[Riverfall Event] The Riverfall Kite Festival (Open)

[Gossamer]

Timestamp: 50th of Spring, 512 AV Location: Riverfall Beach Status: Open Fee: 5 GM Once a year in the spring, Windsinger Kites puts on a festival to honor Zulrav and bring out their new kites. The beach below Riverfall comes alive with bright silk and sleek elegant forms carving their way through the sky. Joy fills the air, the sounds of laughter, and even the rare merriment of children. The festival itself costs money to attend, but it is definitely money well spent because festival goers can enjoy endless food, drink, and entertainment. Each of them receives a kit as well, if they request it, so they can build and fly their own kites. The beach below Windsinger Kites is divided into three areas. The first is a food area where giant pit bbq's have been dug and are busy roasting cows, pigs and clams. Dozens of kegs are tapped and the drink is free flowing. Musicians play leaving an area open for dancing. There are even people building sandcastles and decorating them as well. Further out though, next to the water, is where the real mastery begins. Kite enthusiasts fill the sky with bright cheerful kites and dark dangerous ones. Silken string fill the sky giving the beach an odd appearance of having silken konti-like hair tethering bright kite gems to the Semele's body. There is much joy and wonder at this festival as people buy and sell kites, try out new styles, and just relax in the mid spring air. The festivities will go on late into the night, with the evening kites lit up and illuminated in various ways so that the fliers can keep flying even after dark. Lanterns, tethered to bright windsocks, will keep the place lit up along with bonfires late into the evening. A small booth takes the coin and passes out the kite kits, showing people worktables where they can assemble their kites and paint them if they'd like. Prizes are given out for the best kites created from kits, best paint jobs, and of course best sandcastles.

[Vor]

Perched above the beach atop one of the buildings that make up the Overlook Apartments, Vor looked out on the sands below; a soft ocean breeze rustling his feathers lightly. There were people milling about, setting up some tables and laying items out on them. Cocking his head to the side, Vor watched the people and wondered what exactly was going on. Often he watched the citizens of Riverfall go about their daily routines but this was different. What started out as a few people early on, began to grow into a larger crowd. People were releasing some odd objects into the air connected to a string. Kites. These he knew about, saw occasionally yet never dealt with personally. The sounds of laughter and merriment were carried on the breeze and Vor listened, focusing on the voices. He heard many a mention of a festival and his interest was peaked. Though he knew of festivals, he never had been a part of one held in Riverfall before. He also caught mention of the festival being a way of honoring, Zulrav. That was indeed a name Vor knew well. There had been something about this day that Vor found feeling a bit different but he couldn't put words to it until he heard Zulrav's name. As a Stormwarden, it would not be right for Vor to simply watch the events below transpire without him. Stretching his wings, Vor hopped over to the edge of the building he was on, looked down at the alley between apartments, then jumped. Rapidly flapping his wings in a slowed decent, he landed in the alley. With everyone collecting on the beach, the alley was quiet and he was alone. His feathered body began swirling with golden light, starting at his feet and quickly racing up to his head. As the lights moved up his body, talons immediately gave way to human feet and avian legs followed suit. It all happened in but a moment with the last part of the transformation being feathered, beaked head giving way to long, golden brown hair and a pleasantly sculpted human face. The only thing that remained the same in both forms was the small pack Vor carried on his back; sized to accommodate his transformations. From the pack, Vor retrieved a lightweight, black robe which he then put on. Stretching his arms and legs and taking a few steps, he allowed a moment or two to get used to his human form as it had been awhile since he had used it. It was a relatively short walk to where this festival was taking place. The sand of the beach was warm as it filled the spaces between his toes. Vor stopped and wiggled his toes in the sand. The feeling was unique, one he had felt before but not often. A couple of people passed him on their way to a small booth not far away. Vor watched as they stopped, handed someone standing next to the booth a few coins and received some strange items of some sort. The couple then walked over to another table and began tinkering with something. Vor followed suit and made his way over to the booth. He mirrored what the people before him did and he handed the person at the booth five mizas. In turn he was given an odd collection of items and was directed to a large nearby table. Vor smiled, gave his thanks and walked over to the table. He sat the bundle down and looked at the other people and what they were doing. It looked like they were building kites out of the bundle of pieces and parts they were given. There was all manner of materials laid out and available for use. Vor couldn't help but watch the different people put their kites together. It was an idea to marvel; people who would never know the thrill of flying, getting a taste of it through flying a kite. If they could do it, certainly he could, couldn't he? Looking then at his own bundle of pieces, Vor wondered what kind of kite to make. He had never built a kite before but as he noted the way others were working on theirs as well as seeing other kites flying above, an idea began to form. He would build a kite that represented something he was intimately familiar with. An idea in mind, now all he had to do if figure out where to start.

