Memento (Open, Festival of the Gods)

[Claire]

For once, it was exactly the right amount of hot in the marketplace. A familiar level of hot. So while the citizens of the city, normally accustomed to cooler weather were slumped in stalls and seeking shade, Claire felt perfectly, familiarly comfortable.

“So- you are equally unfamiliar with this festival. Right?” She looked over to Shy, scratching the back of her head, ruffling her shaggy dark hair. She looked over the crowds and stalls, watching vendors sell off masks and costumes and treats, watching citizens being pulled into dancing in the street, watching children run around attempting to pawn off candies and flowers to anyone passing by. It was nice, really. Seeing all these people so pleased. No one was looking twice at them, which relieved her greatly. They looked like a normal, if odd looking couple with Claire dressed like a man.

“For that ball… I suppose I will have to look like a man, then? But these costumes seem to be themed.” Claire frowned, thinking. “I have no idea what I would be dressed like. Something… imposing, maybe? Impressive.” she looked back to Shy. “What about you?”

[Deleted]

Séanait could feel the sweat trickling down her face as she and Claire walked about the marketplace. Claire was taking it in her stride, she seemed to be enjoying the weather, even, but Séanait felt like staying in the shade as much as possible. She'd grown up far to the south of the Silver Isle, so she was used to milder summers than this. Still, with her loose fitting linen shirt and lack of undergarments beneath her trousers, the heat was much more bearable than it might have been if she was still in the guards. Armour was a real burden on days like this.

Claire asked if Shy was equally unfamiliar with the festival. She nodded and said, "Yeah. I've heard bits and pieces about it, but I never paid much attention to it before."

As Claire started to think out loud about the ball and what she would wear, Séanait snuck a longing look at her, just for a brief instant, before looking away and focusing on a stall selling masks. She really hoped that Claire would be going as a man, because she looked just so handsome as one. And...Séanait didn't like to admit it to herself, but it would also mean that she could go dressed as a woman. After all, it would just draw unwanted attention if they went as an all male couple. That they might just go as a pair of unattached male friends was something Séanait deliberately didn't think about.

"Maybe you could go as a dragon. They're pretty imposing."

Séanait blushed when Claire asked her what she was thinking about wearing as a image of what she really wanted to be wearing popped into her head. Desperate to hide her blush, she looked around and spotted a wolf mask for sale by one of the vendors. She immediately turned to look at it and, as she got her blushing under control, said "Maybe a wolf. Something nice and fierce."

[Claire]

Claire laughed at the thought of a dragon. “Possible, but maybe too literal.” She scratched at her jaw, looking aside towards the dancing. “Wolf as well. I’m not a wolf! You really think too highly of me, Seanait.”

She paused at a stall, looking up at the dresses there. She looked at them, to Shy, then back to the dresses, then back to Shy. She grinned. “You. You should be something that should terrify all men. A goddess of war. With a helmet and armor and a dress! Practical in case you get into a scuffle.”

Claire threw an arm around Shy’s shoulders in a friendly gesture, tapping her own jaw. “What do you think? I would have to be a suitable companion for you.”

[Deleted]

Claire didn't seem to like either of Séanait's suggestions, which hurt her a little. Then again, maybe Claire just didn't think she fit the wolf motif well enough. Still, the rejection of her idea made Séanait hesitant to suggest anything else. The feeling she got when Claire rejected anything she suggested was just too close to what she imagined being rejected by her might feel.

Trying to keep acting naturally, Séanait laughed and gave Claire a light tap on the shoulder.

"Oh, come on! I'm sure you could pull it off."

Séanait frowned over at the armour and dressed Claire indicated. Even at this distance she could see that they wouldn't provide much protection. For one thing, they had large cups for breasts, and didn't even cover them completely. She was sure if she went over to examine them, she'd find that they were made from thin sheets of soft iron. After all, they were made to be sexy, not practical. Still, if Claire thought she might look good in them...

.c:237: wet error '' - babe overflow

It took a few moments for Séanait to fully comprehend the fact that Claire had one arm around her shoulder. CLAIRE HAD AN ARM AROUND HER SHOULDERS! It was a friendly gesture, she knew. It had to be, unless Claire had picked up on Séanait's feelings and reciprocated them, but a quick glance at Claire's face indicated that it was a purely platonic.

Séanait tried to think of something to say to make Claire laugh and maybe keep her arm there, but all she could think of was what it would be like to go to the ball with Claire. She could stand any kind of impractical armour for that.

With only the tinniest of hitches in her voice and a smile she was sure must be nervous, she asked, "Any breastplates catch your eye in particular?"

