Welcome to Gaia! ::

Dousan wasn't worried about showing up late. The events, music, and celebrations would carry on well into the evening. The weather was glorious, sunny, temperatures mild, and the breezes soothing. It couldn't be better for the festival! He had rested well the night before and got up early to prepare for the day. After bathing earlier in the day, the companion had spent some time fussing over what festival finery he'd sport for the rest of the day. The buck settled on how to adorn himself. Romy graciously helped him with a sort of net like braiding with some of his mane, accented by small flowers, with similar flowers being worked into his tail. He wore a relatively simple necklace about his neck, a deep green cord with a length of silken tassel hanging from a leaf shaped knot at the front. Finally, the companion decided to wear a fern crown about his ears, accented with sprays of small white flowers amidst the verdant fronds, and secured at the back of his head with a trailing blue ribbon, a bless blossom tucked neatly into the center of the bow there.

Perfect! Satisfied that everything was in its place, the companion set off to go partake in the joyous celebrations honoring Homewood's founding, the combined healing work that has been done thus far. Fresh and fire roasted fruits, vegetables, and roots would be available. Fresh, sweet juices with the option of fermented, hard versions for those inclined to them would be too. Who knows what else? New things were discovered or revived all the time. Music and life and celebrating the bounty of everyone's collected labors of healing and growth, the flower festival had always been one of Dousan's favorites.

The sounds of the fest, the music and song lilting through the hum of happy chatter interspersed with the odd call of a barker or vendor bringing attention to their wares, caught his senses first. Then came the clusters and streams of merrymakers similarly bedecked in leafy and/or flowered festival finery going to and fro from the edges of Homewood and the heart where the main celebrations were taking place. The breeze carried with it suggestions of the cooking foods, the sweet and herbaceous smells of abounding flora.

He had to confess, the calls of the vendors had piqued his curiosity. What things had been lovingly crafted for the festival? Such was his excitement that he wasn't especially feeling hungry or thirsty. The companion wanted to eventually make his way over to see the band, hear the singing, to get a chance to kick up his heels soon, but he fancied getting an idea of what artisan crafted goods he might bring home, or to use as gifts, to plan what to get now so he could make all of his gifty selections in one fell swoop before heading home later. Weaving through a line of chattering youngsters, Dousan looked up and along the area of sellers and paused. Ah, it appeared like Elsie has her own wares on offer for the occasion, and Emmerich in tow. Trotting on over, Dousan smiled brightly as he approached the siblings. "Well, look at you two! Hello! You both look amazing!" Glancing around the does blankets, he looked to her. "Elsie, these blankets looks great! I can tell you put a lot of work and love into them. Will you be here selling them all day or will you allow yourself some time to get out and enjoy all the goings on?" He then shifted his violet gaze to the scout. "And, what of you, Emmerich? What are your plans for today?"

[WC: 608]

"Oh yes. "She replied with excitement."I have seen the dire rats around but have yet to meet anyone of them." She was truly happy to have them here in the Homewood. Having them here was just a right step in a growing positive direction. "How do you to feel about having them here in the Homewood?" She had already hear form a few nouls earlier but everynoul could add new insight so she loved to hear everynouls thoughts.

"Ooo for fun I love to dance with the wind." She smiled at the wonderful feeling of it. "I also enjoy meditating but that is less for fun and more for inner peace." She nodded to herself and then asked "What do you enjoy doing?" She returned the question out of respect and curiosity.

wc:133

The Festival was well under way. A nice crowd was forming now and it seemed as though everyone form the Homewood had showed up. The band was playing in the far corner of the clearing and there was lots of places to look at or eat new and exciting things.

Mahpiya was late but only fashionably so. The young doe strutted into the clearing happy to be out and about. And now that she was not a young foal she though the festival would be a great coming out party for herself. She arrived all by herself and was very grateful her father had allowed her to. Most of the time he sent Twix with her but not today. Today she would be seen as the beautiful full grown doe she had also wanted others to see her for.

Spotting her mother she skipped over to say hello. "Ma..." She caught herself mid way through Mama was a foals name for there mother and so was skipping. "Twix skips and its fun." her muse sad with a pout. This was true but she was full grown now and did not want nouls to see her as a foal. Clearing her throat she started again. "Hello mother how are you?"

As she waited for her Mama's reply she turned to the buck laying on the grown and wicked at him. "He is cute." her muse nodded in her head. Then she looked over to the doe that laid next to him. "She is pretty too and wow that blanket is so amazing."Then she began looking all around the clearing no that she was trying to be rude or anything but she had not seen so many nouls. Mostly the bucks but they did not need to know that.

wc:297

The Festival of Flowers called for Njeri to pull out all the stops. Never in their life had they attended a party without the intention of turning heads and today would be no different. They'd decked themselves out in deep red roses and bright strings of magenta hyacinths that dangled from their tail like a cape. Anklets of rhododendron shook pollen as they trotted and their mane was braided with delicate begonias that twirled and flurried as Njeri danced through the crowds. Was it too much perhaps? No. Never. Not for Njeri.

One certainly had to make an impression for the first festival where dire rats were invited. They spotted a few in the crowd, hanging carefully between the clopping hooves of dancing nouls, but then something more extraordinary caught there eye. A band of rats! All set up with tiny instruments that fit their delicate, dexterous hands. How marvelous! Njeri made their way toward the tiny group and the pair of noulicorns that hovered near them - a doe, singing in a lovely, fluting tone - and a handsome antlered buck whose voice was velvet.

"They're magnificent!" Njeri cried, voice pitched high to be heard above the music. They made no pause before throwing themselves into the dance, swirling and twirling with practiced ease, sending pink petals fluttering from their accessories. "This one is Njeri! I'm ever so pleased to meet you."

