[WORLD ONE | POST-UVI CELEBRATION]

[spellbindmods]

Who: Coven members and Palai
Where: In and around the Aimintas marketplace
When: Day 39
Open/Closed: Open to All

After an appropriate amount of time for mourning, the Palai have shifted into a more positive mood -- they're a very resilient species, though there is a bit of a muted tone to their celebration. The whole event is a little hodge-podge, mostly because they aren't used to having to celebrate with the coven members added to the guest list. The Palai have gathered together all of their people and have invited the coven members to a small, intimate gathering -- the purpose of the event is to thank them for their service in fighting the Uvi, and the success of freezing the Uvi in their home. While no one knows how long the Uvi will stay gone, any amount of time without the Uvi being a concern is fine by them. The event takes place in the very center of the marketplace, with the Palai interacting on the fringes of the party throughout the rest of the large building. The coven members have time to spend by themselves, but there's room for moving around on their own and also spending time with the Palai if they so choose. A ▢ One of the more noticeable editions to the food the Palai have provided is a large pile of sweet, sugar dusted pastries. You may notice that something about them seems...odd, to say the least. It looks as if the pastries are vibrating slightly, but they smell divine. If you're so inclined to ask what the deal is, these pastries are magically infused by Eltos, which somehow gives them a sweeter flavor and enhances the sensation of tastebuds. The Palai sometimes eat these before meals in order to better the flavor of their entire spread -- though adding this energized magic to an already magical being means magic powers may be a little off kilter. Don't be surprised if suddenly your abilities go a little crazy. B ▢ The Palai aren't participating the party for two big reasons. One, the purpose is to celebrate the victory of coven members. The other reason, however, is one that may be more interesting to outsiders. While previously the Palai were peaceful people, happy to exist submitting to the Uvi, the coven's show of strength and valor has inspired them to be more aggressive in their approaches. Grown Palai can be seen working on makeshift weapons, but the idea of smaller tools like slingshots have already been constructed and almost perfected. The Palai youth have discovered these tools and are playing with them gleefully, though occasionally hitting each other -- and potentially you -- with energized, paralyzing rocks fueled with Elto energy. Watch out or you might get zapped! C ▢ Other Palai youth aren't as fortunate to be so distracted and happy. While fewer Palai died during this attack, the casualty number wasn't zero. Most Palai children still have at least one family member to care for them, but they're still a little disconnected from their people by means of grief. Some are milling about with the coven members, trying to eat or pester them for attention. If you're good with kids this may be more your speed, but those bad with children can find this irritating. Some Palai youth are more muted, however, content to just sit and listen to stories or eavesdrop on conversations. D ▢ For some people, rain isn't that big an issue -- but it certainly puts a damper (get it?) on a party. The Palai seem a bit confused by the sudden shower that comes in heavy as the evening dies down. The Palai have never experienced rain before, using irrigation systems and existing ground water as their means of hydration (both for themselves and for plants). Because the rain is coming from the ocean, the drops are large and salty, and the marketplace quickly begins to flood. The Palai move the party indoors for the most part, but that doesn't mean you or the food aren't already soaked. It's much warming underneath the roofs in the marketplace, but that doesn't provide much relief since the ocean rain is warm and humid. E ▢ Wildcard! How will your character handle this violent and volatile situation.

Comments

[goodlistener]

[in keeping with the celebration spirit—however tempered it is, and even if parties can still feel awkward for her—jeanne is present in a flowing, black dress with a sheer shawl. where did it come from? wouldn't you like to know.]

A ➻

[a farm girl's appetite after a grueling battle and a buffet of sweet, tempting (if also vibrating) pastries must be a recipe for disaster. jeanne never stood a chance...

the unexpected consequence of digging in is that she glows with an almost too pure heavenly light, one that outlines her limbs and enhances the already golden sheen of her long hair. isn't this fitting for a saint? well, whatever. it wouldn't be such a problem—really, she could tolerate it!—if not for the fact that touching or even bumping into another person on accident makes them glow, too.]

I... I'm not going to regret it.

