Between twilight and the sun [Open]

[Nykko Lightstorm]

Day 7-Winter of 511 A.V.

The bustle of a busy city towards the end of the day, when the moon was at its waking hour between the twilight and the fading sun. The smell of wines and spirits filled the frosty air of Avanthal with their sweet and sultry smells while cheers of jobs well done rang throughout the pubs and inns. The glimmering city's entertainment was beginning to wake up after a hard days work for all to enjoy. Old and cheerful bards had small crowds of travelers and Vantha alike captivated their small audiences with colorful and elaborate tales of lores and times well remembered. Huge blocks of ice were skillfully being chiseled down by renowned artisans to the shapes of exotic beasts, their skilled hands working the ice like it was air.
Nykko Lightstorm was in his hour of business as well. Walking into a vacant spot near the center of town, he lay down his things and looked around, his blue eyes taking in all the scenes. He loved this. Random people being entertained by Morwen's beautiful city's people, the Vantha. He loved his people and what they did everyday.
He removed his cloak, revealing his bare chest and arms in the cold twilight air, but Morwen's gift kept him safe from any ill effects the cold might have on anyone without the Gnosis. He bent to open up his satchel, his long hair falling over his face with blue highlights, glimmering into green every once in a while.
What he removed were several highly crafted juggling torches, intricately designed with beautiful but complicated carvings, which also made for a good grip as well. These he set aside. Instead, he looked around for some snow and made about 6 or 7 large snowballs. He picked one up and concentrated on the ice. He felt for his Gnosis of ice reaving and felt the individual ice crystals combine. He opened up his soul and felt the cool crisp love of his people, the Vantha, people of the ice and northern lights, fill his body. This is where Nykko felt the power came from. Soon, he was holding a hollowed out ball of crystal clear ice!
“Ah, ok. Six more to go” he said to himself. After he finished with the other iceballs, he placed them on the snow and took a rest. Several curious bystanders watched him curiously, not knowing if Nykko was planning on performing or not. Some left, some hung around. Nykko smiled. He liked drawing crowds. Nykko was a people person in all the sense. He felt comfort in being the center of attention.
He slowly stood up and stretched, his tattooed back and arms twisting this way and that in very flexible positions. More curious people (some a bit tipsy from a nearby pub) gathered and whispered around him.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, My name is Nykko Lightstorm” said Nykko, using a rather normal tone with a big grin on his face. “I will be performing fire magic, so please keep your distance unless you would like to see what it feels like to be an over-done mackerel” People laughed and chuckled.
With that, he slowly started forming Djed in his mouth. Just a little bit at a time. He picked up a few of the hollowed out iceballs and through a small opening he spit the djed inside each one. Then with one hand, he started to juggle each one. Some people stated to cheer, but then Nykko ignited the djed in each of the iceballs and they all started to glow! It was like a little sun trapped in ice! Truly a fantastic sight to see!

[Sera]

It was a lovely evening. Everything was beautiful, and shimmering. People were in good cheer, and enjoying life. Music played. People chattered. The aromas of food filled the air. People gathered in small groups admiring different sights along the street. Sera sat, leaning against a building hugging her knees, absorbing it all. Her eyes were their calm dual colors. Her hair was down in multiple braids and gently blowing in the cold breeze, blue, green and orange standing out. It was great to see travelers enjoying themselves with the Vantha's company. She smiled to all that made eye contact and nodded her head in respect to those she knew or were at least familiar to her. She couldn't help but want to check everyone's talent out. So, she got to her feet and started to walk around. Shops were open and welcoming people in. Some people were just chatting and getting to know each other. The young woman kept her eyes open for her father, or even her sister. This was home and it felt just like it. If only for a moment, she was content and not wanting to cause trouble or go out on some ridiculous adventure. One day she'd leave, but not quite yet, and until then, she was going to make the most of it. It was the perfect evening to just enjoy herself and her people.

