Apple Daredevils

Festival Grounds, early evening.

The sun is setting on the Festival Grounds, but the autumn harvest festival (one of many that's thrown in the month of Quintoos) is just getting started. While there's no jousts happening today, there are colorful tents with farmers selling vegetables and fruits, as well as freshly-made treats like slices of pie and candied apples. There's a slight chill in the air, but that doesn't deter people from participating in archery games at the targets that are positioned for regular archery practice. A couple of daring individuals even have volunteered to have autumn produce placed precariously on their heads for the elite archers of the Guard (who have come here to showcase their skills today) to shoot off, although there's clerics of Althea posted nearby (who look a little bemused about the whole thing) just in case something goes wrong. There's also games for smaller children, like picking apples with symbols carved into the bottom that correspond to a little prize or to a big prize, which tend to be toys made by carpenters, artificers, and other tradesmen who have come to the festival to sell their goods.

Which is to say, it's a prelude to a good time, and Cuemoni is here to enjoy it. She's wrapped up in furs that she's bartered for, as a sith-makar must take extensive precautions against the late autumn chill. Her scales are freshly painted with her typical red symbols and lines. "This one is excited to taste the apple pie," she says to her Cihuaa, who she is arm-in-arm with. "Although this one worries about the archers and the people with the apples on heads. It is dangerous."

There were so many markets and festivals in the fall that it was surprisingly difficult to find time to really plan anything. Which was the excuse Eztli would be sticking with, at the very least. The small makari had found a spot to sit near the event fields, where she switched between watching the archery, scribbling in a large note pad, and trying to get half of their teeth unstuck from each other from the caramel apple that was held off to one side with a rather large chunk missing out of it.

Zeke is well-pleased. The house had been smelling of apples when the left it this morning and pleasantly so. Their reward is currently resting in its warmth on the counter under a disk (to prevent the feline from tasting it first) waiting for them to enjoy the festival first. Zeke is certain that his first foray into pie-making is going to be a success. "Thisss one isss alssso excited."

His eyes slip toward the archers who are standing stock still with apples on their heads and snorts with bemusement. "Thissss one isss scertain that they know what they are doing. Thisss one imaginess that they do thisss every year. If there isss a misss-hap, thisss one will isss sssure that they have ssssome-one from the templesss on-call to aid the unfortunate one."

Hopefully, they will not come running to him for aid. He, is trying to enjoy a rare day off-duty after all. Not that he would turn a request for aid aside. He is a healer first and foremost after all. He comforts Cuemoni with a gentle pat on the arm.

Historically, Culix has not really been one for celebrations and festivals- at least, not participating. Lurking and keeping an eye out for loose purses and inebriated marks? That she was doing almost as soon as she was out of swaddling. But today, she's not keeping to the shadows. The grey-skinned goblin is making her way into the grounds alongside a more brightly coloured one, and seems only mildly sheepish to be sporting a spot of colour for a change. Not much- she's still mostly in blacks and greys- but there's some orange accents in the form of a scarf she's wearing. "I smell something good." she turns to say to her companion for the evening, her nose twitching and ears perking as she tries to place exactly where the nice smell is coming from.

Irshya seems to be on top of the world, with her standing at her full height, though she limps along with the aid of her trident, and holding Culix's hand. Her robes are, as always, a sea-green, and her holy symbol is on full display. The tip of her little tail can be seen poking out from under the hem of her robes.

"Oh?", the pool-shark wonders, slowly a little to sniff heavily at the air. The baked goods are not missed by her little nose, and she changes direction slightly, "This way. Apple pie!"

Uh oh.

Carver drops down next to Eztli, a thin slice of pie balanced precariously in her palm. She even eats out of her hand like an animal, leaning in to snap off the ends with a collapse of crooked teeth, followed by darting tongue to wipe clean her bottom lip of cream. "You know, in Dran, we preferred simpler sweets. One could eat on th' road. This not so bad, innit? Py-ee. Pay. Pie. Whassit even come from though, like, why call it a 'pie'?"

