Welcome to Gaia! ::

Sorry...the last one is a place holder, but didn't Puddle's friend do a good job? Yes. Yes he did. Lets all hear it for Taun-taun!

These Items are available for 'Good' Aligned Azrien only

Up to Three Flower Edits per Azrein

No Limit on how many flowers OC's can receive.

How this event will work:

These are flowers you give to your colorist. These will not be the flowers placed upon your Azrein. You get to decide what type of flowers and what style they will be decorated in. If you get a single blossom, you can ask for a full laurel of flowers, or vines, or just laurels in general. Reversely, if you get a bouquet and you just want a single flower in their hair or to be held by your Azrein, that is totally okay.

At the end of this story arc, a redemption thread will be posted up and you take that image of the flower, the uncert image of your azrein, several images of what you would like your edit to look like. You do not have to go to the colorist that did your Azrein, but you do have to tell us who made them so we can ask if they would be willing to add on, or we can throw the darling thing at someone that is similar to their style. <3

There will be more and more item rewards as the story progresses... Some for the Azrein and some for your OCs. Be sure to read the Prize section carefully for every event as the rules may change.

Day three and everything was absolutely perfect! Ignoring the rumors that the Six had eyes and ears—and to top it off the bandit king was also rumored to be wandering around as well. But that was neither here nor there.

Mid-morning and the musicians were out in full sleepy force to get an early start to their long day. People filtered, already wide awake it seemed, here and there to get the best spots for the games, or to just see what sites Avandere offered this time of the year. The topiary gardens seemed to be quite popular amongst the public.
Gentlemen amongst the nobles sported sashes, while Ladies wore ribbons in their hair in the colors of their house as they walked through the lanes and garden paths trying their best not to recoil when a commoner touched a flower or dared step on the grassy path. A few gardeners were up there was well from the lower class, as well as their spouses as they finished up a few of the late entries in this year’s competition. Many other middleclass folks just stood idly by and observed in chattering amusement to the interesting happenings. This only did come around once a year, after all.
Most things heard in the crowd were happy wishes and prayers for the coming harvest. Perhaps there was some lewd comment here and there met with a playful slap or a good heel to the big toe from a proper lady. A few ‘ Why I never!’’s were heard, but mostly from the eldery Ladies that just didn’t like riff raff even wishing them a happy Festival of Flowers! And yet, there were a few darker murmers in the crowd. A group of mixed folk ( A mason, a baker, and what looked to be a seamstress and her stitch sister) huddled nearby the grand fountain in the gardens.

“ Herbert! Honestly! I heard it! I swore I did. I bet my mother’s thimble on it, “ said the younger and less tubby of the seamstress. “ Truly, there is someone out there that plans on harming that poor man.”
The baker was about to speak up, but the mason who had had a little too much festival wine already chimed up and woudn’t have any of the shushing from any of them. “Nonsense!” the stonemason said with a great laugh. “ There is absolutely no way a, a horse could take control over a human. Not an Azrethian anyways. Now those from Down Below, yeah, I could see them easily getting hypnotized—Ouch! “ He found himself rubbing the back of his head when the baker rapped his knuckles into the cockey man in a rather reprimanding and silencing matter. “ I’m ser’us! Yjal’ren! You can’t believe them. It’s just a bunch of fishwife rumormongering.”
“Rumors have some truth in them, Herb. “ The baker gruffly stated and then smiled warmly at the two upset girls, “ Sorry Ms. Taewyn, he doesn’t get off of the scaffolding often.” There was a small exchange of pleasantries and the conversation drifted back to their trades with nary a thought on the depressing and distressing thought that someone was ‘enthralled’.

Elsewere in the gardens, a similar conversation was being held, though between gardeners and noblemen.

