Forum Thread

Okami couldnt help to silently agree with Beige. Why was she with them if she don't know anything? Not that she could say anything; she knew very little, but at least she had a reason. At the very least, she could bring back stories to share with the pups when she returned home.

The whole spiel about the Gods and becoming a "Demi-God" of sense sounded dumb. Just another way to drive divisions into people. But she remained quiet, simply listening.

Pressing faer thin lips together, tusks pressing indents into the skin, Blithe steepled faer fingers before faer mouth. So this was fun. Fae couldn't blame Chester for attempting to keep the peace, but fae could also sympathize with the small Harengon passenger for wanting off the wagon. The dragonborn though, Blithe couldn't help but bite faer tongue when he emphasized that everyone would be participating in the petty charade created by a uncaring creator. Fae could understand such rationale behind this but it still left an uncomfortably familiar aftertaste on the tongue, something only vaguely alleviated by the hasty correction to some.

But all that in the end was completely blown out of the water as Beige pierced through the heart of the matter. Why exactly was Liza here if she knew so little about the biggest event of the year? Everything hinged on this one season, where gratitude however deserving would be given and merriment would be had. Even those who held the gods in contempt planned their year around such a time, much to Blithes chagrin, but the importance of the Festival could not be downplayed at all. For if one were to live on these lands, it was almost impossible to escape the festivities.

Sharp eyes observed the other residents of the carriage as such a question was posed. In particular, fae kept an eye on the blond human who had previously began day drinking out in the open. Fae couldn't quite put a finger on it, but there was something familiar about him though the millions of stories fae had come across during faer travels tended to blend together at times

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"Ho.. an adventure group? Little dragonborn whether the urge to adventure is in your blood or not, ya sure have some big ideas"

Alice gave him a crooked smile, his eyes didn't miss the way everyone—well mainly everyone in the shabby carriage was roughly pumped up by the grand idea of an adventure with the bright hopes of becoming a demigods, or just to even be recognized by the gods in general.

"Say.. do y'all need a medic by chance?"

They say drinking all day long is bad for the health, so why not? These folks are amusing and quite excitable. Whether they serve as genuine adventurers or entertainments, both serve no consequences to him! Alice gave Oceiros a playful wink as he let out an offer, using his face card to the fullest. After all, medics, especially the class of a priest are rare within the world.

"Think about folks, most of y'all" sweeping his gaze around the whole group, his smiling eyes pausing at the faer's face a tad bit longer. "–prioritize and excell in your offensive abilities. But think about it" he paused for suspense as he urged them. "...what if you were injured? What if your bones were on the verge of falling off? Who is there to save you except for a medic? And just so you like it, there just so happens to be a medic right in front ya!". He points to himself with a bright blinding smile. He doesn't mention the fact that the probability of your bones falling off in a actual battle were slim. Alice was practically radiating his 'kindness'

This was how he landed a job as a fraudster priest of the previous temple before he was kicked out. Through his face. (Of course, his skills too–but that's later)

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"It...it just looked interesting, that's all." Slowly, she sat down.

"Sorry about the wagon", she addressed Chester directly. You could tell she meant it, even though she didn't show it much with her body language, clutching her sword against her chest. It was cramped in the wagon, and she could slowly feel the walls closing in, even though she knew that couldn't be.

"I guess you could say I'm travelling for family reasons?" That part was true. Her late sister had wanted to attend the festival that year, only to be involved in a tragedy just 3 months before.

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Beige rubs his arm slowly, uncomfortably. Their gaze slid to Alice and lingered there, but it was clear that the undead boy was uncomfortable. "Beige... is no good fighting. But Beige is okay utility..." It murmurs, shifting in its seat as it thinks of its next words, feeling stunned under the strength of Alice's sweeping gaze, as if the sun was burning through his thick, tough skin. "Mr Wickerman, you're a healer? Healing... good." He finally finished, unable to force a smile back. He appeared to be weighed down by their own introversion.

The undead boy then looked up towards Liza, and their expression morphed. "Just... interesting?" His face screwed up like a raisin, looking rough like leather. "Lots of money for... 'just interesting'. How does Miss Fish not know about the festival's blessing?" Beige almost looked offended, scratching at his stitches and keeping their gaze fixed on Liza, their amber eyes looking especially misty.

