Fantasy Setting Summer Dawn

[Nevina]

The light fae sniffed daintily at Falsedge, not deigning to respond to her chiding remark about respect. As if you're one to talk, you hypocrite! She did, however, jump in at Falsedge's response to the orc, her tone annoyed, "Why risk a free bed for the night? You can give him your name later if your lack of notoriety here bothers you so." This noble was certainly ready to abdicate their bed of twigs and leaves for at least one eve. Even a clean swept floor next to a cozy hearth would be a welcome change. Though Desrick's decision hadn't overturned at Falsedge's bristling commentary, Song decided to bolster this with a humble thank you, her lashes lowered demurely, "Your amiable hospitality is most radiant, kind sir." Mythee SilverFlight

Peering forward, Song found herself utterly distracted by the existence of the market. She hung back for just a few moments, observing their behaviors and customs, finding herself surprised that it operated as one might expect of a civilized market. It seemed Summena's thoughts on this country didn't quite fit the narrative. What else had they been wrong about?

The only thing holding her back from flitting from one stall to another as a hummingbird to it's nectar was the presence of their new companions. Turning with a merry beam, she chimed in at the opportunity to get acquainted with them, "Oh a drink sounds lovely! It will indeed be an apt time to exchange tales I suspect." Flutterby deer

Song was surprised, then, when she realized the other fae in the group was speaking to Falsedge. Not wanting her companion to frighten this creature off either, Song found herself next to Falsedge's side once more, ready to patch up any burnt bridges. Lenore, she had called herself, seemed capable of the politeness necessary to avoid a fight. She gave Falsedge a sidelong look, as if willing her to take a lesson indeed.

Turning back to Lenore, Song bubbled warmly, "Your reassurance is welcoming, lady Lenore. Please call me Song." She gestured in greeting, "Alas, my kind can control our skin's light as well as we can control the sun. I'm afraid it is biological rather than magical." She did, however, pull her hood back over her eyes, the robe effectively hiding her form. While she had no qualms against attention, it didn't seem the right place for it. Song glanced at the tail curiously, thinking it too bold to ask about it directly. The Suspicious Eye

 

[velleity]

Spoiler: Mobile Friendly

A strangled sort-of hiss just barely escaped Vyara's lips when the war djinn made her jibe, her fury spike made no duller by the half dwarf's well-intentioned but poorly-received words of a welcome home. She was wrong to stand here. Wrong to be here. Wrong to be among all of them and this place, yet she did not move from her chosen spot. She clenched her fists and then her jaw and, remarkably, held back reply.

No. No. No!

She would not lose her place here mere moments after securing it by the skin of her teeth! Listen. Learn. That is what Cyndabrynde commanded of her, and by the great Mysts, she would die in the sunlight before disobeying her goddess. And so, she picked up her head, tried to avoid the quick pitying smile the priestess sent her way, and she watched as the others stepped forward to be judged. These were Cyndabrynde's words, after all. No matter the temptation, she must doubt nothing of them.

The fair Sumennan, a light fairy by the glow of her skin, took the shape changer's place in the light. Her judgement was quick and simple, and Vyara was pleased to see nothing but respect in her every move about the temple. Deference or not, however, Vyara found herself fighting to keep the scowl from her face when woman passed.

The earth fairy was an interesting sort; an ancient woman who appeared not a day past her prime, a victim of betrayal, a teacher-to-be. She was pretty. Too pretty for a Cyndaran, too gorgeous. However, watching her move with such grace and poise, Vyara was reminded of her own guardian, Aureja. The shifter's heart ached at the sight of the woman's tears and she threw her gaze aside to allow the fairy a moment of feeling to herself.

The war djinn went next and Vyara's gaze locked to the stone at the Summenan's feet. Deep breaths. Focus! Stay calm. Stay calm! But her eyes shot wide open and her head jerked up when the Sumennan dared to make reply. Were they... They were conversing! Actually conversing, a Cyndaran priestess and that Sumennan beast─!

Vyara jerked her head as if she might shake her thoughts loose. She tried to focus on the ground beneath her, on the gentle light about the room, on the individual hairs that fell before her eyes, anything but the interaction happening within the center.

When she found her calm again at last, the the beautiful elven daylighter was exiting the circle on quivering legs. But by the looks of those around the her, she too had passed. And then came the turn of one she most anticipated: the orc.

Like Vyara, he seemed eat ease and rather confident, as if this was his millionth appraisal experience. Her head cocked to one side, a mixture of curiosity and caution shining within her black gaze. His judgement was vague and rather generic, but just when all thought it through, the goddess's voice continued on. Tests...? The reading was meant for Desrick and Desrick alone, but Vyara couldn't help the uneasiness that settled within her chest.

She released a slow breath that she didn't realize she was holding. Alright. They were nearly there. Just two more to go!

While Vyara shook out her tense shoulders, an approaching guard drew her eye and her muscles stiffened all over again. "Now that you've been appraised," he said, "you have free leave to move about our town."

Wait. What.

Another guard presented a basket full of their weapons, but Vyara was rooted in place. "No... Not everyone has been appraised yet─" Her words were feeble after the ordeals of the day and the sounds of chatter and clinking steel as the others retrieved their things drowned her out. "You... You can't...! they haven't gone yet! The human! Th-The other elf─hey! What are you doing?! they haven't gone yet!" No one listened. No one paid any attention to the ragged shape changer. Perhaps they were too exhausted to bother with any more judgments, or maybe they were ignoring her to prove some horrid point, or it could simply be that Vyara's voice was too far hidden beneath memories of the Great Mother's scolding words, but for one reason or another, no one paid her observation any mind.

