The Day of Revival (Open)

[Charon]

13th Day of Spring, Year 510 AV


It had been nearly two weeks—the city was becoming unnerved.

The first few days of spring had brought relatively warmer temperatures than the winter-ravished landscape had endured, but the upbeat spirits among the citizens deteriorated by the sixth day. By the tenth some were even starting to worry. Some of the elders were patient while others were planning trade routes and other contingency plans they would implement once necessary. The previous week found the Akalak to be a quiet bunch even in the market and other town common areas. They continued about their daily chores and activities but there was a sense of distraction during what little conversation existed… conversation that never landed on the subject of concern unless discussed in inaudible, secretive tones. All things considered, Riverfall did not exactly provide the most enjoyable atmosphere for visitors recently.

Earlier this morning, however, all that changed. The skies had spent time through the evening gathering clouds and by the time the sun should have been filling the city with light, the overcast canopy created deep shadows and a gloomy aura. Gloomy, however, was not the right word to describe the feelings of anticipation brewing within the Akalak and other citizens of Riverfall.

If the city had been quiet during the previous, dry days of spring, this morning was more silent than any could have imagined. Nobody wanted to jinx the eminent precipitation that seemed to be on the cusp of falling. Many stood outside their homes and shops simply craning their necks and watching… Waiting. The sky seemed prepared to open up at any moment and nobody wanted to miss it.

Without much delay, the first drops fell from above with the effect the first bombs dropped in a war has on unsuspecting observers. It seemed unreal at first and the citizens seemed to wait until they were absolutely sure it was indeed rain as opposed to some unusual spray from the waterfall. Once it had sunk in that this was indeed the first rains of the year, the once hushed city of Riverfall erupted in shouts of celebration and bliss. Others continued to stare upwards letting the rivulets soak their hair and run down their bodies. Still some immediately sent up praise for Makutsi while others acknowledged Bala.

By this time tents were being set up in the city common areas and farmers were gathering what would now be considered excess crops. They did not dare bring out their reserves until they knew Makutsi would allow the rain to give them more growth for the coming seasons. Now, though, any fruits and vegetables available along with anything else they had in stores were brought to the tents and made available for the entire city.

The atmosphere was jovial and the Akalak had a sense of relief spread across their faces. Riverfall would be the center of joyous celebration and open happiness for the next couple days. The rain brought about a change to the city that would last through spring and summer as the temperatures continue to climb from the depths at which they had spent the most recent season.

[Akela]

"Dude, it's just rain, you know," Akela grinned to herself, amused at the sight of all those big blue men looking like they were about to weep like newborns. It wasn't like rain would decide to skip Riverfall this year, and even if it was, no reason to fret over what couldn't be changed. "I guess they can use the extra shower, though."

Akela walked down the streets of Riverfall at a leisurely pace, unbothered by the rain. Wet clothes and hair were the least of her concerns. She enjoyed the rapping of the drops on her skin, reminding her that she had gills and was a daughter of the seas after all. Sometimes Akela had a hard time deciding just what she was. Being one of Nikali's own meant losing a part of your identity. It was in a way like sawing off your face and replacing it with a mirror of someone else's desires. She was here in Riverfall because Kavala wanted it. If Kavala woke up one morning thinking she'd be better off in Taloba, Akela would snap her fingers and say, "What a concidence, I was just about to pack up our things for a jungle trip!"

Akela could easily be mistaken for her sister. She was even wearing her clothes. The only distinguishing traits were the nameless katana hanging by her side and the strange aura of attraction she radiated. Kavala often emanated a feeling of 'leave me alone', albeit not in any aggressive way. She just gave off the impression she was perfectly self-sufficient and really needed no-one else. It was different with Akela. She was a gravity well drawing others' desires to her. That was exactly why she carried a sword… just in case things got a little problematic.

"A true swordfight in the rain… now that would be glorious," Akela mused. When there were no urgent desires from her sistress, Akela's own instincts had free reign. And she liked fighting. Too bad these Akalaks talked a lot about fighting, but so far there had been little in the way of actual steel being drawn and blood being shed. How could one possibly follow the way of the sword without a sword?

