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 cold winter day in Clearbrook, the midwinter solstice in fact, snow settles on the ground and the day is short. The citizens have spent a productive morning going about their business as usual and nothing has happened to make the 17th of Abadius seem at all special, yet.
Todd:
Rebvyn:
Paulus
Sam:
Once you’ve finished your drink you get up to leave, you open your mouth to say goodbye to the sisters but typically your voice catches in your throat and instead you scurry out of the door and into the darkening village streets 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 woman dressed in rich blues and greens hops up onto a low wall and greets the crowd with an astonishingly bright grin and open arms. “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! A celebration 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.
Paulus can't help but be caught up in the revellry. This kind of thing is exactly what he needed today. Locks and toys are what he was good at, but this... this is what he enjoyed. This loud sharing of fun and mirth is what attracts him to the tavern occasionally.
Grinning broadly he scans the crowd looking for Marla, hoping to see her radiant smile in return. Maybe with so many of the villgers out and about he could get a dance in, or steal a moment or two behind the dance hall while everyone was distracted.
Keeping one hand on his shortsword, so as not to bump it into people as he moves, and the other on his money pouch, he does a quick circuit of the area looking for his girl.
Sam watches the procession with a bit of wonder mixed with apprehension. The celebrants look a lot like him but they are much more outgoing and excited. Sam retreats to a quiet corner of the crowd to observe all the goings on.
Paulus' world goes dark as a pair of slender hands suddenly cover his eyes obscuring the view of the merriment around him the bright colours replaced solely with black. "Guess who" An amused and familiar female voice chimes out against his ear, followed by Marla's melodious chime of a laugh.
------
Sam meanwhile tries to shy away from the celebration but fails miserably. Many of the travellers eyes follow him, his tan skin and dark hair not going unnoted by the visitors and he can easily hear whispering and giggling coming from a nearby trio of young traveller women as they look over at him.
Turning within the circle of her arms, Paulus catches Marla up into a tight embrace and a passionate kiss before remembering where he is. Sheepishly he lets her go, but maintains a light hold on her hand as he looks around to make sure her father is nowhere to be seen.
He leans in close to her, loving the smell of her Auburn hair and whispers "Shall we dance, pretty lady, or do you have something else in mind". He grins broadly at her.
Marla smiles beautifully at Paulus' affection, her hand giving his a tiny little squeeze. "I'd love to dance for a while" She replies as she gently swings their intertwined hands, her eyes very slowly leaving his and turning to the celbrating travellers a look of enchantment and intrigue on her face.
Sam blushes at the attention of the young female travellers. He gazes about, clearly overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of so much human activity. Fascinated despite his nervousness of the crowd, he stares at all the activity surrounding him.
Rebvyn's eyes brightened at the marvelous spectacle. She was all too aware of the warm body of Jasper standing just behind her right shoulder, also in rapture with the dancing procession. A smile spread across her lips as she felt Jasper begin to walk towards the procession as though in a trance. Turning on her heel, she let her right hand find his left and smiled as dazzling a smile as she could at him.
"Yes, Jasper Symon, I would like to dance with you," she said loudly enough to carry to the group of female villagers who were making their way towards him. Rebvyn wasn't blind, she knew well enough that there was a fair share of single women in Clearbrook who wouldn't mind being in Jasper's arms, Or somewhere else with him, she thought, trying to fight down the flush that seemed intent on reaching her cheeks. After all, Jasper was quite handsome, and as Clearbrook went he was certainly one of the more eligible bachelors. She knew that his father had a soft spot for him; she even thought that if Old Man Symon was single himself, he might try to woo her.
"I... what?" Jasper asked in a confused tone as Rebvyn pulled him along. Fortunately, she had managed to pull him out with earshot of the other women. Jasper was only confused for a moment and soon they were dancing and laughing. Not close enough to cause scandal, of course, but close enough to keep away any of the wandering women who thought they might try their luck.
Paulus frowns slightly as Marla's attention is dragged from him, but then he smiles again as he grabs her lightly around the waist and begins a slow dance.
As she seems intent on looking at this carnival, Paulus decides he will for a while as well, though he struggles to maintain focus on the procession with this woman in his arms.
He looks around, wondering when one of the village elders will come along and challenge these newcomers, for surely they will have something to say to kill the fun.
Spotting poor Sam's discomfort an eldery woman dressed in travellers clothes in a rich mixture of crimson and azures shoos the giggling young women away, urging them to mingle with other, more confident villagers for the time being.
