The Pumpkin Décor [Kail D’Rea, Nathan, Taith]

[Cachet]

The Pumpkin Décor Date: To Be Determined The day had only begun and there was plenty to be done. Fall was nearly half over now and there was still so much to decorate. Sure some of the tapestry and the likes had been hung already. But as of now there was still as usual much to be done. Many had been pulled from the library to go from usual copying duties to the making of intricate signs and the likes. There were a few Konti women directing the entire coordination and the reason for such was obvious; so none asked questions and all pitched in what they could to prepare for the festival. There was a table near the towns center with intricate wooden signs laid out on it as well as a set of quills and paintbrushes. One of the women would stop by every now and then to make sure everything was getting done and correctly and would also write down a few new things to put on the street signs. One woman was already sitting at the table. Her job was to beautify the signs before they went up. Painting them with pumpkins and the like. But the woman who was supposed to be here painting the wording on the signs…well they didn’t have a clue where she was right now. And they needed to get this moving. The woman stopped by. “Where is she?” The other woman knew exactly who she was talking about. She shrugged. “I don’t know.” She answered as the overseer then nodded and looked around. ”I know how to remedy this keep busy I shall return.” And with that she walked toward the library. She didn’t bother talking to the woman at the desk, no she knew where to find those skilled in calligraphy and it wasn’t behind the front desk. She instead looked about for anyone copying a book. And then found Kail. She approached. “We are in need of a copyist to make signs for the festivities,” she paused for effect then added ”desperately. I see you are skilled will you aid me?” She prompted as she then waited for a reply. Elsewhere in the city one of the women saw Nathan walking by. He seemed out of place and in need of something to do. Idle hands were dangerous playthings after all. “You….yes you.” She said motioning toward the teenager with her hand gently. She smiled as he approached…that irresistible pearlescent Konti smile. She brushed some of her long white blond tendrils from her face and then spoke. ”Are you here for the festivities?” She asked politely because many did indeed travel to the Isle when the festival was held. It was a joyous time for all to interact and praise whatever god or goddess they wished. All if they really felt the need to. ”We could use someone to put up signs for things…if a meal and enjoyment are payment enough for you.”She smiled, truth was she didn’t look any older than he was. But then again neither did any of the other women here.

[Kail D'Rea]

35th day of fall 511

Looking up from her work, Kail quickly readjusted her thoughts from the intricate writing of the book before her. They quickly turned to the Pumpkin Festival. Kail had been excited to go and help, but not so excited as to be on time for work the morning they called for volunteers and her tardiness meant that another girl got the job. Kail couldn’t really mind, she was late because she was spending as much time with Taith as possible during his short visit, but she now felt lucky to be needed. “I would love to help. I can do both copying and writing and I’m good at calligraphy too, if you need anything special.” Kail smiled brightly and followed the woman out of the library. It was going to be nice to work outdoors and with other people excited about the festival.

As she approached the work area, Kail observed the busy hustle and that all the equipment she needed was there. She was ready to dive right in and get to work, she just needed a little direction and to know what needed to be done. She smiled at the other Konti working on various projects as she approached the empty spot at the table with the equipment that was all too familiar to her. It looked like there was a lot to be done. Kail listened to the directions and the list of things to do, then she focused on the task of creating signs and banners that would add to the function and festivity of the upcoming celebration.

This was the kind of work Kail loved. It was a chance to really practice her craft in a way that everyone could enjoy. She focused on each letter, lovingly creating the beautiful swirls that made the writing a pleasure to look at, while also keeping it clear and legible from a distance. This was a fine line that Kail loved to practice, adding swirls at the beginning, the end, under or above the actual script, but not putting them anywhere that would interfere with the real word. She was glad to have a little freedom as well. Copying was great, but she had her own style and creativity that didn’t always get the workout they needed. This was a perfect project to make her own. The smile continued to linger on her lips.

[Nathan Longstride]

Taith, I guess you could be with me since we were on the same ship together, and you journeyed with me this day, or you could appear with Kail since you know her IC. Don't matter to me.