She wanted to stay within the temple walls. She wanted the comfort of the goddess she envisioned in her mind, not the cold tones of the one who appraised her. She wanted peace and quiet and solace, and she wanted to be far, far away from those foreigners and forget that they ever existed. She wanted adventure. She wanted joy. But as talk of drink and relaxation saw the group meander onwards to the nearest tap, Vyara snatched up her daggers and longsword, swung her pack across her shoulder, and hurried to follow.

To learn, requires guidance. Attend them at all times.

Vyara arrived at the tail end of the group to find a horde of wood elves staring and smiling and consumed by awe. Lost in the strangeness of the day, her lips pulled back with a light growl as if to warn the elves away from the motley crew, but she earned only more than a few reproachful looks and sneers. Her glare swept across the crowd, and when she met the warning frown of another guard, she remembered herself immediately.

Yeah. Yeah. Drinks would be fan-fucking-tastic right about now.

A strangled sort-of hiss just barely escaped Vyara's lips when the war djinn made her jibe, her fury spike made no duller by the half dwarf's well-intentioned but poorly-received words of a welcome home. She was wrong to stand here. Wrong to be here. Wrong to be among all of them and this place, yet she did not move from her chosen spot. She clenched her fists and then her jaw and, remarkably, held back reply.

No. No. No!

She would not lose her place here mere moments after securing it by the skin of her teeth! Listen. Learn. That is what Cyndabrynde commanded of her, and by the great Mysts, she would die in the sunlight before disobeying her goddess. And so, she picked up her head, tried to avoid the quick pitying smile the priestess sent her way, and she watched as the others stepped forward to be judged. These were Cyndabrynde's words, after all. No matter the temptation, she must doubt nothing of them.

The fair Sumennan, a light fairy by the glow of her skin, took the shape changer's place in the light. Her judgement was quick and simple, and Vyara was pleased to see nothing but respect in her every move about the temple. Deference or not, however, Vyara found herself fighting to keep the scowl from her face when woman passed.

The earth fairy was an interesting sort; an ancient woman who appeared not a day past her prime, a victim of betrayal, a teacher-to-be. She was pretty. Too pretty for a Cyndaran, too gorgeous. However, watching her move with such grace and poise, Vyara was reminded of her own guardian, Aureja. The shifter's heart ached at the sight of the woman's tears and she threw her gaze aside to allow the fairy a moment of feeling to herself.

The war djinn went next and Vyara's gaze locked to the stone at the Summenan's feet. Deep breaths. Focus! Stay calm. Stay calm! But her eyes shot wide open and her head jerked up when the Sumennan dared to make reply. Were they... They were conversing! Actually conversing, a Cyndaran priestess and that Sumennan beast─!

Vyara jerked her head as if she might shake her thoughts loose. She tried to focus on the ground beneath her, on the gentle light about the room, on the individual hairs that fell before her eyes, anything but the interaction happening within the center.

When she found her calm again at last, the the beautiful elven daylighter was exiting the circle on quivering legs. But by the looks of those around the her, she too had passed. And then came the turn of one she most anticipated: the orc.

Like Vyara, he seemed eat ease and rather confident, as if this was his millionth appraisal experience. Her head cocked to one side, a mixture of curiosity and caution shining within her black gaze. His judgement was vague and rather generic, but just when all thought it through, the goddess's voice continued on. Tests...? The reading was meant for Desrick and Desrick alone, but Vyara couldn't help the uneasiness that settled within her chest.

She released a slow breath that she didn't realize she was holding. Alright. They were nearly there. Just two more to go!

While Vyara shook out her tense shoulders, an approaching guard drew her eye and her muscles stiffened all over again. "Now that you've been appraised," he said, "you have free leave to move about our town."

Wait. What.

Another guard presented a basket full of their weapons, but Vyara was rooted in place. "No... Not everyone has been appraised yet─" Her words were feeble after the ordeals of the day and the sounds of chatter and clinking steel as the others retrieved their things drowned her out. "You... You can't...! they haven't gone yet! The human! Th-The other elf─hey! What are you doing?! they haven't gone yet!" No one listened. No one paid any attention to the ragged shape changer. Perhaps they were too exhausted to bother with any more judgments, or maybe they were ignoring her to prove some horrid point, or it could simply be that Vyara's voice was too far hidden beneath memories of the Great Mother's scolding words, but for one reason or another, no one paid her observation any mind.

She wanted to stay within the temple walls. She wanted the comfort of the goddess she envisioned in her mind, not the cold tones of the one who appraised her. She wanted peace and quiet and solace, and she wanted to be far, far away from those foreigners and forget that they ever existed. She wanted adventure. She wanted joy. But as talk of drink and relaxation saw the group meander onwards to the nearest tap, Vyara snatched up her daggers and longsword, swung her pack across her shoulder, and hurried to follow.

To learn, requires guidance. Attend them at all times.

Vyara arrived at the tail end of the group to find a horde of wood elves staring and smiling and consumed by awe. Lost in the strangeness of the day, her lips pulled back with a light growl as if to warn the elves away from the motley crew, but she earned only more than a few reproachful looks and sneers. Her glare swept across the crowd, and when she met the warning frown of another guard, she remembered herself immediately.

Yeah. Yeah. Drinks would be fan-fucking-tastic right about now.

SilverFlight The Suspicious Eye Flutterby Brendanfp Mythee Nevina deer idalie | Wood Elf Village

 

[deer]

T

ilting her head, Rossarinya listened curiously as she watched Desrick, Lohrithe, and Crispin interact seemingly in good spirits. But, as the wood elf admitted that he was glad Summenans didn't breathe fire like the faux stories, Rossarinya could barely hold in her laugh as she used the sleeves of her dress to hide her soft giggles. Breathe fire? Wouldn't that be a sight to see? Perhaps Cyndarans confused them for those mythical creatures: dragons, were what they were called, wasn't it? As she walked along side the group, Rossarinya listened carefully to Crispin's warnings as she nodded, mentally telling herself to refuse the first drink they offer. She wondered what was so bad about them. Was it too strong? Strong that even the wood elves couldn't handle it? Or was it just Crispin? However, as she pondered at those thoughts, Rossarinya couldn't help but find the sound of honey rose ale quite sweet and something she perhaps would enjoy.

