Mini-Event: Skywhale + Day of Lefkokó

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The Skywhale & Day of Lefkokó
🜙 The Skywhale
	After fierce retaliation and an increase in city-wide defensive power and measures, it seems as if the orc attacks have, at least for the moment, begun to subside. Along with the lessened threat of orc ambushes, the first storms of winter have died down to a gentle and occasional snow flurry, leaving the world peacefully blanketed in powder snow and a calm stillness. The City of the Free Peoples take this time to celebrate the final repairs of the airship, the Skywhale. With sail balloon once more filled and the engines working hard to keep the air within it warm, easier and safer travel is once more available. The Skywhale leaves once a day in the early morning to head for Didymos, and today is its maiden voyage since the repairs. Thalassa has changed greatly in the last century, blossoming into a massive port and military city, with resources and opportunities unavailable in the more eclectic Cty of the Free Peoples. Restless legs may find their chance to stretch to a new experience. Sail the skies aboard the Skywhale and see Thalassa's grand transformation to Didymos for yourself. Catch the voyage back before nightfall, or remain in Didymos until the ship's return the following day. There is plenty to see and do in the city by the sea. You can even see Logistykon's reef from aboard the Skywhale's deck as it swings around to dock. It is a grim but beautiful sight in the clear blue waters. While the threat of fire and orc ambush has diminished greatly, the City of the Free Peoples is filled with a sense of unease and discomfort as repairs on the city and attempts to put lives back together continue. Murmurs of discontent slip through the city streets, along with rumors that this is all Lykos' fault or accusations that the Captain might be hiding something. For every murmur of distrust, however, there are counters of the heroics and quick action that helped keep the city strong and beat the orcs back. There has still been no word from Krimnos or the airship, Valiant, that usually hails from the cliff city daily. Messengers have not made their wing from the city and those sent to the cliffs have not returned. It's not unusual for this time of year, but the absence is felt keenly by traveling merchants who need to get their wares to or from the city. A journey by horse or on foot would be risky, but the potential rewards for escorting a company up to the cliffs could prove significant.
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🜙 Day of Lefkokó
	No matter what city you find yourself in, the dawn of the 17th sees a change in mood and atmosphere across Idan. Snow has stopped falling and the sky is a bright, clear blue. The weather warms enough to cause water to drip softly from the icicles hanging off every awning and outcrop. Decorations of magical or crafted snowflake art and blue ice flames line city streets and building windows, and jovial merriment spills out into the streets. A sweet wine made from frostberries, warm honey-mead, and spiced apple drinks are offered in taverns, inns, and small shops or homes, a free offering to be had with sweet or spiced cheeses and spiced or candied nuts and fruits. It's a celebration that is far from unfamiliar, one that has been celebrated for centuries across Idan's towns and cities, though the methods and particulars of the celebration have always varied from place to place and people to people. December is the month of the White Raven, and in particular, this day is a day to honor him. Lefkokó, the deity of dance, freedom, madness, and cunning sits at the head of the cause of these festivities and his domains are the focus of the celebrations. Today is a day of dance, drinking, and games of skill and chance. A day to test your bluffing skills, show off, and take deep joy and pride in the liberties and opportunities available to all. Few work on this day, beyond the essentials, and everyone who is able to takes part in this moment of freedom and relaxed expectations or responsibilities. The cities are alive with music and dancing, and the taverns are a swirl of chaos amidst high stake games of cunning and chance. Clever minds clash over riddles, old and new, and as the day progresses a lack of sobriety becomes increasingly evident in the streets and establishments alike. As the sun reaches the highest point in the sky and the shadows dwindle to near nothingness, the aviaries of all three cities release the newest flock of rare juvenile snow ravens to their freedom, letting them take wing to the skies for their first ever flights. The flocks of snow ravens, the most coveted of magic familiars, fly off to the wildlands after practicing their acrobatic feats and visiting various areas of the city in search of food to give them energy for the journey ahead. Once they take their leave of the city, many begin to seek out hidden trinkets, magical herbs, and small, rare items across Idan with a precise and dedicated focus. Those who honor Lefkokó by celebrating in his name may be visited by his rare and clever emissaries later in the month with an offering of thanks from Lefkokó himself.
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🜙 A Warning.
	By the 18th the orc camp has been abandoned, the animals freed and the orcs, whatever was left of them, appear to have fled. Retreat is unusual, even more so for them to cut their creatures loose and flee without triumph or trophy, but this is something different. Many of the weapons, trinkets, and armors coveted by the warring orcs have been left behind, and the fires trampled and stamped out with apparent urgency. Tracks lead to the south a few miles and then vanish into snow in the direction of Lake Atéleio. It and the land south and west of it are consumed in a blizzard blown over from the sea, and tracking beyond that point becomes nearly impossible, though by this point it is assumed the Orcs have retreated to Spear Valley. Whether or not they will return is unclear. Those in the City of the Free Peoples on the 18th will receive another message, this one from a less mysterious source, addressing the coming dangers. Though the attacks have set preparations back a few weeks I would like to quell any worries. The Long Night approaches, but you are a city of strong, brave folk. The threats on the horizon will not be the end of this city any more than these raucous attacks have been. Supplies can be claimed from the defender's camp for any struggling to make the necessary preparations. Those who have lost their homes will be provided shelter and supplies. When the Long Night comes, keep your children indoors, your fires stoked, and your buildings shuttered. There is nothing to fear. Your defenders will keep you safe. -Captain Lykos Several hours later a second and then a third message is received across all kingdoms. It comes only to the couriers of the awakened. The first comes as an audio message: A dull scraping sound followed by the click and whine of metal dragging across stone and the dripping of thick, viscous liquid somewhere distant. It ends abruptly and a simple thought message, short and uncomfortable, follows it. silarclupes irom otnemem The message has no signature.