"We can buy more apples for more apple pie," Cuemoni says with delight at Zeke, her golden eyes sparkling a little at the idea. "This one saw a softskin recipe for squash stew that might be interesting. The cat might appreciate it, too." The calico kitten that Cuemoni ended up saddled with a while back has grown a little plumper and happier, content to chase sunbeams, although Cuemoni had renamed her from Tentlacihuitl to Tlotli after the not-quite-adult cat had caught and killed a mouse in the house. She'd graduated from 'snack' to 'bird of prey'.

Then Cuemoni looks in the direction of some adventurers that she knows, albeit loosely, with others she doesn't know. "Hum. This one sees familiar people." She looks at Zeke. "Shall we greet them and be sociable?"

"More applesss sssoundssss like a good idea. Even if thissss apple pie doesss not tassste perfect, thisss one knowsss they can tassste very good." Zeke's own personal cooking skills aside. He is still on the fence really about the feline, but after it managed to kill a mouse in their house it has gone up in his esteem. How it had found the rodent he didn't know, but killing it is proof of its value. Tlotli it is.

"We have come out into the world, we may asss well ssshare wordsss with othersss." He offers a bit lazily, allowing Cuemoni to lead the way. Zeke doesn't feel particularly led in any particular direction or another today. It's a pleasant day despite the chill in the air thanks to his many warm layers.

Eztli looks up from her drawings of what looked like a skeleton of wires vaguely pumpkin shaped, and the small makari grins wide, swiping her tail to drag the ranger next to her. "Are you saying you've never had pie before Carver?" She asks incredulously. "Oh, I'm glad you've gotten a chance to enjoy it! Though, I'm sorry to say I've got no clue where the name comes from. What sort of treats did you have back home then, if not pie?"

The small makari waves to a few people she recognizes, glancing back at the archers. "I don't know if it's staged, but I bet you could give those archers a real run for their money, Carver."

Culix oohs at the promise of apple pie, and allows Irshya to lead her along, speeding her step a little and reaching out to take the other goblin's hand so she isn't left behind. "Apple pie is nice, but what I smell smells boozy... hot cider, I think. With spices." she says and her nose twitches again. "But both sounds good." she adds after a moment.

As they pass nearer the archers she ohs, "Look over there. Would you trust me to do that?" she asks, pointing out someone standing with an apple on their head waiting for the bow to be fired. "I'd prolly use a knife though, not a bow. I'm pretty good with throwing knives."

The pool-shark's ears perk up slightly and she sniffs heavily at the air again. "Hot cider is delicious. Let's get both, my treat!" Irshya giggles as she leads Culix to one of the baked goods stands. "Let's get a whole pie, we can have some later, too."

She eyes the people with apples on their heads, watching an apple being split in half by a well placed arrow. "Of course, I trust you completely to throw knives at those apples and not hit the poor folks under them." The sharky-one side-eyes Culix a moment before giggling. "I trust you, my little shadow."

"I'd put them out of a job," Carver huffs. "I shoot better on horseback than that." Of course, bow out of her hand? The conversation might be a little different since she rarely carries more than her hunting knife as a sidearm. Well, that and unflinching confidence in her narrowed skillset. "Wanna see? Hol' my pies." She'll offer the Makari her goopy handful.

The makari-duo is led by Cuemoni closer to the group of the other adventurers, and Cuemoni realizes she actually only knows one of them, at least in brief. "Ah! This one greets Hunter Carver." Cuemoni bows her head a little, as she cannot make the full sweeping gesture of her greeting with Zeke in hand, and she's reluctant to let go of her Cihuaa's arm. Lizards huddle together for warmth. "This one would also be curious to watch you shoot the arrow."

To Zeke, she murmurs, "This one is maybe more morbidly curious than previously realized." Which is delivered with a bit of a toothy grin. It's one of those odd things, where one watches a dangerous situation and is both worried yet mesmerized.

Zeke provides what warmth he can to Cuemoni in the way of his presence and added layers of warm furs and cloth. He also adds his own curiosity to the mix. He tilts his head at Carver who seems inclined to try their hand at the arrow-shooting. "Do you really intend to sssshoot an arrow off of sssome-onesss head?" He asks quizzically. "At range?"

He offers also a bit of failsafe. "If you harm sssome-one in the attempt, thisss one will heal them for you. Thisss one isss a sssshaman of the Dragonfather. A cleric." As the softskins say.

