Completed The Harvest Festival (Part 1)

[Bakar]

Bakar loved going to parties, but for different reasons than most. He loved being a wallflower, just watching others and learning about their lives. He had never been to the Harvest Festival though. There was usually too many Knights around for his liking. But after his pleasant conversation with Garland a couple of weeks ago, he decided to give it a shot. He would stick to the back row and simply watch, but he would go nonetheless.

The streets were crowded, and he was constantly bumping into people regardless of trying to stay out of everyone's way. He did notice an odd sight though. An Eypharian. There weren't many of those in Syliras, but he has seen a few over the years. He watched her for a while, seeing her dance to the music, utilizing her entire body to do so, including her two extra pairs of arms. When she was finished, she ran into someone Bakar knew. Garland was here as well. "Business or pleasure, my friend?" Bakar asked more himself than anything. The six armed beauty pulled him off to the dance, and they started again. "Pleasure, it seems. Although, you were on duty the day we met, as well." He smiled to himself. He was either really disobedient, or his patron was really lenient.

He stood and watched for a while, continuing to smile to himself. Garland.. was not the greatest dancer. Seeing him there though, reminded him of his night at the inn earlier, where he noticed a young man drunk and singing on top of the bar. "That.. was Garland. I didn't recognize him before." He laughed quietly at this and debated on telling Garland he was at the bar then or not. He decided to leave him alone for now, he was having fun with the Eypharian. As he turned away he recognized someone else. Saede. She was also dancing, not very well. He shrugged it's not like he could do any better, and he didn't plan on trying.

He continued down the street, bumping into people, their cold bodies feeling warm to him, his body literally teetering on the freezing point. A disadvantage of being undead, you don't realize you're getting so cold. His body wouldn't freeze, not yet, it still wasn't quite cold enough, but others would notice that his temperature was low for someone to have, even for this time of year. He pulled his arms into himself, making contact less likely and moved off, exploring other parts of the festival. It's a shame he had no need for food, there seemed to be plenty of amazing dishes on sale across the stalls. He shifted and stood at the side of the street, further off from the stages than before, but continued to watch them. He figured that with a name like "Harvest Festival", he should have known it'd most be to showcase food. He started to head back to the stages, determining that they'd be his main form of entertainment here.

[Sayana]

OOC: Since we now have a few players, the posting order is as follows: Saede, Garland, Sayana, Bakar.

[Saede Lare]

oocI think I am that woman, yes? I'll make the post assuming I am.

The woman and squire's dance came to an end right about where she was. Saede made to respond that she didn't actually know who the squire she had danced with was, but she realized that she recognized him. She strained her mind, trying to think of where she had seen him, but nothing had come up. The beautiful woman he was dancing with seemed undisturbed by the fact that he could only dance at about the same level as her, but she doubted she'd want to dance with two unskilled partners in a row. Other than that, she couldn't draw the conclusion of how or why she had assumed that she and the squire were together. She looked between them, looking for similarities and spotted that their weapons had similar designs. Although, so did the woman's. She decided not to bring it up.
"No, I'm afraid I actually don't know him. You're free to dance with me- or him I assume. You aren't about to offend anybody."
She'd only just stopped dancing herself, but she wouldn't mind going again, with a partner this time. Either one of them would be fine. She kind of wanted to dance with such an elegant, good looking woman. But dancing with the other partner, who was about her skill level and good enough looking on his own would mean that she wouldn't make a terrible fool of herself. The competition wasn't about to start, so she wouldn't miss anything important. She decided that depending on what happened, she may ask to dance with one of them.

She could tell that the squire was going to enter the sparring competition, he looked over at it as well and any knight in training is bound to at least be a good fighter. At the end of her sentence she added,
"Say, are you two finished dancing? I don't quite have a partner, and if either one of you aren't going to continue.."
She trailed off, noticing that she had just offered to dance with two people who were both already dancing together. She mentally shamed herself for being so disrespectful to the two partners, even though that was anything but her intent. She just thought they'd make good partners. For the dance of course.

[Garland]

Garland looked at the girl that had noticed and talked to them. She must have heard Sayana. "No, I don't think we've met before..." He was interested in her spear though. She might be able to shed some light on his parents' life and why they left Sunberth. He was pretty happy in Syliras but he wanted to know his family's story. He doesn't even know their names.

He was pretty wasted that night, so the facts were pretty hazy, but he knows she's from Sunberth. He looked at Sayana, and then to the sparing contest. Looks like it won't start for a while. "I would a dance, but if Sayana wants to dance with you, then I won't intrude."

He looked to the side and noticed a rather pale face in the side, he almost didn't recognized him, but he knows he's usually quiet and stays out of the way, at least he's going out now. He knows that if these two noticed the Nuit he might get dragged into a dance, and he knows that he's nervous around people. And if they figure out he's a Nuit, he doesn't know how these two would react.