Sam's time alone is shortlived however as a pair of dogs come bounding over enthusiastically. One is a small female collie, with dark fur and warm eyes and the other appears to be a male mongrel of mostly husky blood, giving him the look of a small wolf. Both sit at the woodsman's feet, tails wagging and their eyes expectant.
-----
Rebvyn finds herself the attention of a lot of people, other young women look on, some with thinly veiled jealousy and others with more warm expressions and the odd young man, both villager and visitor look on obviously waiting for an opportunity to steal away Jasper's dance partner.
-----
Marla secure and happy in his arms Paulus gets chance to look around at the events around him. Soon he spots his girl's father but a few shifts and spins thrown into his close dance with her ensures they remain out of his line of sight for a little while longer at least. From their new position amongst the other dancers Paulus manages to spy the mayor heading through the crowd, for a moment fearing his worries are confirmed he's pleasantly suprised when the leader of the village greets the young gypsy woman who had announced the ritual with a warm familial hug.
...
Sam's time alone is shortlived however as a pair of dogs come bounding over enthusiastically. One is a small female collie, with dark fur and warm eyes and the other appears to be a male mongrel of mostly husky blood, giving him the look of a small wolf. Both sit at the woodsman's feet, tails wagging and their eyes expectant.
Making sure that his pet ferret Dancer gets a quick view and sniff of the strange dogs, Sam bends down to scratch behind their ears. He searches his pocket to see if there is a crumb of bread or cheese left over from breakfast to give them.
As the first of the dances finishes, Paulus nods his head towards the mayor and the travellers leader.
"Looks like Mayor Glenn knows these people. I wonder why they havn't been through before?". Having stated the question out loud, he quickly sets it aside, the promise of fun and merryment easily overwhleming the unusualness of the situation.
"Lets go find some of the others" he suggests to Marla, "I think I see Rebvyn over there, causing a stir amongst all the women folk, maybe she knows a bit more about this festival thing"
With that, the young rogue again takes Marla into a dance, heading the pair of them off towards Rebvyn and her dance partner. Again he tries to use the crowd to keep out of sight of Marla's father.
Rebvyn let out a carefree laugh as she span in the arms of Jasper. She noticed the women glaring at them as little as she noticed the stars winking in the sky, lost in her own world. It took several moments before she realised that Paulus and his own dance partner had managed to wind their way over to them.
"Paulus," Rebvyn giggled, placing her hands against Jasper's chest and leaning in towards him as she glanced at her old friend. He was a year older than Rebvyn but their mothers had been old friends and the pair had spent many balmy afternoons as children playing tag or other such childish games.
"Paulus," Rebvyn repeated, "I do hope you aren't causing too much of a stir." A light tone filled her voice, a touch of amusement. Marla was a wonderful young woman and more than deserved Paulus. She was happy for him, as she hoped he was for her. Cocking her head as he asked her whether she knew of any ties linking the mayor and the leader of the gypsies, she shook her head slowly.
"No," she answered, "I'm afraid I don't. Although having said that, I imagine Tabby would know anything that was worth knowing." Many people in the village thought that Rebvyn was too familiar with Lady Tabetha but Rebvyn knew more than most and some of the tales that Tabby had told her about her childhood had turned the tips of her ears red with embarassment. To think that Lady Tabetha had done those things with gentlemen of fine standing... Rebvyn could feel the heat rising in her cheeks again. Attempting to avert anyone noticing, she raised herself up on her tiptoes and looked over the heads of the other villagers for the familiar coutenance of Lady Tabetha. It wasn't hard to locate her, she had an almost regal bearing that no-one else in the village could even come close to.
"Come on," Rebvyn said, trying to speak over the general din of the festival, "We'll ask Tabby and see what she has to say."
Having made sure all his tools were in order and spent a a few minutes or so getting spruced up, Todd wandered out and down to the village centre. Stopping briefly to study the riot of colour, it was good to see people feeling good about themselves. He winced "Ouch, that young man must be colour blind."
Dancer sniffs curiously at the two dogs, seeming intrigued by them both and exceptionally relaxed in their presence. The two dogs happily receive Sam's attention, their tails wagging excitedly and after a moment the husky places his paws against the woodsman's knees so he can lick the ferret. The male dog's greeting is happily received by Dancer.
