Base of the Pyramid - Shrilk Crossroads
This is the east side of the base of the mighty obsidian pyramid created by the Core computer. From this vantage point you can barely make out the glittering portal at the top. Beyond this clearing to the north and south lays a dense forest, to the east two rutted dirt roadways intersect, offering travel to the east, north, and south. There seems to be a well travelled path curving around the pyramid and leading off west, directly towards Lake Evarim. The air here is cold and sharp, often holding little whisps and flurries of snow, blowing primarily from the east.
All around, in every direction, are the beginnings of the great winter Festival - tents are being erected, firepits laid out, merchants and artisans starting to set up their areas. At any time there are dozens of gryphons at work here, and at times, even hundreds. Great flights of them arrive from all directions, though primarily the northwest and southwest, carrying great nets and baskets filled with supplies, food, water, and more. The ground is dusted in snow, though the busy activity in the area has trampled most of it away already. Three immense fire rings, left over from last year, have been cleared out and re-established... and many other smaller firepits are scattered about this huge flattened area - some of them revived from the previous year, some the product of hard labor to create new ones.
The festival grounds are loosely divided into three areas - this one, which is the great majority of the area, is devoted to merchants, vendors, and craftscreatures. To the east and north, closer to the great roadway, is where most of the intertainment and competitions take place. To the west, spreading around to the south of the pyramid and beyond, are the sleeping areas.
Gryphons move about in the entertainment area, cleaning the grounds of the excess snow and debris. Whispers begin to move throughout the festival area that Windhaven is setting up another display. One gryphon walks over to Stormrider. "Stormrider? You volunteered to help with setup right? We need you over in front of the mage's tent please." Some Windhaven mages can be seen over by the large odd bundle and the covered logs supporting it doing something alright.
Stormrider blinks, a little startled to be disturbed, he nods a little, then streches and stands, grumbling a little to himself, then moving to the mages tent, "Hello, I'm here, what you need me to do?"
Ceylana turns around from the table she's at as she hears a question from behind. "Ah yes. We can use all the help we can get. Fenna, what do you need this young lady to do?" The female mage looks at a board, answering "We need the area cleared out still and the bracing stones still need to be set before we can stand the poles up." Ceylana asks Stormrider, "Which can you do?"
Stormrider shrugs his wings a little, "I can probly do either one, let me start with cleaning out the area though, then whoever is doing the bracing can come behind and get it done on a cleaned out area, instead of having to double up from time to time and all.
Fenna marks on the board and points out to the area where gryphons are already at work clearing it. "Go report to Rativo, he is in charge of clean up. Return here when you're done with him." Ceylana looks over behind the table at an opened crate. Inside are large flat discs of stone, carved and painted in various blues and whites. "How deep do the discs need to be set, Jiini?" The female mage walks over to the crate, looking in before looking out to the area. "I think we should bury them in at least two feet down. The poles should rest directly on them for the spells to work their best."
Laurel, having been pointed in the wrong direction initially, finds her way back to the main encampment... and spots out of the corner of her eye a gryphoness that looks like the one she's looking for, she hurries over before the other gets lost in the crowd, "Councillor Ceylana?" She inquires.
Ceylana turns to the new voice asking questions. She stops for a second as she realizes she's turned to face not a gryphon but another creature. A human, if she recalls correctly. Looking up, she asks, "I am she, is there something I can do for you?" While she is busy, she is still able to give someone the time to answer a quick question.
Laurel nods, "I'm Laurel Farle, I'm here representing Finavir... the homeland of my people. I need to speak with you at some point in... considerable depth."
Ceylana looks back at the tent that is growing busier by the minute as preparations for tonight's display reach the final stage. Looking back up at Laurel, she inclines her head, "I will make the time to speak with you in great length, but right now is not a good time for such conversations. I can, however, give you a few minutes if you wish to give me a condensed version of your visit to think upon for later?" She is brisk in tone, yet still kind and friendly. No sense brushing off ambasadors looking for you, now is there?
Laurel shakes her head - "I'd prefer to discuss it when we have time to sit down." She replies, "I see you have preparations to make - I'll leave you to them."
Ceylana inclines her head again, "Then seek me out here tommorrow. I can guarantee I will not be going anywhere then." She turns as a gryphon calls out a question to her in shrilkish. She answers in kind before turning back to the human. "Will you be watching the display tonight miss Farle?"
Laurel nods, "Depends what comes up - but I hope to be."
Ceylana smiles, "It will not be something one can forget easily afterwards, I can promise you that."
Laurel chuckles and nods, "Well - I'm looking forward to it then."
Gryphons call out more insistently to Ceylana who asks Laurel, "If you will excuse me, I'm needed. Enjoy tonight and we shall talk tommorrow. I will leave word that I am expecting you."
Laurel nods, giving an elegant bow, "I look forward to speaking with you, good luck this evening councilor."
Ceylana gives a soft laugh under her breath. She mutters, "I'm going to need it." She disappears inside the tent, her voice can still be heard calling out directions and instructions. From the side where the logs are at, a flap has been pulled aside there. She is calling out directions to those around them and the odd huge bundle that is still there. Three gryphons pick up odd shovel-like blades and walk over to the entertainment area that is almost cleared out and start digging holes in different spots.
Stormrider goes and helps with the clean up, making sure the area is spotless before moving on to the next, he spots the human, and wonders if its one of the ones his mother told him about, the ones living with the blue horse critters.
Laurel moves away from Ceylana's tent - leaving her to her preparations, and finds a fallen log to sit down on for a bit...
Stormrider returns to the tent after a while, "Allright, done with the clean up." He says, casting another glance at the stray human.
