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Pripyat did not grow uncomfortable as the crowd grew, even as they grew louder and less coordinated. Many of the faces he knew, a few he did not but it did not matter. They were his brothers and sisters and he felt at peace with them even if he was not to share in the mostly joyous attitude. The boy did not acknowledge any of them, except for when one said his name directly. Kiara. Simply he turned his freshly scarred eye upon her and nodded, as if to say Merry Samhain. And he turned back to the fire. Every now and then he threw large branches into the flames, but it seemed the great pile of wood he had built up did not grow smaller.
Two sources of meat were presented, both Temo and Jaden brought a kill. Pripyat waited until Jaden had placed his and the man moved to Nayru and motioned for her dagger, which under the influence the warrior parted with more readily. Somewhat amused, for the boy hadn’t thought truly that the two toned lady would relinquish the weapon perpetually strapped to her side, yet he simply hadn’t had another option. Moving to the doe Temo had brought he begun to hack and slice at the skin, cutting away chunks of meat from the carcass. These he placed on the hot stones circling the bonfire, and the scent of cooking flesh soon filled the air. Turning to the deer Jaden brought he cut them into equal sized portions of meat, and these he left raw and in a pile near to the deer. Pripyat knew that if any choose they could have pulled away meat with their own instruments—tooth and claw, but the silent man had made the sharing of the meal easier.
Himself he took one of the raw portions and returned to his seat, surveying the bonfire, slowly consuming the coopery venison. Once his meal was complete he looked about again, taking note of all who had arrived. One, he noted seemed to grow visibly upset and he hoped that soon someone would direct the girl to food. It seemed a good idea for all of them, who seemed to be filling up their bodies with intoxicating liquid rather than the nourishing substances he was roasting and enjoying raw. Bright eyes moved around the bonfire at those seated. Pripyat for a moment let his eyes linger on the eldest of them, the startling white woman. She was quiet and reserved, as was he, and idly he wondered if she belonged to the Herald class. If she did not, then surely she was in the wrong profession, an otherworldly energy seemed to roll off her in waves.
Moving to the symbolic pile of stuff, Pripyat grabbed a handful of animal bones, dried flowers and vines and the aromatic herbs he had gathered. Casting them into the bonfire they went up in a loud sizzle, then the cracking of dry animal bones came from within the flames. The boy wondered if any of them could comprehend the true meaning of this night, but knew that trying to educate the half drunken pack would be a fruitless endeavor. Simply it was fine that they all celebrated, however they choose. If only Tawny, or someone as crafty as she, had come, and brought masks that they could don, so truly each individual could become lost within themselves.
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Others arrived and Nayru beamed at them from afar if she was unable to greet them verbally herself. When Jace came and nabbed her seat the girl very nearly sat upon the pregnant woman, realizing the theft at the last moment before the Jiryu ended up in the Yakuso's lap. Turning to face the woman she drunkenly embraced the older luperci, wrapping her fairy arms around the round lady. "Jace! How good to see you! Still pregnant I see." And before the woman could much react the two toned lady pulled away and on nimble feet bounced through the crowd, leaving her as Wretch approached. On her way past Nayru beamed at Wretch and debated an embrace, but thought of Gideon and the others that lived in that house and moved towards Jaden and X'yrin.
Aside the two warriors she felt more at home, although all three seemed to indulge in amounts unbefitting of their profession. Jaden held back the most, and Nayru knew the man was more sober than she but somehow she believed that her loud greetings would not be unwelcome. "Jaden! Did you get something to drink?" And yet she saw clearly he held a bottle of his own. When Shiloh appeared upon X'yrin, Nayru watched as the girl let out a good cry. The sorrow of the woman seemed to put a slight damper on Nayru's mood, and yet she washed it away swiftly with another swig from the bottle she carried with her. It was perhaps this last drink that spurred the words that came tumbling from her mouth just then. "Dance. We need to dance you guys. You can’t be unhappy if you are dancing." That seemed logical enough, and she peered around at any that might be paying any heed to her, ready to more loudly repeat the suggestion if no one took any note the first time.
