"Actually, swallowtails are butterflies, Lilla," Bairn says. "They are symbols of Desna."
She blushes, "Oh...well, I guess it's good you're gonna be traveling with me if I don't even know that much."
"They do have a confusing name, I suppose," Bairn says, trying to make Lilla feel better.
She kind of shrugs, "It's okay, but thanks. I know there's a lot of things I don't know."
Xeni smiles at the exchange about the butterflies, a bit surprised that Bairn knew the difference. "And therein lies the key to learning." she says with a smile.
She nods and gives her a smile, "Right, no time like the present, and it's never too late to make new friends or learn new things." She says with a happy ring to her voice.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
As Xeni, Lilla and Bairn talk about butterflies, Father Zantus and some acolytes wheel a covered wagon into the open area just in front of the cathedral. The priest clears his throat. "When Desna first fell to earth, she was nursed to health by a blind child. As a reward, Desna transformed her into an immortal butterfly. This festival signifies Desna's blessings upon us today and everyday."
Father Zantus and the acolytes pull back the cover and a thousand butterflies spiral into the air in a swirl of color. The crowd cheers and children frantically try to chase down the free butterflies, not quick enough to catch them.
Bairn smiles. "That was pretty."
She watches as the butterflies ascend, "Oooohhhhhh ahhhh....so much prettier than birds."
Bairn laughs, a light blush on his cheeks.
Lilla joins in his laughter, a light blush coming to her cheeks as well.
Xeni smiles, enjoying the beauty of the butterflies filling the air with their beauty.
Once most of the butterflies have dispersed she turns to Bairn and Xeni, "So, what should we do now?"
After finishing her shank of meat, the Half-Orc decided to browse the other stalls. Nothing else really got her attention. That is until the ceremony began. With a shrug, she joined the rest of the crowd and watched as the butterflies were released. It certainly was a beautiful sight.
The festival consists of games of chance, where the prize is simply bragging rights, free lunch provided by the taverns and vendors selling their wares.
Bairn shrugs. "I'm not really one for games and I'm full from our meal beforehand...though it would have been nice to know they were offering free food."
She shrugs as well, "It's alright, I don't mind. There was this really nice couple in this shop I went in that had some pies for sale. I kind of wanted to get one for later....if you don't mind going with me?" She asks, while looking at them.
"I'm game," Bairn says. "How about you, Xeni?"
"Sure. If they're the people I think you mean, their pies are wonderful." Xeni replies with a smile.
She smiles, "It's this really sweet old couple that own the shop where I got some...supplies from. If I remember it's down this way." She says, leading them to the shop where she bought her grooming kit and a couple other little necessities.
The trio arrives at Ven Vinder's shop. Ven smiles at Lilla as she returns. "Forget something?"
She smiles and nods, "Yes...in a way. I was hoping you had one of those delicious smelling pies left. I'd really like to get one for later."
"I'm sure Solsta still has a couple left," Ven says.
She becomes visibly happy and claps her hands, "Oh goody, mind if we come in?"
"Not at all," Ven says. "Shop to your heart's content."
Smiling she goes inside to find Solsta.
Bairn follows after Lilla.
Lilla finds Solsta straightening up the store.
She waves at her, "Hey Ms. Solsta, I came by to see if I could buy one of your pies."
"Oh, welcome back," Solsta says, her demeanor much improved since last seeing Lilla. "I only have three left and they are all apple. I hope that's alright."
She nods, "Oh yes ma'am, that's fine with me. I like apple well enough, but cherry is my favorite. I guess I'll come by earlier next time." She says wdith a light laugh.
Solsta smiles and hands Lilla a pie. "That'll be four copper, young lady. I see you made some friends as well."
Bairn looks around as Lilla talks to the older woman, not really seeing anything that interests him.
Pulling out a coin pouch she counts out the copper and gives Solsta a smile, "Thank you Ms. Solsta, I'm sure I'll be back. I'm going to be in town for a while."
Blushing ever so slightly she nods her head, "Yes ma'am, this is Bairn, I think he's going to be travelling with me for a while as he trains to perform for head of the theater here in Sandpoint again next season, and this is Xeni. She's a friend we just met this afternoon and she's just kind of going around the festival with us right now. I don't really know what her plans are. She knows a lot about plants and stuff though and I wouldn't mind having someone like that with me while out adventuring." She says, looking over at Xeni and giving her a shy smile.
Bairn, Lilla and Xeni see a woman peering at Bairn from behind a door. She quickly turns away and shuts the door.
"What's all that about?" She asks before heading towards the door, "Do you know anyone here in town?"
Bairn shakes his head. "No, I don't."
"That's probably just Shayliss, my daughter," Solsta says. "Pay her no mind."
Bairn and Lilla have heard the name before, but Lilla has also heard that Shayliss is quite...promiscuous.
Stopping in her tracks she gets a look on her face before wiping it off, "I'm sure she's just curious. Maybe she doesn't have many friends?" Walking back to Bairn and Xeni she says, "Why don't we take this pie back and share it with Ameiko?"
Bairn nods. "That would be nice."