Open [The Sanctuary] A Snow Day!

[Kavala]

Timestamp: 20th of Winter, 515 AV.

Kavala had been surprised when the sleds she’d ordered from the Vantha at the Warrens had arrived a day early. They craftsman had snuck out with her and showed her how to use them, steering and turning, adjusting them for both how the children would ride and indeed how the adults would ride as well. And one look at the road down to the sea had given the man an idea. It was a long straight shot with almost no bend to it far wide nough for a wagon to drive down. Because it was long and slopping the whole way, the man had suggested tying rope to the back of each of the heavy toboggans so that the horses Kavala would commission for the job wouldn’t have to walk up and down the hill each side. Instead, once the sleds came to a halt (and it was a lot of rope mind you), all they had to do was harness a horse to each rope and ride the horse off across the flat to haul the sled up. Even the people could ride.

The younger sledders and adults using the individual sleds were on their own. They had to go down when the big toboggans were at the top as to not get tangled in the ropes, but all was good fun. Then, when they were done with their run, they had to pick up their sleds and either carry or drag them by their rope pulls back up the hill. At the top, Kavala had asked the grooms to drag out a spare portable table which she set up snacks and kept a little fire burning in a oil burner that warmed a big crock of hot cocoa.

The sky was clear. There was virtually no wind. And though it was bright and the sun was shining, the day was bitterly cold. Kavala had posted an invite in town, hoping that she could include more than just the denizens of Sanctuary. They all needed a break. These budding powers were causing problems and the population of Riverfall was as stressed as ever. Kavala wanted to provide a bit of relief to that. She needed to provide relief. Cocoa, a warm fire, and a steep road leading down to the beach could do that. Not just for the children, no… not at all. But for the adults as well.

Two horses, stallions in fact, stood at the top of the hill and conversed amongst themselves. For all that they were warhorses, they wore pulling rigs harnessed about them. Kavala had collars on them since the toboggans were large. Rope was coiled nearby, two lengths long enough to reach the bottom of the hill where the road leveled out onto the beach. One end was already attached to the big toboggans and one lay ready to attach to a horse. Kavala wasn’t going to do that until it was time.

So far it was just her and the older kids and several grooms. A wagon, unhitched, lay resting off to one side. It was how she’d gotten the sleds and toboggans to the location along with the table. Kavala took one of the sleds and loaded Tasi on the front. She scooted in behind him and together they took a first run at the hill.

Managing the sled wasn’t easy! The ground rushed by them and Tasi screamed in pure unadulterated childhood thrill. Kavala felt the wind remold her face far faster than morphing ever could. Her booted feet were leaning on the steering apparatus at the nose of the thread while her arms were around her oldest child. Steering, holding on, and screaming at the same time wasn’t easy. She found that out immediately. Nor was the ability to actually stop. They hit the bottom of the hill where the road spilled out onto the beach and went zipping off on the snow covered sand. When the little sled finally came to a halt, both were breathless and still laughing. Kavala climbed off, helped Tasi up, and the two of them trudged back towards the road and up the hill dragging the sled behind them.

When they got to the top, they looked around to see if anyone else had shown up. If not, Kavala was definitely going to go again.

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[Ayatah]

“Aya, do you think there’ll be other boys for me to play with?”

“I’m sure of it, Kuame. And there’ll be hot cocoa, too.”

The boy attached to her hand gave a delighted little squeal. If the prospect of making new friends wasn’t thrilling enough, hot cocoa certainly was! He could hardly contain his excitement, and Kuame stomped his feet to music only he could hear as he followed his adopted mother through the streets of Riverfall.

Ayatah, however, was lacking in enthusiasm. She had not only slept poorly last night, but had woken up around the third bell in a terrible state. The half-Eypharian had been drowning in a mixture of fear and exhilaration, panicked but thrilled in equal measure. Whilst she had been busy steadying her breathing and calming her racing heart, Aya had tried to make sense of the peculiar sensation. In that micro-tick between sleep and wakefulness, she had felt… hunted. Or had she been the hunter herself? Regardless, such primal fear and exhilaration had not been felt buy the half-breed since her time in the Taloban military. But she was no longer a warrior of Myri, and she was as far from the jungle as she could be -- culturally so, if not physically.

She finally managed to convince herself that it was nothing more than a painfully realistic dream, though this conclusion bought only a smidgen of respite to the fearful Myrian. Nevertheless, it was an answer to her peculiar experience, and that had been, at least partly, enough to settle her nerves. But as Aya rose later that morning, sleep having still evaded her for the rest of the night, she realised the cuts down her legs. From her knees downwards, both of her calves and shins were covered in small, bloody little cuts and scrapes. Several bruises were also beginning to claim her kneecaps.