-----
Marla smiles gently and remains quietly nestled against Paulus as he talks to Rebvyn, her eyes slowly travelling to the entrancing sight of those celebrating around them. At the mentioning of Lady Tabetha her attention returns to the conversation and she nervously follows along as the group make their way over to the sage. As many people in the village the young woman is obviously a little intimidated by the older woman.
-----
As Todd surveys the riot of colour he finds his hand suddenly caught by someone else's. A small unfamiliar set of fingers intertwine with his and looking down he sees the smiling face of a young gypsy girl, no older then six or seven. "Come dance with us!" She insists happily.
As Todd surveys the riot of colour he finds his hand suddenly caught by someone else's. A small unfamiliar set of fingers intertwine with his and looking down he sees the smiling face of a young gypsy girl, no older then six or seven. "Come dance with us!" She insists happily.
"Alright little one, though I'm really not very good," Todd lets himself be led to join the dancing.
Sensing Marla's hesitation, and not wanting to spoil the moment, Paulus says "You go on Rebvyn, Marla and I are going to wander around a bit and see what else these revillers bring with them. We'll catch up later."
"Maybe there's something to trade. Maybe I can get some of them to dad's shop" the last is said with a wry grin and a heavy sense of sarcasm as he doesn't expect much trade for the trinkets and locks they make.
He moves slightly away form Marla, aware that he may be pushing his luck with her father around, but still maintains a hold on her slender hand. They begin moving through the ensemble, to see what else these trvellers have brought apart from music and dance.
With a smile and a shrug, Rebvyn nods. She knew that some of the people in the village were, perhaps not intimidated, by the older woman but perhaps more awed. Of course, Rebvyn knew better.
"Okay, Paulus," she chattered brightly, before pulling lightly at Jasper's hand. "We'll catch up with you later." With Jasper in tow, Rebvyn wound her way through the crowd, flashing smiles and shouting greetings over the din to people that she knew. After a few moments, she was at Tabetha's side.
"Good evening, Tabetha," Rebvyn said with a smile, "I see you're enjoying the festivities. Tabetha, we were wondering if you knew anything about the relationship between the mayor and the leader of the gypsies." Rebvyn rattled off the words without pause, looking expectantly at the older woman.
Finding a bit of homemade venison jerky lurking in his pocket, Sam gives the leathery treat to the two dogs, making sure to break a small piece off for Dancer as well.
"Yay!" The little gypsy girl chirps as she pulls Todd along with her "I'm sure you're a good dancer really! My sisters say they're not very good too but they are! I want to be able to dance like them! I like your hair! It's very shiny! What's your name? I'm Phoenix!" She rattles on, seemingly in one breath.
-----
As Paulus and Marla move amongst the travellers they spot a myriad of sights and sounds, lots of music and dancing, the sharing of food and drink amongst villagers and gypsys alike, many mothers excitedly exchanging recipes. After a short wlk around the festivities Marla stops and looks curiously at an eldery traveller sat alone.
The old woman has a face worn with a multitude of laughter lines and is dressed in dark blues, her attire trimmed with embroided silver stars. She sits cross-legged on a patchwork blanket, patiently shuffling a deck of cards.
-----
Tabetha greets Rebvyn with her usual warm, knowing smile and a small nod of her head. "Good evening" Slowly the sage shifts her gaze to the mayor and her smile brightens a fraction. "Oh yes, I'm more than aware of a few links between the village and those travellers. Although simply telling you would be no fun would it? Sometimes knowledge is more fun if you seek it out yourself. Perhaps if you listen to the gossip of older members of both sides you'll be able to find some truths" She remarks, a small playful twinkle in her eye.
-----
Dancer sits and gnaws on the food as he closely watches the two dogs, an almost suspiscious look on his ferrety face. The collie chews carefully on the offered food, watching both Dancer and Sam closely, an intense, seemingly very intelligent look in her eyes. The husky however quickly wolfs down the jerky obviously very hungry.
"Greetings my lady" Paulus says to the older woman "Can you tell us what it is you are doing? Marla here seems to be interested and I must confess, Ive never seen this type of card game before"
Paulus is vaguely interested in this old woman. If it's a game of chance then he's all for it, but he has a sneaking suspicion its all about fortunes and other such things. Paulus is an advocate of luck, not necessarily fate so he treats such thigns with a hint of scepticism. However, if Marla wants to see this, then he's willing to watch, even to pay if a fee's involved.
