"Is he upsetting you Smith? He'd better not. I won't have you upset when you've just got calm. It's a nice drink isn't it? Try the blue, it's just changed again. If he's bothering you, I'll bother him. Come on Kai, can't have people upsetting Smith.... Ooooh, roast beef!"
Abby is just a little lightheaded and quite easily distracted. Leaving her drink she flits over the to the array of roasting meats, passing as close as she dares to the figure arousing Smith's suspicions and trying to get a sense of the goosebumps he's talking about.
"Pardon me" Kai excuses himself from the table and follows Abby. He keeps eyes on Abby, but mostly on the stranger.
"Hmm, I wonder whats got Transon so spooked?", Kai internalizes before looking back. He and fixes a plate of shredded meat and bread.
"You worry too much Transon. Can't you have a little fun, without worrying about something else" Kai goes back to sipping his wine.
As Kia drinks he finds himself in an unusual situation. It could be this place, the Grill, or even his drink. But Kai finds himself more open and free. More like as a child, and less like...Him.
"I'm Fyrn, welcome to Thallathorne's!" The woman with the hair the colour of autumnal leaves repeats for the benefit of the new arrivals with a dazzling smile. "Can I take your cloaks and coats?" She asks kindly "You really won't need them on the floors above and the exit isn't due to be there again for at least another hour."
"Well since we have no way to leave...", Kai bows to his hosts and makes his way to stairs.
He stops and turns to Abby, "Care to accompany me"
Kai catches a glimpse of what's happening between Abby and her brother. His brain tells him to stay out of it, but his heart...
"Excuse me a moment Ma'am", Kai turns his attention towards Smith. "Transon let her go. You're embarrassing yourself in front of our hosts. Besides, she's a grown woman and can stand on her own two feet. You can see for yourself that she, as well as Harker are fine."
Kai continues deeper into the forest always looking for the young Clover girl. He struggles ever moment with the decision, but also knows that Abby is capable of caring for herself. That and Harker is with her as well.
"What troublesome brats", Still he hopes to see a glance of Abby anywhere.
"The faster I find Mrs. Clover, the more time I get to look for Abby", he calmly tells himself.
A small shiver runs down Kai's spine. "Abby?", he says too himself.
"Transon, have you seen Len or your sister?", he asks in a cold almost uncaring way. "They were running ahead a few minutes ago, but now..." a small sense of urgency grips Kai, but he continues on in his normally cool demeanor.
"I hope the fools did'nt go get lost. It's bad enough we were dragged out here to find the Mrs. Clover. We don't need to be looking for them as well", Kai walks on. He constanly looks on into the blackness beyond the lantern light.
At the culmination of the festival, Abby finds herself standing face to face with Kai and trying to find words to express herself. It seems very important to get it right. Finally she reaches up and traces the lines of his face with her fingers, like a blind person trying to memorise him.
"You're mine Kai. You'll always be mine. We'll never lose each other. I don't think we can. We're linked somehow. I always know where you are. Wherever you go, I'll follow."
She pauses for a moment, uncharacteristically terrified he's going to laugh at her, then decides to carry on anyway.
"I don't mean we should be lovers or marry. This might sound stupid but I think we've gone beyond those bonds. Just remember you'll always be mine and for better or worse, I'll always be yours. I suppose we might regret that, but I don't think we have much choice."
Remembering the old way they made promises when they were children, she holds up her index finger to him and waits for him to join her. When both fingers touch, they'll gently breathe over both finger tips to seal the promise.
Kai stare into Abby' eyes and touches his finger to hers. "Abby, I promise to be beside you always. The bond we share is deeper than love, and because of that I'm greatful."
"I'll come with you Kai. But I really want to see the ritual first. Unless you secretly think Gracie's in deep trouble and needs our help this very second, we could wait for that and then everyone will help."
She gestures randomly at the assembled travellers, before adding softly
"And if everyone's busy searching, I can pick up my stuff without Smith catching me and we can be ready to leave."
Kai nods in agreement. "I think there's time to see it. I realy don't think she's in any real danger."
"The only reason I'm here is because Dawne dragged me here", He whispers to abby.
"I suggest we have group search in town. while another looks in the woods. I doubt she's really missing; She's probably just trying to see how much mischief she can cause."
"Oh come on. You know she is. "Oooh I've the most terrible feeling something has happened to Gracie and I know who's fault it is, we Clover's are all sooo close and snuggly, we can tell when something happens to one of us." Abby's voice rises as she mimics Rose on the rampage.
Though he fights it, a light grin appears on Kai's face.
Spotting Kai coming towards them, Abby pulls Stefan in his direction.
"Did you find Len's little follower?"
Impulsively grabbing Kai's hand, she yanks him closer to Stefan.
