((OOC: For the record, this thread takes place BEFORE the Timedeath Event))

It was the height of summer, and magic was in all the air. Fragrant was the air of Sularia in the heart of Arri, and the ocean of the coast was a beautiful cerulean blue. The summer breezes blew all around, causing tent portals, flags, banners and all manner of fabrics to flap lightly. The sound of merriment filled the city, as it was the Festival of Song. From all corners of Canelux performers were making their camps to share song, wit and entertainment with their fellow travelers, and many had come for the massive amount of Trade that could be made. Today was the last day, and as was according to custom, before the dawn of the next morning, all the tents and caravans would be gone, as though they had never been there.

But there was still one day of feasting and song to be had, and every caravan was looking to make the most of it. Today they would pit their most skilled performers against the others to see who would be the best. There was hardly a moment to rest, as there was much to be done, and the day was still early.

Messy blond hair was swept out of his eyes where it had been blown by the summer wind, and his sharp intelligent gaze looked around at the many colorfully garbed individuals who moved through the festival. Song was rampant, as was dancing, and he was busy laying out wares and road treasures that had been collected for this occasion. Everything was laid out perfectly, even a selection of hand crafted instruments. Wind caught the panpipes and a hollow sound issued forth lightly from them as the breeze blew. He wasn't going to be the one tethered to the shop today. That was Rizka's duty for now.

Justice grabbed his fiddle, eager for a day of performance. He had begun to draw quite the following, mostly of the merchant daughters and other young Arriese girls, and he was happy with that. It was bringing much needed to his caravan. Rizka was doing well, brining in young lads who thought they might want to marry her, despite her being far too young.

Justice moved towards the temporary pavilion where all the performers were gathering for the day, eager to make a couple coins, and to see the pretty faces cheering him on.

It had been a long time coming this festival. She had danced like no one’s business. She had played her instruments like the best of them. Her brown hair swirled around her and her bright outfits of blue and gold attracted eyes from all around. Her enchanting silver eyes were what held people’s attention. Her eyes would linger on theirs for the intimacy of her dancing. She didn’t have the hips to make her belt jingle like the other dances but she still could out dance them.

She was looking for a good soul to dance for. There was something about finding just the right music that made her move. Naota made her sing in a way she hadn’t ever before. She was convinced they were in love. Watch her sing. Watch her dance. That’s what she wanted. It fueled fire in her veins. Her silver eyes watched some of the crowd move. The last day of the festival was here at last.

She made her way through the crowd. She jingled as she walked. There had to be a hundred gold coins on her sash. It matched the deep blue of her dancing outfit. Her ankles jingled just as loud from the anklets she had. Her long brown hair was left down with a circlet of gold around her head. Flowers fell on her and she gave a little spin as she bowed. The people knew her well enough. She was a daughter of their goddess. She would dance her heart out today and maybe just maybe sing for everyone as well.

Justice jumped up onto the pavilion and got a good look at everyone standing around. There were girls and guys there, ready to play, dance and sing, and it looked as though they were waiting for just the right person to get things kickstarted. He raised his fiddle and looked to the others.
"Well, someone has to get us started!" he laughed before he struck up a fast paced tune. The lute and guitar players caught on to the tune almost within a bar of the music and joined in, Justice's fiddle leading them on.

"One hundred days at sea, a wretch away from misery
Rummies and rats and tarry jacks, my only family
The island of Apoy is still a scream away
As the lungs of night blow out the light, my heart kneels down to pray

Oh gods, why did you take her? She meant so much to me!
I'm a wretched soul on a privateer, drowning out at sea
I'm killin' and I'm drinkin' my blue heart to black
But I swear oh gods, I'll never sin again if you bring her back!"

Justice's voice was joined by the men who knew the song, and soon there was a swelling chorus singing behind the young blond man, and many young women were gathering to dance around the pavilion.

"He's so cute!" one girl said to her friend as she pointed at Justice. "And can he play!"

Holly was so noticeable as she walked. Her dancer outfit was like no one else’s in the crowd. When the blonde haired boy began she was the first one to dance her way in. The way she moved her hips to his music. She had to be extra flexible and have more movement due to how developed she was. She had no hips to be honest but she could move like the best of them. She had taught herself how to push her body.

She attracted quite a bit of attention, if only for her status. “Oh! Holly is home everyone! Holly came back to Arri!” A smile came to her face as her brown hair shimmered in the sunlight. It whipped around her. The jingling from her outfit fit with Justice’s song as if she was purposely trying to blend it all in. Holly had a reputation from who her mother was but she was slowly making a name for herself.