[Laeli]

Laeli had followed along with her two younger brothers to the beach. The kite festival had always been a favorite of all the children in her family, though Falen and Berel had outgrown it somewhat, a few years back. This year, it seemed heartless in a way, to be making and flying the brightly colored bits of papers and wood and cord, when the storm had taken so much from so many. The news that kept trickling in from the grasslands about this pavilion or that Drykas who had been confirmed well and truly lost, was disheartening. On the other hand, as her mother had pointed out, people were in need of some joy, some happiness. The mind and soul needed relief from sorrow and fear. Festivals such as the the one being held on the beach refreshed the spirit and gave some comfort, a reaffirmation of the continuation of life in the face of death. Pella had encouraged Laeli to go with Andyl and Oren, and Laeli had reluctantly agreed. Now that she was here, having paid over the price of attendance and received her own kit, she looked about and did, in fact, feel better. Her brothers had rushed off, bursting with design plans and the competitive spirit that imbued all of Eben Stormfast’s children. Laeli though, hesitated. She was really getting a bit old for this. Maybe she would just watch, and not try to build anything. Beside, she was rather hopeless when it came to such things. Her hands were agile but her knowledge of aerodynamics was pretty much nil. She knew a kite needed a tail and . . . that was about it. As she surveyed the people who were working on hopeful entries, she saw one man* who was just beginning. He had an intent, focused look which the girl interpreted as meaning that he knew what he planned on doing and was going to do it. Stepping a bit closer, she watched him for a moment. Laeli was not a shy person and seldom hesitated to speak to anyone if the moment seemed appropriate. The man seemed busy, but as he paused for a moment, she addressed him. “Do you know anything about kites? My brother’s have run off and left me to my own talents, here.” She smiled and laughed at herself. “And those are non-existent.” Her eyes went to the items he had lain out on the table. “Maybe I’ll just watch and cheer you on. Do you mind?” *Vor

[Raiha]

They needed a break. It had been a busy season so far, and they were barely halfway through. However, as Raiha kept telling herself and anyone who listened, they had survived. They were rebuilding. What they were making now would be different, but structurally a marked improvement from what they had built together over the years. As Raiha kept saying, too, there was nothing like hard work to get over disappointment and heartbreak.

Of course, then you needed fun, rest, and relaxation to get over hard work. It was an unending cycle. She was somewhat surprised to hear that the festival was being held, but this was something that the whole city needed - celebration of life, unity, and togetherness. As such, she was dressed for the party, with her bright crimson and gold tiered skirts that reached her ankles, along with a more fitted cotton sleeveless blouse, white with red stitching. Secured around her waist was a bright silk sash, folded enough to make it look more like a belt than the shawl it would become in the evening when the sun went down and the winds picked up. Her long white hair was braided from her hairline to join into a single fishbone plait, interwoven with coloured ribbons. Her attire was different from her usually-preferred darker colours, her browns and dark greens and blues and blacks. But it was a festival on the beach. It wouldn’t do to be dressed from head to toe in black. She stood out enough as it was as an Akontak.

Citrine eyes roved around the gathering as she handed over the admission price, watching and listening, her eyes wide at the spectacle. It had to be said, Windrunner Kites definitely knew how to throw a party. There was so much to see, and while she had never flown a kite in her life, this seemed as good a time as any to learn and try. She declined one of the kits, for now, but she’d come back to it. Right now, she wanted to have a look around and see what was what, and get some juice. There was too much of a crowd around the tables for her liking, but she could, however, go and get dirty with the sand castles. She neatly sidestepped around a pair of running children, sweeping her skirts out of the way and grinning after them

Remind me again why we didn’t bring Kiwidinok, Kanikra sighed, thinking about her sister's golden eagle as they looked at the brightly-coloured kites flying high in the sky, shielding her eyes from the sun with one hand, getting out of range so that she was able to observe the different styles of kites and not get in the way of those who were flying them.

Because it wouldn’t be very nice of us to assassinate kites with her. She could get hurt. It’s hardly a worthy endeavour for her skills. We could be rightly accused of ruining the festival...

But it would be funny.

You’re not happy unless you’ve made someone cry every day, are you?

How well you know me. I would bet you that Uruk would find it funny.

