Once upon a time, as all good stories start, there was an exceptionally average village with a few extraordinary citizens. Not that they saw themselves as special, they went about their day to day lives just as everyone around them but that was soon to change...
It’s a lazy summer day in Clearbrook, midsummer's day in fact, the weather is warm and the day long. The citizens have spent a productive morning going about their business as usual and nothing has happened to make the 22nd of Rova seem at all special, yet.
’Smith’ and Kai
Kai meanwhile has been given the laborious task of sharpening the village barrack’s old, slightly dusty, weaponry. His heart obviously not entirely in the task his work drudges on, most of the weapons don’t need much work but he has to check each one to make sure it combat-ready, these are the arms that will protect Clearbrook in a time of emergency after all.
The day passes as usual and as the air outside starts to cool and the light starts to dim, the sky taking on a beautiful rosy hue signalling the end of the working day. Hot, sweaty, aching but satisfied from a full and productive day of work you both down tools and head out of the forge when...
Abby
As the day starts to draw to a close a delightful amber light starts to drift through your open bedroom window and you decide it best to hide away your book before your brother gets home. The Compleet Locksmythe back in it’s home under your bed boredom quickly starts to set in and you decide to go visit the smithy for opportunity to annoy Samuel in the last few minutes of his working day and to have a chat with Kai.
You’re out of your house and on your way to the forge when…
Donnell
The woodsman is greeted with the usual friendly smile and light-hearted conversation Maia lavishes upon all of her customers and as always pays a very reasonable price for the meat brought to her by the hunter. Again Donnell finds himself finding excuses to linger and before he knows it Maia has to politely usher him out of the door so she can close up her shop for the day.
Stepping out of the store and into the village once more you can’t help but smile a little to yourself, each time you enter Maia’s shop you manage to stay in her company a little longer and she only ever shoos you away at closing time. A beautiful sunset only heightens the genuinely nice moment and you find yourself lost but in your thoughts when…
Isabella
The day was spent picking a good piece of wood that would give the right sound and starting the shaping process, you’re certain the flute will serve Misty well once it’s done. Closing up shop for the day you step out into the courtyard in the centre of the crafter’s quarter when…
Len
The afternoon was a little busier however, starting with a visit from Madame Leigh, the schoolmistress. One of her adoptive children Durval had slipped whilst playing and managed to cut open his head. Lots of tears and some precise bandaging later the young boy was all smiles again and ready to cause more havoc.
The other visitor of the day was Grace Clover, the youngest of the Clover sisters finds some excuse to visit the healer’s house at least once a week, be it a scratch, an insect bite or a small cough. Knowingly Tristian always lets Len ‘treat’ the young woman, who is far from subtle in her obvious crush on the healer’s apprentice. As always Len manages to satisfy the girl with a warm smile and a bandage applied to the apparently affected area.
The day soon draws to a close and as the sun starts to set you set out into the street that connects your home to the healer’s and to the temple, you take a deep satisfied breath, the kind that only comes from a productive day, when…
…quietly at first, but soon much louder the sound of music and voices lifted in merriment fills the village streets. It doesn’t take others long to notice the noise either as soon doors and windows are thrown open and curious villagers peer out. It doesn’t take long for the source of the sounds of partying to become apparent. Entering from both the southern and eastern routes into the village comes a procession of people, all with tan skin and dark hair. Nothing like this has ever been seen in Clearbrook before and the faces of the locals soon turn to ones of joy as they watch the brightly clothed travellers make their way towards the centre of the village, singing, laughing and dancing the entire way.
Unable to resist you, along with other villagers, follow along behind the revelry soon finding yourself brushing shoulders with these strange, excitable strangers. Finding an open spot of grass near the dancehall the group seem to set up, firmly rooting themselves in the middle of the village for their party.