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Shiloh sat crying still she smelled meat. Some on had put meat on the fire and her stomach started to growl with hunger. She stood on shaky legs and went over to the raw meat someone had also opened for the taking. She wanted the tender liver for her self and took out Saxifs dagger. She didn't know why she wore it just that it made her proud to know how to use it. She had kept it sharpened and found that even with shaky unsteady hands, she could cut into the dear easily, taking the liver and some of the back leg for herself. With her normally pink hands stained red she left the deer and went back to her spot at X'yrins feet, eating the soft liver quietly, the dagger stabbed into the raw earth she sat on.
Shiloh watched the others with interest. This was her family now and she wanted to get to know some of them. The male that seemed to be tending the fire seemed kinda distant and she wondered who he was. He didn't talk but had acknowledged the female who didn't seem to be able to shift. How very interesting that she couldn't shift, Shiloh thought to herself as she watched the silent man with curious eyes. He reminded her of Ralla who had always seemed to be tending to the great firewith she was at AniWaya. What had the non shifting female called him? Primpyt? Prippy? No those didn't sound right to her and shepp tried to call him. "Pri......Pripyat! she yelled at the silent male. She was surprised that her voice had came out so clear and she instantly looked down. What was going on with her? Why was her heart racing?
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The warrior's mind still swam in a vat of wine, barely bobbing to keep itself afloat, but somehow it managed. Her body know it was drunk though her mind continued to dismiss the notion. It was relaxing though, to be free like this. Not having to wear the airs of composure even if for a little while. A slave to her inner emotions, the more liberating side to her cultured mind.
Smiling to the Shishen, she lifted a paw to rest on his shoulder, her other blindly seeking the bottle of whine she had just grasped. "You haven't missed too much," she giggled with drunken madness. "It's only just beginning." The warrior grew excited at her words, brimming with anticipation for what the night had in store for them all. Apparently for her, there were questionable acts to follow. Her large for was suddenly under the attack of a fragile body, making her muzzle the other's own with affectionate licks. The warrior's eyes grew wide, unable to register what was happening even after the female relinquished possession of her maw and crumpled at her feet in a crying heap.
Confused she looked between Jaden and Nayru as she came forward. A digit pointed at the crying girl with an expression of uncertainty. "Have I done something wrong?" She had only been standing there. Was it because she hadn't fetched the girl a drink as well? The crying eventually stopped without console from the Nomad, but she was still unnerved by the display. The Jiryu's enticing offer was more than a good enough means to diffuse the tension air.
"Yes!" She agreed, removing her hand from the Shishen's shoulder only to grab his hand in turn. "Let's do that!" She reached for Nayru's hand as well intending the bring the three warriors together into a little dance party.
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Temo stood by the bon fire, staring into the dancing flames and soaked in the heat that was being radiated out in all directions. The heat felt good on his muscles and helped to relax him amongst the others as the party picked up speed around him and the fire. There was alcohol to be had but he was not interested in it nor was he hungry. He waited patiently for Jace to arrive, getting more nervous as time went by as he thought maybe he should not have left her to come to the party alone.
He watched as others showed up, a nod of "hi" to those that glanced his way. Temo waited patiently keeping warm by the fire and waited for Jace to arrive. With a silent sigh of relief, he saw her arrive and then go sit down in a newly vacated spot. He had already started to turn to make his way to her when she caught his eye and motioned for him to join her.
With the care of someone picking their way through a cactus patch, Temo worked his way around the bon fire, being careful not to disturb the piles of symbolic items that Prypiat had prepaired for the fire, and the other party goers. He gave the drunk one laying on the ground a wide birth so as not to step on them or kick them if they move.
Temo finally made it around to Jace but not before Wretch, whom he remembered from the pack hunt, had arrived at her side. Hi, Wretch, good to see you again, he said to her and sat down next to Jace. Hi hun, he said to Jace as he took her hand in his. How are you and the little ones" he finished, his love and concern for her and the pups in his eyes.
