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Summer was drawing closer and closer and the different villages around Tendaji were beginning to plan their summer festivals. It was a tradition in Tendaji - to celebrate the Gods every year in the summer when spirits were high and food was at its most abundant.
All the races had their own gods to celebrate, whatever those might have been, and every person had their own feelings one way or the other.
[ What did they mean to you? With the summer fast approaching, it must be somewhere (no matter how small) on everyone’s thoughts. And what are your thoughts on the other culture’s gods? ]
[1/7]
When it came to the gods, Ygraine had long deferred to Asa's judgement when it came to raising their children. In speech, Nimueh referred to his 'Goddess' Aisha, but never with much reverence - more out of sheer habit it seemed than actual faith. She'd grown up in Zena, but ... had never truly worshiped the mountains, like others did, so religion and the gods had never been a concern as she grew up.
Seeing people celebrating the gods was still such a novelty, but at least Oba appealed to her in how irreverently they celebrated, at least where her family had settled. The festivals were ostentatious, loud and chaotic, with people drunk and merry rather than bowing in prayer at the local temples.
Maybe she should have encouraged her little family to stay indoors, but instead she'd taken her boys by the hand and dragged them outside - where she quickly lost track of her lover and oldest son. But Asa knew how to get back to the little apartment home they'd been living in, and she trusted that Colm would stick close, just as she'd always taught him to.
Ygraine, meanwhile, made sure to keep a firm grip on Arden's hand, looking down every so often to make sure she had the correct child in her firm grasp. "Stay close to mommy, alright? There's so many people here!"
Posted: Sat May 22, 2021 12:44 pm
Arden had tried his hardest to slip out of his mother's hold, but time and time again the young boy was subdued. Every time he caught her looking anywhere else he'd tugged, hoping to take advantage of her lapse in judgement, but it was like she had magic, not papa! And then, just like that, the other two were gone! How had they managed to sneak away but not him?!
"It's not like we wouldn't see each other," He groused. She was taller than any of the other women at the festival and he was blue! And not even the same kind of blue as all the other blue people in Matori! With his free hand Arden reached up to his neck and forcibly lifted the curls off his skin. Even pulled back as it was the thick mass of hair was starting to stick.
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Posted: Sat May 22, 2021 12:58 pm
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[2/7]
Ygraine loved this boy. She loved him so much. She just - had to remind herself not to pick him up and shake him, sometimes. You know, good parents didn't shake their children. She exhaled a long breath, longing for the days when she could just pick him up to calm him down. But he was big enough now that he either resented it, or would wiggle until he tumbled out of her grasp - and the last thing she wanted was for Arden to accidentally kick a nearby Oban while flailing around in her arms.
Oba made her nervous - both because of the stories she and Sol had finally been told about their fathers' captivity here, but also because of the silent specter of Asa's family perhaps still chasing him down. "Yes, my love, but what if somebody not so friendly sees you first?" She responded gently, turning her head to try and peer at the stalls nearby, wishing she'd paid attention to Asa's lessons on the Oban gods. "Now, tell me what papa taught you about the gods. We're celebrating - Oh... rad?? today?"
Posted: Sat May 22, 2021 1:36 pm
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"I'll just pee on their feet and run really fast." Arden answered as plainly as he could. "Or I'll bite 'em" It wouldn't be the first time he'd set boundaries with strangers. How many times had another kid not taken the hint that he didn't want to play and he'd tossed sand at their face? Sometimes he wanted to, sometimes he just wanted time with his brother; how hard was that to understand? Of course, at his age, Arden didn't understand that he was a little brat; in his eyes it was completely justifiable behavior.
"It's On'os, God of time and fortune." The way Arden said it was as if he were repeating his father's lesson word for word, with far less enthusiasm. "That's why it's painted gold and has the sand cups everywhere." What he meant was hourglasses, but honestly, Arden didn't pay attention to every lesson.
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Posted: Sat May 22, 2021 1:47 pm
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[3/7]
This boy. Ygraine sighed and shook her head just a bit, but she couldn't hide the amused quirk of her lips. Of course - Ygraine still remembered when she and Sol had nearly been kidnapped, here in this same country. They were fragments of childhood memories that she didn't think would ever fade.
But how could she tell him how important these lessons were, without terrifying the little boy? She had a sudden, fierce respect for her baba. "And don't you want to celebrate with your mother? You wouldn't leave me to spend it all by myself, would you my sweet boy?"
Oh, he would, in a heartbeat. But she hoped maybe she could guilt him into staying close so she didn't have to keep such a firm, possibly bruising grip on him. "We could find something golden for your papa, wouldn't that be fun?"
Posted: Sat May 22, 2021 4:00 pm
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She had him.
Arden's little nubbin brows scrunched together as he thought it over. As much as he'd rather run off to find friends and play he also couldn't just leave her. He wanted to; of if she'd simply turned away he would have bolted, but then she hooked him with those words....If he ran off now he wouldn't be 'sweet' and he'd most likely get in trouble later.
"Like what?" His father had all sorts of things, some shinier than others, but not much of it was gold. He could sort of remember a time when he had a lot more shiny things, but for some reason now he didn't. Maybe he didn't like gold anymore? "Maybe a new earring?"
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Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2021 4:03 pm
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[4/7]
Asa and Ygraine still weren't... well off, by any means. But this was a festival, and they'd saved a bit and... maybe Ygraine did feel guilty that Asa had given up so much for their little family, sometimes. Still, if she appeared with something too showy he might be disappointed in her. At least... this way, coming from their child, it was likely to be accepted, maybe even treasured.
