J'azhar Tia lurches forward, scrambling to his feet and wends his way quickly towards the canvas as quickly as he can manage without tripping over the other pilgrims. When he gets there, however, he hesitates - before bypassing the brushes entirely, and dipping his fingers into a pot of vivid yellow paint. A bold smear upon the canvas - a circle, like in Ciel's story, bright and warm. Azeyma. The sun. And then, fingers still dripping yellow, he whirls away into the crowd once more.
Aiouxdaux Beaumont: ...let me guess, you mean to smear that on me as well?
Aiouxdaux Beaumont grins widely.
J'azhar Tia grins in return - and then entirely as though expecting Aioux to submit, reaches up to paint two sun-shine yellow streaks across his cheeks, one below each eye. Then, satisfied with his handiwork, he does the same to his own cheeks.
Aiouxdaux Beaumont bursts into laughter, leaning down to allow the Miqo'te to do so, "...ah, my friend. Perhaps you need a yellow circle upon your brow, to show that you are as sunborn as any of your kind can be."
J'azhar Tia reaches up again after a moment, eyes still dancing and tail still twitching instinctively to the beat of the drums, as though he is barely suppressing the urge to dance. Smearing some paint on his thumb, he draws a slightly lopsided yellow circle in the center of his own brow - and then a line running down from beneath Aioux's nose, all the way to the tip of his chin. "And for your very sunny, very bright way with words."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont snickers, "...you enjoyed yourself, then?"
J'azhar Tia: "Ah - I am sad that it is finished, most grieved," J'azhar says, bouncing a little on his toes. "I should have enjoyed very much to hear more songs; more music; even perhaps - well, just so."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont says, poking the Miqo'te's cheek gently, "You should have made bread for everyone. Buns for the hungry, yes? But perhaps next year. I believe we will be doing much the same. And on that note... will you accompany me to next year's pilgrimage?"
J'azhar Tia: "I shall. Although you know - " he claps his hands together, getting more yellow paint all over his fingers, "there is also in some days a, a - 'picnic' for those of the Still Shore. How great a spread I shall have to make; how great a feast, with the help of Miss Certia and I am certain also Valentinoix."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont laughs gently, "I shall come to that as well. Perhaps we should make it a date?"
J'azhar Tia: "You and your dates," J'azhar says indulgently. "I had rather you should make it a date with all of the Coral Sea, a grand - a  thing which is for..." J'azhar gestures vaguely (and yellowy), apparently having difficulty dredging up the word. "Qabeela," he says at last. "Biyt."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont asks, "...what do those words mean?"
J'azhar Tia: "...Tribe," J'azhar says at last, head dipping and swaying in time with the drums. "Home."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont says gently, "...well. It is coming to be just that, isn't it? For us both."
Vaughn Antain glances behind her briefly at J'azhar and Aioux with a small smile.
J'azhar Tia: "Something akin," J'azhar says, though he doesn't quite meet Aioux's eyes as he says it. "But you will come, yes? I am glad."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont nods, "I will come... and now, I want to add some color to the canvas up there. Come with me?"
J'azhar Tia nods happily and follows along behind Aioux, hands held away from his white shirt. If anyone finds themselves with yellow handprints upon their clothing when they get home... sorry.
Aiouxdaux Beaumont glances at J'azhar, hesitating, "...mm, what color, do you think? Red?"
J'azhar Tia: "Red," J'azhar says. "Or blue. A bold blue - of the sea and the sky. Red or blue."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont glances back, then nods and dips his fingers in the red paint and smears it across the canvas. A mass of red which, after some smearing, comes to look like waves of the ocean, and a small half circle upon the horizon. All in shades of red and white, "...mm, there. Fitting?"
J'azhar Tia: "A horizon?" J'azhar guesses. "Wide and open and the sun - rising? upon it? Yes? Very good; I like it. I like it very much, Aioux."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont laughs, "...setting. Red in the night, sailor's delight."
J'azhar Tia lets out a sudden bark of laughter, loud and belly-deep, before half-heartedly kicking Aioux's shin. "And for that you say I am the brat."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont snickers, "It's an old saying, Jaz! Red in the morning, sailor's forewarning. Red in the night, sailor's delight. It means that red skies at night mean good weather is on the horizon... and believe me, good weather means time to mend sails, repair damage, fish and cook. All the little things that are difficult to impossible in a storm."
