Vona replies back to Wu Chen
"Most of my songs are Skald songs, and use the Ulfen tongue.
So it'll be a while until we can find something that works together."
"It is not so difficult for my dance to match. Most of what I dance to is music with no word at all, and some is percussion. Song of Shelyn battle is play on taiko drum! I treat word I do not know no different than I treat horn or guqin or violin or drum."
Smiling sweetly she asks, "What is your skald song about? Just tell me topic of one song, then we practice, see how well dance match."
Vona replies back to Wu Chen
"We'll find one that works as song can be tales with the Ulfen and there are many."
Wu Chen giddily replies, "Exciting dance match exciting tale! Beautiful dance match beautiful tale! Yes, I make east dance can fit West Side story! Or maybe Ulfen is North Side of world. We wow crowd anyway! How soon we can practice?" The child repeats, "I love your voice already, look forward to hearing you sing!"
Contemplatively, Kojima watches the interaction between his new lady friend and his daughter. Feelings flicker: guilt about his late wife, hope about what could come of this, wonders, and what-ifs, and then-whats...
The samurai can't keep up with his own racing mind. So he steps back from the future, and savors the moment. A beautiful lady and my daughter are planning to perform together. This alone is fortunate.
The next day Mr Kreed and Payden give those running the Fall festival what he promised.
Even Young Jurin Kreed is there with a smile at getting two free rounds at every game,
though asks that some of the less fortunate kids get a free round as well or a discount for playing.
And they agree to it.
The next few Days are busy and some folk are still in some shock at Kreed's announcement, but things continue as Normal, and with preparations for the Fall Festival.
The Event organizers start putting together a list of events;
though the Evening Dance is expected to be a bit better this year with a new singer in town.
Something new to the list is a small fireworks display planned after sunset so the children can see something nice before going to bed and the adults get to dance for a bit more time.
Adding the extra day did prove a bit of a challenge for the organizers, but a few events were added for that day.
Vona and Wu Chen practiced and found a combination that worked, and it was scheduled during the hours before sunset.
Mary asked Corindus out on a date and for a date during the Fall Festival.
Luk asked Kinshara out on a date and for a date during the Fall Festival.
Eve asked Darion out on a date and for a date during the Fall Festival.
Kinshara is happy to accompany Luk to the festival.
What to wear? What to wear? Wu Chen thinks, Choice is obvious!
If the colors of Shelyn are a good fit with Vona's song, Wu Chen picks her rainbow colored entertainer's outfit for the stage:
A beautiful costume fits a beautiful girl dancing to a beautiful song that tells a beautiful tale...
However,
If the song and story are exciting, Wu Chen's little skirt will look ridiculous. A exciting dance is one that involves acrobatics, kicks to fend invisible enemies, a girl--a warrior woman struggling against impossible odds. And does she emerge the victor? Depend on lyric. Dance emphasize lyric, portray meaning of song whether audience understand Ulfen or not!
If Wu Chen will mix martial arts in her dance, she will dress like a fighting nun:
She will dye her hair either way, and will use the colored ribbons or red only, depending on the dance...
Darion is surprised by Eve’s asking him out on a date. He gladly accepts. Before the date he looks around for something nice to give her like candy or a bouquet of flowers. He also finds some more festive clothing
No longer serving aboard the riverboat, Corindus takes a room at Jak-a-Napes until he can put together a more permanent, stable life in the town. His first couple nights' sleep are restless. At first he chalks this up to "landsickness," getting used to a bed that doesn't roll with a boat, but he soon realizes it is simply his nerves.
On one hand, he is relieved that Mary propositioned him, for he wonders how many days it would have taken for him to steel his courage to ask her. All the same, having his hopes fulfilled is a terrifying prospect.
With a mirror and wash basin at Jak's, he uses his grooming kit to tend to his hair and stubble. He tries to steady his hand that trembles more than when he wielded his hatchet against undead beasts. With a slip, he knicks his cheek. As he winces, he catches sight of his teeth and rues yet again how many he'd lost over the rough years to fights, poor diet, and bad hygiene.
He'd long ago picked up the grooming kit in Oregent to take better care of himself, but the damage could not be undone. Now he worries that he would find too much happiness with Mary, and she would be put off by his uneven smile.
...
Corindus doesn't fuss too much over his clothes, other than tipping the servant at Jak's to thoroughly wash them, but he does visit the Low Market outside to find a new pair of boots. Both aboard the ships and in the streets of Augustana, he remembers how much credence was given to a man based upon the condition of his boots.