The elderly lady gives a small mysterious smile at the couple in front of her. "The cards are merely a focus for the things we already know, and for the things Desna wishes us to know" She replies lightly "If you're interested I can show you your place in the great dance of life"
Paulus' suspiscion shines through and the woman focuses instead on Marla. Slowly she offers the deck to the auburn haired woman. "Shuffle these and when you feel the time is right pick a card from the deck" She instructs kindly. Turning her head to face the locksmith she waves a hand dismissively "..and don't you think of offering to pay, fortunes are free tonight." She declares certainly.
Slowly Marla sits herself on the ground opposite the travellers and carefully shuffles the cards in her slender-fingered hands, a look of concentration on her pretty face. After a while she draws a card and shows it to the fortuneteller.
"Ah the unicorn, what a good role card to be blessed with" The gypsy practically purrs, seeming fond of Marla already "The card that generously offers all that you seek with only the purest of intentions."
Giving a knowing look the old woman leans forward and whispers something in the young woman's ear.
Perception Check DC 18 for Paulus:
Blushing faintly as the gypsy withdraws Marla shuffles the unicorn back into the deck and looking up at Paulus she draws another card and passes it to the fortune teller.
"The Theatre, now that's interesting it seems you are making an important reading for you and yours my dear. This is the card of true prophecy. The prophet is the audience, watching the prophecy unfold on
stage, he must be diligent and pay attention otherwise the importance may be missed until it's too late. Now, be a dear and shuffle the cards one last time."
Marla does as instructed, taking her time before handing them back to the fortuneteller who procededs to lay out the top nine cards in three columns of three in a square in front of her. Slowly the traveller speaks in a low tone so only Paulus and Marla can hear:
For Paulus only:
"Next the present" She turns over the top card of the middle column revealing a short woman holding a newborn baby "The Midwife, she lets new life and information into the world, her heart can see the good in
even the worst situation. Perhaps you are already with child dear, or maybe it's more abstract than that, a secret that you've been scared to reveal but will in fact lift a weight once it's unleashed into the world." The next card is turned, a wise man looking through a heavy tome of a book and the traveller smiles "The hidden truth, I think that fairly certainly lets us know that one or both of you are keeping something to yourselves that would be good to release, people deserve to know." she tells both Marla and Paulus in an almost motherly tone as she turns the next card. "The eclipse, self-doubt, it will be hard to be truthful with all of those around you, it will be hard and you may feel lost but you will have each other for support and the Midwife tells us that no matter what there will be a silver lining for you."
"The future" She continues, not waiting for the pair to confirm or deny her words, seeming more content to let the couple think to themselves about her words. Turning over the top right card she looks thoughtful at the strange birdlike creature with red eyes that stares up at her. "The peacock, a creature of extraordinary beauty but a beauty that can only be maintained if frozen, like a statue. Don't be drawn to the temptation to be like the peacock, standing still may be comfortable and what you know well but you will be rewarded well if you both move forwards, towards the future, take chances." She declares as she turns the next card, a creature that looks like a big cat with a human face stares up at you, surrounded by sand "The Desert. A bleak enviroment, nobody can survive it without aid. One or both of you have a situation ahead that will be a trial, but with the help of others you will survive and perhaps find treasures, be they personal or material." She turns the last card "The Locksmith, he grants you the keys to unlock your destiny, the tools to open a new location, clue or treasure. He doesn't offer insight into how to use these keys and tools however so be wary things that may seem like a gift in your road ahead may turn out to be more of a challenge than you first thought."
Her reading finished she gathers her cards with a slight smile. "Thank you it was a pleasure doing a reading for you. Think deeply on the things I've said as a guide to things that may have been, may be, or may occur but more importantly live your lives and enjoy every second" She tells the couple with a gentle expression.
When the old woman told him not to pay, it cought Paulus off guard. How could she know that was what he was thinking....of course, he had his hand on his purse, trying to make sure it didn't get lifted. She obviously mistook that for him trying to pay. It was merely happy circumstance that he was thinking along the same lines.
So caught up in trying to convince himself this Varisian woman couldn't read his mind, Paulus misses the words passed between Marla and the fotune teller.
With the reading over, Paulus looks at the lady and nods thankfully.
"My thanks to you milady, it was an interesting thing to have seen. I'm sure it will all work out exactly like you say, though for the life of me I didn't understand fully half of it" he says with a smile.