Without warning a young man clad in deep blues and purples hops up onto a low wall and greets the crowd with an astonishingly bright grin and open arms. “Kinsmen and good people of Clearbrook. Thank your lucky stars, the day is upon us! A day which comes but twice a year, the Ritual of Stardust! My family and I are in agreement, the celebration is much too special to not share with others, and this year we have brought the party to you. So please join us… Eat, drink and be merry! Celebrate the solstice with us!”
You have all heard of the Ritual of Stardust, but it has never been celebrated in Clearbrook before, it’s a holiday rumoured to be reserved for travellers, large groups of followers of Desna and is supposed to be a spectacular event to behold.
Enthralled by the performance of the dancers, Smith found himself in the middle of the festivities, himself swirling at the very heart of the dancing, seemingly lost.
He regained composure after a few minutes, calmly searching the crowd for two reasons: to ensure that Abby was safe, to evaluate these new individuals. Smith had for sure seen travellers often enough in Clearbrook, and had certainly dealt with his share of snake oil peddlers. While not distrustful of these newcomers, he certainly had a knack for character judgement.
Using his hunch, he scanned the crowd, taking in the swirling festivities that called to him.
Taller than most others in the village, Donnell looks on from the back of the crowd, and listens closely to the stranger's words. Uncomfortable with the jostling throng, the woodsman briefly contemplates simply returning to his home and a quiet evening with Rory and a good book. 'Eh, what's the harm?' he reconsiders to himself. 'These followers of Desna may be a boisterous lot, but such a chance will probably never come my way again. Might as well stay, at least for a while.' Absently, the ranger looks for a familiar head of dark hair to see if Maia has also been lured out by the commotion.
Wriggling her way to the centre of the crowd, Abby keeps one eye on Smith so she can stay out of his sight. Her target is the young man who invited them to join the celebrations.
Once she finds him, she spins rounds to check that Smith isn't looking and grins.
"I'll join your kinsmen for tonight. Shall we dance?"
Her grin grows wider and more infectious as she adds
"Help me keep my brother off my back long enough for me to have some fun?"
The visitors seem only concerned with having fun and sharing the celebrations with the villagers tonight. Working quickly the travellers start setting up a bonfire in the centre of the village. Those not involved in setting up the fire are singing lively tunes, sharing the food and drink they have, and dancing, even teaching some of the steps to the local children who are throwing themselves headfirst into the fun. Even to Smith who has a knack for spotting bad eggs there doesn't appear to be anything sinister with the festival.
-----
Scanning the crowd Donnell soon picks out the crop of dark hair he was looking for, and more than that, it appears to be heading towards him. Mere moments later Maia is at the tall woodsman's side and grinning up at him. "Hello again!" She perks up in a slightly suprised, but pleasantly so, tone.
-----
Bowing deeply the gypsy man grins brightly at Abby, his deep chocolate eyes sparkling at the young woman's words. "You're speaking my language" He replies with a roguish smile as he offers his hand to her.
"Just be sure to point out your brother so I'll know who I'll be hiding you from so you can join in our fun!"
"A Fire?! These hooligans will burn the whole place to the ground!"
Circling the perimeter of the festivities, Smith tries in vain to search for his sister. The rising heat of the flames echoes his increasing heartbeat.
"Abby! Abby!"
He darts for the forge, grabbing two large buckets of water, and carries them to the fire's edge, one on either side of the growing blaze, in case the fire spins out of control.
Len is taken aback at first by the unaccustomed spectacle, but soon finds himself moving, grinning, and laughing with the rest of the crowd -- but only after tucking his study materials inside his jerkin.
The Ritual of the Stardust? He has heard of this. On the one hand, an opportunity; on the other, he and Tristian would probably be busy with the younger villagers long into the night! Nonetheless, Len is determined to enjoy himself while he can.
"Keep away from the fire and he'll never spot me. He's the twerp with the buckets."
Abby shifts away from the flames, disguising her fear as desire to stay out of Smith's sight.
"What's the Ritual of Stardust? I've know the name, nothing else. Nobody tells me anything."
Shocked at the smith's response two young travellers come running up to the man who's delivered the buckets for the fire. Looking up at the worried man with wide curiousityfilled eyes the brother and sister duo watch his every move.
