#ed1717
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Sept 9, 2017 19:51:41 GMT
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Lev
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August 2015
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Post by Lev on Oct 6, 2015 13:36:43 GMT
Welcome to Day 2, Ladies and Gents! The second day of the festival is dedicated to crafting, dancing, singing, and competing. Here in the Marketplace is where apple-bobbing and crafting will go on. You'll find a sister thread for competing located in the Amphitheater.. No you wont. Apologies.
If you have unfinished business in yesterday's thread - at the Courtyard - feel free to finish it up. However, DON'T introduce new interactions/posts there. That day is finished. If you didn't make it, move on.
Have fun!
It seemed like the music would never stop, treading softly through the buildings at night and skipping across the cobblestone to greet the day. Notes and chords pumped life into the streets as if they had always been there, a consistent invisible force that wasn't noticed until it stopped. One Milova's second day the Marketplace became the heart of activity in the kingdom. Stalls that sold typical good and wares the day before were cleared out, replaced or restocked with specialty products. Most of them displayed one of two products: flowers, or masks.
The most popular flowers were the apple blossoms. Apples were everywhere - on tables, in barrels, in food - standing stout but proud as the mascots of the holiday. They were a symbol of love, so their blossoms were oft used to decorate the floral crowns that young women made. It was a strange sight to see a garland without one. Dozens of species, different smells and shapes, painted the streets in a brilliant exhibition of color. In the central hub of the Marketplace, girls would monopolize wooden seats and tables to gossip and construct their crafts. Men would complain about the seating arrangements while drinking cider on the sidelines, but secretly linger to see if one of the crowns was waiting for them..
If it wasn't a crown it was a mask. The masquerade was tomorrow night, and anywho who attended wanted to wear a mask. Some had the money to buy a mask from a vendor. They weren't terribly expensive, but if you didn't have the hand or eye for creativity - or maybe just the patience - it was an alternative option. Perhaps a pair of hollow eyes are waiting for you to fill them?
Finally, a row of five water barrels were lined up near the eastern wall of the hub. With enough room to stand behind them, young men and women would line up to bob for the apples floating inside. Group by group they would plunge into the cool water - face first - and fish for a chance to impress a lover, or dream of them. The crowd would hoot and holler for each successful catch, clapping in time with the upbeat music that spurred them on.
Welcome to second day of the Rite.
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Jul 17, 2016 13:50:51 GMT
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Post by Mach2 on Oct 6, 2015 15:30:15 GMT
Sage was in good spirits. Despite her leeriness towards festivals, she had managed to enjoy herself yesterday. Baeslan had stayed quiet. She had been able to take in the sights of everyone's colourful outfits without much distraction. A charitable street vendor had slipped her some food, and waved her away when she stammered something about not being able to pay for it. The happy atmosphere had been infectious. She'd fallen asleep in a secluded alleyway just a few blocks away from the courtyard, the scents and sounds of the celebration still fresh in her mind.
And much to her delight, when she'd awoken the next morning, the Rite was still ongoing.
The crowds had vacated the courtyard, instead migrating to the heart of the Marketplace. Sage followed behind a group of giggling women for a while, managing to keep up with them just long enough to overhear where they were going. One girl spoke of a masquerade. Another described in detail the floral crown she was going to craft for her sweetheart. The third girl boasted that her lover was going to, without a doubt, win the wrestling tournament. Before too long, their pace grew too quick for Sage to keep up. Her limp caused her to fall behind, and she continued at a slow walk.
Eventually, she reached the marketplace, where the music was the loudest and the activity the busiest. As she did so, Baeslan finally spoke up in her ear. One of those girls said something about wrestling. "Oh p-p-please n-no," Sage muttered aloud, her expression momentarily crushed.
Of course Baeslan would be drawn to the only violent activity offered. She thinks her honey will win it. I bet we could crush him. Sage stared wistfully at the heart of the marketplace, where clusters of girls had gathered to craft flowers into elaborate crowns. I'm sure you could...I don't want to, though. I want to go see what they're doing with the flowers... Baeslan's chuckle sounded in her ear, and she was certain he would direct her to wherever it was that the wrestling was occurring. But instead...Go play with your flowers.
Sage needed no encouragement. As quickly as her twisted leg would allow, she was making her way over to the tables where everyone else was gathered. A quartet of finely-dressed young women had recently vacated their table in pursuit of some other interest, leaving four empty chairs, and an array of half-finished floral crowns and masks. Hesitantly, but excitedly, Sage lowered herself into one of the chairs. She picked up a crown that consisted of apple blossoms braided together with lengths of green grass, and turned it over in her hand. She scarcely had the confidence to attempt to make something herself, but looking at others' creations was satisfying in its own way. She set the apple-blossom crown down and delicately picked up a chain of flowers. Apple blossoms, again, this time interwoven with lilacs and lavender.