Underneath it all he has a deep feeling of unease, particularly about parts of the reading that talk about midwives and revealing secrets. As much as he and Marla had talked about marriage and children, having a Paulus junior on the way may make things even more strained between his family and Marla's.
Seeing that Marla enjoyed the reading Paulus reaches into his money puch and offers a silver to the lady "I know you said it was free, but I like to thank the people who do a service for me. If the coins not what you need, then perhaps you have something I can mend for you. If you stop by my fathers shop later, I can arrange for some minor repairs or perhaps a small gift?"
...
Dancer sits and gnaws on the food as he closely watches the two dogs, an almost suspiscious look on his ferrety face. The collie chews carefully on the offered food, watching both Dancer and Sam closely, an intense, seemingly very intelligent look in her eyes. The husky however quickly wolfs down the jerky obviously very hungry.
Sam watches the two dogs in a friendly manner. He always feels a close affinity to animals, even the ones he must hunt.
"Where are your masters you two? Have you been naughty and run off? There is so much excitement about I am sure you two are having lots of fun."
"Yay!" The little gypsy girl chirps as she pulls Todd along with her "I'm sure you're a good dancer really! My sisters say they're not very good too but they are! I want to be able to dance like them! I like your hair! It's very shiny! What's your name? I'm Phoenix!" She rattles on, seemingly in one breath.
"I'm Todd nice to meet you, the trick with hair is to find the balance between washing it too often and not often enough, of course having it correctly layered also helps."
The old gypsy woman takes the silver and bows her head deeply to Paulus, a bright smile gracing her face and deeply furrowing the laughter lines that decorate her face. "Desna bless you, both. You both have trials ahead of you but I have every faith that good things await you"
With a slight smile and a trace of thoughtfulness in her expression Marla stands and takes Paulus' hand once more, quietly walking along with him for a while before eventually talking up. "Do you think maybe if we explained to our families that things could work out?" She questions thoughtfully "It would be nice to just be with you and not worry so much"
-----
As Sam watches the dog and questions where their owners are he notices that neither of the canines have collars or any way of marking them as belonging to anyone. He's almost certain that they don't belong to anyone in the village but none of the gypsys seem to be keeping an eye out for them either. In fact not too far off he can see a young man dressed in bright attire making a fuss of his dog, a black labrador that appears to be wearing a bright red collar.
He's shaken from his thoughts however as he's approached by the familiar form of Misty Clover, her face a little pale. "Umm.." She starts, unusually quietly for the often outspoken barmaid "..can I have a word with you?" She asks, looking at the floor.
-----
The little girl giggles as she twirls around, starting an highly energetic dance and pulling Todd along with her. "You're funny" She tells him a very matter of fact tone "It's good to put time into all that stuff.. my sisters do but I'd rather climb a tree!" She announces with another laugh.
Sam starts as Misty addresses him.
"Umm.mm.uh...sure! What can I help you with?"
Paulus smiles down at Marla and squeezes her hand gently. "We could try, just make sure I'm a good ten feet fro your father when we start, I'd like a good running start when he comes at me with that pitchfork of his".
He hoped the smile and light tone he used concealed the fact that his heart started hammering the moment she mentioned this. Paulus would love nothing more than to be free to spend time with Marla, but he was certainly nowhere near convinced that a reading of the stars would be enough to end the years of enmity between her father and his family.
"We need to tread carefully on this one Marla. This is a rather small place to live if our parents decide to take a real set against us seeing each other. I'll not stop trying on account of their feelings, but it will be tougher"
Misty smiles weakly at Sam but looks a little relieved. "It's just, I've not seen Gracie all afternoon and I'm starting to worry. I don't want to tell my sisters yet as they may freak out and most other people I know wouldn't be so subtle in helping me, so I was wondering if you could help me search the crowds for her? Maybe help ask a few people if they've seen her? ..without causing any undue worry.. I don't want to spoil the celebration.. it's possible she'd just met a boy but I'd feel a lot better if I just knew.."
-----
Marla looks thoughtful for a while before giving a little shrug and a smile. "It's something to think about, we don't need to do it now. I just think it'd be nice for us to be able to be a family one day."
"But right now there's this party to enjoy!" She changes the subject in an upbeat tone "Do you know why they call it a ritual?" She asks curiously.
Sam flushes and stammers at Misty's request
"Oh! Sure, Misty .I .I ... I'm sure I can scout around. I'm pretty good at scouting things ... OH! Not that Gracie is a thing or anything ..I mean ...um ..."