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lauralae | ota

[fuga]

Lefkokó.

[ The day of Lefkokó is not something she is altogether familiar with. She had grown up in a different temple altogether, had worshipped something a touch different to the deity of dance and freedom. She respects the nature of it, of course, and she recognises the fact that it is worth having a date of this kind, a celebration to take the edge off the sharpness of an orc attack and the suddenness of being awake again, but she does not want to take part in it unless there is some means for her to prove that worth.

Lauralae never lived in a temple to Lefkokó. The constellation holds less meaning to her than it might others. Her heart hangs on another mantle - and she does not know who is aware of it.

She does not, therefore, spend much time sitting by herself, making herself comfortable in the wrappings of red and whatever black fabrics she can find. People are loud as they dance, people celebrate and speak and chat, and her nose wrinkles, settling in a corner as she makes herself comfortable. There's a scrap of wood in her hands and a raven on her shoulder as she begins to scrape and carve, spending her time making small trinkets and animals, placing wood to the side of her as she goes.

She does not pay much attention to any strangers, but sometimes she can be caught making a prayer of sorts, her eyes closed as she whispers. ]

A Warning.

[ It is difficult for her to ignore the urge to bury her hands in the miscellaneous things left behind from the orcs. She wants to take as much as she can, to loot and push things into her sack before she does anything else, self-preservation an instinct she cannot ignore. She does manage to scrape a few daggers, slipping them onto her belt with dark eyes darting here and there, but she does little else, moving to the the edge of the camp, towards the south.

She stares that way for a very long time, her raven flying overhead, scouting out the area in front before coming back to her shoulder and nudging his face into her chin and hair, grooming her while Lauralae pays no attention whatsoever.

Sitting alone a little later, she listens to the message, a frown on her face. Nothing to fear - it's a curious thing, a strange whisper indeed. She is not afraid of the Long NIght, she is not afraid of what it might bring. She is ready to make her way forward and discover more when the next message comes, her eyes flickering as she sits alone, leaning against a tree and stroking idle fingers against the courier. ]

Silarclupes. [ A frown, the raven on her shoulder squawking quietly. ] Irom otnemem.

[ No signature, no sign, and the sound of metal and liquid - it makes her think, and her legs are drawn up to her chest as she ponders it, soft and quiet. ]

Wildcard.

[ Anything else you might want / any other ideas! Feel free to ping me. ]

Lefkokó

[genice]

[ They're little carvings, but the scent of the wood as it's coaxed into becoming what it is Lauralae sees within its grain catches Makka's nose in a way unlike so many of the other scents permeating the area. Victor isn't far behind her, weaving through people with the grace of someone used to crowds, once upon a time, that were much like this one.

More than a century ago. Something is both morbid and amusing in that thought, and Victor blinks, turning his head to look down at the carved trinkets and animals to the side of a woman and her raven. Makka refrains from reaching out, though she does sit, head canting to the side, watching both woman and bird. ]

Those are lovely, [ he says, lips pulled up into a small smile, a polite smile. Interest gives his eyes a deeper cast of blue, and he gestures toward the line up of carvings. ] May I take a closer look?