And what a clever little boy she had! "An earring is wonderful - papa will be so excited." She enthused, brightly, briefly clasping her son on the shoulder, beaming down at him. Then she turned to look across the different stalls, leading Arden closer to one that had an assortment of jewelry.
Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2021 11:43 am
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Arden's hoary eyes furrowed for a second before brightening and crinkling with pride. His little eyebrows lifted as the child seemed to stand up on his tiptoes, looking for all the world like a 'big' and worldly young man.
The little hybrid took in the display before him with a 'critical' eye. There were lots of earrings, most that came in pairs, but none that seemed fatherly to him. One caught his eye enough for the little one to reach out and take the earring up in his hand. It was an hourglass made of delicately sculpted gold with real glass and sand! And it wasn't heavy at all! "What about this one?"
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Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2021 2:08 pm
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[5/7]
There were plenty of earrings that Ygraine might have personally enjoyed, or got with the intention of giving to HER papa. But this was for Asa, and not only that this was a gift from their son - so she kept her mouth shut, and instead just passively pointed out different options, which Arden shut down quickly. Still, considering how unhappy he'd been with the prospect of attending this festival with his mother, now the distraction was doing its part and Arden seemed excited to prove he could pick the BEST earring.
When he finally plucked up one, Ygraine moved in closer, smiling fondly at the selection. It was... expensive enough, given the theme of this festival, and how delicate the work was - but it was within their budget. "Oh-- the gold is like Papa's eyes, isn't it? How beautiful - yes I think he would love it."
She began to count the gold pieces she'd need to purchase it out, then passed them, with a proud look, into her son's palm. "Lets buy it for papa then, shall we?"
Posted: Tue Jun 22, 2021 3:43 pm
Scarlett Arbuckle
Arden looked down at the coin in his palm as if they were precious gems. He could buy anything with all of this! But...this was for papa, so he nodded and turned to the vendor. The salesman was happy enough to make the trade, and even went so far as to wrap it in a thin bit of satin before stuffing it in a sack. By the time the exchange was over Arden had an almost girly looking purse that made his lip curl.
Gross.
"You should hold it...so it doesn't get hurt. I might drop it." Yeah, good excuse.
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:25 am
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[6/7]
Ygraine watched the exchange, her expression fond. As he turned back to her, she had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from giggling at his disgusted expression, because really he wasn't doing much to hide his growing disdain. But, whatever dislike he held for the package didn't extend to any sort of judgement on his father for presumably wearing the earrings they'd just got for him, so Ygraine didn't tease him about it, and instead accepted the package with a feigned concerned look.
"Well - I'll give it back to you and Colm so you can give it to papa later. For now..." She peered around, then smiled, draping his arm loosely around his boy's shoulders so she could tug him in against her side, pointing, "How about some treats? It's not everyday we have a festival like this!"
Yes, maybe the festival should have been a time for passing along advice about the gods, or... something. But that had never been Ygraine's cup of tea, had it?
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 12:45 pm
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A part of the child's psyche bristled at the thought of sharing his gift with his elder brother. He was the one who found it, he picked it out, and Colm had already spent all day with papa so who cared if he was involved in giving the man something extra? What if he bought a gift for mama and then he -? Still, Arden pushed it down. Out of all the things in his life that the boy was stubbornly known for running over his brother wasn't one of them. He was especially considerate when it came to Colm and in this he may not have been pleased but he would do it, never the less.
Instead of simply leaning into his mother's touch Arden gave a little tug on her dress. It was about as subtle as the side ways look he gave to a passing father / daughter pair with the smaller child sitting on his shoulders. Arden may have been bigger than her, but his mama was bigger than her father soooooo....
But he couldn't ask outright because that was something babies did.
"Do you think we can find some Nanaba root?" The grilled vegetable was especially popular during festivals, and the spice was enough to make grown men cry. Naturally Arden loved it.
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Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 1:00 pm
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Ygraine realized the issue with her words the moment she said them. She need only think back to how SHE had felt as a child, with Sol, to consider what sharing a hand picked gift must be like. Still, she didn't say anything about it, and instead noted to herself that she and Arden should pass over the gift while Colm was distracted - or, she could let Arden give it over, and promise Colm that she and him would pick one out together too--
Well. All thoughts flew away when she felt that little tug, and glanced down just in time to see him looking at another family. Goodness - where had her son learned to be such a prideful thing?
"Of course, sweetling. Oh-- but mommy can't see any stalls!" She stooped just enough to loop an arm around him, then stood upwards, heaving him until he was on her shoulders, giving only the smallest grunt of effort as she did so. "Oh! You're so tall now, can you see it?"
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 1:13 pm
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Fin c:
Arden gave a little surprised squeak when he was lifted up. Even if he had been the one to initiate it just the feeling of suddenly being so tall was enough to throw him off! It didn't take him long to get settled though, even going so far as to fan his mother's curls, so like his own, around his legs so he wouldn't pinch her hair accidentally.
He liked this the best. As amazing as it was to walk free of a guiding hand or worse, a ribbon around his waist, Arden like riding atop his mother's shoulders the most. Even if he never said it.
"Straight ahead!" Now that he was leagues above everyone else it was especially easy to see where they needed to go! While his time with Ygraine may not have been as 'educational' as it would have been with his father they were enjoying the festival just as well by spending quality time with one another.
