Welcome to Gaia! ::

After all their family had gone through recently, Sylvirah felt it was time for a little fun. The session with their youngest daughters had started out that way, but the weywa attack put a damper on the evening. In the following days she’d taken to thinking about something that Zyphire personally might enjoy and inspiration came in the form of a Spring Festival.

The season was typically known for its coming warmth and the life that came with it. If ever there was a time to hope for better days this was it.

The festival itself was held in Zidel proper and was massive in scale. Daytime events ranged from tournaments to baking contests and talent shows, performances from Belrea; the list went on. What she’d suggested was the evening activities; specifically, the parties that weren’t suitable for younger audiences. Even with a bit of a n** to the air all of the dances were held outside by torchlight and a magical aura circulated around the square to provide enough warmth to ward off frostbite. Still, it wasn’t to keep Sylvirah from feeling uncomfortably exposed in her evening dress. It clung to her ample curves, and while the violet gown had longer sleeves it also held a plunging neckline. With the way her hair was pulled up she looked almost delicate; if one was able to overlook her muscles.

“What do you want to try first?”

[2/10]

Sylvirah passively reached up to pick at the cuffs on her ears. It felt odd to have anything on them, since she’d never been pierced, but for the occasion she’d thought to add a little something. There were tiny dangling crystals held aloft by a chain and while she couldn’t feel the weight the knowledge that something was moving just out of her line of sight was unnerving at times.

While Sylvirah could count the amount of times she’d gone out in a dress on one hand, her partner was much less reserved. His own record of dress wearing aside, she’d seen him in finer clothing a few times, and while she preferred him in leathers he cut a delicious figure in his tunic. ”Søt snakker.” She raised a hand to his upper back and leaned back in his hold to look up toward Zyphire, then out at the crowd as a whole.

“You’ve got me here, in my finest, and you want to eat food?” Sylvirah clucked her tongue with a smirk. ”You should have snacked before we came.”

[3/10]

A shiver caused Sylvirah to tighten her grip and lean her head away, temporarily giving him better access. When she caught a fair look at the festival around her she saw a few older Zenans pausing in their conversation to look their way before one gave the other a playful shove and they laughed a little among themselves.

“The last time we saw a heks you wouldn’t let me buy their potions so whose to say your would listen to their reading?” Moving in tandem with him wasn’t anything new for the iceling and twisting around in his arms came second nature now, though it remained a thrill and yet…even the word ‘dancing’ brought a curl to her lip.

That is why she’d picked a dress with a little bit of leg room…though she could feign an injury and-

“I’ve never been one for dancing, but for you I will try. Before we go, though, there is one vendor I want to find. He’s a salesman I was told would be here tonight.”

[4/10]

“I just need to pick something up; it’s a surprise.” One that she’d done as much research on as she could, at that! She reached for his hand, taking that bit of extra time to watch the subtleties in his skin as it changed, and held onto it as they meandered toward the shopping area. “I’ve had contact with them and if it eases your worries Yngvara was the one who wrote the letters. So it’s perfectly innocent.” Of course she would have done it without the girl’s approval if her heart was set on it, but Sylvirah couldn’t write so she’d needed the extra bit of help.

Several of the stalls were swathed in light thanks to magical, floating orbs and others still had their own variety of torches. Those with a bit more of a mystical flare had the most customers, and it was one such vendor that Sylvirah stopped by.

The decorations were simple but fitting for a spring festival. Glowing lichen grew up the wooden support poles and several impossibly large glowing mushrooms decorated the underside of the canopy. Even with a thin layer of snow dusting the ground outside of the event flowers still grew a plenty around the stalls base creating a peaceful aroma. The vendor themselves was a Shifter who was in a similar state of transition as Zyphire. While a little shorter, he was no less handsome and appeared younger than his years. The exterior of the stall gave the impression of an apothecary, but in truth it was an enchanted smithy. Dozens of blades were on display, each section looked after by another Shifter, and not a single one looked basic.

When she waved a hand his way the stall owner came over with a smile, “See one you’re interested in? If you have any questions I’d be happy to answer.” When he saw Zyphire, his smile brightened. “Don’t know about you, friend, but I’m glad it’s finally Spring.”

“I’m here to pick up. The name’s Sylvirah.”

“Ah, sure, one moment.” And he went off in search of the package. In the meantime Sylvirah turned to her husband and knocked his hip with her own.