I sincerely doubt it, Raiha took the glass of punch, thanking the young man for it before sipping it and shaking her head. He’s a very loyal Riverian, you know, and I don’t think any of the big, strapping men here would take kindly to our decimating their festival. Rath wouldn’t find it funny either. Now, castles...

Perfect, Kanikra agreed. Let’s go get dirty. Then sink some res into the ocean, make a very big wave...

Raiha just sighed inwardly, grabbing a shovel, a bucket, and a stick, and laid claim to a fresh patch of sand. So, how big are we going to make this?

Go big or go home, Kanikra decided. It should be big enough for Shayru and Tasival to play in.

We don’t have earthen reimancy, Raiha reminded her. We wouldn’t be able to get the structure right that would be safe enough for it not to collapse on him. She began to sketch in the sand, outlining a moat, towers, walls, and turrets.

You are such a buzz-kill.

You have finally gone insane, she straightened, sticking the stick in the drawing before bundling up her long skirts and tucking part of it in to her sash to keep it up before getting the shovel and starting on the moat. What Kanikra said next nearly made her drop the shovel.

Wouldn't that be something?

[Serrif Von Chatlyn]

His mind and body ached. They had been rebuilding at an almost strenuous pace. But it was almost relaxing in a way not to have to ponder on what the next day would bring for him. He knew every day brought one thing, more work. It settled his mind to know that tomorrow he would work, and today he would work. However; this day he would rest. There was a festival going on and well try as he might he did want to go. So, he did. He wasn’t going to deny himself the pleasantries of a festival. Especially one where he could stay all day, make something in the sand and well fly a kite if he desired. He needed a break, they all needed a break from the toil.

The beach reminded him of Mura, all beaches reminded him of Mura actually. Something about the methodical crashing of waves and gentle lull of the sea brought him peace. A peace he only knew while on the Isle. He gladly paid the entry fee of 5gm for the kite kit, and food. It was a steal more than a deal by any measure. He wasn’t hungry…yet. But he knew eventually he would. Especially if he decided to take part in all this sandcastle building.

He didn’t have much in the way of dress, the only ‘nice’ thing he owned was a simple set of white pants and shirt that he hadn’t worn yet. He kept the set for events like this in case he needed it. It was unsoiled by dirt or blood of work, nor had it been stained from the work he did in the laboratory. This set of clothing was kept clean, even if it wasn’t much to come by. Nowhere near as festive as some but good enough for him. He wasn’t going to make a staggering appearance here; nothing that would strike awe in a spectacle like manner. But that didn’t stop him from wanting to attend. Festivals were the best way to learn of a culture…immersion.

With his kite kit in hand he looked across the beach, spotting Raiha almost immediately. He smiled and managed a slight nod. In the daytime, dressed for a nice event she wasn’t nearly as…enigmatic as he thought she was. Yes, in a way she caused him a decent amount of anxiety. For some reason he felt like she was watching him…and only him. Every time he walked the grounds at night making medications or really doing anything at all she seemed to appear out of nowhere. Or in the very least he began to get a feeling she was watching him. It was something that he was growing more used to; but she always seemed to be there for one reason or another.

She was dressed wonderfully, and he was sure she would drive all the Akalak men crazy with her dress. He shook his head some pondering her deadly beauty for a moment. She was just that though…deadly. He pondered joining her in the sand for a few moments perhaps it would be a bad idea? Ah hell worse she could do was maybe try and kill him with that shovel she had. And that would take a good amount of skill to achieve; not that he doubted the woman lacked the skill to do so.

Measured steps brought him to the little plot where Raiha was working on the outline of her castle. He made sure not to step on her work and instead nodded. “Quite an undertaking, if you want a hand I can lend one.”

It was an offer she could accept or decline, but without earth reminancy the chances of her getting a sizable castle done on her own were small. He knew from the outline that she was planning something large. And that she would need help to complete it as well. Help he was willing to lend her if it gave him the chance to maybe ease a little of the weariness he felt toward her.

[Kadrath Onktaka]

Rath found a hastily scrawled note from Raiha strewn across the dresser and picked it up.

'Gone to the festival. Where are you slowpoke?'

Sanctuary looked almost deserted now as he walked through the main gates with a long stride. His shoulders and back ached a bit from the increased work load but he didn't mind overmuch. Work kept his mind off the fact that the place he'd called home was decimated.

While Rath mulled it over in his mind, Uruk's eyes gleamed as they picked up the whirling kites scattered across the broad blue sky. Delicate silk streamers and bright colors bobbed and leaped on the fitful breeze like agile dancers.

