RP:Gualon's Spring Festival - 2022

Summary: Gualon once again hosts it’s annual Spring festival. This year, lanterns were designed for artistic entertainment and for releasing into the night sky at the end of the event.

Gualon Garderns

Terra :: The Gualon Gardens have always been a place of beauty and tonight would be no exception. As the day was starting to give way to the night, the area would slowly start to grow brighter. The paths leading out to different quadrants of the city were well lit by mini lanterns, staked into the grass that seemed to always be shimmering with the same twinkling lights that helped to light up the various lantern displays. The trees had lights dripping from their branches, giving the impression of slow, falling rain that would add to the sense of peace often found here. Each sectioned off quadrant contained a different theme. The upper right corner seemed to be dedicated to the great fights that went on during various tournaments, the largest a dedicated mural to the Blue Titan ripping the heart out of his opponent. The time and detail dedicated to these lanterns is obvious, small details called out to invoke the memories of those that had attended. Through the section you'll see other champions, other key moments through the years. The bottom right corner shifts, dedicated to different areas of the land called Hollow. There's a line of Frostmaw lanterns, ranging from large snowflakes and giants to snow beings and occasional works of art depicting the Queen(s) there over time. Vailkrin has a large, Hanging Corpse Tavern shaped lantern, dimply lit by purple and green lights. All the cities could be found throughout, lanterns of various shapes and sizes dedicated to the cities, citizens and leaders. Shifting to the left portion, the upper half seems to be various beasts and monsters, all life sized and pinned down. Occasionally, perhaps magic or trick of the eye, they seem to blink or the wings will slowly shift position or perhaps the eyes follow you as you leave the creature section, across the path to the bottom left section. Here are hand made lanterns submitted by entrants to the Lantern Designing contest that had been advertised by orphans and handshakes all through the land. Some are already set up on and display, little wooden signs near them giving credit to the artist that left it. There's a floral table top welcoming you to add your lantern, little posts available for you to leave your name so everyone knows who to vote for. People move throughout the gardens, basking in the glow that they provide and eventually moving to the center where stalls have been dedicated for certain repeat vendors, food and drink available, tiny replicas of laterns on sale and a certain blonde that moves between the tables and greets everyone as they walk by. Music can be heard through each section, in sync with the theme so those in the fighting gallery may feel their heart race increase with the pulsing beats and pounding drums while those that move through the cities section will be more at ease, soft strings lulling folks to continue to walk by. As the time goes on, the lanterns grow brighter and their colors even more bold and eye-catching... clearly, these will be set up and available for many nights to come, with the promise of a new, hand-picked addition.

Terra would be hard to pin down since she seemed endlessly moving, incapable of being still. Jacobo, who frequent Gualon residents would recall as Tristram's right hand, was also present and seemed to be available to answer any questions or fetch refills so that the vampire always had one in her hands, even if the sips diminished through the night as more people came by. She looked dressed for the occasion, clearly showing which section was her favorite with tailored black pants and a white button down dress shirt, clearly a nod to the missing five time ToW Champion that could be found in murals. At some point during the evening, she would gesture everyone to head towards the Governor's Mansion where small red, glowing lanterns lay in wait. These were not designed and instead will be intended for a large lantern release at the end of the evening to, in her words, celebrate Gualon in a way that only these annual festivals can. There are tiny pots of various paints and brushes so that a design or name could be added, if a person so chooses, to remember a moment or person from years past. Scattered throughout are take home souviners in the shape of black dragons, made a little more sturdier than the large designs throughout as made evident by kids running with them. It's still Gualon though! So be careful of those cute doe-eyed little kids, as some have slicker fingers than others.

Meri :: Much like last year, Meri is not present at this event as a guest. Rather, she is one of the merchants that have signed up to sell their creations at today’s event. Which means that Meri arrived early so that she had time to set up a table display before people start wandering around. The paintings and sketches she brought are all on the smaller side, all affordable in price and easy to carry by hand while they enjoy today’s festivities. It was tempting to bring Fleur to this event, so that Fleur could paint a lantern of her own, but after a bit of debate with her better half he opted to leave the kiddo at home today. Which is why Meri was inspired to set up several ‘lantern painting kits’ for those who are inspired enough to take the festivities back home. Once painted, they would be perfect to decorate yards, ships, or…treehouses. Presumably Meri has the pleasure of Magik’s company today. She teases her husband with, “You know you could design your lantern to be like an orc head with an arrow going through the skull.” Maybe Meri would manage to break away from her table so that she and Magik can stroll around and enjoy some of the lantern designs. They would definitely have to try and sneak away long enough to paint their names on one of those red lanterns that were to be released later in the evening.

Valrae arrives by carriage with her dark suited guards in tow. She wore a cerulean sundress, the sleeves long and wide. A silver cord was cinched around her waist, charms of a crescent moon and the sun hanging just below the hem. Her golden hair was braided intricately at her temples, pulled back and secured with a star shaped pin behind her head while the rest of its length waved down her back. The witch had worn tall white boots, the heels narrow and just high enough that they satisfied her vanity but wouldn’t punish her feet too terribly for the trouble. Kohl lined her eyes darkly, but the rest of her make up was light and spring inspired, with just a hint of blush on her cheeks and the same pink shining dewily on her lips. Her aunt Belinda joined her, wearing a dress the color of butter, and she held tightly to Finn’s hand. The young boy tugged against it, eager to play. He was tall for his two years, his blue button up shirt haphazard as he’d insisted on buttoning it himself and had confused the order a bit. His hair was a black mop of unruly curls and his skin was dark but the large green eyes and the features of his face resembled Valrae so closely there would be no mistaking him for anything other than her son. He squealed in delight as he spotted the area dedicated to the Blue Titan and Valrae grimaced at the brutalness of the scene. She watches as he and Belinda slip into the crowd, off to marvel at all the lights. The witch follows more slowly behind, searching the crowd for familiar faces. When she spots Meri working at a table, she makes her way there. “Hey!” She chirps happily, a wide smile curving her lips.

Lanara arrives as the festival clad in a pair of white capri pants, a flowy pale blue blouse with flowers embroidered on the hem, and white sandals on her feet. A recent manicure and pedicure are on display as her nails are a bright shade of magenta. Her long waves have been straightened and reach the middle of her back, parted down the center and framing her fair face. Lana holds a leash in each hand and at the end of each is a lion cub, about four months old, brother and sister. The crafty little witch seems to have a penchant for themes! The pair continuously bump into each other, as there are an abundance of sights and smells that capture their attention, but they can only go as far as their six foot lead allows. At Lana’s side is a handsome man, Bjorn, a member of the Amber Lunation; pulling an incredibly designed lantern that has been done in the likeness of an adult male lion. The lycan seems less interested in the lanterns or his companion, as he’s eyeing every female in the area, when in reality he’s supposed to be playing the role of bodyguard to the Luna of the wolf pack. Lana could care less what the big oaf is doing, as she fully intends to ditch him the first second she gets, moreso that she can have a good time and not need to babysit Bjorn than to cause her husband to worry. Tiber should’ve been here as her date, but no, he had insisted on staying behind to reinforce their home in case a certain dangerous man shows up to cause harm. The unlikely pair walk over to the entrants section and pin down their large lion lanter, briefly eyeing the competition to see whereabouts they will rank. Lana shortens the reins on the lion cubs and points to a random tree in the distance, “Bjorn! I think Penelope is here! She just went that way… Why don’t you go say hello? I’ll join you in a few minutes, I just want to socialize the cubs a little bit.” She feigns a sweet smile as he falls for the bait, unable to hide his obvious crush on the healer. Once he’s gone, the brunette scoffs and rolls her eyes, before she walks along the gardens to see the wares for sale and the activities at hand.

