Music Festival - RPLOG
Participants
Date
12/9/476
Log
Early in the evening after a hard day's work. Saint's Square has been decorated quite gaily, the cobbles swept impeccably clean, bright, coloured lights and streamers hanging from many of the usual street lights. On one corner of the square, a stage has been set up to accommodate a band, complete with seating for a goodly number of beings. On the other, the firstfruits of the autumn harvest - or at least, those to reach Firmament - have been set out for those to enjoy, and a few vendors ply their wares amongst the crowd. The mood of the well-policed crowd isn't exactly overjoyed, but it's a sight better than the damp pallor that's hung over Firmament for the last couple of weeks or so.
Leian wanders into the area, her tail swaying excitedly behind her, flute in hand as she looks about at the patronage who had arrived, and already prepared for listening, talking amongst themselves. She smiles to the children playing games with one another, and then nervously to the stage " Well.. This will certainly be my biggest challenge yet, in my music.." she sighs to herself, ears twitching as she moves slowly closer
Emmett looks quite at home here in the Saint's Square, and in fact, Firmament's newest priest was likely involved in at least some way. The goat never seems terribly bothered by high security, and in fact puts on a rather pleasant demeanor, meandering through the crowd and schmoozing with various people, always with a smile, sometimes with a chuckle. Sometimes the people around him groan.
Festival! Such wonderful things at these events. Music, people, food, food, and lovely food for growing lions to enjoy. Knowing the event was coming, Dio took an early nap through most of the day, which sometimes he does anyways, and eagerly made his way for the square with a high amount of energy and an empty stomach. "Oh hoh! Would ya look at that!" The lion spots the array of food from the harvest and quickly makes his way towards it, nearly hopping the entire journey there.
As Leian makes her way towards the stage, a rather familiar goshawk is there too, sitting with one leg folded against the other, her violin resting against the base of her chair. "Ah, you're finally here, Leian. We ought to be beginning soon - there's a bit of a crowd."
And indeed there is - both on the stage, where a small band of beings has assembled with various accompanying instruments, and off the stage. Dio gets to see the tables - an impressive array of fresh fall fruit, hot porridge and tea, and every lion's favourite, meat, in all its noble forms. As the band prepares to play, though, a herald calls out from above the crowd: "Please make way for the arrival of Lord Angus Solacious, who will be representing his House today and has brought us this wonderful event for all of Firmament! If there are any priests in the crowd, perhaps one of them could step up to give their blessings upon the event?"
Well, there's the introduction, Time to arrive! A familiar looking hat could be seen making its way through the crowd, the fox underneath it smiling as he looks around. "Evening everyone! I hope you're having a good time?" His voice was load enough to be heard over the crowd as he makes his way to the stage, actually looking presentable for once as he mounts the steps and turns to face the crowd. "So, is everyone ready to start?"
Leian nods to Sveta, smiling a bit shyly " I feel so nervous.. But yes, soon we should begin, lest they grow restless. I look forward to all the dancing that may happen, in the cleared space. I trust that there was a good turnout of players? We all mostly.. Well.. Did practice seperately, and I hope that does not cause trouble.. I'd dislike to end up dissapointing.. I already worry as is with such a crowd."
Emmett blinks. "Oh my. Maybe I should..." The goat raises a hand, grinning, and makes his way to the front. "I would be happy to assist." He's a little nervous; clearly he's still new to his role, but what better way to practice? He steps up to the stage, turns toward the crowd, takes a deep breath, and smiles. "On this day of celebration, we give thanks to the Creators and the Saints for all we have been given. To Saint Erick, we are thankful for being given the spark of life that makes us the beings we are. To Saint Benna, we are thankful for paving the way for all of us. To Saint Patricia, we are thankful for joining us with our plantfolk kin and ensuring our survival. To Saint Leon, we are thankful for being given the potential to dance in the air and hole fire in our hands, letting the water be our ally and the earth to yield bounty and shelter. To Saint Hiroshi, we are thankful for being granted a higher purpose and granting us meaning. To Saint Alan, we are thankful for being granted our independence, that we may thrive under the wisdom of the Creators. And to Saint Theodore, we are thankful for being taught to come together as clans and celebrate our differences. And it is these differences, our strengths and weaknesses, that lead some to be priests, some to be guardians, and others to be stewards of the land, bringing us the bountiful harvest that sustains us all. And it is now to our farmers that we give our thanks. Creators bless this harvest and let us thrive so that we may continue to honor you with our actions, our words, and our lives, and those who will come after us." He bows his head and nods, a hand on his heart, and he steps down.
When there's so many choices of what to eat, where do you start? Now some people prefer the multi-course approach, starting light with perhaps a salad and then ramping up into soups and meats later on. However, this lion needed a filling meal... And fast! There's no time for silly lettuce! Dio makes himself a large bowl of porridge to warm his bones and gives it a good testing sip. Mmm, just right. Goldilocks would be pleased. Hearing the arrival of the multi-tailed flying fox, he sets down his bowl and turns around to view his entrance, leaning up against the table and smiling. About to go back to his meal, he pauses once more to listen to the blessing and claps afterwards with his large hands. "Not too bad lad," he says under his breath before turning back to the bounty before him!
