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 Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 7:31 pm
The days of festivals were upon the isles as everyone prepared for their own way of the day of spirits. Families visited graves to leave candles and gifts on this particular night while others lingered in the lit streets that held lanterns and glass orbs that glowed in dusky colors. Many couples held hands and mates led their children around in the streets where many trailed ribbons behind them and had masks over their faces. They kept the colorful masks so that the spirits wouldn’t be tempted to follow them back after the visitations, an interesting idea that the female who leaned against a tree wished she could use. In her own hand was a dangling lantern which was colored in orange and yellows. She never bothered with a mask though as she never visited the spirits of those who had passed on. There was no marker here for her to go to. After all her father and aunt had left their home from overseas years ago when she was just a baby and here there were no family ties, save for each other, to haunt them.
Not that she would have to visit spirits anyway. Catori sighed as she turned towards the darkness behind her. Against the mist her figure blended in perfectly with the trees that stood guard around the hillside leading up towards the series of markers and graves. Her gaze narrowed as she stared down the reason that she had been dragged away from the festivities, “Really? Must you make me tell them?” Raking a hand through her hair the cattaur just shook her head at the dark space before her. Anyone who would happen to pass would think she was just talking to herself. After all only she could see the image which gathered and unfurled inside of the mist. Its eyes were the only thing not scary about its image, but she shrugged off the fear. There was no point in being afraid since that was how it had dragged her here anyways. “Alright, alright!” Snapping the last word she turned and started up the hill with her long flowing sleeves trailing behind her. There sitting around a grave was a family of siblings who were bickering.
“It’s your fault that we’re so behind with shop payments!”
“So you’re blaming me again?!”
The arguing centaurs continued at it until Catori coughed loudly in her hand, “Excuse me…but this is yours.” Handing over a pouch that jingled she watched as the centauress blinked up at her in surprise, “I know what you’re thinking. But your mother said to ‘Stop squabbling like her chickens and to get the shop in order! Especially you son!’ She wanted you to stop gambling and to pay off the debts with the hard coin she had saved for her grandchildren.” Here Catori paused and pointed at the female, “Congrats by the way and you better not name it Jasper since it will be a girl not a boy. Which is a blessing on its own considering, ‘How my sons have turned out! and you better not let them lose my store.’ She warned she would haunt the place if you don’t shape up.”
Crying the female centauress thanked Catori while her brothers just stared in shock. Nodding the female gave them some more pointed looks before turning away and disappearing in the mist. Sighing she blinked and looked up at the flickering figure, “There. Be happy and accept that you’ve done all you can.” She pointed accusingly at the moving form, “Now go on and move on already! I won’t be there to solve all their problems for you…isn’t giving them that help enough?” Her gaze did soften as murmurs brushed her ear, “I know…but you mustn’t waste what is waiting for you. Just have faith in them. That daughter at least seemed to have sense.” Smiling in faint amusement at the tinkling sounds of laughter that only she could hear the cattaur looked up towards the moon shimmering in the sky where another spirit was flying towards it.
Letting the wind brush her hair behind her the female stared towards the sky with a small smile. Maybe now she could get away in peace? Her gaze swept over the families still wandering about and a sigh followed. If only she was that lucky.
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Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 8:26 pm
He wore a thick knitted vest to keep his torso warm, leaving his arms exposed to show off the designs his sister had painted onto them. Fall leaves and pumpkins trailed down his pale skin, ad bright as the paint on his mask. One hand held the lantern pole while the other held an apple on a stick that had been coated in a most delicious layer of caramel. He'd never tasted anything so divine! All these fall snacks were so good!
Wandering the festival without real direction, Geraden took to taur-watching as well. So many interesting characters were out! He noticed a female ahead no wearing a mask, and apparently talking to herself. Interesting... He didn't pay her much mind other than to notice she looked a little sad. Not being one to approach strangers with his intuitions, he turned his focus back on the nearby stalls, and chewed on his caramel apple.