Loravelle loved lanterns. Hearing word that Gualon's Spring Festival would showcase lanterns plus the over abundance of pixie dust in Enchantment beginning to bug her was enough for her actually want to leave she and the rogue's retreat and return to something like normal. The lantern she put together is already set up somewhere for the festival thanks to her sisters' help since she didn't think lugging it around would be very smart with how delicate its construction was. She looks like some sort of walking explosion of springtime color in contrast to the rogue she attends the festival with. Her hair is done up in an a twist of colorful floral pieces borrowed from her sister's stash. It's a little too warm now for chenyi and its multitude of layers, but the powder pink shafu embroidered in all manner of spring blooms and songbirds she's wearing is just as modest, covering her from chin to ankle. She adjusts her longhua, the high white collar on her neck, to hide more of her throat than normal. Pinching the end of the beaded tassel hanging from the left side of her hair to still it, Lora looks Leoxander's way as if to silently suggest that he can take the lead from here. Even with the brilliant glow of the lanterns illuminating the space, she trusted his keener sight more than her own.

Verah arrived earlier within the day and threw out a handmade blanket with a crocheted sun. The blanket was woven with navy blue, red, orange, and sand colored yarn. Candles are laid out, so she would be a little more visible on the ground with the night. The half elf places a few inviting silken pillows in front of her. She keeps a safe distance with her own pillow seat across from the red-patterned cushions. White painted dots rest underneath her painted cat-lined, brown eyes. The “fortune teller” is draped in thin, flowy ruby fabric that has a multitude of patterns with shades of orange and brown. The blonde empath wears a handmade ruby halter top that wraps around her neck and sits cropped, revealing skin on her stomach and matching flowy pants that sit on her waist. She wears a plain red kimono-like cardigan with very big, loose sleeves. An added accessory of a silver chain that has silver suns linked upon it sits on her hips over those flowy pants. A sign is set out that reads ‘Palm Readings’ and ‘Matchmaking’. Matchmaking was really if someone was looking for a blind date for another occasion, but might as well give it a go. With so many people, she was not sure if she wanted to use the mirrorball today for her… illusions. There were too many skeptics when it came to the tangerine quartz ball and it was an easier one-on-one vice, but she keeps it at her side anyway, since it’s valuable to her, and it was good for show.

Leoxander’s previous evening had been something of an arts and crafts session with Loravelle, fumbling far more with the more simple construction of his while she meticulously worked as though she’d done this sort of project a time or two in the past. More familiar with ink, despite the awkward shape of the canvas, he was able to ‘tattoo’ the exterior, continuously helping it to dry until he could finally set it upright and crash. The next day came all too quickly. He’d been spoiled recently by ignoring the sun and for a short time, the rest of the world. Lo and behold the rogue was attending another social gathering, and thank Selene it wasn’t in Enchantment. One could be sure he had a blade or two or three somewhere on his person, but Leo was dressed simple - the usual combat boots, cuffs of distressed pants covering most of the military style lace design. His jeans were dark enough to pass for his usual black in a lack of light but were a little faded over time to more of a gray-faded navy. The black, hooded sweatshirt he wore on his torso hid whatever might be concealed beneath, his face mask tugged down around his throat to conceal a few random marks and a silver chain. Reckless hair as ever, his customary lack of shave in several days, but those denizens present would have to deal with those glinting eyes catching at many different angles with all the evening lighting staked in, flashing their wolf gold and green reflection frequently. He stepped into the are alongside the former maidservant, carrying the lantern in hand inwardly muttering a grateful thought that he wasn’t allergic to pollen. Lora’s sidelong glance and the slowing of her steps was enough to communicate her thoughts, and he headed over to that table first to set his lantern onto it and wait for her to do the same. A glance at the drink station was fairly disappointing. Nothing on the menu looked like any sort of decent liquor, so before he gave in to find -something- to quench his thirst his gaze shifted across the gardens to take note of who was there, and who was arriving, pausing briefly at Meri’s booth when the witch calls out a greeting to draw his attention their way.

Magik can be seen wandering close to Meri's table area with a handkerchief covering his mouth and nose. Meri's idea about the orc lantern would have normally been met with a loud hearty laugh but there was something off in the air tonight, "You know, my love, were we not here trying to make a little bit of cash I'd go right for it, but after considering the territory we are unfortunately lingering in tonight..I'm going to pass this time." He pokes his nose from his mouth covering to take a quick sniff of the air but is quick to cover up again, "Plus, it smells god awful around here. You know how orcs smell like a rotten swamp? Well, I think the swamp died, took every living being with it, and died some more." Another quick sniff to verify had the Lyastri fake a gag, "Yeah. That. And add some Ohtar farts after he has a fresh raw chunk of meat." He smirks under his handkerchief and glances towards the Sage lanterns, "Somone should make a Guardian of Sage lantern. I heard he's a handsome fellow and does great work.."

Jaxson arrives not by horse drawn carriage or otherwise spectacular fashion as he has done in the past events he has recently attended, but rather by foot. Sans a particular witch under his arm, the Ravencroft heir seems almost out of place if it were not for his own attempt to put together an outfit to look presentable. Just two days prior a courier delivered a letter from Ms. Baines, asking if the recent recluse would venture forth from his self-induced isolation post the loss to the now slain great Wyrm, Dyraxdiin during the Titan’s of Winter tournament. The man has suffered greater wounds that what it seemed and has spent the past several weeks rehabbing from his injuries under the careful eyes of his grandmother, who also took the duties of running the Ravencroft estate while her grandson recovered. Weeks of healing, with doctors and skilled physicians tending to him, the man has made a full recovery. Evident more so in the fact he now seems in better shape, having used the last few weeks to hone his body back into prime shape after his loss, using that failure to fuel his desire to ensure he does not fall short in battle again. Couple that with the man’s recent revelation of the powers at his disposal now, and he has buried himself in studies and training to harness such raw primordial gifts, to an almost obsessive degree. But, when that invitation from Valrae reached him (much to his grandmother’s odium), the warlock made his way to Gualon to attend this particular event. Dressed in a relaxed attire of comfortable black loafers, storm grey dress slacks and a light blue dress shirt with the two top buttons undone for a more relaxed look, the Lord of the Ravencroft Estate seems to have tried to look as good as he could on short notice. Even with the wonderous displays of creativity in the lanterns all about him, the man is preoccupied by searching for something, or rather someone. Valrae is why the man has come, and so it is her that he now searches for as the event starts to officially kick off.

Mathollak was sober as a nun of Olric, as he was on babysitting duty today. Hours ago, he arrived on foot and he and a gaggle of orphans began work on their opus. Now it was done and ready to be seen, rocking haphazardly through the air on its unbalanced axis. “Alright,” he says to them when guests start arriving with their own kids. “Go play!” As the battalion marches off, he reaches out and grabs one by the collar. A chubby little baby with one big eye instead of two and a pair of protruding tusks. “Don’t eat any of the other kids, hmm?” The cyclops promises not to and joins the others. “Or Halflings!” He calls out, wondering if they ever found that one guy at the WG recruitment party a couple years ago. Without them surrounding him, he looks much cooler, he thinks. Suspenders over over a black button up shirt holding his passion-red colored slacks in place. But he doesn’t look as cool as he thinks he does, because somehow, a piece of scrap paper became stuck to his back with a piece of sticky tape, asserting a dubious claim. ‘i’M dUmB’ it says in bold green strokes of crayon. Ignorance is bliss. He finds his way to the craft fungus beer stand and selects a pricier option, because his tastes were far more developed than the average fungus beer enjoyer. This one was called “The Truffle Kerfuffle” and was bound to put a spring in your step, or make you see sounds.

