Day 3
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Seaspray winced as the tale of the Lost Crescendo came to an end, a familiar ache throbbing in his chest. As a dual Master Adept Wind and Water Mage this tale was doubly upsetting for him with the memories it invoked.
Even in the Starfall Isles, he had felt the loss of the Crescendo’s magical influence when the winds died. The horrifying emptiness of that moment had only been matched by the sudden wrenching feeling of the Tidelord’s magic also vanishing--a sensation that had occurred almost simultaneously. The double blow had literally almost been too much. For days, the quiet Pearlcatcher had barely been able to function, continuing more because his Clan Mother insisted that he eat and look after himself than because he actually cared what happened to him. Even the return of the Crescendo and his connection to his native Wind Magic had not really helped, as there had been no like return of the adopted Water connection he also cherished so dearly.
But the Clan had refused to give up on their strange Mage, and eventually, Seaspray had found a reason to live again -- and that reason had been found here, on the Cloudsong, during another Celebration some years ago, at the very same stall where he had purchased his newest treasure. Smiling at the much more pleasant memory, Seaspray touched the precious pendant that hung invisibly from its chain around his neck, feeling again the strong pulse of dual Wind and Water power enclosed within the familiar stone. Yes, he thought, the Spiral was right. A new era was upon them. One in which anything was possible. Even the finding of a missing God…
…and his efforts in that regard would certainly be helped by the funds that were undoubtedly in the Gilded Decorative Chest that had just appeared next to him. Seaspray blinked, realizing that in his preoccupation he had completely missed the Spiral’s last trick -- one that had been a truly stupendous display of Wind Magic indeed, as the dragon sent gifts of all shapes and sizes out to those around him without actually hitting a single onlooker. The Pearlcatcher touched the Chest, humming his appreciation as his mind filled with all manner of things he could buy with the treasure within. He was so focused on that pleasant thought, he failed to see the small creature perched on top of the chest, watching him with a hopeful expression in its small dark eyes…
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All manner of dragons had come to the Cloudsong this year, each for their own reasons, though those reasons almost always involved having fun of some type or another. Some dragons, however, seemed to have a different definition of “fun” than their compatriots….
Oberon
Fighting Mage
(Battle Magic, Magical Attraction;
Weather and Season Influence)
(Wind Born,
Arcane Adopted)
The silver and blue Fae hovered in the corner, observing the movements of dragons around him with a great deal of interest, though his attention did not remain fixated on any particular subject for long. The sight of a rather pretty Veilspun walking alone caught his notice for a few minutes, but then he was distracted by the glimpse of a dancing Skydancer bedecked in silks. A few minutes after that, he spotted a beautiful Imperial dining on some insects. Curious,
Oberon started to move closer, only to stop short when a male Pearlcatcher stepped up to the table and slid easily into the spot opposite the now smiling Imperial.
The Fae sighed in frustration. He had given his word to Titania -- and the Clan Mother -- that he would be good this year, and sadly, spending time with an already mated dragon almost certainly did not qualify as “good.” Turning away, Oberon flew back towards the corner where he had been sitting, noticing in passing that Seaspray seemed to have recovered from his moment of despondency after the nearby Spiral’s tale. The Dual Mage was now humming happily, fingering his old Focus Stone Pendant and staring at a Chest that Oberon was quite sure had not been there before.
Relieved, the Fae moved off, heading deeper into the Cloudsong. Seaspray would be fine, and there were far too many delightful sights to look at for Oberon to stay in one place for very long. After all, he had promised that he would behave, not that he wouldn’t look at all…and Titania was all the way on the other side of the marketplace at the moment, looking for a trinket to bring home to their son Puck. What she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him—
what was that?! @
Deladria
Oberon banked sharply, heading towards a stage where an Auraboa was just finishing up her performance. Ordinarily, the sight of the stunning female would have captured all his attention, but Oberon was far more interested at the moment in a different sight altogether. He twisted in the air, searching for that distinctive telltale flash of color. He had been so sure—
there!
At the edge of the crowd, a very familiar female Fae was tugging on the feeler of another Auraboa, pulling her towards the stage where the first Auraboa still sat.
Oberon blinked. Was that really little Lifeanth? By the Windsinger and the Arcanist both, she was beautiful!
The male Fae stared, remembering back years ago, when the child had gotten lost, and he had guided her back to her Clan -- and partook in a little harmless flirting along the way. He had met her again the following year and been treated to the very pleasant experience of witnessing a young Fae just beginning to truly try her wings in the Coliseum….and elsewhere. Her innocent return flirting that year had been quite delightful, and Oberon had thoroughly enjoyed spending time chatting with her about her many battles among the beastclans--at least until Titania had decided to interrupt them.
And now…
Oberon let his breath out slowly, drifting down to a landing on a nearby chair, drinking in the sight of his young friend. Two years…and what a difference. The female Fae sparkled in the flower of full adulthood, her striking colors dazzling underneath the soft light of a nearby lantern. Lifeanth was no longer a child, though she was still clearly as innocent and impulsive as she had always been, as evidenced by her insistent tugging on her poor companion’s feeler.
And she was also clearly taken. Twice over, as a matter of fact, if Oberon was reading the actions of the two males nearby correctly. He sighed in regret, allowing himself a moment to imagine what could have been. But only a moment. An irrepressible flirt he may well be, but he would not interfere with the happiness of a dear friend. Even if the fact that there were two males nearby suggested that she might possibly be open to adding a temporary third…
“Excuse me, good sir, would you be interested in a sweet treat?”
Oberon blinked, startled. “Yes,” he answered the cheerful voice, watching Lifeanth fluttering her wings as she pulled her companion along, “I would like that very much.”
“Wonderful!” The voice answered brightly. Suddenly, Oberon’s view of his old friend and her Clanmates was obscured by a rather large Obelisk with extremely colorful silks wrapped all around him. “Here you are, my friend,” the newcomer said with a delighted grin, as he presented a very sticky concoction stuck on a reed, “One Molasses Stick, courtesy of Wind Flight!” He pressed the concoction into Oberon’s paw and then ambled away, twirling in a dance as he did so.
The Fae stared at his paw, chagrined. That…hadn’t been what he had had in mind…Lifting his head, Oberon turned to try to spot Lifeanth and her Clanmates once more -- and gulped.
There was another, equally familiar Fae heading directly towards him from the opposite direction.
Putting on his most winning smile, Oberon held out the reed, carefully not looking towards the stage with the Auroboa. “Titania, my love,” he greeted his mate, “you have impeccable timing, as always. I had just found some truly delightful sweets. Here, try a Molasses Stick. It’s quite good.”
Without giving her time to protest, Oberon pressed the stick into Titania’s paw and then gently steered her towards a nearby table behind a beautiful decorative screen--from which viewpoint the stage, and those near it, could not be seen…
Oh dear….Oberon’s promise to behave doesn’t seem to have lasted long at all…or has it? After all, there’s no harm in looking…right?
