Forums » General Roleplay » Summer Soiree, Forest's Festival [Open]

Lizbeth Halts for a moment, the music had already taken her.
“Oh, hello, don’t worry, I like the music, it’s enchanting. My name is Lizbeth, Lizbeth Redwood. The forest is my home, so I was curious when a bird brought that invitation to me. I’m no magic creature, but I can sense some strong force here, a well known force.” The deer looks at him, it seems this force comes from him.

"Yeah, this guy seems pretty filled to the brim with some sorta magical energy" Kiyo interjected as she took a glass of lemonade to drink "I mean, I can only tell 'cause I'm a crane spirit"

She took a sip of the lemonade before continuing.

"I know a certain kitsune who'd be, like, crazy delighted to meet you, Forest. She's a sorcerer who studies magic as a science, by the way"

She did not realize from who she got the drinks from. An elemental of some sort holding a tray of food and beverages, with another next to it holding a tray with the same contents. This Forest fellow must be quite powerful indeed. Not that it mattered to her, she was here to wind off after deciding to play E.T of all things.

She wanted to draw the constructs. Maybe as a reference for an original character she could use in some animated project she wanted to work on. It was then she realized, that as a spirit, she was not only made of magic, she could cast some spells as well. What better way to use magic than using it for convenience?

Kiyo summoned a sketchpad, a couple of pencils and erasers, and a blending stick. If the festival she was visiting had been any farther from home, such a feat would be impossible for someone like her who has barely practiced magic like this.

She began sketching, her focus firmly entrenched on capturing the image of the elementals before her, starting with the basic forms as she always did.

It did not take long for her to complete the sketch. Though rough, it was enough to depict the constructs in question in all their glory, complete with proper texturing and shading.

After a while of wandering and exploring the festival (Although not doing much out of the fear he'd break something), Tato grows weary and slightly hunched. Soon he wanders back to Forest and smiles at him.

"Thank you!" He says kind heartedly, happy to have appeared. After that he carefully starts walking back towards the river, assumed to be heading back home, but stops to watch it flow for a moment and waits for the water to not go by as fast.

Lizbeth nods to Kiyo, stepping beside Forest and herself, that crane spirit so freshly full of energy, the doe smiles, a bit lost between all that magic and Tato. She can’t help looking at this awkward creature with wings. But it’s not a judging look, or one like those staring of disgust. Lizbeth looks more interested and maybe a bit pitiful.
She turns toward Forest, smiling, the sound of this music still in her ears.
“Is she right, assuming you to be a highly magical creature?”

"That is not an inaccurate description from what I can recall." Forest 's expression became a mixture of pained and embarrassed for a moment. "Unfortunately best I can tell I'm still only half remembering myself, but that's better than when I started. Thankfully pieces have started clicking together in greater chunks by now." He shrugged, demeanor warm once more.
Casting his gaze around he hoped those present were enjoying themselves, and took note of Kiyo's spontaneous artwork. He was proud his practice had paid off, making the constructs more visually appealing and cohesive. First attempts had been monstrous at best, though that was more due to unlocking the power and memory under duress than anything else.

Lizbeth smiles sipping on her delicious cranberry juice. “That’s a pity, that you don’t remember all. But you can believe me, I sense a high power inside you, don’t ask me why, or how, I can’t answer, as a deer, I simply know. May I say that you have a nice festival, the music so inspiring, I would just love to dance. May I?” she asks with a joyful voice and walks over to the dance floor right in front of these magical plants playing a soft tune.
The doe starts to move with the music, her eyes closed, her body waving in the rhythm, her hooves ticking on the floor while making her turn. Her head goes up, her arms raised while her hands seem to caress each other. Softly making slow pirouette, her long dress slightly puffy over her hips, the doe feels that music, as if a spell gives her wings to move elegantly over the stage.

Erin Cassidy had no business looking as refined as she did, not with the stolen pearl comb tucked slyly in her bright red hair and a rings covering her fingers that definitely didn’t belong to her just last week. But she walked through the garden like she owned it, chin high, expression unreadable, eyes keen and flicking over the crowd with that familiar predator’s patience masked behind a lazy sort of charm.

The soirée had seemed to lure all sorts of creatures into its gilded net, and Erin was hardly one to ignore an open invitation, especially one with this much silk, silver, and unattended pockets. She paused near the edge of the dance floor, her adorned fingers absently trailing the edge of a champagne flute. With her other hand, she adjusted the pale gold ribbon at her waist, as though she cared about presentation. She didn’t really. She cared about opportunity. And something about this evening hummed with it. Or would something distract her from her instincts and habits and get her to actually have some wholesome fun?

"Well thank you. And of course, it was placed here for a reason." Spotting the newcomer Forest steps aside to speak with them.
He takes a moment to ruffle his hair first, loosening the strands and getting the heat off his scalp from the sun above. Maybe it would be a good idea to dunk his head in the creek at some point. Well, hair sufficiently mussed and feeling a little cooler once more, he steps up beside the woman.
"Greetings and welcome. I'm Forest, I'm glad you could make it to my festival." He flashes a warm smile.