[Claire]

Claire made a sort of “Hrmmmmmmmmm.” noise as she looked over the breastplates, tapping against her chin as she looked them over. She recalled back, back to the time at the tournament- it felt so long ago now. And while she had enjoyed her costume then, she remembered Shy and Ilta’s barely disguised concern for her safety with the costume. It served her well enough, but Shy was usually more practical than her. So she tried to scope out the sturdiest-looking breastplate.

“Well… you were so concerned about my safety at tournament. So- hm.” she reached a hand up, then grinned, pointing to one of the studier-looking breastplates. It was shining steel, curved a bit higher up than the others and paneled down to the waist, clearly meant to be fitted there. It even came with shoulder plates attached. “Seems like the safest one! Which one do you like best?”

[Deleted]

Finn walked through the market with a broad grin on his face. He loved festivals like this. He carried his large sword casually over his shoulder, and his white silk shirt had a wide collar that made it comfortable in the heat and showed off his well toned physique. His pants were also made of silk but were forest green with golden trim, while the outfit was not elaborate the excellent craftsmanship of each piece made it clear that Finn was a man of means.

He walked around the market conversing with the people of the town, exchanging jokes and stories. Despite only having been in Nova for a little over a week Finn had established a reputation as a very laid back noble. Being both a war hero and a frequent customer of the second district taverns had done a good job of orienting him as a “noble of the people” or as some people referred to him 'a nob you could sit down and have a drink with'.

As he continues to walk around the festival he notices the Seanait and Claire. Initially he tries to figure out which noble the pair were serving, or if they were perhaps also nobles, but he soon realizes they were both foreigners and decides to wander over to say hello.

“Greetings gentlemen.” He calls out with a wave to the pair, flashing a smile of straight white teeth that seemed to sparkle from within his well trimmed dark beard. Though as he walks over and gets a better look at Shy he bows his head. “My apologies, gentleman and gentle lady.”

As he straightens up he wonders if he accidentally intruded upon a date, but decides to continue on anyways as leaving now would be even more awkward. “Are you two preparing for the coming festival?” As he asks this one of the market hawkers shouts something over to him and he laughs then calls back. “I'll be back to pick it up later.”

[Lucinda Noru]

It had been about a week since Lucinda came to Teair and she had yet to venture outside the castle. Typically, it was expected of any nobility, and particularly high nobility such as herself, to have someone accompany her when she wished to leave the castle. She knew there were probably guards in the market place somewhere though and she really wanted to see Teair and its people in their natural state, not all aflutter from her presence. She spent some time rummaging in her closet, looking for something that was slightly normal. Alli was coming with her, of course, and was currently watching her like she thought Lucinda was crazy.

Eventually Lucinda settled on a dress that was blue in color, with short sleeves and made out of a fabric similar to modern cotton. It had a lower neckline than she was used to in a V style but was otherwise plain. Yes, she borrowed it from her chamber maiden along with a pair rough leather shoes that the dress hid well. She left her hair down to rest against her shoulders and grabbed a leather bag, which she secured her wallet in though the bag itself was obviously empty.

Sneaking out of the castle was a bit trickier but her servant helped her out. She offered her fervent thanks and a gold pence for the trouble. Lucinda managed to find the market place all on her own and had to work to keep herself moving and looking at the same time. It was delightfully busy! There were people everywhere going about their daily lives, shopping or selling. The festival of the gods was well underway, with fun costumes featured and children playing. She couldn't keep the grin off her face but she did keep a tight hold on her satchel, which she had tied around her waist.

Rounding a corner, Lucinda wasn't really paying attention to where she was going but rather was checking out some of the masks and simply working her way between the booths. Suddenly, she hit something rather solid and realized she bumped into someone. "Oh! I'm very sorry, sir, please forgive me. You see, I'm not from around here and these masks are just delightful," she quickly apologized, before she even saw who it was. Looking up, Lucinda felt her face warm in a way that had nothing to do with the weather as she recognized Archduke Talrin. "Ah...Hello, Archduke."she said, obviously abashed, even more so considering her current attire and the fact that she was officially busted.

[Deleted]

As Finn begins to talk to the pair he feels someone run into him. He moves to try and catch her, but misses and ends up making a catching posture at open air, drawing several laughs from the people around him. Slightly flushed he gives an embarrassed but endearing grin and bends down extending a hand to help the poor girl up.

As he makes eye contact he freezes. This girl looks famili...ITS THE PRINCESS! He realizes, though he does an excellent job of maintaining his expression. "Sorry for the failed catch," he apologizes, though he does not bow his head. Instead he helps her to her feet. "Are you okay? I was just meeting these fine people who..."

Finn raises his hand to his chin, stroking his beard. "Sorry to ask, but are you by chance a noble from another country?" He asks Claire.

