Birthday Celebrations

by **Alija** on July 4th, 2015, 4:52 pm

7th Summer 515
COME ALL!
Alija's Birthday Celebration!
7th of Summer, 14th bell, Piper Cottage
Bring a Gift!
Food and drinks will be provided!

The signs were plastered up all over Zeltiva. Alija hated Kial for it. She tore the nearest one down, scanning what it read. How did she not know about her own party happening in her own house? Kial really was one sneaky little boy. He bounced up and down beside her, hoping she wasn't too mad. After all, he had only wanted to do something special for her.

"Kial, you should have told me!" she finally said, after weighing up the positives and negatives. Negatives: Strangers in her house, having to purchase the food and drinks. Positives: A good time, a chance to meet new people, (hopefully) presents. It seemed like the positives outweighed the negatives, "Now I need to get everything ready in a few bells!"

"So you aren't going to kill me?" he asked jokily, worried look turning into a grin, "I asked around. There will be a delivery of the supplies very soon, so you don't have to worry!" Alija smiled at how organised he had been. It was shocking to think that he was only six.

The two made their way back to the cottage, Kial speaking excitedly about how he planned for the evening. "-And then I decided that we'd just hold it at your place!" he ended, quickly running into the house. Alija hurried after him quickly. There was still a lot to do, even if the supplies had already been ordered.

She instantly began sweeping, until the house was fairly dust free. Then, everything was packed away until only the core furniture remained. This was all pushed to one side, save the table, to make space for the guests. A fresh tablecloth was put on the table, with a vase of flowers, courtesy of Kial, at the centre. A sharp knock came from the door, and she hurried over, hoping it wasn't a guest.

Thankfully, it was just a young man who had been paid to deliver all the supplies. As he handed them over, Alija was a little shocked at their price. Sure, fine wine and dates were never the cheapest, but Kial had seriously gone a bit over the top. It wasn't like he was the one paying for it.

Alija thanked the man, passing him the correct amount, with a small tip, before returning to arrange it on the table. Once satisfied, she turned to her own appearance.
Alija quickly adorned her favourite velvet green dress, admiring how well it fit her. It was perfect for a celebration like this.

A birthday celebration.
And for some strange, unexplainable reason, she couldn't wait until the guests arrived.

ledger :

by **Pulren Marsh** on July 5th, 2015, 6:52 am

Dressed in his usual socials, being his black leather pants, his fancy boots, a black linen shirt and black leather gloves, Pulren stood at the counter of Bohrnn & GoldWoerth, eyeing his purchase. The attendant, a slim redheaded male, watched him as he looked at it, staring to the point that Pulren clearly noticed the perusal. "It's very good work. Your girl will be very happy." Pulren's eyes flicked up from the metalwork to the young man. " Twenty five, right?", he said as he started shelling out golden mizas. There wasn't much point in explaining that it wasn't for 'his girl'. It was a trade of golden mizas for golden work, hopefully taken well by the birthday girl.

He had seen the signs posted around the docks, surprised because he couldn't imagine someone wanting the drunken sailor types to show up at their house, especially if it was a young girl. The danger that could be present was enough for him to want to go in the first place. Besides that, it was an opportunity for him to really surprise and impress a young lady with an expensive gift. The only women he knew of that accepted gifts did so as that was their profession. This was a more innocent occasion, one that Pulren was much more interested in. Maybe she would be overcome with joy or maybe she would be horrified that a stranger would be so bold. He had no idea, really, but it was as much of an adventure as anything else.

He slid the bracelet into his pocket as he approached what was undoubtedly the Piper cottage. Looking at its location, he was pleasantly surprised to see that his own home wasn't too far away. Stepping up to the front door, he put his ear close to it first. It was strangely silent. Should he be the first guest? Would he be the only guest? Well, there were many good or bad points to such a scenario. brushing himself off, he shrugged and took a change, knocking on the wood and taking a step back.