Erin's eyes watched closely as Lizbeth moved to the dance floor, a small smile on her face. She enjoyed watching others have a good time. She took a sip from the cup she had in her hand before she noticed Forest was now facing her and greeting her. She looked him up and down and gave a little nod, her little smile remaining.
"I'm Erin, nice to meet you. I'm glad I could stop by, the energy here is nice." She said softly, her voice carried a confidence, but not loud by any means. She needed somewhere to relax a little bit, always being on the run got exhausting, and anytime she could take a little break she took the opportunity.

"A pleasure to meet you as well!" He'd happily respond, taking in all the sights and sounds once more. "A drink sounds absolutely wonderful too." Bright green eyes would peep over to what was being served and the man with a sweet tooth couldn't help but perk up at the sight of the strawberry lemonade. "Mind if I have one?"

If allowed, Elias would happily grab the drink before thanking the construct carrying it.

Seeing as even more faces had arrived, he'd give his best smile and nod in greeting.

The doe continues to move with the music, swaying softly her hips. She doesn't want to impress or lure someone, she only feels the vibes inside her body. She simply feels good and has that typical warm smile on her lips.
She gently waves again to the crane spirit and the winged Tato.
She notices this young man greeting everyone with a nod, she friendly nods back, before her turning makes her look away, her eyes falling on those of that woman with bright red hair, seemingly appreciating a dancing deer. A sincere smile on her face until another pirouette makes her lids slowly close.
Her long robe rises slightly with that deer turning on the dance floor. Lizbeth feels good and her graceful dancing shows it all, no embarrassing clumsy falling, no silly steps ruining her grace, the doe is taken by the enchanting music. For sure there is some magic going on... but who cares, she just feels nice. Her host Forest has some real good music for her.

With introductions seemingly more or less completed, Forest took a moment to walk over to one of the tables and grab a fresh apricot. Returning to the group he turned to the white haired woman and asked:
"You're an artist? You must have been practicing a while, your sketches are remarkable."

Erin lingered near the edge of the gathering, her piercing emerald green eyes flicking between the dancing figures and the soft interactions blooming around her. The music wove around her like a breeze, almost tempting her to loosen her shoulders and let go. But she remained grounded, sipping slowly from her cup, a welcome contrast to the summer warmth.

She caught Elias’s movement from the corner of her eye, watching him accept the strawberry lemonade with enthusiasm that made her lips twitch into a subtle smile. Something about the way he lit up over something so simple… it was disarming. Refreshing.
“Sweet tooth, huh?” she remarked lightly, sidling closer to him with a quiet confidence, the kind of presence that didn’t demand attention but held it nonetheless.

Her gaze flicked momentarily toward the dance floor where Lizbeth still spun and swayed like something out of a half-forgotten dream. The redhead’s expression softened at the sight, an almost wistful warmth crossing her freckled features. She caught Lizbeth’s eye again mid-spin and gave a subtle, two-finger wave from her cup-holding hand, a silent 'you look lovely out there' passed between them without words.

Then, with a small grin tugging at the corner of her mouth, she tilted her head toward the dance floor. “Think I should give it a try?” She nodded subtly to Lizbeth dancing. “Or would that be pushing my luck, considering I'm not much a dancer?" She laughed softly.

"O-oh, thanks!" She replied shyly "I'm an animator for this anime studio actually. The language barrier's rough though, but thankfully we have translators in the office for when we need to communicate"

Kiyo paused for a few moments, attempting to think of something to say. She twiddled her thumbs for a few seconds before deciding to speak again.

"My, uh, father wanted me to take a computer science course instead of pursuing animation as a career. After alot of discussing, I got him to let me take a degree in animation at Green's College. The funny thing is, my boyfriend's adoptive mother tried to get him to do the same, but instead he went for music production"

Then, the crane yokai recieved a call. It was rather unexpected for her boyfriend's mother to call.

"Hm? Lady Azumi? Oh, I'm currently hanging out at this festival. No, I'm fine. I promise. Dad wouldn't let me go here if that wasn't the case."

After much convincing, Kiyo finally got the fox spirit to hang up. She sighed in relief.

"Don't worry about her, kitsune like her are... a bit overboard. Well, that's what she keeps telling me and my boyfriend, Ren. I dunno how he even manages with her 'zoomies'..."

"I'm glad you have found a good career and good workplace. It sounds like everything has fallen into place. Anything in particular you have worked on I might have heard of?" Forest cocked his head listening politely. "I have heard it can be quite hard to calm a kitsune down after they get going."

Erin’s gaze lingered a moment longer on the dance floor, where Lizbeth moved like she was part of the music itself, effortless, free. The redhead let out a soft breath, a smile curving her lips as she swirled the last of her drink in her cup.

“Alright,” she murmured to no one in particular, just loud enough to be caught if someone nearby was listening. “Maybe grace isn’t the point. Maybe just... feeling good is enough.”