"Raiha's golden eagle would have a blast ripping the shyke outta those things! Imagine those massive talons and razor sharp beak shredding everything in sight!"

"Yes and then we'd be removed from the festival for destruction of property and disrespect of women and children."

"What are you, a woman?"

"I'm sure Raiha would agree with me that her magnificent bird would be degraded or hurt in wasting skills on kite chasing."

"One day someone's going to get that stick outta your scrawny blue a--"

Before he could finish the sentence, their eyes lit upon a man's back, who looked to be talking to their woman. Instant jealousy rose to the surface for both of them. Rath wanted no one near his beautiful, pregnant woman. Uruk considered her -his- womb, and therefore, his possession.

Raiha looked incredible when she dressed in white and her soft blue skin gleamed in the spring sun. She'd never looked better than she did at that moment---which happened to be with some human!

Swiftly he gave up five gold mizas, grabbed a nearby kit like a weapon and rushed angrily past the gate.

Seven feet of very angry Akontak honed in on the pair with the sharp, unblinking eyes of a hungry hawk. More than a little ready to strike down a short, skinny human for even approaching his Raiha, he paused mid-stride as he recognized Serrif. The wave of anger slowly calmed itself and disappeared after a chime's concentration. At least on Rath's part. Uruk was still pissed that any male had got that close to the womb of -his- baby. While Rath greeted them aloud, he made sure that Uruk didn't get to voice his opinion with more than just a thought.

"Raiha, you're looking very pretty for the festival. Greetings Serrif."

'Serrif step away from that womb.' Uruk ordered mentally, unable to voice his thought because Rath was speaking.

(When Rath speaks and when Uruk speaks.)

[Ishara Dossari]

A Kite Festival. According to the buzz in the streets of Riverfall, it was an event not worth missing. Children streamed by her clutching brightly colored banners, dressed in their festival finery. Their laughter tugged a reluctant grin across Ishara's features as she trailed after them. The sound of the surf and the taste of salt on the wind indicated the close proximity of the ocean, and as she turned the next corner the vast horizon stretched out before her in a blue line. Parting with five gold mizas at the gate, Ishara stepped past the entrance and took a moment to drink in the scent of food that mingled with the salty tang of the ocean. Raj, a pale shadow at her heels, dipped his nose towards the sandy earth and feinted a few steps towards the pits. "I don't think so," Ishara muttered, snapping her fingers and calling the sighthound back to her. Raj gave her an admonishing glance and fell in behind her again, his whip-like tail lashing once against his haunches. He was only testing her resolve, and Ishara had always read that as the trademark of an intelligent dog. Looking to steer them clear of the food, for now, Ishara approached the cluster of people who appeared to be embarking on the construction of a sand-castle. As she approached, she heard several Rivarians discussing what she quickly discerned was a competition, shining merit on the previous year's winner. This sounded as though it could be fun, and far easier than struggling to turn one of those bundles of sticks and paper into a credible excuse for a kite. Sand...well, sand was more familiar alltogether. "Greetings," she called, her faint accent coloring her words as she hesitated a few paces from their group, "I am afraid I have no skill with kites, and so I find myself hoping you could use another set of hands?" Raj's war with bashfulness was brief enough once his keeper's voice rang out. The lean hound ducked past Ishara, his dark nose surveying the lines drawn in the sand.

[Vor]

Vor was a little caught off guard by the feminine voice speaking to him though he tried not to show it. Having spent more time as of late not being human than being one, he wasn't accustomed to having others address him in any manner. He normally watched the people of Riverfall from higher vantage points or listened to their words carried on the breezes. While he was no stranger to the presence of humans, he was far from used to it. He realized it may take him a bit to adjust to human contact again but that of course was why he was there. Turning his head to the source of the voice, he gave the young girl next to him an approving smile and said in a soft, friendly voice similar in tone to a calm summer breeze, "Kites? Well, not really. But I'm on speaking terms with the wind and have an eye for detail. I figure, how hard can it be, right?" Vor looked back at the pile of parts then back to the girl and added, "On second thought, I may need the extra support." He smiled again. It wasn't Vor's smile however that might gain someone's attention. His eyes were not like a "normal" human's eyes. Their wasn't any noticeable whites only overly large deep brown iris's surrounding large pupils. It was those eyes he turned momentarily to the kites being built by others. Able to identify a rabbit a mile away while flying a couple hundred feet in the air, Vor saw every detail of the yet to be finished kites. He noted the frames and how they were attached at the joints. He saw how the fabric was stretched across the frames and fastened at certain points. Turning his sights then to those kites being flown, he noted how they caught the breeze and how they moved with the ever changing speeds and strength of the wind. At home in the air himself, Vor knew how the wind affected his own body and with what he saw of the kites, both flying and not, a greater picture began to form in his mind. Looking back down at the pieces before him and once more to Laeli, he remembered something important about human interaction that he had forgot until that moment. "By the way, my name's, Vor. Nothing fancy, just Vor." He rattled his brain for how else to proceed but not wanting to waste time or look foolish, he immediately followed his introduction with a slight bow. Ugh, that's the last time I spend that long away from this form. He thought to himself.