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Word Count → 524
The party had reached its peak and many groups of wolves were talking among themselves. Shiloh had stopped crying and went over to get some food, X'yrin had stumbled off to go interact with her mentor, and the young male by the fire had added some strange items to the fire to give it an aromatic smell. Kiara had remained sitting by the fire and drinking the sweet liquid X'yrin had given her. Kiara hadn't had much alcohol, but already she could feel it's intoxicating effect. Her head began to cloud over and she felt really elated, but it was different from her usual demeanor. The arctic wolf couldn't figure out what had caused her strange mood, and even though she felt a little funny, she didn't seem to mind.
Kiara looked around at all the luperci and watched as they walked around on two legs. Their forms upright and perpendicular to the ground, why couldn't she do that? What allowed the others to transform, but no her? Surely there was no real difference and if Kiara wanted to, then she could walk on two legs as well. Kiara had decided; she was going to stand up, she was going to hold the glass bottles in her paws, and she was going to handle wood and tools just like the others. The snow wolf closed her eyes and focused on the optime's form. Kiara opened her sapphire eyes and stood up on her hind legs, determined to walk like the others. For a few moments, the young wolfs front paws teetered in the air as she tried to balance on her back legs. "I am a luperci too!" she happily proclaimed. But the moment didn't last and Kiara fell back with her front paws flailing in the air.
In her drunken stupor, it took a minute for Kiara to realize what had happened. She had not shifted, and was instead lying on her back with her paws in the air. The arctic wolf struggled a little bit before rolling over and shaking herself a little. The world seemed to sway and she stumbled a little, struggling to stand as the earth pitched and tossed. Kiara felt a little sick but the sweet aroma of the fire and the delicious smell of meat called the snow wolf back to her senses. Carefully, Kiara worked her way towards the fresh kills and went to grab a portion that Pripyat had taken off the carcass. "Hope you don't mind." The young female snapped up the top piece in her jaws and laid down on the ground next the young male. Kiara chewed at her piece of meat for a little bit, but her stomach did not seem to agree with the offered meal. Using her soft nose, the arctic wolf pushed the red slab off to the side and rested her head on her paws. She gazed off towards the fire and watched as the flames danced in the air. Her sapphire eyes rested half open and half close, neither awake nor asleep, and she dreamed of her family sitting by her side during this wondrous festival.
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The Nomad didn’t let Jaden from her grasp for long. He let her hand fall on his shoulder without protest and listened to her drunken words of anticipation. Seeing the woman like this was different, but welcome. The Shishen enjoyed her closeness, even if she was under the suggestive influence of alcohol. All he could do was grin at the other warrior before she was swept away from him.
A fragile looking little thing took hold of X’yrin and suddenly they were dancing. The tan woman who had been stolen from him had a look of utter confusion on her features. He may have begun to laugh at the comical sight if not distracted by his Jiryu. The drink in his claws was slowly beginning to affect dampeners to any feelings of constraint or negativity in him. I’ve got some, He said sloshing around the still half full contents of the bottle. I’m surprised there is any left with how- he stopped in mid sentence and through together a ruff revised ending and a forced chuckle with it, -much everyone has had already. What Jaden had VERY nearly said was “How drunk you are!”. He tried to shake his mind clear and knew it was probably a good idea he stop drinking now, before he said something inappropriate or insulting to his leader or anyone else.
Abruptly, the sad sounds of distress attracted Jaden’s attention to his former partner and her newly distraught dance partner. Seeing X’yrin’s distress, he moved almost unconsciously to her side thinking his presence might offer some reassurance to her innocents. I don’t think so… he mused despite having been distracted at the time. When the woman who his words defended found his hand with hers, an odd flutter of nervous energy zapped along the bottom of Jaden’s belly. He tipped his bottle back for a drink to dislodge it only to have the liquid caught in his throat as he was pulled forward by X’yrin to dance. He heard no music but swallowed hard and let the woman lead him.
Jaden does. "Jaden speaks." Jaden thinks.