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Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 9:58 pm
Catori managed to make her way back from the tree line and back towards the stalls of the festival. Surely in a place where it was so bright she would be fine. Her gaze flickered towards the dark sky above her with doubt. Despite her optimistic cheers to herself that she would occasionally whisper under her breath the cattaur still managed to get into trouble. It was a curse from her birth she had decided. Her father had explained it to her once and Naomi had clarified it while they traveled together. Still it sent a chill down her arms and the female ran her hands up and down her skin beneath the black and gold silk sleeves which covered most of her arms save for her bare shoulders. Below her curled hair the black and golden shirt dipped slightly low revealing a black undershirt which was really keeping her warm despite the silk which clung to her body. It really was like she could be a dark spirit from the mist with the way her hair curled darkly about her face and her sleeves trailed around her hands. Not to mention the slight dark shadows which existed under her eyes from the lack of sleep.
Reaching out to grab the sun and moon necklace which hung around her neck Catori stepped lightly into the crowd. This wasn’t too bad. It was easy to block out the feelings of others around her as long as they were alive. Stepping up the cattaur ended up taking a cup of hot tea from a vendor. Paying her change Tori quickly drank the steaming liquid with a feeling of bliss. It was so nice and warm~ It fought against the sudden chills which sped down her spine. Chills which resulted in the presence of one of them finally spotting her again and without thinking about it the female twisted to avoid the spirit, but ended up tripping in her haste to get away and tossing the tea to the side fell toward another cattaur.
Oh no! Eyes closing Tori braced herself for impact of the ground.
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Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 11:13 pm
Licking a bit of the sticky caramel from his fingers, he tossed the empty stick off to the side. Just in time as well! Geraden stopped short when he noticed the sudden movement nearby, his lantern eyes widening at the sight of the maskless female falling. Her face had looked frightened! Instinctively, he leapt forward and dropped to catch her, bracing her against his body to cushion the fall. "Are you okay, miss?" he asked in his soft voice, concern laced throughout his question. What had caused her to fall so suddenly? He looked up beyond, searching for some sort of threat, but saw nothing. Then he looked at her legs, but saw no injury. Well... that was good? "Can you stand? We should get you out of the middle of the road."
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Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2013 11:24 pm
She hadn’t hit the ground? Tori’s eyes flickered open uncertainly as she realized that someone was holding her. Rather than feeling the impact of the ground then the feeling of being shocked came from being caught? Her brow wrinkled in confusion. She had been caught before, but had never felt so tingly at being touched by another before. “Did you feel that?” She asked instead of answering his question, her hazel eyes bright in the flickering lights. Still feeling weird she bounced back out of his hold before looking around. Whre had that ghost gone? Had falling really chased it off? Her hand went towards her forehead and she rubbed it in confusion.
That is until she blinked once more and remembered the male standing before her, “Oh, yes. Thank you.” Flushing wildly Catori pulled back to the side with him and once more looked around. What had just happened? Maybe she was just finally going crazy then. The female looked back up towards the cattaur who had caught her, “I’m sorry about that…I umm…tripped I guess over my own paws.” She closed her eyes in a smile at the lie. It was the opposite because she was usually so graceful, but because of the spirits she always ended up looking like a jumpy, klutz. Leave it to the spirits to make her look like a fool. A shiver went down her spine. It wasn’t her fault that tonight there were so many and that so many looked so scary too!
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Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 12:01 am
Geraden cocked his head curiously. Feel what? He jumped a little when the female moved so quickly. She was looking around for something as well. Brow knit with concern, he bent to pick his lantern back up and walked with her to the side of the path. "May I help you with anything? You seem quite out of sorts." He couldn't smell any alcohol, but maybe she'd been drinking? "..Would you like me to escort you home?"
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Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 12:08 am
They were still there. She knew it. Figures slowly started to come back into view and after her reaction to the last one it seemed they had finally woken up towards her presence again. Like a sun in the darkness, the quote from her sister still rang in her mind. Why had she gone against her father’s idea and ventured out tonight? She truly was being an idiot tonight. “I should have just turned away and not followed the grandma out tonight.” It wasn’t her fault the centauress had been so persistent. Even making her dig up all that gold…Tori shook her head sadly.
Her gaze narrowed at his comment, “I’m not thank you very much! I’m perfectly capable of doing that myself.” The cattaur may have had a smaller figure than most adults but she still pulled herself up in an attempt to look stronger, “I’m fine. So you can go on your way and not worry about me.” Turning away from him in a flurry Tori would have had a strong exit if it hadn’t been for the ogre like ghost which startled her in the mist. Closing her eyes against it the cattaur let out a surprised squeak before turning around and automatically throwing herself into the stranger’s arms. Shaking lightly she gently eased one eye open before looking back around. It was gone? Once again she was baffled. Why were they now disappearing and reappearing in her vision? Out of all the years she had this ability…this was a first.