"Watcha doin'?" The little girl, who looks about six , pipes up bluntly and in a chirpy tone.
-----
As Len takes in the sights around him he soon here's a tiny bark beside him. Looking down he sees a small dog, a dark furred collie looking up at him it's tongue hanging out of the side of it's mouth in enthusiasm and it's tail swiftly wagging back and forth.
-----
Nodding lightly at Abby's words the gypsy man lightly takes her hand and places his other hand on her hip as he pulls her into an easy little dance. "The ritual of stardust, happens twice a year. Once on the longest day, the best day of the year for travelling and once on the longest night, the best night for viewing Desna's stars. We sing, and dance and celebrate our life of travel and the stars above us and as the evening draws to a close we offer prayers for safe travel and make oaths to strengthen friendships" He explains easily with an enthused expression, his love for the festival obvious.
As Len takes in the sights around him he soon here's a tiny bark beside him. Looking down he sees a small dog, a dark furred collie looking up at him it's tongue hanging out of the side of it's mouth in enthusiasm and it's tail swiftly wagging back and forth.
Len reaches down to let the dog greet him, then pets the dog, while looking around for any attached person.
Turning to the young girl with a soft smile: "I'm just making sure no one gets hurt. Go dance, it's alright."
Sighing and reservedly deciding that he won't catch his sister, he takes a stand at the edge of the perimeter, keeping a safe distance from the fire and the celebrants. Arms crossed, he watches the festivities like a hawk.
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.
The dog's tail wags even more and she leans in the the petting with great enthusiasm. There doesn't appear to be an attached person however and the little collie is without any sort of collar.
-----
The little girl sticks close to Smith whilst her brother runs off to dance with his friends. "But.. why would anyone get hurt? We always have bonfires!" She explains in a slightly confused tone "Do settled people not teach each other how to behave around fire?" She enquires innocently, obviously intrigued as to the traditions of the strange 'civilised' folk.
Tilting her head to one side she watches as he folds his arms. "Are you mad that we're here?"
-----
Kai settles himself on his hill and gazes up at the sky as the night stars start to slowly glitter into existance. From his spot he can see the occasional glowing spark fly upwards from the bonfire in the centre of the village and the sounds of celebration carry on the wind.
Nodding lightly at Abby's words the gypsy man lightly takes her hand and places his other hand on her hip as he pulls her into an easy little dance. "The ritual of stardust, happens twice a year. Once on the longest day, the best day of the year for travelling and once on the longest night, the best night for viewing Desna's stars. We sing, and dance and celebrate our life of travel and the stars above us and as the evening draws to a close we offer prayers for safe travel and make oaths to strengthen friendships" He explains easily with an enthused expression, his love for the festival obvious.
Twirling her way through the unfamiliar dance, Abby watches the gypsy man's face. His words are so compelling that she even stops watching out for Smith.
"Why come here though? This is the dullest place in the world with the dullest people. Or did you think we all needed a wake-up call?"
She shows him.
"Look - there's Donnell drooping over Maia the meat woman, Len's so sweet, all the girls think he's adorable, the pretty one is Iz, you know which one my uptight brother is and ... where's Kai?"
Suddenly she clutches his hand hard.
"Can I come with you when you move on? Please? I wouldn't be a nuisance."
Honesty forces her to add with a chuckle
"Or not much of one anyway."
"The ritual is a perfect time to meet people and foster new friendships, if we hadn't chosen to come here today I wouldn't have gotten the opportunity to met you for example" The gypsy man explains easily as her twirls Abby around with ease "Every half-year we make sure to celebrate in the nearest town or village to see new people and hear new tales"
With an appraising eye and bright smile he overlooks each of the individuals she points out. "It seems to me you have enough interesting faces here to make an exciting life should you so choose.." He trails off with a warm, rich laugh at the young woman's request.