[Kavala]

Akela had wandered off somewhere, probably looking for a fight or a fling or whatever it was that was going through her sisters mind at any given time. Kavala, on the other hand, had been busy talking to a contractor uptown about having some brick and the mortar required to seal it together delivered to Sanctuary the following day or day after. They were building a small forge, Akela and her, and evidently after some careful research on Kavala's part it was decided that only brick lined with ceramic would truly be best to use. Akela wanted to be able to make weapons, while Kavala was far more interested in bending iron to shoe horses with... so it was a compromise. A small forge that could do both was in order. The two girls could build it, easily enough, if they had the proper materials. And they would do so once the supplies were delivered. Supplies, paid for by the trade of two sungold colts born of this years mares.

Kavala, of course, hadn't promised the best of the foals, but the ones the masonry master was getting were fine quality as it were. He had two sons that were just old enough to be starting their first horses, and a pair of foals would be a good gift for the boys to grow into, teaching them themselves especially since Kavala had promised to help if they needed any.

But when the rain had started, even a stranger to Riverfalls society like Kav was could sense the inherent excitement that infused the community. She was less excited when the masonry master informed her there would be a delay on the shipment since all his workers got time off during the Revival. Kavala had no idea what a revival was or why rain was so important, but she nodded nonetheless and offered a smile as she departed, promising to bring the two colts when they were weaned. It was interesting, certainly, living in a society that expected honesty and honor and would settle for no less.

Kavala left the masons satisfied, even with the delay, and frowned slightly as the rain pounded down. Like her sister, Kav had dressed lightly in a pair of seafoam green trousers and a white sleeveless tunic that was cinched at the hips with a white leather belt. She didn't bring a cloak or coat, not knowing it would rain. The rain really didn't bother her, if anything, it made her dual ability to breath easier with the moisture (one of the reasons she liked living in Riverfall - the high humidity due to the falls) and found herself walking, completely soaked, with some of the other denizens towards the packed up commons area of the city. Akela should have been around somewhere. And Kavala was curious what all the excitement was about.

[Xandes]

Xandes had been in a world of his own, his Studded leather armour slowly soaking in the rain as it splashed around him. It was pleasurable. His own thoughts where of what now, was he just to go out hunting, come back and try and sell his catch just to go hunting again. It didn't seem like a rags to riches story to him. He wanted to earn respect and honour. Instead his best fight recently had been a bear. He ran a dark blue hand through his pitch black hair and continued walking along almost aimlessly. He noticed a small…he supposed she was a woman. She almost bumped into him as he walked past.

She seemed attractive, if rather short. He never seemed to get used to that. Well she was looking for something, trouble probably. Thats the message her blade sent. She either really didn't want trouble or really wanting it. He was thinking about this when he practically walked straight into her with some force. Before thinking of apologising for his mistake concern flashed before him. If she was dangerous then she shouldn't be dismissed as a small female. His hand reached for his weapon hidden in a harness behind his back slowly while he looked her directly in the eyes. Rather blue, sad eyes.

"Excuse me small one." he said not taking his eyes off of her. He stepped back slightly wandering what to do next. He wasn't known for his social skills. A lonely childhood and a few years hunting alone had done that to him. He preferred stalking his prey any day to being surrounded by all these people. Unless one of them was his prey… he would prefer that.

[Tsavin]

Tsavin knew a bit about the Day of Revival, though he had never experienced it himself. This was his first stay in Riverfall, having only arrived a few days ago. While his people held no such holiday, he understood the anticipation they had. Rain was a scarce thing in the grasslands, and often when clouds would loom overhead a similar excitement would build within the pavilion. Water was a precious thing, and rain was a blessing from above when it did come.

Still, they had never held a festival over rain. Maybe in Endrykas, where they could afford to do such things, but with the dangers of the Sea of Grass still all around them, there was rarely time for such festivities in the pavilion. Nonetheless, he found him self swept up in the anticipation, and when the first drops fell he cheered with the rest of them, loving the feel of the cool water falling on his face and soaking his clothes.