She took a step forward, then another, the sway of her hips tentative, but genuine. Not quite a dancer, not quite a spectator. Watching Lizbeth, she gave another wave, this one paired with a smile that held something braver behind it. “Don’t laugh,” she said with a playful lift of her brow to anyone catching her edge closer to the rhythm. “Or do. I probably deserve it.”

Still, she kept dancing, now on the dance floor next to Lizbeth, laughing quietly at herself and how nice it felt to let loose a little. Not as graceful as Lizbeth was, but having just as much fun.

The music plays on, still as enchanting, still like a magical magnet attracting people like that doe to dance.
That woman with red hair joins Lizbeth on the dance floor, she's welcomed with the most sincere smile.
"Never will I laugh, never will I mock someone dancing. I'm the most clumsy and silly person, normally, but this music is so enchanting, you can't do else than move gracefully over the floor." Normally Lizbeth wouldn't dance like this too, she'd rather step and fall over things, or bump into someone in her unequalled silliness.
Lizbeth chuckles softly and holds out a hand to the woman, offering her to make a few steps with her.
"Would you join me, Lizbeth, for a dance? Let the music guide you, let it enter your soul." The doe lays her other hand on her chest, always slightly moving her body with the rhythm. The folds of her long dress moving like the values of the ocean, back and forth, left to right.

Erin blinked at the outstretched hand, surprised by the kindness in the gesture, and the sincerity in Lizbeth’s voice. For a moment, she hesitated, then let out a quiet laugh, the sound light and unguarded. “You’re really not going to laugh?” she asked, just to be sure, but the smile she wore said she already believed it. She reached forward, her hand resting gently on Lizbeth's with a cautious sort of trust, like someone not used to being invited in but willing to try.

“I’m Erin, by the way,” she added, giving a small nod. “Figured if I’m going to trip over my own feet next to you, you might as well know what name to call me.” The joke was easy, a buffer for the nerves humming under her skin, but her steps found the rhythm slowly, adjusting to the music and Lizbeth’s easy presence. Erin wasn’t graceful, not by nature, but she understood movement. Knew how to read people. And right now, Lizbeth made it feel safe to stumble.

“Alright,” she said with a breath, watching the way Lizbeth moved like it was second nature. “Let’s see if I can dance without starting a small disaster. Lead the way.” There was no pretense in her tone, just honest effort, and maybe the beginning of something that felt like fun.

The bright red haired girl was starting to really be thankful she decided to attend this celebration in the forest.

Lizbeth nods very gratefully to her, it's seldom that this clumsy doe is asked to lead the way. So she will fulfill those high expectations of having fun.
"You will not stumble, Erin. And I will not laugh, except if pleasure invades this mind. All you have to do is feel the music, let it enter you. With this music it's quite easy, it's enchanting music and I wouldn't wonder if there were some magic within."
As if Lizbeth spoke right, the plant musicians start to play a little bit louder, some of those tunes you seem to know by heart, you see to feel as if they were invented by yourself. Then it's quite easy to get those vibes that make your feet move, move to the music.
Lizbeth takes a step forward, keeping that hand posed upon hers, Erin can restrain at any moment.
"Just follow me, step by step in the rhythm of the music", Lizbeth's warm smile doesn't leave her. The music goes into a 3/4 time, so easy to follow and make a pirouette at the final of one sequence. There is definitely magic in that music.
And this is exactly what this doe is going to do to Erin, 1-2-3, step at three, three four times to get that rhythm and then that ominous final, one, two steps and Lizbeth holds Erins hand up and turns it over her head, the redhead's body just follows. Should she stumble that moment, the doe would wrap an arm around the waist and prevent any disaster.

Erin's fingers twitched faintly in Lizbeth’s hand, but she didn’t pull away. A wry smile played at her lips as she quirked an eyebrow, casting Lizbeth a sideways glance. “You say I won’t stumble, but history begs to differ,” she muttered, the words teasing but lined with an edge of vulnerability, like someone who’d spent too long perfecting their swagger to admit just how much she hated feeling out of control.

But then the music shifted. Louder. Clearer. Familiar, painfully, beautifully so. Erin's breath caught for just a moment as the tune pulled at something deep and old within her, something she couldn’t name but knew intimately. Her foot moved before she realized it, one step, then another. Her body eased into the sway of the rhythm, cautious at first, like a thief slipping silently into an open door.

Her eyes didn’t leave Lizbeth’s. Those big eyes, the soft smile, that constant hand, guiding but never pushing. Erin’s pulse ticked faster, her usual sharp bravado softened into something quieter, more curious. She let herself be led... one-two-three... her boot tapping in time against the earth, skirts brushing her ankles.

And then came the turn.
Erin felt Lizbeth’s arm lift, and without thinking, she followed. A quick pivot, a flare of red hair as she spun under the arch of their joined hands, and yes, she nearly lost her balance. A heel caught. The ground tilted.

But Lizbeth was already there, catching her before the stumble became a fall. Erin blinked up at her, breathless and wide-eyed for just a beat too long. Then she laughed, a soft, incredulous sound, surprised out of her.
“Well,” she murmured, lips curling again into something more like her usual grin, “You weren’t kidding about the magic, were you?”