Dreadlords The Anniversary of Freedom

[Theadora Cloud]

THE SIGHTS GROUP​

"I'm the Dreadlord who brought House Luana to its knees, I'm the butcher who cut off 100 of our brothers and sisters heads in one day and then took a bath in their blood."

Thea pursed her lips, her gaze wandering away from Kristen for a moment. A slight shiver ran through her at the description the speaker painted. She scratched the side of her head as she started to turn back to her new acquaintance. "Do you think that's really the..."

Only to trail off when she saw Kristen's face all alight. She, at least, definitely believed it was really her, judging from the squeal that'd suddenly entered her voice. She didn't know the young woman well enough to say it was uncharacteristic, but it was certainly expected given the calm manner she'd been speaking in before.

"That really was her? Oh, yeah I guess it is a big festival," she fumbled out, trying her best to keep up with the excited noblewoman. She stiffened when Kristen suddenly grabbed her by the shoulders. Her eyes slowly widening as she spoke of her idea. "M-me!? S-speak to the butcher!? I don't know, I mean I'm still an Apprentice and..."

She trailed off. On one hand, she really didn't want to let Kristen down, if she did this for her the two of them could be friends. On the other hand, the thought of disturbing the butcher's day just to deliver a simple message terrified her. What if she annoyed her? Would she kill her like did the oligarchs?

Perhaps that was a bit of a worst-case scenario, but still.

Thea gawked when Drastus suddenly lifted the already tall woman off the ground. She lowered her gaze to him and bit her lip. "Are, you sure this is a good idea?" She tried to be optimistic, but there was a difference between hoping for the best and doing something so incredibly stupid.

Kristen Pirian Drastus Tal'deneshaar

 

[Zana]

Whispered dogged her heels but Zana made sure to keep her steps slow, controlled. What she wanted to do was grab Raphael by the shirt front and slam his head through a wall but that wasn't a good model of behaviour for her children. Instead she took a deep breathe through her nose and let it out through her clenched teeth.

"There are some people I regret having to kill," she said softly to her companions. "But there are definitely some who I wished had said no so I could have," Louis snorted in agreement and it eased some tension in her shoulders.

 

[AmeliaPirian]

Amelia placed her hands in Lynus' as she watched Elise sashay away. The entirely fake smile plastered on her face as she stood and moved away from the chair. The newest member of the Anireth family stepped in close to her husband and kissed him on the cheek. "I am not stupid, Lynus. We will talk about that later..." She said softly as she pulled away again.

"Shall we go walk around the festival?" Amelia was all smiles again as she tucked her arm into her husbands. "I believe my sister is going to be here and I can guarantee we will find her wherever Zana is receiving people."

She looked over at Arryn before asking her next question. "Do you know where she is?" Amelia had grown close to the guard during this very hard transition in her life and she was grateful to him.

Lynus Anireth

 

[Everleigh Ebersol]

Remorse? Shame? Guilt? Regret? Such strange feelings that only had begun to surface recently. The worst part was that sometimes Everleigh did feel guilt, if only for not feeling guilty ruining so many lives and killing so many ruthlessly.

Everleigh turned to glance over at Zael as he approached, and Henk’s fingers fell from her shoulder. She took a step back and then held a single finger up to her lips for only Henk to see. Silently she moved, inching behind the blonde as he fawned over Henk and his arm muscles. She almost felt jealous, sure her arm strength wasn’t impressive or anything but Zael never complimented her muscle growth. Maybe it was a guy thing?

Speaking of guy things…

Everleigh now directly behind Zael placed her hands onto his shoulders, an attempt to hold him still as she brought her bent knee directly up and under his butt cheeks. It wasn’t a hard knee by any means, Everleigh didn’t want to hurt Zael but she hoped it would be a surprise. Perhaps a surprise that got him breaking character.

“C’mon, games are this way.” She beamed, the previous conversation, while still weighing heavy on her soul, no longer claimed her expression. Her signature cheerful mischievousness was a bright and welcoming change and she slid a arm into the crook of Zael’s and Henk’s elbow, leading both initiates with her over to where the games were.

