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 Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:24 pm
 howthpost oneNormally, Howth used the quiet moments during their lengthy treks to contemplate his life and everything in it—Xaawo, ink, Belrea, candied apples, spelunking equipment, averin infestations, his parents, ice skating, mysterious siblings, Zumei—but at this moment his head was empty, save for his singular focus on the cold.
He was barely aware that Xaawo had slowed down, and when she stopped completely, he only did the same after gently crashing into her back.
"Sorry. What's wrong?"
His voice was muffled even to his own ears, thanks to the double layer of scarves wrapped around his head and face.
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Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:25 pm
 xaawopost oneXaawo was distractingly chilly as well, but it was a minor price to pay to experience the wonder of this place. The moon had been their only source of light since sundown, and now its shining surface dominated the sky, lending the snow underfoot its sparkle. It was beautiful.
"Nothing is wrong. You call yourself an explorer, and I am simply encouraging you to explore." She glanced at him, nudging his chin until he looked up at the sky. "Lovely, isn't it? Not all discoveries are made in caves."
In a sling across her chest, Jasla squirmed at the sound of Xaawo's voice, but settled down once she'd gotten a look around.
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Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:25 pm
howthpost twoFor once he didn't squirm or blush at her sudden touch, instead looking where he was directed as he summoned his curiosity from beneath the cold. What could possibly be worth the interruption in this—
Ah.
While he had been tangentially conscious of the fact that the sun had fully set while they had been walking, he hadn't realized just how picturesque the evening had become. With all of the lights that illuminated Valmon nights, he hadn't gotten a natural peek at the stars until he had left, and none of the Sauti and Matori views had been quite like this. Everything here was so... shiny.
Nestled in the valley ahead was what looked like a small carnival, a rickety skywheel marking the center of the festivities. "How can they celebrate in this weather?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:25 pm
xaawopost two"If they waited for it to be warmer, they would never have any fun at all." She stared at the lights, looking for movement that might indicate this place wasn't abandoned. For all she knew, they were overestimating the fun these locals were having. It was less than a minute before the sky wheel began to rotate, spurring Xaawo forward.
"Let's see what's going on." Her tone didn't suggest Howth had a choice, but Xaawo did turn to wait for him, reluctantly willing to hang back if he truly didn't want to go. "It was a wise man who said that he could always find merit in any place he could explore for himself." She stuffed her hands back in her pockets and tucked her smile into her scarf.
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Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:25 pm
howthpost three"A wise man."
Howth exhaled warm breath into his mittens as he shook his head in amusement.
"Are you sure you don't want to find somewhere to rest for the night and look at all of this when the sun is up?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:25 pm
xaawopost three"No. There is no guarantee that this fair will be here come morning. We must seize this opportunity and ride the wheel tonight. For my birthday."
Xaawo plodded forward without looking back this time, though she did so leisurely, listening to make sure he followed.
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Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:25 pm
howthpost fourHe crunched after her, scrambling to her side before he slowed.
"Really?" He had thrown so many questions at her over the last few weeks that he was surprised this had never come up. Though now that he thought about it, Howth wasn't sure how he would have asked in the first place. What's your bloom day? When did you flower? He winced a little. "It's your birthday?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:25 pm
xaawopost four"It was a few weeks ago, so not really. But we did miss it, so we can celebrate now."
She led the way forward, keeping to Howth's pace even though she wanted to run ahead. Even at this distance, the twinkling lights and faint music coming from below reminded her of the impromptu parties she used to have with her sisters. Xaawo's smile dominated her features as they finally reached the base of the valley and she took in the sights that surrounded them.
"Face painting!" She couldn't help herself.
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Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:25 pm
howthpost fiveAs they drew nearer, Howth noticed the music first. A quartet of townsfolk played a tune that sparkled like moonlight on ice, a warm welcome on a cold...
Well, that was odd.
While it was still chillier than he might have preferred, the air was at least ten degrees warmer down here.
"Amazing," he said under his breath. From the rim of the valley this all looked a lot smaller, but now that they were in the thick of it, now that he could smell the grilled meats and see the dancing Zenans, this detour seemed a lot more interesting.
"Do you... want to get your face painted?" He most certainly did not, but he would accompany Xaawo if she wished.
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Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:25 pm
xaawopost five"I want to be the one painting faces," she replied with a gentle smile. "I used to decorate my family all the time." Xaawo thought she would have been less comfortable with telling Howth two facts about herself in such rapid succession, but it didn't feel like an overshare. They were simply talking. It was nice.
"Do you see anything you would like to do?"
She kind of wanted to try the darts.
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Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:25 pm
howthpost six"Besides securing our belongings before we..." he gestured at the festivities, "I'd like a hot drink," Howth replied.
He squinted past the dancing couple, trying to get a sense of what lay beyond them. There were clumps of people scattered across the snow, some gathered in front of stalls, others standing near structures he couldn't quite focus on. He had heard stories of Yaeli spectacles for years. Maybe it was time to seek out a pair.
"Otherwise, I'm fine with whatever you wish to do. Has anything caught your eye?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:26 pm
xaawopost sixBefore she could reply, a middle-aged hybrid stepped up behind them with a salesman's grin.
"Greetings and welcome! If you'd like to take a look around, I can bring your bags to the tavern for a modest fee!"
Xaawo almost told the man that they could handle themselves, but after a moment's thought, she shrugged slightly and slid her pack closer to his feet.
"Sure." She kept her eyes on him as she retrieved a few coins from one of her stashes. It was more than enough to cover any price he could name. "We'll find you in a little while." They had struggled through the harsh, snowy landscape to get here. She was confident she could catch this man before he could find a way to take all of their things and leave town the same way.
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Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:26 pm
howthpost sevenHe watched her freeze at the man's cheerful introduction, then warm slightly after a thought. It wasn't true warmth, her voice still closed off behind its manufactured merriment, but for whatever reason Xaawo had decided that it was all right to leave their packs with this stranger.
Howth shed his bags with a nod, all but the one that held the majority of their coin, and followed her deeper into the fair.
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Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:26 pm
xaawopost sevenShe was tempted to race forward to get a closer look at the rides and games as soon as they were free of their bags, but Xaawo forced herself to stroll at Howth's side. Not only did she want to appear more adult than she felt, but she still had a sleeping poscuta strapped to her chest.
"So. About that drink you wanted. If I get you one, will you play that game with me?" She pointed at a pair of rangy Ice men sharing a game of darts. She'd had plenty of practice with thrown weapons since leaving Liem. Besting Howth would be easy.
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Posted: Tue Oct 31, 2023 12:26 pm
howthpost eightHowth laughed before he could hold it in, a surprised bark of delight muffled by the snow.
"Absolutely not. I will watch you play though." If she decided to beat those Zenans, maybe he could make himself useful talking them down after.
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