Sam sputters to a stop and looks at Misty shyly.
"I'll ... ummm... get right to it then."
"Thats alright its all about feeling good, its just looking good helps that."
Todd follows the girl into the dance spinning and tumbling witha level of skill that might surprise those who know him.
"Well, lets go find someone who can tell us why it's a ritual. Somthing to do with the god they follow I think"
Paulus looks for the nearest gypsy to see if they can find out what the vent is for and how its going to run.
In his mind he keeps going over the words of the afternoon, and the statement Marla just made "it'd be nice to be a family"
Paulus begins to smile.
Rebvyn eyed Tabetha warily. Was this some kind of joke that she wasn't in on? It would be just like Tabetha to do something like that. She thought quickly for a moment, and then nodded.
"Very well then," Rebvyn said matter-of-factly, "I shall." Laying her hand on Jasper's wrist, she pulled him off into the crowd. She stood on tiptoes, looking for any gathering of elders.
Sam hems and haws a bit more
"So .. should we split up and look .. ummm.. or do you want to stick together? I mean ... we can probably cover more ground apart ...umm ... but I don't want you to think I don't think we can do well together, AH ...I mean if we are apart and we find her how can we tell each other we found her? Ummm ..."
Sam realizes he is babbling and decides to shut up for the moment.
Little Phoenix is overjoyed at Todd's antics and tries her hardest to copy him, failing for the mostpart but seemingly having a great time doing it. Attempting a tumble she ends up flat on her back staring up at the sky and laughing heartily. A few of the other villagers appear to have noticed the pair and seem to be watching Todd closely with intrigued looks.
-----
Marla looks up at Paulus as he smiles obviously curious as to what he's thinking, her eyes sparkling as they look into his. "Hey.." She chimes gently poking him in the ribs "..that's a bright smile, what brought that on?"
-----
Rebvyn looks around for people she could question but instead finds herself distracted by the younger faces in the crowd, it seems that the youthful travellers are collecting together wood and are starting a bonfire. They work quickly, seemingly well-practiced, moving as colourful blurs and soon there is a roaring fire warming the cold winters air and adding light to fight the darkening sky.
-----
Misty seems equally torn. "Well I..." She starts before looking around with a worried expression "Maybe we should look together first and if we don't find her maybe getting some more people to help so we can cover more ground. If that sounds about right" She decides in a quiet, anxious voice, her usually bright emerald eyes looking dull with the worry and concern.
Misty seems equally torn. "Well I..." She starts before looking around with a worried expression "Maybe we should look together first and if we don't find her maybe getting some more people to help so we can cover more ground. If that sounds about right" She decides in a quiet, anxious voice, her usually bright emerald eyes looking dull with the worry and concern.
Sam flushes with pleasure at the thought of walking with Misty, then sobers as he remembers the gravity of the situation. Now that he has something to concentrate on, he loses a bit of his self-conciousness and begins to scout about.
"Ok, let's try to think like Gracie for a moment. Where does she like to go? Would she be interested in the newcomers? Does she go outside the town to any particular spot?"
Perception: 1d20+5=10, Survival:1d20+5=18, K(Geography): 1d20+4=24
Misty looks thoughtful for a moment as the two dogs run around the ankles of both her and Sam. The little collie especially seems interested in Misty, her dark eyes focusing on the Clover girl and a tiny bark escaping her.
"Well" She starts kneeling down and petting the two dogs to help calm them so she can think "Grace is a curious sort so I'm sure the travellers would fascinate her and she's more interested in people than places so she may have visited someone earlier but if that was the case she'll be in this crowd somewhere."
"She does go into the woods sometimes in the hopes of spending some time with dad, she never could accept that he doesn't really care so much about us" She confides with a faint blush at being so bluntly honest "but she always tells us if she's leaving the village"
Sam casts his eyes around the throng.
"Well, I'm sure we can find her, she's probably just swept up in all the excitement. "
Sam reaches down to scratch the larger dog behind the ears.
"You have any tracking skills fellah?"
"Good company and the promise of a better night" Paulus replies with a laugh. "Come on beautiful, lets go ask these gypsies what the festival is about. And if we happen to run into your father...well so be it"
He drapes his arms over her shoulders and kisses her deeply, not caring who sees.