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#ed1717
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Sept 9, 2017 19:51:41 GMT
5
Lev
191
August 2015
admin
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Post by Lev on Oct 6, 2015 16:44:08 GMT
"Milady, you spoil me with yer compliments! Please, don'pay. 'Ave another slice o'pie, and take a candied apple t'yer sweetart," the jovial woman said with a toothy smile. She was a round specimen draped in thick layers of red and creme, looking surprisingly cool for being around the warm kitchen that housed her treats. Unlike the other vendors that had their goods pre-made, Buntie Baker and her family made them on the spot. Of course, their bakery was already located at the center of the Marketplace and sold treats year round. With her loud, cheery personality and the popularity of her shop it was difficult for other sellers to gain an advantage without lowering their prices dramatically.
Theolandra pushed her coins over the counter anyway, ignoring Buntie's protests. "Absolutely not. You deserve every earning for these treats," she praised. Wrapped in a thin piece of paper were two halves of an apple, drizzled with chocolate and sticky-sweet sap. Neala gladly accepted them while Theolandra held her second slice of apple pie. "Thank you again." Then she left, heading for the nearest empty table as the gaggle of giggling girls parted to clear her path. Luga's unwelcoming face managed to keep them at a distance.
"Excuse me, may I join you here?" The trio looked down where Sage sat. Luga quickly stole his attention away and back to the other girls, his gaze like an invisible flyswatter, and Neala tilted her head curiously. She caught just a glimpse of the girl's dress under the tabletop, wondering why it folded so strangely, but keeping her questions locked away.
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Jul 17, 2016 13:50:51 GMT
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Mach2
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August 2015
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Post by Mach2 on Oct 6, 2015 18:06:58 GMT
They're so pretty. Sage set down the wreath of apple blossoms, lavender, and lilac, having carefully examined the manner in which it was woven together. She was like a child on Christmas morning, taking delight in the very simplest pleasures that the world had to offer. She no longer cared that her bland clothing didn't fit in with everyone else's celebratory attire. She could still enjoy herself. They smell...
She had just extended a hand to reach for another half-constructed chain of flowers when a voice sounded from beside the table. "Excuse me, may I join you here?" A half-second passed by. How rude. She's talking to you.
Only after Baeslan chided her did Theolandra's words register in Sage's ear. She stopped, hand extended towards the flowers, and looked up. Her gaze met Theolandra's, who, she realized, had indeed been speaking to Sage.
"A-a-a-..." For a moment, words stubbornly refused to come. The slight anxiety as a result of her minor social faux-pas was enough to set Sage's stutter into overdrive. It was a small blessing that she didn't know Theolandra's status within the Kingdom. Had Sage known that she was speaking with the most revered individual in Etirath, she likely wouldn't have been able to get a word out. "Y-yes. N-no one's sit-t-tting h-here," she finally answered.
Her eyes moved momentarily to Theolandra's two companions, but she found herself unable to hold either of their intimidating gazes for more than a few moments before having to look back down at the flowers littered across the tabletop. "I-I was lo-look-king at what p-p-peop-ple made," she explained, glancing up once again and offering a small smile to her new tablemates.
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#ea7ca1
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Jan 27, 2019 20:04:50 GMT
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Leb
The loneliest are the kindest. The saddest smile the brightest. The most damaged are the wisest.
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August 2015
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Post by Leb on Oct 7, 2015 8:17:28 GMT
Loretta walked the market area alone with a smile on her face. She greeted the colorful passerby as they greeted her in turn. Today was a busy morning for Loretta as it would be the first time she made a flower wreath on her own without the help of her sisters. And she hoped a certain someone she held deerly to her would accept her gift. Unfortunately her father disapproves of him and voiced his thoughts with her. He explained how he was nothing but trouble and he'll only endanger her safety. The scars and tattoos that littered his naked body. The man had no decency for gods sake! And Loretta would plead to him, to give Eoin a chance, but her father was more stubborn than an old goat. And because he disliked the faun, he pushes Loretta to meet other fine gentleman with the intention to get her mind away from him, yet Loretta would not choose them over Eoin.
She was nervous about the little project and scoured the market for the nearest florist. She shook her thoughts away as she glanced over the flowers that smelled so vibrantly. Tulips, Roses, Carnations, Hyacinth, Peonies, Orchids, Lilies, and all sorts of others littered the table. However a vase filled with purple lilacs had caught her eye. They were simple yes but they came in bundles together so needn't worry about purchasing enough flowers. She even had Manzanita branches to help start off with the making of the base.
"I see you have an eye for the simple beauty.." The florist beamed to Loretta as she paired the Lilacs with the bendable branch. "For your first time, I'll give it to ya for a couple a coins."
