Welcome to Gaia! ::

Lorelei watched Orrel and Gwynna stroll off, and even though part of her wanted to run up, tap his shoulder, get his attention, the other part told her to stay back. From a mixture of shyness and respect for Gwynna (because she doubted the woman would want to be interrupted), Lorelei hung back. Vanna made a burbling sound, squirming, and Lorelei took the girl from her shoulders and held her close, all the better to make sure the girl didn't go running after him.

"We'll see him later," she assured the girl as she drew her hood back up. "And we'll find Leax, too. It will just take time, is all."

((Which means you now have some choices. <3 Read up, mah dear ones. ^_^))

::The Choosing

Those of you who are in the Choosing Festival... suddenly, you see the crowd begin to slow. The other crowd- that for All Saviour's Day- has long since disappeared from your sight, and you have been walking towards the city's center for quite a while now. Now... you have slowed, and you see before you the crowd parting into two parts. One is headed towards the left, towards a gladed area with many small ponds. It is the City Park, directly next to the Core of the City- where those who do not wish to Express themselves are going for the LightBearing Ceremony. It will be magical and beautiful. The people who pass to the left are taking torches. The others stay to the right- and they are gathering around the Siphoners, who are placing their shallow bowls around the cobblestones. People are gathering around them, and priests are beginning to come to the front of the crowd.

If you are with an NPC, it is YOUR choice where you go, not theirs. Also, this information is being whispered through the crowd, so you know basically what I've posted here. (Otherwise, I'd have to respond via NPC to every single one of you who had a question. Don't kill the Oq. She likes Living. X3)


::All Saviour's Day::

You have reached The Gardens. The priests and priestesses are beginning to separate the men and the women- and now, it's seen that there is a White Secter for every member of the crowd. The men are being taken to one side, where they are being offered dishes of drink and food. The women are being brought close together, with other, kind-faced White Secters coming forth to ask you if they might stand next to you and hold your children, if you have them. They are then asking you to say if you are a mother and how you feel about your child... and if you have anything to declare before the ceremony begins.

If you are with an NPC, it is YOUR choice where you go, not theirs. Also, this information is being whispered through the crowd, so you know basically what I've posted here. (Otherwise, I'd have to respond via NPC to every single one of you who had a question. Don't kill the Oq. She likes Living. X3)

Caroline watches as they reach the garden. She gives her new parasol another twirl and walks with the women being herded towards each other. She sees a sweet-faced priestess approach her, with ethereal white swirls on her face and hands, and ask in a soft voice that somehow carries if she might hold her daughter's hand.
Caroline, upon this question, looks to Rojiza. "She's old enough t'decide that for herself, so ye best be askin' her."

Rojiza looks dubiously at the priestess. Her face is kinder than that of the priestess clutching at her mother. She nods guardedly and takes the smooth, dry hand of the sweet priestess. She keeps a close eye on her mother, ready to wrench away should this new woman get any ideas about taking her away. She stays close, though, and Ro calms considerably. Sweet Priestess is asking her mother more questions, mostly about being a mother and how she likes having a little girl.

"I love my daughter," Caroline is saying. "She seems to be a mute, the poor thing, but I've learned well enough what she means, and she writes verra nice." She shoots a smile at her bushy-tailed little girl.

((Gwynna, Nusa, and Orrel (It looks like he's not leaving her any time soon! XD) will go to the right.))

Heather slowed down and turned to Susa who Amkia was still hiding behind. She watched the crowd split and followed those taking torches, taking one in the hand that wasn't clinging to Kala.

"Have you ever been here before Susa? I dont really have any idea what is happening."

"Schwibzik!" Altaira was usually calm. Slow, steady and nearly silent - a peaceful companion with a gentle smile. But when Sindri sped off soon after the wagon stopped here, attracted by the unusual lights and dancing spots within the Choosing crowds, her usual demenour was temporarily forgotton. Having chased him through the people - careful of the bearers of the bowls, with hurried steps, tumble down hair and a huge grin - all the way to the City Park...

"Oh you little..." Finially, where the ways parted, she was able to sweep him off his paws. Sharp claws batted the rose-stone pendant at her neck and Sindri purred innocently up at his mother. There now, wasn't that hunt fun? No lights nor spots here however.

Without the need to dodge between people and with a group of fellow participants behind her, Altaira quickly chose to take up a torch and go that way. He son really was wearing off on her. Pleased, he lazed in her arms and watched about them with critical golden eyes.

This place looked like it could be fun too~

As the crowd slowed, a hand reached out and touched Shy's shoulder. Soon she felt a persons head close to her ear, whispering about what was happening. Turning to look down at Anezka, she saw someone else from the crowd doing the same to her daughter. "Mum...what does that mean...Express myself?" Leshya'e shrugged and tilted her head, then took Anezka's hand, about to lead her off to the left. "No, wait...let's stay and find out...it won't be so bad..." Anezka nodded encouragingly to her mother and pulled her off to the right with the other who were staying behind, watching the priests very intently.

---

Veshengo was taken off to the side and handed food and drink which he gladly took. Finding a place to lean, he formed a table with his lap and listened to the words of the various women. The edge of his mouth curled up a bit as he heard the voices of the likes of Caroline and Irina, thinking how similar the love they had for their fortunette child compared with the love his late mother bore for him. He remained silent, eating the food and listening quietly to the others.