Slowly connections started dawning as she peered up at the male through her dark bangs. Was it possible that he? He was the reason?
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Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 12:32 am
Geraden gave the female an apologetic smile. "Okay. I apologize if I've offended you." He gave her a small tilt of his head, and started to turn to leave as well while the female spun away. He felt the air change though, and looked back in time to catch the female once again. Brows knit tight together, he hugged her firmly out of instinct. He looked ahead, but still saw nothing out of the ordinary. She'd definitely been trying to run from something. Someone. ..What could she see that he couldn't?
Feeling the woman move, he looked down at her through his mask and relaxed his hold. Was she going to huff at him again? "Are you sure I can't walk you home?"
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Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 12:37 am
Tori nodded, “That’s better. I don’t drink at all you know if you were even contemplating that.” She honestly couldn’t. The cattaur’s tail twitched at the memory of the last time she had tried drinking. How many spirits had possessed her body that night? Oh, Naomi had so much fun with that one. She bit the inside of her cheek thoughtfully as she debated on letting go of the male holding onto her. His touch was so warm and comforting…she wasn’t going to lie because the hug was really like a blessing to her.
Even better was the fact that while she looked around all she saw were taurs. Living, breathing taurs just dressed in masks not the real things. “Just masks…” She breathed thankfully before looking up at the male. He had one on too now that she really looked at him. He was probably pretty handsome beneath that mask as well. Flushing Tori pushed away from him before immediately poking a finger against his hand. Did it matter how much she touched him? Pulling back she looked around happily before the mists started coming back. Immediately she looked at him, “Better yet please do. But one condition!” She held up a finger, “And I promise I’m not trying to hit on you or anything…but hold my hand?” Before he could answer though the cattaur had latched her hand onto his. Immediately it was just the living again and she let out a breath of relief. This was amazing!
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Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 2:25 pm
Ears perking, Geraden only smiled again. 'So quick to assume I thought she'd been drinking.' Did this happen often to the female? Perhaps he wasn't the first to suspect her erratic behavior to be the result of a few heavy drinks... So she was always like this?
The relief on the female's face was utterly confusing, but a relief as well. He hadn't like seeing the fear on her face... And now with all the jumping back and forth... Why did she keep touching him so much? She must be unbalanced... the poor thing. He smiled with relief as she finally accepted his help, though his eyes widened in surprise at her sudden move. She wanted to hold his hand, but wasn't flirting? "I.. suppose it's okay," he murmured, looking down at their already joined hands. His skin was pale as a ghost's compared to the female's tan.
If she felt better holding his hand though, he couldn't complain. He was glad to see her so relieved. He was confused, but glad. "My name is Geraden," he said, though he had forgotten he was wearing the half mask. "What's yours? And where do you live?"
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Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 2:50 pm
Tori beamed at his agreement, “Great!” Smiling up at him with her tail curling up behind her happily the petite female paused, “Do you have any certain places you want to go? I don’t mind staying around here long…as long as we’re together.” She was so excited to be able to see the festival lights for once! No creepy faceless (or worse some weird faced) spirit was staring at her from behind the lanterns. Even if they could still see her she stuck her tongue out quickly towards the darkness. Hah! Both of her hands swung as she moved a couple of steps forward towards the crowd. Then came the feeling of her having dragged someone with her…
Suddenly her face flushed though as she realized she had been acting so excited like this the whole time her hand was still latched onto the stranger, “I mean…it’s creepy out here for a female like me.” She bit her bottom lip sheepishly, “I’m Catori, Geraden.” Tori memorized the name quickly. He definitely was someone to remember! He was definitely special to her after all. “I’m from the forests to the south by the ocean side. Not really far from here at all…” Looking up at him her expression became thoughtful. What if he was one of those visiting the area for family? “How about you? Do you live near this place as well?” Please, please say yes. Then her thoughts stumbled yet again. What was she thinking? She couldn’t cling onto him all the time now. Still her hand lingered in his. For now wouldn’t it be best to at least enjoy a night where she was normally tormented?
