful in planning a festival. Ozarch seemed to have indicated that he had only arrived in Abestat recently. As Xanta departed to get the beverages, Mordeneb asked further, "So, Ozarch, how long have you been in Abestat, and what brings you here?"

[Xanta'Kun]

"And I'm Xanta'Kun, but call me Xanta," said Xanta over his shoulder on his way to the bar. At the bar he heated up a slice of beef and some hash browns, filled a glass with water freshly drawn from the well out back for Mordeneb, and filled a tankard of cider each for Ozarch and himself. He loaded it all up on a tray, and guided himself back over to the table like a proper waiter. He set the orders out in front of each of the guests and sat down himself.

Xanta didn't know Ozarch at all either, so he sipped his cider as he waited for him to reply to Mordeneb's question.

[ozarch]

Ozarch sat down waiting for the other to reply, when Mordeneb replied. Then, he almost froze when he heard the question as he thought about his family, working as maids on some estate. He was deeply saddened, but remembered what his mother had told him, "Be strong, and you will achieve what you want to." So he turned to Mordeneb and said, "To make a long story short, my family had to sell their farm, and now work as maids on an estate. So I'm here for almost 3 cycles now, trying to make my fortune." He then heard Xanta's response to his question and looked at his food coming to him.
"Serale, Xanta, Mordeneb," he said to both. Then, he leaned towards Xanta and said, "How much will that be?" He leaned back, awaited an answer and started pondering ideas about the festival.

[Xanta'Kun]

"I'll cover it, since you're joining the board. Red is pleased to have us meeting here anyway, so I don't think he'd mind," Xanta said.

He took a deep breath and plunged in. "Well, I think we can go ahead and start the meeting, if anyone else comes, we'll be glad to have them join us, but there's no reason to wait any longer." He tried to do something official-looking, like shuffle papers, but there were no papers yet, so he carried on. "First of all, when shall we hold the festival? I think that holding it now in autumn would be a bit too soon, and we don't have a winter this era, so spring is probably our best bet." He waited for input from the others.

[Mordeneb Ashcliff]

Mordeneb noted the sadness in Ozarch's eyes and demeanor. He murmured an "I'm sorry" as the young man told his brief story.

He straightened himself in his chair as Xanta called the meeting to order. When the Thėlyri suggested the time for the festival, Mordeneb spoke up.

"I agree with you. Depending on the amount of preparations we need to make -- and I don't know what our budget for this event is -- I'd suggest sometime between a month from now and two months from now. The sooner the better, within reason and ability."

He found himself wondering whether the bank would be willing to make a donation to the festival effort. He didn't want to offer right away, though. Mairlee would know if the bank had a donations policy. Maybe he'd ask her later, when he went to work.

In the meantime, he sat back, waiting to see if Ozarch had any input, and for Xanta to proceed with the meeting agenda.

[Xanta'Kun]

"Well, that's actually another important issue to discuss," Xanta said. "At the moment, we don't have any budget, so we have to look into acquiring some money, or services, etc. I may be able to persuade Red into donating some ale or food or something, for example. There are several establishments we could ask for assistance, but it's something we have yet to do. If need be, I'd be willing to donate a bit myself, but naturally I don't have infinite funds or anything." He took another sip of cider to wet his throat.

"Another thing we need to discuss immediately are the activities to be had. We'll probably want a central area where announcements and prized can be given, races, contests, etc. I haven't thought much further into it than that, so I'm hoping you guys have some ideas as well." He paused from his rambling to let the others voice their opinions.