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Enter Razekiel, stirring up fun. 8D I set up a few chances for people to interact with Razekiel if they wish -- either grabbing a mask or having him dance briefly with them -- just PP it as long as it's quick. 
Eager to allow festivities to continue unhindered by his appearance, the redfaced coy had sneaked his way into the bonfire party, tending to the background as he observed his fellow Ichikans with an admiring smile. With great interest his straw eyes glued to those he did not know well; Shiloh in particular held his interest. Razekiel had been briefed of her presence, basically as a refugee from AniWaya. This came as no surprise to him — he had offered sanctuary to Ralla and any others of her pack seeking to duck out of war's way, and the coyote sensed no harm in Shiloh's presence ... especially considering the rather pitiful way she carried herself. He longed to wrap his arms around her and coo that everything would be all right, but for the time being, Razekiel pulled at the scruff on his chin and resisted.
Jace was the pregnant thing he'd heard she was, and Pripyat and Wretch had seemingly grown since the coyote had seen them last. Jefferson had asked Razekiel specifically to watch over the scarred man's son; the cyclops had since vanished. What had he left the coyote to do? Certainly the Seiryu would be no suitable step-in father, and Pripyat would never look to him in the same way he did Jefferson. He sensed a deep-set leader's charisma in the blue-eyed hybrid, birthed most likely from his experience as the Patriarch's son. In silence the coyote observed the chemistry in the air, and smiled sheepishly to himself when the bonfire erupted with trinkets Pripyat had thrown in.
Cackling quietly to himself, Razekiel ducked away into hiding; he pulled the pointed, wide-eyed mask from his satchel and slipped it over his eyes, then painted long lines of red and gold over his cheeks. An assortment of necklaces and bangles of varying teeth and beads jingled great noise as he danced back to them, arms thrown in the air and grin wide and wicked.
"Come all, come all, my children of the earth!" he exclaimed, beckoning them with bent fingers and a booming voice, "Be silent, be silent; do you hear the whispers of the dead? They sing with the spirits of Samhain!"
A great cackle burst forth in his display, the man a witch doctor in tone and act. For those that gathered, he stepped in the center of their circle, moving and twisting constantly with crooked grin and spine alike. "The departed are among us, my friends! Quickly, hide your eyes before they see your gaze alive!" Dipping a hand into the satchel at his hip, the man tossed varying masks out into the small crowd from them to grab; decorated in paints and beads, the masks were crafted mainly from bark yet decorated and shaped into frightening shapes.
"They envy us this night," the coyote mumbled and crept, pausing only to cackle. "They envy our flesh, our ability still to love, on this one frightful night. Do you hear them?" He cupped a hand at his ear. "They dare us to proceed and prove ourselves still worthy of the muscle and bone the Mother still allows us! Come, come! We must show them the life in the living!"
Beckoning, he invited them to dance; those that hesitated he grabbed, spun and danced briefly with amidst hearty laughter and twinkling eyes. Kicking heels and knees, they circled the bonfire with howls and chants, their voices united like the most haunting of songs. In his hands he clutches jars of rice, shaken enthusiastically to the beat; when he drew near the drunken, sloppy Nayru he burst into laughter and tossed the jars aside, instead taking her and guiding her in the wild, bouncing dance.
"You are not so light on your feet tonight," he winked to his drunken co-leader, then turned and wrapped his arm around her back, raising his other hand to the sky. "They fear us, my Ichikans! Now, hide your eyes no longer! Cast those masks into the fire and calm them!" Pulling his mask from his eyes, the coyote tossed it into the grand bonfire with a grin, allowing the others to do the same before chanting, "Sing with me, one last time!" and tossed his head into the air, releasing a long, soulful howl for them all to join.
Razekiel soon burst into laughter and dropped rather quickly onto his ass, exhausted yet beyond delight. Trying to gain his breath, the male grinned sheepishly and waved at them all, denoting they could return to their own festivities — his own little act was complete.