He averted his eyes from his undead friend. He turned his attention back to the two. "I'd love to dance with you miss... Uhh?" He didn't know the other girl's name, but she did seem nice, so he might have some fun with her and dance.

[Sayana]

“You two, make up your minds!” Sayana said with a laugh and a shake of her head. She took both their hands and placed them together. “You have this dance together, and if you want another one with me then it’s first come first served.” And to think they weren’t together. They seemed to behaving like a timid couple trying to feel each other out. Or at least that’s what Sayana thought. Regardless, she was glad to help people get into the spirit of the dancing. Whether it was her own favourite dances or this new northern country dancing, she was always greatly satisfied to spread the joy that accompanied dancing.

The Eypharian took a couple steps into the crowd and then called back to them, “I’ll be about. My name’s Sayana. And if you need to find me… well I usually stand out in a crowd.” She waved her two high hands either in farewell or to prove her last point. “And if you want someone to hold onto that spear of yours so you can dance properly, I have a free hand,” she added to Saede.

It seemed that as the evening progressed more people arrived contributing to the already crowded area. Sayana moved through the crowd with surprising grace despite all her arms. It was time to get something to eat, or at least to drink. Dancing can be thirsty work. She brushed up against people as she moved and felt almost comforted by all the bodies and busyness. It almost reminded her of the market fairs of Ahnatep, although here it wasn’t stifling hot.

In attempt to see the food stalls better (for she could definitely smell them), Sayana stood on her tiptoes to see over the people. Almost absently she rested her upper arms against someone’s back for support, for it was crowded and they were faced away from her and she didn’t care much about personal space. “Woo hoo!” She exclaimed in surprise as she snatched her arms back and turned to actually look at the cloaked and hooded figure. If she didn’t have chills before, she certainly did now. The person had been frightfully cold at that moment’s touch even with the dark cloak they were wearing. “Are you alright in there?” She asked with a curious pose and tried to look beneath the hood.

OOCIf Saede would like Sayana hold onto her spear, she can gladly do so, but I wanted to get her interacting with Bakar sooner rather than waiting.

[Bakar]

Bakar felt someone place their hands on his back and he froze, scared at the sudden contact. They exclaimed and pulled back, being slightly more relaxed by the lack of touch, but more nervous about the surely incoming questions.

"Are you alright in there?" Came a voice behind him, slowing coming around. He quickly checked his makeup, making sure his eyes were sufficiently covered. He was just a pale man, nothing more. No indication of his undeath, save the black tongue. And the paleness. And the deathly cold. But anyone could have at least two out of three of those. The tongue was the giveaway.

He saw one who placed their hands on his back. It was the Eypharian he had seen earlier, with Garland. Up close, he could see that she was quite beautiful, if a little short. She had been trying to look into his hood, and she may have gotten a glimpse before Bakar lowered his head. Normally he didn't try to hide his face so stubbornly, he knew that would make anymore more curious, but it was a reaction to the woman actively trying to see his face.

"Y-yes, ma'am. N-no need to worry. Sorry for being in the way." Bakar tried to keep his distance. He had never spoken to an Eypharian before, and he couldn't really tell people's attitude towards the undead from just a simple conversation, more so when he hides it and they see no reason to bring it up.

Although, if Garland had been with her, surely she couldn't be all bad. He relaxed a little, but kept his face down. "S-sorry if I seem rude, but aren't you a little cold? B-being from the desert and all... are you used to these cold weathers?" Bakar was trying to keep the conversation off whatever had startled the woman, but he could assume it was the touch. She recoiled almost as soon as her hand came down. Must be the cold.. He thought to himself, and unconsciously pulled his cloak tighter, for what little good it would do. He always hated first conversations. He hadn't had many conversations over the years. These past couples weeks had been the most he got out in years. He didn't want the first thing to come up to be his undeath, as it usually was. He hated lying, but sometimes it was needed.

[Saede Lare]

Saede lightly squeezed Garland's hand after Sayana had left into the crowd. She had declined her offer to hold her spear, it didn't seem right to her to give it to somebody she hardly knew. She waved goodbye to Sayana with her free hand, and turned to face Garlen.
"I'm Saede, I'm thinking a dance would be a splendid idea, sir knight."
Saede looked up towards Garland, a smile spread across her face. Her eyes gleamed purple as she lead him over to the dance area. She had never danced with a partner before, and she was very excited. The dance area was filled with people of all ages, but they entered a dance area with mostly young adults. The music around them was great, and it only added to her excitement. Most of the young adults could dance at a simple pace, so it would be easy to keep up with them and not look silly or unskilled. She took a moment to take in her surroundings. The orange leaves hung wonderfully from trees, a slight wind blew by to encourage those who were already dancing, and best of all everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. She'd dreamed of stuff like this when she was a kid, and now it was finally happening. She started with simple footwork that she was confident she wouldn't mess up, and attempted to bring Garland to follow as well.