THE FIRST GAME:
High Striker:​

A mage set up a magically enhanced punching bag, contestants are granted a hit and the kinetic force mage will announce the score. Highest score one can get is out of 1000, roll the dice out of one hundred and then add a zero to it. Prize: anything below 700 will receive a piece of wrapped sugar candy or can choose a marble. 700- a colorful bracelet or a necklace with a piece of rose quartz at the center, 800- a fake gold crown in the design of the king’s or a flower and ribbon wreath headband, 900- a large magical creature plushie.

Everleigh pulled out a coin, one coin for three tries, although it would only equal one try for Henk, Zael and herself. As she had picked this game first, she felt it was only fair that she paid for their tries. She glanced over at Henk. He was one brute of a guy.

“I’ll go first,” Everleigh chimed, still mimicking Zael’s drawl. She looked around and then looked at the punching bag. Nothing said she couldn’t get a running start. She jogged back a few meters away, and looking around to make sure it was clear, began sprinting towards the punching back. She was like a purple and white flash, spinning at the last possible second before her foot made contact with the punching bag in a perfectly executed roundhouse kick. She grunted, the punching bag hardly swinging due to the mage’s magic.

“Your score is eight-hundred.” Everleigh shrugged. Well, that was anti-climatic, she was hoping for something closer to nine-hundred. Not because of the bright red dragon plushie, nope, definitely not because she wanted a stuff toy. “It’s our highest score so far.” The mage added, seeing the fallen look on the poison eater’s face. “Your prize?”

“Ah… I’ll take the…headband.” She could use it later, for something else.

Zael Castomir Henk

 

[Landon]

Landon scratched at his beard and harumphed his agreement at one Zana said. While he still served the guard, he found himself spending less and less time in Vel Anir. He'd been traveling more. Spending more time with Talus, Zana, and their family. Uncle Landon to the kids.

He'd never admit it but his body wasn't what it used to be.

He woke up now with aching knees. War was for the youth. But he'd stayed on with the guard a bit more just to make sure the rest were as loyal as they claimed. Even though the guard, for the most part, had been loyal to Talus. As they rounded a corner he saw the little book shop, Ogre's Nook, with a massive line already wrapped around the corner. A light elbow into Zana's side.

"See? Told yah lass." Straightening, he scanned the crowd looking for any threats. He couldn't help soldier-mode that kicked in.

 

[Kristen Pirian]

THE SIGHTS GROUP​

"Wait, no! No! No!" Kristen cried out in protest as she felt her feet lift off from the ground. But it was already too late. She was on Drastus's shoulders. She wobbled a little bit but steadied herself, hardly wanting to go toppling off of him even though she was terrified about what was about to happen.

Terrified. But also, in a more quiet and clenching part of her, eager. She simultaneously wanted to run as fast as she could away from Zana as much as she wanted to carefully tip-toe toward her. Neither, precisely, was about to happen: she was about to be carried over there.

"But my dress! My legs!" Kristen cried again in protest. Her dress had to be hiked up all the way to her knees, above her knees actually, such that Drastus could have provided his shoulders to sit on. While it was bunched up, her legs, her legs, were showing! Her mother Josephine had always been terribly insistent on Kristen never wearing any garment which exposed them. Ankle-length dresses! Anything less was immodest at best and scandalous at worst.

So to meet Zana (Zana!) with her legs showing would be incredibly, horribly, embarrassing!

And they were getting closer! Thea and Drastus and her wading through the crowd toward the source of the parting.

"Put me down! Put me down! Please!"

Kristen hid her eyes behind her hand...but peeked out through a small gap between her middle and ring fingers.

Drastus Tal'deneshaar Theadora Cloud Zana Landon

 

[Chasmine]

The small boy would deflate some, his gesture of friendship, all but failed. But at least she was nice. He would slowly bring the plush back to his body to hug it close to him.

But that short-lived despair would disappear as she mentioned a gryphon friendship! He would do a little excited hop with a big grin, before nodding his head to accept such a magnanimous offer.

That excitement would linger despite the tinge of pain inspired by her question. His nod would come again, this time far less jovial.

"You kids okay?" A rather burly and mustachioed vendor would ask as he began to break down his stall. He eyed between the two and seemed to have something click. "If you're looking for another Vel, some of the games are offering a bigger version of her. Some of my best work, just gotta win."