Meri meets Valrae’s approach with a warm smile, “Hey!” It of course did not take long for Meri to notice the company that Valrae had with her. Meri had never met the Aunt, but she had seen Finn a time or two when he was smaller. “I didn’t know you were going to be here and with Finn or else I would have brought Fleur. I keep meaning to drop by your place in Cenril to pay you a visit.” When Leo pauses briefly by Meri’s table, the lycan catches his gaze long enough to dip her head in a nod of acknowledgment to both him and Lora. And when Leo and Lora carried on their way, Meri’s attention was fixated back on Valrae. And Magik of course. Magik’s grumblings about the location for today’s event has Meri smirking and rolling her eyes just a bit. “Someone should absolutely have made a Guardian of Sage lantern. Too bad you did not give this idea to your hot artist wife sooner. I bet she could have done something about that.” Back to Valrae, “This charming guy is my husband, Magik.” Meri was not entirely sure if Valrae and Magik were familiar or not. “He hates Gualon, if you cannot tell.” Meri spotted others she knew in the crowd, they were given a wave if she managed to catch their gaze.

Lanara leads the cubs over to a table selling hot pretzels and she orders one, without salt. After exchanging coin and breaking the bread in half, she instructs the cubs to sit. Simba, does so without hesitation, as he has never tasted a pretzel before! However, Nala, is defiant as ever and swipes Lana’s hand so that her share falls onto the grass. “Ever the rebel, huh?” She can’t be mad at their little lion faces, so she gives them each a scratch behind their ears, and they continue on their merry way. Lana sees that Meri has a table set up and that she has take home lantern kits on sale! She intends on heading there in a bit to purchase one for herself and Tiber to do, but it seems that the area is already quite busy! Valrae, Magik, Leoxander, and Loravelle are all surrounding the table, and so Lana lifts a hand in greeting to anyone that may catch her eye, and vows to stop over and make her purchase a little later. If the witch wasn’t so distracted and waving at her friends, perhaps she would have noticed that Nala is inching nearer to Verah’s blanket. She realizes, too late, and the cub pounces on one of the pillows and sinks her teeth in, giving it a firm shake. “I’m so sorry! They are really playful and it’s the first time they’ve been in a public setting.” Big brown eyes lock on the pretty fortune teller’s face, before she admires her attire and the comfortable blanket with pillows. “I will give you some coin to replace the pillow… And! I would love to have my palm read!” She doesn’t need her palm read, because Lana is gifted at palmistry, but she feels awful about Nala’s behavior! Plus, it’s fun to get another’s take on your life from time to time! Without waiting for an answer, she kicks off her sandals and sits campfire-style on one of the pillows, across from Verah.

Loravelle's littlest nephew, a friend of Gualon's roving gang of orphans, is here to cause trouble. San Bao is a rowdy boy with quick hands and a knack for taking things he probably shouldn't, and tonight his eye is on as many of those red lanterns as he can get his little hands on. He doesn't start his 'heist' for lanterns until he leaves his mother's side, one of Lora's four sisters roaming around the festival as well, and brushes past his auntie and Leo, who he gives a conspiratorial sort of look as if the wolf is in on his scheme (really he just wants to impress the pirate, because how could he not? Man gave him a gold doubloon and it's his new favorite treasure). He's snooping around in the shadows – not well, but give the kid a break – swiping little red lanterns from strangers that he's extinguishing and shoving into a small backpack slung over his shoulder. Lora has to mask her amused smile by covering her lips as if to shield a cough while following Leo to the table for their lantern displays. “Yours is so thoughtful,” she comments. Hers was far more aesthetically pleasing than thoughtful, with its glowstone 'core' and folded paper butterflies moving in a slow rotation within their paper and wire cage. She catches his glance at the drinks and being the somewhat resourceful former maid she happened to be, gifts Leo with a flask hidden in the confines of her robes. Hopefully the rum contained within is good enough for him. “Do you think they have Rynvale lanterns over there?” She asks, grey-eyed gaze looking in the general direction of the regional lanterns section. Maybe she should have made a few to represent his island…

Terra :: Somewhere, in the Gualon section, a certain black dragon lantern suddenly expels a puff of smoke in the air, spooking some of the nearby patrons.

Terra :: Somewhere, in the creature section, a spider lantern gives the impression it is scampering to the east... over and over and over and over.

Valrae laughs. “I might not have brought him if I didn’t have help,” She replies honestly. “Terrible twos are a lot to handle in a crowd. I’d love for a visit though. I have an apartment on the upper end. You’re welcome, always.” She offers a warm smile for Magik as well. “Magik! You guys are married!” She nearly squeals in delight. He might not recognize her, as the time she’d spent with the mage’s guild before the war was in disguise as Grace. “Congratulations!” She turns slightly, keeping an eye out for her son and for Jaxson, as she’d hoped he would show. She also calls a greeting back to Lanara as she passes. When she spots Jax, her heart does a little cartwheel into her stomach. He looked much better than the last time she’d seen him. “I won’t keep you, but we really should catch up soon!” She gives the couple one last smile before breaking away and back into the crowd, heading straight for Jaxson. She bumps into Mathollak on her way. Another face she hadn’t seen in a while. She smiles at him and offers a quick hello before whispering, “There is something on your back,” and moving on toward Jaxson. “You came!” She exclaims happily. “You look good.”

Terra just shook hands...fists(?) with an odd orc who delivered an ominous message so she'd back away from that conversation and cover her nerves with yet another taste of the blood wine that had randomly appeared again. In doing so, she'd spot Meri's look and gave her a nod as well as her husband. Her free hand slipped into her pocket as she moseyed, giving a sudden and overly excited wave to Lora when she saw the colors moving through the crowd. Eventually, she would find Mathollak, hearing Val's remark about something on his back caused her to crane her neck to verify this information. Indeed, there was a note, and Terra left it there as she touched her glass against his mug. "Everything good?"

Leoxander picked up a comment or two from the crowds with his sensitive wolf ears. One of which being Magik’s remark. He’s somewhat adjusted to the smell of Gaulon, but it seemed reasonable a garden full of flowers would be the best spot to be subjected to it. That wolf nose also caught the scent of another wolf - and it wasn’t Tiber. About the time Lanara called out to the large male, his shifting, bestial gaze fixed upon the man to take in the usual sight and assessment he typically did with another of his cursed kind. He’d probably be back to Meri’s booth before long, although Valrae’s occult decorated table caused him to nudge Loravelle if she was still at his side. “With Mercy in charge? I’m sure they got plenty of crap to spend coin on.” He replied to Lora’ as they walked to the other side of the garden. “Gonna get yer palm read?” He wasn’t entirely sure he believed in that kinda thing - even for a pirate with a lot of superstitions gathered over his years. Quick reflexes managed to catch San Bao for a rustle of hair and a playfully rough push at his head, and for a moment he had to wonder why he had done that. Seemed he liked the kid. Enough sobriety, the rogue continued a slow trek to the table just in time for Mattholak to be there, who he didn’t exactly see eye to eye with, even if he’d probably blackened one that time last year at… a festival, with booths. Had things come full circle? Rather than sucker punch his previous opponent for funsies, Leo tore the note off his back and thumped it on the front of his shoulder so he had reach to inspect whatever the hell the rogue was up to. No pockets picked. Although distracted momentarily by the sound of a spider in a lantern which drew something of a face, he refocused on the food and drink and ended up with a bottle of beer in his hands eventually.

Mathollak notices Valrae right away and hits her with a line. “Hey haven’t we met before…?” But it’s unclear whether or not he remembers that they actually -have- met before. After all, that was a lifetime ago now. He was on the run from loansharks and escaped to Selen island. Now his only problem with money was finding enough things to spend it on. But before he can capitalize on the broken ice, she mentions something on his back. He pulls it off and instantly recognizes it as an omen of danger. “San Bao…!” He looks vigilantly into the crowd, looking for dangers roving among the people at about waist height.

