[Stormhold Beach] The Midwinter Fire Festival (Open)

[Nya Winters]

There was a great deal going on, Nya admitted, but if the truth were told she would have to confess she truly loved seeing everyone. There were so many sights and smells and sounds. She loved the music, the wafting scent of the roasting pigs (and now fish) drifting through the air. It was something she'd have been terrible at months ago... before Abashai had gradually kept bringing her to the city for longer and longer periods of time until it truly made no difference to her where the slept at night. And although there was a bite of evening chill in the air, Nya didn't feel cold. She felt only excitement. And it was in this state that she took Damien's hand and her and the boy began to dance. She laughed at his bright quick rely and nodded.

"Good. Because I only know very little about dancing... enough I think to fill a thumbprint in the sand with a single raindrop and no more." She said, grinning and following the boys precise steps. It was the type of dancing where couples followed intricate patterns that wove in and out of each other, parting, whirling, and coming back together as the patterns interchanged. Damien was a good partner and seemed to catch her eye with a smile or quick gesture when she started stepping wrong or broke left instead of right like the dance demanded. Nya found herself smiling and laughing just as much as the boy did, and although she at first thought he had sand in his eye, she slowly realized that the boy was blinking one eye deliberately... winking.

Nya grinned brighter and didn't even mind that her sandals had gotten lost somewhere.

She did notice that folks had wandered off; Leo, Terminus, and even the pale woman with the sharpness to her tongue all probably to their own council. Nya knew they spoke of things that only pertained to their god.. Glancing around she caught Avi and Stitch still talking, but could not locate Abashai though she could still smell his scent upon the wind and feel his closeness through their bond. She wasn't worried. He'd probably been dragged off by one of the Widows to advert a certain and sudden crisis with a lack of mixing bowl or a broken lace on a dancing slipper. Nya smiled, knowing he was fine and keeping her attention on the boy. "It's nice to meet you Damien. I've just met Stitch. He's someone who seems like he'd be a good caretaker. He has a sense of humor, at least, which is something I really like in people." She said, laughing as she accidentally bumped him, mis-stepping, and thankful the boy was quick to correct her and cover her mistake.

They danced two sets, getting to know each other and talking when they were close, and smiling when the patterns took them away. Nya didn't mind the boys company. He was a lovely partner and quick with his feet.

But when the musicians stopped, re-tunned and began playing, she did not rejoin the dancers. An Oud stood out to Nya. It had since the first time she'd heard Abashai play his. And so when the first notes struck out, Nya stopped alongside Damien, and gestured politely up at the stage. "He is my friend... he plays beautifully. Will you come with me to listen?" Nya asked, though she hurried forward, Damien's hand firmly still firmly in her own, and halted quietly at the base of the dais. Face tilted upwards, the kelvic watched her bondmate and his companions settle upon the stage and begin playing. She bent down slightly and whispered into the boys ear. "They play the songs of the desert, the burning lands to the far south of hear where no water flows. It is beautiful music, though sometimes sad... if you cannot travel to visit a place, sometimes the best way to know it - to touch it even a little - is to listen to its heartbeat buried within its songs." Nya said softly, then quietly stood at the base of the stage among the rest of the crowd listening. She didn't smile or clap or even sway with the rest of the scattered audience. Instead, she closed her eyes to listen - to really hear - what the musicians were saying when they played. She listened thusly through two sets, a soft smile on her face.

Abashai was gifted, though he'd never claim to be so or acknowldge his talent. But he was a musician every bit as much as the professionals were who sat on the stage and played with him. She was disappointed they only played two songs, and pleasantly surprised that they'd played at all - Abashai had said nothing. She was surprised, for often her bondmate appeared shy to her, at least in the way of crowds. So as the musicians exited off the stage, Nya signed in regret and turned to find a place to sit for it looked like the firedancing was about to start. Truth be told, she could listen to the benshira musicians all evening and not grow tired of their playing.