Chasmine

GAMES GROUP
Zael Castomir Everleigh Ebersol Henk

There were many emotions happening in a very short span of time and on such a smoll, young face. Chasmine watched them all with a calm, wondering patience. So he was alone?

"Well," Chas replied gently, offering the boy her hand again, "now you are no longer alone." A faint smile appeared on her lips, fading as the vendor recommended the games for another gryphon opportunity. A gryph-ortunity, if you will.

"Games?" a curious blink as she looked off in the direction he pointed, waiting for a break in the crowd to spy the avenue of various carnival game tents and stands set up, "I am not very good at games, but shall we go try?" she asked the boy, and at his gleeful tugging did traipse after him back through the crowds.

As they cleared the walkways into the alley, Chasmine took a moment to look around at the various games set up and spied the unmistakable form of Henk.

"Oh - Henk!" she squeezed the boy's hand, pointing to Henk and then spying Everleigh and Zael as well, "they are my classmates. Let's go see what games they're playing. "

 

[Drastus Tal'deneshaar]

The Group Formerly Known as "Funvee"
​

Kristen cried out as she went up, and so did the peasantry around them. Never had such pristine Pirian legs ever been witnessed by the unwashed masses... and they still were too drunk to notice today. Drast noticed, her legs were looking good, but that would be a compliment saved for later.

He looked up briefly and saw her covering her eyes and then her face, but not really doing so at the same time. Once they were close but not too close, Drast would take one of Kristen's legs and duck his head a bit as she popped the leg up and over, so she was sitting on one shoulder. It would be brief, before he shifted out from beneath her, then proceeded to catch her in a bridal carry before setting her back down on her feet.

"Now don't say i never do nothing for ya, Kris." He would crouch low and smooth out her dress. It was a dress that brought a smile to his face everytime he saw it. "There we go, perfect legs hidden by a perfect dress." He shot her a wink.

Hopefully that would disarm her momentarily as he popped back up to his feet, the grin flashed to Thea, and then his hand moved to the small of Kristens back and he pushed her forward. Through the last few rows of people (gently moved aside, of course).

Breaking through the ring with Kristen at his side, he would bow to Zana. "Dreadmaster Zana.. have.. you met Lady Kristen Pirian?" And with that dazzling introduction, he would pop Kristen forward before stepping back. "...and the dazzling Miss Cloud?" Thea too, was moved forward by a surprise hand. Aionus damn, Drast was so good at introductions. If he flunked out of the Academy, he has a bright future in Heralding.

Kristen Pirian Theadora Cloud Zana

 

[Theadora Cloud]

THE SIGHTS GROUP

Thea watched helplessly as Drastus carried Kristen off toward the butcher. "H-hey! Wait, shouldn't we think about this?" Think? Who did she think she was talking to, this was Drastus after all. Maybe she could pull rank instead? No, he didn't care about things like that either.

She took a deep breath and hurried after him, catching up right as he put Kristen down. "I'm not sure we should disturb her, she could be really busy, or on her way to an appointment. And this is already close enough for us to see-"

Drastus pushed Kristen out before she could finish.

... Why did she even bother?

Thea gritted her teeth and directed whatever fury she could muster at Drastus when he sent a grin her way. Although most considered her harshest glare more adorable than intimidating. "Do you have any idea what you've-" Again her words died on her lips, this time because said initiate decided to give her a similar push into the butcher's path.

She barely managed to avoid tripping but froze the moment she realized her situation. They'd disturbed the Butcher of Vel'Anir and her knight companion. This was a disaster! What could she do? She slowly lifted her head and stared with wide, fearful eyes. "... Kristen says hi," she squeaked after a minute. Cringing a second after.

They were doomed.

Drastus Tal'deneshaar Kristen Pirian Zana Landon

 

[Lynus Anireth]

"I am not stupid, Lynus. We will talk about that later..."

Lynus laughed under his breath as he settled a hand on the small of Amelia's back. So quickly she had taken up speaking to him as his parents did, and he didn't take it well when they did it either. "I don't believe there's anything to talk about." he answered quietly and nodded to the guards who took up formation and guided them out through the crowds.

Arryn gave an awkward clearing of his throat and bowed his head to Amelia. "Of course, My Lady." he nodded, and led the way, the throng of revellers parting to either side and calling out to them as they passed. Lynus had long ago been taught to smile and wave in acknowledgement of the people, but today his smile was tight and only a slight dipping of his chin was offered to a small few of those who sought his attention.

