[Festival of Illusions] Visionaries (Order of Transcendence)

[Anishna]

Observation was a skill Anishna was familiar with, and it was one that she used now between playing one song and another. She watched women chatter with one another, a man bargain with one of the shopkeepers, and a flute begin a rousing duet with an oboe. She clapped with a few of the others pausing to listen, laughed as a man and his partner began a jig to said duet, but it wasn't the vibrancy that held her attention for too long. It was the muted flash of scales on a woman unusually pale, at least in Anishna's opinion, that brought her attention to a couple paying little attention to their surroundings. She didn't know either of the two, and assumed them to be newer to the city than her. Well, it wasn't like she knew everyone as it was, she was just sure she had not yet seen their faces before. The couple talked, and Anishna strained to hear them. It wasn't great that another flute joined the duet and a few drums looked about to do the same, shooting meaningful looks at Anishna to show she was allowed to join. Anishna returned a look to one of the flutists. She didn't know this melody, why should she bugger it up with stumbling notes even if she did? The flute paused to stick out his tongue, a gesture Anishna returned, before she looked back at the couple, which had swollen into a trio. Observation had always been a skill Anishna was familiar with, but it could only provide so much. She wanted to listen, see what it was that kept them from celebrating with the happy residents of their city. A few moments of deliberation passed, and then Anishna jumped from her seat, her dog standing at attention with her. A pat on the head was given to the dog, and then Anishna was moving across the crowded street, weaving past the people coming to enjoy the chorus of music she was trying to pull away from. Her mandolin, clutched familiarly in her hand, complained as it was bumped roughly against her hip and the bodies of others, but she ignored it currently. As she neared the group, one of the trio was beginning to grow familiar. The Vantha that had so awesomely helped her and some other guy to safety. Funny way to meet someone in Alvadas, as it was. An encounter again at a party was just the cherry on top of the treat. "I recognise you!" She said loudly, probably inturrupting someone as they spoke. She offered a smile to the trio and looked again at the Vantha. "At least, I think I do," she continued. And then she fell quiet.

[Eridanus]

"Oh yes. The continuous excitement is leaving me a little raggled," Eridanus agreed with Alric heartily. It had been one excitement after the other, and he would really quite like to have a peaceful season, for once. Having to constantly fight for his life kept him in physical and mental shape, but it was tough on his psychology as well.

Spotting the symbol Alric drew with his wand, he remarked, "The speakers, Alric? Since when have you joined the Womiyu?"

In response to Nira's reply, he frowned and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. If she was here for her call, and her call was to help him, what was he supposed to do that needed help with?

"Yes, I'm aware of the Call," He started, referring to one of the many conversations they had back in Zeltiva when she explained to him about Konti culture. "Did your mother perhaps say anything about your call? Is this linked to the part about our chavis?"

Suddenly, someone else piped up, interrupting their conversation, and he found himself looking at a familiar vantha. One who grasped a mandolin.

"Yes, hello Anishna. I see that you've weathered the storm quite nicely."

Before it became awkward, he decided to make a round of introductions.

"This is Nira'lia, an old friend of mine," He began, gesturing to the konti. "Alric Wilmot, a dependable comrade and trustworthy ally."

Addressing the two, he gestured to the vantha, "And this is Anishna. We met while trying to escape the djed storm quite a few days ago."

"Are you going to play though?" He continued musingly while looking at Anishna curiously. "I heard that the air of the Festival amplifies music naturally. Whether this is a magic phenomena or simply a divine one, I do not know. Alric, what do you think?"

[Alric Wilmot]

"The speakers, Alric? Since when have you joined the Womiyu?" "Oh, not too long ago. Only this season. I just thought that with my continuied survival, I owed Ionu something. And so I joined the Womiyu in order to keep his city running smoothly." As Alric spoke to Eridanus, the pale scaled woman reacted to Alric's inquiry. Apparently, she was quite perceptive, as she knew exactly why he found her so fascinating. Alric was rather pleased with the upfront answer. He had heard of Konti, but never seen one. In fact, his father had taught him a phrase or two in kontinese. Nothing really useful or worth bragging about, however. So Alric did not mention it. Alric wanted to thank her for the information, but he was unaware of her name. Thankfully, Eridanus did in fact introduce them. Though, not before another woman came to join them. "This is Nira'lia, an old friend of mine," He began, gesturing to the konti. And then he gestured to Alric, "Alric Wilmot, a dependable comrade and trustworthy ally." Alric bowed at the introduction, using all his might to appear important. And then addressing them both together, he introduced the last one, "And this is Anishna. We met while trying to escape the djed storm quite a few days ago." After everyone was introduced, Eridanus spoke to Anishna, commenting on her musical talents. "I heard that the air of the Festival amplifies music naturally. Whether this is a magic phenomena or simply a divine one, I do not know. Alric, what do you think?" "I think it might be both, to be honest. Alvadas is given life through Ionu's power, and is therefore a product of the divine. Yet it has its own power and mystery, that allows it to do as it pleases. And I do believe it enjoys music. That is my opinion anyway. The truth, unfortunately, is out of my reach at the moment."