"If you want to come with us you'd be more than welcome my dear. Experience has taught me that the journey is always better with loved ones by your side. As.. serious.. as your brother appears to be, wouldn't you miss him if you came with me and mine?"
Laughing back Abby spins with increasing confidence.
"Of course I would. I wouldn't have anyone to tease. Smith wouldn't come though. He's convinced the village would fall apart without him to look after it. Kai would come with us. He's just as bored as me."
She swings around the gypsy man again.
"Of course Smith would follow us - he always thinks I shouldn't do anything interesting. Dull. Dull. Dull. Dull."
She spins deftly under his arm on each word, stamping as she goes.
"I think your brother could do with a little excitement in his life, some travel would help broaden his horizons, it really helps a person to evolve." The young man explains as he twirls his dance partner a little faster, his expression one of slight endearment at seeing her stomp her feet.
"Although with a sister like you I'm sure he's well-set for future adventures" he adds with a little wink.
The dog's tail wags even more and she leans in the the petting with great enthusiasm. There doesn't appear to be an attached person however and the little collie is without any sort of collar.
Len laughs. "Ok, girl, you can come along with me. Let's get closer to the fun, and maybe somebody will recognize you."
With some more solid pats, Len starts making his way to the front ranks of the crowd around the green.
The dog barks happily at Len's words with another eager wag of her tail, her bright eyes looking up at him in a way that makes it look as though she almost understood his words. An excited bund in each step the collie follows along at the healer's heels as he makes his way through the crowds.
Ask her to dance!
Ask her to dance!
Ask her to dance!
Donnell struggles to repress the urge in his head as he awkwardly attempts to make conversation with Maia. It always seems so much easier when haggling over the price of meat! "Err...so, this is...unusual, isn't it? I wonder why these people chose to come to Clearbrook? Have you ever heard of this ritual they're talking about? I hope they're careful with that fire, believe me, you've got to know what you're doing..." Donnell trails off lamely, realizing that he is babbling.
Just then, Len Harker passes by with a small, unfamiliar dog at his heels. Rory lurches forward to sniff at the strange dog, and Donnell leaps at the chance to save himself from his own discomfort and shyness. "Hear, Rory! Leave that fellow alone!" he calls, a little too loudly and obviously, as everyone knows his bloodhound would never harm another dog without provocation. Donnell nods at Len, a passing acquaintance. "Evening, Harker. Got yourself a new friend, have you?"
Just then, Len Harker passes by with a small, unfamiliar dog at his heels. Rory lurches forward to sniff at the strange dog, and Donnell leaps at the chance to save himself from his own discomfort and shyness. "Hear, Rory! Leave that fellow alone!" he calls, a little too loudly and obviously, as everyone knows his bloodhound would never harm another dog without provocation. Donnell nods at Len, a passing acquaintance. "Evening, Harker. Got yourself a new friend, have you?"
Len looks around when he hears his name. "Oh, hi, Donnell." Then, with a touch to his hatbrim, "Maia."
"Yes, it seems I do. She's a sweet little thing. I don't recognize her, so I imagine she came in with his bunch," -- a wave in the general direction of the travelers. "Hoping her owner will spot her.
"How are you two?"
The little girl sticks close to Smith whilst her brother runs off to dance with his friends. "But.. why would anyone get hurt? We always have bonfires!" She explains in a slightly confused tone "Do settled people not teach each other how to behave around fire?" She enquires innocently, obviously intrigued as to the traditions of the strange 'civilised' folk.
Tilting her head to one side she watches as he folds his arms. "Are you mad that we're here?"
"Young one, I'm not mad in the slightest. I'm just tired. Standing like this helps me not fall over, see?" Smith puts his arms to the side and pretends to fall over like a big oak tree. Standing up, he brushes himself off and resumes his pose. "It's just how I stand, that's all. I'm just watching to make sure no one accidentally gets hurt. We all understand the danger of fires, and we all know how to behave around them, trust me. I am something called a blacksmith. My job is to make things out of metal, using fire to shape and work the metal. I am around fire, really hot fire too!, all day! But, I can only do my job if I have a control over that fire. If it gets out of control, not only could someone get hurt, but I wouldn't be able to do my job!"
