Re: Goldsand Beach~Harvest Festival

[Leanan]

"Not in this one, but in the knife throwing, definitely", Stormcloud replied to Kaimeta. As the High One made her announcement, Stormcloud made her way to the front of the crowd - simply because if she stayed in the back rows, the taller elves standing in front of her would block her view. She sat there, among the children and youngsters, and like them, was just as excited to see how the contest would turn out. She had no particular favorite, but was determined to root for any of her tribemates taking part. After all, they were WolfFolk, hunters by nature!

--

Snaketwist, too, arrived to watch the contests. He stood in the back row, near his own tribemates. Emotions could get high during these contests, if someone accused a rival of cheating, or there were arguments about bets and such among the audience. For himself, all he wished that things would stay peaceful. Whoever won was the best archer this day, and he failed to understand why that seemed so important to some elves. There would be a festival again next year, and every year after that. In his three hundred and then some years, Snaketwist had seen many winners in these contests - far too many to remember even a fraction of them. To him, the contests were not the most important part of the festival - although he would try his best if he was selected for the tug-of-war.

[Delhya]

Brooksong nodded at Sunsongs comment. "Yeah I am hoping for spear throwing contest myself" she replied.
She scanned the crowd, everyone was grouping with their own tribe again it looked for the start of the games. There were a few exceptions here and there though she noted happily. She glanced up to the special seating for the leaders and elders, to see her father, Kaimeta and Tidemist talking. Serpent fang she had lost track of in the crowd if he was even in it.

[Ember Robinwood]

Serpent Fang stood tall, eyes narrowed as he watched the elves gathering for the archery competition. He had little care for archery (a useless skill for a SeaFolk, he thought). He would watched, though, in case another scuffle arose. His expression was dark at this thought, anger towards Kaimeta's gentle yet firm scolding. He wasn't a pip and didn't need her treating him like one.

**If you make another such comment, Tern, I will gut you like a fish after the festival,** Serpent Fang lock-sent back grimly. He didn't know exactly where the younger elf had gotten to, but he wasn't afraid to give him a thrashing.

--

Ridge laughed at Tern's comment and light shove. Yes, they would look fine with a sheen of sweet on their skin, but that wasn't something he was willing to say. He blushed deeply, looking away from the sea-elf. He would have helped set up, but he didn't want to lose track of his companion.

Ridge didn't reply to Tern's comment that he could go and help set up. He wanted to help, but he also wanted to stay with Tern. If Tern wasn't going to set up then he supposed he could stay here as well.

"Yes, I will be competing!" Ridge said suddenly, hearing Kaimeta's call. He smiled at Tern as he draped the flowers that were meant to be the chieftess over his head. With a shake of his head, still smiling, he removed them, handed them back to Tern, and smiled warmly (albiet wistfully, "Give them to your chieftess."

He turned in the soft sand, dashing away from Tern towards the now set up targets. He waved over his shoulder, lock-sending, **I'll find you later!**

As Ridge ran he turned his attention from Tern and to the task at hand. He wasn't a spectacular archer, but he was an adequate one. He'd left his bow with his wolf-friend just within the shelter of the trees. He never left the Holt without it and hadn't made an exception even this time.

**Pathfinder!** He lock-sent to his wolf. **Bring my bow.** The mind of his wolf felt furry, almost like Sunsong's did when he sent to her.

Ridge reached the group of archers just as Pathfinder came racing out of the tree cover, Ridge's bow clasped between his fangs. The wolf stood still while Ridge accepted the bow, but only allowed Ridge to scratch him behind the ears rather than a allow for a friendlier greeting.

**Thanks, Pathfinder,** Ridge lock-sent to his wolf-friend. **Wait for me until after the festival.**

Pathfinder gave a sharp, short growl and retreated back to the tree cover to wait for his elf-friend. Ridge watched him with a fond look before turning back to the targets. He knew he stood very, very little chance of winning, but he was doing this for fun.

[WolfCandy]

**Sounds fun**, Tern lock-sent in return, a chuckle floating along with his mind's voice. He scanned the crowd to see if he could catch sight of the other elf, but wasn't able to.

"Good luck!" Tern called as his new friend sprinted off, "I'll be cheering for you, handsome!" He watched Ridge for a moment longer before he glanced down at the flower chain that was back in his hands.

Deciding that he had a little time before the competition started, Tern casually sauntered over to the chiefs and High One. "Fair winds and tides," he said respectfully to the group, dipping his head a little in each's direction, "High One, chief, chieftess." He held out the flowers for Tidemist. "The flowers you requested, maiden," he said with a charming smile.

