[Beautyfest] Party on the Pier

by **Sybel** on December 16th, 2013, 3:59 pm

As they charted a course to the bar, she noticed Vanator’s attention being drawn elsewhere. His steps began to slow, which in turn caused hers to do the same. Sybel turned in time to see Caelum directly in the path of Riaris and Kavala, the latter of which looking none too happy at being carried around. That wasn’t good; knowing her sister-to-be, she knew exactly why, just as sure as her fiancé did. His arm slowly slipped from her side, and she detached from him gracefully.

Sybel felt a stab of cold fury as the Akalak dropped the woman unceremoniously to the ground. She was pregnant for Cheva’s sake and furthermore, with his child. She involuntarily tightened her grip on the newly acquired staff.

As she slowly bobbed along in Vanator’s wake, she froze for a moment as Kavala’s fist barreled into the Akalak’s nose. ’Oh Hai,’ she thought in silence. This was about to turn into a brawl. If Kavala punched him, it stood to reason that the Akalak had switched personalities. Likewise, if that were true, he wouldn’t be above hitting her back. Which was going to result in a good old-fashioned beat down from the rest of the members of the Sanctuary.

It seemed Vanator recognized this too. He shot her a glance that spoke volumes. ”I’ll get Caelum,” she replied, knowing the man was making a beeline for his sister. It’d be a struggle however, to make it there in time. Images of the Akalak striking back flooded her mind and she had to struggle for composure. She’d soon be seeing red if she didn’t somehow maintain control.

After unceremoniously elbowing her way through the crowd, she arrived at the Ethaefal’s side. Lightly, she set her new staff just in front of the man’s lean frame. He’d feel her welter of emotion - to protect Kavala, to protect him and most of all, to beat the ever-loving dog snot out of the man who stood before them both. Sybel had been one of the few to deal with Recoomas before. She knew all too well just how unpleasant things were going to be.

”Caelum,” she said softly. ”Go to Kavala.” It was not a request. For as much as she regretted it, he would be beholden to comply. Sybel did not want anyone to be hurt. The maiden had turned to mother over the years. Sanctuary was her home. She would put herself in harm’s way, if that were what the situation required.

If the man tried violence, all Hai would certainly break loose.

by **Riaris Dovukalis** on December 16th, 2013, 5:58 pm

It had been a mistake, it all had been a huge mistake. Everything, not only his coming there that night to see Kavala, but his personal imprisonment of Recoomas as well. They had been in pain and the darker brother had been dieing to feed the need from his gnosis but Riaris wouldn't have it. And so they suffered in silence for a time, but it wasn't to last and now everything had gone wrong and Recoomas was free. The dark Akalak was ready for war of any kind and people to pound on. The man standing next to him would do just fine, but it seemed that he had been rendered speechless. "Something to add boy?"

Recoomas shrugged it off and turned to leave, but Kavala stopped him. He was proud of himself, and what he had done. He had proven that he had been right all along and that Kavala wasn't ready to be with an Akalak again. No matter what she claimed, the scene said more than her words could carry. Whoever this other Akalak had been had wounded her far worse than she thought. Her past, for all the trouble that she had been through had scared the woman beyond repair. Recoomas knew that Riaris could see it to, which was why he faded away.

What the konti needed was a good kelvic to be with, one that would obey when told to and roll over and take a beating when the time came, even if they hadn't done nothing wrong. Such a relationship wasn't for a strong and proud Akalak. She punched him in his nose causing him to grunt and take a step back. A thin trail of blood dripped out of his nose and down to his lip. A smirk crossed his lips as he wiped it away, glaring at her the whole time. "Now that's more like it, Shayru would be proud." He listened to her curse him and chuckled as she started to walk away. "Where are you going Kavala?" He found it humorous how she talked so much about being strong and here she was running from a fight.