None of the wounds were particularly deep or gruesome, but in their innumerable quantity, they were incredibly painful. Walking was uncomfortable thanks to the bruises on her knees, but that alone was not enough to cripple Ayatah. It was the confusion, the fear, that made her want to never leave her home again. There were plenty of mysterious and frightening things happening all over the city at the moment, but in times where the unreal becomes the real, logic – the very thing that Ayatah had always relied on – was useless. To try and find a rational explanation for what had happened to her would be like bringing a feather to a swordfight.

But despite her fears and worries, life had to go on. Kuame - thankfully safe and perfectly happy - needed caring for, even if Ayatah was starting to lose her marbles and her understanding of the world around her. Though it was the last thing she wanted to do, she had promised her beloved boy that they would journey out of the city to The Sanctuary, for the winter celebration being held there. Despite being a usually private individual, Aya found herself desperate to share last night’s bizarre occurrence with someone, anyone. She needed to offload this strangeness to another being, so they could least share her burden if not explain it for her. Perhaps she was merely hoping that whoever she told would laugh it off and reassure her that she was simply imagining things. It was better if it was just herself who was going mad, rather than the entire world.

Horses were rented for the journey, wine was bought for the hostess. To avoid being that guest who arrived expecting free food and drink for nothing in return, Aya also went ahead and bought a luxuriously rich chocolate cake. If anything could solve her current dilemma, cake and wine would be a good bet.

“Look, Aya! They have sleds!” Unable to contain himself, Kuame ploughed through the snow towards the female and child that were appearing on the crest of the hill. Embraced by childhood confidence and excitement, he waved to the two unfamiliar characters and bouncily introduced himself: “Hello! I’m Kuame, and this is Aya. We bought cake!”

“And wine.” Ayatah added lamely, raising her bottle-laden hands and trying her best to avoid looking as exhausted as she truly was. Perhaps two bottles was too much – the last thing she needed was the reputation of an alcoholic. Tucking one bottle under her arm, she extended a hand towards the Konti. “As my son explained, I am Ayatah. Thank you for hosting this celebration. I think it’s certainly needed, given the…” She trailed off, her dark eyes flickering between Kuame’s face to that of the child standing beside the other woman. For the sake of subtlety, and not wanting to distress either child, Aya concluded her sentence with, “coldness of this season.”


ledger-10GM for 1 bottle of Bluevein Prime
-15GM for 1 bottle of Bluevein Ice
-5GM for cake
-20GM for 2 horse rentals

TOTAL: -50GM

[Mo'esha]