Loretta's cheeks tinged to a light pink and gladly took the woman's offer. She searched her red skirt for coinage and found plenty she could spare for the festivities. Ever since she had began work at The Horse Head, she had been able to indulge herself with her earnings, especially for the festival. Handing over the coins, Loretta quickly scanned the area for open seats so that she may work on her gift.
Just beyond a decorated tree, Loretta found herself an open seat at the wooden tables usually meant for outside lunches and picnics. There she excitedly began her project. She wound the bendy branch into the ring formation and tied a knot at the ends where the excess wrapped its way back into the wreath. With careful ministrations, Loretta plucked each flower with care and wove them into the entwining branches she braided together tightly. It was a lovely crown and Loretta searched for something else she could add to it. Vines would be nice if she could find any. But alas, no luck as she searched frantically about the market area for any hint of vines being sold or any wild vine for that matter. Perhaps she should find an alternative to her dilemma.
As she looked at the decorated tree in thought, she watched the colorful ribbons sway in the wind when a thought occurred. Ribbons! Loretta quickly searched her person for her spare ribbon and found her favorite green ribbon. It was special and something personal of hers and she felt it unique because of it. Taking her time to prepare the flower crown, Loretta had spent a good decent chunk of her morning time for the simple crown. The girl wrapped the green ribbon tightly around as it complimented the purple hue of the tinted lilacs. She nervously cradled her masterpiece and wondered where Eoin could be. For all she knew, the faun did not partake in festivities of Etirath. But that didn't mean she couldn't hope to run into him at some point.
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Aug 15, 2015 17:44:50 GMT
August 2015
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Post by Guest on Oct 8, 2015 15:57:50 GMT
Willem sat near the middle of the outdoor table with a disgruntled look on his face. He wasn't bothered by the day or the crowds. He wasn't itching to get away from his sisters and their indomitable desire for sweets. In truth he was nearly hellbent on staying by their sides.. especially Arista's. While the other girls focused on perfecting their individual masks for the upcoming masquerade, Arista was working on a crown. For who? That's what made Willem's shoulder blades itch. He didn't know. Vivienne didn't even know! She was supposed to know everything he didn't! Maybe she just wasn't telling him. Trying to remember the meaning of each individual flower was giving the man a headache. They weren't the flowers he was expecting to see so that made it even more challenging. A small voice pleaded for his attention. The littlest DeCarlisle was sitting in his lap and growing frustrated with her failed attempts.
"Will, help me. I can't make the flowers stick to the mask," Corianne mewled.
"It's leather, Cori. Flowers won't stick to it with spit. You have to sew them on.. like this." Experienced hands seized the little mask and grabbed some sewing material from the middle of the table.
At a glance the other girls' masks were coming out great. Willem was lucky to have a friendship with the leather-worker. Otherwise he would've had to buy masks from a shop around the market. The girls had an eye for fancy things and fancier things didn't come cheap.. But they seemed even happier to have created their own. Together the brood had such a wealth of creativity that made Willem so proud. Dalia made a half-mask with what looked like butterfly wings and a thing veil draping off of the bottom. Heidi and Elise were decorating identical cat masks. Vivienne wasn't a fan of wearing animal faces, so hers was simple and covered in floral designs. Willem could spot one or two dragonfly wings, though. Katherine was decorating hers with some striped bird feathers she found the week before.
"There. Now you keep going," he said to Corianne after sewing the first patch of flowers on. While she struggled Willem looked around. People had come and gone since the last time her looked up. But he noticed one face. Loretta was sitting at a nearby table crafting her own floral crown. He couldn't help wondering who it was for..
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#ed1717
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1
Sept 9, 2017 19:51:41 GMT
5
Lev
191
August 2015
admin
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Post by Lev on Oct 8, 2015 17:19:50 GMT
"Thank you," she said, taking a moment to gather her dress and bundle it comfortably underneath the table's edge.
Neala took her seat also, to the left of the Lady, leaving an empty space between the queen and the mousy girl. Luga preferred to stand, keeping his back to the table so his disapproving eyes could monitor the crowd that would gather. Something about the queen wearing common clothes made the rabble feel more forward about approaching her, which Luga didn't condone in the slightest. Even men felt bold enough to approach her with invitations to dance at the masquerade. Much to his dismay it was exactly what Lady Theolandra enjoyed about the holiday, so he would have deal with it and the 'rabble'.
At the table, Theolandra pretended not to notice the stutter, speaking with Sage as nonchalantly as she had before. "Yes, they're quite beautiful aren't they? I've seen some gorgeous crowns. Where is yours? Are you planning on buying one instead?" Blue eyes watched and waited for a response, appraising the unfamiliar face that sat before her. Something felt strange about the girl's presence, but in the midst of the noise and celebration, Theolandra couldn't decided what it was - or if the feeling was even coming from and not somebody else..
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#ea7ca1
5
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Jan 27, 2019 20:04:50 GMT
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Leb
The loneliest are the kindest. The saddest smile the brightest. The most damaged are the wisest.