"Well, it's better to have multiple good archers, so even if you are exceptional Carver, I imagine they'd still find employment." The small makari laughs. "You know? Sure, why not. I'd trust you Carver, I'll hold your pie, and if you need a cute assistant for your stunt, I'm talented enough to both hold pies and stand in one place."

Said makari takes the offered pie, setting down her sketches on the bench as she gets to her feet.

"Friends of yours Carver? Course I've seen Irshya and Culix before, and everyone knows shaman Zeke, but I don't really know the other person with him. Nice to meet you! I'm Carvers assistant for showing off her exceptional archery skills! Just need to find an apple somewhere or other." She greets, offering a low curtsy with her robes.

Culix laughs and sticks her tongue out at Irshya's deliberate misunderstanding, giving her a poke in the side for good measure. "You know what I meant." she says. Once they finally get their pie, and are free to go get some hot spiced cider to go with it, she looks back towards the others. "Oh, looks like Carver might be having a go. Now I kind of want to try it too..." she says, but for the time being, food and drinks come first.

Irshya looks extremely pleased at her intentional misunderstanding, for it makes the grey Goblin laugh. The poke in the ribs is accepted with a giggle. "Of course! Just to see your reaction." The blue-skinned Goblin happily holds a boxed apple pie in her hands as she leads the way to a stall selling all manner of drink, hot and cold. Two mugs of hot cider are asked after and purchased. "Oh look... I have jack o'lanterns on mine! Yours is... spooky ghosts!"

A nod is given in response to Culix' comment on the arrow shooting. "Carpenter? Oh. Erm, that's Carver, dear. Oh, There's Eztli. And Zeke. And erm... let's go find out what they're up to!"

A sigh as she starts walking in their direction. "And you may go and throw daggers, if they allow you to."

"We did a few jobs together," Carver says. A shadow of a flicker of something crosses her features. "The one in Myr, and somethin' about weird plants. I'm sorry, though, my brain what took a few hits an' I can't remember your name." Nor does Zeke really register recognition when she looks him over. She wipes clean her hands, lingering on the gesture. "I, er, yeah. No, problem. Clean shot, don't even need me eyes, slap on a little blindfol' and everythin'. Don't worry a whick, Magic Man." She slowly sidles to the competition side, spotting the Shark Priest and her companion as she does so.

"Oh, we were jus' about to make a demonstration. Would... you like to go first?"

Cuemoni gives a toothy makari-smile at the group of people, bowing her head. "This one is Cuemoni, Shaman of the Xiuhcoatl tribe," she says. "This one is Zeke's spirit-mate and Cihuaa. Like Cihuaa, this one is a healer, but not to the esteemed degree of Cihuaa's prowess." Her golden eyes sparkle a little as she regards Zeke. She loves talking him up a bit. "It is good to meet the rest of you, and to re-meet you again, Hunter Carver."

Her tail gives an energized little shake. "This one is eager to see the Hunter's talent."

"Sssa." Zeke wraps his tail around Cuemoi's tail and looks at her fondly with real warmth in his green eyes. "Thissss onesss Cihuaa isss modessst. Sssshe helped thisss one ssspeak to the sspiritsss of her tribe and helpssss thisss one each day to be a better healer. Sssshe isss a great ssshaman."

It's clear that he believes the words that he says, and that he would brook no argument from her or any other on the subject. He turns his eyes on Carver and he tilts his head. "Thisss one wissshesss you the blesssingsss that you require from the Dragonfather. Be they few or many."

"What, is the blindfold because you don't want to look at me when you're firing an arrow in my direction, Carver?" The small makari teases, sticking their tongue out before they saunter over to the archery range. "Nice to meet you, Cuemoni, peace on your nest." she replies with a low curtsy. "My name is Eztli, and Carver is my... girlfriend?" She replies, stopping to give Carver a look before she hops the fence, stopping to purchase an apple that they balance on their head, keeping the pie safe in her other hand and the caramel apple they were eating stuck in their mouth.

"Isn't that what I said?" Culix asks, momentarily confused, but shakes her head a bit as she moves past misspeaking. She takes a swig of her hot cider and breathes a pleased sigh at the taste, then heads on along towards the congregating group of adventurers with Irshya. She shrugs at Carpenter's offer, and then her lips part in a broad, sharp toothed grin. "Why not at the same time? We could make it a competition." she suggests, lifting an eyebrow. "I was gonna ask if its alright to use knives instead of a bow, though. I mean, I know my way around a bow, I guess, but it's not really my tool of choice."