"This is Kai. He's been my best friend all my life. Since I'm winning my bet, he could be coming with us. Kai, this is Stefan. If I keep Smith from nagging me, we're leaving in the morning. Out of Clearbrook, away from the dull. Who knows where we could end up. Good plan, don't you think?"
"No, that's why I came back." Kai stares at Stefan, "Your grandmother said your considered a leader amongst your people. You've no dobut heard by now that one of our local children has gone missing. I need your help in finding her."
Kai not taking his eyes away, nods in the direction of Dawne Clover. "Her sister, Rose, suspects that someone in your group has something to with her missing sister."
"I am of the opinion that the young one is off causing mischief. But if we don't find her soon, they will have no problem throwing this celebration into chaos."
A woman of significant age looks up from her seat on a richly coloured blanket at Kai's question, her worn face wrinkled in an amused expression. "My dear boy, nobody is in charge of the ritual of stardust! We're all here as equals to enjoy this wonderful night!" A hearty, slightly wheezy chuckle escapes the woman and she shakes her head a little. "Although if you have a request of my family it would possibly be best to ask Tamás or Stefan" She points out the man dancing with the carpenter and the one dancing with Abby "They're the most vocal and persuasive of my grandchildren and some take that for leadership.."
"Thank you, Ma'am." Kai bows once again, and walks off towards Abby and Stefan. In the back of his mind he worries about not finding the young Clover, and the problems that would follow.
For those of you looking for a 'leader' of the travellers it's a little difficult. There are a few older, seemingly senior members in the group, there's a prominent middle-aged mother figure and then of course the young man who made the announcement at the start of the festivities who's currently dancing with Abby again.
Kai makes his way toward the older members of the travelers. "Greetings", Kai bows, "I am looking for the one in charge of this festival."
Len hesitates, as if trying to decide whether to say something. Finally, he answers, "I think Rose is probably right -- it has to do with the travelers. Before you go back into the woods, would you come with me to talk to them? We need to find their leader."
In an instance the cold, apatheic looks returns and he goes to seek out Harker
Len is waiting in the same place near the green, with Maia, Donnell, and the collie.
"Any luck, Kai?"
"Harker, Mr. Foley, Miss Thornton.", he gives a slight bow. "None. Everyone I talk to mentions seeing her with you last. If anything I think she be somewhere in the wood."
"Dawn mentioned she may have run off to the woods. Rose seems to think the travelers have to do with her missing." He gazes at the fire, "If anything I'll be heading into the woods. Hopefully I'll find her there."
Delighted to see her best friend Abby fills Kai in on recent developments.
"I missed you. Did you see that? Smith danced! I mean really, actually danced. You'd have loved it - so funny! ..."
She trails off, realising that Kai isn't really listening and that Dawne is waiting for an answer.
"Sorry Dawne - I haven't seen Grace. Wasn't she at Len's earlier? She usually is."
Abby exchanges glances with Kai.
Kai struggles aginst two urges. One telling him to stay here, and enjoy the fun. The other telling him to give up such "childish amusments".
"I'm glad you were finally able to get your brother to have some fun", the two continue to glise as they dance.
After a few more moments he bow to Abby and gently kisses her hand, "It's been a pleasure, but I made a promise to Miss Clover." His eyes tell her that he really wishes to stay.
In an instance the cold, apatheic looks returns and he goes to seek out Harker
Kai has to wander around the celebrations for a few minutes but soon spots both Abby and Smith dancing together.
"If I may", he gives a slight bow, taking Abby's hand from her current dance partner. "It seems you are having a wonderful night", his features lightened by being aroung Abby.
"Abby, I came to ask. Have you seen Grace Clover anywhere this evening?" He slightly nods his head toward Dawne. "She's been missing for a few hours, appearantly"
"The healer's home for the mostpart.. or sometimes she goes into the woods to try to 'accidentally' run into dad, she's still young enough to not realise that he really doesn't care about us, but she'd never go out there at night." She explains with another nervous tug at her hair.
He places a hand on her shoulder, and begins to walk toward the festivites. "Let me ask to see if anyone has seen Grace. If not I'll check the woods myself", He walks off looking for either Abby or Samuel.
Briskly the young woman bows her head respectfully to the group and moves away and heads back to Kai's side. "She left the healers an hour and a half ago, we don't know if anyone has seen her since then. I think the plan is to split up and ask people without causing too much panic.."
"A good plan", Kai says not taking his eyes from the fire. "Do you know if your sister has any places she likes to frequent?"
The light from flames dance about, as Kai continues to watch. Every so often he cathes a familiar face caught up in song and dance. Though staring disinterested in the festivites, Kai is really in his own world. He hears, and at times sees a younger him dancing amid the crowd.
"Childish games" he dismisses. He goes back to watchind the crowd looking for signs of Grace, or of Dawne coming to tell him of the news.