But, as Crispin chatted along and the group headed towards the tavern, Rossarinya's eyes wandered as she half listened as her attention was elsewhere. However, Rossarinya looked back towards the dark fairy along with the Summenan warrior and light fairy from earlier. Furrowing her brows together, Rossarinya listened as the dark fairy Lenore warned her opposite, Song to be careful of the radiant light she brought. But, as Song spoke that her light was more biological than magical, Rossarinya could only hum, nodding at the revelation. It made sense just like how she was born with pointed ears and fairer skin.

However, as Rosarinya treaded along the way, she slowly found herself feeling self-conscious from the stares of the villagers. As she tried to avoid eye contact and tried to fall back in with the group, not wanting attention on herself, her eyes widened at the crystal being much more magnimous than she could imagine or see from earlier. Her feet and her hips swayed slightly in rhythm to the music resonated in the marketplace. Soon, her eyes found a stall adorned with beautiful silk and she was mesmerised.

"I will catch up with everyone soon." She spoke out-loud towards the company before she headed towards the stall. First impressions are always important and she would hate to enter a tavern or any place looking as she did with her torn dress.

Smiling widely at the array of colours and materials that displayed, Rossarinya found herself at ease, her fingers gently touching the fabric as the shopkeeper stared at the She-Elf in wonder and curiosity. "Find anything you like, Miss?"

With a small hum, Rossarinya found herself picking up a roll of hunter green fabric as she raised it up to look at, nodding gratefully. "This would be perfect, what do you think, shopkeeper?" Rossarinya asked softly.

"Oh, but it quite matches your eyes. However, the silk here is different than that Summena." The shopkeeper commented, continuing, "But, I have no doubt that you will soon fit in well with the others." She finished knowingly, taking the fabric roll from Rossarinya's grasp, cutting a few yards for the She-Elf.

Feeling slightly shy, Rossarinya merely nodded as she looked at the difference in attire worn by the wood Elves compared to the Elves back home. Nevertheless, the shopkeeper seemed to have seen right through her. Wearing the clothes from Cyndara felt as if she truly could and would be accepted and it only made her feel as if she could perhaps fit in with the locals.

Once the shop-keeper finished and handed her the silk, Rossarinya smiled softly and thanked her before reaching into her bag for some coins. "I am not sure how different the pays are here in Cyndara than Summena, but would these do?" Rossarinya nervously asked, handing her the money, forgetting to even ask Desrick, Lohrithe, or the others how exchanges worked in Cyndara.

Shaking her head, the shopkeeper gently pushed Rossarinya's hand away from the stall. "There's no need, child. Consider it as a welcome gift."

Taken aback, Rossarinya blinked her surprise back as a genuine, wide smile displayed on her lips. She couldn't say no towards the older woman and could only remain grateful. "Thank you so much, shopkeeper!"

With a small chuckle, the shopkeeper signaled Rossarinya to head back to her company but not without making Rossarinya promise her to show her the outfit she made when she was finished the final product.

tags: SilverFlight , Mythee , Nevina , Flutterby , velleity , Zazz , Brendanfp , The Suspicious Eye

 

[Flutterby]

As they walked further into the market, Ora had to consciously tell herself to not stare at the.. the Duna Crystal, that's what Desrick had called it. The glowing stone, the light of this land. It was more entrancing than any precious thing pulled out of Dwermounts that she had ever seen. And she had seen a lot. And she was half-dwarf. So she knew shiny things, and she loved them. This was the most beautiful thing she had ever laid eyes on. A part of her could sit and stare at it for the rest of time and be perfectly content.

She tore her eyes away, again, as she passed a particular stall, on the corner of a makeshift aisle way. It was covered in glittering jewelry. Nothing compared to the Duna, but these she could touch, maybe buy, if she could convince them to take the last of her Sumennan coins.
The half-dwarf wandered away from the group, knowing she would be able to follow at least Desrick's form through the crowd, to look, just for a moment. Ora lingered near the far edge of the stall, staying out of the way of the wood elves as much as she could. At first she didn't touch- she didn't like to touch when she was so obviously at the edge of the seller's vision. It was only polite to wait until they were watching, so they knew they weren't being robbed. The wood elf did look, rather quickly, and seemed surprised to see her standing there.
She lifted a piece, a gold-colored pendant with opal inlay, and said softly, "This is beautiful work. I rarely see materials so fine. You must be very proud."
The elf stared at her with his jaw open, and then stuttered, "I-I try to be the best at my craft."
"As one always should," She agreed, placing the pendant back on his table.
"Do.. uh, is there anything specific you're looking for?" The other elves had drawn back from the table, to watch them interact, and Ora glanced at the small crowd briefly before inspecting his work in earnest.

 

[Zazz]

The dark elf had a hard time walking through the market, what with the brightness of the Duna crystal. His eyes were crafted for dark caverns and dim light, not the uppergounds of Cyndara. He had to shield them as they walked, following Crispin and his orc brother.

Lohrithe turned to ask Rossarinya about the light of Sumenna once more, but she had drifted over to a stall of silks. He paused, wanting to make sure she did not get lost, and squinted between the light elf and the group. She returned with a patch of green fabric, the shopkeeper smiling kindly after her. Lohrithe walked beside Rossarinya as they followed behind their group.

