[Moon Festival!] Much Needed Celebrations (Open to All)

[Duality]

(51st of Fall, 511AV) The Surya Plaza was bustling with life, moving and thriving like someone had stirred life from its stone floor. The sun was low on the western horizon beyond the mountain, the sky melting in a colorful display or reds and oranges that painted through the glass walls and gave the city its own marvelous sparkle. Soon darkness would set and the plants would glow, lighting up the city with their own ethereal beauty and aiding the lights being added. Lanterns were still being hung by the proud denizens who crafted them, some simple paper candle holders and others more elaborate contraptions to spread light through colored glass. They hung about like Zintila's own stars, bright spots of light dangling from the air. Some organizers made sure to keep the lights spaced out aesthetically and made sure the decoration efforts went by smoothly. Another touch of beauty in this beautiful city. Smells wafted through the air, warm and vibrant and inviting, the scent of fruits and baking bread and sweet pastries. In fact, a good many of the bakers and chefs and people who just felt like cooking were already around the streets, filling tables with small honey-cakes or iced pastries or rolls of chewy and sweet things to delight the tongue and entice the senses. Bright warm colors were common from the desserts, yellows and oranges and pinks. There was still time for baking. A few bakers even offered to rent out their ovens and kitchens and supplies, let those who had none of those still have their own chance to participate in the competition. Shortly after sunset completed its beautiful display and the moon they celebrated took reign, the judges would arrive. So Jhan Redden, the cafeteria chef, peered out over the crowd, his own row of sweet treats lined in front of him, little cakes of various colors. Jhan was wearing a flour-spotted apron from his work. He ran a hand through his disheveled hair and called out, "Come learn to bake! Think of an idea and I'll help you bake it! Any and all!" In another part of the plaza a long row of tables were set up circular around huge cauldrons. The liquids inside the cauldrons were colorful as well, purples and oranges and reds, kept hot but not boiling. To the side of the cauldron hung dozens of strings, the wicks already coated in a thin bit of wax to precede the colorful waxes in the cauldrons. In the center of the tables lay heated hearths, the handles of knifes jutting from the fire's depth for shaping the wax as or after it hardened.And around the tables the crowds had already gathered, eager to see the marvels of the candle-making contest, see who could wow them this year. Two people watched over the events. The first, Aska Terras, kept to the fires, helping them stay warm. The blacksmith had much experience in this matter and didn't mind helping with the contest. She kept a wary eye to make sure none cooled, quick to add a bit of coal or stir up the heat or add some air to any fire that wavered. Secondly was the main organizer, Hina Dawn, a younger women who always watched over the proceedings with joy. She welcomed newbies and veterans alike, ready to give information to any who asked. Hina wore bright colors in her dress, a thick contrast to Aska's dark blacksmith apron The shadow of the months prior seemed to linger in the air as the sun cast its own darker shadows on the city. This was the first major festival since the Day of Discourse*, and though most kept a happy eye and smile, few dared deny that this festival was going to be a turning point and the start of letting go of the old ways. Still, the festival was quickly coming underway. Many just crossed their fingers and hoped that it would go by without any other problems. *The Day of Discourse was a recent governmental overthrow in Lhavit, happening just in the Summer of 511AV. The Eth returned and got rid of the houses and their restrictive class system.

[Rorugir]

Rorugir made his way through the crowd, one eye idly watching the proceedings. He was not working today, though he had seen Aska only a moment before, doing something or other with the festival. Instead, he watched what was going on detachedly, a faint smile on his face as though amused. Candle-making and cooking really held no interest to him, but it was interesting to see the masters of these crafts at work. One could learn something even from things they were not interested in. Rorugir was no stranger to festivals. Back in Sultros, there had been a festival every first day of Spring, known as the Day of the King. It was a day-long procession celebrating King Sultros, who had led the isur from their death in Mt. Izurith to a new home in the Kitrean Mountains. The day had been filled with happiness and celebration, much as the Moon Festival here; though, like everything else, there were differences. The Lhavitians were much more...flamboyant. While prayer and somewhat contained happiness ruled the day in the Festival of the King, unrestrained partying and unruly behavior seemed to be the norm here, as much as the Shinya tried to contain it. Rorugir wasn't sure which celebration he preferred. Lanterns had been a unique touch of the Moon Festival, the symbolism of which impressed the isur. Rorugir had found himself given one by an old woman who also lived in the Solar Wind Apartments. "Hang this up for me, will you?" she had breathed in his ear before returning to her lodging. As much as he had been put off by such blatant familarity, the simple lantern had accompanied him to the festival. Under the direction of a organizer, Rorugir put his lantern up on one of the buildings, affixing it to a windowsill. Once it was done, he took a step back, the organizer examined his handiwork. Nodding her approval, the Lhavitian lady had stepped away to go talk to some other lantern-holders, leaving a bemused isur behind. The smile extended even further, and the isur turned to join the celebrations, proper.