“ Athonny, I cannot possibly believe that those poor folks think that there is some shell of a man wandering around with plans to kill the king! Truly when you were in the military, none of this would have happened, right dear?” A well dressed woman said as she addressed both her husband and their ‘friends’. The middleaged man just grunted having accepted that his wife would do all the talking. He half expected her to continue on in her condescending manner when a younger, much younger voice pipped up. A child. Ah… Marron’s son.
“ A shell, Lady Fairshire?” With those large brown eyes, he stared inquisitively up at the adults despite the shocked and horrified look of his parents that their child dare speak so commonly to one of the most influential families in the city. It was a gift kids had. Who knows, but that question just delighted the woman to no end. One could almost hear the groans from the others… except her husband who was happily tuned out and watching that traveler girl dance yonder.
“ Oh yes, child!” she began , “ they suck the very being out of you and replace it with something not of yourself but of an evil spirit. It’s a horrible process.”
“ Nanna! “ the child’s mother was horrified and drew her son near her, glaring scornfully at what was her grandmother, or grandmother in law…one of those. Lady Fairshire did the highclass equivilant of a dismissive shrug and stared down the younger woman.
“ Well, he’ll find out sooner or later…what with him being a second borne.”

There the conversation dwindled into an increasingly bitter catfight of the nobles… Lots of name calling and really not all that interesting for the men.

There were a few faces here and there drifting in and out of the crowds, buying up flowers and passing them out. In fact, the baker and seamstress party bought a few bouquets while the noble party bought practically the whole shop! It was nearly noon, and that meant it was time to give away flowers to anyone that caught their eye or just amused them. No one knew how this tradition of giving flowers to those you thought were interesting happened to come about. All they knew was that they could shamelessly flirt and their spouses wouldn’t lock them outside for the night.

Himura had come back just for this occasion, happy that she had not drawn the short stick and been stuck with the watch during this wonderful festival. Himura had always liked walking through the streets and smelling the flowers, this festival was very calming for her. She had worn her most beautiful gown, a periwinkle dress with full skirt and silver stitching on it. She beamed as she walked through the streets, the scent of flowers wafting through every window.

She straightened her dress a little, brushing away some lost flower petals when she almost ran into someone. She looked up, blushing and realised it was a noble. Her eyes suddenly dropped and began apologizing profusely. She backed away quickly and moved towards a nearby flower shoppe only to find that the group was headed straight for it. She couldn't help but over hear the ensuing cat fight and secretly had pleasure hearing these two noble ladies tear into each other like wild animals. A smirk spread across her face as the argument started to fade away. She was picking out a few flowers to purchase, hoping to find someone to give them to.

She stood near Nicolaus, about to give him a flower, when he addressed Lady Fairshire. She was embarrassed but intrigued enough to stay where she was and look busy hoping to listen for the answer.

How the hell did she know he was...? Nikolaus barely hesitated in his surprise, least not that most would notice as he bowed his head to the woman, quickly scanning the room for those that might of overheard. His position was compromised, her outburts having caught the attention of two Gentlemen, and it'd be best for him to leave, or at least make himself less conspicuous for a time as he watched them. "Forgive me, I am of gyspy blood, and the traditions of my people differ from those of nobles. There is, clearly, much I have to learn of the island." Turning to the gentleman, he bowed his head in respect to him as well. "I do appreciate you taking the time to answer my question, and beg your forgiveness for intruding in upon your conversation earlier. I wish you both a pleasant day."

Turning away, he nearly ran into a girl who was wearing a periwinkle dress, and blushed a little in surprise. Bowing to her, he said, "Excuse me, I didn't see you there..."

Himura's face burst into bright red blush, she had been caught trying to give him a flower and possibly he knew she was listening in on his conversation. "Oh, no I'm terribly sorry. It was all my fault I should not have been standing so close!" She backed away slowly and glanced at the bright red rose that she had intended to give him. She was sure it matched her face and tried not to blush more at the thought of it. "A flower for you?" she quickly said and raised the flower up so that if he wanted it he could take it. She did not often hand out flowers to those she did not know but she found this man attractive and had seen him around the castle when she was there giving her reports. She did not expect him to remember her, however, knowing that he grew up in the castle probably made him quite busy. She couldn't help but wonder how the sons of the nobles felt having their destinies already assigned to them. She did not understand exactly what 'Arcanium' was but it didn't sound very nice.