J'azhar Tia: "...Good," J'azhar says. "Very good - just so, kurunbi. Most apt. Good weather, for the building."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont nods, pulling a cloth from a pocket to wipe his gloves off on, "Mm. Because such things are forgotten in storms and chaos, and when it is clear it is time to see they are done before another storm hits."
J'azhar Tia: "For that they are the things which are the most important. Which must hold. Even if there are those as consider them - small things. Lowly things. Not at all lofty. Just so. - Come," he says then, extending a hand to Aioux... and after a moment's consideration, extending his elbow instead.
Aiouxdaux Beaumont smirks, threading his arm with J'azhar's, "Come? Where are you thinking, my friend?"
J'azhar Tia: "Not far," J'azhar says. Not far at all, as it turns out; with Aioux in tow, J'azhar beelines directly over to Jancis and Tau, waiting breathlessly for a pause in their conversation before interjecting: "Well met, Miss Janis; Tau."
Jancis Milburga looks at J'azhar and beams, "Lord J'azhar. Aiouxdaux. So happy you are both here."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont smiles, "This was an excellent event as always, Jancis."
J'azhar Tia and Aioux both have yellow paint daubed upon their faces - stripes beneath their eyes, a yellow sun in the center of J'azhar's forehead and a thick line from Aioux's nose down to the end of his chin. "I had wished - I shall not at all detain you, only wished to say how very much I had enjoyed the..." he gestures around them. "How very much - I was very glad to have experienced it. Many things close to my heart."
Jancis Milburga: "It was! The stories were so creative! I am beyond overwhelmed."
J'azhar Tia: "And Tau also - Aioux had remarked quite as soon as you stepped forward that always you have the most marvelous, the most remarkable stories, and again he was proven correct."
Jancis Milburga stares at J'azhar and Aioux. "Hehehe, you are both works of art!"
Aiouxdaux Beaumont says, "I was glad to have attended, and indeed, Tau does always have the best stories."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont: ...and yes, J'azhar decided we were canvases, as well.
J'azhar Tia waggles his yellow-painted fingers, grinning hopefully. "I had hoped that perhaps - as a gesture as who should say of thanks - that you should permit me to...?"
Jancis Milburga: "Oh. Forgive me I did mean it more in a figurative sense... but you both look glowing.. permit you to what, Lord J'azhar?"
J'azhar Tia gestures towards Jancis' face, looking a mite sheepish. "To do for you as well. A canvas. Yes?"
Jancis Milburga lights up realizing J'azhar's intent and laughs. She pulls down the hood of her robe and stands still, channeling her inner canvas. "Yes."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont laughs, "...ah, perhaps I'm glowing because I simply have enjoyed myself so much recently."
Jancis Milburga: "I am glad to hear that. You made everyone feel far more comfortable the other eve when we were talking. Lord Locke was also happy to see I was okay after your help."
J'azhar Tia beams in return, leaning in promptly - and without the slightest hesitation, uses his fingers to paint two yellow circles. Two more suns, bright and warm, one on each of Jancis' temples, above her eyes. "There," he says satisfied. "Miss Jancis, wise and warm, and thinking always of how to make things brighter."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont says gently, "Fitting. And I tend to like others to be comfortable and well. It's just part of who I am, I guess."
Jancis Milburga blinks and fails to stay too still as she cannot stop smiling at the face paint. Staring at J'azhar with wide eyes and repeats the words quietly he said. Her eyes squint up with happiness. "Thank you."
Barengar Armsbreaker quietly directs his gaze over toward J'azhar as he decides upon the canvas that he wished to use for his contribution. A single, low chuckle finds itself caught in the highlander's throat as he bobs his head to the side.
J'azhar Tia waggles his fingers again, looking every bit as bright as the yellow paint; as the sun upon his forehead. "And to you also, Miss Jancis, for all the kindness which you have shown." And just like that, he's gone, bounding away amongst the crowd in search of other victims. Er, canvases.
Aiouxdaux Beaumont grins at Jancis, "...I have not seen him so happy... well. Ever. I am in the debt of the Still Shore for that alone. It makes my heart sing to see that smile on his face."
Jancis Milburga: "Might needs to take some of these paints with you both... if they make him that happy."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont pauses, then nods, "You're right. I think I will do so. And now... I had best follow him." Turning, he see Jadoth and grins, "Well well, it's the kitten. Hey there!"