[Nira'lia]

"Uhm, well, I guess she did," Nira'lia said in reply to Eridanus. "I think it was about a group that has something to do with your field... or something about your ideals, and of other people similar to you." The Konti gave a shrug. She suddenly felt silly for being there and not knowing anything about what she had to do. Nira'lia had believed that simply coming to Alvadas would be enough, and that she would find answers in an instant. "I did see a number of people in my visions, though, Eridanus, you were the only one I could recognize." As Nira'lia was introduced to the other people, she gave them a smile. "Hello, Alric, Anishna! Nice to meet you two!" said the Konti brightly. Nira'lia gazed at Anishna's mandolin, wondering if the girl would be playing. She seemed particularly interested in these people, and listened intently to their conversation. Nira'lia didn't know much about Alvadas yet -- she didn't know how the illusions worked, though from Alric's words, she figured it was done through Ionu. She didn't know much about Ionu except for that he was called The Trickster, and in a way, it made sense that illusions would be within his domain.

[Mirage]

Festival of Illusions As it turns out, Nira'lia's absent ponderings could not have been more right. Ionu was the God of Alvadas, master of Illusions and Trickery. He/she was above comprehension, beyond understanding. You acted in ways that could not be understood, and this was his festival after all. ***** Just as Nira'lia finished her thoughts, the entire city would feel a sudden *thrum* of power course through the streets. The Musicians would pause in their playing, and the milling crowd would all turn to look at one another, uncertain of what was about to happen. Children smiled eagerly at one another because, at heart, perhaps only they truly could see what was about to happen. Without warning the mid morning sky faded into night, the sun bursting in a single instance to fill the sky with countless stars instead. A deafening silence filled the city to its brim as everyone turned to look up at the sky, and there, among the thousands of stars there appeared a new light, one that seemed out of place. It moved, bobbed and weaved through the inky expanse of space as if it were dancing on its own, growing closer with every passing second. Soon a streaming tail of light could be seen trailing behind the object, and its form resolved itself into a bright, multicolored comet. It was beautiful, fantastic and wondrous... and it was heading straight toward the center of the city. Children screamed in delight, adults laughed and applauded as the comet flew directly over the city, turned and flew down to street level. Trails of light followed close in its wake as the colorful illusions weaved through the crowds, dancing and spinning and lighting up the delighted faces of the Alvadas citizens. From its radiance few sparks of multiple colors, creating a mini shower of fireworks wherever the comet paused. Suddenly the music began to swell once more, though none of the musicians had touched their instruments yet, and the comet began to spin and twirl in time with the cacophonic melody. The light then turned and made abilene directly for the group that surrounded Eridanus, and with dizzying speeds it weaved in and out and around every single person. Its speeds grew faster and faster until all four found themselves in a swirling column of multi color light, and to each a soft voice whispered in their own native tongue... Begin anew. The whirling lights circled for a moment longer, but then it shot upward straight into the night sky. Sparks flew from its surface and when it had reached the pinnacle of the city it exploded into thousands of flashing lights and colorful energy, a fireworks show made special for the last day of the festival. When the last of the sparks began to fade the night would turn once more into day, and the citizens of Alvadas would give one final applaud before returning back to the festivities. Those whom had heard the voice of the light would find themselves exactly as they had been before, except for one small detail. At each of their feet there sat a single, black feather. If they looked at it closely they might notice that, in fact what they thought was black was actually a mix of every color imaginable. OOC : Everyone gains one feather of Ionu. These feathers have no power and are nothing more but normal feathers, though they do change colors depending on how they are looked at. This was a random jump in for the Festival of Illusions, and there may or may not be others in the future. Continue your posting order as you had it before

