[2007] Day of the Midnight Sun

[Sobi]

The woodwind melody's notes were in harmony with the festive mood around the town. They echoed through the alley, notes entertwining, dancing with each other. The Herbologist's eyes were closed and her ears were far more focused on the melodic magic she was creating so she didn't hear someone's footsteps approaching her. The corners of her mouth were lifted in a slight smile. She shoud have invested in learning the panflute long ago.

Theo noticed that someone was creeping into the alley in front of her. Ahah! someone has a sense of justice! Someone will help her on questto retreive her toy fromthe evil Horse Lady! Someone...........had a very BIG piece of candy cane!

and so, all thoughts of the instrument were forgotten as Theo's attention span was now focused on Martin's candy-can coloured staff-like...thing. She leapt onto it, not the smartest move she had ever made for not only had she somersaulted tothe ground (staff in one hand, mind you) but she also caused the owner, a dwarf, to come crashing down as well. Well then. so long as she had her prize...

[Singy]

The small figure jumping at him left Martin quite winded, as he lay his head against the cold stone of the street, in a daze at the quick actions of the individual.

Sighing, he slowly pushed himself up, his muscles groaning in protest and several of his finger's cracking as he balled them into a fist. His other hand flew to his pouch, checking to see that it's contents were still there, before he looked around for his staff.
When the familiar red and white paint did not catch his eye, his hands jerked to pick himself up, all thoughts of the melody he had heard before gone as he frantically searched for his staff.

Then it dawned on him, as he saw the person who had tackled him, a boy from what he saw from this distance, jolting away carrying the staff.

So my staff falls into the hands of foreigners once again, but what would a young boy want with it? It's certainly not a medium staff; that's what most boy's these days are interesting in right? Offensive Magic? Or was it battling equipment like bo-staff's that they liked? No, it certainly could never be mistaken for those things, unless... Martin's eyes widened, as a look of realization dawned on his face. He must know of the experiments I used it for or possibly even worse...the materials it is made from! He must be some prodigy mad Alchemist! I can't let him walk away with my findings! Putting my research and time to waste. No chance in Melodia.

So, Martin did what any respectable Alchemist who has been stolen from would do, scream Thief while wobbling to wards the one carrying his staff.

[KuroNeko]

"This is my first time attending this festival," Persha informed her new date conversationally. "I'm from Palmecius continent originally, from the magic city of Melsaria. In fact, I'm Persha..." she trailed off, hoping Mordi would pick up who she was, just from her name and hometown. True, her fame of being the heir to Melsaria University was mostly restricted to her home continent, but hey, she might as well start building her reputation here, as well.

[starrevolution]

Lydia was standing by the pole and Ilaria, warming herself up and admiring the new scarf she had just bought (it was white and blue). She could see her breath and was wondering when the rooftop battle was going to start. It certainly would be fun to watch... She looked enviously at Ilaria's hot chocolate and said "Excuse me miss, but where did you get that? I would love one right about now..."

Reiko was the bar, enjoying the drunk men and their antics. Seeing the shy Pheonite standing against a wall Reiko decided to go meet him. "Hello, there. You enjoying yourself?"

[Singy]

The attention directed towards her, unsettled Ilaria, whom had been so absorbed in her thoughts that she felt as if she had been the only one standing near the pole.

Turning her head to give the winged a once over to make sure she wasn't a threat, she focused her attentions back on the rooftop visible not so far from them. Her mood was good this night, and so, even to her own surprise she found herself answering in an even and steady tone.

"A vendor near the entrance to the square was selling them awhile ago, might be all sold by now for all I know." What in the name of the muses was she doing? Since when did speaking to others respectfully ever come so easily. "You might have better luck at the bar, I'm sure a few drinks there and you'll warm up in no time."

The dryad shifted her gaze over toward a the afore-mentioned bar, that seemed to be overflowing with people and quite rowdy, considering the large space between the moving crowd and the open entrance to the bar. Sighing she returned her attention forward once more, somewhat discouraged, almost exasperated look took over her features.

Muses Condemned, I wanted to go there later on. The Muses only know what these group of people will do to celebrate, the after effects of the Midnight Sun. Damn those pathetic, drunken fools, always ruining my drinking plans...

[KyahRyorin]

Sharkov gave a small jump when he heard another voice call out to him. He looked over to see an Elf approaching him, his gestures friendly. "I-I-I-I'm... I'm fine." He stammered a bit, not sure what to think of this new stranger. "I'm not one to come out to large crowds, that's all." He wondered why this stranger was paying attention to him. His tail swung back and forth, showing he was somewhat excited as well as nervous.

Mordicus smiled. "Palmecius, eh? Been there quite a few times. Nice place. And you say you're from Melsaria? Good town too, and the academy there. Or whatever the heck you guys call it. I'm not one to stay around to one place for very long, so if you're hoping I know your name, you're outta luck, sweetheart." He gestured that he wanted to walk, taking her hand and being all gentleman-like and letting her lead how fast they should move. He sighed a little before continuing. "I was going to be a knight, but I kinda broke away from that and just have been traveling a lot of places." He smiled a bit again, remembering how all his brothers had dreamed of becoming a knight, whereas he had other plans entirely.

[KuroNeko]

Edging away from the large crowd, Jay managed to escape the tavern without anyone noticing. In one hand, he had a bottle of drink. He moved quickly, heading for the alley between the bar and its neighbouring building. Maybe there, he could find some peace and quiet.

Well, he was half right. It certainly wasn't quiet. As he approached the alley, he heard the faint sounds of a woodwind instrument getting louder with each step. Eventually turning the corner, he was surprised to see a centauress playing a small pan-flute with amazing ease. Unsure what to say, Jay simply watched, wondering when she would look up and notice him.