As she admired the area, Something caught her eye, or rather someone. She wasn't the only one that noticed, either. Several people were gathering around a man. Sera wrinkled her nose and moved closer, curiously. Once she made her way to the front of the group so that she could see better, her smile widened. The performer introduced himself and what he was about to do. Sera chuckled and backed up as some others did. She folded her arms in front of her chest with a curious expression on her face.

Then this Nykko Lightstorm, as he had introduced himself, began to juggle. As some people cheered and clapped, Sera smirked, then her jaw dropped as he made the balls begin to glow.

Beauty.

At least, that was how Sera described it in her mind. For it was a beautiful sight. She wanted to move closer, she wanted to do what he could do. Though it was in no means jealousy. She could imagine herself dancing around within it. The young woman took a step forward, then stopped herself, realizing that it wouldn't be smart. And that she would probably get hurt if she got in the way. She definitely did not want to disturb him. So she watched, with a huge smile on her face. It was so good to see a fellow Vantha doing something so amazing, something so talented. He was certainly an entertainer. So, in response, Sera clapped.

[Alea Davenport]

Alea rarely came into the center of the city, and usually not at the end of the day, so she hadn't realized until now that there were shows like this in Avanthal. The sound of applause caught her attention, and she saw a small crowd clustered around one of the entertainers. Curiosity got to her, and she threaded through the onlookers to the front.

The first thing she noticed was his bare chest. Just looking at him standing half-naked in the snow made her feel colder, and she pulled her cloak tighter around herself. She felt a flash of envy that he could walk around like that while even layers of clothing couldn't stop Alea from feeling constantly cold.

She was somewhat distracted from her bitterness when she realized what the crowd had been applauding. She peered curiously at the orbs the man was juggling. They were quite pretty, but she couldn't figure out what they were. She had missed his introduction, so all she had to go on by way of explanation were the globes themselves. They were so clear that he appeared to be juggling the fire itself. The only hint that there was something surrounding the fire was an occasional glare off the crystal surface.

She was fascinated by the lights, and was trying so hard to figure out how they worked that she didn't even realized she'd taken several steps forward.

[Nykko Lightstorm]

One by one, the ice orbs flew in the air. Everytime Nykko caught them, he was ready with a steady, but small and efficient, flow of Ice Reaving that kept the ice from melting with the fire inside. He did, however, know that the fire powered by the djed inside wasn't going to last for long. It would soon dissipate.
He was now juggling 3 ice orbs in each had, consisting of a total of 6. Towards the end of his first act, he frosted the ice so it "refracted" the light inside, making the last half of the Res inside burn up brighter, causing it to turn different colors! Just like the aurora up in the sky, the Ice Orbs turned green to blue to red and back!
The crowd was oohing and aahing every time he switched hands and once he back flipped with his acrobatic abilities while all the orbs were in the air at once!
He went into a normal juggling routine and took a look around him. A few street drummers must have made their way to his little show, because he realized that his body was moving in an almost rhythmic sort of way, swaying to the beat. Many people had gathered around him. Very beautiful Vantha girls stood and smiled at him, including Sera, clapping at him, enjoying themselves in the moment. This was what it was all about, being in the moment. In returned, he gave back a most generous and humble grin! Several of the girls were swaying to the music as well.
With a big grin, he stared at a few girls, gesturing them to come and dance around him. "Don't worry," mouthed Nykko to them, "you'll be safe" he said. He didn't know if any of them would be daring enough to dance around a Vantha juggling fire. Perhaps it was stupid of him to suggest it, for the Res inside was running out! His adrenaline was kicking in now, it might make up for lack of control.
He turned around to face the other side of the crowd, when suddenly he noticed someone who way too close for their safety!