Fenna looks over at the crate and tells Stormrider, "The others are digging up the holes for those discs. Go grab a digger from the side of the tent and assist them. The holes need to be wide enough to fit those in them and about two feet deep. They'll show you where each hole has to be." Only one hole has been dug up so far and the trio are at work on the second and third. The discs are close to a foot wide each.
Laurel watches from where she's taken a seat on a fallen log, glancing curiously at the preparations being made - and considering the time. Does she have time to get a few things from her tent before the festivities?
Word is spread out slowly by word of mouth that the display won't be until darkfall, which is still a good few hours away.
Tobi ambles out of his parents' tent with a yawn escaping his beak. He looks around for something to occupy him.
Ja'hreet glides overhead, seemingly looking through the crowds, trying to find someone, without much success. He spots Laurel, and, while not who he was originally looking for, she's worth seeing, so he turns, gliding down toward her.
Laurel doesn't notice Ja at first, with a little sigh she slips her sidearm out of its holster and starts taking it apart, quickly getting it into half a dozen pieces, checking this and that as she goes...
Tobi notices a beautiful and speedy bug running to and fro near a log, a little golden one. This is merely the light reflected from Laurel's rank insignia, but Tobi does not understand this.
Ja'hreet backwings to a landing, flicking his tailtip a little as he refolds his wings at his sides. He steps forward, approaching Laurel from off to her side, peering down at the things she's working with.
Tobi hunkers down and inches closer to the spot on the ground. His head whips back and forth as it moves.
Laurel glances up as a shadow whisks close by - then smiles as she recognizes Ja'hreet, "Ah! Hi there, come early to get good seats for the show?" She inquires with a chuckle - unaware of the devious little gryphlet sneaking up...
Ja'hreet ruffles out his neckfeathers, puffing out as Laurel notes him. He steps up to greet her, nuzzling his beak against her shoulder, and sitting down beside her. "Ah, yes... I hope it's a good show this year," he answers, with a grin. "The first you've seen?"
Tobi pounces on the dot in front of the log. He jumps back and forth, always landing on the "bug" , but it always escapes.
Laurel nods her head - "I've managed to miss the others somehow." she agrees cordially, smiling at Ja as he nuzzles her shoulder, reaching over to skritch under his chin, and jerking a bit in surprise at a sudden move to the side of her, looking over and giving a laugh as she watches the gryphlet at play, seeing him chasing the light reflection from her insignia...
As the area is cleared out, more gryphons grab digger blades and set to work digging shallow graves for the odd discs. They dig where scratches have been made into the ground, crude X's with a circle around it. Eight total in a ring, a bigger one in the center.
Stormrider waves a wing to Ja'hreet, "Afternoon Ja, how are you?"
Ja'hreet purrrs, lifting his head as he gets a scritch under his chin, something the drake finds himself regularly susceptible to. He sits, flaring a wing out around Laurel's side. At the call, he looks over, chirruping a greeting in return to Stormrider.
Laurel chuckles, moving a hand to her insignia pin and deliberately playing the light a bit to send the gryphlet scrambling...
Stormrider grins a little to Ja, his head tilting to one side, then chuckling as he watches Ja getting scritched, "Humm, I was goingto ask if you where busy tonight, but.....
Cirall walks in from the sleeping area where her people set up their tents. She is sproting a wide bandage around her chest under her vest and heavy cloak, but otherwise seems okay from her encounter with Darm the other day. Both bodyguards follow behind silently as she looks around. She is curious as to what the gryphons are up to now and plans to make sure she gets a good seat soon. Hot food is on her priority list for now though.
Stormdancer lays in an open space, watching the Windhaven preperations. He looks tired.
Tobi teears off after the light, before stopping short and falling over as the light again changes direction.
Y'lyandra has been wandering around the merchant areas, a rather large tankard of mead in one hand. Although she's still walking steadily, from her reactions, it appears that the mug has been refilled a few times already. She nods greetings here and there, occasionaly laughing a bit too loudly at something or other, but mostly just.. strolls.
Ja'hreet raises an eyeridge in Stormrider's direction. "Hrr? Something on your mind, Stormrider," he asks, enjoying the scritching, and settling into place, relaxing a little.
The Air mage, Jiini, carefully pulls out the crate of stone discs with the help of two heavy-set males. Once out in the open, Jiini takes a hold of the top disc in both forepaws and spreads her wings, preferring to move them by flight to their new resting spots. From below, one can see that even the bottom is scribed and carved in runes and paints. She sets this stone into the first pit dug out carefully, taking time to be sure it sits just right. At this point, six of the nine total holes have been dug, the rest being worked on quickly. Jiini makes her way back to the front of the tent and the crate there and repeats the process with a second stone into a second hole in the ground.
Laurel glances curiously at Stormrider as he speaks with Ja'hreet, but as she doesn't understand what's being said, she remains quiet, and just continues to skritch lightly into the librarian's feathers.
Stormrider chuckles a little, then shakes his head, "THere was, but. it looks like your going to be busy...
Ja'hreet hmms, to Stormrider? "No, not too badly. Why? What's on your mind?" He slips a wing over Laurel's shoulders...
Stormrider says, "Errr, well, I was thinking of maybe going off and talking a while, sorta thing..."
After all eight stone discs are in place in the large circle, only the center hole remains, the diggers long since finished and moved on to the next task. Jiini gets the help of the two heavy-set males from before in setting this stone disc, easily twice the size and diameter of the others. It takes a few minutes and much maneuvering before she declares it set right. She skrees out to the gryphons who are now at the pile of logs. The huge odd bundle is once again strapped down with padded cables and is slowly lifted into the sky by more than two dozen able-bodied gryphons.