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric continued to play with his sparkling wand as he listened in on Eridanus's friends. They were quite a lot of fun. The Konti, Nira'lia, was speaking oddly. Alric couldn't quite make out what she was talking about, but it was interesting nonetheless. However, as he tried to listen in, he was interrupted by a peculiar thrum. All at once everyone stopped their merrymaking. Apparently, Alric was not the only one to notice it. All at once the day was swallowed by the night, and the sun shattered into a multitude of stars. All at once there was a silence that made Alric extremely uneasy. For a terrifying second, he thought another horrible catastrophe was about to hit. But his worrying was unfounded. Among the thousands of stars there appeared a new light, one that seemed out of place. It bobbed and weaved through the darkness of the sky as if it were dancing on its own, growing closer with every passing second. Soon a streaming tail of light could be seen trailing behind the object, and its form resolved itself into a bright, multicolored comet. It was beautiful... and it was heading straight toward the center of the city. Alric's eyes widened in awe. As the comet flew directly over the city, it turned and flew down to street level. Alric joined in the laughter of the rest of the city, enjoying the show. The music began to swell once more, despite the fact that the musicians had yet to touch a single instrument. The comet began to spin and twirl in time with the cacophonic melody. The light then turned and made a beeline directly for Alric and his friends. Alric's laughter grew louder and louder as the colors began to pick up speed. This was wondrous! Beyond anything Alric had expected to happen! He heard a soft voice speak to him then, telling him to begin anew. The colors swirled ever faster, and then shot straight up into the sky. As it hit, it gave off a dozen sparks not unlike those that came from Alric's wand. The sudden lack of sound, made Alric's laugh sounded even louder than it was. As Alric tried to get a grip on himself, he doubled over, gripping his gut. He couldn't remember being this happy! Ionu himself(or herself) had come down and joined the fun! Just when he thought he was glad for the same old routine, it was broken, and he couldn't have been happier. At his feet lay a single black feather. Knowing that Ionu's favorite form was that of a multi-colored raven, Alric plucked it up. His laughter died down, and he took in the feather, bringing it up into the light. It shone with a plethora of colors, and brought Alric an inner joy that he hadn't felt in years. "Well my friends, I do believe we were just graced with the presence of the Lord of Illusion!"

[Eridanus]

Eridanus stood, openly awed by that magnificent display. Alvadas could be random and whimsical at times, but this grand spectacle was on a whole new level. As the light from the comet reached downwards, he gasped in delight and surprise when he found himself being surrounded by the lights. He was vaguely aware that his companions were being swivelled by the lights as well, but the next moment was one where his heart sang.

Begin anew.

It was a foreign tongue, one which his mortal seeming could not comprehend, let alone reproduce. Yet, in the deeper levels of his mind, the very fibre of his being sang. For over two centuries he had not heard words in this language, but now it was uttered to him.

Begin anew.

It was the tongue of the Ukalas, his original divine, native language. Stripped away from him when he fell to Mizahar, just the utterance of the language brought fond memories flooding into his mind.

Begin anew.

It was like an angelic choir singing in harmony with a marvellous orchestra. The words sang in his heart, his heart sang with his soul, and his entire being shivered in delight. It was more than the language, the words struck the very core of his being, and somehow, he had the feeling that something magical was supposed to happen.

Nira'lia's appearance, the fateful meeting between his acquaintances that he knew separately, then this single incident. It was no coincidence. There was something bigger than he knew at work here, and it has brought them together for something greater.

Picking up the intriguing feather, he studied it and muttered musingly, "Ionu has finally decided to grace us. What can this possibly mean?"

[Kuvarakh]

The harmonic splendor of the varied instruments had taken hold of Kuvarakh's spirit. Stacked thirds, blending with augmented scale extensions, collided gracefully, forming chords of wondrous richness from every direction, in every timbre. The alto tones popping loudly, forming extravagant arpeggios springing with delighted abandon over the top of the spontaneous arrangement of chords, revolved around him, sweeping him up in blissful dizziness.

He laughed and spun as the music seemed to command him to do. He nearly fell. He laughed all the more. It seemed he heard every song he ever knew at the same time, yet none were obscured by another. Whichever glorious opus struck his fancy was there, filling his longing with satiation. He spun his imaginary partner in an elaborate step meandering his footloose way into the street and on to the far side.

The lights were every bit as festive, bursts and blooms now variegated, now coalesced into new colors that wanted for names and designs defying description. Pulsing with playful life.

Almost, he forgot his sorrow. But never fully. Even now, the music he had only moments before been rejoicing in, took on the melody of her favorite song. Just a few bars, but that was enough. He sank into a melancholy that spanned a century. Beautiful, haunting sadness. Would he ever make sense of it?

A sudden warmth surged up from the ground and through him. So profound it seemed his very skin 'boomed' as a beaten drum as joy poured to the limits of his being and beyond, his meager body insufficient to hold it within. But no, others were reacting to the sound as well. The sky went suddenly dark, the sun flaring into cascading stars and he knew his joy. She had returned!