The pool-shark giggles at Culix. "Yes, that is, indeed, what you said. I am just teasing." She takes a moment to enjoy a sip of her own cider. "Mmmmh. Our cider will start showing up soon. We get it from the Stormbrew Khazadi.", she says cheerfully. She sidles over to Cuemoni, peering way up at the Sith. "So tall...". Irshya offers a bow to the turquoise Sith. "Oh, Zeke's mate? A pleasure to meet you, Shaman. I am Irshya, I too am a shaman and healer. I am a Current of Rada, the World-circling Serpent." A gesture is made to Culix, "This is Culix, if you have not met them. A woman of many talents. Mostly stabbing things to their demise."

"Oh, yeah, sure. Thanks for the blessings." Carver's nervous hiccup of laughter very quickly begins to sound like a deflating balloon, stringing her bow as Eztli announces their relationship and takes her place. "Hunter is a title she gave me, I dunno, sounds a lil' official-ly for my taste, but..." She shrugs, "I likes it." She takes a deep breath as Culix steps up as well. "A throwing knife probably hur' less if you missed." Speaking of missing...

"Ez, okay, listen. Don't get nervous. Got a healer an' I very rarely miss. Easy peasy shot, innit?" Breathe. "Okay."

She brings up the bow, muscles going taut as the string grows taut.

And.... she does not fire.

Cuemoni's tail becomes a bashful little fidget as Zeke praises her in turn, and she briefly bobs her head in a similarly bashful manner. "This one is, as always, grateful for your words, Cihuaa." She leans in and nuzzles Zeke's cheek with her own before she looks at the others. "This one is happy to hear that you are partnered with the Hunter Carver, Eztli. If I have my understanding of the term 'girlfriend' right. This one is still getting used to the terminology of softskins."

She gives an amused-sounding rumble to Irshya. "This one is tall, but what matters is the tallness of the spirit, not the body. It is good to meet a fellow Shaman. This one is pleased to meet you and the Warrior Culix..."

She would have more words, but Cuemoni's golden eyes flick over to Carver. "This one believes you can make the shot," she says gently. Sometimes it takes encouragement.

Zeke rumbles at Irshya. "Cihuaa." It is a gentle correction, but an important one in his mind. "Cuemoni iss Cihuaa." The others are introduced and he nods politely where he can and notices that Carver has yet to fire the bow that is in her hands. Curious.

Cuemoni offers a little encouragement and Zeke decides that this must be the proper form of social engagement so he thumps his tail lightly on the ground being sure to unwind it from Cuemoni's first though he is loathe to do so.

There's a pause, and a slight frown from the small makari. "Yeah, I'm beyond happy to be able to spend time with her." She answers the shaman with a nod. her attention was more on the ranger.

"Don't worry Carver, I'm not nervous, I've got a thick skull, and there's no one in the world I'd trust more to shoot an arrow just above my head." Eztli smiles. "Anyways, done talking, I'm not moving, not talking anymore." She finishes, falling silent and waiting patiently and still, in no particular rush.

Culix snorts at being called a Warrior, "I've been called a lot of things, most of which I'd not repeat in polite company, but never that." she says, and then takes another swig of her cider before finding somewhere to set the mug down. "And you've clearly never been hit by a throwing dagger." she retorts to Carver. Before spying the woman's apparent nerves, and canting her head to the side. "Not getting cold feet are you?" she ribbs lightly.

"Right." she says, and pulls a dagger from some crevice of her outfit as though she's plucking it from thin air. She tosses it up once, flipping it over so she can catch it by the point. "Shall I show you how it's done?" she wonders with a lopsided grin.

"The Sith attempt to fit people into their caste structure, so that they might give a proper, honorable sobriquet, or title. Wizards and clerics and other users of magic are called Shaman. By calling you a woman of many talents and suggesting you're good with your knives has earned you the cast of Warrior. Fitting enough, hmm?"

Irshya leans in close to Culix, standing on tiptoe to whisper into her ear. Stepping away, the pool-shark smiles broadly and sips at her cider. The Goblin cants her head to Zeke. "Cihuaa, you say. What does it mean, exactly? Lifemate? Lover? Husband? Wife?" To Cuemoni, she giggles. "Yes, that is akin to saying, it's not the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog. Which is fair... but my tall spirit does not help me reach the highest shelf, hmm?"