[Deleted]

Séanait walked over to the breastplates and, with the permission of the stall owner, examined the one Claire had pointed out. She rapped on it with a knuckle, listening to the sound and then proceeded to give the breasts a quick squeeze with her fingertips. The metal barely even flexed, and she gave it an appraising look. It was still a fool thing to wear into battle, but it was quite obviously good steel, perhaps even tempered. She was just about to ask what the price was, when someone called out, “Greetings gentlemen.”

When Séanait turned around to look at the man, he obviously say the faint shapes of her breasts beneath her shirt - she hadn't wrapped her breasts this morning - and the man amended his greeting to, “My apologies, gentleman and gentle lady.”

The man was obviously a nobleman, based on his clothing and the massive sword he carried over one shoulder. He seemed friendly enough and probably hadn't approached them because he thought they were likely ladies, so Séanait resisted the urge to let her hand fall to the hilt of her langseax and smiled, bobbing her head and leaning forward ever so slightly to show some degree of respect. She'd heard about a duke who had been mixing with the commons and thought he might be this man, otherwise she would have bowed somewhat deeper in order to avoid getting into a fight or being arrested.

Séanait waited for Claire to speak, deciding to take the role of both a subordinate and a woman for once, and noticed a pretty young lady walking towards them. She felt guilty, almost as if she was betraying Claire - a very new feeling for her - and looked away for a moment. When she looked back, the young lady was in the process of colliding with the nobleman, and she cursed herself. She couldn't let her feelings distract her like that.

In the aftermath of the collision, Séanait learned that she had indeed been correct and that the nobleman was one and the same as Archduke Talrin. She shot a questioning glance to Claire, trying to ask if they should use this opportunity to get in with the Archduke. He could be useful to their plans if he could be brought over to their side.

[Claire]

Claire grinned as Shy appraised the armor. “Do you like it? It at least looks strong-” Claire paused, turning a little to look at the man who just addressed them. She gave the man a strange look, raising an eyebrow at him, then looked back to Shy for clarification. Maybe she knew who this man was? She looked back to the man.

“Yes. Who are-” she paused as the pretty young woman ran into the man and addressed him as an archduke. She had to fight a smile looking at the young woman- obviously pretty and sheltered by the clear and pale state of her skin and shininess of her hair but was dressed in clothing that did not suit her at all. A young lady trying to go rustic with the commoners. How funny. A sudden charming smile came over Claire’s face and she smoothed back her shaggy dark hair.

“Yes, is it that obvious? I have arrived just in time, I see! This sort of festival is so familiar to home.” Her accent was back and smooth and she looked back to Shy, grinning before she looked back to the archduke. What luck.

“I am a <lying bastard>, which I believe is what an ah- archduke is in my country. How wonderful!” Claire bowed at the waist, taking the young woman’s hand pale and soft hand, her own hand calloused and a warm, russet bronze by comparison. She kissed it. “I am Castile of Verdonia and this-” she gestured to Shy, “-is my very charming bodyguard and companion in this strange place, Seanait.” she straightened up, placing a hand on her hip.

“I do not know your names, however. Or should I just call you ah- <fool> and <clumsy>? Charming and beautiful, in my tongue.”

[Lucinda Noru]

Lucinda allowed Finn to help her up and proceeded to brush herself off, still obviously embarrassed despite him not blowing her cover though he clearly recognized her. "No, no, it's fine, really. That was completely my fault. I really must watch where I'm going," she insisted, "Thank you, though." she added, looking at him pointedly.

Once she was on her feet again, she tried to catch up with the conversation at hand. She was watching Claire more carefully than Seanait and was slightly suspicious of her behavior but didn't let on. Instead, she merely allowed the 'foreign archduke' to kiss her hand, continuing to play her role. "You honor me, Lord Castile," she said, curtseying slightly, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, though I am sorry you had to see that and that I interrupted your conversation with Lord Talrin. My name is Luci. Welcome to Teair. I hope you find it to your liking?," she continued, smiling warmly at the two.

Directing her attention back to Finn, Lucinda gave him an apologetic look. "My apologies, Lord Talrin, for running into you. I'll admit though, that there are worse people to have such accidents with and it is good to see you again. I trust you've been well?" she said, making light conversation and smiling. Even in her maid's clothes, she was still beautiful and looked out of place amongst the rest of the commoners.

[Deleted]

As the exchange finishes Finn crosses his arms and smirks after helping the princess up and listening to the exchange. When Claire gives them both nicknames he raises an eyebrow and replies. “In that case I believe I should also give you a name in honor of your kindness <limp sword>” He deems Castile, it was not hard to know when one was being mocked and he dealt with other cultures before, he knew this trick.

“But these names are confusing so might I suggest we just stick to Novarian?” He asks with a gentle smile. He watched Castile and shook his head, he'd have believed the man was a lesser noble, but his claims to be the equivalent of an arch-duke seemed...suspect. That aside the greetings seemed generally fine so he took the reply as the standard racism that happened amongst people of different cultures. He looks over at Lucinda and decides not to out her in public.