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Shifting to rest faer chin on fidgeting hands, Blithe smiled humorously at the suggestion that fae could fill in a spot in an adventuring party. What a silly idea. Honestly, fae was getting much too old to even be part of a travelling circus, the amount of excitement needed for them couldn't be bore with aching knees and unsteady legs. An adventure would certainly be too much excitement for a fragile heart to witness. Just as the kindly carriage driver said, it was too late for some to chase after pipe dreams.

But really, it was just as fae thought. The blond human seemed familiar, not of face but of deed. Blithe couldn't quite place a finger on it but it didn't matter all that much if none of faer well honed instincts were ringing any alarms. It was just going to be another thing that would endlessly bug Blithe until fae forgot about it all over again in a few days. Just like this carriage of quirky travellers shoved shoulder to shoulder by chance

Clapping faer hands together to draw the attention of everyone, Blithe stretched out a warm smile, tilting faer head in suggestion. "Well there be some parts that don't be too spun 'bout higher planes, best not ta dig too deep 'nto stranger's hearts, nay? We all be entitled to a mystery or ten." Fae smoothed out, attempting to pave over any unease that lingered within the cart. Perhaps being placated by a wide fanged smile wasn't quite the most reassuring thing to see but the rhythmic flow of Blithe's words at least got others to hear faer out. "Chester, sir, if ye be willin and trust'n of a stranger to do so, prithe' we take a look on th' waggon once we make detestation? We be familiar w' repain' carts, 'tis be a quick one no frettn'. Payn' dues if ye be more inclined."

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Liza breathed a sigh of relief as one of the passengers drew attention away from her. She was sure that they were all... nice creatures, although it was a bit disconcerting for them all to be focused on her. She decided to attempt and keep to herself more, relaxing a bit as the tension died down.

She understood that the festival had been important for many years, although now she didn't feel as nervous; almost as if she was filled with... excitement?. That couldn't be right. It had been so long since she had felt this, although it was a welcome feeling.

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Beige didn't visually react much, beyond shrinking back to their seat and returning to their neutral, gooey expression. The boy's hands returned to his lap, and he almost sighed, but bit it back through his sharp teeth. Beige couldn't help but feel a deep throb of pain from their throat as Liza's attention was averted -- it could not imagine anyone not knowing about the festival. It's gaze flickered as it heard the faint sigh from across the cart, but Beige remained quiet.

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The mustached man just let out a sigh of relief before chuckling "Alright, alright, my bad fellas! No one needs to get off the wagon or anything, let's all just settle down and get along, we aren't too far off from our destination so let's just let loose and prepare for y'all's big day, alright lads?! No hard feeling about the cut by the way!" he said, turning towards the fish lady during his final sentence before turning around and back towards to his usual seat.

Upon properly sitting down, he turned towards Blithe, his ears perking up when talks of wagon repairs came to be.
"Huh? You offerin' a free repair little purple lad?! Sure boss, who am I to stop ye? You will never catch me denying someone lending a free set of hands, HAHAH!" he laughed, choosing to ignore the later half about paying dues and the like.
"But are ye sure you can afford the time? People tend to be in a rush at the start of the festival, there is a limited amount of time to it all you know! Wouldn't want to stop you from making the most of it." He said with a little bit of genuine concern tainting his friendly demeanor.

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"Ho, quite a eccentric and impressive group we of species got here"

Alice whistled a tune of surprise and appreciation. This makes his job much easier knowing that his future-to-be teammates were multi-talented enough that he didn't have to take care of everything. Not that he was going to in the first place.

In a much better mood, he gazed expectantly at the little excited dragonborn and awaited for his answer. Afterall, he wasn't the type to forcefully enter a place he wasn't welcomed in. Afterall, what good would that do to both him and the opposite party?

It was best for everyone to get along with each other as long as they can possibly can, who knows how much damage a single rift among them can cost?

Alice has seen the damage all too well during his time on the battlefield. The third most deadly disease pardon from the enemy line and bacterial infection was themselves and the people they trust the most. And that was with folks that they were close to, so how much trouble would it be if an argument were to erupt within this messily group of strangers?

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Someone really should tell Blithe that faer smile really isn't as reassuring as they assume, the sight of gnarled tusks more than a little frightening. "Aye, ye don't build a home on ye dusty roads w'out repairn' a cart or ten w'th Time crawling up yer back! B'sides this don't be our first time parad'n these streets, we don't be too spun 'bout these things." Waving a clawed hand around dismissively, Blithe leaned against the edge of the wagon as best faer could, showing not one ounce of respect for the festival that they were all heading towards. A mocking smile teased its way across faer lips before it was swallowed by indifferent melencholy

Better for these strangers to see him as a lazy handytiefling rather than a potential party member. While fae wasn't staunchly opposed to adventuring, per say, faer priorities lay elsewhere and if Blithe were to tell any of faer troupmates of such an encounter, fae would most certainly be chased out to pursue the call of the Gods or some other nonsensical excuse that they conjured up. Just thinking of such a scenario made Blithe want to keep faer mouth shut.

