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Day 3



The innkeep's revulsion matched Axel's. "Sir," she began explaining her objection to Saga, "This is not the kind of establishment-" the parade marshal laughed, interrupting her. While Preacher's objection to taking a bath and getting her wounds checked, as well as the... er, action she'd performed, he figured that she clearly must be eager to eat as soon as possible. "We shall only dine, Maam, set aside your worries. It will be on my account."

Shortly after, the table had been set with two full hastily roasted chickens, vegetable stew, bread, cheese, a bottle of wine, and some fish garnished with herbs. A delicious aroma filled the room. After showering the innkeep and her relatives in the kitchen for their quick and effective preparations, Saga simply sat down, smiled at his two guests expectantly and began to dig in in the way which hungry nobles do- barely staying withing the confines of table manners as they rush through or simply pretend the motions.

Axel brought a sudden halt to his consumption by refusing the meal. He had been somber all evening. "You..." he began to say, mouth still half-full, and then he swallowed and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief before continuing. "Is the food not to your taste, or have we taken up too much of your time?" He asked, realizing he might have entered a conflict with the man's own plans for the day. "None shall keep you from going where you must."

Day 3

Axel picked at the food, gloomily reassuring Saga that all was well, and endured their dinner. Thankfully Saga had enough chatter to spare. He spent most of the time trying to dodge Preacher's kicks under the table, wincing when he didn't, and wondering when he would be able to leave.

When Preacher finally shoved a chicken leg at Saga, Axel met Preacher's eyes for the first time all evening with a silent Thank you. Then he remembered that they were in a bitter feud and went back to picking at his food. Eventually his tension eased, reassured by the wholesomeness of the innkeeper (and her obvious disapproval of Preacher). She wouldn't permit any hanky panky under her roof. So he muttered thanks for the food and slunk out before he could get hit by a wave of chatter from Saga, or worse, find himself in the street outside with Preacher.

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DAY 4 - pulling a barge wah wah wah

Well, he hadn't been thrown out of the parade, which was a mixed blessing considering he now had to pull the barge with a bunch of people who had likely seen him utterly humiliated by Preacher. And after that horrifyingly awkward dinner, Axel was not looking forward to being anywhere near Preacher. He looked over his shoulder a dozen times on his way to his assigned station. Once there, he gave the rest of the barge-pullers a nod of greeting (he was too embarrassed to open his mouth to speak to them) and took his rope.

Some of the others were pulling without shirts on. It seemed like a good idea in the heat, but he kept his shirt. He was dreading seeing Preacher, convinced he would spot his arch-nemesis sooner or later, and he didn't much want Preacher heckling him.

Axel was used to difficult, boring labor, and he didn't have any problem as he helped drag the barge along. Even his aches from the fight faded. After a while he stopped looking around for Preacher and lost himself in the dull, repetitive motion. His gloomy reverie was interrupted when was hit in the face by a rose from the ox-cart people. Fortunately it did not have any thorns, so he was able to shake it off and keep on trudging. It did wake him up a bit, and he resumed checking over his shoulder for enemies. He hadn't seen Preacher at all. He shook off his vague worry that Saga had done something to Preacher after their weird dinner, thinking that Preacher was probably out pickpocketing people. He--and by extension Axel--was probably safe. Axel shrugged out of his shirt with some difficulty, juggling the rope he was pulling, and then tucked the end of the wadded up shirt into his belt. That Shun really did have the right idea. It was hot as hell.

Day 3
Alec didn't press her further when her lips thinned, and she stopped wanting to talk about the matter. They had lighter, much more fun things to do then worry about their future. The 100 year festival had brought great memories so far, ones the red head treasured and would for years to come. Hearing Shakuntala's side of things brought a new understanding for the raven haired girl. Instead the pair road together, riding at their slow pace in silence. Alec had to admit, even with it being quiet he still felt comfortable. Silence usually was troublesome, this however had not been.

Flash was returned to his stall, and old man Marigolds was thanked a few times for allowing them to do this. He left the 3rd day while a bit serious, Alec had been content.

Day 4

With the days events for show Alec had dressed to look the part, even slicking his wild mess of fiery red hair back, and the proper attire for such an event. The ruffled collar was the only part he could have done without. Alec's mother had tweaked his ear when he tried to show up in his favorite pair of goggles much to his displeasure. His outfit had required a trip tot he market, and an unexpected trip to the market to complete the look. His sister had been looking forward to sitting in the ox-carts but with Marissa needing to attend to the store, having fought with her husband it meant Ashley had to be taken by a friends mom to watch from the crowd.

Alec had felt guilty his family couldn't come in full, but at least they'd been able to help out the day previous. More importantly at least the small girl got to watch, and scream her delight from the large crowd.

Flash had taken to the event with grace. Much to Thomas Marigolds delight. Both kids had shown off his family name well, more than he could have asked for with sick riders. Staying in line, looking ahead seriously he didn't really mind the crowd. They weren't there too look at him, it was the steed doing all the hard work. At one point he smiled and waved to his sister, just to make her feel special much to her delight. Otherwise he kept his determined expression, all the way up until he returned his equine friend to his stall. Leaning on the horse he gave him a small pat sighing softly letting go of all the held up tension and nerves leading up to the big moment.