Ledger :

by **Valerio** on July 12th, 2015, 1:15 pm

Hovering in childlike poise over a seated sailor, fingers steepled together before a set of salt stained lips, Valerio’s bright blue gaze watched in virtuous wonder as the artisan carved away at a shard of bleached white bone with a tool resembling a large sewing needle. In truth, this was not his first encounter with the artform. It seemed a common practice among those who ventured to call the sea their home. But few were as accomplished as the one seated before him, and the thief could feel a prognostic twitch in his fingers crawling up from his wrist in muted trepidation watching the other at work.

The sailor, sitting amid a pile of crates whose emptied chambers smelled faintly of tarragon, had one leg propped up beside him while the other swayed lazily over the ledge. To his audience, he paid but a mere pittance of attention, callused fingers carefully scoring the bone with delicate strokes of the tool that required a healthy dose of industry. Taking note of this, Valerio waited patiently until the other removed his hand from the work to address him. “That’s some talent right there,” his accent laden with contrived titillation. “Me da’ would’ve loved something keen as tha’.”

The sailor’s thumb brushed across the scrimshaw thoughtfully, eyes still absorbed by the etchings. “Father was an ol’ salt, I reckon?”

The dismissive nature in the man's words were palpable, free hand reaching beside him where a crumpled piece of parchment housed a small mound of dusken powder. From it he harvested a healthy pinch, instantly staining his fingertips as he rubbed it into the channels where his tool had scored. Instantly the artwork was brought to life, a prodigious sailing vessel with three masts and sails unfurled, taken by the wind on a tumultuous bed of high seas. The attention to detail was magnetizing, and Valerio could feel his hand precipitously reaching forth to grab it.

Not yet he had to caution himself, the hand retreating back to his side, digits wriggling to release some of the cerebral tension. “That’s a,” finding his mouth filled by cotton, tongue dragging about quickly to wet his lips. “...the finest piece of work I’ve ever seen. You must spend a lot of lonely nights out there,” his voice wilting away into a whisper filled with sympathy, hand unconsciously reaching forth to rest on the other’s shoulder.

The thoughtful remark was instantly regarded as something more accosting than tame, the sailor’s eyes darkening as he hurled himself from his seat and placed the scrimshaw down atop the crate he’d been sitting on, batting away the hand touching him. Taller than Valerio by a respectable handful of intimidating inches, he glared down at the younger man with a sneer that indicated a firm understanding of how to break bones. “What’s that, bilge rat? You propositioning me?”

The thief’s eyes shrank instantly, lips tightening like he’d just bitten into a lemon. Both hands reached up in alarm, palms facing out with fingers spread; a universal sign of surrender. “I didn’t mean…!What I meant to say…!”

The collar of his shirt felt a sudden and compact jerk, a pair of meaty hands wrapping around the coarse fabric as he was drawn in close enough to smell the scent of stale kelp beer on the sailor’s breath.

Forcing Valerio’s back into the pile of crates, what his assailant’s angry eyes failed to notice within such blinding proximity, were the sudden and rapid manipulations of movement from a well trained hand reaching down to where the scrimshaw rested. Plucking it from its resting place, the thief threaded the catch between the waistband of his trousers at his back where it settled uncomfortably against the skin. The movement resolved itself so quickly that the thief couldn’t even be sure the other had noticed the hand had gone missing for the span of two ticks.

The fear clouding his features gently transitioned to a more pleading request for absolution. “Look, whatever it was you think I thought I said in the manner I said it... clearly a misunderstanding, yeh?”

The sailor’s features twisted slightly attempting to rationalize what had just been said, though his enmity did not so easily abate. Growling from the pit of his throat, he swung his solicitor back around and tossed him away with enough force to send him tumbling. Having not yet perfected the art of the graceful plummet, Valerio felt his legs fold beneath him as he struck the hard planking of the docks with his right hip.

The blow elicited a winged grunt from his lips, though he knew what it would mean to tarry a moment longer. Exchanging the jarring impact for a middling roll, he vaulted himself back to surer footing and dashed away. Looking over his shoulder, he could see the sailor still watching after him with indignation coloring his eyes. Cupping a hand over the top of his lips, the thief shouted after him. “Thank you for your troubles, kind sir!”