Jaxson swears he sees some spider lantern scurry off east, but maybe he was mistake as lanterns cannot move on their own, right? Not taking long to ponder upon enchanted lanterns and their scurrying habits, the man’s gaze lifts up just in time to fall upon Valrae as she approached. The tenseness he has in his body over being out and about after such a period of isolation evaporates as he sees her, and a pep comes into his steps and he makes his way towards the witch without delay, passing stand after stand even as peddlers try to catch his attention with their wares. It takes only a few moments for the pair to be reunited after several weeks, and the smile upon Jax’s face is only a hint at the true happiness of the moment as he replies back to Val’s compliment with one of his own. “And you’re even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.” He honestly didn’t think it was possible, but this woman keeps on surprising him! He does a little pose for her to show her he got dressed up as best he could for her, as he says. “I was glad to have gotten your letter.” He adds a quick joke, even though there is more truth to it than he’d admit out loud. “I think my grandmother tried to hide it from me, but it seems I have the favor of the manor’s staff, because thewy made sure it found its way to me.”

Verah was about to let a lady sit down in front of her to set up a blind date, but the lady seemed to run off once a lion cub pounced on one of her pillows. “Hey! I just got that fabric too,” her shoulders sink for a moment, but really, the lion is cute which makes Verah perch on her knees and reach out. Probably not smart, but clearly she was a risk taker. When Lanara comes into view. “Oh! You’re the lion keeper! I was beginning to think a li’l one was running freely. Might cause some frantics…” Buttered brown eyes trail to the other lady who ran for the hills. “No worries. I can make a new one. Feel free to keep the pillow!” She chimes, and when Lanara asks for a palm reading, Vee takes the dark-haired woman in. “We can look at fate in your hand, sure.” The half elf brushes some of her curtain bangs out of the way. Once Lanara settles across from her, the illusionist delicately takes the witch’s hand in her own. The empath’s eyes trace over the… whoa. Most of the lines on Lanara’s hand are cut. Gaps. Especially on the life line. The gap there is strange. Is one of the lines connected somewhere else? “There’s either… two fates. A short life,” is she going to die tonight? That was a very short line. A thumb trails over the long part of the life line. “Or… you have a sweet future ahead of you.” Normally Verah is pretty good at the palm reading aspect, but Lanara was a case she never seen before. Lanara did, however, die twice. “Your heartline…” Oh boy. Is she going to die of a heart attack. “Have any health issues?” Verah looks concerned at this one.

Loravelle had so many people that weren't relatives that she recognized in settings like this, now. Was it customary to wave to all of them or...shout greetings at them? She mimics Terra's excited wave at her and very delayed, waves at Lanara and Meri. Palm readings... Now that was something that grabbed Lora's attention. Divination of any sort had a tendency to draw her in. Although reluctant to leave Leo's side to get in line for Verah's palm reading, she gives the rogue a parting peck on his fuzzy cheek and heads the diviner's way, hopefully still within Leo's line of sight. With Lanara getting her reading done, Lora waits patiently off to the side, hopefully where a line starts for her chance at a palm reading. Her nephew has successfully swiped eight or nine lanterns. From other kids. He hasn't upgraded to stealing things from adults just yet, but he's pretty proud of himself. Maybe Leo's ruffling of his messy black hair was all the encouragement the kid needed, but the sound of someone hollering his name stops the boy dead in his tracks, only to turn and see Mathollak. “What?” San Bao says, little arms crossing over his chest defensively. He could take on the Axe of Love, probably. He's six, so really...no. Instead, figurin' he's been caught and aware of what bribes are, the boy takes one of his stolen lanterns out of his bag and holds it up for Math to see. “Want one?”

Magik wasn't expecting quite the gathering at Meri's table so quickly but there they are. He removes his facecovering to fold and place in his pocket while mumbling to Meri, "I feel like I need a shower already. I'll tough this one out for you, my love. I don't want to be rude with familiar company." He looks up and happens to notice Lanara immediately. She's met with a soft smile and nod. Valrae is then met with the same type of greeting but his eyes remain on Val just a second longer. The way she greeted him was rather odd for meeting someone for the first time. The Grace disguise and all. He smirks and nods, "Yes. Yes we are. Thank you." He then blinks at Meri's comment before looking back at Val. "I don't hate Gualon." He does. A lot. He should just turn this place into a desert. Some day. He resists the urge to cover his face again while putting on his best impression of Veneficus D'Chath. Nice and professional. He clears his throat and better positions himself near Meri's table to help anyone who may be interested in buying some of her paintings.

Mathollak action : felt Leoxander’s hand on his back while he was reaching for the tacked paper, but it was -expert- placement, so actually he needed help. “Thanks,” he says begrudgingly. He knew he was mad at Leoxander about something, but he couldn’t remember what anymore. “Don’t cause trouble today,” he warned. Or was it a challenge? He was still peeling away layers of crowdspeople with his eyes as Terra clinked glasses with him. That little minion was here causing chaos, or trying to. He knew it. “Terra keep your eyes peeled, that little monster is free… But besides that everything’s fine over here. How ‘bout yourself…?” He was clearly distracted. But he became aware of his rudeness, and maybe something else about her. “IS everything okay?”

Lanara watches as Verah interacts with Nala, only for Simba to push his sister out of the way so that he can get some attention, too! The cubs are doing very well with people and it pleases her, because in a matter of weeks, they will go from cute and cuddly to dangerous and deadly. Thankfully, they keep their teeth and claws to themselves, and resort to playing with their new ‘toy’ pillow. Lana offers her right hand, making sure to keep her wedding band hidden, as she buries her left hand in her lap. She won’t make this reading ‘easy’ and she’s betting that Verah doesn’t have any sixth sense in her pretty head, because most fortune tellers are con artists. A bit of coin goes a long way in these swamp lands, and of course, they truly are experts at telling their customers what they want to hear, or they take educated guesses based on one’s body language. Lanara is surprisingly pleased when Verah gives her a confused reading, because the girl is seemingly authentic, and gets half of the fact correct! But, if she -truly- has any powers of foresight, she would be able to decipher the meaning behind the short, cut, and longer lines in flesh. Lana clears her throat and conspiratorially leans in, dark eyes hinting at mischief, “You’re good, but you should never sound quizzical when giving a reading, not if you want to sell the story.” She winks, as she -also- leads a double life, and a great deal of coins are passed over to Verah. “Gotta hustle, right? Your secret is safe with me.” Lana rouses the cubs from their pillow, and explains, “I died twice, that explains my life line being broken up. And my heart line ends abruptly because I’ve mated for life with my husband.” She smirks again, mildly amused, “Thanks for the reading… Be seeing you.”

Valrae moves in for a quick hug, secretly wishing it could have lasted a little longer. The last time she’d seen him, he’d been broken and bleeding. Her cheeks bloom as pink as her lipstick as he compliments her, “Oh, flattery will get you everywhere.” She teases, deflecting. “I’m glad you came! I was worried…” She pauses, waving a hand. “I just hadn’t seen you since the tournament and there hadn’t been any news of how you were healing. The time away seems to have done you good though,” The witch jokes. Her brows wing, unsurprised to hear she wasn’t his grandmother's favorite person. “Well, I’m glad for that at least.” It’s around that time that Finn slams into her legs, nearly knocking her sideways as he squealed in delight. “Auntie said we can paint them!” He tells her, pulling on her dress. Belina arrives then, breathing heavily. Her chest threatens to spill out of the dress that was several sizes too small for her plump frame. “Sorry, he got away from me there.” She says, laughing. Her eyes move to Jaxson and she stands a little straighter, a wide grin appearing. “And who is this?” Valrae offers Jax a shy smile. “Jaxson, this is Belinda. Belinda, this is Jaxson.” Finn interrupts again, “Lanterns!” Valrae scoops him up, tapping his round nose. “And this boy who knows better than to interrupt,” The witch adopts the tone of mothers who are gently scolding their children, “Is Finn. My son.” Knowing she’d just dropped some heavy information on him, Val passes the boy back to Belinda. A knowing look passes between them before she carries him toward the lantern painting booth.