[Laeli]

The hopeful kite maker smiled in return, and that was always a good thing, though Laeli was the type of person that wasn’t easily dissuaded even by scowls and surliness. She often saw such people as a challenge that were put on the earth just for her to hone her friend making skills on. But this man was open and answered her playful questions with his own air of both optimism and self-deprecation. She stepped closer, as he did not seem bothered by her looking over his shoulder, so to speak, and she then noted his eyes as he had given her that affable look. Her eyebrows went up a fraction of an inch. The Drykas certainly had any number of kelvics amongst their pavilions. But the girl didn’t immediately associate those beautiful, exotic eyes with that race of beings. She only assumed that here was one who was not human – or not fully human – and let it go for the moment. Even his comment about the wind went pretty much right over her head, though she took it for a hopeful sign that he would do well with his endeavor. “I’m Laeli,” she said by way of introducing herself. “Laeli Stormfast, if you want the whole thing. It’s not fancy either.” She laughed again. “So we can be unfancy together.” Her eyes had followed his as he had surveyed the other entrants and they now came back to rest on the materials he had set before him. Thinking of her brothers’ past efforts, her hand went to a long, narrow strip of blue cloth. “I can make a tail if you need one, with bows, or knots. Those I do know how to make.” Her eyes went to Vor as he considered his options. “Does a kite really need a tail? Will it fly without one?” Her eyes went back to search amongst those flying about them, then came back to him. “Does the wind share such secrets with you?” she added, in a teasing tone.

[Vor]

Vor chuckled lightly at Laeli's introduction, "Somehow I have to disagree, Laeli is a bit more fancy a name than Vor. If you're looking to be unfancy with someone though, I'm your man." He thought of her offer of crafting a tail for a kite. Having never built a kite before, Vor couldn't imagine what such a decorative piece would do for the actual function of the kite. However, from the looks of the other kites, the tails did add a little pizazz. "I think a tail of knots would be perfect. It's doesn't matter if the kite needs one or not. If you want to make one, I'd be honored." Having been raised among the Drykas for a short time, Vor understood the importance of knotwork. Though he hadn't spent enough time with his parents to gain much skill in art, he still found himself baring great appreciation for it. Vor began sorting the bundle of parts in front of him. Varying-sized pieces of wood, a spool of string, a couple rolls of fabric, a bottle of adhesive and a few extras including a collection of beads, strips of colorful fabric and a handful of other odds and ends made up the contents of the bundle. Combined with the paints and dyes laid out nearby on the table, everything anyone would need to build a kite was present. Vor reached for the pieces of wood and began laying them out in front of him in an obvious shape; that of a large bird. Vor saw in his mind what would be the "skeletal" structure of the kite as he laid out the pieces. The wings of the kite would be stronger and more reinforced than the core as they would catch the most wind. The trade-off would balance out the weight. His eyes darted around the table from piece to piece; seeing every detail as he imagined the way the kite would ride on the wind. Then Laeli asked him about what the wind shared with him. Though her tone was light-hearted, Vor missed most of that and responded in a somewhat more serious and meaningful way, "Secrets? Not exactly. It's more of a friendship, a trade-off. I ask nicely and the wind responds. For example..."" Vor looked over to a table not far from the one he and Laeli were at. A small, colorful strip of silk lay on the table; a discarded scrap of somebodies kite bundle. With a nod of his head toward the the strip of silk, Vor directed Laeli's attention to it. He smiled and whispered to nobody in particular, Please, bring me that strip of silk. A light breeze picked up out of nowhere and lifted the strip of silk, carrying it purposefully to Vor who held out his hand. The strip sailed with the breeze right to Vor's open hand. He whispered thanks and held the strip out to Laeli. "As I said, we're on speaking terms." He smiled coyly.