 

[AmeliaPirian]

Amelia followed Arryn and the guards as they started to move through the crowds. This was a new life to her and it was something that she was now going to have to get used it. While her thoughts were on the topic of her future, she thought this would be a great time to drop that little bomb on Lynus. He could not get upset in front of everyone and she had a feeling that he would most certainly be upset that she was changing their little plan.

"I have decided that I will be staying, Lynus," she said just loud enough for him to hear. The fake smile was still on her face as she nodded her head at the citizens of Vel Anir.

"If I leave now, Elise will win and I will not allow that," she finished and looked up at him to see his reaction.

Nooooo, this was not an unspoken competition that the noble ladies of Vel Anir had been embroiled in since they could walk. It also certainly was not because Elise had slept with her husband before she had. Amelia's fake smile faltered as she thought about that fact with a scowl.

Lynus Anireth

 

[Zana]

Zana stared at the sign swinging above the bookshop with mild amusement. It had once been called Knife Ears Gallows; a specialist bookshop in thrillers and horrors but it had had a name change when the elven quarter had opened. She shook her head at herself. Vel'Anir had changed in so many ways and in others... not so much.

"I suppose we better--"

A split in the crowd as three ungainly youths broke through the sea of bodies. A lad set a girl down quickly alleviating Zana's first thought - that he had picked her up against her will and was taking her Kress only knew where - but her other suspicions began to mount the moment they opened their mouths. From the boys flowery introductions, to one girl covering her eyes, and the other finishing with a line that made zero sense...

Silence filled the void with its tension in the wake of their interruption.

"Can I... help you?" she quirked a brow.

 

[Kristen Pirian]

THE SIGHTS GROUP​

The world swung and whipped for a moment and Kristen gave another yelp of surprise. But after feeling like she had somehow plummeted by accident from Drastus's shoulders, it turned out in fact to have been a deliberate move on his part and she was swiftly back on her feet (and, mother's modesty, her dress whispered against her ankles once more!).

Her nerves, however, were tearing her apart. Only a thin wall of onlookers separated her from one of her idols, a mythical figure that she revered as a true and unquestioned hero in her mind, and Kristen felt crushed, CRUSHED, by the enormity of just being within the periphery of her presence. Gods, how could she even dare to try to stand before one such as Zana? Who was she to her? But Aionus preserve her, she wanted to do so anyway! Just to have a momentary glimpse, that was all! Just a humble glimpse and take the memory of it with her and retreat before heart burst within her chest.

Drastus's compliment went mostly unnoticed. Thea was right! Oh, Kristen shouldn't have been so presumptuous as to attempt putting her up to such a daunting task as saying "Hello" to someone who ought not be bothered with silly girlish admiration. And Kristen said as much, "Drastus, y-yes, I must concur with Th-Thea, mayhap this is close en-NAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!"

Kristen was pushed forward.

And the next thing she knew, when she turned her gaze forward, was that she had come face-to-face with Zana Vjollca.

Kristen immediately seized up with a terrible fright, like a deer who had spotted the approach of a predator and had met its eyes. The wrenching war between nervousness and eagerness reached its apex, the latter of which prompting forth a spur of instinct through the fright: Kristen, molded by years of proper decorum in her noble life, snapped into rigid and utterly perfect posture, back straight and chin level and feet together and hands clasped in front of herself. She was a full eight inches taller than her hero (never more in this moment did Kristen loathe her height) but she felt as though she were an intimidated traveler staring up at the snow-capped peak of a mountain that she must ascend for some harrowing quest.

A quivering gasp leaked out from her lips. Her knees were shaking. Her stomach had twisted itself into a knot and retreated, somehow, into a deeper pit within her abdomen. She had paled horrendously and the entirety of her flesh felt cold and clammy. Tingling, stabbing sensations in the tips of her fingers and toes like the onset of frostbite ravaged her and at the same time was paid no mind at all. In her chest was a burn like acid pumping through her veins and at the very epicenter of this sizzling pain was the thundering gallop of a racing heart. All of a sudden she felt terribly lightheaded and incredibly nauseated.