Recoomas felt even better as the moments passed, not only did he have Kavala and the stranger up in arms, but now Vanator and Sybel had joined in. It seemed the dark Akalak was well into making up for lost time, and now he had a full party to torment on many different levels. He didn't know what they all thought of him and he didn't care. This was his city and he had spent his life making it as much a part of him as his own beating heart. They were all outsiders, and their opinions didn't count. They were also wrong if they thought that he'd ever lay a hand on the mother of his child.

Emotional pain however, was different entirely. "That's right Kavala run, run back to that other Akalak who beat and bleed you. I'm sure you'll be much happier there." He made a grunt of a chuckle then and turned to leave, paying Sybel no attention what's so ever. "Now it's time to party. Where can I find a drink!"

by **Caelum** on December 16th, 2013, 6:47 pm

Caelum was pretty certain this was not how the Beautyfest was supposed to go.

Damn gods. Damn meddling, marking, laughing gods. They were making a muddle out of what could have been diverted, overcomplicating what could have been resolved with a few words and genuine regrets expressed. Tugged and beckoned, pushed and pulled by quite a divine collection of his own, and some of it altogether too recent, Caelum stared straight to the heart of the matter where a knot of gnosis powers gnawed at the ends of each other. Of course, divine will was not mortal will, and mortal will was doing a decent job of petching things up all by itself.

He watched Kavala punch the Akalak with a cross between appreciation and concern, and when he noted Vanator’s circling approach he was as relieved as he was wary. They didn’t need a brawl. Even on the outskirts of the crowd, they were already drawing too much attention. He felt all the muscles in his body tense up, however, and his weight shifted into one of better preparation should a physical fight break forth.

When Sybel appeared, Caelum stood his ground, squinting at the slant of her newfound staff as if altogether surprised to discover that someone was seeking to defend him. Riaris hadn’t hit him, merely given him a strong slap to the shoulder and if there had there been friendly intention behind it then it wouldn’t have meant anything at all. Of course, even with friendly intention, it still would have shot the pain god’s desire straight to the heart of him.

Damn gods.

The malleable tangle the gods had made out of his consciousness in the past few chimes moved him, however, when Sybel’s directive was accompanied by a forceful wall of need. He latched onto it eagerly, absolutely willing to dodge the attention of Krysus if he could manage it. If that made him a coward, he didn’t want to be brave. Heroes died and left families behind to mourn them, bereft of their aid. It took an altogether different brand of courage to live for what you believed in, and to keep on living no matter what the gods and men tossed broken at your feet. With his Drykas skin covering him, Caelum was glad that his pride was the kind his sun-mother had – one comprised more of the dignity to be found in service than of the honor found in most traditional warriors.

It was less likely to make you bad.

Yet, when Recoomas tossed that bit backwards about beating and bleeding, Caelum wisely latched a hand to Sybel’s arm and firmly pulled her back with him. If she wanted him to let go, well those damn meddling gods knew he would; but he was going to at least attempt to delay her long enough for sense to catch up with her probable temper.

“Come on,” he muttered to the Benshira, attempting to steer her about before her desire to break Recoomas’ face won. Kavala had always possessed a fierce need to protect him, to protect her soon to be sister and her brother. To protect all at the Sanctuary. In this, Caelum only sought to do so as well. If not for her, then with her. “This is not the time. She needs to go home. And so do I.” Badly. Before he burst into a hundred different desires, too many of which whispered of blood rather than warm embraces.

He ruthlessly, therefore, attempted to diffuse the situation. No possibly decent solution could come of any of this tonight.

by **Teresa Deepseeker** on December 17th, 2013, 12:28 pm

The gentle lap of the ocean could barely be heard over the music and partygoers on the docks. But as the festivities began winding down in preparation of the announcements of the Beautyfest king and queen and her court that alluring song could be heard again, calling the Svefra back home. Hence why Teresa now sat on the edge of the dock, her legs dangling over the waves like a taunt and her back flat on the worn wood to look back at the dancers while cradling an empty glass to her chest. She knows she should go home and sleep off the confident glow from the free flowing compliments and whatever it was she just drank but she just couldn’t bring herself to leave just yet. Besides the inverted perception on the dancers was a new and amusing angle that made everyone look like they’re dancing on the sky and reaching back towards the sea. In a sudden passing fancy she imagined that this is what Laviku’s dreams look like and suddenly wished she had a poet or a learned man to describe this vision to her with big philosophical sounding words.