Jadoth Bloodreign: Hi. Didn't know you'd be here.
Aiouxdaux Beaumont: Nor I you. I saw you guarding the event... thank you for your work while we celebrated.
Jadoth Bloodreign blinks. "Um... no need to thank me..." He grins sheepishly. "It was something to do! Experience!"
Jadoth Bloodreign: You've got paint on you, by the way.
Aiouxdaux Beaumont nods, "Experience is always good. Every experience in which you learn something can be a good thing."
Jadoth Bloodreign: There's a lot of familiar faces around. I bumped into a few people I saw at the Grindstone... the man with the magic book is here, too. Wonder if they're looking to experience new things, too?
Aiouxdaux Beaumont smiles, "Or they're coming to a well received social event."
Jadoth Bloodreign: Oh. That's a possibility too, I guess. I've only really been to the Grindstone.
Aiouxdaux Beaumont says gently, "...if you'd excuse me, I need just a bit. It's been very exciting and I could use a few moments to catch my breath."
Jadoth Bloodreign nods, his ears flicking. "Alright!"
Aiouxdaux Beaumont nods, wandering to the side.
Chuchukepa Hohokepa stares at J'azhar wordlessly for a moment, as though set aghast by the face painting.
Chuchukepa Hohokepa: "Ser, you um... y-you have a little..." He trails off, gesturing to his own forehead.
J'azhar Tia smiles back at Chuchukepa, blithely unselfconscious, before grinning at Val as well. "Perhaps it was not much - but such after all is the lesson in part of the evening, yes? That such small things, such contributions - the making and the mending and suchlike, are quite the most important sort of thing."
Chuchukepa Hohokepa thins his lips a bit, considering J'azhar's observation... but still taking a small step back.
J'azhar Tia: "...And I also," J'azhar says, looking down at the paint upon his fingers: bold and bright and sunshine-warm. "I enjoy very much to share with those of the Still Shore the - the food, the skills, such small labour as I may provide, which also is the labour in my tribe. The heart of things. Just so." He seems - abashed.
J'azhar Tia , picking at some of the paint beneath his nails, wanders off in search of... where the hells did Aioux go?
J'azhar Tia has procured a scrap of cloth from... somewhere, and is wiping the yellow paint off his hands with middling success as he wanders back over to Aioux, looking a little more subdued than before.
J'azhar Tia: "Yes," J'azhar says brightly, though he seems somewhat in mourning for the loss of the drums. "I am very glad; most glad to have come. And to have - " he gestures slightly at Aioux's face, "and for Miss Jancis also."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont says gently, "I enjoyed myself, very much. And I also am glad for the face paint. I haven't seen you quite so happy in a long while."
J'azhar Tia: "Ah, well - the music," J'azhar says with a lopsided shrug and a grin. "And the talk of building, and making, and mending, and such work; I was well reminded... Had perhaps I think conducted myself somewhat too eagerly now that I think upon it."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont reaches up and tugs on a lock of J'azhar's hair gently, "No, you were perfect. I was happy to see you so happy. Jancis has suggested we take some of the paints home with us."
J'azhar Tia: "Well. It did not seem..." J'azhar twiddles his thumb a little awkwardly, but then shrugs with a determinedly philosophical sort of air. "In any case - the paints? Certainly Miss Jancis is very kind, although I have not at all a notion what I might do with them."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont shrugs, "Paint. I will get you canvas, we can paint in our free time. Or you can. Or perhaps you can decorate things."
J'azhar Tia: "...That seems a very - lavish sort of..." J'azhar looks away, and then looks back, uncertain. "I have not very much done such manner of thing. To paint only on canvas for the sake of painting. At leisure."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont says gently, "Old ship's canvas, hung across the wall. We can paint and paint... but truth be told, anything beautiful is functional in it's own way. Perhaps it's time you did something for sake of doing it alone."
J'azhar Tia: "Then - yes," J'azhar says, yellow sun on his forehead creasing slightly as he looks surprised at... what? Himself, perhaps. "That in fact sounds most... diverting. Yes. I should like that very much. An old canvas upon the wall, to paint upon. Yes."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont smiles at that, "I'll see it done, then. An old canvas should be easy to get."
J'azhar Tia nods, looking away for a moment as his hands fidget distractedly with the paint-smeared cloth in his hand, folding it and refolding it, before scratching at his chest (and leaving, of course, a yellow smudge right in the center. "...I shall help you to hang it," he says, looking back.
