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{{ Eli - Drinks }}

Eli shivered and kicked at the pebbles beneath his feet. Whistling a tune, he strolled over to the booths selling drinks. Something hot would be nice.
Maybe something alcoholic? he mused hopefully, thinking that maybe he just needed a stiff drink.

This would be his first Wintertide without family, friends, or even a lover near. Eli felt impossibly alone as he tugged his greatcoat further up around his neck.

The winter season never failed to brighten Magnolia's spirits with the festive lights complimenting the night skies sparse stars. She looks up in slight envy, trying to see past the halo of the city lights and catching one or two burning bright specks littering the sky. Normally she'd spend these extra hours in the night curled in her modest study, papers and books littered by her feet but even she needed a break from the academics. A colleague had preceded her departure from their office- he was smart, kind and nice enough, she supposed.

After looking up one last time, Magnolia straightened her crochet'd hat, rubbed her gloved hands and headed down the streets to where the festivities were taking place. She'd prepared for the colder weather, not looking forward to the night's end when her feet were tender if not blistered. Hopefully the sheep skin lined boots would prevent from damage. But the snow was glittering and the mood was set for joy. She felt like she had regressed 20 years and wanted to bubble out a laugh and dance to the music. Instead she grinned and placed the tips of her gloved fingers to her nose, chilled. A hot drink would be a pleasant way to warm up - did he say meet at one of the stalls. Biting her tongue in worry looked around nervously.

Ooh maybe they had coffee? She stepped up to the vendor, side stepping and snagging a free clerk- How novel- a stand with a brew. It was weak but hinted with cinnamon which made her grin. As she tugged her purse out to pay, a small notebook filled with meaningful mind babbles and work fell to the ground unnoticed.

(Odell - Drinks)

Odell smiled as the man seemed in good spirits, hard not to with the festival going on. He was only a few inches shorter than him so it was not terribly hard to look him in the eye. He shook the other's hand, his own grip firm and strong. Despite his rather....aloof personality, Odell did enjoy the company of friends. Small gatherings were his preference as to the large crowds in the market but he should still attempt to make new aquaintences. "Odell Barnes, a pleasure Mr. Haddock."

He was about to inquire as to the man's motivations for joining the festival when Eli looked down at something. Odell's grey eyes traveled down..trying not to look down Eli's body along the way...to what he had kicked. It seemed to be a small notebook with a woman's handwriting. The man glanced up to see a proper looking woman paying for a cup of coffee. "Perhaps the lady has dropped it?"

{{ Eli - Drinks }}


Eli stooped down... and down to pick up the notebook. Luckily, he had always been an ace in toe-touching. Being flexible certainly had its perks. He chuckled, thinking about the acrobat he had dated years ago. Perks.
The notebook was small and Eli gallantly resisted his urge to flip through it. Stop being such a nosy b*****d, Eli.

"Oh my, this must be yours." He waved the notebook in the air haphazardly at the young lady. Eli grinned lopsidedly and passed it over. A cute young thing, that. Almost beautiful. Eli had an appreciation for anything good-looking. The man was sharp too. Suddenly, Odell's words sank in. Wait. Odell Barnes?

He could have smacked himself. Blue hair. He'd been to one of the man's concerts and owned a few recordings! He abruptly turned back towards the other man, rudely turning his side to the young lady. "The violinist? " Eli's normally hawkish eyes went round as saucers.

Magnolia tilted her head, an eyebrow rising in curiosity as she observed the transaction between the two men, lips pursed. Notebook was hers, she flipped it to a few star charts, and a sheet of gravitational musings- simple notes because sometimes she forgot simple information. It's always the easy things you learn in primary education. Yes the notebook is most definitely hers. She moves to thank the standing man (Eli) and finds herself brushed off-- Musician, Violinist?

She listened to music yes but the name Odell Barnes really didn't mean much to her. Perhaps she owned a record of his and listened to it while she worked. She enjoyed orchestral instruments enough-- the physics of the vibration of the strings- acoustics were always interesting. She wondered- looking the blue haired man over. With puckered sour lips she muses about his instrument.

"What is the material of your strings if you don't mind me asking?"

She gives a sheepish smile, having completely interrupted the conversation. Wouldn't her father be proud that she is engaging in real social expeditions... Wasn't she supposed to meet a colleague for that festivities? Oh never mind him. For now knowing the material of this man's acoustic instrument was paramount.

(( Ziya & Fintan- Entrance))


"Urgh, isn't it hateful?" Came a disgruntle grumble, gold eyes watching all the humans go by. The bird was bundled up with as many layers as he could, not one for the wintery cold. The only reason why he was out here and not back home with his experiments was that Ziya had shown interest. Fintan had no interest in all this Christmas stuff what so ever, seemed like a colossal waste of time. However with Ziya saying it sounded like fairs he used to always enjoy, the phoenix made the excuse that it would be good for his skills for people watching. Though really he wanted his older brother to go and knew he wouldn't go alone. The child may be a grumpy little cretin most of the time but after what happened to his big brother he cut him some slack. Though he'd never dare tell him that.

