The Flood has never missed a Festival of Lights, even if on occasion they’ve spurred drama. This time, he’s hoping for nothing of the sort – showing up arm in arm with Hotaru but not in a possessive way – instead, content to simply be at her side as she quite literally shines, carrying the lanterns for the both of them that they bring. Surely there’s others to meet amongst the crowd, but Sunjata targets Melita immediately with a soft and gentle smile of greeting, guiding them over for the moment to place at least some of the lanterns by her own. One for Nate, one for Lusea, one for Peter, and of course one for Haai that gets placed directly beside the one for Haai that Melita had made.
“[say]Hey heuningby.[/say]” He drawls softly, reaching out to hopefully pull her in for a little hug – knowing that this time of year was difficult for her, regardless of how close to Ludo she was these days.
Sunjata brings lanterns for Nate, Lusea, Peter, and Haai!
No permission needed for power play!
Feel free to use magic/force on Sunjata, without killing him <3
Sunjata speaks with an Australian accent and has a passive magic that makes him produce a subtle scent that matches exactly to whatever those around him most desire him to smell like.
The Festival began to grow, just as it always did. Noah's eyes wandered across those gathering to hang their lanterns. He saw so many that he knew, and among them were more friends than enemies. He gave a smile and wave towards @Fox as he and @Kiada approached closer towards Deimos and Evie, but Noah didn't stand in their way. Fox was his friend, but his relationship with Kiada was so full of unknowns, and today was not the time to reestablish whatever they were or could be.
Seeing a familiar wash of silvered hair, Noah turned. [say]"@Hadama."[/say] Noah said, closing the distance between him and the once-mer. Marcus was at his heels, Margot too, as commanded before even leaving Halo. [say]"I'd like you to meet my children."[/say] He said, a broad smile working its way across his features as he placed two hands on either twins back, gently ushering them forward for the man to greet. [say]"This is Marcus,"[/say] he beamed down at his son, [say]"and this is Margot."[/say] He said with just as much love and admiration.
Since Kaiden had not yet made his culinary choices, Hadama turned at the sound of his name, setting his plate down to free his hands. His chest was as bare as always except for the harness he traditionally wore to hold his weapons and pouches while swimming, but his legs were demurely covered in fine black leather trousers decorated with hand-stitched silver stars.
"@Noah," he returned the greeting, emerald eyes bright with mischief and a quiet joy that seemed to shine from within. We should speak soon, he added quietly through the Bond, his mental tone holding only light and the implication that the news was good for once.
But the once-Sentinal was not alone, and the newly-minted demigod turned his attention to the youngsters. He placed a hand over his heart and bowed deeply to each child before rising to meet their eyes in turn. "It is an honor, @Marcus. Margot. Your father speaks of you often," he rumbled. "And speaks well."
04-21-2024, 06:00 AM
(This post was last modified: 04-21-2024, 06:00 AM by Talyson.)
Tal arrived on the Peregrine, surprising no one. The swift little skyboat was brought down to skim slowly over the surface of the waterways as lightly as a waterbug. The courier kept her helm, maneuvering to avoid the lanterns already afloat on the streams and to keep her rigging clear of the branches overhead. Boreal hung over the prow, her wings half-spread and her nose lifted to the gentle breeze of the boat's passage until they reached the center of the somber festivities.
This year Tal had brought his usual lantern for his parents which he set adrift off the stern of the boat, and a second for Enzo , which he loosed from the prow. Though he hadn't known the young man in life, he'd learned enough of him from Ru that he hoped the young man wouldn't be offended at the tribute. Pale eyes searched out @Hotaru and @Sunjata, but seeing them with Melita he hesitated and then turned away. He would have been content to sit on the deck of his boat with an arm around his dragon, but he caught sight of a familiar face on shore and after dropping the ground anchor he headed over to give @Hawthorn an awkward nod of greeting. "Hey," he offered, unsure of how to start a conversation under the circumstances, so settling for rubbing the back of his neck and trying to look nonchalant with questionable success.