[ Admiring people's artistry is something he used to enjoy. If he must live again, were those not the kinds of things he might try to appreciate? ]

[fuga]

[ It is one of the things she had done to pass the time when she had been alone. Wood was easy to come by and her hands are practiced at it now - nothing terribly artistic, nothing that promises any kind of actual talent or teaching, but enough that the animals are recognisable. That's more than enough for her, especially when it means she can place them to one side and begin another, a small zoo building around her.

It takes her very little time to realise she's being watched, her eyes flicking up to glance at Victor before she hesitates, fingers pausing along the wood of her newest animal - a wolf - before she musters a voice to answer appropriately. ]

You may. [ Lifting a shoulder, she shrugs, as if unconcerned whatsoever. She does wiggle, just a little, away from them. ] You may take one if you like.

[ She'll abandon them here when she goes anyway. ]

[genice]

[ Victor notes the movement away, and takes care to shift his weight back; not moving, per say, but still granting her a further sense of distance. He was not so firmly guarded about his personal space, but he'd known more than a few who were.

Makka extends her neck to sniff interestedly at the zoo, the wet, black end of her nose nudging against one of the animals. ]

Thank you, though I'd like to look at them more than have them.

[ Makka nosed another, this time the wolf. She knocks it over, pulling her head back and flicking her ears and forward, trying to decide if she'd be in trouble for doing that. Victor said nothing, reaching out to rest a hand on her back, and her blue eyes flicked toward Lauralae. ]

How long have you been carving?

[fuga]

[ Personal space is only an issue for her because she has never had anyone close enough to invade it before now: she had been isolated for so long that being in the company of so many other people has her on edge, like some kind of caught and captured animal pinned in a corner.

She does not seem to mind Makka as much, however, something soft in the slope of her shoulders. ]

Look as you like. I do not mind.

[ She does not seem particularly upset by Makka's touch to the wolf - she reaches over and picks it up again, setting it straight before she offers her hand for Makka to scent, to see if she wants to move closer and make a friend. Animals are better than people, Lauralae knows that. ]

Many years. It was something to do to occupy my time.

Lefkokó

[cryptsleeper]

[Eventually, unsurprisingly, there's a wolf at Lauralae's side. Interupting a prayer, because to the surprise of no one at all, she has no idea what she is interupting. All she knows is that the person who gave her so much attention back at the inn is here, and she would very much like more of that attention.

Equally unsurprising, Alucard's no where to be found.]

[fuga]

[ It takes Lauralae a moment to respond to the sudden appearance of her old friend - she finishes her prayers, even if they're made a little more briefly than she might usually, before her fingers slowly reach out and sink into the soft fur. She wears gloves even here and doesn't hesitate, something soft on her face. ]

Greetings again, my friend. It is good to see you.

[cryptsleeper]

[There's no noise from Ellis beisdes a little snuffle, and when a hand reaches out, her paw tries to land in a similar spot. So...Lauralae's midsection, but at least Ellis has the good sense to try and not put any weight on the paw. Wolves, even smaller sized ones, still weight a decent amount if one's not anticipating them.]

[fuga]

[ Wiggling closer, the smile on her face widens and she nods, leaning forward. Her hands keep stroking, gentle and sure, pressing in and scratching where she thinks is right to please her friend. ]

You have lost your sour friend, have you? I am glad you have come to me. I am glad you are well.

[cryptsleeper]

[It is not a secret fact that Ellis' number one spot is right under her chin. The minute there's any attention there, she all but melts, which means there's just going to be a puddle of wolf here for a time.

Meanwhile, in all the festivities, Alucard was being annoyingly practical and picking up a few things including a spare coat that was thicker and warmer for the winter. The one he had now was proving to be an issue as winter truly settled in.

Which he had done, before he realized the wolf was gone. Logic said that there were three options: she had gone back to the inn, she was trotting around all the festivities to get attention, or she was looking for friends. Points two and three could be wrapped up together.

There's about ten minutes of a puddle of fluff on Laurale before Alucard finds her. No surprise is apparent on his face, there's only a moment of exasperation, mixed with the satisfaction of being right.]

Well, I suppose that this was bound to happen.

[fuga]

[ Lauralae sees no reason to waste time. Her prayers and her thoughts of craft are abandoned for spending time with Ellis, stroking fingers through her fur and paying particular attention to the spot under her chin that she likes the most, to please her the most.

It doesn't seem as though she even notices Alucard approach, other than the very slight tilt of her head. She has already decided he is not an immediate threat and if that changes she is well prepared to protect herself; she is not afraid of him or what he might do. There is no reason to be.