Laurel chuckles softly, letting her hand drop from Ja'hreet a moment as she takes some time to put her pistol back together - since it's lying in parts in her lap, inconveniently.
Tobi darts a paw out to snatch the golden bug now that it has stopped moving. No sooner than he catches it, it starts to move again. He grrs in a tiny squeak of a voice and keeps trying to catch that bug!
A pair of drakes come up to Stormdancer, chattering at him in Shrilkish for a few minutes. The older drake nods after a bit, and chatters back, seemingly to the satisfaction of the other two, who go trotting off again. He sits up onto his hindquartes as the Windhaven lifts their bundle up, watching alertly until all the lifting lines are taut, then relaxing, and looking over the gathering crowd idly. Ahh... there's Laurel, apparently enjoying the company of a couple of drakes and a gryphlet. And Cirall... good to see her in better condition than before, though he watches her alertly for a while, to see if she's still hurting.
SunBright looks over at Laurel sitting nearby and at the odd little pieces of metal in her lap. She nudges her twin sister and points over, asking her something you can't understand. Cirall looks up from her food and looks too, curious as to what they're looking at. She sees the little gryphlet and chuckles, but looks at the human and her metal puzzle.
Ja'hreet hrrs. "Ah, at some point, then, Stormrider," he answers, quietly, nodding. He gives a curious glance back to Laurel, as she sets to work on the assembly of the parts.
Laurel doesn't take long until the dull gunmetal is fully assembled again - she drops it back in her holster, noting Ja'hreet look she chuckles, "Its best to check it now and again for any signs of rust, and it was something to do while I was between tasks."
Ja'hreet ahs, and nods... He smiles a little, looking up to the proceedings before the fires.
Ceylana moves out with a male mage to the center of the circle where the large disc is set and helps call out as the other gryphons try to maneuver the awkward bundle on that direction. The mage, Genkin, directs the placement the most as the smaller end of the bundle is lowered to him. He pulls back at the tarp at that end, revealing what appears to be cut wood. With much trepidation and care, the end is lowered to the hole and the disc inside. The rest is still held aloft by the numerous gryphons. Without poles and cables tied down, it will not stand any other way. Genkin pulls out an odd looking small mallet and proceeds to pound at the ground all around the base of the wood while Jiini nearby chants and flaps at the tree with her wings. This takes more than a few minutes, but once done, the order is given to let the cables go. Slowly.
SunBright and MoonLight look at each other, quite intrigued at the item Laurel has just reassembled and holstered. It is made of metal and put in a waist holder. But what sort of weapon could it be to be so small? Cirall nudges her two guards and points at the bundle saying something in Argalian. Both guards look over. What'd they do, put it in backwards? There's no way it can stand up by itself like that, it looks like.
Stormdancer looks around a bit more, then rises to all fours, and pads over to where the others seem to have gathere. "Greetings, Cirall," he chiurrs in common, adding, "SunBright, MoonLight..." with a nod to each. "Recovered well, I hope?"
Tobi swats at the bug again, sure he has it this time! It doesn't move this time. He looks to see that it's still there when he lifts his paw. Yep, still there. He gives himself a little chirple of happiness and wanders off in search of other things. Oh look, another shiny, but this one is up higher. He jumps up on the log. Okay, more like scrambles his way up the log. He reaches up to reach it, but it's still too high. He rears up and braces himself against something and tries again. MoonLight looks down at the gryphlet and wonders what the thing is up too?
Laurel glances back at the gryphlet close to her, making room as the adventurous creature decides to hop up on the log next to her... She reaches a hand over tentatively, palm flat and facing upwards, holding it a foot or so away so he can look at it and smell her.
Cirall nods to Stormdancer, "I am much better, thank you. Your healers are remarkable with their magics." She reaches down to touch the tender side where she had that cracked rib. "It's still a little tender, but defenitely not as bad as it first was." She looks over as Moon gets her attention and leans forward to look around her bodyguard at the little gryphlet over by Laurel. She giggles and says in common, "I think it likes you."
Jenna checks and makes sure all her stalls are still doing all right, then returns to settle besides Taareek, watching things quietly.
Taareek nuzzles at Jenna's neck before going back to watching everything with a stony silence.
Tobi flinches back as something gets in his way. He leans forward, reaching out with a tiny paw to Laurel's hand, brinnging it closer so he can sniff it like a little kitten does. He sniffs a few times, pulling the hand away from blocking the shiny thing accidently. He chirups and reaches out for it once again, this time using the hand as a stepping stone. Or trying to anyway.
Laurel chuckles at that, letting the gryphlet guide her hand lightly, glancing at the strange dragoness as she speaks to her, "It does seem to." She agrees in amusement, noting what its looking at, her hand doesn't work so well as a stepping stone, but she draws it out of the way and the little creature can probably get at least partly into her lap, if it chooses...
Stormdancer mhrhrrs, bobbing his head slightly, glancing to watch the gryphlet's scramblings and explorations. "I imagine they enjoyed the challenge of working on someone different... I'm glad they were able to fix you up." He pauses to scratch up along the side of his chest with one hindpaw, curling slightly to do so, then gives a brief shake and wingflick, shedding a few tufts of down. "Be careful, Tobi... she's a softskin... gentle claws," he chiurps to the gryphlet, in Shrilkish.
Ja'hreet chortles, looking over toward the gryphlet. He chortles softly, and comments to Laurel, "Energetic little thing, hmm?" He grins.
