The Land Speaks in Flowers

[Amaris]

Ashan 1st

In past cases, Amaris had always partaken in the Ashan tradition with their family. They would pass blossoms to their parents and brother in exchange for candles, and then reverse the process. It was not to say that they didn’t want the experience of doing this timeless tradition with an actual stranger. That was the point, after all. Their childish ways would need to be shed as they grew older, and this was just one such opportunity to do so. Posey padded along beside them, much wider now with all that Amaris had given her. The dog wobbled slightly around its swollen belly, to which they had to smile. Perhaps Posey ought to get a blossom. That is, if they could find one.

They were on their second break of searching. Cylus had not been kind in the ice and snow it cursed the island with. The cold still remained, the cause of Amaris’ fully buttoned coat. Their breath misted in the air in front of them as they sighed. The cold persisted as they tucked their hands in their pockets. They hissed as a short burst of wind met the metal tags of their necklace, the metal ice cold against their skin. It didn’t help that the cold had also crept into their coat through the small opening of their collar. They made a note to remind themselves that they ought to buy a new coat. Posey yipped and the mixed blood looked in the canine’s direction. It appeared that she had found a friend to entertain her. The dog scampered off and Amaris had no doubt that they’d see her waiting at the doorstep of their apartment.

Amaris, however, could not return until they had found a blossom and a stranger. The search proved to be difficult thus far, given the remaining slush on the ground. It crushed the earth below and smothered budding plants. This arc’s Cylus had been fierce. Maybe it was a reaction to the changes on Scalvoris. They nodded to themselves, decided that they would proceed in their search. It couldn’t be that hard. They’d already seen a few people hand off blossoms to others. If they could have found buds, so could Amaris. At least, they hoped so.

[Amaris]

Surely, they wouldn’t find one.

It was beginning to look doubtful as they breached another break of searching. Perhaps it was not meant to be this arc. But no! They would not accept it. Their usually dismal outlook was vastly changed in light of the possibilities of the natural world. Ashan would prevail through the lasting effects of Cylus. At this, they pulled their coat around them tighter. They just had to keep looking, and then they would find something. They stooped low, nearly crouching in the slush. They stayed this way for a few bits, as if the dirt would produce the bloom they needed.

Jaw clenched, they rose to their full height with great vigor. Their gaze swept over the low hanging branches of the tree above them. With narrowed eyes, they searched as best they could. Anyone watching might think they were taking this far too seriously. But, there was more to this than just a timely tradition. It was the start of a new chapter in their life. Their birthday might have been an easier way to mark such change, but partaking in something they did with a family, now by themselves, would have been a much greater symbol of independence to them.

Their persistence soon paid off. A branch within their reach gifted them with a blossom. Their face lit up, features twisted into a hysterical elation that startled a passerby for a moment. Amaris gazed up at the blossom for a moment longer, silent praise to Ashan and Moseke for their great wonder and works. They plucked the blossom from the branch, somewhat manic smile still on their face. It fell, however, as the next challenge faced them. Not as great of one, but enough of a strain on their social skills that they might worry.

Now, which stranger would they be least afraid of speaking to?

[Colm]

At long last that gloomy Cylus was over, Colm hated that season. ''Ze darkness, She scares me!' Was his standard goofy answer when someone asked why. He can't remember if he had ever answered that question seriously, but what was there to like about Idalos being smothered in a seemingly never ending blanket of darkness. Sure, if you had less upstanding motivations in life, the night could be beneficial for you. But not for Colm, no no, he was a good guy! As good as it gets in Scalvoris anyway, well...Not even, but he wouldn't shank you for looking at him funny at least, so there's that! Good guy!

Unfortunately for him, Cylus lingered on even through Ashan, still being fairly dark and with ice cold winds cutting through his clothes, it was less than pleasant. Especially since this year he wanted to be more social and even tip his toes in the events that he usually didn't bother with. Such as this one: Ashan's Dawn. Why would he bother picking up a bloom and giving it to someone he didn't know. But when someone told him the world didn't revolve around himself and neither did the event, it somehow opened his eyes and mind to why he would bother. It's not because it meant sheite to him, that it was the same for someone else. Maybe it could mean making someone happy or give that person a little boost to get through the next season, who knows ey. Either way, it was hardly a bother picking out a random bloom or blossom and handing it to someone.

That's what he thought at first, but when he started scouting the area for one...None were magnificent enough. Suddenly he found himself immersed in the event, trying to pick just the right one, he didn't even knew who he was going to give it to, but he'd be damned if he'd settle for anything less than the perfect one...Because logic! Soon he was having a blast, hunting for that gem, talking to random people who seemed to be on the same quest and generally having a great time! He was so focused on his goal that he somehow found himself in the middle of the cemetery where his parents were lying in peace. With a bittersweet sensation, he embraced the opportunity to visit their last resting place and bid his respects and drift down memory lane for a bit. Just when he raised his head again, he saw 3 of the blandest looking blossoms between their two graves.

Perfect!

As he walked away with one blossom in his hand, none of the 3 remained though. But if you looked closer, you could see a plain looking one on each of the graves. As if saying that he wished he would have had more time with them, gotten to know them even better...But if you looked at Colm, even at this moment, you wouldn't see the slightest hint of sadness or griefance on his face. He was happy with the time he had received as well as the love had gotten during their time together! There was no reason to be sad. This day was all about feeling happy and spreading the joy.