"That is a beautiful colour," he told her, still shielding his eyes from the light. His silvery moonlit skin shone under the crystal, setting him apart from the wood elves.

 

[deer]

A

s Rossarinya made her way back to the group with a slight skip to her steps, her eyes found Lohrithe's as he complimented the silk she had been given. Smiling widely, Rossarinya nodded in agreement, "Isn't it?" She questioned rhetorically, a slight sigh escaping her lips as she felt excitement course through her veins. "I couldn't help myself and perhaps this color would help blend in amongst the others - to a certain extent?" Rossarinya pondered out-loud.

As she walked besides Lohrithe, wondering if he had waited for her, her eyes were drawn to his hands as she noticed him shielding his eyes from the brightness of the Duna Crystal. Her eyes glanced over towards the radiant glow, reminding her of the sun in Summena, though it held no warmth or heat against her skin. But, as she wasn't able to stare at the Crystal much longer, her gaze quickly returned to the dark elf. "Are you not used to the bright light, Lohrithe? Is there anything I can do to ease your comfort?" She wondered, genuinely concerned for her traveling companion. He had been nothing but kind to her and Rossarinya couldn't help but want to aid him in any way she could, to help get rid of the discomfort even for a moment. She had remembered their previous conversations prior, wondering what Summena was like, perhaps the illuminating rays of the Crystal could be slightly compared to the sun in Summena.

Without much of a thought, Rossarinya quickly headed in the direction Ora had gone, however, her attention was on a palm leaf she spotted near the tears. Before she knew it, she gently tucked at the leaf, hoping it was alright to pluck one leaf from Cyndara. Leaf in her hand, Rossarinya was about to head back in Lohrithe's direction before she noticed Ora's eyes settling on the different jewels in the stall. However, not wanting to get distracted and making a mental note to check the stall later, Rossarinya quickly made her way back towards Lohrithe as she raised the palm leaf over his head, providing some small comfort of shade from the bright Crystal. "I hope it was alright that I took a palm leaf. Maybe this could provide you some shade? In Summena the trees usually helped block the sun or the locals would shield their eyes by wearing a hood or using any other means of fabric to cover themselves. Will this work?" She inquired, tilting her head to the side as she continued to use the palm leaf as a cover.

tags: Zazz Flutterby

 

[Zazz]

Lohrithe wanted to tell her that no amount of fabric could blend in that beautiful, fair face, but instead he smiled and answered, "I'm sure it will help." He supposed it felt strange to be different for the Sumennans. It likely did not help that the wood elves would stare as they passed. "Though, you must understand that Cyndara celebrates diversity." The wood elves, themselves, were of many hues.

Before he could answer her next question, however, she had run off and returned with a leaf with which to shade his eyes. Hesitantly, he lowered his hands from his face and blinked. "Thank you," said Lohrithe, a smile finding his face. He took the large leaf to hold on his own. "My people live underground, where it is dark. There is light in the walls, but much less bright. Much more... gentle."

He stopped once more near Ora, again not wanting her to lose her way. Gently, he tapped her shoulder and held out a few gems from his pack. They glowed with rich colour, one red, one green, and one pearly white. "They light my home. Here, you can use them to trade."

 

[Flutterby]

Ora pointed to many of his items, asking about how he got his metals and stones, his process for making his products, why he combined some of the gems only with certain metal. There were a few gems that were entirely unfamiliar, that she asked the names of. A certain type of green stone, not quite a gem, because it wasn't crystalline, caught her eye because of the strange bands and patterns of colors that ran through it. He told her it was called malachite, and formed close to copper deposits. If this stone formed near copper deposits in Sumenna, they didn't use it like they should.
She examined a collection of objects, and couldn't figure out what they were. They were too large to be rings, and too small to be bracelets. She looked up at the man, who had introduced himself as Artem, and asked softly, "What are these for?"
He looked at her like she was stupid, which she tried to ignore, and stammered for a moment before a woman standing behind him stepped forward. She picked up a silver one, with an inlay of that green stone, and leaned forward. "May I?"
Ora nodded mutely, leaning in a little to make it easier.. whatever it was. The elf-woman, whose hands were the daintiest things she had ever seen, reached forward and dropped the large ring around her left horn. Ora's eyes widened, as the woman moved it up until it was snug, leaving it to sit just in front of her ear. No one had ever, ever touched her horns before she walked into the mystlands, and definitely had not adorned them with precious metals.
The elf-woman smiled at her, and then held up a small, scuffed mirror for her to see. "With all the extra appendages and horns we see in Cyndara, we try to make pieces for everyone." Her voice was high and would have annoyed Ora, if she hadn't been so amazed by what she was looking at.

While she was still staring at herself, Lohr came up next to her. The tap on her shoulder made her jump, with a sharp inhale through her nose. He was holding out some gems, which seemed to glow in his palm, and told her to use them to trade.
"I-um.." Ora looked between him, and the elf-woman, and back a couple times. The woman, and Artem, both smiled kindly and Artem nodded at her, but Ora hesitated. Could she really take these from Lohr to use for herself? From the way that everyone was looking at her, she got the feeling that it may be rude not to. So she swallowed softly, and turned to hand the three little gems to Artem. His face lit up, and he nodded to her and to Lohr.
"Thank you both so much, and welcome to Cyndara, Ora." He said.
She blushed, and said, "Thank you, Artem." The half-dwarf turned to look at Lohr, her eyes shining. She reached out and touched his forearm, just for a second. "And thank you, Lohr." She gave him a full, bright smile, and then moved away quickly to catch up with Desrick and Crispin, ears burning red with her new horn-ring catching the light of the Duna Crystal.