Blossome had been the first to awaken that morning, just as she had been every morning. She couldn't believe there was a festival for flowers! Her most favorite thing in the whole wide world.............. or what she knew of it. She looked at Jurge, still asleep in his bed and shook her head. Pyxmah, are you awake? I'm going out now!

Pyxmah stepped into the door way. "Yes, Blossome. I am here. Jurge is still sleeping I see"

Blossome sniffed at the stallion. Yes, and he shall be for a while. Drinking again.. The cherry blossom adorned mare approached her Skh'et chosen. Would you like a ride?

The girls face lit up as she hopped on to her beautiful mare's back. This was a treat, indeed.

The two left the confines of the small barn type structure and entered the fray of the city.

They followed the flow of the roads, stopping many times for Pyxmah to speak to other humanoids. Many were children wanting to know about the pink mare with flowers and cherries in her mane and tail, and wanting to pet her.

Blossome took it all in good nature. She loved the attention from the little one's. Both rider and Azrein's ears would twitch this way or that as they caught random bits of gossip.

Is it true that an Azrein can take over a human, Pyx? the mare asked, sounding uneasy. I don't know, I'm not an Azrein. I was going to ask you that. Pyxmah gave an uneasy laugh.

Oh! Blossome, over there! she pointed towards the funnel cake booth. That looks interesting. People are stuffing fried dough with sugar and fruit into their mouths. I wonder what it tastes like.

I wonder if they have cherries? the mare turned towards the stall. It's too crowded, I can't get through. You'll have to go and bring me some back.

The little rabbit-eared girl slid off the mare and pushed her way through the crowd, trying to break through to the vendor with the fried dough. She bumped into the shopkeeper with the flowers and nearly tripped herself. "Oh! Excuse me! I'm so sorry!" She blushed embarrased, and stepped up to the vendor of fried dough stuff.

"Excuse me? Could I have two of................... whatever these are called? And do you have cherries?"

Ugh. She couldn’t me more late. She was already late for the festival. Taking a deep breath she tried to get her mind settled. She had meant to leave earlier, but then a villager had come and wanted her help with setting up a new garden for her married granddaughter. How could Reo possibly say no to that? That had taken more time than she thought it would. Then there had been that little incident where she had gotten lost in the woods. But at last she was here. A tingle of excitement rippled through her. So this was a city. It was huge to her. Fiddling with her sleeve she wondered where she should start. So far she and Luin had come to the mercantile part of town, but now that she was here Reoakee’s determination wavered. She had come to find new things to trade or buy and bring back to the village either for her shop or for fun. It was just that there where so many people. Reo knew that the isle was large, but to see so many people in one place was shocking. She chuckled nervously to herself and wondered if she shouldn’t just give up and go home now.

“Don’t you dare. You dragged me all the way out here with you so you wouldn’t have to come alone and now you want to just scamper home? I don’t think so, besides this looks like a lot of fun.” Luin’s tail swished as the mare moved by Reo nearly knocking her chosen over. Reo felt indignant and was about to comment back to Luin when she felt the mare’s amusement radiate through their bond. Unable to stop herself she smiled slightly. It was just like Luin to be amused like a child for an event like this. She was glad Alu-lote had offered to stay home in the village and look after things while Luin and Reo came to the city. It was worth it to see Luin this excited over something that wasn’t sky or moon related. “You know you might be right. I think the food should be fun at least.” At the mention of food she saw Luin stop in her tracks and look back at the half-elf. “Food? What kind?” “I don’t know lets look.” Reo took a moment to sniff the air and smelled something sickly sweet. She smiled and headed in that direction and passed by a lovely pink mare and a small boy. In front of her there was a girl with really tall ears getting something from a vender. Quietly Reo tried to slip into line behind the girl of course the area was so crowded she cringed when someone stepped on her boot.

Luin watched Reo go into a throng of humanoids to get them food. She wanted to go up and get some food too, but if she barreled into the crowd someone might get hurt and she didn’t want that. So she stepped up beside the pink mare and decided to have some conversation while waiting for her bonded. She smiled at the other mare. “Hello.”