Closed A Day at Mirror Lake

[Enoleus Frostfawn]

Day 37, Summer, 513 AV

The sky was unusually dim, and Aeolus found himself in unusually high spirits. He had stopped by the White Elk to check up on Sleet earlier, and was considering spending the rest of the day at the Red Diamond, that was, however, until he remembered the event at Mirror Lake. Now, Aeolus was no stranger to Mirror Lake - but he usually preferred going there when attendance was low, and he knew the show was bound to draw a crowd.

Still, something compelled him, and he found himself at Mirror Lake. The show had yet to start, but the crowd was already forming. He headed to the rental shop, hoping to pick something up to chase away the cold churning in his stomach. As he approached, he noticed Aldin was tending the shop - which was somewhat unusual. Aldin, whom was always a bit too chatty for Aeolus' tastes, gave him a nod as he approached.

"Hey, Aeolus! I didn't think you would show up today. What, with the crowds and all. " Aeolus forced a soft smile, giving Aldin a nod. " I figured it had been too long since I had done something that normal people like to do..." Aeolus paused, trailing off as something about what he just said bothered him. He was uncertain when, in his own mind, he had begun to really separate himself from, quote, normal people. Aldin didn't seem to notice, and continued.

"Well, it's good to see you here. You still planning on leaving Avanthal? " Aeolus nodded at the statement, somewhat passively. He had to admire Aldin's persistence; Aeolus had came here fairly frequently his whole life, yet each and every time he had to deflect Aldin's attempts at small talk. "Can I get some food, and, something to drink?" Aeolus was hungry, but more than anything, he just wanted to change the subject. As Aldin set about filling his order, Aeolus set his gaze out over the crowd, and to the lake itself.

He had attended a similar show when he was younger, with his father. His mother had been from Coolwater hold originally, and as his father had spun amazing tales about her abilities on the ice. As if when she donned the skates, she ceased to be just a woman, and became ethereal - a manifestation of the beauty inherent in each individual snowflake. Aeolus smiled to himself, closing his eyes. His father had always had a gift for making ordinary things seem worthy of epic poem - particularly when he talked about mother.

It was a trait Aeolus had always envied.

[Una Tanta]

37th Day of Summer, 513 AV, Morning His hands clasped around hers Jack pulled the uncertain Charoda onto the ice her feet wobbling on the thin blades. His feet moved easily, crossing over and backing up slowly as he supported her. Sliding over the ice Vantha swarmed enjoying the crisp weather and the perfect ice before the show started. All dressed in white Unas red coat stood out among them, much to her chagrin when Jack had informed of this. She didn't fit in nude, her rubber white skin and pupil-less eyes contrasting with the Vantha, and she didn't fit in clothed. When she had met the young librarian he had been as present and quiet as plankton but once he had revealed his friendship with Cy their friendship had blossomed and the quiet presence felt more like a coral caress. Having died a year ago, few people had patience with her preoccupation with reliving Cys life, going to any extent to be close to him. Having met him Jack understood and though he had healed the past hurt was evident to Una. In her he recognized himself years ago, wounds open and throbbing. As he led her around the perimeter of the lake she kept her skates as straight as possible legs wobbling. "For someone so graceful IN water, you look like a stranded guppy above it." He teased quietly. Laughing she lost her concentration and stumbled, losing her grip on his hands she windmilled her arms before he caught her keeping her erect. "Thanks." She mumbled embarrassed. They continued skating wordlessly. Eventually, he released her hands and she was able to stay upright taking small steps toward him. It reminded her of her mother teaching her to walk, the rough sand against her rubbery skin the smell of the market spices of Thunder Bay in her nose making her sneeze and fall. As she wobbled along behind his graceful strides they saw the Vantha beginning to clear the ice for the show. Following Jack to the rental shop to return their skates they stopped and waited for the man before them to finish talking to Aldin. Looking up at them mid conversations Aldin smiled and nodded to them. Stepping forward they handed him their skates. Smiling apologetically at the man beside her for interrupting his conversation she turned away with Jack to find a place to sit and watch. Sliding through the crowd Una pulled the reluctant Jack after her as she forced her way gently to the front and seated them on a bench watching the skaters warm up.

[Enoleus Frostfawn]

Day 37, Summer 513 AV

Enoleus set a single gold Mizar down on in front of Aldin as he returned with his order. The aroma of apples and spice wafted warmly up into his nose as Aldin set a freshly cooked fish and a tankard of cider in front of him. It wasn't until just now that Enoleus realized just how hungry he had become, the scent invoking a gurgling in the pit of his stomach as he eagerly set upon the fish, Aldin watching with strange fascination as Enoleus scarfed his food down with all the table manners of a wild bear.