Angus claps after Emmett's prayer, nodding to Emmett as he smiles and turns back to the crowd. "A grand prayer Emmett, a grand prayer. Welcome one and all the the Festival, I really hope everyone is having a good time here. Because if not we will just have to try harder, who's ready to hear the band?" He asks, this fox was never truely one for speechs. Shadows and blades where the crowds he was use to, but he shall do what he can with the words he has. Since he was the one to represent the Solacious house today.
Hearing both Angus' arrival being heralded and Emmett give his blessing upon the event - the crowd coming to a quiet standstill as the goat priest does so - Sveta gives Leian a still, formal nod and picks up both violin and bow, signalling to the rest of the band to begin on Leian's lead, seemingly oblivious to Angus' presence. "Just do as we've been practising, and we'll be fine. Leian, if you will, please...?"
As the music prepares to begin, a couple of House Solacious retainers step up. "This way, Lord Solacious." As befitting his station, Angus is escorted to a rather lavish private pavillion where he's able to get a close up view of the performance. All that's needed is a vixen to feed him grapes and complete the picture...
Leian's tail twitches as she nods, walking up the stage, and standing at the front of it, taking in a deep breath as she takes her flute up to her muzzle, and closes her eyes softly. She begins to start playing the flute, starting the tune with a light opening, as the patrons sitting before the stage begin to quiet down to listen
Emmett gives a polite, embarrassed sort of chuckle and shakes his head. "It- it was nothing. Just doing what I can," the goat says, slipping back into the crowd for now. He offers a big smile and wiggles fingers in greeting, in passing, as Angus replaces him up front, and he watches the fox be escorted off. "Poor fellow. I don't think I envy him right now," the goat murmurs. He wanders over toward the food and starts preparing a small platter of breads and produce to enjoy, and his attention then turns toward the stage once more. "Mmmm... music," he murmurs happily with a big smile.
What a fine little place the fox-kit has got goin' there. Fancy folks and their fancy booths... Who needs 'em! Dio returns focus to what's truly important. With carnivorous clawed hands, he begins filling up his plate with piles of meat with little to no discrimination. Luckily, the lion knows how to make a balanced meal, so he promptly puts a bit of bread on top of his pile. Plate and porridge bowl in hand, he makes his way through the crowd with very careful footsteps, making damn sure he doesn't spill anything along his travels. Luckily, he only managed to spill a few drops of his porridge and flopped down into a seat, getting comfortable and leaning back to relax, eat, and listen to the music.
As soon as he's off the stage Angus lets out and explosive sigh and just notds to the retainers. "Alright." He mutters, more then happy to get out from under the watch for eye of the crowd for a few seconds as he makes his way to the booth. He looks around, frowning as he would rather be out in the crowd instead of in this private booth as he flops on his chair and orders a drink.
So what if he was late, and missed the blessing and the opening. Like people actually go to festivals for that sort of thing. Nope, it's all about the food and the music, and it's just in time for this that Ozwalt wanders into Saint's square. Excellent timing as far as he's concerned. He moves through the crowd like a boat through the ocean, apologizing when he bumps into someone, which he does frequently, but moving along his course as if it was the furthest thing from his mind. The foremost thing on his mind is the spread of food, which he's making a direct beeline for. As soon as he's at the table, all sorts of things start appearing on his plate, seeming as if there's not a single thing he won't shove in his mouth given the chance. Pig.
Indeed, as the music begins, led by Leian, many of the festival-goers stop to listen, either taking a seat or still standing. The band's music wafts over the square, serene, peaceful, and for a moment - helped by the free food provided by both House Solacious and the Crown - the worry that there might not be enough to eat in all of Sweetwater is temporarily allayed by the spread. Sure, Cliffside might be doing its best to starve out the kingdom...but at least here and now in Saints' Square, that little tidbit of information is forgotten as servers hurry to refill the buffet. Even Angus has something from it brought to him at his discretion, along with a cold, tall glass of something with a cherry and umbrella stuck in it. Ah, the exquisite privileges of nobility.
Leian murrs softly as she plays the flute, the wind in the area picking up a bit, ruffling her dress and her fur softly in the breeze as she plays, her ears lays back in concentration as the tune slowly picks up, a few leaves seem to begin dancing in the air with eachother before her, as the breeze holds them in the air
Emmett is quite happy to enjoy a bit of food after having given his concise little speech. Well, maybe not so concise. Since he's so near to the food himself still, Emmett gives Dio a rather nervous glance, though he says nothing. After all, so few people are talking thanks to the lovely music! Ozwalt catches his eye though, and he gazes at him for a moment, thinking to himself, making mental notes perhaps. Munch munch. For now, goat-priest is happy to be in the back.