Ropes are released and by the magic of earth and wind, it remains standing with no further support. The cables are dropped, yet not removed from the bundle. The mages are not yet ready to reveal what it is. The workers fly over to the logs, pulling away the tarp to reveal eight poles, each roughly 15 feet long and about 6 inches in diameter. Each one is covered in the same manner as the fire pits were for the first fire display. Runes, glyphs, designs and markings off all sorts have been painted onto these poles in different reds oranges and yellows. Some have even been carved in first, giving the poles a bit of texture to them. One by one, they are strapped in with more padded cables and maneuvered into the holes as the large bundle was. Again, Genkin and Jiini cast the spells preset into the anchor stones below each pole. Each pole is then let loose, standing tall and free of any restraints, save those of magic in the ground.
Ja'hreet hrrrs, cocking his head, giving a glance back to the mages working on the fire preparations... He chortles, as he looks back to the gryphlet.
Laurel watches the gryphlet curiously, happy to let it explore, as long as it doesn't scratch her too much.
Tobi looks sharply around as he hears his name and chirples at Stormdancer. He goes back to stalking the shiny, determined to get it. He crawls up over more obstacles, his tiny sharp claws digging in through the fabric of Laurel's clothing without him even trying. He reaches out, almost there!
Laurel's uniform and jacket is made of sturdy fibers - the gryphlet can get a grip on it, and get his claws in, but its strong enough that it doesn't tear under his weight...
Laurel decides after a moment to unclip her insignia pin and set it down on her lap for the gryphlet to get, now she -really- hopes he doesn't decide to eat it...
Ja'hreet grins, sitting beside Laurel. The gryphlet doesn't seem to show any signs of fear of other species. He looks to the pin as well, cocking his head slightly. "Ah, so that's what he's been eyeing," he comments to Laurel.
Laurel nods with a chuckle, "It seems that way. " She agrees, "Well, I'd better let him have it before he claws me to pieces. I hope he won't eat it?"
Ja'hreet hmmms. "I don't imagine he would," he thinks out loud. "It's metal," he asks, looking a little closer.
Laurel chuckles softly, "Then I hope he'll let me have it back when he's done playing."
Ja'hreet chortles. "Ah, just keep an eye on him, and make sure you get it back when he finds the next thing to distract him."
Tobi is startled by the sudden movement. He takes off squeeling. His flight leading him quickly toward his family's tent.
Karee yawns as she emerges from her sleeping tent, giving herself a light shaking from beak to tail.
Laurel blinks, a touch startled by the startlement of the gryphlet, then gives a soft chuckle, "Well, that's that." She puts the pin back on.
In time, all eight colored poles are freestanding in a very large circle around the still-wrapped object. Ceylana looks up to the sky as the first of the suns nears setting early in this wintry of days. It is only time now before things progress. More gryphons walk up to Ceylana and they confer at the base of the wrapped object. Pointing is done and heads shake or nod. Finally the decision is made and three of them start to unstrap the cables still wrapped around the bundle that holds down the tarp now. The cables fall and the tarp is pulled away carfully by gryphons on the wing so the object beneath is not damaged.
Ja'hreet laughs softly, grinning, as the little one takes off, nudging Laurel's shoulder. "Ah, see," he grins.
Alexis slinks through the crowd, looking for someone.. its a while before she spots him, and slips up behind. "Ja'hreet." she calls softly, tapping him gently... her tail swinging slowly behind.
Cirall looks over as the gryphons seem to be uncovering the whatever it is. She points over there, "Look everyone, I think they're going to show us what it is finally." Yep, she's going to state the obvious.
Karee pads over the join the crowd to watch what is going on curiously.
Once again, the entartainment area is circled off by Windhaveners, but in a much larger area this time. 8 tall poles, each 15 feet high and about 6 inches in diamter circle around a much larger, huge pole. This is no ordinary pole, but actually a whole tree, branches still fairly intact. It even has it's leaves still, but they are the reds, oranges and yellows of autumn. How this can be can only be explained by magic, because full winter is here in the sphere and there are no trees left with such leaves. A closer inspection, if given, would show that the leaves look preserved somehow, each leaf covered in a rune, mark or glyph. The very wood itself has been carved into. It appears as if the carving began while the tree was still growing, because the runestones set into some cuts are partially regrown into the tree itself. Paint of different firey colors adorn this massive 20 foot tall tree. For those who saw the earlier display, the design looks similar in an area here and there on the tree. Even the poles are done in similar fashion, carvings and paints decorate them all. Images of flames, gryphons in flight and other various pictures can be made out with close enough inspection. The Windhaveners circling the ring do not allow for too close a look, though.
Ja'hreet peers back to the preparations, now that the distractions of the gryphlet are done. At the call, he lifts his head, looking over... As he notes the feline, he gapes his beak a little. "Ah, Alexis," he chirrups, waving her over...
Laurel sitting next to Ja'hreet on a log, glances over her shoulder when he calls out, giving the feline a smile and half-bow of greeting, "Good evening."
Cirall whistles in admiration at the tree. How did they keep the leaves on that thing this far into winter? She was told all the trees like that had shed their leaves long ago already.
Alexis smiles, stepping around, "Hey there. Been looking for you.. How was hunting?" she bobs her head to Laurel, "Hello.
Ja'hreet nods, smiling broadly. "A good one... I'd forgotten how good the hunt can be. It's rare I get the time to do it, so busy at the Library." He points to the preparations. "Looks like you made it just in time. About to start."
Ceylana leads all the mages back into the tent to finish getting themselves ready for the display, trusting the others to protect the poles and tree. Word is spread out and around the entire festival area that the final display from Windhaven will begin just after sunset.