Leaving one firm stroke against Ellis' head, Lauralae looks up. ]

Should she not have found me?

[cryptsleeper]

I didn't say that. Of all the possible places she could have gotten to, this is far better than other misadventures.

[Ellis only reacts to Alucard with a flick of her tail. Hello, yes, I'm still mot moving for the time being. His response is just to shake his head. He's accepted that this is the relationship now. Antagonistic in a way that feels familiar enough, for want of others.]

Thank you for looking after her.

[fuga]

I cannot imagine many people would be so fond of a wolf on their lap.

[ Lauralae motions to the space beside her. He can sit if he likes; she has no issues with him that she might with other people. She has accepted Alucard as a part of her newfound path if only for the company of his wolf. ]

She is no trouble. I enjoy her company.

[cryptsleeper]

A few people have failed to clock wolf. The size just makes all assume that she's a crossbred dog.

[Either way, he'll take the offered seat. Not for any tiredness of running around the city trying to find Ellis, but because it was offered and this is much nicer than trying to talk with someone when they're on the floor.]

I think she's decided to not cause you any trouble. Does your corvid behave in any like manner?

[fuga]

It must be better for her. If she was discovered she would not be as well tolerated.

[ Her attention is still on the wolf, but her eyes do flick to Alucard when she speaks to him. Lauralae's voice is soft and quiet with an intensity behind it, as if she means everything she says with her entire heart.

Lifting her head, she nods to the raven that has settled in the rafters. ]

He does not stray far. He wishes for my safety.

[44pistolundermyhead]

[Ellie's on the drunker side of tipsy, and she has a mug of honey mead in her hand as she looks for a place to sit. She's not fucked up, but she is flushed, warm in the pit of her belly, and sort of wishing she was brave enough to ask someone to dance. Unfortunately, even if she were, the crutch would keep that from happening. Fuck stupid ankle injuries.

Ellie manages to find a quiet corner, with only an elf sitting on the floor. Twiddling--no, carving. That's kind of cool. She sets her crutch down on the floor, and slowly maneuvers herself so she's sitting within talking distance of the woman. Ellie's not so drunk that she'll invade the elf's space. She's not creepy.]

Hey. Sorry, I just--need a sec. [The good news is that Ellie didn't spill her mead on the way down. As much as she likes the taste, she probably shouldn't have more. The bad news is, Theseus the coywolf pads through, sniffing at the glass and taking a curious lap. She jerks her head back after only a taste, nose wrinkling in disgust.]

...You're a mutt, why'd you think you'd like that? [Ellie reaches out to pat the wolf. Theseus turns her head to peer at the elf, raven, and wood, and sniffs in their direction.]

[fuga]

[ There's not much in the way of concern towards the newcomers, at least not for the most part. Lauralae knows that by being here she is bringing attention to herself, hiding away in the corners and carving from wood. She is doing what she can to force herself to adjust to the suddenness of being thrust into society, of being forced into being around people when all she wants to do is flee to the forests once more...

It is somewhat painful, but she is managing as best she can. Her body feels heavy with the weight of the expectation and her eyes still dart around, here and there, drinking in with panic each look and gaze that is sent her way. She's more like a wild, feral cat than a person, darting away and tucking herself into smaller balls the more people that emerge.

She flinches, just a little, at Ellie's arrival, but says nothing for some time. Her attention seems completely captivated by the coywolf who sniffles closer and she offers a hand, as if calmed by the company of a wolf. ]

What is her name?

[44pistolundermyhead]

[Ellie doesn't insist on conversation. She might be a little drunk, but she's been around enough quiet people that she can manage.

The minute or two spent breathing slowly against the wall helps the headiness, so when Lauralae asks her the question, Ellie already looks more alert.]

Theseus. [The coywolf twists her head at her name, then relaxes and inches towards Lauralae's hand. As she stands up, it's clear that she's a mix of some kind - her legs are spindly, and her snout is a little more pointed than a wolf's. One ear twists to the side as she considers Lauralae, displaying a pointed shape uncommon in wolves.

She's also very delicate as she slowly smells up Lauralae's arm, apparently acquainting herself very thoroughly before she's okay with being pet - Theseus shies away anytime Lauralae tries before she's made it past her elbow.] She's skittish, but she doesn't bite unless you try to hurt her. Her favorite spot's her ruff.