The First Dates before the Fall Festival go well for everyone.
Vona and Wu Chen get more practice in and get the dance area setup right.
The first Date is a picnic in a meadow near town and the river. With the blanket set next to a great oak tree.
Kinshara learns more about Luk's history with the church and some of the interesting history stories he's helped to archive and transcribe.
Including some of the old tales that could relate to the Man in Blue, the Woman in Red, and the hinting at a third, and they have court like roles in a trial.
Darion your date first Date is at the Sitting Duck in one of the private dinning areas, and that she cooked the meal.
Darion learns Eve was raised in a Varisian caravan where she learned to cook and entertain.
And that her Caravan used to visit a place with great wares and products though the Caravan knew they had to be careful that town and always parked outside of it.
Then one year they went to sell and trade items only you find the place leveled and like the dust of the dessert.
And did recall a beautiful priestess talking about the site with a Dwarf and a Gnome, and the Caravan stopped going there after that year.
Corindus your first date is a picnic on the Docks as all the Ferries and other boaters are readying for the Fall festival.
You learn about Mary's past in the underground arenas, and that before her escape from the arena's holding cells.
Odd things were happening in the area, and she recalled that;
some guards were mentioned being freaked out with some of the dreams they'd been having of a woman with black and silver clothes,
and the owner mentioning a Man in a Blue and White clothes asking questions he did not want answered since the man looked like one with authority and had a moral and ethical compass.
After her escape she heard the place was closed down those forced to fight got a new lease on life, and folks involved with the arena fell on hard times.
Rumour even had it that the owner and his family were kidnapped and forced to fight in another underground arena.
Darion enjoys his time with Eve. Her story of the beautiful priestess reminds him of his own encounter with the red dressed woman that appeared after the encounter with the hag.
”Eve I feel like these stories are connected, and Kinshara mentioned a strange man that she met at the Kirk here in town. I haven’t quite pieced it all together yet though
Darion and Eve enjoy their time together and relay various adventures and parts of their lives with each other as the night carries on.
The First day of the Fall festival is slow as people are setting up late making sure things are good and ready.
The number of stalls are lower then expected, but everyone is expecting more stalls to be popped up for tomorrow since this is the extra day of the festival sponsored by Mr Kreed.
Everyone gets their date clothes ready for tomorrow and go about checking things out for today.
Kinshara leaves to go see the festival, curious to see what is going on around Falcon's Hollow.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Wu Chen will stick close to Vona and her dad, and will not stray far from where she's expected to perform. Her mind is focused on the performance, so much so that she has no interest is the game's for kids her age. If there are girls her age, she might approach them, however.
The samurai holds Vona's hand, and keeps one eye on his daughter.
Before the festival is in full swing, Corindus surveys the grounds on behalf of Sheriff Baleson as one of his deputies.
In addition to keeping an eye out for trouble, such as loggers getting a head start on letting loose, he also takes note of the attractions and events - trying to plan what would most entertain and impress Mary.
He is still more nervous of a second date with Mary than the threat of some drunken logger going axe crazy.
Most of the Festival will be at or near the low market with;
the Low market an area to selling wares and treats,
In the roadway between the Goose 'n' Gander and and the Jak'n'Napes games are setup for everyone,
In behind the Tribunal a stage is being setup so as the hill could give a better view to audience members,
The Sitting Duck will be the only place serving alcoholic drinks and selling some of Laurel's Hangover remedies.
Corindus as you walk around you notice a sign being put up by a cheesed off, but smiling, Kabran Bloodeye and the sign saying the Rouge Lady would be closed during the Festival.
The way the sign is made is hinting that the "Rouge Lady" would be open at another location in town.
The "Rouge Lady" will be open during the festival on a boat at the Docks that will go up and down the river to keep things hidden and quiet.
Vona keeps hold of Kojima-San's hand, and does keep an eye on Wu Chen.
Darion will venture around the low market in search of new spells and unique spell components. He also will try to listen in on any talk about Mr. Kreed to see if any rumors arise about his motivations
If Eve is interested then she is welcome to join him. If she is not interested then Darion will go find her after he wanders the low market areas.
Unless Eve really pressures him Darion will not have any alcoholic beverages. Preferring to keep his wits about him.