Without taking the fanciful pleasure of waiting to see if his mark took note, the thief dispersed himself into the crowded thoroughfare and was gone from sight.

***

Ducking into a familiar alley, Valerio caught his breath from running to take a moment to examine his prize. The piece of bone he’d lifted was taken from something larger in size, both ends containing shattered ends. From whence it originated, the thief could only hazard a guess. But the craftsmanship of the artwork was something to truly behold. It even allowed for a single strand of pity to crawl into his conscience. The maker had obviously devoted a fair amount of time to the etching, though such feelings of remorse were quickly brushed aside when the welt on his hip began to throb.

“Cat’s claws,” he hissed, hand gently patting the affected area, looking down to give a better appraisal of the damage when something else caught his attention.

A single piece of parchment flitted into the hazy shadows of the alley, dancing in the air as though taking on a life of its own. Against his thigh it came to rest, warping around the fabric from his trousers as the dust covering its surface splotched onto the fabric. Before it could be pried free by the errant breeze again, the thief snatched it into the palm of his hand and examined it with some effort.

Eyes adjusting to the dim setting, it appeared to be an invitation of sorts to a birthday party whose location he had only the vaguest familiarity with. An invitation whose guest list was not defined…Curious. Trading glances between the piece of scrimshaw in one hand, and the invitation in the other, Valerio weighed his options thoughtfully for a moment before reaching a rather fortuitous conclusion.

Being invited to a house took away half the effort of having to steal from them, and all it would cost him was a gift of good will coupled with a warm smile. The present had been attained easily enough, the scrimshaw placed into the bed of parchment as he crumpled it around to form a protective and, more importantly, hidden casing. The smile would require a touch of work, as mingling with strangers he saw as potential marks for prolonged periods of time was not something he was accustomed to. But such a thing, he felt, could be rehearsed on the way over.

Tucking the wrapped gift once more into the waistline of his trousers, Valerio continued down the alley with a slight limp in his step. Taking the main streets would only increase his chances of being spotted and dragged to an untimely end. Here there were options, and afforded him the chance to move at a pace most comfortable with his injury. Tracing his steps, he dug through the annals of more innocent memories until a sense of familiarity snagged him. Taking a sharp left at the next turn, the thief found himself still within range of the docks, and noticed a man waiting patiently outside a door.

Stepping up beside him as candidly as one might be waiting in a queue, Valerio appraised the door, and more particularly, its locking mechanism.

Ledger and OOC :

by **Iblette** on July 19th, 2015, 12:55 am

Iblette walked up to the door, knocking very quietly and patiently. A birthday party? Such an event was something she left behind on the Konti Isle. It wasn't something she wanted to be part of anymore, because of the memories it stirred. Her mother was always there, and for the last good twenty years of her life, a birthday party was a bad omen to her.

Maybe they could use a musician? Something to lighten the mood, no less give good background noise to an event that was overall joyous. She could play practically anything, even though her skills weren't the best.

As she rocked on her heels, she began to reflect on her past life, and those events that triggered such terrible thoughts. Why did it leave such a bad taste on her tongue? Why did she have to have such a remorseful feeling when, anything concerning her mother, aroused in her mind? It was annoying, and twenty years after the incident, it should've left her. But it didn't, and it practically drove her mad.

Her thought process was interrupted when she thought she heard a noise behind the door. When nothing occurred, she returned to her overall process.

by **Firenze** on July 21st, 2015, 3:11 pm

Fingers ran over the silk and chiffon of the blood red dress, the fabric sliding through and falling softly back into place. It was the most beautiful and expensive material Fire had ever seen, and it was hers. Turning she watched as the clerk loaded her newly purchased clothing and wares into her new bag. It was the most she’d ever spent and the rush of excitement flooded her senses, giving her a heady feeling. The total was the highest she’d ever seen other than when Palaren had made his purchases when they’d gone shopping. It wasn’t unexpected that she’d spent so much, she needed new things and you had to spend a pretty misa to get product that would last and that her clients would appreciate.