Nya then claimed a seat on a lovely blanket before the dais, inviting Damien to join her on one side while saving Abashai a seat on the other side, in the place Terminus had told her was reserved for them. When Abashai joined them, Nya smiled brightly, her moss green eyes still glowing from the surprise. "Your music was beautiful. Somehow it warmed us even in the chill tonight." She said simply, touching his arm briefly and nuzzling him, then turned to introduced the boy to Abashai. "Damien, this is Abashai. Abashai, this is Damien - one of Stitch's bo..sons. He is a really good dancer." Nya said giving Damien a bright smile. She hadn't wanted to say boy to offend him. Then she curled her feet beneath her, tucked into her skirt, not wanting Abashai to see that she'd lost her sandals, even though she'd already noticed his feet were bare.

Nya glanced around, noting how the wind had picked up blowing off shore out to sea as the evening drew darker. She closed her eyes then, for a brief moment, opening herself to the spirit of the wind, judging its mood. It was neutral, neither playful nor angry. Since it wasn't truly a storm, only the normal breath of the world, she focused and concentrated, growing silent for a moment as she infused her will into the wind, slowly it, and causing it to bypass the celebration, leaving Terminus' flames to flicker higher but not wildly so the people watching could watch unafraid of wind blowing the fire outward over them or erratically onto someone on the stage like the musicians. When she was sure the wind was going to cooperate, Nya opened her eyes again just in time to see Terminus step into the flames. She smiled brightly, reaching out one hand to stroke Damien's hair affectionately, while leaning against Abashai as she sat, feet tucked under her.

Terminus' prayer to Ivak was beautiful. Nya wondered if anyone else recognized it for what it was. The forest cat could see it was a form of worship, an offering of sorts, made in the middle of grace and fierce love of the element he commanded. Nya understood, perhaps more than anyone there (other than the other followers of Ivak) what it was to love a God and his element. For her, the wind was like that... beautiful, both delicate and powerful, and it carried the secrets of where it had been on it always. She wasn't sure what fire's appeal was - the heat and power to burn scared her. Air was a breath of life, while water was a drink of it. Earth nurtured. But Fire... was deadly. And then she glanced at Abashai, and remembered his words about Sandstorms and Zulrav and suddenly glanced at the stage and realized she was seeing only the bad as well. Guilty of judgment, Nya purred to herself, relaxed and opened her awareness. She found her mind drifting as Terminus danced and she found herself wishing well of the imprisoned God for no other reason than the fact she liked those he marked.

Nya was still purring when Terminus finished, changed, and rounded the dais to join them. She jumped up from where she sat to hug him grinning. "Your dancing was so exciting! I kept waiting for you to get burned, but I found myself forgetting it was even you up there in all the patterns the light made against the dark. It was like staring at art that is always changing. It was a fitting prayer." The kelvic said then settled back down to watch other performers and let Terminus have a chance to pick a seat and settle down. She knew there was enough room for Avi and Stitch, though she hadn't noticed - being so focused on the firedance - if they'd joined them in the audience.

[Nya Winters]

[Avi]

"Not going anywhere," the Kelvic assured Terminus cheerfully. She'd be here for a while yet. She liked making new friends, after all. Nya had so many friends! She kind of missed her own back at home, but she would always go back to them and tell them about these people so far to the south of them.

Avi grinned at Stitch. "Just Avi! You don't have to call me lady." She wasn't sure just how much he could see, else she would have bumped him quite happily and playfully at that - she was used to rough play and enjoyed it, but with Stitch, she knew she had to be a little more careful. It was like the nestlings back at home - she was bigger than they were, far bigger, even if they were older than she, and as such she had to be careful not to knock them over with enthusiasm. She took a bite out of the fish's brain, chewing happily. Unlike Nya, when Avi wanted to eat, she wanted to eat now. Not in an hour, not later, but now. "I have a plate," she assured him. "It's raw," was added for clarity. "Gooooood fish." Her eyes turned a contented green. Avi's emotions were remarkably simple - she was equal parts hungry and curious and happy, though the gnawing edge of hunger was being dulled by what she obviously considered her treat. She stood on tiptoe, and almost wished for Stitch's height - it made things easier to see. She knew from experience, soaring high above the ground and seeing things from that perspective. She listened with interest to his explanation, chewing as she thought about it. Hm. She supposed that made sense. Kind of like how habits were picked up, wasn't it? So he'd picked up that habit. If it made him happy, then that was that. Live and let live, after all.

