Solo or RP Format Counts as 5 RP growth Points Solo word minimum is 750, RP post minimum is 7
Summer was drawing closer and closer and the different villages around Tendaji were beginning to plan their summer festivals. It was a tradition in Tendaji - to celebrate the Gods every year in the summer when spirits were high and food was at its most abundant.
All the races had their own gods to celebrate, whatever those might have been, and every person had their own feelings one way or the other.
[ What did they mean to you? With the summer fast approaching, it must be somewhere (no matter how small) on everyone’s thoughts. And what are your thoughts on the other culture’s gods? ]
As Maritza had learned years ago the Leaf tribe were a deeply spiritual people. She had gone from a society that valued the advancements in technology and the arts above all else straight into what she'd thought was a hedonistic land. Time spent loving a man who was as connected to the earth itself as the gears she manipulated had shown her it wasn't all bad and could even be...calming, when she allowed it.
Seeing her children grown and thrive here was stilll...odd. She still wished they could have the exposure that only Belrea could give them, but here, where the magic of Tendaji seemed to pull at them, she knew they were well cared for.
It didn't make attending local festivals any easier, though. She tended to avoid them like the plague, making up some excuse or another not to go, but something about the almost passive aggressive way Zadia had mentioned it last night got to her.
"I'm going tomorrow with Lioe; it's okay if you don't come. I'm sure there's something else that needs your attention."
And so here she was, if nothing else than to show the daughter who had just as much spite as her mother that despite what she might think she did value their time together.
Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 1:06 pm
When Zadia had snipped at her mother last night during dinner she hadn't expected the woman to rise to her challenge. If anything she'd expected her father to get cross or for Isaia to say something later in the night. So, when the following day rolled around and she tied her coin purse around her hip she had been positively annoyed to see the lightning woman strapping up her boots.
She didn't even like this stuff so why was she coming? She was just going to complain about it....
At least Lioe wouldn't make his complaints out loud.
So, she'd stuck fairly close to her brother as they got closer to the village.
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Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 1:54 pm
Lioe had actually been looking forward to the festival for a while now. The summer fun gave him the chance to spread his wings, as it were. While he gave little thought to what the festival was intended for, he was able to fully enjoy the opportunity it gave for him to come out of his shell. There was always someone new to meet, and when that got overwhelming he could limit it to fun with his siblings.
Well, that was how it usually went.
The tension in the air was palpable as the trio headed out. While not annoyed, he had certainly been surprised to see their mother preparing to go with them. It was an unexpected development... His head was retreating between his shoulders while his hands burrowed deep into the pockets of his pants. He kept his silence firmly, only nodding or shaking his head in reply to anything being said, if he bothered to react at all. It was so much easier to focus on the ground ahead.
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Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 2:49 pm
Zadia passively reached over to wriggle her hand around her brother's arm, gently encouraging his arm out of his pocket so she could hold it. She didn't force it nor did she say anything to him about it. In this way she could offer some semblance of support to her more introverted sibling without getting too intrusive, especially when she was in a mood herself.
As they neared the village square the brighter stalls and smells of freshly roasted vegetables became impossible to ignore. Thankfully it was still early enough in the day that it wasn't too crowded, not like it would be later in the evening once the sun went down, but it was still busy enough that she didn't want to get separated.
"Where do you want to go first, Lioe?"
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Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 2:53 pm
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Can't win for losing.
Maritza was trying, dammit, but making connections with her kids was hard. It seemed like every time she was in she could make some progress, but as soon as she was shipped out things went back to square one. Maybe she should have just stayed home? At least that way they might have been able to enjoy themselves...
"I think I heard someone talking about a theater troupe yesterday." It was definitely Uquin. Maritza had been shameless in her grilling of Tale festival customs and hadn't given the man any time to himself. "They're supposed to be putting on a performance dedicated to the wind spirits if you want to see it."
Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 3:34 pm
Lioe's arm slowly slipped out to allow it to be held, silently appreciative of the offered support from his sister. He wished so many times over that he could break through whatever this awkwardness was that seemed to follow his mother every time she came home, but he could never get himself to find the right way. How did it come so easy to dad and Isaia? ..Why was it so much easier to talk to practically anyone but his mother?
His eyes finally rose as they drew near, taking in the welcoming sights. He glanced over to his sister, pondering his answer. There was food, games, shows.. He nearly jumped when his mother spoke up, looking over his shoulder as though surprised by her presence. Yet... he found the tiniest smile rising. It was shocking to hear her suggest entertainment, but he did love stories. "That might be fun," he admitted quietly, looking back to Zadia for confirmation.
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Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 4:21 pm
It was so strange, feeling the way Lioe's hand had grown just a little bigger than hers. Even standing as close as they were she could tell her was getting taller and broader in ways that her body wasn't. At one point in their lives the three of them had been nearly identical in size, but now that they were truly entering their teen years things were starting to change.
She looked toward their mother as she talked and thought it over. She did enjoy theater troupes and depending on which one it was they might not get another chance to see them for years to come...Turning to Lioe and seeing his smile brought about one of her own. "Yeah, let's do it. But maybe we should get snacks first? I'm thirsty."
Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 4:26 pm
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"Looks like there's a few vendors just down the path and if I'm right that's where the amphitheater is too." At least, that's where it had been the last time she'd been to a festival. Which was...ten years ago? The kids had been so much younger then and eager just to hold her hand.