Aiouxdaux Beaumont gives a little laugh, "Good... and look at that, you've gotten yourself messy. We should fix that."
J'azhar Tia: "Hm?" Strange pensiveness abruptly shattered, J'azhar looks down at himself in some alarm - only to sag in relief upon discovering the paint is on his chest, rather than upon his nice, white shirt.
Aiouxdaux Beaumont smirks, going to scoop the man up in his arms, "Perhaps I should get you clean, eh?"
J'azhar Tia: "Kurunbi," he tsks reprovingly. "Ah - well, it is not so grave; no more grave than when I am muddied in hunting or chopping the wood or - oof."
J'azhar Tia: "...You had better not be about to throw me in the - "
Aiouxdaux Beaumont is, in fact, already on his way to the water, "Mm? What was that now?"
J'azhar Tia: "No. Aioux. I will take your other ear. I will wrap you in the canvas and they shall never find yyyyyy-" J'azhar's banshee screech ends abruptly in a loud splash and an indefinably outraged burbling.
Aiouxdaux Beaumont bursts into laughter, grinning widely, "...what was that? I seem to have gotten paint in my ear." He pretends to clean it out with a finger.
J'azhar Tia rises from the water with a hideous, gurgling gasp, arms held out as water cascades off him. He looks like... well, like a drowned rat, yellow sun and stripes starting to streak down his face.
Jancis Milburga looks up at the outburst over at the waterside by Aioux, but seeing him there calms back down, "Everything all right?"
Aiouxdaux Beaumont laughs harder, "...oh gods..." Like an idiot he grins over at Jancis, "Yes! We're fine! Jaz is just taking a bath!"
Jancis Milburga stands up on her toes to look at the matted-hair miqo'te. "Such is the ordeals an artist must needs suffer through!"
J'azhar Tia takes advantage of this moment of distraction, and launches himself at Aioux like a tiny, bedraggled, entirely sodden avenging angel, sending them both splashing into the shallows.
Jancis Milburga: "I only have a handkerchief, Lord J'azhar. But it is yours if it will help."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont yelps as he's suddenly dragged into the water by Jaz in his moment of distraction, flopping in with a large splash, "Ack! I can't swiiiiiim. Save me Jaz!" He's totally playing it up, he can totally swim.
J'azhar Tia: "I shall use it to - gag him - " J'azhar grunts. You know, as though he's going to win this little wrestling match.
Aiouxdaux Beaumont is laughing, even if he's mock flailing and letting Jaz dunk him.
Jancis Milburga cannot help but laugh as she hears the water trashing around. She brings up a hand to blur her big smile and murmurs an apology to Asmodean.
J'azhar Tia , like a dog who has caught his own tail and must suddenly face the reality that follows, realizes that he isn't entirely certain what he hoped to get out of this particular endeavor, besides A) soaking Aioux in turn, which has been achieved, and B) perhaps glopping a handful of mud atop Aioux's head. Which he does. Only then does he roll off the elezen, hauling himself a little further up out of the shallows.
Aiouxdaux Beaumont wrinkles his nose at the sudden mud in his hair, letting Jaz go and ducking under the water. He laughs, "Ahhhh... revenge is sweet, no?"
J'azhar Tia: "Quite so sweet as honey," J'azhar says, satisfied. "As a morning with no more to do than to lay abed. ...Only as now it occurs to me that it is night in the Shroud, and I am quite wet through, and I cannot well ask you for your dry coat." Hmm.
Aiouxdaux Beaumont chuckles, "...I'll just have to figure out how to warm you up, yes?" He pauses for a moment, then suggests, "...maybe a campfire."
J'azhar Tia: "Just so," J'azhar muses. "Or there is perhaps a fire above in..." he nods towards the looming bulk of Camp Tranquil, "or indeed the inn where last we rested after we had come here to aid Riddle."
Aiouxdaux Beaumont nods, "Mm... or I can simply dry you off and we can go home."
J'azhar Tia: "...You certainly are welcome to make the attempt," J'azhar says, raising his eyebrows skeptically even as he sloshes to his feet, wincing slightly at the squish of wet leathers and fleece.
J'azhar Tia bows with an elaborate, flowery flourish of his hand. Lead the way, it seems to say.
J'azhar Tia offers a damp wave as well as he departs in Aioux's wake.