Slinging the strap over her head the messenger bag sat snuggly to her side. Turning she made her way to leave, shoving the heavy wooden door a flyer caught her eye that lifted and fluttered with the breeze from the door. Grabbing it she looked at the writing, she couldn’t read it but there were childlike drawings on it, a cake with candles and stick people standing around it. She could tell that the drawings looked as though it might be a party of some sort, if there was sweets then Firenze was interested. Her sweet tooth was the second cause of trouble, next to her curiosity.

Pulling the paper down, the cruch of it under the weight tearing a small corner, she turned and walked back to the clerk. “Would you mind telling me what this says?” Handing over the leaf of paper with the scribbles she waited patiently as the clerk took it and skimmed over the contents. “Well, it appears that there is a birthday party for a...Alija. Says it’s at the 14th bell, which I expect is quite soon, at the piper cottage. Bring a gift and there will be food and beverage. That sounds quite fun,” he handed the parchment back to her and smiled, having finished the requested task.

She didn’t know any Alija’s but free food and drink sounded good. Couldn’t pass that up. She hadn’t a clue where the piper cottage was but a walk through the housing might point her in the right direction, lots of people milling around with a cake should be a give away. The issue not so much being finding the place as it was what she would bring as a present. Was it required? Fire glanced to the paper, the scribbles not revealing what might tell her if she needed to bring one or not. Sighing her hand dropped to her side with the paper. She walked in the direction of the cottage she was staying in, mulling over what she could bring. Then her excitement renewed at the thought of being able to wear one of her new outfits and makeup. Hurrying, she glanced to Syna’s light, she approximate that she had about an hour or so and rushed to get ready.

A while later, new makeup carefully applied, hair weaved along the back of her head, Fire slipped a new sandal onto her foot. Buckles slipped and tightened, she moved around to glance at the bed. The other dresses laid out she picked up the red one and hung it carefully near her bed, the hung the damask one gently over it. The white cotton was left, her powders and shoes in order next to it. After considering on the way home she decided to part with the second white dress that she’d purchased. It hadn’t cost as much as the others but it was still a fine dress and she figured that any woman would enjoy a nice dress for the summer. The shoes she didn’t consider because feet were always different sizes and these had been made for Fire, the powders she’d pondered over for a moment but then decided that it wouldn’t be sufficient, with the small sizes she’d have to give more than one and they needed for work. A dress seemed to be best suited.

After placing the powders on the shelf near the beds with the other things, her shoes tucked neatly near the dresses, Fire took to folding the flowy dress carefully. She lifted it and slide under the string to tie it off with, bringing the pieces up from west and east, crossing them and turning them north and south she brought them back under the dress and to the top, with some difficulty and a few tries, she tied it into a bow. It wasn’t the best wrapping job, but it would suffice.

Tucking the gift under her arm, she checked her outfit one last time and then made her way to the street. Waving to the dove Palaren kept, letting it know that she would be back later, she closed the door softly and locked it. A waveguard walked by and she smiled as he watched her, she hoped it was because of her new look and not because it was his job. Glancing to the dress, she had a ping of regret for giving it away after having just purchased it but then shook herself, not wanting to have that kind of mentality. It was a gift, it wasn’t super expensive, and it could possible help her to gain new friends… and a full belly of free food! It seemed like a fair exchange once she reminded herself.

Sandals clacked on the cobbled street, her eyes scanning the houses as she made her way along through the heat of the summer day. A few chimes of walking and Fire spotted a house that finally seemed to appear as though something might be happening at it. A man was knocking on the door that she’d never seen before, a few others moved behind the windows. It seemed probable that this was the location as most of the other houses didn’t appear to be as busy. The foreign man entered the house as she was approaching, the door still slightly open she knocked on the frame, smiling at the others, “I don’t suppose this is the place with the birthday party?”

NoteThe purchases of items are listed on Firenze's CS Ledger.
Cost of White Cotton Dress - 1 GM

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

by **Alija** on August 4th, 2015, 9:53 am

A knock came on the door, Alija still brushing her hair. She ignored it, for a while, speeding up. Finally finished, she tucked the brush away, opening the door a little. She had to be careful about who she let in. The first man standing there was Pulren, and she smiled, glad that the first guest wasn't a complete stranger. They had met in the blacksmith's shop, and his order was one of the more interesting ones. "The diver, correct?" she asked, letting him him, "Pleased to meet you! There is food on the central table, if you want. Thank you for coming."