She walked around them a bit and led the way, peeping over her shoulder just enough to make sure they were following. Surprisingly enough, nestled in the few local stalls was a Geian woman serving Belrean honeyed tea and sweet, fried puffs. Maritza's eyes immediately went to the stall, but...her feet moved away. Her children had yet to show any interest in her homeland so why push them into it now?
"Just let me know what you want and I'll cover it."
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Posted: Fri May 28, 2021 6:48 pm
He nodded approval for getting the snack first, eyes fluttering around to take in the various options. After all, they might get hungry during the performance, and having to choose between going hungry and missing part of the show for fetching anything would not be fun! Having been to the amphitheater more than once himself, he was able to follow after Maritza without worrying about pausing for directions.
Really? She would cover the food for them? Whatever he wanted? He chewed his lip and started looking around a little more cautiously. He didn't want to be a bother... so he shouldn't order too much or anything fancy.. Oh, a smoothie would have both drink and food rolled into one convenient purchase while still being tasty! With a rather pleased expression, he headed for the appropriate stall and placed his order, only sparing a glance to see if the ladies would choose the same or find their own treats elsewhere.
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Posted: Sun May 30, 2021 2:19 pm
[4/7]
Zadia tossed a curious look to her mother even as her feet slowly crossed the space after Lioe. The lightning woman clearly had her eye on some food of her own, even if she'd passed it up in favor of whatever they landed on. And, well, while she wasn't going to make Lioe change his mind she might as well try something new...
"Go grab us some of those fried puffs, okay? I'm going with Lioe to pick out a smoothie." She raised her hand towards the stall with a little shake, her brow raising just enough to make it clear she wasn't taking 'no' for an answer. "Just get a larger order so we can share."
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Posted: Sun May 30, 2021 2:24 pm
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"Watch the tongue, brat." Maritza clucked her tongue with a sneer. She didn't appreciate being talked to like that from anyone much less some slip of a girl who'd barely begun to grow hips. The fact that it was her own child didn't make it any easier to bear, and yet...Maritza couldn't find it in her to discipline the girl. Zadia had already turned away, her rows of skirts fluttering around her heel as she meandered closer to the stall with her brother.
She'd always worried about Isaia's free spirit and Lioe's tendencies to isolate himself, but never once had she thought about Zadia's bite.
It was the greatest drawback to having such a strong willed daughter.
Maritza made her purchase relatively quickly and made sure to buy a little bowl full of the warmed honey as a dipping sauce. If they'd been younger she wouldn't have attempted this; someone would have had honey in their hair, in their eyes, on their clothes....
But now they could have little things like this, when Zadia's temperament allowed.
Posted: Sun May 30, 2021 5:08 pm
Watching the interaction of mother and daughter was always a strange thing; almost comical if he'd been brave enough to laugh. It was like watching someone argue with themselves. At least one of them was willing to ask for extra. The smoothies at the stall were thick enough that it was better to scoop it up than try drinking it straight, little wooden spoons provided with each cup. While Maritza was at the Geian's stall, Lioe leaned closer to Zadia to whisper softly. "You think mom will sit through the whole performance?"
When Maritza returned with the puffs and honey, Lioe managed to give an interested look to the strange treats. Actually, those smelled pretty good.
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Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 5:15 pm
Zadia wasn't exactly sure which flavor she chose; she simply went on color. The end result was a sort of bright blue, likely some concoction of sour berry, but the taste was good enough to make her smile.
Looking over to her mother, the teen leaned in close to her brother with a shrug. "Doubt it. Uncle Rivyn's an actor and she never watches his performances when she's in Belrea." At least, so much as Maritza had told them. She visited him, of course, and he visited them when he could, but she never had kind words for the theater.
Before the older woman returned Zadia had ordered her smoothie. She picked something sweet since she knew her mother well enough to know what she'd prefer. As much as she wanted to stay aloof Zadia had to admit those puffs did smell really nice...
Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 5:35 pm
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5/7
"Come on, sounds like it's starting."
Maritza waited to make sure they had everything they needed before making her way towards the amphitheater. As predicted there was a fairly large crowd which made finding appropriate seating difficult. Thankfully everyone seemed to want to be as close to the stage as possible, despite the way the voices could carry, which gave Maritza a chance to find decent seating midway up. It was close enough to see it all without being pressed against strangers.
And, since there wasn't anyone seated directly in front of them, she organized the puffs on the bench seat there. Something about this troupe was surprisingly familiar. Had she seen them before, maybe when they first moved to Tendaji?
But then a familiar lightning actor made himself known early on and Maritza couldn't stop smiling. Leaning towards her children before it really started, the young mother murmured, "You're in for a surprise."
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Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2021 7:00 pm
With a small sigh, Lioe nodded and straightened back up. If she wasn't able to sit through their uncle's shows, then the chances of her sitting through this were indeed minimal. Well, hopefully she wouldn't bother them when she decided to leave... Lioe's lips were already getting stained red as he scooped up the chilly snack while they sought out seats. It was hard to resist eating immediately when it was in hand and looking so delicious. Then the puffs looking so fluffy and warm in front of them...
Maritza's playful warning made him look up with confusion. A surprise? His gaze flicked over to Zadia, and then back to their mother. Had she overheard them talking about her sitting through the performance? Maybe she was planning to stay just to show that she could! Unwilling to actually ask, he finally looked up at the stage and found himself cocking his head. Belreans? Neat!