223
August 2015
leb
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Post by Leb on Oct 8, 2015 21:38:37 GMT
Loretta watched the crowds endlessly as the people meandered around, searching and hoping for what felt like eons. She hadn't seen Eoin at all yesterday and thought maybe he missed it perhaps. Or maybe he had other plans? Or possibly he refused to take part in the festivities? Loretta lowered her gaze as she stared past her crafted garland. Her mind was elsewhere as she stared off into space. Thoughts began to circulate as she wondered and contemplated. She wondered whether he was out looking for her or enjoying himself. Wondered if he was thinking about her just as she was thinking about him. If he was even here at all or here with another woman. The thought of seeing him at the side of another woman left a pang in her heart. Her head hung low as her face fell sullen. Her sloping shoulders sagged even more-so as they felt weighted down by her sadness. Her vision blurred when tiny plops landed on the wooden table. She didn't mean to cry in public, especially on such happy festivities, but she couldn't stop them from flowing no matter how hard she tried. She covered her face with hands in shame but made no move to leave. Running away wouldn't help, nor would knocking into someone blinded by tears either. Instead she tried to think of something else.
It was strange, everything was too quiet and only the nearing footsteps could be heard. Gasps and whispers traveled around before they were hushed away and Loretta, having already forgotten her woes, looked around curiously. Someone dressed in a cloak and masked walked towards her. No, not her, someone from the table behind her. Several girls sat together with someone she's seen before. Who was he again? Brown locks and a large frame. She couldn't put a name with his face and unconsciously stared at him with confused eyes. It didn't register that the cloaked man neared and bowed gracefully offering a red haired girl a single red rose. She could've sworn meeting this girl before but the memory seems too far long ago.
"Miss Arista DeCarlisle-"
DeCarlisle? She's heard of the surname before. Loretta never heard the rest of the statement as she was watching the man who sat in the table with the girls once more. Her eyes widened as a blush crept onto her cheeks as she realized who he was. Willem! It was Willem from the bathhouse! She burned with shame and looked away from him as the memories she repressed came forth. How could she possibly face anyone with her mind in such a place!?
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Aug 15, 2015 17:44:50 GMT
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Post by Guest on Oct 8, 2015 23:47:15 GMT
Willem's stare could freeze Den's proverbial fire. Slouched posture was abandoned for militant stiffness when the young suitor stopped in front of the family table. What kind of fool would stick his neck out into such dangerous territory? Everyone knew the captain and the captain knew almost everyone. The only thing more common-knowledge than his face was the protective stance he took over his sisters. But this wasn't a real fool was it? A false face, a cloaked form, and an unrecognizable voice. A new word clouded Willem's mind more than the defensive ire clouded his eyes. Coward..
The girls acted quite contrary to their brother's stoic appearance. A chorus of giggles erupted around the redhead in question. Younger mouths even added some rowdy hoots to taunt and encourage a response! Their enthusiasm only served to ignite the crowd around them. The onlookers became more anxious by the second. Willem would strike down their support if he could manage to tear his eyes away from the mystery man. His eyes weren't the only ones locked onto the masked figure. Arista was enthralled..
"I.."
You? You what? What do you want to do, fool? With her brother watching and an audience egging on the interaction Arista could hardly think straight! How could she say no? That would be so embarrassing for the masked man.. Did she really want to, say no? Excitement expanded in her chest and hovered in her throat until she thought she might explode. She knew how she wanted to respond. A gardenia blossom was nestled loosely in the center of her floral crown. Secret love..
After taking the rose from her masked suitor's hand she gently placed the gardenia in his palm. Complete silence allowed everyone to hear her say, "I will dance with you."
It hard to describe the kind of noise that followed. You had to be there to truly enjoy such a glorious communal sound. Unless you were Willem..
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Jul 17, 2016 13:50:51 GMT
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August 2015
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Post by Mach2 on Oct 9, 2015 3:55:48 GMT
Sage watched the trio take their places at the table. The two women sat down, while the much more intimidating man turned his back to them, keeping an eye on the crowd. The crippled girl seemed to relax just slightly, the pressure of attempting to meet his gaze removed. But there was still conversation for her to stumble her way through. And, as ever, Baeslan was listening the whole time, ready to make a snide comment if she slipped up.
"Yes, they're quite beautiful aren't they? I've seen some gorgeous crowns. Where is yours? Are you planning on buying one instead?"
Sage looked down at the crowns again, picking up the one woven of apple blossoms and grasses, and turning it over in her hands. At the thought of attempting to make her own, the weave looked even more complicated than before. And we know you won't be buying one. Her expression fell just slightly, almost imperceptibly, unless someone was paying close attention. She looked up at Theolandra once more. "Wh-what are they f-for?" she asked, genuinely curious.
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