[Rathe]

The smells drew Rathe to the center of the crowd more than anything, though the Festival was glittering beautifully with candlelight. He navigated the growing throng of people, careful to keep from bumping too many elbows. The Festival was gearing up and he didn’t want to miss it. He’d wanted to join the baking competition this year, but hadn’t had enough time to work on his skill to be good enough to compete with the master bakers. Dreams aside, he was hoping to get some new ideas for next year's recipes while he was here.

So far, he hadn’t recognized anyone in the crowd, but he hoped that would change soon. He hated coming to these things alone, it reminded him of his not too distant past. Despite the trouble he’d once had, he still preferred the company of people to being alone. It had taken him too long to come only as far as he had, today he hoped to enjoy the company of others. As people sifted from their homes, he had no doubt that he'd be surrounded soon.

He waded through the crowded streets, breathing in lungfuls of the crisp fall air as he went. Nothing could get in the way of the smile on his face as his eyes swept the contents of the sweets tables lined up in front of him. Everything looked so good, never mind how delicious it smelled. His stomach was grumbling, not letting him forget that he’d only swallowed a few bites of bread before he hurried out of his apartment to the Festival. He’d eaten lightly with the hope that he would be stuffing himself once he got there. Lacking patience, he’d arrived a little early and would have to wait to indulge his stomach. Rathe stood in front of the closest table, with his mouth watering, waiting for things to gear up.

[Landon Mora]

The festival was a refreshing happening. It brought excitement and a feeling of new beginnings to the city. Of course, where there was excitement, there was sure to be girls. Landon could never pass that up. If anything, it would be a chance to meet new people and perhaps others with interests like his own.

Landon arrived at the festival alone. Normally he would rarely be found showing up to a festival without his younger brother, Sabastian at his side but he seemed to be otherwise occupied, at least for now. If things turned out well, perhaps he would arrive later.

There were a lot of things Landon wanted to do. The chance to learn how to cook was always appealing. Between him and Sabastian, one of them would need to learn how to cook. The pair lived together and only the Gods knew how they managed to keep themselves fed without killing themselves.

As Landon walked, he spotted Rorugir hanging up lanterns. "Hey there Rorugir. Looks like they got you working already. Welcome to Lhavit." He chuckled as he looked up at the Isur. He already had decided he and the man were good enough acquaintances for him to prod him a bit verbally. Well, Landon really messed with anyone he felt like but he respected the man enough to keep his normal bullshyke in line.

"Do you need help with the lanterns?" He didn't mind helping out a little before enjoying the festivities. After, if Rorugir decided he wanted to stick around Landon, the pair could wander around the festival. The Isur had finished his work pretty much as soon as Landon popped the question though. As he walked away from the building, Landon posed another question. "Is this your first festival in Lhavit?"