[Delhya]

Straystar looked over as Tern approached them all and handed Tidemist a necklace of flowers. He leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees.  

"Awww Tern you only brought one for your lovely Chieftess and the HighOne has one too. I feel left out." he said with a mischievous smirk.

Windgrace walked up to the archery tournament line bow in hand their was a lot more elves partaking it it than she thought. That was good it would make it more challenging. She smile at Ridge it was good to see him doing something besides minding cubs, he needed to get out of the Holt more. She thought to herself.

[Tidemist]

Tidemist smiled as she talked idly with the elders, half watching the elves that were lining up. She turned her head though when Tern approached and gave her the chain of flowers. “Oh thank you! I had forgotten about these...it seems like everything is happening at once.” she began twining the flowers in her braids, breathing the scent in deeply and smiled at Tern's manner, not fooled for a moment. She chuckled under her breath at Straystar's mock whining.

[WolfCandy]

“There are many more where this came from, wolf-chief” Tern replied, grinning. He enjoyed the chief of the WolfFolk. Chiefs needed to be more like Straystar, in Tern’s opinion; the sea-elf had never liked serious leaders like Serpent Fang. “I only come with this because it was a special request. May I have your permission to bring you a blue one, maybe? To match a pair of lovely eyes?” Tern took the crown of white flowers from his own head, “Or,” he said, “If you are so eager, I would be honoured to have you wear this one.”

“They suit you perfectly, chieftess,” Tern noted as he returned his attention to Tidemist.

[Delhya]

Straystar tipped his grass hat up a little higher on his brow with a smirk leaning back into his chair, "one to match my eyes sounds grand Tern. I think I can be patient enough to wait, as long as you don't get to miss any of the festival watching."  he said with a chuckle.

[Apogee]

With all the activity starting, Sunsong rose from her relaxed sprawl on the sand, and took a look at what was going on. She saw her Chief sitting next to the Sea elves' chieftess... Her mind wandered rapidly to both how different they were, and what similarities they had. Though she hadn't been around the Sea elves often enough to know, she did know that her chief was much more relaxed than some wanted him to be.

Sunsong got the briefest sensation that the dangerous looking lanky male Sea elf over there - what was his name, she didn't even really know - had been involved in that little scuffle. She sighed, and settled in to watch what contests were being set up. They were one people, but...

She looked at her own furry wrists, and felt her tail move as it would. She had had to have her clothing made so that it could erupt at any time out from her rump. And, she knew that maybe some day, she'd be in control over it, but... It served as a reminder that their tribes were very different indeed, no matter their closeness.

[Delhya]

Brooksong sat down next to Sunsong. "You look a little too deep in thought there, this is a fun day as my father puts it. No gloomy thoughts or faces my friend." She smiled and winked at the she-elf. "Do you like sweetsuckles?" She said digging into her pouch for one

[Apogee]

The blond elf almost startled, but then laughed, and leaned heavily on Brooksong's side.

There was something about being able to get away with that whole 'wolfy eyebrows' look when you actually looked like a wolf!

"You know I do!" Sunsong laughed once more. She could smell the flowers already!

[Delhya]

Brooksong grinned and handed her cousin four of the flowers, with a grin. " I had to ask, apparently not everyone in both tribes does. Just wanted to make sure you did not have a change of taste with that serious look of yours." she giggled leaning back into Sunsong and let out a content sigh chewing on a blossom of her own.

[Apogee]

Sunsong relished the sweet flavor, along with the faint odd texture that the flowers brought when she chewed them.

"Well, some," she said while carefully peering across the group of elves, "don't like the cooked meats or all those fancy things the Sea folk put into their food, either." Realizing that she didn't have to remain lounging on her cousin's lap just to get a sweet flower treat, she sat up and more properly looked at the large gathering.

"I guess ... some of our foods... and our habits, they're sort of simple compared to all the work that they put into things here."

Sunsong got a brief glimpse at the blue-haired elf that prepared one of the delicious raw-fish dishes, it almost looked like she was throwing tiny little spines at equally tiny flies to keep them away from the food.

[Tidemist]

Tidemist giggled a little at the interactions between Tern and Straystar. She leaned back against her seat and glanced over, only a little surprised to see Kaimeta had fallen asleep in her chair. She chuckled then turned and watched as more elves from both tribes joined the archery line. One by one, they drew back their arrows and let fly at the target. Many were very close to the center of the target, but only one got the closest. One of the elders stood and congratulated him in front of the tribes, and gave him the items donated as a prize. She smiled as the elf walked smugly back into the crowd with their new belongings. Realizing the next contest needed to start, Tidemist pulled herself to her feet.