[heavenly-glowing!jeanne is currently staring down a pastry on the plate she's holding, with a bit of sugar brushed over the side of her mouth.]

C ➻

[jeanne may not be certain what these grieving children need to heal their hearts, but she does know what rejuvenates her in her period of mourning. it's about time to pay her respects to those palai she was not able to save.

it starts inconspicuously enough, honestly—a palai youngster catches sight of her kneeling to the ground (in her dress!), hands interlocked, head bowed. he asks what she's doing, receives an explanation, and... now there is suddenly a group of them outside the marketplace, engaging peacefully in silent prayer.

will you stop by? are you ready for spontaneous bible school, too? do you have something to say about pushing religion on kids...?!]

E ➻

[of course, what do you really do at a celebration like this? it's a far cry from the raucous, easy gatherings of soldiers she's most familiar with, but jeanne does appreciate the chance to simply spend time being around the palai and her fellow coven members.

when she's not advising the palai on their construction of homemade weapons of all types or speaking with the palai children—a rare moment indeed—she can be found hovering along the edges of the crowd, without entering into it. jeanne is unaccompanied. if you're good at picking up small details, you may notice that there's dirt clinging to her dress and stockings, and the flowers in her hair are ruffled.

maybe you'd like to chat? or, perhaps, you could ask the lady for a dance.]

e.

[talim]

[ jude can't help but take notice of the woman standing by her lonesome, crooked flowers crowning her head. he doesn't even think about it when he wanders over. ]

For a celebration, you seem a bit quiet. I don't mean to pry, but is... everything alright?

[ his expression is genuine, mild concern in his eyes. those small details don't escape his notice, but at the same time she strikes him as nothing but refined and dignified. it's not something he can quite explain. it just is. ]

[goodlistener]

[it's hard to explain in words the sort of aura jeanne gives off, even without her body literally glowing. something pure, something different. no one is coming close enough to bother her with dance requests, as if just the act of pestering her for selfish reasons would be wrong.

she looks up at jude's approach, first, then gazes at his face once he speaks, and it isn't long before she's seeking to reassure him with a soft, but radiant smile.]

Yes, it's fine. Thank you for asking. I don't believe we've met yet, but you must be with the coven.

[talim]

[ her smile easily soothes him, and jude is quick to return it with one of his own, amber eyes softening. ]

No, we haven't. Sorry, I should have introduced myself before coming over to pester you, huh? I'm Jude. Jude Mathis.

And you are... ?

[goodlistener]

Jeanne d'Arc.

[she mentions that with no hesitation whatsoever.]

[talim]

[ there was no jeanne d'arc in the history or legends jude is familiar with. all it is to him is, well. a unique string of syllables. ]

... That's an interesting name. It's nice.

[ jude distinctly realizes what an awkward compliment that was. he's inexplicably nervous. ]

[goodlistener]

[it is... a little awkward, but not as awkward as it could be? he isn't heaping embarrassing flattery on her or anything, so jeanne isn't bothered by it in the slightest—that he's nervous, she thinks, must prove he's sincere.]

Thank you. You can just call me "Jeanne", if you prefer. I wouldn't mind.

[talim]

Jeanne it is, then.

I think the "proper" thing to do in this situation —

[ air quotes. ]

— would be to ask you to dance, considering this is a party and all, but, well... I don't exactly want to step on your feet. And I assure you, I definitely would. Besides, there are other things to do besides dance.

[ his face is a little flushed with embarrassment. ]

But I didn't want to leave you here all by yourself. Maybe we can just, you know, talk? Get to know each other?

[goodlistener]

Oh, dance...?

[a light blush dusts her cheeks as well, once she hears jude's suggestion; she isn't scandalized, though, it's almost like she's just picturing it.

and then, she shakes her head.]

Yes, no—let's not dance. [she shouldn't.] You're very considerate. How has it been for you so far, living as part of the coven?

[talim]

It's been... well, it's been a bumpy ride, but I can't say it hasn't been an exciting one.

[ his smile is lopsided, but there's a certain degree of fondness in it too. ]

What about you, Jeanne?