Kai continues his approach to the center of town. The warmth of the flames can be felt even from this distance. Before coming any closer Kai stares back to Dawne Clover, "Miss Clover, if you would go find your sisters. See if they found Grace."
"Such troublesome children", Kai thinks to himself. He turns from Dawne and stares coldly toward the fire.
Dawne looks over Kai's weapon with a slightly aghast expression. "You.. you don't really think that will be needed do you?" She questions in an unsteady tone, appearing to suddenly be imagining the worst.
Kai continues to walk on. Without looking back he answers "I personally hope there's no need for it. I'd perfer to prepared for the worst though."
"Well, no" Dawne replies truthfully to Kai's question "but my sisters went looking for him and for Grace at the ritual, I drew the short straw and was given the job of walking around the other, empty, streets."
Moment later the pair arrove at his home. Kai puts his things away, and retrieves his gear. He opens a chest he keep at the foot of the bed, and pulls a cloth covered sword from it. "Come, Samiel. I your service may be of need", Kai straps the blade to his side makes his out.
"Let us find your sisters. For all we know they could have found her by now."
"The rest of my sisters are in the middles of the village.. and it's miss, not mrs.. but.. I just.. it doesn't feel right, y'know? We're all so close that it's just weird if we're apart for too long.. and of course Rose is now almost certain that it has something to do with the travellers, so if we don't find her soon she'll turn the festivities into a huge conflict, she's not above publically accusing people of things"
"Come, allow me to gather my things, and I shall help you find her." As her carries his things back home, "So much for a pieceful night", he thinks to himself.
"So Miss Clover, did you talk to the healer about her missing?"
"I'm sure your sister is fine, Mrs. Cover" Kai slowly returns to his blanket and begins folding it. "Did you think to check in town? With so many people attending the festival, I'm sure she's there", he places a hand on her shoulder and starts back across the river. "If she doesn't show up by the time the festival is over, come find me."
Kai slowly makes his way over, "Is something the matter, Mrs. Clover?"
Dawne looks over with a suprised expression "Why aren't you..?" She starts before shaking her head, obviously deciding it wasn't the time for questions other than the important one right now.
"You haven't seen Gracie have you?" She asks in a worried little voice.
"No", he stares at obivously upset woman. "Has she been missing long?"
Kai finds himself suddenly awoken as he hears an annoyed "Damnit!" exhaled nearby. Looking around he spots Dawne Clover desperately looking around apparently not finding what she's looking for.
Kai slowly makes his way over, "Is something the matter, Mrs. Clover?"
As the celebration begins, Kai heads home for a much needed bath and a change of clothes. Afterward he leaves toward "his" hill carrying a ground blanket.
"Could there be a better time to lay under the sky", he thinks to himself as lays under the evening sky.
Spoiler:
not trying to be antisocial, its just what he does on regular basis.
I'm in the middle of writing my background, and have a question. In my background, Kai's father banned him from reading and going to school, so he would put more effort into learning smithing. Would Lady Tabetha be a person Kai could go to hear old fables and read the occasional edutional material?
Mostly with his father not allowing anything not doing directly with forge work, I'm looking for someone who Kai could learn from, and hoperfully not have his father find about.
1) Does your character have any family? feel free to expand on this as much as you want; names, ages, what they do for a living. Father(Samuel) died/went missing fours years ago. Lives with mother(Saleen), 46. She makes a living working fields; While Kai takes his father place as a local smithy
2) Does your character have a significant other? Or a bit of a crush on someone in the village? He wouldn't call it a crush or anything like that, but Kai has always like Sam sister, Abby. Mostly because of the way she annoys her brother.
3) Does your character have an enemy? Lets not say enemy. Lets say competetion. Before he started training to be a smithy, even before his fathers disapperance, he's always had a rivalry with Sam Transon. If one learned how to use a knife, you could beat the other one learned to use a sword, and so on.
4) Does your character have/did they have a mentor of note? Not really. Kai grew up being taught by his father and others at the local smithy, but he was never to interested there. If he considered anything or anyone a mentor, it would be characters from the old fables he heard.
5) When's your character's birthday? (using the Golorian months: Abadius, Calistril, Pharast, Gozran, Desnus, Sarenith, Erastus, Arodus, Rova, Lamashan, Neth, Kuthona - each with 30 days in them) Kuthona 23(I thought it appropriate, being I was born on the 23rd of Dec.
6) What do they do in their spare time? He likes to spend most his time across the river on the NW bank. Kai usually lays backs and watches the clouds drift by. On the rare occasion he practices his sword play.
7) What is their most prized posession? He wouldn't call it prized, but his father sword. It was one the few things found of his father and it was passed on to Kai. He loathes to carry the thing though, perferring something lighter and faster.
8) What are their hopes and dreams for the future? Not be carrying on the "family" legacy of being metal workers. Kai's always felt like he belonged somewhere else.
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