Despite the slight interruption with the arrival of the stunning girl in blue, and the cheers for her return, Justice's music never faltered, even though he found himself captivated by how she moved. She was a very pretty girl, Holly, that was what they called her. He figured it was a stage name, since many of the dancers and performers there had stage names. He and his sister were some of the few who did not. His fiddle continued to guide the quick pace of the dancers.

"That girl she was a siren, dripping with desire
her moonlit hair and skin so fair, as warm as frozen fire
She had the loyalty of a cat, behind those ivy eyes
and through her cherry lips, demons slipped a thousand lies.
A clan of rogues and vagabonds occupied her head
that thieving band took her pale white hand, and stole her from my bed.
And like a ghost ship in the night, she drifted out once more
To land upon the sand of another lover's shore."

Two more verses and a chorus later, the gathering crowd erupted into cheers as the song came to a successful end with Justice raising his fiddle bow up to the cheers. It wasn't just him they praised though, for many of the cheers were for the amazing dancer in blue. Justice took a deep breath, the adulation making his heart race as he turned to the dancer.

"Absolutely amazing!" he told her and he gave her a polite bow. "I didn't expect such a talent to grace the stage!"

Holly danced her heart away. She moved the way the adult women did. She never faltered never quit. She gave her body extra movement to keep up. She wanted to match them. It wasn’t just her body that danced but her hair as well. By the end of his verses, her chest was heaving as she took a bow. Flowers came from the audience. It was no shock that they were the color red.

Her silver eyes looked to the blonde boy and she laughed. “Only the best come from Arri.” When she spoke the crowd erupted in cheer. They thought what she said was right. She twirled a bit more as the flowers carried in the breeze came at her. The petals were loose now and they landed on her as she did her spin. They littered her when she was done. “You did well yourself.” Finally, she told Justice. Her troupe would have loved a person like him.

"So I have been shown!" Justice laughed. "I don't think I've seen a brighter jewel shine this entire week," he said flatteringly. "You honor us indeed by dancing. But if the best come from Arri, then surely that means you sing as well as you dance, correct?" he asked as he raised his fiddle again, an indication that he was ready to follow if she chose to lead them in a song.

"Come on now, my Lady. Don't hold back on us. This is the last day of festival, after all!"

“Don’t hold back?” She grinned a bit. “That sounds more like a challenge!”

In her arms appeared a finely made lute. It had hearts etched into it. She held it close and tuned it just a bit. She smirked up at the crowd. Finally, her voice started first.

“Merrily we sailed along
Though the waves were plenty strong
Down the twisting river Ancense
Following a song…

Legend's faded storyline
Tried to warn us all
Oh, they called her Eytelia
Careful or you'll fall…”

As she sang she danced as well. She only stopped playing the magical lute whenever there was enough of the band behind her to do more of a dance to. She was so nimble as she stroked and danced. The music from the lute filled the air with peace and love. They carried on and on as Holly showed the proud boy she was much more than just a pretty dancer.

Ah, Eytelia, he knew the song very well. The verses required very little other than a beat, but the chorus feature a fine chance for all sorts of instruments, including his fiddle.

Justice had to admit, he was impressed by the girl. She could sing, play, AND dance all at the same time, a feat that not many others could boast about doing. He could play and sing, or play and dance, but he wasn't quite skilled enough to do all three himself. Rizka was better at that than him.

When his fiddle wasn't needed, Justice clapped the rhythm with everyone in the crowd, keeping careful time and always watching the blue clad one.

"Oh the stories we were told
Quite a vision to behold
Mysteries of the seas in her eyes of gold.
Laying on the silver stones, such a lonely sight
Barnacles become the throne, my poor Eytelia…

And the winds will cry
and many men will die
and all the waves with bow down
to their Eytelia

And the winds will cry and
many men will die  and
all the waves will bow down
to their Eytelia…"

Holly had been taught by the best. She had been taught from everyone who had ever stepped foot into her mother’s temple. When she was old enough she had hit the road and become more talented. She wasn’t held back. She wasn’t alone. She was so naturally skilled.

As the song ended she held up her lute and smirked back at the boy. “Are we impressed yet? It is the festival after all.” She chuckled a bit. The crowd cheered more and she bowed softly. Her voice was almost like a bell. Holly danced around the pavilion as they geared up for either another song or a dance. “Maybe our young friend can sing and dance?” She was teasing him now.