[Dor]

The combination of color and delicious scents was impossible to ignore. It left the falcon stooping at a terrible speed, sweeping through shreds of cloudscape and carving a circle out of the illuminate air surrounding Koten Temple. The bevy of people ought to have been a greater deterrent for the predatory bird, but the interminably embattled kelvic half of her soul considered it practically a prize. She was in battle with loneliness, but at war with herself. A dark splash of night collected between alley walls where no lanterns had yet been hung was her landing strip. The shadows ignited with a miniature explosion of lightning bug lights that winked out like the stars so recently risen. It left Dor behind, shrugged from feathers and into pale skin. A bare heel stuttered and skidded against the ground with a carrying over of momentum and the unchanging plunge of transformation. Clever fingers made a grab for the rumpled pair of lambskin trousers and long sleeved linen shirt previously released by talons to the flagstones. An awkward amble carried the girl toward the humming light of Surya Plaza as she finished dressing. It left a pert nose wrinkled with unending agitation at the fragile sensibilities of man and she yanked the riot of blood colored hair out of her collar while rocking to a halt. Up on her toes, back to her heels. Up on her toes, back to her heels. Black eyes darted this way and that, surveying and attempting to puzzle out a decision. There were tables upon tables of food and that won out, leaving her slipping and twisting through the mostly heedless crowd en route for the bakers.

[Rorugir]

Rorugir caught sight of the Lhavitian out of the corner of his eye as he hung up his lantern. It was inevitable that he would approach- Landon seemed to zone in on Ror immediately. His isur arm played a part in that, no doubt. "Hello, Landon." Rorugir said dryly. "And no, I'm just hanging up this one lantern for someone else." When he had finished, Rorugir turned to face his erstwhile companion. The man's bullshyke attitude got on his nerves every once and a while, but Ror could admit Landon was a nice change of pace from normal humans. "No, thanks. I'm done. You can go help out though, I guess." Rorugir shrugged, he fell alongside Landon, walking with him back into the festival crowd. "This is indeed my first time at a Lhavitian festival," Rorugir affirmed. "Though I did participate in some festivals back...home." Uttering the word brought fresh pain, and Rorugir grimaced. He glanced away from Landon, and when he turned back, his face was as calm as ever. "I suppose this isn't your first time? If not, care to tell me what good things go on at this 'Moon Festiva'l?" Upon their first meeting, Landon had indeed confessed to a lifetime spent in Lhavit. Maybe he'd have a few tips and tricks for the new isur to town.

[Haeli]

The witch had given up any hope of getting to bed early. It was one of the things she'd had to get used to in Lhavit. The city never slept. Music rose when the sun fell and echoed through the plaza. Unfortunately, when she'd signed all the papers and started the process of buying All Things Wild she hadn't realized she was going to be living in the heart of Lhavit's celebrations. It didn't matter that she rose when the birds did and liked to rest as darkness fell. The Lhavitians themselves had other ideas and so Haeli too had to adapt.

She wasn't one for the parties, not really, because they were for people who knew others and had reason to give thanks or to escape their wretched lives for a few bells. Haeli had no such needs. Her existence was peaceful if not awkward and suited her personality utterly. She was happy in her servitude to Caiyha and did what the Goddess requested when she needed a witch. And in the mean time her days and sometimes even nights were filled with working about the city, improving things, easing up the constraints people put on the wilds they invaded to build on the mountain top. It was small work, sometimes effortless sometimes with the same effort it took to move mountains, but Haeli didn't mind. It gave her a purpose in Lhavit and a chance to watch the people she'd grown slightly fond of even if they still didn't make much sense to her.

Still, she didn't want to actually participate in the festival. So instead, she went with work in mind. Cutting flowers from the store, she gathered a large basket of all sorts of white orchids, daisies, roses, sprays of baby's breath, and anything else that was remotely white or reminded her of the moon. She then left All Things Wild and moved among the crowd, hawking the cut flowers for few coppers a stem, enticing men to buy tokens for their ladies and ladies little blooms for their hair. She even offered to braid chains to go around their heads or necks, depending on how many coppers they wished to spend and how long her flower supply held out. That way she could watch the festival from among the denizens, yet still keep her hands busy.

"A white rose for your lady? Two coppers... and she'll admire it for days." Haeli said softly, moving in and among the crowd, bothering no one but definitely putting her wares out there in case anyone wanted flowers.

[Landon Mora]

Landon shook his head with a chuckle. "You Isur, always jumping to do work. I'm fine relaxing." The words would undoubtedly make Landon come off as a bit of a jerk but sadly, he could be at times. The Isur seemed to understand this though and hopefully had learned to take what the man said with a grain of salt.