Leoxander was tempted to follow the Mouse, but if he didn’t pick up the details with his wolf sharp ears, she could tell him later what Verah had predicted. Or possible, it should be a private thing, though as the days passed there seemed to be fewer and fewer secrets between them. After raising his bottle in tribute to Terra, Leo glanced back at Mattholak with a faint smirk that was usually such a rare sight on his expression. “No promises.” But look at that. The two had exchanged more than insults and curse words. The pirate looked… relaxed, oddly enough. Terra was due to remain busy but perhaps he’d find a lull to catch her for an exchange of actual words. Returning toward Meri’s booth he gave a glance along the way toward Lanara and her little lions, then to Valrae and Jaxson with a familiar nod. He planted the back pocket of his jeans on the edge of Meri’s booth until he was shooed or swatted up, picking up one of the lantern painting kits to make the space to do so, a beer in his other hand. He finally glanced toward the blonde toting the black haired child and blatantly asked, “Who’s the kid?”

Verah knew that this was going to be a risky read once she rested eyes on the hand. Verah was not a witch. Not a true seer. The quizzical expression she held was one of true curiosity of Lanara’s life. Why were there gaps? How were there gaps? Once Lanara leans in, and in a low voice, she does not break eye-contact. Verah is confident in her faux craft, but she is also a hard one to break. Most people cannot read past her ways. A witch, however? Well, that was where the line would be drawn. Everytime. One day she hopes to jump that hoop. “I know,” Verah’s mouth twitches, but mostly due to a secretive feeling. Their conversation clearly between them. Others would not be able to hear. Know. Verah was not a bad person, well, she had her own critiques on herself. At least the readings were free today, right? For Gualon festivities, of course! When the Kelvarian mentions that her secret is safe with her, she eases, as she has more clientele lining up. Lanara died twice. Brown eyes search the brown eyes before her before Lanara rises. “Until then,” she smirked before the witch disappears. “Take care,” genuine and thankful before moving onto the next person. Loravelle. “Hi,” she says silkenly. “Take a seat, hun.”

Meri notices Jaxson’s presence right about the same time that Valrae seems to. It has also not escaped the blonde lycan’s attention that the two have often been seen in each other’s company in a public place. Hmm. Meri makes a mental note of that observation. Rather than delaying Valrae from mingling, another smile is issued to the witch. “Fleur and I will drop by soon. Announced, of course.” With Valrae on her way, Meri sets back to work. Well, mostly back to work. Magik was obviously a welcome distraction between trying to peddle her wares. First, there was his comment of needing a shower. Meri answers that one with a simple wiggle of her brows. And as for the claim that he does not hate Gualon? Meri just gives him a look. She doesn’t say it too loud, but Magik probably can hear her muttering something like ‘suuure you don’t hate Gualon’ beneath her breath. Why? She was just being her usual pain in the tush, teasing self. On a more serious note, Meri comments “Next year we should just hire someone to work this for me so that we can just enjoy things. You know, if we come next year.” There were friends to mingle with, lanterns to enjoy. And there they were, working away. Magik was definitely reminding Meri that he was the best, since he was there in orc-ville supporting Meri and her art things. “We could have gotten our palms read.”

Valrae action : turned toward Leo, surprised she’d missed him. “Oh hey!” She looks around for Lora, hoping to greet her as well. “That’s Finn. My son.” She watches as he wiggles away from Belinda again and reaches with sticky hands for some paint. Belinda leans over to help him after exchanging coin for the lantern kit. With his tongue sticking out, the boy paints with rarely seen seriousness.

Terra action : watched the interaction between Leo and Math and Math and Son Bao and Son Bao and the mysteriously vanishing lanterns and said nothing. Her lips pressed together for a brief moment but Jacobo was at her elbow again, reminding her that there was a show to continue to put forward. Instead, she leaned into Math and dropped her voice so that not even her advisor could hear what she said. It seemed the interaction she had with the orc left her nerves a little more on display if the tight squeeze she gave Math's forearm was anything to go by, but that's all the emotion the empath would show for now. Instead, the smile returned and she'd nod towards the mansion in the distance and the table of lanterns waiting them. "Don't forget to grab a lantern for the release!" She'd move away from them and start going to different groups, suggesting they also find a lantern to decorate or merely release into the black velvet of the night sky. The hope was that Gualon, a perfectly nice smelling place especially here in the Gardens, would show as a shining place once more... even if not everyone could shake the feeling that something was shifting... She'd find Leoxander after meeting with a few different folks and briefly knocked her head against his collarbone in a brief moment of peace before offering him her showman smile. "Did you get a lantern from the table?"

Mathollak action : actually didn’t care one bit if he was stealing these cheap little lanterns…but he couldn’t let San Bao know that. “You’ve been -taking- these?” He says feigning great awe. “Nono I can’t take one. It’s too risky, if they see me with an extra one they’ll cut off both our hands.” He looks at one of his hands, and then the other. “And I wouldn’t be able to decide which one I like the least. Which one of your hands is your favorite?”

Lanara action : turns to leave the fortune teller’s area, when she nearly bumps into Loravelle! “Hi! How are you?” A hug is offered, albeit a brief one, as she doesn’t want the two of them to get tangled in the leashes! Simba and Nala look curiously up at the colorfully dressed woman, their amber eyes greedily brightening, as though they want to play with the fabric and unspool her attire. The witch can practically read their minds, so she mutters, “Enjoy your reading! We will get together again. Soon!” Walking around the grounds, Lana admires the lanterns and peruses the wares of each booth, eventually coming back around to Meri and Magik’s location. “Hi, you two! I need to buy one of those take home lantern kids… I better make that two.” The psion knows all about Lana’s lack of artistic abilities when it comes to painting, and it’s obvious that the lion lantern she entered in the contest hadn’t entirely been -her- work of art! No. Lana had some help, because the witch cannot draw a straight line to save her life! The coin is exchanged, and she smiles at Magik, “Congratulations, by the way! Meri told me that you two are engaged! I’m so happy for you!” Leoxander leans against the table, and it’s at that moment that Meri mentions wanting to explore a bit with Magik, so Lana shrugs, “Want Leo and I to manage the table for a bit? I have these cute lions that will drum up some customers, too!”

Valrae felt her shoulders relax as Jaxson introduced himself to Finn. She'd prepared herself for far worse. Like a look of disgust or maybe disappointment. Instead, he’d rolled right along. Finn greeted him in a distracted, childish way. “You’re tall.” He said, happy enough to share the lantern painting space with him. He looked up from his paint, clearly attempting to draw Jaxson’s likeness before also studying Leo. His childish rendition of both men were locked in a sword battle on his lantern. Valrae wondered if she should be concerned with how interested in swords and battle her son was becoming. She reaches out, her hand resting on Jaxson’s forearm. “Is it normal for boys his age to be so obsessed with swords?” She asks hopelessly. Belinda had wandered off to find a drink. She pauses to watch Mathollak as he spoke to a small child about lanterns, a twinkle in her eye as she saunters over. “Hello,” She says, introducing herself.

Verah once Loravelle sits before her, she smiles brightly. Easily. Internally she is thinking, ‘dear Sven, do not be another witch’. The storyteller reaches forward and opens her palm. “Please,” once the woman across from her rests her palm in her hand, she inhales sharply and clicks her tongue on the roof of her mouth before truly looking down at the lines. Instead of balancing the tricky game of life line, she goes towards the head line. “Oh,” she grins. “You are quite the trusting soul, aren’t you?” Please be. Eyes trace heart line, as Verah was very observant, and the girl was a romantic, even if she did not dabble in her own romance. She loved playing matchmaker. She noticed the blonde man with the girl. Brown eyes trace the line, “Tight reign on emotions, but your lover, not so much. I see good things, though! A passionate romance. Fire and ice. It’ll last.” Afterall, it is Loravelle’s current map of fate. “Tiny tots if you keep going this route.” She tries to keep cordial as she knows -nothing- about the couple she noticed. "Now, it's up to you if you want that fate or not."