And yet this singular moment was one of the very best of her entire life.

Drastus introduced her. Thea introduced her.

But all Kristen could do, despite the absolute cavalcade of things she wanted to say, was meekly stammer, "I...I..."

Drastus Tal'deneshaar Theadora Cloud Zana Landon

 

[Drastus Tal'deneshaar]

Fangirl Express ​

The Maestro had made the greatest introduction of all time. Dreams were made, oaths kept, and probably some years of life were lost in excitement. A smashing success.

To make the introduction even better was the downright awe of the young ladies he had introduced to their idle with an enjoyment all his own. Tongue-tied Kristen was his third favorite Kristen and so he planned to enjoy every second of this.

"I.. think.. she's trying to say hi." Drast would say, as he folded his hands behind his back. This right here was going to be the greatest sight. Meeting Zana was pretty cool, but seeing Kristen meet Zana was absolutely priceless. A close second was when Ralene puked off the side of the mammoth. Just one of those horrendous carriage accidents you just couldn't look away from.

Kristen Pirian Theadora Cloud Zana

 

[Henk]

It didn't matter how grouchy one was, when somebody with the usual twang Zael had strutted towards you like a peacock and started talking like he was auditioning for the part of a noble, it was near impossible not to crack a smile. Why in the world was he speaking like that? Henk raised an amused brow as Zael gripped his arm enthusiastically. "Yes, well... I didn't take nearly as many hits as you did, Castomir." He teased back.

This would be the first time he allowed himself to get involved in festivities since the ball that had ended with his back being riddled with shards of glass. He certainly hoped this did not end so violently, but he knew that fire in Zael's eyes well. "Everleigh seems to think I need some fun, though I question the definition. What is it you have in mind? Certainly you've formed a group here for something..."

He didn't finish before Zael's body went stiff, his body straightening like a board as Everleigh sent a knee up to his backside. Even Henk couldn't keep a straight face, breaking into a laugh at the look on the blonde's face. "What's the matter?" He coughed, "You look like you've walked in on Proctor Mars in the bath, Zael."

Henk heard his name called behind him, and he turned to find the origin. Chasmine approached, dragging another along side her with a grin spread on her face. It was nice to see her; they hadn't run into each other as of late, and Henk did worry about the girl more than he should.

"Chasmine. How lovely you could make it. Zael and Everleigh were about to present some sort of game to play. Though I sense there might be something else going on between them than meets the eye. It's almost like they're imitating each other."

Henk watched with Chasmine as Everleigh took her shot at the contraption to measure strength, scoring.an impressive 800. Admittedly, there was some competitive part of him that wanted to step forward and beat her number, but...

"Zael? Think you can beat that?"

Zael Castomir Everleigh Ebersol Chasmine

 

[Lynus Anireth]

The Prince's brow leapt upward at Amelia's declaration, his head whipping around to look down at her. He didn't bother to hide the confusion on his face, nor the irritation in his voice. "Win? Win what, exactly?" Lynus stopped to turn to her, and Arryn looked discomforted.

"Lynus..." the guard murmured, though his caution went ignored. Lynus went on.

"I had no idea that I was a competition. You never planned on staying, but if playing these Gods awful games is why you choose to stay then I'd far rather you left. Elise was a few drunken nights that I owe no explanation for, is that what you want to be? Would that make you happy?" he asked. "Hand me the bottle."

"Lynus." Arryn insisted, and the Prince shook his head with a quiet laugh under his breath.

"Ah. Forgive me. I am not permitted to speak my mind in public. I am not allowed to decide whether or not I marry again, nor should I make any mistakes and I am not, under any circumstances, allowed a fucking drink.. My life is theirs, not my own. Right, right. Thank you Arryn, for reminding me." he patted the guard on the shoulder and waved them to continue on with a smile so practised it almost appeared genuine.

"Come, let us celebrate this day of freedom."

 

[AmeliaPirian]

Amelia flinched at his words. Everytime he got angry with her, she immediately felt guilty...usually because she had caused it. Maybe he was right. She should leave. Let Elise spread whatever rumors she wanted to about the Prince and Lady Pirian who spurned him. Let Elise bring shame to the Pirian name because of her actions.