Her ears almost twitched when the music began. Music! Avi liked music! She loved it, though she didn't quite sway to it, not while she was using her fingers to transport bits of intestine to her mouth. But she liked what she was hearing, and if she hadn't been eating, well, she would have enjoyed it more. And then, there was the dance - rather than guide Stitch towards the food pavilion like she probably should have (he'd said he could use some food, after all), she was transfixed, watching the fire and the patterns woven in it by the dancers. Her eyes went from green to gold, as wide as they could get. So pretty! How did he not get burned? By the time Terminus was done, Avi had moved herself and her new friend over to where the others were, still clutching her plate of fish guts. Avi wouldn't let that one go until she was done, after all. She was keeping herself as clean as she could, mainly with the use of her tongue.

"Very very very pretty," she assured Terminus. "I liked the fire, like snakes in the sky and fish swimming through the stars." Did she think of nothing else BUT fish? "Why do you dance with fire? How do you not get burned? Where did you learn to do that?"

[Nyahna Sasin]

Sasin watched the dancers lazily, his back to a warm fire. He sighed softly, mostly content. He had arrived later than most other people, having come on a whim. He had just seen the poster, and decided to come.

He probably could have snuck in without paying, but didn't really have the will. He didn't really have anything better to do, and who knows. He might find something, or someone interesting.

He let his eyes roam, his gaze raking over the dancers, the spectators, the musicians, his eyes lingering on the buffet table. He debated going over to get something, before he stood up reluctantly. It did look good.

He shivered as he stepped away from the comforting heat of the fire. He was still unused to the conditions here, and being a viper, this was very cold. Kind of like some of the ladies he knew, he thought wryly. He knew it was all in his mind, but is was still very unpleasant.

He quickened his pace, hoping to be able to get to the buffet table and back in a minute, or by Siku, he was going to hibernate, right there on the beach.

Stopping in front of the buffet, he absently filled his plate, then his cup, before going back to his spot by the fire, sighing in relief as he soaked up the heat.

Sasin crossed his legs, and started eating slowly. He shivered again as a gust of wind swirled around him. "Blassted wind." He hissed.

[Abashai]

Abashai saw the crowd gathering for the firedancing and made his way towards the firepit that would be the center for the spectacle. Weaving his way through the crowd, politely excusing himself, he found Nya and a young boy sitting on a colorful blanket near the front. With a grin he took his place next to her. The benshiran was visibly joyful, the evening's festivities touching a part of him that deeply missed the desert evening celebrations, the Benshira mashas.

Abashai welcomed and returned his bondmate's nuzzling, never really considering how their unusal greeting may appear to others. She graciously complimented his music, which brought relief and pleased him immensly. "Thanks Ny, I hoped you would like it." When Nya introduced Damien, Abashai leaned across her to offer the boy his hand. The youngster seemed quite proud of the attention the lovely young kelvic had shown him. "I am pleased to meet you Damien. Perhaps you could teach me some of your dance moves. I am a bit rusty!" He enjoyed the simple company of children, but had not had much of a chance to meet any since leaving home, aside from the few benshiran families he had helped move into Syliras. He definitely had to meet Stitch's other children.

Taking a moment to look around, making sure everything was running smoothly, Abashai eased back as Nya settled in against him. It was a sight that others who did not know them may have misinterpreted; the woman leaning against the man, stroking the head of the child. Then all attention was on Terminus as he stepped boldly into the fire and the music began.