On the fifth day of visiting Mura, Nathan found himself for the second time since arriving without something to do. The past few days had been all about the Pumpkin festival, working with some different things. He felt the need to help the Konti with their preparation, and had throughly enjoyed it. But now walking through the streets. Nathan wore his deep pocket robe with his three daggers in pockets close at hand, with a linen shirt and brown breeches underneath that weren't visible to the eyes of those walking around him. At the moment, his hands were in his pockets, fingering the hilts, while he watched the city's citizens bustle through their daily routine. All except one Konti though, who picked him out of the crowd, and came up to speak to him. She motioned for him to come closer with a slight twist from her slender wrist, along with a pearly, white smile. Oh how Nathan enjoyed just looking at those smiles. But he grinned back, coming up to her. She continued to speak, and Nathan's grin shrunk just a little, learning that he wasn't going to steal a kiss from those nice lips. Instead she was looking for help in the Pumpkin festival, putting up signs, with food and enjoyment as payment. Nathan scratched his chin, thinking it over. He wondered why he kept getting thrown into these situations, until finally deciding that Kelwyn themselves offered him these opportunties. Sending up a silent praise to his deities, Nathan shrugged to the woman. He didn't want to look too eager, or he might never get off the isle. But was that a punishment, with all the beatiful women? "Sure, I'll help set up signs. Not the best artist, or an artist at all, but it sounds fun. And random." Stepping up the woman, he waited for her to lead him to where ever she wanted him to go.

[Taithrosa Eldytia]

Taithrosa had only been in town for a few days and had already spent all of that time with Kail, so it was that again today he made his way to the library were he expected to find Kail at work. Needless to say he was suprised when he saw her walking across the temple grounds away from the library.

The Akalak paused and then went to follow her as she headed towards the center of the pumpkin festival planning grounds. She hadn't mentioned anything about being involved, but hey they had plenty of others things to talk about.

He paused the the festival preperations area and looked around interested in all that was going on around him. His silver eyes trying to take everything in.

[Cachet]

The woman lead Nathan right to the booth where Kail was sitting making signs. “Ok what I need you to do is go around and take the signs she makes and put them where they belong. It will have the wording in Kontinese and Common so you should be able to easily put them where they belong. If you need anything else the woman in charge will be by shortly.” She said as she would take her leave if that was all. Kail had a list before her listing all the signage she would need to make. All of them simple listing shops and the like that would need to have some sort of direction toward them from the center of the town. There were markings on the signs that said what side the pointed end of the sign had to be on. After all the signs would have to point the right way to get anyone to where they needed to be. It was during this time that the Isle experienced the greatest influx of people for festivities. Well that and it was a good time for Konti to come back from their many adventures and spend a few weeks at home. And sometimes when being away some Konti forgot where things were. Especially since some shops were seasonal. As Kail finished the signs she would hand them over to her right and that woman would decorate them as she saw need be. Mayhaps Nathan would have to ask for direction or something of the likes. But regardless there were indeed things to be done. The woman in charge came by and nodded. “Marvelous.” She said as she then looked to Nathan. “And we have a runner too, well looks like we are ready to go.”[b] She looked up and there was Taith she smiled and nodded. [b] “You, yes you. We have some things we need hung up. Your height would greatly assist us if you wouldn’t mind.” She said even though it sounded like a request Taith would know it was more of a ‘come along now’ kind of gesture. It was true with his height he could reach and hang things far higher than the smaller Konti women could themselves. And that was an advantage she planned to use while he was around. If Nathan continued he would be handed three signs. Each of them heading toward the same place, the Silver Velispar Emporium. They had arrows on them two pointing right and one pointing left. This told Nathan nothing and while he was pondering everything the woman who beautified the signs smiled and handed him two pieces of parchment. “Here, it’s a city map and directions. Move from here North until you reach the first wooden signpost. There are some nails and a hammer there, hang the appropriate sign there and then move in the direction.” Nathan would notice the second parchment read as follows… North, 1st signpost then right, second signpost then left second signpost then right. If the directions weren’t good enough he was sure the woman who handed him the parchment and directions could clarify things for him. But in all the directions had locations listed it was only a matter of matching up the signs to the directions given. And if he got lost the map would help him get back. Well the Konti around him would surely help as well. They all seemed nice enough to be of any assistance Nathan would need.