"It's not competition. It's that she will come up with some vicious story to smear mud on my family and myself." Amelia's voice was so quiet now as she looked down. She was not sure why she hadn't thought about it before. Every Pirian would be shamed. Not just her, her parents, and Kristen.

After Lynus' little outburst, Amelia just looked at him as they started to walk again. She felt a tear form at the corner of her eye and she quickly wiped it away with her hand before anyone noticed it. Her fake smile was not more subdued then it had been just minutes earlier.

The wife of the Prince - the Prince who didn't want a wife - needed a drink...badly.

Lynus Anireth

 

[Theadora Cloud]

THE SIGHTS GROUP/DEATH ROW

The butcher hadn't yet killed them, was that a good sign? Or was she just toying with them beforehand? Thea continued to stare ahead like a scared fawn, right up until she heard Drastus speak again. Drastus, the one who'd put them in this situation to begin. She couldn't let him of all people be the one to direct this conversation.

And judging from Kristen getting stuck on the letter 'I,' she'd have to speak up herself. Aliandra save her.

Thea inched over to Drastus and smacked him on the arm. She proceeded to clear her throat and speak. Although the words were far from authoritative coming from her in her current state. "W-we're sorry for disturbing you Lady Zana!" she exclaimed, throwing in a slight bow of her head for good measure. "We were, pushed."

She resisted the urge to glare at Drastus again. Instead, her gaze shifted to Kristen, who'd managed to (somewhat) keep her composure, albeit not her eloquence. Not that she could blame her for that. "This i-is Lady Kristen P-Pirian, she was hoping to, ah, speak with you."

Kristen Pirian Drastus Tal'deneshaar Zana Landon

 

[Lynus Anireth]

Lynus had long ago stopped caring what people thought about him. His parents cared far too much on his behalf. He'd noticed her flinch, and his jaw clenched tightly as he swallowed down his apology in favour of his own pride, or what little he had left of it. Lineage, titles and wealth aside - even a Prince could feel worthless, and for too long had he been a pawn in a game.

It was Arryn who noticed the tear that Amelia had shed in response to his words, and he soon found the guard's elbow shoved discreetly into his ribs. Lynus shot the guard an incredulous glare as he rubbed at his side, but Arryn only jerked his chin toward the Princess.

A deep huff tumbled from his lips and he cleared his throat, glancing down at her. "I'm sorry if I upset you." he grumbled. "I'm certain this is exactly what Elise wanted..But it wouldn't be wise to make such important decisions based on ridiculous games. Who gives a fuck what people are going to think?" he said under his breath.

"There's nothing for you here.." Just misery.

 

[Zael Castomir]

THE GAMES GROUP​

Zael let out a yelping curse when Ever pulled her trick with the knee to the backside, the sudden alarm and brief sensation of almost toppling backward enough to make him nearly square up for a fight. But then he saw who'd done it, saw Henk yucking it up, and grinned. "You absolute rapscallions!" Zael had no idea what a rapscallion even was, but he had heard Kristen say it once, so it fit right into his act. "Did you plan that?"

Then it was off to the High Striker game.

Zael didn't even spare a thought as to whether or not the mage might've rigged the game. Just the setup of this game tickled him like a feather brushing those sensitive spots on either side of his abdomen. So you're supposed to hit this leatherbound bag as hard as you can...AND you win a prize for it if you smack that thing hard enough? Shit! It wasn't even a question that Zael was walking away with something here.

Ever, though, set the bar high, and Zael let out an impressed whistle. Let no one say she couldn't kick the head off of a troll, scoring a solid eight hundred like that. Zael, then, had the cheeky thought of just letting her get him in a full mount whenever they had another hand-to-hand sparring match and seeing how long he could endure having his ribcage crushed by her pinning legs.

Ever was picking her prize, and Henk had led over a literal ghost. No seriously, Chasmine in the flesh. Heh, in the flesh. So not quite a literal ghost at the moment, he supposed. Zael just tipped her a casual, two-fingered salute. Who the fuck was that kid she had tagging around her, though? Ah, whatever.

Zael? Think you can beat that?

Zael looked to Henk and massaged the knuckles of each hand. "Henk, my dearest friend, I've been waiting my whole life to best that score!"