"Awe, come now Fin.. its not so bad.... plus you're a kid... all kids like Christmas... I did" Ziya smiled faintly, tucking his hands into his pockets. It was cold so scarves and heavy coats were a must as well were the toques. The lightening dust they would only have so long till poor Fintan would get to grumpy from the cold before they would have to head home. Also he would have to see just how long he could last in such a big crowd. he had been avoiding crowds ever since his injury and such a big group put him on edge.

"But most kids are dull and dumb enough to figure a elderly obese man is going to bring them gifts.... sounds a bit off to me...." Fintan grumbled, looking up at his older brother. He already had traps and such planned to catch this fat man in action. "Though I have to give him credit... his breaking and entering skills far surpass my own.."

Ziya snorted and rolled his eye a little, shaking his head a little. "Of course.. THATS what you take from all this... lets get looking around okay?"

"Fine."

( Elias & Aric - Entrance)

The desert child was practically leaping to get to the busy fair, bright in expression and wonder at the crowds and how different Amies seemed when decorated as it was. "So many people!" the boy beamed up at Elias who was kind of nervously holding the boy's hand, looking around at the area before he looked back at Aric. "I know." He said it more in despair, not --very comfortable in crowds like this-- never even in his hometown were there as much people as there were in the circle, his first time in a major city in a Wintertide festival no less.

He and Aric were dressed rather warmly, although the young blonde decided to shed his long coat, reasoning he was already warm as he was. For now Aric was content to merely peruse around the area as they started finally approaching the entrance of the main circle. But the boy's obedience did not last as long as the raven-haired guardian wanted, the boy suddenly letting go of his hand and bolting towards the entrance, leaving Elias very little time to react, "Ah!! -Aric--", running after the boy despite the thickness of the crowds before him.

And then the blonde approached the boy he spotted--even sensed, a distance away, suddenly jumping at his back and wrapping his arms around the other who was dressed much more than he was used to. "Nolan! there you are! Isn't it great?" he flashed a wide grin at the familiar dust, lost in the presence of his friend before he even realized the others who were near them. He recognized Tesla, of course but what caught his attention was more of the two other dusts in front of them, one an acquaintance and this other red-head a stranger. And he had to fix that! "Oh----Hello!!" he exclaimed to both Fintan and Ziya. "Good day!"

( Venice & Wren - Entrance. )

"I'm going to be sick."

Venice furrowed his brow at Wren, his expression thick with distaste. "There is no actual illness associated with socializing." The man seemed to scowl at this, but before he could continue his list of complaints, the swan dust took a firm hold on his elbow and dragged him further into the crowd. After a successful bet against Wren in a game of cards, chess, and physical prowess, Venice had managed to win the huntsman's company to the Winter festival. Unfurling his wings, Venice gave them a tentative flap. To others, it might have seemed like a clever prop for the festival, powered into useless acts by the wind. Only a handful of people might know better, but Venice wasn't concerned. If they wanted to wonder, he would let them.

"I don't see whats so fascinating here." Wren said, more as an excuse to express his displeasure at the surging crowd around him than the festival itself. Venice continued to lead him through the entrance with only a sliver of his attention on the words the man was actually saying. A few people they passed seemed dazed, turning in circles after them and scrutinizing the folded white wings. The swan dust ignored them dutifully though, watching the crowd with mild interest. Something caught in the corner of his eye, and flashing a look back at the crowd, Venice gave a deliberately hard yank on Wren's elbow and used the man's looming height to bulldoze and bushwhack his way through the crowd.

"Ah - " Wren jerked as though Venice had thrown him out of the frying pan and into the fire when they landed where he wanted them to land.

"Ah." Venice agreed pleasantly, maneuvering back in front of the man to examine both Aric, Nolan, and Fintan. "Good day." He announced with care, staring at the other boys with faint intrigue. "Are you all alright? I saw you - " He glanced at the dragon with a studious, imperial look, his feathers ruffling in the gentle breeze. "Misplace your feet."

Wren scowled at the swan from behind him, a man that stood nearly painfully out in the crowd. His height did little to save him any subtlety, alongside the brilliant ink black of his hair as opposed to the bright blue of his eyes. He was so busy trying to hunch himself into an unnoticeable position that he didn't catch Venice's elbow digging into his ribs before it came. His breath hissed between his teeth and he straightened under the distasteful glare Venice threw him in between conversation.

"Good day." He said stiffly, and quieted immediately.

That would have to do for now.