Maia's smile never falters as Donnell babbles along, trying to make conversation. Slowly she shifts closer to him so she can better hear his words over the sounds of revelry and looks about ready to respond when Len walks past.
"Good evening Mister Harker" The friendly butcher greets the healer with her usual broad grin before allowing her gaze to travel down to the two dogs to allow the men time to talk.
The small collie meanwhile is eagerly edging closer to Rory, her tail wagging the entire time. Rory on theother hand sniffs at the air and looks a little confused at the female dog, tilting his head to one side as he regards the other, overly enthusiastic, dog.
-----
The little girl giggles warmly and offers her hands up to Smith with a broad grin. "Well instead of standing up looking grumpy you could come dance! Moving around will help keep you standing up! And.. And!! My family will help make sure you stay up.. if they don't drink too much.. like last time.. big sis is the woooorst for that, dad was so angry when she threw up in the caravan!" The child rambles on excitedly.
As the celebration continues...
"... where's Kai?"
"Achoo!"
Kai would come with us.
"Achoo", Kai rubs his nose before laying back again. "Is someone...na", Kai closes his eyes and drifts off to sleep.
Rory on theother hand sniffs at the air and looks a little confused at the b&*%#, tilting his head to one side as he regards the other, overly enthusiastic, dog.
Rory on theother hand sniffs at the air and looks a little confused at the b&*%#, tilting his head to one side as he regards the other, overly enthusiastic, dog.
The little girl giggles warmly and offers her hands up to Smith with a broad grin. "Well instead of standing up looking grumpy you could come dance! Moving around will help keep you standing up! And.. And!! My family will help make sure you stay up.. if they don't drink too much.. like last time.. big sis is the woooorst for that, dad was so angry when she threw up in the caravan!" The child rambles on excitedly.
"Moderation is always important, little one. So I guess a little dancing won't hurt. Will you teach me your favourite dance?"
Donnell gives his hound a reassuring pat on the head as he makes chit-chat with Len. Despite his usual disinterest in idle conversation, he is inwardly relieved that his inner torment over asking Maia to dance has been interrupted.
"I'm well enough, but not sure what to make of all these strangers. They do seem to have a fun-loving nature, don't they? I just hope their intentions are as innocent as they seem. I prefer the quiet of the woods to all these crowds and noise."
"I think your brother could do with a little excitement in his life, some travel would help broaden his horizons, it really helps a person to evolve." The young man explains as he twirls his dance partner a little faster, his expression one of slight endearment at seeing her stomp her feet.
"You think?"
Abby laughs out loud in agreement and adds brisk handclaps to her stamping dance."Look at him - over there. He's dancing with one of the children. So, so badly. For him that counts as excitement."
Another stamping, clapping circuit watching Smith.
"I bet I can get him to dance with you and me without arguing that I should be somewhere safe. If I win, I'll come with you in the morning. If I don't, I'll stay and make the best of it here. Where do you think I'll be this time tomorrow?"
The little gypsy girl jumps up and down on the spot in her excitement before grabbing Smith's hand and pulling him into the type of dance only a child can dance for longer than five minutes without getting exhausted. Lots of bounding twirling and frivilous little bouts of skipping ensue.
-----
As the men talk Maia kneels down and lightly fusses the two dogs, keeping them calm as the female remains a little too enthusiastic and Rory a little confused. As Donnell mentions prefering the woods the woman looks up from the canines with a grin.
"Well if you'd prefer we could go for a walk instead of staying in the crowds.." She offers, her expression uncharacteristically a little timid.
-----
The gypsy man grins down at Abby "I don't know your brother well enough to make an informed guess, but I know where I'll hope you'll be in the morning" He murmurs in a warm tone with a little wink.
"I'm well enough, but not sure what to make of all these strangers. They do seem to have a fun-loving nature, don't they? I just hope their intentions are as innocent as they seem. I prefer the quiet of the woods to all these crowds and noise."