Leoxander lifted the painting kit he held in turn, “I’ll take this.” Loravelle probably had some secret trunk of supplies for paper lantern making, for how skillful she seemed while a half frustrated Leo struggled with the frame and probably managed to tear the first. Fortunately the extra had come in handy. “Finn…” he was brought back to the moment by the name he murmured in amusement to himself. “That was my best mate’s name. Good name.” The pirate really -was- in some exceptionally good mood. He watched Jax and Val and read by their feature and body language the pairing had lasted since their first ‘date’. That made him turn his attention involuntarily toward the woman in her powder pink layers. Her elegant fashion stark opposite of his throw-clothes-on technique. That’s when Lanara stepped in his line of sight and his flashing blue to gold and back again eyes followed her until she addressed Meri. Brows raised when she made that offer but - well - she’d caught im in a good mood. The paints were placed down so Leo could boldly lean down and pick up one of the Lion cubs under its from leg pits, not knowing it it would bite, struggle, or stare back while he inspected the face and paws of the feline. “Why not just skip a few steps and collar yourself a g’damn dragon?”

Mathollak could tell enough from Terra’s muted voice and discrete touch. And if it was him she was sharing it with, he knew what she was worried about. “From who,” he asks her in the same muted volume, but she was already moving away. “From-!” He knew better than to ruin the party for everybody else, it was literally against his religion. He takes another sip of his fungus beer, a little more sour than it was a few minutes ago. “Hello,” he says to Belinda, looking past her and over his shoulder for someone of a particular mien.

Magik meets Meri's eyebrow wiggles with one of his own then laughs at Meri's idea of hiring someone for next year, "I'm not hiring anyone for next year. Mirshann is going to work the table. She doesn't pay rent so she can tend the table for a night." Dadgik has spoken. This is the way. Lanara's arrival puts Magik to work. He gathers up two lanterns and pushes them across the table in exchange for her coin. He looks up at Lana with a small smirk, "Thank you..for everything. We actually, quite literally, tied the knot in private not too long ago. We just haven't made it widely known just yet. We've been a bit overwhelmed with a few things and just decided to go ahead and make everything official one morning." Saying that outloud made the elf realize he hasn't sent word to a few people. He'll get to that when they get home tonight. Lanara's offer to take over table duties is respectfully declined, "That's nice of you to offer, but.." He looks to his wife and gives her a certain look. A look that says 'I don't trust the local folk around here so I'm quite content with staying right here tonight.' All the while, he's saying to Lanara, "I'd like to get the practice in tonight for when we have some bigger showings at the gallery. I really appreciate it though."

Jaxson watches as the little man goes about rendering the epic clash of swords between the -obvious- hero Jaxson versus that -scoundrel- and scourge of the seas Leoxander with a smile. " A true work of art, to be sure master Finn!" Jaxson says as he takes up a seat next to the child and gets right into lantern painting mode, trying to recall all of those art lessons his grandmother pad for to channel for some sort of artistic talent. It wasn't working, but Jax has magic at his side and so he cheats, channeling that primordial power he is learning to harness to shape the ink into a image of a Finn battling an epic sea monster, as he says to answer Valrae's question about boys and their interest in swords. "I had a wooden sword my mother gave me from a local fair for three years. I fought dragons, and krakens and the hordes of..." he pauses at mentioning undead, due to Cenril's issue currently. He didn't wish to sour the mood, so he hopes he caught that quickly enough to simply say. " I was my the "hero of cenril", nothing wrong with it, so long as you use this time to teach proper saftey and respect for the weapons." He looks to the woman, hoping he isn't saying anything wrong as he knows many people raise their children differently. Val may never want her child around a weapon of any sort. So he quickly adds. "Soon the fixation with swords will be replaced with something else. Like girls." He jests, showing the lad his own lantern in hopes the child likes the work.

Lanara snickers at Leo’s comment about collaring a dragon, because that wouldn’t be -that- impossible in her line of work! “Don’t encourage me, I just might!” Being an animal empath has its moments, and she probably would have a dragon as a pet, if she could afford to feed and house it. Leo plucks Nala from the ground, the feisty of the two, and at first she fidgets in the embrace. Teeth are bared, though not in a threatening way, merely because she’s teething and likes to put everything in her mouth. However, she senses that Leo isn’t food, at least at this early stage in her life! The cub settles down and bumps her head against his chest and hands, encouraging him to give her lots of pets. Simba paws at Leo’s boots, wondering why he isn’t getting any attention from the man. “So… How was your weekend in Enchantment?”

Meri :: The way that Leo just leans against her table without even a proper hello has Meri lifting a brow. “Excuse you, if you are not even going to give me a proper hello then you can remove your tush from my table.” Meri chides Leo, no fear. After this brief chiding, Meri issues a smirk to the pirate along with the brief introduction, “This is my better half, Magik.” It is right around this time that Lanara joins the table and wants to buy two lantern painting kits, a request that Meri obliged without hesitation. When she congratulates Magik on being Meri’s fiance, the blonde slides a knowing smirk toward Mr. D’Chath. Do they share the news? Even though this was not their party? Magik takes the lead on answering that question, and Meri flashes Lanara an excited smile in confirmation. “Thank you!” Meri is quick to get back to work after sharing their good news, Leo wants a kit as well. His request is not missed (even if her player is a little slow when it comes to chaos posting). Meri echoes Magik’s answer about letting someone else run the table, just in a bit more of a teasing way, “Trust Leo? With my table? Was I born yesterday?” Meri smirks. “I think Magik and I were planning on heading home shortly after the release anyway.” With all of the bustle that is currently happening around her table, Meri almost misses Terra sharing that it is almost time to release the lanterns. “Exucse me real fast.” She would not be gone long, just along enough to snag a red lantern for her and Magik to release together. As for the design on the red lantern? The artist paints the quick outline of a phoenix onto one of its sides.

Lanara nearly squeals when Magik announces the good news, but she maintains her composure, as the man said they hadn’t announced it publicly yet. “Oh my Goddess! That’s the best news I’ve heard all week!” She looks from Magik to Meri, warmth in her expression, “Congratulations to you both! I wish you a lifetime of love and laughter! I completely understand wanting a private elopement, Tiber and I did the same thing.” She waves dismissively at them declining to have her and Leo look after the table, as she was only trying to help, but she understands their point of view. “Of course! Tiber and I will have you both over soon for dinner, to celebrate!” The smile on her fair face is genuine, and she reaches out to gently squeeze Meri’s shoulder, “I’m so happy for you!”

Valrae looks relieved to hear it. She wouldn’t mind Finn learning a thing or two about using an actual sword, when he was older. The world was filled with all kinds of things he’d need to protect himself from. It seemed even darker now that she’d put herself back into the public eye. Something she sometimes carried a great deal of guilt over. But like Jaxson, Valrae wasn’t eager to spoil the night’s mood with worries or things that were just a little too heavy. Especially not when she was watching the pair of them get along so well. She wrinkled her nose at the mention of him being interested in girls. She wasn’t ready for that. “Hopefully I get a few more years before that!” She says with a laugh. Finn grinned, showing off a missing tooth, at Jaxson as he complimented his work. “Look!” He spun it quickly, the painted images moving to look at if the swords were moving. Like a flipping picture book. His lantern was quickly forgotten when Jaxson revealed his own. Finn bounced in his seat, excited. “It’s me!” He reaches over to pull at Valrae’s skirts again. “Look! Look!” Meanwhile, Belinda is preening in front of Math. She pushes her hair back, sticking her chest out just a little to show off her too full dress. “My name is Belinda,” She says. “Who might you be, handsome?”

