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 Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 7:10 pm
Looking over at Constance the male had to shake his head at her answer. Really? He had to pick? But as he thought about it the memory of the time registered and the meaning behind it reminded him of something. It was Autumn…and Zura always gushed about the festivals that started in the late evenings and could last for days. “Something you might enjoy.” He replied gesturing back towards the path. Surely she would enjoy this more than his normal habits of sleeping and just working. The only thing was he would have to avoid the tavern up ahead in the town. That wouldn’t be a problem though. Surely Zura and the others were busy working setting up the tavern for the visitors they would be getting this month.
Leading the way the cattaur remained quiet as he left the more hidden trail to find the path leading out of the forest and into the town where lanterns glowed as decorations and music flowed freely. Chatter from all the guests as they moved from booth to booth also reached his ears. This wasn’t his typical thing but Zura had dragged him here before…and for some reason he thought that Constance might enjoy it. And it would be fine, he would be here to guard her in case of any danger. Not to mention that with this festival it was alright to stay out a little later…
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 7:48 pm
Perking her ears, Constance followed after Triston with the utmost curiosity. Something that he thought she would enjoy? Would he be able to guess such a thing?
Her eyes widened when she saw the town, and slowed a little. She rarely ever went to town, and Euthalia would be with her on those rare occasions. It was so much more crowded than usual, too! She glanced back at the woods, and then over at Triston. Oh! Triston would be with her! Smiling brightly, she grabbed his arm, making sure she was gripping the bracer rather than any of the male's skin, and tugged him toward the noise. "Why is it so loud? Why are they all gathered? It smells amazing! Can we eat something here?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 8:04 pm
Triston actually smiled at the flurry of questions coming from the cattaur, “A festival.” And yes they could get food here. His answer was quiet, but he led them straight to a food vendor. “Here.” Passing coins towards the cattaur at the booth Triston reached in and grabbed two kabobs of grilled meats and veggies. Passing one towards Constance he ate from one himself before pausing to look at her. Hopefully she would be okay with that. This was personally one of his favorite things to eat at the festival. Passing underneath hanging lanterns of multiple colors he looked around at the booths before peeking back towards Constance.
As music floated around them Triston eyed the booths. Not only did taur come here to show off and sell their works and crafts games also were set up for taurs to enjoy. As it was some even had masks on to celebrate the upcoming holiday of the Autumn season. Triston blinked in surprise as a lovely centauress handed him a mask, “Here sir~! Take one for your lady friend too!” Giggling she handed him another one before sneaking away happily with a coin from the cattaur.
Shrugging Triston placed on his black mask with elegant silver designs before handing the other one over to Constance. “Tradition.”
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 9:13 pm
A festival... Oh! She remembered hearing about them! She looked at the kabob with confusion. Meat grew on sticks? Then she took a cautious nibble, and smiled. Yum! She followed close to Triston as she cleaned the meat away, licking the stick, her lips, and her fingers clean. Her eyes looked everywhere, seeing the other taur laughing and chatting and having fun with all their friends. Maybe she could make a couple more friends while she was here! Someone to visit again another time!
She frowned when she saw the mask, having no clue what to do with such a thing. She accepted the curious thing and turned it every which way for inspection. Once she figured out what Triston had done with his, she attempted to put hers into place as well. However, she put it on upside-down. ..This didn't feel right. "This is weird," she said, looking over at her companion with a small pout.
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 9:29 pm
Every step Triston kept a constant watch on his companion. He was glad that it appeared like she was having fun here though. At first he had been slightly worried about how being in a crowd of taur would affect her, but she seemed to be enjoying it. Another thing they differed in. Still the cattaur felt for the moment that it was alright to be out in this crowd as long as she was enjoying it. Still he had to keep pulling away from accidental bumps and touches so that he didn’t accidentally brush someone with cold.
Her confusion with the mask made the male shake his head. But underneath the bangs which flew into his face was a small smile. She really was new to these things…”Here.” Ever so carefully his hands touched the edges of the mask and made certain to not brush against her face. As he fixed her mask on her face the cattaur was only inches away and his breath touched her cheek as he tied the mask into place. “It matches.” It was a lovely cream color with golden engravings and flowers of greens dotted alongside the edges. Suddenly aware of how close they were Triston pulled away with a cough and started heading down the booths. Pausing at one he touched some trinkets before handing over more coin. Those would suffice for his yearly gifts to those who housed him during the winter months.