Alexis nods softly, "Thats good." she looks up, following Ja'hreet's point, "Great... I was worried I'd have to find a place before I found you." she glances back at him, and smiles.
Ja'hreet smiles, and nods.. "Come then, and join me. How was the day? Anything interesting?"
Cirall scoots down to the ground, letting her wings drape over the log under her heavy cloak. She leans back against the log, pulling her knees up to keep what warmth she can as she relaxes.
Stormdancer moves behind the log Cirall leans against, and rests his forebody on it, left foreclaw laid over the right, as he watches the Windhaven prepare their display.
Alexis sits down next to him and nods, "Yeah. I found some jewelry I fell in love with." she grins, patting her side pouch, "I'll show it to you later. But other than that, I just hung about."
Ja'hreet mmms, giving a glance down to the pouch, smiling. "Ah, good... I'm surprised how many merchants were able to make it this year. I managed to get everything I was looking for early on." He smiles.
Alexis nods, eyes watching the crowd, "Yeah, I was too. There's an amazing selection of things. I had trouble choosing."
The second sun has set and the sky begins to darken. Gryphons, centaurs, unicorns, felines, dragons and other creatures continue to congregate and fill the grounds surrounding the circle warded off by the Windhaveners. Whispers and comments float around, How can they top that last one? What do they plan this time? It's the same colors and such as before, is it going to be a big fire again? Everyone vies for a closer look while trying to not step all over each other. Many up front sit so those in back can see as well as get comfortable. Blankets, cloaks and other coverings guard most from the cold winds as the last ray of light fades away, taking it's warming touch with it.
Cirall turns to her two guards and Stormdancer next to her and says in a quiet voice, "They should be getting started soon, right? They said sundown." She's excited about this, as excited as a young child about to watch fireworks for the second time. Then again, she is. And getting to see magic of such power and control...it sends shivers up her spine, both in excitement and fear. If this sort of power were in the hands of the Vehrakt...it could mean disastrous times. She takes comfort in the fact that it can not happen in Argalia.
Ja'hreet nods, smiling a little, nudging his beak to Alexis's shoulders, looking about at the crowds. "It seems word has spread," he remarks, nuzzling his beak to Alexis's shoulder. "Plenty to watch the show."
Karee hunkers down a bit to watch, looking at all the trees and things curiously, never having seen something like this before.
Ceylana steps out from the mages' tent, followed by 16 others. All are adorned the same way, in odd-looking vest-harnesses that cover their upper backs and cross their chestfeathers. Hanging all over from these harnesses are ribbons, also in same colors as the tree and poles. Almost like a second coat of fur, the ribbons are thick, yet floose enough to flow and sway in the breeze caused by the walking pace the mages take to the circle. Onlookers make room for the group to get to and enter the circle, but press in close behind to try to get a better up close seat to the fireworks about to begin.
Stormdancer bobs his head slightly, shifting so that he's close to Cirall. "I'd expect so... they've been very punctual, when possible." Tired and wrung-out though he is by almost ten days of helping run this event, and twenty days of hard work immediately before... he's still eager to see this display.
Alexis mms, rubbing a hand over Ja's head as he nuzzles her, "Yeah." she sits up a little higher. "Looks like it'll start soon too."
Cirall silences herself and those around her as the mages come back out. She thinks to herself, "What the heck are they wearing?" but says nothing for fear of ruining something important. She knows how the priestesses hate to be interupted back home in their rituals.
Stormdancer looks rather puzzled as well. "I have no idea... clothing is not something we're particularly inclined towards, as you've noticed. Must have something to do with the display..."
Four mages head directly to the center tree pole, each one facing it, standing at the cardinal compass points: north, east, south and west. Four of the circle poles are also at the cardinal points, the other four between them to form a circle around the artistic tree. A mage goes to stand on the outside of each circle pole, facing in to the center tree pole, their pole directly between them and the tree. Aside from Ceylana, the remaining four stand in between the circle poles and the tree pole, but not at the cardinal points. They stand in between those as well, at northwest, southwest, southeast and northeast. Ceylana herself stands to the north, facing the tree to the south of her. As with the previous display, the mages call for silence and attention by flaring their wings out, holding them forward and if trying to embrace the poles before them. The tree is wide enough around that it takes all four gryphons to circle it with their wings.
Cirall shifts from side to side where she sits, eager to see what happens.
Zhagtin stands and watches silently, jaws slightly parted and eyes tracking from mage to mage as he takes it all in. His expression is alien to most, and unreadable.
Ja'hreet hrrs, and nods, slipping his wing over to curl it around Alexis's shoulders, still watching with curiosity toward the mages. He doesn't want to miss any of the show...
Once things quiet down, all but the four standing by themselves lower their wings. These four controllers start chanting first. A soft, lilting melody that is almost to soft to hear, gradually growing in volume until it fills the senses without drowining out all life. The four surrounding the tree at the center begin to stamp their feet in rhythm to the chanting. Paws and claws hitting the packed ground add a strength to the lilting melody of the chanting. The stamping gryphs begin their own chanting which is picked up by the ones still standing by the 8 poles circling the tree.
Dahliah watches as well, standing at Zagtin's side, silent as she watches each mage.. Her hood is drawn back so she can see better.
After a few minutes of the new chanting has gone on, underscored by the lilting chanting of the controller mages and the stamping of the four by the tree, Ceylana begins her own chanting, her voice strong and commanding, her words unrecognizable. She picks up the stamping herself as she chants towards the tree, her body moving little by little with the stamping as a Native American stampdances around a fire. She moves around the tree and towards each circle pole as she nears them. The chanting and stamping drives her on until she has completed one full circuit around the tree.