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Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 3:21 pm
The attitude change was incredible. Geraden could hardly believe it when the female practically started skipping ahead, making him pick up his leisurely pace to keep up. What was it about holding his hand that had her so happy? He knew his older brother had some ability in calming others, but he'd never seen evidence of that within himself.
He smiled contently as the female caught herself and calmed back down. "I was just walking around aimlessly. I like seeing what the festival has to offer. I have nowhere particular to go. ...Catori." The forests to the south. He'd never been that far down. He tended to be a homebody. "I'm actually just a bit north of here," he replied, hooking his thumb over his shoulder to point the opposite direction. "My mother prefers to be away from the town for the quiet of the forest." Wait... Had that been a bad idea? What if this Catori woman went looking for where he lived? What if she became a stalker? ...Well, she would need a lot of luck to find the hidden home.
He looked down at her and cocked his head slightly. "What did you mean by saying a female like you? What are you that makes it so creepy?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 8:03 pm
“You don’t?” Tori’s gaze turned on him with curiosity. So he was just wandering around then? Her mouth pursed slightly before she finally nodded at the comment, “I see then. I’m used to watching all the families visiting their lost loved ones.” This worked out oddly enough. She glanced up towards the moon gleaming in the sky with a small smile. Was this a final break from things? Or a trick? Her expression flickered before she stopped walking with the crowd and looked back towards Geraden.
So he lived in the opposite direction. His mother enjoyed the quiet of the forest? She gave a soft, sad smile at the thought, “I know how that can go.” If he lived in the opposite direction then it was probably just chance that they ran into each other tonight. Her fingers involuntarily squeezed his hand for comfort at the thought and at the realization she flushed, “Then that means we can wander the festival a bit more if you want then. I do have a request though before heading home…place wise that is.” She smiled quietly, “I’ve wanted to visit a certain location for a while but have never had…the time to do so.”
The time or the patience that was because every time she tried to go there they wouldn’t leave her be. It was especially misty out there during this time as well. The cattaur’s gaze lowered towards the ground. She had always been jealous of those who could just go where they pleased without fear. Ears pricking up in surprise Tori looked at her companion, “What am I?” She frowned at his question. Did she seem that weird to him? Of course she did…the cattaur’s tail dropped towards the ground and she sighed, “You wouldn’t believe me.” Whispering that lower under her breath the female shook her head, “Aren’t I a normal cattaur? Do I look different to you?” She pouted slightly before looking away, “I just meant that I was raised with the ideas that it’s a courtesy for females to be escorted in a situation like this. Anything could happen, ya know.” It was a lie, but a truth at the same time. She just had the addition of the spirit factor was all and he didn’t need to know that.
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Posted: Fri Oct 25, 2013 10:22 pm
He looked over at the woman he was escorting. She wanted to walk around more with him? "I suppose I have time for a detour. We can go wherever you wish."
He cocked his head as Catori considered his question. He wouldn't believe... had he heard that right? He gave her a bashful smile. "Of course you look normal. It doesn't mean you are normal though~" He smiled warmly, and nodded. "Anything could happen. I certainly wasn't expecting to run into someone who would wish me to walk with them."
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Posted: Sat Oct 26, 2013 9:34 pm
“Really?” Tori beamed as if she had received the best present one could ask for. If only he knew! She couldn’t tell him though…it was too hard to believe. Surely he already thought she was odd, but if she told him then he would really think she had lost it. A small knot settled in her chest at the thought. Maybe she would tell him after tonight since chances were she would never see him again. Probably not, but still she kept the thought in mind.
She laughed at his reply, “Are you calling me special then sir?” Her tail twitched up behind her, a tiny chiming of the bells which hung on ribbons at the tip joining in with the soft sound of her voice, “I never expected you to actually agree either. You have to admit I must appear odd to you.” Tori tilted her head towards the moon, “More like special in the head than anything…” She blinked and looked over towards him, “Either way you agreed already so no getting out of this okay? No matter how weird it may get…” Fingers lacing tightly with Geraden’s the female started through the crowds and back towards the hillside. As she walked the cattaur kept a light step and swung her lantern loosely with her free hand in pure delight.
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