Leading the group that arrived was a vibrant Coatl who was delighted at the opportunity to share the sights of his homeland with some he considered friends. A Spiral chattered excitedly to the serious Guardian he was with, who listened attentively without losing awareness of their surroundings. A Coatl waved farewell to a Pearlcatcher who was leaving for another part of the festival and at the back of the group came a curious if somewhat more reserved Nocturne.
“Ah, here’s that fabled stand then.” The crimson Coatl called to the rest of the group. The Guardian became business-like and settled her attention on the Wildclaw. To earn the approval of both their beastclan ambassadors was fine praise in itself, but there was no reason to break good habits. Her Charge had no semblance of inhibition however.
“The Wind nerd!” The Spiral sped ahead of the group to offer Dash a friendly hug.
The Guardian cleared her throat politely. “Greetings, Librarian. Our party has heard of you from our fellows of the Stanzascale clan. This is Ubwin.”
“Lovely to meet you!”
“And I am his Guardian, Feyrin.”
“Hey there. The name’s Ryndlite, but nicknames are fine.” The crimson Coatl hailed Dash.
“Hello.” The other Coatl of the group greeted the Wildclaw, “my name’s Inima, and I wonder if you might like to try some biscuits I baked for the festival?” She removed the lid of a container at her side to reveal its contents of biscuits decorated in star-like shapes, or the occasional squiggle, intended to connote fireworks. “The muffins didn’t work out this time.” She commented softly with a droop in her crest to no one in particular.
“I’m Flares.” The Nocturne introduced himself and looked around. “I admit, it has been some time since I last set foot here.” Realising he was the first to begin speaking, after a moment of hesitation, Flares went on. “I was apprenticed to a blacksmith. Afterwards some mercenaries picked me up. Some time later, I left and I met a traveller who suggested I join him on his journey home. Now I am forger and warrior for the Stanzascale clan.”
“Hm. Whaddya think happened to the old place, Rin?” Feyrin’s Charge asked her.
“Though we took the tools, the forge itself should still be intact. It wouldn’t surprise me if another forger, or an enterprising worker of Lightning, had taken up residency.”
“Nice!” The Spiral gave a twirl before elaborating for Dash’s benefit. “I used to live on the coast of the Emberglow Hearth. I usually make bionic limbs for those who aren’t sound in all their own. Rin here got word of me and came to see. We talked for a while and she made me her Charge.” He looked back at the Guardian. “Unless I misspeak. Is that how it works?”
“I was always taught it was very individual matter. It was a blurring of the line between choice and instinct for me, as I recall.”
“Okay.” He turned back to the conversation. “So she stayed and helped for a while. Then we decided that we might want to try set up shop somewhere less,” Ubwin paused, “hazardous for travellers. Rin remembered the clan who’d hosted her the Brightshine before then so we tried there and there we’ve stayed.” The Spiral laughed happily. “At the time I hadn’t realised that the move would help research into chemistry-based methods of improving lives. Sometimes mobility problems aren’t because of the limbs. Not that such are the only issues I’d restrict myself to helping with.” Ubwin grinned.
“You could say I have a longer history with the clan, but less of it.” Ryndlite commented. “I met their founder while she was a part of her old clan. Talked about her power of luminosity. I didn’t hear from her again until the clan she founded had made a start at building relations with other clans. I visit every so often. It’s been nice meeting the forgers who’ve joined.” The Coatl nodded and smiled at Flares and Ubwin.
“Wait. So this is where we talk about how we joined the clan?” Inima realised.
“Or generally your role and life.” Feyrin remarked.
“And only if you’re comfortable with it.” Ubwin added.
“Ah. Well. To be honest, I met the clan while travelling; looking someone to bring home during the hot season.”
Ryndlite raised a brow briefly but didn’t quite smirk or grin. This was a reference to a behaviour common to Coatl, and not merely the weather.
“Lots of the clan are really nice. Even that newcomer I accidentally dropped cake on. Yes, mostly I like baking. Some also tell me it’s awesome when tell clanmates they’re awesome. Did you hear the chef defended his food from a contagion with a ladle? Pako’s cushions are great, and I like Triss’s hellos.”
“Now that’s what I call a positive feedback loop!” Ubwin elbowed Feyrin playfully, and the Guardian gave a small smile at the pun.
“Maybe when I master muffins,” Inima considered, “we can have a picnic, or a tea-party.” The comment was directed more at her party than her audience.
Ryndlite and Flares affirmed the appeal of the idea.
“Why are they called ‘tea parties’ and not ‘tea and cake parties’?” Ubwin inquired of Feyrin.
“Convention and brevity.”
“Maybe we can have a cake party,” Inima thought aloud, “that also has tea and call it what we like!”
“Aw!” Ubwin twirled over to give the Coatl a quick hug before returning to perch on Feyrin’s back.