“See? No worries.”

[5/10]

“I can only hope.” One of the other shifters commented as she passed behind the stall. Her nimble fingers, covered in gloves to protect from the chill she’d yet to acclimate to, lifted a large, ornate axe before taking it to the other edge of the stall for a waiting patron. She passed by the man Sylvirah had been waiting on, mumbled a few things about pricing, and then smiled before continuing her way. Sylvirah had heard about the Shifters before and knew them to be a married couple who often traveled for festivals, but she’d always assumed they were older. If anything they looked a few years younger than herself.

“It is fancy.” Was all she said before reaching for a dagger herself. And expensive. She’d never spent so much on something in her entire life, which wasn’t saying much considering Sylvirah rarely used coin at all. The most she’d dealt with it was on their trip to Matori.

When the vendor came back it was with a dagger that was nearly the length of a short sword. The sheath was a lovely, dusky grey that was almost blue under the orb light. The hilt itself was inlaid with silver and its wraps were of a soft, yet durable, black leather. Looking between the two, he hesitated, “Which of you would like to inspect it?”

“He can.” Sylvirah nodded toward Zyphire. “It’s for you. I found Veter’s name through a smith in Zidel. The blade has a spiral so it tears on the way out and is nearly impossible to heal.” She looked back to Veter. “You made it that way, right?”

“I did.” The man seemed to be torn between pride in his work and an underlying worry. “The blade is also made of a falling star; so it’s durable and decorative, should you choose not to wield it.” Was he hoping for the later? Maybe.

[6/10]

While the smith may have given a pleasant chuckle, there was real relief in his exhale. “I’ll admit it was strange request. I’m not often contacted by such bold clientele, but I was happy to take up the challenge.” When he was certain that they were happy and well taken care of the Shifter moved around to other patron’s of his stall.

Sylvirah had been keen to keep her eyes on Zyphire as he inspected the blade. It was far more flashy in person than she’d thought possible, but it’s functionality was what she’d searched for. Something that would keep Zyphire safe on his travels; a blade that would make sure he came back to her every Spring, without fail. “I’ve got you to myself; that’s gift enough.” She reached for his hand once more and gave it a squeeze. “Was there something you wanted to look for?”

[7/10]

"You've made me soft." Her smile softened under his kiss, and as they walked she made sure to stay by his side. Even now, after watching his transformation, it still caught Sylvirah by surprise to see how much his features had changed under the moonlight. It made aspects of Zyphire that didn't stand out as much during the day all the more prevalent and she couldn't help thinking him even more beautiful in the glow of night.

Her dress fluttered around Sylvirah's legs as she walked, and despite the thin leggings she'd worn for added warmth she could still feel the odd sensation. It was enough to have her reaching down with her free hand to grasp the fabric, willing it to stop, even just a little, as they made their way toward another stall. This one was just as intriguing as the last though unique in ways she hadn't thought possible.

"She would bleed us dry," Sylvirah chuckled, "And what she didn't have us buy she would take." When she noticed who was running the stall her smile grew, but she didn't dare interrupt them. If they were in the middle of a sale then she didn't want to take it from them so Sylvirah instead started to peruse their wares.

[8/10]

Endelig? Sylvirah couldn’t help turning her gaze up from the offerings in front of her toward the pair of men. Even as she tried to ‘play it off’ like she wasn’t watching, her skills at subtly weren’t nearly as keen as her hearing. For a moment she kept an eye on them before shrugging to herself and looking back over the jewelry. With so much happening around them she couldn’t pick up everything that was being said, but when Sylvirah looked up next Ivar and Evalie were moving away from them. She waved to the pair with a smile, almost wishing she’d had a chance to speak to them longer, when she noticed Zyphire moving back to her.

“Mmm. It looks like Ada.” She lifted the bracelet to inspect it under the torchlight. Even if she wasn’t one for grand jewelry Sylvirah had to admit it was a sight to behold. “Evalie’s rubbed off on him. The curves around the feathers have gotten crisp. He couldn’t do that when he was with us.” Of course, he’d never really had the chance. Most work done within the Ild’vann was purposeful and precise without any sort of whimsy. If it wasn’t useful it was a waste, but now she wondered how many of their people could do things like this if given the time?

“He was staring at me like I was a stranger.”