"I understand about the noise, but it's good for the kids to have a chance to do something new. Thought there will probably be a few twisted ankles by morning . . ." He smiles.
As the men talk Maia kneels down and lightly fusses the two dogs, keeping them calm as the female remains a little too enthusiastic and Rory a little confused. As Donnell mentions prefering the woods the woman looks up from the canines with a grin.
"Well if you'd prefer we could go for a walk instead of staying in the crowds.." She offers, her expression uncharacteristically a little timid.
Len, being slightly more perceptive than Donnell, observes that he needs to get about finding the dog's owner. "Enjoy the day."
As Len makes his excuses, his mind is on learning more about the festival, and seeing if these people might have any books he hasn't seen.
Dragging her amused partner by the hand, Abby twists through the crowd like a fish through reeds, hunting down Smith. Offering him her free hand, she pulls him into a circle with them along with the little girl.
"See - dancing doesn't hurt at all brother mine. And it's good for the soul as well as the body. Isn't that right little one?"
She grins at the little girl and then she's off again, stamping, clapping and twirling with all three of them, casting a triumphant smile at the gypsy and Smith as she spins.
Hearing so much going on outside, Iz repeatedly gave her Father's back a well practised stare, in the hope she could make him turn around and see just how eager she was to be elsewhere, to be out there finding out what was going on.
As the music starts she can't help herself and scraps the chair slightly as she starts to get to her feet. She notices her Father's shoulders slump in resignation, and he turns with a wearied look on his face, as well as a huge grin. From this Iz knows it is fine to go, she is gone in moments, as her long skirt whips about her, and a small eddy of dust is all that is left to show, she was present.
As soon as she is outside she heads towards the music and merriment, eager to find out what is going on, and hoping to learn some new dances, plus she had her little flute with her, just in case. Heading to the front of the crowd she is eager to have her curiosity quenched.
Seeing the newcomers, she is overjoyed to see all the vibrant colours, and lively people, this night was definitely going to be one to be remembered. The visitors were so tanned and flamboyant, and well the men so handsome in their attire and the ladies oh so beautiful in their dresses. She was silently hoping she might get a chance to dance too.
Taking his sister's hand in his, he merrily dances with the others. He holds tightly to her hand, but legitimately enjoys his time dancing.
He tries to pull away before too long, only to be cajoled into more dancing!
"You don't escape that easily Smith"
Abby tightens her grip on her brother, for once entirely happy to have him around.
Isabella doesn't have to hope for long, a pretty young lady is never without a dance partner for long, especially around the travellers. With a bright grin a rather dashing young man wearing an emerald shirt scoops the carpenter up in his arms and easily twirls her around, pulling her into the group's dance by the fireside.
-----
The little gypsy girl dancing with Smith and Abby gives a bright giggle at the older girl's enthusiasm before shifting her focus to her fellow traveller. "Who's this Stefan?" She pipes up curiously, her eyes slowly widening and a delighted grin coming to her pretty little face "Is she going to be your girlfriend?" She asks hopefully, her tone one of charming innocence.
"How many times do I need to tell you stop stop meddling Nadya?" The young man replies with a rich chuckle and a shake of his head. Tilting his head in the direction of Isabella and the young man she's dancing with he grins down at the girl. "Why don't you go ask Tamás if he's found himself a girlfriend?"
Nadya follows her relative's gaze and a look of utter joy crosses her features "She's so pretty! I hope so! ..but no! I'm dancing with my blacksmith!"
-----
As Len shifts to move away from Maia and Donnell a young woman comes running up to the group, her expression a little worried. Bryoni Clover looks over the gathered people and releases an upset sigh. "Mr. Harker? Have you seen Grace anywhere?" She asks hopefully, turnign her attention to the woodsman and butcher to include them in her question.
-----
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 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?"
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.
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?"
