[AW] Autumn Breeze and Falling Leaves [Festival]

[Israfel]

Israfel

I used to be a darling starlet like a centerpiece
Had the whole world wrapped around my ring
I flew too close to the sun that's setting in the east
And now I'm melting from my wings

She had never been to Delumine.

Quite honestly, Israfel had rarely ventured outside of Terrastella's borders, save to meet Diarmuid at the Steppe for their friendly spar. This was the furthest that she had ventured from the Dusk Court lands, but to put it simply, it was nice. It was beautiful. The trees were beginning the stunning transition that came before winter's merciless grasp, the leaves shifting and changing colors, beginning to fall and collect upon the ground in great piles of multi-colored heaps. Reds, greens, oranges, yellows... It was beautiful, a breathtaking backdrop in a land so lush with fertility and richness.

She had not yet met a member of the Dawn Court, but she hoped that after partaking in their Harvest Celebration, that she would. With every Court receiving the warm invitation, the Sun Daughter was eager to go and partake in the festivities. It sounded lovely, and so she, along with other members of the Dusk Court, traveled to Delumine and to the broad Citadel, admiring the lights strung up, the scents, the sounds, and the smells. Decorations littered nearly every surface, stands for games and fun set up in various locations. Pumpkins littered the area, some carved, some whole. Stands of food and drink aplenty sat nestled a ways away, and already there were so many who had gathered before them. Laughing, singing, dancing... Everyone looked positively thrilled, and their excitement was contagious.

Israfel couldn't help it. She laughed. It was a melodic, tinkling sound, like chimes on a breeze. The Daughter of the Sun's vermilion eyes were lit up, sparking bright and joyous, gilded wings unfurling and stretching out as she took a few prancing steps forward and into the courtyard. Beautiful! It was beautiful! Never in her life had she ever seen something quite so grand!

"How marvelous!" She cried, joyous and thrilled, looking back to the other members of the Dusk Court that she had traveled with, "Where should we begin? It all looks like so much fun!" Innocent. How long had it been since she had allowed innocence to flood through her veins, purging the darkness from her heart? Too long. There had been no time since her rebirth, since death had released her from its cruel grip, but now in the heart of an autumn festival, Israfel finally felt it; freedom. New beginnings. It was the light at the end of the tunnel, and she had every intention on grasping it and taking advantage of it.

Here the fun would start... But first, she just needed to decide where to begin.

x - x

@Isorath and anyone else who would like to join, Dusk or otherwise!

[Diarmuid]

Diarmuid had nothing against the odd festival. He liked the cheer they sparked in people, and the peace they (hopefully) fostered. It was without thinking long that he had decided to accompany the group of Dusk Courtiers to Delumine- he had passed through the land briefly, without seeing it's inhabitants, before being found in the swamp by Israfel. Speaking of, the fire-eyed warrior's joy was charming, and made her seem younger than in all the other time he'd spent with her. It was as if she had siezed some scrap of innocence not yet lost to her and drew it on today like a veil, viewing the world with childlike delight.

All the same, as they approached Diarmuid's pace slowed until he fell to the back of the group, lingering as they moved forward towards the festival proper. There were so many people. He could smell them, beneath the scent of spiced drink and food. His remaining ear flicked nervously, the only true indicator of his mood. Otherwise his posture was simply rigid, the attitude of a soldier. His neck arched, head turned slighty to the side to observe the courtyard with his good eye. There was no way to remain apart in this milling, joyful herd.

Even in the past, when he had been at home in his own land among his own people, he had avoided social events. He had lingered on the edges, watchign and trying to avoid being wrapped in. The press of strangers made him feel as though he didn't belong, regardless of his station or position.

Now was no different. Compound that with a sudden acute awareness of his own body, of the scars that embossed his hide with their fractal curves. So he tried to side step awkwardly, shifting away from Israfel's gaze as she looked back and posed her question to the little group that had gathered with her. Instead his eye was already questing for somewhere he could stay out of the way and watch from the security of solitude.

@Israfel @Isorath