After some time, Mielikki rose to her hooves and made her way past the most of the crowd from the festival. She ducked under the trees and vanished off back towards her boggy home.


Tempest pondered the questions put forth by Kachina. How did she feel about the rats. Well she guessed it was an easy one. “I’m perfectly happy about the dire rats being here. It’s nice to have allies in healing Vykeli. As for what I enjoy doing, mostly racing, but I do enjoy storms too. I hope to one day be able to create them.”

After a moment she asked, “How does one dance with the wind?” She was genuine curious. Winds tended to be apart of the most spectacular storms. A familiar voice caused Tempest to twitch her ears and turn her head. A young purple doe approached, it was her daughter. Dryxel pretty much raised her but it was nice to see her. “Oh hello Mahpiya. I see you have arrived. Did your father or Twix come too?”


It didn’t take long for Xo to spy the pink noul completely decked out in so many varieties of flowers. Yeah, that’s how to do it, he thought to himself. He watched as they threw themselves into dancing. He danced right on over to them, hearing them called themselves Njeri. Pink petals floated down to the ground as they moved. He smiled brightly and introduced himself, “Hello Njeri. I’m Xo of the Teahouse.” Verbal communication was limited in an atmosphere like this. Dance, physical cues was the language of the day. He loved dancing with Njeri, they were beautiful and danced beautifully.


Elysia nodded her head. Athena was right, the colony had grown massive and with it more aggressive. At some point, one would think there would be a split to start a new one elsewhere. Be pioneers of a new start. Alas no. Their leader ruled them with an iron paw it seemed. Leaving was risky and with two groups passing by so close together, it made the ideal chaos to make a run for it.

“It’s great to be a pioneer in a new way of life. I’m glad to see you got out alright and followed us...home.” There, she said it, this was home now. “I’m starting a clinic here. I mostly cater to dire rats and smaller creatures, but wouldn’t mind helping nouls if they sought me out. I was even granted a gift like them.” Elysia looked at her handpaws, they were nimble and capable of delicate work. But now they were also capable of healing with magic.

WC: 437/2,888

Kachina lessoned as Tempest explained her outlook on the presents of the dire rats. Her was glad to see so many nouls happy with them being around. Even though she was sure some nouls where not as happy, she was sure they would come around though. They just need time to get to know them.

"Ooo a storm sound most delightful. Rain dancing is a close second to wind dancing for me." She said with a big smile while nodding her head. "So your an Atoms then how super exciting to be able to make your own storm someday." She was a vivify so she was not able to make her own wind but it that's was ok, part of the fun was the not knowing.

Tempest next question was most exciting for Kachina. Dancing with the wind was her favorite thing to do. "Oh it so wonderful and freeing, Tempest." Her excitement was clear in her voice. "One only needs to let the winds push and pull their body this way and that and let the wind take the lead really." It was simple to Kachina but if you did not give yourself over to the movements of the wind one could feel very silly. "It comes easy to me now but when I was young and first started I kept losing the flow of the wind and taking the lead. Now the wind guides my movements with easy. It quit exciting really."

Kachina look over and past Tempest and watched a very beautiful lilac dun doe approach them. If Kachina did not know any better she would think this was a younger version of Tempest. Her suspicions where confirmed with the younger doe called Tempest mother. Kachina noticed the doe eyeing her blanket and smiled kindly at her. "It was made for me when is was a foal. I have not been able to part with it." She simple stated even though the doe did not ask.

wc: 329

Mahpiya smiled warmly at her mother. Even though her father had raised her mostly being around her mother was always a joy. Her mother had some much more fun then her father did, so Mahpiya just loved to be around her.

"Oh no father and Twix are out patrolling while we are all having fun." She rolled her eyes. She did not like patrolling and found it super boring really. She understood the need for it all and ever respected her Papa and brother for doing it. She just hated doing it herself. "Hello my name is Mahpiya. How are both of you today?" She said to the other two in the group lingering a little longer on the grey buck in front of her.

Mahpiya lessened to Kachina explain how to dance with the wind. It sound super fun really. Though Mahpiya struggled with the idea of letting her mane get that tangled or even wet form the rain. Still looking all around the clearing her eyes land on one of the most colorful bucks she has ever seen in her life. Across the way a group as started dancing to the band. In the group of dancers is a buck with antlers and is clearly a appy but wow his coloring. As if mesmerized she watched him sway to the music and talked to a very attractive rose colored doe.

Shacking her head she turns back to the group she is standing with. She was not some love struck foal after all. "Plus the bucks should come looking form me not the other way around." Her muse pipped up with reason. "Yep that is right." She mentally nodded.

wc:280

Calelha smiled shyly at the does confection. "This doe is intuitive." she thought to herself. Sure the bud on her head was a giveaway but not really since fungal was still fairly new to the homewoods.

"Oh my goodness you are fungal too." she said with so much excitement and surprise she totally forgot her normal shy demeaner. She had not had the pleasure to meet an noul else that had had her gift as well. "Ooo that sounds wonderful. I think there is a vender over there giving out fermented juices but I have not gone over there yet." She admitted.

"Oh no please do join me." she said as she moved over some. At the mention of a friend on the dance floor she searched the group of gathering nouls. Honestly she was hoping to see Roamer but she pushed that thought way almost as soon as it started to surface. "I am in the same boat that and I do not know anynoul here. I thought for sure my sister would have come but she is probably on some amazing adventure." As she finished her statement she realized that she might be talking to much. She looked down shyly hoping Keevah did not think she was rude in anyway.

wc:212