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 9:52 pm
Watching the pale hands reach toward her, her magic automatically compensated for his chill, especially with how close they came to her skin. She watched Triston's face with rapt attention, having never actually gotten so close to his face. She studied every inch...
Slowly, she pulled her magic back to feel the coolness that radiated from him, and inhaled softly as she felt the brush against her cheek. "Thank you," she murmured, blinking out of her revere as Triston quickly pulled away. She raised her hands to the mask, inspecting the pattern, and finding the cold spots where Triston's fingers had touched. Cold... Most interesting. Smiling, she followed after him, her tail twitching contently. The mask did feel more comfortable now.
"Do you come to these festivals often then? You seem to know a lot about how these work~"
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:07 pm
Triston’s tail twitched at the question, “More like dragged here..” He mused out loud before looking back to her with a nod. It tended to happen that these festivals occurred mostly when he was traveling back towards this town. Autumn was his favorite season for festivals, however, as it held a bit of darkness to the celebrations. Spring was always celebrating new life, but fall festivals like these celebrated things a little bit different.
“Hey~” A chiming voice caught Triston’s attention as a girl held out a covered basket towards him and Constance. “Would you like to try your hand at chance?” Smiling the centauress shook the basket, “Inside are bunches of different colored marbles. Pick one and you can win a prize~” She put on her best face towards the two, “Surely a lovely couple like you would want to try to win something?” She gestured the basket towards Triston who slowly shook his head.
“Fine.” Smiling the girl looked towards Constance, “I’m sure he would rather you draw miss. Such a pretty lady should have plenty of luck!”
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:37 pm
His response made Constance giggle. "I find it hard to imagine someone trying to drag you around," she said, tail twitching again.
Her ears perked at the basket put into their faces. A- a lovely couple? She looked up at Triston and started giggling again. Her? Part of a couple? Maybe it was just a general in this situation? Yes, that would make sense. Where Triston turned down the offer, she brightly accepted and tucked her hand into the basket. She stroked her fingers through the pile before plucking one out. "It's yellow. What does that mean?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 10:50 pm
Triston just shook his head at her giggling. If only she knew. It was quite easy for some to drag him around. Not that he always minded it. That much he could admit. Though he wished the centaur girl had just let them be. Raffles weren’t usually his thing. But Zura loved them and loved to make fun of his bad luck even more. The thought made him sigh softly before he watched as Constance tried her luck.
“Oh! Yellow is good!” The centaur girl giggled happily, “You get a free stay at one of the town’s best taverns~” Handing a parchment to the summer cattaur she smiled, “Just show this to the owner and she’ll let you stay for a night there. The directions and name are all on there as well~” She winked at the cattaur, “You and the handsome fellow can share a room for the night~” Humming happily she skipped off towards another couple with the basket.
Triston only shook his head. What were the chances? As it was he didn’t even think to make the connections between that free stay and which tavern it was exactly. Before he could even find out though the spectacle of the night began. In the distant sky loud crackles went off as a mix of fire and magic decorated the sky with fireworks. He looked over at Constance. Perhaps this was a fitting good bye for them. Another closing of a chapter.
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Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 11:10 pm
"Ooh!" She looked at the paper with interest, though bit her lip. Stay at a tavern? Euthalia would never- She felt a heat rise to her cheeks that did not come from her magic. Share a room with Triston?! Was the girl-? Seeing that Triston seemed unmoved by the implication, she ducked her head and took a deep breath, grateful for the mask to cover the blush. ..This was something new...
She jumped when the fireworks sounded without warning, lurching closer to the safety of Triston's side and clinging to his arm without thought. Her eyes were locked on the sky, quite frightened by the strange and thundering noises. "What are those?!" she yelped, only belatedly realizing that she was clutching his arm. However, she couldn't let go... The strange things in the sky were so intimidating...
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 12:44 pm
Okay so maybe he should have warned her. Triston’s eyes gleamed mischievously before he was surprised himself. Blinking he looked down at where her hands clung to his arm. But the cattaur didn’t push her off; instead he forced down his magic the most that he could before looking back up at the sky. Another explosion of violet and white lit up the skyline, “Fireworks.” He replied hiding the wince in his voice, “For celebration.”