 

[SilverFlight]

Desrick frowned at Lenore as he listened. "You sound like you know them." This made him very curious. "How did that come about?"
The Suspicious Eye

At Song's politeness he smiled broadly. "Well now, there are the manners I expected. It seems to be hit or miss." A teasing wink accompanied his jab at Falsedge. He decided he liked these new Sumennans.
Nevina Mythee

Desrick ambled through the crowds, keeping an eye on the wandering Sumennans, happy that they seemed to be enjoying themselves. They were almost at Heda's when a shout from the crowd drew Desrick's attention.
The young boy that pounded up to him was barely more than six years, and almost as green as Desrick was, dark hair short and wiry, though his frame was more slender and his ears neatly pointed.
"Desrick! Desrick!"
The orc's smile grew near as bright as the crystal overhead. He scooped up the child in his beefy arms as if he weighed nothing, tossing him into the air to catch him again as the boy shrieked with laughter.
"Tomo, you little imp! Where's your mother?"
The boy ignored the question even as Desrick scanned the crowd for her, tugging on his hair to draw Desrick's attention down to him.
"Look! Look what I've got now!" The boy pulled back his lower lip to reveal the tip of a tiny pointed tusk peeking out from the row of little white teeth.
"By the stars! That is going to be a great big tusk!" Desrick heaped on the exaggerated excitement.
Tomo looked like Desrick had just handed him the world. His eyes sparkled with pride.
"Even as big as your tusks! Right Desrick?"
The orc laughed. "Yes, maybe even bigger eh?"
"You're getting him very excited." A gentler voice sounded not far away. The orc woman was dressed in wood elf silk skirts, soft browns and purples and muted her deep-green skin. She carried herself proudly, though with an underlying caution, her eyes darting to her young son every few seconds like a nervous cat.
"It is cause for excitement. If we were back with the clan, there would be a big celebration." Desrick sounded almost bitter. "How are you Razah?"
"I want to go to the clan!" The boy shouted. "Like a real orc!"
Razah and Desrick exchanged saddened glances before Desrick ruffled the boy's hair affectionately. "You are a real orc Tomo."
"Then why can't I go?"
Both of them knew Tomo would never be accepted in an orc clan. Half breeds were openly hated. At least here, the resentment was reserved.
"Tomo, I want you to meet my new friends, many of them are from Sumenna, guests," Desrick addressed his gathered party, "this is Razah, her husband is a healer here in the wood elf tribe. This is their son, Tomo."
Razah bowed her head, not seeming at all intimidated by the legendary beings before her.
"Desrick helped Razah leave her clan and marry a healer from our tribe." Crispin told the party quietly. "That whole thing nearly started a war, but Desrick prevented that. he's sort of like a peacekeeper between us and the orcs."
"It is a pleasure to see new faces here." Razah spoke, her voice strong but gentle as she looked about the group with a warm expression.
Flutterby deer Mythee Nevina Zazz velleity The Suspicious Eye Brendanfp

Tomo wriggled out of Desrick's grasp and strode bravely into their midst. He stopped at Falsedge and looked up, craning his neck to meet her face.
"You look strong." He announced definitively. Mythee

 

[Mythee]

"Ms.-!" Taken aback by the way Lenore had addressed her while completely missing the insolent point of her flippant 'student' act toward the girl, Falsedge blinked rapidly as if trying to clear dust out of her eyes. All... right then. It seemed people here really were determined to get along. The Suspicious Eye
"Lack of notoriety, is it..." Falsedge parroted at Song's intervention, amused by the barbed comment. It was good to see that the light fairy was back in high spirits. Nevina
Regardless, while everybody else liberally fraternized, there was something to like about the freckled girl- Vyara's- continued bad attitude, which apparently displeased the local villagers and guards and earned reproach from her fellows that she so revered. It was a sight to feel sorry about. Falsedge walked up next to her and leaned her head down close to her, knowing very well that she'd get an aggressive response. velleity
"You know, if anything, I can appreciate your honesty." She spoke, almost so that nobody else could hear. That's when the orc child- correction, half-orc child appeared, an acquaintance of Desrick's.

"Huh." She straightened up, watching curiously and- though she wouldn't admit it- a little tickled as the kid so proudly showed off his growing tusks. Damn, that's adorable. "Now ain't that a scene to melt the heart." She stated mainly for Song's ears. To the light fairy, it would sound like yet another bad joke from Falsedge. Even children hadn't found themselves beyond the law back in Lambent territory. A travesty that Cyndara seemed unlikely to permit... From what she'd seen, it was probably safe to call it a better place. On the flipside, you get these naïve creatures that don't know when they're face to face with a dangerous person. Shoo, kiddo. You don't know what's good for you. Falsedge shot his mother a look when nobody stopped him. What kind of parenting was this. Looks strong, huh? "No shit." She answered, which was relatively neutral for her, honestly. SilverFlight

 

[Zazz]

Lohrithe grinned wide when the halfling child ran up to Desrick. He felt a swell of pride when the boy showed his growing tusk. The drow nodded in respect to Razah, the mother, and greeted her with a firm handshake and embrace. Then, he turned to Tomo, who had made an acquaintance of Falsedge, the masked warrior, and lifted him up. The boy dangled over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes - wriggly potatoes - while Lohrithe held his legs. "Boy, you've grown so big! Pretty soon you'll be bigger than me!"

The drow looked to Desrick. "Couldn't we celebrate here?"