Kojima says to Vona, "My daughter has been keeping a tight lid on her upcoming performance. She won't even tell me the song you are singing, which amuses me. I doubt I would know a song's tune by its title, even if it was a song from my homeland.
"I don't suppose I can get any information out of you. But if it would not spoil the surprise, would you mind telling me the meaning of the song my little one will dance to?"
Kojima is facing Vona as he speaks, and he notices the way the woman keeps a watchful eye on Wu Chen. For now, the samurai silently appreciates this.
Eve does go with Darion, and wander the market, and not much in unique spell components and no spells being sold, other then the one's Mr Kraft was selling before.
Perception Check to hear rumours, or
Dip check to gather info from rumours
Vona replies to Kojima-San
"Sorry, she asked me not to mention a word or give a hint.."
Wu Chen looks back at her father. She says in her native tongue,
父親，我警告過你。 找個老婆，女孩壓倒你！
She smiles triumphantly, though it's obvious her father is not bothered by the prospect of being outnumbered.
Though relieved Vona does not understand the exact words, Kojima offers a gifs translation, "My daughter is reminding me that I am hopelessly outnumbered by ladies.
"I look forward to being pleasantly surprised by you both."
...and not just at the performance. These two are hitting it off better than I could have hoped.
Like anything with Bloodeye's hand upon it, the sign leaves Corindus suspicious. He is unable to discern where the Rouge Lady's wickedness will crop up during the festival, but he resolves to investigate and keep an eye on the matter.
In fact, it occurs to him to ask Mary about the matter. Although she likely has even less to do with Bloodeye than Corindus, as a fellow seasoned riverboater, she might have heard something from other dockside denizens.
Corindus looks for Mary in the interests of keeping the peace and not at all for personal reasons, or at least so he insists to himself.
@Darion
The only thing gathered is that Laurel as a good idea, but is not sharing it.
@Corindus
Kabran Bloodeye see you looking at the sign and quickly replies,
"We don't want a family festival having adult content near the kiddies, now don't we, Deputy Droven."
if you continue on you find Mary talking with Joanne near the Tailor shop in town
Vona replies to Kojima-San
"We both hope you like the surprise."
"I look forward to it," Kojima assures Vona.
Kinshara will go to see what sort of games have been set up in town.
There are a few games;
Ring toss,
a mini shooting range with small bows,
the hammer and bell
the toss and dunk
The young nun tries the hammer and bell game.
The samurai beams with pride at his daughter's near perfect strike.
Kinshara tries her hand at the shooting range.
Wu chen and Kinshara do well with the game they chose and get a small prize (like a small stuffed bear.)
Not particularly interested in the games and events Darion asks Eve
”How did you come to learn that you had sorcery like powers. Also what spells do you know? It is likely that we may be able to teach each other something, Yes? Of course I’ve read that sorcerers innately learn to cast spells with their force of personality, while wizards study and practice incantations. So maybe we can’t teach each other magic, but perhaps you can teach me to be more personable.”
Wu Chen proudly holds her bear. "I name her: Dingerbelle. I think she look very nice if dress up in bow and tutu."
Eve replies back to Darion
"I found out while I was young, when I moved a few objects when I was having a bad day.
While I can't exactly teach you to be more personable, but I can give hints in interacting with others."
Corindus initially reports back to Sheriff Baleson, asking for his input on Kabran Bloodeye.
"It's almost a relief that he's taking his debauchery away from town, onto the river, but I fear he just wants cover for something even worse. What should we do?"
Afterwards, Corindus continues to patrol the festival grounds, both looking for signs of trouble and hoping to run into Mary.
Deldrin replies
"I agree it's great he's having that away from the festival, but I also have to agree that he might be up to something.
Though it is surprising that he is moving it this year.
Since he operated as normal at all festivals and events since before I took office.
So either he's planning something or someone told him to not run it for a few days and is going behind their back in some form of legal loop hole.
I'll have someone check it out."
In casual conversation but trying to mask his excitement to know of what kind of arcane powers Eve has Darion asks ”What can you do with your power? Myself I have names for each incantation that I’ve mastered. It is all very standardized throughout much of the wizarding world. But I know little of sorcerer ways other than their magic often mirrors that of wizards. Do you have names for your spells or powers that you know?”
Eve replies back to Darion
"I've never fully tried testing out what I can do, as some could cause a lot of problems if one is not prepared for it.
But from what I hear sorcerers were the first arcane casters, and Wizards copied them, but when Wizards made new spells through research it some how flowed into sorcerers as well."