[Wind Reach] The First Thaw Festival

[Haya]

Haya´s fingers reached to clasp around the wood of her cane, but there was no need to. Someone picked it up before her, and held it out for her to grab. There was confusion in Haya´s eyes when she glanced up, but there was no gaze to meet. Instead, she was faced with Cyrill´s profile, the artist’s expression like a thundercloud. The drudge was surprised to see the young woman’s fury was directed at Kovac, and even in her defense.
It was awkward though, to be the subject of this heated argument, and even though the artist’s intensions were charitable, Haya almost wished she could simply disappear from the scene.

Disappear she could not, but her resque came in the remarkable form of a young man, seemingly unfazed by the current happenings. He asked her to dance, dance of all things with a smile so disarming it confused her. Haya’s mind was blank when she nodded, accepting his invitation by shoving her cane back under the table -where it would not bother anyone- and reaching for his arms for support. There was no time to express her gratitude to Cyrill, and she could only steal a quick glance at Kovac’s retreating form over her newfound dance partner’s shoulder before both Avora dissappeared from view.

It was only after a few breaths of silence that Haya fully started to realise what she’d gotten herself into, and as a result she tensed up a little. “Eh. So...” she started, her eyes focussing on the man’s collarbones rather than his face. “What were you thinking? Let’s ask the most clumsy for a dance, for she’ll be too desperate to refuse?”

It was a little painfull, each step that they made in unison, and she leaned heavily on the young man’s left arm for support, hoping he would forgive her for it.

[Kovac]

Kovac nonchalantly replied to Sira question about his medallion. "I have had a few good clues, so I got a hunch what's on my back." He didn't seem particularly interested in pursuing the game at the moment, allowing himself to cool down after the ripping Cyrill had given him. He glanced sidelong at Sira. Though she was an oddity in Wind Reach, and though he wasn't quite sure how to relate to her, he was not uncomfortable around her. There were two reasons he would even have approached the shapeshifter. First, though she was officially Endal, she was not. She was not like the Riders, she was a hunter, had a hunter's dedication and sensibility. Second, she didn't ride a Wind Eagles, she was one. As much as Kovac begrudged the Riders, he had respect for Mount Skyinarta's Wind Eagles. The Kelvic was a freak, but one he had to admire. Leaning against the wall, his arms folded and a half-full wine cup in his hand, Kovac felt...semi-content. Kovac reached up to fidget with the black and red bead in his earring as he turned to address the Kelvic hunter, but he held his tongue as another woman approached to ask Sira about her medallion. He recognized her, a falconer he believed. She had sharp features, and always wore a falcon's feather woven into a braid in her hair. He could not place the name, but they had studied in the youth quarters at the same time. The only other thing he could recall was the woman's notably short attention span.

[Beau]

Beau scooped up the deks slightly smaller pair of hands the second it was clear she was going to dance, spinning away with her into the crowd of dancers. Part of him was rebelling against his wayward kindness and insisting he leave the dek immediately and go scrub his hands until they were raw. A dek, what was he thinking? He could see the glances from Avora and Cheit, and felt the other stares on the back of his head. Beau knew he was nice enough to people, but he’d had almost zero interaction with deks, ever. So to suddenly be dancing with one made his own head reel let alone several of his friends. But somewhere amidst the conflict to stay or leave and go find his own class, he felt the rush of doing something new and different wash over him. The smile brightened to a point where Beau had to laugh a little at himself, and his situation. “Hardly,” he said as he fully accepted the weight she was putting on him, “You didn’t seem desperate at all.” He looked around for a few seconds trying to see if it would be better to follow a path through the other dancers. However it seemed best to just step and twirl away to the heart’s content. When he returned his gaze to his dance partner he expected to be looking into her face, not the top of her head. This unexpected aversion to eye contact desperately made him wish for a mirror since he was certain there was something unpleasant to look at on his face. He’d checked before he left his room and he didn’t think anything had gotten on him, it began to vex him some but he couldn’t focus on himself at the moment. “Besides…you ruffled the half breed’s feathers, and that endears you to me somewhat.” And whether she caught it or not he offered the smallest of winks. Right then he was just beginning to really enjoy the ever so slight buzzing in his head the wine was causing, and dancing, who he was with didn’t matter so much as their mood. “You’ve done this before.” His grin, attached to the comment, mirrored the mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “Did we meet at last year’s festival? The Last half of that night is….not coming back to me.”