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Shiloh took notice to someone other then pripyat and wasn't drunk enough anymore not to understand what the man was saying. She smiled softly at his story and grabbed a mask, painted with pinks and yellows, putting it on and joining the man in a dance, laughing and giggling as she danced with him, spinning and howling with laughter. She was breathing hevily by the time the man stopped and took another dance partner. She stopped by the non shifter and offered her a hand. Even though she couldn't shift Shiloh felt she should join in on the fun and she smiled at her softly. "come friend. Lets dance. she said with her hand still extended. She listened to the dancing man speak some more and took off her mask and threw it into the fire.
Shiloh danced some more, losing herself in what ever beat she heard. She danced till she collapsed with exhaustion and watching to man as he danced and jingled. He was beautiful and as he continued his story and let out a howl that Shiloh couldn't help but join in with a tune of her own. It felt good to let go and she had decided that after she was done howling she would go home. She had enough to deal with.
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Kiara had let her mind wander for a while, but when Razekiel began his speech Kiara made sure to pay attention. Razekiel had been the one to bring the arctic wolf into the pack and she was very grateful to him. His story of ghosts and spirits thrilled the young wolf and the masks that the coyote passed out were beautiful. Samhain, a festival of the dead. Spooky. Kiara chuckled a little at the thought of hiding hiding from spirits. There was no way some silly ghosts were going to scare her. Kiara watched the dance at her spot by the fire and laughed with delight. Kiara was a little envious of the shifters, but she didn't want to become one.
Shiloh's invitation to dance was welcome and unexpected. The alabaster wolf smiled as she lifted her paw and placed it into Shiloh's, allowing herself to be lead to the dance floor. Kiara jumped around and would occasionally press lightly on Shiloh's shoulders as she stood for just a moment. Although awkward, the dance was enjoyable and Kiara's spirits rose as the memory of her previous family settled in the back of her mind. After the dance, Razekiel finished the ceremony by throwing the masks into a fire. Kiara watched the painted wood crackled in the fire before joining in on the festivals final song. Throwing her snowy head back, Kiara let out a howl to join in with the packs voice. Once the festival was over, she would return to her mossy rock in the woods for a good nights rest.
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ooc: 423 words. Great idea Lin! I was totally digging that act!
The night was growing more exciting. The flicker of the bonfire cast the gathering under a hypnotic glow one that encouraged the unusual to befall the more alcohol induced of the Samhain patrons. Her paw firmly clasped around her Shishen she drew the male closer to the fire encompassed in a world comprised of only her and him and the scent of the crackling fire. She smiled adoringly, tail swaying with a contented rhythm as she drew closer to her dance party with a saunter to her step. The Nomad was a giggling mess of russet fur and auburn hair veiling her eyes as she swung her head to music heard by only her ears.
Then came the booming voice of a cackling creature donned in a colorful mask and contorting with excitable energy. She didn't know who he was, or felt she needed to know. What mattered was the exciting mood he created with his howling nonsense and the compulsion she felt to partake in it. 'Hide your eyes...' he proclaimed, tossing masks of bark into the gathering. Her world was skewed but reflexes remained as she snatched a mask from the air and placed it over her drunken face. She became a slave to the male's words, indulging in his act and wailing mournfully as if stricken by these jealous spirits.
His words were spell-binding, encouraging the show of life the jealous dead could not longer experience. She lifted her maw in melodious song, her powerful vocals becoming a siren to call to her dead Shepards and bid them to acknowledge her living spirit. When all the breath was expelled from her lungs she inhaled deeply the scent of the fire, of Jaden, of the cackling male, and of Nayru and laughed joyously. Her radiant gaze sought Jaden's own, a wicked smile growing on her muzzle beneath the terrifying mask. She grasped for his hand again, resuming her pull of him into dance.
The words of the cackling hybrid stole her attention again, calling for them to cast off their masks and toss them into the fire. His voice raised in song and beckoned for the others to join. In a fluid motion she tore the mask from her face and flung it into the blaze, lifting her maw again simultaneously and wailed in celebration. She carried the note as long as she was able til her lungs screamed from air and she fell to the ground smiling and laughing like a mad wolf seeking the fragrant air again.