A very pretty, but strange human girl was walking towards him, from the opposite side, almost trance-like, staring at the lights he juggled! This caught him so much by surprise that jumped back! With his adrenaline peaking, Nykko managed to compose himself and catch all the orbs but one! His eyes turned to a very bright, red color! This was usually the color his eyes turned when his adrenaline was pumping.
The orb was falling toward the human girl's head! With quick thinking, he threw all the orbs he held very high up in the air, stretched his arm out and plucked the hazardous ice orb from right in front of the girls face. He managed to compose himself and cross juggled the orbs for a easy but impressive comeback Phew! went a relief from the crowd ( and especially from himself!) and then a bigger cheer from the crowd! The music continued and even a rhythmic clapping now started from the audience.
He stared at the girl, his eyes turning a more calm color of blue now. Instead of being upset at the strange girl, he instead winked and smiled warmly at her, gesturing slowly with his head to stay behind with the crowd. He hoped she even noticed!

[Sera]

The orbs began to change colors. Sera wanted so badly to dance. If she knew Nykko better, she probably would have just moved forward. Well, that wasn't necessarily true. She would get some form of permission first. It was so beautiful. Truly incredible. Fire and Ice, pulling against each other in the air. Juggling was one thing Sera always dreamed of learning, just for another thing to add to her love for dancing, if that was even possible. Though, she knew if she ever did learn it, she'd make it possible. She noticed others in the group that was watching felt in somewhat the same way she did, not being able to take their eyes off the show. She wanted to join in, some how. But, she definitely did not want to be rude. Sera felt her body swaying to the faint music. Well, it's possible some were more interested in the performer. He was quite stunning. And then the invitation came. Sera was actually surprised when he invited them forward to dance. A couple girls a bit younger than her hesitated, and then looked to Sera. She nodded and just dropped her cloak, moving forward. An invitation was an invitation after all. Might as well take it. The others joined her, smiling as they did. The huge smile on her face widened even more and she began to move, dancing in rhythm with the beat of the drums that echoed in the air.

It was if some sort of energy had engulfed her. So she, along with a few others danced around the juggler for a while. She was aware of everything, for just a split second. The movements of the others dancing, the juggler's own acrobatic movements, the audience clapping, the orbs being rhythmically thrown. Everything. Sera quickly moved out of Nykko’s way as he continued to juggle. She picked up her cloak and held it to her chest, standing still, off to the side, slightly in front of the crowd.

Out of the corner of her eyee, a girl was walking forward. Sera tilted her head to the side, watching quietly. "Uh oh..." She whispered as her eyes widened. It was then that Nykko noticed. And he jumped back, obviously surprised. A couple people in the audience gasped. But he had quick thinking. His recovery was almost perfect and he didn't seem to be too phased by the ordeal. Sera sighed, glad the girl was out of harms way, as did several others in the audience. She stepped towards the girl and offered her the cloak, figuring she was probably cold, all the while, keeping her eyes on Nykko.

[Alea Davenport]

Alea got a closer look than she'd bargained for when one of the orbs nearly smashed into her face. She was too startled to do anything but stand quite still, and it took her a moment to realize what had happened when the juggler caught the stray ball and continued his juggling. After staring blankly for a moment, she noticed the audience applauding and cheering and generally being impressed by the man's feat... which just sort of annoyed Alea. She felt like he was making her look bad just to impress the audience. When he winked at her, it felt condescending, like she needed rescuing because she'd done something stupid. Part of her would rather have been set on fire.

She noticed some people in the crowd had started to dance, and in an attempt to salvage something out of this encounter, she decided to dance as well. She spent a few seconds observing the dancers, and then began to imitate their movements...or trying to. She had no sense of the rhythm of the drums, and unlike the graceful Vantha, her dancing was awkward; she moved just a bit too quickly, and pumped her arms way more than necessary. It was painful to watch. Several members of the audience were wincing as they tried not to watch her, but ti was to terrible to look away. Fortunately, Alea was dancing with her eyes closed, and was therefore oblivious to any of this. She also failed to notice Sera trying to offer her a cloak.