Tugging nervously on a strand of her golden hair the young woman looks around, her eyes wild. "It's only been a couple of hours, but we Clovers always know where to find each other. She went to see the healer earlier and was supposed to come back to work at the tavern for a while but didn't show up, we assumed she was just spending some extra time fawning over Mr. Harker but then it got darker and she never misses dinner, no matter what.." She babbles on, utterly terrified that something has happend to her youngest sister.
"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."
"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"
"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?"
The little gypsy girl dancing with Smith and Abby gives a bright giggle at the older girl's enthusiasm before shifting her focus to her fellow traveller. "Who's this Stefan?" She pipes up curiously, her eyes slowly widening and a delighted grin coming to her pretty little face "Is she going to be your girlfriend?" She asks hopefully, her tone one of charming innocence.
"How many times do I need to tell you stop stop meddling Nadya?" The young man replies with a rich chuckle and a shake of his head. Tilting his head in the direction of Isabella and the young man she's dancing with he grins down at the girl. "Why don't you go ask Tamás if he's found himself a girlfriend?"
Nadya follows her relative's gaze and a look of utter joy crosses her features "She's so pretty! I hope so! ..but no! I'm dancing with my blacksmith!"
"If we're introducing ourselves, I'm Abby. Brother mine is Smith to eveyrone. Enchanted to meet you at last."
Abby sweeps deep curtseys at Nadya and Stefan holding the man's eyes for a just a second longer than she should and giving him a tiny wink. Leaning in to him she adds in a whisper
"I'm winning my bet so far don't you think?"
As Len shifts to move away from Maia and Donnell a young woman comes running up to the group, her expression a little worried. Bryoni Clover looks over the gathered people and releases an upset sigh. "Mr. Harker? Have you seen Grace anywhere?" She asks hopefully, turnign her attention to the woodsman and butcher to include them in her question.
"Bryoni, no, I mean, yes, but . . ." Len starts again. "Grace came by earlier and I saw her, but that was at least an hour ago. I haven't seen her since she left Tristian's. Why? Is something wrong?"
Catching the gaze of the others, Smith blushes and blurts out "Well, it's actually Sam. Samuel. Transon...".
"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."
-----
Returning Abby's wink Stefan gives the slightest of nods at the young woman's whisper. Returning his attention to the others in their little dance with a bright grin he speaks up again. "And as we're doing introductions Nadya here is my sister and Tamás who I pointed out before is our eldest brother" He explains with a vague wave of his hand during his dancing, a wave that suggests that he could introduce all of his siblings but there are a few too many of them around and it would take a while.
Nadya gives a little giggle as she looks up at Smith "You're blushing!" She points out with another childish laugh "Are you jealous that Stef seems to like your sister better than you?" She asks in a seemingly innocent tone.
-----
Bryoni looks worriedly at Len, Donnell and Maia. "She didn't come home for dinner, she had a shift at the tavern too, she never misses things like that and we've asked around and nobodys seen hide nor hair of her.."
Bryoni looks worriedly at Len, Donnell and Maia. "She didn't come home for dinner, she had a shift at the tavern too, she never misses things like that and we've asked around and nobodys seen hide nor hair of her.."
Len frowns. "You're right, that's not like her. Do you know if anyone saw her after I did?"
Turning to Donnell and Maia, "Could you two help spread the word to watch for her?"
He tries to reassure Bryoni, "I'm sure she's fine. Nobody here would let anything happen to Grace."
Looking around nervously, Smith tries to find the words to let her down gently. "Well, you see, I'm just...not very good at dancing. With girls."
Looking around nervously, Smith tries to find the words to let her down gently. "Well, you see, I'm just...not very good at dancing. With girls."
"You're doing fine Smith. You should dance more often, it suits you. Come on, dance with me for once. Sibling pairs for this round."
Keeping one hand firmly on her brother so he can't escape, Abby passes Nadya over to Stefan. Laughing up at her new partner she adds
"What do you normally dance with if it isn't girls? Horseshoes?"
With that she leads him in a complicated pattern twisting around Stefan and Nadya.