 

[SilverFlight]

Tomo continued to stare up at the masked warrior. "Desrick could beat you." He said matter of factly, to which Desrick snorted.
"Your mouth is too big Tomo."
Just then Tomo was swept up by the dark elf and squealed happily. He kicked and struggled and laughed until he was breathless.
Desrick smiled at the pair warmly, turning back to Razah when Lohr made his suggestion.
"I think that's a grand idea, if the boy's mother agrees."
Tomo, from the back of Lohr's shoulder, looked up at his mother with pleading eyes.
Razah looked like she was about to protest but then sighed. "All right. But do not be too rowdy." She glanced at the revelers, knowing how they felt about orc customs.
Desrick chuckled. "We will keep him safe."
Tomo cheered and wriggled even harder to get out from Lohr's grasp.
"Fight me properly!" He shouted between bouts of laughter.

Mythee Zazz

 

[Flutterby]

Ora reached Desrick and his trailing group as a smaller, skinnier version of him was picked up and tossed into the air. Ora's eyes widened, but she wisely kept her mouth shut. it was pretty clear by the reaction that this form of greeting was acceptable with the orcs. They were a rough and tumble bunch, not unlike the lower classes of dwarves. Dwarves were smaller though, and less friendly to her.
The affection between Desrick and the young orc was enough to make Ora avert her eyes. It would be impolite, to spoil a moment like this with pettiness. But jealousy was a familiar feeling to her.
Her eyes were drawn to the boy's mother, who was also an orc. She didn't have the self-assurance that Desrick did- she looked as though she might grab her child and run at a moment's notice. She looks like you, walking through a market back home. Ora dismissed that irritating voice, but it was proved correct by the next few moments.
Apparently, this orc-woman had married a wood-elf healer, and had a half-breed child. Between the shared glances, the reassurance of the boy, and Crispin's explanation, Ora's heart broke. A young child, though no fault of their own, caught between worlds, with no one people to claim. Ora's brows tented together, her lips pursed. She almost didn't even notice when Falsedge swore at the poor thing.
But he was so loved, by his mother, and Desrick, and Lohr. Her brow furrowed more, trying to understand this culture of tolerance in the wood elves. The orcs, apparently, were more similar to the summerlanders, but this family was at least not openly hated here. How did that work? Wouldn't you like to know.

Ora looked up at Razah, and with a very small smile, said, "I will help, to keep it somewhat tame. Although it seems that may be passed..." She had to duck the boy's flailing legs, as his laughter rung in her ears.
SilverFlight Zazz

 

[Zazz]

Lohrithe grinned brightly when the boy's mother agreed, and swayed the dangling Tomo around. "You've got to escape, first!" The dark elf carried him away from the others, where there was a patch of clear ground, and promptly dropped the kid mid-wiggle. Lohrithe readied himself, tossing his weopon aside with his pack as the boy got up. Knees bent, he scuffed the dirt below his shoe and emanated a low snarl at Tomo, egging him on.

 

[Brendanfp]

Gwyn considered the attempt to make an unlikely ally a complete and total failure.