Leoxander overheard Magik’s words but since the man didn’t notice him, yet, he was content not interacting even though he’d waved about something he wanted to own. Well, I mean, if they didn’t -want- him to pay he was perfectly fine with that. A glance given toward Finn’s painting and Jax’s reaction - for the little sprat he was, he wasn’t bad. Leo could see some potential. “C’mon, kid. I’d never hurt yer mum’s sidepiece unless he really pissed me off.” Such a good example he was dosing the toddler’s brain with. Seemed he was in sucker mode by the way he brought the little beast against his stomach an on his lap, secured with an arm while the other scratched tufted chin and ears. “You seemed busy. Gettin’ hitched an’ all. Guess that means yer off the market.” About then she introduces the dark-eyed man that Leo turns blues on, the shade from the booth removing the lycanthropy glow briefly, jaw raised in acknowledgment. “Saw you at a few fights. I’m Leo.” That simple reply and he tucks his chin to look back down at Nala, still paying some attention to the itchy spots, and that’s probably how Loravelle would find him. With a baby lion in his arms.

Verah releases Loravelle easily. She is not happy with her reading, if anything, she is cursing herself silently. Not because she got things wrong, because she has no idea about Lora’s real life, but that she is telling these false lies. A true inner battle. The empath can sense the inner panic in that moment wafting off Loravelle. “Like I said, the fate is in… your hands,” she leaves it at that. Verah easily gives off a warm feeling with a mild bubbly personality. People liked bubbly, right? Once Lora parts, an easy, crooked smile settles before moving to the next person. A random guy who wants another palm read. “Ah, logical. Your wife might appreciate the opposite sometimes. And it’s time to spice it up a little with spontaneity.” Which leads the man in asking Verah for weird tips. It was the matchmaking piece of her that she was addicted to, honestly. Successful romances.

Valrae || It was clear by the vacant look on Finn’s face that he didn’t understand many of the words Leo spoke to him. Valrae leveled a look toward the pirate that made it pretty clear she was ready to light him on fire.

Leoxander said to Loravelle, “How was it. Did it change yer life?”

Leoxander took a drink of his beer as he accepted Valrae's glare with eye contact, and hinted a wink before he brought the bottle down.

Loravelle has to double take. ...Didn't Verah just predict only a few moments ago something about the two of them having children, and now she sees Leo cradling a lion cub in his arms like he might hold a newborn child? Gods above, she's good. That didn't really explain her stomach and all its issues, but... She quietly watches Leo and the baby lion at Meri's table, unable to hide her amused smile at the sight of him. “It was...enlightening. You're good at holding little ones.” Where'd that flask of rum go? She needed a drink for her nerves.

Jaxson is having fun with the kid, truly, and he is actually impressed at the kids moving painting skills that he can’t help but smile at Val and say. “I feel like he could really be a natural talent! Look Val, how he has the scene come to life!” Art and music are passions of he man, even though he is not a single bit of true talent in any regards, much to the dismay of the many tutors his grandmother paid for him to have teach him so he’d have “A well rounded education”. Fencing, business, history and the magical arts where the man’s strongest classes growing up. To Val he also says. “At the manor we have an entire room dedicated to the arts, maybe he could come by and see if he likes it?” Truth be told the Ravencroft Estate could use some life, many of the rooms remain empty and find no real use. Back to the event at hand, the man seems to just be enjoying the moment, which is a refreshing break from the strenuous and demanding training regiment he has been on.

Terra stepped towards the fountain and the enchanted voice magnifier that was set there and thankfully left undiscovered by little hands. "Helllllooo!" The sound of her voice that loud makes her cringe. Does she really sound like that? Sheesh, how does anyone take her seriously? After a brief moment of recovery, she continued, "While the night is far from over, we invite everyone to join us for a lantern release. If you haven't already, please find a lantern at the tables there," Jacobo was kind enough to wave a lantern from his post at the tables so that guests could see which direction Terra had gestured in, "and join us in releasing. Make a wish on your lantern before you let it fly off, so that the wish will be carried to someone who may hear and grant it." She'd allow everyone time to select a lantern and possibly add their own touch but it was clear that it wouldn't be long now before the big group release.

Leoxander furrowed his brow in a little confusion and suspicion at Loravelle’s words. It took a lot of willpower not to just abruptly drop little Nala. Tossing his empty beer bottle at a good distance into a designated barrel, he reached out for the painting kit he hadn’t paid for, yet, to hand over to her. I know you prolly got stuff like this but… here.” The enhanced voice of Terra was his cue to put Nala down, take his ‘rump’ off the booth counter, and he fished a pocket for a few coins he was sure would cover the price. A little extra for a wedding present, or the surmounting favors and deals Meri had or had yet to do for him. Once that was done, Leo’s arm found it’s way around Loravelle’s shoulders to head in the general direction of the coordinator’s voice, pausing at one of the mentioned tables to hand over a plain lantern to Lora’ before taking one of his own.

Lanara smiles at Lora as she comes their way, and she spies the way she looks at Leo holding that lion cub, which warms her heart. She wonders just how close the couple had gotten during their weekend at the cabin, and perhaps that’s why the pirate is in such a good mood and showing paternal instincts? Lana gives a knowing grin to Lora, “I will be sure to get you the details.” She’s referring to the earlier inquiry about renting out the place in Enchantment in the future, but they are interrupted when Terra commands the crowd's attention. Chocolate hues sift through the crowd until they fall upon the blonde, and she recalls seeing her at the soiree. If the woman wasn’t so busy tending to the event, Lana would have loved to formally met the other, but as luck has it, today will not be that day. The witch turns to Leo and Lora, and holds her hands out for Nala, “We better be going. I promised them another pretzel and then we have to head back to Happy Tails. It was great to see you guys again, and I’m sure I’ll be seeing you both soon.”

Valrae fights the smile that tugs at her lips as Leo winks, annoyed that he was just charming enough to save his skin. This time. She looks away to inspect Finn’s work, forgotten by the boy now that he’s seen Jaxson’s. It’s much more impressive to him. She smiles softly, “This is really good,” She coos, reaching out to run her fingers through the mop of the boy’s hair. He ignores her to talk to Jaxson. “If I got a sword I could fight for real but mom says I can’t have one.” His eyes look hopeful. “She listens to grown ups though…” Valrae laughs, smiling sweetly at Jaxson and trusting him to handle the outlandish request her son had made. “I wouldn’t mind him stopping by,” She replies, curious enough to see the famous manor herself. She didn’t know how his grandmother might feel about that though. As Terra’s voice rings out above the crowd she releases Finn and picks up his lantern. “It’s time to send them off!”

Verah rises from the crocheted blanket maybe too quickly. She had to shake this married man asking her weird tips on his marriage. They were not average. The half elf then moves when Terra speaks of wishing on lanterns. Verah did not prepare her own, but leaned on one of the offered lanterns. She takes the paper lantern in her hands and moves back to her little blanketed station. In a nearby bag, she pulls out some cosmetic paint, but she finds herself dipping her eyeliner brush into yellow before painting a sun. Clarity of the future. She smiles before standing up–staring into the lantern as if she was thinking of a multitude of wishes. Multiverse of what could be. So many scenarios. Tales of the time. Fate. Fate she barely knew. Brown eyes finally part away from the paper lantern until people are ready to release them.