She had no time for chit chat yet though, with more guests to greet. The second was also a young man, with a slender build and short dark hair. She let him in a little more hesitantly, but with the same smile as before. "Greetings! Help yourself to any snacks, and enjoy!"

Then came a musician, or so she assumed by the fiddle in her hand. "Music! Unless that is a gift meant for me, but I'm afraid a violin wouldn't come very useful. Still, feel free to play, and to have something to eat if you wish." Each welcome seemed so blunt and almost rude, but there would be time for introductions later. One more woman to greet, and then, hopefully, no more.

With the final guest greeted in a similar fashion, speaking mostly about the food, Alija closed the door, looking back to where Kial was already stuffing himself.

"I'd like to welcome you all," Alija began, hoping for silence, "If for some reason you came without reading the invitations, my name is Alija Piper, and today is my birthday. Courtesy of Kial, this party was arranged, and although it isn't exactly the best idea, or one I would have come up with, I'm certain we'll all enjoy ourselves. Thank you!" Thank you that the speech was over. Alija stood awkwardly to the side, hoping that someone would break the silence.

by **Pulren Marsh** on August 9th, 2015, 4:55 am

It soon seemed that Pulren didn't have to be concerned with being the only guest as a young man sidled up to him just before the door opened.He gave him a pleasant nod, his attention returning to the door. It soon opened and he was pleasantly surprised to meet the blacksmith from the Scholar, this time in a dress rather than her sioot stained work attire. Smiling, he gave a bit of a bow before entering as he was welcomed. Extra footsteps were behind him as he and the smaller boy entered into the main room of the cottage, Pulren's attention turning to see a Konti with a violin. The ratio was still very good, nice and even again.

Miss Piper had a friend, however, but it was all in good fun. He saw some food and drink and waited for her to welcome all of her guests. The final guest was a pleasant surprise as Firenze entered. She looked lovely in her dress and Pulren nearly forgot that anyone else was in the room. He even considered giving Firenze the bracelet and telling the girl that he forgot to bring anything. Of course, he wouldn't do such a thing to her. She had done such timely work on his anchor and weights, after all. "Yes, the diver. You clean up nicely. I don't think I've ever seen a smith in a dress." He smiled and his attention sat fully on Fire, rude or not.

Once the room would begin to rumble with mingling, Pulren would step over to Firenze and see why she had come to the party. Was he supposed to wait for her? He suddenly felt at odds. What if he was supposed to bring her along and then he gave this gift to the girl and it upset Firenze? A simple party was quickly becoming complex.

by **Alija** on December 14th, 2015, 6:04 pm

It seemed that the majority of visitors congregated towards the food, and she made her way over, taking a handful of honey drops which she picked at, stopping beside one of the guests. "I don't think we've ever met," she tried to start a conversation with a tall wild-haired woman, eyes strangely flecked with gold. A soft fiddling started to fill the small room, and she noticed Pulren watching her. No, not her, he was watching the woman she was trying to start a conversation with.

Alija beckoned him over, wanting a familiar face, if still a stranger, to brighten the mood. Taking the bottle of wine, she poured her guest a glass, before having some for herself. It wasn't as strong as kelp beer, the only other type of alcohol she had had, and had a faint fruity smell, something tangy but sweet.

She moved around the room after that, introducing herself more privately to the other guests, who handed their presents over politely. She thanked them, passing them over to Kial who buried them away somewhere for safe-keeping. Eventually, she made her way back to the first woman she had spoke to, smiling.

Her conversation was interrupted as the candles lighting the room went out, Kial beginning to sing the happy tune of "Happy Birthday." He led in a short man who carried a fairly large cake, on top of which stood a glowing candle. He placed it before Alija, and as expected, she blew it out, and the candles were quickly lit again. The man who had carried in the cake began to slice it up, handing it out to the guests, before giving the largest piece to her.