“Alright, volunteers! Remove the arrows, and the elves who want to compete in knife throwing, line up at the sand line and get ready!” she yelled, both vocally and in sending so everyone could hear her. Satisfied, she sank back into the chair and gratefully accepted a drink another elf was passing out. She sipped it, and was delighted to taste her favorite fruit juice, goldenprickle fruit. She took an enthusiastic gulp of it.

[Apogee]

Coral leaned against the banquet 'table', glancing over at Pearlsheen. "You know, you're really good with those knives, you should-"

"The mere suggestion that I throw these knives," the blue-haired elfess exclaimed breathlessly, "into some wooden or fur target!" She harrumphed and walked back behind the serving area, where she'd been set up for days before the gather.

[Ember Robinwood]

Ridge was among those to fine their arrows at the target. He took careful aim, drawing the bowstring back to his ear. Focusing down the shaft at the target. He released the arrow, the bowstring twanging in his ear. With a rush of satisfaction he saw the arrow hit the target. It was a ways off center, but that was alright. He'd forgotten how good it was to have his bow in his hands, to feel the ripple of muscles, and see the arrow speeding on towards its destination. He remembered how much he'd missed hunting! There were drawbacks to being a cub-minder; it was something he loved doing, but he ended up missing out on some aspects of tribe life (like hunting regularly).

Ridge clapped as the winner strode over to claim his prizes. Ridge had know he didn't stand a chance and it didn't both him in the least that he hadn't even come close. He spied Brooksong and Sunsong lounging, eating sweet-suckles, and talking. He walked over to them and dropped down beside them with a smile.

"Hello, you two," Ridge said warmly. "Are you enjoying the festival?" He hoped he wasn't invading their privacy by joining them or disrupting their conversation.

[Apogee]

Sunsong nodded, aware that she was slightly furrier than she normally was, and hummed out, "mmm hmm!"

As the elves scurried around Sunsong wondered whether she would find some contest that she'd enter. What she really wanted to do was just lounge around on this nice warm sand and observe, but with so many people to meet and her belly full of delicious 'fish cakes' - there was no hunting to be done. She thought it was reasonably safe to just be there, just relax and enjoy. It looked as though some few others were still unable to take their eyes off of the 'other tribe', and not in a good way. But they would always do that.

[WolfCandy]

“I will fetch it for you as soon as this competition has finished,” Tern replied with a smile. He stepped to the side of the chiefs, high one, and elders, and watched the archers loose their arrows. “Go Ridge!” he shouted, wondering if the elf would hear him.

After watching the winner receive their prize, and clapping loudly, he let his eyes return to the competition spot. However, Ridge wasn’t there. So, Tern headed for his pile of crowns and necklaces, deciding he would search for Ridge to congratulate him on his good aim later.

Once at the pile, it was easy to spot a necklace that would suit Straystar. Sitting on the top was a simple all blue necklace which he snatched up.
Humming lightly, Tern returned to the chief. “Straystar,” he said, holding out the gift, “I hope you find this satisfactory. It couldn’t even dream to compete with your eyes, but it was the closest there was.”

[Delhya]

Brooksong smiled as Ridge walked over and sat down. "Nice shooting, you should go on the next hunt, I am sure I can conceive my mother to cubmind in your stead. I am very much yummy food and pleasant conversations, what more could I ask for." She laid back in the sand stretching.

Straystar grinned at the necklace carefully taking it from Tern. Removing his grass hat he put the necklace around his neck and then replace his hat. "It's perfect Tern, thank you and it smells wonderful too!"

[Leanan]

Stormcloud cheered with the others for the contestants, and shouted congratulations at the winner. And then it was time for her own contest - the knives! She checked that she had all her knives with her, and tried the edge of one, just to be sure, although she knew they were sharp. She had sharpened and cleaned all her four brightmetal knives that very morning. The knives had been in her family a long time, and were known, collectively, as 'the Four Lightnings'. They suited her name and were part of the reason she was thus named, the other, more obvious reason, being the color of her hair.

She walked to the throwing spot and waited for her turn. She would do her best, that was enough, yet she could not help but feel a bit nervous.

--

Snaketwist stood behind Tern among the audience of the archery contest. Hearing his tribemate cheer for Ridge, he grinned and asked Tern: "So... what is the reason you are not cheering your own tribemates in this contest, if I may ask?" His tone made it clear he was joking, yet he wondered what connection there was between those two, and this question was as good as any other, he supposed.