The firedance captivated the benshiran. Fire always had. So many nights spent staring into a fire. It was so easy to lose one's self in the eternally moving flames. Now, he watched a man move among the flames as if he were one of them. The rapturous abandon with which the Terminus whirled within the fire was very much like benhsiran dancers, whose dances flowed from the heart, becoming most intense when the dancer danced from the very core to honor their god. That was how Terminus moved in the fire. It was as if the flames that licked at his legs were dancing with him. Most remarkable to Abashai was that the man emerged from the fire unscathed. Surely there was something magical about the mysterious dance.

Abashai rose with Nya as Terminus approached. After Nya hugged him, Abashai placed a hand on his shoulder, noting a rather intense heat the made him lift his had from the skin in surprise. Nya had mentioned a prayer. What god did Terminus honor? He quickly regained himself, laid his hand back on the man's shoulder and flashed a wide grin at Terminus. "That may have been the most amazing dance I have ever seen Terminus. Undoubtedly you are a man of great passion."

Avi and Stitch came over, and the excited kelvic zealously questioned the firedancer. Abashai could not help but like the eagle-owl, so full of energy and life. He could not contain his smile in her presence, and gently taking Nya's hand in his, waited for Terminus to answer the same questions that the benshiran himself had pondered.

[Terminus Norin]

Terminus had returned from his talk with Leo in a pensive mood. He had accepted his offer to become part of the Triad, bit it still concerned him that he would have to be on guard all the time now. He watched from a distance as he managed to sight Nya and Avi and Stitch, they were sitting near the stage as the musicians were gathering. He decided to come close but not so close they would know he was there.

He looked at Nya and Avi especially knowing that they might also be in danger if anyone found out how fond he was of them.He had thought that no one would ever enter his heart after Sura hurt him. He had built walls around his heart and somehow the two Kelvics had found their way inside and touched his heart., it would break it if something happened to them.

However as Abashai began to play, the music washed over him in waves clearing his mind for a while.Abashai played with the finesse and grace of one practoced in the art and the music carried on the winds with a sweet and lively sound. Terminus could feel it in his heart and it helped him to prepare for his act of worship. He would have to compliment him on his playing as soon as he was done.


Terminus had completed his dance and was beginning his cool off when Nya came up to him and hugged him. He felt a warmth that was not his skin fill his heart from such a simple act of friendship. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him in a hug that was as emotionaly warm as it was physically. He spoke to her softly

Thank you Nya. I try hard to make each prayer something beautifull and worthy of the one I pray to. Im glad you can see it


He smiles at Stitch who's reaction was not uncommon from someone who had never seen him dance before and he spoke a little less quietly but with soft chuckle to his voice

Aye that was me. I learned the secret from my mother who learned it from her mother and so on. We used the dance to keep our faith.


Then he noticed that Avi had come over, her plate of guts still in tow. Hi figured she'd work on them till she was full and it wouldnt leave her side till then. She was keeping herself clean and being very curious. It was an endearing trait and he wished he could express affection for her in the way he could for Nya, but he didnt know her well enough yet. Her statemens and questions elicited a very warm smile from him as he said.
Im glad you liked it Avi, it is an old tradition in my mother's family and we are proud of it. As to why I do it, it is an act of worship for I serve one who's realm is fire. As to why im not burned, well its a form of magic.

He was hesitant to mention being an Azenth here in so public a place as Ivak was hated by most and it would only bring wrath to mention his mark. However there was something he wanted to do and he decided to do it.

Avi, do you dance? I would very much like to dance with you. If you are finished with your treat that is. I would never ask you to leave it till you are done with it. He might be quiet, but he was direct, he knew she would be protective of her food, especially if she was still hungry so he would wait for her to finish before he took her to dance.

In the mean time he felt Abashai's hand on his shoulder and the lifing and replacement of it. He knew the temperature of his skin could suprise most who weren't expecting it and he patiently waited for that shock to pass before he responded to Abashai.

I am told I am a man of great passion and thank you. It is the passion of the fire that fills me and ihe whose realm is fire. he smiled softly and said

Are you a drinking man? If so I would love the honor of a drink with you after the dancing. I think that a few dances without fire are in order first. We can take the time to get to know each other His voice was soft and quiet as he added.