"Well, how lucky are you? You get to share your first festival with me." He chuckled as he looked forward. There was still much to see and he was not sure exactly where he wanted to start. "It is not my first time. Still, they never get old." While he appeared to be eyeing the scenery, he was paying more attention to the women around. There was one in particular that caught his eye. A red haired girl who seemed to be walking alone. "There are usually a lot of people selling things and games to play. I usually come with my younger brother but he seems to be otherwise busy right now." Landon looked around, trying to see if Sabastian had shown up. "You'd like him. He is six years younger than me. He's quiet like you."

He smiled as his attention fell back on the red haired girl. Nudging Rorugir, Landon motioned to her. "Do you know who that is?" Without even waiting for his friend to reply, he walked forward to the girl. "Hello miss. Are you enjoying the festival?" He held out a hand to her in an offer to shake. "I'm Landon and this is my friend Rorugir." He smiled slyly at the Isur at his side. The man called Landon a friend once so that was good enough for him.

[Dor]

The scintillating sprawl of baked goods and confections had seized the falcon's attention. It left her stepped bare foot through a hole in the crowd, oblivious to the odd look tossed her when she brushed too close. An arm rubbed against that of a stranger's (Rathe) upon reaching the nearest table, leaving lightless eyes lifting to assess his profile or, more probably, the likelihood of his targeting the same honey cake as she. The crowd jostled, a child's laughter floating over it, and cleared a space through which she spied the familiar bright head of Haeli. The lure of the treats was weighed for a moment and she shifted, preparing to move to intercept one of the only people whom she knew at all beneath Lhavit's spangled soar of sky. "Hullo," came the automatic response when, before she could dart after the swamp witch, a stranger stepped into her path. Stretching up to tip toe, she attempted to peer over his shoulder, but the wink and gleam of silver flashed in the corner of her eye. It left her blinking at Rorugir and sinking slowly, ever so slowly, back down to flat feet. "I haven't eaten yet," she informed the man -- Landon, was it? -- in response to his question as to whether or not she was enjoying the festival. Food equated enjoyment, apparently. The corners of her mouth twitched toward what could become a smile even as she gave a look to the hand offered out to her. Whatever was that for? She had seen it, however, amid all of the denizens of the Up, shaking hands in greeting and farewell like the tip of wings against the hems of white clouds. A sideways look was given Rorugir while she attempted to decipher the intention of his friend. At length she took in a deep breath and accepted Landon's hand, her own surprisingly small; but then there had been several who had failed to see physical delicacy through fierce consciousness. "I'm Dor."

[Rorugir]

Rorugir looked sideways at Landon and cracked a rare smile. Humans. So blunt. It was refreshing. "Laziness is not our thing, as you would say." Rorugir said. "Better working that sitting around on our asses all day. But, I guess now is not the right occasion." He acquiesced. Rorugir ignored the next comment, refraining from rolling his eyes. The next one the silly little man uttered interested him, though. "Does he, now?" Rorugir murmured. "Sabastian, you say? How...interesting. Perchance I will meet him." At first, Rorugir didn't notice the hair of flame approaching them through the crowd, unwittingly on a crash course with the duo. When Landon elbowed him in the side, however, the isur turned, looked. He noticed Dor at once, but the only sign he did so was a slight raise of his left eyebrow. He hadn't expected to see Dor here, at the festival. But then again, he hadn't expected to see the kelvic in the first place. It seemed they had a thing for chance encounters. "Yes, I do know who that is." Rorugir said quietly. Landon seemed not to hear; he went on, sidling up to the girl with his usual remarks. Once again, Rorugir refrained from rolling his eyes. Dor seemed to have the same reaction. She replied slowly, only uttering a few words, and Rorugir noticed the many glances she cast at him. Rorugir didn't say anything in return, only giving her a cool smile and tilting his head towards her. The awkwardness of the handshake prompted him to action, however, and he spoke forth once more. "There's no need for me to introduce myself, given my...acquaintance...with both of you, but I'll say I'm Rorugir anyways. It's a pleasure." His eyes seemed to twinkle with some humor only known to him. "And before you ask, Landon," he continued on, "Yes, I do know Dor, and before you ask, Dor, yes, Landon is very strange."