Magik nods at Lanara. More like love, laughter, and pure chaos. The newlyweds seemed to have their hands in all kinds of happenings across the lands. There was rarely a dull day in their lives. Strangely enough, they were okay with it. They were bonding moments. The dinner offer is met with a soft laugh and another nod, "If we ever get a moment of peace, then yes, we can stop by for a dinner." Meri poking at Leo has Magik snap his head towards the pirate. Was he going to have to intervene? Oh. No. Just a smart remark. Relax, Mag. He listens to the conversation until he's needed. Ah. Introductions. Mag's fiery eyes meet Leo's. Another nod? Why not? He'll have an excuse for Meri to massage his neck later..maybe. The Lyastri keeps it simple after the nod, "Aye. Love to watch, hate to partake. Magikrios."

Meri might be willing to give Magik a massage later. All this nodding and being social, plus coming out to Gualon to start with? Meri could probably manage a massage as a show of appreciation. With Terra trying to assemble the big group release, Meri keeps her conversation pretty short. In fact, she’s actually not using words at all. Leo gets a smirk and Lanara gets a nod of agreement, to second what Magik had already said to the witch. If they ever get a moment of peace. Anyway, lantern release. Meri scoots up close to Magik so that they can be all cutesy and release a lantern together. You know, whenever it is cued to release by Terra. Or so Meri hopes. It would be just Meri’s luck to accidentally release her lantern too soon.

Terra allowed as much time as possible for all guests to decide if they wanted to retrieve a lantern and participate in the release. She moved from the fountain to the table, accepted her prepared lantern and held it gently in her palm. They were steady now but once they all released, they would float high in the sky and eventually land far away with a material that was safe to decompose and return to the earth. "We thank you all for joining us tonight! The lanterns will be up all month as our thank you for visiting Gualon. Please visit our vendors and support our artists and now..." She raised her lantern higher and continued, "Please join me in releasing your wishes to the sky." And with that, she'd push hers upwards and watched as everyone followed suit. Soon, the velvet backdrop of the night sky would be lit up with the glowing lanterns released here tonight. The spring festival festivities would continue as there were still plenty of beers to be tried, treats to be sampled but it would also be a good ending point for any who wished to depart that evening.

Valrae watches with a bemused expression as Jaxson produces a rather impressive imitation sword. Finn, on the other hand, is beside himself. He was actually trembling with his excitement as he watched the man’s magic at work. “How cool!” He breathes out, his voice irreverent and suddenly very serious for such a small child. He holds it carefully, clearly trying to imitate the stoicism of other men and women he’d seen with such a weapon. “I’m going to kill so many evil things.” He tells Jaxson, still serious. He doesn’t let the sword go as the move to release the lanterns reaches out for his hand as Valrae ushers him to the designated area. Valrae watches him, her heart squeezing sweetly in her chest.

Leoxander had no way of knowing what she was thinking. But something was definitely distracting her from the now-of-the--moment. His eyes almost entirely reflecting gold irises and jade green pupils for all the lights and lanterns held, save that moment he glanced at San Bao and offered the kid his larger lantern and a few silver to take one of the red lanterns from his bag. “Nice haul,” he murmured, “But yer bein’ way too obvious with it. I’d stash those an’ quit while you’re ahead, sprat.”

Loravelle’s nephew pockets that silver and takes heed of Leo's advice while holding onto his nicer, bigger lantern. No more swiping lanterns tonight. His momma probably wanted to get the boy home anyway because this little thief unfortunately had a bedtime. He's long gone now, and Lora can't help smiling at how Leo handles talking to the kid, but shakes her head of more ridiculous images of little kids running around that look like a mix of the Wolf and Mouse. She'll have to tell him about what Verah told her later. No secrets, right? She lifts her lantern skyward to let it join the others filling the night sky, watching as it drifts upward from her hands before lowering her arms. “They're pretty,” Lora says, especially once the lanterns float further and further away and practically imitate the stars above.

Verah watches the faint glow as the lantern ignites, the orange shadowing her tanned face. Once Verah releases her lantern, she watches it get lost beyond the crowd of the others. She shakes her head for a moment before moving back to her blanket. Perhaps the letting go of lanterns was the nomad’s finale for the evening. She takes a glance up again and the tiny glows begin to twinkle in their distance. She blows out the candles on the blanket, picks up the pillows, and folds up her blanket. It would take a couple trips to the wagon to load up. Once she clears her area, she moves to find her red wagon before hopping up to lead the horses off.

Lanara snags a drink on her way out of the festival, offering parting smiles to friends that may catch her eye. Bjorn, who has been looking for Lanara the -entire- time, runs up to the witch and mutters a million apologies. He’s afraid that Tiberius will have his head as the witch had gone unattended for a couple of hours. Lana laughs and reassures him that there won’t be any issues, “As long as you keep your mouth shut, Bjorn! Did you ever catch up with Nel?” She bites the inside of her cheek to keep from giggling, as they make their way back to Sage Forest, with the cubs walking at their side.

Leoxander watched Terra’s light lift and sway and rise into the air, and tail of increased numbers that followed at their own pace and scattered somewhat in direction. He’d never witnessed a display like that, for all his years, let alone right up close. Never entirely letting his guard down, he was still solemnly awestruck until he noticed Loravelle’s light lift. It seemed a perfect moment as San Bao looked up and watched his floating light, as the crowd was distracted by the scene, and his smaller red lantern was let go to tug Loravelle closer by the collar under her white scarf to press in a kiss to her lips. Hopefully the moment spared him too much public display. It was no peck but it wasn’t overly done, either. If the mission of misdirection failed, San Bao’s ‘ewww’ would probably foil his attempt to sneak that private moment in.

Magik admires Meri's artwork on their lantern. A small black flame begins to burn in the middle of it. Given their quiet conversation, Mag winks at his wife. The black flame grows a little larger as it shapes into a phoenix to mimic the painted one. The fiery phoenix starts to thrash about inside of the lantern, begging for escape. "On three?" Magik watches the crowd and waits until there are a handful of lanterns floating towards the sky. "...Three." Magik releases the lantern and watches as it slowly floats above their heads for a few seconds. With the flick of his wrist, the lantern takes off like a bat out of hell. It flies laps around the garden before taking to the sky with the other lanterns in it's sight. The phoenix lantern rips through the sky towards Terra's lantern, it's first victim. What looks like inevitable disaster turns into a gentle bump as the lantern's speed drastically drops. Magik snickers quietly before leaning to Meri's cheek. After a soft peck, he asks her if she's ready to head home.

Meri watches the flames inside of the lantern. “On three,” Meri agrees, proceeding to count down with Magik. The fact that the flame had formed in a shape of a phoenix would probably be lost on to most of the people, only a detail Meri and Magik noticed. Especially when that lantern takes off through the sky at speeds that it should be moving in, given that is a candle-powered contraption. For some reason, Meri is not surprised. The blonde is smirking. Maybe it had something to do with whatever the couple had previously been whispering at each other? The scene does not end up in disaster though. That peck on the cheek Magik gives her is met with a soft smile and his question about heading home is answered with a nod. Off the couple go, after packing up their things of course.

​Loravelle's nephew definitely shouted a very loud 'ewww' accompanied by an exaggerated gagging noise at the sight of Leo smooching his aunt. Gross. Who does that? Adults are gross. Lora on the other hand, is caught off guard by the sudden public display of affection, whirled around by that tug of her collar. She kisses Leo back, of course, her face turning just as pink as her robes, if not darker as it so often did whenever the rogue caught her off guard. Her eyes open to glance warily around them and eventually she pulls away, not too keen on lingering with that kiss when other people might be watching. Especially her nephew, who still hasn't stopped making his opinion on kissing and how gross it is very apparent until his mother finally scoops him up and carries him back home.

Leoxander let the fabric of her fancy robe fall from his fingers, and as she pulled away, a little or a lot, he gave San Bao a shoulder shove -almost- hard enough to knock him to the ground when he turned to head out of the gardens, naturally willing to wait until her sister wrangled in her child so he could walk Lora, or the lot of them home.