She looks to Culix. "If you win... I'll give you a little surprise."

GAME: Carver rolls weapon7: (9)+17: 26

Carver's holding the shot way too long. Even the strongest archers pull and release for a very good reason. So, there's probably some alarm when the arrow does not zip cleanly at the shiny red apple on the shiny white Sith but instead lazily arcs toward her. It misses the apple. It thankfully misses Eztli.

Carver's second shot, much quicker, does not. It hits the apple and with its momentum, collides with the second projectile and plants them all to the earth. Multishot!

Carver lowers her bow, and tries on a smile, all bravado and gap-toothed smugness.

GAME: Carver rolls bluff: (20)+0: 20

Culix grins when Carver finally takes the shot, and nods her head once. She turns towards Irshya, "If my lovely assistant would take her position?" she asks as she heads over to the line to take her own position ready to huck a dagger at the pool shark. "Promise I won't hit you." she adds. "Ay! Very good!" Cuemoni exclaims for Carver, her tail thumping in approval, before she looks to Irshya and proudly explains, "Cihuaa... Its closest word in the softskin tongues is 'soulmate'. 'Mate' in our culture can mean someone you are paired with only for making hatchlings; it does not really mean romantic attachment, although it can for some of the People. This one's own tribe pressured this one to take mates to try and boost our falling numbers, prior to solving the issue by entreating the great spirits of this one's tribe. Cihuaa and I have no interest in such things, but we love each other."

She thumps her tail again in excitement. "This one is eager to see the Warrior Culix's skill next!" Yes, Cuemoni is having great fun.

Zeke allows Cuemoni to explain cihuaa and the difference between mates and the words to the others. Such things are difficult for him even after all these years. He has never had much inclination as a Speaker. He sometimes thinks that if Cuemoni had not been a Shaman like himself, that she would have made a fine Speaker, and that she does. He leans against her fondly and huffs out a breath. Everyone is well. So far no one is injured.

GAME: Eztli rolls sense motive: (8)+1: 9

"Oh.", she says to Cuemoni and Zeke. "Well, words like that in our languages all mean roughly similar things, with a little extra meaning here and there." She nods to Culix, and looks back to the two blue(ish) Sith. "It's my turn to go get stabbed in the face." She offers a wink to them both before turning and limping over to take her place.

Irshya places the apple atop her head, and leans a little upon her trident. "I trust you! But if you do..." Somewhere in the distance comes a rumble of thunder. The pool-shark's grin is cheeky and full of teeth, though there's a hole in her smile, a triangular space where another tooth is already moving into place.

GAME: Culix rolls weapon20: (2)+11: 13

Eztli knew better than to flinch when the first arrow went flying over her head. The second, she waits a moment before spinning around, turning to pick up the arrow speared apple out of the ground. "See? I knew she'd do perfect!" The makari grins, hopping over to where the ranger is where she gives Carver a hug. "Now, let's see how they do, but just so you know, I'm biased and no matter what you're the winner in my book, you know."

The small makari however does sigh, and nod in Cuemoni's direction. "Yeah, I get that. Nothing more awful than being forced into a relationship you don't feel like. I'm a lot more happier not being treated like an object in a relationship, myself."

Culix tosses the knife from hand to hand as Irshya takes her place with the apple on her head, and then with a final flourish, she whips it towards the other Goblin. The dagger flies straight and true- but no where near where she was aiming. It strikes the leg of one of the less animate wooden targets and Culix's cheeks immediately flush, her blood is still red even if her skin has lost its pigment. The failure to land the hit is only made worse by her bravado leading up to it, and the goblin shrinks wordlessly- her expression clear enough that she may be praying for a chasm to open up beneath her at this moment.

Carver gives Eztli a little spin, more expenditure of nervous energy. "I, uh, sorry. Sorry. Thanks for bein' still." She sets the Sith back down, smoothing out her robes with little hands that have the kinetic endurance of well-rested rabbits. Once every little wrinkle has been patted or smothered, she looks back just in time to see Culix's wind... and toss.

Ooooh. The horror.