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derp fail, Jace's moods are eeerrewhere, 3+
Wretch's words made the grumpy wolfdog smile gently, she could never imagine such a declaration would come from the reserved and unsocial child. She resiosted the urge to hug the young woman knowing that such a gesture would probably be unwelcome and would spoil the mood between them.
"Thank you Wretch. I am glad too, I like talking to you." She shook her head as Wretch offered her the bottle of wine "No thank you. I'd prefer to keep all my wits and balance about me until the pups are born." She shrunk back and held her arms out protectively with a good natured laugh as Nayru almost sat down on her,
"Well enough Nayru, and yes still pregnant. Won't be long now I hope." The inebriated leader stumbled off to harass somebody else and Jace stared after her fondly. She turned as Temo appeared at her side, a soft smile parted her lips as his hand slid into hers,
"We're fine. Be better once I can go back to bed." As though to highlight this the shedog yawned. She perked up as Nayru's voice pierced the chattering and noise, proclaiming that everyone should dance and not be unhappy. Surprisingly uplifted by her words, Jace turned to Wretch and grabbed the young girl's hands, pulling her to her feet,
"Dance with me Wretch!" She knew Temo wouldn't mind if she danced for a little while. After she would probably be too tired to do much else other than sit with him and try to stay awake. She gave a small shriek when Razekiel suddenly burst from the bushes with a horrid looking mask on before glaring at him darkly and muttering under her breath. Still her irritability lasted for less than a few seconds and she managed to catch two masks that were thrown and presented one to Wretch. Soon enough they were dancing with the rest of them, Jace pulling along the probably unwilling Wretch with her. Although not drunk herself some of the atmosphere seemed to have sunk into the hybrid and she felt giggy and strange. Finally tossing her head back to howl with them all, thoughts of her sister and mother came to mind and her call became all the more mournful and sad as her mood shifted yet again, trailing off into silence.
She was pensive and thoughtful now as the dancing subsided around her.
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You are not so light on your feet tonight. Nayru did not know when she ended up in Razekiel's arms but she had and she was glad of it. The fairy girl smiled up at the man and laughed, as if to say Oh but I am! See how finely I dance tonight?. Perhaps it was Razekiel spinning her weight round effortlessly but it felt that surely, if just for tonight, she floated among those that had to touch feet to ground. Nayru watched as the world around her spun, her steady cherry gaze peering out from deep slits in the wooden mask. Razekiel had entered as a colorful blur to a wild rooted rhythm that she didn't know if it was being drummed out or if the music was all in her head. At some point the man had thrown mask among them, evidently she had caught one up and hidden herself behind it.
The two co-leaders swung and faced the fire, and faced the Ichikans. Nayru delighted in them just then, even those whom she knew shirked the Samhain bonfire that night. Nayru thought of Gideon and her heart swelled with warmth. If a bitterness had lurked in some recess of her heart it left her then. She thought of Jace's unborn pups and Wretch, whose leg seemed healed once more, and also of Shiloh and Kiara. Fleetingly she eyed X'yrin and Jaden, her bubble laughter spilling out in place of words she might have said to Razekiel. The Seiryu bade them all throw their faces of Samhain into the fire and Nayru happily obeyed, enjoying the way the dry wood was swiftly overcome.
The howl that followed seemed to drain the festivities out of Nayru and she collapsed beside the man. The two toned lady did not think of all the ghosts that drifted among them, she did not think of the white lady, she only thought of the Ichikans, before her, whom she was sure in a year or two's time, would be a ghosts to one another. That was simply the way of it, and rather than depress her, the idea comforted her. No one stayed static, it was better that way. "Raz, that was perfect. Perfect." Nayru reclaimed her wine bottle as she gathered herself up, glittering and glazed eyes scanning the scene again. The bonfire would burn until morning, and Pripyat would tend to it until then, but what became of the others was up them. As it were the girl threw back her bottle once more and was content to leave the Ichikans to themselves, while she and Razekiel watched them as a mother and father watched their children at play.