20 Winter 515 AV

Mo’esha perched precariously atop a leaking sack of grain, swaying along with the caravan wagon as it pitched and protested down the rough road leading north of the city. Gifts clutched to her chest, she cursed her inability to ride a horse.“This simply will not do.” She thought to herself, vowing to purchase a mount and lessons as soon as she had the means. Perhaps that could be written into her contract, she hoped. Having paid an entire gold miza for the short two mile trip, she mused that the long term benefit would be well worth the upfront investment. The caravan driver had only agreed to take her as far as the fork in the road. Once her destination was in sight they would part ways and she would have to trek the last bit on foot… with presents!
As the wagon began to lurch to a pause Mo’esha craned her neck around to gaze at the stone structure in the distance. Why was she even doing this? Was she really so desperate for personal contact? Maybe. But she’d heard wonderful things about the Konti woman who owned the Sanctuary. And secretly – though she would not sully the celebration with such talk – she hoped that the woman might share some of her experiences as one of the “rescued” women of the city. Just maybe she could help put Mo’s mind at ease and help prepare her for the weeks ahead. And maybe they might even be friends. …maybe.
As she trudged through the icy frozen landscape, Mo was happy to find that the path leading up the steeply sloping hill seemed already worn. Warily she picked her way up the path, careful to keep her feet in line with the previous tracks and her fingers wrapped tightly around the cloak under which her party favors were safely tucked. As she began to crest the top of the hill she noted a small group, at least she would call it a group, had already gathered. Two women seemed to be exchanging pleasantries, each with a young child glued to one side or the other. For a moment she regretted her decision. There were sleighs and snacks and all manner of things to entertain younglings – of which Mo’esha had none – and for a moment she felt a pang of fear. Would she be that guest, the sad one who brought candy to party but had no children of her own; the one who gets left out while mothers prattle on about their children’s development and achievements... bleh… maybe she should just leave.
But she had come here for a reason, as unclear as that reason may be, she had spent precious mizas to do it. There was no turning back now – or at least not yet. Shyly she approached the two women, tucking a stray hair - blown free from her braid by the blustery winter winds - behind her ear and forced herself to lift her gaze despite the self-consciousness she felt about the prominent and garish brand on her cheek. There seemed to be a pause in the conversation as she approached, and so she decided now would be as good a time as any to introduce herself. “Hello, I’m…” she started in a small voice, the common words barely audible over the wind and seas. Clearing her throat she dropped her head for a moment, attempting to hide her embarrassment, and inhaled deeply. Inexplicably she was met with the aromas of joy, exhilaration, confusion, and fear. With a soft 'hmph' she realized that she was not so different than anyone here. The thought gave her comfort and confidence. So she raised her gaze once again with renewed determination. “Sorry about that.” She smiled. “I’m Mo’esha. I saw your notice and I thought I would drop by. This is such a wonderful idea. And so sorely needed. Thank you so much for hosting… I brought favors!” The words tumbled out of her mouth rushed and slightly louder than they should be. It was hard to tell if she was hyper or horrified, but the more she spoke it became obvious the poor dear was terribly nervous and undersocialized.
With a shy glance at the darker woman, she retrieved the gifts from beneath her cloak. First she held out a small glass box, the color of holly berries. Inside the box was a small assortment of hard honey candies in brightly colored wrappers
“I brought candy for the children… and the adults too if you’d like.” Mo stammered, shaking the box gently so that the candy inside rattled enticingly. ”And this is for you. It’s handcrafted. I wasn’t sure of your tastes, so I kind of just winged it. I hope you like it.” With a gleefully genuine smile she tried to hand Kavala a clear decanter of oil. The liquid inside was a transparent yellow that echoed the warmth of sunlight over the sea of grass, complete with the gentle shimmering drift of pollen in the air. If opened it smelled equally as evocative as it looked, with blended tones of leather, sweetgrass, horsehair, and warm furs.
Realizing the Konti’s hands were mostly full already, and feeling the sense she had done something inappropriate (she always felt like she was doing something inappropriate) she turned to Ayatah, ”Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’m Mo’esha. I’m new to the city and……. And I’m really horrible at this. Sorry.” With a soft chuckle she covered her face with one hand, perfume still clutched in her palm, and finally seemed to relax a little bit…

Ledger-3GM: Snuff Box, 3 oz, Red
-1GM: Candy (Honey), 20pcs
-1GM: Caravan
-1sm, 5cm: Decanter, 1 0z, Clear
-1sm: Perfume, Common, 1 dram
Total: -5GM, 2sm, 5cm
Word Count935

[Lian Windrunner]

Playing in the snow was a concept that confused Lian completely. His memories of the past were few. And what he could remember was vague, and fragmented. But in the few memories he did have of winter, snow was something to survive. Not something to play in.

As a result, this festival that Kavala was having him confused Lian more than a little. And yet...as he watched Kavala slide down the hill on the large, strange looking travois with her son, he could almost see the point of it. They certainly seemed to be having fun, anyway. Part of the reason the festival was being held was to relieve stress caused by all of the strange powers that had appeared mysteriously throughout the city. And the need to relieve stress was something that Lian could understand. His own power, the ability to understand and communicate with animals was a good thing, as far as he could tell. Rather than causing problems, Lian truly enjoyed the deeper relationship he now had with his strider. But he could see how some of the powers that had appeared could prove to be difficult to deal with.

Others came, and offered gifts to Kavala. Lian frowned in dismay. He hadn't brought a gift of any kind. Should he have? Was this festival like the Winter Blaze they had gone to earlier in the season, where they were supposed to bring a food offering?

Lian felt a hard nudge in his back. He turned, and glared at Talise, who had come with him to the festival. She snorted, and Lian could sense that she was exasperated with him.

Go join the others. Have fun. It is what you are meant to do here.

It was good advice. That it came from his strider was a fact that Lian wasn't prepared to think about too closely. But it was good advice no matter what the source. Still...

"And what are you going to do? You can't come with me if I go talk to them. I don't think that people in this city would understand it if you followed me around."

Kavala would. She understands me, too.

Lian nodded thoughtfully. Kavala might well understand the special bond between a Drykas and his strider. She spoke with a pavi accent that suggested that she had spent considerable time among the Drykas in the past.

"Maybe she would. But the others wouldn't."

I don't want to talk to them, anyway.