[Kail D'Rea]

Looking over the list of signs, Kail sighed. The work was easy and she got to spend the day out doors. This was going to be relaxing, even with the strange man standing near her. He was going to be dispatched as soon as she was done, so she could settle in the write the signs with no distractions, she would work steadily, but at a leisurely pace, taking pleasure in the details and relative speed with which each task was completed. Kail was in such a good mood, she decided to look at the new comer and offer a warm smile. It was nice to see outsiders here, and helping them all get ready for the festival. As she smiled at him, she noticed that he looked young and seemed nice enough.

Kail wondered vaguely wondered why he was here and if he was feeling welcome, but she didn't ask. She was distracted by the sudden as unexpected intrusion of her large blue fiancé into her frame of vision. What as Taith doing here? She waited for the other woman to stop talking, then realized he was about to be lead away. Well, she was busy; it probably wasn't a bad thing if he was too. Still, she would have liked a hello. Her mood not quite so good, she turned back to her signs.

[Nathan Longstride]

Nathan was led by the woman to a booth where yet another Konti was hard at work. It seemed since arriving five days ago that the Konti were always hard at work for their Pumpkin festival. And the young Zeltivan was putting in time of his own to help these beautiful women with the decorating. "Women were like roses. Both a beatiful gift and a thorn in the side of every man." That was one of his father's favorite sayings along with the one that always came after the previous saying. "This is why roses always come with a wrap around them. Provide protection, and you survive without holey hands." The woman explained what was to be done, and Nathan nodded. As long as it was in comman, he could handle it. So he stuck his hands in his pockets, fingering the hilts of his daggers while he waited for the two women to finish the sheets he needed to do. The one writing directions on the sheets smiled at him, and Nathan could feel his cheeks warming. Why must beautiful women smile at him? And why must it feel both good and bad? A woman who radiated authority walked up, admiring the women's work, and naming Nathan a runner. But that was all she did, turning towards a tall blue man that Nathan had gotten to know since leaving Zeltiva. He was unsure why Master Eldytia was out and about. But he did feel sorry that he got caught up in this. But he was a big man, so he could handle it. Before the blue man left with the woman, Nathan gave a slight wave, and a slight greeting. "Good morning, Master Eldytia." Slips of parchment were thrusted gently into his hands by the Konti working along with the one who smiled at him. She explained what he was suppose to do, and went back to her work. Which forced Nathan to read a second paper, which told him which direction to face the signs. With a nod of understanding, Nathan turned, and headed north. It took Nathan only a few chimes to arrive to the first signpost, where hammer and nails were resting, waiting for the poor sap to get thrown into using them. Shifting through his signs, he noticed that two of the three both pointed right, so he just picked one at random. Picking up the hammer, he stuck a nail in his mouth, and held up the nail. A few solid drives later with the head of the hammer, and the sign was hanging near perfect, pointing right, directions to the Silver Velispar Emporium. Carrying the hammer and nails along with the map, directions, and his remaining signs, Nathan did the same at the next two signposts. It was easy work, with quick results, until finally Nathan found himself walking towards the Emporium with only the hammer, the map, and directions. Maybe it was fate that sent him towards the building for which he was holding up directions for. Or maybe Kelwyn just wanted him to work more, so they could watch him blush at every look from the women. "Women were as common as the cold, and they heated your cheeks just as easily."

[Taithrosa Eldytia]

Taithrosa was completely caught by surprise when the woman started "requesting" his help. He didn't mind helping espeically since it was true his height would allow him to hand a lot of tall things, and usually it then allowed him to hit his head on them later. He nodded as she motioned for him to follow her, but he quickly stepped over and gave Kail a kiss. "Hi Love, be back." He waved to Nathan. "Good to see you here." And then he went over to help with the hanging things up.