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The lack of music which Jaden’s eager dance partner moved to continued to be apparent but very quickly became unimportant. As he watched her sway and felt her pull, he didn’t care about the non-musical chatter around them. Her beat was easy enough to pick up. Whether it was easy to follow or not was difficult to say. The ebony male realized that his paws were rather unruly. Though too distracted to now continue drinking, more than half his bottle was gone and the warm liquid sat heavily on him. Worries melted away and the wonderful allure X’yrin usually had seemed to be unfairly multiplied. Her movements and their beautiful rhythm didn’t help either. And that smile! It flashed repeatedly though shrouded by an unkempt mess of auburn locks. Why hadn’t he noticed it before? Perhaps he wasn’t doing enough to make her happy during their time together! The thought alone was alarming and would be incredibly important to recall later, or at least he thought it to be...
As the brute tried to recall the few jokes he knew, a new voice demanded attention from every Ichikan present. Jaden’s eyes pulled reluctantly from his friend and scanned for him. A coyote! Nonsense. Why should he give this man his attention? He didn’t even recognize this man. His form was too blurry. Damn coyotes, can’t even be clear and easy to see. Jaden stayed oblivious to the collecting and entertaining effect Razekiel held on most others in the crowed. He was more interested in how he had managed to hold onto his bottle of wine throughout his dance with X’yrin and looked at it suspiciously. He clicked his suddenly dry tongue. No need to keep hold of it incase he was needed to dance once more.
Jaden was determined to finish that third of a bottle with a single breath. Unfortunately, the moment he tipped his head back was the exact moment Razekiel decided to throw out his bark masks. One struck the intoxicated wolf’s raised bottle and caused the man to sputter and cough. The contents of the bottle not in Jaden’s lungs ended up all over his broad, crimson chest. He stood there for a moment poised as if the wine on his fur was searing acid, empty bottle still in hand. The wooden projectile used to assault him was retrieved by wet claws and an embarrassed and aggravated Shishen searched for the coyote culprit. He intended to send the empty bottle his way. That would teach him to throw things at festivals.
Luckily he was drunk enough that he hadn’t the coordination to throw objects and at that second the pack around him began to sing. His pack. Despite his agitation, he couldn’t help but give in to the song. His brassy voice was a fine addition but it didn’t sing for the past dead. People he’d lost where exactly what the man avoided thinking about regularly. His lightened mind would most certainly not have it now. His song was for the sake of song and he enjoyed the chorus of Ichika.
When the call came to an end and X’yrin’s attention finally turned to him. She flashed her wonderful smile and even laughed which righting all that had been previously wrong. Jaden dropped his bottle as they neared and he began to read her noiseless beat once more. He regretted having lost the possible projectile when Razekiel, who Jaden still hadn’t identified yet, pulled his females attention away again. Another call was started more energetic and boisterous than before.
This time Jaden savored only one voice and kept his quite. He waited patiently for his partner to expel her song and watched as she put all her might into it. When she fell, he was there. Stupidly out of place worry greeted her first but was replaced by a grin of amusement. He reached for the woman’s hand and pulled her body up into his arms before he could think better of it. The grip he offered was firm and his steps amazingly stable. You dance wonderfully, He murmured softly into the woman’s ear. They spun off into a new dance, one Jaden led and hoped she would follow.
Jaden does. "Jaden speaks." Jaden thinks.
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It came down to feeling in the end. The mental burdens of right and wrong, what was appropriate and what was deemed foolish, no longer mattered. They were concepts for the sober and clear headed to deal with, not the inebriated and free. The Shishen had thrown off his inhibitions at last, giving into the festivities as they commenced wildly around them. The woman could not withhold her smiles of joy her excited howls in seeing Jaden finally give into the intoxication of the party.
But so much expulsion of energy was exhausting. The excited muscle within her chest began to ache, having yet to rest from its relentless rhythm coursing the heated blood through her veins. It was a wonder she hadn't collapsed from exertion before now. But her rest on the ground was short-lived. As calloused hand took her own she was hoisted into a body of warmth, powerful arms holding her firmly, stably in place. Lead by more graceful steps than her own, she followed the movements of her fellow warrior keeping contact with his stabilizing form. She was more than inclined to have him act as her pillar of strength as her steps grew sluggish and her body tired.