"Hey look! Is that the barber dancing with that little girl? At least I think he's dancing"
Little Phoenix is overjoyed at Todd's antics and tries her hardest to copy him, failing for the mostpart but seemingly having a great time doing it. Attempting a tumble she ends up flat on her back staring up at the sky and laughing heartily. A few of the other villagers appear to have noticed the pair and seem to be watching Todd closely with intrigued looks.
Todd gets to his feet, smiling broadly he pulls out a brush from one of his pockets and brushes hinself down. "Ah feeling good, what you thought I wouldn't look good when I move as well"
"Perhaps the elders are gathered around the bonfire," Rebvyn said to Jasper conspiratorrialy. With an imploring look, she began to move towards the large fire.
At Sam's question both dogs give a single bark, the larger of the two seems a lot more focused however, the small collie settling for excitedly running around both him and Misty. The collie sniffs at the air and looks towards the east with a little whimper, the husky however sits patiently and looks up at the humans as though expecting further instructions.
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Marla relaxes happily into Paulus' arms, overjoyed at the opportunity to be this open in her affections for him. As he mentions the barber she tilts her head a little and looks over in the indicated direction. "It is! Where did Mr. Peel learn to move like that?" She questions in mild awe, almost certain that they don't teach tricks like those to apprentice hairdressers.
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Phoenix gives a giggle up at Todd "You're really silly" She decides brightly before looking around with wide eyes "Umm.. why are people staring at us? Are you someone important?"
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Rebvyn watches as the fire is assembled and the younger couples start to dance around it, singing a song of celebration dedicated to Desna. She can't see any of the elders among the grouping though.
Sam notes the collie's urge to go east. Acting on a hunch, he addresses Misty.
"Umm... Why don't we ..uh ..I mean you and me ..ummm ...head east to start and work our way around? The collie here looks as if she wants to go somewhere, perhaps she knows something we don't. If not, east is ...ummm ...as good as anywhere to start."
Looking down at the small dog, Sam addresses it.
"Hey girl, you have something to show us? Can you help us find Gracie?"
To Misty.
"Ummm ...you wouldn't have a hankerchief or something of Gracie's would you? Dogs are good at smelling out stuff ...umm ...I mean people ..umm."
Phoenix gives a giggle up at Todd "You're really silly" She decides brightly before looking around with wide eyes "Umm.. why are people staring at us? Are you someone important?"
Todd looks down at Phoenix, "I'm not really that important, I guess people just realised theres more to my philosophy than styling hair and removing blemishes."
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Misty gives Sam a light, weak smile and a nod. "Okay" Is all she manages to say as she digs in her pockets and produces a handkerchief. Offering it to the larger of the dogs to sniff at she slowly looks up at Sam again "I made sure to grab something of hers, just in case, I think Maia has a dog so if all went wrong I was going to ask her if..." She trails off and shakes her head "I'm sure she's just in the crowd somewhere" She declares as certainly as she can manage, sounding as though she's trying to conveince herself more than anything else.
The husky inhales the scent on the handkerchief and starts sniffing around on the ground, casting around for the scent. The smaller dog meanwhile is bounding eastwards, occasionally stopping and turning to look expectedly at the group behind her, her face seemingly long suffering at the other dog as he methodically sniffs around.
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"Blemishes?" Phoenix asks curiously "What? Like warts and moles and spots and stuff? You touch those?" She continues to question in a high-pitched, disgusted tone, her face wrinkling in disapproval.
"Blemishes?" Phoenix asks curiously "What? Like warts and moles and spots and stuff? You touch those?" She continues to question in a high-pitched, disgusted tone, her face wrinkling in disapproval.
Todd adjusts his gloves slightly as he puts away his brush, "Thats why some clever person invented gloves, though sometimes you have to do unpleasent things in this life. So tell me about this festival then its one I don't think I've attended before."
"Well Marla, lets find some food and maybe an ale and head over to the bonfire. It looks like the main celebration will be held there and I see that Rebvyn is back. With most of the village gathered I'm sure that's where we'll discover all about this Desna."
With that, the young tinker cuddles the beautiful girl and moves to find some food and drink that they can purchase. He also looks around for any sign of his father and Marla's father, a bold and daring expression on his face, as if daring them to challenge him in his affection for this girl.
Sam shifts awkwardly, wanting to give Misty a hug but deathly afraid of it being misconstrued.
"Don't worry, we'll find her. Then think of the fun you can have yelling at her for scaring the daylights out of everyone!"
Sam winces as this sentence comes out, sure that he has blundered.