[Cachet]

Kail The list of signs was somewhat extensive, but it would indeed decorate the streets very well. Many who left the Isle came back after being away. And some had been gone for a long time and may have forgotten where things were on the isle. Also there were a good amount of visitors just like Nathan who came to the isle if only for a short period to give thanks to the gods and take place in the festivities. It was well known that Fall was indeed the time to be on the Isle if you liked festivities. Many sailors spread the word to ports and for some reason trade increased drastically during all of Fall. Which was good because they needed an influx of goods right before Winter. There was another woman with Kail sitting just beside her who beautified the signs. She drew pumpkins and such on the signs to help keep the theme up. After about the third sign the woman spoke to Kail. “Your writing is beautiful.” She complimented as she continued her miniscule job of decorating the signs with paint. They were working well and it seemed they would have all this done easily and above all on time. This would make the woman orchestrating the entire thing quite happy. She had been putting off doing the signage because so much else had to be done. And now that she found a runner she was sure it would get done quickly. Nathan There seemed to be a bountiful amount of beautiful women around…especially today for some reason. Maybe he was just noticing all of them? Or maybe there really were more women than normal about. It didn’t matter which. His signs took him to the Silver Velispar Emporium. He had a feeling he knew he was approaching when he came to an overly ornate bridge crossing a waterway. The bridge itself was shaped like a giant stone lizard with its two clawed feet at one side of the crossing and the other two on the other side. As he walked across to put his last sign down he would notice that both sides of the bridge were identical. He noticed the emerald eyes and startling ivory teeth, almost as if the giant creature was grimacing at him. But there in the center of the bridge on a spurt was the shop. At the very apex of the bridge itself. The shop was ornate made in the same stone as the bridge and even lined in intricate gold work every here and there. But what was very impressive was that there were a few narrow tables laid out on the walkways with very interesting items on them. If Nathan looked hard enough it was indeed possible that he would find anything his heart desired…and possibly even more. It seemed this shop sold odds and ends with nothing in particular taking precedence over anything else. He could also smell the wonderful incense wafting over the breeze from the inside of the store. It smelt like ornate vanilla, unlike anything he had ever smelt before. It was now that past him walked a small troupe of Konti women. God they all looked as young as he did. How was this possible? But one of them looked at Nathan with deep wonderful seafoam colored eyes and blew him a gentle kiss as they passed by. It seemed the women here did indeed enjoy torturing the men who visited them. She then walked back and gently spoke to Nathan in common. Her voice like a wonderful lullaby whispered into his ear. Seductive yes, and so calming. “You missed your last signpost.” She said as she pointed to it with a giggle. Women were indeed a distraction. As he walked by he would again get a good look at the tables laid out for visitors to easily see. It seemed if there was something Nathan was looking for or needed it would be possible to find it here. Taith The woman was gentle with him. His height was especially useful. There were just places that the shorter Konti women couldn’t easily reach. As Taith walked up he saw a group of Konti women wrestling a ladder only for one to tap her partner and point to Taith. The woman giggled and shook her head. “Well better him than us.” She said as the two then pulled down the ladder and went back to doing other things. Taith was handed wonderful banner after wonderful banner to hang. All of them made of absolutely wonderful material that was pleasant to touch. The artwork on them was astounding as well. Each of them depicting a different god or goddess. Taith was handling Rak’keli’s banner right now. It showed several scenes of the masses of the injured being healed and also showed a glorified picture of what Rak’keli looked like.

[Kail D'Rea]

Kail glanced at the woman next to her, slightly surprised. She and the other copyist in the library usually didn't speak while working to avoid loss of concentration and mistakes. Still, while unusual for her, Kail did not resent the intrusion into her focus. After all, the work was easy and was confident she could make great signs and talk to this friendly woman. She looked at her and smiled in return. "Thank you. I'm a copyist, so this sort of thing comes naturally. Obviously you are an artist, with such quick, but skillful decorations. They are really making the signs interesting. I'm Kail, by the way." Kail smiled again.

She thought back over her comments: had they been what she intended as polite and friendly conversation? With her mind still lingering on Taith's thoughtfulness in greeting her, she wasn't sure she was focused enough to say the right things to start a new friendship, even one that might only last a day. She thought she said the right thing, though, so she was relaxed and still working and she waited to see what the woman would say, pushing aside the thought she had to ask Taith who the new stranger was. Maybe she would remember later.