Alexis leans against Ja softly, eyes glued to the mages.. her ears perk and she sits a little higher.
Stop. Everyone stops. A breeze flows past, everything is silent. A tension is in the air. What. Why did they stop? Nothing happened. Soft murmers begin in the crowd, but no one will risk any loud noises for fear of....
Karee wiggles and shifts lightly in time with the beat herself, her ears perked forward quite attentively.
Cirall blinks. Why'd they stop? She looks around and whispers, "It's not over is, it?"
A soft glow forms at the base of the poles that climbs up the poles slow at first, then faster and faster like a fire feeding from fuel. A stamp of claw to ground from Ceylana. An answering stamp from the others. The glow flares bright in response to the stamp. Another stamp from Ceylana answered by the others. An answering flare from the glowing poles. Ceylana starts up another chant at the same time the controllers resume their chant. The four around the tree and the eight by the poles start stamping again to this new rythym created by Ceylana's chant. They pick it up themselves in counterpoint to her, as if following a verse after.
Ja'hreet squints a little, peering off toward the center... He gapes his beak a little, as he starts to see a glow, his tail flicking slowly, expectant.
Cirall shuts up quickly as SunBright pokes her in the shoulder and silently points at the glowing.
Ceylana moves again with the stamping but this time the other twelve begin to move as well. As Ceylana moves around the circle of the tree and poles, the eight by the poles circle around just the poles as the four around the tree circle the tree. Ceylana's movements intertwine it all. The glow has risen from the poles to a bright flaring glow. The gryphs move more rapidly around the circle, stampdancing once again, it's speed making the ribbons on them bobbing and dancing with them up and down, side to side. Only the four controlling chanters with their soft, lilting melody do not move. Yet their ribbons start to wave and flutter ever so softly. It must be a breeze caused by the dancing gryphs, yes that must be it.
Alexis's breath catches as the gowing catches her eyes, only letting out when the dancers move again. Her hand reaches over to rest against Ja'hreet's side... yet she stays silent, in respect.
The gryphs dance and stamp around, their chanted rhythm almost contagious. The poles around the tree glow and flare, the designs and symbols painted and etched flaring with an inner light. They look like they are standing up from the wood like live flames, they move and glow so much like live flame. Wait a minute, it /is/ live flame! Little flames flare to life up and down the lengths of the poles and dance with their own life to the beat and rhythm of the stamping gryphs.
Zetan wanders over from the Aldani camp at the goings-on ... oooh, pretty flame!
Cirall oohs as she realizes the flames are real suddenly!
Flame given life, it dance and licks at the poles, but the poles are still there. They are energized by the chanting and stamping. They want to play with the gryphs. The gryphs dance by the poles and flamelets jump from the poles to their bodies. The dancers are on fire! The flames multiply and soon cover most of the bodies of the gryphs who are still chanting, still dancing and stamping, oblivious to what has happened to them. Or are they? There are screams from more than one onlooker yet none from the mages. Once things calm down with the onlookers, it becomes apparent that the mages are in full control of things. All are covered in flames but Ceylana and the four controllers. Closer look shows it's the ribbons that are on fire, not the gryphs really.
Stormdancer rouses, his pupils pinning sharply as he watches. "Verrry nice..." he chiurrrs... subtlety is not something firemages are generally known for, but this is a very intriguing display!
Cirall gasps as she sees the gryphons catch fire! She too, calms down when she sees the gryphons calming down, yet she is still a little disturbed at seeing gryphons running around on fire! Not even the hardiest of dragons can do that!
Ceylana moves around the gryphs, each time pasing one a flamelet will jump from them to her and grow. By the time she makes a full circuit and has collected fire from all twelve firey gryphs she is covered in fire, a gryphon of flame now. The four around the tree step back a few feet from the tree, still circling to give room for the head mage who dances purposefully close to the tree, the flamelets jumping from her to the branches and colored leaves of the heavily decorated center pole. The flamelets multiply and spread fast, soon the whole crown of the tree is a bonfire of flame. Yet the trunk remains untouched.
Ja'hreet gapes his beak, watching carefully... At the look of fire upon the gryphons themselves, his eyes go wide as well, a soft coo in his voice. Such a sight that is...
Alyph stirs from his slumber to the sight of gryphons on fire ... is there some kind of war going on? He instantly rises to his feet, flicking his tail (which, at its tip, had burned days before), trying to prepare himself lest he be set on fire.
Zhagtin just looks on impassively. Cirall may be impressed, but she shames their kind... to his eyes, these are children playing with a wan shadow of fire. Let them visit Fort Pyro, and High Priestess Karin would be delighted to show them true flame, the fire at the heart of the Throne of Viktiss; his jaw drops slightly as he grins with the thought, his amusement only slightly dampened by the realization that these gryphon mages aren't actually being immolated. Oh well.
Karee watches wide eyed and beak agape, laying her ears back and ducking a bit as the big pole catches on fire.
Ceylana's circuit around the tree widens again as she moves away from it, allowing the four to come close to it once again. All the while, the flames on the poles and the gryphs, Ceylana included, continue to dance and flare on them as the tree burns bright. The four around the tree and Ceylana alter their chanting a little, their stamping and dancing growing slower and softer. The tree's burning answers in kind, it's fire fading, going dimmer as if fuel were wearing out. The circle dancers continue theirs, only slowing but a little.
Dahliah reaches up to touch Zhatin's arm and take hold of it, though her face is unreadable as she stares.