After a few minutes of standing in the rain he lowered his eyes to his surroundings once more, cursing himself for falling into such a trance. He still had to be careful of his surroundings. It had only been a few days and word might still come, and then he would have to leave. Deciding not to dwell on such unpleasant matters though, Tsavin sets off for the commons area, joining a group of people who also seemed to be heading that way. He didn't have mizas to spend, but he could at least look about and see what there was to be had.

[As'Fien]

((How many sugar lbs should I deduct for this? Will probably need Charon to play the father.))

She had already set up the tent an hour ago. Really, people should believe a Konti when they predict something would come! Her eyes didn't move as she sat at the Sanctuary tent. The giant form of her father was watching the wares and money with crossed arms, staying on his toes.

His daughter made him proud.

Crystal candies of salt and sugar turned into pretty gem-like sweets through basic philtering littered the inside of the tent. Even molasses gems with a bit of fruit in the middle were for sale. They made certain that the candy would be out of the way of the rain, and had water-proof bags to store and restock them. Her father knew the basics of sales and trade and was there to coach her through the math should she have problems with the counting. She knew by instinct how much of what should be in cooking, but actually counting was a confusing thing for her sometimes. Her father worshiped the god of discipline, so it was an honor to donate some time... particularly after his daughter told her the state of the sanctuary. His large 7 ft frame also made it less likely that his dear airy daughter would get ripped off or stolen from.

Still, there she sat in her "Sanguine Seer" outfit... selling candy and telling fortunes. Her hair was more set than usual, her sister having done it without losing her ability to set her strange bangles. This was a special day, and there needed to be less chaos. Before her was a small bowl of water surrounded by various gems. She would sit the cards around the bowl to get a better reading... hey, she was a Konti. Water was in her blood! Whether it made sense to anyone else was a moot point!

Dazily watching people finally get moving, she already had a decent spot to raise money for the sanctuary. She just sat there, waiting for a customer as the rain plopped on the top of the tent.

[Raithe]

The rain was cold against his exposed flesh, and it pelted the top of his scalp without mercy, until rivulets of clear liquid rain down his face and into his eyes. Raithe would be soaked soon, if he did not find some type of shelter to stay dry under. It was not that he disliked the downpour, indeed, Raithe found rain such as this to be almost cathartic. It was that the temperature was still fairly low (and lower now, with such a weather system), and the very last thing the man wanted was to catch cold.

But the citizens of Riverfall seemed so very happy, now, and while he had not spent much time within their hometown since awakening, Raithe had not been ignorant to their practically muted mindset. He was struck with an unfortunate case of amnesia, not woeful ignorance. Even Raithe, outsider, knew that the Akalak were now beginning to celebrate what Shadana had called, “The Day of Revival.” The pale man questioned her about it, if only to glean more of an understanding. He had no intentions of partaking in any sort of merrymaking.

This holiday was for the Akalak, and the people who called Riverfall their home. He, Raithe, could make claim to neither, and so was content to merely observe. It had not been his intention to arrive in the city that day, however. So it was that coincidence saw the man smack-dab in the middle of a square full of joyous celebrants. There was no denying the beauty of it, strangely. Despite the rain, colors still radiated with a vibrancy Raithe had thought only the sun could inspire, and the people – the people! The blue skin of the Akalak's was as much apart of it all as the sounds, the smells. It struck Raithe as natural and right.

With a bit of dry amusement, he watched three young males attempt to win over the affection of a dark-haired woman. Shadana had told him about such antics (she had several suitors herself), but Raithe suspected that such things had been amplified with the festival. If only because he liked to be contrary, Raithe wondered how the Akalak would react to a bit of competition from a male outside of their race. Surely it happened – Riverfall was not strictly full of their kind.

Raithe had no desire to find out. There was no will within his heart or mind to stir up trouble with these people, during a time of what should only be joy and happiness. Funny, there was no will within his heart or mind lately for...anything. As he strode down a particularly wide thoroughfare, Raithe was a bastion of solitude.

