#rs:open

Everywhere he walked, people seemed to know him. That wasn’t really a surprise for Pietro. Between his family name, and his fame as an Olympian, it wasn’t weird that most people treated him like the star of the town. A bunch of kids from the little surf school ran up to him, all dressed up as mini 1920s replicas. “Hey guys! Better get ready to tame those waves next week!”

He kept walking as they ran off, playing with his suspenders, when he noticed someone approaching him. “Hey there! Everything chill? It’s a lovely night, honestly. And the music is so dope. I hope you’re planning to save a dance for me.”

Drinking is always one of Dante’s favorite past times. It always made his spirits lifted upon consumption- mayhaps that is why they were called spirits to begin with. A strawberry daiquiri, sure- it may had been considered a woman’s drink to some chaps-- but this casanova didn’t give a damn. He liked the liquid, thank you very much. As it brought him sweet succor, in such dire times. Well, it wasn’t exactly dire in all honesty. Just a tad bit of debt, that’s all.  And yet, here Dante was- spending a bit of his hard earned cash on alcohol. (Actually, he was so charismatic as there were a few people whom already paid his tab already. Slacker. ) Downing a drink, and another so quickly- perhaps the man had found himself tipsy. Oh well. Turning his head to face a stranger, the drifter figured he might as well say hello.

40 dollars for a party that turned out to be a complete bummer. So far, no one had thrown any champagne into someone else’s face. No scandalous affairs had come to light, though Edith had caught a hint here or there that there certainly were some. To top it all off she couldn’t find Clover, and by now she could not be bothered to go look for her in this immense crowd. She loved chaos, but not this kind.

She found herself sulking somewhere by the stage.Her pack of cigarettes had been tempting her, hidden away inside her clutch. When she’d already put a cigarette between her teeth, she realised she did bring two different lipsticks which both were not the one she was wearing, but she forgot a lighter. Typical. Another sigh escaped her as the turned to the nearest person, “Hi. I need your lighter.”

“I thought this would be easy to find.” Witch said, her cheeks turning red from frustration. 

She was out looking for an ingredient for her latest and greatest brew of mysterious effect. Though Fugue Forest was a maze of trees, Witch was a seasoned traveler of it; she could wander aimlessly for hours and still find her way home. She huffed as she pushed aside some leaves.

“Not here...” Witch said. She was beginning to itch. She has been looking under bushes and trees for hours. This stupid plant was starting to be more trouble than it was worth. Her brew would be fine without it, hopefully.

Witch watched the trees, seemingly giving up on her search. She paid no mind to where she was going. Unfortunately, her foot decided to catch on something and she fell face forward. Her right kneecap hit the ground hard and her ankle twisted.

Face full of dirt, Witch wanted to shed a few tears. Today just wasn’t her day. Witch pulled herself up so she could assess the damage, occasionally pausing to wince in pain.

Her ankle was an angry red. That’s going to swell, she thought. Her knee was already beginning to bruise. Witch groaned. She wasn’t going to try standing; she already knew her leg wouldn’t allow it, at least not long enough to return to her abode. She was stuck until she recovered enough to limp home.

Great. Perhaps someone will come by and carry me home, Witch thought, bitterly as she could only hope. Not many people go into the forest, so it seemed she was doomed to wait.

“Sticks of fish?”

The pinkette tilted her head to one side as she listened to the traveling vendor describe the items for sale this week. The wares sounded as normal as they could to her until they listed a food called fish sticks. Of course, Pia didn’t know it was a food at first, her face lighting up at the mere mention of it. But then the explanation came and it didn’t make sense. They weren’t sticks in the shape of fish. No, they were sticks made of fish.

The horror!

If there was anything Gale was questioning at this point, it was what the hell made him think this was a good idea.

He had run out of coffee beans and tea, so replacements were necessary, but the wizard usually left purchasing things he needed until the least busy hours of the day in an effort to avoid people.

People always had things to say, questions to ask. They pried into his life that was comfortably bound in secrecy. And while it didn’t anger him that they followed their curious nature, it was inconvenient and uncomfortable for him to be forced to interact with these fleeting beings, to make the tiniest connections that would inevitably end in death.

It was the prime hour for shopping in Castanet, summer sun and humidity cooking the streets of Harmonica Town. As Gale strolled along the cobblestone street, he was starting to seriously consider using some sort of spell to cool the air around him.

Why did his chest hurt all of a sudden? It was like he’d been punched-

...Oh. He ran into someone.

There was an image that painted strikingly clear in her mind. White upon white, with snowdrops twinkling under a streetlight- in a cool winter night. A strange musician smoothly running his thin hands against strings, with music flowing so freely- so purely-  Sometimes, the nun would find herself trying to recollect that tune. Of course, all she had was her voice and an ocarina.  Wandering out on the outskirts of Flowerbud, the woman plays a tune. A quick puff of air flows out her lips as her companion responds with sound. It’s completely off- the nun thought. How the hell did he do it? So instead, of trying to recollect one person’s song- she does another. One the woman knew all too well. A song for the birds- particularly for the blue ones. It’s funny how a nun could have a close relationship with a bird that is associated with marriage and promises-- ironic, that. And all Aurelia hopes and wishes for above all else is to be free. She plays with her fingertips, on top of a tree stomp as birds began to greet the nun. If anyone didn’t know any better, perhaps she was a piper for the birds, or maybe a princess. Not that Aurelia ever wanted to be a princess. She was too hardcore for that. Perhaps a barbarian or a gunner would suit her in fairy tales, or even a dragon or a phoenix.  Now that was more of her style. As the nun got immersed with her tune, it comes to a halt once she notices there’s something else that is nearby. Goddess- she didn’t want anyone to catch her playing-- that’d be embarrassing-- especially if word ever got out to Chester. He’d never shut up. “Who goes there?” Her voice, low- raspy and stern. It frightened the birds away, as they scattered to different directions.

“Welcome to the Oak Tree Safari Park!”

Agate greeted the group of guests at the entrance of the park after leading them from the guild center. She and Veronica had made the agreement that guests would wait in the lobby for the safety of the animals and visitors while it was open. This was to minimize the amount of lost people, stolen or freed animals, and any other possible accidents or mishaps that could happen. It was for the same reasons that Agate required the group to come to her as a whole to leave. 

“Remember if you’re inexperienced, please stay on the provided dirt paths so you don’t lose your way. Also, not all animals here are welcoming to company upon first appearance, so please don’t approach them quickly or from behind. The most curious of animals will approach you and I highly advise only reaching out to those.”

She gave everyone a thumbs up.