The faintest wisps of smoke curled out from faer lips when Blithe exhaled, letting the tension seep out with the fading tendrils. The next time faer troupe master proposed that fae head out first, Blithe would lock faerself in faer tent.

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Beige's head popped up upon a the rickety cart meeting a stone bump in the road, to which the boy turned to check the street around them. It blinked slowly, fingers curling around the wood of the vehicle as it stabilised its sight line, sweeping across the surroundings with a sharp gaze. "We're close." He croaked, the forestry streets suddenly seeming so much more populated, the road slowly becoming a gradient from grass to russet and cream stone brick and stone. This was only the outskirts of the city, but it was still decorated in colourful bunting strewn from lamp to lamp.

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"HA! Love that energy lad! You need to tell me more about all her adventures sometime, yeah? Always interested to hear about how other folk get by out here, especially all the handy ones, they always make the best storytellers!"
Chester said to Blithe with a warm tone colouring his voice, he did seems genuinely excited to hear of another person that more so just gets by rather than someone who is simply itching for adventure.
"Oi, what do you say to getting to share some of her tales after we fix her up?! Could give ye a couple rides whether you want to repay ye for your efforts! Doesn't that sound lovely?!"
He added on, it did seem like the old man simply craved someone to hang out with and this deal doubled to also clear his conscious of benefiting from Blithes labour without paying faer back.

As Beige spoke, an excited tell once again escaped bro as he responded by saying
"HAHA! Getting familiar with the path aren't ya? You are very much correct little guy, it shouldn't be long till we finally reach our destination, just a little more patience lads!"
The closer they got, the grander the central landmark of the city seemed to get, a large rower signifying the center of it all and serving as the starting point for the facilities. Meanwhile other, mostly fancier carts seemed to slowly gather around ours, all heading towards the same way as the sound of horses running forward practically overtook any possible sound and conversation that could possibly take place.

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Lolling faer head towards Chester, Blithe let a lazy grin crawl over faer cheeks at the offer. "Aye, if Time be kind, trading stories be sounding mighty fine. " Fae agreed, tapping faer head with a finger before pinching faer fore and thumb together with quick almost crab like motions. Though to be honest, Blithe would probably simply go on a tirade about faer troupe instead of the travelling stories Chester probably was thinking he would hear.

Turning to look at the road at Beige's exclamation, Blithe watched as the scenery that previously was simply trees and shrubbery give way to the stone of civilization. It never got old, the slow transition from grinding dirt and rocks under wheel to the rhythmic bounce of cobblestone. It usually signalled the start of children who would eagerly scramble to make sure that their props were ready to be used and costume pieces were tied on tightly, the flurry of activity before their impromptu shows always chaotic no matter how many times Blithe warned them to be prepared. It was nice, for a chance, to simply sit and enjoy the ride without the knowledge that someone would be demanding faer attention for something or another

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Beige's ear twitched for half a moment, their pale eyes as glassy as ever as their head swung around the cart, as if looking for something that would draw his attention in a certain way. "Beige isn't sure if we have time for stories," It's head dipped lower, hanging his gaze uneasily. "Noise will take over soon. Festival can be... fast. Lots of noise." Truth be told, the Festival wasn't that noisy. Beige was just smaller than average, and greatly preferred the smaller, quainter areas, much like the cart. It wouldn't be long until it was already feeling sort of homesick to the cart and its calmness.

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Liza could feel the stones below rattle as the cart wheels rolled over them. She could see through a small crack in the floor too, the road moving below them at a steady pace. There were more carts surrounding them now, some quite elegant, others somewhat looking like palaces on wheels, although nothing could compare to the city ahead of them. However, no matter how different all the modes of transport were, they all had a common goal - to reach the festival. The man had said they were quite close now, were they not? Finally, the journey would be over, and the festivities would begin!

She smiled to herself, remembering how hard it had been to get these tickets, and now she may finally see why they were so hard. Sure, everyone may have thought she was strange for not knowing how important this was, but that wouldn't matter, right? And besides, maybe these creatures could end up being comrades in arms, or even friends?

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