The atmosphere grew tense as the shapeshifter cast a menacing glare in his direction. With teeth bared, Gwyn was sure that any second now, she would lash out at him wild ferocity. The shifter opened her mouth, and Gwyn was sure that he wouldn't like what came out of it, however, what altercation that would have come next was cut short as the shifter shifted her focus to a stuffy wood elf upset at the Sumennian's arrival. With no response to his proposal, the soldier awkwardly pulled his hand back and consider himself lucky with getting away such a foolhardy plot. The elder wood elf continued to cause a scene, berating Desrick for bringing our party to the doorsteps of his people. Then a voice came from inside the temple, it was the priestess. With five words she brought a hush over the crowd. "The goddess bids you enter..."

~~~

One by one Gwyn watched as the members of his party stepped before the priestess to be appraised. There were moments of drama and turmoil, but finally, everyone had made it through the gates, everyone but him. The soldier wasn't keen on having other watch him as some elven woman claiming to speak for a goddess divulged the so call nature of his heart. Who was she to judge him? She was nothing but another obstacle in the way of his mission, and like all the others he would endure and overcome them. His allies far ahead of him, the time to act was now. Gywn takes in a deep breath and steps into the light, awaiting his judgment.

SilverFlight

 

[deer]

Lohrithe's words echoed in her ears as she furrowed her brows. "Though, you must understand that Cyndara celebrates diversity." Rossarinya meekly nodded at his words, her eyes wandering through the marketplace as she noticed the diversity of the wood elves. A soft smile displayed on her lips as he was right. Cyndara does, however, Summena does not like diversity and she could only feel the stares of the others. Her eyes gazed into their eyes as she didn't see judgment in them, but curiosity and some excitement.

Glad that Lohrithe seemed more comfortable with the palm leaf as a slight shield from the sun, Rossarinya listened closely as he explained that he lived underground where the light was more gentle and little. She could only imagine the little lights that seemed to spark up when she first stepped foot in Cyndara. Lohrithe was right was more. The light in Summena could be unforgiving and not as gentle as the tones that laid in Cyndara. Rossarinya quite enjoyed the darkness - an idea she never thought she'd admit.

As Lohrithe helped Ora, Rossarinya smiled, gazing at the horn ring. It was beautiful. However, her attention was drawn when a little orc came passing by as Desrick tossed the little one up. The excited chatter from the little one made Rossarinya's heart race as she gazed at the scene displayed before her. A saddened smile displayed on her lips as she watched the interaction remembering when her father used to pick her up in his arms. Her eyes glossed over for a moment as she remembered playing in the garden with her brothers and she was always overly chipper to tell her father of her new findings. But, as an orc woman appeared, Rossarinya thoughts escaped her mind as she gazed upon her, tilting her head to the side. Her curiosity was sedated when Crispin told the story of Razah and her husband.

Rossarinya could tell how loved Tomo was by not just Razah, but Desrick, Crispin, and Lohrithe. Hearing Falsedge's swear at the young boy before Lohrithe took the little on over his shoulders, Rossarinya could help but shake her head, stifling a laugh. As Ora spoke to Razah, stating she would try to help keep tame the celebration, Rossarinya looked on in wonder. She wondered how orc traditions were and hoped Tomo would be able to experience such a grand mile stone. Being stuck between two worlds and not being able to fully embrace one's self sounded suffocating and painful even, so Rossarinya hoped it was possible to give some joy and a taste of traditional to Tomo.

"I can help as well. What kind of preparations should there be? I do not quite know much about orc traditions, but I would love to learn if it is alright?" She asked her question directing towards Razah, smiling politely. "Should we go and see what is happening over there?" Rossarinya questioned, tilting her head as he looked to see where Lohrithe was taking Tomo, her feet leading the way.

tags: SilverFlight , Flutterby , Zazz , Mythee , Nevina , Brendanfp

 

[Mythee]

Just like a kid to drag adults into their competitions, as if the ability to cause harm was anything to celebrate. At the young half-orc's word of almost-challenge, Desrick and Falsedge had, in fact, snorted in total unison. "Heh, cheeky brat. Let's hope we never have cause to fight, then." She had no desire to confirm nor deny his statement, instead winking at Big McGreen over there.
That said, she had no wish to participate in a sobering 'coming-of-age' celebration, whatever tradition that entailed. Despite what the boy clearly thought, it was probably for the best that he wasn't raised with the Orcs. If there were any more parallels with the culture the war djinn was brought up in, then among the orcs, Tomo's rowdier pursuits and admiration for combat prowess would be considerably less free and innocent, and to a great degree more like forceful indoctrination. SilverFlight

Rossarinya's enthusiasm for preparations reminded Falsedge that, putting her own misgivings about the event aside, this was probably just what Song needed to feel like herself again.
"Party sounds like your kind of gig." Nevina She nudged the light fairy with an elbow, then glanced toward an empty street corner, where a wood elf had been watching them moments earlier. "-But I think I'm gonna keep on heading for those drinks. Anyone with?" Sending the silver-haired human a meaningful look, she made move to continue on their way. Her questions could only wait so long to be answered, after all. Brendanfp

 

[SilverFlight]

Razah gave a laugh, a bright, joyful sound. "That is tame for Tomo."
She looked at her boy then with all the love a mother could. "But thank you, I know if Desrick trusts you, he is in good hands."
She turned to Rossarinya with a happy smile. "Generally it is a clan celebration, with a feast. The children who've grown their first tusks receive their first blades and instructions on how to use them. They must choose what weapon they will use, connect with it. Weapons in orc culture are extensions of your heart, how you meet the world...Tomo could have a weapon, but rightly, his father is a little reluctant to allow it. Elves are much more...conservative with weapons."
Razah slipped a small pouch from the belt at her waist. It contained several of the opal stones used for currency. She held it out to the Sumennan women. "Would you like to help him choose?"
Flutterby deer

Tomo hit the ground haphazardly and scrambled to his feet, baring his teeth and snarling back with glee. When Lohrithe stooped Tomo wasted no time: he charged him head on, trying to grapple the elf's thighs (for that was the part level with his arms), locking his hands together and trying to push the elf off balance.
Desrick watched and laughed. He did not protest Falsedge leaving the group, for she wasn't going far.
Watching Tomo try to throw Lohr was amusing, but eventually Desrick had enough of watching and strode over to them. In one swift motion he made to scoop both Tomo and Lohr up in his massive arms.
Zazz

 

[Zazz]

Lohrithe grunted as the little green devil knocked into his muscly thigh. He was about to reach over the boy and hang him by his ankles when he saw Desrick coming at them. But it was too late; the two of them ended up in giant green arms. The dark elf's heart lept into his throat, his green-and-black eyes fixed on his friend's face. His thick, wiry hair, and those tusks momentarily distracting him from his doom.

The drow shook out of his thoughts and climbed out of his friend's grasp and over his shoulder, swinging down his back with his moonlit arms around a thick, green neck. "Get him, Tomo!"

 

[SilverFlight]

Desrick laughed harder as his captives squirmed. He had forgotten how resourceful Lohr was and was helpless as the elf got free and put him neatly into a headlock. He leaned back with the weight, trying not to overbalance.
"Ahhhhrg! Two against one! You cheaters!" After that he dissolved into laughter.