As the king and queen were called up Teresa clapped and cheered for each one while still hanging off the end of the dock. She knew Jorin by some unfortunate circumstances involving a monster in a jar and a hissy fit several years in the making and couldn’t bring herself to make eye contact with him. The queen materialized next and the white haired little sprite danced her way to the stage to claim her prize before disappearing back into the waiting arms of friends and admirers. A stifled chuckle caused the little glass to bounce on top of her breast, the way she moved made every step look like an acrobatic stunt to the laughingly uncoordinated Svefra.

As the queens court was called Teresa didn’t do much other than give a cheer and admire the beauty of the young ladies as they passed. The Akalak that looked to be running this show stepped back up to the front of the stage to bellow another name and Teresa gave a small start when she realized it was her.

Teresa quickly rolled to her feet only to teeter to the side and collided with another woman and her date as she took the unfamiliar vertical position with a bit more pomp than her body was ready for. The man gave a disapproving grunt as her pulled his woman to the safely of his embrace and gave the intruder and neat shove, sending Teresa stumbling into the clearing before the stage. The Svefra took a tick to hastily regain an equilibrium before she straitened up and gave an apologetic smile to the chuckling members of the crowed and dusted herself on her way to the prize table.

Her hands immediately fell on the thin slivery cloak at the edge of the table, the cool texture a pleasant countenance to the burning blush of her skin. She quickly bundled it up against her chest and neck and thanked the speaker as she made her way off the stage.

Others Speech
Common
Fratava

Code: Select all: [style=width:600px; border:1px solid #7a332b; background-color: #100938; margin:auto; color:#100938; background-image:url(http://www.mizahar.com/forums/gallery/pic.php?mode=large&pic_id=28013);][img]http://www.mizahar.com/forums/gallery/pic.php?mode=large&pic_id=28012[/img] [webfont=Milleni Gem][size=110][frametrans=#dbc77d,7]Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, ut mei zril labitur, augue consequat conclusionemque ei quo. At mel eros vidisse deleniti, et nec stet dictas, cetero persius eos ea. Eu mel commodo pertinax. Odio mazim constituam vix ne, an incorrupte delicatissimi eos. Molestie consulatu splendide cum ei, sed fierent aliquando ei, eu utinam appareat definiebas mei. [color=#5d2521]Lorem ipsum, lorem ipsum, lorem ipsum.[/color] [color=#eee2b0]Lorem ipsum, lorem ipsum, lorem ipsum.[/color][/frametrans][/size][/webfont] [img]http://www.mizahar.com/forums/gallery/pic.php?mode=large&pic_id=28014[/img][/style]

by **Magpie** on December 17th, 2013, 1:33 pm

"Ahem, easy now..." Antogio's smile was awkwardly frozen in place as Teresa made her stumbling way up to the deck. Trying to keep the situation pleasant - she was hardly the only one who'd imbibed a little too much that evening - he joined in with the light chuckles and smattering of applause when she made it successfully to the prize table.

She chose her prize quickly, and Antogio turned back to the crowd as she made her way off the ship. In the distance, at the end of the party, there seemed to be a situation developing, and the Akalak made a second's decision not to draw attention to it. If things got out of hand, there were plenty of Kuvay'nas in the audience and they'd take care of it.

"Alright ladies, just five more spots left. Will you be one of them? Our next lady of the court is...

Uleru!

Come on up here!" His face held a tinge of confusion as he looked around, as the woman wasn't someone he'd met yet.

OOC :

by **Rosela** on December 17th, 2013, 5:25 pm

E
E
Rosela’s smile widened at Favchean’s flattery, the charm warming her easily. ”You flatterer, you’re just too sweet.” The awkwardness with clasping the necklace was glossed over quickly, and she hoped sweeping it aside would remove it from the night. It wasn’t out of the question that she should want to clasp her necklace herself?