And beside..I have a question for you that I believe you are quite qualified ti answer.

He decided that he would talk to Abashai about his feelings for Avi and see how the Benshiran knew that Nya was the one. It would tell him if his feeeligs were the kind that could blossom or not.

[Nya Winters]

Nya watched Avi question Terminus relentlessly as she entwined her fingers in Abashai's and kept an eye on Damien to make sure he was staying out of trouble. She turned and studied her bondmate's blue-green eyes looking slightly amused. Lowering her voice, she asked him laughingly. "Was I ever like that?" Terminus seemed to be reacting well to the grilling, patiently in fact, as he carefully went question by question and provided an answer.

Nya smiled when Terminus asked Avi to dance and stepped back slightly, though not releasing Abashai's hand, but giving the pair space to leave if they wanted. Nya inhaled deeply, frowned, and glanced around. She missed the exchange between Abashai and Terminus because there was a whiff of something in the air. Snake? Nya frowned, dismissing it because she had already calmed the winds and scent was all but elusive. She thought perhaps for a moment she'd smelled something that shouldn't have been there... something dangerous, but she couldn't be sure. Her eyes dropped to the sand, and she started glancing around, but there was nothing her sharp feline eyes could see even in the darkness. She'd notice one right? It had to be something else... a mistake... and so she turned her attention back to the conversation before her. If she smelled it again, she'd leave her friends and go looking. A snake didn't belong on the beach this late in the year in this sort of cold. Nya shivered slightly... not liking them one bit.

[Abashai]

Still watching the conversation between Avi and Terminus, Abashai grinned at Nya's question about whether she was ever like Avi, and leaned closer to her. "Yes, but you stopped when I wouldn't answer." With a sudden pain, he lost his grin. It was true. From the beginning, the benshiran had sent clear signals that there were things he would not to talk about. But their bond had deepened, as had his feelings for her. Abashai had decided it was time to talk to her about those things. In fact, after they had wrapped things up in town the next few days, they would return to their home in the Bronze Wood. Around a warm fire in their cave, he would tell her everything.

With his plan in mind, Abashai shook off his regret and re-engaged in the festivities. He turned to Terminus, who had invited him for a drink and a discussion. "I would very much like to join you, I have looked forward to if for some time. Though I do not know if they have tea." He grinned. Abashai did not drink. Alcohol played a part in the seduction and adultery that had destroyed his life, and he resented how it was used against him. "I would be glad to answer any questions you may have, and I have a few for you too!"

Terminus had mentioned dancing first. Abashai looked over at Nya, he was still taken aback by how beautiful she looked. He found that he wanted to dance with her, like a couple would. But, he was not much of a dancer. Back home, because he did not have a Tent of his own, and therefore not a suitable husband, benshiran father's did not permit their daughters to dance with him. Besides, he did not know the dances they danced here in the North. But the festival's atmosphere, the music, the firedancing, all seemed to bolster his daring and his honesty.

Abashai turned to Nya. The forest cat had a familiar countenance, she smelled something and it concerned her. After a moment she seemed to shake it off. He looked around too, wondering what she sensed, then turned back to her "Are you alright?" Too nervous and excited, her bondmate barely waited for an answer when he suddenly squeezed her hand and blurted out, "Ny, I want to dance with you!" The benshiran surprised even himself. Then he looked into her moss green eyes with a sheepish grin. "I mean...I want to dance with you, but I don't..really know how."

[Stitch]

Stitch openly grinned as Avi unwittingly led him over to where his rogue little boy had ended up at. Damien HAD managed to sneak his way out of his studies at the Welcome Home, and had also managed to sneak his way into the Fire Festival. He made sure to focus his sight on the little boy and his aura, determined to keep sight of the boy if the little guy tried to make some kind of run for it. Damien wasn't really one to run from Stitch once he was caught; he had learned a long time ago that Stitch could see many more things than he was supposed to be able to, and that his eyes were something the child could not hide from.

