Open Seaside Storytelling

[Koa Pond]

25th of Fall, 513 AV 21st Bell Night had fallen on the beaches of Riverfall. The sky only shown a thin line of sunlight in the horizon. The cold sea winds whipped the beach, however the many hardy Riverians on the shore, as well as the supporting bonfires, were unfazed by the weather and simply toughed it out. Those with companions huddled closer to them. The Fire Festival was bustling with life. The voices and applause of the people, the crackling of the fires, and the roar of the sea all came together to create a unique, memorable setting. Storytellers commanded the attention of many as well as the fire dancers weaved through the many bonfires across the beach.It was beautifully hypnotic. Koa walked with his feet brushing with the waves. He took in the awe-inspiring cliffs above him. The vines and brush grabbed hold of the cliff as if to look at the beautiful shore below. He found a group with a storyteller who hadn't started their story yet. Koa made his place around the fire and waited to listen attentively.

[Alia Beaudouin]

25th of Fall, 513 AV
21st Bell

Alia felt her hair wrap around her face and escape from the loose ribbon she had tied it up in. She closed her eyes and turned her face to the sky, breathing in the cool night air. It was her 21st and 8th bell. Not that anyone was counting. Alia had seen a flyer earlier, a advertisement for The Fire Festival. Even before she had rationally thought it through, she had decided to go to the festival. There was a harsh wind attacking from the ocean, though the festival was still bustling with life. There were fires dotting the shore, most of them already swarmed by Riverians flocking to hear a story. There were many firedancers entertaining the crowds, but what Alia really wanted to do was sit down and listen to the Storytelllers weave their tales. Alia wore a simple Vinati with a warm cotton jacket on top to protect against the sharp wind biting at her midriff. Luckily, the chill of winter hadn't yet set in to the season, though the fresh breezes of summer had frozen into cold winds that splayed Alia's fire-red hair into her face. She searched the sand for a bonfire that had an open seat until she spotted a fire with only a few people standing around it. It seemed the storyteller hadn't started the story yet, so she wandered over. Alia reached the bonfire and sat down, studying the people who stared patiently at the storyteller, several different races sat around the circle, but the one who really caught her eye was a lone Benshira man. Other than the storyteller, he was the only one without a partner. Alia let her attention fall from the man and onto the storyteller himself. The man was quite old, though his exact age and race was a bit hard to guess. The man closed his eyes and breathed heavily as he begun to spin his story.

[Koa Pond]

Koa glanced at a woman who appeared to be staring at him, he smiled and turned his attention back to the storyteller who looked like he was about to start. He took a few looks back to the woman. Her water-like eyes and fire-like hair gave away her Inarta ethnicity. He never really saw Inarta often, he's probably seen five Inarta his entire life and three were residents of Riverfall that he never really spoke to. He returned focus to the storyteller when he finally began The storyteller began. Discriptive as the speaker was, Koa began thinking, It's a nice little story... I guess. The storyteller was descriptive and entertaining, and the story is no less, but boredom was gripping Koa none-the-less. Maybe it's his favoritism for the way his mother tells stories at these events, when he heard his mother speak, he was always enthralled. The blatant lack of entertainment would show on Koa's face if one studied his face closely, but the old man was obviously of higher class to him, so he remained polite and tried to listen.

[Alia Beaudouin]

Alia caught the man's eye and quickly looked away, attempting to observe unseen. She felt like some sort of stalker. The Benshira man smiled when she caught his gaze again, and then they both turned back to the storyteller, who was just beginning to spin his web of tales. Just as much as she was observing him, the stranger seemed to take an interest in her. A small voice squeaked from the back of her mind. An interest in your hair, you mean. No one would take a second glance at you if not for- Alia stopped the thought cold. That wasn't true. Why was she interested in the Benshira man? It wasn't as if he had flame red hair, looks were only skin-deep. They didn't matter. Right? Banishing the thought to the back of her mind again, Alia instead focused her attention on the storyteller, and his tale. The man was descriptive and payed attention to detail, but it sounded like something Alia had heard before. Not the same words, same characters, but the same plot. Alia sneaked another look at the Benshira man, who seemed to have lost interest, but seemed to try to keep listening to the Storyteller's tale out of courtesy. Smiling, Alia made a mental note to introduce herself soon. The storyteller wove his story tenser and Alia subconsciously fiddled with the Fire Agate earrings she had decided to wear that day. The Akalak that had sold them to her had been quite kind, and they had nearly become friends before he had to rush off. I wonder where he is now. Probably still helping at his shop. Her thoughts were cut short as the storyteller reached a climax, then quickly brought the story to an end with a round of applause from the other listeners around the campfire. Alia clapped quietly, and once again locked gazes with the Benshira stranger. Fiddling with her earrings again, Alia warmed her hands on the fire while several of the other listeners began to pack up and search for a new story to hear and tale to learn. Looking towards the man, Alia realized he hadn't left yet. Working up the nerve to approach him, she finally got up from the fire, and after 'wandering' her way over to him as nonchalantly as possible, Alia spoke. "Hello!" Attempting to be as cheery and easy-going as possible, Alia smiled at the Benshira man. "My name is Alia.. And.." Smiling a bit more nervously now, Alia continued. "I just wanted to know your name?"

[Caelum]

Thread Award

Alia

Skills

- Observation +2
- Deduction +1
- Socialization +1

Lores

- Riverfall Fire Festival

Notes

Sorry to see this one cut short. Please edit your post in the grade request thread to reflect completion and don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.