Aldin managed to tear his grasp away from Enoleus as a Charoda approached - returning a pair of rental skates, which Aldin dutifully took. His sister would have set them with the others in whatever system she had set up, but Aldin just set them aside, deciding to deal with them later. Enoleus stopped stuffing his face the very moment his eyes caught the strange creature, moving up to the rental shop and then back away to find a place with her companion to watch the show. After they were out of direct earshot, Enoleus set his half eaten fish down, and turned to Aldin.

"What... What exactly, was that?" Aldin glanced over at Enoleus, shaking his head at Enoleus' lack of tact. " Charoda, or at least, I would assume so. It's not often you can find them in Taldera at all, none the less Avanthal. " Enoleus, for whatever reason, found himself unable to look away from the creature. As he watched her, he felt a longing somewhere in his heart he had not felt in such a very long time that at first it was wholly unfamiliar too him. His life had become so monotonous and droll that the thrill of the unexpected, of the unfamiliar, were sensations that, though once had been near and dear to him - he had almost forgotten. He gripped at his mug, finishing the rest of the cider in one, hefty, noisy glug as he wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve, steeling himself.

"...Oh no. Enoleus, don't. I know you mean well but you really shouldn't-" Enoleus was already gone, making a straight line through the crowds of ordinary Vantha, his eyes slowly churning, shifting from a dark, snowy grey, lighting up and twisting until they had become a deep, dark shade of orange. Aldin shook his head, yelling out at Enoleus as he picked up the single gold miza he had left for his food. " Are you sure you don't at least want your change? Bah. " Aldin shrugged, pocketing the coin as he turned to tend to the line forming - the show was about to start, and the folks attending wanted refreshments before it began.

Enoleus took a few steps toward Una, still behind her and her companion as he bit his bottom lip. He faltered a moment, before taking a step back and pacing a few steps away. Hi! I'm a Vantha, what are you? He contemplated for a moment, then cursed under his breath, shaking his head. Not the most eloquent way to greet someone. He erased the thought from his mind as he turned back to the Charoda, taking a step toward her as he opened his mouth to speak... yet found the words lost in the back of his throat. Welcome to Avanthal! If... this is your first time in Avanthal... Miss... Fish... Thing... Again, he remained silent, turning around again to curse his own lack of oratory.

Finally, Enoleus decided to take the approach he usually did in these sort of social situations. He turned once again to where Una and her companion sat, and took a few more steps toward them, standing right to their side now. He opened his mouth to speak, but once again, couldn't find the words in himself, and proceeded to stand there like an idiot, mouth agape. Father would be proud.

[Alira Snowsong]

37th Day of Summer, 513 AV

Alira was just to the right of the Charoda and her companion. Eyes alight with excitement, Alira studied them closely. With her chin in her hand she began to hum a tune she once heard. A song of the sea. Even with her lips closed around the music, it rang clearly dancing on the air and clinging to the cold as if trying to breath some warmth into it. She wondered where the Charoda had been. What her story was. She was obviously not born in Avanthal...at least Alira didn't think so.
Suddenly doubting herself she dropped her gaze to hide the tell-tale scarlet of her cheeks and eyes.
'What if this beautiful creature has been living under my nose here in the city the entire time and I have not known it! How foolish I am!' she thought.
Now thoroughly embarrassed she raised both hands to her face squeezing her eyes shut and giving a quick violent shake of the head.
Carefully she regained her composure and biting her lip she opened her right eye and then her left. Perhaps she was being foolish in thinking herself foolish?
Oh lovely. What a terrible puzzle she's left her mind in.
Twisting on her stool she forced herself to look away from the Charoda even as she slid through the crowd away from her. She silently scolded herself for being a coward and not speaking with the girl, but then, she debated with herself, she had also stopped herself from being a bother or worse...a bore! Oh Morwen! What if she had talked to the Charoda and bored the poor creature to death?
Curse it all!
Her first chance to taste real adventure and she missed her opportunity entirely!
Surely if the Lady Morwen was good to her she would present her with another opportunity.
Sighing in defeat, Alira resumed her humming hoping once more that someone besides herself in this freezing city wanted a little more out of life besides carving creatures of snow.