Zael squared up in a showy manner before the punching bag. Brought his fists up in a guard, as if he were getting ready to box with the contraption. Then he cocked his right arm back and swung a blazing punch that was more blur than discernible motion, his right leg gliding up from the ground as if he'd pitched a ball before stomping back down in a hard stance. The bag rocked and teetered, but didn't go flying as it otherwise might have if it were not enchanted.

The mage did his calculation, and announced, "Hm. Your score is nine hundred and ten."

Zael pumped his elbows into his sides and pivoted on one foot, turning around to face Ever and Henk and Chas. "YES! AH HA! That's right! The King doesn't need a crown, he needs that big stuffed dragon!"

And Zael started to toss his newfound prize up into the air, catching it with both arms and tossing it up again and again, whistling a mighty fine tune as he did.

Everleigh Ebersol Henk Chasmine

 

[AmeliaPirian]

"You didn't upset me. I am your wife, you are allowed to speak your mind with me." Amelia said softly.

Lynus was right, of course. This was exactly what Elise had wanted. Dissent. Misery. "I care because I am the oldest. I am supposed to elevate the Pirian name not get engaged to the Prince of Vel Anir and then run away." Amelia let out a laugh that spoke of the pain she felt being here.

"My husband is here so I will be here as well." She did not look at him again. She just continued to smile at people as they walked towards their destination. She assumed it was wherever Zana was but Arryn could have other plans.

Lynus Anireth

 

[Azzerin]

At first the young boy seemed nervous as Chasmine dragged him to other people. Mostly because it would be the most people he would be around talking and clamoring to each other, which would become evident as he watches the others talk amongst themselves. He even went so far as to hide behind Chas a bit, one of them seemed very loud.

But.. they were playing a game. For Velaeri XL. He couldn't pass that up! So after getting acclimated more to the loudness he would step out from behind Chas, one hand squeezing hers.

When she looked, he would tap his chest before flexing both arms and taking her to the kiddie gunshow. The guy working the game seemed to be impressed.

He would hop on over and the guy would look down at Azz. "Go on squirt. Your best shot."

The little boy would swing and hit the bag. Four hundred. When they guy announced his score, he would pout a bit.

"Go on, son. One more try." The gentleman would say.

Azz would wind up and swing, the entire bag now shaking on the impact.

"Oh my.. one thousand. You just won the grand prize." He announced reaching up for the large Velaeri and handing it to Azzerin.

The young boy would roar mutely in excitement before offering it to Chasmine. They could now be Gryphpanions! Eat your heart out boys and girl. There was a strongman in town, whether it was natural or the gentleman took pity on the young boy was uncertain.

Chasmine Everleigh Ebersol Zael Castomir

 

[Everleigh Ebersol]

Everleigh looked over at Chasmine as she came by, and saw the young boy at her side. She actually smiled down sweetly at him but he seemed to hide behind Chas that instantly. The purple initiate did her best not to frown so openly, to seem so disappointed. Really, by now she should be used to such a thing. She looked over, watching Zael deliver that mighty, blazing punch. He beat her, by a hundred and ten points. Contrary to her competitive nature, she didn’t mind that he had won, instead she felt a bit of genuine pride and joy.

She looked at the boy, watch him try his luck as well. To be fair, in Everleigh’s opinion, four hundred was still impressive, considering his size and the fact that this kid didn’t look he had any sort of training. He wasn’t an initiate, right? Everleigh glanced at Chasmine, and placed the flower crown over onto Chasmine’s head.

“I think this suits you more than—“ one thousand? Did she hear that right? She immediately looked at the little boy, and tilted her head. Suspicion was clear in her violet eyes. Of course, she had to admit it was cute that the boy seemed to proud to give Chasmine a Gryphapanion.

A small part of her wanted to take home a prize. Childish, she knew that, but it was there nonetheless. She looked over, seeing another game.

“Guys, there, yeah?” She said, leading those who wanted to follow away from the high striker game to a massive low-trough of water. All around the trough were small scoopers, but the catch was that they were all made with paper. A game that looked like it specialized in care and speed. Everleigh was positive she’d win!

THE SECOND GAME:
Scooping Goldish​

Players take hold of a round, flat scooper that has no handle, that is made out of paper. Using that scooper, player will attempt to catch a goldfish and then place it in a bowl and then give it to the stall-keeper to bag up for them in a jar filled with water. Roll d100, anything over 47 wins, under 47 the scooper will break.