“Well then Lady Luci, if you would do me the honor of accompanying myself and these fine gents, assuming you would be willing to bear with my company?” He asks Claire and Shy with a tilt of his head. Though realizing he had yet to introduce himself he gives the pair a deep bow. “Greetings to you both, my name is Finn Talrin, Arch-duke of the northern reaches and first sword the legion of the hawk.” He introduces, using his formal title.

"So what is everyone looking for? Shopping is more fun when done with others right?"

[Deleted]

Now that the girl was part of the conversation, Séanait was able to examine her with a minimum of embarrassment. She was pretty enough, "cute", even, although Séanait wasn't fond of that word. The pale skin of the girl's cleavage, exposed by the V in the bodice, obviously belonged to someone who either didn't normally expose that much skin or who stayed inside a lot. Judging by the way the girl spoke and held herself, not to mention her apparently familiarity with the as yet unnamed Archduke, she was a member of the nobility. The clothing was very plain and basic, which suggested that she was trying to blend in with the "commons" and had borrowed a dress from her maid or another female servant. This suggested high nobility to Séanait, because a member of the lower nobility probably would be able to go outside dressed in much the same as their ordinary clothing.

As all the introductions were made and the nobles practically ignored Séanait, which she had expected, she gave Finn a more detailed look, decided that he was definitely be a dangerous opponent, and then went on to consider what their strategy should be from here on in. Thankfully Claire hadn't used words that either of the two could understand to insult them - Séanait nearly ruined her look of polite deference when Claire named herself a "lying bastard" with a laugh - and neither of them appeared outwardly suspicious of Claire's claim to being the equivalent of an archduke. That had been a mistake in Séanait's opinion. She shouldn't have gone for anything above a baron. Still, they could probably spin her exotic nature and lack of familiarity with Novan customs into some semblance of a noble barbarian lord.

As Lucinda introduced herself, Séanait gave a slight bow and returned the warm smile with a brief one of her on, but didn't say anything. Right now she was trying to play the part of a foreign bodyguard who was more a friend to her employer than an employee and who didn't have much experience with protocol. She hoped it would give her more leeway to begin engaging them in conversation later on.

Finn gave a deep bow and formally introduced himself, so Séanait returned the gesture, although she didn't quite bow as far. She'd decided to play the noble barbarian as well, which meant that it wouldn't be in character to bow too deeply. She didn't reply to Finn's question, though, glancing over at Claire as waiting for her to answer first.

[Deleted]

Kail had gotten to Nova the other evening and had gotten a room at the Gallow's Inn. He had gotten an outfit that would fit in with the people of Nova. The blond had spent a good amount of coin on the outfit and was wearing it for the day. It gave a appearance that he was a noble or at least a upper class citizen of Nova or from a near by country. To his side was his golden long blade, Sting, and Destiny his enchanted knife. The long sword was on his left side in a sheath and Sting was on the right. Destiny was in a sheath inside his coat as a emergency weapon. The blond was currently in the shopping district to at least get himself a few things before night fell apon him. He walked along until he saw Séanait and Claire. But was not sure how to approach the two, as it seemed that Claire was crossdressing as man. The blond never got Claire's alter ego name so walked up normally but showing a bit of caution.

Since he as a Fated were still kind of wanted people and he sure as heck knew Claire and Shy were more wanted then himself. Since Kail saw two people talking with them, a very pretty blond haired girl. The other was some kind of rich guy betting his money on someone from the nobility. Now the blond had to be super careful, could he BS his way through stuff. I he had to create a fictional nation within Nova? Kail was going to make sure that he did not get caught or get found out. So the blond went to a stall near by to browse what they had and was showing a great amount of calm even though he was sweating bullets on the inside.

[Claire]

Claire laughed again, brightly. "No, no Lords! I'm not that important." She tilted her head back to Shy, shrugging. "It is fine enough, a bit cold for me! I nearly froze my feet off last night." She blinked at Finn as he swapped languages to a tongue she didn't recognize.

Then she burst into loud, bright, mirthful laughter. So he knew how to play this game too. She reached over, thumping him in a friendly way on the shoulder, like a warrior friend. "You're funny. You are Finn? Or should I call you ah, Lord Talrin." The formal title sounded odd rolling off her tongue but Finn sounded perfectly friendly, natural. She nodded to Lucinda as well. "Luci. Or is it Lady Luci as well?"

Claire looked back to Shy again as if she were a very helpful translator. "Are all ladies addressed as Lady here? I get so confused in translation sometimes." She smiled back to the nobles, embarrassment creeping in. "Your language is so different from my own, I apologize. And of course you may join us if my companion does not object. We are shopping for her at present. A warrior goddess, don't you agree?"