Summer Offensive

[CyledyrWyllt]

Those who attended the Feast of Strength will recognize a similar door frame standing in the middle of the curtained upstairs VIP lounge at The Forge. However, after walking through the hedge gate to the summer hollow commons, they will each notice that the setup is quite different from last time. While the basic layout is the same as before, the overall feel of this event is much more spartan than the feast had been. Bottled water and energy drinks have been set out next to an assortment of protein bars as well as a large basket of fresh fruit, which appears to consist of both mundane and goblin varieties. As they look across the expanse that had most recently hosted a competition of capture the flag, they will also notice that a few rings have been burned into the grass to separate three different areas. One is relatively featureless, while another has a rack of what looks like a bunch of padded sticks of various lengths organized along one side. The third ring has a few targets set up at various distances away from the rest of the hollow. It would appear that the Summer Court is ready to make good on it's promise to help the freehold defend itself. Welcome to the Summer Offensive. Get ready to defend yourself.

[Marcus Evan]

Marcus sits in the grass of the nearest circle. While he is supposedly concentrating on stretching, the newly-elected Freehold General casts a glance at the entrance to the hollow quite often. Anyone observing him might possible think that he could even be just a tad bit anxious to see if anyone was actually going to show up. After all, it's not like he promised them anything to eat or drink this time. Narrowing his eyes, the metalflesh reaches upward and outward with clasped hands and soon feels a satisfying stretch in his shoulders and back. Regardless of what might be thrown at him today, Marcus is determined to be ready.

[Lesingnon]

Rick is dressed to move, to fight. Moisture-wicking fabrics that would keep him cool even amongst Summer's heat and provide him with all the freedom of movement he could need. He glances about the...arenas, he supposed. Not grand affairs meant for spectacles. But arenas nonetheless. More intimate ones, where Freeholders could pit themselves against one another and impart knowledge that would keep them safe from external threats.

He cuts his way straight across to his friend, clapping the Metalflesh on the shoulder. "Right...looks like I'm the first guest to arrive at one of these things for a change."

[InvertedMonkey]

Ramona is not far behind Rick, similarly dressed-down for the expected physical activities. For her this means athletic shorts, a sleeveless top, and a sports bra. She's going shoeless, too, kicking off a pair of sandals almost as soon as she crosses the threshold. She'd considered breaking out her gi... but this event doesn't seem that formal. More exposed skin makes Ramona's stony growths more obvious, wherever her body has a bony prominence. It also draws attention to the runes branded into her skin, running up the lateral sides of her arms and legs.

"Hey guys," she greets, a little surprised to find Rick here before her, but not at all surprised that the new General is here waiting.

[Gregory]

Gregory arrives wearing sweatpants and a white t-shirt, revealing his thin frame and wiry gray body. He carries his shoes and a sweatshirt that he sets aside to be retrieved later. For now he walks barefoot across the Hollow with his arms dangling at either side of him.

He nods to Marcus. "General, my thanks for the invitation," he says simply before turning next to the others that gathered, eyes swiveling like marbles in their sockets.

"Magistrate. It be good to meet you once more."

Another respectful nod is given to Ramona. "Constable Ramona." It seems Gregory has been versed on the new titles that have been awarded, matching them to their owners. He regards this invitation as yet another prize of his victory in the Summer Games of Capture the Flag. Today he would be able to show the elite of the Freehold his value and perhaps be given recognition of his own. And perhaps instruct others in what talents he possesses.

[Morgan Bellanar]

Morgan arrives next, carrying a gym bag in her left hand to go with her backpack. The Twilit Page has loaded up with a variety of "weapons" for the throwing practice. Her waist constantly bending to the left whenever she takes a step is a sign of that weight. It causes the leaves kicked up in her wake to flow away to her left for some reason. The gym bag must be heavy, as the knuckles of her black hands are actually showing some grey on the left hand.