Now....To find the right person to give this blossom to. He somehow wanted to gather a basket full of them and share it with everyone. But on the other hand, it would lessen the effect it had, not to mention he didn't want to break the tradition of only sharing one. After all, he was a good guy...

[Ta'arif]

　　　
　　　　　　

"

P

ull the other one—”

Came the incredulous snort of a Biqaj standing in The Spirit of Adventure, common accent laden thickly with the husky hush of Ne’haer-bred Rakahi.

“I tell not a lie. An adventurer, like yourself, survived sixty days and sixty nights with naught but a candle to stave off the deathly grasp of Cylus high up in the mountains.”

Friell was at his storytelling, deep brown gaze smiling as it swept the Biqaj’s feminine figure. A sigh of appreciation elicited, for she wore so little for the beginning of Ashan. Simple, faded emerald harem pants clung to her hips above a pair of bare feet in plaited sandals, and a shirt, which might have begun its journey in white but was now a beige hue, clung to her broad shoulders and the arch in her back. A ginormous, thick, wool scarf was bundled about her shoulders beneath a mane of unruly curls, doing little to stave off the chill, she shivered.

Ta’arif quirked a dark brow at him with a subtle snarl in her plump, chapped lips. I’m watching you, watching me. Her shoulders drew back, a wolf rising hackles.
“—what to do?” Her fingers tapped the candle that she had placed on the worn counter.
Friell beamed, charming and enthusiastic as ever.
“You wait for a stranger to give you a blossom, and you give them the candle in return.”
“Why for?” Clipped the Biqaj, curious.
“It’s an Ashan tradition.” Friell shrugged, before clapping his hands and rubbing them together for warmth. “Five silver for the candle.”
There it was again, that glimpse of appreciation as his gaze swept her shivering frame. “Are ye sure you wouldn’t like to take one of my furs, it’s bitter out there. I knew a man once who survived—”
“—No, I tell you...He see a bear and he live, everyone think he a bear too.”
The Biqaj grinned, and Friell laughed, bobbing his head with newfound respect, holding his palms up in 'surrender', alright, alright, no more fantastic stories Ta'arif set the silver with a clink onto the counter, and stepped out of the shop with a candle in her pocket.

Her lungs stuttered a breath as she was greeted by Ashan’s icy touch, the chill brushed at her freckled cheeks, wrapping around her and raising gooseflesh along her arms. She shivered, and smiled. The cold had a way of reminding you—you are alive.

As she wondered where the nearest tavern was, she was seized by a sudden bout of dizziness. Swaying, and clasping at the wooden wall beside her, she chuckled to herself. Land-sickness. Ta’arif looked just another drunk sailor as she weaved down the street.

[Amaris]

In a place like Scalvoris, it was not uncommon to see someone stumble out of a tavern. It was certainly not uncommon on the more festive trials. But, Amaris could not be sure if the stranger they'd spotted was dealing with a hangover or drunkenness with how they stumbled about. That, and the hybrid had already passed the nearest tavern. Wouldn't the stranger head in the opposite direction?

They approached carefully, brows furrowed. "Are you alright?" Perhaps not the wisest of questions to ask, but it was important enough. The stranger could very well be convinced of perfect health. Upon closer inspection, Amaris found that the person was a woman. Face full of freckles and skin the color of a fawn's hide, she was decidedly not a familiar face. Perhaps a newcomer passing through. They stooped low, trying to be low enough to make eye contact and not seem like a towering giant.

"Is there anything you need?" They set the blossom down on the ground beside them. Finding someone to give it to could wait until after they were sure the young woman was alright.

[Vince]

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Vince pulled his cart over at one of the stables near the edge of town before disembarking, the sound of wood creaking beneath his shifting weight as his feet scrambled around before hitting the ground beneath him, a sudden jolt of motion from his unsteady footing in the snow and flailing hands grasping at the seating to keep him from falling upon arrival. The man's face flushed for a moment hoping that nobody had witnessed such an unsightly scene at his first moment in town but quickly brushed it out of his mind as he regained both his composure and posture. He made his way into the building to establish the holding of his cart and his dearly beloved horse Druaga before venturing into the town.

The Lotharren male almost hissed out loud as the bitter winds slapped against the skin of his face upon exiting the small building causing him to pull tightly against his winter attire in an attempt to warm himself further, though without some form of mask it was to no avail. "Blast the insufferable will of the winds, if it were back in the plains I'd not a care in the world for such a thing but these damned tundra's always make my hair stand on end and my bones rattle beneath my skin...." His body shivered slightly, still not fully accustomed to the drastic change in temperature, though his quest for knowledge and adventure was stronger than any chill could muster upon him. Vince quickly made haste through the streets, eyes dashing from left to right, scanning the varying amounts of people about him in an almost child like wonder. "Well I can't say it's the most amazing town I've been to but surely every place holds it's own unique treasures."

Everywhere that Vince looked around town all he saw were people passing flowers to one another as if some sort of festival was being had, or maybe even a tradition, whatever it was it seemed odd and he tried to keep to himself on it especially since he was new in town and didn't want to offend anyone by speaking out against something that could quite possibly be a holy day for them. "Ahhh, maybe I should look for an inn or a tavern. I haven't slept in a bed for ages." The lotharo stretched as he walked, eyes closed and oblivious to his surroundings for a mere moment when he felt something firm stop his motion and send him reeling back onto the ground in shock and reaction with, thankfully with the snow breaking his fall and saving his poor tail from any harm. "Omph! What in the seven he-?" His eyes opened once more, the fiery auburn hue's looking for what had stopped him in his tracks in such a way.