[Una Tanta]

37th Day of Summer, 513 AV, Day Watching the skaters fascinated she was ignorant to the stares and attention at first until the girl to the right of Jack rose and left. Flicking his angry Vantha eyes in her direction Jack squeezed her arm reassuringly, "Don't worry about it. They just don't see someone like you very often.","Yes, I'm getting that impression..." She replied despondently picking at the fibers in her coat before looking back at Jack appreciatively, "Thanks. For not being like them." She murmured turning her attention back to the skaters who had just finished warming up. "Well, I kinda had a head start. I mean I've seen you before." "What!?" She wheeled on him alarmed, "before the Library?" "Well yes, in the water with Cy." mulling over that fact annoyed her privacy had been violated and that he had revealed it her so nonchalantly and in a place she couldn't ream him for it she turned back to the skaters, only to be further interrupted. Cider and spices wafted past her nose as the presence of someone looming beside her pressed into her personal space."Can I help you?" she turned speaking snidely her temper ignited by the disrespect of the Vantha who had left. "You were the one at the rental shop eating the fish right?" she replied to the silence wrinkling her nose distastefully when she recognized the boy standing silently staring at her. With Jack as the exception Una routinely referred to even grown Vantha as boys since they all seemed to aspire to perpetual childhood. A fact that had at first amused her had quickly become stale and almost intolerable. "Look. If you're just going to stare at me do you mind doing it more discretely," She nodded toward a far away bench, "so I can enjoy the show?" Jacks expression told her she was being unfairly rude but he didn't know what it was like to be stared at constantly, whether it be in admiration or disgust, it drove her mad. Used to the solitude of the sea, the press of people was overwhelming enough without everyone's attention on her.

[Enoleus Frostfawn]

Day 37, Summer 513 AV

Enoleus lamented, closing his mouth as he recoiled at the harshness of her words. He let her words permeate the silence between the two of them, Enoleus not particularly aware of the skaters or of the crowd at this point - his senses had narrowed in on the Charoda girl, as he stumbled over his tongue a moment longer before finding the right words.

"M-My apologies, miss..." He took a few steps away and turned, thinking that, perhaps it was best that he leave her be. His apprehension at speaking directly to her had inadvertently caused offense, and she was here with a friend - she likely desired no further interruption. Yes - it was best, Enoleus felt, that he withdraw and simply forget this exchange had ever happened.

He paused a moment, before turning back to face her again. "...Ah.... And yes, It was me. I mean, eating the fish, that is. Like you said. " He paused for a moment, his cheeks turning flush as his eyes began to shift and haze, becoming a distorted shade of yellowish green, like the sunset reflecting off a far green pasture. He swallowed involuntarily, the dryness in the back of his throat becoming distracting as he fought the surge of emotions rushing through him to pick the thoughts he wished to convey carefully.

"That is, I would greatly desire to speak with you Miss..." He paused a moment, his eyes darting toward the ground as he avoided making eye contact. " ... If, that is, you could spare the time."

[Alira Snowsong]

Day 37, Summer 513 AV

Alira watched the Vantha boy...man?
whatever.
As he spoke or rather tried to speak to the charoda. His tongue seemed tied and she watched as his face flushed while he struggled to formulate some sort of apology. A sudden surge of admiration coursed through her because here was a child of Morwen who had been braver than she and was now paying the price for it. She shook her head at the world's cruel irony.She bit her lip momentarily battling herself on whether or not she too should join the conversation or if it was better to simply stare and observe from the sidelines.
She volleyed the thought back and forth and finally in a great burst of recklessness she leapt forward and said the one thing that would best contribute to the conversation.
"Hey!"
As soon as the word had left her lips she instantly regretted it. She waited for the split second it would take for the Charoda's wrath to descend upon her. Her eyes flicked nervously to the boy wishing somehow he would bail her out or say something equally as stupid so as to remove the attention from herself.
'Silly girl. You're such a fool.' she scolded herself.
"Forgive me." she said aloud. "I am not worthy. There are tales of your kind and I only wanted to learn more about you, but I have only succeeded in making a fool of myself. I do hope that I did not offend you."
She bowed her head almost in shame. For as ashamed as she was for her thoughtless outburst she was completely elated that she had worked up the courage to speak with the fabled creature.
What a dull life she's lived until now. 'Oh fortune! Oh Morwen you have smiled on me this day!'

[Una Tanta]

37th Day of Summer, 513 AV, Day Relieved when he turned away Una pressed closer into Jacks side. She was no longer enjoying the show before them, all she could feel was the suffocating press of people around her. "I-I have to go..." She stuttered rising to leave. Blinking surprised Jack didn't move to stop her, instead her path was blocked by Enoleus. "...Ah.... And yes, It was me. I mean, eating the fish, that is. Like you said." Eyes like green-edged lightning he met her gaze for a brief moment before looking away. Unas own eyes were very large in comparison to the humans and their pink deep depths were without pupil or sclera. "That is, I would greatly desire to speak with you Miss..." He paused a moment, his eyes darting toward the ground as he avoided making eye contact. " ... If, that is, you could spare the time." Lack of eye contact was rude to Charoda, but before Una could ream him for his misbehavior another voice interrupted them. High pitched like a small bell it cut the tension instantly only to magnify it upon itself. "Hey!" Una turned, it was the same girl that had left them earlier. "I am not worthy. There are tales of your kind and I only wanted to learn more about you, but I have only succeeded in making a fool of myself. I do hope that I did not offend you." Una wrinkled her nose in response. She didn't know whether to be flattered or humiliated by statement. "Is that why you Vantha act so perpetually rude to me?" She replied turning to fix her gaze on the girl as was polite. "You hear tales and you've come to interrogate me about my people?" Una turned addressing this question at the boy. People around her had begun to stare as her voice rose breaking apart the music the show was developing to. Several shhh's and glares were thrown at them before Una silenced her temper. "If you would like to talk here is not the time or place, and you should have taken that into consideration before approaching me like this. However, if you would like to talk you both can take me to dinner tonight after the show. For now, I would like to watch in peace." She whispered so as not to disturb the people around her before returning to her spot beside Jack and staring fixedly at the rink though she listened and watched the two intently in her periphery.