"You think so?" she whispered in turn, a tired smile delicately curving her lips as she let her head rest on his broad shoulder. His enveloping warmth as well as the calming beat of her own heart making her all the more drowsy. "I used to be better," she continued, fighting against the yawn threatening to split her maw in two. "But I am out of practice." Giggling softly, she nuzzled into her companion's neck, her tender smile gradually losing its radiance as the whole of her felt heavy, her eyes being the first to succumb to gravity. "Though you are better than I am, looks like."
The depression of the alcohol had down what it was intended to do; made a fool of an otherwise pristine figure and brought the sleep spell upon her. To save what little of her image that remained she at last- albeit reluctantly- peeled herself off the Shishen, placing a kind kiss upon his cheek. “I think I’ll return home. The ground does not favor me or my dance…” she giggled sleepily knowing full well it was not the ground that was unstable. She had somehow managed to stumble out of the midst of the party, her senses now dulled and body exhausted from both dance and entertainment. Rest would do her well before she sifted through the details of the night before in the morning.
[Exit X'yrin]
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It was noisy and the shadows were dancing all around him like crazed grasshoppers as he sat next to where Jace had occupied moments before. He watched her as she got up to dance with Wretch and slowly moved off with her dancing in amongst the others that were dancing and moving about the fire.
His head moved around to the commotion that had just arrived and he watched Razekiel as the crazed character entered the flickering light of the fire and did his spiel and dance. The story that was told was entertaining but Temo did not really know what to do having come from a pack that did not have much in the way of rituals or parties such as the one that was raging around him. Temo remained on the log and watched everyone and soaked up the heat that was coming off of the bon fire.
A mask that had landed by his feet found itself in his hands when he picked it up and studied it with mild interest at the craftsmanship that went into the mask. He turned it over a couple of times while he looked the mask over and when Temo saw others throwing their masks into the fire, with a small toss, the mask he was holding joined them to quickly turn into ash and disappear into memory. Temo remained sitting on the log and watched the flames do their own dance over the coals of the firewood as he waited for Jace to return.
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Closing this up guys! Thanks for RPing! Slight PP of some people leaving with their permission. Assuming everyone leaves before Prip! XD
Pripyat watched as their other Ryu burst in, flinging masks here and there. Pripyat needed no mask, the scar he had burned into his own face served as mask enough, although a permanent one. Yet as the others began to dance rhythmically around the great fire, Pripyat stayed seated. Merely he picked up a large, thick branch and began to beat it upon the stone he was seated upon. The primitive drum served its purpose and Pripyat Soul was glad as the drunken dancers seemed to fall into step with the beat they heard mostly in their heads. As their feet picked up, so did he drumming and he wasn't sure if they danced to his music or if his music followed their dance. Ultimately it mattered little which came first, so long as they both existed.
When the dancing died out Pripyat knew the night was nearly over. It was growing late and in time dawn would break over their field. Before the soft light of day uncovered the debauchery of the night they began to depart, alone or in pairs. X'yrin was the first to go, with others filing out after her. Eventually Jace heaved her round body to her feet and with Temo, the soon to be mother took her leave. Soon it was only him and the leaders and soon enough they too left together, as a pair, giggling like children or lovers as seemed their way when the two of them were together. Ocean eyes watched as the cheerful man and the fairy woman continued a slight dance, arm in arm until they too were out of sight.
Then it was just he. Night still had hold of the land but Pripyat added no more wood to the great fire. He could time it perfectly and the man sat back to watch the wood burn away. In the morning there would only be ash and a circle of stones. Those who had come to the festival would be reminded of their actions and smile sheepishly or with secret glee, those who had not could only imagine what had transpired, but Pripyat was glad when, like all things eventually, the great Samhain fire burnt it's self out and ceased to be anything at all.
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