"Then what are you going to do?" Lian asked again.

I'll go talk to the horses over there. Talise told him with a toss of her head in the direction of the other horses.

With that, Talise trotted over towards the war horses that stood over to one side. Lian watched her go, then walked over to where Kavala and the others were standing.

"I'm sorry, Kavala. I didn't bring a present the way the others did. But I could go hunting for you, if you'd like." he offered, his hands echoed his words, signing a sincere apology.

Lian didn't think the sign would be understood, but signing as he spoke was as natural to him as breathing. He wasn't certain that he could stop it even if he wanted to.


548/4617 total

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[Adyel]

Adyel enjoyed the cold in his animal form. He was sprawled out on the white snowy ground. He liked having parties and such. The only problem was that he was a Kelvic. His animal form was a lion. But he isn't a fully grown lion add of yet. In terms, he is a cub. But is slightly larger then an average cub would be. He watched as Tasi and Kavala slid down the hill. He was glad that Kavala had decided to adopt him. After his mother died, he wasn't much of a social kid. In fact, he was more so quiet and cautious as a paranoid person might be. But Adyel is curious then paranoid. And actually, he isn't paranoid. Not at all. He knew that those war horses on the top of the hill were cautious of him. But that didn't worry the young Kelvic much.

Their were more people coming in from the city to. And Adyel was curious, but he didn't show any harm to them. All he wanted to do was sleep. Well, basically. Every since he had gotten back ton Riverfall, he had a hard time with his sleep schedule. Though, the rings of his eyes were slowly fading I'm human form was a good sign. He still had nightmares every now and then. He writes wake up some nights, silently startled. He would have dreams of seeing his mother, and being upset. Or he would be having a dream where he would be alone in the orphanage in Zeltiva and he weighs get down because of the baleful things that the people the would say. Though, they weren't true. And the dreams weren't real, it didn't make Adyel feel better about himself.

The snow tickled Adyels fur. So instead of trying to catch some rest, he editor get up every blew and then to shake off the snow. It had annoyed Adyel, but this was a habit that he had picked up. He felt like find back into the sanctuary to change into his clothes so that he can actually have fun with the human races. So it was settled. He stood up, and yawned, half purred in a way and walked back to The inside of the sanctuary. What're luckily, he left his clothes in a room near the entrance.

He quickly stepped inside, and walked towards the room where he had left his clothes. It was a private room. And Adyel doesn't use out much, besides when he shifts his forms. Hiya clothes were left his bed and he changed form. With a glowing light effect. He morphed into a human. Looking like a young ten year old boy. He wad bare, but it was quickly changed add he dressed hiatus with the proper clothing. Suited for this weather, of course. Thanks to Kavala. Adyel wanted to get her something, something special. But he doesn't knew what she likes. Maybe that was a conversation that the two can start with. Maybe to get to know each other.

He had put on his coat and boots and hurried outside. He pushed open the door and closed it add he left his room. Excited to begin the day as a human. He hoped that the horses weren't offended by his animal form. And he really wanted to spend more time with Kavala and Her children. Adyel couldn't help, but smile add he had exited the sanctuary. He saw Kavala Winfrey Tasi up on top of the hill again and started up. He ran add fast add his legs could carry him. And only I a few chimes he managed to teach the two. Tasi seemed to be having a blast, and she seemed that she wanted to go down again as she was laughing. Kavala was laughed to, still. And Adyel felt right at home with his new family. He chuckled a bit as the two seemed to be preparing themselves for another go."May I use a sled to. Ms. Kavala? Please." Adyel asked with half a chuckle sniff smile. He didn't knew I'd he should be calling her mom, but he decided to go a bit formal with it. He had almost forgotten top say three please. But it was still down kind enough to not make the conversation feel dark.

Word count=739

[Namorin Xalvratos]

Namorin walked the path from Riverfall towards the Sanctuary. He had seen the invintation and had debated about going to the festival. Then he had a pearl knecklace request come through. It was a complicated request but had a lot of pearls. It would take time to seperate out pearls of similar size and then drill them to be threaded. Charlain had a trantrum when he realized Namorin was seriously thinking of missing it for work. So it was that Namorin now had a bag of bread and cheese slung over his shoulder that he was bringing towards the event.

Namorin was enjoying the walk it wss giving him a chance to streatch his legs, to exercise and more importantly to enjoy the weather. It was cold and Namorin was dressed accordingly, but he loved the feel of the wind on his skin. His lips turned up in a smile as he listened to a breeze pass by him. It was a familiar and he felt even closer this winter as if the breezes were becoming a more intaminte part of him.