Tal brings lanterns for his parents and @Enzo
Recent events had caused Zavien's heart to be raw with memories of his smiling mother. Her glowing optimism was the only thing spurring his footsteps to the waterway. She would look at the sparkling waters - the playful encantados - and laugh gently at their careless beauty. Despite the years that have passed, he could still see her dimpled smile that made her eyes disappear. The way her body never seemed to tense against the strain of the world. Or how her tight hugs squeezed the worry from his bones. All these thoughts circulated as he placed a candle within the lantern. Its warm light was like a balm to her memory, soothing the ache. When he placed it into the water, the current instantly started to pull it away farther down the river as if being ferried straight to her outstretched arms. He sent up a short prayer that his mother's soul remained at rest, watching him with pride.
As his eyes rose up, he spotted some familiar faces in Deimos, @Hawthorn, and @Talyson. The lonely feeling in his chest encouraged him to approach Hawthorn and Tal, wanting to share companionship with others. He smiled softly and raised his hand in greeting. [say]"May the souls of our loved ones rest in peace."[/say] The words felt right to say given the lanterns flowing around them.
Zavien brings a lantern for his mother.
Thal rarely noticed or mourned the gaping hole in her memory, but when she saw the floating lanterns of deceased family and friends, an uncomfortable sensation spread through her chest. She placed a hand to her heart and narrowed her eyes, frowning in annoyance. Her only purpose in coming had been to observe the infamous Festival of Lights, however, so far there was little that she found impressive about the event. A few faces stood out in the migrating crowd as being vaguely familiar: Melita, Talyson, and Edmund. No one tempted her enough to initiate conversation, so she proceeded to stroll the riversides.
During her walking, the encantados, splashed an arcing wave of water over her body, drenching her from head to toe. A deep sigh darkened her mood further and she removed her cloak to wring it out over the river. Nothing about this "Festival" was making her want to return.
Thalassa doesn't bring a lantern.
04-21-2024, 03:32 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-21-2024, 03:36 PM by Ronin.)
They aren't fashionably late so much as it had taken Ronin a hot second to realise where the Festival of Lights was taking place. Upon realising as much, it seemed silly not to go, given the events of the past few weeks. Much about the Knight has changed, but a lot hasn't, and his nimbus forms part of this latter set. So rather than picking their way through the undergrowth in the dark, Ronin ferries himself and his husband to the Wishtide Waterways comfortably seated on a fluffy cloud.
When they arrive, of course, he dismisses his nimbus, collecting up the lanterns he intends to hang as well. [say]"I'll catch up with you in a little bit?"[/say] he whispers to @Remi with a smile; much as it would delight him to remain glued to the Bastion all evening, Ronin is feeling buoyant and cheerful, and not even his Leafchange possessiveness can override it. (That isn't to say he won't be keeping a watchful eye out for Remi nonetheless).
Dressed in a pair of simple black pants, a loose white shirt and a faded blue coat to ward off the cold, the Knight finds a place to hang his lanterns before seeking out familiar faces. Two such faces belong to @deimos and @evie, and he approaches with a warm smile, raising his eyebrows at the Evergreen. [say]"You are glowing,"[/say] he informs her, glancing to the Sword afterwards. [say]"As are you, of course."[/say] He laughs.
Ronin brings lanterns for Aoife and Vanya!
[say]"What, and leave me to socialize all on my own? Gods, you really have changed."[/say] Where even just a year prior Remi would have been a stormcloud on the edge of the gathering with his arms folded, now he presses a kiss to his husband's temple before waving him away to go be the social butterfly he'd always been meant to be.
Spying @Kiada and Fox?, the Bastion makes his way over. [say]"Hey, Hope I am not interrupting."[/say] It feels a bit silly to have a lantern for Rexanna when her daughter had brought one—the optics of bringing lanterns for the loved ones of others was a complex issue that Remi wasn't at all equipped to deal with—especially now that he could bring back those lost, if only for a short while. But that was why he was here, interrupting the lovebirds Harpy.
[say]"I wanted to say, if tonight does not go your way—"[/say] His eyes move to her lanterns. [say]"—I can open up a small window into Mort's realm now. It is not for long, but if you ever wanted to see them again.."[/say] Trailing off, Remi shrugs not knowing if Kia would be at all inclined to open herself up to old wounds after so long.
Remi brings a lantern for @Rexanna and @Enzo and Aoife .
Speaks with a thick Italian accent.
Force and magic can be used against Remi without permission.