"A Knight, huh? So if you're not one... then what are you now?" Persha asked. Her annoyance at him not knowing her name subsided. "And for that matter... who are you? I don't think you've even told me your name yet."

[KyahRyorin]

Mordicus blinked for a second. "Sorry there, princess. I let my rudeness get the best of me. The name's Theo." He paused a minute, thinking quickly, trying to cover up his real job. "I'm a mercenary. Didn't want to deal with all the nobility and stuff."

He leaned in a bit closer to Persha and smiled smugly. "So, now that you know my name and what I do, shall we go? Or, where should we go, for that matter?"

Kai watched the place fill up with more people. She sighed, and then her ears picked up an angry cry. Someone was calling thief. She snorted, half disgusted and half amused. Typical.

Just then, she saw the young Neptunite running with the large candy cane staff. Oh. This really makes things interesting. Walking forward in an innocent fashion, she leaned out her leg right in front of the Neptunite, causing them to trip and fall.

"Going somewhere?" Kai asked, her foot pushing down a bit on the Neptunite's back. "I may not be a nice Elf, but I'm not about to let anyone else ruin my fun time here. Even if I haven't had it yet." She smiled evilly under her hood. Oh, now THIS was entertaining.

[Sobi]

The felt her face hit the pavement very hard. She raised her face, blood now streaming from his nose down her chin, with tears filling up in her eyes. "What did I ever do to you?" Theo asked, trying to keep her voice from wavering. She gripped the candy cane...thing even harder. "It's mine! You can't have it! Piss off you deranged Elf!" And at this, she struggled to not let the tears flow, even if a tear or two had already escaped. "Pick on someone your own size!"

Amaranth's song quietly faded. An interesting instrument indeed. She pocketed it. Perhaps she would play the role of Thief. A small feeling of guilt trickled forth. That wouldn't be right. She snorted and trotted out of the alley. Ah, moral dilemma. Give the instrument tothe musically challenged one, or keep it and become a Thief? Amaranth sighed. Taking a toy from a child....was quite beneath her. Now where WAS that Neptunite youth anyway.....?

Amaranth didn't have to look far before she saw an Elf bullying the Neptunite. She saw blood on the Neptunite's face, and a foot crashing her back.

"WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU!?" Amaranth bellowed at the Elf......only to find that no sound came from her throat. She clenched her teeth. Very well then.

Amaranth ran at a full gallop and using both her front hooves, she rammed the attacker away from the kid.

Theo wanted to sniff, but culdn't, too afraid to breath in blood. Amaranth quickly took three vials from her pouch containing differnt plant extracts at different concentrations, and then she took out a Lilkus leaf from a different pouch and wet it with the concoction. She pressed the leaf to Theo's bleeding nose, knowing that it would help reduce the bleeding.

Theo wasn't sure if she wanted to glare at the Thief who had taken her toy, or to thank her for saving her. Either way, she gripped the candy-cane thing tightly. there was no way that Thief Horse Lady was going to steal THIS away from her too.

[Singy]

Pushing the blond hair out of his eyes, Martin hurried down the alleyway, trying his best to follow the path that his fast paced thief had taken to get away with his staff.

Curse him and along with these legs ! Of all the times to have pulled a tendon in my knee...I knew I shouldn't have tried to grab that roc's tail feather, I knew it! But oh no, I just needed it for my fermentation commision...stupid customers and their 'need' for experiments to speed up the process.' Thought the brown eyes dwarf before cursing darkly under his breath and continued to hobble along his way.

Hearing a scuffle, along with what seemed to be hooves hitting smooth stone, he reached the entrance of the alley in time to see a centauress helping a young boy who had fallen to the ground. Peering around to look for his painted staff, he noticed an adult elf off to the side of the other two with what seemed to be the imprints of hooves on her cloak.

Hopping up and down, he tried to peer over the centauress, hoping that the thief hadn't gotten too far. It was only through some trick of the light (or perhaps because there seemed to be more light) that Martin was able to see the twinkle of something shiny out of the corner of his eye. Moving around quickly, he saw his staff in the arms of the boy on the ground, who seemed to be clutching onto it for dear life.

Moving closer to him, he yelled out, "You, boy! Give that back this instant, you would have no understanding of the things stored in there; the items used to bring it together, that which makes it the thing it is today!" he limped over slowly, trying not to scare him off. "Now, just give the staff back and now one gets hurt anymore, got it?"

[starrevolution]

"Thanks." said Lydia with a nod. "But I'm not one for the bar scene... besides, I'd rather be outside when the moon's glow begins..." she nodded and walked off.

Reiko approached the Pheonite and examined him carefully with interest. The alcohol was making his eyes wander... "What are you doing in a bar if you're not one for large crowds? If you want, we can go and watch the moon... together." though Reiko was sure this would scare off any straight-male, the alcohol was giving him a bit of confidence.

[drakarsepentrion]

Sheart was standing outside the bar. He was looking at the moon with a fret on his face, wondering why people took such a thing so seriously? The moon was a fine thing to gaze at, but what was it compared to what could be made by people? This was part of why he so loved to collect man-made things. He knew that they deserved alot more respect than was given, because they had been made by masters of different crafts and he admired that more than almost anything.
Then, Lydia walked out. He recognized her. "Hey! Don't I know you?"

[KuroNeko]

Jay watched the exchange with mild interest, and at several points wondered if he should join in... but, he concluded, it didn't involve him. He emerged from the alleyway to hear excited murmurs from the crowd - the main event was beginning. His head automatically looked upwards, and just as he expected, the large moon was starting to shine, looking like a glittering pearl in a sea of stars.

"Alright, it's time. You may begin!" yelled the city official, standing in between Mira and Kankuro on the rooftop. The many viewers below and on other rooftops stared in awe as the fight began...