Tomo, still sandwiched between beefy arms and Desrick's strong chest managed to get his hands free, and applied them to the tender skin on Desrick's sides.
Desrick jerked as Tomo tickled him. "Nono! Not that! Haha!"
It was no use, Desrick tilted too far back and hit the ground on his side, twisting at the last minute to avoid crushing Lohr beneath him, wracked with uncontrollable fits of laughter as Tomo tickled mercilessly.
"I yield! I yield! Stop ha! Please!"
Zazz

 

[Nevina]

"Ow!" Song gave Falsedge an indignant glare where her companion had elbowed her, "You are aware that you still don your armor, yes?" One pale, slender finger jabbed the side of the spike on Falsedge's couter, as if to push it away without dirtying her hands upon it further. Granted, she was more relieved than angry right now; when the child ran up to Falsedge before Song could stop the orc (oh, those disfigured teeth were normal? And a point of pride? Strange and fascinating..), Song feared for the child's well being. For now, she was just glad that nothing had escalated or that no angry mother descended upon them as a bear to its prey.

On the topic of parties, a flash of yearning hit the noble fae, but she just as quickly squashed the notion; of course she would be able to host festivities far superior than what these woodlanders could manage, but even Song could recognize that it was not quite the time or place, what with being fugitives on the run and all. A party hosted by Song would be the talk of the town, and songs of it's greatness would fly even back to Summena. It was an unfortunate risk that she was not willing to take. Even without a good festival, Song was determined not to be resigned to a life of dullness. For now, however, she was content with either finding their lodging or their drinks. "Well, it seems our guide has been distracted. I fear if we go to find our own drinks, we might not get the chance to see where our sleeping quarters shall be for the night."

The light fae watched the interactions of the green skinned creatures, baffled at how openly they showed affection for one another. In the noble houses of Lambent, showing emotions was regarded just fine and well, but such unbridled, genuine love for another? That just seemed risky. It then struck her as surprising once more at how similar the two countries were. These moon walkers were clearly capable of not only civilization, but care, generosity, and love. Was this one town an outlier? Perhaps it was the only town? There just wasn't enough information. Song clasped her hands under her robe, fidgeting her fingers. They had been traveling all day, been taken at arrow point, and were now thrown into an alien encampment. Perhaps what she really needed was both time and place to just.. think. To rest, eat, and think. Suddenly weary, she shook her shoulders and straightened, a polite smile back on her face as she glanced around.

 

[Flutterby]

Ora gave a restrained smile as Razah laughed, watching her with an odd expression as she turned to look at her son. The adoration in her eyes.. it was something Ora didn't see in Sumenna. She was mulling this over, committing the expression to memory and comparing it to SUmennan faces, when she realized Razah was talking about weapons. An extension of your heart, she had said. The half-dwarf literally perked up, intrigued by this approach to weapons. Her own were two straight-bladed swords, unique because she had made them for herself. She had gotten out of practice with fighting with both, but she cherished them almost as much as her mother's pendant.

Her eyebrows shot up when Razah held out the stones. Wouldn't this be something a family member should do? Ora glanced at Rossarinya, and then back to Razah, and cleared her throat.
"I-we-we would be honored," She stammered, taking the stones with only a second of hesitation. Her mind was buzzing with puzzlement. They had only just arrived.. the goddess had only just accepted them here.. and this woman was handing over a coming-of-age event, when they were perfect strangers. Cyndarans were the single strangest beings she had ever met. It was beyond overstimulating- the idea of going to a tavern started to sound less and less appealing, with the thought of a bed occurring more frequently.

Ora gave Razah a warm nod, mumbling something about going to get them, and then turned to go fetch the other three to take the trip. She walked over toward Lohr, Desrick, and Tomo, and watched with a blank face as Desrick was tickled into submission. When there was a lull, which didn't last long, she raised her voice and said,
"Tomo, your mother has said that you should be taken to go choose a weapon. We'd like to join you, if that's alright." She was intensely curious to see what kinds of weapons they made here, and to ask some questions about how. She eyed Desrick's axe- its craftsmanship was impressive- and wondered what the slighter Tomo would choose.
SilverFlight deer

 

[SilverFlight]

At the sound of his name Tomo scrambled up, his eyes wide with delight. Desrick, now free from the deft attacks of the little orc let his body go slack and lay there, spread-eagled on the ground, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.
"I want an axe! Like Desrick!" The boy yelled, unable to contain his excitement.
"That's not how this works." Desrick rumbled from his place on the square cobbles. "You don't just pick what you like, you pick what calls to you. To do that you have to try some weapons." He pointed to a vendor just by the tavern. "That stall. She makes good, heavy-handed orc-like weapons."
Desrick could watch from his place on the ground, but he sat up slowly and dusted himself off, preparing to follow.
Tomo wasted no time in rushing over, reaching for the first axe he saw...he could barely lift it and didn't see the vendor frown as he dragged it off its display. It touched the ground with a small thunk and Tomo couldn't pick it up again.
Desrick only chuckled. The boy would have to learn.

Flutterby Zazz

 

[Zazz]

Lohrithe let the large orc free with a laugh, dusting himself off as he stood. He watched as the boy ran off and dragged an axe to its doom. He sighed, clapping Desrick's shoulder, then picked up his belongings and sauntered over to the vendor's stall.

"I don't think that's quite your size," he said to Tomo the half-elf, lifting the axe with ease and returning it to its display. The drow pointed to a selection of smaller swords, and picked up a wide one, testing its weight. "Here, try this."

 

[Flutterby]

Ora watch the boy happily, her heart feeling full as he ran toward the stall. He was unaware of his status at the edge of society, an in-between person, free to revel in the love heaped upon him. It was how a child should be raised, at least while this young.
She wandered over after Lohr, glancing back once for Desrick. He was dusting himself off, and looked like he would be along shortly.
She couldnt help but chuckle, as the dropped axe almost took the child down with it. Lohr offered him a sword, but Ora chose to offer him words.

"Desrick is an axe. Large, imposing, but with a keen edge for focused strikes. An axe used improperly isnt much more than a club, but used with skill, it's as accurate as anything." She was standing next to Tomo at the stall, sweeping her eyes over the weapons. Ora leaned over a little, and said in a half-whisper with a wink, "Axes are also a little ugly, I think."

Her voice returned to a normal volume as she continued. Ora pointed to her swords, the longer at her hip and the other on her back. "I prefer two shortsworts. This one," she tapped the one at her hip, "is just a little longer, to use on it's own if I want. I'm taller than most dwarves, but not as strong, so I fight just a little differently."
She returned her eyes to the weapons, gently fingering the grip of a long sword.
"I think I agree with the orcs, that a weapon is an extension of yourself. So you should choose one for you, and only you. For the kind of warrior that you are now, and that you will grow to be."
Ora's tone was the softest it had been since entering Cyndara, softer even than when she had apologized to Lohr. She was treated this child like he was the light of the whole world, needing to be shielded and allowed to grow.
She looked at Tomo and gave him another smile, before walking a few steps away to give him room to think and choose.
SilverFlight Zazz