"So, tell me a bit about yourself,"
She asked as they started dancing. She had recognized him from the start, but couldn't quite place him. Maybe he was staying in the inn as well? Or applied for a job at the same time as her? She tossed the thoughts aside. Those didn't matter right now, she was here to dance with him. He was slightly muscular, about even with her she'd say. Maybe even a bit more so than her. They were almost even in height, with herself being ever so slightly taller than him. She'd been used to this though, as she was one of the taller women she knew. Concentrating on looking at Garlen as well as keeping up the pace was slightly difficult, but the bar was low enough to achieve with a limited amount of mistakes. I can't believe I thought this would be easy, She thought to herself. All the dancers make it look so effortless.

[Garland]

He gently held Saede's hand as she guided him back to the dancing area. "A dance does sound lovely." He followed her slow steps, in the dance. The movements weren't complicated, however he was still clumsy with his feet, but he was matching his partner quiet well. He listened to the slow but lively song they were dancing to, it was nice, but he liked faster songs and melodies, but he should be thankful that the song was slow and slightly easier to dance to.

He was cautious about his height as the taller girl looked much taller next to the shortish squire. "Me? Well. I was born in Sunberth or so they say. My parents tan with a gang until I was born and then they left for Syliras. I heard they were killed by a pair of bandits and then I was taken in by the knights. Raised in the orphanage, was a bit of a troublemaker back then. I grew up to love and hate the order a bit. My troublemaker side would always get in trouble, but I would always get out due to good behavior." He hadn't noticed that he was matching the dance in every step. "I joined the knights only by the end of summer, I haven't had much friends when I was younger, only one, but she moved to Mura. Then I met a few more friends in the knighthood and out of the knighthood. A Nuit, two Pycons, a Dhani, I think, a few of my fellow squires, a hunter, and a Kelvic. And I think thats about it." He stepped closer to Saede as another pair of dancers nearly bumped into them. "So, why don't you tell me about yourself."

[Sayana]

“Well if I’m cold, then I’m not the only one,” she answered haughtily and you could almost hear the “harrumph” at the end of her comment. “And why does everyone assume I’m cold? You’re not the only one singing the same tune, that Garland fellow was asking me about it too.” In spite of her protests she let out a shiver from the cool breeze.

“It’s my first fall here, and I’ve heard that winter gets even worse,” she continued with a look of disgust. She felt like she was rambling and turned her attention back to the man. “Do you just get cold really easily?” She asked. “You’re the one with the heavy cloak and all.” Her own deep purple cloak hung limply down her back. She was either not cold enough to be trying to cover up against the chill, or more likely, she found the garment too constricting of her movements.

He seemed intent in keeping his face down and covered. For a moment, Sayana considered that he might be an assassin, thief or other underground character. She tried to look for hidden weapons, but the cloak was large enough to easily conceal something without it bulging. It unnerved her a bit that his hands and arms were tucked away, but she wasn’t one to suddenly shy away just because someone was acting oddly.

“Why don’t we go find something warm to drink? Send away the chills?” Sayana suggested. “If you’re short coin, I’ll happily pay.” She offered out a hand, more out of habit than expectation that he’d take it. She tended to be very tactile with her interactions, and the cold from his body only minorly tempered those habits.

“You could tell me about the frightful winters in the north. Do people just hide in their homes and cook all day?”

[Bakar]

Bakar recoiled slightly at the woman's comeback. Great, you just meet someone and you already insult them. That's the way to do it. Bakar berated himself. Then he processed what she actually said. It had been the cold that alarmed her. He noticed her lower body shiver, head down, while she was denying being cold. She's proud, that's what it is. Doesn't want to show weakness. He thought to himself. She explained that it was her first Fall in Syliras, and truthfully heard that the Winter was worse.

"Do you just get cold easily?"

"N-no.. the cold does not bother me. I don't even notice it." Bakar said quietly, trying to brush it off, before realized that just saying that may confuse someone, being so cold but saying he doesn't feel it. "I-I've lived here for a while now. I'm used to it."

"Why don't we go find something warm to drink? Send away the chills?" The woman asked, before offering her hand.

Bakar shifted nervously. He knew that if he took her hand, she would surely feel just how cold he was, without a barrier of clothing. He didn't want to be impolite, however. She had been with Garland, she can't be too hostile. He closed his eyes and thrust his hand forwards, shaking her hand quickly, then retracted his hand back into the cloak. "I-I'm Bakar. Pl-pleased to meet you. I-I don't require any warm drink, but I-I can accompany if you desire."

“You could tell me about the frightful winters in the north. Do people just hide in their homes and cook all day?” She inquired.

"W-well, to be honest, I don't quite know. I know that during the Winter I just never left my home in the castle. I'm not a fan of the outside. When the Winter ended I'd leave for the first time all season and smell the sweet Spring air. Y-you'd have to ask another if you require something to do during the Winter. S-sorry." He squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn't help but be awkward, this meeting had not gone optimally for him.