"Glad that's over..I think we did good." He spoke up, pushing a hand at his own hair, tired of it as it was. Alec was quick to join the copper-skinned girls side once Flash was settled, unaware what exactly his having offered to go with her had meant to her.

Day 4

Today, Preacher decided resolutely, was a day for avoidance. If there were two faces in the world she did not want to see, it was Axel's and Saga's. Axel was infuriating and Saga was just.... weird to the nth degree. Make Papa proud! Just who did he think would be his kid? He had fed her but... She shook her head, holding onto her hat. She was extra clean today - yesterday evening had been the laundry day for the gang. Of course some of them had gotten dirty immediately and even Preacher had made sure she wasn't too clean. A thief stood out if she was too clean the same as if she was too dirty.

She patrolled the parade's edge. moving pedestrians back when necessary. This had been an excellent position for her, and she pick-pocketed several over-eager observers. For now, she merely did her job as directed, whistling cheerfully. There was a spring in her step that even her bruises couldn't hamper. Preacher even whistled a but. Unwittingly, her patrol took her to the sides of the barges. She nodded to the pink-haired boy there. He was wearing a security armband and was familiar somehow... oh! "'Lo, I'm Preacher. You're thata boy with tha flower stall, eh?" Preacher smiled a bit and tapped her own armband. "Had any disturbances?"

Her smile faded as she glanced over his shoulder at the barges. There, pulling alongside the others, was Axel. A bubble of irritation pierced her perfect day. Preacher didn't need to be close up to see how his muscles bulged with each step or to see how his sweat glistened on his skin. A dark bruises covered on shoulder. Her mark. It was satisfying, somehow, to know that even though she technically did not win, she had left an impression on his skin. She wondered savagely if it still hurt. ******** that knavish b*****d and his vulgar muscles. The urge to call out something derogatory was almost overwhelming. Preacher blinked and refocused her eyes on the boy in front of her.

day 3?:
"Thanks!" Saoirse said as she bounced away to the storage place to find an outfit for the parade. She dug around in the boxes that where scattered around the building and pulled out several outfits that she looked at and debated wearing before dismissing them. For a while the girl was stumped as to what she should dress up as for the festival. It wasn't until she ran across a wig that reminded her of the crest for wall rose. The festival was about celebrating the walls and the one hundred years of piece they had brought humanity right? So dressing up as one of the walls would not be to out of place would it? Well it sounded like a good idea to her so she continued to dig around to find things she could use for the rest of her outfit and was quite pleased with the result.

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Day 4
The day of the parade was finally here and Saoirse made sure to get up extra early so that she would have time to get ready and would not be late. After a quick breakfast she dressed up in her Lady of the Wall outfit and headed out to met up with the rest of the parade.

She was full of energy and having a blast as the parade started to march around Shiganshina. She smiled and waved at just about everyone she passed. Parades where all ways fun, but this was the first time she had participated in one and to her it was a lot more fun than just watching.

(Saoirse is free for interaction if anyone wants someone to talk to :3)

Day 4

Farvardin was helping with keeping the crowd off to the sides and not in the way of the parade. She wasn't one to stay in place though so she moved up and down the lines of the parade watchers. As she walked she watched the parade some and kept an eye out for troublemakers. She noticed none in the crowd where she was at so she moved on. As she was moving she noticed two others with security armbands: a pink haired boy and a scrawny looking one. She walked over to them and gave them a quick nod. "Notice anything wrong so far?"

Day 3

Lillian dusted off her uniform. While she was still unhappy being here she was at least pleased she got the job she was looking for. Security wouldn't be that bad. It was near all of the noise, sure. It still wasn't requiring her to wear a silly outfit or lug more bags of dirt around.

She made her way past the various troupes, making sure no one was slacking off TOO much. She checked the cobblestone paths, making sure no stones were overturned. She did the boring, security things the other pieces of security were already doing.

She watched from afar, seeing her friend Alec was apparently involved with the horses somehow. That seemed fitting for him. She would have taken the time to get closer, but she didn't feel the need to disrupt that party from doing their jobs. Instead, she wandered off to see if she was needed elsewhere.

It didn't take long for her to find trouble. There was a over enthused male, making a fool of himself near the canal. She approached him cautiously, not entirely sure if he was dangerous or not. "Sir.. you'll have make your way back to the design--" It didn't take long for him to swing around, letting him face her. She wasn't sure if he was drunk or just lost. Lillian sighed, not really wanting to have to deal with this. "Long as you don't do anything ignorant you can go back to the parade..." The male stared at her, before nodding his head. "My family is back there.. just wanted to get away from them for a while. No hard feelings, eh?" She cocked her head to the side, eying the man before escorting him back to the crowd. Once he was settled with his family, she went back to patrolling, thankful she didn't have to hit someone ... yet.

Day 4

Lillian kept watch on the crowd of people, making sure no one ran out in front of the parade. Not only would it cause chaos.. she didn't really want to see what it was like if a kid got run over by an ox or two. She noticed three other security detail, but decided against sticking next to them.. to instead give herself a further distance to cover the area. Besides, if they needed her they would call her. It was a better strategy to cover more ground, even if she was lying to herself by saying that.