[Nykko Lightstorm]

Noticing that one of the Vantha girls stopped dancing and instead tried to offer her cloak to the human girl who had startled him earlier. Her attention seemed to shift now from the Ice/Flame orbs to the Vantha girls dancing and swaying. It looked as though she was trying to dance with them, but perhaps she was listening to a different beat, because, in all due modesty, she was not very good at it.
This only made Nykko smile in fascination. At least she was enjoying herself.
However, some of the crowd was not pleased with her little performance, so to shift the negative attention from the awkwardness, he quickly jumped into air and performed very complex juggling moves (at least, all the ones he could think of, given the improve situation).

He flipped the orbs from under his legs, over his arms, did a flip and juggled from behind his back. The drumming got louder and the rhythmic clapping from the crowd got louder as well.
He gave a look to the drummers, which positioned themselves loosely behind him, and signaled them that his act was coming to a close. They got the message and started with an ending stance.

He felt the Res inside the orbs giving out, so what Nykko did was, one by one, when he caught the orbs, he made them more brittle and as they were thrown back up, really high up, Nykko increased the force of the fire in the Djed, making the Crystal Ice Orbs explode! It was like snowflakes falling down over the crowd, they all got a kick out of that. He took a quick bow and the crowd started to disperse themselves, already seeking out new forms of entertainment for the night.

Only a few people lingered, perhaps to see if he would continue or not. Nykko still held one ice orb, which he did not explode like the others and reinforced it with Morwen's Gift of ice reaving to make sure it wouldn't shatter and break like normal ice. Nykko then added a few more drops of Res inside from his palm and reignited it to keep the fire going inside. It was glowing brightly and beautifully.

He walked over to the girl who had startled him earlier and held out the orb to her saying: "Is this what you were looking for earlier?" Nykko smiled warmly.

[Sera]

OOCSorry guys, I know its short, but it's something at least. Blame finals. Don't hate me.

Though the human girl ignored Sera's offering for the cloak, it was alright. She probably didn't see it. Or maybe she didn't need it. Sera smiled and watched as she went into the group that was dancing. A chuckle came from her lips as she watched. But no matter, as long as the girl was having fun. Sera wrapped her cloak around her again and moved back into the crowd for Nykko's finale. Everyone applauded, some screamed, some whistled. He put on a great performance.

Once Nykko finished most of the crowd left, but Sera was among those who stayed. She was more curious to see what would happen next, especially when she saw him holding an orb out to the human girl. Sera couldn't help but thinking that it was adorable. Her eyes glimmered a brilliant yellow. It had been a good day.

Sera decided to walk towards to the two, maybe strike up a conversation. So she moved forward and stood a few feet a way, worried she was going to interrupt something.

[Alea Davenport]

OOCSera, sorry for kinda ignoring you, but Alea at this point doesn't really know you exist... XD You should be more assertive ^^;

Alea was still dancing with her eyes closed, not noticing that the drumming or the show had stopped. When Nykko spoke to her, she stopped abruptly and her eyes snapped open. She looked around and noticed that most people had left, and there were only a few people lingering. She wondered briefly why the performer had singled her out to speak to after his show.

He was holding out the bizarre crystal globe she'd been trying to get a closer look at earlier. She still couldn't figured out how it worked. It looked like some kind of smooth crystal that glowed inside, but that sounded expensive and he'd just shattered five of them without a second thought. "It looks like some kind of lamp," she told the man, not really looking at him. He had long black hair, marking him as a Vantha, but she had a hard time differentiating between different Vantha since they all looked so similar. She only tended to remember (or even bother looking at) the ones who made a particularly...strong impression on her.

[Warden]

-Sera- Skill Points: Dance 1 Observation 2 Lore: Juggling Lights Audience Participation -Alea Davenport- Skill Points: Dance 1 Observation 2 Lore: Juggling Lights Beware of Buskers Notes: Oooo, pretty lights! Shame this thread never finished and all three didn't begin to interact with each other. Still, it was interesting to read about a creative use of Gnosis and Reimancy, and how a Human enjoys herself in a Vantha environment, despite almost getting burned!