The winner was clear and Snaketwist, among others, congratulated him full-heartedly. The knife contest would be next, and he wondered if it was easier to aim a knife than an arrow, or the other way round. Arrows could fly longer, but the archers had aimed well, also.

[Ember Robinwood]

Ridge sat back to watch the knife throwing. He had no skill for it seeing how it was much harder than archery. Stormcloud, however, was exceptionally skilled in knife throwing. He was hoping she would win!

"I'm glad to here both of you are enjoying the festival," Ridge said. It was good to see that both Brooksong and Sunsong were enjoying themselves. He hadn't been worried about Brooksong, but he had worried about Sunsong. He knew some elves were going to judge her because of her fur and wolf-like appearance. It had surprised him when she was born, but he had long since become used to it.

Ridge scanned the crowd, looking for Tern. He wondered where the sea-elf could be! He spotted him then over by Chieftess Tidemist and Chief Straystar.

**Tern!** He lock-sent, his mind warm and friendly. **I'm with Brooksong and Sunsong. Do you want to join me, or shall I come to you?** At the very end, his sending carried and embarrassed prickle, as though the very though made him blush (which it did).

[Tidemist]

Tidemist continued drinking, wondering vaguely about the possibility of brewing a new fermented drink using goldenprickle fruit. She would have to talk to Swiftwing about it. She had better be careful though, or she'd end up spending most of her days in a lazy stupor like Kaimeta did! The idea, and image of the elders chiding her made her laugh a little out loud. She covered her mouth and gave the other elders a half guilty, half apologetic look. She looked and smiled wide to see Stormcloud lining up for the knife throwing contest, along with other elves. She leaned forward a bit in anticipation.

She had always enjoyed seeing the tricks of the blade elves could perform. She glanced around and was only a little surprised to not see Pearlsheen joining. Ah that elf had a few airs too high for her...but what could you do? She was as she was. Tidemist gave a little shrug to herself, and continued to enjoy her juice and the sun.

[WolfCandy]

Tern glanced back to meet eyes with his cousin. They flashed at the joy of such banter. He lived for the games of simple back and forth interaction. “Well, cousin,” he said, turning around to face Snaketwist completely, “If I had any faith that our tribe could beat the other, I might cheer for them.” He added a wink to make sure the other sea-elf would not take offense to his less than serious comment.


“As it should, dear chieftan,” Tern replied, “It is trying to impress you.” About to say more, the sending of Ridge came to him.

**I can come to you,** He replied quickly. “You’ll have to excuse me,” he made his apologetic leave of Straystar, “I have a friend who is in want of my company.”

Now that Tern knew what direction Ridge had sent from, it was easier to find him. He greeted the trio with smiling eyes as he approached. “I hope this excellent shot was not planning to keep you two beautiful maidens all to himself,” he greeted the two she-elves. "Will you allow me to impose on your party and join you to watch the next event?"

[Ember Robinwood]

Ridge smiled up at Tern and laughed. He blushed fiercely at Tern's comment of him keeping Brooksong and Sunsong to himself. For one, they were very much like younger sister to him and, two, he'd much rather keep Tern to himself. He shook his head in bemusement, his brown eyes warm as he looked up at the sea-elf.

Ridge had never blushed so much in one day or felt so discombobulated (but in a good way) because of someone. He knew Tern shared no awkwardly affectionate feelings for him, but it didn't stop him from blushing and feeling as though his tongue were tied. It also didn't stop him from feeling a warm glow whenever in his company.

"Of course you can join us," Ridge said (blushing all the while). He'd been with Tern all day, why was he still acting like a lovesick cub?! He looked quickly away, suddenly very aware of the fact that Brooksong and Sunsong were next to him and the comment had been directed at them and not him. He occupied himself with watching the knife throwers lining up to cover his embarrassment.

[Delhya]

Brooksong grinned looking a lot like her father when she looked at Tern walking up. "But of course! the more the merrier! I say."  She tried not to bring attention to Ridge's eagerness to have the Seaelf join them so as not to embarrass him and just smirked.  "Have a seat we have plenty of room." She pulled her shawl back over her head realized she was getting a little too much of the Daystar.

Straystar nodded to Tern. "I think I can make do with the current company I am keeping" he winked. "Go enjoy the Festival with friends" He leaned forward and whispered to Tern "It's the Chiefs job to look bored at these things so the elders approve we aren't having to much fun"

[Sponsored content]