Ja'hreet purrs, eyes still quite wide as he watches... He's glad to have gotten here so early. Such a sight! He squeezes his wing a little tighter against Alexis's side.
As if absorbing like a sponge, the fire on the tree fades down, growing dimmer. But it soon becomes evident why. The designs, glyphs, marks and stones etched and painted into the tree itself begin to glow as the poles did earlier. As this begins to getbrighter, Ceylana and the four begin to dance faster once again, their chant remaining changed subtely. The flames slowly grow bright once again upon the tree, everything around lit up well enough to see by. The dancing flaming gryphs is a sight to see, but how did more join in with no one's notice? Where there were eight earlier around the circle poles, there are now 16. All on fire. Wait, some /are/ fire. More flamelets break away from the poles and collide together before hitting the ground to form another eight dancing firey gryphs. Around the tree, it is the same for the four there.
Alexis gapes, nearly standing up as the show progresses. She leans more full against Ja, "Amazing." she murmurs.
Zhagtin lays his other hand on Dahliah's where it rests on his arm. In a low, sibilant whisper he tells her, "A pretty show, isn't it? Almost entertaining, like hatchlings playing at war..." He's baiting her purposefully.
Stormdancer chirrrrs appreciatively, his head twitching slightly as he watches the dancers, and the flames. Such things always send unpleasant shivers down his back, from the stories of the great wars, and gryphons being burned from the skies. But these are happier times, and lighter images, and he focusses on their gentler aspects.
Within minutes, there are close to 50 gryphons of fire dancing and stamping to the commanding chants of all the mages there. What is odd about it is not all are on the ground. Fully half are in the air, moving as if on solid ground. The ground and air are filled with the dancing and stamping of all of these gryphs. It is hard to tell which are the real ones and which are not. They spread out a little towards the onlookers, but do not get too close. They dance around the circle of poles and the tree, the flames remaining there dance and flare with their own life.
Ja'hreet laughs softly, grinning, eyes wide like a gryphlet... Indeed, there are a few young gryphons around... An amazing sight, seeing all of them -- amazingly -- not distracted by the myriad things that keep gryphlets entertained, instead, all collectively watching the great show, like their elders.
The tree glows with bright intensity as it's crown of fire dances and flares of it's own accord with the beat and rythym of the others. The chanting and stamped rhythm begin to reach a fevered pitch. Fire gryphs begin to collide with each other, the resulting gryphon being larger than the first two. This continues until there are only half as many as before. The process repeats yet again, the gryphs collide mid dance to form another gryphon of fire who continues, not missing a beat. There again half as many as before. The real gryphons with their vest harnesses on fire can be seen now, still moving. Interesting, now that it is not as crowded, you can see the gryphons of fire move almost exactly as the real ones do.
Dahliah glances up at Zhagtin, then sighs drawing her hand away. Her hand brushes over her eyes, "I don't see it that way." she murmurs, her voice hushed.
Cirall just stares at the sight of gryphons made of fire. She tries to not blink for fear of missing anything.
Almost as fast as they spawned, the gryphons of fire have collided and merged into a raging inferno of fire in the shape of a huge gryphon, dancing and moving amongst the branches of the tree, following Ceylana's exact movements below. The circle poles seem dimmer now, not as many flamelets dancing upon their surafces. Real gryphs dance around the poles and tree, also still on fire, but it is dimmer than before, for not as many dance upon them as well. Only Ceylana is bright as a full fire, stamping and moving around under the tree. The four controllers are the only ones untouched by the fire. They continue their soft chant, it's melody soothing to one's mind and body. The flames still do not touch them.
Alexis wears an expression not unlike Cirall's.. though its a little different on a feline face.
Ceylana leads the massive fire gryphon, easily bigger than a dragon, around the tree, slowly moving around and about the circle towards the circle of poles, still on fire. As she passes by each pole, more flamelets jump from the top into the gryphon, adding to it's size. As she passes, more flamelets jump. As the flame leaves the pole, the top breaks away, falling in a small shower of fine black ash. As the poles slowly burn away, the gryphon dancing around it joins with Ceylana, stamping in rhythm and harmony with her. This takes a while, but the chanting continues, no one missing a beat or step.
Ja'hreet gapes his beak still, watching wide eyed as the gryphons grow larger, towering over the festivities. Indeed, even from here, he feels the warmth on his face.
In time, all eight are with Ceylana, forming a new circle around the tree, only piles and scatterings of black ash showing where the poles once were. The four around the tree spread out and join with the eight, all twelve forming a chain around the tree, each mimicing the stamping movement of the one before them. Only Ceylana and the four controllers stand apart from this.
Cirall remembers to breathe as she watches this display. That is not only one huge fireball, but it's a shaped one that is being skillfully controlled and...and...everyone should pray to Spiritus that those mages don't lose control of that thing...
The gryphon of fire glides across the night sky in perfect harmony with the firey gryphoness below. It's movements light up the night sky and can be seen by now from anywhere in the festival grounds. It might even be seen from the mountains near all three aeries.
Stormdancer is utterly silent, leaning on the log beside the Aldani queen, as he watches the remarkable display... concentrating more on the firey image, than on it's creators below.