He pulled this thoughts away from jewelry and winds as he saw the sanctuartpy before him. It was a truely interesting site. Namorin had really interacted with animals as he had grown up. So this place held a great deal of novelty for him. He was beining to learn about animals and kelvics as well as the people who dwelt there. Namorin also felt a certian amont of protectiveness about the place. He was sure Kavala could easily defend herself, but Namorian was beging to see how dangerous of a world she lived in.

The tall Akalak approached the area were everyone was gathering. It looked like a group had come to the gathering. He noticed that there appearered to be several people around Kavala. He also noticed Adyel standing by Kavala. He paused and waited for his chance to great Kavala. "Charlain and myself wanted to express our gratitude." He realized that with the party just starting that she would be the center of attention. So he moved over to Adyel. "Morning Adyel. Did you want to teach me how to use these contraptions." He said smiling a brotherly smile at the young Kelvic. Namorin also felt a protective urge over this young Kelvic. he knew that the Kelvic was afraid of Akalak's and Namorin was only now beging to understand why. The young Akalak felt a bit ashamed that he hadn't ever noticed his people's behavior before.

Life's a storm. Ride it.

[Adyel]

The young Kelvic was startled as he hadn't realized that Namorin was behind him. He was content to ride the sled. It had been a full year to ride a sled. And the last time that he had had remembered riding down the sled, was when he had still lived with his mother. He had fun at the time and he would still like to continue to have fun with sledding. Namorin had greeted himself and mentioned a Charlain. Adyel looked around for another Akalak, but he hadn't had found any luck of finding one."Who is Charlain?" Adyel asked curiously. As he had gave a warm smile. He didn't see any Charlain so was this Charlain late? Or did Charlain not want to have had come?

Adyel realized what Namorin had meant by the word 'contraption' it wasn't to hard to use. The sled. Adyel shivered as he had just started to get the feel of transitioning from the once warmth of his fur to now the cold that whiped across his skin. "Oh, the sled. Right? That's what your asking right?" Adyel had said with a smile. He remembered those special moments that he had had with his mother while she was still alive. It hadn't pained him as much then when he was staying with Kavala.

The Kelvic boy was fond of the these group of kids that Kavala had been parenting. She seemed like a wonderful mother. But, Adyel had always wondered this, 'would he have had called Kavala by the term mother as if she was his actual mother?' Or would the Konti even see Adyel as his own son? Would it have a possible matter to it all? Was this discussion within his little cranium be worth it if he had slipped these questions out of his mouth.

His skin cold, but heart warm. Be decided to dismiss these unjustifiable thoughts aside and went baback to what Namorin had had asked the young boy. "Oh, well... I think... You sit on it and would have to work together by leaning over on one side of the sled while you hold the sides so that you would be able to avoid any trees or boulders that could possibly be in your way. " Adyel wasn't completely sure of how the sledding thing had worked.

He wanted to ask Kavala if he had had explained it right. But, he didn't know how to ask her the right way. He really wished though that his mother was still around so that she would have had the ability to teach him the importance of each and every aspect of life. Well, now that she had deceased Adyel won't be able to learn, well, at least learn it from his mother.

Hopefully, Kavala or someone that he had met would teach him the important aspects. The young Kelvic wanted to go fetch another sled so that he could possibly get Namorin to ride with him. If he would want to. Adyel was certain, that if Namorin wanted to ride. If he didn't the young Kelvic didn't mind getting someone else, but when Namorin had had asked. It seemed that the Akalak was at least somewhat interested. Well, seemingly interested in the sled more or less. Is it alright if I go get another sled Mr.Namorin" Adyel asked with a light tone in his words. He waited patiently for a reply as well as one from Kavala too.

He didn't know what they were thinking about. But, Adyel just wanted to join in on the fun and be able to discover more things about Kavala and the kids. Including, the new people that he had had met or will soon meet. He wished his half brother were here at Riverfall. They would have a lot of fun together. But, it would also take up a lot of time to get back home where he had lived. Was it Syliras? Adyel wasn't so sure of the name of the city were his half brother Revali was.

The only family he knew of was his half brother. But, he remembered of how Adyels mother told him that things were hard for Revali, because his mother was deceased at the time as well. And Adyel understood the feeling. But, the one feeling that he hadn't understood was the sense of being alone. He hadn't felt connected to anyone yet. Although, not fully true. He had formed of a small bond with the children that Kavala has had been parenting.

WC=757
Total out of posts within thread=1496