[Enoleus Frostfawn]

Day 37,Summer 513 AV

Enoleus took a tentative step backwards, his eyes adopting a thoughtful blue hue as he watched the Charoda for a moment longer, before turning his gaze toward the ground. He folded his arms over his chest, a familiar tension gripping at his chest as his eyes glazed over slightly. He felt harrowed at first by her reaction, but something shifted in his chest. He had been trying to be polite, in his own clumsy way, and something about the reception was off putting. He expected this sort've thing from his kinsmen; people dismissing him off hand had become rather common in the years since his father had died. Yet, somehow, perhaps in his naivete, he had expected a somewhat more tempered or neutral reaction from this creature. His eyes began to darken with a brooding red, his hands gripping at his arms with increased tension as he took a long, slow, breath.

"Then of course, I will respect your wishes, Miss, and leave you to watch the show...." He trailed off a moment, as he fought the impulse to add more. In the rational part of his brain, he acknowledged that the rage coursing through his veins was more directed at the entire population of Avanthal, and not this one, likely innocent Charoda. He felt his breath tremble as he took a step toward her, lowering his voice slightly - so much so that, if one was not paying attention, it would easily be lost under the busied murmuring of the crowd. His shyness and apprehension for speaking to her evaporated, and his voice rang out with clarity and purpose.

"...However, I will not apologize. Many nights have I sat alone on the docks, wasting away my life as I gazed across the majesty of the ocean, my heart yearning and my mind dreaming of far away places. " If she chose to look away from the show, his eyes, now a bright shade of indigo, locked directly onto hers with incredible intensity. His voice trembled slightly, but no longer with trepidation; it was difficult for him to relay the powerful emotions which he needed to release in a calm manner. "When I saw you, I saw the very might and grace of the seas personified, and I could not think; I could hardly even breath, my anticipation was so great." His whole body shook visibly as he unfolded his arms and turned away from her. He didn't have any interest in the show, and, his chest grew tight, the crowds of people feeling unbelievable cramped as his mind assured him that all eyes were upon him and all hushed voices spoke ill of him. He needed to escape.

He shot a glance at Alira, with sympathetic eyes, but didn't bother to wait and see if she saw or bothered to return the gesture. He moved quickly, dodging around people as he blazed a trail away from mirror lake. As he passed the rental shack, Aldin would wave. "Hey, leaving... So... Soon?" Aldin blinked with confusion as, after breaking the crowd, Enoleus essentially took off at a jog, putting as much distance with the crowd at himself as physically possibly. Aldin let out a sigh, leaning himself on the counter. "Well, that was kinda weird..."

[Una Tanta]

"Then of course, I will respect your wishes, Miss, and leave you to watch the show.......However, I will not apologize. Many nights have I sat alone on the docks, wasting away my life as I gazed across the majesty of the ocean, my heart yearning and my mind dreaming of far away places. " The boy replied thinly. Turning to face him Una felt pity slide across her face. She had forgotten, the Vantha were all so young, and many of them so broken. Gazing at him patiently his gorgeous eyes locked on hers, so full of anger she felt it wind her. "When I saw you, I saw the very might and grace of the seas personified, and I could not think; I could hardly even breath, my anticipation was so great." Making a small o with her mouth as was her typical expression when surprised or in awe Una felt a flush of pink cross her cheeks. She was so frustrated she had let her frustration get the best of her. This boys only friend was the sea, when he'd seen her...oh...she felt miserable at the realization. Opening her mouth to speak she was silenced but his flight. "Everyone is so emotional and childish here..." She muttered under her breath to Jack whose eyes danced amused. "Maybe so, but you're still going to run after him aren't you?" "...yes..." All he did was smile and nod while she stood and rushed after the boy. "Oh dear.." chuckled Aldin as he saw the Charoda chase after him. "That boy really knows how to get himself in trouble." Scrambling through the people she kept the Vantha within sight, barely. Disappearing from her sight she guessed he was going to the docks and slowing to a walk followed his footsteps in the snow.