A river valley between two mountain ranges. A powerful river flows through rocky terrain, creating strong currents and dangerous rapids. Precious gold ore can be found in the river for those brave enough. The forests surrounding abound with life.
OOC.
Spring Thaw 2025 is here! Open to all characters. Mysterious invitations have been spread throughout the lands telling of a huge celebration for the Spring Thaw. Characters are to arrive disguised in costume and/or wearing a masquerade mask. A strange magic has settled over the area. Anyone wearing a disguise, costume, or mask cannot be identified (no identifiable scent, voice, or appearance). Everyone is mysterious - so long as you don't remove your disguises or reveal your identity!
Attendees can say they've been at the party for awhile or 'arrive'. Explore. Mingle. have fun.
IC.
The harsh winter lasted longer than usual this year, drawing its icy weather late into the Spring. But finally Spring arrived in full force. The trees were with with leaves and grass grew lush and green underfoot. The flowers bloomed and the perfumed scent of petals floated on the wind. Spring was here! Well, at least for now. As quickly as the weather turned warm, it felt like early summer! And with the warming weather, many of the creatures began to stir from their shelters. Old friends reunited. Older rivals quarrelled once again. But at least the weather was nice!
And with the warm weather, word had spread throughout the lands. Invitations had been sent through various means of a celebration happening in the Whitewater river valley. Not far from the river, at dusk, a feast and party were to be held. All were invited - so long as they arrived in mask or costume. No one was sure who exactly was in charge of the party. Many assumed it was someone they knew or perhaps the leaders of their faction. Many just didn't care or bother to ask. But food would be provided, and that was enough to entice many to arrive.
So as dusk settled, the warm rays of dusk and soft light of twilight enveloped the designated party area. Many creatures had already gathered and were mingling. Strangely enough, it seemed no matter how hard one tried, anyone wearing a disguise was not able to be identified! So the attendees mingled about the area, coming and going. A small clearing of grass was lit by tall torches and some were dancing while a group of minstrels serenaded at one end of the clearing. The edges of the clearing were lined with forest and some party-goers had wandered off into the trees for fun. And at the other end of the clearing, several cloths made of hide had been fashioned and heaping mounds of food rested atop. An assortment of fruit, bowls and bottles of ale, and prepared meats of all variety.
A party where everyone was meant to be disguised? That was just the kind of thing Disapora looked forward to. So, of course, she was one of the first to arrive, dressed in an elaborate cloak of feathers with a matching mask perched upon her face. Both were various shades of blue and sparkling, to match her mist, which she'd heightened for the occasion. Beneath it all, one could hardly tell she was a serval, just that she was small and perhaps feline. She'd purred when she'd seen herself in the river's reflection. This was a rogue's dream, and with food provided at that.
Once there were enough people to mingle with, the serval slinked down from the tree she'd been in to join in the merriment. She went around the crowd, complimenting outfits and noting what shiny objects there were to steal later when the happiness and ale made everyone oh so sleepy and susceptible. The twilight sun gleamed off of her prospects gorgeously, and the music was delightful. Altogether, she was as happy as a thief could be. She placed herself by the food, nibbling on the rodents provided every few moments, body language open as she waited to find out who she would approach first. Or, perhaps, who would approach her...
Larkspur cocked their head curiously shaking out their coat a little bit in an attempt to straighten out the outfit they'd (somewhat reluctantly) allowed themselves to be forced into in the name of this festival. They dropped down stretching out a little - at least the fabric was fluid and breathable, the tiny gilded chains swinging slowly at their flanks. They had decided to lean into the pirate garb, something partly because it was so open to interpretation and partly to honor where Reed and Balthazar apparently came from.
They had acquired a larger leather harness to hold a series of satchels (one for herbs, one for medicinal equipment and a cozy place for Folke to rest if it so chose) given they planned to use some of this equipment after the festival was over. They managed to find some of the bands that Reed had too, though their head-fur wasn't quite long enough to use any yet. Instead, they went with leather-shin guards and a heavy deep blue cloak to match their eyes that had cost them an entire stag carcass in trade. The mask they'd chosen was designed after a hawk, Larkspur donating their own molted feathers for the design around the edges leaving it mottled and brown.
Their ears swiveled about while they lounged near the edge, frankly content to be creature-watching over actively poking through the stalls.
---
While Enya was sad to see winter loosening its grasp upon the world, she was eager and excited that it was time for the Spring Thaw. It was even more exciting to her that it was being held in Whitewater Rapids. There was something spectacular to her about this decision. Last time she'd been in that region, she'd been running from Verdantis with a pupil in tow. This time, she'd be dressed down and partying well into the night. She hoped that she ran across them during the event, not that she would know unless they blatantly revealed their identities.
She was intrigued by the idea that their identities would be completely masked. To further hide herself, she opted to skip the royalty look she usually went with and instead disguise herself with a dark cloak. It was cinched up with leather straps, both outlining her feminine figure while hiding her scales and markings. Her ears were hidden by a hood, and around her muzzle draped a dark mask, modeled loosely after a panther. Only her eyes remained visible for others to see, swirling teal as excitement buzzed within her, a striking contract to her otherwise dull attire.
Enya lingered and socialized and exchanged pleasantries with strangers as she made her way through the groups that made up the crowd as others filtered into the party. Mentally, she made guesses at who was who as they offered names and stories. It wasn't long, however, before she felt the urge to snack. Alcohol went down easier with a sated belly, after all. She sauntered her way over to look over the offerings laid out before spotting tuna on the table. Immediately she moved towards it, uncaring who she knocked out of the way as she reached for her target. Her muzzle snapped up one piece, then two, then a third before she looked back to see who else might be near to witness her lady-like manners. Her eyes fell onto a small guest dressed in an elaborate cloak of feathers. It was beautiful, but not her style. "Oh uh," she started, her tone light and high, "You weren't reaching for these, were you?" Then, she reached to snap up a fourth piece. There were plenty - er - mostly plenty enough left for others.
Note: These Tuna pieces are bite-size! Not whole fish/large! Think Sashimi.
Disapora watched as a woman in what was more appropriately rougelike attire than her own whizzed past. It was a bit cliche, but the serval could respect that. Things were cliché for a reason, after all. Xe watched the other the same as xe watched everyone else, until xe were spoken to. Their brow raised, and a dainty but genuine laugh escaped their maw, mouth in a soft smile.
"No, I'm more partial to rats myself," they smirked, "But you seem to enjoy them so much it almost makes me want to try..." Xer eyes blinked slowly, considering. Then, she gave a small shrug and waltzed over to grab one for herself. Xer chewed much more slowly than xer counterpart, having already sated xerself previously. No, this was about taste. And the taste was truly exquisite, better than the fish that Disapora was used to. Then again, it had been quite a while since she'd last had fish. Perhaps she'd just forgotten the taste, or grown different taste buds. She made a mental note to retry other foods.
"Hmm, I see why you like these. Wonderful flavour on them, isn't it?" Their smirk gentled into a soft, conversational smile, tone light and friendly. Even if it didn't make much sense to network here, it was still always her first impulse.