[fuga]

[ Lauralae is not quite as good at conversation: years of living alone in forests and wilderness might not have aided her much when it came to social interaction, but she is well versed in taking care of herself. That is enough.

All her focus is on the animal in front of her, careful and gentle. She does not push too hard, but offers a hand and waits to see what might happen to her as a result. It would not be the first time she was attacked by an animal for daring to get too close, after all. ]

Theseus. It is good to meet you. [ She waits until she's sure Theseus is happy for her to reach out to pet him before she does, fingers pressing with a tenderness against her snout. Only then does she turn her attention back to Ellie herself, as if the girl is secondary to the wolf. ]

I will not harm her.

[44pistolundermyhead]

[Theseus licks Lauralae's fingers, searching for any food scraps. When she finds none, she huffs a sigh to take another step forward and continue her inspection, tail cautiously wagging as she's pet.

Ellie's pretty okay with it. She's been to parties where she spends more time with the dog or cat or horse than the people.]

Thanks. She can hold her own. Still good to hear.

[Ellie looks over to Lauralae and her raven. She's never seen one too up close, other than on the days of Lefkokó.]

Is she friendly? [She? He? Gender neutral? Ellie wants to pet the bird, but has no idea how.]

[fuga]

[ It's more than enough for Lauralae, who lets her fingers stroke over Theseus' face, gentle and soft. She's not going to push her luck - making friends with Ellis was easy, but not every animal is going to be the same - but she is going to take whatever friendship she can manage to obtain.

Ellie speaks and Lauralae turns her head, just enough to look up at her. ]

There is no reason to. She has been good.

[ Lifting her free hand, Lauralae wiggles her fingers - and the raven comes and settles on them, wings fluttering. ]

He does not bite.

[44pistolundermyhead]

Yeah. [Ellie glances at Lauralae and then looks away, looks down at her hands instead. In the warm tavern, she's checked her jacket - her fern tattoo is on full display, the leaves winding up her wrist, moth almost seeming to flutter in the lantern light.

She looks up at the flutter of wings, though, bringing her bad foot a little closer to the rest of her body.]

He's beautiful. [Ellie reaches into a pocket to pull out a few nuts from her own travels to offer him, held in a flat palm.] I've only ever seen the festival ones up close.

[For her part, Theseus sits primly on her haunches, nudging Lauralae's hand so it's further up her head, near her ears. She won't deign to sit on her, but then, Theseus has never been exuberant.]

[fuga]

[ Lauralae does not hesitate. She's wrapped up in her own clothes - it seems as though she's stolen or bartered some kind of cloak, and her hands and arms are covered in long black gloves despite the heat - but she places Rav'ahm down on the ground in front of her, not pausing. He squawks and hops closer to Ellie, tilting his head one way and then the other, as if deciding if he likes her or not.

She's well aware she probably smells of Alucard's wolf, that there might be white fur sticking to her clothes, but she doesn't care. She's obviously more comfortable with animals than she might care to admit, her fingers going wherever Thesues wants her to go. ]

I saw many of them before I came here. [ Before she awoke again, but she doesn't say that. ] I lived in forests where the ravens would nest. I know a little of them.

[ Rav'ahm chases after the nuts, seemingly unconcerned with who they're attached to. Lauralae might be shy but her bird is not, hopping closer and pecking at the treats. ]

[44pistolundermyhead]

[Ellie finds Lauralae's gloves rather nice - they're delicate and seem rather fancy. At least to her - not that she has much experience with high society life.]

That's cool. I hunt, but I usually try to avoid bird nests, so they don't scare anything else off. Except turkey and grouse.

[Ellie enjoys the sensation of the raven eating off her hand. It's gentler than a chicken, certainly, and his feathers catch the light in interesting ways.

Theseus settles in, eyes half closing as she receives the touch - she'll turn her head this way and that for Lauralae. Even Ellie can feel the waves of contentment rolling off Theseus.]

So... anything interesting you know about ravens?

[fuga]

[ She might be complimented if the gloves were there for fashion rather than necessity. She would love to offer the palm of her hand for the wolf, but she dares not remove gloves that hide marks and scars that the world would judge. ]

Sometimes they are a good guide for hunting. They are scavenger birds and can sometimes be a good guide to where there are animals dying or too old to keep up with their packs.

[ His wings flick a little and he lifts his head, tilting it one way then another, before he makes a sharp caw noise. Lauralae tsks, reaching out and tapping the top of his head gently, something almost fond on her face. ]

They can also learn to mimic the sound of a human voice, but it is not quite the same as having a voice.