First, the porridge. Porridge priority, to prepare the body and soul for the income bounty of meat. Dio picks up his bowl and slurps it down, occasionally taking a break to rest his tongue from the brutal onslaught of hot liquid. Sensitive mouth! Setting the bowl aside, the true meal begins. Dio picks up his plate and takes a leg o' meat to his mouth, viciously ripping it apart with his sharp teeth and making a mess upon his face-fur once more. What a wonderful day it was, made better by the soothing music and lovely crowd. Not getting shot at was pretty great too, and it was nice to keep his mind off the whole food shortage that's been a heavy topic for the past few weeks.
Angus stares at the glass in his hand now, trying not to burst out laughing as he takes the cherry out of it and pops it in his mouth. He takes a sip as he removes his hat, grabbing the tiny umbrella and placing it behind one ear before he stand up and rests his hat on the chair. "I'm going to head out and walk around, chat with the crowd. For the rest of the festival have fun, I can't give you the rest of the day off but I can order you to party." He smirks at the retainers before he walks off into the crowd to see who he can find.
At least green has made it onto the boar's plate, not all meat here. Oz notices Emmett out the corner of his eye, giving the priest one of those odd grins that says 'nice to meet you, please don't ask if I've been to services lately, m'kay?' Instead he finishes his awkward grin by shoving a piece of lettuce wrapped beef in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully for a moment as he turns to survey the crowd gathered in the square. A fairly easy task considering a good portion of them don't meet his own height.
As Leian finishes her first tune, the stage is illuminated by a colourful display of fireworks, being set off from backstage and rising to the sky where they burst into numerous crysanthemums of red, blue, yellow and green - followed by one enormous one that's supplanted by fire magic and explodes vaguely into the shape of the Good King's face, although it's a little hard to tell at this distance. Angus' guards look somewhat uneasy at the lordling's proposal, but do indeed back off and allow him into the crowd.
The mood seems set, thanks to the bread and circuses, and the crowd appears quite livened up and raring to go for Leian's next tune.
Leian smiles softly at the crowd before she nods softly " The next one.. Shall tell a tale of one who is bold, and daring, seeking to find the one in which the stars have set to be his bride. Only to find that she is held captive by one who he must best, to win her to his side." she begins to play a new melody, it starts with the sounds of one who might indicate a hero seeking adventure
Emmett applauds for the wonderful tune played! He really seems to like that! However, he takes advantage in the lull between tunes to face Ozwalt. And that grin, that odd sort of grin, seems to disarm him as he's about to speak. Maybe that really WAS what the goat wanted to say. So he clears his throat and tries another tactic. "...Hello! I don't believe we've had the pleasure of being acquainted," says Emmett to Ozwalt, having just finished swallowing something green. "Which, unfortunately, is hardly a surprise for me since I've been so very occupied by my duties these days. I'm Emmett," he offers, though he's hesitant whether he wants to offer a hand. The boar's hand might be messy... "Ooh, a musical tale of romance. How delightful, eh?"
It didn't take long for Dio to consume most of the meal upon his plate, leaving behind a messy area, stained hands, and a dirty face full of crumbs and various other foods. For a brief moment, he wonders if perhaps nobles have someone to clean such things for them. Maybe that's why they're so clean... Wiping his hands upon his pants, the lion gets up from his seat and looks about the crowd for something or someone to entertain him.
Angus was rather glad his guard decided not to argue, he would not have been happy if he had ruined anothers mood beause of a scuffle. He walked through the crowd, stopping to chat with those who would catch his attention before he finally manages to make his way towards the food. Arriving at Emmett's side he smiles. "Hello again Emmett, and hello there sir" He lifts his drink in greeting when he finally notices Ozwalt and he smiles to him.
Ozwalt shoves something else in his mouth, perhaps cheese, as he eyes the priest sideways. Though when the question he was dreading isn't asked he seems to relax a little. Not all the way, but a bit, after all, the question still might be coming. "No, I, ah, don't think we have." He shifts which hand his plate is in, offering Emmett the cleaner of the two, despite it being his left hand. "Ozwalt.. Oz." Oh yes, music, there's a topic he can get behind. He follows the goats gaze towards the stage, his eye staying on the wolfess perhaps more than the rest of the troupe. "Yeah, romance is good. The ones about battle are better, least this one has a fight." And now there's a noble. Ozwalt looksnervous again, now with two things he normally avoids staring him down. "Ah, you too, sir.. M'lord, sir.." Not awkward at all.
Sveta's eyes are closed in concentration, her bow moving across her violin's strings smoothly, seemingly oblivious to the fireworks and hubbub of the crowd. The goshawk's wings rest close to her body, her face a mask of meditative concentration as she follows Leian's tune.
It seems that the festival is quite the astounding success, amidst fears of a poor turnout. But could there be one, considering the free food? In any case, the event seems set to stretch long into the night, perhaps even moreso than expected, washing away uglier thoughts from the minds of many, even if only for a little while.
Leian's tune continues on, leading to a gradual confrontation and battle, which soon leads to a happy end in the battle, as the two starcrossed lovers are united.. However, in the tune it turns to tragedy in the end, as the one tune representing the lady becomes that of one being as though she had been hurt in some way, and soon shall pass.
