when i'm dancing, i'm free

To the divine, mischievous spark in you

Poppy has been studying. With the constant shift of the natural world now accelerating at a breakneck pace, the young woman has fully devoted herself to keeping up. And though her work has not been without its danger and resulting injury, she feels a great satisfaction when she reflects on all she has done.

But such deep study has meant a disconnect from other people- and while the Naturalist can comfortably exist without human interaction for longer than most, she is ultimately human, and thus a social animal. So with the advent of LongNight and all it portends, Poppy finds herself creeping out of the shadows, drawn like a moth to light.

And what a lovely light it is! The Hollowed Grounds have changed enormously since the days of Poppy's youth, and she finds herself raptly fascinated by the metamorphosis. Around the central bonfire is cast a merry band indeed, with mistrals and magic and pop-up booths, a celebration of entropy and change bewitching to the eye. Poppy flits among them, thin flingers gracing gently over crimson silks and onyx stones. She is clad in warm, earthen tones, brown pants and fur lined boots and a large green sweater that all but swallows her petite frame. But her honey warm eyes are bright and glittering, keenly reflecting the flickering firelight as she looks from booth to booth.

And then the food, and its succulent smells! One booth in particular craves further investigation, drawing the woman near. "Excuse me," she asks brashly of a stranger in the line, one who has only just received their meal, "But what is that?"

persephone

code by sky

ELIZABETH

this is me saying that i would set myself on fire

Needing a break from the monotonous loneliness of Longnight in Halo, Elizabeth had piled extra firewood in her fireplace and set out to visit the boisterous activities of the Hollowed Grounds. When other areas shut themselves in and fearfully waited out at the perpetual darkness, the Hollowed Grounds seemed to celebrate the nightfall as some might a sunrise. It's a warm welcome to finally step into the glowing lights of the Inner Quarter with people milling about and laughing joyfully amongst each other. The weather is still cold, but it's nothing compared to Halo and Elizabeth lets the familiar tightness of her body relax, embracing the heat of human proximity around her. 

She makes her way through the throng, her travel boots clicking softly on the cobblestones, swishing her purple gown gently around her ankles. The music has her humming lightly, smiling at the happy faces dancing in the square. Maybe she'll join them soon, but her stomach first intercedes with a loud grumble that has her searching for sustenance. Although many sights and smells of delicious foods call to her, the familiar sight of golden cake quickly draws her to its line. She waits patiently for her turn before procuring her own portion. It doesn't take long for her to shove the dessert into her face. 

With her mouth full of the delectable pastry, she looks to the red-haired woman who asks her a question, trying to cover her mouth politely as she responds. "A piece of King Cake." The bite of almond puff cake filled with galette melts into Elizabeth's mouth and she points to the larger portion still at the booth with a large grin. "If you get the piece with the almond, you get to wear the crown." Hanging from the side of the stall is a circlet of fake gold, studded with rubies. People line up in hopes of being the victor, becoming 'King' - or 'Queen'! - for the night.

to bring light to all of the dark places within you