04-21-2024, 05:11 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-21-2024, 05:12 PM by Dantalion.)
This isn't the first Festival of Lights he's attended at the Wishtide Waterways - he assumes it must be one of those easy places for it all to take place. Nevertheless, it's only a hop, skip and a jump across from Torchline where he's recently been to enjoy the last warmth of the season (and to see a lady about a thieves guild, along with strengthening political alliances, blah blah blah).
He knows a great deal more people than before, though, from demigods to Wardens to members of his own council. Nevertheless, it's the brooding outlier he drifts towards, of course, jostling his shoulder against @astaroth's and flashing him a fanged smirk. [say]"Have you been to one of these before?"[/say] he asks, raising his eyebrows. [say]"We didn't have anything like it in The Climb."[/say]
Danta brings no lantern.
Horns: Diamond - they look very similar to #2 in this image.
Marcus followed his father, though he wished he could have stayed near the wardens. While they were being flocked by other people, Marcus could feel the tugs of jealousy on his heartstrings. Deimos and Evie were his friends. He worked hard to make sure the feeling wasn't painted plainly on his youthful face, though that was a task in and of itself that took the majority of his concentration.
Marcus did not need to keep up the ruse, though, as his father close the distance between him and another man. He felt Margot bump into his shoulder as Noah's hands pressed them forward, and Marcus gave a smile. A smile full of soft nerves and the twisting of his stomach. [say]"Nice to meet you."[/say] He said politely to @Hadama, despite the anxiety in the edges of him.
The Wishtide Waterways was a strange place, overrun by strange people. Ravenna felt out of place here, and kept herself as close to @Noah's family group as she could without actually mingling. She didn't want to be introduced as the findling she was; like she was some extra slapped on at last minute, like a 'by the way'. @Marcus looked unhappy about it anyway, being lumped up with his twin and shown off, so Venna was happy to be left out of it.
She held her two lanterns by herself, clutched tight to her chest in grubby little hands that already had managed to wrinkle the delicate paper. One for the father she had never known, the other for the mother whose absence had her crying herself to sleep almost every night..
Apparently she might be able to see them tonight, if Ludo allowed it. She didn't know who Ludo was, but she kept staring at every face she saw, fervently whispering 'please, please, please' under breath – just in case they were it, and could hear her.
Ravenna has brought a lantern for her mother and @Korbin.
It was the furthest away from home she had ever been. The festivals of mouth breathers held very little appeal to her but since a few of her kin had decided to come, Nysa followed along. Just to be able to say she had been, you know?
Still, she wasn't exactly eager to get mixed up with anyone. Sticking close to the shore she merely watched the people stomp about on their awkward looking legs, lighting lanterns one by one and talking in soft voices. She had none to mourn, so the whole affair was a bit strange to her.
Nysadeia did not bring a lantern.
How did you grieve for ones you had never met? Was it they themselves you longed for, or the things that would never be?
Seren did not make a fuss of her presence as the joined the festival. Her lanterns were simple things, plain and unadorned; one for Aoife, and one for Enzo. A sister she had never met, a brother who had grown and passed without her ever laying eyes on; and though she wished to meet them, it was a quiet longing that would easily accept going unfulfilled. She hung the lanterns in a tree and went to stand by @Ronin and @Remi, offering quiet smiles to anyone whose gaze she met; welcoming, but unobtrusive in this moment of remembrance.
Seren brings a lantern each for Aoife and @Enzo.
✰ Starlight (Passive) | Starfilled night billow around her like a veil as she moves. It is more noticeable in daytime and when she make sudden movements.
There was food here. There was people. Kin. He had no fond memory of anyone who had died in the past but he could spare a thought for them if it meant he would get to eat his fill. The Fyrhund skulked through the shadows at the outskirts of the milling throng, drawing some bewildered stares but caring little; he liked the shift better than his own legs these days. Liked being big, and scary, so that most kept their distance.
Snagging a large piece of something that might be chicken from a table, he retreated to the dark, watching as he gnawed on the meal. @Kiada was there, laughing and talking; he watched her too, soothed by the presence of a familiar face. Of course, he recognized a few others too; men who had rejected him and left him outcast. Isar gave them a wide berth, slow to either forget or forgive.
Isar brought no lantern.
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