Taking the box back gratefully, she tucked it into the pocket of her dress, where it just barely fit. ”Well then, shall we continue?” Still smiling, she attempted to place her hands back where they’d been prior to the announcement, along Favchean’s wide shoulders. She felt strangely more confident with the band of gold around her neck, as though even if they were to trip over each other, it’d still be okay.

Taking the lead in the dance, she pulled him gently with her trying to match their movements with the beat of the music. She felt his larger foot under hers suddenly and she jumped back, bursting out in short laughter. ”Sorry! Okay, we can do this.” She bounced awkwardly, biting her lip trying to time her own movements with the music.

”Oh-kay-and-step-and-oh-kay-step-and-“ Concentrating hard, she continued making small bounces in time with the music, her halting verbal cues attempting to stay in time as well. ”And-a-step-and-a-Ow! Sorry! Ah!” Gripping at the mountain of stability that was her dance partner, she smiled up at him as she hopped back to reposition her feet away from his.

OOCTook a couple liberties with Favchean’s actions for the sake of moving things along, let me know if I need to change my post!

E
E

by **Kavala** on December 17th, 2013, 6:03 pm

Kavala stopped in her headlong march when Recoomas' words washed over her. She froze, her shoulders shaking slightly which betrayed her inner rage, and slowly turned on a worn boot heel. Pale ice blue eyes met his own pale orbs for a moment. Had she not been so tired and the place so public, more words would have been exchanged. But she gave him what he wanted, ultimately, as pain flared in her eyes and she regretted every secret she'd ever shared with him and every intimacy she'd ever exchanged. None of the current Sanctuary Staff knew about the last Talvis she'd had or the conditions surrounding her release from her Nakivak status.

Kavala hoped to keep it that way. Being a raid survivor was bad enough. But then suffering abuse at the hands of one's Talvis - allowing it to happen - was an even worse crime. And in that moment, she hated herself perhaps more than she hated him for saying out loud what she'd only rarely spoke of. But then again, she'd misjudged her trust in the big violet Akalak on both counts. And she'd misjudged her trust in her own self and her ability to make good decisions. Kavala had let her heart rule her common sense when she knew better than to trust anyone with her own happiness ever again. And apparently, she couldn't even trust herself not to betray her own interests and her own needs. And in a way that hurt most of all.

He could care for her son. He could be part of her life. But in the end, he couldn't even bring himself to love her or at least tell her out loud and firmly the one thing she needed to hear most. He'd never offered her marriage. He'd never talked about a life past the birth of his child. Kavala kept making links that she hadn't seen before and those links formed up into chains in her mind. And that made her hurt even harder.

So she simply just stared at him for a moment then turned away and resumed walking in her uncomfortable burdened shuffle that had been part of her life for the last twenty days or so. The Konti was done with all of it. She was done with trying, trusting, and even loving. All she wanted was to be left alone, needing the walk to clear her head and work out the anger by expending the energy in the one way she could. If he wanted to say she was a coward and running away, then so be it. Kavala saw it differently. She saw it as having the courage to make a change that was needed.

by **Vanator** on December 17th, 2013, 8:25 pm

It didn't matter any longer which one it was, Riaris or Racoomas, damned schizophrenic Akalak's. A clearer mind would have been able to separate dark brother from light, the one that was his friend to the one that stayed distant. But Vanator's usually discerning mind was blinded by the betrayal, the pain inflicted on Kavala by the hard headed Riverian's harsh insult. Lover's spats were normal and left to themselves to resolve, in the Drykas mind. But the expression that washed over his sister's face revealed the abject betrayal that pierced her heart. Vanator didn't know everything about the Talvis to which Racoomas had referred. But he knew enough, enough that it had helped to stain his impression of the Akalak for some time. Kavala had spent some time educating Van in order to dispel his prejudice, and oddly enough, time with Riaris had helped. But, seeing his sister attacked now stoked an indignant anger within Vanator.