The Twilit Page is casually dressed for the occasion: brown cargo shorts, black sneakers, and a white tank top that displays the fire pendant Marcus made for her. Her beat-up brown leather jacket is ever present, though open in deference to either the heat, the effort of lugging around her load of weapons, or both. She also has her thigh and hip knife holsters on.

When she sees the others, her right hand is raised to greet them. But instead she lets out a noise of surprise as this throws off her balance. Her flailing with her right arm causes her to regain her balance. She then does her tilted walk over to the gathering. When she gets there, she drops the gym bag with an audible thud.

She rubs her left shoulder with a wince, raising her left hand to wave hello, "Heh-sorry ah-about that. Good to see you all, uh," she closes her eyes in concentration. Fortunately, Gregory's words are still in her short term memory. When her eyes open she is slow and deliberate in her speech: "General I heh-hope to not disappoint," she nods to Marcus, "tis good to see ye Magistrate," next nod to Rick, "well met Lady Constable," a nod to Ramona before finally turning to Gregory. He was greeted by Morgan and not the Twilit Page: "Ano-and neh-nice to see ye again Gregory."

Morgan winces as she continues to massage her left shoulder. She perks up upon noticing a target range has been set up. That was good, she didn't have to make something up.

[Tally Benoit]

Tally arrives wearing some old cloths, black T-shirt plus black jeans, that she didn't mind getting ripped or bloody with her pendant out and swinging as she walks. She's got a knapsack with spare cloths within it as she takes a moment hitch it up as her gaze sweeps those who arrived before she has.

Focusing on Marcus, she walks up to where he is, nodding her head in a greeting before looking for a spot to put her knapsack down. "Hey." She greets the room.

[Nathan Griffin]

He gets to the scene wearing a sleeveless grey shirt and camo pants. He still has that one hand-crafted pendant with an eagle feather hanging from it. He looks around the place. It's vaguely similar to how he remembers book camp, but he kind of liked it more. Maybe it was just because it was in the Hedge. He took a deep breath of out-of-this-world air. The place had that effect on him. It almost felt like home; almost, as much as anyplace could. He didn't like to think much about it — thinking ruined it. Instead he walked up to the others. He was almost embarrassingly proud when he realized he recognized everyone. Getting around, aren't I?

"Hey," he said to no one in particular while cracking his knuckles. "Not a bad day for sports, is it?"

With any luck he'll have something useful to share.

[Marcus Evan]

The metalflesh's features crack into a lopsided smirk at his fellow elemental's comment. Rick was notoriously late for everything... which is rather ironic when you think about it.

"Right. It must be the End of Days... right?"

Regardless of his sarcastic response, the elemental still grabs his best friend's extended arm and uses it to pull himself up. When he sees his fellow courtier, he gives Ramona a nod as she approaches and then acknowledges each of the other participants as they arrive.

"I would like to welcome everyone to the Summer Offensive! Please let me know if you have any questions about anything that we show you today... But, just to get things started, I think a demonstration is in order."


Marcus stretched his think neck from side to side, and those nearby might hear a faint, cracking sound.

"The first demonstration will be hand-to-hand. Any volunteers?"

[InvertedMonkey]

Oh yeesh. There's titles now. Lest she forget her new standing. "Gregory," she replies to the Lurkglider with a nod of recognition. Morgan's brief fight with gravity makes Ramona take half a step towards her, with the intention of helping, but she stops when the Steepscrambler has it under control. " 'Lady' huh?" she asks Morgan, with a little skepticism and a little levity, "I wasn't under the impression this court had nobles." Let alone that she'd be one. More likely Morgan's just being polite or something.

She watches the others arrive, then turns towards Marcus as he signals the start of the event. The tussle they'd had during the game of capture the flag was hardly enough for anyone to get the measure of each other, pretty much just a dog pile. He seemed pretty confident though, and people spoke highly of him, a major power around the Freehold. He could probably kick her ass. Which would make him someone to learn from. She steps towards her court-comrade, "Sure, I'll do it."