[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

[rootbound]

[he looks a little surprised, but the kid takes the offer readily, a small armful for Caster. Vern...doesn't offer to pick up the other kids who came in with him, but he does take a seat and busy himself handing out some of the pastries, which he seems to have secreted into his bag before it started raining. he offers Caster one too.]

. . . that's not a lie, but the status quo wasn't particularly acceptable either, from what I've gotten from these people.

[it's dragged out of him, a reluctance to make a moral stand on this sort of thing warring with a sense of empathy that's far from dead, that feels the sorrow of the gathered Palai children.]

[storyseller]

Yes, that is so also. There would be many more children like this, and perhaps many grieving parents as well.

[She takes the pastry, but doesn't immediately eat it. Instead, she sings a quiet, pleasant song to the children, comforting the one in her arms. It could almost serve as a lullaby.]

We do not yet know what is to come, and if it may be worse or better than what is past. However... I am glad that more did not die.

[rootbound]

Same. I hate fighting, but more people would have died without it. Probably...? It's hard to say with these things, sometimes.

[puts his chin on his knees to listen to her sing, wincing a little when the Palai kids still with him lean on him but not quite able to bring himself to push them off]

...that's lovely.

[storyseller]

We will learn in time, perhaps.

[She smiles softly behind her hair, gently petting the child in her arms.]

Thank you. I'm glad the little ones think so as well.

If you have a song, no doubt they will welcome it also.

[rootbound]

[he flushes darker, ducking his head and hiding behind his hair a little]

I don't...have any. Geir's the one who can tell a tale, kind of.

[storyseller]

If that is your wish. Even so, it is only a song...

[She starts humming another little lullaby, to ease the children. And to ease Vern, too.]

[rootbound]

[he puts a hand on one of the Palai children's heads as he relaxes, sort of petting them; it's an odd way for a human to give comfort, but he's a lot more used to comforting a dragon than another human. they seem to appreciate it, at least.]

...do you like kids...? I wasn't expecting to see so many gathered here.

[storyseller]

Yes. Children are precious, and I like to care for them.

[She smiles faintly, seeing Vern give the child comfort. Now they can both rest.]

It is saddening that so many have suffered such a loss.

[rootbound]

I...

[hesitates, then plunges on; perhaps the lullaby helped him relax enough to admit this...? who knows]

...know how they feel. It was hard to ignore. I hope the Palai are kind about taking in orphans.

[storyseller]

[She closes her eyes, quietly acknowledging Vern's loss.]

I expect that they must be. They are a communal species, that does not wish to see any left alone. It would be unlike them to abandon their orphans.

[rootbound]

Mm. They stay in threes, or more...why are you looking to us, then? We usually go alone, unless we're very lucky. Poor kids.

[his tone's a little harsh, sympathy coming out angry, but he's still being gentle with them.]