This continues for a few minutes more until it starts to sink into the tree, still moving and dancing with Ceylana who rings the tree. The chanting grows softer again, the controllers' chant rising in volume again as the glowing tree trunk begins to dim. It's back legs sink into the leaves, it continues to stamp. It's front legs begin to sink, it continues to dance. It's upper body sinks into the leaves, it continues to move. It's neck begins to sink, it raises it's head back in a silent scream as the wings flare out from the fiery embrace of the tree. In response to the scream, the tree flares up one last time in a brilliant flash, the gryphon rising up to the night sky, taking with it all the fire of the leaves and tree. All the fire from the gryphons below. To the sky's embrace for one last flight does the gryphon of fire move. To a climax that ends in a dazzling explosion of light. Little sparkles flitter down across the area and around, covering the now still and silent mages and the onlookers watching. Images can be half-seen in the sparkles for but a brief second, gryphons dancing and stamping. Only the four controllers can be heard now. All the other mages are standing, facing where the great tree once stood, wings outstretched like the fire gryphon's were. Where once stood a large tree, only a pile of fine ash and burnt stones now remains. As the last of the sparkles disperse with no incident, the lilting melody chant of the four controllers softly fades away to the barely heard sounds it started up at, fading away to silence.
Zetan makes her way over near Cirall. Her splotchy scales are becoming an accustomed-to sight for her Aldani companions, but are definitely noticeable, giving the appearance of large, white freckles on her normal beige color.
Ja'hreet looks up to the skies, eyes once more agape, grinning at the explosion of fire up into the skies, the firegryphon's wings finally taking purpose, lifting it into the air... And as it wings its way to the heavens, and explodes, he blinks once or twice, seeing the stars falling down... He joins with his other gryphons, in a skree of applause...
Stormdancer exhales softly, crooning a low trilling sound of astonishment at the dramatic completion of the performance, then draws a deep breath and skreeees in approval and delight... though hopefully not too deafeningly, given his closeness to Cirall's ears.
Cirall covers her eyes as the fire gryphon bursts in a bright flash. She blinks, staring at the sparkles with an entranced look. She snaps out of it quickly and adds her own voice to the cheering, her guards doing the same!
The mages remain standing where they were, panting heavily, but not daring to move for fear of breaking the moment. But time moves on and the cost of the display take their toll and the gryphons lower their wings and stand down. It is all they can do to remain standing. The harnesses they wore are intact, even the ribbons look to be untouched but they do not flutter, they look lifeless and dull. Ceylana walks over to each mages and converses quietly and quickly with each one, before nodding to them as a group and leading the way through the mass of onlookers to the mages' tent. Probably to go collapse and sleep, they all look as if they are worn out from massive exhaustion.
Karee joins in the raccous cheer of approval!
Cirall is cheering loudly herself, so Storm's voice is no different from those around her.
Zhagtin bobs his muzzle slightly, nodding at the explosive finale. Now THAT is more like it... he doesn't deign to cheer however, far be it from him to mimic this crowd of livestock.
Alexis adds in her own voice to the mix, cheering loudly as well.
Dahliah cheers as well, sending Zhagtin a glare as she does so.. he could at least be polite and cheer a little..
Ja'hreet grins, looking over to Alexis, remarking, "A good show this year indeed..." He wears the expression of a fascinated gryphlet.
Zetan gives Stormdancer a wink as she walks over and sits near Cirall.
Cirall is still without words as she watches the mages go back to their tent. She looks up as Zetan sits next to her. She asks her, "You feeling any better, Zetan?"
Zetan nods at Cirall. "Much better ... and I managed to catch up on my studies, actually I'm ahead now."
Cirall looks mildly impressed. "Oh? How so?"
Alexis looks over at Ja and grins, "Then I'm certainly glad I came this year." she comments, sounding breathless.
Zetan says, "I had Veta bring me my books while I was recovering in Stormdancer's tent ... Carteth wouldn't let me go out until she was sure I was fine, I think she didn't trust that I was because of my discolored scales."
Ja'hreet grins... "So... Shall we see if anything else is going on and about, after the night's show," he asks?
Cirall nods slowly, "That is good, but I wish you had heeded my words about not being alone." She holds up her hand to ward off any comments untli she has said her peace. "I had asked you to stay with a guard or another Aldani. Yes, I know you were with Stormdancer, but I gave my orders. Now I have spoken to Veta and she has been reprimanded for her own lack of respect." While firm, her voice is still calm and understanding.
Alexis rubs at her eyes, and hmms, "I leave it up to you."
Zetan nods. "It was my fault," she sighs. "I have no excuse, my Queen," she adds formally.
Ja'hreet cocks his head, looking back to Alexis. "Tired?" he asks... She seems to be...
Cirall shakes her head and says matter-of-factly, "No, you don't. And despite your sickness and because of it, you are hearby ordered to remain at the tents for the remainder of the visit. If you want company, they are going to have to talk to me first. Is that understood?" She hates doing this, but an order was broken so it must be punished. Although it doesn't sound like she won't allow visitors, she just wants to talk to them first.
Zetan nods. "Understood," she says, rises, and heads back toward the tents.
Cirall sighs and stands up, thinking it is time for her to head back that way too. While still early in the night, she has been up since early this morning and still has some work to do back in the tents. And here she came to get away from it all...
Alexis chuckles, shaking her head, "I've still got a few waking hours in me.. My eyes are a little itchy from staring."
Zetan re-enters the tent she has been sleeping in, pulls out a book she'd bought from a vendor before she disobeyed Cirall's orders and sighs ... this is the first time she's seen her Queen truly upset and it ills her to know it was her disobedience that earned that reaction.
Ja'hreet mmms, and nods... "Lets go look around then, mmm?" He grins, and stands, looking off toward the greater crowds near the site of the bonfire.
Alexis slips off the log and stretches her linbs, then moves up beside her friend, "Sure, lets go."
Ja'hreet smiles, leading the way, wandering off toward the base of the fires, hoping to see what there is to see. He goes slowly enough, making sure Alexis can keep up.