The rain dripped into his eyes.

[Tsavin]

Tsavin wandered around the common area for a while, browsing the various wares on display, but never spending too much time in one spot. He didn't want the merchants to think he was actually going to buy something, because he had no intention to do so. He had little else to do at the moment though, and so he figured it would not hurt to look around.

After a while he did see something that caught his eye, and no, it wasn't just because of the beautiful Konti setting up the shop. She was a fortune teller, and he had always taken an interest in such things. He knew most fortune tellers were fake, but this woman was Konti, and perhaps she was the real thing. He hesitated for a while before approaching, knowing he shouldn't spend any money. As it was, he couldn't afford to stay in the city and had been camping outside the past few days. But he was curious, and maybe his fortune would include a way to make some mizas.

After a few moments debate he does approach, smiling to the lady sitting in front of her bowl of water and stones. "Hello, my lady. A beautiful day for a shower, is it not?" He eyes the bowl, wondering how much she would charge, and then locks eyes with her again. "I was wondering... I'd like my fortune read. How much do you charge?"

[Kavala]

There were so many new faces in Riverfall for the season. Kavala didn't know any of them at all. She spotted her sister, who stuck out in the crowd of tall blueskinned men like a sore thumb and headed her way just in time to catch one of the Akalak calling her 'small one'. Kavala broke into a grin and changed direction, certain that while she didn't want to see what Akela would do, she was certainly not going to interupt either. As'Fein should have been around here somewhere. As she remembered, the girl was going to borrow the large tent to sell candy beneath and tell fortunes. She spotted the tent not far away but noticed As'Fein had a customer. Good... perhaps she'd sell some candy or tell a few fortunes.

Kav was glad everyone was getting out for the day. They worked hard around the stables and rescue, so it was good to get out once in a while. Even though there was rain, the Konti didn't feel like going home. Instead, she decided she'd find herself something to eat. It'd been a while before she'd return home and have a chance to grab something. So doing the logical thing, she followed her nose to the smell of roasting meet and a vendor who'd set up a large barbecue stand where she was able to buy two skewers of meat.

Riverfall was a scenic city filled with viewpoints of the waterfall and benches overlooking flowery green spots within the city. The Konti found one such bench with a lovely view and sat down to enjoy her food and take a load off her already tired feet.

[As'Fien]

"Of course it is a good day for a shower... we always wait for this day to come so we can celebrate. They call me As'Fien. Welcome to Riverfall! My fortunes have three types; the old fashioned 'fortune of the day', my 'pathfinder', and the full course. A Pathfinder is you asking a question about something and coming up with a plan of action for what your question would be considered for... This lends to more accuracy, since the very act of me telling you the current future might change it... Prices are 1 silver, 5 silver, and 1 gold, respectively."

She was not beautiful in the conventional sense... she was adorable. It was sort of a sappy cuteness found on puppies with a normally ugly face. Her nose was sharp and her cheeks had blue freckles on them. She nonchalantly shuffled her deck, deferring her gaze from the customer.

"All proceeds help the Sanctuary of Wysar. It is primarily a hospital for animals. Go for the full reading, and you'll also get a crystal candy of your choice... sometimes you find things out in those that... well... you wish you didn't know in the first place. So just in case, you get a sweetie regardless!"

It was the real reason she had candy in with the fortune telling... sometimes the future didn't have good news. Still, if someone learned to enjoy the simple pleasures in life like candy, the future wouldn't be so much of a burden to them, would it?

She paused a moment to recall the other prices before speaking. She was alright with fives and tens, but... anything in between? It will take awhile for her.

"If that's a bit much, the sap candies are a copper a piece, the salt or sugar ones are three copper... A silver for a bag of a dozen on the sap candies... or..."

She had to stop and count on her fingers for a moment. Good ol' Fiel forgot how many was in a dozen for a moment and had to get all of her numbers in line.

"... a bag of four of the sugar or salt. The horses love those as much as the kids do!"