Everleigh paid the stall keeper, picking up a scooper and then kneeling down before the trough. The goldfish were an arrange of styles of colors, there was such a large mix of them that for a moment the poison eater was entranced just by how beautiful it all was. She wanted to go back to the beach again, soon, hopefully. Maybe find a pretty cove to just stare at and admire.

There was one fish that she really wanted though. It was a grayish-blue, with black and white spots. It was definitely one of the more flashier ones. Focusing, her gimlet gaze watching the fish, she waited until it was closer to the top of the water, above all the over fish, and then without hesitation, she dipped her paper scooper in the water, her other hand securely holding a bowl.

Hook. Line. And sinker— wait, did that even apply for something like this? Oh well, she caught the fish she wanted, and gleefully grinned down into her bowl. There it was. Wait. She blinked. This wasn’t that blueish fish she wanted. Instead it was black and white. Like a cow. She shrugged, the paper scooper disintegrating. The fish was still cute. Even if it did remind her of the mission in Arnim.

She took the small jar with her black and white goldfish inside, and held it up to her face to stare at it. Another smile appearing.

Chasmine Henk Zael Castomir Azzerin

 

[Zana]

Zana's cold green gaze swept across the three children in an agonisingly slow caress. It was as though she were trying to peer into each of their minds and, depending on which rumour they believed, perhaps she really was. The silence seemed to envelop them all and block out the noises of the rest of the celebrations.

Pirian.

The name brought Evangeline straight to mind. Their houses had never been fast friends but there had been a time Zana had considered her a friend. Since the revolution that had changed. Everything had. She tried to remember what she knew of the actual family. Val as heir came to mind the most but Kristen...

"Are you Eleanor's friends?" she asked and tilted her head slowly to the side. She was sure the girl had mentioned some noble girl who cried an awful lot at the academy with that name. Zana's gaze flickered from them briefly to the growing line. "I suppose you're the three the academy sent to shadow me whilst I am here, hm? You're late," there was ire in her tone. "But I guess they don't reprimand tardiness anymore, do they?" she mused almost to herself then started for the bookshop.

"Keep up. I told Sierra I wasn't slowing my day down for her work experience students."

 

[Kristen Pirian]

THE SIGHTS GROUP​

Drastus and Thea were doing all of the talking. Kristen was both jealously envious of it and supremely glad for it. Blessed Aionus, she had to get herself together! This was the moment, the actual moment, that she had dreamed and daydreamed about, fantasized about, played out in pretend when she was younger. Zana was a hero. And, more importantly, she was one of her heroes.

If only she could summon the wherewithal to speak! To untie her tongue!

Zana herself filled in the gap after Drastus and Thea. Eleanor's friends? Oh, how Kristen would have loved to be friends with Ella. But it probably would never happen, not after Vel Acan (and Everleigh's Punishment Game likely only soured Ella's opinion of her further). Mayhap it was Drastus and Thea of whom Zana was referring, they could most certainly be Ella's friends.

Then she said it.

You're late.

And all of a sudden Kristen felt as though the ground had fallen out from under her feet. Late? L-Late...? Oh gods, late! LATE! Late for what? She didn't even know! No one told her! And she was late anyway! LATE! Blessed Aionus, Holy Sentinel, she'd made a mockery of herself, showing up LATE (LATE!) to an audience with her hero, the Zana Vjollca! Her stomach was bubbling. Oh gods, she only had one chance to make a good impression and already she demolished it. Late. Her sense of punctuality couldn't take it. Oh gods...oh gods!

Kristen's hand clapped to her mouth and she threw up. Bile sprayed out from between her fingers and long stringy bits of it dangled from her hand. She doubled over and threw up a second time, more vomit and more bile splattering noisily to the street.

She looked up in a panic. Horror gripping her once she realized what happened. Someone in the crowd burst out into belly-rocking laughter at her expense, this standing out starkly from the general murmurs and low commentary.

Kristen immediately turned and retreated hastily into the crowd, pushing her way through with her free hand if need be, now utterly crushed by embarrassment and wanting only to get away. Vel Acan was nothing compared to this.

Drastus Tal'deneshaar Theadora Cloud Zana Landon