Caelum had already intercepted Sybel, the hot-headed woman more than ready to take on the Kuvay'Nas warrior over his offense. Thankfully, the Eth stopped her. Vanator had only his wisdom to obstruct him. Though common sense would remind him that he could not expect to win a brawl with the Riverian, Van wanted to break the giant Akalak after he so callously brushed off Kavala. He found his steps pounding steadily towards Racoomas , his hands balled into fists. Then Vanator caught the pale figure turning to walk away in the corner of his eye. Attacking Racoomas may haved served to temporarily assuage the Drykas' anger, but it would not help Kavala, it would only pain her more.

With a frustrated grunt, Vanator halted in his tracks, turning instead towards Kavala, Caelum and Sybel. He wanted to reach out to his sister, walk with her, but, Van couild see Kavala would want to be left alone for a while. "Kav," was all he said, simply letting her know he was there. His heart sank with worry, for her body and her spirit. Though Kavala would not like it, Vanator would make sure he, or one of their friends, would keep an eye on her, If only from a distance.

by **Favchean Hronis** on December 17th, 2013, 9:10 pm

Grinning, feeling very satisfied that he had managed to keep a smile on the lovely Eypharian's face for a little while longer, Favchean accepted her back against him easily. She didn't appear as if she was going to allow him to escape the night with only one awkward dance. However he couldn't complain, because it was pleasant enough to make the mistakes with his dance partner rather then being the only one of the two making mistakes.

The first time she stepped on his foot he laughed with her, "No no it is ok, better that your little foot stomps on mine, then vice versus I am sure." This is said amid the laugh but held a serious note to it. His boots were worn leather, her shoes were more then likely of much finer quality...not to mention the damage he might cause her foot. It made him look down at their feet rather then at her eyes, or face, or any of the much more lovely parts of her then his own two large feet.

He let her lead, following her, darting his eyes occasionally to look at the other dancers until he became more aware that she was still awkward, and unsure and he was awkward and unsure, so he felt there was only one way to fix that. Grinning, his hand that had fallen to her waist area snaked more firmly around her and drew her flush against him. Then he straightened, lifting her clear of the floor. "There, now if I fumble then the people will think it is the oaf Akalak that can't dance.." Grinning still he sketched out a rough parody of what the other dancers were doing, though if she indicated in the slightest that she wanted to be placed back on the ground he would let go immediately.

oocNo worries, I took even more liberties with Rosela, feel free to have her smack him the moment he tries to lift her. He would put her instantly down (gently unlike certain Violet akalak...

)

by **Sybel** on December 18th, 2013, 2:07 am

Sybel’s expression shifted from cold fury to total shock. She blinked, turning the words over in her mind. From her experience with city customs, he could only mean her previous Talvis. Disbelief washed over her. How could he? This was something she’d not even been told before. Her knuckles were white, her flesh taut, her muscles coiled to spring. There was nothing more tempting than to swing her staff with such force that she’d shatter the man’s nose upon his face. But then he’d hurt her. In front of Kavala, Caelum and Vanator. And for as little as she cared for herself, she did not want them to see.

Caelum’s words reached her. Her jaw clenched, unclenched and finally, she nodded. ”You’re right,” she breathed. She didn’t want to cause unnecessary harm. One day, she’d show Recoomas to reap what he sowed. But for now, she would listen to reason. She’d long since learned the brutal reality of revenge.

She placed a hand upon Caelum’s forearm and squeezed reassuringly. He’d feel the need to nurture and protect rise surge from within her. Sybel turned on her heel and began to follow, trailing behind Kavala by a foot or so, just far enough not to cause her discomfort. The Benshira flashed her fiancée a glance of concern, before turning back to their charge.

She’d known Kavala first. It was true that the woman had changed, but the years had only served to enhance her stubbornness. No matter how irritating it’d be, Sybel would be there, if only to show she cared. Despite how it would annoy her, the Konti would understand. Sybel at least, would ask her no questions.

So they made to depart, Sybel with staff in hand, eyes weary.

Open [Beautyfest] Party on the Pier