Not the girl of the music, no, not his daughter. But, rather, the Lady of the Dark. He closed his eyes, the better to see her, the better to feel the shadows of her grace. Had she reconsidered? A spot of brightness tracked its way across his closed eyelids and swirled around nearby. He heard a man laugh as hushed awe spoke of a wonder he was missing. he opened his eyes as something tickled his cheek. The last flare of a light dazzled him and he did not at first see the feather. He spun as a voice spoke in his ear...

"Begin Anew"

No, not in his ear...In his mind...

"Begin Anew"

In his heart...In his soul...

"Begin Anew"

In his Destiny!

Had he been sad? It seemed that was another life. Divinity had spoken to him now. Ionu? Akajia? He did not know which it was, Surely one of the two. She had gently denied him, and his desperation to find the reason had stricken purpose from his life.

What now had been the question? He did not know. He did not care. Hers now was the burden and he was released! That had been the reason! Why had he not seen it? Joyful laughter spilled in gales as he dropped to his knees...and saw the feather. The symbol of new promise, perhaps? He marveled as the colors swam on the surface with every stroke of his fingers. He looked up just to appreciate the return of the sunlight and saw four others likewise holding the same feathers. They all seemed to know each other, but he knew not one of them. He saw no others on the street with the feathers...Destiny?...Begin Anew?

He strode over to them, glad of the new body for his Nuit soul. He had been looking pretty shabby. Now he was fresh in his clean, dark hair, cut short for practicality. A snort of laughter escaped his lips as he realized he had forgotten what color his new eyes were. The rich red silk shirt and the black pants gleamed in the lights beneath his dark robe. He checked the leather gloves, extended cuffs to hide the scars from the slit wrists, the previous inhabitant rejecting life through suicide. All is destiny, he thought. Whatever sadness had driven him to such an end had enabled Kuvarakh to gain what HE needed right then. Everything fit. Sadness, there had certainly been source enough for that lately.

"Greetings, gentlemen" he nodded a polite bow, "Ladies" nodding again, he paused. "Please accept my apologies for my presumption. My name is Kuvarakh. I am sure I know none of you, as I'm sure you are likewise concluding as we speak, but I can't help notice we have all obtained the same feather. Curious, is it not, that I alone of those around that are not known to you would be granted this...sigil? Do you suppose we were meant to meet?"

[Nira'lia]

Nira'lia picked the feather up. She stared at it. A voice had just whispered in her mind, words spoken in Kontinese, the language of her race. The feather was a multitude of all colours that she could think of. It was beautiful. The Konti looked at the group of people around her. Her expression was a myriad of amazement and confusion. They too had the same feather that she had. When Alric and Eridanus spoke up, realization hit her. 'That voice was Ionu's?' she mused. The experience had been enchanting, and it made sense to think that only a God could have done such a thing. Amidst all the illusions that the festival held, that had certainly the most exceptional occurrence so far. "How puzzling..." said Nira'lia. "Begin anew? Whatever would that mean?" She translated the words in common. Nira'lia very much doubted that the others had heard it in Kontinese as well. Even when she asked such questions, something in her already knew what was happening. A new voice called out. Nira'lia glanced at the man who was walking towards them. It was a man with skinny features, and he too held up a feather just like they did. As he greeted them, the Konti gave him a bright smile. He was giving meaning to what had happened, and it was sensible. Why else would Ionu choose them out of everyone else there? There was a reason behind it. Nira'lia agreed with him, this was a fated meeting. "It's pre-determined..." muttered the Konti as she turned the feather around several times, her eyes in a daze as she looked at the colours it displayed. She knew what was going on, that something was about to transpire. Her visions had told her as much. Now that it was happening, she was slowly putting bits and pieces together, and was figuring out why she was really here. However, Nira'lia didn't want to push it. There were holes in what she knew, and she didn't want to make assumptions. "We just have to know why."

[Alric Wilmot]

Alric looked at the newcomer with suspicion. It was odd, that he would get a feather along with his group. Alric would agree with his sentiments, normally. But the sudden interruption seemed off-putting. For now, however, Alric ignored his suspicions. Something was going on. What that something was, however, was difficult to tell. "Begin Anew" Alric, his laughter now quenched, wondered what that meant. Begin, begin what? Regardless of its obscurity Alric kept the words in his head as long as possible. These were the words of his goddess, he would not forget his words. He could not understand them now, but he would in time. He was sure of it. "It's pre-determined..." muttered the Konti. "We just have to know why." Alric nodded. "Indeed. I agree with the Konti and newcomer. This means something, even if we do not know what it is yet. Does anyone have any ideas? Eridanus, how about you?"