Cuemoni watches the dagger strike into the target, and her head shrinks backwards momentarily in the makari-version of a wince. "Ay," she says. "The wind was not kind to you, Warrior Culix. Take heart; all warriors have their moments." She can't judge someone on just one knife throw in front of her, especially with the anxiety of performance riding on it.

She looks at Eztli and nods a little. "It is a hard thing, but this one's people are no longer suffering from a lack of surviving hatchlings. This one received a letter just the other day from this one's tribe. There were many eggs in the clutches, and many of the hatchlings, so far, are surviving. The spirits seem to be kind now that their maladies have been dealt with, and this one is no longer being pressured to return and to take a mate with which to procreate."

A little rumble like a laugh leaves her as she looks at Zeke. "Instead, this one tends to gardens while Cihuaa makes apple pies, and the cat hunts mice and brings us gifts of birds from outside. It is a good life."

Zeke nods readily to Cuemoni's laugh. "Indeed. Thisss one intends to collect more applesss for more piessss." He looks at Cuemoni. "Ssshall we be on our way now Cihuaa? The pie will be nearly cool now and thisss one doess not want your little bird of prey to get any ideassss about what might be under the protection that we have placed upon it."

Despite his words he sounds well amused with the idea, like an elder might with a hatchling just learning to hunt might.

Irshya watches the dagger fly off course, much like everyone else. She approaches Culix then, munching on the apple (the whole apple). She wraps an arm around the grey Goblin, and stoops to peck at Culix' cheek. "Aww hon, don't be down or bashful. Cuemoni is right, just the wind. And hey, you did hit a target, hmm?" The pool-shark squeezes the other Goblin fondly, and sticks a hand into a pouch at her belt, pulling free a small object and offering it to Culix. A loop of silver chain, running through a triangular shaped tooth. Irshya's tooth. With a symbol carved into it, and inlaid with silver. "The surprise I mentioned before."

Eztli laughs as she's spun around and set down, the small makari sorceress patting one of Carver's legs reassuringly with her tail as she seems to fret over her robes. "No problem Carver, I know you're amazing, but I'm not going to do something to make you mess up." She responds, reaching to offer the pie that was a bit scrunched in her hand from all the spinning. "Well, that's good! At least you can hear back from them things are okay. I'm not going to bring things down ruminating about the results of my own actions." She answers with a shrug. "Hey, it's okay Culix.”

Culix grumps a bit as people offer her reassurances- it only makes her flush darken, "It wasn't the wind, I just missed." she sighs, but she does eventually rub her face and then give herself two light slaps to the cheeks. "But, it happens." she says then, as she stands up straighter. "At least I missed by a lot, and not just a little. Glad I didn't put any holes in you." she says offering a sheepish smile to Irshya. As the necklace is given her eyes widen a bit, and she looks closer. "Hey, it's cheating if you give me my prize even if I lose." she says, but accepts it regardless. "Thank you... it's lovely." she says and leans in to give Irshya a quick kiss.

She looks back over to the others, "Guess you won this time." she tells Carver. To Cuemoni, she says, "And glad your folks got it settled. If they ever have any trouble again, they ought to ask Goblin town for tips. I got seven siblings, and my family aint even that big." she says.

"I got five," Carver echoes Culix numbering siblings. "All girls, begin to en' though some of came out more like grandmother's into the world than babies, iffin you met any. Um, yeah, actually - I think we shoul' go get somethin' to drink?" She looks to Eztli for approval on this idea. "It was nice seein' those I knew, like See-Huwo an', uh.. meetin' everyone."

Cuemoni makes that rumbling laugh again at Culix's remark. "It was not for the lack of effort," she says. "There was something else going on, but it has been dealt with."

Then she looks at Zeke, and her tail intertwines around his again briefly. It won't help their walking matters much if they try to walk tail-tied together. "Yes, this one thinks we should go," she says. "To the apple vendor, and then to return home before the cat decides the pie is a burial mound of birds that must be investigated." Which would be nonsensical, but then again, she has caught the almost-not-a-kitten dangling from all manner of things, so the creature is a funny one that operates on its own rules and judgment that Cuemoni can only guess at.

The harvest festival, thankfully, has no shortage of farmers ready to sell them fresh and wonderful apples, as well as many other delights.

-End