They came to a stop with the rest of the group, Terminus approached, Stitch asked his questions, and quickly got them answered. He smiled at the man, nodding, satisfied with the quick response. "Your faith is very beautiful displayed, and this one is sure the God is pleased." Stitch held his tongue after that, feeling the urge to ask even more questions, about the God he worshiped, about some more details about the beautiful dance he had just performed, but he felt it would be rude to take up even more of Terminus's attention. The man was already being assaulted by the other members of the group, and Stitch had already had his questions answered. He could wait his turn, most certainly.

Damien remained by Nya's side, hiding a bit behind her, keeping a barrier between him and Stitch. Fear wasn't present anywhere on his features, there was only a bit of shame at the fact that he had done something bad and had just gotten caught doing it. Abashai had shaken his hand, and the boy had just given him a quick and hurried nod, as well as a smile, but kept his gaze on Stitch.

Without even turning his head to regard Damien, still 'watching' Terminus, Stitch spoke to the boy. "Hello, Damien." The owner of the Welcome Home erased the smile from his face, a bit of a stern look crossing his face, strict, but not mean. Damien cuddled a little closer to Nya, a look of defiance now crossing his face. "I finished my school, teacher said I could-" Stitch slightly turned his head toward the boy, now 'looking' directly at him. "Then this one supposes teacher would back up this story if this one was to ask teacher?" Damien paused, his cheeks flushing red, and bowed his head. Stitch regarded him a bit longer, and then shook his head, a slight smile settling onto his features. He sat down on the other side of the boy; the one Nya wasn't occupying, and gave the boy a short nudge with his shoulder. "You do realize this is a charity event, Damien? Did you donate the Miza required...? This one supposes since this could be considered community service, you might be able to get away with it..."

The boy instantly brightened, perking up, giving Stitch a nudge of his own and pulling out a gold Miza from his pocket. "Of course I would like to donate! Where does this go?" Chuckling, Stitch pointed the boy toward the donation tables, and without a second though, the boy suddenly darted off.

Ah, that was what Stitch had forgotten. The donation!

Glancing toward Abashai, he considered the aura of the man closely. Abashai, the name sounded familiar. He was one of the members of the Cultural Council? The festival was a way to raise money for them, after all. He considered pulling the man aside, he wanted to make a personal kind of donation, but he didn't want to do it in front of all the others, like he was showing off. He decided to wait until later, there was a bunch of conversation still going on, and Abashai was part of some of it. He could pull the man aside later, or perhaps invite him over to the Welcome home, so Stitch could both fulfill his visit, and so Abashai could get in his visit.

The fond smile he had on his face only grew as he watched the men ask the women to dance, a bit of nervousness in each voice. It was lovely, cute, and rather unique to watch. The clustering of emotions danced around each man and each woman in their small group, and it was fun to watch, listen to, and feel in the air around them. He kept quiet, just watching, waiting for Damien to get back.

[Nyahna Sasin]

Sasin ate slowly, relishing the taste. As a human, his sense of taste was excellent. He reluctantly ate the last bite of meat, before setting his plate and cup down. Stifling a yawn, he stretched lazily, moving closer to the fire.

He glanced around, and frowned as he noticed something. A human was looking around the beach. This normally wouldn't even warrant a glance from him, but at this time of night..... He glanced around. It was virtually impossible to see any thing apart from the fires. The only reason he could see her was because she was by a nearby firepit.

What then? It was likely that she was just looking for something she had dropped. He knew he had a tendency to be highly paranoid. It came with the job. There was probably nothing.

Sighing, Sasin picked up his plate, told his screaming, freezing nerves to shut up, and walked over to where they were roasting the sows, hopping to get some warm food in him.

As he was passing by the fire pit where the woman was at, he couldn't help tasting the air. He found it helped with the cold. (OOC: Honest. I do that all the time. Breathing in hot air helps with the cold.) This time, he detected an odd scent. It was something vaugely foresty, an odd scent he couldn't quite place. Good grief, what were they eating?