[Haya]

It was hard to stay uncomfortable around this young man with his disarming smile, and soon enough Haya found herself loosening up and mirroring that expression. His playfulness appeared to be contagious, and the drudge laughed out loud when she met his gaze. “I can assure you no one has been as foolish as to drag me into a dance before. Also, your oblivion regarding last year might be a good thing. Surely there are parts of that night you don’t want to remember.” She gave him a meaningfull glance, as if she knew something he didn’t, teasing grin playing around her lips.

She was bluffing though, see if her words might throw him off balance, wanting to test just how strong his seemingly bright confidence really was. In reality, Haya hadn’t been present at last year’s festival. She’d been unlucky, one of the few choosen to stay behind and tend to the toddlers and young children at the nursery that weren’t quite old enough to join in the festivities.

But this year’s festival seemed to make up for it very well, with the way things were going. Haya was starting to enjoy this young man’s compagny, and the freedom of movement he was allowing her by letting her stand onto his feet. It had been a long time since her hair had been swept aside by her own speed rather than the wind. And even though, despite the man’s care, it was painfull to twirl away on the dance floor like this, it was definitly worth it.

“I hope I’m not making someone jealous here, I’m sure you must be quite popular.” Haya suddenly stated offhandedly, thinking aloud rather than asking an actual question. It was true though, she could not imagine he wouldn’t have one or more adolenscent girls swooning over him, with his smooth behaviour and easy talk. The thought was amusing, to say the least.

[Phoenix]

Kellan Socialization- 5, Observance- 5 Attending the First Thaw Festival, Planning on getting drunk, Making new friends, Competing for a bird, Joining in conversation, Taking his pick of the women, Making a bet with Beau Cyrill Socialization- 5, Observance- 5 Attending the First Thaw Festival , Peeking at the presents, Falling for the snarky half-breed, Participating in the medallion game, Making new friends, Standing up for another Beau Socialization- 5, Observance- 5 Attending the First Thaw Festival , Spending time with family during a holiday, Planning on taking advantage of an evening, Recognizing an Endal, Participating in the medallion game, Bragging of ones skills, Competing for a bird, Accepting the bet with Kellan, Asking a Dek to dance, spewing compliments and charm Amon Socialization- 5, Observance- 5 Attending the First Thaw Festival , Choosing food over womens, Making new friends by hitting them, Participating in the medallion game, Making small talk, Bragging of ones skills Dalena Luxcia Socialization- 5, Observance- 5 Attending the First Thaw Festival, Missing a friend and letting it bring you down, Being the victim of spilled wine, Dealing with a bad situation with good grace, Being somewhat socially awkward Haya Socialization- 5, Observance- 5 Attending the First Thaw Festival, Being a fly on the wall, taking a stab at a higher caste member, Standing up for herself, Participating in the medallion game, Poking an angry half-breed with a stick, Participating in self-dejection, Falling for Beau’s spewing of charm Vanir Socialization- 5, Observance- 5 Attending the First Thaw Festival, Being Anxious to win a prize, Realizing ones place in the world, Prefering smaller crowds, Being hesitant to leave one’s comfort zone Roasalie Morganthe Socialization- 5, Observance- 5 Attending the First Thaw Festival, Mingling at a party with business on ones mind, Attempting to make conversation, Properly reading body language Aislinn Socialization- 5, Observance- 5 Attending the First Thaw Festival, Enjoying wine, Being startled by company, Participating in the medallion game, Dreaming of adventure Kovac Socialization- 5, Observance- 5 Attending the First Thaw Festival, Not being in the festival spirit, Being seduced by yummy food and wine, Running dek’s over, (Unwillingly) participating in the medallion game, being snarky, Being caught off guard by someone’s forwardness, Socializing with the lower Castes, Attracting attention Sira Socialization- 5, Observance- 5 Attending the First Thaw Festival, Arriving late to a party, Heading straight for the alcohol, Participating in the medallion game Kadin Socialization- 5, Observance- 5 Attending the First Thaw Festival, Being a poor sport about a party I was excited to read this, though I am disappointed that no one ever figured out what was on their medallion! Good job everyone, this was an awesome opportunity to meet everyone else in the lovely city!