She took a bite. It was delicious. Enjoying the texture, she let it soak in her mouth. Kial scampered over and, with a quick hello to the woman who stood near, gave Alija a hug, pulling her down so she could whisper in her ear. "Alija, thank you so much for everything you have done for me," he whispered, hugging her even tighter. The woman hugged him back, before standing back up.

"Thank you Kial," she replied, taking another bite of cake. "Have you tried this?" she asked no one in particular, "Heavenly!"

by **Firenze** on December 15th, 2015, 2:51 am

Alija had approached her, “We haven’t, I’m sorry if I’m dropping in uninvited, I thought it might be nice to meet some new people in town,” she smiled at the woman across from her, watching as she ate the candies. Fire picked up one and put it on her tongue, it was sweet and unlike anything she’d ever tasted, it was a really pleasant flavor. The woman motioned to the only person she knew in the room and wondered how they might know each other.

“These are really good!” she motioned to the candy that she’d just placed in her mouth. As she did the other woman poured a dark liquid into a glass and handed it to her. Wanting to be polite she took the glass and took a small sip. More flavors flooded her mouth; it was sweet, tangy and smelled faintly alcoholic. It reminded her of the drink from the party in Sunberth. “Thank you, you have such a lovely home and this is a beautiful party. I brought you something, I hope you don’t mind, " handing the white flowy dress to the woman.

Fire’s eyes followed the woman as she moved around the room, greeting her other guests. The host was a lot nicer than she’d expected and Fire was beginning to feel that she was quite lucky to have come. Leaning over to Pulren she wanted to share the warmth that she was feeling, “Isn’t this lovely? How do you know the birthday girl?” a smile of happiness played on her lips, “I’m glad you’re here, I don’t feel as uncomfortable as I thought I might.” Her eyes still on the hostess as she moved around.

The candles went out in the room and Fire startled a little until she saw the birthday cake come out, a candle delicately balanced on top. The boy began to sing a tune that Fire was not very familiar with but tried to hum along with the best she could. After the candle on the cake was blown out, cake was handed out. Graciously she took a piece, slicing off the corner and placing it in her mouth. It was amazing. Even better than the candied piece that she’d put in her mouth before. It was sweet and sugary and moist and very delicious. Fire was really glad that she’d decided to come.

Others | Firenze | Thoughts

by **Pulren Marsh** on December 15th, 2015, 12:59 pm

The initial anxieties seemed to settle, the presentation of food and drink aiding in this.The mix of the pleasant company and the atmosphere made it a stark and welcomed distraction to the kinds of days Pulren had been living. While the party in Sunberth had been a raucous event, it lacked the feeling that this closer and more intimate setting provided. Pulren appreciated it, surely.

He was also pleased with Firenze and her demeanor. She was always pleasant and she could really light up a room, though she only matched the hostess and her own light. When asked about the relation between himself and Alija, he was happy to relate. "She is a blacksmith. A fine one at that. She made an anchor and weights for me that I would be using for my diving platform." He nodded and smiled to her as she expressed her happiness at his presence. The girls worked the room and Pulren helped himself to a glass of the wine. It was warm and tasty. The sensation of the alcohol made the party liven up right away.

It looked like Firenze had a nice dress for her and he smiled with approval, another swallow of the drink helping. When the cake came out, the familiar birthday song came and he did his part in singing along with the room and lifting his glass in appreciation. Once everyone else had their fill of the cake, Pulren took a small slice himself, enjoying it for the most part as well as making a good show for everyone. The truth was that he didn't particularly care for sweets and candies. It wasn't anything traumatic. Something about his palate just made it interesting but unfavorable.

He watched the mingling of the people in the room and waited for the opportune time to approach Alija. Once that window opened, he stepped up to her, smiling. Finishing his glass of wine, he placed it on the table next to him and revealed the gold bracelet that he had purchased for her as a present. " Hey there. Good party. The wine's very nice. I brought you this bracelet as a present. I thought you might appreciate it, considering your trade. I've never bought any jewelry before. I hope it's a nice one." He knew that his delivery was awkward but this was a stage he rarely graced.

Open Birthday Celebrations