Using his free hand the cattaur covered one of her ears with his glove covered palm. “Watch.” Several more sounded in the sky under a mirage of changing colors. The more impressive ones even formed shapes and creatures from legends around the area which haunted autumn. Others just exploded in a rain like pattern overhead. After each explosion if he just closed his eyes he could still see the colors in the darkness of his mind. And when they blurred together it really was slightly like being back home.
Still as the last few fireworks lingered in the sky Triston couldn’t help but to look over towards Constance. It really was getting time now…with the last fireworks he would have to escort her back home to her forest and then go on his way back towards the tavern.
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 4:02 pm
Still staring up fearfully, it wasn't until Triston's hand covered her ear that Constance could begin to appreciate the show. His hand dulled the sound just enough so that it no longer cracked as sharply inside her head. Forest life had never exposed her to such a sound.
Very slowly, she loosened her grip on her companion's arm, her eyes gazing up in awe rather than fear. Fireworks... A smile began to rise, and she slipped her hands down to hold around the magic brace instead. "They're beautiful.." she murmured, getting caught up with the crowd and gasping with delight. Why had she never known of these before?!
Her disappointment was evident as the show came to a close. "Goodness. I was so busy being afraid of it, I missed out on how wonderful the whole thing was," she said with a sigh. Looking over to Triston, she smiled warmly. "Thank you. This was a wonderful idea!"
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 5:35 pm
Triston looked down at Constance with a small smile which flickered only briefly across his features before disappearing. Seeing her reaction had really been worth bringing her here. He nodded at her thanks before motioning towards the forest path. “It’s night.” He would make certain that she was safely back in her domain before leaving her side. Oddly enough it wasn’t the forest which made him worry about Constance, but rather the crowds which were slowly moving away from the dying festivities. The last thing he wanted was for her to be swept up into the crowd.
Reaching up the cattaur grabbed at a lantern and carrying it before him used it to light the path before them. As he walked further out of the town the path was less lit and the trees loomed up ahead. “Here.” He stopped walking to look ahead towards the trees. This was as far as he could go with her. Triston’s gaze slipped towards Constance hesitantly. It was odd…he finally spent a day with this stranger from before, but here they were separating again. But as he handed her the lantern he felt determined.
It was better this way.
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 6:37 pm
Ears twitching, she looked at the indicated forest curiously. Yes, it was night. So? She looked around at the dispersing crowd, and sighed again. It looked like the fun was over...
Still, she was content as she followed at Triston's side, positively giddy from the experience. She'd been to a festival! She'd been able to do what she'd wanted! She'd spent time with someone other than Euthalia! The evening had been like a breath of fresh air. Of fresh, cool air...
When they stopped, her ears slipped down into her hair. "Oh..." Here... It was so final. She looked at the lantern and gave it a sad smile, shaking her head. "I don't need it. The trees will tell me where to go. Euthalia would have a fit anyway if I was walking around with a light at night." She gave a small laugh, but it held no humor. She didn't want to part ways again... What were the chances of meeting Triston again? Twice had been a low enough chance as it was, but a third coincidental encounter? Next to impossible, surely...
Did it really have to end so soon? She couldn't remember the days ever flying by like today had. "Triston..?" She was about to ask for more time, but ducked her head. He was giving her the courtesy of letting her say goodbye this time... She shouldn't push it. Still... Head snapping up, she gave him a thoroughly unapologetic smile. "Sorry! I hope this doesn't hurt." Then she jumped forward again, and wrapped her arms firmly around Triston's waist. "Thank you." Then she spun and headed for the shadows of the woods.
Too bad she couldn't tell Euthalia about her day. The pygmy would have a fit...
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Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 7:10 pm
Triston simply held onto the lantern then as he nodded. That was true. He had almost forgotten her natural abilities…the lantern would only be a hindrance to her and give her away in the dark. Sill the cattaur watched her with curiousity as she said his name. What was she about to ask him? But before he could try to even figure out what it could have been he was startled by a rush of warmth. It had been so long since he had received a hug that the cattaur was frozen in shock. Before he could react though she had already pulled away and was moving for the woods.
And just like that she was gone.
Taking a step forward the male had to shake his head before turning away with the lantern held high. A trail of cold mist followed the cloaked figure as he made his way down the very streets which had been so active before. Passing through a trellis of flowers and vines which curled away from his touch the cattaur paused one last time. Looking over his shoulder he actually smiled before turning back around towards the large, decorative tavern. Laughter chimed from inside and a warm voice called out as the cattaur entered the doorway, “Triston! You're back!”
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